Here we are at Chapter 103. We now have over 600 followers! Thank you all for reading this story and staying with it for so long! The gang finish their mission, but their main goal has only just begun. I do not own RWBY or Tales of Berseria. They belong to their respective owners. I only own my OCs. Here's chapter 103. Enjoy.
Chapter 103: A Cold Reception
With the launch site now secure, a group of Atlas military transports approach the mine. Behind them, the Amnity Coliseum slowly floats towards its destination. The trucks pull up to the main entrance, just in time to see the team exit the main entrance. Of course, Ruby, Jaune, and Nora take this moment to be in awe at the Ace Ops superb teamwork abilities, while the others just stare at them.
"You guys were awesome out there. You were able to take down that Geist without ever planning your attacks out beforehand! It was like you knew exactly what to do!" Jaune says, stars in his eyes.
"Well, Ace Ops are hand-picked to compliment one another, so we can focus on our assets, and leave our liabilities behind," Clover says.
"Pfft, some of us are all assets, and zero liabilities," Marrow notes with a big, cocky smile, which only makes Elm laugh. "Hey, you think I have some liabilities?!" he asks.
"Well, you're brains for one," Elm jokes, causing all of the Ace Ops to joke except for Marrow.
"That's not even the main liability," Melina adds, chuckling.
"I guess that tends to happen when you've been working together for so long, right," Velvet notes.
"You got it," Harriet replies.
"I hope one day we can be as good as you guys. You all must be really close friends," Ruby says.
"Friends?" Harriet asks, taken aback a bit.
"This isn't the schoolyard, kids," Elm adds.
"But, if you've all been through so much together, it changes things, doesn't it. Makes you closer?" Yang asks.
"We got along fine, sure. I count on them to keep me alive, and they do the same. But that's the job. We DON'T confuse the two," Harriet says, and walks away with her team.
The others watch them leave, feeling a little down after hearing that.
"Once again, they remind me a little too much of the Abbey," Velvet gains their attention. "They never saw each other as friends or family either. As coworkers and as allies, but that's about it. What's worse, they saw their Malakhim as nothing more than tools. Of course, once my friends and I screwed with their plans, those Malakhim were set free and left the Abbey, which weakened them greatly. The Ace Ops and the robot soldiers; I can't say I approve of them. Too much logic and mechanical reason without any emotion or heart," Velvet explains.
"Well, it's a good thing you're with us then," Ruby says as she takes her hand.
Velvet smiles, "Yeah, you're right about that," she says.
Clover looks ahead, seeing Ironwood talking between one soldier and his scroll.
"Looks like duty calls. You guys hang back, we'll be back shortly," Clover says as he walks ahead.
"So... what do you guys want to do when we get back to Atlas? Wanna go for some sight-seeing? Or to explore more of the academy?" Ruby asks, still full of energy even now.
Blake yawns, "How about we visit our beds," she says as she walks by.
"But, this is the best chance to go exploring. We haven't done anything like that in so long," Ruby pouts.
"Ruby, we traversed through over half of Anima to get to Mistral. Then went from Mistral to Argus, half the way on foot. And then we flew all the way to this one without much time for rest," Velvet tells her, hand on her hip.
"Well, yeah, but it was only the boring parts," Ruby complains.
"We almost died," Yang flatly states.
"Pfft, it wasn't that bad. Come on, aren't you excited about what to do next?" Ruby retorts.
"Speaking of what will to do next, heads up," Qrow says, pointing to Ironwood and Clover.
"Can I get the team leaders over here. There's something I'd like to discuss with you. This includes you too, Qrow, Velvet," Ironwood says, and then turns back to Clover. "I need you on the ground. But keep it subtle. If the people see too many huntsmen moving around, they'll get nervous," Ironwood says. Clover salutes him and walks to an airship. "And Clover, don't bring Marrow," he says, gesturing to the Faunus currently doing telling a story about the mission to another soldier in extravagant detail, and Clover chuckles as he nods.
Ruby, Jaune, Qrow, and Velvet join Ironwood, "What's going on now. Any new issues we have to deal with?" Velvet asks.
