Zane was walking towards to his new dorm as he was enjoying his alone time as he walk at the hallways. Well for a few minutes before both Ruby and Nora appear right besides of him and started asking him questions that are related and not related to the event that happens today, while the rest was right behind him having different reactions.
Weiss was glaring at his back ren was calm but sighed as he look at his friend/partner giving Zane a pity look, while the rest was right behind him having some thoughts in their mind about him.
As he reached his new dorm which is right beside of both Team RWBY and Team JNPR. He was stop about to turn the door knob of his new dorm but he was stop by Weiss's voice. "Wait! You haven't told us what was that thing and how could you transform? I demand an explanation right now!"
Zane sighed as he face towards them and gave them a small smile. "How about this? If you guys wanted to know what just happen, I let you guys have an hour to take some time to think and I'll be wiling to answer any of your questions in my dorm, okay?" The rest seems a bit hesitant but they agreed in the end. Soon he opened the door as he entered to his dorm. His dorm was nothing special just have a small book shelf o the corner and four beds in it , both teams peaked behind his back and noticed his room.
Zane looked around his new dorm that he will be staying for the next four years. For others, they will said this room will be good enough to stay at, but for Zane, he only have one thought in his mind. "This room needs some decoration."
After an hour had past, both Team RWBY and Team JNPR were outside of Zane's dorm
As they wanted answers. Ruby knocks the door, as they could hear the sounds of footsteps coming closer to the door. The door opens as it reveals Zane without his trench coat as he wears a white apron. "Hello guys, you're here early."
The rest were dumbfound of his appearance, as Jaune was about to ask him of his sudden appearance. Soon a 'Ding' sound was heard as Zane's look was a bit surprise. "Looks like they are done, you guys can come in, make yourself at home." Zane move aside, allowing them to enter his room. "What do you mean by th-," as Yang was about to ask him, she immediately was silenced by the view of his room, so was the rest as their jaws were hanging.
Zane's room was totally different from before, the beds were gone and been replaced with a white futon which is on the right corner of the room. The small bookshelf which has become a tall bookshelf placed the left side on the wall. There was a floor table on the table on the center of the room that is big enough for basically ten people. What most surprising is that the floor tiles has been replaced with tatami, the rectangular window is replace with a big round window as the sword stand is under the window, and even a kitchen on the right side of the room as there is a counter with the cooking utensils on it with a refrigerator on the wall. On top of the counter there is a microwave on it which they assume the sound came from it which is also besides the stove.
The rest just stood there as they were dumbstruck by the view of it. They were wondering on how the heck someone managed to change their room completely different from before in an hour, especially some of those stuffs took weeks for it to finish. Everyone except Zane have one thought in their minds, "How the heck did he do it?!"
Zane looked at them questionably, wondering why they are standing like statues. "What's the matter with you guys? Is there something wrong?"
"B-But... H-How... did you...," Weiss gestured his dorm as she's trying to ask him. Zane soon understand what is she trying to say. "Oh you mean my dorm, I just did a little decorating," Zane answered her question.
'That doesn't even look like a little!' Everyone thought. "Well enough talking, you guys come in first then I'll give you the answers you want to hear," Zane gestured them to come in which they kindly accepted the offer. Both teams sat on the tatami as they waited for Zane who put on a pair of cooking gloves as he took out a tray of cookies. By the sight of the cookies, Ruby started to drool as Yang trying her best to make sure her sister doesn't jump on him.
Zane put the cookies on a plate, then he put aside the cookies to the side of the counter and he took out a large salmon. He grab a knife and started to cut the skin of the salmon. "So what do you guy he continue to remove the s want to ask?" Zane said as he continue to remove the salmon's skin. As ruby was about to ask but Zane interrupt her. "Yes, Ruby you can have the cookies."
With that, a dash of wind with rose petals appear, revealing the coolies were gone on the table and Ruby was holding them as she eats them with a look of satisfaction. Jaune try to take one of the cookies from Ruby, but he gets a slap from her as she glared at him.
"Okay, here's my question, how in remnant did you do that!" Weiss demanded as Zane was still calm as he started to fried the salmon. "Did what?" He asked which causing Weiss' anger to increase further.
"You know what I mean! The whole transformation thing!?" Zane flip one of the salmon which causes it to sizzle on the frying pan as it let out the smell of it as Blake trying her best to control her inner cat instincts. "With a belt." He answered which ticking off Weiss more. "How?" She asked hoping he will give a proper answer as her patience is very thin. Zane gave them a serious look that makes everyone felt it is something important that they must know.
