Sup, had some work last week and was resting this weekend.
So, the Breach, one of the main events that lead to the fall of Beacon, I wonder how this will turn out...
As always, reviews are always appreciated.
Here we go...
Some time earlier...
Jaune didn't really know why he found himself walking around this early in the morning.
Even as he yawned and stretched his arms back, he continued to walk towards the cafeteria, dressed in his usual jumper and jeans, armour gleaming white in the early morning sun as Crocea Mors' sheath shined brightly at his side. Stopping briefly, he turned to watch the sun with a smile on his face.
It was days like these that made him feel like he was truly on the road to becoming a true huntsmen.
His morning sungazing was suddenly disturbed as a faint black blot come into vision. Jaune's smile fell slightly as he narrowed his eyes towards this dot in the distance. It was some kind of vehicle, likely a Bullhead, coming back from the South East. Despite his internal praise at quickly guessing where this thing was from, he felt suddenly prehensive. The Bullhead, or whatever it was, clearly had Beacon as it's target destination. A hand slowly falling to the hilt of Crocea Mors, Jaune quickly turned around and started making his way to the landing pads.
Hopefully he was just being a little paranoid, and hey, maybe it could be RWBY coming back from their mission early?
As he reached the landing pads, the once faint blot was much closer, and a Bullhead proudly displaying the insignia of Beacon was rushing towards the pads. While his hand fell from his sword's hilt, Jaune couldn't help but feel a little more apprehensive as the Bullhead flew down to the pads, even scrapping slightly as the landing gear was still in the middle of deploying.
Jaune shielded his eyes from the cloud of dust and other debris splatted against him. As soon as it abated, he rush towards the aircraft, leaning on it's side with a pair of the landing gear smashed against the ground. The canopy for the pilot suddenly opened, and the pilot quickly jumped out, stumbling as he landed. Jaune rushed towards the clearly panicing man and helped him up.
"Hey, talk a breath man, what's going?" Jaune quickly but firmly asked. The helmeted man, eyes covered by a visor, stared into Jaune's eyes, his mouth wide as he went to speak, before heeding the young student's words and taking a quick breath.
"I need to talk to the Headmaster!" He blurted out as soon as he finished his breath, pointing at the Tower that Ozpin used for his office. Jaune, confusion evident in his face, just nodded and quickly started running towards the Headmaster's office, the pilot on his heels desperately trying to keep up.
Ruby shook her head, trying to focus on her surroundings better. Denial raged within her head, but the logical part of her mind knew exactly what had happened.
Her father was about to be held responsible for a terror attack.
Weiss' warning idly bounced around her head, not that it was any help for Ruby at the moment. Fumbling to her right, Ruby grasped her hands around Crescent Rose, laying thankfully right next to her, and unsteadily brought herself to herself to her feet. Look to her weapon, she checked the scythe for damages, though thankfully other than some mild chips in the casing and a slight crack along the haft. Satisfied with her baby's condition, Ruby's gaze drifted towards the scene of destruction around her.
A massive hole had devoured the ground behind her, train cars and debris littering the plaza the train had crashed into. Mercifully, Ruby couldn't hear the sounds of anyone being...well...
Some distance away, Ruby heard the sound of someone coughing, before a large train car flew up into the air briefly, accompanied by a furious roar. Were the Grimm already here...?
Ruby quickly compacted her weapon and rushed towards the falling train car, itself falling into the hole and sliding down slowly. Using her semblence, Ruby appeared atop some piled debris. Looking down, Ruby let out a relieved sigh as Yang rolled her shoulder with an expression of discomfort and frustrating. Ruby couldn't help the thin, watery smile that came to her face, and she quickly lept off the debris and charged the girl, wrapping the surprised blonde in her arms.
"Who-Ruby!" Yang exclaimed, quickly returning Ruby's hug and pulling the smaller girl in close. "Oh my gods, thank goodness you're okay too."
She shook her head. "I just woke up, you're the first person I found." Ruby tearfully explained. "I was worried the Grimm had already reached Vale..." Yang said nothing but held Ruby closer before looking around them.
