Ash had kept an eye out on these three new strangers he believed that they were something more here than he had first sensed originally he thought that this cruelty may have just been a rival School and willing to cheat no matter what but the more he looked at the three of them the more and more concerned he felt like there was something bigger going on. He kept this to himself mostly because he had no evidence also he didn't know how his team would react that he's able to sense emotions through his aura so he can't pinpoint exactly what they're thinking he can usually feel how they're feeling. Not to mention that helping Blake was the bigger priority right now especially with the White Fang. So One Night Team Ruby gather together and made a plan to investigate more on the white fan activities and also on Roman. Ruby explain how when she first encountered Roman and his goons before coming to Beacon and how her actions got the attention of Professor Ozpin as she liked to tease him now is calling him Uncle Ozzy. Giving this was an attempt to have Ash smile more initially it worked but Ash continue to be more reserved.

All so much of Team RWBY was trying to help Ash open up more; yes he had talked about what happened with his mom and about some his past but ,they didn't think that they were actually seeing the real Ash Ketchum more like a mask of Ash Ketchum only what he wanted to show them. Of course they kept this to themselves as well but it was a little concerning having someone so mysterious on their team that was not willing to open up just yet. On the third day since their conversation to help Blake Ash got up early and trained with all of his Pokemon he took off his shirt began doing some running exercises, then some cardio and strength exercises picking up large Boulders and rearranging them. By this time the girls had anticipated his training practices and would use a telescope to see what he was doing from their room all the girls love taking peaks at him and seeing how muscular he was but this was the first time they've seen him shirtless and they were all really attracted. Though some of them didn't understand why just yet. But as they were staring Yang was able to see a massive scar behind his shoulder blades she wondered why she never saw it before she stared at it and it looked like someone had attempted to cut him open or it look like he had hurt himself was a nasty fall but even from a distance probably because of his exercising and the sweat coming off of him she thought that this was the only way that that scar could have been seen. She thought to herself that she would ask him about it at a later time but she was planning on making sure the two of them had some time together.

He spared with Lucario as the too were locking in hand to hand combat. Lucario looked at his student and comrade and asked if he was ready.

He says "I'm always ready for a fight" he smiles and the aura master says

"that's not what I was talking about." Lucario looked up at the head masters office.

They get into close combat Ash deflecting Lucario's jobs and Bone Rush attacks. Trying to counter with his own uppercuts and Hail Maryse in order to distract him. But Pokemon was well aware of his master's tactics and continue to evade. I was talking about your lunch tonight with your uncle. Lucario smiled getting in closer to use Quick combat but Ash saw it coming and left backwards doing a backflip. He says "I forgotten about that..."

as Lucario swooped in and faint upper job making Ash block the attack but Lucario quickly swept his feet to knocking Ash off of his. He said "Master you know better than to lie to me."

Ash chuckled and got back up they decided to call it a day as he went over to a bucket of water to wash himself off.

"I just don't know what to say to him" admitted Ash "someone I have never knew existed at all suddenly pops into my life five years after Mom. Where was he before why couldn't he have come earlier why didn't mom ever mention him? I don't know what to ask?"

Lucario just smiled and says "I think you do I think you're just afraid of what the answer may be."

Ash growled at his partner saying "Don't try to be reverse psychology on me Gardevoir already gives me enough of a headache as it is."

The Pokemon in question smart as she handed her master a towel and then quickly smacked him across the head drill pressing his face into the dirt. Ash pulled his head out of the ground and rub the back of his head apologizing. She then started to use healing pulse on him to help heal his injuries. As to Lucario brought a wet towel for him. He sat down next to him and asked "what are you afraid of hearing from him?"

Ash stopped wiping his face and look down at the ground. He had the answer or at least he had the question in his mind but it's always been the one thing he was most afraid of even when he was with Misty and their sisters. Was he even good enough to be part of that family? Lucario just gave him a confident smile and says "I doubt anything he says will change your perspective on the world and I probably can tell that you are not going to be satisfied with most of his answers. But I think this will be better for you than you are willing to admit."

Gardevoir speaking in her native tongue agreed with him as she says "all of our meditation time and my ability to look into our mind Ash, I can already tell even without even looking what you are afraid of and what the questions he has?"

