KS: Hello, one and all. My name is KnightSpark and I humbly welcome you to 2019! (horns sound off) And I am happy that we have reached the new year. So many opportunties to better ourselves and our craft. Speaking of, here's an updated fic to kick things off. Happy reading!

After a good night's rest, the group was ready and raring to go to the ruin. All of them were checking their weapons to make sure they were in working order, just in case anything unexpected happened during the job. Lilac sat on the reclining chair, smiling at how focused they were.

"Okay, let's do a recap of what we need to do," Lilac called out in a cheery tone. "We head out of town and head straight to the ruin. There, we will take a look around and search for the disc Astaroth wants us to get. After that, we get out of the ruin and return to civilization with the treasure in our hands. Any questions?"

RNJR stared at him, wondering what questions they should ask him, whether it involved the ruin itself or the item that they need to retrieve.

"I want to know about the Grimm that are lurking around it."

But it was Qrow that asked the most important question, all while walking towards Lilac until he was a few inches away from him. The latter shrugged with indifference.

"Does it really matter why the Grimm are hanging around it?" he said casually. "They're not going inside of it, are they?"

"All the more reason to learn more about it," Qrow insisted. "The lady told us that the Grimm were acting inconventional around it. Personally, I don't exactly know what she meant by that, but I doubt it's good."

Lilac sighed. "Look, the off chance that the Grimm somehow get into the ruin, we'll deal with them accordingly. How's that?"

Qrow narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Just know that you'll be answering to me if they get hurt."

"Come onnn," Ruby groaned. "We're not kids anymore, Uncle Qrow."

"I'm just laying down the law for this punk," he said, pointing towards Lilac.

"Am I really that untrustworthy to you?" Lilac asked in mock hurt. "I have nothing to gain from leaving you all for dead." He turned away with a smirk. "Not unless you give me any reason too…"

Qrow immeidately chopped him on the head. "Don't joke like that."

Lilac chuckled awkwardly and rubbed the spot he was chopped. "Just trying to lighten the mood."

Ruby finished cleaning her weapon and mounted on her belt. "You know something's been bothering me since we visited that Chocolate lady yesterday."

"Her name is Schokolade," Lilac corrected. "Aside from that, what has been bothering you, little Rose?"

"What is the Aurum Empire? I only heard the name once, but it's been stuck on my mind for a while."

Lilac grinned. "Glad you asked. But I'm the type of fellow who likes to walk and talk." He quickly rose from the chair and walked towards the door. "I'll tell you all about it on the way there."

Before anyone could respond, he was out the door.

"He sure is enthusiastic," Nora said.

"He makes you look like a flickering lightbulb," Ruby snarked.

The hammer-wielder shot her a look of indignation. "Shut up."

Once everyone was outside and was walking towards the city exit, Lilac proceeded to tell the group about the Aurum Empire.

"Long ago, there was a civilization that existed before anyone of us were born," he started.

"I'm pretty sure that's the basic definition of long ago," Jaune deadpanned.

Lilac turned around and gave a the blond knight annoyed glare. "Enough out of the peanut gallery, alright? Anyway, this civilization had technology that was millennia ahead of its time. I dare say that it makes anything Atlas spits look like junk."

"Everything Atlas spits out is junk," Qrow remarked. "They just dress it up and make it look passible."

Lilac sighed in annoyance. "Okay, new rule: anyone who interrupts me when I'm talking is getting shot in the head."

Nora scoffed. "Yeah, right. Like you'd actually shoot one of-"

The sound of a gun clicking slienced her and stopped her movements, as Lilac gave her a threatening look while holding his pistol.

"Are you sure you want to test me right now?"

Nora visibly paled, and Ren stepped up in front of him, gripping his own weapons in case he tried anything. The tension was surely growing amongst the group, which Ruby was quick to break.

"Can we just get going?" she said. "The sooner we get the object, the faster we can find out where the Spring Maiden. On that note, we shouldn't interrupt Lilac when he's talking about something very important. Okay?"

