{Ruby's Perspective}
Ugh… my head hurts. It's like I was struck in the head by something.
I looked around to see some man in a hooded cloak talking to some other people with hooded cloaks.
I couldn't quite hear what they were saying. They were too far away and their faces are covered. Not like I can read lips anyway.
… If I'll be honest, they're trying way too hard. They should add some coloring to their cloaks instead of just wearing brown.
One of the cloaked figures pointed at me as the first one turned to me.
"Ah, it seems our guest is awake." He said as he approached me. "Good good. It will make it all the better when he comes."
He? He who?
Before I could get an answer they walked away and put tape on my mouth.
…
These ropes feel loose, maybe I can squeeze my way out. But without my weapon I won't be able to fight back.
{The Game- Motorhead}
That's when I heard music, once again something I've never heard of as Moon stepped out into the open.
"Ah good to see you." Said the cloaked figure near me.
Moon stood there in silence. Studying them it seems.
"What no hellos? No 'why did you kidnap someone'?"
Moon crossed his arms. "I was wondering that actually."
One of them behind me chuckled "You and your friends were recently in contact with a Vermilion. A family I had thought I put an end to…"
I could feel the gloved hand rubbing my cheek. "And so far, none of you have been willing to tell me why he's in Atlas."
The cloaked figure behind me then took a few steps forward "And then I can execute him. For what his family did to me."
"And what is that exactly?" Moon asked.
"Ah yes… why don't I just tell you my evil scheme…" The cloaked guy said right before I heard multiple guns cocking.
"Or I can just kill the both of you right now." He said with his back to me. "Now then, ready to cooperate?"
He gave a nod "Sure, just one thing though, Have you ever heard of macroeconomics?"
The cloaked guy tilted his head in confusion. "What does that have anything to do with this?"
Suddenly I heard a lot of fighting outside as well as a lot of gunfire.
"That" Moon started "Is what that has to do with anything. Now you're going to release Ruby and go fuck yourself."
The cloaked figure behind me pointed at Moon and shouted "Get him!"
What looked like 10 or so guys poured out of their hiding places and started to attack him.
That's when he deployed his new weapon. Black gauntlets that extend from bracelets like Yang's Ember Celica. Each one seems to have one dust vial.
He made quick work between each one who attacked him.
I managed to wiggle my left hand free and tried to untie the other parts that were tied up as well as rip off the tape they put on me as Moon had everyone distracted.
However he looked like he was getting overwhelmed. When three of the cloaked figures tried to attack him he teleported away which caused a fiery explosion.
He looked back at it impressed "So, it seems I can use this offensively too… Good to know."
He then turned to the leader who backed up as Moon teleported to my side with another fiery explosion.
The leader then ran and ordered "Kill them you fools!" As we were surrounded.
He got my legs free with one of the knives on his belt just as I was about to untie them.
Once I got up we then looked around. They covered every side of us. No real chance for escape unless we use our semblances.
"Ruby, how's your aura?" Moon asked as if he read my mind.
I gave him a nod as I told him "Decent. I think. Why?"
"When I say," He told me "Use your semblance to get us out of here."
"Huh?"
He gave me a quick look and said "Just follow my instructions please."
I nodded. Not entirely understanding the plan but I think he and I are thinking the same thing. He teleports us just outside of the middle and I use mine to get us away.
He suddenly grabbed my hand and teleported away from the center of those people to the outside just as I predicted "NOW!" he ordered.
I used my semblance to get us out from a crack in the main door that was trying to close quickly.
Once outside I was greeted by team JNPR, and Yang fighting more cloaked guys.
"Who are these people anyway?" I asked.
Moon gave an annoyed sigh and answered "People who hate Achilles' family enough to want to kill anyone who comes into contact with them I suppose."
I looked back at Moon and asked "But why? What did they do?"
Moon shrugged "Who knows, but I get the feeling it's also a long story."
That was when I heard my dad shouting my name.
I turned to him just in time to see him toss my Crescent Rose at me.
"Thanks for bringing that Tai!" Moon yelled.
"Sure, no problem, but when we get back home that is going back in the cabinet." Tai retorted. "Now can I come down and help? I don't see any reinforcements."
"Yeah just make sure to let no one walk, Oh and call the authorities after we're done." Moon told him.
Tai jumped down and joined Moon and I and asked "Why not now?"
Just then the people behind us managed to get their door open as we backed up to where JNPR and Yang were.
"You see Tai…" Moon started. "I have a lot of pent up frustration over the last couple of months, and I need some stress relief."
{Aaron/Moon's perspective}
I'll admit, Yang had to recount a lot of this for me because I went into a bloodthirsty rampage that I barely remember most of. Which is slightly terrifying. If this is how Justin feels with his beast I might know what he's going through
Anyway, the fight started with all of us surrounded, and as one of them ran up to me I decked him down to the ground by punching his side and then his head.
