Chapter Three, ready and done! Hope you guys all like it, thank you all so much for reading. This chapter will give you your first look at Slade's Semblance. I plan on explaining his Semblance in full detail within the next few chapters but I haven't figured out exactly when to do it yet, for now his abilities will seem completely unrelated but once it's explained it will make more sense. Anyway, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
"Speech"
Thoughts
Chapter Three: Shattered
Bumblebee's engine roared as Slade and Yang drove toward the camp walls in front of them "Is this it?" Yang asked back to Slade.
"This is the place if the information on this thing is to be believed" he answered holding up the scroll from the bandit back at the station.
"Good, I need to see her" Yang said parking in front of the entrance surprising several guards standing outside.
"They don't look too happy to see us. Your mother isn't expecting you is she?" he asked tossing the scroll aside.
"I really doubt it" she answered as they both dismounted the vehicle.
"To think I got all dressed up to meet your mother and she doesn't even know we're coming, how rude" he said playfully.
"Who're you? You're not supposed to be here" the guard asked stepping toward them.
"We're girl-scouts, anyone looking to buy some cookies" Slade replied rolling his eyes.
"I'm here to see Raven Branwen" Yang answered.
"People don't just get to walk up here and see the boss-"
Slade passed right through the man wrapping his arm around his throat from behind, placing his opposite hand onto the back of his head to keep him steady "You may wish to rethink that policy... just this once" he smirked.
How did he- Yang's thoughts were interrupted.
"Hey you can't just-" the other guard began reaching for his blade. Yang caught his arm as he struck for Slade, easily snapping his arm with her metal one causing him to scream in pain only for Yang to cover his mouth to muffle the man.
"Looks like your friend didn't understand me when I said you should reconsider. Are we going to have to convince you as well?" Slade asked tightening his grip slightly.
"Y-you don't understand, Raven would kill me if I let you through" he choked out.
"Funny coincidence, I'll kill you if you don't" Slade replied tightening his hold for emphasis.
"I'm her daughter" Yang said walking past him.
"Oh! G-go right on ahead, I'm sure she would be happy to see you" he gasped out hoarsely.
"Doubtful" Slade kicked the back of his knee, slamming his skull into the ground rendering the man unconscious. Slade straightened himself out as he stood before he followed Yang with a smirk adorning his face.
I will have to remember to ask Slade about his Semblance later, that was something else. He just passed right through the guy like he wasn't even there Yang noted to herself.
They noticed more bandits lining up along the path, giving angry glares at her. Vernal steps out of her tent to see what the commotion is about. The two bandits guarding Weiss Schnee are playing cards with each other, before joining the rest of their tribe to see Yang walk in. Weiss notices this and summons a small Arma Gigas, who begins to get to work on freeing her from her confinement. Yang and Slade arrive at the camp's main tent. Raven emerges from it with her mask on.
"Mom" Yang greeted
Raven removed her mask "Yang" she smiled "So, after all this time you finally decided to visit me"
Yang feels her left hand shaking once again, but she uses her robotic hand to calm it down "You know that I searched for you. I spent years looking for you"
"And you've found me. You were patient, determined, and strong enough to make your dream a reality. Well done, Yang. But did you have to be so rough with my men at the gate?" Raven asked amused.
"Oh were those yours?" Slade asked in a mocking tone.
"I didn't want a fight. They started it" Yang replied.
"Well, you certainly finished it" Raven pointed out, she was met with silence.
"Awkward" Slade whispered to himself.
"Right. I'm sure this is all very overwhelming. But I must admit that you've proven yourself. So any questions you have I'll be happy to answer. You can stay with us tonight. I'll even have the cooks whip up something for you and your friend here" Raven offered.
"That's not why I am here" Yang interjected, causing the bandits to react to Yang's irreverence.
"What was that?" Raven asked slightly annoyed.
"I'm not here for you. Ruby is somewhere in Mistral. She's with Qrow, and she's going to need my help. I just need you to take me to her" Yang explained.
"And why would I do that?" Raven asked curiously.
"Because we're family" Yang answered simply, causing Raven to scowl.
"Family. Only coming around when they need something. I have to say, I'm disappointed. After all, you found me, didn't you? Why not take that drive and use it to find your little sister if she means that much to you?"
"Because you're going to save me time. Ruby was heading to Mistral, but there's no guarantee she's made it there. Looking for her in Anima could take ages. But... Dad told me how your Semblance works"
"Tai..." she sighed underneath her breath.
"You can bond to certain people. And when you do, you could create a portal that takes you straight to them. You've got one for Dad. One for me. And you've got one for Qrow. He promised me he'd watch out for Ruby before he left. And I trust him. So, make a portal to my uncle and sister, and I'll be on my way"
Interesting... I was unaware of how her ability worked until now... good to know Slade thought crossing his arms over his chest impatiently, struggling to keep his anger in check.
"You know, it takes real strength to march in here and demand such a favor of me. I've got to say, I'm impressed. It's very noble to want to help out your sister. But if she's with Qrow, then she's already a lost cause" Raven replied.
"What does that mean?" Yang asked confused.
"Don't listen to her, Yang. She's just trying to wind you up" Slade warned.
"You don't want to get mixed up in all of that, Yang. Ozpin is not the man you think he is. And Qrow is a fool for trusting him. I would know, I trusted him once, too" she explained.
"I don't care what you think" Yang replied. Vernal, holding Myrtenaster, looks on disdainfully, and places her right hand on her hip.
"Your choice is your own. All I'm suggesting is that instead of getting wrapped up in something too big for you, for any of us, that maybe you take a moment to wonder if you're already where you belong" Raven attempted to convince her.
"Save your breath. You can spout off whatever you want, but nothing is going to keep me from my sister" Yang interjected yet again.
"Well, aren't you stubborn" Raven growled.
"I get it from my mom" Yang replied earning a soft chuckle from Slade.
"Good one"
"Well, if that's how you feel, then it sounds like we're done here. Take her away" Raven ordered her men. The bandits surround and begin to move in on Yang and Slade. They notice this before Yang turns back to Raven.
