Ch. 25
As Hunter enters the dorm, he notices that Shade and Liz are the only ones present. "Where's everyone else?"
"They all went on dates." Liz explains.
"Oh, ok." He says with a smile.
Liz notices that he seems awfully chipper. "And how about you? You got a date?"
Hunter blushes and stutters. "What, no? We-Well I mean you could call it- but wait Mercury's there so…" He stops and composes himself. "I'm going to be sparring with Emerald and Mercury tonight." He manages to say calmly.
"Sure, sparring." Shade says, implying much more than just sparring.
"It is." He practically whines. They look at him unbelievingly. "Whatever."
"When are you gonna go?" Liz asks.
Hunter looks at the clock. 12:47 PM. "Well I said I'd be there by 5:30 so I got a few hours." Hunter then remembers something that they need to do. "We should probably talk to Ozpin."
"Oh yeah. He did want to talk to us." Liz adds.
"Well, let's go then." The three head to the tower of Beacon, wondering what they were going to talk about. The whole walk was completely silent, but that's how they like it. It takes them very little time to get to the tower and enter the elevator. When the elevator doors open on the top floor, Ozpin sits in his desk, seemingly waiting for them.
"Ah, finally, you are here." He takes a sip of his coffee. "What took you so long?"
"Well-" Hunter starts but is interrupted by Liz.
"This little shit almost died." She says with a small slap to the back of his head.
Ozpin almost chokes on his coffee. "What?"
"Yeah, it's kinda complicated. But, I'm fine now, so what did you want to talk about?"
Ozpin decides to hold his questions off for later and gets to the point rather quickly. "Well, seeing as how you have been here for a while, I was wondering if you wanted to make a new team."
Hunter stares at him in confusion. "What exactly do you mean?"
"I mean that I have a dorm available for a new team that is relatively close to the RWBY and JNPR dorms. If you want, it is yours, but you must have a team… and I'd say you already have one." He nods to Shade and Liz.
"Wait, really?" Ozpin nods. He turns to Shade and Liz. "Is that alright with you guys?"
They look at each other for a second, before nodding. "I don't see why not. I don't have any contracts to uphold right now and my kingdom's kinda turning against me so there's nothing I can do there anymore." Shade explains.
"Ok, so it's settled, You, Shade, and Liz are a team of Beacon from now on." Ozpin says with a smile… before Shade interrupts.
"Actually, there's a couple others I want on the team." Hunter stares at him in confusion.
"And who would that be?" Ozpin questions.
"Mercury. He has much potential and I think I can train him to put that potential to use."
Ozpin seems to ponder for a moment before nodding. "Ok, that is fine." He looks to Liz. "Is there anyone you want?"
"Actually, yes." Hunter looks at her with confusion now. "I want Emerald."
Hunter can no longer resist and asks. "Why?"
"Because she has some arcane power. I believe I can train her, much like Shade."
"Wait, how do you know she has arcane power?" Hunter questions.
"Because team RWBY has told me about how she can create illusions for specific people. That is arcane and I want her to rise to her full potential." Hunter thinks about it and nods, content with the explanation.
Ozpin nods. "That is fine as well. I will need to talk with Mercury and Emerald first to make sure they are ok with it. If they are, I will hold a ceremony tomorrow announcing your team to the rest of the academy."
They nod. "Ok. Is that it?" Hunter asks.
"Your dorm room number is 205, which is rather close to RWBY's dorm. Other than that, no. You are dismissed." They nod and leave, Hunter feeling very excited about finally being a part of a real team in Beacon… and some of his closest friends are a part of it.
They spend the rest of the day discussing strategy for the upcoming battle, talking about Hunter's new powers, and teasing Hunter about Emerald. After a while, Hunter looks at the clock. 5:15 PM. He stands up and stretches his whole body out. "Well, I better get going."
"Alright. Have fun." Shade smirks.
Hunter just smiles and shakes his head as he walks out. He quickly heads to the training center, which is only a couple buildings away from the dorm. He enters through the training room doors at 5:35. Emerald and Mercury smile when they see him. "You're late." Mercury says.
Hunter looks at the clock on the wall. "By five minutes." They smile and meet up in the middle.
"So, Ozpin just talked with us." Emerald tells him.
"Really? That was quick."
"Yeah, he said that you wanted us to be on a team with you here at Beacon?" Emerald practically questions, still not 100% sure about the whole situation.
"Yeah well, it was less me and more Shade and Liz. Shade requested that you" He points at Mercury. "be on the team and Liz wanted you." He points at Emerald.
"Wait, why did Shade want me?"
"And why did Liz want me?"
"Well, they both said that they saw a lot of potential in you both and they wanted to help you reach your full power." This brings a smile to both of their faces. "So, what did you say?"
"Well we said yes." Emerald says as if it's obvious.
