EDIT: JUST FIXED A COUPLE OF SENTENCES. I CAN'T EVEN UNDERSTAND MY OWN NOTES
Yellow
Or was it Orange? Well, whatever.
That was the sight Jaune woke up to.
Okay, Let's have a flashback.
After Jaune saw Blake and Sun run off. He went back to work the last few days, after work he went to wherever he could just to clear his head. Then he somehow ended up in front of the La Soliel cafe and suddenly remembered that he had to meet with Maple. Which Jaune decided to live with for the last few days, seeing as he had work to do on a daily basis at the town, going from Beacon and back was tiring. So Jaune had slept within the apartment of a blonde catgirl.
And as you can probably guess. Jaune slept with Maple.
Jaune got up from the bed, as quiet as he could, as to not wake up the nude blonde haired catgirl on the bed next to him. That proved to be useless, because as soon as he got out of the bed, Maple's hand reached out to him. and we got a clear view of the blond catgirl.
Her hair was long, blonde, and swirly at the tips. She also had green eyes. Along with flawless tan was a pretty short description, but hey! she was nude!
"Out already?" Maple asked, still laying down as she saw him get in his clothes.
"Yeah." Jaune sighed. "I still have to help with the Vytal Festival and all that." It was really tiring, but he had a job to do.
Maple sighed as she stood up, covering herself with her blanket. "Alright but..." Maple paused, which made Jaune look back at her. And Maple kissed him. "I don't get to be this bold with just anybody. So don't forget me."
Jaune only smiled and kissed her back. As he was going out the door he heard a final comment from Maple.
"Come by the cafe when its my shift!"
Jaune smiled as he went back the door, only to remember something.
It was sunday.
Which meant this evening would be the time where things would rumble.
By the time Jaune got down, the cafe was already open, which made him receive a good morning from Kashou.
Jaune paused as he saw two people sat down at the cafe. A man with blonde hair and a woman with black hair.
Sun Wukong and Blake Belladonna.
Jaune smirked. Of all places to see them, it had to be here. It made sense though. They probably needed to go somewhere that accepted faunus and wouldn't have someone who might make a ruckus of faunus being there. It must have been Sun's idea to bring her here.
'Things are going to get interesting by evening alright.'
Team RW(B)Y were out scouting vale to look for their missing member. Having Blake been gone all weekend, they sought out to find her, well, except for a certain ice queen. Because Team JNPR was so kind to help out, they had filled them in with Blake's situation.
"Blake's been gone all weekend." Ruby said.
Weiss snorted. "Yeah, Blake's a big girl, i'm sure she can handle herself."
"Come on Weiss, she's one of our teammates." Yang said.
"Is she? I mean, we all heard what she said."
"Maybe she is maybe she isn't, either way, she's missing and we need to find her." Yang said.
Weiss turned away. "A member of the White Fang! Right underneath our noses!"
"I just hope she's okay."
Sun and Blake were in one would say, an awkward situation. None of them were talking, just sipping tea from the looks of it. Until Blake, of all people, broke the silence.
"So, you want to know more about me?" Blake asked.
Sun lit up. "Finally she speaks! Two days and you've given me nothing but weird looks."
Blake stared at Sun. "Yeah. Like that."
Blake rolled her eyes. "Sun, are you familiar with The White Fang?"
Sun nodded. "Yeah, i don't think there's a faunus that doesn't know about them." Sun said. "Stupid holier-that-thou creeps that use force to get whatever they want. Bunch of creeps is you ask me."
Blake sipped her tea. "I was once a member of The White Fang." Which made Sun choke on his tea.
"Wait a minute, you were a member of The White Fang?"
Blake nodded. "That's right, i was a member for most of my life actually. You could almost say i was born into it." Blake closed her eyes and reminisced. "Back then things were different. In the ashes of war, The White Fang was meant to be a symbol of peace and unity between the humans and the faunus. Of course, despite being promised equality, the faunus were subjected to discrimination and hate. Humanity still thought of us as lesser beings. So, The White Fang rose up, with the voice of our people, and i was there, at the front of every rally, i took part of every boycott, and i actually thought we were making a difference. That i was just a youthful optimist"
Blake paused, only to speak again. "Then, five years ago our leader stepped down, and a new one took his place, a new leader, with a new way of thinking. Suddenly our peaceful protests were being replaced with organized attacks, we were setting fire to shops that wouldn't serve us, hijacking cargo from companies that used faunus labor, and the worse part was, it was working, we were being treated like equals, but not out of respect... but out of fear."
Blake opened her eyes. "So i left, i no longer wanted to use my skills to aid in their violence, instead i will dedicate my life as a huntress."
"So here i am, a criminal hiding in plain view. All with the help of a little black bow." Blake said as her 'bow' twitched.
"So..." Sun started. "Have you told you friends any of this?"
Blake only stared down, which meant she hadn't.
"So you still haven't told them."
A voice behind them said. Both turned to look, to see the same blond guy. Their professor, or in Sun's case, future professor.
"Jaune!" Both of them said, which made them look at each other.
"How do you know him?" Sun asked.
"I'm a student at Beacon. How do you know him?" Now, it was Blake's turn to ask.
Sun smirked. "We hang out two days ago."
Blake raised an eyebrow. "'Hang out?" Blake repeated.
Jaune answered for them. "We met each other two days ago and realized we were both trouble makers. And you know the saying, 'Birds of a feather, flock together'."
Blake only stared at the two blondes in front of her. What were the odds of them meeting each other? Well, Jaune was professor at Beacon, and Sun was a transfer student for Beacon from Vacuo, so they would have met each other sooner or later.
"So..." Sun started. "What brings you here?"
Jaune smirked. "You remember two days ago before we left, Kashou told me something?"
Sun nodded. "Yeah, about you coming by the cafe later."
"Well, i just happened to wonder on these parts after work, then i remembered. When i got there..." Jaune smirked.
Sun gasped. "You... did it? You did it with Maple?"
Jaune only nodded. Which made Sun stand up and hug Jaune with manly tears coming out of his eyes.
Blake watched the interaction between the two blondes with a twitching eye. Not even a week and they were already this close. But that was not the only reason. Blake was annoyed that Jaune bedded yet another woman, and a civilian of all things! And on top of that, from what she could see, almost all employees were cat faunus, and from what Sun said earlier, that meant Jaune bedded a faunus. For some reason Blake felt relieved that Jaune wasn't afraid of how most people would react when a faunus to human relationship was made. He just followed wherever his heart went.
'But that's not an excuse to just have intercourse with every woman you meet.' Blake thought as she just watched the two. As the two eventually sat down, while Jaune's coffee eventually came. Blake had noticed that everything went back as quiet as it was. Before Jaune spoke.
"As i was saying, Blake..." Jaune started as he sat down. "You still haven't told them?" Jaune asked with a tone similar to that of a caring father.
Blake only nodded.
Jaune sighed. "Blake, i told you these were people you would spend four years with. You can't not tell them." Jaune said. Jaune told her to tell them when she wasn't that too deep in the rabbit hole. But know, she wasn't just too deep in the rabbit hole, she had hit solid bedrock.
"I know." Blake said. "But i was too afraid, i didn't want to know their opinions. Especially from Weiss."
"Ohh yeah, Miss Schnee, i forgot you were teammates with her." Jaune said. He honesty had forgotten. "I'm afraid in this matter, you already hit solid bedrock Blake."
"I know. But i'm a former criminal. I bet Weiss is thinking of reporting me to the police."
