What's up, party people! I'm sorry if this chapter came out late; I had to get my wisdom teeth removed, so I was going to be out for like four days. I'm not going to have a fun time, but if I do manage to get this out early, you'll know that the next chapter will be delayed. If I didn't and it came out late, it's because of my wisdom teeth. Also, this is coming out a few days before my birthday, so I'm excited for that! But enough about that; this is…
Chapter 8 arrival
It had been nearly two hours since the ferry left the docks, carrying the group of Earth and Remnant natives across the water toward the island of Patch.
The trip had been relatively smooth, but no one seemed more animated—or frustrated—than Sun Wukong, who was currently getting his butt handed to him in a high-stakes game of Uno.
Despite his usual carefree attitude, the monkey Faunus was growing increasingly exasperated, having suffered loss after loss with no end in sight.
"Come on! How have I lost every single round?!" Sun groaned, throwing his arms up in exasperation. His tail flicked wildly behind him, betraying his frustration as he slumped against his seat.
Across from him, Jaune Arc wore a devilish smirk, his fingers twitching over the final card in his hand.
The moment Sun finished his outburst, Jaune slammed his last card onto the pile with dramatic flair, revealing a Wild card.
"Boom! That's three wins for me, baby!" Jaune cheered, pumping his fist in the air. He grinned ear to ear, basking in his latest victory.
Sun let out a deep, defeated sigh, slouching forward in his seat. "This is rigged. I swear you guys are cheating."
Pyrrha Nikos, ever the graceful and kindhearted one, offered a sympathetic smile, sensing how dejected Sun had become.
"Come on, Sun, it's not that bad. It's just a game," she said gently, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Sun groaned dramatically. "Easy for you to say, Red! You've won every single round except for three! You and blondie over there are taking all the wins!"
His golden eyes flicked between Pyrrha and Jaune with mock indignation as both members of Team JNPR struggled to contain their laughter at his expense.
After a moment, Jaune leaned back with a thoughtful expression. A question had just popped into his head, and judging by the knowing look Pyrrha gave him, she was thinking the same thing.
"Hey, I'm kinda surprised you decided to come hang with us," Jaune remarked, turning his attention to Sun. "I figured you'd be off with Blake. Thought you'd wanna spend as much time with her as possible."
At that, Sun finally peeled himself away from his childish tantrum, glancing at Jaune with a more relaxed smile. "Oh, trust me, I thought about it."
He admitted, rubbing the back of his head. "But when I saw that Blake was already nose-deep in a book, and Weiss was right there reading with her, I figured I'd leave them to it. No way I was gonna sit around in awkward silence for hours. That's not really my thing."
Jaune and Pyrrha exchanged amused looks as Sun crossed his arms, his tail swaying lazily behind him. Despite his endless energy, even he knew when to pick his battles—whether it be against Blake's love of literature or, apparently, his terrible luck in Uno.
Jaune smirked as he tossed a card onto the growing pile, his voice laced with mockery. "That's surprisingly mature of you, Sun."
The monkey Faunus's tail flicked in irritation as he shot Jaune an unimpressed look. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, Arc."
Max chuckled from the driver's seat, shaking his head at their antics. "Glad you kids are having fun back there," he said, his tone carrying the warmth of someone who had spent years listening to similar friendly squabbles. It reminded him of all the times Ben and Gwen had nearly come to blows over an intense game of Uno during their childhood road trips.
Jaune glanced toward the front of the RV. "Out of curiosity, how much longer till we make it to Patch?"
Before Max could answer, the PA system crackled to life. "Attention all passengers, we will be arriving on the island of Patch momentarily. Please return to your vehicles and wait for further instructions."
"Well, that answers my question," Jaune admitted with a sheepish grin.
Sun stretched his arms above his head before gathering up the deck of Uno cards. "Since we'll still have to drive to Yang's place after docking—and also save the Rust Bucket—who's up for another game?"
Pyrrha smiled at the idea, her polite nature keeping her from ever turning down a friendly competition, while Jaune, eager for a rematch, nodded eagerly.
Sun wasted no time shuffling the deck, and soon, the three were once again locked in a battle of strategy, luck, and ever-mounting grudges.
