Chapter 24: A Step Toward Heroism

Rex was the first into the blazing apartments, barking emphatically to anyone inside. Six was only a step behind him as he rushed up the stairs and back into the inferno. The cries of the trapped and scared chorused amongst the sound of breaking beams and burning wood. A rush of bodies charged down the stairs, searching for the way out in the dense fog.

"This way, all of you! Exit's behind me," Six bellowed, waving them forward. They were only too quick to comply.

The heat radiated in terrifying waves and the flames were so bright that they threatened to blind Six even with his lenses as protection. He could honestly say that he was glad he was finally getting some use out of the gas mask that came with the riot gear. Without the radiation from the wasteland he was starting to think it was a waste of time to lug it around. Setting that thought aside, the Courier's gaze pivoted back and forth searching for survivors in the burning structure.

"If you can hear me, stay low to the ground! The smoke is rising! We will find you I promise!" Six almost rolled his eyes at his own words and how noble and utterly corny they sounded, but he needed the tenants to be calm if they were in need of rescuing. He brought his hand up to his helmet and cycled through several different settings until VATS was active. Its built in algorithm would help him pick out movement and bodies so that he could find them easier.

With a nod to Rex the two were quickly searching for survivors. Six went behind the bar that was in the lobby and into the back pantry where the food was kept. It was there that he found the first group of people huddled together. Three women, one later on in her years and two younger ones, probably helpers in the kitchen.

'Alright you three, time to get moving before the flames get any worse." Truth be told they were already pretty bad. Even with his aura he was starting to see the edges of his duster singeing. The two children were quick to try and comply before the older one held them close to her.

"You! You're the one that caused all this! If you think I'm going anywhere with you then-" Six was sure she was only at the beginning of her tirade but there was no time for it. He hoisted the woman up over his shoulder and gestured for the kids to get up. Rex came bounding into the room, and between the pair of them. "Hang on to Rex and stay close! You'll be out of here in no time!" The girls were quick to cling to the dog as they retreated their way back through the shuddering apartment. He set them down at the threshold of the door, despite the berating the woman on his shoulder was giving him. Sirens outside were blaring now, and he saw policemen rush to the door to secure the rescuees.

Not waiting for the officers to question him, Six was quickly back inside. After ensuring that the lobby was clear of any more civilians he rushed up the stairs to the upper apartments. In most cases of a building fire like this, the majority would have escaped through the fire escape or out the front already, but there was always that one person who decides to hide in a closet. Six swore to himself that if there was anyone inside this building, he would find them before they got themselves killed. It was only right.

Each step threatened to collapse underneath him as he ran up the stairs calling out with each breath he took.

"Is there anyone up here? Yell if you are here! Do not hide! The building is going to collapse!"

Of course no reply answered the Courier and he couldn't take the chance that the floor was truly empty. He kicked the doors of each apartment down with ease, most brittle enough to break with a wave of this hand at this point. He cleared each apartment, room by room until he was satisfied enough to move on. He was lucky the building only had three floors with a half a dozen apartments on each. Even so, the process took time and the smoke was getting thicker. The flames were growing to near unbearable temperatures. Even his aura was beginning to flare at the intense heat, feeling it begin to drain from him.

He could still hear the sirens outside from the police but no new ones. Whatever firemen Vale had must be delayed by the crowds and construction due to the festival. The structure was going to be rubble in its own footprint at this rate. He glanced down at Rex who had been following him this whole time, sniffing out for any possible signs of life. His lenses started to cloud as the filter of his mask showed signs of clogging. His breaths were also heavier and harder to catch. He didn't have much time left to stay. No one did.

Finally they had reached the top floor of building and Rex immediately picked up a sent, barking and rushing to one of the doors down the hall. The dog dug his claws under the door in an attempt to tunnel his way through.

Six was there in an instant smashing the door in while the blaze flared up behind him as it was offered fresh oxygen from the newly opened room. Rex charged in and toward another door inside, one that lead to the bathroom if his search of the other apartments were any indication. The dog whined and barked at the person inside.

