Welcome back to Guarding Vale: A VPD Story.
Time for these once a week chapters to start up. I was completing the last 7 during this high over Thanksgiving Break. However, now I have college classes to finish. FInals are coming up in December and I HAVE to pass them. To be perfectly honest, I am not the best student out there. So I'll be focusing more on my education. While this is out, future chapters will be released less frequently.
Until my classes are over I'll be hammering this out now while I can. It's going to be more story driven than usual so don't pass it over too much. That includes the next chapter ahead of us.
Time to respond to some reviews!
DISCLAIMER: I do own a limited edition Pumpkin Pete's Cereal Box signed by Pyrrah Nikos, but I do not own the RWBY Franchise, these characters, or any of the references mentioned here.
Credits to Coeur Al'Aran for the information pertaining to Jaune Arc's Background. Man is the GOAT of Arc Fics.
Location: VPA Athletic Field
Time: 12:15 PM
Ballistic shields stood together side by side as they faced the ever relentless crowd of protestors. They hurled insults, spit, and taunted the officer behind their wall. Daring them to act as they slowly began to press further and further to the group. Shouting in unison to the rowdy crowd.
"Stand back! Stay back! Stand back! Stay back!" they cried.
Mob mentality ruled and the protestors continued to scream and insult the officers. It seemed to teeter on the edge of a full on brawl. That was until one of the protestors decided that in an attempt of fury which may or may not be replicated in an actual riot situation. Rushing forward they gathered momentum until they jumped and kicked one of the shields in. Downing one of the officers as the crowd and spectators cheered and looked on in awe.
The protester was soon quickly apprehended and restrained by officers behind the wall. The gap soon being filled up by the shields shifting to fill it. Seeing this sign of weakness the protestors charged in and began to clash against the shields. Scuffles emerged. Whistles blared as the officers bashed their pool noodle batons at the protestors. Laughing all the while Jaune was being tickled attacked by two other protestors.
"Oh stop stop it! I yield, I surrender! Have mercy Oh- HAHAHAHAHAHAH, PHHT STOOP!"
Sergeant Moore found herself enjoying the sprawl between her Cadets. Riot Training was one of the more serious elements to their training. Though it seemed that to them this was all just one giant pillow fight. Granted the pool noodles ruined the feel, the foam truncheons being missing for some reason, and the resort to tickling instead of stabbing led her to call it to end.
"CADETS, stand down and head back over to the stands. Time to switch roles, protestors dawn your gear and officers shed that weight cause we're gonna have ourselves another old fashioned riot."
"Yes, Sir!"
Laughing from the adrenaline rush, the group went to the stands and began to swap gear. Jaune taking off his gear and swapping with Cardin.
"Ready to get your butt beat in?"
"Oh please enlighten me on how you're gonna do that, criminal scum!"
"Crap you're called my bluff. Looks like I'll just have to charge in guns ablazing"
"Not before I nail you in the head, Jauney Boy."
The two snickered at how they would be getting back at one another. Cardin knew Jaune's weaknesses but so did Jaune. It was a battle of wits between the two. Jaune walked off with a smug smirk, though just off to the side Alice hopped over.
"Cardin~."
Turning to look, Cardin saw Alice and he smiled at his friend.
"Oh hey Alice, you're gonna be a protester this time?"
"I suppose so! Please go easy on me now, will you?"
"I don't know Alice, as an officer of the law you are just another person I must apprehend. I am impartial." He said with a bit of gusto, getting a giggle out of her.
"Alriiight, just be sure to keep your head on a swivel. I can rush you faster than you can say hoppity!"
"I'll keep that in mind, good luck Alice."
"You too Cardin."
Time: 12:37 PM
"Cadets! Your scenario is a White Fang protest at a SDC super store gone wrong. From peaceful to chaotic and violent. Protestors make up the story as you go. BEGIN"
The officers stood by their imaginary store. Waiting for the protesters to come to them as they would initially be acting as peace officers. Soon enough the protesters rounded an imaginary corner, where they held up a banner which was just Bernie on his side being carried by Jaune and James.
"JACQUES SCHNEE IS UNFAIR, JACQUES SCHNEE IS IN THE AIR."
