Chapter 13, getting closer to the end of the volume. I'm gonna say this, I know I've really gone off cannon here, but those changes are what offer my story its own flow. Right now comes the introductions of Sun and Penny, and I'm a little worried about how I am going to pull off a good Sun Wukong. With Penny, I am not that worried, honestly. Her personality, although quirky in its own way, is rather simple to write from my POV.
Then again, I'd still appreciate it if you guys can point out any flaws regarding the characters. Thanks.
Also, the ghost ain't here today, neither is Nerdy. I am at school at the moment I am writing this, do I get some time off from those 2.
Hallelujah!
Anyhow, be sure to Review, Follow, and Favorite my story.
This is Bloodfiend and I wish you a good reading.
In hindsight, a good thief doesn't regret their choices. However, in foresight, when they come face to face with their recent handiwork, it gets awkward really fast. And that has proven to be Ash's case as well.
He found himself while walking with Team RWBY in front of the shop he robbed last night, close to the docs, the police all over the place. He heard Weiss start ranting about something, but paid her no heed. His eyes were glued to the shop. He was aware that it was not a quiet encounter, especially with the Huntsman having taken him and the twins by surprise.
Yet, he was right there - the guilty. Unpunished. Free.
It gave him a strange sense of power and a shiver in his bones knowing all that, but this was just a job to help Roman, nothing else. He was no snoop, henceforth, won't dare talk with the police and start offering them the city's number 1 thief on a silver platter. No, the thief was family at this point.
But then again, not by blood. But Ash did not care. Roman took care of him and he and Neo were family enough at this point.
His attention was regained by the sound of fingers snapping, looking to his right to see Yang looking at him strangely. "You ok? You spaced out" he looked around, and they were all looking at him. Shit, not good.
"Yeah. It's just that…" Think of a good one Auburn. "I was thinking about the possible dangers such robbery could've had. It obviously was a nasty one, and the thieves, whoever they are, could have been amateurs and set off the entire Dust in the shop, blowing the whole street sky high. But if they were a more experienced one, I guess that's a small plus."
"A plus?" Weiss echoed. "How exactly is that a plus? It just means an actually capable thief does the robberies!" At least they are not staring anymore.
"It does plus that no Dust explosion got triggered," Blake added, coming to Ash's defense. "Think about it: Dust can be replaced and is generally cheaper to do so than to fix buildings. Not to mention the potential lives that could've been lost"
"I-"
"She's right, you know" Yang added. "Better lose Dust than human lives"
"How much does a shop of Dust cost, actually?" Ruby asked, and Weiss inhaled, holding the bridge of her nose.
"Less than an entire street, and definitely less than human life," Weiss said, answering and admitting defeat. "Still, those robberies are making the Dust price rise, which damages the economy"
"Any idea who is doing this?" Ruby asked, making both Ash and Blake tense up. Ash because he was in cahoots with the very thief mastermind and Blake because the White Fang is, for reasons unknown to them both, working for Roman. At least Ash kept his mouth shut about Adam Taurus, or else she might've skipped town. She still might, honestly.
"I-"
"Most likely the White Fang. Filthy animals" Weiss said, cutting Ash off and taking the boy back with her remark. Blake wasn't that pleased either if her emotions were anything to go by. "All they do is steal, kill, and make the SDC look bad."
"The SDC?" Blake asked, keeping a passive-aggressive tone. Ok, Ash had to defuse the situation before this turned into a - as much as hed love seeing it happen - vat fight. Or a cat and heiress fight - gah. It's hard not to make racist comments when it comes to Faunus.
"Ok!" Ash interjected. "Look, girls, as much as I might like watching robbed shops and talking morals and politics, how about we focus on something else? Like the Vytal Festival and Tournament."
"Oh yeah!" Little Red seems to agree, to his luck. Good, the leader is going to back him up. "The festival is soon, and students from all the other academies are going to be arriving in Vale since this year it is our kingdom that is going to host the events"
"Your point?" Weiss asked.
