Chapter 21: Forest of Forever Fall

A/N: This forest is one of my favorite areas from the anime tbh. I really wish they'd do more with it aside from hint at it with paintings here and there. That aside, I think I have decided to go with the mini harem route. The current plan, I won't spoil for it, but I have an idea that should cause a few laughs. So far I know Ariel and Neo will be in, Blake, Yang, Ruby, and Pyrra will not. If you have any suggestions for another girl let me know.

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It's been a few days since Topaz had his little meeting with Professors Ozpin and Goodwitch. In that time, Topaz has started sparring against Pyrra. She came up to him one evening and asked if he would be willing to spar with her. She sounded frustrated so Topaz went along with it to let her burn off some of her anger. Topaz found out from Pyrra that Jaune has been hanging out with Cardin recently, and hasn't been around for his team. Topaz could tell she liked him, wasn't sure what she saw in him, but didn't think it was his place to judge. Topaz currently finds himself in Forever Fall Forest, and can't help but stare in awe at the beauty that is the forest. Bright crimson leaves hang in the trees, and the grass is of a similar color. Topaz could smell grimm in the area, so he didn't allow himself to stay distracted with its beauty.

Goodwitch: "Yes students, the forest of forever fall is indeed beautiful, but we are not here to sightsee. Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples from the trees deep inside this forest, and I'm here to make sure none of you die while doing so. Each of you is to gather one jars worth of red sap, however this forest is full of the creatures of grimm, so be sure to stay by your teammates. We will rendezvous her at four-o-clock. Have fun!"

Topaz can see Jaune carrying a large box and five jars to hold the sap. Why five? And why is Jaune going with team CRDL and not his own team? What has Jaune gotten himself into? Topaz looks over at Pyrra and can see the pain in her eyes, as she shakes her head and leads Ren and Nora away.

Scarlett: "Alright team SATN, let's go and fill up our jars with the sap."

Nova: "Aye aye Captain!"

Scarlett: "It's too early in the day for your sarcasm Nova."

Topaz makes his way over to Ariel and the two chuckle at their teammates. The four of them make their way into the forest, fighting any grimm that gets in their way. They have filled their jars and are now enjoying the beauty of the forest, with Topaz staying on guard, using his enhanced senses to search for any grimm to close to them.

Russel: "Ursa Ursa, it's got Cardin."

Topaz snaps his head in the direction he heard the cry. Scarlett notices his sudden motion, stands and draws her naginata.

Scarlett: "What is is?"

Topaz: "It sounded like Russel yelling about an Ursa way off in the distance."

Scarlett: "Should we be worried?"

Topaz: "Well, by the sound of it, it has Cardin trapped, and last I saw Jaune was glued to his side, so maybe."

Scarlett: "Ok, you go over to where they are, you're faster than us and I have no worries about you taking care of yourself. The three of us will make our way to Professor Goodwitch to let her know."

Topaz: "Sounds good, be safe."

Scarlett: "You too, see you soon."

Ariel: "Topaz please be careful."

Topaz: "You know me Ariel, it takes a lot to bring me down."

Topaz breaks off into a sprint in the direction he heard the yelling. As he gets closer, he can hear the sound of fighting, so he picks up his speed. Arriving at a clearing, Topaz can see Jaune's shield arm move at a very odd direction from what it was going in, block the Ursa's swipe, and then decapitate the grimm. Out of the corner of his eye he can see Pyrra, Weiss, and Ruby.

Pyrra: "Ruby has her speed, Weiss has her glyphs. My semblance is polarity."

Topaz: "Polarity huh?"

The three girls look up at the apporaching Topaz. He wanted to say something due to a gut feeling that Ruby was about to say something dumb.

Topaz: "Hey girls, you alright?"

Ruby: "Hi Topaz!"

Weiss: "Hello."

Pyrra: "Topaz, what are you doing here?"

Topaz: "I heard Russel yelling about an ursa having Cardin so I rushed over. I got here to see Jaunes interesting finishing blow. Your doing?"

