[The Docks 7:45pm]

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

Well that worked better than I expected. I guess I underestimated the power of boners.

Here I am on the rooftop with Ruby as a lookout while Blake, Sun, Yang, and Weiss were hiding amongst the crates, which were stacked about 45 minutes ago. With Penny on standby for backup. And are now just sitting there. I remembered that Blake had been sitting there for hours in the show, so this could take a while.

"Are you sure this is where Torchwick will be?" Ruby asked with her weapon on rifle mode laying prone.

I stood lookout with binoculars as I answered her. "Positive, you think he'd ignore this amount of dust?"

What if he did? Weiss asked over our intercoms.

"He won't, criminals are greedy by nature. If there's a huge amount of money to be made, they'll take it despite the risks" I replied. Playing enough Payday 2 with my friends told me as much.

Just then I heard a faint roar of an engine. Torchwick is coming.

"Everyone in positions, keep coms clear until we engage the enemy. Bravo 6 going dark" I said tp our team, I then got on my stomach and laid there like Ruby.

Sure enough, the bullhead flew over us with it touching down in the middle of the crates. And there he is. Roman Torchwick, the White Fang, and… wait there's another person? Hold on that didn't happen in the show… Oh god. Oh fuck.

As the black hooded person went ahead of Torchwick, Blake snuck up behind Roman and put her Gambol Shroud's blade against his throat. "What the- Oh brother." Roman deadpanned.

"Brother's of the White Fang! Why are you aiding this scum?" Blake yelled, to which the hooded figure pointed his revolver at Blake. Hang on… that looks like it was based off the S&W 500, with a blade folded underneath it? Almost reminds me of that one old game BloodRayne.

I turned to my other teammates who were nearby. "Weiss, Yang, You're up" I said to them. "Try to subdue the guy in black."

"Oh didn't you hear?" Torchwick said to Blake "The White Fang and I are on a joint business venture" He said before more bullheads showed up. Reinforcements, great.

I reached for my intercom to tell Penny her signal. "Penny, you're up"

"I'm combat ready!" Penny yelled with her blades coming out of her backpack. Or at least, what looked like one. She then made her blades into gun looking objects, and fired at one of the bullheads splitting it in half. As the guy in the black hood fired at Blake sending her flying into the crate. Shit, it can do that in this world? I better go see for myself.

I hopped down from the building "Rose see if you can land any hits with your crossbows" I told Jocelyn on the intercoms as I rushed to the mysterious stranger.

I'm trying, but they're moving too fast for me to fire she said increasingly frustrated.

"Well I gave you those explosive bolts for a reason!" I said drawing Kronos and Rhea to which the black hooded figure looked directly at me and pulled out a second revolver.

While I'm rushing at him a thought popped up in the back of my mind; Why do I get the feeling I know him?

His revolver transformed into those aforementioned blades as I got closer, folding the barrel into the underside of his arms, and charged at me. I put my guns away and drew my sword to block his incoming scissor-like attack.

{Yang's perspective}

Well that plan is out the window. Time to get Torchwick. I fired my gauntlets behind me. Launching myself at him with a hefty blow to his face.

He tumbled for a bit before getting up rubbing the area I hit.

"Ugh why do people always aim at my beautiful face?" Roman said rubbing his cheek. He then turned back to the White Fang and yelled at them "What do I pay you guys for? STOP THEM!"

Some White Fang grunts tried to fight me. Needless to say, I knocked them all out and went back to supporting my team. Weiss stopped me for a moment.

"I'm going to go help Achilles, You deal with Torchwick" She said going off to where Achilles was fighting. I hope he's alright, he doesn't have an aura.

…Even more curious is that Weiss is helping him. How thoughtful of her.

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

God this guy! It's as if he knows my every move!

I have a dagger in my sleeve that I made after I worked with that smith this weekend to teach me the basics in weapon crafting. I did the Assassin's Creed thing and let the blade slide out of my sleeve before grabbing its hilt and redirecting the attack on his left to go in for a pommel strike. Which connected. However, that seemed to have just made him angrier.

