An Old Question C4

An update, I hope everyone enjoys.

I own nothing!

:Chapter Start:

Lands of Darkness-unknown time-deep underground

Salem stood in the shadows as she waited for two large figures brought a third smaller figure dangling between the two large creatures. The third figure was dropped at Salem's feet before she proceeded to generate dark fluid around the Ankokuken Kurayami before throwing the weapon at the third figure revealing him to be male as he screams in pain at being corrupted.

Beacon Academy-Espada's guard house training area-After classes-Week since last chapter

Jaune fell on his back as he was training with Pyrha, training him in using Flame Blade Rekka. Nearby Blake was duelling with Weiss who knows swordsmanship and was assisting Team RWBY's ninja in their use. Ruby was cheering everyone on while Yang had snuck off to Vale with Ren and Nora to purchase supplies for everyone, Dust, ammo, cookies and Pancake supplies. So far they had been concerned about another possible attack on Vale but none have been sighted anywhere in the city or the country, while Dust Robberies had been escalating around the city.

Pyrha stepped over to Jaune and helped him up as she says, "You are improving Jaune."

Jaune nods before commenting, "Yeah, I lasted two seconds longer then last time," the self deprecating smile tore at Pyrha.

Pyrha cleaned up some hairs to fixed the tussled hair before they see Yang, Ren and Nora returned to the Guard house with food for everyone to eat.

Above them Ozpin watched as the group take a break from training, Ozpin takes a sip of his coffee as Espada stepped over to speak, "Something is not right."

Ozpin hums before asking, "You mean. How he knew your name?"

Espada nods before saying, "Only one person knew that name," he looks down to Jaune as he was enjoying some time with friends, "And he was the man who sealed the Seiken originally."

Ozpin frowns at that before suggesting, "Then perhaps it is because of Jaune's strange ability," Espada was silent before Ozpin asks, "Or is it something else?"

Espada simply says, "This ability may be a residual from the previous user or something you would be more familiar with." Ozpin raised an eyebrow before Espada walked away without another word.

Back with the two teams taking a break where Weiss finally spoke, "We have tomorrow free before the weekend. I also have some information that can be used for the coming Vytal festival."

Ruby asks, 'Like what?"

Jaune simply says, "Does it have something to do with the students from other schools are arriving that day?" everyone looked at him strangely before he adds, "Espada wants Blake and myself to patrol the city that day because of the arrival of so many new faces into Beacon."

Blake nods in the affirmative before she says, "Yeah, Mister Espada told us to focus around the docks and the Airbus stations leading to Beacon."

Ruby blinks before asking, "They expect an attack?"

"Probably," Jaune states before he and Blake showed of their own Book Portals for them to use, "Ozpin was able to replicate them with a lot of difficulty, along with recovering some of the blank Wonder Ride Books they were using to attack the city. Apparently they came from the same source and that was how he was able to modify them. Found them at the Docks after the Gattleling Monster attacked."

Blake having not known that asks, "So the White Wolf had them?"

"Not really sure about that," Jaune comments, everyone looks at him funny before he continues, "Well from who we saw at the docks, they did not seem like they either wanted to be there or they were plants."

Blake's eyes widened before she asks, "How can you tell?"

"From what I saw, that might not be the case. Plus Ozpin interrogated them and of the six, five of them were new members who had yet to have their aura activated. The sixth though shouted about humans betraying their betters," Jaune states.

Ruby asks, "Why are you telling us?"

Jaune simply says, "Because Espada asked me to tell Blake and she was going to tell you guys afterwards. I told my team because you guys could need to know it for battle."

Weiss was the first to comment, "Consider myself impressed. You thought through everything."

Jaune though comments, "Plus Nora would threaten to break our legs if we don't tell her." Nora nods in agreement. Jaune then comments, "That being said, let's finish up here and get some sleep."

Ruby nods before she comments, "Well then, Team RWBY will checked the docks while Team JNPR will patrol from the Airbus station." With that everyone finished up training for the night before heading to their dorms to rest for the night.

Torchwick's villainous lair-That morning.

Torchwick glares at his partner was hidden in the shadows was messing with a strange book with a red faced monster before Torchwick says, "So Cinder, this monster will handle the 'Knights' getting in our way."

Cinder's eyes glowed in the darkness with some light flames as she says, "Yes, my mistress sent these to ensure that we complete our tasks. This one was used to kill the knights in the past." She opened the book resulting in the formation of a demon like monster holding a sword and it's face covered in red. Cinder spoke, "Desast," the monster stretched and checked his pockets as it laughed before placing his sword on his shoulder, "Go into Vale and kill some Knights."

