Chapter 7: Encounters and Evaluations
(Atlas, General Ironwood's Office)
General Ironwood gazed out of the ridiculously large window in his office, the peacekeeping force was about to leave for Vale, hopefully they would be able to help Ozpin keep a lid on the White Fang.
Ironwood turned as he heard the telltale click clack of combat heels, as predicted, it was Winter Schnee, standing at attention.
"Reporting in before I leave for Vale with the peacekeeping force, sir." Winter said.
"Thank you, Winter," Ironwood said, "At ease, before you sprain something."
The corner of Winter's mouth twitched as she took a more relaxed stance. Ironwood knew that was the only reaction he was going to get for his little joke.
"Is there anything I need to know before I leave, sir?" Winter asked.
The answer to that question was vast. However, Ozpin had not given Ironwood permission to bring Winter in on the secret, so he wouldn't. For now.
"Yes, there is, Winter." Ironwood said, "If you see Roman Torchwick, please don't arrest him."
Winter blinked. "Excuse me?"
Ironwood sighed, "I don't like it anymore than you, Winter, but Ozpin has decided that he's an asset."
Winter raised an eyebrow, "I suppose I'll need to get used to taking orders from him."
Ironwood chuckled, "Not orders, more... suggestions. You've never really worked with Ozpin before, it's best that you experience it for yourself."
Winter nodded, "Very well, General. if there's nothing else..."
"Dismissed." Ironwood said. "Oh, and Winter?"
As she was leaving, Winter halted and turned back to the general. "Yes, sir?"
A wry smile graced Ironwood's face. "Do try to leave your sister's boyfriend in one piece, would you?"
Winter smiled, "No promises."
After she left, Ironwood sunk into his chair. He couldn't help but laugh, poor Jaune had no idea what he was in for.
(Team JNR Dorm, Friday Morning)
It had been two weeks since they had collected Ilia and had their brawl with the White Fang, but for the first time since then, Jaune was afraid.
Not because of the constant specter of Adam Taurus breathing down his neck, no, not that at all.
It was because of the article he was reading on his scroll. Atlas sends Peacekeeping force to Vale. Most of the article was political nonsense, but one tidbit made Jaune's blood run cold.
This peacekeeping force was going to be led by Winter Schnee, Weiss's older sister. Who, if Ruby was to be believed, was even more exacting and perfection-driven than Weiss.
"Jaune," Ren said, "You've been staring that article for the past half hour."
"What if she doesn't like me, Ren?" Jaune said, his trepidation evident, "We can't pull some Atlesian social rule out of our butts like we did with Jacques."
"Just be yourself, Jaune!" Nora said cheerfully. "If you don't do that, she'll see it a mile away and peg you as a Jacques Jr, anyways."
"And that was the mental image I absolutely never asked for. Thanks, Nora." Jaune said. "Come on, we've got class."
The day up until right before combat class was reasonably uneventful, aside from Professor Peach dragging Jaune aside again to explain why he should update Crocea Mors into a more modern dust weapon, and Jaune once again explaining why he wouldn't do that.
It basically boiled down to tactical flexibility, and how Jaune knew that having a trigger to fumble with was an absolutely terrible idea for him.
Weiss was waiting for him outside, an apologetic smile on her face. "I'm sorry that she does that every class, Jaune."
Jaune shrugged. "It's fine, I don't mind. Besides she gave me an idea on how to make something I've wanted to do with wind dust work-"
Jaune was interrupted by Weiss realizing that Winter had arrived. "Winter!" She exclaimed. "You're here!"
Jaune realized two things. That Winter Schnee had indeed arrived, and that she had just got done with a meeting with Ozpin.
Weiss darted off to greet her sister, and Jaune, ever faithful, followed. He fervently hoped that his apprehension wasn't showing.
By the time Jaune got there, the Schnee sisters had already greeted each other, and as he approached they turned to look at him, Weiss beaming, and Winter... appraising.
Just be yourself, Jaune. Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet.
Jaune offered his hand up for a handshake, "Hey, I'm Jaune."
Winter took his proffered hand and shook it. "I know who you are, Jaune. Weiss has told me a great deal about you.
Jaune's confidence wavered slightly, "Ah, what all did she tell you?"
Weiss stared at the ceiling, "Everything..." She said absentmindedly.
Winter raised an eyebrow, "I'm told you look enchanting in a dress."
Jaune shot Weiss a look that jokingly suggested that he would never forgive her for this heinous betrayal.
