Disclaimer: I do not own Persona 4 or RWBY they are the property of their respective owners, any resemblance to any other Persona 4 or RWBY fan fiction is coincidental and plagiarism is not intended. No flames please constructive criticism only.
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It was the morning after Initiation. The students who had passed had returned to the ballroom to sleep and were beginning to stir, ready for the announcement of the Teams and Team leaders. However, that was not what Yu Narukami, Professor Goodwitch and Ozpin were concerned with at the moment.
"These eight students have great potential, however, their strengths are far outweighed by their flaws," Yu spoke to the Councillors who were all now present on the screen.
"They are children," Ozpin argued.
"Yes, one whom trashed a nightclub and did millions in damages, that's not counting the medical bills and compensation we had to pay for the numerous counts of assault and battery, that's a large chunk out the budget that could have been allocated to more productive things."
"Yang Xiao Long has the potential to do great good as a huntress." Ozpin countered.
"And I can make her and the others do better, which is why I'm asking to be allowed to put these eight in a private remedial class, I can make them all shine if I don't have interference from other people." Yu gave a sideways glance at Ozpin who simply sipped from his mug of coffee.
"A remedial class is unnecessary, Beacon has succeeded with its current methods for generations, yes I have made mistakes-"
"Mistake's which have cost people their lives." Yu cut in. "You've allowed your students far too much freedom, they end up causing unnecessary damage when they do become huntsman, leaving some people destitute and homeless."
"Perhaps you are forgetting who found and taught you?"
"You taught me to fight, but my sense of discipline and my morals, are all my own." Yu replied sternly "You don't bother instilling morality discipline, Raven Branwen can attest to that."
Ozpin grunted and visibly gripped his mug tighter.
"Enough!" A councillor yelled thumping a fist on the desk in front of him, finally having had enough of the argument. "Ozpin, your accumulating mistakes are concerning, as such we will approve this new private class, which will proceed without your inference."
"We will not, however, increase Beacon's budget to pay for it." Another councillor explained "Instead you will reallocate a portion of your already existing budget to this new class. Fifty thousand Lien sounds like enough, for this venture."
"More than enough, thank you councillors," Yu said giving a polite bow.
"There's more, will be granting you the power to punish and even expel students as you see fit," A different Councillor chimed in. "Ozpin will have the final say in these matters, however." The 'for now' was left unsaid, but still implied. "Also, we feel it best for you to….observe the rest of the staff, to see just how they are performing."
"That is all, Professor Goodwitch, ensure that this all happens accordingly, are we clear?"
"Crystal clear councillors." The deputy headmistress said with a respectful nod.
"Good, and Ozpin, I suggest you focus on making sure that the Vytal Festival goes off as flawlessly as possible." A female Councillor said, with a tone that seemed a bit more….upbeat than it had been before.
"Indeed, we have supplied the funds, but you will be the organiser, as usual, if anything goes wrong it will be on your head." No, it wasn't just him, the council definitely seemed a bit more pleased than when the conversation had started. "That's all for now, we will be watching closely."
With that, the transmission ended and the three nodded at each other and left the office.
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Yu and Ozpin entered the staff room first, with Glynda, entering last and using her scroll to seal and lock the door, preventing any curious students from trying to listen in. Yu allowed himself to fall onto an empty sofa letting out a sigh of relief.
"So how did it go?" Peter asked both him and Bart were clearly curious to know.
"It worked," Glynda stated. "They have agreed to allow the class, however, they demanded we allocate some of our existing budget instead of giving us any more money."
"Capital." Peter said happily "It went well then?"
"Yeah, I think it helped convince them when I took shots at Ozpin as he suggested," Yu said looking at the man in question. "They seemed rather pleased near the end, they do not like you, do they?"
"Ozpin never did get along well with the Council," Glynda said shaking her head. "Always leaving me to clean up the messes he made when arguing with or outright ignoring them on certain issues."
"And you are paid very well for that," Ozpin said sipping from his coffee.
Whoever Raven Branwen was, it seemed like a spot the Council enjoyed criticising Ozpin on. He'd have to remember to look her up later. Just what had this woman done to become such a pain in Ozpin's ass?
'Or what has Ozpin done to make her a pain in the ass.' Morgan le Faye commented still distrustful of the headmaster. Still, at least she wasn't repeating the fact anymore. Morgan huffed in response.
"You know this means you'll have to tread carefully now Ozpin." Bart pointed out "The council now has a reason to believe that you are no longer irreplaceable. Passing the S-class exam means that they probably can and will replace you with him if you aren't careful."
