F3: Hello everyone and welcome back to Part 2. We left off where Team JNPR had been eliminated from the tournament and we're soon going to be approaching the singles round. Though Pyrrha still has a choice to make. RWBY is the property of Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. OC characters Team SPIR, Melanie Tora, and Ophelia Sorrel are owned by me. Diana Mirai and Akane Shidou are owned by Decode9. Senka Linwood is owned by Mountainking312. With that said Let's Get Started.
Volume 3-24: The Past Comes To Light (Part 2)
On the outskirts of the Vale miles away from the city itself Adam set up camp as his men were currently tired from the long track they had to go through so he decided that a quick rest would be best till it would be the right time to strike. Though it also gave him time to to think as well. The mission to bring the very city to its knees and even cripple the very foundation of the city that it stood upon. However he still found this rather questionable about the current situation.
One question was that why was this Adel person wanted his help? Was it for something much bigger than he thinks or was their something that she was after that need his help? Something was up and he didn't like it at all. More importanly he hated to be left in the dark about whatever kind of plan she had planning. But for now he had no means of contacting this person at the moment. For now the only thing he can do is wait and be patient. The two things he hated to do.
Two hours past as the sun was starting to set as Team JNPR was now returning to their dorms with an exhausted Nora who was currently being carried by Ren sleeing soundly on his back in which he seemed to not even mind.
"She's finally sleeping. I swear Nora has the energy of a small child some times. Where does she find the energy?" Jaune questioned.
"Actually this is rather normal to me. It takes a lot to get her worn out." Ren said casually.
That made Pyrrha give him a curious look "You seem to know more about her than any of us. Like you two have known each other longer." Pyrrha replied.
"Well... I can't deny that. We both had a rather... unique childhood when we were kids." Ren replied.
"What do you mean by that?" Pyrrha questioned her curiousity peaked.
Ren took a moment before he spoke again and in a calming voice he spoke.
"Have any of you heard of the town called Kuroyuri?" He questioned.
Jaune thought a moment "Can't say I have." He replied.
"Of course you haven't heard of it... cause it no longer exists." Ren said.
That made the two of them rather curious even more "What do you mean it no longer exists?" Pyrrha questioned.
"Because all of the people that lived their... they were all killed by grimm all expect for two small kids that survived that day." Ren said as if from experiance.
Pyrrha began putting things together before looking at the two with a sadden face.
"You and Nora were the only survivors." Pyrrha replied as Ren nodded.
"My family along with the rest of villagers were all killed but somehow me and Nora made it out. It's just been me and her for the longest time." Ren said.
"Okay but even then how did you two survive? Their had to have been someone to help take care of you two?" Jaune asked now curious about his two teammates.
Ren thought a moment before speaking "I believe when we were seven years old we were traveling into Mistral. By then we already used up all the food that we had and we were tired from the long walk. However by some stroke of luck a women found us and took care of us till we were able to take care of ourselves. I still remember her finding us." Ren said remembering that day.
"Though when we became twelve she had to move on without us but before she did she enrolled us into an academy. Before we could thank her she vanished like she wasn't even their." Ren replied.
"Well hearing this I'm glad that whoever this women was I'm thankful she helped you and Nora." Pyrrha said.
"Yeah. Though Nora was use to being alone." Ren added sadly.
"Huh? Why would you say that?" Jaune questioned.
"Even before the village was destroyed Nora was orphaned and homeless. Lived on the streets for a long time." He replied which really shocked the two as they looked at the sleeping girl.
"What was Nora like... when she was orphaned?" Pyrrha asked.
Ren closed his eyes as if to remember the day that he met Nora when they were both younger.
"She was... scared... hesitant around others and always seems to try and hide away from others whenever they saw her. She had a knack for stealing but that also got her in trouble. Especially with the other kids that were out and about." Ren began.
"They'd push her around cause she didn't have the strength to defend herself." He added.
"Didn't you try and stop them?" Pyrrha asked trying not to wake Nora.
"I... was never one for confrontations when I was little. My father was normally away on meetings with the council. My mother however she noticed this and put a stop to it. When the other kids left mother wanted to offer her a place to rest but Nora ran before she could." Ren replied then his face turned sour.
"Until two days later that came to the village and destroyed it." Ren said his eyes slightly narrowed.
"A grimm?" Jaune started.
