Chapter 2
New School Plus
It had probably been close to an hour.
When Minato entered his new room, he had found that it felt odd. Unsurprising, since his, like most rooms, were meant for teams of four and not just one. Unpacking the personal belongings that Ozpin had given him, along with setting aside his weapons on one of the desk, he had settled in nicely.
Yet, that didn't stop from the feeling of emptiness.
He was used to being alone. No, not used to, simply remembering. He had been alone for most of his life. But this was a new life. A new chance. A world without shadows that turned humans into apathy. A world that didn't need to be reminded to fight. A world without a Dark Hour.
His eyes glanced towards the clock in the room.
11:57 pm
At least not yet.
If he was honest with himself, Minato was worried his fears would be realized. The ability to use his Persona and re-ignite his Social Links worried him. What should only have appeared during the Dark Hour had assumed form within normal time and day. Links that were slumbering were returned. This wasn't his world though, the Dark Hour had no form or reason to exist, it should be impossible to form.
Minato, learned a long time ago that impossible was just a world.
So he waited. The Nihil weapon sat on the desk by his bed, but the Evoker he held in his hand. A reassurance, just in case.
11:58 pm
He worried how others would react to the Dark Hour. There were several ways this could happen. The most preferable would be that the Dark Hour didn't exist in this world and there would be nothing to worry about. Next would be the Dark Hour appearing, but only he would be conscience of the hidden hour, and he would have to find the source and hope that history would not repeat. And the worse would be that he brought the Dark Hour with him, and not only would he have to guide the Hunters and Huntresses caught within, but also regain the power he lost to its full potential and prepare for either Erebus or Nyx.
11:59 pm
One minute left. He watched the seconds tick away. His grip on the Evoker tightened. Fear entered his mind, of what could happen, of the horrors that could exist. But he didn't take his eyes off of the clock.
12:00 am
Nothing.
It took him a second to realize that time hadn't stopped. The sky and world around him hadn't turned a sickly green. He walked towards the window to see that the sky hadn't changed either. His eyes were drawn towards the glowing orb in the sky. He saw the moon.
A shattered moon.
Minato wasn't sure what to think of what he saw. The moon looked as though it had been broken into pieces. What was strong enough that it could shatter a quarter of the moon and not only keep it in rotation, but the separated pieces as well? It could simply be a natural law of this world. He would have to ask Professor Ozpin about it later.
With his fears laid to rest, Minato went to sleep.
His first day of school started tomorrow.
~Break~
He woke up around eight in the morning.
Minato put himself on autopilot. He got dressed in the academy uniform, brushed his teeth, looked at what classes he would have for the day, and packed his bags accordingly. All in all it took around 20 minutes to get ready for the day. It was strange carrying around his weapons at all times, but unlike most of the students at Beacon his weapons did not collapse into a more manageable form.
While walking to his first class, Minato, found it odd that they only had three classes for the entire semester. First was Grimm studies, which he assumed covered everything thy needed to learn and know about the creatures, with Professor Peter Port. The history of Remnant with Bartholomew Oobleck. Then it was combat and aura training with Professor Glynda Goodwitch. Each class lasted two hours with a lunch break in between. But with a smaller amount of classes that would imply more work in each as compensation.
He was the first to arrive in the classroom and there was still around 22 minutes until the class would officially start. Taking out a notebook and pencil he waited. While waiting, Minato got a good look at the classroom. It was shaped like a college lecture hall, with the desk set up in elevated rows. In the very front was a standard teaching podium with a large blackboard in the back.
Above the blackboard and around the room as a whole was a collection of pictures and Grimm trophies. It looked like diagrams of the various types of Grimm. Each picture had a skeletal picture along with several notes along the side. It seemed appropriate considering this was Grimm studies.
While reading one of the diagrams on a creature called an Ursa, which like the constellation in his world's night sky was a bear, a man walked into the room. He looked to be middle-age with his gray hair, and was dressed in a button up burgundy suit. On his soldier was a large rattling cage that grunted and snarled while he put it to the side of the classroom. The cage started to rattle and jump even more violently until a slam from the man made it go silent.
It wasn't hard to guess what was in the cage.
It wasn't until he stepped up to the podium that he noticed Minato was there.
"Oh!" he said surprised, "Good morning young man."
Minato nodded his head in greeting.
"I didn't even notice you," he said while scratching his beard, "I'm not used to my new students arriving to class so early," he started to look around the room, "and I don't see the rest of your team. You didn't leave them behind did you?" He chuckled.
"I do not have an official team sir," Minato answered.
That made the man, obviously Professor Port at this point, raise his eyebrows.
