It was early in the morning, way before the students woke and prepared for their upcoming mission. Glynda and James were called to the Headmaster's office to learn of the events that transpired along with the Dance.

Ironwood spoke with a gloomy tone, "They were here...THEY WERE HERE!" Ozpin's dropped his face to his hands considering the General's attitude and reaction to the news.

Glynda, on the other hand, focused her attention on Ironwood's temper. "We are very much aware of the situation." She gritted her teeth, "Thank you, James."

"FANTASTIC," Ironwood sarcastically laughed. "You're aware! Now," he said straightening his tie, "are we going to address what's right in front of us? Or," he turned to give the Headmaster a glare, "continue to play defense and allow Ozpin to submit like he always does?"

Glynda readied to put the General in his place. "You had better watch your tone, boy-," Beeping of the elevator drew attention from the growing argument.

Ozpin smiled for the first time that morning, "there's the fourth one."

Bruce stepped out of the elevator, "Sorry I'm late!" He held Zwei like a football in his arms. "Somebody chewed on the alarm clock!"

Ironwood showed no interest in Bruce's attempt at a joke. "You got a dog at a time like this?"

Bruce had to swallow from the tension in the room. He scratched the back of his head, "Okay...that's the mood we're going for."

"How are you, Bruce?" Ozpin asked, ignoring Ironwood entirely. Right now, any extra information Bruce had was the most important thing to the safety of Beacon.

"Oh, you know," Bruce shrugged. He set Zwei down at his feet, "I was able to sleep through the whole night for once. Maybe he's not so worthless," he chuckled remembering when Zwei cuddled away his nightmares.

"Bruce," Glynda stepped up close to his face, "I feel it's appropriate to let you know that what you did last night, is exactly what being a Huntsmen is all about."

"I, uhhh," Bruce blushed from Miss Goodwitch's proximity. "Thank you-,"

"You recognized a threat, took action and did the very best you could," Glynda smiled. She was finally able to speak highly of Banner. "Oh," she blushed as well noticing how close they were.

"NOW," Ironwood gritted through his teeth, "if you lovebirds would halt, we could continue!" Bruce and Glynda nodded, taking steps back from each other and reengaging with the other two. "Ozpin has already informed Glynda and I about last night. But now that you're all rested and such, we wondered if you had any more information you'd like to add. Did she look familiar at all? Was anyone with her?"

"Look," Bruce sighed, "I've told Ozpin everything I know. She was by herself, had a head-piece for communication and her clothing illuminates when she attacks. And like I've been saying, she's the same woman who's been harassing me since the first day I arrived in Beacon. A woman who's able to use glass to form weapons and manipulate fire," he described the glowing-woman. "Not to mention, she's always worn a mask so I can't describe her face."

Ironwood nodded as he heard Banner's description. "Embedding dust is an ancient technique. Many people and their grandmothers know of the trick. Could be anyone."

An idea clicked into Bruce's mind. "Wait. Do you think this has something to do with Torchwick and the White Fang?"

Ozpin nodded, "It's a lingering possibility. But, I may have some information you would all like to hear." He had the group's attention. What could he know that the rest of them didn't? Bruce was the only one with Cinder last night unless, Ozpin was able to get a new source of information. "Bruce, do you remember the Atlas soldier that fired at you last night?"

"Yeah?" Bruce questioned. He muttered under his breath, "I can still feel the bullet wounds..."

"What?" Ironwood asked looking around. He hadn't heard anything of the matter; neither had Glynda. Both of them looked to Bruce and Ozpin for the information they were leaving out.

Ozpin held out his hand to signify that he had the floor to speak. "Last night there was a soldier that happened to be a White Fang member. He sneaked into your ranks, James."

