Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY or any other familiar media that is shown in this story. This story is also Rated-M due to swearing, blood/gore, future sexual content, etc. Reader discretion is advised.
Chapter 5: The Fated Meeting
[Haven Academy - Headmaster's Office]
"So ladies, I take it that preparations for this year's Entrance Exam are almost complete?" Haven's Headmaster, Leonardo Lionheart asked the two women sitting before him.
In timelines following the main tree, Lionheart would have been nothing more than a cowardly pawn that would be willing to sacrifice his own Hunters to save himself and his city as a whole. This timeline was...another outlier outside of the norm as the Lionheart was one of the notable 'victims' of this universe being an outlier.
With a far more youthful look and confident vibe to him, this Lionheart had seen more action on the battlefield having fought alongside Ozpin. Because of Salem's lack of recent attacks, Lionheart's bravery had been allowed to bloom into more of a steel spine, willing to tell Ozpin if he disagreed with him if he had to. In short, this Lionheart had become something far more significant than most of his counterparts.
"Yes sir, everything should be ready for when the exam starts tomorrow," Fulani Maaram, Lionheart's Deputy Headmistress, informed him while glancing at her scroll. "Speaking of which, there's another matter to deal with. Ozpin left a message...one rather concerning."
She was a rather tall and muscle-bound woman in her early forties, just two inches short of being seven-foot with sun-kissed tan skin, long sandy blond hair reaching past her waist, green eyes, and a long rattlesnake tail waving lazily behind her. She wore a tight dark purple bodysuit designed for tactical combat, with retractable spikes on the gauntlets. She was armed with several knives in different sheathes, a bright red scarf around her neck, visible helix piercings shown on both ears, and a wedding band on her left hand.
What would once be the youthful freedom fighter was now the seasoned Deputy Headmistress, being called the Faunus Goodwitch...to those who yearned for her. Alas, unlike Glynda herself, she was happily married to a wonderful husband with a pair of twins at home.
"Is it about Salem? She's been quiet as of late," The lion man asked.
"No, it's about two students that we're going to be taking in if they pass the initiation. He's suggesting they get therapy sessions, but get this...from a neutral party as a precaution." Fulani said as Leonardo raised an eyebrow.
"Neutral party? He's usually all for it in-house." Leonardo said in concern, looking at the message himself. "Hmph and it seems that the other headmasters are in agreement. Even if I wanted to say no...I got outvoted."
He read through the case file on why they are requesting it and sighed realizing exactly why Ozpin was bugging for this.
"Fulani, I have a task for you. We're going to ask...her for help." Leonardo said with a shudder.
"Her!? Sir, I think she's still upset with us." Fulani said with a shudder of her own.
"You miss one kid who was showing signs of abuse and she's glaring you down like you've murdered a bunch of puppies," Leonardo sighed tiredly as the second woman patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry uncle, I'm sure if we explain why we need her help she will understand," Lionheart's niece, Miwa Lionheart, said encouragingly with her naturally soft voice.
Like how her Uncle was back in the day, Miwa is a very timid, skittish, and sometimes cowardly fair-skinned young woman being only twenty-one years of age standing at only 5ft 4in with short messy pale yellow hair, an average build, and thick black square-framed glasses over her dull brown eyes. Her attire consisted of a white collared blouse, a red suit jacket with a matching colored pencil skirt, tan pantyhose, and black Mary Janes.
Miwa works as Leonardo's secretary which was something she rather enjoyed doing as she wasn't really a frontline fighter like a lot of the other staff were. She was actually going to business school to hopefully start her own company someday in hopes of further helping her community in Argus thrive even more. However, due to drama at home with her parents and her...condition, she had to leave all that behind and come under the care of her uncle who was more than happy to give her a job.
"You're sure we can't just have Miwa go and talk to her? She likes her!" Fulani exclaimed pointing at Miwa who smiled sheepishly.
"She made it perfectly clear for us not to use my niece as a peacekeeper for anything unless it's a life or death situation," Leonardo deadpans, making the Deputy facepalm.
"Damnit fine I'll do it...but I swear to Oum if she kills me, I'mma haunt your ass for eternity," Fulani glares at her boss.
"Don't be dramatic you two, I can just take care of this."
