In the last chapter zane got surgery for his injuries and seems to be stable now. But now needs to conquer some trials in his mind to escape it. But lets shift the focus to cardin, coco and velvet now. RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. I own the OC's, AU. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 4 blue:Desert Days
In the city of Vacou several people were bust roaming around minding their business today. It was a sunny day like usually in the continent of vacou. But near a medium size brick house that seemed to be standard for most of the citizens of the capital. Their was a team inside stirring awake slowly to start a new day.
In a bedroom with some red curtains covering the window. A beeping noise could be heard from an alarm clock. Their were two lumps underneath a bed sheet. The one closest to the alarm clock brought his hand out. He smacked at the alarm clock several times.
After a bit of time he smacked the snooze button as he slowly got up from his bed. Their half asleep and who just got up was cardin winchester. He rubbed his eyes as he covered his mouth to yawn. Soon he got up and he wore no shrit with a pair of boxers on.
He went to the curtains pulling them back to let light into the room. Cardin stretched his back as he looked outside at the sandy dunes outside with palm trees in the distance.
"Ughhh close the blinds i'm sleeping"a female voice said from the bed.
Cardin laughed a little as he went over grabbing the sheets. Then he pulled them off to reveal Yumi their half asleep in a tank top and purple pajama pants. She stared at him with some small bags under her eyes.
"I hate you soo much right now"Yumi said as she picked up a pillow fluffing it.
"Oh come its a bright new day, plus we got a week off. Can't believe the headmaster is giving us a week off."cardin said
Yumi groaned as she tired to head back asleep"well we did deal with grimm attacks and bandits for a week straight. Seriously why did both of them attack at the same time"yumi replied as she stared at the ceiling.
Cardin smiled before jumping in bed joining her. They both looked at each other before the panda faunus sighed.
"Fine i'll get out of bed…for today"yumi said as she got up grabbing some pants on a chair. Then she grabbed a shirt as she walked out of the guys room. Cardin then started to get changed into different combat gear for a change. He changed into a white sleeveless muscle hoodie tanktop and blue jeans. Undenreath he wore a black longsleeve shirt with a brown belt. He also wore black fignerless gloves with his armor he usually wore with it. But as he did he looked a nearby framemd photo on the dresser.
He picked it up examining it and smiled a little. But frowned a little as he saw some of the people missing today from the photo. Those being his three teammates, yatsu, fox, pyrrha, cinder, tanner and zane. Cardin remembers her sending him some mail a while back. He finally got it but it worried him. She sent him something that sounded like she was going on a revenge quest.
But that was almost two weeks ago and he hasn't heard anything back from her. Although he just hoped his blonde friend was okay. Although he also lost russel on the way here to vacou, they didn't have enough medical suppiles to patch him up. He bled out on the way here but he stayed by his side the entire way here. But he also figured out that sky and dove died, someone said some gangsters shot them down. Their bodies were brought back to their homes for proper burials.
While for fox and yatsu apparently from what he heard from coco, they went back to the school to find more stragglers. But after calling their scrolls several times before they left for beacon. Some soldier broguht their bodies back, those two also lost someone close that day as set the picture frame down as he finished getting changed.
He stepped out of his room to be met by the sweet smell of breakfast. Cardin looked in the kitchen as his girlfriend mother was at the stove. The women seemed to be in her late thirties with catalina blue hair that reaches her back and pale skin, ontop her head were two blue panda ears. She had a slender build to her . she wears a simple light blue colored shrit that reaches just above her stomach along with a dress jacket that is open also colored dark blue in color. She wears form fitting jeans along with a pair of black running shoes.
The women was known as catalina sadko, mother of yumi who right now was making pancakes for rbeakfast. When most of teams got sent here about a month and now almost a week ago. They needed to stay in some houses they provided to them. He decided to stay with yumi since she offered.
The women gave him his own room but most of the time yumi just spends time with him their. But her mother doesn't seem to mind but won't stop messing with them about it. The place was simple since it had some photo of the two and yumi father who passed away it seems. It had a decent size dinnign table meant for maybe six people along with a couch, chair and tv.
"Well you two are finally up, thought i walk in on you two having fun"Catalina teased
Cardin laughed as he walked over to the sink to get a glass of water. He grabebd a glass and put it under the tap and turned the handle. Water soon came out filling the glass once it was close enough he stopped it.
"For starters i'm not doing that in your home ma'am. But uh you know if vel or coco are busy today?"cardin asked
Catalina thought for a moment"hmm if i recall one of yoru friends nolan was it, hes finally going through physical therapy. That bunny girl is helping him, as for the other i don't know"catalina replied
Nolan Portgirio one of the two remaining mean of team BRNZ. The other being May zedong the sharpshooter. He remember a while back seeing the guy in a hospital misisng both his legs. Its great to hear the guy finally going through physical therapy.
"Really? That's great about time that guy started. Started to get on my nerves with his mopping"Cardin replied as he drank his water.