Ironwood yelled, "HOW COME I WASN'T-,"

Banner, Glynda and Ironwood had to take a step back due to the immense pressure of a sudden tension - Ozpin's aura. "I wasn't finished, General," he said with a serious tone. The tension lessened as Ozpin continued with his information, "After the soldier was apprehended, I spoke with the young Faunus. Due to the White Fang propaganda, he wanted to tear my insides out and wouldn't listen to reason. So, of course using civil and peaceful ways to extract information was out of the question." Ozpin's eyes wandered down, locking onto the floor.

"Headmaster," Glynda said in worry from Ozpin's shifting tone, "what did you do?"

In his thousands of years of life, Ozpin had learned a plethora of things from all the like-minded individuals he had merged with. Some were teachers, businessmen, farmers, nobodies, or...a soldier who specialized in torture. A deep breath sent Ozpin back into the present and made him quit dwelling in the past. "I am disheartened to report that the soldier...White Fang member," he corrected himself, "is no longer with us. He passed away earlier this morning from the wounds he received."

Bruce never imagined Ozpin had it inside him to take a life. "You...killed him, Ozpin?" Zwei whimpered and hid his face in his paws.

"I extracted information. He had every chance in the world to avoid the pain he endured," the mighty Headmaster of Beacon revealed. There was nothing but remorse and guilt in his voice. He hated taking lives and would have given his up so that the young Faunus had a second chance. "I think you all will be glad to hear that he was from a hideout to the Southeast, right outside the kingdom." The room was dead silent, the other three didn't know how to respond to the news. Ozpin continued, "Bruce, thank you for coming. Your presence is no longer needed. Team Rwby awaits to be awakened for their mission this morning."

"Why me?" Bruce asked. He didn't complain, he loved the company of all those young women.

"You shall be accompanying the first-year team on their mission," Ozpin informed. Not only was this news to Banner, but the looks on Glynda's and Ironwood's faces implied this was the first time hearing of the news as well.

"Is that safe? What if I..." Bruce swallowed, anxiety growing just thinking about the danger the girls would be in if Hulk went berserk.

Ozpin placed his hand on Banner's shoulder. "Bruce, if I thought the girls were in any type of danger, you would be the first to know of it. Now go, my friend. Everything shall be fine, I promise. Oh, and Bruce," Ozpin said right as Banner and Zwei reached the elevator.

Bruce looked back to the Headmaster, "Yes?"

"Please do be discreet about the matter. Team Rwby will have a huge day ahead. Better not worry them with our ordeals," Ozpin told Banner.

Bruce nodded, understanding the situation. The elevator dinged as it opened at the bottom floor, freeing Banner back onto school grounds. He headed toward the dorms, preparing his best poker face for when he spoke to team Rwby. Zwei pranced by his side, waiting to see his two most favorite peoples - Ruby and Yang.

"So, there we have it," Ironwood said leaning against one of Ozpin's windows. His gaze focused on Banner as he left for the dorm building. His military and strategic mind already began to form an attack with the newly gained information. "Here's the war-plan we're going for. We send as many troops as we can spare to the Southeast, find out what's going on and eradicate any forces that stand in our way."

Glynda was too shaken up about what Ozpin had revealed to argue against the trigger-happy General. "James...I-,"

"Ironwood, enough," Ozpin said thinking of his own plan. "As much as I would love to end this situation once and for all, this may go beyond Beacon, perhaps even Vale. And if this is a part of a grander plan that we do not know of, we must not be so bold."

Ironwood clenched his fists in annoyance. "Here we go again! If you mean to tell me that your plan is to really hold the defenses and wait-,"

Ozpin stood to confront the General, "IT IS NOT!" There was a pause between the Atlas and Beacon Headmasters, both of whom were staring the other down. "You're a general, James. When you go to war, who do you send first? The flag-bearers, or the scouts?"

Ironwood's guard would not be shattered. "I have served you faithfully for years, Ozpin. But there are things I can't afford to put in danger. We have to send more than scouts to the Southeast to keep the people safe."

