Chapter 35: Welcome to Vacuo
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A/N:
So, I'm afraid that I had to cut the rest of Sun part of the Act out, thus discarding two other chapters, meaning that We will be returning back with Jaune and the others!
The reason I had to cut out the last two chapters of the Sun part of the Shade Act is because everything that was going to happening would kind of be repeated near the end of the Act with Sun and Jaune, so I decided to remove the two chapters and return the story back to Jaune and the rest of the group.
Anyway! I'm glad to be back to writing for this story and I hope you all have a wonderful day/night!
Enjoy the chapter!
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Arriving at the bustling port of Oldtown, the third-largest city in Vacuo, Jaune, Vernal, Oscar, Maria, and Deery disembarked from the boat, their luggage in tow. The salty sea breeze mingled with the sound of seagulls and the bustling activities of the docks.
Deery, looking pale and unsteady, let out a low groan. "Ugh... Can we please never go on a boat again?" she whined, clutching her stomach.
Vernal chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Heh, and I thought Jaune here was the one with motion sickness," she teased, nudging him playfully.
Jaune smirked as he adjusted his backpack on his right shoulder. "I've gotten better, haven't I?" he asked, looking at Vernal with a hint of pride.
Vernal nodded, a knowing smile on her face. "Yeah, but I can still tell when you're almost about to puke," she said with a wink.
Jaune rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling.
Oscar, who had been quietly observing the exchange, picked up his backpack and looked at the older teens with a raised brow. "So, now what?" he asked. "Don't tell me we're gonna walk to Vacuo,"
Maria, overhearing Oscar's comment, fixed the group with a stern look. "You brats better not be planning that!" she warned. "If I hear anything about traveling in this heat, I'll be killing you before the bandits do!"
Jaune quickly shook his head. "Nothing to worry about, Maria, there's a bullet train that will take us from here to Vacuo," he assured her.
Maria grumbled but seemed satisfied with the answer. "Good! I didn't survive this long to be taken out by a heatstroke," she muttered.
Deery looked surprised by the information. "They have those here?" she asked, her eyebrows raised in disbelief.
Oscar nodded. "Yeah, they do," Oscar replied. "They use them to transport people and goods between the four major settlements, but they don't operate within the settlements themselves because of the cramped spaces within the walls,"
"Makes sense for Mistral to have a lot of them," Vernal added. "The major settlements are close to each other up north, and the most famous one is the Argus Unlimited, which passes through all four major settlements,"
Jaune looked at the two of them with a smile and a raised brow, clearly impressed. "How do you guys know all that?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Vernal groaned, rolling her eyes. "We took the train to Argus, and when you're stuck on a train with no internet for an hour or so, you get bored," she said, her tone tinged with annoyance.
"I found it pretty interesting," Oscar said with a big smile, clearly enjoying the memory.
"Of course you did," Vernal teased, nudging him playfully.
Jaune chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, it's good to know we've got some "local experts" with us," he said, patting Oscar on the shoulder. "It'll make our journey a lot easier,"
Maria, who had been listening to the conversation, nodded in agreement. "Just make sure you don't get too comfortable," Maria told them "Vacuo's a whole different beast compared to the other kingdoms,"
Deery, feeling a bit more reassured, looked around at the bustling port. "Well, I guess we better get moving then," she said. "The sooner we get to the train, the sooner we can get out of this heat!"
With their spirits lifted by the prospect of a faster, more comfortable journey, the group made their way through the crowded docks.
After gathering all their luggage, they walked away from the bustling docks and began their search for the train station. It didn't take them long to find it, as the station was conveniently located just a mile from the port. They could see cargo trucks from the docks unloading supplies into the train cars, a flurry of activity signaling their proximity.
Once they reached the station, they quickly went over to buy tickets. Fortunately, the tickets were reasonably priced, allowing them to board the train without much hassle. As they settled into their seats, unaware of the events unfolding just a few cars ahead, the train began to hum with life.
