Chapter 22 - Together

"I'm regretful to inform you all that one of your classmates, Lenox Zane has fallen into a coma after an incident," Ozpin said addressing the freshmen of Beacon. Rather most of them, Lenox and Neely were not present "Due to these events we are delaying the departures from the off-campus training missions to ensure a greater security to you all," Ruby glanced at Alfie from across the room. He looked disheveled and miserable. "I'd all of you to keep in your minds the dangers we face as huntsmen, and the resolve we must carry to continue on, once we face tragedy like this." Alfie's knuckled looked white as he pressed them into his jeans.

Blake began to notice the shift in the mood at Beacon during the following three days. Ruby had been acting more cheerful but it seemed forced and unsteady. Her voice fading off as her attention drifted away to Alfie as he wandered past. Weiss had began to watch Gren, not her usual mix of annoyed fascination but worry and care. Yang was the only one not outwardly affected by Lenox's coma. She remained the same chill, composed partner, Blake had come to know. Yet, there were moments she noticed a quiet in her friend. The halls of the dorms and classes had grown equally as quiet. There was no, prank war waiting to add surprise to the day. Alfie was no longer sitting with his fellow leaders talking animately about weapons. He wasn't scolding his brother for his antics or studying with Neely. He had all but secluded himself away in the infirmary by Lenox's bedside. Gren was a hollowed out version of his normal sincere and cheerful self. Then, there was the odd case of Neely's sudden disappearance from campus. She had gone missing after she left the infirmary the night Lenox was bought back by Gren. Blake sighed, closing her book, after rereading the same paragraph five times. She hoped their up coming training mission would help the mood. Either the change in location and her team's search for Torchwick would help take their minds off Lenox. Anything to get away from the gloom, one she understood too well, would do them all good.

"Alfie," He turned darkness flooded the world around him, "Alfie," the voice called once more. Alfie walked aimlessly in the darkness, his limbs felt stiff and tired. He tried to call back but his mouth made no sound.

"Alfie!" the voice a girl's voice called more frantically this time. He forced his limbs to move faster, the darkness shifting into tall trees made of midnight. The broken moon overhead was tinted red.

"ALFIE" He broke through the trees a yell finally escaping his throat. Alfie collided with a wall. Alfie turned around, the forest was now a hallway, it looked like the one in his dorm.

"Alfie" a new voice called this time. He ran down the hallway, his breaths rough as he raced towards the one door in the hall.

"Alfie, hurry" it called. Alfie broke into the room stumbling as he looked around. A single bed sat in the center of the room.

"Alfie," The voice, Lenox's voice,

"You're too late," A women whispered in his ear. Alfie spun around but there was only darkness.

"Alfred" the earlier two voice cried, Alfie turned as a shadow plunged a dagger into Lenox's hearts.

"NO!" He screamed.

"Alfie?" Ruby asked as the boy slept with his head resting on the edge of Lenox's bed. The leader's eyes darted behind his eyelids, she placed a hand on his shoulder, "Alfie," She asked, he muttered something inaudible, "Alfred," she said louder. Alfie raised his head, his eyes cracking open, in the low light of the room his amber eyes looked darker. The amber colors were richer and beautiful. Ruby felt a ping in her mind, there was something oddly familiar in them. Like she had seem someone else with the same eyes.

"Ru?" Alfie asked straightening up.

"Good morning," Ruby said smiling pushing the weird feeling from her mind, "We've got class and you've been missing for the last few days," Alfie rubbed his eyes, checking his scroll, it was a few minutes before Professor Port's class.

"Yeah, I thought about going yesterday, but I ended up here," He said his voice fading off as he looked at his brother's comatose form.

Ruby looked at him with an earnest kindness, "He'll wake up," She said, a ghost of a smile flashed over Alfie's face.

"I hope so," He said yawning, "I'll try to get to Oobleck's class later," Ruby nodded, losing her smile.

