( ) = Thoughts
Italic = Whisper/Singing
Bold = Yell/ Comm. Device
Underlined = Emphasized Words
Italic Bold = Store Signs/Titles (Read Aloud)
Volume 1- Episode 8: Players, Pieces and an Angel
"Ruby!" Weiss called through the gale-force winds. "I told you this was a terrible idea!" If you're wondering what she means, Ruby got the bright idea to ride a Nevermore (A large crow-like Grimm), until they made it over the temple and they were going to jump when they were directly above it.
"We're fine! Stop worrying!" Ruby called back. "I'm so far beyond worrying!" She called back. "In a good way?!" Ruby asked hopefully. "In a bad way! In a very bad way!" Weiss replied, Ruby having enough of their current conversation suggested, "Well, why don't we just jump?!" She asked, releasing the giant bird and began to plummet to the ground.
"What are you insane?!" Weiss asked, she looked up to realize her partner had already done so. "Oh you insufferable little-!" (OKAY, not going to let that be said yet…)
~Back at the Temple~
"Blake. Did you hear that? What should we d-" She cut herself off as she looked and saw what she was staring at. "Oh no… Rodger move!" She yelled, I tuned in confusion and yelled back, "Why?!"
"HEADS UP!" As Ruby landed on me, causing the stones beneath us to crack from the impact.
"Okay… everything hurts…" I groaned, pushing Ruby off me and wincing as I rose from my current position.
"Ohmygod!" Ruby screamed, quickly pulling me up and dusting me off. "Areyouokay?Ididn'thurtyoutoomuchright?" Ruby asked, speaking a mile a minute.
"Ruby… I'm good." I said, grasping her shoulders and forcing her to stand still. "It'll sting for a while, but I have enough aura to take a Goliath falling on me at the same speed." I reassured her, as I released her from my grasp.
"Oh, okay then!" She replied cheerfully. After another moment we were broadsided by another flying human, as Jaune barrelled into us knocking us flat as he rested on top, dazed from the impact and travel. "Oh… is the ride over yet?" He asked groggily.
"Again!?" I yelled, pushing Jaune off with enough strength to launch him into a nearby tree. "Oh..." After realizing what I just did I cringed and apologized. "Sorry Jaune!" He gave me a thumbs up to let us know he was ok.
"Did your sister just fall from the sky?" Blake asked. "I-" Yang was about to answer when another Ursa came charging out from the forest, collapsing shortly after. As Nora came tumbling off its back.
"Aww, it's broken…" She said, looking at her previous mount. "Eeeew…" She continued, looking at the corpse of the fallen Grimm.
"Nora?" Ren asked, sound slightly exasperated and annoyed. "Please… don't ever do that again." Upon finishing his request he noticed the lack of Nora's presence.
"Ohhh…" Nora said in awe, staring at the white rook, after grabbing it she began to… sing mockingly. "I'm queen of the castle, I'm queen of the castle." Cut off quickly by Ren yelling, "NORA!" She giggled in response and dashed back over to her partner.
"Did that girl just ride in on an Ursa?" I asked, directing my question towards Yang. "(I only thought I could do that…)" I thought curiously. "I-" Yang was going to answer again… as another Grimm emerged from the forest. The Deathstalker that Jaune & Pyrrha had encountered was now chasing Pyrrha, determined to pinch her in half. "Jaune! Little help?!" Pyrrha called to her partner, still stuck in the tree.
"Pyrrha!?" Jaune called, still trying to pry his sneaker from the branch.
"Ruby?" Yang asked, just noticing her sister was standing right beside her. "Yang!" She reacted, going to high-five her elder sibling. "Nora!" As Nora, ruining the moment again… jumped between them, causing the two of them to stop in their tracks.
"Did she just run here with a Deathstalker on her tail?" Blake & I asked Yang for a final time, after having enough activity for the moment she exploded in anger.
"I can't take it anymore! Could everyone just chill out for two seconds, without something crazy happening?!" She asked enraged, Rodger counted mentally for two seconds, which allowed Ren to finally catch up.
"Umm… Yang?" Ruby asked, directing her attention to the sky, as the Nevermore she was previously riding had shown up. With Weiss still holding onto its talon.
"How could you leave me?" Weiss yelled, as the Nevermore screeched in challenge.
