It was that dream again. It felt like every other ordinary night, but of course, she knew that it wasn't going to be. She had to relive it every night ever since. How it begins so nice and innocent before being crushed instantly.
Washed up, ready for bed, and a stomach full of cookies. A little red-haired girl named Ruby patiently waited on her bed with a storybook on her lap as she hummed happily. Waiting for someone that she looked up to, her idol, to come in, tuck her in and read to her about heroes, hunters, and huntresses.
Minor suggestion: She would then dream of how her idol would act out in the worlds read to her in these stories. Where her idol would fight valiant battles against the monsters she was told about.
Beside her, was another bed and laid on it was her sister, Yang, whose hair shone like the sun, who likewise waited patiently. However, it took a while longer for their idol to visit her but what grabbed their attention was the commotion that she heard outside their bedroom door. The little red-haired girl got up from her bed, despite her sister's protests, she crept towards the door to take a peek.
From where she peeked, she saw not only her father but her idol: her mother, talking to each other from how they opened and closed their mouths. But she couldn't hear what they were talking about, only silently watching as her mother began to slip on her cloak.
All the while, their father spoke to someone on his Scroll, but she couldn't make out who he was talking to.
As Ruby's mother reached up to place a white hood over her head, she turned towards Ruby and was shocked to see her peeking through the door.
"Ruby, why aren't you in bed, hun?" her mother asked as she approached Ruby, kneeling in front of her.
"You promised to read to me tonight," Ruby said, as she lifted the book and offered it to her mother.
Ruby's mother's mouth quivered as she forced a smile.
"I know, Hun, but something just came up," her mother replied as she took the book and tucked it under her arm.
"Are you going to go out to fight monsters, tonight?" Yang asked as she jumped out of bed. All the while, Ruby hopped excitedly.
Their mother averted her gaze for a moment but then nodded.
"Yes," their mother replied.
"Just like those in the books," Ruby said as she pointed to the book.
"Yes," their mother replied once more.
Ruby groaned and then puffed her cheeks.
"But I really want you to read to me tonight, you promised," Ruby pouted.
"I know, I'm sorry," their mother replied as she began to run her hand across the cover of the book. "You girls like to call me a hero, right?"
"Yeah, Mom," Yang replied.
"Yes, because you are," Ruby replied assuredly.
"Well, just like the heroes in these stories, mama has to go out to save people," their mother said with a genuine smile as she handed the book back to Ruby. "Someone needs me right now."
"Aww," Ruby replied as she reached for the book and held it with both hands.
"Yang can read to you tonight," their mother said as she looked up at Yang, her eyes conveying a request.
"Yeah, maybe one or two stories," Yang agreed.
"Good girl," their mother said as she reached out and picked up the two children, carrying both in each arm as she carried them back to bed.
She laid Ruby in her bed before setting Yang down at the foot of the bed. Then, she tucked in Ruby before kissing her on the forehead and turned to caress Yang's cheek.
"Don't stay up too late, you two," their mother said with a wink. "Or Dad will be upset."
"Okay, Mom," Yang said as she opened the book and started to read to Ruby.
However, Ruby didn't pay attention as she watched their mother leave the room, giving them one final glance before shutting the door behind her.
"Someone needs me right now." That was what she always said when she left out to fight monsters.
Yes, a hero is always there when someone is in need.
0-RWBY-0
Haiiden eyes suddenly opened but winced as the morning sun shone through his window, burning his eyes. After taking a moment to rub them with his thumb and index finger, he was left staring up at the ceiling from his bed. He took in a deep breath, which alerted Zed, who was patiently waiting as he sat at his bed.
"Rough night?" Zed asked.
Haiiden didn't reply initially, instead, he stared up at the ceiling as he contemplated the dream he had.
"What time is it?" Haiiden finally spoke.
Zed looked down at his Scroll.
"It's the afternoon, you overslept," Zed replied.
"Ah," Haiiden said as he forced himself out of his bed with a groan.
Zed was surprised to see Haiiden's mechanical arm without its armored casing, instead, showing an almost skeletal-like frame. One of the few times he's ever seen it, especially since Haiiden was normally the one to wake up earlier than him and would put it on before anyone saw it.
"Gonna tell me what you were dreaming about?" Zed asked. "You were tossing and turning all night."
"The same one every night, Zed," Haiiden replied with a groan to which Zed nodded.
"Your mom?" Zed asked, rhetorically.
"Yeah, but it changed now," Haiiden continued as he reached for a case underneath his bed which contained the armored gauntlet for his prosthetic arm.
"How so?" Zed asked curiously.
"Now I see Mrs. Rose at the end of the dream," Haiiden said quietly. "It starts like normal, my mom showing me our Semblance, but then there is a knocking on our door before Mrs. Rose bursts in. Everything turns to black, then there is a scream."
"Hmm," Zed hummed in reply, nodding all the while. "So, you are just reliving the day they both died then…"
"Yeah," Haiiden replied.
Then there was a momentary silence between the two of them.
"She looks just like her," Haiiden then said.
"Hmm? Who?" Zed asked.
"Ruby," Haiiden replied sullenly.
Zed crossed his arms and hummed as he thought a moment.
"She must have been quite the huntress then," Zed quipped and winked.
"I think that all the time, despite never actually seeing her fight," Haiiden said. "My mom told me that they became friends at Beacon. I looked up to her like I did my mom."