"True." Ozpin sipped from his mug once more "However it's not just I that will have to be careful, they asked Yu to….observe the staff's classes."
"Hmph…observe" Peter snorted not believing the word for a second.
"I imagine I'll be expected to look for mistakes and be on your back about it when they're made." Yu sighed not liking that part at all. "They really don't like that the staff is loyal to Ozpin."
"Well do not worry about it." Bart said sensing Yu's mood "We knew what to expect when we enacted this plan."
"Indeed," Peter agreed with a nod. "Our pride and feelings are nothing when compared to how much this Persona power could help." In response, Yu summoned the tarot of the Fool Arcana which spun in the air letting off a gentle blue glow which gave him a sense of ease. "If in the end it helps to turn the tide of the war against the Grimm then I don't care how much you must be their 'man' as it were."
"Thank you," Yu said feeling a bit better about the situation and letting himself sink into the sofa before the tarot card gave off a gentle pulse which caused him to sit up again. "Right, so they have a…..request." It was less of a request and more of a demand, but it was best to be diplomatic.
"Some of the others are bored stiff and wish to roam about." The voice belonged to Thoth, the Egyptian god of Wisdom, Knowledge and the Moon, as Persona he took the form of a baboon holding the book of the dead which he was said to have written, perched on the arm of the sofa. "Greetings, my name is Thoth, the god of wisdom and knowledge."
"Fascinating, are you an actual deity?" Bart inquired zooming close to Thoth to get a better look.
"No, think of me as a reflection of the actual Thoth, but I am no less skilled than he," Thoth explained before looking at Ozpin. "The others sent me because I am a diplomat, I am used to settling disputes between the gods, they tend to act like overgrown children, especially Sekhmet."
"A representation of a deity from a culture not known to Remnant, where the Grimm do not exist, the implications are astounding." The history teacher mumbled mostly to himself.
"Hmm….If I am to agree to this then there must be some ground rules." Ozpin said after a few moments of contemplation. "First, no permanent harm physical or otherwise towards the students."
Not an unusual rule, Beacon was not a civilian school, as such scuffles and small fights were expected and while yes, such things were technically against the rules, the Staff only really intervened if it was either outright bullying or if weapons were being used. Hence why he had said, permanent harm.
Thoth gave a nod after a few seconds. "Agreeable, but they want the right to defend themselves if they're attacked."
"Agreed."
"Ozpin!" Glynda objected with an annoyed grumble.
"Glynda you have been complaining for years about the ego's our students have been developing, especially those fresh from Signal and other such academies about being far stronger than civilians and thus believing themselves invincible, perhaps this way they shall learn humility," Ozpin said with a nonchalant tone.
"If they even are foolish enough to start a fight with one of these Persona's" Port pointed out.
"Also I must insist that Interaction is restricted to students and faculty at Beacon, with the exception of military or political figures, so please try not to wander off Beacon grounds." Ozpin seemed rather firm on this point.
"You expect a visit from the Council?" Bart inquired sipping from his thermos while still examining Thoth and even noting something down on a notepad.
"I expect James to come to the festival personally."
"Which mean's he'll be bringing his army." Glynda sighed putting a hand to her temple to massage it.
Yu couldn't be sure but he sensed a story behind Glynda's reaction. Perhaps a history between her and James Ironwood?
"I'd rather not have some jumpy soldier be frightened by a monster and trying to shoot it inside my school," Ozpin stated. "The same goes for the bodyguards of any politicians who will undoubtedly wish to schmooze with James and yourself."
Why would politicians want to talk to him?
"Simple lad, remember you have that interview with Lisa Lavender coming up," Peter said answering his unspoken question and reminding him of what Ozpin had spoken of after the meeting with the Council the morning after he arrived in Remnant. People would want to Toady up to him, wanting to use his position for their own ends.
"Indeed, that interview will the announcement of your existence to the world, as Ozpin's successor." Bart chimed in. "You are an unknown quantity and thus many will seek to curry your favour so expect lots of interviews and meetings and when the festival begins in earnest."
"Headmaster's do not appear every day." Glynda stated, "Those of your age even less so."
"I expect more people of influence will show up than they did in past events because you are young and not set in any particular mindset unlike James and Ozpin" Peter stated. "Both of whom are…"
"Pig-headed, stubborn"
"I think he gets your point, Glynda." Ozpin cut in before she could continue with her mini-tirade.
