Chapter 20: The Empire
Team RWBY's Dorm, 22nd April 17 BBY, 9:30 am…
Nathan slowly awoke to hear the gentle breathing of Blake next to him, shifting his gaze to see her fast asleep still, gently inhaling and exhaling softly.
Nathan watched as Blake shifted in bed, turning onto her back. His eyes gravitated towards Blake's chest, which rose and fell with every breath.
A contented smile was crossing Blake's face as she slept, a sight that made Nathan smile. He'd often stayed awake a little longer than Blake just so he could hear her breathing. Last night had been no different.
Reaching over to Blake, Nathan pulled her close to him, planting a kiss on her cheek and gently stroking her hair; feeling her sigh happily before her head turned to face him, eyes opening to reveal the bright amber eyes he loved so deeply.
"Morning." Blake said gently, smiling warmly at the sight of her lover.
"Morning, beautiful." Nathan replied equally softly, leaning in and kissing Blake. Breaking the kiss, he shifted in bed, taking Blake with him.
A low chuckle escaped Blake as she snuggled into Nathan's arms, once again leaning in and kissing Nathan, who responded by pulling her on top of him so she was straddling him.
Doing so allowed Nathan once more to admire his girlfriend; reminding himself once again he was the luckiest man on Remnant, and the galaxy at large for winning the heart of such a beautiful young woman.
He made to say something when both he and Blake had cups of coffee thrust in front of them.
"Something to spare Ruby from waking up to the sight of you fornicating."
Both Nathan and Blake looked to see Weiss stood there, already dressed and holding two cups of coffee for both of them. "But… we weren't going to." Nathan pointed out.
"Still; I'd rather not chance it." Weiss responded. "So… enjoy your coffee whilst I start waking Ruby up."
Nathan nodded, knowing that the process for waking Ruby Rose on a Sunday was about as difficult as taming a Grimm. It took time, a lot of patience, and a lot of holding your tongue. Sitting up in bed, Nathan took his coffee from Weiss, saying: "Thank you."
"Welcome." Weiss said before turning on her heel and walking over to Ruby, starting the arduous process of waking up her girlfriend.
Blake chuckled, drawing Nathan's attention back to her before she too shifted in bed, so that her back was to Nathan and she was sat cross-legged.
Nathan smiled and planted a soft kiss behind one of Blake's cat ears before starting to drink his coffee.
"So… we have lunch with Kanan and Yang, later." Blake said. "Anything else on the agenda we should talk about?"
"Well; I told Jason I'd properly introduce him to the gang last night, so we'd better do that." Nathan responded. "Maybe we can save it for after lunch with Kanan and Yang."
"That was my thinking." Blake said. "Or rather, we introduce him to the gang bit by bit; allow him to get to know people before overexposing him to the combination of chaos, calamity and total insanity that is our friendship group."
"Any ideas?" Nathan inquired.
"Well… why not start with me?" Blake asked. "We'll be together most of the day, so… it just makes sense."
Nathan nodded. "I'll introduce Yang and Kanan, too. They'll be around."
"Good idea." Blake said.
They finished their coffee in silence, setting the empty mugs aside before snuggling together.
As had become Nathan's habit whenever Blake and he snuggled this way, he started rubbing gentle circles into Blake's belly, imagining it big and swollen as their child grew within.
The thought always brought a smile to Nathan's face, as did Blake's happy sigh as he did it. Though that future was a far away one; it was one he never ceased thinking about. That mental image he'd had of a heavily pregnant Blake filled his mind, filling him with happiness knowing that was going to be his future.
The blissful silence was violated when Blake stood up out of bed and said: "We'd better get showered and dressed."
Nathan nodded and moved to join Blake, but a pair of hands stopped him as Blake stepped away from the bed, backing away from Nathan.
A sultry grin crossed Blake's face as she slowly but surely removed her nightwear, exposing more and more of her body to Nathan as he watched her with increasing hunger.