Pyrra: "I don't know what you are talking about. It was all Jaune."

Pyrra gives Topaz a subtle wink hinting at what she wants, then begins walking away. Topaz understood that Pyrra wanted Jaune to use that as a building point for his confidence, so he decided to ignore it. Topaz turns to look at Jaune and Cardin and hears Jaune tell Cardin to never mess with his friends again. Good for him, he grew a pair. Professor Goodwitch shows up shortly after along with the rest of everyone's teams.

Goodwitch: "Is everyone ok?"

Topaz: "Yep, Jaune had it all handled."

Goodwitch: "Mr. Arc did?"

Cardin: "I'm as surprised as you are. But yes, Jaune took on the ursa by himself after it flung my weapon away."

Goodwitch: "Ok then. Mr. Arc, I am glad you are finally starting to show some combat prowess. If everyone has their required samples, let's return to Beacon so you can all rest up."

The class follows Professor Goodwitch through the forest back towards Beacon. As they walk everyone is talking about how Jaune was the hero of the day. No one could believe it but if even Cardin admitted to it, it had to be true. Returning to Beacon, Topaz goes to the training room to burn off the extra energy he has. After a little while he hears someone enter behind him, turning he finds Pyrra making her way over to him with a smile.

Pyrra: "Topaz, how are you doing?��

Topaz: "I'm well, how about you?"

Pyrra: "I'm well as well. I want to thank you for not letting Jaune know what actually happened earlier."

Topaz: "There's no need to thank me. Everyone needs that starting point to build their confidence from. Jaune will go far if he gets the proper training and the right assistance, which with you by his side, I know he will get."

Topaz can see slight blush on her cheeks after he says that so he decides to tease her a bit.

Topaz: "And I think you know what I mean by that."

Pyrra: "W-w-what are you t-talking about. Me, by his s-side."

Topaz: "Ha ha, I'm kidding Pyrra. It's pretty easy to tell you like him, as oblivious as he is to it. Just keep your head, and let him know how you feel when you are comfortable with it. Have a good night."

Topaz can swear he hears steam coming from Pyrra's ears after their conversation, so he walks away and laughs to himself. Making his way back to the dorms, he showers and begins making his way by his room.

Blake: "Well maybe we were just tired of being pushed around!"

Topaz is surprised to hear Blake yell, and even more surprised when she comes sprinting out of her room and slams into Topaz's chest. Before he can even process what happened, Blake is back on her feet and sprinting away.

Ruby: "Blake, wait! Come back! Topaz? Did you see Blake run by?"

Topaz: "Saw her, felt her. Yes, she ran into me and then continued on. Is everything ok?"

Ruby: "I don't know. We went to the docks today because Weiss wanted to see what our competition would be like for the Vytal Festival. When we were there, a monkey faunus was being chased for stowing away on a ship that had arrived, which caused Weiss to start up on speaking badly about faunus, and the White Fang. After things continued, Blake and Weiss argued, and I think Blake might have been a part of them by the sound of it. *Sigh* I don't know."

Topaz: "It'll be ok Ruby. Give Blake and Weiss some time to cool off, it sounds like they said some things while their emotions were unstable. But really, you guys just found out Blake was a faunus?"

Ruby: "I guess you're right."

Ruby begins to head back into her dorm, but quickly turns around and looking at Topaz.

Ruby: "Wait, you knew Blake was a faunus."

Topaz: "Uh, yeah. I found out the first day we got here."

Ruby: "And you didn't tell Yang or me?"

Topaz: "Ruby, you and Yang are my family yes, but something like that was not my secret to tell. Blake has obviously been through some things and is trying to start a new leaf."

Ruby: "I understand that, but it still hurts knowing you were lying to us."

Topaz: "I never lied, I just merely didn't tell you guys someone else's secret."

Ruby: "Fine, have a good night Topaz."

Topaz: "You too Ruby."

Topaz makes his way back to his team's room, he can't help but hope that Ruby and her team are able to work things out.