"Okay," She said, "I'll come back at lunch,"

Alfie nodded his eyes doping. Ruby walked out of the room, but she looked back at her friend. He looked worn out and fragile. She wanted to find out who did this to his brother and she suspected Roman Torchwick was involved.

Weiss wrote down notes as Professor Port gave a lecture about the older Grimm. In only a day she and the others would be heading out to hopefully find Torchwick. She glanced down a few rows to where Gren sat all alone. He fought to keep his eyes open as Port went on. Gren was looking awful since bringing back a wounded Lenox. He also had barely sound a word since the night.

Before

"What happened ?" Professor Ozpin had asked gently, once the group expect for Alfie had been ushered out of the infirmary. Gren stood before him with his head hung. He had been able to put on a spare shirt to replace the one covered in his partner's blood.

"I'm not really sure," He muttered hollowly.

"Gren," Yang broke on, her eyes watery and her voice tight, "Lenox had burns on his arms they were from his semblance," He nodded.

"Grendel," Ozpin said in a quiet but stern tone, "If you'd like to talk in private,"

"We were looking into Roman Torchwick," He broke in, "Lenox thought he had found something and went in alone, he didn't plan on getting into a fight, but something went wrong," the words tumbled from his lips, "I tried to get to him in time, but when me and Will found him," Gren shoulders shook, "I was too late,"

"You did all you could, son" Ozpin said kindly, "Children" He turned to the others, "Go back to your dorm for now, I need a word with Grendel alone" Weiss glanced back at Gren as they left. He looked so broken and alone.

Now

"Well, I believe that's it for today," Professor Port said as the class hour came to an end. Weiss closed her notebook and watched as Gren fumbled with his own. There were dark circles under his eyes, his clothes were rumpled and his hair looked unkempt. He headed for the door.

"Blake," Weiss said looking at her teammate, "I'll catch up you all in a moment," Blake smiled.

"Okay," Weiss hurried after Gren. She could not find him the halls until she saw him leaning against a wall.

"Grendel," She said walking up besides him, he turned shapely to face her.

"W-Weiss," He said, trying to form his tired voice into it's usual politeness.

"You are a mess," Weiss told not unkindly him, he smiled.

"I know," He replied. Weiss sighed,

"You need to get some rest," she told him. Gren shook his head.

"I'll be-"

"No, you won't be fine," she cut him off, "you're looking like a corpse walking around and you aren't any good to your teammates if you pass out in an alleyway." Gren's eyes flickered with something for a moment.

"I don't have a choice, do I ?" he asked with a fragile smile. Weiss nodded sternly.

"You need rest."

Gren brushed a hand through his messy hair, "Okay."

Ruby entered the infirmary with Jaune, they had gotten Alfie something to eat.

"Alfie," Jaune called.

"Alfred left," the pair turned as the nurse appeared.

"Oh, did he say where he'd be" Ruby asked.

"I'm afraid not," she told them, "hopefully he's getting some rest." Ruby and Jaune exchanged a look. They left the infirmary after being assured there had been no change in Lenox's condition.

"I'm sure he's okay," Jaune said as they went back to the dorms. Ruby nodded.

"Yeah, I hope so," she said they passed the training room and Ruby saw a hint of dark blue hair through the window.

"Alfie,?"

Alfie felt the heat travel through his veins. He smashed his hand into the punching bag.

Why? He felt his chest melt with rage, his bones crackle as he kept hitting the bag.

Why didn't Lenox's trust him ? Why hadn't he noticed something was wrong ? Why did Neely go missing ?

"Damn it," Alfie yelled his fist flying past the punching bag into the shattered into pieces. Blood trickled down his knuckles, and pieces of glass clung into his flesh.

"Alfie,!" he heard Ruby yelp from across the room. Alfie turned, his bleeding hand hung at his side, "your hand," she said, her and Jaune looked at him with wide concerned eyes.

