I see DINGORED has come here from UNSC. Nice to see you again.
Thanks to Alkus for the follow/favorite as well.
When I woke up, I absently thought I'd just had the best sleep of my life.
Granted, it's the only sleep I remember in my life, so I might be a bit skewed in that regard.
When I walked downstairs, surprisingly only Yang was awake. She'd already made some breakfast-type food, and was currently frying some bacon.
"Up early?" I asked, surreptitiously glancing at the clock. 9 AM.
"Yup. Ruby's fast, but unless she has something to do she never wakes up before ten if she can help it. I think she'd sleep even longer if she wouldn't worry about missing something." Yang giggled. "And Dad could sleep through a horde of Grimm."
"I see." I said. I motioned towards the bacon. "You want help with that?"
"No, no. You just get what you want of what's ready. This'll only take a minute and then I'll be done." The blonde waved me off. I shrugged and did so, making sure to help myself to some bacon once she'd finished it.
I was honestly surprised when Ruby shuffled in, almost looking like a zombie. This was the same girl who was almost bouncing off the walls last night?
"Mmrh." That was the only noise she made before dropping into a chair and piling food on her plate.
"Morning sis." Yang said, dropping some food into a bowl on the floor.
Dog bowl.
Sure enough, a small dog- corgi, I believe- bounded into the kitchen and began to eat the small mountain like a bucket-wheel excavator. Well, not scooping the food up. Just eating.
Ruby was gradually looking like last night, though she was still in some sort of medium state.
"Hey, Ruby, anything happen last night? Aside from y'know?" Yang asked, tilting her head at me. I frowned.
"I have a name ya know." I said.
"Yeah, sure." I was very tempted to chuck an apple at the blonde. Very tempted.
"Well, we met stopping a robbery… sort of." Ruby started. "Those goons looked like the guys working in the club you trashed last week."
"Junior's crew?" Yang asked. "Yeah, I think I overheard some of them talking about being hired out. Come to think of it, I never did get my drink..."
"Anyway, they weren't stealing money, they were stealing Dust." Ruby continued. "The leader, pretty boy in a white coat, tosses a Fire crystal at us. She grabs and jumps in like a second." She pointed at me. I think that crystal's still in my pocket.
"A second?" I asked. "Didn't feel like that to me."
"It was." Ruby said. "I know speed. Is that your Semblance?"
"My what now?"
"We'll discuss that later." Yang cut in. "Continue, please?"
"Fine. Then we followed Pretty Boy up to a roof and he got in a Bullhead and was about to blow us up with another crystal when Glynda Goodwitch shows up!" Ruby shot her arms in the air. "And she shields us and then starts hailing on the Bullhead and then this lady in a red dress comes out and throws fire at us but then Pyro takes the fire and throws it back and it was really cool…" She slowly descended into inarticulate babbling. Yang glanced at me.
"Then this 'Glynda' brought us to some place. I got to meet with this Ozpin guy, after he'd already chatted with Ruby. He offered me a place at his school called Beacon, and I accepted." I recounted. "Then Ruby grabbed me and ran back here. You know the rest."
"Wait." Yang said. "You two talked, with Ozpin? Headmaster of Beacon, Ozpin?"
"Yes…?"
"And Ruby got in two years early?" Yang suddenly swept her sister up into a hug. "Ohhh, I can't believe my little sister got in early! And she made a friend that's going too! This'll be great!"
"Cool." I deadpanned, watching Yang try to asphyxiate her younger sister by accident. "So what's a Semblance?"
"You don't know what a Semblance is?" Ruby asked. "Are you not from around here?"
"I don't know where I'm from. Amnesia, remember?" I tapped my head. "So for all I know, I have it, but don't remember what it is."
"Well, your Semblance is sort of a manifestation of your inner self." Yang said. "Like how Ruby's is speed and mine is-"
"Getting really angry and lighting on fire." I said, at the same time she did. We stared for a minute.
"How-"
"I don't-"
"What?!" We said at the same time. I don't even know where that came from! It was like I could see into her mind!
"So your Semblance is mind reading?" Ruby asked. She then leaned forward, doing the starry eye thing. "Sooooooo cool! Domedomedomedome!"
"Uh, no." I said, still somewhat confused as to how the flying fuck I did that. "I don't think it would work on command anyways."
