Big thanks to Seobryn for helping beta the story for the last several chapters!
0-RWBY-0
It was just like any other ordinary morning, or at least, as ordinary as it can be as of late. Samsara continued her duties as an assistant shopkeeper at the 'Dust till Dawn', but right now, she was lost in thought. She had hoped that worst had passed with the recent breach but her Semblance still warned her of danger yet to come. And because of that feeling, she would go out and hunt Grimm at night; even if she didn't get paid for it, she still needed to keep her skills sharp.
However, the question on her mind was who could she go to relay her premonitions? She had initially believed her only hope to be Headmaster Ozpin but even he was unable to make use of her warnings. Albeit, she did understand his reasoning… It warned her of incoming danger, but not the time and place. Yet, it scratched at her mind endlessly but she must persevere.
The telltale ringing of the shop's bell brought Samsara out of her thoughts. As she leaned on the glass counter, she pushed herself off and looked over the various shelves to see who had entered. The hopes of a potential customer quickly waned and turned to annoyance as she realized it was just the generic common thug that frequented these parts of Vale. He walked through the aisles and around the shelves, rarely looking at the items in stock but she guesses he was 'casing the joint', as they say.
"Can I help you?" Samsara asked, rhetorically.
The thug continued to ignore her but taking a closer look at where he was looking at. It was painfully obvious that he was drawn to the sight of the Dust, the various Vials of Processed Dust produced by, mostly, the Schnee Dust Company as well as the commercially available refined Crystals on display. The more valuable and more potent variations are kept underneath locked glass displays or within metal containers in the back of the store.
"Are you looking for anything specific?" Samsara asked again but with a bit more bite in her words, trying to keep him on edge.
The man did not say anything, instead, he gave her a passing glance before walking out. It's not a particularly large shop so Samsara guessed that he got all the info he needed. Samsara then quietly stepped back into the stock room and knelt to retrieve a case hidden behind several crates and boxes, opening it revealed her weapons ready for use. The shopkeeper had asked that she not display her weapons openly but could keep them out of sight in case someone decided they would get lucky.
Inside were a pair of pistols. She removed the pistols from their case, which had bayonets built-in under the barrels. Not a particularly original idea but an effective one all the same. She pulled back on the receiver to see a shot already loaded into the chamber, ready when she needs it. At that moment, the bell rang once more and Samsara quickly placed her weapon back into the crate and frantically hid it.
"Welcome, I will be right out," Samsara announced before taking a deep breath and walked out with a smile. However, her smile quickly faded as she realized that standing in front of the entrance, was Ironwood's Spec-Ops coordinator, Operative Amethyst. As usual, she held her Tablet closely. Samsara was left speechless, not due to fear but surprise.
"May I come in?" Amethyst asked softly.
"It… is a shop, you don't really need my permission," Samsara replied.
Amethyst nodded then stepped to the counter.
"I am not here as a customer, I am afraid," Amethyst said.
"I guessed as much," Samsara replied. "Atlesian business?"
"I am here on behalf of General Ironwood," Amethyst corrected.
"What's the difference?" Samsara said as she then gestured towards the door. Standing outside were two Atlesian Knights standing guard. "Everywhere you go you see nothing but Atlesian emblems, and whenever anyone thinks of Atlas, they think General Ironwood."
"I can't say that I can argue that point," Amethyst said with a shrug before she then leaned on the counter. "How have you been, Samsara?"
"Can't complain," Samsara replied. "Could be better though if it weren't for recent events."
"You could be better off with Atlas, you know," Amethyst suggested.
"How did you find me?" Samsara asked quickly, ignoring the comment.
"As you said," Amethyst replied incredulously. "Atlesian emblems everywhere."
"Yeah, I guess that was a dumb question," Samsara said with a nod. "So, General Ironwood ordered you to bring me back?"
"Only if you want to, Samsara," Amethyst asked. "Do you want to come back to Atlas? Clearly whatever you had planned here didn't quite work out."
"I still think I can do good here," Samsara replied. "I can't come back, not yet. My Semblance is telling me something is wrong."
"So why come here?" Amethyst asked. "From my understanding, your Semblance doesn't tell you where the danger will originate."