"Well, you do have a bit of a romanticized opinion of Huntsmen and Huntresses," Zed chuckled, as he scratched the back of his head.
"Yeah, maybe," Haiiden said he got up; the case tucked under his arm as he headed for the bathroom. Setting the case on top of the marble counter as he then reached for a brush and began to brush his teeth. Staring at the mirror all the while.
As he prepared for the day ahead, Zed simply stared at Haiiden as he leaned against the bathroom door at the entrance.
"Have you thought about our plans today?" Zed asked.
"I did," Haiiden replied.
"Well?" Zed continued to prod, his ears poking out from his messy hair. "You coming? There is some time after classes to go to the festival grounds before they close."
Haiiden paused before letting out a sigh.
"I am going to sit this one out," Haiiden replied.
Zed sputtered then shook his head.
"Mate, please, I can't keep covering for you," Zed pleaded. "I have run out of excuses."
"I agree."
The two friends then to the dorms entrance to see the twins, Cecilia and Vaughn, returning from their morning exercises.
"This is not a topic for discussion," Haiiden said as he continued to stare at the mirror.
"When is it going to be?" Cecilia continued as she stepped up to the bathroom.
"Cecilia, stop," Zed whispered, stretching his hand out to stop Cecilia's advance. "He will open up when he's comfortable."
Even Vaughn put his hand on his sister's shoulder but shrugged it off.
"No," Cecilia replied as she crossed her arms at stared at her captain. "Whatever your deal is with Ruby Rose is beginning to affect the team too."
"How so?" Zed asked.
"For one, we would be doing exercises together," Cecilia said, raising her finger before uncurling the next one. "And now he's slacking off on his work. Remember what Ozpin said, we pass as a team or fail as a team."
"I know," Haiiden said. "I'm sorry."
"Give him time Sis," Vaughn interjected.
"We gave him time," Cecilia countered angrily. "I hate to bring it up again but I am still pissed at you for leaving last year-"
"What does that have anything to with this?" Zed interrupted.
"It has everything to do with this," Cecilia answered before addressing Haiiden once more. "And now your attitude is beginning to piss me off even more. So, either you tell us what's troubling you or I will beat some sense into you."
Haiiden looked over at Zed to gauge his reaction, but he simply averted his eyes and scratched the back of his head.
Haiiden took in a deep breath before looking at Cecilia in the eye.
"Whenever you hang out with Team RWBY, does Ruby ever talk about her mom?" Haiiden asked, much to Cecilia's surprise as she tried to utter a response.
"I mean… not really," Cecilia said with a shrug and a roll of her eyes. "Only thing we heard about Ruby's family is from Yang. Half-siblings that share the same father. From what Yang told us Ruby's mother died on a mission. Why?"
"I was there when she died. Both her and my mom died protecting me," Haiiden replied and like that, the realization dawned on Cecilia.
"Oh," Cecilia replied, her anger leaving quickly as she takes a step back before glancing between Zed and Vaughn. Without a word between them, Zed simply stared as he shook his head at her.
She then crossed her arms, then took a moment to think.
"Just so that I can understand: are you avoiding her because of a sense of guilt?" She asked her tone calmer now.
It's not the main reason. But… It's a significant part of it," Haiiden states with a slight nod. "But another reason is I am afraid of her dying just like her own mother."
"I mean, that is a definite risk within this profession. We all knew what we signed up for," Cecilia countered. "But you have seen the footage of her fight. She is practically a prodigy."
"I know, I know," Haiiden sighs as he looked at down. "It's just that... I see the resemblance between the two of them though, and for whatever reason, I can't seem to reconcile my fears."
"Maybe you should at least talk to her," Cecilia said. "Avoiding her is not going to help you get over those fears."
"And what am I going to say?" Haiiden said as he looked back at Cecilia. " 'Hey Ruby, you may not know me, but I know you, 'cus I knew your mom and she died saving me. So, let's be best pals?' "
"I would have been a little more tactful than that," Cecilia replied as she scratched the back of her head. "You were pretty eager to meet her when JNPR first told us about her and Team RWBY. Did you not know who she was then?"
"I just thought it was a coincidence, was all, so I set the thought aside," Haiiden replied.
The team went silent, and Haiiden could feel their gaze upon him as they expected an answer from him.
"Listen, I am aware of how I come across," Haiiden finally spoke. "I am just asking for a bit of time to think things over. Just know that I don't hold any ill will towards Ruby."
The team nodded silently.
"As for our training and classes, don't worry," Haiiden said, doing his best to muster a smile. "I won't shirk my responsibilities to the team. Not again."
Cecilia nodded.
"Well, good, or we will have a problem," Cecilia said as she then turned to leave.
"And how do you feel about all this, Vaughn?" Haiiden asked, noticing that Vaughn had not followed his sister. Instead, he was left leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed.
"I can say that I understand your concerns, to some extent," Vaughn replied. "My sister and I lost our adoptive father on a mission. Seeing someone as young as Ruby attending Beacon kind of reminds me of my sister and me. So, I understand your fears."
"That sounds exactly like my fear though," Haiiden countered, albeit a little confused.
"But it is a little more than just the fear of seeing them die for you though, am I right?" Vaughn asked.
Haiiden silently nodded.