"By slicing the lock," the tension in the room changes as everyone in the room except Zane started to fall on the ground funnily. "WHY YOU! WHY I OUTTA-," Weiss yelled in anger as she's being held back by Yang trying to make sure she didn't kill him as Zane calmly cutting a cabbage.
Seeing Weiss' anger getting serious, Ren decided to ask him, hopefully getting a proper answer from him. "Could you at least tell us what was that creature?" Zane stop for only a second, then he continue cutting some green onions. "That creature is an Inves." He explained as he took out another frying pan as he cracks some eggs and pour its remainings on it.
"So what is an Inves?" Pyrrha asked. "Inves, creatures from another dimension called the Helheim Forest, they act like the grimms but they are much stronger than them. Their only goal is to expand their colony, no matter the cost." After hearing Zane's explanation as he continue his cooking, both teams were trying to process everything they heard from him as they show signs of shock and fear, yet some of them were having thoughts as they got a feeling that Zane hasn't told them the whole truth.
"There's more than that isn't it?" Blake asked. "Yup, there is. But, I'm not going to tell you about it." He answered as he ignores the looks that they gave to him. "Why not!?" Weiss demanded.
"Because of two reasons," Zane took out 8 plates as he continue his reasons. "First reason, information like this in the wrong hands could create problems. Second reason, I don't trust you guys with this information."
"Wait, isn't both reasons are the same thing," Jaune stated as he received a nod from Zane. "Then wh-," Jaune was cut off by Zane as he threw a sliced cucumber like a shuriken into Jaune's mouth without facing him. Jaune was nearly choke by it if it wasn't for Pyrrha patted on his back.
"So what's the point for all of us being here if you're not going to tell us about everything." Weiss said as she's getting really annoyed for not getting the answers she wanted. Zane just put a lid on the pot and sighed. "Giving you guys a chance." "A chance?" Both Teams said in unison.
"Yes a chance for all of you to get the answers you want." Zane explained which make the rest felt happy. "After you guys manage to pass this test of mine," he said which cause their happiness to drop. "What kind of test?" Pyrrha asked.
"A simple one, either one of you must take my mask," he gestured the mask on his shoulder. "From me at the end of the first week." "That's it, all we have to do is take your mask from you," Nora asked which she received a nod. "That doesn't sound to hard, this will be a piece of cake," Yang said.
"Okay, I think that's enough talk. For now, please enjoy your meal." Zane said as he gave them their meals that he just finished minutes ago. "The meal he gave them is a fried salmon with some sauce on top of it and besides of it is a few slices of cucumber and also a slice of omelette, a bowl of rice and a soup with small cubes of tofu in it. By the smell and sight of it, it causes them started to have watery mouth and some of their stomach to growl as they were embarrassed.
'This food can't be that good,' Weiss thought as she joined the rest as they uses the chopsticks that Zane provided. As each of them ate a piece of Zane's food, all of them froze at their spot like statues. Soon all the lights except the one that everyone is under at which causes a spotlight. "Oh Oum, looks like I forget to check the power circuit. You guys wait here, I'll take care of it," Zane said as he didn't receive any reply from there and went to check the power circuit.
When Zane left, the rest was still frozen. As a fly appeared and landed on the center of the table which snapped them out of their frozen state as they only have one thought in their mind, 'Holy Oum! This food taste so good!' They immediately resumed their meal.
After a few minutes later, Zane returned as he managed to fix the problem. As he arrive the first thing he noticed is both teams have a look of bliss and the food that he made for them is all gone, not even a single grain is seen on the bowl. Zane just shrug it off.
Ozpin is sitting on his chair as Glynda stood beside of him. In front of them is a holographic screen which show two people. The first person is a man who is wearing a white overcoat, with a gray undercoat, black sweater, a red necktie and a white glove on his right hand. The way the man dressed, he shows that he is someone from the military.
The next person is a man with dull red eyes, spiky gray hair, he wears a red tattered cloak, a gray dress shirt with a long tail, black dress pants and black dress shoes. The man's looks is like an alcoholic.
"So why do you called Oz?" The man with the dull red eyes said as he's drinking from his flask. "Yes Ozpin, even I hate to agreed with Qrow. Why do you called us?" Said the man in white.