Catalina chuckled a little as she continue stirring the pancake bater. Then she slowly pour it into a pancake press. Then she pressed it down letting it cook as she continued their conversation.
"What do you expect, he lost both his legs during the fall. Its upsetting to hear that happen to someone so young. "Cataline replied as she looked down.
"Though may has been helping with hsi recovery every day, shes been their since the beginning for him"she added
Soon enough a door clicked opened as yumi stepped out in a fresh pair of clothing. She wore a a pair of black grey tight fit jeans. She wore a long seelve shirt but the right sleeve was torn off. In its palace was one short sleeve. She wore a pair of black fingerless glvoes on her right hand . She wore some running shoes colored pink.
"You know if your done messing with my boyfriend mom i;m hungry. Whats for brekafast"Yumi said taking a seat as a ding could be heard. catalina walked over to the pancake pressed and produced some pancakes. She walked over as she placed three plates for them.
"Well you could say thank you, but i made pancakes eat up"cataline said walking over with a apron on. The apron had writing saying"don't punch the cook please".
The three joined each other at the dining table and started to eat breakfast. Cardin grabbed his fork and dug into his took one bite and they were really good. He a decent cook at best when he makes the food here. But that women knows how to cook. Yumi tried to do it a few weeks ago but almost burned down the house. She wasn't aloud near the stove anymore, she good with technology not baking.
"So i was thinking later this week we should have a small get to gether with some of your two friends"cataline suggested as she ate her breakfast.
Yumi ate her"seems like fun, we could get the wukong involved maybe."yumi replied expecting cardin to add something but didn't.
Cardin just ate his food but he looked down at his food a little upset. He messed with it poking at his food. In the back of his mind something was bothering him. More importantly whats been going on with him and vance for the past month. Along with his teammates death still hurting.
Yumi noticed her now boyfriend cardin looking down. She caught onto this as she poked him in the face to get his attention. Cardin looked at her wondering what she wanted.
"Uhh yeah whats up?'cardin asked
"Are you okay? Because are you still upset about the people we lost?"yumi questioned as her mother had a somber look, the two looked at him worried and sighed because he wanted to lie to them. But couldn't for the past month hes been trying to make it up to vance for what happened after the fall.
The lynx has been avoiding like the plague. Along with taking a job for some guy named Decker Shaw everyday. He doesnt come back for a few days then comes back all beat up and battered. Its worrying him a little.
"Yeah, it…hurts still that those three knuckleheads are gone. Miss em every day now, but they did what any huntsman would do"cardin begun as he rubbed his eyes trying to keep his tough guy persona.
"Really wish we got russel to the ship on time…but he's not here anymore along with dove and sky. Theirs also team CFYV who lost two team members as well, pretty sure vel hurting the most now.."cardin added as he took a deep breath composing himself. Yumi soften her gaze as she sat next to him.
"Along with losing three other people, lost alot of friend that day. I miss them so dam much…wished i got to grimm boy on time. Maybe then vance wouldn't be going on sucide missions everyday"cardin finished letting a couple tears escape but quickly composed himself.
Yumi leaned against him to comfort him"You mean how he keeps going on missions for decker. I know but he's….grieivng for two loved ones he cared about. "Yumi replied looking down at her food.
Cataline sighed as she collapsed her hands together"look dear, you did your best to save who you can. Its been a month now, i know losing someone close is hard. But their in a better place now…not everyone can be saved."she softly said
Cardin rubbed his eyes as he leaned back in his was right Zane has been gone for almost a months now. But he still feels guilty how he just left him to die. He could have saved him but the guy was one stubborn bastard.
"I..i know, but maybe we should visit that memorial later with CFVY and anyone else whos free. After that maybe have a week of fun."cardin suggest. Yumi smiled slihglty agreeing with that as they cotninued to eat breakfast.
Across town in a house a certain lion faunus was awake as he drank his morning cup of coffee. He slowly drank the cup that said sexist lion around. This was Fenix Neman and he watched the news as it played out.
"In our top news today Vale City is still being laid under siege by countless huntsman and huntresses trying to reclaim the city. They have made some progress setting up a small base along the edge of town. But their are still several missing students that haven't appeared. They are presumed dead or missing we pray for their safe return unharmed. "The news lady replied as she continued
"Theirs also been increased in white fang activity in the area, some say their members have left the terrorist group. They claim to have left the terrorist group of their own free authoritities are offering a three hundred lien reward for any White Fang member turned in. their is also the kidnapping of schnee heirness weiss schnee and one of the two hayley heiress eria hayley. Theirs also the disappearance of the second hayley heirness who seemed to have ran away from home."the news lady continued
Fenix scoffed at this thinking that was enough news for today. He turned it off as he looked over at the table. Their he saw his wife reading a book with her glasses on. While he looked around for where their daughter was along with a certain lynx.
