You've Been Struck by a, Smooth Criminal

Darkness that's all I saw at first. But it gradually changed to grey and from grey to white. As soon as it turned white my eyes finally opened.

I groaned, why did my head hurt so much? The memories of last night came crashing back, Blake, faunus, Secret, Kidnapped. My mind cleared itself and I jumped out of the seat that I was in.

At least that's what I would have done if I were not tied by my arms and legs to said chair. I also had a piece of duct tape taped over my mouth. I didn't feel Greed in its compacted form either along with my scroll. So I was constrained and without my weapon, this was bad.

I watched enough true crimes on tv from my memories of earth to know that the most important thing to do was remain calm and look for an opportunity. So I took a deep breath through my nose and took a look around at the room I was in.

No lights were on and the windows in the room were all blinded and letting in very little natural light. Enough for me to make out most of the most prominent features of the room I was in. There was a door all the way on the wall in front of me.

A couple chairs and tables were littered around the place thrown off to the side. All in all it seemed incredibly vacant. I struggled against the bindings again.

Damn they were tight and strong. The room was quiet and I could make out the sounds of traffic and bustle from the outside, so I was still in the city, that was good.

I heard footsteps coming outside the door and the door knob begin to jiggle.

I closed my eyes and went slack to pretend to be unconscious.

"I can tell that you're awake." A voice said.

POV Blake

Blake was sitting down at a table on the second floor of the outside dining area gathering her thoughts on what had transpired the previous day.

At least she would be doing that if it wasn't for the golden haired Monkey Faunus giving her a curious look. Yeah he also something that happened yesterday.

The night before

Blake looked at the now unconscious form below her. This Wasn't supposed to happen. She was going to try and talk to Roy but he had bolted before he could say anything. After that her training from the White Fang kicked in and she ended up restraining him.

Blake was panicking. At least her team hadn't known she was a cat Faunus or fanunus in general. She just had to be so stupid to take off her bow in the middle beacon. She should have realized that there might be people about. What was she going to do now. Roy would immediately tell his team and how she attacked him. She would be kicked out of the school at best. Even worse, he could tell her team and they'd track her down and make her confess her times in White Fang then she wouldn't have to worry about being expelled. No she'd have to avoid being thrown into prison. Then her parents would find out and she'd drag them into her mess.

She needed to disappear and fast.

"Whoa, I was just waiting for you to take that bow off but what the hell happened. Why did you do that." A voice said behind her.

She jumped. "How did someone sneak up on me again!" Right behind her was a boy with blond shaggy hair. His outfit also consisted of gray shorts and a loose white colored jacket that was open up with no sheet underneath.

Blake recognized him as the Faunus that they were chasing from the docks. What was he doing here?

He looked at her again before saying. "I can tell by the way you acted in the city and with your friends that you're not a bad person. So I'm gonna ask you again, what was that all about."

"How do you know anything about me?" Blake shot back before suspiciously looking at him, "have you been spying on me." She accused.

The boy took a step back. "Hey in my defense you guys were chasing after me first. So color me curious as to why you were following me and even more when I saw a faunus hiding underneath a bow with her team."

Blake calmed down a bit. The adrenaline from both her team and someone else finding out her secrecy was wearing down. "I didn't mean for this to happen, I panicked and this ended up happening."

"Sheesh remind me not to make you angry," he looked at her and the look she was giving him, "I mean uhh, I'm Sun Wukong student from Haven Academy."

"Are you going to turn me in." Blake said getting ready to flee.

"Nope." Sun said.

"What." Blake said incredulously.

"I said already, I know your a good person." He said seemingly not sensing the mood. "But what are you gonna do now?"

"I'm gonna get out of here. I need some time to think to myself." Blake said. She could hide out in the city it was big enough.

"What about him?" Sun said pointing to the unconscious Roy.

"I don't know, as soon as he wakes up he'll go right to the Professors and everyone will know." Blake said. She was so lost right now. Her world was turning upside down.

"Why not just ask him not too?" Sun said with a shrug.

"What, that's a stupid idea why would he do that." Blake said

"Well the way I see it, you still have a chance to talk to him out of it. If you leave now you only be painting yourself as guilty." Sun reasoned.

Blake looked between Sun and Roy and took a deep breath.

Present

So here Blake was in the middle of Vale hiding in plain sight. It had been almost two days since it happened. She looked at Sun. "So do you really want to know?"

Finally, she speaks! Nearly two days and you gave me nothing but small talk and weird looks!" He said and noticed the look she was giving him. "Yeah, like that one."

Blake rolled her eyes at that, before taking a deep breath and beginning "Sun... Are you familiar with the White Fang?"

