Chapter 16: Why Are We Here
Remnant, Kingdom of Vale, Beacon Academy
POV: Ozpin's Office
Premise: The Reds and Blues talk about their vacation, and a proposition made by Blood Gulch Crew gives Ozpin a choice..
Silence…
Nothing but utter silence was all they got from the huntsmen. They were all in Ozpin's office, with the professor at his desk, along with Glynda and Ironwood. RWBY and JNPR stood off to one side of the room. With the Reds and Blues on the other.
Yang was the first to speak, "So he's-"
"Gone." Sarge cut her off, "Yeah, he is."
"He gave everything to save us." Wash added solemnly, "Of course it wasn't the first time either."
"It was so awesome for a while, there!" Tucker shouted, reminiscing about the past, "He powered up my suit and I was like Neo in the goddamn Matrix! I was juggling these two guns and the sword! And dodging bullets! It was fucking amazing! And then it was all over...And...he was gone. The suit was useless. Empty. But...you know, we won."
Ozpin stood up from his desk, rubbing his head. He wasn't annoyed at the mor anything, he felt sympathy for them. Glynda was on the same boat, but did hold mixed feelings regarding Locus and the ex-freelancers. Ironwood felt the same as Glynda, but felt the most neutral out of the three of them.
Their home, universe, literally every aspect of one's life from where the Reds and Blues came from, was far more technically advanced than Remnant. Their home planet Earth, was home to over hundreds of various kingdoms, which were called nations. Governed by federal republics, constitutional and absolute monarchies, one-party states, theocracies, etc. Various countries included the United States of America, the most powerful nation. The Imperial Throne, better known as Russia. The United Kingdom, also known as Great Britain, and America's closest ally. France, which was known for its culture. Germany, one of the economic powerhouses of Earth with a dark past. Each country had its autonomy, but was loyal and part of a bigger federation that really governed over Earth, and in turn, humanity itself: The UNSC. Humanity had colonized numerous planets and solar systems, stretching to the far reaches of the galaxy.
It. Was. Mind boggling.
The Blood Gulch Crew told them all about their universe's Great War, which was also called the Human-Covenant War. Then came Project Freelancer, Blood Gulch, meeting Team RWBY, the end of the war, being separated only to be reunited by Wash to hunt down the Meta, Church killing himself only to return as Epsilon, Team RWBY returning along with Team JNPR, the Meta dying, Agent Carolina, the Chorus Civil War, Epsilon dying...everything.
"You all…" Ozpin began, "...have experienced rather… traumatic events. I sincerely apologize that you all had to recall these events."
"Dude that's like the third time you told us that." Simmons said to him
"Right." Ozpin replied as he straightened himself, "I believe there is more."
"Yep." Carolina said, popping the 'p' for dramatic purposes
"So what happened after Chorus?" Ruby asked them all
The Reds and Blues, minus Locus and Carolina all groaned in annoyance.
"Lots of bullshit, I don't even know where to start." Grif explained
"Before or after the temple?" Tucker asked them all, "If it's before, this is gonna get NSFW real quick."
Weiss looked at him funny, "Temple?"
"Ho yeah!" Tucker shouted, "After we captured Hargrove, we partied fucking hard! See, Chorus has this ancient relic called the Temple of Procreation that when activated makes-"
"Wait, you never told me you activated that." Locus cut him off, "Why would you do that?"
"Kimball gave us the green light to do so." Tucker explained to the merc, "Everyone wanted to party and the population was dwindling due to the war."
"Wait." Blake said to them, "Its doesn't due as the name implies right?"
"Oh it does!" Sarge replied, "It was all like a planet-wide aphrodisiac! Things got real Bohemian! Mm-hmm!"
"You all keep saying that, but everything felt normal to me." Tucker said to Sarge
Wash then muttered, "Surprising no one."
