A resounding and sympathetic wince echoed through the stadium. A thunderbolt had struck the Mistral Regional Tournament. The thunderbolt obliterated all that stood in its path. The first two rounds were reduced to smoldering craters that received nary a backwards glance. The third round had started well for the challenger. The challenger had managed to land a glancing blow with a kick leather-clad boot.
Unfortunately, that was the biggest mistake anyone at the tournament outside of Mistral's Council had made in several months.
Pyrrha Nikos was an exceptionally angry woman. Her anger was not directed at any of her fellow competitors. No, they were simply being used as assets to express her displeasure at the unfathomably stupid and unfair decision to expel Jaune and drive him into exile. Headmaster Stravos had promised that Jaune had an 'individual of unique talents and prowess' looking after him. That did not reassure Pyrrha in the least. She had complete confidence in her best friend, if the girl wasn't terrified of admitting he had quickly become far more than that, but there were forces arrayed against Jaune that were not 'simply' Grimm.
'Focus, Pyrrha,' the reigning champion chastised herself. 'Kastana can help you with the apologies later.'
Miló sang out and Pyrrha found her mark. Her opponent doubled over from the hit to his midsection. The 'Invincible Girl' had closed the distance in the blink of an eye. She skidded across the final few feet in a whirling leg sweep. Pyrrha was not a showy person outside of the arena, but she was well aware the masses loved a show. So, her display gave the people what they wanted. Leaping clear of her downed opponent, Pyrrha prepared to deliver a 'killing' blow with Akoúo̱. That plan ended quickly as her opponent cried out "Yield!"
Pyrrha nodded at the judge to accept the yield. The crowd roared their approval. Pyrrha took a bow as the crowd continued to chant her name. Again, she was not a showy person by nature. There was absolutely no way Pyrrha could deny the absolute rush that came from an adoring crowd.
She still wished Jaune was here.
Jaune Arc was not physically present at the Mistral Regional Tournament, but he was certainly there in spirit. That being said...
Pyrrha could probably hear Jaune yelling like a kid who got the perfect birthday present at the TV in the boat's lounge. He practically tore his pack apart to get his Scroll out. Jaune's mysterious, smug, and far too clever traveling companion simply sipped at his odd coffee and chortled. The fugitive had quickly learned to ignore the eccentricities of Doctor Capaldi.
'Here we go,' Jaune thought cheerfully as he logged on at Pyrrha's official forum. He had teased her about it a few times, but Jaune was never happier to know Pyrrha had a sockpuppet account. She had used it twice. Once, when she didn't want someone else to have the name of her favorite children's book as their username. Second, to check out what exactly people were saying when her official account wasn't logged in.
Now, it was a semi-clandestined manner for the two close friends to keep in touch.
'You were amazing! Wish I could have been there. I owe you cotton candy, don't I? I'm safe and the Doctor is still as odd as ever. I might try to find out when I can come back to Mistral. With the revelation about the prosecutor being corrupt, that could help. I miss you. A lot. Like, the amount of water in the ocean is maybe 1/3rd how much I miss you kind of lot.'
A breath that was some horrible mutant chimera of regretful, relieved, wistful, relaxed, smitten and happy escaped Jaune's lips as the 'sent' confirmation appeared on the screen. Now that he had today's important task completed, Jaune was free to enjoy his cheeseburger.
Three bites in, he was interrupted by, "Mr. Arc, I have some excellent news."
Jaune's swallow of his latest bite was slow, deliberate, and a very clear message. "And that is, Doctor?"
"I have located something that I have...misplaced...recently. It is on a train in Atlas. I would greatly like your assistance in making sure that certain elements on board the train do not secure my...'Personal Transport'. There will also be an interesting encounter I'm sure you will find beneficial."
"Beneficial," Jaune repeated the final word. "As in that run in with those 'Grimm' in the warehouse? And yes, Doctor, I know they were not actually Grimm."