"Of course! I don't think there's a Faunus on the planet who hasn't heard of them. Stupid, holier-than-thou creeps that use force to get whatever they want. Bunch of freaks, if you ask me!" He said with disdain.

Blake took a sip of her drink. "I was once a member of the White Fang."

Sun choked on his drink, forcing him to put it down and wipe his mouth as he held up his hand to process that "Wait a minute, you were a member of the White Fang?!"

Blake nodded "That's right. I was a member for most of my life, actually. You could almost say I was born into it..."

Blake thought of the old Fang with her father in charge and the old symbol of the white and blue.

"Back then, things were different. In the ashes of war, the White Fang was meant to be a symbol of peace and unity between Humans and the Faunus." Blake lamented.

"Of course, despite being promised equality, the Faunus were subjected to discrimination and hate. Humanity still thought of us as lesser beings. And so, the White Fang rose up as a voice of our people. And I was there." Blake said sadly.

"I was at the front of every rally. I took part in every boycott. I actually thought we were making a difference. But I was just a youthful optimist" Blake said remembering every rally, standing up with a sign in hand.

"Then, five years ago, our leader stepped down, and a new one took his place. A new leader, with a new way of thinking." Blake said.

Blake remembered the changes. They happened slowly at first. Until one day you just woke up and things were just different. It wasn't a good change though.

"Suddenly, our peaceful protests were being replaced with organized attacks. We were setting fire to shops that refused to serve us, hijacking cargo from companies that used Faunus labor. And the worst part was, it was working. We were being treated like equals. But not out of respect... out of fear." She explained.

Blake got a flashback to Sienna Khan standing in a dominating manner with a malicious grin. Blake put down her teacup and looked up to see in front of a stunned Sun.

"So, I left. I decided I no longer wanted to use my skills to aid in their violence, and instead, I would dedicate my life to becoming a Huntress. So here I am: a criminal hiding in plain view, all with the help of a little black bow." She wiggled her cat ears beneath the fashionable disguise. "At least it had."

Sun just sat there silently for a second before saying "So... have you told your friends any of this?"

"No, I ran away after I exposed myself. They just assume I was in the White Fang." Blake admitted.

"Did you think they were prejudiced against faunus." Sun asked.

"What No! Of course not Ruby and Yang aren't and even Weiss for all her faults wasn't blatantly racist." Said Blake offended at the accusation.

"Then why didn't you trust them with the truth." Sun countered

"I-I was to scared, that they might reject me." Blake said her bow flattening. "Besides I need proof that the White Fang aren't behind these attacks. I know they aren't they've never need that much dust before."

Sun eyes widened "What if they did?" He said while making a bunch of erratic arm movements. "I mean... the only way to prove that they didn't do it, is to go to the place where they would most likely go to if they were to do it, and not find them there! Right?"

Blake digested that "The only thing is, I've no idea where that would be." She pointed out.

"Well, while I was on the ship, I heard some guys talking about offloading a huge shipment of Dust coming in from Atlas." Sun offered.

"How huge?" Blake asked.

"Ginormous. Big Schnee Company freighter." Sun exclaimed.

"You're sure?" Blake questioned.

"Yeah, So we just head to the docks and when no one is there, boda bing boda boom, problem solved." He said enthusiastically.

Sun looked at Blake. "But we've yet to discuss the elephant in the room."

Blake's stomach dropped into a pit. "I don't know how to handle it, well find out when we cross that bridge." She said.

"We get going." Blake said standing up from her chair placing the Lien on the table.

Sun followed suit.

They walked along the sidewalk for a bit till Blake came before a familiar sight.

Tukson's Book Trade

He was a contact of Blake's from her time in the White Fang. In fact he was the one who helped Blake make her new transcripts for Beacon. So when she'd asked for a place to lie low for a bit he had obliged.

When Blake and Sun came in Tukson gave them a glance before nodding. They both continued up the stairs and came to a door. Blake hesitated for a moment but grabbed the door knob and opened the door.

The first thing she noticed was that he was trying and failing to pretend to be unconscious.

"I can tell that you're awake." She said.

POV Cardin

Cardin Winchester was many things. Strong, awesome, handsome and amazing to name a few. But patient was not one of them. So one could guess how he was feeling right now about walking around in vale looking for his missing teammate.

The first day nothing seemed unnatural. Cardin and Russel had both assumed that Roy had found a place in the city to spend the night. They couldn't complain it was weekend to do what he pleases anyway. Cardin just sent a message via scroll to remind him to keep in touch.