"It's fine," he muttered.

"You're bleeding," Jaune said.

"It's fine," he snapped bleeding fingers curling into a pained ridden fist. Alfie wobbled back and his back hitting the wall. "it doesn't matter," he said, "I'm a terrible leader, Lenox is in a coma, I have no idea where Neely is," his voice rising into a shout, "I can't even look Gren in his eyes," Alfie squeezed his eyes shut, "I don't know what to do anymore." A gentle caress went to his hand.

"Alfie," he looked up, Ruby and Jaune kneeled before him, "you don't need to do all of this by yourself." Ruby whispered.

"Neither of us knows exactly what to do all the times," Jaune said, "but we alway manage in the end," a smile kind and understanding on his face, "we're here to help."

"So don't hurt yourself," Ruby said, "you're smart and you can figure out what to do but maybe do it one problem at time." Alfie bowed his head.

"You can't fix what's wrong with Lenox," Jaune said, "but you can find Neely and talk to Gren." Alfie breathed in deeply. He cleared his tangled up head.

"I think fixing my hand comes first" he said opening his eyes. Alfie's fellow leaders smiled at him.

Gren opened his eyes at the sound of someone moving a chair.

"Gren," his leader said. Gren looked over at Alfie, he sat at his desk elbows resting on knees. One of his hands were bandaged.

"How long ?" he asked.

"Weiss said you were out for a few hours." Alfie replied. Gren sat up rubbing his neck.

"Alfie," he said, "I'm sorry." Alfie sighed deeply. He's shoulders were sagged and his eyelids were heavy.

"I'm not going to lie and say that's I wasn't mad," he said, "I wish you and Lenox would've trusted me." Gren hung his head, "but whatever happened you were doing it to help find out whose been causing trouble for all of us." Gren looked up,"I don't blame you for anything, Gren," Alfie went on some light returning to his eyes, "I need my friends and team to find out whose behind all of this." Gren smiled wearily.

"I here for whatever you need me for, Alfie," he said. Alfie returned his smile.

"We need to find Neely."

Alfie and Gren had began their search for Neely by getting a some rest and eating dinner. Alfie figured that team RWBY was correct in their advise that the paired needed to be rested in order to do any good. He was also glad that the coming travel missions had postponed classes. The remainder of team ANGL were now in their dorm room. Gren explained everything about what he and Lenox had done for the last four months.

"Okay, what do we know about Neely," Alfie said standing arms crossed. Gren sat on his bed.

"She said that she grew up in Vale like us, and that she lived with her sister," he said. Alfie nodded seeing something in Gren's dark violet eyes.

"You don't her story," he said. Gren sighed.

"I went on the past few nights to find out where she may be and," he said, "and something worrying came up."

"What?" he said.

"A group at a bar said they say saw a girl who looked like Neely talking to someone who looked like Neo a little before school started around town," he said. Alfie frowned.

"You said you and Lenox thought there may have been a spy,?" Gren nodded he felt his guts twist up, thinking of his teammate. Alfie's brow were furrowed, "Give me a second," he said quietly. Alfie made his way to his partner's bed, "sorry for looking through your stuff." he added as he pulled out some of Neely's stuff from under her bed. One was a duffle bag he seen he use the night he'd been sick. The night Lenox and Gren were outsmarted by this Pip person. Alfie felt his hands tremble as he opened it. A mask of white and horrors looked back at him.

"Shit," Gren said softly, as he saw the mask, Pip's mask. Alfie lifted it up and saw the rapier, broken under it.

"The queen must've wanted to have eyes and ears inside the school for whatever reason," Alfie said softly more to himself, "a new student would've been unassuming to the teachers," he went on, "it would explain how Torchwick was aware of Team RWBY's movements, and how she was there to intercept you and my brother." Gren nodded his jaw clenched tight.

"but there is one thing bothering me," Alfie said.

"What ?" Gren asked tersely.

