Amber was worried. The weekend had come and gone and there had been no sign of Blake, the remaining members of team RWBY had remained behind on campus hoping for their friend to return but it had all been for naught. Weiss had remained adamant insisting that they contact the headmaster or the police, stating their Faunus teammate most likely ran back to the White Fang or had fled the kingdom altogether.
She wasn't willing to accept that, and it seemed Neither were Ruby and Yang as for Mikael well that brought up another problem
He had just, vanished the night all this happened, she had attempted to contacted him that night but there was no reply to any of her messages or calls, to say she was concerned was an understatement, she couldn't jump to conclusions or try to surmise the reasons why he left, but she trusted he did so with the best intentions.
That Sunday morning Amber had agreed to help the remaining members of team RWBY search for their missing teammate, and perhaps in the process Mikael Gathering her things she left to meet the other at the airship port hopefully they'd find the others.
/
Mikael made his way through Vale, his search so far had come up with little result's although that wasn't surprising. In Skyrim the guild had a number of informants and allies that he could turn to when tracking down a certain item or person of interest, but here it had taken longer to dig up any solid lead and he doubted he could approach any underground source his association with Beacon academy and Huntsmen alike would make them wary of him and most likely give him false information.
Glancing up ahead he spotted a familiar sight 'The Red Baron" It may have been a long shot, but Ron may have had some information he could use he had heard Ruby mention his store a few times during the lunch period, making his way to the store upon entering he noticed it was rather quiet making his way through the isle he arrived at the counter.
A young woman stood on the other side knelt in front of one of the cabinets her blond hair pulled back into a ponytail wearing a black leather jacket with armor plating across her shoulder's and lower back, with dual holsters strapped to her thighs across her grey cargo pants and buckled combat boots a yellow cat tail hanging between her legs, she seemed to be restocking a section of dust crystal's.
"Ahem" Mikael coughed attempting to get her attention
"One minute" she responded shutting the cabinet the electronic lock engaging she stood up picking up the case of dust she turned around emerald green eye's meeting sky blue, Alana scream jumping back into the shelves behind her eye's wide and full of fear, a crash came from the back-room Ron kicking open the door dust pistol in hand pointed at Mikael after a moment he let out a sigh lowering his weapon
"For god sake Mikael, please don't scare my employee," Ron said holstering his weapon as he glanced over to Alana "You ok kid?" Ron said
It took a moment for the cat Faunus to calm herself "I-I'm fine" she stuttered regaining her composure.
"Good, don't scare me like that for Oum sake I thought we were being robbed" Ron said walking up next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder she glanced up at Mikael before averting her eye's it would seem his actions back at the mine had instilled some fear into the Faunus she seemed even timider then when they had last met and even then, they only shared a few words most of it from the other end of a sword.
Ron turned to Mikael offering a hand which he shook "I'm sorry to have caused a ruckus but I was hoping you may be able to help me" Mikael said
"What kind of help?" Ron asked, "If you're interested in trading in that sword for something with a little more power then I'm your guy." Mikael chuckled shaking his head.
"Nothing of the sort I wouldn't dare part with this blade," Mikael said running his hand across the hilt "...It has sentimental value, and that's not what I'm here for I'm looking for someone a student who went missing a few nights ago" Mikael said holding out his scroll displaying the image from Blake's file. Ron leaned in examining the picture Alana glancing at it also her eye's narrowing in recollection.
"Sorry can't help you, she in trouble or something?" He asked
"That's what I'm trying to find out I've been looking for her since she vanished her team have been quite worried, but it would seem I've come up empty on any leads," Mikael said as he closed his scroll pocketing the device and turning to leave "Thank you for your time"
"H-Hang on, I think I saw her a few hours ago" Alana stuttered before looking over to Ron " She and some blond guy came in they bought some dust rounds and then left I heard her talking about a cafe across town."
Ron looked at her with a questioning look, she glanced over to him before answering "You were in the forge working on that new piece I figured I could handle the sale I've been watching you do it for the past few weeks."