In walked Haven's school psychologist, an ivory-skinned woman with raven hair who looked more like she was ready to party than work. Standing over an inch taller than Miwa, she did not exactly look like a fighter in her large bright pink blouse with deep blue shoulder straps, yellow ankle pants with white knee pads, deep blue heeled boots, gold stud earrings, and lavender eyeshadow to go with her bracelets. The only real ounce of the profession she had was the doctor's coat she wore with her emblem, a peregrine falcon sporting a tanto blade in its beak.
"Miss Nak-" Leonardo began.
"Dr. Nakamura. I did work for the title as you did to be Headmaster," The woman interrupted
"Sorry about that Bridgette, a force of habit with him," Miwa said gently.
"It's fine. I've 'overheard' the whole thing." Bridgette said brushing aside her bangs. "I'll deal with the old bunny mama."
"That is brave of you, but she would snap you like a twig," Fulani said as Bridgette looked unfazed.
"Oh please, I'm not afraid of her at all," Bridgette said confidently.
"Dr. Nakamura, if someone were to tell me that the Might of Maternity was coming to kick my ass, I would hide in the damn vault and pray she can't tear the door off," Leonardo said without any shame. "So tell me, how do you plan to even deal with that?"
"Simple. I can peer into minds...and let's just say, I know why she's so passionate about what she does. Her greatest shame. It is what she has kept under wraps...something…" Bridget began before a soft but strong hand suddenly gripped her shoulder.
"That you shouldn't have said you know about it, dear."
Bridgette froze before slowly turning and looking down a bit to see the woman in question looking at her with a disapproving glare only a mother could give.
"Dr. Tsukino!" Bridgette exclaimed, frightened.
Cola Tsukino was a woman whose very presence radiated motherly and kindness but with an undertone of seriousness and cutthroat professionalism. She stood an inch shorter than Miwa with healthy peach-colored skin, light orange eyes, and soft hazel brown hair wrapped in a beehive-like hairdo with a bang sweeping over her left eye. Her Faunus traits are a pair of large lop rabbit ears about four feet in length each being a darker shade than her hair with the tips being a rust orange color along with a matching rabbit tail.
Her attire is a long-sleeved green dress with white trim, a fitted pink vest with a yellow ascot, black gloves with matching colored low-heeled shoes, and red-colored lipstick. She also wears a pair of tea-shade sunglasses and has a medallion hanging from her neck with her emblem in the center which happened to be a pair of orange wings in the center of a black circle.
"If you know the truth, then you know exactly why I do what I do. I would think less of you if you were considering blackmailing me to get me to help." Cola said as the fellow psychologist was insisting that was not the case. "Because I'm going to have to take that away."
"If I can ask...what did happen? I know that Lapinary history is a bit hard to get. Most people know that the kingdom your people once ran fell and the people left that island never to return," Miwa remarked softly.
"That's because the inaction of my ancestor is what led her ex-husband down a dark road….with the deaths of one too many innocent children. The loss of their own daughter...and when finding another human child...to have to see that child forced to take the lives of what they once loved to save himself and those poor souls," Cola said, showing a bit of pain in her voice. "In the end, what they wanted was freedom...for the kingdom to be freed was the curse our land was handed. The boy killing him and the daughter would be the thing that ended it, freeing the kingdom. Of course, no one wanted my ancestor to rule so everyone left...and it's been a curse on the family. Only recently broken with the sacrifice my great aunt made in cursing Salem herself...crippling her from the waist down...even if it's possible for Salem to heal from it. Salem would reel from the phantom pains."
Cola sniffled, wiping her teary eye as Leon and Miwa looked at her with sympathy while Bridgette schooled her face to keep a smirk from breaking out. Her 'plan' was working perfectly and Cola did not realize it.
"If it helps, we need yours. These two children need therapy...and I'm too...conflicted to do the job properly." Bridgette said, putting on a sad face and giving her the paperwork. "We need a neutral party. We need you, Dr. Tuskino."
"I'll take the job," Cola said, wiping her tears. "I'll have a schedule arranged. You can thank Ozpin for calling me ahead to get me here."
Cola had left via magically teleporting out of the room and Bridgette had a little smirk of her own on her face. The one that said she just did something devious.
"What did you do?" Miwa asked in concern, knowing what that look meant.
"Aside from playing her like an old violin to get her to open up, take the job, and get her mad at me instead of the headmaster? Nothing at all." Bridgette said victoriously. "Even faked that call to her putting on my best Ozpin impression."
