Halo, it's time for the newest chapter. Enjoy the reading.
The standby alarm sounded at Atlas Academy, signaling that the Ace Ops and the other teams were to deploy. Roman didn't care about the soldiers running up and down and the planes taking off and landing, all he cared about was getting out of the Academy before the general changed his mind about him.
He found it a little unusual that he wasn't only released, but even rewarded, simply at Ruby's request. Atlas may have been on the coldest continent, but he could feel the ground getting hotter with every minute he spent here, but there was one thing he wanted to do before he left for good.
- Hey Little Red, I see you have a new look! – He wanted to say goodbye to Ruby and her team, who were preparing for deployment.
- Roman, - Ruby was surprised to see the gangster, but she was also happy for him. - good to see you!
- Weren't you were going to leave? – Yang was interested, although there was no trace of her previous dislike.
- I just didn't want to leave without saying goodbye. - Roman shrugged. - It was nice working together, but now that I've received my reward, - He shook the briefcase in one hand and the gift basket in the other while Melodic Cludgel rested on his wrist. - we part ways.
- Are you really leaving us? – Weiss was also quite used to the man's presence and was disappointed that he was leaving them like this.
- Well, - Roman just held out his hands, with the briefcase and the basket in them. - I might sound like an *sshole when you put it that way, but yes. We agreed that I would help you get to Atlas, and in return I would receive a large sum of money. I even exceeded our end of the bargain.
- And what did you get? - Blake wondered what reward satisfied Roman enough to leave them.
- 10 million Lien, - He shook the briefcase and showed the contents of the gift basket. – and a gift basket full of all kinds. – He opened the plastic packaging to inspect the contents of the package. – Here is a coupon for a 10% discount at any store of the Schnee Dust Company, an expensive gourmet cheese, razor, body lotion, shower gel, shaving foam, shampoo, cologne, a small plastic champagne bottle full of candy, scented candles and a teddy bear. - He grabbed the teddy bear and started shaking it at Ruby. - Hey, Little Red, we had a nice journey to Atlas!
- I hoped, - Ruby sounded quite disappointed. - that you stay with us.
- I would be a fool to stay here! - Roman spread his arms. - I got what I wanted, I'll be fine with the money in Mantle. I already have some good ideas.
- Roman, - Ruby didn't want to accept that he was leaving. - we need you!
- Yes, - Yang didn't want him to leave either. – you have earned your place among us!
- You know very well who we are fighting against! - Weiss reminded him. - Salem won't stop, she will destroy the world if we don't stop her!
- Yes, - Blake didn't understand either. - you said yourself that this is why you help us!
- If Atlas is as strong as Ironwood claims, with you on his side he can surely stop her. - Roman was determined. - Besides, why bother for the reward if I can't enjoy it?
- But...
- Besides, there's no way I become a Hunter. Uniforms aren't my style.
- Well then, - Ruby was sad, since she already liked Roman a lot. - farewell and take care of yourself. - She sounded a little offended. - That's what you're best at.
- Hey! - The girls were about to leave, but Roman called for Ruby one last time before she turned back. - Be careful with the general. - He warned her.
- Huh? - Ruby shook her head in confusion.
- My internal alarm has been constantly alerting me about him since we arrived. - He reminded her to his special intuition. - I've been running from people like him all my life. Honesty, morality and the protection of others, he throws around big words, but as soon as it's not in his interest to help others, he will surely turn his back on them.
That was the end of it before he turned and left the room.
He didn't need more, he immediately started towards the hangar, where there were planes leaving not only from the Academy, but also from the city itself. Before boarding one, he went to an ATM and deposited the money in his briefcase into three different accounts in case someone blocked it or tried to hack it.
Of course, he kept enough to buy some things for himself in Mantle, but not enough to cause too much of flash. He put the gift basket in the empty briefcase and boarded one of the planes carrying students and civilian workers. He had the good sense not to go straight to Mantle, as he was sure the General had sent someone to follow him.
