Chapter 7: Preparation

The next day, Atlas Academy, 3rd March 16 BBY, 8:30 am…

Normally when Nathan woke up in the morning for training, until recently, he hadn't really wanted to.

Today was different. Because today… was the start of his preparation for Ironwood's test.

Sitting up in bed as his alarm badgered him to wake up, Nathan quietly silenced the alarm before climbing out of bed, heading straight for the shower.

Stepping inside, Nathan fired the shower up, and as he waited for the shower to warm up, took a moment to relieve himself.

Washing his hands, Nathan dried them off with a hand towel and finally stepped into the shower, sighing contentedly the moment he felt the warm water cascading over his body, working its way into all the nooks and crannies.

Brushing his hair back, Nathan's thoughts settled on Blake.

Ever since Ironwood had told him about this test he planned to set Nathan; all Nathan could think about was returning to Blake. This was his chance. After months of waiting, he finally had his chance at reuniting with the woman he loved.

Even his dreams had reflected Nathan's optimistic outlook; filled with tearful reunions, hugs, kisses, and more than a few nearly involved sexual intercourse. One even showed Nathan a possible glimpse into his future with Blake:

Them walking along the beach as a trio of giggling children followed them.

The thought made Nathan smile. Not even a day ago; the prospect of him even seeing Blake again; much less getting to start a family with her seemed nigh impossible.

Now? That possibility seemed very much in reach.

Two weeks, Nathan thought. Two weeks until I see Blake again. Two weeks until I can do all I need to do to make sure my friends will be okay. Two weeks until I can finally leave Atlas and put these six months of hell behind me for good.

Washing up, Nathan stepped out of the shower and dried off, donning his usual training attire of a red tank top, black cargo shorts, and black combat boots and gloves. Taking his lightsaber, Nathan attached it to his belt before stepping out and heading to the training area.

Today… today was the start of the final stretch.

Training Area, 9:00 am…

"So good of you to join us, Nathan." Winter said jovially, a bright smile on her face only exacerbated by the smile on Nathan's face. "We had begun to fear you'd slept in."

"Could have." Nathan responded. "But I can only spend so much time dreaming of a foursome with Blake, Ruby and your sister."

Winter fell silent as another voice said:

"I am standing right here, Nathan."

Nathan smirked and looked to see Weiss approaching.

She was dressed similarly to how she had been the previous day: pale blue top, and white gym leggings. Her sword Myrtenaster was in her left hand.

"Morning Weiss." Nathan said softly. "Have pleasant dreams of Ruby?"

"If you mean to imply I am experiencing wet dreams of my girlfriend, then yes." Weiss confessed. "However, I also dreamed of cutting out your tongue so that I may be spared your vulgar assertions."

Nathan chuckled. "Please don't. I'll need that for Blake when I'm keeping you all awake from her screaming my name."

Weiss rolled her eyes as Jason joined them, grinning ear to ear.

"Hey Nathan. Ready to train?" Jason asked.

"More than ever." Nathan replied. "So, what are we doing today?"

Jason responded by glancing at Winter, who stepped forward.

"With you close to peak combat readiness, we felt as if further training of you would only lead to overworking and exertion." Winter said. "Therefore, we both agreed that in order to keep your training up, you will be conducting Weiss' training, and assessing where she needs to improve whilst also getting her up to speed combatively."

"It'll be a good chance for us to see what you've learned, and keep yourself ready for Ironwood's test in two weeks." Jason pointed out.

"Finally. Been wanting to do something like this for months." Nathan remarked, looking at Weiss. "Regardless; doubt she needs to work out any time soon. Weiss still looks amazing even after months of not fighting."

"Thank you, Nathan." Weiss said. "But let's cease the prattle and get to training." At this, she stepped back from Nathan and raised Myrtenaster.

Nathan nodded and took a couple of steps back himself, drawing his lightsaber.

A few seconds passed before Weiss suddenly surged forward, lunging for Nathan with Myrtenaster.

Spinning his lightsaber, Nathan parried the attempted lunge with practised ease, scoring a hit across Weiss' abdomen, lashing out with a Force Push that sent Weiss back a few paces, taking several steps forward and countering with a slash aimed for the SDC Heiress' neck.

Parrying the blow, Weiss made to attempt a counter of her own, only for Nathan to parry with ease and score another blow, this time to her leg.

Nathan assumed his position once again, holding his lightsaber away from him in the traditional Form III stance, ensuring his chest and shoulders were protected.

