Author Note: Welcome everyone to another chapter to the series! I don't have much new things to put out but I did have a review saying Scout is 23 and not 21. I will answer to say that Scout's age had always been very hard to judge and I went for the 21 so he would be able to relate with the Huntsman of RWBY better. Not to mention, he could date Yang without much awkwardness. So let's dive right in!
Beacon Academy: Library
It was the weekend once more and the day before the school dance. The whole school had been in total excitement with people asking each other out and getting clothes for the dance. Our group of heroes were hanging out at the library, studying in the students case or learning more about Remnant in the mercenaries case. When the students had heard about the mercenaries being assigned to be the security at the ball, they all had been incredibly sad and in Yang's case, outraged.
"I'M GOING UP TO OZPIN RIGHT NOW AND TELLING TO HIRE SOMEONE ELSE!" she yelled and was about to storm out the Dining Hall when they were having breakfast earlier. But before she could get anywhere, Scout pulled her down. "Look pally. I am a mercenary. We all are. So i'm guessing good old Ozzy thinks it's right to have experienced guards for this event." Yang was about to object but Scout cut her off, "Plus we will be nearby, so you will see us."
Back at the Library, Ruby, Yang, and Nora had kinda gotten bored of studying and had begun to play a fun bored game, which involved each person being a kingdom of Remnant and trying to take over everyone else. Weiss was writing a letter to someone, but she wouldn't elaborate when people asked who. Blake had finished Soldier's book, "The History of Men" and had asked if he had any others about the Earth, in which he lent her a book called "The History and Achievements of America" and Blake had happily begun to read. Jaune and Pyrrha were studying together for a test that was upcoming after the ball, which Ruby, Yang, and Nora should have been doing but, instead decided to waster their time (Can't say i'm much better. I just end up playing TF2 or watching JonTron or both at the same time). Ren was also studying for the test, but at the same time he was keeping his eye on Nora to make sure she didn't get hyperactive in the library.
The mercenaries weren't that active either. Scout had gotten bored quickly and had decided to take a nap while putting on his Earbuds. Soldier was looking over old Remnant battles and seeing which one was the best and most like an American battle. Pyro was sitting crosslegged, watching Ruby, Yang, and Nora play the bored game. Demoman was taking heavy swigs of whisky, which he had somehow snuck into the library, and was trying to find a book on Remnant liquor. Heavy, who didn't think much of books, decided to take this time and take his favorite and massive mini-gun, Sasha (Or the default Mini-Gun) and polish it. Engineer was laying on a mechanical pool chair, complete with an umbrella and a stand to one side where he kept some beer, and was reading a book on the technology in Remnant while taking sips of beer. Medic was still reading up on faunus and was constructing plans for future experiments he could perform. Sniper had found a book on the many forms of Grimm and had decided to look into the, in case he wanted to hunt some down. Finally Spy was reading an erotic romance novel that Blake had secretly lent him called, "Ninja's of Love".
They had been doing these separate activities for about an hour when three people approached them. One was a teenage boy with yellow hair, a white unbuttoned shirt that showed of his chest and six-pack. He wore jeans and white sneakers and poking out of his jeans was a long yellow tail. Next to him stood another teenage boy with blue hair, goggles on his forehead and a very handsome face. He wore a red jacket with a dress shirt underneath and jeans. And a little to the side was an older man in his twenties with black hair and a small black beard. He wore a plaid shirt and dark jeans and on his shoulder perched a green parrot with strange red eyes.
The mercenaries looked up and recognized one of the three people as they came to stand next to the group. "Ah, mister JonTron!" said Spy as he looked at the man with the parrot on his shoulder. The man smiled and said, "I ain't here for long, just needed to drop in for the payment of the lost boat from yesterday." Spy nodded and took out a wad of money and handed it to JonTron he took it happily and said, "Great! Now i'm off. It was good for the kids it was good for the adults!" and he left.
The other two strangers stood awkwardly for a second before Blake, who hadn't looked up from her book, asked, "And who are you two?" This brought the two back too reality and they looked over at Blake. Then the boy yellow hair grinned. "Well we were are part of a Mistral team called SSSN, but our SS part are still in Mistral. Me and Neptune here came to Vale a few months before the Vytal Festival and of course Vytal Tournament. We asked Ozpin who to go to and he said find the two teams that hung around nine men. And i'm assuming it's you guys." The group nodded slowly. "Great! By the way, why do you wear that bow?" the boy asked Blake which tore her eyes away from the book instantly. "How-"
"Come on! I'm a faunus too. Of course i'm gonna see," said the boy and he walked over to Blake and put his hand around her shoulder, "Look, i'm just saying that their is no need to hide it." Blake was about to push him off and angrily say that it did matter but Spy interjected. "Hmm, very wise. And who might you be?"
