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.
AN: Finally, I got it done, I hope you all had an awesome new year. The winner of the Poll was Mythical Weapon Transmutation. Thank you for voting everybody. This helps a whole lot.
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The class had ended and Yu had was going to go back to his room, but instead found himself walking to the infirmary. After some more explanation and some demonstration of low-level skills such as Agi and Bufu, he'd let RWBY and JNPR go.
"Those, kids, they aren't ready." Chiron sighed, walking on Yu's right side.
They passed a courtyard where the dying afternoon sunlight was shining through the columns he passing by. Some students were hanging out together, they were a second-year team if he was correct. It seems that the team system really did work judging by how well they seemed to be getting along.
"Neither were we when all of us started out going through that TV in Junes." Cu Chulainn pointed out, appearing on his left and walking along.
"Maybe, but these kids, they've been training to fight alone, and that's the problem." Chiron sighed as they reached the infirmary.
The door and its frame were a rather familiar velvet colour. Pushing the door open, the infirmary seemed to have the same colour for its walls and ceiling. It seems that Margaret had quickly made this place familiar to herself. From what he was told Margaret would use healing skills to treat patients, which would be explained as a very rare healing semblance, hence why she was hired so quickly.
The inside of the infirmary itself was a sterile white colour one would expect of such a place. However, just behind the divider which separated the beds from the small office space which belonged to the one in charge, Yu could see a bit of velvet coloured paint peeking up over the top on the divider. Walking closer he could see that the space was very well ordered, though he could tell the paint was new. It seemed Margaret had quickly made herself at home here.
"Welcome to the infirmary." She greeted him from the small chair which sat at the desk. "You don't seem to be injured, is there another reason for your visit?"
Instead of speaking he let Cu Chulainn and Chiron voice his conflicted thoughts. Margaret listened and when both were done she spoke.
"To awaken their Persona's quickly and teach them to use them, or to wait until they are ready. Quite the conundrum." Margret said, her hands laying on a rather thick book with the same velvet colour on its covers, which Yu had failed to notice before. "Personally I would council patience. Your students have been training to fight since they were young, but Persona is not a weapon or a toy if you wish to mould your students into people who will use this power for the right reasons, then wait and let their bonds grow. You will know when they are ready."
"But then, what do I teach them in the meantime?" Yu asked.
"Here take this." Margaret handed him the book she had on the desk, it was surprisingly heavier than he thought it would be. "This book has been meticulously penned by the residents of the Velvet Room since our very first guest many ages ago. It does not contain a record of journeys, but rather information regarding, the Arcana, shadows, gods, demons, Persona's, magic, the mechanics of the Universe and the World. Amongst other details that I think will be useful to you. I took it as I was absconding from the Velvet Room. You may borrow it and use it as teaching material in the meantime."
Yu felt the weight of the book in his hands and examined the blank cover of the book.
"Remnant is a static world trapped in twilight." Margaret continued. "and as long as this remains true, then Remnant and its people have no future."
"Then, everything these people do is meaningless? There's no hope?!"
"Meaning can be found and hope given," Margret replied. "As long as wheels of time do not forward, then Remnant will continue to repeat its cycles over and over until its star dies. As long as there is no future, however, humanity cannot go extinct, but nor can it prosper. To give this world its future is for these people to face extinction or prosperity with no going back."
She went silent, Yu could tell she was done and thus he left. Now he was even more confused. A world of twilight with no future? What did that mean? And more importantly, what did this all have to do with his students?
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About a week passed, using the book Yu was able to teach RWBY and JNPR more about the power of Persona without getting to the subject of awakening. He focused mostly on teaching about the Shadows and the Arcana. How all Persona's and people had an Arcana that was Associated with them. He'd also missed Ruby and Weiss reconciling, apparently, Weiss had accepted Ruby as Team leader, which was progress.
"I meant to do this during our first lesson, but I kind of forgot," Yu said spreading out the Tarot cards upon his desk, the Orb of Truth shining from within its case nearby. "Each of you are going to pick a card, the one you pick will be the Arcana you are associated with. Knowing this will help me get a better grasp of each of you, so I know how I can help you when the time comes." Yu explained cutting off the impending question from Weiss.
He then walked over to the desk and set a pair of cards in front of Ruby and Yang. The Star and The Sun respectively.
"You two already chose yours. For Ruby the Star which commonly associated with hope, self-confidence, faith, altruism, luck, generosity, peace and joy." Yu explained, "Usually people under this Arcana usually embody these traits in one way or another. However, it can mean a lack of faith, despair or otherwise discouragement about something." He turned to Yang. "And the Sun typically symbolizes happiness, joy, energy, optimism, and accomplishment. People under this Arcana sometimes find themselves in bad situations but are still pretty optimistic despite that. On the other hand, it can mean temporary depression or a lack of success, it can also mean that they are being too positive about a situation and might need a reality check."
