Prince Charon
Just zis guy, you know?
My guess would be 'She's being a Lady about it.'
Whirlwind Productions (Cyclone's snippets & update announcements)
- Thread starter Cyclone
- Start date
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
"Blast it. Slow down!" Adam yelled as he ran through the train.
The only reply he received was the telltale sound of Sunfire's shot-gauntlets firing.
"At least check to make sure you've destroyed them before moving on!" he called out as he sliced through an Atlesian Knight that had lost its left arm to an explosive punch.
"Hey, you're a strong fighter, and I trust you to take care of it," came the reply over his earbud.
Unbidden, a third voice entered the channel. "Yeah, this is an Autobot operation. You want to play with the big boys, you gotta be fast." Air Raid evidently approved.
Adam bit back a curse, deciding to focus on just destroying the androids directly hindering him so that he could catch back up to the speed loving firebrand.
Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust has updated with The Calm Before the Storm.
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
It was a cold Monday night in Vale. Spring had come at last, but spring nights were never warm unless they were on the cusp of summer. Besides, they were right next to the gigantic heat sink of the sea.
'Heat sink.' Now that was a heck of a word choice. It felt so contradictory and yet so right on his tongue.
The only issue he was having was that it was taking some effort on the part of his minions to open up the shipping containers and the nearby warehouse. Idiots, all of them. Not a single one of them would ever become a criminal mastermind like him at this rate. Which, Roman Torchwick supposed, was good for business.
"Hey! What's the holdup!?" he called out to the assembled group of White Fang. "We're not exactly the most inconspicuous bunch of thieves at the moment, so why don't you animals try to pick up the pace?"
Volume I of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust has concluded with Episode 13: Shatterpoint.
'Heat sink.' Now that was a heck of a word choice. It felt so contradictory and yet so right on his tongue.
The only issue he was having was that it was taking some effort on the part of his minions to open up the shipping containers and the nearby warehouse. Idiots, all of them. Not a single one of them would ever become a criminal mastermind like him at this rate. Which, Roman Torchwick supposed, was good for business.
"Hey! What's the holdup!?" he called out to the assembled group of White Fang. "We're not exactly the most inconspicuous bunch of thieves at the moment, so why don't you animals try to pick up the pace?"
Volume I of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust has concluded with Episode 13: Shatterpoint.
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
"Summer… Summer... Summer!"
"Hmmwha?" The Huntress blinked blearily and squinted at the figure standing over her bed. That mass of black hair was unmistakable. "Raven? Wha'ss goin' on?"
"Wake up, Huntress. We've got a world to save," Raven replied with the seriousness of the grave.
Cody Fett and I have just posted Act I of A Stark Divide, a RWBY tragedy in three parts.
"Hmmwha?" The Huntress blinked blearily and squinted at the figure standing over her bed. That mass of black hair was unmistakable. "Raven? Wha'ss goin' on?"
"Wake up, Huntress. We've got a world to save," Raven replied with the seriousness of the grave.
Cody Fett and I have just posted Act I of A Stark Divide, a RWBY tragedy in three parts.
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
The bellowing of a demented elephant's trumpet boomed above the din of battle, drowning out the cries of panic that only drew in more of the fell beasts. In terrible answer, more blasts from their fellows echoed the dark news.
The Branwen Tribe was at its end.
Raven's odachi slashed through Beowolf after Beowolf, and still, it wasn't enough. The Goliaths were closing in. They were trapped, encircled by the Grimm, and about to be defeated in detail. It was a nightmare scenario, and their ever growing despair only drove the Grimm to greater heights of ferocity.
All hope was lost. Death was at hand. The only thing they had left to do was meet their end swinging.
Act II: All Our Days of A Stark Divide has been posted.
The Branwen Tribe was at its end.
Raven's odachi slashed through Beowolf after Beowolf, and still, it wasn't enough. The Goliaths were closing in. They were trapped, encircled by the Grimm, and about to be defeated in detail. It was a nightmare scenario, and their ever growing despair only drove the Grimm to greater heights of ferocity.
All hope was lost. Death was at hand. The only thing they had left to do was meet their end swinging.
Act II: All Our Days of A Stark Divide has been posted.
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
Twigs and leaves crunched underfoot as the young woman ran through the forest, the hooded cloak she wore trailing behind her. She gasped for breath as she struggled to maintain speed. The Grimm were close, she could almost feel them gaining on her. The weapon she clutched in her sweaty hands, long and unwieldy for most but one she normally gripped with a familiar ease, felt unnaturally heavy tonight. She should turn and fight. She should face them down. She should… she should...
...but she so very much did not want to die.
She burst out into a clearing, one miraculously devoid of Grimm. Hope gave her a surge of energy, and she began pumping her legs even faster. As she did, though, her footing betrayed her, and she stumbled to her hands and knees.
Gasping desperately, she took a moment to recover, then rolled over to a sitting position. She brought her weapon up shakily.
So. This was it, then. This was how she died.
A Stark Divide has concluded with Act III: Red Like Roses.
...but she so very much did not want to die.
She burst out into a clearing, one miraculously devoid of Grimm. Hope gave her a surge of energy, and she began pumping her legs even faster. As she did, though, her footing betrayed her, and she stumbled to her hands and knees.
Gasping desperately, she took a moment to recover, then rolled over to a sitting position. She brought her weapon up shakily.
So. This was it, then. This was how she died.
A Stark Divide has concluded with Act III: Red Like Roses.
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
"Should I recall the Aerialbots?" asked Ironhide.
Optimus shook his head. "No, Ironhide, I think a ground mission would be best here. I've already got a team in mind for this."
"Who do you have in mind, sir?" inquired Prowl.
"You, for starters," said the Autobot leader with a focused look at the security bot. "Prowl, I want you to lead Beachcomber, Ironhide, Cliffjumper, and Hound back to Vacuo. Investigate and report back in three weeks if you don't find any sign of the Decepticons."
"Understood, sir," Prowl saluted.
The hiatus on Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust has ended with Interlude 1-1: The Road to Vacuo.
Optimus shook his head. "No, Ironhide, I think a ground mission would be best here. I've already got a team in mind for this."
"Who do you have in mind, sir?" inquired Prowl.
"You, for starters," said the Autobot leader with a focused look at the security bot. "Prowl, I want you to lead Beachcomber, Ironhide, Cliffjumper, and Hound back to Vacuo. Investigate and report back in three weeks if you don't find any sign of the Decepticons."
"Understood, sir," Prowl saluted.
The hiatus on Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust has ended with Interlude 1-1: The Road to Vacuo.
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
"Anyway," Taiyang interjected loudly. "Here we are. Welcome to our humble abode."
It wasn't a particularly large home, two storeys tall with an outer wall constructed from logs, but it was definitely a home. It was where the Xiao Long-Rose family had grown up, and while they hadn't expected to be back quite so soon, the sisters definitely appreciated the sight. Some members of the visiting group voiced their approval too.