"And what do you think I've done?" Ozpin asked. "A flag bearer is already on his way." A big, green and soon to be angry flag bearer...

"Come on, Zwei," Bruce said as he led his new friend down the hallways of the dorm building.

Zwei sniffed at the bottom of each door, trying to find Ruby or Yang's scent. He had detected it ever since his little paws pranced into the building. "BARK BARK BARK," he yapped once he found a direct lead.

"OR," Bruce said being led by Zwei now, "I can follow you!"

Zwei came to a dead stop as he smashed into the desired door. "BARK! BARK!" He sat and his tongue hung down as he waited.

"Is...that a dog?" Weiss questioned.

"A DOG?" Blake shrieked.

"Puppy? WHERE?" Ruby asked jumping in the air.

"Maybe a Grimm!" Yang said clenching for something to punch. All four girls opened their door, weapons in hand, to confront the mysterious noise.

"Uhhh, heh," Bruce lightly chuckled. He held Zwei to the four of them, "I got you a dog..."

Ruby screamed in absolute joy, "ZWEEEEI!" She exploded into roses and in a split second, Zwei was in her arms as Ruby stood in the middle of the room. "I missed you, you fuzzy butt," she giggled from vicious doggy kisses. Bruce and the rest of RWBY huddled around Ruby and Zwei.

"How?" Yang asked as she reached out and pet her dog. "He was with our dad all the way back at Patch!"

Oh, boy. Bruce was going to have a heck of a time explaining how he came in contact with the dog. "Your father kind of...mailed him here."

"HE SENT A DOG?" Blake asked before hissing at Zwei.

Weiss followed up, "In the mail?"

"Oh, come on," Ruby chuckled, "he does this kind of stuff all the time!"

Blake glared from the top of a nearby bunk-bed, "The dog or your father?"

"So," Weiss took a deep breath, "you're telling me...this dog is staying with us? This ugly, sloppy, messy-,"

Zwei whimpered looking into the Ice Queen's eyes, "Mmmmmmm..."

Weiss' strictness faded as Zwei licked her chin. "OF COURSE YOU CAN LIVE WITH US," Weiss exclaimed as she was overtaken by the magic of puppies.

Glynda's voice came over the speakers all across Beacon. "All first year students, please report to the amphitheater."

"Well..." Ruby set Zwei to roam his new home. "We can't really leave him here for a week."

This was news to Bruce, "A WEEK?"

"Yeah?" Weiss answered Banner. "Ozpin will explain and announce everything once we get to the amphitheater." She headed out of the dorm, petted Zwei one last time and spoke to him in a baby voice, "Bye, bye, my adorable fluff-ball!"

Blake jumped off the bunk-bed and landed in the doorway. She turned and hissed at Zwei, "Dog..."

Yang chuckled, "Come on, Blake. He isn't so bad, I think you'll both get along. If not, one of you will get sent to the pound!"

"Yaaaaaaang!" Blake groaned from the joke. She and Yang left, following right behind Weiss.

Bruce left as well, "Come, Ruby. Your father left enough food for Zwei to feast for months. I don't think you want to be late, do you?"

Ruby's mind raced. "O-okay! Give me a second!" Zwei was too precious to be left alone and needed attention. She looked around frantically for a bag, large purse or something of the sort to carry her dog. "Ah-Ha," Ruby proclaimed as she dug out a backpack from the dorm closet. She was the only one out of her team not to throw away the free backpack Beacon provided. "Get in the bag, Puppy!"

Zwei understood and hopped right in the backpack, "BARK!"

Ruby giggled, "Good boy!"

"RUBY," Bruce yelled from down the hall.

"COMING!" Rose petals filled the room and shut the door as Ruby and Zwei blasted toward the rest of her team and Banner. Team RWBY sprinted in order to reach the amphitheater in time for the announcement. "Stay," Ruby whispered to Zwei, as she set the backpack down next to other student bags. Banner stood by other staff and Huntsmen as the students found their positions.