Finally, Blake was wearing nothing but a pair of white lace panties, and she gave Nathan a seductive wink before stepping into the shower.
Nathan didn't even wait for the shower to start running as he dashed inside to join Blake.
Jason and Winter's quarters, 9:45 am…
Jason's eyes opened to the sound and smell of fresh coffee being made, and his eyes soon opened completely to find themselves beholding the beautiful form of Winter Schnee a few feet away from him as she made coffee.
Climbing out of bed, Jason walked up behind Winter and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "Morning." He said gently, planting a kiss beneath Winter's ear.
"Morning to you too, Jason." Winter responded softly. "I would have woken you, but after you spent most of yesterday evening talking with Nathan, I wanted you to rest."
Jason smiled. After he and Nathan had spoken the previous night, they had spent the better part of five hours talking and catching up, only stopping upon realising the time.
It occurred to Jason in that moment just how much he'd really missed Nathan, and everything that came with knowing Nathan. But now; they were on the road to repairing their fractured bond. It'd take time, Jason knew this. But he was more than willing to put that time in to win back Nathan's trust.
He was driven from thought as Winter turned and offered him a mug of coffee. "Coffee, Jason?" She asked.
Jason nodded before taking the mug from Winter before setting it down. "Not before I give you the attention I robbed you of last night." He said, before hoisting Winter up in his arms and setting her down on the worktop.
Winter gasped at the suddenness of the motion, before sighing contentedly as Jason kissed her; hungrily and passionately, wanting to make up to Winter the time they had lost to him and Nathan.
Jason felt Winter wrap her arms around his neck, and tightened his hold on her, pulling her even closer whilst deepening the kiss.
Breaking the kiss, Winter caught her breath. "On second thought… that sounds very pleasant." Winter replied, kissing Jason in response.
Jason then carried Winter to the bed, sitting down in bed and summoning his coffee to his hand via the Force, breaking the kiss to set it down on his nightstand before shifting in bed again so that Winter was beneath him in bed, kissing her again before properly looking at Winter's attire.
Winter, he realised, was wearing a white blouse tucked into navy blue skinny jeans.
Winter's eyes bored into Jason's, betraying the clear love she had for him, as well as the lust she was trying to fight off in that moment.
Planting another kiss, Jason looked down at Winter's blouse, seeing the top three buttons were undone, showing the white top Winter had beneath the blouse, as well as a teasing hint of cleavage.
"Jason…" Winter said, pulling Jason into another kiss.
Lifting Winter up, Jason clambered into bed with her, setting her down and breaking the kiss, planting a kiss on Winter's jawline, and laying a few more kisses down her neck and upper chest, feeling Winter shudder a little.
"Oh Jason…" Winter moaned softly, before lifting Jason's chin so that her eyes met his, leaning in and kissing him again.
Jason allowed Winter to roll so she was on top of him, running his hands over Winter's back until they travelled down to her backside and squeezed.
Winter gasped, breaking the kiss and looking at Jason once again. "Jason… do… do you think we're ready for that step?" She asked.
Jason sat up with Winter in his arms and said: "I'm only ready for that if you are."
Winter looked away from Jason and then met his gaze, shaking her head. "Not yet." She answered. "It's only been a month since we got together. There's no need to rush into that particular phase of a relationship."
"Nah." Jason agreed, nodding. "Plenty of time for that."
"Though I don't mind you copping a feel every once in a while as we make out." Winter added. "I like it when you pay attention to my body."
"Well; considering you've got the body of a supermodel without any surgical enhancement, why wouldn't I?" Jason asked. "Even if I've yet to see what it looks like under all these clothes."
Winter smirked. "Then perhaps we should seek somewhere tropical for a getaway… so that I may grant you that visual."
Jason nodded. "But for now… I'm just fine imagining your body beneath those clothes."
Winter's smirk deepened as she kissed him again. "Play your cards right soldier, and you may be granted the visual earlier."
"You know I'm going to do it, right?" Jason asked. "I'm the better strategist by far."