"That's a start, what's its name I can find my way from there." Mikael said
"Hang on, your still new around Vale probably best you have someone show you we don't wanna waste any time for all we know this could be something way bigger." Ron said
"I'll go with him." Alana said "My shift is just about over. You shouldn't have to close early because of me" she said
Ron was silent, before patting Alana on the shoulder "Stay safe out there, I'll send you your paycheck for this month to your apartment" He said
"Thanks, boss." Alan said, she turned to Mikael walking past him towards the door "Come on" she said
/
The two walked in silence for a moment both glancing to one another Alana seemed nervous although he couldn't blame her their last encounter had been less then one might call civil "So how long have you been in Vale." Mikael asked
The blond cat Faunus was quiet for a moment before answering "I got here a few weeks after you and that girl left with the huntsmen. " She said a small smile crept up onto his face "Ron was the only guy who would hire me, most of the other owners just told me to get out as soon as I walked through the door I never knew a human could be so kind."
"How did you end up involved with the White Fang?" Mikael asked
Alana glanced off to the side for a moment in thought before sighing "My dad" she began "I did it to try and make him proud." The statement was a simple one, but the distant look in her eye showed the hidden pain beneath the words. The kind of pain he knew all too well.
"I'm sorry for your loss." Mikael said his tone was much softer than his usual indifferent tone "You don't have to say anything if it's too much."
Alan seemed somewhat startled weather from the fact he had figured it out so quickly, or how genuine he sounded "T-Thank you." she replied her eyes trailed down "but, I think it might be best... it might be therapeutic in some way, I grew up outside the kingdoms in a small village my mom died in child birth so for as long as I could remember it was just me and my dad he worked in the dust mine our town had every morning he'd walk me to school then head off to work around five years ago my dad and I went to one of the rallies outside one of the SDC buildings in Vale for the Faunus labor laws I came along with my dad to show my support everything seemed normal at first the protest had already been going on for a few hours.
"Some of the Faunus got to close to the barrier the grunts at the SDC had put in place to keep us at a distance one of the guards shoved them back, and from their things just got worse I don't know who threw the first punch but that's all it took, they just... fired we weren't even armed, all I remember after that were people screaming, the bodies... the blood. my dad and I just kept running for our lives, trying to get through the crowd, trying to get out. "Her voice cracked lightly as the memory came flooding back
One moment he was fine telling me everything was going to be okay then he just collapsed. I froze up just stuck their alone and scared out of my mind I honestly thought I was going to die, then the White Fang showed up they fought off the mercenary the SDC hired and rescued any of the Faunus trapped in the crossfire after that I didn't have anywhere else to go I was so angry with what they had done I wanted to make sure my dad hadn't died for nothing...so I joined up, spent the next two years in a boot camp the White Fang had out in the bad lands.
Eventually, I was ready to go out on missions most were simple scouting missions or hijacking dust transports no one had gotten hurt before, then we showed up at that town and ... you know the rest." Mikael was silent, he glanced down at the blond she had been through so much for one so young he could only imagine what she had seen that day what she had lived through, but he knew her pain the kind that festers and boils becoming hatred over time Mikael knew that feeling all too well.
But this raised one important question "Does Ron know?" Mikael said in a hushed tone
Alana spun around "No, and he can't I know his brother was one of the miners if he finds out I was involved...I " Alana trailed off "I just can't"
"You should, it's better you tell him yourself rather then he finds out on his own" Mikael said "Trust me I've seen what can happen if you don't"
It took her a few moments to figure it out her eyes widening in understanding "The girl?" Alana asked it was more of a statement than a question.
"Yes, you and Blake aren't that different actually." Alana looked at him surprised no wonder the picture seemed somewhat familiar, but the name confirmed it.
"Blake Belladonna?" She asked
Mikael raised an eyebrow "Yes, do you know her."
"She... she was one of the White Fangs top agents she betrayed her partner Adam during a mission and vanished, after that he started cracking down on deserters. I heard about it just a few days before... well you know" Alana said she looked away from the Nightingale her eye's trailing down to the sidewalk below them, Mikael placed a hand on her shoulder causing Alana to look up at him
"What's done is done we can't change the past, you made a mistake don't let it hold you back. "Mikael said
Alana nodded the two continued on their way rounding the corner, a few stores ahead of them was the cafe Alana had mentioned, on the second story the cafe opened out onto a balcony sitting by the rail was, a certain black-haired girl across from her Monkey tailed companion.
