Chapter

As the alarm began to chime, Damian Diviner blearily opened his eyes and reached for the nightstand to turn it off. Rather than sink back into his soft bed, he stood up before rubbing his eyes and shaking himself out.

Getting out of the bed, Damian quickly shed his night clothes before putting on a pair of sweat pants and a dark long sleeved shirt. As he jammed his feet into his shoes, Damian rushed out of his room and down the hall of his mansion. Dashing down the steps, he grabbed the house key before opening the manor doors and moving into cool morning air. Letting out a breath, Damian began to stretch out his arms and legs for a few minutes before sprinting out of his home gate. As he exited the mansion he turned right.

As he did, Jerry Cipher appeared on his right. He was wearing black leather gloves with similarly colored sweat pants, however his shirt was a shade of green lighter than his emerald eyes, which were narrowed behind spectacles as they both ran across the sidewalk.

Their breath showing in the air, they shifted from the sidewalk down onto the road. As they approached an intersection they both turned left.

On either side came Conner Ward and Will Deregan. Conner wearing similarly dark clothes as Damian, however Will was wearing athletic shorts and a tank top. Both boys wearing the harness of their gear, Will with belts strapped to his waist while Conner wore the gauntlet on his left hand but missing his shield.

Continuing down the road, the houses ended with the road being blocked by several red signs, behind was a very large forest that loomed ominously in the early morning.

The four ignored the signs and dashed into the forest.

Shoes crunching the foliage below, the boys raced around trees of leapt over roots. After several minutes of straight running, the four entered a clearing where their weapons rested atop a fallen log, Project Lance and Dualed Edge were impaled inside while Lambent Roar lay in its collapsed form and Conner's shield laying on its front

"Rocket!" Jerry shouted.

Damian rolled his eyes as he dashed towards his rifle.

Jerry rushed towards the collapsed Lambent Roar, leaping up he grabbed the bracers in a flip before landing on the opposite side and continuing his pace. Damian planted his shoe against the log as he pulled his spear out of the log, Will doing the same with his blades as Conner rushed in low and linked his arm through the straps and hoisting it onto his arm.

They resumed their rush through the forest, soon a white spray painted line appeared.

"Ready?" Jerry shouted.

"YUP!" Will replied.

"Marksmen!"

Damian shifted his grip on his pike, arriving to the first target he cocked back his arm before throwing his weapon. The blade missing the bullseye but it was not far off the mark, Will reached for the daggers on his shoulders and began to throw them with accuracy at the targets. After several seconds they flew back into their holsters as Damian ripped his pike from the target and returned to Jerry's side.

They continued their pace through the woods, the sky began to brighten as the four returned to the clearing. Sweat causing their clothes to stick to their chest as they sat down on the log.

"Final day," Jerry said. "Can you believe it?"

Damian nodded, "Ever since the end of Volume 2 we've been training practically day and night, preparing for the moment we returned to Remnant. Of course we can believe it."

Conner sighed, "Is it a bad thing that I can't wait?"

Jerry shook his head, "Not at all. I'm eager to see everyone again."

Damian gave him a small smile, "You mean to see Ruby again."

"That too."

"And Blake and Weiss and Yang and Jaune and Nora and Pyrrha and Ren again!" Will stated happily.

As Conner and Jerry chuckled, Damian glanced up at the sky, "Nearly six everyone. We should prepare for our... "final" day."

The boys didn't waste any time, placing their weapons back onto the log the four lined up before sprinting back out of the forest.

Jerry threw himself back as the kick went over his chest, catching himself on his hands the boy pushed back and landed on his feet. Lifting his arms, Jerry batted the next kick with his arm before stepping forward with a palm thrust. With a grunt, Conner stumbled back before raising his leg back up with another kick before spinning around and swinging his heel up and against Jerry's side. The force knocking the wind out from him, Jerry fell to his knees in pain, gritting his teeth Jerry placed his hand on the mat before swinging himself up. His foot connected to the base of Conner's chin and sending the blonde boy to the ground.

"Match!"

Breathing heavily, Jerry got back up with a hand pressed against his side. A moment later a man wearing a collared shirt and jeans took Jerry's arm and lifted it over his head, to the cheering of the audience around them.

"Winner: Jerry Cipher!"

Jerry smiled, after his hand was dropped the boy retrieved his spectacles and returned them to his face, as his vision cleared the spectacled boy walked over to his friend with an outstretched hand, "Almost had me there."

Conner rolled his jaw before taking the hand, "So we're tied now?"

Jerry smiled, "Yup."

"Just when I thought I had you," Conner replied.

"You both did great."

The head of the place, Jonathan Washington, smiled down at them. Several days after they returned home, all of the boys would gather weekly to watch the episodes released for Volume 2. After seeing Team RWBY battle against the giant robot, they agreed to find some way to hone their skills, they came up with their morning exercise however that still left their fighting styles.

Will had stumbled across the Freelancer MMA arena. After scoping out the area, Jerry agreed to start going to the building and received numerous bruises from every fight but he does return the favor to every fighter. Once two months had passed, Jerry had fought everyone in the building. Conner followed a month later after seeing the fight between Mercury Black and Pyrrha, under the recommendation from Jerry to study kickboxing, introducing him to Carrie Church, (nicknamed Carolina as that's where she moved from) who took him under her wing.