"Do you know where any of the others might be? Or Uncle Qrow?" The brawler asked quickly as they heard a roar, far more beastial then her own. The two huntresses disengaged from each other and draw their weapons, Crescent Rose and Ember Celcia cocked and ready for the fight ahead of them. From within the cavern, Ruby spotted a small Beowolf run forward and sniff the car Yang had launched. It's dark, evil, red eyes suddenly whirled towards the two girls and it bellowed out another roar, one quickly echoing in the underground rail line.
Ruby quickly raised her rifle and blew the offending Grimm's head clean off.
"We can't let them break out!" Ruby shouted, Yang nodded and smiled at the smaller girl before the two rushed forwards as the Grimm started poruing out the breach. Beowolves, Ursi, Taijiu, Deathstalkers and even Creeps, a subterranian Grimm native to Vale. Above them, sirens began wailing as the screeches of Nevermore and Griffons echoed in the skys above them.
With her speed, Ruby could have easily reached the Grimm first, but instead let Yang have the first strike, more suitable for brawlling with the creatures. The blonde's fist, encased in her gauntlets, slammed into the head of a Creep, slamming it into the ground before launching it with an explosive uppercut, the beast evaporating in the air. Yang, however, did not stop to admire her handiwork, and stepped back as a Beowolf claw swiped through where she just was. And pair of blasts from Ember Celia quickly launched the now dying Grimm back into the horde, knocking a few Beowolves back as the dying Beowolf evaporated, quickly followed by another series of explosions. Quickly throwing up two belts of shells, Yang reloaded and returned to the front line.
Behind her, Ruby, aided by her semblence's speed, lept from debris to debris, sniping away at any major threats to her teammate to finish, and picking off any stragglers that managed to slip past Yang. Despite her speed, and her rifle, Ruby and Yang alone could not hold back the Grimm, too many just barely being caught before they could disappear into the streets to slaughter and destroy. Spotting an Ursa that slipped bast the blonde brawler, Ruby deployed her scythe and flung it behind her before firing. Launching herself towards the Ursa, Ruby took advantage of her momentum to cleave through the bear Grimm in a single strike. A trio of Beowolves also had managed to break out, free from her covering fire, and rushed at the red reaper. Spinning her weapon behind her, Ruby blocked the strike of the largest of the wolves, using it's own hit to launch her back to safety, despite the sting on her aura where claws nicked her arms. Activating her semblence, Ruby ran forwards, sliding under the claws of a wolf before slicing it's legs off. The second was sliced in two as Ruby swung her scythe around in a wide arc. The final wolf, at this point, must have smelt someone less threatening and was attempting to rush off before taking a large bullet to the back of it's head. Ruby cycled her rifle before leaping back up to snipe any runners.
The two quickly found themselves pushed back, as a massive Deathstalker slammed it's pincers into Yang, launching her flying back, even as her hair burned brightly in response. Seeing her friend's plight, Ruby rushed forward to intercept the beast, even if she mightn't be able to kill it she could keep it distracted long enough for Yang to recover. As she did so, however, a equally large King Taijiu slithered out the cavern, launching it's white head at Ruby and forcing her to fire her scythe to dodge the snake. Ruby's eyes widened at the still seemingly endless horde continued forward.
Before she could assess the situation, a large wave of ice sprang forward, slamming into the Taijiu and Deathstalker and forcing them back, along with a number of smaller Grimm. A shadow, moving faster than the eye could usually track, raced forwards. With a shout, Blake lept around the Deathstalker, slicing away at the Grimm until it suddenly shuddered and began to disappate. The faunus girl jumped back, exhaustion from Weiss' time dialation clear in her posture.
Before she could react, the King Taijiu lashed out, breaking ice and slamming into the Faunus girl, aura crackling under the impact. Blake slammed against a train car and fell. Yang rushed forwards, hair blazing and voice hoarse as she shouted out Blake's name. Ruby too, rushed forwards, laying round after round into the snake hoping to distract it. From whatever position she was in, Ruby watched several bolts of Dust also fly at the Grimm, but despite all this, the Grimm's focus was solely on Blake, and raised it's white head to bite down on the stunned girl.
A large flare of red light flew forward, and exploded against the snake's head.
