Ch 29 - Well, that was Anticlimactic.
A/N: Oh boy. This Gwyndamn week... Where do I even start?
Well, my finals are done. I had 5 classes this semester. Got a 100 and a 98 on the finals for two of them. I'm reasonably sure I did well on a third. And I'm hoping for the best on the twin assignments for the fourth, and I don't have the best expectations for the paper for the fifth. I really hate that professor.
Moving on, I apologize for anyone who I took a while to get back to while I was in finals mode.
When I finished today, I hoped onto Monster Hunter: World to celebrate. Put down a couple Safi'Jiva, decked out a HBG, finally got the last Evil Eye for a full Fatalis Beta set, and just put down Arch-Tempered Velkhana for the first time. Gotta say, once you get the hang of things, I actually have fun fighting those two. Can't say the same for Alatreon though. Fuck you Alatreon, and fuck your Escaton Judgement.
I'm fully vaccinated against covid 19! Just one and a half more weeks until I can stop wearing a mask outside in NOT crowded conditions. Totally worth feeling like shit the day after both shots.
So, Winter's ship arrives at Beacon, yet in the episode right before this, it was at best 5 or 10 minutes from landing, yet Ruby and Weiss were still in Amity. How'd they get down there that fast in canon, I have no idea. Fortunately, I have a way around this that doesn't leave a glaring plothole.
This week's recommended read is Ruby Rewound by Christopher28. What happens when Ruby using her eyes after seeing Pyrrha get murdered in Volume 3 sends the Red Reaper back in time to her mother's grave in the Red Trailer? A lot of crazy shit, let me tell you. Give it a read if you want the details. Oh, and if any of you review a story I recommend, mention in the review that I directed you there. I've got a couple amusing reactions from authors of stuff I've recommended, and I wouldn't mind getting more. You don't even have to advocate my story or anything, just mention that joecola00 directed you over to them.
It has come to my attention that there is another DS/RWBY xover called From Dust to Ashes. I find this coincidence extremely amusing.
Quick note: There's a long review response in this chapter. Just skip to the next bold text if you don't care for that stuff.
Review Response:
Rando guy that likes this FF: Hey, sorry for not reviewing the past few chapters, but i couldn't find anything good to say that didn't make it feel like a review for the sake of another chapter. The steamrolls that were RWBY and ESPECIALLY the JNPR matches were fun to read. And to be fair, i like how you expand of things such as Pyrrha being famous. Either way, with you luck on your finals. See you next Friday, or whenever it will be depending on how many reviews/follows/favorites appear within the next week
My response: I mean, even if it's just a comment on something you found funny or a reference you liked, that's feedback rather than "I left a review pls update." Glad you liked the steamrolls, as well as the comments on me expanding on Pyrrha's fame. And I mean, this is just in Vale. Imagine what would happen if she were in Mistral or Argus! Thanks for the well-wishing.
Skeletalrepublic: you know when I talked about the curb stomping last chapter, I didn't think you'd make the next chapter an even faster one, but man, that was so fucking funny that the other team literally lost in record time.
More Pyrrha fanatics is a good addition in showing her fame that the show unfortunately never utilized, Also the spells, my god the spell usage is fantastic. I particularly like how Jaune finally gets to be more than just "useful" and is an actual pillar of the team instead of the being the man with the plan.
I didn't anticipate an SSSN team fight showcase, but it was still entertaining nonetheless.
I like how you add lots of detail in these fight scenes, it helps readers imagine how the fight would look like in their head, and if your readers can easily visualize these written fight scenes in their heads, then that's the mark of a good writer. Cheers.
For The Nora, yeah I'd say this was a good amount of Nora. Gives us a deep dive into how she thinks and perceives things but not to the overly bubbly/clinically insane like how some write her. So good work with that.
As far as gags go I think the Prof. Oobleck gag is funny no matter what, so I think it was a solid gag.
I'm curious as to what will change in the Qrow vs Winter fight. But I'm also curious about Winter and if she'll ever interact with Vyliria. Probably at least she'll note that Vyliria is pale as fuck and maybe can share some empathy with the fact that they both have a shitty father.
tldr: Fun chapter, solid gags, Pyrrha popularity presence appreciated, Nora, curious about what the future entails, and gushing over the detailed fight scenes. I feigned ignorance over what Cinder might do that she'll come to regret.
Overall, I enjoyed this chapter. I can't wait for the next one!
My response: Yeah, I thought it was pretty funny as well. But at the same time, it MAKES SENSE. They got all these crazy spells, they SHOULD be kicking can with them.
