Bright and vibrant, the sun shone right into Neptune's eyes. The airship he was aboard was making its way to the one and only Beacon.
"Sun, I hope you'll be there," Neptune muttered. It'd been months since he'd last seen his monkey friend. Neptune's stomach began to rumble, "Hopefully I have enough to get something." Checking his wallet, he found he only had loose change. Neptune spent everything just to travel to Vale. Even then, he had to sneak onto boats and airships. He almost got caught a couple of times.
A calm and relaxed female voice pulled Neptune out of his train of thought, "Are you on your way to Beacon too?"
"Excuse me?" Neptune asked. He looked up to see a tanned girl with the eyes of red diamonds. Her hair was a light green. Neptune just tilted his head and stared at this alluring woman.
"Ummmm, sir?" the woman asked. "Are you okay?" she smiled.
Neptune snapped back, "I'm sorry. You're very pretty. Wait what? What were we talking about again?"
"That's cute," she giggled. "My name is Emerald. What's yours?"
"Oh, I'm Neptune," Neptune proclaimed standing to his feet. Confidence splashed all over his face. "You here by yourself?" he asked with a grin. His teeth sparkled.
"Are you trying to flirt with me?" Emerald blushed.
"Who says I'm trying?" Neptune chuckled.
"Unfortunately, I'm with someone," Emerald admitted.
"Of course you are," Neptune sighed with this missed opportunity. "Who's the lucky guy?"
"His name is Mercury," a voice chimed in behind Emerald. A teen with silver and grey hair walked to Emerald's side. He wore really baggy pants, like he was trying to hide his legs.
"There you are," Emerald smiled at her accomplice.
"Who's this?" Mercury questioned Emerald, pointing at Neptune's chest.
"I am Neptune!" Neptune beamed. He reached out to shake Mercury's hand.
"Yeah, no," Mercury snorted. "Are you here to take part in the Vital Festival as well?"
"Yeah…," Neptune said pulling his hand back. He looked up and down, studying Mercury. Something about this silver haired fighter sent chills down Neptune's spin. "Maybe he's an assassin," Neptune thought to himself, "NAAAAAAAH!"
"What's your team's name?" Emerald asked.
"I am a part of team…SSSN," Neptune said with his head held high. "Where's your team?" he asked the two of them.
"They're already here," Mercury said with an evil grin. "We're meeting them here."
"I can relate…," Neptune growled thinking about Sun.
"This is our stop," said Mercury. The airship landed at the docking bay at the Cliffside.
"Hopefully we won't have to fight each other. You're kind of cute," Emerald winked at Neptune. She and Mercury headed out of the ship.
"So, how was your boyfriend?" Mercury teased. Emerald gagged hard.
"Where do I begin? Stupid, full of himself and extremely cringy," Emerald winced thinking about her encounter with Neptune. "I hope we actually face him and his team in the tournament. I can't wait to pound on that smirk face of his." Emerald tilted her neck, pop. "There's no way he actually thought I liked him. Am I that a good of an actress?"
"Emerald and Neptune sitting in a tree," Mercury sang holding back his laughter.
"Hush, NOW. Or…I'll let Banner kill you next time," Emerald smiled. All of Mercury's playfulness turned to rage remembering Banner.
"Can't wait to kill him…," Mercury said balling his fist. He began plotting his revenge. His body still remembered all of the blows from…THE HULK.
Neptune's eyes locked onto Emerald as she walked down the Main Avenue with Mercury. "Wow, what a nice girl. Too bad she's taken," he sighed.
"IS THAT MY BEST FRIEND?" Neptune heard someone yell to his side.
"SUN," Neptune screamed as he turned.
"NEPTUNE," Sun yelled back. Both of them ran toward the other and belly-fived.
"How's it been, my monkey friend?" Neptune asked. He lightly jabbed Sun's shoulder.
"Just fine," Sun replied jabbing back.
"Right back at you," Neptune added. He jabbed Sun's shoulder a bit harder.
Sun squinted at his blue haired oppressor, "Who you hitting that hard?"
"You," Neptune hissed getting in Sun's face, "Monkey Boy!"
"I don't reckon you know who you takin too…," Sun said trying to think of a good comeback. "Or I'll get some water."
"EEEEEEE, NO," Neptune squeaked in fear. "I mean," he said brushing his shoulder, "I don't care."
They both glared at each other with mock hostility. A tumble weed rolled between the two imbeciles.
"EYYYY," they both smiled before they fist bumped.
