Author's Notes
*Rises from the deep*
I LIVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Mostly. Still officially on hiatus, but managed to scrounge enough energy to take one of the backlog chapters and make the final revision (which includes two pages of writing. Maybe).
Update on elbow: Considering how f'ed my elbow was (a fact my orthopedist loves reminding me of) my recovery is going great according to him, my physiatrist, and the therapists. If you ever want to hear a man proud of his work, you should listen to my orthopedist explaining my elbow to the medical residents. How pretty the X-ray looks. How well the recovery is going. How clean the single incision is. How my olecranon is held together with hopes and dreams and gratuitous amounts of nails that prevent it from crashing and burning like the Hindenburg. That last one is not factual, but it holds the spirit.
As for what any of that actually means: I still have limited movement opening and closing the elbow, but not as bad. Still have issues rotating the forearm/wrist, but can manage using a mouse (but not a keyboard fully). And my hand is pretty much operational, although the loss of strength impacts my precision a bit.
All in all, crappy experience. Two out of ten. Don't bust your elbow.
Enjoy the short chapter.
Chapter 29: Metamorphosis
"The life of a Hunter is riddled with peril. You never know when your time, or the time of those you have sworn to protect, might meet their end to the unrelenting forces of evil that plague our world."
For once, Peter Port's class had the students enraptured. The man's elocution was on point and his habitual self-aggrandizement nowhere to be seen. And the wisdom of his words wasn't obscured by tales of machismo and impossible feats. Too bad the topic was a bit of a downer.
"Later this semester each of you – a young, bright, and skilled Huntsman or Huntress in training taking your first step towards undertaking the vow you solemnly swore to uphold – will be paired with a veteran Hunter in your first official mission. Now, many of you are excited. And rightly so. This is yet another, more concrete step towards making a difference. But the unfortunate truth is that reality is rarely as glamorous as storybooks. Even I, Peter Port, have tasted the bitter gruel of defeat
"It is for this reason that the professors at Beacon are here to prepare you, not only to succeed, but also to fail." Port took in his captivated audience. Nothing new there. Time to dial the mood back a bit. "Any questions?" he asked jovially.
Nora's hand shot up. "Why is Miss Goodwitch here?"
Port's howler boomed across the theater, earning him a light scowl from the deputy headmistress. "Excellent question, Miss Valkyrie. Glynda is here for a very good reason."
The locks of the classroom's doors clicked loudly, turning more than a few heads their way.
"They say experience is the best teacher. One week out there is a few months here. However, no matter how bright each of you are, politics would gobble us whole if we left you out there to your own device without proper training. So, we teachers have come with what previous students have lovingly dub 'Hell Week'!"
Unoccupied chairs flew to the doors, rearranging themselves into an effective barricade. Students were now standing up and reaching for their absent weapons. Good. That means they had good instincts.
"So, to kick off the 'worst' week of your first year, though it is my personal belief that this is the most fun week, Miss Goodwitch has agreed to help me with a live demonstration," Peter said as he and Glynda walked into a glass box, with small holes to allow air to flow. "Or to be more precise, make sure the live demonstration doesn't get out of hands." The box shut close, with Glynda's Semblance sealing it.
"W-what d-demonstration?" Marina stuttered, hiding behind her teammate.
"This, Miss Rios."
With a push of a button, the curtain covering the back of the classroom dropped. The reaction was immediate. Just as expected, more than a few students screamed, recoiled, and jump out of their skin in horror, dread, and horrified dread.
"Holy shit!"
"Oh gods."
"What the fuck are those?"
"A-are those… are those cockroach Grimm?"
Dozens upon dozens of disgusting Grimm skittered inside a glass box, violently attempting to break through their prison so they could feast on the fleshy innards of the students. The students' disgust only served to send them into further frenzy.
"Fear is one of the most powerful tools in the Grimm's arsenal," Port yelled over the student's cacophony of panic. "They are attracted to fear, so it's only natural that their very existence cause fear."
