Setting: Desert
All the members of Team VRSZ, Azura, and Clair have been driving for about two hours. The ride was smooth with the hovercar compared to how VRSZ used to have a car. Sand was always an annoying problem and the uneven surface of the desert made driving the Fantasia even more difficult. There was definitely some envy for Clair's new ride going around. The only one who wasn't thinking about the hovercar was Azura who was wondering what she was going to do once she reached civilization.
"Are we there yet?" Silver asked in a bored tone.
"Shut. Uuuuppp!" Azura responded. "How many times are you gonna ask?"
"Depends. Are we there yet?" Silver asked again.
Everyone groaned except Clair and Remus. He has been asking this question for the last hour and it was getting on their nerves. It was only day two of Violet being back with her boys and she already wanted to slug Silver for his obnoxious attitude. However, his behavior was no different from usual so it was a sign that things were back to normal for Violet. She was glad, but still wanted to punch him in the face, showing she was the same too.
"We're here," Clair answered.
The others looked around to find Nexus and saw they were heading toward a town. It was small, but there seemed to be construction going on around the outside. The town was still in the midst of expanding. There were no skyscrapers or many really tall buildings that reminded them of Fortuna. Clair truly wanted a fresh start.
"This is Nexus," Zelts said as they drove closer to the new settlement.
"Mm-hmm," Clair answered. "This is our new home. What do you think?"
"It's nice," Remus complimented.
"Better than living in rubble," Silver added.
"What are those things on top of the buildings?" Violet asked. "They look like panels."
"They are panels. Solar panels to be exact. Using the sun as our source of energy was Onyx's idea. It powers most our lights, appliances, etc. He got the idea from your old home, Vi. This keeps us going energy-wise and we're blessed with the help from other settlements," Clair explained.
Clair drove the hovercar toward the settlement with the others looking in wonder.
Setting: Nexus
The hovercar flew into the settlement by moving into the large sandy path with buildings on both sides. VRSZ looked around as Clair drove, watching the construction of the outside buildings then the people walk around and go about their lives once they in the town. Azura wasn't really interested in the people, but she did look at the buildings and how they were structured. She thought the settlement was like those old western towns with an open road with buildings on opposite sides though the buildings in Nexus were much more modern. They were all different and made with stone, metal, and wood. Some were made from just one of these materials, or more than one.
Clair continued driving until she stopped in the middle of town and in front of a building. Azura noticed that there was a second road intersecting with the one they were on, showing there was more to Nexus than what she first saw. Now Azura knew this town's two roads formed an X with buildings built along them.
The hovercar was in front of a tall, dome-shaped building made of stone and metal. It had a wide set of stairs leading to the doors. Beside the door were architectural columns that helped support the structure's second floor where there were many windows. The building appeared to be a three or four-story building and seemed to be the tallest building in Nexus. The fact it was located in the middle of town meant it served an important purpose.
"This is the town's council building. Nexus was able to be made thanks to the cooperation of neighboring settlements and because of that, they have a voice here. Each settlement has a representative that lives here and helps run many of the Nexus' laws and keep order," Clair informed the others.
"So, you aren't the ruler of Nexus?" Silver asked.
"Not a ruler, but I am kinda seen as the head of Nexus since it was my creation. I have a seat on the council and delegate many of their meetings when needed. Nexus is more democratic than Fortuna which works in my favor because it means I don't have to work as much anymore," Clair said with a grateful smile.
"How many other settlements helped built this place?" Zelts asked out of curiosity.
"Virago was the first thanks to Saffron, then Treasure Trove Wharf wanted in and two other settlements joined as well. With their help, they made Nexus what it is today and we're only forty percent complete on construction. In a few short months, it'll be finished."
"I'm impressed and it kinda explains why I saw some of the Virago ladies walking around," Silver said, thinking they did look lovely.
