Everyone was worn out by the eventful night.
Ozpin lead all of team RWBY with the addition of Sun and Neptune into his office. "I'll bet everyone is exhausted," he said looking at droopy-eyed students.
"Maybe..." Yang yawned, "...a little bit."
Ozpin smiled gently, "This won't take much of your time, I promise."
Ruby yawned as well, "Arrrrre we in trouble?"
"No, not exactly," Ozpin said. He sat down and sipped from his mug.
"How can you drink coffee at this time?" Neptune asked rubbing the tired from his eyes.
"Who said it was coffee?" Ozpin chuckled. "The reason I called you all here is..."
"STUDENTS," Glynda screamed as the elevator opened to reveal Miss Goodwitch.
Everyone's eyes shot open from the sudden shock, "AH!"
"WHAT THE...?"
"PROFESSOR!"
"Hello, Goodwitch," Ozpin calmly nodded at his co-worker. "What brings you to my office?"
"The fact that you aren't going to punish this bunch for breaking school rules," Glynda said as she clinched her wand tightly. She stormed to Ozpin's side and sent chills down everyone's spine as she glared at the students.
"Why would they be in trouble?" Ozpin asked. Everyone sighed in relief knowing Beacon's Headmaster was on their side.
"A-Are you serious," Glynda asked in complete shock. She began listing off, "Miss Polendina, Yang and Neptune going into a bar under-aged, property damage across the highway and the overpass..."
"Ruby escorted Penny back into Ironwood and Atlas protection, Yang and Neptune reminded a mob boss to stay in check, Sun and Blake helped the police find a White Fang meeting, then everyone was able to 'recover' a stolen Paladin from the same criminal organization," Ozpin said naming off team RWBY's accomplishments that night. "Though," he chuckled softly, "two skipped out on fighting off the huge Atlesian combat machine and decided to grab a bite to eat."
"So that's where you two were," Weiss growled as she and the rest of her team coldly turned their heads to face Sun and Neptune.
"HEY," Neptune argued, "it was Sun's idea!"
Sun yelled at his back-stabbing teammate, "I PAID FOR YOU!"
Ruby spoke up, "Wait, Professor Ozpin! How did you know?" She hadn't told anyone besides Sun and Neptune about their secret plan.
"Banner," Ozpin said. "He told me everything."
"How did he know?" Blake asked. Everyone was caught off guard. This was the first time she had spoken in hours.
"Nice to see you're part of our conversation, Miss Belladonna," Ozpin smiled at Blake. He rested his palms on his cane and laid his chin on top of his hands. "Wasn't too hard," the Headmaster shrugged, "seems one of your teammates ratted you all out." Blake's heart and trust snapped. No wonder she didn't like people and people didn't like her.
Weiss yelled, "WHO WOULD DO THAT?"
Yang added, "I'm gonna pulverize them!" Her knuckles popped violently.
"Who would do such a thing?" Ruby asked going into the thinker position. Weiss, Yang and Blake would never rat on the team.
"Hey, Sun," Neptune spoke, making everyone turn to the culprit. "Why you sweating so much?"
Sun gulped as sweat poured down his face, "I...may have told Banner some things." Yang's eyes exploded red making Sun shriek, "HE PROMISED ME BANANAS!"
"How could you?" Ruby asked. "We would have had it under control!"
"Come on, guys," Sun argued. "If it wasn't for me, Banner wouldn't have known to save us from that Torchwick guy and his Atlas combat robotic thingy!"
Neptune elbowed Sun in the gut, "What I think he meant to say, is that he's sorry. He was just trying to look out for all of us," he growled digging his elbow deeper.
"WHAT HE SAID. WHAT HE SAID," Sun let out in pain. All the girls smiled at their traitor's pain. All except for Blake...
"There we go," Neptune smiled as he pat Sun on the back.
Sun looked away and his smile quickly faded when he spotted her. Blake stared at him, not with anger, but pure disappointment. A tear formed in her eye and fell. She's had enough for one day and headed to the elevator. The White Fang, Roman escaping for the second time and finding out someone who had her trust ratted out her team.
"Miss Belladonna, please retake your seat," Ozpin ordered. "We haven't even addressed what you all came in for."
Blake didn't respond. She didn't even stop. The elevator was called and made its way up the tower.
"What's gotten into her," Weiss whispered to Ruby. Blake with her cat ears heard that and felt even more ashamed.
"Blake," Yang said getting out of her seat. Her eyes still a blood red, "If you get in that elevator...I won't ever forgive you."
Blake turned and addressed Yang, "I'm accustomed to the feeling." Yang would be added to the list of people Blake had failed along with Adam and her parents.
"BLAKE," Yang screamed as the elevator doors closed with Blake inside. Yang's golden gauntlets shot her across the room right into the elevator doors.