Weiss lunged for Nathan's legs, slashing, but Nathan's blade stopped hers before he slashed at Weiss' wrist, causing her to let go of Myrtenaster.

Moments later, Nathan pointed his lightsaber at Weiss, signifying that he had defeated her.

"That was fast." Jason commented.

"Get that out of my face." Weiss asked Nathan politely, gesturing to his lightsaber, the blade of which was still hovering in front of her face.

"It's not in your face, it's in my hands." Nathan responded, smirking.

"Get what is in your hands out of my face." Weiss asked again, admittedly smirking at Nathan's semantic reply.

Switching off his lightsaber, Nathan attached it to his belt before helping Weiss up, using the Force to retrieve Myrtenaster and handing it back to Weiss. "Well; you definitely need to brush up on your combat skills, cause you are rustier than a disused sword." Nathan remarked. "But that's not your fault; probably Daddy Dearest's fault for not allowing you space to keep your skills sharp."

Weiss nodded. "I believe his words were 'I need you preparing to be a wife; not a warrior'. Why not both?"

"Probably scared you'd cut his balls off and force feed them to him if you kept up your training." Nathan commented.

"Don't be giving me ideas, Nathan. I just might do that anyway." Weiss declared.

Nathan chuckled. "Then we had best get training. Because I don't plan on you doing it alone."

"I shan't imagine you will." Weiss replied as she once again took up her previous position, raising Myrtenaster.

Smirking, Nathan said: "Okay, now it's my turn to attack. Ready?" At this, he once more ignited his lightsaber.

Weiss nodded, and readied herself.

Nathan soon burst forward, ready to seize the day's training.

Menagerie, the Belladonna Manor, 10:00 am…

Kanan stepped up to Blake's bedroom door, but hesitated before he knocked. Would Blake be in the mood for him visiting her? Or would she just turn him away like she had her mother and father the previous night following Sienna's remarks.

Kanan's fists clenched. Just thinking of his mother's words filled him with rage. To say he was disappointed with his mother was a gross understatement. He had thought Sienna would at least try to understand Blake's side of the story, but he had been wrong to even consider the possibility.

And now months of progress he had made could have been undone.

Taking a deep breath, Kanan knocked on the door, making sure it was his signature knock so that Blake knew it was him.

"Come in."

Blake's voice, along with the request, filled Kanan with relief. At least Blake was willing to speak to him. Opening the door, Kanan stepped inside his younger sister's inner sanctum.

Blake was sat on her bed, still wearing her combat attire from the previous night. Tear stains covered her cheeks, and there were dark circles around her eyes, indicating she hadn't slept at all.

"Hey." Blake said softly, smiling at the sight of her brother.

"Hey." Kanan replied. "You alright?"

Blake sighed, but nodded. "I'm… doing better. I just reread Nathan's letter over and over again until I calmed down. Still; no sleep last night, so… yeah."

Kanan smiled. "That's good. Dad and Kali were pretty worried about their little girl."

Blake scoffed. "I should apologise to them. I basically locked them out of my room last night after what your mom said."

"Ugh, don't remind me. Makes me want to follow Kali's lead." Kanan commented.

Blake nodded. "Maybe I should have." She said. "Maybe then your mother would know better."

"Being honest… I think Mom's more scared at the fact I fully plan on telling Nathan about all this when we eventually see each other." Kanan said. Taking a deep breath, Kanan added: "But enough about last night. Why don't we just take today to just… hang out? Forget about all this and just… enjoy the day together?"

Blake smiled and nodded again. "Bring Ilia, too. She'll help as well."

Kanan nodded and went to call Ilia, glad his sister was at least okay.

Later that day, Ice Cream Parlor…

"And here you go." Kanan said, handing Blake her ice cream.

"Thanks." Blake replied gratefully. She'd changed from her combat gear into a nice white tank top with black denim booty shorts held up by a purple belt.

"No problem, sis." Kanan said softly. "I… I'm just glad you're okay. Last night… I was worried all those months I spent helping you deal with what happened at Beacon had been undone."

"They… very nearly were." Blake admitted. "But then I started rereading Nathan's letter again and again, and… I kept coming to the part where he urged me to stay strong. Knowing that's what he wanted, it… it helped me calm down. Knowing I need to be strong for his sake; it helped."

"Maybe that's why he wrote that part." Kanan remarked. "Because he knew that in trying moments like last night; you'd need it."

Blake smiled warmly. "Yeah." She replied.

In that moment, Ilia joined them.

"Sorry I got here late." Ilia said, hugging Blake and Kanan. "I was sleeping in when I got Kanan's message."