"I had hoped to meet with Headmaster Ozpin," Samsara replied.
Amethyst hummed as she then looked down at her Tablet and began to input some information onto it with several quick taps.
"Did you manage to speak with him?" Amethyst asked.
"Beacon's security is not as intensive as Atlas'" Samsara responded. "Ozpin welcomes anyone to come and speak with him. Getting to him was easy."
"And? What did you two talk about?" Amethyst asked, her Tablet ready.
"Will this be on record?" Samsara said as she eyed the Tablet.
"Indeed," Amethyst responded.
Samsara took a deep breath and then continued.
"I tried to warn him of incoming danger," Samsara replied.
"I doubt Headmaster Ozpin would have acted on this especially since you can't tell him where the danger is. To his credit, he is a pragmatist," Amethyst remarked. "Might as well have just told that to General Ironwood. He most certainly would have taken action."
"Lockdowns and curfews won't do anything," Samsara objected. "I needed somebody who could take appropriate action. Not oppress citizens under the guise that they are keeping them safe."
"But we are keeping them safe," Amethyst retorted. "A show of strength will keep the enemy on their toes and the people comforted under the knowledge the Atlesian navy is right above them, should they need them."
"You and Ironwood always talked about this 'enemy'," Samsara commented. "I know you are not referring to the Grimm. Are you ever going to tell me or anyone else what this phantom enemy is?"
"Not yet," Amethyst replied as she leered coldly at Samsara. "And I trust that you won't speak of this subject to anyone either."
Samsara nodded, to which Amethyst let out a sigh of relief.
"So far, the Council of Vale believe the worst is over," Amethyst continued.
"It's not," Samsara replied with a quick shake of her head. "Not by a long shot."
"General Ironwood would appreciate that input, Samsara," Amethyst said, this time, her eyes conveyed a request. "You sure you don't want to return?"
"What can Atlas realistically do?" Samsara asked.
"Anything is better than nothing," Amethyst replied.
"I don't agree with your methods, Amethyst," Samsara replied. "I can't come back. Best I can do is try my best here with the skills you have given me."
Amethyst nodded.
"There was more that I could have taught you," Amethyst said. "I hope you have taken my lessons to heart, and that they serve you well. You will not see me again."
Amethyst turned to leave.
"It was good to see you again, Amethyst," Samsara said, stopping Amethyst just as she reached for the door.
"Likewise, Samsara," Amethyst said as she turned back to look at Samsara. "I do wish you luck with your endeavors."
With that, Amethyst pulled the door open, with the bell concluding their meeting.
0-RWBY-0
Ruby waited patiently as the elevator ascended Beacon's large clock tower, which housed Ozpin's office. She got used to how long it took to go up especially considering how many times she had to visit him lately. What with the constant run-ins with the White Fang and the recent breach.
This time, however, she had been the one to request to speak with Ozpin. She wanted to get some things off her chest that had been gnawing in her mind for some time now.
She could then feel the elevator slowly come to a halt, before stopping entirely to which the doors slip open silently. Just like that, the morning light shone into the elevator and Ruby could see Ozpin standing quietly next to his desk, gazing out of his office as he stood facing the large window.
Above him were moving gears as the clock ticked yet for such a massive and complex machine, it ran silently as if in its own world. In the corner, the Deputy Headmistress and instructor: Professor Goodwitch, quietly beckoned Ruby forward.
At first, Ozpin did not acknowledge her as she stepped into his office. Ruby continued to step up to his desk all the while watching Ozpin expectedly, waiting for him to notice her. As she got closer, she gasped as she could see what it was that truly grabbed his attention as she ran around the headmaster's desk and stopped at the giant window.
Below them was a full view of the city of Vale, the capital of the Kingdom of Vale. Despite the numerous times she has entered his office, she never got this close to see the view of Vale. How you could see the edge of the school grounds right before a sheer cliff with a waterfall before going out into a much further expanse of forests and lakes. For a moment, Ruby forget why she came to visit.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Ruby turned to see Headmaster Ozpin now looking down at her with a warm smile. Ruby then responded with a few quick nods.
