Let's Make It Official
Happy New Year Everyone and Welcome to this year's first posting for this story! No guest review questions this week so let's head straight into the story!
Abandoned Dust Mine/Amity Arena Launch Site
To say everyone's spirits were pretty high was an understatement. And why wouldn't they be as the group looked out at the massive shape that was the floating Amity Coliseum approaching the mine. Though what was currently ruining the moment for Wayne, Aegis, their mother and pretty much everyone else with enhanced hearing was the surprisingly high-pitched squeals of Ruby and Nora as the two of them, plus Jaune, stared in awe at the gathered Ace Ops and the Ursario brother's parents. "You, all of you were so totally awesome," gushed Jaune, "The way the Ace Ops took down that Geist without even needing to plan and the way your family worked together to take out an Alpha Grimm!"
"Well in the case of the Ace Ops," said Clover, "we're all hand-picked in a way that perfectly complements each other's strengths and weaknesses. It lets us focus on our assets without worrying about our liabilities."
"And some of us are nothing but asset, without the liability," boasted Marrow with a two finger salute.
"Or just all ass," said Jen, Aegis, and Elm all at the same time.
"Oh yeah, tell me what liabilities I got Elm," challenged Marrow as he pointed to large woman.
"Your brains, or lack thereof for starters," the hammer-wielding Ace Ops member replied, causing Marrow to pout a bit as everyone else got a good laugh.
"That's what you get for asking," said Vine as he and the rest of the Ace Ops started moving out. Though Elm had to endure Nora's question about becoming best friends. And forming a team called 'Thunder Thighs!'
"You guys really did use perfect complementary teamwork," said Ruby as she walked up to Harriet, "You and the Ursarios. I want to be able to watch my friend's backs just like you watch your friends."
"'Friends' isn't the word I'd use to describe our unit," said Harriet as Elm laughed.
"You're not exactly in the school yard anymore kids," said the hammer woman as Ren carried off a surprisingly stiff Nora. Wayne wondered if it was the cold or her suddenly being deflated about not getting a new best friend.
"So you're saying that despite going through all the stuff you guys do, it doesn't change anything? You don't feel, like more than just a unit?" Questioned Yang.
"We get along well enough, sure," replied Harriet as she turned to leave, "and I can count on them to keep me alive while they do the same. That's part of the job though. Try not to confuse the two."
"Yet another reason my parents and I left," said Jen as soon as Harriet and the rest of the Ace Ops were out of earshot, "all professionalism and little to no camaraderie. Makes for an irritating work environment when you're in a clan." A few of them nodded before Ruby decided it was best to change the subject.
"So," said the team leader as she whirled around with her trademark smile on her face, "what should we do once we get back? Explore the city, sightseeing, checking out a famous tourist spot!"
"How about we visit our beds before we do anything else," said Blake with a yawn.
"But this'll be a great time to see the rest of Atlas," pleaded Ruby, "when was the last time we got to do that?"
"You mean besides the months you and the others spent exploring a whole continent on foot," Weiss reminded her, "and the fun time we had exploring Argus before flying here."
"Well yeah but that was mostly the boring stuff," Ruby tried to argue feebly.
"We almost died, several times," said Yang, "even I wouldn't call that boring." Her younger sister playfully scoffed at that, but any more argument was interrupted by Qrow.
"Heads up, I think we're about to be called over," said the veteran huntsman as he pointed towards the recently arrived Ironwood. Indeed hardly a moment later, the General did just that.
"Might I have the team leaders over here for a moment," said Ironwwood, "and you too Qrow." Wayne and Aegis looked to their parents, who simply signaled that Wayne should handle this as they were checking over their weapons. The eldest son nodded before heading over with Ruby, Jaune and Qrow. The General was just finishing up giving orders to Clover, dismissing him before turning to the group of four.
"So what's the issue," asked Qrow as he crossed his arms, already recognizing the look on his old friend's face, "a new problem or two in Mantle?"
