Yang sprinted down the barren streets of Vale, ignoring the cries and curses people spat at her. She tugged on her tie and loosened it, allowing it to fly in the wind. What the hell, Blake? What the hell was going on with her? Why...?

She shook her head. She didn't care for the consequences she was bound to face once she got back, there were some things she couldn't abide. That included leaving Blake to fend for herself like this.

She couldn't fathom why Blake and potentially Jaune were down at the docks fighting the White Fang and Roman Torchwick of all people, but she didn't pay much attention to it. She spotted the clouds of smoke and ran towards the source, her anxiety driving her forward. She refused to leave Blake just so she could focus on her own problems regarding Junior. Blake put her own skin on the line for her and Ruby back in initiation after all.

The guy that was speaking with Martin about the intel mentioned some blonde guy was with Blake. Likely Jaune, but Yang couldn't figure out why those two would be together. She had her theories, but was fixated on the fleet of police cruisers, sirens off, but lights blaring. It looked like the action died down. She maintained her pace and went to the closest officer, despite how he was taking a statement from a civilian.

"Officer!" Yang cried. "I-"

"Calm down, ma'am." He placed his notebook in his pocket and tried to offer a comforting look. "What's troubling you?"

"The incident here," she blurted. "I've been led to believe my friends got caught up in it and they were unarmed, and-"

"Please, slow down..." The officer rested his hand on her shoulder. "Deep breath and focus. I understand you're worried, but I can assure you the only casualties here are members of the White Fang."

Yang's shoulders relaxed. She would have collapsed on the ground out of relief if it weren't for the lingering thoughts in the back of her mind. Blake wasn't here... and Junior wasn't going to be pleased with her once she got back.

Jaune fished for the key to his apartment. He didn't live too far from the restaurant he and Blake rendezvoused at, so the trip here wasn't too much of a hassle. Blake stepped in first.

"You two know each other," Blake said. Jaune shut the door behind him, refusing to take his eyes off Blake as she crossed her arms and glared. She didn't look angry or anything of the sort, but he couldn't get a proper read on her. "It's pointless to try to deny it, Jaune. I heard that brief conversation the two of you heard. You forgot my hearing is much sharper than the average person."

Jaune released his grip on the door and slid his hand over the lock. The click made Blake step back ever so slightly, but she stood her ground nevertheless. He made his way to the kitchen right by the entrance to his apartment and dug around in the cabinet for some glasses. He was sure Blake was just as thirsty as he was, but she wasn't going to drop her guard anytime soon. He shouldn't either, but with some of his bridges engulfed in flames, he couldn't help but feel melancholy.

"Have a seat, Blake."

She made her way to the other side of the counter between the kitchen and dining room, putting a barrier between the two of them. She also had the patio door behind her, so she had a means of escape should she choose to run. He'd have to cut her off from there, but slowly, or else she'll catch on.

Blake knows one of his secrets. Perhaps he could utilize that.

"You're White Fang," he summarized. "And I happen to be acquainted with Roman Torchwick." Her breathing hitched. "Weren't expecting that, were you? Well, I suppose if the secret's out, I'd ought as well share more about myself."

Share more information as a sign of trust. If not that, make her feel more comfortable by offering some insight of himself. Give her the ammunition to put a bullet through his life to make her reclaim some of the power in this relationship. So long as he doesn't give away too much or scare her, she won't leave. It wouldn't be too much of an issue if she fled, considering what he knew about her, but it'd be better if the two didn't shoot each other in the foot.

"Now, before I do elaborate on myself a bit more, I just wanted to pick your brain a bit. We were having a pleasant chat not too long ago, and you just ran off in the direction of the dust explosions. I understand you're trying to be a huntress, and responding to something like that is the duty of one." He slid a cold glass towards Blake and downed his own. "However, you went in against the White Fang and Roman Torchwick unarmed. It was clear we were no match for them, not to mention what they were up to was none of our business."

"When I saw the White Fang, I had to confirm whether or not-"

Jaune slammed his glass down. "Why does it have to be you?" he snarled.