The King Taijiu roared in pain as it's white head was launched back. Quickly followed by another trio of flares that impacted against the Grimm's body. The snake's black head whipped around to roar at the attacks, but another flare quickly flew into it's mouth, exploding in a show of gore and fire as the head exploded and the rest quickly began disappating. Ruby swung her head around, looking to see who had saved her teammate.
Roman Torchwick, Gentleman Thief of Vale, slowly stepped down from a pile of concrete, a deep scowl on his face. Close behind him followed Weiss Schnee, who gave the infamous criminal an incredulous look.
"I got no smokes, my clothes are filthy, no reason to be here, and no reason to want to save that kitty cat, but..." Roman paused briefly as a large Ursa Major ran towards the former huntsmen, bellowing as it raised a paw to swat the man aside. Roman leaned back as the paw missed him narrowly. Eyes narrowing, he swiped Melodic Cudgel across the Ursa's snout, causing it to lean back in pain. Quickly following through, Roman jabbed the Grimm several times in the stomach, before firing his weapon and hooking the Dust crystal in the nook for his cane. Swinging it horizontally, a large wave of searing flame incinerated the Ursa and several Grimm behind it.
Roman lowered his cane and glared at the rampaging Grimm.
"...But I am no goddamn terrorist!" He yelled angrily as he raised his cane and began firing with abandon at the rushing horde.
Ruby's smile and tears ran freely across her face.
Despite his usual airsickness, Jaune could only feel sick with worry.
Professor Ozpin had let them both in without issue, despite the time in the morning. The pilot had immediately shouted at the Grimm were coming. Jaune had immediately grasped his sword as the pilot quickly explained to them that Ruby's team had encountered the White Fang and suspected they were using underground railways to lead the Grimm into Vale. The headmaster had quickly ordered Jaune to gather his team and get ready at the landing pads.
Not even an hour later, they had heard the sound of a massive explosion come from the city, and smoke began to billow. JNPR, along with several other teams including CFVY and a team from Mistral, had immediately been ready to board transports and respond. In the distance, and still within the open hatch of the Bullhead, Jaune had watched the Atleisan airships in the distance quickly begin to turn and make their way towards wherever this attack was happening.
Despite Jaune not really getting WHY there was three warships in Vale, he was nevertheless relieved they had some serious firepower coming to back the hunters up.
The pilot, the same man that had delivered the news, spoke into a speaker.
"Okay, Grimm have breached a plaza. We got reports of weapon fire so whoever is down there is keeping them from breaking free with ease, but they'll need some help." The pilot explained, the hint of fear in his voice. Jaune nodded, knowing the man likely wouldn't hear him anyway.
"Okay, Pyrrha? You and me are going down to support RWBY and keep the Grimm back. Ren, you work on dealing with anyone that gets passed us. Nora?" Jaune ordered as he eyed the ginger, who had a vicious grin on her face.
"Yes Fearless Leader?!" Nora shouted out excitedly with a salute.
Jaune just smirked.
"Break the big one's legs."
With Roman's raw firepower, Weiss' ice Dust and a steady frontline in the form of Yang and Blake backed up by Roman, they were managing to keep the Grimm to the plaza.
But, despite the pangs of guilt, they were unable to keep the Grimm back entirely.
Thankfully, respite arrived in the form of a Paladin pulling itself from the wreckage inside the hole. A large, metal hand pulled the rest of the machine up, and above it flew a corgi.
Zwei slammed against a Beowolf, causing the Grimm to disappear in a shower of smoke. Behind the dog, the Paladin brought itself to it's feet as it's numerous weapons activated and began to tear through the Grimm. Rockets, bullets, cannon fire and everything else fired with abandon, though vaguely aimed in the direction of the Grimm. Crawling out from here the Paladin had been, Doctor Oobleck quickly assessed the situation, before cleaving a way through the Grimm to reach RBY, his thermos incinerating all that stood in the Huntsmen's path.
Ruby sniped another Ursa, one that was looking to claw Yang from behind. The bear's head disappeared in smoke as it fell back. A Beowolf lunged at her dad, who caught it with his cane. Another shot, and Ruby took the beast out. Roman quickly turned his head and smiled thankfully at Ruby. Ruby smiled back brightly and returned to firing away at the incoming Grimm.