"Gross!" Weiss shouted
"I wish I was there!" Yang shouted, mostly to see Weiss and Blake cringe
"From you Yang, I am not even surprised." Grif said to her
"Hehe, let me ease Ruby's concern over her boyfriend's virginity." O'Malley spoke up, "Once the idiot with the sword over here activated the temple. The blue moron just fell asleep."
"So he didn't do anything...weird?" Ruby asked
"No not at all." Doc replied, "We just he was to stupid to know what was going on, so he just fell asleep."
"Locus was already off of Chorus by the time the planet-wide party began." Tucker added
"Can we-can we please change the subject?" Simmons stuttered
"Why are you so nervous?" Nora asked him
"Oh, he and Grif are just upset because they got locked in a storage closet during the whole thing." Caboose explained casually
"What!?" Yang giggled before bursting into laughter, Nora doing the same
"THE SUBJECT!" Grif barked, "CHANGE IT!"
Wash then did so, "To actually answer your question, after the war on Chorus we decided we would take some time off."
"We've earned some R&R." Tucker added, "Even Carolina agreed!"
"I thought I'd give the simple life a day in court." Carolina muttered
"Kimball set us up on this isolated moon called Iris." Simmons explained, "She built us the most awesome new bases, ever."
"Everyone adjusted to the peace and quiet differently." Tucker continued, "Some of us were naturals."
"Don't hate the player." Grif muttered
"Sarge got hopelessly depressed after not dying heroically on Chorus." Simmons mentioned
"Why would you want to die in a war?" Ironwood questioned, "Sure, it's a noble act, but...really?"
"It's hogwash! Baseless slander!" Sarge cried
"But sir." Simmons said to him, "You said…"
Lopez then projected an image of Red Team in their older clunky armor. They were standing just outside their new base.
"I am hopelessly depressed after not dying heroically on Chorus!" Sarge shouted, "We need a new enemy! Something to fight!"
Red Team then ran away from the crazy red soldier.
"Where are you all going?"
The image then disappeared.
"Sarge wasn't the only one having trouble adjusting to inaction." Tucker added before all eyes turned to Carolina
"What?" she questioned
"Fortunately, we found a tutor." Wash explained
An image then showed Carolina standing in front of Grif, who was sitting on the ground.
"Help me Grif." she said to the orange soldier, "Help me being the best at being lazy."
"You're not ready padawan." Grif said to her in a wise voice
"I can try!"
"There is no try."
The peaceful times didn't last too long." Tucker continued, "Turns out Iris had some...native life forms."
The image then showed Grif, Tucker, and Simmons all running from some unknown creature.
"AHHH RRUNN!"
"I CAN'T DIE AS FOOD! OH THE IRONY!"
"While everyone debated if dying as food was technically ironic." Carolina continued, "Caboose went, and made friends with the dinosaurs."
"Seriously?" Jaune muttered
"Why would he do that?" Glynda asked
"Because of course he did." Grif muttered, while looking at the blue soldier
The image then showed Tucker, Carolina, and Sarge looking up at something. A large shadow just next to them.
"Aw who is a good boy?" Caboose cooed, "Aw, you are a good boy!"
"Caboose! Get down!" Tucker shouted
"Tell him to fight me!" Sarge added
"And then Donut somehow managed to burn down our bases!" Grif shouted
The image then showed Donut standing in front of their old bases, which were now on fire.
"Oh-ho, why, oh-why-oh-why?!" Grif cried
"I told you." Donut said to him, "It was a simple mishap with my vanilla-stain candles...sheesh."
"Why did you have candles in the first place?" Ren asked them
"We need them to remove the stench that was coming from the kitchen." Grif explained, while all eyes glared at Carolina yet again.
"I was trying to find a hobby." Carolina retorted, " So don't blame me."
"I regret ever tasting that MRE." Grif added
"Anyway." Simmon spoke up, "We lost 80% of our rations in the fire. So fat-ass started going around, eating native plants!"
The image then showed Grif walking up to some blue-colored mushrooms.
"Oh, hey there, sexy." he muttered
"Oh and as it turns out? The mushrooms are basically crystal meth. ON crystal meth!"