That got a snort out of her partner causing Yang to playfully nudge her.
"So, whose first?"
"I'll go." Blake volunteered, clearly wishing to get this over with.
She stood and walked to the desk where the cards were laid out.
"Close your eyes and take a deep breath." Blake did so. "Concentrate, don't be hasty, let the Arcana call out to you."
Blake waited for a few seconds before, she thought she heard a chiming, like a small bell. Then it chimed again only this time she thought she saw, vibrations in the darkness. She led her hand over to where it seemed to be coming from and felt the card beneath her fingers. She opened her eyes and picked it up, showing it to her teacher.
"The Priestess," Yu told her. "This Arcana is a symbol of hidden knowledge or other untapped power, wisdom, female mystery and patience when it appears in tarot readings. Individuals associated with the Priestess Arcana are usually quiet, reserved, hardworking, and very intelligent."
"Sounds about right," Yang commented causing Blake to smirk just a little bit.
"Reversed it can also mean Secrets, Information withheld, or a Lack of personal harmony." Blake felt nervous, but was able to control the look on her face, she narrowed her eyes at the professor just slightly. Did he know? What would she do? What- "Ok, take the card with you and sit down."
She robotically did so as Pyrrha volunteered to be next. The Champion repeated what Blake had done and picked a card and showed it to Yu who in turn revealed it to the class.
"The Chariot, this arcana is a symbol of victory, conquest, self-assertion, self-confidence, control, war and command." He explained. "People who are of the Chariot Arcana are typically very driven individuals, who have a personal goal that they aim to achieve at any cost. Reversed it typically symbolises Scattered energy, Lack of direction or Self-doubt."
Pyrrha gave a polite bow and walked back to her seat.
"Ok, who's-" "Me me me!" Nora yelled enthusiastically zipping past Pyrrha and to his desk, interrupting Weiss who was about to volunteer.
The hyperactive girl shut her eyes but did peek a tiny bit before choosing a card and excitedly showing it to him.
"Strength, this Arcana is associated with the morality about the stronger power of self-control, gentleness, courage and virtue over brute force. A common trait of people under Strength is their strength of heart. Reversed it can be associated with Inner strength, self-doubt, low energy or raw emotion."
Nora bounced up a down a few times before zipping back to her seat to show Ren her card. He decided at her urging to be the next to volunteer if only to sate his friend and partner. Silently he closed his eyes and focused before choosing a card and revealing it.
"The Fortune Arcana, this one symbolizes fate, luck, fortune and opportunity. Individuals under this arcana are usually people who attempt to seize their own destiny in spite of fate and are typically involved with making important choices and decisions in response to what life throws at them. Reversed it can be associated with, Mishaps, Disappointment, Unforeseen setbacks, Bad luck or just plain Misfortune."
Ren looked at the card for a few seconds before giving a polite nod and returning to join Nora who quickly snatched his card form him and placed both of their cards together babbling something to him.
"I guess I'll go next," Jaune said standing up and nervously approaching the desk. "Alright, close your eyes, deep breaths." He mumbled the words over and over like a mantra as he followed the instructions, eventually, he picked out a card and opened his eyes.
"The Hanged Man, this arcana is associated with self-sacrifice for the sake of enlightenment, the bindings that makes one free. Those under the Hanged Man are sometimes self-sacrificial but are more often notable for being caught between two different extremes, parties or stages in life." Yu explained as Jaune examined the card "Reversed it can mean Missing an opportunity, an Inability to change or Egotism."
Jaune said nothing but nodded and returned to his seat, with Weiss now walking up the desk. Just like the others she closed her eyes and concentrated before choosing a card which she revealed.
"The Moon, it's typically is associated with creativity, inspiration, dreams, madness, illusions, fear, fantasy, the subconscious, and trickery. Those who are under this Arcana have a tendency to project of their own fears and faults onto others." This caused Weiss to huff with annoyance. "Reversed it can be associated with Unusual dreams, Mysteries unveiled, Unhappiness, Release of fear and Insomnia."
Weiss rather annoyed chose to go back to her seat, avoiding Ruby's attempt to consolingly hug her.
"So teach, what's yours?" Yang asked with interest as she leaned back in her chair.
Yu opened his mouth to answer only to be cut off by a small chiming and a vibrating from inside his jacket pocket. He withdrew his scroll and saw that Professor Goodwitch was calling. He held up a single finger and answered.
"Professor Goodwitch, is there something you need?" he asked putting on his stern teacher voice.
"Your lesson time is just about up correct?" She asked causing him to look at the time on his scroll and saw that indeed there were only five minutes left, the time had certainly gone fast.
"Yes, what do you need?"
"Can you end early and bring Ms Xiao Long to headmasters office, something rather important concerning her has come up."