"STANDING AT THE CONCESSION, PLOTTING HIS OPPRESSION."
"SCHNEE ASS IS SOME DEAD ASS"
"AYE JACQUES TAKE ME OUT TO DINNER"
"AYOO"
"1-900-490-FREAK."
The officers stood their ground, protecting the store. Though they tensed up as Sean came forward holding a water bottle in hand.
"Want a Petesi?"
"No."
"AWWHHHHH." The mob said as Sean sadly walked back into the fold.
Soon after some Union songs James and Jaune let go of Bernie, but James then proceeded to grab Charlie and raise him up and down into the air with great strength.
"Hey! RIOT, RIOT, RIOT!"
The mob soon became frantic. Shouting loudly and stopping their feet at the officers. Who for their part linked shields and began to press forward. Saying the words they were trained to tell.
"COME ON COPPERS! COME GET US!"
"SHOOT US DOWN LIKE WE'RE ANIMALS TO THE SLAUGHTER!"
"BITCH ASS BOYS IN BLUE!"
The riot officers pressed on. Though Cardin being the middle shield felt a sense of dread in the air. The atmosphere, the words, it felt quite familiar. He didn't like it, not one bit. He didn't want to remember it but their words had brought out ones which he thought were put behind him.
Date: Eight Years Ago
Location: Vale Basilica
Time: 1:00 PM
Standing outside as guards of honor, lines of VPD officers stood at attention. The beating of a drum echoed through the generally quiet streets beside the distant noise of traffic and protests. A flag draped casket was carried on the shoulders of VPD Officers. Holding their hands down and in front of them as their steps kept time with the drum. Following the casket out of the Basilica entrance was the Police Commissioner who was aiding the grieving widow down the steps. Just behind them was a man in crutches. A bandaid over his eye as two children walked beside him hand in hand.
A hearse awaited them by the street. The casket was brought to the back and held there as the large assembly of officers rendered a salute as a bugel rang out The Last Post. Looking up from the ground, Cardin looked at the casket. The backs of the men who carried it seemed to look like his father. Gripping his little sister's hand he did his best to keep it all in for her. He wasn't going to bawl out, not now.
The casket was loaded into the hearse and the family was taken into an SUV. The motorcade proceeded out to a cemetery located just by the city limits. Blocks filled with officers saluted, a silence filled the air as the cars rolled by. Though the peace was shattered by a large gathering of protesters. Bannera waved in the air and images of a Fanus were raised. The most prominent of them all, was the symbol of the Whitw Fang. A woman on a loudspeaker blares towards the motorcade.
"Off to your final resting place pig! Good riddance! Tony is an innocent man! You all put him away for something you caused. You did this, you thugs!"
More chimed in.
"You're the real animals here!"
"Demolish the VPD! Up with the Fang!"
"A human for a faunus!"
"May the Gods curse you!"
Cardin was on his knees by the passenger window. Watchung the angry protesters jeer and heckle at the motorcade. He wanted to yell, he wanted to scream his heart out at them but he couldn't. It wasn't right. Despite their harmful words he would have to suck it up. Just like his father said.
Present time
The floodgates had really opened. Cracks and leaks over the years had formed but now it was flowing all out. His voice carried over the rest of the officers. An angry roar came from him as he stepped forward.
"You bastards… YOU KILLED MY FATHER! YOU KILLED HIM AND YOU CALL HIM A DIRTY COP."
The two groups pasused at the sudden outburst. All eyes were on Cardin but he couldn't give a crap as he held his truncheon and shield ready. Behind his visor he saw red.
"DRUGGED UP JUNKIE AND YOU SAY HE'S INNOCENT. LYLE IS BLIND IN ONE EYE. HE'S GOT A LIMP. I AM GOING TO GIVE YOU ONE. RAAAAHHHHHGGGGG!"
Raising his truncheon to strike he charged forward to swing down on the protestors. They dodged quickly and out of the way. Only to dosge once more as he began aimlessly lashing out.
"Cardin calm down! Stop!" Aliced screamed but to no avail.
By now Sergeant Moore had rushed from her observation tower and rushed to the field to wrangle in the situation.
"Cadet Winchester you got one last warning! Cease all hostilities!
