{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

As I was writing down what had transpired in the past couple days ago I received a text from Aaron that they were outside the gate just getting Bumblebee stored in a garage. Which is good, that means I'll have backup now for when I visit the Spiders den.

And we'll have the numbers if that fight still takes place at Haven. But if I can help it, I'll end it before it begins.

I glanced over at Weiss who was in the process of making herself coffee to inform her. "Hey, they're in Mistral now."

"Good, we better get the house prepared." She replied as she turned towards me with a cup in hand.

I sigh and roll my eyes "Aren't there maids who clean this place up?" I sarcastically asked.

Weiss glared sassily at me "Come on Achilles, we want this place to look nice for our friends don't we?"

I shrugged "Fair point, I'll start dusting." I closed my laptop and put it off to the side. After that I got up, stretched, then went to look for cleaning supplies.

{Weiss' perspective}

Achilles left to go find cleaning supplies, which left me with his laptop by some company called Dell that I've never heard of just sitting on the couch.

I glanced over at where he disapeared then back at his computer deciding whether or not to see if I can see what he's been up to on that.

I know I should respect his privacy, but at the same time I know he's not actually Achilles Vermillion.

But every time I call him by his real name he corrects it. I can't tell if he hates that name or if it's something else.

Curiosity got the better of me and I approached his laptop and opened it. I was greeted by a screenshot of some white haired man with a cowboy hat with some sort of ethereal scarf holding a weird looking sword wearing a red coat with black clothing under. I'm guessing that's the video game character he referred to back in Beacon. Looking down at the keyboard I noticed two keys were missing, both on the bottom right corner.

I tried to figure out how to work it when I rested my hand on the aforementioned missing vertical key when another screen blurred out the first with a message Welcome back Justin displayed and asking for a pin number.

Great, it needs some sort of password… And there's too many to try.

I sighed and shut it. Putting it back in its original configuration before returning to the island in the kitchen that I was sitting at. So much for trying to unravel his mystery. I quietly sighed to myself out of frustration.

Achilles came back with cleaning supplies "Good news, I found the closet with all the cleaning supplies we need. I found this window cleaner and multi-surface cleaner" He explained holding up a spray bottle with blue liquid in it and the other with orange liquid. "I'll let you clean the glass if I clean the surfaces."

I raised an eyebrow at him "Achilles, I don't know how to clean glass."

That seemed to confuse him "What do you mean? It's quite literally like painting. One layer over the other. I'll show you."

I held up a finger "After my coffee."

He nodded "Of course, just let me know when you're done, I might sweep up in the meantime. There is quite a lot of dust here."

I raised an eyebrow at him "How do you know?"

He gestured to the floor "How do you not see it? There is a layer just right under us. Not only that but on the shelves and dressers."

I can't tell if he's serious or messing with me.

He sighed and rubbed his head. "Of course that could just be my OCD at work."

"What's that?"

He raised an eyebrow at me "Um… Obsessive Cleanliness Disorder? Is… Isn't that what it's called?"

Oh… it's an Earth thing… "It's just called cleanliness disorder. I don't know where you got the obsessive part from."

Achilles chuckled nervously "Yeah neither do I"

He laughs nervously when he's trying to rectify his lies, good to know.

Hours later

{Aaron's perspective}

Well we finally found the house Justin somehow paid for. Can't imagine who he robbed to do so. But we're here.

Though on the way here I swear to god I saw some woman against the glass. But then again it was blurred so it could have been anything.

Yang diverted Ruby's attention away from the house so I can only assume they know what's going on.

So we entered the house and were pleasantly greeted by Weiss and Justin.

Justin was on his laptop while Weiss was sitting on the couch next to him, but shot up and ran towards Ruby and Yang to give them hugs. She had to stand on her toes to reach Yang, which I found funny.

Justin shut his laptop and approached me "Took y'all long enough to get here." He sassed.

I shrugged "Got lost, hit traffic, and two people who looked suspiciously like Jay and Silent Bob."

Justin chuckled, "Of course they'd find their way here."

JNPR walked in a moment later with Jaune wearing new armor that we bought him which somehow looked like his volume 4 attire. Nice to know that the universe is bending over backwards to make sure Jaune gets an upgrade.

Justin gave a quick whistle of approval. "Nice trims, where'd you find the metal for that?"

Jaune shrugged "Aaron was the one who suggested it to the smith. Well that and upgrades to Crocea Mors."

