Chapter 12: Welcome to Beacon
Airships flew all around Beacon Academy, several even having landed. The icons proudly emboldened on their sides signified them as Atlesian aircraft, the strongest military power on Remnant.
At the top of Beacon tower stood Salem and Emerald, observing the fleet fly through. Emerald scowled. "The idiot really thinks bringing an army will calm people down? Ugh, I'm gonna slug him..."
Salem seemed a bit more sympathetic. "Becoming head of the Atlesian military and a Headmaster at his age is no small feat, and I'm sure someone of is position would want adequate protection..." She looked at the landing strip, which was currently deploying about three squads of soldiers.
"That being said I made sure to warn the council of a potential attack from Atlas. Just in case."
A ringing sounded off as a holographic message appeared above Salem's desk. It was a request to enter the top floor.
"Come in." Salem said, her computer responding to the command and opened the elevator door. As the steel doors slid opened a young man walked forward. The Atlesian general had a suit that wore the same shade of color as his dark grey hair. His footsteps echoed throughout the room, like metal striking against metal.
Salem began walking towards the general. "General Black. It's an honor to have you here at Beacon." She says politely.
When he hears this, Mercury gives a little laugh. "Come on, Salem! Forget the titles right now, we're friends, right?" He points out. The two of them shake hands, after which he turns towards Emerald. "And if it isn't Emerald! You're looking just as good as you did back in school!"
She almost seemed like she was going to vomit. "And you haven't changed at all." She turns towards Salem. "I'll be outside." Keeping to her word and leaving, the room remains in silence for a few seconds.
Mercury just shrugs. "She wants me."
Salem sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. She could already feel a headache coming on... Regardless, she tries to get back on track. "So, Mercury, what's brought you here all the way from Atlas? Headmaster's don't typically travel with their students."
As she points this out, she pours them both a cup of tea from the pot on her desk. She hands it to him, at point which the two of them clink their mugs. "Well, I'll always take the chance to see you and Em. Plus, the weather over here is actually nice, unlike Atlas. Even when it isn't snowing it's way too cold for comfort."
Contemplating what to say next, Salem walks back to her desk. "I can appreciate the sentiment, but the fleet stationed in my academy doesn't give the impression of a friendly visit..."
Mercury looks somewhat apologetic, and tries to explain. "Yeah, about that... Me and the other higher-ups decided to try a new 'program'..." He starts. Taking a sip from his mug, he continues. "Atlas isn't seen as a very 'friendly' nation, so to speak. Doesn't help that our military is the largest on Remnant. So we're trying to involve our soldiers and military vehicles in day-to-day activities and civilian work, to make them seem more down-to-earth... Besides, if things are getting as bad as Raven's been saying, then the extra security is going to be necessary."
Salem gives him a glare. "You organized all of this behind my back? What are you thinking?" She says sharply, making sure to tell him in no uncertain terms how serious of an offense this was.
"I'm sorry." He says quickly, only this time it didn't seem so sincere. "I did what I thought was best for the people here and back in Atlas. I know I was crossing you by doing that... But I know that if what Raven says is true-"
Salem cuts him off. "Then we will handle this discreetly, without an army of soldiers and mechs. The Vytal Festival is a celebration that supersedes all barriers, be it race, ideology, or simply just ordinary disagreements. This army you brought, it's only going to serve to agitate the people of Vale. Until we decide- as a group- what our next action will be, we will simply continue training the greatest Huntsmen we can."
He nods. "Have been and will keep doing so, but do you really think these kids can win the war you say will happen?" With that point made, he walks back towards the elevator. "Hey..." He stops and turns his head back towards her. "Later on, how about the three of us hang out sometime, without talking about work? Been too long since the three of us talked about something other than this..."
After he left, Salem was left contemplating what he said. "Win a war... I hope they'll never have to."
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In Beacon's library, Team RWBY was spending time together, playing a board/card game that only Ruby and Yang remembered the name to. Blake was left utterly dumbfounded at what was supposed to happen, while Weiss was bored out of her mind.
The fighting seemed to be mainly between the sisters, Blake not knowing when to do anything and Weiss, again, didn't care enough to pay attention.
"Trap card!"
"Enough with your stupid trap cards!"
The war waged on.