He took out the plastic champagne bottle from the gift basket, from which he began to eat the candies and sat back and enjoyed the trip. The first landing was on the western edge of the city, where he got off, briefcase in his hand, asking the police and some civilians for directions to the theater, the plaza, the cinema, another station, the bank, the post office and more to another place so that whoever follows him cannot determine what his final destination is.
To further avoid suspicion, he went to a few places, a cafe where he asked for a small knife with which he could cut the cheese in the basket and chew it on the go, a clothing store where he bought himself a new white coat instead of the one in the train accident torn. He kept his black pants and gloves, but replaced his boots with a pair of elegant ankle boots that showed off better and replaced his soft hat with holes, which Ruby had shot through a few days ago, with a black fedora hat. He bought himself a black shirt and a red scarf.
The other thing he wanted to do was go to the barber shop where he got shaved, his red beard disappeared and his face became smooth again and his bad guy charm returned. His hair was washed and straightened, but he didn't cut it because he kept it in a ponytail.
Since he brought shampoo, body lotion, razor and foam in his gift basket, they did it for him at half price.
He left the salon with a new look, and he was sure that if someone followed him, he would recognize him anyway, so to make himself look like an even easier target, he sat on a bench in the street, next to an alley and pretended to be waiting for someone. He also saw someone who had been following him ever since he boarded the plane at the Academy.
A girl with brown skin, black, short, side-swept hair, and of course, she wore an Atlas student uniform. She was young, but clearly not young enough to be a student, she kept looking at her watch while writing something in her Scroll.
Roman started to drum a little with his fingers on the bench, nestling, tilting his head to the right and left, acting as if he was nervously waiting for someone, meanwhile he was constantly looking at his Scroll and saw that the girl who followed him saw this clearly.
This time he held the Scroll to his ear as if making a phone call.
- Where are you?! – He asked out loud that she could hear him too, but of course, there was no one on the other side. - What problems? Where?! All right! I'll meet you there, but seriously, be there with the goods!
Roman put the Scroll away, got up from the bench and started walking back to the airport where he came from and saw that she was following him.
There was a lot of bustle at the airport, which only made it easier for him, because he could easily blend into the crowd, but his follower didn't give up and came after him.
- Well, finally, I found you, buddy! - He grabbed the shoulder of a guy who was completely surprised. - I've been waiting for you for a while! Where have you been?!
- Um... - The man felt quite embarrassed that Roman spoke to him so directly, since he had never seen him before. – I think… you're confused…
- True, - Roman held up both hands. – you said you were a little late! The point is, did you bring the goods?!
- The goods? – The man still was confused.
- Yes, - Roman looked to the side, seeing that woman was now watching them. - you know which? The one I brought the 10 million Lien for.
- Excuse me, but I don't have any goods... - The man felt more and more uncomfortable and couldn't determine whether Roman was a fool or confused him with someone.
- Of course! - Roman smiled and winked. - You don't have any goods, - He winked again. - and I don't have 10 million Lien either.
- Look, sir, I don't know what kind of goods you're talking about, please leave me alone! - The man was getting fed up.
- Oh, right! - Roman scratched the back of his head awkwardly. - I'm really sorry! - He shook hands with the man, acted as if he had taken something from him and put it in his pocket. - May I ask a small favor?
- Well... - The man was softened by Roman's pleading face, but he still felt awkward.
- Would you watch my briefcase while I go to the bathroom?! - He put his hand painfully on his stomach. – I have a serious diarrhea, since I had ratatouille with yogurt and plums for breakfast!
- Um... - The man didn't even have the chance to protest, as Roman pushed the briefcase straight into his hand.
- The gods bless you for the help! - Roman folded his hands and already ran towards the bathroom.
Before he even went in, he saw out of the corner of his eye that the girl who had been following him was now talking to the man, even showing her badge that she worked for the authorities.
"An important lesson, never get left holding the briefcase."
He shook off Ironwood's stalker more easily than he thought and was able to board another plane that would take him down to Mantle without a problem.
The sun was already setting, and its dying rays, as they grew fainter, painted the entire snowy tundra and the mountains in orange, in which the mine from which our heroes were just exterminating the Grimm was located.
