Chapter 25
Inspiration
Believe in me, as I've believed in you
"So…is Sora doing well?"
In the office of the ever green suit wearing Headmaster, Professor Ozpin himself was talking to a friend about the current situation of the Keyblade Wielder Sora.
Jiminy adjusted his hat. "He is actually. When Penny and I found him, he was badly injured. While the hospital at Briel could bind up the wound, they hadn't all the materials necessary to fix him up. So he was transferred here to Vale."
"Good." Ozpin said, drinking his coffee again. "Do you have any idea what happened to him?"
"No sir." Jiminy answered. "Sora wouldn't tell me, all he said was everything is fine now. I'm still pretty worried."
"I understand." Ozpin tried to calm the chronicling cricket. "I'll have a talk with him when he gets discharged. Thank you for telling me Jiminy, how goes your research by the way?"
"It's going great actually." Jiminy said with a smile. "The General knows a lot of things, as well as many of the other school Headmasters. This will all be great material for my books."
Professor Ozpin chuckled. "That's great. Well I have much work to get to; I should also probably inform Sora's friends here of what happened. No doubt they'd want to see him."
"Ah that boy makes friends no matter where he goes." Jiminy shook his head with an endearing smile.
"Would you like me to give you ride back to the General's?" Ozpin offered.
"No need, I've got a ride. Penny ready to go!?" Jiminy said to the door.
Just then Penny fell through the cracked door of Ozpin's office; looking sheepish she jumped up instantly. "Oh uh, I was not listening in on your conversation Jiminy my friend!"
Then she hiccupped.
"Oh dear, Jiminy sighed. "Penny you shouldn't spy on others. And you shouldn't lie either."
Penny picked jiminy up into her palm and sat him on her shoulder. "I know Jiminy, I'll try harder not to."
"That's the way." Jiminy said proudly. "Well then Ozpin, we'll be off."
"It was good seeing you Jiminy. Take care Penny." Ozpin said his farewells.
"Yes sir!" Penny saluted before dashing out of the room.
Ozpin smirked.
KHXRWBY
"It was so AWESOME!" Yang was ecstatic.
It was the day after the Grimm and Heartless battle, and talk of it was getting around. Especially how Ren had single handedly been able to stun the fusion of the Storm Rider and the Nevermore. After the battle, Professor Goodwitch had come to fix up the destroyed Courtyard and cafeteria, done with a simple wave of her riding crop.
No wonder Beacon never paid for damage expenses.
"I agree Ren, it was very well done." Complimented Pyrrha to her teammate, who remained mostly quiet.
"Oh, well I suppose." Ren said, baring almost no emotion.
"You were like 'whap, whap, whap, BOOM!' shooting that beast in the air like a missile!" went the blonde brawler, clearly still in awe.
"And then that landing!" Jaune said animatedly as well. "You we're like 'Behold my superbly executed pose of awesome'."
Ruby, Blake and Pyrrha couldn't help but chuckle at the two crazy blondes.
Weiss was haughty as usual. "Yes I suppose it was impressive. Until we saw that girl…"
Quiet began to center the table; everyone looked at Weiss, then at Ren. Clearly not knowing what to say in this particular situation.
"Weiss, Ruby whispered into her friend's ear. "Ren asked us not to talk about that remember?"
"And why shouldn't we talk about it?" Weiss snapped. "We have a right to know. Ren knows something about this that we don't. Don't you?"
Ren didn't even look at Weiss; he merely stood up and began walking away.
"Nice job Weiss, you pissed him off." Yang said to Weiss.
"Weiss, Pyrrha interjected. "Ren is going through some painful things right now? It would be best to not worry about it until he's ready to tell you all."
"You all?" Blake wondered aloud. "Do you and Jaune already know what's up?"
Jaune and Pyrrha froze, and then looked at each other. Then they got up and walked away.
Weiss threw her hands into the air with frustration. "I can't believe this."
"Chill Weiss." Yang tried to calm the icy bite of the Schnee. "Technically it's none our business what goes on with their team, so they are obligated to tell us. They'll tell us later I'm pretty sure."
"Yeah." Ruby agreed with her sister. "Just don't bring it up anymore with them okay?"
Weiss sighed. "Whatever. Fine."