"Agreed, we weren't planning to leave the school anyway." Thoth stated "The non-human personas will be either too small to notice or look like small animals like birds. Those who cannot shapeshift aren't interested in this anyway, and the gods are used to just watching and not interfering."
It was true, most of those interested were either scholars of some sort, heroes who would likely wish to spar with students but would keep to the arena or small creatures like Pixie who would likely pull pranks while staying out sight, or Yatagarasu who would be mistaken for a crow, it was unlikely people would notice his third leg anyway without a second look.
Thoth might get away with it, while baboons weren't native to Sanus, Yu was sure people would just think he'd escaped from a Zoo or something. This line of thinking earnt him a dirty glare from said god of wisdom which in turn got chuckles from his other Persona's who remained in the Sea of Souls just watching the proceedings. Yu had long since gotten used to his persona's knowing what he was thinking. I am thou and Thou art I after all.
"Some of the heroes would like to spar against the students in combat class," Thoth said perking up like someone who just remembered something they'd forgotten.
"I suppose I can arrange something, it will help to teach them some humility, but will that be ok?" Glynda asked looking at Yu with concern.
"They won't be using skills, that's what's most draining about using Persona's so it should be fine," Yu replied before thinking about the spars. "If you're worried about Aura, I recommend setting up a three hits rule for them." Not that Yu expected any of the Heroes' to allow themselves to be hit three times, if anything they'd see it as a challenge, especially considering few of the ones who wanted to spar were going to be using ranged weapons, the more battle maniacal heroes preferred to be in the very thick of battle fighting off enemies from all directions.
"Is that everything?" Glynda inquired.
"I believe it should d cover everything." Thoth stated, "Now if you'll excuse me." With that Thoth faded away in a swirl of blue flames, returning to the Sea of Souls.
"Well then, I think we should get going to the Team Naming Ceremony," Ozpin stated. "We'll need to introduce you to the school officially after all."
CAW!
Everyone looked up to see a crow had flown into the room from an open window carrying something large. Yu stood up and outstretched his hand, the crow let go of the object which fell into his waiting hand. It was a Totosuka-no-Tsurugi. The crow landed upon a bookshelf before vanishing in much the same way Thoth had.
"Another Persona? Bart asked.
"Yeah, that was Yatagarasu, a three-legged crow who was by sent the goddess Amaterasu to act as a guide for humans," Yu explained.
"Fascinating." Bart breathed. "Do you think one of your personas would consent to be interviewed for my own anthropological studies?"
"I can think of a few who might," Yu replied with a shrug. "Be warned, some of those who like to talk, don't really shut up when you get them going, so you might be stuck listening to them for hours."
"Oh I wouldn't worry, in that department, they'll have their match in Bart." Peter chuckled earning him a glare from the green haired man.
"That's rich coming from you Peter," Bart responded with a challenging tone.
"And just what is that supposed to mean?" Peter demanded angrily standing up and getting into Bart's face.
Glynda rolled her eyes while Ozpin merely smiled and motioned for Yu to follow.
"It means I'm surprised that you haven't killed one of your students from telling them your boring stories all the time!" Bart yelled angrily.
"Boring?!"
Yu stood up and followed the two out of the room, he could help but be reminded of Chie and Yosuke and how they bickered, giving one last glance back at the pair he chuckled before leaving and allowing the door to close behind him.
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Yu watched the Team Naming Ceremony from backstage. It was nearing the end just three teams to go, two of which he had his eye on.
"Russel Thrush. Cardin Winchester. Dove Bronzewing. Sky Lark." Ozpin called out the names of the four students whose faces were displayed on the screen of the auditorium which showed their profile pictures which lined up as did the boys in question.
"The four of you retrieved the black bishop pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team Cardinal, led by... Cardin Winchester!"
"Wait I thought these teams were supposed to be colours, how is Cardinal a colour?" Pixie asked perched in the corner near the ceiling watching the proceedings, she was joined by Jack Frost and Kitsune in her fox form who were both sat on a small ledge made of ice the former had created for them.
'It is a shade of red.' Kohryu informed her from within the Sea of Souls.
"I believe it is also a reference to a type of bird native to North and South America." Thoth supplied, sat on a chandelier near the ceiling, joined by Yatagarasu who was perched next to him.
While Yu himself was content to lean against the wall adjacent to the stage out of view, some of his Persona's had wished to watch the proceedings, he saw no reason to refuse.
"Hee-they're a team of birdbrains ho." Jack Frost chuckled.
"He's right." Pixie laughed at the realization.