"You don't get a view like this from the airships," Ruby replied.
"I thought so too," Ozpin agreed before turning back to glance at the view. "Not a day where I don't regret moving the Headmaster's office up here."
"Almost makes you forget about the monsters," Ruby said as she continued to look out the window.
"Sometimes, but that is precisely why I moved my office up here. The view ensures I don't forget," Ozpin replied.
Ruby looked to Ozpin in amazement. She remembered his reputation as the youngest Headmaster of not only Beacon but of any Huntsmen Academy when he was first appointed as Headmaster. For years he did not grow complacent and continued his duties as a teacher for decades and it doesn't seem to end any time soon.
Ozpin noticed her admiration, and with his usual calm and cool demeanor, he simply winked at her.
"So cool," Ruby thought to herself.
"Well, that's enough of that," Ozpin concluded and as he stepped away from the window, it dimmed slightly. He then beckoned Ruby to take a seat in front of his desk. "Forgive me, Ruby, I seemed to have forgotten my manners. Please, take a seat."
Ruby rounded the desk and sat down and in front of her were a plate of cookies, as per usual whenever she visited. Ruby took a look around and noticed that Glynda Goodwitch had already departed.
"Don't worry about Professor Goodwitch," Ozpin said as if he knew what Ruby was thinking. "She was just here to give a report and you just happened by."
Ruby nodded and reached forward to grab a cookie and then took a bite. Delicious, and she could tell it was freshly baked when the chunks of chocolate contained within each bite melted in her mouth. Ruby took a look at the top of Ozpin's desk and noticed that, to his right-hand side was a chessboard that seemingly was mid-game. Whoever, the black piece was, they were winning.
"Who were you playing with?" Ruby asked curiously.
"Another student," Ozpin replied as he too glanced at the board. "While bright, they have a hard time expressing themselves and chess seems to help them formulate their thoughts."
"Who is it?" Ruby asked.
"For their privacy, Ruby, I can't tell you," Ozpin replied with a shake of his head. "Forgive me. It's for the same reason why I don't tell anyone else about our meetings."
"I understand," Ruby replied.
"I knew you would," Ozpin smiled. "Now, you wanted to see me, but first, how have you been? Classes haven't been too challenging?"
"I am doing fine, Headmaster," Ruby replied. "As for classes, I like the sparring matches the most."
"You are a girl of action, Ruby, so I understand why you would prefer to fight rather than sit in a class," Ozpin commented.
"I do like some classes though, like Professor Ports," Ruby said defensively.
"He does have a charm to him," Ozpin agreed.
They both went silent for a moment. Just as Ruby lifted another cookie to her mouth, she paused and lowered her hand as she suddenly remembered why she wanted to see Ozpin. She looked outside, and as the clouds began to part and float away, Atlesian warships can be seen flying high.
She had never seen warships like this in Vale or on her home island before.
"I really hope you are not in any trouble after what happened, Headmaster," Ruby finally said.
"What do you mean, Ruby?" Ozpin asked softly as he tilted his head.
Ruby knew that he was just trying to be nice but she wanted to get this off her chest.
"You know, after the breach," Ruby clarified. "I used to see you on the news a lot when I was a kid. My dad used to tell me that you were interviewed a lot and that it made people feel safe. Lately, whenever I look outside, I see Atlas everywhere and General Ironwood is now on every screen."
"Well, he is a very famous man," Ozpin said with a chuckle. "His methods are not something I would agree with but I believe that he will keep Vale safe during the Vytal Festival."
"True but you are still being talked about on the news," Ruby countered. "Right now, people are doubting your methods and I can't help but feel that it was my fault."
"What makes you think that, Ruby?" Ozpin asked, but this time, he clasped his hands together and brought them up, his eyes fixated on Ruby.
Ruby took a moment to think.
"I think that if we didn't show interest in that mission to Mt. Glenn, that you wouldn't have given it to us," she continued, "Then we wouldn't have gone to Mt. Glenn, discovered the White Fang and forced them to blow their way into Vale."
