Chapter 14: Cops and Robbers

XxX

World of Remnant: Crime

Now that we have discussed the individual human and the Grimm, let us move on to society. While much of the world of Remnant looks as it should, given it's inhabitants, I suspect you all have questions. First among them: why are there successful criminals? Of course, for groups like the White Fang, the answer is obvious-they have the force to defend themselves. But for others, individual huntsmen without the numbers to stand up to a pitched battle...how do they keep up their criminal activities? Let us consider one particularly egregious example: Roman Torchwick, trained in Shade, lately running Vale's major crime syndicates. While his past is unknown to most, we know this: he arrived in Vale with one other trained Hunter and proceeded to beat or negotiate all other human crime groups under his aegis. Now, those groups had perhaps one or two hunters between them, which left Torchwick just shy of a full team. With numbers like that, why did no Hunter Team ever catch Torchwick? Why were Vale forces never truly brought to bear against him?

You may be surprised to know that one or two Hunter Teams have asked this question of Ozpin every year since Torchwick came on the scene. He always gave the same answer. "We cannot. It is not worth the collateral damage." This answer may seem strange, given that Torchwick's crimes are a constant bleed on Vale's economy. Wouldn't it be better to lance the boil, to amputate the limb, rather than to die of a creeping infection? No. Remember that Vale, like all kingdoms, is surrounded by Grimm. Right now, what keeps them out is twofold: Vale's Hunter Defense teams, and the relative calmness of the populace. Were either to fail, Vale would be at risk of falling. And amid that delicate balance? Torchwick is not a threat. He bleeds Vale, but subtly, slightly, just enough to fade into the back of people's minds. His crimes are a statistic. Were Vale's law enforcement to enter a pitched battle with him, though? It would mean ramming that statistic directly to the forefront of every Valean citizen's mind. The defenses might collapse under the strain. So Valean law enforcement remains passive. Individual victims may be compensated, Torchwick can be tracked and chased, just enough to reassure people. But the dance will continue as he bides his time, grows his strength, and readies himself to strike at his next objective.

In short, the difference between a good criminal and a great one is in how they relate to their societies. And if you wish to survive in Remnant's underworld, you have two options: slide into the back of people's minds, or be powerful enough to act despite their hatred. Which will you choose?

XxX

Jaune

"It was a semblance effect. Of course I can't tell the future. What kind of semblance would even let me do that? Some sort of combat precognition? That would be ridiculous."

He sighed, voice taking on the tone of someone who'd had to give this answer so many times that the words had stopped having any meaning. He hated this part of Oracle. Having to give the same answer time and time again was wearing down on him. He glanced over at Pyrrha, tilting his head. She tapped her scroll, motioning to the door. He nodded. RWBY would be expecting them by the Bullheads for their trip to Vale soon. Nora and Ren were probably already there. He should leave sooner rather than later. He turned back to the group of students before him.

"Look, I've gotta go. Sorry if any of you have more questions, but the tapes of the battle are available. Maybe you should try watching those instead?" He turned away from them, blinking once or twice to dispel a sudden shimmer from his vision. Gods, he was tired. The battle was one thing, but this incessant questioning didn't help. He needed to rest, to relax and forget about the day and the semester ahead. Was this how Pyrrha felt during her tournament runs? He couldn't imagine how she survived so long

He reached the door, briskly walking through it into JNPR's room as his partner drew up alongside him.

"Jaune, are you alright?" Pyrrha frowned. "If you're too tired, we can call a rain check with RWBY. Stay in for the night, get some sleep..."

Gods, he must look like shit, if Pyrrha was so worried. Jaune inhaled. Sleep... what a concept. A nice, tempting concept. But it would send the wrong message, after how that match had ended. Anyways, it would be pretty relaxing for their teams to just sit and talk. The semester before had been a blur of combat exams and training, and the break had been such in name only. RWBY and JNPR's monthly visits to Vale were a welcome oasis of peace. And Jaune could use some peace.

"I'll... I'll be fine, Pyrrha. We'll take it easy tonight. No CCT climbs or anything like that."

She smiled slightly.

"You sure? But you seemed to enjoy it last time?" Her smile turned wry.

Jaune sighed.

"Look, how was I supposed to know that towers of that height would wobble in the wind?"

Pyrrha smothered a soft laugh.

"Not like you had any way of knowing about dangerous stuff in your future, 'Fearless Leader'."

Jaune's eyes narrowed.

"If we're talking about semblances, I could have sworn I saw a glow on my armor before I started wobbling that night..."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Jaune stared her down for a few seconds before they both broke into laughter. He turned away for a moment, rummaging through his belongings for some warmer clothes. Winters weren't awful in Vale, nothing like they were in Ansel, but the ride up to Beacon wasn't warm when it got this windy. He stilled as he felt a hand reach into his back pocket and pull something out.

"Jaune, what's this?"

Jaune turned around to see Pyrrha holding a small green index card. He tilted his head. What was that? He leaned a little closer to read what was written on it.

"Guess your vision isn't always perfect. -E."

His eyes widened.