"I see, then you are the new student Headmaster Ozpin told us about. While I personally feel somewhat uncomfortable that you do not have an official team of your own. I have complete and utter faith in the Headmaster, he has never steered me wrong before and I trust his judgement on this."
Minato nodded in agreement. The man seemed to have an open nature to him. Not many wouldn't question when someone goes against traditional means.
He must truly trust Ozpin.
"Now, even though you don't have your own team don't expect any special treatment," he continued, "The headmaster deemed you strong enough to handle yourself on your own and join other teams in their own missions. You will be held to the same standard as everyone here."
"I understand."
"That's the spirit!" he put his fist to his side and stood proudly, "Now we'll wait for your classmates and you'll be introduced to, I dare say, the greatest of all of the classes here at Beacon!
~Break~
No matter what world, it seemed, there would always be teachers who would rant on about their favorite subjects.
In his world is was Mr. Ono, who would disregard all of history as boring and a pain to get through, but the second they were on the subject of Samurai he became obsessed. While Minato was sure that Professor Port would not disregard other parts of his teaching, it turns out he would just apply it to his preference.
Namely himself.
Minato had learned that young Beowolves would recklessly rush and attack people no matter the danger, by hearing that Port killed several dozen after the death of their Alpha while the older ones left to survive.
It honestly would have been entertaining to a degree, and would make for some informative information. Had he not droned on and on about himself and stuck to the material it wouldn't have been so bad.
But, droning or not he was teaching and Minato wrote down his notes. This, outside of personal study, was his major source of knowledge on the Grimm. And considering that four of them had almost killed him in his weakened state was a good motivator.
Looking around the room, Minato noticed that more than half the class was asleep. Team RWBY, was directly below him with two out of the four fighting to stay awake. Weiss and Blake seemed fine, at least Blake did, the rapier user seemed agitated. Team JNPR, was similar with their leader and hyperactive teammate fast asleep, while Pyrrha and Ren seemed to be fine.
The two groups had arrived seconds before the class had started. Some of them, Jaune, were out of breath and took their seats looking slightly embarrassed.
Ruby and her sister had waved to him when they took their seats as did Pyrrha and Nora. Weiss and Blake merely glanced at him, Ren had given a short nod, and Jaune looked uncomfortable.
He was visibly shaken by his ability, Minato recalled.
Glancing over to Team RWBY, Minato noticed that Ruby was trying to interact with Weiss.
And failing, by the looks of it.
Ruby tried to show her something on a paper. Was balancing her school supplies on her nose. Then she simply tried talking to her. Which, Minato noticed, only seemed to cause the girl more and more agitation.
This wouldn't end well.
Before Weiss could explode, Professor Port motioned to the class.
"So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?"
Not even waiting a second Weiss raised her hadn. "I do, sir!"
Port seemed to smile, which was hard to tell from his constantly closed eyes, "Well, then, let's find out!" He pointed to the shaking cage he brought in before class. "Step forward, and face your opponent!"
~Break~
Weiss had brought out her rapier/revolver and loaded it with several canisters of different colors. Minato assumed that was the Dust he was told about. Apparently Dust held elemental qualities that could influence and enhance ones abilities.
Interesting weapon aside, Minato found himself concerned. She was angry, or more annoyed than angry, but her entire body spoke of someone who wasn't thinking straight. If she allowed her emotions to control her actions, then whatever Grimm that was in the cage could seriously hurt her.
Minato, found it odd he was worrying at all. Maybe it was because she along with the two teams were the first faces he saw in this world. It could be his past experiences having an effect on his emotions. Even after that one year, he was still relatively new to his own feelings.
Despite his worries he had no knowledge on her abilities. They had found him being gnawed on by a beowolf, while being no worse for wear themselves. It would be foolish of him to think she couldn't handle herself. Especially while the rest of her team had complete confidence in her.
"Gooo Weiss!" Yang yelled.
"Fight well," Blake followed waving a Team RWBY flag
'Where did she get that?' Minato thought.
"Yeah Weiss! Represent Team RWBY!" their leader cheered.
"I'm trying to focus!" she yelled at her team. Which caused them to look rather uncomfortable.
Yang patted her sister on the shoulder, in an attempt at reassurance. It seemed that their team member hadn't fully adjusted to their group yet. He could understand, in a way she reminded him of an odd mix between Yukari and Junpei. The annoyance at her leader and wish to prove herself made her similar. But that was where the similarities ended as well.
The girl seemed much more confident than his two best friends. Her professional personality and apparent studious nature in class put her with the likes of Mitsuru. But Mitsuru knew how to control herself and her emotions, she also knew when to speak to her team and to confront issues at the right time.
Those memories made him frown. He still missed them, and he wasn't sure he never wouldn't.