"It's like something out of a fairy tale," observed Blake.
"I think my family owned a dacha like this in northern Vacuo," reminisced Weiss.
Yang looked like she was going to say something, but then she bit back her reply and just sulked closer to Ruby.
Huh, that's odd, observed Tai. Then again, odd is the norm when at Beacon. Eh, I'm sure they'll work it out. It's not like Team Stark was any better after our first semester. Or year.
"The Xiao Long-Rose Household, home of the little dragons," Tai declared dramatically, sweeping his hand out before them. And maybe a little birdie or two.
Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust has updated with a whopping 12k Interlude 1-2: Patchwork.
It wasn't a particularly large home, two storeys tall with an outer wall constructed from logs, but it was definitely a home. It was where the Xiao Long-Rose family had grown up, and while they hadn't expected to be back quite so soon, the sisters definitely appreciated the sight. Some members of the visiting group voiced their approval too.
"It's like something out of a fairy tale," observed Blake.
"I think my family owned a dacha like this in northern Vacuo," reminisced Weiss.
Yang looked like she was going to say something, but then she bit back her reply and just sulked closer to Ruby.
Huh, that's odd, observed Tai. Then again, odd is the norm when at Beacon. Eh, I'm sure they'll work it out. It's not like Team Stark was any better after our first semester. Or year.
"The Xiao Long-Rose Household, home of the little dragons," Tai declared dramatically, sweeping his hand out before them. And maybe a little birdie or two.
Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust has updated with a whopping 12k Interlude 1-2: Patchwork.
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
"Penny said he acquitted himself well in what little fighting they got up to at the docks, and he… seems to have his heart in the right place," replied Blake evenly.
"That's another thing," Jaune interjected, his voice thoughtful, confident. "He's already halfway into this. He was at the docks, and he knows about our… extra credit assignments. If he was willing to stow away on a probably dangerous mission to an unknown location to find out… what's going to stop him from continuing to dig into this?"
"A short jump and a long fall into Grimm-infested woods," deadpanned Blake in reply.
The third interlude of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust, Blake's Seven has been published.
"That's another thing," Jaune interjected, his voice thoughtful, confident. "He's already halfway into this. He was at the docks, and he knows about our… extra credit assignments. If he was willing to stow away on a probably dangerous mission to an unknown location to find out… what's going to stop him from continuing to dig into this?"
"A short jump and a long fall into Grimm-infested woods," deadpanned Blake in reply.
The third interlude of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust, Blake's Seven has been published.
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
Lonely.
Weiss Schnee, heiress to the wealthiest, most powerful corporation on Remnant… was lonely.
It was actually a familiar feeling, an almost perversely comforting constant throughout her childhood. Growing up surrounded by a sea of people willing -- or paid -- to do her bidding, if anything, had made it worse. Yet now, the feeling stung harsher than it ever had before.
Perhaps it was because she'd had a taste of freedom, of friendship that wasn't tainted or overshadowed by her wealth or name, and maybe… the promise of something more.
She brushed her fingers across her forehead, a featherlight touch that echoed something else, then shook her head clear, pausing to look at her hands. They were wet, her normally pale skin flushed red with mild irritation from scrubbing. She pushed the spring-loaded lever on the faucet, starting the water flowing again, but stopped before immersing her hands in the stream again.
No, Jaune was right. She had to stop doing this. She pulled some paper towels and gently dried her hands, resisting the urge to scrub them again, before exiting the aircraft's bathroom and returning to her seat.
She wished Winter were here. She'd know what to do.
The interlude series before volume two of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust concludes with Interlude 1-4: Cold.
Weiss Schnee, heiress to the wealthiest, most powerful corporation on Remnant… was lonely.
It was actually a familiar feeling, an almost perversely comforting constant throughout her childhood. Growing up surrounded by a sea of people willing -- or paid -- to do her bidding, if anything, had made it worse. Yet now, the feeling stung harsher than it ever had before.
Perhaps it was because she'd had a taste of freedom, of friendship that wasn't tainted or overshadowed by her wealth or name, and maybe… the promise of something more.
She brushed her fingers across her forehead, a featherlight touch that echoed something else, then shook her head clear, pausing to look at her hands. They were wet, her normally pale skin flushed red with mild irritation from scrubbing. She pushed the spring-loaded lever on the faucet, starting the water flowing again, but stopped before immersing her hands in the stream again.
No, Jaune was right. She had to stop doing this. She pulled some paper towels and gently dried her hands, resisting the urge to scrub them again, before exiting the aircraft's bathroom and returning to her seat.
She wished Winter were here. She'd know what to do.
The interlude series before volume two of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust concludes with Interlude 1-4: Cold.
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Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
"You sure you're feeling okay, man?" Sun asked as he and his best friend walked through the courtyard of Beacon.
"I'm telling you, I'm fully recovered," insisted Neptune.
"Good, 'cause I don't want you losing your breakfast all over these people, and especially not Blake," stressed Sun.
"Dude, chill, I am completely on the level. Sage was able to cure my death," Neptune said confidently.
"I... don't actually think it was called that," mused Sun.
"Hey! You didn't have it, man. You don't get to complain," he objected. "So, this Blake girl must be pretty special."
"Oh, she is," replied Sun with a smile. "She's beauty, she's grace, she can stab you in the face, and I'm half-convinced that at any given moment she's about ready to."
"Nice," said Neptune appreciatively while covertly taking half a step away from him.
Volume 2 of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust has premiered with an expanded cast as we offer some new arrivals a warm Welcome to Beacon.
"I'm telling you, I'm fully recovered," insisted Neptune.
"Good, 'cause I don't want you losing your breakfast all over these people, and especially not Blake," stressed Sun.
"Dude, chill, I am completely on the level. Sage was able to cure my death," Neptune said confidently.
"I... don't actually think it was called that," mused Sun.
"Hey! You didn't have it, man. You don't get to complain," he objected. "So, this Blake girl must be pretty special."
"Oh, she is," replied Sun with a smile. "She's beauty, she's grace, she can stab you in the face, and I'm half-convinced that at any given moment she's about ready to."
"Nice," said Neptune appreciatively while covertly taking half a step away from him.
Volume 2 of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust has premiered with an expanded cast as we offer some new arrivals a warm Welcome to Beacon.
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
The red vehicle pulled alongside her, and her father, Taiyang Xiao Long, rolled down the window with a grin. "So, you ready to drive?"
"You know it!" said Ruby with good cheer.
Tai smiled at his daughter's enthusiasm. That was good. After all, she had been the one to call him over, demanding -- practically begging -- to learn how to drive.
She jumped on in with a million-megawatt grin on her face. Ostensibly, this appointment was so that she could learn how to drive in case Yang was out of commission and they needed to use Bumblebee. Secretly, teaching her how to drive was a clever ploy to make sure that when she went out, she would always be with friends and wouldn't run off ahead to get caught in a crossfire again.
"Ready?" she asked.
"Of course," he replied. "After all, what could possibly go wrong?"
Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust continues with a series of Encounters.
"You know it!" said Ruby with good cheer.
Tai smiled at his daughter's enthusiasm. That was good. After all, she had been the one to call him over, demanding -- practically begging -- to learn how to drive.
She jumped on in with a million-megawatt grin on her face. Ostensibly, this appointment was so that she could learn how to drive in case Yang was out of commission and they needed to use Bumblebee. Secretly, teaching her how to drive was a clever ploy to make sure that when she went out, she would always be with friends and wouldn't run off ahead to get caught in a crossfire again.
"Ready?" she asked.
"Of course," he replied. "After all, what could possibly go wrong?"
Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust continues with a series of Encounters.
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
Terror filled Ruby's heart as she unconsciously reached behind her and groped for the comforting weight of Crescent Rose... except the weapon wasn't there. A day out driving with her father within the city limits? She hadn't foreseen a need. If Grimm had somehow breached the walls, her baby was only a scroll message and a rocket locker away, after all.
And why would she have needed Crescent Rose to meet Penny's partner? Penny was Penny. She was strong, kind, and trustworthy. There was no way she could have been a Decepticon the whole time.
...Except, that's exactly what she was. Penny Polendina, one of her newest and closest friends, was the enemy she had sworn to destroy. And now, Ruby found herself unarmed in the literal clutches of a giant alien robot. She had to think fast to avoid death.
"Heh, so how did you two meet?"
Not that fast!
Join us for some Trust-Building Exercises in the latest chapter of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust!
And why would she have needed Crescent Rose to meet Penny's partner? Penny was Penny. She was strong, kind, and trustworthy. There was no way she could have been a Decepticon the whole time.
...Except, that's exactly what she was. Penny Polendina, one of her newest and closest friends, was the enemy she had sworn to destroy. And now, Ruby found herself unarmed in the literal clutches of a giant alien robot. She had to think fast to avoid death.
"Heh, so how did you two meet?"
Not that fast!
Join us for some Trust-Building Exercises in the latest chapter of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust!
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
Oh, what a tangled web we weave,
Interrogations are held in the latest episode of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust.
When first we practice to deceive,
And at the center, in silent pose,Waits its mistress... Ruby Rose?
Interrogations are held in the latest episode of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust.
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
Hardlight copies of Pyrrha's sword and shield formed in Velvet's hands, and she turned to face down her opponent. A trio of daggers flew toward her, easily deflected by the copy of Akoúo̱ as she charged. She expertly parried the next salvo using quick motions with the sword-form Miló, deflecting them one at a time in blinding succession. Her Shade opponent's eyes widened as Velvet got closer, the next three salvos failing to penetrate her near perfect copy of the Invincible Girl's defenses.
Near perfect. Velvet wasn't sure what she was missing -- or even how she was missing something -- but there was a reason she didn't copy Pyrrha very often. It always seemed ever-so-slightly harder for her than Pyrrha made it look, and she always had to make minor adjustments that her semblance normally took care of. Everything just felt slightly... off whenever she fought using Pyrrha's skillset.
It was like Pyrrha was fated for victory, while Velvet still had to work for it, even with her semblance letting her borrow Pyrrha's own formidable skills.
Join us for a friendly game of Capture the Flag in the latest episode of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust!
Near perfect. Velvet wasn't sure what she was missing -- or even how she was missing something -- but there was a reason she didn't copy Pyrrha very often. It always seemed ever-so-slightly harder for her than Pyrrha made it look, and she always had to make minor adjustments that her semblance normally took care of. Everything just felt slightly... off whenever she fought using Pyrrha's skillset.
It was like Pyrrha was fated for victory, while Velvet still had to work for it, even with her semblance letting her borrow Pyrrha's own formidable skills.
Join us for a friendly game of Capture the Flag in the latest episode of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust!
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
"Mmm, that's good," moaned Ann very quietly to herself as she sipped her beverage.
The day was beginning anew, and through her open window, the sun was beginning to filter in. She wondered then what would happen on this beautiful spring day. What new wonders awaited?
As if in answer, an arrow shot through the window and dug itself into the wall opposite; around it was wrapped a parchment secured with a fine red string.
Ann looked up at the arrow and sighed.
The day was beginning anew, and through her open window, the sun was beginning to filter in. She wondered then what would happen on this beautiful spring day. What new wonders awaited?
As if in answer, an arrow shot through the window and dug itself into the wall opposite; around it was wrapped a parchment secured with a fine red string.
Ann looked up at the arrow and sighed.
The latest chapter of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust got away from us a little as we kept finding more Threads to pull on.
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
"Team Rainbow, the information secured by Ren shows that the enemy has developed a translation cipher and is likely keeping it in a remote location that is rarely used. This provides us with a unique opportunity to secure the data we need and, in so doing, expose the Decepticons' whole rotten operation. We will be able to crack this nut open in one fell swoop. No more slave factories, no more dancing in the dark with devils, no more sleepless nights wondering how many people are starving while you're in your bed.
"This might be a one Huntsman job, but every person who joins up could be useful. However, it's entirely possible that we will be forced to confront Starscream at his lab, which means that anyone who goes out on this mission could easily die, or worse… there is the chance that they might be identified, and that retribution will fall upon their friends and family. Because of that, I've elected not to inform Headmaster Ozpin -- or any of those in his confidence -- save by time-delayed message. It is also because of that that I'm only asking for volunteers on this mission.
"There's no shame in refusing. Just leave the room and prepare yourself. If I and those who choose to go with me fail, then the burden will fall to those who remain. If we all die… well, someone else will pick up the torch."
Some Motivated Adolescents Raid Starscream in the latest chapter of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust.
"This might be a one Huntsman job, but every person who joins up could be useful. However, it's entirely possible that we will be forced to confront Starscream at his lab, which means that anyone who goes out on this mission could easily die, or worse… there is the chance that they might be identified, and that retribution will fall upon their friends and family. Because of that, I've elected not to inform Headmaster Ozpin -- or any of those in his confidence -- save by time-delayed message. It is also because of that that I'm only asking for volunteers on this mission.
"There's no shame in refusing. Just leave the room and prepare yourself. If I and those who choose to go with me fail, then the burden will fall to those who remain. If we all die… well, someone else will pick up the torch."
Some Motivated Adolescents Raid Starscream in the latest chapter of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust.
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
Ruby was in good spirits. Classes had ended for the day, Glynda had taken Weiss to her office, and Yang was going out but promised to be back in time for her date. Her date! She couldn't believe it! She had a date! And with Jaune no less!
Things were looking up! ...Which was good, because after the previous day, she couldn't bear the shame of going out to fight again. She had killed people before, but then she could comfort herself with platitudes about how it was combat and they were shooting at her and her friends. There was none of that balm to be had in a situation where civilians had died because she had ignored basic procedure.
That guilt and grief started to well up inside her again. It was stronger this time. Maybe she should call the date off...
