Going to lay off the puzzles for a few chapters.
Speak to self
Speak to Ghost
Figuring Things Out
As team RWBY are out shopping, Joseph stays back. He sits down on Weiss's bed, having a small conference with Xeno.
"Y'know, I've been suspicious about Blake…" Xeno says.
Joseph nods as he has his index and thumb on his chin, "Yeah. Now that you think about it, she is the most mysterious one out of Ruby's group. The thing that stood out was…"
"Her bow" they both said.
They both look at each other, Joseph chuckles, "Heh, same minds think alike."
"Yeah. Anyhow, Blake's bow moves so oddly, it's like…"
"They are ears…" they both said.
Xeno looks at Joseph, "ok this has to stop, it's getting creepy."
Joseph just laughed, "So, you think she's a Faunus?" Joseph asks.
"Either that, or it's just the wind making her bow move oddly."
"Well, let's assess the traits that can possibly prove that Blake is a Faunus."
Xeno flies on top of Joseph's head, "well, her skill in battles, she has reflexes like cats."
Joseph snaps his fingers, remembering something, "Oh, she and I were able to hear something pretty far, where no normal human would be able to. But, where I couldn't identify the sound, she figured it out within seconds."
"Hmm smart, well Faunus can see in the dark, and when we did the session when fighting in the dark."
"Oh yeah, I had them use their other senses instead of relying on their eyes…"
"And all of them failed except Blake, it was like she could see through the dark."
"Nice, what else facts that can prove that she's a Faunus?"
"Tuna!" Xeno said
"What?"
"I saw her hoard a nice load of tuna when I went shopping with them, I was like 'oh, she's a tuna fan', but now thinking about her being a cat Faunus makes a lot more sense."
Joseph gets up and walks to his sleeping corner, "We should confront her when we have the chance. But for now, we should stay quiet, she must have a reason on keeping this a secret, but seeing that there are many people who're racist towards Faunus's and even treat them like slaves, makes me understand why she is hiding it. Like, look at Velvet, she's a bunny Faunus and Cardin's teammates are being dick-heads towards her. Good thing Cardin is trying to fix things up."
"Well, when should we confront her?"
"Next week after Friday's class, I'll talk to her, I just hope I can get some answers on why she is hiding her identity."
Meanwhile in the World of the Traveler, Tower
Harper materializes next to Lillie, "Lillie, Ikora Rey wants to see you, I don't know why, but let's see what she wants,"
"Okay," Lillie walks towards the Bazaar, and finds Ikora where she usually is.
"Lillie, greeting. I have a question to ask," Ikora says
She tilts her head, "what is it?" She asks
"It's about Joseph and his worlds, the stories that he shares are… interesting, would you mind taking me to him?" Asks Ikora.
"Well that's strange for you to say that," Lillie slightly giggles, "but yeah, I will."
"Thank you Lillie." Ikora smiles, "Taro also shared some information with me about the Spider. Talking about, 'The Blake Armory' he says that you should tell Joseph about this Armory." Ikora explains
"Will do. We will head off next week on Sunday" Lillie says.
Spying on Joseph
Ruby spots Joseph in his huntsman outfit and his guns in his holsters.
"Hey Rubes! Whatcha doing?" Says Yang.
"Look, there's Joseph. Where is he going with his Huntsman outfit?" Ruby asks.
"I don't know, we should follow him. It might reveal some secrets about him." Yang starts to follow Joseph while Ruby follows.
As the two follows Joseph, Weiss and Blake spots them as well and they all followed Joseph.
Joseph starts to exit Beacon and back into the Emerald Forest.
"Why is Joseph going back into the Emerald Forest? It's dangerous to go alone." Ruby said.
"Let's just keep spying on Joseph, every question will be answered when Joseph goes to his destination." Weiss said.
They continue to tread quietly while Joseph continues to walk.
Joseph stops in a wide space, Xeno materializes next to him. "This is the place Joseph."
Joseph smiles, "Ok," Joseph looks around the area. "Well, Oz says there will be hoards of grimm coming up real soon, usually a guy named Qrow would do this, but he's on a mission Oz says. Alright, let's get ready for the hoard."
Joseph materializes multiple weapons that were unfamiliar to team RWBY. He brought out three machine guns, each had a certain element. Nova Mortis, Thunderlord and Abbadon. He places them on the floor neatly, he then grabs a curved sword with smoke like engravings on the blade.