I agree with the fans. Like, how hard would it have been to make even a tenth of the randoms in the stands have some kind of Pyrrha Merch? Gonna be honest, while he does some funny things, one of my regrets of this project is that while Jaune does have some cool character development moments, there's no real point in the story where there's a fight and the reader can go: "Yeah, that right there was all Jaune being awesome." I set myself a goal in the sequel to have Jaune get his own place in the sun... Now I just need to figure out where to put it, because he's traveling to Mistral with 5 other people, all of which also have kick-ass spells. Though I did come up with a different route than what happened in canon to him unlocking his Aura Amp.
Yeah, I wasn't originally planning on doing the SSSN vs NDGO when I started the story, but 1: it took up a decent chunk of an episode, 2: it had some funny moments, 3: I wanted to see how I'd do writing something that's basically been unchanged from canon, 4: I might be doing a completely origional JNPR doubles round, but I'm not doing the same for SSSN, so I at least felt obligated to include their team match, and 5: I wanted to write at least 1 fight from the perspective of Vyliria watching from the stands.
Yeah, I'm glad you approve of the fight scene details. One of my goals when I set out on this story was that if I visualized something in a fight, I needed to write that down so that the reader could see what was going on in my head. It means a lot to me to hear that compliment. Thanks.
I feel like I got Nora down pat, but it's still great to receive validation. Nora strikes me as someone to have a lot of tangents in her thoughts, to think in some very entertaining ways (which coincidentally let me work in a Palpatine reference to her Semblance) but also be surprisingly insightful when the situation calls for it. Writing her turned out to be exhaustive because of the amount of detail needed to ensure I did it right, but it was also very fun to write, and satisfying to read over when I was done.
Glad you enjoyed Oobleck.
Things are going to be... DIFFERENT at the start of the next chapter.
deeznutthebest: Concerning how you write without an outline, me and my friend also write without an outline. We just think of what the chapter is going to be then wing it. Not like a lot of people see it, anyway. But anyway, I am dying to see Vyliria in heavy armor or is is it only the ringed knight straight sword that's going to have a debut?
My response: Well, glad to hear that. Honestly... you bring up a good point. While Vyliria eventually becomes as proficient at swapping weapons on the fly as a politician is at lying, I REALLY didn't explore armor swaps. You know what, I'm adding that to the goal list in the sequel now. In fact, that might even factor into chapter 5, since it's still in the works. Thanks for that.
Boshwa: I wonder, which Semblance would drive Vyliria into a rant about how Semblance/Aura and magic are the same. Considering how transforming into a bird is magic, while turning into a pile of flying rose petals is SOMEHOW NOT MAGIC!
My response:I mean, I already established semblances ARE magic in this universe, when Vow of Silence shut down Neo's semblance at the docks. Even had Vyliria drop the comment of "Semblances aren't magic my arse."
Sm0keyPanda: Loved the Nora part. Perfect amount of Nora-ness. Honestly, I love reading this story.
I've not played more than 2 hours of the DS games (total) and yet I find the lore fascinating, so reading fanfics is the best way for me to get more Dark Souls lore awesomeness. It really does say something that I thoroughly love this fic despite basically not having played DS. It's fantastically written, with believable characters and your own twists on the lore (or so I assume, with the miracles) and I love it.
Keep up the incredible work.
My response: Thanks. It's very nice to hear that I've met my starting goal of being able to get someone who isn't familiar with one of the crossover elements to be aware of what's going on.
Though the miracles are less of a twist on the lore and more of an expansion of it. At the most basic levels, miracles are said to be tales of the gods (or figures around them, like Havel and magic/great magic barrier) that result in magic. While those tales that I've written aren't canon, they're an expansion to canon lore, and compliant with said canon. Basically, if you asked Miyazaki if those were the tales, he'd say "Not necessarily, but they COULD be."
And even on actual twists to the lore, Dark Souls is VERY loose on what lore it does give. A major element of the Soulsborne series is using context clues and what's actually stated to make your own story of what happened. Which is essentially what I did here, and will be doing more in the future. So what I come up with isn't canon, but it isn't fanon either, if that makes sense. Any lore I craft for this story that isn't actually in the games COULD be the actual story, but at the same time, if someone says something else happened, as long as it doesn't contrast with established lore, they aren't wrong either. That's the beauty of what I've come to call the Dark Souls Clause.
But thanks for the complements, and I intend to keep on trucking... Just... AFTER finals' week. ;-D
Redripper666 (chapter 8): she has way to little impact on the story to really make it a fun read theirs just nothing new to really make it all that exciting
My response: Give it some time good sir (or madam, I'm not assuming gender), one doesn't just derail the entire plot of RWBY overnight. Believe me, the boat will be getting rocked by the end of Volume 3.
ScreamingStuka: Hahahahahahaha, its so funny when anyone thinks they stand a Modicum of a chance against RWBY and JNPR, and then get ABSOLUTELY OBLITERATED! Loved the showcase of everyones additional spells that they have learnt off screen, and I think you Nailed Nora. And I did enjoy the flood of Pyrrha fans last chapter, and how some of the others got dragged into it (Vyliria with magic tricks, Jaune being honest and Blake being a role model).
