Konichiwa. Thanks for baring with me during those "action-filled chapters". I went back and re-read and still wasn't happy with what I had, but I knew it was the best I could offer at current. In any case, we're moving on! As a Side note: As of this chapter we will beat 50K+ words with over one hundred favorites and follows and an ass-load of reviews. I know I do this before every release but thank you all so much for that. Positive or negative, just realizing someone took the time to give me feedback is all I need.

Dragon lord Syed 101 – Thank you! Eh, they're already getting there if they aren't already. Power is functional to say the least. After a workout like that, I'd say they're optimal to say the least.

RiggyMinus – Thick-headed anime guy trope incoming! Yeah, he's the typical teenager. Of course, if someone came up to me and wanted to lick milk off me, regardless of how I felt about them, I'd probably be hesitant myself.

The Almighty One – I want to meet pirate guy! I knew a guy like that, except he usually just burned his own furniture. Yeah, Sun is the hero they needed, not deserved. Pyrrha is the character I was most excited to present to you all throughout the story. And, who knows? Maybe... Maybe not!

AzraelSaint – Jaune escapes, but for how long is the question? Yeah, you're going to see a theme with Pyrrha as we continue this awful and pointless quest. F for Sun, indeed. "All gave some, some gave all."

EmperorCookies – I think you expect a little too much of this, unfortunately! Most of the fighting has occurred in the past 4 chapters (at least how I have it mapped out), but that isn't to say back-up won't be called... Maybe? I agree with how it dragged, but I wanted to give you all substance with an appropriate finish. Thank you for your kind words (as always!), though.

343 – Never considered her to be a "Joer" character, but you may be on to something there. I wonder how she got those sc—Oh, right, Yang just sucker punched her. My bad. And yes, Jaune continues to evade his fate somehow. Press F for respect.

Konstantinsen – My drinking days are behind me (mostly?). We all know one or two (or five) people that do some miraculous things with liquor in their system. Yes, Pyrrha is the definition of a "bad load." Fortunately for them, the grounds are empty for vacation. There might be a few others around but if I saw RWBY and another team going at it, I'd stay the hell out of it. NeJaSun forever!

As always, please review guide for the rating system. This story is Rated M and it ain't gonna deviate from that. Put the kids to bed and lock your doors. Hope to have the next chapter out for you all soon, but I got a Kingdom Hearts DLC to beat first! Here's Chapter 12, for your viewing pleasure. Please READ, FAVORITE, FOLLOW, AND REVIEW if you enjoy the content. Give me ideas of what you might have done or where you think this will be going. Thanks again!

Italicized – Inner Thoughts

BOLD - Speaker

GodRealm

OOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Chapter 12 – Strategic Retreat

Jaune and Neptune crashed to the ground without warning. Neptune rolled down the hill both were being carried down and collided with a tree at the base. The pain was aching as he was unable to brace himself properly. Luckily, within his hands was the camera that Sun had also rescued for him and it was safe and sound.

Jaune found himself in a bush with sharp prickles. He crawled out on his hands and knees as he found Neptune in front of him. He looked back at where the two had come from to see they had put a decent amount of distance between themselves and Team RWBY. The reason was clear to them why they had fallen and why Sun's clones had disappeared. Something had happened to incapacitate him.

From here, we might be able to get away. Jaune thought to himself quietly.

He rose to his feet slowly and brushed himself off. The greenery fell off him and he picked a few thorns from himself. The gardener was not doing his job if you can't fall in a few bushes without getting slashed. He'd have to remember to bring that up later if he survived. He walked over to Neptune who was resting against the tree, still exhausted from using up his power. Jaune offered his hand to him as he looked up.

"Come on. We can't stay here." Jaune spoke.

Neptune reached out and grabbed his only remaining teammates hand as he was helped to his feet gingerly. Jaune even brushed him off so he didn't look like a homeless man prowling the school grounds.

"I don't know if I can run." Neptune replied. "If I can't keep up, I want you-"

"Don't even." Jaune cut him off. "Sun just sacrificed himself to make sure we both got out of here. That means we are BOTH getting off the property."

