Chapter 14
Glynda) Ironwood certainly loves bringing his work wherever he travels.
Ozpin) Well, running an academy and a military makes him a busy man. But yes, those are a bit of an eyesore.
A chirping beep sounds from his desk. Ozpin turns to see a hollow message reading "Access Requested."
Ozpin) Come in.
The doors slide open. Ironwood steps through as Ozpin moves to greet him.
Ironwood) Ozpin!
Ozpin) Hello, General.
Ironwood) Please, drop the formalities. It's been too long. And Glynda! It has certainly been too long since we last met.
Glynda) Oh, James! (She gives a warm wave, then drops all pleasantries.) I'll be outside.
She walks away.
Ironwood) Well, she hasn't changed a bit.
Ozpin) (moving to his desk, pouring from a kettle as he speaks) So, what in the world has brought you all the way down from Atlas? Headmasters don't typically travel with their students for the Vytal Festival. (He turns and offers a cup to Ironwood.)
Ironwood) (accepting it) Well, you know how much I love Vale this time of year. (He produces a canteen from his coat and pours its contents into the mug.) Besides, with you hosting, I thought this might be a good opportunity for us to catch up.
Ozpin) (settling into his chair, pouring his own coffee) I can certainly appreciate quality time between friends. However, a small fleet outside my window has me concerned.
Ironwood) Well, concern is what brought them here.
Ozpin) I understand that travel between kingdoms has become increasingly difficult.
Ironwood) Oz, you and I both know why I brought those men.
Ozpin) (setting his mug down) We are in a time of peace. Shows of power like this are only going to give off the wrong impression.
Ironwood) But if what Qrow said is true —
Ozpin) If what Qrow said is true, then we will handle it tactfully. It's the Vytal Festival — a time to celebrate unity and peace. I suggest you not frighten people by transporting hundreds of soldiers halfway across the continent. Besides I have my own secret weppon here
Ironwood) I'm just being cautious.
Ozpin) As am I. Which is why we will continue to train the best Huntsmen and Huntresses we can.
Ironwood) Believe me, I am. (He moves toward the door, then stops and looks back.) But ask yourself this: do you honestly believe your children can win a war?
Ozpin) I hope they never have to. But thier is one child In this current era that I know can change the tides
An image of Kaito Appeared on the screen
In the Beacon Academy library, Team RWBY are gathered around a table deep in a game of Remnant: The Game. Weiss sits composed, Yang looks dangerously entertained, and Blake is clearly somewhere else entirely. Ruby stares at the board like her life depends on it.
Ruby) Hmmmmm... all right. All right! Yang Xiao Long, prepare your kingdom for battle!
Yang) (slamming her elbow down with a grin) Bring it on!
Ruby) I deploy the Atlesian Air Fleet! (She slaps her card down.) Looks like I get to fly right over your Ursai and attack your walls directly!
Yang) (feigning outrage) You fiend!
Ruby) (ducking low at her end of the table) And since Atlas is part of Mantle, my repair time is only one turn.
Yang) (raising a card with a theatrical flair) Pretty sneaky, sis — but you just activated my trap card! Giant Nevermore! If I roll a seven or higher, fatal feathers will slice your fleet in two!
Ruby) (pointing back) But if you roll a six or lower, the Nevermore turns on your own forces!
Yang) That's just a chance I'm willing to take.
The two lock eyes across the table. A beat of silence. Then Yang lets out a triumphant shout from offscreen.
Ruby) Nooooo! My fearless soldiers!
Yang) Eh, most of them were probably androids.
Ruby) Goodbye, my friends. You will be avenged.
Yang) Not until I draw my rewards — which are double this round, thanks to the Mistral Trade Route!
Ruby) Bah!
At the next table over, Ren and Pyrrha are studying. Nora is asleep, a snot bubble inflating and deflating with each breath.
Nora) (murmuring in her sleep) Oh... have pancakes...
Yang) Oh, and what's this? The Smugglers of Wind Path?
Ruby) Bah! Bah, I say!
Yang) Looks like I'm taking two cards in hand!
Pyrrha quietly reaches over and trades the comic book Jaune is reading under the table for a textbook. She does it without looking up from her own notes. A Nevermore player piece bounces off Jaune's head from somewhere across the room.
Ruby) (collapsing forward onto the table) Have you no heart? Nooo!
Yang) Well, Weiss — your turn.
Weiss) I have absolutely no idea what's going on.
Yang) (sliding up beside her) Look, it's easy! You're playing as Vacuo, which means all Vacuo-based cards come with a bonus. See — you've got Sandstorm, Desert Scavenge... oh! (She holds up a card.) Resourceful Raider! You can take Ruby's discarded Air Fleet —
Ruby) (from across the table) Nooo!
Yang) — and put it in your hand. And since Vacuo warriors have endurance against Natural-based hazards, you can use Sandstorm to disable my ground forces and simultaneously infiltrate my kingdom. (She points at Weiss.) Just know that I will not forget this declaration of war.
Weiss) And that means...?
Ruby) You're three moves away from conquering Remnant!