(Minutes Earlier With Ben and Yang normal POV)
Leaning against Bumblebee, Yang let out a satisfied sigh as the credits of Pacific Rim rolled on Ben's phone screen. The glow from the device dimmed as he powered it off, slipping it back into his pocket.
Around them, the gentle hum of the ferry's engines filled the air, mixing with the rhythmic sound of waves lapping against the hull.
A cool breeze rolled over the deck, ruffling Yang's golden hair as she stretched, rolling her shoulders with a content grin.
"Man, it is so not fair that your world gets all the cool stuff," she groaned, propping her arms behind her head. "Giant robots, giant monsters, epic fight scenes—what more could you ask for?"
Ben smirked, clearly pleased by her reaction. "Told you it was a classic."
"Oh yeah," Yang agreed, cracking her knuckles. "That was my kind of movie. Punch first, ask questions never."
Ben chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, figured you'd get a kick out of it."
He leaned back against her bike, resting his arms over his chest as he looked out toward the horizon.
The sky was painted in deep shades of orange and violet, the last light of the sun reflecting off the water as the ferry carried them closer to Patch.
After a brief pause, he glanced at her. "So, what's Patch like?"
Yang's usual playful energy softened slightly as she thought about home. A small, nostalgic smile tugged at her lips.
"It's nice," she said, her voice warm. "Quiet, peaceful… kinda the opposite of Vale. Lots of trees, open fields, some really great places to go riding."
She gave Bumblebee an affectionate pat, her fingers trailing over the bike's frame. "It's a great place to grow up. Plenty of space to run around, get into trouble…"
Ben caught the way her voice dipped, a flicker of something deeper beneath her words. He could tell there were more memories there—some good, some maybe not so much—but she seemed content to stick with the good ones for now.
"Sounds nice," he said sincerely.
Yang nodded, her violet eyes drifting toward the approaching island. "Yeah… it really is."
For a moment, they simply sat in comfortable silence, the ferry cutting through the waves. Then, Ben tilted his head.
"So, tell me about this country store? Ruby mentioned it the other night."
Yang smirked. "It's not really a country store."
Ben blinked. "Then… why did Ruby call it that?"
"Because there is a country store in the building," Yang explained with a chuckle. "But that's just one part of it. The place has a restaurant, a little library, a pool, a gym, even a juice bar. It's more like a hangout spot for teens than an actual store."
Ben nodded in understanding. "Okay, that makes a lot more sense now."
"Yeah," Yang agreed, her grin widening. "Plus, the people there are cool—like Emmett."
Ben raised an eyebrow. "Who's Emmett?"
"He's an old friend of ours," Yang said easily. "A little older than Ruby, in his second-to-last year at Signal Academy. He also works at the country store, so he's usually around whenever we stop by."
Ben hummed in thought, filing the name away. If he was going to be spending time on Patch, it sounded like this country store—or whatever it actually was—would be a place worth checking out.
"Trust me, you'll like him," Yang added. "He's kinda like Ruby, but with way less energy. And he's got a great taste in jokes—like us." She gave him a playful nudge. "Also a bit of a book nerd."
Ben grinned. "I like this guy already."
Yang smirked. "I had a feeling."
She shifted slightly before turning to him again, a curious glint in her eyes. "Now, I've got a question for you."
Ben tilted his head. "Sure, ask away."
"What's your hometown like? Woodbell, was it?"
Ben blinked before shaking his head with an amused smile. "Bellwood," he corrected.
Yang shrugged. "Close enough."
Ben chuckled. "It's a nice place. Founded in 1638 by a group of Sámi settlers, and since then, it's been home to a lot of people. It used to be a small town, but now it's growing into a small city."
His expression shifted into something more playful. "It's mostly peaceful, but, y'know… I do have my villains to deal with. And the occasional alien invasion.
So, just enough crazy to keep me from getting bored."
Yang raised an eyebrow. "Villains and aliens? You make it sound like a Saturday morning cartoon."
Ben smirked. "Yeah, well… some days, it kinda feels like one."
Yang chuckled, shaking her head. "Still, sounds fun."
Ben nodded. "It can be. But honestly? The best part of Bellwood isn't the action—it's Mr. Smoothie."
Yang gave him a skeptical look. "Mr. Smoothie?"
Ben grinned. "Yep. Best smoothie joint in the universe."