"Your world expanded that day. That is a gift many do not receive, Mr. Arc and fewer accept."
"Who are you, really?" Jaune asked.
Doctor Capaldi leaned forward. "Just a doctor."
"Of what?" The fugitive companion of a very eccentric man asked another question. This time it was full of steel.
"Unlocking potential," Capaldi laughed. It didn't make Jaune feel any better. In fact, he wondered if anyone was as annoyed or mad as he was right now...
Nichol Arc was admirably managing his absolute rage at the situation surrounding his son, Jaune. First, he discovered that Jaune's entry into Sanctum Academy had been an utter falsehood. The elder Arc had harbored misgivings, but Jaune had presented everything to the family, explained the supposedly legitimate way he had entered the Academy thanks to a 'lotto', and even provided proof he had a sponsor in Mistral. Jaune had been confident, proud, and carried himself with an excitement that was impossible to deny that day.
Nichol had been proud of his son.
That pride was now ash in his mouth. His son was a wanted criminal and in far too much danger.
"Mr. Stravos," Nichol growled as his wife sobbed next to him. The omission of Stravos' title was a deliberate snipe at the man. "This Albastru Caioe is a common criminal. Unless he has all of Mistral by the balls with blackmail, he shouldn't be able to force my son into hiding."
"Mr. Arc," Erithros responded with an equally deliberate tone. "What I am about to say is of the utmost confidentiality."
The former Hunter's eyes narrowed in anger, but he allowed the headmaster to continue.
"The issue is not with Albastru Caioe alone. Albastru is a Faunus...he has hidden his nature as a Faunus incredibly well. The only hint to his nature is the fangs in his mouth."
"Portocale...why would he do that to Jaune?" Mrs. Arc sobbed once again.
"It isn't so much Albastru doing it, but a mix of Jaune's character and who Albastru finances..." Erthros revealed.
"The Fang..." Nichol hissed.
The Headmaster nodded gravely once. "From our...sources...Albastru was attempting to groom Jaune for a position in his personal criminal enterprises. That meant Jaune was occasionally exposed to individuals that are believed to be White Fang operatives. Jaune's innate desire to do what is right would see him testify against Albastru...and his associates."
"How deep in the White Fang is this son of a bitch?" Nichol asked.
Stravos looked at the ceiling. "Deep. There are unconfirmed reports that Albastru has met with Adam Taurus himself at least once."
"Fuck," was all Nichol could say. There was nothing else that could be said.
Albastru Caioe was eternally thankful that he was only communicating with the head of the primary faction of the White Fang via a pirated CCTS feed. Adam Taurus was not a forgiving Faunus, but unlike Ghira Belladona he was a Faunus that was getting results.
Caioe would never admit it, but there was also an element of fear driving his interactions with Adam. Albastru never was concerned by Ghira's disapproval of his funding methods. The new leadership was far more willing to do what needed to be done.
That being said, Caoie had to proceed with caution. He was not a dyed-in-the-wool True Believer like 'Brother' Adam or Ghira's daughter. If Adam discovered Albastru was skimming off the top, there would be hell to pay.
So, as the connection to the Operation in Atlas was made, Albastru smoothed out his simple shirt and jacket. Adam was exacting in his standards, both for himself and those of the Fang, even on visual feeds.
"Brother Albastru," Adam greeted. "You exceeded expectations on the latest funding."
"Thank you, Brother," Albastru responded with consummate, yet feigned, politeness and deference. "I must inform you of a potential 'blip' in the funding from our gambling revenue stream. One of my sources has recently been forced to ground. The young man is currently on the run for...international mail fraud and forgery..."
Adam maintained his eerie stillness and perfect control. The mask hid the young visionary's eyes. "How much does he know?"
"Only what I showed him," Albastru revealed with the complete truth. "He had no direct meetings with any open brothers or sisters. As far as he knows, everyone we interacted with was simply a member of my sportsbook operation."
