Well Cr00cy, we're almost there. I can't thank everyone enough.
Chapter 11
The End of The Beginning
Cinder Fall was his wife.
Jaune Arc knew this.
He also knew that she had a somewhat...questionable history with law enforcement in general, and Hunters in particular. It's why she wasn't with him now, as the bullhead shuddered and shook as it continued its journey through the skys of Vale. Gods, but he hated flying. Luckily, Emerald had taught him that chewing on ginger dampened the nausea somewhat, otherwise he was fairly certain that he wouldn't have been able to hold it in. Wouldn't that be embarrassing?
He breathed a sigh of relief as the craft began its descent and leaned back in his seat as it settled on the white stone landing pad at his destination. Beacon Academy for Huntsman. His dream, once upon a time. As the ramp door of the bullhead slowly opened, he squinted against the harsh morning light, eager to at least lay eyes on the place he'd dreamed of for so long. He stepped out onto the ramp, letting his gaze travel over the flagstone path, the immaculately carved columns, the impossibly green grass. It was beautiful, it was everything that he ever imagined that it could be, it was-
"Hello!"
His gaze snapped down to the source of the voice, a beautiful girl with long, red hair and bright green eyes, wearing a black blouse and checkered red skirt.
"Uh, hi?"
She cocked her head to the side. "You wouldn't happen to be Jaune Arc, would you?"
He smiled. "Yep, 'fraid so. Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue, ladies love it."
"I'm...sure?" She tried slowly.
He groaned as he ran a hand down his face. "I'm so sorry! It's been a long time since I did that." He sighed. "It's just...this is Beacon, the Beacon! It's so cool! I'm a little nervous." He confessed.
She laughed. "No, it's ok! I'm just not used to one liners. People don't work up the nerve very often."
He snorted. "Yeah, it's almost like you're intimidatingly attractive or something, miss…"
She gave him a small smile. "Pyrrha Nikos, but please, call me Pyrrha. I don't think that's the only reason, but it's nice to meet you. The Headmaster sent me to escort you to his office."
He chuckled. "Glynda too caught up with paperwork? Figures."
She shot him a confused look. "Glynda? Oh! You mean Ms. Goodwitch?"
"Yeah, she said she was a bit more strict at work, but I only half believed her." He looked around conspiratorially, before leaning in. "Just between us, she's a giant softie."
The girl laughed again. "I look forward to watching you tell her that." She shook her head with a smile. "Are you ready to head on?"
He shot her a thumbs up. "Sure thing, Pyr, lead the way!"
She raised an eyebrow. "Pyr?"
He tensed. "It's a thing I do, but if it bothers you, I can-"
"No!" She shouted out hurriedly, before coughing. "I mean, 'Pyr' is fine, I like it."
He let out a sigh of relief as he started to follow her towards the looming tower in the distance.
"Good, because it's been a whole thing before. Like, Addie? Not a fan of his at first."
"Well, consider me one." She assured him as they walked along the white, stone path, flanked by fields of green. "I'm not that fond of my other one."
"You've got multiple nicknames? Someone's popular." He joked, before stroking his chin. "Actually, I feel like I know you from somewhere…"
She sighed. "Yes, I am the-"
He snapped his fingers. "You've got some kind of makeup deal, right? Like, eye shadow or something. Something 'Smokey,' I can't remember the full name, but yeah, I've got a couple of friends that use it."
She blinked at him for a moment, before responding slowly. "Yes, that and only that. I'm famous for nothing else."
"Still, that's pretty cool. I don't have a makeup deal!"
"Do you want a makeup deal?"
"I mean…"
She snorted. "You're odd."
He smiled back. "I'll tell you what's odd, is how any boy ever graduates this place."
"What do you mean?"
"Pyr." He said, giving her a look, before gesturing to the bustling campus around them. "If you had told me that this was, 'Beacon Academy for supermodels in training,' I would have believed you. Seriously, everyone here is ridiculously attractive! I don't even go here and I feel inadequate, this would have been a nightmare for younger me."
"Well, I don't know if I'd say we're all that good-"
"Pyr, stop, you're beautiful." He said, before pointing over to two people laid out on the grass. "I mean, look at those two girls, the one with the orange hair and the one with the pink stripe in green."
She shot him a confused look, following his finger over to the two.
"Oh, you mean Ren and Nora? They're my teammates."
