"Mr. Banner," Glynda said shaking him. "Time to wake up, you've slept in!"
"AH," Banner yelled as he jumped out of the chair. He panted as his heart raced. Had he awoken from a nightmare? Glynda reached for her wand as a precaution. Banner put his hands up, "Sorry, Glynda! You startled me..."
Glynda's grip around on her wand tightened. "Don't you even..." she dropped it. Banner did accidentally sleep in. No need to trigger the Hulk for no reason. "Classes start in thirty minutes," she said as a clock floated in front of Banner's face.
"Oh my…I forgot," Banner said shocked.
"You don't say," Glynda said as she waved her wand and the clock returned to the desk. "Follow me," she said walking out. Banner followed quickly.
"Classes start at nine this morning,' Glynda told Banner as they hurried down the hall. "Today you will to class with the first year students."
"Why would I need to go with them?"
"Ozpin's orders. You're to pick up team RWBY and JNPR and escort them to class. There, you should learn with them. Find out how our world functions."
Banner began to ask, "Where are their dorms? I don't know my way around-,"
"Alright! Weiss, Blake, Yang, and their fearless leader, Ruby have begun their first mission - Bonsai!" Banner heard from outside a door down the hallway.
"I guess I had better wait for them..." Banner sat against a wall right across from team RWBY's door and closed his eyes.
A loud banging noise coming from the dorm, waking Banner. SHOOT! Had he fallen asleep again? He frantically looked at his watch, 8:50 a.m. it read. "Oh noooo," he groaned. He banged on their door.
"Yes?" Weiss said opening the door. She jumped back from the unexpected guest, "YOU?".
Ruby gulped, "Oh, it's you," she said nervously.
"Hello there, girls. My name is Bruce. But, you can call me Banner. I'll be escorting you to class," he said as he stuck out his hand toward Weiss, "You are?"
"Weiss," she said coldly, shaking his hand slowly.
"Hi, Banner. It's nice to meet you again," Ruby said kind of shaky. "That's Blake," she said pointing toward her teammate.
"Yah, hey," Blake said weakly waving at him. Blake looked at him closely. It was like she could feel something inside him something familiar. Had she met him before?
Yang jumped down from her bunk-bed and shook Banner's hand, hard and tightly, "HI! I'm Yang."
Banner jumped up a little from the pain. This girl's golden hair...he remembered it. She put up the best fight against the Hulk. Banner cringed remembering the insane blows this girl was able to deal. "Nice to meet you girls," Banner said shaking the pain out of his hand. "Anyway we need to get to class," he said walking out the door.
"Uhhh, next mission…make it to class," Ruby ordered as she ran out of the dorm. The other girls quickly followed.
Jaune poked his head out from his dorm room, "Wait, there's class? Guys, hurry!" Team JNPR quickly followed them. They barely made it on time. The students found desks to sit at while Banner leaned against a wall in the back.
In the middle of the classroom, a man was sitting with gray hair and moustache. He seemed to be in his mid-fifties. He wore a double-breasted suit with his pants tucked into his boots. "Hello there, students," he said waving at all of them. "I am your teacher, Peter Port."
Ruby was fast asleep, infuriating Weiss.
"Monsters, demons, prowlers of the night, the creatures of Grimm have many names," Port said firmly. He was pointing toward many Grimm on the chalkboard. Banner listened closely. "Our planet is absolutely teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces," Port said continuing his lesson. He quickly trailed off as he began telling about his adventures as a saw that Weiss was shaking in anger as Ruby goofed off. "Which one of you thinks you embody all the traits of a huntsman?" Port asked startling all of them. Weiss raised her hand quickly. "Well then, come down here and face your opponent," he said waving toward a cage with glowing red eyes.
Weiss stood far from the cage, assuming a stance.
"Go Weiss," Yang cheered.
"Fight well," Blake said waving a team RWBY flag.
"Represent Team RWBY," Ruby said putting her hands in the air.
"Ruby, I'm trying to focus," Weiss barked at her. Ruby dropped her hands as she frowned.
"Let the match…BEGIN," Port said as he swung his weapon, Blunderbuss, opening the cage. Inside was a giant boar Grimm. It quickly charged at Weiss who rolled out of the way.
"Wasn't expecting a Boarbatusk now, were you?" Port smirked as Weiss sliced at the Grimm. It wasn't affected in the slightest. The Boarbatusk slammed its tusks at Weiss's chest, sending her flying. She hit a wall, hard. Gasping for air, Weiss' guard was down as the Boarbatusk began to charge a spin.