"That's right." Jaune said, which made him receive stares from the two faunus he was accompanied with. "But, you're keyword is former criminal, therefore, you are not a criminal. And yeah, it's typical of a Schnee to be uptight, trust me, i've been on the receiving end of a Schnee's fury one too many times." Jaune shivered as he could feel the cold of Winter, both the person and the season. "But once you've gotten through they're cold exterior, you'll find that they are as fragile as a snowflake. And you'll get a friend who will accept you for who you are."
Blake and Sun only stared at Jaune in amazement. Meanwhile, Sun's opinion of Jaune was rapidly rising, he was actually making him understand a Schnee. A faunus! Understanding a Schnee!
"But, how can they do that when they don't even know the real you, Blake?" Jaune said as he sat down and left Blake to contemplate.
Blake only closed her eyes and though about how this wouldn't have happened if she had just went and told her teammates. Now, hey were probably looking for her, and were worried sick from being missing the past two days. Well, minus one of her teammates.
As things got quiet, Blake suddenly didn't like the silence anymore, and so she went and broke it.
Blake coughed. "So Jaune, What are you going to be doing?" Blake asked, which made Sun's eyes widen in shock as Blake Belladonna, of all people, started a conversation, to which Sun inwardly smirked.
'Hots for the professor? Pretty subtle for a cat.'
Jaune put his coffee down. "Ah, that! I actually decided to stay here for the weekends, seeing as i'm going to be back and forth during the weekends to help for the Vytal Festival, i had decided that i was going to stay somewhere near to the plaza."
Blake let out a sigh she didn't know she was holding. Which made Sun's grin wider. "Ah, i see." Blake said as she thought. 'So he didn't just go here for some quick action, but also with a reason. I swear he is just like the main character in one of my books! The resemblance is uncanny.'
Jaune looked at his watch and stood up while grabbing his coffee. "Well, it seems it's time for me to return to work. See you soon. Mainly you, Sun Wukong. Bye!" Jaune said as he walked off. As soon as he walked off, Sun turned to Blake with his grin on full force.
"So... i see the cat likes the professor now does she?"
Sun's answer was a rather vicious smack to the head.
"Blake!"
"Blake!"
"Blake! Where are you!"
"Blake!"
"Ugh, Weiss, you're not helping!" Ruby said.
"Oh? You know who might be able to help? The police?" Weiss huffed.
Ruby growled and folded her arms. "Weiss..."
"What? It was just an idea!"
Ruby walked off. "Yeah, a bad one."
"Weiss, i think we should hear her side of the story before we jump to any conclusions." Yang suggested.
"And i think, when we all hear it, you'll realize i was right!" Weiss said.
"And i think Weiss's hair looks wonderful today!" A voice from behind them said.
Ruby, Yang and Blake turned back to see Penny Polendina.
"Ahh! Penny! Where did you come from!" Ruby exclaimed out of shock.
Penny waved. "Hey guys! What are you up to?"
"Uhhh."
"Looking for our friend Blake." Yang said.
Penny's eyes widened in recognition. "Oh, you mean the faunus girl?" Penny said as she made everyone paused.
"Wait, how do you know that?" Ruby asked. How could Penny know that Blake was a faunus? She wouldn't have told anybody else than her team? Would she?
"Uh, the cat ears." Penny said.
"What cat ears? She wears a..." Yang paused as she came to a realization. "A bow."
Silence took over for a couple of seconds as they took in the new information.
"She does like tuna a lot."
"So, where is she?" Penny asked.
"We don't know, she's been missing since Friday." Yang said. As she saw Penny rush up to Ruby.
"That's terrible!" Penny exclaimed. "Don't you worry, Ruby my friend, i won't rest until we find your teammate."
"Uh that's really nice of you Penny, bu-but we're okay. Really." Ruby meekly said. The orange-haired girl was getting weirder by the moment. "Right guys?" Ruby looked back to see her two other teammates. Well, she would have, if not of them not being there. They ditched her!
Ruby grit her teeth in annoyance, of course, not noticed by Penny as a tumbleweed passed them by.
"It sure is windy today."
"So, what's the plan now?" Sun asked Blake. She and him had been walking for about the past hour, contemplating what The White Fang intended to do.
Blake sighed. "I still don't believe The White Fang was behind these robberies, they've never needed that much dust before." Blake said as she turned to Sun. It was true, they never needed that much dust before, but what did they need it for now?
"What if they did?" Blake's eyes grew with curiosity as she listened to Sun. "I mean, the only way to prove that they didn't do it, is to go to the place they would most likely go to if they were to do it, and not find them there. Right?" Sun finished his monologue.
Blake thought about it. "The only thing is, i have no idea where that would be." Blake said.
"Well, while i was on the ship, i heard some of the guys talking about off-loading a huge shipment of dust coming in from Atlas." Sun said as he saw Blake's eyes widen.
"How huge?"
"Huge. Big Schnee Company Freighter."
"You're sure?" Blake said as Sun nodded.
If they could find out what they needed that must dust for, they they could stop them before they get any more vicious. The White Fang was supposed to be a group of Youthful Optimists, not cold-blooded murderers. If they got that much dust for that purpose, then things could get worse. And with the current situation and fear against The White Fang from humans, things cannot get any worse, it couldn't.
But they shouldn't worry about that now, Blake and Sun went to gather information as much as they could. After all...
They had a score to stop.
Back with Jaune, he had decided to go through with today's work, it was nothing much. Although it was hot under the sun all those hours. Jaune went back to a pillar he was going to put support on, until he saw a black haired man go up to the pillar before him and Jaune saw the pillar of wood visibly strengthen in front of him. Amazed, he went to his co-worker.
Looking closer, he saw the black-haired man was a couple of inches beneath him, He had short black hair, dark eyes, and abnormally sharp canines. He wore a construction worker's outfit and wore a hardhat, boots, but he didn't have gloves.
"Hey," Jaune started as he saw the man look in his direction. "My name's Jaune, Jaune Arc."
The black-haired man seemed to visibly lighten up and greeted him back. "Hello! My name is John, John Edward, nice to meet you too." John greeted. "I see you're a John as well?" John asked.
Jaune shook his head. "Nope, It's Jaune. J-A-U-N-E, Jaune."
"But wouldn't that say John as well?"
"Nope."
"What's the difference?"
"My Jaune is pronounced Jaune, while yours is pronounced John. Get it?" Jaune said, only to receive a blank look on John's face.
"What's the difference?"
The two men paused for a moment. Before laughing hard. They were starting to disturb by-passers nearby, but once they saw the whole situation, they went and smiled themselves. To them, it was two people who worked hard, just enjoying themselves while at work.
Jaune stopped laughing and smiled. "Whew, i needed that."
John also stopped laughing and smiled. "Yeah, me too. Hey, aren't you the Beacon representative helping for the Vytal Festival?" John said as he noticed something familiar about Jaune.
Jaune smiled. "Yeah, that's me." Jaune said. Before he remembered something. "Hey, i saw your little ability back there, care to tell me about it?"
"I guess it's okay, i mean, you're helping us out." John said as he pulled his sleeves back. "My semblance is Reinforce or Decay. I can make anything i touch become stronger or weaker. Whatever i've done stays that way as soon as i've done them. Nothing can reverse it." John said as he picked up a nearby plank of wooden and shot it right into the ground, embedding the plank of wood about 2 feet down. And then he touched the impaled wood and the wood seemed to visibly decay until it vanished into dust. "And of course, i can strengthen my own body too." This time, John impaled his arm into the concrete beneath him, making half his arm go into the concrete before he pulled his arm back.
