Hey, here we go. This week's chapter. Fortunatly ill be able to post a lot more in the coming weeks. Ginger and Ancient I appreciate you taking the time to continuously review and help with this story. I hope you and some of the other followers continue. I'm sorry for the scattered nature of this chapter but I needed to get through these things. I promise the next one is much more... focused. Anyway, enjoy.
Darron and Allister were in their dorm, gathering supplies. Allister finished filling a bag and slung it over his shoulder.
"Ready boss?" Allister asked. Darron nodded as he slung his own bag onto his shoulders.
"Let's go." Darron ordered. He walked up to the door and and out into the hall. As the two walked down the hall they were eventually confronted by team JNPR.
"Hey." Darron greeted. The team stared at him sternly.
"Where ya going?" Jaune asked, already feeling that something was amiss.
"Out." Darron answered. Jaune furrowed his brow.
"We know that something's going on. Where's Zade, Max and team RWBY?" Jaune asserted. Allister chuckled.
"We've run into some… minor difficulties." He answered.
"Are they alright?" Pyrrha pressed, naturally concerned.
"We're just fine." Max called out from down the hall. He and team RBY walked over to the two opposing groups. Darron tossed another bag toward Max, who caught it.
"Safe house?" Max asked. Darron nodded.
"Safe house." The rest of the students just looked on confused.
"What safe house." Ren asked, finally breaking the silence. Darron nodded and Allister explained.
"It's a small house we bought when we first enrolled here. It's a place we had tricked out to go if we even needed to make a quick getaway and to hide out for some time." Everyone seemed unsatisfied.
"But, why go there now? Why not stay here?" Pyrrha asked.
"Because, as of right now, the only person who knows Zade's location is Max. That means every mercenary, bounty hunter, and corrupt hunter is going to track Max down for that information. I don't need them storming campus, so we're going to fend them off there." Darron answered.
"Wow… Then you'll need all the help you can get!" Nora exclaimed. Darron chuckled.
"I appreciate the offer, but I don't want you guys putting yourself in any more danger than you have to." Darron responded.
"No," Jaune started. "We don't like seeing our friend in danger either. We can all take care of ourselves. Besides, if this is what we need to do to give Zade the time he needs to rescue Weiss, then let's fight them for an eternity!" Jaune exclaimed. Darron, Allister, and Max laughed.
"What?" Jaune asked accusingly. Darron stopped laughing and put a hand on Jaune's shoulder.
"You've got the heart of a lion kid. Let's see if you've finally gotten the skill of one." Darron challenged.
"Please. I just hope i'm half as good as you." Jaune complimented back.
"Then I guess we're a team then. Grab your shit and let's get a move on. GO GO GO." Allister instructed, spurring the rest of the people into action. It took only a few moments for them to be standing before Darron, ready.
"Let's do this." Darron ordered, and the group started for the airfield. As they walked Darron fell into line with Max.
"Did you send the info?" he asked. Max nodded. Darron smiled, and continued walking.
Zade walked off of the boat on menagerie, his entire face covered. He had been to Menagerie a few times and knew humans weren't always well received. Qrow wasn't far behind, grumbling about his disguise the entire time. Zade looked down as he received a text on his scroll. It was a message from Max, explaining the plans for the wedding in 10 days, as well as schematics on the town and the Baril mansion. Zade smiled to himself as he walked deeper into the village.
"So what are we here for?" Qrow asked, observing the scenery.
"Shut up, we're almost there." Zade answered. Qrow rolled his eyes and followed. Zade led the two into a small dive bar. Faunus of all types were sitting around, drinking and conversing. A band was off in the corner playing jocundly. Zade looked around the bar, apparently searching for someone. As Zade looked a kid a bit younger than Zade motioned for them to join him. Zade reached out and dragged Qrow over, before he could order a drink from the bar. Zade sat Qrow, who looked rather vexed, down and took a seat himself. The kid chuckled.
"You can take off the disguise. I think I can tell a fellow human when I see one." He encouraged. Zade decided to take a calculated risk and pulled off his mask.
"Do you know who I am?" Zade asked.
"Nope." The man responded. Zade smirked.
