Chapter Three: Haunted
"Got the coffee?"
"Affirmative, I have the drink made from the roasted and ground bean seeds of a tropical shrub."
"Okay. Here goes."
…
"RISE AND SHINE BRO!"
Canada woke to the brutally cold hardness of the wooden floorboards of his room. His mattress landed on top of him and he hissed, clawing at the legs he could spot next to him. Before he could enact vengeance, a hand grabbed his wrist and put a mug of steaming, wonderful coffee in it. Canada instantly sat up, careful not to spill the precious drink, and took a few chugs, his mind clearing.
America smirked at him, too happy and cheerful for the Godawful hour he had woken Canada at, while Penny stared at him intently. Not in the mood for conversation just yet, Canada grunted and took another sip of nice, lovely coffee. Yes, coffee was much nicer and more lovable than he stupid twin whose sole purpose in life was to make Canada miserable. Alfred was most definitely the evil twin of the duo, for who but an evil twin would wake their sibling so evilly?
"You can stop glaring at me, Mattie." America said in a cheerful, chirping voice that he had to be using just to annoy Canada. "You're making Penny twitchy."
"My fine-tuned motor functions are functioning perfectly." Penny denied.
Canada grunted again and emptied his cup, shoving it at America. "More."
America took the mug graciously— asshole was far too awake for this early hour, dammit— and smiled infuriatingly. "Wow. Two cups right off the bat? How badly did you sleep?" His tone remained light and teasing but Canada could hear the worry underneath.
"Not well." he said shortly.
He did not elaborate, glowering until America snickered and sauntered out of the room to retrieve more caffeine. As Canada accepted the second cup and downed it, he was relieved when America did not press him. Canada was not about to tell his twin his lack of sleep was because of him. Canada paused mid-sip, staring at the dark liquid in the cup. He could just see his reflection in it, and as his hand trembled, the image faded away in the ripples.
"Mattie?" America questioned.
Canada jerked his gaze away from the cup. "Still tired. Give me a sec." He drank the rest of the coffee, wincing as it burned his throat, and set the cup down. He smiled at Penny. "Good morning."
"I told you so." America crowed.
Penny nodded solemnly. "You are indeed correct. Matthew displays a completely different personality before he consumes caffeine."
"I'm not that bad!" Canada protested.
"You are." America and Penny said in unison.
America beamed, hugging the robotic girl. "See? Penny agrees with me."
"The facts and my observations confirm it." Penny said solemnly.
Canada groaned. "How did you get roped into helping Alfred wake me?"
"There was no 'rope' involved." Penny informed him. "America asked if I wanted to take part in the important ritual to wake you." Her head tipped. "Flipping the mattress was effective, but it is not a practical solution. Surely an electric shock would be more efficient?"
Canada squeaked.
America laughed. Traitor. "Nah. That would be mean."
"Noted." Penny said in that same, serious tone.
She truly was different than the Penny Polendina Canada and the others knew. As he followed America and Penny out, Canada silently vowed to try to differentiate the two girls in his mind and not expect this Penny to be that one. It would save them all a lot of grief. It was also a lot easier said than done.
The rest of their party was already eating breakfast. Weiss took one look at Canada and silently made him a plate of pancakes and sausage, setting it in an empty spot. When Canada eyed her questioningly, the former heiress raised an eyebrow.
"You look like you would drop it." she said bluntly.
Canada felt his cheek redden. "Thanks."
He picked up his fork and grabbed Nora's wrist, stopping her from stealing a pancake. She smiled innocently at him and he growled.
"It seems a Nora has trespassed into a Matthew's territory." Australia said in a hushed, narrator-like voice. "Which one shall be victorious in this fight and escape with their prey?"
Blake snorted inelegantly into her orange juice.
