Late on a Monday evening, I present to you the next chapter of Criminally Good.

Enjoy.

[Chapter 8]

I slumped down into the first available booth I saw when I entered the Club. A quick glance at myself, and I was covered in blood, ruining yet another perfectly good goon suit that Junior had supplied me with.

Not far behind me, the rest of my team came staggering in. Most of them were bloodied themselves, broken bones, gunshot wounds, stabs, whatever else. Very few of us were lucky enough to come out with only minor injuries.

I suspect that I only managed it because of Aura, not through any real skill.

I went ignored, and that was fine by me. Those with severe injuries were rushed into back rooms to be tended to, and others who could wait were left to try and relax, to enjoy a brief respite from the fighting while they waited for their wounds to be seen to.

A man pinned to the ground. A shield slamming into his head repeatedly. Blood. The haunting look of acceptance in his eyes. The last breath slipping from his lips. That was me. I ended his life.

Despite my best efforts, the scene kept on running through my mind.

I ended his life.

I felt like I wanted to be sick again, but more than that; I wanted to forget. I didn't want to see his face. I didn't want to see that scene. I didn't want to see the blood seep from his shattered skull.

I closed my eyes. Deep breaths. Think happy thoughts. Think about Ruby and her plans to upgrade Crocea Mors. Think about Roman, the man who took you out of the gutter and gave you a chance. Think about Neo, deranged as she may be, she's not bad company.

I opened my eyes as I heard someone slide into the booth across from me. I came face to face with a concerned looking Junior.

"You alright there, kid?"

I shrugged a shoulder. "I'm fine, no injuries other than a bruised Aura."

Junior narrowed his eyes at me. "Not what I meant, Jaune."

I sighed. "Fuck if I know, Junior." I closed my eyes and let out a long breath. "You were right. They had one of their higherups there, shorter guy with tattoos all over his face."

Junior nodded, electing to remain silent.

"Well, I killed him. Bashed his skull in with my shield." I continued on, shaking my head. "I watched as the life left him, and what's going to haunt me the most; he accepted it. He knew he was about to die, but the look in his eyes wasn't fear. It was acceptance."

Junior sighed. "Your first kill is always the hardest, Jaune. It never really leaves you." He paused for a moment, calling a goon over. "Bring me two glasses and a bottle of whiskey." The goon nodded and made his way off to fill Junior's order.

He rounded back on me then. "But keep it in mind that it was him or you." The glasses and bottle were delivered and the goon quickly left the two of us alone. "He wouldn't have thought twice about killing you if it meant he could live."

Junior poured me a glass of whiskey and slid it across to me. I nodded, eyeing the amber substance wearily. "But I didn't have to kill him. I could've knocked him out, took him as prisoner. I didn't need to end his life." I muttered, taking a long drink from the glass.

Junior hummed, sipping at his own drink. "Maybe you didn't. But you did. He's now dead, and there's nothing to gain by beating yourself up over it."

I looked up to Junior, holding the now empty glass out for him to fill again. "Does it get easier? Will each and every one of their faces haunt me?"

Junior frowned for a moment as he poured me another glass. "In some ways, yes it does." He sighed, taking a longer drink from his glass. "It's never pleasant, but slowly it starts to effect you less. You learn that, especially in this line of work, its kill or be killed."

He paused for a moment longer to pour himself another glass. "And to be honest, kid, I'd like to tell you that their faces won't haunt you, that you won't always see them, but I don't know." Junior began to chew on his lower lip as his gaze began to drift, not looking at anything, but lost in memory.

I took another long drink from my glass, glancing about the Club. "What do you mean you don't know, Junior?"

Junior turned his gaze back to me as he thought. "I mean that I don't know. I've killed, I had to so that I can be where I am today, but their memory doesn't haunt me." Junior laughed bitterly, taking a long drink to polish off his glass. "Not even my old man."

I arched a brow at that, leaning forward in my seat. "You killed your dad?"

Junior chuckled darkly and nodded. "How else do you think I took over the Red Axe Gang? Transition of power is never peaceful, not in the underworld. I wanted power, I wanted control, I wanted respect. My old man stood in the way of those things, so I killed him."

"Even then, it didn't bother me. It was the start of my rise to power, the start of the next chapter in my life. I don't look back and regret killing him, even if he was my father." Junior hummed quietly to himself for a moment. "All I can tell you, kid, is to keep moving forward. Don't look back, don't think what if, don't dwell on it."

