Black Paladin

Chapter 5: The bird, the scorpion, and RWBY

As we retreated, I see a cliff, a bridge, and a chasm. Inwardly I sigh. Great, a horrible combination of Grimm chasing us, and an impassable obstacle in front of us.

As we get into the clearing of the ruins the Nevermore calls from overhead and I hear Yang call, "Well, that's great!" at least someone else realizes that this was a bad plan.

We all pull into a defensive formation, behind pillars, and boulders as the Death Stalker bursts onto the scene.

Jaune calls, "Ah, man, run!"

"No, keep cover!" I call. And precisely no one listens.

As we break cover the Nevermore splits us, and swoops for an attack, I hear Ren call, "Nora, distract it!"

Nora runs out of cover. As she fires, I can see she has a grenade launcher to compliment her hammer. She fires several times, and it just seems to piss off the Nevermore, I break, and lance with Glacem, a wave of ice shards pores forward, knocking the Nevermore back for a moment. I turn, just in time to see Blake and Ren slash heavily at the Deathstalker. I spin fully, and slash Flaros once they get clear, and a whip of fire extends, and I lash at the eyes, hitting one, before it catches the whip with it's claw. Great, it's not a stupid beast. It pulls, and backhands me to the edge of the cliff. I am quickly joined by everyone else, we go to cross the bridge, when we hear the Nevermore crow, and it slams its head into the bridge, cutting off our retreat, and proving it is also intelligent. Great.

Stuck with the Deathstalker, along side Pyrrha, Blake, and Ren, I throw some Ice at one side, restricting its movements, but that isn't going to last long. As we guard, and slash however we can, I move toward the center, to try my whip again, when Nora jump steps off my head, to hit the Deathstalker, which ties to stab her, she dodges, knocking Blake off the edge, I turn to try catching her with my knives, but her sword/submachine gun apparently has a built in grappling hook. I turn back, and get back of the defective, however 4 people standing on the crumbling bridge was pushing it, with 5 people, it was going to hold.

I dodge out of the tail, directly into Pyrrha's sights, who fired, resulting in a faceful of bullet.

She goes to apologize, I wave her off, "It's getting a little crowded here.", I turn, "I am going to give you some room, as I leap backward, off the bridge, surprising everyone, then when I float next to the bridge. "Everyone here has a Semblance." I spin two of my knives, before flying away "This is mine."

I turn to see the Nevermore crash through the tower, I move over, however I notice the girls are doing fine by themselves, and go up to join them.

Weiss turns and notices me, "How did you…" She begins.

My response, is to show my knives flouting, and landing next to her, and drawing my swords. "Questions answered?"

"Yes, but we will be speaking about this later." Weiss says, remarkably more calm than I expected.

I wave my glyph over hers, and she looks scandalised at my form, but, "You are using a different script."

I nod, "Yep. Ancient and communicates in vague meanings. This is a combination, interconnecting with a fire and an ice. Lightning wasn't stable, so I figured inverting an elemental connection glyph, then inverting the power drawing scripts to…"

I begin to explain, to the ecstatic Weiss, until Yang yells, "Talk dust gobbledygook later, we have a Nevermore to fight."

Both of us blush, there was that…

I turn back, "Later, now fire."

She twists her rapier, and fires, as Ruby yells, "Cover me!"

Weiss, Blake and I get into position for Ruby's plan. While Yang...almost gets eaten, in possibly the ballsiest display I have ever seen, and gets the Nevermore into position. As bleak and Yang set up the slingshot, I compile my energy into a crude launcher. Weiss gets back and dismisses mine as nonsense, which it is, and sets up her own, and I wave and create a power augmentation set below it that is to her approval.

As well get ready, Weiss says, "Of course you would come up with this idea."

Ruby asks, "Think you can make the shot?"

Weiss scoffs, "Hmm! Can we!"

After a second of dead air, Ruby asks, "Can you?"

"Of course I can!" Weiss responds, insulted.