"Did you not hear me?" Raven turns back around before she can enter her tent "I said send me to Qrow, damn it!" her eyes flare red as she shouts her last statement.
"That's enough! You watch your mouth in front of our leader!" one of the bandits yells, some of the bandits tense up behind him.
"Make me" Yang growled, he tries to attack her, Yang punches the Bandit into a tent, revealing Weiss in her cage
"Yang?" Weiss asked in shock.
"Weiss?" Yang asked matching her tone.
"Delightful, they know each other" Slade sighed as he removed his hand cannon from it's holster.
"Alright, well, subtlety is out" Weiss says to herself. Weiss turns to her miniature Arma Gigas and makes it grow, destroying the cage in the process. She quickly makes her way towards Yang, with the now giant Arma Gigas following close behind.
"What is that?" Yang asked surprised.
"Don't worry about it. What are you doing here? And who's he?" Weiss asked confused.
"Well, that's my mom and she can take us to Ruby" Yang explained gesturing to Raven "Oh, and this is Slade" she said gesturing toward him.
"Yo" he gave a small wave with his free hand.
"Ugh" Raven sighed.
"Your mom kidnapped me?!" Weiss yelled incredulously.
"You kidnapped her?!" Yang yelled at Raven.
"Why are we shouting!?" Slade asked.
Yang, Weiss, Slade and Weiss's summon turn and run to fight the bandits, but a lightning bolt appears, summoned by Vernal, stopping the fight before it starts "Enough!" her voice echoes.
"Thank you" Raven directed to Vernal before turning to everyone else "If you people don't keep it together this place will be crawling with Grimm" she turned back to Vernal "Give the girl her weapon back" Vernal looks surprised at the command, then tosses Myrtenaster to Weiss "You three. In my tent. Now" Raven ordered.
"Why?" Yang asked.
"If you're really going after your sister, then you need to know the truth" Raven enters her tent and the bandits go back to their own businesses. Weiss places her hand on her chest in relief.
"Can I shoot her yet?" Slade asked annoyed at Raven's behavior.
"Sorry about-" Yang began but suddenly, Weiss drops Myrtenaster and strongly hugs Yang.
"I missed you so much" she says struggling to hold her tears in.
"I've missed you, too" Yang returned the hug.
"Well..." Slade sighs "Can I assume this is one of your classmates?"
"Oh, right! You haven't been properly introduced" Yang said releasing her grip on Weiss "This is my teammate from Beacon, Weiss Schnee. Weiss, this is Slade Stroud, he's been helping me track down my Mom" she explained.
"Pleasure to meet you" Weiss smiled at him, extending her hand toward him.
"Likewise" he shook her hand as he holstered his gun yet again.
"So, Slade. You're a Huntsman too?" she asked curiously.
"Not exactly" he answered looking to Yang.
"Bounty Hunter" Yang explained.
"You're friends with a bounty hunter?" Weiss asked confused "How come you never told me about this?" she asked surprised.
"We met yesterday" Slade answered "I doubt you two have had the time between then and now to tell each other much considering the reaction you both had upon seeing one another five minutes ago"
"Oh... well that's true-" Weiss began.
"Sometime today" Raven called from her tent.
"We're coming!" Yang called back "Come on, we don't want to keep her waiting"
"We certainly don't" Slade agreed following behind the two of them.
Vernal pours cups of tea for Raven, Yang, Slade, and Weiss. They are all inside Raven's tent, seated around the table with Vernal standing behind them.
"You can wait outside. Thank you" Raven told Vernal, she quickly does so.
"So, what's the "truth"?" Yang asked.
Raven took a sip from her cup "You know, it's better when it's hot"
"You know, you're really obnoxious" Weiss countered.
"That's an understatement" Slade sighed taking a small sip from his cup.
"The truth is that "truth" is hard to come by. A story of victory for one person is a story of defeat for someone else. By now, your uncle has surely told Ruby and her friends plenty of stories" Raven began.
"Well, he's never given me a reason to doubt him before" Yang pointed out.
"That doesn't mean those reasons don't exist" Raven countered causing Yang to glare at her.
"She's not wrong" Slade agreed reluctantly.
"You know, you and your teammates might as well be the poster children for the Huntsman academies. Your motives vary, but you all enrolled to try and make the world a better place. It's adorable"
"It's what Huntsmen and Huntresses do" Yang replied.
Not all of them Slade thought to himself.
"Not all of them. Some people are just in it for the money and the fame, but there's even more that are just looking to grow stronger. Your Uncle Qrow and I didn't attend Beacon to become Huntsmen, we did it to learn how to kill Huntsmen" Yang and Weiss gasp at this, exchanging a brief look with each other, Slade looks completely unfazed.
"Daddy and Uncle left that part out, hm?" Raven begins to pour more tea for herself "Aside from the Grimm, Huntsmen were the only ones capable of ruining our raids and hunting us down. Our tribe needed a counterforce" she takes another sip "And Qrow and I were the perfect age" Raven stood up "The entrance exams were child's play compared to what we'd already been through. We were good. So good, that we caught the attention of Beacon's very own headmaster, Professor Ozpin. Even after we were put on a team, I could tell he was keeping his eye on us. Back then, I thought it was because he knew, but it was Team STRQ he was interested in" Raven explained.
"What do you mean by that?" Yang asked skeptically.
"Constant attention, extra training missions, turning a blind eye whenever we happened to break the rules and get into more trouble than we should've. Sound familiar?" Yang and Weiss share another glance at each other, Weiss gestures Yang to keep going. Slade continues to struggle to reel in his anger as she continues to speak, bringing back memories he would rather leave buried.
"What's your point?" Yang asked.
"How much do you know about Professor Ozpin? About his past?"
"He was... a prodigy. One of the youngest headmasters to be appointed to a school" Weiss answered.
Bullshit Slade growled, drawing Yang's attention for a brief moment before Raven continued.
