Chapter 35

Far from home

Week 9: Day 68

Island around the southern Vale territory

(Velvet's POV)

It was late into the night when we exited the Bullhead. Theta spent the entire flight talking with me. He loves it when we talk about family and friends. Yastu and Fox got along pretty well with him. Fox is still grasping the concept of a AI fragment, mainly with how he was 'born'. Theta hovered on my shoulder as the side doors to the Bullhead opened to let us out, fidgeted nervously as we looked around the place we'll be helping out for the next few days. Coco calmly walked off the Bullhead stretching her arms as the rest of us followed shortly behind. She does not like being cramped in a small area for too long.

Before us was a small village. Significantly bigger and more advanced than Rorikstead, yet smaller than Vale. Whole area felt like a Sky was filled will stars, moon half full with parts of the shattered end hidden. I can see a forest not far from the main crop field, wide path with giant trees pushed aside with several of the bean like crops looking already eaten fron here. That's strange. Creatures of Grimm never attack crop fields, let alone eat anything in said crop fields. Neither Vale or Vaccuo have mega herbivores that could move a tree aside. Think I saw something like that once before? The three horned animals from a month back, when the Rex popped in from his universe. But they can't be here, Johnathan's armor sensors would have picked up their portal . . . I think? What is the max range on it again? I don't think he's ever mentioned it.

"This is a nice town. Looks a little like the town you visited in that dragon filled nightmare not long ago Velv." Coco noted looking around as she let her arms fall to her side. I nodded in agreement looking around.

"Yeah. But it was a lot colder, and I had to keep my hood up the entire time." I replied. One person stood in the streets to greet us as our final team member walked off the Bullhead. Older male, about Oobleck's age with a Port like body type. Worn and torn police style body armor, Glock pistol/knife weapon combo on his hip. Grey hair with exhaustion deep in his eyes. Almost could pass for an older version of Johnathan, had he been a foot taller and a tad bulkier. Theta disappeared into my scroll as soon as the man got close enough. Johnathan did warn me that he was shy.

"Thank Monty you came. I'm starting to lose my mind figuring this mad area out alone." The man thanked. "I'm Earl Steel, police chief of Avalon."

"Coco Adel, team CFVY here. Just tell us where the Grimm nest is at and we'll have them cleared out by dinner time." She replied patting her handbag as a distant soft bellow echoed though out the air. Definitely not Grimm in origin, sounds too big to be one they'd call in a school group to clean up. My rabbit ears twitched while Yastu and Fox looked toward the forest where it came from. Another one called back in return, deeper and from farther away. A much louder and familiar sounding one echoed though the trees. Yastu kept his hand on his back by his sword just in case. The last one I know was a . . . what was the animal called again. Brachiosaur I think. Or was it Brontosaur? Some type of big animal. . . I think "Please tell me that was from a really big Grimm for us to kill and not some mystery monster no one knows crap about?"

"I'm afraid that was from the Jade forest's new residents. Sounds like the big ones are waking up to eat again." He replied nervously chuckling. Coco raised her eyebrow for a moment, eyes barely visible over the tops of her glasses. She wants answers, and she wants some now. "I'll get my best deputy to explain the job in the morning. But first, let me show you four to your hotel room for the time being. Can't go do a job when you're dead tired."

Hour later

"PSST! Velvet. . . Velvet wake up, please." Theta whispered from right above me. My eyes felt like they were burning as he glowed brightly over my head. I was in my nightwear in a simple bed. Coco was still fast asleep in the bed beside mine. Fox and Yastu had to get a separate room for 'insurance' reasons. I groaned as I lifted my head up from the alpaca wool pillow. So fluffy, so soft, I can hear it calling for me to return.