"My point is that we should spy on them, find about our competition!" She suggested, making both Weiss and Ash raise an eyebrow. Weiss because the idea was actually decent, and Ash because it sounded somewhat illegal. Not that he had a problem.
"That's actually not a bad suggestion," Weiss said. "It makes sense."
"So we have to keep watch on foreign students?" Yang asked, then she grinned. "Well, I guess we don't want any foreign issues during the tournament. Eh?"
Once again, silence for her pubs. Only groans of dismay. "Damn it, Xiao Long!" And Ash's curse.
"You guys are no fun. Anyway, the ships should have already begun arriving, so if we go now to the port we might see some people" the blonde brawler had a point.
"Let's go then!" Ruby dashed off with the speed of her semblance, nothing but the red blur and trail of petals being left behind as she went ahead.
"How can a body that small contain that much energy?" Ash asked aloud, getting a shrug from Yang.
"Heard she resembles her mother a lot."
Once at the docs, the group looked around for anyone that looked both foreign and young enough to be a student. Barely anyone fit that description around here. Ash was, unfortunately, forced to listen to Weiss bicker about the White Fang and Faunus more, without any sort of regard to the hybrid walking right beside her.
"And don't get me started on human-Faunus couples-"
Ok, here he had to step in.
"One more word, Ice Princess, and I will show you just how filthy of an animal I can be" Ash threatened in-joke, being only half-serious in his words. Still, that was enough to both make Weiss shut up and for Yang to start laughing.
"You got told off!" She said, putting her golden hair behind her ear.
"I...I'm sorry, I guess I was heading towards a sensitive subject with an insensitive approach' She apologized. Her? Weiss Schnee, nicknamed Ice Queen, Ice Princess, and Ice Bitch by some - only Yang and Jaune calling jer Snow Angel from time to time - actually apologized. This is a miracle.
" anyway, you guys see Red anywhere?" Ash asked, then, as to answer his question, Ruby popped up behind him.
"I'm right here!" She said aloud, making Ash jump a little.
"Damn it, Little Red, can you not? I swear, your semblance's as stealthy as it makes you fast"
"Sorry." She apologized, putting on a goofy smile. Ash sighed. How can someone keep themselves angry at her? Weiss certainly seems to be doing a good job at it.
"Tell us what you found, sis!" Yang said, interjecting.
"Well...Nothing"
"Huh?"
"I don't know if they didn't arrive yet, or if the ships are due later, but there doesn't seem to be anyone who looks like a Huntsman or Huntress in training here"
"Well this was a waste of time-" No sooner had Weiss began talking that a person began shouting.
"Hey, stop!" 2 sailors were chasing a blond boy who was running along the main deck of their ship, heading for the edge then jumping off. The boy revealed itself to be a Faunus, their use of their monkey-like tail to grab onto a light post and swing away from being quite the little stunt. And he had a banana in hand.
Respect earned.
"Come on" Weiss shouted, trying to chase after him.
"Why are you chasing him?" Ruby asked, slowly joining into the chase along with the others.
"Because he might be a White Fang agent! The sailors did not try to stop him for a chat! We have to get him!"
Woah, that was racism in its own form. Ash, as he ran together with them, had to admit that Weiss didn't seem to look or talk about Faunus in a nice way at all, but he ignored it. Blake, on the other hand, could not.
"What makes you sure he is even with the White Fang?" The raven-haired girl asked whilst running, her emotions being of no secret to Ash. The boy knew her secrets, so she must be taking this very personally.
"Because we all saw him! He most likely boarded the ship illegally!"
"That doesn't make him a White Fang agent!" Blake countered.
"Still! He broke the law, and we, as Huntresses-"
"Oi!"
" - and Huntsman in training must catch him!" Weiss finished, having added the correction from Ash getting her attention.
"You still jumped the gun calling him White Fang" Ash remarked, keeping his voice neutral. "Besides, he looked like he was our age."
"Maybe he's a student?" Ruby suggested.
"You have a point, Red " Ash followed. "Let's split up and search for him. Yang, you go by yourself, Ruby with Weiss, and I'll go with Blake."
