Chapter 16 – Questionable Night
"If you could have beaten them a lot quicker without any of us getting hurt, why didn't you just do it?" Weiss asked.
"If I had taken the fight seriously, we would have never seen how well we could work together. I wanted to see whether or not our combination of attacks would work fine in a real battle scenario outside of training. I can see now that it somewhat works, but it can still be better." Jaune said, eating his meal.
"So is there anything else you want to tell us before we leave to the police department?" Amber asked.
"Actually, I have one question in mind, but that can wait for later. Right now, our number one priority is to find information about Roy." The teams had left into the city and grab something to eat since they were stopped by team VILT. The sun was about to set and this was the perfect time for the teams to start their search for Roy. They cleaned up and left towards the East side of Mistral to get information on Roy's whereabouts. The two teams separated and went their own ways once they reached the area. Amber, Winter, Ruby and Neptune went towards the police department to download any information they could possibly get about Roy and ask a few questions to the people inside while they are there. They entered inside and informed the chief about their reasons for being there. The chief allowed them to download any information they had about Roy Carver and allowed them to question some of the inmates or law enforcement officials inside.
"See I told you the chief is cool with me." Neptune said, smirking at Winter.
"Let's just get the information and get out of here as soon as possible." Ruby said.
"What's the hurry? We have plenty of time to kill." Amber asked.
"I want to meet up with Jaune before the day ends."
"You really like him don't you?" Amber asked.
"I do…" The team went towards the computer and looked over Roy's records and history. While they were downloading the information they went over a few of them while they were there.
"Roy's a Faunus that was born here in Mistral." Neptune said.
"It says here he has relatives living here in Mistral and hasn't made any commotion about a month now. The last crime he committed here was in June of last month."
"What was the crime?" Winter asked.
"The crime was… breaking and entering."
"Entering what?" Ruby asked.
"Entering a facility located near the forest in Mistral."
"I expected a bigger crime. Had the investigators found any reasons why Roy broke inside?" Winter asked.
"No they haven't found anything, but it says here that he is a former White Fang member that deserted the group about two months ago. The information they gathered happened when they charged him for breaking and entering."
"I would understand why he would enter a home, but a facility?" Amber asked.
"Whatever it is, nothing good can come out of it. Anything else?" Winter asked
"Nothing that we already know. 20 years old, Faunus, has relatives living in the kingdom and doesn't own a home. Seems like he lives in motels and tends to move around time after time."
"Let's go question the inmates then." Winter said as she walked where they were being kept. The first inmate they questioned used to be bunk buddies with Roy. Roy would tell him stories about what he did when he was part of the White Fang. The inmate decided to answer a few of their questions since he had nothing better to do.
"Roy told me that he left because the group ended up doing things he didn't want to do. Such as killing innocent people, stealing, and kidnapping. It wasn't long until he became the victim."
"Victim? I thought the group worked together and not attack each other." Winter said.
"Well that's not the case. He told me that the criminal Torchwick ended up working together with the terrorist group. Soon after, a man named Rhett joined too and it wasn't until a month and a half ago he was lured towards a trap."
"What happened to him?" Ruby asked.
"He didn't say, but he did say that they were working on a top secret project that was located here at Mistral. The only thing he told me about this project is that it could help the terrorist group's cause."
"Anything else?" Amber asked.
"No. That's all he said."
"Thanks for the information. You're saving a lot of lives by telling us this." Amber said.
"I don't really care about whose life I save. I'm only doing this because I was promised I would be let out early."
"I see. Well thanks for the information anyways… Mantis." Amber and the team continued their investigation and continued along with the other inmates and law enforcement officials until there were no longer anyone to ask. With the information they gathered, they could not stop wondering what Rhett, the White Fang, and Torchwick up to.
Newfound Love
"A club!?" Weiss yelled. Her face was blushing at the thought of her potentially dancing with Jaune.
"This is usually where you can find any if not all the information you need about certain criminals or dangerous groups. Not only that, but this would be the perfect to distribute drugs." Jaune said.
"Then why haven't the officers cracked down on this place?" Weiss asked.
"Because law enforcement gave up on this part of the kingdom. They would only help when a crime is being committed. They don't put the extra effort in cracking down places like this that hold drugs, criminals, and possibly weapons. To them, this is a vital source of income to this city that is keeping them afloat and not being a complete hell hole." Sun said.
"In any case… we're here for information and I will be the only one doing the talking whereas the three of you act normal, but keep your eyes peeled for anything suspicious. You will get my back if anything goes down. These are earpieces that will allow us to communicate with each other without having to use our phones or sticking close by together." Jaune said, pointing to the earpieces.
"Hey wait a minute…" Weiss said.
"I don't know what to do in this type of situation. How about I stay with you Jaune? This is my first time ever being inside a dance club." Weiss said. Feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Alright that's fine, but as long you stick close by me. I don't want you getting lost now do I?"
