Chapter 26: Friends True to Be
Pyrrha and Blake walked along through the hallway of the Academy, which were deserted for the most part. Almost like how they were long ago when she and Qrow had first arrived at the Academy. There were only a few other students were present, either making their way to the assembly or talking over what had happened outside. The two walked it complete silence, hardly uttering a word to each other.
Pyrrha glanced to Blake, who narrowed her eyes with her arms warped around herself. She must have been shaken up from what had happed outside. It was a shock to see what those troopers did. Accusing those students as if they had just committed some sort of crime. All due to the actions as of some group of whom they accused them of apart of. It wasn't right. Especially arresting an innocent student.
Pyrrha narrowed her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she said, breaking the silence between them.
"For what happened out there. That wasn't right."
Blake glanced to her. She then narrowed her eyes, nodding her head.
"It's alright," she insisted.
"I'm used to it."
Pyrrha squinted her eyes in disbelief.
"Your... used to it?" she asked.
Blake nodded her head.
"The Faunus are used to this kind of tension," she insisted to her.
"Especially here in Lothadare."
Blake turned and glanced over to several students that were talking. They looked back at them with a stern expression. An action which did not go unnoticed by Pyrrha. Their stern gazes toward her and Blake was a sight still new to her, especially after learning about much of history of the Faunus by Qrow and Rueben. Though it was one Blake had expected when she got here. She turned away, closing her eyes as she and Pyrrha continued walking.
Pyrrha glanced to her, curiously.
"I don't understand." she said, shaking her head.
"Why are people so cruel to the Faunus?"
Blake narrowed her eyes in contempt.
"Your people have always feared the Faunus because we're so different," Blake insisted to her.
"They've treated us like second class citizens, outcast from society. We've been discriminated against, used as slave labor by all the Kingdoms and. Even to this day with the Royal's promise of equality, people still treat us like we're animals."
Pyrrha squinted her eyes in utter contempt and disbelief. She was appalled to hear what the Faunus had endured within Lothadare and all the Kingdoms. Never known the discrimination which the Faunus had endured throughout the realms. Back home in Arthamore, the Faunus were never discriminated against. They were often treated just as equally by people.
Though the worlds which once once lied outside the walls of Arthamore were still quite unknown to her. She had only began to learn of these atrocities upon first coming to Lothadare. Though then she was far too young to truly understand how dark the wor. Only now as she had long passed the innocence of childhood, the worlds had already began to reveal what they truly were.
Pyrrha then paused for a moment, contemplating all that she was told. She frowned in contempt, shaking her head. Blake glanced to her.
"That's... That's wrong!" she exclaimed in utter disbelief.
Blake paused.
"How could they do that?" Pyrrha proclaimed.
"The Faunus are people as well. What reason do they have to treat you and your people like that? That's not Right!"
Blake turned to Pyrrha, surprised to say the least.
"You... you think it's wrong?" Blake asked, curiously.
Pyrrha shook her head.
"I do." she insisted to her.
Blake paused for a moment. She then narrowed her eyes, turning forward. No human that she had ever met before had ever shared compassion for her people. Let alone be so appalled by the actions of her people. She had only ever known humans to be cruel toward her and her people. True she had heard some humans speak in sympathy for the Faunus and there was attempts make a mends by some of the kingdoms.
But even still, the discrimination of the Faunus continues to remain. Especially now with all the actions of the White Fang.
"I've... I've never heard another human say that before." Blake insisted to her.
There really was something different about this human.
Blake suddenly felt a hand over her shoulder. She glanced back at Pyrrha, who stood behind her, smiling as she nodded her head to her. Blake of which looked a little unsure for but a moment. Only to close her eyes and smile, nodding back to her.
Pyrrha and Blake emerged into the entrance of one of the Assembly room, which was crowded with the other students. At the forefront of the room stood a soundstage, where several of the professors, all awaiting the assembly to begin. All the while, the voices of the students echoed through the room as they talked amongst themselves. The two then paused there at the entrance. The sight of the crowd alone was quite an intimidating sight to the prodigy. As well as Blake herself.