Everyone gave a slight nod, but Qrow just waved dismissively, as if he were saying, "I'll be good."

"Alright, then." Ruby turned to Lilac. "You can continue now. I'm sure they'll keep quiet."

Lilac leaned down and patted Ruby. "I thank you kindly, o wise one. Your benevolence will not be forgotten as long as I live."

Ruby chuckled awkwardly. "Anyway, you were saying…?"

"Ah, yes, I remember now." Lilac continued walking down the street and the others followed him. "This civilization possessed technology that was leagues ahead of anything Atlas puts out. They used it to send messages to each other, filter out harmful substances in the air and water, using the elements around them to power their machines, you name it. The people expanded their territory, discovering inhabitable places and using their gifts to create paradise. Soon, the civilization gave way to an empire of innovation and creation, drawing in patrons from far and wide. And that, my friends, is the birth of the Aurum Empire."

Everyone was surprised to hear such a laidback description to an ancient empire. It was almost as if he read it off a damp slip of paper.

"That's it?" Ren asked. "That's what the empire is all about?"

"Not really," Lilac admitted sheepishly. "What I told you is all that I learned through word of mouth. There aren't a lot of people who even know the empire existed."

"I'm guessing the people that do know about it are probably counting worms if you know what I mean," Qrow joked, earning a jab to his side from her niece.

"Please don't do that," she chided.

Qrow shrugged. "I'm just saying that since this empire existed for who knows how long, anyone who has any knowledge of it must be dead."

"Well, word it differently next time," Nora said miserably. "The way you said it, it almost sounds like you wanted them to be dead."

The veteran huntsman slouched in exasperation. "Do you even know what you're talking about?"

Nora put hand on her hip. "Do you?"

"Come on, let's just keep going," Jaune sighed as he walked ahead of the group. "We're burning daylight here."

Lilac grabbed him by his shoulder and pulled him back. "Hold your horses, partner. I'm the one leading the expedition here."

Jaune scoffed. "Somehow, I doubt you're the type to lead out of a cardboard box."

Lilac narrowed his eyes at the remark. "Watch the attitude, pal. Keep in mind that I can end your budding career as a huntsman before it can start."

Jaune was about to retort, but Ruby got in between them.

"Let's. Go," she ordered with a stern glare delivered towards the two young men.

"Fine," they both said.

And so, the group left town and headed into the forest, determined to search for the ruin. However, as they went deeper through the foilage, a small horde of Grimm came out of nowhere and ambushed them.

Everyone fought as hard as they could to thin out the horde. Ruby slashed multiple Beowolves while her uncle cut down a herd of Ursa. Jaune cut his way through Creeps while Nora and Ren teamed up to take down a Nevermore that feathers at the group. And where was Lilac during the whole fisaco?

He was fending off a Death Stalker by himself.

"No need to rush people," he yelled sarcastically as he dodged the stinger of the giant insect. "I've got it all under control here! Under no circumstances do I need help!"

Qrow finished eliminating the rest of the Ursa, then turned to Ruby. "Was he always this mouthy when he fought the last horde by himself."

"Not really," she admitted. "I think he was just showing off. I mean, he was good, but it looked like was over compensating."

"A showboater, then," Qrow sighed. "Either way, the kid can handle himself against large numbers. There aren't many who are capable of that feat."

The rest of RNJR gathered around after dealing with the Grimm.

"No more Creeps to bother us," Jaune reported.

"And that Nevermore won't be flying anytime soon!" Nora cheered.

"Uh-huh," Qrow said, turning to Lilac and the Death Stalker. "That just leaves…"

The young criminal shot at the Death Stalker, but the gunfire appeared to annoy the creature as it aimed its stinger towards him. However, Lilac was clever as he was agile and dodged the stinger before it could hit him.

"I'm too fast for you, bug," Lilac taunted as he fired more rounds at the Grimm. "Now prepare to-"

"FIRE IN THE HOLE!"

