Concept 1:

I figured that there aren't that many stories related to these sorts of things, so I complied with some concepts that might be subjected to rewriting in the future.

I actually have up to two chapters, but those are like cliff notes detailing combat, abilities, plot, etc. I have to fill out the dialogues and setting details in order for it to become an actual chapter. Like I said CONCEPT.

There is a second concept. It involves Jaune somehow being tasked in finding Amber, the Fall Maiden, but was a bit late. This results in a meeting with Qrow and some misunderstanding caused them to have a brief scuffle showing off Jaune's skill despite being around Yang's age. However, that one is all in snippets of notes. Ouch.

Anyway, give me your feedback on this story.

EDIT: Fixed some grammar and stuff.

EDIT: Fixed some grammar and restructured the chapter. There may be somethings out of place...

Prologue:

Pyrrha was nervous.

She was nervous every now and then, but this one takes the cake. Two Mistral council members and the Headmaster of Haven Academy will be personally attending her tournament match. She was certain that other important figures will be watching the tournament live; adding to her uneasiness.

Tomorrow will be her fourth time participating in Mistral Regional Tournament, and possibly her fourth time winning it. If her anxiety doesn't put a stop to her performance that is.

She was situated in her resort room. The entirety of Aqua Lake Resort was reserved for tournament participants and other associates. It was luxurious, large, and well accommodated for huntsman and huntresses. Sponsors, government officials, and security details were currently out around the town square and resort lobby; making Pyrrha feel even more trapped in this golden cage.

She really wanted to get out of this place; just a brief walk around the town.

'They won't mind. I hope.'

Pyrrha thought to herself as she prepares her disguise. She donned her green hoodie, tanned trousers, shades, and sneakers. Deciding whether or not she should bring her weapons, she settled in just bringing her spear/sword/rifle, Milo, and placed it within her dark blue weapon case.

She hoped that people will think that it's an instrument case she's carrying around, or at the very least they'll assume that she's just another huntress-in-training.

Taking a deep breath, she opened her door and set out into town.

/-/

Pyrrha waltzed through the streets, ecstatic that no one recognized her. She could finally, temporarily, not have to worry about fans pestering her, or being treated like royalty.

Nonetheless, she would rather take routes where there are fewer people.

She remembered the ice cream parlor that she would like to visit again. Their Vytal Cherry Sundae was something to die for.

Pyrrha turned into an alleyway and made a beeline towards the northern part of the city; where the ice cream parlor is located. She walked through several alleyways, made a series of turns before coming to a dead halt.

"Councilwoman Krystal is residing on the top floor of Aqua Lake Resort. We just don't know the room number."

"It won't matter. Once the tournament starts, they'll be making their way towards the colosseum. My crew will make sure we get the drop on them. Hunters and hunters-in-training, they're all small fry against my crew. You pay what you get, after all."

The voices slowly shifted closer towards her location and it sounded that whatever this conversation is detailing, it wasn't legal.

Pyrrha quickly backed away, but suddenly found herself backing into someone behind her. She tried to turn around, but a gloved hand clamped down on her mouth and pulled her back. Pyrrha fiercely resisted but found herself freezing up as the voices in the alleyway cursed, followed by footsteps running away.

The person behind her also cursed and released, her chasing after them. She could only get a glimpse of his appearance; tall, blond hair, and bright blue eyes. He turned the corner and was gone before she could even blink.

/-/

"Damn! Just my luck!" Jaune cursed as he tried to pick up the sound of footsteps further away from him. His footsteps echo throughout the alleyway further muffling his ability to track down his target. Turning around the corner, he saw three goons wearing bandanas over their face, guns pointed at him.

"Got him!" One of them shouted.

Jaune kicked off the floor and jumped high into the sky. Bullets whizzing past him as he twisted in the air. He reached into his coat and threw an electric detonator at the goons.

"Oh sh-" Was all they could say before the detonator exploded, sending lightning all over the alleyway. The goons cried out as the electricity coursed through their bodies. Their ammunition was exposed to the electric current and exploded, sending the goons flying into the walls.

They hit the ground groaning, unconscious, slightly charred, but alive. Jaune wouldn't mind killing them, but since this bounty was put out by the council of Mistral and Atlas, he would play it safe and try to leave them alive.

Jaune ran past the fallen thugs and continue down the alley. Several more goons emerged from the left alley slowing down his advanced as they fired and blocked his path with expandable shields.

"Left, huh?" Jaune smirked.

He jumped onto the wall and kicked himself up and over the rooftop. The thugs below him cursed and started scrambling to intercept him. Several jumped up onto the roof only for them to be blown away by Jaune's revolver.

"End of the line!" A hulking man in body armor jumped onto the roof and started charging towards him. Jaune turned tail and ran the opposite direction. He jumped over the roof gaps while avoiding bullets that whizzed past him.