Just then Professor Port walked up to their table, his stature as straight as always. "Afternoon team RWBY."
"Hey Professor…" The four girls said with not much enthusiasm.
"I presume you all enjoyed my lesson today? Why of course you did! After all, who wouldn't want to hear of my grand adventures?"
The girls groaned as the sensed another pointless description of Professor Port's tales coming on. "Is there something you need us for Professor?" Blake asked.
"Huh? Oh. Oh yes, I came here with some information. Some bad information I'm afraid, please be sure to inform team JNPR of this as well…"
"What is it?" Ruby questioned. Bad news? How bad?
"I was informed by Professor Ozpin that the Keyblade Wielder Sora is in the hospital, he has been badly injured."
A stunned silence.
Ruby was speechless, well almost, she managed to utter out one word before dashing off. Followed closely behind by her teammates.
"S-sora…?"
KHXRWBY
Sora sneezed. "Gah. Someone must be talking about me."
Sora was lying down on his hospital bed, resting in order to heal from his injury. He had used some healing magic on it but it wasn't closing up right away. With no choice he simply decided to lay back and take his time.
When he had first came to, he had seen two faces. One familiar and one unfamiliar. Apparently after he passed out he had been rescued by his friend Jiminy the Cricket and a girl named Penny. Sora was happy to see Jiminy again after waking up but he kept from telling him about the situation. He wanted to wait till everything was over before that.
He learned that jiminy was here on Remnant chronicling. Learning everything he could about the world of Remnant from various political leaders, academy teachers and military personnel. That's when the cricket had met Penny, they became friends quickly and they spent a good deal of time together. Penny would often help him out with his books.
That was actually the reason they were at Briel in the first place, Sora smiled to himself. If Jiminy hadn't forgotten that book…
Anyway, Jiminy also informed Sora about his friends' current status. Apparently Kairi was being trained as a Keyblade Wielder under Riku. They were in a place called the World of Bending. Donald, Goofy and Mickey were in another world as well, a place called Earth Land. But Jiminy didn't know where Lea was…figures.
As for Penny, Sora actually liked the girl, even if she was a bit odd. She seemed genuinely concerned for his welfare and often asked if he needed anything. She was also very fun to talk to and seemed to have a strange fascination with things that were normal. She reminded him very much of Pinocchio.
Ironic considering Jiminy pretty much talked to Penny the same way he talked to Pinocchio.
In any case, Sora was grateful to them for saving him and was now lost in his thoughts as he contemplated the recent events.
He stared at the ceiling, flashing back to that night he almost died. I nearly gave up, I thought everything was over…
I'm so dumb.
Would dying really have solved anything? Would it?
I'd just be leaving my friends behind, left to fight without him. No, I couldn't do that…
The doctor had said that Sora had survived not only because Penny and Jiminy found him, but because he had unconsciously been fighting to survive. Even if he didn't know it, Sora had been fighting hard to stay alive.
Why?
Because I know that wouldn't be right. Sora thought. I thought I should just die and be done with it. But I was wrong. My friends need me, if I die, I'll be letting them down.
The boy clenched his fists.
Xehanort…I'm still a long way from beating you…but…
But I won't give up! Not until the Worlds are safe again! Not even after that!
I'll continue fighting, I'll get stronger! Then I'll defeat you!
Count on it.
Sora heard knocking on his room door, a nice looking nurse walked in with a smile. "Hello Sora, how are you feeling?"
"I'm okay, thanks." Sora answered the woman.
"Well you have a couple of visitors today; they seemed very concerned about you. I'll let them in now."
Visitors? Sora thought. Who?
"SOOOORRRAAAA!"
Sora was unable to prepare himself before streaks of yellow and red dashed up and wrapped their arms around him in a back breaking embrace. These two streaks we in fact Yang and Ruby, they were followed by Pyrrha, Blake, Weiss, Rena and Jaune. The latter five deciding to be a bit more civil.
'G-guys! I can't…breathe!" Sora shrieked as he felt his spine crack. "GWAAAAHHH!"
"Oh sorry!" the sisters said simultaneously before letting him go.
Sora sighed as he fixed his back. "Its fine I guess. How did you guys…?"