"Birdbrains of a feather flock together." Kitsune chuckled before noticing a frown on Yatagarasu's feathered face. "Oh come on Yaggy, don't tell me we've ruffled your feathers?"
The divine crow didn't even dignify her with a response, choosing instead to keep looking below at the proceedings.
"Hey, kitsune what soap do birds use?" Pixie asked still chuckling
"I don't know what soap do birds use?" Kitsune asked grinning.
"Dove!" the poor joke a got a round of laughs out of jack, Pixie and Kitsune, while Thoth and Yatagarasu remained silent.
"Calm down, it's not even that funny," Thoth stated.
"Oh Come Thoth, we're just 'Lark' ing around." Kitsune giggled.
"Yeah, Dove be in such a Thrush, to end our fun," Pixie smirked.
"Puns are the lowest form of humour you know." Thoth sighed.
"Shh, the next team is being announced." Yatagarasu interrupted them.
The audience a round of claps as team CRDL left the stage, while four more students walk up to the stage to take their places in front of the headmaster as their faces fill the screen.
"Jaune Arc. Lie Ren. Pyrrha Nikos. Nora Valkyrie." Ozpin announced their names. "The four of you retrieved the white rook pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team JNPR."
Amid the applause, Nora laughed and gave her partner Lie Ren a hug.
"Led by... Jaune Arc!"
" Huh? L-Led by...?" The blond was caught off guard by this.
"Congratulations, young man."
Pyrrha offered a friendly shoulder bump to Jaune, only to knock him over send him onto his behind getting laughs out of the audience.
"Crossdressers" Pixie exclaimed excitedly as if she discovered the answer to a difficult puzzle.
"What?" Hee?" Kitsune and Jack Frost both looked at her in confusion.
"Don't you get it? Joan of Arc" Pixie pointed at Jaune "Achilles." She then pointed at Pyrrha "Thor" at Nora who was still hugging Ren "and Mulan." Finally Ren.
"Oh, I see it" Kitsune chuckled her tails wagging with her laughter. "They'll be a lot of fun I can tell."
"And finally; Blake Belladonna, Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Yang Xiao Long." Ozpin motioned at the four as they stood before him and their profiles appeared on the screen. "The four of you retrieved the white knight pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team RWBY. Led by... Ruby Rose!"
Weiss looked her partner with clear surprise on her face, while Ruby was obviously in shock herself as Yang went over and hugged her sister.
"I'm so proud of you!" Yang said proudly.
After the applause died down they made to leave but were stopped by Professor Ozpin.
"Please, wait a moment, Team JNPR please join them back the stage." Jaune and his team did as they were told and stood on Ozpin's other side. "Now I have two more announcements to make. First, you may have heard through news outlets that the King of the Emerald Forest has been slain. I now confirm that this is the case, it was done as part of an S-class examination."
The screen's suddenly changed, showing footage of the end part of the fight between Albion and the Silva Gigas, the former slugging it so hard it fell apart, the Geist fleeing only for Yu to give chase and slay it.
"Please, allow me to introduce my protégé and my successor as headmaster of Beacon Academy, Yu Narukami!" That was his cue, and with that, he put on his stern teacher face and walked out on stage.
There was no applause, only a deafening stunned silence, in which the footfalls of his boots echoed throughout the auditorium much like a loud drawn out heartbeat. His coat billowed behind him, Totsuka-no-Tsurugi peeked out from his side, in its sheath. He came to a halt before Ozpin.
"Greetings," Yu said with a stern tone. "You first years are all fresh, new to Beacon and the way of life which you've chosen. Yet, the flaws which of all you have, weighs you down as it did your performance in the initiation. But none of you were nearly as appalling as these eight."
Yu whirled on RWBY and JNPR causing Ruby and Jaune to flinch at his sudden gaze. He walked to the end of the line and began walking past them. "There are those whose temperament make's them a danger to all around them," his gaze passed over Yang flinched a bit but also glared defiantly at him. "There are those who think themselves above the set rules and are content to leave people to die." His gaze landed on Weiss who all but wilted, her eyes falling to the floor to avoid his, that concerned him a fear of authority figures maybe? No that didn't make sense he'd have to look into more later.
Then he moved past Ozpin and onto JNPR.
"Some are idiots of the highest calibre." His eyes locked onto Jaune who gulped and looked even more nervous than before. "And then there those who left their spines at home inviting stupidity to run the day." His gaze finally landed on Pyrrha who resisted flinching but still seemed ashamed.
Finally, Yu walked back to Ozpin and looked at both teams sternly.