"Alright, begin!" Port signaled for Weiss to start and released the Grimm inside the cage.
Inside the cage was a boar of some kind. But had pieces of white armor along its back and side, with a similar mask to the wolves he fought the other day. But, like all boars, it was a dangerous creature and could kill the unfortunate.
Weiss started with an aura enhanced thrust straight at the Grimm. Which, unfortunately, did nothing as the blade glanced off of the armor. Surprised, but not stopped, Weiss dodged to the side as the boar tried to impale her with its wicked tusks. Weiss tried the same thing, but at the sides rather than the face, but yielded similar results as the blade simply couldn't penetrate the boars thick hide and armor.
"Weren't expecting that were you?" Port questioned. Weiss, wisely, did not take her eyes off of the boar. "The Boarbatusk, is an incredibly sturdy Grimm, with armor along its side and back. Recklessly charging this Grimm has made an end to many unfortunate hunters."
This was an unfortunate match for Weiss. A rapier's main strength lies within its thrusting attacks. Against those with heavy armor, a rapier loses much of its advantage in a fight. Unlike his Nihil weapons base form, the katana, it specializes in strikes and slashing moves that give it a more balanced approach. The rapier is a weapon of immense skill, not strength.
"You got this Weiss!" Ruby continued to cheer.
"Will you just SHUT UP!" she yelled in response.
That officially made the entire class uncomfortable. Ruby looked heartbroken and proceeded to keep her head down. Blake closed her eyes and shook her head. Yang looked angry. Team JNPR looked equally as uncomfortable. Minato could understand, but that wasn't what he focused on.
Weiss had taken her eyes off of the boarbatusk.
It didn't even take a second. Too late to notice her mistake the boarbatusk had rushed her. Had her natural reflexes not kicked in she would have been skewered, or at least injured, and locked the tusks in place with her rapier. That, however, was a mistake as the boarbatusk thrashed around causing her to lose her grip on the rapier. The boar tossed the weapon behind it and started towards Weiss again.
"Now what will you do?" Port questioned, in an oddly jolly tone.
Minato stole a glance at her team leader. While still holding that depressed look, Minato could tell she was struggling not to speak. She wanted to help, to give encouraging words, and tell her how to win. But the last time she spoke, Weiss lost her weapon. She was conflicted, Minato could understand to some degree.
The boarbatusk suddenly jumped into the air and formed into a ball. Somehow it began spinning gaining speed as it did so. It reminded him of a video game character Ken used to play.
Weiss looked towards her weapon and braced herself. Behind her a glowing blue glyph of some sorts appeared behind her. Minato didn't know exactly what it was, but it could be a semblance or some kind of Dust enhancement, either way it was an impressive ability.
The boarbatusk launched itself with great speed, promising to rip through anything in its way into pieces. Weiss in turn launched herself over the Grimm and reached her weapon. The Grimm made a sharp turn and headed directly for Weiss, somehow able to know where she was even while spinning. She spun the chamber in her rapier and struck it into the ground.
A pillar of ice had erupted right under the boarbatusk piercing its belly, its only unprotected area, halting and killing it instantly.
It reminded Minato of a well-executed Bufu.
Most of class had erupted in applause. Her team clapped awkwardly, but congratulated her nonetheless.
"Bravo! Bravo!" Port congratulated, "It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training!" "I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings, and…," the man paused as if trying to think of what to say, "…stay vigilant! Class dismissed!"
Weiss huffed out of the room and left alone, her team following shortly after albeit hesitantly.
"Sheesh, what's her problem," Jaune said to no one.
Minato shrugged. It wasn't his team. They would have to confront each other on their own.
He had other classes to go to.
~Break~
Minato's second class was a little less exciting.
After Meeting Professor Oobleck, Minato could say he was certain about three things.
First was that the man had a real love of history and wished to share that knowledge with his utmost being. Second, is that he is incredibly sharp, able to see everything in class at a glance and keep a certain order to the class. Third was his love of coffee.
An incredible love of coffee.
When he spoke nothing seemed to slow down. His body was in a constant state of extreme motion. Like someone who was hyped up on caffeine and never came out.
It was quite a change from his former history classes which droned on and held no interest from the students. While the former was no longer true, the later still couldn't keep everyone's attentions. Even so, with as hard as it was to take notes, Minato welcomed the change.
Stealing a glance towards Team RWBY caused Minato to frown for a fraction of a second.
Weiss had distanced herself as far away from her team as possible while the rest sat together. Yang was fighting to stay awake, while Blake was quickly writing in her notebook. What was surprising was that Ruby was trying equally as hard to write down notes.