As Ruby let her mind enter the rthyme of aiming, firing and recycling, Ruby felt her scroll ring in her pocket. Quickly finishing off a Taijiu Blake and Yang had doubled teamed, she withdrew the scroll and quickly answered, swapping it to loudspeaker.
To her immense relief, it's voice was Jaune, distinctly tinged by rushing air.
"Ruby! Are you alright?! Hold on, we on our way!" The blond huntsmen quickly shouted, relief also clear in his voice. Ruby, pausing briefly to snipe a Nevermore swooping down at Weiss, smiled.
"Thank the gods you are, we really need some help and a way to close this hole!" She explained as she continued to fire away before pausing. "Actually, you need to get here NOW!" Looking down at her allies, she shouted, "DEATHSTALKERS!"
A trio of massive Deathstalkers came rushing through the horde, scattering the smaller and weaker Grimm with reckless aggression. The Paladin turned towards the incoming threat, but the thing suddenly shuddered and a siren echoed around it. The cockpit quickly opened, and Ruby watched as her teacher leapt away from the warmachine. The first of the Deathstalkers charged the now unmanned but still firing Paladin, taking quite a few rockets before it crashed against it. As it pulled the machine in two, it exploded in a rush of fire, disintergrating the Deathstalker instantly. From her firing position, Ruby could see the amused smirk of Qrow before the scythe wielding huntsmen was forced to leap back as the other two Deathstalkers rampaged towards him. Drawing Harbinger, he mechashifted the weapon into it's scythe form before diving forwards at them.
Ruby heard the sounds of an engine, and could only smile as a small fleet of Bullheads flew above them. Inside their opened interiors, Ruby could spot many familiar faces. Professor Port, CFVY, Cinder's pair of mooks, JNPR and many more. Waving up at them, JNPR's Bullhead suddenly banked down towards them and hovered above Ruby.
Pyrrha, Ren and Nora confidently lept from the Bullhead, followed by a more cautious Jaune. Waving at the team, Ruby gestured around her with a wide smile.
"Welcome to the party, everyone! Hope you came in your best for it!" Ruby smiled over the sound of Grimm and weapons fire. Around them, Bullheads deployed more teams and strafed the horde, keeping them contained around the hole.
"You know we are." Jaune replied with a smirk before turning to his team. "Let's go!" NPR quickly rushed forwards at their leader's command, leaving said leader alone with Ruby who just shook her head and smirked at him. "Ugh okay I get it." The huntsmen student rolled his eyes before running forwards, managing to slice off the head of a Beowolf that lunged at him.
Ruby quickly drew her attention back into the melee.
If Beacon was sending teams, then Cinder definately had her mooks here for a reason. Quickly finding Roman, she noticed her adoptive father quickly blow apart a Nevermore before a large Griffon swooped down at him with a screech. The thief just barely managed to avoid being devoured whole when Ruby quickly blew out one of it's eyes, making it veer off course and slam into the ground next to him. Roman swung his cane like a golf club and decapitated the beast in a single swing.
While she couldn't hear the man over the sounds of conflict, Roman spat on the Griffon with a large scowl.
"Fucking Grimm trying to eat me? I knew this was never going to end well..." He muttered quietly before deflecing a Creep's charge to the side before shooting the subterranian Grimm in the side.
With the arrival of several teams worth of Hunters in training, along with a number of offical huntsmen, the Grimm slowly were being pushed back. Hearing a loud siren above her, Ruby looked up and gaped in amazement at the sight of a huge battleship above her. She could make out a number of bay doors opening, and small, white, humanoid figures falling down in freefall.
Soon, they smashed into the ground in a clean impact, only small craters around them. Ruby watched as a white robotic figure swiftly drew an Atleisan rifle and began gunning down Grimm in it's sight. Around the plaza, many more of these robots began to engage the Grimm, forming firing lines and even engaging the Grimm in hand to hand. Ruby watched as a Beowolf bit off an arm of one of these robots, which simply reacted by slamming it's rifle into it's snout and firing.