Let's check in on how some Dates are going in Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust.
Things were looking up! ...Which was good, because after the previous day, she couldn't bear the shame of going out to fight again. She had killed people before, but then she could comfort herself with platitudes about how it was combat and they were shooting at her and her friends. There was none of that balm to be had in a situation where civilians had died because she had ignored basic procedure.
That guilt and grief started to well up inside her again. It was stronger this time. Maybe she should call the date off...
Let's check in on how some Dates are going in Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust.
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
Cinder Fall was only mildly concerned as she rode the elevator upwards alone. The summons to Headmaster Ozpin's office had been unexpected, but it was probably nothing. The old fool liked to present himself as personable, accessible to his students. And even if he did suspect something, she was nothing if not adaptable.
Finally, the elevator stopped, and the door opened, revealing the headmaster's office in its grand, clockwork glory, and inside, the old wizard himself waited, seated behind his desk. Unbidden, she stepped out of the elevator, ignoring it as it closed behind her, and started slinking up to his desk.
"Hello, Headmaster," she said. "You wanted to see me?"
"Ah, Miss Fall," he greeted, smiling as he rose to his feet and walked around his desk, meeting her in the middle of the room. "Thank you for coming by on such short notice."
"Oh, it's no trouble," Cinder insisted. "How can I help you?"
In the mid-volume 2 finale of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust, characters must face some of the Fall Out of recent events.
Finally, the elevator stopped, and the door opened, revealing the headmaster's office in its grand, clockwork glory, and inside, the old wizard himself waited, seated behind his desk. Unbidden, she stepped out of the elevator, ignoring it as it closed behind her, and started slinking up to his desk.
"Hello, Headmaster," she said. "You wanted to see me?"
"Ah, Miss Fall," he greeted, smiling as he rose to his feet and walked around his desk, meeting her in the middle of the room. "Thank you for coming by on such short notice."
"Oh, it's no trouble," Cinder insisted. "How can I help you?"
In the mid-volume 2 finale of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust, characters must face some of the Fall Out of recent events.
(RWBY/???) Devotion: Chapter 1
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
So. Been a while since I actually posted a new snippet here, since Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust has been eating up all my writing time and energy (240k words so far!). But here's a thing.
--
"Hey," Jaune said as Ruby stepped out into the cold winter air of Patch, closing the door to her home behind her.
"Hey, Jaune," Ruby returned the greeting as she walked up to him. "Haven's a long way to go."
"I know," he agreed with a brief nod, "but it's the only lead we have."
"Are you sure you want to come along?" she asked.
"The journey will be perilous," Ren observed from where he stood by Nora, "and whether we'll find answers at the end is entirely uncertain."
"But we wouldn't be here if we weren't up for it," Nora declared.
Ruby nodded. "Then let's get started."
"You guys go on ahead," Jaune said, waving them forward. "I've got something to pick up first."
The other three exchanged concerned looks, but then Ruby nodded. "All right," she said. "We'll see you on the ship."
"Do you guys know what Jaune's picking up?" Ruby asked as they waited at the docks. They'd already stowed their luggage on board the night before, although while Ruby, Nora, and Ren had each brought a single suitcase, Jaune had apparently felt the need to pack three. Ruby wondered why he felt he needed as much luggage as the rest of them combined. She'd have expected that from someone like, say, Weiss, not Jaune; he'd never seemed that prone to excess at Beacon.
When Ruby had first suggested the trip to the survivors of Team JNPR, she'd been all but ready to charge off and take the next boat to Anima and hike the rest of the way.
Fortunately, Jaune had been able to inject a bit more forethought into their planning. The "next boat," it turned out, was only going to dock on the southwestern coast of Anima on its way to Menagerie, which would have meant months of cross-country travel on foot. He had instead arranged passage on a ship setting sail for Argus a month later, from where they could take the Argus Limited bullet train straight to Mistral in a matter of days.
It also gave Ruby more time to be with Yang, no matter how frustrating it was.
"I believe so," Ren said with a solemn nod. "He took... he took Pyrrha's weapons and armor to the forge in town. I think he said something about having them repaired."
"Oh," was Ruby's subdued reply. The forge... once, it was practically her second home, but now...
Pyrrha. Now, Pyrrha was gone. Killed by Cinder. Probably feeling guilty when she died over what had happened with Penny... again, because of Cinder. She gritted her teeth, her hand involuntarily reaching back and clutching Crescent Rose. Hate was a novel feeling for her, but she was confident she could say she hated Cinder Fall. But as much as she hated Cinder, she worried more about Jaune. He'd so obviously buried his grief, almost acting as though he expected Pyrrha to just... walk through the door any minute now.
"Hey guys!" Jaune's voice called out.
Ruby turned... and boggled. Jaune was sauntering up to them, a comically large sack slung over his shoulder. What in the world...?
"Whew!" he said as he walked up, grinning broadly. "Took a bit longer than I thought. I was worried I'd be late."
"Jaune, what-?"
"Pay no attention to the suspiciously Yang-sized sack I'm carrying," he deadpanned.
Ruby's eyes widened further. "Jaune! You can't-!"
"C'mon!" he interrupted as he strode up the gangplank. "Before we miss the boat!"
"All right, Fearless Leader!" Nora declared, following in her team leader's wake. Clearly, she approved.
Jaune Arc was going to die.
He did not fear death, per se, for reasons he couldn't exactly explain -- if he tried, his friends would probably have him committed for his own good -- but he had things he needed to get done first.
So it was with a fair bit of trepidation that he lay on the deck of the ship, looking up at the one-armed blonde's blazing red eyes.
"Well?" Yang demanded, fist raised. "Any last words, Vomit Boy?"
"I'm glad you're feeling better," he blurted out.
"Really?" she asked. "You're going with that for your last words?!" She paused, and her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Is that why you kidnapped me? To piss me off, hoping I'd get better?!"
"It worked, didn't it?" he asked reasonably. "I figured you'd either get pissed at me and come out of your funk, or you'd keep moping around until we ran into something we couldn't handle, and you'd get out of your funk to save us. Or at least Ruby." Or she'd keep moping even past that, and... well, he had prepared for that too, but he wasn't stupid enough to explain his plans for that possibility to her.
"Seriously?! That's why you dragged me out here?"
He shrugged. "Well, kinda? I mean, the alternative would be to leave you behind, and... Yang, I'm- we're not going to abandon you."
At that, her anger crumpled, and her eyes flickered back to their usual lilac.
"No, you're not, are you?" she asked softly.
He just shook his head mutely, both relieved and baffled that she seemed to be calming down.
Then she glared down at him. "I'm still going to pound you, you know."
He tilted his head as he considered that, then nodded. "That's fair."
She sighed, shoulders slumped. "Darn it. You're taking all the fun out of this," she complained.
"Really?" Jaune blinked, and a hopeful smile bloomed on his face.
She scowled and kicked him. It was a matter of principle at this point.
