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Victory's Teacher
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We all deserve to come home,
One way or another.
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In a small village lying on the outer rim of Mistral, was the home of two Faunus.
Their cottage was a humble one, made to bare bones. They filled it mostly with essentials. Few in the ways of furniture and fewer luxury items. The residents weren't poor and earned enough to get by.
They were wedded, young, and lived their lives happily day to day in simple peace.
…
Until Yang and Neo invited themselves through their front door.
There was no fight or struggle. The residents were caught by surprise when the unfriendly pair forced their way in.
While Neo rested the point of her sword at the husband's neck, Yang wrapped her left hand around the wife's throat.
"What..! What do you want?! We don't have…anything!" the woman choked.
But Yang continued to hold the Faunus in a freezing gaze. She looked to be searching for something. Her red irises bore in, like peering into the contents of the woman's truths and lies. An obvious bloodthirst reflected in them.
"We're not here to rob you," Yang said.
"Then..! Why…?!"
"You don't recognize me? That figures." Yang pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and unfolded it for the woman to see. "Get it now?"
It was a brief profile on the husband and wife, detailing their involvement with the White Fang, and particularly—the Fall of Beacon.
"I remember," the woman croaked. "You were in the tournament…!"
"Bingo." Yang loosened her grip so the wife could speak clearer.
"What we did—! We're not part of the White Fang anymore!"
"I know. It's right here in your file."
"Then, why…?!"
"So, tell me something that's not on here. Why did you join up? You were both born and raised in Vale. Why help destroy it?"
"You wouldn't understand…"
"Maybe, not," Yang said with an angry grin. "But I bet you can understand very well, what might happen if you don't answer my questions."
The woman gulped. She could feel where Yang's fingers left bruises around her neck.
"We joined the White Fang so we could earn passage into Mistral! Our parents died working miserable jobs in Vale. We wanted something different. We wanted a different life for our children."
"A place where they wouldn't be discriminated against."
"Yes!"
"That's fair," Yang admitted coldly. "Doesn't really justify slaughtering a bunch of innocent people, but I get it. So, how about what you and your husband do now?"
"It's in our file, isn't it?"
"Yeah, but I wanna hear you say it." Yang's eyes flashed with anger. "Tell me what all that blood got you."
"…My husband works construction for the village expansion. I work the farms. We're both part of the militia in case the Grimm attack."
"Pretty good life—honest living. Happy here?"
Tears rolled down the edges of the woman's face.
"Yes… We're happy…!"
"Ever feel guilty about Beacon? About what you did?"
"…Yes," she shuddered. The woman was hesitant to say more, but decided to follow through. "We never killed anyone during the attack, but we know we cost people their lives. My husband and I didn't know things would be…like it was."
"Sounds like an excuse."
"It may be. But I'm not lying when I say, we didn't know so many would get hurt. The dragon, the Grimm, Adam didn't tell us any of that. We just…" she resolved herself for what might come next. "We just wanted a better life for ourselves—not ruin others."
"Hmm…"
Yang could see the veins of light waver in the Faunus. They pulsed with a soft yellow hue. The desire to take it in her hands and crush it grew within her. To have complete control over another's life gave Yang an intoxicating pleasure she could not deny.
To have power…
The trembling Faunus closed her eyes tight, preparing herself.
…
But death never came.
"You still have your Grimm masks?" the question came as a surprise.
"Huh?"
"Your Grimm masks," Yang repeated. "You still have them, don't you?"
The woman pointed a trembling finger to a spot on the wall. Yang walked over and drove her fist through it. And from the hole, she pulled out a metal container.
Inside, she found a pair of White Fang uniforms and their weapons. Yang took the masks and dropped everything else.
"I'll be taking these. Guess I lied when I said I wasn't robbing you. Not that you mind, right?"
The woman shook her head firmly.
"Take it. We have nothing more to do with them!"
"Good. Neo," Yang called to her partner. "We're done here."
The small woman tilted her head curiously, but moved her sword from the husband's neck. A small bead of blood left in the impression.
As they were about to leave, Yang stopped.
"You two plan on having children, huh? Sounds nice. Make sure you send them to a good academy. Be happy." She paused. "And then wonder what it would be like if a band of deluded lunatics attacked them in their school. You know, food for thought." She took an apple from a nearby basket and bit into it as she left.
