Author's Note:

Gonna save most of the thank you and such after the chapter. Stick around if you want to hear my plan for continuing this story and general updates.

"Text"

"Speech"

Disclaimer: I do not own Fallout, RWBY, or any associated characters.

Remnants of a Courier

Chapter 11: Of Ice Cream and Torches

"You made the bullets," Six asked looking over the supplies he had gathered so far.

"Yep," Carmine answered a confident smirk on her face.

"You've done your exercises for the day?" Joshua punctuated his question by dematerializing the supplies on the small table.

"Yep," she answered again.

This time the Courier paused his questioning to look down at her. A smirk crossed his face under the bandages as he continued, "did you remember not to get a big head?"

A small pout formed on the girl's face in response as the former ruler of Vegas patted her head.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding." The bandaged man knew he had to placate her or he'd receive another earful about how he needed to stop messing with her and to treat her like an adult.

"Good," Carmine responded before turning on her heel and heading for the door.

Six materialized a small candy he had bought at the market a few days ago before saying, "lookout," and tossing it towards her.

The red-haired girl turned in time to catch the candy in her hands. "Good job on your training," Joshua complimented as he turned back to the table.

A small spread across Carmine's face as she left the room practically radiating.

About two weeks had passed since the duo's trip to the market and Six had gotten most of his supplies prepared. Food, water, clothing, lien, and the basic supplies to get to Vale and blend in.

That also meant he had been on Remnant for two months according to the dates he had been keeping track of. Give or take a week.

He had already gotten the supplies and repaired his anti-material rifle and since he had rebuilt it from scratch, Six gave it the ability to fire dust rounds as well. While the dust bullets didn't have the same impact and velocity of gunpowder rounds, when you combined it with burn dust, they exploded with even more intensity than his regular exploding rounds.

He had all the weapons and supplies he needed to get to Vale and to have enough funds to live there until finding a job. He could technically leave today but the Courier was nothing if not cautious. He wanted to have a surplus of ammo and lien before getting there. Six figured he'd wait another week or so before leaving.

"Lunch is ready," Richter called out from the kitchen.

Six packed up what he was doing before moving out of his door and to the makeshift dining table the Spring family had set up.

This was the thing Six liked best about this world, the food. Even after two months of Remnant food the Courier's mouth watered at the sight of toasted bread, tomatoes, bacon, and several drinks lined out.

Granted, some of the items were the wrong colors. The meat wasn't brown but rather a darkened orange as the meat hadn't come from a pig but rather whatever the people of Remnant ate. The tomatoes were a pink color and the bread was the only item that was the right brownish color.

"Looks good," Six commented as he pulled a chair out before sitting down. He always hated this part but there really wasn't any avoiding it. Joshua pulled the bandages away from his mouth which rustled the rest of his bandages; it was an uncomfortable feeling.

The two Spring family members stopped asking questions after the first week or two about his bandages which he appreciated but he did catch them staring from time to time.

"Good job papa," Carmine complimented as she sat down as well.

The older man let out a chuckle before sitting down and responding, "well I do try."

Joshua went through the motions of making his sandwich as Richter glanced at him and said, "I think it's time I addressed something I've noticed."

Both Carmine and Six looked up giving him curious glances.

"Joshua, I know you've been stocking up and getting everything ready to leave. I only have two questions." At the end of Richter's sentence, Carmine gave him a pleading and almost betrayed look.

"When did you plan to tell us and when do you plan to leave?" At Richter's words, Six's hand went to the table and began tapping. How was he going to phrase this?

"As you know, I'm a courier," Joshua began as his finger-tapping intensified. "I've grown used to traveling and frankly I've only ever even considered settling down in one place."

Carmine's look grew almost dejected as she listened to his words like it was finally sinking in for her. It was slightly killing Six on the inside but it wouldn't deter him.

The Courier's other hand scratched the back of his head as he continued, "I was always going to move on it was just a matter of when. I originally planned to tell you in a couple of days when I was packed and be gone by the end of the week."

The two Spring family members remained silent as Six sighed. "You've both done well by me and I do plan on repaying your kindness but I can't do that if I stay here," Courier Six said as he looked out a window and into the distance.

Before he could continue, Carmine left her seat before running out of the room. Most likely running for her own room. The Courier made a displeased clicking noise as she ran out of the room.

"Listen, Joshua," Richter began as Six rose out of his seat and held up his hand.

