Halo, it's time to start the volume 4. Enjoy the reading.
In one of the darkest and most unknown depths of Remnant, secrets are hidden that people wouldn't be able to grasp with common sense. A barren wasteland where no grass grows, where the sun doesn't even reach, where you can find nothing but pitch-black puddles everywhere, in which the bright, broken moonlight is perfectly reflected and from which hundreds of Grimms emerge every day, not a place for human or any living creature.
Nothing but dark purple crystals grew on the barren, rocks which made it impossible to easily travel on this ominous and difficult terrain. It was cold, this place drained a person's courage and left nothing but the fear of death and terror. If darkness was a feeling, this would be it.
For those who have visited this place for the first time, even the sight of the surroundings can make their blood freeze, because this is where Salem's hiding place was located.
- I have to give some credits, the view is nice but the taste is a bit gloomy. - Roman Torchwick tried to calm himself down with a joke but he was just as scared as Neo, Emerald and Mercury, who were staring in terror at the barren wasteland full of Grimms. - Hey, - He put his hand on Neo's shoulder, who snuggled into and hugged him. - don't be afraid, I won't let anything happen. – Roman didn't know how well he would be able to comply with this but his primary goal was to calm Neo down, which he succeeded in doing, as she looked up at him and smiled gently.
They were in a large room that reminded Roman and Neo of a meeting room, it was a large oval room, the walls were replaced by large and tall windows separated by thin gray columns, the room was decorated with the same dark purple crystals as the you can also see it in the wasteland but a wax candle was burning on their roof, giving a little light to the dark room but the light was much more provided by the purple light emanating from the crystals. In the middle of the room was a dark stone carved table with 5 gray stone carved seats on the sides, but at the inner end of the table was a crystal seat that gave off the same light as the others. At the far end of the room was a dark crystal table filled with lit candles that made it look more like an altar than a table and the same crystal seat as the conference table.
The moment was interrupted by a snap from Cinder, commanding the two kids, Emerald and Mercury, who immediately came over to one of the stone chairs she was sitting on. Cinder still had the scars from Beacon's battle, her black hair was shorter and more ragged but long enough to cover the metal plate that covered her missing left eye but the scar on the left side of her face was still visible and the lack of her left arm was covered by her red dress which covered it with the long sleeve.
There were still a few figures sitting on the stone chairs, whom Roman seemed to have seen somewhere before, a not very tall, thin man with short, slightly gray hair and a wide moustache, a dark gray elegant jacket, a burgundy suit underneath, a yellow shirt and a burgundy tie, dark gray trousers, brown shoes and a pair of fingerless burgundy gloves. He was just looking at something on his Scroll.
Another man, taller than the previous one but he was squatting in the chair rather than sitting, wore a pair of long black boots, white pants, a white vest, gray bandages on both upper arms, and a pair of black gloves covering his forearms. He wore his long, black hair braided, his yellow eyes showed that he was a madman and seemed to be a totally lunatic, the scorpion tail growing out of his back made it clear that he was a faunus.
The third and last man was much larger than the previous two combined, at least 2 meters tall, full of muscle, his medium-length hair was slicked back, his lower face was framed by a beard but he had no moustache. He wore a pair of black boots, black pants, a black t-shirt, and a green and brown long coat held together by a large buckled belt. The man was sleeping.
The two kids immediately rushed to Cinder but Emerald pushed Mercury aside so that she could stand closer to her like an obedient dog.
Roman, on the other hand, didn't stop at Cinder, he and Neo walked across the room and went to the one between the mustachioed and the big man from the two empty stone chairs. He didn't want to sit next to Cinder and the faunus man, since he still resented Cinder and next to the faunus man his internal signal was alarming. Roman sat down there as if he always belonged there, clasped his hands behind the back of his head and crossed his legs on the seat. Neo sat on his lap and just like Roman, she crossed her legs and clasped her hands behind the back of her head.
Cinder just glared at them with her only remaining eye for treating her with such disrespect.
- We aren't your b*tches. – He threw it there with a mocking grin and Neo stuck out her tongue at her. - After all, this role is already taken. - He started teasing two young one, Mercury wanted to beat his face but Emerald stopped him.
- Hm, - The man with the mustache just smiled at Roman's remark and especially enjoyed the fact that Cinder was unable to speak. – so far, the new boy is nice and we can be especially grateful to the girl who left you in this shape.