"Ah, Black Talon, such an unusual sword," Joseph says. He swings a sword towards a tree to unleash a void projectile, cutting through the trunks, the tree falls. He pulls the tree next to the neatly placed machine guns. Joseph grabs Abbadon and mounts it on the trunk and aims in front of him.
Multiple footsteps and roars came in front of him, small rumbles of earth started to head towards Joseph.
"You ready Joseph?" asks Xeno
"Always," hoards of grimm started to appear and Joseph started firing, shredding the Beowolfs' and Ursas'. As they were ripped apart by the machine gun, they combust into flames, hitting more grimm as they explode. As Joseph runs out of ammo for Abbadon, he switches to Nova Mortis, then to Thunderlord. Not even a single grimm was able to touch him with the firepower he has.
"Wow, Joseph is just ripping those grimm apart…" says Yang
"I have never seen weapons like them before… What kind of dust ammunition is he using? Wait, is he using gravity dust for that weapon?" asks Weiss
"With the amount of force the gun is giving him, I bet the strongest man on Remnant can't even take that amount of recoil." says Ruby.
Joseph brings out Black Talon and starts sending out void projectiles, until it ran out of energy. He wrestles an Ursa, ripping the tail off of the Deathstalker, and snapping the necks of Beowolfs. As Joseph finishes off the last Ursa, using his arc staff to decapitate its head, a loud screech from multiple Giant Nevermores soars the sky.
"We got to do something, Joseph wont last long!" Yang said
"Wait a moment, is he, laughing?" Blakes sees that Joseph is starting to laugh, like he is enjoying this.
"Has he gone mad?" Weiss says.
"C'mon!" he yells, "Show me whatcha got!"
The Nevermores starts to send out a barrage of feathers towards Joseph. He simply spun his arc staff, deflecting the barrage of feathers back to the Nevermores. Feathers were impaling the Nevermores, one by one they fell. Dying by their own attack.
The dust settles, and Joseph all exhausted sits down on the tree trunk he sliced off. "Whew, that was fun, never been able to use my arc staff like that, but seeing its capabilities, it's pretty damn useful, to a certain extent."
"Well, we should get going, we should tell Ozpin about the good news." says Xeno
"Yeah, sounds great. Team RWBY aren't going to be back in their dorms for a while, I'll prepare them supper as soon as we get back." Joseph says. They both walked back to the school as team RWBY watches him.
"Joseph… he just took out an armies worth of grimm!" Weiss said.
"Just what is he? He's so strong, he has a weird semblance and just everything about him is weird!" said Yang.
"Well guys, we should just head back, we shouldn't be talking about it here," Ruby said.
"Why should we ignore that you dunce? Joseph isn't human! He wiped out an armies worth of grimm with ease! We need to ask him what he is, because no regular human can do that!"
"Oh please you're just overreacting, you heard, uncle Qrow was able to handle the amount of grimm," Ruby reassures.
"Oh yeah, Joseph mentioned uncle Qrow, was it by professor Ozpin?" asks Yang.
"Well, Joseph did say something about Ozpin saying that Qrow would do this job, but I guess he is on a mission, so he asks Joseph to do it." Blake says.
"Well now that's settled, let's go back to Beacon, Joseph is cooking us something," Ruby says.
Belladonna's Secret
Joseph's training session was over and everyone was heading to the showers.
"Blake," Joseph calls, "I need to speak to you. The rest of you, go to the showers, get yourselves cleaned up. All of you guys did great!"
Blake walks to Joseph, "You need anything," she asks.
Joseph's voice went a bit softer, "Tell me, with honesty because I'll know that you are lying. Are you a Faunus?"
The question shook Blake, she turned a bit hostile, "How did you know?" she asks sharply.
"Calm down, I won't expose your little secret. But to give you some details, Xeno and I were quite suspicious about you Blake, with your bow moving in an odd way, you being so well fighting in the dark, and identifying that sound that even I couldn't tell what it was." Joseph explains.
"Okay… what do you want from me?" Blake asks in a more hostile attitude.
"Geez, I told you to calm down, but instead got more hostile," Joseph sighs, "What I want from you is that why, why are you hiding who you actually are? Are you afraid of that discrimination? The fear of being put down by your team? Or both?" he asks.