"I said 'jump'..." Ruby replied, sounding slightly confused. "She's gonna fall." Blake added.
"She'll be fine." Ruby countered. "She's falling." As both Ren & I replied as Weiss began to plummet to the ground. Jaune, after getting himself unstuck, saw this as the perfect opportunity to earn some good credit with Weiss. He lept from his branch, (Not realizing he was at the same height as Weiss) stuck his arms out and 'caught' her.
"Just dropping in?" Jaune asked nonchalantly. As Weiss looked down, followed by Jaune's realization. "Oh god…" As they quickly grabbed each other as they plummeted, at an increased speed no less, back to the ground. Upon landing two slightly sickening cracks were heard, the first was Jaune landing, the second was Weiss landing… on Jaune.
"My hero." Weiss said sarcastically. "My back…" Jaune groaned. "(Really… 'Just dropping in'? He could've done without the one liner.)" I thought, as the Deathstalker was gaining ground on Pyrrha. After another few seconds me, Ren, Nora, Ruby, Blake & Yang found Pyrrha landing at our feet.
"Great, the gang's all here! Now we can die together!" Yang said, expecting their imminent demise.
"Please." I said scoffing. "I've killed an Ancient Nevermore before, killing these two will be like shooting fish in a ba-..." I cut myself off as a distorted roar filled the air.
"Umm… Rodger? Is something wrong?" Blake asked, seeing the color drain from my face. "We need to run. Now." I replied, shaking slightly.
"Why? What's got you so scared?" Nora asked, trying to pry an answer out of me. I replied with only one word. "Chimera…"
"I'm sorry, what?" Pyrrha asked. "Did you say, 'Chimera'?" I nodded in response. "What is a Chimera exactly?"
"Something that could kill us all in an instant. Chimeras are a combination of Deathstalker, Nevermore, Beowolf, Ursa, Boarbatusk and Lycan. I've fought one of them before and barely made it out with my life." I explained, tossing Ruby & Jaune the white knight & rook relics. "I repeat what I said before, we need to run… now!"
"I couldn't think of a better plan!" Jaune replied. "Let's move!" As the nine of us dashed towards the extraction point.
~At the Southern Forest Temple~
09: Red Like Roses Part II [Episode Mix] - RWBY Volume 1 OST (Jeff Williams & Casey Lee Williams) Loop & Song required.
"Keep moving! Nora, Pyrrha, take a few pot-shots at the Nevermore! I have a crazy idea that involves my semblance!" I cried, quickly removing Trinity from its sheathe and dropping it, along with my coat, onto the the ground ground behind me.
"Rodger, what are you doing?!" Weiss yelled seeing me sprint towards the edge of the cliff. "Are you trying to kill yourself?!"
"(No, but if this doesn't work I may just be a splatter on the bottom of the chasm.)" I thought, continuing my sprint. "(Here goes everything!)" I finished my thought as I dove, head first of the edge, hearing a simultaneous "NO!" from everyone there. As the wind whipped past me I began to channel my aura into my back, feeling an energy that I haven't felt since the day I escaped… the 'Angel' was out, and he was pissed.
~Back w/ the others~
After I leapt off the edge everything nearly went to shit. Nora drew her grenade launcher and began to assault the Nevermore, while Ren & Pyrrha fired shots at the Chimera and Deathstalker behind them. After Nora unleashed a full drum of projectiles Weiss grabbed her and launched the two of the towards the temple bridge. Almost everyone made it until a silver blur went through the bridge, separating Ren, Pyrrha and Blake from the rest.
"What was that?!" Weiss screeched, watching the blur continue to gain altitude. "No way…" Ruby had realized what the blur was… it was Rodger, with six silvery wings protruding from his back. He flew down and hit the Chimera with a right hook, shattering the armor around its head. It ignored him and continued its advance towards Ren, Pyrrha, Jaune & Nora.
*Loud Whistle* "HEY, OVER HERE YOU WALKING CLUSTERFUCK!" I roared in challenge towards the Chimera. "YOU WANT A REAL FIGHT?! THEN TAKE ME ON YOU SOULLESS SHIT! LET'S GO!" I finished, as I began to barrel towards it, breaking the sound barrier in the process, the Chimera unleashed its distorted roar and began to stampede towards the silver bullet of a Huntsman.