Weiss) (standing slowly, a crack of thunder seeming to follow her) Yes! Fear the almighty power of my forces! Cower as they pillage your homes and weep as they take your children from your very arms!
Yang) Trap card.
Weiss) Huh?
Yang) (sweeping the board) Your armies have been destroyed.
Weiss) (slumping back into her chair with a long whine) I hate this game of emotions we play!
Ruby hops into Weiss's lap.
Ruby) Stay strong, Weiss! We'll make it through this together!
Weiss) Shut up! (She hugs Ruby.) Don't touch me!
Yang) (leaning back, arms behind her head) All right, Blake — you're up.
Blake) Oh, um — sorry. What am I doing?
Yang) You're playing as Vale, trying to conquer the Kingdoms of Remnant.
Blake) Right.
Jaune) (approaching the table) Hey, can I play?
Ruby) Sorry, Jaune — we've already got four people.
Weiss) Besides, this game requires a certain level of tactical cunning that I seriously doubt you possess.
Yang) You attacked your own naval fleet two turns ago.
Weiss) (making an annoyed sound)
Jaune) Bring it on, Ice Queen! I'll have you know that I have been told I am a natural-born leader!
Weiss) By who? Your mother?
Jaune) A-and Pyrrha!
Pyrrha) (waving from the next table) Hello again!
Jaune) (folding his hands together) Come on — let me play your hand for a turn!
Weiss) I'm not trusting you with the good citizens of Vacuo!
Jaune) Why not? You've trusted me with way more important things before. I mean, you told us all that Blake is secretly a Fa —
Pyrrha darts forward and claps a hand over his mouth.
Pyrrha) — fun-loving person, whom we all admire and respect.
Jaune laughs nervously under her hand. Everyone glances at Blake, who looks like she very much wants to be somewhere else.
Jaune) Right. That. Ladies, enjoy your battle. (He gives an awkward bow as Pyrrha steers him away.)
Sun) (appearing in the doorway with a peace sign) 'Sup, losers.
Ruby) Hey, Sun!
Sun) Ruby, Yang, Blake... Ice Queen.
Weiss) Why does everyone keep calling me that?
Kaito) (appearing beside Sun with a grin) Because you're cold as ice.
Weiss) (sticking her tongue out at him)
Kaito) (clutching his chest) How unladylike.
Sun) Anyway — I never got the chance to formally introduce you all to my old friend.
Neptune) (glancing around) Aren't libraries for reading?
Ren) (throwing his arms up from across the room) Thank you!
Nora) (lifting her head off the table) Pancakes!
Sun) Shut up. Don't be a nerd.
Neptune) (wagging a finger) "Intellectual." Thank you. (He waves at the group.) I'm Neptune.
Weiss) So, Neptune — where are you from?
Neptune) Haven. (He steps closer to Weiss.) And I don't believe I've caught your name, snow angel.
Weiss) Um... I'm Weiss.
Jaune) (from across the room) Are you kidding me?!
Neptune) Pleasure to meet you.
Sun) (turning to Blake) I never took you as the board game type.
Blake sets her pieces down without a word, slides past Sun, and walks out of the library.
Blake) I'll see you guys later.
Nora) (shrugging) Women.
Back in Team RWBY's dorm room, Blake sits on her bed with her knees pulled to her chest, staring at nothing. Voices echo in her head — her own, Roman's, the sounds of that night at the docks. The clash of blades. Torchwick's laughter.
Blake) (in the memory) Brothers of the White Fang — why are you aiding this scum?
Roman) (in the memory) The White Fang and I are going in on a joint business venture together.
The memory fades. The room shifts — she's sitting across from Ozpin in an interview office, quieter now.
Ozpin) Well, this has certainly been an eventful evening.
Blake) Hmph.
Ozpin) I'm sure that after a night of thwarting robbery, you probably just want to go home and rest. But I was hoping we might have a chance to talk.
Blake) Of course.
Ozpin) Wonderful. As you know, in order to enroll at my academy, students must first pass a rigorous entrance exam. Most applicants spend years preparing at combat schools around the world. You are one of the few who did not — and you passed with flying colors.
Blake) I was raised outside the kingdoms. If you can't fight, you can't survive.
Ozpin) Well, you have most certainly survived. (He takes a slow sip of coffee.) I admire your drive. And I am proud to run a school that accepts individuals from all walks of life. Rich, poor, Human... Faunus.
Blake meets his eyes.
Ozpin) Why do you wear that bow, Blake? Why hide who you are?
Blake) You may be willing to accept the Faunus, Professor Ozpin — but your species is not.
Ozpin) True. But we are continuing to take strides to lessen the divide.
Blake) With all due respect, you need to start taking larger strides. Until then, I'd rather avoid unnecessary attention. I want people to see me for who I am — not what I am.
Ozpin) And what are you?
Blake) I don't understand what you're asking.
Ozpin) How did you know the White Fang would be at the shipyard tonight?
Blake) I didn't. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Ozpin) You wouldn't have been the first. But what happened tonight was not an isolated incident. I may be your headmaster, but I am also a Huntsman, and it is my sworn duty to protect this world from the forces that conspire against it. Blake — are you sure there is nothing else you'd like to tell me?