"There you are" Mikael muttered as the two began to get closer. Mikael duck into an alleyway beside the cafe just beneath the balcony Alana quickly took her own place leaning against the wall acting casual as to not give away their position to the two Faunus above, if he attempted to speak with her now Blake would most likely run he needed to be patient and approach her when she was calm or face another few days trying to track her down.
"Any Idea who her friend is?" Mikael asked.
"I think she called him Sun." Alana said while Mikael hummed in confirmation.
So, for now he would wait. Listening in on the duo's conversation Alana joining him out of curiosity "Wait a minute you were a member of the White Fang!" Mikael pinched the bridge of his nose it would seem subtlety wasn't the boy's forte, luckily the street was still rather empty.
Blake nodded" That's right. I was a member for most of my life actually" she said closing her eyes as the memories came flooding back "You could almost say I was born into it. Back then things were different. In the ashes of war, the white fang was meant to be the symbol of peace and unity between Humans and Faunus. Of course, despite being promised equality the Faunus were subjugated to discrimination and hate.
"Humanity still thought of us as lesser Being. And so, the white Fang rose up as a voice of our people. And I was there."
Blake took a quick sip of her tea calming her nerves " I was at the front of every rally. I took part in every boycott. and I actually thought we were making a difference, but I was just a youthful optimist..." Blake explained looking off to the side adopting a solemn look. "Then, five years ago, our leader stepped down, and a new one took his place. A new leader with a new way of thinking. Suddenly our peaceful protests were being replaced with organized attacks.
We were setting fire to shops that refused to serve us. Hijacking Cargo from companies that used Faunus labor. And the worst part was? it was working. We were being treated as equals but not out of respect... out of fear.
So, I left. I decided I no longer wanted to use my skills in their violence. and instead, I would dedicate my life to becoming a huntress. So here I am. A criminal hiding in plain view all with the help of a little, black bow." she finished wiggling the appendage hidden beneath the fabric.
From bellow Mikael took in the information, inwardly he sighed she had sought out freedom from her old life leading her to Beacon where she believed she would find some form of redemption. It was commendable in a way, but believing the White Fang could come back from how far they had fallen was wishful thinking at best.
"Their leaving." Alana said bringing the nightingale out of his thoughts, Mikael and Alana moved out of the alleyway keeping a good distance behind the two to avoid detection while picking up some more of the conversation.
"So, what's the plan now?" Sun asked as the two turned down an almost empty street.
Blake sighed, "I still don't believe the White Fang are behind these robberies. They never needed this much dust before."
The blond Faunus seemed to realize something and stopped in front of Blake, "What if they did? I mean, the only way to prove they didn't do it, is to go to the place they would most likely do it, and not find them there. right."
Blake was a little surprised by her companion's words, then looked to the ground in thought "The only thing is, I have no idea where that would be."
"Well, while I was on the ship I heard some guys talking about unloading a huge shipment of dust coming in from Atlas." Sun added.
"How huge?" Blake asked
"Huge. Big Schnee company freighter." Sun said.
"You're sure?"
The monkey Faunus nodded" Definitely. The shipment should be arriving at the docks tonight, we can set up a stakeout and see who's really behind this."
Blake hummed in thought "Alright, it seems like the best bet, we should get moving" The two Faunus began making their way down the street once they were a good distance away Mikael stepped out of the alleyway Alana coming up beside him
"What now?" She asked.
"Now, you head back home while I deal with this." Mikael said as pulled out his scroll.
"What, no! I'm going with you." Alana said in outrage
"You and I both know we could be walking into a war zone, I'm not going to let you risk your life for this." Mikael said his tone left no room for argument, but Alana had other ideas.
The emerald-eyed cat Faunus narrowed her gaze at him gritting her teeth "I'm going whether you like it or not. I'm not just going to sit idly by and let the Fang repeat what happened back at the mine, and if you don't like it then Get. Out. Of. My. Way." Alan growled.
The two locked eyes for a moment Emerald green glaring into Sky Blue. Mikael sighed and shook his head she was a suborn one with something to prove, Aela and Vilkas would most certainly like her but that stubborn nature of hers could get her killed one day, but there was little time for discussion and Blake were beginning to put some distance between them.