Neither having to ever attend a school assembly. All the time she had spent on the Academy was in the Stadium, training. She never partake in the Academy before now. Nor did she interact with any of the students that came before. Thus, this whole experience was all quite new to them and quite unnerving to say the least.
"This is..." Pyrrha said, unable to find the right word to say.
"Strangely intimidating." Blake finished, glancing to her.
Pyrrha nodded her head in agreement.
"I would have thought that I would be used to it by now." Pyrrha insisted to her.
Blake glanced to her, curiously.
"What do you mean used to it?" Blake asked, curiously.
Pyrrha paused for a moment, realizing what she had said. She glanced to the side.
"Well, it's a long story." She insisted to her, grinning.
It was right at that moment that Headmaster Rueben staggered up from behind them.
"Come," he said.
"It's time for the assembly."
He them made his way toward the sound stage, the other students made way for the old headmaster. He then came up onto the stage. Passing by the other professors, the old Headmaster came before the the alter. He then gazed out over the crowd of students. Their attention turned to the headmaster at the sound of the Microphone turning on. Rueben cleared his throat before then speaking.
"Good Tidings new students of Lothadare Academy and to our returning staff," Rueben announced.
"We welcome you on this very day, that we hope will be a grand future for you all. It is an honor to lay eyes upon the next Generation of Knights that we hope shall lead the Kingdom to another golden age."
Pyrrha and Blake came before the sound stage, gazing up at the Professor.
"Our time together as you may be aware is quite brief," He insisted to them.
"Especially within these grave times of conflict. And thus I shall brief. Each of you standing here are a representation of the Kingdom itself."
Auron and his friends were watching from somewhere from within the crowd. Keith gave Auron a brush of the shoulder, as if to say, 'you guys hear that?'
"The Kingdom of Lothadare is a realm founded to be a symbol of Hope and Prosperity for Opara," Headmaster Rueben proclaimed to them.
"Thus why our Flag bears the mighty Eagan. Like the Great Guardians of Prosperity and the Knights of Opara themselves, the Knights of Lothadare for any generations fought for the preservation of the Kingdom and for all the Realms."
The words of the headmaster all but caused Blake to squint her eyes in contempt. Unlike everyone else in the room, she could see through the lies. The propaganda that the Kingdom spread among it's people. Especially upon it's Faunus citizens. The Eagan may have been a symbol of Hope and Prosperity. But the Kingdom of Lothadare was anything but.
"Choosing to become a Knight of Lothadare means you fight not just for your Kingdom's prosperity," Rueben proclaimed to the students.
"But you also for the preservation of the Kingdom's Alliance. For in the absence of the Gods and now the Knights of Opara, if now falls to us to bring about an era of prosperity and peace to all the Realms."
Back near the entrance, Qrow leaned against the wall with the arms folded against his chest. All the while, he listening to the speech Rueban had been making.
"Starting Tomorrow, you all shall take the Team Trial," Rueben announced to them.
"There we shall establish the teams you will be on in your career as Knights."
Rueben turned his head, gazing forward over the crowd of students.
"You are all here for you have chosen this path," Rueben proclaimed.
"And thus you have chosen to bear this burden. And just as Akara proven her worth to the Realms, in these few six months, you all must prove your worth to your Kingdom."
Rueben then gestured a nod.
"May the Gods grant you all the best of luck." He then said.
Rueben was sitting within his office, going over the papers regarding the next few months of classes. The students were all settling into the Academy, preparing for tomorrows trial. As well as the rest of the staff. However today's incident was still prevalent within the Headmaster's mind. Especially what he knew would come of it.
Even now, there was talk among the Faunus students regarding the incident. While he understood the danger the White Fang posed to the Kingdom, the actions the military were taking all seemed extreme.
He had already informed the staff to be vigilant in regards to the possibility that a member of the White Fang being on Campus. But he had been informed that the military would be preforming inspection throughout the six months of classes. All the more adding to the tension that was already growing between the Faunus.
It was right at that moment that Qrow emerged through the doors of his office. He then approached the old Headmaster's desk.
"Rueben." he said.
Rueben glanced up to him.
"Qrow, what are you doing here?" Rueben asked, curiously.
