I return, friends.

Here's the next chapter of Criminally Good.

Enjoy.

[Chapter 16]

The city of Vale was dark, the only sound to be heard was the quiet drone of the sea not far off.

I stood in front of the docks; hands shoved in my pockets as I leaned back against one of the fences that were meant to keep the general public from wandering into the area.

Roman had all but guaranteed that the docks would be completely deserted tonight, and that the heist would be a rather simple affair – in and out, not a single soul any the wiser until it was too late.

Despite that, he still had Neo and I 'running point.' Really, he had us standing watch incase something went wrong. That wasn't exactly what I had pictured when I was told I'd be part of more daring heists and missions with my mentor, but it was better than being left to my own devices every night.

I let a hand rest comfortably on the hilt of Crocea Mors, the sword having since been repainted by the blacksmith Roman had taken me to. The gold was replaced with tones of blue, and the markings that would easily identify it as Crocea Mors were gone. That wasn't to say he had reshaped the shield, but my family sigil was no longer anywhere to be seen on it. Nor was Ruby's for that matter.

The smith had also gotten the new set of armor to me. It wasn't a full suit like I had half expected from the man – instead it was a simple breastplate, much like the one I had when I still was hoping to attend Beacon. It wasn't the same white color though, instead it was gray, much like the vest I wore. The edges were further lined in a dark navy blue, like the dress shirt. On my right shoulder was a shoulder pad, in the same style as my breastplate, with the colors to match. Beneath my pants was a set of chainmail infused with Dust to make it more secure, or something of that nature. I had a very similar set beneath the blue dress shirt I wore as well. My gloves had also been replaced, giving me a simple pair of navy blue fingerless gloves, again to match the dress shirt.

I groaned and slid down the fence, the metal making a soft clinking against the new breastplate I had been outfitted with as I came to be seated. I dug my flask out of its spot strapped to my hip, tossing back the contents with ease. It wasn't whiskey, but vodka this time around. Neo glanced over towards me and eyed the flask in my hand expectantly.

I sighed and held it out to her. She smiled and took it from my hand, taking a long swig of her own. She handed the metal container back to me, leaving me to find that where it had been mostly full, it was now about half empty.

I sighed and glared at her. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't drink it all."

She just smirked and shrugged at me, looking back to her scroll.

I strapped the flask back to my hip and leaned back against the fence, looking up at the sky. At least everything's going well. No unexpected –

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud explosion going off in the dock, and a plume of angry black smoke billowing up into the sky like a beacon for the whole city to see.

Well, would you look at that. I jinxed it. I thought humorlessly. I shot a glance over to Neo who was already getting up to her feet. She jerked her head back towards the dock.

"Right, you go, see what's happened. Help Roman if he needs it, I'll keep an eye open out here." She nodded once more, and proceeded to vanish into the night despite her colorful nature.

I got to my feet and scanned the area.

My gaze landed on a single black SUV rolling slowly forward, it's headlights off and windows tinted black making it impossible for me to see through. Fantastic, really. I thought as I tensed up, preparing for whatever, or whoever was going to emerge from that vehicle.

They emerged a moment later, a rather short girl with hair that reminded me a lot of Nora's. She didn't seem to be armed, at least not from what I could see at this distance.

Behind me, another series of explosions were erupting, though I could hear nothing of the combat that was inevitably happening.

The figure approaching me didn't seem to have a care in the world as she marched down the street like a girl on a mission. She didn't even seem to hesitate once I drew Crocea Mors in its rifle form, leveling the weapon at her chest.

"Hey, listen here. Turn around and go home. There's nothing for you here." I called out, hoping that I could get this girl to turn around and leave.

"I am afraid that I can not do that. I am going to ask you to please stand down and be arrested peacefully." She said, her tone of voice making her sound more robotic than human in my opinion.

I shook my head and kept my stance, taking aim down the sight of my rifle. Another explosion rung out behind me. Sirens started up in the distance. I shook my head. "Not happening. Now, please. I don't want to hurt you. Turn around and go home, and we'll both be happy at the end of the night."