The red flags appeared when he hadn't answered the message by the next morning. No problem Cardin had thought perhaps he had slept late. But eventually when it was around noon Russel and Cardin knew something was up.

It became more apparent when Roy didn't pick up any of the numerous cal,s they gave him. No something had happened alright and now Cardin was stuck trying to find out what it was.

"Roy where are you." Russel was walking beside Cardin. He called in to work that something had come up."

"Roy." Cardin shouted using his frustration to fuel it.

They'd been walking around for what felt like hours and still no sign of Roy.

Cardin could have been doing something, anything more productive right now. Like training or training or training the point was Cardin would much rather be doing that the wandering around Vale without a clue.

Before he could voice his complaints however something impacted his chest.

He looked down to see that the something was actually a someone. Cardin inwardly groaned when he recognized who it was.

"Oh sorry mister I was in a hurry I didn't see you there." Ruby Rose apologized rubbing her head. That was until of course she looked up and saw Cardin glowering down at her. "O-Oh, Hey Cardin funny s-seeing you here."

Cardin didn't like Ruby or anyone on her team for that matter. They were teachers pets and the Professors clearly liked them enough to get away with certain things. Not only that they were also self righteous pricks who had a holier than thou attitude.

But of all of them Ruby was the one that ground his gears the most. Not because she was such a goddamn optimistic and naive to boot, that was only part of the reason Cardin was so irritated by her presence though. What was got on his nerves was the fact she got so much praise and the title "Prodigy".

Cardin had been considered a prodigy once back at Bedrock Combat School a rival school to Signal Academy. He had been the undisputed king of campus and owned every record and received every accolade. He was on pace to be scouted by the huntsman academies. He hadn't seen anyway for something to go wrong. But then his semblance happened or rather didn't happen and everything fell apart then and there. Suddenly all of his fellow classmates seemed to leap ahead of him in terms of ability and prowess and he fell back into obscurity, any chance at being the super star he was destined to be was ruined.

So then there was Ruby a prodigy as well, but privately taught by a teacher at Signal Academy and with a powerful semblance to boot who was two years younger than most of Cardins class. It was infuriating, How come she had a really powerful semblance and at such a young age? Why not him?

No he was stuck forced to train up his aura and physical abilities just to stand a chance against his fellow huntsman. It had worked to an extent, with Cardin having a large pool of aura and unmatched physical strength. But Cardin couldn't break into the upper tier of students. People like Yang, Pyrrha, Ruby, Weiss and Nora. He hadn't seen Pyrrhas and Nora's but he was sure that they had theirs.

As Ruby was getting up and dusting herself off Cardin was getting ready to angrily tell her to scram. Until an orange haired girl appeared right next to her.

"Are you okay Ruby friend, did you see Blake." The girl asked Ruby. The words in his throat died out and were replaced with curiosity.

It seemed Russel was the same way "why don't you know where your teammate is?" He asked.

Ruby looked at Cardin and Russel and looked to be apprehensive in telling them. "Blake went missing around two days ago, and we haven't seen her since. Have you seen her at all?"

"No we haven't. Two days ago huh." Russel answered giving a look at Cardin. "That's a very funny coincidence isn't it?" He said.

"Yeah it is." Cardin answered. He was starting to think that it had something with Roy's disappearance.

"What do you mean coincidence?" Ruby asked, "Did something happen to your team as well."

"That's no of you're buss…" Cardin began.

"Roy went missing two days ago too." Russel cut over him.

"What, Why are you telling them that." Cardin growled.

"Because the might know something, who cares if you don't like them." Russel reasoned.

"Wait you guys are part of Roy's team!" The orange girl suddenly said loudly.

"Yeah, why do you ask." Russel asked.

"I met him the day he disappeared with my teammate. Him and my teammate ended up looking for me when I got separated from my team totally by accident." The girl said.

"Ok so what happened to him if he was with you and your team." Cardin said clearly annoyed.

"Yeah Penny it might give us some clues to where Blake had gone as well." Ruby said optimistically making Cardin grind his teeth together.

"I'm sorry but the last I saw him he was already leaving to head back to Beacon." Penny apologized.

"Well that was useless, so all we know is that Roy was heading back to Beacon but didn't show up. We already knew that, come on Russel let's keep searching." Cardin said sarcastically.

"W-Wait why don't we search together." Ruby said sheepishly.

"Why would we do that. We're looking for different people and don't you have a team to help you look?" Cardin said, no way in hell was he going to spend the rest of the day with this nerd.

"Actually cooperation would be very efficient. As finding one of them is more than likely going to yield clues to where the other is." The orange haired girl now known as Penny said as though she was reading an instruction manual or report.