"With Nexus being the crossroads of Vacuo settlements, you'll always find a variety of new and different people walking around every day. Thanks to that, trading and commerce are our leading source of income. There's even a large bazaar area where people trade items and sell merchandise. You can practically anything there. We plan to find others mean get Lien into Nexus in the future, but trading is keeping us afloat for now," Clair explained with pride.
"Nexus sounds like paradise," Violet complimented, honestly impressed with what her best friend has accomplished in the time she and her boys were away.
"I wish I could say the same, but we do run into problems every now and then," Clair admitted. "As a sign of appreciation to the allied settlements, I provide them with protection in the form of my old task force serving as guardians from outside threats, but after what happened in Fortuna, I don't have many members. Most have died and others quit, so my forces are spread a little thin. Virago doesn't need the help and Treasure Trove Wharf doesn't get attacked often enough to need assistance, but the other settlements aren't so lucky. Most of my task force are stationed in there, leaving this place vulnerable."
"That's too bad," Remus said.
"Yes, but problems are just a part of life. What matters is how we deal with them," Clair said, back to her upbeat mood.
"How do you plan on dealing with it? What about Ghost and Bianca?" Zelts asked with concern.
Silver perked up when he heard their names. He listened so he could know what they were doing.
"They've been busy around Nexus doing other things. I already told them you guys are here. You'll meet them later today," Clair answered.
"Nice!" Silver said to himself but everybody heard him.
Without warning or saying a word, Azura leaped out of the hovercar and began walking in the direction they entered the town. This didn't go unnoticed by anyone as they watched her leave.
"Hey, where are you going?" Remus called out to his cousin.
"Thanks for the ride, but I'm gonna be on my merry way," she answered nonchalantly.
"That's it? You're not going to stay?" Violet asked.
"This place is your home, not mine. Besides, I've been roaming around Vacuo before our little adventure. I'll be fine on my own," she said and Violet didn't believe that. Wandering through Vacuo alone was dangerous for anyone.
"Azura!" Clair called out.
"Hm?"
"I wasn't expecting you to leave so soon. I was going to ask if you'd like to stay and work as one of my enforcers," Clair said and it caught everyone's attention.
"Enforcer-what?" Azura responded, not understanding what she meant.
"I've taken a certain liking to you and I'm in need of capable people to help me keep Nexus standing. I'd like to offer you a job with room and board. We have a fex apartments for those who wish to stay here and there's still a few vacant. It must be better than slumming from place to place, no?"
Clair looked at Azura with her beaming green eyes and it made the female Cobalt groan. She then got a glimpse at Remus who adopted his own puppy dog eyes and a longing expression. He loved the idea of having Azura around like a neighbor. Violet liked the idea since she really appreciated her coming to her rescue in Atlas. Zelts didn't mind and Silver didn't hate the idea either. Everyone's positive view of her was unsettling to Azura, but ultimately impacted her decision.
"Okay, fine. I'll stay," she answered.
"Yes!" Remus shouted, not caring who heard and Azura smirked a little at his enthusiasm.
Clair smiled herself before getting out of the hovercar and walking over to Azura to shake her hand. "I look forward to your service and friendship. I'll show to your new home before the day ends."
"Yeah… thanks," Azura responded awkwardly. She didn't have much experience dealing with a nice boss.
"Well that's just great," Silver said miserly.
"What's your problem?" Zelts wondered.
"We've been here for a few minutes and Azura has a job and a place to live and we got didly squat. Tch we don't even have the didly," Silver answered sourly.
Silver was moping, but Zelts knew he was right. As it stands, Team VRSZ was finally reunited, but they don't have anything else. All of their old possessions were lost after the end of Fortuna. The only things they had were the clothes on their backs and their weapons. Violet knew this too. She figured Clair would provide them with a place to live but she had to figure out what comes after.
"Don't frown about something so trivial, darling," Clair told Silver. She was already next to him when she spoke and pressed her fingers to the sides of his cheeks and raised them, forcing him to smile. "I already have a place for you to live."
"Problem solved," Remus said with a pleased look.