The boy straightened up, letting go of Blake. "Oh, sorry I completely forgot to introduce myself! My name is Sun Wukong. As you can see i'm a monkey faunus," he said this while twirling his tail a little. The students all introduced themselves, though Weiss seemed to be a bit more interested in the other boy, Neptune. The mercenaries did likewise and all was normal until it came to Medic, who stood up with a sinister glint in his eye. "So, mister Wukong may I ask for a-" before he could even ask Engineer grabbed Medic by the back of his lab coat and pulled him right back down. Medic grumbled irritably, but didn't try to get up again.
Then Neptune stepped forward. "Hey guys, the name is Neptune! How you doing?" he added sleazily to Weiss who actually blushed. Ruby, Yang, and Nora giggled while some of the mercenaries stared at Weiss in shock with Sniper saying, "I didn't know the Ice Princess had feelings." Weiss glared at him but stood up and curtseyed to Neptune. "The name is Weiss Schnee." Neptune's eyes widened. "Oh crap! Did I just try to hit on a Schnee? I'm so sorry m'lady I didn't mean too," he stuttered but to everyones surprise Weiss just smiled. "No it's fine. Usually I would be angry, but you have peaked my interest and not just because you are incredibly handsome." At this everyone was staring agape at the heiress as she smiled at Neptune who was also staring agape. Then Scout broke the silence.
"Woah, wait up Weiss. I know a type of guy by just looking at them and this guy will hit on every freakin hot lady he sees. Trust me."
This made everyone turn to Neptune who had turned red. "Umm, well..." he mumbled but knew he was screwed when Sun began to laugh. "You are totally right! That is Neptune for you."
Weiss looked over at Neptune, but still felt something was different about him and that she had felt something for him. "Well hopefully he won't went he accompanies me to the dance. I'm guessing you would be honored to do so with a Schnee such as myself," she said looked at Neptune who nodded immediately. Scout just face palmed and then got up and said angrily, "Okay what? Weiss since when do you just ask out guys randomly, especially ones you just met. And you of all people!"
Weiss faced him and responded just as angrily, "Well I felt something! I don't know what but I just have a feeling and when a Schnee has a feeling, they usually act on it." Scout just stared back until he just waved his hand, "Whatever." Weiss turned back to Neptune and said then seriously, "I am not saying this is a romantic interest either! I just have a feeling you are someone I can talk to. Besides my sister," she added a little embarrassed. Ruby then got up. "What about me?" she asked innocently. Weiss sighed. "I can talk to all of you but I need someone outside of the main group to talk too and Neptune seems like someone I can relate too. I know it's incredibly stupid but I'm gonna trust my instincts." The others looked at her, but decided to drop it and returned to what they were doing.
Sun sidled up to Blake. "Hey, so um, I know we just met, but do you wanna go to the ball with me. We can connect and not in a romantic way, just connect." Blake looked at him sharply and he wilted slightly. "I'm not going to this stupid ball. I'm going to find a way to go after Torchwick and the White Fang." This surprised everyone. Since the infiltration mission, Torchwick and the White Fang hadn't been mentioned. But then again they did know about Blake's past with the White Fang and they were all wondering why they were working with a human such as Roman Torchwick.
"But it doesn't mean little cat can't go to the dance," said Heavy as he kept polishing his gun. Blake glared at him. "It means I need to be ready! And I can't waste time on a stupid dance. Ughh, I'm leaving." She grabbed her school bag and left without another word. Everyone watched her go silently until Demoman burped loudly and remarked, "That wasn't supposed to happen!"
Yang was watching her friend leave with narrowed eyes. Oh she will be going to the dance. She will just a bit of persuading. She got up and kissed Scout on the forehead, then tapped Soldier's shoulder and told him to follow her. He nodded and they left, along with Sun and Neptune since they had to head back to their apartment and get ready for the dance the next day. "Try to change her mind okay? I know I just met her, but it's a lot like your friend Weiss had with Neptune. I just have a feeling she's special," said Sun to Yang as they parted ways. Yang nodded and said in a determined voice, "Don't worry Sun, I will."
Once Sun and Neptune left, Yang led Soldier to a classroom where some students went for a quite space. There they only found one student reading a book. Blake. They entered the room quietly but Soldier, being the klutz he is, closed the door loudly behind them causing Blake to look up and spot them. She scowled slightly. "What do you want?" she asked.
Soldier was about to say something stupid to try to pretend they were just wondering but Yang got straight to the point. She grabbed Blake by the hand and dragged her the middle of the classroom. "Listen Blake! We don't have much time for this since I still need to set up the Dining Hall for the dance tomorrow. But you are going. I understand, you want to get Torchwick."