In a reserved car, a certain white-haired boy was being ushered onboard, flanked by several stern-faced bodyguards.
"Mr. Schnee, remember to stay inside our reserved car at all times," one of the guards instructed firmly. "We don't want anyone here knowing you've arrived,"
Whitley let out a resigned sigh. "I understand," he replied. Inwardly, he seethed. 'Why Father decided to send me here to establish business with the local shops, I will never understand...' Whitley thought bitterly, glancing out the window at the unfamiliar scenery.
Meanwhile, two other men, both looking rather shady, boarded the train a few cars down.
"Ugh, I can't wait to get back home! Coming down here was foolish," Jax grumbled, rolling his eyes.
Bertilak nodded in agreement. "Sure was, not a single semblance here was worth our time," he said with a sneer.
Jax sighed as he walked down the aisle, eventually slipping into a secluded booth. "Whatever," he muttered, dropping heavily into the seat. "Hopefully, Gillian and Carmine had better luck."
Bertilak nodded, following Jax inside and taking the seat across from him. "Yeah, this trip's been a waste so far," he grumbled, glancing around to make sure no one was eavesdropping.
Unbeknownst to them, another group of dangerous individuals had also boarded the train, skillfully disguised as ordinary civilians. Their innocuous appearances belied their true intentions, as hidden within their luggage were masks that told a far more sinister story.
As Jaune, Vernal, Oscar, Maria, and Deery settled into their seats a few cars away, unaware of the brewing danger, the train began to pick up speed. The rhythmic clatter of the tracks seemed to lull the passengers into a false sense of security.
Deery glanced out the window, trying to shake off the lingering nausea from the boat ride. "At least this ride should be smoother," she remarked, leaning back in her seat.
"Let's hope so," Jaune said, adjusting his backpack. "I'd rather not deal with any more surprises today,"
As the train hurtled towards its destination, the stage was set for an inevitable collision of fates. The quiet tension within the train cars hinted at the chaos that was about to unfold, as heroes, villains, and unsuspecting travelers hurtled towards an uncertain future in Vacuo.
About twenty minutes after the train had departed from the station, Deery's stomach rumbled loudly, drawing everyone's attention and causing her to blush in embarrassment.
"I'm feeling hungry too," Oscar said quickly, trying to save her from further embarrassment. "I think there's a dining car on the train."
Deery raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "How do you know that?" she asked.
Oscar's face reddened as he sheepishly pulled a brochure from his pocket. "I read it," he admitted.
Deery began to snicker at how bashful the younger teen was about his reading habits.
Oscar looked at her with a confused look, "W-What!? I didn't leave the farm much, so I want to learn about other places!" Oscar cried, his cheeks turning a deeper shade of red.
"You're too pure!" Deery giggled, her laughter infectious.
"Sh-Shut up!" Oscar replied, his voice cracking slightly in his flustered state.
Jaune and Vernal watched the scene with amused expressions. Jaune, in particular, felt a deep sense of contentment. Ever since he had reunited with the others and continued their adventures, he knew this was where he belonged—among those he called his family.
Jaune took a glance at Vernal, who was watching Oscar and Deery bicker with a soft smile on her face. His own smile grew wider, and he felt a warm sensation flow through his chest. It was a peaceful moment, and he cherished the sight of his friends enjoying themselves.
Vernal finally noticed Jaune's gaze and looked at him with a raised brow, wondering why he was smiling at her so brightly. "What?" she asked, curious and slightly amused.
Jaune was momentarily taken out of his thoughts, feeling a bit embarrassed but quickly playing it off. "Ah, it's... uh, nothing," he stammered. "You just... you look good today,"
Vernal felt her heart skip a beat, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks. She rolled her eyes, trying to hide her flustered state, and lightly punched Jaune's arm while looking away. "Dumbass," she muttered, still smiling.
