-Midday, Beacon Academy-
It had been over a week since Teams RWBY and JNPR were reunited, and the end of semester break was reaching its conclusion. Weiss, Blake, Yang, Team JNPR and Kai were dressed in their school uniform and eating lunch in the dining hall. With it being the last day, more people had arrived to return, including new transfer students for the tournament, making the hall as packed as ever. While many students were eating and socialising, Kai and Blake had their heads in books.
Blakes book was a notepad that contained handwritten notes and sketches. Some notable drawing were what looked like the upper-back of a man with a katana, and a rose.
Kai meanwhile was once again reading from 'The Findings of a New World.'
September 21st
It has been two weeks since I have written another passage and for good reason! My progress has once again been thwarted! This time as I traversed through Mt Coronet's dark caves I found my progress had been halted by a stone seal. I tried to find my way around it but it was too heavy, however this was no random boulder, this was placed intentionally. Three drawings were marked on the seal which I have learned belong to three legendary Pokémon hiding out in Sinnoh's three lakes. Uxie, Azelf and Mespirit, the Legendary Pokémon representing the human spirit. To learn more about these three I have decided to rest in the nearby city Celestic Town, perhaps I will find answers there to unblocking this seal. However, this has not been the worst news to happen to me. The nightmares have gotten worse and I don't know what to do. Each time I fall asleep I am trapped in my own darkest fears, unable to awake. And when I do I am weak, the stress of them taking their toll. I don't know what to do and I am afraid. My only hope is that these will pass, and I can return home to Remnant soon. By Arceus I hope so.
Kai read on slightly concerned. 'This better not end the way I think it's gonna end, or I'm gonna be stuck here. Wait that can't be how it ends, the book made it here, I just need to keep reading and soon I'll figure out-'
"Whatcha doing?"
Kai's thoughts were interrupted by Yang's voice, he looked away to respond when he saw that she was talking to Blake.
"Nothing." Blake responded closing her book. "Just going over notes from last semester."
Yang faced straight ahead to catch a pea in her mouth before looking back at her teammate.
"Lame!" She responded.
Team WBY and Kai looked in front of them at Team JNPR, Nora in particular holding a spoon with a pile of peas in front of her. She flicked another one at Yang which she caught again giving Nora a thumbs up, as Ruby slammed a large binder on the table with a piece of paper taped on with red marker writing saying:
(Vytal Festival Activities Property of Weiss Schnee)
BEST DAY EVER ACTIVITIES!
"Should I ask or-?" Kai started to say.
Ruby cleared her throat and dramatically raised her arms. "Sisters! Friends! Weiss…"
"Hey!" Weiss interrupted.
"Four score and seven minutes ago, I had a dream."
"This ought to be good." Yang remarked before eating a red berry.
"Knowing Ruby, I give it a fifty-fifty chance. Give or take." Kai argued.
"A dream that one day, the four of us would come together, as a team and have the most fun anyone has ever had, ever!" Ruby continued.
"Did you steal my binder?" Weiss accused.
"I am not a crook." Ruby argued with peace signs.
"What are you talking about?" Blake asked.
"I'm talking about kicking off this semester with a bang!"
"I always kick my semesters off with a Yang!" Yang punned killing the moment. "Ehh!? Guys? Am I right?"
Nora bounced a tomato off Yang's face. "Boooooooo!"
"That might have been the worst pun ever… Of all time." Kai groaned.
Yang looked at Nora and Kai annoyed. "Everyone's a critic."
"Look guys, it's been a good two weeks, and between more exchange students arriving and the tournament at the end of the year. Our second semester is gonna be great! But classes start back up tomorrow. Which is why I've taken the time to schedule a series of wonderful events for us today." Ruby concluded.
"I don't know whether to be proud or scared of what you have in store." Weiss stated.
"Probably both." Kai answered.
Yang got up throwing an apple at Nora's direction only for some guy in the background to yell 'Hey!'
"I don't know. I think I might sit this one out." Blake said.
"Sit out or not, I think however we spend this last day. We should do it as a team." Weiss suggested.
"I got it!" Nora yelled, Yang in the background trying to get her to stop.
"I for one think that-" Weiss got up, only to be interrupted by a pie to the face. Taking everyone by surprise and making Kai cautiously put his book away. Team JNPR looked disappointed or surprised aside from Nora who tried to pass the blame onto Ren.
'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.' Kai thought panicked. 'Or in simpler terms; oh shi-'
Meanwhile outside, a returned Sun walked along the outside of the hall with a new boy. He had tan skin, and messy blue hair in an undercut. He wore a white dress shirt and a black tie underneath a red jacket with a black collar. He also wore grey jeans with black padding and had two notable accessories: fingerless gloves and a pair of yellow tinted goggles on his forehead.
"Man, that's harsh." The boy said to Sun.
"So, then we were fighting side by side and she was super fast and I threw a banana at a guy! Which sounds gross, but it was awesome!" Sun recalled.
"Nice!"
"And not only was she cool, but there was this dude who had control of these two weird animal things! But not weird weird! Cool weird! Talking, funny, really freaky powers, cool weird!"
"Cool!"
"And the best part is she's a Faunus! And the dude's an alien!" Sun clasped his mouth. "But they're secrets okay!"
"Got it."
"And not a I'm gonna go tell Scarlet the second Sun turns his back secrets! I'm talking secret secret!"
"Woah chill out man okay I got it. I got it."
"You better."
"Pfft."