"Fine" Mikael said not all too pleased with the outcome, but they were wasting valuable time. The two made their way in the same direction as the two Faunus were heading hopefully he could get there before they did anything stupid.
/
On the other side of Vale, Ruby stared down at her scroll with a frown. She hadn't had any luck in locating her teammate and it would seem the others were the same, sighing she pocketed the device, she was worried for her friend, but she had hoped they could find her before anything bad could happen.
"So, Blake's your friend." Penny questioned, the orange haired girl had shown up a little while into their search before her sister abandoned her, again! Well, it wasn't all that bad Amber had stayed with her at least.
Ruby sighed "Yes, Penny"
"But your mad at her?" Penny asked.
"Yes, W-Well I'm not, Weiss is." The cloaked girl explained
The ginger-haired girl thought for a moment, "Is 'she friends with Blake?"
"That's..." Amber trailed off "A delicate subject at the moment."
"But, why."
Ruby sighed deeply, stopping she turned to face her friend. "Well, you see, Blake might not be who we thought she was."
Penny gasped "Is she a man?"
"No, no Penny, she's not...I don't know what she is anymore. "Ruby said her shoulders slumping" She didn't exactly talk to us before she decided to run off."
Penny stopped looking down for a moment before speaking "I don't have a lot of friends, but if I did, I would want them to talk to me about things" She said
Ruby nodded "Me too." The three began walking again, the long silence between them didn't last long.
Penny turned her gaze to Amber "Is the professor your friend too?" she asked
"Mikael" Amber questioned
"Yes, the man with you when we first met. Is he also looking for your friend Blake?" Penny asked
"Professor Salmon vanished a little while after we split up to find Blake, we haven't heard anything from him since Friday." Ruby said
"That is rather strange." Penny noted
"Mikael prefers to take a more direct route when facing problems like this." Amber said idly "I wouldn't be surprised if he's already found her"
"Miss Autumn-"
"You can just call me Amber when were outside of Beacon, Miss Autumn makes me feel old." Amber said staring down at her scroll sending her sixth message to Mikael today
"Right" Ruby nodded "How long have you and Professor Salman known each other, you both seem pretty close"
"He and I are a little more than just friends, I'd trust him with my life" Amber state looking up from her scroll a small smile coming to rest on her face as she thought back to her time spent with the Nightingale.
Penny nodded a small frown appearing on her face, turning her head to Ruby as she spoke. "Your professor seems rather strange compared to other people."
"What do you mean?" Ruby asked.
"From what I'm aware of don't huntsmen especially professors already have their aura unlocked " Penny stated
"Yeah, why?" Ruby said as Amber stopped her eye's glancing back at the orange haired girl.
"From what I can tell there's no evidence that your professor has his aura unlocked" Penny stated "it is quite perplexing"
"Of course, he does" Ruby began turning to Penny "I saw his semblance during in initiation it was awesome!" Ruby said
"Hmm, perhaps I was mistaken." Penny said Amber let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Before the two could get any further into the subject she spoke up
"We should keep moving we still need to find your teammate." Amber said
/
Night had fallen over the city of Vale, the cool night air flowing through the empty street many of its residents having turned in for the evening. But the same could not be said for the lone girl laying atop the warehouse overlooking Vale's shipyards.
Blake lay across the rooftop on her stomach, sharp eyes scanning over the landscape below for any signs of her target. The crates of dust from the SDC had already been unloaded a few hours prior and there had been no sign of the White Fang or anyone else for that matter.
"Did I miss anything?" Her companion Sun asked as he touched down on the rooftop a bundle of apples cradled in his arms
"Not really" Blake replied shaking her head "They offloaded all of the crates from the boat. Now they're just sitting there."
The monkey-Faunus nodded "Cool" He held out his arms to her "I stole you some food."
"Do you always break the law without a second thought?" Blake asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Weren't you part of a cult or something?" Sun said, only to get a sharp glare in return from the raven-haired girl. "Oooooookay...too soon."
The wind began to pick up around them. Looking into the sky, a bullhead flew overhead spotlights shining down on the docks below, coming in the bullhead touched down on the docks below. The ramp at the rear of the craft came down allowing the occupants to leave.