As soon as they heard the good news, the Atlas command immediately sent out their engineering team and of course, the gigantic, floating Amity arena was also directed to the mine. Although this certainly didn't leave the attention of the population, the army and the Hunters were less interested in this, since they achieved a huge victory by clearing the mine.
Qrow and the Ace Ops, who were waiting for the arriving officers, moved ahead, but the others, Team RWBY, JNR, and LLMM couldn't help but glisten in admiration at the sight of their exploits in the mine.
- You guys are simply incredible! - Jaune was the first to surround Clover, he started punching the air. - The way you defeated that Ghost without planning a tactic, you just knew what to do!
- Well, - Clover proudly put his hands on his hips and pulled himself out. – the Ace Ops are carefully selected so that we complement each other perfectly. This way we can focus on our advantages and your weaknesses are left behind.
- Some of us only have advantages and no weaknesses. - Marrow posed heroically, but as soon as Elm laughed, he glared angrily at the tall woman. - What?! You think I'm weak at something, Elm?!
- Let's say, in the brain. – The others also had a good laugh at this, before Marrow pulled himself together.
- You asked. - Vine added.
- Hey. - Nora stared wide-eyed and in awe at Elm, whose fighting style and weapon, the huge hammer, matched her own. - Don't you need a new friend? The name of our team could be, - With determined and sparkling eyes, she raised her hammer and roared at the top of her lungs. – THUNDER THIGHS!
- Perfectly complemented teamwork. - Ruby spoke to Harriet to distract herself from Nora. - Oh yeah. - She looked dreamily towards the sky. - I also want to cover my friends this way.
- Friends? - Harriet looked at the girl in confusion, as if she had said something stupid.
- This isn't school, kids. - Elm laughed too, both at Ruby's naivety and Nora's energy.
- Thunder Thighs. – Nora was still ecstatic at the name of her dream team, so Ren took her under his arm and took her with him.
- Fine, but when you go through so much with someone... - Yang could hardly believe that the members of the Ace Ops don't really consider each other friends. – it must mean something.
- Don't you have any bonding toward each other? - Lance didn't understand either.
- We are fine, of course, and I count on them to keep me alive, just like they do. - Harriet explained. - But it's just a job. We don't mix the two.
With that, she left Team RWBY and LLMM, who were devastated to learn that the Hunter Team they respect and admire aren't actually as close as they think and don't see each other as more than colleagues.
They wondered if they were doing the right thing by considering each other as family. If one of them were to die or disappear forever, would it leave an irreparable wound on their hearts.
- I think I understand it. - Lance remembers how much pain the news of Lynda's death and Mandy's betrayal caused. - The more you love someone, the more painful it is to lose them.
- I don't care what they say, - Yang didn't want to hear about how the love he felt for his teammates was nothing more than a disadvantage. – we can't see each other only as colleagues!
- That's right! - Ruby agreed. – The reason we are still together and the reason we have managed to get through so much is because we are friends and take care of each other.
- Speaking of work, - Clover saw General Ironwood among the officers giving orders to a soldier. - duty calls. - He tiredly walked towards him to report. - You just stay here.
The Ace Ops was busy reporting to the General, so they couldn't get it right now, so Ruby turned to her teammates to see if they felt like doing something.
- What do you want to do when we get back to Atlas? Sightseeing? What should we visit first?!
- How about our bed instead? - Blake yawned.
- Oh, c'mon, guys! – Ruby saw that her team was tired and wanted to rest. - It's a great time to explore! We haven't done this in a long time!
- Ruby, - Weiss reminded her of their past adventures. – a few weeks ago, we crossed an entire continent on foot!
- Yeah, - Lance added. – do you still remember our big trip on Mistral?
- But that was just the boring part! - Ruby bowed her head.
- We almost died. - Yang told her.
- Pf, as if it wasn't like this every day. - Ruby waved.
- As a matter of fact, Ruby, - Lance scratched the back of his head. – I want to show you something when we get back.
- Really?! - Ruby's eyes lit up. - What?!
- My helmet. I… - Before Lance could continue, Qrow told them.
- Hey, attention! - He pointed to Ironwood, who was talking to Clover.
