A/N: Sorry everyone for how long this took. I lost my muse for a bit. I had come to the realization that I haven't seen Vol. 2 since it came out and I was severely lacking in the memory department. So, this chapter is mostly original. Sorry guys.
Quick question before I start. I was thinking about the Vytal tournament. I was thinking of turning team SSSN into an international team, Neptune from Mistral, Sun from Vacuo, Shade from Vale, and someone from Atlas, probably an OC. I now the fights aren't for another season, but I want to get that in the planning stages if possible. Before you ask, yes, the Vanguard will be Shade's unofficial team since they were de-aged to be twenty-twenty one. But since all four of them together would literally be the most over powered team in existence, I wouldn't permit them to actually take part in the tournament. (The team name is SLCK or SLiCK)
Without further delay, onwards to the story.
RWBY Deadzone: Season 2: Chapter 2: The way of the Lords.
Shade stares out over the city from the edge of the cliffs as the Atlesian Air Fleet rolls on by. He was lost in his own mind, thoughts of the past dragging him in and out of memories.
"I thought I'd find you here." Blake's voice echoes out. Shade grunts in response. "What's on your mind?" The Faunus takes a seat next to her friend, staring out at the city while waiting.
"It's nothing." The Iron Lord replies.
"Bull." Blake says bluntly. "I don't believe you. You know better than to lie to me. Start talking.
"It's the Vanguard." He says, after a few moments of silence. "I think there's something I need to do to trigger their awakening."
"What?" Blake asks, her burning amber eyes finally looking over to his electric green ones.
"I don't know. Kuroka's semblance has always been a mystery because of how little she used it. I doubt the explanation on the records are the complete summary of it." Shade sighs in frustration. Blake hums in thought.
"I know, but something lead to you finding them. We just trust that that thing will lead us to the answer to this riddle." She says. Shade nods, and her face shifts into a scowl. "So, about your semblance consuming your soul." Her voice turns into a growl, and Shade instantly fears for his life.
"Yeah!" Yang suddenly appears next to Blake, Ruby and Weiss not far behind. Shade sighs and looks around, finding Ozpin and Goodwitch not far off as well.
"It's just a theory, but my semblance actively turns my innate defensive power into a purely offensive form. It turns the direct manifestation of my soul into an offensive power. I can only assume that if I run out of Aura, the semblance will just turn to the source for fuel." He says.
"So just don't use it when you run out of Aura then." Ruby says. Weiss and Blake lightly scoff while Shade grins weakly at her.
"It's not that simple Ruby." He says. "Our enemies won't just let us rest and regenerate our auras if it runs out. They'll strike when we're weak. There may come a time when I may face a decision to save someone my using my semblance even when I lack aura, or save myself and watch them die. I wouldn't even hesitate." RWBY is silent for a few moments.
"You'd sacrifice yourself to save another?" Weiss says quietly.
"Gladly." Shade says. "Girls, I've been living on stolen time. If the reaper calls the debt due, I'll embrace it with a smile. Every Iron Lord that died that day died with a smile on their face. Our duty is to protect the people, putting their lives over our own. If we have no energy to fight, we take tomorrow's energy and go beyond our limits as long as it means we can save one more life." RWBY is silent again as Shade's eyes finally turn fully from the city. "That is why I chose to train you four. Not because you're a powerhouse team, or the fact that one of you is a Schnee, or the fact that two of you are related to Qrow the reaper, or the fact that one of you is the daughter of the chieftain of Menagerie. I chose you four because deep down you all chose to help people as huntresses. If there was any requirement to being an Iron lord it is the willingness to self-sacrifice to save others." His eyes glow with power and wisdom honed from grief and strife. "So girls, I want you to tell me. If you could save the life of another at the cost of your own, would you die with a smile on your face?" With that, he leaves them, heading towards Ozpin and Goodwitch. The three converse for a few moments, before they make their way to Ozpin's office.
"I would." Ruby says quietly after a few moments. Her team turns to her. "I mean, sure. Imagining that you're the unbeatable hero is great but when it all comes down to it. A huntress is a guardian willing to give her life for the cause. My mom did, and if I die saving people I'll be sure to die with a Oum damned grin on my face." Yang chuckles.