The image then revealed Grif running around the Reds and Blues new makeshift base. Grif himself was glowing blue.
"Heyhohowyadoin'goodokay I'mgonnagoforarun alotofpeoplesayI'mnotfast butI'msuperfast don'ttellanyybodythoughit'soursecret okaybye!" he slurred as he ran like a maniac
"Oh yeah?" Grif shot back at his friend, "Well at least I didn't spend my summer learning esperanto."
Simmons sighed, "I thought esperanto was spanish for spanish."
"And now you're the only person in our universe who speaks a dead language." Tucker added, "How appropriate."
"[I am so alone.]" Simmons muttered in esperanto
"Oh!" Caboose shouted, "Freckles got a new body! He can use any bathroom he wants now!"
RWBY and JNPR already knew about Freckles, since the Reds and Blues told them all when explaining their time on Chorus. The image then showed a small robot walking up to Caboose and Tucker.
"Prepare to be exterminated!"
"GAH!" Caboose feigned injury, "Tucker! You're supposed to be playing dead."
"Right."
Tucker then continued, "That's right around when we tried to raise some money for new bases by selling off our movie rights!"
"You have movie rights!?" Ruby shouted, "Awesome!"
"Even with my fame. No movie company has asked for me to be in any of their films." Pyrrha muttered
"What rights did you own?" Nora asked them
"Us and for some reason Reservoir Dogs." Carolina replied, "We have yet to figure out why we own that."
"Yeah well, Hollywood really screwed the pooch on it." Grif said about their movie
"Was it bad?" Weiss asked them
"Well it received positive reviews and critical acclaim." Doc explained, "They just got us and our story all wrong."
"Oh but we were rich!" Simmons sighed
"But then we realized water parks are way more awesome than bases." Grif explained
"So we built the galaxy's greatest...water park." Carolina muttered
The image then showed The Reds and Blues standing just in front of their new water park.
"YAY!" they all shouted
Carolina on the other hand was more uninterested, "Yay."
"That's so cool!" Ruby shouted
"I wanna swim!" Yang added, "I'll get my bikini!"
"Don't bother." Grif said to her
"What? Why?" Weiss asked him
"BECAUSE OF DONUT!" Grif shouted
"Whoopsie daisies…" Donut muttered
"I mean how do you burn down a water park Donut!?" Grif cried
"One, lube isn't normally flammable, and B) I didn't burn down the whole water park. Just the park part."
Caboose then continued their story, "And then we formed the best band ever!"
"Tucker thought it might attract...chicks." Wash muttered
"Which worked." Tucker retorted
"Really?" Nora questioned, "What exactly did you call this band?"
"The Talking Reds." Grfi replied
Tucker had a different response, "Mötley Blüe!"
"How about redmau5." Grif suggested
"Anyway." Carolina spoke up, "I ended up asking them if they needed a singer."
"We said yes." Tucker added, "Because chick singers are awesome!"
Jaune then looked at Carolina, "Can you sing?"
"Can I sing?" she questioned
Carolina then looked at her friends.
"Carolina sings. So good." Tucker muttered, unconvincingly
"Thank you." Carolina replied
"Oh, and we're definitely not just saying that because she could kill us." SImmons sarcastically added
"So. Good." Grif added
Simmons then continued, "Sarge decided to make his own enemy, so he built an evil robot army to invade our valley!"
"But the robots malfunctioned and attacked the dinosaurs!" Tucker added
The image then showed the Reds and Blues standing on the cliffside looking over a valley on Iris. Sarge's robots were fighting the planet's inhabitants.
"I have seen some amazing things in my life, but this? This takes the cake. Wash said to his peers, as they watched the battle unfold.
"Now that is cool!" Ruby shouted, "Are the dinosaurs still alive?"
"Yeah they are." Donut replied, "They just destroyed the robots and left. Haven't seen them in a while though."
Carolina then continued, "And then Grif convinced Simmons Game of Thrones really happened."
