Chapter 10: Runs in the Family Part 1
It has been a week since Team CRDL and PLTM's humiliation. Francesca was playing her video games in the dorm on her bed without her usual joy and enthusiasm. Normally she would be sweeping through battles like they were nothing but she was distracted. She sighed as she turned off the game putting it aside. The hot headed huntress picked up her scroll and swiped through her photo gallery before stopping on a photo of a younger version of her along with three other children. Two boys and one other girl. Behind them was an older woman with tan skin and brown hair like hers wearing a white top. Next to the older woman was a man with tan skin and quaffed black hair wearing a red jacket over a white shirt. Besides them was another tan man with a brown handlebar moustache wearing a blue uniform shirt with a couple of medals on the left breast, and white pants. She gripped her scroll tightly before getting putting it into sleep.
"Hey, everything okay?" Leonidas asked looking up from his desk.
Francesca threw her pillow in surprise and looked up to see Leonidas who caught the pillow. "HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN HERE!" Francesca yelled. The pillow hits his head and falls to the floor.
"I've been here all morning, working on my special project." Leonidas said .
"Special project? Are you drafting up modifications for that motorcycle?" Francesca asked.
"No. I finished on that days ago. All it needs now is a paint job from the shop. I'm working on microscopic robotics, to heal disease and wounds that are too great for our auras to heal or if our aura levels are too low." Leonidas explained.
"You mean nanobots?" Francesca asked.
Leonidas sighs in exasperation "yes, nanobots. Anyway, are you alright? You seem….. agitated." Leonidas asked in concern.
"Yeah, you seem tense. Do you need a massage or something?" Naomi asked, clad in a towel, droplets dripping down her body.
"WHEN DID YOU GET HERE!?" Francesca shrieked in surprise at her other teammate's presence.
"I was in the shower," Naomi said. "Man you must have been really into your game to be THAT out of it. I could have grabbed those nice, juicy, tits of yours for who knows how long." She joked. Francesca shot her a rage fuelled glance and growled.
Naomi chuckled in slight fear, raising her arms in surrender. "Kidding."
"Anyway I don't feel like talking about it, so drop it.….Just get back to your science project." Francesca addressed Leonidas. "And you! Put some damn clothes on!." She addressed Naomi. "And you-" She moved to point to Iskandar but saw that he wasn't there.
"Hey where's Iskandar?" She asked her team, expecting the leader to also be there..
"He said he was going to the gym. Wanted to get a workout in." Leonidas answered before returning his focus to his project.
Iskandar was on the bench press wearing a red tank top and black shorts. He was lifting a total of 700 kg weights minus the bar, counting with each rep. "11, 12, 13, 14, 15" he counted out loud with each rep before finally racking the bar at 25.
"Looking good." Yang said as she entered the gym. She was wearing black gym shorts and a yellow tank top her hair was up in a ponytail.
"Oh, hey, Yang. You getting a workout in too?" Iskandar asked his crush.
"Oh yeah, started with a bit of leg training, and now I'm thinking of moving on to some upper body work." Yang replied, flexing her biceps.
"Yeah I'm training my upper body as well. I'm also doing some strength training." Iskandar said with a smile.
Yang walked over to Iskandar's bench and took a glimpse of the weight he was lifting "700kg huh, I guess those big arms are all show and no go." Yang teased.
"I beg your pardon?" Iskandar said, his brow creasing in indignation.
"I can bench press 1000 kg easily, I'm honestly surprised that I'm stronger than you." Yang laughed.
"Oh I still have plenty left in the tank," Iskandar said, as he began to rack weights until he reached 5000 kg. "I'm just as strong as you." Iskandar said with gusto.
"Is that a challenge hear?" Yang asked with a smirk .
"Damn right." Iskandar said, a burning fire in his eyes.
"Okay! Whoever is less winded after the workout, wins." Yang said, preparing the same amount of weight for her own workout.
"Deal. What does the winner get?" Iskandar asked.
"I don't know, loser buys the winner a week's supply of protein bars or something?" Yang said as she stacked her weights on the adjacent bench press till it reached 5000 kg.
"Deal" Iskandar said. The two then lied down on their respective bench presses and began lifting their weights igniting the sparks of competition.
The hallways filled up with chatter mainly from the three huntresses in training of team RWBY. Ruby followed behind her white haired partner with pleading eyes.
"Pleeeeaaaaaaasssseeeee~~ Weiss?" Ruby begged as they walked through the hallway.
"No, Ruby" Weiss replied
"Pleeeeaaaaaaasssseeeee~~?"
"NO! I'm not going to indulge your sweet tooth at that new bakery." Weiss said.
"Don't you have your own money Ruby?" Blake asked, knowing that Ruby recently got her allowance.
"I do... but... I may have… spent my weekly allowance…... on comic books." Ruby said sheepishly.
"You are such a child." Weiss said rolling her eyes at her leader's juvenile behavior.
