Chapter 23: Zwei

Location: Beacon Academy, Vale Year: Unknown

Ruby and I headed towards Ozpin's Office to explain what truly happen that night during the dance. As we entered the elevator, I turned to Ruby and said, "Alright Ruby, Well explain what happened that night and I want you to know that there's no reason to hesitate, alright?"

Ruby nodded and replied, "Got it."

When the elevator doors opened, we heard Ironwood, "They were here... Ozpin, they were here!"

Glynda responded, "We are very much aware of that. Thank you, James."

'Ah shit, the general's first name is my dad's...' I thought to myself as we walked in and stood there.

"Fantastic, you're aware. Now are we going to do something about it or should we just stay the course and continued to ignore what's right in front of us?" the general stated.

I gave a fake cough to gain their attention, which it worked. I replied, "Sorry it took so long, because SOMEONE..." as I softly glared at Ruby and continued, "had to press all of the buttons on the elevator on the way up here."

Ruby grinned nervously and replied, "Heh, sorry."

Ozpin replies back, "Thank you two for coming. How are you two feeling?"

Ruby replied, "Okay, I guess. I'd feel better if my bad-guy catching record wasn't zero of three." as she gave a slight chuckle.

I replied, "Fine, sir. Still kinda upset that the intruder got away, though."

There was silence in the office and Ruby said meakly, "Okay, so that's the tone we're going for, got it..."

Then Ironwood stepped up to us and replies, "Ruby, Edward, I feel it's appropriate to let both of you know that I think what you both did last night is exactly what being a huntress and huntsman is all about. You both recognized a threat, took action, and you both did the very best you could."

Both me and Ruby replied, "Thank you, sir."

Then Ozpin cut in, "Now, the general here has already informed us of the events that transpired, last night. But now that both of you rested, we were wondering if any of you had anything to add."

Then Glynda asked, "Was anyone else with her? Did she look familiar to you at all?"

I answered, "No, but I believed it could be the same person that was on that VTOL, that night before we arrived at Beacon. I know this because she had the same sort of ability to use fire and what-not."

Then Ruby added, "She was also wearing a mask, and she never said anything to us, but I know she fought with glass, but that wasn't her Semblance, though. It was fire, like Edward said. Her clothing also lit up whenever she attacked."

Glynda concludes, "Save for the glass, it does sound like the woman I fought the night we met Ruby and Edward."

Then Ironwood cuts in, "Embedding Dust into clothing is an age-old technique. It could have been anyone."

Then Ruby said, "Wait, you think this girl is connected to Torchwick and the White Fang?"

"It's possible." Ozpin said.

I said, "I think she's the one pulling the strings. It makes sense why Torchwick and the White Fang stole so much Dust, since she does embed it into her clothing. But still don't know why so much, but it may explain the purpose of it."

Ironwood nods and replies, "Edward may be right. It shows who's really pulling the strings, the purpose on why stealing Dust, and as well as the connections."

Ozpin added, "Yet, we still lack the required solid evidence to actually link the two together."

Then Ruby said, "Actually, I-I think I remember her saying something about a hideout or something..."

I turned to her and asked, "Wait, you heard her say that?"

Ruby nodded and replied, "Yes, after the arrows exploded, but it was more around like a whisper or something."

I then asked, "Where?"

"In the Southeast. Just outside the kingdom." She replied.

Ozpin grinned and commented, "Interesting."

But then Glynda said, "I thought you said that the intruder never-"

But Ozpin interrupted, "Thank you both for your cooperation. Why don't you both go and spend some time with your team? You both have a big day ahead of you."

Ruby replied as we walked away, "Anytime."

I replied, "Yes, professor." as we walked away.

But then Ozpin added, "Also, please try and be discreet about this matter."

We both replied, "Yes, sir."

After I followed Ruby to her dorm, she opened the door and immediately, Yang, Weiss, and Blake ran up to us in an instant.

