Chapter 45:

A/N: https://discord.gg/cUgGvW Join the discord. I enjoy interacting with you guys/gals, it really makes this whole thing more real. I still find it hard to believe that so many people enjoy this story. I've had ideas for this and ones for other anime that I've watched and decided to publish this one on a whim. That was a month ago today. Thank you all for the continuous support, it means more to me than you'll ever realize. If you really like the story, drop a powerstone, or leave a comment or review, or just continue reading. Thank you all again, Rhino out.

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Topaz and Neo are sitting on his parent's couch in their living room, watching the madness around them unfold. Haley eventually makes her way to join them and sits next to Neo.

Sara: "Alex, did you grab everything we need from the basement?"

Alex: "Yeah, it's all in the guestroom down the hall."

Sara: "What about-"

Alex: "Honey, almost everything has been packed that we are taking with us."

Sara: "Yeah but…"

Alex: "Honey, relax. I know you're nervous and excited to see your sister but you need to calm down."

Sara: "Ok, I'll try."

Hearing a knock on the door, Topaz gets up to see who it is. Opening the front door, he sees Emma standing there with a small bag in hand, and behind her is Leo and Stella.

Topaz: "Come on in everyone. Please excuse the chaos, mom and dad are freaking out."

Leo: "You've really made a mess of things kid. But in all honesty, no one deserve to see the world more than your father. He's done a lot for the tribe and we will miss him. He's left me a very large pair of shoes to fill."

Topaz: "I believe you will do just fine Leo. You care about everyone, and that's a quality a chief needs. And as you said, you will have Stella by your side."

Leo: "Thanks Topaz, for everything."

Stella: "We will miss having your family and you around here. Make sure you stop by at some point to meet our child when they're born."

Topaz: "Yes, I will have to indeed. Now come on, mom and dad will be happy to see you two."

With everyone convened in the living room Emma makes her way over to Neo and Haley and the group of three begins to entertain themselves. Topaz watches as the adults discuss different things, varying between what Leo should do as chief to what raising a kid is like. Sara and Stella make their way upstairs so they can discuss what being pregnant is like, while Alex and Leo stayed around the kitchen to discuss the tricks that Alex learned in his time as chief. After a few hours, Leo and Stella left to return to their own home. Topaz eventually went up to his room to get some sleep. Neo followed after him and the two quickly found themselves falling asleep.

Sara: "Topaz, Neo, its time to wake up."

Feeling himself be lightly shaken, Topaz wakes up and finds his mother shaking both himself and Neo awake. Topaz noticed that the outfit she wore today looked very similar to the one that Summer usually wore back on Patch.

Sara: "Come on you two, its time to head to Kuo Kuana."

Topaz: "I'm up. That your combat outfit?"

Sara: "Yes, it is, how did you know?"

Topaz: "I mean, it looks exactly like what Summer wore."

Sara: "After all this time… she still wears the outfit I gave her."

Topaz: "Come on mom, the sooner we get to Kuo Kuana, the sooner you can see her."

Sara: "You're right, let's go."

Making his way downstairs into the living room, Topaz grabs his bag and spear and prepares to set out with his family. After making sure everyone had everything they needed, they set out. Walking through the village, the other residents of the village stood around the path and clapped as their old chief passed through. Standing at the gate of the village, Leo and Stella stood with smiles on their faces.

Leo: "Alex, thank you for everything you have done for the village. Please know that you and your family will always be welcome here should you feel the desire to visit. You will be missed."

Alex: "Thank you Leo. I know you will do great things as chief, just remember to believe in yourself and in Stella."

Leo: "Thank you. I will try an remember that."

Alex: "This is goodbye for now everyone. Take care of each other and live your lives the way you wish to live, and be happy."

After saying his final farewell, Alex motions for his family to follow. Topaz notices Emma falling behind so he turns and sees her looking at the village. She eventually takes a deep breath and turns to follow after Topaz. Seeing him watching her she gives him a small nod and walks past him. Topaz looks at Neo and the two shrug. They then turn and follow the rest of the group heading towards Kuo Kuana.