"Pretty cool." Jaune said. He was looking at someone who was perfectly fitted for the construction yard, but he had aura, so why wasn't he a huntsman?
"Wait, why aren't you a huntsman?" Jaune asked.
John laughed, not bitterly, but like he was generally amused. "I am, don't feel bad about asking, i graduated out of Beacon about three years ago, i do missions now and then. But now, i just so happen to wander on Vale where the Vytal Festival was supposed to be celebrated this time, so i thought about helping." John said. "But enough of that now, what can you do?"
Jaune would have answered, until he saw a really buff man, who he knew was the head of construction, go up to them.
"HEY YOU JERKWADS! NO SLACKING OFF THE JOB. PICK UP THOSE TOOLS AND USE THEM! WE'RE LOSING DAYLIGHT!"
With a voice full of authority like that. Answering could only be described as a force of habit.
"SIR YES SIR!"
- With Yang and Weiss -
"Ugh, this is hopeless." Yang said as she and Weiss walked out of a nearby shop. They had been asking everywhere for Blake, well, mostly Yang. "You really don't care if we find her, do you?" Yang asked Weiss.
Weiss huffed. "Don't be stupid, of course i do." Weiss said. "I'm just afraid of what she'll say when we find her." Weiss said as she turned towards Yang.
"The innocent never run Yang."
- With Ruby and Penny -
"So, Blake is your friend?" Penny asked Ruby as she and Ruby had been walking on the street for the past few minutes.
Ruby sighed. "Yes Penny."
"But you're mad at her?"
"Yes, bu- well, i'm not, Weiss is." Ruby replied.
"Is she friends with Blake?"
"Well, that's kinda up in the air right now." Ruby said.
"But why?"
Ruby sighed. She was getting tired of all the questions from Penny, she seemed all too curious about everything.
"Well, you see, Blake might not be who we thought she was."
Penny gasped. "Is she a man?"
Ruby crossed her arms. "No, no Penny, i don't know what she is. She didn't exactly talk to us before she ran off."
Penny looked down. "I don't have many friends, but if i did, i would want them to talk to me about things."
Ruby as well looked down. "Me too." Ruby said, before her mind was brought back by what Penny said.
"Wait, are you saying you really don't have that many friends?" Ruby asked. It was hard to believe. Everyone had friends, but it was really unbelievable that she didn't have many that she could talk to.
"Well, i used to have one." Penny started. "He and i were friends in Atlas, my father was a very respected figure for Atlas and my friend worked for him. It just so happened that he and i met one day when he was lost. From then on, we had fun together, we played together, and did all types of stuff together."
Ruby brightened up. "Aw, that's so nic-"
"But one day." Penny suddenly said in a grim tone that caused Ruby to become silent. "One day, while on a mission, he died. He even promised me that we would hang out again as soon as his mission was done. Just when i started to notice that i had feelings for him. Feelings for him that i found out to be love." Penny said as part of her voice cracked.
Ruby seemed to immediately realize the situation as she quickly apologized. "Penny, i am so sorry for your loss, i know the feeling of losing someone you love." Ruby said as she seemed to remember a woman with a white cape, smiling back at her.
Penny smiled. "It is fine. It turns out, he wasn't dead." Penny said as she saw Ruby gasp at her. "Yes, he wasn't. And it appears he is here in Vale. It is also partially the reason as to why i came here to Vale this early."
Ruby smiled. "Well, i hope you to find each other." Ruby said as Penny smiled and gave her a nod.
'We'll meet again Jaune, i can feel it. I may synthetic, but i am smart enough to know how i feel for you.' Penny thought.
As they walked, Ruby seemed to contemplate and think upon what Penny shared with her. It reminded her that their life was precious, and it could be taken away from them at any day. But it also reminded her that friends were important, friends were who you bonded with, who you shared secrets and whatnot with, and some of them could become your significant other. But most of all, it reminded her, that between friends, no stone should be left Unturned. Therefore, with renewed vigor, Ruby and Penny once again began their search for one Blake Belladonna. They were going to find her, and get answers.
And nothing, not even acts of Monty above, could stop them from doing so.
It was about afternoon at the plaza where Jaune and John were seen taking a break, they were about to get up before they were stopped by the head of construction.
"No, stop, you boys can take a rest now, you've done enough for the day. You deserve it."
Jaune smiled and felt revealed. "Thank you sir!"
"No, don't sir me." The man said as he took his helmet off, which gave them a full view of what "The Big Boss" as he was called around these parts, looks like.
The Big Boss, had a chiseled jaw, with tan skin, he wore an eye-patch to cover his right eye. His face had claw marks going to his left eye, his upper left lip, a claw mark going across his upper nose, and a sewed cut on his left eye.
Jaune gasped, not because of the scars, but because of who he was.
The Big Boss, as he was known in this town, was a living legend.
A living legend named, Venom Snake.
"You're Venom Snake." Jaune shakily said.
Venom Snake was a former mercenary. After his entire squad was defeated, he was found by General Ironwood and because of his determination and will, Ironwood decided to recruit him in his ranks. But later on, he was announced to be killed in action because after a battle, he went missing.
But now he was here.
At a construction site.
Snake smirked. "And you must be Jaune Arc?" Snake said as he went and put his cap down. "Last i heard, you were dead."
"And last i heard, so were you."
John took several glances at his boss and his friend, who were now locked in a rather intense staring contest. So, John took that as his cue to leave.
"And i think, i should go."
Once John left, Jaune and Snake were still at it, looking each other right in the eye, until both of them broke gaze and laughed.
Snake put an arm behind Jaune's shoulder. "Jaune, good to see you looking well."
Jaune laughed. "You as well." Jaune said as he tried to get Snake's arm off him. "How are things with you?"
"I'm good, doing fine as head of construction here in Vale, what about you? Heard you're a professor at Beacon now." Snake said. "Lemme guess, Ozpin?" Snake said. Ozpin always did have a way of doing things, he always seemed to know things that would happen before they happen. But that made Snake think.
'But having Jaune as a teacher would help you in more things than one doesn't he Oz? Question is, what is or are those things?'
"Yeah, and now i have to help with the Vytal Festival." Jaune said before his tone took a more serious route. "So, why did you fake your death? four star general Venom Snake, AKA Big Boss."
Snake stopped smiling and looked at Jaune, as if urging him to continue.
Jaune sighed. "Venom Snake, AKA Big Boss. Presumed K.I.A by the Atlas Military three years ago. Due to an aftermath of battle, he was never found." Jaune said, before he looked at Snake. "But, now i see him here, as head of construction, a living legend."
Snake let out a bitter laugh. "That sounds like your story doesn't it?" Snake tried to humor Jaune, except that Jaune wanted an answer. Now.
Snake sighed. "Alright kid, i'll tell you."
"It began before my last mission. When i was a mercenary, i had no remorse for taking lives. Out there, in the field, it was kill or be killed, do or die. And it was also the same mindset i had before James found me and put me into the Atlas Military. I had no remorse taking any life,i was antisocial, and i didn't really need friends."
Snake stopped to pull up a picture. The picture consisted of Venom Snake, wearing a tuxedo, along with a woman with a black hair that was styled as a ponytail, holding something. And that something was a baby.
A baby, that by the looks of it, had not even reached a year old.
"I had quick relief with a friend, and i didn't use protection. And that's the result. Little baby Johnny." Snake said. "The day before the mission, i received a message saying i had a son along with a location. At that moment i had nothing left to do yet, so i went expecting nothing of the extraordinary."
