Ironwood stared menacingly out into the dark night that shadowed Vale. There he was, Atlas's finest General, at Beacon's empty boarding station for Bullheads. James was lost as he pondered on the most important men on the planet - Banner and Ozpin.

"Trouble sleeping?" Glynda asked. She came from the avenue facing Ironwood's back.

"Arm was..." James looked to the glove that hid his robotic hand, "...acting up."

"Of course," Glynda said moving to the General's side. "So, logically, you got out of bed, dressed in your best attire and gazed out into the city." She leaned forward and tried to pinpoint what had caught his attention. All she found was the spectacle of Vale's night colors. "Beautiful view, wouldn't you agree?" Glynda didn't receive a response from her past lover as his hand tapped the grip of his revolver. "James, what's wrong?"

"I've trusted him for as long as we've known him," Ironwood said with his gaze fixed on the distance. "He's been keeping us in the dark, Glynda. Who knows for how long..."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Glynda brushed off the absurd comment, "You know very well that we are Ozpin's most trusted."

"That makes it worse," Ironwood said with a fake chuckle. "Ever since Banner arrived, Ozpin has grown more and more distant." Ironwood clenched his robotic fist, tearing the glove that hid it. "I refuse to believe a man who we've trusted for so long would just act so...passively in times like these."

Glynda sensed James' distress and worry about Beacon's Headmaster. "I too question Ozpin's motives at times. But you must believe in him, General."

"AND I HAVE! Look where it's gotten me...thousands are dead."

Glynda softly touched Ironwood's shoulder. "It's admirable, you know?"

James looked up for an explanation, "I don't follow."

The Professor smiled at the General's humbleness. "You've always done what you thought was best. Even through the political protests-,"

Ironwood took Glynda's hand off his shoulder, "But what if you're wrong? What if I'm the reason Ozpin is so distant? What if I'm the reason world peace is coming to an end?"

"Do NOT say that, James," Glynda said. "What's gotten into you?"

"Fear," Ironwood stated. "Fear has gotten to me, Glynda. Fear has caused Ozpin to hide important secrets which are vital to public safety. Hell, look what happened when I thought Banner could be killed!"

Glynda was shocked to hear the General's confession. This was Ironwood - a man who would spit in the face of a Grimm while he was downed, admitting he even felt fear. "I..."

"In my fear, I've done things that madmen could only think of. And in my fear, I've sparked conflict with a powerful foe. Because of my petty ways and ego, I unleashed the Hulk onto Vale and the lives of thousands were taken. Because of me, Remnant was terrorized when I instructed Banner to carry out missions that I thought needed to be ordered. Due to my fear, the Hulk's rage will spiral out at the wrong time. I just know it."

"G-General Ironwood?"

Glynda turned to find Atlas' greatest creation. "Ah! Good evening, Miss Polendina. Surprising to see you up this late." As Glynda spoke, Ironwood continued to look out in the distance.

Penny rubbed her eyes, "I got worried when I saw General Ironwood get out of bed. I was afraid he was going to take off without me!"

James sighed, hearing the sadness in Penny's voice. "Do not worry. I am merely getting some fresh air." He looked over his right shoulder, "I wouldn't leave you, Penny. I can promise you that."

"Okay, General Ironwood..." Penny looked down, digging her left heel into the ground. Ever since Banner left, she had felt nothing but loneliness and empty. Were these 'human' emotions? Penny had forgotten that Banner needed to escort RWBY to their mission and keep them safe. Even though Banner was keeping friend Ruby safe, Penny wished he was back to keep her company.

Ironwood let his intense gaze drop over Vale's skyline. The girl who he considered his own daughter needed him. "Penny, if it'll make you feel better..." she looked up at the General as he came by her side, "...you'll be the first to be alerted of Banner's return. But, you must wear a smile in order for me to follow through. Does that sound like a deal?" Penny looked back to the ground. "Penny? Is that a deal?"

Penny looked up with the biggest smile she could muster, "YES! I will remain happy, General Ironwood, for the return of Dr Banner!"

"Come," Ironwood said with his own light smile. "It's late. Glynda, I shall talk to you in the morning. But, before I do..." The General of Atlas looked to Ozpin's right-hand Professor, "You're right. It's time I stop asking for trust...and start showing it. Goodnight, Goodwitch. I pray I haven't interfered with your beauty sleep."