I then ran to the next guy and grappled his arm and threw him into the guy next to him.
Meanwhile Yang gave me backup and shot her Ember Celica at those who were trying to get me from behind. Which I did thank her for later.
And so me and Yang, making a surprisingly good team, knocked a good portion of them on their jumped over me as I went under to switch our opponents. I even managed to try out the dust vials that I had stored. I sent both a fireball towards a group of them. And made an ice wall like a certain Ice Queen, that may have shit taste in men, by punching the ground like Superman.
I honestly barely paid any attention to the rest as I was more focused on the foes in front of me. Which I'm sure back on Earth would have overwhelmed me. But seeing as this is Remnant, well… you know.
And as Yang put the last guy on the floor the cops had shown up.
"Thank you guys, We'll take it from here." Said one that had a full beard.
"These guys were causing us problems for the last month. Like we needed to deal with more gangs aside from the White Fang…" Said his lighter haired associate.
"Who are they anyway?" I asked them.
The bearded guy folded his aviators as he rolled his eyes "They call themselves The Order. Fucking original I know, and their leader has been evading capture for a long time. Somehow for every few thousand we jail, there's a million more." He explained.
I nodded, "Well, if I find him again, I'll be sure to bring him to the proper authorities."
He shook his head "Guy has no aura or semblance as far as we're aware. If he died… well, as long as it was in self defense… Anyway, thank you all, we'll take over from here."
I turned back to the collective group "Let's go home then."
And so we parted with JNPR who were staying in a hotel room somewhere in the western side of Vale whereas I went with Yang, Taiyang, and Ruby to their place.
And as soon as we got home, Yang and Ruby went to their room as I sat at the table with Tai.
"You did pretty good." He told me.
I shrugged, "Well Tai, Ruby is just as important to me as she is to you."
He raised an eyebrow at me.
"But I'm not interested in dating her." I added.
He nodded, "She's still growing, I get it. She probably just hit puberty." He then turned back to me. "However, I think you could use a bit of training."
I looked at him in confusion. I've been training to be a fighter for the AEW, I know a few moves. "What do you mean by that?"
He held his hand up as he explained to me "I will admit, you have good technique, and you certainly don't pull your punches. However I feel like we could improve it more. Get a better stance. Conserve stamina and all of that."
Well… If he's offering, we have at least 2 more months before we need to get going again. "Sure, when do we start?"
Meanwhile in Atlas at the Schnee manor.
{Justin/Achilles' perspective}
Well I arrived back at the manor after my visit with Keoth and when I entered the room I was staying in, I was greeted by emptiness aside from the bedsheets and new windows that Jocelyn constantly breaks.
The two items I had in the room, my laptop bag and the case that houses my sword, guns, and arm were missing.
"Where's my stuff?" I asked myself out loud for it to be answered by a voice to my right.
"Mr Schnee asked us to move it-" they said.
I'll admit, I acted out of anger for this part. I grabbed their vest and yanked them close as I looked at the bunny faunus butler with a glare as I asked "Where?"
"I-In Weiss Schnee's room! I don't know why, he just told me to put it there!" He said out of panic.
I sighed and let go of his vest and dusted it off and tried to flatten any wrinkles I may have caused. "I apologise, I'm defensive about my stuff, I will have a word with him."
"Sir with all due respect, I don't think now is a good time to- Hey hold on a moment!" The butler said right before I stopped paying attention.
I never gave Jacques permission to touch my things. And quite frankly I don't care what he's in the middle of, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind.
And there I suddenly was right in front of his study. And so I opened the door enough so I wouldn't break the bolt. I then kicked it open while I yelled "Mind telling me why you decided to move my stuff?!"
Of course it seems my luck just has Ironwood there in the same room.
… and they were both staring at me.
"Well… good evening to you too, Achilles." Jacques said as he put down his cup. "I was just in the middle of telling Ironwood what a dumb idea he's come up with."
… Oh shit that's right, the embargo. The source of all of his frustrations in volume 4.
… which also means that the gala will soon be upon us. And that means I'm about to start volume 4 then…
"And I was just telling Jacques that it's a better idea to disarm our opponents before any possibility of war can happen." Ironwood interjected while I was processing my thoughts.
"Well I am the one that's helping finance that fancy military you've got." Jacques pointed out.
This is going nowhere fast. I better interject myself. "As interesting as this conversation is, Jacque, why did you move my stuff to Weiss' room?"
I swear I've never seen that look on Ironwood's face before. His head slowly turned to me with confusion and worry. Then back to Jacques and asked him "I'd like to know the same. You are aware he's much older right?"