"Well, they're both super cute."
"Also, Ren is a guy."
"...my point stands."
She smirked. "Don't let Nora know you're interested, it's bad for your legs."
"Noted, but no promises."
She shook her head. "Anyway, what brings you to Beacon, if you don't mind me asking?"
He hummed. "I kind of made a deal with Ozpin, and it's time for me to fulfill my end of the bargain."
"You made a deal with Headmaster Ozpin?" She said in disbelief. "Are you some sort of businessman?"
He laughed. "No, don't think I'd be very good at it. My wife on the other hand? She's pretty cut-throat."
"Oh, you're married?" She asked.
He grinned. "Yeah, can you believe it? Still don't know what she saw in me."
"I think I can start to see it…"
"You're sweet." He said. "I think you two would get along, you both seem pretty put together. Cindy appreciates a woman who knows what she wants. I mean, she's a little testy with Neo, but that's a long story."
"Maybe I'll get to meet her sometime."
He smiled. "I'd like that. It might be awhile though, I don't know how long it'll be till we'll be back in town."
"Well, that's a shame." Pyrrha said softly, as they reached the elevator, reaching out a pressing the button.
He reached out and playfully shoved her. "Hey, don't be such a downer. Ask Glynda for my contact info and you can come visit us. If you're not too busy here, that is. I imagine you're pretty popular."
"I've got time!" She assured him. "Just let me know!"
He chuckled. "Sounds good to me! Feel free to bring your friends too, I've been trying to set Merc up with someone for ages. I'd ask for Em too, but Cindy always says she'll 'deal with her.'" He shrugged as they started their ascent. "How do you like it here anyway?"
"It's fine."
"That bad?"
She sighed. "No, it's not. Ren and Nora are great, the best teammates I could ask for, really. I wish I'd worked out where I had a partner, but honestly, there's nothing wrong with it. I just...wanted to get away from home, and this still feels a bit too much like that."
He nodded. "It gets better. I didn't know who I was or where I was going when they rejected me from this place, but life has a way of figuring itself out." He chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry if that sounds kinda corny."
"You got rejected from Beacon?" She asked in disbelief. "Why?"
He shrugged. "Wasn't ready for it, I guess."
"You could always re-apply." She offered.
"Yeah, I thought about it, but I don't think that's where I'm needed." He squeezed her shoulder. "Give these people a chance though, they might surprise you." He grinned. "And if they don't? I'll tell Glynda to sort'em out."
She laughed as the elevator reached their floor, and the doors slowly began to open.
"Well, I appreciate the offer, but I'm not sure you could convince her to-"
"Jaune Arc!" A voice roared from outside the elevator, as a very perturbed looking deputy Headmistress made her way over to them.
"Notorious G!" The young man called with a grin.
"Don't you dare, G-anything me, Jaune! Do you know how worried I've been!?"
"Glynda, we were fine! I called!" He defended.
"You called after the hospital did!"
"Huh, guess you're still listed as my emergency contact." He mused.
"You think!? Jaune, how did you even-"
Pyrrha coughed nervously from her place in the elevator, drawing both sets of eyes in the room to her.
"Um, do you still need me, or…"
Glynda sighed as she lifted her glasses up rubbed her eyes. "No, Ms. Nikos, you are free to go. Thank you."
"Bye, Pyr!" Jaune called happily, waving at her.
"Bye, Jaune!" She called back, returning his wave and mouthing, 'good luck.'
He smiled, and mouthed 'big softie,' with a wink, as the doors closed on her.
"She seems nice." Jaune observed.
"Yes, Ms. Nikos is an exemplary student. In fact, she's-" She stopped herself and glared at him. "No sir, Jaune Arc, you won't derail me that easily."
He smiled sheepishly. "Hey, it almost worked."
She sighed again. "Jaune, the things you've been asking for over the past couple of weeks, the people you've been asking them for, what's going on?"
"It's been a weird couple of weeks." He admitted, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry for worrying you."
"I'm still worried, Jaune."
"I should have told you earlier, I didn't think."
"A habit of yours." She growled.
"Tell me about it."
"How much time do you have?" She deadpanned.
He chuckled. "Does this mean I don't get a hug?"
She rolled her eyes, before grabbing him by the wrist and pulling him into a tight embrace.
"I'm so glad you're ok." She whispered.
