Sorry this took me a bit, been working on some other stories as well. I'm still here, the process I'm going through has been delayed and switched up so you all have to put up with me for a bit. And thank you all for so much love after all these years.
Team RNJR And CEMM
It is a cloudy day, and RNJR is following a mossy stone tile path through the wilderness. While walking, Nora Valkyrie stretched her arms up wide, "Another day, another adventure!"
Beside her, Jaune Arc read a map while Ruby Rose and Lie Ren continue alongside them.
"What's on the agenda today?" Ruby cheerfully asked.
Militia replied in the same chipper tone, "Walking!"
"With a side of...?" Nora hoped someone would continue the conversation.
Militia walked past her as she answered Nora, "Walking."
"Haven is a lot farther away than I thought." Ruby sighed.
Hearing Emerald had one question on his mind, "Ruby? How long did you think this journey was going to take?"
"I don't know! I grew up in a small area; I've never been this far away from home!" Ruby admitted.
Jaune pestered for a straight answer, "Right but... how long?"
"Maybe like, uh... two weeks?"
Jaune looked up from the map to glare at her, "What?!"
"Okay, fine! Three or something!" Ruby exclaimed avoiding eye contact, "Look, whatever."
Caboose looks up as he pulled down his headphones and noticed something ahead, "Hey, what's that?" Caboose asked.
Nora jumps onto a slightly fallen post of a fence to get a closer look at a wall and building ahead.
"That's... strange." Jaune checked his map for something he might have missed, "I didn't think we'd be hitting another village for a few days."
"Are those buildings... damaged?" Nora noticed and alerted the group.
"Search for survivors!" Emerald ordered.
Jaune dropped the map and all four go running into the village, with Nora leaping onto the wall and to a rooftop from there. They discover the town to be empty. Ruby lifts a fallen plank of wood to find only plant outgrowth underneath. Caboose breaking open doors seeing empty houses.
"Anything?" Ruby asked
Nora gave her reporting, "Nothing over here!"
"No one over here, either!" Emerald called out.
Something was more off to Ren, "It almost seems like... the town was abandoned."
Ruby looks around while the others spread out, feeling of unease in the wind chilling everyone.
"Hey, I think I found something!" Nora called everyone over. Ruby turned and rushed over. Everyone is looking at a town sign. Nora moved the ivy growing over it to the side to read what it says.
"Oniyuri? Never heard of it." Ruby read out loud.
Jaune shook his head as well, "Me neither."
"I have." Ren answered. The others look at him, surprise on all of their faces, "You might think of it as Anima's Mountain Glenn, had it never been completed. Years ago, the richest members of Mistral were unhappy with how the Kingdom was being run. Frustrated with the council, they pooled their resources together to build their own city, with their own laws. They hoped that one day, it could maybe even become its own Kingdom. Many thought it would be the future." Ren walked away from the other three, "I know my parents did."
"What happened?" Caboose wondered.
Ren brushed some dirt off of the stone border of a low wall to reveal claw marks, "What always happens."
"The Grimm." Jaune answered.
Ren tightened his hand into a fist, "Not just any, one."
Ruby briefly faced Nora in confusion, but Nora didn't move her concerned gaze away from Ren. Ruby turned back to him, "One?"
Several small black birds take off from a tree outside Oniyuri's wall. They fly over the village and the eight travelers.
Jaune strapped everything up and headed out, "Come on. Let's just get through here. This place gives me the creeps."
He turns and leaves, soon followed by Nora. Ren lingers for a moment for a few moments, seemingly in thought, then follows. Ruby is the last to move as she looks over the empty village. Leaves blow through behind her after she follows her friends.
Atlas
The broken moon shines brightly to the sound of Weiss Schnee singing.
She stands alone on a large, empty stage, singing a wordless aria, her arms outstretched. She is perfectly positioned below the center of the painted emblem of Atlas that dominates the stage.
The song changes to emphatic lyrics.
"I'm not your pet, not another thing you own.
I was not born guilty of your crimes.
Your riches and your influence can't hold me anymore.
I won't be possessed,
burdened by your royal test.
I will not surrender.
This life is mine."
