Here we go again folks. Hope you enjoy. REVIEW!
The end of Rooster Teeth. They were a good company in their infancy but Time is the one who judges all and they were found wanting. Hopefully, RWBY doesn't end but in all honesty if someone does pick up the IP they should restart the show with competent writing and directing.
Once Monty died they butchered everything that made the show good and you could physically see the drop off in quality after he died. That's not to mention Red vs Blue. That show put them on the Map and all of their best seasons were headed by Monty. He elevated their company to a grand level and once he passed they could never get even close to matching him.
All that said I do hope RWBY continues. The lore and actual show was interesting and with competent writing could be what it once was, a groundbreaking show with the potential for a meteoric rise.
We'll find out in the next year or so I believe. WB is looking to sell.
Even with the air sickness medicine the bullhead flight was not enjoyable in any facet for Jaune. Even looking out the small windows and seeing Remnant from higher than any mountain did not distract from the churning of his stomach. Nothing came back up the whole flight but that was the extent of which the medicine worked. Even the other passengers made sure to stay three or more seats away at all times.
Three hours after takeoff they finally began their descent into Frinker. The town was well fortified and had a constant group of 12 hunters. Mostly because the train system ran from Vacuo through Mistral proper and all the way to Argus. The train system was essentially the inverse of Karachi. Karachi is where Mistral sent goods through for Vacuo and Frinker was how Vacuo sent goods to both Mistral and by extension, Argus and Atlas.
Landing at the docks Jaune wasted no time enjoying Frinker and went straight to the train station. Timing out the layover after the talk with Theodore, Jaune got to the train station only a half hour before it was slated to leave. Checking in was easy enough after showing them his Hunter profile.
"Sir, would you be willing to provide extra protection to the train just in case. As a registered Hunter you would get a sizeable discount for your ticket," that was surprising but not unwelcome. Might as well, saving money was always a plus.
"What would that entail and how much would the discount be?"
"Simple patrolling of the train. Taking care of any grimm that get past the train's point defenses and bandits that manage to get on board. The discount will be 75% of the ticket you purchased. If you were officially contracted with the train company it would be free," bouncing his head back and forth in thought Jaune nodded after a few seconds of thought.
"Okay. Assuming I don't check in like regular passenger where should I go?"
"Oh, don't worry about that. The trains head of security should be sending someone to grab and bring you to them any minute now. You can take a seat and wait."
Jaune took the woman at her word and sat down at the closest bench and waited. Doing a quick check of his weapons just to make sure everything was working as intended. Satisfied with the weapons they were put back into their spots. Looking around the station for exits and entrances along with defensible positions. First time ever in a train station, good to know in the future.
Jaune paid attention to the high traffic areas of people as well but for the most part only took into account where people were in groups. Any part of the station where it looked like people had to go and not just where they wanted to go. Mainly the gates to get to the trains, restrooms, and customer service centers.
While observing the station a woman made her presence known walking through the small crowd. Not that she was all that taller but the crowd seemed to part for her. Staring at the brunette woman as she strutted forward as if the world was hers. Light, sky blue eyes with freckles over her nose and cheeks and naturally ruby red lips. Small lines of age around her eyes and mouth indicating she was a little older. Legs for days that seemed to glide across the floor and a solid bust. Two bulges on either side of her hips underneath her coat indicating some type of dual weapons.
She seemed to be looking for someone though as her eyes scanned the station. That lasted until her eyes met Jaune's. Eyes widening in recognition a smile broke across her face. Striding towards Jaune with all the grace of an experienced predator before stopping in front of him. Standing up to greet the woman Jaune outstretched his hand to which the woman took.
"Good to see you kid. Been a bit. You've grown," Jaune's eyes widened. She was the one Aedon got pissed at because she returned so quickly after giving birth.
"How's the kid?" was the only thing Jaune thought said. She let out a small chuckle at the question.
"Driving me up the wall any time he gets the chance but I love him. He's my little angel."
"What's his name?"
"Fallow. Almost five years old now," she stared off into space for a moment before refocusing on Jaune. "Where are my manners, the name's Sky."
"Good to finally put a face to you ma'am," smiling at the displayed manners but waved them off.
"It's good see that you've been growing up kid. Now, did the receptionist tell you what your job will be?"
