A/N: I hate writing combat scenes, even if they are as short as the one in this chapter, for one reason; I suck at it, it's why I have been avoiding for so long. *heavy sigh* Oh well, I can't get better at it unless I try. Here goes nothing. Also enjoy the longer chapter!

Chapter 22: that comes with

The next day...

I woke up next to a fully rested Sarah and in good health. While I was worried about her and the flashback that she got yesterday, I knew better than to intrude when it came to Sarah's past. She would tell me when she was ready. Though, as a precautionary measure, I asked Shade to stay away from Sarah for now.

"Hey Sarah," I said as I got out of bed and got dressed. "I'm going to head to the GYM for a bit."

"Alright." She responded. I walked over to her and gave her a kiss before I left.

I stopped at the door, "Hey Sarah?" I asked as I turned to face her. "I don't know what exactly happened yesterday in the lobby, and I won't push it; however, I am curious about something. Why did you push some of what your were experiencing to me?"

"I pushed some of it to you because I knew that you could handle it." She replied.

"That's all I wanted to know. Whenever you're ready to tell me what you saw, I know that you'll tell me saw." I said before I left through the door.

When I entered the GYM, I saw two other people occupying the room, Sam and Drake. 'Strange, I wonder why they're up this early...' I thought to myself.

Drake saw me when I entered and approached me. As he did so, I felt his presence enter my mind. "Morning Soap."

"Morning Drake, morning Sam. What are you two doing up this early? Normally you two aren't up for another hour or two." I said as I took note of the time, 6:30 am.

"I wanted to ask you something."

I leaned against the wall behind me, "Well shoot."

"Would it be possible for us, myself and Sam, to visit my hometown in Vaccuo?"

I was honestly surprised, I didn't expect the question, "Yeah it's possible, why do you ask?" I replied.

"Several reasons. One, It's been over four years since I've seen it and I want to visit some old friends and see if they're still alive; I doubt that they think I am. Two, Sam's been bugging me."

I raised an eyebrow at this, "For what reason has she been bugging you?" I asked him.

"She wants to see where I grew up." He responded.

I thought for a moment, "Sure." I pulled out my scroll and messaged Sarah, "Hey Sarah; Sam, Drake and myself are going to make a run to Vaccuo for something. I am leaving you in charge of RWBY's lesson for today, which is to be more combat training. Can you do this for me? ~Soap"

I got a response in less than a minute. I was nowhere near her, but I could feel her grinning like a madwoman through the bond we shared. "Gladly. ~Sarah"

I sighed. I sent her another message, "Please don't hurt them. ~Soap"

I could feel her disappointment as she read the message. I just laughed as she messaged me again. "Fine. ~Sarah"

A few hours later...

"Alright guys, we're here." I said, waking up the other occupants as the Bullhead touched the landing pad.

"We're here already?" I heard a feminine voice say.

"Sam, it's been nearly an hour since we left the church." I said.

"Seriously? Damn." I heard her respond as we exited the aircraft.

"So Drake?" I said.

"Yes?"

"We walking or are we driving?" I asked.

"We're walking. I don't have a car over here. Plus we're not too far from my house."

"Alrighty then. By all means, lead the way."

"Gladly." He said, taking the lead.

Meanwhile, back at the church...

~Blake P.O.V.

"Come on girls. I thought you were supposed to be the top team of your year." I heard Sarah yell from across the GYM.

"Says the person who can teleport with her semblance!" I heard Ruby from behind me. It was just her and myself left in the fight, although my aura was at three-quarters and Ruby's was at half. Sarah's was still full. Yang and Weiss had been knocked out of the fight after they rushed her at the same time and collided with each other.

"Ruby, she's not even using her weapons." I told her. This was apparently news to her since her jaw dropped when I said this.

"Would you rather me actually use my weapons?" I heard Sarah ask.

Before I even had a chance to respond, I heard Ruby next to me yell out "Yes!"

"Alright." She said with a grin that looked like it belonged to a madwoman. She reached behind her and pulled out, from seemingly nowhere, two metal pipes. 'What's that supposed to do?' I thought to myself. She pointed one at Ruby. The pipe began to spark with electricity and continued to do so until the sound of a gunshot was heard.

I looked at my scroll to check my aura level. My aura was fine and remained where it was earlier, Ruby's had dropped to less than a quarter left. "Ruby, your aura!" She looked at her scroll, her eyes widening when she did.

"How?" Ruby yelled.

Sarah flipped one of her pipes, "By forcing my semblance into a small area with only one way out, I can use the resulting effect as a sort of sniper rifle."

I was baffled.

Just then Sarah charged Ruby...

~Soap P.O.V.

"Is this it?" I asked.

Drake looked at the house in front of us, "Yeah. This is it."

It was a one-story home that matched the rest of houses in the neighborhood, only this one looked worn-down and uncared for. I saw Drake reach into his jacket pocket to pull out a key.

We entered the house to find a standard living room furnished with a couch and a, at this point, rather out-dated television set. I took a seat on the couch and stretched. "You kids go have fun. I'll be here if you need me." I told them.

Sam and Drake both nodded before they wondered off.