Six slammed on the door with his fist, calling out. "Hey! Anyone in there? You have to open the door! The building won't last much longer!"

With bated breath, he awaited an answer but none came to him. Cursing under his breath he shouted once more. "If you can hear me stand away from the door, I'm coming in!"

The door lasted no longer than any other in the building and he was faced with a small bathroom that was preserved from any flames but none of the smoke. He quickly scanned the room and found a small faunus boy looking blearily at him from the inside of a bathtub. He looked barely conscious and tears cleared lines on his ash filled face.

Had to be a sniveling little faunus boy doesn't it? I can't go and yell at him for being an idiot just because he's scared can I?

Instead, Six did his best to sound reassuring, though he couldn't help but include some of his dry sarcasm as he whispered to the crying child.

"Shit kid, it's a fire not an earthquake. A bathtub isn't going to do much for you."

He picked the boy up in his arms and began heading back out the way he came, Even with this helmet it was impossible to see more than a few inches in front of his face and the building itself groaned as he shielded the boy from the flames. Just as he reached the top of the stairs, another shudder came and the ceiling gave out, the supports finally snapping all the way through. Rex barked a warning but it was not in time to evade the danger. Six reached out for his semblance, giving himself Endurance as the full weight of the roof collapsed down on him and his charge.

Six gasped out as he felt the weight hit him the back sending him to the ground. His knees hit first and he dropped the boy underneath him. Luckily his hands reached out and caught himself before he completely crushed the boy beneath him. He called out for Strength and instantly knew what was left of his aura would not be able to hold with two aspects of his semblance activated. The fire had drained too much from him. Instead, he shifted back to Endurance, doing everything in his power to prevent collapsing completely to the ground. Thanks to his strength mods, he was just able to keep the space the boy was occupying clear, despite the mountain of debris piling above him.

"Rex pull him out now," Six urged, panting with exertion. The gasmask grew more cloudy with each breath, indicating the filter was nearly completely clogged. The pipboy on his arm began blaring warning after warning of of rising toxicity levels.

Rex's muzzle reached into the alcove created by Six's body and dragged the semi conscious boy out from under him.

"Go Rex! Get him out now!"

Rex didn't need any urging from Six to follow the order. He clamped down firmly on the boy's arm and pulled him away from Six and into the darkness.

Moments passed until he could no longer hear the sound of dragging over the crackling flames and splitting wood. Six felt cemented into the ground, every movement promising a complete failure of his limbs to hold. Strength would give him the needed boost to free himself, but it would mean giving up his last layer of protection against the searing flames.

Can't just one thing ever go right for once?

Six clenched his teeth, setting his jaw to brace himself for what was to come. With the last dregs of his aura, he rescinded Endurance and activated Strength. Darkness nearly consumed him in that instant as the flesh on his arms and back singed and burned, his coat offering no protection. He screamed out in agony even as he put a foot underneath him, setting all of his weight on it and pushing himself back to a standing position.

The debris fell off of Six, leaving blackened and burned trails along his back where it had lain. He took a shuddering step forward and found his knees shaking, though he couldn't tell if it was from the pain or his lack of aura. Probably both if he had to take a guess.

Flames licked at him from all sides surrounding him in a sea of orange that seemed impossible to penetrate. Courier Six found the stairs only a few feet in front of him and he trembled as he descended each step. Six could have swore he blacked out several times along the way, but with how thick the smoke was it was near impossible to tell the difference between when his eyes were open or shut.

Breath continued to elude him in the smoke clogged corridor and the mask he wore was doing nothing more than suffocating him at this point. He peeled it off his face, hoping to feel some kind of relief but the chemical fog of the fire was the only thing to greet him. He choked and coughed, falling to his knees even as he saw the faintest hints of daylight down the corridor. His hand reached out, pulling him along the floor until the last of his energy gave out. Six let out a mirthless chuckle as he lay there.

I can already see the headlines. Idiot dies in a fire he caused. No one left to mourn him and everyone laughs at his expense.