"Because that's how he planned it. Because the man you know as Ozpin designed those schools and has followers inside every academy on Remnant that are loyal to him and no one else"
"That doesn't make any sense! How could he have...? No. Why would someone even do that?" Yang asked.
"Because old man Oz has a great and terrible secret. One that could spread fear across the world. One that he eventually entrusted to our team, and once I knew, there was no going back. I needed to know more, but with every new discovery I made, the more horrifying the world became"
"Okay, then tell us. What's the big secret? What's so crazy that the rest of us don't know?" Yang asked.
"The Creatures of Grimm... have a master named Salem. She can't be stopped, she can't be reasoned with, and she will not rest until humanity crumbles at her feet" As she speaks, Weiss and Yang's eyes widen more and more. They sit in silence.
"What?" Weiss said in shock.
"You know, you three haven't even touched your tea" Raven pointed out causing Slade to down it in one gulp trying to distract himself. Raven takes notice of this as she takes another sip from her teacup, while Yang stands up.
"Why should we believe any of this?"
"Now you're catching on. So far you've done nothing but accept what others tell you" she puts her cup down "but you need to question everything" The two stare at each other face to face, before Raven turns around.
"Otherwise you'll end up just as blind as Qrow..." Yang grits her teeth, and her eyes narrow, seething "...and your fool of a father"
A shot from Ember Celica is heard, destroying the table. Raven's empty teacup clatters across the floor, stopping when it hits the heel of her boot. Raven looks toward Yang, faintly smiling. Yang's eyes have turned red "Don't you dare talk about my family like that!" While Yang speaks, Weiss stares up at her wide-eyed and flinches when she raises her voice for emphasis.
"You need to calm down" Vernal said holding her weapon on Yang.
"Drop it" Slade growled holding his gun to Vernal's head.
"Yang, please" Weiss pleaded while holding her hand
"Listen to your friend, Yang. Your teammates never let you down before"
"You don't know the first thing about my teammates! About me! You were never there! You LEFT US!" her eyes then turn back to normal "Why?!" Yang hangs her head in sadness"
"I know more than you realize. Not just about you, and not just what I've been told, but things I've seen with my own eyes. I know the Grimm have a leader, I know people who can come back from the dead, I know that magic is real, and I can prove it" Weiss stands up, while Raven continues addressing her daughter.
"You said Tai told you all about my Semblance" Vernal and Slade lower their weapons while Raven heads toward the back exit of her tent "Well, I doubt he ever told you what Oz did to my brother and me" Raven exits her tent. Yang and Weiss exchange confused looks.
"Go see for yourself" Vernal implored before exiting the tent Yang and Weiss take her advice and exit the tent. They see no one there.
"Mom?" Yang asked confused.
"Yang, are you okay?" Weiss asked.
"I'll be fine once we can get her to take us to Ruby" Yang answered. Weiss relents while Yang continues to look around.
"It's okay if... you're not okay"
"You didn't believe what she said, right?"
"I... of course not. Well, not all of it. It was crazy. We have Dust, Semblances... But, I mean, there's no such thing as magic"
"You should" Slade said finally exiting the tent "Every word she said is true... even the parts you didn't want to hear" Just then, the two hear a bird caw. They watch it fly in front of them.
"A raven?" Weiss asked surprised.
"I've... seen that bird before" Yang said noticing it's familiar features.
"Maybe it belongs to your mom?" Weiss offered.
"Not quite" Slade chuckled. The two continue to watch the raven fly in the dusk-colored sky. It descends, flying and weaving between the trees, before shapeshifting into Raven herself. Raven lands back on the ground on her feet, while Yang and Weiss have shocked expressions as she stands back up.
"How... did you do that?" Yang asked confused.
"Well, I could explain it to you..." Raven then draws her sword, slashing behind her, creating a portal with her Semblance "...or you could ask your uncle"
"You're letting us go?" Yang asked.
"I'm giving you a choice" she sheathes her sword "Stay here, with me, and I'll answer all your questions and more. We can have a fresh start" Yang glares at her "Or..." she steps to the side of her portal "you can go back to Qrow and join Ozpin's impossible war against Salem, and meet the same fate as so many others. But can you really go back to trusting someone that's kept so much from you?" Weiss reacts timidly, while Yang just glares at her mother.
"All I care about is making sure my sister is safe"
"Ugh" she groaned dissatisfied with Yang's response.
"Alright, I'm done listening" Slade pointed his gun at Raven causing her to reach for he blade "I have a few questions for you and I want you to answer them"
"And if I refuse?" Raven asked.
"I'm going to start killing everyone in your camp. One... by... one" he answered pacing back and forth.
"Slade-" Yang tried.
"You got what you came here for, now it's my turn" Slade interrupted "Get going, make sure Ruby is safe just like you wanted"
"Is the bounty on my mother's head really that important to you?" Yang asked disappointed.
"The bounty is just a bonus, I'm here for a far more personal reason" Slade answered "I'm giving you the opportunity to leave. I suggest you take it"
"What is it you want to know?" Raven asked pacing to her right, circling each other.
"Six years ago on August 31st, your tribe captured a Huntress, correct?" Slade asked.
"Wrong" Raven answered "I don't capture Huntsmen, I kill them" Suddenly, one of Raven's men came soaring through the tent crying out in fear. Slade stepped aside wrapping his open arm around the man's neck from behind as he stopped dead in front of him, hovering slightly above the ground. Slade pointed the gun to his head.
"Do you want to rethink your answer? You kidnapped Weiss and she's a Huntress" he asked annoyed.
"Slade, how the-" Yang began to ask, confused by what had just happened.
"I didn't know she was a Huntress when I kidnapped her, if I had I would've just killed her on the spot. Too much trouble" Raven answered "I've never captured a Huntress-" Slade pointed the gun at the bandit's leg and fired, causing him to cry out in pain.
"Slade!" Yang yelled in shock.
"Clearly you don't think I'm serious" Slade growled in annoyance. Pressing the barrel into the bandit's head he warned "The next one goes through his skull"
"Fine" Raven sighed "Somebody paid us to capture four specific Huntress and deliver them. Happy?" Raven asked clearly annoyed.