"That's one problem solved," Violet thought.
"Get back in the car, Azura. We're going to see your new homes," Clair said as she started the hovercar again.
She didn't drive that far away from the council building. They were across from the building and moved to the left of the crossroads. This building wasn't as tall as the council building and seemed to be a two-story building just like the others in Nexus. This particular building had a more domestic feel to it like a house or an apartment. It was made of wood and stone and was tan in color. It had a front door to the right and a large garage door to the left. There were windows on the first and second floor with the first having several small windows on the front and two on both sides while the second floor had two large ones in the front right next to each other. The second-floor windows had curtains that obscured view from the outside.
"I knew you guys would come back someday and I've been preparing this for the day you all got back. Your new home," Clair told them. "How do you like?"
"It's great," Zelts said. "Can't believe you had a place made for us."
"It's the least I could do after everything we've been through," Clair said with a smile.
"THIS is the LEAST you could do?!" Silver asked completely astonished. "Now I wanna know what's the most you could do."
"I'd rather not think about it. Thanks for this Clair, really. This is more than enough," violet told her friend.
"Can we go inside?" Remus asked, excited to check out their new home.
"Of course," Clair incited as she opened the front door. "Let's take a look inside."
Everyone walked in to see their new home. Azura came in as well because she figured her home would be next. In all honesty, she just wanted to sleep the rest of the day away.
The first thing the team saw when they got in was the spacious living room. It had white carpeting, a large four-person couch, two love seats, a coffee table in the middle, and a large flat screen television. The living looked quite cozy to the team and Silver wanted to know what the kitchen looked like. He walked further ahead to see for himself. Remus and Violet wanted to see the bedrooms and Zelts wondered what could be on the second floor. Azura just patiently waited for the tour to end.
"The first floor has a living room, kitchen, four bathrooms, and four bedrooms for each of you. Down those two halls are the bathrooms and bedrooms. There's two of each in both halls. You guys can pick which ones you want. I put it the necessities in the living room kitchen and bathrooms. You guys can personalize your rooms however you want," Clair told them.
"YES!" Silver shouted from the kitchen. "So beautiful!"
"I take it he likes the kitchen," Zelts stated.
"If this is the first floor, then what's on the second?" Violet asked Clair who paused for a moment.
"Ah, yeah. Here's the thing," Clair started. "Your new home comes with a little extra. You guys will have another residence on the second floor. There's nothing I could do about it."
Clair sounded apologetic, but her face poorly hid a playful expression. Violet, Zelts, and Azura caught on quickly, but Remus didn't, as usual. "Who's the person living on the second floor?"
Violet sighed because she really missed his obliviousness. It helped lighten the mood for her whenever he was like this. Azura rolled her eyes because of her cousin's stupidity. Clair played along for her own amusement.
"Don't worry. It's someone you know. She likes you guys a lot so there won't be any trouble."
"She? Is it Bianca or Azura?" he asked.
"Neither. I you want a hint; she likes to sing."
"Hmm…" Remus took the time to think about it, completely unaware of everyone quietly laughing at him.
Azura was fed up with it a smacked the back of his head to get him to stop and grab his attention. "It's her, dumb-dumb! Clair is the one who's living on the second floor."
"Really?" Remus asked Clair who couldn't hold her laughter back anymore.
"Yes, sweet Remus. I'll be living with you and the others from now on. The second floor has my bedroom and bathroom. I wanted to be closer to you guys now that I won't be doing as much as I used to in Fortuna."
"That's great! It'd be really cool if we lived together," Remus beamed and Clair shared his enthusiasm.
Violet shook her head because she knew her life dynamic will change drastically. Whether it was going to annoy her or benefit her was unknown.
Silver finally came out of the kitchen and Clair thought this was the opportune moment.
"I guess this sums up most of the stuff I wanted to say to you guys. For now, relax. I need to take Azura to her new home and explain her new job," Clair said and Azura was relieved this was over. She was ready to sleep.