He slashed at me in an X formation, the barrels of his guns now pointing up, firing. Making more force behind the swing right down onto me.

I managed to catch the attack with the side of my blade and went in for a counter-attack with my left hand.

He then kicked me away.

I got back up on my feet as the guy in the black hood stared me down. I charged in when I saw Weiss' glyphs surround us. I know what that means, I better back out. And so I did, jumping backwards in time to see Weiss do her signature move. IE, her fly around and stab maneuver.

After she finished I yelled to her "I can handle him myself!" This didn't have to be her fight, I need to know who it is under that black hood.

She turned her head and gave me a smirk "Looked like you needed my help from where I was standing!" Weiss said as the black hooded figure stood up with his aura flickered. It was green in case you were wondering.

I shook my head at her and told her "Really I've got this, help with Torchwick" I then heard Ruby walk up beside me to my right.

"No, we do this as a team" She said looking directly into my eyes.

I sighed, there's no convincing then is there? "Let's do this then" I said pointing my sword at the black hooded figure alongside Ruby getting into a fighting stance and Weiss mimicking my stance.

He then charged at us. Well I say 'us' more like me. I blocked his attack as Weiss charged in for a stab. He kicked her away. Ruby then slashed at him with Crescent Rose, However he was able to deflect all of her attacks as well, including her recoil attacks. Like that one where she just straight up lets the recoil do the cutting.

I then slashed at him, and with his free weapon, he redirected it and went in for a stab in which I barely sidestepped out of. Weiss, Ruby and I regrouped.

This guy is good. He seems to know everyone's attacks, including my own. Which isn't saying much, since I'm not exactly a hardened veteran.

This calls for one thing.

I turned to Weiss and asked her "Icedragon combo?"

Weiss was confused at first but seemed to have an understanding of what I wanted. She gave a quick nod and made a circle of ice which caused the black hood to slip. I then ran up a nearby crate, dragging my sword along it creating sparks, igniting my sword, jumping backwards and slashing it at the ice circle making a makeshift smokescreen.

Now to get a few hits in.

I slashed at him a couple of times from different angles. I swear I hit flesh at one point. Did I forget mention it blinded me too? Because it seemed to not affect Ruby or Weiss in any way. I hope I didn't accidentally hit them too.

As the mist died down I looked at the black hooded figure. He was kneeling on the ground. His aura flickered, then broke. I looked over at where Yang, Blake, and Sun were and sure enough, they captured Torchwick, and Penny stopped one of the bullheads from escaping with the cargo. Causing them to let the cargo go and flee.

Penny was about to give chase but I halted her. "We got what we came for," I said.

Penny nodded "Understood, we shall wait here until the authorities get here." She said as she put her hands behind her back

Ruby jumped up with excitement as she yelled "We did it!"

Yang pumped her fist as she exclaimed "Hell yeah we did!" Yang exclaimed.

I myself thought we were celebrating too soon. Something was off, The air didn't really feel right. There was heat in the night air, almost as if a tinderbox was ready to explode…

I looked at the bullhead above the cranes and sure enough, there she is. Cinder Fall preparing a fireball attack.

I jerked my head towards the others and yelled "EVERYONE GET TO COVER!"

As soon as I got that out, a fireball barely missed me. I jumped behind one of the Schnee crates as another bullhead appeared behind us flying overhead as Cinder kept throwing fireball after fireball at us. And she wasn't letting up in the slightest.

Weiss called out "What kind of semblance is that?!"

I shook my head at her and told her "That's no semblance"

I turned back to our assailant. Damn why is she here? Cinder wasn't supposed to show up again until the next volume. Not to mention she never showed this much power being a half maiden in the show proper. Not to also mention she never went out onto the field herself. Which still begs the question; WHY IS SHE HERE!?

I then heard Yang call out "Looks like they're trying to get Torchwick and Black Hood over there!" She looked to me for a strategy, on the opposite crates to where me, Ruby and Weiss were, Yang was with Sun, Blake, and Penny.

I gritted my teeth. I can't risk Penny coming out as a robot yet, and all of us aren't ready to deal with a half-maiden fiery bitch. But we need to stop Torchwick and this other guy who was there to stop us.