With these new bots helping, they quickly pushed the Grimm back until it they could barely exit the breach before being gunned down. Professor Goodwitch, a large scowl on her face, flung away a trio of Creeps that charged at her before the deputy started to march up to the hole. With the flick of her wrist, her aura manifested and all around her, debris flew into the cavern, smashing apart Grimm as the hole was quickly sealed up.
A raggard cheer rose throughout the gathered hunters as the Atleisan bots began to move around and assist anyone in need. Ruby watched as Yang accepted a hand up from one, that then proceeded to help her walk towards a Bullhead were a number of other injured students waited, including Blake.
"I can't believe we managed to hold on..."A voice said quietly behind her.
Turning around, Ruby could only smile at her partner before pulling her into a hug.
"I'm so glad you are all alright." Ruby whispered in relief. Weiss just shook her head and hugged her back. Before either could speak, they heard a shout of pain come from behind them. The two quickly withdrew and raced their hands towards their weapons. Weiss paused while Ruby gasped in shock. In the distance, near the hole, Ruby was forced to watch as Mercury kicked Roman's legs out from under him, forcing him to kneel, while the green haired girl next to him handcuffed him. Some distance away, Professor Goodwitch walked up to the trio and began speaking to them.
Ruby's face quickly devolved into a fierce snarl as she went to drew Crescent Rose, Cinder's plan be damned.
Weiss however, quickly grabbed Ruby by the arm with a focused stare.
"What are you doing?" The heiress whispered quietly, her tone clear with her displeasure at the idea of her partner attacking a pair of students and a Professor for the sake of a criminal.
"He did...he...he HELPED us Weiss!" Ruby snarled as her anger began to rise. How could Weiss not want to help them when he saved Blake?!
The heiress just tightened her grip before leveling a glare at her partner.
"Maybe he did, but he is still responsible for this and he is still a wanted criminal." Weiss explained, before turning her head to Cinder's pawns. "That doesn't mean I agree with beating someone that is obviously surrendering." The two watched, impassively and angrily respectively, as the two marched Roman to a Bullhead with Atlesian markings. "Besides, he did say he intended to get caught by Atlas, and there's no way Vale wouldn't let General Ironwood have a go at him."
Ruby felt her body shudder angrily before pulling her arm from Weiss' grasp and stalked off, away from where her dad was going to be held hostage by Atlas.
Ozpin sighed, rubbed his eyes and took a sip from his mug before he connected his terminal to the oncoming meeting. A trio of shadowed faces around a table came into view, while James' face was shown seperately, likely still in his flagship, organising the search for any loose Grimm. James nodded politely at Ozpin.
"Headmaster Ozpin." James said simply.
"General." Ozpin replied.
"Ah yes, Professor Ozpin, I'm glad to see you are well. How are your students?" One of Vale's councilors spoke up, voice slightly moduated likely due to the early morning emergency council having the civilains not wishing to sound tired.
Politics was ever a constant game of appearences and hidden moves.
"I am well, Councilor, as are my students. A few minor injuries and thankfully nothing less." Ozpin replied, his own relief at his student's safety evident. The shadowed heads nodded, as did James.
"That is excellent to hear. We are pleased that you managed to have teams ready to counter this sudden attack, even so early in the morning." Another councilor praised.
Ozpin nodded his head politely. "I'm glad to hear we managed to avoid civilian casualties as well. The city's emergency services worked exemplarly in evacuating the area before any Grimm could truly enter the city."
The last councilor quickly began to speak, "And to you as well, General Ironwood. The people of Vale have your gratitude for sending in your own forces."
James merely inclined his head respectfully, "It was no issue for us. As allies we stand together against our foes, and even if not I would never stand by as innocents were at stake. I also appreciate letting the Council of Vale allowing me to hold the ringleader of this travisty."
So, James had taken Torchwick, like to interrogate the man for what he knows. While torture was never Ozpin's favourite option, it was one he understood and appreciated well. The first councilor coughed politely.
"While I am sure we will have many more meetings to discuss the ramifactions of this event, being termed already as The Breach, we arranged this meeting to discuss how this will impact Vale going forwards, importantly, the Vytal Festival." He explain as he gestured to his side, making him appear to be pointing at James. "General Ironwood had already offered his own forces to provide security for the festival, given the incidents the last few months."
