A Different Past

by Xman321

The nightmare in that timeline was over. The nightmare is his was about to end. Yet still, it seemed another timeline, another dimension needed his help. The catch? He won't know it till it's too late. (After the Cell Games, but before Trunks returns to his time.)

10. The Air Fleet

Aloha! It is I, The Great Clement Xman321! So, I've got this chapter out, and it's nothing TOO special, but Trunks finally gets to meet Ironwood, and lets just say it doesn't end well.

Also, this next chapter is gonna take a little longer to come out, but don't worry, you'll still get some RWBY/DBZ Crossover action. Just with a different character.

Let's just call it a favor for a friend. ;)

Anyway, for now, enjoy!

Trunks Briefs

For the next few days after I was "inducted" into Ozpin's group so to speak, things were normal. I continued training with Ruby daily, read more of Remnant's literature in the Beacon library, and overall just lived life as I had been. I was holding to my word and keeping an eye on the visiting students, but I hadn't noticed anything suspicious...yet.

However, on this day something was amiss. Not with the students, they seemed fine so far, but hovering over Beacon were several Atlas military ships. Confused, I began to head towards the only person I was sure would have answers; Professor Ozpin.

I decided against going the traditional way up the stairs, because of the possibility of running into students that I did not currently have time to talk to. Instead I choose a more practical route; flying up to the window.

Interestingly both Ozpin and Glynda were already at the window, presumably staring at the same ships I saw. Glynda reacted first when she saw me, slightly surprised by my unorthodox way of reaching them.

"Oh, Trunks…" She said after a moment. "That's an interesting way to reach us."

I gave a quick shrug before explaining myself. "It was the quickest and easiest way. So, what's with the Atlas ships?"

Neither of them got the chance to answer, as they were interrupted by a beeping sound. Turning his head towards the door, Ozpin said, "Come in.".

The doors opened, revealing a man in a white Atlas uniform. My time spent in the library allowed me to easily recognize him. James Ironwood, general of Atlas' military forces*.

"Ozpin!" Ironwood greeted, walking into the office.

"Hello, General." Ozpin did the same, his arms behind his back in a polite manner.

"Please, drop the formalities." Ironwood responded as the two walked up to each other, shaking hands. James laughed for a moment before continuing to speak. "It's been too long."

"...and Glynda!" Ironwood spoke, turning his head towards the blond teacher. "It has certainly been too long since we last met."

"Oh, James!" Glynda responded sarcastically. With a condescending expression, she muttered. "I'll be outside."

The two watched Goodwitch leave the room. "Well, she hasn't changed a bit." Ironwood joked.

Ironwood then turned his attention to me. "So you must be the alien. Trunks, am I right?"

I nodded. "It's good to meet you, General. I'd shake your hand if I wasn't on the other side of this window."

He chuckled slightly before turning back to Ozpin. The headmaster had walked towards his desk, pouring more of his drink into his coffee mug. "So…" He began. "What in the world has brought you all the way down from Atlas? Headmasters don't typically travel with their students to the Vytal Festival."

Ozpin took his mug and handed it to Ironwood. "Well, you know how much I love Vale this time of year." Ironwood explained, taking some cartridge out of his coat and pouring its contents into the drink. "Besides, with you hosting I figured that this might be a good time for us to catch up."

"I can certainly appreciate some quality time between friends." Ozpin stated as he poured himself a glass of the drink and sat down. "However, the small fleet outside my window has me somewhat concerned."

"Well…" Ironwood defended. "Concern IS what brought them here."

"I understand travel between kingdoms has become increasingly difficult…"

"Oz…" Ironwood interrupted. "You and I both know WHY I brought those men."

I raised an eyebrow. Did he know about the maidens too? Ozpin hadn't told me much about the situation outside of the talk in the vault, but I assumed they were just busy.

Taking a sip of his drink, Ozpin sighed. "We are in a time of peace…" He spoke, calmly. "Shows of power like this...they're just going to give off the wrong impression."

Ironwood was quick to defend himself. "...but if what Qrow said is true…"

"If what Qrow said is true, then we will handle it." Ozpin immediately interrupted.

I decided to speak up. "You know about her too?" I wondered, intentionally being vague in case my assumption was wrong.

Ironwood looked at me for a second in shock, before turning to the Headmaster with an expression of concern. "You told HIM?!" He yelled.