"Hey, wait a minute! Who made you Leader-"
"Got it! Let's go!" Ruby shouted,
"Ugh." Weiss groaned, but alas, her leader has spoken, to her dismay. Yang simply grinned and ran her own way while Weiss and Ruby went on ahead, leaving only the Faunus of the group to go their own way.
Blake and Ash took to the alleys, but the road was...tense. Blake was fuming with bottled anger, and it was making the Grimm-eyed boy uncomfortable. He had to make her let out some of that steam before he started to drool from the negativity she emanated.
"Hey, Blake, are you-"
"He is not with the Fang" she replied quickly, and sharply. Using few words, but making them count. Her tone of voice betraying her state of spirit.
"Never said he was," Ash replied. "Look, we haven't really had the chance to talk since, you know, our 'date'."
"The one where you revealed having ties with the likes of Roman Torchwick, let me know the entire Vale branch of the Fang works with him for an unnamed third party and had me practically kidnapped?" She asked, being very sarcastic in her question, and letting on her opinion on him leak.
"Right...Still, you have been more than a little distant lately. " Ash pointed out, his glasses falling on Blake and reflecting her image. "Tell me, and be truthful...Are you trying to find them?"
She stopped in her tracks, tensing herself. Ash thought he'd need to draw his weapon, but luckily she relaxed, letting out a deep sigh. "Yes. I have been doing some digging, trying to see where their hideout is."
"I see...Makes sense you'd search alone. I wouldn't have told you" Ash replied.
"I figured. But the fact that...Adam...is here puts me on edge. Not to mention the Fang aiding Torchwick in those robberies, and…" she sighed. "I don't know. All of this just doesn't seem right. This does not sound like the White Fang I know - the one who'd never work with humans - at all"
"Look, at least you have some allies in the matter. Your Team-"
"Oh, forget it" Ash's words died in his mouth hearing her say that. "Don't get me wrong, Ruby and Yang seem like good people, but Weiss…" So, this is where it boils down to.
"Weiss is a Schnee, the same family who made the life of Faunus a hell. Especially in Atlas, and to this day" Ash said, getting a silent nod from her. "Blake, believe me when I say Weiss is not like her family. Never met them, but Roman told me some things - of which I won't repeat - and I can tell that our…"
"Ice Bitch?" Blake quipped, making Ash snort.
"Ice Bitch...She is not like her family, Blake"
"How so?" Blake turned around, facing him. "You heard her before. She sounded just like a Schnee would"
She spoke with aggression and venom about the Schnee. Good to know she hated them, they deserved it, but Weiss didn't. Ash could tell when someone was a true scumbag.
Cardin Winchester? Super scumbag.
Jaune Arc? Just a dorky knight.
Blake Belladonna? A scared kitty.
Weiss Schnee? Salvable case. For Weiss, there was still time, time to not let her become like her father.
"Because I can tell when someone is truly a douche" half-truth. He couldn't tell her he could literally sense emotions. She was somewhat annoyed by that Faunus boy but didn't show clear repulsion or anything else. "Weiss is...she is not a lost cause yet"
Blake remained silent, staring at him. She then sighed again and poked him in the chest. " You are half. Faunus, Ash, so keep in mind that we are your brothers and sisters too"
"Thought people from both sides hated hybrids"
"They do, but we cannot deny your blood" She admitted. "That being said, I expect you to treat other Faunus as such."
"Have I ever been bad to them?" Ash asked, getting a strange look from her.
"Roman Torchwick is a known racist and on the Fang's bounty board, Ash."
"Oh, heck." He swore, showing a fake expression of dread. He knew Roman was no fool, who does the Fang think they are? "Better warn him then, he is one call away"
Blake looked at him, not having expected that sort of reply. But then she snorted, turning herself around. "Yang was right, you do have funny moments."
"Thought I was without my humor?" He asked.
"Just shut up."
"Alright. But one last thing, since you did interrupt me. Apart from your team, you have JNPR, Me, Roman, and Neo - they kinda come with me in tow. And you can also fall back on the staff of Beacon" he listed them, but the mention of the third made things awkward already.