Also finally watched Volume 8 and GODS, I almost cried multiple times. Cinders backstory, Weiss reconciling with her family, Penny's rebirth (and death) and everyone falling, especially Blakes reaction to Yang.
And finally a friendly question, whats you favorite of everyones different outfits? Im partial to vol 4-6 iterations, especially Jaunes; Pyrrhas sash and the upgrade to Sword-sword.
Goodluck with the finals, may the questions be clear and your writing legible!
My response: It is quite amusing. Glad you're enjoying it.
I have no sympathy for Cinder. She can die in agony and I'll be happy. But did you see the post credits scene though? (After they kill Penny they force you to sit through the first Nuts and Dolts song/Penny's theme just to see a shot of Crescent Rose on a beach, the pricks). I have a feeling Cinder is gonna have six pains in her ass make her regret being born sometime in the future.
For the most part, the volumes 4-6 outfits are my favorites. Though I liked Ren's, Nora's, and Neo's volumes 7 and 8 outfits more. And Penny 2.0 looked amazing. Jaune's haircut in volume 7 onward sucks though, so I hope he changes it in volume 9.
Logargon (Guest): I love dark souls so much and your story connecting the peaces was beautiful. Almost made me cry
Well i guess a second chekoves gun is loaded
1: thanks, and two: I load a lot of those in this story.
Cursed Knight: This story is OK (so far) but that's about it; I'm just going to focus on the negatives, (not that this fanfic has doesn't have any positives) and each of them as of now:
's generic: It's really the same as any other DS X RWBY fanfic, Chosen Undead/Bearer of the Curse/Unkindled One wakes up in RWBY and starts stomping folk with everyone and their mother being awed by it; the episodes (RWBY) play out pretty much the same with only some dialogue added in and the DS characters either:
A. makes it "funny"
B. make it "better" like punishing Cardin for ear pulling
C. say how they had a similar situation but worse and gives life advice
then everyone goes "wow, you're so cool" or "oh my gosh, you're so scary" with variations here and there.
Souls mechanics and community terms exist: Now the DS character having a healing estus and being linked to the bonfires so he/she can revive there is no issue for me but when they only roll to avoid ANY attacks and act like it's extremely effective no matter the attack and/or the character themselves acknowledge "Gankers" and the like; it just makes me scratch my head.
Why? It just makes it sound like as if the DS protag played the game instead of...the actual player themselves and did not live in a world "naturally" Like really? Gankers? I know it can be unfun for people to be outnumbered in PVP but why is Vyliria acting like one of those entitled players instead of someone who went through a brutal gauntlet? Speaking of her.
: There are two problems with her. (maybe three)
A. I cannot, off the top of my head; think of any situation where her "paranoia" got her in trouble or anything like that, you said that her paranoia made things worse because she only suspects thieves and cheaters...that makes no sense because anyone else would really think the same thing, I don't see how she made it worse than canon or for herself.
She's very trusting of the main characters to the point of teaching them magic but apparently no one else comes close...how convenient.
B. What was the point the rapist father? To show us where her "paranoia" came from? because that feels way too "broad a stroke" (it's all I can come up with) just for her to have trust issues as a CHARACTER unless the dad was able to use her trust to him against her but...it sounds like she never trusted him at all to begin with soooooo...what was the point?
If it is just to make her a tragic figure than you just overkilled any impact that would've had on me; I have nothing using rape in a story but it has to be said: If Vyliria was only raped to give her a "sad" backstory and it doesn't really play into her character arc or any flaws to a substantial degree, than it's like her having a dick; it has no real bearing on the story and if you remove it, nothing will change.
That's all I have to say for now: I'm pretty sure this story will improve but it does have issues that needed more thought put into it before it was publicized.
My response: Well, this is a lot to unpack.
First off, on the subject of it being generic, that's partly intentional. I didn't want to write a story completely derailing canon from day 1. The butterfly effect is similar to the domino effect. The changes aren't immediate, but they start small, and keep on growing. Yes, it follows a parallel to canon, but Vyliria's actions by themselves aren't going to overtly rock the boat straight off the bat. But that butterfly effect WILL get rolling. In fact, next chapter's gonna mark the first of some major shifts from canon, made courtesy of Patches. The ending of Volume 3 in this will look very different from the show, and things will continue to go further off the rails as the plot for this series progresses. Atlas is going to have SIX different factions operating on the two sides in the conflict to come, for example.