"We're on our way," Yu said ending the call.
"Yang! It's only been a week what did you do?" Ruby asked with a sigh.
"Nothing I swear!" She said holding her hands up defensively, only to receive a disbelieving stare from her sister.
"Well, one way to find out, Class dismissed. Come on Yang." Everyone stood up and began to file out of the room, with a sigh Yang hung back to follow Yu.
As the two made their way to the elevator which would take them to Ozpin's office, students parted ways for them, some of them whispering to each other as Yu and Yang walked past. She kept her cool however until they got into the elevator and doors closed, as Yu pressed the button to take them up to the headmaster's office.
Once there Yang audibly gulped and Yu knew why, as sitting on a chair next to an empty one opposite a seated Ozpin and a standing Glynda was her father. Taiyang Xiao Long looking worried.
"Oh Yang, what did you do?" He asked with a sigh.
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In their dorm, RWB waited for their teammates return, but none more so than Ruby who was rapidly moving from one spot to another, looking from the clock to the door over and over again.
"Ruby, you need to relax, Yang will be back soon."
"But-" The door opening interrupted Ruby as Yang came in and sat on Blake's bed. "Yang!" Ruby zipped over to her sister but stopped short upon seeing the sullen look on her face. "A-are you ok?"
"No, not really."
"Do you want us to leave?" Weiss asked slowly.
"No, you should hear this as well, we are a team after all." Yang sighed. "Ruby do you remember the night club incident a while back, you know when you were stopping Torchwicks robbery?"
"The one you trashed?" Ruby asked
"You trashed a nightclub?" Weiss asked with a harsher tone.
"Yes, I was looking for someone," Yang replied defensively. "Anyway, the owner decided to get even, initially he just leaked the story to the press hoping to ruin my rep as a huntress and make things more difficult for me in the future, but that story wasn't front page like he wanted."
"Professor Narukami was in the news for a while, so any other stories would have been deemed less important," Blake stated.
"Yeah, so if Junior had been able to do that-"
"Wait, as in Hei Xiong Junior? The information Broker?" Blake cut in.
"You've heard of this person?" Weiss asked.
"Anyone who's been in Vale for a decent amount of time has, he can get any information or the right price and its always good." Blake explained, "But he always gets even if you cross him."
"He sounds like a criminal," Weiss said.
"He is, but he's useful to everyone, the cops the council and everyone else so no one tries anything." Blake replied, "And there's technically no proof that he's ever done anything illegal."
"Apparently, he used to be huntsman here at Beacon, his team and our mom's team were on a mission to protect some douchebag politician from some assassins and he and mom had to get rough to get him to safety. When all was said and done the asshole used his power to try and ruin Summer and Hei, so Ozpin was forced to chose as he could only protect one so he chose Mom. Junior got expelled and blacklisted and being an orphan, he had nowhere to go. And because our parent's team was favoured by Ozpin, Junior felt bitter. And this is his revenge. If I get expelled, I'll be blacklisted just he was, and our family will have to pay the bills for the damages to Junior's place and the medical bills for him and his men. It's only because Ozpin agreed to take on the bill that I'm still here."
"Wait, what's the blacklist?" Ruby asked.
"The blacklist is where the put the names of huntsman and huntresses who've gone too far." Blake explained "For people like us who are still training getting put there means we can't ever get our licences and become full-fledged huntresses. But for people with their licences, getting put on the blacklist basically makes you criminal, you can't take missions or get paid, the only thing you can do is try to find another career."
"Is there anything you can do?" Ruby asked quietly.
"I gotta keep my nose clean. One more big screw and up that's it." Yang told her sadly.
"Well… this happened because of your temper, maybe you should try and learn to control it?" Weiss suggested.
"Weiss!" Ruby snapped at her partner.
"What? It was just a suggestion."
"No she's right and that's why I've agreed to go to Professor Narukami who offered to help me out in my free time."
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Wandering through Vale Taiyang was on a mission. To talk to the one person who could resolve this. Eventually got to the building but was stopped by a guy wearing a suit. Inside he could hear the noise of construction going on.
"Sorry, we're closed for renovations." The man told him.
"I just need to talk to Junior," Taiyang told him.
"Junior ain't seeing anybody today." The guard replied with a shrug.
"Please, I'm an old friend just tell him it's Taiyang Xiao Long." Taiyang pleaded.
The guard and but relented, pulling out his scroll and called Junior. After a few seconds, he got an answer.
"What is it?"
"Boss there's some guy here to you, says his name is Taiyang Xiao Long?"
"Send to my office," Junior replied after a few seconds of silence.
The guard pushed open the door, revealing builders everywhere, drilling and sawing and hammering, to try and rebuild the place.
"His office is up the stairs in the back." Taiyang nodded thanks at the man before making his way inside.