"I think I'm too oblivious to die." He joked.
"Let's not test that theory, ok?" She pleaded, stepping away from him.
"Yeah, sounds good to me, already did that once recently."
"I'm sorry, you what!?"
He laughed nervously, before looking to large, wooden door behind her. "Do you think he's ready? I don't want to be late."
Her gaze narrowed. "We're not done here, but yes, he is ready for you." She sighed. "Knock twice, then go in."
He squeezed her shoulder and smiled as he passed. "I'll be back in just a minute. Gotta tell you about the pregnancy, we're having twins."
"Twins!?" Was the last thing he heard as he reached out, and opened the door. The first thing that struck him as he stepped through was the sheer number of gears and clocks around the room. Everything either seemed to be shaped like, or actually was, a functioning gear, from the floor to the ceiling.
"Wow." He whispered.
"Mr. Arc, you were supposed to knock." His gaze traveled over to the well dressed, silver-haired man sitting behind his desk...also made of gears.
He hummed. "I forgot."
"I'm sure." Ozpin deadpanned, motioning for him to take a seat.
"Don't you think it's a bit much?" Jaune asked as he settled himself.
"Expecting people to knock?"
Jaune chuckled. "No, I mean, all of this." He motioned to the room around them. "That's a lot of clock imagery. I think the only way that you could be more obvious about the 'time has no real meaning to me' thing is if you had like, a magic phone booth or something."
"I'm not a time traveler, Mr. Arc."
"Yeah, I know."
"I see Mrs. Fall has been open with her secrets."
He smiled ruefully. "If it makes you feel better, that's a recent development. She does know a lot about you though."
Ozpin hummed as he leaned back in his seat. "Yes, and I'd like to know more about her little group as well, hence this meeting. Also, you're various 'favors,' everything from pardons, to tariffs, to air time on the CCT." He folded his hands in front of him. "That's quite a lot of effort on my part."
"It's quite a lot of risk on ours." Jaune countered.
"It doesn't have to be. I could offer you protection." He looked at the boy meaningfully over his glasses. "Particularly you, Mr. Arc."
Jaune nodded. "Thanks, but I'm happy with where I'm at."
"You understand what she is, don't you? She's-"
"My wife." Jaune finished for him. "And if you want this meeting to continue, that's what we'll refer to her as."
The Headmaster nodded slowly. "Very well, but I don't understand why you won't trust me."
Jaune shrugged. "We do, we just trust you to do what's right for you. I've gotten Cindy's side of the story on how it all went down between you and Salem, sounds like a lot more grey than black and white to me."
The older man scoffed. "Obviously, her view would be biased."
"Maybe, maybe not. Look, to be honest, shades of grey don't bother me as much as I thought they would. I think you're doing what you think is right."
"I've always-"
"I just don't think that puts my family's safety as high on your list of priorities as I'd like, so here we are." Jaune smiled. "No hard feelings, I'm just doing what's right by them."
Ozpin hummed. "Well, if I'm so interested in the ends justifying the means, what's to stop me from apprehending you right now?"
"Glynda." The blond answered calmly. "Also, you have no idea where the others are. I sold Cindy on not burning this place to the ground because our family was more important, but what do you think she'll if something were to happen to that family?"
"You are a shrewd negotiator, Mr. Arc."
The young man laughed. "Who knew, right? Life is weird like that." He smiled as he looked around the room. "I feel like I'm in a movie."
"And are you a hero or a villain in that movie?" Ozpin questioned.
Jaune sighed. "Probably a bit character. But, I will tell you what else I am, a husband and a father. So, I guess the answer to that question depends on where you stand in relation to them."
"Why trust me at all then?"
"We don't really have a lot of choice, you want what we have, and we're not going to get through this all on our own. Plus Glynda. If she trusts you, you've got be be ok at least."
"A ringing endorsement." The older man said with a smirk. "Very well Mr. Arc, I'll stop trying to recruit you. Just know that the offer stands."
"I appreciate it."
The silver-haired man shifted in his seat. "Well then, not to rush you, but…"
"Oh, right!" Jaune said, fishing around in his pocket until he came back up with a small flash drive.
Ozpin raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"
Jaune nodded. "Info on every agent, every safehouse, and every target that we know about."
The man reached out for the drive, and Jaune pulled it back. "I have two more requests."
"Really Mr. Arc, bribing Vale's council wasn't enough for you?"