We jumped back a little in reaction and I replied, "Jesus! Don't do that!"

Yang ignored and asked, "So, what happened?!"

Ruby answered, "Uh, well umm, ehehe, uh..."

XXXXXX

'3rd POV, Ozpin's Office...'

"Well, there you have it. We'll send as many troops as we can to the Southeast. Find out exactly what's going on and eradicate any forces that stand in our way." Ironwood said.

Glynda shook her head and replied, "Why must your answer to everything involve a triumphant display of military bravado? You treat every situation like it's a contest of measuring d-"

Ozpin interrupts, "Glynda!"

Ozpin turned towards them as Glynda replies, "Well, he does."

Ozpin said, "She's right. As much as I too love to end this situation once and for all, we must remember that this may go beyond Vale, beyond Beacon, and if this truly is part of some master plan for which we know not the final move, we must not be so bold nor can we risk the spread of panic."

Ironwood replied grimly, "I have served you faithfully for years, but if you mean to tell me that your plan is to really hold the defenses and wait-"

Ozpin instantly stood up and interrupted, "It is not! You're a general, James. So tell me, when you prepare to go to war, which do you send in first? The flag-bearer, or the scouts?"

XXXXXX

'Edward's POV...'

I was in RWBY's dorm as we explained everything what happened...

"That was a risky move." Weiss said.

I replied, "Risky, but necessary, Weiss."

Blake replied, "Well, I thought both of you handled it well."

Ruby replied, "I hope so."

Yang commented, "I'm sure everything will be alright, guys."

But then Yang began, "Oh! I know what will cheer you up, Ruby."

I replied, "Eh?"

Ruby asked, "What is it?"

"I don't know yet. Dad sent it to us. I thought we could open it together." Yang replied as she pulled out a small tube.

Ruby screamed, "Ooh! Something from home!"

Then Ruby sprinted behind Yang and tried to grab the tube, then something fell out of it. It began to rustle around and it popped into shape.

It was... IT WAS... a small dog?

It barked at us and both Yang and Ruby cheered while me, Weiss, and Blake jumped in fear.

Ruby cheered, "Zweeeiii!"

"What the hell!? How-how can he-THIS DEFIES EVERY LOGIC IN EXISTANCE! HE SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FIT IN THERE!" I replied.

Blake replied to me, "You're telling me!"

Then Blake turned to Ruby and Yang, "Your dad sent a dog?!"

Weiss added, "In the mail?!"

Ruby giggles and Yang replies, "Oh, he does stuff like this all the time."

Blake then asked, while on top of Ruby's bed, "Your father or your dog?"

I yelled out, "THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!"

Then Yang stated, "Well, I ripped someone's skull out and beat him with it."

"That's physically impossible!" I yelled out.

"That's what the guy kept saying." Yang replied.

I responded with a long sigh as I heard Weiss, "Are you telling me that this mangy... drooling... mutt, is going to wive with us forevah?"

Then she fell for Zwei's cuteness and repeated, "Oh, yes he is, yes he is!"

Weiss continued, "Oh, isn't he adorable!"

Blake replied, "Please keep it away from my belongings."

I looked at Blake and replied, "Why? Do you something against-oh, nevermind. You're a cat Faunus, I forgot."

Then Glynda announced over the comm, "Will first-year students report to the amphitheater."

Weiss said as Ruby let Zwei down, "Well, we can't exactly leave him here while we're gone for a week."

As Zwei went up to Blake, who was still freaking out, Yang said, "Look, there's a letter."

She then began to read the letter, "Dear girls, I've got to leave the island for a few days, so I'm sending Zwei to you to take care of. Enclosed is all the food you should need. Love you both, Taiyang."

Then she dumped out a shit-load of canned dog food, but Zwei was unfortunate to be under it.

"I still think that's impossible..." I replied.

Then Weiss asked, "What is he supposed to do with that?"

Yang shook the tube and a can opener dropped out.