"Not by much. Besides, Weiss did just turn 18-" Jacques explained as if it were obvious.
I then cut in "It doesn't matter, It's fucking creepy! At least give me a zedbed or something!"
They both raised an eyebrow at me.
"An extra bed." I corrected.
"In any case…" Jacques continued "With how many times you threw stuff through my windows, and costing me thousands in repairs, due to these supposed "Images" you see of that Adam Taurus fellow, I figured you would need someone there for you. And you've been avoiding my daughter ever since you got here."
There's a good reason for that. I had forgotten how hormone ridden my teenage self was. And it wasn't an experience I want to deal with again. Yet when I reincarnated here my body aged backwards. With all of the hormones and metabolism that came with it.
… But he also isn't wrong. My nightmares haven't let up in the slightest. And I have been avoiding her for too long. But at the same time, I don't want to sleep in the same room as her!
"Jacques, with all due respect, (Which isn't much). I would rather keep my privacy than have any sort of company. Especially with your daughter."
Jacques then cupped one hand over the other and told me "Achilles, I just have your best interest in mind. All I'm trying to do is help you the only way I know how. At least wait until your nightmares stop causing you problems before I give you my guest room back."
With my mouth shut I gritted my teeth. This man is a snake oil salesman. And he knows how to manipulate people to his side. But as of right now, I've got no choice. "Fine… Ironwood, have a better day when you leave."
I then walked out of his office, which was ice cold, when I was ambushed by Klein.
"Coffee sir?" He asked.
I held my hand up and shook my head at him as I told him "I'm not a coffee guy, sorry."
He raised an eyebrow at me as if no one in Remnant doesn't like coffee. "Well at least let me make something warm for you. He likes to keep his office dreadfully cold."
I gave a small chuckle. "You got that right."
"If you'll follow me sir." Klein then told me as he started to walk away.
With nothing else to do, I decided to follow him. In which we ended up in the kitchen, where Weiss was waiting.
It seems she now has her volume 4 outfit. With a few glaring details that seem to differ. The gem in the center of her top and in her earrings were now a ruby and her dress is a lot other words, much like her concept art before the final production. I always wondered why they changed it to grey.
She gave me a warm smile and asked me "Did you like your coffee?"
"I'm not a coffee guy Weiss, you should know this from back at Beacon." I said as my shoulder rose then fell.
"Oh, right. I'm sorry." She said as if she feared she offended me.
"Don't be, it's fine. Y'all got any hot chocolate?" I said as I started to head to the cabinets.
"We do, but I could never find it." Weiss told me.
Just then Klein cleared his throat "I do believe I have found it." He proclaimed. "You two wait in the dining hall. I'll make it for you."
And so we did. We walked to the dining hall.
As we walked to it, Weiss started our conversation by asking "Can I ask you something?"
"Didn't you just?" I asked back.
She rolled her eyes with a small chuckle. "I suppose I did." She then locked eyes with me "But this is serious."
Oh boy, this is starting to feel like one of those visual novels, or the romance option in Cyberpunk 2077. In other words, I've gotta do something here and hope that her interest in me doesn't progress beyond high school crush.
I gave her a nod to let her ask her question.
She took a deep breath in before saying "Two things, actually. First things first: Why have you been avoiding me?"
Oh boy, I knew this question was coming.
What does she mean by that anyway?
"I mean," She continued "It's been nearly two months, and you've barely walked out of the guest room other than the occasional meal. Even then, you barely speak like you did back at Beacon."
I had to take a moment to gather my thoughts. With everything that happened, especially with me losing one of the only reminders of where I came from, it's taken a toll on me that made it easier for him to try to control me. My anger issues have been manageable for a while aside from having to work retail. But ever since I got here, he's gotten worse.
"... I know I've been quieter than usual. And I do apologise for staying silent. But with everything that has happened, I'm worried about something personal." I answered eventually.
"What do you mean by that?" She asked.
"Remember back at the Vale Medical Center, you said you knew I had depression?" I asked her.
She gave a nod.
"... It's more than just that. I'm… angry. At myself, at the world, at the way people treat others just to stay on top. And so, I keep my negative emotions locked and I give off the appearance of a show-off-y, happy and unshaken individual who does everything for others."
After a moment of silence between us Weiss spoke up "Like Ruby." She observed.
I raised an eyebrow at her.
"When we had our differences, she tried to work harder to be a better leader for all of us. And I'll admit, I was difficult back at Beacon-"
" 'Difficult' doesn't even begin to describe it, Ice Queen." I interrupted.
She glared at me. "-Since then, I've learned to be a better team player. And that starts with learning empathy."
We then reached the dining room where we sat opposite of eachother in the nearest part of the dining room. As I told her "Empathy is important Weiss, the human race, as well as the faunus race, is all about that. Where I come from, if one of our huntsmen fell the rest who were there would go after whatever or whoever made him fall."
