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Mission 5:
…PlAyers in the GamE
{START}
Tarsus Academy – Five Years Ago – Training Simulator:
Gunther Herrmann, one of Tarsus most physically intimidating and its most powerful student in the entire Academy. No one has been able to beat him in straight one on one fight, not even three on one when the instructors had the idea to pit him against some of the academies longest tenure students.
No one.
And they hope to whatever god is out there to help them with this problem.
"Move!" Minos yelled at JC Denton the order who quickly complied.
Taking a couple of steps back, JC looked on as his partner Minos removed his katana from its sheath, its glistening blade clean as ever and tried to swing at the larger student, who despite his size is a lot more faster than either anticipated.
'Shit…' he still felt his broken ribs slowing him down considerably in the fight, despite his best effort to fight through the pain, it was too much even for him to bear 'We are wasting time here…'
[Two Minutes Remaining]
Minos swung his sword at the giant, who swiftly dodged the weapon before kneeing the red-haired Faunus on the rib.
"GAH!" Minos spat out, the knee managed to send him back a couple of feet before landing near Denton's side.
"I advise you don't waste your breath" Herrmann said with his thick accent, walking slowly towards them "The longer you persist the more pain you will receive" The giant warned "Surrender now for you have lost. Refuse to comply then I will have to knock both you out before time runs out"
"Someone's cocky…" Minos grumbled under his breath as he tightens his sword before turning to his partner "Well? Any ideas?"
"Pass by him…"
"It was a serious question…"
"I know" JC nodded ahead "We have two minutes, and all he has to do is stall us" he explained the situation "And the only way we can even hope to pass by him is by a distraction…" he used up some of the flash bangs early on when the giant young man intercepted them the first time. And using it now would be useless because the big man would see it coming.
"No shit…" Minos took a stance before he realized something "You said you want a distraction?"
JC nodded "Yeah… I can use my flashbangs but he would see it coming, and probably thought of a way to counter it" the one observation Denton noted on Herrmann is his adaption of any situation, all he needs is to see something once and he would think of a way to counter it.
'Having a photographic memory is really useful in these types of environments'
Minos sheathed his sword.
JC was taken aback from the red-haired Faunus "Giving up now?" Denton asked his partner "I am open for a surrender if we don't have any option but we still have time"
Minos glared at the tall teen "Do I look like I am surrendering to you?" he bellowed angrily, taking offense at the implication. The red-haired Faunus took a deep breath and closed his eyes, and two seconds later his body started to glow red.
"Wait… don't tell me…" JC realized what Minos had in mind.
"You said you wanted a distraction, and I giving you one" The Faunus opened his eyes, the giant students was coming closer to them, telling them to surrender or get knocked out, and he all he was thinking to hell with it "Carter said to use anything to succeed this simulation" he holds the grip of his sword and took a stance "And all you have to do is touch the bomb right? You don't need to disarm it or bother in fighting Navarre if you are so hesitant like a coward"
JC will let that last part slide.
Semblance, the manifestation of one's personal power, representing an aspect of the person's character. Basically, a superpower comes to life if someone was able to activate it.
'Can't wait to get mine at some point…' JC thought curiously before preparing himself.
"Can you pass by him fast?" Minos asked, "And by fast, I mean super-fast to the point that big lug can't even react?"
Denton took a moment looking at his partner before nodding, his eyes glowing small blue for a second.
"When I say go, you freaking go" Ordered his red-haired partner "Do not hesitate, do not slow down even for one second because one thing I can say about my semblance that it's destructive"
"Now you are making me hesitate…" Minos isn't a most reassuring person when it comes to this kind of things, is he?...
"Just shut up and do it!" Minos yelled. Herrmann has stopped walking after noticing something amiss in their aura "Slow down for one second and you lose an arm, trust me on this part"
'Trust?' this is the first time Denton heard his partner say those words if he trusts him enough to do this then he better make the most out of it if he wants to get out here with his head in its place.
Sighing, JC took a stance "You better not take off a limp"
"No promises" Red Aura burst from his form, ready to release the Semblance.
[One Minute Remaining]
Gunther realized what they were doing "No use!" The giant man launched himself toward the duo like a bullet "You already lost!"
The world slowed down around them.
A second felt a minute, a minute felt an hour, an hour felt like an eternity.
He took his breath, muscle relaxing before stretching.
His grip on the sword tightens as he began removing it from its sheath.
"GO!"
JC's eyes burst blue like a fire letting loose.
