Volume CRBN!

by Dancesnapple

Four individuals. Four different people of different walks of life resulting in an adventure. Hopefully, a bond that can last. Team CRBN (carbon). Features: OC Main character, main team has two OCs alongside a lovable crime duo, and some family drama on all sides. Features a 'soundtrack' element for the fic. ENJOY! Story begins on third listed chapter. Very slow start.

45. 43 Who Never Came

Apologies for the lateness in this chapter. Things have been bumpy in finding the time for writing. Between being a trainer at my work and getting an influx of new people on top of being short staffed... yeah. It's been pretty rough on top of some personal things.

It's not a true excuse, but at least an explanation of sorts.

Chapter Forty Three: Who Never Came

… Ugh...

What happened..?

His body feels heavy. Like, he can feel his body, but not. Oh god, is he dead? Or is this that phantom sleep paralysis where you can't move?! What kind of hell is this- Oh! He twitches. He feels his control on his eyes coming back! False flag. Breath easy. His eyes crack open. Only as the light stings does he groan.

Seriously? Twice in one day, he's waking up near comatose.

However, rather than the roof of the van, he instead sees the wooden cabin ceiling. He blinks as he slowly manages to sit up. It's sunset? Shit. Where is everyone- Where's Roman?!

A flash of numbed adrenaline push him off his back from the floor... The floor? Wait, is he in a kitchen? Just... on the floor of a kitchen? He looks down to spot towels that had been placed under his head.

The door opens, sounds of the bar picking up as the flannel dressed owner walks back. Spotting the boy, he perks. "Mm! You're wake, now. Feelin' out of it, still?"

"Uh..." Carmine dumbly lets out, staring off. "What... happened?"

"Your friend in the mob hat confronted one of the Wilted scouts and left the town with 'em. After leaving ya behind." The man gives an off look. "Not much a friend, now, if he's leaving ya cocked out on the floor." The man's slightly southern drawl was mildly distracting the boy, but after his words process, Carmine blinks in realization.

"Summer Rose was a harlot whore for heroism, and her dying for a self loathing brat is icing on the cake."

A rumbling pit of anger fires at recalling Roman's words. However, he then recalls his last moments of consciousness. As if sensing the thought trail, the owner chimes in. "He said you'd be out a few hours. Think he spiked your drink with somethin'."

He spiked him... He ROOFIE'D HIM!

Carmine's wide, livid eyes betrayed his mood. Yet, he ever so icily spoke politely. "Sir? Which way did my... friend and the lackey man go?"

Moments later, the millisecond Carmine stomps out from the bar, his voice rings out over the entire town. Echoing over as anyone outdoors is left to swivel to look in the direction.

"MOTHER FUCKER!"

. . .

The downcast sun shaded over the former Atlesian outpost. Roman remains surrounded by men aiming their sidearms and main guns at him. However, up on the balcony, David blinked in shock at the conman. A moment passes before he composes himself. "Alright, boys. Back to your stations! Just let the guy in." He scowls at the standing bruiser near Roman and the downed muscle man on the ground. "Pick Gary's sorry ass up. You're making me sad looking at you."

The men put their guns away, the nearest muscle head huffing. "Got it, boss." He ignores Roman and starts grabbing the groggy man. "Gary, hey. Get yourself together."

"Yes, Gary. Do better." Roman adds with a snide grin, earning a glower from both men. The small joys of embarrassing the man almost made this worth it. Still, Roman directs his gaze back up to David. The man's gaze was difficult to read. As if David didn't know what to make of it. Yet, he wasn't put off or on alert. Interesting. Maybe he's got a brain these days.

"We can talk in my office. Alone. Trae, escort him, then get back to town." David calls out. The lackey Roman had been following here nods as leads him towards the main tower. The entire time, David's gaze remains on him until they veer off towards one of the factory style buildings.

Soon as they enter, Roman can tell this specific building was more for small storage and office space. Most of which was sectioned off as a barracks of sorts where the men all slept. Not bad off, either. The furnishings and locked safes left and right at least implied a good operation.

Lead up stairs into a hall, Roman and the lackey, Trae, are met with David, who opens a door with his keys. Locking everything? Good. Roman approves. "Thanks for your time, Trae. Off you go."

The lackey sends a wary look Roman's way. "He was traveling with a brat that he left in town. Could be others."

That pulls David's attention to Roman. The conman huffs. "Tell the rest, lackey."

David looks back to Trae, who shifts. "I just thought it was suspicious, but he did spike the kid's drink and left him out cold at the bar."

David grunts. "I see. Off with you." The lackey spares a wary glance at Roman before leaving the two. David then opens the door fully for Roman. "Alright. Some privacy."

Roman enters, taking in the gaudy office. Everything was lavish and expensive. A second door likely to a living quarters was in the corner. Roman being Roman files everything away in his conscious as he takes a seat in a lax posture. "Doing quite well, it seems." He decides to poke for some info. "If you're pulling this much here, the family must be swimming in Lien."

David locks the door and begins to move to an oak desk. Probably leftover from whatever SDC headmaster was overlooking this place. A huff leaves the man's lips as he turns and leans against the desk, rather than sit behind it.

A force of habit, Roman recognized. Whenever his dad would speak to anyone in his office, only he could sit behind the desk, and only when someone wanted to annoy him would they lean on the desk. It was a position of power. The one in power sits at the desk with authority, and the moron who challenged that power would push their luck within that space.

So, little Davey has gotten to a point of pushing his luck, has he?

"Oh, they're not something to worry about these days." David responds with a confident smirk. Translation, they're doing well, but you better damn well not poke into it.

He'll see those odds. "They better. Auntie never liked using subpar ingredients for her cooking."

The challenge of poking again must have amused him, as David cracks a laugh out. "Oh, she did not." Did. Past tense. Family's recovering status? David elects to move past it. "Look at you. We thought you died years ago." He fixes a hard gaze for a second. "The kid with you... AZRL?"

Roman's turn to laugh. If he's gonna get anywhere, he'll need to firmly establish himself as not an enemy. "Not in the slightest. In fact, these days, AZRL is the target of me and my compatriots' wrath."

The look on the raven hair's man is stumped. "Bullshit." He skeptically eyes Roman up and down. "Not even the family picks that fight."

Another slip. The family has recovered, but not THAT much. Roman chuckles. "Ambition overlooks all obstacles. Did that leave the family along with father." Okay, perhaps an underhanded jab was not intelligent. The blow dealt damage as David's features tense lightly.

Though, he doesn't rise to Roman's words. Control. He's conscious that he's in power here. Remembering his place, David smirks. "I seem to remember a brat that went on and on about intelligence. I didn't know ambition became stupidity."

Roman fights the urge to twitch with a bubble of annoyance. Remaining neutral, he responds calmly. "Fair point. But, life has complications."

"Like you being here." David's expression darkens. "What's the game?"

Moving to the subject matter. Direct as always. Roman smiles. "Information is all." David raises a brow. "I've no interest in returning to the family, if that's what you're expecting. Though, it WOULD be nice to have Auntie's cooking again."

The response relaxes the man. As if the switch is flicked, David shifts from leaning on the desk, walking around it to settle in the chair. A shift in dynamic, Roman figures. Now that he's given the impression of zero hostility, now the chair can be used as a status of dominance.

Part of Roman has to wonder how prepared David was to attack him had the wrong word been said.

"So, you're looking to make a deal, then?"

Roman's smirk falls slightly. David now knows he holds the cards. Meaning, he gets to hold out until Roman can give a card he doesn't have. "Of sorts." He forces the smirk back. "Zann. I know the name, but I need a face to him. I know he's competing with you, so you give me how to find him, and I'll remove him as a factor for you."

David blinks. Quid pro quo. He glances aside, deep in thought. "Zann, huh... I mean, he's a thorn in my back side, but I can stamp him out myself given time. Why are you looking for him?"

Shit, he's gonna try to barter for more. Roman smirks wider. "His drug formula is being distributed by AZRL affiliates, meaning he can be a quick hit to my next target. Say no if you don't want the freebie. Tis only a setback." There. Belittle the idea of declining. So, if he says no, treat it like he's proving you right to trick a yes anyway.

"It would be a huge shortcut to the region..." David raises a brow, humming. "And just how would you go about getting rid of him? The old bat's pretty stubborn. Enough so that I can't just stroll through the door and execute him. So, how would YOU do any better? What kinda heat you packing?"

So, he's trying to pick out information. "You let me worry about the how." He fixes David with a sharp glare.

David was unaffected. "... You walk in and embarrass one of my best fighters, but you knocked out your own ally." He huffs. "You can fight, but if you're so unwilling to use your allies, you won't get anywhere."

Well, good news. He knows where Zann is. Bad news. He's put it on Roman to prove his strength and reveal more cards.

"So, perhaps we make this a joint venture."

What?

Roman only had a raised brow, but David smirked regardless. "Letting you take a pain out of my ass would be nice, but we know how things go. I can't give you information and then hope you pull through. We know you can fight, so how about we make this a... joint venture."