"It'd be more accurate to say more of the same," replied Ironwood as he pulled out his scroll and threw up a hologram of a news report about a murder. "Someone in Mantle is targeting public leaders who speak out against Atlas. Or more to the point, people who speak out against me specifically. That's the only thing any of the last three murders have had in common, that and the MO used for some of them were Atlas military knife kills."
"But that's the guy who rode with us after we got picked up in Mantle," Jaune recalled with a hint of shock.
"So he's, dead," said Ruby as she covered her mouth in disbelief.
"It can't look good for you if you're opposition suddenly starts dropping dead all over Mantle," said Qrow.
"As I've mentioned before," said Ironwood, "my public image is the least of my concerns. But these attacks are causing unrest. I believe whoever is doing this is attempting to frame me, and by extension Atlas. So far, it appears to be working."
"Well if you didn't have an embargo making everyone mad in the first place," said Jaune with his arms crossed, "people probably wouldn't be so quick to blame you for ev-UFFF!" He was quickly silenced by an elbow from Wayne.
"Time and place Jaune," said Wayne, "I'm sure he knows that already. But even if there wasn't an embargo there's no guarantee they wouldn't blame him anyway."
"He is, however, right on most accounts," said Ironwood as he rubbed the bridge of his nose, "things have been increasingly difficult to manage in Mantle recently. In fact, it's those issues I'd like to talk with you about." The General turned and beckoned them to follow him. "You see with the launch of this mobile communications tower and the tensions down in Mantle, I believe there's a lot of good all of your teams can do here."
He was interrupted by a communication over his earpiece. By the sound of it, he'd been expecting what they were telling him but not so soon. In the end, he still gave consent for the apparent uninvited guest to land. "Was that another Mantle problem just now," asked Qrow.
"Unfortunately no," said Ironwood as they watched a white ship with four, swept back wings approach the landing pad. One that very much resembled Winter Schnee's ship. "This one is an Atlas problem." Wayne already didn't like where this was going as he gathered with the rest of team RWBY at the landing pad, fairly certain he knew who was about to step off of the landing ship. The other teams stood a short distance away, with his own family making snowballs of all things.
It took all of two seconds for him to immediately dislike their current 'guest' as he was blabbering before the doors even opened fully to admit him onto the landing pad. "So let me see if I understand this correctly," said a man in a fancy white suite with matching hair and a mustache whom Wayne immediately recognized as Jacques Schnee from the paintings he'd defaced. "In addition to this ridiculous, unnecessary embargo crippling my business you now seem to think you have the authority commandeer private property as well?!"
"Given that I've already informed the council of my actions, yes," replied Ironwood, not intimidated in the slightest, "this is now the site of a classified military operation which, as you should be aware, does not even require a vote by the council to be official."
"Doesn't require a vote," repeated Jacques with obvious disbelief.
"Perhaps you should brush up on council law if you're going to be losing the upcoming election," said Ironwood, "Now. I've only allowed you to land this once as a courtesy, but the next time you come here without proper authorization, you won't get a friendly reception."
"You know," said Jacques, "you really seem to be forgetting who your friends are lately. Perhaps once I get that council seat you'll-." It was at this moment the man finally noticed the presence of Weiss. "You, did you really rope my missing daughter into this mess? How long has she, does Winter even know she's back?"
"Coming here was my decision," said Weiss, overcoming her uneasiness and stepping forward, "Just as it was my decision to leave in the first place. Not that it's something you'd remember."
"I thought you knew me better than to think I'd forget anything, girl," replied Jacques, "Or has your time away given you a false impression about the kind of man your Father is?" Wayne couldn't help but snort at the remark, doing his best not to outright laugh at the implication.
"Believe me," said Weiss, "I'm well aware of what kind of man you are. Which is to say hardly one at all."
"You dare to speak to me-," Jacque started forward with an accusing finger pointed at Weiss before he was interrupted by Wayne clearing his throat.