"You're here now, Ilia. That's what counts." Kanan answered as Ilia sat down.

"How are you feeling? Heard Sienna had some things to say last night." Ilia asked Blake, wrapping her arm around her close friend.

"Better." Blake replied. "Besides, Mom got her pound of flesh anyway. And Kanan has told me he plans on telling Nathan about all of it when Nathan finally joins us."

Ilia grimaced. "Oh boy… I think there should be ringside tickets for that day." She joked.

Blake snorted as Kanan chuckled. "I still remember Nathan's remarks towards Winter when she insulted me during the Vytal Festival." Blake remarked. "I can only hope Nathan makes what he says to Sienna a hundred times more harsh."

"Yikes." Kanan muttered. "Given how acidic Nathan's tongue can be normally… what you're suggesting will melt my mother completely."

"I know; why else do you think I said it?" Blake asked, leading to even more laughter.

As the laughter died down, Kanan looked at Blake, and the smile crossing her face in that moment was all he needed to know that he had made the right choice in bringing her out for the day.

Their eyes met, and Kanan felt a surge of pride. Blake was finally becoming herself again.

Later on, the beach…

"Just what we needed." Blake mused as she stretched out on the towel, having shed her outer clothes to reveal a stunning black bikini that Kanan knew Nathan would love to see Blake wearing.

Couldn't agree more." Ilia replied, herself stripping to a nice black bikini of her own. "Been meaning to catch some rays."

Kanan smiled and settled down with his sister and close friend, grabbing some drinks from a cooler Ilia had brought and handing one to each of them whilst taking one for himself, taking a long, refreshing drink.

As he set his drink aside, Kanan looked to Blake, seeing her relaxing. "You know Nathan would have his hands all over you if he saw you wearing that." He remarked.

Blake smirked. "I know. But I wouldn't complain. Haven't even touched myself the past six months."

"Damn. That's a long time without any sexual stimulation." Ilia commented.

"I know." Blake replied. "But I know it'll be worth it when me and Nathan reunite."

"Oh, so you're letting it get all pent up so when it does get to it…" Ilia mused.

"I'll enjoy it so much more…" Blake finished. Sitting up, she added: "Speaking of… I had a dream last night."

"Thought you hadn't slept." Kanan said.

"I did; for about an hour or so." Blake responded. "But yeah… I had a dream last night that me and Nathan were walking along a beach. This very beach we're sitting and laying on."

"Oh yeah?" Ilia asked. "Did you both strip naked and have sex on the spot?"

Blake giggled. "No, no… something that'll always be more pleasant than sex." She replied. Taking a deep breath, Blake continued: "We were… older; roughly in our late twenties, early thirties. Behind us… were three kids. Some younger than others, obviously."

"Sign of things to come, maybe?" Kanan asked.

"By the gods, I hope so." Blake replied. "Me and Nathan always talked about having kids after graduating from Beacon. Getting married, too."

Kanan smiled. "Now that'd be something to see. Nathan would need to ask for me and Dad's blessing though."

"Think he already had it." Blake replied.

Kanan smiled. Blake was right. Nathan would have his blessing even if he and Nathan fell out.

Atlas Academy, at the same time…

Nathan set Blake's letter aside and took a deep breath as he leaned back in his chair.

He'd reread Blake's letter once again; a habit he planned to continue every night until he was back in her arms for good.

Two more weeks, Nathan, he thought to himself. Two more weeks until he and Blake could finally be together again, with no-one to tear them apart.

The sharp knock on the door drew his attention, and he called out: "Come in!"

The door opened, revealing the familiar silhouette of Weiss Schnee as she stepped inside his quarters.

"Hey Weiss; what can I do for you?" Nathan asked.

"Just came to check in." Weiss replied. "Lunch break is nearly finished, so I figured I would join you until it does."

"Well; I'm not complaining, come on in." Nathan said, ushering Weiss to sit on his bed whilst he sat on his desk.

Weiss' eyes looked around the room, saying: "Far cry from Beacon's accommodations."

"It's Atlas, what'd you expect?" Nathan asked. "Everything's so… uniform and sterile. How the fuck do people even get laid around here?"

"They don't." Weiss replied. "After a string of unplanned pregnancies five years ago, Atlas Academy issued a doctrine banning all sexual relations between students under threat of expulsion. I recall Winter informing me of the matter shortly after it happened."

"Shit…" Nathan mused. "No wonder me and Blake weren't allowed to be together as I recovered. She'd probably be pregnant right now."