"But if he testifies, the humans could make a threadbare connection and use that to start dismantling our funding operations after one of their show trials." Adam huffed violently. It was a holdover of his Faunus heritage.
"He is currently on the run..."
Adam took a step forward. Despite the distance between Mistral and Atlas, Albastru slinked back a bit. The leader continued with a simmering anger, "And wanted on International charges! He can be arrested by anyone! What if Atlas and its Operatives get a hold of him? What then, Brother Albastru?"
"It would be a serious blow to our insurgency," the criminal admitted.
"Issue Directive Five," Adam ordered. "There is no need for a statement, but we cannot afford loose ends."
"Immediately, Brother," Albastru agreed. He would do as ordered, but Caoie would certainly feel a pang of regret later. Jaune had actually been a half-decent chap...for a human.
It was autumn in Atlas. The rustling of falling leaves seemed to occur in sync with the turning of the page. The young woman engrossed herself in books. Before missions, the agent of the White Fang would read stories of liberation and heroism. The Faunus would often find her literary pursuits drawn to the monomyth foundations of both Faunus and human literature.
Blake Belladonna, daughter of Ghira and Kali Belladona the founders of the White Fang, had realized months ago that her reading habits were an expression of her idealism that the current incarnation of the White Fang was battling so hard to squash. Originally, the White Fang had been an organization dedicated to racial equality. The marches, boycotts, main stream political engagement, and economic pressures had only gotten so far. The Kingdoms had 'graciously' provided Menagerie to the Faunus. The island was not a horrible consolation prize, as Blake personally held many fond memories of her childhood upon the island. At the end of the day, Menagerie was just that...a menagerie. It was a tropical, gilded cage to put the troublesome Faunus aside while the Kingdoms could congratulate themselves on their 'progressive generosity'. The whole concept was a farce.
Blake couldn't believe the visionary former leaders of the White Fang could be content with the isolated 'zoo' halfheartedly handed to the Faunus. The Kingdoms had provided no proper infrastructure to the Faunus 'homeland'. There was no CCTS Tower, no industry, and no external assistance in building proper infrastructure. Menagerie had bankrupted itself just trying to build its lone port and import enough agricultural equipment to be self-sufficient.
Blake's growing resentment hadn't been an isolated case. A large number of Faunus across Remnant harbored the same grievances. Faunus who had elected to brave the still-entrenched prejudices by remaining in the Kingdoms were reaching out to the White Fang. One of the most common issues facing Faunus in the Kingdoms were exploitative 'employment' and 'excessive' policing. Few Faunus considered themselves lucky to get a decent job. Most, were basically little more than wage slaves. The new polices of the SDC under Jacques Schnee had forced many of Atlas's Faunus into a vicious cycle of Debt Slavery. The White Fang was slowly morphing into a Liberation Movement instead of a political movement.
At first, this had been a trajectory Blake had wholeheartedly supported. The first 'military' actions had been against traffickers who were kidnapping Faunus to sell into sexual slavery or 'employment' in SDC mines or against the robotic police forces that were turning Faunus enclaves into virtual prisons or ghettos.
Then more radical White Fang elements had begun targeting living police forces openly. They did not differentiate between human and Faunus. In their manifestos, they had declared the Faunus officers 'race traitors'. Blake had approached Adam about such actions in the hopes he would work with the head of the political wing of the White Fang, Sienna Khan, in denouncing such actions. Instead, Adam had praised the 'uncompromising vision' of the radicals. Blake had not argued at that time. Adam had always been passionate and militaristic.
Unfortunately, he was not simply giving his tacit support to the fringe elements of the White Fang. He was directing them! Adam was bringing them into the mainstream. Kidnappings, bombings of civilian areas, and naked bandit raids were becoming the norm. Blake's faith in the organization founded by her parents was fraying quickly. It was holding on by the thinnest of threads. She still wanted to believe in the White Fang, but if Adam crossed one more line...