Maria, who had been observing the interaction with a mix of amusement and exasperation, sighed loudly. 'Oh gods, just bang already!' she thought, shaking her head.
"Alright, let's go check out the dining car," Jaune said, standing up and stretching. "I could use a bite to eat myself,"
Vernal nodded, following suit. "Yeah, let's see what kind of food they have," She said. "Hopefully something better than the usual train fare," she joked.
As they made their way through the train cars, the clatter of the tracks beneath them provided a rhythmic backdrop to their journey. They passed through a few passenger cars, and as they did, Deery heard something, she was sure she shouldn't have.
"I can't believe our luck at how easy it was to board this train," came a voice, laced with a hint of arrogance. "The humans here are too lax with their security."
"Indeed, but that works out for us and our mission," replied a second voice, calm and measured.
Deery, who was walking back from the dining car, froze upon hearing the conversation. She instantly recognized the voices and the implications of their presence. Her heart raced as she realized who they were: members of the White Fang. 'Oh no! What are they doing here?' she thought frantically.
Deery stopped in her tracks, her curiosity and concern urging her to eavesdrop and gather more information. She leaned closer, straining to catch every word.
"Are you sure the boy is here on the train?" the first voice asked.
"Yes, the information we got from our agent inside the SDC confirmed it. The Schnee spawn is definitely on this train," the second voice replied confidently.
'Schnee spawn!? Do they mean Winter? Or possibly Weiss Schnee?' Deery thought, her mind racing.
The first voice grumbled with frustration, "I was hoping it would be Weiss Schnee, but she's still hiding in Beacon... cowardly bitch."
"I too wish it were the heiress, but the boy will have to do," said the second voice, dripping with malice. "Whitley Schnee may not be the most well-known member of that wretched family, but killing him will be the biggest thing we've done since holding those hostages in that mine."
Deery's mind raced as she processed the information. 'Whitley Schnee...? Wait... isn't he the youngest of the three kids?' She remembered snippets of information she had picked up during her time with the White Fang. Whitley, though not as prominent as his sisters, was still a valuable target for those who harbored a grudge against the Schnee family.
She felt a surge of urgency and fear. This wasn't just a random act of violence; it was a calculated move designed to strike at the heart of the Schnee family. If the White Fang succeeded, it would send shockwaves through the entire kingdom.
Deery carefully backed away from the voices, her heart pounding in her chest. She had to warn the others immediately.
Deery quickly caught up with the others just as they sat down at an empty table in the food court car, and she quickly took a seat next to them, her face full of worry.
Noticing the panic in the deer Faunus' eyes, Jaune looked at Deery with concern. "Deery, what's wrong?" he asked.
"We have a big problem," Deery said, her voice low but urgent. "The White Fang, they're here!" she hissed silently.
"What!?" Oscar cried in a hushed tone. "Why are they here?" he asked, his face paling.
"I just overheard them saying that they're looking for Whitley Schnee," Deery replied, her expression grim.
Vernal's eyes widened in shock. "Whitley Schnee? What's he doing here?" she asked, her mind racing.
"You've heard of him?" Jaune asked, surprised by her familiarity with the name.
"Used to be a bandit, remember? We kept photos and names of any bigshot with a lot of money in case we got our hands on them," Vernal replied, her eyes narrowing as she pieced together the situation.
"I don't know why he's here, but we need to find him before they do," Deery said urgently. "We also have to be careful, they don't know we're onto them yet, like at all,"
Maria, who had been silently observing, nodded grimly. "Ugh... why can't we go anywhere without getting into trouble?" she muttered, shaking her head.
Jaune's face was set with determination, his initial hopes for an easy trip to Vacuo City dashed by the sudden complications. But he knew they had to act. "Alright, let's split up and find Whitley," he said, his voice firm. "Without raising any suspicions, we'll split up and scout the rest of the cars to see if anyone is acting out of the ordinary, Vernal and I will search ahead, while you three look in the cars behind us,"
Maria gave him a confused look with her electronic eyes. "Why am I on babysitter duty?" she asked, a hint of irritation in her voice.