"Not just any grimm. This grimm was nothing like any other. It was a Nuckelavee." Ren replied which actually scared the two lovebirds.
"A what?" Jaune said trying not to yell.
"I've heard about them... but never thought they would exsist. A creature that is part horse and part man like. Its a very dangerous grimm... that was the grimm that destroyed your village." Pyrrha replied as Ren nodded in acknowledgment.
"After that the rest is history." Ren said as Nora slightly snored a little before she muttered.
"Mommy." She said rather softly as she continued to snore.
"Nothing will please me more than to just keep her smiling. To never have to live that life ever again." Ren replied as the three walked back to the dorms with their sleepy friend in tow.
=RWBY=
Meanwhile in Vale Audra had managed to create a fake badge that would look real to the guards as she approached where she the Ace Ops along with Ironwood were at.
"Hold it! This area is off limits for civilians." The guard said.
Now was the moment of truth as she brought out her fake badge "Lieutenant Audra Blanche of Vale Police Department. I understand that our police force is working with the military on the security detail." Audra replied raising her voice for authority.
"Really. A lieutenant? You don't look old enough for a lieutenant." The second guard replied looking at her with suspicion.
"If you want to find out then scan the badge." Audra replied as she held the badge in place as one of the guards took out a scanner and scanned her badge.
On the inside Audra was trying not to freak out and prayed that this worked as the scanned finished.
The guard looked at the picture of her before looking at her before putting his scanner away.
"We apologies for holding you up. May I ask why your here?" The guard questioned.
"I'm here to have a word with the general about his security. Making sure everything is in place." Audra replied.
"Very well just don't take too long. The general is a busy man." The guard replied as they stepped aside for Audra to go through.
Audra went on through as she mentally sighed in relief that her badge actually worked as she was free to move about the area as she noticed a small majority of soldiers wondering about and some even checking their weapons just incase the worse things happen.
She began looking around the place trying to find anything interesting that might come to mind. She then noticed a particular tent that acted as the briefing room for the soldiers their which did catch her attention as she saw Ironwood walk out of.
"Hm... wonder what's behind door number one." Audra thought as she walked toward the briefing tent. Making sure that no one was around she decided to head inside it to see what the general had inside.
She looked inside and noticed a couple things that was in the tent more importantly it was security details about the Amity Arena more importantly about where the security forces would be at. She also noticed on the board the picture of Rina with the words 'Capture Alive' written underneath her.
That didn't exactly sit too well with her as she only scowled.
"Do they know that Rina's a faunus. More importantly who could've tipped them off about her. Something about this I don't like." Audra thought as she began looking around the room.
She also saw something on the table next to the board that looked like a folder of some kind with no name on it. She made sure that no one was still around as she walked toward the folder to examine it. She opened it and it revealed something she didn't expect. It appeared to be a list of charges that were going to be used against Rina for some kind of trial.
She read through the list of charges in which some of them included robbery, murder, property damage, and other charges that were place on the list.
"Okay these charges have to be fake. I mean sure she told me about the robberies she did but I don't think I recall her murdering anyone and property damage. I'm not sure who made this but their trying to set her up for something." Audra thought as she took her scroll and took a picture of the list.
"Wonder what else I can find?" Audra thought as she walked out of the tent and looked around the area.
She heard some noise coming from a smaller tent nearby as she heard someone talking to someone else and they didn't sound happy.
Audra sneaked over trying to not look suspicous to as if to hear the person inside.
"It has been days general. I thought you would have this girl in handcuff right now. I'm starting to get impatienct." Jacuqe said over the a holo screen and he wasn't very happy as the general only stood their.
"I assure you sir that before the tournament is over she'll be in handcuffs and I'll hand deliver her to you if I have too." Ironwood replied.
"This had better happen James. You know what's at stake if you don't bring her in James. My dust stock has already taken a hit as it is. Do your job or I'll make sure that the council demotes you 'general'." Jacque said as the screen went blank.
The general wasn't quite happy about what Jacque said as he scowled before turning away heading toward the entrance of the tent. Audra saw him coming and quickly went to the side of tent to avoid getting spotted.
"Euryale! Front and center at once!" Ironwood shouted as Euryale ran toward him.
"Yesss sssir." Euryale hissed.
"I hope your associates have a plan cause I'm starting to reconsider our agreement. My employer is getting rather displeased." Ironwood replied.
