Finally got around to updating this adventure! Well, with a situation like the one we're in, I've got little better to do. Hope everyone is feeling healthy in these desperate times. If you have got Coronavirus, then I wish you the speediest of recoveries.
Back to the adventures of Team KOLD!
Chapter 20: Culture Shock
Title Song: Flip & Sizzle (Halo Wars OST)
The second semester had begun. Team KOLD awoke as normal, the boys on first water this morning. As Onyx took his turn, Jasmine opened the window, smiling at the blue sky and little cloud coverage. That smile changed when she saw something that made her worried. "Koa?" She asked.
"What's up Jas?" Her partner asked. Koa leaned out the window. "Uh…" He was just as puzzled as she was.
"What is it?" Lilo asked.
"Atlas."
And it was. When the four teammates stepped out into the courtyard, they were greeted with the sight of multiple of Atlas' variant of the Bullhead airship flying in formation. Behind them, coming to settle on the three landing pads at the entrance of the school were three of Atlas' battle cruisers, ramps extending.
"Are we being invaded?" Lilo asked. "What is this?!"
"Not sure. Let's find out," The team approached the main path from the pads to the atrium.
Koa tapped a student, finding it to be the familiar face of Mari Gold. "Hey Mari, what the heck is going on?" He asked.
"If I had to guess, Ironwood, the big cheese at Atlas Academy, is being a little protective of his students. Look," Two Atlas soldiers led a parade of students in fancy white uniforms past the confused Beacon students. "They sure like to be stiff about it, don't they?" She asked.
"You can say that again… it's like watching a demonstration," Lilo muttered. "Sorry, can we get to class before I throw up at all this… formalness," She asked.
"I'm right behind you," Onyx said. "This is why I came to Beacon over Atlas. Too rigid for my liking."
"See ya later Mari," Koa said, before heading after the two.
Upstairs at the top of Beacon tower, Professors Ozpin and Goodwitch stood, one with a calm gaze and a mug of coffee, the other with her arms folded and a stern gaze on her face.
"Ironwood certainly likes bringing his work wherever he travels," Goodwitch remarked sourly.
"Well, running both an academy and a military makes him quite the busy man," Ozpin reasoned. "But yes, those are a bit of an eyesore."
Behind him, he noted the display alerting him to a guest. "Come in," He said, walking past his desk as a well built man wearing a white military coat over a black shirt and a blue vest. One of his hands had a white glove on it, and he wore white pants and boots with white front and black back. He was definitely a contrast to Ozpin's dark green suit.
"Ozpin!" He gave a chuckle as he entered.
"Hello general," Ozpin replied.
"Please, drop the formalities," Ironwood smiled. "It's been too long." His attention turned to Goodwitch as she walked over. "And Glynda! It has certainly been too long since we last met."
"Oh James," Goodwitch acknowledged him. "I'll be outside," She then muttered to Ozpin.
"I see she's not changed much," Ironwood said as she left.
"And I see you've never gotten over that crush," Both turned, seeing Grey sitting in the corner. "James." He nodded with a curt nod.
"Grey! Good to see you too, how's Menagerie?" Asked the general.
"Just fine actually, we keep the borders safe, and trade through our region is prospering. When a problem becomes too much, we contact either Mistral or Vale for more help," Grey said.
"Well, I can let you know that the Fuchsia Silks branches in Mantle and Atlas are both doing just fine," Ironwood smiled again. "Very comfortable to wear in the evening."
"Yup. That's our goal," Grey nodded.
"So, what brings you all the way down from Atlas? Headmasters don't usually travel with their students," Ozpin asked, pouring a mug of coffee for his fellow professor.
"Well, you know how I love Vale this time of year," Ironwood took the mug, before adding his own flavour to the coffee. "Besides, with you hosting, I thought it might be a chance to catch up."
"Well, I can certainly appreciate a reunion and quality time between friends," Ozpin agreed, sitting back down in his chair. "However, the small fleet outside my window has me somewhat… concerned."
"Concern is what brought them here," Ironwood replied.
"I understand that travel between kingdoms has become even more difficult," Ozpin nodded.
"Oz… we all know why I brought those ships," Ironwood pointed out.
"We are in a time of peace, shows of power like that are only going to give the wrong impression," Ozpin sighed.
"But if what Qrow said is true then-" Ironwood reasoned.
"If what Qrow said is true, then we must handle it tactfully," Ozpin butted in.
"He's right Jim," Grey stood up, joining them up close. "It's the ruddy Vytal Festival, a time to celebrate unity and peace. It may not be a good idea showing up with three cruisers and hundreds of soldiers. It'll just scare the locals, and that will attract the Grimm."
"I'm just being cautious," James said.
"Yeah, so are we, but it's too early to reveal firepower of that magnitude," Grey sighed.
"It is why we must continue to train the best huntsmen and huntresses we can," Ozpin added.
"Believe me, I am," Ironwood said. He walked back towards the elevator. "But ask yourself this; do you really believe your children can win a war?" He asked.