"I still don't have the answers I want to find." The brawler says. "I haven't found Raven, and don't have my answers. But finding my Mother doesn't matter. I had a great mom, don't need to worry about it. I'll be sure to go out with a grin as well."
"Me too." Weiss mutters. "All my life my father has tried to raise me to be the perfect daughter. To be selfish, uncaring, but that's not who I am. I am a Huntress, and I'll make sure I'm smiling if I die."
"I've made many mistakes." Blake mutters. "Staying in the White Fang led to many of them. Some were not trusting my friends and team." At that, her friends smile as Ruby moves to the other side of the Faunus to give Blake a hug that the rest join in soon after. "But those mistakes lead to something great, I have a new family. You guys, JNPR, Shade, even Sun and Neptune. All my life I've known discrimination, and never took the chance to go out and find my place in the world. If I'm going to go out, I'll go out with a wide smile on my face because I wouldn't have had my life any other way." The Faunus hugs her team back, and RWBY stays that way for a few minutes, looking out over the city. The rumble of an airship flying overhead ruins the moment as all four glance up to the Fleet above.
"Something is coming." Weiss mutters. "Ironwood never travels to another kingdom during the Festival unless it's serious. I just hope that whatever happens, we'll be ready for it."
"We will be." Ruby says, her normally cherry voice deepened with wisdom few knows she possesses. "Shade is training us, and if what Blake told us about what he said to Ironwood and Ozpin when getting the docks mission cleared in true. They'll strike sometime during the festival."
"Indeed." Weiss says. "Ironwood released the update of the CCT OS. It's more efficient than ever and more reliable."
"They're also starting the construction of the Kingdom only servers so that even if the international system is down we still have comms with everyone in Vale." Blake says. "It makes you wonder, what could've happened if Shade wasn't rescued." RWBY nods, and then the four stand up to move back to the school.
"We can't rest, but we can now take things at our own pace." Yang says. "Torchwick and the Fang won't wait around for graduation, but I think we're finally a step ahead of them."
"Yeah! Okay! Now that the heavy stuff is out of the way you guys wanna play Kingdoms of Remnant?" Ruby says. The three nod. Ruby thinks for a second. "OH NO! I LENT IT TO JAUNE!"
"We're doomed." Weiss says as Ruby rushes off. A loud impact sounds when she turns the corner and the young leader bounces back into view. "Ruby!"
"Sorry." A mint-haired girl says. "I wasn't watching were I was going." Ruby chuckles sheepishly as the girl helps her up.
"Don't worry about it, I wasn't watching my steps as well." The reaper says. She looks over the two before her. The mint-haired girl had red eyes, while a silver haired male had grey eyes and was taller. "I haven't seen you two around? Here for the Festival?"
"Visitors from Haven Academy actually." A raven-haired woman with golden eyes says as she steps up. "We got turned around on our way to the dorms."
"Oh! Simple mistake! I still need to look at the map to find my way most of the time! Let's see, guest dorms are to the... East side of the school. The landing pads are to the direct north so you were heading that way actually. Just keep the CCT to your right and it should lead you to the general area. We have signs posted for each school so you'll find your way from there."
"Good to know." Cinder Fall says. "Thanks." The three make their way past RWBY.
"Oh! And welcome to Beacon!" Ruby shouts after them. After they're out of earshot, the reaper scowls. "I don't like the feeling those three give off. Let's go find Shade." Yang blinks in confusion as Ruby makes her way to the CCT.
"What?" Weiss asks, "Ruby, that's borderline rude."
"That black-haired woman shares an uncanny resemblance to the woman Goodwitch and I fought on the day we met, I want to make sure." Ruby says. "Shade hap pulled me aside a few days ago and had been teaching me tactics and instincts. That girl gives me the creeps and my instincts were to draw my blade or run away. I want to speak to Shade." The girls buzz Ozpin's office.
Meanwhile.
Shade had followed Goodwitch and Ozpin into the CCT, making small chatter with his blonde instructor on the state of things.