"You'd trade having no risk to yourself to having to risk your boys because you don't trust me? I thought blood was thicker than water." Roman snidely cuts, an unbidden bitter town coming regardless of how hard he tries to suppress it.

David's eye twitches, but otherwise, he remains calm. "Don't get me wrong. I enjoy getting things done personally." His lips pull into a genuine grin. "It's the reason I'm out here to begin with. Nice, hands on work."

The underlying threat was clear. He likes to take part. Figures the blowhard would get a sadistic streak. "Well, as you generously pointed out, I made sure to come alone. Cooperation is not my strong suit."

David grins, loving this outcome. "Well, the terms are set. I know where he is, and if you can do what you did at the front gate amped up to eleven, then you, me, and some of the boys can probably stamp Zann out. Otherwise, you can get the hell out of my compound, and I'll keep it a secret that you're still alive as..." He looks in thought. "I can't imagine you're using the family name if you've gone this long unnoticed."

Roman huffs. "Oh, I go by Roman Torchwick now."

That gets the man to flinch, looking back with wide eyes. "No shit..? So, YOU'RE the upstart that cemented Senior's reign in Vale." A dangerous glint showed in the green eyes that mirrored Romans. "Wow... a change of a surname, and you can get a proper name for yourself."

Roman smirks at the ego stroke. "I figured so. So, you know you can trust me when I say I can take Zann out, then?"

David laughs out loud at that. "Nope!" His grin was dangerous. Toothy and excited. "In fact, you've only confirmed wanting to see lil Ro in action." He leans back in the high back chair, propping his booted feet on the desk. "So, do we have a deal."

The conman tilts his head. But, a spark of inspiration hits, and he grins. "On a new condition." David frowns at it, so Roman continues. "My... associates and I have bounty hunters hired by AZRL chasing us that bear... personal grudges. I would like you to spread some word in the underworld of my involvement in the area- as Torchwick, of course, after we're done here. Keep the fools around here long enough for us to obliterate any trail."

"Ha! Why am I not surprised to find you pissing people off personally." David grins, but shifts to apprehensive to ask. "What kind of person takes an AZRL deal to hunt you?"

Roman mulls over revealing the name, but if they're being honest... "Killian Gonzola."

David blinks wide eyed. "... How do you fuck up that bad?"

He waves it off. "Ah, you sabotage a guy's job one time..."

"Feels like there's more to that story..." David dryly retorts. "But... IF Zann is put in the ground by tomorrow night, you got yourself a deal." He extends his hand across the desk, palm out for a hand shake.

A moment of dread fills the conman. Roman critically meets the identical green staring back. He's beaten worse odds than mixing business with the family again... right? He reaches out and grips the hand. A predatory grin forms. "You got a deal."

. . .

The following morning, Roman steps out from the compound, having double checked both the ammo drums hanging like purses under his coat. He favors his weight on Velvet Valentine, appearing relaxed as he watches the bandit like thugs move back and forth on various duties.

At the very least, they were functional. Having a strong leader to produce results likely made them able to remain loyal and not try and stick a knife in any backs. That was surprising. Not in a good way. It meant they each had a solid grasp on the family's power, or that David was just that formidable on his own.

Either way, it was a bad sign. Either Davey is a serious threat himself or the family will become an issue in his life sooner or later. Twelve of the boys were gathered, stocking and loading rifles and packing blocks of c4 charges. They were solid construction, but they were wasting some materials. Some other explosives were packed. Bathtub semtex? Blasting powder. Were they starting a war?

Finally, David emerges, swatting his hair, damp from a shower. He marches over to Roman, accepting extra dust ammo clips from a side man. Roman raises a brow. "Packing all this heat, and you're bringing handgun ammo?"

David smirks and raises a clip. "Lightning dust rounds. Makes the shot faster and able to jolt nervous system if the ballistic sticks inside." He puts the clip away, both hands rest on the holsters framing his hips. "For my babies, Burdened Brass."

Roman raises a brow, so David draws out twin pistols. They were clean platinum high caliber dust firearms with bronze trim shining. Weirdly, encased knuckles guards looped around each finger on the grip. The pinkie guard connects to a tip of a blade under the ammo clip insertion.

In a quick motion, the barrel of the pistols transform, locking and sliding back inside David's closed palms. As the barrels push down into the grip, the blade poking out the grip before extending out to reveal a large brass blade.

Trench knives. The finger guards remained as the brass knuckle parts of the trench knives with the eight inch blades extended out the sides. The blades spark with the lightning dust inside the clip composing the back of the blades.

Roman hums and nods. "Interesting. Your design?"

"Oh yes." David chuckles, allowing the blades to retract into the grip, pushing the barrels out back into gun mod. He holsters both, then looks at Roman's cane closer. His smirk falls as realization comes over him. "Is that..?"

It's the conman's turn to smirk. "Yeah. Father's favorite tool certainly comes in handy. Especially attuning it to my own tastes." He twirls the cane in place, not missing David's locked look transfixed on it.

"The petal patterns are gone..." David mutters. "Looks much more plain now."

Roman snorts. "Let the flowers burn. Besides, letting people identify this beauty left and right would be annoying. I had the patterns removed before I ever escaped AZRL." He taps the cane down with a smirk. "Now, are we quite ready?"

David grins back. "Yeah. Let's go."

. . .

Carmine slides down a hill, using his armored arm to brace hooking the limb around a tree to stop himself on the slop. Sleeping in the van before coming out at 100% did little for his mood. He'd been hiking since dawn with the sun now out in full blast.

Stupid Roman. Stupid, idiotic- ugh? Criminals piss him off so much!

The sound of an engine rumbles. Carmine pushes through the growth and trees before hunkering down. Before him is a dirt road. Or, what might be one? Growth and broken uneven ground made it difficult to tell. Still, if a car or something was coming, it should pass through.

Sure enough, a large truck roars around the bend of the hill. A transport truck with no cover over the back. A dozen men, easy, were contained. Three across the front seat cabin and the rest riding in mounted seats in the back-

THERE! BITCH AT 12 O'CLOCK!

Roman is sitting in the truck, surrounded by the men. He seems relaxed... No. Carmine notices a sharp look about him. Are these the guys? Wait, are these guys related to his family?

No time. Carmine drops down the slope, remaining low as he hunkers low by a bush. Directly by the road, he needs to time this right. Closing his eyes, his armor flashes.

From his arms to his legs. Jager. His eyes open as he lays low, near flat to the ground. He's lightly propped on his hands as he waits.

The front wheel zooms by the bush. NOW! Carmine bursts Jager and pushes forward!

The crack sounds, getting several of the men's attention. Roman and David glance around as the truck rocks them back and forth. Nothing. No enemies or animals...

"Aye, Mark! Watch the freaking road! Hit potholes sounding like that, and you'll kill us all!" One of the men shouts loudly to the front of the truck. The statement gets a roar of laughs at the driver's expense as the driver barks back that he did nothing wrong.

Only Roman rose a brow. He... had a sneaking suspicion.

As if the universe would prove him right, under the bed of the truck, Carmine clings to the piping of the under carriage. He grips tight as he rides along. What the hell could Roman be doing?

. . .

The truck comes to a halt just before the top of a hill. Clicking into park, the men scramble off the truck bed, Roman and David stepping off last. The two march up the hill, David holding up a hand to stop them. Slowing, Roman and David can barely spot over the hill, finding a lake. On the lake is a fishing town in the valley ahead.

Roman raises a brow. "I don't recall a town on the map out this way. Completely off grid?" He comments as David pulls a scope from his pocket, handing it over. Roman peers at the town, spotting a river connecting to the lake from the mountains north. Water mills for power generators on the far side of the village.

"I'm sure whatever pioneers that created the place twenty years ago or whatever thought they could slide under the radar. Just meant the first person with balls to take charge has no one to come challenge them." He directs Roman's scope to the open areas inside the village limits. Farm crops.

"Fish and vegetable sufficient." Roman huffs. "Perfect for someone trying to mooch off people and hide." He pulls the scope down. "Zann is here?"

"Moved in a year ago." David pauses, pulling a cigar out to smoke. "While his typical grunts are easy as hell for my boys to knock off, he's got a couple lieutenants that I'd need to call some other family in to face." He smirks, slapping his hand on Roman's shoulder, getting a grimace. "But two of us? Should be fine."

Roman hums. "Whats the explosives for then?"

David gestures with his hand. The village is elongated up half way of the nearby hill beside the river. The cabins and shacks further up the hill were larger. David smirks. "So, we can't be too sure, but big bosses like big houses. We need to draw them out. We circle round to the river. Place the semtex in a package and let it wash down to the water mills. Boom, power source is gone. We got attention."

Roman raises a brow, peering closer to the village. "With all the attention on the river, no one will want to use the boats to leave into the lake for fear of other explosive traps."