"Man, Neptune. It's so good to see you," Sun said patting his friend's shoulder. "I'm glad you came."
"How's the Kingdom of Vale been?" Neptune asked looking around at his surroundings. Beacon was interesting, to say in the least, for Neptune.
"It's been really fun. Had a lot of ups and downs, but I'm enjoying myself," Sun nodded. "Wait...," Sun said looking behind Neptune, "Scarlet and Sage, where are they?"
"Yeah about that…," Neptune said looking down.
"Neptune?" Sun asked, worried.
"Only one of us could come right now. Scarlet and Sage are still in Mistral," Neptune said looking up. "We decided out of the three of us, I'd go," Neptune smiled at his friend.
"How is the rest of team SSSN?" Sun asked.
"Still mad that you ditched us and took a boat to Vale," Neptune growled crossing his arms. A few months ago, Sun had just up and left without a trace. The next day, team SSSN found out that a monkey Faunus had sneaked onto a boat headed to Vale.
"Oh, yeah," Sun gulped crunching his teeth and scratching the back of his head. "Sorry about that…I was going to call you guys, but then I got mixed up in some stuff and got busy," Sun said, embarrassed.
"What type of 'stuff'?" Neptune asked leaning in close to Sun's face. "What's her name?"
"What?" Sun asked tilting his head.
"I know you, monkey boy. You're bound to have caught feelings for a girl by now," Neptune smirked with his nose held high.
"Hey, man! That's mean," Sun growled. It quickly changed into a smile, "But you right!"
"I knew it," Neptune said pounding his fist against his chest. "Who is she?"
"She's a cool person, like really cool," Sun nodded. "Her name is Blake Belladonna."
"She sounds…interesting," Neptune said with a weak smile.
"And she's a Faunus also," Sun smiled. He quickly put his hands over his mouth, "Which is a secret! You can't tell anyone," Sun quickly whispered.
"Don't worry, dude," Neptune said putting his arm around Sun. "Her secret is safe with me. What is she like?"
Sun smiled, "Thanks, dude. I knew you could keep a secret. Miss Belladonna fights extremely well. She's like a shadow. You can barely see her when she moves," Sun said waving his hands around.
"Wait, you two have already fought each other?" Neptune asked. "Wow! I know you rush through relationships, but sheesh."
"Well, we're not really a 'thing'." Sun blushed, "We're just friends."
"What's the matter?" Neptune asked, puzzled.
"It's hard to explain," Sun nodded. "Like, it's really complicated."
"I got time," Neptune exclaimed. "I think…I don't when we're supposed to get to class."
"Well…," Sun hesitated, "…do you know the name, Bruce Banner?"
"Of course I do. Everyone in Mistral has heard of that monster," Neptune said making Sun's heart skip a beat. "Information travels quickly among the Kingdoms when it's something important. Heck, there are probably huge bounties on his head."
"Do you even know the full story?" Sun said shaking his head. "Banner isn't a monster!"
"Calm down," Neptune said putting his hands up defensively. "What did I say?"
"Bruce Banner isn't a monster, okay? It's all lies spread by the media," Sun hissed.
"Do you even know what that monster…man did weeks ago?" Neptune asked in disbelieve. "He killed thousands of people, Sun! How can you say he's not a monster?"
"You weren't there," Sun said balling his fist. He recalled on the docking bay, when he was totally defenseless. Blake was almost beaten to death trying to protect him. If it hadn't been for Banner, Blake and Sun would have been six feet under.
"Like you were," Neptune said rolling his eyes. "So you're telling me that you were at the docks that night?"
"I was," Sun said.
"You were?" Neptune asked in disbelief. "I don't believe you. If you were, he would have killed you."
"You really are dumb aren't you?" Sun asked. "Why would I lie? I'm telling you the truth. The Hulk actually saved people that night."
"The only information we heard in Mistral was that Banner had gone on a rampage in Vale," Neptune said. He tapped his foot in thought.
"The White Fang were at the docks that night," Sun said remembering the blows from Roman. Sun still got the occasional headache. "Blake and I decided to stop them by ourselves."
"How'd it go?" Neptune asked.
"We were in over our heads and were nearly killed," Sun admitted.
"Oh, sheesh," Neptune said. He felt bad for asking.
"Banner…Hulk killed all the White Fang at the docks," Sun said looking down. "But don't get the wrong idea," he said quickly looking back up. "He had too. Blake and I would have been killed if it hadn't been for Banner."