"Trunks' power, his skill, and his intelligence could all be valuable." Ozpin began to explain. "Where he hails from is irrelevant."

"We don't know enough about him, Oz!" He responded in frustration. "How do we know that story of his isn't a cover up?! How do we know he's not with them?!"

"Excuse me!" I yelled, probably far louder than what was actually necessary. "I'm right here you know! While I respect your position, I would appreciate not being accused of being a liar and a double-agent."

Ironwood stood up straight and looked me in the eye. "You're not from Remnant. You have power far beyond what even the greatest Huntsmen and Huntresses could imagine. You're an alien. Those three reasons alone leave me a right to be a little paranoid with trusting you knowing about a situation as important as this. Ozpin may trust you , but you've given me no reason to do so just yet."

Ozpin looked as if he was about to stop this "fight", but I spoke up before he could even leave his chair. "I'm not in the mood to argue about WHY you can trust me. I am NOT with Amber's attackers, and I don't CARE if you believe me or not."

"Goodbye." I muttered, letting go of my grip on my ki and falling to the floor. I only slowed my descent when I was almost on the grass, preventing a possible hole in the ground.

I was angry, that was obvious. I couldn't stand a lot of things, but being accused was at the top of that list. I've LIVED throughout what can only be described as a living hell. I am the ONLY person capable of fighting those Androids now. Everyone else, Gohan included, has died. Now though, I'm being doubted. I understood it with Weiss, I hadn't shared much of my past with anyone at that time. But when I've laid my entire life on the table for people to see, I'm still being questioned.

I sighed, trying to calm down. After that talk I needed some fun and relaxation. Luckily, I knew exactly who to go to so I could it.

Team RWBY.

Ruby Rose

The library was quiet, but I guess it's usually that way. I stared at my opponents. Weiss, Blake, and even my sister Yang sat in their respective chairs. As per usual, Yang was the most confident of the bunch.

"Alright…" I muttered to myself, checking to see if my strategy was good enough. This battle had been back and forth so far, but I was confident that my next move would end it.

"Yang Xiao Long, prepare your kingdom for battle!" I yelled, my card in hand.

"Bring it on!" She said, accepting my challenge.

"I deploy…" I cried, pulling the card out. "THE ATLESIAN AIR FLEET!"

My sister gasped as I slammed the card on the table. "Looks like I get to fly over your Ursai, and attack your walls directly!" I bragged, feeling my plan was perfect. Afterwards, I began making plane noises, emphasizing my point.

"You fiend!" Yang cried out.

I continued explaining how perfect my strategy was. "...and since Atlas is part of Mantle, my repair time only lasts one turn."

My smirk left my face almost immediately, though, when I saw my sister chuckle. "Pretty sneaky, sis…" she complemented, lifting a card of her own. "...but you've just activated my TRAP CARD!"

I visibly (and verbally) flinched. I had missed something! Everything was falling apart!

"GIANT NEVERMORE!" Yang announced, slamming her fist on the table. The force shook the contents of the desk, knocking a good majority of the pieces on the side. "If I roll a seven or higher…" She explained. "...fatal feathers will slice your fleet in two!"

"But…" I objected. "If you roll a six or lower, the Nevermore will turn on your OWN forces!"

"That's just a chance I'm willing to take." My sister replied, determination in her eyes.

Yang grabbed the die and began shaking her hand. My eyes were on the die, expectantly. Whatever number it landed on could make, or break this game for me. After what felt like an eternity, Yang threw the die onto the table. It began rolling, and for a moment I was worried it was going to fall of the edge, but it stopped just at the end of the desk. I closed my eyes for a moment. "Do I dare take a peek?" I thought to myself. Eventually, the suspense was too much, and I opened my eyes to look at the number.

7.

"NOOOOOOOO!" I cried out, my head slumping on the desk. "MY FEARLESS SOLDIERS!"

"Eh…" My sister chuckled, obviously ignoring my distress. "Most of them were probably androids."

"Goodbye...my friends…" I whispered, holding back tears. "You will be avenged…"

"Not until I collect my rewards!" Yang interrupted. "Which, by the way, are doubled this round, thanks to the Mistral trade route!"

"Bah!" I yelled.

"Ooooh...and what's this?" My sister said, picking up the card this victory had earned her. "The smugglers of Wind Path?"

"BAH!" I cried again. "BAH I SAY!"