"Torchwick was never the one to face you and Lenox," he said, "the person who always confronted you was Neely." Alfie paced around the room, "she was there at the docks and again at the rally," Gren's features softened with clarity.

"You think she was protecting us from Torchwick,?"

"Yeah, something to that affect," Alfie replied, "otherwise, why did she vanish the night Lenox got hurt." he halted at the desk, "disappearing then, puts suspicion on her, and a spy doesn't want unneeded attention."

"No, it wouldn't make sense," Gren said, "especially for someone as sharp as Neely."

"Exactly," Alfie replied.

"However, even knowing that won't help us find her," Gren pointed out resting his chin on his hands.

"No, it doesn't, but I have asked one of dad's friends to run through security footage in Vale to try to find her."

"How is doing that," Gren asked.

"My dad has some interesting friends," he said with a knowing glint in his eyes. Gren sighed.

"Any results yet," he asked.

"Not yet." Alfie replied sinking into his chair.

Later.

Alfie heard a ping from his scroll as a new email popped up on it. He shut up from his place at his bed, sending books to the floor.

"Gren!' he called, rousing his teammate from his nap.

"Did you find her?" Alfie grinned his face animating in a way Gren hadn't seen in days.

"I've got an address an a photos of both Neely and Torchwick's bodyguard," Alfie said scooping up his jacket and weapon's belt.

"Come on," Gren sprung up from his bed grabbing his spears and scroll. They bolted out of their room. Alfie felt his bones vibrated with excitement as they ran to find their teammate.

"Here it is," Alfie said as they reached the apartment door. Gren reached for the handle, it was unlocked.

"Ready," he asked. Alfie rested his hand on one of his pistols and nodded, They went into the apartment, there was no one in the living room. Alfie looked for any signs of a fight or danger.

"Neely," he called stepping around an armchair, "I never expected a lack of anything to worry me so much." Gren nodded peering into the rooms.

"Anything ?"

"No," Gren said. Alfie sighed and walked over to the window, something felt off about it. He looked at the glass and ran his fingers along the sill.

"Grendel," he called.

"What," Gren appeared besides him.

"This window was repaired," he said "and" he removed his hands. Flecks of dried blood were on on it.

"No need to panic," he said though he grimaced. Alfie nodded.

Before.

Neely felt pain snake through her as Neo's slender blade sank into her gut. She gritted her teeth as Neo yanked it free. Neely stumbled back against the wall. One hand pressed to the wound. Neo stepped back as she watched Neely sink to the floor.

Tell me Neely, Neo signed do you believe that your little friends at Beacon will accept you after they learn the truth of who you, what you've done.

"I don't care," she said, forcing herself to sit up, "I can't keep doing what we've done."

Neo walked forward and stabbed her blade into Neely's hand. She bit down a cry.

After everything, Neo signed her eyes flashing red, dark and gold, you chose vapid children over your own family ? drawing out her blade.

Neely glanced up her brow slick with sweat. "Those boys showed me a future," she replied, "one that you and Roman can't give me." Neo scowled staking away from her. Neely struggled to her feet, "I'm sorry," she said slamming her bracelets into the window shattering it. Neely said a pray before jumping out of it.

Now.

Alfie and Gren walked into the alleyway under the window, bits of broken glass were scattered under it.

"She must've jumped," Gren said sounding both impressed and stunned. Alfie nodded in agreement.

"She's reckless," he muttered looking at the walls, he saw a bloodied hand print on the bricks.

Before

Neely saw only white and red and felt like her body was on fire after she landed. She touched for the wall, aura blazing. "move" she told herself running down the alley.

"Move," she repeated more strongly as she heard no steps following her.

Now

Alfie lost the trail of blood as they hit the main road.

"Where is the hell do you think she got off to?" Gren said.

"Hopefully somewhere safe." Alfie said. walking out into the sidewalk, when his scroll chirped again. He fished it from his pocket expecting a call from his friends but it was a number he did not know. Alfie opened the message.