"He's completely insane." Weiss whispered to herself, as she leapt on top of the ruins with Yang and Ruby, Blake rejoining them after an attempt to injure the Nevermore.
"It's tougher than it looks!" Blake warned. "Then let's hit it with everything we've got!" Yang replied, cocking her gauntlets & aiming at the Nevermore. Ruby followed suit, fully activating her scythe, Weiss swapped her active dust to 'Ice' and Blake switched her sword to its auto-pistol form, then they just unloaded everything they could manage towards the gigantic bird. The Nevermore was shrugging off most of their attacks, only flinching slightly from Weiss's ice blasts. After Ruby landed a shot in its eye, it flew threw the structure, forcing the four of them to split up and find an alternative way of bringing the beast down.
"None of this is working!" Weiss called, seeing the Nevermore flying past all of their attacks. Ruby noted this and began to piece things together, using the ribbon from Blake's weapon, Yang's strength, Weiss's glyphs & her scythe… she found a possible way to bring the bird down.
"I've got an idea. Cover me!" Ruby commanded, launching off as Weiss dashed towards the further ruined temple.
Meanwhile, Jaune & the others were dealing with the Dreadstalker, unfortunately thanks to Rodger's damage to the bridge they had to move.
"We gotta move, now!" Ren yelled, leading the charge. Jaune & Pyrrha quickly took the lead and blocked the Deathstalkers claws with their shields, Pyrrha slashing with her blade whenever she saw an opening. Ren used this opportunity to climb up the tail and onto the stinger, attempting to dislodge the creature's deadliest weapon. After Jaune knocked both claws away with Solis, Pyrrha launched her now unfolded javelin into the creature's eye, causing Ren to go flying into a nearby column.
"Ren!" Nora called, seeing her partner hit the column with enough force to daze him. Jaune quickly recovered from the shock and noticed the stinger was loose enough for either him or Pyrrha to cut it off. He took the opportunity and activated Lunae, throwing it with all his might to sever the stinger. He was successfully able to cut the stinger off and lodge it into the Deathstalkers head, seeing this he called to Pyrrha and Nora.
"Pyrrha, hold you shield up! Nora, nail it!" Upon realising this Nora hopped up onto Pyrrha's shield, using the force from her explosion and Pyrrha's upward launch to propel her into the air. After hitting her arch she fired another shot, causing her to spin vertically until she brought her hammer right onto the stinger, pounding it right into the creature's skull, killing it instantly and launching Jaune & Pyrrha off the bridge, she quickly fired the last round in her drum to follow them. After Ren caught up and they all stood up the turned to see the girls fighting the Nevermore.
While behind them Rodger was battling the massive Chimera, and winning. The beast couldn't hit him, whenever the beast slashed with its claws, he flew up. Whenever it tried to sting him he brought his wings up and blocked the stinger, and every opening he cause Rodger drove his blade into the beast's exposed skin. After several minutes of brawling he decided to end it, he grabbed the monster by its tail and began to fly upwards, dragging the several ton Grimm behind him. After reaching above the clouds he sliced the tail off and let it fall, when he heard it thud into the ground Rodger readied his sword and dove straight down.
"I'm not letting another one of you escape! No do me a favor and DIE!" I screamed as he drove the sword through the Grimm's chest causing an explosion of black, bloody mist. *Heavy Panting* "Whew… that was… a… workout." I panted. "I… wonder how… the others… are… doing."
Back at the collapsed temple Yang was launching multiple shots to try and bring the beast down, see it dive for her she leapt up and stood in the monster's mouth. Firing off as many shots as she could manage.
"I! Hope! You're! Hung-ry!" Yang yelled, switching hands and unloading her other gauntlet into the Nevermore's mouth. Causing it to fly dazed into the cliff face, after Yang jumped from the beak she saw Weiss dashing towards and Blake standing atop one of the pillars. She smiled realizing what her little sister had planned. After firing the last shot in her gauntlets to propel herself onto the pillar right from Blake Weiss froze the Nevermore by its tail feathers, launched herself back with a glyph and readied herself for the killing blow. Once everything was in position Rodger noticed what they were doing, switched to Eklipse and used the last of his energy to fly full speed to help Ruby and the others. Once the Nevermore was stuck Blake threw her weapon, now tied by its ribbon, to Yang as she stuck it into the pillar. Once that was done Ruby launched herself into the ribbon and watched as Weiss summoned another Glyph, this one black for immobility.