"Give me a minute," Joshua replied as he moved towards the door before stopping. His eyes turned back towards Richter as he said, "you both deserve better than this shitty little town can give you." With that, he moved towards where Carmine had run off to.

It didn't take him long to make it to her room. He opened the wooden door to be greeted by Carmine laying face down on her bed.

The girl's room hadn't changed much in the past couple of months and he had only ever gone in her room a select few times. It was barren for a child lacking any toys one would expect. Instead, books and various tools lay about the room.

Upon closer inspection, several of the tools looked to be ones he had given her and taught her how to use. On the girl's desk lay gun parts and a knife. She was taking after him more than he thought.

"Doing alright," Six asked stepping towards her bed. She didn't respond deciding to lay still on her bed which egged Joshua to continue, "I know you're upset with me…"

This time she turned away from him and he let out a sigh. This felt like something her father should be doing not him but he was here and Richter wasn't.

The Courier moved over to the edge of her bed before sitting down and saying, "it's tough, I know. Having people leave, almost disappear on you, but I'm not disappearing forever."

The girl turned her head and eyed him out of the corner of her eye.

"There's such a thing as visiting you know," Joshua said while crossing his arms and giving her an indignant look. "Think of me as a traveling relative."

Six didn't know if he'd truly call the Spring family his family but it was what she wanted to hear so he'd say it. It seemed to do the trick too as she looked more receptive to him as she turned to face him.

"You won't disappear on me," she asked which caused Six to wonder where the rest of the Spring family was. It couldn't possibly be just these two people, right?

"Of course," Joshua replied before giving her a thumbs up. He set it down before continuing, "but we both know I can't stay; I've been wandering since I was young and I can't stop now. But I'll visit and always cherish the memories here."

He had only known them for two or so months but these were going to be some long-lasting memories. A world not burned by fire, a child he had helped raise for a bit, and all the possibilities were not something he'd forget easily.

"How often," Carmine asked sitting up in her bed with a new look of determination in her eyes.

In response, Joshua shrugged before replying, "once a year."

"Nope," the girl replied looking dead at him, "twice a year, your only option."

This caused the Courier to chuckle. She was haggling his time. "Fine, fine, I can't possibly handle your shrewd negotiations," Six answered throwing up his hands in mock surrender.

This seemed to please the red-haired girl as a smile spread across her face. It was obvious that she wasn't happy that he was leaving but it seemed she had gotten what she wanted.

"And, I'll leave that," Six began as he pointed towards the taken apart gun on her desk. "To you, consider it a gift."

Honestly, he just wanted to make this less painful for her so he was going to give her the Burned Man's gun. At his own line of thought, Six's eyes widened. He just gave away the Light Shining in Darkness. What had he done? Not only was it a good gun but it was given to him by Joshua, the real one.

The Courier let out a groan as he leaned forward and put his head in his hands. Thankfully he had taught her how to maintain the gun and was pretty sure she would.

The small arms that wrapped around his side and the "thank you" that came from Carmine made the whole thing more bearable though.

"Yeah, sure…" Six's words were slow as he took in the moment, patting her head. "I'm sorry I have to leave."

"It's oka-" Carmine began before being cut off by a knock at the door.

Joshua carefully removed Carmine from his side before standing up and moving towards the window. A quick peer outside revealed their new guest.

A man in a two-piece suit with a black bowler hat and cane was standing outside the door with a wide grin on his face. This guy definitely wasn't a local.

"Carmine, stay in your room for now," Six said as he moved out of her room, closing the door behind him.

The Courier didn't head straight for the door, instead opting to sit right around the corner of the hall that led to the door. He wanted to be able to listen in without being seen. This guy could just be some distant customer of Richter.

The older man answered the door, opening it and asking, "something I can do for you?"

"Hello," the stranger greeted overenunciating his hello. "I'm Torch, just Torch. I heard you've got a stranger living in your house, right?" The way he talked meant he knew Six was here and was more asking to see him.

This was probably about the Huntsman he offed, was this guy a Huntsman too? It was best to not take chances.

Six stopped listening as he moved towards his room. It took him a couple of minutes but he was soon back this time dressed in his elite riot armor. He wasn't going to let this guy give him the run around like Logarius.

When he stepped back to the corner and into the hall so he could see Richter and the stranger, the cane-wielding man had moved into the house. The stranger sported fiery red hair and was currently leaning his cane against a wall in front of Richter.

"I know he's here," the stranger said, his tone now far less amused. Though the look on his face went back to "friendly" when he saw Six. The guy had sharp features and an almost feline-like smile.