"Yeah what she said." Ruby quickly piggybacked of Penny's reasoning.

Cardin shared a glance at Russel who was doing the same. An unspoken conversation went between the to before Cardin finally faced the two girls again. "Fine." He groaned.

POV Roy

"I can tell that you're awake." Blake said.

I knew the gig was up so I opened my eyes. Just as I expected Blake was there standing in front of me. Off to the side was a monkey faunus with blonde hair and a very "open" wardrobe.

I wasn't dead so that was a plus I guess? Blake walked up to me and suddenly ripped off the tape on my mouth.

"FFuuck!" I cursed. Son of a bitch that hurt. "What the hell!"

I glared at the offending cat faunus. "So you're going to explain why I'm tied up in a chair. Because I'm pretty sure this isn't foreplay."

"I think there's been a bit of a misunderstanding Roy." Blake began. But I didn't let her finish.

"No actually I think I figured it out. You see I've had a lot of time to think about it while I've been tied up. You're with the White Fang aren't you. You infiltrating beacon in order to do something nefarious probably with the dust that's being stolen right now, but you got caught by me and you need to make sure I stay silent about. You can't kill me now since it would be bad that I went missing at the same time you had a period of absence as well. It would draw attention to you and your fellow White Fang members. Well guess what, I ain't staying quiet I won't let you put any lives in danger!" I finished it with a defiant glare right back at Blake.

I know she was billed as a main character in the show. But that could mean she was playing a big role not that she was a good guy. They might have planned for her to be evil for most of the show and switch to the side of good during the final battle or something like that for all I know. So I wasn't going to take any chances.

Blake seemed to be processing what I just said because she had a confused look on her face. "I'm not a part of the White Fang." She claimed.

"O please, do you think I'm stupid. Why else would you be hiding your faunus traits and reacting the way you did when someone finds out." I retorted, "You're clearly apart of something."

It was here that her blonde compatriot decided to step in. "She not apart of the White Fang anymore. She left them after they became too violent and ran away to beacon, so she's not trying to harm beacon or anything like that." He tried to sound reasonable.

Ok so he seemed pretty level headed. He was using facts to argue his point unlike Blake. Maybe I could use that to my advantage.

"How are you supposed to prove that? You can't just say I'm no longer apart of a terrorist group that Is famous for its violence and destruction was in and expect me to believe you." I said sarcastically.

Being this snarky was my defense mechanism for when I was nervous. And right I was extremely nervous, my heart was hammering in my ears. Meanwhile the blonde and Blake shared a look of concern. Looks they couldn't think of a way to justify their actions.

The Monkey Faunus suddenly perked up. "How about instead of telling you we're not a part of the White Fang we show you were not a part of the White Fang." He asked.

My True Crimes senses were tingling, this might be the opportunity I was waiting for. But I had to keep my cool and play my cards right. "And pray do tell how will you do that? I asked trying to seem uninterested.

"You know how you said that there have been a spring of dust robberies lately?" He asked.

"Yeah?" I said slowly.

"Well if the White Fang are the ones stealing the dust then that means they're planning something, Right?" He continued.

"Right?" I answered back slowly.

"So if we go to a place that is likely to be targeted and it's not the White Fang who are robbing the place wouldn't that mean we're not part of the White Fang. Then we stop the robbery capture the bad guys and make them confeess to the crimes goijg on in Vale. This would prove that there is no White Fang activity in Vale and Blake is telling the truth." He finished.

Yeah I guess that would prove Blakes not part of the White Fang anymore, is still didnt mean i just forget about the whole kidnappping thing though. But first I needed to be untied and get Greed back before I could make an escape attempt if they did turn out to be White Fang agents. "And if the White Fang are there you guys call the police as proof." I said.

"They won't be there, the White Fang have never needed this much dust before, why would they be stealing it now." Blake said adamantly.

"So where are we going?" I asked.

"To the docks." Said Blake, "Schnee Dust Company shipment coming in."

"So untie me, if you're really innocent you would not have me restrained right?" I said. You gotta start, small first the bindings, then my weapon and scroll, then get out of here if things go south. Speaking of scrolls my team is probably wondering where I am. I'd have to worry about that later though.

"The names Sun Wukong, student from Haven Academy." He said While untying me. It might have been a fake alias but he was clearly trueing to prove he had nothing to hide. Once again he seemed like the more reasonable of the two."

I rubbed my wrists "so now what?" I asked.