I nodded, downing another glass and refilling it for myself. "Keep moving forward. Right."

Junior got up from the booth, leaving me with the whiskey and my glass. "It'll get easier, Jaune. You did the right thing, protecting yourself and my boys."

I nodded to him. "If you say so."

Junior rested a hand on my shoulder, prompting me to look up and meet his gaze. "Go home, kid. You've done enough for tonight. Get some rest, and I'll contact you when I need you again." He said offering me a small smile.

"Alright."

Junior sighed, squeezing my shoulder and leaving me to my own devices again.

Its kill or be killed in this line of work. He wouldn't have thought twice about ending my life. I protected myself and Junior's men. Then why does it feel like a pit has opened in my stomach?

I finished off the glass I had been holding, eyeing the bottle then. He left it here with me. I doubt he'd care if I took it. I pushed myself out of the booth, grabbing the bottle as I made my way to the door.

I went ignored by the goons I passed, most of them nursing wounds that weren't going to kill them. I saw a few familiar faces from my assault team who only nodded to me as I pushed on. I didn't pay them any mind as I exited the Club into the cool night air of Vale.

I walked on, making my way back to Roman's apartment. I took periodical swigs of the whiskey Junior had given me. I was at least vaguely aware that it wasn't cheap, but I couldn't have cared any less.

Winds picked up, howling through the streets as it cut through my bloodied and torn goon suit like wet tissue paper. I felt the chill crawl up my spine, though found that I didn't care. My whole body was still numb.

Shakily, I brought the bottle to my lips, savoring in the warmth that it brought as the liquid came to settle in my stomach.

I had stopped paying much attention to time, so it could've been minutes, or hours, but I eventually found my way back to the apartment I called home. I pushed through the door, making sure to close and lock it behind me.

I surveyed the main room; all was quiet and still. No sign of Roman or Neo. Guess they're still out on whatever mission Roman needed Neo for. I shrugged a shoulder and made towards my room, bringing the bottle back to my lips.

It was empty.

I growled lowly and tossed it aside somewhere in my room. I'd pick it up in the morning. I stripped off the ruined goon suit that was drenched in blood, not caring as I tossed that away as well.

I crawled into my bed, not feeling all that tired yet.

I stared at my hands still shaking. I took in a deep breath and let it out shakily. Its kill or be killed. Keep moving forward. I did the right thing, I protected myself and those under my command.

I closed my eyes, letting my hands fall back to my sides.

A man pinned to the ground. A shield slamming into his head. His Aura shattering. Blood. Blood seeping from a hole bashed into his skull. His eyes that accepted his fate, as if it were perfectly normal. There was no fear, no terror. Only cold acceptance. Acceptance that I had killed him, that I was the last face he'd ever see.

I took in a shaky breath and let it out slowly. Don't dwell on it. Keep moving forward. Junior's voice echoed in my head.

Another shaky breath. I didn't have to kill him. I shattered his Aura. I beat him. He didn't have to die.

Another slow exhale. I did what I had to. I killed him to protect myself and my crew. It's part of the job after all. I wasn't sure I believed it.

I felt the tendrils of sleep start to wrap around me, dragging me down into the abyss. I saw his face: tattoos, impassive look, blood rolling down his features, a gaping hole in his forehead. I killed him.

[-/-]

I was sat on the living room floor, shuffling a deck of cards as I looked at my three sisters. Erin was kneeling to my right, glaring at Joanne who was on my left.

"I hate you; you know that?" Erin said pointedly.

Joanne just shrugged a shoulder. "You're just mad that you're in last place."

"Because you decided that it would be fun to give me Queen of Spades. Again."

Annabelle frowned. "Yeah, well, at least we stopped you from shooting the moon."

Erin grumbled to herself. "Traitors, all of you."

I chuckled, shuffling the cards together one last time. "That's the danger of trying to shoot the moon like that, sis. You run the risk of missing one card and it all comes down on top of you."

"Like you're one to talk, only five points separating us." Erin huffed as I began to deal the cards out.

"Still means I'm not in last place." I said with a grin.

Hands were dealt, cards counted, and the game began all as per usual.

"Jaune, this hand is a mess. Where did you learn to deal?" Joanne asked, sorting her cards idly.

"Yeah, Jaune. This is an absolute wreck." Erin complained, glaring at her cards.

"Quit whining you two and play the hands you've been dealt." Annabelle said, her poker face on point.

I chuckled and shrugged a shoulder, sorting through my hand as well. "I learned from you, Joanne. You have only yourself to blame."