And I need to know who he is. And if he was he on that plane with Jocelyn and I?

If so, how in hell does he have an aura and I don't? Someone made things unbalanced when I landed here. And they will answer for it later.

I sheathed Porfyrós Drákos and called out. "Fall back!" I yelled "This is above what we can handle right now!"

The others exchanged uneasy looks. They soon nodded in agreement and we ran away from the docks.

I looked behind to see that Cinder looked at all of us with a look of boredom.

Roman grabbed the handle of the door to the bullhead. And just before he closed it he remarked "These kids just keep getting weirder." I then took out one of my pistols and shot the engine of the bullhead he was in, causing it to fail and retreat away. Most likely for repairs.

We ran into the city hoping that thing wouldn't follow us


Ok. Good thing it didn't. I need to catch my breath. I haven't had to run since sophomore year in high school.

Between her breaths Blake asked "What was that?"

I turned my attention towards her and answered "That... is someone... who is... obsessed with power" Between my breaths. Man I need to start eating healthier.

I heard Ruby asking between her breaths "Do you... know her name?"

I shook my head at her. "No, I only know of a female in a crimson dress with extraordinary powers" I replied "But that other guy, the black hooded figure… I feel like I know him."

The others looked at each other concerned then back to me "An old friend?" Blake asked.

"Or a past lover?" Yang joked.

I shook my head at both of them. "I don't know. What I do know is that we'll need to see Ozpin in the morning." I replied with a sigh as Jocelyn caught up with us. "And give him a status report." I finished.

Jocelyn gave me a water bottle she saved in her jacket pocket.

I took it and opened the top after thanking her. "Thanks dear." I then took a couple of gulps.

The others agreed with me and we made our way back to Beacon after a short rest.

Aside from Penny who went with god knows who, they didn't exactly reveal who it was she was talking to at the end of volume 1. I think Pietro? Probably. Not like Ozpin or Ironwood would ever talk to her like that.


[Villain's hideout]

{Roman's perspective}

"I can't believe we had to leave all that loot behind! Seriously, that was enough dust to supply an entire army." I yelled to let my thoughts be known.

Cinder seemed to not be having any of my mouth "Yet you almost got captured" Cinder remarked "Almost like he pointed out" She gestured to the man in the black hood.

Ugh this woman, If it weren't for this hot, no pun intended, flaming bitch I would have sold all of this and be on my way to Saunus to hide from the authorities here. And Little Red, seriously, she's always there to thwart me for some reason like a curse...

I shot my hands up in surrender. "Ok ok I am man enough to admit when I'm wrong" I said with a nod. "But you said there would only be four of them. And last I counted there were 8, including that one on the crane trying to shoot at me with explosive bolts!" I pointed out while tapping Melodonic Crudgle to the ground to make my point clear. "So that is twice as much as you predicted." I then said while I pointed my weapon at him.

The hooded man seemed not to be amused. He stood there with his arms crossed "There might have been others who came here with me then" Said the black hooded man "Theirs may have told the rest to go there to thwart you."

Cinder then stepped in. "Regardless, we now know of other psychics" Said Cinder walking out of the shadows along with her puppets Emerald and Mercury "So we should focus on finding them. It's no good working in the shadows if they know our every move."

I can't believe that I have to spell this out to her. But here I am, doing just that. But before I could our black hooded friend said "Cinder if they knew our every move they would have stopped all of those other robberies too."

Hmm... that does seem rather strange. If they knew we were going to rob people of their dust, then why haven't they? "So what? they're selective on how to stop us?" I asked.

"Just enough" He replied with a shrug "Give me more lien and I'll tell ya."

Oh this guy is good. Taking every bit of cash he can. But I could use some foresight. I (begrudgingly) gave him at least 5 lien

He took the lien and gave it a good look. He then turned back to me "Pleasure doing business. If you're not careful, you'll end up on the inside of a grimm" He said before walking off.

… WHAT KIND OF CRYPTIC BULLSHIT WAS THAT?

