Feels good to finally get something out, Hope you all enjoy it!
\~/
The clearing was silent, save for the crackling of the fire burning at the center. The majority of team RASY had already retired for the night, sleeping off the previous day's exhaustion within the makeshift tent they erected.
They could have gone back into town to rest if they wanted to, even if it was evacuated, the Inn still had a roof and warm beds. Qrow had actually encouraged the girls to do so, in hopes of helping them recover.
But once Whitback had insisted on keeping Jaune where he was, Ruby refused to leave. And of course once Ruby decided to stay, Yang would not be convinced to leave.
The results; Their entire team having an impromptu camping trip, barely an hour's walk from town.
"God's, it's going to be a long night…" Qrow mumbled to himself with a sigh, his empty flask making everything that much worse. Why did his nieces have to be so stubborn? It wasn't like he left Jaune for dead. Horde or not, he knew the kid would be fine.
But Ruby didn't see it that way, did she? The look she gave him… She was tired sure, exhausted even, but that look of betrayal in her eyes… A look that screamed 'how could you?'.
It... hurt to see that look from his adorable little niece.
"If you keep worrying like that, you'll end up drawing Grimm." Whitback's sandpaper-like voice shook Qrow from his thoughts.
"Ah lay-off." he waved Whitback off "I've been around Grimm long enough to know what's what." And unless there was a Grimm right next to the campsite, he was confident none would be drawn.
"You're forgetting about them." It motioned to the tent on the other side of the fire. "All three of them have been having nightmares since passing out."
"huh?" Qrow turned an ear to the tent before turning back to Whitback "What are you talking about, I can't hear anything." He half expected to hear them tossing and turning, or even speaking in their sleep but there was only silence.
It tapped at it's mask that now covered the deceased faunus' face, right where the nose would be. "I can smell it, as clearly as any Grimm, or potential horde, that might be wandering by."
He rolled his eyes, no way the horde was so close that a few bad dreams could draw them back. He was more worried about his niece's apparent nightmares than any Grimm.
Not even a quarter into their training and they've already been through so much.
With a heavy sigh, Qrow flopped against the closest tree to rest.
"What about Grimm?" he asked suddenly "I've come across them sleeping before. Do they dream?" It was a random question, more to burn time than any real curiosity he felt.
They ate people, that was all he really needed to know.
Whitback sat silently, staring into the fire with a body that didn't belong to it. Was it even really a creature of Grimm? It had taken over the body of a dead faunus and, from what he understood about it, gained the memories of the one it consumed.
He dismissed the thought, just like he had whenever he saw Grimm showing far more intelligence than they should. For all he knew, it could be under Salem's influence.
In the end, Did it matter how intelligent they were?
They fucking ate people.
"...Well, I suppose it depends." Qrow nearly jumped at Whitback's response, forgetting that he had asked something in the first place.
"Most dream just like an animal would, but the older they get the more human-like their dreams become. I would hazard to guess that the dream's of the eldest of Grimm wouldn't look terribly different from a human's. Albeit a human with psychopathic tendencies."
"I think "psychopathic tendencies" is a bit of an understatement…" then again, it wasn't like he hadn't seen people commit acts far worse than any Grimm could. Was it all just a matter of perspective? One animal hunting another?
No, he couldn't believe that. For one, the Grimm didn't have to eat to survive. Add to that how sensitive they are to human emotion; they couldn't be seen as just another animal trying to survive.
"You look angry, or is that furrowed brow meant to be your thinking face?" Whitback tilted it's head. "Is it because I compared Grimm to human's?" Did that annoy him? Hearing people compared to Grimm?
No, that didn't feel right. It wasn't that Whitback had made the comparison that pissed him off.
It was more that people could legitimately be compared at all that really got under his skin.
He chose not to answer Whiteback, instead just giving a shrug of his shoulders and leaving it at that.
\-/
*tick* *tick* *tick*
The elaborate clockwork mechanism continued onward, ensuring those listening could never forget time's unending march.
Some hated the incessant noise assaulting them every moment.
Not Ozpin, he always found it rather nice. It was comforting in a way, knowing that no matter how things might change over the ages, time's perpetual flow would forever remain the same.