Just as they left my eyesight; General Gunnel appeared in front of me, successfully startling me. "You know, I hate it when you do that unannounced." I told the apparition.

The ghost just shrugged and took a seat next to me on the couch. Just then I saw a rather displeased Drake run past my field of view chasing after a giggling Sam. The General and I were content to watch as Drake, unsuccessfully, tried to catch Sam.

Chris broke the silence, "Makes you wonder."

"Wonder what Chris?" I asked, turning to face the spirit.

"What your life might be like if you had never found them."

"I'll tell you right now, Drake would have been executed and Sam would have either starved to death or someone from the White Fang would have found her and recruited her for their cause."

"No. That's what their lives would be like had you never found them. But you did, you did find them. YOU were the one who gave them a second chance and caused them to meet. You changed their lives."

"Yep, and because of it, I ended up having to watch two six year olds in a 15 and 16 year old body." I said.

"Yeah." Chris said standing up and looking at his wrist. "I should be going now; but before I do, I want you to think about something."

"What's that?"

"How much different would your life be if you never found them. Think about that Soap. Until next time." Chris said as he started to dissipate.

"Until next time." I responded.

I pondered his question after he disappeared until I heard a knock at the door.

'I wonder who that could be.' I thought to myself. I yelled into house, "Drake, someone's at the door!"

A few moments later, Drake and Sam entered the room. "I wonder who that is." I heard Drake say in my head as he neared the door.

I just shrugged as I got off the couch, "Why don't we find out?" I responded. Just as Drake got to the door, I spoke again, "You might want to type instead of using your semblance."

"Why?"

"Just as a precaution." I said.

He just shrugged and said, "Ok."

When he opened the door, Drake was met with a flaming punch to the face that knocked him back a couple of feet. I heard Drake yell in my head, "What the fuck!?" When we heard this, Sam drew her custom SMG and pointed it at the door while I dropped into a fighting stance.

Drake's attacker entered the house with a knife in one hand and a lighter in the other. He was about 5'5" and looked to be around 16 years old. He was wearing worn blue jeans, a shirt that consisted of many differing shades of red, a black leather jacket, and sported a silver chain around his neck. His maroon colored hair was greased back which only made his already somewhat unique charcoal eyes stand out even more. Just from looking at his face, I could tell he had seen a lot of time in sun. I was able to draw this conclusion due to the tan line around his eyes where sunglasses would go. He pointed his knife at Drake. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Drake's holo-projector turned on, a text field appearing in front of him, and a sword of ice appearing in his right hand. I watched as Drake thought-typed his response, "Why am I here? This is my home."

"Absolutly fucking impossible. The person that lived here disappeared over four years ago."

"Then what are you doing here?" Drake said.

"That person was my best friend. After the police gave up trying to find him, I swore that I would protect his home." The apparent vigilante said.

"Why?" appeared on the holo-screen in front of Drake.

"So that if he isn't dead and ever returns, he would have someplace to come back to."

"What was his name?" Drake asked.

"Drake Hemington." The kid responded.

I knew Drake was smiling internally when he heard this, "What's your name?" Drake asked.

"Crimson. Wh-"

Crimson never got to finish that statement as Drake hug/tackled him. Sam and I looked at each other confused.

"What the hell?" Crimson asked.

Drake let go of the kid, "Crimson. I can't believe you did that for me."

"What ar-. Wait a fucking sec." He took a good look at Drake. "Holy shit! Drake?!"

"Yep, it's me buddy."

I spoke up, "Drake, you mind telling us who that is?"

"This is Crimson Zarex. My best friend while I lived here in Vaccuo."

Sam stepped forward and outstretched her hand, "I'm Sam Krest, Drake's girlfriend." Crimson took her hand and shook it.

"Nice to meet you." He looked her over, "A faunas...Drake my friend, I must admit, you have excellent tastes."

I laughed when I saw both Drake and Sam blush at his comment. My turn.

I put out my hand, which Crimson took firmly, "Nice to meet you Crimson. I'm Soap."

He looked a little confused, "What kind of name is Soap?" He asked.

"The kind that involves a story that I would rather not tell right now."

"Sorry." Crimson apologized.

"It's fine. Why don't we sit down and talk? Oh and Drake, you can turn off the holo-projector now." I said, turning around and walking toward the couch. Sam followed close behind me.

"Drake, why haven't you said a word yet?" Crimson said.

"Because he can't." I said as I took a seat on the couch.

"And why not?" Crimson asked following my example, placing himself next to Drake on the couch.

"I'll let him tell you." I said, motioning for Drake to show him.

Drake turned to Crimson and lifted his head. He then traced a scar that went down the right side of his neck.

Crimson, however, looked confused. "You got a scar on your neck...I'm...sorry?"

Drake, Sam, and myself all facepalmed.

"What am I missing here?" He asked.

I sighed, "Put your hand on your neck where Drake did on his."

"Okay..." Crimson said, unsure of what I was asking, but did so anyways.

"Good. Now, while your hand is there, say something." I said.

"Um...Hello?"

"Did you feel your neck vibrate a little when you spoke?" I asked him.

"Yeah, why?"