Neptune's mind returned to his team leader that saved him. Both Sun and Ren were people he invited to take part in this and now they were paying for it. This night had taken a complete turn for the worst. The only lucky thing going their way was that both teams were exhausted from their brawl. He was going to be sure to try and avoid any ore fighting with their powers returning.

Without asking, Jaune took Neptune's right arm and threw it over his shoulder for support. He then began to walk in the direction of the main road, away from the school.

"You're strong, Jaune." Neptune commented. "You're the reason we even had half a chance in that fight."

"Yeah, well, we didn't exactly win that either." Jaune replied.

"You're right." Neptune replied.

They walked slowly through the woods as to not overdo it. They had made it into a clearing. Neptune had recognized where they were. He saw the edge of the hill and the tree where he had spotted the girls initially with his equipment a week ago. He stared at the crevice where they hid the alcohol they would later consume, and a chill ran down his spine.

"Do you think Sun will be okay?" He asked Jaune.

Jaune stopped for a second and retrieved his scroll from his pocket. He wanted to be honest with Neptune and whether he wanted to see it or not, he needed to. Neptune shot him a confused look after he abruptly stopped walking. He watched as Jaune scrolled through a gallery and saw his face go pale.

"I... I don't think so, pal." Jaune commented.

"What makes you say that?" Neptune asked.

"LOOK WHAT THEY DID TO MY FUCKIN' BOY!" Jaune replied.

He showed Neptune the picture of Ren covered in syrup and tied to a chair in the same room they had been in earlier in the night. Neptune's face also went pale as he stared at Ren. He felt sick to his stomach on a multitude of reasons. He felt guilty for what had happened and what was going to happen to Sun.

"I think I'm going to vomit." He replied, covering his mouth.

Jaune returned his scroll to his pocket only for a moment before it began to ring. He retrieved it again and his face became pale once more as he saw the caller-ID as Sun. Neptune and he shared a look before Neptune gave him the nod as to say, "do it." Jaune nodded back before hitting the button to speak and then putting it on speaker so both could hear.

"Hello?" He asked.

"You boys have a lot of nerve taking off like that and leaving your friend behind." A voice spoke.

Both boys recognized the voice as the Schnee heiress. Her tone was apprehensive as it had been throughout the night.

"We didn't plan on it, but we had some help on that part." Neptune replied.

Jaune looked behind him out of paranoia. He opted to keep walking as they spoke on the phone with Weiss in order to get back to base.

"Yeah, well, don't you worry. He's going to be punished for that, let me tell you." She replied.

"Let me guess." Neptune retorted. "This is the part where you tell us if we don't come back his punishment will be much worse?"

On the other side of the phone Weiss smiled. Maybe he did know her a little better than she had initially thought. She looked over at Blake who was sitting on her bed and then at Sun who was gagged on the floor and once again bound by Gambol Shroud.

"Yeah, something like that." She answered.

Neptune sighed. "First of all, babe."

Babe? Again? She thought with an annoyed twitch.

"Don't you know it's illegal to use someone else's scroll?" He replied smugly.

"Don't you know it's illegal to record people without their knowledge?" She answered.

"Don't you know it's illegal to detain people against their will and torture them?" He answered a little more sternly this time.

She chuckled lightly into the phone. Jaune and Neptune felt uneasy at her response. What kind of monster(s) did they create tonight? Jaune gave another look over his shoulder due to the uneasy feeling and began doubling his efforts to get down the mountain to the road.

"Okay, then." Blake commented from behind Weiss. "I guess you'll be the one calling the police then?"

She had them there. They couldn't do that without risking themselves getting in trouble with everyone from the local authorities, to Ozpin. They walked quietly down the path in endless thought. Jaune's eyes traveled to Neptune's hand. He had the camera-car gripped tightly as he was speechless to say anything.

Jaune stared at his hand for a few seconds before his eyes went wide. He had a thought. No! He had a plan!