Meanwhile, Team JNPR sat at another table nearby, doing their own activities. Jaune was reading out of a textbook... Which hid a copy of "X-Ray and Vav" between book-ends. Pyrrha was balancing a pencil beneath her nose. Ren had been on his scroll, checking out a recent post. Nora managed to get Ren's attention and show him something on her scroll. Saph was on a nearby computer, looking up whatever info she could.
Weiss was almost drifting off when Ruby's voice caught her attention. "Hey, Weiss!"
"Huh?" Weiss looks back up to see Yang comforting Blake about... something. Oh, right, they were playing a game. "Oh, right. Sooooo... What am I supposed to do, again?"
Ruby seemed almost excited to explain. "You're playing as Vacuo, trying to conquer Remnant and become queen of the world!" She exclaims dramatically, going completely over Weiss' head.
"... Right."
Ren walks over to the group, curious as to what exactly was happening. "Hello, everyone. What are you playing?"
Yang looks over to him. "Hey, Ren. We're playing a board game where you pretty much try to take over the world. I'd invite you, but we already have a full game, sorry." She says while looking over her resources.
He didn't seem too bothered by this. "It's quite alright."
Blake didn't hesitate to butt in. "Besides, we're trying to keep a fair game going, with you in it might as well be a three person game."
Ren wasn't offended, and instead took it as a challenge. "Is that so? I'll have you know that my parents are veterans! I know more than a few things about military tactics." He says confidently. "Can I at least play your hand for a turn?"
Blake vehemently shakes her head. "I'm not trusting anyone else with my citizens!"
"Please? You trusted me with Weiss' secret, right? About her being fa-"
Before he could finish his sentence, Nora spontaneously appeared beside him and covered his mouth. "-un loving girl whom we all love and respect very much!" She ended the sentence nodding vigorously.
Weiss looked at them all with an incredibly annoyed look. Ren was just left confused, weren't they the only ones in the library right now?
Knowing the situation got awkward, he dropped his previous request. "Never mind then, I won't keep you four from your duel. May the best woman win." He gives a small bow, before returning to his table.
Just as he left, another team leader joined the group. Adam walked over to them, Arslan by his side. "Hey, guys."
Everyone at the table greeted them. Adam motioned to his second-in-command. "I realize I never introduced you guys to my friend, Arslan."
Arslan steps forward and gives a small wave. "Hey guys." She takes a quick look around and raises an eyebrow. "You guys... Hang out in the library a lot? None of you seem to be reading much."
Arc raises his voice to catch their attention. "I know, right?"
Adam just shrugs before moving on. "I was hoping to introduce you guys to our other two teammates, but they couldn't make it." He explains.
Blake nods before addressing Arslan. "So, Arslan, where are you from?"
"I'm from Vacuo, just like Adam." Taking a step towards Blake, she then leans on the table. "I'm sorry, but I never caught your name."
Surprised, but not uncomfortable, she replies. "Uhm... It's Blake. Blake Belladona."
As the two began to converse, Adam talks to Weiss. "I've seen this game a few times before, you play?"
Weiss seemed annoyed at something, and she puts down her hand. "Yeah, well, I was just about to excuse myself. I'll see you guys later." She gets up and leaves, confusing everyone in the room. What was suddenly bugging her?
Pyrrha just shrugs. "Women."
Everyone looks at her next, not sure how to respond.
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Weiss sat in her dorm, contemplating the night of the attempted Dust robbery.
'My brothers and sisters, why are you working under a corrupt human such as this?!'
'Their terrorists, hun, and terrorists need weapons. I'm just helping them arm themselves.'
These thoughts then went to their natural conclusion her meeting with Salem.
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The two sat in Salem's office, the Headmistress holding a cup of tea. "Well, this has been an exciting night, wouldn't you agree?" The question was affable, but it's seriousness wasn't lost on Weiss.
She didn't want to give much away, so she tried to stay vague. "Hm."
Salem continues. "This has no doubt been an exhausting evening for you, and I know you probably wish to return to your dorm for the night. However, I was hoping to talk to you about what has transpired tonight."
She gave a chance for Weiss to respond by taking another sip of tea. "... I'll tell you what I know." The woman in white answers.
