Path to the Future
Chapter 18: Assignment
Now for Volume 2 which will now have Team IMSN take a sort of backseat as this will focus mainly on RWBY starting next chapter with more interactions, slightly different interactions, and and some deviations from the original. Lastly as I usually do in these Arcs, I'll give you a hint. There are three that will be of great importance in Volumes 4 and the beginning of 5. That's all you get for hints, and some that you may think lead to something may not be what I'm talking about. Enjoy
Chapter 18: Assignment
A green and red haired girl by the name of Emerald was walking, as she passes by her colleague Mercury who says, "I knew you were lost."
"Mercury," She said as she turned to him, "I will seriously pay you to shut up," She states as she waves a wallet that she took from the old man she had 'bumped' into.
"That's not your money," he says shaking his head in disappointment.
"But it could be yours for five minutes of silence," she insists.
"Hmm," He thinks about the deal before giving his answer, "No deal."
Emerald snarls, "Fine," as she took a bill and left the rest on the ground with his wallet with Mercury trailing after her.
"Whatever you want me." As they walked longer Mercury asked, "So how much further?"
"A few blocks."
"Aw this place is so dull."
"Eh I kind of like it. Tall buildings, reverse culture-"
"And nice dopey people to pickpocket," he cut her off.
"Oh Master Thief Emerald, please don't take my money I barely have enough to get by," He says with a smirk to which she just growls at him, "Ugh your no fun today."
A few blocks more and they entered they're destination, Tuckson's booktrade.
As they entered Emerald went up to the counter and rung a bell to call upon the store's owner, "Be right there." Tuckson then came out of the back with books, "Welcome to Tuckson's Book Trade home to every under the sun. How may I-" Tuckson hesitated as he saw who was there, "How may I help you?"
"Just browsing!" Mercury said slamming a book shut.
"Actually I was wondering do you have a copies of the 'Thief and the Butcher'?"
"Yes we do."
"That's great!"
"Would you like a copy?"
"No just checking," she said as Mercury slams shut another book, "Oh how about Violet's Garden in paperback?"
"He's got it Hardback too," Mercury answered her question.
"Ooh options are nice."
"Eh no pictures," Mercury then slams it shut and tosses it back on the shelf, "Hey, do you have any comics?"
"Near the front."
"Oh no wait, what about 'Third Crusade'?" Emerald asks.
"Ooh sorry but that was bought out half a year ago."
"What was this place called again?"
"Tuckson's Book Trade."
"And you're Tuckson?"
"Yes."
"Then I take it that your the one who came up with the catchphrase?"
"Yes."
"And what was the catchphrase again?" Mercury asked.
"Tuckson's Book Trade, home to every book under the sun."
"Except the 'Third Crusade'?"
Tuckson shrugged, "It's just a catchphrase."
"It's false advertising!" Mercury argued.
"You shouldn't make a promise that you can't keep, Tuckson." Emerald said as Mercury slowly dimmed then shut off the lights inside the store, "I hear you're planning on leaving. Moving all the way to Vacuo. Your brothers of the White Fang wouldn't be happy to hear that. And neither are we." She then stares him down, "You know who we are don't you?"
"Yes."
"And you know why we're here?"
"Yes," Tuckson said giving a more serious look.
"So. Are you going to fight back?"
Tuckson hesitated slightly before answering, 'Ye-'
Before Tuckson could answer, the doors to the shop opened, to reveal Sasuke Uchiha. "Hey Tuckson how are you?"
"Oh Sasuke, I'm doing fine how are you?"
"I'm doing pretty good, but besides that I'm here to pick up Blake's books that she asked for last time also can I get 'Six of Crows,' as well for myself that is."
Tuckson nodded, "Of course. They're in the back let me get them for you." Tuckson then left Sasuke with both Emerald and Mercury.
"So… I haven't seen any of you around what brings you here?"
"And why do we need to tell you that?" Mercury said with a smirk.
Sasuke put up a slight grin, "Your right, it's none of my business and I apologize for being into things that is none of my business," Sasuke then slightly bowed at them, with Tuckson coming back.
"Um Sasuke here they are," He said holding a bag of books.
Sasuke raised his head as his eyes now changed into the sharingan as he turned around and grabbed the books. "Hey weren't you moving to Vacuo today?"
Tuckson felt nervous about Sasuke and his sharingan active, "Yes."
"Great, then for holding on to this for me I'll get you a ride to the airport with your stuff. Their in the back right?" Tuckson nodded, "I'm sorry did you guys need something?" Emerald smiled and shook her head, "No we were just leaving, we'll have to tell our friend that they didn't have what she wanted." Sasuke nodded as he deactivated her Sharingan after they left, then turned to Tuckson, as he handed him money, "Take this and leave now Tuckson, think of this as I'm doing you a favor, but I will need your help later, will you be able to answer my favor later."