Weiss activates the glyphs, and launches Ruby at the cliff face, while creates pads for her to run to the top. Ruby catches the Nevermore's neck with Crescent Rose, and lands it. She activates her semblance, and sprints up the cliff face reaching the top, and at the top, the Nevermore's neck gives way, and gets violently decapitated.

After getting to the top, and looking like a vision of death itself, I realize something unnerving. Ozpin could have accepted anyone, but he personally invited Ruby, despite being two years younger than us. He wouldn't do that for someone on level for 17, he would let them wait 2 years, and be an exceptional first year. What level does she need to be at to get in two years early?

Again I looked up at who I had been thinking of as a little girl with a big weapon. In this moment I think I saw what Ozpin saw, someone with more power and natural skill than can be tamed, only guided. Someone of power absolute. I looked up, remembering those grey eyes, seeing something new. Silver.

And for the first time in almost 12 years, I knew fear. It was waving down at me from the cliff top, in the form of a tiny girl in a red hood.

AN:

Dust.

Monty Oum considered dust to be his version of FF's Materia system. Materia from Final Fantasy is magic, stored in colored dusts and crystals, that when activated by someone who knows what they are doing, works like magic and can inflict death on just about every scale. FF fans, out know exactly what I mean.

Silver eyes and Richard's fear.

In the story of the silver eyed warriors, their very looks could kill Grimm dead, and their prowess was considered to be unmatched by anything living or dead. The Grimm fear this power, as his Grimm side/ness fears this power instinctively, even if he doesn't consciously know it, or even why, he does, and his mind rationalized this as fear of her potential and power. Which it basically is.

After a long day, we get back to Beacon for the acceptance ceremony. After several teams, I begin to recognise some names.

Ozpin begins, "Russel Thrush. Cardin Winchester. Dove Bronzewing. Sky Lark." as the screens above show the portraits, and the team name, "The four of you retrieved the black bishop pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team CRDL, led by... Cardin Winchester."

The audience clapped, while Jaune, Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren take the vacated stage.

Ozpin continued, "Jaune Arc. Lie Ren. Pyrrha Nikos. Nora Valkyrie. The four of you retrieved the white rook pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team JNPR."

A standing ovation, and Nora hugs Ren, and it might just be me, but I think I can hear a snapping sound.

"Led by... Jaune Arc!" Ozpin announces, to everyone's shock.

Jaune sputters, "Huh? L-Led by...?"

Ozpin continues, "Congratulations, young man".

Pyrrha offers a friendly shoulder bump to Jaune, but Jaune gets knocked over and falls in front of the now laughing audience.

Ozpin gestures for the next group, "And finally: Blake Belladonna. Ruby Rose. Weiss Schnee. Yang Xiao Long." he motions over the four as they stand before him, "The four of you retrieved the white knight pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team RWBY. With one small caveat." A hush settles over the crowd.

"With only one recipient of the Black King piece passing this final test, I ask that Obsidian Vulcain join us on stage."

I walk up surprised, much like the rest of my team.

"This historic team will be lead by... Ruby Rose"!

Weiss looks to her surprised, where Ruby looks to be in shock as Yang hugs her sister.

Yang mutters, "I'm so proud of you!"

Ozpin mutters, audible possibly only to me, and Blake, "It looks like things are shaping up to be an... interesting year."

As we get back to our assigned room, the first thing I notice, is that I am on a team with 4 girls. The second is that we only have 4 beds. The third, is that I still have all my stuff on me, and have no idea how the closet will fit everything, given that it is built for 4. Yang seems to notice too. "We call the right two." Before jumping into the rightmost bed, waving Blake to the left. I look to Ruby, and Weiss, and in a hot second, the other 2 beds are taken. I pull my tent out of it's slot on my backpack, and set up in the corner. What a life I live.

I wake to what may be the most horrid sound I have ever heard. A whistle.