Cardin snapped his head towards her and beelined it as fast as he could. Moore stopped in her tracks and stared him down.
"Down, Cardin!" She said in a loud voice.
He quickly dropped to the ground, just as if he were stunned or paralyzed. A yellow glow emanated from Cardin. As much as he tried to move it felt like an anchor keeping him down to the ground. He struggled as he tried to wiggle put. Though keeling over and passing out from the emotional outburst.
Seeing this Moore quickly deactivated her semblance on Cardin with a sigh.
"He warned me, something like this was bound to happen." She quietly murmured.
Reaching to the ground she hauled the boy on her back. Hauling him away from the field and from the Cadets.
"Training is over, you all have the rest of your day off. Just get some rest, all of you."
Group C just stood around in silence. Not knowing what to make of Cardin's outburst. They slowly came back to their senses and changed. Heading back to their group quarters.
Location: Group C Quarters
Time: 2:00 PM
Jaune laid in his bunk bed staring at the bunk above him. Cadin had not returned from wherever they took him. The rest of Group C was feeling just the same. Not that anyone wanted to truly admit it. Alice was one of the hardest hit by the outburst. By then everyone had realized her immense infatuation with Cardin, but he himself didn't realize it but today seemed to connect some dots. She was curled up in her bunk as the other girls comforted her.
It was a low for the Group. But what Cardin said got Jaune thinking. Thinking back he tried to piece what he had heard.
"Killed… They killed his, uh, Father! His father was on the VPD, that handshake. Who else? Lyle, Lyle systained injuries."
It was enough to discern something so taking out his scroll he did a Schnoogle search on 'Winchester Police'. The results came back with the VPD website and a few news articles displaying similar titles of 'Officer slain by drug user'.
Opening the VPD page he was met with the official portrait of Sergeant Charles Winchester. The small obituary posted detailed his achievements, some of which surprised Jaune. Besides all that his death was not put into great detail but it seemed to be within the line of duty.
Exiting out of the website he opened up the news articles and read one of them from the Vale News Agency. Reading the article he quietly read aloud.
"On Thursday Sergeant Charles Winchester and Officer Lyle Ludden performed a routine stop on an individual driving under the influence. The suspect in question, one Tony Torria was under the influence of methamphetamines after an investigation from a police forensic scientist. The Mr. Torria after being confronted by Sergeant Winchester lashed out violently at the officers. Charging and attacking Officer Ludden who was heavily injured. Sergeant Winchester attempted to apprehend the suspect but was unable too. Being gored by Mr. Torria after firing 6 lighting dust rounds which had no effect."
Jaune's eyes widened as he came upon the mugshot of Tony Torria. Tony was a Tiger faunus with orange ears. He continued reading.
"Two other officers responded to the incident and were able to detain Mr. Torria. It was charged with Is driving under the influence, Possession of illegal drugs, first degree assault, assaulting a police Officer, and second degree murder. The White Fang was quick to denounce these charges and call into question the Vale Police Department. Organizing protests which have gone violent. While Mr. Torria's trial is set for next month, the funeral service for Sergeant Winchester will be held next week on Wednesday."
The article was eye opening. Things about Cardin seemed to make sense. All of this baggage, all kept in since he was around, about 9 years old. It explained why he wasn't as open at the beginning of the year, why he didn't warm up to the faunuses in their group for a while. Why had had his outburst.
Sitting up he looked to the rest of the Group who were strewn about the Quarters. Cardin was friends with all of them. Each and everyone of them shared a family-like bond. But perhaps it was time for Jaune to help heal things and mend bridges.
So after calling attention to himself he shared the article. Afterwards, they all understood and dashed off to find where Cardin was. Or whether he went.
That concludes chapter seven.
When I started writing this story I knew I was going to confront a lot of issues which also pertain to today. The role of peace officers in our society is a detrimental one. However not every officer is going to be perfect nor are they going to know the right things to do. Even then the reputation of the Police does not stand well for prior conundrums.
Whether your opinions clash with the views of this chapter and of this story. I still hope you do read. I want to be nuanced in my writing and I want to include in the main story that not every officer is as shiny as their badges. I do hope you stick around for that.
Anyways I'm signing off, and stay tuned for more Guarding Vale: A VPD Story.