Chapter 8: The Reveal

Location: Beacon Academy, Vale Year: Unknown

"Russel Thrush, Cardin Winchester, Dove Bronzewing, 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 said.

We were back at the Academy for our Initiation and watched as we waited.

"Jaune Arc, Lie Ren, Pyrrha Nikos, 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." Ozpin said.

We overheard Jaune asking in confusion, "Huh? L-lead by...?"

"Congratulations, young man." Ozpin said.

Then came up the last group and...

"Blake Belladonna, Ruby Rose, Weiss Shnee, And Yang Xiao Long. The four of you retrieved the white knight pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as... Team RWBY[Ruby], lead by Ruby Rose." Ozpin said.

I muttered to myself, "Wow, just wow. Lucky you Rubes."

"And Edward Vaughn, step up to the stage, please." Ozpin asked me.

I did so and stepped up to the stage and...

"Since you are an extra student and having a Veteran-rating experience, as well as being able to show Team JNPR and Team RWBY on the path that they are on now and you have grabbed a Black Knight piece, you will become the mentor of Team RWBY and Team JNPR." Ozpin said.

I overheard Team's JNPR and RWBY cheering from behind me as Ozpin held up a hand to me...

"Congratulations, young man. Your parents must be proud." Ozpin said.

My heart aches as Ozpin mentions about my parents, but hide it well enough and shook Ozpin's hand.

"Thank you, sir." I responded.

XXXXX

'RWBY's and JNPR's 3rd POV...'

Blake, Yang, and Ruby became worried about for Edward and the others took notice. Weiss asks, "Why with the long faces? You should be cheering for him."

Ruby responds, "We are proud, it's just that Ozpin mentioned his parents."

"So?" Weiss asked.

Blake said, "He told us that his mother died when he was born and his dad died sacrificing himself for his son and for what he believed in at the age of 13."

Weiss became wide-eyed and responded, "O-oh, I see."

"Oh, poor Eddie!" Nora said.

"I can see why you should be worrying for him." Ren said.

"So that's why I can sense sorrow within him, I feel sorry for him." Pyrrha said.

"Poor guy. It must be hard on him." Jaune said.

XXXXX

'Back to Edward...'

I came down from the stage and JNPR and RWBY came up to me...

"Hey, are you alright, Edward?" Ruby asks.

"Yeah, just give me some time." I responded.

Blake said, "We're here for you when you need us."

I couldn't help but grin at her statement. I responded, "Thanks."

Then I notice Ozpin and Glynda walking towards us and...

"Edward Vaughn, we need to have a talk about where your from. Is that alright?" Ozpin asks.

I took the time to think over and finally responded, "Sure, as long as Teams RWBY and JNPR comes along. They need to know."

Ozpin grinned and responded, "Of-course Edward. We'll bring them with us."

Yang then came up and asked, "What do you mean 'need to know'? Was there something that you didn't tell us about?"

I nodded and said, "Yeah. I haven't told you everything. I haven't lied about anything that I said before, it's just that I left out some certain things."

"Certain things?" Ruby asked.

"I will tell you all when we reach the headmaster's office, so let's get going." I responded.

'Explaining about me being from a different world is going to be a pain in the ass.' I thought to myself as we follow Professor Ozpin to his office.

XXXXX

'In Ozpin's Office...'

"Please, Edward. Have a seat." Ozpin said to me.

"I'll just stand, but thank you, though." I responded.

"Alright." Ozpin replied as he took a sip of his coffee before he continued.

"Now, Me and Ms. Goodwitch have went over the maps and we have charted all over Remnant. We didn't even find any 'Wasteland' that you mentioned and we want an explanation." Ozpin said.

Everyone looked towards me for my response. I sighed and said, "What I'm about to tell you is something that you guys will find hard to believe, impossible even. Even I still have a hard time believing it right now."

I paused for a moment and took a deep breath before continuing, "I am actually from a different world or dimension."

Everyone's face, except for Ozpin's, had an expression of shock and disbelief.

"You're from a different world?!" Ruby asked.

"Yeah. And this thing *pulls out the broken Transportalponder version 2 prototype* is how I got here, which reminds me; if I ever get back, then I'm going to have a chat with Dr. Klein." I said.

"What is it?" Blake asks.

"This thing was an advance version of the Transportalponder and I was testing it for Dr. Klein at one of the Big Mountain research facilities, codename 'The Think Tank'. This thing was just a prototype and it was supposed to transport me from and back to the Big Mountain research facility a lot more efficiently and drains less power." I answered.

