AN: Hey, everyone! I'm back! As usual, sorry about the delay. But, I have three pieces of news: Two bad, and one good.
Let's start with the bad news first. As many of you have no doubt heard by now, Rooster Teeth has been officially shut down by Warner Bros., leaving RWBY's fate extremely uncertain. For all intents and purposes, until we hear otherwise about an acquisition by another studio, we have to treat RWBY as if it's over. Which is a damn shame, especially considering the fact that my biggest Fanfic is a RWBY project. I promise you, RWBY's cancellation will not affect Aqua's Mission. While my uploads have gotten slower over the last year or so, I'm still working on it and fully intend to see it through to the end. Same with this one. I just get so easily distracted while I'm writing lately, which is why I've been slowing down.
The other sad news is that as many of you have likely heard, Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, passed away at the beginning of the month.
In other news, I've decided to start a P atreon page. I don't have it up yet, but it will be a two-tiered system. The basic, $1 tier will simply be to show your support. The second, $5 tier will allow you to read rough drafts of chapters as I write them for critique purposes, and also read the finished chapter a few days early so I can polish them up a little better. I'll hold off on actually creating the page until I'm halfway through my next Aqua's Mission chapter so I actually have something to upload right away. This will hopefully get me writing more frequently so I can at least a chapter finished each month to make this worth it. I'll make a special announcement on Aqua's Mission when it's up, so keep an eye out!
Anyway, onwards!
Chapter 3: More Than You Can Chew
"You know, I never would have thought being a treasure hunter involved so much manual labor to get by," Brighid said, as Russel and Sam carried the belts of several small Ferroxes into market.
"Well, it normally doesn't, but someone lost all our money betting on the Ponia races," Nia said, glaring at Sam, who started sweating under her gaze.
"That bet was 8/1," Sam complained. "How was I supposed to know that Cloud Seabiscuit had a bad cold that day?"
"Oi, don't act like the victim!" Nia scolded him. "If you hadn't gambled all the money we got from our last haul, we could've stayed at the inn and eaten a decent meal without having to hunt all these Ferroxes."
"Actually, I thought it was fun," Russel chimed in. Over the past year, he had grown several inches taller, and now wore leather armor on his chest and forearms. He also had taken to wearing Brighid's whipswords at his hips, so he could fight like a real Driver. "And it was good practice learning to fight with Brighid."
"There, see?" Sam asked, sticking his tongue out at his insubordinate Blade. "Russel understands the genius of my training regimen."
"'Genius'?!" Nia asked incredulously.
"Now, Russel," Brighid said, patting the young boy on the head. "While I think your dedication to your training is admirable, it's equally important that you learn to not let disreputable people take advantage of you."
"What does 'disreputable' mean?" Russel asked.
Brighid put a hand to her chin. "Hmm. It means people that aren't trustworthy. You know, like Sam."
"Agh!" Sam called out, acting like he had been shot in the heart. "Even you, dear, sweet Brighid? Must all the women in my life be so cruel?"
Brighid smirked at him. "Relax, I was only kidding." She put a comforting hand on his shoulder. He smiled gratefully at her. "You're only untrustworthy when it comes to money. Which is why from now on, I'll be handling our finances."
Sam sputtered out several attempts to try to rebut her, but he was rendered speechless. Nia and Russel started laughing at his expense, which caused Brighid's smile to widen. Finally, after several seconds, Sam finally joined in the laughter.
Russel thought back to the previous year of his life. His training to be both a Driver and a treasure hunter had been grueling, but it was worth it to explore Alrest and try to shake free from the shackles of his past. And while physically demanding, he loved learning how to be a better Driver for Brighid. She had taken care of him since he awakened her, so it was only fair that he returned the favor by being the best Driver he could be. Besides, he found that the more he and Brighid trained together, they seemed to somehow grow even closer, which the boy didn't think was even possible considering how much they already loved each other.