"Oh, so it is you," said the businessman as he turned his attention to Wayne, "Yes I thought you looked familiar. The rat who defaced my mansion and helped my daughter escape. You must be very proud of yourself knowing you have friends in high places."
"Oh it wasn't that big of a mess," said Wayne with a shrug, "all the spray paint and markers used were designed to be easily cleaned off. I doubt you even had to pay your staff much overtime for the trouble."
"You're severely lucky Ironwood stepped in or you'd be rotting in prison right now!" Said Jacques as he pulled out his scroll and threw up a hologram of a wanted poster with Wayne's face on it. "As I told my daughter I am not the type of man to forget things. So even If I had to withdraw this bounty don't think I'm just going to let you walk away unpunished."
"And to that I say with as much respect as I can muster," Replied Wayne, "I'd be more frightened by a threat from my nearly immobile grandfather if he were still alive. Even three quarters paralyzed most would agree he was more of a man than the spineless leech standing in front of me right now."
"Why you insolent little," fumed Jacques, "I should-."
"What," asked Wayne as he stepped forward and pulled his glove tighter around his hand, "I'm honestly dying to hear what you think you can do to any of us at this moment?" His statement of the situation seemed to deflate Jacques as the businessman forced himself to calm down, hiding it by adjusting the buttons on his sleeve.
"You know it devastated your Mother when you left," said Jacques to Weiss, "you know how she is once she gets upset about something. She didn't leave her room for-GAH!" A snowball had suddenly come flying from out of nowhere, nailing him right in the forehead and turning the only colorful part of his outfit, his red tie, white. "Blast it, who is the vermin that dares to throw something at me!"
"That was probably my family back there," said Wayne as he cocked a thumb back towards where Aegis and Tobias where currently hiding behind an abandoned mining vehicle. They were trading snow ball shots with Jen. "My Mother has a very good sense of hearing and it doesn't sit well with her when someone tries to hurt someone else with their own family."
"That certainly explains why you have such poor-gah!" Jacques was forced to take a step back as yet another snowball narrowly missed him.
"She also doesn't like judgmental pricks who don't have a clue what they're talking about," added the elder Ursario brother before glancing behind him to see his father and brother rolling up a rather large snow ball now. "So my advice to you is this: if you're not gonna watch what you say you'd best be getting your nose out our business because they are not rolling up that big one for a snowman."
"So charming," said Jacques as he turned back to Weiss, "to think you threw everything away for little friends like these."
"They're not just friends," said Weiss as she grabbed Wayne's hand, surprising even the half Faunus, "they're family." Jacque simply turned around in a huff as he retreated back towards his ship. Stopping only for a moment to speak with Ironwood.
"I will get that council seat and you will be sorry for all of this," he said as he boarded his ship, but not before his ramp was covered by a large snowball flying through the air. Their last sight of him before the doors closed and the ship took off was the man dancing around cursing the blasted animals as he tried to shake all of the snow off of him. Weiss also let out a relieved sigh once his ship was out of sight. Though her attitude changed to slight annoyance when an Atlas military truck pulled up and Winter stepped out.
"Oh, nice of you to show up Winter," said Weiss teasingly, "You just missed father getting assaulted by snowballs."
"While that does sound like it might've been amusing," said Winter as she walked towards them, "I'm not sure missed is the right wo-."
"SURPISE!" Yelled Penny as she landed in front of them, knocking over the gathered team with the force of her impact. "Um, have we not started yet?"
"No it seems we haven't quite started yet, apparently," observed Winter while brushing some snow off of her uniform.
"Start what?" Questioned Ruby as she and everyone else managed to pop back up.
"Just a little something I had planned for when you completed the mission," said Ironwood, "If you'd all follow me."