"Hey where fish boy and my little girl?"fenix aksed his wife
Bastet looked up from her book as she closed it then put a bookmark in it. She took off her glasses rubbing her forehead trying to remember where they went as her tail swayed.
"From what I recall their in town, vance said he was treating Lavi to some ice cream. He said he owed her and us for what they did for him"bastet replied
Fenix sighed at this as he rubbed his head. When he saw on the news about a month ago about Roman Torchwich dying during the fall of Vale. But along with several students dying among them one that strcuk the lynx boys heart.
He allowed the young boy to stay with them so he could heal. But everyweek he heads back into that dam city. Vance goes their to relieve some stress he says. But in reality he hurt and hes using killing as a way to help him. That won't work because he needs someone to talk to.
"How long ago did those leave exactly?"fenix asked
"About a half hour ago don't worry their close by"bastet reassured her husband as she joined him on the couch. Fenix sighed as his wife leaned her against his chest. He smiled as rubbed her head as they sat their.
Over in a general hospital several people were busy at work. Doctors were checking in on their patients along with treating them. But in a therapy wing of the hosptial a boy along with two girls were trying to encourage him to move out of his wheelchair.
The boy in question wore a deep sky blue jacket with a blodd hood. His sleeves were rolled up to show his forearms and the sleeves were colored black. He wore a white long sleeve under his jacket. Along with a pair of pink lensed sunglasses on his head. He wore some ripped burgundy jeans with a pair of black shoes. He wore some fignerless glvoes that were black. Along with his hair being messary dark red and he had pink eyes.
A certain bunny faunus was trying to encourage him to move along with a nother girl who wore a beanie.
"Come nolan you can do…please just try"velvet begged as her ears flopped
Nolan crossed his arms looking down depressed. He looked at his leg as underneath his jeans seen through the ripped holes. He had prosthetic legs instead of his normal ones.
"I can't…I don't even deserve these legs"nolan replied.
The girl in the beanie who was known as May Zedong sighed, smacking her face.
"Dammit nolan you said you do therapy you promised you do it for them"may added
Nolan looked at his teammate as the boy had some dark circles under his eyes. He seems to have not been getting sleep lately. Nolan took a deep breath as he lifted himself up. Then he grabbed the two bars in front of him.
He slowly made his way lifting one foot in front of the other. As he did May smiled a little walking close by to her teammate to support him. Velvet smiled a little because shes been helping out her a few times. She been helping Nolan along with a few others who lost something after Beacon.
Though one of them had recovered faster than the rest with her lose of limb. That would be Gwen from Team NDGO several students were gifted prosthetics after they lost their limbs fighting grimm. Ironwood told them they all fought with honor . Along with Jaki Hayley helping make most of them. But hes staying at velvet house asking where his daughter is if they seen her.
But luckily he gave her, coco and cardin some good news on blake, onxyia and neo. That they were back in menagerie, but giving some terrible news it she happy her girlfriend is alive and hopes she dealing with the guilt alright. But weiss and eria being kindppaed upsetted her. She already lost her teammates,boyfriend and several others friends, she hopes their okay.
Nolan kept walking and he was reaching the end of the small track. But as he did he stopped in place as his legs started to shake. Nolan gulped nervously as his entire bodie started to legs soon gave out as he fell to the ground shaking.
Velvet and may went wide eye rushing to their fellow student. Nolan sat on the ground breathing in and out as he stared at his legs. He looked to be in pain as he clenched his fist.
"God dammit….why….why…did roy and Brawnz have to die"Nolan said as he stared at the ground. May looked down as she held her friends hand looking at him. Velvet sighed because Nolan was getting worse at times. He hasn't been getting better due to his guilt.
"Its…alright..nolan..they're in a better place now"May reassured him as he looked at her frowning.
"No it's not…that thing…took my legs. Then he gutted them… while we ran. We could have saved them…we could"nolan begun but stopped as tears streamed his face. Velvet looked sad as two doctors came in to help Nolan.
"Its quite alright why don't you and Miss. Zedong take a break. We'll keep an eye on him for today."the female doctor said telling them to go take a break. Velvet nodded as she wrapped an arm around May shoulder gudiingin her out of the hospital.
The two went to some locker to grab their gear. As velvet grabbed her gear may sat on a bench staring down as she held her hand over her left eye. Velvet grabbed her camera and shut the locker.
"Are you…okay?"velvet asked the sniper.
May looked up as she removed her hand from her eye. Then she looked at her scroll in her right hand. It was a news article about the monument they made to honor those they lost during the fall of beacon.
May shook her head at the rabbit"no…i'm not okay. I miss my teammates, my friend's…their gone due that mutant"may said looking up at velvet.
"I know…i..i miss yatsu and fox everyday…coco said shes moved past it. But she just trying to keep her tough girl reputation. But I miss my boyfriend too alot"velvet replied as she rubbed her eyes as a few tears slipped away. She missed them deeply, coco keep saying she grieved for them but she knows it not true.