He couldn't help but think it was a shame that nothing else in his life could follow suit. With a sigh, the old wizard put down his scroll, making sure to close Qrow's most recent report before doing so.
Taking one last sip from his mug, Ozpin began tapping away at his keyboard, any thoughts of sleep for the night completely forgotten.
A few moments later, Glynda's likeness appeared on the holographic screen, the dark bags under her eyes making it clear she was woken up.
"Ozpin?" She quickly put on her glasses and adopted a professional expression. "Has something happened? Do you need me at the school?"
Even in the dead of night, half exhausted, she still doesn't hesitate to offer help. Such a blessing she was, what would he do without her?
"Nothing too unexpected Glynda, there's no need to come here," he waved off her initial fear while quickly typing at his keyboard.
"The White Fang has made a move, Jaune was attacked while defending Retel." A dangerous look crossed over the teacher's face, as close to cursing as the woman usually got.
"That's the second time those criminals have attacked our students, Ozpin. Not to speak negatively of Qrow's abilities but he is only one man. He can't hope to guard against an international organization on his own." though she was stating the obvious, her point remained.
"Not to worry, I'll be informing James of our situation after our call."
"Even if it's a bit ahead of schedule, he should be able to accommodate for team RASY's current predicament." Ozpin assured while hitting send on a video file taken from Qrow's report.
"I've just sent you a video Qrow acquired. It's of Jaune fighting the Grimm but it captures too much to use. Could you edit and send it to the News outlets before the end of class tomorrow?"
It was short notice but the sooner they could get their story out the better. The good news was desperately needed, and there wasn't much better news than seeing the next generation of Hunter's easily dispatch hundreds of Grimm.
"Of course Ozpin, I'll have it done before class starts tomorrow." She stated confidently with a nod before hanging up.
Ozpin couldn't help but smile, she would make a brilliant headmistress when he was gone. But that was a thought for another time, now he had work to do.
Meetings with Atlesian officials, transfer students and the paperwork that came with it to name a few things. Not to mention the approaching Vytal festival, there was just so much to do.
Without another word, Ozpin began his work. All the while taking longing glances at his empty mug.
Oh how cruel the god's could be.
\-/
As he woke up, two things quickly became clear. One, he was in a bullhead, and two, absolutely everything hurt.
"Owww..." He groaned while attempting to sit up, finding himself being aided by a firm hand at his side.
"Bear with the pain for now," A calm, familiar voice warned. "It'll fade in a few moments. Your mind simply needs time to adjust."
"Thanks Whitback, I'll be fine." He responded while adjusting himself upright.
With a quick look around, he took in his surroundings and found three others in the bullhead's cabin with him.
Yang and Weiss were arguing about… something or other, while Ruby was stuck between the two. Both figuratively, and literally as the debate seemed to heat up.
"Is this about which dust is better again?"
"Because I'm sorry Weiss but, I have to take Yang's side. Explosion beats ice." He spoke over the pair, stopping the argument while simultaneously helping the throbbing in his head.
"That is not what we were-" Weiss was quickly interrupted by a flurry of rose petals.
"You're awake!" Ruby exclaimed loudly, zipping to his side with eyes like a puppy "Are you feeling any better? You've been asleep almost two whole days!"She continued speaking like he imagined a hummingbird might.
"Whitback said you were in pretty bad shape and we all worried it might have been something serious. I mean we already knew it was serious but you don't normally sleep and you were out for so long we started to thi- Ow!" Ruby yelped, rubbing her head where Yang had given her "light" tap.
"Whitback also said he would be just fine. Jeez, you'd think someone gave you a gallon of coffee." Yang said with a sigh.
"Ahem." Weiss cleared her throat, drawing his attention while the siblings distracted each other. "I, um… I saw the aftermath of your battle." She started, uncharacteristically unsure.
"I can't imagine just how many…" She trailed off for a moment before shaking her head of the thought. "I just wanted to thank you. There's no way that village could have survived such an attack. so again… thank you."
He couldn't help but chuckle at just how awkward Weiss sounded. Not used to giving genuine praise, just like her older sister now that he thought about it.
