Chapter 5: Extracurricular Activities

Rainier sighed impatiently, tapping his leg against the elevator as it rose quickly upwards, towards the top of Beacon Tower. After seemingly millennia, it slowed to a stop, beeping obviously, before the doors slid open, the faunus stepping out into Professor Ozpin's office. His metallic leg was gleaming platinum, free from the battle-damage and use that the other one had taken over its tenure.

Sitting at the desk, sipping at his drink, was Ozpin himself. Goodwitch stood to one side, while Ironwood stood to the other- they looked like they had just finished an argument.

"Ah, Rainier, good of you to join us." The professor said amiably, leaning back in his chair.

The faunus nodded his head after a moment of hesitation. "Ah… good to be here, I suppose. This is about the night of the ball, no?"

Ironwood nodded. "And the encounter you had last night. We just need you to recount what you remember."

"Aha. Have you spoken to Ms.-"

Ozpin waved him off. "Not yet. But we will. Right now, we just need you to try and remember everything that happened."

Rainier sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Truthfully, I missed most of the excitement, if… that's what you could call it. I arrived in time to kick… something out of the air. Other than the computer, nothing of importance sticks out to me. The encounter with the man, well… I was having a nice walk with Shinai, when we noticed him spying on us. We reacted accordingly, and put a stop to that. He didn't appreciate it and we had a skirmish. He was… twenty-ish? Dressed in brown and Gold, quite heinous. He did something to Shinai's arm, and his sword cut through my leg- the robotic one- like butter. Other than that, he seemed simply interested to watch until we attacked."

The trio of huntsmen shared looks, before Ozpin nodded. "Very well then. And, Mr. Platina, what you did was very courageous, rushing towards the danger at a moment's notice, both times. I commend you."

Rainier nodded, but didn't turn to leave.

"You have a question."

The faunus sighed. "Professor… what is this all about?"

Ozpin's eyes shot over to Ironwood. "...What do you mean?"

"This… woman, that man… whatever it is they're is doing… it's not the White Fang, I know that much. I'm asking… what is going on?"

"Truthfully… we're not entirely sure," Ozpin said with a sigh. "But we will keep you, and the others involved, informed. You have my word."

"Just…" Rainier trailed off, looking away in slight shame. "I did not sign up to fight a war, shadow or otherwise, yes? I simply… hope that this is not something that our lives will be thrown away for." He dipped his legs and twirled his hands, bowing, before turning to leave.

"Mr. Platina, you students mean everything to me. To us. To the world. Don't think that that means nothing. In the meantime… don't let your mind get too clouded with distrust or obsession," That made the faunus turn back to the professor quickly. "Your team are your family, Rainier. Don't turn your backs on them just yet."

The faunus opened his mouth to speak, before slowly nodding, leaving the tower.

"Capital of Vacuo."

"Vacuo City- easy-peasy."

"Atlesian motto."

"'In Might, Progress. In Progress, Security. In Security, Might.'"

"Largest recorded Grimm."

"Uh… Nevermore- no, Goliath- no! Megaladon."

"Largest island belonging to Vale."

Lance stared at Oracle dumbly. "Uh… bugger, I don't know."

"Patch." Shinai called over evenly from his bed, reading a book. Wrapped around his arm was a thick layer of white bandages, his hand flexing every so often as if in pain.

"How'd you know that?"

"Because I come from there."

Oracle gave the blonde a disappointed look. "Don't even know the captain's home. Shame, shame, shame."

"Whatever, we're not taking the test anyway."

"We're coming back eventually."

"Yeah, but who knows how long? Who knows how long anybody's trip could take? We could be out for days, weeks- months, even!"

"No. We won't."

"Ye- shut up."

Ulysses held up three fingers on one hand, one on the other, without opening his eyes, earbuds plugging his- well, ears.

Lance glared at his partner, while Oracle fist-pumped victoriously. "The gap widens, hon!"

"Bias! Bias!"

Shinai closed his book, sighing in irritation. "Do you not have anything better to do?"

Lance leaned back, crossing his arms. "Like what?"

"Strike out with Copper?" Ulysses grumbled.

After a few beats of silence, Oracle burst out into laughter, beating the desk as tears filled her eyes. Shinai simply cracked a miniscule smile, before quickly schooling it.