"Professor Port told us, and we told JNPR." Weiss answered, then blushed and looked away."Ruby wanted to see you…so we just tagged along. I didn't want to."
"Your concern warms my heart Weiss." Sora teased, earning a laugh from the others.
"Sora, what happened to you?" Ruby asked, holding onto the boy's arm.
"Eheheh. The thing is…" Sora started, he figured he'd lie but the seriousness and concern on his friends' faces convinced him otherwise.
"I'm sorry. I lied. I didn't plan on following the Organization." Sora admitted.
"You lied? Why?" Ruby questioned further, not seeming mad about Sora lying at all.
"I met up with a leader of the White Fang, to fight him. His name was Adam."
Everyone, especially Blake was shocked.
Sora tried to avoid Blake's astonished gaze, a gaze that held fear, confusion and hurt. Luckily Ruby had decided to speak up before the black-haired Faunus. "A-and he did this to you?"
"Yeah…I kinda lost and he slashed me pretty good in the side." Sora rubbed the back of his head.
Pyrrha looked at Sora's injury. "Sora; that must be a very serious wound if it's bandaged so heavily. Are you sure you're alright?"
Jaune frowned slightly at Pyrrha's concern for Sora; he had no idea why though. Instead he asked. "Why didn't you just fix it up with healing magic?"
"I tried but it's a very deep wound, healing magic doesn't fix everything. It's gonna take time for this one to heal." Sora answered.
"Sora…you…you DUMB-HEAD!" Ruby yelled.
Sora flinched at the girl who raised her voice. "W-wha…?"
"I told you not to go! I told you! Now look what happened! You just had to go chasing some fight didn't you!? You're so…you're so…STUPID!" Ruby practically wailed as she swung her arms around, tearing up.
Sora was stunned at first, then chuckled. "Ruby I'm okay."
Ruby calmed down, grabbing Sora's hand in bother of hers. "Next time, don't go off on your own…let me…let us help you okay!"
"Ruby…"
"Stop always just relying on yourself!" Ruby interrupted. "We're all a team aren't we? If we fight together, we can do more than if we're by ourselves!"
Sora was awestruck at the girl's words, and then he looked at everyone else. Each of them gave him a smile, well except Weiss, but he didn't see her frowning either. Did they all want to help him? We're they all willing to go that far for him?
Yeah they are. Said Roxas.
Sora grinned ear to ear. "Alright. Next time, we'll fight together."
KHXRWBY
Three days later…
"And that's why you must never sing 'Hello my baby' while riding a pregnant Nevermore." Said Professor Oobleck. "Class dismissed.
The teacher zipped out of the room just before the bell rang. The students of the class got ready to leave.
"I'm never gonna forget that story…" Sora said with disgust as he got up." He was followed by Jaune, Pyrrha and Blake who had equally morbid expressions.
"I thought this was Faunus History, not Horror 101!" Jaune gagged.
"I agree." Nodded Pyrrha.
"…hm? What are we talking about now?" Blake snapped out of reading her book.
Things were pretty much back to normal for the young heroes as they ended their school day. Sora was still recovering from his injury but it was mostly healed up. The warriors had gone back to their normal routine of classes, training, wild antics and other things.
Sora had been told by Ren about the situation that happened. It shocked Sora to say the least. Ren and Pyrrha had been right about what they found out. It made sense why Nora's behavior was so strange. Her nobody! Her nobody was born after she turned into a Heartless! Not only that, Nora had a special nobody just like Organization XIII members.
Needless to say, this worried Sora.
If Nora now has a Nobody? What would stop Organization XIII from finding her and making her join their ranks? No doubt Nora's nobody wants repossession of her heart…why run away then? If she were stealthy, she could have stolen the real Nora's heart and gotten it back right?
Why didn't she?
But Ren decided it would be best that they not be concerned right now, after all there was nothing they could do. They couldn't go blindly searching, and after what happened with Sora. Professor Ozpin didn't feel comfortable sending him out alone on long missions.
So, normal life resumed.
That in mind Sora and Blake headed back to the dorm of Team RWBY followed by Jaune and Pyrrha. The humans and the Faunus were just about to make that sharp left when…
"Where ya goin' freak!"
"P-please stop."