"Hiragana. He's here, in Beacon," this got both of their attention as the one named Qrow started to cough out the alcohol and the man in white slam his left hand which reveal a robotic arm on the table and crates cracks on it. "WHAT?!" Both of them yelled in unison as Ozpin just sighed.
"What do you mean he's in Beacon!? Do you know what will happen if the Councils found out that Alex is h-," Ozpin soon cut off the man in white before he could finished. "James, is not Alex. Is his son, Zane. Alex... He's gone." Ozpin hesitantly said out the last part.
The man in white known as James started to calm down as he had a saddened look on him as well as Qrow. "H-How?" James asked. Glynda look away as she still cannot believe the message as well even she was told earlier. "Zane told me is because of an assignation attempt by her," he emphasize the last part as everyone in the room are aware who is he talking about.
"So he's gone, huh." Qrow said as he put away his flak. "Unfortunately, it is true. But that's not the reason why I called the both of you." Ozpin soon pressed a button on his desk which reveals the video of Zane's initiation including the part where he defeated the Inves, the video shocked the both of them.
"Oh Oum, what is that thing?!" James exclaimed at the video of where the Inves appeared. "From the information I receive from Zane, the creature is known as an Inves. The creature has proven that it is a threat." Ozpin explained as the video switched to the part at Zane's transformation and the way he handle the Inves.
"Such power. If Atlas was able to make this, we will put an end at the Grimm or her," James said as he was fascinated on the armor. "Yeah, power like that could start a war!" Qrow yelled at James as the both glared at each other. "Well, we already in a war!" James countered. "And you think making an army can end this!" Qrow countered back. "This would put an end to it!" "Or just make this worst."
"ENOUGH!" Ozpin ordered as the both stopped their argument but they still continue to glare at each other. "I know that ever since Alex left us, the both of you never get along but now is not the time to argue, we need to put aside our differences and work together. Do you both understands!" Both James and Qrow nodded.
"Now that is over, James I needed your help to gather every possible information you could find about Zane Hiragana. I got a feeling there's something else he didn't told me." James nodded to his request. "Qrow, I need to check whether was this one of her plans, if it is return back immediately, we still don't know what are these creatures capable of." Qrow just nodded. "And one more thing, please keep this a secret and don't tell the rest about this, especially Alex's death." Ozpin soon received 'understood' and 'yeah sure' from them as they end their conversation.
Ozpin sighed as he stood up from his seat as he pick up his mug as he faced the window which reveal a shinning shattered moon. Ozpin only have one thought as he sip his coffee. "Why Alex?"
After both teams have left Zane's dorm with a look of satisfaction as they couldn't forget the taste of his food. Zane started to clean up his dorm, as he was cleaning, he called out something. "Vector."
Soon a holographic screen appeared which only shows a single digital line on it. "Yes, Master Zane," the screen spoke which the line moves like it was recording sounds. "Scan the perimeter of Beacon," Zane ordered as he wash the dishes. "Scanning perimeter... Scanning complete. No enemies have breach into Beacon."
"Then scan abnormalities in all four kingdoms." Zane gave Vector another order as the screen shows the map of Remnant and revealing soundwaves to scan for the abnormalities. "Scanning complete, abnormal energy detected in Vale." Vector informed as Zane immediately put on his normal attire with his mask on his face. "Send me the coordinates to me, also activate code white." "Yes Sir." Soon Vector faded as Zane teleported outside of Beacon, he took out a different Lockseed. The Lockseed is white with a Sakura flower in the middle of a wheel.
Zane opened the Lockseed as he tossed it to the air as it disassemble into a motorcycle, it was known as Sakura Hurricane. Zane sat up on his bike as he pressed on the side of his mask. The mask soon transformed to wolf theme helmet. He started to drive his bike to the location he asked for.
In a dark alleyway, a small pink figure is searching something inside a garbage can. The figure's head pop out from the garbage can which appears to be a young female child. She has long pink hair as there is some garbage to be stuck in her hair. There are smudges on her face and her clothing seems to be torn and ragged. Her eyes are dull pink and shows sadness and despair in it. She hug her stomach as it growl due to hunger.
As the girl started to walk away. Suddenly, she heard a sound of glass bottles being move. She turns her head immediately at the source of it but found nothing. She sighed in relief, she turns around but her eyes widen as fear struck her heart. Standing in front of her is a true definition of monster. It has eight red eyes, its fangs were noticeable. Its body has gray armor skin and has extra two pairs of spider legs on its back, the Spider Inves has lifted up its spider legs. It let out a loud roar as the girl snap out from her shock as she screamed in terror.