"Because of your Semblance, they might be trained, but you're more experienced," Vernal explained, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"Fair enough," Maria said with a small smile, accepting the logic.
As the group split up to search for Whitley, Jaune and Vernal moved quickly but carefully through the forward cars, their senses alert for any sign of trouble. Meanwhile, Oscar, Maria, and Deery took the rear, their eyes scanning each passenger for any hint of danger.
A few cars ahead, Jax sat in his booth, staring out the window at the passing scenery. Bertilak lay sprawled in his seat, snoring softly. The tranquil scene was suddenly shattered when their booth door slid open. Jax turned to see a White Fang operative disguised as a civilian, a mask partially concealed in their clothing and a gun aimed directly at him.
"Shut up and no one gets hurt!" the operative hissed, their voice cold and menacing.
Jax looked at them with a bored expression, his gaze steady despite the tension in the air. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.
"Doesn't matter, just stay quiet and do as I say, or else I'll—" the White Fang operative started to threaten, their voice sharp with menace.
Before they could finish, Bertilak's mace swung with precision, striking their hand and knocking the gun to the ground. Jax moved swiftly, seizing the opportunity. He grabbed the fallen weapon and aimed it at the operative's head, his expression still impassive.
"Now, again, what do you want?" Jax demanded, his tone cutting through the air like a blade.
"Fuck you!" the Faunus spat defiantly, their eyes blazing with anger.
"Wrong answer," Jax replied coolly, his thumb pulling back the hammer of the gun. "Now, why are you here and what do you want?" His Semblance stirred subtly, a faint ripple of influence probing for information.
Feeling the subtle pull of Jax's Semblance, the operative hesitated before answering. "We... We're here to kidnap and kill Whitley Schnee," they finally admitted, their voice strained.
Jax's lips curled into a twisted smile at the revelation. "Whitley Schnee is here on the train, eh?" he mused aloud. "How delightful," he added, his tone chillingly casual.
Bertilak, who had been watching the scene unfold with a mix of concern and curiosity, spoke up tentatively. "Jax?" he questioned, his brow furrowing in uncertainty.
Jax glanced briefly at Bertilak, his expression unreadable. "It seems we stumbled upon something interesting," he remarked, his attention turning back to the operative. "Now, you're going to tell me everything, who else is involved? Where exactly is Whitley Schnee on this train?"
The operative hesitated, clearly weighing their options. Finally, realizing they had no choice but to comply under the influence of Jax's Semblance, they began to divulge details, albeit reluctantly. "There's... there's a group of us, we were supposed to rendezvous with another team further down the train... and Whitley Schnee is in one of the VIP cars, heavily guarded,"
Jax chuckled darkly as he absorbed the information, his mind already spinning with possibilities. "Bertilak, my friend, I think we've just stumbled upon a rather useful Semblance to take back home," he said with a grin, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
Without hesitation, Jax raised the gun and fired a single shot, swiftly ending the Faunus terrorist's life. The body slumped to the ground, lifeless, as Jax looked down at it with a mixture of detachment and disdain.
"Ugh, guns... So uncivilized," Jax muttered, shaking his head in mild disgust at the weapon in his hand.
Bertilak, ever loyal and stoic, rested one of his maces on his shoulder as he regarded his friend and leader. "So, Whitley Schnee, huh?" he asked, his voice steady despite the gravity of their situation.
Jax nodded, his expression thoughtful. "A Semblance like the Schnees' would be invaluable to our cause," he said, his tone betraying a hint of ambition beyond mere monetary gain. "Forget the money; we need his power," he declared, his eyes gleaming with intensity.
Bertilak's smile widened, a rare display of agreement with Jax's ruthless pragmatism. "Sounds good to me," he said, his voice low and resonant. "But with others also hunting him, we're in for quite a ride," he added, his tone suggesting both anticipation and caution.