While leaving his last class he overheard Weiss and Ruby talk. Well talk is a strong word, more like talk and get yelled at would be more accurate. It ended with the older girl leaving in a huff with a dejected Ruby.
Ozpin had showed up shortly after, and at that point Minato had decided to leave. Apparently the headmaster had given some words of encouragement to Ruby. The girl was struggling to keep up with the hyperactive teacher, but her teammate seemed to be doing fine.
All in all it was a more relaxed experience to the previous class.
At the end of class Oobleck had assigned some homework and released everyone for their lunch break.
The mess hall was enormous. It was made to seat several hundred students, but currently only held several dozen. Getting his lunch, Minato went and sat at an empty area. It was nice and quiet and he could relax his mind.
For about three seconds.
Almost instantly the R, B, and Y of Team RWBY sat across him.
"Yo Minato!" Yang greeted with a peace sign.
He eyed them, and saw that Weiss was sitting alone on the other side of the cafeteria.
"So how's your first day at Beacon?" Ruby asked.
"Going well," he looked at Ruby, "but you're missing a member."
That caused their leader to slump her head in defeat.
"I don't know what to do!" she yelled while tears rolled down her face in an almost waterfall like manner, "I thought we were friends, but now she hates me again, and I try to help, but she gets even more made. And IdontknowwhattodowhatamIgoingtodo"
She slammed her head on the table and pulled her red hood over, as if trying to hide from the world.
"Hey, c'mon sis," Yang hugged her sister, "She'll come around eventually, I mean we live together so she can't avoid us forever y'know."
Blake patted her leaders back in a 'there-there' fashion.
Ruby picked up her head, her eyes slightly red. "Ozpin said that I need to think how to be a leader, but I have NO IDEA HOW!" she yelled, "I've never lead anything before, how am I going to lead a whole team?"
She looked at Minato.
"Have you ever been part of a team before Minato?" she questioned.
Minato nodded.
"Did you ever lead a team?"
"In a way," he answered.
"Wait, what?" Yang questioned. "You led a team?"
"I remember him saying, in a way." Blake confirmed.
Minato nodded. "The team I was part of had two leaders. Our entire team answered to Mitsuru, she decided what we did, when we would do it, and planned out most of our missions. I was in charge of the battle teams."
His leadership was due mostly to his ability rather than the experience Mitsuru had. Minto could adapt to almost any situation and could coordinate the teams in the most effective styles. He wasn't suited for actual leader, in his own opinion. He didn't know enough about people in order to inspire them, while that was no longer true he still felt uncertain.
"Wait, wait, wait," Yang started, "You were in charge of the fighting teams?"
"The teams that went on missions, yes," he answered.
"That's pretty sweet man."
"Indeed," Blake added, "To be trusted to lead everyone over the current leader is a major amount of trust. You must be quite strong."
"Ummm, Minato?" Ruby questioned, looking unsure and almost embarrassed, "Do… you think you could, maybe, I don't know. Give me some pointers?"
She wanted advice.
Minato was unsure how to handle her specific situation, but he could help.
"Ruby, do you know what the most important thing to have in a team is?"
Her face scrunched up thinking for an answer. "Is it, teamwork?"
Minato shook his head, "Close, but no."
"Ohhhh, you mean communication?"
Again he shook his head.
"Uh, cool weapons?"
Minato sighed, "Trust."
"Of course," she slapped her head, "that was my next answer."
"Do you know why?" he questioned again.
She shook her head.
"It is the most important, because without trust a team cannot function. Being part of a team, especially one that risks their lives, needs trust. You must be able to trust each other with your lives, to be able to rely on one another when the time comes, to believe in one another in your darkest hours, and to do that you must trust one another."
Their faces were in a state of mild shock. Either what he had said had made an impact. Or they were surprised he had talked so much. Either way Ruby seemed to be understanding.
"But, I do trust Weiss," she answered.
"Are you sure?" he pressed, "You seemed to think she needed help with the boarbatusk."
"What! No!" she shook her head. "Weiss is can so handle herself in fight. And her Myrtenaster is so elegant and cool! I just wanted to help her is all, I'm leader of Team RWBY so I should help everyone right?"
Her heart was in the right place. She was made leader of her team, so her immediate reaction was to assume the type of leader who advises and helps whenever possible. The problem with that was that she was just as inexperienced as them, maybe even more so, and it could come off as insulting.
"You aren't wrong Ruby," he answered, "But as leader, trust will be the most difficult for you."
She looked confused so he continued.
"For the rest of your team, they must learn to trust each other in how they fight and act. But for you they must trust your decisions. As leader you will be the decider for the best course of action for almost any situation. They must learn to trust your decisions, and you must learn how to trust yourself as well. And right now," glancing to their lone teammate, "she doesn't trust you."
