(Volume 2) Chapter 2 - The Plan

Beacon Academy

It is a new day right now as a large and unnerving ship as it descends upon a landing pad on Beacon. Two Bullheads fly by, ant-like swarms of people are on the paths around Beacon.

Meanwhile to the top of a tower veiled behind clouds. Ozpin and Glynda can be seen through the window into Ozpin's office.

"Ironwood certainly loves bringing his work wherever he travels." Glynda says.

"Well, running an academy and a military makes him a busy man." Ozpin replies as he sees three more Bullheads fly in, "But yes, those are a bit of an eyesore." A chirping beep sounds repeatedly. Ozpin turns to see a hollow-message "Access Requested" on his desk.) "Come in."

The camera switches to a low perspective beyond Ozpin's desk and facing the doors as they slide open to reveal James Ironwood as Ozpin approaches to greet him.

"Ozpin!" Ironwood cordially greeted.

Ozpin stands at attention. "Hello, General."

"Please, drop the formalities." Ironwood speaks informal as both approach and shake hands as Glynda also approaches. "It's been too long. And Glynda! It has certainly been too long since we last met."

"Oh, James!" Glynda gives a personable wave and then drops all pleasantries. "I'll be outside." She walks away.

"Well, she hasn't changed a bit." Ironwood remarks as Glynda exits the room.

Ozpin turns to his desk, "So, what in the world has brought you all the way down from Atlas?" He picks up a mug and a kettle, pouring as he speaks, "Headmasters don't typically travel with their students, for the Vytal Festival." He replies as he turns and offers the cup to Ironwood.

Ironwood accepts the cup, "Well, you know how much I love Vale this time of year." He responds as he produces a canteen from his inside coat pocket and pours its contents into his mug, "Besides, with you hosting, I thought that this might be a good opportunity for us to catch up."

Ozpin walks around to his desk, kettle and a new mug in hand. Then he sits and pours himself some coffee. "I can certainly appreciate the quality time between friends, however, a small fleet outside my window has me concerned." He replied.

"Well, concern is what brought them here." Ironwood says.

"I understand that travel between kingdoms has become increasingly difficult..." Ozpin responded.

"Oz, you and I both know why I brought those men." Ironwood interrupts.

Ozpin takes a drink and sets down his mug. "We are in a time of peace. Shows of power like this are just going to give off the wrong impression."

Ironwood sets his mug down, "But if what Qrow said is true..." He urges.

"If what Qrow said is true, then we will handle it tactfully." Ozpin emphasizes this as he holds up an index finger. "It's the Vytal Festival. A time to celebrate unity and peace. So I suggest that you not scare people by transporting hundreds of soldiers halfway across the continent."

"I'm just being cautious." Ironwood reasons.

"As am I." Ozpin agreed Jame's concerns. "Which is why we will continue to train the best Huntsmen and Huntresses we can."

"Believe me, I am." Ironwood turns and walks away. He stops near the door and looks back at Ozpin. "But ask yourself this: Do you honestly believe your children can win a war?" He questioned before continuing on his way to the exit.

"I hope they never have to." Ozpin murmured as soon as Ironwood left.

Beacon Academy Library

In the Beacon Academy library, Team RWBY are shown playing Remnant: The Game with Team SANR as watchers due to them being next to play.

"Hmmmmm... All right... All right! Ruby points at Yang. "Yang Xiao Long, prepare your kingdom for battle!"

"Bring it on!" Yang responded, thrusting her elbow down as she balls her fist.

"I deploy the Atlesian Air Fleet!" Ruby slaps her card down on the table. Yang feigns a look of shock, "Looks like I get to fly right over your Ursai and attack your walls directly!" Ruby explains as she makes noises like airplanes flying and bombing as she makes a bird with her hands.

"You fiend!" Yang points at Ruby accusingly.

Ruby is now ducked at one end of the table. "And since Atlas is part of Mantle, my repair time is only one turn." Ruby peaks her head up. She gives a look of surprise as Yang laughs arrogantly.

Yang raises a card. "Pretty sneaky, sis, but you just activated my trap card!" Yang shows the card.