"What the heck is Game of Thrones?" Weiss asked
"A really good TV show." Wash replied
"And Grif convinced him that a fictional series actually exists?" Blake added
"He explained it to me in a very convincing manner." Simmons explained
The image then revealed both Grif and Simmons standing on top of the base.
"Nuh-uh."
"Uh-huh."
"Oh, shut up!"
"Seriously dude."
"Nah, nah, no way!"
"Yeah, way."
"Dude."
"Dude."
"Dude!"
"Yeah, dude."
"That's awesome! Man, I'm gonna go visit!"
"Wow." Weiss muttered, "Really?"
"What?" Simmons questioned, "I can't believe in it? Anyway, Sarge found a new enemy! One that would keep him busy for the rest of our time there."
The image then showed all of Red Team. With Carolina and Wash watching them.
"For far too long our people have been oppressed, crushed, under the weight of ourselves! If we don't start standing up to our mortal foe gravity, by god who will?"
"Are we really going to let his play out?" Carolina asked
"Why not see where it goes?" Wash replied, quite interested in what Sarge was planning
"Buckle up, friendo! It's time we take this fight to the enemy!" Sarge shouted
"[Please no.]" Lopez muttered
Sarge then proceeded to drive the Reds' warthog off the cliffside.
"Charge!"
"But that just meant Blue Team had one more jeep than Red Team." Simmon sighed
"That's when we realized just how outdated this whole Red Team Blue Team really is." Tucker continued
"So, we had a meeting to debate a new form of government." Simmons added
"Oh this is gonna be good." Weiss muttered
"I voted for anarchy." Grif muttered
"I don't think that actually works." Ironwood said to him, being one of few people to have a seat on one of the kingdom's councils.
"Yeah that's what Simmons told him." Tucker added, "I voted for monarchy, for anyone holds the magical sword: excalibur!"
Tucker proceeded to pull out his sword.
"Hey! Dickhead!" Grif shouted, "Two can play that game."
Grif then took out his sword, with Locus doing the same.
"Fuck." Tucker hissed
"Party Pararchy! Caboose shouted
"That's not even a thing." Weiss said to him
"Yeah, he just thought we were rhyming." Simmons muttered
"Military Dictatorship!" Sarge shouted
"Matriarchy." Carolina added her two cents
"Oh! How about malarkey!" Caboose shouted
"That's not even a type of government!" Weiss spatted, "It just means meaningless talk and nonsense!"
The room went utter silent as the Reds and Blues just satred at her.
"Malarky won." Wash put it simply
"Oh! You haven't mentioned the dark place!" Caboose shouted
"Oh yeah. Somehow, Caboose got stuck in another dimension!"" Tucker explained
The image then revealed Caboose standing in...nothing.
"Hello? Is anyone there? This is awesome!"
"Neat." Wash muttered, "All he kept saying was neat."
"Oh, and we found Donut dead." Tucker continued
"Really?" Nora questioned
"We decided to bury him in a shallow unmarked grave." Grif explained, "Turns out he was just...skinny dipping."
Grif proceeded to shutter at the memory.
"Did you see him?" Yang asked
"Yes! We saw him!" Grif shouted
"But that wasn't even the weirdest thing that happened." Carolina muttered, "Wash. Grew. A beard."
"...It was kind of...itchy." Wash added
"And the next morning! Grif spiked Simmons' couscous with his meth-meth shrooms!" Tucker cried
"Apparently, he did it for the lolz." Simmons sighed
"It's been awful!" Grif cried, "Instead of a peaceful retirement! Its been the same damn hit! With the same damn idiots!"
The entire room went silent after the story of the Reds and Blues' unfortunate attempt of a vacation.
Glynda looked at Ironwood, "You got all of that did you?"
"Nope." he put it simply
"Alright!" Tucker shouted, "What's next?"
"Uh Tucker?" Simmons asked him
Tucker looked at him and the rest of his friends, who all gave him a knowing look.
"Oh right!" Tucker groaned, "That!"
"What?" Weiss asked, "What happened next?"