Jumping over another roof gap, Jaune spun around and threw his bola at the large man that wrapped around his legs. The man cried out as he toppled over and fell over the roof landing directly into a dumpster.

"Too easy!" Jaune laughed, feeling the adrenaline rushing through his whole body. He could tell that this was going to get ugly as he neared his target. Yelling could be heard from below between two people.

"You just had to discuss this out in the open, didn't you?!"

"Shut up! You followed along as well!"

"Yeah, and now our plans are screwed!"

Jaune lobbed two Dusts filled grenades over the roof and in-between the gaps.

He relished the cursing and screaming as the grenade filled with fire and ice Dust exploded sending out a warm, thick fog throughout the alley. The second one was filled with lightning Dust sending large quantities of electric voltage throughout the fog.

After the crackling sound of electricity ceased, and the fog slowly evaporated, Jaune dropped down and surveyed his surroundings. Armed thugs were sprawled out everywhere, unconscious.

He spotted his target and readied his revolver.

His target is Greenley Brookberry.

A former Atlas Specialists that was responsible for massacring civilians in an attempted to flush out the White Fang. He was arrested and was tried with several war crimes, but somehow broke free and escaped along with several individuals from his units.

Now, he works as a mercenary for the wealthy, or for the powerful criminal organizations that ruled the criminal underworld within Atlas and Mistral. Paired with his military background, huntsman training, and leadership; Greenley is a dangerous and effective terrorist. Because of this, Mistral and Atlas pooled in on a bounty for Greenley and any of his commanders. Preferably alive, of course.

Jaune steadily made his way towards a tanned man with short black hair wearing a brown coat; Greenley Brookberry.

Greenley appeared to be unconscious, but Jaune knew better than to underestimate a man who had specialists training and managed to evade capture from all four kingdoms.

Jaune swiftly directed his gun at Greenley's head and fired off a gravity Dust round at him. Greenley swiftly pushed himself off the ground sending fragments into the air. The gravity bullet struck one of the fragments causing it to spiral into the sky.

Greenley appeared in front of Jaune and swung his falx sword at him. Jaune skittered back and blast chunks of ice from his gauntlets. Shards of ice scattered as Greenley slashed through them with ease.

"Slick bastard you are. Who sent you? You're not one of Atlas Specialists, nor Mistral's Special Response Team." Said Greenley. His falx sword folded inward and morphed into a rifle.

"Just a guy trying to collect your bounty," Jaune replied and threw several grenades into the air. Greenley leveled his rifle and shot out half of the grenades in the air while dodging bullets fired from Jaune's revolver.

The remaining grenades detonated overhead. It seemed that only his grenades mixed with ice and fire Dust remained, with the alley enveloped in a thick mist once again.

"Ah, you're one of those guys… Tell you what, why don't you let me go and I'll hand over three million liens. My client paid me handsomely to have my crew carry out his orders, but it seems like he no longer has a say in this." Greenley narrowed his eyes as he saw a figure dart through the mist. "Not taking it, huh?"

Greenley sneered and crouched on the ground; the sound of crackling electricity caused him to widen his eyes. Cursing, he kicked off the ground and leaped onto the roof.

Jaune was already on the roof the moment he detonated the lightning Dust grenade. He's out of grenades, with the only one last grenade filled with gravity Dust. Problem is, he really wants to save it when he got Greenley down.

"Should had brought more with me" Jaune sighed. A rogue huntsman can't do much when he's weighted down on the ground or floating in the air.

Jaune's attention snapped to his right as he saw Greenley shot out of the electrified mist field. The mercenary spotted Jaune instantly and fired at him. Jaune somersaulted while returning fire. His gravity Dust bullets were blocked by Greenley's weapon, but that was what Jaune wanted him to do.

Greenley narrowed his eyes as he noticed his weapon suddenly becoming heavier. He swiftly dodged another round of bullets and quickly inspected his weapon; glowing, dark green powder peppered his weapon.

"Weighted gravity Dust? Kid, where do you get these?" He laughed and tore off a sleeve from his brown coat. With a quick swipe, Greenley removed the gravity Dust residue and dropped the cloth.

"If you let me turn you in, I won't hesitate to tell you," Jaune shouted as he lunged towards Greenley with his electrified combat knife.

"Tempting!" Greenley said as he shifted his rifle into its falx sword mode and slashed at Jaune. "But I think I'll pass!"

Jaune's combat knife caught Greenley's sword by its serrated part. He swiftly twisted his knife nearly disarming Greenley as electricity violently sparked from the maneuver. Seeing that he wasn't successful in disarming Greenley, Jaune pulled out his revolver and tried to get a clean shot at Greenley.

This action caused Greenley to drop his weapon and gave Jaune the fiercest punch he could muster.

"Augh!" Jaune flew back and rolled several times. His revolver slid several meters away from him while his knife was kicked further away by Greenley.

The mercenary grinned while picking up his weapon. Jaune blinked away the stars before registering that Greenley was charging towards him. Jaune quickly pressed a button on his gauntlet but was interrupted as Greenley shot at him.