"You may have us there." Jaune commented. "But."

Weiss and Blake's smile dropped after hearing that last comment. Sun continued to struggle against his binds as Blake gave him a look of 'I dare you' before he stopped. She returned her attention to the phone.

"But what?" She asked.

"Well," He began. "We have video evidence of a bunch of underage girls drinking in a school dorm room and causing a ruckus when they shouldn't be."

Weiss and Blake cringed slightly at the comment as they looked at each other with worry.

"And I even have a picture from Ruby that she was so kind to provide me of you all covering another student in an unnamed sticky substance."

"It's syrup."

"So, you admit it?"

Weiss gripped the phone in her hand tightly. She didn't like the tone he was using with her. She looked over at Blake who had a look of worry on her face. With actual proof they held the cards now. If anyone saw what was on that camera, they might all be in for a long lecture from Ozpin, Goodwitch, Oobleck, Port, or worse... ALL of them.

"You're really pushing it tonight, Arc." Weiss responded.

Neptune smiled at the reply. We go them. He thought. Jaune and Neptune shared a look of optimism. Once they were back to the apartment and the data could be converted into a video file, they would be able to bargain for a release of their comrades. Jaune was now in control of the situation.

"I never wanted it to come to this, Weiss. Once we get back to Neptune's place, we're going to be able to be able to show this evidence to anyone and everyone."

Weiss and Blake blinked and looked at each other for a moment. Neptune's face went pale

"So... you have to be at his apartment to convert the video file?" Blake asked, still smiling.

"Jaune... We need to go." Neptune commented.

At this time, Jaune noticed the one, crucial mistake that he had made. He spoke too much and now they knew they had a little more time to work on finding Neptune's place. Jaune began moving at a faster pace.

"You'll never make it there." Weiss spoke.

Sun had been struggling again since his two captures had been pre-occupied with the conversation. He crawled his way over to the team's nightstand in between their bunkbeds. He wormed his way to the edge of the stand and began using the corner of the drawer to tug at his gag. He moved over and over again, hoping he wouldn't miss his window of opportunity.

His binds were tight, but he wasn't going to let that stop him. They had to know. He thought. He scratched his face over and over just to move the gag. Eventually, he got it loose and use his tongue to press it off his face. Sun looked back at the two who had finally noticed what he as doing and were making their way towards him.

"NEPTUNE! JAUNE!" Sun cried. "Ruby and Yang are on your tail! KEEP RUNNING!"

Sun was then re-gagged as Blake started putting him in a choke hold as punishment. Weiss looked back at the phone that she had neglected to hang up in time.

"Guess you boys better keep moving." She commented before hanging up.

Back in the forest, the Neptune and Jaune were in full panic mode. Neptune moved as much as he could to keep at Jaune's pace with his help. He gave a look behind him and failed to see anyone still. Looking back to in front of him, he could see the edge of the forest where the road was.

"Jaune." He commented.

Jaune looked over at him without slowing his run.

"Sun and I arrived on my motorcycle. It should be up ahead. Can you drive?"

"Uhhh... No?"

"Cool. First time for everything."

"Fuck."

OOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Back in Team RWBY's room, Weiss and Blake were waiting to hear from Ruby and yang. They had initially thought to send them to look for Pyrrha but on the off chance she was feeling like putting them into a surprise chokehold like she had done earlier, they figured just let her be for now. After all, how far could she get?

Sun struggled on the floor again. He wondered where in the world Yang and Blake had learned to tie rope this tight and in this manner. He had his arms and legs bound behind as he rolled around on his stomach. He looked over at Blake's stacks of "Ninjas of Love" that were piled on his bed and let out a sigh.

Of course. Pervert. He thought.

Weiss looked over at him as he continued his fruitless struggle. She tapped Blake and pointed over at him when giving a laugh. Blake smiled to as she made her way over to where he was. He watched as she took a seat on the edge of her bed. She reached down and undid his gag. He mouth-breathed for a few moments, finally able to catch his breath after struggling.