"Whaaat?!" Ruby exclaimed.

"Giant Nevermore!" Yang slams the card down on the table. "If I roll a seven or higher, fatal feathers will slice your fleet in two!"

Ruby points at Yang. "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." Yang responds as the two siblings glare at each other. Yang throws down the dice which landed exactly 7, which Yang shouting triumphantly.

"Nooooo! My fearless soldiers!" Ruby cried.

"Eh, most of them were probably androids." Yang says.

"Goodbye my friends, you will be avenged." Ruby snivelled.

"I don't understand..." Silver says in confusion.

"Let them act like this." Rusty reassures.

"Not until I draw my rewards! Which are double this round thanks to the Mistral Trade Route!" Yang added.

"Bah!" Ruby scowled.

"Oh, and what's this? The Smugglers of Wind Path?" Yang

"Bah! Bah, I say!"

"I say, it looks like I'm taking two cards in my hand!"

As Yang and Ruby banter about the game. Jaune is reading a comic book, Ren and Pyrrha are studying, and Nora's snot bubble inflates and deflates as she sleeps.

"Oh. Have pancakes." Nora mutters as she snores.

Pyrrha clears her throat and then confiscates a comic book Jaune is reading, trading it for a textbook, then Pyrrha reads Jaune's comic, as a Nevermore player piece is tossed over Jaune's shoulder. Another piece bounces off of his head.

"Have you no heart?" Ruby collapses on the table, groaning. "Nooo!"

"I don't you cry over a board game..." Silver speaks.

Suddenly Ruby hugs Silver as she cries on his chest.

"You don't understand!" Ruby muffled.

"I..." Silver was even more confusing from Ruby.

"Well..." Yang faltered before changing her sentence. "Weiss, it's your turn."

"I have... absolutely no idea what's going on." Weiss admits as she turned to Albus who was right behind her.

"Do you know?" Weiss whispered.

"I don't either! I never had time for this, when I was young!" Albus whispered back.

Just then, Yang slides up beside them and puts her hand on Weiss' shoulder, "Look, it's easy! You're playing as Vacuo which means that all Vacuo-based cards come with a bonus." Yang explained.

"That sounds dumb." Weiss replied.

"Unless those bonuses on Vacuo are..." Albus suggested what the 'bonus' is.

Yang starts looking through Weiss' cards, "See, you've got Sandstorm, Desert Scavenge... Oh, oh!" She pulls up a card to show Weiss. "Resourceful Raider! See, now you can take Ruby's discarded Air Fleet—"

"Nooo!" Ruby cires again and is still on Silver's chest.

"Uh, Ruby?" Silver wondered when Ruby could stop, his jacket getting wet from her tears.

"—and put it in your hand!" Yang finishes.

"Okay." Weiss understood.

"Wait, since when can Yang just do this in front of-" Albus realised what Yang was doing.

"And since Vacuo warriors have an endurance against Natural-based hazards, you can use Sandstorm to disable my ground forces and simultaneously infiltrate my kingdom!" Yang interrupts Albus as she points a finger at Weiss. "Just know that I will not forget this declaration of war." She pulls away and returns to her seat.

"And that means..." Weiss asks.

"You're just three moves away from conquering Remnant!" Ruby explains as she is still in tears.

With realization, Weiss stands and a thunder clap accompanies her overjoyed psychotic laughter. "Y-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!"

"Weiss..." Albus stares in shock.

"Trap card..." Yang deadpans as she holds up a card.)

"Huh?" Weiss suddenly snaps out of her evil monologue.

Yang shuffles the pieces on the board, Weiss' pieces disappearing in a puff of smoke. "Your armies have been destroyed." She announces.

Weiss slumps in her chair, cries and whines. "I hate this game of emotions we play!"

Before Albus comforts her, Ruby hops into Weiss' lap.

"Stay strong, Weiss! We'll make it through this together!" Ruby blubbered.

"Shut up!" Weiss hugs Ruby. "Don't touch me!"

"How the Ice Queen melts." Rusty whispers beside Yang as she giggles and nods.

Yang puts her arms up behind her head as she turns to Blake. "Alright Blake, you're up!"