Ruby yells, "Good morning, team RWBY!" only aggravating the situation.

Weiss yells back, "What in the world is wrong with you?"

I demand from my tent, "Can both of you tone it down!"

Ruby yells, "Now that you're both awake, we can officially begin our first order of business."

Weiss and I mirror one another when we demand, "Excuse me?"

Yang yells, "Decorating!"

Weiss demands again, "What?!" While I just groan.

Blake says calmly, "We still have to unpack." a thunk can be heard through my tent, "Aaaand clean."

Ruby blows her whistle again, as I crawl out of my tent.

To sudden abject silence.

All four of them, bright red.

Yang breaks the silence first, by throwing a blanket at me. "Put some damn clothes on!" I look down, holding the blanket numble, realizing, I am in boxers.

Just Boxers.

I leap back into my tent, and call, my voice cracking "Can someone toss me my bag?"

Blake, I assume Blake because not a word was said, and nothing hit me tosses my bad and I got dressed, in my tent. Something needs to change. Fast.

I crawl out of my tent, and can't even look them in the eye, neither can they given the silence.

Ruby bounces back really quickly "Aaaalright! Weiss, Blake, Obi, Yang, and their fearless leader Ruby have begun their first mission!" As she raises her fist into the air, yelling "Banzai!"

Ruby, Blake, and Yang all yell, "Banzai!" and tilt a bit, causing much confusion.

The four of us began to organize the room, each with a personal style. I move the bookcases into a wall, creating a small, but private space around my corner, one just large enough to leave the lamp to the right of the door contained inside, and turn my tent into a doorway, opening near the bathroom.

I walk back out, and see the room in shambles. The curtain...cut at some angle. A posters of some band on the right, portrait of trees on the left, and the four beds piled in the center.

Weiss sums it up well, saying, "This isn't going to work."

Blake tilts her head, and her bow, saying "It is a bit cramped."

Yang suggests, "Maybe we should ditch some of our stuff..."

Ruby says, "Or we could ditch the beds…" Appalling me, you would give up... "and replace them with bunk beds!"

Weiss mutters, "Umm, that sounds incredibly dangerous."

Yang yells, "And super-awesome!"

Blake says, still very calm, "It does seem efficient."

Weiss demands, "Well, we should put it to a vote!"

Ruby says, happily "I think we just did."

Weiss turns to me, and begs, "Say something, this…"

I turn toward the beds, and say, "Well, while they would be...efficient." I struggle for a positive adjective, "It would be dangerous for the bottom bunker unless it was done properly and safely."

Yang responds with an interesting logical jump, "You don't sleep in the beds, you don't get a vote."

"And if Ruby, Weiss, or Blake is hurt and/or killed because they were under the top bed when if fell, I can then console whoever remains with it wasn't my fault. Nice Yang."

She goes a pasty white, then almost her angry glow, and demands, "So,what's your plan."

"We vote, given new information, and then, should bunk beds be selected, create a plan to execute it safely." I say formally.

They all look at me like I grew a second head, Ruby vocalizing the three vacant stares saying, "Wwwwhhaaaat?"

I sigh, "We vote, and then regardless of the outcome, we will design an effective and safe environment, so no one gets hurt." I say.

"Why didn't you just say that?" Ruby asks.

The sound of dings emanated at Blake's thumbs and, Yang's double-rocker gesture, and Weiss's angrily stands to the sound of a buzzer. My passive stare summons a tumbleweed to roll through the wall, and out the suddenly open window.

"It would seem that we have a consensus." I say. "However we should get to class soon."

Ruby then says dejectedly, "Classes..." she gets out a pencil and a book, "Now, we have a few classes together today. At 9, we've got to be-"

Weiss yells, "What?! Did you say 9 o'clock?"

Ruby mutters, "Uuuum..."

Weiss demands, "It's 8:55, you dunce!"

And we all sprint to class.

As we walk in the door, I can't help but feel the Grimm being caged out of sight, to the left of the class.