"Blake, it's time..." Adam announced as he emerged from the woods.
Blake nodded. "How was the financial report?" She wasn't an expert on how the White Fang was funded, but she was acutely aware it took lien to feed, arm, clothe, and keep the Movement operating.
"Financially? Excellent. Politically and operationally, there was a complication. A human in the employ of one of our financiers was recently issued with international warrants. The human scum is the type to turn state's evidence. I've issued a Directive Five."
"Directive Five? He can't know that much, can he? We would never allow a human that deep in our organization. Directive Five..." Blake couldn't believe Adam had ordered an assassination on an accountant.
"Is necessary! Do you think that tyrant, Ironwood would care about how connected this scum was to the White Fang? It would provide Atlas the perfect opportunity for mass arrests! My Darling, if we are to build a world worth living in, we will have to tear down the Old World."
Blake only nodded. She wasn't willing to provoke Adam before a mission, but she couldn't help but notice that the emphasis in his last sentence had been on possessing her and tearing down the world.
She had decided. This was the end.
"Mr. Arc," Capaldi called out. The strange doctor of everything pushed something that looked like a police officer's badge holder into Jaune's hands. "I believe this will prove to be quite useful."
Jaune's face scrunched up in confusion. "It's blank."
"It's psychic," the Doctor countered. "You can use it to project credentials into someone's mind. Very useful. They see what you want them to see."
"Does it permanently alter their minds?"
The Doctor smiled. "An astute question, Mr. Arc. No, consider it...an illusion rather than a traditional imprint."
"Okay," Jaune relented. He didn't like the idea of altering someone's mind and perceptions permanently. "Now what?"
"I'll see you soon, Mr. Arc," Doctor Capaldi said with a slight incline of the head. Strangely, it was the most polite gesture Jaune's traveling associate had ever offered.
The fugitive Huntsman in training watched the strange man leave the dining car for...somewhere. Jaune had a feeling that Capaldi wasn't returning to the only passenger car despite heading in that direction. Jaune turned and looked out the window.
And saw smoke. "Can nothing go according to plan, Doctor Capaldi?"
"All passengers are to return to their cabins! There is a situation on the freight cars..." An announcement filtered across the intercom.
The low rumbling of an explosion reverberated through the train. "This is going to be worse than the Warehouse..."
Jaune unsheathed and expanded Crocea Mors into its combat form. As he advanced, he held the shield and sword in the stance Pyrrha had drilled into him during his time at Sanctum. Jaune barely managed to keep his footing when the train lurched violently. "Definitely worse than the Warehouse..."
Blake was thankful she was as familiar with Adam as she was. The now White Fang defector was well aware he was too drained from wielding Wilt and Blush in coordination with his Semblance to pursue her. She sighed as she leaned up against one of the boxes of some nondescript crate of some consumer product or another.
"I ran away again," Blake whispered.
The doors to the train car opened and a rather annoyed looking young man entered the room. "I'm walking into something incredibly risky. This is like the Shev situation all over again..."
"Uh, hello?" Blake heard the Huntsman call out. "Say hello back if you're not a creature known as a Shev, you know...with black shark skin, one eye, and a fondness for human and Faunus sashimi...or a rogue SDC Paladin who achieved sentience and wants to start a revolution..."
Blake made a rather confused face at that declaration. She had no clue what a Shev was, but meeting one now wasn't very high on her to-do list. 'Was it some kind of Grimm?'
"You aren't SDC are you?" Blake called out after maneuvering around the newcomer.
"I'm Jaune Arc and currently wanted on international forgery and mail/computer fraud charges...so...probably not?"
Blake's eyes went wide. Her luck couldn't be this ridiculous, could it? "How did you manage to pull that off?"
"I pulled off a really really good forgery to get into Sanctum, but the paparazzi revealed that I kinda was connected to a notorious mobster type, and I was chased out. That's the short version," Jaune finished with a shrug, but kept Crocea Mors active.