"Who said I didn't want you to play your cards right?" Winter responded before kissing Jason again.
Jason held Winter tightly as he returned the kiss. He already knew he was one of the luckiest men in the galaxy to have a woman like Winter. He didn't need to see her body to know that.
All the while their coffee lay untouched, forgotten by both lovers.
White Fang Camp, Kanan's tent, 10:00 am…
"My handsome tiger needs to wake up…"
Yang's voice slowly awoke Kanan from his slumber, as his eyes opened to reveal Yang stood a few feet away from the foot of his bed, hands on her hips, her nightwear clinging to her near flawless figure tightly as it always did, and her warm smile making him smile back as he sat up in bed. "I'm up." He replied.
Yang's smile widened as she sauntered over, hips swaying hypnotically with every step she made, until she climbed into bed, straddling Kanan. "Good." She replied before kissing him.
Kanan wrapped his arms around Yang as the kiss deepened, pulling her close before breaking the kiss. "Morning, my beautiful sunny dragon. Sleep well?"
"I think you already know the answer." Yang replied, leaning in and kissing him again.
Kanan suddenly flipped so he was on top, drawing a surprised gasp from Yang. "What if I want to hear the answer?" He asked coyly.
"What do I get if I tell you?" Yang responded, a sultry grin crossing her beautiful face.
"Only one way to find out, is there?" Kanan asked as he began laying a trail of kisses down from Yang's neckline down to her cleavage.
Yang's back arced as soft gasps emerged from her lips, saying: "Oh fine."
Ceasing his assault, Kanan leaned back from Yang, awaiting his girlfriend's answer.
"I slept great. Real great." Yang said. "But I guess part of that is down to the fact I was in your arms."
Kanan smiled and kissed Yang again, rolling over so that she was on top again.
"So… what's my reward for answering your question, handsome?" Yang questioned.
Kanan responded by squeezing Yang's backside, which, while not as large as her bust, was still large enough to command the attention of most males in a room.
Yang gasped and said: "You're a real bad kitty, you know that?"
"I know. But I never get tired of hearing it." Kanan replied as he kissed Yang once again, hearing Yang sigh contentedly and happily into the kiss and pulling her closer, deepening the kiss before finding himself being pushed onto his back, where he lay down whilst Yang leaned in and kissed him. Running his hands along Yang's body, Kanan once more gripped and squeezed Yang's backside, eliciting a strong gasp from Yang.
"Kanan…" Yang murmured, looking into Kanan's eyes.
They told Kanan all he needed to know before their lips met once again, his hands moving up and down Yang's back, groaning as he felt Yang beginning to grind against him.
"Kanan…" Yang said again, her voice heavier than usual. "Do… do you think it's time for that?"
Kanan nodded. "We've been together four months, Yang. I'm… ready when you are."
Yang smirked as her hands left Kanan's neck, leaning back so that he could see as much of her as possible before sliding her right arm free of one of her nightshirt's shoulder straps. The garment loosened and draped down, barely obscuring her chest.
Kanan could only watch transfixed as Yang took the other strap, sliding her arm through that strap as well, catching the shirt as it began to fall, holding it against her chest.
Kanan felt a hunger he rarely felt threaten to take over at that. He'd won Yang's heart, but since they had been dating, he'd started wanting something else too. Something more intimate than just kissing and making out. The need in Yang's eyes told Kanan she shared his sentiments, as did what Kanan knew was now pressing up between Yang's legs.
Leaning in to kiss Yang, Kanan pulled Yang close just as there was a knock at the entrance to his tent.
"Kanan?" Ilia's voice called out.
Kanan broke away from Yang, who rapidly dove under the covers. "Yeah, come on in!"
Ilia soon entered the tent, finding Kanan still in his bed. "Wow; still in bed? What's taking you so long? Breakfast's getting cold."
"Well…" Kanan made to say before he stiffened as he felt his shaft being gripped by a strong warm hand. "Well; Yang felt like sleeping in; didn't want to wake her."