Leonardo choked on his tea when he heard that, he didn't know if he should be impressed with Bridgette's deceiving skills or terrified at what would happen if Cola found out and came back to try and kill them.
...both, definitely both.
"Now, we all keep this dirty secret between us and the lovely headmaster approves me of a fiv-no fifteen percent raise for saving his and Fulani's skin," Bridgette said with a sickly sweet smile.
Leonardo groaned tiredly, somehow he knew it wasn't gonna be that easy.
[-KHGM-]
[Comforton City - Main Street]
While Lionheart was getting 'persuaded' for a raise by his Psychologist, we find Konner, the Fluffy Boi himself at a rather popular noodle stand called Noodlefro, happily chowing down on a large bowl of beef ramen while Betty Swoops was eating a bird-sized bowl of veggie ramen. His guitar [Omnisynth] and his tanto [Triune Fang] are in their normal places while the rest of his gear, as well as the new weapon Raven gave him, was sent ahead to Haven to be stored away in a temporary locker that he could get to later.
"Mmmmmm, this is so good~ Thanks again for the meal Mr. Afro," Konner muffled in appreciation, getting a chuckle from the owner.
"No problem kiddo, just make sure you don't talk with your mouth full okay? I have enough on my plate in telling my kids that," The owner, RonI said with a smile. "Also you don't have to call me mister, just Afro will do."
RonI was a very tall thirty-eight-year-old man, standing at just 9ft 5in with milk chocolate brown skin and black hair that's styled into probably the biggest afro Konner had ever seen which completely covered his eyes. It looked to be even bigger than him! His body was also rather lanky but still had very noticeable muscles that were toned and his arms and a bit of his face were covered in scars from battles long ago.
He wore a small white scarf around his neck with the kanji for Sage of Six Bowls in bold black, a black chef shirt with matching colored pants, and a white apron over his outfit with various spots on it from cooking while a wedding band was on his right hand. He also had a black and white checkered visor hat around his head, keeping his fluffy hair down to conceal his eyes, and also wore a large hairnet that completely covered his hair without messing it up.
"Right, sorry Afro," Konner said sheepishly before going back to eating. "I'm just so excited for tomorrow as I'll be able to take Haven's Entrance Exam to become a Huntsman-in-Training."
"Aren't you too young to take it though? You're like what, eleven? Twelve?" RonI asks curiously.
"First of all, I'm fourteen, and second, I was sought out by the headmaster himself to take the exam early, so there," Konner explained while sticking his dark purple, almost black in color, komodo tongue out childishly.
'Note to self, ask Fulani about this when she gets home,' RonI mentally adds. "Well all I can say is be careful, Haven has earned its reputation in having the hardest entrance exam in the four kingdoms for a good reason."
"Don't worry Afro, I may not look it but I am pretty tough," Konner said confidently. "Plus with Betty Swoops with me and watching my back, this test will be a breeze."
Said bird stops her eating to coo in agreement before both she and Konner return to eating and RonI goes back to cooking. All was quiet in the stand beside the slurping of noodles...that is until the flaps were moved aside and in walked Giovanni, rocking a new pair of blue aviator shades gifted to him by his mother.
"I thought I smelled something awesome. Mind hooking me up with some miso ramen?" Giovanni asked lazily while smoothly sitting down.
"Coming up," RonI said before his hands literally became blurs of motion before setting down a large bowl of miso ramen in front of a shocked Giovanni. "Order up."
"Holy shit!" Giovanni exclaimed, earning a hearty laugh from the owner.
"I always love that reaction, it never gets old," RonI says before going back to cooking.
"Know what...just for that badassery I'm gonna be coming here as much as I can while in Haven," Giovanni said before grabbing his chopsticks and digging in. "Damn, this is good ramen."
"Glad to know I have another loyal customer so soon," RonI smirks before Konner chugged down his broth and asked for another bowl. "Coming up kiddo."
"Thanks, Afro," The hybrid said before turning to the older teen. "So you're going to Haven like me? Guess we'll be seeing each other again in class."
"Oh? Am I in the presence of a young prodigy?" Giovanni says with mock admiration making Kon chuckle sheepishly. "Relax man I'm just fucking with ya, but I am curious how a ten-year-old is allowed to take Haven's entrance exam."