"But it's a good issue it's where X-ray and Vav-" Ruby said.
"AHtatata! No spoilers," they turned to see Jaune covering his ears and the rest of team JNPR walking up to team RWB "I haven't bought it yet." the blonde swordsman said.
"It is a shame the last chapter ended on a cliffhanger." Pyrrha said.
"I know, right." Ruby moaned.
"I don't even understand the point of those comics. Why bother reading about fictional 'superheroes' when each of us have what could be considered superpowers?" Weiss queried.
"Becaaause, Weiss, comic books give us compelling insight on other powers along with awesome storytelling." Ruby said, rolling her eyes in a mimic of Weiss' recent eye roll.
"Indeed. It's creativity often gives us insight and new ideas for our own semblances." Pyrrha said.
"Yeah, it would be cool to meet a superhero, or someone like that. Making things go PEW, BOOM, CRUNCH!" Nora added, moving her arm like a gun and shouting out sound effects for emphasis.
"I think we would just get people caught in the crossfire of said "crunch", Nora." Ren added in his usual deadpan tone.
"You know we have teachers who are also pro huntsman, right?" Blake added, barely looking up from her book.
"But we rarely see them go all out. I mean when was the last time we saw two pros battle it out?" Ruby asked.
"Hey guys what are you talking about?" they turned to see Silva and the rest of team CRST.
"We were talking about superheroes, and now it's turning into a conversation about pro huntsman." Ren said.
"Oh cool mind if I join in?" Silver asked excitedly, wanting to come up with new ideas if he had to fight other Huntsmen.
"Yeah I love sexy pros, like Miss Goodwitch." Grey smirked, with Silva giving him a stern look, making him avert his gaze.
"Yeah she is definitely the most sexiest teacher here" Naomi agreed. Team RWB and CRST turned to see Naomi, Francesca and Leonidas.
"Hey guys, where is Iskandar?" Ruby asked.
"He's off getting a workout." Leonidas replied.
"Hmmm, Yang actually wanted to get a workout in as well" Blake said offhandedly.
"Mmmmm~. Maybe they'll work out their 'lower core'." Naomi purred.
"Holy Fudge, Naomi. do you have to say such perverted snot?" Francesca said, not trying to swear in front of Ruby.
"You know you can swear, right?" Yinsen said.
"Yinsen! We can't swear in front of Ruby!" Naomi scandalously exclaimed.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Yinsen asked in confusion.
"Just look at her! Do you not see this aura of purity?" Naomi said dramatically gesturing towards Ruby. "Heck, it is hard for me to look at her sister's hot body while she's around looking all innocent and what not." Naomi said.
"I'm not that innocent!" Ruby said.
"Really?" Naomi said with skepticism in her voice. "Swear right now. Anything will do."
"F-F-Fu, Sh-Shii" Ruby tried to swear, with each attempt causing her face to grow redder and redder. Before she finally gave up and covered her face. "Dad and Yang told me huntresses shouldn't swear." Ruby quietly muttered, ashamed.
"There, there, it's okay, we like it better that you didn't swear." Naomi said hugging her into her chest.
"Really?" Ruby asked, in hope of not being seen as a dork.
"Yeah, leave the naughty escapades to your smokin big sister... and our "glorious" leader." Naomi whispered into her ears while wiggling her eyebrows.
Ruby blushed an even darker shade of red as imagery of her sister with Iskandar popped up.
"So much for Ruby's purity." Yinsen said, deadpan.
"Well, we still got Silva's purity." Naomi said with a shrug, causing Silver to snicker.
"Oh, I wouldn't count on that." He managed before bursting out with laughter, eventually falling to the floor, holding his sides.
Yinsen raised his eyebrow in confusion. "Silva's one of the purest people I know, she dresses moderately, gets flustered at Naomi's safest jokes, and never even lets us into the bathroom until she's done."
At this, Silva's embarrassed blush reddened further, causing Silver to howl with laughter. "Oh! Oh, stop! It's too much! HAHAHAHAHAH" He then continued to cackle wildly like a madman, trying to stand back up, but eventually fell over again.
Silva groaned and covered her ever reddening face.
"Well now." Naomi said inching up to silva and resting her neck on her collarbone. "If you aren't as pure as Silver claims you are... I wonder how naughty you really-" She is then cut off by her hands moving away from her face revealing a very dark glare that's normally seen by Goodwitch when someone interrupts an important lesson, now complete with pitch black voids where her eyes should be.
"Try anything and I'll fucking bury you alive." Silva growled out, crystallizing claws on her hand, causing everyone to inch away a bit and for Silver to stop laughing and to roll away a bit.
Everyone was stunned... not sure what to make of this...thing.
Yinsen was the first to recover from the verbal bomb. "Recent events aside, Silva's purity is still leagues above the rest of you."
Naomi smiled tauntingly. "D'aaawww... does the big hard crystal not want his pretty kitty to be too dirty?"
Before Yinsen or Silva could growl out a threat, a loud voiced bellowed from the halls.