Yang scoffed. "Bold claim, dude. What makes it so special?"
"The flavors," Ben said simply, as if that explained everything. Then he added, "Some are normal, like strawberry or mango, but then you've got the weird ones."
Yang leaned in slightly, intrigued. "Like?"
Ben started counting on his fingers. "Lamb and sardine."
Yang made a disgusted face. "Okay, what?! That's just wrong."
Ben laughed. "Oh, that's nothing. There's also the cricket smoothie, which somehow tastes like mint chocolate chip."
Yang stared at him. "That cannot be real."
Ben smirked. "Oh, it's real. And then there's my personal favorite—Scrape."
Yang squinted at him. "Scrape? That sounds like something you get after face-planting on pavement."
Ben shrugged. "Hey, don't knock it 'til you try it."
Before Yang could retort, the ferry's PA system crackled to life.
"Attention all passengers, we will be arriving on the island of Patch momentarily. Please return to your vehicles and wait for further instructions."
Yang pushed off of Bumblebee and stretched. "Well, looks like story time's over."
Ben nodded, standing up and grabbing his helmet. "For now. But I am taking you to Mr. Smoothie when we get back to Earth. We'll see if you can handle the weird stuff."
Yang smirked as she slipped on her helmet. "Challenge accepted." As the last rays of sunlight stretched across the horizon, the rhythmic hum of Bumblebee's engine shattered the evening's tranquility.
With Ben seated behind Yang, the duo rolled off the ferry's ramp, the tires meeting the solid ground of Patch with a satisfying thud.
Behind them, the rest of the group followed in a steady line, each vehicle driving off one by one before falling into formation.
Yang, naturally taking the lead, guided them through the winding back roads of the island, her familiarity with the terrain evident in the effortless way she maneuvered Bumblebee through the dense woodland paths.
Towering trees flanked either side of the road, their canopies casting long shadows that danced under the headlights.
The scent of fresh pine and damp earth filled the air, a stark contrast to the industrial scent of the ferry's metal deck.
After several minutes of weaving through the secluded roads, they finally arrived at their destination—a sturdy, well-built wooden cabin nestled deep in the woods.
It wasn't overly large, but it exuded a rustic charm, its solid log walls and sloped roof giving it a cozy, lived-in feel.
A small front porch extended from the entrance, complete with a pair of chairs that looked well-used, suggesting they were often occupied during quiet evenings.
Ben let out a low whistle, scanning the cabin with an amused grin before turning to Yang. "So… your dad's name wouldn't happen to be Solid Snake or Rambo, would it?" he quipped, the playful glint in his eyes making it clear he was only half-joking.
Yang shot him a puzzled look, tilting her head slightly. "What?"
"Earth media," Ben clarified with a chuckle. "I'll show you later." Before Yang could press further, the sound of a door creaking open drew their attention to the cabin's entrance.
Stepping outside was a broad-shouldered, middle-aged man, his spiky blonde hair—remarkably similar to Yang's—ruffled slightly by the evening breeze.
His rugged appearance was further emphasized by the beginnings of a beard, giving him a scruffy yet undeniably strong presence.
His attire was as practical as it was battle-worn: a tan button-up v-neck shirt with brown accents, the bottom half dipped in a darker shade.
The right sleeve was short, while the left was completely absent, exposing his muscular arm.
A dark orange bandana was wrapped around his right bicep, and his left forearm bore a brown fingerless glove, reinforced with a black gauntlet.
A gunmetal gray shoulder plate rested on his left side, hinting at a warrior's past, and his lower half was clad in light brown pants tucked into well-worn dark brown boots.
His sharp eyes scanned the newcomers, lingering briefly on Yang before shifting to the rest of the group.
Though his stance was relaxed, there was an undeniable air of quiet strength about him—one that immediately set him apart as someone who had seen his fair share of battles.
"DAD!" Ruby's excited voice rang through the air as she hopped out of Phantom's car, her semblance-enhanced speed making the movement almost a blur.
Before anyone could react, she launched herself at Taiyang, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace.
Right behind her, Zwei leapt out of the car as well, his little legs working furiously to carry him to his owner before he nudged his snout against Tai's leg, wagging his tail furiously.