Ruby Rose was worried. Oh, she was happy that Jaune's insane plan to help her sister had seemed to work. To be sure, the blonde brawler wasn't as cheerful as she had been before the Fall of Beacon, but she hadn't gone back to moping around listlessly either. She chatted and engaged with them in a way she just... hadn't in months, and if maybe she didn't smile or joke as much... well, Ruby understood. She really did.
But that wasn't what worried her. What worried her was Jaune's third suitcase. The first one had his stuff, of course, and the second one, it turned out, had been packed with Yang's clothes, but the third...
It had been a few days before Ruby noticed he left it tucked into the corner, never opening it. It was after their first week at sea that curiosity finally overcame her. She stared down at the purloined suitcase, which now lay open before her, exposing its contents. She had been worried about Jaune before, but this... this...
Neatly folded and tucked into the suitcase, organized precisely and tidily, were clothes and toiletries. That wasn't the problem. The problem was that they were Pyrrha's clothes and toiletries, packed as though she was expected to use them, with all the daily essentials within easy reach.
She closed the suitcase and put it back. She had to talk to Jaune. This... this couldn't be healthy.
Ruby found Jaune in the crew's mess. The ship they'd hitched a ride on wasn't actually a passenger ship, but they'd been willing to bring them along for a nominal fee... and, of course, the additional security of having Huntsmen -- even if only in training -- on board in case Grimm attacked. He was sitting across from Ren and Nora, with Yang sitting next to him. And laughing. They were laughing. Yang was laughing.
It had been so long since Ruby had heard her sister laugh.
It all seemed so... so normal. Well, except for the way Yang was leaning into him.
"Hey, guys," she called hesitantly as she approached.
Yang turned to look at her. "Hey, sis! What's up?"
"Can I talk to Jaune?" Ruby asked. "In private?"
"'In private,' huh?" Yang teased, waggling her eyebrows.
Before Ruby could offer a flustered response, Jaune put a hand on Yang's wrist. "Yang," he said warningly, though his eyes were locked onto Ruby's. "You checked the suitcase, didn't you, Ruby?"
Ruby nodded.
Yang looked at Jaune, then at Ruby, then back at Jaune. "What suitcase?"
"Jaune packed three suitcases, Yang," Ruby explained. "One for himself, one for you, and..." she trailed off, unable to continue.
"...and one for Pyrrha," Jaune finished, his voice quiet. All eyes turned toward him, though in contrast to the sisters' shock, Ren and Nora seemed... understanding.
"That..." Yang faltered, unable to find the words. "Why?"
"Why not?" he asked back. "I have my reasons."
Ruby shook her head. "But she's gone, Jaune!"
"No, Ruby," he denied, shaking his head. "She's just dead, not gone. Not until we let her go. And I'm not willing to do that just yet."
"Jaune..." Yang pulled her wrist out from under his hand and wrapped her hand around his comfortingly.
"I just... I like to think she's still with us in some way, okay?" he admitted. "I appreciate your concern, both of you, but... I've got to deal with this in my own way." Abruptly, he rose to his feet. "I need some air."
He hurriedly left the room.
Before either Ruby or Yang could move to follow, Nora spoke up. "It's not as bad as it sounds," she said. The sisters looked at her, and she shrugged. "Pyrrha went to Sanctum, remember? In Argus."
Ren nodded. "We're... pretty sure she has family there."
Understanding dawned on the two girls from Patch.
"So that's why he had her gear repaired..." Ruby murmured.
"To return her personal effects to her family," Yang finished somberly.
The next few hours passed very quietly.
No one brought up the subject of Pyrrha with Jaune for the rest of the ship's voyage. No one felt comfortable enough to try, though everyone made sure to be there for him in case he wanted to talk. He never did.
They were on the deck, watching as the ship pulled into Argus, when Jaune asked, "Ren, Nora, this might be rude or insensitive, but, umm, before Beacon, did you two ever pick up any skills at, ahh... 'appropriating excess wealth from secure locations'?"
All four of his traveling companions stared at him.
"You mean burglary?" Nora clarified, then shook her head. "Nope! Just a little pickpocketing and hustling on the side."
"Rats," he muttered.
"I'm almost afraid to ask, but... why?" asked Ren.
"Something we're going to need to do in town," Jaune replied evasively. "Trust me. I've got a plan. I just... really don't want to bring in my oldest sister if I can help it. I still owe her for the transcripts."
"'Transcripts'?" Yang asked, arching an eyebrow.
Jaune looked at Ruby. "You didn't tell her?"
Ruby huffed in indignation. "Of course not! You swore me to secrecy!"
Jaune sighed and gave Yang a resigned look. "I... never went to combat school. I used fake transcripts to get into Beacon," he informed her.
The blonde brawler blinked as she processed the revelation, then grinned and punched him in the arm. "That explains a lot, you rebel you. Never thought you'd have it in you to do something like that. How are you not dead?"
His expression grew melancholy. "Pyrrha, mostly. I owe her a lot."
"Oh." Yang's face fell. Good going, Yang, she thought guiltily. Open mouth, insert foot.
"Hey," Jaune said softly, placing one hand on her shoulder and another under under her chin, gently nudging her head up so he could look her in the eyes. "No harm done, Yang. Don't worry about it, all right?"
She nodded. "All right."
"Good," he said. "Now, come on. Let's go."
As the five Beacon students walked through Argus, three of them oohed and ahhed at the city. The other two didn't; one was looking at his scroll, trying to figure out directions, while the other was watching him with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
Jaune stopped, still puzzling over his scroll, and looked around. "Now where...?" he trailed off as he realized what he was seeing in the park off to his right.
There was a statue, only partially finished, but there was no mistaking the face and hair carved from the top of the stone pillar.
"Jaune?" Yang asked anxiously, placing her hand on his shoulder.
He shook his head. "I'm fine, Yang. I've got a plan. I just... I need to find my sister first."
"Let me see," Yang said, leaning in to look at his scroll. "Oh, I see," she said, grabbing his scroll. "Give it here."
"Hey!"
"Oh, knock it off, ya big baby," she said, elbowing him in the side before she began tapping her thumb rapidly on the purloined scroll. She'd had plenty of practice getting used to doing things with her off-hand -- only hand, now -- on the boat trip over; there hadn't really been much else to do, and playing through her scroll's games with such a severe handicap had at least killed time, though she wouldn't recommend amputation as a way of increasing replay value. "What's the address?" As he answered, she double-checked to make sure she entered it correctly, then nodded. "There we go," she said, deftly handing the scroll back.
"Um, thanks."
After that, it didn't take them long to reach their destination. Jaune knocked on the door. There was a brief pause and a muffled "Coming!" before it opened, revealing a blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman who had to be Jaune's sister.
"Hey, Saph," he said. "Sorry to drop in on you like this."
The young woman blinked, then pulled him into a hug. "Don't you dare apologize for visiting, Jaune!" she scolded. "Gods, I haven't seen you since you ran off to Beacon." She pulled back, holding him at arm's length by the shoulders, then peered past him at his companions. "And who are your friends? No, wait. Don't answer that." She let go of her brother and pointed at each of them. "Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie of Team Juniper and Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao Long of Team Ruby, right?"
