Ruby couldn't help but thrust herself against the glass window of the airship. There, right over there, was Beacon. One of the four biggest and best schools in the world and she was going to train there. She felt like she was going to explode with excitement. It was everything she had ever dreamed of.
Beacon was a giant castle like structure. It was grandly built and massive in size. Around it was a large, imposing wall with several turrets and guards there ready to blast away any intruders. Several series of trenches a distances from the castle walls, each with emplaced turrets and hundreds of soldiers in them. Beacon itself was known to house a small army for its defense. It needed it given how important the school was to Vale. There were several bunkers about with heavy cannons and machine guns emplaced inside. The surrounding landscapes were bare of anything that could be used as cover. A few armed and ready warships patrolled the air. Beacon would not take any chances when it involved its students and the Grimm.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Port spoke from beside her. He crossed his arms and looked on at the fortifications with pride. "I helped design the current defenses myself. You can never be too careful when it comes to Grimm."
Ruby eagerly nodded, "It's amazing."
Port chuckled and ruffled her hair, "Ah you remind me of myself when I was your age. Strapping, vibrant, ready to take on the world at a moment's notice. Oh those were the days and if I have it my way, you'll have the same rousing adventures I did."
"Really?" Ruby's eyes widened.
Port nodded, "Yes, and you'll have the scars to prove it." Port proudly pulled back his sleeve to show a long scar on it. "Got this from a mature Deathstalker. Cheeky bug was lucky that I'd gone through my aura taking out all of his comrades." He rolled up his sleeve as Ruby stared up at him in awe. "Carved my favorite mug out of his bones. Best mug you could ask for."
"That's so cool!" Ruby squealed. "Can I see it?"
Port smirked, "Of course. If you do well enough in your trials, I dare to say that you'll have one of your own soon enough."
Ruby squealed and jumped up and down, "Oooh, don't you worry. I'll make you proud, Mr. Port."
"I have no doubt about that," Port's smile was certainly infectious. "You have the spirit of a true hero." Port turned his head to look over Ruby's approaching sister, "Ah, if it isn't Yang. Your father and sister here have told me a lot about you."
"Hopefully the good stuff," Yang smirked and crossed her arms.
Port chuckled, "More than good, my dear girl. I look forward to seeing you pummel the enemy into the ground. You have spirit, like your sister if everything I've heard is true."
Yang chuckled, "Funny, you thought I'd be a hair stylist when I was a kid. Look at me now."
Port shrugged, "With hair like that, you must take as much time as your training to keep it so. Honestly, never found the need to care about my hair. Training always comes first."
"What about your mustache?" Yang pointed to his large, curvy bit of hair across his upper lip.
Port coughed into his fist and fiddled with his mustache, "Well, you see…" The sound of the airship docking could be heard alongside the slight jostle. "Looks like we've arrived. Best keep up girls." He started off, causing the two girls behind him to giggle behind his back.
As they disembarked, Port turned to them. "This is where we part ways. I've got a lot on my plate this semester," he shook their hands, one in each at once. "It was a pleasure. I'll be seeing you again soon enough." He started off.
Ruby eagerly waved him off, "Bye, Mr. Port." Ruby took another moment to look around herself. She couldn't help but jump and down in excitement, "We're here, Yang. We're finally here! I can't believe it!"
"I know," Yang smirked and ruffled her hair.
"Why is everyone ruffling my hair?" Ruby whined and tried to defend her hair from Yang's hand. Yang just smirked and drew her in closer to mess with it, causing Ruby to flail about. "Yang, stop being mean!"
Yang laughed, "Fine, fine. You big softie." She let go, "I'll see you later, Ruby. Stay out of trouble."
"Wait… I thought you were going to stay with me?"
"You need to grow up on your own, Ruby." Yang explained. "I can't look after you all the time."
"... Is this about your 'of age' parties and that dad-"
"I CAN SEE MY FRIENDS FROM HERE! BYE RUBY!" Yang quickly shouted and ran off, causing Ruby to sigh in resignation.
"Guess I'm by myself today," Ruby adjusted her backpack and weapon and headed off into the academy grounds. She was almost knocked to the ground when a blond boy ran past her and started to throw up into a trash can, "Watch it, mister." He didn't respond, too busy puking.