"Why does it even matter?" she asks
"Because, I am your friend and teacher, when I see someone hiding who they are, I want to ask questions, and if you are afraid that I'm going to put you down," Joseph laughs, "Why the fuck would I do that?" Blake was still not convinced. Joseph sighs again, "Look Blake, my home town, there were only humans, no faunus. But there was discrimination between those who had a darker skin color than others. They were treated like Faunus's, slaves, tools to serve the wealthy. My family and others saw this and were like 'fuck no! Faunus or not, no one should be used as slaves'. There was this man, who gave a speech about his dreams and how this discrimination were preventing those dreams to come true. Sadly, he was assassinated, but his voice still lives on making a major movement to stop the slavery in my home town."
Blake never knows about Joseph's hometown, but what he said, hit her a bit. "I-I'm sorry Joseph, I never knew things like that happen to humans as well…"
"Theres nothing to be sorry about, the discrimination towards Faunus are still occuring. But, when Ruby, Weiss, Yang, Jaune, Nora, Pyrrha, and Ren sees that you are being shat on by a dick head, they will be there for you, I will be there for you, protecting you from those assholes. There is no shame in showing who you really are. Yes, I might not understand, but I have seen many people being discriminated against on their looks, and I hate to see that. I can see why you want to hide who you are, but, it will need to be revealed. One way or another, but for now, take baby steps. Some might not accept you as a Faunus, but I do, Ruby does, Yang does, Weiss… eh I dunno, her father, who sounds like an ass already, enslaves Faunus's but, she'll grow. Trust me, we will be there for you."
"Thank you…" Blake says. There's never been a guy like Joseph before, he can be comical, but also kind. He is ruthless in fights, but gentle when out of fights. He can act like a child but act maturely in serious situations.
Joseph gets up, and waves a farewell to Blake, "Well, you should go shower. I'll do so as well."
"Thank you Joseph, for this conversation and keeping my identity a secret," she gave a mild smile and walked away.
Joseph walks out of the auditorium with Xeno right next to him, both we're having a conversation about making Joseph his own custom made weapon.
Departure
Joseph was walking with team RWBY to get some groceries. They were discussing what they should get.
"We should get groceries that'll last us a week, so then, what do you guys wanna eat for the next seven days?" asked Joseph.
"We should suggest food that we all agree upon," Ruby suggested.
"Well I'm fine eating anything," Yang says,
"Nothing too greasy," Weiss says.
"No spoiled fish," Blake says.
"Hmm… nothing greasy and no shitty fish… hmm…" Joseph snaps his fingers, figuring out what he should make, "My mother taught me how to make this delicious dish. No grease, and a delicious steamed fish!"
"Really? What does it consist of?" asks Ruby.
"Soy sauce, ginger, onions, green onions and cabbage." Joseph says. He materializes Xeno, "okay, Xeno, add ginger, soy sauce, onion, green onion, cabbage, and five fi-" Joseph spots Ikora and Lillie with their warlock armor, no weapons showing. He stops, "make that seven actually."
"Why is Lillie here, with Ikora?" asks Xeno.
"Dunno, but, I guess something happened."
Joseph feels a tap on his shoulder, he looks to the right to see Ruby, "do you know those two? She asks.
"Yeah," Joseph smiles, he walks to Lillie and Ikora, "Team RWBY, meet my dear friend Lillie Dawn and my mentor Ikora Rey." Joseph says.
"Wait, Lillie? That girl who gave you that cookie recipe!?" asks Yang
Lillie did a small wave, "Hi," she says feeling a bit awkward.
"You sure made a lot of friends Joseph," Ikora says.
"Heh, yeah. A bit crazy, but aren't we all crazy," Joseph says.
"What's with the outfits? Are they Huntressess?" asks Weiss.
"Uhh, they are not! They're just uh… cosplaying! Yeah cosplaying!" Joseph laughs awkwardly. "Anyhow, my friend's and I are going to catch up! So, get the groceries that'll last us for a week." Joseph says.
"Okay, have a good day Lillie and Ikora!" Ruby waves and the team left to go to the store,
"Follow me, we're going to this cafe and then we'll talk." Joseph says.
Ikora and Lillie followed Joseph to a Cafe and they took their seats and were given their drinks.