Justin glanced at me "Please tell me…" He complained.

I shook my head "No I did not let him get that upgrade."

Justin sighed in relief "Good."

Jaune glanced at us confused but shrugged ultimately understanding there's no point in asking us for clarification.

Pyrrha approached Justin with a smile "Hello again!"

Justin gave a sweet smile "Hello there Pyrrha, good to see you safe and well."

Pyrrha gave a nervous chuckle "Well not really "well" per se." She admitted.

Justin shot me a death glare that I was not intimidated by "What happened?" He asked.

I gave a short summary "These guys attacked us, used poison against Pyrrha in hopes to kill Mrs Vermillion and now she has to take these herbs with her meals to fully recover. Hence why it took us so long to get here"

Justin nodded "I see. Well if all is well, then I have nothing to worry about." He said while he put his hands behind his back.

So we all sat around the table and told our various stories. Like when I knocked those people that looked suspiciously like Jay and Silent Bob out.

Justin asked "What did they do to you?"

"No passport." I replied.

He rolled his eyes "Are you sure it has nothing to do with-" He looked me dead in the eyes and realized that I did not want him to mention that video "... the thing that should never be discussed."

Good man.

So some more catch up convos went on. Justin and Weiss told stories of their time in Atlas. We told our stories including the one where Pyrrah got poisoned. Once we ate our fill, Justin showed his arm off to us.

"It's rather impressive." he remarked "It's one to one with the movements my brain would make if it were the real thing."

Ruby's eyes lit up like a star "What can it do?" She asked in one breath.

Justin chuckled "Well it has a grapple hook and a wrist blade." he explained while a blade popped out on the underside of his wrist.

"Neither of which you used on your descent." Weiss snarked.

Justin shoved his robotic finger right at Weiss at the same time as the blade went back into his arm. "You threw me out of the aircraft! I had zero time to prepare for any landing!"

Everyone, including me, roared with laughter. After a moment, Justin joined in laughing.

After everyone settled down Justin then glanced at his arm and continued his thoughts "Though I'm not a fan of factory gray. If only I knew someone who could paint it." He remarked as he looked directly into Yang's eyes.

Yang zipped over and held his robotic hand, inspecting it "Yes, I know just the colors to use and where I should use them!"

Justin struggled a bit to get out of her grip as he thanked Yang. "Thank you Yang, I'll let you know when I'm ready."

That gives me an idea "But how strong is it?"

Justin deadpanned at me "Aaron, you and I both know how that'll end. With me thrown across the room."

I held up my right hand "Yeah if it was your right arm. I'm talking about your robotic left."

He shrugged as if he was saying to himself "What's the worst that can happen?"

So we arm wrestled, with Ruby, Nora, Ren , Jaune, and Pyrrha cheering me on. While Yang cheered Justin on while Weiss rolled her eyes at us.

"Certainly feels stronger than the original." I remarked.

He chuckled "Yep, but it has a few hidden mechanics in it as well."

… Oh no he's not-

Before I could finish that thought, I was sent flying to the wall behind me.

Justin evilly smirked at me as he held his stubbed arm out, bringing his arm back to its socket and recalibrating by twisting the wrist clockwise as he cackled.

"That does not count as a win, you son of a bitch!"

He shrugged in a very sarcastic way "All's fair in love and war."

"Mother fucker I'll show you war when you least expect it." I threatened.

Jaune then asked the group trying to change the subject "Hey so on our way here there was a house that had blurred out windows… Is there a reason?"

Justin and Weiss glanced at each other as if debating whether or not to answer.

They eventually return their attention to Jaune as Justin answered "Maelstrom Company Orgy."

Which sent a shock through the rest of us aside from Ruby who asked "What's an orgy?"

I was about to answer when I saw a flash of yellow out of the corner of my eye. Yang was standing there, squaring up to what I was about to say.

I decided it's best not to endure the wrath of Goldilocks.

"Don't worry about it Ruby, you'll understand when you're older." Justin said

"I'm 16!" Ruby protested.

"When you're older." Justin and Yang said in unison.

{Achilles/Justin's perspective}

So the night was going pretty good. Everyone was in high spirits and catching up with one another.

That was shattered when I went to get water and Weiss cornered me in the kitchen. She's got a serious look on her face. Which already tells me I'm not gonna like what she has to say.