Canada dare not look away from Nora long enough to glower at them. He pushed her arm away from his plate and pulled his plate closer to him. Nora's eyes twinkled but Ren placed a plate piled high with the coveted pancakes in front of her, distracting her. Canada turned back to his food, pleased he would no longer have to watch out for orange-haired thieves.
"Aw. I wanted to see them fight." Australia complained.
"No fighting at the breakfast table." England said sternly.
Australia waited until England's back was turned to stick his tongue out at him. This time it was Yang who attempted to muffle her giggles in her drink. She choked, spluttering and spitting orange juice at Italy. The brown-haired nation shrieked and fell backwards, landing on the floor with a thud. He raised his arm, waving it.
"I'm okay!"
"I'm sorry." Yang yelped between her coughs.
Japan and Jaune helped Italy up and righted his chair. He accepted a napkin from Ruby with a smile and wiped the juice from his face. "It's fine. It didn't get my clothes." Italy said cheerfully.
Canada rolled his eyes and turned back to his plate. He paused, counting the pancakes. He counted them again, then slowly raised his gaze to glower at Nora. The girl stared back, cheeks puffed in an incriminatory manner. Her lips quirked into a close-lipped smile. Canada glared daggers at her and stabbed a pancake on her plate, putting it on his and daring her to argue. She swallowed and pouted at him, looking to Ren for sympathy.
The ninja did not look up from his food. "You brought that on yourself, Nora."
"I only took half of one." Nora protested.
"So you admit it." Canada challenged.
"Fight fight fight fight." Australia whispered.
England smacked him upside the head. "Nora, Matthew, enough. There's more pancakes on the stove."
"Yes, England." Canada said.
But it's pancakes! He thought sulkily.
"Spoilsport." Nora muttered.
England glared at her so she looked at a corner and whistled innocently. Finishing his plate, Canada got up to retrieve more pancakes, apologizing as he forced the people between his seat and the kitchen to move in. The dining area was not the most spacious place, and certainly not meant for so many people. They had to take what they could get. He piled his plate with more of the delicious breakfast food and returned, passing by the Schnees.
"...always like this?" Whitley was whispering.
"Not always, but often. Especially since almost everyone is health— here." Weiss murmured back. "If it's too loud you can eat in your room—"
"No." Whitley interrupted. "It is alright. Just… different. There are so many people."
Canada stopped himself from thinking about the implications of that statement. He sat down and devoured his food while America watched in amusement. No, Canada was not scarfing them like he had not eaten in days. No, he was not a hypocrite because he often teased America for how he ate burgers. Pancakes were just that amazing. They would be even better with maple syrup but beggars could not be choosers.
Pyrrha neatly set down her fork onto her empty plate and cleared her throat. "Penny?"
The robot's head snapped unnaturally to the side, zeroing in on the champion like a hawk spotting prey. Pyrrha met her intense gaze, seemingly calm.
"Are we going to have a problem?" Pyrrha asked steadily.
Penny considered her for a long, tense pause, never blinking once. "I fail to compute your query."
"She's asking if you're going to attack her again." America said bluntly.
Canada jabbed him in the side for his bluntness but he shrugged unapologetically. Canada stopped when he saw his twin's answer satisfied Penny.
"No. The protocol demanding your death has been deleted from my systems." Penny said.
Pyrrha relaxed. "Good. I'm glad."
Penny blinked, and nodded slowly. "I am satisfied with that outcome as well."
America grinned. Canada shot him a questioning look but his twin merely winked.
"So are we still on for the mission today?" Ruby asked, staring intently at the tabletop and not Penny.
"Mission?" America asked.
Suddenly, everyone found the walls, table, and ceiling to be very fascinating.
Ruby froze. "Uh..."
America frowned. "What mission?"
Canada avoided looking at him. "There's a pack of Grimm settled close to here. The mayor wants to get rid of them before they can cause problems."
America brightened. "Great! I'll get Cobalt Striker and—"
"You're not coming." Canada blurted.