Euryale only smile "I assure you sir my associates plan is working to full effect even as we speak." The snake faunus replied with confidence.
"And where is Carmen? I thought she was suppose to be here." Ironwwod replied.
"I'm not sure where'd she went sir. Said that she had a quick errand before returning." Euryale replied.
Almost as if on cue Carmen walked through the camp and noticed the general talking with Euryale.
"Good evening sir. I apologies for being late. Had a quick errand to run." Carmen replied.
The general only snorted "Well it's about time that you got here. Next time notify me or the Ace Ops where you are going. This is a very important operation." Ironwood replied.
"Don't you mean important to Jacque that this person is captured." Carmen corrected.
"Yes and the faster we get this done the more relief I'll be with him off my back." The general spouted.
One of the soldiers came running up to him in a quick manner.
"Sir. We have news. Miss Polendina has made it through the doubles round without issue." The soldier replied.
"Well thats the first good news I've heard all day. I take it she'll be in the singles round then?" He asked.
"Yes sir. Though we are uncertain who her opponent might be since their aren't many teams left in the tournament." The soldier said again.
That left Ironwood with a problem. He knew for a fact that Team RWBY and SPIR were still in the tournament along with SSSN from Shade Academy along CMSN from Haven and his own team. So their is still a probability that Rina won't even face Penny in the singles matches.
That could be a big problem if it's not handled.
However that was when Euryale spoke up "Having some difficulties trapping the one you want?" She questioned.
Carmen stared at the faunus for a few seconds before reaching into her pocket as if to retrieve something but kept it their.
"My associates might have a way of making sure the match that you want goes according to your plan." She suggested.
The general looked at her with an odd look "And just what do you have in mind?" He questioned.
"One of my employers has a habit of hacking into complex networks. Just say the word and I can have him rig the next match so that your team will be facing this Team SPIR ." Euryale replied.
"If this person can hack machines how would I know that he can be trusted." Ironwood replied.
"Sometimes general you must take risks in order to reach your goal. Am I not correct." Euryale replied.
The general thought a moment before nodding his head "Very well. Rig the match but that is all." Ironwood replied.
"You want be disappointed general." Euryale smiled wickedly as Euryale turned and walked away. Carmen removed her hand from her pocket.
"I'm going to retire to my tent sir. It's been a long day as it is." Carmen replied as she too left the general. But that wasn't the reason why she left she had to send this information to Winter about a potenital threat and about the generals plan.
That was also Audras cue to get the heck out of dodge and possibly relay what she heard back to Roman and maybe come up with a plan to counter this.
=RWBY=
Back at Beacon the remaining members of team SPIR were now about to head back to their dorm and hopefully that Rina was their waiting for them. However none of them spoke as they headed back with Pepper still holding the gift that Ruby had made for Rina. Also before they left the lounge Star did manage to grab a slice of the cake that she was going to give Rina to maybe help calm her down.
Two more minutes of walking and they were finally in front of their dorm room. The three of them were actually starting to get rather nervous about all of this considering what had happened as they noticed the lights were out in their room.
"So... who wants to open the door?" Star asked.
Iona took a big breath of air before letting it out slowly as she grabbed hold of the door knob. Making sure that it wasn't locked she gently turned it and luckily it wasn't before they still proceeded with caution.
The sun even while it had set let off a beautiful orange glow into their room and sitting at the window watch the sun go down was Rina looking away from them fully aware that her team had just entered the room.
"Um... hey Rina... are you okay?" Iona questioned. She had to mentally curse herself cause she knew that her teammate wasn't okay after everything that happened in the lounge.
Rina however remained silent not even acknowledging the question asked.
Iona only shrugged at her teammates not knowing what to do next.
Star however had a feeling what had to be done as she took a sighed breath before she spoke.
"I know this probably won't change anything but what we done is unacceptable. Weiss looking into your files and finding those certificates was out of line concerning your privacy. I understand that if you don't want to talk to us or about your past then we won't hold it against you. We crossed a line that we shouldn't have. I hope you can forgive us in the future." Star spoke as she went over and placed the small slice of cake on the desk while Pepper set the gift that Ruby made next to the desk.
Star gestured them to leave but as they were about to leave Rina finally spoke up.
"Wait." She said making three of them stop in their tracks.