"You don't understand," Blake began but Yang interrupted her, "Oh yes I do! When my mom left me as I child, I always wanted to know where she went. One day when I was around seven and Ruby was five, I ventured out into the wild with Ruby curled up in a small wheel barrel I carried along. We traveled for a few hours in the wild into the direction of a place I though I had seen on a map that pointed to where my mother lived. We finally made it to a small shed, but instead of finding my mother it was full of Grimm. Me and Ruby would have died then if it hadn't been for our uncle Crow. The point is, since then I have not given up the search for my mom, but I have not let it control me! The other's may have not noticed, but since the mission you have been even more quite. Even yesterday on the pirate adventure you didn't speak a word! Not to mention you were the only person unable to stand a chance against an opponent without being helped out. You need to relax, cause right now your too weak to even fight off me!" Yang finished a tear rolling down her cheek and she stepped back and let go off Blake, who she had grabbed midway though the lecture. Blake was frozen with shock and even a tinge of sorrow.
Then Soldier walked up as well with his hands behind his back. "Blake," he said in a strangely serious and levelheaded voice, "In the books I have given you, have the men in them only fought in wars?" Blake thought for a moment before shaking her head. "No they partied with each other and spent time with their wives and friends before going into harsh battles," she answered. Soldier nodded. "Exactly, which is why you need to do the same at times." He didn't say anything else but in a way he didn't need to.
Blake sighed and then said, "Alright I will go." Yang smiled widely. "Great! Who will you go with? I mean you don't have too. Me and Ruby aren't since Scout is on security business and Ruby doesn't like to dance." Blake was about to say that she would join them, but then her mind wondered to the yellow haired boy from earlier. He was a little excitably for her taste and seemed to really like her a little too much for someone he had just met, but he was a faunus and had tried to connect with her and though she wouldn't say it out loud, he was a bit cute. Blake smiled a little. "I think I have someone in mind."
Beacon Academy: Dorm Rooms (The Next Day)
It was the next day and half an hour before the dance. Between the day before in the library to the present, the only significant things that had happened was that Yang and Weiss had decorated the Dining Hall for the dance and that Sun had come over to check on Blake to see if she was doing any better, to find that her apologizing for her behavior and agreeing to go to the dance with him.
Now it, half an hour before the dance, the two teams were scrambling around to get ready in their respective dorms. The mercenaries had already left to inspect the perimeter of the Dining Hall to get an idea of where they were patrolling. Sun and Neptune were gonna meet the group at the dance.
They came out after twenty minutes all in simple dresses or minidresses and tuxedoes. They rushed into the elevator and waited impatiently for it go down. When it did they all ran to the Dining hall as quickly as they could and when they got there they were out of breath. They walked in still panting, and everyone besides Yang and Weiss, looked around in awe at the newly decorated Dining Hall. All the tables had been pushed to the side to make a large dance floor for everyone while on the sides, small round tables had been placed with lace tablecloths. On the ceiling balloons hung and streamers criss crossed the top of the room. Their was a large stage at the back of the hall where a DJ was standing and they recognized the man from earlier, JonTron, standing behind it and letting out some sick tunes.
Sun and Neptune walked over to them, which interrupted their moment of awe. Sun was wearing his usual clothes, except he now wore a tie, which he kept fidgeting with. Neptune wore a simple tuxedo, but had removed his goggles and his face looked like it had been sculpted.
"Gahh stupid thing," complained Sun until Blake walked up and adjusted it for him. "You look better with it on," she said quietly before she looped her arm into his and they went to the dance floor. Neptune and Weiss followed, but they went straight to a round table to talk. Jaune and Pyrrha left to dance together and Ren and Nora did likewise, leaving Yang and Ruby to watch their friends with content.
Sun and Blake slow danced quietly, enjoying each others company before Sun decided to begin a conversation. "So, tell me about yourself Blake," he said as they danced across the dance floor. Blake hesitated, but Sun had been nice to her this whole time and he was also a faunus. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to open up to him.
"Well, I come from Managerie (A small kingdom of Remnant that was given to Faunus after the great war to kinda shut them up) and my father used to be the leader of the White Fang, before it became violent. I was part of it and I supported it's ideas. Then my father stepped down and another man took man his place. Adam Taurus. He had been a family friend for sometime and I used to be good friends with him. It almost went up to a romantic interest between each other. However his ideas about changing the White Fang made me think again. He turned it into the violent organization we both know today and cause people to fear the name of the White Fang. He is ruthless and will do anything to see faunus rule," Blake finished bitterly.
Sun didn't say anything for a few minutes before asking, "Why did your father step down?" Blake sighed, "He was tired, he wanted to care for his island as well, so he became chieftain of Managerie. Even if he hadn't stepped down, the White Fang were already to begin to stir and I have a feeling Adam had something to do with it." She looked up at the ceiling, thinking about her childhood friend. Sun's next words brought her back to reality instantly though. "I remember meeting that guy."