- Would the team captains invite you to come? - Ironwood looked towards them. - I want to discuss something with you. With you too, Qrow. - While Ruby, Lance, Jaune and Qrow were walking towards him, he gave Clover one last command. - I'll need you here, but be careful, if people see too many Hunters around the place they'll get upset. – Clover just saluted and left. - And Clover, don't take Marrow. - As they spoke, they saw the faunus soldier posing there and flirting with some officers.
- New problems in Mantle? - Qrow asked.
- Unfortunately, it's more the same. – Ironwood sighed tiredly, took out his Scroll and showed a police photo of a man with his dead body next to it. - Someone in Mantle is murdering community leaders who speak out against Atlas. Especially those who speak out against me. It didn't seem like a pattern at first, but this is the third such murder in the past week.
- Do you think Salem's hand is in it? - Lance was worried.
- The fact that your opposition dies in Mantle looks pretty bad and sends somewhat ambiguous signals to the people. - Qrow was also sure that someone wanted to incite hatred against Ironwood.
- It doesn't bother me, - Ironwood put his Scroll away. – what it looks like in the eyes of the people, but causes a serious disturbance. I feel like someone is trying to smear me and extend it to all of Atlas. – Everyone was worried, because they knew well who this tactic is for. - And it works.
- Well, - Jaune shrugged. – if everyone wasn't angry because of the embargo, maybe they wouldn't blame you for everything so quickly. – Ironwood narrowed his eyes angrily and Jaune nervously cleared his throat and pulled away, since he was talking to his superior. - Sir!
- No. - The general sighed tiredly. - You're right. - He rubbed his forehead. - Things at Mantle have been… a little hard to handle lately. I'm not blind about Mantle and that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about. - He looked up at the Amity arena. – With the launch of the mobile comm tower and all the tension in Mantle, I think there are a lot of good things your teams could do. – Suddenly, the radio in his ear rang, he turned it on, but he was completely shocked by what he heard in it. - What?! Now?! Here?! - An unexpected event that he didn't expect. - No, it's fine. Let him get off. I'll negotiate with him.
- More problems from Mantle? - Qrow guessed.
- No. - Ironwood saw that a private plane, the kind only owned by the richest, was about to land near the mine. - This is a problem from Atlas. - It landed right in front of the general, the plane had the crest of the Schee Dust Company on it and as soon as its ramp touched the ground, its door opened, but the luxurious and elegant appearance of the plane was actually in complete contrast to its nervous passenger.
- To clarify, James, - Out came a terribly angry man in a smart white suit, with white slicked-back hair and an elegant moustache, but he was walking towards the general in such an angry manner that it defied all manner of etiquette. – first, you are ruining my business with this senseless embargo, second, you're confiscating the private property that I own?! - He stood directly in front of Ironwood. - As soon as the Council hears this...
- To clarify, - The general cut in, completely keeping his cool and remaining official. - I have already notified the Council. Since, - He pointed to the vehicles, machines and people working around the mine. – this is a very important classified military operation, there was no need for vote.
- No need for vote?! – The man became angrier and angrier.
- Maybe you want to revive the Council Act before you lose the next election, Jacques? - The general explained, but there was a threat in his voice. - Now, I'd like you to leave. I only allowed you here out of politeness. The next time it won't be a friendly reception.
- I see, - Jacques, although he took a step back, he didn't back down at all and stared menacingly at the general. – you start to forget who your real friends are. I'm going to get that Council seat, James, and after that, maybe even your… - Before he continued, he saw someone from among the Hunters and soldiers gathered for the debate, whom he didn't expect at all. - Weiss... - He saw his daughter, Weiss, who was staring sternly and contemptuously at her father. - You... - Instead of hugging her or expressing at least a spark of joy that his daughter is alive and well, he saw it as just another political opportunity. - Did you drag my missing daughter into your plot? – He turned towards his daughter. - Since when did you return to Atlas?! Does Winter know about it?!