"Naomi!" The group turned around to see a well built man with short Dark blue hair and red eyes, wearing a dark blue shirt with black on the sides, black jeans, and a light blue jacket with a fur collar. On his left ear was an earring the shape of a sun.
Following him was a long, purple haired woman with blue eyes like Naomi's. The woman wore black stockings, violet shorts, a purple shirt and a blue bandana tied around her waist. On her right ear was a matching crescent moon earring. Naomi's eyes widened in shock at the two strangers.
Meanwhile in Ozpin's office Raku the armour clad Atlesian special op student was sitting patiently in his seat "So you have found a team for me, sir?" Raku asked.
"Yes, a few students who were late to enroll due to extenuating circumstances. They will form a special team, alongside you, and get their chance to become huntsmen as well." Ozpin said. "They will be here shortly."
"Good." Raku said.
"Have you been getting along with the other students so far?" Glynda asked.
"I believe so. None of them have rubbed me the wrong way, although some have come close." Raku said. The elevator dinged.
"Ah. That must be them. Raku allow me introduce you to your team." Ozpin said as the doors opened. "Maria Sov" A white haired blue eyed cat faunus with cat ears wearing bronze armour with a gold trim and a green cloak over it.
"Nice to meet you." Maria said with a smile.
"Uldren Doss." Ozpin referred to the caucasian human boy with black hair and orange eyes wearing black armour and cloak.
"Hey, how you doing?" Uldren said.
"And lastly, Hector Drake." He said to a blue haired faunus with a shark tail with sharp teeth and a pierced dorsal fin. He also wore a white V neck long sleeved shirt, a navy blue vest, tan jeans, a red sash, two rings on each hand, a maroon bandana wrapped around his head, and black combat boots.
"Hey mate, so you guys are my new teammates." Hector said with a toothy smile. "I guess we'll get into some fine adventures together."
"Raku Yonopolis." Raku said extending his hand out to his new teammates looking towards Maria 'She looks familiar' he thought.
"From this day forward, you will work together as huntsmen in training as Team RUSH. With your leader Raku Yonopolis." Ozpin announced.
"Me?" Raku said a bit surprised. "Are you sure about this?"
"You are clearly the most qualified among the team to be leader. Your first act as leader will be to show your new teammates around Beacon." Ozpin commanded. "A sort of ... bonding activity if you would.
Raku sighed. "Very well sir." he said as he lead his team to the elevator.
"Oh sweet! Point me in the direction of where I can punch a Grimm in the nuts." Hector said eagerly.
"I don't think they have nuts." Uldren pointed out.
"Let's just go. I want to see our dorms." Maria said.
The whole team entered the elevator and descended to the ground level leaving Ozpin and Goodwitch alone.
"I still have some reservations about this sir. We already have two former white fang members and now one of James 'special projects'. When either he, or god forbid, James finds out who they are, it will be a disaster." Glynda said.
Ozpin's posture remained unchanged.
"I am aware,Glynda. But this is a learning opportunity for him. Whatever happens, it will help to mature past his previous duties. In addition, Iskandar is genuinely regretful for his actions and Ms. Belladonna has not contacted her family, or any other known associates within the White Fang. From this It is safe to say that she wants to put the White Fang behind her and is using us to do that. Raku may be merciless, but he can be reasoned with. He'll be able to see Iskandar's remorse and act accordingly." Ozpin said.
Glynda still looked concerned. "I still think this is a bad idea, sir."
"Your feelings of concern are duly noted, Miss Goodwitch." Ozpin replied, nodding grimly.
At the Gym
Having tied in bench pressing, Yang and Iskandar moved onto other workouts to continue the competition. Leg presses, push ups, ab crunches, and even pull ups on the salmon ladder. Both Iskandar and Yang were covered in sweat, panting for breath as they recoperated their strength. "Ready to call it quits?" Yang said.
"Oh, I still got plenty of fire in the engine!" Iskandar bellowed with gusto.
"Well, I guess there is one last area where we can decide who is stronger." Yang said.
"Which is?" Iskandar asked.
"Wrestling!" Yang said.
Iskandar smiled
" Couldn't have thought of a better final round, let's do this!" Iskandar said eagerly as he moved to the wrestling mat and got into his battle pose.
"We'll see how much of that energy is left after I'm done!" she said as she met him on the mat her fists up ready for the fight.
Iskandar let out a mighty roar and charged at Yang as the blonde brawler charged at him as well. They were about to exchange blows when-
"HEY GUYS!" Naomi yelled.
The two turn their heads to see Teams MON, RWB, and CRST along with two others. The sudden distraction caused the two to crash into each other. Iskandar groaned as he opened his eyes. He was greeted with Yang's lilac eyes, a truly mesmerising sight. Iskandar's eyes immediately widened them when he realised he was on top on Yang, ,
"Oh... did we come at a bad time?" Naomi asked with a cheeky smirk on her face.