Sora, Blake, Jaune and Pyrrha turned their heads to see that bully Cardin Winchester and his teammates picking on a girl. A Faunus girl, with rabbit ears. The girl was holding her ears protectively as Cardin shoved her against the wall, earning a yelp from the Faunus. Sora gritted his teeth, Pyrrha wasn't kidding when she said that Faunus suffer large degrees of discrimination. Even in the hallways with other people passing by, she was still being picked on.
Is this the life of a Faunus?
Blake was about to intervene when Sora grabbed her shoulder, the other two stopped as well.
"What's that girl's name?"
Blake was confused, "Velvet. Velvet Scarlatina. Why—
"Velvet!"
The rabbit Faunus, along with her tormentors turned at the sound of Sora's voice. Velvet was shocked, her tears still mapping her cheeks. "W-who are—?
"Are you gonna just let him hurt you?" Sora spoke.
Velvet gasped lowly, and then her gaze lowered. "B-but, I can't do anything…"
"Yes you can. Why won't you?" Sora continued.
"Shut up Porcupine!" Cardin shouted. "Guys teach him a lesson."
Sky, Russell and Dove were about to attack Sora, intending to show him not to mess with the toughest boys in the school. Suddenly Russell and Dove were grabbed by their collars by none other than Yang, who smiled broadly. She threw Dove over to Pyrrha who held his arms behind his back to keep him still.
"Hey Blake, Sora. We we're wondering what you guys we're up to. And will you look at this!"
"Ruby ate all the cookies, so there isn't any left." Weiss spoke, walking up to them as well.
Then Ruby appeared next to her, crumbs on her mouth. "Thassh a lie Weiff!" The girl said.
"Did you just call me wife?"
"Stupid chicks. Outta the way!" Sky remarked, about o draw his halberd. However he was rendered immobile by Blake, who lassoed his arms and pinned him to the ground.
Cardin grinded his teeth, people in the hallways were starting to watch.
"Four on one is pretty cowardly Cardin." Said Ren, who appeared next. He was followed by Nora, who remained quiet but even so looked angry at the bully.
Cardin began to get nervous. His entire team was disposed of, all because of this stupid rabbit! He pushed her harder against the wall. "You think this is funny you dumb hare? Just cuz you got all your friends here!?"
"N-no…please…I don't…" Velvet struggled, feeling absolutely fearful.
"Velvet!" Sora said louder, catching the girl's attention again. "His cronies are gone, it's just him. You have to defend yourself."
"B-but I—
"Velvet, we can't stop Cardin. Only you can. If you don't do it, he won't stop." Sora said sternly yet kindly. "You're a Huntress aren't you? Show him you aren't to be trifled with!"
Velvet was in shock, why did this boy want her to fight back so much? He didn't even know her!
"Yeah Velv, show him whose boss." Yang said.
"Come on. You can." Blake said as well.
Ruby put a thumbs up as she ate more cookies; Weiss merely shook her head at her leader.
Jaune and Pyrrha smiled at the rabbit girl, Ren managed one as well. Nora even seemed to want Velvet to do something.
Velvet looked back at Sora, her resolve still wavering. Sora smiled and nodded his head.
"Don't even think about it you freak!" Cardin pushed against her. "Besides, what can a weak little thing like you do?
Then, Velvets expression changed.
The sheer determination and anger in her eyes was more than enough to let everyone know that the beast had awakened. Velvet pushed Cardin off of her with enough force to send him into the wall. Cardin gawked with astonishment.
Velvet was blazing with anger, her aura bursting around her as she faced Cardin. The bully was quivering in fear, shaking on the floor as he cowered before this tiny girl's power! Was this for real? Did Velvet really have this kind of power! No! Not a tiny coward like her!
Velvet pinned Cardin to the wall, and before he could register it, swung her powerful fist right at his face. Cardin closed his eyes, awaiting the pain.
It didn't come.
His eyes opened.
Mere inches away from his face was the fist of Velvet. The girl's aura was gone, but her scary appearance was still active. Cardin was still horrified with fear, to the point where something yellow and liquid-like escaped his pants.
"Oh boy Cardin! Had a little accident there!" Yang began laughing, pretty much inciting laughter from everyone else.
Cardin blushed with pure embarrassment. "Run for it!" His teammates were let go and they ran after their leader with their tails between their legs.