- If I'd be you, - The crazy looking faunus man remarked. - I would hunt her and... - He stopped and started to giggle. - well... she took your eye, didn't she? - Now he started giggling loudly like a madman. Cinder tried to speak but no voice came out of her throat. Clenching her eye and fists angrily, she turned to Emerald and began to whisper softly, barely audible into her ear.
- It's pathetic. - The man with the mustache shook his head.
- Do you want me or Neo teach you to speak sign language? - Roman scoffed and Cinder glared at him again.
- But she only has one hand! – The faunus man spoke. – If someone can only signal with one hand, is that considered a speech impediment or an accent?
- Why are we tired... - The man with a mustache continued but quickly stopped and pulled himself out while sitting when a click was heard at the front door of the hall. Everyone turned their heads towards the door in horror, even Roman and Neo felt that there was something very strong and sinister on the other side of the door.
Everyone, even the big man who had been sleeping, woke up and stood up. Roman looked confusedly around the people in the room and signaled to Neo to stand up as well.
The door of the room opened, Roman and Neo thought that a shadow or a Grimm came through it but the form of a human, more precisely, it was that of a woman but her dark dress was as if it covered her body with a shadow, on her back was a black cloak that also seemed to be made of darkness.
The woman's skin was pale, no, it was white as lime but her arms had red lines like blood vessels, her long, white hair was in a huge bun but six smaller buns grew out of that looked like spider legs. Her eyes were red, like blood but the whites were actually black, a tiny black gem was embedded in her forehead and the same red vein-like lines running from her body to her chin were the same as her arms.
As she walked through the room, everyone's blood froze, although Roman and Neo are now seeing this woman for the first time in their lives, they feel how much power she has. They have to be very careful with her.
- Watts, - She spoke but interestingly, her voice was completely normal and human. The man with the mustache nervously but confidently turned to his mistress. - do you find this kind of mockery necessary? – After a short pause, she gestured to the people in the room to sit down, who did so anyway, except for Watts.
- Excuse me, Mistress but I'm not really one for failure. - Watts sat back down.
- Then I don't understand your cruelty towards young Cinder. – The woman answered. - She became the Fall Maiden, destroyed Beacon's CCT-tower and more importantly, - She took a dramatic pause and smiled wickedly. - she killed dear Ozpin. So, out of curiosity, - She turned to Watts again. – what kind of failure are you referring to?
- Forgive me, - Roman interrupted and the woman stared at him curiously. – um… you're Salem, aren't you, who I've heard so much about?
- That's right. - Salem replied. - And who are you, bold one and more importantly, what kind of desires lead you to come to me?
Well, - Roman raised his hat, Neo stood up and bowed respectfully. – my name is Roman Torchwick and she is my partner Neopolitan and we came here hoping for some compensation.
- Compensation?
- Cinder hired us but didn't pay. Besides, I'm with Mr. Mustache. What happened in Beacon was indeed a big failure. Cinder promised us riches and the position of governor of Vale, which we intended to accomplish with a quick military coup. Instead, the whole action has become a bloodbath, with the blood of thousands of innocent civilians, soldiers, White Fang faunus and Hunters drying on her hands and yours and Vale still in the hands of the Hunters. I wouldn't be so lenient with Cinder if I were you.
- And whose fault is that, Torchwick? - Emerald interpreted Cinder's question.
- Hey, I acted like a pro the whole time and stuck to the plan! Cinder, on the other hand, left us to gain some Maiden strength and let Little Red mutilate her well!
- The girl who kicked your *ss? - Mercury cut in.
- At least Neo and I have all our body parts left. – Cinder stood up and was about to execute Roman with her new power but Salem only raised her voice to signal them in order.
- Enough. Cinder, your hunger for power got in the way of our plans, Roman is right about that. - Roman just quietly and smug way pointed to Cinder, while he thought Salem wasn't paying attention. - And you, - She turned to Roman and Neo, who recoiled a bit. – you could be glad that you survived the confrontation with that girl.
- With Little Red? – Roman knew very well that Ruby wasn't an ordinary child but he didn't expect her to be so dangerous.
- From what I heard about what you were capable of doing in Vale, I could use your help in achieving our goal. - Salem offered.
- Look, ma'am, - Roman was reluctant to accept. - Cinder already made us an offer that nearly killed me and Neo, besides, look what happened to her. She didn't even pay us. We don't care if you have a problem with the Hunters and the Headmasters, we only care about money and our own survival.
