So, this is Vol. 2... and while the first bit is written out, the rest is basis format.
"Thank you, for everything you've done to help us." Jaune thanks Kai. Both he and Ruby had packed bags and would be heading into Vale for the first time since their 'death'. Kai had taken care of them for 8 weeks, until he felt they would be fine to leave and continue without any remaining injury.
"Just take care of yourselves, yeah?" Kai asks. "I've already added the photos of how I found you before cauterizing the wounds. If you need my help for testimony or anything else, your new scrolls have my contact info. Just give me a text or call and I'll be there." Both Jaune and Ruby nod, before heading off, navigating their way through the Emerald Forest to Vale.
Within an hour, they manage to enter the city, and begin to head towards the seedier parts of the city, a single destination in Jaune's mind.
"How do you know about this place again?" Ruby asks.
"The boss is an information broker primarily, but he does forgery on the side. He was the one who forged my transcripts." Jaune explains. "Not only that, but he's a damn good bartender too. Makes some of the best drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic." He then chuckles. "Place has a corny name though. It's called 'The Club'." He adds as they arrive.
"Oh boy." Ruby sighs in exasperation. "I know this place. Yang went in and trashed it a few days before Beacon started."
"Did she now?" Jaune asks, a smile adorning his lips as he glanced to Ruby. "Seems we might have more to give Junior as payment." He then enters, the bouncer giving him a nod to go in, likely recognizing him from the start of the year. The two walk in and make their way to the bar counter, taking a seat. A lone bartender makes his way towards them, giving a small nod to Jaune in greeting, before raising his eyebrow at Ruby. The man before them was Junior, the very person they had come to talk with.
"Aren't you a little young to be in here?" Junior asks Ruby.
"If I was ordering a drink, maybe." Ruby admits with a small smile. "But today, we're just here for some information."
"Can you pay for it?" Junior questions.
"That's something we need to agree on together." Jaune adds in. "We don't have the cash, no, but we have information to trade, as well as our skills in whatever you need us for in way of payment… even on the criminal side of business." He then grabs a piece of paper out of his pocket and hands it to Junior. "What we want, is the information of every 1st and 2nd Year Beacon student not on that list."
"That's gonna be an expensive job, kid." Junior warns. "I wouldn't expect you to be getting out of my employment any time soon with this."
"Time's not an issue." Ruby states.
"I suppose it wouldn't be. Considering you're both dead to the world." Junior admits.
"And that comes to part of what information we're paying you with." Jaune states. "You'll be one of the few who know what happened to us… who tried to kill us, and who saved our lives. We know you'll sell that information, and we're fine with it… so is the guy who saved us." He then looks to Ruby, who goes on to explain how her team and sister tried to kill her, then how Jaune took a sword to the chest to try and protect her. She explains how a man named Kai, who lived in the Emerald Forest saved their lives and nursed them back to health.
"I'll give you Xiao-Long's secrets for free. She trashed my bar." Junior states simply once all is explained. "But the rest… you're gonna have a lot to pay off. An information trade isn't going to be enough for what you're asking."
"Can you give us a monetary amount, in case we are miraculously able to get the funds required?" Jaune asks.
"40K Lien, kid." Junior sighs. "I usually charge between 5-10K per person, depending on how hard it is to get the information." Ruby and Jaune look to each other before shrugging.
"We really would need a miracle." Jaune notes. "I don't see my sister lending me that much for this, let alone us being able to earn that much in a short time."
"Did someone say a miracle?" A familiar, dramatic voice asks. Ruby reaches for Shattered Rose, but Jaune stops her. Roman Torchwick strolls on up to the counter, a small, multicoloured companion by his side with a parasol in her grasp. "Red! It's been a while! Aren't you a little young to be here?"
"That's what I asked." Junior growls under his breath.
"Now, now, Junior. No need to hold a grudge. I've already compensated you for the loss of the men you lent me for that heist." Roman chides, before turning serious. "I'll cover the cost of their purchase too." Jaune and Ruby look to Torchwick in confusion and suspicion.
"Fine." Junior huffs, before stalking off, still miffed with Roman.
"I heard a little about what you went through, kiddos." Roman admits, his voice lacking the dramatic flair he normally gives. "I was betrayed myself… back when I attended Beacon… though not to the extend you were."
"You're not helping us out of the kindness of your heart though, are you?" Ruby questions cautiously.