"I just don't wanna screw this up, ya know? The people here are the coolest no offense to you guys." Sun explained to the boy, unaware to the sound of splatting and people screaming in the building next to them.
"None taken." The boy responded as Jaune faceplanted the window.
"Okay they're just in here. I'm really excited for you to meet them, so be cool okay? You're gonna be cool right?"
"Dude." The boy smiled confidently showing his teeth which sparkled with a ding.
Sun nodded his head. "Good point."
The two boys walked through the doors with gaping mouths to be met with two words.
"Food Fight!"
In an instant almost the entire hall was evacuated, standing at the end of the room on a mountain of tables was Nora, guarded by the rest of Team JNPR.
"I'm queen of the castle! I'm queen of the castle!" Nora declared.
On the other side, Ruby and her team were preparing to attack. Ruby stamped the table making unfinished food and cutlery move, as she held a carton of milk in her hand.
"Justice will be swift! Justice will be painful!" Ruby squeezed the carton making the drink shoot out. "It will be delicious!" Team RWBY raised their arms into the air cheering.
Meanwhile hidden behind a table-like bunker, Kai crouched witnessing hell around him.
"War… I had hoped this day would never come." Kai said dramatically. He went for his Poké ball belt and brought out: Greninja, Slurpuff and Lucario.
"Friends, I ain't gonna lie. There's a good chance none of us are gonna make it out of here alive." Kai began to dramatically speak.
"Are we really doing this?" Lucario asked before immediately getting shushed by his two teammates.
"My comrades I am not making you fight, but rather asking you. Some of us may not see the light of dawn ever again, or the sweet taste of peace on our lips. But our actions now will be remembered now 'til the end of time! Will we stand idly by while our sacred meal time is desecrated! Or will we stand and fight! For they may take our lunch! But they shall never take our free-!" The table fell forward revealing Kai and his team to the other armies, marking them as targets. Kai blinked twice. "Of course..."
"Protect the president!" Greninja cried diving at Kai, dragging him across the room.
"For the parfume!" Slurpuff cried out.
Lucario sighed, before smiling. "Our sandwiches… They will be avenged!"
"See, now you're getting it." Greninja complemented.
"Off with their heads!" Nora ordered, jumping off the tables behind a line of water melons. In their own ways Team JNPR launched an airstrike of melons at Team RWBY.
"Yang! Turkey!" Ruby declared. Yang leaped forward rolling her hands into two turkeys, wearing them like boxing gloves. She punched the birds together before delivering smashing punches obliterating any fruit (well technically vegetable) she made contact with into a fine red mist. Yang backflipped before charging forward making a path by destroying the round food. Blake flipped over her rolling forward picking up two baguettes to use as swords. The two partners eviscerated and smashed the fruit when a series of brown blurs rushed past them. The blurs swiftly assaulted Jaune, snapping as they did knocking him to the ground. Pyrrha looked ahead of her to see Greninja jump down on a table. In his webbed front feet were an arsenal of only the deadliest ninja weapons… Gingerbread men.
"Let's dance amigo." Greninja challenged. He ran forward throwing his gingerbread like shuriken, Pyrrha quickly picked up a baguette and started charging forward using it to smash the incoming projectiles. Greninja threw three in a spread only for Pyrrha to roll underneath, he went to throw another round when he noticed he had ran out of ammo. "… Would you care to surrender?" Pyrrha declined (non-verbally) charging at him with a baguette raised.
"Greninja!" Kai called out from behind him holding his own baguette in his hand. "Catch!" Kai threw the breadstick and Greninja backflipped catching it in mid-air. He held it in between his front feet and unsheathed it as he fell, clashing blades with Pyrrha.
"You know as someone from Kalos, the fact I'm using a baguette seems stereotypical and culturally innapropri-" Greninja was cut off when Pyrrha spun in place swatting Greninja away to the side. As he did Blake fell behind Pyrrha going in for a spinning right slash which Pyrrha stepped back to avoid. Pyrrha swung horizontally over a backwards rolling Blake before repositioning and striking again. Her bread phased through a shadow clone, and Blake made her way into the air spinning and throwing one of her baguettes at Pyrrha. It snapped as it hit the ground as Pyrrha zoomed forward stabbing Blake right before she hit the ground, sending her flying back. She broke her baguette but caught Blake's before throwing it like a javelin. Yang blocked it with a punch, followed by an upward kick to stop another as a third made its mark, knocking her back. Ruby soared above Yang riding a tray, surfing across the tables. Ruby jumped into the air using her tray to reflect a baguette spear back at Pyrrha. Pyrrha rolled to dodge but she was left open as Ruby surfed back on the tables, she jumped at Pyrrha tray first when a geyser of water sent her flying. Pyrrha looked to her right seeing Greninja holding a nozzled bottle of carbonated water.
"Wipeout!" Greninja cheered before shaking the bottle and spraying Pyrrha. She raised her arms to block but was still shoved back rolling. Ren and Nora ran forward at Greninja and he jumped into the air leaving Slurpuff in the open.
"Fairy Parfume!" Slurpuff raised her arms and stomped a tray in front of her sending a barrage of glitter covered fairy cakes at the duo. Ren got a full-frontal assault, tripping him up and knocking him into a row of tables knocking them into the air. Nora jumped onto a table falling in mid-air, then jumped off that to snap off a metal pole. She spun it and stabbed it into a watermelon as she fell landing on her feet and raising the makeshift-hammer into the air. Slurpuff and Greninja braced themselves as the hammer was brought down, only to be blocked between two pieces of meat. "Lucario parfume!"