"Ruby," Ozpin said, the tone in his voice made Ruby freeze and sit at attention. "I am telling you now, that while I do wish that things turned out differently, I do not regret my decision to send you and your team to Mt. Glenn. As dangerous as the mission was, I knew that team RWBY was up to the task. While most people don't see it, I view your intervention to be a hidden blessing."
"But-" Ruby tried to interject but was cut off as Ozpin raised his hand.
"Please, let me finish, Ruby," Ozpin continued. "I am no stranger to controversy. Believe me, I have been the subject of many controversies but in the end, I kept my position due to the fact I produce results as Headmaster."
Ruby nodded.
"You are the best Headmaster Beacon has had since it was built," Ruby said in admiration. "One of the main reasons why I wanted to join Beacon to become a huntress was because of you."
"That is kind of you to say, Ruby, I am flattered," Ozpin replied softly. "But to dispel your worries about my current predicament, Ruby: while the media currently omits your names for your protection, know that I know who you are, and am proud for your service to Vale."
Ruby's cheeks turned bright red. The sudden praise was too much for her and she could no longer keep eye contact with Ozpin.
"Ruby," Ozpin said, to which Ruby reluctantly looked back at Ozpin. "As a sitting council member of the Council of Vale, I thank you."
With that, Ozpin bowed his head.
"I-it's really nothing," Ruby said as she let out an embarrassed chuckle. "Anyone else would have done the same."
"I appreciate you being humble but don't sell yourself short, Ruby," Ozpin replied. "It takes a special individual to thrust themselves into a situation without giving it a second thought. Most would understandably call it foolish but I see it as a quality that is severely lacking nowadays."
"JNPR and CFVY came as quickly as they could," Ruby pointed out. "And HAVC didn't hesitate to come and help in Mt. Glenn."
"I truly am blessed to have such amazing students, aren't I?" Ozpin quipped. "Bravery and courage like this are something I haven't seen in a long time."
Ruby smiled and nodded.
"Speaking of HAVC," Ozpin said. "I hope you were able to spend some time with them. Their leader had wanted to meet you since he heard about your initiation."
That was another thing that Ruby had wanted to bring up but had almost forgotten about it. However, due to Ozpin's policy on student privacy, she didn't know how he could help.
"Our team and HAVC have been spending some time together, but…" Ruby said hesitantly. "Their leader has not been with them when we would get together."
"Really?" Ozpin asked quizzically. "Has he been busy?"
"So, Zed says," Ruby replied but then she paused as she took a moment to formulate her own thoughts. "I didn't want to force anything by approaching him first."
"You sure that isn't just the shy part of you saying that?" Ozpin joked.
"Maybe," Ruby said as she turned red slightly. "But honestly, whenever he notices me, I get the feeling that he is scared of something."
Ozpin did not respond he just lowered his gaze as he too mulled over this information. Ruby, however, noticed his lack of response immediately.
"Everyone just says to let him make the first move. Zed told me that he trusts you and that you both talk often. He hasn't said anything to you, has he?" Ruby asked.
Ozpin simply shook his head.
"Forgive me, Ruby, I can't say whether or not he has mentioned you in our talks," Ozpin replied sadly.
"Privacy reasons, got it," Ruby replied simply, to which Ozpin silently nodded.
Ruby reached for another cookie but when she looked up at Ozpin again, he was dead silent and he had a distant stare. As if he was looking at something that only he could see. Ruby didn't know what else to say at that point, so instead, she brought the cookie up to her mouth.
"Ruby, did you know that I trained your parents, as well as your Uncle Qrow and his sister?" Ozpin asked suddenly.
"I do," Ruby said as she hopped excitedly in her seat as she then forgot about their previous topic. "It's actually another reason why I wanted to come to Beacon. They are so strong because of you and I always wanted to be just like my mother."
"I will do my best to not fail you then, Ruby," Ozpin promised.
"I know you won't and its why I think everyone is wrong about you," Ruby said with fangirl glee. "You were the youngest headmaster of not only Beacon, but probably of any Huntsmen Academy."
Ozpin chuckled to himself.
"I will admit, it wasn't my first choice," Ozpin replied humbly.
"Really? You are so good at it, I could have sworn you were practically trained to become Headmaster," Ruby said as she tilted her head curiously.
