Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Shadows of the Force. Enjoy the 2000-word chapter. I don't own RWBY and Star Wars. Monty Oum, Lucas Films and Rooster Teeth do.
(Venator Class cruiser Trailblazer, Orbit over Vale, Remnant 1:32 PM November 12th.)
Blake flipped backwards as Lerek slowly advanced upon her, his lightsaber buzzing as he leapt towards her. she was forced to roll to the side as Lerek spun his lightsaber through his fingers.
"I'm still curious how you have a shapeshifting sword," Lerek said as he chuckled before Blake charged him.
He brought up his weapon as sparks began to fly before he leapt backwards, looking at Blake with amusement as she transformed the weapon again. Lerek watched the blade slowly shift and turn into a weapon similar to a whip, he questioned what the mechanic behind it was. Then again? He had time to question Blake upon that later.
"I'm still surprised how you managed to make something like that," Lerek stated before he rushed forward at Blake. "That's some fancy engineering, I'd love to learn how you made it shapeshift," Lerek added while Blake rolled her eyes.
"Your still so weird…" Blake muttered, twirling Gambol Shroud as she started to watch Lerek and her begin to circle each other.
"Yet you asked what a lightsaber is," Lerek stated while he shook his head and started to advance upon Blake. "I'm still curious why you put a ranged weapon into that thing. You're a pretty blasted good sword fighter, why add in a ranged weapon if you're so fast?" Lerek questioned which got a hum from Blake a moment later.
"There's some Grimm that is too dangerous to fight up close," Blake said before swinging the weapon towards Lerek.
The Arkanian dodged it as the weapon carried over his head before it embedded in an empty crate behind them. Blake pulled herself forward in a double legged kick which Lerek sidestepped, grabbing her leg in the mid-attack and using it to throw her across the hanger.
"I seriously think huntsmen and huntresses are just this world's version of Jedi," Lerek said and watched Blake land in a crouch. "Because you're a lot faster and tougher than anyone I've met back home," Lerek stated while he shook his head.
"There are a LOT of things similar between our worlds," Blake stated, curious what his galaxy held.
Lerek took another fighting stance as Blake twirled her ribbon in his direction. Lerek used the force to deflect the ribbon, causing it to wrap around a railing as she tugged herself towards him. She swung Gambol Shroud, trying to cut and trip up his legs. Lerek flipped over the weapon only for the ribbon to catch his arm.
"Your quick, I'll give you that," Lerek stated with a smirk as Blake tugged herself towards him. "You rely on speed a lot, yeah? You remind me of Master Skywalker's padawan." Lerek stated which garnered a raised eyebrow.
"I forgot I've not explained a lot about the Jedi at the end of the day," Lerek said, blocking another of Blake's strikes at him. "Jedi have stages of training, Padawans are the second stage where their still apprentices to more experienced Jedi," Lerek added as he slid back from one of Blake's kicks.
"So, you used to be a student at one point," Blake said which got a nod from Lerek.
"Yes, Jedi Knights are Jedi who graduated from their apprenticeship. Just a rank below Jedi master." Lerek added before Blake turned and fired a trio of shots at him.
Lerek held up his hand, pausing the bullets from his face as he looked at Blake. The Arkanian raised an eyebrow of his own towards Blake as she blinked.
"These look similar to slugthrowers, you know," Lerek said as he lowered his hand, dropping the bullets to the ground. "They're less advanced than the blasters we use, effective on lightsabers, though. The bolt melts on contact with the blade, throws metal everywhere." Lerek said as Blake nodded and tugged Gambol Shroud back to her hand, transforming the sword in her hand as she did so.
Lerek returned his lightsaber to his belt, turning it off as he did so. He sighed and panted, impressed by the speed the Faunus had at the moment.
"Your world is a LOT different than Remnant, isn't it?" Blake questioned which got a nod from Lerek.
"Indeed, but there's a LOT of worlds back home with THOUSANDS of species," Lerek said before both he and her started to walk towards the hanger at the moment later.
Blake nodded and began to ponder what was going to happen next. Blake questioned how negotiations were going to work out, there would no doubt be several long talks that carried into new days.
"And yet Faunus aren't part of that home?" Blake asked and watched Lerek shrug.
"If they were? I'd love to meet them, it's always nice to learn more about the galaxy." Lerek said as his comlink began to beep. "This is Lerek, what is it?" Lerek asked and cracked his back audibly a moment later.
"General? It's Drifter." Lerek heard from his friend. "We've managed to decode some of the info on the tactical droid, I was wondering if you'd want to review it with me and the admiral." Drifter put in before Lerek paused to look at Blake.
"I'll be up in 10 minutes, Drifter," Lerek said and rubbed at his eyes for a moment. "See what else you can find in the meantime," Lerek ordered and shut down the signal.
"Seems you're going to be busy for a while." Lerek heard from Blake which garnered a chuckle from the Arkanian Jedi.
"Yeah, sleeping is going to be terrible," Lerek stated while the duo walked towards the turbo-lift. "I'll bring you to your room for now. Thankfully? Master Kenobi has allowed me to get some rest while he handles some business in Vale. I just have to get this meeting done and a nice 8 hours of sleep is mine." Lerek put forward as he pressed the button.