The two women left, leaving the team to get explore their new home. The bedrooms were the first place they went to. There were two hallways to the left and right of the living room. Both contained a bedroom and bathroom on each side. The team checked all the rooms and they were had the same design. It didn't take long for the four friends to decide who was taking which side. Silver and Zelts took the hall on the left while Violet and Remus took the one on the right.
All four bedrooms were the same; a king-sized bed with sheets and a blanket, an empty walk-in closet, an empty bookshelf, a dresser, and a small desk. Each room had a ceiling fan with lights as well as a window with a different view of Nexus.
This was sort of like their old rooms but a little better. The only problem with all this space was they had nothing to fill it. All of their old belongings were destroyed in Fortuna and all they had were their current clothes and weapons. The other bad news was they had no Lien to buy new things. The team moved to the living to discuss what to do about their current situation.
"I think we can just ask Clair to lend us some money. She did it for us when we left to get violet back," Remus stated.
"And I'm grateful for that, but I don't want to keep going to her for money. It just feels wrong," Violet retorted.
"And Nexus isn't Fortuna. I don't think she has the vast financial income she used to have," Zelts added.
"So, what do we do?" Remus asked.
"I don't know why you guys are so worried about this," Silver chimed in with a relaxed tone. "We do what we've done in the old days and be Freelancers again."
Violet and Zelts thought about what Silver said and thought it'd be a simple solution. Remus already agreed with him.
"You might want to rethink being Freelancers," a familiar voice said.
The fifth voice caught them all off guard and looked to direction it came from. Anyone else would've been spooked at the site of a head sticking through a closed door, but theses four were used to seeing Ghost use Spectre.
"Finally, you guys are back," Ghost said as he completely phased through the door.
Ghost was dressed the same way he was dressed before they left though he did let his hair grow out again. His short, messy, white hair grew to reach his neck, but nothing else changed in his appearance.
Silver got up from the couch and walked over to his best friend. Before he got there, Ghost opened the front door to let Bianca in. Her physical appearance didn't change, but her clothes did. She wore a light grey shirt that had a large angel wing outlined in black on the front and a smaller one on the back. Over the shirt was a dark blue short jacket she added for color. Bianca had on dark grey pants with a belt and holsters for her dual bayonet guns, Archangels. Silver thought she looked beautiful. Another thing he noticed was the pair of studded earrings she was wearing. They were new too and he liked how they looked on her.
"You can't just phase into people's houses like you own the place," Bianca scolded her half-brother.
"It's cool. They know who I am and it's not like they freaked out," Ghost said, trying to get out of this talk to speak with Silver.
Silver and Ghost grasped each other's hand and squeezed tight. After that, the gunman walked to Bianca and the couple hugged after being away for so long.
"It's good to see you guys back with the living," Ghost said to the others. "We didn't know when you'd get back."
"Good to see you safe and sound, Violet," Bianca said after embracing Silver.
"It's good to see you guys too. Uh, Ghost, what did you mean about working as Freelancers being a bad idea?" Violet asked curiously.
Ghost and Bianca looked at each other than to the others. Zelts and Silver already knew that wasn't a good sign.
"After you guys left, word spread about what happened in Fortuna," Bianca informed them.
Violet figured that would happen. With the CCT down, the news of such a settlement being destroyed wouldn't be well known. Only the people of Vacuo would know and it would most likely be spread through gossip and rumors which were never reliable sources.
"Another thing that got out was how the Ravagers kicked your asses," Ghost added, surprising all the members of VRSZ.
"Excuse me?" Silver said in an offended tone.
"After the destruction of Fortuna, they started letting everyone know what went down. The story is the Ravagers invaded Fortuna to settle a turf war with the Freelancers. The city was the battlefield and destroyed in the process, but the Ravagers triumphed," Ghost explained the story spread around Vacuo.
"That's bull!" Silver shouted.
"Agreed," Zelts commented.
