Chapter 21: The Kingdom Under the Sun
I've returned. Now I had said that this would come out this Friday (12/1) but I decided you guys wait too long for me. So here is a late Thanksgiving gift. A new chapter will still come out tomorrow but here is chapter twenty one to hold you over.
Five months later
To say Vacuo was Hellish is the biggest understatement of the history of Remnant. If the sand didn't swallow you whole, the sun melted you alive and the Grimm would make a nice dinner out of whatever was left. Thankfully for Justinian, Roman and Neo they had visited Vacuo numerous times and were better accustomed for the arid climate and scorching sun. However, the same could not be said for the Malachite twins who had never been exposed to this harsh environment were barely keeping up with the other three. They were constantly out of water and dehydrated, slowing down the group and delaying their arrival to the 'Kingdom Under The Sun' as it was called sometimes.
The five criminals arrived at the southeast gate and waited for their old contact to open the gate for them. Justinian and Roman had enough influence and money in the criminal underground of Vacuo that they could bribed or extorted anyone to do anything for them. They also could place inside men in high places, most notably the Vacuo City Guard and even the Vacuo police. The gate slowly creaked open and the five entered still cautious that they may be walking into a trap. Justinian's hand never left the grip of Odium and his eyes flickered between the guards as the let the group through. Neo had a similar attitude although she had the parasol open and over her shoulder but was ready to draw the blade from its sheath. Roman strolled with out a care in the world as he usually did while the Malachite twins kept their trademark uninterested appearance while secretly scoping out the area and the people.
"So the Torchwicks return." A man said as he walked up.
He wore the typical guard uniform which consisted of tan combat pants, tan combat boots, a long sleeve tan shirt with brown metal armor covering the chest and rifles used by Atlas's own military. This man however had patrol cap and didn't carry a rifle but had a pistol holster on his left leg with the weapon stored there. He also had one thing off about his armor, was there was a scratch on an otherwise unscratched surface over the left collarbone. A lot of the guards had this because it was a covert way to show who was paid by the Torchwicks.
"Captain, how has business fared since we last visited?" Roman asked as he walked up next to the man.
"Some small time nobodies tried to start their own 'businesses' here and got busted by Vacuo's 'finest'." The captain replied adding a mocking tone in the last word.
"We have also been out of the loop in regards to our fame." Justinian added finally removing his hand from his weapon.
"Since you guys skipped outta Vale, your bounties jumped substantially. Roman went from five hundred thousand to one and three-quarter million Lien and you, you skyrocketed. Justinian 'Reaper' Torchwick, you have gone from one million to four million and an extra two if they hand you over to the Schnee Dust Company first."
"Just remember who is currently paying you or my bounty will go up." Justinian added pulling Odium out and placing it under the man's chin.
The man nodded nervously before the group continued forward. The guards all stepped out of their way and the group entered the city of Vacuo.
Justinian smirked knowing he was back in their ultimate safe haven. That didn't mean that they never had to get their hands dirty because the always did. Stealing the Dust was a complicated task of its own, they had to muscle the competition away or 'The Reaper' cometh. Justinian truly earned his alias here from killing off many who spoke out or tried to steal their business.
Neo had loved Vacuo and the network they had built here. When the Schnee thugs, usually referred to as Snow Hounds, rivals or the occasional assassin got captured she was the one to interrogate them. She would never talk, per usual, but would keep cutting, beating or whatever forms of torture she used until they gave up what she wanted or they couldn't talk at all. Most broke after a day or two just because of the fact she never talked nor used any form of communication when interrogating.
Roman just loved the money the criminal empire raked in and how infamous they were. His amassed wealth ensured he would never have to make deals like the one with Cinder ever again. He hated the deal from square one because Cinder had told him if he went off script or disobeyed anything Justinian would die a very slow death.