Lucario stood in front of his teammates holding two hams, holding them by the bone. "You need to get to Master! He's all alone out there!"
"Only if you promise to see us again." Greninja dramatically bargained.
Lucario quickly pushed the hammer upwards leaving Nora open, as her delivered a series of quick hits, by swinging the hams like two mini Bone Rush's. Nora spun in place hitting Lucario in the chest driving him back to his team.
"You drive a hard bargain Greninja. But I accept, get going!"
"I'm gonna hold you to this later!" Greninja responded as he and Slurpuff ran off leaving him and Nora alone.
Nora jumped into the air bringing her hammer down. Lucario jumped back to dodge, but Nora spun in place knocking Lucario in his hip. Nora went to finish him when Weiss charged forward holding a swordfish. She stabbed Nora sending her flying back when she landed on her two feet, Nora jumped back into the air dodging a right slash when she landed. She twirled the hammer above her head making Weiss defensively parry when the melon hit her in the gut, creating a pink shockwave signifying a powerful blow that blew apart the tables in her path and knocking Weiss out against a column, breaking it in the process. Ruby hurried over and held Weiss in her arms.
"Weiss. Weiss! Don't leave me! No!" She cried out as the column launched the food and plates into the air.
Lucario managed to gain some distance and sighed shaking his head. "This is ridiculous…" Lucario looked at Weiss, then at Nora remembering that the only reason he was still here was because she intervened. "But I will make sure your sacrifice wasn't in vain!"
Yang ran forward Turkey boxing gloves in tow, as Ren rolled across a table from the other side of the room grabbing two leaks (Farfetch'd would be jealous). He ran at Yang and the two gave a battle cry as Yang spun, thrust kicking Ren who blocked the foot with his leaks. The two eyed each other in a stalemate before Yang kicked above Ren, making him duck and knee Yang's arm. Yang managed to punch Ren's left arm, then elbowed him in the face pressuring him back before giving him a right hook. Ren spun round only for his leak to get blocked by Yang raising her Turkey's in a defensive stance, he swung over her head as she ducked, then upwards in front of him for Yang to lean back and strike him with a swinging left fist. She followed up with a left hammer fist on his back, making him lean down before finishing with an uppercut sending him airborne. Ren recovered and threw his leaks at her making Yang jump in the air to avoid them and she punched him down to the ground making the tables in the area explode outwards. Ren struggled to push himself up as Nora came in swinging forcing Yang back. Nora and Yang both charged at each other crying out planting their feet ready to deliver a powerful blow. Time seemed to slow, as Nora quickly struck first smashing her melon in the process. Yang was sent into the air smashing through the ceiling into the sky.
"This is my chance." Lucario murmured from the distance. He grabbed a handful of marshmallows in his paws and generated a blue aura. The marshmallows were lit and began to melt and become sticky as Lucario put his paws together shaping the gooey, burning marshmallow into a ball. "This is for my Master! For Miss Schnee! And for my Lunch!" Lucario grunted throwing the blue flambeeing ball at Nora, giving her no time to react as it collided exploding into mini marshmallows and taking Nora out.
Meanwhile under the ceiling Blake backflipped to avoid the debris and picked up a string of sausages. She spun them around her, whipping Lucario into the vending machines at the back of the room, knocking fizzy drinks out. Pyrrha brought her palms down magnetising the cans, lifting them into the air before gesturing them to fly forward. Blake rolled backwards but was caught in the ensuing explosions trapping her as Pyrrha manoeuvred the cans to hit her head on with blunt force hitting her with point blank explosions and knocking her out against the back of the wall. Kai watched on and awed.
"Holy Milktank." He murmured. Pyrrha narrowed her eyes and sent a wave of cans at Kai. Kai panicked and braced himself as Slurpuff jumped in front of him holding a stick of pink cotton candy.
"Cotton Parfume!" She shouted as she wrapped herself in the cotton candy as a makeshift Cotton Guard. She began blocking the soda grenades as they exploded in contact, at first she was as sturdy as a rock but soon she began to falter. Before she gave in Greninja jumped in and grabbed Kai getting him out of there as the damage was too much and Slurpuff was sent flying into the wall, covered in a sticky mess… That she licked happily while unconscious.
"Slurpuff!" Kai cried out.
"She's gone man!" Greninja reinforced.
"Why did she sacrifice herself? It should have been me! It should have been-!"
Greninja slapped Kai across the face. "Pull yourself together! Slurpuff did not go through all that just to let you die! Now man up and get over it!"
"… You're right. I knew that not all of us were gonna get out of this."
"Then let's go down fighting!"
Kai and Greninja clasped hand and front foot tightly as behind them Ruby stared at her defeated teammate. Ruby got a determined expression and got into a starting position before running forward at Mach speed sending forward a powerful wind. Kai stepped forward only taking a less powerful starting gust with Greninja holding onto him for support. The wind pulled in cans, scraps, plates, tables, anything not nailed down and it followed her. Team JNPR got up and stared at the approaching storm as Ruby burst into petals charging through them. The team was caught up and dragged forward through the air as Ruby came to an immediate halt making the wall crack from the pressure, pinning Team JNPR against it. Ruby jumped away as the food storm bombarded the wall making it look like a splattered painting. Team JNPR slid off the wall as Ruby stood in front of them looking down.
"Tomato, I choose you!" Kai declared.