Tai chuckled, his strong arms instinctively encircling his youngest daughter, pulling her close. "There's my little Rosebud," he murmured fondly. Before he could fully process the moment, another golden blur crashed into them.
"Make that two Rosebuds!" Yang grinned as she wrapped both Ruby and Tai in a bone-crushing hug, her laughter bubbling out like it had when she was a child. Tai let out a grunt, though his wide smile didn't falter.
As the touching reunion played out, the rest of the group watched with soft smiles. However, standing slightly apart from the others, Phantom clenched his fists for a brief moment before exhaling and relaxing his posture.
Tai pulled back slightly, his hands still on his daughters' shoulders as he looked them over. "I'm so glad you're both safe." His voice was warm with relief, though his sharp fatherly instincts were clearly assessing them for any hidden injuries.
Yang smirked. "Still as overprotective as ever, huh, Dad?"
Tai raised an eyebrow. "Says the girl who's been looking after Ruby since she was in diapers."
Yang's expression faltered for a moment before she laughed. "Touché."
Tai's smile softened, but then his expression grew serious. "Believe me, I tried to get to Vale when I heard what was happening, but the whole city was on lockdown. No way in or out until today." He let out a deep sigh, shaking his head. "But none of that matters now. You're here. You're safe."
As he finally released his daughters from the hug, Tai's gaze shifted toward the rest of the group, particularly the two unfamiliar faces standing closest to Ruby and Yang.
Breaking away from his daughters, Tai strode over to them. "So, you two must be my girls' teammates?"
Blake gave a respectful nod. "That's right, Mr. Xiao Long. I'm Blake." Her tone was polite but reserved, her amber eyes studying him as if gauging his character.
"I'm Weiss Schnee." The heiress stepped forward, her posture perfectly poised as she gave a small, proper curtsy.
Tai waved a hand dismissively. "No need for the formalities. Anyone who's a friend of my daughters is a friend of mine. Just call me Tai."
Blake and Weiss both exchanged glances before giving small, appreciative smiles.
Weiss decided to speak up again. "So, I hear Yang got her taste in humor from you. Just so we're clear—I do not tolerate practical jokes."
Tai chuckled, crossing his arms. "Don't worry, Ice Queen—I mean, Weiss." He smirked at her slight frown. "I'm more of a wordplay guy myself."
That seemed to ease Weiss slightly, though she still gave him a wary look.
Tai then turned to the two standing slightly apart from the others—one brimming with energy, the other composed as ever.
"And you two must be from Team JNPR, right?"
Nora immediately sprang forward, saluting in an exaggerated manner. "That's right! Nora Valkyrie, devourer of pancakes, breaker of legs, and all-around bringer of fun!"
Tai blinked at her enthusiasm before chuckling. "Good to know, though I'd prefer if you kept the leg-breaking to Grimm and bad guys."
"No promises," Nora responded with a grin.
Ren shook his head, stepping forward with a respectful nod. "I'm Lie Ren. Thank you for offering your home to all of us. We'll do our best to be respectful guests."
Tai's grin widened. "Now that's a guy with manners. I appreciate it, Ren."
Finally, his gaze landed on the last two members of JNPR—the blonde knight and the red-haired warrior, the latter sitting with a visible injury.
"And that means you must be Jaune and Pyrrha."
Jaune straightened up a little. "Uh, yeah, that's me."
Tai's eyes narrowed slightly, though his smile remained in place. "My daughters told me a lot about you."
Jaune gulped. "O-Oh?"
Tai's expression grew mock-serious as he crossed his arms. "Just so we're clear, if you have any bad intentions toward either of my daughters… it will not end well for you. Do I make myself clear?"
Jaune's face immediately turned beet red, and he frantically shook his head. "Y-Yes, sir! Very clear, sir!"
Tai's stern face cracked into a grin as he gave Jaune a playful slap on the back. "Good. Just making sure Lady killer." Jaune's eyes waiting in surprise realizing that Yang told Tai about his failed attempts at flirting with Weiss and he was teasing him.
Meanwhile, Pyrrha watched the interaction with mild amusement. Tai turned his attention to her, his expression softening as he noted her injury.
Tai let out a short breath, his gaze shifting to the two figures standing apart from the rest—Amber and Phantom.
