Summary/Disclaimer: Time for another chapter of A Lingering Ember. Enjoy the 1000- word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum, and Rooster Teeth do.

(Vale, Junior's Club)

Desmond parried a swing of Junior's bat before he slid under another swing and then kicked Junior back.

"C'mon, big man, I thought you were tough…" Desmond said before he turned to see Neo bat another thug to the ground before she dodged a slash at her head. She then slammed her umbrella into Militia's face before Melanie kicked her back.

This allowed Junior to bat him backward, he slid back, and his aura shimmered before he cracked his jaw.

"Ok… That hurt…" Desmond said while Junior turned his weapon into a bazooka and fired a barrage at Desmond.

"Let's have a gunfight…" Desmond said before he aimed Melodic Cudgel and fired at the cluster of missiles, destroying them and causing smoke to billow out while Desmond prepared to continue his fight.

"You shouldn't have come here, kid…. Like I said…" Junior said, Desmond charged through the smoke and slammed his cane into Junior's bat before he dodged a strike and whipped Junior in the leg before he batted him on the back. Junior stumbled back, he was glad

"And you shouldn't have taken me lightly…" Desmond said, Junior, rubbed his back while he climbed his feet.

(With Neo)

Neo dodged a kick from Melanie's heels and then she flipped Miltia to the ground before she turned to block a barrage of gunfire from Junior's thugs.

"Ugh, you're more annoying than that blond girl…" Melanie say before Neo turned to look at both twins and curtsied. She turned to see Desmond hook the shaft of Junior's club before he yanked him into a punch to the face before Junior shoulder checked him back.

"Blond Girl?" Neo asked, she knew who they meant before she turned to get knocked back by a roundhouse kick from Melanie.

She smirked and twirled her umbrella; she was going to have to get serious then.

(With Desmond)

Desmond turned to the other henchmen which had backed off, probably knowing to let their bosses handle the duo.

He turned and managed to parry another club swing which clanged through the club before Junior rolled away.

Desmond rushed up, Melodic Cudgel in his hands while he spun the cane. He turned to watch Junior transform his weapon into its rocket launcher form.

"Bad move, big man…" Desmond said, he smirked and spun while leaping off a step before he hooked the handle of his cane around Junior's weapon and twirled the weapon.

Junior fired into the ceiling, shattering it and raining down glass before the barrel of his cane faced Junior's face.

Desmond grinned and shot the man point-blank, sending him flipping over the steps onto the floor.

Desmond rubbed at his sore and healing back and ribs before he faced the fallen crime lord.

He turned to look at Neo, she hooked Melanie in the middle of a kick and spun around before kicking her in the small of the back, knocking her to the ground before cartwheeling away from Miltia who clawed at her head.

She spun around and paused, Desmond blinked, why pause in the middle of a fight?

"Sweet tooth, move!" Desmond said before Miltia went to stab Neo while Melanie followed up with a hook kick at her head.

The image of 'Neo' shattered and Miltia blinked in shock before Melanie slammed into her and knocked them both down.

Neo appeared behind them and roundhouse kicked Miltia to the dance floor before she batted Melanie to the ground. Desmond was impressed, she didn't even take 5 minutes to overpower them.

Neo clicked a switch and a blade popped out of her umbrella, she grinned and prepared to execute the girl. Desmond looked at the thugs who were backing off from the fight.

"Wait, Neo, wait!" Desmond said before he flipped Melodic Cudgel and fired the grappling hook which caught her arm.

Desmond walked over while Neo glared at him, he looked at her before Melanie looked at the duo.

"She's had enough… We came here for a fight, not to kill people we didn't have to… You proved your better." Desmond stated, Neo clicked the switch with a sigh and rested her umbrella on her shoulder while opening it.

"Be lucky I don't kill people for no reason…." Desmond said before he walked away, Neo looked at Melanie before she waved a warning finger in her face.

Desmond walked to Junior who groaned and reached for his bazooka before Desmond aimed his cane at his head.

"I don't have a problem shooting you if you do that… As much as I enjoy fighting… Killing you has no purpose… It isn't part of my plan…" Desmond said before he saw Junior drop his hand, Desmond twirled Melodic Cudgel and rested it on his shoulder, barrel pointed at the ceiling.

"Good… Now…" Desmond said before he kneeled and looked at the fallen crime lord.

"Let's talk business…" Desmond said, Junior, sighed and climbed to his feet before Desmond turned to Neo.

"You keep an eye on things out here… Play nice," Desmond said before he followed Junior into the back of the club. Neo looked at the twins who sighed and realized they wouldn't win a fight with the ice-cream-haired girl looking at them.

Both walked away while Neo leaned on a pillar and dared the rest of the club to attack her, she got no response.

Desmond might not be Roman, but there was certainly something familiar about him.

Author Note

Phew, another chapter is done, I wanted to show off that Neo was a skilled fighter like in the show. As for Desmond? I will explain his amount of skill next chapter. I also want to point out Neo is probably going to keep her season 2 outfit for the entire story. The next chapter will show Desmond and Junior talking and show Desmond's plan. Until next Wednesday, Lighting Wolf out!