"Basic patrolling of the train. Deal with any stray Grimm that get through the train's defenses and any bandits," Sky nodded her head at the words.
"Yeah, forgot one thing though. Four of us will need to check cargo right away before we start up."
"I'm assuming that's where most of the bandits come from. Hiding in cargo."
"Got it in one kid. Which will leave you to go around with the ticket clipper in the passenger carts until we finish up," Jaune gave her a blank look at being given a job that didn't show a lot of confidence in him. Understandable given the situation but didn't make the insult any less annoying. "Kid, I trust you to do the job right but the rest of the hunters don't. The leader especially doesn't know you."
"Thought you would've been the leader," Sky laughed softly at the compliment. Gesturing to him to walk with her as they headed to the train.
"Oum no. This shit's a cakewalk, I just do this when a little extra cash would be nice."
"Don't need it," Sky shook her head. "Then why?"
"Plenty of reasons to want some extra cash. Though this time is because my husband is coming home in a couple days after a month away for work and I want to surprise him," she had a wistful smile on her face only broken when Jaune opened his mouth. "I saw a set of expensive lingerie."
"That's going to be in my head now. I hope you know that," Jaune deadpanned back at Sky who just laughed heartily.
"Good," she leaned down and winked at him teasingly. "Tells me I still got it."
"What will be the rules of engagement for Bandits?" Jaune asked distancing himself from that conversation topic.
"Try and talk them down first and kill them if they don't. Afterwards we cordon off the cart they were in and calm down the civilians. If they won't calm down there are sedatives our leader will have to forcefully calm them down."
That was the end of their conversation as they finished their walk to the train. Meeting up with three other hunters outside the train, obvious by how colorful they dressed. Jaune would never understand that even if it was more a moral thing for civilians than anything. Just painted a massive target on one's back for both Grimm and everything else. Screaming 'kill me'.
One of the hunters was Faunus of some kind with a white tail. He was short in stature, smaller than Jaune had been a year ago but was built like a brick and had a large hammer resting on his shoulder showing he was meant more for strength and tanking than any finesse.
Another was a skinny human woman that looked like she belonged more behind a desk in a science lab than anywhere else. Thick rimmed glasses and a thin frame that didn't look like she could take a hit, let alone Grimm. The twin knives on her legs extenuating that showing she was meant for speed than strength. Catching her eyes though Jaune knew she was a killer, having the same eyes seen in Bandits who enjoyed what they did. She was also a bit older with grey all over her brown hair giving her a salt and pepper look.
The final one was rather mundane compared to everyone else. Just nothing popped out about him standing there. A Scimitar at the hip and a sawed-off double barrel shotgun on the other. Though the fact that both weapons weren't mechashift did earn more respect from Jaune. The man had obviously been in the field and was older as well. Having the same eyes and hair as the glasses wearing woman.
"Ah, you must be our add on," the older man stated greeting Jaune.
"Yes sir," the man waved away Jaune at the address.
"This ain't the military young man but appreciate the decorum. Sky, fill you in on what your roll will be?"
"Yes."
"Good. I'm Xavi, my wife here is Annie and Lace is our final member," gesturing to the woman and hammer wielding man. "Trip should take about five hours so we'll get to Argus in the evening sometime. Until then I'm in charge of you. Any questions son?"
"No. I'm Jaune Xavi, good to meet you," Jaune stated trying to be polite as possible without actually going through the formalities of doing so.
"Good to meet you Jaune. Any luggage?"
"Just what I got on me."
"Good. Just go and drop your pack in the hunter compartment. You'll be able to pick it up after we stop in Argus. Sky can show you the way after which you'll stay by the cabin until the ticket presser comes by. The rest of us will be heading to cargo."
With that Sky began to walk off and Jaune followed her without being told to. It was obvious where she was going so there was no point in delaying. She walked quickly and within only a few minutes they had reached the near front of the train. Walking past all types of people from all types of lives. None of the passengers gave them a second look beyond a few of the kids who stared at them in some type of awe. To be expected from children at the very least.
There were a few people among the passengers that Jaune's eyes were instantly on, however. Just the way they acted by not even bothering to look at Jaune or Sky and in some cases purposefully looking away. With nothing to distract them like their scrolls, books or the scenery; being inside a train tunnel there was nothing to look at besides a grey wall. Jaune might've been getting a little paranoid but the way they acted screamed that they didn't want to be noticed. Either to create trouble or avoid it; neither were good.
