Full Disclosure: I DO NOT own any of the RWBY characters from the canon show. They belong to Rooster Teeth and the late Monty Oum, may he rest in peace. Any characters you see here that aren't in the canon show are my OC's.
"Blah"= Spoken
'Blah'Thoughts
P.s.: There's a spoiler in this chapter, although those who might've already pieced it together by V3 or V4 will be good to go. For those who haven't and don't want it spoiled, get caught up with RWBY.As for those who haven't put it together and aren't caught up, but still wanna know, I'll say it right now--Ozpin is the Wizard.
Cool? Cool. Now let's get this chapter started!
--0--0--
--Matthew--
'Ugh, my head...what happened..?' I thought groggily before briefly opening my eyes a little, shutting them quickly at the surprise greeting of sunlight.
This time, with a hand covered over my eyes, I slowly got up and sat upright, feeling grass between the fingers of my other hand.
'Ok, think. What happened..?..uh...I talked to those voices, whoever they were...I got a few of my memories back, though the ones that weren't about RWBY were ones I couldn't understand. Plus it all played out menta--...'.
...It took a few seconds of me being in brick-shitting silence before finally registering my current state.
'I'VE GOT A BODY AGAIN!!!'
"I'VE GOT A BODY AGAIN!!!" I thought and said simultaneously, though I quickly covered my mouth out of surprise with my eyes still shut, a smile behind the hands covering it.
I slowly let my hands move away from my mouth, and the only other physical feeling on my face was wet streams running down my cheeks.
I couldn't believe it.
I can't believe it.
I have a body now...
"Ha...haha...hahahahaHAHAHAHA!!!!" I started to burst out laughing from pure joy and relief. It was admittedly a little surprising to me how much one could miss having a body. Then again, it also wasn't surprising at the same time, since not having a body and only a soul, or mind, or whatever, just felt so...off. Not good, not necessarily bad, just...off.
After my, what seemed like, 2 minutes straight of joyful laughter, I took a few deep breaths before hesitantly opening my eyes, wincing slightly due not having opened them since...well, I didn't have any a while ago.
Although, I'm sure as hell glad I did.
After opening my eyes, and after the few moments it took for them to adjust so I could see clearly, I finally saw where I was.
I was in a lush green forest, with birds chirping lightly, and I could even hear a river flowing nearby. The wind blew with enough force to make the leaves on the trees move and produce a calming sound, though lightly enough that feeling it hit me felt pleasant.
It was funny to think that other people may see this forest every day and consider it to be just another forest.
But for me? Just sitting in the grass of the forest and experiencing the scenery alone felt like downright heaven.
But, as much as I wanted to enjoy the scenery for as long as possible, moving was likely the best choice because of one word:
Grimm.
Considering that I'm in Remnant now...I don't think I'll ever be unhappy when I think about that, and I still don't know why, Grimm will be definitely a concern during my time here.
And since I'm not anywhere near Huntsman/Huntress-in-training level, being able to haul ass when they show up is going to be an absolute necessity.
With my next plan of action confirmed, I pushed down on my knee and forced myself up, wobbling a little bit at the unfamiliarity of how it felt to stand. After a bit of wobbling, and even one part where I almost fell flat on my face but managed to stop myself by supporting myself by pushing down on my knees, I slowly walked through the forest.
..well, I didn't exactly walk without any problems. Truth be told, I had to use the trees near me as support while I walked, taking small breaks while I walked to rest and stand in place while holding onto a tree.
After a but of walking, I found the river I'd heard earlier, with clean water that seemed to reflect the color of the sky.
'Reflect...'
With that thought, I moved over to the edge of the land just before the river and got on my hands and knees, looking down at the water.
And for the first time, I saw my face.
I was a slightly tanned kid with messy black hair that had individual strands of white hair poking out in several spots. In addition to that, I had brown eyes, but one major detail that somehow bugged me, yet didn't, stood out.
My face was different.
Not that I remember what I actually looked like back on Earth, but I had a feeling that this...this wasn't it.
My face seemed more like something an animator had drawn. My hair seemed wild and I had a feeling my eyes weren't the same shape they used to be.
Then again...shouldn't I have expected this? I mean, I got sent to Remnant, a fictional, or so I thought(?) world, made by--!!
"OW, FUCK!!" I hissed, quickly placing my hand on my forehead in response to my sudden headache. For some reason, trying to remember whoever made RWBY not only resulted in static in place of a name, but also a damn sharp headache.
Guess I can't just try to force myself to remember everything...
So I let my memories come to me?...it seems like a pain in the ass because of how time consuming it'll be..but I don't really have another option.
I frowned as I let my hand fall from my forehead, taking a few seconds to look at my face in the water again before standing back up. Only this time, I actually took the time to see what I was wearing.
I wore a white hoodie with black sleeves, said sleeves being rolled up to just before my elbows. In addition to that, I wore dark gray pants, the ends of the pants being tucked into a pair of black high-top sneakers with white soles, the lace on both shoes being tied around the spot above my ankle to further keep my pants tucked into the shoes.