"Well, that depends…" Wash muttered, "...Who here believes in time travel?"
The Blood Gulch Crew went on to explain the arrival of Dylan Andrews and Jax Jones, who told them of a group of terrorists who bore the same appearance as them. The terrorist turned out to be a group of old simulation troopers known as the Blues and Reds. Their leader, Mark Temple, wanted revenge on the UNSC for his ass to the Freelancer project. Luckily, they managed to stop Temple and his plans. Then came the craziest thing…
"Gods!" Nora shouted, "Like literal gods?"
"Not exactly." Donut replied, "More like AIs that pose as demi-gods after imprisoning the REAL God, Chrovos. He tricked us until we stopped him. Turns out it was a time loop, and Chrovos came into existence because HE was one of the AIs."
"Afterwards, we fixed the paradox and I got my Cerebral Hypoxia back." Wash added, "We still have one of the portal guns with us."
"Why keep a dangerous weapon that could cause chaos for time?" Glynda questioned
"Don't worry, we only use them to watch historical events." Sarge replied, "And our badass moments during our careers!"
"Speaking of historical events." Weiss spoke up, "Did you mess anything up while time travelling?"
"Well duh." Grif replied, "Of course we did, you should've seen what Caboose did."
Ruby looked worried, "What did he do?"
Tucker sighed, "Well for starters he and Lopez travelled to 1914 Sarajevo and gave his pistol to Gavrilo Princip, who in our history would shoot the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire later that day. So Caboose indirectly started World War I. He then tried to get coffee from an Insurrectionist soldier, sneezed on the king of the Mayans, taught primates how to use tools, founded a media company with a group of guys, and taught cavemen how to make a fire. Also with the cavemen he invented the rock band, and the song We Didn't Start The Fire. Afterwards, Caboose proceeded to use said fire to burn down the Library of Alexandria, cause the Great Fire of London, and blow up the Hindenburg."
Ruby facepalmed herself, mostly to keep everyone from seeing her giggle.
Sarge then continued, "Anyways, after our little time paradox, we did several missions here and there before settling down again. Got locus paroled from prison on Chorus, and then came here!"
"So that's our story." Simmons said to Ozpin, "Whatcha think?"
"Well, it was a rather long story to say the least." Glynda replied
"You should write a book on it." Ironwood jokingly added
"We'll look into it." Wash muttered, "But we have something else to say."
"What is it?" Ozpin asked
"Uh, first they need to leave." Tucker half-whispered while pointing to Ruby and the others
"Right, of course." Ozpin replied, "Ruby that'll be all for now, you and your friends may return to your dorms."
"Thank you professor." she said to him, "Bye guys!"
"Bye Ruby!" Caboose shouted
RWBY and JNPR all got into the elevator. The Reds and Blues then turned back to face Ozpin.
"So, what did you want to tell me?" he asked them
"We have an idea…"
POV Change: Beacon Auditorium
A few hours had passed since Teams RWBY and JNPR left Ozpin's office. They began to wonder what was taking the Reds and Blues so long to speak with them. They were now hoping to get their answer.
"I wonder why Ozpin called for an impromptu assembly?" Nora questioned
"It's probably to address the events that happened in Vale today." Blake suggested, "A huge secret was revealed."
Both teams walked into the auditorium, the place was already crowded with students from and visiting Beacon, and new reporters. On the stage stood Ozpin just a few feet from the podium, Ironwood and Glynda stood off the left side of the stage, while the Reds and Blues stood off to the left. Of course their appearance drew the attention of everyone.
"Is that them?"
"Are the rumors true?"
"That aqua dude killed Torchwick!"
"Quiet please! Quiet!" Glynda shouted, "Professor Ozpin would like to address the events that have transpired this morning in Vale."
Ozpin walked up to the podium, he sighed quietly before speaking.