But she still rather hurt that her boyfriend is gone and wondering if her girlfriend is even handling everything alright.
"But that thing probably dead…their only been two of the twelve sighted so far"velvet said but someone close by corrected her.
"Thirteen, your missing one kid"a female nurse said close by as velvet looked knew that she was off but she didn't want to think about that day. Velvet wrapped her arms around herself as she saw Zane in his monstrous appearance.
"I..i..um i must have miscounted"velvet said nerovusly but may surprisingly stood up to the nurse getting in her face.
"Hey lady, mind your business she knew that one from the fall. "May retorted as the nurse scoffed at her.
"Oh what you mean how that girl loved some monster, what you symapthizes with it?"the nurse smugly asked as the sniper narrowed her one eye.
"I am, because i owe him for helping me and best friend make it out alive. So scram"may said again as the nurse relented walking off grumbling to herslef. Velvet was slightly surprised by this but, may seemed to sympathize with her, coco and cardin. Apparently zane saved her and nolan before an uras got them. The sniper appreciate the gesture it seems.
"Ummm thanks for doing that"velvet sheepislhly thanked as may smiled patting her on the shoulder.
"No problem but what are we…"may ebgun but velvet scroll buzzed to their surprise. Velvet opened it and saw it was a message from cardin which surprised her. Even after all the bullying they became fast friends now.
"Hey vel, me and yumi, along with some others are visiting the memorial later. Were curious if you wanna come with"cardin text read
Velvet thought for a moment and thought it be nice for may and nolan to come along. Maybe get something to eat while their in the area. Velvet began to type on her scroll to respond.
"Alright May is with me we'll grab Nolan and meet you their"velvet texted back it took a few seconds for him to respond.
"Awesome, i'll stop by your place to grab coco if shes still their"Cardin text read as velvet put her scroll away. The sniper looked at the bunny with intrigued wondering who she texted.
"Who was that?'may qeustioned
"It was cardin, he was wondering if we wanted to go visit the memorial. Maybe grab something to eat"velvet replied as may looked down for a second then smiled slightly.
"Sounds great…i'll grab him and meet you outside"may said as she went to grab Nolan. Velvet then went outside to wait for the two. The bunny faunus hoped that this could bring a smile to their group after all the loses they experienced.
Meanwhile across town cardin and Yumi were walking around the market toward velvet market was busy with people minding their own business. Their were several stalls around the place. Most of which selling trinkets or jelwery to anyone unlucky to buy them. Most of the time they were either fake or real.
Some food stalls were open and the market was filled with the sweet aroma. Their was meat, baked good, and some produce around the several huntsman and huntresses were here as well which was strange. Their was also a few weapon stalls showing off their brand new merchandise. Cardin passed by a weapon stall showing off an assult rifle that the guy had. Then he pressed a button as it changed to a spear.
"The things people come up with sometimes for a weapon. I'm impressed they come up with this stuff"Cardin said
"Yeah well that meadow girl had a guitar and rocket launcher during the tournament remember"yumi reminded as he recalled that girl from team TMBR if he recalled.
"I do, i recall she had a crush on princess ice queen boyfriend"cardin replied as they kept walking until two figures decided to approach the two. One of them calling out to the couple.
"Yeah she did, heard from neps their band took a break right now. Also perun still pretty torn up about it"a male voice said as the tow turned toward the two figures.
The one who spoke was a teenage boy with dark skin and gold eyes. His hair is sage green, and he appears to have tattoos of wings on his chest and tattoos of roman numeral, matching those on his sword, around his neck it seems.
He wore a white long coat with asymmetrical sleeves, a green wing design similar to his tattoos and no shirt underneath, displaying his tattoos chest. His hacket also has a golden pauldron on his right shoulder and a golden cuff around his left wrist. He also wears a pair of black pants fastened by a white belt with a yellow buckle.
This was sage Ayana, apart of team SSSN
The second was someone close to sages age with red hair that comes down over his right eye, with a complete undercut. There are several red marking around his left eye. He wears a green, mulberry, navy colored feather earring on his left ear and has a red military pelisse like jacket drapped over the left side. He also wears a gray bandana around his neck.
On his right hand, he wears a fingerless glove and on his right bicep, he has a gray band. He also wore a white sleelvess shirt and light gray pants. He also wears a pair of long, brown laced boots. Around his waist he wore a brown belt and a second slightly slanted gray belt that his weapon holster is attched to.
This is scarlet davis, apart of team SSSN
"Oh hey guys, i heard she was injured during the fall. "Cardin replied as the two joined them in their walk. The two team member have hanged out with them for a bit but sun left for menagerie it seems for some reason.
"She got stabbed if i recall, shes lucky to be alive but uh tamaska and her haven't dealt with buck death that great"Sage said sadly.
Yumi sighed"i know what you mean, alot of us lost so many that day"she added
Scarlet nodded sighing annoying"yes it is a tragedy, though i'm still slightly mad our leader left us"scarlet added which made sage rub his eyes because their leader had a good reason to leave.