The world return back to its normal speed, the giant man managed to cut through his leap with an armed raised ready to strike.
Before their surrounding turned red.
Blood red, darkness sliced apart.
And a blue light move passed the giant man like a blur…..
….
…
…
….
'A common enemy can give a person, no matter their belief, no matter their personal thoughts or desires, a reason to work with someone being an antithesis of that belief. A common enemy and goal will always force them to work together to complete that goal'
….
…
Beacon Academy – Present time – The Emerald Forest.
The world was in its view.
The Nevermore remained perched up on the towers ruins as it continued to watch the walls its prey decided to hide behind. Waiting and preparing itself for anyone stupid enough to come out in its sight.
Its red eyes glinted in bliss as four foolish preys exited the walls, led by a tall man in black and run across the extended bridge that connected to the tower.
These creatures were more foolish than it anticipated.
Flying above, the Nevermore raised its beak and cawed in anticipation, wings fluttering as it prepared to attack at the oncoming four humans.
'It's now or never…'
The tall man in black raises a single metal arm for them to stop, turning to the orange haired member of his group "Valkyrie! Get its attention!"
Nora Valkyrie grinned widely as she brought out a white colored grenade launcher, he really did not want to know how and why she is carrying a freaking grenade launcher. Then again… he was carrying a set of explosives himself so he can't exactly judge.
But the bigger the heat, the better is their chances in this fight.
"Bombs away!" Nora shouted happily as she fired several shells of explosives upon the raven Grimm, bursting into pink electricity upon hitting the Nevermore.
Momentarily staggering the creature, it didn't stop it from attacking the four as it fluttered its wings wider, feathers moving at their direction.
"Any ideas Bionic man?" Lie Ren asked the tall man in black, feeling a sweat drop as the Nevermore prepared to attack them, beside him Nora was trying to reload her weapon as quickly as she can.
"We are about to find out…"
"That doesn't sound ominous…"
With nowhere to run and take cover from its attack, the Nevermore couldn't help but glee as it had its sight at the four, sending a barrage of giant feathers hurling towards them.
Pyrrha Nikos instantly raised her shield, knowing it would be of no use to protect from a barrage of feathers, especially at the size of a flagpole.
It had them on their sights.
"JC!"
The world slowed down around them, his eyes flared blue behind his sunglasses. Raising his augmented arms above him.
"Activate… Aegis"
[AEGIS SYSTEM… DEPOLOYED]
His eyes flared intensely as his arms burst out blue electromagnet flare from it. From the tip of his fingers, blue hexagonal holograms started appearing in an accelerated pace, hovering around them until it took a shape of a small dome. Shielding them from the barrage of feathers the Nevermore throw at them.
"Whoa…" Nora audibled, voicing everyone's thoughts as they stood inside the dome. Looking in awe that JC Denton managed to create a stable and powerful shield around them with just augmentation.
Pyrrha, in particular, was the most impressed at this display of power, she never saw nor imagined that just by augmentations you can create something like a shield dome at will, matching the scale of a semblance. And from what she saw Denton use, you can include cloaking and detecting threats.
'But there has to be a limit to this all… is it?' Pyrrha turned to her partner, who seemed to be fatigued, possibly from overusing his augmentation.
'Shit…' his HUD was starting to function oddly, numbers showing in places and his power supply showing up everywhere 'I need to be careful…'
"JC?" Pyrrha voiced in concern, catching the augmented man's attention "Are you ok?"
"I am fine" JC quickly changed his demurrer, going back to his cold and professional air he gave out since meeting him "Just get ready," the tall man said as he started to lower the shields.
'Here it comes…'
The Nevermore, focusing its attention on the four, did not notice the oncoming bullet soaring through the air and hit it straight on its red-crimson eyes. Cawing in pain and anger, the creature turned its sight with its one good eye to where the shot came.
A couple of feet away from the bridge, a grinning Ruby Rose waved at the Nevermore for its attention after blinding it in one side, beside her was the same white-haired girl who held its talons earlier, activating her glyphs.
Cawing in rage, the Nevermore flew towards the duo, focusing its attention on them instead of JC and the others.
'Now it's up to you Ruby…' he hoped but had enough fate in Ruby and the others to think of a plan to get rid of the Grimm.
"Deathstalker heading this way!" Pyrrha called the others attention as the scorpion got nearer to the bridge, swinging its pincers wildly as it approached them.
Nodding, JC brought out his last batch of explosives he kept aside and began setting each of them in crucial parts around the bridge with Nora Valkyrie helping him set them out.