"MISS XIAO LONG," Glynda ordered, "control your temper." She raised her wand and began to repair the doors faster than Yang could destroy them.
Yang lost her mother. She wasn't about to lose another person she cared for. She screamed frantically as she became more and more angry at not being able to tear down the elevator doors.
"YANG," Ruby yelled, "CALM DOWN!" Rose petals swirled around the golden warrior as Ruby embraced her sister. "It's okay...I love you, Sis."
Yang took long, deeps breaths as she allowed the anger to leave her body. The red in her eyes faded as she stared at the holes she had busted in the elevator doors.
"Thank you, Glynda," Ozpin smiled, watching her repair the elevator.
"I'm sorry, Ruby," Yang whimpered as tears ran down her face. Why did people have to leave Yang? Her mother and now Blake? At least she didn't know her mother that well before she left, but Blake...Yang thought they had a connection. Apparently not.
"It's okay," Ruby said as she hugged Yang from behind, "I'm here for you, Big Sis."
Weiss watched the two sisters and thought of home and Whitley and Winter, her two siblings. But, she felt like a only child. Winter was barely around and Whitley hated her. He actively avoided talking and even tried his best to stay away from Weiss as much as possible. When Winter was around, she and Weiss got along. Weiss just wanted all of her family happy. Her mother always struggling with her drinking and her father with his money and politics.
The elevator light flickered, catching everyone's attention. Someone was coming up.
Ozpin tilted his head, "Who could that be?"
"BLAKE," Yang yelled in hope.
"There you are," Glynda said. She crossed her arms as Banner walked into the office.
"Here I am," Banner said. He glared into Ozpin's eyes.
"We were wondering where you had run...jumped off to," Ozpin said. Now was not the time to play games with Banner. "Come, Bruce. Please take a seat." Banner was surprised about Ozpin's first name use.
Banner looked around the room and found Yang on her knees with her sister holding her tightly. "I just passed Blake on my way up here," he said. "You've all had a long night. You deserve to get some rest. Go on," Banner ordered as he tilted his head toward the open elevator.
"I'm not finished with the girls," Ozpin argued.
"Yes. You are," Banner said. He took a seat right next to Weiss, directly across from Ozpin. He turned to face the young Schnee, "I said you all could go."
Weiss looked at her Headmaster, then back at Banner. "Thank you," she mouthed to the caring Banner before she joined Ruby and Yang. The elevator doors closed and they were taken to the first floor to catch Blake.
Glynda began to yell, "WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT-..."
"I'm gonna stop you right there," Banner interrupted. "All of us know that you were gonna keep those girls up all night to try to find out where I was. Weren't you?" Banner stared into the Headmaster's eyes.
Ozpin sighed, "Not entirely. I was going to check up on their well-being. All of those girls are still just children, not full blown warriors."
"You'd be surprised," Banner shrugged. "They can take care of themselves against Atlesian weaponry."
Glynda started talking, "Atlesian weaponry that you fought practically destroying the highway. Also, didn't the culprit escape?" she asked.
Banner clenched his fist, but took in a deep breath. He exhaled as he reopened his hand to relieve the sudden anger.
"But," Ozpin said thinking about Banner's words, "they did prove themselves. Ruby successfully returned Penny to Atlas hands, Blake and Sun were able to help find a huge White Fang operation, recovering crates of stolen dust and all of you were able to bring down Roman Torchwick. Yes, he did escape, but all of you probably saved dozens of lives."
"Speaking of Atlas," Banner gritted his teeth. "COME OUT," he yelled into the air. "I know you're there." Ozpin and Glynda looked down in shame as Ironwood revealed himself.
"Not like I'm impressed," Ironwood lied, "but how did you know?"
"Do you think I'm an idiot?" Banner almost yelled.
Ironwood opened his mouth, "I-..."
"Just shut up," Banner spoke up. Ironwood nodded and took a seat. There they were, the most important people in Remnant - Ironwood, General of Atlas's military. Ozpin, Headmaster of Beacon. Glynda, one of the most powerful Huntresses and Banner...the Incredible Hulk.
"How's Miss Penny?" Ozpin asked the General.
"Quite well. She misses her friend, the silver-eyed girl. Ruby, I think it was. It's funny, I never thought I'd see another Silver-Eyed Warrior in my lifetime," Ironwood chuckled, catching Banner's attention.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Banner asked a little hostile. If Ironwood meant any harm to Ruby, Banner would put Atlas's General six feet under..."STOP," Banner thought to himself, "Leave me alone."
Banner heard the demons inside of his head, "Puny Banner, Hulk want to come out!"
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD," Banner argued with with...himself.