"What is it Theta?" I asked yawning and rubbed my right eye. The soft bellowed singing from the unknown animals have finally stopped, maybe they are all asleep as well. One would think I'd have a hard time sleeping with all that noise, but with how soft and graceful they sound, it surprisingly made it easier for me to fall asleep. Haven't slept like this since the week Johnathan showed up. I looked to my scroll and powered it on to see what time it was. 2:53, Johnathan should be waking up from a night terror any minute now. Deeply saddens me that there is so little I can do to help him. Not like we can share a bed at Beacon . . . nope. We're not that far into our relationship. I'll wait another month before I even get that idea in my head. Even though I wouldn't mind having his arms wrapped around me once again, head against his chest to where I can hear his heart beating, feeling safe under his protective watch as we drift off into the land of dreams. I honestly miss it, even though we only slept in the same bed once, and that was when he landed himself in the Medical ward after the field trip.

"I can't sleep. Animals outside are making too much noise." Theta replied as he looked toward the window. How does a AI sleep? Do they power themselves down until someone tells them some order or do they dream like anyone else? I'm kind of curious now. Little to personal of a question to ask Theta. Maybe Johnathan or Rhode would know. "I want to go see one."

"What?" I asked again blinking a few times to get some of my eye crude out.

"Can we go see the animals Velv? I am curious on what they look like?" He asked once again looking back to me. I can't tell what he is thinking because of the visor like projection. Going by his tone of voice and body movement. Right now I think he is anxious about something.

"It's almost three in the morning. They'll still be there when we wake up in a few hours." I answered resting my head on the pillow once more.

"Please Velvet? They sound so awesome looking." Theta begged, putting his hands together and begging to me. I turned my back to him and tried to go back to sleep. Too risky going out there at night without any team mates to cover my back. I can take care of myself, but I rather have my team at my back to cover me if something goes wrong. Theta was in the process of begging me again when a thud shook the building. The walls shook slightly as another soft bellow echoed though the air, this one a lot closer. I know exactly what it was this time. I jolted awake as Coco groaned, mumbling something about steak and leather belts.

"Okay Theta, you win. We'll see the big animals." I answered getting out of bed and grabbed my scroll. I was still in my combat uniform, we were all so tired that I didn't even bothering to change into my night where. Theta disappeared on the scroll as I picked it up and hooked Scarlet Fever on my belt. I opened the door and ran down the wooden steps of the old inn. I ran outside and started looking around to see what could have possibly made the inn shake. Another soft bellow echoed though the air. I turned to see a familiar sight, just not at this level. I remember seeing something her her closer to her eye level. Towering nearly fifty feet over me, massive tree trunk sized legs slammed into the ground, it's soft bellow rang out as it craned it's massive neck around. Looking for something, food probally if the bits of plant matter raining from her mouth were any suggestion.

"Wow, She's beautiful." Theta noted as I watched awe struck as the massive animal casually walked though the village like nothing is happening. Why hasn't anyone been woken up by the animal yet? Okay better question, how long has she been here? I know all the big animals native to Remanent by heart, this one is definitely not on that list. "What exactly is she?"

"I think Johnathan called it a Brachiosaur." I replied stepping back a bit as it's massive leg slammed down in front of me. I could perfectly make out it's dull brown color as she moved over me, than looked down at me with her big eyes. The massive beast let out a soft and low bellow as she lowered her head to get a better look at me. I froze on the spot as the rather large head was now at eye level with me. I could see her nostrils moving and feel her breath on me. She looked at me directly in the eye, hers full of curiosity and wonder.

"Hello, big girl." I calmly said. She softly chirped and nudged me, making me lose my balance for a second as she let out another low bellow. Strange, she looks so much like the one I pet months ago. "You want me to feed you, don't you girl?" I asked calmly as she nudged me once more, resting her large head on my side, before nudging me. She must be expecting some food from me or something. "How did you get here?" I asked as the large animal snorted. I calmly placed my hand on her nose as she closed her eyes and ler out a soft noise I can't describe. Almost a cat like a purr but also a moo like a cow. I'm not sure how to describe it. I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle as Theta watched in amazement.

That lasted for all of ten seconds before she nudged me once again, making me fall over her nose. A different bellow echoed though the air, the animal I was currently on decided to raise her neck up to full height and returned that call. I shrieked in surprise from being hoisted up fifty feet in the air. I held on to the massive animal's head for deal life as she started walking toward the trees, taking me with her. I didn't dare try reaching for my scroll to call for help or even Scarlet Fever to get out of this mess. I am not letting go of this girl until her head is closer to the ground or a tree I can climb on to. Not meat eating so I know I won't be her lunch, slipping and getting crushed under the several ton animal's foot is a whole other story I rather not think about right now. I know my Aura is strong, not sure if it is that strong. I pray this thing doesn't have to sneeze anytime soon.