"Oh, fair enough." Ilia said. "Well; cook's making fresh grub for you two, now. So… best get her woken up, soon-ish."
Grunting as he felt Yang's warm tongue licking him from base to tip, Kanan nodded. "Will… will do!" He said, biting his lip as he suddenly felt Yang take his entire shaft in her mouth.
Ilia cocked her head to one side, raising an eyebrow. "You… sure you're okay, Kanan?" She asked.
"Yeah, definitely!" Kanan said, half gasping with every bob of Yang's head up and down his shaft.
Ilia's eyes narrowed in suspicion before shrugging. "Okay." At which, the chameleon faunus turned and left the tent.
Kanan finally turned his attention to beneath the covers and lifted them to see what he had suspected:
Yang was in the process of giving Kanan a blowjob, head bobbing up and down and sending fresh waves of pleasure surging through Kanan with every bob.
Yang's eyes met Kanan's, and she removed her mouth from him with an audible pop! "Never told me you had that hiding down there." She said coyly with a grin.
Pulling up his trousers, Kanan pulled Yang on top of him. "Would you have believed me if I did?"
"No. But now I know it's down there…" Yang let the statement hang in the air before leaning in and kissing Kanan once more.
Breaking the kiss, Kanan asked: "So… since we got interrupted then… when did you want to take things to the next level?"
Yang sat up in bed and eyed Kanan. "When's your birthday?" She asked.
"Um… August eighteenth. Why?" Kanan inquired.
Yang smiled. "Because I think we just found the date of our first time." She replied.
"And… you're sure about that?" Kanan asked gently. "I don't want to force you into it."
"Kanan; we've been together nearly four whole months." Yang said. "And you wouldn't be forcing anything. I mean… I just gave you head for the first time! Doesn't that show you I'm willing to take things to that level?"
"I… I guess." Kanan said. "I… I just don't want to screw things up by springing it on you, you know? Like…"
Yang's finger found his mouth, silencing him. "Kanan…" Yang responded. "You've not screwed up at any point so far in the four months we've been together. I've never felt happier than I do with you. I feel so damn lucky to call you my boyfriend, Kanan. So if I tell you I want to give myself to you on your birthday… Don't worry about whether you're pressuring me. Because I want to."
Kanan found himself smiling once again as he met Yang's gaze. "You say all that about being lucky to have me… but the fact I have you? That makes me feel like the luckiest guy on Remnant, too." Leaning in, he punctuated this with a kiss.
Yang's arms found their way around his neck soon after, whilst his found their way around her waist, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened before it was broken.
"Now come on." Kanan said. "Let's get dressed, eat breakfast, and get ready to meet Nathan and Blake for lunch."
With Jason and Winter…
"I'm impressed you've chosen to be so proactive in meeting Nathan's friends." Winter said. "I would have thought you'd wait for him."
"Figured just getting something done would be better than waiting." Jason responded. "And I imagine meeting with your sister might be a good start."
"Very well. She should be in the courtyard waiting for us." Winter said as they stepped into the main courtyard of Beacon.
It wasn't even long before Winter got Jason's attention and gestured. "There she is."
Jason looked to see a short, attractive young woman around Nathan's age with the same white hair that Winter had, but pulled into an off centre ponytail on her right side, allowing her pale blue eyes to look around unobscured. Travelling through her left eye was a long scar that looked like one that'd have a story behind it.
Winter's sister was wearing a short, glittering dress with a colour gradation of grey blue to pale blue at the hem, a sweetheart neckline, and a white, tulle petticoat. Over the dress was a slightly sheer long-sleeved grey blue bolero fastened at the collar with a large sapphire broach that had three pendants dangling from it. Printed on the back of the shrug was the Schnee Crest. Completing her attire were grey blue wedge heels and sapphire drop earrings.
Winter stepped forward with Jason and called out: "Weiss!"
