Happy holidays you guys.

I just want to say thank you for supporting me and to apologize about the drop of quality for this chapter due to my burnout. Please forgive me. It's been an eventful year.

EDIT: Readjusted dialogues.


Christmas Truce of 1914


"What is Christmas?" Oobleck's pen was already pressed against his notebook.

"It is a religious and cultural annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. An important figure in a religion known as Christianity."

"I see. I see. And this Christmas Truce? I'd assume that both sides involved in this world's Great War… Pardon me, I mean World War 1. Both sides celebrate the same holiday?"

"Correct. The Christmas Truce occurred on and around Christmas Day 1914 when the sounds of rifles firing and shells exploding faded in several places along the Western Front during World War I in favor of holiday celebrations. During the unofficial ceasefire, soldiers on both sides of the conflict emerged from the trenches and shared gestures of goodwill."

"To lay down their arms and celebrate something they have in common…" Ozpin sighs wistfully. "Even in the direst conflict, there's still hope for an end."

Oobleck finished scribbling in his notes. "Indeed. Our Great War had moments of truce. Alas, it's mostly in the face of Grimm."

"Finally, a breather," Yang grumbles.

Weiss nods. "I concur."

"Deserving after watching that…" Blake reclines in her chair and folds her arms.

"Without further ado. Let this viewing begin."

December 1914

The scene opens up to a group of Royal Scots Fusiliers, under the command of Lieutenant Gordon, having a Christmas celebration within a trench on the Western Front. A Scottish soldier, Father Palmer, who is an army chaplain and a stretcher-bearer, is seen arriving at the group.

"Hey, lads, where'd you get the pipes?" He acknowledged and returned a few greetings to the soldiers before repeating his question. "Where'd you get the pipes?"

"Music instruments?" Velvet curiously asks.

"Bagpipes or pipes are a woodwind instrument."

"I found it." A Scottish soldier answered. "The guys in 92nd heard we'd be in the trenches for Christmas."

"That was decent! Don't suppose there's a spare set?"

"Sit here, you can use mine." The soldier moved over for Father Palmer to sit.

Lieutenant Gordon raised a bottle "Come on Padre. Give us a song."

The soldiers all let out a light-hearted chuckle.

"What about I'm dreaming of home?" Said another soldier.

As Father Palmer starts to play the bagpipes, a French soldier the seen ducking his head into the snow while in no man's land. The noise also catches the attention of French and German troops, who are also celebrating Christmas within their trenches.

Harriet leans in her chair. "Instinctively ducking his head. Guess it's a much-needed habit if you're out in the open like that."

"Keep your head down is probably a universal saying." Elm crosses her arms. "More important if you don't have aura."

"That guy must be stranded or something. Crawling on the snow like that." Said Marrow.

Lieutenant Gordon and the Scottish soldiers start to sing.

"A song I've often heard

It flows through me now

So clear and so loud

I stand where I am"

As the Scots continue their singing, the scene changes over to a French Lieutenant named Camille René Audebert, who is seen with something on his mind as a nearby French soldier named Private Ponchel is seen holding an orange cat within his arms. The soldier pets the cat as it purrs.

"Kitty!" Nora squeals.

Roman grunts and rolls his eyes. "Another stray cat."

"This is a different group judging by their uniforms." Noted Penny.

The voice of the Scots carried very faintly through no man's land.

"And forever I'm dreaming of home

I feel so alone, I'm dreaming of home"

The scene changes back to Father Palmer and the Scots singing.

"Come boys, louder!"

"It's carried in the air

The breeze of early morning"

Over in the German trenches, soldiers of the German 93rd Infantry Regiment, which include their commander: Lieutenant Horstmayer, listen to the Scots sing.

"I see the land so fair

My heart opens wide

There's sadness inside

I stand where I am

And forever I'm dreaming of home"

"The sound these bagpipes make really carry through the air." Said Neptune.

The scene then changes back to the Scots singing before changing once again to the French soldier. He glanced in the general direction of the singing and shakes his head before trying to crawl across no man's land.

Maria lets out a snort, "Somebody's not having a good."

"I'd imagine war would do that to people," Pietro said sadly.

"I feel so alone, I'm dreaming of home"

The bagpipe and singers held their tunes until the song is finished. Then they let out a celebratory cheer, laughing, clapping, and toasting their drinks. The scene then changes back to the German trenches, most of whom are eating.