Ruby eagerly skipped along. The large load didn't really weigh her down since her aura was doing a fine job in keeping her strength up. It was nowhere close enough to Yang's, but it was strong enough for her own needs. That scythe would normally be too heavy for her otherwise. Her smile dipped and her skipping stopped when she realized that she was a bit lost. She turned her head around the very large campus to see so many people around her, "I knew I should have brought a map."
Weiss looked out the window at Beacon. She couldn't help but feel a little relief. She had always wanted to come to Beacon. It was an exceptional school for Huntsman and far away from Atlas. She didn't mind her sister being in the military. Her sister always wanted to join but the last thing she wanted to do with her life was be a military grunt. No, she'd like to have a little bit of freedom. Of course, Huntsman still were obligated to listen and do as their governments asked but the other kingdoms gave them a bit of freedom.
'Freedom. Such a beautiful word.' A part of her thought, just for a moment, that she was dreaming. Her father wanted her to keep up the legacy. He wanted her to be by his side and get married so she could have that male heir he always wanted. 'Father knows best.' She squeezed her arms, remembering the bruises. 'He may be rough, but he cares… He has too... ' She narrowed her eyes, knowing that was a lie. A lie a little girl told herself to explain her daddy's attitude at times. Still, he was her father. She wanted to believe he at least cared for her. 'He agreed to this and once I become a Huntsman, he'll see. He'll change. I'll make him change.'
That's when Weiss had a box shoved in her face, "What? What the-" She desperately tried to move it out from her face, but it wouldn't budge. "What is the meaning of this?"
"It is a box of milk chocolates," Penny spoke matter of factly. "You were showing elevated levels of stress and I have ascertained that chocolate soothes people. It is also a good aphrodisiac and helps humans before mating, which is also soothing. Would you-"
"DR. FRANKENSTEIN!" Weiss screamed, hoping the mad scientist would save her. She moved her head back and forth, but Penny kept the box in front of her face. "Penny, move this box."
"You must eat," Penny stated. "It will help."
"I can't eat the box!"
"Yes, you can. Humans can digest a lot of things and this box was designed specifically to allow you to enjoy consuming it."
"... WHY?!"
"Because I'm sometimes so hungry, I eat the box also." Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein, Penny's creator and father stopped before them. "So I made them edible. Penny, cease and desist feeding protocol."
"Yes, father." Penny pulled the box of chocolates out of Weiss's face.
"Thank you," Weiss spoke, trying hard not to stab Penny. She was important to Atlas, so she couldn't do that. 'Stay calm, Weiss. You just have to deal with her for four years and then she'll be out of your hair.' The heiress decided to keep her gaze out towards the immeasurable expanse. She quirked an eyebrow as she saw a number of different sort of people coming into Beacon.
'Normal' mismatched civilians of the city of Vale. There were also a number of medieval looking knights, musket militias, and numerous tribesman about. It made her want to shake her head. Vale was just a loose collection of small kingdoms led by the largest one, the city of Vale. It astounded her that they were so different. It was illogical.
"Yes, a divided nation such as this is hard to take seriously." Dr. Frankenstein sneered as he looked down. "One can hardly believe they pose a threat to us."
"But they are our allies," Weiss commented.
"Quite," Dr. Frankenstein nodded. "For now."
Weiss didn't think much of his comment. Many Atlasians weren't too fond of the Kingdoms of Vale. She didn't particularly fall into that group, but she was a proud Atlasian. She knew that her country was superior in many ways, but… there were things that made her want to get away.
It didn't take them long to find a place to disembark. Dr. Frankenstein idly quirked an eyebrow when he saw Penny pushing all of their gear while Wiess did nothing, "Why is Penny doing all the work?"
Weiss held up a finger, "One, she's a robot." Said remark, caused Frankenstein's left eye to twitch in silent rage. "Two, since my father did not allow me to bring along servants, I thought it only fitting to put her to use. What, do you expect me to do all the work? I am the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, one of, if not the largest, company on the planet. I should not have to do such menial labor."
Dr. Frankenstein worked his jaw, "If that's how you feel, fine. I shall go and meet up with the staff of this primitive school. Until then, Penny." She turned her head to him, "Have fun and don't kill anyone."