The raven haired cousin grins. "And with their backs to the mountain, that leaves only one exit strategy, going to the forests on this side." He gestures back to his men. "Three of you set up a quarter mile up stream and start feeding the waters with the semtex. They'll have to exit the village into the forest and circle the mountain to find you, so we'll use the remaining c4 charges to set up a kill zone outside the village."

Roman pauses in thought. That would work, and is exceptionally ruthless... but still. "Not to be a bleeding heart, but doing that would make the lake uninhabitable, and crush the village's ability to exist."

"Not to sound callous, but you're right." David retorts with a smirk.

Ah, so murder everyone IS his M/O. Roman hums back. "I see little reason to leave the place unusable. One can't have too many resources. Why not set things up to capture these people and extort them as well?"

"If we attack the village itself, we'll be at a home field disadvantage, and seeing as the village is self reliant, we got nothing else to force the bastards into the open." He crosses his arms in a huff, scowling. "And like hell we'd have the ability to win a siege scenario. We'll starve before them."

"Tsk. Tsk." He shakes his head at his cousin. He smirks noticing the slight irritation on his face. "Davey, you really need to open your eyes to the sight of opportunity. I say infiltration is the key."

"What hair brained scheme do you have in mind? They got guards on watch, same as we do at our place. No one gets in or out."

Roman grins at his cousin. "Not if we give them something that they'll have to invite us in." Roman cocks his head in an arrogant smarmy smirk. "Hand me some explosives and a volunteer. I'll show you how to do arson right."

As the group sets about entertaining the conman's whims, Carmine comes to rest on the ground under the tailpipe of the transport truck. Remaining under the vehicle, he smirks. Stay put... for now.

. . .

The fishing town was sparsely populated. Couldn't have had more than 100 people, being exceedingly generous. No, easily half the townsfolk were rough bandits wearing various shades of yellow. A team color, per say. All with basic rifles, hatchets, machetes, and the like.

Atop a tall tower perch, a lookout glares. Movement inbound... He calls out. "Unknown approaching from the South! Move it!"

The odd bystanders within earshot jolt at the prospect before sending wary glances between them. Several of the bandits emerge from multiple buildings, heading for the South. They gather behind makeshift cover, one man standing in the open awaiting the approaching entity...

And Roman stomps forward, dragging a man with a bag over his head. His smirk is bright and proud. All attitude. "Hello, friends!"

Guns aimed from all cover, but the single bandit in the open simply held his hand up. "Hold or die, traveler..." The covered man had a black bandanna wrapped over his mouth, orange eyes peering at Roman, then the sacked man with the conman. "State your business and take no further step. Else we shoot first and satisfy our curiosity never."

"Ah, a fine intuition. I already like you." Roman smirks, jerking the 'volunteer' beside him up to stand upright. "The name is Roman Torchwick." He tips his head in a mock bow. "I understand that here in the sticks is World War Hick with those of our... unsavory nature. Tell me, is a Mr Zann here?"

The bandit before him snap draws a pistol from his side, trained on Roman.

Roman chuckles amused. "I will take that as a yes. You see-" Roman grumbles as the sacked individual beside him jerks. Rolling his eyes, Roman kicks the back of the captive's knee to collapse the man. "- You SEE, I was happening through the area, and opportunity struck my way. Figured I could offer a bounty of sorts and be paid for my troubles and your fortunes!"

The man's pistol slowly lowered as a snide tone comes. "You come asking for payment for something we didn't ask for?" The pistol raises again. "You're asking to die."

"Oh, trust me when I say that this is a special, SPECIAL case." Roman grins, grabbing the sack on the collapsed man and wrenching it off.

The reveal of David's face earns instant shock from the bandits, all slightly shifting from their cover for a better view. Good. He had their attention.

"Here, I have your primary competition in the area. The boss and member of the Wilted-"

"We know who he is!" The bandit says, shocked, eyes bouncing between the grimacing David and mocking Roman. "What the hell is this?"

Roman grins, grabbing David's bound arms behind him. Under his breath, David mutters. "I ain't a delicate broad. Sell it, Ro."

The conman's smirk grew before using Velvet Valentine to bash David forward towards the bandit. "A first impression. I want in on things here. So... Mr Zann?"

. . .

The bandits had allowed Roman into the village, two men coming to take David prisoner and hauling him towards a different shack, heavily guarded. Ah, a prison house. Roman himself was escorted to the center of the fishing town. To bring their greatest competitor to their doorstep like a present produced dividends. They were easily getting lax around him.

This would yield his opportunity as he eyes the town. Weak points in the post were obvious. The crops in the center were a bright weak spot, sure. However, similar to the water generators, taking them out would likely kill the town. No, can't do that.

Well, he could... Nah. Silver Streak would throw a fit.

The nagging thought brought another bubble of anger. He doesn't give a damn about the brat, or his silly moral compass. Focus. His green eyes scan the building makeups. Through some of the windows, he could spot containers, cleaning supplies and equipment.

… Give em an RV and a chemist, why don't they? Are they splicing dust into meth?

Actually, they might be... But if so, such chemicals are ALSO quite flammable... Roman smirks. Just gotta keep track. If he has to default on using those, he can... but if he can get closer to the larger manor up the hill, that would be best.

However, such luck would escape him, it seems, as he's stopped in the dead center of the village. He's left tapping his foot awaiting whoever will come for him. He eyes flick to the shack with supplies. Guess that's the best he can get.

"So, am I to sit and wait in the guest room before getting an audience?" Roman rattles off annoyed. Immediately, his neck hair stands on end.

Danger.

Roman leans back as claws swipe from the side. The huffing chuff of an animal growl rumbles as a large, feral bear comes to settle a few feet from the man... Roman glances around, spotting the bandits all looking put off, but not panicked. "The hell-"

A roar from the side alerts him. He side glances to see a gray brown tiger with faded stripes. On it was an armored harness. On second glance, he can see the same type of compact armoring on the bear. The hell? "Tiger and bear. Where's the lion?"

His breath catches as a hand gently lands on his shoulder. Slender. Female. "I can bring him out too if you'd like." Roman, before the woman could finish, twirls Velvet around, stopping the point of the handle spike at the throat as he glances over his shoulder.

The woman behind him has yellow eyes, fair pale skin, and darker leather clothes. Tight. Skimpy. A bimbo of the wild if he ever saw one. Long black hair. A wire whip with a fire dust slot at the hilt was wrapped up at her side.

"Good reflexes." She comments further, only slightly twitching irritated at the pick at her throat. "Here for business or pleasure?"

Roman smirks, hiding the tension as he feigns looking her over. "Definitely business." The insult mars the woman in anger. She glares at him, opening her mouth to spit some insult back.

Boom!

A gunshot cuts the two off, pulling Roman's attention from the harlot. A man, definitely in his 60s, stands with a smoking gun raised high. His face was marred in wrinkles and scars. His build was lean, muscular, yet age was clearly catching him. His long silver straight hair hangs to his center chest. Full leather coated neck to toe. The gun in hand was customized, almost like a sawed off shotgun converted into a one handed spread shot weapon.

"Fenton, if she tries to kill our guest before I say so, shoot her." The aged, yet condescending authority sounded from the old man.

Beside him, a gruff man with hair that frills into feathers, steps forward. The man has two large blades with katar grips. A bird faunus. Fenton, he would presume? The faunus jabs a blade into the ground and draws a pistol. "At your order, sir."

Roman watches as the woman glares furious, stepping around Roman and marching a distance away. Roman eases and watches as the animals shift and follow her without command... She's not using training calls... His eyes widen with his smile. "An animal whisperer? Only a marginal step above crazy cat lady."

The woman snaps her gaze on Roman, but side glances to notice Fenton aiming his gun at her head. Both the grizzly bear and large tiger grumble angrily at both the conman and the bird. However, she huffs and turns away. Aw... Roman was curious what would happen.

He spots another person further back. A bald man with reptilian eyes and a custom rifle standing far off. Lizard faunus, with simple yellow leather pants, a white long sleeve, and a necklace showing bones hooked in.

The man's stance and look told Roman enough. Mercenary. Well trained. Fenton? Grizzled veteran. Which would mean the old man...

Roman smirks. "And are you the host here?"

The elder's annoyed look towards the woman turns to a smirk. "Well, I wouldn't use that word. I'm the man entertaining the interruption of my business while bringing gifts. You ARE aware of just WHO that prize in there is, right?"

Roman couldn't resist the snort. "Ah, yes. The dead plant boys and whatnot." He grins back. "Some flower nuts from the old age don't threaten me." He sets a confident look to him. "Roman Torchwick. Ex top agent of the once illustrious Senior of Vale. And you are?"

The old man chuckles under his breath. "Meren Zann, head of the Mistrali Consortium." He bobs his head to the bird faunus. "My right hand, Fenton." Another nod to the sniper lizard far behind. "Over there's Kass" Then a bob to the woman walking away with her animals. "And you've met Scilla. Don't mind her. She's on a leash here." He sets a piercing gaze on Roman. "So, what exactly were you trying to get out of this?"