Blake's eyes scanned over the occupants as they departed from the craft, she could make out the familiar garb of the White Fang.
"Oh, no..." Blake said as she shook her head after finally seeing the truth.
"Is that them." Sun asked
The cat Faunus nodded "It's them."
"You didn't want it to be true, did you?" he asked placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Deep down I think I already knew... I just didn't want to be right." she said, another voice called out from the bullhead down below
"Hey! What's the hold up!" Their eyes widened as their gaze turned down towards the aircraft as another figure made his way down the ramp. A man in a white jacket wearing black gloves and pants with a bowler hat sitting on his head covering dark orange hair. Roman Torchwick.
"Were not exactly the most inconspicuous bunch of thieves at the moment, sooo~ why don't you animals try to pick up the pace." Roman called out to the White Fang grunts.
"This isn't right." Blake said "The White Fang would never work with a human" Before Sun could stop her Blake drew Gambol Shroud leaping down into the dockyard below sprinting off toward the criminals location.
"Blake!" Sun called out, but she was already gone.
/
On the other side of the docks a group White Fang grunt's patrolled the warehouses splitting up into groups of two to cover more ground in the event any humans arrived and attempted to intervene in their operation if so then they would be dealt with quickly, two grunts made their way around the warehouses one carrying a large automatic dust rifle the other a bolt action rifle.
A small crash came from the alleyway to the left one of the grunt with two dog ears that raised up in response turning his head towards the dark alleyway he nudged the Dear Faunas to his left "You hear that?" He asked
"Yeah" The dear Faunus replied the two moved to investigate.
Making their way down the alleyway, the two grunts scanned the rooftops and the shadows a trash can ahead of them was knocked over the two grunts raised the weapons approaching the source of the disturbance only finding a dead end. Stopping the grunt's examined the area only to find nothing
The dear Faunus sighed "Let's regroup with the other" suddenly he stopped feeling something brush up beside him spinning around he found a small cat, the feline instantly bolted off back down the alleyway.
Suddenly an arm locked around his necks from behind his partner suffering a similar fate as he tried to raise his weapon, the two were dragged into the darkness by their assailants. After a few struggled gasps and muffled screams, there was only quiet, Alana and Mikael exited the alleyway glancing towards where they had seen the Bullhead land from a few streets away.
"What's the plan?" Alana asked.
"We deal with the sentries and push towards the landing site, keep low and stick to the shadows." Mikael said Alana readied her twin barrettes flipping off the safety just in case and followed close behind the nightingale.
/
Blake pressed her back to one of the containers, narrowing her eye's she observed the actions of Vale's master thief.
"No, you idiots!" He shouted to one of the grunts holding a tow cable. "This isn't a leash-" Before he had the chance to finish Blake was already upon him the blade of Gambol shroud pressed to his throat. "What the? oh, for fu-"
"Nobody move!" Blake said as three thugs gathered around her.
"Whoa there" Roman began "Take it, easy little lady."
Amber eye's looked over her opposition, before reaching up and undoing her bow reveling her cat ears "Brothers of the White Fang why are you aiding this scum!" She demanded, this causing some of the grunts to glance to one another.
A chuckle came from Roman "Oh, kid. Didn't you get the memo."
"What are you talking about?" Blake demanded
"The white fang and I are going in on a little joint business venture together." Roman said with an all to smug grin, Blake pressed the blade of Gambol shroud closer to his throat.
"Tell me what it is, or I'll put an end to your little operation." Blake hissed into his ear.
The sound of engines filled her drawing the attention of everyone on the ground. "I wouldn't exactly call it a little operation." He said as three more bullheads flew overhead.
Only now did Blake realize the mistake she had made as she quickly found herself heavily outnumbered, causing her grip on the master criminal to slacken giving Roman the moment he had been waiting for. Adjusting his cane Roman fired an explosive round at the ground behind him launching the young woman away from him.
Disorientated by the attack Blake pulled herself up to her feet, only for her eye's to widen as they landed on Torchwick aiming his cane directly at her. Firing another shot Blake leaped out of its path Roman quickly followed up with several more, using her shadow clones she was able to put enough distance between her and the incoming blast sprinting behind a stack of crates.