Tuckson nodded, took the money, called the cap, and then left for the airport with his bags.
Sasuke had arrived to the cafeteria, to find a scene of Ruby posing with Team JNPR behind her covered in food, soda, and other drinks. "Yeah that's my girl!" Menma yelled.
"What the hell?"
"Oh hey Sas-"
Glynda then burst through the doors and started levitating objects fixing and cleaning it to restore it to the way it was. "Children, do not play with your food."
"Wait where is Yang?" Sasuke asked.
Naruto held up his fingers as he counted down, "Two, one, zero." And at that exact moment Yang burst through the ceiling and fell to the ground crashing into some tables.
Once Yang was okay, she looked at Naruto with a pout, "Why didn't you catch me? I know you knew," She accused Naruto who had Ryoko with him on his left.
Naruto responded with, "You got into that food fight not me. As I always say, I ain't no helicopter papa, sink or swim. You just sunk."
Ryoko tugged on her dad's sleeve, "Then what about me?"
"Your a different story because unlike your mother you know which fights to pick," Naruto responded.
Ryoko nodded in agreement, "Yeah, I guess you're right."
Yang fell over with her mouth open in shock, "My own family doesn't even care," she said as everyone laughed.
Ozpin then called out for team IMSN something that has happened more, recently, and team IMSN followed him to his office.
In the office, Glynda and Ozpin was looking out the window looking at the fleet from Atlas that was suppose to provide protection. Itachi was sitting near a pillar with a chair, and Sasuke standing by him with his back against the pillar. Naruto was standing by Ozpin with his back against the window and Menma was sitting on the floor. Then there was a knock on the door, to which Ozpin waved his hand and all of team IMSN disappeared, "It's scary how good they are at this," Glynda said.
Ozpin nodded, "Come in," and in came General James Ironwood, as team IMSN listened in on their conversation secretly as Glynda left. Then when Ironwood left, team IMSN came back, "Go on to your dorms and rest report to me if there is anything I should know involving a certain set of teams." Menma chuckled at this, as they all nodded and left.
They walked to their room until they heard Weiss, "Stop." Weiss told Blake, "Lately you've been quiet, antisocial, and moody."
"I mean have you met Blake," Yang said.
"And I get it's kind of your thing, but you've been doing it more than usually. And quite frankly, is unacceptable. You made a promise to me, to all of us, to let us know if something was wrong. So Blake Belladonna. What is wrong!"
"I just… I don't understand how everyone could be so calm."
"Your still thinking about Torchwick?" Ruby asked.
"Torchwick, the White Fang, all of it. Something big is happening and no one is doing anything about it."
"Ozpin told us not to worry between the policemen and the huntsmen I'm sure they can handle it." Yang pointed out.
"But I'm not! They don't know the White Fang like I do!"
"Blake," Everyone looked towards the door which was now open and listened to Naruto, "There are times when you have to trust other people to do their jobs. You can't always take matters into your own hands."
"But-"
"With that being said, there are times where you have to do things yourself. Blake we are your friends and we will support in anyway we can. So if you feel we need to investigate to keep your mind at ease then by all means," Menma said.
"Menma makes a good point but we're just students we're not ready."
"And we may never be ready! Our enemies are not just going to sit around and wait for graduation day. Their out there somewhere, planning their next move and none of us know what it is but it's coming whether we're ready or not."
"Alright," Ruby began, "All in favor of being the youngest huntsmen and huntresses to bring down a corrupt organization conspiring against Vale, say aye."
"Yes I love it when your feisty," Yang said.
"Well I suppose it can be fun," Weiss said.
"Sure I guess, it'll be fun," Naruto said.
"I have nothing better to do," Sasuke said.
"I will accompany you all as well," Itachi said.
Ruby then sadly stated, "None of you said aye."
"Aye sir," Menma said with a cheeky smile.
Ruby smiled and kissed him on the cheek, "So do we have a plan," Sasuke asked. Team RWBY shook their heads, "Then that will be the next plan of action."
Ruby then gasped, "I forgot my board game."
Weiss slapped her hand in her, "We're doomed."
Ruby then ran out to go grab it with Menma following her until she bumped into Haven students, however as they conversed Menma was secretly gauging their skill since he felt something bad about this. And before they left Menma's eyes connected with the black haired women by glance, then passed each other but in that moment Menma did feel his eye become rather itchy. Something he will have to take care of later.