"That's it?" Blake asked incredulously. She was clearly fishing for more information, but that sounded very close to what happened.
Jaune gripped his sword tighter. "You aren't a bounty hunter are you?"
"No!" Blake shouted from her concealed location. "I'm...also on the run from dangerous people. This mobster type...it isn't Albastru Caoie is it?"
Jaune threw up his arms as Blake rounded the corner, but not in surrender. It was in exasperation. "This is probably Doctor Capaldi's fault. Not sure how, but it's probably his fault."
"Who?" Blake asked.
The blond fugitive opened his mouth and raised a finger before halting. "You hear that, right?"
"Six people are headed this way..."
"I'm about to do something a bit nuts. Please don't take it personally..." Jaune quickly apologized as he rifled through a nearby piece of luggage. "Perfect! Quick put this on!"
Blake barely had time to catch the elaborate shaw before Jaune smiled. "You're now Syringa and I'm Asfar."
"What?" Blake snapped as she put the covering on completely.
"No time, just...we're from a nomadic tribe from eastern Vacuo." Jaune gestured towards the door. He donned another ethnic outfit and pulled out an odd sheet of paper in a booklet. Blake, playing to her role, moved cautiously behind one of the crates.
"Hey! The hell are you two doing back here!" An SDC security goon barked.
Jaune bowed. "Peace, brothers. My zahra and I were seeking refuge...One of the other passengers knows our families..."
"And why is that a bad thing?" Another guard asked.
Blake watched through the face covering as Jaune actually blushed. "My zahra and I are eloping. Syringa and I discovered that her father had arranged a marriage to a man twice her age for a pittance..."
The guards looked at each other in silent 'conversation'. Jaune's tone had been so fervent that the romantic in Blake nearly swooned as if this was all a scene from one of her romance novels.
"We're still going to need to see your papers," the lead guard announced.
Jaune put on a winning smile and produced the blank identification papers. Blake was about to use her Semblance to flee from the looming disaster when the guard flashed a sympathetic look at Jaune.
"Kid, you've got balls. So does your girl," the guard commended the pair.
Blake couldn't believe that the SDC goons had not only bought Jaune's story, and fallen for whatever that paper was, but were practically forcing several dozen Lien down his throat. A few moments after the guards left with a tip of the hat and a promise to keep an eye out for Asfar and Syringa's family, Blake turned to her 'beloved'.
"You really are good at this whole fraud thing..."
"Eh," Jaune vocalized with a shrug. "Had to be to get into Sanctum and avoid being eaten that one time."
"Eaten? By what, Grimm?" Blake asked.
The Hunter chuckled nervously. "Something like that. I promise I'll fill you in soon, but I think we should find my, uh, chaperone. The Doctor can probably get us off this train."
"The Doctor? What kind of name is that?" Blake questioned.
"I don't know honestly..."
Blake snorted at the reaction. This Jaune Arc was certainly an interesting case. She hadn't really interacted with Albastru Caoie in the past. However, she knew his...type...and Jaune certainly had the clever and sarcastic part down. Still, he wasn't anything she expected. Jaune Arc clearly wasn't the type to be an accountant. The idea of him sitting quietly at a desk crunching numbers was clearly the most alien image to ever pop into her head.
An unnatural whirring, whistling, and scrapping noise filled the train car. The two not-quite-Hunters stared in wide-eyed wonder and a bit of fear as a blue box began to materialize a few feet away. Jaune flashed Blake a glance just as the doors swung open with an audible creak.
"It's..." Blake gasped.
"Bigger on the inside?" Jaune exclaimed while gaping like a beached fish.
Doctor Capaldi emerged with a fox-like grin. "I do love that reaction from you humans. Oh, and don't protest, Ms. Belladonna..."
The words shocked Blake into silence. She was heartened to see that the look Jaune was now giving her was one of concern for her well-being and not questioning.
"Mr. Arc, if I may have a word with you?" The Doctor asked.