"You eight will attend a private remedial class which I will be running." This gained looks of shock from members of both teams. "Attendance is mandatory."
"But why us?" Yang demanded angrily. "There have to be others who did worse."
"Yang no." Ruby tried to calm her sister down.
"Because those who did worse than you, did not pass the initiation." Yu replied focusing his gaze on her "The others in your year, their flaws can be ironed out by the regular curriculum, you, on the other hand, all need special attention. Let me be clear, as long as I do not approve, none of you will become Huntsman." This got gasps of surprise from Weiss, Ruby and Nora, and nervous looks from the others.
Satisfied he'd done his part, Yu walked off to the side of the stage. He watched as Team's RWBY and JNPR walked past him and back into the mumbling crowd.
"Thank you," Ozpin said silencing everyone "Now, on a final note, I must announce that sadly our previous nurse has retired, in her place I was fortunate enough to be able to swiftly hire a replacement to run the infirmary, please give a warm welcome to Margaret Velvet."
Yu's thought process immediately crashed to a halt, luckily, however, it did not show on his face, his Persona's voices had all fallen into a stunned hush. Out from the opposite side of the stage walked Margaret. Clad in her blue Velvet Room uniform. But why had she left the Velvet Room? He knew something had been wrong but, for her to leave the Velvet Room for an apparently extended period was unprecedented.
She didn't speak, merely taking a place beside Ozpin and giving a nod of greeting to the crowd. Why had Ozpin hired her of all people? More importantly, How had she been hired?
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In a warehouse in the industrial district of Vale, a rather infamous thief known as Roman Torchwick just finished a phone call with his new 'boss'. A White Fang grunt wheeled over a large chest to him, which he placed some Lien on. The grunt promptly took the money and pocketed it.
"Open it."
"Yes Open it." A cultured voice said from behind them. "We're all dying to know what's inside."
Roman looked to see two men, one was a man he vaguely recognised. Arthur Watts a disgraced Atlesian Scientist, but the other, the one carrying a solid screen TV, him he didn't recognise.
"Well, well what is Arthur Watts doing down here the slums of Vale?" Roman asked lighting a cigar.
"My reputation precedes me, I am part of the same group Cinder Fall is, you know her right? the woman who has you running around Vale playing Fetch the Dust Crystals like a good little dog." Watts asked tauntingly as his partner placed the TV down on the ground.
"Oh, so there's a group of you?" Roman asked not rising to the bait.
"Indeed, Cinder is our newest member and as such is lowest on the totem pole as it were." Arthur explained "This man, is Tohru Adachi, he is something of…..a helper, but not a subordinate. As you can imagine Cinder probably does not want him near her plans, which is exactly why I've introduced you because I enjoy her misery, and seeing any part of plan fail would simply make my day."
"We both know that when that bitch is done with you she'll kill you," Adachi stated taking a seat on a nearby crate. "Stick with me, and I can guarantee you'll survive this thing longer than she wants you too."
"That's a pretty big guarantee, she scary powerful, and I'd rather not put all my eggs in one basket," Roman said.
"Watch," Adachi said with a sigh.
There a growl nearby and Roman jumped back upon seeing a large familiar figure floating the air, holding the white fang grunt by his throat so he couldn't scream or call for help. The figure floated over to the solid screen TV, Adachi gave the screen a tap with his knuckles, causing static to briefly appear on it despite it being unplugged. Then The figure pushed the grunt against the screen, which began to ripple like water.
It didn't take long before the hapless grunt was fully inside the TV. The red thing, retracting its arm having let go of its victim. The sight caused Roman to stop smoking.
"Now that is a pretty neat trick," Roman said after a few seconds. "You know I remember seeing something like that in a video that's been going around recently in the underworld, of the King of Emerald Forest being killed by something that looked like that except that one was a little less…bloody looking."
"He's Magatsu Izanagi," Adachi said snapping his fingers causing him to vanish in a swirl of reddish ethereal flames. "He's a Persona, and the thing with the TV was my semblance."
"And a Persona is…?"
"A power that I and a few others have," Adachi replied with a shrug. "The other one you saw on that video, Izanagi, belongs to a kid who was a major pain in my ass. This power is also why I'm stronger than Cinder bitch, help me out and we can both make our lives easier, whaddya say?"
"I get to live and my life become easier? Where do I sign up?" Roman asked with a smirk.
"First, I need you to get me a lot more TV's."
"And when our friend asks why I'm stealing dust?"
"I'll talk to her, she won't bother you, just get a few hundred and then I'll tell you what happens next," Adachi told him with a smirk.