"These are easy."
The older man sighed. "Very well, what are they?"
"Give Glynda an extra week of vacation and find Pyrrha Nikos a partner."
The Headmaster gave him a wry smile. "I have to give up Glynda? That's a hard bargain."
"I'm a cruel man." The blond joked.
"I will make it so, Mr. Arc. Now, the drive, if you please."
The young man smiled as he handed the device over. "This should keep you busy for awhile, and hopefully sets her back."
"I promise to do everything in my power." The older man said solemnly.
"I believe you." The blond said, meeting his gaze for a moment, before breaking out into a grin. "Whelp, I gotta get going, don't want to keep Cindy waiting! She gets antsy like you wouldn't believe." He said, finding his feet.
Ozpin shook his head. "You are strange man, Mr. Arc."
"So I've been told."
"Where will you go?"
Jaune laughed. "Kinda defeats the purpose if I tell you, doesn't it? Don't worry about it, we'll be watching. Just don't try to find us, when we're ready, we'll find you."
"That sounds vaguely threatening, Mr. Arc."
Jaune tsked as he walked over to the door. "Shit, I'll have to get help making it more clear next time."
Ozpin chuckled to himself as the blond opened the door. "Goodbye, Mr. Arc."
"See you around, Ozzy."
Jaune made it roughly a half step into the waiting room, before he found himself pinned against the wall with mystical energy.
"Hi, G," he choked out.
"Twins!? When? How?" She demanded.
He laughed. "Well, it could have been the time in the kitch-" He grunted as she dropped him to the floor.
"Smartass." She muttered. "When?"
He shook his head as he picked himself up. "Looks like about a month ago."
"Oh, Jaune, I'm so happy for you!" She gushed. "Do you have names picked out?"
He grinned. "Kinda, it's a pretty hotly debated in our little crew right now."
She huffed. "I should have known a month ago."
"I didn't know a month ago!"
"Well, I assume I'm in the running for godmother at least?"
He chuckled nervously.
"Jaune!"
"I'm sorry! I traded that away for a favor to an assassin!" He winced. "Wow, that sounds awkward when I say it out loud."
Glynda groaned and buried her face in her hands.
"We really needed her help." He offered.
She sighed. "Fine, but I'm co-godmother."
"I don't think-" He stopped as she stared him down. "-that there's any problem with that!" He finished.
"Jaune, I have to meet her."
"You will, I promise."
"I better." She threatened playfully, before shaking her head. "What was it all for, Jaune? All these wild requests?"
He held up a finger and looked at his watch. "Let's see, it's 11:57. Watch Lisa Lavender when she comes on at 12:00, and you'll see."
She rolled her eyes. "Men of mystery are overrated."
He laughed. "Yeah, but I've got a ride to catch." He leaned forward and pulled her into a hug. "You know, you should visit Patch sometime soon, if you get some vacation time. I hear it's nice."
She squeezed him gently. "In the unlikely event that that occurs, I'll be sure to make that happen."
He smiled and pulled away, stepping towards the elevator. "I think you might find some free time in the near future."
She tsked. "You're having too much fun with this."
"Maybe." He admitted, stepping into the elevator. "Just remember to watch the news."
She gave him a small smile. "However will I remember for the next 60 seconds?"
"Never change, Notorious G."
"I'm going to find you, Jaune. Those babies will be spoiled."
He laughed as the doors closed. "I'm counting on it!"
The older woman sighed, and pulled out her Scroll, flipping it over to the appropriate feed. Her eyes widened in horror when she saw the image that greeted her.
"Lisa Lavender here, folks, and do we have a treat for you today? Two of the biggest movers and shakers in business have agreed to join us for a meeting today. Gentlemen, you please introduce yourselves?"
The camera panned over to a well dressed man in a white coat and bowler hat, seated in a purple chair. "Oh Lisa, you know me."
"I do Roman, but I'd prefer you introduce yourself to the audience."
He sighed, and made a theatrical bow. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Roman Torchwick, the Gentleman th-" he coughed, "gentleman."
"Grand," she deadpanned, "and our other guest is a new face to Vale…"
"Adam Taurus." The red-haired man announced as her shifted uncomfortably in his own seat on a purple couch, feeling naked without his mask.
"And this gentleman sitting with you is?"