"Shouldn't you be training with Pyrrha?"
"She told me what happened today." He said.
"Did the military detain a Faunus student?"
Rueben turned to him, nodding his head.
"I'm afraid so," He insisted, staggering up to his desk.
"I've just gotten word that he's been released into the custody of his family. But now he's refusing to return to the Academy."
Qrow squinted his eyes to the old headmaster.
"But that's treason in your Kingdom," Qrow stated.
"Larr will have him and his family imprisoned."
Rueben nodded his head, knowing well of the consequences behind the students choice.
"Yes, he will." he said.
Qrow shook his head, placing both hands over his side.
"I thought Lothadare was trying to make nice with the Faunus," he said.
"Why would they have one detained for no reason? "
"Because they believed him to be a spy for the White Fang." Rueben insisted to him.
Qrow paused for a moment. He the turned back to the headmaster, gazing in utter shock and contempt.
"The White Fang?" He said.
"The White Fang are here?"
Rueben nodded his head.
"I'm afraid so," Rueben said, taking a seat behind his desk.
"They've already attacked several Military's transports. And now it seems they may be hiding somewhere in Lothadare. King Larr has already placed the Kingdom under Martial law until they are found."
"Martial Law?" Qrow exclaimed.
Rueben once more gestured a nod of his head.
"But why would the White Fang have a spy in the Academy?" Qrow asked, curiously.
There was a moment's paused as Rueben narrowed his head, knowing there could be only one reason. Qrow turned to him, squinting his eyes as the realization came to him. He then shook his head.
"You don't think..." He said.
"What other reason could there be?" Rueben insisted to him.
"Then we need to make sure they never find it," Qrow proclaimed.
"If they were to get their hands on the weapons inside the Vault, Lothadare would be in grave danger."
"Indeed," Headmaster Rueben agreed.
"Which is why until we determine we know whether there is truly a spy on the Academy, the Vault is to remain closed. At least until we can be sure."
Qrow nodded his head in agreement.
"Right." He said.
Rueben then narrowed her head. Uttering a sigh, he stood up from his desk as he approached the window behind him. It was there the Headmaster gazed out over the Campus, at the students below. Fearing what may lie over the horizon for the Kingdom and it's people.
"I fear for the future of our Kingdom" The Headmaster insisted to him.
"The White Fang has always had it's claws deep within the Kingdom, they may just be trying to create a divide between it and its people. Although, we may be playing into their hands."
Auron and his friends were walking along the path near the dorms.
"Man, talk about no pressure." Keith said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Hanako glanced back at him, smirking.
"I thought you were eager to be a knight of Lothadare." she said.
"Well, yeah," He insisted to her.
"I just didn't think having all the realms relying on us be so... you know..."
"Keith, do you ever think before you act on things?" Hanako asked.
"I think about stuff." Keith insisted.
"Just not so much about that part in particular."
Hanako rolled her eyes. It was typical of Keith to always have his mind in his biceps. Though it wasn't like they didn't feel the same way as him. After all, being a Knight of Lothadare, as well as for the Alliance of the Kingdoms, was a great responsibility. Especially for one as young as them to have. Though that was the least of his worries at the moment.
Auron glanced back at Keith.
"We're in an Alliance, Keith, remember," Auron reminded him.
"Which means we're fighting for all of Opara."
"I knew that." Keith insisted to them.
Auron smirked, shaking his head.
"I still can't believe the White Fang might be back in Lothadare." Hanako insisted.
"I don't think they ever left," Auron said, shaking his head.
"Lothadares always been a target for The White Fang. Ever since the attempted assassination of the king."
"What do you think their after?" Keith asked, curiously
Hanako shrugged.
"Who knows," She said.
"Right now, I'm more worried about the team Trial tomorrow."
"Relax, we have a plan." Auron insisted.
"Yeah, but we still don't have a forth member," Keith insisted.
"And it sounds like some of the other students are already forming their teams. We're going to need to find a strong fourth."
It was right at that moment that several students came running passed them. The three glanced around at them, curiously. One of which accidentally brushed his shoulder's against Auron's.
"Hey!" Auron said.