"No. I'm not." Roman affirms simply. "Look, kiddos. You said you'd be fine with being criminals if Junior could get you the information on those students. I'm simply offering you the same thing."
"You want us to steal Dust for you." Jaune states.
"Give the kid a prize." Roman drawls sarcastically. "Four simultaneous robberies. Each of us would be leading a group of terrorists to steal the dust our boss needs."
"Boss?" Ruby wonders aloud, and Roman curses under his breath.
"Pretend you didn't hear that, for your sake as well as mine." Roman sighs, placing a note on the counter and standing up. "Pick a store each and head to the designated meeting point at midnight. You'll form up with your teams and grab all the dust you can carry." He then lights a cigar. "Since both of you are trained better than the animals you'll be working with, I recommend you focus on incapacitating whatever police force tries to stop you." With that, he walks off, his companion giving a wave and smile to them on her way out.
Ruby and Jaune take a look at the note, the two choosing their stores, before heading off to wander around Vale for the remainder of the evening, unaware of the two who had watched them from in the bar.
"I tried being a hero once before, Red. All that got me was a dead team."
Ruby would head off to her rendezvous point for the heist on 'Yet unnamed Dust Store'. She would meet her group of White Fang and try to talk with them, though they just huff, scoff and ignore her as best they can considering they were told this would be their boss. This reaction is a mix of having been working with Roman, who would send racist and derogatory terms their way, and the indoctrination of the White Fang.
They would make their way to the store, with one of the Fang Members hacking through the security systems, shutting them off so they could pick the lock and enter without causing a ruckus and alert the VPD in the process. They grab all the dust and exit out the door. Ruby would ask why they didn't trash the place, and the hacker Faunus would answer saying that it wasn't their normal target, as the store actually catered to Faunus and was rather polite to them… but orders were orders, and they weren't going to risk the wrath of their leader. The least they could do was prevent any serious damage to make things harder on the owner. Sirens sound out in the distance, as the other three shops are broken into, rather loudly in one case as an explosion echoes in the distance, and Ruby's group disappears into the shadows.
At the same time, Jaune would be with his group, and their orders were to go in loud. They open fire on the windows, shattering them and setting off the alarms. Jaune sighs aloud, before telling them to grab all the dust as he deployed his shield and drew his sword. The VPD would arrive swiftly, but in small numbers, as the other stores are broken into. Jaune would defend the members of the White Fang so they could get the Dust out and to the warehouse they would later meet at.
Suddenly, a small pink explosion occurs at one of the VPD vehicles, the concussive force knocking out the officers who were using it as cover. Jaune recognized the explosion, having been on the same team as the one who fired it. Nora would emerge and begin incapacitating the officers as Jaune continued to shield the Fang, Ren emerging shortly after and using his martial arts to knock the officers he strikes unconscious. The officers are all incapacitated not long after the Dust is taken, and the team plus two make their escape, splitting up and taking a long route to the warehouse.
When they arrive at the warehouse, Jaune would order Ren and Nora to wait outside, at least until they can introduce them to Roman properly as associates. Jaune and Ruby would enter and speak with Roman, who would congratulate them on a job well done, admitting that he had his doubts. He then states that he knows Jaune had some unexpected but useful assistance, and Jaune would confirm before asking Roman if they could all meet up again at Junior's Club for introductions and a quiet place, saying that the warehouse didn't feel… safe, I guess would be the best word for it. Roman would chuckle, saying he had good instincts, and would set a meet up for a few days later.
Ruby and Jaune would then leave, and Ren and Nora would join them. Jaune would ask what they're doing out in Vale, and the two would explain they quit. It would then be a short flashback to when Dove finds them, their mad dash to the forest, only to find traces of blood, and no signal on their scrolls of either Jaune or Ruby. Dove would apologize about their loss, before leaving them. They would go to Ozpin and explain their side of things, then Ozpin would explain how he couldn't do anything, unless he had solid, definitive proof, because of the political backlash he would get for accusing a Schnee, a Winchester, and Mistral's Champion. They would then tell Ozpin they want to quit Beacon, saying they don't feel safe… if Ruby and Jaune could be offed like that and nothing could be done about it… how long until it happened to them. Ozpin would be understanding, mournful and full of sorrow, saying over and over that he wished he could do more.
With that flashback ending, Ruby, Nora, Ren and Jaune would be arriving at a small apartment that Jaune's sister Saffron owned, a place for him even If he failed to be accepted into Beacon until he found another way to chase his dream. Ruby would explain about the attack, who Jaune was stabbed trying to shield her from as much of the danger as possible, about Kai saving them, and about their plan to bring the world crashing around those who harmed them… she wanted them to suffer, and have everything ripped out of their grasp.