"You don't need to thank me. Honestly I kind of forgot about the town. I was more worried about you guys." Seeing no serious injuries among them, He felt a smile spread across his lips. "I'm really glad you're all safe."
He almost let out a chuckle but stopped when he noticed all three of his teammates looking at him with stunned expressions varying from mild surprise from Ruby to completely shocked from Weiss and Yang.
"What? Is there something on my fa-" He stopped and felt a flood embarrassment rise with the realization that something was, very clearly, not on his face.
"Damnit Whitback, why'd you take off my mask…?" Jaune mumbled while standing and covering his face with his hand, rapidly constructing a new mask to cover his inhuman nature. "Sorry about that, all better I hope?"
"No wait!" Ruby jumped forward "It's not like that, we just weren't really expecting such a…" She looked to be struggling to find the right words.
"What she means," Yang stepped in to help her flustered sister "is that we hardly see your face. You can't just flash a hundred megawatt smile like that and expect us to not be caught off guard."
"Hundred mega-what?" What were they talking about? "Ahh… nevermind."It had to be better than finding his features monstrous, so it didn't really matter he supposed.
"Where are we headed anyway?" He asked while trying to get a peek out of the cockpit from where he was sitting. All he could really make out was the back of Qrow's head and a clouded sky.
"Wait a sec…" He stood up, sliding out of Whitback's grip and moving to the cockpit.
Was… was that…? "Is that… Snow…?" The little flurries of frosted water zipped past the Bullhead, not enough to cause turbulence but still noticeable.
Snowing, it was snowing outside. It never snowed this time of year in Vale. Nowhere really snowed this time. 'Nowhere, except for one place of course.' he thought with a feeling of excitement growing in his stomach.
"Hmm? Oh, hey kid. Good to see you on your feet." Qrow barely glanced back from the pilot's seat. "Yea, it's snowing, nothing to worry about though. Shouldn't be much longer until we arrive at-"
"Atlas!" Jaune cut in, his excitement bubbling forth. "Our training is in Atlas?!" It had been months since he had last been in Atlas! With everything that had happened it felt more like years.
And if they were getting trained in Atlas, Jaune was confident that there was only one person who could oversee them.
\~/
Winter stood by the empty landing pad, doing her best to keep a professional posture while the biting wind blew against her face.
It was cold, even by Atlesian standards. And yet, somehow, not so cold as to scare them off.
They were all about twenty meters back, four reporters with stationary cameras and thick winter coats that made the Atlesian uniform look like a bikini in comparison.
The fact that there were no cameramen told her the various news outlets didn't see much importance in the sudden transfer students.
But them being here at all meant they had to know General Ironwood was making an appearance.
Winter had tried to convince the General to avoid coming. If he was to show favoritism to a single student there was no telling what conclusion the public would jump to.
She understood It wasn't necessarily uncommon for him to greet some of the more promising transfer students. But to bring more attention to this specific transfer felt like a bad idea.
Considering it was Jaune and his team, wouldn't discretion be optimal? They were already bound to make waves, the General greeting them personally would only make those waves that much bigger.
There was no benefit to his being here, it just didn't make any sense. But, with Jaune involved, when had things ever made sense?
She was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of an approaching bullhead. 'Looks like they've arrived' winter thought to herself, adjusting her form slightly and brushing off some of the snow that had built up on her uniform.
"Try to relax." Ironwood ordered quietly, an oddly soft smile on his face. "It's been months since he's seen a familiar face. Try not to be too hard on him, hmm?" He asked as the aircraft began it's landing.
"When have I been too hard on him?" Winter responded, slightly taken aback by the accusation. She was never more strict then the situation required. mostly.
"I seem to remember more than one occasion where alarms were raised for nothing more than some midnight strolls?" Ironwood glanced sideways at her with a raised eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
Was he really taking this so lightly?
"With all due respect, Sir. I believe you are far too lenient with-" She was interrupted by a familiar voice that sent cold chills down her spine.
"James!" As rough as it was, the excitement in Jaune's voice was obvious. The armored boy didn't waste any time rushing down the ramp and wrapping his arms around the General of the Atlesian military, as if he was an old family friend.