"Ok, maybe not Roman, but you already met Neo"
"Just...Let's just find this guy and be done with it. I doubt Weiss can survive long with Ruby'
"All too true"
"Any idea where he could've gone? You do fit the bad boy bill" Blake asked, making Ash use his brain a little. What? She had a point. If there was someone out of them who knew actual thief-based runaway moves it's him.
But he had nothing. "Nothing. I mean, not like a banana will fall out of the sky for us to trick the monkey with" And as if the universe heard him, a banana peel fell onto his head.
"That was a hate crime, buddy!" And in dropped their monkey. The boy before them was definitely their age and cared little for modesty. He wore an open white shirt with nothing underneath it, exposing his abs to the world while also sporting a pair of slightly thorn blue jeans with a blonde monkey tail popping out from behind them and chains hanging on the side.
The guy was blonde, as pointed by his tail. Get it? Anyway. Judging from his clothing, and the fact he seems to have hitched an illegal ride here, Ash assumed he was from Vacuo, namely Shade Academy.
"Seriously? A banana? Shame on you" He said, but Ash could tell he didn't give a crap. There wasn't a shred of anger, spite, or anything to indicate he was actually offended. He liked that about this one, not getting angry easily. He also seemed a bit on the relaxed side with his grin.
"Well…" Ash removed the peel of the fruit from his head, throwing it into a nearby dumpster. "At least we caught up"
"I mean, not really. I have been tailing that pretty kitty shortly after you guys split" He said, his eyes looking at Blake. "So, Belladonna, huh?"
"You know my family name?" Blake asked back, taken back a bit.
"And I am also aware of your hidden kitty ears. That bow ain't doing much, especially when your ears twitch here and there" The boy continued. "Oh, where are my manners? Name's Sun Wukong. I'm a student from Heaven."
"Heaven? Would have said you were from Shade" Ash replied, making Sun snort at his words.
"I was born in Vacuo, but moved to Mistral" he explained. "Now, I know you, kitty-"
"Stop calling me that"
" -are Blake Belladonna. Daughter of Ghira and Kali Belladonna, the former being the founder of the White Fang" Sun finished, making Blake inhale sharply.
"Does every Faunus know who I and my family are?" Blake asked, sounding a little bit annoyed.
"Just the ones who used to look up to the Fang" Sun replied, making Blake slightly widen her eyes. "But enough about that. Who's your boyfriend over here?"
"Boyfriend?" Blake asked, crossing her arms while Ash snorted. She gave him a glare, to which he shrugged.
"Sorry to disappoint the fans, but I ain't her man" Ash corrected the monkey Faunus. "And the name is Ash Auburn. I'm a half-breed" he extended his hand for a shake.
"Half-breed? That's pretty cool" Sun replied shaking his hand. "I see you only got claws and fangs, so I think humans must think you're one of them until they look closer. What is up with the glasses, though, it's not that sunny"
"That's a personal thing" Ash replied. "I'd rather not take them off"
"No problem, man. I wouldn't put on a proper shirt if someone asked either" Sun replied.
Ash chuckled. He really liked this guy. Blake, on the other hand, was not waiting around for the chatter to cool down.
"If you're from Heaven, why were you on that boat? It didn't sound like you were there with the knowledge of the crew"
"I just got bored back at Heaven and couldn't wait to get to Vale!" Sun replied, his grin wider as he seemed proud of his mischief. "So I hitched a free ride over here on a trading boat"
"Kinda dropped in using the wrong means at the wrong time, not gonna lie," Ash said, thinking back at the robberies he has taken part in. "The place is dealing with increased criminal rate lately, so stuff's bound to start getting crazy"
"Really? Well damn, guess I should've waited."
"Really?"
"Nup" he put on his grin again, then jumped on a nearby trash can, balancing himself perfectly on it. Damn, tails were useful. "That's just all the more fun to be here!"
"Fun?" Blake echoed. "Wait, are you even aware that the Fang are helping with this? This is not by any means fun, it's-"
"Easy there, kitty," Sun said, trying to stop Blake before she started a full-on rant fest. "I didn't mean it like that. Remember what I said, I used to look up to them when they were under your father. Heck, for a good-for-nothing orphan Faunus boy that meant a lot, I tell you"
Blake sighed, calming herself down. "Sorry about that. I'm just a little on edge about it all."
