Hi guys, unfortunately, you don't be getting chapters for the next three weeks, because I will be going into my country's compulsory national service, to protect my country for the betterment of all its people sniggers tomorrow. Well anyways there's no getting out of it. I'll be confined in camp for the first three weeks, and that sucks more for you guys than it does for me, since I won't be able to write chapters while I'm in there. SO don't worry, I'll be back, just have to take a hiatus.

Chapter 27


'That was a risky move.' The white-haired heiress declared, crossing her arms haughtily. Blake shook her head from her bed.

'No, I think you handled it well.' She interjected, watching the raven-haired girl silently. The five teammates were currently sitting in their dormitory room, having heard Ruby's recount of her meeting with the three adults after the CCT event.

'I hope so.' Ruby replied, gripping her hands nervously. Yang laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

'I'm sure everything will be alright Ruby.' She affirmed the girl. 'Oh, I know what will cheer you up!'

The blonde marched over to the desk, where a long cylindrical parcel stood. Ruby eyed it suspiciously.

"What's that?'

'I don't know yet. Dad sent it to us, I thought we could open it together.' Ruby bounced on the spot excitedly.

'Oooh, something from home!' She squealed, zipping over to her sister. She jumped onto the girl's back, struggling wildly for the parcel. Shaking it, a black cylindrical shaped bundle of fluff dropped out from it, and the five members observed it closely.

'What is that?' Jaye asked, and jumped as the object began to rustle. After bouncing a few times, it finally unfurled, exposing four legs and a white underbelly. It observed the five teammates for a moment, before barking excitedly upon catching sight of Ruby and Yang's faces.

'Zwei!' Ruby squealed, leaping with joy. The dog bounced around happily, running in circles. Jaye's eyes jumped between the parcel and the dog, utterly confused.

'He sent a dog?' Blake yelled incredulously.

'Apparently.' Jaye replied.

'In the mail?!' Weiss jumped back incredulously as the dog darted past her, and Jaye scratched his head.

'How'd he fit in that parcel though?' He wondered aloud, and Weiss whirled on him angrily.

'That's not the point Jaye!' She yelled, jabbing a finger into his face. Jaye raised his hands in surrender, returning his attention to the dog, who was now taking in his surroundings. Ruby picked him up, giggling in glee as the mutt slobbered all over her face.

'Oh he does stuff like this all the time.' Yang dismissed flippantly, while Ruby nuzzled the furry creature. Weiss raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

'Your father or your dog?' Blake asked, having retreated onto one of the top bunks. Weiss leaned over the panting animal, staring at it critically.

'Are you telling me, that this mangy, drooling mutt is going to wive with us forevah? Oh yes he is, yes he is!' The heiress degenerated into baby language as she tickled Zwei's head. Jaye watched her incredulously as she continued to coo at the creature. 'Nawww, Isn't he adowable?'

'Please keep it away from my belongings.' Blake requested, having scooted all the way to the extreme end of the bed to avoid the new addition. The five members looked up as Glynda's voice came over the speakers.

'Will all first-year students please report to the amphitheater.' Weiss looked down at the dog now running around her ankles.

'Well, we can't exactly leave him here while we're gone for a week.' She pointed out, and Yang reached back into the parcel.

'Look, there's a letter.' She said, pulling the sheaf of paper out of the cylinder. '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.'

Upturning the cylinder, a plethora of tin cans poured out of the parcel, which was clearly far too small to contain those, burying the dog within them. Jaye stared at the pile confusedly as Zwei popped out from it, panting happily. Weiss gestured towards the happy creature.

'And what is he supposed to do with that?' She asked. Yang shook the parcel again, and a can opener dropped out, bouncing off the dog's head. Unfazed by the item, Zwei continued to pant happily, staring at Jaye, who was still trying to wrap his head around the parcel's mysterious contents.

'Welp, that settles it. Come on girls, Zwei will be here when we get back.' Yang declared, tossing the parcel onto the floor behind her. The three girls made their way out of the door, and Jaye quietly picked the carboard parcel off the ground. He stared into it quizzically, and even slotted a few cans of dog food back into the thing. Only able to fit four cans in there, he realized that it was a completely ordinary carboard cylinder, and he stared at it in confusion.