- It was my decision to be here! – Weiss simply couldn't stand listening to her father's hypocritical preaching and disrespectful behavior towards the general, who does everything to protect his people from a terrible evil and doesn't even show him a spark of gratitude. - Just as it was my decision to leave! - She looked angrily at his father. - Or maybe you forgot about it?
- If you think, - Jacques just looked irritated at his own daughter, as if she was just an annoying parasite interfering with his political work. – that I have forgotten anything, my daughter, then you have misjudged your father!
- Believe me, - Weiss braved her father's stern gaze. - I know exactly what kind of person you are.
- How dare you talk to me like that?! – Jacques was already about to slap his daughter. - Don't want me to—
- What, Jacques? – Ironwood told him sternly, realizing that Weiss was already under his protection and if he dared to raise a hand, he could easily arrest him for assaulting an official.
Realizing that he couldn't win here now, Jacques just calmed down, adjusted his suit, took a deep breath and pulled himself out.
- You know, - Jacques didn't even care about the general, so instead he showed his daughter another, sad face. – your mother was very sad when you left. - He clearly wanted to make his daughter feel guilty, which obviously worked. - She didn't even leave her room for days. - He put his hand on his chest, increasing Weiss's guilt, not hesitating to bring up his wife's problem for this purpose. - You know what she's like when she gets upset like that.
Her team and friends, especially Jaune, saw the effect this man had on his own daughter and the only thing he cared about that he could emotionally manipulate her.
- I knew, - Jacques smiled smugly at Ironwood. – that one day you will cross the border. – The general looked at the politician with an unflinching, stern face, who stared kindly at him, but in his eyes, he could clearly see greed and hunger for power. - I didn't come here to beg for an abandoned mine, but to thank you for personally giving me the rope to hang you with.
Weiss felt a terrible sense of guilt as she listened to her father speak, but Blake held her left hand and Ruby's right hand while Yang placed a hand on her left shoulder and Jaune on her right shoulder, letting her know that they were here for her and that she could count on them anytime.
- You will regret this. – Jacques warned the general. He looked over at Team RWBY and Jaune and it was clear how much he despised them and Weiss for being so attached to them. - So, these are your little friends that you gave up everything for?
- Not friends. - Weiss stepped forward bravely, still holding her father's gaze and realizing that Team RWBY meant something to her that the man in front of her never had and never will. - Family. - She finally looked at Jaune, who had given her more love in the past few weeks than her own father had in her entire life. - And he's my boyfriend, whom I love.
Jacques took one last angry look at his daughter, her team, and the boy, whom he regarded as a group of thieves who had stolen from him, not his daughter, but an important tool for political maneuvering, then turned and walked past the general and without a word he boarded his private plane, the door closed behind him, took off, left the mine area and flew back to Atlas.
Weiss just sighed in relief after she was sure her father was gone and wouldn't be coming back for a while. She hugged Jaune, who felt how upset the girl was by this meeting and calmed down after a kiss.
- Weiss?! - Winter, who sternly interrupted the couple's kissing, got off a transporter. - I hope I didn't disturb anything. - She almost skewered Jaune with her icy stare.
- I didn't do anything just… - Jaune pulled out in horror and started to explain, but Weiss stopped him.
- You show up now, Winter? - She smiled mockingly at her sister. - You just missed our father's visit.
- I wouldn't say that I would be very sad about it. - Winter didn't feel any more sympathy for their father either. - I guess, - She looked at Jaune. - he didn't like you either.
- No, - Weiss hugged Jaune supportively. – but at least he was here with me and supported me.
Winter realized that Jaune had now done something for Weiss that she felt should be her duty. After all, she had sworn to protect and support her sister against her father's manipulation and emotional blackmail, but when she found out their father was coming, she simply did everything to miss the meeting, exposing Weiss to the very person she wanted to protect her from the most.
- You're right. - Winter admitted her mistake and bowed to Jaune. - Thank you for being here for my sister.
- Don't worry... - Penny interrupted the joyful moment by crashing into the ground like a cannonball, the shock wave of the impact pushed everyone back.
- Surprise! - She threw a pile of green confetti into the sky and projected the words "Congratulations" in green. After an awkward silence, she looked around at the terrified faces of the others and realized that she had started the celebration a little early. - Um... haven't we started yet? -And turned off title.