- And fame. - Salem added with a sly smile. – I know that your greatest wish, Roman, is for the whole world to know your name and be feared. What happened in Vale made it clear that you want to succeed but it's more important than that, - She said to Neo, who was hiding a little shyly behind Roman. – the protection and well-being of this girl.
- How...
- Stick with us and you can get everything you want. Salem stood up and went in front of Roman to offer a handshake. - What's your answer?
- As if we had a choice. - Roman rolled his eyes.
- You always have. You can either accept my offer or try to escape from me. - Salem explained. Roman knew well that this was an ultimatum he couldn't refuse. An ultimatum that was given to him once before. "This is very familiar from somewhere."
- We're in. - Both Roman and Neo shook hands with Salem, although they both felt it was a bad decision.
- Good. - Salem smiled. - We should introduce ourselves, as you know, I'm Salem. You already know Cinder and her two students, Emerald and Mercury. He's, - He pointed to the man with the mustache. - Dr. Arthur Watts, - To the big bearded man. – Hazel, – Finally to the faunus man. – and Tyrion. Only a few are given to be members of my inner circle.
- We're honored. - Roman and Neo smiled.
- The girl with the Silver Eyes... - Watts interrupted.
- Yes, - The big man finally spoke but his voice was deep and hoarse. – we've already dealt with her kind. But how could a child outwit all three of them?
- That's exactly what I thought! - Watts said. - Even without your new power, it wouldn't have been difficult to defeat her.
- Because of the power of Maiden. - Salem interrupted, and everyone listened in silence. - Don't get me wrong, Cinder. You are the key to the ultimate victory but your newfound strength comes with a terrible weakness. That's why you'll stay by my side while your treatment lasts. - Cinder hung her head in anger and disappointment. - Dr. Watts, you will take Cinder's place and contact our Mistral contact.
- Very good.
- Tyrion, you continue the hunt for the Spring Maiden. – Tyrion just chuckled evilly and rubbed his hands together.
- With pleasure.
- And Hazel, I'm sending you to the leader of the White Fang. Adam Taurus organized the meeting. The boy remained loyal to us. Make sure Sienna Khan does the same.
- As you wish.
- Objection, - Roman raised a hand and all eyes were on him but he didn't back down at all. – I don't think it's a good idea to trust Adam Taurus.
- Why, Roman? - Salem was interested.
- Because he's a mad beast. In Vale, he lost his mind and went on a rampage, killing at least 20 innocent people, including his own.
- Adam is a mad dog and hatred has warped both his soul and his mind. - Salem knew exactly what she was doing. – His hatred will help our goal and we can easily use it to overthrow Haven as well.
- Then it's better if the big man really goes. - Roman leaned back. - Because if Adam comes face to face with me one more time, that, crazy beast... - Roman clenched his fists in anger. - it's better if we don't even think about it.
- You need to put aside your animosity with Adam, Roman.
- I'm not saying this because I dislike him! – Roman snapped. – Adam's dangerous and unpredictable, that's a fact!
- To achieve our goal, we need dangerous people and Adam will be perfectly fit. - Salem didn't seem to have heard Roman's admonition. Meanwhile, Cinder whispered in Emerald's ear again, who then interpreted her words. - Speak, my child.
- She wants to know... - Emerald began a little nervously - what to do with that girl?
- What about her? - Watts held out his arms. - That's Cinder and Roman's problem. Not ours.
- Not for me. – Roman just raised his arms, completely calm. - Me and Neo aren't very excited about what will happen to Little Red. - Cinder hit the table angrily and glared at Watts and Roman, who just smiled back at her evilly.
- That's enough. - Salem instructed them in order. Tyrion.
- Yes, - Tyrion excitedly turned to his mistress, like a small child with his head turned to the side. - mistress?
- Spring can still wait. Find the girl who did this to Cinder. - Tyrion started clapping and giggling excitedly. - And bring her here to me. - At that, Tyrion turned to the side, broken but quickly regained his composure. - Alive. - That last word broke his spirit for good. - Thanks to your efforts, - Now she spoke to everyone. – Beacon has failed and Haven will be next.
Everyone got up from the table to leave the room but Roman heard Tyrion whisper to Cinder,
- Eye for eye. - And to giggle, then to laugh, and finally he laughed so madly that he almost fell off his chair.
- Does he have some problems in the brain? - Roman feared Tyrion the most after Salem.