Roman ponders his options... He's inside. These guys are definitely professionals, given the experience behind those eyes. They won't kill David. They'll use him as leverage, meaning keeping him alive. He needs to buy time before setting the signal for the attack... "Well, call me an opportunist hoping to work in good graces."

Guess he will have to play the long game then...

. . .

Over the hill, Carmine comes out from under the truck. A freaking hour had passed, and the bandits had cleared out into the forests. No noises had happened, save for a single gun shot from the village. Roman left with that other guy with the red tone black hair. If both went... could that have gotten Roman?

No, he heard enough of the conversation from the bandits about attacking the town ahead... Only one shot would only imply the guy with Roman. Hell, the other guys would have come back by now. Must still be awaiting a signal.

Carmine pouts at how out of the loop he was.

Screw Roman. Freaking hitting the teen with a roofie. Where in the gods damned hell did he get that?

… Does he use them often..? No, Roman isn't like that! Scumbag sure, but he... well... he's a bastard, but wouldn't do THAT to someone. It would be beneath him.

… As if anything is beneath Roman for knocking him out. FUCK!

Okay, regroup. Roman sought out the contact. What did Roman say? "If I'm right, the person we're looking to get answers from is my cousin." He didn't get a good look at the raven haired guy, but that guy seemed in charge, close to Roman yet tense.

Roman did say their family was cutthroat, so was that him?

Carmine follows the tracks in the dirt. If he can follow the bandits, he can find what they planned with Roman. And help the conman if need be... He just hopes Roman didn't go and end up in something WAY over his head. Hope he's okay...

. . .

Three beer bottles click together in a toast. Uproarious laughter comes as Roman takes a drink, surrounded by the dark yellow clad men of the Consortium. They were outside, tables and benches set up for dinner time by a fire. The group downs their beverages, hearty and jovial. "Wai- Wai- wait! You mean to tell me that your ugly mug has a dominatrix girl with a whip tryna recruit you into her crew?"

"And you're NOT accepting?" The other incredulously bursts out.

Roman chuckles, shaking his head. "Now, guys, look at me. Look at me. Do I look like a one woman guy?" He ends with a sleazy grin.

"HERE HERE!" The men cheer at his answer as they all take another drink. Roman laughs, signaling a leave as he gets up from the table.

Such had been his last two hours. Drink, be merry, be one of the boys. Zann had promised Roman a payment for turning in his enemy. All he needed to do now was lay low and subtly place his explosives... One at the chemical store shack, one at the guard tower, and at least two more on other buildings for diversions...

Roman marches to the restroom. Pretty basic low pressure plumbing. He grimaces washing his hands after being finished. However, as he does so, he waits for another man to walk past before subtly placing a small sticking path under the makeshift sink.

Both distraction charges are placed... Now he needs an excuse for the guard tower...

He rejoins the main bulk of men, not needing to glance far to find Scilla, glaring his way from the far end. The bear acted as her couch, the tiger draped in front of her with her feet propped on it. Definitely controlling the animals, he decided. Still, between her and the lizard faunus, Kass, eyeing him from the other end, he wouldn't be getting anywhere without being noticed.

Hmm. He glances around, finding a group of men gambling against one another at a table. Not just one table. A large portion of the gathering, as they finished their grub, transitioned into passively betting against one another. Arm wrestling, card games, dice, the works. He smirks.

He heads into the crowd and preps his money. Part way with some cash and hopefully find out who the next rotation of guards to the tower are...

. . .

"Aight... I gotta pull out of this hand, boys." A dog faunus in a bandanna over his mouth pulls away from a table.

"AH! Come on! Just before I break ya." A man with only a few spare lien shouts angrily. Clearly the loser of the previous rounds.

"Bet your mother, and I'll take that too. Otherwise, I got shift change, bitch!" The faunus cackles as he steps up from the table. Time to shine.

Roman steps up. "I can't bet any mothers, but I can make it worth your time." He sits at the table by the near broke man. He reaches into his pocket and draws out a large pouch. He eyes how much the dog faunus is scooping up and smirks. "I can double that."

The man pauses, eyes narrowed in thought. "... I... shouldn't take that."

"Triple." Roman smirks. "I'm a gentleman, so I'll offer more on my side."

The group around let out excited 'oh's and laughs. They punctuate this with a 'don't be a pussy' chant! The dog faunus groans before nodding back. "Alright! You're on, hat man!" He sits down to a chorus of cheers.

Hold 'Em. Each of the players given two cards, followed by three sets of community card reveals. Three cards called the Flop. One card revealed next called the Turn. One final reveal for the River. These five community cards are used with the two each player gets to make the best five card hand.

Bets already made, Roman and the faunus are each dealt their cards. Roman eyes his hand. Two of Hearts and Six of Clubs. Well, that's a shit opening... Roman smirks. He and the faunus nod to the man playing the dealer.

With that, he reveals the Flop, three cards. A Six of Diamonds, Three of Spades, and Five of Spades. Roman resists the urge to raise a brow. Two, Three, Five, Six... He could have a straight if he can hope for a four... At worst, a pair of Sixes. Of course, if that was his intention...

The two nod to the dealer, revealing the Turn, one more card. A Three of Hearts. Okay, at worst, a two pair of threes and sixes. The dealer checks both Roman and the man, a pause for a hot second. The faunus allows his own brow to raise before nodding. Roman smirks, doing the same.

The final card reveal, the River... And... Four of Clubs.

Roman and the Faunus nod at the same time. No folding. Roman playfully sighs, placing his cards down. With his two and six, and using the community three, four, and five, he has a Straight. The man beside him who'd lost all his money throws his hands up angrily. "Two to Six Straight! Some people get all the damn luck."

However, the faunus huffs and reveals his hand. A Six of Hearts and Six of Spades. A pocket Pair! So... those with the community Six... plus the two community Threes... "Full House of Six complete by Three." The faunus remarks with a cocky expression.

A shocked cheer comes as Roman's pouch is snatched by the Dealer, gently scooting it across the table to the faunus. The dog man chuckles. "Good. You've made it worth my time."

Roman politely nods. "Yes, well. It happens." With that, the dog faunus gets up to go to the guard tower for his post...

… Unaware of the explosive stitched into the pouch lining. The pouch containing a not insignificant amount of Lien, but enough to sacrifice. Roman's smirk grew. He returns to mingling with the crowd...

. . .

Inside the creaky shack nearby, David sits, arms bound behind the back of the chair he's tied to. Currently bound and unable to so much as cringe without pulling against the ties, he's simply left bored. However, he's not able to explain it, but... he gets a feeling. The time is coming. Hairs standing on end, he smirks.

"Quit your posturing." The guard watching him like a hawk speaks up. A lackey wearing the yellow leather. Beside him is the bird faunus, Fenton, resting his hands on the handles of his katar blades. Trust that old coot to put one of his lieutenants on guard. Not a bad move.

Still, just a matter of time. If Roman is as against AZRL as he says, there's no way he'd pass an opportunity against Zann, here. And from the reputation of 'Torchwick', he has an idea what to expect from this long lost cousin...

He focuses his eyes on the open window, the sunlight still pouring in.

. . .

Five minutes passed, Roman laughing with another drink. He'd transitioned through the games, getting himself close to the chemical storehouse. As close as can be, if fifty yards can be considered close. He crosses his legs, scratching an itch on his leg... and feeling out the detonator inside the trick lining of his shoe.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

Show time. One. He presses the button.

. . .

BOOM!

Carmine jolts from his spot in the bushes, head snapping towards the village ahead. Three explosions blast out, pluming smoke ahead. Given their last several raids, he can guess what that means. "Roman..." He groans out, drawing Heulin Noon.

"SHOW TIME, BOYS!" He hears the bandits hidden ahead of him call out, weapons ready!

Carmine crouches low, ready to follow them in.

. . .

The top of the guard tower blows out, fire engulfing the top accompanied with drowned out screams. In unison, the shack containing the local restroom, as well as another shack a hundred yards off both ignite as well. The blasts rock the entire village in instant panic, everyone dropping low and alert. The few civilians of the village instantly run for cover as the bandits all draw their weapons.

Painfully aware that he had less than a minute before they made the painfully correct accusation that he did it, Roman shoves his way passed two of the shocked bandits. He makes his way around the men, getting as close as possible-

All the men at the camp snap their sights on the conman, drawing their weapons and clicking ready to shoot him. Roman freezes, grimacing. He'd hoped to get closer... Gonna be a stretch if he can get his semblance to reach this far...

Scilla's bear and tiger had surrounded him, the woman leaping up, over, and landing between Roman and the prisoner shack much farther down the path. As if that was his current target, but they don't need to know that yet.

