The shattered moon was over Vale's skies. It was the only other light that illumined its streets along with the street lights. Stepping into the light, there was an armed group walking directly in the middle of the empty streets, grabbing the attention of nearby civilians. When they were able to identify to identity of the group's leader, some can be seen contacting the police.

As all the civilians ran for their safety, Roman Torchwick, assisted by the goons that were given to him by Junior, made their way towards a particular Dust shop in Vale. There were so few Dust shops that opened this late and he was not about to fail his "employer." He needed more Dust to satisfy that crazy woman before he could even hope to survive. On one hand, he had pride in himself as a thief which is probably why he had gotten their attention in the first place. On the other, he didn't like the fact that he had to fear for his life. Years spent in the underworld had instilled in him a desire to be at the top. After all, if one were on top, one would not need to worry about others stabbing them in the back. It would still happen but they would be more careful if they did.

Roman and his goons were nearing the Dust shop in question. The name was From Dust Till Dawn. Clever name, if he would say so. It was also fitting that it was one of the few shops that were still open this late. The custom may be scarce but that is to be expected; most people wouldn't be out this late considering the time. Others who had seen him from the inside vacated the premises. Well, there was one who seemed to be really into the magazine. That child must have some headset on and couldn't hear anything.

It would have been easy for him to just enter the shop and threaten the old man manning the shop. He looked like he could suffer a heart attack from fear alone. The old man did ready himself to leave for his safety. So rude, Roman thought. Fleeing for his life rather than be a proper host and serve them; good service must be hard to come by these days. The reason why he and his goons stopped however, was due to the odd looking fellow that stood at the front of the Dust shop.

Wearing an outfit that had to have been influenced by eastern Mistral, he stood with his arms crossed and eyes closed just beside the door that led to the shop. His breath was calm that he appeared to be meditating while he was standing on his feet. He had a sword on his back so large it might as well be a pole used for drying clothes. With that size, he must be slow in his movements giving Roman's lighter weapon an advantage in speed. Roman had the numbers advantage as well thanks in part to the goons. If nothing else, they could be used as fodder.

The fellow must have been some new guard that the owner had hired. Roman would have to tip his hat to the shop keeper, then. He must have invested in security to keep his precious Dust safe from any unsavory elements. With the prices going up, the shop keeper must have expected that some would either be desperate or opportunistic enough to try and steal the Dust. Of course, the reason for the price increase here in Vale were because of Roman himself. So, this new guard dog was because of him? That would explain why this Dust shop has been becoming popular as of late, the civilians must have felt themselves safe because of the presence of that security guard. Roman will remind them that it was not the case.

The security guard opened his eyes and stared directly into Roman's own. He still had a calm air about him that spoke of confidence. His posture never left that relaxed state. He didn't even draw his sword nor narrow his eyes at the sight of Roman Torchwick, much to his frustration. Did that man not know who Roman Torchwick is or does he think of himself capable of actually fighting Roman when he has the back-up that he does. Checking his scroll, Roman confirmed that his getaway was there and ready to jump in if need be. He needed to be careful around these types especially.

Roman Torchwick signaled the goons to take the first strike. With their weapons drawn, they all rushed down against the security guard. They were loud as they got closer. Strangely, the security guard did nothing in response and simply allowed them to get closer. He only took a glance at each of the goons and nothing more. Was he analyzing them and making his plan of attack? He was running out of time then as the distance was being closed in with each passing moment. If the guard did not move in time, then he would be in serious disadvantage of both momentum and distance. Under normal circumstances that would be the case but Roman felt none of that.

Suddenly, as the goons got close enough to strike at the security guard, they were on the ground, utterly defeated. Roman swore he didn't blink yet it was as though he did and in that momentary darkness, the goons were easily dealt with. There they were on the ground, knocked unconscious and are not bleeding. The guard hadn't used the sword on his back. Roman looked up again to see that the security guard hadn't moved at all. He still had his arms crossed and was looking directly at the thief directly now. There was no way that the security guard had moved that fast, huntsman or not. It couldn't have been a Semblance either as there was no sign of activation.