Desast chuckles before revealing a small red Wonder Ride Book with an eagle on the front as he says, "Sure, just don't expect me to follow your every whim," as he got into Cinder's face, her glowing eyes revealing her black hair and red dress as Desast says, "Don't call me I will call you," he laughs like crazy before leaving obviously causing Torchwick to growl.

Torchwick asks, "Should I move everything again?"

"After tonight," Cinder states before sneaking away.

Torchwick growls before commenting, "It was easier just being a thief," as a young girl with a Neapolitan ice cream theme placed a cold beer next to him that he drank greedily.

With Desast-dawn

Desast was standing on a rooftop sniffing the air and says, "I smell the coming battle, Saber," before leaping across rooftops in search of Saber and the other Knights.

Beacon Academy-Morning-Espada's guard House.

Teams RWBY and JNPR, walked into the guard's house where they found Espada resting at his desk inside. Jaune was the first to speak, "We came in early like you asked." The two teams were nervous as Espada watched them silently before pulling out 'Needle Hedgehog,' and 'Peter Fantasia.'

Espada says, "You two will need these," passing 'Needle HedgeHog' to Jaune and 'Peter Fantasia' to Blake.

With that Jaune now has three Wonder Ride Books as he asks, "Do you expect me to need to use three at once?"

"More than likely," Espada admits before adding, "Today, I won't be out in the field Ozpin wants me to participate in a meeting between everyone in his inner circle or something. I will join you all when I can."

With that the two teams leave for the day before Ozpin steps out and says, "Why did you lie to them?"

Espada sighs before stating, "I don't want them to know," before he handed Ozpin his Holy Sword Driver and WRB. Once they were out of his care he turned to sand and was absorbed into the WRB for a couple hours.

City of Vale-Near the Airbus station-two hours later

Team JNPR was walking through Vale around the Airbus station, slowly extending out from the station appearing to be window shopping when in truth they were looking for trouble. The team found a milkshake cafe and each got a milk shake as they walked through the city. Nora and Ren split up from Jaune and Pyrrha as they two have some alone time. For some reason that Jaune was unaware for while Pyrrha wanted to slap Nora for it. The two continue to patrol the area and take a seat on a bench. Jaune asks, "So what do you think they are planning? The bad guys I mean."

Pyrrha hums before saying, "Perhaps they will target Beacon, it would hurt the students there."

Jaune nods before Dasast says from behind the pair, "Yeah, or they would send me to handle you Knights before you cannot stop them."

The two huntsmen nods understanding before blinking and looking to Dasart before leaping away from the bench dropping their milkshakes on the monster who sighs in annoyance. Jaune placed 'Brave Dragon' into his Holy Sword Driver before shouting, "HENSHIN!" and swung his sword twice and proceeded to change into Saber before standing in the defensive position as Pyrha starts evacuating everyone within sight of Dasast.

Desast spoke before the two begin to fight, "I see the new Saber has some base training," Desast then showed off his Wonder Ride Book, 'Storm Eagle' before Desast says, "I want to add to my collection."

With that Dasast slashed the ground before rushing towards Saber who quickly deflected the slashes but was being pushed back at the speed of the slashes. Saber managed to locked their blades together as Dasast had energy wings behind his back and pushing him back as Saber melted the ground to try and get some grip on the ground. Saber suddenly asks, "So have a name?"

"Dasast," Dasast admitted without any deceit as the struggled to overpower the other. "You know you remind me of the last Saber fought. Very Curious."

Saber frowns under his helmet as he managed to deflect Dasast to the side and avoid some serious damage, "You know, I would have thought we would be fighting in the Wonder Realm."

"I was only told to kill you and any other Knights that I find," Dasast placed the tip of his weapon on the ground in front of him before saying, "Hurry up and use your other WRBs. Make this fun," he was shivering in excitement.

Saber frowns under his helmet before pulling out the 'Jack Beanstalk,' Wonder Ride Book and placed it in his driver before closing 'Brave Dragon,' before pausing. Saber grabbed the third book, 'Needle Hedgehog' and says, "Well then, let's make a good story."

-REKKA THREE VOLUMES!- resulting in Saber's centre third turning gold with a spike theme and his left third of his body into a metallic green plant form.