Jaune nodded and followed the Doctor into the mysterious box. Blake was strongly considering using this opportunity to put some further distance between herself, Adam, the SDC, and even Jaune. Granted, Jaune was a curiosity and seemed to be a nice guy. She just couldn't afford any distractions at the moment. Her life was in too much turmoil. A vicious debate was raging between the homesick daughter and the young woman who felt the need for independent self-discovery. The fact that both sides were looking for the same thing made the internal debate even fiercer.
Blake had completed a half-turn. She was a single step away from committing to running away, again. Instead, Doctor Capaldi's impossible box had other ideas. The creaking of the doors froze her in place as sure as any Ice Dust blast.
"I have to do this my way, Doctor. You said...you said that this world needs me. I can't leave knowing that," Jaune responded sympathetically.
"That it does. You are a noble man, Mr. Arc." The Doctor extended a hand. "The offer to travel with me and the TARDIS never truly expires."
Jaune accepted the handshake. "Maybe. Goodbye, Doctor."
"Mr. Arc, goodbyes imply permanency. One day you will understand, partings are simply bookmarks," Capaldi philosophized with a smile.
"If you say so," Jaune chuckled.
"Everything I say is chosen with the utmost care, Mr. Arc. Even the lies...especially the lies," the strange traveler revealed. He reached back into the Box and retrieved a Scroll. As he fished out a strange gilded wooden cylinder, he continued. "I will give you a truth, for today at least."
"For today? A truth that last for today or will you tell me a truth today?" Jaune asked. Blake was wondering about the wording in similar terms. Entranced by the strange drama, she stayed silent.
"An excellent question," The Doctor dodged answering and waved the now whirring device around the edges of the Scroll. "But, there will come a day where you will know what to do with a certain setting on this Scroll. On that day, I will be there no matter where, when, or...how. Good luck, Mr. Arc. I look forward to seeing how you progress."
"Uh, thanks," Jaune said accepting the Scroll, the cryptic warning, and the compliment.
"Allons-y!" the Doctor declared before returning to his transport with a knowing look to both Jaune and Blake.
"What was that?" Blake somehow managed to ask.
"A metaphor, an offer, and something that scares the hell out of me," Jaune answered. He sighed and turned away from the de-materializing box. "I vote to run away. I don't know if my paper trick will work without the Doctor here anymore."
"To where?" Blake asked, caught up in the mystery, wonder, and shock of the event that had just transpired.
"Dunno, I could go for some coffee though..."
Blake shook her head. "Make it tea, and I might consider it."
Author's Note: So, another chapter. This is mostly an intro and outro chapter.
First, the Intro: The final piece of Darkos enters the field. Obviously, there wasn't enough non-confused by the circumstances interaction for the Knightshade component to take off. Then again, that's what pretty much the entire next chapter is for.
Second, the outro: If it wasn't already obvious, Capaldi was The Doctor. This is the last chapter of this story The Doctor or any crossover elements will appear. I had the events of this and the previous chapter to give a concrete reason for a potential crossover between my version of Sanctum Days and Dread Knight N7's version. From here on out, it's all RWBY all the time.
On to some other progress updates
Naruto fics: "A Dream Hastened" has a new chapter started. "Misstep in the Right Direction", "Shadows on the Horizon", "Meet the Hyuga", and "Unexpected Lord of Foxes" are coming along decently well.
RWBY fics: I am making more progress on "Jaune Appetit", "The Spirit's Wedding", and "Dirty Laundry*". I'll be addressing some 'concerns' people had in "Jaune Appetit" as soon as that chapter is complete.
Chains of the Kindred: It's coming as it's coming.
*Dirty Laundry is in its final chapter, I've started developing a sequel of the direct and spiritual variety. Some interesting hints for the two potential spiritual sequels: Monster and Gamer. If you can figure out what those means or are simply curious about what the heck Solvdrage is talking about...PM me.
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