Weiss covered Ruby's eyes while Silver covered Silva's, much to her annoyance.
"Have you no shame?" Weiss said.
Iskandar blushed redder than any flame he could conjure as he got up. "WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, IT IS NOT LIKE THAT WE WERE JUST WRESTLING!" he said frantically, waving his arm.
"Sensei... doing something indecent in public." Leonidas said looking at Iskandar in shame.
"Seriously dude, at least do it where we can't see you." Grey said in a joking manner, knowing what really happened.
"You, of all people, can shut up." Yinsen said.
Silva, following the noise given her eyes were covered, managed to help Yinsen by smacking the back of Grey's head. "Thank you, silva" Yinsen said. Silva just remained silent.
"I told you! It is not like that! We were just sparring." Iskandar said.
"Oh chill Izzy, this is nothing compared to Blake's 'special novels.'" Yang added as she got up.
"Do not pull me into this." Blake said blushing causing Yang to giggle.
"So you are this 'Iskandar' I've heard so much about!" the blue haired man said, walking up and offering a hand to the two on the ground.
"Yes, and I'm sorry, who are you two? Are you new teachers?" Iskandar asked, accepting the hand to pull him up.
"My name is Cu Chivlainn. I'm Naomi's father." Cu introduced himself, causing Iskandar and Yang's eyes to widen.
The purple haired woman giggled. "And I'm Scathach Siren, Naomi's mother. I'm glad to meet all of Naomi's little friends." Scathach said.
"You're Naomi's parents?!" Iskandar shouted in surprise.
"Yeah can't you tell? With her mother's beauty and my amazing skill." Cu said with a smirk.
"Oh, you and your bluster, Cu." Scathach said teasingly smacking her husband on the shoulder.
"Oh come on, you know it's true." Cu said full of pride.
"The resemblance is definitely uncanny." Silva said nodding, looking between Naomi and her parents, noticing similarities from both.
"Any way what are you doing here?" Yang asked, pointing out the Goliath in the room
"We came because we became concerned about Naomi. We got a phone call from her a week ago, I could immediately tell that something was wrong." Scathach explained.
A week before on the eve of the field trip to forever fall Naomi was walking back home to her dorm when she received a phone call on her scroll. She reached for it and saw from the caller ID it was her mom she knew she wouldn't stop until she answered so she answered. "Hey mom"
"Hi Splashy, how's my favourite girl in Remnant?" Scathach said kindly to her daughter.
"Fine, mom" Naomi said half heartedly.
Scathatach's motherly instincts kicked in "I know that voice something is wrong, tell me" Scathach said concerned
"It's nothing. Everything is fine. I'm just tired prepping for this field trip tomorrow... you still on that mission with dad?" Naomi asked, hoping to keep the subject off her.
"Hey, my Splashy girl," Cu said trying to get into the conversation. "Are you okay? Are you eating right? Are you having boy and/or girl trouble?" Cu asked.
"DAD!" Naomi screamed before sighing. "Look it's getting late and I still need to return a textbook. I'll talk to you when we get back." she said as she hung up.
Back at the present
"You're mother has been worried sick." Cu said.
"Oh, and you weren't acting like a nervous wreck." Scathach quipped back.
"I'm sorry, but could you fault me for being worried about my little Splashy?" Cu said.
"DAD!" Naomi said her face fully flushed in embarrassment.
"Splashy?" Iskandar asked.
"It's a nickname we gave her. You see, she awoke her semblance early. When she was a little baby she would use it to splash at us every chance she got, giggling every time. This kid was so excited to use her powers she would just bolt through the house buck naked. Screaming at the top of her lungs…. I still have trouble hearing out of my left ear" Cu said with a sigh reminiscing on good times.
"DAD!" Naomi yelled her face getting redder.
"That's certainly better than my nickname." Silva mentioned, then covers her mouth, not meaning to speak out loud, but thankfully, no one seemed to have heard.
"Cu, you're hogging all the fun. Embarrassing her is supposed to be something we do together." Scathach slightly scolded.
"This is a gift... Today is a gift" Weiss said smiling.
Yinsen couldn't help but allow a little smug grin on his face at the sight of his tormentor being embarrassed.
"Never thought Naomi could be embarrassed" Leonidas said. "Right Frannie?"
Francesca just looked at Naomi and her parents with a melancholy look in her eye. "Frannie?" She shakes her head to see Leonidas "Are you okay?" He asked concerned.
"I'm fine. This is fun, seeing Naomi's parents." Francesca said smiling.
Leonidas' eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Anyway Naomi why were you so depressed when you called?" Scathach asked.
"Well, do you remember Cleopatra Phareigh?" Naomi asked.
"That caviar eating cu-" Cu was cut off by Scathach kicking him in the shin. "AH SON OF A HOBO! I was going to say coward." Cu said jumping on one leg
"My mistake, honey." Scathach said, rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, I've had a run in with her. Apparently she was mad that her boyfriend had a crush on me, and wanted me to suffer." Naomi said.
