A/N: So the plan for the next portion of the story is to loosely follow the events of season 5, but not too much. I've seen a few comments involving Emma, so I just want to say that as of now, she will not be another of Topaz's girls. I think I'm pretty set with Neo and Ariel being the only ones. I have a plan involving her for further down the line, but nothing too major. Thank you all for your continuous support, I hope we can continue to make this story rise up in the ranks so more people can see it, and hopefully enjoy it. Thank you all and enjoy the chapter. Rhino out.
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Summer: "Sara?!"
Summer disappears in a blur of white petals, reappearing only to barrel into Sara, knocking them both onto the ground. The group bursts into laughter, as the two women get onto their feet, still hugging.
Summer: "It's been almost twenty years since you disappeared sis. What happened."
Sara: "Oz sent me on a mission to check up on a contact he had on a small island near Menagerie. While on my way there, the small ship I was riding on was attacked by a very large Sea Feilong, I was dragged into the water and everything went black. Next thing I knew, I was lying on a small cart in the middle of a desert. Alex here *points to her husband* told me that I was found washed up on the coast of Menagerie near Kuo Kuana, while he was there bringing trade goods from his village. The people of Kuo Kuana wanted to execute me to make an example of what happens when a human tries to 'invade their home'. Alex saved my life and took me to his village. Next thing I know he and I fell in love and I soon found out I was having a child."
Summer: "Thank you Alex."
Alex: "There's no need to thank me Summer, when I first saw her I was enamored."
Topaz: "Where's Ruby at? I've been prepared for a flowery bullet to hit me at any point, but it hasn't happened yet."
"…"
"…"
Summer: "She's not here Topaz. She left a few months ago to go to Mistral."
Topaz: "To Mistral? Well I was planning on going there at some point to see Ariel, so I can check up on her."
Yang: "I'm going too, and I may have a way to make the trip faster."
Tai: "Yang, are you sure you want to do that?"
Yang: "Yes, Qrow promised me he'd watch over her, and with how things are we don't know if she's even there yet. It's the best way to guarantee we find her."
Summer: "Tai, she's right you know."
Tai: "Yeah I know, I'm just worried what will happen."
Summer: "With Topaz by her side, I doubt anything could happen."
Tai: *sigh* "I know Sum. Alright, Yang I will allow you to go, but you must first show me that you are ready."
Yang: "Sounds good to me. I'll prove to you that I'm ready to go and help Ruby."
Tai: "Guess we will have to find out. Topaz, want to have a quick spar? I don't doubt your skills, but I still would like to test them."
Topaz: "Sure thing Tai."
Topaz stands facing Tai in the middle of the training area. Stretching his shoulders, Topaz decided to wait until Tai made the first move. The rest of Topaz's family, and the rest of the Rose/Xiao Long family watch from the sidelines. Summer makes her way forward after it was decided she would act as the referee.
Summer: "Alright you two, begin!"
Tai gets into his fighting stance, cautiously making his way over to Topaz. As he gets within striking range, Tai throws a jab towards Topaz's shoulder. Topaz pushes his fist upwards and replies with a punch of his own towards Tai's ribs. Tai uses his other arm to block Topaz's punch, and jumps back to prepare for another bout. The two rush at each other and throw their own punches, blocking each one as they come.
Sara: "Wow, I remember Tai being really good with his hand to hand combat, but he's keeping up with Topaz pretty well."
Summer: "Has Topaz really gotten so strong for you to be surprised by that?"
Sara: "Well, he did kill a grimm that has been terrorizing the deserts of Menagerie for generations."
Summer: "He did what?!"
Alex: "He also saved a good friend of mine's life in that encounter. I couldn't be more proud of the man he's become. I just wish we could have been there to see most of it."
Summer: "You two are here now. That's all that matters. Topaz has been through a lot in his short life, yet he is still standing strong so that no one else has to."
Sara: "Topaz…"
Summer: "Before you go and do anything to try and Stop him Sara, just know that no matter how many times we tried to stop him, he just kept going forward."
Neo hands Summer and Sara her scroll.
{Topaz is holding back. Sorry to burst your guys' bubble but Topaz isn't using any of his aura.}
Summer: "Are you serious Neo? Huh… You're right."
The group watches as Topaz and Tai go at it once again, but this time Tai is flung back after trying to block one of Topaz's punches.
Tai: "So you were holding back. Sheesh Topaz, your strength is crazy."