"Come on, he wanted to go check to see if blake and wolf ears were alive. Along with…checking on "cardin replied as the two seemed fine with that. Sun apparently explained to them what happened along with neptune. The two were hesitant at first but seemed to trust their teammates.
"He right, but uh what are you two up to today?'sage asked
"Oh were stopping by the scarlitina household to grab coco. Then visit the memorial with velvet, may and nolan"yumi answered as scarlet interest was peaked hearing nolans name.
"Really? Well lets grab her then be on our way"scarlet said as he picked up pace as the three eyed each other. Apparently as of late scarlet has been spending more time with nolan and the two got close. He admired that hes dealt with his grief so far, but wanted to help him out.
The three followed scarlet as they walked through the market for a bit. Until they arrived at a simple house that was like all the others in the city. But outside right now watering some flowers was a women.
The women seemed to be in her late thirties as she had long brown hair that reached to her shoulder. Along with that she sported a pair of brown bunny ears, though he ears were the color of pearls. Her attire consisted of a long skirt that reached the ground color light brown with gold trim. She had on a pair of tan sandals on undenreath along with a maroon shirt on underneath a golden blazeer with brown lining it. The women had a slender frame, and has a moderate bust. She has a golden wedding ring on her right hand.
The bunny faunus looked up smiling slightly"ah hello you four if your here for my daughter she isn;t here"the women greeted
"Were not here for her "yumi greeted as the women chuckled at that as she set the watering can down.
"Call me meg dear"the women introduced herself as meg scarltiina mother of velvet and husband of will.
"Oh uh right though uh we aint looking for her ma'am"cardin said as meg eyed him for a moment. Appernelty the women knows of him tormenting her daughter back at beacon. She told her shes forgiven him but she still mad at him for pulling her daughter ears.
"Ah well then what bring you here then? It better not to be messing with my house"meg warned pointing at cardin who looked down at that accusation.
"No were here to grab coco…were planning on visiting the memorial today. Then maybe spend time together during our break"Cardin softly said as the women soften her gaze immediately. She sighed as she messed with her ring finger.
"Shes inside, probably talking with my husband and jaki. Or she in the room my daughter and her share. "Meg said as she glanced at yumi and cardin.
"You two can come inside if you like"meg said as she walked inside the house as the two followed her. Once inside they were met by a simple living room it had a couch and a couple chairs brown in color. Along with a small coffee table, it didn't have much decorations since the family moved to vacou because they lived in vale originally. But they still had some of the pictures from their home. Though in the living room right now was will scarltina trying to make his old friend jaki look toward the positives right now.
"Come on jaki, i know your very distraught about both your girls going missing. But i'm sure rogue will return home soon. If she seen her sister going missing she'll rush home"Will reassured
Jaki sighed heavily"i know…i know but, it hurts still hearing that i could lose both my little girls. "Jaki softly said as the three stayed silent as the cold weaponsmith showed some emotion.
"I already lost my brother…if i lose them, i'll probably never recovery. Their both already so hurt about their leaders lose including pyrrhas and tanners. I thought if i helped you with this project i find rogue here but i didn't. I hope my wife can explain to me when i get home what happened to eria."jaki finished as his voice slightly broke as will rubbed his old friends back comforting him.
Soon enough will looked up seeing the three here as he smiled at his wife"oh hello, we weren't expecting guest today"will said as jaki looked up with red eyes it seems. The man may be emotionless at times but he can still weep.
The weaponsmith quickly composed himself clapsing his hands together"ah…hello you two, sorry you had to see that. Just worried about my little girls is all"jaki coldly said as cardin sat down with yumi next to him.
"Don't worry about, i'm sure firestarters alright wherever she is. Still can't believe she sent that note…i hope shes okay"cardin reassured
"Yep, though if i knew where feathers was. She might know where those two are probably right now"yumi added making him smile. But they were curious why they were here in the first place.
"So what exactly brings you two here? My daughter isn't in right now shes at the hospital helping out"will said as he crossed a leg over one another.
"Oh they wanted to come grab out daughter leader, their visiting the memorial today"Meg said as will soften his gaze. Then he looked toward a room that coco was in right now. Inside the room coco was in her usual attire but she was looking at a mirror right now.
Mainly because she was looking at her face because it looked normal enough. But shes still grieving for the loss of their teammates right now. They've been through so much together and it was only their second year. But she was their team leader, she was low on aura after slaughtering several grimm with her favorite great uncle. Those two went back to the school to find more students or survivors. While she waited for velvet to return a squad of soldier came back with their bodies.
It made her worrie if that bunny faunus was gone too but when she came back she was relived. Though she looked at the mirror glancing a photo of the two together. The fashion monoger smiled slightly because it was them with their teammates.