Later that day at night

Me and Sun both climbed up the building to get to the roof where Blake was. I hadn't needed to make an escape yet. During this time I had been buddying up to Sun. He would have been pretty cool if it weren't for the fact I was supremely suspicous of him. Spending time with him made me think it was less than likely he was a part of the White Fang, I prodded him with some anti White Fang and Faunus questions to see if he would over react and slip up. None of that happened so he was either telling the Truth or a really good god damn actor.

"Did we miss anything?" Sun asked Blake as we lied down next to her. I put Sun in between us.

"No, not really, all they've done is offload the crates from the transports. The cargos all just sitting around right now." Blake said.

Sun produced an apple from out of nowhere "I stole you some food!" He said.

Blake gave Sun a questioning look, "Do you always break the law without giving a second thought?" She asked.

"Hey, weren't you in a cult or something?" Sun countered. Blake shot an angry glare at him, "Okay, too soon!"

I swiped the apple out of his hands and took a bite. I wasn't gonna pass up food like this, being held hostage by a 17 year old girl takes a lot of energy!

Before they continued the wind howled with the sound of jet engines. A bull head appeared out from the foggy night. It search lights came on sweeping the area for the cargo and a landing spot. I was half worried it would land on our hiding spot. But it mainly focused on the shipyards loading bay.

It landed and a hooded figure garbed in black and white walked out off the ramp. A grey metallic mask was visible on their head.

"Is that them?" Sun asked.

"Oh no that's just some other group that wears grimm masks and steals dust." I thought and nearly said.

"Yes it's them." Blake answered, and I could hear the surprise and disappointment in her voice.

The figure who walked out of the bull head first suddenly shouted, "All right, grab the tow cables!"

"You really didn't think they were behind it, did you?" Sun said.

"No. I think deep down I knew. I just didn't want to be right." Blake said glumly.

"Well that's great and all, but I think we should go now and call the authorities. I see you guys aren't a part of the White Fang. So give me back my weapon and let's get out of here." I whispered as loud as I could.

Sun tossed me back Greed and I transformed it into its rifle mode. "Ok let's not stay around any longer. Their faunus they might hear or smell us." I said.

They looked to follow me but the interruption of another voice caused them to pause.

"Hey! What's the holdup!?" All of the White Fang goons looked up at a man with orange hair, a white suit and a bowler cap. He gestured widely to the surrounding crates while walking down the ramp. "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?" He berated, I recognized that snide and condescending tone anywhere it was the master crime lord Roman Torchwick.

That meant all the more reason to get out of here to me.

I beckoned Sun and Blake to follow me but Blake was looking down at the White Fang and Roman.

"This isn't right. The White Fang would never work with a Human. Especially not one like that." She said, then she unsheathes her weapon which I learned was called Gambol Shroud and leapt off the roof.

WHAT THE HELL!

"Hey, what are you doing?!" An alarmed Sun called after her.

I was thinking the same thing accept a whole lot more profane.

I looked at Sun to the right of me, "Ok I've changed my mind she not a part of the White Fang, Shes just fucking insane." I practically screamed as quiet as I could.

Blake landed in a crotch and stalked toward the head of the operation AKA Torchwick.

"No, you idiot! This isn't a leash!" He was cut off by Blake wrapping her arms around his one neck "What the- Oh, for f-" he stopped speaking when a blade was pressed against his throat and rolled his eyes.

"Nobody move!" Blake shouted pressing the blade closer against Torchwicks neck and I could see the shimmer of his aura repelling it.

The White Fang Goons all readier their swords and guns and aimed them at Blake but none of them made a move to shoot.

"Whoa! Take it easy there, little lady." Roman said in I'm sure was what he thought a polite and nice voice.

As the White Fang soldiers stepped forward Blake quickly undid her bow and threw it up in the air before continuing to shout, "Brothers of the White Fang! Why are you aiding this scum?"

The White Fang was seemingly affected by this and some even lowered their guns at her.

Torchwick seemed to see this and was quick to speak up, "Oh, kid, didn't you get the memo?" He asked.

"What are you talking about?" She growled at him.

"The White Fang and I are going in on a joint business venture together!" He said as casually as one said they were going to get ice cream.

"Tell me what it is or I'll put an end to your little operation." Blake threatened.

The sound of more jet engines filled the air. I looked up to see there multiple bullheads in the air.

"I wouldn't exactly call it a little operation..." Roman said smirking and looking up.

Roman saw that Blake was looking up as well and I saw him smile a smile that didn't promise anything good. Before I could say anything though he shot his can into the ground and created an explosion that threw Blake back and off him.

POV Cardin

Cardin stopped what he was doing when heard the explosion. He didn't know how but he somehow knew that it was in someway somehow Roy's fault.