After that…
CHEERS!
Yang, Ruby, Jaune and Pyrrha, along with several unimportant students in the hallways began clapping and cheering for the Faunus girl. Ren clapped as well, and Nora, if one looked hard enough had a small smile on her face. Velvet in turn blushed with a small smile, reverting back to her shy personality.
"That was great Velvet!" Ruby said as she jumped in the air.
"I'm very impressed." Pyrrha nodded.
"That punch was so awesome! If that thing connected, Cardin would've been Dust!"
"That was so terrible…" Jaune shook his head.
"What'd you see Jauney boy!?"
"GAAAAHHH!"
"Yang not in the hallways!" Weiss reprimanded.
As the ever destructive and crazy antics of Beacon went on, Sora and Blake smiled at Velvet, who merely laughed and watched the insanity go on.
"Hey Sora…"Blake spoke.
"Hm?"
"How did you know to do that? To make Velvet stand up for herself?"
Sora smiled. "Some people just need a little help you know? Even from just seeing her today, I saw that she had lots of strength in her. She just didn't know how to use it."
Blake chuckled. "Heh, you're interesting Sora."
"Sora…"
Sora looked at Velvet, who now stood in front of him. "You know me?"
"W-well yes, everyone in the s-school does." Velvet answered shyly.
"Oh yeah, I forgot. Keyblade Wielder and all." Sora beamed widely.
"Thank you…for helping me." She pulled Sora into a hug; Sora blushed slightly but otherwise returned it.
"Okay that's enough with the mushy stuff!" Yang announced. "All members of JNPR and RWBY, plus new friend Velvet! TO THE RWBY DORM for cake and shenanigans!"
A widespread cheer by all members resulted in picking up Velvet and dashing off toward the room for a night of general irresponsibility and playfulness.
Around the opposite hall stood Professor Ozpin and Goodwitch, Ozpin had a calm smile on his face while Goodwitch messed with her scroll.
"That was certainly interesting wasn't it?"
"You shouldn't have let it go on." Glynda said strictly.
"…I didn't need to do anything."
"What?"
"There is something genuine about Sora, so much that he makes friends and inspires people wherever he goes. The students believe in him, through his biggest acts, to his smallest acts. I'm certain he'll leave a very important meaning here on Remnant."
"Hm." Glynda returned to her Scroll. "I suppose I can't disagree."
Ozpin nodded and slurped some coffee. "Even in the midst of an approaching darkness, those kids still find the time to have some fun. Such is the essence of a smaller, more honest soul."
"That doesn't change the dangers to come Ozpin."
Ozpin chuckled and began to walk away. "But it can change the outcome can't it?"
Professor Goodwitch managed a small, professional smile. "Indeed."
This Chapter, I'm very proud of it!
This chapter focused on getting things back on the good side! That even with the impending darkness, the cast is still finding time to help others and have fun! That's what I wanted to establish! Sora has his confidence back and we even see that Nora is starting to get a little better.
Hope I didn't do too much with Velvet's part, we haven't seen her powers yet so I have no idea if she'd react like that! But usually when Sora pushes people to help themselves, it come out in some way similar.
So Jiminy and Penny, yes their relationship is very much like with Pinocchio. Shoot Penny was BASED off of Pinocchio! So I like that Jiminy is spending time with her. If you guys want more Penny then don't worry, she'll appear more later on!
A new mission will begin soon and there may be some in-between days just for a little more days of relaxation, and look forward to Sora telling the RWBY cast about his adventures very soon!
That's all for now! Later
-IMSOAWESOME
KNOCK KNOCK
"Come in." Answered Professor Ozpin.
It was very late at night, most of the students and staff were asleep but Ozpin had decided to get in some early work before he turned in. Then he looked up to see someone opening up the door and walking in. Sora.
"Sora, it's quite late, do you need something?"
"Yes sir." Sora nodded. "I want to request something. A mission."
Ozpin seemed curious now, lifting up his mug to slurp some coffee only to find that there is none. Ignoring it he looked back at Sora. "A mission?"
"Yes sir."
Ozpin gave a small smile. "And may I inquire the details of this request?"
Sora looked at Ozpin with determined eyes.
"To find and retrieve the nobody of Nora Valkyrie."