Chapter 3: A Night of Pain
"This is Lisa Lavender, reporting from Vale. Citizens of Remnant are left horrified after discovering the death of a young Huntsman in training. Police have found Jaune Arc, student of Beacon Academy and leader of team JNPR, dead during a mission in Forever Fall. It is reported that he and his team were hunting down a mysterious Grimm that has been yet to be identified, which almost costed his teams' lives. Pyrrha Nikos, member of JNPR, champion of the Mistral Regional Tournament and partner of Mr Arc has yet to release a statement regarding his death. Investigation has commenced as soon as his death was confirmed-"
"Turn that off!" A blonde called. The woman beside him picked up the controller and switched to another channel.
Team RWBY and the rest of Jaune's team waited, sitting on leather chairs in the waiting room of a private hospital, owned by Beacon Academy. None of them were smiling. Not even the bubbly Nora, holding onto Ren's arm while his grim expression held. The open windows shone light into the pitch black night outside.
Ruby at the opposite side, had tears running down her face. She didn't bother using the tissues or eat any of the cookies on the coffee table. There were magazines of weaponry and books that normally cheered her up but that is where she ignored it. Weiss, next to her, had a reaction similar to Ren. Although Jaune's cheesy pickup lines and awkward conversations made her flinch and wish she didn't have to deal with them, he didn't deserve this. Nobody does.
Yang, next to Ruby, held her arm over her shoulder, comforting her. But Ruby didn't even bother to look at her sister. She didn't move her hand away, but she needed time alone. It was even a time to think. She only wished for this to be a dream. A bad, bad dream. But it's reality. It's the real world. Everybody faces situations like this.
Pyrrha on the other side, didn't shed a tear. Her eyes were dimmed like a cloud covering her face. She just lost her partner. All day, she blamed herself for not protecting him harder. Her feelings began to tangle along with her sorrow and pain. After a couple of minutes, Ozpin came out of the operating room, with a stern look and hands clutching on his cane. He turned to his students.
"Children," He cleared his throat. "If you want to see Jaune before he is sent off, now is the time."
They stood up and followed Ozpin. Ever since Jaune's death, Ozpin has been sent with letters and emails, regarding Jaune's death. He was ridiculed, harassed on social media for sending a least-skilled student on a suicide mission. Even Ironwood sent a letter, warning him to make things right or he will lose his position. He read neither of them except Ironwoods'. Every time Glynda appeared with a pile of letters, he ordered her to dispose of them.
He turned and listened to the cries and sobbing of his students. He's certain that they would never get over his death. But time will pass and they'll remember him for what he was.
But little did he notice, across the hallway, a green-haired person saw the whole thing. As soon as Ozpin turned to find the noise, she moved away from his view. In case of getting caught, she placed her fingers on her temple. As Ozpin checked the hallway, he noticed a woman in casual attire walk by to where he is. But there was no one walking towards him. The hallway was empty except the receptionist. Convinced Ozpin was distracted, she moved away and left the hospital.
Unknown Warehouse
The ticking surrounded a small office. A green-haired girl and a white spiked boy stood by the desk of a woman with a red fiery dress.
"So, Emerald. You're telling me a young Huntsman has been killed by a Grimm?"
"Yes, ma'am," The girl, Emerald said. "I went into the hospital and heard about it. As soon as I did, I left and reported the news to you."
The woman clicked her teeth. "That's a shame." Her lips curled into a small grin. "But it's an advantage."
She got off the chair and walked past the two. With her hands around her back, she slowly went up to the door.
"With a Huntsman dead, that means the remaining hunters are struck with emotion and it will attract more Grimm. The White Fang can advance with their weapon supplies without any more interruptions."
"Have to agree," The silver-haired said. "For the past few days, the supplies haven't even made a move 'cause those stupid kids had to make a mess. Roman couldn't do a single thing, not even his ice-cream partner."