"Oh, um, sorry, what am I doing?" Blakea asks, clearly not paying attention.

"You're playing as Vale, trying to conquer the Kingdoms of Remnant!" Yang explains.

"Right." Blake replied, clearly thinking something else.

Just then Jaune approaches the table, "Hey! Can I play?" He asked.

"Sorry Jaune, we've already got 4 people." Ruby replied, who is now not crying.

"And we got next." Rusty pointed out.

"Besides, this game requires a certain level of tactical cunning that I seriously doubt that you possess." Weiss remarks.

"You attacked your own naval fleet 2 turns ago." Albus mentions which Weiss makes an annoyed sound.

"Bring it on, Ice Queen! I'll have you know that I have been told that I am a natural born leader!" Jaune boasts.

"By who? Your mother?" Weiss asks.

"A-and Pyrrha!" Jaune replies.

"Hello again!" Pyrrha waves from the other table.

"Come on, let me play your hand for a turn!" Jaune begs with both hands folded together.

"I'm not trusting you with the good citizens of Vacuo!" Weiss refuses, "I trust Albus great care." Albus looked

"Why not? You've trusted me with way more important stuff before." Jaunes says as he continues. "I mean, you told us all that Blake is secretly a Fa-"

Pyrrha immediately darts over and slaps a hand over Jaune's mouth. "Fun-loving person, whom we all admire and respect." She took over the rest of the sentence as Jaune laughed nervously.

Everyone looks nervously at Blake who looks obviously annoyed that her secret is out.

"It can't be hidden for long." Nigel commented to Blake as he is reading a book.

"Right. That. Ladies, enjoy your battle." Jaune bows as Pyrrha walks away. Footsteps can be heard.)

"'Sup losers." Sun appears holding his fingers in a "peace" sign.

"Hey Sun!" Ruby greeted.

"Who are you calling us 'losers' for?" Rusty asks with a smile as the two do a small fist bump as Neptune appears beside Sun.

"Men, Ruby, Yang, Blake... Ice Queen." Sun introduces himself to Team SANR & RWBY

"Why does everyone keep calling me that?" Weiss complains.

"You will know soon enough..." Albus murmured.

"I never got a chance to formally introduce you to my old friend." Sun indicates to Neptune.

"Uhh, aren't libraries for reading?" Neptune asks.

"Mmhmm." Both Albus and Nigel nodded.

"Thank you!" Ren throws his arms up in agreement.

"Pancakes!" Nora pops her head up before going back to sleep.

"Shut up. Don't be a nerd." Sun replied.

"Geh, geh, geh, geh! "Intellectual", okay? Thank you." Neptune shaking a finger at Sun.

"What's the difference?" Rusty asks.

Neptune gave Rusty a deadpan look before introducing himself to others. "I'm Neptune."

"So Neptune, where are you from?" Weiss greets him politely.

"Haven." Neptune replies, approaches Weiss. "And I don't believe I've caught your name, snow angel."

"Um, I'm Weiss." Weiss introduces herself which Albus's eyebrow twitches.

"Are you kidding me!?" Jaune exclaims.

"Pleasure to meet you." Neptune says to Weiss.

Sun now turns to Blake, "I never took you as the board game playing type." He said.

"Right, well, I think I'm done playing actually. I'll see you guys later." As Blake speaks, she shoves Sun aside and leaves the room.

"Hey wait up." Nigel calls out and joins her.

Everyone was confused about what happened except Silver who stares at the faunus duo leaving the library.

"Women." Nora shrugs.

"Look who's talking..." Albus monotone.

"So you guys wanna join in?" Yang gestured the rest of Team SANR.
"Heh, Sure!" Rusty smirked.

"No thank you." Albus deadpan, knowing that Yang is gonna give him the same treatment as Weiss.

"I'll give myself a go..." Silver replied.

"I'll join too." Neptune joined.

(Blake POV)

Blake was now, walking to her dorm before Nigel caught up.

"Is there something you are going to tell me?" Nigel asks.

"I... I was still thinking..." Blake replied.

"From the interrogation ?" Nigel asks again.

Flashback

Blake and Nigel are in the interviewing office along with Ozpin who is sitting by his desk.