Jaune shrugged, "Well, when you grow up with seven sisters, you pick things up." Jaune explained, "Not dress wearing, things like hairdressing, sewing, dancing..."
"That's... quite the skill set, Mr. Arc." Winter said, "Now, as much as I'd like to take up more of your time, don't you have a class you need to be getting to?"
"Right! It's just about time for Combat!" Jaune said.
Weiss turned to Winter, "Do you want to sit in? I don't think Professor Goodwitch would mind."
Winter smiled for the first time, "Oh, I've already spoken with her. I'll be giving a... demonstration."
As she said this, Winter looked at Jaune.
Oh, I did not like the way she said that...
(Combat Class)
Winter was mildly surprised by the level of chatter, at Atlas Academy, idle chatter was non-existent in classrooms. Looking around, she noted that this was a combined class of all years of students. Interesting.
Professor Goodwitch called for attention, and the chatter died off immediately. "We have a special guest today," Goodwitch explained, "It isn't very often that we have an Atlas Specialist with the time to spare to be in class with us. I hope you all take this opportunity to learn something. Specialist Schnee? The floor is yours."
"Thank you, Professor." Winter said as she descended from her seat to the arena floor., "Now, I am not one to teach by talking, I am one to teach by showing. So, any volunteers?"
Not a single soul moved or made a peep.
"That's a shame, I suppose I'll just have to pick someone..." she said, fixing Jaune with an icy gaze.
Might as well bite the bullet.
Jaune stood up, "I'll do it."
Winter nodded, "Thank you, Mr. Arc. Please change into your combat gear and join me in the arena."
As Jaune changed into his armor, his mind was racing.
She wants to test me, like Jacques did. Except this time it might actually matter if I win or lose. Can't let that psyche me out. I just need to do my best.
Jaune emerged from the locker room, took a breath, and moved to the arena. Unlike how things usually went when Jaune fought in combat class, it was as silent as the grave.
"Are you ready, Mr. Arc?" Winter asked.
Jaune drew his sword, deployed his shield, then took his stance. "Ready as I'll ever be." Jaune said.
Propelled by a glyph, Winter surged forward, sword extended. Jaune blocked it, only to have Winter unleash a flurry of strikes that pushed him back. In the instant before he was overwhelmed, the onslaught ceased, and Winter jumped back.
"Well, your defense is noteworthy, but how's your offense?" Winter said.
Jaune blinked. She wants to know how proficient I am.
Jaune charged, and showcased every bit of the skill that he had worked so hard to achieve. Flowing from technique to technique, both Mistralian and Atlesian. The first years that were watching were admittedly bored, why is this so impressive? His sword isn't also a gun! Then they saw the grins on the faces of the second year students.
What did they know that the first years didn't?
Without warning, Winter backpedaled yet again, this time, three glyphs appeared in front of her, which Jaune recognized immediately.
Summoning!
Three Beowolves leapt out of the glyphs straight at Jaune. Reflexively, Jaune clicked over to wind dust and attacked, slicing all three summoned Beowolves in two with a wind slash. Another summoning glyph sprang to life, this time, Jaune was besieged by a storm of miniature Nevermores. For a moment all he could do was guard, but then the remembered his conversation with Professor Peach...
Focus aura in the point of your sword, then stab it upwards, releasing the aura in a circular wave.
With a yell, Jaune stabbed his sword upwards, and the wind dust created a localized cyclone, dispersing the miniature Nevermores.
Before Winter could summon anything else, Jaune charged, his sword crackling with lightning. Winter pumped a lever on her sword, and a parrying dagger ejected.
Jaune lashed out, sending a bolt of lightning hurtling at Winter, who promptly dodged it, and retaliated.
Jaune quickly found himself in over his head, the addition of the parrying dagger made it impossible for him to mount anything resembling an offense. Every time he tried, his attacks were redirected, so he devoted everything to defense.
Even with his complete focus on defense, he still took hits. A lot of hits. As he was now, Jaune could almost keep up with Weiss if she focused solely on swordplay.
Winter's speed was on a whole other level.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Winter relented. "How is your Aura not broken?" She asked.
"I've got a lot of it." Jaune replied simply.
"Even with that," Winter said, "You must know that it is impossible for you to beat me. Surrender."
Jaune's expression changed immediately, from one of minor pain, to one of iron. "I don't know the meaning of the word." Jaune declared.
Winter hesitated briefly. Where had this edge, this iron in his heart come from? Questions for later.