Penny saluted, "I will endeavor to leave everyone I meet here alive, father." Said father nodded and went off.
The duo made their way through the throngs of people going about the place, trying their best to avoid them. Weiss's cargo was not to be disturbed and she really didn't want to talk to many of the Valians. 'I can make acquaintances later. Right now I have to focus on getting everything in order.' As they were making their way through a courtyard leading to the entrance, the cart with their equipment hit a fissure in the cement. As the contents of the cart jumbled about, a suitcase fell over.
"NO!" Weiss threw herself forward and caught it right before it hit the ground. She glared up at Penny, "Be more careful. Do you know what you almost did?" She opened the suitcase and let out a relieved breath. She picked up one of the vials of Dust, "This is pure and refined Dust crystals. Do you know how valuable they are?"
"Approximately-"
"No, I didn't want to hear an answer. It was a rhetorical question."
"I honestly find the concept of rhetorical questions baffling. Why ask a question if you did not want to receive an answer."
"It's… It's just how it is."
Penny questioningly tilted her head, "Human organics are strange."
Weiss ignored that comment and held onto the Dust crystal, "Just be glad that you didn't break it." To which at that very moment, someone smacked into her.
Ruby was even more nervous then she was before. There were so many different people. So many new faces and that made her want to find a hole and stuff herself inside. A small part of herself regretted coming here if she knew it was going to be this crowded. Worst of all, none of them had seen her sister. She had thought of going it alone, but without her sister, she was honestly a little scared.
She tapped one of musket militia men with the blazing red clothes, "Umm, excuse me. Have you by anyway seen a tall woman with really long, curly blonde hair and with big…" she cupped her chest and scrunched up her brow. "Big personality." She gave up on trying to explain that part.
The militia man, about Yang's age as was most people there, looked at her. He had light brown hair and a monocle. "I say, I don't believe I've seen such a person today. Although I may have. It has been dreadfully busy as of late. I'm sure you will find her soon enough, little girl."
Ruby glared at him, "I am not little."
The militia man stared at her for a few seconds before turning and poking her in the forehead. Ruby yelped and clenched her forehead from the touch, "Little girl, your aura needs some work. Come back in a couple of years and perhaps we'll talk."
As he walked away, Ruby shook her fist. "I'll show you! I'll be the best Huntress this school has ever seen!" Ruby stormed off, looking back at her bag. "You hear me, Zwei? I promise that I will be the very best, like no one ever was. I promise that - Ooph." Ruby smacked into someone. She fell back on her butt before yelping when she heard a small explosion nearby. Her hood had fallen over her eyes so she couldn't see anything. "AHHH! We're under attack!" She flailed her arms.
That was when her hood was pushed back by a white rapier and she looked up into the face of a very angry and slightly scarred white girl.
"Du Idiot. Ich kann nicht glauben, dass ich den ganzen Weg hierher gekommen bin, um mich in der Gegenwart eines perfekten Beispiels eines absolut dummen Vale-Mädchens zu finden, das nicht einmal sehen kann, wohin sie geht."
Ruby's jaw dropped. She had no idea what she was saying, but she was very angry. 'It sounds Atlasian. Oh, why didn't I pay attention to those classes. Come on think. Think, Ruby.' That's when she remembered a few words, "Ich… bin… panda."
The white girl just stared at her, making Ruby ponder if she spoke correctly.
"I am panda?" Weiss stared at the young girl in confusion. Weiss pinched her nose, "It's official. I am surrounded by idiots."
"It is possible she is unable to speak and understand our language," Penny spoke, but stopped when Weiss held up a hand.
"I don't care," Weiss snorted. "One day, everyone will speak Atlasian. It'll make everything easier."
"Or maybe you should learn to appreciate differences," a new voice spoke. They turned to see a hooded girl of her own age. Her piercing eyes glared at her. "Or is that too difficult for a Schnee?"
Weiss glowered, "Why you… Do not disrespect my family's name."
"That would imply that the name deserved any sort of respect in the first place, slave driver." The new voice growled, clenching their fists.
"That is a stupid lie and you know it!"
"Then why don't you oversee your own workers, Miss Schnee?" The girl snarled. "Why don't you work beside them. Oh wait, you'd never dirty your little perfect hands."