The girl tilted her head at my comment, standing about twenty feet away from me now. "If you do not wish to hurt me, then stand down and allow me to arrest you peacefully."

I grit my teeth and sucked in a deep breath. I took aim for her right kneecap. It would be a painful wound, one that would quite likely cripple her for life, but it was one of the only ways to guarantee she wasn't coming any closer.

I squeezed the trigger, a loud bang following as I looked back across the street.

The girl hardly seemed phased by the assault, there not even seeming to be a wound on her knee. She has Aura, damnit. There's no way she could take a few more rounds though, right? Even with my reserves I can hardly take five or six shots before I'm done for.

That thought in mind, I fired off several more rounds at the girl who didn't even make an attempt to move or get out of the way, only stood watching me.

The bullets made impact, but she didn't seem to care, almost as though they weren't a threat to her at all.

"I see. I will have to arrest you by force, then. Very well. I am combat ready." The girl said.

I blinked several times, loading my rifle once again as I stared at her. She just took a full magazine of bullets and didn't even blink… What the hell?

I shifted Crocea Mors into a sword and shield in time to see her bring several blades that seemed to float of their own accord from behind her. That's… different.

The blades began to sing through the night sky, almost before I could even tell they had started moving, they were on top of me, clashing into my shield and forcing me to dodge away from those that she had attempting to flank me.

I growled lowly and broke into a charge, shoving the blades off to one side. Though they may be floating, it felt like a Junior sized man was wielding each and every one with all his strength put behind every blow.

I closed the distance between the two of us and brought Crocea Mors down in a slash across her chest, from shoulder to hip. The girl danced back with grace, leaving me to hit only air.

The blades that she had been armed with came back to her, forming an arch over her head as she used them in a more melee sense, lashing out and crashing them against my shield.

I grunted and pushed off the first slash, closing the distance between us once more, I bashed my shield up into her face, making contact and sending the girl stumbling backwards slightly. Seeing an opportunity where it presented itself, I pressed the assault and brought my sword around to slash her chest and face.

The girl tanked the blow, taking a moment after to create some space between us as she eyed me over, her gaze critical as she watched my each and every move.

I grit my teeth as I glared at her still, keeping my shield up. "Just what the hell are you?" I asked, not expecting a response.

"I am Penny Polendina, a completely normal girl here to stop the villainous acts of Roman Torchwick." She repeated, still sounding incredibly robotic to me.

I growled lowly and charged at her again, feeling as a collection of her swords swung down at me, making contact with my shield and stopping my assault in it's tracks before I even had a chance to engage her. "Well, here's a newsflash to you – I'm not Roman." I spat out sarcastically.

"This is correct. You are Jaune Arc, reported missing person from Ansel. You are a known associate of Roman Torchwick and Hei Xiong." She said, charging at me. I only just barely had a chance to dodge out of the way of her swipe, diving for the concrete as I heard the blades cut through the air.

I pulled myself up to my feet and eyed her, keeping my shield up and forward, ready to catch another of her blows. She's quick, not to mention her swings seem to hit like a truck. She took an entire magazine's worth of bullets without even blinking. Her defense seems strong, but she's not creative with her attacks. Simple slashes, and bog-standard attempts to get around my shield.

I dodged off to the left as she swung her blades at me once again. I glanced back over my shoulder at the docks, the angry plume of smoke still raging, though the explosions seem to have stopped for now at least.

I turned my attention back to Penny stood in front me, the girl not seeming all that interested in attacking me what I had diverted my attention from her. I narrowed my eyes at that and broke into a charge once more, hoping to be able to get another good shield bash, maybe giving me the opportunity to get behind her.

She made the exact same slash attack that she had before when I charged, letting me dodge off to the right to avoid it completely as I continued closing the gap between us. She brought the other half of her blades to bear on me, and I dodged to the left to avoid them. I couldn't help but grin as I stepped into her guard. She's predictable.

I slammed my shield up into her face, knocking her back slightly. I pressed forward, bringing my sword in for a stab at her gut. The blade made contact and pierced through her, though she didn't seem to react. Instead, she used her blades to once again knock me away from her, wrenching my sword from my grasp.

