(Kingdom of Vale, Outskirts, Reuben´s Training Grounds)
Fists clash, and wind whips across the field. Raven and Reuben disappear and reappear at will.
Reuben: You're speed and stamina has improved!
Raven´s fist slams into Reuben´s forearm. A small shockwave is created.
Raven: It´s barely been a day!
Reuben: Then again, you haven´t had a good match in years.
Reuben spin kicks Raven, and she is able to catch herself before too much distance got between them.
Raven: Neither have you!
Raven disappears, and delivers a fierce haymaker to Reuben´s backside, sending him falling into the ground. Reuben steadily, but shakily gets up from the ground.
Reuben: We still have to work on some stuff.
Raven: Such as?
Reuben: Getting ahold of your transformation.
Raven: The power drain?
Reuben: Not only that, but allowing you to access them instantly.
Raven: What is wrong about how I power up now?
Reuben: You burn too much energy to start up, then it gets worse when you get angry.
Raven glares at Reuben.
Raven: So I need, anger management?
Reuben: No, you need energy management. If you manage your energy, then you will have more to give when you are angry.
Raven: Isn't it easier to just beat your ass and move on?
Reuben: No Raven, we have a deal. I am your sparring partner, and new teacher.
Raven: That semblance of yours….how does it work?
(Flashback 3 years ago)
Reuben: Back in the day, I thought It was just dumb luck.
A younger Reuben charges at Winter Schnee. She blocks his sword strike with her own.
Winter: Excellent.
Winter then slashes back, and Reuben blocks. Small shockwaves form from the strikes.
Reuben: I´ve learned a thing or two since the day we first fought.
The duo clash again, speeding after one another. Winter begins to use her semblance to summon Grimm.
Winter: Sure you have.
The sword in Reuben's hand transforms into a double barreled shotgun. He fires a barrage of exploding dust at Winter. She blocks all but one, which manages to get her off balance. Winter quickly regains her footing, careful to not look sloppy.
Reuben: You Atlas Elites…
Winter rushes at Reuben, her sword ready to strike. Reuben does not falter; he doesn't even attempt to block. At the last second, he ducks. He supercharges his Right fist and rams it right into her gut before sliding, he cocks his gun and shoots her in the same spot. Shattering her aura, and sending her upwards, Winter then lands hard on the ground of the training facility.
Winter: D-Damn…how couldn´t I see that coming?
Reuben walks over to Winter, her saber far from her.
Reuben: Yield, Miss Schnee.
Winter tries to crawl towards her weapon, determined to grab victory from the jaws of defeat.
Winter: NEVER!
Reuben, fearing for her safety, delivers a swift neck chop to Winter, knocking her out cold.
VRRRH!
The doors open to the training room. General Ironwood enters, flanked by his Ace Operatives.
James: Congratulations, Reuben. You have defeated Winter.
Ironwood looks over at Winter, disgusted in her poor performance.
Reuben: Thank You, General….
Reuben huffs and puffs, his semblance absorbing the full impact of the fight.
Ironwood: Reuben, how would you like to join me? I have a new… opening for right hand operative.
Reuben: What about Winter?
Ironwood: Winter Schnee has been a loyal soldier…but failure is something we here in Atlas cannot tolerate.
Ironwood walks right up to Reuben, his loyal Ace-Ops stay behind.
Ironwood: But you. I saw it when you took out other members of Atlesian Elite. You keep getting stronger, and stronger as you fight. Even if you lose a fight against a huntsman with more skill than you, you match and surpass their skills the next time you fight.
Ironwood spins around on his heel and the two of them walk out of the room. They walk down the long hallway towards Ironwood´s office.
Reuben: But General, I´m not worthy of taking Winter´s place.
Ironwood sits down at his resolute desk.
Ironwood: Your Pure Progress has all our scientists stunned. I read your entire file, with you at my side, all of Remnant would be under Atlas´s protection. We would eradicate the Grimm entirely.
Reuben: I highly doubt that, Sir, I am strong, but no one can defeat the Grimm for long.
Ironwood: Ozpin, Theodore, Leonardo, and myself all agree on one thing. You are someone very special, and key to humanity´s future.
Reuben: Sir…I truly am sorry. I can´t become part of Atlas´s Military.
Reuben turns to leave, and walked out of Ironwood´s office.
(End of Flashback)
Raven: I see… So you left a cushy job under Ironwood to live in the woods.
Reuben: That wasn´t-
Raven walks away, towards the cabin.
Raven: I don´t really care that much.
Reuben then gets a notification on his scroll.
Reuben: People are under attack in Mistral.
Raven continued to walk back to his cabin.
(The Inn at Higanbana)
Tyrian stalks towards the bar. He had gotten information that Qrow and team RNJR were in the area. He approaches a waitress that is scrubbing the floor.
Tyrian: Hello, I was wondering if you could help me find someone.
Unbeknownst to Tyrian, Reuben lands on the ground and enters the Bar. He places a hand on Tyrian´s shoulder.
Reuben: Actually, I was hoping you could direct me to you leader.
Tyrian turns around, and is then chucked out of the open door, head first onto the ground.
Tyrian: Superman is that you?
Tyrian stands up, and cracks his neck.
Tyrian: You look better on T.V.
Reuben watches as Tyrian fires his weapon at him. He dodges the shots effortlessly.
Reuben: Tyrian Callows, a known fugitive and psychopath. The bounty on your head will make me a rich man.
Tyrian rushes towards Reuben, hoping to disrupt his aura.
Tyrian: Not If I kill you first!
Tyrian leaps up, his scorpion stinger poised to strike. Reuben disappears in an instant and grabs the backside of Tyrian´s tail. His fist clenches down hard, he crushes the venomous vessels in the tail.
Reuben: Did you think I never did my research?
Tyrian whines in pain, his back slamming against the ground.
Tyrian: You miserable-
Reuben smashes Tyrian in the face, creating a crater in the ground.
Reuben: You murdered hundreds!
Reuben continues to mercilessly pound away at the maniac´s head. Blood splattering in both directions
Tyrian: I will do it again.
Reuben goes to punch him again, but something tells him not to.
Reuben: Death isn´t what you need. At least not by my hand.
Reuben stands up, Tyrian laughing.
Tyrian: You couldn´t break your one rule, Superman.
Reuben: Stop calling me that!
Tyrian: You truly are incorruptible, aren't you? You won´t kill me out of some misplaced sense of self-righteousness. And I, won´t kill you because you´re just too much fun. I think you and I are destined to do this forever.
Reuben: You´ll be in a padded cell forever.
Reuben ties up Tyrian and hangs him from a tree, but not by his neck, by his gut. Tyrian laughs maniacally before Reuben leaves him hanging.
(End of Chapter 5)