Hurt flashed across America's face before he covered it with a chuckle. "Bro, I know I just got out of the hospital but I'm all healed up." He smiled, but it looked like a breath of wind could snuff it out. "And we haven't been able to spend much time to—"
"That's not why." England interrupted.
America's jaw clicked shut and his fingers clenched around his fork with an audible creak. He hastily released the utensil to reveal finger-shaped bends in the metal. America carefully set it down.
"As you can see from that, my strength has not waned in a debilitating fashion." he said, tone clipped. "I am perfectly capable of assisting you on the mission."
The comparatively formal way in which he spoke made Canada's insides shrivel up with dread. America was upset. Really upset. Oh, maple.
"It has nothing to do with your… condition." Canada claimed, even though it definitely did. "In case you forgot, Salem is still after you. You… We can't risk letting you be captured again." Every word felt like ash on his tongue.
"Forgot…?" America asked dangerously, putting a hand over his green eye. "How could I forget?"
Lightning flared over his frame, making Nora and Canada's hair stand on end. America flinched and his shoulders hunched, like he was trying to make himself smaller. The electricity in the air faded and Canada shivered, questioning just how much control America had over Vale's Semblance.
"You know what? Don't worry about it. Go on the mission. It's cool." America lied. "I'll just… hang out here."
He stood abruptly and walked out. Only Penny dared to follow him, pausing in the doorway. She looked back at them, and if Canada did not know better, he would swear she was glowering at them. She left before he could be sure.
"Great first day, everyone." Russia said brightly. "And Arthur, you once again prove to be able to alienate any—"
"Oh, sod off." England snapped wearily.
"So who is staying here with the Angry Lightning God?" Nora asked casually.
"I'm going to visit Sun today." Blake said, looking guiltily relieved.
"The rest of us are on the mission except Feliciano, Lovino, Francis, Jett, Whitley, Klein, and Oscar." Ruby reminded her.
"And me." Ren added. "It is my turn to guard the Relic."
"Why can't I go?" Australia demanded.
Italy belatedly looked up from his food, registered what had happened, and paled drastically. "Oh no. Alfred's going to start burning things again!"
"No he won't." England said gruffly. "And you aren't going because you just walked out of the hospital, Jett."
Australia sighed, slumping in his chair with a huff. "I want to fight Grimm."
"You'll get your chance." Canada predicted ominously.
Australia misunderstood his tone and perked up. Or maybe he wanted a fight. It was probably the latter. "Sounds ace!"
Canada sighed. At least someone was excited at the prospect of facing Salem's minions.
XXXXXXX
America prowled back and forth across his, Canada, Australia, and England's shared room, each stride long and furious much like a caged lion. If someone were to pass by, they may believe an actual lion was inside the room for all the times he growled and snarled.
I can't believe them! One day after I tell them about Vale and they're already acting like I'm on my deathbed. I'm not invalid. I'm not helpless. I may be possibly terminally ill but that doesn't mean I'm going to trip and fall into my grave. They kept their mission a secret because they knew I'd want to go but poor wittle helpless Alfred is so damn weak that he can't be trusted to go on a simple Grimm-hunting mission. It's not like I wanted to spend time with my brothers since I haven't seen them in freaking months. Salem isn't watching through the eyes of every Grimm everywhere. A Beowolf isn't going to see me and go 'Hey, that's Vale. Let's bring him to our Queen.' Even if a Grimm did, they aren't smart enough to pull the hostage card so I could kick their asses and turn them into dust. I— I just can't believe them! They're pulling this garbage already? I'm not so sick that I'll collapse in the middle of a mission. I'm not that weak, dammit!
"You are certainly not weak." Penny agreed. "You have more than enough strength to speak with me through your Semblance."
America blinked at her, belatedly realizing he had not been speaking aloud. That might be a good thing. These walls were rather thin.
Oops, he thought, and nearly slapped himself.
"Oops." he said aloud, making sure to form the word. "Sorry you had to hear all that."
