Chapter 3. Mixed Colors

Beacon, Jaune's P.O.V

"Thank you for coming here on such short notice team JNPR." The Headmaster of Beacon had said as my team and I entered his office. The weariness was noticeable, even by me, and it was understandable considering the past weeks events. My team stood shoulder to shoulder, at attention, ready to receive what ever orders he may have for us, well as "At attention" as one could get with Nora that is, at least she wasn't goofing around...yet.

I spoke up, "Of course Professor, what can we do for you?"

"As you are all well aware, the Breach into Vale has thrown things into...disarray, so to speak. Because of this, we had to end some missions shortly, post-pone others, or even entirely abandon more still, while we pulled back our students and professors to help seal the defenses, and rid ourselves of the Grimm infestation. However, now that a large majority of the clean up has been finished, it is our duty to make sure the outer villages get the attention they dearly need. Your previously canceled mission, the excursion to the outer village of Lestia, must now be take care of. The Grimm have been growing in numbers, and with only a single hunter currently defending the village, I fear it may only be a matter of time before they creatures attack." As the Professor continually spoke, the weariness disappeared from his voice, a tone of seriousness taking its place.

"I believe my team is more than up for the task Professor." I said confidently, or at least I hope it was confidently.

"Yeah! We'll go and 'splode all those nasty Grimm! And then well feast on pancakes upon their remains as we recount our many glorious tales of battle!" Nora shouted, enthusiasm dripping from her every pore.

Pyrrha spoke next, "If I may ask, which professional Hunter or Huntress will be joining us on our mission?" Oh man, that was actually a great question, I could only hope we didn't get stuck with Port, I don't think I could deal with his "Tales of glory" during the ride to the village with my motion sickness to boot. Then again we could get Goodwitch, and I doubt that would be anymore pleasant.

"Ah, about that." Ozpin began, "I'm afraid due to current circumstances, we must keep all the professors here at this time, and all of the other professionals we had lined up to mentor our students are currently indisposed. That being said, I will not be sending your team alone. Seeing as Team RWBY is currently on standby, having finished their mission already, along with that fact that your two teams have good chemistry, I have decided to send them along with you to help during your mission. For the duration of the mission, Jaune, both you and Ruby will work in tandem, leading your teams under the command of the Hunter who currently resides in the village."

"Understood Sir, when do we leave?" I asked, wanting to know how long we had to prepare.

"As soon as possible. There will be a shuttle waiting for both teams at the docks. Please make haste."

In unison my team nodded and saluted, a serious face on Ren and Pyrrha, and the usual mile wide grin on Nora. With that we took our leave and exited the Headmasters office.

Pyrrha was the first to speak after we left. "Hmm, it's a shame we will be unable to see one of the professors in action, but I suppose it understandable, given everything that's happened."

"I knoooow right?" Nora followed up, "I wanted to see Miss Goodwitch go pew pew pew and magic up all the Grimm! Or maybe see Oobleck run them all over! Or or or, Port flopping on them and squishing them with his gut!"

"Nora, I'm very certain none of the professors fight as you described." Ren, being the straight man as always.

"But now we'll never know!" She cried.

"Well, hey, there will always be next time, plus we get to hang out with Team RWBY, so it isn't a total loss." I said, "Plus, it could be worse, we could have been stuck with Team CRDL or something." I shuddered at the thought of being teamed up with Cardin. I may have stood up to him in the Forever Falls, but that didn't mean I wanted to be 100 feet near the guy if I could help it.

"I suppose." Pyrrha agreed, "Either way, what really matters is that we can finally help that village. We should contact Team RWBY immediately so we can leave right away."

I nodded, "Yeah, I'll use my scroll to call them. Just give me a sec to find it." I began patting myself down in search of my scroll. "Aw man, I can't find it. I probably dropped it in Ozpin's office. You guys go on ahead and get Ruby and her team while I go get my scroll."

"Yes sirree, oh fearless leader!" Nora mock saluted before marching on with Ren and Pyrrha.

I took the elevator back up to Ozpin's office before knocking on the door.

"Enter" he heard from inside. Following the command, I went in and saw Ozpin sitting at his desk.

"What brings you back here so soon Mr. Arc, did you lose something?" Ozpin asked, with a smirk on his face.

"Actually sir, I wanted to talk to you. About the mission that is. If it was okay I mean." I stuttered out.

Ozpin raised an eyebrow, "I see, please, feel free to ask what ever your heart desires."

"Well, it's about Team RWBY being paired up with us." Again, Ozpin raised his eyebrows. "Is the fact that there are no other Hunters to come along with us the real reason why you are having them come along? I'm sure the Hunter at the village would have filled that role easily seeing as they have protected the village all by their selves."