"That petty little witch! Surely the teachers intervened." Scathach said.
"Actually, I couldn't go to the teachers for reasons I can't go into. But I stood up against her. I wasn't going to let her get away with messing away with me and my friends" Naomi said.
"That's my girl." Cu said with a smile.
"Yeah, so we shouldn't be hearing from her for a while" Iskandar said 'If she and Cardin knew what was good for them' the dragon faunus thought.
"Especially, since she got stung by a swarm of rapier wasps, along with fellow jerk Cardin Winchester." Yang said.
"That's karma for you." Blake said.
"Sweet, beautiful karma." Silva added.
"Was it critical?" Scathach asked.
"At first, but they became stable. They're in the infirmary, but are very much in pain though." Silver said, smirking.
"I'm honestly glad they got what was coming to them." Silva added, then thought to herself 'They should be grateful that I didn't get to them.'
"That, I can agree with, little lady." Cu said smiling.
"Anyway how about you show us around, I assume your dorm room will be floor to ceiling with adorableness, thought, maybe not as adorable as these two." Scathach said, motioning to Ruby and Silva, both of whom blushed at the compliment
"Please no." Naomi begged, mortified at the thought of her parents seeing her room.
"We'd love to." Nora chirped, oblivious to Naomi's discomfort.
"We'll someone is chipper this morning." Cu said, surprised by the girl's energy.
"You don't know the half of it." Ren added, knowing full well of Nora's eccentricities.
"Yeah, just let us shower first and we'll give you a tour." Iskandar said.
"Thank you" Cu said. 'That young man.. It can't be... can it?' he thought as he narrowed his eyes in curiosity
Hours later after the tour of the campus.
"Anyway, that covers the important parts of the school." Ruby said, adding a little twirl for emphasis.
"Man, it sure has changed a bit since we've been here." Cu said.
"Wait, you two are Beacon Alumni?" Weiss asked, feeling a by surprised by the revelation.
"Where else would we go, Atlas?" Scathach added.
"Hey!" Weiss proclaimed, offended.
"Yeah, I may not be as famous as team STRQ, but I've been working hard as a huntsman and became a pro. I've even earned a title of sorts" Cu said.
"So what? Are you a knight? Captain? Druid?" Silver asked.
"I go by the title 'The Spearman of the Forest'." Cu boldly exclaimed with a hand on his chest.
Yinsen coughed into his hand
'Typical... you get a title for practically anything... but still..'Spearman of the Forest'... that doesn't really give me much info on what his semblance could be. It could be a stealth semblance, or a projectile based semblance... which part of the name gives away what his semblance is? ' Yinsen thought.
"Wait ... The "Spearman of the Forest"...isn't that the guy who took down a giant Boarbatusk?" Francesca asked.
"That was you?" Silver asked in interest.
"Yep! It was one of the hardest fight of Scattie and I's life. You want me to tell you how we did it?" Cu asked.
"Come on dad, you've told that story a hundred times" Naomi groaned.
"A hundred and twenty three times, to be exact." Scathach said.
"Well they don't know the story. The short version is that me and Scathach were hired to take out some Boarbatusk, beowolves and Ursa plaguing a village. We easily dispatched them within half an hour. But just when we thought all was well and done, BAM! Straight out of the trees, a Beelze-Boarbatusk the size of a Goliath bursts through. The ugly bastard had spines on its back and horns like a demon! We did battle with the beast for what seemed like hours. It took all of Scathach's aura to keep it in place for me to deliver the final blow, a mighty thrust to its underbelly right out of it's back!" Cu narrated triumphantly, thrusting his hand out for effect.
"WOW! That's so cooool!" Ruby said stars in her eyes.
"Damn right, it was cool." Cu said nodding his head in pride. The hunter then turns his head to Naomi. "Now if only my daughter can appreciate my badassery."
"Dad, just because I get bored of listening to you brag, doesn't mean I don't respect you. You and Mom are the best huntsmen I know. I would be happy to be at least half as good of a huntsman as you." Naomi said.
"You really look up to them, huh?" Iskandar said.
"Yeah, when my little Naomi told us she wanted to become a huntress just like her mom and I, my heart jumped for joy." he said.
"That day was one of the happiest of my life!" Scathach said hugging her daughter. At the affectionate display, Francesca gripped her arm tightly.
"I need to get some air." Francesca said as she turned away.
"Frannie you okay?" Iskandar asked.
"I'M FINE!" Francesca yelled as she stormed off down the hall.
"What's wrong with her?" Silver asked, shocked by the outburst.
"I don't know, stuck on a level?" Silva whispered to him.
Leonidas looked down the hallway, just as curious at Francesca's strange behavior "I will catch up with you later, I need to check on my nanobot project." Leonidas said before running down the same hallway.
"You have... interesting friends, Naomi." Cu said.
"She's just angry, I mean she's normally angry, but this is different." Naomi said.