The group had came across a bar, one owned by a former friend: Constantine Purpura. They entered the establishment and was immediately met by a glass being thrown towards them. The glass was not directly aimed at the criminal masterminds but was thrown as the result of a bar fight. Fights were not uncommon in Vacuo but bar fights were far more common place than normal fights. Justinian and Roman made their way through the room, avoiding the fight which seemed to be moving sporadically and reached the counter. Behind the counter stood a man in a sharp black suit with a purple tie. He wore a candle lapel which signified his alliance to the Torchwicks and had gray hair with tinges of violet still visible with weary royal purple eyes. This man was Julius Purpura, the father of Constantine.
"You can save your condolences, you pieces of shit." He said not even bothering to look in their general direction.
"Well, these pieces of shit are your bosses and he was still my friend." Justinian said as his hand crept towards Odium.
"I don't give a shit. You got my son killed. My only child at that!" He said slamming his fist down on the counter.
"Does this mean you're out of the game?" Justinian asked as he pulled Odium out and up till it was aimed at the man.
Julius looked down and say the gun pointed at him but had his own trick ready. Behind the counter he had a sawed off double barrel shot gun locked, loaded and aimed in the direction of the younger Torchwick. Before he had the chance to pull the trigger, he felt a needle like blade go through his thigh and he nearly fell to the floor. To his left was the infamous Neo with her blade through his leg and a sadistic smirk, ready to twist the blade.
"If you think you scare me boy-" The man got out before a bullet cut through his neck.
He crumbled to the floor clutching his throat trying to stop the bleeding. He began to cough and choke on his own blood shortly followed by him twitching, His actions slowly died out and he succumbed to the darkness.
"I'll have to try harder." Justinian finished holstering his weapon. "Everyone says that. I didn't want to come here and kill you but you made me."
Neo hopped over the counter with the shotgun in hand and gave it to Justinian. She used the rag Julius had previously been using to clean the counter to clean the blood from her blade. No one in the club had batted an eye nor cared because no one messed in their affairs. The three walked over to the twins who stood by the door dumbfounded.
"You galls know how to tend bar, right?" Roman asked.
"Of course we can." They said, insulted by the question.
"Good, then you guys have a bar of your own. Tell you what, you guys can keep eighty percent of all revenues." Justinian replied. "Oh, and we'll get someone to clean up that mess."
Justinian motion back towards the counter and the five of them proceeded in that direction. Justinian jumped over the counter and grabbed five glasses, a bottle of Vale Fireball Whiskey and poured out shots.
"To new ventures." Justinian said before they toasted and all downed the drink.
The twins both had faces of disgust and hatred for the drink, Neo coughed and also despised the choice of alcohol while Roman and Justinian enjoyed the drink with the latter taking the whole bottle and hoping back over the counter.
"How are you not dead from drinking that shit." Miltia said pointing to the bottle.
Justinian shrugged it off. "Guess its genetic."
As the group walked down the street heading for their safe house Neo took the time to wrap her hand around Justinian's. The man's gaze turned towards the ice cream themed girl and gave a small smile. The two never had the chance to properly act like lovers back in Vale because they were working or running from the cops, Cinder or the Huntsmen. Sure, they still had to watch their back here but a paid off police force did help make it easier for them to be out in public. Justinian took another swig of the whiskey he had, letting out a sigh of refreshment afterwards.
"You're an alcoholic." Melanie stated in a hostile tone.
"And you are a cold hearted bitch, gemstone. No one is perfect." Justinian replied with vinegar.
Melanie turned to glare daggers at the younger Torchwick. "I told you to never call me that again."
"What's the matter, does it remind you of when you had a man to make you feel like a woman."
Roman jumped between the two and held his arms up trying to prevent an inevitable fight. "Were all partners in crime here. Save the fights and that for when we get behind closed doors."
The group had quelled the fight that would have broken out in broad daylight and most likely would have resulted in serious property damage as well as bodily harm. That didn't mean the five criminals were walking without the air of tension and hostility between the former couple. Justinian tried to ignore his ex-girlfriend's presence and placed his hand around Neo's.