Trying to walk up to him I yelled "Hey! What-" Before I was cut off by Cinder.

"Relax Roman, he is an asset to us as long as he knows the enemy's movements, after that, we can silence him for good." She said rubbing my cheek. Honestly, I have no idea how I got roped into this.

I groaned in annoyed grimace. "Besides, who calls themselves the 'Ferret King' anyway?" I asked.

"I don't know, he is… strange." Cinder replied "I feel as though he sees right through me most times we talk."


[Beacon, Ozpin's office the next morning]

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

So we told Ozpin everything that had happened last night while he interrogated us. Luckily it wasn't in that room that he used to interrogate Blake in. I took a formal stance with my arms behind my back.

"So that's your report?" Ozpin asked.

"Yes" I replied.

"And you say this woman in a red dress was able to spew fire from her hands?" he asked.

Yang nodded and replied "Yes."

Ozpin leaned back in his seat. "And Roman and the White Fang escaped?" He said sipping his never-ending supply of coffee.

Blake nodded at Ozpin not really saying much more.

I then spoke up. "And I will take full responsibility for anyone who got injured during the skirmish" I replied to team RWBY's shock. "I will admit, it was my idea for us to try to stop Roman. And clearly I misjudged."

He then leaned back forward. "I see. I respect that you want to take responsibility for those injured. However, responsibility should never fall to just one person." Ozpin said gesturing to me.

I gave him a nod. "I understand that, but my team is like a family to me. I want to help them as much as I can. And for the others involved, I want to make sure they're safe too" I replied.

Ozpin put his mug down. "Ah you must mean Penny Polendina and Sun Wukong. Don't worry, they're fine. And Rose Quartz, well I'm sure you already know, given you two are engaged." Ozpin said with a slight chuckle at that last part.

Well, I make it no secret we're engaged. Too bad we died before the ceremony and everything.

I wonder who I will find to officiate it? Jaune's too clumsy and Ruby is too young. Maybe Yang or Ren then.

And I'm getting distracted again.

I gave Ozpin another quick nod as I replied "Indeed."

He smiled at me, that cannot be a good sign. "I'm sure if you had your own team, you would have made a fantastic leader." Oz said picking his mug up once more. "You are all dismissed, enjoy the rest of your day."

I formally bowed to him and we exited into the elevator.

{Ozpin's perspective}

Once team RWBY and Achilles had left my office I turned to my assistant Glynda.

Glynda was writing down the things he said to us while he was talking. "Well that certainly was… interesting" I said to Glynda.

Glynda didn't look up from her scroll. She then addressed what Achilles described. "Red dress, powers of Fire. Is it her?" Glynda asked as she finally turned to me.

I turned around to look out my window overlooking the school. "Most likely, we'll need to prepare for her next move." I replied.

Or, just hear me out, we get hammered, THEN we find a solution one of my numerous voices in my head said.

No you drunkard, get to the back. I already have to deal with ONE alcoholic, I replied.

Glynda looks like she's finally done typing stuff down. She sighed and turned to me. "Well if that is the case, we'll need to be on high alert" Glynda said.

I then held up my hand "That won't do us any good" I said as I got up to walk to my window. "If I know Salem, she has made plans around me that I don't even know about."

Oh this again!? Said one of my other voices And I thought SHE took breakups in the worst possible way.

Ah ah ah! None of the sass I replied.

Yes DAD they fired back.

I turned back to her. "In any case. We should be on the lookout, but I don't expect a fight. At least, any time soon." I ordered.

Glynda nodded and sighed. She then looked back at me. "Another thing Ozpin. Did his stance look… familiar?" Glynda asked.

I put my mug back on my desk as she asked that. "If you mean that he took a stance Ironwood would. Then yes, it was." I replied.

"But I don't think he's met him at all… what do you think?" Glynda asked.

"It isn't the first time someone has taken such a formal stance in front of me." I said "However, the way he spoke. It was almost as if he knew I would trust him more if he took a familiar stance."


[Outside the CCT, walking towards the dorms]

"You were willing to take responsibility for any of us getting injured?" Weiss asked as we headed out of the tower.