"Oh, no..." Ruby said behind him in a worried tone.

He turned around and traced where they were looking. A giant plume of smoke was rising off in the distance.

"That's over at the docks." Russel shouted.

"Let's go Blake's definitely over there she might need our help." Ruby shouted and took off in the direction of the docks with her semblance. Cardin, Russel and Penny right behind her.

"What the hell have you gotten yourself into Roy." Cardin Thought.

POV Roy

"We gotta go down there and help her." Sun said urgently next to me.

"There's like fifty goons down there we need a plan before we go charging in!" I said. Of course I wanted to help but I wasn't just gonna go down there guns blazing. This was a life or death situation and I much preferred life.

"We need to take out their boss first, he's the biggest threat. I'll take him, meanwhile you distract and whittle down the goons." Sun suggested.

Before I could say anything though he jumped down off the roof.

Ugh why do I even need to help? I was practically kidnapped into this I didn't owe them shit! I made to turn around and took a step forward. An explosion sounded off behind me and I sighed.

I turned around and took a running leap off the roof.

I landed in the middle of the main group of White Fang members. They all turned around and pointed their guns at me.

"What wonderful weather we're having today right?" I chuckled nervously.

Rather than answer my question they fired their guns. I ducked down and rolled out of the way. I let them do the rest of the work for me. After all shootings at the center of a circle is bound to result in friendly fire.

Most of the group fell to the ground in pain. It seemed like they either all had very little aura or none at all. The five faunus still standing charged me.

Compared to most huntsman in training these guys weren't much of a threat. Only their advantage in numbers required me to exercise on the side of caution. A spear to the temple, a kick to the groin, a few punches to the stomach and a sweep of the legs finished up the group and I turned my attention to the big boss battle going on Sun and Roman were still going at it.

However a bunch of White Fang goons propelled down from the extra bullheads and surrounded him.

I took that as my que to come in and help. I transformed Greed into its rifle mode and fired a bunch shots at Torchwick. He deflected all of them before looking at me.

"Oh great another one!" He complained before aim his cane and sending a bolt of fire at me. Which I swiftly and graceful dogged by throwing myself to the ground and out of the way before rolling to a stop.

Sun had engaged the White Fang reinforcements and was too busy to see that Torchwick was aiming at him. Luckily Blake reappeared to prevent him from firing.

"He's mine." She shouted.

Blake got in close and became a blur of afterimages and motion as she slashed both of her blades blades at Roman, who continually backed away and deflected each would-be blow with his cane at an unbelievable speed.

Blake however continued the assault dashing, hopping over, and sliding around Roman to try and find a weak spot in his defense, but her opponent, while simultaneously deflecting her attacks, landed a few powerful hits on Blake. This went on for a bit before Torchwick had one final hammering with his cane causing her fall back and fall to the ground.

He aimed the cane at her completely defenseless.

"Hyyah!" I shouted as I swept at the legs of Torchwick in hopes of throwing him off balance and getting a chance to disarm of his cane.

It didn't work, he just swept the hook of his cane to club me in the nose and I was forced to backpedal completely on the defensive.

I was continuously poked, prodded and smacked by his cane. Unlike Blake I did not have the speed to parry or block his strikes so I was practically being beaten up as though I was some sort of practice dummy. Worse yet was the fact I didn't have my armor on so I didn't even have that to absorb a portion of the strikes.

Now would have been a great time for my wonky semblance to appear and give me that boost I desperately needed right now!

It seemed my semblance was feeling cooperative as I felt the burning sensation and heat in my gut and stomach build up like it always did when my semblance appeared.

My vision cleared and everything slowed down again. The blow by the cane was fast but I knew where it was going and blocked it.

Torchwick looked at me mildly surprised for a second for some reason before his face hardened again and went back on the offensive.

I was blocking the blows now, only a few getting past me but I was still completely on the defensive. I had to create an opening. When stick and stones didn't work the next best thing was words.

"You know for a world renowned thief I expected someone taller." I taunted, "actually now that I think about it, you're not really that big of a deal, only really the city of Vale gives a shit about you."

"Well what a mouth you have on you kid, your far more gritty than your friends. But I can tell what you're trying to do and it won't work on me." He replied.

"And I can tell your taste in women is very young and small if your attire is any indicator, you look like your about to offer me a tour of the back of your white van." I countered.

That seemed to get him because a flash of white hot anger came across his face. So he was sensitive about his style or his love life it seemed so I had some ammo it seemed.

"Like who even wears bowler caps any more, you look like you have a black and white TV screening to go to." I snarked.

