A/N: Thank you all so much for the continuous support everyone. With this chapter today, we have broken the 100k word mark. I still can't believe that so many people actually read my story. Over 600 of you have the story added to your collections while it's been viewed almost 300k times. You are all incredible and once again, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so much. Rhino out.
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Now standing in the streets of Atlas after leaving the gym, Topaz takes a deep breath to calm himself and turns to the girls.
Ariel: "Topaz, you ok?"
Topaz: "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry it ended like that."
Topaz feels his scroll go off and looks to see who its from. Seeing that it is a message from General Ironwood, Topaz opens it up to see what is going on.
{Topaz, I want you, Neo and Ariel to report to Amity Arena. There is something we need to do.}
Topaz turns to the girls and they give him a questioning look. Shrugging his shoulders, they begin to make their way to an airship to take them to Amity Arena. Landing on the arena landing pad, Topaz gets out and makes his way into the arena. Standing in the center of the arena, stand team RWBY and team JNPR along with General Ironwood, Winter and Penny.
Ironwood: "Welcome you three, thank you for joining us. How did the visit to the gym go?"
Topaz: "Well, turns out her uncle is yet another anti-faunus elitist, so you tell me how it went?"
Ironwood: "That badly?"
Topaz: "Well, he fought me and broke his sword on my neck. So, he's pissed."
Ironwood: "He broke his sword… on your neck… I don't even know how to process that."
Topaz: "Oh that's right, you've never seen that ability. My skin has taken the impenetrable aspect of the Nemean Lion myth."
Ironwood: "Really? That's something else. But enough of that, I have gathered you all here to do something that I believe is long overdue."
Jaune: "And what would that be sir?"
Ironwood: "You all fought to save yourselves and the lives of your classmates when Beacon fell, you helped countless people while on your journey across Anima, and you helped the world by saving Haven Academy. You have all gone above and beyond to help the people of Remnant, and for that you are well past deserving this."
Looking down at his scroll with his last sentence, he presses something and Topaz's scroll goes off. Looking at it he sees his picture along with plenty of writing. It looked similar to Qrow's huntsman license. Wait...
Ruby: "General Ironwood, what is this?"
Winter: "Those are your huntsmen and huntress licenses. Congratulations to all of you."
Ironwood: "Enjoy yourselves, there is cake over there and you are in the presence of your friends and family. Take your time, this only happens once, and you all deserve it. Thank you for everything you've done."
Topaz: "Thank you sir. We won't let you down."
The rest of the afternoon is spent laughing and interacting with everyone else. Eventually Topaz sits down to the side and watches everyone interacting. After a while Neo comes over and sits next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder and relaxing.
Topaz: "Enjoying yourself Neo?"
Neo: "Yes, as strange as it feels."
Topaz: "What do you mean?"
Neo: "I used to steal and kill Topaz. Who would have ever thought that I would someday become a huntress?"
Topaz: "Ok, yeah that makes sense. But if it's any consolation, you are one of the kindest girls I know. Your past is only there because of the environment you were raised in and forced to go through."
Neo: "Thank you Topaz. You saved my life in multiple ways the day we first met."
Topaz: "I didn't do that much Neo."
Neo: "Topaz, you stopped those rouge huntsmen from violating me, and more than likely killing me after. You literally saved my life with that, and then even after that, you gave me love and showed me support every time we'd meet again. Then you took me away from that life and gave me a new one filled with love. Without you I don't know where I'd be or what I would be. I love you Topaz."
Topaz: "I love you too Neo. I will be here for you always."
Ariel: "You shouldn't worry about your past Neo. Just live the life that you want to live with Topaz and I and things should go well for you. We love you and just want to see you happy."
Neo: "I love you guys."
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Ducking under a massive red scythe, Topaz rolls to his right and stands to face his opponents. Blocking Weiss's summons's blade with his left arm and catching Yang's fist with his right arm, he throws Yang back and pulls the summons's blade towards him and punches the summon in the face, dissolving it instantly. Team RWBY catches their breath across from Topaz and give him a wary look.
Topaz: "Come on girls, show me what you can do."
Yang: *huff huff* "We are trying you faunus fu-"
Ruby: "Yang!"
Yang: "Sorry."
Laughing at Yang's reaction, Topaz beckons for the girls to come at him once again. Ruby turns into petals and rushes towards Topaz, breaking off into multiple parts around Topaz to draw his attention, while at the same time, Blake throws her weapon to Yang while holding the ribbon attached. The two dash around Topaz and wrap the ribbon around his legs, pulling it taught. Now falling backwards Topaz raises his hand and backhands the incoming rapier of Weiss before rolling to his left to avoid Ruby's scythe. Forcing his legs towards him, he pulls Yang and Blake towards him, throwing a punch at each and sending the two flying, aura going into the red, ending their fight. Turning to Ruby and Weiss, Topaz prepares for another bought with the two but a buzzer goes off, signaling the end of the fight. Going over to make sure Blake and Yang are ok he gives each of them a hand up.
Topaz: "Good fight girls."
Blake: "If you say so, it felt more like a beatdown than a fight though."
Ruby: "I agree with Blake, you're no fun to spar against Topaz."
Topaz: "The best sparring happens when you have to push yourself you know. And you guys did push me towards the end there. Your teamwork is amazing, and against anyone else, would have won you the fight. Keep your head up girls."
Yang: "Hey Topaz, can I talk to you?"
Topaz: "Sure Yang, what's up?"
Yang: "Not here, follow me."
Topaz: "Oh…kay?"
Following after Yang, the two of them go outside into the cool Atlas air. After a few minutes of walking Yang finally stops at a small café. She walks in and motions for Topaz to follow, but he is forced to stop by the owner of the café.
Owner: "No animals allowed."
Yang: "How dare you."
Topaz: "Yang, its fine. Get what you want, I'll be out here."
Owner: "Glad you understand."
Yang: "I refuse to purchase anything from this asshat."
Topaz: "If you say so Yang."
Owner: "Wait! How about I give you a one time deal to enter here?"
Topaz: "I'm good, have a good day sir."
Topaz turns and walks away with Yang following him. After a little while Yang grabs his shoulder and forces him to stop.
Yang: "Topaz, how can you be ok with that?"
Topaz: "You get used to it after a while Yang."
Yang: "Do you think Blake has gone through similar stuff?"
Topaz: "More than likely Yang. I know will be upset by that, but don't do anything rash. The best way to get them to change their mindsets isn't through violence, that's where the White Fang went wrong."
Yang: *sigh* "I know, it's just so frustrating."
Out of nowhere Yang is grabbed from behind and a knife is pressed against her throat. Two more men walk around and give Topaz a sinister smile.
????: "What do we have here?"
????: "Boss, don't these two look familiar?"
????: "Of course they do moron, the animal is the same one we were hired to take from that academy all those years ago. Which means blondie over there is yet again our bargaining chip."
????: "Right you are boss, you are the best!"
????: "Now animal, what will it be?"
Topaz: "You know, things have changed slightly. Whenever you are ready Yang."
The man holding Yang is suddenly thrown backwards, crashing into the wall behind him, knocking him unconscious. The other two are momentarily stunned before growing furious.
…