"Well, this has certainly been an eventful evening." Ozpin said.

"Hmph." Blake looks up as both her and Noigel acknowledge his statement.

"I'm sure that after a night of thwarting attempted robbery, you two will probably just want to go home and take a nap. But, I was hoping that maybe we could have a chance to talk." Ozpin says.

"Of course." Nigel and Blake agree.

"Wonderful." The Headmaster replies. "As you know, in order to enroll at my academy, students must first pass a rigorous entrance exam. Most applicants spend years of preparation training at one of the many combat schools around the world. You are one of the few that did not. And you passed the exam with flying colors."

"We were raised outside the kingdoms. If you can't fight, you can't survive." Blake explains, Nigel looks at Blake, aware of her not revealing the full truth.

"Well, you have most certainly survived, Blake. I admire your drive. And I am proud to run a school that accepts individuals from all walks of life. Rich, poor, Human..." Ozpin sips his coffee. "Faunus..."

Nigel smiles but Blake glares at him.

"Why do you wear that bow, Blake? Why hide who you are?" Ozpin curiously asks.

"You may be willing to accept the Faunus, Professor Ozpin, but your species is not." Blake replied.

"True, but we are continuing to take strides to lessen the divide." Ozpin brought up.

"With all due respect, you need to start taking some larger strides." Blake says. "Until then, I'd rather avoid any unnecessary attention. I want people to see me for who I am, not what I am."

"And Nigel?" Ozpin asks the wolf faunus.

"I don't hide who I am, I just push it through." Nigel answered.

"And what are you?" Ozpin asks in a serious tone.

"Huh?" Nigel queried.

"We don't understand what you're asking." Blake replied in confusion.

"How did you two know the White Fang would be at the shipyard tonight?" Ozpin inquires.

Before Nigel answered, Blake intervened. "We didn't. We just happened to be at the right place at the right time."

"You two wouldn't have been the first." Ozpin smiles. "But what happened tonight was not an isolated incident. I may be your headmaster, but I am also a Huntsman, and it is my sworn duty to protect this world from the forces that conspire against it. Blake and Nigel, are you sure there is nothing else you would like to tell me?"

"I'm sure." Blake nodded.

"Sure..." Nigel nods as well.

"Very well. Thank you for your time, Ms. Belladonna." Ozpin thanked as he stands and heads to the door. He stops and turns to Blake and Nigel. "If you two ever need to talk to me. Please, don't hesitate to ask." Ozpin now shuts the door behind him.

Back To Present

"Why didn't you tell Ozpin about this?" Nigel asks.

"We might lead this into something worse." Blake replied.

"What could've gone worse?" Nigel asks in concern.

"The White Fang." Blake answered. "They don't know what is going on."

"And neither are we, but this isn't our job to stop them." Nigel responded.

"So we are just gonna wait?" Blake quired.

"I-I..." Nigel tries to speak before taking a deep breath, "We are just students in training, I know you know the White Fang more than anyone, but they are the adults that can handle this situation." He explained before heading to his dorm.

Blake thought about Nigel's words before entering her dorm as well.

RWBY Dorm

Now Blake as she sits with her knees folded to her chest on her bed. Voices can be heard echoing in her head about the Vale Docks, The White Fang and Nigel's Quotes.

Just then the rest of Team RWBY are entering their dorm room.

"See you guys!" Ruby waved to Team SANR as they went to their dorm.

"Ugh, we should have never let them play!" Yang grunts.

Ruby giggles. "You're just mad cuz' Silver beat you! See, if you had just attacked when I told you none of this would have happened."

"How did he get instantly good?" Yang questioned, ever since Silver learned the rules of the game, he instantly beat her, Rusty and Neptune.

As they enter, Blake approaches the door to leave.

"Stop." Weiss points at Blake. Blake's hand retracts from the door knob. "Lately you've been quiet, antisocial and moody!"

"Uh, have you met Blake?" Yang remarks.