He over extended which was the opening I needed. I sidestepped the strike and threw a strong right hook at his mouth.

But my fist never made contact with his face. Instead I felt a strong grip on my wrist. Damn it his other hand stopped my attack.

He smirked at me and aimed his cane at me point blank.

He pulled the trigger.

*BOOM*

Eating an explosion to the face was not pleasant even with my aura. I felt like a boxer punched me in the jaw and my face got dunked in boiling water right after that.

I went airborne for a few seconds before crashing back onto the pavement for bit and coming to a stop.

My head was spinning and stars were orbiting my head. I looked down at myself

I was covered in burns and soot. These clothes were useless now. I looked down at my scroll which Sun gave me when he gave me back Greed, my aura meter was practically gone. A pebble could be thrown at me and it would probably break. My semblance disappeared and exhaustion weighed down on me immediately.

Man I was lucky I had an above average amount of aura otherwise I probably would be missing my jaw right now.

I looked over to Torchwick wondering why he hadn't finished me off yet. I saw that Blake and Sun had engaged him together and most of the White Fang goons were down.

After a nasty combination attack Torchwick was sent flying back, he looked up and aimed his cane up in the air. I followed his gaze and saw the containing hanging on the crane.

"Watch out!" I shouted as Torchwick fired.

Blake dodges quickly and Sun stumbles forward awkwardly rightly to the point of Romans gun. He gave his trademark smirk and aimed it at him.

"Hey!" A voice said.

Torchwick paused and looked up to the voice. His eyes narrowed before returinig to normal.

"Well, hello, Red! Isn't it past your bedtime?" He asked sarcastically.

Up on the roof was one Ruby Rose in all her glory and I could have never been happier to see those bright silver eyes of hers.

A figure approached from behind her. "Ruby, are these people your friends?" They asked.

It was Penny! What was she doing here? Then two other figures came into view. It was Russel and Cardin. Oh I'm so grateful to see those ugly mugs of theirs.

"Penny, get back!" Ruby ordered her. But she made the rookie mistake of taking her eyes off of the enemy. Torchwick fired a blast at her while her back was turned.

It would have been a direct hit too if it wasn't for the giant hand that pulled Ruby out of the way causing her to drop Crescent Rose to the ground.

"Don't take your eyes of the enemy." Cardin shouted at her holding her up by the hood of her cape.

Penny glared at Torchwick and made her way forward with a glare on her normally cheery face.

"Penny, wait! Stop!" Ruby called but she was still being held up in the air by Cardin.

"Don't worry Ruby." Penny said without taking her eyes off Torchwick. "I'm Combat Ready!"

What the hell did that mean?

Pennys backpack opened up, and from its single opening came a single hovering sword. It then extended and multipleid into several blades hovering over Penny's back.

Penny leaped from the rooftop with her weapons acting as wings, she sent three of her swords to knock two White Fang soldiers down before even landing on the ground, where she proceeded to fling the swords at one White Fang solider, who was impaled into a wall,

She created a barrier of spinning steel blades against the running attack of another soldier, Penny leaped over a goon with her swords in tow, and finally spinning in a wheel she threw the attack like an oversized shuriken which knocked multiple of the hostile Faunus off their feet and out of the fight.

I'm pretty sure I caught a couple flies in my mouth.

The three Bullheads from the skies come in and open fire on the battlefield among at the orange haired girl, but Penny merely formed a shield and launched two of her swords into the wall behind her, which in turn began to pull their wielder back with their strings.

Penny called out all of her swords and they began to swirl, she seemingly commands them to open their points and suddenly a build up of large glowing green light is created. With a punching action, several bright lasers crack the pavement and fire at the transports at light speed. They slice each one in half, causing several of the White Fang members inside to fall to the ground.

Penny aims her swords at the remaining Bullhead that is holding the crate of Dust and pulls back on their wires connecting to the swords, tugging the aircraft with her.

"How is she doing that?" I wondered.

Seeing the Bullhead's flight fall under Penny's control, Roman grimaced and turned to run towards the last transport that was untouched by the entire battle.

Penny pulling with all her might on the strings causes the aircraft to crashe into a stack of crates, causing a big explosion as a result.

"These kids just keep getting weirder everyday..." Roman bemoaned flying away from the docks and out of range of the assembled students.

Later

I was sitting on a stack of crates waiting for the teachers and authorities to arrive. I was still covered in soot and my jaw was still sore. Russel and Cardin were with me. They asked me if I was hurt or needed help but other than that they hadn't asked where I had been. They were probably waiting for the team to be alone to ask that.

Not to far away Ruby, Blake, Sun and Penny were on another stack of crates.