Weiss concludes her song and bows while the audience applauds. She looks up to the balcony above stage left where her father and brother are watching. Jacques Schnee remains seated, not applauding, while Whitley Schnee is standing giving a slower paced, sarcastic clap. Weiss looks back at the audience, all clapping still in their seats. She turns and walks backstage, her feigned smile replaced with a frown.
Schnee Manor
A waiter carrying martini glasses on a tray opens up a door and enters the ballroom where people mill about to soft piano notes. He holds the tray next to a young man, who takes a glass before walking off. A blonde woman in a dark green halter dress stops to look at the waiter before moving on. Background conversation is audible as they move around the room
"Need anything else?"
"No."
"Hey. Nice dress."
"What, this old thing?"
"Heh. Didn't you enjoy the performance?"
"Yes, she has a lovely voice."
Around the room, was a number of dressed up people, the waiters moves across the room. On the far opposite end of the room is a display area with three large paintings and two abstract statues. To one side Jacques is conversing with a man in glasses and a gray-haired woman in a green dress. They are laughing while Weiss is behind her father, looking at the floor with her hands held primly behind her back. Whitley stands similar further behind their father, only his gaze is directly on him.
Jacques spoke on the matter concerning his business, "That's precisely my point. We offer Faunus the exact same wages given to the rest of our mining staff. Their argument's completely invalid right out of the gate."
"Well, I think the bigger issue here is our society as a whole." The Businessman replied.
Jacques scoffed, "Why, you mean Atlas?"
As they converse, Weiss looks over to the largest painting on the end of the ballroom, depicting Beacon Academy with its Cross Continental Transmit tower still standing.
The Businessman continued on his point, "Atlas, Mantle... You can't deny the economic disparity between the two."
"I mean, what exactly are you suggesting?" The Businesswoman asked.
Weiss starts to step away, only to have her forearm grabbed by her father, who doesn't even turn around. Weiss halts, startled.
The Businessman, was unaware as he continued talking, "I'm just saying I don't think it's necessarily an issue of compensation as much as it is one of opportunity..."
Jacques pulled Weiss back and turning to face her, "Where are you going?"
"I'm... just a little thirsty." Weiss said with a meek expression.
"Sweetheart, we have people for that." Jacques tried summoning a servant carrying the trays.
He lets go of Weiss and begins to raise his arm to call over a waiter. Weiss stops him by grabbing his forearm, prompting a sideways glance from Whitley, "What? No, I can get it. I'll be right back, I promise."
The two lock gazes as the conversation next to them continues.
"Look, no one asked them to move here." The Businesswoman started up again.
Arguing amongst each other, the Businessman continued speaking, "But companies like the SDC promised jobs."
Jacques decided to let Weiss go and turns back to his companions, "I'm sorry, I tuned out for a second, but sounds like I'm the good guy again?"
Jacques and the businesswoman share a laugh. Weiss moves across the room to look at the painting of Beacon Academy. She has barely reached it when a new young man spoke to her.
"It's beautiful." He paused to make sure he had her attention, "You two match."
Weiss stands with her arms crossed, maintaining a cold expression throughout most of the conversation, "Yes, it's a lovely painting."
"So, that was my attempt at breaking the ice. How am I doing so far?" The young man asked.
Weiss sighed as she answered him, "You are leaving a lot to be desired."
"Well, I've always appreciated honesty." He offered his hand, "Henry. Marigold."
Weiss turns her head to look at him, "Weiss Schnee." She lightly places her fingers across his in a very loose handshake.
"I know, I saw your performance. Obviously." Henry Marigold, cleared his throat, "You were wonderful. And I promise I'm not just saying that 'cause you're pretty. Honesty, remember? So, you thinking about buying it?" He gestured to the painting, beginning to rattle the railing as he speaks.
Weiss stared at the painting in front of the two, "No. I don't think so."
"Yeah, kinda pricey for a painting." Henry said as he was annoying Weiss far more than anyone else at this party.
But his words were easily drowned out by a rougher, deeper voice, "Probably because you need three things to buy something for this price: the money, the reason... and the balls to buy it no matter what." The gunslinging sniper, known as Church stood alongside Weiss as he leaned against the rail, admiring the piece of art, then the masterpiece next to the paintings.