He definitely did not want to know how a girl like Nora would know how to set up explosives charges, nor does he want to know.
'Hoped the bridge would be at least wobbly… guess the Order used some good materials in building these temples…'
"Are you sure about this, JC?" asked Pyrrha worriedly to her partner as set up the last bomb on the bridge.
"We don't exactly have a tank laying around to help us, Pyrrha" explained the augmented man "And throwing a bomb in close range is a bad choice"
"So you decided to collapse the bridge?"
"It's the quickest way instead of going through a drawn-out fight"
Pyrrha sighed before nodding in acceptance.
His plan to handle the Deathstalker was to basically collapse the bridge with the scorpion on it, it sounds suicidal but they lack any powerful weapons to do a number on the giant Grimm.
"I've seen people holding a grudge and go overboard with it" Lie Ren sighed tiredly as he prepared his weapons, which were a set of green pistols with sharp blades attached on the handles "But this is just another level of holding a grudge, it even ignored Ruby and the others because of you" said the youth in green.
JC cranked his neck in anticipation, he set his rifle aside in case he doesn't hit anyone by mistake in the scuffle "Well… who knew that pissing off a Grimm would actually be a benefit" stated the tall man.
"And a heavy risk for everyone involved…" Ren cited "But at least I get to move around my muscle like Nora wanted…"
"Heh… You and me both" JC let out a small chuckle, a rare thing for him to do and prepared himself for the oncoming scorpion.
"Ooooh! Meany Grimm is finally here!" Nora pointed the approaching Deathstalker. Bringing out her grenade launcher, it changed shape, transforming itself from a grenade launcher type to a giant hammer in quick fashion.
'Guess it's a thing in these parts of Remnant…' JC was used to seeing simple but still lethal weapons in his time in Atlas, seeing Ruby's weapons, and looking at Ren's and Nora's own has convinced him that Vale and even Mistral to an extent, use and create their weapons much differently.
Bringing out the detonator trigger, JC made sure to time it perfectly to press it and set off the explosions, and making sure it goes down with the Grimm on top of it.
'Forty seconds…' all they have is thirty seconds before it goes off, and time is short 'Time to end this'
They stood near the end of the bridge near the tower, as the Grimm came closer to the center he took a deep breath, his eyes glowed blue one last time before pressing the trigger.
"GO!" JC commanded the others, charging head onto the Scorpion weapons were drawn. Folding his arms together, black blades came out from his augmented arms, an attachment he was given when he first got them.
Ahead of them, the giant scorpion clipped its pincers in anticipation as the four came foolishly charging head-on.
Leading the charge, JC dashed ahead of the others as he brought the black blade forward to strike the Grimm.
Using its large pincers, the creature tried to hit the tall man before he avoided it in the last second, seeing it as an opening, it swung its other hand to strike before a red-haired girl quickly brought out her shield and blocked the pincers, saving the augmented man from the blow.
Taking a chance, JC used one of his black augmented blades and pierced through its joints, causing it to howl in pain.
Ren jumped high above, shooting an array of bullets toward the Deathstalker but its thick armor bounced them off. Seeing the youth in green on the air, the scorpion used its golden stinger to swat him away, but on the last second Lie Ren used his reflexes to avoid the hit and landed on top of the stinger, stabbing and shooting the joints that hold it together.
The Deathstalker, growing impatient, tried to throw Lie Ren off but to no avail before its one good eye focused on JC who still held one of its pincers, remembering it was he who blinded it on one side. It began moving its stinger once more but instead tried to lower the golden part to one of its targets and strike down on the augmented man.
Intercepting its attack, Denton moved his head at the last second as the golden stinger missed hitting him. Taking his chance, JC quickly grabbed hold of the tail that holds the stinger with his augmented arm while still keeping the pincers from attacking him in the other.
"Take the shot!" JC ordered.
Feeling its pincers loosening up from her end, possibly due to its focus on JC. Pyrrha swung her sword at the joints Ren has been focusing on with all of her strength, slicing the stinger off of its tail.
"Nora!" Ren, who landed gracefully after the stinger was cut off its tail, called for the orange haired girl's attention who perked up "Drop the hammer!" he told her as he dropped on one knee and gave her his back.
Smiling wildly like a child getting permission to stay up late, Nora prepared her war hammer before running up and jumping on Ren's back, who gave her enough strength to boost her high above.
"Hammer!" She yelled excitedly as she brought the war hammer over her head and swung forward "Down!" hitting the creature down on its head.