Blake stared at Sun. "Where?" she asked a little vigorously. Sun just frowned a little and said, "Well, he came to Mistral Academy to lecture about the equality of faunus, but even as a faunus myself I could see he was spewing lies. He didn't care about equality. He only cared for the faunus to rule and even though I am a faunus, I do like some humans."Blake looked up at Sun and saw him in a new light. He wasn't a stupid, and she could tell he was caring. She smiled and just said, "Yeah."
Meanwhile, Weiss and Neptune had decide grabbed some juice from the punch bowl and had sat down to discuss each others lives like Sun and Blake had. "So what's your family like Neptune?" asked Weiss as she took a sip from her punch. Neptune paused for a bit thinking before responding, "Well, we aren't the richest of family's but we are able to make due, especially in Mistral where prices are never usually that high. My parents used to be Huntsman and were on the same team growing up and finally falling in love in their final year. Now my mom is still the Huntress in the family but my dad became a diplomat to help the Mistral society and government. This left me too choose which one to become and I of course, preferring the wild side, chose to be a Huntsman."
Weiss listened intently as he talked and when he had finished said, "That's really interesting. Not many family's actually begin from school, though many people think so." Neptune nodded. "Yeah, I was surprised when they told me how they met. But what's even stranger is that my father was the team leader. But now he's a diplomat while my mom continues to be a Huntress."
Weiss nodded, also intrigued by this notion. But before she could press on Neptune asked, "So, tell me more about yourself. I mean, I know your a Schnee and all that and i'm incredibly lucky to go to the dance with one, but what is your family like besides being rich?"
Weiss pondered that question for a second before answering, "Well, my father and mother are quite straight forward. My dad is the owner of the Schnee Dust Company and mostly only cares for the money. He will do anything in his power to make sure the company is successful. My mother doesn't do much but drink in the garden, but in reality she is a very kind woman. Then I have two siblings; a younger brother and older sister. My brother is back at home, studying to become a scholar. He is nice and all, but a little smug for my taste. My sister though, well she went to Atlas Academy instead of Beacon and soon became a lieutenant in the army. She is still as well spoken and well mannered though. She in fact is right hand lieutenant of General Ironwood! As for myself, I want to become a Huntress like her, but not in the army, more of a free Huntress that will spread the good name of Schnee in a light that is other than a rich family."
Weiss finished and looked at Neptune who was trying to digest all the information. Then he finally said, "Wow. The life of a Schnee is even more complicated then I ever thought." Weiss laughed a little and they continued to talk happily as the night went on.
Back on the dance floor, Jaune and Pyrrha were doing a tango while nearby Nora and Ren do a very funny but impressive dance. Pyrrha was incredibly impressed by how Jaune danced. He danced fluently and as if he had been a dancer all his life and twirled her around like it had been his duty. "How are you so good?" she asked as he spun her around and tipped her back before coming back upright. "I grew up with seven sisters," explained Jaune, "Cooking and dancing became kind of natural. My parents were out of the house a lot since they were Huntsman and they left me and some of my older sisters in charge. However, I would be the one cooking and doing all the chores. I didn't mind though, because I loved to see my sisters having fun."
Pyrrha stared at Jaune, wondering how a boy so talented and caring could think so little of himself. She went under his arm and said, "Jaune, you must introduce me to your family sometime." June blanched a little as she said that and stumbled, "What? No, no you wouldn't like them." Pyrrha glanced at Jaune, then smiled. "Are you embarrassed about what they will say about you?" Jaune just stared at her for a second, wondering how she had guessed so easily before nodding. She laughed and twirling around she faced him, nose to nose. "Nothing they would say would make me stop loving you." She kissed him and they continued to dance in happy silence.
Ruby and Yang watched their friends dance from the sidelines drinking punch. Ruby hadn't come with anyone so she didn't really mind just watching but Yang was watching a little sadly. She had really been counting on going to this dance with Scout, but he was stuck outside on guard. She looked around and saw Professor Oobleck and another teacher called Professor Port talking to each other amiably. Professor Ozpin asked Professor Goodwitch, which she accepted politely. The teachers were all busy. She looked at the entrance and began to make her way over. Ruby noticed and followed her half-sister outside.
"Yang! What are you doing?" she asked quietly as they walked outside to the beautiful night sky. "Just wanna see how the guys are doing," Yang responded and circled around the outside of the Dining Hall, leaving Ruby to stand there. Ruby sighed and looked up at the night sky, hearing Yang loudly say hello to who she assumed was Scout or one of the other mercenaries. As she stared up she thought of her mother, not Yang's, but hers. She had died soon after giving birth to Ruby. Ruby had barely known her, but back at her home she always had visited her gravestone and told her what had been happening in her life recently. A tear began to trickle from her eye as she remembered these times.