Lilac swiftly moved his head to the right just in time to see Nora fire a grenade at the Death Stalker. He instinctively leaped out of the way as the projectile exploded upon impact. Once the monster was dazed, Ruby slashed its tail off, leaving Qrow to pierce the shell of the Grimm with his sword, killing it.

"Great work," Lilac deadpanned. "It's a good thing I kept it distracted for you."

"What kind of distraction involves you shooting at a giant bug?" Nora snarked.

Lilac shot the hammer-wielder a dirty look. "The kind of distraction that I thought up on the fly. Now let's keep on going. The ruin should be close now."

"We should still be vigilant," Qrow suggested. "This is the third pack of Grimm we ran into on the way. Personally, I don't consider that a coincidence. The ruin must be connected somehow."

"How do we know for certain that the ruin is the cause of the behavior of the Grimm?" Ren asked. "The woman might have told us that they acted unconventional around the area, but there's no evidence to that claim."

Qrow sighed, knowing that he had a point. "Even so, we need to keep going and find this disc in exchange for the Spring Maiden's last wherabouts."

"And what if we the disc is not in the ruin?" Jaune asked.

Qrow turned to Lilac. "Then we resort to other methods."

Lilac let out a humorless laugh. "Come on. Surely, you don't think you can make a bargaining chip out of me."

Qrow pointed his sword towards him. "Who said anything about a bargaining chip? We can just beat up you here and now. I'm sure your employer will want to give us what we want knowing we beat one of her grunts."

Much to their confusion, Lilac burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. "Man, this is probably the worst joke I've heard in my life. You should know that I'm the top hired guns in the organization. I've fought against twenty guys before, and I'm more than capable to taking down a few minors and an alcoholic."

"I'll have you know that these minors fought in the fall of Beacon," Qrow shot back. "And this alcoholic has fought in it as well."

Lilac scoffed. "Doesn't matter to me if you went up against the White Fang. I'm not the type of person you should underestimate." He turned around and walked off. "Also, there's no sense in showing off that you survived a dramatic, world-shaking event. In this life, there are people who have their own problems to deal with and don't have the time to give a damn about others." He stopped and turned around with an indifferent expression. "And I happen to be one of those people."

The group stared at Lilac in absolute shock. He spoke as if the fall of Beacon and anyone who fought in it had nothing to do with him. While that may be true, there was no reason to say what he did. People were injured during that time and others lost their lives. Their reactions were varied, but they all had the same thought.

Ruby had a look of disbelief at how callous he acted. Nora's face was mired in sadness. Ren couldn't stop furrowing his brow. Qrow had his gaze narrowed. And one in particular was shaking with rage and bottled-up anger.

"Take it back…"

Lilac raised an eyebrow. "Take it back? What do you want me to take back?"

The question was directed to Jaune, whose head was lowered and his fists clenched.

"Take back everything you said," he said lowly. "Every single word."

"And why should I?" Lilac asked sarcastically. "I'm free to voice my opinions."

"I couldn't give a damn about your opinions," Jaune growled. "There were people who were hurt during Beacon's fall. And one of them… one of them died. She was my teammate and my friend." He raised his head, tears threatening to spill from his eyes. "Are you going to say she died for nothing?"

Lilac looked to the side and lightly bit his thumb, thinking about what Jaune just said to him. After half of a minute, he gave his response.

"I take it you're referring to Pyrrha?"

Jaune slowly nodded. What Lilac said next would break him.

"She went up against someone who was stronger her, someone whom she knew she could never defeat. And for what? To fufill some empty purpose? Performing the fool's errand of playing the hero?" Lilac shook his head in disapproval. "She was a fool. No, that would be dregading to foolishness in general. Pyrrha Nikos died for less than nothing."

The words rang through Jaune's ears. He grit his teeth and gripped his sword. And with a mighty cry, he charged towards Lilac with full intent to strike him.

"Seriously?" Lilac said with exasperation. "Way too obvious."

He used his Semblance to evade Jaune's attack, quickly appearing behind him. This did not deter Jaune, who wildly swung his sword at him. Lilac dodged it, leading to more swings from Jaune, anger guiding his movements.