"For now" he answered "Next question: What was the name of the Huntress with red hair and eyes just like mine"
"I don't remember their names especially not someone that specific-" Slade cocked the gun "Elise Stroud" Raven answered quickly
"Good" Slade grinned "Last question..."
"Stroud?" Yang asked aloud in shock.
"Isn't that his last name?" Weiss asked.
"Who were you working for?" Slade asked.
"I don't know" Raven answered.
"You really want to go that route again?" Slade asked getting pissed.
"It's the truth, I don't know who hired us because they all had masks covering their faces and wore identical cloaks."
"Describe them too me"
"One of them was a woman, she sounded rather young probably not much older than you are now but I never saw anything about her other than her eyes as she wore a hood over her face with a small mask like the one you have there, she had Amber eyes. The second had dark slicked back green hair and a reaper mask over his face. The other man had what looked to be blood red eyes instead of white with yellow irises and some type of full face mask like you have covering everything but his eyes. Like I said not a lot to go on, but the woman used a fireball as a threat when I originally turned down her offer" Raven explained in full detail.
So they were involved, even back then Slade sighed "We're done then" Slade released the man in his grip, holstering his gun.
"Good, you wouldn't want to deal with my men and I if you actually killed him" Raven declared releasing her grip on her blade.
"I have more pressing concerns than fighting off a group of bandits and their sellout of a leader for a measly bounty. Qrow's never going to expect me" Slade chuckled lightly, crossing his arms over his chest in a bored manner.
"I hope you're not planning the same interrogation technique" Weiss sweatdropped.
"Only if he makes it necessary" Slade replied.
"The gun stays holstered this time" Yang warned with a glare.
"I don't need a gun to make people talk, but I promise: I will not attack Qrow in any manner unprovoked" he said holding up his hand as if to swear.
"Good enough for me" Yang smirked "Now... about the name my mother just-"
"Not here" Slade interrupted her "Raven knows enough about me as it is" the was a brief silence between the group with the occasional groan from the man Slade shot "Sorry" Slade offered as the man limped away.
"I guess we should just move on then, right?" Weiss asked.
"That would be for the best" Slade answered.
"Fine" Yang relented reluctantly "We're going to revisit this later" she warned.
"Whatever" he rolled his eyes in annoyance.
Yang and Weiss mounted onto Bumblebee. However, before they can enter the portal, Raven addresses her daughter one more time. "Yang. If you side with your uncle, I may not be as kind the next time we meet..." Weiss rolls her eyes and looks ahead.
"You weren't kind this time either" Yang pointed out. Yang and Weiss proceed through the portal on Bumblebee shortly followed by Slade. The portal then disappears.
"I know..." Raven sighed.
"Why're things always difficult" Qrow sighed overlooking the city of Mistral "Not one Huntsmen is available to help us, they're all missing... most likely dead" he mused as he took a swig from his flask, he looked down at it in contempt "How could I have been so stupid as to think we had a chance at this" he turned to reenter the house where he and Ruby's friends were currently taking residence.
Suddenly a dark red portal opened to his right just after he opened the door, he sighed in annoyance as the door closed behind him "Now I have to deal with this" he had entered the building without noticing Yang, Weiss and Slade exiting the portal. Qrow turned around to exit but stopped upon hearing Bumblebee's engine rumble but didn't exit the house, instead staying by the door to listen.
"What the hell was that, Slade?" Yang asked annoyed as she dismounted Bumblebee followed shortly by Weiss.
Slade removed his cigar and a lighter from his jacket pocket with a sigh, using it to ignite the cigar in his mouth "You're the one that wanted to work with me, not the other way around. If you don't like my methods then just let me work alone, it's what I'm best at anyway"
It can't be Qrow thought in shock how'd Yang get caught up with him? He wondered.
"Your methods aren't the problem, keeping secrets from me is the problem" Yang spat.
"You're telling me you've been completely forthcoming about everything? You've never stretched the truth about anything or withheld information you didn't think I needed to know or was too personal to talk about?" Slade asked with a knowing look.
"Guys-"
"Not now, Weiss" Yang and Slade both interrupted her.
"I haven't withheld anything from you" Yang replied crossing her arms "Everything I told you was absolutely true and I promise you I am not hiding anything from you"
Slade stared at her not showing the genuine surprise he was feeling "Whatever" he sighed turning away from her and waving his hand dismissively "I thought you were smarter than that"
"Excuse me?" Yang asked offended.
"If you're dumb enough to trust a total stranger, one you've only known for less than two days I might add, with everything. Then you're just asking for a knife in the back"
"I've been honest with you because it wouldn't help me to lie to you. I guess you just can't appreciate a little honesty!" she shouted angrily.
"Honesty?!" Slade asked twisting around to look her in the eye "Honesty hasn't ever done me any favors. Honesty is the reason..." Slade stopped "You should know by now that I don't care about honesty, I care about currency"
"All you care about is money huh?! Then why ask my Mother about that Huntress? You two are related right?" she asked stepping toward him angrily.
Slade grabbed her by the throat, lifting her above his head in rage "Don't... talk about her" he warned.
"You gonna kill me?" she asked, practically begging him to try it with her tone.
"You're gonna wish you were dead" Slade growled dropping her.
"I thought you were better than this, Slade, but clearly you're just a stuck-up bastard more concerned with money than anyone else!"
"Money has never lied to me before" Slade countered "Money has never taken what I care about away from me" he took a step closer "Money has never tried to kill me" Slade was right in her face now.
"Guys please-" Weiss tried.
"Money doesn't make things complicated or tell me things I couldn't give a rats ass about!"
"Don't talk about my family that way!" Yang yelled back pointing Ember Celica at his chest, Slade held his arms out from his chest expectantly.
"Go ahead..." he waited patiently "You might as well finish the job"
"Finish the job?" Yang asked confused, lowering her weapon and taking a step back in surprise.
"Forget it" he growled turning away from her walking to the nearby fence, leaning against it in annoyance.