Before she could execute the command to kill, gunshots and more explosions ring in the distance. The west side of the village plumes into a war zone. The bandits scatter to defend the village as Roman throws his hand up, concentrating and snapping his fingers... His aura feels out, letting out a spark of friction and igniting the air directly against the chemical shack. The very limit of his range, the spark catches a small ember on the wood.

Shit... Gonna take a second. Scilla grins mad, a lime green flash of aura pulsing from her as both the bear and tiger circle and pounce in at Roman. Roman brings up Velvet, catching both the tiger's large paws up as the beast knocks him onto his back.

Kicking up with a roll back, he throws the tiger back, the bear rising and roaring down at him him. Roman continues the roll back, the bear swipe missing by inches as Roman gets to his feet. Scilla's whip lashes, wrapping around the cane.

She jerks on the whip to pull at his cane while the bear raises to snap at him again. Roman grimaces, twisting in towards the whip. He grabs the whip line with one hand as an anchor point, freeing enough control of his cane to swipe it up, cracking the bear's head up with the hammer side of the handle.

The tiger rushes around at him, so Roman anchors his foot in the ground, this time pulling Scilla off her footing forward. Pulling some of her whip length, Roman side steps the tiger's pound, hooking it's head with the whip length. Roman twists around the tiger, wrapping the line of the whip around the Tiger to control its head aiming away from him.

With a final jerk, Roman frees Velvet Valentine from the whip. This frees the Tiger from the whip wrap as it swipes around at him. However, with hands free, Roman bashes the tiger aside with the cane, then dodges a whip lash from the woman now behind him.

Kass, watching the fight from the side, finally notices the now building fire on the chemical shack. He shouts out at the woman. "Scilla, get over here! MOVE!"

The girl, caught up in attacking the conman, stops, confused. She chances a glance over her shoulder, spotting the building flame. Roman ducks down, ripping a sleeve off his brown jacket with red interior and covering his face.

BOOM!

The chemicals finally ignite, blasting out much larger than any of the other explosions. Volatile products stored unsafely out here in this makeshift town. The ignition blows out a spewing of fog like gases.

The blast throws Scilla forward, Roman having braced himself. The bear and the tiger are spooked by the blast, taking off in a run from the explosion. Roman recovers, hearing the hissing snarl from the lizard faunus, who arms and raises his custom rifle.

Roman removes Velvet's drum magazine from inside his jacket, transforming Velvet into gun mode. Both men break into a run, opening fire on one another. Fire dust shots explode around Kass, whose gun fires earth dust spread shots back. The spread shots clip Roman's leg, tripping the conman up.

But Roman rolls into a kneeling firing position, opening fire back and forcing Kass behind cover. Free, Roman turns his aim on Scilla, the woman open.

She brings her arms up as her animals return, her tiger leaping in front and shielding her as Roman opens fire. With a chortled yelp of pain, the poor animal is ignited on fire from Roman's weapon, tanking twenty shots.

Least the woman has the decency to look upset when she realizes the poor thing's fate. Roman takes the break, moving for the shack he recalls David being taken to. Taking the head start, he removes Velvet's magazine, cane staying in gun mode. He throws the magazine like a grenade, then aims Velvet, one dust shot still in the chamber.

Inside the shack, the one guard and Fenton are both armed and on edge. Fenton barks out. "Keep him out of sight." The two don't fail to notice David with a sick grin. Fenton narrows his gaze. "Never mind. Execute him. It's too risk-"

BOOM!

The wall blows inward, knocking the two men across the inside of the shack and throwing David back. The shock breaks the chair he'd been tied to, painfully rolling and hitting the far wall.

Debris settles as Roman steps into the shattered shack, removing David's pistols, currently in their trench knife modes, from inside his jacket. He throws the first, nailing the rope tie binding David's legs. David winces from the previous blast, but smirks and turns over. Roman throws the second knife into the tie around David's wrists.

Immediately, Fenton recovers, blitzing forward. Roman uses Velvet to block the bird man's blades, but Fenton collides with the conman, launching both out into the open.

Roman rolls to his feet, turning to see Scilla with her bear and Kass surrounding him from behind. "Oh, for the love of-"

"Die, bastard!" Scilla prepares to charge, only for Kass to pull her back to avoid gun fire. Fenton's turn to whip around, finding David exiting the wrecked shack, pistols in each hand and smiling mad.

"Alright, Lil Ro! Showtime!" The mad man opens fire on the lieutenants.

. . .

The complete chaos of gunfire and explosions deafen the air. Carmine's instinctive call to action draws him forward in a sprint. Up until a stray bullet zips by his head, getting a sharp gasp before he ducks behind a tree trunk.

Freaking running blind in the forest. Hell, which team is he even helping here? ... Civilians, obviously. A village like this can't entirely be bad guys, right?

He peers out, catching sight of the village entrance burning, a raging flame catching from one shack to the next. The men who had come with Roman begin lobbing packs like grenades- "Oh, god, those aren't the explosives aren't they-"

BOOM!

The shacks lining the outside of the village blow in, several of the gun toting defenders are blown aside. Carmine flinches at the sight, wide eyed. "Shit, civilians, you assholes!" The bandits had pressed into the village, smoke starting to obscure them. Within the smoke cloud, he could see the split second muzzle flashes, gun fire picking up. "Oh no..."

He exits cover, rushing towards the village. He can spot some bodies, their leather typically brown or tinged to match their group defining yellow. He grimaces at the dead body, shaking his head. So, yellow is the enemy. Red lined interior is friend- No. They're the neutral party.

Carmine moves into the smoke cloud, taking a hard break right from the fighting. Civilians will be fleeing from the offending party... He can circle around and hopefully safeguard them. Take out some stray bandits that threaten them, yeah?

Another explosion, this one frighteningly close, blowing dirt and wood into the path in front of Carmine. The boy barrels through, but stops upon hearing the frightened cry behind the structure to his left.

Peering in, he finds a sprawled body encased in debris and a frantic woman crouched beside him. Upon the woman eyeing the boy, she flinches and cringes back. Carmine raises a hand to placate, a nearby gunshot pulling his attention away for a sec.

One of the red lined bandits on the other side of the broken shack taking cover. He's shouting and returning fire to someone. As he's distracted, Carmine returns his gaze to the woman, offering his hand. She follows his previous gaze to the man invading her village. Seeing the difference, she takes Carmine's hand, allowing him to guide her over the corpse and out the other side of the shack.

"Get somewhere safe. Where would the most civilians be?" He wastes no time.

The woman gazes about, panicked, before stuttering out. "M-most of us live closer to the water. The Consortium took most of the homes up the hill.-" Another explosion causes the woman to flail back, Carmine grimacing.

"Alright. Lead the way and point out where anyone else might be. I'll handle anyone-" He stops, attention on the bandit that whips around the corner behind the woman. He turns on them, aiming his rifle up.

Carmine acts instantly, right hand pulling the woman down, left aiming Heulin Noon up and firing. His shot hits center mass, the bandit crumpling back in a choked grunt. The woman freezes, eyeing the boy and the downed bandit. The boy sighs frustrated before nodding to her. "I got you! Move!"

The two burst into a sprint, and Carmine notices the bandit having red in their lined leather... He was hoping to avoid fighting both sides. (Slow, ominous drums echo and build, cutting into a first guitar note)

. . .

An explosion blows out a shack, blowing debris onto the village fire that had been used for cooking not ten minutes prior. The central square of the village lights with gunfire, men in cover on both sides issuing call outs to friends and allies. Bodies and guns are scrambled along the ground. (Heavy guitars sound, a chorus instrumental sounding, bridging into first verse.)

A strafing stream of machine gun fire kicks up dirt in a cloud. Through the dirt cloud, Roman tucks and rolls through, the massive bear silhouette missing its swipe. Two shots hit off the beast's heavier armor, distracting as Roman cracks it in the snout. It recoils, allowing a whip to lash around and miss Roman by inches. ("Welcome to a city that'll bring you to your knees. It'll make you beg for more until you can't even breathe.")

Scilla lashes the cord at Roman from behind the animal. The man power slides forward, under and passed the bear towards the girl. Roman kicks up from the slide to big boot strikes the woman. He ducks back from a bullet. The distraction let Scilla wrench the whip line back. Roman ducks as the end lashes off his hat. ("Your blindfold is on tight, but you like what you see. So follow me into the night 'cause I got just what you need.")

As Roman continues dodging the whip lashes and the bear, Kass the lizard faunus transforms his gun to a sniper form. He trains his aim between the man, the woman, and animal. Then, his eyes widen, ducking and dodging pistol fire from David. David closes the distance, using the brass knuckle guards to bash Kass back. ("We're all rolling down the boulevard full of pimps and sharks. It's a motherfucking riot we've been dying to start.")