"Just know that I got your back, captain, always," Vaughn said as he pushed himself off the frame and turned to follow Cecilia.
"Thanks, Vaughn," Haiiden replied.
The dorm was now just occupied by Haiiden and Zed as he grinned with relief and scratched the back of his head.
"For a moment, I thought things were going to go south," Zed said with a chuckle.
"Me too. I'm just glad I was able to talk her down," Haiiden replied.
"So, what happens now?" Zed asked.
"For now, we just continue our classes," Haiiden replied.
"I meant with Ruby," Zed reiterated.
"Oh, for now, I am just talking to Ozpin about her," Haiiden replied. "Asking him what she's like and all that."
"You can just as easily find out yourself," Zed said with a wide grin.
"Yeah," Haiiden said as he let out a nervous chuckle.
Then he went silent.
"I also asked why he let her in so early," Haiiden continued.
"I'm sure we can guess what that answer is," Zed beamed. "She's a beast on the field. Probably the next big hero. Who wouldn't want the bragging rights to training someone like that?"
"Yeah, but now people are beginning to question his ability to conduct the school appropriately now," Haiiden continued. "You have seen the news: the breach, him allowing RWBY to go to Mt. Glenn, and now Ruby is now a topic of discussion."
"It'll blow over eventually," Zed simply while waving his hand dismissively.
"Yeah, perhaps," Haiiden said with a nod.
"So, did he give you an answer as to why he let Ruby in early?" Zed asked.
"No, but I got an earful from Glynda," Haiiden said as he rolled his eyes. " 'How can you complain about Ruby attending Beacon early when you practically begged Ozpin to let you in when you were her age? '"
"Yeah, but the difference is he didn't let you in at her age; you joined when you were allowed to, just like everyone else," Zed replied as he tilted his head. "You don't by any chance feel resentful towards Ruby for that, do you?"
"What? No," Haiiden replied suddenly, repulsed by the question. "Glynda did have a point; how could I complain?"
"Okay, just making sure," Zed replied with a nod as he then reached and pat Haiiden on the arm. "Well, freshen up then. We are gonna be late for class if you don't get ready soon. Do it fast, cus I brought you something to eat and you don't want it to get cold."
"Thanks, Zed," Haiiden replied. "Thanks for sticking by me, despite how I have been acting."
"I was much worse when you met me, remember?" Zed replied, beaming as usual. "It's the least I can do."
0-RWBY-0
"Now, don't confuse this for a history lesson or a civics lesson," Professor Port said, as he addressed his class. "I will leave history to Dr. Oobleck and civics to Professor Ossea."
Students from Haven, Shade, and Beacon sat together where three-quarters of the class was a melting pot of different uniforms. However, the students from Atlas tended to sit among their own school mates in an attempt to keep them from whispering during class when they should be studying and paying attention. The social norms of Atlas formed a sense of cohesion and accountability between the students of Atlas.
HAVC sat quietly alongside CFVY while RWBY and JNPR sat a couple of rows in front of them.
All the while, Ruby sat quietly as she listened to Professor Port's lecture, kicking her feet while she sat as the chair was too high for her feet to touch the ground. Despite having a pen and paper in front of her to keep notes, she didn't write, instead opting to listen and go by memory. She always loved Professor Port's class as it had everything to do with the Grimm and how to fight them, which always managed to grasp her attention.
"I bring up the Siege of Heidelberg during the Colorless War because it marked another important discovery in terms of how the Grimm evolve," Professor Port continued as he paced in front of the class, scanning the students to make sure that he had their attention.
"As you all may know, the Grimm are endless. This little detail poses a problem for everyone among the Four Kingdoms and Menagerie. While we, on the other hand, are limited. The Grimm will eventually stop throwing themselves at our walls. Instead, they will wait however long they need to. Adapting to tactics long since useful to us and deadly to them. And when the right time comes and we as a united group show the slightest weakness, that is when they will strike. Creating as much havoc and death as possible. If you all need a grim reminder, pardon the joke, the recent Breach shall be your example."
Pyrrha raised her hand and then spoke. "However, they don't just wait for openings in our defenses. They are also attracted to negative emotions. More so in large concentrations such as cities but have been known to be attracted to individuals."
"That is correct, Ms. Nikos," Professor Port said as he nodded. "With that said, I hope you are all practicing your mindfulness and meditation. It's important to not let your emotions get the better of you, lest the Grimm take advantage of that."
The Professor stood silently, gauging the reaction of his students.
"Now, back to the topic at hand," Professor Port continued. "As you may know, as the Grimm wait for us to make a mistake, they evolve. Sometimes it's small and gradual changes, like with individual Creeps growing larger. However, there are cases in which some Grimm simply change into other forms altogether. Maybe a Creep changes into a Boarbatusk; or a Beowolf turns into an Ursa."
"Pst," Jaune whispered next to Ruby to which Ruby her head to face him. "Pen is running low; can I borrow one?"
Ruby looked around her desk and saw the pen in her hand, opting to give that one as she wasn't using it anyway. Luckily, due to Professor Port's booming voice, they could whisper among themselves without being heard. However, the Professor always had a knack for finding out who wasn't paying attention in his class.
"Thanks, Ruby," Jaune whispered as he took the pen from her, scratching it onto his journal to make sure it was working. "Looking forward to seeing the festival today?"
"Mhm," Ruby hummed carefully as she glanced between Professor Port and Jaune.