"But what should I do?" she asked, desperation in her voice.
"Sometimes nothing," that answer didn't help, but he continued, "But I think this has more to do with her than you Ruby."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that Weiss believes that you are not leader material," her head looked down.
"She, may have said something like that." Ruby answered.
"But I think she is wrong," she looked up her eyes wide, "A bad leader doesn't care what their subordinates think, a bad leader doesn't look to fix a team's relationship, a bad leader doesn't," he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder for emphasis, "ask for help. If she doesn't believe you are a good leader, then prove her wrong, prove that you have what it takes. That is the best advice I can give you."
Ruby wiped her eyes and a new more intense expression took its place.
"You're right Minato!" she reached over and took him in an, incredibly uncomfortable, bear hug, "I just gotta show Weiss I'm the best leader she'll ever have!"
"I knew coming to Team RWBY's reserve member would help!" she let go and a familiar sound of glass shattering echoed through his mind.
Thou hast re-ignited the Moon Arcana
The song of the heavens has returned
Enjoy and dream of a great world, but do not blind oneself to what could be
Though surprised, Minato made sure not to visibly reel back as of last time.
"Just to show her, I'm gonna get to our last class before everyone!" She then swallowed all of her food faster than humanely possible and sped away in a flash of roses.
Minato noticed that he hadn't finished his sandwich yet and began to eat again. He noticed that Yang and Blake were still here and both had smiles on their faces.
"That was pretty cool dude," Yang said chewing into an apple, "Sis really needed another pick me up, didn't know you were all wise and stuff."
"I think you really helped her," Blake continued eating her own plate of tuna fish, "thank you."
Minato nodded. She had asked for his help. As hyper as Ruby was, the girl, like most teenagers her age, were loaded with insecurities. He already had an idea that what Ozpin had old her had helped, but it never hurt to add a small bit a reassurance.
But he remembered an odd thing their leader said.
"Reserve member?" he asked.
This caused Yang to smile.
"Yep. Remember when Ozpin said you were gonna be workin with everyone?"
Minato nodded.
"Weeeellllll, that means you're like Team RWBY's extra member, right?" she saw the confused look on Minato's face and continued, "I thought that maybe telling Ruby that might of cheered her up."
He frowned. "Technically I'm not on anyone's team." He corrected.
"Technically," Blake spoke, "you are on everyone's team," she smiled.
He hadn't really thought of it like that. But, he could think about it later. He had lunch to finish and half an hour to get to his final class.
~Break~
"This is your Combat and Aura training classroom."
Professor Goodwitch began. It was built like a small stadium with a large monitor, to the side, that held everyone's names on a list. She looked exactly the same as yesterday and even held the riding crop.
He was looking forward to the class, not for the chance to fight his fellow classmates, but to learn how to use his newly acquired Aura. He still had no idea as to what his Aura had done to his original abilities, if it did anything at all, and if he also acquired a semblance of some sort. Maybe by watching his classmates he could figure it out on his own.
"In this class you will be trained and tested on your fighting ability," she continued, "as well as your mastery over your aura. There is more to fighting than simply being stronger than your opponent. You must learn how to adapt to a losing situation, understand when to go on the offensive and defensive, and above all."
She slapped the crop in her hand making an audible snap.
"Know. Your. Limits." She punctuated for emphasis.
"Many foolhardy hunters and huntresses to be, have ended up dead because they took on challenges to great for them to handle. I am here to make you realize your weaknesses and that you must either overcome them, or not let them control you."
"Now turn your eyes to the monitor," said monitor brought up several bars and names, "When fighting one another, the monitor will track your aura levels, when your aura reaches the red it has been depleted and you have lost the match. Most of your training will be against one another in dueling type matches, but there will be times where we will leave Beacon to combat Grimm."
The monitor changes and pictures were displayed on two blocks. The pictures began to spin, similar to a slot machine.
"Now, I know that today is your first day, and I'm sure that your other professors have given you a fair amount of homework, so you will be leaving class early today."
A collection of cheers and high fives echoes through the room.
"After a quick match between students," she smirked.
Said collection was now groaning.
Looking towards the monitor everyone waited for the results. The first name was Dove Bronzewing of Team CRDL. The second was Minato.
It seems he would be testing his abilities earlier than he thought.
They walked towards the center of the platform, weapons at their side.
Dove has light-brown hair that is combed to the left. He wears tan-colored armor with a belt that bears a dove on its buckle.
He also keeps his eyes shut to a slightly noticeable squint.