Yet despite his cynicism the smallest of smiles made its way to his face.

So this is what it's like to be a hero huh? Guess that's why they never last very long in the wasteland. If this is what being a hero feels like…

He paused, realizing that it wasn't doubt or cynicism, or even disappointment that he felt at that moment. It was something else entirely. Something he hadn't felt in the longest time. Contentment. Such a foreign feeling yet it filled him like no other emotion had. His smirk grew wider.

...Well, maybe I wouldn't mind giving it another shot.

Vaguely, the man thought he heard barking along with someone calling his name.

A pair of hands clasped his shoulders.

The building shuddered one final time before caving in a heap.

Team RWBY charged through the bustling streets to where they knew the police station resided. Each step was filled with both a rising hope and trepidation with what they would find once they reached their destination.

However as they finally faced the steps of the headquarters, their attention was stolen by the black plumes of smoke that were billowing only a few blocks away.

"Don't tell me he's also an arsonist now," Weiss intoned with a roll of her eyes.

Ruby returned a doubtful pout and her instincts as a leader took over.

"Alright team RWBY! The mission to find Six is on hold. Let's go see if we can help." Ruby punctuated her statement by zipping off ahead of them. While she wanted to find their friend, her duties as a huntress would always come first.

Normally Weiss would have chided her partner on separating from them, but they all knew how passionate Ruby was about being a huntress. Once she set her mind of something, she wouldn't be persuaded out of it. Weiss used her glyphs to give herself a boost to her speed as well. Blake and Yang did not lag far behind.

The leader was the first of the team to reach the scene of the inferno. Many residents were now out of their homes staring at the terrifying sight. Gouts of flame reached skyward with each passing breath.

Ruby scanned the building trying to gauge the best way for her to assist just as an officer approached her and began pushing her away from the fire.

"It's dangerous here miss, building's about to come down any second!"

Ruby would have argued with him had a familiar form not appeared at the door. Rex emerged from the dense smoke pulling with him a prone form half hanging off his back. At first the girl thought it might have been Six but the smaller figure told her otherwise.

"Rex," she called out half disbelieving. Utilizing her semblance she rushed over to the friendly canine. The rest of her team had finally caught up and were detailing their limited credentials to the officers. Despite still only being in training, huntresses were afforded more leeway than most, especially during a crisis like this. Seconds later her team crowded around her.

Blake was quick to take the boy from the dog's back and examine him, ensuring that he was still breathing and that he would start to receive the care he needed. Ruby turned back to the robotic dog, worry in her eyes.

"Is Six inside Rex?' Her answer was just frantic barking as he bounded back and forth outside the door to the burning building. She focused her attention inside and managed to just barely catch the shape of a figure on the floor only a dozen yards away from the exit.

"Six!" She moved without thinking and charged inside. The intense heat of the flames caused her aura to constantly drain with every moment wasted. Ruby's hands grasped the man's shoulders and instead of dragging him out manually she wrapped the two of them in her semblance and pulled them out of the building as it gave it's last fatal groan.

The crowd was urged away as the building came down in spectacular fashion. Wood cracked and splintered as it fell in on itself. What active flames that remained were slowly but surely turning into embers as Weiss used her ice to douse that last of its outbursts.

After the situation was more or less under control, a few officers approached the team, cuffs in hand.

"L-Ladies, step aside. That man is wanted for attempted murder of a police officer." The group looked nervous to confront the girls, despite knowing that they were only trainees.

Ruby shared a glance with her teammates looking for an idea on how to save Six from being taken away from them again. This was finally their chance to get answers after so long.

Luckily, Weiss was quick to step forward, the air of authority that came from being a Schnee radiated about her.

"This man has been on the run from us for months now. As such we will be taking him back with us to Beacon Academy where he can be watched over by licensed huntsmen. I'm sure you'll agree that it would be better for the four of us to handle this rather than your own men. He is highly dangerous after all." She started it all as if it was the most logical course of action in all of Remnant and not worth any debate over. "I'm sure that after the appropriate action is taken he will be returned to you."