Nora would add in she wanted to help break some legs, and Ren would offer his assistance as well, though mostly because he didn't want to lose Jaune again… he'd lost enough friends and family already. He admits, though, that he wouldn't be joining them in criminal activities again unless absolutely necessary, stating he can't really stomach it. Jaune and Ruby are fine with this, saying that he only has to do what he's comfortable with. They would then settle in, with Ruby and Jaune sharing a bed, while the fold out bed/sofa would take both Ren and Nora.
The next scene would be Ren and Nora joining Jaune and Ruby to meet with Roman, and Jaune explaining that, while Ren wouldn't be joining in the criminal activities like Nora would, he would still lend a hand where he could. Roman would say its fine, since they'd be getting yet another pair of hands to help them. He would have them stake out their next targets, telling them to get what info they could before attacking them in a weeks time.
The next scene would involve Ruby and Jaune returning to the warehouse after a successful set of heists 1 month later. Neo would suddenly appear, and drag them into an illusion, messaging them to act like White Fang grunts bringing in newly acquired Dust. They follow her lead and listen in to the conversation as Roman speaks with Emerald, Mercury and Cinder. Once the trio are gone, Neo would drop the illusion, Ruby and Jaune moving over to Roman, who would sigh, unlit cigar in his mouth as Emerald had stolen his lighter.
Roman would explain that Cinder, who they had just seen, was his boss, and that he stood no chance against her. He reveals that while he may be a criminal, he had standards under most circumstances. The one thing he kept above all else, however, was his survival… and while Cinder would toss him away the moment he was no longer useful, he at least bought himself some time to try and see if he could sneak a better hand in by following her orders.
"I may be a gambling man, but even I know there are some bets you just don't take. Whether I liked it or not, she was going to change the world. I had no plan to go against her… not at first."
Ruby would ask if that was why he really scouted them all those weeks ago. Roman would affirm her theories. Two Hunter students presumed dead turn up in the bar out of nowhere. He was curious. And with what he's seen of their abilities has him confident that he might at least survive whatever Cinder plans, considering she never tells him anything till the last minute, with them on his side. He admits that all he's done for them, has been to better his own chances, not to actually assist the two of them in their own plans.
Jaune and Ruby admit they knew that, but they still took his offer even with that knowledge. He was desperate, and they could tell… but just like him, they were desperate as well. At anytime, they could be seen, and all Weiss, Cardin or Pyrrha had to do was ask their parents to quietly have them killed or captured to ensure their dark deeds never reached the light of day. Jaune and Ruby say that they're not too different from Roman, saying they aren't doing this for noble causes… just for revenge and selfishness. Ruby would then state that in reality, she and Jaune weren't too different to Roman and Neo.
The whole companionship with Roman is about desperate people joining together to further their own goals. In the end, Roman and Neo, while keeping in contact with RNJR, would part ways with them and continue doing what they do best.
Roman would tell them they likely wouldn't be in contact that much until he returns to vale, but that if he really needs them, or there's something they should know, he'll find a way to let them know.
A few days later, Roman contacts them via Neo, who is on her way back to Vale after ensuring he was still alive, not trusting Cinder to keep her word, with the recorded message she sends to a group chat, a surprise to all of them, before she returns to her post as a Haven Student in Cinder's team.
"Hey, Red!" The familiar, dramatic voice of Roman Torchwick starts off. "Sorry I couldn't exactly talk to you in person… but we're a little busy over here at the moment. See, my lovely bitch of a boss has gotten us to start unsealing the main railway tunnel from Mountain Glenn to Vale! Gotta say, there are some real bad memories about this place." His voice strains, and a haunting look flashes across his face. "Anyway, the supposed plan is to fill detachable carts with bombs, and have them blow open sections of the tunnel for the Grimm to swarm, and for the train to breach Vale and lead the Grimm through. Now, I may enjoy a bit of chaos every now and then, but something to this scale? Now that's just bad business. How can I rob the rich blind if there's no-one to rob from?" He asks rhetorically. "Now, I know you can't exactly come on over and throw a party with me, or the boss might decide to incinerate us, but why not let some of your friends from school know about it and have them come along to take your place?" He then pauses, before sighing. "In all seriousness, it will take us about a month to clear the tunnels, then however long before the boss decides to actually put the plan in motion, unless someone comes by to put a stop to it." Something along these lines… with Roman's typical theatrical flair thrown in.