'Jaye! Come on!' Yang's voice rang out from the hallway, and he dropped the cardboard, stepping out of the door. Ruby remained standing in the room, watching the dog as he stared happily at her. Her face lit up as an idea came to her, and she began digging through her cupboard.


'Professor Ozpin would like to share a few words before we begin.' The five teens pulled into a line amongst the crowd of first years gathered in the amphitheater. Standing atop the stage, Professor Ozpin assessed the young faces gathered before him. He stared directly at Jaye, who glared back at the white-haired professor.

'Today we stand together, united. Mistrel, Atlas, Vacuo, Vale. The four kingdoms of Remnant. On this day nearly eighty years ago, the largest war in recorded history came to an end.' He announced, adjusting his circular spectacles. '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.'

Jaye glanced down at his shoes. He remembered the stories they were always told as children, stories about how the most important aspect of a person is individuality. Everyone was different from each other; some in small ways, others in much larger. Diversity was what made humans strong. As a child he'd never understood the meaning behind it. Only when he joined team RHKD did he truly understand the value of having different kinds of people working together. Professor Ozpin paused for dramatic effect, before continuing.

'We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self-expression. And 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 would they refuse to tolerate this oppression, but neither would the generations to come. And it is 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.' Jaye started slightly as a hand crept into his. He glanced sideways at the grinning blonde, and squeezed it gently. '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 may 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 path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training. And remember to do your very best.'

Professor Ozpin finished simply, stepping off the stage as a smattering of applause followed after. The speech over, the students began to disperse, searching for appropriate assignments and huntsmen to shadow. Ruby turned to her teammates, squealing in excitement.

'This is perfect. All we have to do is shadow a huntsman working in the Southeast!' She bounced happily, and Yang placed an arm on her shoulder.

'Yeah! We'll follow them around by day and give them the slip at night.' Yang declared, pumping a fist enthusiastically. Jaye rolled his eyes.

'Let's check search and destroy.' Weiss suggested, and the team nodded in agreement. Taking the lead, the white-clad girl marched them over to the holographic notice board.

'Here we go.' Ruby squeaked, running a finger down the list of available quests. 'Quadrant five needs grimm cleared out.'

'It's in the southeast.' Blake pointed out, and Jaye nodded. Poking the screen, a keyboard and a text box showed up. Ruby typed in their team name quickly, hitting the enter button. A set of large, ominous floating red text appeared.

"MISSION UNAVAILABLE TO FIRST YEAR STUDENTS"

'Wonderful' Weiss bemoaned, flipping her hair. Ruby flopped down dramatically in frustration.

'Any other ideas?' Blake asked, and Ruby lit up, turning to the four.

'We mail ourselves there!' She declared, and Jaye shrugged.

'Well if the dog could do it, so can we.' He reasoned, and Ruby nodded rapidly in excitement.

"Well, that's one option.' The five glanced over as the silver-haired headmaster approached them. 'Unfortunately, we determined that the concentration of grimm was too extreme for first year students.'

He glanced over the five young faces, stopping on Jaye's scowling face. 'It seems that particular region is rather popular. In fact, I have the sneaking suspicion that the four of you will make your way there no matter which job you choose.'

'Whatever makes you say that?' Ruby scratched her head, smiling nervously. Professor Ozpin rolled his eyes knowingly.

'I'm still curious as to how you all found yourselves at the docks last semester. I'm also interested to know how you really learned about a "hideout" in the Southeast. And I certainly wonder why witnesses reported seeing robots and rose petals in a dance club some time ago.' He said, settling his gaze on the scowling boy's face. Jaye glared back, unfazed, and Ozpin chuckled. Ruby laughed nervously, and Ozpin looked at her with a tender expression. '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?'

He raised a tablet, tapping on it, and all five members' scrolls beeped. Glancing at the screens, a notification of acceptance for the mission appeared. Ruby beamed at the headmaster.