"Ozpin!" James Ironwood exclaims when the three enter the office. "So good to see you again old friend.
"It is indeed James." Ozpin says, a smile on his face.
"And Glynda! It certainly has been a long time." Ironwood says, a flirtatious grin on his face.
"James." Goodwitch says, while Shade snickers.
"Vanguard. How're the others holding up?" Ironwood quickly turns to Shade as the two shake hands.
"They're stable, that's the most we could ask for at the moment. Something is holding them asleep, I just need to study Kuroka's semblance to figure out what." The Scout says. Ironwood nods. "Could I ask you to post some scouts at ground zero? Just some AK-130s should be fine. Have them explore the cave."
"I'll get on that." Ironwood says.
"Thanks General." Shade says.
"So, James," Ozpin starts. "What brings you all the way down to Vale? Headmasters don't normally travel with their students."
"Well, you know how much I love Vale this time of year." Ironwood says. Ozpin sighs.
"James." The aged headmaster says. Ironwood sighs.
"Extra security." The General says.
"It could excite painic." Ozpin argues back.
"If what Qrow said-" James starts.
"If what Qrow says is true, then we will handle it tactically." Ozpin says. "We cannot disrupt the fragile peace."
"If I may?" Shade asks, when the two nod he continues. "I think that bringing the fleet could be good. I know you three know what really is going on, but Torchwick's boss is most likely disguised as a student, and if they're as insane as you three hint at, will try to take this opportunity to make Atlas look bad when they take over. Think about it, if the world doesn't trust the strongest military, how can they trust each other? We just have to turn it against them." Ozpin and Ironwood think for a second, before nodding. "Good. Now, we still need to prepare for every contingency. But if the fight will be here, it is unnecessary for Qrow the Reaper to be out spying for whatever organization you three are a part of. We could use the added protection. Keep Winter posted here as well. I may not know of this grand scheme you three know of, but I am able to think tactically with the information I have best. Ozpin, it is good to think of the people in order to not incite panic, but that just gives our enemy more time to come up with a plan without pressure. On the flip side, Ironwood, while bringing the fleet is a show of strength, it also is a show of force that the Fang can rally against. The White Fang dislike almost anyone from Atlas on principle, so bringing the entire military is sure to rile up the local Fang. That can also cause more panic, but in all honesty, those AK-130s aren't exactly a substitute for real, highly trained people. The reason they're effective in Atlas is because the cold climate is a natural buffer for Grimm, making any Grimm there sacrifice speed for insulation. Bring in some hunters, because even to the trainee hunters, those bots are a joke. Luna used them for target practice and training to clear out Beowulf packs." The General nods, writing down things in a notepad while Ozpin does the same.
"I can't say I didn't miss the minds of an Iron Lord. The training that goes into them so that they may survive for years at a time without returning to the city enables them to see things many others cannot." Glynda mutters, and Shade grins at her.
"Living in the Deadzone helps a tad, doesn't it?" He asks, and the three chuckle.
"Indeed it does." Ozpin says. "James, I am glad you're here for another matter. I would like to induct Mr. Kurogane into the Guardians.
"But Ozpin, his age." James says, but one could tell he was honestly thinking about the proposal as well.
"We have already learned that despite his physical age, he is wiser beyond his years." The aged headmaster says. "It would do him well to learn everything, perhaps he can see things we have overlooked." James nods in agreement. "Glynda?"
"You'll have no arguments from me. It is better than considering that Nikos girl." Goodwitch huffs. "I like Pyrrha, but she relies too much on her semblance for her to be of any use. Shade is a great choice because of his training and experience." The mentioned Scout was completely lost.
"Good, I've talked to Qrow already in his last report, he's good with it. Taiyang is actually on his way to visit his daughters and has heard a lot about him so he's given the clear as well." Ozpin mutters. "Very well. Mr. Kurogane, what do you know of the tale of the four maidens?"
"The tale where four girls meet an old wizard, keep him company, and he gives them powers over the seasons? Enough." Shade says. Ozpin opens his mouth to speak, but the buzzer rings out. He opens the camera to see team RWBY waiting to be let into the office.