Inside Amity Arena: A Few Minutes Later
Winter and Penny didn't say anything else as the non-Atlas teams were all led inside to the very center of Amity Arena. The structure had apparently been spruced up since the last time any of them saw it. Good news given the horrid state they'd seen it in during their previous visit. "This arena holds a significance to all of us," said Ironwood as everyone lined up in front of him, "and though tragedy struck the last time we all stood here, I still believe it fitting that we reconvene in this arena. Because now, when the world needs to be brought together more than ever, I believe this place where it all began can also be the beginning of something new."
The General paused for a moment as he stepped forward. "The road that you've all traveled since our last meeting was one undoubtedly filled with hardship. You fought for your friends and your school at Beacon, and then fought for the innocent and the world at Haven. Each of you has faced down terrors most can hardly imagine. That is not the behavior of mere students but that of huntsmen and huntresses."
With a signal from Ironwood, Penny, who'd been bouncing on her feet excitedly the whole time, stepped forward with her holographic scroll and began pressing a command for each one of them she passed. "Wait a moment," said Ren as he and everyone else pulled out their scrolls to see that their student licenses denoting them as huntsmen and huntresses in training had been changed, "What is this?"
"You," said Winter Schnee, "are all being granted your huntsmen licenses."
"I know it may seem a little ahead of schedule," said Ironwood, "but you all deserve it. I regret that I couldn't do something a little more ceremonious for the occasion."
"We're…uh I mean….we're honored, Sir." Said Ruby, not quite sure how to feel about this sudden promotion. "But you really don't need-."
"I think it's quite necessary," said Ironwood, "with Salem still out there posing a threat to all of us, and the rising tensions in our kingdom. I could use a few more trustworthy fighters by my side. And I feel more than a little lucky that it's all of you." No one was quite sure what to say to this statement, so Ironwood continued, "It's alright, this is a big moment for all of you. Which is why I think it's more than appropriate to celebrate it here. When this tower is complete and communications are running again, we'll tell the world about Salem and then face down whatever comes our way together."
Everyone more or less nodded at this. "Now then, that's about the limit of the pomp I have in me. I need to get back to running this little operation, so, enjoy the cake." The General turned and left then with Winter Schnee following close behind.
"Your speech outros have improved sir!" Exclaimed Penny with a wink and a wave as the newly named huntsman and huntresses took another second to gaze at their licenses.
"You know I almost forgot this is what we were aiming for in the first place," said Yang, "so much has happened since we started."
"After Beacon fell," said Blake, "I honestly wasn't even sure it was possible anymore."
"Compared to everything we've been through up to this point," said Weiss, "it almost feels trivial."
"Geez guys," said Qrow, "can't believe I'm the one who has to say this but lighten up a little. You've all earned this so enjoy yourselves a little for a change."
"I'm glad someone said it," Nora chimed in, "Now let's kill some cake! Who says I can't eat two slices of cake before Ren even eats one?! Who I ask you?!"
"No one is saying that," Ren quickly pointed out.
"It's honestly more of an established fact at this point," added Aegis as everyone proceeded over to the arena seats where, as promised, a large couple of cakes was being served. Thanks to Penny's floating blades, cutting it took literally two seconds. Nora, as promised, ate several slices of cake while Aegis and Yang took a quick picture together, shortly before surprising Penny with Yang's detachable mechanical arm.
"Now this is a big day," said Tobias as he put a hand on Wayne's shoulder, "even I didn't know the General was planning this little surprise."
"And now when you get back home the family and the town will have two more huntsmen," added Jen with a smile.
"Yeah I guess I'm just still processing it all," said Wayne as he rubbed his head before pulling his helmet off his hip to examine. "It's just, I know we've been through a lot but I somehow feel like, I'm not quite ready. I mean you both made it through all four years when you went to Beacon."
"And you wanna know a little secret," said Tobias, "I still didn't feel ready when I finally got my license. Same with your mother."
"In fact it never really goes away entirely," said Jen, "even as a huntress I still strived to improve and get better. Just because you're not in an academy any more doesn't mean you stopped learning. You'll keep learning your entire life."