"I just want to make sure my sister is safe" Yang said struggling to keep her tears from falling "She's the most important thing in the world to me... you understand that don't you?" she asked hopefully.
Slade stood silently as he contemplated what she had told him "Maybe at some point in my life... but not anymore" he sighed pushing himself back off the fence and turning to look at her "Look... I'm sorry for being so harsh. I just... Raven reopened some old wounds back in her tent and no I don't want to talk about it" he said turning toward the door "Ever"
"Yang?" Weiss looked over to her expectantly.
"Fine... I... accept your apology" Yang sighed "Just don't keep me in the dark on everything anymore alright? Mutual transparency is the best way to-"
"Yeah, yeah whatever. I promise not to hide anything from you that could potentially put you or your family at risk" Slade waved off as he approached the doorway, passing Yang and Weiss "Deal?" he asked looking back toward them over his shoulder.
"Deal" Yang agreed with a small smile.
Good, now if you don't mind-" Slade started opening the door but stopped his statement once he came face to face with her uncle "Qrow" Slade greeted.
"What the... hell!" Qrow reached for Harbinger removing it from his back, Slade easily disarmed him by pushing the blade to his left with his right hand and using his left hand to painfully twist Qrow's grip on the weapon. Reaching for a knife from his belt, Qrow attempted to stab Slade in the chest only for his hand to be caught in Slade's own and twisted to his left side before he pushed his knee against Qrow's forearm, slamming it into the doorway and launching the knife into the ground nearby.
"Slade, stop!" Weiss yelled.
Qrow drew a second knife from behind his back, directing it for Slade. Slade managed to deflect the blade with his gauntlet quickly trading punches with Qrow as they both expertly deflected the other's attacks. Slade twisted around with Qrow's hand in his grip removing the blade from his hand and into his own from over his shoulder, turning around he found himself being pushed against the tree behind him by Qrow and kneeing his wrist, causing Slade to drop the knife.
"Yes, Weiss. Let's just stop defending myself from my attacker because you know him" Slade replied sarcastically "What a brilliant idea, why hadn't I thought of that?"
"Probably because you're so busy being a jackass" Qrow growled.
"Touché" Slade smirked in amusement.
"What're you two doing!?" Yang asked exasperated.
"I take it they aren't friends" Weiss observed.
"I knew they weren't friends by the way Slade talked about him but I didn't think Uncle Qrow was gonna attack him on sight" Yang explained.
Qrow pulled the knife from Slade's belt as he removed his revolver from it's holster, swinging the blade high forced Slade to duck underneath it before grabbing his arm with his free hand. Pointing his gun at Qrow was unsuccessful as he found his arm pinned to the wall by Qrow's free hand.
"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this" Qrow said eagerly.
"Really?" Slade asked "You've been waiting to kill me? I'd say I'm touched but-" Slade stopped midsentence looking down at his waist upon noticing Qrow's shirt was red on the right side of his abdomen Reopened wound? Slade wondered.
"Oh, no, no, no. I'm not gonna look" Qrow smirked presumably seeing though his trick.
"Unfortunately for you, I wasn't trying to trick you" he smirked back just before releasing Qrow's arm and punching him hard, slamming his fist directly into the reopened wound.
"Augh! Mother F-" Qrow stumbled backward as Slade forced him around into the tree he was previously pinned against.
Slade wrenched the knife from Qrow's hands, causing the blade to embed into the ground behind him as Slade wrestled for control of his own weapon, only to have Qrow manage to take his gun from him.
"Woah, easy, let's talk about this, okay?" Slade asked slowly dropping the bullets from his hand onto the ground to show Qrow it was empty.
"Even as fast as you are, there's no way you could've removed the one from the chamber" Qrow pointed out as he pulled the hammer back.
"Feel free to test that theory" Slade said holding his arms out to his sides waiting patiently for the round to fire into his chest.
"Uncle Qrow, stop!" Yang yelled stepping between them.
"Get out of the way, Yang-"
"Slade isn't here to fight you"
"You're not?" Qrow asked confused, never lowering the weapon.
"No! We're really not!" Weiss practically shouted.
"What is wrong with you, Uncle Qrow?" Yang asked in shock "Why would you attack Slade when he didn't even reach for his weapon?" she asked alarmed by his reaction to Slade's presence.
"Yang... what're you doing traveling with someone like him?" Qrow asked looking past her into Slade's cold eyes.
"We were both looking for Raven" Slade answered "She found me in a bar just a few towns over from here actually, we got into a bit of a brawl with some disgruntled clients of mine-"
"Criminals no doubt" Qrow growled.
"Don't get all high and mighty with me" Slade spat "I put the biggest scum in Remnant behind bars or into the ground where they can't hurt anyone. So what if I have to work with some unsavory types to accomplish that? I don't see you Huntsmen doing a very good job of keeping the streets safe from anything but Grimm... well, you were anyway" Slade rebuked.
"It's not what you're doing I have a problem with, it's who you're doing it with" Qrow countered "Adam Taurus, Cinder Fall, Roman Torchwick. Need I say more?"
"Roman wasn't anything illegal, nor immoral. I got names on crime lords and hitmen and he didn't have to deal with them while he built his own organization. It was a win-win situation. Taurus on the other hand was one job and I refuse to take contracts from the man any longer" he explained.
"And Cinder?" Qrow asked raising an eyebrow at him.
"Cinder and I had a falling out long before I could actually assist her with anything. I can assure you, I have never and don't plan on ever doing business with her again"
"You never did business with her then?" he asked.
"Once, and I terminated the contract before I received payment for a reason" Slade answered "Are we good now?" Slade asked gesturing to the gun.
"Almost, I have one last question"
"Uncle Qrow" Yang groaned.
"What were you doing looking for Raven after all this time?" he asked suspiciously.
"Confirming some information I received some time ago from a not so reliable source" he answered.
Qrow sighed "You wanted to know for sure that Salem was the reason behind Elise's kidnapping" he concluded.