"Is everything alright Miss Rose?" said a voice behind her and she spun around to see Spy, Engineer, and Sniper walk over. "Umm, it's nothing," she said quickly wiping the tears from her eye. Spy and Engineer sat down next to her and motioned her to join them. "Ruby, we maybe mercenaries, but we do know a thing or two about emotions," said Engineer kindly as they regarded her with concern. Ruby looked up again and thought for a moment before saying, "I was just thinking about my mother."
There was a short silence before Spy asked, "Was she a Huntress?" Ruby nodded and smiled a little, "She went to Beacon and was on a team with my father who was the leader, Taiyang, Yang's mother, Raven, and her brother, Crow. They were one of the best teams that Beacon had ever seen. My dad fell in love with Raven and even though, as far as I know she cared more for the tribe she was part of, she still married him and they had Yang. However a year later she left him to lead her tribe. My mom, Summer Rose, came to comfort my dad and they ended up falling in love as well. They ended up having me and they were happy but in it ended too quickly. My mother went on a mission and was killed by a horde of Grimm. He gave her a gravestone near our house, on a beautiful hilltop. When I was old enough to walk and talk properly, I would visit the grave all the time to talk to her and say what was going on in my life." She sighed and looked over at the three mercenaries that were listening quietly. Sniper raised his eyebrows slightly. "Wait, so your father slept with both females on his team?"
Spy and Engineer both groaned and looked at Sniper with annoyed glares, but Ruby actually giggled. "Yeah, I know. Me and Yang always tried to get that out of him." Then her face grew a little serious again. "What about you guys? How were your family's?"
The three mercenaries tensed up. They didn't say anything. Then Engineer let out a deep sigh and said, "She told us her about her family and about her mother, we owe her the same." He looked at his two companions who didn't respond and he continued, "Well for me, I came from a state in the United States called Texas and my family were smart folk. My grandparents had both been famous inventors. I had decided to do the same and studied engineering heavily and then began to find ways to construct and rebuild buildings by just simple means off hitting hit with a wrench. I earned eleven PHD's for my achievements and while in college I fell in love with a women call Irene. We got married, but after a few years, I was called in for the offer of the war that was between the two old men. I was about to leave, when Irene divorced me and used this chance to take most of the money I had made for my buildings. It was an evil thing to do, but I was hurt more by the betrayal of her love. After that I gladly left for the mercenary war." He finished and Ruby was staring at the brilliant man with sadness. Before she could console him, Sniper spoke up.
"My story is a little more simple. I was a child of parents from a hidden underwater city named Atlantis, but I was sent out in a rocket ship as an attempt to get out into space. It failed and I landed on the nearby continent Australia where two nice old people found me and raised me. The man was a hunter and taught me how to shoot a sniper rifle. I had a gift for it and was soon known as the "Australian Dead Eye." Then I got hired for the mercenary war and that ends my family story."
Sniper finished casually and turned to Spy, "Now it's your turn mate. Tell us your story." Spy grimaced. "All you need to know about me is that I was used in the second World War to sneak into Nazi bases and find out secrets. My parents were killed in the one of the many bombings that happened during the war. I barely survived the war myself, and finally had some relief. But my skills in the area had gotten around and I was soon hired as well." He said shortly and looked at there three others, challenging them to ask him more. They didn't. Ruby then smiled at the three. "I feel so much closer to you guys. It also makes me feel much better about you guys." she looked up at the sky and the three mercenaries joined her and also had small grins on their faces.
Around the Dining Hall, Yang had told the other mercenaries the story she had told Blake and the story that Ruby had told Spy, Engineer, and Spy. "And that's my family history," she concluded as she stroked Scout's hair. She had pulled him down and placed his head on her lap which he didn't really mind at all. The mercenaries nodded and exchanged words of sympathy. Then Yang asked, "So what about you guys? I'm guessing you guys had family's back in your world. Or did you sprout out of eggs." She looked around for a laugh but none came. The mercenaries had become quite still and glanced at each other.
Then Soldier stood up and said, "I will share my story! I was a young pure american boy, my parents were all army professionals and I would aim to be the same. So I trained my ass off until I was able to master every single military school nearby! However, my real american born fury didn't come in until...," he faltered and his swagger faded. "Until my family died in World War II... I immediately drafted for the army and to join the war. But the army rejected me. They said I was too violent and would get everyone on my side killed along with myself." He then looked up and grinned once more. "BUT THAT DIDN'T STOP ME! I WENT THERE MYSELF AND KILLED EVERY SINGLE NON-AMERICAN PIECE OF CRAP THAT CROSSED MY PATH!" He shouted this and taking out his Freedom Staff, a wooden staff that had a golden eagle on the top, and thrust it into the air. "After the war, I just trained and killed stupid non-americans. Then I was hired to the war where I met these boys! And that is my glorious tale!" He finished dramatically. There was a moment of silence. Yang looked around at the other mercenaries to see if they would say that Soldier was lying but none them did so. Then Heavy got up.