Neptune thought long and hard about what he was going to say next. "Is Banner safe to be around?" he asked.
"I think so," Sun said scratching his head.
"Think?" Neptune asked. He looked right into Sun's eyes. "You do know that he is dangerous, don't you?"
"Of course I do! He still saved my life though. He's been away for weeks, training to be a Huntsman and hopefully to control his anger," Sun responded. "Think about it. It's been a while and no Hulk attacks."
"That's true…," Neptune nodded. "Are you scared of him?" Neptune asked.
"I'm not scared of him. I AM scared of what he can do," Sun admitted.
"If you trust him," Neptune said putting his hand on Sun's shoulder, "then I trust him!" Neptune's stomach began to rumble.
"Come on, let's go meet everyone. And get you something to eat," Sun smirked. He headed toward the cafeteria and Neptune followed.
Banner sat at a table and took a deep breath. The air smelled of baked goods, fresh fruit and sizzling meat. It was lunch time at Beacon. Here, you could order what your heart desired. All of the students sat with their team and their friends, having a good time. Many students gave Banner dirty looks, and sat far-away from him and team RWBY.
"We'll be back," Ozpin said. His gaze focused on Banner.
"Do I need to come with you?" Banner asked.
"Oh no," Glynda assured, "It's just a simple meeting with the staff. You stay and eat. I have complete faith in you," Glynda winked at Banner, turning his face red. She and Ozpin walked out of the cafeteria.
"I thought you turned green," Yang laughed at the blushing Banner.
"Ha, ha," Banner sighed rolling his eyes. "Very funny, Miss Xiao Long."
"BAAM," Ruby exclaimed slamming a giant binder in the middle of the table. Ruby waved to all of them, "Friends, sisters, Weiss…"
"Hey," Weiss interrupted, hurt.
"Four score and seven minutes ago, I had a dream," Ruby declared.
"This ought to be good," Yang smiled. She caught a grape in her mouth thrown by Nora sitting a table away.
"A dream that one day," Ruby continued, "the five of us would come together, as one big team, and have the most fun anyone has ever had, ever!"
"Hold on a second," Weiss said examining what her leader used to store her papers in. "DID YOU STEAL MY BINDER?"
"I am not a crook!"
"What are you implying?" Banner asked. Last time he checked, no one had fun when he was around. They either feared or hated him.
"I'm taking about kicking off the semester with a bang," Ruby grinned pounding her fists together in excitement.
"I always start my semesters off with a Yang," Yang smiled. She looked around, "EHHH? IS I RIGHT?" she asked her peers who were not amused by her puns. An apple splattered against Yang's forehead. Apple juice dripped onto her uniform as Nora giggled.
"Come on guys, it's been a rough couple of months and between more exchange students and the tournament at the end of the year, our second semester is going to be amazing!" Ruby finished.
"Sounds neat and dandy," Banner nodded, "but are you sure you want me around, Ruby? The last time I was in Vale, I kind of…broke it," he said ashamed.
"Banner," Blake said patting his shoulder, "that wasn't your fault. Ironwood and Atlas played huge parts in Vale's pain."
"Hey," Weiss snapped. "Ironwood's actions are…questionable. But it's crazy to think that all of Atlas is evil," Weiss said with her head held high.
"Because your home Kingdom is Atlas," Blake stated.
"Precisely," Weiss nodded. "Wait, no! It has nothing to do with that. That's like saying all Faunus are criminals because one is."
"Nice example," Blake growled.
"Oh, sorry," Weiss said regretting her choice of words.
"Guys," Ruby said snapping her fingers. She had everyone's attention. "Listen, classes start back up tomorrow. Which is why," Ruby said patting her binder, "I have scheduled a wonderful series of events for us today!"
"I don't know if I should be proud or worried for what you have in store for us," Weiss groaned.
Blake began to think. "I think I might sit this one out," she decided.
"Sit out or not," Ruby said getting the group's attention, "whatever we do, we do as a team."
"Sounds like a plan," Yang agreed chowing down. She noticed Banner's plate, "Aren't you going to have something more than, plants?" Her fork pointed toward Banner's veggie filled dish.
"Come on, Yang," Blake testified, "Banner doesn't have to eat something he doesn't want to."
"Says the one who mainly eats fish," Weiss dissed before sipping her tea. "But, that's none of my business."
"I eat other things," Blake hissed…thinking of her many hidden cans of tuna. Ruby laughed making everyone smile in gratitude for the company of friends.