As Ironwood headed to his quarters with Penny, Glynda knew better. She knew Ironwood was experiencing guilt from the actions he had taken in protecting the people. But, Ironwood was correct. The Hulk may never forget the rage and pain caused by him. It also freighted Glynda that James revealed his emotions and took advice - her advice. Maybe Ozpin was right - the world is changing. But, for better or worse?

Yang's bicep and forearm squeezed together, choking the unlucky Grimm trapped in her headlock. "You know, Bruce, I really enjoy your company. But if I'm being honest...WE COULD REALLY USE THE OTHER GUY!" The Beowolf dug canines in her arm, clashing with aura. Yang's eyes bled into infamous color to signify her semblance was in use. The poor Beowolf yelped as Yang jerked her arm back, snapping its neck. She turned to face the rest of the pack of Grimm that had ambushed the group when they arrived at the drop zone.

"Banner, I must agree with the bimbo," Weiss stated as her back-flip helped avoid a sharp swipe. Landing, she brought her blade back and stabbed Myrtenaster into the attacking Grimm. The blade spiked right through the heart of the Beowolf and through its back to snag another member of the pack.

Yang took offense at how her teammate described her, "HEY!"

Weiss smiled, killing two birds with one stone, "Heh." Not only had she called out Yang's clothing and personalty, she fueled the best asset the group had at the moment - Yang's anger.

"I'LL SHOW YOU!" Five members of the pack leaped toward the golden warrior on the verge of exploding. The nearest Grimm stumbled back from the intimidation of the bloody eyes of a Xiao Long. It was the last mistake this Beowolf would ever make. Shards of rock bounced from the ground as the Grimm's head instantly turned to paste against Yang's gauntlet. She looked up from her brutality to combat the other four Beowolves. "COME GET SOME!" Fire ignited and coated her hair as she slammed her knuckles together. The concrete flooring gave as Yang rushed in to deliver a right hook to a Grimm's left hip. Fragments and bones turned into pure dust from the powerful strike. The Grimm's back snapped like a pretzel from a final front kick to the stomach. It disintegrated, allowing Yang to fight off the rest of the advancing Grimm.

Bruce struggled with his own demons. "COME ON," he spat through his grinding teeth. His body shook from the immense stress of squeezing and tightening up. Something was wrong, very wrong.

Blake used a clone to escape the jaws of a Beowolf that pounced from the back. Once the Grimm realized there was no Huntress within its jaw, Gambol Shroud stabbed through its ear. Blake looked toward Banner with annoyance, "BRUCE! We could use you!" She looked over her shoulder to find three Beowolves charging to rip her to shreds "For the love of go-," her blade swiped up, clashing with claws as she fought the new Grimm.

Oobleck stood by Banner's side, serving as bodyguard and motivator. "Doctor Banner, please do hurry. It'd be a shame if on Team RWBY's first mission...they were to be eaten."

"YOU'RE NOT HELPING," Bruce roared, sounding more like a defensive scream. Green began climbing up through veins across his throat and clumps across his face. "Damn it," he panted from failure. The green dissipated from Bruce as he recovered his breath.

Oobleck yelled, seeing the situation at hand. "GIRLS! Hold out a bit longer."

Ruby growled, "Easier said...THAN DONE!" Crescent Rose sliced and maimed Beowolves left and right. Limbs and heads went flying as roses carried the sharp blade, allowing the rest to regroup. Ruby blitzed the Grimm with her incredible speed as the small Beacon backpack still hugged her body.

Weiss glanced up, seeing ten more Beowolves, each craving the flesh. Everyone gave off emotions of exhaustion and worry, alerting more Grimm to their location. "Bruce," Weiss looked to him, "please tell me you've made some headway. We've got company!"

Bruce closed his eyes and clenched his fists as tight as he could. "Come on! I know you're there," he pleaded with himself.

"..." No response came, only the light sound of breathing.

"I-I can't," Bruce gasped in defeat. He slowly held up his fists, determined to protect the girls with his fragile life if need be. The entire group stood in a line, weapons aimed at the oncoming group of Grimm.

"I guess I must intervene," Oobleck said. Steam escaped his mouth as he gulped down coffee.

"Uh-oh," Weiss shivered, noticing the Professor's antics.

Bruce was in confusion, "Why an uh-oh?"

"Let's just say...Bartholomew Oobleck does not need coffee."