(Johnathan's POV)

Vale hospital

Weiss finally calmed down after a few hours. Blake and Ruby were doing their best to comfort the now orphaned heiress. Rhode managed to get a box of tissues and a large tub of vanilla ice cream. She says, from experience, that it helps ease the pain. Not entirely sure how, but I'll take her word for it. Serena was beside me with her helmet off and fast asleep in the chair. Three members of RWBY all here passed out with Rhode's lap acting as a pillow to Weiss. Rhode was calmly stroking Weiss's hair as she hummed a familiar song. Probably trying to sing the three to sleep. 'Will the circle be unbroken' from I can't remember who. Think I heard it while in Columbia for the short day I was there. Never going back. Long story short, I won't EVER go back to there. Fucking jackass super religious sky racist. Everything bad about pre-civil rights America, times twenty in a city among the clouds. Wonder how Elizabeth is doing? I remember holding off a few legions of Founders and Vox while they ran like hell for the first Lady airship. Kind of bumped into them around Battleship bay. Brought back Serena a Shockjocky Vigor. Can't remember if she drank it or left it as a 'trinket' from my trips. Would the Vigors or Placids from Bioshock be considered artificial Semblances in a bottle? i have no idea.

Alice already left for Beacon to prepare a threat assessment report on the Fang, most likely going to get 'Freelancer' some counter-terror missions in the near future. I stood watch in the corner with my shoulder against the wall. Still waiting on the results to see if Yang's arm could be reattached or if we'll have to go with some rather . . . unconventional methods I know of. I kept a watchful eye on the exhausted group, fighting off my own exhaustion to make sure they're all safe. I'm use to staying up for days on end, part of what kept me alive this long. Arcflash stayed ready to deploy, just in case. Emily has really crossed the line. I knew she was delusional about power, but I didn't think she'd go this far. Want me, fine. I can take what ever is thrown at me. But leave these people and my family out of it. They never asked for this. They never asked to be caught in the middle of a mad woman's revenge plot. Then again, no one in their right mind would.

"Johnathan." Rhode called out to me quietly as Weiss begun to snore slightly. I looked down at her as she looked back up at me with her bright hazel eyes. Worry fixed across her face as the soft sounds of others sleeping echoed though the room. "What do you think we should do? Can't let the Fang get worse tech, but we can't run in blind."

"Emily won't stop until I'm dead. She won't wait for us to be ready, she'll kill any who stand in her way, and won't show any form of mercy or hesitation. Faced off with her year and a half ago back on Mastafar and barely survived. But now that she is better trained in the Dark side of the Force, by none other than Darth fucking Vader; I'll be honest with you Elizabeth, I'm scared." I answered looking out at the shattered moon above. "She obviously has given a group of extremist the power to venture into the vast Multiverse and reap it's rich bounty, on top of what ever she promised or has already given to Vader to train her. The Empire is evil enough with just the Death Star, I can't imagine them with the power of a Halo ring or worse. Not sure if it can be much worse than that." I returned my gaze back to her with a expression of fear. "I'm not entirely sure what we CAN do at this point. We go after them blind, we'll be slaughtered. We wait, she'll come after me with much worse. Even with the Spartan on our side, we won't last too long against her lightsabers or the Force. It is a HELL of a lot stronger than people believe it to be. A LOT stronger if she is anywhere near Starkiller level. Doubtful but we have to assume the worst here. Not even factoring in the Meta OR the White Fang into this, and that is just with what little we know about her strength. We don't know the extent of her training with the Dark side, we don't know what she has at her fingertips right now, we don't know anything about her or the Fang and it scares me." I answered sitting down with my hands in my head, ready to pull my buzzed hair out. "We go after her right now, we'll just be marching into our deathbeds and won't solve anything in the end. We do nothing, more people will get killed and the worse this world will become. I just don't know what to do right now."