I crashed to the ground and groaned, sweat pouring from my body as my head pounded, the world seemed to be spinning ever so slightly. That wasn't ever a good thing.

The next thing I knew, a wave of her blades came rushing at me, bypassing my shield. Thankfully, my Aura caught it, though the blow could be felt throughout my entire torso.

I groaned and stumbled back, glancing to the side as I saw her next blow coming for me. I rose my shield to block it, catching the attack completely, but sending me skidding across the concrete again.

I could taste blood in my mouth.

I grimaced and reached behind my back and drew one of the two knives that I had purchased in case I ever found myself without Crocea Mors.

I rolled my head from side to side and set myself in a ready stance as I eyed Penny across the street. Crocea Mors was still sticking from her gut. There didn't seem to be any blood pouring from the wound. "That the best you got?" I growled out to her.

"You are proving to be a better combatant than I was led to believe, Jaune Arc. Very impressive, I would love to hear about your training regimen after you have been arrested." She responded, slowly walking across the street towards me.

I was breathing heavily still, glaring at her from over my shield as she approached.

I didn't have much in terms of Aura left that I could feel. I can probably take one more good blow, and then I'm out.

I barked out a laugh and shook my head. "Not gonna happen." I responded.

I broke out into a charge once again, and the girl stopped, tilting her head as she watched me.

I closed the distance, and she brought her blades down in an arc to stop me, and like last time I dodged to the right first. The blow crashed into my shield, right where I had dodged to trying to evade the attack completely.

I growled low, but didn't let that deter me, spinning to the side out from under the pressure of her blades I pressed forward in an attempt to close the gap between us further, letting me use my knives against her.

She brought more blades to bear against me, and rather than dodge at all, I continued straight on, her blades missing me completely.

I slammed my shield into her face, letting it fly off my forearm after it had made contact, clattering to the concrete a few feet away. I brought the knife I had in hand down, plunging it into her neck, the blade slipping just past her collarbone.

The girl seemed surprised, if only slightly. I grinned and spit a mouth full of blood into her face, reaching down and wrenching Crocea Mors from her stomach. I took a glance down at the wound to find that there wasn't flesh there, but machinery.

I didn't have time to dwell on that, bringing Crocea Mors around, finding it incredibly hard to maneuver in this tight space right up against the robotic girl.

She slammed her head into my chest, creating an ever so slight distance between us. I grunted, though made to bring Crocea Mors back to bear, slashing down for her torso once again.

The blade was knocked away by one of her own, the girl having taken the time to clear her eyes before attacking. She created several more feet of space between us, leaving me holding Crocea Mors in both hands, breathing hard and exhausted as I watched my opponent.

Despite the knife sticking out of her neck, she didn't seem all too phased.

She brought her swords in front of her, all of the blades coming to form a circle. Then a bright blue light began to shine from in the middle, starting as a small sphere but growing larger.

"Oh, you have got to be fucking kidding me…" I muttered quietly, shooting a glance towards my shield which was almost definitely a bit too far away to grab before whatever it was that she was doing finished.

I reached behind me and drew the other knife from its sheath, eyeing the girl stood across from me. It was a long shot, but it was worth a try at the least.

I pulled my arm back and threw with all my strength, sending the knife toppling end over end towards the charging weapon that would almost assuredly mean my doom.

Time seemed to slow down for me as I watched the blade sail through the air. End over end, it might just be enough.

The knife sailed uselessly past the girl, clattering down to the concrete behind her.

I dove for my shield, hoping I had enough time.

The blast, much like a massive laser from the strategy games I played so much of before I came to Vale, fired.

I closed my eyes, ready for immense pain.

That pain never came.

I opened my eyes and saw Neo stood several feet in front of me, her parasol held up, absorbing the blast almost like it was nothing at all.

Once the blast finished, Neo wasted no time in closing the gap between her and Penny.

Penny might have a good defense, at least to some degree, but Neo was all the better on the attack.

That was, until Neo ever so slightly over extended, and took a blow from Penny, sending her across the street in a heap.

Penny frowned and, rather than chasing after Neo, stored her weapons away. She ripped my knife from her neck and dropped it to the ground, waltzing off into the night just as mysteriously as she had appeared.