The two leaned against Phantom's sleek green and black car, watching the exchange in silence.
Amber's arms were crossed, her expression wary but calm, while Phantom stood with his hands in his pockets, his hood slightly shadowing his masked face.
Exhaling, Tai finally addressed them. "And you two must be Amber and Phantom, right?"
Phantom straightened, easily towering over the older man. His posture was rigid, controlled—there was an air of quiet intensity about him, a presence that made it clear he was someone who had been through more than most. His voice was measured and formal, betraying nothing.
"That is correct. Thank you for allowing us to stay in your home."
Tai, ever perceptive, immediately recognized the weight behind those words. Phantom wasn't just being polite—he was someone who didn't take kindness for granted. Offering a reassuring nod, Tai kept a friendly smile.
"No problem, Mr. Giant. Real quick, though—how tall are you, exactly?"
Without hesitation, Phantom responded flatly, "Six-foot-eleven."
There was a moment of silence as everyone absorbed the information, slightly surprised at the official confirmation of Phantom's towering height.
Then, right on cue, a tiny flicker of blue light appeared, forming the holographic figure of a woman no taller than seven inches. Decca, the AI, materialized with a smirk, arms crossed as she hovered beside Phantom.
Her tone was teasing as she chimed in, "Don't let that impress you too much—he complains about back pain all the time."
Tai raised an amused eyebrow before glancing at the floating projection. "And who's this?"
Before Decca could respond, Phantom beat her to it, his tone still unreadable.
"Digital Executive for Covert Counteraction and Assistance. Decca, for short."
Tai nodded, though he noticed how the tiny AI shot Phantom an exaggerated glare, clearly unimpressed with his choice to abbreviate her name.
Still smirking, Decca muttered under her breath, "You could at least pretend to like saying my name, Phantom."
Tai decided to let that dynamic play out on its own and turned his attention to Amber.
"And that makes you Amber, I assume?"
The young woman nodded, arms still folded as she studied him cautiously. "Yeah, that's me. But… how do you know all of us?" There was a hint of tension in her voice, her unease subtle but present.
Tai raised a calming hand before speaking, his tone light yet reassuring.
"My daughters send me letters every now and then about their time at Beacon, so I know them. As for the newcomers and your… unique circumstances, Qrow called ahead and filled me in."
Amber's shoulders relaxed slightly at that explanation. She glanced away for a moment before exhaling. "I see… sorry if I was a little on edge. It's been hard adjusting."
Tai gave her a knowing nod. "No one here's gonna blame you for that. Just take your time. Slow down and smell the roses—well, not Ruby, of course."
Amber blinked before letting out a quiet chuckle, covering her mouth with her hand.
Satisfied, Tai continued down the line until he stopped in front of the blonde monkey Faunus, studying him curiously.
"And I don't believe my daughters have mentioned you in any of their letters. Who might you be, son?"
Sun rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, offering a nervous chuckle. "Funny thing, you kinda already said my name—Sun Wukong. I was a bit of a last-minute addition to the group. Hope that's not a problem."
Tai waved a dismissive hand. "Don't worry, Sun. There's plenty of space. You can take Qrow's bedroom—he doesn't use it when he's here anyway."
As he patted Sun's back, he moved on to the last four members of the group. Studying them for a moment, he crossed his arms and smirked.
"Alright, let me see if I've got this right," Tai began. "The guy in green is Ben. The kid with the black shirt and mullet is, without a doubt, Kevin. The old geezer is Max, which means the redhead has to be Gwen."
His confident assessment earned a small laugh from Ben, a smirk from Kevin, and an amused shake of the head from Gwen. Max, however, simply let out a hearty chuckle.
"Not bad," Ben admitted. "Guess we're making an impression already."
Tai grinned, clearly pleased with himself. "Always happy to impress. Anyway, before we do anything else, I've got lunch ready—fried chicken, French fries, pickles, and sodas. Also, to make things more comfortable, both teams will be sharing a bedroom. Sun, like I said earlier, you'll have Qrow's room to yourself. As for Ben, Gwen, and Kevin, you three will be staying in the basement."
Ruby blinked, her nose scrunching in mild disgust. "The basement? Really, Dad? You mean the smelly, dusty, borderline haunted basement?"