Months have passed since the Battle of Beacon, winter was over and spring has arrived. Leaves grew again on the trees of the forests, flowers and bugs appeared on the ground and the weather started to warm up.
Unfortunately, the RWBY and LLMM teams broke up and all 4 members went their separate ways. Ruby and Lance, along with the rest of team JNPR, Jaune, Nora and Ren or rather, team JNR, set off for Mistral to find out who and why they attacked Beacon. Their only clue was that Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury were all from Mistral, so they hoped Haven's headmaster could help them with their investigation.
Unfortunately, since the CCT-tower in Beacon was destroyed, there was no communication with other kingdoms and long-distance public transportation to other kingdoms was also stopped. The only way to speak with Haven's headmaster is to make the journey on foot.
Unfortunately, the journey was far from without danger, as since the Battle of Beacon, people have been afraid that another war will begin, so the Grimm have multiplied outside the kingdoms and big cities, leaving the smaller villages unprotected.
- I'm just saying - Nora was trying to logically win an argument. – there are more members of us in team JNRR than in team RWBY! That's why we should be called that!
- But JNRR isn't a color and we have to leave out Lance. - Ren corrected him.
- How many more times do I have to tell you, - Nora refused. – A team consists of 4 people! Also, J, 1, N, 2, R, 3, that's us and that's more than one!
- But we help Ruby with her mission and Lance is with us too. – Ren too. - RRNJL, doesn't that make her the leader? Plus, we can't leave out Lance either.
- Guys! - Jaune said to them hiding behind a fallen tree. - Focus.
- Yes, - Lance was also there by his side. - Ruby will be here soon. We have to be ready.
- Also, - Jaune added. – JNRR is much cooler.
- Thank you! - Nora shouted.
- Oh, c'mon, - Lance also disagreed on how to name the team. - RRNJL may not be the coolest name but at least you won't leave me out.
Suddenly, a rumble could be heard, ending the argument. There were huge steps that made the whole forest shake.
- Here it comes. - Jaune stated.
Ruby jumped out of the trees, high in the air with her Semblance, followed by a huge rock monster. The monster was a Ghost Grimm that could possess any object in order to use it to cause more damage. Invading several tons of rock, it created a large body that has been terrorizing the neighborhood for weeks.
Ruby flew too high and was unable to use her Semblance again and dropped Crescent Rose as well. She was lucky to land on a tree branch.
- Bad... - More to come. – land... - One more. - ...landing... - And more. – strategy! - She finally grabbed hold of one of the larger branches and managed to stop and catch Crescent Rose.
She quickly used her Semblance to fly away before the Grimm smashed the tree and sent it flying around trying to crush it to no avail.
- Let's take it down! - Jaune ordered as he cautiously began to run towards the creature while Ren jumped up into the trees to ambush it. Lance took out his sword and shield and charged directly at the creature.
- Don't forget about me! – Nora took out her grenade launcher and shot herself into the air with pink smoke and gravity Dust, next to Ren.
- We need to distract it from Ruby! - Ren instructed.
- I need some help! - Ruby quickly zigzagged in front of them, then attacked the rock monster, slashed it with her scythe and fired two shots from her rifle.
Nora also raised her grenade launcher and fired three bombs into the back of the rock monster, which exploded with pink smoke, although it didn't seriously damage it. Leaping from tree to tree, Ren opened fire with the submachinegun blades but this only angered the monster. The Grimm's large and slow attacks had no chance of catching Ren, who was moving so fast and agile that the monster could hardly see where he was going and only belatedly noticed that the boy had jumped onto one of his arms and was running towards him at a mad pace.
As soon as Ren was high enough, right in front of the Grimm's face, he jumped up and spun and fell straight for its head but with its two huge arms covering its face, he was only able to slash the creature's back half a dozen times, only managing to land a few scratches.
Lance charged the creature's legs while Ruby and Ren distracted it. He transformed his shield, using it to charge at the creature with all his might but it only managed to stagger it back a bit. Lance didn't give up and started cutting its left leg full force with his sword but was barely able to cut a few pieces of stone out of it before kicking him away into the bushes with its right leg. Fortunately, his armor protected him from serious injury.
- Are you okay?! - Jaune helped him to his feet.
- I'm fine. - Lance staggered to his feet and shook his head. - But this sh*t is damn hard.
- My blades don't work either! - Ren also landed to the ground.
- Sh*t! - Nora nervously noted that the Grimm wasn't even injured.