A giant of a man in a white suit leaned into the shot and reached out a hand. "Big Daddy Bane, Lisa, always been a fan of yours."
She looked at him skeptically as she took his hand. "Charmed. Big Daddy Bane?"
"Nicknames are common in the industry." He explained.
"And what industry is that?"
The man drew himself up to his full height. "Why, I'm Mr. Taurus' spokesman and adviser." He announced proudly.
"Provisional adviser." Adam quickly corrected.
"See how careful he is with his decisions? Now that's a leader." Bane congratulated.
Lisa raised an eyebrow. "And Mr. Taurus needs a spokesman because?"
"He's a very passionate, but private person. You should be flattered, Lisa, this is a rare public appearance."
"Well Mr. Taurus, we are honored."
"That is the appropriate feeling, human."
"He means, 'we're happy to be here,' Lisa." Bane translated.
She sighed and muttered something about 'the crazies,' under her breath before continuing.
"Gentlemen, you've come together to form what people are calling the business deal of the century, opening up a tariff free trade route between Menagerie and one of the main kingd-"
"Menagerie is a main kingdom." Adam cut in.
"He's a proud faunus." Bane explained.
"-Between Menagerie and a sister kingdom for the first time in history. What's more, you've both brought pools of manpower to the table seemingly out of nowhere, which has allowed you to get a jump on the competition. You've even unionized the faunus work force. It's truly a feat of legal and business maneuvering."
Roman preened. "Why, thank you, Lisa. It was an idea that came to me-"
"But what's also interesting is the dark rumors surrounding the deal."
"I'm sorry?"
"Roman, please, we all know your reputation, and your criminal history."
He tsked. "Alleged criminal history."
She scoffed. "Roman, we have a video. Bobby, play the video."
"I don't think that's neccesa-"
An image of a younger Roman Torchwick flickered to life on the screen behind them, leaning out of the side a bullhead, and firing towards trailing police vehicles while hooping and hollering.
"You'll never take me alive, O'Connor! You and the rest of the VPD can suck my-"
"I think that's enough, Bobby, thank you. Mr. Torchwick?"
He coughed. "While that handsome young gentleman might bear a passing resemblance to me, and have excellent fashion sense, I assure you that you'll find that I have no criminal record."
"Yes, which has left VPD baffled as to how you-"
"Besides, I have nothing but the utmost respect for Vale's finest. In fact, I just bought the house across from Commissioner O'Connor."
"Why would you do that?" She questioned.
"One, I want to feel safe at night, and two, it's hilarious."
"What about all the allegations that getting this deal done required not only an incredible amount of top down pressure, which no one can explain, but also widespread bribery and extortion? All of it tied to your name?"
"Do you happen to have the names of the people spreading these heinous rumors? I'd love to pay them a visit...in court."
"I'm sure." She drawled.
"Anywho Lisa, you free tonig-"
She ignored him. "Mr. Taurus, with this new deal, you stand to become one of the wealthiest men in Remnant, and if you forgive me for saying so, with looks like that, you stand to become one of its most eligible bachelors."
"I'm taken!" He snapped out in a rush, fiddling with a band around his neck.
"Mr. Taurus, is that a collar?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"He doesn't want to talk about it." Bane echoed helpfully.
She sighed. "I'm assuming that you're referring to your rumored relationship with Ms. Belladonna, heir to the Belladonna household, then?"
Adam nodded, holding up a hand to silence Bane.
"Well, that does make you quite the mover and shaker then. Successful businessman and potentially in what is essentially the royal family."
The faunus shuddered. "There will be many trials before that point, I assure you."
"I'm not sure I understand."
"My client is just saying that he doesn't like to count his chicks before they hatch." Bane interpreted.
Adam glared at the man. "I'm a bull fau-"
"Your name isn't free of controversy either though, Mr. Taurus. Your description fits perfectly that of the terrorist leader that has been evading capture in both Atlas and Vale for years now. Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain any video of these incidents."
Adam hummed. "Sounds like a real professional, unlike that other guy-"
"Son of a-"
"-did he have a cool nickname?" He pressed.
"Translation error!" Bane blurted out. "My client is trying to say that he finds these acts cold and condemns them."
"I've always thought that Red Viper sounded appropriate, given-" He grunted as Bane slammed an elbow into his side, earning him a glare.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Taurus, but to be clear, were you or were you not in the White Fang?"