Goodwitch stepped up to speak, within the limited space inside the glass she and Port occupied. "So far, you have faced Grimm like Beowolves, Ursai, Creeps, and Nevermores. Some of the more unfortunate of you had to deal with a Deathstalker or a King Taijitu. With perhaps the exception of the Deathstalker, dangerous Grimm in their own right but not ones modeled after a more… primal fear."
"Like bugs," Port elaborated. "Insects have historically been a sign of malaise, harbingers of sickness. Rotting corpses bring with them maggots as well as diseases. Unsanitary conditions are a cauldron not only for substandard living, but for roaches, flies, and other unsavory creepy crawlers."
"Statistically, and accounting for population," Goodwitch took the reign, "as far as non-horde encounters go, Hunters are more likely to be injured, or worst, from rare Grimm that prey on these primal fears. Arachnes, Apathies, Rous, Imps, Blind Worms, and, in this case," Goodwitch gestured to the skittering cockroaches, "Kafkas. These Grimm and more, regardless of their actual fighting prowess – and some of them CAN fight, so don't get the wrong idea – tend to blindside better Huntsmen and Huntresses than any of you by virtue of playing into these fears."
"It is for this reason," Port took first billing again, "that I've braved the deepest caverns of Remnant to capture a fresh batch of Kafkas for you to fight. How exciting!"
Every single student, bar none, paled at the professor's words.
"W-we don't have weapons with us," Ruby cried.
"You don't need to," Port dismissed her. "Kafkas are pretty weak as far as Grimm go. No more dangerous than a Creep. Their danger comes from their habitat – claustrophobic caves, which this is not – their numbers – hundreds upon hundreds, which these are not that many – and their fear factor – which is what we are testing you on. Just reach out with a fist and punch them in their chitinous exterior."
Half the class went green from the mental image.
"Copen! We need a way out NOW!" Mytyl commanded.
"Lumen! Lola!"
"Cannot move, Producer."
Copen's eyes darted to Glynda Goodwitch.
"Cannot allow that, Mister Kamizono."
"Volt! Blast through the wall," Cardin commanded.
GV, electric ball in hand, rush to punch the wall, blasting a hole through it.
"Freedom!" Ruby sped through the hole. Or would have, had the hole not repaired itself in record time, causing Ruby to slam face first into it.
"Miss Goodwitch is here to keep us inside!"
"Astute of you, Miss Gail," Goodwitch confirmed all their suspicions.
"Enough chit chat," Port voice drowned the rising panic. "Students, prepare. I'm about to unleash… THE KAFKAS!"
Port's cackling did not help matters. Slowly, but surely, the front pane of the box keeping the students safe from the roach Grimm began to rise. The pace was excruciatingly slow, as if mocking them. The Grimm at the bottom scrambled their insect feet as soon as the slit from the opening was big enough. Begging to crawl out and start their massacre.
Too soon for anyone's liking, the first Kafka squeezed through.
"SKREEEEEEEEEEEE"
-o-
Ozpin halted the conversation as the still coffee in his mug rippled unprovoked. Across the desk, General James Ironwood stopped his own cup midway to his mouth and looked suspiciously at the walls.
"Is it me or did I hear screams in the distance?" James asked, his eyes darting everywhere and his hand subconsciously reaching for his revolver in preparation of an attack.
"Ah," Ozpin expressed, "Peter and Glynda must have unleashed the Kafkas upon the freshmen. It is the first day of the semester."
James incredulous look threatened was so out of place, Ozpin had to make an effort not to chuckle. Instead, he opted for an amused smile.
"Kafkas?" James asked, sure he had heard wrong. "As in the roach Grimm?"
"Indeed," Ozpin confirmed, picking his mug and savoring the liquid inside. This week was always a highlight of his year. Grounding the notions of heroism and romanticism the first years held sounded like a dreadful endeavor. But after many years of dealing with students, they had devised a fun and educational way to do it. Fun for the faculty. The students were here to learn. Their enjoyment was optional and, dare he say, highly discouraged.
"Isn't that a bit cruel and unusual?" James asked, fully aware the effects the deceptively harmless Grimm had on people. They weren't just disgusting and creepy. They actively heightened the fear of their prey with their screech. Like mini, fear Apathies. In the number they are normally encountered, unprepared Hunters can quickly succumb to crippling phobia.