"...Good question. I'm not sure."

Pyrrha paused, tilting her head.

"A secret admirer of a sort, perhaps?"

Jaune shrugged.

"Try secret competitor, maybe. You'd know better than I, but admirers wouldn't be this... combative, no?"

She nodded.

"You're probably right. What do you want to do about it?"

Jaune hmmed, absentmindedly pulling a hoodie from the drawer. What could he do? Honestly, not much, he didn't recognize the handwriting or, come to think of it, know anyone who would go by 'E.'.

"Nothing, to be honest. The person who wrote this probably wants to get into my head, and I'm not going to give them the satisfaction. If they keep this sort of stuff up, then maybe I'll start worrying." He straightened and grinned. "C'mon, let's get to the bullheads. RWBY's probably waiting."

Pyrrha smiled back a little uncertainly.

"If you're sure."

He nodded.

"I am. Let's go?"

She paused.

"Jaune, before we go... Ruby's probably going to ask about the fight. Are you still sure you don't want to tell team RWBY the truth?"

Jaune inhaled softly.

"I don't think I can, Pyrrha. We agreed when I started this only JNPR could know. If the mystique is gone then people will plan around my weaknesses. We talked about this."

Pyrrha sighed.

"I know we did, Jaune. It's just...maybe it's not worth keeping secrets from our friends just to win a few more battles."

"Pyrrha, why the change of heart? You gave me the idea for this in the first place, remember?"

She sighed again.

"I know I did, but...I don't want to risk the friends we've made for something so simple."

Jaune smiled slightly.

"Risk our friends? Pyrrha, 20 lien says Ruby surprises us with ice cream to celebrate the battle. There's no way this'll jeopardize the friendship."

Pyrrha hummed softly, tilting her head. Eventually she smiled back, though her eyes still looked uncertain.

"I suppose you're probably right. Shall we?"

Jaune nodded.

XxX

He and Pyrrha rounded a corner to the Beacon landing platforms, catching sight of the other six members of their group waiting for them. Ruby waved them over, smiling. As Jaune and Pyrrha drew close, she motioned Jaune over to a corner.

"Quick leader conference, guys! Let us know if the Bullheads come, okay?"

Weiss nodded.

"Will do."

Ruby walked around the corner, Jaune following after her. This might not be about the fight? Maybe?

"Jaune, I know everybody's probably been asking you about this, but... how the heck did you hit me?"

Jaune sighed. Guess it was about the fight.

"Ruby, I'm sorry, but I haven't been telling anyone how my semblance works. Only my team knows."

She nodded.

"I know, but... I just need to know if there's something wrong with the way I fight. A hole I can fix in my style, y'know?"

Jaune hmmed.

"I... actually don't know? I don't know how my semblance does what it does. There might be something small, but probably not?"

Ruby sighed.

"I guess I'll have to take that." She brightened up a moment or two later. "Anyway, really really good job! That was incredible! Even if I don't know how you did it..." She trailed off.

Jaune grinned.

"Thanks! And you were great yourself! How'd you pull off that explosion trick?"

Ruby winked.

"I can have secrets too, Jaune. Let's just say Weiss thought of an idea over break and leave it at that."

"I suppose that's only fair. Did you have anything else you wanted to ask?"

Ruby paused.

"Have you eaten yet?"

"Don't worry," Jaune replied wryly. "The team still has room for ice cream."

"Are you sure your semblance isn't telepathy?"

XxX

Ruby

"Sun's found something, Ruby! Another pair of White Fang meetings. One at the docks, one at the old warehouse from meeting 3. Both at the same time. Roman Torchwick might be at the docks. -Your friend, Penny."

Ruby clicked her scroll shut, glancing back up at her team and JNPR. Was she really going to break up this outing? On the one hand, it was another White Fang meeting, and the first one in a few weeks. On the other hand this was their time to relax together... nah, her team was expecting this, and JNPR'd get it. They could probably even help! She tapped her spoon against the table, silencing the other conversations.

"So, who feels like stopping some criminals?"

A smile slid onto Blake's face.

"Sun found another one?"

Ruby grinned back.

"Yep. Two. I figure we'll send JNPR to one and we'll take the other."

Jaune tilted his head.

"Sorry, 'send JNPR to one'? One what?"

Ruby paused. How to put this in a way that wouldn't make JNPR feel like they had been excluded...

"Um... well... we've been sorta busy..."

"What my partner is trying to say, " Weiss cut in exasperatedly. "Is that we've been going out and spying on White Fang meetings for the past three months. And what I assume she is also trying to ask is whether you would like to help."

Jaune's eyes widened.

"I'm sorry, are you asking us to spy on terrorists? Didn't that go really badly for you guys last time you tried it? As in fighting a giant mech levels of badly?"

"Oh, not like that," Ruby replied. "This way's way safer! All you need to do is find a safe vantage point at a distance and watch what sorts of stuff happens, then report that to Vale's hunters and Ozpin. Way safer."

Jaune hummed, head tilting.

"And what happens if we start catching notice?"

Ruby shrugged.