Zaffre made a face, flapping his lips. "Oh, yeah, sure, pick on Lance!" That simply made Oracle begin laughing harder. "Whatever, I've got my pride and my good looks. You can't take that away from me."

"Take away one, you take away the other." Shinai toned in evenly, face dead-set in stone. The gunslinger began laughing even harder, wheezing as she fell from her chair to the floor.

"What is happening!" Lance yelled, shooting to his feet. "Both of you?! And someone help Oracle, I think she collapsed a lung."

The aforementioned cackling girl went to say something when a knocking at the door interrupted her. The team leader rose to his feet and walked over, throwing the door open. Standing in the frame was Yang, hand raised to knock again.

Shinai raised an eyebrow silently.

"Yeah, hi, you guys know how to turn Daria off?"

Team SOUL was silent for a moment before Lance let out a snicker.

"…Pardon?" Kyani asked.

Yang stepped back, pointing to the side. The samurai leaned out of the dorm room, following the blonde's suggestion: standing down the hall, was indeed Daria- stomping and cursing, kicking the wall hard enough to leave dents, and more or less throwing a tantrum.

"THAT STUPID-" Kick. "ASININE-" Kick. "SELF-CONCEITED- AGH!"

Kick.

The gathered four teams watched Copper rage silently, the huntress stalking back and forth around the pavilion, kicking things at random.

Pyrrha leaned towards Nash. "What is her problem, exactly?"

The boy's face darkened, shaking his head. "Rainier just keeps on messin' up."

"May you… expand on that?"

"Daria!" Nash yelled, making the gathered huntsmen jump as the DRGN team leader turned her attention back to them. "What'd Rainier do this time?"

Copper stalked back towards them, huffing in anger. "I'll tell you what he did. That friggin' faunus-"

"Made a poor judgment call."

Wide eyes turned to the mentioned faunus.

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear." Yang muttered to the group.

Daria turned furious brown eyes to him. "'Poor judgment call'?! You call that a poor judgment call?! You walk in without telling me about the gold guy, with a new leg, and you don't even say anything?!"

"...I'm... I'm sorry, it-."

"We are beyond sorry at this point! Sorry doesn't begin to cover it! You made a promise- you wouldn't go do these things on your own-"

"I wasn't on my-"

"No, I am talking! You promised! He could have killed you!"

Rainier stared at her quietly. "I... you're right. I had promised. And I broke that promise. And Kyani and myself were in danger because of it. I apo... I will do better," The students hung around awkwardly for a moment, before he sighed. "...The meeting in the auditorium is beginning soon. We'll be picking our missions. I just wished to tell you."

Daria stormed towards the auditorium by herself, pushing past Rainier as she did. The faunus dropped his head, shaking it with a sigh. The gathered 14 all gave him mixed looks of pity and shame, heads shaking at him.

Pyrrha put a hand on his shoulder as she passed. "Forgiveness is not easy to come by. You just have to work at it."

"Quiet!" Goodwitch called out over the heads of the students from all four schools, all four kingdoms, the auditorium packed full; Vale students in their red suits, Atlesians in white uniforms, Mistrali in black; and the Vacuoan students, dressed simply as comfortably as possible. "Quiet, please! Professor Ozpin would like to share a few words before we begin."

Ozpin stepped forwards on the stage, clearing his throat. "Today we stand together, united. Mistral. Atlas. Vacuo. Vale. The four kingdoms of Remnant. On this day, nearly eighty years ago, the largest war in recorded history came to an end. It was a war of ignorance, of greed, and of oppression. A war that was about much more than where borders fell or who traded with whom, but about the very idea of individualism itself. We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self-expression," He nodded and gestured to the students broadly, cane held between his arm and chest. "And as you are well aware, that was something many could not stand for. As a result, those who opposed this tyranny began naming their children after one of the core aspects of art itself: color. It was their way to demonstrate that not only would they refuse to tolerate this oppression, but neither were the generations to come. And it was a trend that is held to this very day. We encourage individuality, expressionism, and unity through diversity,"

"As I have said, today we stand together, united. But this bond cannot exist without effort. Which is why today, while the rest of the world celebrates peace, huntsmen and huntresses will work to uphold it. As first year students, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional huntsman or huntress on a mission. Some of you may be taken out of the kingdom for several days. Others may work within the walls for the rest of the week. But no matter which path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best." With that, he and Goodwitch stepped away, and the students began filing out of the auditorium.