"Achilles." She started off "I just…" She glanced off to the side momentarily before returning her focus to me. "I know you have some form of hatred for Adam after what he did to you."

I took a sip of my water filled mug.

I guess she expected me to rebuke her, she then continued "I'm just worried you're going to throw your life away recklessly."

I shrugged "A valid concern. But you need not worry. I'll be okay."

She crossed her arms at me "And yet you went to the Spider's Den without letting me know aside from a note"

I shrugged again.

She groaned in annoyance, "Alright, I need you to promise me something."

"I can't-"

Before I finished that thought Weiss cut in "Promise me you won't do anything that will endanger your life. You need to be with your fiance after all."

I gave a solemn sigh "Weiss, I'm not in the habit of making promises I can't keep. We're huntsmen, the most dangerous job on Remnant. Not just because of the Grimm, but because of everything and everyone else gunning for us. Hell, I probably have a hit on me."

"Yeah, that cult that Aaron told us about." Weiss pointed out.

I shrug "Just a speed bump."

Weiss crossed her arms again "I don't like that…"

I tilted my head to one side out of confusion "Don't like what?"

"You constantly downplay danger like that. Seriously, you could get hurt or killed!"

I tightened my grip around my mug as I mumbled "I already died once anyway."

Weiss seemed to have noticed my mumble "What was that?"

I sighed to relieve the stress built up in my chest "it's nothing. I'll try not to throw myself into danger. That's the best I can do."

She sighed "That's all I can ask for…"

Later on everyone went into their respective rooms. I pointed out to JNPR where they should stay and Weiss led Ruby and Yang to theirs.

Aaron and I shared a room with two bunk beds.

"So… is there a reason every room here has bunk beds?" Aaron asked.

I shrugged "Assurance in case Qrow and Oscar still arrive. Well it'll be inevitable one way or another. I'm sure."

"... Right…" Aaron meekly said.

I glanced at the door then back to Aaron "So anything else that happened that you neglected to tell the others?"

He shrugged "Other than Pyrrha seems to have some sort of death mark on her like the world is trying to correct a mistake. Yeah that's about it."

I shrugged "Should have figured."

Aaron raised an eyebrow "What do you mean?"

I stood up and paced around the room as I explained "See, I figured there's a reason that Pyrrah died in the original series so us saving her, and blinding our dear friend Keoth, and with us saving her might have induced a sort of break from cannon. Which means from here on out our knowledge of the show is rudimentary."

Aaron asked "Can you get to the point?"

I nodded "My point is that the universe is trying to correct itself."

Aaron sighed "So it's Final Destination and we're preventing her from dying?"

"Essentially."

"... I'm starting to wonder if keeping her alive is worth it."

I shrugged "Unless we do something that takes her place, but the only other thing I can think of is if either one of us dies or one of the villains dies."

"How's that going to help?"

I shrugged "it's only a theory."

"Based on…?"

"A show I watched a while back… or was it a movie I can't quite remember. Well that and when I lost my arm Yang hasn't been in danger has she?" I asked as I cracked the door open enough to see if anyone was out of their rooms.

"No not really… now that I think about it nothing's tried to take her arm despite her being the brawn of the group." Aaron answered.

"Exactly." I said as .I shut the door after a thorough recon to Aaron's confusion. "Why are you peeking out of the door?"

I gave a sigh "So… I have an informant I need to meet soon, and I need to sneak by the rest of the cast."

Aaron raised an eyebrow at me "Why?"

I sharply take air in "It's… complicated."

"Complicated how?" Aaron asked.

I give up. "It's better if I show you."

Aaron sighed and stood "Fine, but it better not lead to death."

I shrugged. "Not per se… I did talk to the spiders a couple of days ago."

Aaron's eyes widened "What…?"

I waved my hand quickly "I-I-I-I'll explain on the way." I stammered.

He groaned with an eyeroll "If it's anything bad I will personally smack you to Remnant's shattered moon."

I chuckled, "I'll be honest, you won't expect it."

So under the darkness of the house we made our exit as I led him to an alleyway I was expecting to meet someone.

"So is there a reason you brought us to a dark alleyway that starts off any slasher film?" Aaron asked.

Just then Jocelyn jumped down from her presumed hiding place making a loud thud as Aaron glanced behind me in alert.

I turned to see Jocelyn place a hand on her hip, leaning on one leg with a cocky smirk on her face "Miss me?"