Yang asks, "Then why didn't you use it to go back?"

"Because it's broken beyond repair. That means I'm stuck here in your world." I answered.

"That sucks." Ruby said.

"Tell me about it." I responded.

"Hold up! Do you really expect us to believe you?" Weiss asked.

I shrugged and said, "I did say that you wouldn't believe me."

"Well I do."

We all looked towards Ozpin and he continued, "It actually makes sense on your part."

"Yeah... oh and here's another thing; do you guys ever theorize the possibility that when you get transported, that you could de-aged?" I asked.

"Yes, why you asked?" Ozpin answered and asked.

"Well, you see, it actually happened to me when I arrived here." I said.

"You de-aged?!" Pyrrha asked.

"Yeah." I simply answered.

"But if your not 15, then how old are you then?" Ren asked.

"I'm actually 23 years old." I deadpanned.

That actually surprised them, even Ozpin was a little surprised.

"That actually explains your combat experience." Ozpin concluded.

"Yeah, and Yang. Never, ever joke about anything like back on the airship again." I said.

"Sorry." Yang apologized.

"So when did you arrived here?" Ruby asked.

"Actually, I arrived right before we just met. I appeared in an alleyway a block away from the store." I answered.

She was speechless at my response. I continued...

"And like I said, everything I have told you guys is true, besides the age part. About the Wasteland, the factions, everything." I said.

Some of them were confused while the rest were not.

Weiss asked, "Wasteland?"

I sighed and answered, "My world was plunged into an abyss of nuclear fire and radiation, cause by the atomic warheads that even one can wipe out a metropolis and the surrounding area miles out."

I paused so that the information sinks in and noticed that everyone was shocked. I then continued, "My world was at war, not against Grimm nor Faunas. They don't even exist in our world. We were at war against our own kind, just like it has been throughout the millennia. There were good reasons and bad reasons for these wars. The good reasons were to end slavery, to stop tyrants, to aid another nation, retaliation, for justice, for God, to protect the innocent, and to destroy the corruption of mankind."

I paused again and noticed that they were listening with interest. I then continued, "But the other reasons, the bad kind, was for power in wealth, leadership, territory, revenge, harming innocents, to even blood-lust. The once proud nation, the United States of America, which was born from a war for independence and to escape the tyranny of another, had first fought for the good reasons, but then later on, they were forced to fight wars in later years for resources and wealth to keep the nation alive. It was once known as the land of the free and home of the brave, where everyone was free and have equal rights, no matter what race or gender."

I paused again to see brighten faces when I described the U.S. and what it stands for. I continued, "But then on October 23rd, 2077, everything had changed."

"Changed?" Ren asked.

"On that very day, the atomic bombs have fell and wiped out everything. But it was not, how some predicted, the end of the world, instead it became another bloody chapter in human history." I answered.

"What do you mean by that?" Weiss asked.

"In the earlier days, thousands were sparred by this event by taking refuge in enormous, underground shelters known as 'Vaults'. Though when they emerged, they only have the Hell of the Wastes to greet them." I answered.

"How long has it been like that?" Pyrrha asked.

"Two centuries and 5 years." I answered.

Again, some of them were shocked by my response.

"205 years?!" Jaune asked in shock.

"Yes, Jaune." I replied.

I sighed and said, "I hope this doesn't change any of you're guys' perspective of me."

"Of-course not, Edward."

I looked towards Ruby and she continued, "Well, except with your age and you being from a different world, but we're still friends, right?"

"Yeah, Edd. That doesn't make us hate you or anything. After all, you did help my sister." Yang said.

Blake smiled and nodded and Ren did the same. Weiss seems to approve, Nora... I have no idea about her but she seems to not mind, and Jaune and Pyrrha have also nodded.

We then turned to Ozpin, who said, "Since we now know on where you're actually from, we might have to keep some things a secret, but it is good to know that you have told us the truth."

"Of-course, sir." I responded.

"And considering that you have nowhere to go and stay, then you will remain here as a student and a mentor to both teams here. You have earned it by right." Ozpin said.

"Thank you, sir." I responded.

Ozpin took another sip of his coffee before replying, "You are all now excuse and may head back to your dorms, and have a pleasant night."

"Yes, sir." I said and we all left the office. I thought, 'That actually went better than I expected. I'm glad they still accepted me.'

To be Continued...