The owner, Timothy Washington, enjoyed the fights and especially liked parring together Conner and Jerry. Recording them to advertise through YouTube and their website, not to mention bringing in people to observe their fights.

The man gave them a sad look, "Gonna miss you both. You guys brought that special spark to my arena."

Jerry smiled back, "Sorry Mr. Washington. But we have to."

Washington sighed before clapping them on the shoulder, "Just know that the doors are always open to you guys, even that one kid who calls me "Washingtub" every time we talk."

Jerry chuckled, as they both ducked out of the ring.

"Hey Conner, I need you to come over here," Carolina's voice rang.

The interior was made so that the main arena was in the center of the building, to the right was a line of punching bags while to the left were open mats for people to spar together. Carolina was near one of those mats, a light blue tank top and windbreaker pants that cut off at her knees. Her light red hair pulled into a ponytail as she regarded Conner with jade green eyes.

Conner approached the woman with a smile, "Hey Carolina," he said.

Carolina gave him a small smile before gesturing for him to follow. The blonde frowned before following the woman, who moved towards the back of the building where an object rested against the wall.

Conner frowned as he approached, "Carolina?"

"I heard what's going on with you and your friends," Carolina said as she gestured to the mat. They both sat down before the woman continued, "So I got this for you."

The woman grabbed the object and offered it. It was a slim, black and blue backpack, as Conner took it his eyes were caught onto the straps which contained the symbol of the Freelancer's.

"It's a goodbye from the gym," Carolina said. "And this is from me…"

Reaching into her pocket, the women removed a black paracord bracelet and offered it to the boy, "You've shown to be resourceful."

Conner glanced at the woman before gingerly taking the cord and attaching it to his wrist, "Thank you Carrie. Really."

Carolina smiled, "You're welcome Conner."

"I'd just hate to say goo-"

"Don't say goodbye," Carolina said. "I hate goodbyes. You're just…not here right now."

Conner gave a smile, "Then I won't be here right now. Thank you for everything."

"You are welcome Conner."

Damian quickly moved across the mansion floor, his padded feet squeaking as he whirled a broom around his shoulders. Grabbing it with his left hand, he whirled the object out before thrusting the bristles toward an imaginary target. Quickly yanking it back, Damian heard footsteps before swinging the broom back down and sweeping the floor as his maid Lydia entered.

"Young master," she said with a small smile. "That is my job."

"Is it wrong for me to learn these small things?" Damian asked. "So I am prepared for my own house?"

"Of course not sir," Lydia stated.

"Then please allow me," Damian replied.

Lydia sighed, "If I didn't no any better I'd say you are preparing to be a husband."

"Not yet."

Damian continued to sweep as Lydia moves towards the steps before sitting down. "You've become a very fine young man Damian."

"Thank you Lydia," Damian said.

"So I must ask why you plan on leaving."

Damian stopped sweeping.

"Pardon?"

Lydia sighed, "Don't play coy Damian. You think I haven't noticed several of your personal items missing, a bag resting in the corner, you planning on leaving this house."

Damian turned to the woman with a raised eyebrow, "If I am?"

Lydia clasped her hands together, "As your mother's employee, I do not believe that what you are deciding to do is wise. Your mother has already lost her husband; I do not believe her heart could take another loss."

Damian fought off a scowl, "My mother."

"I am not finished."

Lydia patted the seat next to her, waiting for Damian to move there before continuing her speech, "As your maid, I have seen you grow in these halls. I understand what expectations your mother has placed upon you, and I am proud to see you make your own path."

Damian frowned, "I…might never see you again."

"As long as you are happy," Lydia said with a smile, raising a hand and lightly stroking Damian's cheek, "Then I am happy."

There was a strong surge of emotion inside of Damian's chest, one he managed to recognize as sadness. Lifting his arms, he wrapped his arms around the woman and hugged her tightly.

"Promise me that you will resign after I leave. Don't spend time with that woman any longer."

Lydia pressed her face into Damian's shoulder, which began to grow wet, "You were the only reason I stayed."

Damian rubbed the woman's back as she cried. Knowing this would be the last time he ever saw her again.

Will twirled the dagger around his hand before throwing it across the room, watching as the blade tip embedded itself into picture of Sun Wukong.

While Will managed to keep his…scary side from everyone else. It didn't stop it from acting up when they watched RWBY, more specifically any scene with that…blonde ape.

The moment Will saw him approach Blake, he felt a strong surge of jealously. Blake was his, and his alone.

But that didn't mean she shared the same sentiment.

The next dagger met the head of monkey Faunus. Clenching his hands, Will attempted to calm himself down as he approached the wall and took out the daggers. Breathing deeply, he returned the weapons back to their holsters before returning to his spot at the far side of his room.

Despite what he might desire, Blake was still her own person. If anything, it would all boil down to her…and Will did not plan on letting the monkey boy win.