"Gren" he said,

"What?"

"Neely sent me a message," he said looking up at his friend. Gren's eyes went wide.

"What does it say?"

Alfie took a breath.

"Dear, Alfie, Gren and Lenox,"

"I'm so sorry, for lying to you for all this time. I never meant to harm you, but well I suppose being a spy working for Roman that was unavoidable. It may not make sense but Roman and Neo are my family. They found me when I was young and kept me safe when no one else did. I wanted to do whatever it took to protect them, but you all just got under my skin. Alfie, Gren and Lenox, you showed me how to fun a life could be, I got to live in a way I didn't think I could ever. I'm sorry for what happened to Lenox. I wish I could've done something to help him. I'm so sorry. Don't look for, there is good chance that I'll be dead before you ever find me,but it's okay that way. I never did deserve the kindness you all showed me.

Goodbye,

Neely. "

Alfie blinked away the mist from his eyes.

"We need to find her," Gren said, his voice calm but firm. Alfie nodded.

"I can track the scroll that sent the letter," he said, "Then we find Neely."

Neely slumped against the metal container she hid in. She had managed to get her wounds bandaged tightly in gauze, but her gut pulsed with pain as she held the scroll. She had stolen it off a passing dock worker. She wondered what Alfie and Gren thought of it. She wondered if Lenox was alright. Neely smiled sadly.

"It's none of my business," she said aloud. Her right hands bandaged as well fell to her her side.

"Neely," someone called. Neely knew the voice. She struggled to her feet and existed out of the container.

"Hello, Adam" she greeted. The Faunus stood before her with two other white fang members.

"I honestly didn't believe Torchwick's little tag along would bite the hand that feeds," Adam said gruffly. Neely frowned.

"I forgot how charming you are," she said, twisting her good hand, the little shield shuttered to life.

"I was asked to bring you back to Neo," he said, "but I wasn't told to bring you back alive." Neely actually grinned.

"The only good thing about you," Neely said, "is that you tell other how you feel." Adam shrugged.

"How do you want to die, Neely."

"Just make it quick, Taurus," she said, Neely felt a bone deep exhaustion. She was sick of fighting for nothing.

"Gladly," Neely closed her eyes, as the blades clashed. Yet she instead felt the flicker of two new auras. Warm, familiar ones. Neely opened her eyes and saw them. They stood between her and Adam and his white fangs members. Weapons raised protectively.

"Don't lay a hand on our friend," Alfie growled.

"Alfie, Gren" she whispered as her knees gave out.

"Easy," Alfie said catching her, and sank to the pavement with her. His eyes so bright and alive.

"Are you okay?" he asked. Neely only nodded.

"A traitor protecting a traitor," Adam said in disgust, "how unsurprising Grendel Wolf."

"Traitor," Gren spat, "after what your bosses did to my father," angry burned in his eyes, "you don't have the right to lecture me on who is a traitor." Adam rested a hand on his katana.

"Don't worry Gren," he said, "you'll be joining your father soon," the other two white fang stepping forward. Alfie got to his feet.

Don't Neely thought. Alfie loosened his blades at them. They ducked out of the way but Gren and Alfie moved faster. Gren caught one under their chin with the butt of his spear and Alfie slammed his fist into the others mask. He caught his blades and jumped back. Adam scowled deepen, but his clothes and hair began to blaze a bright red. Gren's eyes went wide.

"Down," he yelled as Adam ripped his blade free and slashed at them.

"Neely," Alfie called.

Later.

"First they won't leave their room now they missing completely," Weiss sighed as she and Ruby stood in ANGL's empty dorm room. Ruby glanced around the room, there wasn't a clue as to where the pair disappeared to.

"Are you looking for Alfred and Grendel,?" the partners turned to find Russell standing in the hall.