After a quiet and uneventful trek through the desert, Topaz and his family see Kuo Kuana on the horizon. Continuing on until they reach the city, Topaz leads the way until they reach Ghira Belladonna's home. Topaz planned on letting Blake know he would be heading back to Vale. Using the overly large door knockers that lie on the doors, Topaz takes a step back and waits for the doors to be answered. After a moment, the large door is opened and Kali peeks her head out to see who it is.

Topaz: "Kali, it's lovely to see you again. Is Blake in?"

Kali: "Oh Topaz, it's good to see you again. Wow, you brought a lot of people with you. Please, everyone come in."

Topaz: "Kali, this is my mother and father, my younger sister Haley, and the girl standing towards the back is Emma. I guess you can call her a cousin of sorts."

Kali: "It's a pleasure to meet you all."

Topaz and his family enter the large home and are ushered into the living room. Sitting down and waiting, Kali brings in some tea for everyone.

Kali: "Give me just a moment to find Blake and Ghira."

Topaz: "Thank you for the hospitality Kali."

Kali: "Don't mention it Topaz."

Kali makes her way into the house to try and find her daughter and husband. As soon as she leaves the room Sara turns towards Topaz and asks him how he knows Kali.

Sara: "Topaz, when did you and Mrs. Belladonna meet?"

Topaz: "When I first returned to Menagerie, the ship I had traveled over on docked pretty early in the day. I made my way to the edge of the market to get to the desert, but was quickly stopped by Ghira Belladonna and was warned about the dangers of the desert. After telling him why I was there and him explaining that Leo would be there later in the day, he had me and Neo follow him back here to relax until then. It was here I found out that Ghira and Kali are actually the parents of a classmate of mine who was on Ruby and Yang's team at Beacon."

Sara: "Beacon, how was your time there? Wait, come to think of it, why aren't you there? Isn't class in session?"

Topaz: "…"

Sara: "Topaz… what's wrong."

Topaz: *Sigh* "Mom, Beacon fell."

Sara: "What?"

Topaz: "A few weeks before I returned to Menagerie, Beacon was attacked by a group of people who were working with the White Fang, and were leading Grimm into the city and school. People were hurt and killed for a reason that no one can find."

Sara: "Oh my Ohm, Topaz Nemea, why didn't you tell me?!"

Topaz: "I didn't want you worrying mom."

Sara: "…"

Topaz: "Mom, you ok?"

Sara: "I'm angry, I'm worried, but most of all, I'm sad you kept this from me Topaz. I'm your mother, I want to know when things like that happen you know."

Topaz: "I'm sorry mom."

Kali: "I hope we aren't interrupting anything important."

Sara: "No you're fine. I was just told about what happened at Beacon."

Kali: "Ah, I can understand your frustration and worry then."

Sara: "Us mothers have to stick together."

Kali: "Exactly."

Topaz sees Blake and Ghira walk into the room behind Kali with an almost embarrassed look on their faces.

Topaz: "Hello Ghira, Blake, it's good to see you both again."

Ghira: "Yes, its good to see you well once again Topaz. It always worries me when people go out into the desert, no matter how used to it they are."

Topaz: "We were fine, we only had one run in with the alpha deathworm, no big deal."

Ghira: "WHAT!"

Alex: *chuckling* "Yeah, the alpha deathworm will no longer be an issue for anyone."

Ghira: "You mean…"

Alex: "Yep, Topaz took it out."

Ghira: "Are you serious?"

Alex: "Very, look at his spearhead, he used the tooth that dropped from it as the material for it."

Ghira: "That is astounding."

Blake: "Topaz, its nice to see you again. When did you start using a spear?"

Topaz: "Recently actually, I made this one not even a week ago."

Blake: "That's pretty cool."

Ghira: "Not that I am complaining, but what brings you all here?"