Lately, Yang had been struggling with a whole mess of things. The guilt over ending Winter's life was fresh. The shady work she'd been taking on since joining Team ENMY. The dynamic shift in her personality and morals.
But one of the things she found most disturbing, was a calm that swallowed her in it.
Yang mourned and cried, and hurt—but the pain never stopped her for long. It was never so deep or paralyzing, like when she lost her arm. All of it was taken in stride, carried with her always, but never heavy enough to stop her from moving forward.
…In some strange way, she may have begun seeking it, taking joy in facing the trials that damaged and tested her soul.
As if proceeding to the next step, she went hunting for the radical White Fang members responsible for Beacon. Another crossroad on her journey to knowing herself. An exploration of boundaries. Her personal pilgrimage for answers to the questions that would consume her whole—or would she consume them instead?
Would she take life, or would she spare it?
Maybe, part of her wanted to know if someone would do the same to her one day.
In the end…
I couldn't find it in myself to kill any of them.
I guess, I have my answers for that at least.
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X
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"You're not charging aggressively enough!"
The woods echoed with the sound of steel smashing into steel.
In a small clearing, one shield connected with another. Sparks flew from the collision, and the young man was sent careening into a tree. The trunk that was five feet in diameter splintered in half.
"Stand up, boy, and raise your guard!"
The one beckoning kicked the dirt with his hooves. The lower half of his body was a horse's, while his top half was of a bearded man's. A round bronze shield strapped to one arm, while a spear was held in the other.
As soon as he saw his young opponent struggle to his feet, the Faunus went into a gallop. The great gong of shield meeting shield resounded once more. This time, however, the boy held his ground.
"Do not falter!"
The horseman's legs rippled with muscle. His arm braced harder as he advanced with purpose. His opponent beginning to be pushed back again.
"You are the backbone of your team! You are their shield! Their leader!"
The Faunus drew an inch and then sent the whole of his body slamming again.
"Every one of your failures, every one of your mistakes, is amplified in those around you!"
Another shield bash and the young man was almost lifted off his feet.
"An inch given is a wound. A yard is sure defeat! Your team relies on you to protect them! You must answer their expectations! Who are they to turn to in their time of need, if not you?!"
The two shields grated against each other with increasing friction. Their wielders locked into an endless contest of wills.
The boy's strength was losing out. Everything in his body ached with damage and fatigue.
His balance was disrupted further and he feared he might lose consciousness soon, or simply be run over.
"Pyrrha died because you were not strong enough!"
"RAAAGGHHH!"
Jaune pressed his shoulder so hard into his shield, it dislocated. Consumed by the immense pain, he forcefully charged back. His bones screamed for reprieve, but still, he asked more of them.
"She fell because you were not by her side!" the horseman roared.
"I KNOW!" Jaune screamed back.
"Then why do you hesitate?! Why do you doubt?! Will you watch another of your comrades die because of your weakness?!"
"NEVER AGAIN!"
Jaune's Aura flourished. His weary muscles flexed with renewed strength. The injuries he incurred sealed like they never existed.
Nearby, Ren and Nora watched. Their wounds also being healed by a divine glow. Not only that, but they felt a fountain of energy surge through them.
"Prove your worth, Jaune Arc! Not to me, nor yourself, but to the ones who stand beside you! To the ones who stood beside you!"
The aegis on Jaune's arm grew to three times its size and struck the ground. Glittering specks rose in the area around like fireflies. His body moved only by instinct and emotion.
He charged forward, and a wave of light sent the horseman reeling back.
Although he was suddenly repelled, the Faunus kept his balance.
"Focus! Ingrain this feeling into your body! Carve it into your soul!"
Jaune cried out as he struggled to maintain his awakened Semblance. Sweat poured from his brow. His Aura shone blindingly once more, before withdrawing from the surroundings. The shield returned to its original size.
Jaune fell to his knees, panting from overexertion—but only for a second.
He stood once more, raised his shield, then slammed its enlarged edge into the ground. His Semblance reactivated, marking his territory with luminescent rays. A sound akin to a low church bell resounded.
"I'M READY!" Jaune shouted. "AGAIN!"
But the Faunus only gave him a short nod. His expression, which was normally stoic, laxed slightly. A hint of sadness, but also content.
"That is enough for today, Jaune Arc," he spoke with the voice of a sage. "Go rest with your teammates."