"I'm fourteen damnit," Konner deadpans at Giovanni making the older teen chuckle at his expression. "As for your second question, I was approached by Headmaster Lionheart himself to take the exam early. I know I'm young and inexperienced, I get that much, but I am far from weak and can handle myself just fine. Besides I'm only doing this so my grandparents will stop worrying when I leave to go and find my parents...once I gain more experience that is."
Before Giovanni can comment on that last part, someone else walks into the stand.
"So, we meet again…Giovanni," A familiar monotone voice greeted.
"Sera? Oh damn, girl. I missed seeing your weird-pretty face...and it's good to be reminded of it." Giovanni said with his trademark fanged grin.
"Good to see you kept your word," Seraphinite said sitting next to him. "Though I have some news about your mom. It seems you're going to be getting a sibling."
Giovanni's chopsticks clattered on the counter at this as he got out his scroll to call his mother and have words with her while stepping outside.
"What's up with him? I thought getting a new sibling would be a good thing?" Konner asks innocently.
"His mother's a widower, do the math," Seraphinite droned sarcastically.
Kon wisely decided to stay quiet at those words and go back to eating as Giovanni came back inside with a scowl on his face, his sharp teeth showing.
"Sera...I'm gonna kill Clover and Marrow both the next time I see them so if you wanna give them a heads up then, by all means, do so," Giovanni snarled while angrily eating his ramen. "I can't believe Clover knocked up my mother."
"If it makes you feel better, he has to pay child support. Ironwood was pretty mad about that." Seraphinite said with a shrug.
"What? Banging my mother?" Giovanni asked.
"Oh no, that he had no issue with. It was knocking her up that was the problem. We can't be known as the country that got the feared Grimm Eater out of the house while banging his mother." Seraphinite said dryly as Giovanni facepalmed.
'I hope it's twins or triplets so they can milk the fucker dry,' Giovanni darkly thought before the flap was lifted again, and in walked a familiar desert-dwelling ranger.
"Excuse me...I could use some directions to Haven Academy," Megumi asked sheepishly.
Spleet was standing at her side panting happily like the good lizard dog he was.
"Oh, I'm going there soon. Grab a seat and take up a bowl, my treat." Konner offered and the bandanna-wearing girl did just that. "Also you have a very good-looking Great Horned Lizard, what's his name?
"Thanks, his name is Spleet, and I'll take one bowl of chicken ramen please sir," Megumi ordered before RonI placed a steaming hot bowl in front of her. "What the fu-I didn't even see you move!"
This earns laughs from Konner and Giovanni while Seraphinite cracks a small smirk at the other girl's expression. RonI also sat down a large bow full of various meats for Spleet free of charge which the lizard-dog began to devour happily
"Years of practice, honey," RonI winks at Megumi, making her blush a bit before turning to Sera. "Would you like something dear?"
"Do you have sushi ramen?" Seraphinite asks before RonI's hands were a blur of motion again and then sets down a large bowl of decorative sushi ramen much to Seraphinite's silent delight. "Thank you."
The group of four mismatched teens ate their meal in relative silence and after finishing and paying RonI, they all left for Haven Academy together. Along the way, they all introduced themselves and talked a little about where they come from before Konner decided to ask everyone a question on his mind.
"So why do you guys wanna be Hunters anyway?" The hybrid asked the older teens. "Not trying to be nosey or anything, I'm just curious."
"Well, for me personally it was to follow the footsteps of my idol but now…it's for me to branch out and become my own person and not be labeled due to who my family is," Megumi said before seeing their question faces and then clarifying. "My last name…is Saisei
"Is that all?" Seraphinite asked with a raised eye. "If you're worried about me comparing you to them then don't, I judge people by their actions alone not the actions of others."
"I personally don't give a shit so you're cool with me beanie girl," Giovanni shrugged.
"I'll admit I do have some beef with your mother since she tried to steal my Dad from my Mom…but I don't hate you Megumi," Konner assured and gave a hug for good measure. "Like Sera said, I only judge the actions of the person, not the actions of others around the person."
"Thanks, Kon, I needed to hear that," Megumi said gratefully before looking at Gio. "What about you mister pompadour, what's your reason?"
"I did it because the government decided I should put my skills to use. So, they convinced me to." Giovanni snarked, making Seraphinite roll her eyes.
"Because millions of Lien makes that such a hard choice. As for me I'm in it for helping others...and to find my uncle," Seraphinite said looking up at the sky. "But finding him is a total pain. All the info I managed to get on him was that he was known as Zed of the Dead."