Rhode sighed deeply as she turned her gaze back to the sleeping heiress in her lap. Her cheeks puffy red and hospital gown stained in tear. Rhode didn't dare move, should she wake up said sleeping heiress. Times like this I wish Rosa were here. That raptor makes for a good pillow to cry into. Call it from personal experience. A creek echoed though out the room. Mine and Rhode's eyes both turned to the door leading into the recovery center. Nurse Peach calmly walked in, same nurse who patched me up after the Elite fight.

"I assume you're the blonde girl's friends?" She asked quietly while removing her face mask.

"Yes. Is Yang alright?" I asked quietly. Nurse Peach shook her head and snapped her latex gloves off. Not a good sigh, I know that look anywhere. Bad news, I can feel it in my bones.

"Other two are fine, they just have busted balls, literally. What ever hit their crotch shattered the blue one's scrotum. I already went down the list of what not to do with them. The blonde girl is not as lucky to get off so easily. Damage to her arm was severe. Burned clean though and destroyed the nerve endings along the end, on top of the extensive damage to the tissue and bone. I'm sorry, we tried but we can not reattach her arm." She answered. I fear this was the case. Limbs cut off with energy weapons normally can't be reattached. Not easily . . . at least not by conventional methods. "I'm going to have to inform her father. Unless one of you would like to tell him?"

"You do it Nurse, you'll break the news to him a lot kinder than I." I answered. We're going to have to do this my way if she wants to use her arm again. Tricky question is who to go to that I trust? Doctor Halsey I sort of trust, but could she handle something like this? Most likely. Doctor Vallen maybe if she can restrain herself from testing Yang's Aura. Doctor Grey or Doc from the RVB area are options, absolute last resorts but options. Vallen is probably my best bet right now. Trick is how am I going to get Yang to them to get her arm back? Cole hasn't popped up in a while, so he isn't my best method of transport right now. Peach nodded and walked out. I looked to Rhode as she seem to have guessed what I was thinking.

"You got a back up plan on how to get her arm back?" She asked suspiciously.

"Why wouldn't I?" I replied.

"Does it involve multiverse portals?"

"Do we have another choice?"

"I'm honestly not surprised."

"If you got a better idea on the fly, I'm all ears." I replied. Rhode thought for a minute than closed her mouth again. She knows I'm right, she knows unless Yang wants a robotic arm. I do not see her reacting too well to one. Took me a while to adjust to mine, several broken everything later. I'll lay down the options to Yang. She what she says.

(Side story)

(Third person POV)
Last Rose of Summer

(Spartan Raku belongs to animeak116)

"All hands to battle stations. Kodiak to your pods ASAP. This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a Drill." Ruby Red announced though the Ship's speakers. ODST all marched out to their pods as the General alarm echoed though out the old ship. Three Spartans in Recruit armor stood by their pods gathering their weaponry. Gold and steel trims on all three. One lone spartan sat on a box clicking his weaponry into their places. ODST helmet and breastplate, UA/Counter Assault, Tactical magazine pouches on a Mark 5 Gut plate, and Grenadier knee pads. He checked the power cell to his modified energy Glock before hooking it to his hip.

"You think this old girl will survive another fight with that cuisier? We barely survived the last one." One Spartan asked to another hooking his assault rifle on his back.

"Considering we're in a prehistoric dinosaur of a star ship that outages the Spirit of Fire and just about every UNSC ship operational, made before the first war even began, with a child like AI in control of the weapons, and a Captain that has a reputation of giving the most insane odds the middle finger. I'm glad we'll be on the ground when shit starts flying." The second one answered pulling the charging bolt on his DMR and loading in a round.

"Give the old girl some credit. She made it this long hasn't she." The third one replied in a more feminine voice than the other two, hooking her SMG to her thigh. "Hey Raku. You doing okay over there?"

"I'm fine." He replied in a generic voice devoid of emotion hooking a few plasma grenades to his belt. Raku was the team's leader. Son of two legendary Spartan II's, Long sad history."We got a job to do Kodiak. Get down there and clear a landing zone for the Pelican. Protect what civilians we can, and tear these alien assholes apart."