"It's quite alright, kitty."
"I told you to stop calling me that"
"Watch it, buddy, she has sharp claws. I'd be watching out for my eyes if I were you" Ash warned Sun who nodded back at him in acknowledgment of his words.
"Still, I can't believe you guys chased after me. Not even a day in Vale and I'm already this popular! And I was chased by 4 ladies no less!" Sun said, boasting and joking around. Monkeys, am I right?
"Well, one of the said ladies labeled you as a possible White Fang agent" Blake added, making Sun look at her and raise an eyebrow.
"It was the Schnee, right? I recognize the white-as-snow hair, racism, and...Well, everything about that flat-board screamed Schnee"
Somewhere in Vale, Weiss felt a shiver run through her.
"Yeah, she's the one. But I doubt she'd be saying that again after she meets you. I would try not to bring up her chest if I were you, though."
"Noted" Sun quipped. "So, what were you guys up to before I jumped ship?"
"Well, we were trying to scout arriving students for the Vytal" Blake told him.
"Oh, sorry to disappoint, but they won't be arriving for at least another week or so," Sun said, showing off a goofy smile. "I mainly just went on ahead. What else?"
"Well, I and my team had been investigating Roman Torchwick and his connection with the Fang" Blake said, making Sun whistle while Ash glared at her. He knew nothing of this, yet she just said it? It must mean they got all they needed already. Shit. But they say it if he can warn Roman? He doubted Blake could trust the thief and-...She was using Ash's connection to Roman as leverage. Son of a bitch!
Ash twitched his eyebrow nervously. "You forgot to tell me.." He said in a sigh.
"Cool thing. Hey, listen, how about you guys help me out and I'll help you out too? I happen to have some intel on their next heist. A big one"
This got Blake's attention immediately, much to Ash's worry. The girl smirked, knowing full well that if Ash tried anything she could expose him. She had proof as well. What happened at the date was something only they would know, and if she reveals the truth, then Ash will be in trouble...again.
"What do you need?" Blake asked.
"Just tell me how to get to Beacon and we are good." He asked. "And also where your teammates are. You guys are kin, so you understand, but I don't wanna run into that Schnee girl because I think she'll start shouting bloody murder at me"
"Deal!" Ash groaned.
Sun left without a care in the world after telling them everything he knew, which was that a big shipment of Dust was en route for Vale. If Ash knew Roman well, then he is more than certain the thief will be there. He is not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
The issue here was, predictably, Blake. "We have to go there." She stated, insisting even. "We have to stop them!"
"Stop them? Are you hearing yourself?" Ash said back, staring right at her as if she'd lost her mind. Which she most likely did. "Blake, we are talking about a Dust shipment, a big one, meaning that Roman is bound to bring enough manpower to take it away."
"Isn't he like your uncle?" She retorted. "Plus, you did mention that they actually hate their current job, right?"
"Not the stealing, the person whom they're-"
"Does it matter?" She quickly interjected, oblivious to Ash's current state of stress.
"Of course it does!" He snapped, shouting a bit. "We can't just bust the operation, nor can Roman just stop. The leash that bitch has on him is too tight!"
"Bitch? So it's a she…"
"Doesn't. Matter!" He replied firmly. "Besides, do you forget that Adam is most likely there as well?" At this, she froze, her bow twitching a bit and taking a step back. Fear was starting to set in, but with one fist clenched and deep inhale, that fear grew weak.
"I realize." She replied, her tone being calm one to mask her fear. "I also know that not even the 2 of us alone could pull this off, let alone take Adam on."
"Depends what you got on him," Ash said, coming up with an idea. But he might be kissing his eyes goodbye. "You and Adam were an item, right?"
She was taken back by his knowledge but quickly recovered. "Yes. We were, so?"
"Tell me everything you can about him: Years of experience, weapon, semblance, fighting style, but most importantly, his personality, physical and mental weaknesses"
She remained silent for a bit. "You...can't be serious."