"Looks like I'm taking TWO cards from your hand!" Yang laughed.

"Have you no heart?!" I complained, meekly giving in to her demand.

As I laid there, groaning at my defeat, Yang kept the game going. "Well Weiss, it's your turn!" She stated.

"I have...absolutely no idea what's going on." The Heiress admitted. Yang quickly jumped to her side to see her deck.

"Look, it's easy!" She explained. "You're playing as Vacuo, which means all Vacuo based cards get a bonus!"

"That sounds dumb." My partner deadpanned.

Yang started going through Weiss's deck, in an attempt to help her make her next move. "See...you've got Sandstorm, Desert Scavenge…" Suddenly, she noticed something. "Oh! Look, Resourceful Raider! Now you can take Ruby's discarded Air Fleet.." I groaned more. "...and put it in your hand!"

"Okay…?" Weiss responded, clearly still confused.

"...and since Vacuo warriors have an endurance boost against natural hazards, you could use Sandstorm to disable my ground forces and simultaneously infiltrate my kingdom!" Suddenly, Yang's eyebrows dropped, giving off a much angrier look than before. "Just know that I will not forget this declaration of war."

With those words, my sister slid back into her seat. "...and that means?" Weiss asked again, still completely out of the loop.

"You're just three moves away from conquering Remnant!" I shouted, still upset at my loss.

For a moment, my partner was silent. Then her head suddenly moved up from her cards, and she started laughing maniacally. "YES!" She shouted, like some sort of cartoon villain. "FEAR THE ALMIGHTY POWER OF MY FORCES! COWER AS THEY PILLAGE YOUR HOMES AND WEEP AS THEY TAKE YOUR CHILDREN FROM YOUR VERY ARMS!"

Suddenly, Yang casually picked up another card and raised it in the air. "Trap Card." She stated, calmly. "Your armies have been destroyed."

After a moment, Weiss sat down, holding back tears. "I hate this game of emotions we play!" She shouted.

I got out of my chair and rushed to hug my partner, attempting to comfort her. "Stay strong Weiss!" I told her. "We'll make it through this together!"

"Shut up! Don't touch me!" The heiress yelled, oddly returning my hug.

"Hey guys!" I heard a familiar voice say.

Immediately, I jumped out of Weiss's arms (that's still weird.). "Trunks!" I shouted, running up to my trainer. "How are you?!" I asked, before trying to correct myself and be more proper. "I mean...how are you, Master? Uh...Mentor? Aha! How are you, Sensei!" When I finally figured out how to greet him, I did a little ninja bow out of respect.

"Uh…Fine." Trunks chuckled, before turning his attention to the rest of my team. "So, what's this?" He asked.

"Oh, just a game Ruby and I used to play before coming to Beacon." Yang answered, lying the back of her head on her hands.

I put my hand on my hips. "Yeah, and you always beat me at it!" I pouted.

Yang simply gave a smirk, before Jaune came running up to our table. "Hey! Can I play?" He asked.

"Sorry, Jaune…" I sheepishly apologised. "We've already got 4 people."

"Besides…" Weiss added, her arms crossed. "This game requires a certain level of tactical cunning that I seriously doubt you possess."

"Uh, you attacked your own naval fleet two turns ago." Yang interrupted. Weiss's response was a simple grunt.

"Bring it on, Ice Queen!" Jaune challenged "I'll have you know that I've been told I'm a natural born leader!"

"By who?" My partner questioned. "Your mother?"

"A-and Pyrrha!" He defended, stuttering. From the table next to us, Pyrrha waved and said hello.

"Come on!" Jaune begged. "Let me play your hand for a turn!"

"I'm not trusting you with the good citizens of Vacuo!" Weiss denied.

"Why not?!" Jaune wondered. "You've trusted me with WAY more important stuff before! I mean, you've told us all that Blake is secretly a-"

The moment Jaune started speaking, Pyrrha got up from her seat and ran over to cover Jaune's mouth. "FUN-LOVING PERSON!" She finished for him. "Whom we all admire, and respect."

For a moment, everyone looked towards Blake. She didn't look very amused. From the quick glance I saw, Trunks wasn't very happy either. He wasn't shooting Jaune an angry look, but it was more like the glance a parent gives a child when they do something minor. A warning, almost.

"Heh-heh...Right...That…" Jaune corrected himself. "Ladies, enjoy your battle." With those words, my blond haired friend did an exaggerated bow and began to walk off."