"My client doesn't-"
"I was."
"I see. You understand why that might scare off investors?"
He snorted. "Then let them be scared. I am not one of them, and that frightens them. I didn't come from a prestigious university, I have no understanding of economics or politics-"
"Uh, boss-"
"-But what I do understand is hunger and fear. It's why I joined the White Fang, to stop being afraid, to stop wondering where my next meal was coming from. It's why we all did. We were ready to stop being stepped on, to get back at those who had made us weak, by whatever means necessary." He took a deep breath, and slowly let it out. "But then I met a strange man, an unlikely brother of the revolution, who taught me that perhaps, my anger was costing me more than those that had caused it. That perhaps, as hard as it was to swallow, the best revenge is living well. Well Lisa, I looked upon my people, and they were not living well, so I resolved to change that, regardless of what kind of company I was forced to work with." He finished with a glare at Roman.
"We find Torchwick industries to be trustworthy and viable partners." Bane explained.
Lisa nodded slowly. "That is a powerful and personal message, Mr. Taurus. Your friend sounds wise."
"Well, he also told me that strangers are just friends that you haven't met yet, which is patently untrue, so it's been mixed advice."
She snorted. "Did you just make a joke, Mr. Taurus?"
"It's possible." He admitted with a small smile.
She smiled. "Do you have anything else the say to the people of Remnant?"
He hummed. "Just one. Mr. Schnee, understand that our feud is far from over. I have simply learned a new form of warfare, one which I am bringing to bear shortly. That should frighten you, because I'll be coming to you on your home turf, the boardroom. Understand this, there will be no 'better future' for any of us, without all of us."
"Mr. Bane, anything to add?" Lisa asked.
He shrugged. "Fucking nailed it."
Adam nodded. "The fires of the revolution burn on."
Lisa balked. "I'm sorry, the revolution? Mr. Taurus, are you still involved in the Fang?"
The faunus opened his mouth to speak, but his large partner cut him off.
"The revolution is a clothing company that my client is starting! All black clothing, all the time! You know what they say, always be promoting!"
She shot a look towards Adam. "Mr. Taurus, is that true?"
The dark man shrugged. "Why not? I've always thought black is cool."
Jaune shook his head as he shut down his Scroll and stepped off the bullhead onto the busy docking area in downtown Vale.
"I know you do, buddy." He said softly.
He glanced around, trying to spot his friends, till he felt something press into his back, freezing him in place.
"Your money or your life, pal."
He sighed. "Listen, I'm not trying to tell you how to do your job, but this seems like a bad idea."
"Yeah, why's that? You some kinda Hunter or something?"
He laughed. "Not even close, but my friends? They get pretty ornery about this type of thing, and they're not the kind of people you want to upset."
The man hummed. "Sounds like a couple of badasses. Is one remarkably handsome, and the other like, probably a 6 on a good hair day?"
"Fuck you." A second voice called.
Jaune smirked as he turned around. "Hi, Merc. Hi, Em."
Mercury smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, bro, we got bored."
"Mercury got bored." Emerald corrected. "How'd it go?"
He shrugged. "I think about as good as we're going to get. You guys see the broadcast?"
She snorted. "Yeah, were they really our best options?"
"Hey, Addie did ok." He defended.
"Bro, he full up admitted to being a member of a terrorist organization. He just happened to stubble his way to success after that." Mercury observed.
"I've been told that's surprisingly effective."
"Yeah…" Emerald drawled. "Let's not make a habit of it. I enjoy living."
"No promises."
"I can't tell if my lifespan has gotten longer or shorter since meeting you." The silver-haired man complained.
Jaune chuckled. "Hey, at least your life is exciting now."
"It was exciting before this! Now it's just exciting with a high chance of Grimm overlords!" Merc groaned. "I mean, Em's got ulterior motives for being here, but-"
"Merc, you're never making it to Patch." The green-haired girl growled.
"-I guess this is cool too." He finished with a grin.
Jaune shook his head. "Well, glad to have you aboard." He ran a hand through his hair. "Now we just have to find something to do for a living once we get to Patch. What do you guys usually do?"
"Soldiers of Fortune."
"War Dogs."
"Mercenaries."
"Contractors."
"Aggressive negotiators."
"Peace keepers."
"Guns for hire."
"Militaires Sans Frontières."