Ash looks up at them and says "do you really think he could actually look pass, what I've become what I had done in my past."

Lucario lost his smile and knew exactly the times Ash was talking about, those really dark days. "I don't know and I'm pretty sure that you don't care what he thinks either I'm pretty sure you care about what those girls think I love it when you have that courage."

Ash couldn't help but smile "are you trying to play matchmaker Lucario because if you are I think Gardevoir would be most upset especially since you know..."

"right that's enough" says Gardevoir already knowing where this conversation was going "Lucario you have to ask me yourself and Ash nothing you or him will do otherwise we'll change that. But you must remember Ash..."

she said pulling a clump of mud out of his hair that he missed "it is more are you willing to accept what you have done are you still trying to run from it and if you are should you have someone with you to help you go through it. I know that Cynthia..." as soon as she said the name she instantly regretted it as Ash's demeanor slouched his face hardened with sadness and regret. Gardevoir apologized she did not mean to bring up that old wound. Ash looked up and petted her nodded but the rest of the day he knew was going to be shot if he didn't get her out of his mind again. He just stood up and told him that he's going to do a jog around the campus.

His Pokemon reluctantly agreed and decided to clean up and head back to the dorm and return to their pokeballs as soon as they were done. Ask nodded and started running off. The girls up on the balcony continue watching him has he started jogging around each of them thinking of some weird perverse thoughts about him or him with them. The rest of the school day was rather boring Ash watch the different comeback attacks presented by Professor Goodwitch and by Professor Polk but everything he saw was rudimentary and he felt like he already knew what they were teaching but then again his expertise were in Pokemon fighting and what he learned on the street and in Dojos back home. He joined the girls that evening and they explained that they had a plan for tomorrow night about getting more information about the White Fang and to help Blake out so she can get to the bottom of things. Yang was quick to scoop Ash up and say that the two of them we're going to check out a club that she knew of to get information from some Goons and Hired Hands. Ruby Weiss and Blake all frowned but they didn't get to have Ash with them this time but the teams did make sense as their new friends Sun and Neptune had also joined in to help them out. But when Ash looked at the clock it did it say a quarter to 6 and he told them that he had to go and meet Professor Ozpin for dinner they all told him that they'll wait for him and then they can iron out the last bit of details tonight so they can do it tomorrow. Ash headed up to the headmaster's office each step he took he felt the weight grow heavier and heavier in his heart send fear some anger some hope all mixed in clouding his mind with what ifs and what might have been or what might be? Have enough of the internal monologue he pushing those thoughts out of his mind as he entered the elevator and slowly made up towards the office.

In headmaster's office Ozpin was setting up the last of the table arrangements for the two of them to have a good evening all thanks to miss good witch who with her extraordinary expertise was able to correct every mistake has been made. She scolded him saying "how can you have been Headmaster of the school and you don't even know how to arrange a proper dinner table."

Ozpin just smile taking a sip of his coffee then the elevator dinged as Ash stepped out onto the level Goodwitch instantly straightened up and said "good evening Mr. Ketchum you're a little bit early but that's all right."

Ash walked over and said "I'm surprised myself that i was able to come, I thought about not show up."

Ash smile shaking his Uncle's hand "there was times where I thought about going back but I believe getting this over with as better advantages for both of us."

ozpin smiled even though the cold reaction was still very blunt. Miss Goodwitch coughed gaining their attention as she pulled two dinner plates out as she says that their dinner is ready as she used her semblance to make yakisoba appear on both plates. Ozpin smiled gleefully saying that it was one of his favorite foods when he was in Kanto. Ash smiled because he did like yakisoba but it's been a very long time since he had any. Miss goodwitch humbly bowed at Ash and then to Ozpin before she turned and left the room giving the two time to themselves.

The two of them ate in silence for a little while clattering of forks and plates echoed around the very empty and spacious room. So Ozpin began "have you been doing adjusting here at Beacon?"

Ash did smiled warmly saying "that everyone here is very kind except for the usual School bullies but I think it will work out."

"And what a team RWBY" he smiled "have the girls treated you right and I hope you're not taking advantage over them because that would be something Miss Goodwitch would not appreciate..."

Ash laughed and says "I have no interest in that kind of relationship at all."