The force of the hammer created a powerful vibration around them it shook the entire bridge, and the force managed to dent its armor and daze the creature momentarily.
"Head back!" JC ordered the others "We have fifteen seconds!" eyes widening among the three, they quickly moved past the fallen Grimm and run back to the start of the bridge as they tried to beat the time.
But someone had a different idea.
Almost on instinct and blind rage, the Deathstalker turned its body and moved its pincers forward, grabbing hold whatever it can catch and it managed to grab hold of Denton.
"JC!" Pyrrha and the others managed to reach the end of the bridge while JC was still far away from them. Turning to Ren "We need to help him!" Pyrrha tried to go in and help her partner from the Grimm's grip but Ren pulled her back.
"The bomb is about to explode!" Ren yelled at the girl but she ignored him, staring at her partner fearfully.
"Ah… hell…" JC murmured as he slicing the pincers with his black blade, doing some damage to it but he knew he didn't have any time left if he continued slicing aimlessly.
The world around him stopped moving…
'You are a weapon! Used only for the sake of war! Nothing more nothing else!'
He remembered those words, it was hollow when he first heard it and it is hollow to him right now…
But he knew there was some truth behind those words…
Carter told him those words but always made sure to put 'Always put the people ahead of everything else' those words meant something, this one meant nothing.
It meant nothing…
'We are weapons for war…'
"Heh…" JC Denton chuckled darkly as he stared at the Grimm, its lone eyes glaring daggers through his sunglasses. His leg is starting to bleed due to the pincers strong grip, aiming to take him with it "Persistent, aren't you… Trying to kill me for messing up your feeding ground…" he brought his augmented arms forward, black blade out and ready "But if I didn't die back then… then you sure as hell won't be today"
He aimed his arms forward and fired, like a crossbow shot the black blade flew through the air like a speeding arrow and pierced right through its one good eye, blinding it for good.
The sudden shot and blindness loosen its grip from his leg but felt pain shot right through his entire body after realizing the Grimm's grip managed to wound his leg badly as blood started coming out profusely.
His body even felt tired all of the sudden, feeling completely drained of energy 'Shit… Aegis took a lot out of me…' at the corner of HUD, the energy bars where it told him how his supply where going was basically in the red, and they don't seem to be going up.
*BOOM*
The ground shook as the explosives finally set off at the other end, causing it to begin to collapse from where they placed the explosives, getting closer to where he and the Deathstalker stood.
"Come on JC!" Pyrrha called for her partner.
'Ah hell…' realizing the bridge is starting to collapse, JC mustered up enough energy to run toward the other end of the bridge. Running as fast as he could with whatever strength he can muster up, but he was still far away from the endpoint.
"Gonna run back –GAH!"
His body started registering pain from all direction, like an electrical shock going through him. At the corner of his HUD a message popped up, and one he did not want to see.
[SYSTEM STATUS: CRITICAL 180% ]
"Dammit… Aegis overclocked my systems…"
Pyrrha looked on in horror, despite her hands reaching out for her partner, she could see he wouldn't make it even close to them for him to even take a jump. And judging from his pain expression, his injured leg was hindering tremendously.
Even his augmentations seemed to be dead metal right now, all day when she was with him he made sure to save up enough of his energy but it looks like he used what's left when he used the shields to help against the Nevermore.
She thought of a way to help her partner, anything at all, but every plan she thinks of comes back blank, nothing 'No! There has to be something!'
Her eyes lingered on before it settled on his augmented arms…
'Wait!'
"Bright idea JC! Blowing up a goddamn bridge with you still on it..." Denton, as he ran, or hobbled, is the better term to use, as he tried to make it to the end of the bridge but could still see he is still far off, he can use his 'landing systems' in case he falls down to the abyss but he is not looking forward to seeing what is down there.
'Paul is laughing somewhere I am sure…'
"Hmm?" His train of thought was cut short after he felt something move, more precisely he felt his augmentations move on his arms and even internally before feeling his legs taking off on the air, making him float.
'Did I get a levitation augmentation?' that would save him a lot of trouble if he had any.
The bridge completely collapsed, sending the Deathstalker to its doom as it fell into the abyss. Staring down at said abyss but he was somehow floating instead of falling, he turned his attention forward to the bridge entrance and found his partner Pyrrha outstretching her arms, her entire body was glowing in a purple aura.
'Semblance?' JC realized the red-haired girl had her eyes closed as she tried to make sure he doesn't fall into the endless abyss.