He hid his face and strode away from the group. Jaune relaxed, limped beside Ren and Nora, and collapsed there.
After passing out of sight, the Faunus watched a crow fly down and transform into a man.
"—And people say, I'm hard on my students."
"Despite what others may believe, a shield is not a coward's weapon. It is the exact opposite. And the boy must learn to temper his heart, or he will never realize his true potential."
"Always the teacher…is what I'd like to say, but it sounded like it got really personal partway through."
"I do not believe you have any right to speak that way to me, Qrow Branwen."
"Just sayin', Kyron," Qrow's expression stiffened. "If you want to blame someone for what happened to Pyrrha Nikos, that's on me and Oz. Not her teammates."
"Wrong. A team is a single entity—the leader its head. The boy must shoulder the responsibility for her death, and he understands this well."
Qrow sighed and wanted to argue it, but ultimately decided to let the matter go.
"I'm sorry, for what it's worth. And bringing the kids to you, I didn't know if you wanted to meet them or not."
"I did…especially Jaune Arc." Kyron stared somewhere far off. "I knew the moment I saw him. He was the one she deemed worthy. I could sense her in his spirit."
"Riiiight…."
"It is true. Pyrrha was the one who unlocked the boy's Aura. I can see it."
"Huh," Qrow thought for a moment. "They say a special bond forms between those who do that. Like some part of a person's Aura is permanently embedded in the other."
"There is. For the moment Jaune Arc activated his Semblance, I saw my daughter return home…"
Kyron revealed the barest of smiles.
He had looked after Pyrrha Nikos since she was young. The girl left under his tutelage by her true father under complicated circumstance. And though they were not related by blood, Kyron raised Pyrrha like she was his own child.
He taught her all he could about wielding the spear and shield—about tactics and the use of Aura. And he watched the girl grow with pride. Enrolling her in Sanctum Academy, taking joy in her development as a warrior. They were memories he would always look back on with fondness.
"So, Master Kyron, any advice for me?" Qrow's voice pulled him back to the present.
"You drink too much."
"That's not advice. That's an observation."
"Drink less."
"Not happening—especially these days."
"You are referring to your niece. Word of her team's achievements at the Battle of Dracul have reached even my reclusive ears."
"That's definitely part of it," Qrow tensed.
"You fear she is following your sister's footsteps."
"That and more, but enough about that. What's your take on Ruby?"
"Ruby Rose's abilities are beyond mine," Kyron gave a gentle shake of his head. "I cannot provide her with the necessary teachings."
"Yeah, didn't bank much on it."
"Only a few handful are qualified. The Witch, the Maidens—"
"Ozpin."
"I have been meaning to ask, is there a reason you carry his cane with you?"
"Huh…Didn't even notice I was holding it." Qrow spun the stick in his hand. "Gotten used to having it around. Plus, I don't know if it might trigger something as we get closer to the Tower."
"I see. In any case, you should take the time to rest when possible. Your hair has whitened significantly since we last met."
"I'm not getting old. I just don't sleep well these days."
"Hmmm…"
As Kyron and Qrow made their way to another clearing, they saw a red-hooded girl sitting cross-legged on top of a tree stump.
"How's the meditation, kiddo? Bored already?" Qrow called out to her.
But no response came.
"…Ruby?" He rushed up. "Hey! Ruby!"
Qrow grabbed her by the shoulders and found that she went limp in his arms. Her expression devoid of focus.
"Damn it! She tried using her powers!"
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X
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The world distorted all around her.
Portions of the land were shaded black and white, while other fragments were off-color. The distant scenery dissolved and reassembled interchangeably. Objects were solid, but transparent to the touch. It was enough to drive a person mad.
As Ruby walked the foreign landscape, rose petals drifted from her body. Some odd wind guided her in this realm, where the air was still. A shining yellow string dangled just out of arm's reach, beckoning her to follow.
Eventually, she came upon a pair of individuals walking a deserted road—one of whom she recognized immediately.
"Yang? YANG!"
Ruby ran to her as fast as she could. For some reason, her Semblance wasn't working.
"Yaaang! Please! I've been so worried!"
She finally caught up to them and saw her sister was walking beside Neo.
"Yang?"