"PUNY BANNER CAN'T SAVE RUBY, ONLY HULK," the savage monster roared. Banner's ears began to ring.
"Bruce?" Glynda asked, bringing the fragile man out of his conversation with the Hulk.
"Like I was saying..." Ozpin continued with everyone's attention, "...Back before Huntsmen, before Kingdoms, it was said that those who were born with sliver eyes were destined to be warriors. The creatures of Grimm, the most fearsome and dangerous monsters mankind have ever encountered, were afraid of the Silver-Eyed Warriors. They were the best of the best. It was said that a single look from one of these Warriors could strike down a Grimm."
As Banner listened, it all started to click. Ruby had always had the courage and strength to walk up to the Hulk and never lose her cool. No other 15 year old could have that kind of power.
"We had better keep a close eye on Miss Rose," Ironwood said. "Who knows when her power will show."
"Is it when white light explodes from her eyes?" Banner asked.
Ozpin's eyes shot open, "WHY, YES! HOW DO YOU KNOW?"
Banner tilted his head in confusion, "She's used that power once."
"WHEN?" Glynda questioned.
Banner sighed as he remembered that night at the docks. "Right before my conflict with Penny...controlled by Ironwood that night at the docks...," Banner said. Ironwood tightened his collar in shame. "Penny...Ironwood attacked me and Ruby thought I was dead. Then, like you said, Oz. White light exploded from her eyes and began to burn everything it touched. Ruby screamed in pain as the flesh around her eyes began to burn. I did the only thing I could do..." Banner stopped as Ruby's scream repeated in his mind.
"YES?" Glynda said. "Bruce, please. This is important information. We need to know."
Banner nodded and continued, "The Hulk was able to conceal the light with his bare hands."
"Impossible," Ironwood snorted. "The Silver-Eyed Warriors are the strongest there is."
Banner turned his head toward the General, "Ironwood, I'd really hate to think that everyone in Atlas is like you."
"You'd be surprised," Gynda said under her breath.
"James," Ozpin almost laughed from Glynda's remark, "please, Banner, continue."
"I told you what I know," Banner said. "I was able to stop her power and make sure she recovered, unscathed."
Maybe everything would be okay. Banner had proven that he - Hulk - was strong enough to stop even the power of a Silver-Eyed Warrior. "I always knew that girl was special," Ozpin smiled. He thought back to when he first met the little girl in red known as Ruby Rose. He remembered serving her cookies when he interrogated her about Remnant's first encounter with the Hulk.
"If I may ask," Banner said getting everyone's attention once again. "Why doesn't Yang have silver eyes like her sister?" Ironwood, Glynda and Ozpin all looked at each other and decided to tell Banner.
"Ruby and Yang were born and raised on the island of Patch. Their father, Taiyang Xiao Long, a Huntsmen and teacher at Signal Academy on the island has been raising them alone for years," Glynda explained as Ironwood and Ozpin held their heads down. "Patch is a peaceful little place to the west of Vale. So far, only Beowolves reside there but are rarely seen."
Ironwood began speaking, "Miss Rose and Xiao Long are half sisters who share a father. Yang's mother, Raven Branwen...," A cold breeze invaded the room.
"She sounds...," Banner gulped. He even shivered. WHY? He was the Hulk. He was unstoppable. His strength, power and anger were unmatched. Maybe, this 'Raven Branwen' was his equal...or his death.
"Very, very dangerous," Ironwood nodded. "She differs from her brother, Qrow Branwen."
"Who's Qrow?" Banner asked. It's hard for him to keep up when new people are named on the regular.
"Qrow Branwen, twin brother of Raven and Uncle to Ruby and Yang," Ozpin said.
"Where is he?" Banner asked.
"Probably drinking himself to sleep," Glynda growled thinking about that dusty old crow.
"To his credit, he still cares for his nieces very dearly," Ozpin said.
Banner roared, "LIKELY! Let me guess. He's gone almost all of the time?" Green veins showed through his white dress shirt and almost began tearing through. Banner knew what it was like to have an extremely abusive parent. Fury suddenly filled his mind as he thought of his father beating his mother. Hulk wouldn't let Ruby have horrible parents!
"Why...yes," Glynda said in worry. Everyone reached for their weapons, just in case. "But it's for a good reason. He's...he's...," she looked at Ozpin in fear. Every time Banner turns, he grows stronger and stronger. Glynda may not even be able to hold him back anymore!
Ozpin spoke up with a cool, calm manner without haste, "Banner, please. It's been a long day. I will explain everything, if you calm down."
Banner sighed and looked ashamed. How could he let loose his temper like that? Veins receded. Muscles returned to their normal size and color. Banner looked back up and nodded at Ozpin, "Oz, I'm okay." Ironwood and Glynda sighed in unison. They wouldn't have to take a life, or have theirs smashed.