"ETA till drop. Twenty seconds." Ruby Red announced.

"Looks like that's out cue." One Spartan noted hopping into his pod. "Last one down buys the drinks?"

"Sounds good to me." The female replied hopping into her pod as the last one hopped into his pod. Doors shut on the main two. "Captain,you coming? Covvies aren't going to kill themselves?"

"Ten seconds to drop." Ruby Red repeated. Raku pulled the bolt back on his DMR and loaded in a new round. He hooked it to his back and sat in his pod. Door closed behind him as the deep rumble of the engines entering atmosphere rang though the ship.

"Alright people. Drop zone is going to be hot. Be ready to engage on landing." Captain Summer announced though the Ship's PA system. "We'll keep the cuiser at bay. You guys worry about the guys on the ground. Protect those civilians at all costs" And with that, the whoosh of several pods being shot down from mid orbit, the loud sonic boom of the MAC gun going off, the battle for Menagerie has begun.

(Because I felt like it)

Jaune's POV

Wilds of Skyrim

(A/N: Yes Jaune is still alive, I have not forgotten about him. Been saving him until I got around to playing Skyrim once more. Started a whole new Character and played them a little . . . Jaune like. And no I did not mess with any chickens. All though Jaune might trip on one {Insert evil laugh here}. Rule one of Skyrim; NEVER. TOUCH. THE. DAMN. CHICKENS! Touch one and you better be ready for a serious ass kicking)

So cold, It's so un-freaking-believability cold here! First five minutes alone here, I crashed into inn of some sort, scaring the living soul out of some poor young woman as I miraculously landed and destroyed a soft bed in my landing. Thank Monty my Aura absorbed a huge chunk of the blow, other wise I might have been a stain on the stone floor. Been a week or two since I've been here, three maybe? I lost track of the days after a while. Everything has blended together, can't remember the last meal I has in my own world right now. Holding out hope that my friends think I'm alive and will save me from this frozen nightmare. Slowly fading but I still have hope. I've had to work at this inn to fix the damaged roof and broken bed. Never done anything remotely construction related until now. Everything seems mostly fixed, save for the crooked bed I rebuilt. I sat on the bench with my head on the table, bottle of mead in my hand. Recently took up this habit after they offered the first one on the house. Not too bad, something to drink that won't make me run for the bucket or a bush. Tastes kind of like honey and fruit juice mixed with alcohol. Hard for me to keep down first time, but it has gotten easier after the fifth bottle. Either this or drink from the river because there is no such thing as indoor plumbing around here. Living hell not being able to do my business in a toilet and with no real toilet paper! Stuff they pass off as toilet paper is rough and scraped my rear horridly, only a step above a large leaf. I am seriously beginning to question every decision I ever made and if this was possibly the stupidest one. So far it is looking like a big yes.

The Old Hroldan inn has been my home for now until I can think of something. Been sleeping in a spare room off to the side with the gold I saved up sort of. My chest plate and hoodie are beaten and battered from the fall. Going to need to sow up the hole below my armpit soon. I goaned in agony as I pushed the empty mead bottle away. I seriously screwed myself this time. Forging the beacon transcripts was a stupid move on my part, I'll admit it. But this has to be on my top ten list for 'stupidest crap I've ever done' list. Right up there with stealing a bite of a pancake from Nora's plate when she wasn't looking. Lesson learned that day, don't mess with her pancakes, EVER!

"You alright Jaune?" A female voice asked as I lifted my head up from the table. Sitting beside me was the woman I scared half to death on my arrival. Marai has been literally the only person who will actively talk to me the whole time I've been here so far. She has been renting out the room to stay in until the Forsworn heading into the city have been driven out by the Jarl's forces. From what I've been hearing, going to take a while with how stubborn they are. Without my sword and shield, I can't even defend myself right now. Red energy sword I'm not sure how much energy it has left, saving it in case I am in deep trouble or left with no other option to defend myself. Kept it on my belt hidded from view. So I'm stuck here unless I feel like risking a trip back to Whiterun on foot. Back to being completely useless I guess.