"Not just Salem" he answered "I would've killed Raven had it not been for Yang" Slade sighed "Raven's lucky Yang was there or things would've gone pretty poorly for her and the rest of her tribe"
Qrow lowered the gun while he turned to Yang with a look of shock on his face "Yang did that huh?" he mused to himself "Fine, you and me are good" he flipped the gun around toward Slade "For now"
"For now" Slade agreed accepting his gun back, holstering it quickly then moving to collect his knife.
Qrow opened his arms to embrace Yang "Hey, Firecracker"
"I'm so glad to see you're okay, Uncle Qrow. How're the others doing?" she asked hopefully as they embraced one another.
"Ruby is fine, she's been doing one hell of a job leading them here. Nora and Ren had a rough patch towards the end of the journey but have lightened up since then... Jaune... he's not doing too good" Qrow broke the embrace.
"Pyrrha's death is weighing on him too much isn't it?" Weiss asked knowingly, Qrow nodded his head.
"Jaune is better at hiding it right now, but he's not okay. I don't know if he'll ever be-"
"If he lost someone close to him then you know he will never get over it. You get better at hiding it, better at keeping that false smile on your face for others... but somedays that wall you build up around yourself comes crashing down and you can never build it back up like it was again" Slade solemnly explained looking down at the dirt beneath him.
"You sound like you talk from experience, Slade" Weiss pointed out.
"He does" Qrow sighed "A lot more than most"
"How?" Yang asked curiously.
Qrow looked to Slade finding him shaking his head "That's not for me to say" he answered.
"What about you, Uncle Qrow? You look like you took a beating or two" Yang pointed out.
"Sorry about that by the way" Slade offered.
"I'm fine"he answered "Few days before we arrived in Mistral, Ruby was attacked by a man working for the one responsible for the attack on Beacon"
"Salem" Yang gasped lightly.
Qrow looked over to Slade mildly annoyed "You told them?"
"Her mother did" he answered with a shrug.
"Anyway. Long story short, he was there for Ruby and I stepped in to stop him. Got hurt and ended up being poisoned so I wasn't much help for the rest of the journey. Thankfully we arrived in Mistral in time to get treated before the damage was irreversible" he explained.
"Poison?" Slade asked "Salem sent Tyrian Callows after Ruby? She must be pretty strong" was she going easy on me when we fought before? He wondered to himself.
"Wasn't because she was tough, Slade. Silver eyes" he explained confusing Yang and Weiss.
"That makes much more sense" he chuckled Guess I was right after all
"There's plenty more we could talk about. For now, we should head inside and let you guys have your moments" Qrow laughed at Yang's annoyed expression as he led the way into the house.
Inside the house, each of the members of RNJR are helping prepare dinner: Ruby and Ren are cooking at the stove, Jaune is setting up the table, and Nora is cutting carrots, occasionally eating slices.
"Alright, the first batch is just about done" Ren announced.
"Awesome! Now we just need Qrow and we'll be all set" Ruby said excitedly.
Nora while still eating carrots "Do you really think he's gonna bring that many people? This is a lot of food" she asked as she eats another carrot slice.
"Uh, I don't know, but it sounds like we could use all the help we can get" she answered unsure.
"I'm back!" Qrow called from the doorway.
"Be right there!" Ruby called to him.
"You're going to overcook that" Ren warned.
"No I'm not, shut up!" Ruby yelled indignantly.
"Hey, uh, Ruby?" Qrow calls again.
"I'm coming!" she shouts as some smoke comes from the pan Ruby is cooking with "Fine! You take over" Ruby grabs the tea tray and heads to the living room while Ren helps cook the pan.
"So, we didn't know how many people were coming, so we just cooked all of it" Ruby said looking at the tea tray. She looks up, and gasps as she drops the tea tray and its contents, which shatter on the floor. She stares in disbelief at the sight of not only Qrow, but of her older sister Yang and teammate Weiss, Slade went unnoticed as he was behind the group. Yang approaches her little sister.
Ruby's voice began cracking "Yang, I... I'm so sorry! I- I should've stayed, and I should've talked to you more! I'd- I just..." tears start pouring from her eyes "I wasn't sure if you wanted me around and-" Suddenly, her big sister gives her a strong hug. Ruby's lips quiver, and she looks toward her sister.
"I love you" Yang said simply with a smile as tears streamed down Ruby's face. Ruby sobs as she leans into her sister's hug.
"I love you too"
Jaune, Ren and Nora enter the room, smiling at the sight of the two sisters embracing each other. Qrow smiles as well. Oscar Pine enters the room.
"Uh..." He looks up, seeing Ruby and Yang hugging, and smiles. Weiss smiles as she wipes a tear from her eye, before frowning while looking down.
"Weiss" Ruby calls as she and Yang extend their arms toward her, welcoming Weiss into their hug.
Qrow took notice of Slade's somber expression as he looked on at the group, his eyes scanning them as if looking for something.
Poor kid, must be thinking about- his thoughts were interrupted as he looked over to Oscar I can't let him know about Oz, Slade might've been able to put his grudge against me behind him for now but I doubt he'd share that sentiment when it comes to Oz
"Is that who I think it is?" Nora asked noticing Slade.
"Oh, right. I forgot to introduce you guys-" Yang began before being interrupted.
"We've met before, Yang. I told you about the fight we had before taking on that large Grimm possessing everything" Slade informed.
"Oh yeah, they mistook you for the Grimm attacking shipments coming to that town right?" Yang asked.
"That wasn't exactly what happened" Ruby sputtered embarrassingly.
"It isn't?" Nora asked confused "That's exactly how I remember it"
"Yeah well I remember him kicking your butt!" Ruby shot back.
"All of ours actually" Jaune pointed out. They all proceeded to laugh at their own antics.
Slade remained silent, watching them curiously with the smallest smile forming on his face. Slade quickly replaced it with a deep frown.
"Anyway..." Yang laughed "Slade Stroud, this is my sister and leader of Team RWBY Ruby Rose, and our friends from Team JNPR: Jaune Arc, Nora Valkyrie, and Lie Ren" Yang said pointing toward them as she said their names "And this... this is... who is this?" Yang asked gesturing to Oscar.