That revelation made Konner trip on his own feet and face plant into the dirt in shock making everyone stop to look at him in concern.
"You alright, little dude?" Giovanni asks as Kon jumps to his feet and looks at Seraphinite with wide eyes.
"I know who your uncle is! He's a former bandit that escorted me here!" Konner exclaimed, making Seraphinite look at him with wide eyes.
"You met him!? Where is he now?" The gynoid asked the hybrid who shrugged.
"Heck, if I know, that poncho-wearing asshole dipped out of town a few days ago without saying a word. I still need to punch him in the face for using me as a repeller by the way so don't get mad at me when I do." Konner grumbled while Betty Swoops nuzzled him to calm him down.
"Wait a second, that was him?! Before I left the Ace Ops, we had to deal with a bandit issue on the way to convince Giovanni here to join an academy. We had an informant willing to give us the information about their routes and the like using a voice modulator. When we got there...we had to fight them. Even though they were underpowered against us, they refused to surrender peacefully. Even when it was down to the leader being the last man standing, I had to kill him. What we found was they were defending their treasure hoard which we discovered was empty….I don't know if they knew it was empty or not though." Seraphinite said, shaking her head.
"Bet you anything Zed robbed their asses dry when they weren't looking. Or he probably already did and met up with Kon here to get to Mistral." Giovanni cackled.
"I'll give him props that he wised up to not be a bandit at the very least," Megumi remarked. "Not anyone can just leave that lifestyle with money in tow."
"He's still a dick," Konner muttered while kicking a rock. "And it'll be too soon before I see that prick again."
"Did being used as a repeller really upset you that much?" Seraphinite sarcastically asked before Kon glared at her.
"No, it's something more than that and if you wanna know, ask him yourself whenever you see him again," Konner tersely said before briskly walking ahead of the group.
"Wait for me, Kon! I still don't know my way around yet!" Megumi called out before rushing after him with Spleet right on her heels.
"Hmmm, methinks you upset the kid, milady," Giovanni teases Seraphinite mockingly.
He received a hard punch to the arm for his troubles as the two went ahead to catch up.
[-KHGM-]
[Haven Academy - Main Campus Courtyard]
After catching up with one another and the two Faunus trading apologies, the group had finally made it to Haven Academy and could see many first years around the courtyard, either talking with fellow students-to-be or getting a feel for the place themselves.
"Man, this place is huge," Giovanni said in slight awe while looking around the area.
"No kidding and this is only the courtyard," Megumi said. "Imagine what the inside is like?"
"According to records, Haven has gone over many expansions over the years since became Headmaster," Seraphinite explained.
"Well, I'm gonna go look around before the headmaster gives his speech, see you guys later!" Konner says before Flash Stepping away to explore more of the school.
The three older teens were surprised at his movements but decided not to question it for now before going their separate ways for now as Megumi went to try and find a place to stash her stuff while Seraphinite and Giovanni went off together in a random direction.
Back with Konner, he was seen blitzing around the place to look at everything but was not really paying attention to where he was going before a girl on her hoverboard began grinding on a rail ready to nail a trick only to fly into Konner and land on the railing between her legs.
"Not the vag, man!" The girl squealed in pain as another girl to the side began laughing at her expense. "Arslan, stop laughing!"
She appears to be sixteen years of age standing at five foot two with light green hair swept to her right, teal eyes, and a fair complexion. She also wears two black facial markings on her cheeks. Her attire reflects that of a typical skater motif. She wears a dark purple hooded sweater over a mauve sweater, black shorts as well as knee pads and elbow pads on her arms and legs, and black shoelace high-top sneakers.
Her friend that was laughing, Arslan, is a Faunus girl around Megumi's age standing at 5ft 9in with a dark complexion, platinum blonde hair, and olive green eyes. She wears a yellow robe with only one wide, loose-fitting sleeve over a black tube top. She also has black pants and shoes and a red sash embroidered with a white "endless knot" on it which Konner assumed was her emblem. She has bandages on both her legs and arms as well as a red necklace and what appears to be two matching red sticks on the back left side of her head. Her Faunus traits are a pair of lion ears and a tail the same color as her hair.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going!" Konner exclaimed while looking the girl over.
"It's cool man, thankfully my Aura is kicking in," The girl groaned as he helped her up. "Also was that the Flash Step technique you used? I haven't seen anyone besides my friend here pull it off that well."