"Hitm-"
"Ok, ok, I get it!" He groaned. "Do you guys know how to do anything non-violent?"
"I steal things." Em offered.
He ran a hand down his face. "Anything that's not illegal?"
"Really handcuffing us here, bro."
"You two are ridiculous." He complained.
Emerald held out a hand. "Hi, pot, I'm kettle."
He snorted. "Whatever, we'll wing it."
"Oh, so the normal plan then." Mercury teased.
"The normal plan." Jaune agreed.
"Why are we going to Patch anyway?" The mercenary asked.
Jaune sighed. "We've set what's-her-name back-"
"Salem, it's totally Salem." Em provided.
"-But she'll be back, and these people are going to need help. I want to be close enough that when that time comes, we're here waiting, ready to do our part. Not for Ozpin, but for Bane, for Roman, for Neo, for all the people of Vale. When they need us, we'll be there."
They both stared at him for a moment.
"For free?" Mercury asked.
He shrugged. "I mean...what's the going rate? Is there even a rate?"
"Bro, I have a chart."
"It's very scientific." Emerald agreed.
He laughed. "Then we'll calculate it up when it all goes down. I'll be honest though, some of it might be pro bono."
Mercury sighed. "Yeah, yeah, we joined team bleeding hearts. Where's the boss lady anyway?"
Jaune smirked. "She's just taking care of a few loose ends here in Vale, she'll catch up in a bit."
"Ominous." Emerald teased.
"Don't you know? I'm a criminal mastermind." He shot back with a smile.
"Well, you're hanging with the right crowd." She agreed, as they made their way over to the docks to catch their boat. "We're all bad guys now."
"Hey, it's all a matter of perspective."
Arthur Watts was screwed.
He knew this.
He had hidden information from his Queen in order to advance his personal agenda, putting their operations at risk. Worse, he had underestimated how violently Cinder Fall would react to the situation, a choice that had left all of their operations in Vale in shambles. Luckily, Cinder Fall was a vindictive woman. Well, luckily for him, not for the men he currently had stationed in the distribution center he was currently watching her wreck from the control room in his Vale safehouse.
"Just couldn't resist, could you, Cindy?" He growled, before keying the microphone on his control panel. "Matthews, rally the men we have here, the bitch is at location 4, go end her."
"Sir, that leaves this location-"
"Do not question me, not if you wish to remain among the living!" He roared.
"Y-yes, sir!" The soldier fumbled out, ending the communication immediately.
Watts scoffed. The fool didn't understand, all that mattered now was ending Cinder. If he could manage to kill her, he could still salvage the situation, pin it all on her and return to his Queen a hero. A bloodied hero, but a hero nonetheless. He watched with rapt attention as the dark-haired woman on his screen flipped from soldier to soldier, snapping necks and slitting throats with her dark blade, an acrobat of violence.
"Do your worst woman," he hissed, "so long as you stay where I can see you, I've already won. If burying you in numbers is what is required, then so be it."
He groaned as a particularly brave, or perhaps foolish, soldier charged her back, sword extended, before she whipped around in a blur, catching his wrist and pulling him to her, holding her blade to his throat as other soldiers surrounded her.
"Yes, yes!" He shouted. "Shoot her you fools! Shoot her!"
Then, something very peculiar happened. Cinder looked up toward the camera her was watching her through, and grinned. She blinked once, and amber eyes became brown and pink, before winking at him. Then, she blinked out of existence. Arthur Watts stared long and hard at the screen, trying to understand what he'd just witnessed, to piece it together in a way that made sense. So focused was he on this task, that he didn't notice the shadowy figure that dropped down from the ceiling behind him, her blades at the ready.
Cinder Fall was a monster.
But to Jaune, she was simply his wife….
And they'd kill to keep it that way.
Journey's End
The waves crash against our hull as the ship races forward, growing ever closer to our sister ship.
The Captain shouts out orders, and Bears of Black and White and Amorous Fathers jump to task, desperately trying to find ways to speed us on. Fallen Paladins and Mr. Graves travel from man to man, whispering encouragement and checking their weapons. Demy scours the surface of the seas with his looking glass, ensuring that none will interrupt us. Crooc and Burk stand together, discussing the best angle from which to come upon her.
To come upon the 'Stress Relief.'
My breath catches in my chest. This could be real and not real at the same time. Something that seemed impossible, and yet is happening.