"Hey! What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing." Jaune said, laughing silently to avoid getting Weiss upset. Jaune handed out fake I.D's to each of them and pulled his hoody over his head to avoid his face from being seen and entered the club. They successfully entered inside with no problems at all compared to the last time Jaune was near a club. Once inside, the team dispersed to avoid any unwanted attention and acted as if they didn't know each other. Jaune grabbed Weiss's hand as if they were a couple and headed towards the bar.
"Hey what's the big idea?" Weiss asked. Her face even more red compared to before.
"Relax. We need to look like a couple rather than two strangers just walking around doing nothing." Jaune said.
"Oh… okay." The two made their way to the bar passing by the overcrowded dance floor which was hard getting through.
"What will you have?" the bartender asked.
"We'll have a Margarita." Jaune said.
"Two Margaritas coming right up."
"Jaune… I don't drink." Weiss whispered, next to Jaune's ear.
"Neither do I, but I have to make this seem normal as possible." After a while of waiting, the bartender came by and placed their drinks in front of them.
"So how long have you been working here?" Jaune asked as he casually drank his Margarita. Weiss stared at Jaune as he drank and looked down on her drink and was deciding whether or not she should do the same.
"I've been working here for about 5 years and let me tell you, the people that come by here are really something." After deciding whether or not to drink the Margarita, Weiss sipped the drink and tried her hardest not to throw up at the taste.
"What do you mean?" Jaune asked.
"Can't say. It's something that you kids shouldn't bother knowing." The bartender asked as he stared at the two with a serious look.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Jaune said, slipping money in front of the bartender.
"Surely you can tell us something right?" The bartender smiled and decided to tell them more about what he meant.
"Well you see, as of late, there has been a large number of Faunus which I have no doubt to be part of the White Fang passing by here."
"Why is that?" Weiss asked as she continued drinking her 2nd Margarita.
"Well they kept asking our employees about this Faunus who was named… Roy."
"Do you know why?" Jaune asked
"I don't know. I seem to have forgotten." The bartender said, signaling Jaune that a bit more money can refresh his mind. Jaune agreed to his deal and slipped more money towards him.
"Roy is a buddy of mine and I know that you two aren't the bad people looking for him so I'll tell you. He says that they're after him because the White Fang do not tolerate traitors."
"Traitors?" Jaune asked.
"Yes. Roy and his friend Tukson left the organization because they hated how the group turned out to be due to the change of command. When Roy heard about his friend Tukson, Roy knew that they would be going for him next."
"Did the White Fang members ever find him?" Jaune asked.
"Luckily they haven't."
"You wouldn't mind telling us where Roy could be?"
"Now I know I may seem like a bad guy who takes money in exchange for information, but Roy's a friend and I wouldn't sell him out for anything."
"It's good to see that there are still people out there watching out for their friends." Jaune said.
"Is there anything else I can help you or your drunk date with?" The bartender stared at Weiss who apparently ordered more than two drinks while they were talking.
"Wow." Jaune said.
"No that will be all. Thanks for your help uh."
"Oliver. The name's Oliver." Jaune thanked Oliver and helped Weiss up from her seat and helped her walk towards the exit.
"You two were talking for about an hour already." Weiss said as she looked at her phone.
"Was it really that long?" Jaune asked.
"Yes it was… oh… I shouldn't have drunk too much."
"I thought you said you didn't drink?"
"And I thought you said I had to look normal."
"Touché" Jaune communicated with Blake and Sun through the earpiece and told them to meet him and Weiss outside of the club. They agreed and headed towards the exit while Jaune helped Weiss out. From the corner of his eye, Jaune saw Torchwick heading his way and had to do something quick or else he would be seen. He grabbed Weiss and pushed her against the wall.
"Hey what's the big ide…" Weiss was cut off by the contact of Jaune's lips. The two were now making out against the wall to avoid detection from Torchwick. Weiss didn't struggle and allowed Jaune to do what he wished. She noticed that Jaune wasn't using his tongue and decided to take the initiative. Jaune didn't expect this and allowed her to do what she wished for the sake of not being seen. Torchwick accidentally bumped into Jaune from behind, but continued walking, not looking back. Although Torchwick had left, the two still continued exploring each other's mouth, not giving a care in the world of what is happening behind them. After a while of making out, things got more intimate and the desire for one another grew. Jaune quickly pulled away his hand from Weiss's butt and pushed himself away from her.
"We uh… we should get going. We got what we came for and Blake and Sun are waiting outside." Jaune said, blushing and looking away from Weiss.
"Yeah… we should." Weiss said, mimicking Jaune. The two headed towards the exit and met up with Blake and Sun.
"Why were you guys taking so long?" Sun asked.
"We… uh… had" Jaune tried desperately to come up with something.
"Jaune was just helping me get to the exit. I had a little too much to drink tonight." Weiss said. Feeling a bit embarrassed of what happened inside the club.
"You're drunk? Since when do you drink?" Blake asked.
"Since today."
"I'll call the other team and let them know to meet us back at Haven Academy." Sun said.