Knocked prone, Kass is open as David ruthlessly aims and fires. However, Fenton drops down, deflecting the shots with his blades in a lightning flash flourish. He speeds forward, David barely blocking the blades with his gun with a pained grunt. One thought comes. Bring it! ("You better grab a hold 'cause now you know you're falling apart. You thought these streets were paved in gold, but they're dirty and dark." Music builds to chorus)

David transforms both pistols into trench knives, blocking the next slash as it sparks off his own weapon. Wide stance, he redirects an attack, using his off hand to attack at another angle. Fenton deflects him, then ducks back from a follow up. ("Been to hell!" "I can show you the devil!" "Down you fell!" "Can't hold yourself together!")

The human shifts his stance, a bounce to his step with his next swing, almost a punch using the knuckle guards. Quick jabs rock the faunus' swords. David transforms one knife back to gun move, firing point blank. ("Soul to sell!" "Down here you live forever! Welcome to a world where dreams become nightmares.")

Fenton deflects, but his swords are off as David lands a hook with his knife arm, the punch sending him off balance. Gun transforming back to knife mode, he unloads four punches before slashing Fenton back! ("Been to hell!" "I can show you the devil!" "Down you fell!" "Can't hold yourself together!")

He stops, caught in Kass's sights as the lizard aim. Seeing this, Roman, who dodges another close strike from Scilla, grabs her by the wrist and shoulder tosses her at the faunus. ("Soul to sell!" "Down here you live forever! Welcome to a world where dreams become nightmares.")

She collides with him, sending both to the floor. David returns the favor, knives to gun mode, and fires on the bear, getting its attention. The beast roars, lurching at the man. ("Welcome!.. Welcome!" Music bridges into verse)

It raises on its hind legs, slamming down, but the muscular man dives in, punching up at both paws and slashing them open. The bear whines loudly, quivering back. As it lands, David releases both weapons, flipping them and snatching them in an ice pick reverse grip. ("In the belly of the beast, I'm a wolf amongst the sheep! At the bottom of the hill, but at the top of the street!")

He brings both points in, ramming the blades hilt deep into the ears of the animal. He releases a higher pitch chortle before David wrenches it down. The beast crumples in pain as he removes both blades. "NO!" David smirks up at the scathing woman charging him. ("Above the boulevard, schoolyard, victim of deceit. And you're running hard, but this wolf, it's always at your feet!")

He ducks back, dodging two whip lashes as Roman backs up from the other way from Fenton, both men bumping back to back. Fenton advances, Roman deflecting two slashes with his cane, then intercepting Fenton's advancing footing with a kick, forcing the faunus a step back. ("Yeah, you've seen it all before, but the wolf's outside your door. And you're old enough to run, you ain't hiding anymore!)

On the other side, David charges his blades with lightning, slashing through the whip and striking the woman back. She lands hard against the next shack, crumpling out cold. However, he barely blocks a lightning shot from Kass's rifle that blows him back by Roman. Fenton and Roman see David at the same time, both moving to him after a split second deliberation. ("Another victim of the Star-Spangled Banner of the street! Now you're in the world of wolves, and we welcome all you sheep." Music bridges into chorus)

Roman intercepts the cou de gra, twirling his cane to deflect the follow up lunge. Throwing Fenton off kilter, Roman's cane flourish distracts as he off hand hits a palm strike to the faunus's chin. Fenton is thrown fully back. ("Been to hell!" "I can show you the devil!" "Down you fell!" "Can't hold yourself together!")

As Fenton rolls to his feet, Roman full throttle bashes the head of his cane across the faunus' jaw for the KO. Behind him, David rolls to his feet, immediately dodging another lightning charged shot from Kass. ("Soul to sell!" "Down here you live forever! Welcome to a world where dreams become nightmares.")

David ducks behind debris, pinned by the fire as multiple shots keep him down. Kass's rifle moves to a shotgun mode, firing a scatter shot to rip away parts of the debris barrier. ("Been to hell!" "I can show you the devil!" "Down you fell!" "Can't hold yourself together!")

Roman spots this as Kass takes aim his way for a pot shot. The conman dodge rolls from the shot, taking cover as well. One of the village bandits' bodies lays by Roman, the conman grimacing. He shakes off any feeling of disgust and takes the dead man's handgun. ("Soul to sell!" "Down here you live forever! Welcome to a world where dreams become nightmares.")

As he checks the ammo, David is further hunched behind his dwindling cover. Kass advances, blowing away chunk after chunk. The human focuses, needing to pick his timing, but catches a look to Roman and smirks. Roman steps from cover, taking aim at the faunus. ("Welcome!.. Welcome!.. Welcome!")

Kass turns to fire, but Roman shoots first, his shot firing directly into the shotgun barrel and igniting Kass's dust round. The barrel of the custom rifle blows out, stunning the faunus. David snaps out from his cover and unloads twelve lightning dust shots into the man! ("Welcome to a world where dreams become nightmares-" "Welcome!" Music cuts)

The lizard faunus is riddled with the shots, thrown onto his back, still. Roman and David stand tall above the three downed lieutenants. Roman releases a sigh, raising a brow at his cousin large grin. "Satisfied?"

"HA! Lil Ro has some moves." David says, shaking his head. He looks to his handguns, grimacing as he reloads. "Shit. Low on ammo already."

Roman hums, whirling the pistol he'd appropriated from the dead man. "Any dust rounds compatible? Fire." He removes the clip from the pistol.

David lights up. "Compatible indeed!" He accepts the clip, taking the time to remove the individual shells from it and loading it into his own. He nods ahead to the manor. "Let's go see the old bastard."

"I'm sure Whitey won't put up much fight compared to these three." Roman remarks as he follows his cousin. His hand hiding another ammo clip in his back pocket...

. . .

The two family members march themselves to the largest of the spotty buildings. As they approach, two bandits whip out from cover, immediately getting shot down by David. Another ambushes from a hidden spot of debris, wielding a large club, but Roman strikes his arm limp, then twists and takes the club, one handed.

The conman kicks the man's footing out before swinging the club into center mass. He releases the club with the hit, effectively tossing the man and weapon crumpled aside. With a critical eye, he nods toward the building, David ready...

He wasn't disappointed. In a flicker, the modified scatter shot gun snaps up and fires. David barely brings up a cross block as his aura tanks the hit. He's thrown back Roman blitzes forward. Meren Zann whips around the corner to fire again as Roman smacks the gun up with Velvet.

The gun is hooked out of his hand, but he snatches Velvet, jerking Roman in. He attempts to hook her around around the conman's head, but Roman's offhand blocks him at the shoulder. Locked, Zann jerks Roman from his feet, swinging him over and releasing him. Roman loses grip on Velvet, releasing it.

Roman is rocked back, off balance. Zann, bruiser style, advances with wide hook punches. Roman takes a shot to the jaw, blocks the next, then ducks the third. Gripping Zann's arm, Roman drags him in and knees him in the gut.

He then twists Zann around by the arm before finally pinning the old man into the ground, arm twisted behind him. Roman plants his knee on the man's shoulder for control, grunting annoyed before spitting out a speck of blood from his mouth. "Now, I've got just a couple questions."

Zann jerks, but is held in place. "You city bastard! All this time keeping that cartel out of this area for this?! I'll kill you- URGH!" Roman applies pressure on the man's arm, threatening to break at the joint.

At this point, David rejoins them, arms scraped from the shot, despite his aura taking the brunt of it. Zann gets a good look at David, before narrowing his gaze. Then, he looks to Roman over his shoulder. It takes a moment, but he finally huffs, making the connection.

"Oh... ho ho... Long lost family? Your eyes should have given it away!" He jerks again, to no avail. "To think the infamous Roman Torchwick was just a lone guard from that damned cartel!"

Roman rolls his eyes. "I'm no member of their cartel." He then twists the arm hard, getting a pained grunt. "And I control this conversation, so don't waste my or your time." He smirks lightly. "Even if you don't have much left old man." He drops it after waiting a moment. "Now... AZRL."

The jerking stops, Meren's eyes widening. "... What? Is this a joke?"

A pressure increases. Roman's tone dips. "Your drugs have ended up in the possession of over half a dozen AZRL clients in the region." Slightly more pressure, getting a grunt. "So, either A) They're all just coincidentally fans of your sweet, SWEET product, or, more likely, AZRL is carrying more products than just a bunch of forsaken brats. So... Where. Are. They?"

"Heh... HA! You actually believe it's possible to beat them?" He groans, but forces a grin. "You're a two bit mobster from the city. You'll be in a ditch soon enough."

"All AZRL operations in Mistral and 47 disposed of clients disagree with that sentiment." Roman edges his knee up to the back of the man's neck. "Would you care to make that 48?"

At that, Zann's eyes widen. "You're... I see... So, YOU are behind that... damned group. CRBN." Roman raises a brow. So, they're spreading the name around. "Well... that IS interesting." David perks at the name drop as well. "So, Senior's old ace is standing in as some wannabe Huntsman? What kind of joke is that- AH!"

Roman gains a sick grin, eyes spelling danger. "I wouldn't lump me in with them. More of... a means to an end. But, I'm sure that lets you know that you have two options. Speak now, or forever rest in peace."