Coco chuckled slightly"hope your dealing with your boytoys death alright still bun. Maybe your girl might see you"she quietly said as she sighed heavily deciding to leave the room. When she opened the door she was met by meg who was about to knock on it.
"Oh coco dear, i was just coming to get you"meg said which made her raise an eyebrow
"Oh yeah what, let me guess your gonna charge me rent?"coco aksed as the women laughed at that.
"No, not yet at least. Some of your friends wanted to see if you wanted to visit the memorial"meg softly said as coco had a somber look but her sunglasses hide it. She looked over at cardin and yumi who waved to her. The girl just nodded agreeing immediately because it sounded nice.
The three quickly left the house but not before saying goodbye. Once outside sage and scarlet greeted her as they made their way through town toward the moment. It took them about twenty minutes to get close to the illusive shade academy of vacou. Like most huntsman school it was large in size but out in the front sat a monument. The monument in question was that of beacon tower with some candles, pictures frames and many more infront of it. Already their was nolan, may and velvet.
The four walked over to see may setting down some flowers for some pictures frames it seems. As nolan had a pair of shades on as he looked down upset at them. While velvet just kneeled infront of another praying it seems. Once they were over coco soften her expression as she took a spot next to her placing a hand on her shoulder.
Velvet smiled at her"oh hey guys you made it"velvet softly said as the others joined them. Scarlet walked over to nolan placing a hand on his shoulder as without insticnt he placed his over his.
"It'll be alright, those two are in a better place"scarlet reassrued as nolan just nodded as he fought the tears back. He rather not look weak infront of his boyfriend. Sage just stood near may keeping a stoic look but was upset seeing some of the names on the memorial.
Cardin was too as he had an arm wrapped around yumi, he looked at all the names on the memorial from their fallen friends and comrades. The young huntsman saw tanner mckay, cinder fall, russel thrush, dove bronzewing, sky lark, fox allister, yatsuhashi daichi, along with the champion of sanctum pyrrha nikos. All of them friends that he lost who he missed dearly.
"Wish you all were still here today"cardin quietly said as he let a few tears form. Yumi noticed this embracing him from the side as he let a few out.
Velvet frowned seeing her two teammates names and the love she lost as she hugged coco for comfort which she returned. May just narrowed her one eye knowing who took her teammates, hoping to get payback for them someday.
Sage sighed"you know, i barely knew thse guys but i bet they were the best"he said with a smile.
Coco chuckled slightly"they were, i miss trying to make fox wear a dress. It was hilarious."cooc replied
"You always did try to make us do that…yatsu always let you do it because he thought it be funny"velvet added
"Yeah, though uh seems someone craved out your friends name"may pointed out as near the bottom of the memorial was a name crossed out in the memorial. But cardin knew whos name that was, it was zane graves crossed out but replaced with the words"monster of beacon".
Cardin sighed"probably gwen or someone who despise the guy. At least this is still here"Cardin said as he looked at a picture taped to the memorial. That being the group photo they took before the final round. All of them smiling before the worst day ever happen.
But they decided to go to an ice cream shop close by after a bit to cheer thsmelves up. They all got different flavors to try and cheer thsmelves up, soon they talked about what they'll do during break.
"So what is everyone going to do for their week break?"velvet questioned as she took a spoon into her bowl of ice cream then ate it.
Cardin cupped his chin thinking for a moment. He was probably going to go do a few jobs during break to get some extra lien. He wanted to treat Yumi somewhere nice over break and not some lousy fast food joint.
"Don't know maybe do some odd jobs around to get some extra Lien along with relaxing you guys?"Cardin answered
"I'm probably going to the shooting range to keep my aim up. Everysince I lost during the tournament i've been praticing more. Next time I run into that wolf i'll win"May said in confidance making a finger gun then pretended to shoot it.
"I'm going hone my skill, who know when our leader will come back from his visit"sage said as he took a bite from his cone.
"Me and bun while probably be hanging out with those ingram sister their a hoot. Maybe even mess with her when she meets that wolf again"coco said grabbing velvet by the shoulder scaring the poor bun. Velvet jumped up a little and looked at coco flustered.
"Arghh why do you have to talk like that"Velvet asked
"Becauses it funny when you become flustered"she simply replied
"Hmmm despite that hey Nolan how has therapy been?"scarlet softly said with a worried look
Nolan looked down at his legs frowning as he put his shades over his he looked back up forcing a smile which they all knew he was faking.
"I'm fine…its a little hard to get used to"nolan said tightening his grip on his armchair as scarlet comforted him rubbing his shoulder.
"Look, we all know its a touchy subject but maybe talking about might help"yumi said trying to help him but this just made nolan tense up.
"Look…its just, i'm scared is all. Everytime I walk too fast on my new legs. My heart starts to race, then I feel like I'm back in the city running from that thing,"Nolan said as he clenched his hands around his knees.