Upon reaching the near front of the train Sky showed him a spacious cabin with five beds. Assumably for longer trips where they would have time to sleep but not now. There were some bags strewn about on some of the beds, so he naturally threw his pack on one that had nothing. Sky left the moment she saw that with a quiet wave. Jaune followed her out of the room after a moment and stood outside the door waiting for the ticket puncher.
In all honesty, Jaune had no idea what a ticket puncher was in actuality. Assuming they were just someone who checked that everyone had a ticket. Why they called them a puncher though was something that eluded him. At least, the puncher was quick about showing up. Doing so barely five minutes after Sky left.
The man was dressed in a uniform that made him stick out more than the hunters did. Not because of the colors but because the whole uniform just looked bad. The man would stick out like a sore thumb anywhere in the world which might've been the purpose. So, the passengers see them coming and get their tickets ready.
Which seemed to be the case as Jaune followed the man to the first compartment of passengers. The moment they saw the puncher all of them began shuffling around. Most bringing out their scrolls while a few held up paper tickets. For the ones that held out their scrolls the puncher held their own scroll next to the passengers until there was a ping. For the ones with the paper tickets the puncher held out a small device to them before clicking it shut and pulling away. Leaving a whole punched into the paper ticket. Ticket Puncher now made sense to Jaune.
The first cart went off without a problem as everyone had their tickets ready and available. Cart number two was where the problem began and that one happened to have three of the people Jaune was going to watch. They made the job of watching them incredibly easy though. As the moment they entered the second cart two of them along with three other passengers jumped out of their seats. The two he had his eyes on plus another two grabbed hostages while the fifth charged Jaune and the ticket puncher.
The hostage takers armed with pistols and the man chargin armed with a short-sword.
Grabbing the puncher and tossing the man behind him Jaune stepped forward with his ax already in hand. The shorter weapon allowing for better flexibility in the compartment as he parried a stab from the bandit's short-sword leaving him completely open. Jaune's pistol filling into the whole left by the opening and firing off two shots.
Both shots landing squarely in the bandit's gut making them bend over; both blocked by Aura. Jaune didn't let up slamming the butt of his ax's handle into the back of the bandit's head. Collapsing the bandit to the floor Jaune stomped on their head before putting two more bullets into their head. The first one breaking their aura completely and the second punched into their head killing them.
"You son of a bitch!" one of the bandit's yelled
"Real inventive," Jaune snarked as he looked at the four remaining bandits with their hostages. The rest of the passengers who hadn't been taken hostages had high tailed it out of the compartment while screaming.
"Come now boy, we have four hostages here and there are others across the train like us. Lay down your weapons and we can let this go," the oldest and possibly leader of the group stated. Looking at them Jaune saw that the man was one of the ones he had wanted to keep an eye on. A golden crown with four points tattooed onto the man's exposed right shoulder. The Old Faction, the other group May had warned him about.
"This is… bold. You realize this train goes to Argus right? A trade hub between basically all five Kingdoms," Jaune asked getting a scoff from one of the other bandits.
"There's only four you idiot," one of the other bandits spoke.
"I'm counting Menagerie… Now, why don't you lay down your arms and you get to walk away alive."
"The train won't stop until we get to Argus or we hit the emergency brake in the front. Don't make promises you can't follow up on boy," the leader said with an edge to his voice.
"You can always jump from the train," this elicited scoffs from the bandits. "I said alive, not unhurt," Jaune continued that seemed to quiet them all down.
"Getting hurt out here is a death sentence."
"Then why try your hand at the train? You must have some type of transport waiting to pick you up," silence was his only answer. "Seriously. You were going to try and escape from Argus when everyone will know you commandeered the train."
Again silene was the only answer Jaune got. Besides the slacking of one of the bandits on the hostage. They were the farthest away from Jaune and a few seconds later the bandit let the hostage go as they ran away to the third cart. The noise of the running former hostage got the attention of the other three bandits. Two of which turned to look at the man in shock and anger while the leader never took his gaze off Jaune.