"But really, Banner," Yang said getting his attention. "Why don't you eat meat?" Ever since Banner had arrived at Beacon, Yang noticed his eating habits. Actually, Banner didn't eat much at all.
"I'd like to know too," Ruby said pulling her head out of her bowl of Pumpkin Pete. "I think it'd be good to know more about you," she encouraged. Ruby's smile made Banner feel warm.
"If you must really know," Bruce sighed. Team JNPR leaned in to hear from their table. "Where I came from, Earth…everyone hated me even more than here," he said recalling bad memories.
"Hard to believe," Weiss's smart mouth blurted.
"Thank you so much, Weiss," Bruce sighed, making the Ice Queen cover her mouth. "On my travels," he continued, "I would often have to eat whatever was available. And that mainly included...rancid meat. So much so, I've stop enjoying meat all together."
"Yuck," the girls gagged in unison.
"You asked," Banner shrugged. "But yes, Yang, I do get protein. Mainly from beans and nuts."
"Hey, Banner," the group heard behind them. Cardin with his band of goonies approached. "What is it like when you go on a rampage and kill people?"
"Do you eat people?" one of Cardin's goons snickered.
"Want to find out?" Yang asked popping her knuckles at team CRDL.
"You think you scare us, stupid blonde?" Cardin smirked.
"I think you should run along," Weiss said, standing up. Blake and Yang stood as well.
"I got this," Banner said motioning for the girls to take their seats.
"What are you doing?" Weiss asked. She worried that Banner could lose his temper.
Banner turned his attention to team CRDL, "You see, Cardin…imagine the most anger you have ever felt in your entire life," Banner instructed.
"Okay," Cardin snorted at Banner.
"Now, multiple that by at least a hundred times. No, a thousand times. Now, you have a fraction of what I have to deal with. All that anger feels as if there's a bomb inside my chest, on the verge of exploding. I can't breathe, something is choking me and ripping the air out of my lungs. Then…BOOM," Banner said slamming his palms together. Everyone jumped.
"Sounds…cool," Cardin lied. His tough act was failing as sweat dripped from his forehead.
"I'm just getting started," Banner nodded. "The bomb goes off. The anger tears its way through me, breaking bones, ripping muscles to shreds and the best part," Banner said with a joking smile, "the other guy really tears me from my own body. How do I describe it?" Banner questioned looking into the air.
"I think I'm good," Cardin gulped.
"Then, when I think all the pain and agony is over, the real torture begins. It feels like I'm drowning in blood that's boiling hot. I feel everything the Hulk suffers in his rampage. Bullet wounds, cuts, stabs, broken bones, you name it. But it's not the pain that hurts me," Banner said staring right at Cardin. "It's what I hear. I can hear all screams from the people I've slain in vain. I hear men, women and children! And sometimes, I'm able to break free and see what I've done. I remember all the faces of the people whose lives have been cut short because of me. The Hulk has and will always make my life an eternal Hell. That's what it is like when I'm the Hulk, Cardin, unlimited rage and agony."
"You guys are weird," Cardin said before he and his goons walked away, in fear.
"Sorry about that," Banner said turning back to face the girls at the table.
Team RWBY members were frozen in fear.
"Don't worry," Banner assured. "It's not really like that. I only said that to scare them," Banner smiled. The girls let out a huge sigh, relieved. "It's so much worse," he thought to himself as he drank some water.
"I'm glad they're gone," Ruby said with a weak smile.
"Me to," Banner said as he brought his fork up to his mouth, and took a bite of a bright red tomato. "Wow," he said in amazement. "I haven't had a tomato this good since I was in Mistral."
"Yeah, I hear there...wait," Weiss said abruptly. Everyone turned to face her. "When have you been to Mistral? You've been here at Beacon for the entire semester!" All attention was focused on Banner.
"Not important, Weiss," Banner said in a harsh voice.
"Banner…," Ruby whimpered, "…I thought you agreed not to hide your secrets."
Should Banner tell the girls what he's done? That he destroyed landmarks for Atlas? Destroyed many homes and tore apart lives? Forget Ironwood. Hulk was no one's puppet!
"When have you been to Mistral?" Yang asked. A serious tone took over the lovable blonde.
"Fine," Banner sighed. "No more secrets, no more lies." Banner thought about Ironwood's orders, Penny being taken control of and everything else Atlas had done. "Remember a few weeks ago, when a Faunus protest went violent outside a factory in Vacuo?" Banner gulped.