"Anyway Naomi, have you found a boyfriend or girlfriend yet?" Scathach asked, hoping to lighten the mood.
"MOM!" Naomi yelled while blushing, covering her face.
"Man, this place is amazing." they heard a hearty voice
"It is, but it would be better if you didn't go running off." The next voice was more familiar.
"C'mon, How can I not get excited?" the hearty voice chuckled.
"I honestly can't blame you, this place is amazing." A female voice said.
They turned to see Raku and his new teammates "Yeah, this is a nice change of pace. I spent most of my life on my dad's ship." Hector added.
"That explains the attire." Uldren added.
"Hey Raku!" Ruby said giving them a wave.
"Are those your friends, Raku?" Maria asked.
"They are more like acquaintances. I only met them a week ago, but they are good people." Raku said as they walked over to the group.
"Hey Raku." Naomi said with a smile.
"Are these your teammates?" Silva asked.
"Yeah, just met them today. everyone allow me to introduce you to team RUSH" Raku said.
"Maria Sov. Nice to meet you." Maria said with a friendly smile.
"Uldren Doss." Uldren said with a blank expression to rival Leonidas.
"Hector Drake. Pleasure to meet you, mates." Hector said with a huge grin showing off his shark teeth.
"Pleasure to meet you guys. I'm Ruby, that's Weiss, Blake and my big sister Yang, we make up team RWBY." Ruby said referring to her teammates
"Yinsen Carnation. My teammates, Silver and Silva Redfox, and Grey Thunder of team CRST." Yinsen introduced his team, Silva waving politely.
"Iskandar Drakon leader of team DMON." Iskandar said.
"And I'm Naomi Siren, member of team DMON." Naomi said.
"I'm, Cu that lovely lady is my wife Scathach. We're Naomi's parents." Cu said.
"Your parents?" Raku said lifting an eyebrow.
"They came here on their own." Naomi said.
"So what's your relationship with this young man?" Cu asked.
"Oh, he's just a friend. When I was dealing with 'Queen Cleo', he gave me some good advice and helped me out of a tough spot." Naomi said.
"Well thank you for that, Raku." Cu said extending his hand in gratitude
"You're welcome." Raku shaking the pro huntsmen's hand with a firm grip.
"Wait, isn't there supposed to be two more people on your team?" Maria asked Naomi.
Naomi frowned. "Leonidas is busy. Francesca is..." Naomi sighed. "We don't know what's going on with her. She's been acting weird this morning." she said.
"She has always been... passionate. But maybe something has upset her." Iskandar theorised.
"For now, I'd just give her time." Cu said.
Francesca stood on the roof of the dorms gripping her scroll tightly. She glared down at the photo, tears soaking the screen. After staring at the picture for what felt like hours, Francesca finally screamed and moved to throw her scroll off the roof. Just as she was about to let go, she instead froze...
"Come on!" Francesca mentally berated. "JUST THROW THIS DAMN THING OFF THE ROOF AND BE DONE WITH IT!"
She tried to muster the strength to go through with the action, but instead only gripped it hard enough to crack the screen . Her posture slackened and she brought the photo to her view again, the now cracked screen obscuring the adult's faces.
"Why?... Why can't I hate them?"
She stood there, hoping the answer would come to her... But she could find none. She fell to her knees, the scroll lying to her side, and began to cry.
"So this is where you were. Figures it would be the roof." She turned her head and found Leonidas looking at her.
"What do you want?" She asked angrily, tears streaming down her face.
"I was just heading back to our room when I saw you on the way. I thought I'd ask to see how you were doing." Leonidas said, seeing his partner's face.
"Well I'm fine!" Francesca snapped, standing from her position.
"Really? Because after Naomi's, surprisingly civilized, parents showed up, you became all moody. I can see something else is irritating you and, for once, I don't think it's me." Leonidas said, hoping to diffuse the tension, if only a little.
"IT'S NOTHING THAT CONCERNS YOU!." Francesca yelled, charging at him.
Francesca moved to throw a punch but Leonidas easily caught it.
"I don't care if it doesn't! But what could possibly be in that scroll that would turn you into this!?" Leonidas screamed back.
Francesca let out a roar and threw another punch, this one landing a clean hit on Leonidas' cheek, sending him reeling backwards.
"What do you care?" Francesca shot back venomously.
Leonidas felt his cheek and rubbed it a couple times before answering
"...You know what? I don't. The important thing is that it is bothering you. If it continues to bother you, it will affect both your studies and our team dynamic. THAT is what I care about. So you better tell me now, or I will find out whether you tell me or not.."
Francesca sighed "Fine I'll tell you... seeing Naomi's happy family made me think of my family and how they never supported me."
Leonidas stood there his expression unchanging.
"They didn't want me to be a huntress. When I was a child I always wanted to be a great huntsmen, Like everyone in the family. My father! My Mother!…. even my uncle Jericho." Francesca said, her voice cracking as she mentioned her uncle.