"Jaune…!" Winter hissed quietly. What did he think he was doing?! Didn't he notice the small group of journalists a few meters away? All of which had abandoned their microphones to adjust their camera's view of the scene.
Rather than putting some distance between himself and the Hybrid, like she hoped, James put a hand on his head and smiled warmly. "I missed you too, Jaune." He said quietly before turning his attention to the other transfers.
"Welcome, Students of Beacon, to Atlas Academy." He announced with a more professional look. "If you would all follow me, we have much to go over and not much time to do it." Without waiting for a response, he turned and began making his way to the doors, Jaune right behind him, waving for his team to follow.
Suppressing the urge to break form and greet her sister, Winter followed a step back from James' side. But she couldn't help but note just how weary Weiss and her team looked.
\-/
Without stopping, they went straight through the school, from the front door out through the back door into a waiting Atlesian military vehicle, drawing stares from the few students and faculty they passed.
Weiss knew that it was more than likely Jaune and General Ironwood that were drawing the attention. The thought did little to ease the anxious feeling festering under her skin.
'Atlas… Why did we have to train here...?' she had spent so much time and effort convincing her father to let her out of Atlas. Was that all just to be dragged back?
She felt a sigh coming but quickly forced a smile when she noticed Winter glancing at her through the rear view mirror.
Maybe Winter would know what to do, she always had an answer. Whether or not Weiss agreed with that answer was another matter.
But she was so busy with her military duty's, which had to be getting worse now that they had team RASY to deal with. Was it really okay to bother her for something that was between Weiss and her father?
"What do you think, Weiss?"
"Huh-?" Weiss started blankley at Yang, not understanding her sudden question.
'Wait… Had they been talking?' She immediately felt a burning sensation begin building in her cheeks.
"uh-well… I err- Would you look at that, looks like we're here." Weiss deflected, noticing their vehicle rolling into a garage.
It drew a few worried glances from her team and sister but thankfully no one questioned her.
The vehicle was parked and they had just entered the rather plain looking building when the General turned to Winter.
"I've just realized. Winter, you still haven't had lunch, Correct?" Winter looked slightly caught off guard by the question but shook her head. "No, sir."
He nodded and turned to RASY
"I assume after going days without a proper bed you three need to rest. Winter will show you where you'll be staying while you're in Atlas." He spoke to his new students before turning back to Winter.
"Jaune and I will be in the lab's testing facility when you've finished your meal." Winter nodded and gave a salute before leading the group away.
One elevator ride down multiple levels later and they were walking down a hall with multiple numbered doors on each side. one being at the very end.
While walking, Weiss noticed something a bit strange when she took a closer look at the doors. The handles, while in pristine condition, were covered in an obvious layer of dust.
"How long has it been since someone stayed on this floor?" Weiss asked while they continued.
Winter glanced back, hesitating for a moment before responding
"Jaune was the last one to stay down here, it's been empty since he started his training for Beacon."
"The entire floor was for Jaune? Why are there so many rooms?" Again, her sister hesitated before answering.
"Unfortunately I can't say much more about it. You might learn about it later but for the time being think of them as extra has a bed, bathroom and a table with chairs for recreation purposes."
"Though, do try to limit yourselves to one room each, as you will be the one's in charge of cleanliness." She finished as they arrived at the last door at the end of the hall.
With a quick swipe from her scroll the door slid open smoothly, revealing a spacious room with three single beds, a couch with television and coffee table, and a door to the bathroom.
"Finally!" Yang exclaimed loudly, jumping face first into the closest bed with Ruby flopping onto her own bed. "Oh pillow so soft, tell me your secrets..." Yang mumbled, already beginning to pass out.
Weiss felt the urge to laugh at her partner's antics but held back with her sister still standing at the door.
Which reminded her to ask if she could join her sister for lunch. Tired or not, she still wanted to talk.
"Of course, follow me." Winter responded curtly and began walking away. Weiss quickly followed but was surprised when Winter went into one of the other, vacant rooms.
"Don't you have to eat lunch?" Weiss asked while closing the door behind her.