"I know when to get dirty," Weiss moved her hand to her rapier.
"Maybe we should talk in Vale," Penny got in between the two. "I'm sure everyone speak it and it would be more efficient if everyone understood each other."
The new girl nodded, "That it would be."
Ruby was utterly confused and lost about the situation she found herself in. No one was speaking a language she could understand and that made it feel rather awkward. "Umm, are you done?"
The girl she had met on the airship turned to her and bowed, "I am sorry. It was rude to butt into a situation without letting you in on it."
"And I suppose I may have been slightly, a bit, a tad, rude," the white girl huffed. "Just be careful where you walk and we'll be fine." She stormed off.
Ruby sighed in relief before she found her hand being grabbed by the orange haired girl, "Whaaa?"
"It is always glorious to meet new people," the girl spoke as she continued to shake Ruby's arm so hard that Ruby was actually lifted off the ground up and down. "My name is Penny and you are?"
"Ruby!" Ruby shouted. "My name is Ruby and you can stop shaking!" The girl let her go, letting Ruby resett herself on shaky legs. "You've got a lot of strength, kind of like my sister."
"Yes, just like your normal human sister." Penny smiled brightly. "For I am a normal biological human."
"Uhhhh," Ruby eyed her waringly. "Yeah, like that… So are you going to Beacon too?"
Penny nodded, "I am, although I am not of the traditional age to do so. My father was able to get me in early."
"Hey," Ruby smiled. "I'm in early too."
"Sensational," Penny moved her arm in a 'yeah' arc in front of her chest. "Perhaps we can be early together."
Ruby's smile grew, 'Yay, I made a new friend.' She thought to herself. "So do you know where we're supposed to go."
Penny nodded, "I know enough about Beacon, like its strengths, weakness, and where I can firmly place bombs at to bring it down to a fiery demise."
Ruby blinked a few times, "Okay…"
"Do not fret, friend Ruby." Penny smiled. "My father's secret desire for your destruction is not to be acted upon. That would be bad for a lot of people."
"That it would," Ruby gulped. 'Okay, she is officially creepy but she's the only 'friend' I have here.' "So shall we-" She was interrupted when someone bumped into her and knocked her to the ground. "Hey!" She jumped to her feet to see the same blond that was throwing up earlier.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry." The boy pushed himself up to his feet. Ruby had to admit, he looked pretty cute with his blonde hair, soft eyes and good build. "I was trying to find my way to the main hall and… well…"
"You got lost?" Ruby asked to which the boy nodded. "Well you're in good luck. Penny here knows exactly where we're going."
Penny nodded, "Yes, friend Ruby is right. We can find the main hall of Beacon, friend."
"Friend?" the boy asked.
"She's a pretty friendly person," Ruby chuckled. "Just don't mention anything about Beacon and bombs."
The boy blinked in confusion, "Well, I'm Jaune Arc. Short, sweet, the ladies love it." He held himself up as though he was an impressive figure. Before Ruby could say anything, he moved forward, took up her hand, and kissed the back of it.
"Well it is short and sweet," Ruby nodded. She looked over his shoulder. "So what's your weapon?"
Jaune smirked, "Oh nothing, just a little something like-" He quickly pulled out a long sword. "This."
"Ooooh~" Ruby smiled and let a hand trail up and down the long sword. "It's the perfect height, width, and hardness. It's been so long since I've seen a long sword as well crafted at this one." She let her fingers trail over the tip, "And just the right amount of sharpness. You could pierce anything you wanted with this beauty."
Jaune simply lightly blushed at her motions and comments. He let out a cough in his other hand and pulled his sword from her hands, "Yes, well… I have a shield too." He put away his sword and clicked his small shield which opened up to be much larger.
"Neat," Ruby tapped it, which caused it to jerk and open and close randomly. Jaune desperately tried to keep hold of it. "Kind of a bit too springy for my tastes. You should get that looked at."
The shield bounced off his head before he finally caught it. He rubbed his sore head before saying, "Yeah, I'll do that. Thanks for the advice." He then held out his hand and shook it with Ruby and then moved to Penny. Ruby had to admit, it was actually funny to watch the little girl shake someone about. This was especially so for someone as big as Jaune. "Well… that was something." He shakily said.
