Chereads / The Strength Needed: A RWBY Tale / Chapter 57 - Chapter 55:

Chapter 57 - Chapter 55:

After a tiring fight against Salem's henchmen, Topaz and everyone else are standing in the entryway of Haven Academy looking towards Blake who is walking through the giant hole left where the doors should be.

Blake: "H-Hey guys. Everything ok here?"

Ruby: "Hey Blake, what are you doing here?"

Blake: "I feel like I should be asking you guys that."

Ruby: "It's a long story."

Blake: "Well, I'm not going anywhere."

Ruby: "That's all that matters."

Topaz: "Good to see you again Blake. I hope your with your family went well."

Blake: "Hey Topaz, it was nice until the White Fang tried to attack my family in their home."

Topaz: "Are they ok?"

Blake: "Oh yeah. Mom and Dad showed them who's boss."

Ruby: "Topaz, you knew where Blake was."

Topaz: *sigh* "Yeah, I ran into her on my way back to Patch from Menagerie. I'm sorry for not telling you guys, she looked like she needed some time."

Ruby: "Don't you trust us Topaz?"

Blake: "Ruby, please don't blame him. I had asked him not to tell anyone he say me."

Ruby: "Why Blake?"

Blake: "I was scared. Scared and worried that you guys blamed me for everything going wrong."

Yang: "Blake, we could never blame you. None of that was because of you."

Blake: "Yang, I'm sorry."

Yang: "Yeah, so am I Blake. I've said some pretty harsh things since you left."

Blake: "I probably deserved them."

Yang: "Can we start over Blake?"

Blake: "Start over?"

Yang: "Yes, I-I like being around you, but I need time to be able to open up to you again. You leaving really hurt."

Blake: "I'm sorry Yang. We can start over."

Topaz walks away from Team RWBY with a smile on his face. He walks over to Ariel and gives her a quick hug. Taking out his scroll he messages Neo that everyone is ok after the fighting. He also sends a message to Sienna to let her know Adam was here and his followers were arrested while he escaped. Walking over to where Qrow and Oscar are, he overhears their conversation.

Oscar: "He's resting. He used too much energy in the fight. He said we need to take the relic to Atlaz."

Topaz: "Atlas?"

Qrow: "Oh kid, you're here. Yeah, Atlas. My guess is Oz wants the relic defended by Ironwood and his military."

Topaz: "Weiss is going to be thrilled to hear that."

Qrow: "And why is that?"

Topaz: "She ran away from home, crash landed, and was kidnapped by your sister before Yang and I encountered her."

Qrow: "Oh."

Topaz: "Yep, and you'll be the one breaking the news."

Qrow: "And why is that?

Topaz: "Because I'm not overly thrilled to go there myself."

Qrow: "Why not. Atlas is great this time of year."

Topaz: "Have you gotten that old you've lost your memory? Atlas is not a good place to be for faunus. And on top of that Jacques Schnee is there. And I don't want to see him again without being able to punch him in the face."

Qrow: "Well you will have to get in line for that."

Feeling his scroll buzz Topaz walks away from Qrow and pulls out his scroll. Seeing a message from Sienna he quickly opens it.

{Thank you for letting me know you are alright. Be careful of the White Fang, Adam tried an attack on my life. I am injured but will survive, but I will have to lay low for a while. When things mellow out, I will contact you again. Stay safe Topaz, I will see you soon hopefully.}

Topaz takes a deep breath after reading her message. He makes his way over to the group and sees one very upset Weiss.

Weiss: "After all that work you say we have to go back to Atlas."

Qrow: "Look, I'm sorry but that's where Oz says we have to go next."

Ruby: "Weiss, no matter what happens we won't leave you alone. I promise."

Weiss: "Thank you Ruby."

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A week has passed since the fight at Haven Academy, and the group has decided to make their way to Argus to get to Atlas. Topaz currently finds himself wandering around Mistral, taking in the sights and enjoying the time he has left there. Qrow decided to begin their journey to Argus three days from then so Topaz was making the most of it. He turns the corner and sees a simple market, so he decides to look around. While walking around he suddenly hears a gasp. Turning to where the gasp originated from, Topaz sees a woman that looks oddly familiar to him, but he couldn't for the life of him remember why. The woman slowly makes her way over to Topaz, surprise and worry showing in her eyes.

????: "T-Topaz, is that you?"

Topaz: "That is my name, may I ask how you know me?"

????: "My name is Sally, and I used to be a maid under Jacques Schnee."

The moment Sally mentioned her name, Topaz backed off a little and got into a defensive stance.

Topaz: "Why are you here? I will fight my way out of here before going back to that monster."

Sally: "I'm not with him anymore. After you were able to escape the Schnee bastard fired Mike and I and sent mercenaries to try and kill us. We got lucky and a huntsman was passing through the area and he saved us."

Topaz: "Why should I believe you?"

Sally: "I wish I could say something to that, but I don't have any way to prove it other than my word. I am truly sorry for what you were put through, and wish I could have done something more to help."

Topaz: *sigh* "Whatever, it's fine. You and Mark were the only ones who actually showed any sympathy in your eyes while I was there, so I'll forgive you."

Sally begins to tear up with his forgiveness. After a few minutes to compose herself she gives Topaz a kind smile and motions for him to follow.

Sally: "I know you probably still don't trust me, but if you would like to see Mike he's at home still."

Topaz: "Alright then, lead the way. But I warn you now, and only now, if you betray me I will not hesitate to kill you."

Sally: "I understand. Thank you for at least giving me this chance."

Topaz follows Sally out of the market and down the street, eventually arriving at a small apartment complex. Entering the building Sally leads Topaz through the corridor and stops at a door. Taking a key out from her handbag, she puts it into the lock and opens the door. Motioning for Topaz to follow her, he enters the room and sees a man sitting in a recliner in front of a tv.

Sally: "Mike, honey. We have a guest so please at least make yourself look less of a slob."

Mike: "Guest? Is it someone I know?"

Sally: "Yes, it is."

At that point Mike turns around and sees Topaz standing there.

Mike: "T-Topaz! Gods above is it really you?"

Topaz: "Yes, it is. You look like shit Mike."

Sally: "Thank you for agreeing with me. This lazy bum needs to get off of his butt and do something productive."

Mike: "What do you suggest dear? The only thing I was ever really good at was teaching people in different combat forms. And with my background being marred by Jacques as badly as it was, there isn't a place on Remnant that would hire me."

Topaz: "Are you in shape enough to be able to train people?"

Mike: "…"

Topaz: "You know you could at least practice yourself in a somewhat public place to draw people's attention. Who knows, you might have the new headmaster of Haven come across you and hire you."

Mike: "That's actually not a bad idea."

Sally: "There you go, you now have something to do with yourself."

Mike: "So what have you been up to Topaz?"

Topaz: "After Beacon fell, I went to Menagerie to see my family for the first time in thirteen years. After that I went back to Patch, met up with one of my sisters and then we went out to find the other one. We met up with her here and then we saved Haven from falling like Beacon did."

Mike: "Gods Topaz, you've been a little busy."

Topaz: "Only a little bit."

The three continued to talk about life for the remainder of the day. Topaz eventually made his way back to the rest of his group and began to prepare for the upcoming journey.