"Technically I was," Ozpin replied with a wink. "The headmaster before me was close to retirement and he didn't want the Council to simply appoint a stranger to the position, so he requested that he groom a successor instead. That successor was me."
Ruby's eyes widened in surprise and was practically at the edge of her seat.
"You must have been an amazing student," Ruby said in admiration.
"I'd like to think so," Ozpin said with a humble nod. "I better have been. He put me through harsher training than the other students so I hope that in end that it was all worth it."
"You make it sound like being headmaster wasn't your first choice," Ruby said, inquisitively.
"To tell you the truth, Ruby, it wasn't," Ozpin said.
"What did you want to do at first?" Ruby asked.
"Nothing too special," Ozpin replied. "Back in my day, you didn't need certification to take on Huntsmen missions, so joining attending a Huntsmen Academy was not required. However, like everyone else who attended Beacon, I wanted to become stronger and I thought the academy would help me do so. Now look at me."
"So cool," Ruby fangirled once more.
"Is it?" Ozpin chuckled as he scratched the back of his head.
"It is!" Ruby said assuredly. "You wanted to become stronger, and now you are at the topmost position of a Huntsmen Academy!"
"I guess that is one way to look at it," Ozpin replied.
"And the way you see it as no big deal just makes it cooler," Ruby continued, a wide smile on her face as she continued to admire Ozpin.
"Thank you, Ruby," Ozpin replied. "Praise like yours makes me glad to have taken this position. My mentor taught me much and I hope to one day pass that on to the next generation. As the years have gone by, I'd like to think I have refined my teaching techniques."
Ruby nodded and the office went silent once more, Ozpin stood up to refill his mug as he had been taking silent sips throughout their conversation; however, when he returned, he was lost in silent thought once more and Ruby waited patiently for him to speak once more.
"Ruby, what do you dream about?" Ozpin asked.
The question was so strange and the sudden change in topic caught Ruby off guard.
"Dream?" Ruby asked in return.
"I am not talking about when you sleep," Ozpin reiterated. "I mean, what drives you? What goal do you wish to achieve in your life? Something so meaningful to you that you would do anything for it?"
Ruby had never thought about it before and for a moment she was at a loss for words.
"Just so that the question doesn't seem to come out of nowhere," Ozpin said, noticing her speechlessness. "I read the report from Doctor Oobleck during your mission to Mt. Glenn. He had asked you and your teammates about why you wanted to become Huntsmen. Your answer stood out to me."
"Isn't the answer obvious though?" Ruby asked instead. "We are surrounded by monsters that want to hurt us."
"Yes, but you could have chosen any other job that would also help against the Grimm," Ozpin countered. "From my experience as Headmaster, I have noticed that the choice to become a Huntsmen or Huntress was a lot more than just a whim. Be it as simple as wanderlust to revenge for a lost loved one."
Ruby took a moment to think.
"There really isn't much else to it," Ruby replied assuredly, her eyes narrowed in determination and her voice filled with confidence. "I stand by the answer I gave Doctor Oobleck."
Ozpin simply stared at her for a moment, to which Ruby stared back, unflinching.
"I knew there was something I like about you, Ruby," Ozpin said. "You remind me of another student I mentored long ago."
Ruby did not answer initially.
"Did you have a dream, Ozpin?" Ruby said, forgoing the decorum of student and mentor as she used his name.
"I did," Ozpin replied as he sat straight in his chair proudly. "I didn't realize it until my first year as headmaster but I wanted to train a hero."
Ruby was taken aback by that answer.
"Professor Goodwitch always warned us about being heroes," Ruby said. "I never thought you believed in something like heroes."
"Can you really blame her?" Ozpin jokingly asked. "She is pragmatic. She wants her students to be smart about how they approach any situation, and sometimes heroes just have to follow their heart and not what common sense tells them."
"I agree with that," Ruby said with a smile but it quickly faded. "You don't have a problem with my ideas of a hero? Do you?"
"Not at all," Ozpin said with a shake of his head.
"Did you ever get close to training a hero?" Ruby asked.