Four bullets struck him square in the head stunning Jaune for a moment. Greenley grinned victoriously as he shifted his rifle to a falx and slashed at Jaune's neck.

Jaune raised his hands in defense, waiting for the strike. Greenley was enjoying this, he was several feet away and ready to slit the blonde's throat until felt something heading towards him. He turned his head slightly and saw a shield flying towards him like a frisbee.

"Oh, what now?!" He snarled and struck the shield sending it tumbling to the ground. Greenley saw a figure with red hair, wielding a spear that shifted into a rifle. The redhead fired at Greenley forcing him to step back and deflect all the shots.

Jaune took this opportunity and fired three gravity Dust bullets from his gauntlet, but those were also blocked by Greenley.

"Damn!" Jaune cursed as Greenley skillfully maneuver out of the volley and returned fire.

The mercenary muttered something under his breath and jumped down from the roof. He landed near a manhole, removed the metallic lid, and jumped down into Mistral sewers.

"No, you don't!" Jaune shouted after him, he snatched his revolver and jumped down after him.

"W-wait!" A feminine voice called out from above. If he can recall, she was the girl from the alleyway earlier. Regardless, he ignored her and followed the sound of heavy footsteps.

/-/

The authorities were already made well aware of the criminal elements when she quickly returned to the resort. They swiftly called upon Mistral Special Response Team and ordered everyone to stay in their room. Pyrrha, however, disobeyed that order. She went back to her room and changed into her combat attire before making her way towards the sound of fighting.

By luck, she spotted the blond boy engaging in combat with a tall man in a brown coat. Her heart nearly stopped when the blonde was blown back and shot in the head multiple times. Fortunately, the blonde's aura held up but stunned him. The man took this moment to try to decapitate him.

That was when Pyrrha acted. Utilizing her magnetic semblance, she launched her shield at the man. This bought the blonde time to recover and retaliate.

However, the man was able to deflect his attack. Outnumbered, he decided to flee and jumped down from the roof.

Pyrrha cursed as she saw the blond boy jumped down after the man she now recognized as Greenley Brookberry. The disgraced Atlas specialist and notorious terrorist.

The logical part of Pyrrha's mind told her to stay with the authorities and wait until the Special Response Team arrived, but after witnessing Greenley nearly killing someone, she couldn't help but follow after the blond boy.

She snatched her shield and jumped down the manhole, already hearing gunshots and metal screeching against each other.

She wondered why the blond boy was chasing after Greenley. Does he hold a grudge against Greenley? That doesn't seem too far off. The things Greenley did would obviously leave a lot of enemies. Still, for a boy around her age to be this determined to hunt down Greenley…

Pyrrha shook her head and jumped over the sewer water. The sound of fighting echoed loudly in the large tunnels as Pyrrha drew closer. She turned the corner and saw Greenley being cornered by walls of ice covering all the tunnels.

Greenley spotted her and hissed as he avoided another slash from blonde's collapsible sword.

"Duck!" Pyrrha shouted as she drew Milo and fired at Greenley. The blonde did so and backtracked as Greenley deflected all of her bullets. He drew his revolver and joined in on her volley.

Greenley grunted one of the blonde's bullet struck him on the right leg. It exploded and covered his leg in glowing green powder.

'Gravity Dusts!' Pyrrha thought as Greenley staggered. His right leg appeared to levitate slightly before he put his weight on it. The blonde grinned and bounced something on the ground.

Greenley's eyes widen. He ceased deflecting her bullets and threw himself over the frozen sewage water while firing at the object that the blonde threw. The mercenary's aim was dead on as he struck the grenade causing it to discharge in a miniature green explosion.

"Ugh." The blonde groaned and continued firing his revolver but found that he ran out of ammo already.

He groaned again and rushed towards the mercenary with his sword. Pyrrha was also out of ammunition. She shifted Milo into spear form and charged at Greenley along with her shield, Akouo.

Greenley scowled turned into laughter as he met the two teens. Despite being slightly impeded by gravity Dust, Greenley fought the two back with ferociously. He delivered a powerful, roundhouse kick to the blonde sending him sprawled out on the floor but grunted as the blonde's sword grazed his leg.

Seeing the blond boy knocked out, Pyrrha was scared as Greenley gained an upper hand. Scared, but also determined.

She fiercely pushed forward and gave the mercenary a series of slashes and stabs. Unfortunately, her offense was abruptly halted as Greenley smashed his fist into her shield sending out shockwaves and temporarily stunning Pyrrha.

He tried slashed at her elbow, but Pyrrha was able to backflipped away. She landed and went on the defensive, her shield held tight and her Milo in its spear form. However, she was easily overwhelmed as Greenley attacked with blitzing speed.

The mercenary's falx sword practically ignored her shield as it arced around Akouo; cleaving chunks of her aura away. Combined with Greenley's strength, speed, and experience, she was nearly out of the fight when he punched her shield once more.