Weiss perked up and smiled softly, walking over to Winter and saying: "Morning, Winter. How are you?"
"I'm very well, thank you." Winter replied. "I apologise for not meeting with you earlier. Commanding the division sent to protect Beacon from a potential Imperial attack has taken up most of my time."
"I'm glad." Weiss responded, before her eyes settled on Jason, and her features hardened.
Winter seemed to notice, saying: "Weiss, this is Jason Stone; an old friend of Nathan's."
"So I've heard." Weiss answered coldly, staring Jason down.
Jason had felt many a glare aimed at him in his twenty-four years of life, but none quite worried him like that of the young woman staring at him as if she wanted to use him as a target for fencing lunges. Weiss was much shorter than he was, about five-foot-three, but Jason had learned long ago to never judge a book by its cover. He'd seen Winter in combat before, but not Weiss; and given that Weiss had been partially trained by Winter, Jason could only imagine Weiss was a very competent fighter.
Winter then added: "He is also my significant other."
"Not boyfriend? Ouch." Jason joked.
Winter chuckled softly, saying: "I'm only being formal, Jason." At which she pecked Jason on the cheek.
Weiss' facial expression softened at that, placing a hand on her hip and said: "Public displays of affection, Winter? Father would be most displeased."
"True. But do you really expect Father to come here and say so; given Jason will be at my side when it occurs?" Winter responded.
Weiss shook her head. "Father has never been the bravest of men." She answered.
The two shared a nod before Winter said:
"Let us walk. There is much for us to catch up on." Winter said. "But first of all; let's start with your girlfriend…"
Jason had to stifle a chuckle at Weiss' blushing.
The White Fang Camp, 12:30 pm…
Nathan and Blake smiled as they found Kanan and Yang waiting for them upon entering the camp.
"Hey, you two." Kanan said warmly as he stepped forward, hugging Blake and Nathan. "You guys okay?"
"Yeah." Blake replied gently. She was dressed casually; sporting a white blouse, black skinny jeans held up by a purple belt, and a black denim jacket alongside a pair of black hiking boots. "You?"
"Well… you know the drill." Kanan replied. "Running the White Fang here in Vale isn't a part time job. Juggle that with being a good boyfriend to this smokeshow, and… you get the picture." At which he pulled Yang close as she beamed at him.
Yang was dressed in a yellow tank top that hugged her figure, and black skinny jeans like Blake. Her long blonde hair was tied back into a ponytail, allowing her lilac-coloured eyes to sparkle.
Kanan was wearing a violet tactical sweater, navy blue jeans held up by a red belt, and black combat boots.
Nathan himself had a red t-shirt, dark jeans, and a leather jacket.
Blake smiled. "I get the picture. Minus the 'being a good boyfriend' part."
The group all laughed until Kanan said:
"Right; so lunch will be in thirty or so minutes, so that gives us plenty of time to talk. Come on; let's get to my tent."
Nathan nodded and along with Blake and Yang, followed Kanan to the latter's tent, finding it set up for them already.
Kanan invited the rest of the group to sit down, saying: "I'll get some drinks." At that, he headed off, leaving Blake, Yang and Nathan alone.
"So; anything juicy happen last night?" Nathan asked.
"Define juicy." Yang responded coyly, grinning.
"Did you and Kanan do the deed?" Nathan elaborated.
"Nope. But… I did promise him that we would do it on his birthday in August." Yang said. "Figured it'd be a nice place to take things to the next level."
"Kinda surprised you guys haven't already done it." Nathan remarked. "The way you two are together; it's pretty surprising to hear you've not had sex, yet."
"Well; between Kanan adjusting to life as commander of the White Fang here and me training to get back into shape to join you guys for classes, we've not really had time to take things to that point." Yang countered. "And I kinda wanna take things slow."
"Yang Xiao Long taking things slow. What a day." Nathan remarked.
Yang giggled. "What can I say? Some things are worth slowing down in life for. For me… Kanan's one of those people."