And he found himself growing closer to Sam and Nia as well. Sure, the older man was flawed, chief among them being his gambling problem and liking women a little too much (at least according to Nia), but Russel still found himself learning a lot from him. He actually looked forward to waking up every day, eager to train and go on a new adventure. And Nia helped keep everything fun, even if it often came at Sam's expense.
"Ah, there you are," a woman's voice called out to them. They looked up and saw Rosetta, the leatherworker's wife. She was a very pretty Gormotti woman with long dirty blonde hair that wore an ankle-length green skirt. Her husband, Alvin, had been the one that made the leather armor Russel was wearing, and had since regularly offered to pay them for any Ferrox pelts that they were able to bring him. Rosetta was usually the one who came out to collect the pelts, though. She was friendlier than Alvin, which made her better at greeting customers. Sam had taught Russel that first impressions were important, after all.
Sam and Russel placed the pelts inside the cart near the entrance to the workshop. Sam gingerly took Rosetta's hand and kissed the back of it. "Rosetta. Lovely to see you again."
"Uh-huh," Rosetta said in an unimpressive tone. Brighid shook her head disapprovingly, and Nia smacked Sam in the back of the head.
"She's married, you buffon!" Nia shouted. Rosetta giggled at the display.
"Is that Sam and Russel out there?" a man's voice called from inside the leatherwork shop.
"Yes it is, dear!" Rosetta called back. "And they brought more pelts! Come say hi, sweetheart!"
Russel heard the clunk, clunk of heavy footsteps before a meaty hand swung the door of the workshop open. Out stepped a mountain of a Gormotti man with long black hair, a big bushy beard, and a perpetual scowl on his face. In Russel's opinion, Alvin was the polar opposite of Rosetta. Where she was pretty and kind, he was ugly and abrasive. Where she was petite, he was huge.
Alvin took a scrutinizing look at the pelts. "Hm, there are less than usual."
"Be nice, Alvin," his wife chastised. The leatherworker simply grunted in response, before handing Sam a bundle of coins. Sam quickly deposited the coins in his pouch, only for Brighid to snatch the coin pouch out of his hands.
"I told you before," Brighid said. "I'll be handling the finances from now on."
Sam sputtered in embarrassment, but Alvin actually started laughing, something that Russel had never heard before. "She has you whipped real good, man!"
"Excuse me?" Brighid asked, turning and leveling a glare at Alvin. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?" Despite Brighid being a fire Blade, Russel could swear that he could feel the air get colder.
"Erm, nothing, ma'am," Alvin said. Brighid eased up on the death glare.
"That's what I thought," Brighid said.
Sam cleared his throat to attempt to disrupt the now awkward atmosphere. "So, anyway, Alvin, what are all these pelts for? It must be a hell of an armor you're working on."
"Hm? This isn't for any armor," Alvin said.
"Then what's it for?" Russel asked.
"Umon asked me to make some leather for him."
Russel, Sam, and their Blades looked between each other questioningly. "Um, who's Umon?" Russel asked.
"Oh, he's a nopon that lives out in the plains outside Torigoth," Alvin said. "He's a shipbuilder of some renown."
"A shipbuilder, you say?" Sam asked, putting a hand to his chin thoughtfully. "Where might we find this nopon?"
"He has a drydock on the other side of the Gormott Titan's back. Go around to the other shoulder blade. Building right on the edge of the cliff where you can easily get to the Cloud Sea."
"I see," Sam said. "Cheers, Alvin. We'll pay this shipbuilder a visit."
"No skin off my back whatever you decide to do," Alvin said. "You got me the pelts I needed, so you're on your own."
Rosetta slapped Alvin bicep." Be nice, sweetheart!"
Alvin sighed. "Thanks foe the pelts, Sam."
"That's better," Rosetta said with a big smile.
Sam chuckled. "We'll see you soon." He turned to leave. "Come on, Russel. Ladies."