"Good, names Zade, this is Qrow." Zade introduced, shoving Qrow to stop him from stating at a nearby fox faunus waitress.
"Names Oscar. What brings you all the way out here?" Oscar asked.
"We're looking for some competent soldiers who won't kill us and want to give Jacques Schnee a giant fuck you." Zade explained. Oscar laughed.
"Well, I can certainly can agree with that. What do you need and where." Oscar said. Zade leaned forward and quietly whispered his plan to Oscar. Oscar nodded and Zade sat back. Zade looked over at Qrow before grabbing the liquor he was about to drink and poured it out.
"Really!" Qrow demanded. Zade glared back before standing up. Zade nodded at Oscar before grabbing Qrow and leaving.
Outside Qrow was following Zade, a little angry that he wouldn't let him drink.
"I'm surprised that no one here seems to be keen on killing us." Qrow stated.
'We're in the heart of faunus country. Do you really think that such snobs like the schnee's would pay out a reward to a faunus. They probably don't even know that there's a hit out on us." Zade explained. Qrow nodded.
"So… What now?" Qrow asked.
"Time to drop off some dead weight." Zade answered. Qrow looked at him, confused.
"What dea- Fuck you!" Qrow yelled out as Zade suddenly disappeared, teleporting far away.
Zade reappeared at the front of a large house, likely the largest in the village. Zade pulled back his disguise, and knocked. Zade continuously looked around, making sure that no one was watching him. Eventually, the door creaked open. From inside an older woman, with her own cat ears cleaned out. Her eyes widened at the man standing before her.
"Zade?" She asked, unsure.
"Hi Kali." Zade answered.
"Quick. Come in come in." Kali ushered Zade inside, recognition finally setting in. Kali led Zade deeper into the house, before turning and giving him a hug.
"What trouble are you in now?' She asked, smirking. Zade rolls his eyes.
"You know me too well. I'm here for a little while. I may have pissed of the Schnee's pretty badly." Zade explained. Kali sighed.
"I always told you that being part of that gang would get you into trouble. Stay here as long as you need. Tell me though, have you seen Blake?" She asked. Zade quickly debated the answer in his head. Zade decidedly shook his head.
"Unfortunately, I haven't. I'm surprised to see that she hasn't tried to make her way back here." Zade lied.
"It's because she probably thinks we're dead. That's what the white fang official records say. I'm guessing that's why she been avoiding having to return here without her father and I. Please keep looking and tell me if you even get a slight lead." Kali begged. Zade nodded.
"Of course miss Belladonna. If I may ask, where is your husband?" Zade reassured.
"He'll be along. He's off doing some work right now." Kali responded. Zade nodded and took a seat. "Any luck with your father?" Kali continued, trying to spur conversation.
"Sort of." Zade answered.
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I found him. I couldn't kill him though. I don't think talking is going to resolve anything thought." Zade explained.
"Well have you tried?" Kali pressed. Zade huffed.
"Yeah… kinda… He just doesn't give a shit." Zade answered.
"At the very least you should give him a second chance. I know i've told you this before. If he had known you were born he would have done anything he could for you." Kali said, trying to comfort Zade.
"I doubt that." Zade answered. Kali sighed.
"Well… At least consider it. Until then, stay and take as long as you need." Zade nodded, grateful for a place where he could clear his thoughts.
"Welcome." Darron noted as he opened the door to the safe house. Teams RBY and JNPR walked in and looked around in awe. It was a two story cabin with limited furnishing. The teams spread out and started cleaning up the place. While the rest of the teams were doing that Darron and Allister, were standing next to each other conversing.
"Do you think they can hold out?" Allister asked. Darron nodded.
"They'd better. Especially after this." Darron answered, handing his scroll to Allister. Allister took one look at it and laughed.
"1 billion lien on Max. Hilarious. We are going to die." Allister laughed.
"Finished." Max yelled from the living room. Darron and Allister walked in and nodded. Max had set up a full control center, which he was happily sitting in the middle of.
"Nice." Darron complemented. Max beamed.
"Allister go call everyone together." Darron instructed. Allister nodded and turned, leaving. Darron smiled.
"Need some help?" Darron offered. Max nodded and Darron jumped into the control center to start working.