Ruby looked up just when the tomato hit her and exploded covering her face in red paste. She remained motionless before falling backwards defeated.
"Hmm?" Greninja hummed putting his front foot to his chin looking at the splattered wall. "Not bad. Makes more sense than most modern art."
"That's all you've got to say." Kai responded disappointed before looking behind him to see Sun.
"I love these guys." Sun said bluntly.
His friend on the other hand looked upset… And covered in purple.
"Hey Sun! It's been a while!" Kai greeted. "And you! … Sorry about the mess."
"I don't know, he looks good in purple." Greninja remarked.
"Not. Funny." The boy said annoyed.
Greninja shrugged. "I beg to differ."
Suddenly Miss Goodwitch stormed through the doors with an annoyed expression growling.
"Hey Miss Goodwitch…" Kai murmured nervously. "It's not as bad as it looks."
"It's worse." Greninja added.
Kai gave Greninja a disapproving look as Goodwitch walked in front of the two of them and pushed her palm out, stopping plates of food in front of her with telepathic waves before thrusting it back. Then in less than a minute (specifically twelve seconds) the tables, food, and cutlery began floating in the air and re-arranging itself neatly, as if it had only just been prepared for lunch to start.
Greninja whistled and clapped his front feet together, Kai gave him an upset look… Then immediately joined in with the applause. Goodwitch looked at them and the two immediately stopped what they were doing.
"Children, please do not play with your food." Goodwitch said disapprovingly, adjusting her glasses.
Team JNPR and Team RWB stood opposite each other covered in food paste, Nora burped as the sound of cracking signalled the arrival of Yang falling through the ceiling, followed by laughter.
Goodwitch growled when Ozpin appeared behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. "Let it go." He said calmly.
Goodwitch sighed. "They're supposed to be the defenders of the world."
"And they will be. But right now they're still children. So why not let them play the part." Ozpin started walking away and Goodwitch looked behind her at him. "After all- it isn't a role they can play forever." Before Ozpin had fully left he turned around and looked at Kai. "Oh and Kai. Can you come up to my office at the end of the day, just clean yourself up first."
"Yeah sure. What do you mean by-?" Kai looked at himself and realised he was covered in food stains. His eyes became white circles and he stood completely stiff, his mouth gaped and a quiet squeal was all that could be heard.
"So close. So close." Greninja muttered grabbing a hold of Kai and slowly helping him walk away. "There, there. We're gonna get to our room, put on a nice clean set of clothes and make it back down before next lesson okay?"
Kai didn't say much and just continued to quietly squeal, as Greninja sighed.
'Typical, the fact he has perception and didn't notice this earlier is pretty ironic. Or coincidental? Or… Something? Why do I get the feeling I'm forgetting something?' Greninja thought as he walked Kai out. As he left Slurpuff fell off the wall lying face flat on the floor covered in cotton candy and soda, at the other end of the room was Lucario covered in food paste trying to get to his feet.
"War… Is the H-Word." Lucario weakly said to himself.
Several hours later…
Ozpin was staring from his office window with Goodwitch through the clouds at the new students arriving. Several airships and Atlas military ships were flying by and the Main Avenue had a small army of students walking on it.
"Ironwood certainly loves bringing his work wherever he travels." Goodwitch remarked.
"Well… Running an academy and a military makes him a busy man." Ozpin defended. "But yes, those are a bit of an eyesore."
A beeping came from his desk and Ozpin turned around to see a blue holographic screen with the message 'ACCESS REQUIRED'.
"Come in." Ozpin stated and the elevator doors opened revealing Ironwood.
He wore a white overcoat, with a grey undercoat, a black sweater, a red necktie, and a white glove on his right hand. His suit pants share the same colour as his overcoat and are tucked into silver boots accented in grey.
"Ozpin." Ironwood said as he came in.
"Hello general."
"Please drop the formalities." The man encouraged as he and Ozpin shook hands. "It's been too long! And Glynda! It has certainly been too long since we last met."
"Oh James…" Goodwitch began to say. "I'll be outside." Goodwitch ignored Ironwood and began walking out of the room.
"Well she hasn't changed a bit."
"So…" Ozpin walked to his desk towards his teapot. "What in the world has brought you all the way down from Atlas? Headmasters don't typically travel with their students for the Vytal festival." Ozpin poured Ironwood a mug of coffee which he accepted.
"Well you know how much I love Vale this time of year." Ironwood replied while pouring the contents of a flask into his coffee. "Besides, with you hosting… I thought this might be a good opportunity for us to catch up."
Ozpin went to sit in his chair while Ironwood stood in front of his desk.
"I can certainly appreciate quality time between friends… However… The small fleet outside my window has me somewhat concerned." Ozpin said while pouring himself a drink.
"Well… Concern is what brought them here." Ironwood explained.
"I understand travel between kingdoms has become increasingly difficult-"
"Oz… You and I both know why I brought those men."
Ozpin took a drink of his coffee and sighed. "We are in a time of peace. Shows of power like this- are just going to give off the wrong impression."
"But if what Qrow said is true then-"
"If what Qrow said is true, then we will handle it tactfully. It's the Vytal festival; a time to celebrate unity and peace. So, I suggest you not scare people by transporting hundreds of soldiers halfway across the continent."
"I'm just being cautious."
"As am I… Which is why we will continue to train the best Huntsmen and Huntresses we can."
"Believe, me I am." Ironwood turned away and walked to the middle of the room. "But ask yourself this… Do you honestly believe your children can win a war?"