"You guys have been gone for so long, everyone else thought you were dead or hiding your shame. Now…uh" Bianca was having a hard time explaining the end result. "Ghost, you're better at delivering bad news than me. Could you…"
"Everyone in Vacuo thinks the Freelancers are losers. You guys are jokes now. Your reputations are tarnished and the Ravagers are the top dogs," Ghost explained with little to no emotion.
"Way to kick us while we're done, Ghost. Good job," Violet said sarcastically.
"No problem. It's what I do," he replied.
"Grr…" Violet began to grumble thinking about Grayson and what he was doing now."
"So, what are those guys doing now?" Zelts asked.
Ghost and Bianca looked at each other before looking back at Zelts. Silver really wished they stopped doing that. It never meant anything good.
"They've taken residence in Fortuna, or what's left of it. The place has become a hotspot for thieves and scoundrels so Fortuna is now called the City of Thieves. The ruins of a once proud city now the home to thugs and thieves," Bianca said with a somber tone.
"I really hate that scum-sucking, distrustful, low-life, cockroach-like, son of a motherf-" Violet started.
"Woah! That's enough Vi! NewDreamer only allowed the one. We can't go for a second," Zelts stopped his friend before her choice of words got too intense.
"Well, now you guys know what's been going on since you guys have been gone. What's next?" Bianca asked the team.
"For one thing," Violet started, "the Freelancers are dead. That chapter of our lives is done."
"We're not taking jobs anymore?" Zelts asked Violet. He was concerned about what the team was going to do for money.
"We will. Maybe. But I think we should focus more on ourselves right now. A lot of things have changed and we need to adapt. Also, the Freelancers aren't seen in the best light. How about we go as Team VRSZ from now on."
"You guys could get some work here. Nexus is nowhere near complete and Lady Clair and the other councilmen will need the help," Bianca suggested.
"Perfect. Working from home is the best kind of work. So how about we just do something we haven't done in weeks and relax," Silver said as he returned to his seat on the couch and started to vegetate.
"Actually," Remus started as he stood from his seat, "can you guys show me where Onyx is. I need to ask him something."
"Okay. Come on I'll take you right now," Bianca said as she led him out the house.
"Onyx has been busier than any of us these past few months. Little genius has been inventing and planning non-stop. He's made a bunch of things just for Nexus. Speaking of which, did you guys check the garage?" Ghost asked.
"The garage. For what?" Silver asked.
Onyx made you guys a gift. It's in the garage. Hm. I thought Clair told you before leaving," Ghost said.
"A gift for us? She already built us a home and Onyx got us something too? I like this family?" Silver commented.
"You guys check it out. I gotta go and meet up with Clair. Plus, I don't want to hear Silver scream when he sees what Onyx made you guys," Ghost said before walking to the door and phasing through it.
Violet, Zelts, and Silver got up and walked down the short hallway that led to the garage. Zelts opened the door and he saw the gift before any of them. He paused his movements and his eyes were wide. Violet walked past him and noticed how spacious the garage itself was before seeing their gift.
"No. Way," she said as she looked at it.
"C'mon. What is-" Silver moved past Zelts and Violet to look at the gift.
His eyes were wider than Zelts, but his expression quickly changed from astonishment to joy.
The gift Onyx invented for Team VRSZ was a white hovercar that was identical to Clair's.
"HOLY SHIT! CAN'T BELIEVE IT! THAT LITTLE GENIUS MADE US OUR OWN HOVERCAR! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT!" Silver screamed with joy.
"Wow," Zelts said. It was the only thing he could think to say.
"Yeah," Violet said, also at a loss for words.
She composed herself after the shock then said, "Looks like we got a new Fantasia. I have to find Onyx and thank him in person."
Setting: Onyx's Workshop
"Here it is. Onyx's new place is bigger, right?" Bianca told Remus who looked at the building Onyx resided in.