A few moments later. Allister walked back into the room, giving Yang a piggyback ride, and everyone else following him. Once they had settled in Darron grabbed their attention.
"Here's the plan. In 3 hours, Ozpin is putting out a hit on Max for 1 billion lien. This should basically pull all the fire away from Zade. However, we are gonna get hit with all of it. Max has this place rigged with state of art defenses. Our job is to guard the front door, and Max." Darron spoke.
"So we are basically going to be under siege?" Ren asked.
"Exactly." Darron answered. "I don't know how many mercenaries, or how skilled, will show up, but my bet is on a lot. That being said. As you probably know, people who come after us are out for blood. Don't be afraid to get some in return, it certainly won't slow them down, and it certainly shouldn't slow you down. Show them what being a Beacon hunter is all about." Darron encouraged.
"How long will this siege last?" Pyrrha spoke up.
"No clue… doesn't matter. You fight until you fall. Am I clear?" Darron responded.
"Yes sir." The group replied in unison.
"Good. Now I want our best long range units inside, firing from the windows. Only, and only if you lack long range weapons, should you be outside with Allister and Myself. Pyrrha, Ren, Nora, Ruby, you will be inside squad. Yang, Blake, Jaune, Allister, and I will be outside. Split." Darron commanded. At once the group split to head to their stations. Pyrrha walked over to Jaune and kissed him deeply.
"Be safe out there huh." Pyrrha said. Jaune smiled, and hugged her.
"Of course." He answered, walking out the door. Yang smacked Allister's ass on the way out, and Darron and Blake were holding hands. Darron looked down at her.
"You ok?" He asked. Blake, rested her head on his side.
"Yeah. I just wish you weren't constantly putting yourself in such danger all the time. You seem to have a knack for it." Blake answered.
"Hey, for my teams and girlfriend, anytime." Darron answered. Blake chuckled.
"And that's why I love you. Now go get em tiger." Blake said, stepping away.
"It's Raven, and I love you too." Darron replied, stepping forward. Darron drew his sword and implanted it in the ground. "Now we wait."
3 Hours later:
A large Lion faunus sat in a chair in an office looking out over a forest. Suddenly, the door situated behind him opened. The faunus turned around and growled.
"What?" He demanded. The Pangolin faunus which walked in bowed its head.
"I'm sorry sir. It's just that we've received word that there's a billion lien contract issued. Should we capitalize?" The faunus asked. The lion sat there, contemplating.
"Send the best we currently have available." The lion instructed.
"V-v-very good sir." the pangolin acknowledged, walking out of the room, and closing the door. The lion turned in his chair to look out his window, and smirked.
"Team ENDD. I know you idiots are responsible for this nonsense. I hope you know that the hunt is on, and this time… I will catch my prey."
A woman stalked through the forest. Her face covered by a large grimm mask. She growled as she finally came into a clearing. In that clearing was a small, ragtag, village of tents. As she approached a man with red eyes approached her.
"Chief, look. There's a bounty for 1 billion lien. It'd be best if we take this opportunity for the village." The man suggested. The woman took of her mask, revealing her own red eyes, and glared back.
'No. It's not our time to meet again." she declared, walking away.
"But-." the man started, but stopped as a large katana blade was pointed directly at his throat, The two faced off for a moment before the woman re sheathed her sword and continued walking.
The door to a dark room opened. A young woman dressed in rags stumbled in. She walked up to a small set of stairs, that led up to a silhouette of a woman on a throne. The young woman stared fearfully at the chained up coffin to her left. The young woman kneeled, and almost threw up, feeling the dried blood on her bare knee.
"Speak." the woman on the throne commanded.
"It is my pleasure to inform you of a legendary opportunity. A billion lien contract has appeared. I wish to hear your wise opinion on whether to pursue this chance or not." the woman said, shaking.
"Who is the target?" the silhouette asked.
"The target's name is team ENDD." the woman answered. She suddenly screamed as the coffin next to the throne started to thrash violently.