"Weiss, get out of the way!" Ruby warned. Weiss looked up to find the Grimm rolling fast toward her. She barely evaded as the Boarbatusk slammed into the wall. It fell over stunned.
"Weiss, go for its belly!" Ruby yelled.
"Ruby! Stop telling me what to do," Weiss screamed. She looked back, only to get hit again by the Grimm. Weiss fell to her back but quickly rolled back to her feet. The Grimm charged again. Weiss stabbed, but got Myrtenaster stuck in the Boarbatusk's tusks. The Grimm quickly threw her weapon away. It spun at her again.
Weiss used one of her Glyphs, quickly evading the Boarbatusk's attack. She ran over to her weapon and slid to grab it. The Boarbatusk charged again. Weiss quickly kneeled as she summoned a Glyph, knocking the Grimm on its back. Weiss flipped into the air and jumped off another Glyph. She aimed toward the Grimm's chest.
The Boarbatusk quickly recovered and knocked Weiss to the ground. It charged at her, tusks aimed for her throat.
"WEISS," Ruby yelled as she got out of her seat. Weiss put up a Glyph trying to stop the Grimm but she wasn't fast enough. The Grimm stabbed. Everyone gasped as the tusks stopped inches away from her face. Banner was behind the Grimm, holding it back.
"NOW!" Banner yelled holding the Grimm up, exposing its underbelly. Weiss quickly got to her feet and thrust Myrtenaster deep into the Boarbatusk's chest. It fell over on its side. Weiss looked at Banner and saw his eyes flickered green. He took deep breaths as his eyes reverted to normal.
"Bravo! Bravo!" Port said clapping. "It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress in training."
Weiss panted as she put up Myrtenaster.
"I'm afraid that's all the time we for today, class dismissed," Port said.
Weiss stormed off as Ruby followed her. "Weiss," Ruby yelled to her.
"What do you want?" Weiss asked coldly.
"What's wrong with you? Why are you being-,"
"What's wrong with me?" Weiss asked angrily. "All this time you've been a nuisance. You've done nothing to earn your position! In the forest you acted like a child and only continue to do so," Weiss said making Ruby wobble.
"Weiss…Where is this coming from? What about working as a team?" Ruby asked hiding away her tears.
"Not a team led by you. I've trained and studied. And quite frankly, I deserve better. You will never be a leader," Weiss told Ruby. Banner heard the entire conversation. Weiss walked away leaving Ruby looking at the ground.
Banner felt someone tap his shoulder, "Ozpin," he said surprised.
"Hello there Banner. I heard everything, I think we need to have a chat with Miss Rose," Ozpin said as he summoned her.
"Hello Ozpin. Hi…" her heart raced in fear as Banner also walked toward her. When Banner stood close, she could feel something inside him.
"What's wrong, Miss Rose?" Ozpin asked.
"It's Weiss. Is she right? Did you make a mistake Ozpin?" she said. She quickly wiped away tears.
"Miss Rose, I have made many, many mistakes. But I do not consider you one of them," Ozpin said cheering her up a little.
"Yah, Ruby, I haven't known you for long. But I know you'll be a great leader," Banner said, making her frown again.
"Ruby, are you scared of me?" Banner asked a little hurt.
"Yes... I've seen what you're capable of," she said looking down.
"Ruby, I know it's scary. I'm scared of him too," Banner said. She looked up at him in surprise. "Do you honestly think I enjoy having all of this power?" Banner asked looking at his arms. "It's a curse, Ruby. But I promise, I would never hurt you or any of your friends again," Banner said bringing his hands down.
"Yes, Ruby, Banner is not a threat. You can relax," Ozpin said reassuring her.
"Thank you," Ruby said smiling a bit.
"Thank you, Banner. You may leave," Ozpin said. Banner nodded and headed toward Weiss.
Weiss was sitting on a bench in the Main Avenue. As Banner approached her, she jumped to her feet. Weiss quickly pointed Myrtenaster at his chest. "What do you want?"
Banner stopped in his tracks and held up his hands. "Please don't. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry," Banner said calmly.
"I know. That's why you need to be dealt with...just like the Faunus." Weiss assumed a stance. She looked so graceful, like a ballerina with a sword.
"Please, I know what I am. I just want to talk to you," Banner said walking slowly toward her.
Weiss tried to be threatening, but ultimately felt intimated by Banner, "Don't you dare take another step..."
"Weiss...I don't want to hurt you. But I need to get my point across."
Weiss put away her weapon and broke down. "It's not fair! I should have been leader!"
"What I see is a girl who has gotten everything she has ever wanted her entire life and never had to work for anything."
