Let's get back into Remnants! The prequel chapters are done, from this point forward RWBY and Co will be on hand for a whole number of interesting shenanigans.
Beacon will admittedly be a bit more like the Mansion from X-Men/UA from My Hero then the school from the show, but I hope you enjoy it.
Overwatch: Remnants Chapter IX
New Beginnings
Lake Michigan, 12:00 EST
Ruby was practically bouncing out of her seat as the boat chugged closer and closer to their destination.
"I can't believe this is happening!" she cried excitedly, smiling up at her sister.
Yang smirked and leaned back against the railing, head tilted backward to take in the late August sunshine. She still had a cast on her arm, covered with writing at this point from a number of friends back home, alongside several numbers and hearts that Ruby had yet to get an answer about.
"Me either." Yang agreed, sliding her sunglasses down and taking a look at the other teens sitting around them, "Still can't believe Dad agreed to let us come."
"Why not?" Ruby asked, tilting her head, "From what Uncle Qrow said Beacon is meant for us!"
Her sister grimaced, "I-yeah I guess so sis."
Ruby turned, eyeing several of the kids around them, there was a girl in really nice clothes with a beret and sunglasses who seemed to be staring directly at Yang as she lounged. Another girl with vibrant red hair in a red button-up top, black skirt and leggings, and brown boots was looking at the TV that sat near the front of the ferry with a pensive expression. Ruby's eyes finally tracked over to the blonde boy to her left who was hanging over the railing with nauseous expression.
"I wonder what they can do?" Ruby asked.
"Hmm?" Yang replied, pulling her shades down as she glanced at her.
"Well, they're Remnants," Ruby whispered, scooching closer to her sister, "Like us, so that means they have abilities, what do you think they can do?"
Yang spared a look at the other kids sitting around them, eyes lingering on the blonde boy, "Not sure but I think all he can do at the moment is lose his lunch."
There was horrid retching sound that sent Ruby scrambling into Yang's lap and away from the boy.
"See." Yang snarked.
"Are you okay?" Ruby asked, reaching out to him but not moving from Yang's lap.
"I'm fine." he wheezed out, giving her a weak smile only for his cheeks to bulge out again.
Ruby turned away, fighting to block out the sound of vomit hitting the water, and turned to look at the TV.
"Atlas is continuing to look into a terrorist attack on the Neo Smithsonian History Museum." the reporter stated, as CTV footage of a very familiar fight appeared on the screen.
"Yang," Ruby muttered, elbowing her sister in the center of the chest.
"Ow!" Yang objected, "What?"
Ruby pointed, drawing her sister's attention to the TV.
"Oh," Yang muttered.
"Talon Agents: Reaper and Widowmaker are still at large following the failed theft of the Doomfist gauntlet from Atlas custody." the reporter continued, "They were thwarted by former Agents of Overwatch Lena Oxton and Winston."
Images of all four named-individuals appeared as the reporter continued.
"All four individuals are wanted for questioning by Atlas authorities, despite the latter's seemingly noble actions."
"We commend the former Overwatch Agents for their decisive action," a brown-haired man in an Atlas uniform stated with an honest smile, "However, said action puts them in direct opposition of the Petras Act, and they must be reprimanded accordingly. Moreover, the Council questions why and how they came to be on Atlas in the first place. If they were aware of the plot, to begin with then why did they not contact the proper authorities?"
"If they had, civilians would not have been in harm's way." he finished.
The reporter reappeared, "Said civilians included a Remnant woman who intervened in the fight, aiding Oxton and Winston, endangering her own life. She has been identified as Yang Xiao Long, daughter of former Overwatch member Taiyang and Summer Rose. She and her sister were visiting the museum during the robbery attempt. A moment of random chance, or something more, we have the answers after this commercial break."
The screen shifted to a picture of Yang and Ruby with both of their parents as it cut to commercial.
Much of the boat was staring at them now, curious glances burrowing into them.
Ruby waved nervously while Yang gave them a smirk and leaned back into her previous position.
Weiss sat in one of the communal rooms, running a comb through her hair, fighting to focus.
"Today's the day," she whispered to herself.
The day where hundreds of new faces would appear at Beacon, who knows if any would recognize her.
She'd been "Winter" for several months now, and she honestly enjoyed it.
Ren and Nora treated her like family. A good one anyway, no orders, no demands, no snide comments. She didn't have to push herself as hard, there was still a training room, just like back at the tower but no one forced her to go to it.
She could train at her own pace, use her powers as she liked.
She exalted in freedom.
And now, now there was a chance that could all slip away.
Part of her felt guilty of course, her family was likely worried sick.