We met a very strange portly man. The nameplate on the desk behind him named him Professor Port he begins class, "Monsters! Deeeemons... Prowlers of the night! Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names, but I merely refer to them as prey! Ha-ha!"

From our uncontested seat in the front of Grimm Biology, I look to my left, and see 4 very different states, 3 acceptable, and one less so; Blake and Yang are sitting up and paying attention, Weiss is taking notes, and Ruby has her head propped in her hand as she naps until occasionally her head will snap to attention, then almost immediately fall back into numb apathy.

Port guffaws at his fail at a joke, and continues, "Uhhhh... And you shall too, upon graduating from this prestigious academy! Now, as I was saying: Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world! Our planet is absolutely teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces! And that's where we come in. Huntsmen! Huntresses… Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves! From what, you ask? Why, the very world!"

By this point, and knowing this is Grimm Biology, I put my head down, and listen, stifling a groan. I have been all of these creatures, partially, and fully when it suits me, this was going to be a long class.

A student behind us yells out, "Ayyyy-yep!" before a grumbling sound is heard, and a chair being moved slowly.

Port continues, "That is what you are training to become. But first: A story. A tale of a young, handsome man... Me! When I was a boy..." Oh yay. "...Despite smelling of cabbages, my grandfather was a wise man. 'Peter', he told me..." This sounds like something you don't tell a classroom full of teenagers you want to respect what you have to say.

I can hear as Yang and Blake both giggle at something, and can feel as Weiss begins to get angry.

Port clears his throat, "Ah-heh-hem!" and waits until he has their attention "In the end, the Beowolf was no match for my sheer tenacity, and I returned to my village with the beast in captivity and my head held high, celebrated as a hero!"

Weiss slowly gets more and more frustrated. I look over at the two of them out of the corner of my eye.

Port says, "The moral of this story? A true Huntsman must be honorable!"

Ruby is ignoring class, balancing her book, and other stuff, and Weiss got angrier.

Port says, "A true Huntsman must be dependable!"

Ruby is again asleep, Weiss gets even angrier.

Port says, "A true Huntsman must be strategic, well-educated, and wise!"

Ruby is Picking her nose? and Weiss feels like she is about to explode.

Port asks, "So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?"

Weiss yells, standing in a rush, "I do, sir!"

Port says, "Well, then, let's find out!" he gestures the cage, "Step forward, and face your opponent!"

As Weiss goes and gets changed into her battle attire, he moved the cage into plain view.

As she gets back, everyone gives her a little good luck comment.

Yang yells, "Goooo, Weiss!"

Blake waving a small flag saying "RWBY", 'where did she get that?' "Fight well!"

"Knock it into the air, and stab it in it's unarmored belly." I say, to Yang, Blake, and even Weiss turning to me in confusion.

Ruby says, "Yeah, represent teeeeam RWBY!"

Weiss turns to Ruby, scolding "Ruby! I'm trying to focus!"

Ruby mumbles an apology "Oh, um... Sorry..."

Port trills, "Allllright! Let the match... begin!"

Port swings his axe/rifle, dropping the cage door and revealing the Boarbatusk inside, which immediately charges at Weiss.

She uses Myrtenaster to deflect its tusks and roll to the side, readying herself for its next move. The Grimm stands a distance away from its enemy, studying her.

Port asks, "Ha-ha! Wasn't expecting that, were you?" as Yang and Blake turn to me, confused.

Ruby comments, suportingly "Hang in there, Weiss!"

Weiss is runs towards the oncoming Boarbatusk, sticking her blade straight at its skull until they meet and Myrtenaster gets trapped in the beast's tusks. Weiss hangs on to the hilt, but is tossed around as she struggles to get back her rapier.

Port comments, "Bold, new approach. I like it!"

Ruby encourages, "Come on, Weiss, show it who's boss!"

Weiss turns to glare at Ruby, only for the Boarbatusk to turn its head and rip the sword from her grip. Myrtenaster lands far away from its master, who is knocked back by the creature's tusks.