Glynda took the mic. "The Headmaster would like to share a few words before we begin."

"Thank you, Glynda," Ozpin said. He looked into the huge crowd of students, unaffected from the hundreds of eyes and attention. He clenched his fist and proclaimed, "Today, we stand united." He looked to the four grounds of students, "Mistral, Atlas, Vacuo and lastly Vale. Eighty years ago, the greatest war between the four kingdoms finally came to an end. A war of ignorance, greed, oppression and much more than where borders fell or who traded with whom. On that day-,"

Bruce nodded and agreed with everything. It was crazy to think that this man, Ozpin, hours ago had killed someone from torture. Now, he was speaking like the leader Bruce had always thought he was.

Ozpin ended, "As I have said, we all stand united. But this bond cannot exist without effort. Which is why, as the rest of the world celebrates its peace, Huntsmen and Huntresses will fight to uphold it." Behind the stage, machines the size of mirrors rose from platforms to display screens. "As first year students, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional Huntsmen on a mission. Some of you may be taken out of the kingdom for a couple of days while others work within the walls for the rest of the week. But," Ozpin said as his caring side took over, "no matter what path you take, remember to stay safe and do your very best. Thank you." Applause followed Ozpin as he and Glynda exited the stage.

"This is great," Blake said. "All we have to do is shadow a Huntsmen working in the Southeast."

Yang clenched her fist in victory from Blake's happiness, "Yeah! We follow the old-geezer around and give him the slip at night!"

"Search and destroy is our best option," Weiss suggested.

Ruby approached one of the machines and entered their information. "OH! Quadrant five needs to be cleared out AND it's in the Southeast." All of the girls smiled, confirming this was the mission they desired. "NO," Ruby yelped as she entered the team name to accept the mission.

"Mission...unavailable?" Blake asked in disbelief. Heartbroken, she was so close to the White Fang and Torchwick to have that small hope crushed by rules.

"Why would they have a mission that first years can't accept if we're the only ones here?" Weiss asked in confusion.

"Good question, Miss Schnee." The voice came from behind the machine. Ozpin walked into their view with a tablet of his own, "It seems that region is particularly popular. I have a suspicion that the four of you will make your way there no matter what you choose. So instead of waiting for you four to break the rules, why don't we bend them?" Ozpin typed away on his tablet...

"Mission granted," the machine announced. A green check mark appeared next to the mission indicating that it had been selected.

Ruby smiled widely as her silly side kicked in, "That's one step done!"

"Why would you help us?" Blake asked.

The mighty Headmaster of Beacon looked down at the young Faunus and smiled, "Miss Belladonna, I certainly hope you haven't forgot what I told you those many nights ago. You do not need to hesitate whenever you need to talk. Seems you've forgotten and I've had to look into things myself. As for your question, it confuses me too. Isn't it a bit weird that you four were at the docks to fight off the White Fang? And only a few weeks ago that the four of you were able to capture a stolen Atlesian Paladin from a White Fang hideout? I may be the Headmaster, but I am a Huntsmen at heart."

"O-Oh," Blake blushed at Ozpin figuring out her plan. "Thank you, Professor."

Ruby added, "We won't let you down!"

"Who said you four are going by yourself?" Bruce asked as he joined Ozpin's side.

Team RWBY yelled in unison, "BANNER?"

"Are you sure you'd like to accompany us?" Blake asked. "No offense, it's just...the area is populated with Grimm."

"All of you shall be fine," Ozpin assured. "I trust that Banner and his other half will return you without a scratch." And just like that, Ozpin was gone.

Yang shrugged, "I guess we should go find our Huntsmen?"

"Go on," Ruby said. She ran off to recollect her backpack.

Bruce stayed behind to catch Ruby by herself. "Nice bag," he chuckled.

"Thanks!" Ruby smiled like the dork she was. The two of them caught up and walked together as one big group.