"Think you can make the shot?" Ruby asked her partner. "Hmph. Can I?" Weiss replied, sounding very confident. "Can y-" Ruby was about to ask until Weiss quickly interrupted saying "Of course I can!" Upon hearing this Ruby dropped the empty shell and fired as soon as Rodger dashed past, the combined force from their weapons pinning the Nevermore to the cliff by its neck. Once she made contact Weiss summoned a set of glyphs for Ruby and Rodger as the two of them began to drag the monster up the cliff. Upon reaching the top Ruby fired one last shot while Rodger swung his scythe outwards, causing a scissor-like motion which decapitated the Nevermore, ending the battle. The air hung silent as the body of the Nevermore fell into the remains of the main temple, emitting a dull thud.
"Wow…" Jaune gasped watching the two of us walk to the cliff-face, as the Nevermore head faded into a flurry of silver rose petals.
*CRUNCH!* "There's the repercussions…" I groaned, beginning to wobble. "Guess that bastard got me good…" I finished faintly, passing out beside Ruby.
"Oh god! Rodger! Wake up!" Ruby cried, shaking my half broken body. "GET MEDIC UP HERE FAST! RODGER ISN'T WAKING UP!" As Ruby's scream could be heard from across the forest…
~In Beacon's Infirmary~
"Ughh… I really hate using my semblance…" I groaned, sitting up. "Thank god my aura regenerates really damn quick." I muttered after hopping down from the bed I was in & pulling the curtain back. Doing so caused me to look into the eyes of my partner and boss. "Umm…"
"Care to explain the events that happened at the south temple Mr. Mayson?" Ozpin asked, showing the footage my fight. "So your semblance is some form of angelism?"
"It's called 'Seraphim'." I began. "It allows me to summon the wings you saw, they're indestructible and razor sharp. It also forces the production of adrenaline to make me ignore pain and increase my strength and speed to an unmatchable height. The only problem is the fact that I have no aura when it's active." I admitted, earning a surprised look from Ozpin.
"No aura when it's active? What do you mean by that?" Skylar asked, sounding both curious and concerned.
"Since you two know that I'm part Grimm, I'll cut to the chase… I only have half a soul." I began explaining how and why I can't run my semblance and aura at the same time. Since my soul is equal parts light & dark it only allows me to activate either my aura and personas, or activate my semblance and heightened senses & attributes.
"I see. So that's why all of your clothing is either armored or woven with ballistic fibre." Ozpin deduced, I nodded while sliding my coat back on. "Well. There is still another few hours before the ceremony, you can travel back to your home to grab anything you need to help recover." I shook my head as I drew a small cigarette box from my pocket. "Mr. Mayson, you know smoking is prohibited on school grounds."
"I know, but this doesn't contain smokes." I replied, unfolding the box revealing several packs of gel capsules. "These are the medications my step-parents created to increase the rate aura regenerates. I only need to take these after I use my semblance." I finished, downing one of the aqua pills. "Takes a couple minutes and I'll be back to normal."
"Very well then. I'll see you two tonight, you have teams to lead now." Ozpin concluded, leaving with a smile on his face.
"So…" Skylar began, trying to break the awkward moment. "Wanna go eat? That restaurant you like open at this time."
"Sure, haven't had Ryan's food in ages. Besides, it's better to have some food after I take that damned pill." I said, following Skylar to the Bullhead dock.
~Later that Night, At the ceremony~
"Russel Thrush, Cardin Winchester, Dove Bronzewing and Sky Lark. The four of you retrieved the black bishop pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as… Team: CRDL [Cardinal]. Lead by… Cardin Winchester." Ozpin continued, as the last four teams remained.
"Jaune Arc, Lie Ren, Pyrrha Nikos, and Nora Valkyrie. The four of you retrieved the white rook pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as… Team: JNPR [Juniper]. Lead by… Jaune Arc." He concluded.
"Huh? L-Lead by…?" Jaune asked, while Pyrrha smiled beside him.
"Congratulations, young man." Ozpin said, giving Jaune a hopeful smile. "Now I shall let my assistants, Professors Rodger Mayson and Skylar Phantum announce the next two teams." He concluded, stepping back allowing Skylar to take center stage.