Ah yes, Team RWBY's little incidents as well as the White Fang being so active. While Ozpin's face was an impressive poker face from centuries of experience, his mind was whirling in concern and thought. Given the recent events, and James apparent desire to have his force in security for the Festival, Ozpin's eyes drifted towards his 'friend', who had the decency to give Ozpin an apologetic smile. Did he not believe Ozpin was capable of protecting his own fortress...?
"While we had been...apprehensive given the recent events, none can deny Ozpin and his quick reaction to The Breach, we would like confirm that Ozpin will remain in control of handling security for the Vytal Festival." Ozpin smiled and made to speak, but was cut off as the councilor continued, seemingly not noticing Ozpin. "However, General Ironwood, we would also appreciate your forces working with Professor Ozpin to ensure the Festival's safety." The councilor finished, seemingly pleased by this outcome and expecting the two headmasters to agree.
James, of course, nodded his head respectfully, "I would be more than willing to have my forces at your disposal for the Vytal Festival, Ozpin."
"Of course, General, Councilors. I would appreciate the good General's expertise and aid, for the protection of all." Ozpin spoke with smile, even as his mind worked behind his poker face.
"Excellent!" The third councilor exclaimed, clearly pleased to see Ozpin agree. "While we will have more to speak on later, the Council felt it best for our two protectors to be ready and willing to work together, as soon as possible. Should you have any requests, you make contact us through the usual channels." The Council's screen went dark, and James' face quickly grew to replace them.
The General gave Ozpin a look before sighing.
"I'm sorry, Oz, but given the increase of White Fang, I couldn't risk standing by and doing nothing." James explained apologetically. Ozpin could only sigh.
"Do you not trust me to defend my own? Or that I am incapable." Ozpin said with a faint glare, making the General sigh once more before shaking his head.
"It doesn't matter, what matters to me is that safety of the people here. Even if your in charge, so long as my forces can be in position to assist us then I'll consider it a success." Ironwood said, his tone going slightly steely as he likely used a small hint of his semblence to bolster his own resolve. "I'll call by in the next day or two, and we can arrange security measures, including dealing with whoever your little infiltrator leaving cameras around your school." The screen went blank a second later, and Ozpin sighed.
Getting up from his chair, Ozpin stood before the window of his office.
"Moves and counter moves..." The immortal wizard muttered.
Cinder scowled.
The Breach was supposed to cause the council to lose faith in the Headmaster, and install Atlas as the primary security for the Vytal Festival, but a few hours ago it was released that Atlas would only be working with the Headmaster, leaving the old man with overall control over the event. Even if he permitted Ironwood to bring his new toys down, huntsmen numbers would inevitably be higher than anticipated.
With a frustrated sigh, she opened her scroll and went to open a call.
A red cape flew in the breeze by the edge of the landing pads.
Ruby's eyes were focused on the Atlas battleship in the distance.
Weiss sighed as she came to sit next to her partner.
"I know you, Ruby, but you knew the only place he would go was jail. He said so himself..." Weiss started, watching her partner as she flinched, before curled in slightly on herself. "And I know this isn't over yet. Torchwick said so himself, he isn't a terrorist. There has to be someone else. Pulling his strings." Curiously, Ruby seemed to shake slightly, even if she wasn't visibly upset.
"Why does this have to happen..." Weiss heard Ruby whisper.
The heiress sighed before pulling Ruby into a one-armed hug.
"I don't know, Ruby. We'll have to be ready for whatever is coming..." Weiss muttered quietly.
Beside her, Ruby nodded slightly and said, "The Festival. It'll be during the Festival. No other reason to be doing all this now."
The Vytal Festival, it made sense to Weiss. After all, if someone wanted to make a global message then what better way then Remnant's most televised event?
"Did Torchwick say something about it?" She asked, curious what the thief had said to her. But Ruby just shook her head.
"I worked it out." Ruby started before looking down the cliffside. "The Breach was too small, and used the Grimm mostly. The paladins I fought on the train with Doctor Oobleck were probably to cause more mayhem, but we managed to take them down before they could use them. But even then, it would have been contained and eventually stopped."
Weiss nodded along, understanding coming to her as Ruby spoke.