"It is alright. I understand your frustration." Penny said. "You may get into trouble seventy percent of the time but you are more than capable of getting yourself out of trouble as well."
America stared at her, wondering whether he should be insulted or not. She seemed to be on his side so he decided to smile. "Thanks."
"You are welcome." Penny said primly.
America flopped down on his bed, staring at the ceiling. "Any ideas on how I can convince them I'm not about to cough up blood?" So I can spend the day with my brothers— Stop being needy, idiot.
"Based on previously acquired data there is a twenty percent chance of that happening." Penny mentioned.
America grimaced. "Not yet there isn't. Let me modify my question: Any ideas on how I can convince them I'm able to take care of myself and fight?" I thought we'd be able to hang out… Stop it.
"Take part in a battle and kick the ass." Penny said stoically.
America chuckled. He swore he saw Penny's lips twitch. "That would probably work. I guess once we leave town I'll get my chance." He grimaced. "We can't stay here long. Salem's cronies will already be after the Relic of Creation."
"And you." Penny pointed out.
America sighed. "Yeah. And me." He frowned. "You know, I have to wonder why Salem herself hasn't come to grab the nations and Relics. If she's such a big threat, why stay back and have minions do everything?"
"Based on available data, I have created a hypothesis." Penny said. At America's nod she continued. "I believe she may fear Ozpin."
America considered her theory. "That… may be it. We really don't know what Ozpin is capable of, do we?"
Vale scoffed. "No, you don't."
Want to share the reason for your beef with him yet?" America asked.
"Ye—" Vale coughed like she'd choked on her own tongue. "...No. It is not important."
It must be if you're holding a grudge.
Silence reigned.
America sighed. Again with the silent treatment? Really? He looked to Penny. "Speaking of Ozpin, I'm going to talk to Oscar. We haven't really spoken. You want to come?"
"You shouldn't—" Vale cut herself off.
America waited but she did not finish.
"Will you remain in this complex?" Penny asked. When America nodded she said. "I shall remain here. Even you cannot find trouble one room away."
America stuck his tongue out at her. "Rude."
"Seventy percent." Penny reminded him.
"Rude!" America huffed and walked out.
He immediately found Oscar in the living room watching TV. The boy frowned at the screen, which America realized was playing Vale's news VNN. He glanced at the title banner for the story and did a double take. 'ATLAS DIVIDED: INHUMANE PRACTICES EXPOSED!' it said.
They already know what happened? America thought, stunned.
"Even if the footage was not broadcast everywhere on Remnant, we are in Frontier." Vale pointed out. "It's—"
One of the more advanced cities of Vale, I know. If anyone could spread the word about Atlas it would be this place. America grimaced. I'm shocked someone did. I thought this was supposed to be hush-hush.
"As if people would keep quiet about the Institute." Vale said. "Many were already angry at Atlas for the Atlesian Knights' massacre during the fall of Beacon. This is just adding fuel to the flames."
Well its not like Vale is capable of helping the rebels or anything at the moment, America said. All this will do is… divide… people… further… He trailed off as he slowly realized the implications. You don't think Mistral will take advantage of this and attack the Atlas remnants, do you? Vale is busy and Vacuo doesn't care but Mistral is perfectly functional. They stopped the attack on Haven so nothing bad happened over there.
"Mistral might plan an attack." Vale admitted. "It depends on whether they see some benefits from an invasion."
Great. More chaos. Just what Salem wants. America shook his head and walked into Oscar's view with a smile. "Hey."
The boy jumped, dropping the remote. "Oh. Alfred. H-Hello." he stammered.
America put his hands in his pockets. "So… you're Oscar, right?"
Vale shifted and a brief flicker of unease prodded at his mind.
"Yes." The boy said, voice squeaky. He cleared his throat. "Yes, I'm Oscar. I also have Ozpin in my head, if you didn't know."