"AAAAAHHHHHH!"
The girl try to run away but the Spider Inves immediately spit out a silk of webs at her. The girl was soon stucked on the ground as the web has covered her body, leaving only her upper part of her head was the only part where it isn't being covered. The girl was trying to break free from her binds but it was futile.
The Spider Inves raises one of its spider legs and stab it on the ground which is also right beside of the girl's head. It lower itself closer to the girl, revealing its sharp fangs to her as its drool nearly touch her. Tears started to come out from the girl as she was too scare to do anything. As time started to slow down, the girl has one last thought as The Spider Inves was about to bit off her head. 'Please, someone, save me.'
Suddenly, a crack appeared in front of them as the noise of a bike's engine is heard inside the crack. Soon Zane came out from the crack, the front wheel of the Sakura Hurricane hit the Spider Inves, causing it to land far away from the girl. Zane park his bike in front of the girl, he came down from his bike as he immediately took out his driver and placed it on his waist. He took out Moon Slayer and did a quick slash at the girl which immediately free the girl.
"Get behind me," Zane told her which she immediately followed. As Zane took out his Melon Lockseed as he started his signature transformation stance.
MELON!
The Spider Inves manage to get back up and it immediately charged at Zane but the metal green sphere falls on the ground as it bounce and hit the Inves causing it to fall again.
LOCK ON!
"Henshin"
SOIYA!
After hitting the Inves, the sphere bounced back and landed on Zane as appear in his armor.
MELON ARMS!
TENKA GOMEN!
As Zane complete his transformation, he immediately turned his sword guard as a 'click' sound is heard three times. He stabs Moon Slayer with its sheath on the ground as he turned to look at the girl. "Stay close to my weapon, it will protect you."
The girl stood close to Moon Slayer. As Zane notice it, he took out his Musou Saber and point at the Inves. "Face judgement from the slaying moon."
The Inves got up again and fired some webs on him. Zane uses the Melon Defender to block it. As the silk of web is connected, Zane grabbed the web and pull it causing the Spider Inves to loose its stance and came forward to him. Zane immediately slam his shield at the Spider Inves, causing it to screech in pain.
As the Inves was still in pain, Zane took this chance to deliver an overhead strike and a vertical slash at it as sparks came out from each damage he dealt at it. The Inves started to growl more as it was tired keep getting hit by Zane. The Inves using its spider legs to stab at Zane but Zane manage to deflect and dodge the attacks
"Is that all you got," Zane taunted the Inves. The Inves started to crawl on the wall and started to spitting webs on him. Zane pushes the lever of his driver.
MELON SQUASH!
His shield is cover with energy and he threw it at the Inves as the shield also destroy the webs. As the Inves got hit by the shield as it cause it to fall, Zane uses this opportunity to jump forward to the Inves and deliver a brutal slash at the Inves' abdomen.
As the Spider Inves crashed on the ground, it managed to get up but it grunts for the damage it had taken. It looked up and saw the girl from before. It decided to attack the girl as she was defenseless, the girl screamed in terror as she hugged Moon Slayer closer. She close her eyes waiting for the attack.
As the Inves about to attack the girl, she was immediately being protected by a green barrier which is projected by Moon Slayer. "The Inves was being shocked by it.
The Inves started to stumble back from the pain it received. The Inves glared at the girl and prepare to spit out its webs but it was interrupted by bullets raining on it. "You're opponent is me," Zane then delivered another slash at the Inves and he kicked the Inves.
Zane removed the Lockseed from his driver.
LOCK OFF!
Zane then locks the Lockseed in to the Musou Saber.
LOCK ON! ICHI! JU! HAKYU! SEN!
"This is your end." Zane then sent an energy slash towards the Inves, trapping it in a green energy melon projection. Zane then charged forward.
MELON CHARGE!
As Zane slash the Inves, slicing the projection in half before the Inves exploded as melon slices flew out.
Zane sighed as he reverted back to civilian form and started to approach the girl that he just saved. The girl was still being scare as she hid behing Moon Slayer. "Hey, it's okay now. You can come out now," Zane said softly as he kneel down to match her height.