The lift shot upwards through the hull of the massive ship like a bullet. The Arkanian and Faunus shared a glance for a moment as they looked at the box around them.
"I'm glad there are people like you fighting for what's right on Remnant, Blake," Lerek said as he leaned on the wall. "I'm just sorry you keep getting dragged into all these boring political talks. Can't be much interest just listening to people explain how best for people to do things." Lerek said while he rubbed at his temples as the doors slid open.
"It's fine. I just wish the Faunus had that ability." Blake said and closed her eyes.
"I'll put the Faunus on my list of 'people to protect'." Lerek joked, earning another elbow. "I'll reach out to them if they are open to it. Jedi fight tyranny, oppression… If there is suffering? I'll make sure they know we're standing with them as best we can. If they ask? I'll just say one of my best friends is a Faunus." Lerek said, watching Blake crack a faint smile.
"Thank you," Blake said before they moved through the corridor, several clones and naval personnel passed them as they walked. "You're going to Vale when you're done sleeping, aren't you?" Blake questioned and watched Lerek nod.
"When I'm done sleeping here?" Lerek asked, looking for the door to Blake's quarters. "Yeah, plan on walking around without worrying about droids trying to shoot my head off or war meetings. It'd be nice to see Vale without EVERYTHING trying to murder me. Why? Care to take a walk around town?" Lerek added before he started to shake his head in exhaustion.
Sleep was looking REAL nice at the moment considering how utterly drained the Arkanian was between this business. He'd check in with Drifter and make sure they were squared away at the moment long enough for him to sleep.
He looked at the doors to Blake's Quarters while he started to rub at his temples again.
"How about a deal?" Lerek questioned while Blake tapped in the code Lerek had given her. "I ask 2 questions now. You ask 2 now, then… In about 8 hours or anything over 2? You come to get me, then we head to Vale, I'll let you drag me around anywhere you want, deal?" Lerek asked as the door finally opened.
"Ok, where do you plan to go after you are done with Vale?" Blake questioned as Lerek hummed.
"Well, I think I'll be visiting Menagerie, see what the homeland of the Faunus is like," Lerek stated which caused Blake's eyes to widen. "My turn, how much do you trust me? I get it, a skilled warrior comes from space leading an army with powers you are unfamiliar with… I'd get bugged to; how much do you trust me to be telling you the truth? Because I've been trying to make it OVERWHELMINGLY clear I'm not lying." Lerek said, leaning on the wall behind him.
"I trust you; I just don't trust the republic yet. Would you when they just showed up?" Blake questioned and watched Lerek shrug.
"I wouldn't be that dismissive without proof if that answer helped," Lerek said while gesturing to allow Blake to continue.
"You're taking a big interest in the Faunus for someone who barely knows us," Blake responded to which Lerek raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe because I BARELY know the Faunus," Lerek questioned as Blake looked down. "I get not trusting an entire government due to thousands of people being involved. But I'm not the entire republic, I'm one person, you trust one person out of that group?" Lerek questioned as Blake started to walk inside a moment later.
"Yes, but there are still questions to be answered," Blake stated to which Lerek nodded to her.
"I look forward to us answering them," Lerek said before he pivoted on his heel. "I'll be up in at least 2 hours if you need me before then? Just come wake me up, I'll complain a bit, but I'll still get up." Lerek added as Blake nodded and pressed the button to close the door.
The Arkanian general turned and walked towards his quarters. He needed sleep if he was going to function well in the future.
'So much to think about when I wake up. The military situation in Vale, reporting to the council about things. Talking to Blake and Ozpin…' Lerek thought to himself while grunting as he sighed.
There was far too much at stake for him to simply stand by. Lerek would have laughed about this 3 years ago when he was just an eager padawan, swinging his lightsaber around like a toy and constantly craving adventure.
"Maybe I do want some adventure, but not without saving people first," Lerek said as he stepped into the turbo-lift, pressing the button and bringing a hand to his temples. "Ugh, I'm glad Drifter and Master Kenobi are here. There's no way I could do it without them." Lerek said as he rested his hands on his temples.
The young Jedi let out a yawn, a gesture he had held in since he had arrived here. The constant toil of war and politics exhausted the teenage Jedi knight. There was only so much he could do on his lonesome.
"Ok, I have to get some sleep, I'm talking to myself," Lerek muttered as the turbo lift began to rise.
(In Vale)
Roman took a long drag of the cigar he held. The gang leader turned to the rest of his group.
"Well now, this changes things… I wonder how that kitty cat and little Red are doing." Roman stated before he turned to a member of the White Fang. "I'm guessing that little 'business meeting' is still on?" Roman questioned with a smirk.
Author Notes
Phew. Another chapter is done! I want to point out that the next chapter will be a bit delayed and new chapters will be 900-3500 mostly, 6500 or more are longer. The next chapter is in 2-10 months and will show Blake and Lerek going to Vale and setting up the events of 'Painting the Town' and such. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!