"That's not even remotely true," Weiss said crossing her arms. "Okay maybe a little…"
"My point exactly, Weiss. So what? You didn't get what you wanted. Just be grateful for what you have," Banner said embarrassing her.
"But Ruby hasn't done anything to earn it," Weiss argued.
Banner sighed, "She did save your life, didn't she?"
"Ruby saved everyone from you."
"You're right. I almost killed everyone. I have no right asking for your forgiveness. Even if you can't forgive me, forgive her. Ruby deserves your up-most respect now that she is your leader."
Banner's words seemed to strike a chord. Weiss finally looked him in straight in the eyes, registering his compassion.
"The point is Weiss, Ruby is your leader. All you can do now is be the best teammate possible," Banner patted Weiss on her shoulder, "Do you honestly think your attitude will change those in power?"
"Okay, Banner, I understand." Weiss touched his forearm gently then headed off. "I guess it's time to talk to Ruby..."
Weiss found Ruby in their dorm room with Blake and Yang napping. Ruby was drooling on her textbooks. Weiss poked her over and over again, "Ruby, wake up!"
Ruby blinked awake, "W-Weiss? WEISS! I was studying hard then I guess I-,"
Weiss put a hand over her leader's mouth and silenced her, "Listen...I'm sorry about earlier. I was mad but I'm over it now. I believe that you are going to become a great leader, Ruby."
Ruby smiled in delight. "Thank you so much Weiss," she said hugging.
"And I'm also going to be the best teammate ever," Weiss said hugging her back.
"But there's something we need to talk about… Banner," Ruby said making Weiss's smile fade away.
"I agree," Weiss said.
"I talked to him after class. He seems to be a really good person at heart," Ruby said making Weiss nod.
"But do you trust him?" Weiss asked. Ruby thought long and hard about her answer.
"Yes I do. What about you Weiss?" Ruby asked.
"If you do, then I'll try," Weiss said smiling a bit.
"Are you still scared of…the Hulk?" Ruby asked.
"Everyone in their right mind is. Even Ozpin. Who wouldn't be? THe power to take on two full teams. Easily."
"Banner said he won't ever lose control again," Ruby said making them both hope.
"Should we tell the others?" Ruby asked.
"Later. Let's not wake them up. I think Banner needs to be with us," Weiss said.
"Maybe during lunch?" Ruby said looking at the other two. "Where's Blake?" Their dorm room shut suddenly shut.
"Oh no," Weiss gasped. She and Ruby quickly pursued Blake.
Blake ran from the building searching for Banner. "I can't believe they kept this from me and Yang," she muttered to herself. She eventually found Banner on the Beacon cliff. She quietly approached him.
"Hello there, Blake," Banner said.
"How did you know?" Blake asked as she gripped her weapon tightly.
"There've been plenty of people who have tried to assassinate me," Banner said shaking his head sadly. "Never thought you would be one of them," he said.
"I'M NOT A MURDERER," Blake screamed at him.
"Then why are you ready to strike me down?"
"Blake, STOP," Blake heard behind her. Ruby and Weiss struck a stance behind her, weapons ready.
"This is crazy, Blake. We can sort this out," Weiss said.
"YOU TWO?" Blake yelled. "First, you hide things from me, NOW YOU TAKE HIS SIDE? How could you? You've seen what he can do."
"Blake, Banner IS NOT Hulk. He turns into Hulk but he's learning to control him," Ruby said.
"What about when he can't control the monster?"
"He's not taking over," Banner said. "Because I won't let him hurt another innocent soul," Banner said walking toward Blake.
"Please, Blake. Don't do something drastic," Weiss said.
"I've known people who say they're good. Then they turn into monsters," Blake said. She couldn't help but think of Adam. Putting down her weapon, "I want to trust you," Blake said. She looked in Banner's eyes and felt his truth and humanity.
"You can, Blake. You can trust me." Banner walked over and gave Blake a hug. Her ears perked up from underneath her bow and she blushed in surprise. She hadn't had a hug in a while...she almost forgot what it felt like.
"Come on, guys. Let's sleep on this," Ruby smiled at the sight.
"When...when should we tell Yang?" Blake asked when Banner let go. Only Weiss and Ruby knew, now Blake. Yang had no idea that this, puny man had beaten her in her greatest category, combat. Not to mention, she was trying to protect Ruby and failed.
"She'll probably be the worst…" Ruby said dreading the confrontation. Yang was extremely competitive, she'd probably want a rematch.
"When more time passes, Blake. I have no idea how she will take it...she's so hot headed," Weiss said making all of them nod. The three went into their dorm and Banner left, fearing what nightmares might come. Would it be a replay of Hulk's most recent outburst? Or...his mother's death?