Dove appeared to have a collapsible gunblade, it held a revolver like chamber, similar to Weiss', but not as large. The blade was quite long, and looked as deadly as Minato's Nihil weapon. Dove went into his at the ready stance waiting for the match to start.
Minato, took his own stance, in return. His fighting stance is what some would call at first glance lazy.
Junpei had called it, his I don't care stance, and had become some small inside joke between them.
In its basic form he relaxed his limbs and simply let the sword and gun hang against his sides. It allowed him to act freely with no rigid movements in the way, and gave opponents the idea that he didn't know how to fight.
Joking aside, Minato had named it his zero stance.
Dove, it seems, had fallen for the stance's result and looked annoyed. Like he had just been insulted. But, said nothing and waited for Goodwitch to start the match.
"You got this Minato!" Yang yelled behind him.
"Good luck," Blake followed.
"I trust you Minato!" Ruby cheered along.
Maybe he had laid it too thick with the ideas of trust to her. But, he couldn't fault the girl for trying.
"Show this solo act whose boss Dove!" His leader yelled, with the rest of his team following in suit.
"Begin!" Goodwitch started.
Almost immediately, Dove jumped into the air and aimed his gunsword at Minato. Time slowed down for a fraction of a second, bringing Orpheus to the forefront of his mind, the first of his persona giving him renewed strength and speed.
Battle instinct did the rest. Using the Nihil weapon as an impromptu shield, Minato deflected the bullets, but one did manage to hit his arm.
Surprisingly the bullet did not pierce the skin.
He felt the impact, and there was the pain that followed, but the bullet had hit his skin and acted more like a punch than a pierce. This could be a result of his aura awakening, but he could study the changes to his body later, his opponent wouldn't allow him the time.
Dove, descended towards Minato, spinning like a makeshift tornado. Minato dodged backwards to avoid the blade, but as soon as he landed, Dove remained on the offensive. For every strike, Minato blocked in turn. For every thrust, Minato parried easily. And every attempt to get past his defenses were met with unbreakable resistance.
Dove was slightly stronger than Minato, which was saying much considering the enhanced abilities of his Persona. But they could only enhance so much. It would be accurate to say that currently, he could only use around 10% of his Persona's actual power when they were at the forefront of his mind.
He could easily summon Orpheus and end this duel here and now, but that wouldn't accomplish anything. This world had affected his powers in strange ways, and with the addition of aura, Minato needed to test his abilities and not ignore them for preference of something familiar.
Dove attempted another downward slash at Minato, but was blocked by the side of his Evoker. Minato, swung his sword at the student's midsection.
And was shot in the head.
In all honesty, it was the gun that was the most problematic. Against regular swords, Minato wouldn't have any problem, but the odd weaponry of this world posed a problem. Weapons with no range now had several realms of range to choose from. Weapons that could be parried, must also be shielded from as well.
Stealing a glance at the monitor, Minato noticed his aura bars had taken several hits and were now in the yellow, while Dove was still at full health.
He had been on the offensive against Minato since the beginning. Allowing no chance of retaliation, but in that lied a weakness.
If Minato could of balance him once, he would have complete control of the fight.
So he decided it was time to test out a theory.
Suddenly rushing at Dove, Minato swung his sword attempting to catch the blade, and the user, off guard. He succeeded in both, and Minato could see the boy attempting to throw a punch. Luckily, Minato, was a bit faster and pointed his evoker right at his opponent's chest.
"Agi"
Uttering the fire spell sent a rush of power through his mind to his Evoker. Pulling the trigger a small ball of fire escaped from the barrel and resulted in an explosion when it his Dove's chest. The blast blew his opponent across the arena, with the sound of the monitor showing a rapidly decreasing aura bar.
Dove slowly got up, clutching his smoking chest, pain and anger etched onto his face.
Agi, was the weakest of his fire spells. And at a range did relatively small damage. It was hot enough to burn, but usually it never caused an explosion, or singed in any way. But at the range he was at with Dove, the compressed explosion did more damage than usual.
Of course he ran the risk of injuring himself, but he was experienced enough to know his own strength. Had he used Agilao, Minato would have probably severely burned his arm and Dove would be on fire.
Dove rushed him again, with no strategy but to hurt Minato. Minato blocked the sword strike and pistol, or evoker, whipped his head, knocking him to the ground.
The dinging sound from the monitor signaled the match had ended.
Minato had won, and had successfully tested his Evoker.
"Well done Mister Arisato, using your opponents own momentum against them." Goodwitch complimented. "And Mr. Bronzewing, while I applaud your use of constant pressure on your opponent, allowing yourself to lose focus after one attack costed you."