"Well, it seems Heavy must share his story. I lived in the Siberian desert with my mama and sisters. I was the big brother and once I was old enough to walk, I went out to kill bears for food. When Heavy turned ten, I was put into a work farm so I could make money for our family. It was brutal. The babies their treated us with whips and yelled at us to work more then we could. While at work, Heavy learned to design heavy guns. One day, Heavy was clearing snow when mean lieutenant came to me and beat me. I got angry and snapped and I punched little baby man into the ground. I took my gun, Sasha, and ran away from the place. I returned to my mama and sisters and for another few months, I killed more bear for them and went into the town that was miles away to make money. Then one day, I was in town and a woman came to Heavy and asked Heavy to join fight for lots of money. I accepted for my family."
Heavy finished and the others regarded him with deep respect. For a man so gentle, his past was one of abuse. Demoman then coughed and got everyone's attention. "Well lads, I might as well tell ya about my life as well too, though we all know each others story, our lassie here doesn't." Demoman smiled at Yang and then began, "I was born into a small family of just me, me mum, and me father. The Degroot family were famous for taking on many jobs at once. From twenty to forty jobs. As a young lad, I went looking for jobs and I wondered into a large castle that belonged to a wizard that we all know. Merasmus. He told me that he had a job for me and I said yes. He told me to clean his castle for him and he would pay lots. Right before I began, he told me, "DO NOT TOCUH THE BOMBNOMICON!" I didn't know exactly what he meant so I just began cleaning. I was doing well until I entered a large room, with a book in the center. Since I was a small lad, I approached the thing in curiosity and it was funny looking book with eyes and a mouth at the center with a bomb lodged into it. In curiosity, I opened it, and the some bloody energy came out of it and went straight towards my eye. Merasmus ran into the room and closed the book, but the damage had been done. It had taken me eye!" Yang gasped before he continued, "Anyway, I went home afterward and for many years afterward I studied the creation of explosives. By the time I was around the age I am now, I had become an expert with it and had killed a legendary monster in a lake called the Loch Ness monster. However, me pap had died and me mother was annoyed that I only carried two jobs at that time. Then a woman came to our house and offered me a job in America and me mom accepted before even I could. Thats how I ended up in the mercenary war with me lads!" Demoman finished and bowed to the others who clapping at his nice performance.
Then Heavy turned to Medic and said, "It is your turn doctor." Medic instantly began to look around at the others and shared a few scared looks with the others. "My früiend," said Medic gently to Heavy, "I don't think it is appropriate for Yang."
"Tell the story."
Everyone looked to towards Yang who was looking at Medic with a threatening glare. "I am not a child Medic, tell the story," she growled quietly, still stroking Scout's hair but a little harder then she intended and Scout yelped a little. She looked down and apologized before turning back to Medic. Medic sighed and then took the center.
"I come from ze country of Germany and my parents were normal folk. At first, I was a normal person. I went to school and did my studies, but there vas one big problem. I could never make friends because of my strange and dangerous personality. As I grew vup, my interest in ze vorks of ze human body increased and I began to study medicine. I quickly got a degree and vas sent to a hospital to work on patients. However, my obsession with ze human body, made me take some patients with me and secretly dissect them for my own knowledge. I did zis for many years until I vas finally caught transferring out a human skeleton and my medical license was taken away. But by zat time, I knew enough to construct a device out of pure health, urine, and food to create a certain healing beam zat I know use in my Medi-Gun. Right after I invented this, I was called in by a someone and told zat I was needed for a job in America and I accepted to escape my bloody past in Germany."
Medic stopped talking and sat back down next to Heavy, who patted his friend on the back. Yang stared at Medic for a little, not sure weather to console him or throw up but decided to just turn to the next mercenary. "Pyro...?" she asked uncertainty. Pyro just looked at her and began to mumble something that Yang could not understand. When it finished, it looked up at the rest in expectation but no one said anything.
"Umm, anyway that leaves us with you babe," said Yang turning to look down at her boyfriend who was beginning to fall asleep in her lap. He opened his eyes and asked, "Do I have to get up?" The mercenaries laughed at him, but Yang just smiled kindly and shook her head. Scout sighed and then he turned his head sideways to look at his comrades and they stopped laughing so he could tell his story.
"I started off with my ma and seven older brothers in Boston. At that time, the city was all about street gangs. You couldn't go down a block without seeing a couple of men huddled together, ready to fight another gang. My brothers were a gang of their own and I wanted to join the knuckleheads, but ma said I was to young and she wanted me to grow up and maybe become smart. I ignored her and followed my brothers outside and joined them on their fights. But my brothers were one of the strongest freakin gangs in the city and by the time I arrived on the fight, it would be over! So I decided to run faster. So I ran. And ran, and ran until I was so freakin fast I would be at the fight not just first but it would be over before my brothers came since I carried a steel bat because I wasn't that strong. Anyway, my freakin awesome speed soon got around and then one day, my ma told me I had gotten a job offer and I accepted. Which landed me with my pally's here," he finished.