She grumbled at that, though didn't bother to respond.

The front door to the house was thrown open rather violently, getting all of our attention focused on the sudden noise.

Our father, Jason Arc, came stumbling in through the door. His clothes were soaked with blood, and none of us could tell if it was his or not.

"Julia! Get the first aid kit!" He shouted into the house as he stumbled forward, clutching at his stomach. Looking closer, I could see blood slipping between his fingers.

The four of us sat on the floor were wide eyed and shocked, remaining completely still as we stared at our wounded father.

I snapped out of it first, throwing my cards down as I rushed to his side. "Dad! What happened?" I asked, not all too sure of what to do.

"Something went wrong, that's what happened, Jaune." He said as he staggered down the hall and into the kitchen. By now my sisters had joined me as we followed hurriedly after him.

Mom was in the kitchen with the first aid kit on the counter. She didn't seem shocked at the wound and took one of his arms in hand and helped him to the kitchen table, letting him lay down on it.

Scared, I looked to Mom. "Is dad going to be okay? Should we call for a doctor?"

"No. No doctor. Your mother can handle this." Dad said from his place on the table.

Mom just nodded at me as she went about cutting the cloth away from the wound on his stomach.

"Alright, Erin, I want you to run upstairs and grab some sheets." Mom said calmly. "Annabelle, come here. I want you to put pressure on the wound like this."

"Joanne, go run some water and get it boiling." My sisters all ran about doing their tasks, I looked to Mom questioningly.

"What should I do, Mom?" I asked, wanting desperately to help.

"Jaune, honey, just stay out of the way." She said quietly.

"But I want to help!" I cried out.

"Do as your mother says, Jaune."

"But Dad! You're hurt and I want to help!"

"Damnit, Jaune, do as you're told and keep out of the way!" Mom shouted at me, making me shrink back in on myself.

"Okay…" I said quietly, shuffling awkwardly out of the room.

I sat in my room and listened as Dad howled in pain downstairs, knowing that Mom and my sisters were doing everything they could to help him while I was told to stay out of the way rather than help.

I cried as I listened to Dad's writhing in pain a floor below me, knowing that I wasn't thought to be able to help. They didn't want my help, they just sent me out so they could work.

I fell asleep crying as I listened to them working downstairs.

[-/-]

I awoke with a start, breathing heavily and sweating. The second thing that hit me was the incredible pain in my head, the pain that felt like someone decided that it would be a good idea to have a firework show inside my skull.

I groaned as I rubbed my eyes, fumbling around on my nightstand searching for my scroll. After a few moments I found it, opening it up. I found that the light it produced was immense and blinding as the sun. it also only managed to make my headache worse.

Blinded, I struggled to find the slider to turn down its brightness. Eventually, though, I found it. I turned it to the lowest possible setting. I found that it was still painful to look at, but at least now I wasn't blind and it didn't hurt like my eyes were being burnt out of my head.

Apparently, it was 16:30. I didn't know when I had fallen asleep last night, nor did I particularly care. With a groan, I got out of bed and stumbled about, finding that now that I was on my feet, the world was spinning more than it should be. Rooms don't move on their own. Usually.

I blinked several times, trying to find a balance and to dispel the dizziness that I was struck with. My eyes shifted to the pile of clothes that I had shed last night, the goon suit now crusted with dried blood and sweat was completely useless to me.

At the sight of blood, I keeled over and vomited on the floor.

Grumbling as I straightened up, I staggered to my closet and pulled out a change of clothes. I didn't bother pulling them on, more than aware that I probably stunk like the walking dead. I made my way out of my room and towards the bathroom.

I needed a shower.

I stepped into the bathroom and made sure to lock the door. Not that it would stop either Roman or Neo if they wanted entry, but it might at least tell them that someone's in here.

I turned on the shower and stepped in, finding that I had not turned on the warm water, only the cold. I yelped as the freezing cold water impacted my skin, doing a lot to wake me up properly.

Now slightly more awake, I turned on the warm water and let it sink in, enjoying the encompassing warmth.

I let myself relax slightly, the warm water pulling some of the tension out of my muscles which were still wound tightly.

I emerged from the shower about fifteen minutes later, feeling just a little bit better than before.

I changed into dry clothes and made my way back into the apartment proper.

Neo was present, laying on the couch enjoying a nap. A survey of the room revealed to me that Roman was either not present, or was asleep in his room. In truth, it didn't matter much. Not really, anyway.