"Here kitty, kitty, kitty" Roman called out mockingly. A banana peel fell onto his head causing him to look up just in time for a heel to slam into his forehead knocking him to the ground
Sun rolled to his feet, turning he glared at the master criminal "Leave her alone"
The airships passenger compartment began to open depositing over a dozen White Fang members into the dockyard quickly surrounding the monkey Faunas.
One of the grunts rushed Sun raising his sword to strike, suddenly he stumbled crying out in pain collapsing to the side a black arrow embedded in his knee. Before the others could overcome their shock more of their brothers began to collapse as four more arrows found their marks in either the kneecap or shoulder blade effectively removing their target from the fight.
/
Mikael pulled back on his bow firing his fifth arrows incapacitating another combatant, his intervention in the fight was enough to garner the attention of the White Fang soldiers long enough for the Monkey Faunus to engage the remaining soldiers near him.
Glancing over his shoulder he spotted a three White Fang grunt's heading his way Mikael quickly retrieved two daggers from their sheath, the two each found their mark in one of the White Fang soldiers, the third stopped raising his rifle while Mikael simply raised an eyebrow, a gunshot rang out as the grunt fell to his knees clutching his shin looking up just in time for a boot to slam into his face rendering him unconscious.
Alana looked up from the grunt nodding to Mikael, the nightingale glanced down at the battle below, Sun was managing to hold his own against the soldiers while Blake was putting most of her effort in dodging Torchwick's attacks "Help the boy, I'll deal with Torchwick." he said
"On it." Alana said jumping off the roof heading towards Sun.
Mikael turned his attention back towards Blake and Torchwick drawing his ebony sword he stepped off the ledge joining the battle.
/
Despite the immediate confusion caused by the incapacitated White Fang, Sun turned to strike the soldier to his right only for the grunt to be kicked into one of the shipping crates by a blond cat Faunus, quickly knocking out two grunts who rushed him he turned to the girl taking a fighting stance in case she tried anything.
"Whoa, whoa easy. I'm on your side" Alana said as she shot at an oncoming group of White Fang soldiers causing them to duck behind the shipping containers for cover.
"Awesome" Sun said as he finished off the last of the thugs that came his way, kicking one of them directly at Torchwick who simply leaned out the path of the body raising his cane Roman fired an explosive round at the two blonds.
Sun leaped forward twirling his staff like a makeshift shield the dust round exploding against the makeshift shield, as the smoke cleared Blake leaped down in front of the two "He's mine!" she yelled rushing towards the master thief. The two traded blows with one another Blake at a clear disadvantage using her shadows clones she attempted to get around Torchwick's guard, only to find his cane deflecting each of her strikes.
Torchwick managed to break through Blake's defenses striking her upside the head, her form shimmers out of existence reviling it to have been one of her shadow clones. Roman lunged forward striking Blake a few time's with his cane managing to knock her on her back. Alana and sun jumped forward between the two the two Faunus fired their weapons while simultaneously roman deflected the barrels of their weapons off to the side causing the shot's to go wide their movements soon became a blur as the three went back and forth Sun and Alana switching places every so often to reload.
Blake shook her head as she sat up looking up at the outstretched hand before her "Get up" Mikael said
"Professor?" The Cat Faunus stared at him in confusion.
"Questions later." Mikael said braking Blake out of her thoughts, taking his hand, she pulled herself up just as Alana skidded across the ground next to them
"Damn it." Alana said as she got back to her feet, Blake lunged forward striking the criminal in the chest sending him rolling across the concrete, getting back to his feet Roman snapped his cane up ready to fire.
"WULD" Mikael dart forward knocking the barrel upwards with his ebony sword causing illuminating the night sky above as the explosive detonated.
/
A few streets away three individuals stared up into the night sky as it was filled with a flash of crimson, the embers burning out in an instant
"What was that?" Penny asked
"Trouble" Ruby responded coming to stop alongside her friend
"Mikael" Amber muttered, she and Ruby unfolded their weapons sprinting towards the source of the blast Penny hot on their heels.
/
So far Roman was not having a good night, first the Boss lady had asked to steal the SDC shipment coming in she had asked, well more along the lines of threatening him to use the White Fang idiots they had at their disposal saying it would be "A waste of resources" that was the easy part of tonight's little escapade, but the part he certainly wasn't pleased about was the black blade that was slowly edging towards his face.