"They're here to fight monsters, not to be coddled. Peter and Glynda will make sure they are not hurt, but with missions coming up, dismantling their illusions of invincibility takes precedence. They'll survive and be stronger and better prepared for it.
"More importantly, thanks for coming so early in the morning. We both have busy schedules ahead and the sooner we bring each other up to date, the better."
"Agreed-"
"How about we start with the war machines scarring the vista I used to enjoy in the morning?"
James sighed. "Ozpin…"
"Why do you think I built my office at the top of a tower? I assure it's not for the visage of power it grants."
"Ozpin…"
"Not exclusively, at least. I won't deny I get some gratification from the air of mysticism I project towards my students."
"Ozpin…"
Ozpin stood up and walked to the window. Placing a longing hand on it, he whispered.
"Goodnight, sweet prince."
"…are you done?"
Taking a few more seconds to soak in the melancholy, Ozpin nodded. "For now. But in all seriousness, don't you think this is excessive? It will cause panic."
"It will save lives."
"While causing panic. Exactly what do you think people will think about a foreign armada parked and knocking at their door?"
"That Atlas stands proudly by their allies."
Ozpin let out an uncharacteristic combination of a scoff and a snort. "Didn't take you for either an optimist or a comedian, old friend. A seemingly healthy person does not see a scowling doctor approach them without feeling some anxiety." He tapped his cane against the glass pane. "On that same note, the citizenry will see… this, and wonder: 'What's threatening us that merits so much force?'"
James set his coffee down. "You know very well what's threatening us-"
"More than any person alive."
"So, you know that 'seemingly healthy person' does not mean they aren't sick. You heard Qrow's account. We were attacked. The Fall Maiden was attacked. And the people who did it will finish the job."
"And we must defend ourselves discreetly, lest we incite chaos among the general populace. Chaos that, I'd like to remind you, our enemy is more than equipped to take advantage of."
"You underestimate the perseverance of our people," James stated with a disapproving scowl.
"I don't. You overestimate the composure of the individuals. I've seen people greater than either of us succumb to fear and desperation and all that's needed are a few bad actors to push the masses into a downward spiral."
The two Headmaster spent a brief moment staring at each other, willing the other to give in. Ozpin was not going to acknowledge James was right and he could see James was of similar mindset. In the end, it came down to a difference in opinion regarding how they should fight this war. He had no real power to force James to recall his machines and at the same time the General lacks the support base and understanding of their enemy Ozpin enjoyed in their secret war. They needed each other's strengths.
A stalemate in the simplest of terms. Ozpin opted to pivot the conversation unceremoniously.
"How are the preparations going?"
James accepted the silent truce being offered. It wasn't a fight worth having if it put a wedge in their friendship. "Amber, as well as the Aura transfer machine, are ready to be relocated to the vault." He hesitated, carefully choosing his next words. "I consulted Atlas's foremost experts in Aura, under strict confidentiality, of course. It is their opinion that, given how Amber was assaulted, her Aura is beyond repair. We need to move forward and identify a replacement."
"Did you ask these 'experts' what they believe would happen if Amber dies naturally?"
James shook his head. "I led them to believe that her Aura was damaged beyond simple depletion but didn't mention that we believe it was stolen. Merely… ripped out of her, so to speak. Didn't thought it wise to divulge more…"
Ozpin leaned in. "I'm sensing a 'but', James."
And this was what he feared; Ozpin picking up on the unspoken… obstacle he encountered. It was a matter of time, but James hadn't decided how to broach the topic. Seems like a headfirst dive it was.
"Doctor Kamizono asked for a meeting with you. He said he wants to discuss his kids' tenure in Beacon, as well as, and I quote, 'bounce some interesting theories he has'."
Ozpin set his glasses on top of his desk and pinched the bridge of his nose. "That doesn't sound ominous at all," he said sarcastically.
"Yeah…" James had to agree. "It was shortsighted on my part. The man is brilliant and the foremost expert on the subject of Aura. He has a knack for making incredible leaps in logic.