The workshop was definitely bigger than the one in Fortuna. The building was found in the western district of Nexus. It was entirely made of metal and seemed to be a two-story building with windows and a chimney that had smoke coming out of it. The smoke helped Remus and Bianca know Onyx was home.
"Thanks, Bianca," Remus said to his friend.
She smiled at him before waving him goodbye. Remus watched her leave before walking into the building. The layout of the front office was pretty much the same as the original and Remus guessed Onyx was in the back working on another project. He hoped the young faunus wasn't too busy to take on another project.
Remus walked further into the building where he heard the sound of a blowtorch followed by the sound of clanging metal. The sounds led him to a large back room where there were myriad of tools, devices, and inventions scattered all over the place. In the left-hand corner of the room was the person Remus was looking for. Onyx was working on making another set of solar panels.
The weasel faunus was definitely taller but he didn't seem to change in appearance. The only difference right now was the headphones Onyx was wearing while he worked. He also had on his goggles. There was no way he knew Remus was in his workshop. Remus walked up to Onyx and tapped him on the shoulder.
"AAAAHHHH!" the young Vantablack shouted as he dropped his blowtorch and leaped into the air.
"Who the-" Onyx stopped when he turned around and saw Remus smile at him. "Remus! You're back!"
Onyx quickly hugged Remus out of joy his friend was back. He released Remus then lifted his goggles and removed his headphones. "Clair already got you guys? Wish she told me."
"We just got here, so I think it's fine. I hope I didn't bother anything important," Remus said.
"Nah, just getting ahead of future work. These panels are going on the buildings they haven't finish constructing. I was in the zone so I just kept making them."
"Good, so you don't have anything really important right now?" Remus asked.
"You need something?" Onyx asked curiously. Remus never asked him for favors before.
"Uh…" Remus didn't know how to say so he showed Onyx instead.
He pulled out the only half of Romulus he had in his possession. "My weapon was destroyed in Atlas. I was hoping you could-"
"Easy," Onxy interrupted. "I can make another one just like-"
"Actually, I don't want another Romulus. It was great and all, but it was too dangerous," Remus said, thinking back to when Violet told him how he was fighting her and Azura and how he wounded his cousin's arm. He felt awful about it and realized Romulus was an extremely lethal weapon.
"Then what do you want?" Onyx asked.
"A new weapon. Something more practical than Romulus. I-"
"Say no more," Onyx interrupted again. "I already have plans for just a weapon. I'll have it ready for you in a few days. Can I ask for that half of Romulus? I'll need it for a foundation."
Remus gave Onyx the half of Romulus. Onyx began placing all his attention on crafting Remus's new weapon. With their deal done, Remus left the workshop to return to his new home.
Onyx thought about his original plans for the weapon and how to modify them to fit Remus. He thought about Remus's two previous weapons, how they functioned, their limitations, and how they fit his style of fighting. Onyx connected the dots and had a clear idea of what weapon to make for him. Strong and versatile were the two key components in this weapon's design.
The members of VRSZ did nothing else but stay in their new home where they relaxed just like the good old days. They knew their time as Freelancers were long gone. That time in their lives was over. Today was the first of many in this new chapter of their story.
The Final Chapter: Team VRSZ
Nexus' layout is an X like Azura said, but it is actually like a compass. The crossroads of Nexus point in different directions; north, south, east, and west. The east is the trading district and bazaar, the north is the residential area, the south is the resource area where people can find food, water, etc. The west isn't a specific area with a certain role. It has nothing specific and serves more as a miscellaneous area.
Treasure Trove Wharf is on the coast of Vacuo. It provides Nexus with water so their relationship is crucial.
Azura is a part of Clair's crew. Team BASG doesn't exist anymore since Silver is with VRSZ and Blood is gone. They are still Clair's enforcers even though their job is much more lenient now that Clair's job isn't to rule anymore. Azura's dynamic with Ghost and Bianca will be fun to write.
Fortuna was become the City of Thieves with Grayson being the king of thieves and his squad known as the number one mercenary group in Vacuo.