"Sir...we approach." The boy whispers, echoing my thoughts.
"Aye, boy." I respond horsely. "That we do."
"I thought you were mad." He admits.
I chuckle. "This doesn't make me sane, lad, it just means that we're all crazy."
We watch together as the distance closes, 20 ship lengths becoming 10.
"I think that I'm ok with being crazy." He says softly.
"Aye, lad, me too."
"What will we do when we come alongside her?" He ask.
"Don't you mean if?"
"I mean when, sir."
I shake my head. "Cheeky brat." I take a moment to consider his words, watching as 10 lengths become 5. "I don't know, lad."
The boy balks. "But we've come so far, sir! How is it that you don't know?"
I shrug. "I'll know when I know, boy."
He sighs. "What do you know, sir?"
I hum. "That it's time to move to the rail, lad. We are upon her."
And so we are, and so we do. Our crew, swollen to numbers that I would have refused to believe, move to the rail, ready for whatever may come. Then, miraculously, incredibly, it happens. We pull alongside the 'Stress Relief.' I can see it all, every plank, every rope, every cannon gleaming in the light of the morning sun. Most importantly though, I can see them. They stand by their own rail, staring back across the waves at us.
The Well Educated Fool.
The Pokemon that has become super.
The Captain of the ship, Coeur himself.
Our eyes meet, and I my hand reaches down for my pistol, as he mirrors the motion. I feel the boy tense beside me, as I draw my weapon, and the crew all around me do the same, the crew of the 'Stress Relief' matching us in perfect harmony. We raise our weapons, and we fire...
Our guns roar as they discharge harmlessly into the sky, our salute to our sister ship, filling the air with smoke. But still, even through this haze, I can see him. We share a small nod as Burk calls to the Captain, and we shift course. Our course has never been theirs, and theirs has never been ours.
The boy lets out a sigh of relief. "What now, sir?"
I tussle the lad's hair. "Now, lad? Now it is time to stop in port."
Our journey to port is uneventful, and as our mighty and worn craft pulls up alongside the docks, and man that is familiar to me walks towards the ship, shouting up to the Captain.
"Who is that man, sir?" The boy questions.
"Ah, that be Nyx, lad. He's the dock-master, here to archive our journey."
The boy shoots upright. "Archive? But sir, does that mean that our journey is over?"
I chuckle and clap the lad on the shoulder. "The journey is never over, my boy, but I think this is where you leave us."
"But sir, why!? Have I not been a good sailor?"
"Nay lad, you've been an excellent one." I comfort.
"Then why, sir?"
I smile gently. "Because you finally understand the nature of ships, boy. You need us no longer."
He swallows, shifting around the deck nervously. "What will you do, sir? Where will you go?"
I hum. "Me? Well, mayhaps I'll raid the fluff coast for an epilogue chapter or two, I've always figured a story should have a dozen chapters, maybe a baker's dozen for this one. Then, I'll park the ship, till one day the storm of sequels comes for us. Hell, maybe I'll even go plunder the Emerald isles for awhile, they are practically untouched."
"But, sir...what will I do?" He ask quietly.
I kneel down beside him, placing my hands on his shoulders.
"Why, lad...whatever makes you happy."
He stares into the boards of the deck, disappointed with my answer, and so I continue.
"But, I'll tell you what I hope you do." I say, smiling as his gaze shoots upwards. "I hope that you choose to go out and build a ship of your own, a mighty ship that puts everything that I have ever built to shame."
"Do you believe such a thing to be possible, sir?" He whispers.
I smile back at him. "Aye, that I do, lad. What's more, I shall be proud to serve on your ship, wherever it sails."
He straightens then, shrugging me off.
"Then I have work to do, sir." He declares.
"Aye, lad, that you do."
He begins to walk away towards the docks, stopping only as he reaches the gangplank, looking over his shoulder once. "Sir, I shall miss you."
I laugh. "And I you, lad, but there are no goodbyes between sailors." I motion towards the mighty ocean behind us. "I'll see you out there, lad."
He nods to me, and then marches down the ramp proudly, disappearing into the crowd. I shake my head and look to my old friend, Crooc.
"Do you remember being the lad?"
"Aye, that I do."
"We be not lads anymore, you old bastard."
"Nay, but we still sail." He counters. "What's next?"
I chuckle. "We build, what else?"
For my father built ships, and his father before him.