As for dodging attacks, I've stated that i-frames aren't a thing. At not point have I had Vyliria roll directly through an oncoming weapon. In the cases where she doedges, it's by bodily throwing herself out of the way, and it's something she's had a LOT of practice in order to perfect. And is "ganking" really that immersion breaking for you? I'm not trying to be snide or sarcastic here, I'm actually curious, because you're the first person to have an issue with that. It was meant mostly as a joke, and doesn't really detract from anything. It's not her being entitled, it's her being pissed since because I'm not bound by the game mechanics of Dark Souls, there's absolutely occasions where she goes to invade a sinner as per her covenant (operating by the DS1 Darkmoon mechanics), but the guy has 3 or more people with him to gang up on her. Honestly, it's just her despising people who only win on the merits of a number's advantage, rather than any individual skill. I just chose to label her term for those kind of people as "gankers."
As for the paranoia, I meant that its not exclusively beneficial. In the case of Cinder and co, her paranoia normally tells her there's some secret murder plot afoot, but when she finds out that they're being underhanded in the Tournament, she believes she's found the extent of their devilry. Her paranoia feels vindicated, and she's no longer searching for mass murderers in her closet.
Her deal with Ozpin was that she teaches her magic to some other students' but she gets to choose who she teaches. Left unsaid was that anyone she taught would be free to teach others if they so desired. (Again, not trying to sound rude here) I don't know about you, but I feel like teaching 8 students how to toss about lighting, lava, and all other manners of explosive or potent magic is more than enough for one school year. Especially when you consider that Vyliria has never taught magic before, and was basically making things up as she went along, trying her best to follow any memories of her own time learning those spells that haven't been lost to her curse.
As for her biological dad, it's an element of her past, which I haven't fully laid out. It does tie into how she meets Gwyndolin, and becomes a blade, which is basically a defining point in her character. I don't want to sound snide or anything, but I honestly haven;t given you all the pieces of the puzzle yet, and that's entirely intentional, becaues I want the reader to be guessing at what happened, and in the true Dark Souls fashion, trying to fill in whatever blanks they can. Though I'll still be filling some of those blanks myself. It doesn't have a driving factory in the plot of the story, but like her being intersex, it plays into her past, and it's a part of who she is.
And honestly, I'm kinda offended at the last sentence. I put five Gwyndamn months into this before the first chapter went up, pouring my heart and soul into it (this has also REALLY helped with my depression IRL, because this brings me genuine happiness), and have thoroughly thought out the plot of where I want this universe I've created to go. If you don't like it, that's fine. If you disagree with certain plot elements, that's fine. That's your choice. But don't insult me by saying I didn't think this through. That's just rude.
Disclaimer: I don't own Dark Souls or RWBY. Dark Souls belongs to From Software and RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth. I only own my own OC.
(Vyliria)
"Weiss! What is the big deal? Who is it? Who is she?" Ruby shouted as they ran towards the landing pad in front of the school.
Vyliria was almost inclined to voice the questions herself, as Weiss had been extremely insistent that she teleport them to Beacon as soon as she saw the ship. While her own team and the other half of RWBY departed to other parts of campus, Vyliria and Ruby's curiosity bade them follow Weiss.
They stopped in front of the ship as it touched down, and Weiss quietly answered, with a smile on her face. "Winter."
Flanked by two Atlesian Knights, the person in question stepped off the ramp as it lowered. She was a young woman, tall and fair-skinned, with dull-blue eyes, and white hair, which already marked her as some relative of Weiss' in Vyliria's mind. The hair itself was tied in a bun, high on the back-left of her head, with bangs shaped down the right side of her face, and a singular curled lock almost reaching her shoulder on the right. Her outfit was definitely not a standard military uniform, her white, long sleeved coat, split from shoulder to elbow, and gray highlights, reaching past her knees but not quite to ankle level, held together at the waist by a dark blue clasp and at the neck by a red jeweled brooch. Beneath it was a dark blue waistcoat, and beneath that was a sleeveless, pleated white blouse. Her white trousers were normal enough, but the dark blue garters over them, and the gray, thigh-high boots that bore black detailing at the knees most certainly were not normal. Rounding out her ensemble was a pair of black, forearm length gloves that had gray cuffs that were trimmed.
"Winter!" the younger blanchette cried out, "I'm so happy to see you!" The heiress seemed to suddenly realize they were in public and composed herself, and gave a curtsy while saying in a much more calm tone, "Your presence honors us." Vyliria just rolled her eyes.
"Beacon," Winter Schnee spoke for the first time since landing. "It's been a long time." She clasped her hands behind her back. "The air feels… different."
"Well it is fall, sooo…" Ruby trailed off, and Vyliria resisted the urge to facepalm. "It's probably colder."
Weiss punched Ruby in the arm, right in the bicep, and Beacon's resident mage winced in sympathy as the red reaper fell to her knees and nursed the limb in question, and her opinion of Winter sunk slightly when she didn't admonish Weiss' uncalled-for strike.