But…

Taking the daggers, Will hurled them back into the wall. Instead of hitting Sun, they sank around the outside of his face, framing his grinning head with the daggers and destroying the picture completely. As he ripped it down, Will was about to reach for the next when he heard the door open.

After tossing the pictures away and putting up a target, Will exited the room before putting on his happy face and skipping into the living room. He and Conner shared the same bathroom, both of their rooms opposite of each other as a small hallway led into the living room and kitchen. The entire house was bare, a sofa rested in the middle as a small fridge was next to a stove. There was another bedroom at the opposite end, however it had remained close for a long time, Conner had set a black backpack onto the counter as Will bounded up.

"You packed already?" Conner asked.

"Yup!" Will replied happily. "All set."

Conner gave a small smile as he regarded the house, "Can't believe this is our last night here."

"Yeah," Will said, adding a small bit of sadness to his voice, "Me neither."

Conner glanced at the room, "Do you think we should…?"

Will glanced at where he was looking and shook his head, "Nu-uh. We promised her to leave her alone, and we did. Not even-"

"There is something I want to get," Conner said. Turning to Will with a pleading look, "Remember what Auntie showed us?"

Will understood.

"You want those?" he asked. "Are you-"

Conner looked down, "Since we're staying in Remnant forever. I figured it would be a nice memento for her."

Will bit his lip, glancing at the door before looking at Conner seriously, "Alright. But let's be quick."

They both went to the door. Conner placed his hand on the elegant handle and waited for Will to do the same before pushing it open. Inside was a rather plain room, despite the horrible smell inside. A bathroom at the far wall, a dusty dresser was next to a bed that showed something covered with a sheet. What attracted the duo's attention vanity table sat near the window with a jet black jewelry box on top.

Conner and Will glanced at each other before stepping inside. Their footsteps were soft against the carpet as they approached the jewelry box. They both placed a hand on the lid before pushing it open.

The box was large enough to contain a large amount of jewelry, however all that was inside were two golden chains, one carrying a heart shaped pendant that was outlined with diamonds while the other had two rings on it.

Conner reached for the second necklace while Will eyed the first. As Conner took the necklace and attached it to his neck, Will quickly took the pendant and looped it around his neck. Conner didn't say a word as they both shut the box and exited the room.

It wasn't often that Will felt. But in that moment, he felt truly sad.

"Conner," he began. "Can I sleep with you?"

Sleep together. They hadn't done that since they were eleven.

Will expected Conner to say no, to shake his head and say that they were too old.

Instead, Conner smiled, "Of course we can Will."

He never slept better.

As their silverware clacked against the bowls, Jerry gave his mother another quick glance before returning to the soup bowl. He could hardly eat his supper, still trying to find a way to explain everything to his mother.

Every moment that Jerry walked into his house, he made it a mission to spend time with his mother. Even if it was a brief minute or two, he wanted to his mother to understand she was loved.

Which is why, ever since Volume 2: Dance Dance Infiltration, he had tried to find a way to tell his mother about his plan on leaving. Spending hours inside of his room muttering and talking to himself, pacing in circles.

All of these possible scenarios either left his mother angry or crying.

"Jerry?"

The spectacled boy glanced up at his mother, the woman whom he gained his light brown hair and green eyes from, as she wiped her mouth with a napkin before giving him a calm look, "Is there something you wish to tell me?"

"Umm…" Jerry began, trying to come up with something. "Yes."

Jerry took a breath. Ok. Let's try and be careful about this…

"Mom…" Jerry began, "I'm leaving."

Wait…

Jerry mentally berated himself, resisting the urge to slap his forehead-

"I know."

Jerry froze, "Wait, what?"

"Jerry," his mother began. Pushing her bowl to the side, she clasped her fingers, "You are hardly subtle. When I went to bring up you laundry, I heard you talking to yourself, "Mom, I'm upset at living here and I'm leaving with my friends." Or "Mom, I'm sorry. But I think I should leave." It was a bit humorous to be honest."

Jerry swallowed, "Yeah," he said softly. "I'm leaving."

His mother smiled before reaching out and placing a hand over his, "Who is she?"

Jerry blinked, turning red he said, "S-She?"

"I heard you mention a girl," his mother said with a sad smile. "Tell me about her."

"W-Well…she's nice, sweet, oh she can handle herself as well a-and-"

"Do you love her?" his mother asked.

Jerry stopped, looking at his mother with a determined look, "I am not certain of everything but I think I am."

His mother lifted her hand and ran her fingers through his hair, "Oh my precious boy…"

Moving from her chair, she went to Jerry before hugging him tightly against her chest, "I'll be fine."

Jerry frowned, "But I might not see you again!"

Pulling back, his mother placed her hands on his cheeks, "Your father was the same. I love him, he loved me but he said he might never return, I still miss him, and there is not a day that goes by that I regret meeting him. I will miss you very much Jerry, but I will still love you."

Jerry smiled, feeling tears drip down his cheeks as he wrapped his arms around his mother. Both remained there for quite some time, remaining in each other's company until they separated and went to bed. Jerry went to sleep with ease, dreaming of a woman and a man wearing a black suit.

Read, Have a Great Day and God Bless

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