"We need to stop him!" Ruby declared. Nora and Ren shared her sentiments and prepared to intervene, but Qrow raised an arm in front of them.

"Don't even try it," he said.

Ruby looked at her uncle in disbelief. "But-"

"Trust me, the kid needs this," he added. "He's bottled his emotions long enough. This is probably the only way he can let it out.

Ruby stared at Qrow for a while, then turned her attention to Jaune swinging at Lilac, who continued to dodge him. She hoped her uncle was right in not allowing her to interfere.

Lilac, who had spend a good portion dodging strikes from Jaune, gradually showing some interest.

"You know, not a lot of people have the stones to try to fight me head on," he commented. "In my line of work, I received a lot of cheap shots and have some back. But a straight attack like this… it really gets the blood pumping."

He let out a big grin, much to the shock to the spectators.

"Is he enjoying this?" Nora asked in a surprised tone.

"I had no idea he had that side to him," Ren mused. "When he first met, he had the impression of a laid-back person who only gets serious when he needed to."

"Well, let this teach you kids not to judge a book from the cover," Qrow said. "After all, the pages could tell you a whole 'nother story."

Lilac took out his pistols, but he did not aim them at Jaune.

"What the hell are you waiting for?" the knight snarled. "Fight me, you bastard!"

Lilac laughed loudly. "Oh, you're a lively one. Don't worry, I'll fight you, but I'll level the playing field for you."

He brought his two pistols together, causing them to make a clicking sound. He held the linked weapons with his right hand, and pulled the triggers. Instead of firing bullets, a round handle popped out of the bottom of the combined weapon, which he gripped. But that wasn't the strangest part. The guns began to glow brightly, then began to change shape into a sword.

"No… no, that's not possible," Nora said in shock. "He put his guns together and they turned into a sword?! I had never heard or seen anything like that!"

"You and me both," Ren replied, absolutely gobsmacked at the weapon.

It was an interesting development for sure, but for the first time in her, Ruby showed no interest towards the weapon. Her attention was solely focused on its wielder, whose grin was visible for all to see.

"Now, pardon me while I dust of an old catchphrase," Lilac said, pointing his sword to Jaune. "Come at me, bro!"

(Anarchy Reigns OST: Laughin' At U)

Growling, Jaune took out his shield and combined it with the sword, forming a larger blade. "I'm going make you eat every bad thing you said about Pyrrha! I swear it!"

"Is that so?" Lilac asked dryly. "Make me, then!"

Letting out a battle cry, Jaune charged towards Lilac and swung the large blade at him. This time, Lilac did not dodge and blocked the strike with his own blade.

"This can't be all you have to offer!" Lilac shouted without losing his grin. "You looked a lot more capable of fighting during the Vytal Festival! Or is that just the media covering how much you suck!"

"Shut the hell up!" Jaune roared, pushing Lilac back. They fiercely clashed their swords again and again, the sounds of metal crashing reverberating throughout the forest. Lilac swung at Jaune's head, but the blonde ducked and thrusted his sword towards the violet-haired man's chest.

"Nope, you're not getting off that easy," Lilac said, dodging the thrust. He elbowed Jaune in the head, which knocked the knight backwards a little, but he regained his footing and attacked the criminal once more.

"You think you can just say whatever the hell you want!" Jaune shouted. "Shooting off your mouth anytime you feel like, not caring how anyone would react…" He swung at Lilac, only to have his strike blocked. "This world would be better off without scum like you!"

Once again, Lilac burst in a fit of laughter. "Oh man, that's probably the most unoriginal insult in the English language! I mean, 'scum'? Is that seriously the best you can come up with? Give me a damn break!"

As the two continued to fight, Ren looked around. "That's odd. No Grimm appear to be converging on our position."

"Maybe they're taking the day off," Nora said.

Ruby looked at her blankly. "Grimm never take days off."