Lance stretched languidly, and boredly, looking to his friends and teammates with a cocked eyebrow. "Who wants to just hang out in Vale for a few days?" Almost immediately, a chorus of dissent was launched back to him, getting him to snort. "Yeah, I thought so."

Shinai nodded, looking to each of his teammates in turn, before looking to the others. "Good luck to you all. SOUL." He began to walk away without another word, marching towards the ring of holographic mission boards lining the far walls of the auditorium.

"Catch y'all later." Oracle said, bumping Yang's hip with her own as she and her team followed after their leader.

"Don't do anything I would do," The brawling huntress called back, shaking her head. "And definitely don't do anything I wouldn't do! … Love that girl."

Jaune folded his hands behind his head. "You guys got any ideas for what you're gonna do? I think we're pretty limited on options, considering we're... you know... still first years."

"I believe some of us may have had enough excitement for one year." Pyrrha hummed brightly, giving Team RWBY a pointed side eye.

"Uh... heh, yeah!" Ruby said, eyes wide, face trying desperately to remain nonchalant. "Totally! No- no excitement for us! We're just gonna... enjoy a nice... relaxing... not at all dangerous, or exciting, or dangerous, or-"

"-You get what she means." Weiss cut in, rolling her own eyes.

"Yes, well... don't do anything stupid." Rainier muttered, gaze flicking over to her.

Daria's withering gaze turned back towards him, scowl reclaiming her face, before storming off wordlessly, arms crossed tightly over her chest, hands wrapped around her arms in vice grips.

"...You're just full of dumb choices, guy." Yang muttered, face devoid of sympathy for the faunus.

He watched her go for a moment, gaze falling to the floor. "...I am aware... shall we?" Hands in his pockets, he took off slowly after his leader, his other teammates in tow.

"Bye, have a beautiful time!" Nash called out, skipping backwards, waving at the remaining two teams.

"Don't die!" Nora shouted back, equally as brightly.

"Kay!"

He disappeared into the crowd, tousled blonde hair and a still waving hand popping up periodically amidst the heads of the other huntsmen.

Oracle and Lance made their way down the list of mission boards with dual appraising eyes.

"Hm... no, that's boring." The latter muttered.

"What about- no, no, we can't do that one." The former shot back under her breath.

"We could always- yeah, no, that one's locked too."

"Mm... no... no... no... hm? Eh, no..."

"Brothers," Ulysses spat, glaring at his teammates. "Pick something."

Lance turned back to him with hands raised placatingly. "Easy there, big guy. It's a scientific process; we've gotta pick the most dangerous, and exciting one that we can, while also finding something that'll keep us out of class as long as possible. It's harder than it looks."

Shinai stepped forwards, his teammates parting to give him room, a hand raising to his chin. "...Community service, perhaps..."

"Okay, but why though?"

"Our duties aren't simply killing grimm. We are defenders of all Vale, and that includes taking care of our wards in all aspects. And it means far more to them than any number of slain grimm do."

The quartet went quiet, before the greatswordsman turned towards Oracle. "I get it! The thing where he makes you sound like a jackass- yeah, yeah, I get it now."

She shrugged. "Only a matter of time until Ulysses' gets his."

The aforementioned giant grunted in slight amusement, his own gaze turning over the boards. "...Search and destroy, far east coast."

Lance looked between the mission and his partner. "...He gets it. He understands. Ulysses Ebony, you're a good man."

"Hmph."

Shinai tapped the mission, typing their team name in quickly. "...Very well. Search and destroy it is."

"Man... coastal... hope they want us to kill a Feilong," Lance said, nodding to himself with a grin. "That might make my life."

"You're just tryna get us killed, blondie..." Oracle muttered as the quartet began to make their way out of the auditorium to the landing pads beyond.

Nash skipped forwards happily, a bright smile filling his face as he made his way quickly towards his leader, Daria waiting in front of the mission boards, arms still crossed, scowl still painted on her expression;

The boy didn't lose a beat as he reached her, bodily slamming into her with a hug. "We're goin' on a mission!"

Her glare turned towards him, taking in his giddiness for a moment, before her irritation ebbed, raising one arm to return the embrace. "...We've been on missions before."

"Yeah, but we can those were all in the Forest- we can go anywhere now! It's gonna be wicked!"