The officer looked like he was about to raise a fuss but Weiss was quick to cut off any form of argument.

"May I remind you officer, that this man tore through your entire headquarters without breaking a sweat and took on Commissioner Oakwood himself. A former huntsmen? Believe me when I say we are just trying to keep you safe."

The officer licked his lips, glancing between the four of them and the unconscious man.

"Maybe...maybe that would be for the best after all." The officer eyed the the unconscious Courier warily. "But we will provide the transport back to the school and see that he is secure. This is highly unusual circumstances huntress, but I'm sure your hands are more than capable."

"I suppose that's acceptable," she replied as if allowing him the concession. "Now we need to hurry. Despite his alleged crimes, he is in urgent need of medical care. It would be more beneficial for everyone if we can keep him alive for questioning." Weiss played the part of a cold, indifferent huntress as if she was born to it.

A few more nods from the officers and they were off, bringing a bullhead that would take them back to the school.

Weiss let her authoritative persona drop as she turned back to her team.

"There. Now that that's taken care of, how is he?"

Blake, who had come back from the crowds after finding someone to take care of the boy, began combing over Six's injuries. Rex whined and nudged the man with his nose on his opposite side.

"He has burns all along his arms and back," she started wincing as the fabric he wore still smoked and in some places even seemed fused with his skin. "Bruises along his ribs, maybe even some broken bones but it's hard to tell passed the burns." The tone of worry in her voice didn't escape the other girls. "He's probably in desperate need of oxygen as well.

Despite herself, Yang still had sympathy for the man as Blake continued the rundown.

"Look, I'm willing to carry him to the bullhead but I don't care how much you ask. I'm not giving him mouth to mouth," the blonde cut in, crossing her arms.

Weiss scoffed at the statement, shaking her head. "That's for drowning, not fires Yang."

Yang returned a shrug. "Still not doing it."

Blake found herself rolling her eyes despite herself. "All that considered, he should be able to recover as his aura recharges. We just need to make sure he gets that far."

Ruby however was staring down at Six. She wasn't sure what she would feel after they had found him. Fear, trepidation, worry. All of them crashed through her and it seemed like she couldn't settle for just one. For the time being, she settled for relief that they could find him after so long and that he was alive, at least for the moment.

"Team RWBY", Ruby looked up at her teammates arrayed around her. "Mission complete!"

Four sets of eyes bored into him as Six finally came to. There was a moment of relief upon seeing them before he remembered how their last parting had went. To prevent confronting the whirlwind of emotions the girls in front of him were probably feeling he first decided to gain his bearings. The room was generally familiar, that being of a hospital. The milling of voices outside gave him the impression that there were students on the grounds outside.

Back at Beacon is it? Well it's not a jail cell.

That being said, the cold metal around his wrist was quick to send a clear message that he wasn't exactly free to go either. He raised his hand a few inches, catching sight of the chain that held him to his bed. His equipment had also been removed, leaving him barren of any options for escape.

Six reached down to his torso, feeling the strapping of bandages enveloping the majority of his body. He poked and prodded himself, testing the extent of his pain. Satisfied that he was indeed, alive he turned his attention back to the girls.

Better get this over with then. No point in drawing it out.

"So," he muttered out, his voice still rough from the smoke, "who wants to air their grievances first?" He couldn't help but incorporate some of his winning personality into the question.

"Why did you do it?" The outburst came from Yang and Six could already see the edges of her irises beginning to flicker into a fiery red. However it was desperation, not anger that marked her voice.

She wants to know what could possibly cause a friend to betray her.

Six signed out heavily wincing as he attempted to sit up. His skin felt raw and stretched as he tried to move, his healing not fully complete.

"Which part are you referencing? The breach, the attack, or the fire?"

"All of it!" Yang leapt to her feet looking ready to strike him at any moment. It was obvious had been eager for this conversation for a while now. Blake's hand flicked out and grabbed the girl's arms just in case.