"I did," Ozpin replied, but then he lowered his gaze and Ruby noticed a tinge of sadness in his eyes.
"As I said, you remind me of him," Ozpin continued. "In many ways, so do the other students, Haiiden included."
"What was he like?" Ruby asked.
"It's difficult to put into words," Ozpin said as he began to reminisce. "He and his team used to be friends with your family. In the same way you are friends with Team JNPR."
"Did they have a team name like ours?" Ruby asked.
"Yes, it was Team SOUL," Ozpin replied. "In fact, it was during my first year as Headmaster that I implemented putting students into teams but he was different. We would chat regularly and as I got to know him, and learn about his beliefs, I realized this would be the hero I would train."
"He must have been amazing," Ruby said.
"He truly was," Ozpin replied, his voice trailing off as he continued to reminisce. "He pushed himself further than any student I have ever trained. He trained himself in many fighting styles, switching between weapons like swords down to spears. His disdain for the Grimm was immense and he wanted to do anything to combat them."
Ruby leaned forward in her chair, listening intently.
"Did he have a Semblance?" Ruby asked.
"I will admit, he was a bit of a late bloomer in that respect," Ozpin said. "One day, during a spar between your Uncle and him, he was losing and that was when he unlocked it, but when it was unlocked it, it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. It was as obvious as your Semblance, Ruby."
"What was it?" Ruby asked.
"He would pull power directly from his soul to make weapons made of fire," Ozpin replied. "He had this strange belief that fire was an allegory for the soul, so he viewed his Semblance as something poetic. In a few ways, I'd agree. I would like to think that his determination and unyielding soul burned as brightly as the weapon in his hand that day."
"Woah," Ruby said softly.
"Shortly after they had graduated and were officially recognized as Huntsmen, your family and his team traveled together to take on missions," Ozpin continued. "He had this drive about him. No matter the mission, no matter the pay, no matter how far he had to go, he took any mission. Stories began to spread about a man who traveled far and wide, where one day he would be in Mistral, and the next he would be on the other side of the world in Vacuo."
"Wow, he just wouldn't give up," Ruby said, admiring the story.
"That's not all," Ozpin continued, smiling all the while. "He was humble about his exploits. Sometimes, he would forgo taking payments for his missions if it meant it would help the village or town. He didn't like taking interviews, viewing the action to be enough of a reward, rather than the recognition."
"What happened to him?" Ruby asked and she immediately regretted asking the question as she viewed Ozpin's expression sink.
"He pushed himself hard, Ruby," Ozpin replied. "Harder than his team was willing to take by going with him. Eventually, the fatigue took its toll on him and his health deteriorated. Some time ago, he had died."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Ruby replied. "Is this what Professor Goodwitch means when she says to be careful about being a hero?"
"Yes, Ruby," Ozpin replied. "It's a common theme among many stories with heroes. They always die young."
"But also, in these stories, they never regretted their actions, that in the end it was worth it," Ruby countered but Ozpin replied with a nod.
After a moment's silence, Ozpin began to laugh to himself.
"Forgive me, Ruby, you had wanted to come in to talk about your troubles and instead, we spent so much time talking about me," Ozpin said as the laughter died down.
"Don't be sorry," Ruby replied warmly. "I do feel a lot better after talking with you. I also like to hear stories about you too. Reminds me of why I like you so much."
"I am happy to help, Ruby," Ozpin replied. "Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?"
"Not really, I believe that is everything," Ruby said.
"Hmm," Ozpin hummed to himself.
Ruby tilted her head as she looked at Ozpin.
"Back to our previous topic about Haiiden," Ozpin said. "Do you plan on doing anything about him?"
"I just planned to do what I did with everyone else," Ruby replied assuredly. "I plan to show that there is nothing to be scared of with me."
Ozpin nodded.
"I think I know a way to help you with that," Ozpin replied.
0-RWBY-0
That One Dude: I really don't know how to respond to a review like that. I was hesitating even approving it for fear that I would appear I was only allowing positive reviews. I'd like to think I am pretty open where I allow positive and negative reviews as long as it helps me become better. I also like to think that I have a solid idea for this story and would like for it to be given a chance. Thank you for giving it a chance.