- As you can see, - Winter rubbed her forehead nervously. - not yet!
- But what? - Ruby stood up confused.
That night, the Amity tower has hidden inside the mine, put under high security and the general called our heroes to him for an important announcement because of something very important.
The interior of the arena was as it was in the old days, the emblems of the four nations were visible on all four sides of the pitch, there was a platform in the middle and a grandstand surrounded the octagonal pitch. Although the place was familiar to them, it was as if they had not been here for years and the darkness seemed like a haunted house.
They gathered on the platform in the middle of the field, where it was illuminated by spotlights, Ironwood, Winter and Penny stood facing the students and the general began his speech.
- It's obvious, - Ironwood stepped forward. - that this arena is important for all of us and it's only fitting that we gather here. Now, when the world needs to come together more than ever. The journey you have taken since our first meeting hasn't been easy. - He started pacing while Penny was hopping around excitedly and impatiently with a Scroll in hand that Winter had to put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. - You fought for your school and your friends in Beacon. You fought for the world and the innocent at Haven Academy and many other places. You have faced horrors that others cannot even imagine. This behavior isn't fit for students. - He stopped and looked into the young people's eyes again. - This behavior is more suitable for... Hunters and Huntresses. – He nodded to Penny that the time had come, who excitedly held Scroll in her hand and as she walked in front of her friends, she pressed a button and after each button press, the person heard a beep from her Scroll.
- Wait, is this…? – Ren could hardly believe his eyes when he opened his student ID and was shocked to find that it had changed to a Hunter ID.
- You will receive your hunting license. – Winter answered. - Today.
- I know we've made some progress, - Ironwood continued. – but the Brothers are witnesses that you did deserve it. My only regret is that I couldn't do anything more ceremonial for the occasion.
- Are you serious? - Lance couldn't believe his eyes when he saw his own Hunting License.
- I… - Ruby also just opened her mouth. - We... - She finally recovered from the shock. - You honor us, General Ironwood. But you really don't have to…
- Please! - Ironwood didn't want to hear about being turned down. - The threat of Salem is still here and the tension is growing in the kingdom. Of course, I need the most reliable fighters on my side. I am so lucky to have all of you here. - He smiled at the young Hunters. – Don't worry. It's a big moment and what better way to celebrate than here? - He looked up ambitiously at the greenish-blue northern lights above the arena. - As soon as the tower and communications network are restored and operational, we will tell the world about Salem and confront her, whatever the fate may bring. Together. - The young ones, although they were happy to receive their license, didn't know if the general wanted to say anything else, which made him feel a little embarrassed. - It's… everything… I wanted. If you'll excuse me, I have to go back so that the operation can go on... - He would have liked to have stayed to enjoy this moment with them, he didn't know if it was appropriate and he didn't have much to stay. - Just enjoy the cake. – With that, he turned and they left the arena track together with Winter.
- The closing of your speeches is improving, sir! - Penny winked and encouraged the general, though to no avail.
It would have been difficult for anyone to put into words what they felt the moment they looked at their valid Hunting Licenses.
- After what we've been through, - Yang was the first to break the silence. - I almost forgot that this is what I wanted from the beginning.
- When Beacon fell, - Blake joined. – I didn't think this could ever happen again.
- It seems almost insignificant. - Weiss didn't feel like more than a sprinkle of dust either.
- My mom would be very proud of me, - Mike didn't even dare to dream that he would ever get the license. – but I don't know if I should be proud of myself. I don't feel like I did anything to make it mine.
- Come on, Mike, - Lance put a hand on his fat friend's shoulder. – with your skills, few people would have dared to embark on such an adventure!
- Even fewer to survive. - Ruby added, and some of them laughed, but it was a restrained laugh, like they were only doing it because they had to, so they wouldn't go crazy.
- Come on guys, - Qrow was the one trying to cheer the others up. – have a little fun! Enjoy it, because you've earned it.