America did know. He had been there when Ozpin took over yesterday. He did not chide the nervous boy for the question and instead hummed, nodding absently. "So how's the hero life treating you?"
"What?" Oscar blinked, visibly startled by the query. He scuffed a foot on the ground. "It's… interesting."
America had to chuckle at his diplomatic answer. "You can be honest."
Oscar shifted, glancing aside and down as he scratched at his cheek. "I… don't know how I feel about it yet. The Transformation Institute was pretty bad."
America grimaced sympathetically. "Was that your first mission?"
"Kind of." Oscar said, rocking on the balls of his feet. "I took part in the Haven battle but that was not really a battle. It was more of a 'get through the mob to the other side' kind of thing."
America felt his expression soften. "Are you doing okay? The Institute was a hellhole."
Oscar winced. "Yes, I'm fine. And yeah… it wasn't a very nice place."
America put a hand on his shoulder and the boy blinked at him. Gosh, he was young. Maybe even younger than Ruby. He lacked the battle scars she had gained, which made him appear even more green when it came to the life he found himself in. America's heart went out to the kid, and he made sure to keep his voice soft and kind.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Oscar's brow furrowed. "Talk about it?"
America nodded. "You saw some pretty awful things. It's best to talk about it or it might eat you up inside. If you don't want to talk to me, talk to someone, please. You don't have to hold it in."
Oscar bit his lip, averting his gaze. "I… I don't…." His face crumpled. "So many people died."
He shivered under America's hand and the nation had to resist the instinct to pull the kid into a hug. "Yeah. They did."
"The soldiers and robots just mowed them down like they were animals." Oscar babbled, eyes glazing. "Those people were helpless, but the soldiers killed them like they were nothing. They had families and friends and lives and they were just— just gone, just like that." His voice lowered, so soft America had to strain his ears to hear him. "I couldn't help them."
"You sometimes can't." America said. "But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to. Even if you only manage to save one person, then that's one more person who lived. As for those who were lost…" He shut his eyes, forcing away memories of countless battles and deaths. "You can remember them if you want, but don't let their memory consume you." He prodded the boy lightly in the shoulder. "Don't you forget them either. It can be hard, but you have to fight for them, for those still with you, and for yourself."
Oscar's eyebrows scrunched together. "But… aren't I supposed to fight for the world too?"
"Yes, I suppose." America admitted. "But I've found it's better to think of the little picture instead of the big one all the time. If you only think about saving the world, you'll lose a lot more on the way."
Oscar stared at him, eyes round, as if he had never considered that before. He twitched, frowning, and America guessed Ozpin was saying something.
Oscar sighed. "Ozpin asked how Vale is doing inside your head."
Vale snarled. "Tell Ozpin 'Fuck off, you slimy son of a bitch.'"
"Vale says 'Hi'. She's fine." America said blandly. "But we can talk about her later. Enough doom and gloom and world-saving talk. Tell me about yourself."
Again, Oscar looked caught off guard. Okay, America was going to have to have a serious talk with the others about how they've been treating the kid. What, was he just Ozpin's mouthpiece to them? America seriously hoped not. Otherwise he would have to kick some ass.
"Let me go first." he encouraged. He flashed a smile. "I'm Alfred F. Jones. I like comic books, archaeology, and adventures." He lowered his voice and winked. "I also have a pet unicorn but don't tell anybody."
Oscar hesitated. "Um. Oscar Pine. I'm not that interesting. I was just a farmhand before all of this. I lived with my aunt."
"What kind of farm?" America asked in genuine interest.
"We grew vegetables. It's not that exciting." Oscar said shyly.
America chuckled. "I suppose not. Did you farm all day or did you have time for other things?"
"I… like to read." Oscar admitted. "Adventure stories mostly."
"Those are the best." America said. "Dang. I wish I could bring over some books from Earth. We have a bunch you've never heard of."
"Are they about people having to save the world from a big evil?" Oscar asked quietly.