"Sorry!" The student said.
"Hey, where's everyone going?" Auron asked, curiously.
The student paused as he turned back to them.
"The Stadium," She insisted to them.
"Someone's using one of the advanced training simulations. Level fifty. We're going to go watch!"
Auron and Hanako glanced to each other, curiously.
"Level fifty?" Auron said.
"That like three entire squads of Grimm?"
"Oh, I gotta see this!" Keith proclaimed as he followed after the students.
Pyrrha was standing at the centre of the stadium with both Milo and Akouo in hand. Surrounded from all around by light blue holographic depictions of several squads of Grimm. Placing one foot behind her, Pyrrha raised her shield in front of her. She twirled Milo that was currently in her sword form in the other hand, holding it back behind her. She continued to gazed forward at the Squad of holograms, aiming their blasters toward her.
"Simulation Level 50 will begin in fifteen seconds."
Pyrrha braced herself, squinting her eyes as she gripped both weapons tightly in her hands. Ready to move the very moment the alarm would go off. Her focus centered mainly on her training. Despite the Crowd of students which had gathered over near the entrance of the stadium, watching in awe and anticipation. She had already gone through three levels already. The students only began to gather after she had completed level forty seven. They must had overheard the announcer from over the speaker.
"Simulation will begin in five seconds."
As the announcer counted down, Auron and his friends made their way through the crowd of students. They then emerged at the front of the crowd, Auron glanced to several students off to the right.
"What's going on?" He asked.
"There shouldn't be any training in the Stadium."
Keith then nudged his shoulder.
"Dude, check it!" he said, pointing into the stadium.
Auron turned and gazed forward. Standing at the entre of the stadium, surrounded at all sides by three simulated squads of Grimm, he saw the girl with fiery red hair with only a sword and shield in hand.
"3... 2... 1... BEGIN!"
The simulated Grimm opened fire upon Pyrrha, who dashed forward upon the moment of their first shots. She came up toward the squad ahead of her, blocking all their shots with her shield. As she came up to one of the holograms, she then swung her shield around as she brushed aside the blaster. Acting qutickly, she then swung her sword down and and from the side, slashed the hologram which caused it to disburse. Pyrrha then leaped forward toward the other holograms, slashing her sword as she cut her way through the squad of Grimm. Her weapon quickly transforming into it's spear form as she then turned and thrust it forward, impaling the hologram which stood before her.
As the holographic Grimm dispersed, Pyrrha glanced back as she saw one of the holograms about to blast her. Just as it took the shot, Pyrrha quickly deflected it with her shield. She then then leaped into the air as she flew over the hologram, holding up her spear. She then threw it down at the hologram, which then disbursed as it passed through it. She then landed over the ground, quickly ducking her head as several plasma bolts flew overhead.
Pyrrha glanced back at the advancing holograms, raising her shield as she blocked their shots. She then reached back her other hand, drawing back her javelin with her polarity. She then flung Milo forward, which spun around in a circle which sliced through the three Grimm holograms. She once more reached out with her semblance and pulled back Milo to her. As she quickly grabbed hold of her weapon, Milo once more changed form into it's rifle. She then brought her blaster up to her shield, where she proceeded to blast several of the holograms.
Back at the entrance, Auron and the other students continued to watch in awe. There were only few who have ever passed Level fifty. Let alone on their own. Such a thing was unheard of. Only Akara herself was able to alone in a Level Fifty training segment.
"You guys seeing this?" Keith said.
"Impressive." Hanako said with a nod of her head.
Auron squinted his eyes.
"Who is that?" He asked, curiously.
"Don't know," One of the other students said.
"Apparently she's a first year student like everyone else."
"Sure doesn't fight like one." Auron said, shaking his head.
Off to side from the other students, Blake was leaning against the wall with her arms folded against her chest. She gazed forward to Pyrrha, who spun around her javelin around as she cut through the last of the holograms. Pyrrha then stood up at the alarm went off.
"Level fifty Passed. Time of completion: minutes and twenty three seconds."
She had been watching Pyrrha train for some time now. Needless to say, she was quite impressed with her skills. She was right.
There really was something different about this girl.