"Indeed, but at least it'll be entertaining," Jax said with a chilling smile, the thrill of the impending chase coursing through him. His mind was already strategizing, calculating their next moves in this deadly race toward the youngest Schnee.
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In his luxurious VIP car, Whitley sat back and gazed out the window, his eyes following the vast expanse of the desert landscape as it stretched endlessly before him. The sun cast a golden hue over the rolling dunes, while a few birds soared gracefully through the clear blue sky. Occasionally, he spotted desert animals darting across the sand with an effortless elegance, their movements almost hypnotic.
As the scenery unfolded like a living painting, Whitley's thoughts drifted to his sisters. He wondered how Winter was faring in Atlas, with her strict duties and responsibilities weighing heavily on her shoulders. He imagined Weiss, always so determined and resilient, perhaps training or embarking on another mission with her team.
Lost in these reflections, he murmured to himself, "I wonder what they're doing right now... Do they think of me as often as I think of them?"
Whitley loved his sisters deeply, understanding why they had each chosen their own paths in life. However, a part of him just couldn't bring himself to forgive them.
"For what?" someone might ask.
"For leaving me behind... in that Hell."
He closed his eyes, letting his mind drift back to the memories of his childhood. He remembered the constant fear of his parents' yelling, the dread that after they finished fighting each other, their anger would turn to him or his sisters.
He had always been terrified of them. He feared every time his parents raised their hands, worried that a gesture might turn into a blow. He dreaded hearing his name called, knowing he had to run to them immediately, lest their patience wear thin and their wrath ignite.
He was scared each time his father patted him on the back or gave him a firm shake by the shoulder. The simple, everyday interactions that might have been comforting in another family were fraught with tension and fear for him.
He was petrified when his mother called him to help her to her room, knowing he had to navigate her drunken states and prepare himself for the possibility of a bottle being thrown when he had to tell her they were out of wine.
In those days, he wasn't the only one who suffered. He could always count on Winter's strength and protectiveness and Weiss's comforting reassurances that everything would be okay. But now... now he was alone, abandoned by the sisters he loved so dearly. The sisters he had relied on to help him through the darkest days were gone, having left him to fend for himself in the nightmare they all once shared.
But now, they were gone, and he was alone. He was being molded into the image of his father, all while his mother ignored him and withheld any semblance of love.
Countless nights were spent in his room, a sanctuary and prison all at once. He would kneel by his bed, hands clasped tightly, praying to whatever god might listen. He begged for anything—anyone—to take him away from the hell he was trapped in. His prayers, however, went unanswered. Each night, he would eventually lie down, tears streaming down his face, the sobs racking his body as he cried himself to sleep. The silence of his room was his only witness, and his tears the only solace in his loneliness.
However, before he could succumb to the memories of his pain, he was jolted back to the present by two deafening bangs in his booth. The sudden, piercing noise rang in his ears, muting the world around him.
He turned to see the security personnel who had been standing guard, now lifeless on the floor, their bodies riddled with bullets. His eyes widened in terror as he looked up to see two Faunus, disguised in civilian clothes but unmistakably marked by the signature Grimm masks of the White Fang. Whitley was paralyzed with fear, unable to move or even breathe properly, as he stared at the corpses and the two terrorists aiming their guns at him.
The ringing in his ears persisted, drowning out the shouts of the Faunus terrorist who was now barking orders at him. He felt a rough hand grab the front of his collar, yanking him out of the booth and dragging him forward.
Whitley's mind raced. This was it. This was where he was going to die.
His final moments would be here, in this terrifying chaos, and no one would care.
He was a Schnee, and the world didn't love Schnees. His mother was no doubt drunk now, lying in bed unconscious. His father wouldn't even care, too preoccupied with trying to make Weiss his heir. Speaking of his sister, she wouldn't bat an eye, no doubt happy with her new life and new friends, far away from their home. Winter... would she care? Would she be as cold as she appeared whenever she stood beside the general?