Nathan nodded. "I'm glad." He said. "If anybody deserves to be happy, it's you, Yang."
Yang's smile widened just as Kanan returned, carrying four separate mugs.
"And here you go." Kanan declared, handing each of the three people besides himself various hot drinks.
Nathan got hot chocolate, Yang got a coffee, and Kanan and Blake both had cups of tea.
Sitting down with his girlfriend, sister and friend; Kanan asked: "So… anything worth talking about?"
"Well; I had a talk with that former friend of mine you all met a couple nights ago." Nathan declared.
"Oh yeah? What'd he have to say?" Yang asked, the disdain she had for Jason evident in her voice.
"He came here to try and make things right between me and him." Nathan responded. "He admitted what he said two years ago was wrong, and that he wants us to move on from it."
"Did you forgive him?" Kanan asked.
"I've told him he's on the right track." Nathan answered. "He's far from forgiven though."
"If it were up to me; I'd not forgive him at all." Yang spat. "What he said to you… I'd never say something like that to anyone. Least of all, Ruby."
"He's come this far, Yang." Blake responded. "He at least deserves a chance to earn Nathan's forgiveness. Nathan's actually planning on introducing me to Jason properly after we're finished here."
"You two are welcome to join as well." Nathan added. "I just got word from Ruby that Jason's just introduced himself to her, and is getting along with Weiss."
"Showing the initiative. In a way, that tells me he means well." Kanan remarked.
"My thoughts exactly." Blake stated, smiling at Nathan.
"Well; I feel like as the main representative of the White Fang here; I have an obligation to introduce myself." Kanan declared. "So… I'm down for a formal introduction."
Yang sighed and said: "Well; as long as you guys are down for it; I am, too."
"Great." Nathan said. "Now all that's left to do is-"
The roar of an explosion from outside drew everyone's attention.
Instantly alert, Nathan jumped out of his seat and drew his lightsaber, just as Ilia burst in:
"Kanan! We're under attack!" She shouted.
"By who?" Kanan demanded, his authority shining through.
"I don't know!" Ilia said. "They look military; full white armour and everything!"
The description immediately struck Nathan like a gunshot to the heart. He took several steps back with a hand on his chest, as if he'd just been shot. Colour drained from his face and he suddenly felt short of breath.
Blake noticed, saying: "Nathan… baby, are you okay?!"
Nathan snapped out of it, before saying: "Let's get out there."
Surging out, the five found the White Fang camp in chaos:
White Fang soldiers were hidden behind tables and tents as they returned fire against the attackers: Faceless soldiers wearing white armour and wielding weapons that fired red bolts of pure energy at the White Fang.
But Nathan knew better. He knew that armour. He'd seen it plenty of times on the field of battle. Though back then, they'd been on his side.
Now… now that wasn't the case. They had come here for him. But they would not take him easily.
Raising his lightsaber, Nathan surged towards them, bellowing a defiant battle cry as he swatted blaster bolts aside with his lightsaber.
Only for an unseen force to hurl him back, sending him sprawling.
"Nathan!" Blake shouted, before a horrified gasp escaped her. "Nathan…?" She whimpered.
Nathan stood up to see Blake's eyes wide with fear, just as he heard the sinister snap-hiss of a lightsaber behind him.
Nathan took a deep, shaky breath, swallowed his fear, and turned to face whoever it was behind him.
Nathan found himself faced with a feminine looking figure that was slightly shorter than he was, wearing a tight black and grey long-sleeved top that covered the entire top half of her body and clung tightly to her feminine form, betraying a slim and attractive body hidden beneath. Hanging from a black and red utility belt was a skirt-like garment that hid her thighs and lower body from view, and a pair of knee-high black boots covered her lower legs. Covering her head was a sinister looking helmet with a red single strip visor.
But Nathan wasn't focused on that.
He was focused on the woman's right hand, which currently held a lightsaber, which blazed a seething blood red.
"Nathan Phoenix…" The lightsaber wielding warrior said. "We finally meet again at last."