"I'm the only one-"

"Don't you dare feed me that crap!" His fists clenched. "The right call would've been to leave it to the authorities or a licensed huntsman. In other words, someone far more capable than you. You should know your damn place, Blake. You seem to believe you're the only one that cares about what the White Fang gets up to."

"Because-"

"The police, huntsmen, and even the damn academies don't let terrorists run free, Blake." He wanted to laugh at how ignorant she was. "Just because you used to run with them doesn't mean you're the one that's going to change things. It doesn't give you some game-changing advantage. You're one girl with no real plan on what to do. Equality? Don't make me laugh..."

"And how is that any different from what you're doing?" she spat. Her eyes roared with defiance. She rose and kicked the stool she used back, allowing it to tumble on the ground. "You believe you can teach people of their mistakes and arrogance. Look in the mirror, Jaune. You're using whatever means you have at your disposal to enforce this idea of yours... Damn it, you left Yang and Ruby to-"

"Oh give me a break..." He tossed the glass in the sink, ignoring the noise it made. "Don't you dare compare me to you, Blake. Yang was an arrogant brawler with the mental capacity of a bull. Among the large bunch of brats that think themselves invincible. All I did was remind her of her mortality. It'll save her plenty of trouble and grief in the future."

"Jaune," she seethed.

"No. No, I know exactly what you're thinking right now. You haven't achieved any sort of progress with your goal, Blake. I however, am skipping along the trail. Professor Goodwitch? Snapped her out of her reverie and reminded her she cannot rely on her semblance. Our peers back at Beacon? They're aware of just how dangerous I can be with a little time to strategize and maybe a few bullets. No one challenges me to spars, Blake. If someone is called up to face me in combat class, are they like Cardin? No... They know I'm not one to be messed with."

"So that's it...? Fear is your method?"

"I didn't expect you to understand... With how stubborn you are, it's almost amusing." At least he could tell she was being sincere with him. "I've made progress. And I've gotten a healthy dose of reality back when my mentor was alive. At least, during her final moments."

Blake didn't have anything to say.

"You haven't seen the White Fang change, Blake. I've seen how one's mind can be the greatest of all foes." He held his wrist and massaged it. "I have the means and reasons to pursue my goals-"

Jaune's attention was stolen. He felt his muscles tighten as something familiar lingered in the atmosphere. Jaune's heart dropped. She was already here. He reached for the drawer next to him and pulled out the best knife he could grab. Blake looked at him with an understanding look. She could tell someone was here as well. Perhaps she was used to being ambushed in what was supposedly a secure location?

He inhaled and let his semblance do its work. Neo was right by Blake when he threw his knife towards her, barely scathing Blake's hip. Blake jolted to the side and cursed because of his sudden attack. He caught Neo by complete surprise as well. He reached for Blake's glass then threw it at Neo, still dazed from his initial attack. His heart began to jump as he climbed onto the counter and tackled Neo, slamming her into the ground.

Neo was at her best when she got some distance and could flee with her semblance. He could counter it and if Blake caught on, he'll be able to incapacitate Neo easily. Neo failed and tried to break free. She poked at his eyes, making him try to retaliate by biting her outstretched arm. Her mouth opened to signal pain, but she made no noise. Jaune persisted in restraining her, but his left eye was blinded by her jab. He fell back when she hoisted herself up and headbutted him.

Neo reached for her weapon, but Blake managed to push her against the wall. The length of that weapon wouldn't do much so long as they closed the distance on her. Neo grappled onto Blake with her leg and used the momentum to throw Blake off balance. Blake tried to catch herself, but Neo took advantage of this and went for the kill. Jaune shielded Blake with his body and prayed his aura wouldn't give in. Neo realized what he was up to and disappeared.

He bit his tongue as he realized his mistake and activated his semblance again. He focused on defending Blake. He wasn't skilled enough to use his aura as a shield while fueling his semblance. It required the training he didn't bother with.