"They seem to be having fun." A German soldier named Nikolaus Sprink draws their attention. To his right is a woman named Anna Sørensen. "Wouldn't you like to as well? This is Anna Sörensen."

"Good evening." She greets them.

The soldiers greet back. "Good evening."

"A different language. They're speaking… What was it? German, yes?" Asked Oobleck.

"Correct."

"Fascinating. There's some overlap to the words used by Mantle and Atlas."

"What's all this?" Lieutenant Horstmayer gets up and approaches Sprink. "Are you mad bringing this lady here?"

"She looks like a civilian, not a soldier." Ironwood grunts. "You shouldn't bring a civilian to a warzone."

The Scots can be heard singing and playing the bagpipes from the distance.

"Lieutenant," Sprink addressed his commanding officer respectfully. "I convinced the Kronprinz that a little music would do no harm."

Robyn rests her head on her hand. "Sounds like he convinced someone important."

"All about connections, huh?" Qrow chuckles.

Horstmayer didn't look amused, weighing his decision. "Very well." He concedes and nudges his head to the side. "Fire away."

Sprink smiles brightly. He walks up toward the front of the trench and picks up a little Christmas tree and sets the tree on top of the trench wall.

The scene then changes to the French soldier still crawling his way through no man's land. The French soldier looks up and sees the Christmas trees being put up by Sprink and the other German soldiers from their trenches. Fearing for his life, he hastily rolls over into a crater.

"Poor guy. He has no idea what's going on." Tai worries a bit. Misunderstandings can spiral out of control.

Raven's face remains impassive. "As if he can help it."

"I'm not saying it's his fault."

"Could have fooled me."

The sight of the Christmas trees catches the attention of the French soldiers in their trenches. One soldier calls out to Lieutenant Audebert.

"Lieutenant!" A French soldier whispered loudly. "Come quickly, something odd is afoot."

The laughter on the French side quickly died down and the mood grew serious. Lieutenant Audebet got up from his seat and jogs over to observe the Christmas trees in front of the German trenches.

"I don't like this, Lieutenant." They scan no man's land, seeing Christmas trees lined up atop the German trenches. "Could be a diversion for some dirty trick."

"Can't blame their line of thinking." A battlefield is a place of active danger. Lowering one's guard would be a death sentence, something Winter knows very well.

"Yeah. Not exactly a good place to celebrate." Qrow takes a swig from his flask. "Not much of a choice on their end though."

In the German trenches, the soldiers were cheering and toasting their drinks, beginning their celebration of Christmas. Sprink starts to sing 'Silent Night' while accompanied by another soldier playing the harmonica.

"Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht

Alles schläft; einsam wacht

Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.

Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,

Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!"

(Silent night, holy night

All is calm all is bright

'Round yon virgin Mother and Child.

Holy infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace!

Sleep in heavenly peace!)

"I wonder if he was a singer before the war started." Weiss ponders out loud.

"Will go great on his resume." Yang jokes.

"If he survives." Vernal callously remarks.

The scene then changes to the Scots listening to Sprink sing before it goes back to Sprink and the Germans.

Sprink took a quick breather before resuming. "Stille Nacht-"

Just as Sprink starts to sing the next verse, he and the Germans hear Father Palmer start to play the bagpipes in the tune of 'Silent Night' much to their surprise.

Penny gasps softly. "It's starting. How lovely."

"That it is, my girl." Pietro pats his daughter on the head.

Sprink then continues his singing, now joining in harmony with the bagpipe music.

"… Kundgemacht

Durch der Engel Halleluja,

Tönt es laut von fern und nah;

Christ, der Retter ist da!

Christ, der Retter ist da!"

(… At the sight.

Glories stream from heaven afar,

Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia;

Christ the Savior is born

Christ the Savior is born)

He slowly strolls over onto the firestep, singing loudly over the trench.

Audebet and the French troops noticed the German soldier singing over the top and were partially stunned by the man's bravery. The lieutenant turns his head and notices that the soldier who called him from earlier is aiming his rifle at Sprink. Audebet quickly reached out and stopped the French soldier from taking a shot, clearly intent on listening to Sprink singing.

"That was close." Oscar breathes out a sigh of relief.

"Something tells me these guys are party poopers." Nora huffs.

Ren sighs. "Nora, you shouldn't assume."

The other French soldier in no man's land peeks up from the crater to glance at Sprink's singing.

"Sprink." Horstmayer snaps at the singing soldier. "Get down!"