"Pull!" she commanded her powers as she pulled him from where he floated, but the adrenaline she had in her made the pull that more powerful, managing to pull JC and fly past them before landing on the grass ground hard.
That took the wind right out of him.
"Oh god!" Pyrrha quickly ran up to check up on him, she somehow managed to fling him over seven feet from the group "I am sorry!"
JC remained laying on his back, the rough landing managed to knock the wind right of him due to the impact.
Pyrrha runs up to her partner and crouched, checking for any damage.
"Pyrrha…" JC breathed out after regaining his bearing "Never… apologize for saving someone's life…." Said the augmented man, trying to seat properly before the red-haired girl helped him seat up "Although, be mindful with your throwing skills…"
Pyrrha couldn't help but giggle at JC's dry humor, showing her that he was alright despite his wounds.
"Never knew you had telekinesis for a semblance" JC cited, he has seen and heard of the existence of different types of Semblances, each with their unique use.
Pyrrha shook her head "It's actually polarity, basically magnetism" she explained after JC gave her a confused look "I realized that because you are augmented with metal I could use my powers to help you"
The augmented man whistled, the power to control magnetism. In this day and age of tech and weapons having powers like that would be really useful in combat.
"Guess using it on an augmented person is a first…"
Pyrrha giggled "I did lift heavier objects," said the champion "But your case is different. I had to make sure I didn't… tear off your arms from your body" she honestly did not expect it to work when she summoned her powers to lift Denton, so she was extremely shocked when it actually work like she had hoped.
"So you had to accommodate it with my actual weight" JC realized, which Pyrrha nodded at his assumption "That must have been difficult"
"Oh! Don't worry!" Pyrrha said, trying to ease the man with a smile, which Denton saw right through but didn't comment on it, the girl looked happy that her powers actually worked on an aug, why scold her for it "But yes, you would be the first augmented I used my powers on"
JC noted she was breathing raggedly, balancing in using her powers on someone who is both augmented inside and out while at the same time making sure she doesn't tear them off of him completely.
He honestly wished to see something like that.
'That would be a blessing actually if I don't bleed out first'
JC let out a small chuckle as he sat on the ground, still feeling numb from overheating his augmentations as it reached to a stable level to one hundred percent "Guess being augmented has its quirks that don't include being a walking weapon" he cited as he tried to stand up straight, fighting through the fatigue and pain his augmentation has given him. But upon standing up he fell on one knee after feeling pain shot through his left foot.
Quickly holding the tall man from falling, Pyrrha checked over his state, scolding herself for not noticing his bleeding leg he received courtesy from the Deathstalker.
"Hold on, I'll try to cover your wounds" thinking of a way to cover them before deciding the alternative is to tear off a piece of the red drapery she wore around her legs, exposing a few her legs before wrapping the piece of red cloth around his leg to slow down the bleeding. Any other wound she can see is the scar on his left cheek, probably got it during the scuffle with the Grimm "That should do it, the wounds aren't too deep, so it would make it easy for your Aura to handle the rest" said the red-haired girl as she smiled at her work.
"Yeah… my Aura…" JC murmured lowly before moving his legs a bit, while still painful to walk around he was still able to at least hobble.
As Pyrrha helped him walk, which the red-haired girl noted that he was very heavy, JC looked over Ren and Nora, with the former laying back first on the fallen they used earlier for cover while the latter still having the bubbly energy she carried around since morning.
'Guess everyone got their fill for today…'
Their rest was interrupted after the ground shook, turning to the source. They found the Nevermore landing on grass after having its head cut off in perfect fashion courtesy of Ruby Rose with the help of Schnee, Belladonna, and Yang in taking it down, and they look just as worn out as they are after their fight.
Pyrrha widens her smile, happy to see Ruby and the others safe and successful.
"You did it JC! Your plan worked wonderfully!"
"We did it Pyrrha…" he corrected her, Ruby's idea in catching the Nevermore off-guard helped them considerably to shift their focus on the Deathstalker "Plans don't work properly unless everyone in it did it well, you guys did it perfectly"
From her spot, Ruby was the only one who was standing up compared to the others who were exhausted from the fight, waving at them happily.
JC couldn't help but smile, happy to see everyone alive and with their heads still in its place.
"Looks like it's time to head back, it feels like we've been here forever…" Denton stated as he was able to walk without any help.
Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora nodded before walking and regroup with others to head back to the cliffs and finish the exam that felt long overdue.