"I hope they never have to." Ozpin answered seriously.
Ironwood went to leave when Ozpin's desk started beeping again, showing the same blue screen with the same message.
"Expecting someone?" Ironwood asked.
"Yes actually. Someone that I want you to meet." Ironwood turned to Ozpin raising a brow. "Come in."
The elevator doors opened and Kai in his trainer attire stepped out.
"Hey Ozpin what's up? Is this about finding a way home because no offence; me and my family are starting to get very impa-" Kai stopped himself when he saw Ironwood. "Am I interrupting?"
"No."
"Yes."
Ironwood looked at Ozpin who sighed. "James this is Kai Emblem, a particular student of interest. Kai… This is General Ironwood. The headmaster of Atlas academy and the commander of their army."
Once Kai heard Ironwood's title he shot awake and straightened his posture giving a salute.
"It's an honour to meet you sir. Sorry for not addressing you earlier sir… Okay now that I think about it, this might be very insulting sorry."
Ironwood chuckled. "At ease son. I'm sure you must be quite the resourceful young man for Ozpin to introduce you to me like this."
Kai relaxed and gave a sigh of relief as he walked closer to the two headmasters. "Sooo… What's this all about?"
"Kai, I can understand how frustrating it must be for you to have gotten nowhere in finding a way home. I must apologise for that; my reach is only so far. However, Ironwood is a close friend of mine, I'm sure that once he understands your situation, he'll be happy to use his resources to search all of Mantle if need be." Ozpin explained.
"Oz, what are you going on about?" Ironwood asked.
Ozpin took a sip of coffee and gestured to Kai. "Mr Emblem, I made a promise to you. If you want Ironwood's help, only you can decide if he gets to know."
"Know what?" Ironwood said seriously.
Kai stood there awkwardly thinking before sighing. "You really think he can help?"
"Yes."
"And you trust him?"
"He is one of my closest friends, and one of my most trusted allies."
Kai nodded smiling before hovering his hand over his Poké balls before deciding on one.
"General Ironwood, may I present to you my family… Meet Slurpuff."
Kai enlarged the Poké ball and sent Slurpuff out.
"Parfume!" She declared happily.
Ironwood jerked back suddenly in shock and put his hand in his white overcoat.
"James!" Ozpin shouted making him freeze. Kai looked on concerned and Slurpuff just tilted her head. "She won't harm you. She's a friend."
Ironwood remained in shock for a second but quickly composed himself and placed his hands on top of each other in front of him. "… I can see why Ozpin has taken an interest in you."
"That would be an understatement." Kai admitted.
Slurpuff waddled to the end of the table and began sniffing Ironwood. "Mmm, Metal parfume."
"What did that thing just call me?" Ironwood said insulted.
Kai sighed disappointed. "Firstly; that 'thing' is a member of my family, please treat her as such. Secondly; she gives people nicknames based on their smell or parfume. You must smell of metal, which is odd, I don't see any metal on you. Are you wearing armour underneath your shirt of something?"
"Something like that." Ironwood answered awkwardly. "Ozpin, how? What-?"
"I think it would be better if Kai explained his scenario to you." Ozpin nodded at Kai and Kai nodded back before looking at Ironwood.
"It all started close to three months ago now." Kai began to say.
Kai explained to Ironwood everything that happened. From arriving in Remnant to Ozpin giving him a place at his Academy. Ironwood remained composed for the most part but asked plenty of questions, and when Kai was done Ironwood paced around the room.
"So let me get this straight." Ironwood started to say. "You come from another world called Earth filled with these creatures called Pokémon which you capture and train. After putting your life on the line to save another trainer you just happened to enter our world through a portal of unknown origin, and now you're training to become a Huntsman."
"That about sums it up yes." Kai deadpanned.
"Are there any more trainers that I should know about?"
"Like me no. Buuut…"
"But?" Ironwood repeated annoyed.
"There is a criminal organisation in my world known as Team Flare who arrived here, and they're currently working with the White Fang. And they have Pokémon of their own."
Ironwood groaned before looking at Ozpin. "Why haven't you told me this sooner?"
"At the moment, it didn't seem important. I thought that Mr Emblem was a special case, but it appears that the situation is much more complicated than I first thought."
"A special case?!"
Ozpin abruptly got up. "Kai, I think it's time you leave. Thank you for your co-operation."
"Oh?" Kai said surprised. "Okay then." Kai returned Slurpuff then awkwardly headed to the elevator and opened the door. "By the way thanks for recommending me that-" Kai froze in thought as the door opened. "I just remembered there's something I've gotta do!" Kai ran into the elevator and quickly closed it.
Ironwood looked at Ozpin disapprovingly. "He may not have caught on. But I know you…" Ironwood placed his palms on Ozpins desk and looked Ozpin in the eye. "How long have you known about these Pokémon in our world?"
Ozpin took a sip of his coffee and placed the mug down away from him. "Roughly… Just less than two years."
Elsewhere Team RWBY were sitting together on a table in the library, a board game was laid out in front of them and they were all strategically looking at the cards in their hands.
"Hmmmm…" Ruby hummed deep in thought. "All right! Hmmmm… Alright…" Ruby pointed directly in front of her energetically. "Yang Xiao Long, prepare your kingdom for battle!"
"Bring it on!" Yang declared.
"I deploy, the Atlesian Air Fleet!" Yang gasped overdramatically. "Looks like I get to fly right over your Ursai and attack your walls directly."