Ruby took a step backwards, "You're not going to throw up again, are you?"
Jaune huffed, "Motion sickness is a common illness."
"I'll remember that if we ever share the same care," Ruby commented, causing Jaune to throw his arms up in frustration. "Well, since you showed me yours…" Ruby pulled out her dear Crescent Rose and sprung it open.
Jaune jumped back, "A scythe? A freaking scythe?"
"It's also a gun," Ruby lovingly stroke it with a smirk.
Jaune sighed and eyed his own sword, "Of course it is."
"Also, sorry for touching your stuff without permission." Ruby slightly blushed. "I'm a bit of a weapons' nut. I just like to get a feel of them. Can't be helped."
Jaune chuckled, "Well no harm done." He looked to Penny, "So what's your weapon?"
"I am a weapon," Penny simply replied with a smile.
The other two just stared at her, before Ruby chuckled. "So like hand to hand combat?"
"You will have to wait and see," Penny replied with cheer. "You'll love it." She turned around and moved her arm to point forward, "Onwards to the main hall, new friends. Let us start our great adventure post haste!" She got behind the cart and started pushing it with her.
The duo followed her eagerly, as they'd honestly be lost without her.
"So how long did it take you to make that sword?" Ruby asked, a bit bored by the silence.
"Make it?" Jaune gulped, his eyes widening. "Why would you ask that?"
"Well I made my precious Crescent Rose," Ruby hugged her weapon as though it was her dear child. "And so did everyone else here. So how long did it take you?"
Jaune scratched the back of his head, "Well it's more of a family heirloom. I got it from my Great Grandfather. I honestly suck at making… well anything. Last time I tried to make a pot, I ended up destroying a barn."
"Really?" Ruby couldn't help but chuckle at the thought.
Jaune eagerly nodded, "Really. So probably best I stick with a weapon that's tried and true."
Ruby nodded, "Yeah, that sounds like a plan." Ruby tapped her chin, before her face lit up. "Hey, why don't I teach you how to make a weapon?"
Jaune waved his arms back and forth to stop that thought, "Oh no, no, no, no. That's a bad idea."
"What are you talking about?" Ruby grinned. "It's a great idea. Friends help each other get better at things, so I'll help you with making an actual weapon."
"My sword and shield are all I need," Jaune nervously stuttered, before Ruby put a finger over his lips.
"Yeah, but what if you need a real back up." Ruby pointed out. "Besides, every Huntsman needs to have a weapon of their own. You need a weapon that just screams 'Jaune Arc'."
"I think they scream plenty well enough on their own."
"Yeah, but they're too cool and battleworn to scream your name. You need something clean, fresh, and just as awkward as you are."
Jaune gave her a deadpan stare, "Yeah… thank you for noticing."
"Friends must notice things of each other in order to be better friends and aid in each other's weaknesses," Penny spoke up. "That is what my data indicates."
"Right," Ruby nodded. "So Jaune, prepare to be trained by the one and only Ruby Rose!"
Jaune groaned as his shoulders slumped, "Why me?"
"Because you are Jaune Arc," Penny said.
"That's not a…" Jaune facepalmed. He at that moment felt that 'because he was Jaune Arc' would be a reason for his misfortunes later on down the line. He could only hope he was wrong.
End Notes:
Translation of quote: {You idiot. I can not believe that I came all the way here to find myself in the presence of a perfect example of an absolutely stupid Vale girl who can not even see where she's going.}
- The language of Atlas is based off German. This is based off the fact that our titular Atlas character, Weiss Schnee, has a germanic based name. As well, it helps distinguish the kingdoms. I would imagine, being cut off from each other for a while, that it would cause language drifts over generations.
- Yes, Penny's creator is Dr. Frankenstein. Didn't really feel like changing the name and the show has been on the nose with names as well.
-Lastly, yes. Vale is a hodge-podge of small kingdoms that fit more of a Republic type area. This is based off the fact that Vale seems more UK or US oriented and the fact that its vast territory isn't really governed by the city of Vale. As well, it allows me to create and use people of different types when needed.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please leave a comment. They are very much appreciated.