Pyrrha staggered back and fell as he slashed her legs. She cried out as her greaves flew from their straps and skittered away. Her shin was bleeding, and she was all out of aura.

Pyrrha bit her lips and curled up a bit before slowly standing up. She did not want to die here.

"Better luck next time, kid." Greenley huffed and attacked. His sword blurred over her shield and stabbed towards her left eye.

Before Pyrrha could even react, she felt something hit her shield. Whatever it was, the knockback was strong; sending her flying several meters and into a wall. The wind was knocked out of her and she collapsed onto the ground.

Vision dimming.

/-/

Jaune made a difficult decision. He can waste his initial and surprising attack on Greenley and bag him or use it on the redhead who helped him earlier. The redhead was bleeding from her shin and was obviously depleted of aura. Still, she fought.

Or at least tried to.

Greenley blurred, his falx sword aimed at her left eye. Jaune exhaled, pointed his gauntlet and fired at the redhead's shield. The gravity bullet struck her shield sending her flying back and out of reach of Greenley's blade.

Jaune got up and fired his gauntlet again at Greenley, who took this moment to try and escape further into the sewers. The mercenary cursed and tried to deflect his bullets but was hit multiple times.

Weighted gravity Dust and lightning dust bullets struck Greenley as he fell down. Electricity webbed around him as Greenley forcefully stood up and roared at Jaune; his weapon fell to the ground, heavy from the weighted gravity bullets.

Greenley charged at him, intending to maul the teenager with all he's got. Jaune smirked and fired another lightning bullet at him, this one struck him square on the head, depleting his aura.

The mercenary screamed as electricity coursed through his body before kneeling on the floor, almost unconscious. Jaune reached into his jacket and pulled out two reinforced handcuffs, he tightly gripped them like brass knuckles before "lightly" punching Greenley across the head with them.

"Lights out," Jaune said as he watched Greenley hit the floor, finally out cold. He quickly secured Greenley with the reinforced handcuffs; cuffing his hands and legs. After doing so, he checked the interface on his gauntlet.

Restrainers - [Qty: 2]: Armed

Lightning Component: Functional

Gravity Component: Functional

Jaune huffed and turned his attention towards the redhead. He didn't need to worry about Greenley now that he's been restrained and unconscious.

His reinforced handcuffs are armed with lightning Dust that he can activate with a press of a button. If that doesn't work, he can activate the gravity Dust and sent them down into the ground.

That said he quickly ran towards the redhead who was slowly standing up.

"Y-you… Got him." Was all she could manage to say.

"Yeah, sorry about that. Thank you for saving me earlier." He said as he put her arm over his shoulder and supported her.

"You're welcome." She said sweetly. "So…"

"Do you have a scroll?"

"Oh… Um. I forgot it in my room."

"I see, no worries. I got mine, but first… Let me help you with that injury." Jaune said as he steadied the redhead. She blinked as he grasped both of her hands, slightly blushing. "My semblance allows me to amplified aura, semblances, or restore it. Of course, it's at the cost of my own. Don't worry though, I have a lot of aura reserved."

"That's a wonderful semblance. Um. I don't believe I got your name." The redhead said as her aura started to return to her.

"Jaune. No last names for now. Sorry."

"Pyrrha, Pyrrha Nikos. And don't worry about it." Pyrrha said with a smile. Her wounds have started to heal, and she felt energized. "I think this is good enough, Jaune. Thank you so much!"

"It's the least I can do." He said with a small smile and released her hand. "Now, if you excuse me. I have to make a call to the authorities, now that I have the infamous Greenley Brookberry restrained."

Pyrrha nodded as Jaune made his call. After a brief talk between him and the operator, he hung up and started messing around with the interface on his gauntlet.

"So… Jaune."

"Hm?"

"Forgive me if I'm… Asking something personal, but do you… Um, why were you chasing after Greenley? I know it's a huntsman job to do these sorts of thing, but-"

"Oh. I think I know what you're talking about." Jaune said with a wave. "Greenley had a bounty on his head, so I took the liberty of tracking him down. Nothing personal, but I most certainly don't like the things that he did."

"Isn't it a bit too dangerous for someone our age to take on bounty missions like these?" Pyrrha asked with a confused expression.

Hunters academies often post bounty missions, but not to the extent where hunters-in-training are tasked on taking down dangerous criminals like Greenley. It's normally restricted to dealing with common bandits or specific types of Grimms.

"No, you idiot, it means he's a bounty hunter. That, or a mercenary like me." A gruff voice said from behind them.

Jaune and Pyrrha turned around and saw Greenley already awake. He looked exhausted and his head rested on the smooth sewage floor.

"You're already awake? Man, you're a tough dude to knock out." Jaune said as he strolled over towards him. "Don't try doing anything funny, those restrain contain lightning Dusts and I will activate them if you try to break free."