Jaune nodded. "Yeah. Guys, this is my older sister, Saphron Cotta-Arc."
The others blinked in surprise. "Umm, how-?" Ruby began.
"We watched the tournament live before the CCT went down." Her gaze shifted to Yang, and she cocked an eyebrow. "I'm guessing there's more to what happened than what we saw with that guy whose leg you broke?"
Yang winced.
"His legs were prosthetic," Ruby said. "He was one of the ones orchestrating the whole Fall of Beacon."
"Ah," Saphron nodded in understanding. "Illusions, then."
"Yup!" Ruby nodded vigorously. She caught on quick.
Saphron stepped back and waved them in, and the five Huntsmen students filed in.
"Still," Jaune said, "sorry about the short notice, but-"
"What do you need?" Saphron interrupted as she closed the door behind them.
"Wha-?"
"You would have called first otherwise," she elaborated. "So, what do you need?"
Jaune sighed. "Dad and a very large diamond."
"'A large dia-'? Who died?" Saphron asked. Jaune gave her a flat look and waved his hand at the wall in the direction of the park where they'd seen the statue. "Oh. Right. Body?"
Jaune shook his head. "Disintegrated."
Saphron sucked in a breath. "Gonna need a really big diamond, then." Her eyes widened, and she groaned. "Not the Crown Jewels exhibit!" She looked up. "That means calling Rouge too, you realize that, right?"
"'Crown Jewels exhibit'?" Jaune echoed. "Even better! I was just wanting you to give Dad a sending and maybe try to get a message to Weiss to fund this. A jewelry store would have been my Plan B."
"Jaune, what's she talking about?" Ruby interrupted.
Saphron stiffened, then looked at Jaune. "You didn't tell them?"
"How exactly was I supposed to tell them without sounding insane?" he asked. "I don't know if you've noticed, Saph, but the people around here don't believe in magic. Mostly."
Saphron blinked, stunned, and then she began to laugh. Slowly at first, but then growing to a mad cackle. Soon, she was completely doubled over in laughter. "That- that's a good one, Jaune," she said as she finally clawed her way back upright.
"I'm serious, Saph," he said. "They don't believe in magic."
"How?" she demanded. "I mean, aura, psionics, magic, what's the difference, really?"
"Aura and semblances are more like Mom's ki," he answered. He held up a hand and waggled it uncertainly. "Dust... I'm not so sure about, but they don't think of it as magic, at least."
"Whoa!" Nora said, stepping between them. "Hold up! Are you seriously saying you guys can do magic?!"
"Saph's the wizard," Jaune said simply. "Dad's the cleric in the family."
"And what do you need your father and a large diamond for?" Ren asked.
He looked at his teammate and shrugged. "We're going to bring Pyrrha back, of course."
--
When Jaune Arc came to Beacon Academy to fulfill his family's legacy of heroes -- heroes none of his classmates had ever heard of -- he was ignorant to an astonishing degree. He knew nothing of aura and failed to recognize celebrities like the Invincible Girl and the Schnee heiress. No one questioned why. But as always, the truth will out, and after the Fall of Beacon, no one could deny his devotion.
Devotion (RWBY/Spoiler!)
Chapter One
Chapter One
"Hey," Jaune said as Ruby stepped out into the cold winter air of Patch, closing the door to her home behind her.
"Hey, Jaune," Ruby returned the greeting as she walked up to him. "Haven's a long way to go."
"I know," he agreed with a brief nod, "but it's the only lead we have."
"Are you sure you want to come along?" she asked.
"The journey will be perilous," Ren observed from where he stood by Nora, "and whether we'll find answers at the end is entirely uncertain."
"But we wouldn't be here if we weren't up for it," Nora declared.
Ruby nodded. "Then let's get started."
"You guys go on ahead," Jaune said, waving them forward. "I've got something to pick up first."
The other three exchanged concerned looks, but then Ruby nodded. "All right," she said. "We'll see you on the ship."
* * *
"Do you guys know what Jaune's picking up?" Ruby asked as they waited at the docks. They'd already stowed their luggage on board the night before, although while Ruby, Nora, and Ren had each brought a single suitcase, Jaune had apparently felt the need to pack three. Ruby wondered why he felt he needed as much luggage as the rest of them combined. She'd have expected that from someone like, say, Weiss, not Jaune; he'd never seemed that prone to excess at Beacon.
When Ruby had first suggested the trip to the survivors of Team JNPR, she'd been all but ready to charge off and take the next boat to Anima and hike the rest of the way.
Fortunately, Jaune had been able to inject a bit more forethought into their planning. The "next boat," it turned out, was only going to dock on the southwestern coast of Anima on its way to Menagerie, which would have meant months of cross-country travel on foot. He had instead arranged passage on a ship setting sail for Argus a month later, from where they could take the Argus Limited bullet train straight to Mistral in a matter of days.
It also gave Ruby more time to be with Yang, no matter how frustrating it was.
"I believe so," Ren said with a solemn nod. "He took... he took Pyrrha's weapons and armor to the forge in town. I think he said something about having them repaired."
"Oh," was Ruby's subdued reply. The forge... once, it was practically her second home, but now...
Pyrrha. Now, Pyrrha was gone. Killed by Cinder. Probably feeling guilty when she died over what had happened with Penny... again, because of Cinder. She gritted her teeth, her hand involuntarily reaching back and clutching Crescent Rose. Hate was a novel feeling for her, but she was confident she could say she hated Cinder Fall. But as much as she hated Cinder, she worried more about Jaune. He'd so obviously buried his grief, almost acting as though he expected Pyrrha to just... walk through the door any minute now.
"Hey guys!" Jaune's voice called out.
Ruby turned... and boggled. Jaune was sauntering up to them, a comically large sack slung over his shoulder. What in the world...?
"Whew!" he said as he walked up, grinning broadly. "Took a bit longer than I thought. I was worried I'd be late."
"Jaune, what-?"
"Pay no attention to the suspiciously Yang-sized sack I'm carrying," he deadpanned.
Ruby's eyes widened further. "Jaune! You can't-!"
"C'mon!" he interrupted as he strode up the gangplank. "Before we miss the boat!"
"All right, Fearless Leader!" Nora declared, following in her team leader's wake. Clearly, she approved.
* * *
Jaune Arc was going to die.
He did not fear death, per se, for reasons he couldn't exactly explain -- if he tried, his friends would probably have him committed for his own good -- but he had things he needed to get done first.
So it was with a fair bit of trepidation that he lay on the deck of the ship, looking up at the one-armed blonde's blazing red eyes.
"Well?" Yang demanded, fist raised. "Any last words, Vomit Boy?"
"I'm glad you're feeling better," he blurted out.