Ironwood sighs, "More of the same actually," he says and pulls out his scroll, pulling up an image of a familiar face, and the dead body it belongs to. "Someone in Mantle is taking out public leaders speaking out against Atlas. Specifically, speaking out against me. It didn't look like a pattern at first, but this is the third murder of its kind in the last week," Ironwood explains.
Jaune steps up, "Wait a minute. That's the guy that rode with us when we were arrested," Jaune realizes.
"The guy that was talking about fighting against Atlas for better conditions in Mantle. What the Hell? He was with us on the ship. Then went to jail, if I believe correctly. And now he's dead?" Velvet asks.
"Your opposition in Mantle dropping dead isn't exactly good for your public image, is it, James," Qrow says.
Ironwood puts his scroll away, "I'm not really worried about MY public image, but it is causing unrest. The people in Mantle are getting scared and worried. That will cause more problems for us, and not just because of the Grimm. I think someone's trying to frame me, and by extension... Atlas. The worst part is... it's working," Ironwood says.
"Well, if it wasn't for the embargo making everybody so mad, people probably wouldn't be so quick to blame you for everything," Jaune says. Ironwood stares at him for a moment, and Jaune quickly regrets his words. "Um, sir," he says.
"We know it's not you, but as long as we don't know who's the real culprit, the people down in Mantle won't care if you profess your innocence or not. We'll need to figure out who's behind the killings. The more deaths that occur, the harder it will be for you to get Mantle to work with you. Even though they barely want anything to do with you or Atlas in the first place," Velvet notes.
Ironwood sighs and rubs his eyes, "No, no, you're both right. Things in Mantle have been... hard to manage lately. I'm not blind to its issues. In fact, I want to help fix them. That is why I wanted to talk to you all now," Ironwood says and looks at the coliseum. "With the launch of this communications tower, and tensions down in Mantle growing, I think there's a lot of good your team can do here," Ironwood says, but then gets a call on his scroll and picks it up. "...What? Already? Here? No, it's fine. Let him land. I'll deal with him myself," Ironwood says and hangs up.
"What was that about? Something involving Mantle?" Velvet asks.
Ironwood watches as an airship flies by, "Nope... This is an Atlas problem. And a rather irritating one at that," he replies.
They move to meet up with the airship as it lands at a landing platform. Immediately, they notice the SDC symbol on the side of it. The back of the airship opens up, revealing Jacques Schnee within, who immediately walks towards Ironwood.
"So, let me get this straight, James. In addition to this nonsensical embargo of yours crippling my business, you also decided you have the authority to commandeer private property?! When the council hears about this, you will nev-," Jacques rants as he gets in Ironwood's face.
"Actually, I've already informed the council. As this is now the site of a classified military operation, it didn't even require a vote," Ironwood calmly explains.
"Didn't require a vote?!" Jacques asks incredulously.
"You may want to brush up on council law before you lose this upcoming election, Jacques. Now, I've allowed you to land here as a courtesy, but just this once. The next time, it won't be such a friendly reception," Ironwood tells him.
"Lately, you've seen to forget who your friends really are. I'm going to get that council seat, James, and maybe then, you'll-," Jacques begins, before he finally notices Weiss standing behind Ironwood with her teammates. "You... You roped my missing daughter into these schemes of yours, too," Jacques asks as he walks around Ironwood. "How long has she been back in Atlas? Did Winter know about this?" he demands.
"It was MY decision to come here. Just as it was my decision to leave. Or have you forgotten all about that?" Weiss retorts as she walks up to stand against him, no longer afraid of him.
"If you think I'm one to forget anything, girl, then you've misjudged the man your father is," Jacques replies.
"Believe me, I know exactly the kind of man you are," Weiss retorts, crossing her arms.
"You little- I have half a mind to-," Jacques begins.
"Half a mind to what, Jacques," Ironwood stops him, not about to let Jacques threaten his own daughter in his presence.