Tai simply waved her off with a knowing smile. "Don't worry, Ruby. I've made some renovations since you guys left."
Curious, the group followed him downstairs, their footsteps echoing against the wooden steps. As soon as they reached the bottom, Tai flicked on the lights, revealing a completely transformed space. The once musty, cluttered basement had been turned into a sleek, comfortable living area.
Two large futon couches sat opposite each other with a coffee table in the center, the far wall dominated by a massive plasma screen TV.
A sturdy wooden cabinet rested beneath it, holding a DVD player and an assortment of neatly stacked movies. In the corner, a compact fridge and a small counter with overhead cabinets added a touch of convenience, making the space feel less like a basement and more like a cozy hideaway.
Yang let out a low whistle, eyes wide with surprise. "Since when did this happen?"
Tai smirked, crossing his arms with a hint of pride. "Had a lot of time on my hands. Figured, why not? I like to keep busy."
Kevin, arms crossed, glanced around before turning to Tai. "Alright, so do you have actual beds or something down here? No offense, but I'm not sleeping on the floor."
Tai merely pointed at the couches. "Way ahead of you. Both of them are futons."
Kevin nodded in approval before clapping his hands together. "Good, because I'm starving, and I say we eat."
Gwen, about to reprimand her boyfriend for his lack of manners, was cut off by the sudden growl of her own stomach. With a sheepish look, she sighed. "I suppose… I am a little hungry. Would you mind if we started eating now?"
Tai chuckled. "Go right ahead. Dig in."
With that, the group filed back upstairs, the scent of hot, crispy food drawing them to the dining table. Compared to the bland, uninspired hospital meals they had been stuck with, the spread before them was a feast. Conversations were light, laughter occasional, the tension of past events momentarily pushed aside in favor of simple, much-needed comfort.
As they ate, Tai turned his attention to Max. "So, what's next on the agenda, old-timer?"
Max took a moment to swallow his bite before responding. "We'll rest up here for a bit, then head into town to pick up supplies—clothes, essentials, anything we might need."
Before anyone could respond, Ben spoke up, his voice carrying a note of urgency. "And we still need to check out that military base."
Blake, who had been quietly eating, glanced up. "Honestly, I think that's something we should deal with tomorrow. The base isn't going anywhere, and we don't want to rush into something unprepared."
Tai, now intrigued, set his drink down and looked around the table. "Wait—what military base?"
For a moment, there was silence. Then, Phantom 10, who had been calmly sipping his cherry soda through this hole in his mask, finally spoke. His voice was even, unreadable, yet carried a weight that made the others listen.
"The attack on Beacon wasn't just an isolated incident. Whoever was behind it had a bigger goal. And considering the way Ben and his team ended up on Remnant, there's a strong chance that some of the worst criminals from their world might have crossed over too."
He set his drink down with a quiet clink, his hood casting a shadow over part of his face. "If that's the case, then we need more than just a temporary safe house. We need a base of operations. A secure location to train, plan, and, if necessary, detain any threats until something more permanent can be established."
His sharp gaze flickered toward Tai, then to Max and Ben. "And as we established the night we got here, there's an abandoned military base right here on Patch."
Tai leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable, while the rest of the group exchanged looks.
Weiss folded her arms, thoughtful. Jaune, Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora absorbed the information in silence.
Kevin, who had been chewing thoughtfully, finally swallowed and asked, "Okay, but how 'abandoned' are we talking here? Because if this place still has working power, running water, and enough space, then yeah, it might actually be useful."
Ben nodded. "Yeah. We don't know what we're up against yet, so we need to be ready for anything."
Tai let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his head. "Well… looks like you guys are settling in faster than I expected." His tone was light, but there was an understanding behind his words.
Yang smirked. "Welcome to Patch, guys. Hope you weren't expecting a vacation."
Phantom 10 remained silent, his masked face unreadable as he observed the group with a calculating gaze. He had already anticipated the discussion, knowing the best course of action from the start.
Finally, after letting the conversation settle, he spoke. "Here's the plan." His voice was calm yet firm, commanding attention.
"Max, Kevin, Tai, and I will head to the base. We'll check if there's anything useful inside and see if it needs renovations." He then gestured toward the rest of the group. "The rest of you will go out and gather clothes and other necessities."