I stumbled over to the prone form that was Neo, crouching down as I heard sirens growing worryingly near. "You alright there?" I rasped out, spitting out a glob of blood, wiping the remains from my lips.

Neo nodded and pulled herself up to her feet. I smiled, standing back up, finding that the world was still spinning more than it had any right to be. I collected the knives from where they lay, sheathing them on my back.

A Bullhead came hovering low over the street Neo and I stood on, Roman leaning out the side, a grin on his lips as he puffed a cigar. His white coat was smudged and singed slightly, but all in all he seemed alright. "You kids need a ride?"

I chuckled, nodding, finding that just about everything hurt like hell.

"Well, get in then. I don't want to be here when the cops show up." Roman said, extending his cane down towards me.

I grabbed the hooked end, and he hoisted me up easily, doing the same for Neo. Once the two of us were inside, he slammed his fist on the door to the cockpit. The Bullhead started gaining altitude and we were off, away from the docks.

I leaned back in my seat, closing my eyes as I caught my breath. The motion sickness that almost always plagues me hadn't even seemed to register, and I was going to count my blessings where I could.

"So, Jaune, how was your first heist with Uncle Roman?" The master criminal asked, leaning back in his own seat, puffing contentedly on a cigar.

I pushed a breath out through my nose, shaking my head. "If that's what awaits me every time, count me out." I said jokingly, shaking my head. I didn't open my eyes for fear that I might trigger the motion sickness. "I thought we were going to be alone, no interference, right? What happened to that?"

"Well, a group of brats got in the way, that's what." Roman said offhandedly. "Someone who was pissy about her precious White Fang working with someone like me." He chuckled. "She cost me more Dust than I'd have liked, but them's the breaks."

I nodded, not responding verbally.

Roman took that as a cue and continued on. "What about you? Looks like you had one hell of a tussle out there if you're in this bad a shape."

I nodded once. "That's not saying the half of it." I swallowed before continuing, feeling the motion sickness start to close in on me. "Fought this girl… Called herself, and I quote, 'Penny Polendina, a totally normal girl here to stop the villainy of Roman Torchwick.' Or something of that sort." I shrugged my shoulders. "She's something else…"

I swallowed once again, fighting back the urge to be sick. "Girl has weapons – these swords that are floating but hit like damn trucks with every swing. Can turn it into some sort of ion cannon or something too." I paused for a moment. "She's built like a tank… literally and figuratively. She easily took blows that would've crippled most people, and didn't react to being stabbed in the neck."

The urge to vomit was growing, though I kept my eyes scrunched closed and focused on telling the story to Roman, hoping that it'd keep me distracted. "She's not made of flesh and blood… The wounds I put on her, they didn't bleed. It's all mechanical." I managed out, the feeling of sickness growing too great for me.

Thankfully, I was sat next to the door, throwing it open I emptied the contents of my stomach out into the night sky, likely to land on some poor unsuspecting civilian. I felt a hand gently on my back start to trace circles in an attempt to comfort me.

I glanced over and saw that it was Neo who only smiled at me. I offered a weak smile back, bringing the door to a close, glancing over to Roman who was rubbing at his chin.

"Interesting… Anything else?" He asked, looking over to me.

I thought for a moment, nodding. "Yeah, when she showed up, she was dropped off by a completely blacked out SUV. No lights, tinted windows, that whole deal. I didn't see the vehicle leave, but it was gone by the time our fight started."

Roman nodded once again, puffing on his cigar thoughtfully. "Well, alright then." He looked up to me and nodded, a slight smile pulling at his lips. "You did good, chief."

I smiled weakly and nodded, closing my eyes in an attempt to keep the contents of my stomach where they belonged.

[-/-]

"Good Afternoon citizens of Vale, my name is Lisa Lavender, and thank you for tuning into Channel 7, your only source for what's happening in Vale. As many of you may already know, last night we had an unprecedented attack on the Vale Docks by the infamous Roman Torchwick. Reports claim that during the heist, an unknown group made an attempt to interfere with the robbery. Unfortunately, they were unable to stop the criminal, suffering at least two casualties in the process. Their identities are as of yet unknown to us." The TV droned on as Roman, Neo and I were sat, enjoying our breakfasts.