"Yeah, my grandparents taught me how to use it since literally everyone in my family knows that technique so its only made sense for me to learn it," Kon said with a shrug.
"That's a pretty gnarly ability dude. The name's Reese Chloris by the way," Reese introduced herself before glaring over her shoulder at the still snickering Faunus. "The giggling pussycat there is my questionable BFF, Arslan Altan."
"I told you we should have gone inside but you just had to pull off that trick," Arslan said as Reese hissed.
"Bite me." Reese snarled as Konner and Betty Swoops sweatdropped at their antics.
'I wonder how the others are doing?'
[-KHGM-]
With Megumi, she was seen placing her stuff in her assigned temporary locker, and just as she was going to leave she noticed someone leaning on the lockers, a disinterested look on his face. He looked to be about a year younger than her standing at her height with long pink hair tied back into a short ponytail, with an undercut, and the undercut portion of his hair is black. He has a dark complexion and blue eyes. His outfit consists of a cream-colored short-sleeved jacket with yellow details and a black, long-sleeved V-neck shirt, with cream-colored fingerless gloves, black medium-length pants, and cream-colored sneakers.
"Hey, you ok there?" Megumi asks, catching the boy's attention who only sighed tiredly.
"Physically yes but mentally and emotionally...not so much. Sorry, I don't need to bore you with family problems," The boy said before standing up straight and turning to leave.
"Then I think I'm the best one to talk about that stuff, considering the years of bullshit I had to endure in order to come here," Megumi speaks up stopping the boy in his tracks. "You don't have to tell me about it now but if you ever want to, then just hit me up. My name is Megumi by the way."
"...Nadir Shiko, I'll see ya around," Nadir said before leaving the locker room, leaving Megumi to her thoughts.
'Shiko...now where have I heard that name before? I'll worry about it later, I need to find the auditorium for the Headmaster's speech,' Megumi thought before leaving the locker room.
Meanwhile, Giovanni and Seraphinite were seen walking down the halls with no direction in mind...before they came upon a rather strange sight.
"Dude...what the hell are you doing?" Giovanni asked.
The question was directed at a boy around Sera's age with lightly-tanned skin, amber eyes, and black hair. He wears two yellow sashes, one around his waist the other over his shoulder alongside a dark blue vest and gray pants with yellow lacing up the sides. He also wears black boots, black fingerless gloves, and a dark gray beaded necklace.
Right now the boy was currently balancing on top of his staff...upside down and on his pinky finger, showing off his incredible balance and upper body strength.
"Practicing my balance as the monks taught me." The boy casually says before flipping to his feet and expertly swirling his staff around before placing it on his back. "My name is Bolin Hori by the way, a pleasure to meet you both."
"You were raised by monks?" Giovanni asked with a raised eyebrow. "How do you still have your hair?"
Bolin gave him a dry look making Giovanni laugh at his expression...but stopped when Seraphinite stomped on his foot.
"Ow!"
"Forgive him he can be very rude due to being a Grimm-eating psychopath," Seraphinite deadpans.
"Bite me," Giovanni snarked, walking past them.
"You'd like that wouldn't you?" Seraphinite snarked back walking after him
"...wait, what was that last part?" Bolin asked before rushing after them.
[-KHGM-]
It wasn't long before Konner, Megumi, Seraphinite, Giovanni, and their new acquaintances met up at the doors leading to the auditorium and after brief greetings, they all went inside which was a rather grand hall where the teachers were all on stage...and that was when Konner recognized a familiar former bandit. He was not wearing the mask, but he still wore the same poncho and hat.
"No freaking way…is that Zed?!" Konner sputtered. "How the hell did he end up working at Haven?!"
"That's my uncle?" Seraphinite whispers while looking at the man who was probably her only living blood relative. 'I guess I have even more reason to pass the exam so I can see him more.'
On stage, the school psychologist was scanning the minds of the students for potential cases.
'Let's see...most of them are normal...a few hiding their sexual deviancy, former abuse victims, and...oh great this is going to be a mess already.' Bridgette thought, writing down several names on a clipboard. 'Ok, I have a list of those that need sessions.'
As she thought this, Leonardo walked up to the front of the stage catching everyone's attention and the students to be quiet and listen.