Jacques growls a bit, but regains himself, "You know, Weiss, your mother was most upset when you left. Didn't leave her room for days. You know how she gets... when she's upset," Jacques says, using Weiss' alcoholic mother against her, and making Weiss worry a bit.
"Gee, I wonder how she ended up like that? It certainly wasn't because of Weiss," Yang says as she stands next to Weiss.
"And just who do you think you are to speak to ME in such a way, girl?" Jacques demands.
"I'm Yang. I'm Weiss' girlfriend," Yang retorts, holding Weiss' hand.
"Her WHAT?! Weiss, don't tell me you're actually fooling around with some blonde-haired nobody. And a woman at that?! I raised you better than this!" Jacques yells.
"No, you didn't raise me. You never truly raised me. Because you never cared about me. But Yang does. And yes, I am in a romantic relationship with her. I love Yang, and she loves me. Something you know nothing about," Weiss defiantly retorts.
"You ungrateful little-," Jacques begins, until Velvet suddenly punches him across the face, causing him to fall to the ground.
"That's enough of that crap," Velvet calmly notes.
Jacques looks absolutely shocked that someone would put their hands on him. He stares up at Velvet for a moment before standing back up.
"Who the HELL do you think you are?!" Jacques yells.
"Someone who knows exactly the kind of man you are, and is not afraid of you at all. Weiss told me about you. You're the man that tore her family apart, destroyed her family's honor and reputation; all for the sake of money. Let me make this clear: you're no threat to me. You're no threat to anyone. You try to harm Weiss in any way, and I will take EXTREME pleasure in slicing you apart," Velvet warns him.
"You would do well to respect your superiors, you little piece of sh-," Jacques says until Velvet punches him in the face again.
"What was that you were trying to say? Could you speak up please?" Velvet taunts him.
"Jacques, I think it would be best if you leave. Otherwise, I won't be held responsible for what Velvet might do to you should you anger her further," Ironwood warns him.
Jacques calms down as he narrows his eyes at her before turning back to Ironwood, "I knew one day you would overextend your reach. I didn't come here to beg for an abandoned mine. I came here to thank you... for personally handing me the rope to hang you with... You'll regret this," Jacques says, while the rest of Team RVWBY stand by Weiss in support of her, with Ruby holding her other hand now. "These are them, huh? You threw everything away for what? A couple of commoners? Nobodies?" he asks.
"They're not nobodies to me, Father. They're my family. Unlike you," Weiss says, wrapping her arms around Yang's right arm.
Jacques narrows his eyes at his daughter before he finally takes his leave and enters his airship to leave the launch site. When he leaves, Weiss breathes a sigh of relief. Yang comforts her with a quick kiss to her cheek, which helps cheer Weiss up. Right after the airship leaves, another Atlas military transport rolls up, with Winter Schnee opening up the door and her looking to make sure Jacque's airship had left.
"Oh, now you show up, Winter. You just missed Father," Weiss jokes a bit.
Winter walks up to them, "I wouldn't say I missed-," she says, only for Penny to suddenly land in between them, causing Winter to be taken by surprise while the team falls to the ground.
"SURPRISE!" Penny cheers, with a holographic 'Congratulations' floating above her. But then she notices her surroundings. "Uh, did we not start yet?" Penny asks, while Ironwood looks on in slight shock, and Winter facepalms.
Winter sighs, "No. Apparently, we haven't begun yet," she says.
"Start what?" Ruby asks as she pops up, with Team JNR laughing behind them.
…
The group find themselves standing in the center of the Amnity coliseum, with Winter, Penny, and Ironwood standing in front of them, and Qrow off to the side.
Ironwood steps forth, "It goes without saying that this arena holds... a significance... to all of us. It's only fitting that we gather together here, now, when the world needs to be brought together more than ever. The road you travelled since our first meeting hasn't been easy. You fought for your school and your friends at Beacon. You fought for the world and the innocent at Haven Academy, and beyond. You fought against terrors people can't even imagine. That's not the behavior of students... It's the behavior of huntsmen and huntresses," Ironwood says and nods to Winter and Penny.