"So, what are you doing here?" Weiss asked like nothing happened.
"Classified." Oh gods, she's one of those people.
"Oh, right… well, how long are you staying?" Weiss sounded like a lost puppy, while Vyliria showed her sympathy to Ruby by putting a hand on her shoulder and helping her back to her feet.
"Classified." Wow, she's acting like a bitch! I mean, that's the response you give to the sister you haven't seen in months? Vyliria thought.
"Of course," Weiss said, giving a slight bow. The unkindled shook her head.
"Weeeeell, this is nice," Ruby tried to start an actual conversation. "I think?"
Weiss went off again. "You're going to love it here! I know you travel a lot, but so much of Beacon is different from Atlas! Vale too, the government and school are completely separate, can you believe it?! I-"
"I'm more than familiar with how this kingdom handles it's bureaucracy. That is not why I came."
Vyliria had enough. "Do you have to be so godsdamned rude? Your own sister hasn't seen you in months at the least, and just wants to talk to you. At least give her the time of day!"
"And who are you?" Winter directed her ire at Vyliria.
The unkindled met her gaze and matched it with her own disdain. "Vyliria Avalon, a good friend of Weiss', and one who doesn't appreciate her own family all but insulting her."
"You're the woman with the magic," Winter responded icily.
"Yes, yes I am. And I'm also a woman that you won't end up intimidating. I've faced far more terrifying things than an abrasive, crass military commander. Killed most of them too," the Irithyllian shot back with just as much vitriol.
"Is that a threat?"
"No, just a statement of fact."
"Vyliria, it's okay!" Weiss desperately tried to interrupt, while Ruby looked like she had no idea what to do.
The unkindled turned her head to look at Weiss. "I'm inclined to disagree with that statement, but since I respect you as a friend, I will comply with your desire. But I don't stand for people belittling my friends... unless they deserve it, but in this case you don't."
"Weiss." Everyone looked back to Winter, while she waved a hand behind her and the Atlesian droids stepped back. "You most certainly know how to pick good friends." Winter cracked a genuine smile, and her demeanor seemed to change, as she continued with, "How have you been?"
"Oh, splendid! I'm at the top ranking in sparring, my grades are all doing wonderfully-"
Winter seemed ready to slap Weiss, but she noticed Vyliria tense and clench a fist, just slightly flickering with the faintest flames, and chose to merely interrupt her sister instead. "I'm not asking about your ranking, I asked how you've been. Are you eating properly, are you taking up any hobbies? I'd ask if you're making new friends, but Vyliria already seemed to answer that one, and I'm assuming that the other girl with you can also give a positive response."
"Oh, I'm Ruby!"
"So this is the leader you wrote of. How appropriately… underwhelming," Winter responded.
"She knows more spells than you do," Vyliria said dryly.
"My apologies," Winter offered. "Greetings Ruby Rose, I wish to thank you for taking an interest in my sister."
"Uh, yes! Of course… the honor is in my, uh… court!" Vyliria grabbed Ruby's arm to make sure she didn't fall over when she failed to curtsy.
"And I wish to thank you, Vyliria Avalon, for taking the time out of your life for teaching my sister genuine magic, in addition to being her companion."
"Well, she's intelligent, which suits her to sorcery to begin with, she asked nicely, and she's a Gwyndamn natural at it. So, honestly? I think I've had more fun teaching her, than she's had learning it. She also hasn't set the school on fire like Yang has." Vyliria gave a shrug, and offered a slight bow. "And, ah, my own apologies for coming off as crass, though to be fair, you didn't give me the best of first impressions."
"No offense was taken," Winter responded, giving a slight smirk. "But I have business with the general and your headmaster. But… seeing as I'm here early, why don't you take me to your quarters?"
"Really?" Weiss happily asked.
"Yes," Winter replied as they all started walking, the droids following at a slight distance, "I wish to inspect them and make sure they meet my personal standards." Suddenly, I'm very glad that I fixed their beds, Vyliria thought. She noted Ruby was staying behind.
"Ruby, it's your quarters too, you can follow them," Vyliria offered. "And considering I'm across the hall, I can follow too."
"Oh. That didn't occur to me," Ruby said sheepishly. They started race-walking to catch up, only to stop as they saw someone trash two of the Knights following at an even further distance. Wait… was that-
"Uncle Qrow?" Ruby quietly asked.
Vyliria sighed. "Oh, gods…"
"Hey! I'm talking to you! Ice Queen!" Qrow was also visibly drunk. This will end well, Vyliria sarcastically thought, as she called her Izalith staff to hand.
Weiss walked up to Qrow. "Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"
"Shush shush shzz, I'm not talking to you." He pushed Weiss aside gently, ignoring her "Hey!" of protest, and pointed at Winter. He took a few steps forwards, pointing at Winter. "You."