"James, my sister is amongst the first years here, honestly, I hope she never has to fight our battles. However, in the limited time I've been here, the students here have been the best I've ever seen," Grey said.
Ozpin just sighed. "Honestly, I agree, I hope the students never have to fight a war."
Meanwhile, down in the library, Team RWBY were currently fighting a different kind of war. The board game known as Risk.
"Three platoons march on Mistral! I will beat you this time Yang!" Ruby growled, throwing three dice as Yang grabbed the two black dice.
The four girls examined the result. Ruby rolled a combined total of four. Yang rolled a total of twelve.
"Something tells me you lost again Ruby," Yang remarked.
"NOOOO! My fearless soldiers!" Ruby whined as she removed her red pieces from the board.
"Bad luck kiddo, maybe next turn?" Lilo was sitting in as advisor for Weiss, who still was struggling to understand the game.
A table over, Team JNPR was sitting together. Ren and Pyrrha were reading textbooks while Jaune was reading the latest comic of X-Ray and Vav. Nora… was sleeping.
The table next to them had Koa, Jasmine, Onyx and Cherry sitting together. Koa was helping Cherry with her geometry homework, Onyx was reading a book on axe battle tactics for Goodwitch's assignment while Jasmine was quietly speaking out sentences on flash cards.
"Hey, mind if I have a turn? I love Risk," Jaune asked, stepping up to join the girls.
"Sorry Jaune, we've already set up for four. Lilo's just being Weiss' military advisor for Atlas," Ruby said.
"Besides, this game requires a certain level of tactical cunning that I seriously doubt you have," Weiss added.
"Uh, you ignored Lilo's advice and somehow attacked your own territory two turns in a row," Yang pointed out. This caused Koa to chuckle at Weiss, who groaned at the blonde.
"Bring it on, Ice Queen. I'll have you know that I've been getting good marks in every tactical quiz Doctor Oobleck gives us. I've also been told I'm a great leader!" Jaune remained confident.
"By who? Your mother?" Lilo and Weiss asked, causing Cherry to giggle. They then gave each other a high-five.
"A-and Pyrrha!" Jaune quickly shot back.
"Hello again!" Pyrrha politely waved from JNPR's table.
"Come on, just let me play your hand for one round!" Jaune pleaded.
"There is no way I'm trusting you to lead the proud might of Atlas!" Weiss rejected.
"Why not? You've trusted me with WAY more important stuff before. Like when you told us all Blake is secretly a Fa-" Jaune was about to blurt out something he'd regret, but a blue ring of hardlight suddenly formed around his head, effectively muzzling him as Pyrrha jumped to intervene.
"-Fun loving person! Whom we all admire and respect." She continued his sentence. Koa removed the muzzle. Jaune nervously laughed, before he and everyone else nervously look at Blake, who's eye twitched.
"Close one big deal, but next time, speak loud enough for Professor Maru to hear it down in Signal," Lilo sighed.
"Right… that. Ladies, enjoy your battle," Jaune bowed, as Pyrrha returned to her seat.
"Sup losers," all eyes turn to see Sun approaching their corner with his fingers in a peace sign, the blue haired boy following him.
"Hey Sun," Koa waved with a casual salute and Ruby smiled up to the monkey.
"Ruby, Yang, Blake, Team KOLD, Ice Queen," Sun smiled, greeting all he knew.
"Why does everyone keep calling me that?!" Weiss asked, annoyed at her new moniker.
"I never got a chance to formally introduce you to my old friend and team partner," Sun gestured to his friend.
"Uh… aren't libraries for reading?" The newcomer asked, pointing out the board game.
"THANK YOU!" Ren and Onyx both yelled.
"Pancakes!" Nora shouted, waking from what must have been a food dream, lifting her head. This got a round of giggles from Cherry.
"Shut up, don't be a nerd," Sun criticised him.
"Geh-geh-geh-geh! Intellectual, okay? Thank you," The boy corrected his friend. "I'm Neptune."
"Where are you from pretty boy?" Lilo asked.
"Haven," Neptune replied. He approached Weiss, "And I don't think I got your name Snow Angel?"
Weiss was surprised at this, "I'm Weiss," She answered.
"Oh, are you kidding me?!" Jaune hissed.
"Ooh, shot down and given competition in ten minutes? New record Jaune," Koa chuckled.
On the other side of the table, Sun approached Blake. "Never took you for the board gamer," He noted.
"I'm not really, but it was a fun distraction. Anyway, I'm done." Blake stood up, walking away.
Sun just stared, before shrugging at everyone else. "Women," Nora snorted.
"Who wants to take her spot?" Yang asked. Neptune volunteered, while Weiss gave her seat up as she wanted to do some studying.
Koa turned as Cherry poked him in the arm, "Let Lilo play. She's the best player on Menagerie," She whispered. Koa blinked at her, before smirking.
"Kid, I like you," He whispered back.
"Lilo, you have permission to engage," Koa said. Lilo shifted into Weiss' seat, cracking her knuckles and neck. "Judging by the amount of volume coming from that table already, things are probably going to go up a few hundred decibels. Lilo, we're going to wrap up Cherry's homework in the courtyard, come find us when you're done."