"Oscar Pine" Qrow answered quickly, hoping to hide Ozpin's presence from Slade for as long as possible.
"Nice to formally meet you all" Slade said showing a small smile, he took notice of the cane in Oscar's hand but chose to ignore it for now "You said you're members of Teams RWBY and JNPR, but there's only six of you instead of eight... may I ask where the missing two are?" Slade asked curiously.
"Blake Belladonna is the missing member of our team and we don't know where she is" Weiss answered easily "And Pyrrha Nikos is the missing member from JNPR... she died when she fought Cinder Fall in the battle for Vale and Beacon" she explained somberly.
"Ah... my apologies for bringing up such a painful memory and my condolences"
"It's alright, you didn't know" Jaune said with a slight sigh.
"What's that!?" Ruby practically screamed when she saw Slade's revolver "Can I see it? What do you call it? Did you make it yourself?" She asked speaking a mile a minute taking Slade by surprise.
"Ruby!" Yang grabbed her sister by her hood, sliding her away from him embarrassed "Sorry about her, she's a gun nut"
"No apology necessary" he chuckled removing it from his holster "Yes, I did make it myself and I call it Defiance" he answered showing it off too her "I am quite fond of it myself"
"That's so cool!" She gazed at it with stars in her eyes.
"It's nothing as advanced as your own weapon, but I like things simple" he added.
"Thanks, I put a lot of work into Crescent Rose" she grinned proudly.
"I can see that" he chuckled.
"Alright, alright. Why don't we get the food together on the table while Oscar and I have a little chat" Qrow offered.
"Good idea" Ren agreed, the group quickly moved the food to the table as Slade stood silently watching them, he turned to leave as they all sat to eat together.
"Slade, where're you going?" Yang asked stopping him in his tracks.
"Outside?" he answered like it was a question "I figured you'd want some time to get reacquainted-"
"Nonsense!" Nora yelled.
"Nora's right, you don't have to leave on our account" Ruby repleid gesturing to the empty space between her and Yang "Come and sit with us. I promise we don't bite"
"Usually" Ren chuckled as Nora glared at him.
"It was one time!" she shouted indignantly.
The group began talking over each other indistinctly as they smiled and laughed together while picking food onto their plates and eating between conversations. Slade timidly took from the plate in front of him while careful not to interrupt anyone else as they took their own. Slade tuned out their conversation for a time as he thought back to his own teammates while he attended Beacon and smiled lightly before he began listening once more.
"How do you lose your map at a time like that?" Yang asked through her laughter.
"Believe me, I've asked myself the same thing ever since" Jaune replied causing the members of RWBY to laugh as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly giggling.
"Hey, but you made up for it, Mister Muscles! You shoulda seen this guy take a giant Grimm head on!" Nora practically shouted.
"I couldn't have done it without Ruby wearing it down" Jaune offered modestly.
"Uh, me? Did you see Ren during that fight? He was out of control!" Ruby yelled excitedly.
"I'm sorry, I may have lost my temper momentarily" Ren apologized embarrassed.
"No, no! Out of control as in "awesome"!" she assured him.
"Oooooh" he smiled "Thank you"
Everyone at the table bursts into laughter. As dinner continues, Weiss tells her story about how she accidentally summoned a Boarbatusk during the Schnee charity ball.
Ruby gasped "You did not!"
Weiss has her head in her hands "Yeah, right in the middle of the party"
"Please tell me you let that lady have it" Yang laughed.
"Of course not! Even if I did really want to"
Nora crossed her arms skeptically "No way, I don't believe it"
Weiss summons her Boarbatusk right next to Nora. The Grimm summon growls, causing Nora to yelp and fall to her side. Weiss, Yang, Jaune and Ren all laugh. Slade even allowed himself a chuckle as they continued. As dinner nearly finishes, Yang shows off her robotic prosthetic arm to the rest of the group. All of them react in awe.
"It's not a replacement for the real thing, but I'll make sure to make good use of it"
"That's amazing" Jaune offered.
"Incredible" Ren agreed.
Ruby gets all starry-eyed and quickly zooms over to her sister's side to admire her arm. holding Yang's arm up she asked "And it's just as strong?"
"Hm, sure is"
Suddenly, they hear a bang on the table. Nora has her arm out ready to arm wrestle "Wanna bet?"
"Nora, please, now's not the time..." Weiss began.
Despite Weiss' protest, Yang and Nora arm wrestle as Weiss looks on disdainfully, Slade smirked in amusement.
"Don't let her beat you! You can do it! Come on!" Jaune cheered Nora.
"You can do this! Show 'em what Team JNPR's made of!" Ren added.
"C'mon, sis! Aw, you can't lose to a girl in a skirt!" Ruby cheered for her sister.
"You wear a skirt, Ruby" Weiss pointed out.
"Weiss, you're not cheering loud enough!" Ruby shakes Weiss, who is still frowning.
"It definitely feels like the original, I'll give you that!" Nora admitted through gritted teeth.
"Yep. But, it does have some new features!"
"Heh, oh yeah?"
A robotic sound is heard coming from Yang's arm, and suddenly Nora is knocked back to the wall holding Yang's detached arm in her hand. Nora groans in pain while the others look on in concern, except for Yang, who has a smug grin on her face.
"Did she... win?" Jaune asked confused.
As Nora comes to, she realizes she's holding Yang's robotic arm, causing her to scream and throw it away from her. Yang laughs while she catches her arm. Slade fails to suppress a laugh at Yang's trick.
The group moved to the kitchen with the dishes as they finished eating
"Gyah... We ate it all..." he picks up the pot holding all the bowls "Oh, I think I'm gonna be sick..." he groaned.
"Easy there, Vomit Boy, I believe in you" Yang offered with false support.
"Oh, we're doing nickname throwbacks now. Wonderful" he said sarcastically as he walked away with the dishware in his hands as Weiss giggled at him.