"I don't seem to have the most upbeat of fashion senses, but it's not like I don't like it..." I said to myself, a light smile crossing my face as I clenched and relaxed my fists a couple of times, "then again, I'll hopefully be able to get some new clothes once I get to Vale. And the--" I went silent as I realized one cruel fact. One infuriating fact that I'd been too distracted to notice up until now that.
I was in Remnant.
I was in a forest.
...but where exactly?
I took a deep breath, and said the one accurate word that came to mind as far as my thoughts on my situation went.
--Ozpin--
"Ah, nothing better than a good cup of coffee in the morning.." I let out a satisfied exhale after taking a sip from my mug, placing it down onto my table.
I swear, finding this heavenly brand of coffee may have been one of my greatest achieveme--
"FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!!!!!!!!!" A scream far in the distance interrupted my coffee-induced feeling of bliss, causing to jolt ever so slightly in my scorpion-tail-shaped chair.
'Why must someone have started those rumors that it bore a phallic design..?'
I mentally sighed--something I've been doing for, quite literally, ages.
'Calm yourself. You've lived for many centuries, and heard many things. Accept their...input, and move on.'
More importantly, who exactly was that?
I calmly stood up and turned, looking out to the rest of the academy through the large half-circle clock window in my wall.
'Perhaps I should send a team to investigate? But who to send..?'
I pondered for a few moments before one came to mind, causing to me to "ah" out loud.
'Come to think of it, I believe Miss Rose and her team are currently out on a mission. I suppose I could ask them to investigate..'
--0--0--
--Matthew--
"Hah...hah...yeah, I think I've been...holding that one back...for a while now.." I said between pants, my body now being supported my hands on my knees, "...wait, why did I say that?" I suddenly realized. Maybe another memory subtly making its way out?
If that's the case, then I must've had a really bad day after all.
I stood up straight and mentally sighed as I looked up the blue sky. Though, it didn't take long after I looked at it before the sky started to gray sli--
"AGH, FUCK!!" I hissed loudly, both my hands rushing to grip the sides of my head. I shut my eyes in less of an attempt to lessen the pain, and more of one to wish it would go away.
As I closed my eyes, instead of darkness, I was presented with a different scene--one of a gray sky and plenty of rain.
'What the hell am I remembering right now?!'
In my memory, I lowered my eyes from the sky and focused on what was directly in front of--...what...?
'...what...what is this..?' I thought in horrified confusion. My memory showed a scene filled with rubble and lightly scattered with dim flames in random areas. And to make matters worse, an area far, far ahead of me was ablaze, heats so hot that I swore I could actually feel them a little despite the tremendous distance.
It looked like this place had gone throu--
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"
"AAAAAGH!!!!" I yelled even louder, now clenching my teeth as I got on my knees,
The cause of my pain was a loud siren and in the back of my head, for some reason, I couldn't help but feel nervous about it. What was it about this siren that was so impor--?
"FUCK, ANOTHER ONE!!" I heard a nearby voice yell, panic evident from its tone.
'Another what?' I managed to think through the pain, though my question was never answered as I was somehow abruptly brought out of the sudden flashback.
"AH!!" I let out a quick shout as I was thrust back into reality. For a good minute and a half, I just stayed their on my hands and knees, panting with sweat coming down my forehead and dripping off my nose.
And I didn't notice it at first, but there were even some waterworks too, running down my cheek.
I took a breath and prepared to sigh.
If only I got to.
My attempt to sigh was a growl, causing me to frown and let out a wine as I dropped my head a little further.
'Is that a bear? Fuck...'
To make sure I didn't surprise it or make it think I was going to suddenly attack, I slowly got up and turned my head to look back a--
'...No
No..!
NO!!
NONONONONONONO--!!!'
My mental panic was interrupted by another growl, and my stomach sank at the sight of the source of the growl in front of me.
A Grimm.
A fucking GRIMM!!!
To be more specific, it was an Ursa, and a damn big one too.
I remained silent, taking a slight step back as I looking into its glowing red eyes, watching in barely revealed horror as it started to bear its fangs.
To my horror, it then did what I wanted the least.
It charged.
As it prepared a wide swing, I tensed, but had despair in my heart. The tensing was more of an...automatic response, I guess.
Maybe I fought a lot when I was on Earth.
But, in all honesty, I knew I didn't stand a chance. I highly doubt anything on Earth would've prepared me for fighting Grimm...
'But still...'
Unconsciously, as if my body knew what I intended to do, I entered a fighting stance, causing the Ursa's eyes to brighten slightly.
'I'll be damned if I go down without even putting up a fight.'
At that moment, just as it was about to swing, a shot rang from the trees behind the Ursa, said Grimm dying immediately as a bullet went through the back of its skull, part of its mask zooming past my face and going into the water, leaving a small cut on my right cheek.