Nathan cocked his head to one side. The voice vaguely sounded familiar, but he raised his lightsaber nonetheless. "Who the fuck are you?" He demanded.
"My real name is of no further use to you." The woman said. "But in these final moments, you may know me as the Third Sister." At those words, she brought up her lightsaber and slashed at Nathan in a wide arc, aiming for Nathan's throat. "Now die!"
Parrying the blow, Nathan spun his way out of the resultant blade lock and countered with a slash of his own directed at the Third Sister's chest.
The Third Sister was too quick though, slapping Nathan's blade aside, tutting Nathan almost disappointedly. "Close, but not close enough. Your use of form four is so predictable, Nathan." Surging forward, she lashed out with a jab to Nathan's belly, revealing it to be a feint before slashing Nathan viciously across the chest.
Nathan grunted in pain and backed up, checking his aura. That hit had taken a considerable chunk from his aura; which was now in the yellow. Nathan assumed another strike would knock him into the red.
The Third Sister seemed surprised, saying: "How…?"
"It's called aura, bitch." Nathan fired back before lunging himself, launching himself at the Third Sister.
A quick glance towards Blake showed Nathan she was watching this duel with wide, fearful eyes.
Nathan knew he needed to finish this duel soon; for Blake's sake as much as his own.
With Jason…
"And that's why Nathan never falls asleep around anybody unless it's time for bed." Jason said, finishing his story as Winter, Weiss and Ruby laughed.
"Or it's a Professor Port lesson." Ruby joked. "In which case EVERYONE is falling asleep. Unless you're Weiss."
"Hey!" Weiss protested, eyeing her girlfriend.
Jason chuckled and eyed Winter. "You were right, Winter. Meeting your sister and Ruby was a really good id-" Jason grunted as he felt a pain in his chest, placing a hand over it instinctively.
"Jason? What's wrong?" Winter asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Is everything alright, Jason?" Weiss inquired.
"Yeah… you're looking… not alright." Ruby stated.
"I… I sensed a major disturbance in the Force." Jason declared. "Like… someone I care about is in danger."
A furrow appeared between Winter's eyebrows. "But the only person that could be is-"
"Nathan!" Jason suddenly shouted, sprinting off in the direction of Forever Fall Forest.
"Jason; wait up!"
Jason soon found Winter joining him, matching his pace.
"What is it?" Winter asked worriedly.
"Nathan; he's in danger!" Jason replied. "We've got to help him!" Fishing out his commlink, Jason shouted: "Ghost! Meet me and Winter outside of Forever Fall Forest! I think Nathan's in trouble!"
"On my way, Jason!" Ghost fired back over the commlink.
Jason put his away and continued running, until they reached the school's entrance to Forever Fall Forest.
Ghost was there already, armoured up and with his helmet on.
"Follow me." Ghost said sternly. "I know where Nathan is!" Spinning on his heel, Ghost took off running with Jason and Winter right behind him.
"Any idea what's putting him in danger?" Winter asked.
"Nope, but it definitely isn't Grimm." Jason responded. "Be ready for whatever it is."
Winter nodded.
"Think it's the Empire?" Ghost asked.
"I sincerely hope not." Jason replied.
The grim thought refused to leave Jason's mind, and deep down, Jason knew it was in fact the Empire.
He just prayed that on this day; he was wrong.
With Nathan…
Even before he was disarmed, Nathan knew the fight wouldn't end well for him.
The Third Sister had forced him into a defensive duel, which was hardly his strongest suit.
Blocking an attack from the dark acolyte, Nathan led her blade off to the right and slashed at her right flank, scowling in frustration as she skipped back to avoid the strike.
Almost immediately, Nathan found himself forced to parry the Third Sister's slash at his head, attempting to counter with a jab at her abdomen.
The dark acolyte parried, and pivoting on her heel, spun and drove a hard boot into Nathan's torso.