"Moving on." Yang cut in, chopping her hand on her other palm. "I think yours would likely be that fire-wielding thing."
"Pyrokinesis." I said
"Thing. Do you have your Aura then?" Yang finished.
"Aura?" I asked.
"That's a no, then."
So.
People here have superpowers, called 'Semblances', and personal force shields, called 'Aura'.
Seriously. There's a legitimate reason.
See, most people are concentrated in four large cities, Vale, Vacuo, Atlas, and Mistral. These cities are the seat of government for the four same-named city-kingdoms, though I don't think any are actual monarchies. The reason is that there are these dark beasts called 'The Creatures of Grimm', capitalized, that kill anything that has a soul. Which tends to be normal people. Larger settlements like Patch can make it, as well as solo dudes, but get the wrong spot on your population chart and enough negative emotion and you're doomed.
Holy shit. No wonder people seem so OP compared to… to…. Wherever the hell I come from. Though somehow I got pyrokinesis (what does that mean? I assume it has to do with fire, since I'm throwing that around and it doesn't hurt me) and Aura. So what am I then?
I was broken from my musings while sitting on the couch waiting for Ruby and Yang to pack for Beacon (I had nothing but the clothes on my back, so I was set) by Taiyang asking where I'd met his younger daughter.
"At gunpoint." I replied absently. He sighed.
"Somehow, I find that entirely believable." He held his hand to his face for a second. "I'm not entirely sure about you, but I trust Ruby's judgement… somewhat. Yang seems to think you're fine. Just don't try to blow up the school or something?"
"Well, what if I need to blow it up?" I asked. "Besides, when could you tell me what to do?"
"...goddamnit Qrow." Taiyang said. I merely raised an eyebrow. What is his deal?
"Alright! We're ready!" Yang called, hefting a suitcase and two backpacks as she descended the stairs, Ruby right behind her.
"Yeah, yeah. Well, kinda hoped to avoid this for another two years." Dadyang sighed. He then picked the corgi up off the floor and started stroking him. "Least I'll have Zwei to distract me from my kids leaving me all alone…"
"Pack your bags." I rolled my eyes. Most obvious guilt trip I'd ever heard. I hopped off the couch. "How we getting there, anyways?"
"Will admit, didn't expect this." I said as I observed Vale lazily drift by below us. Airship had, indeed, not been on my 'Ways of Travel' list.
"Well, get used to it." Yang said. "Airships are nice and easy. And also not costing us gas money."
"Fair enough I guess." I said, ignoring the two sisters' new conversation about knees. I think Ruby mentioned something about 'special' when I noticed the newscast on the other wall. I left the two to their bickering as I sidled through the crowd to get a closer look.
"-led by nefarious criminal Roman Torchwick, who continues to evade authorities. Though much of the stock of Dust was stolen, the shopkeeper says that the rest was kept safe when two unknown girls showed up and thwarted the robbery. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Torchwick, please contact the Vale Police Department. Back to you, Lisa."
The view changed to someone -this Lisa, likely- behind a desk, with two images next to her; an image of people with… animal ears? And a red wolf head superimposed over three red claw marks.
"Thank you, Cyril. In other news, this Saturday's Faunus Civil Rights protest turned dark when members of the White Fang disrupted the ceremony. The once peaceful organization has now disrupted…" I tuned out of the news segment.
Why would people not have rights… simply because they had animal traits? I assumed such was the case. But still… just because they were part animal, maybe, they were a different class?
That's goddamn stupid.
"So why would they…" I muttered.
"Because they're different." Behind me, a black-haired girl wearing mostly white answered. She was also wearing an admittedly cute bow… that twitched.
I let my eyelids drop a bit. Suspicious.
"That's it?" I asked. She nodded. "Why do people have to be so idiotic?" I connected my palm to my face.
"Pride. Arrogance. Fear of change." She listed off. Her own amber eyes narrowed slightly. "What's it to you?"
"I just happen to disagree with what you also disagree with, and you're questioning me?" I asked.
"If you're showing interest, then you're either in it for money, or you're hiding something." She replied. "Which is it?"
"Hiding what?" I retorted. "I don't see you parading around, Miss…"
"Belladonna. Blake." She said, shortly. "I see we don't quite agree."
"Not in the way you think we don't, anyway." I shrugged and turned.
Some people… Faunus? Whatever.