"Bye, Miss Rosetta. Bye Mister Alvin," Russel said, waving to the older couple as he turned to leave.
"So, why were you so interested in going to see that shipbuilder?" Brighid asked.
"Why else? I want him to make us a ship," Sam said.
"Our very own ship?" Russel asked in amazement.
"Just imagine it," Sam continued with a twinkle in his eye. "No more chartering guild transport, no more spending money to get around. We can go wherever we want, whenever we want."
"Wow!"
"I think you're forgetting something," Nia said. "Sure, we just got paid for those pelts, but we have nowhere near what we need to have a ship built for us."
"Besides, I'm the one that has the wallet," Brighid said. "And I'm not sure that a custom ship is the wisest use of our limited funds."
"That's because you haven't seen the magnificence of our new ship yet," Sam said. "We'll figure something out to pay for it, but I know you'll see things my way once we get to the shipyard."
"What do you mean you won't make us a ship, you furball?!" Sam yelled at the small nopon, who just looked up at him unflinchingly.
"Is as Umon said," the shipbuilder repeated. Like all nopon, he was small and round, with stubby arms at his sides and wings coming out of his neck that could also be used as hands. His fur was a dark green and he wore grey overalls with a large wrench strapped to his back. "Umon not build ship for friends because Umon can't build ship for friends."
"And why can't you?" Brighid asked.
"Umon have no means to make Titan ship. Problem is, beasties scared away Titans and Umon need to lure back. Other problem, big beastie appeared in forest where Umon harvests wood to make hulls. Umon hired Driver with two Blades days ago to deal with beasie, but Driver not return. Besides, it expensive to commission Titan ship, and Umon doubts friends can pay for it."
"Oh…" Russel said, lowering his head in sadness.
Sam looked down at Russel, and then back at Umon. "What if we helped you get the things you needed to build the ship?"
"Sam—!" Nia started to say before Sam held up his hand to stop her from objecting.
"We could help you tame that Titan you need, and clear out the monster stopping you from getting the wood you need," Sam continued. "And you could, maybe… give us a discount on the ship?" He clasped his hands together. "Please?"
"Discount?" Umon asked. "Umon would have to pay friends to kill beastie."
"We'll do that for free if it'll help."
"Friends really want Titan ship that badly?" Umon asked.
"Yes, we do," Sam said.
"Please, Mister Umon, sir?" Russel asked, clasping his hands.
"…Umon suppose if friends willing to help, then Umon could give… small… discount," Umon said, seemingly reluctantly. "Wood can be found in place called 'Dawnview Grotto' back on other side of Gormott's back. Under large system of trees. Kill bug beastie, then report back and we talk about taming Titan. Friend understand?"
"Oh, we understand," Sam said. "Don't you worry your furry little head. We'll have that monster killed in no time."
"We discuss price later," Umon said. He waved his wind at them dismissively." Now, off friends go."
The group turned to leave, Sam singing a jaunty tune to himself.
"Why did you agree to kill that monster?" Nia asked. "Do you really want a ship that badly?"
"Of course!" Sam said. "You really can't imagine the freedom, the wind in your hair as we float on along the cloud sea, not a travel fee in sight?"
"I swear, you're such a child sometimes."
Sam stuck his tongue out at Nia, causing his Blade to sigh in frustration. "Getting the ship isn't the only reason I agreed to fight the monster. Remember what Umon said? He sent a Driver with two Blades."
"And?" Brighid asked.
"And the Driver never came back!" Sam said. "Think about it. If he bit the dust fighting this big monster, then there are two fresh Core Crystals ripe for the picking! One for me, and one for Russel!"
"Wait, what do you mean?" Russel asked. "I already have Brighid, and you have Nia. Are they not enough?"
"Aw, thank you, Russel," Brighid said, hugging the boy lightly.
"Yeah, aren't we enough?" Nia asked, feigning offense.