A few seconds silently passed as they stared at each other, before Qrow broke the silence. "I saw that gaudy ship of yours in town. I guess you're here too."
"I'm standing right before you." Winter said.
Qrow leaned forward, squinting for a second. "So it would seem."
"You realize you just destroyed Atlas military property."
"Oooooh, noooo, I'm sorry. You see, I mistook this for some sorta… sentient garbage." He'd better not refer to Penny as that.
"I don't have time for your immature games, Qrow." Winter spat.
"Wait, you two know each other?" Weiss asked. Vyliria raised her eyebrow at that little tidbit of information, but continued to focus on weaving through the people watching the altercation.
"You Atlas specialists think you're soooooo special, aren't you?" Qrow continued like Weiss hadn't spoken.
"It's in the title." Winter put a hand on her hip.
"Well, you know what you really are? A buncha sellouts! Just like your boss."
"I'm not sure what you're implying, but I've heard enough." Vyliria was moving to position herself to the side, roughly halfway between them, on the inner ring of the gathering spectators.
"Oh, I heard too," Qrow replied. "I heard old Ironwood finally turned his back on Ozpin."
"Ozpin?" Weiss looked quite perplexed.
"Weiss, it's time for you to go." Winter put a hand on Weiss and lightly pushed her back as she stepped forwards.
"Listen to Big Sister Weiss," Qrow called out, "She'll protect you, just like Atlas is gonna protect all of us, right?" he finished sarcastically.
If you won't hold your tongue, then I will gladly remove it for you!" Winter drew a sabre and pointed it at Qrow.
Qrow slicked his hair back with a hand. "All right then, come take it."
And Vyliria chose that exact moment to interrupt the proceedings by firing a great soul dreg between the two would-be combatants. She stepped between the two confused huntsmen, and sighed.
"Really?" she shouted to both of them. She pointed at Qrow. "Qrow, you're drunk off your arse, and about to start a fight with a huntress in the middle of a public space surrounded by a crowd of civilians!" She turned her head to Winter. "And it's obvious he's trying to goad you into a fight, Winter. And you're letting him. In a crowd of civilians. You're sober, and in the military. You should know better!"
"Well what do you propose I do?" Winter was still very angry, but at least restraining herself.
"Bill him for the broken Knights. And if he doesn't pay, then you have a legitimate reason to arrest him, and fight him if he resists."
"Wha?" Qrow looked very taken aback.
"You started this!" Vyliria pointed at him again. "You're drunk and trying to start fights with dangerous combatants in a crowd of innocent bystanders, who are still standing here!" she shouted at the crowd, who finally had the decency to look embarrassed, and started to disperse. Vyliria narrowed her eyes as she noticed Mercury in the group leaving. "And you were going to do it in front of your own Gwyndamned niece! What kind of example does that set?!"
Qrow noticed the niece in question, who was looking beyond mortified at this point. "Ruby?"
"Uncle Qrow, please stop?" she asked.
"I… uh…"
"What is going on here!" Vyliria turned to see General Ironwood walking up on the scene, with Penny in tow.
"Hello, Penny!" Vyliria waved as she spoke.
"Hi Vyliria!" Penny waved back. Ironwood narrowed his eyes.
"Oh, uh, Qrow is drunk and tried to start a fight with Winter, who was about to oblige him before I stepped in and started yelling at them both," Vyliria supplied bluntly. Both Qrow and Winter didn't look happy about being thrown under the sandworm, but Vyliria didn't find it in herself to care. After all, what was the worst they could do, kill her?
"Specialist Schnee, is this true?" the general asked.
"Yes sir," Winter said, unable to meet Ironwood's gaze.
The general walked past his special operative, coming to a stop in front of Qrow, and looked him in the eyes. "And what are you doing here, starting up trouble that a student who's more mature than you had to stop?"
"I could ask you the same thing." he shot back, completely unfazed.
"Miss Avalon, I must commend your efforts to prevent unnecessary violence on school grounds." Vyliria directed her attention to the arrival of Ozpin, Goodwitch in tow. "And for dispersing the crowd, though now I won't get the opportunity to joke about the fight in Amity having better seating and popcorn."
"My thanks, headmaster. Though it wouldn't have been an issue in the first place if Atlas trained its special operatives to not have a hair-trigger-temper, and if Qrow wasn't so blatantly fascinated with seeing just how far he can push his liver before the organ fails." Qrow of course didn't care about the insult, while Winter had the decency to look admonished instead of annoyed at the jab directed at her.
"Noted," Ironwood said in a neutral tone. "We'll have words about this later, specialist. Let's go." They all started walking off, leaving Ruby, Weiss, Qrow and Vyliria behind.