"I know many of you are curious. Scared, confused, or unable to comprehend the events in this morning's breach into the City of Vale. I shall be honest with you all, but the truth will hurt. Yes. A group of conspirators allied with the White Fang attempting to attack Beacon during the Vytal Festival. Yes. They were posing as students from Mistral. If it were not for the intervention of some daring heroes, millions of lives would have been lost...It has shown me something I have feared for too long. I have spoken with Vale's Council and General Ironwood, and we have come to agreement on how to handle the threat. I shall now give the mic over to one of the heroes of today, Captain Lavernius Tucker."
Several students and reporters clapped as Tucker walked up to the podium.
"Thank you professor." he stated, "As much as I hate to admit it, but Remnant is now at war. I know many of you are assuming that this is a conflict that will divide the planet. No it is not. This is a new war, a war that can unite all of life. War for freedom, a war on terror itself. My team and I along with Beacon's finest and the Atlas Military, will be launching a coalition against the White Fang and any bandit tribes deemed enemies against the kingdoms. This war will not only be fought on the battlefield, but in daily life as well. New reforms and policies will be implemented to ensure peace. I am also happy to admit that the Vytal Festival will continue as planned. Thank you."
Tucker then walked away from the podium with a large applause. Many people were happy to hear that after years of torment from terrorists and bandits. Now they could take the gloves off and fight for their freedom. Many huntsmen and huntresses were eager to sign on to fight, as they believed it could also promote positive feelings and ensure the safety of the kingdoms. The reporters were of course chatty, once Tucker and everyone else on stage walked away, dozens of questions came out of their mouths.
As for Teams RWBY and JNPR, they were in the same boat.
"I can't believe it." Weiss muttered
"They're actually going to try and undo all the wrong in this world." Blake stuttered, "Corruption, terrorism, anarchy."
"And the Reds and Blues are at the helm." Yang added
"What about Cinder?" Jaune questioned, "I'll bet she's on the top of the list."
"We'll have to wait and see." Pyrrha said to him, "Should we all join the fight?"
Everyone looked at Ruby, who simply nodded yes.
As for the Reds and Blues, they were now outside the auditorium with Ozpin and his inner circle, away from the press and crowd. They were making their way to docks and the Prowler.
"I'm still not sure this is a good idea." Ozpin muttered as they all walked down the hallway, "I've spent years trying to ensure my students didn't have to fight a war."
"Well this isn't that kind of war Oz." Tucker said to him as he put his arm around his shoulder, "Think about it, we can unite the world against the things that threaten the peace. But we also indirectly remove Salem's allies and associates. She will be all alone, and have to start at square one again. Look, many people have tried and failed to prevent war both in mine and your world. And they all failed. Sometimes you gotta take the gloves off and fight."
Ozpin sighed, "You're right. Even you were right James."
"Don't blame yourself Oz." Ironwood assured him, "You were trying to do the right thing. We all are."
"Anyway, is our agreement intact?" Locus asked
"Yes, you get Teams RWBY and JNPR, teach students here at Beacon, and we'll help Kai control her powers." Glynda replied
"Well, as much as I enjoy these fine little talks we have." Sarge spoke up, "Us soldiers have to pack up shop upstate! We'll be back before you know it!"
"He's right." Wash added, "We're moving our base here to Beacon. I believe we'll be getting a dorm like the students?"
"Actually you won't." Ozpin replied, "I have a more...suitable place for all of you."
"Ooo, I like the sound of that." Donut muttered
"Well then, like Sarge said: We'll be back before you know it." Carolina said to them before the Reds and Blues all boarded the Prowler.
"I'm still not sure what to make of these people?" Glynda muttered
"As do I." Ironwood added, "They are chaotic to say the least. But their hearts are in the right place."
"I think we need them." Ozpin said to his colleagues, "They've shown us that we have been wrong. Maybe they could be hope, bring and to...all of this."
The Prowler took off before heading towards northern Sanus as the sunset over Vale. Ruby watched from her dorm while holding her old pendant.
"Ruby!" Yang said to her, "We're going into town to celebrate! Come on!"
"Ok!" she replied before running out the door