Chereads / The Strength Needed: A RWBY Tale / Chapter 114 - Chapter 111:

Chapter 114 - Chapter 111:

Solder: "Under whose orders?"

Topaz: "Under Specialist Schnee's."

Soldier: "Is that right? Well why don't I ask her myself."

Standing and saluting, Topaz turns and sees Winter walking into the room.

Soldier: "Specialist Schnee ma'am, did you give this soldier orders to question Branwen?"

Winter narrows her eyes towards Topaz, who only gives her a quick wink and smile. After a moment she turns back to the solder and nods.

Winter: "That is correct. I had asked him to grab Qrow and Robyn."

Topaz: "You had asked for Robyn as well ma'am? My apologies, I missed that."

Winter: "Can't you do anything right? Yes, I need Robyn along to use her semblance when we question Qrow."

Topaz: "Oh?"

Solider: "I am sorry ma'am, General Ironwood has ordered that those two aren't permitted to leave under any circumstances."

Winter: "Well I am ordering you to permit their release for the afternoon."

Soldier: "But-"

Winter: "Are you trying to make me angry soldier?"

Soldier: "No ma'am, I just can't-"

Winter: "Either you release them to me, or I report you for insubordination."

Soldier: "Alright! Here is their cells' codes. Please don't report me."

Winter: "About time, come along soldier."

Topaz: "Yes ma'am."

Following after Winter as she heads into the cell room, she stops in the connecting hallway and pulls Topaz into an empty room.

Winter: "Talk, now."

Topaz: "First off, thank you for the help."

Winter: "Why are you here Topaz?"

Topaz: "We need Qrow to help with this fight Winter. You and I both know that."

Winter: "I know Topaz, but General Ironwood isn't going to let it rest if he finds out you let him out."

Topaz: "That doesn't matter. What does matter is the danger that is literally standing at the doorstep."

A sudden explosion rocks the building causing Topaz and Winter to rush out and into the cell room. The far wall has a gaping hole in it, and Hazel is bashing the few guards that are within the room around. Topaz rushes towards him and sends a heavy kick to the back of his head, making him stumble a few steps forwards. Winter rushes over and begins putting the codes into Qrow's and Robyn's cells.

Qrow: "What are you doing Schnee?"

Winter: "Saving your ass Qrow, and trying to do the right thing."

Qrow: "What's the point, I can't do anything right."

Robyn: "Do you really think Clover would want to hear you saying that Qrow?"

Qrow: "Probably, he's dead because of me after all."

Topaz is thrown at one of the cell walls by Hazel at that moment and smacks Qrow's head on the way by as he rushes back towards Hazel.

Qrow: "Ow, what the hell?"

Winter: "Pull your head out of your ass Qrow, Topaz is giving us time to get you two out of here."

Qrow: "The kid? I know you're probably stressed and all Winter, but last I checked, Topaz has a tail, and ears on his head."

Winter: "He used his semblance to disguise himself to get into here Qrow."

Qrow: "He can do that?"

Winter: "Yes! Now get a move on."

Topaz dodges punches from Hazel, rolling between his legs, and leaping over his head to avoid attacks. Seeing Winter lead Qrow and Robyn into the lock up room, Topaz attempts to go on the offensive with Hazel, only to be thrown through the wall, landing on top of Winter.

Topaz: "Ouch, sorry Winter."

Winter: "Would you get off of me Topaz!"

Topaz bounces off of Winter and turns to Hazel bash through the cell holding Arthur Watts, rushing forwards once more, Arthur throws something at him and his vision goes white as a shocking pain goes through him. Through fuzzy vision, he watches the two rush out of the hole in the wall and disappear into the distance. The pain suddenly goes away, Winter rushing over to take off whatever Arthur had thrown at him.

Winter: "Are you alright Topaz?"

Topaz: "Ouch."

Qrow: "Kid, what the hell are you doing here?"

Topaz: "Getting your sorry ass out of here.:

Qrow: "Maybe I don't want to leave."

Topaz: "And maybe your nieces need your help. Ever think of that?"

Qrow: "…"

Robyn: "Topaz, don't be too harsh with him."

Topaz: "I don't want to be harsh with him Robyn, but he's got to realize shit happens."

Qrow: "Oh, and what would you ever know about that kid?!"

Winter: "Come on you two, now is not the time for in fighting."

Topaz: "What would I know about things being harsh? Really Qrow? Do you remember how we met in the first place? You know, how you got lucky and found me when I was kidnapped."

Qrow: "…"

Topaz: "Or maybe it was me being forced to leave my family when I was five, or maybe the countless times of being abused or pushed around because I was a faunus. But no, you're right Qrow, I know nothing about things being tough."

Shoving Qrow back, Topaz walks out of the hole in the wall and trudges off into Atlas.

Winter: "Topaz, come back here!"

Robyn: "Topaz!"

Ignoring the shouts from behind, Topaz walks into an alley and punches the wall, cracking the brick, trying to calm himself down. After a few minutes, he hears footsteps behind him, and then a gentle hand is placed on his shoulder. Turning, he sees Winter looking at him with a worried expression, Qrow and Robyn behind him.

Winter: "You doing alright?"

Topaz: "I'm fine."

Winter: "Do you want to talk about it?"

Topaz: "Thanks Winter, but I'm truly fine. That outburst has been a long time coming, I'm sorry for snapping at you Qrow."

Qrow: "Don't worry about it kid, I'm sorry for wallowing in self pity like that."

Topaz: "It's okay. We will be getting Tyrian back for that."

Qrow: "I call dibs on that."

Topaz: "Ha ha, he's all your when that time comes."

Winter: "I have to get back to the General to let him know what happened."

Topaz: "Be careful Winter, tell him it was me that got the two of them."

Winter: "But-"

Topaz: "Winter, I came in through the hole while following Hazel. When he was breaking out Arthur I broke out these two while you were preoccupied trying to stop him."

Winter: "If you're really okay with that then fine. What will you three be doing now?"

Topaz: "I'll be taking these two to the rest so they can get some decent rest in. Feel free to stop by anytime."

Winter: "And where will you be?"

Topaz: "Somewhere very close to home… for you."

Winter narrows her eyes at him, so Topaz points at the Schnee symbol on her outfit. Her eyes widen in realization before nodding, she then turns and rushes back towards Atlas Academy. Topaz then motions for the other two to follow him, and he then leads them back to the Schnee Mansion.

Robyn: "You weren't kidding when you said it was close to home for her."

Topaz: "Not in the slightest."

Knocking on the front door to the mansion, the door cracks open for a moment before being fully opened. Topaz takes a step to the side and watches Qrow be tackled to the ground in a red blur while chuckling.

Ruby: "Uncle Qrow!"

Weiss: "Ruby, get in here before anyone sees us."

Ruby: "Right, sorry."

The group walks into the mansion, but Topaz can't help but feel that he's being watched. Turning around he scans the area looking for anything amiss. He begins to turn around when movement in the corner of his eye catches his attention. Topaz rushes away from the door, heading toward what he saw.

Weiss: "Topaz, where are you going?"

Not answering her, Topaz continues forwards, only stopping when something is thrown in his direction. A spear lands where he would have been had he not stopped and buries itself deep into the stone.

Topaz: "Finally decided to show yourself?"