Minato walked over and offered him a hand up. Dove swatted it away and struggled to get up, holding his head, he walked back to the stands, muttering something about a 'cheap shot.' Minato saw Cardin and the other two look disappointed, he was pinching his nose, and waited for Dove to return.
After a nod from Goodwitch, Minato returned to his seat.
Team RWBY and JNPR instantly surrounded him.
"I thought you said your gun didn't shoot bullets?" Weiss asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
"It doesn't," he said, "It shoots an elementally enhanced piece of aura."
That was the simplest way to answer them. Minato, had assumed that not only had he retained his powers, but that this world had changed them somehow. Especially with his newly unlocked aura. But, for what had exactly caused the change and allowed him to not only retain his powers and also adapt to new ones, Minato believed he had an idea.
The Universe Arcana.
The final, and greatest, of the arcana was something, that even as wielder, he didn't truly understand. Minato could only assume that a fraction of its infinite power had allowed him to adapt to this new world.
"Your gun lets you shoot aura," Blake questioned.
"That's so cool!" Ruby grabbed his hand and stared, a little uncomfortably, at his Evoker.
"You can summon that giant doll, and it lets you shoot your aura as well, you could have an infinite amount of ammunition, and nobody would ever know what type of element you're using!" Ruby turned her eyes to him, eyes oddly shaped like stars, "Can you teach me how to do that with Crescent Rose?"
Minato shook his head. Realizing how much of a weapon nut the girl was.
"One of a kind," he hoped his answer would be enough.
"That was pretty impressive," Pyrrha patted his shoulder, "But, something tells me that you aren't used to fighting in in the arena."
Minato nodded.
Minato, had spent a year fighting monsters. And while they would sometimes take humanlike forms, in the end they were still monsters. Minato did practice against people before, he was one of the best members of his kendo team, and Akihiko had taught everyone how to box. Nevertheless, Minato fought with a precision and thought to kill. Drawing a weapon on an opponent, and then proceeding to go after them with physical force, made him slightly uncomfortable. The only other humans he had fought were the members of Strega.
They were treated as monsters.
Even now, Minato thought he had used to much force with the Agi. But, Minato remembered that this was a warrior school. They were here to learn, to bond with others, and train for the monsters they will eventually face. To survive in the real world, they had to survive the protected one first.
"I just saw him block bullets and knock a guy out in two hits," Jaune said looking sheepish, "Am I missing something?"
"She means that his moves are reserved," Ren said.
That was probably the first time Minato heard him speak. Someone as quiet as him was weird.
"Yeah! Like when he blocked Dove's sword, he was so ready to stab the guy," Nora elaborated. "It would have been kinda morbid though, like crushing someone's hand in arm wrestle," her face lighted up and looked to Ren.
"Hey, Rem remember that one time where that guy bet us if we could fight or not?"
Her partner sighed, "You didn't have to break his arm Nora."
"Well how else was he supposed to know if we were tough enough?" she asked as though actually perplexed.
"And when we had to find another bus driver?" Ren asked.
"Hardship builds character!" was her answer.
"Anyway," Pyrrha tried to get the conversation back on track, "That was a good match, your fighting skills are much better than I originally thought."
Surprise suddenly found itself on her face.
"Oh, I'm sorry, that sounded insensitive of me." She apologized.
"You found me at the mercy of beowolves, you weren't wrong to assume that." He said trying to ease the girl's guilt.
"Well at least he didn't do the whole suicide summoning thing," Jaune mumbled to the side.
Minato had a feeling that Jaune was uncomfortable around him. Then again, the boy seemed out of place from the start. Out of everyone here, Jaune, was the only one without a type of gun hybrid weapon. His sword and shield were still practical in this world, and it allowed him simple and defensive options of fighting, but it was out of place. Minato's weapons would be considered old school, with the gun sword combo, while Jaune's would be archaic.
Even so, he was entitled to his own opinions. If Minato saw the chance to ease his mind around him and his Personas it would be helpful.
Glancing at Bronzewing's team, Minato found himself frowning. Dove was brushing the ash off of his chest while arguing with his other teammates. Apparently his loss had garnered ridicule from them, and he wasn't taking it well.
For some reason that annoyed him.
Teams should support one another, congratulate in victory, and comfort in defeat. But now every team was SEES. Not every team was his. So he held his opinions to himself, the world was is filled with differences. He couldn't expect everyone to act like his own thoughts of a concept.
And with that classes ended and Minato returned to his dorm room. He saw Weiss go away from her team, almost looking as if she was in search of someone, and the rest of Team RWBY went to their dorms as well.
Apparently he was around the corner from the two teams. Something that bot Ruby and Nora were happy about. Something about the gang being all together.
~Break~
With the rest of the day to himself, Minato had a lot to think about.