"Enjoying your time in our room, Monkey boy?" Blake commented.

"No offense," He began. "But I'd already seen it earlier. And it was a better experience."

Blake dropped her smile and began using he foot to rock the bound boy back and forth much to his displeasure. Having used up his power, there wasn't much he was going to be able to do to stop her.

"You know, for someone in the position you're in, you might want to drop that smug attitude you have." She continued.

"Sorry, but that's not going to happen. I told you earlier I don't break easy and soon enough you'll be the one dropping your attitude when they put your video package together for the whole school to see."

Blake grabbed him by his bindings and pulled him up to her face to his surprise. She wasn't playing around anymore. His knees were uncomfortable with her weapon digging into his flesh.

"We're giving you the chance to do what Ren didn't and give up the location of Neptune's apartment. Don't squander this opportunity." Weiss spoke from across the room.

"You won't get this chance again. I guarantee that." Blake finished.

Sun dropped his smile as he watched both of them speak. He had to admit that the offer was tempting. He might get out of this completely free. He thought back to his last attempt at rescuing his friends not long ago and everything that they had done. If he betrayed them now, he would be the worst kind of friend and everything up that point would have been for nothing.

He looked back at Blake who rose an eyebrow at him, still clutching his rope. He smiled again in her face, fearless as ever.

"Sorry, Kitty. I fear nothing and regret less." Sun spoke.

She threw him to the ground as he let out and "oof" from the impact. She stood up from the bed and stared down at him. He looked up from the ground at the woman standing above him with an inquisitive look of his own. She smiled down at him.

"We'll see about that. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy this." Blake commented.

OOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Neptune and Jaune had finally reached the road. They collapsed together after finally clearing the trees. The hike was manageable with enough strength, but after a fight and then running, they were almost completely wiped out from this night. Unfortunately, they did not have the pleasure of stopping now. Of what was left of Team RWBY, Yang was at optimal power and Ruby was less hurt than Weiss or Blake.

Jaune got to his feet and pulled Neptune up. He looked behind him and could hear feet running in their direction. Damn it. He thought.

"Neptune, where's the motorcycle?" Jaune asked in a hurry.

Neptune tried his best to catch his breath in between words.

"It... should be... over there." He commented.

He pointed to a bushel of bushes across the road. Jaune nodded his head at his friend and pulled him to the other side quickly. The footsteps were getting louder now. In a hurry, he dumped Neptune into the bushes and dove next to him, covering his mouth. They remained eerily still for a few moments as the footsteps approached from the other side.

"Still no sign of them." Ruby commented.

"Yeah, well, they definitely went this way. Tracking them was pretty easy so far." Yang replied.

Neptune swallowed silently as sweat trickled down the back of his neck. They had gotten this far and now the motorcycle was right next to them. All they had to do was start it and go, but if they moved to quickly, they'd be caught before they can even make that attempt.

"Do you think they got in a car or something?" Ruby asked.

"Maybe." Yang pondered. "The tracks end here so that would be my guess, but we should still keep looking. If we lose them now, we might not ever find them."

"I can't believe he got away again." Ruby angrily pouted.

Yang chuckled at her sister's comments. Jaune and Neptune watch from the bushes across the street at the two, waiting for them to move. Neptune looked down at his hand at the camera-car. He knew if things went badly, Jaune was in better shape to get away and couldn't risk this being taken away again. Without making a sound, he placed the object in Jaune's pocket with him none the wiser.

Neptune knew it was an underhanded trick, but he couldn't let Sun or Ren's sacrifices be for nothing. He was willing to do the same if it came to it, though he could only wonder what would be in store for him.

"Maybe we should check in with Blake and Weiss." Yang spoke.

Ruby shook herself from her thoughts and nodded to her sister. Yang took a seat next to Ruby on the side of the road and pulled out her scroll. She dialed Weiss until her face popped up on the video chat.

"Hey, you two." Yang spoke. "How's it going there?"