"Half the battle is in the information"
"You...can't be serious," Adam said as Roman laid down a small plan for a big raid that was about to commence. A big supply of Dust was inbound straight from the SDC to help refill the stock they've sold. A good amount of Dust will be there- entire containers. This was to be one of the Fang's greatest hits yet. But despite that, Roman, the human Adam has come to despite more than he thought possible, wanted the bull to stay aside?
"Oh, but I am" The thief replied with a coy smile. "You are needed here, on the other side of the docks, covering this blindspot." He tapped the map with his cane, pointing out a location far from the place the action was to take place in. Of course, Adam would still be able to hear the commotion and come rushing in if something were to happen, but Roman was no fool. He had every inch covered.
"You want me to stand aside during this? Are you trying to cast me aside to rip all the benefits, Torchwick?" Adam asked his tone firm but hiding quite a bit of anger. Cinder be damned, for she was the only one preventing him from killing this arrogant human before him.
"Oh, please. My face is already on top of the list of most wanted criminals in Vale, so why would I need more attention?" Roman turned around with his hands resting upon the table, his back facing Adam - further mocking him. Such an opportunity, yet he couldn't act. "Besides, this is a heist, not an execution platoon. If I let you near the brave sailors carrying this cargo I am willing to bet that I will regret and that their heads will roll just to 'send a message'" the last part was said with disinterested, but an understandable one. However, Roman didn't want a massacre. He wanted a swift, clean job.
Adam growled, frustrated at the fact that he can not do as wished. Those people were SDC workers, the Fang's greatest enemy, and yet here he was at the mercy of humans. "Very well. Anything else I should be made aware of?"
The thief hummed, thinking. "Not really. Just don't stick your horns where they do not belong."
"Acknowledged." Adam stormed off, and out of the area the 2 were in. When he left, Adam let out a huge sigh of relief, thanking the Gods he got rid of him for now. That bull has been nothing but trouble for him, his method of doing heist leaving victims. He liked everything clean, but in the sense of a neck cut clean.
"That bull's going to be sorry later" Roman muttered as he seated himself and got his cigars out, placing one between his teeth while he got a match put to light it. Cigars always felt better when lit this way.
At least he and Ash had a plan to get rid of them, but it was needing both he and the kid for it to work. As much as he hated it, Roman had only one chance; Ozpin himself. He had information which could help them delay or fully halt Cinder's plans, and even knows where all the Dust stole was taken.
Honestly, that coffee addict would be a fool to deny this offer. But the other issue is that of actually getting rid of Cinder. She was off doing whatever lately, which made him nervous, but she put a damn bull to keep watch. And said bull happens to be a terrorist. Just his luck.
It shouldn't be too difficult, but if she could pull someone like Taurus out of her pretty ass, then Roman was not looking forward to whoever else she has beside her.
No, this could not fail. He already got an idea as to when they might be able to ditch her. It'll be a good distraction, albeit an extreme and risky one.
But planning aside, he felt his scroll vibe, the safe one. He pulled it out to find Ash requesting a group video chat with both him and Neo. Said mute was already in, he didn't have anything to do except grind on his own nerves, so he decided to answer. "Ash, what a pleasant reunion-" his words died out once he looked at Ash's box, seeing a certain girl with raven hair and amber eyes sitting behind him. They seemed to be sitting on a bed, most likely in Ash's room, and Neo looked to be somewhere in Vale. "Well, you sure didn't waste time"
"Hope I am not dropping in during a wrong time, Roman," Ash said, to which the thief sighed, shaking his head.
"No, no. You timed it perfectly. But pray tell, who's that beauty behind you? Did you bed her?" Roman asked, actually making Blake blush a little before she quickly replied.
"Nothing of the sorts!" She half-shouted, trying not to get the attention of the entire dorm.
Neo let out her usual mute laugh, then she typed in the chat. "Already asked that, Roman. To my disappointment, they seem to barely be first base"
"Really? What a shame" Roman sighed with a grin. "But anyway, I doubt you came here for teasing, and with company nonetheless."