"What about your uncle?" Leonidas pressed.
"...One day, when I was a child, we were out on a camping trip out in the wilderness. They had all their gear on, from knives, to ammo clips, and even explosives. They were totally prepared for any sort of grimm attack." Francesca said.
"Then what happened? A new species of grimm?" Leonidas asked.
"No... Bandits. Hundreds of them. My parents and uncle fought most of them off, while Uncle and I looked after my brothers and sisters. It started off well, but they just wouldn't stop coming no matter how many we cut down. They were getting tired, sloppy... slow. The fact that they had to protect me and my siblings didn't help matters. Eventually, we were going to be over run and killed, unless something was done. Sure enough, my Uncle told my parents to take us and run. We ran, and my uncle fought the bandits off." Francesca paused. "We never saw him again after that." she finished, struggling not to start crying again.
"I'm... so sorry for your loss" Leonidas said sympathetically.
"Thank you. That was the last time I saw my parents as huntsmen. Next thing I know, they decided to open up a restaurant instead." Francesca explained.
"That seemed reasonable. Losing a loved one would affect one's personality dramatically" Leonidas said, trying to sound rational.
"Yeah, don't get me wrong, it was fun working there. I loved cooking, but I still wanted to become a huntress." Francesca said.
"And what did your parents think? Leonidas asked. Francesca sighed
"They were against the idea entirely. The only reason I was allowed to attend combat school was to learn to defend myself from Grimm and fellow humans. Anything else was out of the question. But even so, I snuck out and participated in the Mistral regional tournament." Francesca then looked down "We had a very heated argument that night." she said.
Her mind looked back to the night of the tournament Francesca was sitting in a chair. Her father was looking down on her as well as her mother
"How could you do this to us! How could you even THINK about it, Francesca?" Francesca's father said.
"I'm sorry Dad, but I made it to the semi-finals, against Pyrrha Nikos! I KNOW I have what it takes to be a huntress." Francesca said.
"Absolutely not! I will not let you throw your life away like this!" Her father said.
"Dad, I'm sorry I lied, but ...I don't want to stay here work in a restaurant….. I actually want to go out there…..make a difference!" Francesca said.
Her father was about to speak but was stopped by her mother, Catalina.
"Let me talk to her, Manuelo" Catalina said. "Francesca, your father and I are just concerned for your safety." she added.
"Why are you fighting me on this? You, Dad and Uncle Jericho were the best huntsmen I know! I just want to continue the family tradition," Francesca said.
"We have given that up to give you kids a good life, and you would throw that away to die with a beowolf's claw through your chest!?" Her father yelled.
"I'm not throwing anything away! I just want to help people! I feel it down in my core because like it or not, I'm going to fight for humanity and not stay home like a coward"
The reaction was instant. I felt a sharp pain against my cheek and next thing I knew, I was on the floor.
Francesca touched her red cheek.
"MANUELO" Catalina cried out. Manuelo, the latter looked at his hand and realised what he done, pure horror on his face.
"Francesca, I'm sorry, I-I-I didn't mean to-" Manuelo tried to apologise, but Francesca just ran to her room. Francesca then locked the door. She put her back to the door. Her eyes glossy with tears the slap still sinking in. She stared at her travel bag... It looked a lot different despite it being the same as always.
Her eyes steeled.
"I couldn't stay home after that. I couldn't even stay in Haven. I wouldn't last long in the academy before my parents would demand that I quit." Francesca said. "So I snuck onto a cargo plane heading to Vale, and enrolled in Beacon" Francesca said.
Leonidas stood in shock, unprepared for the story that Francesca told him. "Quite a tale."
"Yeah... It was the only way to fulfill my dreams." Francesca said.
"Look, you do bring up some compelling points. Your parents didn't have the right to reject your... "passions". They certainly shouldn't have hit you over it either. No parent should ever hit their children." Leonidas said.
"I know right, what kind of person does that?" Francesca asked hypothetically.
"Why do you still concern yourselves with them? They are cowards! You are better off without them." Leonidas said.
"HEY" Francesca shouted indignantly. "You do NOT talk to my family that way! DO YOU HEAR ME!?" she shouted at him.
"I thought you hated your family?" Leonidas asked, confused.
"Look, just because me and my parents had a falling out, doesn't mean I don't love them." Francesca said.
"Fair enough" Leonidas conceded.
The tan girl sits down. "...I wonder what they're doing right now?... Do you... do you think they're thinking about me?" Francesca said as she hugs her legs.
" I don't know... But... I think they are worried, despite knowing that you can protect yourself." Leonidas tried to reassure her.
"How would you know?" Francesca asked.
"I do not know much about family, but one thing I do know is that all parents care for their children in some way. If they didn't love you, they wouldn't have bothered you about being a huntress in the first place." Leonidas said.
"Yeah...maybe... I guess you're right." Francesca admitted.
"Have you thought about contacting them? I'm sure you can still talk to them about it." Leonidas said.