He was dressed in night black overcoat suit jacket, sky blue vest with a white shirt underneath. Pants were also black to match his sleek boots; not that he'd admit it but there was a blade concealed in the toe. Bolo tie for that classic cowboy look he had happened to pull off and the perfect white cowboy hat with a sky blue leather line running along the base.
Weiss smirked as he she turned her back to Henry to look at Church, "So, what make you think you have what it takes?"
"Well, I worked hard to add to my fortune. Charity is as good a reason as any to to motivate anyone. And I definitely have the balls." Church and Weiss spoke as though they were foul mouthed strangers as they looked at each other with sincere smiles.
Henry Marigold cleared his throat to rejoin the conversation, "Pardon me but we we're having a conversation."
"You were trying... you gave it your best effort, nothing wrong with it, that happens." Church stated as Weiss covered her mouth to hide her grin.
Marigold started getting agitated as he remained calm, "Well, I think Weiss was going to say something earlier."
"Yes, I was. It was... a pleasure meeting you... Henry but if it is all the same to you I'd like to speak with my good friend and catch up." Weiss smiled to send Henry away.
Hearing this, the young Marigold faked a smile and left with what dignity he had left, "It was a pleasure, both of you."
"He was nice." Church joked as the two shared a laugh.
Weiss looked at him with a confused look, "I didn't think to find you here. I thought you hated these types of parties."
"Oh I do, but a few certain people dragged and begged me to come." Church shrugged as he nodded his head in the direction of the culprits.
Weiss turned and was almost brought to tears as she Pyrrha, Pyrrha Nikos came to see her despite being stricken to a wheelchair. She wore a brighter version of her dress from the Beacon dance, still looking amazing as ever. She came, as did Simmons who covered his face in shades and bandages with a top hat so he wouldn't cause too much attention to himself. A full tuxedo thanks in no small part from Church's pops. Next to them the Director raising a glass as several business surrounded him.
Seeing so many people who she considered her a friend and vice versa warmed her up greatly in her time of needing someone who wasn't her family. Weiss shed a single tear of joy as she turned back to Church, "You did this?"
"Maybe... You wanna step outside?" Church questioned.
Weiss looked to her father to see his reaction, He seemed to have been preoccupied at the moment. As Jacques was surrounded by people adoring his wealth, Weiss forgot that she didn't care. Turning back to the taller faunus she nodded, "I would love to."
The two found it difficult to sneak by the crowds as people congratulated Weiss, and mistakenly confused Church with the staff. After tossing a few compliments the two made it to the kitchen where they snuck in and grabbed a dessert tray to blend in. The two hustled down the hall where they managed to make out onto the balcony.
The starry night was beautifully colored by the Northern lights of Atlas, as the natural spectacle seemed to dance for them in the breeze. Cold and crisp, the wind made Weiss shiver, earning the large overcoat of the faunus companion she joined for tonight. She looked up saw his face had lost most of his fur, his black and white soul patch stayed as but wasn't as prominent. But the fact he healed up and joined her warmed her greatly.
"So, how are you holding up, since... Beacon." Weiss tried to lock eyes with the distracted faunus..
Church chuckled as he stared off in the distance, "Generally I'm stable, body fixed up thanks to my old man and his technological gifts."
"What about inside, it couldn't have been easy." Weiss replied as she placed a hand on his arm.
Church gave a soft laugh, "Why? Because my childhood friend who I admired, idolized and did my best to become like her turned out to betray me? I'm fine nothing wrong in here."
"Don't pull the tough guy thing with me, you can trust me."
"Because that worked so well out for me the last time? Just drop it Snowflake."
"I am NOT her! You can trust me you imbecile."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah really, you stupid jerk."
"Princess."
"Dolt."
"Spoiled Brat."
"YOU!" the two stopped realizing their aggressive banter led them to come closer and closer to each other.
Church took a gulp as he stayed there, wondering what to do next, what move could be made if any existed. Weiss started to turn red as the realization that they were arguing like they were together all their life made it feel deeper. Who moved first could be anyone's guess, maybe he did, maybe she did or perhaps both did. Whoever started it certainly didn't matter to the one another as neither of them parted from a sweet kiss. Church's rough hands made their way to her waist, while Weiss' wrapped her arms around the back of his neck. Time stopped for them as it seemed nothing would part them from each other, not one or the other pulled away first.
