Rwby: Child of Grimm: Volume 3 (complete)

Chapter 1: New Beginning

The tall brown haired man tossed Créme the broken black chest piece from 3's armour.

[Créme] "this...!"
[Jorden] "the left side has multiple incisions while the stomach and chest are heavily dented."
[Créme] "how is this possible? The Black Knight armour should be impenetrable."
[Jorden] "nothing's impenetrable, but to have done this much damage, whoever or, whatever they were fighting, is no ordinary huntsman."
[Créme] "that's-"
[Jorden] "here, when you have the time, go over this with the rest of team Z3RO."

Jorden threw a small data drive to Créme who quickly caught it out of the air.

[Jorden] "now then, I'd better get working on the #4. See you later. Oh, and make sure that guy's locked up tight! We don't need a repeat of last year!"

-

[Port] "and, as I heroically made my way through the Grimm infested-"
[Sol] "oh hey, we're here! Sorry professor but I'll have to listen to this story a little later."
[Port] "hmm, well that's quite alright. I can certainly wait."

Sol breathed a sigh of relief as the unlikely student/teacher pair walked through the doors of the hunters heaven.

From the look of the place, "abandoned" is the first thought that came to Sols mind as he noticed just how much dirt and dust had settled in the store. So much so that a single sneeze could cause an indoor sandstorm. From the back room, the sounds of metal being moulded and shaped into a form befitting the greatest hunters could be heard.

[Sol] "hey! Burnie!"

The pitter patter of small, yet angry feet barrelled towards the front of the store.

[Auburn] "who called me thaaaaaat! - oh, its you."

The last words were spoken with an animosity the small girl reserved for those she truly did not like.

[Sol] "nice to see you again too."
[Auburn] "ow's Ryu's healin' comin' along?"
[Sol] "slowly. Very, very slowly."
[Auburn] "yeah, I bet yer've got such a problem wit that."

Her obvious sarcasm didn't escape Sol and, while he expected this outcome when he and Ryu traded places to begin with, it would be hard to say that he is not bothered by it.

[Cyan] "Big bro?"
[Sol] "hm?"

Standing at the entrance to the back room is the small duo of Cyan and Millie. Their faces and clothes covered in ash and soot.

[Sol] "I'm not-"
[Cyan] "you look different and smell... a bit funny."
[Sol] "you saying I smell bad? What's up with that?! I clean everyday!"
[Cyan] "eh?! No! It's just..."
[Sol] "yeah, I get it. I smell similar yet different to Ryu right?"
[Cyan] "so you're really not him?"
[Sol] "i'm his brother. I'm taking care of things here while he gets better."
[Millie] "I-is he alright?"

The small mouse Faunus asked worriedly about her friends big brother figure. Smiling warmly, if slightly awkwardly back at the young girl, Sol replied to the best of his ability.

[Sol] "he'll be fine. It'll just be a while before he's up and at 'em again."
[Cyan] "can we see him?"
[Sol] "uh, that's... you see-"
[Auburn] "e's not in tha city. E's bein' looked afta somewhere else."
[Cyan] "o-oh."
[Auburn] "why doncha go tell the Ol' man he's 'ere."
[Cyan] "o-okay."

The two children walked back into the depths of the store. At the same time, Sol turned to Auburn in an attempt to offer his thanks for helping him with the situation.

[Auburn] "don't. Didn't do it fer you. Those kids wouldn' understand."
[Sol] "you're not that much older than them y'know."
[Auburn] "I'll kick ya out."
[Sol] "sorry. I just..."
[Auburn] "*Sigh* I know yer not a monster aright? It's jus' hard. Lotta people care 'bout her brother. Seein' someone else in his place jus' doesn't feel right, no matta who i'is."

Sol took in a deep breath of relief before looking at the young girl in a new light, Wondering just where this wisdom beyond her years comes from.

[Sol] "thanks."

The sound of metal falling to the floor and heavy boots crashing past workbenches and weapons echoed as Alistair cane bursting through the door, barraging Sol with so many questions he could barely understand the man.

[Port] "Alistair! It is good to see you again."
[Alistair] "ey? Oh! Port! Haha, bin too long!
[Auburn] "you old men can talk later. Alistair! Got Tha weapon ready yet?!"
[Alistair] "eh? Oh right! Hahaha, almost fergot. Alright laddie, come take a look at the new 'n' improved Grimms Heart!"

Alistair happily dragged Sol to the back workshop where he began regailing him with the story of how complicated it was to keep the strange form the weapon had taken and still modify it with the specifications Sol had asked for.

[Alistair] "how's she feel?"

Sol picked up his weapon, the familiar red blade almost gleaming in anticipation for the battles they would fight together. After he gave it a few swings, Sol noticed a change in his partner.

[Sol] "She's put on some weight."
[Alistair] "Haha! Don't let her here ya say that lad!"

After Sol and Alistair laughed together for a small while, they headed back out to the front of the shop where they prepared to seperate. While Professor Port was telling an excited Cyan all about his exploits as a huntsman and Millie and Auburn spoke with each other about how everything was going at the orphanage, Sol and Alistair had one more exchange.

[Sol] "hey Alistair."
[Alistair] "hm?"
[Sol] "Since I've been out here, I haven't exactly been welcomed with open arms so... thank you. For making me feel at least a little accepted."

Sol's heartfelt words and warm smile caught Alistair off guard for a moment before he replied with a returning smile.

[Alistair] "other people might not see it or, 'ell, not want ta see it. But from what I've 'erd, you saved Ryu's life. Yer'll always be welcome here."
[Sol] "thanks."

Sol turned to face the others.

[Sol] "Hey Cyan, Millie."
[Cyan] "yeah?"
[Millie] "eh?"
[Sol] "I heard about what you two did back then, protecting the other kids like that."

The two children looked downtrodden, as if they were being told off for doing something they shouldn't have.

[Sol] "good job."
[Cyan & Millie] "eh?"

The two looked up in surprise at the golden eyes older boy with surprise in their voices.

[Sol] "though maybe next time make sure you can defend yourselves properly. You'll make great Huntsmen when you're older."

Their faces both lit up with glee.

[Millie] "n!"
[Cyan] "Yeah!"
[Sol] "okay professor, ready to go back? I think you had some stuff to do in preparation for the festival right?"
[Port] "oh! Indeed I do. Then we shall be off everyone. It was a pleasure to see you all."