"So, you the one in charge of these brats" Roman asked as he braced his cane with his forearm
"If you're referring to my student, then yes. The others on the other hand simply came along for the ride" Mikael retorted as he put more pressure on Romans cane with his sword. The two master thieves locked eyes neither backing down from the challenge as their weapons clashed together. Glancing over the Nightingales shoulder Roman could do nothing but watch as each of the still capable grunts were systematically taken down by the Faunus trio.
Taking advantage of his lack of focus Mikael headbutt Roman causing him to stumble back, in seconds Mikael was upon him frost formed over his hand coating it in a thick sheet of ice, the frozen gauntlet struck Roman in the gut forcing the air out of his lungs pushing him back.
"So, what?... are you some crazy stalker or something because you've kind of got the creepy look down?" Roman said as he fired two explosives flairs at Mikael, the Nightingale thrust his hand out a spectral ward coming into existence blocking the explosive rounds as they impacted its surface.
"No, and really a stalker, I think you're giving yourself far too much credit my friend." Mikael attempted to rush Roman only for two grunts to block his path crimson blades at the ready.
"Finally, where have you idiots been!" Roman growled as he looked at the two grunts, they rushed towards the Nightingale engaging him in close quarters combat. Now with some adequate breathing space Roman glanced back to the bullheads crew who were almost finished hooking up the shipping crates to the tow cables it wouldn't be long now, suddenly a voice called out from above "Hey" one Roman instantly recognized
'You've got to be kidding me' Roman thought in disdain as he looked up to the rooftop of a nearby warehouse. Ruby stepped up to the edge of the rooftop spinning her scythe stabbing the blade into the concrete, Amber, and Penny soon coming up behind her.
"Oh, hello red" Roman called out " Isn't it past your bedtime."
Amber scowled at the man while the cloaked girl narrowed her eye's as Penny came up behind the two "Ruby? Are all these people your friends?"
"Penny, get back." Ruby said turning towards the ginger, and in that moment as everything slowed down around her did she realize the mistake she had made.
"Move!" A voice called out in alarm, even as she was shoved aside by something slamming into her. As she stumbled silver eye's caught sight of her instructor, Amber, before her entire body was engulfed in flames.
"Amber!" Ruby cried out as Torchwick's laughter echoed through the night, as quickly as the smoke had appeared the night air blew it away reviling Amber still standing and unharmed a slight glow present in her eyes like the fading embers of a fire.
'What the...' Ruby trailed off, as quickly as it was there it vanished.
Amber glared down at Roman extending her staff to its full length the dust crystals attached to each end glowing vibrantly. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me" Roman said. Amber leapt down from the rooftop rushing towards him twirling her staff she deflected four strikes from Romans cane, thrusting her staff forward a gust of wind threw the thief back into a cargo container.
Regaining his bearings, he had just enough time to dodge to the side avoiding Amber's aura fueled kick, the metal container behind him wasn't so lucky the metal folding in on itself from the impact, Roman backed away only for a shard of Ice to slam into the ground in front of his foot he could just feel the smirk hidden under Mikael's cowl as he stepped over the unconscious bodies of the White Fang soldiers "Going somewhere?"
/
"Whoa!" Sun said as he finished off the final grunt a lull had formed in the combat as all eye's turned to the standoff between Vales master thief and Beacons newest professors sparks flew as their weapons clashed Mikael and Amber had Roman outmatched the two far more experienced in combat then their students. Mikael knocked Romans cane to the side ducking down as Amber rolled over his shoulder swinging her staff in an arc striking roman in the head, Torchwick stumbled back shaking his head he growled looking up at the two.
Amber and Mikael moved in to finish the fight, suddenly the two Bullheads that had dropped of the white fang flew in low their guns spinning to life as they opened fire peppering the ground in a straight line towards them. Mikael and Amber dove behind one of the shipping crates the slugs pinging off the metal, taking advantage of their plight Roman slinked away into the night, suddenly several blades embedded themselves into the Bullhead, the aircraft shuddered as it was dragged down towards the docks by...Penny.