Saber takes a sideways horse stance, while raising his left arm and having Rekka rest along the inside of his forearm that was pointing at the ground before him. Dasast slashes the ground until his blade was behind him and he crouched lightly before shouting, "Calamity Strike," and started running forward and leaping into the air to attack like a slashing drill.

Saber though cheated as he fired seeds into the path of Dasast, causing throned vines to burst in front of Dasast as he sped towards Saber and getting caught and cut severely and dropping 'Storming Eagle' into Saber's hands and Dasast to groan in pain before cracking his neck as he fully healed from his injuries.

Dasast chuckles and says, "Damn, you earned that WRB. I will come back for it Saber as many times as I need," before vanishing into a purple book like what the riders use to enter the Alter books.

Saber stares after Dasast as Pyrrha arrived and asks, "I am surprised you let him get away. Using three books clearly made you a match."

Saber was silent before groaning and falling to his knees and turning back into base form Saber as he says, "Ow, note to self using three at once hurts," before transforming back into Jaune and looking at his newest Wonder Ride Book with a frown. He had to talk to Espada.

Pyrha asks, "What was that thing?"

Jaune was helped up by Pyrha as he had a strange feeling as he says, "He is complicated."

Beacon-the next morning-Dorm rooms

Jaune stepped out of his shared dorm room brushing his teeth as he walked and knocked on Team RWBY's dorm room and waited for an answered. Team leader Ruby stepped out the room quickly while shouting, "Blake!?" she spots Jaune who can see what was wrong before Ruby spoke again, "Blake left last night and we don't know where she went and," Ruby was hesitant before she admits, "Blake is a Faunus."

"I see that she told you," Jaune admits while brushing her teeth before he says, "But her back story is her story to share. But clearly something went wrong."

Ruby nods before saying, "Yeah, apparently Blake is a member of the White Fang."

Jaune blinked before he says, "Former member," Ruby blinked before they heard two crashes as Weiss and Yang wearing their pyjamas staring at him before he sighs and says, "All I know is that she was trying to escape something. Don't know what." Jaune sighs and continues cleaning his teeth before saying, "I have to talk to Espada and will go into Vale to look around for Blake."

Jaune walked away as Team RWBY closed their door to get dressed quickly before Ruby rushed after him only to trip as she was wearing Weiss' high heeled shoes before Yang rushed out wearing one of Blake's shirts under her normal gear holding Ruby's boots as she quickly followed them helping Ruby keep up while Weiss apparently was fully dressed as she quickly and calmly reached Espada's Guard house to find Espada frowning at a map of Vale, with large rectangles where Alter Ride Books were used. Espada notices them quickly before asking, "Sorry I could not meet with you yesterday, turns out my meeting lasted longer than I expected."

"Yeah, I understand but some strange things have been happening around Vale. Yesturday, I fought a monster holding this," he reveals 'Storming Eagle,' causing Espada's eyes to widened as Jaune continued, "He called me the new Saber, wanting to challenge me."

Espada nods before saying, "Yeah, Dasast very difficult monster to fight."

"How did he have this WRB," Jaune asks concerned.

"Because he defeated the last holder of the book," Espada states before adding, "At least that is what records that remain say. He is very smart and very dangerous, he will find loop holes in his orders and will always hunt Holy Sword users."

Ruby panicked and says, "Blake went missing last night."

Espada nods before saying, "Then find her, it is Saturday."

Jaune nods before pausing as he asks, "What about you?"

"I will be here if another Wonder Realm Portal is opened. Go help your friend," Espada states before Jaune throws him 'Needle Hedgehog' and leaves quickly. Espada pinches the bridge of his nose and says, "What are you planning now?"

Dasast dropped down with a container of pot noodles as he says, "Well they said to hunt Knights down but did not say how long to take," Eating his noodles simply.

"If you were released then that means we may have some good news," Espada states.

"Well as far as I know, they are getting their WRBs from someone who can control Grimm. Not the Medgilous," Dasast states in humour.

"Meaning, that is either good news or extremely bad news," Espada states before Dasast leaves his empty pot noodle and vanishes causing Espada to comment, "Damn you teacher, you were right," reminiscing on the past more specifically the Last Saber before the end of man.

Streets of Vale-Lunch time-Random Cafe

Blake sighs and finally speaks to the blonde monkey Faunus she ran off with as she says, "So what do you want to know, Sun?"

"She finally speaks," Son jokes before commenting, "Why did you run from your team?"