Weiss laughed gently, saying: "Knowing how often you both fornicated without protection, that seems very much a possibility."

"Guilty as charged, Weiss." Nathan replied.

Weiss giggled before her eyes fell on the letter on Nathan's desk. "Is that… a letter from Blake?" She asked.

Nathan nodded. "Jason managed to smuggle it to me." The fiery haired Jedi replied as he handed the letter to Weiss.

Weiss read the letter carefully, a smile crossing her face with every word, until she finally handed it back to Nathan. "Well; two more weeks and you'll finally see her again." She said with a warm smile crossing her face.

"We can only hope." Nathan said optimistically.

"Come on, Nathan… you and I both know you will ace Ironwood's test. And when you do; Ironwood will have no choice but to send you back into the fight."

Nathan smiled. "Yeah… But first; got a lot of shit that needs doing. Like giving Jaune's dad his just desserts for spreading his ass cheeks for Imperial dick, betraying Jaune, and forcing the Arc Family back under his thumb."

Weiss giggled. "And once that's all said and done?"

"Finally go to Blake; reunite with her… and probably spend the next day or so having sex with her." Nathan responded.

Weiss snorted. "Thought as much."

"You and Rubes are welcome to join us." Nathan said.

Weiss giggled. "Perhaps one day… we will take you up on your offer. But for now… this should suffice." At this, she stood up and closed the distance.

Standing up himself, Nathan accepted Weiss into his arms, hugging her warmly. He had a feeling by the time the two weeks were up; Weiss would be his closest friend.

Imperial Encampment, at the same time…

"Adam Taurus…" Baron Malakai Maleficus said as the aforementioned faunus revolutionary entered his command tent. "So glad you could join me."

"Indeed." Adam said, hand on his sword. The would be faunus messiah had used his newly won freedom well; having cut his hair back into its signature style, whilst trimming his beard to a neater length. "My men and I are well rested. All that said; what does an invading force need from me?"

"Straight to the point. I like you already." Maleficus said. "I had you rescued on orders and advice from an associate of mine. You may recognise her as Cinder."

"So she survived Beacon's first battle." Adam mused. "I had thought her dead with that Grimm Dragon atop the tower."

The Baron nodded. "On her advice, I had you rescued because I believe you and I can help one another achieve our goals."

"And what might that be?" Adam inquired.

"Complete conquest over Remnant." Maleficus replied. "You wish for faunus to be the dominant power over humanity; something I can help you with. You can help the Empire conquer Remnant, and be rewarded with a section of the planet to rule over as you see fit."

Adam stroked his beard as he considered the offer, before asking: "Would your offer include the eradication of the White Fang?"

"It would indeed. As a matter of fact; were you to accept this offer; I would suggest you gather an army of your former followers before leading them against the White Fang." Maleficus said. "Therefore, the only faunus revolutionary force on Remnant would be the one led by you. You would be unopposed, nigh unstoppable, if the Ninth Brother's report about your combat prowess are to be believed."

Adam nodded. "There is one condition I would have to stipulate as part of our agreement." He said.

"Name it. It shall be done." Maleficus responded.

"Blake Belladonna." Adam answered. "That woman was mine, but she abandoned and betrayed me. If you can deliver her to me, preferably alive, then I can take my long overdue revenge on her, and punish her for her betrayal."

Maleficus nodded. "Done. We will endeavour to see your wishes through; as long as you hold up your end of the bargain."

"You don't need to worry." Adam replied. "We will." At that, he held out his hand.

Maleficus took it, and shook, a sinister smile crossing his face. Now he had a new weapon to add to his arsenal.

And just like that; the enemy has attained more support.

Now we are setting up the second act of the book, which sees everything kick off.

Regardless; let's answer some reviews, shall we?

april-551: I will spoil nothing. As for your questions:

- Well; Ahsoka and Rex were part of the Republic's best army during the Clone Wars, so that should speak volumes to their skill even without aura.

- We shall see.

- It might not be Rex and Ahsoka.

- They might; but don't expect it in use for too long.

- I doubt that would make sense given what will happen when Nathan and Maleficus collide once again.

Sharnorasian Empire: First off; SSH! YOU'RE NOT MEANT TO KNOW THAT! ;) Second of all; I will spoil nothing with regards to the potential of Dark Side Nathan.

That said; thank you all so much for taking the time to read this chapter. If you liked it; y'all know what to do.

I shall see you tomorrow with Chapter 8: which sees new problems arise for our heroes.

T-Rock14