Greenley snorted. "Cute. You must be very proud of yourself."

"Not really." Jaune said coolly, "But you must be embarrassed, getting captured by two teenagers. All those specialists and military training, down the drain."

"Hardly a waste, boy. At least I know that one day the younger generation will overtake the older ones. On a side note, I hope you get mugged; with all my bounty you'll be carrying around."

Jaune laughed and dragged Greenley to his feet. "Come on, I hear them marching a mile away."

Heavy footsteps echoed in the sewers, flashlight scouring the dark tunnels.

"This is the MSRT! We're here to retrieve Greenley Brookberry, can anyone hear us?"

"I can hear you!" Jaune shouted. "I have Greenley Brookberry restrained. Pyrrha Nikos is also with me."

"Alright. Come out slowly and try not to make any sudden movement."

"Understood! We are armed. How do we proceed?"

"Acknowledged. Do not point any weapon at us or make any sudden movement. Continue as instructed."

"Understood."

Jaune shoved Greenley towards the heavy footsteps with Pyrrha quietly walking behind him. Flashlights blinded them as they slowly moved out of the tunnels. A figure walked forward in a dark uniform bearing Mistral insignia. He studied Jaune before looking at Pyrrha, then he looked at Greenley and removed his helmet.

A man hardy man in his fifties glared at Greenley before smirking.

"Well, I be damned. Greenley Brookberry. Got his ass beaten by these two fine youngsters. No offense to you two, but damn."

"Oh great, if it isn't Deputy Grayman. You're not dead, yet."

"It's Commissioner Grayman now, Greenley," Grayman said with a smug expression before turning towards his men. "It's Greenley Brookberry alright, I want maximum security protocols in place, now! Silver-1, Gold-5, escort this bastard."

"Yes, sir!" Two identical dressing MSRT grabbed Greenley by his arms and hoisted him away.

Grayman turned towards the two teenagers and gave them a pat on the back. "Pyrrha Nikos! Look at you, taking down one of Atlas and Mistral's notorious terrorist just before your fourth debut at Mistral Regional Tournament. Also, what on Remnant were you two thinking?!"

"W-we, uh..." Pyrrha stammered and nudged Jaune.

Grayman's stern expression softens and he waved a hand. "Regardless, I'm glad you two youngsters are safe." He turned his attention towards Jaune. "And you must be Jaune," Grayman said and extended a hand to him.

"That's me. Jaune, Jaune Arc." Jaune said and shook the commissioner's hand.

An Atlesian airship landed on a wide field within a park while several other airships and a cruiser floated above Mistral.

Two figures stepped out of the airship, flanked by a column of soldiers. General James Ironwood stepped out of the airship followed by Specialist Winter Schnee. The general surveyed his surroundings while making his way towards a large security detail composed of Mistral's finest militia and police officers.

"General Ironwood. It is a pleasure." Said Grayman and saluted the Atlesian General. The general smiled at the older man and returned his salute.

"Commissioner Grayman. The pleasure is mine, old friend." The giant man said with a smile. He walked up to Grayman and shook hands. "I heard Greenley Brookberry been captured. Care to fill me in on the details so far?"

"Yes, sir. According to what we have so far, our old friend Greenley was hired out by a corrupted businessman with ties to the Mistral underworld. Greenley and his band of terrorists were planning to kidnap Councilwoman Krystal in retaliation for her escalation in cracking down on corruption."

"I see. Continue."

"Mistral Regional Tournament champion, Pyrrha Nikos, happened stumbled upon one of their conversion between Greenley and his client in an isolated alleyway. Her presence was noticed by Greenley, in which the latter fled."

Ironwood frowned. "Why was she in the alleyway?"

"Miss Nikos had disguised herself; trying to avoid her fans and public notice. She took an alternative route, which happened upon Greenley." Grayman explained.

Ironwood nodded and motioned Grayman to continue.

"Unfortunately, this is where we currently are in this investigation. What I do know is that Miss Nikos assisted another person in taking down Greenley. Another boy around her age, Jaune Arc."

"An Arc…" Ironwood mused.

"Indeed. Miss Nikos confirmed that Mr. Arc saved her from suffering life-threatening injuries, and it was he who later captured Greenley." Grayman waved at General Ironwood and Winter to follow.

"Is Miss Nikos all right?" Ironwood asked.

"Yes. It appears that Mr. Arc possessed a semblance that allows him to amplified aura, and to an extent, restore it. He used it on Miss Nikos and is now fully healed and well."

"Interesting. Quite a useful semblance." Ironwood's mind wandered towards Amber's current condition. The Fall Maiden is currently unconscious, and her aura readings are irregular.

If he could get Jaune Arc to Amber…

"Sir? Are you alright?" Winter asked.

Ironwood blinked and stood straighter. "It's nothing, Specialist Winter. I'm just thinking about all the paperwork I have to file to the council after this."