With three fluid motions, Winter knocked Jaune's sword and shield out of the way, and put the tip of her blade to his throat.
"Mr. Arc, while I applaud your determination," Professor Goodwitch said, "I'm afraid I have to call it. The winner is Winter Schnee."
For the first time that Jaune had seen, Winter smiled. "Jaune, if Weiss hadn't told me of your lack of ability when you first came to Beacon, I would've assumed that you had been this skilled the whole time."
Jaune smiled, and sent Winter a lazy salute, "I'll remember that when I'm nursing the bruises, Winter."
Later during another match, this one arranged by Professor Goodwitch, Winter spied Weiss in the stands, rubbing Jaune's back, undoubtedly trying to soothe the inevitable soreness before it happened.
You chose well, Weiss. He is an honorable man, even with what similarities he has with Father, they are diametrically opposed. In addition, he is very much removed from the various social circles in Atlas, so the chances of them influencing him are slim to none. If you intend for him to be your partner, in every sense of the word, I approve.
(Vale, Industrial District, Saturday Evening)
"You sure this is the place, Ruby? It seems... abandoned." Yang said.
Instead of working on the mountain of homework they had, the Rose-Xiao Long sisters were tracking down a possible lead on the White Fang. They had received a text from a blocked caller, telling the two of them to come to an address in Vale's industrial district, to receive intel on the White Fang's next move. Was it a trap? Probably. Were they going to take the chance?
Considering that they were about to walk in, the answer to that was self-evident.
"Yeah, this is the place, Yang. I guess we just walk in?" Ruby said.
"I swear, Rubes, if this is a trap, I'm going to set you up on a date with Cardin." Yang teased.
"Ew! No!" Ruby protested. "He's too... not innocent!"
Yang raised her eyebrow, this was a surprise. Ruby rarely talked about her perferences in romantic partners. I'll just jot that one down to help her when she actually does find someone she's interested in...
"Think we should knock?" Ruby asked, quickly changing the subject.
"Nah." Yang said, trying the door, "It's unlocked."
Definitely a trap.
"Nope." Ruby said. "This is obviously a trap, and I don't want to date Cardin. We're leaving."
As they left, they noticed something, the street was blocked off on both sides.
They had already fallen into the trap.
Yang deployed Ember Celica, and pulled her arms back, chambering rounds in both gauntlets, while Ruby deployed Crescent Rose.
A man leapt over one of the barricades and landed gracefully in front of them, a man that the sisters recognized immediately from the dossiers on Salem's associates.
Tyrian Callows.
"Well, well, well... what do we have here?" Tyrian rambled, "A Rose and a Sun Dragon, caught in my trap."
"Only Dad gets to call me that!" Yang growled.
"What do you want?" Ruby demanded.
"The Rose has thorns!" Tyrian exclaimed, "Why, I'm here to whisk you away with me! After all, my queen demands your presence."
Yang's eyes flared red, "I'm not gonna let you get away with that, freak!" In the brief silence that followed, Ruby could've sworn she heard a crow squawk.
Tyrian grinned, "Good."
Tyrian charged, his wrist blades flicking out as he did so. Yang met his charge, unleashing a punch that would probably rearrange Tyrian's insides.
If it connected.
Tyrian's tail flicked out, wrapping around Yang's arm above Ember Celica, and jerked it out of the way, causing her to miss completely. Tyrian responded with a kick, knocking Yang to the ground.
Tyrian ran straight at Ruby, who did her best to dissuade him with shots from Crescent Rose. Tyrian twisted around, dodging the promise of death, and slashed at her with his wrist blades. Ruby blocked with the handle of Crescent Rose, but found herself on the receiving end of a vicious kick to her midsection.
"GET AWAY FROM HER!" Yang roared as she hurtled towards Tyrian, hair ablaze.
Tyrian cackled as the aura around his hands began to glow malevolently, he moved, slashing at Yang's side as she flew by. She crashed into Ruby, sending both of the sisters tumbling.
Yang screamed.
"How? HOW? He cut right through my aura!" Yang blabbered, "Ruby, get out of here! NOW!"
Yang was clutching the gash in her side, which was bleeding, not badly, but if it wasn't stopped...
Ruby began to put pressure on it, ignoring Yang's protests, "I'm not leaving you, Yang!"
"Oh, I think you are." Tyrian said. Ruby whirled around, only to see Tyrian, his tail already in the process of coming straight at her...
I don't want to go!
Seemingly out of nowhere, Qrow Branwen appeared, Tyrian's tail pinging harmlessly against Harbinger.