Rina turned away from the window and faced them.
"I guess... it's partially my fault in this. I refused to talk about myself which enabled you all to find things out about me through other means." Rina replied before going over to her hammock and sitting down.
"Even still its wasn't right of us to go poking around in your personal affairs." Iona added with a saddened look.
"I would have to agree on that. An apology won't be enough to wipe this away." Pepper said.
"While I can agree on that but like I said this is partially my fault as well not telling you girls about myself. But... I guess I could share a little bit about me." Rina said which surprised the three of them.
"Are you sure? You don't have to if you don't want to you know." Star replied.
Rina nodded "I know but this wouldn't happen if I opened up earlier." Rina added before folding her arms under her bust.
"So here's how this'll work. You each can ask one question about me and that is it." Rina proposed.
"Only one." Pepper replied.
"Yep. So you better think hard about your question." Rina replied.
Pepper thought for a moment before recalling something she heard this morning about her wanting to be done with day as fast as possible and avoiding the festival.
"You said you wanted to avoid the festival as much as possible but that got me wondering. Why do you hate the festival so much to wanting to avoid it?" Pepper questioned.
Rina slightly chuckled "Going right for the throat huh? Okay I guess I can answer that one." Rina replied before taking in a breath before releasing it before recalling the events of that day.
"The thing is I really don't hate the festival its just... what happened their when I was little." Rina began.
"If Weiss already looked at my file then she probably found the death certificates too of my mother and father right. My mom died when I was born and well... he died a few days after my birthday but its what happened before that really effected me." Rina added.
"It was around this time twelve years ago. I was only five at the time when dad took me to the festival. Of course we did the normal things that any other parent and child do was roam around and check every little thing and play some games. I had a lot of fun." Rina smiled a bit before it quickly faded.
"That is... when I left to grab an ice cream and when I came back... dad was gone." Rina said somberly turning away from them.
That shocked the three girls not even knowing their teammate was abandoned by her own father.
"At first I thought he simply forgot about me and went back home. But when I got back it was already dark and the house was empty all but a few things I could find." Rina said before getting up from her hammock and went behind to it to grab a small backpack. She unzipped it and pulled out the stuffed wolf toy from all those years ago as the colors on it were faded before returning to her hammock.
"This was the only thing that I could remember my father by. The last thing he won for me." She said as she held it close to her.
That was when Pepper realized something that occured when they were at the festival.
"So when I left without you knowing..." Pepper trailed off before Rina nodded.
"It was like revisiting that same memory of when my father abandoned me." Rina added a saddened look on her face.
"Rina... I'm..." Pepper started but Rina shook her head.
"No. You don't have to apologies if you didn't know." She added.
Rina then took in another breath before composing herself.
"So... anyone else have any questions to ask?" She questioned.
Iona pondered something that felt rather odd but she had to ask.
"Say you and Neo seem to be rather close. Are you two like siblings or something?" Iona asked.
Rina had to hold back a laugh "Now that is an interesting story. About two months later I had to fend for myself otherwise the world would eat me alive so... I pretty much had to steal to survive." Rina said sheepishly.
"Wait so you didn't have other relatives to look out for you." Iona replied as Rina shook her head.
"I had to steal given the circumstance of my situation. Cloths, food, even a little bit of lien and no way I was going to a homeless shelter." Rina added before continuing.
"After I evaded some people after stealing some apples I noticed a girl that was at least five almost six years old. Wore nothing but an oversized t-shirt no shoes and a hungry stomach. We both got to talking and got to know each other and turns out the girls parents left her while she was asleep. She doesn't really know the reason why they left her." Rina continued but Star stopped her.
"Wait a minute. Neo... could talk back when she was little." Star said.
"Yep." Rina said before she scowled "If it wasn't for her Neo would still have her voice." She said with an edge in her voice.
"Her?" Pepper questioned before remembering something months ago.
"You mean Euryale right?" Pepper added as Rina nodded.
"Yeah. She would join us about a year later after saving our hides from police. Guys were persistant. But all we did was small thiefts. Till I was dumb enough to think of robbing a dust shop. Euryale set it on fire and left me and Neo to die. At least I thought so." Rina replied.
"Then those scars on Neos neck were burn scars. Probably from that fire she mentioned. But that still doesn't answer something." Star thought.
"How'd you and Neo survive the fire?" Star questioned.