"Which I get is kind of your thing, but you've been doing it more than usual!" Weiss explained, "Which quite frankly, is unacceptable! You made a promise to me, to all of us, that you would let us know if something was wrong!" She flips through the air as six copies of her emblem fly through the air. "So, Blake Belladonna, what is wrong!?" She points her finger at Blake again. As Weiss is shown to be balancing precariously on a chair's back feet. She quickly puts the chair away and returns to stand near the girls.

"I just, I don't understand how everyone can be so calm." Blake explains.

Ruby approaches Blake. "You're still thinking about Torchwick?"

"Torchwick, the White Fang, all of it! Something big is happening and no one is doing anything about it!" Blake worries.

"Ozpin told us not to worry. Between the police and the Huntsmen, I'm sure they can handle it." Yang reassures.

"Well I'm not! They don't know the White Fang like I do!" Blake shouted.

"Okay, between blowing up nightclubs, stopping thieves, and fighting for freedom, I'm sure the three of you think that you're all ready to go out and apprehend these ne'er-do-wells!" Weiss pointed out.

"Uh, who?" Ruby asks in confusion.

"But let me once again be the voice of reason. We're students! We're not ready to handle this sort of situation!" Weiss reasoned.

"Well yeah, but..." Ruby tries to speak.

"We're not ready!" Weiss concluded.

"And we may never be ready!" Blake objected, "Our enemies aren't just going to sit around and wait for graduation day." She pointed toward the door. "They're out there, somewhere, planning their next move, and none of us know what it is, but it's coming! Whether we're ready or not!"

"Okay, all in favor of becoming the youngest Huntresses to single-handedly taking down a corrupt organization conspiring against the Kingdom of Vale..." Ruby raises her hand and does other random gestures, while looking manic. "Say aye."

Yang pumps her fist enthusiastically and points at Blake. "Yes! I love it when you're feisty!"

"Well, I suppose it could be fun." Weiss joins in.

"None of you said aye!" Ruby sadden.

"Alright then, we're in this together!" Blake agrees.

"Let's hatch a plan!" Ruby says.

"Yeah!" Yang agreed.

Just then Ruby gasps as she freaks out. "I left my board game at the library!"

Weiss places her hand to her head. "We're doomed."

Ruby runs out of the room and down the hallway, "I'll be right back!" Ruby called out as she accidentally bumps into someone, "Oo-oof! Oh g-!" She looked up. "Sorry. Are you okay?"

The person she bumped into happened to be Emerald in her uniform, "I'm fine." Emerald offers her hand. "Just watch where you're going. Ruby is shown to be slouched on the ground as she takes Emerald's hand. Mercury stands beside them.

"Oh, right, sorry." Ruby continues to speak as Emerald helps her to her feet. "Um, I'm Ruby! Are you new?"

Emerald steps aside to reveal Cinder as she approaches. "Visiting from Haven, actually." Emerald turns to look at her.

Ruby stares for a moment and Cinder stares back.

"Ooh! You're here for the festival!" Ruby says in a pleasant tone. "But exchange students have their own dormitory."

"I guess we just got turned around." Mercury replied.

"Hey, don't worry, it happens all the time." Ruby assured as Mercury and Emerald walked past Ruby, "Uh, your building is just east of here." She pointed out the direction.

"Thanks." Cinder walks past Ruby, gesturing in acknowledgement. "Maybe we'll see you around."

"Yeah, maybe!" Ruby agreed, as the trio continued to walk away. "Oh, uh, and welcome to Beacon!" Ruby waved. While Cinder grins evilly and her eyes glow menacingly before they leave. Ruby went to the library to get the board game.

SANR Dorm

Nigel sits with a sadden look while his team talks.

"I say you did great Silver!" Rusty complimented.

"You seemed a very quick learner." Albus added.

"Thanks, I just understand the rules." Silver replied.

Silver then turns to Nigel who sighed as his wolf ears dropped. "Something wrong?" He asked his teammate.

"It's Blake..." Nigel said.

"Is Blake okay?" Rusty asks.

"No." Nigel replied.

"No?" Albus asks in confusion.

"What is Blake doing?" Silver questioned.

"She's going to stop Torchwick." Nigel answered.

Yay! Another Chapter Done! Well see you on the next one! Feel free to comment or message me about this story! ;D