"I hate to imagine what it's like to handle both the military and hunter academies." Grayman laughed before stopping in front of a large armored vehicle. He nodded at the two guards and welcomed the Atlesian guests inside.

The vehicle was filled with heavily armed individuals from Mistral's Special Response Team, guarding their important prisoner, Greenley Brookberry.

Greenley was dressed in a bright orange uniform and had a collar attached to his neck. His hands had bracelets encompassing his wrist and another similar pair on his legs. The mercenary glanced up and rolled his eyes when he saw General Ironwood walked in.

"Oh no. Old wounds, opening up. If it isn't Colonel Ironwood, here to mock me as well?" Greenley yawned.

Winter looked at him with absolute disguised, while Ironwood remained stoic.

"It's General Ironwood, now."

Greenley looked annoyed. "Of course, everyone gets a promotion and I don't even hear about it."

Ironwood didn't say anything and glared at Greenley. The disgraced specialist returned his stare with a smirk.

"So… Whatcha gonna do to me? Haul me back to Atlas? Send me to the fridge? Execute me?"

"We'll see in due time. Greenley." Ironwood said coldly before turning towards Grayman. "I have seen enough. May I ask where are the two who helped capture Greenley?"

"Over here."

Ironwood and Winter turned around and saw a blond boy leaning on the wall. Beside him stood Pyrrha Nikos, who had the meekest and uncertain expression on her face. The blond boy got off of the wall and stood up straight.

"General Ironwood. Specialist Winter, I presume." He said.

"You are correct," Ironwood said without blinking. "And you must be Jaune Arc."

Jaune placed one hand behind his back, another over his heart, and bowed. "I am. It's a pleasure."

"Likewise. Pyrrha Nikos?" He turned and addressed the redhead next to Jaune. Pyrrha met Ironwood's gaze and bowed politely.

"Yes, sir. It's a pleasure, General Ironwood."

Ironwood laughed. "At ease you two." And turned his attention towards Jaune. "I understand that you are asking to collect Greenley's bounty."

"Yes, once I collect the bounty. I will be on my way." Jaune replied coolly. His eyes locked with the general's.

"I see. Grayman."

"Yes?"

"Is there a place where we can talk, in private?" Ironwood motioned towards the two teenagers.

"There is."

/-/

Jaune wanted to skip with joy after he deposited his bounty into several of his bank accounts. He managed to capture Greenley, one of the most dangerous terrorists to roam the kingdoms and secured his payment.

Of course, he was afraid that Atlas or Mistral would arrest him. He had taken several contracts from criminal elements before, but they were filtered by his mentor to be restricted to those that won't be missed.

Not that they would know it, maybe… General Ironwood seems to know something, but Jaune wasn't entirely sure what Ironwood knows. Probably his family name.

Speaking of his mentor… His next assignment has already arrived on his scroll. He just hasn't read the files yet. Jaune walked down the street and slowed as he felt someone following him. He tensed but relaxed when he turned around.

"Hello again!" A familiar figure and voice called out.

Jaune smiled as he saw Pyrrha walking towards him. She was dressed in her casual clothes that she wore earlier today.

Hoodie and all. The only thing she was missing was the shades, and that's because the sun was setting fast.

"Hello, Pyrrha. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing well, thank you. I just wanted to thank you for putting me out of harm's way." Pyrrha said, placing both hands behind her back.

"Not a problem. Glad you've recovered from your injuries. In all honesty, I feel a bit bad about getting you involved in all of this." He scratched the back of his head looking a little bit sheepish. Even though they both saved each other lives in a short period of time, it felt that Jaune owns her more.

After all, Greenley had effectively put him in a spot where he could have killed him twice. If it weren't for Pyrrha, he would have most likely died. As for her, he only saved her life once. Their first encounter in the alleyway didn't count.

"Don't worry about it! I… Just wanted to help out. So, um… Jaune. What will you be doing next?"

"Hmmm…" Jaune mused with a thoughtful expression.

With the bounty he collected, he was practically set for a quarter of his life. Sure, the bounties he collected before were a bit hefty but those could be blown through since Jaune invested it in unorthodox Dusts, weapons, and tech research.

What should he do now? Jaune does have one more mission though, but he'll have to read it and decide if he wants to accept it or not. He can pass off on any mission until he feels like doing them. Aside from that, he'll be engaging in leisure activities. Conducting research, reading, working out, watching TV…

Boring.

He enjoyed his work and hobbies, but sometimes it's just repetitive at time.

"I don't know actually. I still have one more mission to take but after that… I would most likely be doing almost nothing. Just some hobbies like Dust research and whatnot. That's how I got my gears in the first place."

Pyrrha stayed silence for a moment. "Jaune, why did you become a huntsman?"

"Bounty hunter." He corrected her.

"A huntsman doing a bounty mission." She fired back.