"I talked with Qrow after that. He said – and told me to relay these exact words - that he's feeling lucky betting that Dresden knows what happened to Amber. If not the specifics, the end result."
Ozpin stared. "That comment has so many layers it might as well be an onion. It sure makes me want to cry. This is a problem. Why is Qrow so sure? And why does it feel he answers more to you than he does to me these days?"
James snorted at Ozpin's first statement. "Remember Qrow was the guinea pig for the procedure Dresden's daughter underwent. The man has been the to-go bodyguard whenever Sumeragi's heads requires such services. On that note, when he's in Atlas he's at the beck and call of Sumeragi, not me. He feels indebted to Dresden and you know how he is about that."
He did, didn't he? Ozpin genuinely thought of Qrow as a friend and ally, and he likes to think that friendship was a two-way street. But it didn't change the fact that it was a friendship born out of Ozpin giving Qrow something to live for beyond banditry for a tribe that had ostracized him due to his unfortunate luck and his lackluster performance compared to his sister.
That loyalty was also present in his devotion to Taiyang and his nieces. Team STRQ had been a ray of light for the lost man and he made it his mission in life to protect them. Ozpin held no illusions about who would Qrow choose if forced to pick between his family and the greater good. It was why his relationship with Raven was so shaky. Qrow resented Raven for endangering that family's stability more than for choosing to go back to the tribe.
And it seems that same devotion to those he felt indebted to had earned the Kamizono the Huntsman's stalwart friendship.
But there was a more pressing matter at hand. Ozpin was blindsided by James's words. He knew Qrow had dealt with Dresden before and what the scientist did to earn Qrow's favor. But the details about why Dresden gave Qrow the offer in the first place were news to him.
And James seems to have noticed Ozpin's surprise, "You didn't know about Qrow… do you know about Miss Kamizono's medical condition?"
"I know what benefits Qrow reaped, but not the circumstances that led to the opportunity. As for Miss Kamizono, I know she had a harsh medical history, but her records say it's dealt with and nothing more. Awfully secretive. I didn't know it was related to Aura. Or that Qrow's bouts of luck served as a test drive. Do you know?"
"Not the specifics, but she's not my student… huh…" James was left speechless, pondering this new development. "How does it feel having a secret kept from you, for once?"
Ozpin shot James a look so flat it hurt from slipping and landing face first on it. "Unpleasant."
"Good. Hold to that feeling. We can transition to our next topic with it."
Ozpin groaned. "James…"
"-it is a bad idea to have more people in the know, increase critical points, yada-yada, so on, so forth."
Ozpin frowned. "You're too strait-laced to come up with that on your own. You are trying to poach Qrow from me, aren't you?"
"Of course not," James responded to the accusation before calmly sipping coffee. Then he added. "Winter is trying to poach Qrow. Every time he finds himself in Atlas Academy, she makes sure I assign her as his escort. If I didn't know better, I would think she is smitten with the man."
"You sure she isn't? I've heard of Miss Schnee's work ethics. Qrow isn't exactly a 'by the book' kind of man."
"He isn't, but what he lacks in military training he makes up being a paragon of what a Huntsman should be, and Winter see value in that. But that's a topic for another day.
"We need more people, Oz," James kept the conversation on track. "Say the word and the number of trusted lieutenants rises by at least two. Trust me and I can have an entire squad of Specialists that would die before betraying us."
"Let's table this for now-"
"Oz..."
"This is a topic for which Qrow should be present, given he wants to reel in his partner too," Ozpin declared, giving no room to object and derailing the conversation entirely. "Anything else to inform?"
Ironwood wasn't happy about Ozpin's continued evasion but conceded the point. Qrow should be here, if only to double team Ozpin.
"Winter should be arriving to Vale in the coming months. And with her, Dr. Kamizono for that conversation he insisted on. As you might expect, Qrow and his partner are probably going to be hired by Dresden as bodyguards. Look at that, everyone we need in one tight, little package with a bow on top."
"James…"
James smirked. "You have two months and change, old friend. Might want to take some time to practice your excuses before then. Speaking of excuses and preparations, I have a meeting with the Council in an hour. We should do this more often. Catching up, discussing business and how everyone around us loves throwing wrenches into our machinations. It's nostalgic."