Lilo gave a thumbs up as her teammates left her, "Now that Cherry's gone…" She began, a very dangerous gleam appearing in her eyes. "Let's play."
"That's good, see, you get it," Koa smiled, as Cherry figured out the last question by herself. They were sat on the grass off to the side of the courtyard.
"I see…" Onyx muttered, eyes flicking between the diagrams and texts in his book. Aside from the paper he was working on for Goodwitch, he also noted down the same notes into his notebook. Koa saw it was called Obsidian Guardian.
He shrugged, and looked over to Jasmine, who was taking a break, instead humming a small tune. Koa's dad had been the one to suggest humming as a way to help her recover, as it kept her voice busy.
When Lilo came out to meet them, Jasmine and Cherry were playing noughts and crosses, while Koa was napping against the wall, while Onyx was wrapping up his report.
"That seems to be enough," He smiled. "I should be able to apply some of this, plus what Ruby and Nora showed me, come up with my own fighting style."
"Li-Li!" Cherry was first to notice her sister. "How'd it go?"
"We~ll…" Lilo gave a chuckle.
Not too long ago…
"Well, that was fun," Lilo said, standing up. "Give me a yell if you ever want another game. But for now, I'm going to find the crew," With that, she walked off.
Ruby, Yang and Neptune all watched her go, varying looks of sheer horror on their faces.
Neptune was rocking on his chair. "It's ok, no matter what anyone says, you're still cool…" He mumbled to himself.
Ruby started to cry waterfalls of tears as she stared at the board, all the red representing her team having a white arrow on it. "My soldiers, my kingdom, my everything…!" She wailed.
Yang just watched Lilo go, jaw dropped. "But… I…! I was winning! How?!" She demanded.
Present
"It was easy," Lilo shrugged. "How'd things go here?" She asked.
"Geometry is easy when you have someone who knows how to use it!" Cherry smiled, pointing to the team leader. Koa gave her a grin, before sitting up.
That evening, Team KOLD headed back to their dorms. As they passed Team RWBY's room, Lilo stopped, ear flicking towards the door.
"All in favour of becoming the youngest huntresses to single-handedly take down a corrupt conspiracy against the kingdom of Vale… say 'Aye'," They heard Ruby.
"Yes! I love it when you're feisty," Yang cheered.
"Well… I guess it could be fun," Weiss shrugged.
"None of you said 'aye'," Ruby pouted.
Koa then knocked on the door. It was answered by Ruby. "Aye?" He offered.
"Wait, what?" Weiss asked.
"Yeah… these doors are not very soundproof, might want to tone down the volume," Onyx shrugged.
"Besides, if you want to take down Torchwick and the White Fang, I'm sure that Jassy would love all the chances to pay them back," Lilo pointed to the fox girl, a determined look on the small faunus' face.
"Wait, Koa… this could be dangerous," Ruby said.
"So? Sounds more fun when you put it like that," Koa pointed out.
Team KOLD stepped into the girls' room, closing the door.
Lilo stood next to Blake, putting a firm gripped hand on her shoulder. "Kitty cat, we really need to start working on your social skills. The fact that you want to be the lone wolf while I'm standing by my team is just sad. Ruby, Yang and Weiss are your teammates, no, scratch that, they're your friends. Let them help you or so help me I'll have the pups chase you around the school."
Blake seemed to pale. "… please don't do that," She pleaded quietly.
"Right, let's start coming up with a plan of attack then," Onyx said, pulling up a chair.
"Wait! I left the board game in the library!" Ruby gasped.
"We're doomed," Weiss sighed.
Ruby dashed out the room, only to bump into someone. Koa stepped out, seeing her looking up at a girl with red-eyes and emerald green hair, and a boy with messy grey hair and steel grey eyes. Both wore the Haven academy uniform.
"I'm fine, just watch where you're running," The girl said.
"Oh, right, sorry. I'm Ruby, are you new?" She asked, getting helped up by the green haired girl.
"Visiting from Haven actually," A third figure walked up from behind. She wore the same outfit as the other girl but wore stockings. Her eyes though… they carried subtle burning desire. And stuck a sense of familiarity within Koa.
Koa narrowed his eyes, before hiding his expression, walking up.
"If you're exchange students for the festival, the guest dorms are the building across to the east," He said. His eyes focused on the second girl.
"Can I help you?" She asked.
"Sorry, just trying to figure out if we've met before," Koa shrugged.
"Hmm… sorry, must bear resemblance with someone else," The girl said.
The three headed off down the corridor, and Koa waited for them to go. He then turned to Ruby. "I'm struggling to remember, but I've seen those eyes before…" He muttered. "Do me a favour, keep an eye on those three."
She nodded, "Ok, I'll go get my board game, then we can plan our next move."
Koa: There's something... familiar about that one...
Lilo: Don't think about it too hard right now.
Onyx: She's right, what's our plan of attack?
Jasmine: Hope it good!
All: Next time: Operation: Investigation!