Nora shrugged. "I'm just saying. For all we know, they decided to clock out."

Qrow ignored the conversation as he watched the fight. He immediately knew what Lilac was doing, but he wondered if the young man was taking it a bit far.

"If he accidently kills him, it's on my head," he muttered.

Jaune continued to strike, but Lilac parried his attacks and retaliated in turn.

"This is getting really boring!" he announced. "I think I'll just take a dive."

"The only dive you've be taking is towards a pit of Grimm when I'm done with you!" Jaune shouted. He swung wildly at Lilac, but the latter dodged them all.

"Come on, give me something with some spice in it," Lilac taunted. "Everything you do is way too obvious! Do something that's completely out of left field!"

Jaune shook with anger, slowly realizing that Lilac was not taking him seriously. Every strike he blocked, every parry he made, it was done in jest. This time, he would land a blow on him, even if he had to pull a fast one.

"You want something out of left field?" He raised his sword into the air. Lilac prepared to block another strike, but did not expect what Jaune was about to do.

"Here's something way out of left field!"

With all of his might, Jaune threw his sword directly at Lilac. Shocked at the unexpected and abrupt action, Lilac knocked it out of way, but had no time to react as Jaune rushed towards him and tackled him to the ground, knocking his own sword out of his hand in the process.

(End song)

"Alright, you got me," Lilac said. "So what are you gonna-"

He was interrupted by Jaune punching him in the face. And not just one punch. The knight delivered blow after blow to Lilac's face, glaring at him with great intensity.

"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!"

Worried that her friend will go too far, Ruby turned to Qrow, wordlessly pleading for approval. To her relief, her uncle nodded. She went to Jaune with Nora and Ren following her. They all pried him off of Lilac before he could damage his face any more than he has.

"Let me go!" he shouted. "He still needs to pay for what he said to Pyrrha!"

"Jaune, you beat him," Nora pleaded. "Isn't that enough for you?"

"You heard what he said about Pyrrha!" he shouted. "And about what happened at Beacon! He's lucky I'm just bashing his face in."

"Even so, the way you are handling it is unbefitting of a leader," Ren chided. "You need display tact when it comes to these situtations."

"Shut up! I don't you lecturing me right now!"

As they tried and failed to calm Jaune down, Qrow walked over to Lilac, who was still laid on the ground.

"I'll admit, I had no idea he was going to throw his sword at me as a distraction," the hired gun chuckled. "And then he used the opportunity to rush me and slug me in the face. It really caught me off guard there."

Qrow kneeled down to look Lilac in the eyes. "It's between us now, kid. Everything you did was to rile him up, wasn't it?"

"What I said about Beacon and that Pyrrha girl was the absolute truth," Lilac said. "But it was part of my plan. That Arc kid has too much bottled up inside of him. He needed to release that anger one way or another."

"And you up and decided to volunteer yourself to do that," Qrow sighed. "I don't know if I should call you a genius or an idiot."

Lilac chuckled. "For what it's worth, you can call me an idiotic genius. A lot of my friends call me that."

"What friends?" Qrow asked.

"The ones who don't try to kill me." Lilac sat up and watched as Ruby, Nora and Ren continued to restrain Jaune, who was still ranting and raving.

"They're an interesting bunch, aren't they?"

Qrow let out a smirk and stood up. "Intersting is putting it mildly." He began to walk towards them, but stopped. "Hey, Lilac."

"What's up?"

Qrow turned around and narrowed his gaze. "I'll turn a blind eye to your stunt this time, but don't expect anyone to pull a yellow card the next time you try it."

Lilac scoffed. "Whatever, man."

Qrow shook his head and continued walking towards the group, leaving Lilac alone to look at the sky.

"Idiotic genius… I'd say it's about 60% of the former."

KS: I guess Lilac has taken the role of the benevolent troll. Let's just hope that what he did with Jaune will yield some positive results. After all, holding in so much anger is really not that healthy for a person. Anyway, that's all from me tonight. I hope you have a wonderful New Year, where ever you are. Peace.