"That was a bit reckless." Said Glynda.

To their surprise, Horstmayer and the Germans hear clapping and cheering from the Scots. It is then shown that Gordon and his men are all out of their trenches and are sitting down in front of them, clapping and cheering Sprink's performance.

"Would you look at that?" Port whistles.

Sun smiles. "That got them out of their shell."

Father Palmer then stands up and starts to play another song on the bagpipes, which is 'Adeste Fideles'. Otherwise known as 'O Come, All Ye Faithful' with Sprink looking delighted. After Palmer finished his tune, Spink starts to sing again, only this time he sings in Latin.

"Adeste fideles

Læti triumphantes,

Venite, venite in Bethlehem.

Natum videte

Regem angelorum:

Venite adoremus

Venite adoremus

Venite adoremus

Dominum."

(O come, all ye faithful,

Joyful and triumphant!

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!

Come and behold him

Born the King of Angels:

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.)

"He's singing in another language!" Penny exclaimed.

"That is Latin." The Hosts explained. "Many religious ceremonies were conducted in Latin and is considered to be a universal language to many Christians."

"To sing not in his native tongue, but in a common tongue..." Ozpin had his hands clasped in front of him. "It appeals to a sense of unity. They are not so different."

Sprink picked up a Christmas tree and proceed to walk out into no man's land to the shock and surprise of the German troops. The Scots then start to play the bagpipes and join in on Spink's singing. All of the Scots stand in attention and watch Spink as he makes his way over to them.

The singing German soldier walks past the French soldier in the crater clutching his rifle. He lets out a breath but does nothing.

Yang rolled her eyes. "Sheesh. Chillax."

"And I thought the Atlesian was uptight," Qrow smirks, knowing the response.

"We resent that statement," Winter replies icily.

"Cantet nunc 'Io',

Chorus angelorum;

Cantet nunc aula cælestium,

Gloria! Soli Deo Gloria!

Venite adoremus

Venite adoremus

Venite adoremus

Dominum."

(Sing, choirs of angels,

Sing in exultation,

Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!

Glory to God in the highest:

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.)

The camera transition to the French's trench with Private Ponchel, who is next to Audebert, singing along with Sprink in silence. Sprink finished singing and lowers his tree and starts to speak.

"Good evening, Englishmen!" Sprink greets them loudly in German.

"Good evening Germans, but we're not English! We're Scottish!"

The Scottish soldiers break out in laughter as the French watch on. They then see Lieutenant Horstmayer marching up to Spink.

"Scottish? Their nationality?" Oobleck inquires.

"The Scottish people, or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland."

"Very nice, but that's enough." Horstmayer cautioned Sprink. "This is not the Berlin opera."

"You're right." He agreed with his commanding officer and grins. "It's better than Berlin."

"Could've passed for an opera house." Mercury shrugs.

"A rather cold and outdoor one," Emerald adds in.

Cinder pursed her lips. "Not as cold as Atlas."

Back in the French trenches, the French soldiers watch as Gordon approaches Horstmayer and Spink.

"Well, I never! That beats the lot... A summit meeting and we're not even invited!" Ponchel mumbles softly.

"Shut it, Ponchel! What the hell's going on?"

Audebert begins to make his way out of the trench and heads over to where Gordon, Spink, and Horstmayer are at.

"The gangs all here!" Yang wraps her arms around Weiss and Blake much to their annoyance.

Upon arriving, Audebert salutes both Horstmayer and Gordon, which only Horstmayer returns the salute.

"Good evening." Gordon smiles at the French officer. "Do you speak English?"

"Yes... A little."

"I wonder what our world be like if we all spoke a different language." Said Pyrrha.

"I hope sign language is universal." Neo's sign jokingly read.

"Wonderful. We've been talking about a ceasefire for Christmas Eve. What do you think?"

Audebert is unsure how to answer. Of all factions, the French soldiers are the most reluctant to parley with the enemy since they're waging a defensive war literally on their home turf against the Germans.

"Just say yes! Don't be a grouch like Blake and Weiss!" Nora flails in her seat.

"Hey!"

Seeing that the French officer is hesitant, the Scot continues to press for this temporary peace.

"The outcome of this war won't be decided tonight. No one would criticize us for laying down our rifles on Christmas Eve."

"Don't worry, it is just for tonight." The German officer said in English.