Suddenly, her sister turned and looked right at her. The red in Yang's eyes burned with a fire Ruby hadn't seen before. An outline of a titanic beast loomed in her shadow. Its voraciousness threatened to consume her.
"Can-can you hear me?"
But Yang only continued to peer through her, although she seemed to have sensed something of the girl's presence.
Neo tapped her partner's shoulder.
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing. I just thought—never mind. Pull!"
Neo reached into a bag full of Grimm masks, took one out, and frisbee threw it into the air.
*Bang*
Yang blew it to pieces with a well-aimed shot.
"Yang…Why are you—"
But before Ruby could call out again, the world rotated beneath her feet. She was thrown far north, the sky hurdling across like the inside of a spinning sphere. A white string around her pinky led her to the next destination.
It brought her to a patient's room. The walls and objects looked like sculptures eternally melting. The only thing remotely clear, was a young woman holding the hand of someone resting in bed.
"She'll pay for what she's done," the figure said.
"Weiss? Is that you?"
"I don't care what her reasons were. I'll have her answer for this. I swear it."
"WEISS!" Ruby ran to her. She wanted to embrace her.
But the ground beneath opened and swallowed her up. She fell and fell, deep into the earth. Then, her orientation of up and down switched. Gravity was raising her through the floor.
The room Ruby found herself in was a royal chamber unlike anything she'd seen. Steel and stone intermingled with plant life in a twisted fusion. The ones present there were the shadowed forms of Faunus.
Another familiar figure stood before the throne. A string of black thread floated about her.
"Please, listen to me, Temujin! This man isn't a spy. He's not our enemy!" the person advocated.
"Blake!" Ruby cried out.
"I'll vouch for him with my life. If you want to kill him…you'll have to kill me first."
"BLAKE! NO!"
The scenery swirled like washed-out paint. Ruby closed her eyes from the vertigo she was hit with.
When she opened them again, she was atop Beacon's tower. The frozen forms of Grimm and Cinder stood before her. Ruby could feel life emanate from them, but it was distant and obscure.
Suddenly, a cold sensation made her shiver uncontrollably. Like countless icy fingers wrapping themselves around her skin.
"Now, what do we have here? Are you lost, little red riding hood? Allow me to be of assistance."
The voice was a woman's, which resonated from the surroundings than any one point. And although it spoke sweet words, Ruby could sense something ominous in its speaker.
"Um…no thanks. I'm good. Hehe!"
"Oh, come, dear. No need to be shy."
"No. Really. I'm great. I'll just go over here now."
"That's a shame. You reminded me so much of your mother. I would have loved to keep your company."
"You…knew my mom?"
"But of course. I'm quite acquainted with your father as well."
"—RUBY, GET BACK!"
Ruby heard Qrow's voice, but it didn't come from anything with the appearance of her Uncle. It came from a demonic-looking crow that landed on the tower with a torrent of wind.
The bird was the height of a person, with feathers tipped like spikes. A black smoke billowed around its body like a misty robe. Its eyes illuminated like beacons from a haunted lighthouse, wide and unblinking.
"Uncle Qrow? Is that you?"
"Yes! It's me, Ruby! Now get behind me!"
"Qrow, what a pleasure it is to see you again."
"Salem…"
The Witch's voice rose in volume and excitement, reverberating like a cacophony of thoughts and words.
"Could it be, you've neglected to teach this girl about her gifts?"
"Leave her alone."
"I mean her no harm. She's very, VERY important to me after all. So few of our kind still exist."
"Ruby. Whatever you do, don't listen to her."
"But, who is she?" Ruby asked.
"A wish granter, little rose. I can provide one's heart's desire. They need only say it—like you could."
"Don't listen to her and don't say anything!" Qrow interrupted. "She can enslave you with words alone! It's part of her Magic!"
"Qrow, you're frightening the poor girl."
"Shut up!"
The Witch's voice echoed a bored sigh.
"Here, a gesture of good faith. Miss Rose, imagine yourself standing on a cloud."
"Ruby, don't listen!"
The environment quickly shaped into a land of blue skies. A fluffy cotton platform materialized beneath Ruby's feet.
Qrow was gone.
"Now, how is it possible to stand on a cloud?"
Immediately, Ruby fell through. On and on, falling through an endless expanse.
"Pay careful attention to the sensation. Now, Miss Rose. If you'd like to learn more…you know where to find me."