Roman decided to test the waters a bit here with an initial shot. The red, fire Dust flew at the security guard with sonic speed. Surely he would have been hit. The shot didn't even miss. There was no crater on the walls. Evidence of it being struck was gone either due to the lack of explosion that would always accompany such a shot. Still, the security guard stood in place in the same posture as before. No, not quite. Squinting his eyes, Roman could see that the hair on the guard's head had one strand that stood out; it was evidence that he had moved. It was slight that one would miss it so easily. But for the Roman's criminal mind, this sort of thing would jump out in the open. One needs to if they wish to know their potential victims.

"Well this has certainly been an unproductive evening." Choosing instead to escape with his life, Roman tipped his hat and turned around. There was no way and no amount of money or threats was worth dealing with whoever was that guard. Props to the shop owner. They found quite the individual to guard their shop. "Sorry for the inconvenience sir, didn't mean to cause any trouble."

His other step never made it to the ground. The reason? His whole body was suddenly on the ground and he was groaning in pain. It was as though he had been struck at multiple points of his body in that same instant with such speed that his mind had failed to process what had just happened. It only registered the pain that had come with it and now he was injured and unable to move due to the pain that he was experiencing. Looking up, he noticed that security guard was actually moving slightly for once. Namely, he was readjusting the sheathed sword on his back. Roman must had been struck by the sheath then for there were no cuts on his body. The speed at which the guard had hit him must have been at inhumane speeds that he failed to activate his aura.

Roman's sight began to blur as the noisy sounds of what most likely were police sirens could be heard. His help must have run by now in order to escape the law. The last thing he felt before losing consciousness was the police officer checking his condition and Roman felt that he was being put on a stretcher as he was being carried towards the vehicle.

Tonight's robbery had been a massive failure. It would also mark the end of the criminal's reign.

Well, Roman thought. At least I'll be safer behind bars and away from that crazy woman. Perhaps this night wasn't that much of a failure so much as a blessing in disguise. Neo would survive a few days without him. She'll probably break him out before his sentence would be finished anyway.

/-/

The police had taken some time before they arrived. When word of Roman Torchwick's activities had been notified, they must have scrambled before they ultimately came in and arrested the man. When the police did arrive, they found that the criminal was already down and they had to contact the ambulance to bring the man in due to his injuries. Sasaki Kojirou had to give his testament when the police gathered information for their reports.

"Thank you for your assistance, good sir," said the officer. "Have a good night."

Kojirou bowed in response. "Only doing my duty as a security guard, sir."

"With someone like you, this Dust Shop in particular is in good hands."

The two shared a laugh. It was only expected of Kojirou that he performs his duty. He is a Servant of the owner, after all. Although it was less of Servant and Master and more like employee and employer. Kojirou still gets paid his salary and all the other things relating to having a job here. He even has his own place to stay should he wish. He patterned it after his old home for that nostalgia.

The doors behind him opened and out came one of the regulars of the shop, Ruby Rose. She had just bought some comics and supplied her dust again. She stopped at the sight before her. "Hey!" she cried out. "Did I miss something cool?"

Kojirou retold what had just happened. With her headphones on, there was little chance that little miss Rose would even be aware of what was happening outside the door. She was often consumed by whatever comic or magazine that she was reading that it makes it difficult for her sometimes to know what was happening around her. She doesn't disturb the others though and is at least aware enough to watch where she is going. It only ever happens when she is in one place at any given time.

"Oh crud!" Ruby exclaimed, disappointed that she had missed the action. "That would have been so cool! I wanted to see you beat the bad guys, Mr. Kojirou sir!"

"Maybe, next time, Ruby," Kojirou replied.

"Yeah, yeah. Well I have my stuff and I'm going to have to prepare for another year at Signal. Hey, with the Vytal Festival coming this year, maybe I get to see my sister. Oh, you should meet her!"

"I'm not sure if I can do that. I do have a job."

"Pssh." Ruby waved her hand. "Yang and I are huntresses. We'll go here for our Dust supplies and you can meet her then."

"Then, I look forward to it." Kojirou bowed.

"Welp, gotta go, bye Mr. Kojirou!"

As the little huntress-in-training went further and further, Kojirou returned to his duties as a security guard. While the shop may not be the same as the temple, he will still guard it as though it were. With the Dust prices having increased, there may still be criminals who would seek to steal such a resource from his Master. Kojirou would ensure that it never comes to that both as a Servant and employee. Until the shop keep closed and locked the doors of his shops, he shall continue to guard it.

AN: This one won't be updated as regularly. Think of this one as a connected one-shots, mainly because I just think of memes.