"Okay, I guess. This monkey has a serious attitude problem though. Blake's using some... unorthodox methods to try and get him to talk." She finished, seemingly unsure.

"Oh, really?" Yang asked. "Like what?"

Weiss shook her head and sighed at what she as watching.

"Perhaps it'd be easier if I showed you." She responded.

She turned the camera to face Blake and Sun. Ruby and Yang watched in surprise at what they were seeing. Blake had Sun on the ground, still tied in Gambol Shroud, but she was stepping on his back and hitting him with... a whip?

Yang laughed evilly as Ruby was red in the face and more confused on how it had coe to this.

"WHAT ARE YOU?!"

SLAP.

"I'M A MONKEY!"

SLAP.

"LOUDER!"

SLAP.

"I'M A MONKEY I SAID!"

SLAP.

"YOU MEAN 'I'M A MONKEY, MA'AM!"

SLAP.

"I'M A MONKEY, MA'AM!" Sun finished with a slight cry.

Weiss pulled the camera away with a tinge of embarrassment on her face at what her partner was doing so indecently.

"Oh, that's amazing." Yang continued to laugh. "I guess she's re-enacting a scene from one of those books she's always reading."

"So, has he given up the location of Neptune's apartment yet?" Ruby asked.

Weiss shook her head. "No, he's stubbornly loyal. You both need to find them before they get there and can do anything with that footage, though. They threatened to show people at the school. We can't let them win."

"They won't." Ruby replied.

"Good. I'll let you know if he decides to speak up." Weiss stated.

'Wait!" Yang said. "Send us a picture of what she's doing. I have to have it!"

Weiss sighed at her friend and shook her head. Of course she did. She aimed the scroll at Sun and snapped an unpleasurable photo of him and sent it to both Ruby and Blake to have. They already ahd one of Ren, so what the hell was one more anyway?

"Over and out." Weiss spoke before hanging up.

Ruby heard her scroll go off with the picture message. Without wasting time, she pulled it while her sister continued her fit of laughter at her own photo. She went through her contacts and found Jaune. She clicked his name and began typing something with a smile. Once she finished, she pressed some buttons and placed the scroll back in her pocket before standing up.

Yang continued to laugh as Ruby offered a hand to her sister.

"Come on. We should keep looking for them." She stated.

"Right." Yang replied, taking her hand.

The two began to make their way up the road to their right as Jaune and Neptune watched from the bushes stealthily. Jaune heard his scroll ding quietly, causing Yang and Ruby to stop in their tracks. Neptune kept an eye on them as Jaune reached to his pocket and removed his scroll.

"Did you hear something?" Yang asked Ruby.

Jaune opened his phone and looked at what was sent to him from Ruby. His seat became heavier and his eyes bulged at what he was looking at. Neptune took a second to look away as he also looked at Jaune's phone. Their faces were same in complexion as they saw the photo that had been sent to Ruby and Yang.

Ruby had immediately forwarded Jaune a photo of Sun bound on the floor of Team RWBY's bedroom. He was sweaty and in pain as a boot, presumably Blake's foot, was in the small of his back applying pressure. Below the picture was a breath message that Ruby had attached to the picture.

'I'm not confident in my ability to tie rope like Blake, but I'm willing to give it a try later.'

"Yeah, it sounded like a scroll going off." Ruby finally answered her sister.

Neptune pulled his terrified face away from the phone to look out through the bushes one more time and see that Yang and Ruby were a decent distance away, but they knew they heard something. Without wasting anymore time, he pulled his keys from his pocket to the bike and handed them to jaune who was still caught up in his phone.

"They're nearby..." Yang commented, heading in the direction of the noise.

Jaune was slapped from his coma-like state by Neptune who pointed him to the bike next to them, silently ordering him to start it. He shook his head in disagreement, thinking they would be caught too quickly.

"Jaune, this is the only chance we'll get. They're coming." He whispered.

Ruby readied her Crescent Rose as Yang reloaded her Ember Celica. They walked in a prepared stance towards some bushes on the other side of the road. They moved slow and methodical, ready to take on what was there.