I went and started on making a pot of coffee despite the fact that it was about five in the afternoon.

I took out my scroll and found that I had a few unread messages from Ruby, as well as from a few unknown numbers to me.

Ruby: Hey Jaune. I had a lot of fun yesterday, nice to be out of the house and all. We should do it again.

Ruby: Oh, and here's some plans I drew up for your sword if you want to take a look at that.

Ruby: Last thing, I promise. Yang made me give her your number. I just thought that I'd warn you before you get caught off guard by that.

I chuckled and shook my head, opening the next set of messages.

Unknown: Hey there, Jauney-Boy. It's me, Nora! So, you skipped out on talking to us last night because of work, but that excuse won't work again. If you try it, I'll break your knees and make you stay.

I blinked, re-reading that message. I have no idea how to respond to that.

Unknown: Hey, Jaune. It's Ren. We should meet and have tea sometime.

I shrugged at that. Tea isn't my thing, but Ren seemed a nice enough guy. Might take him up on that offer.

Unknown: If I hear that you've done anything to her, I will break you.

I didn't even need to be told the name to know that was Yang. She was the only one who wanted to end my existence.

I glanced back at the pot of coffee and found that ever so slowly it was filling up. I shrugged a shoulder and took the pot, pouring myself a cup before putting it back and wandering towards the living area.

Neo had yet to move from her spot splayed over the couch, taking up far more space than a girl her size should be able to.

I sighed and found that there was just enough room for me to squeeze into a comfortable sitting position. I leaned back, taking a sip of my coffee. I looked around for the remote, finding that it was partly sticking out from under Neo.

Not about to even try that. I'd like to keep my hand.

Deciding that I was without entertainment by TV, I leaned back into the couch, staring up at the ceiling.

I saw his face again. Ink. Blood. Acceptance. I shuddered slightly, blowing a breath out through my nose as I tried my best to push the image of him out of my mind.

Next to me, Neo shifted slightly, the top of her head coming to be pressed against my thigh. I looked down at her still sound asleep form.

She really was cute. Normally her face is contorted into something that would give full grown men nightmares, but now? She looked at peace, calm, gentle even. Most people would be hard pressed to tell you that she was a psychotic little assassin. I couldn't help the small smile that came to my lips as I eyed her.

Neo shifted again, letting her head rest on my thigh as though it were a pillow as she stretched across the couch. I shook my head and took another drink of coffee, letting out a small sigh as I looked back up at the ceiling.

I closed my eyes and did my best to relax. Blood. Blood everywhere. I let out a breath through my nose, trying to ignore the scene that was being built in my head. I was on top of him. I bashed a hole in his skull. I swallowed, determined not to let this get to me. He wasn't afraid. He didn't care. He accepted it.

My eyes shot open, and I was breathing more raggedly. I took in a deep breath and pushed it out through my nose. I did what I had to do. It was me or him. I repeated to myself. I let my gaze track back to Neo who was laying with her head in my lap now.

I definitely wasn't moving any time soon, at least it didn't seem that way. I took out my scroll and started responding to messages I had.

First up was Ruby who had sent me several concepts for weapon designs.

The first one I opened remained generally true to the original. It was a simple sword and shield for its primary form. When sheathed, though, the sword could be changed into a shotgun. There were several scribblings about how it worked, though most of it was beyond me.

The second document she had sent me was similar, though this one rather than having a shotgun, the blade flipped down to reveal a pistol. That one seemed a lot simpler to my eye, though still far beyond any of my knowledge of mechashift.

The last one she sent me ditched the sword and shield all together. It was a simple two-handed sword which could mechashift into a shotgun or rifle of some nature if I chose. She had notes saying that it was a little more flexible seeing as she doesn't have to worry about the sheath and shield anymore.

I hummed quietly as I looked over each of the designs, finding that I didn't particularly like the last one. To me, Crocea Mors was always a one-handed sword and shield, and it should retain that ability to be so. I found the first design the most attractive to me, the idea of a shotgun and sword and shield was something I could get behind.

Jaune: Hey, Ruby. I just checked out your designs, and I'm mostly partial to the first one, though all three are pretty damn cool.

I took another sip of coffee as I scrolled through and found Ren's contact.

Jaune: I'm not much for tea, but if you want to meet up, I'm willing.

What I wasn't expecting was a near instant reply.

Ren: Good, you're my ticket to a more peaceful night. What do you say same café I met you at in about an hour?