There was a content silence, as everyone remembered their own pasts and the good parts of it. Yang leaned down and kissed Scout and was happy that, though he was a mercenary, her boyfriend had spirit.
Back inside the Dinning Hall, a gray haired boy and mint haired girl were dancing slowly. Mercury and Emerald were smiling to make sure that they looked liked they were genuinely having fun. But in their hair were earpieces that connected to another one, worn by a woman in a black stealth suit and a black mask. This woman was standing on the roof of a nearby building and she was staring at a large tower that wasn't to far away. Cinder smiled and put her finger on the earpiece. "I'm about to start the operation. Keep an eye on the professors and tell me if they leave. Understood?"
Mercury and Emerald both replied, "Yes." Cinder took her finger off and then leapt from the roof she was on and landed on another one. She jumped from house to house towards the tower. However, she was unaware that she had been spotted already. But not by a professor.
Ruby, Spy, Engineer, and Spy were stargazing and telling story's about constellations, when Ruby noticed something out of the corner of her eye. She saw a dark figure jumping from roof to roof. She stood up and stared after her, but she lost her in the dark night time. She turned to tell the mercenaries next to her but found them all standing up and staring at the same spot she had been a few seconds ago.
"It seems we have a suspicious somebody near the school," said Spy slowly. He then took out his small revolver, the Enforcer, and motioned to both Sniper and Engineer and they nodded and they began to walk in the direction of the woman. Before they could go far, Ruby sprinted after them as best she could in her dance heels and said, "Wait! I'm coming with you!" Spy looked back and smirked, "You don't even have your weapon.
Ruby just grinned and took out her scroll. She tapped on the smartphone like device and then stood their. Just as the mercenaries thought she was messing around, a strange whistling sound was heard and they looked up just in time to see a rocket propelled locker fall to the ground upright. It opened and revealed Ruby's scythe, Crescent Rose, inside. Ruby grabbed it and turned around to see the mercenaries staring at the locker in shock. She giggled a little before saying, "I will explain later. Let's chase that person!" The mercenaries nodded and they began to make their way to the tower that the figure was headed too.
Cinder made it to the tower without incident. The tower was called the CCT and was the main communications center of Vale. She needed to infiltrate the tower and get some codes and data before getting out without being discovered. She hid behind a small bush and scanned the entrance. Two guards were standing in front of the doors, keeping an eye out for anybody unwanted. She snuck around one and brought her hands around his neck in a choke hold while covering his mouth with one hand. He struggled for a little before passing out. She hid him behind a bush and then snuck around the other guard and did the same thing. Once she had hidden the second guard as well she entered the tower to find one man patrolling the ground floor. He turned and saw her and yelled, "Hey! Who are-" Before he could finish, Cinder sprinted forward and kicked his gun out of his hand and then performed a knife chop at the man's neck, knocking him out. She kept going and reached the elevators and pushed the button to call one of them. After a minute, there was a ding and the doors opened to reveal two guards chatting. They stopped and stared at the woman for a second before reaching for their guns, but Cinder took them out with a combo gut punch and a kick to the shins, sending the guards to the floor. She pushed a button that would send the elevator to the main communications floor which was at the very top of the tower and the doors shut before the elevator headed up.
Ruby, Spy, Engineer, and Sniper ran over to the CCT Tower and began to scan the area. They had been pretty sure this is where the figure had run off too. After a few minutes, Spy found the two unconscious guards in front of the building and gestured for the others to follow him. Quietly, he pushed open the doors and they entered, immediately noticing the other unconscious guard inside. Engineer inspected the guard as the others approached the second elevator and pushed the button to call it. The elevator came down and Engineer joined the others and they got began to go up. "Who do you think this is?" asked Ruby, and the other three shrugged. "Whoever it is," said Spy seriously, "Be ready to fight."
Cinder made it to the top floor which was a large room with rows and rows of computers that were used to talk to people across Remnant. She went behind the main desk and took out her scroll. She found a small slot where scroll's could be inserted for money purposes or information. She put it in and activated a hacker program and the scroll began to go through the many files and codes, until it found one specific one. When it did it beeped and Cinder, grinning triumphantly, took it out and began to make her way back to the elevator. However, before she even got close, there was a ding and the other elevator opened to reveal Ruby and the three mercenaries.