"I'm only here for the extra money for my family. Not to get tossed in Jail, I'm out," with that he began walking away following the former hostage to the third cart. One of the remaining three raised their pistol at the man only for Jaune to be quicker. The bullet slamming into and through the man's head, the body dropping to the floor like a puppet with their strings cut. Probably didn't have Aura Jaune assumed.
That thought didn't stop the newest former hostage from screaming in fright as blood covered their face. Cowering in the corner of their seat curled up into a ball to avoid being shot at or even noticed. Two of the remaining three bandits looked towards the leader in concern. The man in question just stared dead at Jaune.
Then, before the bandit could say anything, the door to the third compartment opened. Lace and Sky stood there, both with blood on their clothes and weapons. Sky dual wielding two pistols that had attached bayonetts to the end of both the barrel and handle. A simple yet extremely deadly design for a weapon that didn't need to mechashift.
"Gentlemen. Surrender or don't, I don't really care anymore," Sky said in a sickly-sweet voice that screamed danger to every person in the room.
The leader finally took his eyes off Jaune and looked at both Sky and Lace. The man sighed before taking his gun away from the hostage and dropped it. Looking to the other two remaining bandits and motioned for them to follow suit. One of them did without question, even dropping to the floor and putting his hands up surrendering.
The last bandit looked at both the leader and the other one in betrayal before muttering to himself. Jaune didn't catch the words but from how the man tensed they couldn't have been good. Seemingly proven wrong seconds later the man lowered his gun before snapping it back up to the hostages temple.
"I'm getting the fu-" that was as far as he got before Sky appeared behind him with the bayonet on the barrel of her right pistol was embedded into the man's neck. That was only for a moment before the man dropped to the ground like his former partner. Like a puppet with their strings cut. Jaune was surprised at the quick death, he had never seen someone die like that without them being shot in the head.
"That all of them?" Jaune asked Lace and Sky.
"Unless there were any in the first compartment yeah, that'll be all of them," Lace answered as Sky was wiping the blood of her pistols bayonet.
"Who's gonna clean this up?" Jaune asked gesturing to the bodies in the compartment and the obvious ones that were in the other compartments. Judging by the blood on Sky and Lace. To his question Sky scoffed.
"Not us, that's for sure. All the passengers know that if there was an actual problem they would already be moving to be evacuated, not being allowed to relax in their seats. Our job is to protect the cargo and passengers, we don't clean."
"No we do not," Xavi announced as he walked into the compartment. "I'll radio ahead to Argus once we get in range that a cleanup crew will be needed. Most of the rest of the bodies are in the cargo area regardless and the ones that aren't are in the last compartment. The passengers won't be cramped as a result of us having to cordon off those two compartments. The unruly and distressed passengers have already been sedated as well."
"Any other survivors?" the bandit leader asked Xavi which resulted in a cold look from Xavi before he answered.
"Three. Their being watched by my wife in the last compartment," Xavi then turned to the rest the hunters. Sky, you and Lace will rotate between the regular patrols and watching these prisoners. Jaune, you'll be here permanently watching them. I'll be heading to the conductor's compartment and will stay there for the remainder of the trip. Radio or call me if anything happens."
Getting nods of affirmation from the hunters Xavi walked off through the door and into the first compartment. When he walked off Lace looked at Sky before walking off, assumably to go on patrol. Sky sat down on the nearest chair putting her weapons away before wiping off her forearms with a concentrated look on her face. An act which was confusing as she had no blood or grime on her forearms.
"I always feel dirty after killing. Never seems to wash off," she said upon noticing Jaune look at her curiously. "You ever get like that?"
"No," Jaune answered shaking his head. "No, I don't."
"Yeah, that checks out. I spend almost a decade working with Aedon and I'm the only one who's normal, even when a kid joins."
"How old are you?" Jaune asked getting the realization that he didn't really know any of their ages.
"I turn 40 in two weeks. Was a simple farmer all the way into my mid 20s, didn't even have my Aura unlocked. Then my town got sacked by the Grimm and I unlocked my Aura during the attack. Wandered around for a bit before Kernel Burke picked me up and trained me for a while before recommending me to Aedon so I could actually make a living."
Her being 40 was surprising to Jaune with how she looked. Expecting her to be far older as Aura usually kept people looking young for far longer. Hell, Theodore was into his late 40s and looked better than her. Ozpin of Beacon was just little bit younger than Theodore but he looked in his early 30s at the oldest. Hearing that Sky didn't have her Aura unlocked until her mid 20s and was a farmer did explain why that was though.