"You know HAVC is coming with us, right?" Jaune asked guardedly.
"Mhm," Ruby answered once more.
Then Professor Port paused his lecture and began to look around the class which quickly prompted Jaune and Ruby to quickly look back at their papers; aware that they were probably caught but Professor Port was careful not to out them.
Professor Port's mustache rose as he now got their attention again and continued to pace in front of the class.
"The Siege of Heidelberg showed a new evolution within the Grimm, introducing the first-ever encounter of a Nevermore," Professor Port started up again.
Ruby continued to sit quietly as she listened to the lecture but something compelled her to look behind her. The mention of HAVC made her turn back to look up a couple of rows behind her to see HAVC and CFVY. She scanned the two teams, with the twins sitting together as usual and quietly listening. Coco and Velvet sharing notes all the while Fox and Zed kicked their feet on the desk and watched. Yatsuhashi and Haiiden however, despite being with their teams, quietly kept to themselves, with Haiiden writing down notes onto a journal.
"This encounter required both forces from opposing armies to put aside their differences to take it down. However, due to its altitude advantage, and the fact that neither army ever encountered such a Grimm, neither side knew how to take it down. It was the first time in history that a flying Grimm was discovered. Does anyone know how they did eventually take it down?"
There was a momentary silence from the class, which prompted Ruby to then turn her attention back to Professor Port before a student from Atlas raised their hand.
"One of the generals ordered to shoot its wings," the student said. "With its wings damaged, it's one advantage was taken away and it was easily struck down afterward."
"Correct," Professor Port said, his mustache raised as he smiled. "Just like ordinary birds, without its ability to fly, it is vulnerable. However, the realization came too late and both sides suffered heavily for it."
"Oooh!" Ruby said as she raised her hand, waving it to get Professor Port's attention, not able to contain her curiosity as she immediately thought of something.
"Yes, Ms. Rose?" Professor Port announced.
"Are we ever going to talk about the different classifications of Grimm?" Ruby asked.
"Hmm," Professor Port hummed, stroking his mustache with his thumb and index finger. "Interesting question… it would be a nice segue from our current subject. Who here has heard of how Grimm are classified?"
A number of students then raised their hands, including Ruby.
"Okay, a decent amount of you then," Professor Port said. "For those who don't know, the kingdoms catalog the different forms of Grimm by their forms, the quantity belonging to each form, how easy they are to dispatch, how much havoc they can wreak if left unchecked… However, there is a classification that was recently added in the past couple of decades that is still being looked into. They call these Grimm: Leviathans."
Murmuring then erupted from the lecture hall as students looked to one another, discussing the term amongst each other. However, as Professor Port raised his hand and prepared to speak once more, so too did the class fall into silence.
"Leviathans," Professor Port reiterated. "Are individual Grimm that is theorized to have survived for so long, that their evolutions have made them unique, and as a result, dangerous. So unique in fact, there is only ever one belonging to that one form and so dangerous, that it would require a joint effort of maybe a dozen to twenty Huntsmen to take one down; but even then, the chances of success are slim. It takes much more than mindless hacking, slashing, and gunfire to take one of these monsters down."
"Have you ever had to fight with one of these Grimm, Professor?" Ruby asked as she raised her hand once more.
"I say, unashamedly, that I am lucky that I never did," Professor Port said but then paused. "They are so rare that you would hardly ever hear stories about them, much less even a listing for a mission to kill one. Even if there was a sighting, I am sure the Councils would hide its existence to prevent a panic. The stories you do hear are usually the hysterical ramblings of someone who has claimed to see a Grimm of such massive size that it would cause any Huntsmen to drop their weapons and run for their lives. Not much research can be done about leviathans but my guess is that they operate like any other Grimm. Their survival instinct has taught them to not be near settlements, but only to attack when there is an opening. We don't see them, but they most likely see us and are always watching."
"So, what about King Taijus? Deathstalkers, Nevermores, and Attercopes? Are they classified as leviathans?" A student from Beacon asked.
Professor Port shook his head.
"While not common, we do know that there are more than one belonging to that class, so that would be a no," Professor Port answered. "The whole point of the leviathan classification is that it's for a single and specific Grimm. If it is killed, the classification is immediately removed because there is none other like it. Besides, the Grimm you pointed out only touch on the Grimm within Vale."
"So, are going to be talking about the different Grimm that have evolved on the other continents?" Ruby asked excitedly once more, not even raising her hand this time.
"Once again, another good segue from our current subject," Professor Port laughed and then tugged on a cord, pulling down a map that was rolled up and hung on the classroom ceiling. Forgoing projectors altogether and rather, using old fashioned maps of the worlds three continents. However, as he then started with his next topic, he then looked over at the clock and his mustache sank down his face as he frowned.
"Might be a subject we might save for the next lecture class," Professor Port said, disappointed. "It seems as though we have run out of time for today. Ruby, please bring up your question during the next lecture."
"Yes, professor," Ruby said with a big smile and hopped excitedly in her seat before standing up with the rest of the class, stuffing her papers into her handbag.
"Come on, Ruby," Jaune said. "Let's get out of here while we have time."
"Sure thing," Ruby said as she started to leave her row, but as she turned to go up the stores, she looked up to see Haiiden looking down at her, her smile faded. Their eyes met but unlike other times, he didn't avert his gaze. Although only seconds passed, it felt like minutes, and the entire time Ruby expected him to turn away. However, instead of turning away, he greeted her with a simple wave that caught Ruby off guard.