"Well at least two of them are dead"a voice said behind them. They turned to see Nebula and Gwen their. Both sat at a table and the one who said it was gwen. She had her usually attire on but her right arm was now a prosthetic. But their were slots on it suggesting her knives are in it. The arm was all purple with dark gray lining it.
"You mean one of them"cardin said glaring at her clenching his fist.
Gwen stared at him scoffing at this as she drank her shake. She took one long sip before taking a break staring at him blankly.
"You heard what I said….i'm happy that freak is dead. His dumb sibling or whatever took my arm and took Nolans legs"gwen spited back at Cardin .
Nolan flinched jumping in his chair a little. Then he wclenched his legs again shivering and shaking. May looked at this as she started to pull his chair away while scalert went to help her.
"Come on lets get you away from here and check the stalls out"may suggested
"She rights let go check out that food stall you told me about last week"scarlet said with a smile
Nolan smiled a little as he calmed down a little. He had his shades on still but he gently nodded to them that seemed like fun. The group then went off to check out said vendor while the others talked.
"Look Gwen we get it your pissed about losing your arm but you–"sage began but the vacou girl stopped him pointing a finger in the air.
"Really I'm more than pissed, I understand what'll happen when you become a huntsman. But seriously you guys are pathetic, along with you rabbit"Gwen added
"Whats that suppose to mean?"coco questioned narrowing her gaze annoyed that she spit on the people they lost names. But was angry she targeted her remaining teammate
Gwen rolled her eye chuckling"That you all managed to lose your school, couldn't even defend your just pathetic, you give huntsman and huntresses a terrible name."gwen replied then eyed velvet.
"At least i didn't date some monster seriously good riddance that thing is rotting in hell. You probably knew about it trying to trick everyone and let it happen"she added making the girl on the verge of tears as coco hugged her friend to comfort her.
Off to the side a certain lynx faunus was getting a frozen treat for his benefactor's daughter. He put his hand up for two and the employee went and got it for them. As they stood there the lynx leaned agains the counter looking down.
"I can't thank thank fenix enough for whats hes done for me. Probably should head back into town again to grab a few things"Vance thought to himself.
But as he was deep in thought a lion faunus was next to him. She looked at him and began to tugg at the bottom of his shirt. Vance felt it and slowly looked down toward the lion faunus in question.
"What flavor did you get?'Lavi asked curiously.
Vance smiled a little kneeling down because the girl reminded him of Neo. Except for the part where she couldn't speak. He had to interpret what she said through pen and paper.
"Oh rocky road you?"vance asked already knowing.
"Chocolate and vanilla swirl!"The girl exicteldy replied with vance two soon got their ice cream. They began enjoying it and vance was looking around at the people around. He's been sort of enjoying his time in vacou.
But as he walked he noticed a small commotion going on and got a little too curious and check it out.
"Hey listen all i'm saying who know what else beacon been hiding. For all we know your school allowed criminals into your school"gwen said as nebula tried to stop her.
"Gwen come on were on a date, lets just relax oaky"nebula said calmly trying to calm gwen down.
"Look i'm sorry Nebs but that thing and his siblings or whatever are mistakes. "Gwen replied
Then from the side someone threw someone at Gwen. An icecream cone hit the side of the girls head. The cone fell to the ground and she felt the frozen custard in her hair. She growled wondering who did that. The group turned to see a certain lynx faunus staring at her with daggers.
"Oh great your here the moppy lynx"gwen said throiwng her hands in the air.
"Don't compare those things to him…they're not his siblings. Zoey is his sister,"vance said as he looked down clenching his fist. Next to him was a young lion faunus who was a little girl. She held his hand as she enjoyed her frozen trreat.
Gwen scoffed a little as nebula tried to get her to walked over to Gwen trying to make her sit down but gwen wasn't letting her.
"Gwen come on let it go…you don't wanna start a fight"nebula begged looking at her girlfriend.
"Really he started it…sorry he can't face reality. That thing was never human, i'm happy their I said. I'm happy that guys dead seriosuly, one less grimm–"gwen begun before a grey blur came at her.
A table shaked as Gwen was slammed against it. Vance was their holding his knife to her throat. He stared at her ready to slit her throat. The small lion faunus with him started to get scared.
"Say something like that again and i'll show you what I do to those who piss me off. "Vance said getting the knife close to her throat. Nebula grabbed the lynx throwing him off gwen as nebula helped her up.
Vance was about to go at her but cardin stepped in front of him. Vance glared at him and cardin knew what was coming. For the past month everytime vance meets him he says the same exact thing. He blames him for not letting him save his family.
"Seriously your here too great, dealing with the guy who didn't let me save my cousin."vance scoffed turning away from him.
"Vance come on…I said I was sorry. But have you even seen his message he left. Zane–"cardin begun but Vance glared at him for saying his name. Cardin sighed as he understood and backed off.
The lion faunus went over to vance as she finished her ice cream. She titled her head at him wondering what was going on.
"Is something wrong vance?"she asked softly as vance expression soften. He knelt down to her to get to eye level.