"Really?" she asked. "You're going with that for your last words?!" She paused, and her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Is that why you kidnapped me? To piss me off, hoping I'd get better?!"
"It worked, didn't it?" he asked reasonably. "I figured you'd either get pissed at me and come out of your funk, or you'd keep moping around until we ran into something we couldn't handle, and you'd get out of your funk to save us. Or at least Ruby." Or she'd keep moping even past that, and... well, he had prepared for that too, but he wasn't stupid enough to explain his plans for that possibility to her.
"Seriously?! That's why you dragged me out here?"
He shrugged. "Well, kinda? I mean, the alternative would be to leave you behind, and... Yang, I'm- we're not going to abandon you."
At that, her anger crumpled, and her eyes flickered back to their usual lilac.
"No, you're not, are you?" she asked softly.
He just shook his head mutely, both relieved and baffled that she seemed to be calming down.
Then she glared down at him. "I'm still going to pound you, you know."
He tilted his head as he considered that, then nodded. "That's fair."
She sighed, shoulders slumped. "Darn it. You're taking all the fun out of this," she complained.
"Really?" Jaune blinked, and a hopeful smile bloomed on his face.
She scowled and kicked him. It was a matter of principle at this point.
* * *
Ruby Rose was worried. Oh, she was happy that Jaune's insane plan to help her sister had seemed to work. To be sure, the blonde brawler wasn't as cheerful as she had been before the Fall of Beacon, but she hadn't gone back to moping around listlessly either. She chatted and engaged with them in a way she just... hadn't in months, and if maybe she didn't smile or joke as much... well, Ruby understood. She really did.
But that wasn't what worried her. What worried her was Jaune's third suitcase. The first one had his stuff, of course, and the second one, it turned out, had been packed with Yang's clothes, but the third...
It had been a few days before Ruby noticed he left it tucked into the corner, never opening it. It was after their first week at sea that curiosity finally overcame her. She stared down at the purloined suitcase, which now lay open before her, exposing its contents. She had been worried about Jaune before, but this... this...
Neatly folded and tucked into the suitcase, organized precisely and tidily, were clothes and toiletries. That wasn't the problem. The problem was that they were Pyrrha's clothes and toiletries, packed as though she was expected to use them, with all the daily essentials within easy reach.
She closed the suitcase and put it back. She had to talk to Jaune. This... this couldn't be healthy.
* * *
Ruby found Jaune in the crew's mess. The ship they'd hitched a ride on wasn't actually a passenger ship, but they'd been willing to bring them along for a nominal fee... and, of course, the additional security of having Huntsmen -- even if only in training -- on board in case Grimm attacked. He was sitting across from Ren and Nora, with Yang sitting next to him. And laughing. They were laughing. Yang was laughing.
It had been so long since Ruby had heard her sister laugh.
It all seemed so... so normal. Well, except for the way Yang was leaning into him.
"Hey, guys," she called hesitantly as she approached.
Yang turned to look at her. "Hey, sis! What's up?"
"Can I talk to Jaune?" Ruby asked. "In private?"
"'In private,' huh?" Yang teased, waggling her eyebrows.
Before Ruby could offer a flustered response, Jaune put a hand on Yang's wrist. "Yang," he said warningly, though his eyes were locked onto Ruby's. "You checked the suitcase, didn't you, Ruby?"
Ruby nodded.
Yang looked at Jaune, then at Ruby, then back at Jaune. "What suitcase?"
"Jaune packed three suitcases, Yang," Ruby explained. "One for himself, one for you, and..." she trailed off, unable to continue.
"...and one for Pyrrha," Jaune finished, his voice quiet. All eyes turned toward him, though in contrast to the sisters' shock, Ren and Nora seemed... understanding.
"That..." Yang faltered, unable to find the words. "Why?"
"Why not?" he asked back. "I have my reasons."
Ruby shook her head. "But she's gone, Jaune!"
"No, Ruby," he denied, shaking his head. "She's just dead, not gone. Not until we let her go. And I'm not willing to do that just yet."
"Jaune..." Yang pulled her wrist out from under his hand and wrapped her hand around his comfortingly.
"I just... I like to think she's still with us in some way, okay?" he admitted. "I appreciate your concern, both of you, but... I've got to deal with this in my own way." Abruptly, he rose to his feet. "I need some air."
He hurriedly left the room.
Before either Ruby or Yang could move to follow, Nora spoke up. "It's not as bad as it sounds," she said. The sisters looked at her, and she shrugged. "Pyrrha went to Sanctum, remember? In Argus."
Ren nodded. "We're... pretty sure she has family there."
Understanding dawned on the two girls from Patch.
"So that's why he had her gear repaired..." Ruby murmured.
"To return her personal effects to her family," Yang finished somberly.
The next few hours passed very quietly.
* * *
No one brought up the subject of Pyrrha with Jaune for the rest of the ship's voyage. No one felt comfortable enough to try, though everyone made sure to be there for him in case he wanted to talk. He never did.
They were on the deck, watching as the ship pulled into Argus, when Jaune asked, "Ren, Nora, this might be rude or insensitive, but, umm, before Beacon, did you two ever pick up any skills at, ahh... 'appropriating excess wealth from secure locations'?"
All four of his traveling companions stared at him.
"You mean burglary?" Nora clarified, then shook her head. "Nope! Just a little pickpocketing and hustling on the side."
"Rats," he muttered.
"I'm almost afraid to ask, but... why?" asked Ren.
"Something we're going to need to do in town," Jaune replied evasively. "Trust me. I've got a plan. I just... really don't want to bring in my oldest sister if I can help it. I still owe her for the transcripts."
"'Transcripts'?" Yang asked, arching an eyebrow.
Jaune looked at Ruby. "You didn't tell her?"
Ruby huffed in indignation. "Of course not! You swore me to secrecy!"
Jaune sighed and gave Yang a resigned look. "I... never went to combat school. I used fake transcripts to get into Beacon," he informed her.
The blonde brawler blinked as she processed the revelation, then grinned and punched him in the arm. "That explains a lot, you rebel you. Never thought you'd have it in you to do something like that. How are you not dead?"
His expression grew melancholy. "Pyrrha, mostly. I owe her a lot."
"Oh." Yang's face fell. Good going, Yang, she thought guiltily. Open mouth, insert foot.
"Hey," Jaune said softly, placing one hand on her shoulder and another under under her chin, gently nudging her head up so he could look her in the eyes. "No harm done, Yang. Don't worry about it, all right?"
She nodded. "All right."
"Good," he said. "Now, come on. Let's go."
* * *
As the five Beacon students walked through Argus, three of them oohed and ahhed at the city. The other two didn't; one was looking at his scroll, trying to figure out directions, while the other was watching him with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
Jaune stopped, still puzzling over his scroll, and looked around. "Now where...?" he trailed off as he realized what he was seeing in the park off to his right.
There was a statue, only partially finished, but there was no mistaking the face and hair carved from the top of the stone pillar.
"Jaune?" Yang asked anxiously, placing her hand on his shoulder.