'We won't let you down. Thank you, professor!' She piped, and Ozpin's expression turned serious.

'Do not thank me for this.' He shook his head. Ruby looked at him quizzically, and he smiled at her. '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.'

He took a customary glance about the four eager, and one annoyed, faces. He stopped, looking knowingly at Jaye. 'Though, I doubt that will be an issue. Good luck.'


'That wasn't exactly uplifting.' Yang groaned. The five made their way out of the hall, walking in silence towards the helipads.

'But it's the truth.' Blake admitted, consoling the dejected blonde.

'It's gonna be tough, but I know we can do it.' Ruby encouraged, looking eagerly towards the helipads. Jaye flipped open his scroll, poking through his more recent messages, shielding the screen from the girls. He jumped as Ruby peered over his shoulder.

'Whatcha doing?' She asked, and Jaye slipped the device back into his pocket.

'Nothing.' He dismissed, waving the red-hooded girl away. She pouted, glaring comically at him, and he smirked at her. They looked up as a called out from beside them.

'Hey, team CFVY's back!' The boy ran over to greet them, and the girls instantly surged forward. Jaye, slow on the uptake, was left behind.

'Velvet! Are you okay?' Blake called out to the rabbit eared faunus walking near the back of the group. She turned, smiling, brown hair swaying, to greet the dark-haired girl.

'Hey Blake! I'm fine, I had Yatsuhashi to look out for me.' She said, gesturing at a tall, armored student with a large sword slung over his back. He nodded briefly at the group of girls, making his way after their leader; a white-skinned girl wrapped in expensive looking clothing and carrying a black leather handbag. Weiss observed the girl curiously.

'Your mission was supposed to end a week ago. What happened?' She asked, and Velvet raised her hands to pacify her.

'N-nothing happened!' She stammered nervously, letting her hands fall to her side. Her face turned downcast. 'It's just…there were just so many.

The rabbit girl glanced across the girls, before realizing the mood she'd just set. She waved her hands panickily, trying to distract the girls. 'Oh, but don't worry! You first years are just shadowing huntsmen, so you should be fine!'

'Riiiiight.' Yang raised an eyebrow, and Velvet laughed nervously. Her eyes settled on Jaye as he arrived. Her eyes widened in recognition.

'Oh hey! It's you!' She exclaimed, waving at him as he arrived. Jaye raised an eyebrow, assessing the girl quietly.

'Uh…do I know you?' He asked, and Velvet's face fell slightly. Weiss glared at the boy, and he raised his arms in a gesture of surrender.

'You don't remember me?' The faunus girl asked, and Jaye shrugged, confused.

'No? I mean…should I?' He cocked his head to the side, and Yang punched him. He rubbed his arm, glaring at the blonde. Velvet laughed.

'Well, I suppose that's only natural.' She said, smiling widely at the boy. 'Thank you for stepping in to help me with Cardin that time. You didn't have to, but it made me very happy that you did!'

The brown-haired faunus girl waved at the five as she left, chasing after her team. Jaye continued to stare after her, before a look of realization dawned on his face.

'Oh hey–wait! That was you?!' He yelled after her, but she had already vanished into the throng of students passing through the academy doors. Yang stared at him disbelievingly, punching him again, and Jaye rubbed his now even more bruised arm.

'We can do this.' Ruby declared, pointing a finger in the air. 'We've never backed down before and we're not going to start now.'

'Right!' Blake replied, determined, crossing her arms. Ruby beamed at the academy in front of her.

'Besides it won't only be us out there. We'll be fighting alongside a genuine huntsman!'


'Why hello girls! Who's ready to fight for their lives?' The girls stared, deadpan, as they were greeted by the green-haired sonic the hedgehog reincarnate. Decked out in travel gear and a fisherman's hat, Professor Oobleck pumped a fist in excitement. Jaye raised a skeptical eyebrow at the caffeine supercharged history professor.

'We're doomed.'


Chapter 27 done. Hope ya'll are having fun reading this, and do leave a review if you liked it.