"Nothing wrong lavi…lets get you back to your dad alright"vance said as he took the girls hand as the two went back home. The group just watched them leave. Gwen was cleaning the ice cream from her hair annoyed right now.
"Seriosuly guy needs to chill out just stating fact"gwen said crossing her arms.
Cardin clenched his fist, he wanted to say something. But if he just argued more nothing would be resolved. The girl got a big chip on her shoulder about all this.
"Well sorry Gwen the guy was his family give him a break, and vel here dated him drop it"Coco warned crossing her arms as she titled her shades down.
"Pfft whatever lets go nebs"gwen said as the two vacou girls walked off toward a new direction. The group sat their with each other trying to recover from the little fight they had. The group decided to hang out tomorrow again for their day off.
Meanwhile in an office of shade academy sat a man who was busy at work at his desk. He was the ehadmaster of this academy and he was busy going through paper works and some maps. His office was filled with relics and with weapons from the great wars decorating the walls.
The man was a tall man seeming to be in his early forties with dark black hair along with a chekcered vest that shows off his wiry frame thin but with sharp lines of muscle it seems. He wears an ankle length, grey, blue cape which is clasped onto his shoulders with a silver chain, a silver belt with a round buckle, matching boots, and bright white sacks with deep side pockets. He also wears a pair of red gloves decorated in dust crystals.
As he was writing some paper work he glanced to the side. Their on his desk was a picture frame with some other people. He smiled as he picked it up looking at it. In the picture was him, ironwood, Ozpin, Qrow and another man who was a lion faunus.
Soon enough a dinging sound could be heard from across the room. He looked across the room to see a women enter his office.
The women had deep tan skin, her age was a little hard to tell since she stands at about four feet tall. Her hair was sandy brown that reaches her ankles, it was in a long braid bounded by a golden cord. Her frame is sqaurish that exaggerates the women shortness.
Her attire consists of brown pants with a loose dark green tunic cinched with a brown leather belt at her waist. The most notable part of her outfit is a long coat that is dark brown and coarse on the outside that glsitened.
"Ahh what brings you here today?"the man asked as he took a pair of reading glasses off and placed them on the side.
"Come now Theo we've known each other a long time call me Xanthe."the women replied
The man chuckled a little who was named theo. He slowly got out from underneath his desk as he rubbed his hands from writing for a while.
"Arlight Xanthe what brings you here today?"theodore qeustioned as he put his hands behind his back.
The short women cleared her throat a little"well glynda sent me a message that was dated a few days ago. I finally got it and it seems serious."Xanthe replied
Theodore lifted an eyebrow at this wondering what the new headmaster of beacon wanted. Latly they've been trying to reclaim the city form the grimm. But from what he heards its a slow start because they haven't taken much back.
"How serious are we talking"Theodore questioning putting his hands behind his back as he walked toward a window looking outside.
"She says they've managed to eliminate about maybe twenty to thirty percent of the grimm in the city. But thus far they need assistance because apparently another group of arms soldiers moved in on the town. The grimm aren't even attacking them which is strange."Xanthe began as Theodore looked outside.
"But their are some soldiers that were left behind that are doing what they can to keep the grimm back along with the other professors. Along with the despardos help but their numbers are dwindling their as well. And their seems to be survivors still in the city"Xanthe finished making theodore a little curious.
"How would that be possible its been a month. They would be dead in a week due to the grimm in the area"Theodore questioned
Xanthe shook her head"I do not know but she has requested to send maybe three teams of students to assist them for a few days. They'll make sure they are returned safely and nothing befalls them"Xathne finished as Theodore stood their.
He thought about the best option, if they were to reclaim the city back from that witch. They would need some assistance but he doesnt want to risk anymore students lives. They lost so many that day and it pains him to do this again.
Theodore paced around as he examined the great war weapons on the wall. As he passed an old sword in a sheathe that was protected by a glass case. He placed his hand on it looking at his reflection. Theodore took a deep breath then turned to the women.
"We'll put an announcement out tommorrow morning asking teams to volunteer to help out. Only twelve of them will go and they better come back alive. If they don't i'm afraid we will face backlash for this."Theodore proclaimed with Xanthe nodding.
"Alright i'll see to it sir, lets just hope nothing bad happens"Xanthe spoke as she went to the elevator to leave. She took the elevator down as Theodore sighed looking outside to see the city busy with people.
"Dammit I don't want to risk my students lives. Even though we took in those beacon students with open arms. Several of our students have been treating them harshly. Maybe sending two vacou teams and one small group of beacon students may help with their relationship"Theodore thought as he went back to his desk to continue to work.
This chapter was a nice change of perception for how cardin and the group are doing after the falls events. While their is the introduction of shade headmaster and xanthe, velvet mother and suns teammates. In this universe he isn't some sleezbag and instead stayed with his wife. Some interesting things also are happening for other which are covered in other volumes for 4. Thanks for reading