Penny walks in front of the group with a console in her hands, stepping in front of each person and hitting a button on her console. Each time she does, they get a message on their scrolls and pull it up. Blake pulls out hers first, her scroll showing her student license from Beacon getting turned into a huntress license.
"Wait, what is this?" Blake asks.
"You... are being granted your huntsmen licenses... today," Winter says with a small smile.
"I know this is coming a little ahead of schedule, but brothers know you deserve it. I only regret that I couldn't do something more... ceremonial for the occasion," Ironwood says.
"I- We... are honored, General Ironwood," Ruby says.
Velvet stares at her new huntress license, "This, I certainly wasn't expecting. Huntresses, and huntsmen... They've always been considered as heroes. I've... I've never been a hero. I've never acted like a hero. I've always been seen as a monster," Velvet notes.
Ruby takes her hand, "You're not a monster Velvet. Not to me, and not to anyone else here," she comforts her.
Velvet smiles a little, "Thanks Ruby," she replies.
Ironwood watches them, "I know this is a big thing for all of you. Um, but please, do take this time to enjoy yourselves. Well... that's about all the pomp I've got. If you excuse me, I need to get back to running this operation. Um... enjoy the cake," Ironwood says rather awkwardly before taking his leave.
"Your speech outros are improving sir," Penny cheers as he leaves.
The others stare at their new licenses, "This feels so... I don't know. I thought I would feel excited about this... but I don't," Yang notes.
"I know. After everything that has happened recently, getting our license has been the farthest thing from my mind," Blake notes.
"It almost feels trivial, really. With the fate of the world at stake, a license really doesn't mean as much as it used to," Weiss adds.
"Yeah. I always wanted to be a huntsman, but when Beacon fell and after Pyrrha... *sigh*, I never even gave this a second thought. It didn't feel that important anymore," Jaune says.
"Pyrrha would be proud of you, Jaune. Of all of you," Velvet says to Team JNR.
"Thanks, Velvet," Ren replies.
"So, what do we do now?" Ruby wonders.
"Hey guys! We've got cake!" Penny says as she rolls in a cart with a big cake on it.
"Ooh, cake!" Nora cheers.
Everyone gathers around the cart, having a slice of cake and enjoying their celebration at getting their licenses. They're eating cake, taking selfies, and laughing together. Ruby watches from up on the stands, taking in the surreal moment.
"You alright, Ruby?" Velvet asks as she sits next to her girlfriend.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It just feels so weird. We've been through so much in such a short time, this makes it feel like it was a lifetime ago," Ruby says.
"Well, you might as well enjoy it. Who knows when we'll have a chance to be like this again," Velvet says, holding her hand. "Once again, I have you to thank for this," she says.
"What do you mean?" Ruby asks.
"Because of you, I got to be a part of a moment like this. I admit, I don't really see the point in getting a license when we already do the same things that official huntsmen and huntress do, but more so. But, every moment I get to spend with you is a moment I'll get to treasure always," she says, kissing Ruby on the cheek.
"Um, should I leave you two alone for a moment?" they hear and look to see Qrow approaching them.
"Way to ruin the moment, Qrow," Velvet glares at him.
Qrow just chuckles, "Sorry, sorry. So, you doing okay?" he asks as he sits next to them.
"Yeah, it's just... a lot to take in, is all," Ruby replies.
"Which part? The 'finally getting to Atlas' part? The 'getting your license' part? Or 'the not disclosing everything to Ironwood' part?" Qrow asks with a smirk.
"All of it really," Velvet notes.
"I mean, I know we're official now, but it still feels like we haven't really changed much, or learned anything at all. I don't feel any different," Ruby says.
"Heh, that feeling never really goes away. You'll get used to it. Especially with everything that's been going on lately," Qrow says.
"Yeah, it's just... I'm trying to do what I think is best, but... I don't know if what's best is what's right, or if I'm no different from Oz," Ruby laments.
"You're nothing like Ozpin, Ruby. Not in my eyes," Velvet says.