Ruby made a series of plane noises as Yang gasped again before pointing at her sister dramatically.
"You fiend!"
"And since Atlas is part of Mantle, my repair time only lasts one turn."
Yang laughed making Ruby gasp.
"Pretty sneaky sis, but you just activated my trap card!" Yang revealed making Ruby squeal. "Giant Nevermore!" Yang raised her fist and slammed it on the table making the pieces' shake. "If I roll a seven or higher Fatal Feathers will slice your fleet in two."
"But, if you roll a six or lower, the Nevermore will turn on your own forces."
"That's just a chance I'm willing to take."
Meanwhile Team JNPR were reading in the library: Ren had a large text book in front of him, Nora was sleeping on said book and Jaune was reading an 'X-Ray and Vav' comic which was taken away by Pyrrha and replaced with a text book.
"HAH!" Yang shouted in the distance.
"NOOOOOOOOO, MY FEARLESS SOLDIERS!" Ruby moaned in the distance.
"Eh, most of them were probably androids."
"Goodbye my friends. You will be avenged."
"Not until I draw my rewards, which are doubled this round, thanks to the Mistral trade route!"
"Bah!"
"Oh! And what's this? The smugglers of Wind Path!?"
"BAH! BAH, I SAY!"
"Looks like I'm taking two cards from your hand!"
"HAVE YOU NO HEART!?" Ruby placed her head on the table sulking. "Noooo…"
"Well Weiss, it's your turn!"
"I have… Absolutely no idea what's going on." Weiss admitted as Yang leaned in awfully close.
"Look it's easy! You're playing as Vacuo which means all Vacuo based cards come with a bonus!"
"That sounds dumb." Weiss complained as Yang shuffled the cards in her hand.
"See… You've got Sandstorm, Dessert Scavenge- Oh! Oh! Resourceful Raider! See now you can take Ruby's discarded air fleet-"
"Nooooo…" Ruby cried comedic streams from her eyes over the table.
"- and put it in your hand!"
"Okay?" Weiss said.
"And since Vacuo warriors have an endurance boost against natural hazards, you could use Sandstorm to disable my ground forces and simultaneously infiltrate my kingdom! Just know that I will not forget this declaration of war."
"And that means?"
"You're just three moves away from conquering Remnant!" Ruby sobbed.
Weiss had a sudden realisation and stood up laughing maniacally. "YES! FEAR THE ALMIGHTY POWER OF MY FORCES! COWER AS THEY PILLAGE YOUR HOMES AND WEEP AS THEY TAKE YOUR CHILDREN FROM YOUR VERY ARMS-!"
"Trap card."
"Huh?"
Yang rearranged the game in a pile of duct removing a large number of pieces.
"Your armies have been destroyed."
Weiss sat back down defeated and upset with comedic tears running down her face. "I hate this game of emotions we play!"
Ruby immediately leaped into her arms. "Stay strong, Weiss. We'll make it through this together."
"Shut up! Don't touch me!" Weiss stated while only bringing Ruby in closer.
Yang placed her arms behind her head. "All right Blake, you're up."
"Huh?" Blake reacted uninterested. "Oh! Umm… Sorry, what am I doing?"
"You're playing as Vale trying to conquer the kingdoms of Remnant."
"Right…"
"Hey can I play?" Jaune asked as he walked up to the table.
"Sorry Jaune we already have four people." Ruby apologised.
"Besides, this game requires a certain level of tactical cunning that I seriously doubt you possess." Weiss bragged.
"Uhh… You attacked your own naval fleet two turns ago." Yang reminded.
"Hmph!"
"Bring it on, ice queen!" Jaune challenged. "I'll have you know that I've been told I'm a natural, born leader!"
"By who? Your mother?"
"And Pyrrha!"
"Hello again!" Pyrrha greeted from across the room.
"Come on, let me play your hand for a turn."
"I'm not trusting you with the good citizens of Vacuo!" Weiss denied.
"Why not?! You've trusted me with way more important stuff before!" I mean you told us all that Blake is secretly a Fau-"
Pyrrha rushed out of her seat and placed her hand on Jaune's mouth. "Fun-loving person whom we all admire and respect."
Blake gave Jaune a highly disapproving look and he nervously laughed.
"Right… That. But!" Jaune began to say. "I also kept the secret about Kai and his Pokémon actually being ali- WAA!"
Before he could finish Jaune was taken down by a swift blue blur pinning him to the ground, and making Pyrrha gasp.
"Watch your tongue Mr Arc. Master has trusted you a great deal in telling you our secret, do not make him or us regret it." Lucario threatened.
"Got it! I'll just keep my mouth shut from how on." Jaune groaned.
Lucario got off him. "See that you do." Lucario looked around to see that all eyes were on him. "Good afternoon ladies. Gentlemen. Master will shortly be here in a moment, I just had to make sure that some things were left unsaid."
Just as Lucario said that Kai ran up to the table panting. "Lucario… You just can't do that…" Kai raised an open palm in the air. "Hey guys, Blake are you busy I just remembered something I need to tell you."
"Uhh we're currently in the middle of a game." Yang stated.
"Why do you want her anyway, it's the last day of break and we planned to spend it together as a team." Weiss stated.
"Look I didn't mean to interrupt it's just…" Kai took a breath. "When I got my book that I'm always reading I got five Lien off by telling the man in charge that I'd recommend the place to Blake, but given everything that happened that night it slipped my mind, and today's the last day of break and if we don't go now I might forget again." Kai said quickly before catching his breath.