Blake sighs before saying, "Have you heard of the White Fang?" Son nods before he comments about them being crazy and power hungry before Blake spoke again, "I was a member of the White Fang. All my life actually. I was at every rally and protest, right at the front. Eventually the Leader stepped down and his replacement started planning attacks and boycotts of shops that refused service to Faunus, which eventually lead to boycotts of shops that serve human customers. Attacks started on companies like the Schnee Dust Company and those like it which changed to terrorist attacks on Military targets. It got bad and I needed to get away," Blake had a hunted look on her eyes before she says, "I had leave," she rubbed her stomach as she says, "In such a way that I could not be followed and forced to return."

Blake took a sip of her tea before Son asks, "Why did you not tell your team about this?"

Blake was haunted before saying, "I don't want them to get hurt."

Sun frowns before asking, "How bad did it get?"

Blake was haunted as she was somewhere else that she did not want to remember as she says, "The one I am running from, killed twenty people because they treated wounds that he gave me. I can't let them suffer just because they sleep in the same room. Hell I doubt that he wouldn't go after everyone who started at Beacon this year because everyone slept in the Grand Hall."

Sun blinks before asking, "And if they see me drinking coffee with you?"

Blake shakes her head as she says, "You are fine, no one in the White Fang besides the one after me know what I look like and the bow hides it quite well."

Sun notices a television where they were speaking about the White Fang causing robberies around Vale. Son asks, "You think the White Fang is causing all this?"

Blake thought on the Dust Robberies before saying, "No, at least not anyone in the main chain of command. Maybe some of the lower rung groups but not the one I am running from. There would be a lot more deaths around the city."

"Good then," Jaune states as he sits with the two along with Yang and Weiss. Blake blinked in shock before Jaune says, "Ruby split up from us in search of you with Penny. She noticed the ears under the bow by the way."

Blake groans before slamming her head on the table and asking, "How much did you hear?"

Jaune simply says, "Around the start of you mentioning your stalker. We have you back on that by the way."

Blake groans before asking, "How did you find me?"

Weiss simply says annoyed, "Jaune said you would want tea, this is the tenth place we checked."

"Why is Yang wearing my shirt?" Blake nods at the answer from Weiss before glaring at Yang.

"Was in a rush," Yang states before joking, "Plus Ruby ran out in Weiss' shoes."

Jaune interrupts with, "Forget about that. I fought a monster yesterday," and with that Jaune explains what happened the day before and what Espada told him.

Blake hums understanding what was said before commenting, "Yeah, that sounds bad," clearly thinking on other things.

Sun noticed before commenting, "What if we went to the place we expect the White Fang to be, only to find the White Fang has nothing to do with being there in the first place."

Everyone looked at him strangely before Jaune asks, "So a stake out?"

"Yeah, at the one place that, if the White Fang are the culprits would never pass up stealing," Sun suggests.

"Meaning either the docks or they would be crazy enough to attack the Police warehouse holding the confiscated Dust recovered a couple weeks ago," Jaune states surprising the members of Team RWBY before he rolls his eyes and says, "Information that both myself and Blake are privy to due to our new roles."

Blake nods before commenting, "True but I did not know about the docks."

Jaune blinks as Sun states, "Well I heard it from a couple sailors at the docks when I snuck into port. Some big shipment to replace all the Dust that had been stolen or something."

Jaune nods before saying, "Then we hide out at the docks and record anything strange."

Blake looked insulted before standing and saying, "and what sell to the news?"

"No, have proof that it is either the White Fang or someone else," Jaune states before commenting, "My money is on someone pretended to be the White Fang."

"Why?" Yang, Weiss and Blake all asks.

"Well, take away Dust and cause conflicts to raise you attract Grimm right? So if you cause enough problems and then," Jaune starts piecing everything together and says as he stands, "If we include all the places where the monsters have been attacking an look at it from the point of view of having Grimm do your dirty work. That is what they have been planning."

Yang was the first to crack as she says, "What plan?"

"Orientation in the Emerald Forest, the docks where the stolen Dust was held in such large supply they wouldn't be able to hide anymore and the gates leading out of the City," Jaune starts, "Removing Huntsmen who can fight Grimm. Destroying any Dust that could be used to protect the city and then finally destroying a large section of wall as Grimm start to herd on the other end of the Wonder Realm Portal," Jaune states and having strange looks from the others, "At these three attacks the Monsters had a WRB each to increase their power but when they attacked repeatedly afterwards they were under powered or even working together to weaken us. Like Espada being injured."