"We will discuss this further later." Ozpin says. Shade nods. RWBY enters, and Shade grins at the steely face on Ruby, before realizing that something has happened and quickly moves to speak with his students.
"SITREP." He says.
"We ran into a team from Haven." Weiss says. "Ruby says that one of them gave her the creeps."
"My gut was telling me to either draw my blade or run away as fast as possible." Ruby says. "A month ago I would have ignored it, but you've been teaching me about instincts, and I want to run it by you."
"A bad feeling about some students." Ironwood asks, "I would scoff at that, but if the Vanguard has told you to trust your gut we better listen to it."
"Miss. Rose." Ozpin starts. "Who was this student?"
"She didn't tell me her name. But she was as tall as Blake, similar hair color, and had golden eyes, like to girl Professor Goodwitch and I fought. I have the same feeling about her as I did back then, but this time I know to listen to it."
"Oz, could you search the database to match the description?" Ironwood asks. Ozpin nods.
"Perhaps Ruby could do it herself? Her semblance is speed, so she could search the data almost instantly, we'd find out right here and now." Ozpin thinks, before pulling up the file and motioning Ruby to start.
"Only the student files, nothing else." The headmaster warns, Ruby nods. The files start flying by before Ruby stops at one.
"Here she is." Ruby says.
"Cinder Fall." Ozpin says. "James, forward this to Qrow along with a recall order. Perhaps this might give us the edge we need."
"On it." Ironwood says, leaving the office to do so.
"Common girls, we need some sleep." Shade says, leading RWBY behind Ironwood.
"Mr. Kurogane, the second you wake tomorrow, be here. We need to finish that discussion." Ozpin says. Shade nods, as the doors close.
A/N: So I'm done, and I'm gonna explain some things in this chapter.
Before I get complaints about Shade being all-knowing, here's the counterarguments. Ozpin and Ironwood's reactions to the treat of Cinder are the Extreme right and the Extreme left. One is to do virtually nothing but gather information, and we saw how that went out in the show, the other is to pit overwhelming forces at the enemy, but that wouldn't allow you to gather more information. When I saw the episode containing that argument between Ironwood and Ozpin, I instantly thought of a middle-ground. Tactics I've honed from experience and observation. I noticed that Blake said the White Fang wouldn't work with a human, especially one like Torchwick. So I wondered why they were until I joined ROTC. They were forced to work together by some higher power.
It's the same for the CCT, yes, we saw Cinder hack the CCT in season two, but didn't know about the actual system until season three's WoR episode about it. As someone who wants to go into computer science, I saw the flaws of the CCT instantly, and it was explained a few chapters back.
To explain why Shade is able to notice these things ties into why Glynda thinks he should join the Guardians. Every OC I create has some aspect of my own personality, to make it easier for me to write them. Shade has my observation skills and the ease to find extremes. With those two combined, it creates someone who can gather information and speculate on it, finding many scenarios for the same thing so they may plan for all of them.
However, it would be god-moding Shade to just give him these skills. I learned these skills from past mistakes and carelessness. Shade did as well, and learned them from his training. As I've said before, the Iron Lords were the best of the best, able to go out for years a time without returning to the city to restock. With a world as dangerous as Remnant, you'd need to have a tactical mindset and good observation skills to survive that long. Look at season 4, how many times did RNJR almost die before they actually decided to observe the situation and thing tactically? In the battle with Tyrian they had to be saved by Qrow, and the final battle nearly had them dying before they observed the Nuckalave(if I misspelled that, oh well.) and found its weaknesses and worked as a team, devising a plan and caring it out.
So that's my rant, sorry everyone. If I've missed something, or you see something that rubs you wrong, go ahead and review. I enjoy criticism because it gives me room to grow. However, flames will not be tolerated. The argument of don't like, don't read is weak, but the only argument needed because y'all don't have to read this, so why force yourself to read something you don't like. Just don't spam up the reviews with flames on your way out, because Flames will be counteracted with extreme prejudice.
So that's it. Cya!