"Please... god... any god... please save me! Please! Please! I'm b-begging you! Save me!" Whitley pleaded internally as he stumbled forward. "I... I don't want to die! I-I want to go home! I-I want to...! I-I...! I want to live! Please!"
Every step felt heavier than the last, his heart pounding in his chest like a drumbeat of despair. The faces of his family flashed before his eyes, each one indifferent to his fate. He imagined his mother's vacant stare, his father's stern gaze, Weiss's distant smile, and Winter's icy demeanor. He felt utterly abandoned, left to face this nightmare alone. The fear was overwhelming, suffocating him with its intensity. He wanted to scream, to fight, to run away, but his legs moved mechanically, guided by the harsh grip of his captor.
Suddenly, the doors the White Fang were leading Whitley to swung open, revealing not more White Fang members, but Oscar, Deery, and Maria. The three newcomers immediately took in the scene. Oscar swiftly unsheathed his sword, ready to charge, but Deery acted first. She quickly aimed her crossbow at one of the White Fang grunts and fired, hitting him square in the chest and sending him crashing to the ground.
The second grunt, shocked, pulled Whitley close and held him hostage, pressing the gun against the side of the boy's head. "Back off! Or this little shit gets it!" he shouted.
Deery glared, her crossbow reloading another bolt, but she hesitated, fearing she might accidentally hit Whitley. Oscar kept his hand on the hilt of his sword, prepared to strike at any moment.
Maria, staying calm, tried to defuse the situation. "Let him go, young man, and I promise no one will get hurt," she said soothingly.
The grunt snarled at the older huntress, "Shut up, you old bitch! I've got all the cards here, so you do what I say, and I'll decide who gets hurt!" he barked.
Maria groaned internally, weighing her options. She desperately hoped to de-escalate the situation and get the grunt to let his guard down. She glanced at Deery and Oscar, signaling them to stay ready, while she continued to try and talk the White Fang grunt down.
"Listen," Maria continued, her voice steady, "there's no need for anyone else to get hurt. You can still walk away from this. Just let the boy go."
The grunt's eyes flickered with uncertainty, his grip on Whitley's collar tightening and loosening sporadically. Whitley, trembling, looked at Oscar and Deery, silently pleading for rescue.
Oscar shifted slightly, muscles tensed, ready to spring into action. Deery's eyes never left the grunt, her finger hovering over the trigger, waiting for the slightest opening.
Maria took a step forward, her hands raised in a gesture of peace. "You don't want to do this. Just let him go, and we can all walk away."
The grunt hesitated, his resolve wavering. The seconds stretched into an eternity as everyone held their breath, waiting for the moment to act.
However, another surprise came when the doors behind them opened, and a young Faunus walked in, yawning.
He had spiky blonde hair and wore an open white shirt that exposed his chest and abs. His outfit was completed by light blue jean shorts with a chain hooked on the side and black and yellow running shoes. Wrapped around his hands and forearms were red bracers, and in his right hand, he held a red staff adorned with bright yellow designs. A yellow monkey tail swayed back and forth lazily behind him.
Everyone in the room stared in confusion at the new arrival, but the young monkey Faunus merely yawned and took in the scene before him. Instead of looking shocked, he smiled softly.
"Sup!" he greeted in a chipper tone. "What's going on?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, his smile turning sly.
The grunt turned to him, aiming his gun. "Who the fuck are you!?" he demanded.
"Me?" the young Faunus replied, feigning innocence.
In the blink of an eye, the monkey Faunus twirled the bottom of his staff upward, knocking the gun out of the grunt's hand. With fluid grace, he pulled his staff back like a spear and thrust it forward, striking the terrorist square in the face.
The grunt fell unconscious, dropping to the floor like a sack of potatoes.
"Name's Sun Wukong!" Sun said with a smirk, glancing at the unconscious grunt.