Ruby tilted her head slightly before raising her hand. Phantom gave her a small nod, silently granting permission for her to speak. "Why are you taking Max, Dad, and Kevin?" she asked, her curiosity evident.
Phantom answered immediately, as if he had already expected the question. "I'm bringing Kevin because he's smart. His technological skills might come in handy if we need to disable any security systems or restore power to the base."
Kevin smirked at the compliment but stayed quiet. The group considered Phantom's reasoning and nodded in understanding.
"I'm bringing Max because of his military experience," Phantom continued. "If the base has leftover supplies, weapons, or gear, he'll be able to tell what's still usable and what isn't."
Again, the group mulled over his logic, nodding in agreement.
"And finally, Tai. He knows this island better than anyone here. If something goes wrong, I'd rather have a guide than stumble around like a headless chicken."
"That makes sense," Ren said with a slight nod.
"I agree with Phantom's reasoning," Weiss added, crossing her arms. "If any of Ben's enemies are here, securing a proper base should be our top priority."
Satisfied, Phantom turned to Max. "Do you have the prison records on hand? We need to know who might have ended up here so we can prepare accordingly."
Max nodded. "Yeah, I've got them in the Rust Bucket. You can review them on the way."
Phantom gave a curt nod. "Alright. Let's rest for about thirty minutes. Then my group will head to the base. The rest of you can go shopping whenever you want—I'm sure Ruby and Yang know the best places to go."
As he finished speaking, Phantom lifted his drink to his lips. A small hole briefly formed in his mask, allowing him to take a sip before seamlessly sealing shut. Once he was done, he cleaned up his tray with the same methodical efficiency he applied to everything else.
At that moment, Ben clapped his hands together to get everyone's attention. "Oh, by the way, I have some non-depressing news," he said, grinning. "I brought a couple of game consoles from home, so if anyone's interested in checking out some Earth video games, let me know."
Almost immediately, the mood lightened as the idea of playing games from another world piqued everyone's interest. Well, almost everyone.
Sun, however, hesitated, looking somewhat wary. He rubbed the back of his head and muttered, "I dunno… If it's anything like Uno, I think I'll pass."
The Earth natives—minus Max—turned to stare at the monkey Faunus in surprise.
"Wait, Sun—you play Uno?" Kevin asked, raising an eyebrow.
Pyrrha, still sitting in her wheelchair, nodded with a soft chuckle. "Yes. We played it on the way here."
She smiled fondly as she recalled the matches. "Jaune and I even managed to win a few rounds. Sun, on the other hand… not so much."
"Stupid, stupid card game," Sun grumbled under his breath.
The Earth natives immediately burst into laughter, while their Remnant counterparts exchanged confused glances.
Before Ruby could voice the question forming in her mind, Phantom beat her to it. "It's a card game. It can get… competitive," he explained. "You'll probably get to play it at some point."
"Anyway," Blake spoke up, steering the conversation back on track. "Before we go anywhere, we should get all the supplies from the cars into the house—books, consoles, everything. That way, we're not scrambling to unpack later."
Yang nodded in agreement with her partner, crossing her arms. "Good idea. Besides, this way, we'll have more space to move around."
With that settled, everyone got up and began tidying their area, tossing out their trash and placing their dishes in the sink. The sound of chairs scraping against the floor filled the air as the group wrapped up their meal.
As Taiyang moved toward the kitchen to finish cleaning up, he felt a firm yet careful grip on his shoulder. He turned to see Phantom standing beside him, his mask as unreadable as ever.
"Mind if we talk outside for a bit?" the vigilante asked, his voice level yet carrying a certain weight.
Tai studied him for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, sure."
The two men stepped out onto the front porch, the air cool and still under the dimming sky. They sat down on a pair of chairs, the wood creaking slightly beneath their weight. A moment of silence passed before Tai finally broke it.
"So, what's on your mind?" he asked, leaning back with a tired sigh.
Phantom turned his head slightly in Tai's direction, his visor reflecting the fading sunlight. "I can tell you don't want your daughters fighting."
Tai stiffened, his fingers tightening on the armrest. He hadn't expected Phantom to bring that up so directly. But after a moment, he exhaled through his nose and gave a slow nod. "You're observant. You're right—I don't. I don't want to lose them. I'm scared."