"Ahem." The unmistakable voice of Whitley had caught the two by surprise. Both looked at the doorway to see the youngest Schnee look the two guilty parties with a mischievous grin, "Father has sent me to look for you dear sister."
"I see, I'll be with him right now." Weiss answered as her hand slowly released from Church's grip.
As Weiss entered the house, about four toughs stepped outside dressed in all white suits, her father's security force. As she saw the doors close she could only hope her cowboy can handle himself in that situation. When she entered the room and stepped forward to face her father she held her head high as he looked at her.
The business types left them alone and no eyes were on them, as the party went on, "And where did you run off to?"
"She had a rather, scandalous rendezvous with a certain faunus we know too well of." Whitley snitched with delight in his voice.
Jacques furrowed his brow but regained his composure, "No matter, I trust that security is... teaching the young man some manners."
No later than he said that, the doors that Weiss entered through the room opened wide to let a certain faunus back into the party. Church's knuckles had speckles of blood as he slowly continued walking back to Weiss. He placed his hands back into his pockets to both conceal the shine from his brass knuckles and to wipe his hands from the blood. He composed himself as he stood next to his snow angel and looked Jacques in the eye, "I must thank you, Jacques. Your guests have been very hospitable to me. However, I would have to say, some of your staff leaves much to be desired."
"I'm not worried about that. I have a great many." Jacques turned his gaze and nodded off to the side as several men in white suits approached on several sides. All of them came to surround Church, the gunslinger reached into his jacket with both hands and kept them their waiting for them to make a move.
He was soon joined by his allies as Pyrrha was brought up next to him by Simmons who was joined by The Director, "Now Jacques, I hope you aren't considering causing a scene at a public event."
"Your boy touched my daughter from what I hear, either you keep that beast on a leash or I'l-" Jacques never finished his sentence as he was slugged in the face by the Director who clutched his hand, having it be a long time since he punched someone. The whole room now had their eyes on the group as the scene now had everyone gasping at the barbaric display.
While the Director fixed his glasses and apparel, his son stood next to them, "Had to be a hero."
"Apologies, but the last person to insult my family was given the same treatment." The Director explained.
Jacques had a trickle of blood seeping out of the corner of his mouth, As he stared back at the group he swiped his hand in their direction, "Seize them!"
Church pulled out both the two guns he concealed, handing one to his Dad and the other to Simmons. Pulling out a huge Bowie knife, handing it to Pyrrha and taking back out his knuckle dusters. They took up defensive positions waiting for Jacques' men to make the first move.
"Leave them alone!" Weiss tried to get through as two thugs hold her arms in restraints all the time moving slowly for them. She eventually fell to the floor, while she was down her glyph lost control and the Schnee family power unleashed. An illuminated white and bright blue Boarbatusk had been summoned as it rammed down the men that blocked the groups path.
It started charging frantically at the crowd and came towards a group of socialites. Before it got too close, Church's roar was unleashed as he tackled the summoned creature. He clicked his boots together to unsheathe two blades in the toe and stab the real beast with a devastating kick. As it disappeared in a cloud of white vapor Church composed himself and walked back to the group.
Grabbing a hold of Pyrrha's chair he turned for the door, blocked by several more men, who he forced back with a very low growl, "It was a pleasure Weiss. We'll be taking our leave." Without anymore obstructions Church stride past the group and kept looking straight.
As the four members of Team RNJR continued out of Oniyuri, Ren suddenly sensed something, as did Caboose as his nose picked up a scent and his ears twitched at a noise. Ren puts out his hand to stop the others, eyes closing as he focused. Somewhere close by two assassin's can be heard running. Ren drew his weapon, soon Ruby, Nora and Jaune immediately follow suit. Two psychos lept high over the wall to engage them in combat.
The one in a ponytail immediately took out his weapons in a seamless motion and, laughing eagerly, moved to attack Ruby. Ren intervened, StormFlower clashing with Tyrian's claw blades. Ren attempts to both kick and shoot Tyrian, but he dodges. The two have a couple more attack and parries until Tyrian kicks Ren several feet away.