"I think what Yang is trying to say is, or maybe what we are all hoping for, is that there's an explanation for all of this Six," the faunus added.

It was then that Six realized that there was more to it than just friendship. These girls, at least in some capacity, had looked up to him. To them he had become someone they could count on if they were in trouble, a confidant who wouldn't judge them, hell maybe even as someone who could teach them a thing or two.

And he had threw it back in their faces because of the mistakes he made.

No more secrets then.

Six nodded to himself easily understanding their outrage and hunger for answers. The emotions of each of them were plain as day.

Skepticism and indifference from the heiress, probably more than willing to toss him aside should his answers be unsatisfactory. He could appreciate that aspect of her personality.

Blake's curious gaze seemed to analyze every one of his expressions and movements as if just staring long enough would give her the answers she needed.

Yang seemed caught between throwing a punch and going off into a tirade for reasons already made abundantly clear.

Ruby was fidgeting around in her chair, hands clasped tightly on her lap with her head pointed down. It seemed she didn't want to meet his eyes.

That one hurt him the most.

"Well then buckle up ladies. You're about to hear one of the strangest stories ever told and every word of it is true. That is a solemn promise."

His mouth felt dry at first, as he began his tale for the second time. He left nothing out as he relayed the details of every day spent since he had left them. Six started with his time in Mountain Glenn and the grimm he encountered there. He moved on to his more illicit activities with Torchwick's gang and his training with Neo. He detailed the fear of being exposed and the certainty of death that came when Torchwick confronted him and how disgusted and shameful he felt at confronting Ruby on his trip back to Beacon. He recalled all the justifications at why the Breach needed to happen in his mind and how he was powerless to stop it once it was set into motion. Six relayed hopeless he felt as his plan to kill Cinder crumbled around him and the hollowness he at mistakenly stabbing Ruby. He told them of how his mistake had crushed him and the spiral of depression he fell into until Raven came to him and offered the one thing he wanted most. At the end he discussed recent events and his lust for revenge against the commissioner that had turned coat.

"When I turned around and saw the building go up in a blaze," Six shook his head tiredly. "I just knew that I couldn't let anyone else get hurt for something I caused." It felt like he was recounting the actions of another man at this point. "It was never right of me to weigh people's lives like that. I lost sight of that somewhere along the way." He licked his lips, breathing out a deep sigh. "Forgiveness is beyond something I can probably earn at this point. Not after everything I've done, but at the very least I can do all I can to stop things like this from happening again. If I'm given the chance anyway…" he trailed off as he came to his conclusion. Team RWBY had heard the whole story from beginning to end. Of course they were bursting at the seams with questions of their own as he finished.

"Wait just hold on a second. You're saying that you have some kind of deal set up with my Mom so that you can 'go home' or whatever," Yang interjected, highly interested in any subject regarding her mother. "How did you even find her?"

Weiss scoffed, crossing her arms and giving him an appraising look. "Really Yang? That's your first question? Nothing about the fact that he's claiming to be from an entirely different world?!"

"Like you said Weiss, those stories Six told us always did have the air of truth around them. Looks like you were right. Six was telling us about his life," Blake added, giving a small nod toward the man. Six thought she almost looked sad realizing that this terrible post apocalyptic world was actually real. "And you're saying that Professor Ozpin knows all this and believes you?"

Six nodded slowly before answering the question Yang originally posed.

"Well she didn't really deign to let me in on the fact that she was your mother but that's the sum of where we're at now," Six returned with a glance over to Rex at his side. "She kind of found me really. Probably just my Luck acting up on me."

Yang didn't seem satisfied with the answer but accepted it nonetheless. She sat back down and looked to be deep in thought. Blake took the time to offer her own observations.

"No wonder you were so confused when we met you. We thought you were from outside the Kingdoms but it turns out you were a little more foreign than that," Blake added, recalling their early interactions.

Six nodded, a small smile on his face. He raised his hands outward at his sides.