"Close enough." Jaune laughed. "It's hard to explain, but I don't exactly have a good reason for being a huntsman. I'm trying to live out my life, so to speak. Are you… Getting what I'm saying?"

"I think I understand some of it," Pyrrha said thoughtfully. "Sorry for asking something personal."

"Don't worry about it. I'm still finding myself in this world. Life's not fair, so I try to make the best of it."

Jaune and Pyrrha walked through the streets in silence. After walking down several blocks, he stopped in front of a motel.

"Well, this is where I'll be staying for the night. I believe my next mission will be at Vale."

"That's grand! I'm actually thinking of applying to Beacon Academy." Pyrrha said with a smile.

"Oh? Not at Haven Academy?" Though he didn't find it odd, it wasn't unusual for hunters-in-training to go to another kingdom in order to attend their academies.

"Let's just say… I'm a bit well known here." Pyrrha meekly said. Jaune raised an eyebrow before realizing that Pyrrha always seemed to be trying to hide from the public crowd. Also, her name… Where did he hear it?

"My turn to ask a personal question. You have the right to refuse it, but are you famous or something? Your name sounds familiar, and you often shrink away from crowds of people."

Pyrrha looked surprised before smiling. "Three times champion of Mistral Regional Tournament. Maybe fourth if I win the next one tomorrow. It makes me a celebrity of sorts."

"Ah, I see. Wait… They're still moving on with the tournament. After all this mess?" Jaune said with a surprised causing Pyrrha to laugh.

"Surprisingly so. The start date only got moved a few hours down towards noon."

"Well then, I wish you the best of luck. Sadly, I don't know if I'll be watching your matches. My next mission will most likely start tomorrow." Jaune pulled out his room keys and twirled it on his fingers. "Guess we're both busy, huh?"

"It would seem so." She giggled. "Don't worry if you miss my matches. Its all recorded."

"Convenient. So… I guess this is where we say goodbye."

"W-wait. Um… So, do you want to… I don't know, exchange scroll numbers?" She blurted it out. "It's just that… We can keep in contact. Uh…"

Jaune smiled and held out his scroll. "Why not? It's lonely at the top, isn't it?"

"It sure is." She laughed.

They exchanged numbers and bid farewell to each other.

"See you someday, Pyrrha."

"You too, Jaune."

/-/

Ironwood was in a decent mood today. The disgraced Atlas specialist, Greenley Brookberry, has finally been captured and is being transported to Atlas custody. The only problem now is the paperwork and some pestering councilmembers that would want to know more about the incident from him.

"General Ironwood, sir."

"Yes, Specialist Winter."

"Is it wise to leave this… Arc boy be? Our intelligence stated that he has worked with criminal elements before. Normally as a contract killer. He's almost no different from the work Greenley does." Winter said while frowning. She was flipping through the file that contained possible evidence of Jaune's handiwork.

"I am well aware of his involvement in the criminal world."

"Then why…?"

"One is that we do not have solid evidence. Second is that every single one of these victims is quite despicable. While I do not condone his 'alleged' actions taken upon these individuals. I wouldn't put it past any huntsman or huntresses to do the same. Third, it's unwise to antagonize someone who was resourceful enough to track down those that managed to evade the law for a long time."

Winter blinked. "If I'm going to assume, sir. Jaune would be a valuable ally instead of an enemy. Is that what you intend, sir?"

Ironwood mentally groaned inside as he realized that he was starting to act like Ozpin but didn't show it on his expression.

"Precisely. Not to mention Jaune's arsenal; Dust filled bullets, grenades, and I would assume more that he has yet to show... They're all functionally proficient. Some of the Dust he used are beyond the scope of what Atlas's research on Dust had even covered. At best, we have experimental types while his are already past that stage."

The most remarkable is the "weighted" gravity bullets. The functionality is simple, the bullet is practically harmless, but anything it impacted would be weighted down. Gravity Dust filled bullets exist, but their functionality in combat is more on mobility or utility.

"That… Would explain the hordes of scientists outside the forensic lab." Winter had never seen that many intellectuals with such a rabid look. It was to such to a fierce intensity that even she had to get out of their way, protocols be damned.

"Yes." General Ironwood coughed, even he didn't want to get in their way. "Let's leave them be for now. I have a feeling that this boy has quite a positive morality. After all, you met him before."

"Only twice, sir." Winter had indeed encounter Jaune before. The first was when she was responding to a Grimm infestation of an Atlesian outpost, and another when she was tasked in a sting operation on weapon smuggling.

He was polite, but also very blunt. Nonetheless, he had assisted her before within the confines of what she deems acceptable.

"What's your opinion on him?"

Winter thought for a moment before answering. "He has a sense of justice, but he's also a pragmatic realist. He knows that the world isn't morally black and white, but shades of gray. And he won't hesitate to get his hands dirty if the outcome is… Desirable."