"And not just about being a huntsman either," said Tobias as he leaned in to whisper his next question, "so tell me about you and Weiss these days."
"Dad!" exclaimed Wayne as he jabbed his old man in the ribs.
"Uf, what," replied Tobias as he rubbed the impacted area, "my eyes aren't bad yet, your mother and I both say you holding hands."
"She grabbed my hand for emotional support," denied Wayne as he clipped his helmet back to his belt, "I mean sure we're much better friends than we used to be, heck we hug a lot more, but it doesn't run much deeper than that."
"And will I get the same answer about that if I ask Weiss the same question?" Asked Jen with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Don't you dare-," Wayne started to say before he heard Aegis calling for them.
"Hey Wayne, Ruby, come over here and check this out," said the younger Ursario brother as he indicated a holographic board with several titles scrolling down it.
"Oh my gosh, that's a mission board isn't it!" Exclaimed Ruby as her eyes lit up excitedly. "And it's an app now!"
"Just like everything else these days," commented Tobias as Ruby rushed over to the board to start browsing the numerous objectives.
"Can we ride a megalioth," asked Ruby as she quickly switched from one posting to another, "break up an underground crime ring, can I go 'undercover'?" She pulled her hood over her head in the stereotypical low profile fashion. "Can I!"
"Maaaaaybeeeee," Penny attempted to reply as Ruby was somehow managing to shake her up and down. Though her celebration was cut short by the arrival of a couple of unexpected guests.
"Hey you guys recognize that smell right," said Marrow as he stepped into the stands with Elm and Vine on either side of him, "it smells like, fresh meat."
"Strange," said Vine as he actually smelled the air, "I don't smell meat at all."
"Nor do I smell a hint of meat here," added Ren. Wayne had a feeling those two were gonna get along famously.
"I smell whatever overpriced shampoo boomerang boy seems to be wearing," Aegis remarked as he and Jen wrinkled their noses.
"Ugh, never mind," groaned Marrow as he crossed his arms in frustration.
"Anyway, If I've got this right," said Elm, "You've been official for hardly an hour now and you're already looking for another mission?"
"To be precise," said Weiss as she checked her scroll for the time, "we've been official for approximately, fifty seven minutes." Which she realized in just a moment was basically an hour.
"I imagine I don't need to remind you that the real mission here is ensuring the communications tower is launched successfully," said Vine.
"While I do concur," Said Ren, "we can also keep on training and improving our skills by helping out where we can."
"Now that's the enthusiasm of youth!" Cheered Elm as she pumped a fist in the air.
"Well I guess you can't really argue with that logic," said Marrow, "So let me at least show you how this works." He quickly scrolled through the posted jobs before stopping at a particular post. "Oh this one looks important, any volunteers?"
"Yes!" Said Jaune and Nora as they both raised their hands enthusiastically.
"Alright, here's what you need to do," said Marrow, "we need someone to escort some children to pre-primary school down in Mantle. No actual danger involved but fretting parents attracts Grimm." Everyone else who had been about to raise their hands quickly lowered them, save for Jaune who wasn't quite fast enough. "Ah perfect, Uh Juan…Jwin….Jimmy?"
"Close enough for now I guess," said Jaune with a sigh before perking up, "but wow, my first mission as an official huntsman!"
"Then listen up for the next mission!" Exclaimed Elm as she sent Marrow flying out of the way before scrolling to another posting. "An enormous Sabyr is loose down in Mantle's sewers and we need two brave warriors to flush it out of there!" 'She sounds like an announcer at a wrestling ring,' thought Wayne as everyone excitedly raised their hands to volunteer for the mission.
"Wha…but…..why didn't I get to pick that one?" Questioned Jaune.
"Maybe read the fine print first before signing up possibly," suggested Aegis as everyone else laughed at the situation. Promotion or not, it seemed some things never changed.