Cinder was beyond terrified but had done her best to keep her composure and not let people think she was trembling. She had promised her mistress the fall of Beacon and obtain the other half of the Fall Maiden's powers but was thwarted by a few lowly criminals. Then said criminals told Ozpin their plan and they had to leave Vale before they were caught. Emerald and Mercury still kept to Cinder's flank as the entered the room. Sitting in her seat at the head of the table was the Mistress of Darkness, Queen of the Grimm: Salem. Her face held the look of extreme disappointment and seemed to be holding back her wrath.
"You will not speak." Salem said before Cinder thought to even do so. "You have let three common criminals foil my plan and you have failed to obtain the Fall Maiden's full power. I should have you thrown into a pit and let the Grimm tear you to pieces."
"Please, gi-" Cinder spoke before Salem cut her off.
"I instructed that you are not to speak! You should be grateful that I am showing you mercy. Thanks to Doctor Watts, he was able to convince me that this is not all your fault and that Justinian Torchwick is also a silver eyed warrior, though he knows not of this power. It was for the best that this boy has retreated far away from Ozpin because he will not have any allies to save him now. Hazel and Tyrian will bring him back here alive and I will deal with him."
"What am I to do?"
"You and your allies will go with Adam Taurus and ensure that Sienna Khan will continue to support our endeavors. Now, be gone from my sight."
Cinder and her two accomplices bowed and left.
"Oh, Ozpin. You may have had a saving grace once but you will not be triumphant for much longer."
"You can't be serious, Oz?" Qrow inquired bewildered by the headmasters request.
"I am. Qrow, you know he also has silver eyes. It is imperative that we make sure he does not fall into Salem's hands. It would be catastrophic if she could twist his mind or his powers and turn it against us." Ozpin explained as he sat down at his desk.
"Look, I understand that but sending me and my nieces' team to get him is a bad idea." Qrow replied.
"I understand that you, Miss Rose and Miss Xiao Long have hostilities towards him but that is not worth losing your son nor risk having those powers fall to Salem."
"The issue is Oz the kid said he would join us before and we saw what his word is worth. We would never be able to convince him to come with out and even if he did I'm sure Jimmy and good ol' Jacques Schnee would want him in handcuffs and on a maximum security airship to Atlas."
"What Ironwood and Mister Schnee want is irrelevant in this case. I can convince James why it would be important for Justinian to remain in our control and not in custody. Jacques does not need to be informed of this in any form. We can still conceal his true identity and he can be Justinian Branwen again. No one knows who 'The Reaper' is and no one knows that Justinian Torchwick exists."
"You are not getting my point. He is a lost cause, our best course would be to either throw him somewhere were Salem can't reach him or..."
"Please tell me you are not considering killing him. He is still your son, regardless of how blinded he has become."
"There is no way we can reach him and he won't believe what is really going on if we tell him. And this ain't my first option, Oz."
"You're serious. Qrow, do not act like you were never like him."
That struck a nerve with Qrow and he had a look of hate and anger. "I had left that life behind and he and I are not alike. It was the life I was born to while he chose to become a criminal and a murderer."
"No, he did not. You heard just as well as I did that he was forced to do what he did. He became so desensitized to it he can't seem to see what he has truly become unlike you. Your son is out there, needing a good guiding force to help him come back. Even if we succeed, he still will not be a good of a person as Miss Rose but he can help make things right."
"Okay, let's say this works and we can reason with him and his 'friend'. What if in a fight against Cinder or any of Salem's pawns he kills them, what then?"
"I don't expect Justinian to act in a morally rightous area. He will want revenge and will fight anyone in his way, so it would be best if we didn't."
"You are saying that we let him be a loose cannon!"
"Wouldn't it be for the best to have a loose cannon aimed at our enemies rather than one pointed in all directions?"