"And the lingering negativity and fear would cause a larger attack, especially if they cause another attack during the Festival." She finished, Ruby nodding along to confirm her thinking.
Whoever was truly behind all this, they used Torchwick as a scapegoat to cause chaos, then be caught to lower everyone's guard for the true mastermind to orchestrate whatever nefarious plan they had in mind. It was smart, planned and incredibly ingenius, but Weiss could only find her interally cursing whoever was truly behind this. Someone that could cower a former huntsmen into committing a terror attack with the White Fang would be a true threat.
Behind them, Weiss heard faint footsteps coming towards them. The distinct sound of heels behind them. Weiss began to turn to see who was walking behind them before the sound of footsteps became a run and a pair of arms dragged Ruby back from the edge.
Weiss quickly turned to see a short girl with brown and pink hair holding Ruby in a tight hug, concerned eyes staring deeply into Ruby's own, the redhaired girl clearly confused but relieved.
"N-Neo, I'm fine, I'm fine, I promise. I wasn't going to do anything!" She quickly blurted out. Ruby's sister, Weiss remembering what Ruby and Yang had mentioned about it, continued to fret over Ruby, curiously not saying anything, though Ruby continued, "I didn't get too hurt by the Grimm, aura held fine I promise." Ruby paused a moment as Neo squeezed Ruby's arm. "No, I promise, I didn't do anything."
Deciding to make her presence know, Weiss got up and looked over the short girl fretting over her partner. Neo, that was her name. She was clearly older then Ruby, despite being slightly shorter then even the fifteen year old. She was similarly dressed sharply like Ruby, with a white, brown and pink trimmed coat, a set of beeds curiously around her neck. Long, fine brown pants going into combat boots glad her legs, while Weiss noted a parasol on the ground next to her. Despite being, well, a parasol, it was slightly thicker then a normal one, with a small trigger in the grip. A weapon, Weiss decided.
"Pardon me, I'm Weiss Schnee, Ruby's partner. I believe you are Neo, Ruby's sister, correct?" Weiss asked politely. The tri-coloured girl turned to look at Weiss and nodded, before looking over at Ruby with a look Weiss couldn't quite make out.
"Yeah, this is Weiss, we got partnered up during Initiation." Ruby confirmed, before whispering something Weiss could barely make out. "She's been a good friend, Neo."
Weiss smiled pleasantly before offering a hand to Neo, who gave her a quick look up and down before returning the hand shake.
"Ruby and Yang have talked about you, I'm pleased to meet you myself, and would like to thank you for being there for my partner and helping her from being forced to live on the streets with such a fine home." Weiss said with a smile. After all, it was true and who knows what could have happened if she didn't have Neo looking out for her.
The girl in question looked at Ruby with a tilted head.
Ruby wilted slightly before rubbing the back of her head.
"I mean...it kinda happened?" Ruby offered weakly. Neo just shrugged before sharing a smile with Ruby. "Haha, yeah don't worry, Weiss is usually is like this meeting new people."
Weiss' eyes narrowed.
"Excuse me? What's that suppose to mean?" She asked expectently but with a tone of amusement in her voice she didn't quite care to get rid of. Even if her father would never approve of it.
Neo suddenly looked from Weiss to Ruby, before crossing her arms and looking at her sister. Ruby gasped.
"I-You know what I mean! And don't give me that look Neo, you asked!" Ruby defended. Neo put a hand to heart and leaned back, before giving Weiss a jokingly apologetic look as if to say, 'I'm sorry, I swear I raised her better.'. Ruby just groaned as the two older girls shared a bemused smile at the reaper's despair.
Weiss gestured towards Ruby, "I take you heard about our part during The Breach and needed to check up on Ruby?" She asked curiously. Neo's eyes curiously changed colour, swapping side, before nodding. "I can assure you, we had two professional huntsmen aiding us and no one on our team suffered any serious injuries."
Weiss noticed a faint flicker of Neo's eyes, looking down at Myternaster, before she smiled again with a nod at Weiss. Weiss, however chose to say nothing of what she noticed.
Turning around, Neo pulled Ruby into an exaggerated hug as the younger girl squirmed in her strong grip, even as Ruby tried to escape, Neo managed to keep her balance perfectly as the two messed around.