The Schnee Mansion: Private Office of Jacques Schnee
To say the current head of the Schnee Dust Company was in something of a mood would be an understatement. Numerous thoughts flew through Jacques Schnee's mind as he drank from a small glass of scotch. 'Blasted Ironwood,' he fumed, 'first he starts costing me business and now he's recruited both my daughters and a number of disrespectful followers who know nothing of the real pecking order!' A knock on the door broke him from his thoughts as his son, Whitley Schnee poked his head in the door.
"Father," said Whitley, "You, uh, have something of a visitor it seems."
"And just why did you let them in?" Questioned Jacques as he slammed his glass down on the arm of his chair, "I was quite clear that I did not want to be disturbed right now."
"I didn't though," replied Whitley, "He, apparently let himself in."
"And I must say this lad is a spitting image of you Jacques," said Dr. Watts as he opened the door fully and walked right on in, "to a rather creepy degree I might add. He's even inherited that little, affect, of yours."
"Arthur," said Jacques after a moment, looking as if he'd seen a ghost, "Whitley, shut the door." When his son didn't immediately comply he gave the order again. "Now!" His son followed his order then, still looking unsure as he cast one final glance at Dr. Watts before leaving. Once he had a moment to gather his wits, the Schnee head spoke to Watts. "I was, under the impression that you were dead."
"And that is precisely what I wanted people to think," replied the Doctor as he continued to walk around the office, admiring some of the books on the shelves, "I have also heard things about you Jacques. Namely your little problem known as Ironwood."
"If you only knew the half of it," said Jacques angrily, "that bastard costs me more money every day with that embargo of his and the only reason I don't lay off every worker in Mantle is because I need votes for that council seat."
"And what if I said you could not only have your cake," replied Watts as he dropped a large business card on the other chair in the room, "but eat it too." The doctor then proceeded to place two fingers to his ear as he contacted someone on the other end. "You can come in now." Jacques jumped at the sudden appearance of a figure dressed in a dark coat and armor with a rather large, black sword resting on the side of the chair.
"Jacques Schnee," said the wolf Fauns as he crossed his hands in a relaxed posture, "at last we meet in person."
"W-what, Arthur who is this?" Questioned the now worried businessman.
"I believe you're familiar with the mercenary, Exo," said Watts as he took his own seat on a nearby stool, "after all you pay him through a private account titled 'Huntsman Consultant.' Not a very riveting name but it does seem to have kept suspicion away thus far."
"Y-You're the Executioner," said a surprised Jacques, "I had always thought-."
"That I run around with a black hood on my head wielding some kind of ax or flying guillotine," Exo finished for him, "yeah you wouldn't be the first. And before you start going off about me being a Faunus, remember, you've got quite a few Faunus on your labor force. The big difference between me and them is I get to choose the conditions I work under."
"Well that's true," said Jacques, "but some of the missions I sent you on were against the White Fang, why-."
"Would a Faunus want to fight other Faunus?" Exo again finished the sentence for him. "It's a reason you should know quite well: that's where the money was. Just like when you hired me to execute a board member who planned to blow the whistle on you, or that business owner who wouldn't give up his property for you to build another factory. I believe my last mission from you was to investigate the theft of a whole train the White Fang had managed to steal. It was also around that time I found another employer, not that you've called on me much recently anyhow."
"I take it this same employer is why you're both here now?" Questioned Jacques with a bit of skepticism.
"Indeed," said Watts, "and luckily for you, we all happen to have interests that align. So tell me, would you like to see Ironwood dragged off his throne?" Three collective smirks lit up the room as talk of devious plans ensued.
Our heroes are now officially huntsmen! But with new titles comes new challenges as Salem's forces plan their next move in Atlas. But before all that, I'd like to say happy New Year everyone and I hope you enjoyed my first chapter posting of this story for 2020. As always, feel free to leave a comment or review about what you liked/disliked or if you've got any neat ideas for future chapters. Be sure to stop in next time as our heroes get into the routine work of huntsmen in Atlas. 'Til then.