"Honestly, I am surprised you are ok with this," Ash said, to which Roman chuckled whilst blowing some smoke.
"Well, I would be had she not been the girl from before. Blake, was it?" Roman asked, to which the said girl noted. "Your ex is here as well, by the way, just out the door and down the stairs. Want me to call him?"
"Do not dare" Blake replied, already getting angry with the thief's antics.
"Ha! I don't blame you for giving him the boot. But what do I know about how a lady's mind works? Neo, your opinion?"
"I mean, they were a thing once, so she saw something in him. What exactly, I don't know. I think she just has a thing for edgy maniacs" Neo replied in one swift typed message, earning a snort from Ash.
"Can we get to the point? We know about the heist, Torchwick" Blake said, to which both Neo and Roman became more serious.
"So you mean business. Alright." He smirked. Chances are his plan doesn't have to wait so long after all. "Tell uncle Roman what you need"
"My team along with Ash will storm the docks on the night of the heist, and they will surely try to stop it all and take you in" Roman winced. Getting arrested and thrown in an Atlassian prison was not on his list. "But if you accept what we propose, I am willing to help you as well with your little plan of redemption"
"Oh? So you told her?" Roman asked, his words directed at Ash.
"I did. But what she offers is pretty good" He replied, then he gave it back to Blake.
"I can tell you everything I know about Adam, and more, not to mention my aid during the heist to make sure my team doesn't do anything bad, for you" she proposed. "What I ask is that you stop the Fang in Vale."
"Forgive me what?" Roman asked, his expression showing slight amusement, similar to Neo. "What do you mean by that?"
"Taking down and arresting Adam. Without him, the Vale branch will be left without a leader until Sienna Khan sends a replacement"
"Hmm." He liked this. He was going to be giving Cinder the finger and get those horns for him to hang on his wall as well, a double win. "Only if I can take horns."
His horns?" Blake asked confused, then she figured it out. He wanted a trophy. "D-deal" She had some reservations, as hanging a Faunus' trait over a wall seemed rather...disgusting, and very much against her believes. But if this is the price to pay, then it is a small one.
"Then you, my sweet girl, have yourself a deal. I will see if I can refine that plan, you 2 better get Ozpin to get me and Neo an official pardon from the Council of Vale. Achieve that, and the fruits of benefit will be bountiful"
"We will try" Ash and Blake left the chat.
"Are we really about to go straight?" Neo asked, to which Roman sighed and leaned back.
"Unfortunately so. Criminal life served us well, my little companion, but this is where it ends for us in this life." Roman monologued. Just like everyone's story has an end, this was to be the end of him - Roman Torchwick, the greatest thief Vale's ever seen. He will be known as Roman Torchwick, who-knows-what soon enough. He only hoped one thing: that he doesn't end up a teacher. "Speaking of which, Neo, while Ash might think you're older, you are barely 18, so you could-"
Neo left the chat.
"Of course" he sighed again.
And there we have it lads, chapter 13. Here we see Sun, but not Penny. Not yet, at least. And cannon really changes. Blake, Ash, Roman, and Neo are in cahoots to take down Adam and get Roman a nice trophy.
Ruby, Yang, and Weiss are completely kept in the dark about it, not being aware of anything at the given time. Blake already confirmed her fear, that the Fang works for Roman, but she wants to change that, even if by a little. And temporary.
As for Neo's actual age, I always thought that she might be younger than she looks, and her height is throwing people off. Certainly worked with Ash. But no, in this story she's barely 18, meaning that she could join the first years at Beacon...And join Ash as a roommate.
?: Ah crap.
You're back?!
?: Yes, I am. Missed me much?
I thought you died, honestly, pierced by Corona.
?: No chance. Anyway, this is a really thick mess you got here. How're going to have Blake run off now? That was a big thing so Weiss becomes more open about the Faunus and Blake starts to trust them more.
Remember the train incident? From the start?
?: Ohhhh. You sly, sly devil. Instead of breaking down Blake, you will aim at Weiss. Smart twist.
Anyway, I will look forward to seeing you all next time. Bloodfiend, out.