"When i got there, i was hastily pulled towards a certain room where a couple of my friends were expecting me. I looked at a crib that was making too much noise. Too much wailing. When i looked inside, what i saw could be considered a miracle to me."
"I saw my baby's eyes as he looked at me and stopped crying. He was tracing my scars with much curiosity from the looks of it. But his eyes..." Snake paused to take a deep breath. "They were so... pure, so innocent. I couldn't believe i had a son like that. As i turned back to the baby, i saw him fall asleep. So i set him down back to the crib where it would rock."
"So that's why." Jaune said. Nobody would like to bring their family into war. Not because of the danger. But because of the atmosphere of war, the blood, the cries of anguish as the enemies died and surrendered.
"Yeah, but that's not all, you were a factor too." Snake said as he snickered. Jaune stared at Snake, asking what he meant.
Snake laughed. "When i got back, i was indecisive, i was suddenly unsure of what i was going to do." Snake said. "Until you came along and asked me what was wrong."
"And i will never forget what you said to me."
- flashback -
Snake was confused.
He recently found out he had a baby, and then suddenly he was feeling unsure of everything, it was bugging him and he needed to find what it was.
So there he was, at a certain lake view site of Atlas Military Camp. He focused hard to figure out what was wrong with him.
His focus got interrupted, until he saw a mop of blonde hair along with two cups of coffee.
"Hey, something wrong?"
Snake looked to see another soldier, looking straight at him while offering a cup of hot coffee. Snake politely grabbed his cup of coffee.
Jaune sat down beside Snake. "So, general, what's wrong?"
Snake growled. "I don't believe that's any of your business."
"And i don't believe that staring at a lake will help your problem." Jaune retorted. Snake scoffed, did this boy not realize who he was talking to? No, it couldn't be, he referred to Snake as general just now.
"What's it to you kid?"
"I just want to help out in someway." Jaune said as he left, cup of coffee left untouched.
As Jaune left, Snake found himself thinking. How could he help? What did the word help mean now? Who was he going to help?
And once again, Snake's train of thought crashed once again, and Snake could not help but overhear the two soldiers behind him.
"Hey, did you know the Arc kid got in trouble?"
"Arc kid?"
"Arc, you know, new recruit, blond hair, blue eyes."
"What about him?"
"I heard he got in trouble, apparently he snuck out and got himself, not one, but two cups of coffee!"
"What? What's he need two cups of coffee for?"
"I don't know, but he snuck out and General Ironwood caught him."
"Sucks to be him right now."
"You said it."
Snake heard, and once he grasped the full concept, he immediately left the scene and went to find Jaune. He just wanted to help when nobody noticed, and nobody volunteered to help. His appearance was a full on repelent for most people, after all, who wanted to be friends with a scarface? But this Arc kid didn't care, not even for ranks, not even for appearances. He just wanted to help.
He had to find him and make amends.
- timeskip (a little later) -
Jaune was out walking, he had just been told off by General Ironwood, that when the mess hall was closed, it was closed. He was lucky enough to be told off with a slap on the wrist. He was just walking towards where he could go, until a certain shade of black filled his vision.
"Hey kid." Snake said as he greeted Jaune.
"Hey."
Snake sighed. "Look, kid, i just want to apologize for earlier, i wasn't in my right mind and i told you off when you were just trying to help when nobody else did. And for that, i'm sorry."
Jaune laughed as he sat on a nearby bench, and so did Snake. "Well, how about as an apology you tell me what's wrong?"
Snake sighed. He really wasn't letting up about it. "You really want to know then i'll tell you." Snake would have told him, but he decided to change the story a little bit.
"I have a friend." Snake started, which already got Jaune's attention. "He is also in the Atlas Military, somewhere on a different squad. He just found out that he had a son, and then suddenly, his perception of everything changed." Snake summarized without referring to himself. "You said you wanted to help, didn't you?"
"Yeah."
"Well, what would you do in a situation like that?"
Jaune thought hard. It was quite a difficult question, it was either, pick your career, or pick your family. It probably didn't make much sense Jaune at the moment, but he could see that it was quite hard for a situation he hasn't yet experienced. But Jaune settled on an answer.
"I'd pick my family."
"Why?"
Jaune chuckled. "You said he had a baby, right? How would the baby feel, when it's dad was gone, when he has never once seen him. When a baby losses the love of a parent. it's like losing a part of their childhood." Jaune said as Snake only stared faraway while listening. "I mean, i grew up with seven sister, a mom, and a dad, so i can't really relate. But i know, i wouldn't want to miss someone whom i've never even met."
Snake seemed to accept the answer as he nodded. Jaune looked at his watch and saw that it was currently curfew and it was time to get to bed.
"Ooh, i have to go, it's getting late, and i really don't want a second coming of being told off by General Ironwood." Jaune said as he scratched the back of his head. As he stood up and went to leave, he was stopped by Snake.
"Yes? Any else you need General?"
Snake's eyes narrowed. "Just one more question, if you don't mind."
"Of course not. Fire away."
"Why did you help me?" Snake honestly asked.
"Excuse me?"
"Most people tend to be wary and cautious when they come near me, a face full of scars does that. So why did you? Answer honestly." Snake asked once again.
Jaune chuckled at the question. It might not have made sense, but he answered honestly.
"Don't you just love the feeling when you actually get to help someone out?"
- flashback end -
Snake chuckled at the memory. "That was what you said to me. And at that, it made sense. I had a family to get to. I had a son to raise, and i had a wife to support and love. You can say i've gone soft because of that."
"So that's why you told me that story." Jaune said. It may have been over five years ago, but he would never forget it.
"And then after the mission, our comms had already told us to gather back at the camp. But i just couldn't find the strength. No matter how hard i tried, my mind was dead set on not returning, then i came to a realization."
"I was tired, tired of the blood lust, tired of all the killing, tired of the cries of anguish. I was tired of being a soldier bound by duty." Snake said. "And so i left my scroll and went off the grid, to go home with my family and get a second chance." Snake finally finished.
Jaune finally understood what Snake meant. The reason why he went missing. The reason why he left.
"But that was five years ago, by now, i'd like to re-experience the adrenaline and thrill." Snake laughed.
A moment later, Jaune went to look at his watch, to find that it was 6:30 pm. Immediately, Jaune stood up and prepared to go to the docks.
"Whoa, kid? Going somewhere?"
Jaune stopped to look at Snake, only for his eyes to widen.
This was a White Fang operation, with their goal, a freighter full of Dust. It was going to be a big operation.
An operation that needed all the help they could get to stop.
Jaune looked back at Snake.
"Would you like to reawaken the soldier inside you?"
- Evening (Docks) -
It was quiet at the docks.
It was quiet enough that you could hear the birds chirping.
Some would say too quiet.
And one of those would be Blake Belladonna.
Blake was laying down on one of the containers, eyes glued towards the shipment of dust from the Schnee Corporation.
"Did i miss anything?" Sun said as he eventually joined Blake on her surveillance.
"Not really." Blake said. "They've offloaded all the crates from the boat, now their just sitting there." Something wasn't right, they would have just gone and stole it as soon as it arrived. But why haven't they?
"Cool." Sun said as he offered Blake an apple. "I stole you some food?"
"Do you always break the law without a second thought?"
"Hey, weren't you in a cult or something?"
"..."
"Okay too soon."
Moments passed by after, an airship went blowing out air at the sides of their environment, signaling that The White Fang had arrived.