"Mother and Winter at least," she muttered to herself.
She'd thought about sending them a message for so long, but she had trouble thinking about what she would even say.
"Sorry I let you think I've been kidnapped. I've just been living in Chicago with a group of total strangers for the past several months."
On top of that, there would be her father's reaction.
"He'd make me come home," Weiss muttered, her hand clenching into a fist, "Or make me go back there."
"Go back where?"
Weiss jumped as Nora leaned over the back of the couch and slumped upside down into the seat next to her.
Ren followed in behind her, sitting down on the arm of the chair and giving Weiss a comforting smile.
"I-I was just thinking about where you found me," Weiss stated, not a lie but most definitely now the whole truth.
"No one is going to make you go back there." Nora stated, "They'll be in for a very bad day if they try!"
She punched her palm for emphasis before continuing, "You're one of us: Team Alpha-Beacon!"
Weiss shot her a confused look, "Team what?"
Ren spoke up, "She came up with it last night. We've been here the longest, the first of Oz's students, so naturally-"
"That makes us Alphas!" Nora finished, punching both hands into the air and then sliding fully off the couch and onto the floor.
Weiss laughed, before looking up at Ren who was grinning down at Nora, "Thank you."
"For?" he asked, giving her a questioning look.
"For helping me, taking me in," Weiss stated, looking away shyly and fixing her dress, "For making me feel like I belong."
"No need," Ren stated softly, as Nora leaped up and pulled Weiss into a tight hug.
"You're family Winter, of course you belong," Nora muttered as she playfully nuzzled Weiss's cheek, and gave Ren a look that commanded him to join the embrace.
He rolled his eyes and slid down to put one arm around both of them, only for Nora to grab him and drag him fully into the embrace, pressing his face against Weiss's.
"Perfect," Nora stated, missing Weiss's blush and Ren's small smile.
She released them both, hopping up onto the table and pointed out the door behind them, "Now, let's go see what the fresh meat looks like!"
With that, she tugged Weiss to her feet and bolted out the door dragging her along while Ren set off at a more sedated pace.
"Nora, I haven't finished with my hair!" Weiss cried, digging her heels in.
"Oh please, you look fine!" Nora cried, snatching the brush and tossing it back to Ren who caught it with a confused expression, "Side-ponytails are so in right now!"
Weiss found herself laughing, and picking up speed chasing after Nora, while Ren pocketed the hair-brush with another roll of his eyes.
Blake stood off to the side, in the shadow of an oak tree as the boats pulled in to dock.
She looked down at her hands for what must have been the fiftieth time, checking to make sure.
Sure enough, there was a pair of fully human hands, the disguise she'd been given holding strong.
"You don't need to hide," Oz stated, giving her a comforting smile, "We would never judge you for what you are."
"But others might." Blake returned, "And I-I've done things that mean I probably should hide."
She'd gestured to her face then, lifting her other hand and glaring at the almost cat-like claws, "This could mean a lot of trouble for all of you here, and if you really want me here then that should stay a secret."
Oz has shared a look with his assistants, Glynda and Qrow while McCree stood behind her with a comforting smile. Echo was wrapped tight by a giddily smiling Tracer while Winston and Mei were seated nearby looking at her quietly.
She'd been surprised to find three other fully-fledged Overwatch agents waiting for them at the meeting place, but to his credit, McCree had been shocked as well.
In turn, they had been delightfully surprised to see Echo, which going by Tracer's tight embrace had not exactly worn off.
"I might have an answer," Echo offered, suddenly taking on Blake's appearance, "I project the appearance of whomever I am mimicking as a hologram."
"We could use that programming to form a hard-light shell that could act a second skin." Winston continued, "That could definitely work for your disguise."
"For you as well." Oz had stated, giving Winston a pointed look.
Snapping out of her memory, she tensed slightly as several new arrivals began to make their way in her direction.
A very tall boy was milling about the crowd cautiously, looking like he wanted to join her out of the way of all the others.
A girl with a mane of golden hair and a girl with short black-and-red hair wandered past her, the former giving her a casual wave as they passed.
Blake froze when she spotted another Faun, long antennae almost rabbit-eared in shape, while her cybernetic legs bent backward in a similar lagomorph fashion. She was getting several piercing looks, many curious, a few angry, but they all backed up when another girl with a beret on walked over, threw an arm around her shoulder, and began talking to her loudly.
Blake slid into the crowd as they continued their way up the steps, making sure not to touch anyone.
The group finally came to a stop before a podium, where several early arrivals were milling about already. She spotted the trio from Oz's tower as well, though she had done her damndest to avoid them then, so she was just as much of a stranger to them as the rest of the assembling crowd.