"You did?" Hunter is a little surprised.
"Yeah. I mean, getting the chance to work on a team with a lightning-controller, a shadow-controller, and a water-controller? Who would pass that up?" Mercury says with a smile.
"I know I wouldn't." Hunter agrees. "So, should we spar?"
"Hell yeah."
"How are we doing this?" Emerald asks.
"How about you two against me to start?" Hunter suggests.
They look at him in shock. "At the same time?" He nods. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, let's do it." Emerald and Mercury look at each other and shrug. They begin the sparring session with a lot of confidence… which quickly diminished.
They spent the next 3 hours sparring, most of the time it was Emerald and Mercury versus Hunter, all of which he won. "How the hell are you so fast?!" Emerald pants out.
"Years of training with Shade, and my semblance, and my speed rune." He smiles.
"Ok, you know what? This next one, no warping and no using runes." Mercury states.
Hunter simply shrugs. "Alright." He disables his stamina and speed rune and prepares to only use his natural speed. "You guys ready?"
"Just give us a second." Emerald says. Hunter laughs and Mercury uses that moment to attempt a kick to the side of his head, but Hunter grabs it with amazing speed. He throws him back and Mercury does a backflip to land on his feet.
"Did you really think that'd work? I know you guys are stronger than that. Come on, give me what you got." Emerald and Mercury nod at each other and attack simultaneously, Mercury going for a kick to the right side of Hunter's body while Emerald goes for a slice across his left side. Hunter kicks Emerald's hand away and then grabs Mercury's leg, flipping him over his head and throwing him. Hunter goes on the offensive and sweeps Emerald's legs out from under her. During that split second when she's in midair, Hunter kicks her in the side, sending her flying against the wall.
"Ahh, damn it." She says while on the ground. Hunter stands there for a second, but feels a kick in his back. He catches himself quickly and dodges the other two kicks that went for his head and legs.
"Whoo, nice job." They go into a spree of trading blows, blocking each other's attacks with amazing speed. Mercury goes for a spinning roundhouse to Hunter's head but he ducks under it and uppercuts Mercury, sending him flying back. "I have to say, it's been a long time since I've had a fight like this without Shade." He says with a smile. Mercury doesn't hesitate and shoots forward with right leg out… but he isn't fast enough. Hunter flips over him and kicks him in the back, sending him tumbling straight into Emerald, who was going for a backstab.
Both Emerald and Mercury are on the floor, panting heavily. "Alright, I'm done." Emerald says.
"Yeah, me too." Mercury agrees.
Hunter is also panting as well; although, not as hard. Without using his stamina rune, he got a little more tired than usual. "Alright, that was great guys. I gotta say, you'll be a welcome addition to the team. I can't wait to spar even more." He says with a smile… as the other two groan.
"I'm not sure if I can handle anymore." Emerald says.
"If you think that's difficult, just wait until Shade trains you for the upcoming battle." Hunter smiles at them.
"Oh God." Emerald can barely imagine how Shade is going to train them.
"Hey don't worry; I'll be there to teach too. I mean, I'll train you just as hard, but I won't be as cold about it." Hunter smirks.
"Ya know, even though that was difficult as hell," They look at Mercury. "that was an awesome session. I personally can't wait to fight even more."
"That's the spirit!" He looks at the clock. 8:45 PM. "Alright, I guess I better head back." He heads to the exit. "See you guys tomorrow."
"See ya." They both say… before collapsing and taking a short nap.
As Hunter enters the dorm, everybody is laughing. Even Shade and Liz crack a smile. They all turn and smile at Hunter. "Sup guys?" He says with a smirk.
"Hey." They all say. "How was your time with Emerald?" Yang wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.
"Shut up guys. Mercury was there too."
"Ooh, I didn't know you were into that type of stuff Hunter." Yang teases… before she gets hit in the face with a pillow. "Hey, I was just joking around."
"Whatever." Hunter says with a smile, and slight blush, on his face. "Shade, Liz, did you tell them about what Ozpin said?"
"Actually no. We figured you should tell them." Liz nodded towards him.
"Wait, what did Ozpin say?" Ruby says with confusion.
"Well, we went up and talked with him and… he's giving me, Shade, Liz, Emerald, and Mercury our own dorm room and is officially making us a team of Beacon."
They sit there in shock, before wide grins appears on all of their faces. "That's awesome!" Ruby exclaims. The others voice their agreement.
"Yeah, and our room is right down the hall from yours, so we can still talk a lot."
They all grin and pull Hunter into a group hug in the middle of the room. "That's amazing Hunter." Blake then turns to Shade and Liz, who seem to be avoiding the hug. "Don't think you're being left out of this. Come here." She she reaches over with her hand. They hesitate, before she drags them over into the group hug.