"Would Gray Rose and William Auditore please step up?" As Gray and Bill walked up on stage. "The two of you retrieved the black rook piece to match mine. From this day forward, along with me, the three of us shall be the beginning of Team: STAR. Lead by… myself." Skylar finished as Gray and Bill stepped off stage, grins plastered on their faces. After he stepped away from center stage I took over.
"Would Rebecca E. Chase and Gabriella H. Asche please step up?" As Rebecca and Gabby stepped up on stage. "You two retrieved the black queen piece, to match my black king. From this day forward we shall be the beginning of Team: CHRM [Chrome]. Lead by… myself." I finished as I shook their hands. "Congratulations you two, gather your stuff and head to the Bullhead docks. I'll explain everything when you two arrive." I whispered as they stepped off stage.
"Now for the final team. Ruby Rose, Blake Belladonna, Weiss Schnee and Yang Xiao Long." Ozpin began, stepping back into the spotlight. "The four of you retrieved the white knight pieces. From this day forward, you shall work together as… Team: RWBY [Ruby]. Lead by… Ruby Rose." As both Weiss and Ruby looked shocked at this moment.
"I'm so proud of you!" Yang said, hugging her little sister. "Grats Ruby." I began. "I know you'll be a great leader, I'm sure of it." I finished, placing my hand on Ruby's shoulder.
"This is going to be an interesting year…" Ozpin said to the two of us. "Enjoy your privileges gentlemen. It'll be interesting seeing two professionals teach a group of students, I can't wait to see your results.
~Later, at the Bullhead Dock~
"Why did the boss tell us to wait here?" Gabby asked, leaning on her stack of suitcases. "I mean… shouldn't we go to our dorms?"
"Trust me Gab, I'm just as confused as you." Rebecca replied, laying on top of her luggage. "But if Rodger said, 'wait for me at the Bullhead Dock', then I'm going to follow his orders." She finished, pulling her scroll out to check the time.
"Good, you waited. Apologies for the wait, I needed to call our ride." I said, finally stepping out of the shadows. "The reason why you're here is because you're going to work as my fellow 'teachers'." He announced.
"Wait… teachers?!" Gabby half screamed. "Why did you pick us?!"
"Because Rally has the highest intellect and knows nearly everything about ancient Remnant." I began. "And Gabby has every Grimm being memorized and knows every part of their anatomy." Gabby stared slack-jawed as I continued to name off their intellectual knowledge.
10 Minutes Later
"Ok… I think we understand why you want us now." Rally replied, still trying to process the job she had to perform. "You want us to help you teach the intellectual courses while you and the other person take care of the physical. Right?" I nodded. A few seconds later a Bullhead landed nearby, showing the Ocel logo.
"Wait a second… that's the 'Ocel Mining' logo." Gabby began to piece everything together until… "You're Rodger Ocel?!" She asked, screeching in realization.
"Yes… and please DON'T yell when you're next to me." I asked, rubbing my ears. "Anyways. You two will stay at my place for the next two years, you'll prepare your schedules and train there. Without the worry of hurting anyone."
"Okay. But… who's the hispanic guy?" Rally asked as Carde stepped out from the cabin.
"Rally, Gabby. This is Cpt. Carde Heart. Our personal pilot, say hi Carde." I asked politely.
"Buenas noches, Sra. Asche, Sra. Chase. It's a pleasure to meet the two of you. Mr. Ocel spoke highly of you two, and I can see he wasn't lying." He finished, shaking their hands.
"Umm… sorry if this is uncomfortable, but how old are you?" Gabby asked, staring at him intently.
"22 Sra. Asche, I was hired by Mr. Ocel's stepfamily when I was only 17." Carde explained, backing away from Gabby.
"Well, now that introductions are out of the way. Let's go home shall we? The two of you will find plenty of closet space and extra sleep-wear in your dressers." Rodger began, hopping into the other pilots seat. "Just sit back and enjoy the flight."
"Ok then, I guess we don't have to worry about homework at least." Rally said, trying to raise the mood.
"(Those two are going to have a blast.)" I thought, putting on my protective headset. "(Time to see how they prepare for their classes.)"
A/N: Whoohoo! Both OC teams are finally revealed! Now all I have to do is complete them, which will happen to STAR in the next chapter. It's almost time to meet the blind brawler..