A moment after the shot killed it, the Ursa began to collapse to the ground, though it never made contact, as it had turned to ashes and gone with the wind before it could.
"Hey, you alright!?" A male voice that sounded...kinda familiar called out to me from the trees.
Who is it?
"Uh...yeah..I'm good..I think.." I said exiting the stance I held before, though my heart was still pounding. I could rustling from the bushes ahead of me and, soon enough, a person came out.
It was a blonde haired guy, the hair having two small strands sticking out from the top, and blue eyes. He wore brown cargo pants with a dark brown belt, black shoes, an orange bandana on his left arm, and a brown leather vest over a tan dress shirt with the right sleeve cut off. In addition, he also had metal spaulder, leather vambrace, and a brown fingerless glove, all on his right a--
...wait...why does he seem...familiar?
"Tai!" A male voice, this one sounding a little deeper than the blonde guy's, or I guess, "Tai's", now that I know his name.
"It's alright! The kid" I suddenly gained a tick on my forehead, for some reason, "said he's ok!" Tai replied as more rustling could be heard from the bu--
Wait...Tai?...as in TAIYANG?! YANG'S DAD?!!
"Good. Was starting to worry she missed." The other guy said with a chuckle as he appeared from the bushes.
He had slightly graying black, spiky hair and red eyes. He wore a gray dress shirt with a long tail, black dress pants, and black dress shoes, along with a red tattered cloak. He also had a necklace with a crooked cross-shaped pendant around his neck.
But was especially attention grabbing was the weapon he had in his hand and on his shoulder. It was a longsword, dark grey symbols seemingly inscribed on its blade, with a red grip.
He looks familiar too..
"You sure you're alright, pipsqueak? The cut on your cheek suggests otherwise." The red eyed guy noted, though I gained another tick mark on my forehead, in addition to a twitching eyebrow, at the remark.
Who's he calling a pipsque--...wait..."pipsqueak"..?
"You know, I don't think they allow kids in here, pipsqueak." A slightly deeper version of his voice played in my mind, though I immediately recognized it, as a smile came to my face mentally.
It was, no, is, QROW!!!
But what's Tai doing here with him? I thought he retired?
"Honestly, I was half-expecting that he'd at least be injured." A female voice spoke out in a tone that seemed...bored? Wonder who that could be.
My question was soon revealed, and boy oh boy, was I not ready.
Out of the bushes emerged a girl with ravenous black hair with red highlights and red eyes, wearing a red shawl in her hair, along with a strange ornament that looked like curved black feathers. For clothes, she wore a shallow cut black and red dress, five necklaces with an assortment of beads, a red girdle-belt, and a pair of matching gauntlets over a pair of black gloves.
An object that looked to be made from feathers hung from the right side of her skirt. She also wore detached black leggings, and under them she wore black boots, which had red high heels and soles.
"Aw, come on Rae! Don't be like that!" Taiyang called out to--...hold up...hold the fuck up.
I rubbed my eyes and looked directly at the raven haired girl, causing her to raise a brow and me to promptly shit a mental brick.
'RAVEN BRANWEN?!!'
Why is she even here?! Didn't she pretty much ditch Taiyang after Yang was born?!! I do--!!
"Hey! Would you mind not talking about me like that when I'm right here?!" A higher pitched voice than Raven's called o--...
...no...nononononononoNO! This is not happening right now! This is not happe--!!
The other girl emerged from the bushes and her appearance was clear as day. She had a fair complexion, silver eyes, and black hair that tinge to red at the ends, the sides of which reaching her shoulders. She wore a long sleeved thick black blouse with a high collar and white trim on the sleeves, the blouse being tucked into a black skirt, along with a pair of black boots.
And her outfit was all topped off...with a white cloak.
...holy...shit.
Those were my last thoughts before passing out...
-End
A/N: ...ok, I'm gonna be honest; I did not expect to have Chapter 2 out this fast. All things considered, I thought it'd take a lot longer for me to write Chapter 2. But nope! Apparently, I actually have a surprisingly easy time writing this story.
Huh..
Anyways, hopefully you guys are enjoying it. As you can see, this chapter is definitely longer than the first, to my relief. I honestly don't want this series to just have 1k-word chapters. At least 2k, but 3-4k is what I'm aiming for as an average.
And with that, my overall thoughts end. Now, onto the responses!
Comment Responses:
Yifto: Thank you for the input! Glad to see that people like the amnesiac route.
I agree with you when it comes to the whole "Phantom Pains" idea, and I can say with certainty that it will be one of the ways in which Matthew's memories return to him--over time, of course.
As for the whole "Don't do rebirth" thing...well, the results of that are pretty obvious. But still, thanks for the input, and I honestly feel like I preferred this introduction to the world of Remnant for Matthew, even if it wasn't...exactly what he expected (hehehehehe)
Venomousbite: Thanks!
And with that, I'll see you all next chapter!!!