Rina sighed slightly "Honestly things were a little bit blurry. Everything was smoking and the only thing I could do was try and get Neo out of their but a wood beem had her pinned and was burning her throat. Before I blacked out I noticed a guy busting down the door and ran right toward me and Neo." Rina said which she wasn't particularly lying about that last part.
"Next thing I know we were in the hospital lucky to be alive but Neo couldn't speak anymore because of the fire. I thought for sure me and Neo would be put in the system for adoption but the one that rescued us said he would adopt us right their and then. After that me and Neo been on the straight and narrow." Rina replied.
However Star found that a little hard to believe considering her run in with Neo back home in Vacuo and the time at the abandoned mine both with White Fang members. But she didn't want to pursue it because it might draw suspicion on herself.
Rina breathed a sigh of relief "Honestly that does feel a bit better saying something about myself." Rina said with a smile.
"Glad your feeling better." Pepper said. Suddenly the door burst open as a red streak slammed right into her.
Rina looked down and noticed Ruby wrapped around her waist.
"Ruby what are you-" Rina started but the younger teen cut her off.
"I'm sorry! I gave Weiss the go ahead to look into your files!" Ruby cried out as Rina tried to get Ruby off her.
"If anyone is at fault here it should be me. I shouldn't have crossed the line concerning your personal records. I'm sorry." Weiss replied as she hung her head in shame.
The rest of Team RWBY quickly joined "Man you girls run fast." Yang said holding the rest of the cake in her hands trying not to drop it.
"You girls aren't at fault here. I kept everything to myself which forced you to search things about me. Lack of communication." Rina replied.
"Still it wasn't right of me to do so. For that I sincerly apologies." Weiss said.
That was when Yang got an idea "Say how about enough of all this saying sorry and stuff. Maybe we can enjoy some cake. If that's okay Rina?" Yang asked.
Rina thought a moment before she smiled "Oh what the heck. Let's eat." Rina said.
"Hold on. As a universal rule. The birthday girl gets the first slice." Ruby replied as Pepper gave Rina the plate with the slice of cake on it only with a fork.
She took the plate with the cake on it, took a piece of it before taking a bite of the cake. She felt the taste in her mouth as she hummed in satisfaction. The rest of the group got their share as the evening continued.
=RWBY=
After about an hour the group decided to leave so that they could be ready for the singles round. However almost everyone has left but Ruby as she still had something to give Rina.
"So have you looked at your gift yet?" Ruby asked.
"No I haven't yet." Rina said curiously as she went to grab the gift. Ruby had a big smile on her face as if waiting for her to open it. Rina removed the ribbon on it before opening the box revealing it contents.
Inside the box was a weapon similar to her old one but a few extra things to it. On the guard it had two different buttons on each side of the guard. It also came with some kind of visor that went over her right eye with a red screen.
"What's this? A new weapon." Rina asked.
"Yeah but it has a little something extra to it. Try putting on the visor first." Ruby said as Rina put the visor.
"Now try pushing that button their." Ruby said as Rina grabbed hold of the weapon and pressed the red button on the guard. Almost immediately instead of the weapon becoming a whip it completely split apart as they suddenly began to hover near her as her visor suddenly came to life as numbers appeared on her visor.
"Whoa. Okay now this is interesting." Rina replied.
"Yeah it took some work but I managed to work in some components for your weapon. It still has the function to work as a whip but now you have flying drones you can use to keep at a distance and that visor lets you zero in on your opponent." Ruby explained.
"Wow. You really did some work on this." Rina said as she pressed the button again as the drones returned to the guard reforming her sword.
"I was hoping you would use it in the tournament tomorrow." Ruby replied.
"Thanks a lot Ruby. I'll make sure to it a good test run." Rina added.
"Well see you tomorrow." Ruby said as she finally left the room heading back to her dorm.
"Yeah we better hit the sack. We have the singles round tomorrow." Star added as the girls got proceed to get changed and head to bed. Even though the day started out slow and with several obstacles in the way the day actually ended on a good note for Rina as she slightly smiled as she waited for the tomorrow to come.
F3: Well everyone that is part 2. The singles round will be coming up next but wonder what might happen next in the tournament. Don't forget to add a comment to this story and if you want to keep up with future updates add this story to your follows. With that said this has been Fireuser3 and I'm out.