"Hey losers!" Said another voice I recognised. Sun, the monkey faunus from the docks, was standing behind us. He smiled for a moment, before noticing Trunks. "Oh hey!" He said, a little startled. "You're the purple haired guy from the docks!"

Trunks extended his hand. "Right." He responded. "We've never been properly introduced, I'm Trunks."

"Sun." The faunus explained. "Anyway, I never got the chance to introduce the rest of you to my old friend."

Sun pointed towards a blue haired teen behind him. "Um…" The newcomer started, slightly confused. "...aren't libraries for reading?"

"THANK YOU!" Ren, who was seated with the rest of his team reading a book, yelled. Nora was face down on one side of the book, fast asleep. "Pancakes!" She snorted.

"Shut up." Sun told his friend. "Don't be a nerd."

"Intellectual, okay?" The blue haired teen corrected. "Thank you. I'm Neptune."

"So, Neptune…" Weiss began to ask. "...where are you from?"

"Haven." He answered, walking up to the Heiress. "...and I don't believe I've caught your name...snow angel."

"Um…" Weiss stuttered for a moment before answering. "I'm Weiss."

For a moment, I thought I heard Jaune mumble "Are you kidding me?", but I think it was my imagination pulling tricks on me.

"Pleasure to meet you." Neptune replied, smiling. Meanwhile, Sun leaned down to look at Blake's deck of cards.

"You know, I never saw you as the board game playing type." He commented.

"Right…" Blake responded, slumping before getting to her feet. "Well, I think I'm done playing, actually. See you guys later." She said, before walking off.

At this point, Nora finally woke up and saw what was going on. After a moment, the orange haired girl shrugged. "Women." She stated, bluntly. For a moment everyone stared at her, before I broke the silence.

"Well, if you want to play Jaune, go ahead." I said, turning my head towards Trunks...only to find he wasn't there.

Blake Belladonna

A little while later…

I sat on my bed, allowing my thoughts to drift throughout my mind. There we so many things to think about, most un-nerving. Ultimately I settled on the talk I had with Ozpin, only a few hours after the incident at the docs.

It had been so long ago, but I could remember it so clearly. Ozpin had started off rather casually, slowly moving the topic of conversation towards what he wanted to know. He asked me why I hid my identity as a faunus, so I explained myself.

"I'd rather avoid any unnecessary attention." I explained to the headmaster. "I want people to see me for who I am, not what I am."

"...and what are you?" Ozpin asked.

"I...don't understand what you're asking." I replied, confused.

He got right to the point. "How did you know the White Fang would be at the shipyard tonight?"

"I didn't…" I clarified. "I just happened to be at the right place at the right time."

"You wouldn't have been the first." Ozpin stated, leaning back in his chair. "...but what happened tonight was not an isolated incident. I may be your headmaster, but I am also a huntsman, and it is my sworn duty to protect from the forces that conspire against it."

"Blake…" He began, his tone becoming serious. "Are you sure there is nothing else you'd like to tell me?"

I stared for a moment, considering my options. "I'm sure." I finally told him.

Ozpin didn't look particularly pleased, but he seemed to accept my decision. "Very well." He told me, getting out of his chair. "Thank you for your time...Ms. Belladonna."

My thoughts were interrupted when the dormitory door opened. "Ugh! We should have never let him play!" Yang yelled as she entered the room. Ruby and Weiss followed shortly after.

"You're just mad because the new guy beat you!" Ruby mocked. "See, if you just attacked when I told you, none of this would've happened!"

I wasn't comfortable in this cheery environment. I didn't see exactly what there was to be happy about, so I tried to leave the room. However, Weiss stopped me before I could even grab the doorknob.

"Stop!" She told me, pointing her finger in my direction. "Lately you've been quiet, anti-social, and moody."

"Uh...have you met Blake?" Yang commented, but Weiss ignored her.

"Which, I get, is kinda your 'thing', but you've been doing it more than usual." The heiress spoke. "Which, quite frankly, is unacceptable! You made a promise to me, to ALL of us, that you would let us know if something was wrong. So, What. Is. Wrong?"

"I just…" I started, trying to explain myself. "I don't understand how everyone can be so calm."

Ruby had her puppy dog eyes on, looking sad. "You're still thinking about Torchwick." She examined.