America's smile faded. "Some of them."
Oscar nodded slowly, staring at the ground. A shudder went through him and he clasped at his head. "Stop. Please just stop. Can I have one conversation where you don't butt in?"
America winced, knowing that was not directed at him.
There was a pause, and Oscar looked up, eyes burning even as they brimmed with tears. "I hate this! Why did Ozpin have to come to me? Why me? I didn't ask to be the host of some guy who is supposed to save Remnant! I— I always wanted to be more than a farmhand, but I didn't want to be humanity's savior." More tears gathered in his eyes. "So many people are going to die..."
America ditched his reservations and pulled the kid into the hug. Oscar twitched but clung to him, biting his lip to hold back his sobs. Again, America was struck by how young he was. How young him, and RWBY and JNPR all were. He knew that this world ran differently than Earth, but these children were trained from a young age to become warriors in Ozpin's war. Oscar did not even have the cushion of prior Academy experience to fall back to. He was a farmhand who was expected to be a leader in a war he never knew existed beforehand.
"Some people will die." America said bluntly. "But that doesn't mean you can't fight to protect them. I… I understand what it's like to not really have a choice in the end. To be… drafted into a war that is not yours."
"I'm sorry." Vale whispered.
It's not your fault. America reminded her firmly. "But the past is the past. I'm fighting now, and its my choice to keep fighting. Not for the war, or Ozpin, or to defeat Salem, but to protect the people I care about in this conflict. I know it's a strange way to think, but if I'm going to be part of this fight, I'm going to do my damn best to make sure my friends come out of it alive." He released Oscar and put his hands on the boy's shoulders. "You can make that choice too. Don't get lost in the goals of others. It will only cause you pain. Instead fight for what you want to, and who you want to."
Oscar stared at him, eyes round.
Green light flashed over his frame and his eyes glowed gold. America immediately backed away, crossing his arms so he would not reach for Cobalt Striker. Vale's fury pounded in his skull, thrumming like fire in his veins.
Ozpin eyed him levelly, a frown playing at his lips. "Alfred—"
"Did you just take over without permission?" America demanded.
"I understand your intentions, but please stop trying to force your views onto Oscar." Ozpin said.
Vale's anger spiked but she reeled it in, slamming the door shut between their minds so America could no longer feel her emotions.
His hand clenched into a fist. "Oh. Is that what I'm doing?" America asked scathingly. "Have you looked in the mirror lately?"
Ozpin frowned at him. "Oscar needs to understand the importance of defeating Salem—"
"Don't. Even." America snarled. "The kid 'needs to understand' the importance of saving people. He has a kind heart. If you try to blind him to the small picture by only showing him the big one, he's going to suffer a breakdown. Actually, he'll break in general. He needs hope and companionship, not isolation and a goal he can barely understand."
Ozpin eyed him disapprovingly. America could not care less.
"Defeating Salem will save millions of lives." Ozpin claimed.
"And saving a few lives along the way will make that endgame worth it." America shot back. "I've listened to ten too many 'For the Greater Good' speeches to fall for that crap anymore. You're all about choice. Let Oscar choose what he is fighting for on his own." He glared at Ozpin and felt lightning flicker over his skin. "You've sacrificed enough people. You've played chess with their lives for too long. How about you start trying to save them instead?"
He turned on his heel and stalked out the door, leaving Ozpin alone.
XXXXXXX
A/N: Thanks to everyone who favorited, followed, and reviewed!
To guest: Thank you! America likes to retreat by himself and have space when he needs time to think and process things. Honestly, his brothers would have to latch onto his arms and remind him, "Hey, you're being hunted so don't go out alone!" for him not to wander off. Even back in Weight of the World he walked off when he had an argument with England. It's a habit he has yet to break. (Have I answered this question somewhere before? I feel like I have... Huh.) I had to chuckle at your review because I knew this scene between America and Ozpin was coming.