As soon as the airship landed, the doors opened and revealed...
A White Fang Member.
"Oh no." Blake said as he literally saw her chances of proving The White Fang innocent of all the robberies go and fade away.
"Is that them?" Sun knew the answer, but he wanted to make sure Blake knew what was going on.
"Yes, that's... them." Blake admitted.
As each one of The White Fang members got out of the airship, they each got into a certain position until they were going to be given orders.
"Alright, grab the tow cables." A member ordered, to which the other complied.
Sun turned to Blake. "You really didn't think they were behind it, didn't you?"
"No, i think deep down i knew." Blake said. "I just didn't want to be right."
"Hey! What's the hold up!" A new voice said.
Blake went to search for the voice only to find someone she would never expect.
Roman Torchwick, with The White Fang.
"You're not exactly the most inconspicuous bunch of thieves at the moment, so why don't you animals pick up the pace?" Roman mokingly said. A couple of them growled, and it only made Roman smile more.
"This doesnt make any sense, The White Fang would never work with a human, especially not one like that." Blake was confused. It didn't make sense, The White Fang would never work with a human, not before, and she thought it would never. So why would it happen now?"
So ignoring Sun's exclamation, Blake unsheathed her katana and jumped down on Torchwick.
"No you idiot. This isn't a leash." Roman said, only to become surprised as the cold touch of heated steel and metal were at his very neck.
"What the?" Roman let out. He got a quick glance at what was behind him and cursed. "Oh, for fuck's sa-"
"Nobody move!" Blake warned, as the members in front of her drew out their weapons, to guns, and swords.
"Whoa, take it easy there, little lady." Roman taunted as more members circled them.
Blake's eyes shifted to each member, until she threw her bow off, revealing black cat-ears.
"Brothers of The White Fang, why are you aiding this scum?"
They only responded with the cocks of their guns.
Roman laughed. "Kid, kid. Didn't you get the memo?"
"What are you talking about?"
"The White Fang and i are going in on a joint business venture together."
"Tell me what it is, or i'll put an end to your little operation." Blake threatened.
They suddenly a dozen more airships descended on to the platform, all with the insignia of The White Fang on them, indicating that someone had pressed the emergency button.
"Kid, i wouldn't exactly call this a little operation."
Blake's eyes switch towards the airships that were above them. However, as Blake lost her attention on Roman and he fired his cane, which sent Blake tumbling back a couple of feet.
"Yep, not a little operation indeed."
Back to town, Ruby and Penny were walking until they heard a load noise ad a mushroom cloud had formed.
As soon as Ruby and Penny saw that it was coming from the docks, she had a feeling Blake was there, and so they rushed off to find their friend.
"Oh how do we get into these types of mess."
As Blake tried to get up, Roman fired his cane at Blake. As soon as Blake saw it coming, she rolled out of the way a couple of ties, avoiding the bullet and others that were sent her way.
Roman fired a couple more her way, to which Blake dodged, and dodged, each and everyone of them. After that, Blake went and ran behind a few crates.
"Here kitty, kitty, kitty." Roman went step by step.
However, a banana was thrown his way, to which Roman annoyingly threw, when he looked back up, he was stepped on by no other than Sun Wukong.
"You leave her alone." Sun said, he looked up to see that one of the airships had opened up and multiple Fang members jumped out on him.
Roman got up. "You aren't the brightest banana in the bunch are you kid?"
Roman signaled the Fang to attack. To which all of them rushed to Sun.
A Fang member went to strike him, only for Sun to lean back and punch him. Then a second one attempt to slash him, Sun dodged again, he punch the one that attacked him and kicked the one next to him as he spun. Sun jumped over a fallen Fang member and rolled and finally unveiled his weapon.
Ruyi Bang and Jingu Bang
Ruyi Bang and Jingu Bang were dark red weapons with gold detailing that had two different forms: a bō staff and two pairs of gold-chain-linked lever-action shotguns, to which they closely resembled nunchucks.
Sun spun to hit the one behind him, he spun again to hit the one next to him. And he stopped spinning as he smacked Ruyi Bang and Jingu Bang onto the ground, generating a shockwave of some sort to blast the remaining nearby Fang.
Roman growled as he ducked to avoid a Fang member flying his way, useless animals. What good were they for?
Roman fired Melodic Cudgel at Sun, who spun his staff around to negate the explosion.
"He's mine!" Blake rushed off towards Torchwick. Blake used both her sword and sheath as a weapon as Blake slashed at Torchwick only for him to block with his cane. Blake jumped up and used her semblance to get behind Torchwick, but it proved useless as Torchwick blocked all of her strikes again and again. For a criminal, Roman had skill, she'd give him that.
Roman found an opening as he smash Blake an uppercut with his cane that left Blake stunned. Roman striked her a few more times until she took a step back. Roman would have dealt the final blow, only for him to be kick to the jaw, courtesy of a certain blonde monkey.
Sun extended his staff to reveal two shotguns that were linked to a gold chain, resembling nun-chucks. As Sun fired blow after blow, and Roman blocked and blocked, his defense eventually wane and his guard was left open, to which Blake striked him on the chest, sending Roman tumbling a couple of feet from them.
Roman shook his head, as he did, he found a single Schnee crate hanging on four cables, Roman smirked as he fired off onto the crate beneath Sun and Blake, making them move out of the way. As the crate fell, it left a massive crater and its contents were spilled.
In the light of battle, no one noticed the long black suitcase that fell out.
Roman smirked as he aimed his gun at Sun who was closest to him. He would have pulled the trigger. If not for...
"Hey!"
Keyword: would have. Roman would have pulled the trigger if not for a certain little red riding hood.
There stood Ruby, who spun Crescent Rose and stabbed her into the ground (or was it ceiling?) beneath her.
"Oh, hello Red! Isn't it a little well past your bedtime?" Roman taunted.
Ruby growled.
Penny walked towards Ruby. "Ruby? Are these people your friends?"
"Penny get back!"
Roman smirked and fired off Melodic Cudgel at Ruby, who took full force of the impact as she was sent several feet from where she was.
Penny growled as she stepped up.
"Penny don't!"
"Don't worry Ruby." Penny said as her eyes resembled to that of a lens. "I am combat ready!"
Penny's backpack opened up to reveal what looked like a gun-blade weapon which split itself into several parts, it appeared to be controlled by wired cables.
Penny jumped off which left a crater from where she used to be. Before landing, Penny threw one of her weapons on a Fang member and as she landed, she navigated her swords to slice through Fang members, to the right, to the left, and behind her. As Penny saw two Fang members rushing toward her, she put her blades in a circular formation and spun them like a forcefield, which blasted the Fang members. Sensing an enemy behind her, she did a backflip and sent her baldes to strike at the enemy. Then, she grabbed hold of her blades which were now in a circular formation similar to before, and she threw it at multiple members coming from here left, akin to throwing a windmill shuriken.
As three more airships arrived, one with machine-gun firing capability, Penny once again formed a shield with her blades and her backpack opened which fired out two more blades with visible wires attached to them. The blades impaled themselves to the ware house behind her.
Penny let herself he pulled as she gained distance. When she stood back up, her weapons formed a rather circular formation akin to that of a cannon's chase. The blades spun around, getting faster and faster. As the blades spun, the energy in every blade seemed to be charging a potent energy in the middle. Penny punched the energy and it became a beam which split two of the three airships apart, but not before more Fang members jumped off of them.