I gave her a slight shrug with my right arm "Yeah like I said, it was my idea anyway." I said. "Besides I wouldn't want you of all people to pay the entire hospital bill."

She crossed her arms at me. "Said the guy with only about 4 thousand lien on him" Weiss replied.

I turned my gaze towards her "Hey, not all of us were born with a silver spoon in our mouths" I retorted.

Yang butted in between us. "Enough both of you, I swear you two argue like brother and sister." She said as she crossed her arms.

We all stopped as Weiss turned around.

"It doesn't help the way she reacts" I said with a smirk and a shrug.

Weiss shoved a finger in my direction. "It also doesn't help that you're annoying" Weiss replied.

"Guys we shouldn't be fighting." Ruby said getting herself between us "We're supposed to be a team. And a team can't function unless we all get along."

She does have a point. I'm pretty sure that at some point she will get fed up with all of my teasing. Even if it is all in good fun.

"I see your point Rubes" I said with a smile "Hey Ice Queen, perhaps you and I can spar for a bit? I need practice on my sword fighting skills."

Weiss crossed her arms at me. She then demanded "Only if you stop calling me that."

Eh, it was fun while it lasted. But it's about time to end the whole 'Ice Queen' nickname. "Alright Weiss, I'll stop" I replied.

"Good. Now then, maybe I can make a great swordsman out of you yet" She said dragging me to the training room. Seriously, what is with everyone dragging me? I'm 145 pounds sure, but I typically don't get dragged easily.

{Ruby's perspective}

Yang crossed her arms as she watched Achilles and Weiss walk away. "How much are you willing to bet Weiss will just use him as a practice dummy?" She asked Blake.

"50 lien" Blake replied.

"Guys she won't do that." I said. But I'm not too sure. He has been teasing her for the past few months every moment he gets. Especially during training. Poor Achilles was so sore after that one time he kept taunting her throughout the training session.

Yang gestured towards the training hall "Well, We can all go watch." She suggested.

"I think Weiss wants to train with him alone" Blake replied "Besides, he's strong, he can handle whatever Weiss has in store for him."


[In the training room a couple of minutes later]

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

"WEISS, I DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR THIS!" I yelled while dodging what might as well be a hailstorm.

Weiss smirked at me "Why don't you ignite your sword and counter it?" She retorted.

"Because I can't spam fire like you can spam ice!" I yelled back.

Honestly I knew what I was in for. But not this! This is cruel and unusual punishment.

"Oh you'll be fine." She said with a cruel smile.

I smacked an icicle out of the way as I yelled back "I don't have an aura! I most certainly will not be fine!"

"Oh come now, where did your snark go?" Weiss asked as she prepped more icicles. Seriously, I thought she would have run out of ice dust by now.

"It left the moment you decided to start torturing me!" I retorted.

"I wouldn't call this 'torture' more like 'training you how to dodge'." Weiss said still smirking.

"Wait until I get close enough! Then I'll wipe that smirk off your face!" I yelled back waving my sword towards her.

"Then come!" She yelled back. "Let's see if that sword is any good!"

"Phrasing!" I yelled.


[RWBY's room]

"Well I'm bored. I wanna watch Achilles and Weiss in the training room" Yang said laying on her bed.

Blake closed her book and stood up. "I will be back in a bit. I have some errands to run"

Ruby jumped down from her bunk and said "I'll go with you Yang!"

Yang jumped down from her bed and replied "Alright sis."

Blake was already down the hall while Yang and Ruby head for the training room.


[Training room]

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

"HHHHHYYYYYYAAAA!" Weiss yelled as we crossed blades.

With the sound of steel clashing against steel infused with fire dust, we clashed in a display of sparks and multiple slashes before she went in for a stab in which I countered with the back of my blade.

I then moved my blade around hers and stabbed into her in which she dodged and tried to counter-stab me.

I grabbed her blade with my opposite hand which ,as a reminder, I wore my gauntlets today otherwise I think would bleed. I then countered with a pommel strike which landed and sent Weiss flying only to have her flip back onto her feet and summon glyphs around me.