"Um, excuse me," said Ruby politely as they walked out, "I don't think you can-" before she could finish Cinder conjured up glass like Dust crystals and fired them towards the newcomers. Her suit had lit up has she did so and her eyes had glowed slightly. The four dodged the attack and ducked behind a row of computers. Spy poked his head out from about a computer and fired his Enforcer on her, but she either dodged or deflected the bullets using her strange glass Dust ability. Sniper tried to throw Jarate (urine in a jar) at her, but she was able to get out off the way and it crashed onto the floor behind her with the splash not being close enough to effect her. Engineer took out his Lugermorph pistol and like Spy tried to hit her with quick bullets but with the same result. Ruby charged at her and sliced her scythe, but Cinder made a glass staff and blocked the strike. However, though it seemed that Cinder was able to keep the four at bay, she was getting outnumbered. A few bullets from Engineer and Spy hit her, causing her aura to go down a little and then Sniper peeked out again, this time equipped with the Sydney Sleeper, a gun that could basically shoot out Jarate darts, and scored a nice shot to her side, causing her to be dowsed in the gross liquid. Cinder knew she had to get out, and blocking another strike from Ruby she used the glass Dust shards that were in her staff and she fired it at her opponents. The four fighters had to duck behind computers as the dangerously sharp Dust crystal soared over them. When it was safe, they all looked over again but the person they were fighting was gone.
Cinder landed in a fountain from her controlled jump and got out of it quickly. It hadn't just served as a safer landing but also was able to get the nasty stuff on her. She ran back to the dorm building and changed into a nice purple minidress. As she did she took off the mask she was wearing with the suit and smiled. The people she had fought didn't have an idea it was her. But as she left to go to the dance and inform Mercury and Emerald and act casual, she made another mental note. Keep and eye on those nine mysterious people.
Later that night, a few hours after the dance had ended. Ruby found herself in Professor Ozpin's office. Her other friends had gone to sleep by now, but she, Spy, Engineer, and Sniper had been called up after being discovered at the tower a few minutes after the mysterious woman got away. Ozpin was sitting behind his desk drinking his usual cup of hot cocoa, while Professor Goodwitch stood behind him quietly. The huntress in training and three mercenaries stood in front of the desk quietly. They had been told that they were waiting for someone. The elevator in Ozpin's office tower chimed and opened to reveal a strong man in his forties with short flat grey hair, lighter gray side burns and a face that was so professional, it looked liked it had been chiseled from stone. He wore a white jacket with army badges pinned on it and long white pants. He walked up to Ozpin's desk and greeted him cordially.
"Well Ozpin, it has been a while," said the man smiling as he shook Ozpin's hand and then turned to Professor Goodwitch, "And Glynda, it is nice to see you once more." Professor Goodwitch just nodded curtly to him. He finally turned to the four others and his face became serious. "So, you are the people that were at the tower." They nodded. "Well, for those of you who don't know, I am General Ironwood. I command the Atlas military that has been stationed here for the upcoming Vytal festival. I was in town when I heard of the incident and insisted on being here for the meeting." His tone was level and there was no hint of hostility or anger. But it was the voice of a man who had had his share with criminals.
He looked at Ruby and said, "I'm assuming your a Huntress in training." Ruby nodded and Ironwood walked up to her and put his hand on her shoulder and leaned down a little. "I want you to know, that what you did today was exactly what a Huntsman or Huntress would have done. You should be very proud of yourself." Ruby blushed a little and couldn't respond. Ironwood straightened up and turned to the three mercenaries. "And you are three of these mercenaries that Ozpin has told me about, am I correct?" They nodded. Ironwood then regarded all four of them and asked, "Do you know who it was?"
"No mister," said Engineer politely, "She was wearing a black mask that covered part of her face. Ironwood looked at the two professors behind him before turning back and continuing, "Is there anything unusual that is worth mentioning?"
"Well, she used some bloody telekinesis to control these glass shards and fire them at us," said Sniper. Ironwood once again turned to look at the professors. Ozpin stayed silent but Goodwitch, reading Ironwood's expression said, "Many powerful Huntsman and Huntresses can manipulate glass like Dust crystals."
Ironwood sighed and turned back to the four. "That is all." Ozpin dismissed Ruby and the three mercenaries followed her back to the dorm building to get some sleep.
General Ironwood turned to Professor Ozpin and Professor Goodwitch. "Do you think, this is the person we are looking for?" Ozpin pondered the question for a few seconds before saying calmly, "I don't know. But whatever the case, we must be on our toes. And I also have a feeling that these mercenaries are going to play a large role soon."
Author Note: Whew, that took a while but I got it all done. Chapters may take a little longer to post now, not much longer but longer, but don't worry I won't stop. Now with the backstories of the mercenaries, I altered some of them but not much. And I know Weiss and Blake wouldn't be so open to Neptune and Sun, but I'm changing it up a little. Their still them though so don't worry. Reviews are always welcome and I will see you in the next chapter... BYE BYE!