She shook her head, gaze rising; to meet Rainier's, the faunus walking behind Gail, his face falling immediately. Her fury reignited almost instantaneously, turning back towards the holograms with a returned snarl.

The archer looked between her two teammates, a hand raising to rest gently on her partner's shoulder as she caught his expression. He lightly covered her offered limb with his for a brief moment, before letting it fall, hands buried into his pockets, standing a short ways away from the rest of his team. Gail cleared her throat as she joined the other two. "Ahem... have... have we chosen a, um... mission?"

Daria gave her an unimpressed side-eye for a second, dark gaze turning back to the boards. "...No. Got any suggestions?"

"I... well..."

"Oh!" Nash called out, bouncing back and forth as he rapidly switched between the different holographic screens. "What about a search-and-destroy?! We love search-and-destroy!"

"Gail doesn't." His leader mumbled back.

"...Well, why the heck not?!"

"It's..." Her face darkened. "I just think... it's... not my thing."

"...Ah, alrigh'. What do you want then?"

She jolted, looking between him and the missions. "Well... we could... um... what about a, uh... we could do a scouting mission?"

"A scout-who-what-now?"

"It's a... a scouting mission."

Daria tapped the button in question, looking it over. "Just, uh... looking into some reports of grimm down south. Nothing concrete, or anything."

"...Like a... pre-search-and-destroy?" The boy asked, face still fallen in confusion.

"...Sure, why not?"

"...Awesome! Let's do it!"

The leader typed 'DRGN' into the box, getting a bright beep in response. "...Alright. Come on, then. Let's head out." She turned to leave; walking past Rainier without a glance, the others in tow.

He stood silently for a moment, before giving a resigned sigh, following after his teammates.

Team SOUL walked forwards nonchalantly towards their designated bullhead. "Who do ya think it's gonna be?" Oracle asked, looking for suggestions.

"Probably Qrow Branwen." Lance said, nodding.

The gunslinger burst out into cackling laughter, doubling over as she walked.

"Hey, I mean, it's a search-and-destroy mission! He's one of the best huntsmen alive! That makes sense, right?"

"Sure, the legendary Qrow's gonna babysit a bunch of kids travelling across the kingdom. How ridiculous would that be?"

Ulysses rolled his eyes. "No."

"Okay," Lance said. "How about… Ramsay Bulwark?"

"No."

"Maybe some sort of dark, badass detective?"

"No."

"...I dunno, maybe friggin' Ozpin, I'm running out of ideas here."

"No."

"Okay, wise guy, who's your pick, huh?"

"Because I see him."

They all turned to the direction Ulysses was pointing and-

Professor Port raised a hand. "Children! Come along, come along, we mustn't wait any longer! It's going to be a long couple of days travelling after all!"

Shinai took a deep breath in, before letting it out, walking towards the professor.

Ulysses, having already come to terms with the situation, simply walked forwards with his trademark scowl.

Oracle and Lance shared looks before letting out mirror groans, dragging themselves forwards.

"Don't be so down- I imagine it'll be quite a time we'll have!"

"Doctor Oobleck, huh?" Nash asked, watching Team RWBY dejectedly climb into the bullhead with the eclectic, fast-talking, annoying teacher.

"Could be worse." Gail said quietly, fidgeting.

"Yeah?"

She pointed to the side, a handful of bullheads off- where Team SOUL was standing next to Professor Port.

"Ooooh-no!" Nash cried, wilting in place. "We're going to get someone terrible too! Oh, I bet it'll be a teacher! Someone terrible, who's not cool, and doesn't have any cool tricks, and- and- and-"

"And?"

They all turned to the voice, and their eyes widened.

The huntsman was tall, and lithe, a tattered, dark brown tricorn hat ornamenting his head, a half facemask covering his face. The majority of his body was dressed in a heavy, classical, tattered trenchcoat, the same color as his hat, and his chest was protected with dark silver body armor over a black body suit.

And strapped to his back was an enormous silver greatsword, separated in segments running down either side of the center piece of the sword- a glowing green sliver, specks of light coming off it.

"And…" Daria began, shaking her head from the trance. "Who are you?"

The huntsman bowed. "Sise Tsuki. Formerly of Team CRMS. Your huntsman for the excursion."

Nash let out a high-pitched squeak of giddiness.