Oobleck's entire mouth was filled to the brim with coffee. His sleeve slashed across his face, whipping away the brown residue. "You may want to take a step back," he warned the group. Weiss' quick movement convinced the rest of the group to follow suit. The tall, dark-green haired Professor stood his ground against the new cadre of Grimm. They charged toward their prey. "ALLOW ME TO ENLIGHTEN YOU," he yelled toward the multitude of Beowolves. His thermos expanded within his grasp, turning into a metal torch. Oobleck took out a match from his pocket, ignited it with a flick from his boot and lit the end of his weapon. He jumped into the fray, "PERISH, CRETANS!"

"No freaking way," Yang said as she watched the Professor. There was no way Oobleck, a man who taught students the history of Remnant, was actually a trained and powerful Huntsmen. But the history Professor was proving her wrong as he exploded into conflict.

Oobleck shifted to the left, dodging a strike like it was second nature. He shoved the end of his torch in the Grimm's mouth, "Hold this, mind you." Fur and muscle burned away as blood evaporated to leave nothing but steaming bones of the unfortunate. The immense and sudden heat stopped the rest of the pack in their tracks, leaving them open. Oobleck aimed the tip of his flaming weapon and smiled, "BEGONE, MONSTERS!" The screams of the Grimm were drowned out from the huge cloud of fire that encased them all. There was nothing left of the pack, only that of burning ashes that blew away into the wind from the incineration. Oobleck turned to his group, "Is everyone okay?"

Ruby was the first to speak up, "That...was...AWESOME!" She left a trail of petals as she blasted toward Oobleck's side. Her eyes sparked as she examined the seemingly peaceful thermos she had seen so many times in class.

"Heh. WHY, thank you," Oobleck smiled at Ruby's compliment. Her happiness and excitement was the only thing keeping the Grimm at bay.

Blake took a deep breath as Gambol Shroud glued back to her hip. "Banner, what the hell was that? We could have gotten killed!" They were so close to the White Fang's hideout. Blake couldn't just die due to Banner's unwillingness to help.

Bruce looked down, "Y-you're right. Someone could have been seriously hurt..."

"BLAKE," Weiss yelled getting between her teammate and Banner. "Let's just drop it. It is irrelevant. We have Professor Oobleck to thank." There was no need to draw up any more negative emotions and stir up more Grimm in the area.

"HMPF," Blake scoffed as she backed off.

"Yeah," Yang agreed with the Ice Queen. Ember Celica deactivated and freed Yang's wrists. "I never imagined you as much of a fighter, Professor."

"Quite understandable," Oobleck smiled as his torch extinguished and shifted back into his comfy drink holder. "Even though I consider myself more of a intellectual, I can assure all of you that I am indeed a well-trained Huntsmen. Girls, Banner...we must head off. Even though these Grimm are defeated, more may have picked up on our presence. If you four are keen on tracking down the hideout located in this area, we must get a move on. But first," the Professor shifted his glasses to focus on Ruby, "Miss Rose?"

"Y-Yeah?" Ruby asked, trying her best to hide the bag on her back.

"Your bag. You must leave it here," Oobleck informed. "We can pick it up on our extraction back to Vale."

Ruby tried to object, "But maybe-,"

"YOUNG LADY," Oobleck yelled. "What could possibly be in that bag that you-,"

"WOOF," Zwei's head exploded from the top of the back-pack. His tongue hung out as he slobbered the group he surprised.

"GENIUS," Oobleck exploded. Zwei was grabbed and held to the sky.

"Heh," Ruby chuckled as Oobleck praised her for bringing a canine. "I'm a genius," she said making Weiss face plant.

Zwei jumped out of Oobleck's hands, "ARF!" He raced over to Banner, rubbing his soft head against his pant leg.

"Hello again, Zwei," Bruce said leaning over and petting Ruby and Yang's dog. There was still the slight hint of sadness and guilt in his voice. What if Oobleck hadn't been there? The girls could have been torn to shreds right in front of Bruce's eyes. "Hulk...what are you doing?" he asked himself as he continued to pet Zwei. Blake's previous words stabbed into him like a dagger.

"Hurrrr..." Zwei whimpered. He sensed Banner's increasing sadness and stress; they all could.

"Come along," Oobleck ordered. "We have much ground to cover, if we're lucky." As they took off, Oobleck allowed himself to fall behind to talk with the slowest member. "Hello, Bruce..."

"Doctor..." Bruce sighed as he walked alongside the Professor.

As Banner and Oobleck talked about the current situation, Hulk sat in darkness. "Hulk stay here...so Ruby won't be hurt. Hulk want Ruby safe...forever."