"You okay, Ruby?"
Ruby jumped and turned to see her sister, Yang, standing behind her, a tinge of concern on her face. Ruby then looked back up the stairs to see that Haiiden had already begun to leave with his team.
"Yeah, I am fine," Ruby replied quietly.
"Well, come on then," Yang said excitedly. "We don't have much time."
Yang began to quickly ascend the stairs, almost pushing the students aside.
"Slow down, Yang," Blake called out as she began to chase after her.
"Come on, Ruby," Weiss said as she urged Ruby along. "Gotta catch up with Yang before she leaves us behind."
Ruby nodded and quickly began to ascend the stairs along with Weiss.
0-RWBY-0
Entering one section of the festival grounds, Teams RWBY and JNPR are taken aback by the sight. To represent peace between all four kingdoms, the festival is set up with four sites in mind. With each site representing each kingdoms contribution.
First, the group entered Mistral's site, which displayed its more traditional style of celebration back before the Colorless War. The aftermath had utterly devastated them and their culture and had Mistral rely on Atlas and Vale to help rebuild. As a result, they took on the cultures of their allying kingdoms but are still keen to hold to their previous traditions. Their lighting was made up of paper lanterns, hung from cords between pole to pole, assorted in red, yellow, and orange lanterns, each with a bright and flickering wick inside of them. Alone, it wouldn't have been much, but with all of them burning brightly together it lit up the grounds as well as any light bulb. In the same style as the lanterns, a group would let loose paper hot air balloons into the air, illuminating the sky as well as any star.
Further down the grounds, were stalls and kiosks where people would sit and drink, eat, or play games together. The smell of cooked food wafted tantalizingly in the air. Despite it getting late, and some of the guests starting to leave, the grounds were still crowded and full of life.
"So pretty," Ruby said, her eyes shimmered with admiration.
"The food smells so good," Nora said, wiping her mouth as she began to drool a little.
"So, what do we do first?" Yang asked, as she clasped her hands behind the back of her head and stopped in front of the group.
"Well, there isn't much time really to explore everything tonight," Blake pointed out.
"Well, Nora does have a point," Weiss said as she took in a deep breath. "The food does smell good, how about we just sit down and eat dinner together first, and see where it goes from there?"
"That doesn't sound like a bad plan," Yang remarked as she turned and began to walk further into the grounds.
"What are you guys in the mood for?" Pyrrha asked.
There was a collective hum from everyone as they all took a moment to observe their surroundings, scanning each stall and kiosk to find what would best whet their appetite.
Ruby then came across a particular stall, one made of bamboo arranged in a circle with a light bulb in the center of its cone roof. As she approached it, she noticed the familiar scent of noodles and various meats.
"How about this one?" Ruby suggested and pointed, and in a few moments was met by the rest of the group as they pondered the option.
"Yeah, why not?" Jaune agreed as he sat down on a stool.
Emerging from behind the table, was a grey-haired old man who took a moment to observe his customers.
"Sorry if we are coming in a bit late," Ren said as he sat down beside Nora and Pyrrha. The old man dismissed his apology with a simple wave and a smile.
"Hey, I remember you," Ruby said as she sat down next to her sister. "You own that store: From Dust Till Dawn."
The old man simply nodded.
"Quite the entrepreneur huh?" Pyrrha quipped to which the old man nodded again.
"So is your assistant, Samsara, holding the fort then?" Blake asked. "I heard there were Dust robberies in that area. You sure it's safe to leave her alone?"
The old man held up his arm and tapped his bicep before flexing both arms.
"Hell yeah," Yang laughed. "Love a girl who can kick ass."
The old man nodded once more and pulled out menus as everyone sat down.
"Before we start, where is HAVC?" Pyrrha asked as she looked around.
"Zed said they just landed," Jaune said, as he held up his Scroll.
Within minutes, Zed and the twins appeared and sat at their table.
"Sorry, we got held up at the port," Cecilia said.
"Long lines, seemed like everyone wanted to get here before the curfew," Zed explained.
"Gotta hand it to the faculty," Blake said. "While General Ironwood can enforce a curfew, he cannot enforce the curriculum and how long classes are in Beacon."
"Woo-hoo," Yang hooted. "Go Ozpin!"
The old man, upon noticing more patrons, likewise set out menus for the newcomers. Each person took a moment to carefully look over the menu. While the options were few, what was there seemed really good and just reading the ingredients list was mouth-watering. Each member, one by one, would hand back the menus once they had made their selection.
The old man set up his stove as he prepped his ingredients, and immediately, the scent of delicious food began to fill the air.
However, as everyone began to converse like normal, Ruby realized that HAVC's leader was not with them.
"Where's Haiiden?" Ruby asked to which Zed froze and realized that all eyes were now on him.
"Did he bail again?" Yang asked, unsurprised.
"He couldn't make it, sorry Ruby," Zed replied as he scratched the back of his head.
"Volunteering again?" Jaune asked.
"Not this time," Vaughn said taking a sip of water as the glass was passed in front of him by the old man.
"It's okay," Yang said with a shrug. "If he is not interested then that's his problem."
"That's not it," Zed said quietly.