His voice, usually carrying a warm, casual tone, now held a quiet, heavy honesty.
Phantom remained still, his unreadable mask making it impossible to gauge his emotions. And yet, when he spoke, his words carried an eerie certainty.
"It's because you don't want to lose them like you lost their mothers."
Tai's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat. "W—what?" He turned sharply to Phantom, completely thrown off. "How did you figure that out?"
Phantom remained unfazed. "It wasn't hard to piece together," he replied evenly. "Yang and Ruby don't look alike outside of a few shared features. Then back in Vale, Decca scanned Qrow and specifically referred to him as Yang's uncle."
Tai stared at him, stunned. He hadn't expected Phantom to connect the dots so quickly—or so accurately. The fact that he had deduced so much from such little information was unnerving.
But before Tai could even attempt a response, Phantom continued.
"I don't like the idea of Ruby fighting either," he admitted, his tone quieter but still firm. "In my opinion, she's too young. But at the same time, she's not a kid anymore—she's close to adulthood. And she chose this path."
Tai felt a pang in his chest, but Phantom didn't let him dwell on it.
"I understand that you want to protect them," Phantom said. "But Ruby needs to do this. The pain you feel when it comes to protecting your daughters? She feels something similar."
Tai opened his mouth, but Phantom pressed on.
"She lost someone she considered her best friend when Beacon fell," Phantom said, his voice tinged with something almost like regret. "She's not seeking revenge—but she refuses to stand by and let others suffer the same loss she did. Whether we like it or not, your daughter is going to find a way to fight on the front lines."
Tai felt his breath hitch. He didn't want to admit it, but deep down, he knew Phantom was right.
"That's part of why I've been training her," Phantom continued. "Because I know I can't stop her. And neither can you. But we can make sure she's as prepared as possible."
Tai sat in silence, absorbing every word. Every instinct in him screamed to argue, to insist that his daughters weren't ready for this fight. That they shouldn't have to fight.
But the words never came.
He let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair before finally relenting.
"You're right," he admitted, his voice heavy with reluctant acceptance. "She won't just stand by and let it happen." He turned his gaze toward Phantom, his expression firm. "But I need you to promise me something."
Phantom remained silent, listening.
"Promise me you'll help them. Ruby, Yang, and the rest. Protect them with everything you have—even if it costs you everything. Can you do that?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Phantom gave a single nod and extended his hand. Tai stared at it for a moment before grasping it firmly.
"Thank you," Tai said, looking into Phantom's visor with sincerity. "Truly… thank you."
Phantom gave a small nod before standing up, heading back inside.
As he walked, his mind swirled with thoughts. He understood Tai's pain far more than he let on.
A silhouette of a young boy in his late teenage years flashed in his mind.
His fingers clenched into fists as he entered the living room. He pulled out a worn, old photo from his jacket, his eyes lingering on it with an emotion that never made it past his mask.
Before he could get lost in his memories, the sound of footsteps pulled him back to the present.
He looked up to see Yang and Ben carrying two bags toward the basement. With practiced ease, he slid the photo back into the inner pocket of his jacket, securing it away.
Clenching his fists once more, Phantom made a silent vow to himself.
No matter what happened—no matter what it cost—he would protect them.
"I won't fail. Not like I did to them. Not like I did to you."
An
And that's a wrap!
Sorry for posting this chapter so close to the deadline—it's been a bit of a bumpy ride.
As I mentioned in the first author's note at the beginning of this chapter, my toe got infected. Thankfully, it's doing much better now. On top of that, I also had all four of my wisdom teeth removed. Honestly, I don't see what the big deal was—I felt fine just two hours after the surgery. That said, it did make it harder for me to pronounce words properly, so I had to double-check to make sure what I was saying actually matched what was being written.
Anyway, fun little chapter! We got a tiny bit more insight into Phantom's backstory. Like I said before, I'll mostly be dropping small hints, tiny details, and throwaway lines here and there until we finally reach the big reveal.
Next time, after the crew settles into their new home, the main group decides it's finally time to go shopping for a new set of clothes. Meanwhile, Phantom and his team will explore the military base, assessing what needs to be done to make it functional—along with finding something extra.
Next time on Dimensional Heroes of Remnant!
Stay safe, and have a great day!