A/N: Another day, another chapter. I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the story thus far. Thank you all for the support it truly means a lot. Enjoy the chapter and have a great day. Rhino out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently, Yang is being held from behind with a knife pressed to her throat. Apparently, the men hired to kidnap Topaz back in Signal Academy have been hired once again to capture him.
????: "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.
????: "Boss, what do we do? Mr. Sch- I mean, our client didn't say these two would be so strong."
????: "It doesn't matter you idiot, we will beat these two and make bank again."
????: "Yeah, you're right boss!"
The easily excited minion rushes at Topaz and throws a fist his way. Topaz catches his fist and throws the man over his shoulder. With a loud thud the man lands flat on his back and rolls around in pain. The boss of the operation pulls out a gun and aims it towards Yang.
????: "I warned you, you damned animal. Now you can watch her die."
Throwing himself between Yang and the boss, Topaz hears the gunshot and feels a dull pain on the left side of his chest. Not giving it any thought, Topaz rushes forwards and disarms the boss, punching him in the temple and knocking him out cold.
Yang: "Topaz! Are you ok?!"
Looking at his chest where he felt the bullet impact, and see's a small burn mark on his shirt, with no injury.
Topaz: "What do you know, it works for bullets too."
Yang: "You idiot! Why put yourself in danger for me like that?"
Topaz: "Do you really have to ask that Yang? You are family, and to me that means your safety and well being matter to me more than my own."
Yang: "You're an idiot, do you know that?"
Topaz: "Yep."
Yang: "Fine, let's just take these guys to Ironwood."
Topaz: "Sounds good to me."
Dragging the three unconscious men behind them, they walk through Atlas Academy drawing every eye that they pass. Walking up to General Ironwood's office they knock on the door and enter. They toss the three unconscious bodies in front of the desk and draw a sigh from General Ironwood.
Ironwood: "Do I want to know why?"
Topaz: "Just some much needed vengeance."
Ironwood: "Who are they, and what did they do to deserve it?"
Topaz: "Well, let's just say that these three were the ones that kidnapped me those many years ago. Apparently, they were hired to do it once again. They jumped us when we were out for a walk, and here we are now."
Ironwood: *sigh* "I'll have Winter question them thoroughly to try and find who they are working for."
Topaz: "Sounds good, we will be on our way."
Walking out of the office, Topaz and Yang once again make their way out into Atlas to attempt their conversation. Finding a pretty empty park, they sit on an open bench and enjoy the quiet for a moment. After a little bit, Yang takes a deep breath and turns to Topaz.
Yang: "Topaz, how do you do it?"
Topaz: "How do I do what?"
Yang: "How do you stay so calm when around Neo and Ariel? Every time I'm around Blake I feel like my heart is going to explode and I feel so nervous."
Topaz: "You're overthinking things Yang. You both like each other, that's pretty obvious to everyone. Just be yourself around her and things will work out. Or just directly tell her how you feel, and I'm sure she will reciprocate those feelings."
Yang: "You're no help."
Topaz: "Whatever you say Yang. If you don't believe me talk with Noe or Ariel, or both of them, and they will give you the same advice. I think."
Yang: "Fine then, I will."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few hours later Topaz is called into General Ironwoods office. Walking into the office, Topaz sees Winter standing by General Ironwood with a face of mixed emotions.
Ironwood: "Topaz, thank you for joining us. Winter was able to get some information from the three gentlemen you brought in with Yang. Winter, would you mind?"
Winter: "Certainly sir. Topaz, the three men you brought in had some very… disturbing things to say. To start, they were hired back when you were a child to take you from Signal Academy to rough you up and scare you after you embarrassed their initial client's son those many years ago. Apparently somewhere along the lines their initial client got ahold of my father, and he changed their objective to kidnapping you and force you into being his slave. Three days ago, they were once again hired to capture you. My father didn't take your and General Ironwoods visit lightly the other day. Their exact directive was to take you in emotionally broken, to make you easier to deal with. They were told to kill anyone you loved to break you. They thought that Yang was in a relationship with you so they planned on giving you the thought of having any control before taking her life. I'm glad they underestimated the two of you and you were able to get out of there."
Topaz: "Is there any concrete proof connecting Jacques Schnee and these three?"
Winter: "Sadly no, there isn't a paper trial to link them sadly. They were paid through a series of middlemen making things nearly impossible to follow them."
Topaz sees Winter look down with a look of sadness and guilt in her eyes.
Topaz: "That's too bad. And Winter, the problems caused by him are not your fault. Stop blaming yourself for his actions."
Winter: "But I-"
Topaz: "Winter, no buts. I don't blame you for anything that has happened to me. I won't speak for everyone, because I know that not everyone has had the opportunity to meet you and Weiss and get to know you personally. So, stop blaming yourself."
Winter: "Thank you Topaz. I think I needed to hear that."
Topaz: "It's no problem Winter."
Ironwood: "Now that that is all figured out, let's begin discussing our next steps."
Topaz: "What did you have in mind sir?"
Ironwood: "I'm going to have you work with Winter to track down a group of bandits that have been running amok in Mantle. I want the two of you to go and check out what is going on."
Winter: "Understood sir, but how should we approach this mission?"
Ironwood: "I would like for the two of you to take it quiet and be stealthy. Winter, you will more than likely need to wear a hat or hood to mask your distinguishable hair, and Topaz… well yours might be a little more difficult."
Topaz: "Nah, I can hide my characteristics pretty easily."
Ironwood: "What do you mean?"
Topaz: "Watch this."
Focusing on the feeling he had those many years ago, Topaz imagined himself without his extra ears or tail and laughed at the surprised gasps.
Winter: "How is that possible?"
Topaz: "It's one of the features of my semblance."
Ironwood: "What exactly is your semblance Topaz. It is one of the few things that no one seems to be able to find on you."
Topaz: "I don't use my semblance very much. I really haven't had a reason for it aside from certain instances. And I would like for it to stay a secret for now. No offense to you sir, but I can almost guess that the moment I tell you, you would start planning on ways to take me down should the need come."
Winter: "Topaz! The general isn't like that."
Ironwood: "Winter, it's alright. He isn't exactly wrong. Topaz, I can understand your hesitation to reveal such a guarded secret. I won't press you for it, yet."
Topaz: "When would you like us to start the mission?"
Ironwood: "You will both leave tomorrow, and will stay there until the mission is complete."
Topaz: "Ok, I'll have to let Neo and Ariel know I will be away for a little while. Winter, I'll leave your backgrounds up to you then."
Winter: "Very well, see you tomorrow."
Topaz: "See you!"