"Then what is?" Blake asked.
"That is something you have to ask him," Cecilia replied.
"Maybe I may have to," Ruby said.
"Ruby, don't mind him," Yang said. "I have seen these types before. He probably doesn't want to be around us because he is a senior student and doesn't want to be around the newbies. It's just like Signal academy."
"Well, technically…" Nora began before JNPR and HAVC suddenly shushed her. Then there was an awkward silence between JNPR and HAVC, which RWBY noticed.
"Technically what?" Weiss asked.
"It's nothing," Ren replied.
"Clearly it's something," Yang pointed out as JNPR and HAVC averted their gaze. "Technically what?"
"Technically, while we did join last year, we are still considered first-year students, just with added perks," Cecilia answered, much to Zed's annoyance.
"God damn it, Cecilia," Zed growled.
"What? They have the right to know," Cecilia defended herself as she narrowed her eyes at Zed. "It's not like it's a secret anyway."
"What do you mean?" Blake asked. "How is that even possible?"
"You are aware of Ozpin's policy on teams moving forward to the next year, right?" Cecilia asked.
"Yeah, pass together or fail together," Weiss replied.
"Well, we failed last year all because Haiiden decided to drop out," Cecilia replied, finishing her explanation with a sip of her water, all the while Zed pinched the bridge of his nose and then rubbed his eyes.
"What?" Team RWBY exclaimed, collectively.
"That was our reaction too," Jaune said.
"You knew?" Weiss said.
"How did he get back in?" Yang butted in her eyes flashing red.
"Ozpin believes in second chances, so he found our captain and offered him the opportunity to return," Vaughn replied.
"Why did he leave?" Ruby asked.
"It's a little unclear, Ruby," Zed replied. "He said he wanted to do good in his own way and he thought he didn't need schooling and certification to do it."
"So, he just abandoned you guys?" Yang asked through gritted teeth.
"I mean… I get the idea," Weiss said hesitantly as she paused to think of a response. "But there is a process to everything. What good could he do without certification?"
"Honestly, I don't believe he thought that far ahead," Zed replied. "He thought he would just wing it and just take missions that no one else would. Not many people would question credentials when they are desperate."
"If I had to describe my Captain," Cecilia added and took in a deep breath. Wincing as she spoke. "He's an idiot, but a well-meaning one."
"It sounds like he thinks he is better than everyone else," Yang concluded and shook her head.
"I don't think that's it," Ruby said, puffing out her chest and looking Yang in the eye. Much to Yang's surprise.
"Ruby, why do you care so much?" Yang said with a sigh. "Look, I am not mad at you, but why do you care about some guy who clearly doesn't want to be around us?"
"Because I believe that if he was willing to throw himself into Mt. Glenn to find us, when he knows nothing about us, that he is not a bad person," Ruby answered, puffing her cheeks as she glared at Yang.
Yang was ready for a rebuttal but then paused to think before letting out an exasperated exhale. Even Cecilia was forced to lower her gaze.
"Believe me, Ruby, he is far from a bad person," Zed said with a sly wink and grin.
"Like I said," Cecilia added with a scoff as she crossed her arms in front of her. Sitting back further in her seat. "A well-meaning idiot, but an idiot all the same."
"Okay, but his attitude and constant excuses are starting to get on my nerves," Yang said.
"You and me both," Cecilia replied, to which Yang nodded back at her.
"Zed, you don't mind if I ask you something, since we are on this topic of your Captain for probably the tenth time now," Blake said.
"What's up?" Zed asked.
"How do you know Haiiden?" Blake asked. "Don't get me wrong. it's just that we both used to be with the White Fang and we protested together but you never mentioned that you were friends with a Human."
"He actually used to protest with us. And why would I?" Zed replied. "A lot of Faunus within the White Fang are not very keen on Humans in general. Even the ones who agreed with us and protested alongside us."
"So, you would have been the subject of ridicule then?" Pyrrha asked.
"Not exactly," Zed said as he scratched the back of his head. "That would be an understatement."
"It's practically treason," Blake replied. "I understand why you wouldn't say anything, but you seem to defend him a lot, so I was just curious why you never mentioned him. Seems like you have a high opinion of him."
"It's honestly something I am a little ashamed of," Zed said with a nervous grin. "Wish I could have expressed my pride in being his friend."
With that, the old man finished preparing their meals and placed the dishes in front of anyone. Even with so many different orders, not a single dish was wrong.
"Okay then," Yang said, as calmly as she could as she raised the chopsticks that were given to her and began to dig in.
"We know everything about you guys," Yang continued with her mouth full. "But we know nothing about your captain. Zed, you seem to like him. Tell us about him then. Prove us wrong that he's not an ass."
"Says the one who constantly acts like an… ass," Weiss said in disgust. "Finish the food in your mouth before you speak, Yang."
Yang simply glared back at Weiss.
"I honestly don't know where to start," Zed said, kicking his feet up on the table but was quickly swatted away by the old man, who glared at Zed as he wiped the table where his shoes had been.
"You can start with how you met," Pyrrha suggested.
"Ha," Zed replied after having finished a bite. "Me and my mother moved to Vale from Menagerie when our Father's dust shop got bought out by the SDC."
"Oh um, sorry," Weiss said, embarrassed.
"I'll admit, I heard your dad's reputation and wasn't okay with it," Zed addressed Weiss. "My father liked the idea though, especially since he was hired to work under Jacque Schnee directly."