As they got closer, a bundle of shots was fired in their direction, causing them to dive out of the way. In that same instance, and engine starting could be heard, Ruby and Yang looked over in the direction of the shots and saw Jaune drive out on a motorcycle with Neptune in a passenger car. They peeled out on the road and began heading down the road in the opposite direction of the girls towards the city.

Yang fired a few shots from Ember Celica in their direction as Ruby activated her semblance in an attempt to catch them.

"Dodge left!" Neptune yelled.

Jaune moved to the left slightly at the command.

"Your other left!"

Jaune then nearly lost control moving to his right.

"Asshole, that's my right." Jaune yelled as the shots flew by his head.

"I'm turned around, so my directions are messed up!" Neptune yelled in defense.

Yang was left behind and out of range at this point, but Ruby was still pursuing with her speedy semblance. Jaune attempted to shake her as he drove down the empty road from the side of the mountain the school was on, but she was keeping on them.

"Neptune, I don't know how long I can keep this up! This part is all you bud."

"I'm trying! Just keep it steady!" Neptune replied.

Ruby was keeping pace, even gaining on them at this point. She didn't know how long she would be able to keep this up, but if she could just get close enough to stop the vehicle, she'd be able to stop them from getting away.

"I told you that there was no escape!" She yelled to Jaune.

He looked back at the girl that was gaining on them steadily. He returned his eyes to the road and raised his arm up for her to see and just as he did in the courtyard during the flight, proceeded to giver the middle finger, waving it back and forth in defiance.

Ruby's face flushed red with anger at his response. When I get a hold of him! She thought.

Her anger caused her to stop swaying around as she pursued them, opting to stay in a straight line instead. She was too focused on catching them and that's just the opportunity Neptune needed. Slowly and carefully from the passenger seat, he raised his Tri-Hard and took aim. Ruby was too focused on Jaune's hand than anything else.

Before she could react, he fired one shot that collided with her mid-semblance and stopped her in her tracks. She fell to the ground and tumbled down the road. Jaune and Neptune then took this time to get enough distance and before they knew it, they had turned a corner of the mountain and were heading directly into downtown Vale. The two began screaming and laughing as they floated in between all the empty traffic lanes.

"FUCK YEAH! NICE SHOT!" Jaune yelled.

"You know it! Let's get the hell out of here!"

They had escaped.

OOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Ruby rubbed her butt as she rolled over after taking a direct hit. Thank Oum for a protective aura or that could have hurt her in many different ways. She looked down the road she had been chasing the boys on and a frown adorned her face.

"Damn you, Jaune." She mumbled to herself.

She clucthed her fists as she stood up and kept staring into the scenery of a lit-up downtown Vale. She knew that she was not going to find them now and she needed time to heal after that.

"Oum as my witness, I'll find you tonight and then... you're mine." She spoke again.

"Ruby!" A voice from behind called.

Ruby turned around to see her sister running at her. She kept her frown on in a disappointing fashion as her sister approached her, out of breath from running.

"Blake... I'm sorry. They got away."

"Hey, don't sweat it, Rubes." Yang mouthed between breaths.

Ruby looked back at her in a confusing fashion. Why was she okay with that? They both just chased them halfway into the city. Yang looked up at her sister and smiled while holding her scroll in her face. Ruby examined the picture and looked at her sister in a confusing fashion.

"Uh... What am I looking at?" She asked Yang.

Yang laughed quietly. "You're looking at the end. Ruby... We've got them." She finished with a smile.

OOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

And they have escaped! Jaune and Neptune pulled off the upset and were able to put some more distance between them and the females. Sun continued his defiant nature ad allowed them to make a clean getaway. But what is the picture? Will it truly help in their search? Tune in next time on Dragon Ba- Err, never mind. But, yeah. Things are developing. Thanks for reading and I look forward to posting the next chapter as soon as possible. It's already (mostly) done. Just have a few more correction. Hope you enjoyed this installment. Peace!

Next time: Chapter 13 – Key

GodRealm