The breath exploded from Nathan's lungs as he backed away, barely parrying her own slash at his shoulder, realising too late that it was a feint and paying for it as she slashed him across the torso.
Nathan took a glance at his aura and knew it was now or never; his aura was fully in the red; meaning one more hit and he was done for.
Taking a deep breath, Nathan lashed out with a short Force Push to off-balance the Third Sister and surged forwards, jabbing at her torso. When that was blocked, Nathan revealed it to be a feint and slashed at her right flank, catching her and slicing a nasty wound into her.
Shouting in pain and rage, the Third Sister retaliated with a vicious Force Push that sent Nathan crashing through several tents and into a large tree that halted Nathan's momentum with a sickening crack.
Nathan groaned as he sank to the floor, faintly hearing Blake's pleas for him to get up, and slowly forced himself to his feet.
He looked at his aura, and sure enough; it was gone.
He was completely vulnerable.
"Nathan, look out!"
Nathan brought his lightsaber up just in time to meet the Third Sister's strike, staring defiantly into the soulless, emotionless red visor that hid his opponent's face from view.
They held their position, Nathan not giving an inch, the Third Sister making no effort to force one from him.
Until suddenly, blaster bolts cascaded past them.
Nathan looked to see Ghost firing on the Third Sister with his pistol as an ethereal blue and white Manticore charged her.
The Third Sister shoved Nathan to the floor before slashing the Manticore through the throat, killing the beast.
As the Manticore dissipated though, Winter surged into view, slashing at the Third Sister with her sabre and knocking them back.
Cockily, the Third Sister raised her lightsaber in preparation to challenge Winter, at which the signature snap-hiss of another lightsaber was heard as Jason came running, lightsaber at the ready.
Nathan watched as the sight of Jason, Winter and Ghost seemed to stop the Third Sister from attacking, as she turned and left, shouting:
"All Imperial Forces, withdraw! We're done here!"
At that, the sounds of battle gradually faded, until all that was left was silence.
Jason chose then to switch off his lightsaber and turned to Nathan, offering his hand.
Taking it, Nathan got up just as Blake dove into his arms, hugging him tightly.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" Blake said, not wanting to let go.
Nathan didn't respond, his mind now awash with the realisation that his worst fears had been realised:
The Empire had found him.
Nathan was never going to stay hidden for too long. The Empire would have found him eventually.
As for my Inquisitor the Third Sister, I should make it clear that she is not Reva from the Obi Wan Kenobi series. This is a completely different character. Consider this Third Sister as Reva's predecessor.
Enough about that though; let's answer some damn reviews!
april-551: You were right about the storm coming. Just not on its progress. To answer your questions:
- The Empire have more advanced weaponry than the people of Remnant. Why would they need Dust?
- Not yet.
- Depends on the power of the warhead.
Guest 1: That's one way of interpreting it. However, one of the good things about RWBY and Star Wars is that there are figments of it that will always be up for interpretation.
Guest 2: Thing is; Jason has already gotten that stick out of his backside. He realises that his old way of thinking is what nearly cost him his friendship with Nathan in the first place. Therefore, if he tried that crap now; it would end all chance of him regaining Nathan's friendship.
Guest 3: Nah. It'd have just been Yang and Kanan talking and making out, and that's all.
keybladelight: I probably won't divert too much attention to Jason's training of Nathan purely due to the fact writing such scenes would be rather soporific and bore the lot of you to tears; which is something I try to avoid when writing.
M.H. Pintner: Happy Birthday, my friend! Hope my chapter will make your birthday an even better one.
Spiderdeku25: Given the fact I've made it so Nathan was close friends with Ahsoka; I reckon Nathan likely did look up to Anakin. Obi Wan as well. As for your question regarding UNLIMITED POWER... you'll see.
All that said; thank you all so much for reading this chapter. If you enjoyed it... you all know what to do.
I shall see you tomorrow with the next chapter, which sees more villains unveiled, as the fallout of the Empire's arrival reverberates throughout the gang.
T-Rock14