Port asks, but readying his axe. "Oh-ho! Now what will you do without your weapon?"

Weiss looks up just in time to see the Boarbatusk to charge again, rolling out of the way just in time to avoid getting trampled and make it crash into the wall below the desks,. Weiss rushes at her sword and slides to get it back in her hand.

Ruby yells, "Weiss! Go for its belly! There's no armor underneath-"

Weiss demands, "Stop telling me what to do!"

Ruby looks hurt at Weiss' anger.

Meanwhile, the Boarbatusk leaps into the air and rolls into a ball, spinning rapidly in the air and landing on the ground, consistently gaining speed until it launches itself at Weiss. It comes closer and closer, but Weiss activates one of her blue-white circles and blocks the roll, leaping up into the now-black snowflake symbol and turning it blue again so she can drive the blade into the Boarbatusk's stomach. It squeals and falls silent while Weiss gasps in relief.

Port commends the performance, "Bravo! Bra-vo! It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training! I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings, and... stay vigilant! Class dismissed!"

Weiss glares and turns away, walking hurriedly to the exit past her teammates.

Jaune asks, quietly, "Sheesh, what's with her?"

As we catch up, Ruby calls out "Weiss!"

Weiss turns demanding, "What?"

Ruby asks, "What's wrong with you? Why are you being-?"

Weiss demands, angrier "What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you? You're supposed to be a leader, and all you've been so far is a nuisance!"

Ruby asks, "What did I do?"

Weiss yells, "That's just it - you've done nothing to earn your position! Back in the forest, you acted like a child, and you've only continued to do so!"

Ruby asks, sadly "Weiss, where is this coming from? What happened to all the talk about 'working together'? I thought you believed in acting as a team."

Weiss rebuttals, "Not a team led by you. I've studied and trained. And quite frankly, I deserve better." she turns her back to us, even as Ruby reaches out, "Ozpin made a mistake."

"Weiss." I say, and she turns. "And what have you done to show you would be better?"

"Excuse me?" Weiss demands, taking a step toward us.

I look at my watch, "We have been a team for about 17 hours. So far Ruby has gotten all of us up in time to get to class, gotten our team room's basic design voted on, and done nothing but tried to be a good leader. You however have slept through your alarm, been argumentative to every suggestion anyone has made, and been angry at Ruby because Ozpin made her leader, much to her shock. None of these things incline me to believe you would do better."

Weiss goes to respond, but looks properly reprimanded.

"However, Ruby, Weiss is correct on some points. You were not paying attention today in class and that cannot continue. You were moved ahead two years, meaning everybody else in the classroom has had two full years more education in these subjects than you. You can compete in combat, which is important, but not our only subject. Secondly, throw away the whistle. And finally, you are the leader of a group of hunter and Huntresses, you are being given a huge responsibility, now while we don't expect you to be as mature as Weiss, you also need to be a little less spastic, at least until you have proven worthy of the trust Ozpin, and more importantly we, as your teammates, have placed in you. Ok?"

Ruby looks slightly reprimanded, but like she has a goal.

As I look between them, I say, "Now, tempers got a little high today. Weiss, if you think Ruby needs to be more mature, tell her kindly, or come get me, and we can have another one of these, however, you are 17, you will be 17 for exactly one year of your life, and you don't need to be perfect. No one is; and attempting to hold yourself and others to that is only going to hurt you."

I turn, "Ruby, while fun and games are to be had, you need to know when they are appropriate, in class, where you especially need to be learning, isn't going to work. Now, I am going to get lunch, and then I have Dust applications with Weiss after that. So I will see you back at the team room."

Another chapter in the bag. Now I know he is a little intervention, but they needed it, and after his talk with Jaune, you could see a pattern forming. He had to grow up fast in Spartum, and he wouldn't let his teammates fall apart over minor differences like this.

Until next time

-V