"Hmph! So die now, or die later? A catch 22, but I do like living." He smirks, despite his face being in the hard wood of the large shack. "Might be fun to watch you die later, but sweeten that pot before I risk my neck for ya."

Roman spares a glance at David before plowing forward. "You're not working in this region of the world anytime soon. Give your recipe to David for him to make bank on, as well as what I want to know, and I'll get ya North to disappear for a while." He half expected David to speak up about giving in to demands, even seeing his cousin glare lightly, but remains silent. Upon hearing the idea of Zann's drug formula... he does raise a brow impressed.

Good.

Zann smirks. "Then you have yourself a deal... that fat cat Aline Zandril has an inner circle. I'm sure you're aware of how tight knit it can be?" He pauses as Roman thinks back. Between Spyyra, Mary Anne, this Dr Near... Wait. "One of them manages Vale operations? Where?"

The old man chuckles. "Whenever I get communications from them, they come from two places, but one of them I know is merely a stop off. The main one is in a failed expansion of Vale's major cities into the South. Place called Mountain Glenn. Given the location, I doubt you'll make it far in finding it. I hear the place is infested with Grimm all over."

Roman takes note of that, nodding. "... And the other?"

"Only been contacted from there twice, so I don't have much on what the location is even for. But, the other location is that large island off the mainland, counted in Vale territories. Pock? No... Patch! That's it." He peers over his shoulder at Roman. "Good enough for you? I don't know a damn thing about who it is that runs it down there, so you're S.O.L. on that front."

Roman hums. It'll have to do. "Alright." He looks to David before asking. "And the recipe?"

"In a journal by my night stand. The drawer is coded. Code: 20. 25. 02. 05. 18." He says, suddenly more sullen. "My masterpiece..."

Roman holds him in place as David disappears into the house. A minute passes before he reemerges, a soft gold toned notebook in hand. He flips through it a bit, raising a brow. "It's written in code."

Zann groans louder before condescendingly call out. "Use Atlas's Zekial Cipher. There. You happy yet?" A short deliberation flashes over David before he gives a curt nod and snaps the journal closed.

Satisfied, Roman steps up and releases the old man. "Come then, old bastard-"

BOOM!

David fires a lightning charged shot directly into the old man's head while he's still down. Roman freezes, eyes wide as he sees the man's head under him burst. Red splatters over the wood... Roman doesn't flinch. His mouth doesn't part in any sort of shock. Far too used to such sights and outcomes. Yet...

Meren Zann was dead below him. Just seconds after accepting Roman's deal.

The conman turns to his cousin, seeing the smoking barrel of the pistol. "I fail to see how that was necessary." He isn't quite able to curb the bubble of shocked frustration, his tone slightly higher. "He gave you everything you wanted. Could've been an asset down the road!"

David's response however turned the conman's stomach... David turns the gun up to Roman himself. "Oh Roman... you've definitely gone soft. Just like dear ole sis, right?"

Shit... That's what this is. Roman squares his stance at the man. "Davey boy... I already told you-"

"You have no interest in returning to the family. I know." The raven haired man comments off hand. Still, he smirks. "Still. You gave me full reign of this region just now, and I don't like people knowing my business. You know how it is, right?" Roman's gaze narrows on him, getting a laugh from the man. "Man... that's two once in a lifetime moments in one day! I get to see Lil Ro speechless AND see him die for real!"

Roman snorts. "Isn't it just the least bit pathetic to hold grudges damn near twenty years?"

His cousin smirks back. "Just taking in the plus sides, after all."

. . .

Explosions continue, Carmine grabbing a young man just a few years his senior and wrenching him away from gunfire. "Come on!" He pulls the man along, away from the gun fire as the sounds quiet just a short bit. Sprinting to the lake side, they find the other civilians. The young man joins others, Carmine assuming family. "Is anyone still missing?!"

An elderly man looks about, brows risen. "It would seem... I believe everyone is accounted for." He looks at Carmine, nearly in tears. "Thank you, young man."

The boy returns a sad smile. "I'm sorry this happened to your home. Where's the bandit boss or whatever? I know of the people attacking, so if the boss surrenders, this should stop."

"... Meren Zann isn't someone to be trifled with, boy, but... He's up the hill. The largest home."

Carmine looks off towards the hill, seeing more smoke kicking up and hearing the gunshots. He glances back at the man, nodding. "Thank you." Turning on a heel, he takes off into a sprint back up the village.

Within the minute, the gunfire is fresh and close, so the boy sticks to a wide arc. Shouts sound left and right. A man wearing yellow leather comes around a corner, spotting the boy and aiming! Carmine's faster, shooting him and keeping his sprint. This much chaos, he has no means of telling where anyone that's an actual threat is.

Is he gets attacked, he can recall far enough to end the encounter. He thinks, at least. The boy skids to a halt by a shack corner, peering around to spot the red and black leather clad men standing over a ruined battleground in the center of the village. A dozen bodies lay strewn around them.

They move over to a woman and a few others laying unconscious next to a... is that a bear? He frowns, a pang of sympathy for the animal- He spots the burnt tiger.

… Fuck man... Leave the kitty alone-

Boom! The men begin firing execution shots into the still forms on the ground. Carmine sucks a breath in. "The f- They're defenseless!"

The men open fire into a man, a lizard faunus, stopping after a few seconds. Then moving on to the next still form. Gritting his teeth, Carmine huffs before taking stock. Four targets in the open. Gunfire is still going on in the distance, so it shouldn't draw that much attention.

… Fuck it. These bastards crossed a line.

Carmine aims and fires once, nailing the first main. Twice, hitting the second. The third spots him and takes aim- Carmine cuts him off with his third shot.

The fourth manages his shots at the boy. Carmine hikes up his armored left arm, blocking the shots and dropping his gun from his left hand. His right hand catches it under his left arm, aiming from below and delivering a double shot into the fourth man. The bandit is taken out handily as Carmine straightens himself.

Swapping his gun back to his left hand, he looks over the bodies around for anyone still alive. A bird faunus and the woman are still breathing... They definitely had aura on their side. Peering around, the boy grabs the faunus, dragging him behind some debris to be hidden.

He goes back for the woman, doing the same and leaving them by one another. He sighs. "Sorry about your friends." The boy peers further up the hill and takes off. Making sure to keep with a wide arc, he moves around the active fighting in order to make his way up the hill.

And when he finally got to the main house, he didn't expect what he sees. A man holding a pistol aimed at Roman...

. . .

"Any last words?" David asks, courteously.

Before Roman can retort, his eyes catch something. Genuine surprise comes to the man. "Silver Streak?"

David quirks a brow before Carmine shouts from behind. "Freeze and lower your gun NOW!" Carmine skids to a halt, Heulin Noon trained on the mobster's back just a few feet away. Carmine spares a glance to Roman. "Hey, asshole! You okay-" The boy's line of thought leaves spotting the body with a hole in their head on the floor by Roman. His eyes move back to the raven haired man aiming at Roman.

David, glancing casually over his shoulder, chuckles. "What's this, Lil Ro? Your ward?" Recollection comes as he smirks. "Ah... I remember. This is your companion you knocked out before coming to say hi."

Carmine's turn to raise his brow. Confusion sets in as he compares the green eyes. Nothing else matched, but the eyes... He took in David's appearance. Something else familiar he felt from him. The strange red fading tips in his black hair that somehow looked natural. Why did that seem familiar. "So, you're his cousin."

David grins to Roman. "So you DO talk about home."

Roman grimaces. It wasn't much, but that little bit just gave him incentive to put Roman down. "Take the shot-"

"Stop!" Shouts come as four more men come up from down the hill. They spot their leader held at gunpoint as they train their weapons on Carmine's back. Carmine flinches a look over his shoulder at them... and David wastes no time, drawing his second pistol and aiming it at Carmine.

The conman internally curses the gods above. Shit... Mexican standoff. Guns aimed. And fighting will just invite more of the goons. And unlike him, David has ammo for his weapon...

David has the same thought, grinning like mad. "Well, Ro... this looks like it'll be a great blowout! For you AND your friend here."

Carmine snorts. "Forgetting that YOU'VE got a gun aimed at you, also?"

David merely sends a chilling glare at the teen. "Spoken like someone whose never played Roulette before..." He shouts out. "Alright boys." The men aimed at Carmine spread out, fingers on their triggers. "Be ready at any moment. Need top performance."

Roman grits his teeth... this is bad. Even if Carmine recalls, Roman will be shot and killed. If Carmine doesn't recall, he takes enough of the attention, and Roman MIGHT get away after Carmine gets killed... What can he do? There's gotta be some play. Some gamble-

… He blinks...

Would he go for it?

He has the ego...

"Let's go-!" David starts to yell before getting cut off.

"ARBITRATION!" Roman shouts, pulling the attention to him. All eyes wide.

David blinks, almost frozen. "... What?"