"You got a place to stay in Argus kid? You're welcome at my place for a couple days if you want it," Sky offered, finished rubbing her forearms.
"Thank you but I plan on leaving for Menagerie as soon as possible."
"Only one ship from Argus goes there and if it kept its schedule, it left yesterday," Jaune just sighed at his luck. Probably by design to make people stay in Argus for a couple days. It would help with the city's economy at least.
"How long will I have to wait?"
"It's a two-day trip there. They take a day of rest then two days back and another day of rest. So, three days and four nights in Argus before you can leave, as we'll be arriving in the evening. Plus, we'll need to give our statements to the police so we won't be leaving the train station until late in the night," Jaune groaned at that information.
"Of course… That offer is still open right?" chuckling at the question Sky nodded her head.
"Yep. When we arrive at Argus I'll message my husband and ask him to get the guest bedroom ready."
"Thanks Sky," she waved off the thanks.
"Think nothing of it. You will probably have to meet my husbands sister and her wife though. They like to come over once a week for dinner," there was a hint of disdain in Sky's voice when she talked about her sister-in-law but Jaune, wisely, decided to stay clear of that unless necessary.
"What's your husband do by the way?"
"He was a Specialist for Atlas for 22 years. Now, he teaches apprentices on top of his pension from the Atlas Military."
"Why not do something like that?"
"As nice as Argus is I get stir crazy sometimes. You don't spend 13 and a half years wandering the world and just settle down. I never go too far or anything seriously dangerous like what I did with Aedon but just going out is a welcome relief to being a housewife at times."
"Fair enough. Your husband teach anyone I would know?"
"Pyrrha Nikos… Don't be surprised if he asks you to spar with her. She's a gifted fighter and fighting someone her age who dwarfs her in experience is something my husband won't pass up on."
"Fight a world-renowned tournament champion. Why not, might be fun and I might learn something even," Sky smiled at his words.
"That's the spirit."
That was about the end of their conversation as they devolved into silence only ever interrupted by one of the bandit's asking how much time was left on the trip. Neither Jaune or Sky answered them. Not long after Lace came back and swapped out with Sky. Lace didn't speak a lick at all for the entire time that he sat in the compartment. Opting to take a nap and have Jaune watch the prisoners.
Not that Jaune minded really, there was nothing else for him to do besides take a nap and Lace had that idea first. The man in question stayed sleeping the entire time until he was swapped out by Sky. Who also immediately went to sleep letting Jaune watch the prisoners alone as well.
When Sky was swapped out by Lace about an hour later Jaune took his nap beating Lace to the punch. The nap was peaceful and upon being shaken awake he was refreshed. Taking note of the surroundings upon waking up and feeling that they weren't moving Jaune assumed they had arrived. Not even getting the chance to ask the question before Sky nodded.
Standing up Sky had already taken the lead with leading the two prisoners we had out of the train. The police were already there waiting and took the prisoners without a fuss but as predicted they didn't let us just leave. The cops went through the lengthy process of collecting witness statements, going inside the train, and cordoning off where the bodies were and began taking evidence. All the while leaving Jaune, Sky and the rest sitting outside waiting with a singular cop watching over them.
When the cops were finished doing everything inside the train and finally got around to taking their statements the sun had been down for over an hour. The cops then decided to take their statements one by one instead having a separate cop take each of their statements. A decision that had them staying at the station until 10 o'clock at night.
The only good bit that came from everything was that Sky's husband was waiting for Jaune and Sky outside of the train station. The man wasn't that tall, just about the same height as Jaune, and wasn't exceptionally well built. Normal brown hair and eyes with the only thing of note being the freckles and age lines on his face. The freckles being over his nose and bits of his cheeks.
There wasn't really anything that stood out to Jaune about the man except for the presence the man had. He wasn't actively doing anything to be intimidating or to make someone uneasy but there was just something off about him. Jaune couldn't pin down the feeling but the closest thing in comparison was the feeling Aedon gave him when they first met. Instincts screaming that the man was dangerous.
"Ah, you must be Jaune. Sky's told me a bit about you," Sky's husband greeted walking forward with an outstretched hand. "Name's Umber Cotta."