Uh oh, she's going to do the stab and dash move isn't she?

Weiss prepped her lightning glyph then went flying at me. I'll be honest, I barely had time to react. I parried at least 3 or maybe 4 of her stabs before the last one. Which I did block but sent me flying into the wall behind me.

{Ruby's perspective}

We had entered the training room just in time to see Achilles sent flying into the wall opposite of Weiss.

"Achilles!" I yelled activating my semblance and speeding towards where he was. "Are you ok?"

I heard a groan. As the dust settled I could see Achilles get up. He held and shook his head with a glimmering red light shining around his body.

"You're welcome" I heard Weiss say putting the tip of her weapon to the floor and leaning against it.

Yang then turned to Weiss and told her "Weiss you could have killed him."

I turned back to see Weiss gesturing to Achilles "I unlocked his aura didn't I?" Weiss said nonchalantly.

With his fists clenched, He yelled back "Like hell you did! Ya could have killed me with that!" He didn't seem to notice that his aura was flickering. A bright red, much like Pyrrha's.

"Achilles, she's telling the truth. You now have an aura" I told him.

Achilles looked down at his hand noticing his aura for the first time. He then looked behind him and saw the crater made on the wall.

He pointed at the crater and said "Wait, that should have killed me." He then stood up while using his sword as support.

I tried to help him to the best I could, but he's much taller than I am so it wasn't much.

"Well your aura clearly protected you" Weiss said to which Achilles gave her a glare.

He looked like he was thinking about something before turning back to Weiss slowly. "So if that was all of that was about. WHY WERE YOU THROWING A HAILSTORM AT ME?!" Achilles yelled.

Weiss sheathed her weapon as she answered "To make sure your aura was unlocked, the VYTL festival is coming up, you want to fight don't you? You have to have one in order to even enter into it.".

He crossed his arms at Weiss "It was also payback wasn't it?" he asked.

"Yes, that as well," Weiss said, strutting away. Achilles then sighed annoyed and stomped in the opposite direction.

Yang darted her head between where Weiss was going and where Achilles was going. "Well… that was a thing." Yang said putting her hands on her hips.

I turned to Yang and asked. "You think he'll get over this?"

She shrugged. "Achilles is a great guy, I'm sure he'll come around. After all, he was forgiving when I walked in on him that one time."

"Walked in on him what?" I asked.

Yang quickly looked back at me. "We'll talk about it when you're older" Yang said defensively.

"But-" I protested.

"When. You're. Older" Yang repeated.

I pouted "Why can't I know now? I'm 15!" I protested

She smiled and put a finger up as she explained. "Because you are my little sister, and I will not tell you about that stuff until I deem you old enough, now I think we should find Achilles, I'm sure he'll need some support after getting his butt kicked by Ice Queen over there."

I then heard a faint "Hey!" from a distance.


[Courtyard, 3:15pm]

{My perspective}

I need to clear my head, Weiss really pushed my patience by almost killing me today.

… Well there's a sentence I never thought I would ever think, anyway I was texting Joc about it.

Then she did the dash-n-stab maneuver on me making me hit a wall cratering it!

As I waited for a response, I sat down near the statue sighing to myself. I'm glad I finally unlocked my aura, but did it have to be so damn painful?! My aura took care of most of my fatigue and my bruised innards. So yeah, there's that. Next step is to unlock my semblance. I wonder what it will be. An absorption semblance? Or something more unique? I'll wait on that until later for that.

Oh a response.

Oh my god! How are you still alive?!

I sighed. I asked myself that question all the time back on Earth.

I unlocked my aura right before impact apparently. Ice Queen took pride in that after throwing that hailstorm at me.

Well, you kind of deserved it. Sounds like you were annoying as usual. She replied immediately.

Ugh, even here she gets on my nerves. Well I have an aura and you don't, so don't test me.

Please, I got my drivers license before you. She replied. Even in Remnant, she still nags me about that...

Said the woman who yells like Salem flipping the table at Tyrian.

She then replied Lol I am waiting for that! Anyway, I still need mine. Got any ideas?