Ruby would call Qrow, tell him that there's something going on underground in Mountain Glenn. Qrow would ask about how Ruby heard of it, but her silence gives him enough of an answer and he sighs, before assuring her he'd tell Ozpin.
Another week passes, and Qrow informs Ruby that Ozpin will be sending a team and a Hunter to investigate Mountain Glenn during the student missions, which wouldn't happen for another 5 weeks. The passages would be cleared by then, and Ruby was rather frustrated at that, but admits there's nothing they can do to stop it… though they can certainly prepare for the outcome. Ruby would then give Roman a heads up about the time a team would arrive and to be prepared for it when it happens. Roman would likely react similar to this:
"Well, I gave them the chance to come earlier. But if dear old Ozpin wants to sit on his ass and wait till the last minute, that's on him when it blows up in his face."
At first, I planned for Penny and Ruby to meet each other properly during this month and a bit of waiting, but I've decided there wouldn't be enough of a reason, because as far as the story goes from here on, Penny won't really be much of an included character, nor will she move things forward. As the story gets fleshed out, I might find a way to add her in, but for now, she's been cut... Pun not intended.
For the week that Ozpin sends his student teams on missions, RNJR stay around the coordinates for where the train would break through into Vale, watching and waiting in shifts and always close by each other. Ruby and Jaune wear disguises to keep themselves hidden, while Ren and Nora don't bother, staying out in the open. Junior is informed about the breach and has his own men surveying the area, planning to bolster whatever forces eventually come to fight off the breach when it happens, a play to give himself a better reputation with the authorities, to give him more leeway in his information brokering business.
When the breach occurs, team CFVY and Dr. Oobleck is revealed to be the ones who were sent. Oobleck is the only one still standing, though barely, after the impact of the crash and the constant fighting. Ren and Nora help the Doctor get CFVY out of the wreckage, firing upon the Grimm as they advance. Ruby would take a sniping position and focus on giving supporting fire. Jaune would be dressed in civilian clothing and with dyed hair. He would attack with his pistol (The HK45 one). A single Bullhead with a small team of robots, alongside Winter Schnee, would be the first to jump into the fray after this. Exchange Teams from Beacon would arrive within 5 minutes, but it would be at least an hour of fighting before Goodwitch arrives, having been on a team mission in the wilds when she gets the emergency recall message. She would seal the breach. Jaune would notice Cinder among the students that arrive, alongside Mercury and Emerald. The fourth member would send a wink his way, her eyes flashing the heterochromic pink and brown of Neo for a moment, before returning to a mint green. With them, was an unconscious Roman Torchwick.
Jaune would make eye contact with Pyrrha, at one point, and she would seem to recognize him for a moment, before shaking her head and telling herself she was just seeing things… though she would admit the fact to her teammates when they returned to Beacon. Goodwitch would also recognize her 'dead' students, even through their disguises.
Jaune would reveal to the rest of RNJR about Torchwick being captured, and that Cinder was a transfer student with Neo, Mercury and Emerald. He would state that if they went out of their way to capture Roman, then it was part of the plan, likely without Roman knowing it. Jaune and Ruby would inform Junior about what's happening the next day, but he would admit that he has no real way to help fight. His men were untrained and had no aura, so they'd be little help in a fight against Grimm and Hunter trained people. He does admit, however, that most of the info they requested had been compiled. He gives them what he has, since Roman had already paid, and they get to work with choosing what to bring to light.
Their meeting would be interrupted by Goodwitch, who would have somehow tracked them after the breach. She would enter, and Junior would make a comment of 'Oh boy' at the sight of her. Ruby and Jaune would turn and freeze in place, partially out of surprise and concern, but also because Goodwitch has them trapped with her semblance. She surprises them, however, by going over and embracing them, saying how happy she is that they aren't actually dead.
Ruby would ask how she found them, and Goodwitch would answer with Qrow, saying that she explained she saw her supposedly 'dead' students still kicking to both Ozpin and Qrow. Ozpin was skeptical, but the lack of reaction from Qrow tipped her off. She then glared at him, and he caved, telling them that he knew they survived since a few days after their incident. She would ask about what happened, but he says that she should hear it from them, that they frequent Junior's Bar and if she doesn't find them while staking the place out, he'd give her the address to the apartment they're staying at.