The other in a black hoodie with a line down the middle, went straight for Caboose who stood still until Emerald knocked him out of harm's way. Her sickles against the assassin's two kukri knives with a double barreled shotgun on the flat ends of each side of the blades. She and him interlocked blades they both knocked each other back with a headbutt.
Tyrian turns to go after Ruby again, who rushed forward with Crescent Rose to meet him. He uses his blades to block the scythe and kicks Ruby backward. She easily remains upright and they clash again. The assassin with wrist blades managed to land a strike on Ruby's right arm, causing her to cry out at the pain and him to laugh. She's doesn't break stride however and leaps back to take a swing at him with her scythe. He dodged and then landed a moving blow against the body of Crescent Rose, causing a red shimmer to cross her Aura in the area of the strike.
Melanie and Militia came at him with a cross attack, slashing his back which had a sleek titanium armor chest piece protecting him. He aimed it at the twins while they barely dodged it in time. Emerald used her sickles to pin his right arm as her chains began to rip the sleeve. With a fierce look she told him one thing, "Leave... him... alone."
Jaune stepped in at that moment and Tyrian climbed onto his shield and grins at him. Nora rushes in with Magnhild, but Tyrian just leaps from Jaune's shield to her hammer and up through the top story of a narrow, rectangular building. Holding himself up with his feet on wooden frames to either side of him, Tyrian looks down at Team the teams. Just as the hooded figure let his sleeve go revealing a robotic limb in it's place.
Jaune stood as the voice of reason, "We're not looking for a fight!"
"Who are you?" Ren questioned.
Tyrian leans forward, drops from the tower, does a front flip, and lands on his feet in front of them, "Who we am matters not to you. Or you. Or— Well... you do interest me." He stopped as he was pointing to Jaune, forcing a nervous gasp to escape his lips, "No, I only matter to you."
He points to Ruby, and the rest of RNJR, EMM and Caboose turn to look at her. She tilted her head in confusion, "Me?"
"So... what's your name?" Caboose politely asked as he the other figure.
The Hooded figure growled, "Don't try to act nice after you incinerated my brother!"
"Brother... brother? Brother?"
"The one that you blew up along with that city block! And my arm!" He grunted showing it off.
Tyrian breaks down into laughter, "You, you haven't the slightest clue, do you? Oh, how exciting this must be."
"What do you want?" Ruby interrogated him.
Tyrian begins acting dramatically in response to her tone of voice, "Oh, the rose has thorns! My little flower, I'm here to whisk you away with me!"
"Well, what if she doesn't want to go with you?" Nora's grip tightened as she stepped closer.
He stared for a moment with his lips scrunched up before answering, "Well, I'll take her."
"We're not going to let you do that." Jaune walked over and stood between him and Ruby, his shield held in front of him.
Tyrian closed his eyes and inhales through his teeth. His eyes slowly open, and he happily growls a single word with a dark grin, "Good."
Delighted that they're willing to fight, Tyrian moves fast to attack Jaune from behind.
"Jaune!" Ren deliberately shoots Jaune's shield so that the ricochet hits Tyrian. Tyrian covers his eyes with his arm and then cartwheels onto Jaune's shield, using his claw blades to spin in the air against it. Ruby steps in to face Tyrian on his descent, but he just kicks her to the side. She regains her ground by using Crescent Rose to steady herself. Jaune takes a swing with his sword at Tyrian, but he simply dodges and kicks him away as well.
Emerald grabs Caboose by the arm while the twins hold off the cyborg and she rushed him behind a building out of harm's way. The big guy wanted to pull against her but gave in as she must have been serious as she dragged him out of their and into cover. As she sat him down she gave him one order, "Stay here and don't move."
"But I want to help." Caboose argued.
Emerald put a hand on his shoulder, "And I want you safe." She finished as she rushed back into action.
Tyrian's next move was to run toward Nora. From across the way, Ruby grinned and shoots Nora with lightning Dust. It passed just over Tyrian's left shoulder, and he turns as he sensed it. Nora gets knocked down when the bolt makes contact, dropping Magnhild in the process.