"It's fine, I'm not going to force you to walk any further than you have to." Winter responded with a wave before pulling Weiss's chair out for her.
Both actions caught Weiss off guard, her sister wasn't usually so overtly caring, even when they were alone. It wasn't that her sister hadn't cared about her, quite the opposite she was sure. They just didn't have the same kind of relationship Yang and Ruby had.
"It's no trouble, you know I'm not that fragile Winter." She tried to assure, despite every muscle and joint begging for rest.
"Weiss… Have you looked in a mirror lately?" Despite how the question might have sounded, the concerned look on Winter's face made it clear she wasn't trying to be insulting.
"I-I guess not." She could only guess how terrible she must have looked.
"You look like you haven't slept properly in months, and I can't remember when you've ever just zoned out like I saw today." Weiss felt her lips pulling into a frown while shame built in her stomach.
Winter wasn't always the most "motherly" sister, she was strict, demanding and maybe even a little selfish.
But when their father flung into a rage, and their mother ran to hide, Winter was always there. To hold her, and distract her from the screams of whichever unlucky servant caught their father's eye.
Weiss cleared her throat, hoping to clear the lump forming there. "...I'm sorry… I've just been worried about seeing father and-"
"I'm not talking about father, he doesn't even know you're here." Winter cut her off. "I'm talking about what you did, and how dangerous it was.
"For God's sake Weiss, there was an entire horde of Grimm!" She seemed to realize she was getting emotional and stopped to take a breath.
Weiss expected her to continue her lecturing with a more calm voice but instead she stopped altogether.
The silence that stretched out was tortuous. She wanted to say something, anything if only to move passed the current tension, but nothing came.
It wasn't that she couldn't think of what to say, she just couldn't decide whether she should be defending herself or apologizing.
"...why…" Winter started uncharacteristically quietly, looking up at her with tears building in her eyes "Why did you choose this path? You could have chosen to become a regular Huntress. Dangerous but I knew you could handle it."
"But staying by that… monster… It's suicidal." The way she said "monster", not with anger but with a real terror, sent chills down Weiss' spine. Winter was truly scared of Jaune, wasn't she?.
"... If he's a monster, it's only because of our family." Weiss responded, an image of Jaune in her father's lab flashed behind her eyes, bringing with it a feeling of sickened disgust.
"He can't be the only reason, he's just a-"
"It's not just because of him!" Weiss was the one to cut her off this time. The image of a father completely unlike her own resurfacing in her mind, begging for his daughter's safety even with his own life fading.
"There are people suffering... everywhere!" She fought past the swelling sensation in her throat, desperately trying to find the right words to explain the feelings she hardly understood herself.
"What dad did to Jaune was monstrous. He took a traumatised child and twisted him into a weapon of destruction." picturing it made the bile rise in her throat.
"But without Jaune, I promise you, that village wouldn't have stood a chance!" Thinking about the events of that night, she felt her heart racing in her chest. It was like nothing she had ever seen.
"What our father is doing to the faunus people is monstrous. But he is supplying the whole world with dust, a near impossible feat." Winter looked like she might interrupt but Weiss raised a hand to stop her, feeling a new confidence as she continued to speak.
"If I want to stop what he's doing, without dooming the majority of our population to fight the Grimm without dust, I need more information. About the Schnee family, the Faunus, even how to save people."
"And I truly believe the path my team is taking, is the best way to get that information."
Winter looked like she wanted to argue, but nothing came. Nothing but a defeated sigh.
"I'm sorry, Weiss. For treating you like the child you clearly no longer are. Please forgive me." She sounded much more like herself suddenly, giving her military salute. It brought a smile to Weiss' face, knowing her older sister had her back.
Feeling much lighter, and Without thinking, she suddenly hugged her sister.
It had to be Yang and Ruby's fault. She had never been so impulsive before meeting them.
But that didn't make her pull back from the embrace. And, to her relief, neither did Winter.
"Just… try to be careful."
\-/
The throne room was dimly lit with several braziers, their light giving view to the small gathering just in front of the throne. All of which had their faces covered with Grimm masks, all except two.