"Uncle Qrow!" Yang cried out, winced as her side protested.
"Hey, Shortstack, Firecracker." Qrow said.
"Why, Qrow Branwen, as I live and breathe!" Tyrian said, "A true Huntsman has entered the fray!"
Qrow shot Ruby a look, who shrugged. "I don't know, this guy's weird."
"Look, buddy, I don't know what your problem is, but you need to leave my nieces alone." Qrow threatened.
Tyrian grinned, "I'm afraid that is not possible, my queen has ordered me to whisk the Rose away to her, so that is what I must do."
"Why does Salem want me?" Ruby demanded.
Tyrian cackled, "Do you really not know? Oh, that's just precious!"
"Qrow, be careful! That maniac can bypass aura!" Yang warned.
When Qrow's gaze flicked towards Yang, Tyrian took the opportunity for a surprise attack.
Or so he thought.
Tyrian's wrist blades scraped against Harbinger as Qrow deflected his flurry of attacks. Qrow retaliated with his own, driving Tyrian back.
"Ruby, if you want to help, go. My Aura's finally kicked in." Yang said.
Ruby looked around for a sniper perch, but this being the industrial district there wasn't much...
Except for that fire escape.
Ruby quickly scaled the fire escape and peered down the scope, looking for the perfect shot.
She couldn't find it, they were moving too much, gods this was infuriating... should she go down there? She knew Uncle Qrow was touchy about other people fighting near him for some reason.
Then Tyrian disarmed Qrow, his sword flying into a nearby wall.
Now!
She fired, the bullet screaming towards Tyrian, only to be deflected by his tail.
"Okay, that's just bullshit." Yang said.
Growling, Ruby fired off more shots, only for them to miss their mark every time.
Tyrian was so engrossed in deflecting Ruby's shots that he never saw the punch coming. After knocking Tyrian back with a kick to the chest, Qrow went to retrieve his sword. Tyrian tried to backstab him, only to be stopped by Ruby, who used her semblance to get herself into position to block the attack.
"Ruby, get back!" Qrow ordered. He surged forward, attacking Tyrian with his sword once more.
"This is my fight too!" Ruby protested, interposing herself between the two once again, Tyrian took advantage by lashing out with his tail, trying to sting Qrow...
Or would have, if Qrow hadn't jumped out of the way, letting Tyrian's stinger get stuck in the wall behind him.
Ruby seized the opportunity, resting her scythe on Tyrian's tail, then pulling the trigger.
A single shot rang out, and part of Tyrian's tail fell to the ground.
"You BITCH!" Tyrian yelled around his grunts of pain. After a moment, he ran off.
"Ruby!" Qrow said angrily, "You know how I feel about people fighting near me! That could've gone so much worse!"
Yang had finally managed to get to her feet, "C'mon Uncle Qrow, it's fine. Everything turned out fine!"
Qrow sent Yang a withering glare. "Why the hell are you two out here, anyways?"
Yang winced, and it had nothing to do with the pain, "Um, we got a text from a unknown number saying that they had information on the White Fang's next move, so we-"
Qrow cut her off, "Just ran in blind. I thought I taught you two better than this, Yang! If I hadn't heard you scream, you'd be dead, and Ruby would already be on her way to Salem!"
"We're sorry, Uhcle Qrow, please don't be mad. We just wanted to help." Ruby said.
"I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed. Gods, I sound like a responsible adult. Look what you've done." Qrow said. "Well let's see what brought you out here.
Ruby and Yang pulled out their scrolls to pull up the text they received, only to find that it had been deleted, and not by them.
"I don't get it!" Ruby said, "It's not there, it's like it deleted itself!"
Qrow narrowed his eyes. "Ruby, the vehicles blocking the street, do they have self-driving capability?"
Ruby darted off to check, when it dawned on Yang what Qrow was on about. "You don't think... that Watts guy set this trap up?" Yang asked.
"They do, Uncle Qrow!" Ruby called out.
"Damn it. We're leaving. Now." Qrow growled.
Qrow led them back to Beacon, and they didn't dare deviate from the path.
Qrow had been right. This could've gone so much worse.
A/N: Well, there we go, another chapter down.
Thanks for your patience everyone, the main conflict of this arc should kick off next chapter. Hope you're ready for a wild ride.
As always, please leave reviews! The more reviews you leave, the more I know about what you guys want more of, and how I can improve!
Next Chapter: The White Fang does White Fang things.