"Ahem, welcome future huntsmen and huntresses to Haven Academy. I am your Headmaster Leonardo Lionheart,," The Headmaster's voice boomed throughout the room without the use of a mic. "I'm quite pleased to see so many new and fresh faces joining us this year and I can't wait to see what you will bring to the plate in initiation tomorrow at 8 am sharp. I will warn you now that this will probably be one of the toughest hurdles you'll have to cross in your young lives but I have faith you will all be fine and if you do happen to fail fret not for you'll have the chance to retake the exam next time. Tonight you all can relax and rest but tomorrow you better bring your A-Game, lest you be left behind. With that said, I wish you all the best of luck in tomorrow's initiation."
This earns a round of applause from the students as this fills them all with new determination and vigor to pass tomorrow's test.
"And try not to die, we don't need the extra paperwork or to deal with your families bitching at us," Fulani added dryly as several staff members laughed at her joke.
This earned a laugh from the more cocky initiates while the others began to whisper nervously and unsurely at the Deputy's words. Leonardo audibly growled at his staff making them shut up before he then gave the students directions to the ballroom where beds were prepared for them to sleep. But before that, he directed them to the cafeteria to have dinner.
"Well...that was a thing," Megumi said awkwardly.
"Why do I get the feeling that if we do pass that woman is gonna be a total troll to us?" Giovanni mused in thought.
As the students left, Konner got the feeling he was being watched but shrugged it off, thinking it was nothing.
[-KHGM-]
Night has fallen over Haven Academy and the hopeful initiates could be found in the massive ballroom bellies full of delicious food and sleeping peacefully...that is, everyone except a certain fluffy boi who was wide awake.
"Dang it, of all the days I'm up most of the night it had to be tonight," Konner grumbled while flipping off his covers to get up. His sleeping attire is a long-sleeved salmon-colored shirt, black shorts with the number 8 in bold white on the right leg, and a white scrooge nightcap.
He looked to the foot of his bed to see Betty Swoops sleeping peacefully in his normal hat, using it as a makeshift nest bringing a smile to his face. He quietly makes his cot up before carefully lifting his hat onto his pillow, careful not to wake his bird. The hybrid then tiptoes out of the ballroom as quietly as possible, softly closing the door, before making his way down a random direction in the school. Soon he came across a large school map and decided to look it over to see where he wanted to go too.
"Let's see I'm here so where should I….oh! They have a hedge maze, that's a good place to practice," Konner grins before taking off in the direction the maze was.
It didn't take long for Konner to find the maze and he flew into the very center of it as it had the most space. He noticed there was a white gazebo with a few chairs there as well along with many flower bushes.
"This place is nice, I should probably come here whenever I can't sleep," Konner muses before shaking his head and focusing. "Ok time to focus… let's see if I can try and control my wind powers. Hopefully, I make more progress than the other times."
Konner didn't know why but ever since he could remember his wind abilities have always been hard for him to properly control which frustrates him to no end despite trying almost every trick in the book.
"Well as Grandma always says, practice makes perfect. I won't be getting any progress just standing here, let's get to work!" Konner exclaimed.
As Konner began to focus on controlling a small yet janky ball of wind he formed in his hands, he was unaware of something small with glowy eyes watching his movements from the shadows with interest and amusement.
'So the little pup has finally come to Haven hmmm? It seems my master's predictions were spot on...I wonder what you'll do once you become a student here? Let's hope you can do your ancestor justice young pup, my master will want to play with you soon~'
Konner was still oblivious to the figure watching him from the shadows, his mind focused on his wind ball and tomorrow's exam.
[-KHGM-]
[Beacon Academy - Ozpin's Office]
Across the sea in the Vale Kingdom, we find Ozpin and Glynda relaxing in the former's office after finally dealing with all the paperwork for today regarding the Huntsman and Huntress hopefuls coming to take initiation in a few days. Glynda was seated on one of the sofas reading a magazine and Ozpin was at his desk looking over the files of some of his future students, a cup of joe in hand.
He was prepared for anything, except for Raven walking in the front door in a black long sleeve suit jacket, black camisole under a white collared blouse, a gold belt, a black pencil skirt with dark stockings, and strappy mid-calf heeled boots. A pair of stylish yellow sunglasses adorned her face as well.
"Raven? What are you doing here?" Glynda asks.
"I'd like to apply for a job." She said rather bluntly.
Ozpin nearly spat out his coffee while Glynda's mouth hung open in shock, the two also saw a flying Boarbatusk outside the window.