Roman grimaces at his dog piece of shit cousin. "You and I are 19 years overdue for arbitration. You know the family rules." Boldly, Roman puts on a smarmy grin, pointing back at his cousin. "You decided the weapon all that time ago and locked your decision in, but I never got to pick a venue. Well, I'm picking one here and now."

Everyone pauses, Carmine's eyes flicking back and forth, confused... Roman mentioned something about arbitration before but...

"PFTAHAHA!" David bursts into laughter, cackling at the demand. "You can't be serious! Ro, that's bloody desperation if I've ever seen it. Why in the hell would I agree to that when I could kill you here and now?"

Roman keeps on the face of confidence. "Because you've always wanted to do it, and nothing gets between you and what you want." He watches at the accusation gets a curt look back. "And because you're entire life has been made by strength. Refuse now, and you'll only be admitting to a loss." He leans in with the words. "You can laugh, but I'll be the only one laughing beyond in that case."

His words hit the desired reaction, a slight narrowing gaze and skeptic look from the man. David's stance relaxes slightly. "Uh huh." He mutters, unconvinced. "Slight problem, Ro." He cocks his head in a sneer. "You ain't in the family anymore."

Trap executed. Roman grins. "I very much was when the decision was made... AND your whole crew knows your long lost cousin is still alive. Even killing me now might bring word back to the family. Before, you could just hide behind me being in AZRL, but now?" He chuckles. "It won't look good for the patron peak of strength, Davey boy!"

David's demeanor had fully melted away. Carmine looking confused and darting his eyes between the two.

"Come now, Davey boy. You don't want to see me shot down in chaos... You want to see what happens." He trails off, hand reaching up. "What happens clenching your hand around your enemy's neck... Come on. I refuse to believe you of all people grew up to frown upon such a thing." He rocks on his feet, almost coy. Noticing he's not been shot yet, he only knows it's working. "I wouldn't figure you for such a... dickless coward-"

David cuts a glare over his shoulder at his men. The group looking between each other before training their guns back on Carmine. His eyes then look to Carmine, who looks every bit ready to fire on him.

Slowly... David lowers both his pistols into their holsters. He turns to Roman. The man steps forward, moving slowly to his cousin until the two are nose to nose...

And he smiles... sadistically so. "You skip out on this... I tell the family you're still alive. AND that you invoked the challenge before fleeing." He enjoys the slight twitch in Roman's visage at the threat. "So... I choose the weapon... You choose the venue."

Roman cocks his head to one side, a challenging glint. "Tomorrow morning. You home base. In the tower. No witnesses. All your boys stay outside until one of us comes out." Roman then leans in to speak directly in the slightly larger muscular man's ear. "and the loser can't be touched."

Green eyes deadlock on green as the better part of a minute passes.

And David hums, backing off. "I look forward to it." He turns, pausing at Carmine's raised gun. He then calls out with a grin. "Alright, boys! We're heading back. Lots of preparations to make." He then brandishes the journal in hand. "And future money to make!"

The four men behind Carmine lower their weapons, snickering. Carmine slowly lowers his own as David walks around him.

The men begin to walk away from the two CRBN members until David turns around. "Oh! Another deal. You come alone! No backup dancer." He then looks Carmine over. "Although, he seems capable. Maybe he can join me and the boys after tomorrow." He laughs at Carmine's incredulous look. "What's your name, kid?"

Carmine looks to Roman, who gestures back to go ahead, not looking pleased. "Carmine Uhlric." The man still looks expectant. Carmine then glares at the mob boss. "Leader of Team CRBN."

That gets a grin from the man. "... Oh really?"

Carmine huffs. "And yours?"

Roman has a silent plea... don't say it.

Don't say it...

Do not say that god forsaken name.

The man grins wide. "David Rose. First in line heir to the Wilted Rose Cartel." He watches at the boy's body goes rigid at the name, earning a chuckle as he turns and leaves. "Adios."

As he leaves, Roman's shoulders sag, looking almost defeated when Carmine snaps a look his way.

"... Rose?"

. . .

Years Ago

The door creaked open, echoing through the dark room... It might have woken the sleeping boy had he been sleeping at all. The past two nights, he'd scarcely held on to any slumber. So, when the clock struck two in the morning, he was shocked to hear an intruder into his room.

Little Roman rose from his bed, brow furrowed as the figure leans down beside his bed, flicking on his lamp on the night stand. The room lit up, blinding him slightly. "W-... Sis? What's... going on?"

Gently, the girl presses a hand onto his chest and pressures him to lay down. "Sh... Nothing's going on. Well... Not yet." The woman seems scattered in the moment, and Roman notices what she's wearing. A white cloak with red interior. And it was wet.

"You've been outside?" He grimaces. "Wish I could leave right now, but what's going on?"

At the words, his sister freezes, grimacing. "I... Look. Roman, things are... going to change soon, and I want to let you know not to be afraid."

Okay, he's starting to feel worried. "... I have arbitration tomorrow... is that it? You know I'm going to lose?"

He's surprised when she shakes her head. "No. You don't have arbitration tomorrow." Her words leave him dumbfounded, staring back.

"Sis?"

"Listen, Roman. I'm... going away for a while." Her voice is... deathly serious. She'd never liked telling him she was leaving, but... this felt wrong. "I-I don't know how long, but what I do know is that I'll be back here after. After that, we'll both be leaving."

Roman looks confused, the exhaustion setting in, but he still feels... off. "Really? Father has something planned?" His sister looks away at that. "He... doesn't know?"

She turns and gives a bright warm smile to him. Her smile always got to him somehow. But, it wasn't just the curve of the lips, or the stress of the cheekbones.

It was her eyes. Her eyes that proved her genetics were at least half not from here. Not green like everyone else around. Big, bright, and fully of life. All while being the color of the moon.

A clear, glimmering silver shone from each orb.

"You won't have to worry about that." She lowers down, taking the boy into a warm embrace, despite the dripping from her cloak. "I can't explain now, but after everything is said and done, I'll be back for you."

It felt off, but he felt warm at the same time. The boy wraps his arms around her midsection, his mind still on his arbitration tomorrow. "... Do you promise?" He then notices an object on the floor. It was metallic, painted white and black and almost in a rectangular shape. Yet, he knew its purposes. He knew it. "Is that from Father's study? That's Ivor-"

"Sh..." She giggles at that, pulling away and lowering herself to eye level. For a moment, she pauses a finger on his lips to silent him as she winks. She clasps his hand before locking his pinkie with her own. She looks almost... like she's bracing herself. "I swear on my life that I WILL come back for you, Roman. Forever and always." She kisses him on the forehead. "I love you, Roman."

Those words... The last words he would ever hear from her. That lying harlot that disappeared seeking glory. Who sought her own fortunes away from the hellhole that awaited him.

He just didn't know that about her yet when he said the words back.

"I love you too, Summer."

… So, yeah. Roman Rose. Now, I'm not the first person to have this idea. I will fully credit OmegaInfinity and their story Linked in Life and Love for at least the thought that started this for me. Parts of that story heavily, HEAVILY diverge from canon RWBY, intentionally so by the author's admission. However, the idea of how some of those ideas would work without necessarily compromising canon (At least not until I damn well intend) has always intrigued me.

More so the idea of having Roman still be, by the time of RWBY, a complete criminal villain AND potentially have this connection, is something I wanted to pull off and set the foundations for.

So yeah. Roman and Summer are half siblings in this story, making Roman Ruby's half uncle. Some people might say, 'that's stupid. You're stupid. Are you implying Roman knew Ruby in RWBY in your world's timeline?'

And I would say, 'Dear reader, whatever do you mean? I haven't gotten that far yet.' because I'm a condescending asshole.

As said before, I expect this to be judged heavily, so feel free to share thoughts.

References:

The return of Meren Zann and Fenton from Chapter 1 of this story. The same two Ozpin whooped before becoming a Beacon Academy teacher full time. For recap, both are based off characters from Star Wars: Empire at war: Forces of Corruption.

Which, as an aside, the number code for Meren's drawer he gave David and Roman is Letter to Number code for Tyber, as in Tyber Zann the character he's based on.

In addition to these two are two new characters, Scilla and Kass, based off two more characters from that same game, Silri the Dathomir witch and Bossk the trandoshan bounty hunter. (yes, I know Bossk is from other media too.)

Song used is Been To Hell by Hollywood Undead. Used for the thug lifestyle of David.

On David, I should state that Lincoln, David, and Damask are all sub-types of real life roses, hence the naming scheme. There actually is a Roman rose sub-type as well, which tickled me when I looked it up out of curiosity. Similar to Neo's family in this story, and canon, everyone from Summer's and Roman's family is named after types of their theme. In this case, roses, obviously.

The Wilted Rose Cartel name and symbol was thought of in the same way that criminals put up a front business as a means of laundering money. The 'front' being this pretty flower that looks nice, while looking underneath or 'behind' the surface shows how foul it is.

… SHUT UP, I THINK IT'S CLEVER.

Join next time in Chapter Forty Four: Arbitration.