Ozpin was silent for a few moments, carefully choosing his words. "You are much more clever than you let on Mr. Arc. You are correct, the Hunter within Lestia would be more than sufficient acting as a shadow for Team JNPR."

"Then is there another reason you are sending Ruby and her team with us? Is the situation that bad?" I asked worriedly.

"While the situation is increasingly becoming unstable, your team most definitely has the skill to take care of it. No, the reason I'm sending Team RWBY with you is because I'm worried for them." Ozpin's eyes furrowed in contemplation.

I tilted my head "What do you mean sir?"

"Mr. Arc, Many lives were lost during the Breach, and Team RWBY had been witness to it all."

That wasn't right, I made sure to check if anyone had gotten hurt or killed, but the most people had gotten were scrapes and bruises. "lives sir? I don't remember there being any casualties among either our people, or the Vale citizens."

"I wasn't talking about our side Mr. Arc." I stared at the Headmaster in realization.

"You mean the White Fang sir?"

"Yes Jaune, while they may have been against us, in the end, they were people as well. Hunters and Huntresses, we protect the people, that is our duty. Many people often believe that this means we stop the Grimm, but in reality, we not only protect our people from the creatures of Grimm, but we protect them from themselves as well. And there lies the problem."

Ozpin stood up and faced his window.

"You see, fighting Grimm is difficult, yet simple. They are the Darkness, and we are the Light. They the Black, and us the White. We know they must be stopped, lest Humanity, both Humans and Faunus, fall to them. However, when it comes to protecting the people from the people, it becomes an entirely different matter. Morals clash, become distorted, and it becomes difficult to tell right from wrong, friend from foe. Black and White become mixed and burn up until there is no remnant of what it had originally been, and all we are left with are the Ashes of Gray.

Team RWBY had to make a choice that day. To protect the people of Vale, they had to stop the White Fang. They were forced to weigh the lives of those attempting to gain equality and justice, against the lives of innocent bystanders. I have no doubt the decision was instant for them, but the repercussions of such decisions...can be catastrophic. Right now, they are all brooding over their actions, wondering if they did everything they could, if they could have somehow stopped the train without having need to sacrifice the White Fang members to do so. They are on an precarious path with two roads. They can either choose to accept they did everything within their power, and look at all the lives they saved, or they can choose to dwell on their actions, blame themselves for each life not saved, and spiral into self destruction."

Ozpin now turned to face me.

"That is the reason why I'm sending them with you. So they can find a third path. One where they realize what it is they lack in order to protect as many lives as possible, for all sides, as well as learning to keep moving forward, not to forget the bitter past, but to create a brighter future. Does that answer your question Mr. Arc?"

I looked down at my shoes, wondering how I could possibly respond to that. How did I not realize what my friends were going through, that they were suffering for doing what they thought was right. How would I feel if I were in their shoes? But then I thought, that didn't matter right now, what mattered is that I be there for them now. "Yes sir, I think it does."

Ozpin walked over to me "Good, now I believe you have a plane to catch and a village to help Mr. Arc." he walked me to the exit.

"One more question sir, before I leave." I looked to him as he waited for my question, "Have you...Have you had to make that choice before? Whether what you did was the right thing?"

He gave a small, sad smile, "Of course. I've made that choice more times than I care to admit. In all my years as a Hunter and as Headmaster, I've seen many lives lost and wondered what I could have done better, what action should I have taken, or whether or not if what I had done was the right thing. Some days I sit and think I should step down from my position, find someone better suited, more skilled, or more wise than myself in hopes that they may do a better job. Do you know what it is that I do when those thoughts come up Mr. Arc?"

I shook my head.

"It's quite simple really. Miss Goodwitch sets me straights by talking my ear off or slapping me upside the head." He chuckles when he sees my surprised face. "You see, that's the secret. A true companion is what every Hunter and Huntress needs. Someone to set us straight when we become too full of ourselves, when we fall into a rut, or when our minds are clouded by doubt. I believe you have quite the partner for that yourself Mr. Arc, don't take her for granted, nor your friends. They are among the most precious people you'll meet in your life time, so cherish them all, and protect them and let them protect you."

"Thank you Professor, I'll do just that." With that I ran off, ready to join my team and Ruby's for our mission.

"That you will Mr. Arc, that you will." Ozpin said softly as my steps echoed down the hall.

Chapter End

Sorry for the late update, was up in Boston for PAX East 2015! Got some awesome souvenirs including a White Fang shirt and a RWBY Banner! Money well spent!

So we got to see some of the other players take action, as well as some set up! Next chapter, shit goes down. Shit will hit the fan. Shit gets crazy. Umm...I got nothing else, shit.

Chapter 4 is already being worked on so it shouldn't take nearly as long to have it out! See you soon and as always, feel free to send me a review!