By the time he figured out where Neo was hiding, she lunged with her weapon again. Jaune caught it, but the momentum Neo had behind her thrust allowed her to pierce his abdomen a bit, forcing him to the ground. Neo put all her weight against her blade, desperate to dig it further into his body. He wanted to use his aura, but didn't want to deactivate his semblance at risk of granting another opening for Neo. He noticed his kitchen knife, but couldn't afford to reach for it unless he wished to become a kebab.

He relaxed when Blake struck Neo with a lamp. Blake didn't stop there and wrestled with the diminutive girl. Jaune frantically went for the knife and plunged it into Neo's leg. She silently roared again. He swiped at her face and slammed it into her abdomen, avoiding any vital organs. It practically pinned her to the ground. Blake backed off, aware that the fight was over and noticed some of Neo's blood had gotten on her hands. Her breathing was audible, but she didn't look shaken like a civilian. No, Blake was far more seasoned.

Jaune uttered his apology and reached inside Neo's jacket. He could tell what Neo was trying to say to him, but he kept his semblance going. He fished for her scroll and searched for Roman's contact info. He dialed and didn't wait long. Roman was aware Neo would never bother with a phone call.

Roman's face on the screen, a scowl drawing the attention. "Where is she!?"

Jaune adjusted the camera so that Roman could see Neo unable to move and beginning to cry.

"Kid... I know this trick. I'm begging you kid, let her heal herself. I know you're using that damn semblance of yours to prevent her from using her aura."

"Call off this hit of yours on me," he demanded. "I know you plan to have anyone come get me. I am not going to meet this boss of yours, and in exchange, I'll treat Neo's wounds."

Roman contemplated, but kept looking over at Neo. Jaune wasn't sure of the exact nature of their relationship, but he felt a kinship to them when they first met. Neo reminded him of himself, and Roman was sort of like Neo's Ashlynn. It didn't influence his decision though. Should Roman take too long, he'll let Neo bleed out. Just who was this woman? Being able to intimidate Roman this much...

"Fine. Just let her heal herself-"

It was all he needed. He hung up and tossed the scroll aside. He sat down by Neo and watched her as she struggled to retain what she had left of her life. She was stemming the bleeding of her major wound, but without her aura kicking in, her efforts were nearly fruitless.

"Your semblance is some sort of nullification," Blake realized. Jaune slowly turned his head toward her. Her hands were still shaking. "That's why Yang's and Ruby's performance back during initiation suddenly dropped. That's how you beat Professor Goodwitch. That's why this girl can't use her aura... That's why you think you can achieve your goals. You're the reason for all this!"

Jaune slowly looked over at the knife in Neo. He deactivated his semblance and Neo took the chance to use her aura. It worked for about a minute before she was beginning to lose consciousness. Once she was out, he took over and made sure to stop the bleeding. He removed the knife and held it in his hand, the weight of it suddenly much greater compared to before. He inspected it, turning it over and running his fingers along it before he looked back at Blake.

He slowly rose and she mirrored him. Her legs weren't stable.

"You think people rely on their aura too much? I agree, Jaune..." She looked like a ghost, her skin beginning to grow pale. "And yet, you really are no better. You think you have the right to judge people based on whatever means they use to survive... Yet here you are, holding a pointless knife in hand, allowing that semblance of yours to do all the work. Look at yourself, you're using your semblance to get your way. How-"

"Shut up!"

He hurled the knife at the ground. He marched over to her and grabbed her collar, slamming her against the wall and glaring into her eyes. There was no fear in them, but triumph. She felt she had complete power right now... thinking her worthless opinion was above it all. She was wrong!

"My semblance is merely a tool to prove how people are flawed... I-"

"You look down on people for relying on their semblances and aura. And yet the very foundation, the method to achieve your goals, are based on the semblance you use. Listen to yourself, Jaune! Do I have to spell it out for you?"

Jaune growled and continued to hold her against the wall. Eventually, he loosened his grip. She shoved him back and fixed her clothing a bit, accidentally staining it with her bloody hands.

"You want to know how I ended up here?"