She looked at me curiously "Why is that? Why send every huntsman out to deal with something that could be minor?"
I looked down at my drink as I tried to come up with an answer myself. I thought back to World War II when America entered it seemed like when one of their allies were killed the Americans back then would make sure that the enemy would pay for it tenfold.
In other words… "It's in the spirit of things I suppose. And to make sure that whatever killed them doesn't do it again."
I then looked back up at her "Now then, what was the second thing?" I asked her so that the subject could change before she asked any more questions.
She looked like she was hesitant to ask. But after a moment of silence she finally said "I think you should put your prosthetic arm on."
"Pfft. ok that's not a question that's more of a statement." I retorted.
She narrowed her eyes on me. "Do you always hide your pain behind jokes?"
I shrugged back at her "If it works for Yang it works for me."
Just then, Klein came in. "Your hot chocolate Mr Vermillion. Ms Schnee."
He first handed me one. "Thanks Klein."
He then handed Weiss the other "Thank you Klein."
He bowed to both of us and said "You are most certainly welcome. I shall take my leave."
He then exited, leaving it back to just the two of us.
And immediately after the door shut Weiss asks "What was that about Yang?"
I then answered "I've always been good at telling what people are going through based on their looks."
She tilted her head at me.
I took a couple of gulps of my drink before explaining "Due to the nature of retail, I have to look out for both body language and how they act in order to give them the best customer service possible. With that said, it also helps to figure out who's planning on stealing or not."
"Okay… But that still doesn't explain-"
"Weiss don't interrupt." I said cutting her off before she could change the subject. "What I was saying is that you can learn a lot about a person just by their body language. Yang and Ruby are no different. After all, that seance we did a while back had some… unexpected results."
She raised a brow at me but shrugged it off. "That still doesn't answer why you don't want to put your prosthetic arm on."
I made a quick sigh. "I've said this once, but I'll say it again. If I were to put that arm on, people would automatically assume I'm all better and expect me to go back to being a huntsman." I told her with sorrow. "And after what Adam did to me, losing my arm, my jacket, this huge scar on my back. I don't know if I can go back out there knowing he's still out there. Plotting for his next attack."
Which will be Mistral, but I'm not telling her that. I've still got to work up the courage to put the arm on.
She placed her cup down and got up. She then walked around the table to me as I put my own cup down. She then gently grabbed my hand and led me out of the dining hall and towards her room.
Last time a girl did this, I got down on one knee and asked her to be my wife. And I don't want to be disloyal to anyone but her.
"Um Weiss?-"
"Just wait until we get there." Weiss told me as we entered her room. She then let go of my hand and went to where I suppose the butlers put my weapons and arm.
She then opened the case, grabbed my arm, and walked over to me as she told me. "They say the first step in healing is acceptance. And you can't just sit here forever." She then held it out to me with both of her hands.
I raised a brow at her in confusion.
She then rolled her eyes at me "Believe it or not, I picked up on some of your… habits. At least, the body language part. And I know you don't want to be kept cooped up in this manor forever like me. You're a free spirit, and you deserve to be able to spread your wings."
I looked back down at my arm. And after a moment of hesitation I grabbed it out of her hands.
Inspecting it I found no extra functions unless there's some sort of hidden grapple hook like on my old left handed gauntlet I experimented with.
And after a moment more of looking at it, and gathering my courage, I put it on the stub that was my arm. And just like that it came to life.
I clenched and released my now robotic fist. And it was surprisingly responsive. The clacks it makes are gonna get annoying. But that's what I get for being reckless.
"See?" Weiss said. "You don't have to go back out there until you're ready, but this." She continued as she placed her hands on my prosthetic one. "This will help you heal after what happened."
I then pulled her in for a hug. "Thanks Weiss."
I then felt her hands carefully wrap around my back. "You're welcome Achilles."
And after that moment. I let her go and told her "By the way, I think sapphires work better with that dress. The rubys stand out too much."
She looked down at the gem in the center of her top "Are you sure?" she asked.
"You can keep the earrings, I just think a sapphire works better."
She nodded "Alright, now get out while I change."
I did as she told and went out to the hallway looking down at my new arm.
… I then clenched my fist and held it towards my head and spoke a silent prayer. Like I've said, I'm normally not religious. However I do believe there are higher powers out there looking out for the people of both mine and this planet.
My prayer to them is for the well being and safety of everyone on this planet. Not so much myself since I'm not really from here.
… I wonder what tomorrow has in store for me? Who knows, Jacques will see I finally put my arm on so I suppose he'll ask me to do stuff or something.
But for now, I need a drink. I'll go raid their liquor cabinet. Hopefully Willow hasn't already drank it all.