I shrugged, "I didn't even aim at you." I replied before I saw Aaron rush past me out of the corner of my eye, with his gauntlets extending.

Thinking quickly I used my grapple hook to wrap it around Aaron's leg and tripped him to the ground.

He turned around at me and yelled "Dude what the fuck are you doing!?"

"Before you pummel my fiancé to paste I should tell you that she never pulled a Benedict Arnold." I deadpanned as I retracted my grapple hook.

"... What?"

"Yeah… she's the informant I told you about."

"... Are you fucking kidding me!?" Aaron bellowed.

I shrugged at him "No I am not. I apologize for not telling you sooner."

"That's it... You apologize. You let me believe for months that your fiance tried to kill and that you two broke up! You let me believe you were heartbroken and such only for all of that to be a FUCKING LIE!" Aaron yelled.

I then explained "To make it look real I had to get an honest reaction. Which means I had to withhold that information. Otherwise they'd get suspicious and thus ruin my plan."

Aaron's eyes narrowed and eyebrows now pointed down. "Oh... Yeah sure. Let me get this straight? You've lied to your best friend who you know can keep a secret just to add realism to your little plan without even thinking it would backfire at all after knowing me for good knows how long! You didn't think for one moment that maybe I could've helped!? That maybe it should've been a good idea to tell me anything. Reverb after the fucking fall you didn't tell me that your fiance didn't turn evil! None of that occurred in your mind!"

I shrugged "At the time I made this plan you were still on the evil side. And I didn't know you were in Remnant. I simply forgot to tell you."

"... That's your excuse!? Maybe after I left that side! You should've told me the fucking plan! But no instead you choose to keep me in the dark after everything we've been through here!? Did you lie to me about being my fucking friend?!"

I sigh "No, I don't lie about who my friends are. I apologize for not telling you, truly. Now we need to get back on topic, Joce might have something important to tell us."

Aaron glared "No… I'm not fucking done here…"

Great. He's pissed. In hindsight, I should have let him know. "Alright, say your thoughts then."

Aaron pointed at me and stated "My thoughts are that I'm going back to where we're staying without you and you're not welcome back. You were the one person I trust the most here and you betrayed that trust... So I'm done. You're on your fucking own."

He then walked out of the alley as I replied "I paid for it, I'll come and go as I please."

"No. Weiss' dad paid for it. Not you. You're not fucking welcome!" He yelled as he rounded the corner.

I sighed. "He'll forgive me eventually."

I then turned back to Joce. "So any updates?"

She paced past me as she told me "They're locating the spring maiden, I told them what I know and as we speak they're preparing to leave for Raven's camp."

I nodded "So they're going there now huh… how long are you expected to be at Raven's camp?"

She seemingly shrugged before answering "A few hours at most. Why?"

I clutched my robotic arm as I answered "No real reason. Just looking for some much needed revenge on Adam and simultaneously dismantle the operation they were going to do on the CCT tower before it happens."

Jocelyn softly sighed "Justin…" She must have thought for a moment before she continued "Just… Please don't be reckless. Okay?"

I shrugged, "Jocelyn, you know I can't make that promise."

She was close enough to stare at me directly in the eyes "Promise me."

I know she's always concerned about my well being, so I caved and put my robotic hand on my heart "I promise I won't do anything that'll get me harmed."

"Good." She said as she turned around. "Now I need to get back before Cinder and Watts start asking questions."

I nodded "Safe travels love."

I could tell she smiled back despite the darkness.

Though I don't know what Aaron will tell them when he gets there. I'll find a hotel room in the meantime. I mean my stuff's still at the house but I'll make do.

I then received a text from an unknown number that simply said We have your information.

Ominous, just what I expected when dealing with the dark side of town. Welp I better be there now just to get it over with. I won't have the backup I wanted but I'll find some way to manage.

{Aaron's perspective}

I can't believe him. I trusted that asshole with my darkest secrets and he HID THAT FROM ME.

Once I got inside I slammed and locked the door which alerted everyone out of their rooms.

"Aaron?" Pyrrah asked.

"Where's Achilles?" Jaune asked.

"Hypnotized by Rose." I told them as I walked up the stairs. "Kick his ass if he shows up. I'm going to bed."

Before they could ask further questions I slammed the door behind me. I glanced over at his laptop thinking about breaking it. But decided against it. Even though it'd give me good catharsis.

… I need sleep.