Blake) I'm sure.
Ozpin) (standing) Very well. Thank you for your time, Ms. Belladonna. (He heads for the door, then pauses.) If you ever need to talk — please, don't hesitate.
He closes the door quietly behind him.
Team RWBY file back into their dorm room later that evening.
Yang) Ugh — we should have never let him play!
Ruby) You're just mad because the new guy beat you! If you had attacked when I told you to, none of this would have happened.
As they enter, Blake moves toward the door to leave. Weiss stops her.
Weiss) Stop. (She points.) Lately you've been quiet, antisocial, and moody.
Yang) Have you met Blake?
Weiss) Which I understand is your thing — but you've been doing it more than usual, and quite frankly that is unacceptable. You made a promise to me, to all of us, that you would say something if something was wrong. So, Blake Belladonna — what is wrong?
Blake) I just... I don't understand how everyone can be so calm.
Ruby) (stepping closer) You're still thinking about Torchwick?
Blake) Torchwick, the White Fang, all of it! Something big is happening and no one is doing anything about it!
Yang) Ozpin told us not to worry. Between the police and the Huntsmen, I'm sure they can handle it.
Blake) Well, I'm not sure! They don't know the White Fang like I do!
Weiss) Okay — between blowing up nightclubs, stopping thieves, and fighting for freedom, I'm sure the three of you think you're ready to go out and apprehend these ne'er-do-wells!
Ruby) Uh... who?
Weiss) But let me once again be the voice of reason. We are students. We are not ready to handle this kind of situation.
Ruby) Well, yeah... but if it were Kaito, he'd totally have it handled. If he cared enough, anyway.
The room went quiet for a moment.
Weiss) I suppose. But Kaito never really shows us his full power, does he?
Blake) And we may never be ready — that's my point. Our enemies aren't going to sit around and wait for graduation day. (She gestures toward the door.) They're out there somewhere, planning their next move. None of us know what it is, but it's coming. Whether we're ready or not.
Ruby) (raising her hand with great solemnity) Okay — all in favor of becoming the youngest Huntresses to single-handedly take down a corrupt organization conspiring against the Kingdom of Vale... say aye.
Yang) (pumping her fist) Yes! I love it when you're feisty!
Weiss) Well, I suppose it could be fun.
Ruby) None of you said aye!
Blake) All right, then. We're in this together.
Ruby) Let's hatch a plan!
Yang) Yeah!
Ruby) (gasping) Oh no I left my board game at the library!
Weiss) (pressing a hand to her forehead) We're doomed.
Ruby) (already sprinting out the door) I'll be right back!
A crash. A grunt. Ruby's voice from the hallway.
Ruby) Oh oof! Oh! Sorry, are you okay?
The music shifts to something quieter and unsettling.
Emerald) I'm fine. Just watch where you're going.
Kaito steps into the hallway behind Ruby and catches her by the cape before she can reach for Emerald's offered hand, pulling her back upright.
Kaito) Geez talk about a way to meet someone, huh?
Ruby) Hey, it's not funny, Kaito
Emerald lets out a polite cough.
Ruby) Oh right, sorry. Um, I'm Ruby! Are you new?
Cinder) (stepping forward from behind Emerald) Visiting from Haven, actually.
Ruby stares. Cinder stares back.
Ruby) Oh! You're here for the festival! But exchange students have their own dormitory.
Mercury) I guess we just got turned around.
Ruby) Hey, don't worry it happens all the time. Your building is just east of here.
Cinder) (already walking past) Thanks. Maybe we'll see you around.
Kaito) (leaning casually against the wall as they pass) Ruby, probably. As for me I doubt it. I can already tell you three are pretty weak.
He says it lightly, conversationally, like a passing observation about the weather.
Ruby) (waving after them) Yeah, maybe! Oh and welcome to Beacon!
Cinder doesn't look back. But she smiles.
Later, Kaito stands alone on the roof of Beacon Tower. The city of Vale glitters below. Neo sits beside him on the ledge, eating a small cup of ice cream.
Kaito) So. Looks like things are finally getting interesting.
Neo glanced up at him and nodded once.
Kaito) Should probably warn Ozpin...
He trailed off, staring out at the horizon, turning the thought over.
Kaito) ...Or I could just let this play out. Now that I'm actually here — at the level I'm at — I've got no doubt I could take Salem and her entire army. It's not like she could do anything against Infinite Void.
He said it without arrogance. Just a quiet, honest assessment, the same way someone might note that the sky was clear.
Kaito) Still. Might be more fun to see how this goes first.
Neo tapped him on the arm and offered him a spoonful of ice cream.
He took it without question.
Not much to say about other than where getting into volume 2
I don't remember the last episode of RWBY I wrote but isn sure it was jsut near here
I am being completely honest this Concept is fun in general I just can't really come up with good stakes just yet Along side me showing
Off. How well Jaune took to Kaito training
Does anyone have any stories where the MC reborn as a sayian
Ive read a few invicebale ones
But nothing where thier put in other Anime
But if ur looking for a fun story I recommend this Willful Thinking (Invincible/DC | Green Lantern OC-Insert)
by Eternal yujin