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When he entered the office the first thing Taiyang noticed was that he could no longer hear the construction work being done only meters away on the main floor of the nightclub.
"Hello, Taiyang." He focused and spotted Junior sitting behind a wooden oak desk. The room itself was sparse with two pictures hanging on the walls, one of a Junior and pair of young twin girls wearing red and white themed clothes respectively standing outside the club and the other of his old team, Team BRRX(Bordeaux) consisting of Junior himself, Roman Torchwick, Bartholomew Oobleck and Hazel Rainart.
Taiyang couldn't but feel sad. STRQ and BRRX were close friends, at least they were before Junior was expelled. About a couple of years after that Roman dropped out and started his life of crime. Only Hazel and Bart stayed until the end.
"You ain't here to reminisce, Tai." Juniors voice cut through his musings and brought him back to the present. "So what do you want?"
"I'm just here to talk."
"If it's about your daughter then forget it." Junior said, "Way I see it, I'm doing you a favour."
"By nearly ruining her life?!"
"By teaching her to control herself when she doesn't get what she wants." Junior snapped. "Something you should've taught her years ago. Too much of you and Raven in her, there was a reason her mother got so much detention when she kept doing what she wanted."
"Raven is-"
"Dangerous, which is why I lied about knowing who she was to your daughter. You should do something about her wanting answers soon, after didn't she almost get Ruby killed looking for answers?"
"That was on Patch how did you-"
"Nothing happens in this kingdom without me knowing," Junior told him, flicking through things on his scroll. "Who do you think sent the message to Qrow, when my boys saw your daughter leaving the house with her sister in a wagon?"
"You did that? Th-"
"Save it, you know I can't even take a self-defence class, because of that damn blacklist" Junior complained. "Do you how humiliating it is to get your ass handed to you by a kid?!"
"Hei I-" but once again Junior cut Taiyang off.
"With this sword hanging over her head, she'll learn self-control, better to learn it now rather than later after she loses something permanent because of it." Junior looked straight at Taiyang fixing him with a stare. "You need to get a grip, best to tell her about Raven now than she finds out the hard way what her mother's really like."
The blond could only a sigh. Hei was right of course. He'd spent too much time wallowing in his grief over Summer that he'd neglected his daughters. The thing that really mattered now. They were already at Beacon and only a few years away from going out into the world and into the dangers that lurked out there. Speaking of which.
"Hei, have you heard from Hazel recently.?" Taiyang asked carefully.
"No, I haven't heard from him since Gretchen's funeral years ago, and he hasn't been back to Vale since then," Hei replied with annoyance. "Not that it's any of your business, I seem to recall none of you attended, too busy running off playing fetch for Ozpin. Even Roman was there, in disguise albeit, but he attended."
"You know we would've been there if we could but-"
"We didn't expect Raven, no expected Raven. But Summer not appearing, now that was a shock. Guess it just does to show how far up Ozpin's ass you all were."
"Hei, I can't tell what we were doing for Ozpin but you have to believe me when I say it was important, for everyone's sake!" Taiyang argued pleadingly.
"Yeah, whatever. Don't let the door hit you on the way out." Junior said with a dismissive snort as he returned to looking at whatever it was on his scroll.
Seeing that Junior wouldn't budge Taiyang sadly left the club. But he made plans. As soon as the break came, he'd talk to Yang, and he'd tell her the truth about Raven. She deserved to know and it was time he started being a real father again.
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In the land of darkness, Salem sat in her throne, watching through the open window as Hazel, finished breaking down large the monstrosity she had been creating, thus allowing it to return to its base elements.
"Something on your mind Arthur?" Salem asked of the disgraced scientist.
"Well, it just seems like such a waste, your grace." Arthur stated "You poured so much time and resources into creating it and now you are destroying it. Might I ask why?"
"There are many giant beasts of the Grimm." Salem told him "I feel now as though I need to fight fire with fire, warriors with warriors." With that, she withdrew a blood red crystal ball and placed it on the table before her.
Leaning in close Watts looked at the crystal orb and saw something, swimming around inside it. He thought he saw a face of some sort form and look at him before it became a black mist again.
"What is that?" Watts asked intrigued.
"It is a shadow provided by Nyarlothep, a very specific person's shadow." Salem replied, "If the Wild Card gains power from bonds, then why can I not use bonds to my advantage also?"
Suddenly a black aura surrounded the orb and it floated up and zipped off through the window. It flew through the air before coming to a stop just above a pool just to Hazels left, and then it dropped, sinking in like a stone. Suddenly the pool began bubbling like heated water.
"This will be my greatest creation, I will use these bonds, to destroy everything Ozpin has built." Suddenly the bubbling stopped, and a hand broke the surface of the pool grasping at the barren rock at the edge.