"You're hired," Ozpin said blankly.
"Ozpin?!" Glynda exclaimed in disbelief.
"Glynda, the woman has a really useful semblance, so useful that if she can learn to make more bonds with people it will make her as equally useful as you," Ozpin said bluntly.
"Plus a certain fluffy-tailed kid told me that you've been looking for an assistant to help you in combat class and I'd like that position. I haven't just been drifting around Remnant doing nothing you know, I've constantly been honing my skills on Grimm and people alike to defend the helplessness as is my job as a Huntress," Raven stated firmly. "Add on to the fact that I have years of combat experience under my belt as well as having a few leadership skills makes me more than qualified for the role."
"But…" Glynda weakly protested.
"No, buts. She's hired. If she puts in the effort to come professionally dressed then I'm sure this will work out just fine." Ozpin said, calming himself down. "Not every day a Boarbatusk flies past your window."
Glynda protested only to see another Boarbatusk fly past the window.
"I…." Glynda said before another one came crashing through the window.
"Sorry about that old boy! My aim was a little off!" Port called below with a hearty chuckle.
Ozpin killed it with ease before leaning back in his chair.
"Don't worry Raven, Glynda is just taken aback. I'm happy to see you want to help the next generation but as a precaution, I need you to take a few therapy sessions. This is to ease both mine and Glynda's minds as well as others who would question you being here," Ozpin said.
"Oh fine, who's the shrink?" Raven said as someone silently materialized behind her.
A chill went up Raven's spine as she slowly turned to see Cola Tsukino behind her who was munching on a carrot.
"What's up doc?" Cola said as Raven gulped nervously.
"You're upset with me aren't you?" Raven asks nervously.
"Yes, I am because I have kept offering therapy to those who need it like you and you've always blown it off. I'll be honest, it wasn't until Summer joined the R.R.C. with Takumi and Sachiko that I learned the complex issues your team had. Taiyang's been having a few sessions with me, and you have been on my list for quite some time." Cola said as Raven was shaking. "Postpartum depression is serious business. You could have come to me to resolve it."
"I know that doc but…not everyone is open to therapy," Raven admitted defensively.
"Your daughter was the same. It wasn't until she was caught trashing a bar that I got her in my office. I had to use old-fashioned discipline on her. And seeing you're going to be under Ozpin's orders now…we're going to have family therapy." Cola said as Raven swallowed her fear.
"That's perfectly fine," Raven said, trying to act brave. "But I wanna do that once Yang has passed initiation, I wanna stay in the shadows a bit more until then to not distract her."
"Of course you do, but it is understandable so I'll let it slide for now," Cola agreed. "Maybe you can convince your brother to come for some therapy. Ozpin refuses to force his hand even though his constant drinking is a factor. But that is for another time. For now, I am very proud of you for trying to get your life together and I suppose there could be couples counseling in the future."
Cola teleported right out of the room leaving Raven to slump in the office chair. Ozpin poured her a shot glass of brandy and handed it to her which she took gratefully.
"Welcome back to Beacon Miss Branwen."
TO BE CONTINUED...
Author's Note:
And there we go, another chapter done like dinner. The members of KHGM have finally met and they even got to see the future members of Team ABRN. I decided to make Arslan a Lion Faunus for this universe due to her title in the show being the 'Golden Lion of Haven Academy' and I find it weird RT didn't make her a Lion Fasunus considering she's based on Aslan from "The Chronicles of Narnia". If you guys don't like this idea I understand but this is what I wanted to do for her.
Speaking of lions, I hope you guys like how I'm doing Lionheart in this story as I wanted to make him something more than a sniveling backstabbing coward like in the show. I wanted to give him an elder mentor vibe to him so I hope I did it justice. For those wondering, Miwa is an OC since we don't know jack about if Lionheart has any canon relatives me and the guys decided to give him a niece that will act as his secretary. His deputy Headmistress, Fulani, is a character from my old "Trials of Fable" story along with my boi RonI and if haven't guessed yet, the two are happily married together. Meanwhile, Cola and Breidgetta are two new characters the latter being made by my boi yoshi3000 but they are actually based on two rather well-known characters from different franchises. Can you take a guess on who they are?
Either way, I'll see you guys in the next chapter...before I forget what do you guys think of the path I've set for Raven? Leave a review of your thoughts and I'll try to answer them later.