Salem nods. "Great. So, in order to enroll at Beacon Academy, pass an entrance exam designed to test all aspects of your fighting capabilities. For most, they train for years in one, if not a couple, of the combat schools throughout the world... But you are an exception." She points out, Weiss tensing slightly at the remark.
"You managed to passed the combat exams without any trouble, and yet your transcript says you've never entered any other combat school. Is this correct?"
Weiss nods. "I lived outside the kingdoms. You learn how to fight early on." She says, so calmly and routinely, as if she had rehearsed that line a hundred times before.
Salem leans on her cane. "Well, it seems you have had a good teacher. I am proud to have students like you in my school, Weiss. Beacon needs people from all walks of life, whether they be rich, poor... kind, cruel... human..." She takes another sip of her tea. "... Faunus."
Weiss knew there was no avoiding it, Salem was on to her.
"So, Weiss... I know that being yourself isn't always the easiest thing to do, but why hide that aspect of yourself so vehemently? Why hide who you are?"
Weiss wasn't very kind in response. "I know you are tolerant of faunus, Professor Salem... But I'm not willing to accept humanity yet, or let humanity judge me for what I am, instead of who I am."
Salem nods in acknowledgement. "I understand, but I do hope you realize that we are striving towards co-existence."
"No offense, Headmistress, but humanity needs to work faster. Until then, I'd rather people not pay attention to what I am." Weiss explains.
"Oh? And what are you?" She asks, catching Weiss off guard.
"W-What? I don't..." She starts, but is unable to finish her sentence.
Salem doesn't hesitate to begin explaining. "I'm just saying, it's very fortunate that you were at the shipyard of all places when the White Fang struck."
Weiss just shook her head. "I guess I was at the right place at the right time."
Salem clicks her tongue, not convinced. "I see. How convenient."
She stared down the young warrior, probing for answers. "Ms. Schnee, I'll have you know that while I may be the head of this academic institution, that doesn't mean I am not just as capable as those who graduate here. It is my job to protect this world from those who would plot against it."
She pauses to allow her words to sink in. "So..." She starts, Weiss' gaze unwavering. "Is there anything you would like to tell me? Think about your answer carefully."
Silence prevailed as the two sized up the other. Weiss didn't show any signs of backing down. "No, I'm pretty sure I've gotten everything off my chest."
Salem remained silent, deciding her next course of action. "Very well then." She rises from her chair, picking up her cane and prepares to leave. "You are dismissed, Ms. Schnee." She sighs, and her expression softens.
"If you are ever in need of assistance... You just have to ask."
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Weiss was ripped from her thoughts as the door to the dorm opened, and the rest of Team RWBY walked in.
"Ugh! Why did you have to invite Ren?!" Blake growled, stomping through the room. Yang just chuckled. "You're just mad he beat you~!"
"If you had just held on to your resources you would have survived..."
As the siblings bickered, Weiss began to walk to the door, hoping to go by unnoticed. She reached for the doorknob.
"Weiss."
She got caught.
The interaction caught Ruby and Yang's attention, and soon all eyes were on Weiss as Blake called her out.
Sternly, the cat faunus addresses her teammate. "Recently, you've been actively avoiding talking to or even being around us. I get that you like to be alone, it's kind of your shtick, but you promised us that you would let us help you if anything ever bothered you."
Her calm demeanor suddenly broke as she quickly swiped a chair in front of herself. As she leaped on top of the chair Blake adopted a dramatic pose, pointing at Weiss with vigor. "I, QUEEN OF ATLAS, COMMAND YOU TO TELL US WHAT'S BOTHERING YOU!"
Blake's sudden outburst silenced everyone in the room. The silence also served as a reminder for Blake about her current position. She quickly hopped off the chair and returned it to it's original position in the room, before returning her attention to Weiss.
Weiss closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "I just... Don't understand why you all are so calm about all of this. Hei Xiong is out there... and the White Fang is clearly getting stronger! And we haven't even seen anyone else do something about this!"
Yang steps forward. "But... Salem told us to let the cops handle this. I mean, we're just students! We shouldn't be handling something this serious, right?"
Weiss didn't seem to be convinced in the slightest. "The people in the Fang are just as young as us! They're teaching kids like us how to hate! How to use that hate to hurt others! They're turning these people into fanatics! The authorities around here just don't understand that!" She reasons, her features showing a fear almost like panic.