"I mean, the Ice Queen seems to like it" Nora pointed out.
Weiss stops giggling, and Ruby bursts into laughter at Nora's remark. Weiss smiles nonetheless.
She rolled her eyes "I so did not miss you people"
Nora gasps "Oh my gosh, she really does like it! What went and warmed your heart while you were gone?" she asked accusingly
"Hey! You make it sound like I used to be terrible" she protested.
"Nah. Just a lot to deal with at once" Yang offered.
"Hmph!"
Yang playfully sticks her tongue out at Weiss.
"It's been a long time. We've all grown in our own ways" Ren concluded.
"You really think so?" Ruby asked.
"Well, think back to when we were all at Beacon, would you say you ever did anything foolish or embarrassing? Or do you think you were perfect?" he asked.
"Oh gosh" Weiss buries her face in her hands again.
"I may have been a little too gung-ho from time to time" Yang admitted.
"Heh, you? I tried to 1v1 a Nevermore on the second day of school" Ruby reminded the group.
Jaune walked back into the room "Yeah, well... don't even get me started"
"Well that embarrassment - that desire to go back and tell yourself not to be so stupid - that just proves you're not the same person you used to be. You're smarter, you're kinder, you're stronger, and you're not done growing yet. None of us are" Ren explained.
There is silence for a brief moment.
"Yeah, turns out Ren gets real deep when he feels like talking" Ruby pointed out causing everyone to laugh.
"Well, hold on, I thought I was pretty great in school! Nora proudly proclaimed.
"Even at the dance? When you spilled punch all over yourself in front of-" Yang began before being interrupted.
"Yes, especially the dance! Thank you, Yang!" Yang covers her ears from Nora's yelling, who has her scroll out playing "Shine" as Ruby laughs.
"How can six kids possibly make so much noise eating dinner?" Qrow asked from behind them with his arms crossed over his chest as Oscar approached beside him. Nora pressed the button on her scroll to make the music stop playing, Oscar gave a small laugh.
"They're a colorful bunch" Slade laughed "I haven't been around a more diverse group since I started my career"
"Did you attend Beacon as well?" Oscar asked curiously.
"He's not a Huntsman, he's a Bounty Hunter" Yang answered.
"Oh, I'm sorry you just seem the type-"
"No apology necessary, Mr. Pine. You're partially right anyway, I did attend Beacon, I just never graduated... much like the other Huntresses and Huntsmen in this room" he chuckled.
"What about your team?" Ruby asked confused "If you never graduated did they end up graduating or not?"
"Ruby-" Qrow tried but was too late.
Slade sighed deeply "My teammates... they... we..." he stopped looking away somberly "I'd prefer if we didn't talk about it"
"Oh" Ruby looked down in shame "Sorry-"
"It's fine, Ruby... I... I need a drink" he groaned turning for the door.
"Where're you going?" Qrow asked.
"Bar" Slade answered "I plan on getting as drunk as I can before sundown" he called back before exiting the house as quickly as he could.
"Slade-" the door slammed shut, leaving Yang standing there in bewilderment "What just happened?"
"Slade was forced to think about something very painful for him" Qrow answered "Much like myself, he is attempting to drink the memories away"
"Does it work?" Jaune asked.
"For a couple of hours it does" Qrow answered honestly "Long term effects are practically nonexistent when it comes to that though" he sighed.
"What did happen to Slade that made him like that?" Yang asked "All he seems to care about is money"
"There was a time when Slade cared about much more than making money" Qrow said "Before I tell you anything more you must give me your word you wont utter anything to him about this, especially not about Ozpin to him... anything at all" Qrow insisted.
The group shared a look of confusion between them "Why? What'd Ozpin do to Slade?" Ruby asked curiously looking over at Oscar, his eyes glistened for a moment before he wore a somber expression.
"I took everything from him" Ozpin answered shocking Yang and Weiss.
"How is Ozpin talking through Oscar?" Yang asked concerned.
"I thought you were dead!" Weiss exclaimed.
"Oscar and I share a body, Ms. Xiao Long. Also, I did die, Ms. Schnee"
"Oh well that just clears up everything" Weiss rolled her eyes sarcastically.
"Oz reincarnates into other people when he dies. It's his curse that was placed upon him until he stops Salem" Qrow explained.
"Wow... that must be pretty weird" Yang pointed out.
"Indeed" Ozpin chuckled before his expression soured "I told you before, Ruby. I've made more mistakes than any man, woman, and child on this planet... when it came to Slade I just couldn't seem to stop making those mistakes" he sighed.
"Is that why he hates you and Qrow?" Yang asked.
"Partially" Qrow answered.
"Mr. Stroud despises Qrow for something I urged him to do... his hatred for me goes much deeper than that, and rightfully so" Ozpin explained "Qrow and I will explain more about everything, especially Slade's past. If you don't understand Slade, you'll never be safe around him. Saying the wrong thing could earn you a bullet for your trouble" he explained.
"I noticed that when he changed his attitude dramatically as soon as Mom brought up you and Salem. Even the mention of Qrow ticked him off more than I'd have thought" Yang pointed out.
"Slade's hatred for Qrow and I is mostly well founded if a bit misguided" Ozpin replied "Now I'm sure Raven told you two a lot but possibly not everything. Perhaps not even the truth" he continued referring to Yang and Weiss.
"Allow me, Oz" Qrow offered "You can explain everything about Salem, you, the relics, and the Maidens all you want... But when it comes to Slade allow me to explain to them how he came to be the way that he is"
"Fair enough" Ozpin relented "You do know Slade far better than I do anyway"
"Any questions you may have, please save them until I am done explaining. We shouldn't take too long or Slade might interrupt us" Qrow asked, he took out his flask and looked it over solemnly "Rumors had been going around about a woman in a hood taking up residence in a cave somewhere out in the woods not far outside the city of Vale... Slade and his family lived out there as well... we requested his parents, Sinn and Viridian Stroud to check it out..."
That's all for Chapter Three! Hope you all liked it, and thank you for taking the time to read it. Chapter Four is coming soon!