"It's not that they aren't enough," Sam said. "They are. It's just that Drivers are able to resonate with as many Blades as will let them. Most Drivers have two or three, but I've heard of some Drivers with a small army of Blades at their disposal. I only have Nia because for some reason, no other Crystal I've tried to touch has let me resonate with it. But I'm sure my luck will turn around this time."
"But I'm fine with just Brighid," Russel said. "I don't want another Blade." Brighid held him a little tighter.
"Don't think of it as getting another Blade," Sam said. "Think of it as making our little family bigger. And becoming more of a real Driver in the process."
"It's sweet of you, but I'm okay with you getting more Blades," Brighid said. "If it'll help you become stronger, then we should do it."
"But what makes you think we can even take on this big monster?" Nia asked. "It's already killed another Driver."
"Yeah, but that other Driver didn't have either of you," Sam said confidently. "Brighid's the strongest Blade in Mor Ardain, and Nia's the best healer I've ever encountered."
"Aw, I didn't know you thought so highly of me," Nia said.
"Even though you are a right pain in the arse," Sam added.
"…And there it is," Nia said.
Russel wasn't expecting their destination to have so many flowers. After the arduous task of climbing back around the Gormott Titan's back to the other side of its shoulder the way they came earlier, they had arrived at a small outcropping of forest covered in flowers. The tops of the trees converged in a way that almost felt like they were stepping into a cave made of wood it blocked out the light so effectively.
"It's pretty here," Brighid observed, bending down and plucking a flower to smell it. She let out a very satisfied moan as she inhaled the fragrance. "This aroma is heavenly. I should take some of these with me and see if I can make a perfume out of them." She bent down again and carefully pulled several of the yellow flowers up by the stem. Russel saw Sam staring intently at Brighid's backside as she bent over for reasons he couldn't even begin to understand. Brighid put the flowers away in a pouch she kept at her hip, and Sam looked away before she turned back to him, though Nia glared at him silently.
Sam cleared his throat. "I don't know about you, but I sure don't see any big monsters around here."
"Yeah, me neither," Nia said putting aside her anger at Sam to get down to business. "D'you think the nopon was right about this place?"
"We should take a look around for the fallen Driver," Brighid said. "The monster may not be here right now, but if we find the Driver's body, we'll at least know we came to the right place."
"Um, is that him?" Russel asked, pointing to a crumpled figure on the ground. The man was wearing dark armor, and the helmet on his head obscured his face. But lying next to him were two glowing rocks that looked very familiar.
"I'd say that's him," Sam said. "Poor bastard. But his Core Crystals are still there."
"So what do we do?" Nia asked. "It doesn't look like the monster's here."
"I'll tell you what we'll do," Sam said. "We resonate with those Crystals, and we wait here for the monster to come back."
"Smart thinking," Brighid said. "It lets us set up a trap."
"First thing's first, thought," Sam said, walking towards the corpse. "We need those Core Crystals."
Sam took several steps forward before Russel heard an odd noise above him. He looked up and saw a large shadow looming over them. "Sam, look out!" Sam looked up and saw the shadow quickly approaching him. He dove out of the way before it impacted, kicking up a whole lot of dust and dirt.
"I think we found out monster," Brighid said.
When the dust settled, they saw the creature they had been sent to kill. A monster that was now standing in the way of getting those Core Crystals. The monster was massive, bearing a strong resemblance to a gorilla, but with a thick tail and a horn growing out of its head. It's fur was a dark blue, and it snarled angrily at them.
"That's the biggest Gogol I've ever seen!" Sam said nervously.
The giant gogol roared.
Nia took a frightened step back.
"I think we may have bitten off more than we can chew, here."
AN: So we end this chapter on a cliffhanger. Sorry, but I wanted to not want any longer to finish. So, who do you think the two Core Crystals will be? Let me know in the comments.
As always, thank you very much for reading, and I'll see you all next time!