Yang and Ruby look at each other, not sure what to do. After a moment, Blake raises a point. "I know how dangerous the White Fang is, trust me, I do. Which is all the more reason we should hang back on this. They are strong, too strong for us to really make a difference. We're not ready to-"
"We'll never be ready!" Weiss yells, much to everyone's surprise. "What they're capable of is something we'll never be ready for- Nothing can be ready for what they're plotting. Right now, they're thinking on what to do next, how to spread fear, and we don't know what it is! We have to be proactive in stopping them, we can't wait until graduation day!"
Ruby suddenly got excited, seemingly inspired by Weiss' speech. "I'm in! Let's go kick some butt!"
Yang was lost in thought. "I'm worried about them, too... Alright, as long as we're careful about this, I think we can make a difference. I'm in." She resolves.
The three look at Blake, who stood in surprise. "I... But..." Eventually she groans in exasperation. "Fine. I've been meaning to pay those jerks back, anyways. I'm in."
The team in agreement, Ruby excitedly declares: "Alright! The operation to bring down the White Fang Syndicate commences!" She says as she punches the air in front of her.
Yang is about to say something before she realizes something somewhat important. "Uhhhhh, before we start that..."
"What's wrong?" Blake asks.
"Forgot the game in the library! Be back in a minute!" Before anyone else could say anything about it, Yang dashes out of the dorm and into the hallway. Unfortunately she didn't make it two steps out into the hallway before she met a solid object. Falling onto her back, she knows immediately what happened.
"Ugh... Sorry! I should have looked where I was going!" She says quickly. She looks up to see a student with auburn hair.
"It's fine, just watch where you're going next time, alright?"
Yang looks between the two students, noticing their uniforms. "Oh, are you guys here for the festival?"
A third student joins the group, wearing the same uniform. Her hair was platinum blonde, and she wore a pair of thin-rimmed glasses. "That we are. We seem to be a bit lost at the moment, and we could use some help getting to our dorms, if you would be so kind. We're from Haven, if that helps."
"Haven, huh? Your guys' dorms are in the East Wing building." Yang explains, happy to help. "I'm Yang, by the way."
Yang holds out her hand to shake hands with the student, who reciprocated.
"Glynda."
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Author's Notes: This chapter took a bit long than what I thought it would. Seriously, it felt like each major scene had some sort of writer's block...
I recently took the time to change how people addressed Ren back to... Well, Ren. Nobody's calling him Lie anymore! I went through all the chapters and ret-conned all references to him to how people call him in the show. I know some people didn't like how I was writing his first name for the fic, and I wasn't really happy with it myself. Glad I went back and fixed it!
With that cleared up, let's read some reviews!
GrimmDzzzy:for anyone or MiraculousPinkNinja who thinks Ren surname is Lie, remember! Our cultures doesn't exist in Remnant, despite Ren's clothing in the anime. so calling him Lie Ren makes sense in Remnant, Jaune though... Yeah.
other than that, Neptune as Mercury and Vernal as Emerald killing Leo as Tukson. ok then. good chapter though. and Adam being happy or excited... feels weird but its a character swap.
That IS an interesting point. We have to consider what their culture on Remnant is... But I still decided to change it back to Ren, anyways. It was a weird decision.
And on the subject of Jaune, there is a real reason he goes by his last name, and I was hoping to place that reason in one of the paralogues for Team JNPR that explains it, but I was never able to fit it in. I'm hoping to make a reveal for it, but it's such a small plot point that if you want to hear it, I could tell you over a private message.
merendinoemiliano:
Very cool and funny 't worry about the fight,while the thing about half faunus still seems uselles given Faunus' as you said is your Story. Good work.
Thanks again! I've been thinking on rewriting the part that mentions Weiss' heritage slightly, to make more sense in what I'm planning and to fix the error.
Royal2:
Good chapter man can't wait for the next on. Is cinder the fall maiden?
Nope, someone else is the Fall Maiden right now. Cinder has been swapped somewhere else.
MatarasBloodKnight:
Poor ren
I'm liking this story more and more. But their is one thing Nora has to die.
Don't say that! I don't want to cross that road until we get to it... ;_;
Thank you all for reading, and see you next chapter!