"In the course of their fight, it is believed that Torchwick was forced to detonate at least one shipping crate's worth of dust, destroying much of the harbor in the process. Nothing is currently known about the whereabouts of Torchwick, or any of his accomplices."

I got up from my seat, taking my empty plate, as well as Roman and Neo's over to the kitchen, cleaning up as I knew neither of those two would.

I glanced over to Roman and thought for a moment. "Say, Roman?"

"Hm?"

"They claim there were at least two casualties last night, of the ones who tried to interfere? Did you actually kill them?" In truth, I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer to that question. Not at all. My curiosity though, wouldn't accept not knowing.

Roman looked over to me then and shook his head. "I didn't." He produced a cigar and lit it up, sighing contentedly after a moment. "I'll let you in on a little secret I've got, Jaune. Believe it or not, I've got morals. Those two who tried to interfere? They were a couple of kids. People your age. Huntsmen in training." I nodded, letting him continue.

"I might be willing to rob anyone and everyone of their valuables if I can, but I draw the line at killing innocents." He chuckled darkly, closing his eyes and shaking his head. "Once you start killing innocents, you're no better than the Grimm. Those brats who interfered last night? They might've been in my way, but they didn't deserve to die, not when I didn't need to kill them."

I nodded, still cleaning the dishes. "So, what you're saying is don't do something I'd regret later?"

Roman frowned, shrugging his shoulders. "Something like that." He took a puff off his cigar, pushing himself up from the table. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a few warehouses to visit." He said, making his way to the door.

I nodded, eyeing him thoughtfully as I ran his words over in my head. I didn't speak, just watched as the master criminal, most wanted man in Vale, and mentor to yours truly walked out the front door.

He's strange. He talks about his morals, and lines he won't cross, such as killing innocents, or sparing people when he can. Yet he's a criminal, and the best of the best at it to boot. Stealing others hard earned lien is okay by him, but ending their lives isn't.

I frowned, setting the dishes to dry as I continued on with my thoughts. While the rest of the world might view it as insane to think that's okay, I clearly didn't. I was desperate, I wanted more than anything to become something, to not just be a background character in someone's story. In that case, it meant becoming a criminal. I stole from Dust shops, blew up damn police cruisers, and none of that hit me, didn't make me think what I was doing was wrong.

I took a seat on the couch, not paying attention to the TV that was still playing the news, having moved on to other stories. The first thing that made me wonder if I was the bad guy was killing that man… I shuddered slightly, his visage springing to mind all too easily. I tried to push it back down. I killed him when I didn't need to. He might've been in my way, and might've been my enemy but he didn't need to die. I had won before I killed him.

I blew out a breath through my nose and shook my head. Then there's Baxton. I killed him, but it didn't hit me. Not in the same way. Is it because there wasn't any other option? Because I was trying to protect one of my friends?

I sighed and looked up at the ever-elusive pattern that raked the ceiling of the apartment. I closed my eyes, content to just relax for a little while.

Neo, however, must've been bored. I opened my eyes, feeling a new weight sit in my lap.

I saw Neo sat in my lap, well, more straddling it as she looked up at me, her head tilted to the side slightly. I rose my brows at that. "Yes, Neo?"

She tapped me on the chest, and then pointed out the door.

I blinked a few times. "You want to go out?"

She nodded once.

I groaned and closed my eyes again. "Did you want to do anything in particular, or just waste time?" I asked, cracking an eye open to look at her.

She shrugged, then tugging at my shirt, likely in attempts to get me to move.

I groaned once more, though relented. "Fine, fine."

She beamed up at me, clearly pleased that she won.

I rolled my eyes, sitting there staring at her. "You do know you're going to have to get off me if we're going somewhere." I pointed out.

The pouted and crossed her arms.

I chuckled and shrugged. "Well, if you won't move, then I won't." I said, closing my eyes once more.

I felt her weight slide off my lap, and then her tugging at my hand to get me moving.

I opened my eyes with a smirk and got up, stretching my arms over my head. "Alright, lead the way."