Blake though asks, "And that Dasast monster?"

"Either to weaken us or petty revenge," Jaune states seriously. Jaune then goes on to say, "We will suggest this to Espada later. For now let's plan a stake out."

Vale Docks-that night

Blake, Yang and Jaune was lying on their stomachs as they used some binoculars, mainly the kiddy ones as that was all they could afford without being suspicious. Weiss spent five minutes with them an hour earlier but could not stand the dirt and grime of the area and decided to wait outside the main entrance with Ruby and Penny as backup. Sun suddenly lands on the crate they were hiding on as Sun says, "Stole you guy some food."

"Do you always steal?" Blake comments in the rhetoric as Jaune and Yang smirk.

Sun counters with, "Weren't you in a cult or something?" and received three looks of are you serious. Sun then cleans up his act as he asks, "So any criminals?" and joined the three on the crate as they stared at the Schnee Dust Crates waiting. Not five minutes later a couple air ships flew over the area and landed before several members of the White Fang arrived and with three Faunas were keeping watch. Jaune frowns at the sight and noticed they were up wind of the group and his eyes widened as Sun spoke, "I guess the White Fang are really behind this," Sun looked to Blake and asked, "Did you really think they weren't behind this?"

Blake sighs and says, "I think I always knew." That was when they Roman Torchwick ordering them around and Blake goes to stand as she says, "They would never follow a human, especially someone like him," she was suddenly stopped by Jaune, who held her by the arm.

Jaune answered the unspoken question, "It is not the White Fang. Look at the lookouts," they did and saw, a Monkey Faunus, a Lamb Faunas and finally a Pig Faunas. Blake's eyes widened as she looked to Jaune who says, "We are upwind from them."

Yang frowns before asking, "What is wrong?"

Blake answered, "Pig Faunas' have been extinct since before the formation of the Four Kingdoms."

Yang was confused before Jaune states, "They were genocided by Human and Faunas working together according to history books," Yang and now Sun was confused before Jaune continued, "They were cannibals, to Faunas and Humans." Yang appeared sick. Jaune then says, "Plus it was well documented that their sense of smell that could track anyone long distance."

Blake frowns before pulling out her Scroll before saying, "Let's follow Jaune's plan," and starts recording the crime. Yang nods before calling the Police as they watched the crime happened. Though the way it ended was shocking as after more Airships arrived to carry the crates, Roman Torchwick pulled out a weapon that was commonly used by the Vale Police Department before aiming at one of the actual Faunas in his group before killing him before dropping the weapon. He was bleeding out on the ground as Torchwick and crew started leaving, the Lamb Faunas adjusting her fake horns as the ships took off. Jaune rushed over to the bleeding man and placed his hands over the wound as the Faunas without Aura was bleeding out. The police arrive with Ambulances and accept a copy of Blakes recording. Ruby, Weiss and Espada, with the rest of Team JNPR arrived to find Jaune's hands covered in blood and the Dust Crates stolen.

The next evening-Beacon Headmaster's office.

Ozpin sat at his desk with Glynda and Espada standing next to him as they watched the Vale News, And in today's news, the culprits of Vale's Dust Robberies have attempted to frame the White Fang for the crime. Eye witness testimony and video found the master criminal Roman Torchwick commanding what appeared to be White Fang soldiers only it was found that to not be the case. They were shown a recording of the crime and attempted murder before the News Reader said, The White Fang representatives have stated, that they have had no contact with the Roman Torchwick.

Ozpin turned the screen off before speaking, "I have to say, Team RWBY and Team JNPR have been instrumental for messing with our enemies plans."

Espada nods having heard Jaune and Blakes' reports of the incident before he says, "Yeah, fortunately Saber and Blades are well informed and educated. I wouldn't not known about the extinct Pig Faunas. Obviously Torchwick is trying to manipulate the White Fang into helping him."

Glynda frowns before commenting, "In what way?"

"Simple, he tried to frame the police for killing a Minor Faunas with no clear markings that he was a member of the White Fang besides the poorly made mask," Ozpin states before adding, "The recording being made Public just strengthened the White Fang into actually talking with the Vale Government."

Espada then says, "Until a bad apple decides to get involved to mess everything up."

Ozpin nods in disappointment before he comments, "Then we have to believe in the people we protect," Espada nods in agreement as Ozpin concludes the chapter, "and our enemies to make the final mistake."

:End of Chapter 4:

Thank you for reading and until next time... BEWARE THE WRAITH, PTL!