Penny saw a airship about to leave with a shipment of dust. She was not going to let that happen. Penny embed her blades on the airship's surface, and then her wires shun.
With all her strength, Penny pulled back with the help of her still embed blades on the warehouse behind her, she had double the force.
"How is she doing that?" Ruby was amazed, she thought Penny was a frail girl, but now, she was awesome. She was actually pulling an airship back. An entire airship, with a Schnee crate to boot!
As Penny took each step back, the airship was giving less and less resistance, and so, with a final pull, Penny made the airship crash into the rubble of crates.
Roman Torchwick saw what happened. It was official, these kids were getting weirder and weirder day by day. Roman rushed towards the airship that was about to fly, however he stopped as he saw Ruby, Penny, Sun and Blake behind him, weapon's armed and ready.
"Give it up Torchwick." Bake said. He had no where to run now.
Roman laughed. "And why would i?"
Penny stepped up. "You have no where left to run, surrender and turn yourself in or we will!"
Roman once again laughed. "Haven't you forgotten?" Roman said as he gestured for them to look around.
As they looked around, they saw more Fang members were waking up and some were already ready to fight.
Roman smirked. "I always have somewhere to run. Question is, do you?" Roman said as he slowly made his way to the airship.
Until the airship was suddenly smashed down by some unknown force.
Roman groaned. "Uh, what now?" He was getting tired of all this.
Everyone paid attention to the smoke cloud that was once an airship. Everyone saw three shadows become engulfed in the smoke.
"Warn me next time you do that." A heavy voice said.
"Yeah, just because you have a lot of aura doesn't mean you get to fly and smack us into an airship." A rather soft voice said.
"Hey! It's all about entrance!" An all too familiar voice said.
The three shadows eventually emerged as Venom Snake, Jaune Arc, and John Edward.
Venom Snake now wore black boots, cargo pants, a vest with magazines, and a black undershirt. He had a black bandana that covered his forehead.
Venom Snake had a weapon this time.
The Patriot was a modified version of a modern day assault rifle, with a shortened barrel and the stock removed. It was designed in order to create a carbine that combined the feel and quick handling of a handgun with the force of a rifle.
John Edward no longer wore his construction outfit, he now wore a black t-shirt with a gray coat, and jeans with grey boots.
And Jaune Arc no longer wore his construction outfit. He now wore a black t-shirt with a green hoodie jacket, blue jeans and dark green sneakers.
"Professor!/Jaune!"
"Give us some space." Jaune said. And with a flick of a wrist, The White Fang and Roman were sent flying.
'There's more than i though there would be.' Jaune sighed. It was never easy. "Alright, as much as i'd like to ask how you kids got here, i kindly ask you to get to the sidelines."
"What?!" Blake exclaimed.
Jaune laughed. "Don't worry, you're not in trouble or anything, at least, not to me." Jaune reassured them. "I said to get some rest, from what it looks like you've done, you must be tired."
Ruby, Sun, Blake, and Penny nodded. As Penny passed Jaune, Jaune whispered something.
'We'll talk next time, friend.'
Penny lit up and joined her new friends.
"Wait, what about you guys?" Sun asked. "Don't tell me you plan on taking them all on?!"
Snake answered this time. "Yep, got that right kid."
"Are you going to be okay? I can still fight!" Ruby said, although Torchwick's bullet still hurt, she could still fight.
This time, John answered. "Don't worry Red. You're talking to Vale's Construction Team here!" John said as he followed Jaune who eyed the now standing armed and ready White Fang members. Jaune scanned the field looking for that shade of orange hair. And eventually he found it.
"Snake, you're left. John, you're right." Jaune said as he told them where to go. "I'll take front and center, right towards Torchwick."
The two of them nodded and got into position. Before springing into action, Jaune said one last thing.
"Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show."
- Flashback -
"Jaune, what exactly do you mean by that?" Snake asked.
"Exactly as i said. " Jaune said. "Would you like to reawaken the soldier inside you?" Jaune repeated, but as he saw Snake grew more confused, he decided to get to the main part. "This evening, there's going to be a White Fang raid on a Schnee Dust Shipment. And from the looks of it, it's going to be a big operation, and i'm going to need all the help i can get." Jaune explained. "So, you in?"
Snake smirked. "Oh, i'm in alright." He still hadn't paid back The White Fang from attacking their squad all those years ago, when he was still a mercenary.
Jaune nodded. "Great, now i figure i just need one more person."
"You have anyone in mind?"
Jaune thought about it. "I have an idea. Say, you have files on every worker don't you?"
Snake grew confused. "Uh, yes, yes i do."
"Do you have a file on John Edward?"
Snake pulled up his scroll and searched. "Yep, his apartment's not that far from here."
"Alright let's go." Jaune said as he and Snake went to the direction of John's apartment.
"The Vale Construction Team is now assembling!"
- Flashback End -
Snake sighed as multiple White Fang members surrounded him. He cocked Patriot, his gun.
"Alright boys, we could do this the hard way, or the easy way." Snake asked. To which his only response was a Fang member who rushed towards his sword. Snake spun and kicked the faunus right on the jaw.
Snake rushed towards his enemies as he clotheslined two of them, a faunus went up behind him, that Snake striked with his elbow. He fired Patriot with one hand at the incoming horde of White Fang while his other was busy taking care of his left side. When he ran out of bullets, his weapon got kicked up into the air by a faunus, whose foot got caught by Snake. When Patriot was at its apex in the air, Snake flipped the faunus over and quickly got out a magazine from his vest. When the gun got lower and lower towards him, he positioned the magazine as he threw it. Once he threw it, Snake dodge a katana strike from behind him, Snake gripped the hand with strength enough for the faunus to release the weapon, and Snake bonked him on the head with the butt of the katana.
Snake caught his weapon and quickly threw out the empty clip, as the thrown magazine went right through the ammo slot. Snake once again, cocked his gun.
"The hard way it is i guess."
-Flashback (John's Apartment) -
*knock* *knock* *knock*
"Coming." John said as he went towards the door.
"Yes?" John said as he opened the door. But to his surprise, he found Jaune and his boss.
"Boss! Jaune! What are you doing here?" John asked. It wasn't that John didn't like them, it was the most far opinion from the truth. But why were they here?
Jaune cleared his throat. "Long story short..." Jaune started as he took a large breath. "This evening, at the docks, there will be a White Fang raid on a Schnee Company freighter, and because its a freighter, you can almost guarantee a large operation will occur. And we need to stop it. And we need all the help we can get." Jaune summarized. "So, you in?"
"Question."
"Fire away."
"Why me?" John honestly asked. "Shouldn't there be someone more suited for this?"
Jaune laughed. "There is." Jaune said. "But, that someone isn't here right now. And i need your help." Jaune said.
"So, i ask you once again, you in?"
John nodded. "Of course."
"The Vale Construction Team is now complete!"
-Flashback End-
John looked around. He saw multiple Fang members surround him. He didn't have a weapon, but he had his semblance, not that they had to know.
And it was all he needed right now.
Without other words, he dashed toward an enemy, John swiped him off his feet and pushed him towards the ground where he once again picked him up and tossed him into the other two that were dashing towards him. He felt something strike him, but not stab.
A Fang member was there behind him, with his sword on the position to strike through him. John could see the confusion and shock on the guy's face.
John grabbed the sword. "You know, i always had a weakness when it came to weapons, because with my semblance, they would just decay." John said as he started to use his semblance on the sword, slowly making it gray. "And i also had a weakness for my body's vulnerability. But i got an answer to that."