" . The silhouette chided, stopping the coffin. "You're not ready just yet. You will be soon, and then you may have your revenge on the man… no monster who did this to you." The silhouette turned back towards the woman. "You've upset him." The woman bowed lower, touching her forehead to the floor. "Please, I did not mean." her plea was cut short as a bullet pierced her skull, killing her. The silhouette dropped the smoking gun and sat back. ignoring the sight of the bleeding corpse on the ground.
Zade lay in the guest room at the Belladonna household. After ditching Qrow and purchasing an unusual number of bullets, Zade really just needed some time to think. He constantly flipped through the intel that Max had sent him. Devising a plan, and memorizing the building layout. Zade leaned his head back to look out the window. Zade sighed as he counted the stars. With each one, he thought of how it looked like Weiss. Beautiful, radiant, extremely dangerous. Zade laughed at his own joke before looking back at his scroll. Suddenly, Zade had a feeling that he was being watched. Zade looked back at the window, where a dark figure was peering in.
"Really?" Zade asked. The figure nodded. Zade stood up and drew one of his compacted scythes.
"Let's go then. I have a busy morning." Zade mocked. The figure scowled and broke through the glass, charging Zade. Zade quickly grabbed the assailant throat and slammed its face with his blade. The blade cracked it's mask and pulled it off. The faunus raised her head. She had a darker skin complexion and slits for pupils. Suddenly, she striked out, trying to bite Zade with massive fangs. Zade sidestepped and grabbed her hair, throwing her through the door and out into the hall. The snake faunus hit the wall hard and she crumpled to the ground.
"Fucking White fang." Zade seethed as he walked up. Zade pulled back to kick her, and she sprung into action. She caught his leg and threw herself into his other leg, causing him to fall to the ground. She crawled on top of him and straddled him, punching his face. Zade grimaced for only a second before punching her face with his blade. The girl hissed as blood ran down her cheek. She spread herself out to cover Zade's body and prepared to bite Zade's arm. Zade immediately teleported down the hall. Zade ran forward and kicked the side of the girl's head, before she could even register that he had teleported. She grunted at the strike and pushed herself to her feet. As she lifted her head, Zade was there, and punched her in the face. She cried out and fell prone again. Zade stepped on her head and opened up his scythe.
"I already know why you're here so I won't bother." Zade said, decapitating the assassin. Zade grabbed the two body parts and threw them out of the broken window. Zade quickly grabbed his stuff and started out of the house. He froze suddenly as Kali called out.
"Is everything ok?" She asked.
"Yeah everythings fine. I killed a person. I need to go." Zade explained.
'It's ok. We'll hide the body." Kali called back.
"You're a godsend." Zade thanked as he rushed out the house, desperate to get off the island.
Ruby was on the top floor of the safehouse. They had just sent out the hit, and now we're just waiting for people to reply. Ruby was humming a small tune to herself as she cleaned crescent rose for her big event. Suddenly, she squeaked and jumped up as Max knocked on the door frame.
"Did I scare you?" Max asked, smirking.
"No. I just wasn't expecting you. What's up." Ruby answered,
"Well. I might have an offer." Max said. Ruby tilted her head.
"What?"
"You see. Since I'm the main target of this hit. I'm not allowed outside at all. So I was wondering if you would do me the honor of going out there and piloting Titan for me. You've already done it once?" Max asked. Ruby threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.
"That's the greatest thing anyone's ever offered me. I'd love too." Ruby squealed, kissing his cheek and running downstairs to don the mech. Max blushed, and laughed. He quickly stood up and ran after the hyperactive rose to help her suit up.
Yang and Blake were talking about school when Ruby finally stepped out of the house wearing Titan. The two girls looked at the red mech in awe.
"Hi Yang. What do you think?" Ruby asked, twirling Titan around and resting her giant crescent rose on her shoulder.
"That thing is huge." was all Yang could manage to say, gesturing to the massive sniper-scythe.
"I know. Max always makes the most amazing things." Ruby gushed.
"Ruby's in love. Ruby's in love." Yang teased as Blake sighed. Ruby blushed furiously.
"I-I-I… Shut Up!" Ruby yelled back.
"Hey! Focus." Darron called out from the front. The girls turned to look. A small group of people were making their way towards the house. Each girl took their spots. The siege would finally begin.