The young girl plummeted through the sky with increasing acceleration—a speed faster than gravity should have allowed. Her heart beat so hard and so quickly she thought she'd die.
"AHHHH!"
Ruby woke, wailing at the top of her lungs. Her head whipped side to side, trying to figure out what new world she entered.
Fortunately, she saw she was back in the real one. The woods around her, she remembered before falling asleep.
"—How are you feeling, Ruby Rose?"
She took notice of Kyron using his Semblance beside her. Ruby could feel her Aura replenish and her fatigue alleviate. A bit of dizziness lingered there, but nothing extreme.
"I feel better. Thanks, Kyron."
"—Don't I get any gratitude?" croaked a pained voice.
Qrow sat up from his lying position. A black mist billowed from his mouth. The pressure from his stare was not so different from his demonic form in the dream. Something in the way he watched her made the girl feel like she was meeting certain death.
"Ruby?"
"YES?!"
"Sorry…" Qrow suddenly looked embarrassed and hurt. "Didn't mean to scare you, kiddo."
The young girl dove into her Uncle's arms.
"I'm not scared, I promise. I was just surprised, that's all!"
Qrow patted her head. "It's alright." His expression turned from soft to serious. "What's not alright, is you trying to use your powers. I told you, you're not ready for them."
"But…I didn't. Not on purpose."
"What? But how?"
"I was just meditating like you told me to…and then I fell asleep."
Qrow let out a long, dying groan. The palm of his hand dragged down his face, like he was nursing a bad hang over.
"That happened just from falling asleep?"
"I think so..."
"This is worse than I thought. We need to get to Ozpin—soon." Qrow turned to Kyron. "The backlash is gonna hit anytime now. Also, you should knock me out before I accidentally kill you."
"I understand," Kyron answered, as he took Qrow's flask from his pocket and put it to the man's mouth.
"I thought you wanted me to drink less."
"I do."
"Huh." Qrow took a huge gulp.
"But I needed an easy way to drug you."
Qrow passed out with liquid dribbling the side of his lips.
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X
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In the off-color world of Beacon's highest floor, the Headmaster walked his office.
Ozpin circled the room once, before taking a seat at the ruined remains of his chair.
"I believe we stood in this exact position, once upon a time."
"It certainly feels familiar."
Salem appeared from behind Cinder's frozen figure.
The Witch caressed her protégé's chin, like admiring one of her prized flowers. A delicate touch that revealed her affection—and greed.
"So, Qrow is the one acting as your vessel. Honestly, I thought Glynda made a far better choice." Salem gave a mocking laugh. "But I suppose a broken soul, racked with guilt and flaw resonates more with you."
"At least my allies volunteer themselves willingly."
"And you think mine do not?" She touched the sides of Cinder's cheek and planted a kiss on her forehead. "After all, 'Salem' was once one of your loyal students before you turned her into a scape goat. But more on matters of present. Ruby Rose… The girl with silver eyes~ " she sung with a thin smile.
"…"
"I should have suspected. I should have known! Summer Rose…always a clever one. An effort worth applauding I suppose."
"She tricked us both."
"Hmph." Salem walked to the Headmaster, and stood across from his desk. "I know where you are now, Old One."
She leaned down, like a spider encroaching a fly.
"And I am coming for you."
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NOTE/REFERENCES
Some have asked how much material I plan on using from RWBY Vol 4. and I am answering right now…not much really.
Since ENMY is done in queue, I can't write these chapters within time of the new episodes, I can't add new material from the show to the writing. Maybe some things a few weeks ahead, but so far, nothing. Which means divergence from the canon setting is inevitable.
-Menagerie may never appear in ENMY. I might come up with something further down the line, but no plans yet.
-Ozpin possessed farm boy character won't appear. Just not my preference in writing.
-Weiss' little brother won't appear. Just not my preference in writing.
-Salem's canon henchmen won't appear, I think. They don't seem intimidating or interesting enough.
-Bean is based on the character from Ender's Game/Ender's Shadow series.
-Inna's Semblance is based on a trickshot Annie Oakley performed in real life.
-Kyron - Chiron – Centaur who taught Achilles and a number of heroes. Known for teaching and healing, which is why his Semblance is a healing application.
-Some have asked where I am currently with the canon series. I just watched Qrow fight the scorpion guy.
As always,
Thank you for reading and your support!