"So, why are you guys here? Did something happened?" asked Joseph
"Well, yes and no." Lillie says. "I came here to bring Ikora here. She wanted to ask some questions and there is a secret armory in our tower and Taro and I wanted you to help them."
"Is that so, well what do you want to know?" Joseph asks Ikora in a relaxed manner.
"I want to know about the good things about this world." Ikora asks.
"Well, Remnant, this is what this world is called, is a world infested with monsters called 'Grimm' and they are like the hive in the World of the Traveler. To defend themselves from the grimm they have warriors called huntsmen and huntresses. Just like guardians, except they're not immortal." Joseph explains.
Ikora slightly laughs, "I said I wanted to hear the good things," she says.
"I thought those were the 'good things' these days." Joseph says in a bit of a sarcastic manner. "But, with jokes aside, Remnant has academies, for huntsman and huntressess, the kids I'm with are in one of those academies."
"Oh? And what is this academy called?" she asks
"Beacon Academy. The headmaster, Ozpin, don't know his last name, but he knows what I am and knows where I am originally from."
"Interesting, what are you doing in Beacon academy?" Ikora asks
"Well, I came to this world to rehabilitate after the incident… but I was caught up in an exam where you had to retrieve an 'artifact' and return the artifact to Ozpin, with your formed team. I wasn't in a team nor even signed up for it, so Ozpin interviewed me in secrecy and decided to make me a student and a trainer for those students and a few others."
"What are you teaching these children?"
"Well, some of the less complicated things that you, Zavala, Cayde, and an old master of mine taught me."
Ikora laughs softly, "It seems like you've been busy."
"Yeah, I am. But, if there is anything that's going on in World of the Traveler, my doors are open."
"But who will teach the kids" asks Lillie.
"Well I was going to ask you if you should do it," Joseph says
"Why me?" Lillie asks.
"Well, I trust you more than anyone in the world. I taught you many things the same things go for you as well." Joseph explains.
"Well, I'd love to teach these children a thing or two, but what about strike operations or six-man team operations?" asks Lillie.
"Then I'll ask you Ikora." Joseph said.
Ikora looked at me, "Why?" she asks.
"Well, my students already know who you look like and plus, I won't do Saladin, because he might talk mumble about his deceased Iron Lords or talk about me in Iron Banner, not Zavala because he's busy with 'keeping the wall sturdy', Shaxx? No, his way of teaching, won't end well with Team RWBY and JNPR… but you Ikora, you can keep things hidden. Also it'll just be a while."
"Well I never handled kids ever since the creation of the walls. But, I will give it a shot." she chuckles. "So, any tips for these students?"
"Well well, interested are you?" Joseph laughs. "Well, Ruby the one in red and black, she's a skillful scythe user but can still improve them. She also has a major weakness when it comes to being disarmed with her weapon. Weiss the one in white and light blue, she's a bit of a rich rebel. But her skills in battle are pretty impressive. But her endurance in battle is her weakness. Yang, the one with yellow hair, is a powerhouse. She's like Wei Ning which is her downfall and she really can't counter kicks, and Blake the one with the bow, she's pretty flexible and her reflexes are like cats, well mostly because she's half cat half human, she's a faunus or like what I call them in some other worlds, demi-humans. Blake likes to keep some things to herself so it's hard to ask her what's wrong."
Lillie laughs, "well at least they keep you busy."
"Eh, they can be a handful but that's fine. So, what's the other thing that you want to tell me?" Joseph asks
"Well, Taro got some word from the Spider about his acquaintance called the 'Black Armory' and they are hidden in the Annex in the Tower. Here, Taro said that you'll need this to be accepted by their wares." She passes a badge to Joseph.
"Thanks." Joseph says as he places the badge in his pocket. "Well, since you two are here, I'll introduce you to Ozpin, to fill him in about the current situation right now," Joseph says.
Beacon Academy
"So these are your friends in the World of the Traveler?" Asks Ozpin
"Yeah, this is Lillie my dear friend and Ikora my mentor and Warlock Vanguard." Joseph explains.
"Pleased to meet you two" Ozpin says.
"You too," Lillie says
"So, I've gotten word about a hidden armory in the City and I am going to check it out. So I'll be out of this world for a while maybe a week or two, a month if it's serious." Joseph says
"You have a person to take your place?" asks Ozpin,
"Yes, Lillie here will teach children and if Lillie is with me with certain operations, Ikora here will take her place."