"Oh, hey Marai. Didn't hear you coming." I noted rubbing my temples. I think I skipped being drunk all together and went straight to the hangover. Now I understand why my father was in a grumpy mood the morning after a party with his friends. Main difference here is that I can't get painkillers and have to drink these not so cheap health potions instead. Think they supercharge my Aura because I feel like a million lein after word. I could be wrong and it is just the Honningbrew mead talking here. Honestly preferring the Honningbrew Mead to Black-Briar Mead, tastes better in my opinion and is cheaper considering I have next to no money right now. Sure people tip me for getting them their drinks but it isn't enough to get me anything important. Again, back to being completely useless and screwed. How did Johnathan survive this frozen nightmare for so long? . . . How does anyone?! "Just thinking on what I should do from here. Too dangerous to head to Markarth, don't have the supplies to head anywhere else. No money to get any supplies. So I'm stuck here for a while. Drinking away my problems until I pass out and start again tomorrow." I replied hitting my head on the table. Really regretting getting out of bed that morning. Nora would be in heaven here. Just the size of some of the wa rhammers I've seen, she would be a warrior queen in a week, Month at the most. "What about you? Would have figured you would have hitched a ride with the last trade caravan that moved though here.

"Better to hunker down though the storm here, then scrambling to find a dry place out there." Marai answered as the fire behind us crackled and splintered. Pleasant smell of venison stew filled the air along with a after rain mist. Before coming here I never had a taste for deer. Now I have grown to enjoy it, Rabbit as well. Can't argue with what the cook makes when I'm starving. Storm past not too long ago. Freezing rain combined with killer bandits and possible dragons, I'll take my chances here.

"Well kid, looks like the roof has held the storm. You held up your end of the bargain. Consider your debt paid." The inn owner said scaring the crap out of me. I diverted my attention from Marai to the inn keeper. She couldn't be that much older then my own mother. Long blonde braided hair, 'Nord' like appearance if I am understanding races in this world correctly, normal female Nord outfit; or what I'm assuming is normal for shop keepers. In her hands she held a sheathed steel sword and a battered shield. "An adventurer forgot this here a month ago, obvious they won't be back. You look like you would make better use out of them than I." She informed holding the pieces of equipment out for me. Wow, that was pretty generous of her. All things considered, I expected to be kicked out after I fixed everything I broke. I took the sword and shield combo as she put the items in my hands. Shield was a kite shape with a wolf head decorated on the front, angled and with a fair amount of wood. Sword was a simple steel sword. Nothing too distinct about that. I smiled as I took the generous gift.

"Thank you." I replied strapping the sword to my belt. Well one problem is solved. Only a million more to go. One step at a time Jaune. Survive this crazy world one step at a time. "So Marai. Feel like making a trip to Solitude with me? Watch each other's backs." I asked. No way am I wondering out there alone, and from what I've gathered from her, neither is she. Could that be why she waited here so long, for me to pay off my debt to the Inn? Makes no sense to me. She could have jumped aboard the trade caravan that passed though here last week.

"Sure, why not. Not like Markarth is going anywhere." She answered

That is it for this chapter. I'm beyond hyped for the next Jurassic World. I can not be the only one with ideas buzzing around my head that includes dinosaurs and RWBY. Their world is getting crazier by the minute. What will Johnathan do about Yang's arm. Let's face it, you all saw that coming a mile away. Next chapter will be focused on the battle for Menagerie for the most part. That and Velvet getting kidnapped by a dinosaur. I got plans for CFVY and their new 'friends'. What will Weiss do once she wakes up? Will she go after Torchwick or trust someone else to do it? No one knows, but I have an idea. No idea when the next chapter will be. Work is throwing everything it can my way, everything but the kitchen sink. I give it a day or two before they throw that at me as well. Exhasting working with complete idiots that makes Caboose look intelligent, and I wish I were joking on that. Started calling some Caboose, even funnier because they have no idea what I'm talking about. Anyway, see you all next year probally. I'll try to catch up on Volume 5 (NO SPOILERS!).

~Dgreen20