Weiss, however, chose to stay silent as she watched the two sisters. It was strange seeing the older girl behaving like this, though she couldn't help but think about how usually short she was, considering she is apparently a better fighter then Ruby.
Curious...
Roman sighed as he idily flicked his lighter. Bless small mercies they hadn't found it on him, even if he missed the familiar weight and sight of Melodic Cudgel. He sighed, hoping no one was going to destroy the precious gift his daughter had returned to him.
The cell he was stuck in was an unfamiliar one. Usually, Vale had decently sized ones with enough room to pace at the very least. The brig of an Atlesian battleship had left him with a roof, a floor and a VERY uncomfortable metal bench that would likely serve him as a bed.
All in all, very poor guest accommodations.
A pair of guards waiting outside, likely annoyed at the constant click of his lighter, but clearly realising that trying to take it off Roman would end poorly for them. Smirking at a camera directly facing his cell, he flicked off the camera, not even bothering to activate his semblence. Ironically, a few seconds later he heard a door open, and the sound of heavy footsteps echoing in the quiet brig. Soon, the great Tinman himself arrived at his door.
"General Ironwood, my, my, what a pleasure. Gotta say, the accommodations? Not a great first impression..." Roman snarked.
Ironwood said nothing as he looked to the two guards now beside him.
"Leave us." He ordered simply. The guards saluted and proceeded to march off. Roman gave the tinman a smirk.
"Well, as much as I do like some one on one, I'm sorry but it's you, not me." Roman joked as he leaned back, smirk still on his face. Sure, maybe he didn't particular want to get caught in Cinder's scheme, but it wasn't like he could really say anything.
Yet.
"Roman Torchwick." Ironwood began with a scowl, as if saying his name frustrated the man. "Wanted for robbery, intimidation, arson and every other crime under the sun. Even one count of murder, despite it being an accident and your own attempt to save said person. Now, under arrest for terrorism. Tell me, what take some lowly Vale criminal to turn to aiding terrorists?"
Roman stared at the man with a frown.
"And now here you are, wordless and trapped on my personal flagship. The Council of Vale has given me custody of you, so I'm sure you'll come to appreciate your accommodations." Ironwood finished with a vindicitive smile that quickly fell as the man went back to buisness. "You can bet that you'll be getting the death penalty for this. Unless..." He leaned forward towards Roman, glaring at the thief even harder. "...You tell me who is really behind all this."
Roman's frown deepened. Despite not knowing WHY he was expected to be here, if Cinder was capable of orchestrating all this, there was nothing to say she couldn't cause an accident to happen if he ratted her out.
Short of death or something else owning her attention. Something Ruby and Neo would have to accomplish without him.
"General, I'm no fucking terrorist, we both know that. But I'm sure you've already worked that out." Roman said finally as a frustrated smirk come to his face. "You want the mastermind? You're looking him."
General Ironwood's eyes narrowed for a moment as he went to open his mouth, when his gaze softened slightly and he tilted his head to the side.
"I see then, we'll I'm sure some time in here will make you change your mind." Ironwood said as he turned on his heel and walked away, the door locking behind him.
Unable to help himself, Roman let out one last mocking laugh. "Oh General, we'll see."
Despite not being able to see him, he heard the general laugh as he walked away.
"No one enters here without my say, and no one leaves it either." The annoying Atleisan commented as Roman heard the doors open and close as the man left.
Roman looked down at his lighter and lit it. Once again, Roman wished he had a cigar right now.
"I guess I'll have to wait and see if that's true..."
And that's all she wrote.
So, The Breach happened, but pre-planning managed to have Beacon ready, and security is kept in Ozpin's hands with Ironwood just having a hand in it. Roman is in the pen but being slightly more helpful then expected. Cinder isn't pleased. Ruby is angry, Neo is concerned, and Weiss keeps noticing things.
Hmm, looks like we are going to have a Vytal Festival with quite the showing.
Also, hope you all liked the scenes with Roman during The Breach, I had a smile on my face writing that. Something about Torchwick being lowkey badass is great to me.
As always, reviews are always appreciated and I hope you all doing well.