"Nice to meet you sir," Umber smiled at the politeness and took a glance at Sky.
"You didn't tell me he had manners," Sky just shrugged her shoulders. "No matter. Let's get you two back home."
Umber opened the trunk of the car and put Sky's singular bag of luggage in the trunk. He offered to let Jaune put his pack in there as well but Jaune refused. An act that Umber seemed to appreciate for a reason Jaune couldn't pinpoint beyond appreciating the paranoia of another. Getting into the front seats Umber and and Sky kissed and held it for a long time before forcing Jaune to cough to get them to stop.
Neither looked even remotely ashamed. This might be a long few days.
"What do you mean he left yesterday," Nicholas asked, anger clear in his voice, as he rubbed his head in frustration having missed his son by a mere day.
The beating sun that always seemed worse in Vacuo not making his day better as it shown through Theodore's office window. Nicholas had made a beeline straight for the capital of Vacuo after leaving Karachi as there had been no bullheads for four days. He made it there in three but was in desperate need of a shower and not just from sweat and sand. There was blood caked on him as well from a group of bandits he had run into that weren't very smart.
"He wanted to leave Vacuo," was Theodore's response which got a glare from Nicholas. The headache and sunburns intensifying in his anger.
"Don't bullshit me Theo. I already talked to Argent. My son had friends here. Legitimate friends his age and from the one available to talk Jaune wouldn't tell him why he was leaving. So tell me again, why the fuck did my son leave so abruptly," Nicholas was tapping the hilt of Crocea Mors' sword. Trying to calm himself by distracting his anger.
"He didn't know he was an Arc. Figured it out by going to the library in town and reading a journal on old clans and families."
"Who would have a journal like that?" Nicholas interrupted Theodore.
"Slyfer would," that stopped Nicholas' anger as the point had to be conceded, Slyfer indeed have something like that. Old crone always liked history. "Regardless, he figured out he was an Arc and asked me who was in charge of the Grimm."
"And what did you tell him?" on one hand Nicholas was proud of his son for putting the pieces together without having help. On the other hand, having him know would put him in more danger as a result. While on the third hand his sunburns needed treatment and were starting to hurt badly.
"I told him absolutely nothing. Which pissed him off and had me loose the trust he had in me."
"Well, he definitely gets that from his mother… Why did you tell him nothing though?"
"Ozpin makes those types of calls and he's still just a kid. Barely over halfway through his teens. He shouldn't have to worry about that type of thing?"
"He's an Arc, one who survived in the wilds who knows how long after our village was destroyed before Aedon fucking Wynne picked him up and trained him. Who has also spent time in the Grimmlands and was in Mistral when all that shit was going on. If Salem doesn't already know about him, I'll stab myself."
"That's… Fair. However, that doesn't take away from the fact that Ozpin is in charge of that decision," this answer got Nicholas to grind his teeth together in anger as his eyes bored into Theodore. Nicholas' patience was on the very last straw and was gripping the handle of his sword. Emotions beginning to get the better of him for the first time in decades.
"Fuck Ozpin. That's my son Theodore. You owed me."
"He was already gone when I got the call Nicholas."
"Then tell me where he is so I can go see him."
"I know he was headed to Menagerie through Argus but nothing beyond that."
"I can work with that," Saphron, his eldest, lived there with her wife and son so she should be on the lookout. Still not much of a fan that her wife hyphenated their last names though. What type of last name was Cotta-Arc? Regardless, he'll be damned if he misses his son again. Leaving Theodore's office the moment he was out of there he called his daughter.
"Saph."
"Hey dad, I only got a couple minutes since I just stepped from work. What's up?"
"Jaune's probably in Argus right now and if he's not already he will be soon. Just keep a look out for him, I'll send you a picture of what he looks like now."
"Little Jay's all grown up now," Nicholas could hear Saphron's sigh and smile as she looked at the picture he sent.
"He's still got some growing to do. Just keep your eyes out okay, I'm going to charter a bullhead and should be there within a couple days," he wished he could just head straight to Menagerie but that wasn't possible. Menagerie was too far out in the sea to get there by conventional bullhead. First though, he needed some ointment for his sunburns and a nice soak in a bath to get clean.
Hope y'all enjoyed the chapter.