Ozpin sighed in relief. "Let's start from the beginning. Long ago, there was a team here at Beacon. Team STRQ, or pronounced as Stark."
"Never thought I'd hear that name again," Banner thought to himself.
Glynda began talking, bringing the room back to its dark and moody tone, "Summer Rose, Taiyang Xiao Long, Raven and Qrow Bradwen. After the team graduated, Raven and Tai had a child together, Yang. Right after she gave birth, Raven disappeared and rejoined the bandit tribe she and her brother were raised in."
Banner gulped, "Bandit Tribe?"
"They are completely insane, and dangerous," Ironwood added. "They practice 'Survival of the Fittest'. Under Raven's rule, the tribe murders and plunders whole villages outside the Kingdoms. Even though she graduated from Beacon, Raven will not hesitate to kill Huntsmen or civilians. She will kill all who she feels are weak and deserve a quick death, or for sport. Qrow saw the evil of the Tribe and left it forever. For that, Raven considers her only brother a traitor. She considers the tribe more family than her own blood. Now, the siblings only see each other when Raven agrees not to kill Qrow."
Banner covered his mouth in disgust, "How could you let this happen? Whole villages dead!"
"She is one of the best fighters Beacon has ever seen," Ozpin shamefully admitted. "She has easily killed hordes of Grimm and Huntsmen the same."
Banner looked at his fist, a vein slowly turned green, "I'll put her down."
Ozpin thought long and hard about what he was about to ask, "Banner, I have to ask you something very, very important. I cannot stress how much this means to me." Banner looked straight in Ozpin's eyes as he continued, "There is a group that hides in absolute secrecy. Only a select few know about this 'Brotherhood.' Their job in the beginning was to protect the Maidens, women with extreme powers. They were to make sure that kind of power didn't fall into the wrong hands. Now, we make sure Remnant's people are protected by all threats. Would you like to join us to help make our world a safer place, Bruce?"
"OZPIN," Ironwood shouted abruptly. "There are too many people as it is who know about our Brotherhood! We can't take in another member!"
"You said the same thing about Qrow," Glynda argued. "Now he's our most valuable member. Sending us important information, doing a job you should have done months ago! Qrow is risking his life in that swamp outside of Mistral while you 'managed' Atlas's army from the comforts of your quarters." Even though Qrow got on her nerves way too often, Glynda still cared for his well-being.
Ironwood rolled his eyes and fixed his tie, "The swamps of Anima are not of my concern. I am Atlas's General and have work to attend to all day. I barely have time to protect Vale and Beacon for the Festival."
Glynda crossed her arms and glared at the General, "Would your wife like to know of this, 'work' you speak of?"
The calm headmaster of Beacon finally snapped, "WOULD EVERYONE SHUT UP?" Glynda and Ironwood continued to glare at each other. Ozpin continued his rant, "DESPITE WHAT THE WORLD THINKS, WE ARE NOT JUST TEACHERS, MONSTERS, HEADMASTERS OR GENERALS! THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM ARE THE ONES WHO KEEP THE WORLD SAFE FROM THE DANGERS THE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT!"
"I acted like a child," Glynda said in disbelief. "James...," she turned to face the general, "...I'm sorry."
Ironwood responded, "I'm sorry I disrespected our most important ally." It was like someone was messing with everyone's head...trying to make them fight.
"Now," Ozpin sighed as he calmed down, "back to the business at hand." He looked at Banner for his response.
"Yes," Banner nodded. "I'll join your cause." The atmosphere in Ozpin's room lightened up and everyone was able to sigh in relief.
"It's been a long night," Ironwood said looking at the clock in the room. It read barely past midnight. "I think that's all for tonight."
Banner raised his hand, "Wait. There's one person you haven't told me about..."
Ozpin balled his fist in frustration. "Summer Rose," he said. "She was too young and beautiful to be taken away..."
Glynda looked at the Headmaster and decided that this wasn't their story to tell. "I think that's all for tonight. Banner, please," she insisted, "It's very late. We should all get some rest."
Banner knew that Summer's name had tugged on some strings. He respected everyone's privacy. "All right. Oz, I thank you for the hospitality and kindness you have shown me." Banner stood and looked toward Ironwood. They both nodded at each other with a new-found respect.
The others discussed as Banner made his way to the first floor.
"Do you honestly think he can take out Salem on his own?" Ironwood asked.
"OF COURSE HE CAN!" Glynda yelled.
"Enough, both of you," Ozpin said as he considered his next move. "We all need to get some rest. No more fighting, please. As for Banner, only he can decide his destiny now..." Banner could save this world, or completely destroy it with the Hulk's fury.