"Actually, general," they stopped as Vyliria spoke up, "is there any chance you could let Penny off of supervision? It's been a few days, and I'd like to catch up."
Ironwood considered it for a moment, before giving a nod, and the gynoid bounded over to the two teens and the quasi-immortal, even as the rest of the entourage resumed their trek back towards what was likely Ozpin's office.
Though before Vyliria could say anything else, she was nearly bowled over by Ruby as she ran past her, earlier embarrassment seemingly forgotten as she shouted, "Uncle Qroooooow!" and latched onto his arm, the bemused man lifting her into the air with the limb in question, looking at her as she finished with a simple "Hi."
Qrow looked her in the eyes, and she started up again. "It's so good to see you! Did you miss me? Did you miss me?!"
Qrow gave a smirk, seemingly overcoming his inebriation with sheer will. "Nope," he said, displaying the sarcasm of the statement as he started ruffling Ruby's hair.
"Qrow!" Vyliria turned to see Ozpin had stopped again. "A word, please."
Vyliria watched Qrow put the back of his hand near his mouth. "I think I'm in trouble," he whispered.
"You did kinda try to start a fight on our courtyard," Ruby said.
"Yeah, I did." Qrow offered a fist bump, which his niece happily reciprocated. "Catch ya later kid." He walked up after Ozpin.
"Suddenly, your recklessness makes sense," Weiss and Vyliria said simultaneously.
Ruby looked utterly betrayed. "Et tu, Vyliria?"
The Irithyllian shrugged, starting her own walk back to campus, "So Penny, how's it been? Your team's match was quite the spectacle to watch, and I've been wanting to congratulate you in person…"
(Qrow)
The elevator door opened, and Qrow walked into Ozpin's office, followed by Glynda and Oz himself, before Ice Queen immediately went off at him.
"What were you thinking?"
"If you were one of my men, I'd have you shot!" Ironwood added.
"If I was one of your men, I'd shoot myself," Qrow bit back, enjoying the angered look on Jame's face. He decided to push further as he took out his flask. "Also, only if I was one of your men? Does Atlas not shoot it's women? Seems kinda reverse-sexist to me…" Jimmy glared at him, but someone else beat him to the response.
"While I don't condone his behavior," Glynda started, addressing Ice Queen, "retaliating as you almost did certainly didn't help the situation, especially when it had to be publicly defused by a student!"
"He's drunk!" Ice Queen argued.
"He's always drunk!" Glyn yelled back. Qrow chose that exact moment to take a long draught from his flask, and when he noticed them staring at him, he hid his mirth behind a mock face of shock, like he was Ruby literally caught with her hand in the cookie jar when she was younger.
Oz sighed and sat in his chair. "Qrow, why are you here?"
"You've been out of contact for weeks!" Iron-ass was annoyed, which he considered a win in his book. Maybe if he pulled the iron stick out of his- "You can't just go dark like that in the field!"
"I'm not one of your special operatives, Jimmy."
"General," Ice Queen tersely corrected.
"Whatever," he responded. "You sent me to get intel on our enemy, and I'm telling you: our enemy is here."
"We know," Jimmy dulled the room merely by opening his mouth.
"Oh! Oh, you know! Well, thank goodness I'm out there risking my life to keep you all informed!"
"Qrow-"
"Communication's a two-way street pal," he interrupted Jimmy. He took out his scroll and pointed at a specific button on it. "Ya see this? That's the send button."
"They had reason to assume you'd been compromised," Ice Queen actually attempted to diffuse the situation. That in and of itself almost threw Qrow for a loop. Almost.
"And I have reason to assume you don't need to be here." Qrow pointed at her. "Seriously, who invited her?"
"Schnee, we'll discuss this incident back on my ship."
"But sir-"
"Winter. Leave." Iron-ass wasn't having his lackey's protests.
"Yes sir." Ice Queen saluted like a good pawn, walking away, but not before she stopped next to him. "I am billing you for those destroyed Knights. And I'll have an arrest warrant with your name on it if you don't pay up." Qrow's gazed narrowed, and he beat back his annoyance that she got the last word as she walked off. It wasn't even the bill that bothered him, he could pay it no problem. But that can of worms could be opened later, because there were bigger things to worry about at the moment.
The elevator started going down, and he turned back to his colleagues. "Go on," Jimmy prompted.
"Your little infiltrator isn't just another pawn. They're the one responsible for Autumn's condition," he said, drawing out his flask and taking another pull from it.
"What?" Glyn asked.
"Despite what the world thinks, we're not just teachers, or generals, or headmasters. The people in this room, the leaders of the other two academies, we're the ones that keep the world safe from the evils no one even knows about." He got into Jimmy's face. "It's why we meet behind closed doors, why we work in the shadows. So you tell me, James: When you brought your army to Vale, did you think you were being discreet, or did you just not give a damn?!"