I have something in mind. I'll ask Yang about it later. I texted back at that moment I heard my new name being called by our leader.

I gtg. I'll ttyl I texted.

"Hey there you are!" Ruby said hugging me.

"You alright?" Yang asked.

I sighed in an agitated way. "Yeah, my aura helped me regain my stamina and healed my bruises. But it doesn't change the fact it hurt like crazy." I replied as I clenched and released my fist.

"Yeah, That'll happen at first. It takes a lot of concentration to keep a defensive aura at first. But over time, it will be like second nature." Yang assured "Now come on, we're going downtown for some dinner. I'm sure you want to cool yourself off before facing Ice Queen again."

I nodded. Just before we headed out, I received a notification on my scroll, The notification said Maybe this will cheer you up? When I tapped on it… well I won't say much about the photo that Joce sent, but it was rather risque. I covered the back end of my scroll of the scroll to make sure Yang and Ruby didn't see.

Of course, Yang immediately knew what I was up to. "Did your fiance send you something?" She asked.

"Um… yeah" I said, closing my scroll and putting it on the inside pocket of my jacket. "Don't worry about it" I hope to God that they didn't see my blush.

Yang then grinned at me "Oh~ was it one of 'those' photos?" She saw my blush. FUCK.

I lightly punched her shoulder and rolled my eyes at her. "Quiet you hormone ridden teenager" I deadpanned.

"I don't understand, what does Yang mean by-" Ruby said before we both interrupted.

"When you're older!" We said at the same time.

"Why are both of you so protective of me?" Ruby asked crossing her arms.

"Because we want you to stay innocent for as long as possible. When I was your age-" I started before Yang interrupted

"Woah hold on there old man, you sure you don't you need your cane?" she asked.

I slowly turned my head at her with a glare to which she couldn't contain her laughter.

I groaned and pinched my nose ridge. "You know what, never mind, lets just go eat. Your treat?" I asked.

Yang managed to compose herself long enough to answer "Sure why not?" We then started heading towards Vale with Yang quietly giggling to herself.

Hopefully the restaurants aren't too busy.


[Beacon's Library]

{Weiss' perspective}

He'll thank me later. After all, sometimes it takes a little push to get things done. And it has, he has an aura now, so he can be a part of our team. And not some lazy support from afar type with his pistols. What were they called again? Kronos and Rhea? I wonder where he got those names from. I mean he said they were original, maybe he never got the chance to make them before coming to Beacon? Well, I probably won't know until I find the yearbook that his sister is in.

I looked around the library and asked myself out loud "Now where are the yearbooks from previous years?"

Jaune then abruptly come in front of me. "Hey Weiss, you were looking for the yearbooks?" He asked.

I sighed. Honestly, why is he so persistent? Can he not tell I'm not interested? Whatever, I need to find those yearbooks anyway, Something about the Vermilion last name sounded familiar. "Yes, can you please just point me in the right direction?" I deadpanned.

Jaune held his finger in the air as he said "Better yet I can show you."

If he thinks this is how he can get a girlfriend, he would need to find someone with low enough standards. I doubt even Pyrrha would go for him.

He then rubbed the back of his neck as he corrected himself "... Or I can just point… it's that way." he told me pointing to another end of the library dropping his head in defeat.

"Thanks" I replied. I then walked away.

Ah here they are! Now Achilles didn't give a specific year, but if we subtract his current age by 4 maybe… here! Alright I may be getting somewhere… Let's see Senior class, T,U,V, There now to just find Vermilion and…

"Wait what!?" I shrieked to be shushed by hundreds of people.

"Sorry" I whispered before looking back at the yearbook photo. More specifically, the one labeled with Filnwen Vermilion, One of the best huntresses in Beacon at the time!

Her red hair and green eyes were her most defining features, alongside her freckles that just made her look adorable. Honestly I wouldn't know they were siblings if he hadn't told me before Forever fall. Oh this is splendid!

… Wait I did just thrash her brother around earlier to unlock his aura. I need to apologise before he tells her… but how? Surely he has to have something…

...