John shattered the sword and backhanded the faunus as he smacked him in the head.
"This coat? Dust woven. Helps me become a little less vulnerable," John said as he touched the ground beneath him. "and a little more reckless." John said as he made the ground under his enemies collapse, dropping them into a sinkhole of 4 feet.
"I'm sorry for what i am about to do, but..." John paused as he enhanced his body.
"No hard feelings, yeah?"
Jaune saw that about most of The White Fang members were on him. Why was that? Well, it just so happened that his very target was Roman Torchwick. And he was the one that was most guarded. Not to mention Roman could slip away like soap in a prison bathroom, once you try to pick it back up, you're fucked.
As Jaune saw all of the White Fang members charge at him, time seemed to slow down.
Jaune dashed towards the first one. He smacked his open palm against the faunus' chest and twisted it and blasted him off with his semblance. Next came two Fang Members that had attempted to slash at him with a sword, only for Jaune to make a burst of wind that kept the swords in in their place. Then, Jaune let out a burst of wind at his front to gain distance. Jaune saw that more members were surrounding him faster. So Jaune let them get close, Jaune went on a circle of attacks, all the while keeping small bursts of wind to prevent him getting damaged. As soon as all had surrounded him, he spun and let out a powerful burst of wind, which made some kind of catapult contraption, similar to that technique he used in Forever Fall, only this was more tame. It was people he was fighting, not Grimm.
When Jaune stopped spinning, he saw that a couple more White Fang were left, and he also saw Roman sneakily trying to escape.
He had to finish this, and fast.
Jaune super-jumped with his semblance up high in the air, and once he reached his apex, he sped towards the ground, creating a shockwave and blasting off everyone within radius.
As soon as Jaune was finished, he scanned the area for Roman, until...
"Looking for someone?"
Jaune turned around to see Roman with his cane just above Ruby's head. With Sun, Blake and Penny injured. It seems that when they were preocupied by the pawns, the real culprit when to work on the shadows.
And it appeared that Snake and John were also finished with their work. They stood beside Jaune and put up a fighting stance.
"Let her go Roman."
"Why don't you make me Jauney?" Roman taunted as he removed the safety off of his cane. "I don't really have anything against Red here."
"Then why?"
"I just wanted to do, this!" Roman fired a bullet towards an unsuspecting Jaune. Jaune took full brunt of the attack and it sent him flying into the direction of the fallen Schnee Crate Roman shot down. Roman laughed.
Sun growled and used whatever strength he had left to punch Roman, who was completely caught off guard. Sending Roman flying a few feet from the force.
As Jaune fell, he sat up and rubbed his head, letting his mind take in what happened. That was a bullet full of dust that hit him by the looks of it, and it hurt.
Jaune saw that Sun punched Roman. Jaune stood up until he saw what was towards his side.
On his side was a long black suitcase. Jaune thought that it was fairly too professional to be put up on a suspended crate.
However, he felt a certain pull when he his hand had touched the suitcase.
A pull he only felt when he had his sword.
Then he remembered.
Jaune, i am very pleased to announce that Ventus Cleaver will be arriving this sunday evening.
Just say your name and you will be directed towards the direction of your sword.
But for additional information, your sword is in a long black suitcase.
A long black suitcase, surely it couldn't be, but it was too matching to be a coincidence.
And so Jaune opened the suitcase.
That gave Snake and John to go up to Roman. They would have dealt the final blow. If not for a very intense pressure that got to them.
"Roman's mine, this just got personal."
All of them looked back at Jaune. who now had what looked to be a greatsword.
Jaune's Greatsword was what looked to be a giant cleaver, with a rather small handle. The blade's design had green trimmings at the end of its blades and a single line of green going straight from the top of the sword, to its handle.
Ladies, and Gentlemen. Presenting, Ventus Cleaver.
Jaune walked up with his hood up, giving him a more mysterious visage. Whilst he stepped towards Roman, John and Snake nodded to each other and stepped back, not wanting to get in Jaune's way.
Ruby looked amazed. "Professor, is that?"
"Ventus Cleaver, Jaune Arc's weapon." Penny answered, even though Sun, Blake, and Ruby gave her looks of curiosity, she gave them no mind, for she wanted her focus to be on a certain blonde professor.
"So you got your little sword now did'ya Jaune?" Roman taunted, but inside, he was terrified. He had seen how Jaune was with his weapon, and he had only been on the other side of its blade once. And that was enough.
But he had to do it again.
Roman sighed as he readied himself.
"It doesn't have to be this way Roman, we could talk things out." Jaune said.
"And if i remember, you don't."
Jaune sighed. "So be it."
Silence filled the air as both closed their eyes. And there appeared a floating leaf. As soon as the leaf fell quietly to the ground...
They charged.
Jaune struck first, which was blocked by Roman's cane. Then, Jaune swiped Roman off his feet, only for Roman to backflip and dash towards Jaune. Roman used his cane's handle as some king of grapple as he hooked it onto Jaune's leg and swiped him off. Jaune instantly recovered as he stood back up and headbutted Roman, which made both of them recoil in pain.
It was official, nobody ever wins in a headbutt.
Immediately, Roman shot the ground in front of him to gain some smoke. Where he and Jaune fought in the smoke.
Back to the sidelines, people were amazed.
"Wow." Ruby said.
"Amazing." Blake said. It was really amazing, they fought blow after blow and retorted every chance they could. Things had quieted down after the headbutt, but it didn't last long. She had a feeling Jaune was holding back. But Jaune wouldn't hold back against a criminal.
Would he?
Back to the fight, no one could see anything because of the smoke that had risen up. Apparently, Roman had hit a smoke pipe on his blast earlier. And the smoke didn't seem to be lessening.
Clangs of metal crashing upon metal were heard. Small drops of blood were being spilled to the sides. And grunts were being heard. Inside the smoke was a full on battle that relied only on the other four senses, as opening the eyes whilst there was smoke proved to be dangerous.
A small plank of wood got in between them due to the wind, and i got into the crack were the smoke pipe was damaged. Roman stepped on it, which caused it to embed on the ground beneath him, making the smoke disperse little by little.
When the smoke had fully dissipated, Jaune and Roman were seen heavily panting. Some bruises were evident on their body, Jaune hoodie became some sort of cape with holes and burns on it. Whilst Roman looked like he had went to a bar and got himself beat
Jaune panted. They had been going at it for long, especially in the smoke. Whatever he watched when he was young about using different things to 'see' were a lot harder than he thought. Jaune took a look at his opponent and realized something, and he chuckled.
"Roman, last i remember, you're not left handed." Jaune smirked. Roman wasn't left-handed. That he knew.
Roman smirked as he threw Melodic Cudgel at his right-hand. Of course Jaune of all people would notice. "And last time i remember, you're not left handed either." Roman said. "So why don't make things less complicated and take each other seriously?"
Jaune laughed as he switched Ventus Cleaver to his right-hand. "Can you blame me? I was taught to have enough tricks up my sleeve."
Roman smirked. "Uh huh, and i wonder who taught you that?"
Roman and Jaune charged at each other for the last time. Sword back and Cane loaded, Roman used his gun's recoil to propel himself faster, and Jaune used his semblance. And for the final time that day.
They drew blood.
Jaune stood on with his sword now resting on his shoulder, and Roman was left kneeling down whilst holding his chest, where a slash was seen, but no scar.
As Jaune went to face Roman. Roman chuckled.