The police arrived first and had us give witness reports.

Yang and Weiss arrived next on the scene. I totally wasn't eavesdropping on the conversation either.

"Look Weiss, it's not what you think, she explained the whole thing. See, she doesn't actually have a bow, she has kitty ears and they're actually kind of cute..." Ruby spoke hastily trying to go on damage control.

Blake spoke calmly and with her face looking down toward the pavement. "Weiss, I want you to know that I'm no longer associated with the White Fang. Back when I was with the-"

"Stop! Do you have any idea of how long we've been searching for you?" she paused, "Twelve hours. That means I've had twelve hours to think about this. And in that twelve hours, I've decided..."

Yang, Sun, and Ruby looked on, all of them worried.

"That I don't care." Weiss finished.

"You don't care?" Blake said stunned at the heiresses answer.

"You said you're not one of them anymore, right?" Weiss asked.

"No, I-I haven't been since I was younger-" Blake answered quietly.

Weiss cut her off "Ah-bah-bah-bah-bah! I don't want to hear it. All I want to know is that the next time something this big comes up... you'll come to your teammates. And not some..." she looked at the sun then at me and my teammates. "Someone else."

"Of course." Blake said and I could have sworn her eyes were misty.

Ruby waved her hands over her head "Yeah! Team RWBY is back together!"

Blake face darkened, "not quite." She turned her head and looked at me and caught me looking over at their group. I immediately turned my head the other way.

Her and Ruby and the rest of team RWBY huddled for a second before Ruby broke out of it and slowly walked up to me and team CRDLS.

"Um Roy can I t-talk to you." She asked quietly.

"What do you want, we already helped you find your partner." Cardin sneered.

I placed my hand up and he paused. "It's ok what is it Ruby?" I had a guess at what it was about.

She looked between Russel, Cardin and I, "without your teammates please."

Russel looked like he was about to protest but I cut him off. "Ok, I see why not." I rasped.

I followed her over to her team.

Blake was the first to speak. "Look Roy I'm sorry about what happened I wish we hadn't gotten off on the wrong foot." She apologized.

"You call nearly strangling me and pretty much kidnapping me getting off on the wrong foot?" I snapped. She flinched at that.

"Hey, She was doing it to protect herself and stop the White Fang." Yang came to her defense angrily. Weiss placed her hand on Yang shoulders to stop her.

"That doesn't justify her actions though, she's downright crazy in my book." I said.

"It was worth it though. We ended up stopping the White Fang from stealing all that dust." Blake said.

"Really? That same line of thinking doesn't sound to different from the White Fangs. The ends Justify the means right? If peace is achieved it doesnt matter how many poeple are hurt or killed." I said.

"I didnt kill anyone! I would never!" Blake said offended.

"Maybe not today you didn't but its one slippery slope. Its an accident one day, self defense the next, Justified the next and before you know it your willing to assign a worth on every living person." I decreed.

"But I wouldn't do that ..." she paused and the bow she had put back on flatttened, "I'm not like him."

It was silent for a moment.

"Does this mean you're gonna report Blake to the Professors." Ruby asked with a downcast look.

By all accounts I should. For starters she was technically a criminal. She fucking kidnapped me and I was really angry about said event. There were only three things that were stopping me from saying I would. One, the fact that she wasn't with White Fang anymore acutally. Two, she was deep down a good person who at least thought what they were doing was right and not for some ulterior reason, so I knew she had good intentions now that I figured out the big picture.

Three, the puppy dog eyes that Ruby was giving me right now. They were so powerful and she looked like she would burst into tears if I turned Blake in.

I tried to resist but I ended up just turning my head to the side and avoiding eye contact. "Only because if I did, she would run off to try and take down the White Fang by herself and wouldn't have a team to watch her back or keep her in check." I tsked, "it doesn't mean I've forgiven you or forgotten." I just wasn't a big enough asshole to split of team RWBY even if it would probably benefit my team.

I crossed my arms and looked away. I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist. I looked down to see it was Ruby.

"Thank you Roy, you're not such a bad guy after all." She whispered.

I grew red from embarrassment. "Get off me, I'm not some stupid stuffed animal!"

I got the hell out of there and back to my team.

"What was that about?" Russel asked.

"I'm not sure you would want to know." I said exasperated, "let's just go back to beacon, fighting a wanted criminal has made very tired."

Authors Notes: And that's it for chapter 8. The conflict with Blake has pretty much been solved. Now all the preparations for the Vytal festival is next. As always I hope you enjoyed the chapter, comment what you liked and disliked. Feedback is appreciated. I hope everyone has a happy new year.