"Discreet wasn't working," Ironwood said, placing his scroll on Oz's desk, whereupon a hologram of Beacon, downtown Vale, Amity, and the fleet he had in the skies around them. He walked up to the hologram, and gestured to the fleet. "I'm here because this is what was necessary.
"You're here because Ozpin wanted you here!" Qrow told him. "He made you a part of this inner circle, and opened your eyes to the real fight that's in front of us-"
"And I am grateful," Jimmy interrupted, trying to be nice. It wasn't cutting it for Qrow though.
"Oh well, you've got a real funny way of showing it!"
"The people of Vale needed someone to protect them. Someone who would act. When they look to the sky and they see my fleet, they feel safe. And our enemies will feel our strength."
Qrow started chuckling, having to force his voice through it just so he could argue back. "You, you think they're scared of your little ships? I've been out there, and I've seen the things She's made, and let me tell you, they are fear."
"And fear will bring the Grimm," Oz said as he stood up, breaking his silence. "A guardian is a symbol of comfort, but an army is a symbol of conflict. There's an energy in the air now, a question in the back of everyone's minds: If this," he gestured to the holographic fleet, "is the size of our defenses, what is it we're expecting to fight?"
Knowing my damned luck, probably a Grimm dragon or some other similar bullshit, Qrow thought.
Jimmy sighed, removing his scroll from the desk. "So then, what would you suggest we do?"
Oz looked the general in the eyes. "I'd suggest we find our guardian."
(Cinder)
"And you're sure?" Cinder asked Mercury, wearing her current disguise. While it wasn't her preferred attire, she supposed it suited her well enough: gray pants and boots, a beige, leather sleeveless jacket with light-beige details. She had brown gloves on her hands, and a sarashi was tied around her chest, another around her hips, and a pauldron was covering her left shoulder. The belt around her waist had multiple brown pouches attached to it, most of which held some manner of glass or dust she could utilize, and her fingernails were painted tan.
"Bad hair, drunk off his ass, and smelled like my dad after a long day," he responded. "It was him."
"What do we do?" Emerald asked from her bed.
"Nothing; we stay the course. They have no idea who we are, so we have no reason to worry." Cinder walked over to the desk in the room, grabbing her scroll. "Besides, the last of the heavy lifting is being taken care of, thanks to our clever little friend." A notification popped up on the electronic device. "Ah, speaking of which, it appears we have a new access point."
"Anywhere good?" Emerald asked.
Cinder looked at the contents of General Ironwood's scroll from her own. "You could say that. Go to your rooms. I'll prepare everything for tomorrow."
"Yes mam," Emerald said.
"Got it." Mercury waved an arm dismissively.
Cinder decided to really have some fun with the toys Watt's little program had left at her disposal, looking through the doubles possibilities, setting the "random" match to be Emerald and Mercury against one Coco Adel and Yatsuhashi Daichi. "Let's give the crowd a good fight…"
()
A/N: Bet you all weren't expecting me to cancel that tussle in its entirety. Winter's a hard-ass, but she cares about Weiss under the surface. So Vyliria had a bit of a rocky start considering the poor first impression she received, but has a somewhat cordial disposition to Weiss' older sister by the time her POV finishes. Also, a lot of it is off screen, but Vyliria and Penny have really hit it off. Besides keeping a regular correspondence via scroll, the Irithyllian attempts to hang out with the socially awkward gynoid whenever possible. Penny herself just wants friends, and Vyliria sees Penny's eccentricities as a positive, reminding her of the various sane denizens of Lothirc she met during the final days of the Age of Fire. Their personalities mesh pretty well, all things considered. Though while Vyliria knows Penny's secret, she's still hesitant to tell Penny her own, because that information might then get to Ironwood, even if Penny doesn't want it to, due to her synthetic nature.
I always thought it a bit weird that Ruby had so little contact with Penny in canon, so I'm trying to shift that around a bit and include her whenever possible.
Qrow strikes me as a very cynical man, especially considering his semblance, and that was before I got to know his personality better (and learned about what his semblance was) as the volumes went by. I tried to capture that in his thought process. And honestly, writing him felt similar to writing Roman, just with the rudeness towards people he disliked dialed down from an 11 to a 6, and mostly contained within his thoughts.
It also occurs to me that the larger episodes of volume 3 are in turn leading to longer chapters. Good for you all, I guess.
Oh yeah. The next chapter is titled "Partners in Crime." I'll give you three guesses as to who features in that chapter, and the first two don't count.
P.S. As a final reminder, I'm not counting the guy who posted the Bee Movie script as a review. So the next bonus chapter comes at 201 reviews, not 200 reviews. But you all should be able to reach less than 10 reviews easily enough.