- Then what about this! - Ruby poured Lightning Dust into Crescent Rose.
Ruby flew in front of the creature's face with her Semblance and shot its right arm which sparked for a while but it didn't do much and hit the ground with a huge shock wave that sent Ruby, Jaune, Ren and Nora flying backwards but Lance was strong enough to stand the wave.
Lance was strong but not strong enough to face this rock monster alone. He considered for a moment whether to use his Semblance since they were far from populated areas and this creature was too powerful for the team. He rejected this opportunity and instead retreated to his companions.
- Is everybody OK?! - He was interested in the health of the team.
- I already regret I didn't bring my weapons. - Jaune said, sprawled on the ground.
The others were back on their feet and headed for Lance but Nora cried out.
- That's it! – She ran towards the Grimm in a rage, while she transformed the grenade launcher into a hammer, twirled it in her hand and got closer and closer to the Grimm.
She struck at the creature with her huge rock hand but Nora smashed it with one powerful blow but it threw what was left of its arm at the girl but Ruby was in front of her in a flash to cut the piece of rock. The monster tried to crush the two girls with its remaining arm but Ruby, using her Semblance, escaped with Nora.
- Any ideas Jaune? - Lance inquired, knowing that it wouldn't make much sense to lash out at the Grimm again.
- Be careful! - Jaune shouted as the remains of the creature's shattered arm flew towards him.
- Come behind me! - Lance raised his shield Jaune ducked behind him and Lance blocked three large pieces of rock with his shield.
- You are awesome! - Jaune was thankful he didn't have to dodge the rocks.
- It's not over yet.
The others continued to try to overpower the Grimm but it wasn't at all deterred by the loss of its arm and tried to crush them with equal force. Jaune and Lance nervously noticed that a red seal appeared on the creature's rock body where its arm used to be and a long, monstrous arm emerged, which it stuck into the trunk of a half-broken tree, which it then uprooted to become its new arm.
- His arm is a tree! - Jaune yelled as he lunged at the Grimm and Lance with its new limb. - His arm is a tree! - Lance struck back at the new wooden arm several times with his sword and cut a few roots but even so, both he and Jaune were forced to retreat.
- Big mistake! - Ruby poured Fire Dust into Crescent Rose and opened fire on the creature's wooden arm.
- Ruby don't! - Lance shouted but it was too late, the Grimm's arm was on fire.
- Why? - Jaune didn't understand why Lance was trying to stop Ruby but once he realized that the tree needed time to burn, he realized that the Grimm's arm was now a flaming tree. - Big mistake!
- Oops. - Ruby saw that it was a mistake but Lance, despite the new flaming wooden limb, continued to parry it and was able to cut several pieces out of it until the Grimm instead raised the other stone arm to crush the Red Knight.
Lance didn't see this and was only paying attention to the burning wooden arm but Ruby quickly switched and saved Lance at the last moment.
This gave Ren the opportunity to use one of his weapons as a spinning throwing knife and slash the creature's face, causing a scratch on its mask-like face, knocking it off balance and falling backwards.
- Thanks for the rescue. - Lance was grateful to Ruby.
- No problem.
- Okay, - Jaune began to think about defeating the creature. - how should we do it?
- Its body is too hard for our blades to harm him. - Ren reported.
- It didn't even feel my cuts. - Lance was also disappointed.
- But it doesn't care what happens to its body. - Jaune noticed that.
- It can constantly acquire new limbs. - Nora was also disappointed.
- But it's protecting its face for some reason. - Jaune was starting to get the picture.
- But we can't break it. - Ruby had no idea either.
- If we knocked out all of its limbs at once and then… - An idea struck Jaune like a bolt of lightning. - Guys, I have an idea! We have to hit it harder! – After a short break, the others were a little disappointed in him.
- That's it? - Ren just slouched down tiredly.
- I didn't like it either. - Lance didn't support it either.
- I'm serious! - Jaune was sure of his plan. - It's constantly protecting it face! If we take off its limbs, we have a chance to destroy the whole thing!
- Well, - Ruby supported his plan. - come on, team! Let's do it!
- Yeah! - So does Nora.
- Good. - So is Ren.
- Fine. - Lance too.
- Then, - Jaune had already begun the plan. - Ren, you go from the left, Ruby, you go from the right, Lance, you handle its feet! Nora, are you ready to try the new development? – The girl just smiled confidently, she and the others were already on their way, where Jaune was leading them. - Great, then I... - The creature hit the ground with the arm of the flaming tree a few inches.