The young girl stood arms raised the sword's obeying her commands as the aircraft was pulled from the sky, Mikael stared at the scene in some surprise it would seem Glynda was not the only one with such a strong ability, wait...Mikael narrowed his eyes at the display he could just make out a set of thin wires connecting to the blades from her backpack. 'Interesting' Mikael mused.
The Bullhead pilot could do little more than crying out in fear as his aircraft collided with a stack of shipping containers, the one it was carrying marked with the SDC logo ignited on impact obliterating the craft and its surroundings. Penny retracted her swords turning to look up into the sky as the final two bullheads retreated into the night sky sirens blaring in the distance.
/
The police had arrived minutes after the fight came to an end apprehending the White Fang members that had surrendered and collecting the bodies of those who had not survived the conflict, medical crews tended to those who had been injured in the conflict while the officers took statements from everyone present.
As for the group of teenagers currently sitting on a stack of crates, save for a few scrapes and bruises along with some minor aura exhaustion no one had been harmed although a certain cat Faunus attempted to keep her distance from the Nightingale, every so often she would glance at him before quickly turning her gaze elsewhere to avoid those cold blue eyes.
Through the police line a familiar blond and white-haired girl approached them, the two having received a call from their young leader explaining where they were and that she had found their missing teammate, Weiss approached the group completely disregarding her leader who tried to explain the situation stopping before the ex-White Fang member, off to the side Mikael and Amber watched the exchange wearily,
"Weiss." Blake began unable to meet the heiress's eyes "I want you to know that I'm no longer associated with the White Fang. Back when I was-"
"Stop." Weiss said silencing the cat Faunus " Do you have any idea how long we've been searching for you?" Blake was silent "Twelve hours that means I've had twelve hours to think about this. And in that twelve hours, I've decided..." everyone stared at the scene with interest waiting on the girl's verdict.
"I don't care." She said shocking her teammates.
"You don't care?" Blake asked wondering if she was hearing things.
"You said you're not one of them anymore, right?" Weiss asked
"No, I haven't been since I was a younger-" Blake tried to say, the heiress held up her hand stopping the Faunus before she could continue
"I don't want to hear it." Weiss said with a tone of finality " All I want to know is that next time something this big comes up you'll come to your teammates and not some... someone else" Weiss said glancing to Sun.
"Of course," Blake said wiping a tear from her eye.
"Yeah, Team RWBY is back together!" Ruby cried out in elation.
Weiss turned her attention to Sun "I'm still not quite sure how I feel about you." she said causing him to chuckle nervously.
"Ahem" The joyful scene died at that moment as the five turned to face Mikael who stood a few feet away "Miss Belladonna" He began "I'm sure you understand the severity of the situation?"
"But professor she-" Mikael fixed Yang with a stern look silencing the blond brawler before turning his gaze back to Blake, the cat Faunus took a few steps ahead of the group, there would be no point in running, he was an experienced Huntsmen and any attempt to flee would only cause more problems.
"I'll come quietly." Blake said excepting her fate as she reached to un-clip Gambol Shroud from her back.
"Good, I expect you in my classroom from Monday to Friday for the next three months at five-thirty, once we get back to Beacon we can discuss your punishment in more detail." Mikael said Blake's stopped her eyes widened as she looked up at him in disbelief
"W-What?" She stuttered while the others stared at him in surprise and some relief.
"The detention you will be serving for your actions tonight. Not only did you risk your own life, but that of your teammates and friends in this escapade. I feel that I'm being quite lenient unless of course there's anything else I should be made aware of." Mikael said giving her a look the cat Faunus quickly catching on.
"Of course not, Professor." Blake said looking at the man with some gratitude
Mikael fixed Blake with a stern look, her amber eye's locked with sky blue, causing the cat Faunus to stiffen "Do not squander this second chance miss Belladonna, there will be no others. See that this doesn't happen again." He said Blake nodding immediately after.
Mikael turned away heading towards the police officers who had asked both professors for a statement a few minutes prior, Blake let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, her heart hammering in her chest as she watched the man go, she'd been given a second chance just as she had hoped for by coming to Beacon and she wouldn't waste it.
And thus this chapter comes to a close concluding the events of Volume one I hoped you all enjoyed this chapter and what I have to offer, feel free to leave a review, feedback is always welcome and as always, I will see you in the next one.