"Those are your vocal chords. Something Drake doesn't have." I responded.

"Why not?"

Just as I was about to speak, I felt Drake's presence enter my mind which told me that he wanted to answer this one.

"Because, the White Fang cut them out."

Crimson nearly jumped out of his skin, "Who was that?!"

Drake gave a small wave.

"I thought you can't speak." Crimson said.

"I can't, however, that's not going to stop me from trying. I'm using my semblance right now in case you're wondering."

"I thought your semblance was Ice."

"It is. However, in the absence of a way to communicate with others, your body will form a secondary semblance to counter act that."

Crimson looked confused, "My head hurts. I need a smoke." He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and the lighter he had earlier. He stuck one of the cigarettes in his mouth.

"Just don't burn the house down." Sam said.

"Hahaha." He said as struggled to make his lighter work. "Fuck!" He yelled after unsuccessfully attempting to make the lighter work for the seventh time.

"If I remember correctly, your semblance is pyrokinesis. Why are you using a lighter?"

"Because, pryokinesis is only the ability to control and manipulate fire, not create it. If I am given a source, I can keep the fire from going out and use it to my advantage, but once it's gone, it's gone. That's why I bring a source with me where ever I go." Crimson said. He tried once more before throwing the lighter across the room and letting out a heavy sigh. "And it looks like I need another one."

"Well in that case, here." I said.

I held out my hand and activated my semblance. At first, my hand was covered in smoke with not a flame in sight, but as I concentrated, the smoke began to dissipate and gave way for flames. As soon as my hand was a ball of fire, I felt Crimson's aura grab some of it and pull it back to his hand after which I deactivated my semblance.

After Crimson had lit his cigarette and smoked it a few times, he sighed in satisfaction. "Much better."

I looked at the time and stood, "Hey Sam, Drake, we should probably be heading back to Vale, we don't want to miss dinner."

"What do you have to get back to?" Crimson asked.

"Our job." I responded.

"What do you guys do?" He asked.

"Several things. We are bounty hunters and we are Instructor at Beacon, and we have students that we need to get back to." I explained.

"Oh, ok. Well, it was nice seeing you again, Drake." He said a little sadly. "It was nice meeting you all as well."

I thought for a second. "Crimson, I am in need of another student to form, what will be, a late starting team at Beacon; would you happen to be interested?" I asked.

He immediately perked up when I asked this. "You fucking serious?"

I looked at Sam and Drake then back to Crimson, "Why not? So, what do you say?"

"Sure. I'd love to. Plus, I've got an Aunt that lives in Vale and it's been a while since I've seen her."

"Do you need to grab anything before we leave?" I asked.

"Not really, the only thing I need is this." He opened the front door and grabbed a skateboard.

'How did I not see that one coming?' I thought to myself. "Alright then." I put out my hand. "Grab my hand and close your eyes."

He gave me a confused look.

"Just do it, I'll explain afterwards." I said.

"OK~"

10 minutes later...

"I still can't fucking believe that." Crimson said as I left the cockpit of the, now, pilot-less Bullhead.

"Which part? The part where I said that I am one of the richest people alive, The part where I said I can teleport and fly using my semblance, the part where I said that my Bullhead pilots itself, or the part where I said that Drake has no arms?"

"All of the fucking above." He said as I laughed.

He pulled out his pack of cigarettes and stuck one in his mouth. When I saw this I took them from him and threw them out the window. "What the fuck was that for?"

"If you light up on a Bullhead, you have a very high chance of being sent straight to the ground in the form of a burning wreck." I replied.

"The what can I do to relive my fucking headache?" He asked.

I activated my semblance and formed a guitar shaped ball of smoke. After it was done forming, I activated my necklace's semblance, making the smoke guitar solid.

"What the hell is that?" I heard Crimson say.

"THIS is the remedy to your headache. Hey Sam, you willing?" I asked.

"Which one you thinking?" Sam asked.

"You want to give Beyond Me a shot?" I said.

"Nah, what about We Walk On Water?" Sam replied.

"This is Living. The acoustic version, not the radio edit." I heard Drake say.

I thought about it, "I'm down. Sam?"

"Sure." Sam replied.

"Alright. Crimson, I know that you have no idea what we are talking about..."

"Got that right." Crimson said, interrupting me. I rolled my eyes at him.

"...but after we're done here, this," I held up the guitar in my hands, "is yours. I'll teach you how to play it when we get back to the church."

"Play? What the hell are you doing?" He asked.

I smiled as I began to play, "You'll see."

*Cue: This is Living (Acoustic) by Hillsong Young and Free*

A/N: And that's a wrap. I was going to ask whether or not you guys think this is rated M material thus far since I was considering dropping the rating to T; however, now that Crimson has entered the fray, I'm not so sure. I don't know. Let me know what you think guys. Regarding the ending, I was thinking about doing something like when I did RATHER BE, but I decided against it. Also, if you guys have any questions or comments regarding anything in the story, don't be afraid to leave a review or send me a P.M. with said question or comment, I love talking to you guys.

Well, that's all I have for now. Until next time, I'm SoapiestAuto780, and I'm out.

See ya guys.