"Torchwick, the White Fang, all of it!" I exclaimed. "Something big is happening and no one is doing anything about it!"

"Ozpin told us not to worry." Yang comforted. "Between the police and the huntsmen, I'm sure they can handle it."

"Well I'm NOT!" I countered. "They don't know the White Fang like I do."

Weiss, Ruby, and Yang just stared at each other for a moment, before Weiss spoke up.

"Okay…" She said. "Between blowing up nightclubs, stopping thieves, and fighting for freedom, I'm sure the three of you are all ready to go out and apprehend these ne'er-do-wells."

"Uh...who?" Ruby asked, her childish side seeping through.

"But, let me once again be the voice of reason." The heiress continued. "We're students. We're not ready to handle this sort of situation."

"Well...yeah, but…" Ruby started, but Weiss interrupted her.

"We're NOT ready!" She repeated.

"And we may never BE ready!" I yelled. "Our enemies aren't just gonna sit around and wait for graduation day! They're out there, somewhere, planning their next move, and none of us know what it is, but it's coming! Whether we're ready, or not."

Everyone was silent for a moment, until our leader spoke. "Okay…" Ruby smiled, a plan already forming in her mind. "All in favor of being the youngest huntresses to single-handedly bring down a corrupt organisation conspiring against the Kingdom of Vale...say I!"

"Yes!" Yang cried out, pointing towards me. "I love it when you're feisty."

"Well, I guess it could be fun." Weiss admitted.

"None of you said 'I'..." Ruby pouted.

"Alright then." I announced. "We're in this together."

"Let's hatch a plan!" Ruby said, excitedly. Before her face suddenly became horror-stricken. "I left my board game in the library!"

Weiss facepalmed, as Ruby rushed out of the room.

Ruby Rose

I don't know how I forgot that board game, I guess I was just caught up in my sister's anger at (finally) losing. I could only hope no one had messed with it while it was left unattended.

Before I could reach the library though, I ended up running into someone. I fell right on my tush, groaning for a moment, before apologising for not looking where I was going. "Are you...OK?" I asked.

"I'm fine." Said the girl I had bumped into, helping me to my feet."...Just watch where you're going." She was wearing a school uniform, but it was clearly not one I was familiar with. She also had some very distinct green hair, and red eyes. Next to her was a man in a similar uniform, with very unkempt grey hair and orange-ish eyes.

"Oh...right...sorry!" I apologised once again. "I'm Ruby! Are you new?"

"Visiting from Haven, actually." Said another female voice. The green haired girl scooted to the side, revealing another woman in the same uniform (evidently the Haven school uniform, I'm an idiot for not remembering that.) She had long black hair that covered the side of her face, and the one eye I could see was orange, almost fire-like in nature.

In fact...she almost seemed familiar.

"Nah…" I said to myself, dismissing the thought. Why would that fire lady from the store be here? "Ooooh!" I spoke after a moment, giddy. "You're here for the festival! Oh, but exchange students have their own dormitory."

"I guess we just got turned around." Said the grey haired student.

I chuckled. "Don't worry, happens all the time! Um...you're building is juuussst east of here."

"Thanks." The black haired woman replied. "Maybe we'll see you around."

"Yeah, maybe!" I agreed. "Oh, and welcome to Beacon!"

The students just walked away, not speaking another word.

So, hey, this story gets Cinder and Co. in it now, yay! I mean, it's basically just me copying the subtitles of the episode, but hey, it means things are getting good, right?

Anyway, I'll see you guys next month, assuming I take EXACTLY the deadline to get the new story chapter out, and then obviously chapter 10 of A Different Past.

Before I go to the reviews, let me give you one more (or just one if you don't count the favor for a friend as a hint) hint. I'm finally giving in and doing a shipping story. (Sorta)

WolfShadow96: Glad to see you understand why I've nerfed Trunks, and I've been trying to make my chapters longer. Now, with this new story, it's gonna take a little longer to get chapters out, but don't worry, once School ends, I'll probably be able to get chapters out a lot faster! So just wait a few weeks!

Gravenimage: Good to hear! Thanks, man!

Guest (1): Nailed it! Nailed it completely!

Guest (2): I LOVE that idea, but I've already established rules that go against it, so sadly...I can't do it. I know you told me specifically NOT to do this, but I would LOVE to see you, or ANYONE else write that, it sounds so cool!