Jaune: An hour? I don't know that I'll be able to make that. I don't even know if I can do it today.

Ren: Alright. What about tomorrow then? Anything pressing there?

Jaune: I don't think so, no.

Ren: So tomorrow, same place, say four?

Jaune: Works for me.

Ren: Great.

I blinked, re-reading that series of messages. He seemed particularly ready to get out and do something. I was about to continue on to Nora, though got a new message from Ruby.

Ruby: Cool, I can start getting parts together in the next couple days, and then I'll need you to give me your sword so I can do some work on it.

Jaune: Right, you want to work on my sword. Wonder if this is what your sister meant by if I do anything to you.

Ruby: Oh god, she threatened to kill you, didn't she? I'm sorry, she's just a little paranoid.

Jaune: Don't sweat it, Red.

Ruby: You sure?

Jaune: Yeah. I'll be fine.

Ruby: If you say so.

Jaune: When you've got the parts together, shoot me a message and I'll swing by to drop Crocea Mors off with you.

Ruby: Okay.

Neo shifted again on my lap, hugging my leg tightly. I couldn't help but to chuckle at that.

Down the hall, I heard Roman's door creak open, and the master thief make his way out into the living area.

"Well, now isn't that just adorable." He said sleepily, stretching his arms over his head.

I shrugged a shoulder. "I sat down and she latched on in her sleep."

Roman chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Uh-huh. Whatever you say, kid." He wandered into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee as well.

He returned a moment later and raised his mug towards me. "Thanks for making the coffee, kid."

I shrugged a shoulder. "I woke up and needed coffee. Only made sense."

Roman nodded, taking a sip of his. "Still nice not to have to make it myself for once." He glanced at the TV and then saw the remote that was sticking out from under Neo. He likely came to the same conclusion that I did. "How'd your mission go last night? Get the job done?"

I frowned. "Not particularly, no. Junior's got a rat in his ranks somewhere, they caught wind of the plan and they all pulled out real quick. We got a load of nothing for the trouble." I paused for a moment. "They also launched an attack of their own aimed at one of Junior's supply depots. It was lightly guarded, and they had Faunus on their side."

I took another sip of coffee. "Junior sent me to go clean it up. Managed to push 'em back."

Roman nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "Good stuff, kid."

I shook my head. "Not exactly." Roman arched a brow at that. "There's still the rat problem, we're not sure how to get him gone."

Roman hummed quietly as he thought. "Could go scorched earth, start scaring the hell out of the goons until the rat has had enough and bolts."

I shook my head. "We thought about it, but Junior wants the rat alive and able to be questioned."

Roman sighed, shaking his head. "Well, that makes things ten times harder." He paused as he thought, sipping at his coffee still. "What you do is split his goons into teams and have them guarding different parts of his territory. Tell each team that there'll be a convoy of something moving somewhere near the front, each group has different info. Keep an eye on where they try and hit, and you've got your rat."

I nodded. "We thought about that too, but the goons can always talk to one another, and they'll figure out that it's a hoax quick."

Roman shook his head. "Not so. You've got them all separated, no easy way for them to contact another group. That's why you'd want them on guard duty somewhere. Keep cycling the groups until your rat shows."

I nodded slowly, agreeing with what he had said. "Makes a fair bit of sense, minimizes the risk to boot."

Roman chuckled and nodded, setting his mug down on the table next to him. "What did you expect, I'm the best criminal in all of Vale after all."

I rolled my eyes. "That you are, Roman. That you are."

Roman got up from his recliner and dropped his mug off in the kitchen. "Well, I'm gonna grab a shower." He said to no one in particular. "While it might be fun to fool him, Neo, you're not goon enough to fool me." He said with a smile.

I looked down at Neo and she shifted again, one pink eye cracked open to look up at me. I arched a brow at her as I met her gaze.

She released my leg and got up, stretching her arms behind her, causing several bones to crack. She yawned and wandered into the kitchen, returning a few moments later with a tub of ice cream for herself.

"How long have you been awake?" I asked with an arched brow. She shrugged a shoulder, digging into her desert.

"And that whole using me as a pillow bit, you awake for that too?"

Again, she shrugged a shoulder, not willing to tell me.

I sighed, shaking my head. "You're impossible to talk to, you know that?"

She looked up and tilted her head slightly.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about."

She frowned and shook her head.

"You're not nearly as amusing as you think you are, Neo."

She shrugged yet again, digging back in to her frozen treat.