Ruby and Jaune would explain what happened, which would be skipped over, like pretty much every other time it's explained to someone… we don't need to continue hearing about it. Hearing it from them, she admits that when Ren and Nora first had their suspicions, she didn't fully believe them. It seemed too cruel for students to have done or planned. She then asks if they'd speak with Ozpin about what happened. Ruby and Jaune agree, but ask that they have a meeting with him at Junior's on a weekend, not wanting to be discovered as still living by those who tried to kill them.
The next scene, is the meeting. Ozpin brings Qrow, Goodwitch, and Ironwood with him, while Jaune and Ruby are alone. Ozpin would begin by saying he's glad that they were alive and well. Jaune would state coldly that they almost weren't. If it wasn't for Kai, they really would be dead. Ozpin would then ask them to explain what happened to them, wishing to hear it from them rather than third party from Goodwitch.
Damn, these guys need lots of explanations over and over again.
Ozpin would actually shatter the mug in his grasp when Jaune shows the images that Kai had taken for evidence. Ironwood would slam his flesh hand on the table in fury that students would perform such an act. Goodwitch and Qrow would have already come to terms with the reality, and wouldn't outwardly react, but both still feel anger at the events that happened. Ironwood would immediately claim that they should arrest the team who caused it, but Ozpin and Jaune both say that without more proof they can't. Ozpin is surprised that Jaune backs him up. Jaune then explains that with families as powerful as the ones involved means they need solid, concrete proof of wrongdoings and crimes. Ozpin affirms, saying that he could be thrown out of his office and position just on the whims of these families.
Ruby then states that while they don't know what it is Ozpin and his group are doing behind closed doors, they know it must be something important, thus they understand Ozpin's tenuous position. That's part of the reason they didn't return to Beacon and tried to do things on their own, alongside their selfish goals of humiliating half the school in return for the cruel and humiliating remarks and acts done against them.
Ozpin would ask them what their plan is, and Ruby and Jaune would explain it. They would explain how they intend to break into the CCTV service of the Vytal Festival and reveal the secrets and crimes of WBPY and Cardin, including the attempt on their lives. After that, they want to bring down the woman Roman is being forced to work for.
Ironwood would ask for clarification on Torchwick being forced into performing his crimes. Jaune would explain this, saying that until the beginning of the year, how often did they hear of Roman Torchwick stealing en mass, let alone from Dust Stores. His MO was always rich people who lived the life of luxury, leaving a theatrical mark on his heists. He then explains how they were originally paying Roman back for covering the costs of the information they bought from Junior. They admit they did heists for him, and after returning from one, they saw his boss. They say that all they know is she goes by the name Cinder, and she has two lackeys called Emerald and Mercury, and that when she threatened Torchwick with fire, her eyes glowed. Ozpin would frown and hum at this, but wouldn't elaborate. They admit they have no idea of their combat capabilities, and the vague descriptions they gave for the group was subpar at best considering they were unable to get good looks at them.
Ozpin would thank them for the information. I want Ironwood to ask if they truly felt it was worth becoming the very criminals they once wanted to apprehend, in order to achieve what they wanted. I want Ruby to have a short, witty comeback about what it's like to have your family and friends try to kill you, and asking if he was backed into the same corner, what would he do in their position that would keep him alive and out of sight, while also moving towards whatever goal he would have. Ironwood would actually gain some respect for them through how far they went, and their will to bring such injustice to light. This is where things would end for this volume, as the next part would be in volume 3 territory, the Vytal Tournament.
Side notes that I couldn't think of where to fit in without ruining the pace so far... though I'll probably find ways to add them in later.
Ironwood would look closer to his Volume 8 appearance, as he looks so much better with the beard. Only real difference in look would be that he actually has his beard tidied up, rather than the haggard scruff he had in Vol. 8.
Yang they knew they could imprison, just form the fact of trashing a local bar and injuring civilians in the act. Blake's was flimsy, being Ex White Fang. Pyrrha and Weiss were the hard ones, as was Cardin, whose father was on the Vale Council. Ruby then explains that they need to be outed in a public way, so that their families would be forced to disinherit them, or in Pyrrha's case, for her fan-base to see the reality of what she's done. They would explain that they already had Junior looking into them to find every spec of dirt he could. They knew the cameras in the Emerald Forest should have caught the act, but knew something must have happened or someone tampered with the footage to ensure it never reached Ozpin, or else WBPY and Cardin would already be behind bars.