Zane noticed she was hesitant to come out from her hiding place, so Zane decided to take off his mask and place it on his shoulder. "See, I'm just a normal person, there's nothing to be afraid of." The girl slowly came out from her hiding place but her stomach growl as she look down in embarrassment.
Zane chuckle as he took a piece of bread from his jacket and gave it to her which she immediately accept the offer as she started to eat it way too fast. 'Thank goodness I brought some food with me,' Zane thought.
Zane snapped out his thoughts as he felt a tug on his jacket sleeve, he look for the cause of it and noticed it was the girl. "D-Do you have anymore?" She asked as Zane understand what she was referring to. He took out another bread and gave it to her which she repeated the same actions again. Zane take a look on the girl and notice her clothes were ragged and torn but that wasn't worries him, the girl's arms and legs are covered with scars from whips and cuts.
"Hey, little one," the girl looked up at him. "What is your name?" As Zane asked the question, the girl started to tear up a bit. "I-I-I don't know, I never have a name before?" He looked at the girl with pity.
"Want me show you a magic trick," he asked as she looked at him. She nodded, Zane smiled as he entire body started to glow. The girl immediately shield her eyes form the light.
As the light starts to fade, she was shocked by Zane's appearance. Zane losses all of his animal traits and his silver hair has turned to black. The noticeable change is both of his eyes' color has turned into silver.
The girl was amazed by it, she was snapped out from it as Zane placed his hand on her head. The girl gave him a questioned look. "Don't worry, this just going to tickle a little." Zane assured her as his hand started to glow.
Soon, memories of the young girl is seen by Zane. Her memories continues to flow as each memory shows how the young's girl parents neglected and abused her just for the fun of it, it also reveals how much torture and pain she have to face most of her life, the next memory shows the Grimms attack her parents as she uses the opportunity of escaping.
As the memory flow have ended, the light also faded which reveal all of the girl's scars are all gone but the girl also have a sad look as she's holding back her tears. Then Zane did something the girl didn't expected him to do, he hugged her. "It's okay to cry, just let it all out." The girl couldn't hold back anymore, she cried on Zane's chest, letting all the pain she have endured for all of her life. Zane patted her back, assuring her everything will be alright.
As the girl almost finish crying, she look up at Zane. "Thank you, Mister?" Zane stood up tall and looked down at her. "Zane. Zane Hiragana. Do you want to come with me, I'll bring you a place where you can called home?" The girl's eyes widen hearing a request like that, she was surprised by it. "Why are you being kind to me. A nobody like me doesn't deserve to live." She looked down on the ground as she knelt on the ground.
Zane flicked her head forehead as she rubbed her forehead in pain. "Why do you do that?" She asked as she still rubbing her forehead. "Because, that's how a fool's answer to everything, do you know what happen to those fool?"
"They eventually die and no one will even remember them," she answered as she looked down the ground. "No, you're wrong." She immediately looked up as she was met with a determined look from him.
"You're right about the part where they will die but it happens to everyone, no matter what they do or where they came from. But most importantly, a fool doesn't make a person to be a nobody, it is making a nobody to become a someone they never expected. A fool can easily fool everyone with their looks but their potential is unexpected that they are able to achieve greater things, even you, Hana Sakura."
"Hana Sakura?" The girl asked. Zane nodded, "Yes. From this day onward, your name shall be Hana Sakura. It means the peta of cherry blossom, the petal that one day will become a cherry blossom tree. Now rise. Tell me, who you are, a nobody or are you Hana Sakura."
The girl immediately stood up from the ground as the hopeless and sad look in her eyes are replaced with a determined look. "I am Hana Sakura and I will become a cherry blossom tree!" Her answered satisfied Zane but he sweatdropped at the last part, he didn't expect her to take that part seriously. Still Zane was proud to hear her stated something like that, she remined him of someone.
Zane took out the Sakura Hurricane Lockseed as it convert itself to its bike from. Zane carried the girl who is known as Hana Sakura and put her on top of the seat as he sat behind her. He put on his mask as it converted to a helmet. "Vector." He said as he immediately receive a reply.
"What can I help you Sir?" The AI computer asked. "Contact Sapphire or Sona, tell them we got a new addition member in the group." Zane said as he started the engine of the Sakura Hurricane.
"Yes, Sir. I will immediately contact them." He looked down at Hana. "Hold on tight. This is going to be a long ride." Hana nodded as she hugged his abdomen like a baby koala holding its mother. Zane started to move as he was going to bring her a new place where she could really called it home.