"I have seen him a couple of times in my father's entourage," Weiss said. "Fire-orange hair, like yours, but he is not afraid to show his fox ears."
"That's him," Zed replied as he pointed at Weiss with his chopsticks.
"I like the fox ears…" Ruby murmured.
"Okay, so what happened next?" Jaune asked.
"Well, we moved to Vale 'cus my mother didn't like the cold in Atlas, but with my father's new salary, he could afford to pay for housing and travel," Zed continued.
"However, with culture shock and all, I have never been around humans before but I heard the stories of how the Faunus are treated on the mainland and just couldn't stand it. Obviously, because of my outspoken critiques of how the Faunus are treated, I got bullied a lot. I lived in a pretty sheltered home so I never really knew how to fight back then, not until I met another Faunus who had my back and taught me how to fight."
Blake looked up at Zed and they made eye contact as Zed took a break to take in another bite; his gaze told her that he knew that she knew full well who this Faunus was. Blake let out a disappointed sigh and continued her meal.
"It was always just me and him in our own little gang, sure other Faunus kids joined eventually. And it formed comradery, but it also fostered that attitude of 'Us versus Them'. And it was also the reason for how I learned what my Semblance was."
"What is your Semblance, Zed?" Ruby asked.
"Hard to really explain in one word," Zed said before he thought a moment. "I trade a bit of sanity for strength and reduced fear response."
"Sounds like mine," Yang pointed out.
"From what I heard is that you get stronger the more you take a beating," Zed replied. "Honestly, it's pretty profound if you think about it. Mine, however, is pretty much just the response of an animal that has been cornered."
"Don't say that about yourself, Zed," Pyrrha interjected.
"Don't worry, Pyrrha, I am only half-joking," Zed said with a wink before referring back to Yang. "Besides, unlike my Semblance, you don't forget who your friends are in the moment."
Yang froze a moment upon hearing that.
"Moving on," Zed said, taking in a deep breath. "But eventually it was no longer schoolyard brawls, instead, they began to follow us home. With one day, me and my friend getting caught out alone and even with my Semblance, we were taking a beating. And then, in comes Haiiden out of nowhere."
"How did you guys fare after he showed up?" Vaughn asked.
"It was definitely the edge we needed," Zed continued. "He's not much of a hand-to-hand kind of guy but still, he would dance circles around them. Bobbing and weaving under punches like it was nothing. It felt like it was a literal dance."
"You won, right?" Ruby asked.
"Yeah, we did but we did get beat up a bit though," Zed said with a grin as he then pointed at his eye. "Haiiden got a pretty nasty shiner right there but he didn't seem to mind."
"What did you do?" Blake asked, expectedly.
"I didn't do anything," Zed said, as he put a finger next to his temple and screwed it in. "Wasn't all there just yet, plus they got me good on the head and I needed help getting up."
Everyone looked at Zed expectedly.
"My friend was pretty dismissive," Zed continued, his gaze faded as he stared off into space while he reminisced. "Said that, 'We didn't need help from a Human who was just trying to make themselves look good.' And that 'his was the worst kind of Human.' "
Blake shook her head.
"And what did Haiiden say?" Cecilia asked.
"As he reached out to take my hand, he said, that he didn't believe in the idea of kinds," Zed replied. "That, to him, we all burn just the same."
"What does that mean?" Jaune asked.
"You would have to ask him," Zed said, pausing once more as he prodded his food with the chopsticks. "All I know is, the moment I took his hand and looked into his eyes I realized he was… different. I guess it was true what they say: the eyes are the windows into the soul."
"Wow, Zed," Blake scoffed. "When did you get so poetic?"
"All the time, but you don't seem to notice," Zed quipped.
"You mean those cheesy attempts at flirting?" Blake rebutted, incredulously.
"Well, I wouldn't call them cheesy," Zed muttered.
"So that's it?" Yang asked.
"That's all that I needed to figure out that he was a good guy," Zed answered, looking Yang straight in the eyes. "He didn't know me or my friend, he could have just taken the path of least resistance and just ignored us or even joined the other human kids. Instead, he jumped right in to help us and I expected him to act like a hero and make a spectacle but instead, once it was all over, he just kept walking. The way he looked at me, it was if he saw right through me, like me being a Faunus didn't matter, that there was more to me."
"Hmm," Yang hummed in reply.
"I hated Humans for a while before coming to Vale just by the stories I've heard," Zed continued. "I just assumed they would all hate me, so I thought I would beat them to the punch. That anyone who was being kind to me was a liar but that one interaction made me realize that not all Humans are the same. All it took was someone I found to be genuine to make me see that. I don't know why I never noticed it before, and I kind of blame my Semblance for clouding my judgment."
"Hey, I don't blame you. Sometimes, you just gotta get mad," Yang suggested.
"Yeah, Ozpin said something similar," Zed said with a chuckle. "Anger, when directed appropriately can be beneficial. Just got to be careful with it and make sure you don't lash out at the wrong people."
"Right," Everyone added.
"I'd like to believe that Haiiden saved me," Zed concluded. "And ever since, I have tried my best not to rely on my Semblance. Or direct it a bit more clearly, at least. The mental haze afterward is not fun to deal with."
"What happened after that?" Ruby asked.