Mistaking the move for an error on Ruby's part, Tyrian gives Nora a baffled stare and laughs while Ren, Jaune and Ruby simply watch and wait, "Well, if that isn't ironic."
He sensed something is up and loses his mirth. With a determined, satisfied grin, a now upright and supercharged Nora rushed Tyrian from behind, moving over his right shoulder and coming before him just in time to hit him with Magnhild. The blast from the contact has the other three covering their eyes from the backwash of dust and air, Jaune actually taking cover behind his shield.
The air clears to reveal a perfectly fine Tyrian in a crouch, using his now unveiled scorpion tail to block Magnhild. He giggles and curled his fingers at Nora, "Surprise." He kicked Nora twice in the face before leaping backwards and upward onto a roof, leaving his coat behind.
Ren stayed shocked as he was comprehending the development, "He's... a Faunus."
"What is this about? The White Fang? Beacon?" Ruby questioned.
"Plastic soldiers and pawns. My heart and body belong only to my Lord!"
"Ohhhhhh... who's that?" Caboose asked poking his head out from the hiding space he was put in.
"Hmph, such ignorance... Feet not, I'll educate you." Tyrian leaped back into the fray. He used his tail to knock Crescent Rose down. Though surprised, Ruby doesn't lose her grip on it. The two both attack each other and miss until Tyrian kicks Ruby backwards again. Tyrian uses his tail to go after Ren before finally kicking him away and attacking Jaune next.
Emerald managed to hold by the cyborg's arm back in a straight arm lock as she used all her might to keep it back. While Melanie had his legs in a scissor grip and Militia had taken control of his flesh arm.
"Militia, just do the brutal thing!" Emerald shouted, struggling to maintain the metal arm. Militia rolled her eyes as she held his flesh arm out and placed her free hand on the elbow. With a stomache stopping crunch and a blood curling scream, his arm was bent the other way as Emerald knocked him out with a gun bash to the back of the head.
A crow flies determined toward the fray while Tyrian kicks Jaune back and then Nora, and then Ren returns for more only to leap away again. Without missing a beat, Tyrian lets Ren be and goes after Ruby again. In quick succession, he delivers a right hook to her face and a left blow to her torso, causing red shimmers on her Aura on her head and chest respectively. He turns and swings his tail to knock her back into the air. She flies back several feet and he rushes forward to meet her before she lands. While Ruby's still midair, he kicks her right in the abdomen, causing a large red shimmer over her abdomen and hips.
Incoming from the direction of where the city of Haven would be, came two ninjas running on the rooftops with their hands behind them. The low flying crow was replaced with Qrow Branwen who keeps running forward after landing. The ninja types leap into the air and aim for the group, one in a lightish red and the other in a teal, turquoise color.
Tyrian approached Ruby on the ground and raised his stinger, his eyes turning dark purple. Nora, who is comforting a fallen Ren, and Jaune both look on in horror. Laughing, Tyrian is about to strike with his scorpion tail when Qrow bursts through a building and inserts himself between them, holding his weapon behind his back. There's a metallic noise as Tyrian's stinger hits against Qrow's weapon and clips into the blade. The two ninja skilled fighters jumped behind Tyrian as Tucker aimed his replaced katana for a longer nodachi sword, which was just as big as he was. Donut replaced his Ball and chain with two kunai attached with a thick string. Tyrian lets out a nervous giggle of surprise while Ruby and Qrow make eye contact and smile at each other, "Hey." Was how he greeted his niece.
[End of Chapter]
Okay, now I'm good. Sorry this one was taking a while I was having a writer's block with some other stories and used that as an excuse to hold off on this.
Now Guest asked, "It doesn't make sense for Grif to have grown up on Menagerie and not put two and two together when learning Blake was a faunus. Is there something I'm missing?"
Asking Grif to pick up on details is kinda asking a lot. Remembering things is also difficult considering he has been drinking since he was around 14 to 15. I know I left that clue out but Grif's backstory hints at that from time to time. Let us also not forget that he also can't be bothered to get involved in others people's affairs unless it benefits him.
I'll see you all in the next one and trust me... I'm still not ready for this one... I don't think of us are. Until then... Churchisalive signing off for now.