I shook my head again. "Don't know why I even bother."

I grabbed the remote while I could and flipped on the TV, finding that it was tuned to the news.

I didn't bother listening to what the anchor was talking about, something to do with another major heist targeted at a large dust shop. I could only assume that it was Roman and Neo's handywork.

Neo tapped me on the shoulder and held out her scroll. How'd it go last night?

"You were awake to hear me tell Roman. Doubt the story was that good to have it retold."

Neo frowned and typed out another message. Not what I meant. I meant the fight. You helping to protect that supply depot.

I began to chew on the inside of my cheek. "Everything went fine. I fought and lead the way for a bunch of Junior's goons."

Neo narrowed her eyes at me. Something's got you on edge.

"And what makes you say that? I'm fine."

Neo mocked a sigh. Because I could hear you trying to calm yourself down earlier? The whole deep breath bit was a dead giveaway.

"I'm fine, Neo." I insisted, not all that willing to tell her what was haunting me.

No, you're not. Now tell me what's bothering you. She insisted.

"Really, Neo. It's nothing for you to worry about."

If it's nothing for me to worry about, you shouldn't have a problem telling me. Now spill. She retorted.

"Fine. If you're so damn curious I'll tell you. One condition is you don't judge me, got it?"

Neo nodded.

"Alright then. Well, there's a bit more to the attack. I lead the forces to help push back the other gang's assault. We found one of their commanders in the back, and Junior wanted him dead or captured. I decided that I'd be stupid to leave it at just seeing him, so I got more men and went after him."

I let out a shaky sigh, closing my eyes. Blood. Acceptance. "He and I got into a fight. He wasn't the best I don't think, but still. It wasn't pretty. He and I went back and forth for a while until one of the goons I brought with me jumped in to help. Between the two of us, we took him down." I swallowed nervously. "I had him pinned down and… And I used my shield…"

I let out a shaky breath, shaking my head as I tried to keep it all straight. "I bashed his skull in. I shattered his Aura and I killed him." I bit on my lower lip, staring at the TV as the newscaster continued to talk about crime rates. "The worst part? I'll never forget the look of acceptance on his face. There was no fear, no terror, only quiet acceptance that I was his killer."

Neo didn't respond for a while, the only sound between us was the TV playing.

After a few minutes, Neo did hand me her scroll with a message typed up on it. I'm sorry. Was all it read. Two simple words. Nothing long winded, no long sprawling message about how to deal with it.

I chuckled darkly and handed her scroll back. "Yeah, I am too."

I'll be honest, I'm not the proud of this chapter. I felt like it was kinda slow, not to mention a lot shorter than the rest. That's because of Easter, which I totally didn't forget about. Oops.

Well, on to reviews.

Greer - Yeah, Jaune's first kill really had an effect on him. Screwed him up a bit. In my first draft, it was a lot bloodier and gorier with more detail put into it, but I thought that it wasn't fun to read so I cut it down to being more simple.

X3 - Who knows, but maybe this chapter answered that question for you. As far as the twins, they'll be around. Just like NotJerry.

Guest - Indeed, my friend. Indeed.

Engineer - Well, here's your reaction. Or real lack of one, I suppose. Hard to tell, really. As for putting members of CRDL in with Blake and Weiss, that's not a bad idea. I smell suffering to write. As far as how long before Ren flees to join Jaune in criminality, who knows. Maybe next chapter, maybe in five chapters, maybe never.

Gasenator - Happy you enjoy the story. NotJerry started as a throwaway character, but rather than writing new goons every time, I decided that NotJerry could become the goon we come to know and enjoy.

Specter - Who knows, Jaune may not even uncover his semblance in this story. For all we know, Roman doesn't have a semblance and yet he's a bad ass fighter. But I do agree with you, different Jaune with a different set of goals and morals and all would likely be a different semblance. Glad you like the story.

And that's all my reviews for last chapter I think.

But yeah, sorry that this chapter is a bit shorter than the other before it. I completely forgot that this weekend was Easter, so I didn't get a lot of time to write. In exchange for this being a lot shorter, I'll cook you all up something special. Probably in the form of a one shot, or maybe an extra chapter. Who knows.

Until then, if you've enjoyed the story and want to support me and my writing, feel free to drop a follow and favorite, that really makes my day. And if you're feeling particularly kind, drop a review too. I read them all and respond to you in the next published chapter.

Next Chapter: Friday, April 26th

Till next time, this is Valres signing off.