The team attacked from all directions, Ruby and Ren took both arms, Lance on the ground attacked the two legs but this time he was faster and dodged its steps and tried to distract it from Nora and Jaune. Nora started charging her hammer with pink lightning and while the rest of the team fought with all their might to get the monster to pay attention to them, she gathered more and more power.
- It can go! - Nora said.
- Give it your all! - Jaune instructed.
Ruby used her Semblance to head straight for the ground from above, picked up Nora and together, they burst towards the Grimm like a flash of red and pink lightning, Ruby cut the creature's flaming tree arm with Crescent Rose and Nora put all her strength into a single, smashed the creature's body with a huge blow, leaving it just a piece of limbless rock.
The Grimm left the rock and ran away but Ruby quickly switched and managed to kill the Grimm 250m away with a single, accurate shot.
- Another victory for the JNRR team! - Jaune pulled out confidently as Lance cleared his throat in annoyance. - Oh... - He got a little nervous. – now I understand why you insist on the name RRNJL.
Fortunately, the way back to the village was much safer, the villages in Mistral were much more modest than in Vale but the mayor of the village was very grateful and shook Ruby's hand.
- We are very grateful and really cannot thank you enough for what you have done for us.
- We're just doing our job, sir. - Ruby said modestly but confidently.
- That Grimm has been making our lives miserable for weeks. – The mayor explained. - We were already thinking about moving.
- Well… - Ruby got the idea. – we are heading towards Mistral. You can come with us to make it safer.
- Heh, - The mayor looked around the village, where it was quiet and peaceful, not like in big cities. - I think you aren't from this region. Anima is a large continent and the people of the village wouldn't survive such a long journey to Mistral. It may be safer within the kingdoms but we much prefer our own way of life. - He lowered his head in disappointment. - I wish we could pay more.
- Our agreement is more than enough. - Ren assured them that they didn't mind and the others bowed politely.
The team headed to the blacksmith, as according to the agreement, if they free the village from the Grimm, the village blacksmith will upgrade the team's weapons and armor, make something for Jaune, a completely new skin and new upgrades for his sword and to his shield.
It was about time, as everyone except Jaune got a new look. Ruby's hair had grown a bit and adjusted to the right side, a long white blouse fastened to her arms with brown leather wristbands, a black battle skirt with red trim, her old black corset with red buttons and strings, her old red hooded cloak, which a she wore a silver rose-shaped brooch, a black belt on which she carried the cartridges, black knee socks that left a small part of her legs exposed under her skirt, and a pair of black and red hiking boots.
Ren's hair had grown as well, which he wore in a braid down to his waist, a sleeveless green coat with black and silver trim, a black sleeveless hoodie underneath, white pants, long pink and black gloves that left most of his hands exposed but quite it reached the top of his upper arms and he wore a pair of long-stemmed sandals.
Nora's hair reached her shoulders, she wore a short-sleeved black zip-up hoodie with two pink stripes on each shoulder, a white t-shirt underneath, a heart-shaped section cut out on her chest, a pair of pink mittens, a pink belt, a pink skirt, a pink socks and white hiking boots with pink laces.
Lance's hair also grew, like Nora's it reached to his shoulders and he wore it adjusted to the back, during his travels he realized that it's not advisable to wear heavy metal armor for a long time in the difficult forest and mountain terrain, so he wore black hiking boots, dark blue jeans, plate on his left knee, because he left the right one, besides, he sold the loin and waist protectors because they only made it harder in the long march, his breastplate remained the same, as well as his helmet, shoulder pads and armored gloves. He was wearing a black hoodie under the breastplate and a red T-shirt with long sleeves underneath.
The smith, a faunus man but confidently showed Jaune his new white breastplate with gold trim.
- It's here, son! It'll be a little harder than what you're used to but you'll thank yourself the next time it saves you from a death blow.
- Wow, - Jaune couldn't believe this nice new armor was his. - I… I don't know what to say.
- You don't have to say anything! Just try it! I'll bring the rest. - He went back to the workshop with that.
- He's right. - Lance agreed with the blacksmith. - Heavy armor can save a person's life. - The armor Jaune got wasn't as heavy as Lance's but it was much stronger than his old counterpart.
- What are you waiting for? - Nora encouraged. - Try it.