"You used the blunt side didn't you?" Roman laughed out. After all the fighting, he had even taken one of his students as hostage, and Jaune didn't even try to kill him. "Why didn't you kill me?"
Jaune chuckled. "Because you're my friend, Roman."
"No... i'm not."
Jaune would have said something back, only to be suddenly kicked at the jaw and Jaune only saw a little flash of pink and brown. And then the next thing he knew, Roman was gone.
Jaune looked around, to find that his company from before no longer stood were they used too. Jaune once again scanned the area, only to be interrupted by the sound of sirens and flashing blue and red lights coming from the street before the docks.
Jaune smiled and sighed.
"Why do they always appear after the shit's already been done?"
Just before Jaune and Roman's final clash, Snake had led them out the docks, where multiple police and ambulance were now positioned. Sun, Blake, and Ruby were medically treated. As soon as they were patched up, they wanted to help Jaune. However, Snake stopped them from doing so, saying they would only get in his way.
After a while, Ruby, Blake, and Sun saw Yang, and Weiss walking towards them.
Ruby immediately went up to explain to Weiss. "Look Weiss, it's not what you think, she explained the whole thing. You see she doesn't actually wear a bow, she has kitty ears and-" Ruby couldn't finish as she saw Weiss walk right past her and straight towards Blake.
Blake stood up to face Weiss.
"Weiss, i want you to know that i am no longer associated with The White Fang. Back when i was with-"
"Stop, stop." Weiss interrupted. "Do you have any idea how long we've been searching for you?" Weiss said. "Twelve hours, that mean i had twelve hours to think about this." Weiss said as she went closer to Blake. "And in that twelve hours i've decided..."
Everyone's breath hitched.
"I don't care!" Weiss finally admitted.
Blake grew unsure. "You don't care?"
"You said you're not one of them anymore, right?"
"N-no, i haven't been since i was younger-"
"Abababap. I don't wanna hear it. Only thing i want you to know, is that when something big like this comes up," Weiss paused. "You come to your teammates. And not some..." Weiss paused to look at Sun. "someone else."
Blake wiped a tear. She never thought that this would have guessed this would happen, people finally were starting to accept her for who she was! "Of course."
Ruby whiffed her hands up high. "Yeah! Team RWBY is back together!" Ruby said as the whole gang circled.
Weiss lifted a finger up on Sun. "I'm still not sure how i feel about you!"
"Ehehe."
"Hey, take it easy on him, he's not so bad."
A familiar voice said behind him. Everyone turned around and saw Jaune being carried by John and Snake.
"Professor!/Jaune!" Were the shouts he heard as the teenagers surrounded him, asking if he was okay and all that.
Jaune laughed. "I'll be fine, i'm fine, it's just a little aura exhaustion, nothing a little sleep can fix."
Ruby's attention shifted to the weapon behind Jaune's back that was now wrapped in some kind of cloth.
"Jaune, is that your weapon?" Ruby said as everyone's attention now shifted to his weapon.
Jaune smiled. "Yeah, it is. Ventus Cleaver, fresh of off Atlas." Jaune said. "I'll show it to you tomorrow, but for now, i advise you to head back and get some rest, you deserve it."
Sun nervously chuckled. "Uhm, about that..."
Jaune stared at Sun. "Let me guess, you don't exactly have a place to stay?"
Sun only chuckled.
Jaune sighed. "Alright, wait for me. You're going to have to stay at my room at Beacon for the moment.
"Thanks man!" Sun said as he fist-bumped with Jaune.
Jaune thought about it. Time like this, time were something bad might happened and we don't always know when. But it was a huntsman's job to always be vigilant. To always be ready, for enemies, for trouble, your significant other's tantrum, and other stuff. Jaune looked towards the starry night. One with more stars than there were to count.
"Someday Roman, you'll be back. I'll make sure we all get back. Team SANT won't be broken"
"I was his friend... what an idiot."
Roman was back at his safehouse. Roman sighed. Jaune was strong, stronger than he thought, if that was Jaune's strength when he wasn't serious, then Roman dreaded the thought of him going full-on beastmode on some poor guy.
Still, Roman was lucky that Neo showed up and had managed to snag a briefcase of dust. Roman lazily put the briefcase on the table. Before the door behind him opened.
"How very disappointing, Roman."
Roman jumped in surprise, and eased as he saw who it was. "Ah, i didn't expect to see you guys so soon." Roman said.
She wore a dark-red, off-the-shoulders, v-neck minidress with yellow designs. There was a blue feather-like accessory on her right hip, at the top of an open portion of her dress. The dress ended in an upside-down triangular tail in the back, ending just above the knees. There was a baseball diamond-shaped keyhole on the dress' upper back at the same height as her chest. The sleeves ended in a triangle shape, which were wrapped or tied around her middle finger, with the gold designs of the sleeve taking over at the wrists. She wore black shorts underneath her dress, as well as a black choker on her neck. She wore a gold loop earring with a black gem dangling from it on her right ear. She had dark, glass, high-heeled shoes and a jeweled anklet on her right leg.
This was Cinder Fall.
"We were expecting... more from you." Cinder said.
Roman chuckled. "Hey, you were the ones who suggested working with those mutts from the White Fang."
Cinder let out a laugh, as her eyes glowed and her hand suddenly sparked fire. "And you will continue to do so." Cinder walked in front, which revealed the appearances off the two behind her.
The man was shown to be a pale, well-built young man with gray eyes and gray hair, partially slicked back while unkempt at the front. He also wore a slate gray and black two-tone partial-zip jacket, that covered his upper body.
This was Mercury Black.
The last one was a young woman with medium-brown skin and dark-red eyes. Her hair was a light, mint-green cut with a straight fringe and bangs, as well as two long locks on each side, in the back. She wore two bronze-colored rings on her middle fingers as well as a pair of high-heeled shoes. Her attire consisted of an intricate white top and a cropped olive-colored undershirt, and on the back of which is her personal emblem. This emblem appeared to be in the shape of a cut gem. This was accompanied by white shorts, decorated with what appeared to be a gold coin-plated belt, with four gold chains that draped around her back from two of the coins and what seemed to be a green loincloth. She also wore a gold, three-ring armband on her left arm and a string of gold beads near the same wrist.
This was Emerald Sustrai.
Cinder stopped moving forward as soon as her two henchmen followed, and her fire grew bigger.
"We have big plans for you Roman, all we ask is... a little cooperation."
AN: WHOO! AN ENDING CHAPTER CONSISTING OF A WHOPPING WAIT FOR IT... 12,502 WORDS! (YES, THIS WAS TAKEN BEFORE I WROTE ANY AN'S) THE LONGEST CHAPTER IN THIS STORY YET!
BUT LET ME SAY SOMETHING...
I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN PATIENT WITH MY STORY AND HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR ME TO UPDATE, AND I AM AWARE THAT I MAKE SOME OR MANY MISTAKES EVERY CHAPTER. PLUS WITH HOW LONG THIS CHAPTER IS, IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO FIND TIME WHILE STUDYING FOR EXAMS.
ALSO! TO THOSE WHO ARE CONFUSED IN WHAT EXACTLY WAS "MISSING"OR WAS "NOT RIGHT" IN THIS CHAPTER AS SAID BY ROMAN, THAT WILL BE EXPLAINED IN FUTURE CHAPTERS.
ALSO, THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE ABOUT VENTUS CLEAVER, SO I HOPE YOU LIKE IT.
AND VENTUS CLEAVER IS NOW HERE. THE BLADE THAT CLEAVES THE WIND AND SLICES THROUGH STORMS.