A/N: Thank you all for the support! You don't know how happy I was to see you guys continuing to show the story support while I was away, and how happy I was to see everyone back with yesterday's chapter. Thank you all for being incredible. Rhino out.
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Feeling the air ship he is currently riding land, Topaz stands up and stretches his sore legs. Stepping out of the vessel, Topaz looks around and sees Winter standing a little ways off looking rather bored. Making his way over to her, he gives her a small wave and smiles towards her.
Topaz: "Good to see you again Winter. How have things been with your mother?"
Winter: "It's been going surprisingly well. She's been able to get the help she's needed and has been sober since that day."
Topaz: "That's great! Have you and Weiss been able to see her quite a bit?"
Winter: "Yes, General Ironwood has been kind enough to let the two of us see her frequently to help her get back to her feet."
Topaz: "That's good. I'm glad she's been doing well and that you two have been able to see her a lot."
Winter: "It's all thanks to you Topaz."
Topaz: "Not only me Winter. It's thanks to everyone."
Winter: "Not true in the slightest but I won't press you on that. How did your mission go?"
Topaz: "It has a big surprise in it that General Ironwood will want to hear, but other than that it went well."
Winter: "Alright then, let's go and see him right away then."
Winter turns and makes her way towards Atlas Academy with Topaz walking beside her. Walking through the halls, Topaz hears the students around him whispering stupid rumors involving him and Winter. The moment he heard one straying too far to the point of harming Winter's reputation he turns and gives the students spreading them a glare getting them to immediately go quiet. Soon Topaz and Winter arrive at General Ironwood's office and are quickly let inside when Winter mentions Topaz returning. Walking into the office, Topaz sees the General sitting behind his desk rubbing his temples.
Topaz: "Long day General Ironwood?"
Ironwood: "More than you'll know Topaz. How did everything go on your end?"
Topaz: "It went pretty well sir, there was a small incident during it though that you will want to hear."
Ironwood: "What happened?"
Topaz: "Well… I spoke with Salem."
Ironwood: "WHAT?!"
Topaz: "There was a grimm leading the group like we had initially thought, but it wasn't like any I have ever seen before."
Ironwood: "What do you mean?"
Topaz: "Well for starters, it was humanoid in shape, with long arms and legs. It also had this mask where it's face normally would be."
Taking the mask he had picked up out, and handing it to General Ironwood.
Ironwood: "This dropped when you killed it?"
Topaz: "Yes sir."
Ironwood: "And when did this conversation with Salem happen?"
Topaz: "I quickly took care of the group of grimm using a sizable fire dust crystal, and then started fighting the strange grimm. A little bit into the fight, it stopped and a feminine voice started speaking with me."
Ironwood: "What did she say?"
Topaz: "She offered me a deal."
Ironwood: "A deal?"
Topaz: "Yes, a deal. She told me that if I stayed out of her way, she would leave Neo, Ariel and me alone."
Ironwood: "And what did you say?"
Topaz: "I denied of course. I want nothing more than happiness for them, but I know that is only a ploy. Her goal is the complete destruction of mankind, which includes us."
Ironwood: "Well I'm glad you didn't fall for her mind games there. Was there anything else about the grimm you fought that we should take note of?"
Topaz: "Yes actually, the way I killed it was by decapitating it. When I cut of one of its arms, it regrew. Also, its combat style involved using its arms in a whip like motion when close, and throwing this strange black sludge when further away."
Ironwood: "Good to know, thank you. Go take some time to relax with Neo and Ariel, they've been on my back asking when you will return."
Topaz: "Happily, see you later sir."
Walking out of General Ironwood's office, Topaz makes his way to where his dorm room is located. Walking up to his door, he opens it hoping to surprise Neo and Ariel, but ends up surprised himself. On his bed lie both Ariel and Neo, lips locked in a passionate kiss. Hearing the door open the two girls break the kiss and look to see who is interrupting them. Seeing Topaz standing in the doorway with a dumbfounded look, the two giggle and gesture for him to come over.
Ariel: "It's so good to see you again Topaz."
Neo: "We've missed you. Come on over here and let us show you how much we missed you."
Not hesitating a moment, Topaz drops his bag at the door and quickly makes his way to the girls. Laying on the bed himself both girls kiss him on each cheek and wrap their arms around him.
Topaz: "It's good to se you girls. Anything exciting happen while I was away?"
Ariel: "Not really, General Ironwood has had us training with teams RWBY and JNPR. Pretty boring stuff aside from the sparring, those are always fun."
Neo: "We sparred against this weird team from here in Atlas, team FNKI or something like that."
Ariel: "They fought in the Vytal Tournament, they lost to Yang and Weiss in the doubles section."
Topaz: "Oh, the trumpet guy and roller skates girl, right?"
Ariel: "Yep."
Topaz: "Nice, they've improved I'm assuming?"
Neo: "Definitely. They gave team JNPR a run for their money the other day. Granted, Oscar subbed in for Pyrra while she was in a one on one with Ariel."
Ariel: "Ugh, don't remind me of that. She kicked my butt."
Topaz: "Let me guess, used her semblance to completely counter your blade whip?"
Ariel: "Yeah, and being indoors my semblance was useless."
Topaz: "It happens. That's a big reason on why we have teams to help give us a hand with our weaknesses."
Ariel: "I guess you are right."
Neo: "Hey Topaz, how was your mission? Can you tell us what it was now?"
Topaz: "I think I'm able to. General Ironwood had gotten reports about strange grimm movements in the desert of Menagerie with something leading them. Turns out it was a new type of grimm that was more humanoid in nature."
Ariel: "Humanoid? That sounds like a tough fight."
Topaz: "It wasn't too bad. I was able to take care of it in the end without too much difficulty."
Neo: "Anything weird happen on the mission?"
Topaz: "Yes actually. While fighting it, it stopped mid battle and someone spoke through it with me."
Ariel: "Someone spoke to you, using a grimm?"
Topaz: "Yep, Salem herself spoke to me."
Neo: "The queen of the grimm that Ozpin has been fighting for centuries?"
Topaz: "The very one."
Ariel: "What did she say?"
Topaz: "She wanted to make a deal with me."
Neo: "A deal?"
Topaz: "She told me that if I stayed out of her way, she would leave us alone."
Ariel: "Who do you mean by us?"
Topaz: "The three of us."
Neo: "What did you say?"
Topaz: "I told her no of course. I love you two more than anything and will do anything I can to keep you both safe, but it was a bluff. Her end goal is to wipe humanity off the face of Remnant, so after taking care of everyone else, she'd focus on us."
Ariel: "Yeah, I guess you are right."
Topaz: "There's also our friends and family that Salem has already tried attacking. I refuse to do anything to help her after all that."
Hugging Neo and Ariel close to his chest, Topaz kisses each of them on the tops of their heads and relaxes. Before he realizes it, he drifts off to sleep feeling more comfortable than he has in a long time.
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