- Oh yeah! – Jaune had already taken off his old light armor on the table but he was a little hesitant, since that armor had helped him through so much and now he had to part with it. He couldn't take it with him because it would have been just unnecessary weight, so he sold it, although he was a little sad about it. - I think…I'm starting to grow out of it anyway.
- A sign of progress. - Ren comforted him.
- Yes, we all change. - Lance too.
- Change and develop. - Jaune was confident and happy again as he turned around but Ruby noticed something on his chest that made her put her hands over her mouth.
- What is that?! - She pointed to his chest. Jaune's black hoodie had a bunny head on the chest.
- What? My hoodie? I always wore this. - Jaune didn't understand why Ruby would break out laughing, which she tried to suppress to no avail.
- Did you have a cute little bunny on you the whole time?! - Ruby laughed louder.
- This is Pumpkin Pete's logo! - Jaune tried to be confident. - You know, the cereal!
- And what did you do?! - Ruby kept laughing. - Did you send in a box for the prize?
- Yes, 50! – Jaune regretted it as soon as he said that because Ruby laughed even louder that she was already on the ground but Jaune was already broken by that.
- You think, - Lance pointed to the pawn on his own breastplate and shield. – the pawn crest so cool? - He put a hand on Jaune's shoulder, which made him feel a little better. - I'm with you, bro.
- The pawn and the bunny! – Ruby was already choking with laughter.
- Hey, this is my family crest! - Lance tried to defend himself.
- But who chooses the pawn as a coat of arms?!
- Don't laugh, because I'm going to tie knots on your nipples!
In vain, there was nothing stopping Ruby from laughing her head off, so he had to wait until she was exhausted and calmed down.
- Well, - Ren, after seeing that Ruby had finished laughing, supported the two boys. – you don't have to grow out of everything and be proud of the family coat of arms. - Ruby giggled a little more but finally she stopped.
- And what is a Hunter without his weapon?! - The blacksmith came back with some more blood that he made for Jaune and of course his sword and shield, Crocea Mors in a scabbard that he placed on the table. - I made the changes you requested." – The scabbard opened and it turned out that it was actually his shield, which, when folded, looked deceptively like a sword scabbard. - It was a good challenge but you brought me good quality metal. Where did you get it?
Jaune looked at the cross iron of his sword, a reddish-yellow color that was different from the white and gold of the weapon, which he had incorporated from Pyrrha's broken sword. As he looked at the cross iron, he remembered Pyrrha sacrificing her life to protect those she loved and reminding Jaune that he had failed to protect her.
- From a friend.
Jaune put on his new armor and drew his sword and activated his shield to show it off. He was wearing a pair of black boots, light blue jeans, and a black hoodie. A pair of white and gold wrist guards, a pair of black gauntlets with gold trim, a trim on his left shoulder and his new armor that protected his upper body much better.
- Looks pretty good. - The blacksmith was proud of his work. - What do you think?
- Totally. - Ren liked it.
- Maybe a grenade launcher wouldn't hurt. - Nora suggested.
- Better a helmet and a shoulder pad for your right shoulder as well. - Lance gave some advice too but Jaune liked the way he looked now.
- Then, nothing can stop the team RRNJL! - Ruby confidently raised her fist in the air.
- Team JNRR! - Nora was still chewing on that.
- We won't skip Lance! - Ruby retorted.
- Thank you, Ruby. - And Lance was grateful for it.
- It doesn't matter what the team name is, - Jaune put away his sword and folded his shield. – as long as we're together.
- Are you sure you guys didn't stay here? – The blacksmith was interested. - The village could use your help.
- Sorry, - Ruby replied. – but we have another mission.
- We have to get to Haven Academy, - Nora was determined. - at any cost!
- We heard that the neighboring village has a working airport. - Ren said.
- Hm, - The blacksmith stroked his beard and thought. - you can't say for sure. Scroll signals were pretty weak even back when the CCT-tower at Beacon was still working but I haven't heard anything from Shion since then.
- Well, - Ruby and the team have already left. – we can only find out in one way.
The team set off and confidently continued their journey.
- Food? - Jaune was checking.
- Checked!
- Water?
- Checked!
- Ammunition?
- Locked and load! Thanks to the Schnee Dust Company!
- The map?
- It's with Ren!
- I don't have it.
- Wait, what?! - Everyone was shocked because they didn't have it.
- Calm down, - Lance fished it out of his bag. - I was thinking about it.
- Oh, lucky.
Thanks to Lance, there was no need to run back to the village for a map.
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