"What if we are?" Weiss replied cooly. Russell shrank back under her icy stare.

"It's just I saw them leave in a hurry earlier," he said.

"Really," Ruby said.

"Yeah, Alfie looked pretty excited about something," Russell told them, "do you think they found Neely?"

"Hopefully," Ruby said.

"Knowing them they probably found more trouble," Weiss said under her breath. Ruby glanced at the room. She really hoped they came back safety before team RWBY had to leave for their mission tomorrow.

"Do you sense anyone?"

"No."

"Okay then," Gren stood and pushed his barrier out breaking open a hole in the wreckage of shipping containers. Alfie, helped Neely out and Gren trailed out behind them.

"We should be clear to get back to Beacon," Gren said his eyes still a vibrant violet. Alfie nodded.

"You can let go," Neely said breaking from Alfie helping hands.
"Hey, you're still hurt," he argued. Neely staggered back.

"Why did you two come after me," she asked her head bowed.

"Neely?' Gren said softly.

"Why?" she demanded "I'm a liar, I've been lying to you all for months," she yelled tears streaming down her face, "I've deceived people and killed them, I don't deserve to be saved by you or be your friend."

Alfie and Gren listened as their friends sobbed.

"You're my partner," Alfie said sternly, Neely looked up at him, "whatever lies you've told, whatever horrible things you've done in the past, they're in the past." Alfie's amber eyes were filled with compassion, "I know you, the you who I met that first day at Beacon," he kneeled down, "Neely you've been there with us through all the good and bad this year," Neely couldn't manage to muster up an argument, "you never sold out my brother or Gren or me," he went on, "I'm not saying I understand about you but I do understand that I'm never allowing one of my friend to be taken away from me ever again if I can stop it," Alfie held out his bandaged hand, "you're our friend, our teammates, my partner and we're all going back to Beacon together," Neely took his hand and they stood up together, Neely glanced at Gren.

"Together" he said smiling. Neely smiled at him despite the pain and tears.

"Together," she said and Gren wrapped them back up into a hug. Alfie smiling as they made their way back.

"Are you sure this is safe," Neely asked as they reached Gren's apartment.

"Yep," he said, "my mom and brother are at the hospital right now," he turned on the lights, "plus you look like you need rest and I'm sure the professors and our friends will have questions once we get back."

"Okay," Neely said sitting down on the couch. Gren went into the bathroom to get to the first aid kit. Alfie slumped down on the couch next to her.

"Eventfully day," he said tipping his head back.

"Yeah," she agreed.

Alfie rolled over in his bed. "Wait," he mumbled, as he hit the floor. Alfie popped up, glancing around Gren's apartment. The afternoon sunlight poured through the windows.

"We're late," he muttered scrambling to his feet, "Gren, Neely!"

"Yeah," Gren said, from the armchair he slept on.

"We need to head back," he said dragging on his shoes, his clothes were in disarray, "to Beacon before the others leave on their missions, we need to warn them to be careful."

"Come on," he said leaping over the couch. Gren stretched out his arms hurrying over to the kitchen. Alfie's fingers just brushed the doorknob when he saw Neely wobbling over to them.

"It's okay if you stay behind," he said," you're still hurt." Neely got a stubborn set to her jaw.

"I'm coming" she said, "remember we stay together." Alfie groaned but a smile touched his lips.

"Fine, but we need to move fast," he said, "let Gren carry you."

"Carry me?" she said unsure. Gren grinned returning from the kitchen holding a bottle and a pill.

"It's some pain med," he told her, "and I'm plenty strong enough to carry you." Neely down the pill and nodded.

"Hurry up," Alfie said running out the door. He didn't doubt that Ruby and the others were talented hunters, but he also knew they were facing an army of White Fang, Roman Torchwick and Neo were awaiting wanted them to fully prepared.

A long run later.

Soon the shining towers of Beacon Academy came into view.