He shook his head. "I'm fine, Yang. I've got a plan. I just... I need to find my sister first."
"Let me see," Yang said, leaning in to look at his scroll. "Oh, I see," she said, grabbing his scroll. "Give it here."
"Hey!"
"Oh, knock it off, ya big baby," she said, elbowing him in the side before she began tapping her thumb rapidly on the purloined scroll. She'd had plenty of practice getting used to doing things with her off-hand -- only hand, now -- on the boat trip over; there hadn't really been much else to do, and playing through her scroll's games with such a severe handicap had at least killed time, though she wouldn't recommend amputation as a way of increasing replay value. "What's the address?" As he answered, she double-checked to make sure she entered it correctly, then nodded. "There we go," she said, deftly handing the scroll back.
"Um, thanks."
After that, it didn't take them long to reach their destination. Jaune knocked on the door. There was a brief pause and a muffled "Coming!" before it opened, revealing a blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman who had to be Jaune's sister.
"Hey, Saph," he said. "Sorry to drop in on you like this."
The young woman blinked, then pulled him into a hug. "Don't you dare apologize for visiting, Jaune!" she scolded. "Gods, I haven't seen you since you ran off to Beacon." She pulled back, holding him at arm's length by the shoulders, then peered past him at his companions. "And who are your friends? No, wait. Don't answer that." She let go of her brother and pointed at each of them. "Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie of Team Juniper and Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao Long of Team Ruby, right?"
Jaune nodded. "Yeah. Guys, this is my older sister, Saphron Cotta-Arc."
The others blinked in surprise. "Umm, how-?" Ruby began.
"We watched the tournament live before the CCT went down." Her gaze shifted to Yang, and she cocked an eyebrow. "I'm guessing there's more to what happened than what we saw with that guy whose leg you broke?"
Yang winced.
"His legs were prosthetic," Ruby said. "He was one of the ones orchestrating the whole Fall of Beacon."
"Ah," Saphron nodded in understanding. "Illusions, then."
"Yup!" Ruby nodded vigorously. She caught on quick.
Saphron stepped back and waved them in, and the five Huntsmen students filed in.
"Still," Jaune said, "sorry about the short notice, but-"
"What do you need?" Saphron interrupted as she closed the door behind them.
"Wha-?"
"You would have called first otherwise," she elaborated. "So, what do you need?"
Jaune sighed. "Dad and a very large diamond."
"'A large dia-'? Who died?" Saphron asked. Jaune gave her a flat look and waved his hand at the wall in the direction of the park where they'd seen the statue. "Oh. Right. Body?"
Jaune shook his head. "Disintegrated."
Saphron sucked in a breath. "Gonna need a really big diamond, then." Her eyes widened, and she groaned. "Not the Crown Jewels exhibit!" She looked up. "That means calling Rouge too, you realize that, right?"
"'Crown Jewels exhibit'?" Jaune echoed. "Even better! I was just wanting you to give Dad a sending and maybe try to get a message to Weiss to fund this. A jewelry store would have been my Plan B."
"Jaune, what's she talking about?" Ruby interrupted.
Saphron stiffened, then looked at Jaune. "You didn't tell them?"
"How exactly was I supposed to tell them without sounding insane?" he asked. "I don't know if you've noticed, Saph, but the people around here don't believe in magic. Mostly."
Saphron blinked, stunned, and then she began to laugh. Slowly at first, but then growing to a mad cackle. Soon, she was completely doubled over in laughter. "That- that's a good one, Jaune," she said as she finally clawed her way back upright.
"I'm serious, Saph," he said. "They don't believe in magic."
"How?" she demanded. "I mean, aura, psionics, magic, what's the difference, really?"
"Aura and semblances are more like Mom's ki," he answered. He held up a hand and waggled it uncertainly. "Dust... I'm not so sure about, but they don't think of it as magic, at least."
"Whoa!" Nora said, stepping between them. "Hold up! Are you seriously saying you guys can do magic?!"
"Saph's the wizard," Jaune said simply. "Dad's the cleric in the family."
"And what do you need your father and a large diamond for?" Ren asked.
He looked at his teammate and shrugged. "We're going to bring Pyrrha back, of course."
Dopplerdee
Accident Prone(Yes the caps are necessary)
- Location
- Happy Place
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I feel like Jayne would make a good Bannerette or Paliden.
Well, that's one way to deal with Salem. I mean, any cleric capable of casting True Resurrection is probably going to be able to deal with such trivial matters as "can't be killed."
Cyclone
Robotech Nerd
- Location
- Earth, Sol System
She came to an innocuous-looking door built into the side of nondescript building in the most grey and unimaginative district of the city, then gave it several short raps with the knuckles of her right hand. Instantly, a part of the wall slid aside to reveal a small speaker and microphone.
"Identify yourself," said a gravelly voice.
"Cinder Fall," she said smoothly. "I have an offer for your boss. One I think he'll be quite interested in."
There was a pause, and then the door slid open.
"Enter at your leisure, Miss Fall," said the voice.
"Thank you," she replied and sauntered through the doorway.
After passing through a short hallway, she found herself looking at another door and stepped on through to find herself… looking at yet another door. Above that door was a hologram protector. That projector soon came alive with the image of a man wearing a blue military-style uniform and a helmet with a featureless and reflective steel mask. Upon his uniform was emblazoned the prominent red symbol of a hissing cobra with its hood flared open.
"Greetings, Cinder Fall," said the man with a voice that made it clear that he was in complete control of the situation, just as the posture he had adopted sitting in his chair conveyed. "My name, to you and the world, is Cobra Commander."
Cinder smiled a polite smile that couldn't help but be laced with menace. "Hello, Cobra Commander. We have much to discuss."
Welcome to the new Routine in the latest episode of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust.
"Identify yourself," said a gravelly voice.
"Cinder Fall," she said smoothly. "I have an offer for your boss. One I think he'll be quite interested in."
There was a pause, and then the door slid open.
"Enter at your leisure, Miss Fall," said the voice.
"Thank you," she replied and sauntered through the doorway.
After passing through a short hallway, she found herself looking at another door and stepped on through to find herself… looking at yet another door. Above that door was a hologram protector. That projector soon came alive with the image of a man wearing a blue military-style uniform and a helmet with a featureless and reflective steel mask. Upon his uniform was emblazoned the prominent red symbol of a hissing cobra with its hood flared open.
"Greetings, Cinder Fall," said the man with a voice that made it clear that he was in complete control of the situation, just as the posture he had adopted sitting in his chair conveyed. "My name, to you and the world, is Cobra Commander."
Cinder smiled a polite smile that couldn't help but be laced with menace. "Hello, Cobra Commander. We have much to discuss."
Welcome to the new Routine in the latest episode of Spark to Spark, Dust to Dust.
Prince Charon
Just zis guy, you know?
... OK, did not expect that. Probably should have, the GI Joe setting and Transformers have crossed over before, and I think they might be in the same universe in the comics.