"Adam Taurus," Sienna Khan's voice echoed powerfully through the chamber. "You are hereby charged with disobeying orders and knowingly sending your brothers and sisters to their deaths." her glare refused to budge an inch, even as she spoke.
"Your actions amount to treason against the White Fang and the Faunus people, the punishment for which is death. How do you plead?" None of the guards said a word, not that Sienna would have listened to them. She had decided he was going to die before he was even incarcerated.
Despite the circumstance he found himself in, Adam couldn't help but start laughing, deepening the frown on Sienna's face. "I'm sorry, but really. How do I plead? As if this can be compared to a courtroom." It was laughable.
"You want me to defend myself? To tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?" He matched her glare, doing his best to sit straight in his prisoners bindings.
"Yes, I disobeyed your orders. But don't you dare accuse me of betraying the Faunus! You, who chose to do nothing while our enemies continue to run free!"
"I did not send those soldiers to their deaths. I told them the truth you tried to hide from them! It wasn't under my order that they moved, but under the order of justice!"
"So," Sienna began, moving to stand over him. "You have finally lost your mind, your sentence shall be carried out at dawn." She turned to return to her throne.
"Guards, take him away." she commanded with a wave of her hand
No one moved.
"... Guards!" Again, the guards hesitated, before one of them finally moved up to Adam.
Sienna watched as her subordinate completely ignored her command and unlocked the shackles around Adam's hands and feet. Another handing him his weapon.
"Did you really think the Faunus would just mindlessly follow your orders? As if we're nothing more than slaves? The humans really have gotten to you…" Did he have proof of his accusations? It didn't matter, her actions were both weak and detrimental to the Faunus, she had to die.
"What do you-" he didn't let her finish, quick-drawing Wilt with the intent to decapitate the traitorous woman.
Sienna, being the leader she was, avoided the attack easily, jumping away to make some distance.
Her sudden stop and the shocked expression on her face told Adam just how little she was expecting to be impaled by one of her guards from behind.
"You never were good at keeping track of your subordinates, were you?" He commented while sheathing his sword with a heavy sigh. Her eyes remained wide as the guard's Halberd was withdrawn with a squelch.
"You know this isn't what I wanted… I used to look up to you." She collapsed, whether she heard him or not was unclear. "What made you cower before the humans and their abominations, I wonder?" He made a show of gently closing her eyes.
"Make sure she gets a proper burial, she was one of the first to fight back. She deserves that much at least." he said stoically, expertly hiding his disdain for the woman.
Anyone who turned their back on their own people deserved a fate far worse than she got.
But she could be used to further cement his own standing as the new leader of the White-Fang. He would not throw away a perfectly good tool while it still had use, such wastefulness would only weaken them. And he would not allow the Faunus to weaken.
No longer would the White Fang stand by and do nothing while the humans create monsters to hunt them.
No longer would he stand idly by and watch as his own leaders damaged their cause and forget their people.
Now, the real work could begin.
\~/
So... That took a while to get out. Sorry about that, with everything going on, motivation was rather scarce. Been so long I can't really remember what I wanted to say about this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it but if not feel free to let me know why if ya got the time. I like to think I take advice and recommendations fairly well, I hope anyway. Anyway, I hope you all are doing well despite this pandemic and political hullabaloo going on. Enjoy your morning/evening!
Sm0keyPanda, Yeeaa i admit I kind of enjoy that trope in fiction where everything is going perfectly fine before BAM! Shit hits the fan and splatters everything in the room. Hope it made sense given the circumstances!
0akarigan0, Gracias, amigo mío, esta pandemia ha sido muy dura para todos. Recientemente me he sentido mejor e incluso he empezado a ir a la escuela de nuevo. Gracias nuevamente por su preocupación y espero también por su buena salud. (traducido con google. Disculpe los errores)
1Apple1, Glad to hear it! Sometimes i worry that my somewhat poor quality start may have 'ruined' it but it's a relief to hear people enjoying it! Thank's for the feedback!
memefarius, I appreciate the concern, mental health can be kind of crappy sometimes. Even more so with everything going on today. I hope you're doing well despite it all! I've been getting back on my feet myself, at least somewhat. in college to try and get a better job now so bonus! Hope you continue to read my work!