"Just the man I was looking for," Torch said as he took a step towards Six. "You and I need to talk."

"No, we really don't," Joshua responded as he took a step forward as well before continuing, "I suggest you leave."

The smile on the man's face only grew wider as he responded, "come on big dark and brooding. I think you'll find me a good friend." Torch let his words sink in before saying, "and besides, I have a theory I want to run by you."

Six put a hand on the man's shoulder as he said, "leave. I won't ask again." This did little to dissuade the man though his eyes did dart to the hand and his smile dropped slightly.

"You see," the man said ignoring Six's words. "I think you killed that Huntsman a couple weeks ago."

This got Six and Richter's attention. The old man had his suspicions but this man was going to confirm them.

The grip on the man's shoulder tightened to almost painful levels as the Butcher of House responded, "got anything to back that up?"

"Nothing solid," Torch admitted as he threw up his hands in a nonchalant manner. "But… You showed up two months ago, roughly, and then all the Grimm started acting up."

Six knew where this was going. The red-haired nuisance held up a hand pointing at Joshua as he said, "Beacon sends a guy to investigate. He finds a heavily armed stranger that lives in a local family's home, he starts asking questions…"

Torch's other hand raised up as he made air quotations before saying, "a Grimm attack "happens" to occur the day he shows up and the Huntsman "disappears" to go fight them."

This was when the man's smile grew to new levels. "But the only person who saw the Huntsman before he disappeared… Was you, the suspect." Torch's words nearly caused Six to strangle the man there.

"So," the man said stepping away from the Courier's grasp as Six let him go. "Imagine what would happen if I brought all of this to the administrators of Beacon, the Council, and Ozpin…"

"Brave words from a man alone and threatening someone who could break his spine in two," Six replied his hand moving to Torch's throat and grasping it.

Torch didn't respond but his smile remained, he glanced to the side and narrowed his eyes. Before Joshua knew what was happening, a small blade had penetrated his shoulder.

As Six dropped the stranger, he quickly glanced past Torch and Richter to see a woman as Torch spoke, "who said I came alone?"

The blade was pulled out and tossed back at the woman who shattered into tiny glass shards. What the hell?

The Courier flipped his compass implants on to see two red markers. One was Torch and the other was standing just outside of the door and to the side, hiding.

A quick motion and Six's .44 revolver was in his hand. This would have been a risky shot for anyone other than the Courier as he shot past Torch and Richter to hit the wall and shoot through it.

A slight hissing noise came from the other side of the wall as the woman once more stepped into view. The marker on his compass confirmed this was the real one. Whatever tricks she had wouldn't work now.

It also looked like the bullet hadn't penetrated her aura though it did appear that she felt the impact as she was rubbing her shoulder. His "aura-penetrating" abilities—whatever they were—didn't appear to work at this distance.

"Quick work," Torch commented as he took a step back, his look of confidence not quite there now. "All the more reason you should join us."

Six narrowed his eyes at the red-haired man before glancing over to the woman. "Because, luckily for you, we don't like the people in power right now," Torch said before leaning in and whispering, "and this might be hard to believe, but I'm not a big fan of the local law enforcement."

As the man spoke, Six looked the woman over. Different colored eyes, multi-colored hair that matched her eyes, an umbrella, and a similar outfit to Torch. Unlike Torch, she appeared to be the brawn to their partnership.

Noticing Six's gaze, the uninvited guest turned to his partner before saying, "this is N. Don't mind her, she doesn't talk." At his words, N rolled her eyes although Six wasn't sure why.

"And side note," the suited stranger continued as he pointed towards Richter. "This family that's been taking care of you, you don't accept this deal, we make you and them disappear."

The Courier's gun moved towards Torch as Six replied, "what makes you think you have the strength to make us disappear?"

The smile returned to Torch as he replied, "because we're a small part of a much bigger operation." Before Six could respond, the intruder held up a hand and continued, "and there are benefits for you joining. Other than the whole not dying thing."

"Our line of business is very lucrative," the man said as he turned and held up a hand before closing it. "And you can make a good profit from joining us."

That was more tempting than the intruder realized, despite the fact he was also threatening Six and his companions. He needed funding and information. This group could likely provide both though with risk. Plus, they were obviously illegal which means they weren't registered in whatever system this world had.

Before Torch could continue Six cut him off, "deal."

This caused the man to pause and slowly turned towards Six before saying, "that was… Easy."

"We will talk about payment though," Joshua continued as he stepped past Torch before spotting N staring at something past him.