He had regained the Moon arcana from Ruby. It seemed that making a connection with someone was enough to re-awaken his power. Or it could be a promise to keep the bonds he would make. It had surprised him that the girl represented the Moon, but from her wish to be a hero and focus on dreams it wasn't hard to make the connection.
He also had his connection with Ozpin to consider.
The man was a teacher. His Arcana, and job, said as much. But there was very little Minato knew about the man. In fact he knew very little about Ruby as well. Maybe his power returning wasn't a result of him making the connections, but others connecting with him. It wasn't implausible, but he still knew too little to make a conclusion.
His thoughts turned to his Persona.
Kohryu, the draconian ruler over the Si Xang, had returned to his mind yesterday. The dragon was the epitome of the Hierophant arcana. Wisdom and power were at the very core of its being, and its reign over the element of earth spoke volumes. Bringing it to the forefront of his mind gave him a clarity he had not felt for some time. He felt older, wiser, and the strength of the ancient dragon, however diluted, filled him with power.
Knowing that he could call upon it just fine, Minato brought Sandalphon to his mind.
The archangel was something entirely different from the dragon. Sandalphon was the music of heaven. He gathered the prayers of the faithful and his song echoed throughout the heavens for all to hear. If Metatron was the voice of God, then Sandalphon was the song.
Already dreams and tales of glory appeared in his mind. What he could do, what he could do for others, the limitless possibility that was open to him. Such was the leader of the Moon arcana. Dreams and ideals made into form, while inspiring, without an actual goal at hand dreams remained simply that, dreams.
Knowing his Persona were fine, Minato focused on something new.
Namely, how to find his Semblance.
One's Semblance corresponds to who they actually are. At least, that is what he assumed from what Ozpin had told him, and Minato's own intuition. A semblance could be something situational, like Weiss' glyphs. Or could be a very flexible, like Ruby's speed.
When trying to think of what his could be, Minato found himself stumped. The only thing he could think of was his Persona, he had never needed anything else. The power of Persona was potentially unlimited, only hindered by human limitations. Knowing that he could unlock a secondary power, Minato wasn't sure what to think.
If, and when, he did unlock his semblance. He hoped it wouldn't be some destructive power. He had more than enough power to cause damage and destruction. Something simple and quiet, he could use that.
After finishing his homework for the next day, Minato found himself thinking of Team RWBY.
He hoped they could patch their differences with each other. They were good people. From their hyperactive leader, and her protective older sister. To the stoic reader, and their resident ice queen.
Odd how he had met another one.
Their group was odd that's true. But he knew from personal experience that odd teams could bear the strongest of bonds.
Minato went to sleep, knowing tomorrow would be a new day.
~Break~
It had reached a snowy tundra.
The monsters still took the form of animals. From large, black fur covered with white armor, apes. To almost solid white bears. Some even took the form of large serpents that hid under the ice, waiting for unfortunate passersby's.
What was strange was that, unlike the others, they did not attack it.
Some still felt foolhardy enough to challenge it to the dance of death. But they died quick enough. It would see them traveling, they could glance at it, and continue on their way.
It seems that the monsters had some sense of self preservation, unlike their mountainous brothers. It was almost impressed, that the perversions of actual living creatures could actually have a coherent thought other than attack and kill.
It did not save them.
They were still monsters. It ripped them to pieces, sliced them in half, and pummeled them until there was nothing left but black mush. Every group it saw would die, it wouldn't lie and say it did not receive a sick pleasure from the actions. Some managed to latch onto it and latch their teeth and claws into its arm.
It responded by crushing said head and arms with its own hands.
One of the Serpents had tried to eat it. In a swift attack while killing on of the bear like creatures it had swallowed it and the bear whole. The inside of the monster was dark and filled with the smell of death and decay.
It laughed when it ripped itself out of the serpent's stomach.
In its haze of killing, it had almost forgotten its goal. It had still not found him. Even now it could not feel his connection. He could be lost, or hurt, or happy for all it knew. But right now, all it knew was that it couldn't find him.
Setting its feet back on the icy ground it moved forward.
Author's note.
Hey guys sorry about the late update.
Ok so I want to say right off the bat that not every chapter will have a new arcana awakening. Secondly I thought reeeaaaalllly hard about what arcana Ruby was, and with a little help from the internet I found the Moon to represent her the best.
Also I'm currently searching for a beta reader so if anyone knows one, or if you are one. Please contact me via PM and I'll get back to you.
And thanks to Eldenwind, who pointed out a few mistakes I made when referring to Team JNPR. I'll be fixing those when I get a chance.
Now to get back to Far Cry Primal and DumbRWBY.