"There it is then. You know all my dirty little secrets now. The question is what you plan to do with that information." He turned to look at Ruby who had been silent this whole time. His voice grew more solemn. "And if you might consider giving a hypocrite like me another shot." He didn't dare ask for forgiveness, thinking it too much. The rest of Ruby's team glanced her way, waiting for their leader's decision.

Finally the Ruby answered.

"I can understand the things you did," she started, raising her head to meet his gaze. "I can understand them but I just can't agree with them."

Six eyes turned downcast as Ruby condemned his actions.

"But," she continued "You've also told us that the difference between good and evil was perspective. I know you were trying to do what you thought was right Six. It just means that I don't agree with the way you did it." She stood from her seat, looking much more like the leader of her team than the timid girl she was when he started his recounting. "It's not all your fault Six. You were tricked and betrayed and scared! Maybe you could have done something to stop the train and maybe you couldn't." She stared at him with more conviction than Six would ever thought capable of her. "And if there's one thing I know for sure, it's that an evil man wouldn't risk his life the way you did. You volunteered for Ozpin's mission because you thought you could help. You were given a hopeless situation and did the best you could. You risked your life in a fire that was started by someone who swore an oath to protect the very people he abandoned. Everything you did, you did with the hope that you could save lives" She pointed an accusing finger at him. "So, since you can't seem to admit it to yourself, I'll say it for you. Courier Six, you are a good person!"

Yang puffed out proudly as Ruby finished, as if she almost expected something like this from her leader.

Six was left speechless as she made her proclamation, doubting that much altruism could exist anywhere. "But the breach-"

"Oh stop looking for a rope to hang yourself with Six," Weiss interrupted before he could go any further. "By the time you realized what was happening there was little you could do to stop any of it. It sounds to me that this Cinder and her associates are to blame, not you. It was their scheme not yours."

Could it really be so simple? Not likely, but he appreciated Weiss' candor. Someone else would be deciding the extent of his guilt in that matter.

In all honesty it was difficult for Six to equate the weapon obsessed, awkward girl and the one standing in his presence now. He had been holding his breath for the entirety of her speech, He swallowed heavily and looked down at his hands, still calloused and red from the fire. To hear someone say those words to him and actually mean them, it was almost more than he could bear.

Courier Six is a good person. Never thought I'd hear those words spoken with such certainty.

He felt tears beginning to well up in his eyes but was quick to shake his head in attempt to hide the never would have guessed that the words of a girl half his age would put him such a state. Instead he tried to cover it with a sarcastic smirk.

"Well...I feel like scared might be a strong word. More like in a constant state of heightened anxiousness."

The chorus of chuckles eased any tension left in the room and Six could honestly say that he had missed the conversations they'd have. He knew that it'd never be entirely the same, but a step had been taken back in that direction.

However before it could go any further, another figure emerged from the doorway.

"Team RWBY," headmaster Ozpin began, "I hope you have been able to gain some closure concerning recent events but it is time I had my own chat with Courier Six." The professor's eyes were hard as they ran over the man in question. "Decisions need to be made on what will occur next, and Six has very much cemented himself in the middle of all of it."

Yep, another chapter. Bet you didn't see that one coming did you? Anyway hope you enjoyed reading as always and are still having a good time with the story. Try not to go too hard on me in regards to the actual physics of what would happen during a fire and all that. Hopefully I haven't done anything too immersion breaking to lose you in this chapter.

For those interested in an little insight into the writing, I was really concerned with how I was going to have Ruby react to Six's involvement in the breach and the truth is I'm still not sure if I handled it well. When it came down to it, I think I had Weiss sum up the situation the best. He was involved but not the one that pulled the trigger so to speak. Undercover work is always murky when it comes to 'drawing the line' at what should and shouldn't be allowed. I tried my best to really think about how Ruby would react and think I managed to keep her as IC as I could with a realistic outlook on events. Let me know if you disagree.

Anyway, that's all I've got for you. Hope there's some of you still out there enjoying this story. I still enjoy sharing it with anyone who wants to read.

Please let me know your thoughts in a review!

-TMDF