"She's right. Listen Ruby, Oz only ever trusted himself with the whole truth. You're trusting others, but you're making sure they prove themselves first. I think that's a pretty big difference," Qrow says.
Ruby looks back at the others celebrating, "This kind of reminds me of Beacon. Even though it hasn't been that long, it feels like forever since the day I enrolled at Beacon," Ruby notes.
"It can feel like that. You've come a long way, kiddo. Your mother, Summer, would proud of you. And of course, you weren't alone. It's important to have friends, family, people you care about that care about you by your side. It makes moments like this even more special," Qrow says.
Ruby smiles a bit before she gets serious, "Hey, Uncle Qrow... Mom's last mission... Was that another Oz secret too?" Ruby asks.
Qrow sighs, "There were a lot of those back in our day, but that one was a Summer secret. When she didn't come back, even Oz seemed to be in the dark as much as the rest of us. Still, who knows what he may have hidden from us over the years," Qrow says.
"What would she have done if she learned the truth about Salem? That she can't be killed?" Ruby asks.
"I'll bet she would've pressed on. To never give up. Just like you kids. Summer was always the best of us... A bit of a brat, but I like brats," Qrow jokes, making them chuckle. "Which reminds me; I never got the chance to thank you, Velvet," he says.
"Thank me? For what?" Velvet asks.
"For getting to see Summer again. Back at Haven. I never really got the chance to say goodbye. It was good to see her again. She was a true friend. Family," Qrow says, making them smile.
"Hey guys, check this out!" Yang calls up to them.
They walk down to the others, and Ruby quickly zips up to a holoscreen in front of them.
Ruby gasps in excitement, "Oh my gosh, is that a mission board?! It's an app now!" she asks and zips right in front of it. "Can we ride a big Goliath? Stop an underground crime ring? Do I get to go... undercover?!" Ruby asks, putting her hood on.
"Ma-ay-ay-ay-be," Penny stutters as Ruby shakes her for answers, literally.
"Hey, you guys smell that... Smells like fresh meat," Marrow jokes as he and the Ace Ops join them.
Vine sniffs the air, "Hmm, I don't smell anything," he notes, lacking a proper sense of humor.
"Hmm, me neither," Ren sides with him.
"Let me get this straight, you've only been official for an hour now, and you're already looking for huntsmen work?" Elm asks.
"For the record, we've been official huntsmen and huntresses for... fifty-seven minutes," Weiss replies sadly as she checks her scroll.
"I'd like to remind you all that the real mission here is ensuring the successful launch of the communications tower," Vine says.
"But, that's not the only mission that needs to be completed. We can still help out in other areas. And continue our training. Just because we're official, doesn't mean that we can't be slacking off," Velvet says.
"Ah, I like your enthusiasm!" Elm cheers.
"Well at least now you won't have to worry about getting arrested for fighting without a license," Melina adds.
"Alright then, I'll show you how the app works," Marrow begins as he walks up to the screen and starts scrolling through missions. "Ooh, here's a good one," he begins, causing everyone except for Velvet to raise their hands. "We need someone to escort children to pre-primary school down in Mantle. There's not actually any danger, but the parents fret, and that brings the Grimm. Any takers?" Marrow asks.
Everyone drops their hands, except for Jaune and he looks around, "Wait, what?" Jaune gasps.
"Great, thanks a lot, um, Juan, Guan, Jim?" Marrow says.
"Close enough, I guess. Well, it'll still be my first mission. I'm so excited," Jaune cheers.
Elm then suddenly pushes Marrow out of the way, "Next, a massive Saber is loose in the Mantle sewers! We need two brave warriors to go down there and flush it out!" She says, causing everyone else to raise their hands for that mission.
"Hey, wait, why didn't I get a choice in that one?!" Jaune complains, making everyone else laugh.
"Maybe next time, Jaune," Velvet notes with a smirk.
And that's the chapter. The gang get their licenses, and Velvet makes herself known to Jacques Schnee. Don't worry, we'll see more of Velvet going up against him in the future. The gang move in in the Amnity project, but what new challenges await them down the road? Until then, please Read and Review.