Ozpin lost some of his smile "you don't want to go on dates you don't want to have that kind of relationship with someone special?"

Ash smiling says "it's not a priority for me. I was able to become Champion within a year and then within five years I was Undisputed Pokemon Master I didn't need any more distractions like that."

Ozpin frowned at this but remain silent. "Why do you think that is? he said after a moment's pause.

Ash's smile fell as he takes a napkin and wiping his face down.

"Professor ozpin I know you want me to open up and gain better bonds of friendship but that naivete is what gets people hurt, it gets people if the situations they never imagined I have seen too many people fall victim to that kind of thinking and many of them paid the price that didn't have to." his tone darkened at that last bit which made Ozpin very curious and very concerned.

Setting his own fork down and pushing the plate aside he turned his full attention to Ash. "Ash Ketchum.." he started gaining his nephew's full attention "I have made countless mistakes in my life so some so significant that the full scope of them can never be fully comprehended, but I tell you right now the friendships and the bonds that I made but the most important things in my life no matter what happened between me the ones I loved I knew that they had my back no matter what and there are times where I have regretted decisions I do not regret though those I made them with."

Ash studied the man's face he could tell there was a lot of weight behind his eyes and that his words were true and he did see that there was a dark cloud of regret and shame in the eyes of the silver-haired man before him. Ash then said "the things that I regret doing and they are numerous, some so grave and despicable, I can never atone from that mistake."

Ozpin nodded taking a sip of water "I know what you're talkin about Ash"

Ash snapped quickly said he can't know. No one can understand you have no idea what I've been through! What I..."

"Viridian Forest two years ago Team Rocket secret headquarters."

Ash felt the words died in his throat as he swallowed them back down the very mention of Team Rocket. He felt like an ice bucket being dumped upon him and throwing him into the middle of the Arctic. His hands clinched into is palms as all he could say was "oh".

Ozpen pushed his glasses back and then took them off rubbing his forehead "I was able to do some research while I was looking you. I have some friends in the G-men organization and one owed me a favor I was able to look into that file. What little names and certain party members were carefully redacted the level of the Carnage and the types of Devastation that was conflicted and still debated upon what really happened at that Base, few could only be certain that only a handful people had the power and opportunity to do so... And we both know that you have that ability to do such things."

Slowly unclenched his hands and still stood up slowly he says "then what do you think of me what do you think of the young man standing before you, your sister's son?"

Ozpin looked up at him pity care and confliction written all over his face. "I see a young man who has been through more than what most people ever get to face in a lifetime before he was even 16. Tragedy heartbreak and isolation plagued the man before me for so long that I cannot help but feel sorry for him and want to help him in the best way that I can."

Ash dipped his head down is bangs covering his eyes leaving a dark shadow over him.

"You know what I did can not to be forgiven. They were too many, too many unnecessariness, but who couldn't find the right words to describe the horror. That i unleashed."

Ozpin put his glasses back on and took a sip of water again "I believe everyone that truly knows what happened has forgiven you and they do not harbor any resentment nor judgment upon you. I think the only person that truly despises what happened is you. I can't tell you how you should feel about it but I do know that it is going to be with you for a very long time but I want you to know that I am here for you and so is miss goodwitch is also here for you as well. She may have only just met you but yeah I can tell he's taken a liking to you but know that she's very hard on her students especially when she sees great potential in them."

Ash then looked over at his uncle the silver-haired man just gave him a compassionate smile standing up and putting a hand on his shoulder "I think the biggest challenge for you right now is accepting that you're not alone that's why I put you with Team RWBY. Each of them have their own struggles their own strengths and their own individuality that I believe can best help you reconnect to those around you." he paused and went over to the window. "No man is an island Ash, humans we never created to be alone..."

Ash let out the breathe he was holding in and let out a more depressed tone "...even if they believe they deserve to be alone."

Ash then walked towards the elevator and as he was waiting for the elevator to arrive he said "thank you for dinner I did enjoy it, same time next week."

Ozpin pushed up his glasses he did not look at his nephew but said "yes of course but remember my door is always open at any time you don't have to wait." No reply came as the elevator ding twice once for the door to open upon arrival and once more when it closed for dismissal.