- Finally! - Nora cheered loudly. - Someone said it! - She was absolutely determined. - Let's kill some cakes! Because I will easily eat two slices before Ren can even start the first! - She stared at the others, maddened and competitive. - Who says I can't? Who says it?!
- Nora, - Ren was the only one who dared to tell her. - no one ever will argue with you about that.
The cake was amazing, a large flat cake covered in light blue frosting with colorful sprinkles hidden here and there, surrounded by light purple whipped cream and the Atlas crest in the middle. Penny cut the big cake into equal pieces with her swords and everyone got a slice, in the case of Nora and Mike, at least 6 each.
She actually ate two whole slices before Ren could even start on the first one, but Mike didn't give up and a serious eating contest began between them.
Penny found Yang's mechanical arm interesting, Yang offered to shake her hand, but as soon as Penny grabbed it, Yang disengaged the peck holding her arm, pulled the rest of her arm away and it looked like Penny pulled her arm off. Nora and Yang just laughed because she had cracked this joke before and Penny found it amusing too.
Blake and Yang, since they were already a couple, couldn't resist taking selfies with each other while Weiss and Jaune instead fed each other their cakes.
- Which one do you think will win? – Lance poked Ren curiously as they watched as Mike and Nora were already past the 8th slice of cake.
- You didn't see Nora eat. – Ren was sure that she would win the competition. - Every day at Beacon, I had to get up early to make enough pancakes for Nora in time, because if I didn't, she'd do her best to beat me up.
- Are you kidding me now? – Lance knew that back in Beacon, Nora really liked the pancakes made by Ren, but this was unbelievable to him.
- If only he were joking. - Jaune remembered it all too well.
The JNPR team was sleeping the sleep of the righteous in their dormitory room on a pleasant Saturday morning, but this peaceful silence was shaken by a mind-boggling clang, shake, crash, break and crush.
- What is this?! - Jaune turned from his bed in terror.
- We were attacked?! - Pyrrha didn't know what was happening either.
- Again?! - Ren's eyes also popped out in alarm. - Nora, seriously?
- Oh, - Nora took out her fake and sweet voice. - did I wake you up? - She smashed a pile of empty plates, glasses and porcelain vases with her hammer.
- What are you doing, Nora?! - Jaune didn't understand why she was making so much noise this early in the morning.
- Nora wants pancakes for breakfast. - Ren rubbed the sleepiness from his eyes.
- Oh, Ren, - She clasped her hands adorably and rested her head on them. - how did you know that?!
- I had a guess, - The boy already knew the girl too well. - which adds to that, if I don't start it right away, you're gonna keep going with your morning crash concert.
- Try me! – With a maniacal grin, Nora took down a tarp, under which there were 12 giant boxes full of all kinds of fragile, rattling objects that Nora was going to smash if Ren didn't start making pancakes right away.
- Ren, - Jaune swallowed in horror. – start baking pancakes!
- My god! - Lance couldn't spit or swallow, and he couldn't, either from shock or terror.
- She only did it a couple of times, - Ren just shrugged. – but after that I was able to get up on my own she stopped.
Ruby was happy to receive her Hunting License, but she didn't feel it was more than a piece of paper and instead sat on the stand and watched her friends celebrate from there.
- Big day for you, huh, kid? - Qrow sat next to her.
- Well… - Ruby didn't know what to say. – definitely a lot to take in.
- Which part? - Qrow laughed. - We finally arrived in Atlas, you get your permission, or you didn't tell Ironwood everything part? Or… all at once?
- All at once. - Ruby laughed too. - I'm just trying to do what I think is right, but I can't really say whether what's best is right. Or how am I different from Oz? Roman said that no one in the world knows what's right and what's wrong and anyone who claims to know is actually lying. Do you think he was right?
- Ruby, - Qrow trusted her. - Oz left the whole truth to himself. You trust others and you also make sure that they deserve it. The answer to your first question is yes, you are different from Oz.
- Thanks.
- As for the other one, - Qrow just shook his head, every time he thought of Roman and the effect he had on Ruby, it annoyed him. – you know very well that I don't like Roman and that has nothing to do with it, but I think he's wrong. People can usually tell the difference between right and wrong, but their decisions can be influenced by many things. It's one thing to know and another to do what is right.