Francesca looked at him "Maybe …..but what if they are still mad at me?... I mean, what can I say?" Francesca asked.
"I cannot give you an answer to that. But I do know that you never know unless you try." Leonidas said with a shrug.
Francesca stood there... contemplating Leonidas' words
"Thank you Leonidas," Francesca said with a warm smile on her face "Thank you for being a friend."
Leonidas felt something pulsate within him. This sincerity was...different" "You are welcome." Leonidas said, blushing a little.
Francesca and Leonidas was walking back to the group "I guess I should apologise to Naomi and her parents for storming off so suddenly." Francesca said.
Leonidas simply nodded "That might help the tension a little."
The two began to head down the stairs on the roof, Francesca taking two steps at a time devoid of the sorrow that plagued her before. As they were going down the stairs Leonidas stared at the back of Francesca's head.
'What was that?... When could her smiles ever do that?' He thought.
Leonidas continued to follow behind his partner, pondering that sudden ripple he felt.
Everyone else was getting worried. Naomi and Iskandar especially so. "You think Francesca will be okay?" Naomi asked.
"She'll come to us in her own time" Iskandar said.
"...You're uncertain." Cu said, calling Iskandar out.
"What?" Iskandar asked, confused at the accusation.
"There is doubt in your voice, I can tell" Cu accused.
"And what if there is?." Iskandar said.
"Well you're teammate is gone while you're still here, seems like a shitty leader to me" Cu said.
"Dad, Frannie just needs some space and we have to respect that," Naomi said.
"Yes, knowing Francesca's temper, interfering would be doing more harm than good" Iskandar said.
"I know. The girl seemed like the firecracker type from all the messages Splashy has left us" Cu added.
"If you knew, then why are you accusing me of not caring enough?" Iskandar asked.
"It's not that. I'm just saying you lack something, and in battle, a lack of this trait will prove fatal. I can tell a lot of your friends have it in troves." Cu responded. "Except you" he pointed to Iskandar "you" then Yinsen "and you" lastly Raku "and you".
"And just what is missing?" Silva asked, an unfamiliar, angry look in her eye.
Yinsen crystalized his hands, growling. "Why don't you just tell us what it is so you can be done with your charade of wisdom."
"In due time and respect your elders, now to the arena," Cu said.
"Wait! Glynda would have us in detention until our third year if we used the arena outside school hours!" Iskandar exclaimed.
"Well, how about the Emerald forest?" Raku recommended.
"Uh guys, I don't think the Emerald forest is a good idea." Naomi said frantically, hoping to avoid a fight.
"She's right the forest is my terrain, hence my nickname 'Spearman of the forest'" Cu said.
"There are few other places we can pick a fight without attracting attention." Yinsen stated. 'So he has an advantage in the forest does he?... What kind of semblance could he have?...'
"Alright. Don't say I didn't warn you" Cu added.
"I'll go tell Leo and Francesca what's happening." Silva said as she ran off to find the remaining members of team DMON, and hopefully someone who can help.
Frantic footsteps echoed down the hall as Silva skid as she found them and ran towards Leonidas and Francesca, panting when she caught up to them. "There you two are!" Silva yelled as she then began to pant some more.
"Oh hey, Silva, look I'm heading back to apologise to Naomi and her parents and- " Francesca said, trying to explain.
Silva chose this moment to speak up between breaths, cutting her off. "Yeah, I figured that out. But you're gonna have to wait to apologise to them. Cu just challenged Iskandar, Yinsen and that Raku guy to a 3 on 1 fight and I don't know how to stop it!"
Francesca and Leonidas widened their eyes in surprise "What on Remnant happened while we were gone?" Leonidas questioned, flabbergasted.
"Come on, let's go." Francesca said grabbing Leonidas hand
Tell us where, I can teleport us there to save time" Leonidas said.
Silva snapped to him and grabbed his arm. "Emerald Forest! Now!" She yelled, causing Leonidas to raise his eyebrows.
"What has gotten into you today?" The teleporting archer asked.
"NOT IMPORTANT! WARP NOW!" Silva screamed.. Leonidas wisely chose not to respond
The three were whisked away by Leonidas' semblance
And that is it for part one, anyway I would like to thank Pokespecshipper and gigacanno, my co editors and awesome guys, sorry I haven't been as active, but I've been very busy and working on this behemoth of a chapter seriously this thing is 48 pages long and the other parts are still being edited.
I'm also in the middle of working of Fate/Prime, which took an unintentional year long hiatus, I am sorry about that.
I am also making a transition into the work force and final exams are approaching so yeah a lot of changes for me
Anyway onto the chapter, We get to meet Naomi's parents Cu Chivelainn and Scathach Siren, also about the flashback I forgot to add that little scene in the last chapter. Still I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and hopefully me, Pokespecs and Giga will be able to complete the latest chapter of RWBY Heroic Demons soon for your viewing pleasure
Till then stay awesome my readers