Behind the podium, at the top of the stairs that lead into Beacon was Oz. Glynda stood to his right, while the school's faculty was arrayed behind them.
Professor O and Professor Port were near the center, the latter laughing at something the other had said, making them look like even more of a comedy duo than they already did.
The former was tall and lanky, with a wild mess of green hair dressed in a disheveled, coffee-stained white button-up, a yellow tie, and black pants. His wide glasses had a cracked lens.
Port meanwhile was short, with a comically large mustache dressed in a double-breasted burgundy suit with gold piping and buttons, similarly colored pants and olive boots.
Beside him was Mei, who was looking around with wide-eyes, she was dressed in a white button-up, a grey vest with a blue skirt and blue flats.
Winston, Echo, and Tracer wore disguises, the former two with Second-Skins like her.
Winston was an overly tall human man, with tanned skin, a large black beard, and glasses dressed in a lab coat over an orange turtle-neck, black pants, and shoes.
Echo was a dark-skinned woman with long black hair pulled into a high ponytail, dressed in a simple white t-shirt and khaki pants.
Tracer meanwhile had dyed her hair pink, shaved the sides, and was currently wearing a button-up black shirt, a red tie, and black dress pants. She gave the crowd a playful wave as Oz walked up to the mike.
"I'll make this quick." Oz stated, "You are all here because you are gifted individuals. Some of you feel as though that means you have a target on your back. Others have never thought about using their abilities because of fear, or warnings. A select few of you have exalted in your skills, and come here prepared for what lies ahead. This is a fresh start and rest assured, by the time you leave Beacon all of you will be prepared for whatever the world might throw at you."
He paused, scanning the crowd and she couldn't help but feel like he had zeroed in on her before moving on.
"This place will be your home for the next four years," he stated gesturing up at the main building, "And for some of you, that term might be met with skepticism. However, I promise that every single one of you will be safe within these halls. To that point, prejudice of any kind is not permitted and will be faced with immediate disciplinary action. Remnant, Omnic, Faun, or otherwise, you are here because deep down each of you believe you can be more."
Blake looked around and saw several kids nodding to his words and was actually shocked when she spotted an Omnic with red-plating directly to her left.
"You believe that you deserve a better future than the one being presented." Oz finished, "I hope that you find it, welcome to Beacon."
He stepped back from the microphone, Glynda stepping up to take his place.
"The rest of the day is yours to explore the campus and familiarize yourself with your fellow students." Glynda informed, "But first come up here to get your dorm and room number, you will be sharing a room with three other classmates. Yes, they are co-ed, and yes we will be monitoring for...escapades."
Lena and Port chuckled loudly at the severe glare she swept across the crowd of teenagers.
A series of holographic screens appeared, with a long list of names covering them.
The crowd immediately surged forward, carrying Blake with it.
She maneuvered to the front of the group and after a bit of searching found her room number.
She immediately slipped away, going to grab her things from the faculty building and transfer it over.
Jaune wandered through the halls, sending nervous waves to whomever he spotted. Most ignored him, while a few returned his greeting politely.
One bigger guy smirked at him and mimed puking, setting his ears burning in embarrassment.
"This a mistake." he thought suddenly, as he stared at the people around him, "I don't belong here."
He looked down at the duffel bag in his hands, feeling the weight of the weapons within and shook his head, trying to rid himself of his doubts.
He continued up another flight of stairs, counting off room numbers until finally finding his.
"This is it," he muttered, nervously reaching up and rubbing the cybernetics hidden beneath his mop of blonde hair, "What now?"
"Just keep being you Little Arc." a soft voice said in his ear, somewhat mockingly, "I'm sure they'll love you."
"Excuse me." a voice said, snapping him out of his concentration. He turned, spotting a girl with pale skin, white hair, and a scar across one of her ice-blue eyes, "But you're sort of blocking my way."
She pointed at the door he was standing in front of.
"Oh, sorry," he stated, taking a step back, then stopping, "Wait, this is your room?"
"It was," she stated, a bit of frustration in her voice.
"Aw, we could have been room-mates," he said with an attempt of a charming grin.
She stared at him flatly, "Sure."
She then opened the door, letting it hang open so she could follow him inside.
Sitting on one of the beds was one of the girls from the boat, vibrant red hair pulled into a high ponytail, who turned and looked at them both with a pleasant smile.
Sitting across from her was a shorter girl, with short orange hair, aquamarine eyes, and a slightly manic look on her face dressed in a grey t-shirt and pink shorts. Sitting beside her was a boy with long black hair, with pink eyes, dressed in a green shirt and white pants.