"Finally," Alfie exclaimed, he could hear the hum of the Bulkheads, "Please still be here," Alfie pushed his tired body to move towards the runway. Gren kept pace with him even with Neely on his back. Who, thanks to the pill from Gren was acting just the tiniest bit loopy.

"Do the towers also glow like that,?" she asked resting her chin on Gren's shoulder.

"Maybe I shouldn't have used my mom pain meds," he noted with a smile.

"No, no these are great," she replied, "I don't feel a thing."

"That may not be a great thing."

"Hurry," Alfie urged.

Ruby bid farewell to team JNRP, and Oobleck beckoned her team to the airship.

"RUBY!" She turned around at the voice and saw Alfie and Gren running towards her. Ruby began to smile, when she noticed the state they were in. Their clothes were ruffled and cut. Their hair was unkempt and Alfie's eyes were wide and frantic. Ruby was forming a question when she saw the other person peeking over Gren shoulder.

"You found Neely," she called the once missing member of team ANGL wavered at her.

"Yeah we did," Alfie replied coming to a halt before her, He doubled over gasping for air.

"Are you alright," she asked.

"We're alright," Alfie said straightening up.

"I got stabbed," Neely added rather cheerfully.

"You were, what?" Blake asked coming down bulkhead ramp to them. Yang and Weiss also looked at them curiously.

"Listen, we know that you all have been looking into Torchwick," Alfie said bluntly, "since the say at the docks and the night you fought him, and what happened at the dance," Team RWBY looked at them in alarm, but Alfie kept going, "Torchwick is definitely where you're heading,"

"How do you know all that,?" Weiss demanded.

"Lenox and I were looking into someone connected to Torchwick," Gren replied.

"The women you encountered at the dance to be specific," Alfie told her, "but that is another story entirely, right now you have to be careful,"

"Roman's got an army of White Fang on a train," Neely cut in.

"That doesn't sound promising," Yang said.

"Roman?" Blake asked her brow furrowing at Neely. Who simply shrugged before going on.

"Roman's also has got Neo watching his back so be extra careful," her tone took on a more serious edge,

"Neo," Yang said "you mean that pint sized bodyguard ?"

"Yep."

"How do you three know all of this?" Weiss asked, with narrowed eyes.

"Because he told me the plan," Neely went on once more before the boys could speak up.

"He what," Weiss stammered, "Why?'

"It's a long story," Gren interrupted, "but there's no time to explain now but we will once you get back."

"Be on guard," Alfie said, turning back to Ruby.

"I promise," she said confidently, "but what are you three going to be doing well were gone ?"

Alfie smiled tiredly, "Staying out of trouble." Ruby smiled.

"You promise to explain all of this once we get back" she said.

"I will" he said, "once you get down taking Torchwick down.

"Once we've saved the day," Ruby said. Alfie grinned.

"Deal."

"Girls, come along now, adventure awaits," Oobleck called from inside the craft.

"See you soon," Alfie said stepping back.

"See you," Ruby said and walked back up onto the bulkhead with her team. Ruby wavered as they took off. Alfie fell onto the runway once they were out of sight.

"Alfie," Gren and Neely cried, yet he only smiled widely laying on the runway watching the bulkhead become a speck in the sky.

"I'm so freaking tired," he announced "I need a shower, and then a proper meal, then sleep for a week." Gren laughed.

"Agreed."

"Sign me up for that too," Neely said smiling, "Oh, I think I'm bleeding again."

"What," Alfie and Gren yelped, Alfie scrambling to his feet. Gren set her down and they saw blood seeping through the gauze and her flannel shirt.

"Dammit, Neely," Alfie groaned, "tell us, when you're bleeding out," Gren scooped Neely back up gently and they ran for the infirmary.

"I hate running so much," Alfie shout at the top of his lungs. All the students around them, Jaune and his team included watch the peculiar sight, but there was such a joy radiating off the trio that all anyone could do was smile at them.