The woman raised her hand to the door knob and turned around. "That is true, Mercury. But, because of the death of a huntsman, we can run operations more smoothly." She opened the door and walked out. There, she gazed around the surroundings. A forklift at the ground floor, drove to a truck and lifted a box up while the White Fang soldiers approached the truck and carried the weapons crates.
"Then, I'll hack into their systems. Get access to their weak spots. And at last... We'll strike at the Vytal Festival, unleashing Grimm as well as our forces into their weak spots. They won't even stand a chance. Mistral's next..."
Emerald and Mercury nodded in approval as she went on. It's true. She always wished for something like this to happen. This can bring an army of Grimm and improve raids and supply shippings. The woman turned to Emerald.
"Emerald. Tell Roman the good news and get him to prepare for the next raid. Mercury. Make sure Adam is doing what he must be doing. If he refuses to cooperate, then I'll figure what to do with him."
They both nodded and went off to their duty. As they headed to the exit, her eyes burst to flames and shone across the warehouse as the White Fang packed the weapons crates from the trucks as more Bullheads and vehicles with supplies arrive.
Meanwhile...
It was midnight and he hadn't moved for an hour.
The office was empty except for the headmaster, sitting on his leather chair with piles of letters and unread notifications on his computer. He turned to the window, viewing the bright night with the shattered moon accompanying. With a sigh, he took a sip of a hot, bitter drink from his mug, tapping on the brim. Just then, he heard the door slid open. Glynda walked in with a pad held to her hand and a kettle in the other.
"Sir, I received a letter for you. It's from the Council of Vale-"
Ozpin knew it was another angry letter from them and interrupted. "I know. Dispose of it."
She looked at him like he had drunk too much before placing the kettle and the pad near his desk. "Sir, this is serious. We lost a huntsman and you have done nothing to fix any of this!"
"It's something I can deal with. I just need to think."
"You've been saying that for the whole day! You had time to think." She responded bluntly.
"Glynda, you've been saying the same thing all over," He snapped. "Every time you come in, you say there's a letter for me. I tell you to dispose of it, and you come back with another!"
"It's your job to train students to fight against the danger of Grimm! I trusted you in this!" She said. "You're a headmaster. You've trained students in your life! I thought you were better in this!"
"I am not better!" He slammed his hands onto the table, making the mug bounce. Glynda was taken back from his unexpected response. Ozpin looked at her and sighed. "I am not better."
He sat back down, adjusting his spectacles. "I have told Ruby I've made more mistakes than any man, woman or child can make. This is one of them."
Glynda raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying sending your students to take out the mysterious Grimm was a mistake?"
"Part of it was. I was wrong to send Jaune out like this."
"You mean sending Mr. Arc was a mistake?"
Ozpin didn't respond. The silence did. He turned to look at her.
"Glynda, send in an announcement. We'll be commencing a funeral for him in two days. Attendance is mandatory."
Glynda was about to ask him another question but stopped herself. "Yes, sir." She took her pad and left the office.
Ozpin watched the door close again before staring back at the desk. He picked up the kettle and poured the boiled water into the coffee machine. Then he started to ponder before reaching out to Glynda.
"Glynda!" He called, stopping her tracks. "Hand me the Council's letter."
She was confused at first but didn't bother arguing any further and handed it to him. He adjusted his spectacles as Glynda walked off. Ozpin ripped open the envelope and pulled out a folded paper. After unfolding it, he examined the letter. It was handwritten,assumely by a black pen.
Dear Ozpin,
We are writing this to discuss problems, regarding the Forever Fall mission. This is not another fuming letter unlike the others you have received. We need to talk about the unidentified Grimm roaming the Forever Fall. The police have been investigating on this behalf and have yet to find any evidence linking to the mysterious Grimm. We assume that you are aware of the mysterious Grimm that has been previously killed at the Vale Central Mall, because this attack may be linked to the Forever Fall Grimm. You have been invited to the Vale Council Meeting, alongside Ms Goodwitch. Attendance is compulsory. We will continue the discussion on this topic and will hope for a resolution.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Regards,
Pevern Star, Chairman of the Vale Council