This was the first story I managed to complete after a twenty-five year dry spell. After watching RWBY for the first time a few months ago, something in Monty's vision touched my own sleeping creative spirit. Thirteen stories spilled out in two months, four more are in production and the ideas haven't stopped coming. I owe the man a debt of gratitude that can't be repaid.
This was originally written as a script, then converted to story format.
Most of the stories are linear, and I'll present them in order. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed the writing.
Chapter 1 Old Friends, New Fates
The ticking of the clock masked the sound of the chair as Ozpin shifted position.
Lifting the steaming cup, his eyes never left the opened scroll on the desk, as he waited for a response.
" Are you sure he will answer?"
Glynda's abrupt question did not surprise him as neither had heard from the man in several years. He'd asked himself the same thing while staring at the screen. Setting the cup down, he gave her the only answer he was sure of.
" If he still lives."
Goodwitch leaned over the desk, one hand on the chair back, as lights flickered on the screen, words forming under the name.
" I will come."
She watched Ozpin's lean frame relax as he exhaled, his relief obvious.
"Is this the right thing to do?" she asked.
The headmaster returned her gaze frankly.
" I'm not positive that it's right, but I must have information! Our enemies have hidden their plans well, we cannot hope to counter them without knowing our own capabilities." His hand waved towards the scroll. " He is the only one who can do that. His special ability will give us the information we need to plan for the future."
Glynda adjusted her glasses, eyes closing for a moment. Memories of the man in question brought mixed emotions.
She adored neatness and order in her life, along with the proper control of violence to overcome an opponent, which was why she taught the combat course.
He, on the other hand, had been disorderly, frenetic, and had a brand of violence that was measured on the Richter scale! His antics had once brought her to tears!
But, still...he had never been dull! A much younger huntress had certainly lived a more exciting life after meeting him. It had been almost five years since she'd seen him last. Maybe age had mellowed him somewhat?
She snorted at the thought.
It was more likely that the universe would end tomorrow!
Jaune and Ruby had stopped in the hallway to discuss an upcoming joint exercise for their teams, hoping that prior planning would work better than the random luck of the past.
Doctor Oobleck's sudden appearance beside them startled the two.
" Ruby..Jaune! Gather your teams and meet me at the landing, immediately!"
Without waiting for a reply, he dashed down the hallway, coat flapping behind.
The two stunned team leaders stared after him for a moment before turning to face each other again, both reaching for scrolls.
Arriving at the landing pad, they found Oobleck and Goodwitch waiting aboard an idling aircraft. As it lifted them into the air, the Doctor began to explain.
It was a rescue mission.
A farming community had radioed it's distress to the authorities in Vale. Grim had attacked the village walls, overwhelming the local defenses. The call had been cut off, mid-plea, and nothing had been heard since despite repeated attempts.
With no upperclassman teams available, Ozpin had opted to send RWBY and JNPR together with Oobleck and Goodwitch to render whatever aid was necessary.
Thirty minutes of flight time was far too long for Oobleck's peace of mind. Smoke had been visible from the direction of their destination for ten of those minutes.
Looking down on the devastated village, he was reminded of Mountain Glen. Not a single building stood undamaged. Glancing at the students, his words to Ruby came back to him.
" I see lives that could have been saved."
Smoke and ashes swirled around the aircraft as it settled on the ground. Exiting hurriedly, they led the students through a break in the wall where gates had once been.
Glynda gave the order to search for survivors. " Stay close to your partner at all times!" she warned before turning back Oobleck.
" Do you really think there might be any?" she quietly asked, gazing at the remains of homes.
" We must, or we fail their trust in us!" was his terse reply.
The teams separated, each taking a side of the main road before splitting into pairs. The partners took turns, one moving rubble aside while the other listened for any sign of life.
The two instructors walked down the center of the road, surveying the damage, finally arriving at the remains of the far wall. Half the structure had been destroyed outright, huge blocks of stone lay cracked, others reduced to rubble.
Glynda turned, holding out a hand at the wreckage. " What could have done this? A Goliath?"
Oobleck was shocked, mentally figuring the power required to wreak such havoc.
" Impossible, none have ever been seen in this region!" he declared.
Stepping past the rubble, they surveyed the fields beyond. Crops had been trampled and clods of dirt lay scattered about, debris from deep indentations. The only tracks they could find belonged to Beowolves, puzzling the doctor further.
Their investigation was interrupted by the arrival of the teams. Dirty hands brushed an equally dirty battle skirt as Ruby reported that they had found no-one, living or dead. Jaune's report was the same, though he wondered if anyone might have escaped.
The doctor took a moment to adjust his glasses. " We can only hope."