"Oh, come on, guys!" Yang said trying to uplift her team's mood. "Coco said we should just be shadowing a Huntsmen so we should be fine. We've never backed down from a challenge and we won't stop now!"

Ruby cheered to encourage Weiss and Blake, "Yeah!"

Weiss nodded, "I agree! It should all be fine. We are accompanying a Huntsmen, a warrior who has amazing skills-,"

"HELLO, GIRLS, AND BRUCE," the group heard a familiar professor yell from up ahead. Team RWBY's worry turned into super worry as they saw their Huntsmen - Oobleck. "WHO'S READY TO FIGHT FOR THEIR LIVES?" he asked, already full of caffeine.

Bruce held out his hand, "Professor Oobleck!"

"It's Doctor," Oobleck chuckled as he shook hands. "I didn't earn a PhD for fun, thank you very much!"

Banner agreed, "Preach!" As the two of them caught up, the girls sneaked off to find JNPR.

Ruby called out once she saw a familiar head of blond hair, "Jaune!"

The leader of JNPR looked behind to find one of his only friends, "Ruby! How you doing?"

"Oh, you know," Ruby fist-bumped Jaune, "saving the world with Oobleck."

Nora yelled from hearing Ruby's words, "You're going on world saving missions, WITHOUT US?" Pyrrha and Ren stood by her side and like Nora, her moods switched quickly. "I'm hurt! I'm sad! Maybe a little hungry? But that one wasn't my fault," she turned to her left, "REN!"

"Sounds cool," Jaune acknowledged. "Where ya going?"

Blake shrugged, "Just outside the kingdom."

Nora pipped in, "So are we!"

Pyrrha nodded, "Nora and Red wanted to shadow a sheriff of a nearby village."

Ren smiled, "We set out tomorrow." It felt good to Ren being able to give back to a bordering village. Maybe he could save some young child in need...

"THEN YOU PARTY WITH US!" The two teams heard the school clowns approach. Neptune and Sun stepped into view, both of them leaning against each other. "Unlike you guys, we like it inside the borders of Vale. We're shadowing a specialist in crime, inner-city type stuff."

"We normally go to the city with you guys, which leads to stuff exploding and junk like that," Sun explained. "This is a good way of us to explore the city when it's normal."

"GIRLS," Oobleck yelled at the back of team RWBY's heads. "WE ARE...TEN SECONDS BEHIND SCHEDULE!" He took another swig of coffee as his green hair blew back from the Bullhead's engine starting.

"I guess we'd better go," Ruby said as the rest of her team headed back.

"Be safe, Blake..." Sun waved to her.

"Y-you too," Blake waved back with a light blush.

Pyrrha yelled, "Ruby, wait!"

"Hum?" Ruby asked looking back to the best fighter in all of Beacon. "Is everything okay?"

"I would just...could you thank Banner for me?" Pyrrha asked of her small friend. Beacuse of Banner, Pyrrha was able to escape her sadness and ask Jaune out to the dance. Thanks to Banner, Pyrrha was able to find love.

"Of course, Pyrrha," Ruby smiled. "I'd do anything for a friend like you!"

"Thank you," Pyrrha said to Ruby who walked to catch up with her team.

"Ready?" Jaune asked as he slide his hand into Pyrrha's.

"Always," Pyrrha said looking into Jaune's loving eyes. She was the happiest she'd ever been her in life. JNPR headed back to Beacon, Sun and Neptune headed into the city and RWBY boarded their ship to head off.

Oobleck looked up from the view to Banner. "You know, some armor would look amazing on you, Bruce. Maybe a helmet with red feathers and a Battle-Ax as a weapon!"

"Heh," Ruby chuckled as she pictured the Hulk in a full set of armor and a weapon.

"The day the Hulk needs armor, Beacon falls," Bruce laughed at the remark. The six of them flew outside of Vale's border, away from its protection...