Hunter looks at them all and almost tears up. "Thank you all so much. You've all been with from the start and you've always supported me. If it weren't for all of you, I have no idea where I'd be."
"Dead." Liz says.
"Boring." Yang adds.
"Cooking." Weiss adds.
He laughs. "Maybe. Thank you guys so much. I love you all." They hug once more, conveying all the love they feel for each other. Once they separate, Hunter wipes his eyes. "Ah, damn it. You guys made me cry." They laugh, still crying happy tears. The only ones not crying is Shade and Liz, but their facial expressions still show happiness. "So, tomorrow there's gonna be a ceremony where Ozpin will officially announce our team, so be ready for that."
They nod. "We will be."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Yang says.
"Alright well, I'm a little tired from sparring and, ya know, dying so Imma sleep. Night." He gets into his bed and almost immediately falls asleep. The others yawn and each go to their respective beds, also falling asleep rather quickly.
The next morning
Hunter wakes up at 6 in the morning, for once not being the first one up out of team RWHBY. Blake was up before him, evidenced by her bed being empty and the shower running. The morning went by rather quickly for all of them, each taking their showers and then eating a Hunter-cooked breakfast. It went by so quickly that it only felt like a couple hours before they heard the announcement, which was actually at 12:00.
"Attention all students, please report to the auditorium within the next 20 minutes. I repeat, all students, please report to the auditorium within the next 20 minutes. Thank you."
They all look at each other. "Well, I guess that's for us." Hunter points out, feeling a little nervous.
Weiss puts her hand on his shoulder. "You'll do great." She says surely. "Let's go." They all nod and start heading for the auditorium.
As they were walking to the building, Hunter saw Mercury and Emerald. He waved them over and they followed. "You guys ready?" He asks.
"Ready as we'll ever be." Mercury answers. Hunter nods, understanding what he means. It was one thing for him to stay here and even participate in certain hunter activities but to be officially announced as a hunter and be given a team was a whole 'nother level. Mainly because of his father. After this, he'll finally be a hunter, just like he and his father always wanted. It almost brings him to tears but he holds them back, staying strong.
As soon as they enter, Ozpin spots them and waves them over. RWBY motions for them to go and says that they'll be great one last time. They walk to the left side, at the bottom of some stair that lead onto the platform. "Are you all ready?" Ozpin asks. They all nod. "Good. I'll start in just a couple more minutes. You'll know when to come up. Now, this is the order I want you to come up in. Shade is first, then Emerald, Mercury, Liz, and then Hunter will come up last."
"Ok." Hunter says.
A few minutes after that, the lights begin to dim and Ozpin walks onto the stage with his cane, still leaning on it more than normal. "Hello everyone. I have called you all here for a very important announcement." He then goes into this speech about being a hunter and all the responsibilities that come with it. Once he finally finishes, he gets to the point. "The point of this meeting is to announce a new team to Beacon." The crowd breaks into murmurs. "May I introduce Shade, Emerald, Mercury, Liz, and Hunter." They each come up as their names are called. "This new team shall be called team HLMES, (Holmes) with Hunter as the team leader."
Hunter looks shocked for a moment. Me, team leader? Can I really do this? He looks to his teammates and they all give him an approving smile. I can do it, as long as I have them by my side.
Ozpin gives each of the new team a firm handshake and congratulations. He finally reaches Hunter and gives him a handshake. He also leans in and whispers, "Your father would be proud." They separate and Ozpin gives him a wide smile. Hunter nods appreciatively.
The announcement goes on for a little longer with Ozpin giving a couple more speeches, many people congratulating them on being an official team, and other things. They finally get to teams RWBY and JNPR and they greet them with wide smiles all around. "Congratulations guys, especially you Hunter." Ruby beams a grin at him.
"Thanks. I didn't expect to get team leader." He admits.
"Trust me, the last thing I expected was to be team leader, but trust me; Ozpin knows what he's doing." The others nod in agreement.
"Thank you." They all head back and stop in front of RWBY and JNPR's doors, Shade holding Hunter's bed from RWBY's room. "So," Hunter starts. "I guess we head to our own room now."
"Yup." Yang suddenly hugs him. "I'll miss you."
"Hey, we'll be right there. I'll still cook you guys breakfast and we can even have sleepovers sometimes." Hunter smiles.
"Promise?"
"Promise." They separate. "So, I guess we better check out the room." He starts walking down the hall. "See ya later." He waves. The others waves as he leads his new team to their new room.
He takes the key Ozpin gave him and opens the door. He walks in and immediately notices it's much bigger than RWBY's room. It has 4 beds, but there are two bathrooms instead of one and everything's a lot more spread out.
There is a desk in front of the window and two beds on each side of the room. There are two bathrooms on the left side of the room, one towards the front and one towards the back. Hunter immediately gets design ideas for the room and turns to the others. "Well, time to get to work."