Ozpin lips curled upward. "It is refreshing to see the world still manages to find ways to surprise me. Very well, good luck with the Council. I have my own preparations to do for the freshmen's Hell Week."
Author's Notes
Originally this chapter was shorter, mostly serving as a set up for the next chapter and to inform Ironwood is in Vale. It wasn't until later I decided to elaborate on Oz's and James's differing views on the war as well as expanding on Qrow a bit.
Rundown plus something else:
Hell Week: Just an idea that popped in my head. A dive into the Beacon Experience (trademark pending). Mostly setting up for next chapter
Kafkas: An original Grimm idea from yours truly. The name originates from Franza Kafka and inspired by the book Metamorphosis. There's actually a word, Kafkaesque, that describes the nightmarish qualities of Kafka's works. I love these kinds of words: names that became words because the person was associated strongly with an idea. Also see: Freudian, Shakespearan, and "Cantinflar" (Mexican colloquialism that basically means "speak a lot without saying much").
Rous: Pronounced "Are-oh-u-es", but colloquially shortened to "Roh-us", another OC Grimm I mentioned in passing. Basically, a rat Grimm. Named after the R.O.U.S. from the Princess Bride. R.O.U.S. stands for "Rodents Of Unusual Size".
IronDaddy: IronDaddy dropping the exposition! A slightly more nuanced look at Ironwood in contrast to Ozpin. Any resemblance to Men in Black is purely coincidental
Qrow: I wasn't planning on going into details this chapter, but I figured I could elaborate a bit. Of all RWBY characters, at the time of writing Qrow is the character whose backstory is most affected by the inclusion of the ASG cast. While characters like Sun and Penny had their backstory slightly tweaked to fit the ASG cast, Qrow's changes are on a whole different level. I'm lowkey excited to get there and push him into the story proper. But he doesn't appear in canon until Volume 3 and that much holds somewhat true here. Somewhat.
On a different note, you know how every RWBY character has a theme song, right? Let's do the same for the GV cast! For fun! The ASG franchise has enough J-pop to pull this off. Originally this note was earlier on the story, but I had to move it to a less busy Author's Notes. Anyways, music.
Beyond the Blue for GV. It even has an official Engrish version! That one is called Eternal Blue.
Alternatively, you could also give him Reincarnation (which also has an Engrish version called The One)
For Copen, I'll go with Luminous Promise. It's the main theme of Luminous Avenger iX and Copen is the titular Luminous Avenger iX.
For Kohaku, I'm going with Searchlight, the ending theme of Luminous Avenger iX.
As for Mytyl… damnit Mytyl. She always makes things hard. Mytyl has a leitmotif that screams "Her". But it's lyric-less… which actually makes a lot of sense for her. So, my vote for instrumental song is the music box that serves as Mytyl's leitmotif. Pick either the upbeat-ish version from the conversations or the more haunting version played towards the end of the game. Depends on the mood. However, if I HAVE to pick a song with lyrics, it pains me to say this, but I'll go with Indigo Destiny. It pains me to say it because the song is a duet with… I'm going to say Lumen and Lola even if it's not strictly correct. And even then, when I say it's a duet, that's not strictly correct either. Look, it's complicated and riddled with spoilers, ok?
Reviews
I want to thank everyone's understanding toward my situation and everyone who expressed their well-wishes. Every little bit lessens the emotional burden. The physical burden is still a pain :p
Nanairo the Keyblade Samurai: That for the positive vibes! Yeah. I understand from a technical perspective why the show limited the fight to RWBY vs JNPR, but it doesn't make much sense for an entire school of Huntsmen and Huntresses to bail out of a fight like that. So I dragged them kicking and screaming.
UnfortunateGVFan: Thanks for the encouraging words. I do sometimes feel I write Copen and GV too carefree. But then again, one of the points of this fic is to explore these characters away from the craptastic world from canon. And when you take that away, you're left with the dork that drinks black coffee in lieu of sleeping and is gobsmacked by apple bunnies, and the dolt that loves cookies and either can't take a hint from a girl or chooses not to.