"Winter!" the shorter girl cried excitedly, then looking at Jaune, "And another new friend! Wait, I thought Glynda said there were only four to a room."
"There are." Winter stated sullenly, "They're moving me to another room."
"Why?" the boy asked.
Winter shrugged, moving over to pack up her things, Nora bolting up to give her a hug.
"I could take your room." the red-haired girl offered, "You shouldn't have to leave your friends."
Winter looked up at her and froze, "Y-you're Pyrrha Nikos."
"I am," Pyrrha stated with a slightly tight smile.
"No, I can't," Winter said with a shake of her head.
"I can switch." Jaune offered, drawing the other's attention.
"I-I don't want anyone to get in trouble." Winter said finally, "It's only just down the hall anyway."
"Well, that's not so bad," Nora said cheerily as she helped her pack, looking up to stare at Jaune, "So, what's your name, new roomie?"
"Jaune Arc." he replied with a smile, "Nice to meet you all."
"Likewise," Pyrrha stated, giving him another genuine smile.
"What was your name again?" Jaune asked, it having already honestly slipped his mind.
"Pyrrha Nikos," she said, sticking her hand out to shake his. He caught Winter giving him an odd look from her bed as he took the other girl's hand, "Just Pyrrha to my friends then."
"Alright, Pyrrha," Jaune returned, the girl flashing him a wide smile as he turned to look at the others, "What about you guys?"
"I'm Nora, that's Ren." the short girl stated, "We're a package deal."
Winter smiled, though her eyes were still downcast.
"But we're still Team Alpha Beacon," Nora stated, hugging her tight and tapping Ren on the shoulder with her foot.
Jaune and Pyrrha shared a confused look.
"Don't ask," Ren stated, with a small grin, "You get used to her."
"Damn right you do!" Nora cried.
Winter closed her bag, and picked up her phone, before turning rather awkwardly and moving around Nora to look at Ren, "I'll leave you guys to get further acquainted."
"We'll be just down the hall if you need us," Ren said, standing up and placing a hand on her shoulder, "Alright?"
"Okay." she returned, with a slightly bashful smile. Jaune wasn't sure how to gauge that, but the voice in his ear let out an intrigued humming sound.
"Please need us!" Nora cried as Winter walked out the door, the other girl laughed and nodded her head as the door closed behind her.
"So…" Nora began, as she plopped down in Winter's old bed, "This is mine now, Ren can have mine, Pyrrha can have the one she's sitting in and Jaune-Boy you can have Ren's old one."
"O-okay," Jaune said, taken aback a bit by her sudden rambling.
"Do you two like pancakes?" she continued abruptly drawing a laugh from both of her new roommates.
Ruby and Yang entered their room, taking in several empty desks, a partially filled bookcase, two large windows that looked out on an inner courtyard and a pool, and four beds one of which was occupied.
She had long black hair, dressed in a long-sleeve black shirt with Lucio Album cover on the front, white pants, and black boots. A black bow sat atop her head, and as she looked up from the book she was reading Ruby was slightly taken aback by her large yellow eyes.
Yang plopped her stuff onto the bed directly next to the girl and sat down, looking at her.
Ruby opened her mouth just as the door opened, a girl with white hair in a side ponytail in a whitish blue skirt and jacket entering.
The girl froze, taking them all in, "Hello."
"Hi, I'm Ruby," Ruby stated with a friendly grin, sticking her arm out for a handshake.
The other girl took her hand slowly, and gave it one shake before stepping back, "Winter."
"I'm Yang, that half-pint's older sister," Yang called back to her, with a wave. Ruby stuck her tongue out at her sister, while Winter gave a cautious smile.
Yang turned back to the girl in the corner expectantly, sticking out her own hand, "What about you?"
The girl-eyed Yang's hand for a moment, closing her book and giving her a slight smile, "I'm Blake, and sorry, but I don't do handshakes."
"I get it," Yang stated, standing up, "I'm more of a hugger anyway."
Blake's eyes went wide, eliciting a laugh from her which caused Ruby to giggle.
"She's just teasing," Ruby said, some of the tension in Blake's posture melding away.
"Not entirely," Yang stated, suddenly scooping her little sister in a one-armed hug and spinning her around.
"Put me down!" Ruby cried with a laugh, the other girls watching with small smiles as Yang obliged tossing her onto one of the beds.
"Welcome to Beacon," Ruby muttered to herself, as she laid back and listened to Yang turn her teasing to Winter.
And scene!
So, clearly a few things are going to be different this time around when it comes to relationships and story points.
Next time, the kids get to show off their skills for their teachers and peers.
As always comments, questions, and criticism are appreciated.
This has been VerBeeker, signing off!