Wait I remember, good thing I took a photo of it when he was drawing it the other day. I can have someone make that for him! Now to see which smith is available to help craft it.


[RWBY+A's room, 8:30pm]

{My perspective}

Man I am stuffed. Yang was insistent that I fill myself before we left the restaurant. I mean yeah I have fast metabolism, but even I have limits. We had like three entrees, a meal and desert. What is she planning? To see just how much I can eat? Anyway, I opened the door to our room only to have Weiss eagerly greet me.

Her arms were behind her back as she greeted "Hello Achilles! How was your night?" with a smile no less… That is disturbing me more than when she threw that icicle at me... Or that hailstorm... Or her general tsundere attitude in general.

With my eyebrow raised out of concern for my own well being "Um… G-good? What's gotten into you?" I asked.

She then gave a shrug and looked at the floor. "Oh nothing... other than how you're related with Filnwen Vermilion, one of the top huntresses at Beacon academy!" She said excitedly.

… Wait what? There was a person here before me with that last name? Oh no… Now she'll have high expectations.

...

How coincidental that it was the same name as one of my sister's Skyrim characters, except her character didn't have a last name. I could probably work with this somehow.

"Wait… YOU'RE related to Filnwen?" Yang said just as astonished…

Crap. This web of lies is now out of my control… God help me please find a suitable explanation.

"C-chill guys, it isn't that big a deal" I said with my hands in my jacket pockets.

"Not a big deal? It's a HUGE deal! If you managed to graduate other academies without an aura OR a semblance? You must be a prodigy like her!" Weiss fangirled.

Well now I have a reputation to uphold… Filnwen if you're still around, I'm so sorry about using your last name.

I kept my hands up awkwardly as I said "I mean… I have had a little combat experience… and some time practicing with wooden swords. Other than that, I just graduated out of pure luck." I said with a shrug hoping that they would buy my bullshit.

Weiss then skipped up to me. "Well anyway, I hope you don't mind but I went to the smith to build your weapon you were drawing in class a few days ago." Weiss proudly announced. She then started walking towards the window "It will be done in about 2 days."

Wait… She's having 'that' weapon made?! Oh god, oh no. I haven't even come up with a good name for it yet!

Well lets try to talk her out of it... I hope. "Weiss, that isn't necessary…" I said putting one of my arms down in protest.

"And when it's made I will take you there" Weiss continued.

"Wait-" I protested again for it to fall on deaf ears.

"And I'll pay for lunch" She continued again.

"Hold on-." I tried to butt in.

"And after all of that, we can go to the firing range to test it out! Oh it will be a magnificent day!" She said turning around to face me in her feminine way.

Alright, I guess it's time to bring out the 'man voice' as what my mother called it. "WEISS!" I yelled a little louder than I orginally wanted.

She looked shocked at first, then she looked at the floor with a sad expression. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to apologize about earlier before you talked to-."

"She's dead" I said not meeting her eyes. Hell I'm not sure she even is alive or not. I'll have to check at some point. "And I already forgot it anyway. Thank you anyway for all of that. But the new weapon will suffice. Ok?" I said, placing a hand on her shoulder smiling into her light blue eyes. "Don't sweat it. After all, like Ruby said earlier. We need to be a team if we wanna function."

She wiped a tear out of her eye "I'm glad you forgive me for thrashing you around like a practice dummy" She said weakly

"Don't worry about it, OK?" I said taking my hand off her shoulder. "Just don't push your luck. You won't like me when I'm backed into a corner."

At that point, Blake came in with a signed copy of one of her books. She looked around the room noticing the tone. "Did something happen?"

Weiss gestured to me "He's related to Filnwen Vermilion."

Blake darted her head at me and said "So you are one of those Vermilions..."

I rolled my eyes at her "Yes Blake, like I told you a while back.

(Author's note)

You didn't think I would forget what Weiss said in one of the previous chapters did you? Well this is quite a pickle I've gotten myself into. I'll have to follow up on this at a later time. And see who this person is and if I can live up to her reputation. Anyway, obligatory follow and favorite if you like this etc etc.