Someone has motion sickness bad. So bad they ralphed on the airship, then immediately made for a garbage can to worship it once we docked. As a matter of fact, he did it on Yang's foot on the airship, which lead to the sisters freaking out. Thankfully, they've calmed down.
I was distracted from that from the view.
Beacon was obviously built in a style that was imposing, but welcoming. High towers soared above somewhat squat buildings at the end of a circular courtyard, with a fountain at it's center, several arches built around it.
I wasn't the only one, as I heard Ruby and Yang behind me express their appreciation.
"View from Vale's got nothing on this!" Yang whistled, shielding her eyes with her hand to see further. Ruby… was admiring other views.
"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh, Sis! That kid's got a collapsible staff! Oh, she's got a fire sword! HUUUUH! IS THAT A- owowowow." Ruby had started gushing, but Yang stopped her by pulling her hood.
"Easy there, sis. They're just weapons!" The blonde said.
"Yeah, but they're like meeting new people! Y'know, minus the people and talking…" Ruby said, pushing her fingers together.
"You did fine with me." I said, glancing around. Nothing else of interest, really.
"Yeah! You'll be just fine!" Yang said, pulling Ruby into a one-arm hug.
"Okay… So now what do we do?" Ruby asked.
"Ah, I was actually gonna hang out with my friends… havefunbye!" Yang said, running off to a group of people waving at her in the distance, waving to Ruby and I as she left.
"Wait! I don't really… know what I'm doing..." Ruby sighed. Then fell back. Into a pile of white suitcases.
"You! Utter! Dolt!"
Oh, no. I know what that voice belongs to.
Some girl wearing all white (except for the red inside of her jacket), and I mean all white, hair and everything, walked over, holding a bottle of red powder, marked with a snowflake emblem.
That stuff feels the same as that Fire crystal. Is it powdered crystal?
Oh, wait, she's ranting.
"-Dust, mined and purified from the Schnee quarry!" White girl was ranting on, waving the vial around. So, it's Dust, is it? And it's mined?
Oh, this can only end well….
"Are you listening to me? Is any of this sinking in?! Answer me!" White was now full tilt yelling at Ruby, who I think was trying not to sneeze from all the red glitter in the air.
"Oi. Back off, princess." I said to her, moving in to break it up. She immediately whirled to point at me (with the bottle in hand, mind) and continue ranting.
"It's heiress, actually." Me and her glanced over to the side. Sure enough, miss Blake Belladonna was there, looking for all the world like a bored teacher.
"Nice to see you again so soon, Blake." I replied. She gave me a look which I'm sure was somewhere between calculation and disdain, but otherwise ignored me. Yeah, real subtle.
"Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, one of the largest producers of energy propellant in the world." The other said, holding up another bottle (green) that had fallen from a suitcase when Ruby had flopped into them.
"Finally! Some proper recognition!" Weiss said, putting her hands on her hips.
"The same company which is also infamous for it's controversial business practices, labor forces and partnerships." Blake continued, tossing the bottle towards us. I caught it.
Wind.
Get out of my head, weird voice that says words.
"You-! How dare you-! The nerve! Grgh!" The white princess swiped the bottle from me and stormed off, suited servants following her with a whole load of suitcases.
"I'm sorry! I'll make it up to you!" Ruby shouted after her.
"Make what up to her?" I asked. "You hit some of her luggage and she started ranting at you."
"Yeah, but… I did hit her stuff." I rolled my eyes at the girl's naivety.
"Ruby, there's people who have one mode- hate everything. And those people may have a reason, but if they don't want to like you, you have no reason to try and like them." I said as I pulled her off the ground. I glanced at Blake out of the corner of my eye. "Isn't that right, Blake?"
She smirked slightly. "Maybe."
Once she'd left in the direction of the castle, Ruby and I started that way, before a blonde stumbling around with his hand over his mouth interrupted us.
"Oh, hey, Vomit Boy!" Ruby called at him, waving like they were the best of friends. I slapped my hand over my forehead. Subtle, she ain't.
"Who you-ulp!-calling Vomit Boy?" Vomit Boy replied, burping mid sentence. Probably heading off another episode of chunk-blowing.
"You, Vomit Boy." I said, now just getting annoyed. "There's no one else around and you haven't given a name for my irritatingly naïve friend to call you yet."
"You consider me a friend!" Ruby cheered, hugging me tightly. I rolled my eyes.