"Well, that settles it. Come on girls, Zwei will be here when we get back." Yang said as we began to leave.

"Oh, I'll miss you so much, we're going to be best friends, I can't wait to see you again." Weiss said as she followed behind.

I patted Zwei's head and said, "See ya, Zwei." and left RWBY's dorm.

XXXXXX

'In the Amphitheater...'

All the first year students gathered up and Glynda stepped up, "Professor Ozpin would like to share a few words before we begin."

The Glynda left as Ozpin began, "Today, we stand together, united. Mistrel, Atlas, Vacuo, and Vale. The four kingdoms of Remnant. On this day, nearly eighty years ago, the largest war in recorded history came to an end. It was a war of ignorance, of greed, and of oppression. A war that was about much more than where borders fell or who traded with whom, but about the very idea of individualism itself. We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self-expression.

As you all are well aware, that was something many could not stand for. As a result, those who opposed this tyranny began naming their children after one of the core aspects of art itself. Color. It was their way to demonstrate that not only that they refuse to tolerate this oppression, but neither would the generations to come. And it was a trend that is held to this very day. We encourage individuality, expressionism, and unity. Through diversity. As I have said, today we stand together, united, but this bond cannot exist without effort, which is why today, while the rest of the world celebrates peace, Huntsmen and Huntresses will work to uphold it. As first-year students, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional Huntsman or Huntress, on a mission. some of you will be taken out of the kingdom for several days, others may work within the walls for the rest of the week. But no matter which you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best."

Ozpin ended and walks away as everyone applauded.

I commented, "A war about art, that's new to me. Usually, where I'm from, it's different, but all of us have reasons to."

Then Ruby said, "This is perfect. All we have to do is shadow a Huntsman working in the Southeast."

The Yang gets pumped, "Yeah! We'll follow them around by day and give them the slip at night."

Then Weiss suggested, "Let's check 'Search and Destroy.'"

"Good idea, Weiss." I responded.

As we approached the screen, Ruby pointed out, "Here we go. Quadrant five needs Grimm cleared out."

Blake said, "Well, it's in the Southeast."

"Sounds perfect." Yang said.

Then Ruby entered their team name and Weiss asks me, "So, are you going to come with us?"

"Yep." I answered.

But when Ruby hit enter, it denied the request. Then Weiss commented, "Wonderfull."

Blake asked, "Any other ideas?"

Ruby suggested, "We mail ourselves there."

I deadpanned, "No."

The Ozpin came up and said, "Well, that's one option. Unfortunately, we determined that the concentration of Grimm was too extreme for first year students. It seems that particular region is rather popular. In fact, I have the sneaking position that the five of you will make your way there no matter which job you choose."

Ruby asked hesitantly, "Whatever makes you say that?"

"I'm still curious at to how you all found yourselves at the docks, last semester. I'm interested to know how you really learned about a "hideout" in the Southest. And I certainly wonder why witness reported seeing robots and rose petals in a dance club some time ago." Ozpin inquired.

Ruby began to stutter, "Uhhmm... Uh-well."

"I doubt I'll ever find the exact answers I'm looking for. So, how about this. Instead of waiting for you all to break the rules, why don't we just bend them?" Ozpin suggested.

Then he typed on his tablet and added us to the job.

Ruby replied, "We won't let you down. Thank you, professor."

"Do not thank me for this. Teamwork and persistence have carried you far, but you must understand, the things that await you beyond the protection of the kingdom will not care. Stay close to your Huntsman at all times and do exactly as he says. He will be leading you on this mission and he can have you sent back to Beacon, if he finds your skills to be unsatisfactory." Ozpin said and left, but added, "Good luck."

I then asked, "And WHO is this Huntsman we need to find?"

XXXXXX

'At the landing platform...'

"Why, hello girls! Edward! Who's ready to fight for their lives?"

It was Professor Oobleck, and all of us stood there in shock. I then thought, 'Shit.'

To be Continued...