Alright here is chapter 21 with part 2 of the Old and New arc, I don't know how long this arc will go on, but it won't be for long. Also I never got to say, I am VERY close to the 100 review mark in RWBY: The Assassin, its got me antsy to see who does it, I hope its good. Anyway let us begin. This chapter is less of a group effort, but more of clearing up some technicalities. I own nothing except my ideas and OC's.

Ash jumped when a certain honey haired female hugged him. "Serena"? Ash asks, glancing at the girl holding him. Behind her were two blondes, one was female and had a orange mouse on her head, the other was Ryan's age, and if it wasn't for their differences in styles, one could mistake them for brothers. "Clemont, Bonnie"? Ash asks again, teleporting out of Serena's grip. "Ash"! Bonnie cheered, hugging Ash. Ash chuckled and ruffled the younger girls hair. "Clemont". Ash acknowledges with a firm nod and handshake. Ash watched as Bonnie immediately slipped out of his grip and stared at the females of the group, a light in her eyes. "Hi"! Yang waves. Bonnie walked forward. "Hi my names Bonnie, what's your name"? Bonnie asks. "I'm Yang, this is my sister Ruby, and our friends, Weiss, Blake, Aria, Pyrrha, Nora, Velvet, and Coco". Yang says, purposely introducing the females to the young girl. Bonnie smiled as she glanced at her brother. Ash's eyes widened as a familiar memory resurfaced. "Bonnie no"! Ash snaps.

The light suddenly dimmed as Bonnie got down on one knee. "You girls are keepers, please one of you take care of my brother"! Bonnie exclaims. The reactions were all different. Ruby looked away in embarrassment, scratching her cheek and trying to go unnoticed. Yang was openly laughing at the proposal. Weiss, Pyrrha, and Velvet all blushed at the proposal. Nora ran over and hid behind Ren, strangely embarrassed. Aria, Blake and Coco were the only docile ones, politely declining the proposal. Clemont blushed in embarrassment and launched a hand from his backpack, grabbing Bonnie. "Bonnie, I told you not to do that, especially to Ash's new friends". Clemont says in embarrassment. "Please forgive my sister". Clemont begs. Ruby waves her hand. "It's fine, besides I'm actually already spoken for". Ruby began, ignoring Ash crossing his arms in irritation behind Clemont. "Oh? By who"? Serena asks. Ruby blushed before pointing to Ash, letting the information sink in. Yaron and Blake borrowed Ren's earplugs as chaos was about to unfold.

"WHAT"! Came the shout of three teens. Ash facepalmed with a blush as Bonnie began grilling him, asking him if he could hook Clemont up with someone, getting another embarrassed exclamation from Clemont. Ash turned and saw Serena with a pale face, making him worry. "Serena"? Ash asks, prompting her to turn to him. Ash visibly recoiled, noticing pain in her eyes. "Ash...is that true"? She asks, her voice strangely silent. Ash nods, slightly wary of Serena.

Serena turned away before running out, tears streaming. "Serena wait"! Ash exclaims. The teens were shocked by the sudden turn of events. "Ash, what was your relationship with Serena"? Weiss asks. "She was a childhood friend, who traveled with me through Kalos". Ash answers. "And did you have any feelings for her"? Ruby asks. "Not really, I did feel a great friendship with her". Ash answers. "What about her"? Yang asks. Ash froze at the thought, could she have had...feelings for him. "Oh no...I gotta set this right". Ash says before flying off, using his Aura to track Serena down.

Ash found Serena at the lab, sitting on the roof of the lab. Ash silently landed behind her, before walking forward. "Serena". Ash mutters, bringing her attention. "Ash...what are you doing here"? She asks silently. "I was worried, I was concerned when you ran out". Ash said while sitting beside her. "Ash, I-I was surprised, I am not against your choice, it was just...". Serena trailed off. "Unexpected"? Ash asks. "Yeah, I kinda had...". Serena began to choke. "Feelings for me"? Ash finishes. Serena blushed before nodding. Ash smiled before sighing and hugging his knees to himself. "Trust me Serena, you are a great friend, and if I could, I would happily accept your feelings, but there is more to me and Ruby's relationship that meets the eye". Ash began while Serena turned to him. "What do you mean"? Serena asks.

Ash looked down as his hat covered his eyes, his voice lamenting. "I was changed, I discovered where my powers originated from, remember my story about my other self and that voice"? Ash asks. Serena nods, mentally cringing as she remembered the story. "I was used, my powers over lightning, ice, fire, they were given to me against my will, I became someones Puppet, he used my life like a play". Ash explains while Serena's eyes widened. "It was too much for me, I descended into a dark persona, becoming someone beside myself, and it only worsened when I donned the garb of the Assassin, my personality began to originate around it, then I found it". Ash said before glancing at his hands. "What"? Serena asks, intrigued. "Summer Rose's cloak, the lost mother of Ruby and Yang, who was presumed dead". Ash says, while Serena's eyes widened. "With the knowledge of making sure a family could be happy once more, I devoted my time and energy to finding her, and I hope I succeed". Ash says while looking down. "And not long after that, me and Ruby confessed, I don't know if at the moment, it was true feelings or an 'at the moment' decision, but I know that I care...no, I love Ruby, and I will do anything to make sure she is happy". Ash admits, his hand clenched.

Serena smiled before patting Ash's back, noticing how he bristled at the touch. She felt a strange disturbance, but decided to ignore it. "I undertstand, I may be a bit sore about it for a bit, but I know you will be happy, as long as your happy, I'm fine". Serena assures. Ash nods. "And don't worry, I know you'll find someone who will sweep you off your feet, for all we know you may be Bonnie's next target". Ash says with a grin. Serena blushed at the thought of Bonnie pulling her matchmaker routine on her. "Not funny". Serena says while smacking Ash's shoulder, making him laugh harder. Ash stopped when he detected the others coming. "Well, I suppose we've stalled long enough, the others are coming this way". Ash says, making Serena blink. She squinted her eyes and noticed the faint outline of someone coming. "How do you do that"? Serena asks. "I'm not telling". Ash says before smirking and stepping off the building, landing on the ground and walking towards, the others, ignoring Serena shouting at him to wait up.

Ash and Serena sweatdropped at the scene in front of them. There was Yang, chasing down a Rattata, which was running from her, eventually running into the forest with Yang following. Ash sighed before walking through the woods, hoping to track the blonde down quickly.

10 minutes later.

The other watched as Ash appeared, holding a struggling Yang over his shoulder, an annoyed look on his face. "Er...is that really necessary"? George asks. "Yes, yes it is". Ash says before walking off towards the lab, still holding the struggling Yang. The others sweatdropped before following them, ignoring Yang's cries to be let down.

To be continued.

And there is part 2, yes the others will arrive, but next chapter. And I also killed 3 birds with one stone. R&R This is Oathkeeper0317 signing out.