"I see. That is my impression of him." Ironwood mused. He frowned as he begins to hear the escalating voices outside his office. "Winter…"

"I'm on it, sir." Winter left the office and came back a few seconds later with an annoyed expression. "It's the scientists sir. They're postulating their hypothesis and arguing amongst one another already."

Ironwood sighed and placed a hand over his face. "At least it's not Dr. Polendina." On cue, his scroll started ringing with Dr. Polendina's number displayed.

"…"

"… I'll be on my way, sir." Winter said as she swiftly walked out of his office.

/-/

Bounty hunter, mercenary, contract killer, assassin, and a whole lot more that could best describe his occupation. In all honesty, any hunter can also fall into these categories.

Not every huntsman or huntresses have the best intention. Like Carmine Esclados and her partner Bertilak Celadon.

Sure, they hail from Vacuo, which is known for their lawlessness, but it didn't sit well with Jaune that they had legitimately graduated from Shade Academy. After working with them once, Jaune had the urge to feed them to the Grimms.

If only there was a bounty on their head…

Jaune crouched under his bed and pulled out a handful of medium-sized black cases. These were the ammunition reserves that he had hidden underneath the hollowed bed frame. He opened the cases and went over his inventory.

When he finished, he checked his scroll on for his next assignment.

Client: Roman Torchwick

Msg: Jaune, it seems that this Cinder woman has forcefully recruit Roman Torchwick to her cause under the threat of death. The same one that tried to recruit Adam.

However, they want out.

The location is in the file. Make sure you follow the day and time precisely. I will not be in contact for a while. You will be on your own after you help Torchwick escape.

END

[OPEN]

"Are you serious?" Jaune said with a bewildered expression.

First, he had to bail Adam Taurus and his associates out of Cinder's grasp. Now he has the do the same for Torchwick? He was nearly incinerated by that pyromaniac. Not to mention almost getting his head kicked in by Marcus Black's son and whoever that green-haired girl is.

Of course, that one was worth it.

Jaune knows Adam Taurus personally. They were trained by the same person after all and they respected each other.

Yes, Adam was a little bit extreme, killed people though most of them deserved it, and was almost consumed by hate and spite until his student, Blake Belladonna, abandoned him in the middle of a mission. That seemed to shock him out of his near slippage into extremism.

Jaune wondered what Adam is doing before returning his attention to his assignment.

He was tempted to deny the request but stopped when he saw the reward that Roman promise. Now he was at a standstill in his decision making.

If he helped Roman Torchwick, he'll most definitely feel the heat from this Cinder woman. Not to mention the morality in helping one of Vale's notorious criminals.

Sure, there was Adam, but to be that was not an assignment. That was Jaune looking out after someone he can consider family. Even though Adam was that one screwed up family member…

Either way, what the SDC did to Adam was enough for Jaune to look the other way. At least, for most of Adam's action.

As for Roman, Jaune doesn't know why, but he simply hated the thief. Roman is nowhere near Greenley's level, not even by a long shot, but the guy really annoys him with his personality.

On the other hand, Compared to all the missions he has taken, Roman is probably the only criminal/client that has the least causality related incident tied to him. Roman and Neo have killed people, but those were almost always from a fight…

"So much for being morally light gray." He groaned and read through the entire file. After he finished, Jaune put his scroll away and laid on his bed.

Tomorrow he'll be flying to Vale.

/-/

Blake sulked through the streets of Vale. Her cat ears were hidden behind her black bow on top of her head.

She was on her way to meet with the Headmaster of Beacon Academy, Ozpin, in order to enroll in the hunter academy.

It was nighttime and she would like to hurry to her destination. The city of Vale is lively even at night making her fatigue worsen.

'So noisy…' She mentally moaned. Blake darted into an alley and jumped onto the roof to escape from the crowd. The cool evening air breezed through her hair reminding her of the incident not long ago…

She abandoned Adam. She abandoned the White Fang.

Blake lost faith in the belief she clung throughout most of her life. She lost faith in the people she believed in. She lost faith in her family…

She tried to persuade Adam that blowing up the train full of innocent people was going too far, and he dismissed it.

In the midst of the battle against the spider droid, Blake decided to leave Adam.

"Goodbye." Was all she said when she cut the train cable. The image of Adam standing there, stunned, hand outreached burned into her mind.

Blake shook the thoughts from her mind and leaped across the roofs. As she near the bullhead docks, she halted as she saw a familiar figure sitting on one of the ventilation pipes.

Adam.

Blake staggered back, paralyzed with fear as Adam turned towards her. His Grimm mask gleaming underneath the moonlight.

Adam stood up and turned to face Blake. She tensed up as he opened his mouth.

"Blake, I'm… Sorry." He said as she rubbed the back of his neck.

Blake blinked and opened her mouth.

"Huh?"

Was all she could muster.

SURPRISE! Adam does a heel-face turn in this story.

Fear not, Adam is more of Blake's big brother and teacher than a romantic interest. A bit protective...

Anyway, I want your feedback on this chapter. Don't be shy.