"As I said, he kept walking," Zed said. "Glynda gave him quite the scolding once she saw the aftermath."
"Glynda did?" Weiss asked.
"How did he know Glynda when he was that young?" Blake added.
"Well, Haiiden's mom was a huntress that attended Beacon. From there she and her Husband, Haiiden's father, also knew Ozpin and Glynda. But when Haiiden was a kid his mom died defending his home from the Grimm," Zed answered.
"What happened to his dad?" Ruby asked.
"No one knows," Zed replied. "Something happened and he got kicked out of the Kingdoms and my guess is, he didn't want his wife to deal with the shame, so he just left before Haiiden was born. Haiiden's guess is that his dad is most likely dead."
"I have heard about those kinds of punishments," Weiss said with a wince before turning to her teammates. "When someone becomes too big of a problem, the Councils just kick them out, and erase their existence."
"So, he's an orphan and an outcast?" Blake asked.
"Yeah," Zed replied. "Because of the relationship between his parents with Glynda and Ozpin, they found him alone in his home and against the wishes of the Council, took him in."
"He was groomed to be a Huntsmen," Pyrrha concluded.
"Initially, Ozpin was against it," Zed rebutted. "Believing Haiiden was too young to understand what he was asking for when he said he wanted to be trained to be a Huntsmen."
"Well it's not a decision to make lightly," Blake replied. "Wasn't my first choice."
"Not mine either," Zed agreed. "He was adamant though. Said there was a fire in the world that must be kept lit."
"I still don't know what you mean by that, Zed," Jaune commented. "What's with all the references to fire and burning?"
"Again, Jaune, you'd have to ask him," Zed replied.
"If we ever see him again," Yang said and leaned in on the table, pushing away her bowl once she was finished with it. "So, if he was trained directly under Ozpin, is it favoritism that allowed Haiiden to come back after leaving?"
"Ozpin is many things," Pyrrha interjected.
"Calculating," Blake listed.
"Eccentric," Nora said happily.
"Wise," Zed said with a nod.
"Super cool," Ruby added, her eyes glimmered with admiration.
"But playing favorites is not one of those," Weiss remarked.
"Like everyone else, he had to show he was ready for it," Zed replied. "Haiiden admits that what he did was dumb but Ozpin is understanding and would like to fulfill his wish to be a Huntsmen."
"Second chances are just that easy, huh?" Yang asked.
"Not as easy as you would think," Cecilia remarked.
"Okay, I'll drop it for now. But! He is getting on my nerves," Yang conceded as she threw up her hands. "Whatever his problem is right now, he better deal with it soon or I will force an answer out of him."
Zed simply smiled and looked down to notice his meal was already finished, to which it faded.
"Good stuff, old man," Zed said as he placed his bowl down, to which the old man responded with a nod and passed a bill over to him.
"Mind splitting it?" Weiss offered, to which the old man likewise printed a bill for her too.
Yang and Ruby hopped off their stools and walked together side by side towards a bench and sat down. Admiring the rest of Mistral's festival grounds.
"I liked that story," Ruby said.
"I feel like we got more of a backstory for Zed than we did Haiiden," Yang replied.
"I think it's enough; it just proves that I am right," Ruby rebutted. "It's just like the stories mom used to tell us. Where the good guys and heroes always rush in without thinking."
"You got that right, he isn't thinking at all," Yang joked and turned to see Ruby pouting as she puffed her cheeks. "Besides, you are as much of a hero as anyone else."
"Psh, nah," Ruby replied, her cheeks now turning red.
Noticing her embarrassment, Yang reached over and pulled Ruby towards her and hugged her tight.
"Be real with me Sis, why do you care so much about him?" Yang asked, her voice softened to a whisper.
"I just don't think he's a bad guy and that he will come around," Ruby stated but then lowered her gaze. "But for some reason when he looks at me, I get the feeling he is scared of me and not just for me."
"If I didn't know you better, I'd be scared too," Yang replied.
"I'm being serious right now, Yang," Ruby pouted.
"I am too," Yang said. "Listen, maybe we can ask Glynda for a match between the two of you. Let him get to know you as the Huntress you are."
"How will that help?" Ruby asked.
"Sometimes you just gotta throw down with someone in order to know them," Yang replied.
"Is that how you get to know all of your friends?" Ruby quipped.
"No, but it's how I know who the jerks are," Yang replied.
Ruby nodded but then noticed further down the festival grounds was a familiar character.
"Oh, is that Emerald?" Ruby asked.
"Hmm?" Yang asked and raised her head to look around before her gaze fell upon Emerald. Who was eyeing a few trinkets from a shop. "Oh yeah."
"Wanna go say hi?" Ruby asked.
"Nah, go right ahead," Yang said and watched as Ruby got up from their bench and walked over to Emerald. Emerald initially greeted Ruby with a smile as they began to converse with one another. However, once JNPR, HAVC, and the rest of RWBY had finished, Ruby turned to notice that they were leaving and waved goodbye to Emerald before rushing back.
"It's kinda nice that she's here too," Ruby said, beaming ear to ear.
"Yeah, and you two seemed to hit it off really well," Yang said as she stood up, beckoning Ruby to follow alongside her. "I'm glad you are making more friends, Ruby."
Ruby didn't respond, instead, she hummed as both of them began to walk towards the festival grounds landing for the next shuttle home.