"We've been over this, Ruby."
"Well, my name's Jaune!" Jaune said, attempting to do a dramatic pose, pointing to himself with his thumb. However, he still looked like a lost kid.
"Sure kid." I said. "Look- much as I really want to hoist Ruby off on you right now, let's just cut the crap and go find the orientation. I presume it's that way." I pointed at the castle, the shadow casting over us despite the considerable distance we were from it.
"Yeah." Jaune said, burping behind his fist. "Sounds good."
"So." Ruby said as we passed by the large fountain in the center of the courtyard. "What's yours?"
"My what?" I asked, stopping to regard her with (hopefully) the confusion evident on my face.
"Your weapon!" And out came the scythe. "Mine's Crescent Rose!"
"Whoa!" Jaune jumped back as the tip slammed into the ground. "Who let you have a scythe?!"
"It's also a customisable half caliber high-impact sniper rifle." Ruby listed off.
"A wha."
"It's also a gun." I provided. Jaune ahhed in comprehension.
"Although… I suppose I may have gone a little overboard when I designed and built it…" She said.
"Wait. You built your weapon?" Jaune asked. He sounded surprised.
"Yeah. All students at Signal forge their own weapons." She replied.
"I may need to look into that." I said, flexing my left hand. "The one sword is fine, but… I feel like I'm used to fighting with two. Feels weird."
"Well, I think Beacon has a forge you can use. We can check it out later." Ruby then turned to me. "So what's yours?" She asked.
"Well…" I drew the sword from my back, careful to keep it away from either Ruby or Jaune. The blade snapped open, the laser blade forming as it always did in a flash of blue light.
"WHOOOOA!" Ruby gasped. "OHMYGOSH, THIS IS SO COOL! Not even Atlas has this kind of hardlight tech! Where did you make this?" She asked, reaching out to poke it with a finger.
"DON'T TOUCH IT!" I barked. Ruby jumped, thankfully away from the laser. "I didn't hit that guy with the light for a reason! I have no idea what it is, so touchy is probably not a good idea." I shut off the sword, the laser vanishing in the same way it appeared.
"Still cool! So what's it's name?" I paused in sliding it on my back.
"Uh… I don't think I ever named it. And I don't remember it having a name." I said.
"Lame Blanche." Jaune said.
"Gesundheit." Ruby and I replied.
"No, Lame Blanche. It's West Valiant for 'blank blade'." Jaune said. "Just a suggestion." He looked surprisingly serious.
"Okay." I said. "I don't think I'll give it a name in a language I don't know at all. That sounds pretentious as shit." I drew the sword again, looking it over. "But, I like the sound of 'Blank Blade'."
"Alright!" Ruby cheered. "Now, we've showed you ours, you show us yours!" She turned to Jaune, practically begging, were it not for the big-ass scythe.
"Phrasing, Ruby." I coughed.
"Well… I have… a sword!" He said, pulling said sword from the scabbard at his side. Standard double-edged longsword, nothing to really write home about. Must be an heirloom or something.
"It looks pretty old." Ruby commented. Indeed, the blade showed scuffs and scrapes that could probably only come from combat.
"It is. My grandfather fought with it in the war." He said. "It's more of a hand-me-down compared to you guys' weapons."
"Fair." Ruby said.
"Oh! And I also have this!" Jaune pulled the scabbard from his side, and then the sides folded out into a shield.
"Ohhhh." Ruby oohed. "Well, I like it! Not many people appreciate the classics!"
"I guess that makes sense."
WELL.
I finished this chapter a while back. Getting hung up on the last bit and not really remembering the sequence of events was fucking with me back then. Since, I just sat on it.
You have a friend of mine from elsewhere on the internet named Aleos to thank for me finishing this chapter, since s/he basically browbeat me into marathoning Volumes 5 and 6 of RWBY last night (at the time of editing), which cast me back into the pit of weeb degeneracy. Then I marathoned Volume 1 of my own volition, and am set to do the same with Volumes 2, 3 and 4 later. The only thing I can really say is that half the fun came from us taking the absolute shit out of Volume 5 (ALL THEY EVER DO IS JUST STAND THERE AND TALK) and Aleos's reactions to some of the weird shit I said/came up with/realized during that flustercuck. But worry not, fair viewers. RE:Project RWBY lives, and I have ideas for future stories as well.
CONGLATURATIONS TO ME.