- This, - Ruby pulled out her Hunting License again, still not trusting herself. – says I'm a Huntress, but I don't feel like I know more than what I did in Beacon.
- Hm, - Qrow knew exactly what she was talking about. – this feeling never goes away. Your mother, Summer, would be very proud of you. - Ruby smiled happily.
- That… - Ruby had long buried a question she didn't know she'd ever want to know the answer to, but now it came up again. – last mission of her… was that also one of the secrets of Oz?
- Hm, - Qrow thought back to the old days with Team STRQ and shuddered at how much they didn't know. - there were many of them in our time. But that one was Summer's secret. She didn't tell anyone where she was going. - Qrow looked up at the starry sky where the northern lights were clearly visible. - But when she didn't come back, Ozpin didn't know any more than me and Tai. And we still don't know what she has been hiding from us over the years.
- What do you think she would have done, - Ruby always felt sad every time she thought about her mother. – if she had learned the truth about Salem? That she can't be killed?
- She would have kept going, I think. - Qrow smiled at her. - Just like you. - He hugged her, pulled her close and pressed a kiss on the top of her head. - She was always the best among us. She was quite brat, - He laughed when a pleasant and funny memory came to mind. – but I like brats.
- Hah! – Laughing, Ruby elbowed her uncle in the side, whose mood had improved a lot since they got to Atlas.
- Hey, Ruby! - Yang said to her sister. - Come check this out!
As soon as Ruby saw what he wanted to show her, she immediately ran over and could hardly believe her eyes.
- Oh my god, is this a mission board?! – The digital display in front of her almost enchanted her. - And now it's an app?! - She couldn't help looking feverishly and madly at the possible missions. - Can we ride a Magoliath? We can stop an underground criminal organization?! Even… - She pulled the hood of his red cloak over herself and changed her voice to sound darker. – could we infiltrate? PLEASE! - She tugged at Penny excitedly, but was interrupted by newcomers from one side of the arena.
- Hey guys, can you feel this? – Marrow, Vine and Elm came from the Ace Ops. Marrow sniffed around. - It smells like fresh meat.
- It's strange. - Vine sniffed too. - I don't feel meat.
- Me neither. - Ren also sniffed and was disappointed.
- You know what? – Marrow just rolled his eyes, seeing that his two companions didn't understand the joke at all. - Whatever.
- Let me get straight, - Elm could hardly believe what he saw. – you've been official Hunters for less than an hour and you just want to go on a mission?!
- As a matter of fact, - Weiss took out her license. - officially... - She lowered her head in disappointment. - We have been Hunters for 57 minutes.
- I would like to remind all of you that the real and the mission that takes priority is the successful launch of the communication tower.
- True, - Ren agreed. – but it still allows us to continue training and practicing while helping the people of the kingdom.
- Oh, - Elm's heart was warmed by what he heard. – the enthusiasm of young people!
- Well, - Marrow shrugged. - it's hard to argue with that. - He went to the blackboard. - Let me show you how it works. - He chose a mission. - Ah, here's an important one. Who wants to volunteer?
- Yes!
- Me!
They all immediately raised their hands.
- Someone is needed, - Marrow explained the task. - to accompany young children to the Mantle daycare center. Not particularly dangerous, but parents are very restless and this can attract the Grimm. – Everyone put their hands down and Marrow chose the unfortunate person who managed to do it last. - Congratulations, the honor is yours... - He suddenly couldn't remember his name. - Juan… Jon… Jim?
- Close, I think. – For Jaune, this wasn't his dream Hunter's mission, but he knew that those who don't appreciate the small, don't deserve the big. - Wow, my first official Hunter mission.
- Next, - Elm pushed Marrow aside and she chose the next mission. – an alpha Sabyr is loose in the Mantle sewers! We need two brave warriors to deal with it! - Everyone raised their hands.
- What?! - Jaune didn't understand why the others could go on an exciting mission while he had kids to look after. - Why didn't I get the chance to do this? - He didn't get an answer, he was just laughed at.
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