"… We can wait for you to finish your game if necessary." Lucario added.
"Actually-" Blake began to say.
"'Sup losers?" Sun greeted from behind Blake as he held up a peace sign.
"Hey Sun!" Ruby greeted.
"Ruby, Yang, Blake, Kai, Ice Queen…"
"Why does everyone keep calling me that!?" Weiss shouted.
"Firstly it's a nickname, a title given to someone normally by friends as a common sign of friendship, convenience or malice." Lucario started to say. "Though if you want specifics… I would say the 'ice' part comes from your cold demeanour and common use of ice dust in battle. The 'queen' part on the other hand may come from your heritage as an heiress, giving you a so called 'kingdom' to rule over as well as your high standards commonly seen in queens in old fairy tales. Does that answer your question?"
Everyone went silent and Weiss started to blush as Kai nudged Lucario. "I think she was being rhetorical."
It took a moment for Lucario to realise what that meant. "I see… My apologies Sun. I have interrupted you by answering a pointless question."
"It's no problem." Sun responded. "Anyway, I never got a chance to formally introduce you to my old friend."
"Uh… Aren't libraries meant for reading?" The boy from earlier asked.
"Thank you!" Ren shouted from a distance.
Nora snorted and woke up. "Pancakes!"
"Shut up don't be a nerd." Sun berated.
"Geh- geh- geh- geh. Intellectual. Okay. Thank you." The boy corrected. "I'm Neptune."
"So, Neptune where are you from?" Weiss asked.
"Haven…" He answered as he walked closer to Weiss' chair. "… And I don't believe I've caught your name, snow angel."
"Um… I'm Weiss."
"Are you kidding me!?" Jaune whispered annoyed from the background.
"Pleasure to meet you." Neptune continued.
"I never took you as the board-game-playing type!" Sun said to Blake.
"Right… Well I think I'm done playing, actually." Blake said as she got up. "Kai you mentioned something about a book shop."
"Yeah, it's just in town but-"
"Great, then let's go." Blake turned to her friends. "I'll see you guys later."
Blake started walking away and Kai just shrugged his shoulders awkwardly getting ahead of her. Lucario didn't pay much attention to the whole situation and just followed behind Kai leaving the large group alone.
"Women." Nora deadpanned.
-Evening, City of Vale-
"So what was the name of this place again?" Blake asked.
"Tukson's!" Kai answered. "Tukson's book trade. Ozpin recommended me the place."
"Right…" Blake murmured.
Kai looked at her concerned. "Are you feeling okay? For the past few days you went from, I'm finally starting to open up and share to, I wanna ditch my friends as soon as possible."
"I didn't want to ditch them I just-" Blake sighed. "I just need to think."
"Okay, I won't bring it up again."
Blake smirked. "I can see where Aegislash gets it from."
"Look coming from a guy who is constantly keeping secrets and thinking of solutions to scenarios ever since he got here, I can understand needing some time to yourself. Just don't forget we've both got teams we can talk to."
"Thanks I- Kai!" Blake said alarmed.
"What?" Kai responded when he looked ahead of him. "… Oh no."
In front of him was Tukson's Book Trade… Surrounded by the police. Kai rushed forward towards a pair of policemen.
They both wore sunglasses, a white shirt with a black tie, black trousers and suspenders. One of them had black hair combed back as well as a beard, while the second had a clean shaven face and messy dark brown hair brushed forwards.
"What happened here?" Kai asked.
"Technically we're not meant to talk about the case details." One of the cops said as he was taking down notes. "But off the record, the guy was murdered."
"Murdered?!" Kai repeated shocked.
"That's terrible." Blake added.
"Hey you might want to take a look at this." An officer inside said. He came out holding a White Fang banner.
"That explains it." The cop said.
"Explains what?" Kai prodded.
"Two packed bags, a ticket to Vacuo, White Fang association. The guy was making a run for it. Tsk typical criminals, thinking all they need to escape the law is to leave the jurisdiction."
"That's not it!" Blake cried
"Excuse me?"
"Blake calm down." Kai encouraged.
"What if he was trying to leave the White Fang, to start a new life! You have no evidence to think they were just trying to escape justice!" Blake argued.
"Look kid. Even if what you're saying is true, starting a new life is evading justice. Do you really think that just because someone has a change of heart, they don't deserve penalties for their crimes? Why are you so heated up anyway, did you know the guy?"
Before Blake could say anything else, Kai grabbed her arm and started walking away. "No. No we don't. We're just curious. Sorry for wasting your time officer."
The policeman sighed. "I don't get paid enough for this."
When the two of them were further away Kai let go of Blake and looked her in the eye.
"Look Blake, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for-"
"It's fine." Blake said annoyed as she started walking off. "You didn't plan for this to happen. But that still doesn't make it right."
Kai held his arm out and went to say something but the words weren't coming to him. He just pulled his arm back and let Blake get a head start.
'Who would do this?' He thought.
Several hours later…
Two teenagers that were seen several weeks ago with Torchwick were walking into a warehouse.
One was the young woman with medium-brown skin and mint-green hair. Her attire consisted of an intricate white top and an olive-coloured shallow-cut crop top, on the back of which is her personal emblem shaped like a cut gem. This accompanied by white shorts, decorated with what appears to be a gold coin-plated belt, with four gold chains draping around her back from two of the coins and what seems to be a green loincloth. She also wore white pants and brown chaps that end at her calves and an overlong belt, twice-wrapped, where she keeps her weapons as well as a single pouch.