She did just that, dragging me out into the city. It was hard to tell if she had any destination in mind, or if she was just wandering, looking for something that interested her.

I hummed quietly as I let the tiny assassin drag me through the city streets. Now that's a novel thought, having a tiny assassin dragging me through the streets. Never something I'd have thought possible just six months ago, yet here I am, perfectly content and at ease. Funny how things change in such a short time.

This wandering continued for a while, until she led me into a local park. All was pretty quiet, not much in terms of people around.

Still though, Neo led on. She took me up a hill, where at the top was a single rather large maple tree. Neo wandered over and took a seat under it, motioning for me to join her. Odd choice, but whatever. I thought as I came to take a seat next to the tri colored girl.

From here, we had a decent view of Vale, or at least the local area. It was nice, all said and done. A quiet place where I doubted anyone would disturb us, leaving us the ability to look down over the few people we could see and just watch.

I glanced over to Neo who had brought her knees up to her chest, resting her chin on them as she looked out over the city, her arms wrapped around her legs to keep them in place, or because it was comfortable. I didn't know.

I smiled, more or less to myself and leaned back against the tree, stretching my legs out in front of me as I too watched the people and cars move towards their destinations, doing whatever it was they had to do for the afternoon.

I started humming quietly, just an old tune that I had heard played at home a lot and had gotten stuck in my head. (Dust in the Wind for anyone who's curious)

I heard Neo shift slightly next to me, and then I felt her head come to rest gently on my shoulder. I glanced down at her, seeing that she was looking back up at me, her eyes shifting colors a few times. I smiled, though didn't think anything of it and looked back out over town, still continuing my quiet tune.

Things remained this way for a little while, my idle humming and Neo contentedly laying against my shoulder. I'll admit, I didn't mind. Even if I did, I think I'd just have to deal with it, or face the wrath of the assassin. Regardless, it was comfortable. Other than the fact that my right arm was being squished between my side and her.

I shifted, taking my arm out from where it was being crushed, and seeing no other place to put it, it went across Neo's back, letting my hand rest on her side lightly. Part of me knew this was a dangerous play, but another decided it didn't care.

I glanced down at her once again, and she was smiling contentedly. Her eyes were both brown, and I swore I could see a slight dusting of pink on her cheeks. She looked back up at me, her eyes seemed to be asking a question, but I'll be damned if I knew what it was.

"What's up?" I asked quietly.

She seemed to think for a moment, still looking up at me. Eventually, she made a decision, and before I had a chance to know what it was, I was shown.

She had leaned up, gently pressing her lips against mine in a tender kiss.

A kiss that ended just as suddenly as it began.

I felt my breath catch in my throat, and all thought come to a screeching halt. The only thing I could do was sit in shock and stare down at Neo, who's gaze was now shifting periodically between brown and pink.

I blinked a few times and swallowed, reminding myself to breathe. Neo was still looking up at me, her lips pursed as she waited for whatever my reaction might be. A reaction to events I was still processing.

I saw her look down and away from me, and that seemed to jumpstart my brain, giving it the kick in the ass it needed to actually function with the information it was being made to process.

I reached over, hoping that I could get her to look at me, though as soon as my hand made contact, she shattered like glass.

I blinked, looking around, I saw her form at the base of the hill, the bright pink hair giving her away. I shot to my feet and made to start following her. "Neo, wait!" I shouted out, trying to get her to come back so I could figure out what to say and do.

She didn't even look back, making her way out of the park at a quick pace. I followed behind her as best I could, hoping that I'd be able to catch up.

I stepped out into the streets of Vale, looking to see where she had gone, hoping that her hair would be a beacon for me.

It wasn't.

I groaned, taking a few steps back, slumping against the low stone wall that lined the park. I slammed my head back into the wall a few times, not bothering to bring my Aura up to cushion the blows. "Stupid, stupid, stupid." I muttered to myself.

I groaned and closed my eyes, slamming my head back into the brickwork again.

"How long did it take you to figure that one out?" The gravelly voice of Qrow commented from somewhere behind me.