Ozpin smiles, "Thank you for helping up Lillie and Ikora. If you want to, you can go into the classes that Joseph goes into and learn about Remnant. But, Joseph's class will start on Friday and go until the whole day." Ozpin says
"That's nice, I might even check out the classes." Lillie says
I am interested as well. It's a nice feeling, to take a small break on being a Warlock Vanguard but also nerve wracking as well. To be here away from the City and its inhabitants makes me feel like something might happen." Ikora says
"Me too Ikora," Joseph agrees
"But there will be times for us to relax a bit. Some guardians even forgot that option." Lillie says.
"Well, I will be leaving by tomorrow, so for now, I'll make you two comfortable, follow me, we'll make dinner." Joseph says.
Team RWBY has dropped off the groceries and placed them in the fridge. Joseph started to make his mother's delicious steamed shoyu ginger fish, while Lillie started to bake her cookies. While Ikora tries to assist them but fails at the process and just watches the married couple do their magic.
"Y'know you two make a good couple," Nora says.
Joseph jumped and accidentally cut himself when cutting the onions. Xeno heals the cut while Joseph washes the blood off his finger.
"I dunno, with Joseph's stubbornness, it's pretty hard to keep a stable relationship," Lillie jokes
Joseph chuckles, "Ha,ha" Joseph says sarcastically.
"Well, if it does work out, Joseph here will be an exceptional housewife," Lillie laughs.
"Oh wow," Joseph laughs as well, "Jeez, housewife? Sounds hard though…"
"Oh please, says the one who keeps wandering around and fights monsters on a daily basis who's now teaching students." Lillie says
"You two will seriously make a good married couple." says Yang
"Please just thinking about it makes me vomit," Lillie says.
Team RWBY and JNPR started laughing.
As the food was ready, they gathered around and started to talk. Surprisingly, Ikora talks to Ren and Blake.
"Well, I have an announcement," Joseph says. "I'll be away, for a while, something going on at home and they need me there. If it's something small, it'll take a week or two. Dont worry, Lillie will take my place, please treat her well, she will do the same as well, and if I need Lillies assistance, Ikora here will take her place, but it comes in rare times. Trust me, you'll like them."
"What's going on in your hometown?" asks Ruby
"Well, there has been rumors that there is a small armory that may or may not be a threat. So I'm going to check it out." Explained Joseph.
"All by yourself?" Asks Jaune.
"Yeah, I'm usually alone in small operations anyway, so I can handle myself."
The group looks a bit down, hearing the news of his departure.
"It seems that they like you Joe Joe," teases Lillie
"Hey we don't talk about that nickname." Joseph says. "Anyhow, I will need to get going soon. You guys stay safe" Joseph says.
"I will have to go as well. Good luck Lillie," Ikora said.
"Be safe Joseph," Lillie says.
"I can't promise that." Joseph said.
Lillie did sign language "I love you" it says
Joseph did sign language as well, "I love you too," they both smiled and Joseph and Ikora left the dorm.
Tower, Annex
Joseph opens the hidden passageway revealing a door that was once a wall. He walks into a dimly lit room that has a walkway to some computers and to the sides were weapons. Joseph and Xeno examine the weapon.
"A sniper… interesting…" Joseph mumbles to himself.
"Stunning isn't it?" Asked a female Exo's voice.
Joseph turns around trying to trace to Exos voice.
"That weapon… is beyond special. A witness to the slaughter of our founder. And my ally in vengeance against those responsible. Lightbearers. Just. Like. You." A silhouette of a female black and white Exo appears, slowly walking to Joseph. "You are not welcome here, Guardian." She says in a threatening tone.
Joseph reveals the badge that Lillie gave him.
The Exo looks at the badge and looks a bit surprised. Her tone is still cold but a bit more welcoming, "I see. Well then…" she starts walking to the computers, "What we offer Guardian is privilege - normally afforded to those who do not already have their own. Today, however, it would seem our doors are open to you." She stops and turns to Joseph. "Welcome… to the Black Armory."
"What are you doing here in this scary place?"
"I am on a mission, a scouting mission to observe our enemy."
"Are we close?"
"I hope so. I don't want to lose you, child. Please, stay close to me." - Lost child to the Huntress
Feedback is greatly appreciated!