The second was the young man with slicked back silvery-grey hair and pale skin. He was a well-built young man with grey eyes and wore a slate grey and black two-tone partial-zip jacket, that covers his upper body. He also wears a single notched belt with what appears to be a sash or bandana draped over it. Protecting his arms are sets of rerebraces and vambraces. He also wore long pants and a pair of shoes.
As they walked in they saw White Fang members, Team Flare grunts and several different Pokémon moving supplies in crates off a bullhead. The two of them made it to Torchwick who was looking at a labelled map of Vale before he turned around.
"Oh look, she sent the kids again." Torchwick greeted before walking behind them and placing his arms over their faces. "This is turning out just like the divorce."
"Ugh." The girl shuddered. "Spare us the thought of you procreating."
Torchwick stepped away from them. "That was a joke. And this just might tell me where you two have been all day." Torchwick held out a paper note.
"What?" The girl looked into her back pocket.
"I'm a professional sweetheart. Pay attention, maybe you'll learn something." He bragged as he studied the note. "Why do you have this address?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Yeah, I would. Now where have you been all day?"
The boy stepped forward. "Cleaning up your problems. One of them at least." He said.
"I had that under control."
"Two packed bags and a ticket out of Vale said otherwise."
"Listen you little punk, if it were up to me I would take you and your little street-rat friend here, and I would-"
"Do what, Roman?"
Torchwick was cut off by a female voice. The same woman who met him that night with the other two.
She had ashen-black hair and bright amber eyes, while her fingernails are painted dark red. There is a baseball diamond-shaped keyhole on the dress' upper back at the same height as her chest. The sleeves end in a triangle shape, which are wrapped or tied around her middle finger, with the gold designs of the sleeve taking over at the wrists. She wore black shorts underneath her dress, as well as a black choker on her neck. She wore a gold loop earring with a black gem dangling from it on her right ear and she has dark, glass, high-heeled shoes and a jewelled anklet on her right leg.
She walked forwards and went down to Torchwick and the others on a lift.
Torchwick laughed nervously. "I'd uh… Not kill them?"
"Cinder!" The girl greeted cheerfully.
"I thought I made it clear that you were to eliminate the would-be runaway." Cinder critiqued.
"I was going to!" Torchwick defended.
"He was going to escape to Vacuo. Mercury and I decided to take it upon ourselves to kill the rat." The girl pointed out.
"I think he was some sort of cat actually." Mercury pointed out.
"What like a puma?"
"Yeah, there ya go."
"Quiet." Cinder interrupted. "Did I specifically not instruct you two to keep your hands clean while in Vale?"
"I just thought-" The girl started to say.
"Don't think. Obey." Cinder coldly stated as Torchwick did a hand across the throat motion behind her.
"Yes ma'am. It won't happen again."
"And you." Cinder turned to Torchwick and he nervously laughed. "Why wasn't this job done sooner?"
"Uh… Eh?" Torchwick gestured to the ship to his right. "Ehhh?" Torchwick gestured to the cardboard boxes on his left. "EHHHHHHHHHH!?" Torchwick gestured to the entire hanger. "Sorry if I've been a little busy stealing every speck of Dust in the kingdom!"
"You're an inspiration to every punk with a gun and ski-mask." Mercury sarcastically remarked making the girl laugh.
"Look around, kid. I've got this town running scared. Police camping out at every corner. Dust prices through the roof. And we're sitting pretty in an old warehouse with more Dust crystals, vials and rounds than we know what to do with. Speaking of which. If you guys wouldn't mind filling me in on your grand-master plan, it might actually make my next string of robberies go a little smoother."
"Oh Roman. Have a little faith." Cinder said walking forward. "You'll know what you need when you need to know it." Cinder caressed his face before turning away and walking. "Besides, we're done with Dust."
"Okay. Then what now?"
"We're moving. Have the White Fang and Team Flare clear out this building. I'll send you details and coordinates tonight."
"Coordinates?"
"We're proceeding to phase two."
Torchwick got a cigar and went to light it when he couldn't find his lighter. He heard a click ahead of him and saw the girl with the lighter in her hand sticking her tongue out and shutting it.
As Cinder was walking ahead with Mercury a couple of Team Flare grunts got in their way.
"What is the meaning of this?" Cinder asked as the girl caught up.
"Sorry ma'am but Xerosic wants to know what we are meant to be doing next ma'am." The grunt nervously asked.
"Tell him to do what he's told. We need as many wild Pokémon as possible, and that Team Flare needs to continue assisting the White Fang."
"W- We know that ma'am bu- but recently it's been getting more and more difficult. The gym leaders and champions from all the regions are working together to make Routes as secure as possible. It's becoming more difficult to g- get more Pokémon without revealing oursel-"
"I don't care what you need to do. These Pokémon will be our secret weapon, so tell Xerosic to find another way. Mercury. Emerald. We're leaving, hopefully without any more interruptions." Cinder walked off with her companions who gave the grunts smug looks as the grunts looked at themselves nervously.
And here is the beginning of the 'Investigation arc'. I included a lot more of the shows scenes then I would of liked but they were important and helped flush out the characters more so I think I could afford to get away with it. But I have to say, writing the food fight scene was definitely one of the things I looked forward to the most, and I hope I was creative enough with Kai's team.
Either way until next time this is Kallerston signing out!