"Hasn't happened to us yet. And, worst comes to worst? You run! Not like they know who you are, right?

Jaune shrugged back, smiling.

"Okay. Sounds good to me. Pyrrha, Ren, Nora?"

They nodded, Nora pumping her fist once.

"Finally, some action! I was worried this was gonna be a boring semester."

Ren paused.

"Nora, it's been one day and we spent it fighting RWBY."

"Oh, silly Ren. My arguments don't care about facts!"

He sighed.

"I don't know why I bother."

Nora paused.

"The power of friendship compels you?"

Ruby turned to Jaune as they continued... bantering? Was that banter? Eh, close enough.

"Are you guys in?"

Jaune grinned. "I think we are. Tell us where to go?"

Ruby nodded, pulling out her scroll. "Well, you know the old warehouse district, right?"

XxX

Ruby paced back and forth on the roof of the unloading building, eyes scanning back and forth. No sign of movement. Same as the last hour. Stakeouts were the worst. The. Absolute. Worst. She pulled out her scroll, calling into the communications channel. Even the static sounded like gravel rasping.

"Movement?"

Moments later, three voices crackled out of the speakers.

"None yet."

"Still none."

"Just sitting here gathering dust."

Ruby sighed.

"Keep watch. We don't know when stuff's going to start happening. No news from Penny yet. She and Sun said they'd be here soon, though. JNPR called the Vale Hunters, so their job's almost finished up."

She turned off the communicator, grimacing at the static rasp. That noise was like nails on a chalkboard. Probably something about how far they were from a CCT. Whatever. She settled in behind her sniper scope, eyes peeled for any sign of movement.

-Rassssspppppp-

Ruby whirled. Gods, that had come from right next to her! What was that? She glanced around, but the roof was completely still and completely silent. She clicked open her scroll. No rasp.

"Uh... guys? There's nobody behind me, right?"

"No."

"No, why?"

"Rubes, need reinforcements?"

Ruby paused, glancing from side to side. There was nobody there. Nobody! Probably just the wind or something. She was fine. She was fine. She tapped the push-to-talk icon, about to tell her teammates not to worry, when - Up - Bullhead, approaching from the skies.

"Bullhead coming in. Eyes on the target."

"Eyes on."

"I see it."

"Finally."

Ruby grinned.

"Alright. Get a sense of what's happening, then call it in. If Roman Torchwick actually is here, we'll box him in before making the call."

She clicked off her scroll one last time, eyes focusing on the Bullhead. As it landed, door opening, Ruby's eyes widened. The side of the ship was labelled with a... snowflake? Wait, was that an SDC ship? But she didn't have time to focus on that, because someone was stepping out, and - yes, that was Torchwick, followed by a number of White Fang. The terrorists immediately scattered into the nearby buildings, bringing boxes of probably-Dust back to the ship.

"Primary target is here. Let's finish this one off."

"I'm looking at him."

"Ready to distract the Fang."

"Got the Vale hunters on speed dial. Let's do this."

Ruby rechambered her rifle, wincing slightly at the noise and the rasp which followed immediately after. Whatever was making that noise, she would be so mad if it broke her cover -Focus- Whatever, it was soft, and she was hundreds of feet away. There was no way he could hear or see her. Torchwick stepped forward, talking into what looked like a repurposed scroll when -Rassssssssppppp- a steel blade gently touched the back of Ruby's neck. She blurred upright, scythe spinning, barely catching a glimpse of pink and brown eyes when

- Darkness -.

XxX

Neopolitan

Neo tilted her head as the girl collapsed. She hadn't even hit her that hard! Roman was right, they really weren't making hunters the same. If she'd been that weak, she'd never have made it through Mistral. Then again... her head tilted, her grin sharpening. Oh, those days had been fun. Maybe she could do some of the stuff over again! But no, she needed strong people otherwise it'd be boring. Not like this girl. She was weak. Her team might be strong, though. Like that blonde girl. Roman said she was strong, right? Maybe she'd be fun. Now, how to... oh, Red had left her scroll on! Excellent! She snapped a quick picture curtseying next to the girl's unconscious body, forwarding it to her most recent numbers. Those were probably her team. Hopefully killing Yellow would be nice. Otherwise she was definitely making Roman buy her ice cream later.

She sat down next to Red's body, stiletto idly tracing over the Aura coating the girl's throat and onto the ground, steel blade rasping softly against the gravel.

A/N: Sorry about the delay, midterms and Jewish holidays do not interact well.

Also, that V5 trailer is certainly a thing. Next season should be...entertaining.

Storywise: Worlds of Remnant are back, and this time dealing with society and culture! Those should be fun.

Jaune and Pyrrha: trouble brews, as one should expect from this set of character dynamics(for the oracle must have their champion...). Also expect some level of resolution to Weiss's blackmail this arc.

RWBY at the docks: Isn't it such a shame that RWBY's well-meaning heroism gave Torchwick enough information to put together their pattern? Such a shame.

Neo's POV: Why are the side characters so much more fun to write? (Well, I know why. Brevity and novelty. But still.)

Please review!