Topaz: "I don't know what you're talking about Tai."
Tai rushes at Topaz and fakes a punch, before throwing a kick towards Topaz's midsection. Topaz catches Tai's leg and throws him away. Tai lands on his feet slightly disoriented, and is immediately rushed by Topaz. Topaz throws a punch towards Tai's head and connects with his cheekbone, sending him skidding across the dirt. Summer steps forward and announces the end of the fight. Topaz walks over to Tai to make sure he is alright, and when he sees that he is, he helps him to his feet.
Tai: "Yeah, you're ready. Did you even use your aura once that fight?"
Topaz: "Nope. I wanted to test myself and see how far I could push you at the same time. Only a slight change from when you first taught me right?"
Tai: "Slight change my ass. You couldn't get close when we first started, and now I feel like the roles reversed."
Topaz: "Probably, my spear adds a lot to my fighting style."
Tai: "When did you decide to change from an ax to a spear Topaz?"
Topaz: "When I was fighting against that girl on top of Beacon Tower, she melted my ax somehow. And the Nemea tribe's custom is for their children to create their own spears during their coming of age challenge."
Tai: "Are you as proficient with that spear as you were with the ax?"
Topaz: "The spear feels even more natural to me than the ax did, but I'm still learning the best ways to fight with it."
Tai: "Good, it's not a good thing to assume you are a master with something just because it feels right."
Topaz hears everyone else walking up from behind him, so he turns to them with a smile. Haley rushes over to him and climbs onto his shoulders and Neo walks over and gives him a hug.
Haley: "hehe, I'm taller than daddy now!"
Alex: "Yes you are Haley. Thankfully it is still many years from you actually being such a big girl."
Haley: "I am a big girl now! I drink milk."
Yang: "Oh no, another Ruby."
Summer: "She's perfect. Come to auntie sweetheart."
Haley: "Momma she does look like you."
Summer: "And you look exactly like your mother Haley."
Alex: "Yes she does. She is beautiful just like Sara is."
Sara: "Suck up, but you are right about that."
As everyone laughs and separates, Emma walks up to Topaz.
Emma: "Topaz, I would also like to join you on your journey to find this Ruby girl."
Topaz: "I'm sorry Emma, but I would prefer if you stay here with my family. You've been through so much already, and I think that you deserve to live a normal life and be happy."
Emma turns away from Topaz at his comment, but the look of guilt isn't missed by Topaz. Not wanting to push things too far, Topaz lets it slide.
Topaz: "Maybe next time Emma. Thank you for all the help."
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A week has passed since Topaz and his family arrived at the Rose/Xiao Long house, and Topaz is ready to get to Mistral. Problem is, Yang still hasn't passed her father's test. Topaz stands at the back of the cottage and watches Tai and Yang go at it once again. Tai was trying to get Yang to realize that her semblance is very strong if used correctly, but that Yang was using it almost as it were a temper tantrum. Topaz watches as the two converse after getting into a deadlock, and smiles when he sees Yang take out Tai's feet from below him and catch him on the way down. Taking a step forward he sees Tai sigh.
Tai: "As much as I really don't want to admit it Yang, you've passed."
Topaz: "Finally Yang, I was getting bored waiting for you."
Topaz gives Yang a teasing wink and laughs as she sticks out her tongue at him.
Tai: "Topaz, I'm leaving her safety up to you. Anything happens to her and I will take it out on you."
Topaz: "Don't worry so much Tai. Yang is a powerful fighter alone, but she now has me and Neo alongside her. We will be just fine."
Tai: *sigh* "I know Topaz. I'm still a little shaky about the whole Beacon thing to be honest with you."
Topaz: "We all are Tai. I still see everyone's pained faces whenever I try to sleep. And Yang is the same way when she's in combat from what I've seen. We will get through this together, and get stronger because of it."
Tai: "I still can't tell if you're the kid or I am Topaz. You've always been good at looking at things logically. Now go make sure you've packed everything, Yang will want to leave as soon as possible."
Topaz: "Neo and I are good to go whenever she is."
Yang: "Topaz, Neo, come on. Let's get this show on the road!"
Neo walks up to Topaz and the two follow Yang as she walks to the shed in the backyard. Yang opens the door and reveals something being covered by a large cloth. Unveiling whatever it was, reveals her motorbike, Bumblebee.
Yang: "Hop on, we've got people to see."