The Courier turned to see Carmine peeking out from around the corner. The smirk on N's face hadn't been good either.

"Go to your room, and stay safe," Six said knowing that he wasn't going to get a chance to say goodbye. He turned back to see N waving at Carmine before saying, "and you, stay away from her if you know what's good for you."

After speaking, he turned to his new employer before saying, "wait outside, I need to grab my gear." Torch opened his mouth to speak as Six took a step towards him. The Courier stood a good half a foot taller in his armor than the uninvited guest. "It's not up for debate." He didn't want these two around this family for longer than a few minutes let alone a day.

Joshua was not happy as he stepped into his tiny little room for the last time. Luckily, he had his gear all ready for this event and enough lien to last him awhile.

He dematerialized most of it before packing the rest in a small backpack. He didn't want them to realize what his Pip-Boy did yet. He'd keep his armor on for now as they traveled, there was no reason for them to know what his other outfit looked like.

As he turned to the door, he spotted a tear-ridden Carmine looking at him.

"It's okay, I'll be back someday," Six commented as he stepped towards her but the girl didn't reply. Instead, she held up a white flower before saying, "take this with you, it's a chrysanthemum. They aren't from around here but I wanted to give you something to remember me by."

A small smile graced Six under his mask as he responded, "of course, thank you. I won't forget you and Richter." He leaned down to give the girl one last hug.

"Come back, please, I can't handle… Handle…" Her words stuttered off as she began openly crying.

The two remained like that for a few minutes. The girl crying and him holding her. After her tears eventually dried, he leaned back before patting her head.

"Don't worry, I'll stay safe and come back," Six said standing up and heading for the door. "Remember I'm invincible," he said in a confident tone before leaving. Hopefully, that would ease her fears a little.

When he stepped outside, he gave only a passing glance to Richter who nodded his head. At least the old man would keep his secret for now though Six wasn't sure why. He also hoped the old man would help Carmine move past this.

The first few steps Six took outside felt heavy. There was something about leaving this place that really nagged at him. Maybe he really did enjoy it here?

"You ready," Torch asked while leaning against the wall. His other new companion simply smiled at him before walking past.

"Ready," Six replied taking a few steps after N before saying, "call me Courier Six, or whatever version of that you like." It finally clicked for Six where this guy was from, a news article; wasn't he a wanted criminal?

"Call me Roman Torchwick, that's Neopolitan," the man now dubbed Roman replied pointing at himself and then the girl. "But call her Neo, she doesn't like her full name."

From the glare the woman was giving him, Six would have to agree. He didn't have time for that though. It was time to start grilling this guy for information.

"Where are we heading," the Courier asked his hand remaining close to his firearm just in case they tried something.

Torchwick placed his cane on his shoulder in a relaxed manner as they continued walking. "To a base just outside Beacon, we'll be working with some other people and the White Fang so I hope that doesn't bug you."

Great, he was working with terrorists now. "Not at all," Six replied preparing himself for a long journey and an even longer job.

Joshua wasn't really sure why but he found himself looking back at the Spring home forlornly and managed to spot Carmine glancing at him out of her window. He waved at her; this was going to be the last time he saw her for at least awhile.

Author's Note:

And the first arc is complete! Glad you guys stuck it out with me. This was the first planned introductory arc of the story. I plan for several different arcs and this story is not dying but will definitely be on hiatus for a while.

I'm going to be working on other projects for a bit. Essentially the "Tales from Purgatory" story that's the sequel to "A Hunter Out of Place," my first completed story. After I get that adequately resolved, then I'll start working on this story once again. I'm hoping to start working on this again within six months.

Other than that, I want to thank you all for reading this. Every response has meant a lot to me and I appreciate the criticisms and critiques. I like to believe I'm getting better as a writer over time and not worse and that's thanks to all of you.

There's not much else to say so I'll leave you with a little bit of a teaser. I called this arc the "Town of Rhyt" arc. The next arc is nicknamed "The Right Man for the Wrong Job" (may be subject to change).

Current Gear:

Burned Man's Armor

Elite Riot Gear

Modified Stealth Suit Mk. II

Light Shining in Darkness

Mysterious Magnum

Rebreather

Maria

Survivalist Rifle

Modified Anti-Material Rifle.

YCS/186 Gauss Rifle variant.

C4 – Plastic explosives (10)

Detonator.

Frag Grenades (5)

Frag Mines (0)

Combat Knife.

Plasma Grenades (10)