I groaned, opening my eyes and hopped up to my feet. I turned to glare at the huntsman behind me. "Very funny, asshole."

Qrow grinned, rocking back on his heels. "Finally, someone who appreciates me."

I rolled my eyes, not in the mood for whatever shit he had to give me.

I was about to turn and leave, though Qrow spoke up. "You look like you could use a drink, and it's always more fun with a friend." The question went unasked, but was clearly hanging in the air.

I sighed and shrugged my shoulders. "Fuck it, why not?"

Qrow grinned, nodding his head. "That's the spirit, kid."

And scene.

Well, that was a thing. Definitely a thing. Poor Jaune, and poor Neo, really. One is too damn slow to figure it out, and the other sort of panicked when she didn't get a response and ran. Just... Be gentle? I know things look bad, but they might get better if Jaune can figure it out.

On other topics, I'm back and here to stay for a while. Until my vacation comes up in another I think like, three weeks or something? I dunno, but you'll be made aware before I leave to not expect anything in that time.

On the emergency front and my sudden leaving, well, not all went well. My grandmother passed away at the age of 96. Really tore up a lot of us, but I'm all good now and here to write. I appreciate all the well wishes from y'all and even the PMs I got, made me smile to know that you're concerned.

All that said, we're on to reviews. (I'll be skipping over the well wishing and covering the stuff from Chapter 15)

Imperial Germany - I do agree. The only way they don't get to become boring and repetitive is if it's been well enough thought out and planned for which in the case of this story, it's just not there.

Deku Momiya - A mask is definitely an option, just one he hasn't considered yet. But one that I as the author definitely have. Just depends on if he wants to keep his identity a secret or not.

Halobyrd98 - Well... It happened? Just not the way anyone really wanted it to, definitely not Neo or Jaune, but there's still a lot of time to fix things. Or make them worse, only time will tell.

Exiled Darkness - Obvious start of new story arc is obvious, awesome. And you're right, Ruby has basically handed Jaune a win-win situation, assuming that she has, and then realizes her feelings for the oblivious blond boy. And well, the Neo bit kinda broke... Oops...

X3 - That has yet to be seen. There are definitely more changes to be coming, but all in all, it's the same outward look from here on. A few very minor details might change, but the over all look is set in stone where it is. Cinder & Co will be very present for this next arc, if not directly, then they're a looming threat to be aware of.

Valerious Lake - Jaune definitely has what it takes to be the mastermind, at least it seems that way. He just hasn't taken that mantle. Not that we've seen yet.

Specter - Like I said above, he may well go for a mask. Just depends on if he thinks about it, which he might. Or he might get it suggested to him.

Josh Spicer - You are right, he's still real recognizable. He might figure that out, he might not. We will have to see, but damn that's the third thought on masks. We'll see.

Engineer - Well, here's his new set of armor, looking pretty good if you ask me, the gray and blue. At least it looks good in my head, so there's that. And well, someone modifying her work? That's probably a no go in her book... But what she doesn't know won't hurt her, right? Then there's Cinder. Oh, Jaune. Jaune you absolute buffoon, if only you knew the danger you were in and how deep this rabbit hole goes. And more support for Qrow who is here to talk to Jaune and get him drunk because he just so happens to be in the right place at the right time. What a coincidence. And he'll definitely not make that mistake twice. Qrow will steal Jaune's liquor next time, the blonde just doesn't know it yet.

Greer - Cinder is watching Jaune. We got a Code Red - everyone PANIC.

And that's all my reviews, other than the well wishing.

Just so you're aware, by the time you see this the previous chapter (the update) should be deleted and gone, so anyone just reading through the whole story won't see that little note. Also, by the time this is up, I'll have taken down the poll, and the final results are going to be below.

Silent Knight (Jaune x Neo) - 34 Votes

Lancaster (Jaune x Ruby) - 32 Votes

Golden Lotus (Jaune x Ren) - 2 Votes

Well, that actually was a lot tighter of a race than I expected. Do keep in mind that this was more of a curiosity to me, to see what y'all shipped. The end pairing is already written in my outline, somewhere.

Next Chapter: Monday, June 17th

Till next time, this is Valres signing off.