One's Desire
"To think that my younger sibling is drinking is unbelievable. What's to stop me from calling father and telling him about this?" Winter asked, angry at the look of a drunk Weiss.
"It's not her fault Winter, it's mine. I'm the one who pressured into doing this because we would have looked suspicious when we were asking questions to the bartender." Jaune said.
"If it was for the sake of the mission, then it's fine. However, I condone you from drinking ever again until you reached the appropriate age."
"Yes Winter."
"Now what did you manage to find?" Amber asked.
"I found information about some White Fang members looking for Roy here at Mistral. The White Fang are tying up loose ends just like Tukson back at Vale. Not only that, but Torchwick is here too." Jaune said.
"Torchwick!? What is he doing here?" Winter asked.
"I don't know. I've been calling Jay on the way here, but he hasn't answered his phone. He could possibly be asleep. Luckily, I managed to place a tracker on him when he bumped into me while I was ki- keeping Weiss from falling down."
"How did he not manage to see you?" Ruby asked.
"I had my hoody on… luckily."
"This is great news. I can call General Ironwood about this and he could send troops over here to arrest Roman." Winter said as she begun dialing Ironwood.
"No! Don't!" Jaune said, grabbing Winter's phone and ending the call.
"If you bring Ironwood and his troops, it will look threatening to the people here at Mistral. With the accident that happened back at Beacon, it will undoubtedly make things worse. It would be best if we handled this problem ourselves."
"Well what do you suggest we do Amber?" Ruby asked.
"As the leader of this mission, it would be best if we call Professor Ozpin and tell him what has transpired. He'll know what to do. We'll call him first thing in the morning." Both teams shared the information they have gathered and decided that it would be best to formulate a plan tomorrow since it was already getting late. They dispersed to their rooms and fell asleep. Jaune stayed up, formulating a plan that he can put into play for tomorrow morning.
"If Roy did leave the group, then he must be on our side. Whatever this facility is, it's most likely something to investigate. The fact that Torchwick is also here means that he is also connected to this facility. Wait a minute… back at Roland Village, I recall hearing something about Rhett managing to steal the Dark power from someone. He said that he planned to transfer it on to someone. Is it possible that the person Rhett was talking about is being kept in the facility that Roy broke into? In any case, if the person is indeed in there, I'm going to need to take him out alone. I can't risk endangering my teammates. I can handle this myself." Jaune thought. He walked over to his scroll and viewed a map of Mistral and zooming in the facility where Roy had entered. The location was near a forested mountain that was at the outskirts of the kingdom. He carefully looked over the rest of the information and analyzed every bit of detail.
"The people that were kidnapped, they were being used as Guinea Pigs for their experiment. They were trying to perfect the transferring of Dark aura to other people. It seems when they perfected the ability to transfer the aura they no longer needed people, but why are there still people going missing? I have an idea of what Torchwick and Adam want to achieve, but what does Rhett get in all this? What is he after?" Jaune fell asleep with this thought in his mind. Hours later, he was awoken by the sound of his door opening. Jaune quickly got up and grabbed his sword and held it tightly as he called out the person who opened it. It was Weiss who entered his room.
"Weiss? You nearly gave me a heart attack."
"Oh shut up you dunce. I couldn't sleep and I'm here to talk to you."
"Talk to me about what?" Weiss walked closer to Jaune and sat next to his bed.
"About what had happened earlier today." Weiss said, looking down on the bed with a shy look on her face.
"Oh… that. Let's just forget about it okay. I was just trying to avoid us from being seen by Torchwick that's all." Jaune said, looking away from Weiss.
"That's what you wanted to do, but something entirely came out of it. Jaune when you kissed me… everything seemed peaceful and calm. I've never felt this way before my entire life."
"No. No you can't do this. You shouldn't catch feelings for me. Not at a time like this." Jaune said, getting closer to Weiss.
"I… I did. To think I'm starting to fall for someone like you."
"What about Neptune? You still have him. Surely you still must have feelings for him."
"It's nothing compared to you. The feeling that I got when you held my hand was something that I have never felt from Neptune. I know you probably don't feel the same way now, but I just came here to tell you how I feel so that I can hopefully sleep soundly." Weiss got up and walked towards the door to leave, but was grabbed by Jaune's hand.
"I… I felt the same way a long time ago. I would be lying if I said I no longer feel the same way towards you, but I don't know whether or not I should allow myself to love someone again. I need time to think about this and I want you to know… I don't want to hurt neither you nor Ruby." Jaune said.
"It's fine Jaune… take as long as you want." Jaune let Weiss's hand go and she left the room. Jaune returned to his bed and now had something more to worry about.
"Why did this have to happen now?"
Here is another Chapter everyone. Took me a bit of thinking because I was determining whether or not Weiss and Jaune should have done something more romantic towards the end of the chapter. You know, a little more hot stuff. It took me about an hour deciding whether or not I should jump that cliff, but I decided not to. Hate it, Love it, what is done is done. If you don't mind that extra hot stuff in the romantic parts of this story then you know what to do... I hope. I'll see you all later.