"YES," Blake said with excitement. "Every Faunus in Remnant has heard about that story. Faunus are taking a stand and fighting back. Actually winning against Atlas," Blake's voice echoed with hope.
"Ah yes," Weiss growled. "A protest that ended in the destruction of an important factory…owned by the Schnee Dust Company. But," she said raising a finger, "I feel it was for the best."
"Yeah…," Banner struggled. "I was...there."
"You…you helped the Faunus?" Blake asked. "Why would you go to a Faunus protest all the way in Vacuo?"
"Blake, I was…ordered to kill those Faunus…," Banner said. Blake looked down as she reached for her weapon. "I was ordered to by Ironwood. But I didn't lay a hand any of them, Blake. I joined their cause," Banner tried to explain. A sharp piece of metal pressed against the front of his neck. Ruby, Yang and Weiss stood in shock. The entire cafeteria went silent. All eyes were on Banner and Blake.
"Give me one reason I shouldn't end it all?" Blake asked, anger ignoring logic. Gambol Shroud was being pressed more and more into Banner's throat. Blood began to drip down the side of her blade.
Banner sighed, "Because, Blake. He'd take your life before your weapon could even hit the ground. Also, countless other lives on this campus would be taken. Do you really want to be responsible for the deaths of many? You couldn't live with yourself."
"What makes you think I haven't taken a life?" Blake asked pulling her weapon back, lightly.
"You're not a killer, Blake," Banner said picking a tomato off the table. "You see this?" he asked waving around the tomato. "The last time I had one was in Mistral. I was assigned by Ironwood to hunt and kill some assassins that had a bounty on an important Atlas businessman."
"You did what?" Weiss asked in shock.
"I made my way to Mistral to a beautiful little garden. The assassins were actually leading me into a trap. They thought they could get the jump on me," Banner said as a tear began to fall from his cheek. "I was walking through the garden, when I saw it," Banner said looking at the tomato, "the ripest tomato I had ever seen. I was hungry, so I took a bite," Banner said looking down.
"What does this have to do with anything?" Blake asked, annoyed.
"The next thing I know, I'm standing over a bunch of corpses beaten to death," Banner said looking Blake in the eyes. Ruby covered her mouth, Yang cringed and Weiss gulped.
"God damn monster," a student said walking out of the cafeteria. Many more followed him, disgusted and full of hatred toward Banner. Team RWBY and JNPR were left with an unstable man. Jaune almost left, if it wasn't for Pyrrha.
"That's why, BLAKE," Banner said grabbing her. "I am a dangerous man. I have killed before, and I fear I won't stop anytime soon," Banner said as his grip on Blake tightened.
"Banner, you're…hurting…me," Blake stuttered as her shoulder blades began to crack. She used a clone to escape his powerful grasp.
"Banner, what's your…," Weiss began to ask.
"NOTHING," Banner quickly responded. His eyes flashed green for a quick second.
That wasn't Banner voice that barked at Weiss... She began to shake in fear, "I think you should calm down…"
"I'm not angry…," Banner said in denial. "I can't lose control?" he said looking around at the girls. They weren't listening. "What are you guys looking at?" Banner said following where their eyes were. His hand was at the edge of a metal table, bending it in his bare hand.
"Banner, calm down, NOW," Yang said reaching under the table. Ember Celica wrapped around her arms.
"No…I can't be losing it," Banner said beginning to panic.
"If that's true…" Ruby hesitated. "Then why are your eyes green?" she asked in fear. Banner looked at Ruby, reaching for an empty plate. He held the piece of china to his face. The reflection...HULK was staring back at him.
"GOD DAMN IT," Banner screamed tossing the plate. Blake barely evaded the plate that zoomed past her head. It shattered behind her leaving a dent in the concrete wall.
Jaune began to stand, weapon and shield in hand. His team quickly followed their leader's actions. Weiss put her hand up toward them, "We need to calm him," she mouthed. Jaune nodded sitting back down.
"Banner…please," Ruby whimpered. Banner began shaking as he looked down at his arms. His veins popped up, turning green.
"RUN," Banner said grabbing his head in pain. Random memories of pain, anger and depression suddenly flooded Banner's mind.
"Remember me?" a familiar, evil voice echoed in the back of his mind. Banner's vision became pitch black as Hulk took over.
"Oh, no," Weiss said as everyone stood side by side. There standing before them, Remnant's most powerful being.
"HULK…SMASH!" The Hulk's once green eyes, were now completely red.