"A logical excuse. They are fighting another man's war that will span for years." Raven scowls and leers at Ozpin. "A pawn for another's cause."

The focus shifts back to the French's trench with the French soldiers conversing with each other in hush tones.

"What the devil are they up to?"

"Maybe the Germans are fed up." Said one soldier.

"They want to surrender." Offered another.

"I doubt it."

Cinder chuckles softly, "Gossips are so easily spread."

"Not much to do out there other than to fight and die," Mercury mutters.

Audebert makes his way back over to the French trenches. "Give me a bottle of champagne and my beaker."

The scene then changes to Gordon, Audebert, Horstmayer, and Sprink all drinking French wine in the middle of no man's land. Audebert was about to pour Gordon first but decides to fill the Germans cup first out of goodwill.

The first for Horstmayer.

"Thank you."

Then for the German soldier, Sprink.

"Thank you."

And last is Gordon, who waited until Audebert filled in his share before raising his cup for a toast.

"Merry Christmas!"

Horstmayer raised his cup. "Merry Christmas!" He said in German.

"Merry Christmas!" Said Audebert in French.

"Cheers to peace, no matter how temporary it may be." Qrow toast along with the officers.

Ozpin smiles and clinks his mug against Qrow's flask. "Indeed."

The four of them drink their wine prompting light flares to be launched into the night sky, causing numerous soldiers to cheer.

"Makeshift fireworks." Coco takes off her shades. "Make with what you have."

"What idiot did…?" Horstmayer mutters under his breath and stops.

French, Scottish, and German troops all start to make their way into no man's land. A German soldier spots the French soldier within the crater.

"Merry Christmas!"

The German soldier offers the French soldier a bottle but the French soldier just grabs his rifle and gets up. Despite the cold shoulder, the German soldier tried to help him out of the crater, but the French soldier just brushes him off with a growl.

"Wow. Are all these guys this grumpy?" Nora herself looks grumpy as well.

"Well… He has been crawling out in the open. Cold and alone." Pyrrha reasons.

"He's probably been through a lot." Said Jaune.

The officers regard their soldiers with a look of surprise. Soldiers from all sides walk up to their opposites in silence. The crowd grew larger, yet the silence remains.

Anna emerged from the crowd and walks over to Sprink who welcomes her to his side. Both French and Scottish officers were taken aback that there was a woman in the front lines though they quickly compose themselves.

Coco snorts. "They act like they don't know how to interact with girls."

"We still don't know how to interact with you." Fox flippantly remarks.

"Good evening, I'm Anna."

Audebert tips his hat and Gordon nods. An air of awkwardness permeates as neither officer knows how to proceed now that the ceasefire had taken place. This extended to the soldiers. All of them just stood around and looked at each other. Then a German soldier named Jörg offers Private Ponchel some chocolate.

Ponchel looks at the chocolate suspiciously before gesturing to Jörg. "You first... Go ahead."

Nora points at the French. "Okay. Are they losing badly, or is it their culture that makes them suspicious or acts like they got some chip on their shoulder?"

"The French are waging a defensive war against the Germans. The lands they are on and were fighting for is theirs. As such, they've grown weary of their adversaries."

"Can't blame them. You're not going to be nice to the people who trashed your place." Mercury could understand that. He's not exactly the forgiving type either.

Jörg breaks off a piece of chocolate and eats it. Satisfied, Ponchel takes the chocolate bar and starts to eat it. After appearing to like the chocolate, Ponchel gives Jörg a bottle of French wine which the German soldiers accept.

A meow catches Jörg's attention and he sees the orange cat from earlier. As Jörg and Ponchel start to talk about the cat, numerous French and German soldiers start talking to one another within the background.

"Felix! Where have you been?" Jörg asked the cat in German.

"No, his name is not Felix, it's Nestor." Ponchel refutes in French.

"It's Felix…"

"No, Nestor. It's the cat from the Delsaux farm. No, I know better than you."

Jörg reaches over and picked the cat up. "It's Felix..."

"No, Nestor. Here, I've had enough." Ponchel gives the chocolate back to Jörg and took the cat off Jörg's hand.

"It's Felix..."

Robyn shakes her head while silently chuckling to herself. "If they start fighting over the name of a stray cat…"

Qrow lets out a snort. "I wouldn't put it past the people back on Remnant to do the same thing."

"Hah! Some things are always the same."

"No, Nestor. See? It's Nestor."

The cat begins to walk back to the French's trench.

"It's Felix."

"Nestor's heading for the French side," Ponchel said smugly.

One of the German soldiers showed the Scots a locket with his wife's picture inside, but not before kissing it. "My wife."

"Pretty girl." Said one of the Scots.

Another nod. "Very." The Scot hands back the German's locket and showed his picture of his wife. "This is my wife."

The German took the picture and showed it around before kissing it, prompting laugher from both sides. Both sides begin to exchange gifts with their opposites and socialize. A group of German soldiers was given a chance to try out the Scots' bagpipes with difficulties, giving up and laughing with the Scots.

Everyone can admit that the scene is heartwarming to a degree. Enemies putting aside their differences to celebrate a holiday, it's certainly a story to tell.

Oobleck takes off his glasses and wipes away a tear. "We've seen how horrifying their wars were. If someone were to show me this and said they're still currently at war, I would have a hard time believing them."

His colleagues all nod in agreement.

The weather may be cold, but the air is warm and jolly every opposing soldier gets to know one another. Even the three officers begin to open up to each other.

"Montparnasse…" Horstmayer begins. "That's my wife's favorite part in Paris. The Luxemburg Gardens."

"Got a picture of your wife?" Asked Gordon.

"Like you, I had a photo of her, but…" Audebert searches his pockets. "I lost it." He pulls out a piece of paper. "I've drawn her face, but… It's not really the same."

Penny made a sad face. "Losing pictures of your loved ones is really heartbreaking."

"That it is." Pietro nods. "That it is…"

The French officer let them take a look at his drawing. A moment of silence passed.

"Do you live on Rue Vavin?" Horstmayer asked Audebert.

Audebert looked stunned before answering. "Yes."

Penny perks up. "He has it! What a coincidence!"

"I think…" Horstmayer reached into his pocket to take out a wallet. "I find your wallet in my trench, the night of the assault. I kept it because of the address." He hands it to Audebert who quickly opens it and stares at the picture in silence. "A little hotel on Rue Vavin." The German officer continues softly. "Spent a week there with my wife, two years ago. For our honeymoon."

Audebert looked Horstmayer in the eyes. "Thank you." He said in French.

"You're welcome." He replied in German.

Blake cracks a small smile. "There's something poetic about this."

"It's hard to imagine they were even fighting each other…" Said Oscar.

"Yeah." Ruby sighs happily.

The scene switch to three French and German soldiers sharing a drink.

"Hold on, that's Gueusselin's bottle." One of the French soldiers protested.

"Who cares, he's turned in." The French soldier pours the German a cup before doing the same to his colleague.

"I doubt it."

"Thank you, very much… Sirs." The German soldier said slowly in French.

They smiled at each other and down the drink. Everyone grimaced but held their liquor well. They all shared a light laugh.

Qrow would have loved to try out the liquor that's shown on screen, but he's in good spirit.

"It's good!"

Jolly laughter and holiday cheers continue through no man's land. Every soldier, even those having some reservations, joined in on the festival. Until the sun rises and even then, they will be brothers.

The screen darkens and the light returns to the room.

"So it goes. A moment of peace shall lead to a moment of conflict, and the cycle repeats itself."

"What happened afterward?" Pyrrha somehow managed to beat Oobleck to the question. "The war still continues on, is that right?"

"The war shall continue for years to come. The soldiers from the lines where truce has taken place mostly refused to fight one another after the Christmas Truce and were replaced."

The theater's mood dampened a bit.

"Let me guess. Big guys wanted the war to continue." Roman knew the answer. He's seen it done many times. People up top always get what they wanted even if it's not feasible.

"Their countries demand that the war goes on."

Robyn scowls. "I'm guessing politicians and top military brass didn't approve?"

"No."

"Of course. Typical. Just typical."

"The citizens of their respective countries also support the war. Not just those one would considered to be in power."

Ozpin shakes his head and sighs. It seems like it is within human nature to be troublesome. A trait shared throughout the multiverse.

"I'd like them tour the frontline and see what their thoughts are afterwards." Ironwood grumbles under his breath.

"And what's become of the soldiers who partake in the truce?" Asked Oobleck.

"It varies. You may find more in these sources." The Hosts created several books for others to read more about the Christmas Truce. "We shall leave you be for now. Enjoy yourself while we prepare the next viewing."


NEXT: Naruto - Chunin Exams, Shikamaru vs Temari


Happy holidays!

Sorry about the drop in quality.