As they approach Ruby and the others, Pyrrha couldn't help but feel… uncomfortable as she helped her partner walk. Remembering something she saw in her partner when she saved him from falling to his death.
Or more specifically, felt something within him.
Eyeing her partner from behind, Pyrrha couldn't shake this feeling…
Her semblance not only lets her lift metal but also sense them, feel them as they were close to her skin. But when she used her powers on JC she couldn't believe the amount of it wherein the tall man.
'Just how heavily augmented are you… JC Denton…'
{DXR}
Beacon Academy – Main Assembly Hall – TIME: 15:00 P.M:
"Russel Thrush. Cardin Winchester. Dove Bronzewing and Sky Lark"
Headmaster Ozpin stood on stage once more as he named the four individuals across of him. After everyone managed to finish the exam successfully, with no one getting any major injury or god forbid a fatality in the exam, they were given a couple of hours to rest up before being called to head for the assembly hall once again, Awaiting for the Headmaster announcing the teams for those who paired up.
Which something JC Denton was not looking forward to the experience.
"The four of you retrieved the black rook piece" The Headmaster continued "From this day forward you will work together as Team CRDL. Led by… Cardin Winchester"
The crowd cheered politely, along with Ozpin congratulating the Winchester fellow with a handshake before getting off stage and back to their spot.
'Cardinal… is that supposed to be a color?'
JC suspected that the chess pieces were sued as a way to assign the teams for first years, a much faster process than just putting everyone base on their abilities which would take a lot longer if you have to study pattern and personalities.
'Guess Ozpin goes with the approach put them in teams and hope for the best'
"Come on, we are up next" Pyrrha whispered as she stood beside him. Nodding in response, he walked beside Pyrrha and two others before climbing up on stage.
Yang Xiao Long watched the four as they climb on stage with a focused look, more specifically on the tall man.
Ruby, noticing her sister giving a look, decided to ask her "Something's up?"
"How does he do it…"
"Ahh… Yang?"
"His sunglasses!" Yang exclaimed to her sister "How does he keep it in its place! I lost mine after landing, which really really sucks because those were really expensive" she cried out "But his just… they just stayed on his face! Not once did it fall off in the fight!"
"Uhmm…" Ruby was unsure how to respond to her sister, but it did make curious as to how JC was able to keep his sunglasses throughout the entirety of his fight.
"You would think it's glued on his face! Or maybe augmented!"
"Oh! That would be actually really cool!"
"Will you two quiet down!" Weiss Schnee scolded the sisters as she stood by Ruby's side "And of course it is not augmented, he would look ridicules if he had those auto-shades implemented"
"Wait, there are actual sunglasses augmentations?" Yang asked.
"Of course, in Atlas, anything is possible"
Blake shushed the three down, telling them to focus on what is happening on stage.
"Pyrrha Nikos. JC Denton. Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie" Ozpin called the four as they stood across the headmaster in anticipation "The four of you the white rook pieces. And from this day forward you will work together as Team JNPR"
'Never thought my name would actually complete Juniper…' JC never understood the whole color naming thing due to Atlas not adhering much of the rule. Which caused a bit of confusion whenever someone asks him of his name if he visits places like Vale or Mistral.
Ozpin's eyes focused on Pyrrha, who tensed up after realizing what the headmaster was about to name the leader. Which brought butterflies within her, and not in the good kind.
"Led by…" his eyes turned away from the champion to her partner "JC Denton!"
"…!"
The augmented man's eyes widen behind his sunglasses at the announcement. For the second time, JC actually showed a semblance of a reaction that doesn't involve fighting, going through a near-death experience or Nora being Nora. And that is not a feeling he views as a friendly one.
'No…'
"Congratulations young man," said Ozpin to the shocked Denton before bringing forth his hand "You will make a fine leader"
JC's arms remained immobile, his hands closing tightly in anger at this announcement before releasing it. He knew he can't make a scene right now in front of the crow. So he went forward to shake the Headmaster's hand but gripped it strongly to emphasizing his displeasure at this announcement.
Which The Headmaster answered with a wide smile, amused.
The tall man lets go of Ozpin's hand before feeling a small bump on his shoulder given by his partner, Pyrrha. Smiling happily at her partners newly assigned status.
Despite him feeling the opposite…
"Congrats you guys!" Ruby greeted the group after getting off the stage and walked up to them. Turning to her friend with a warm smile "And congrats, JC! You'll make a great leader" Ruby said happily, which earned her a silence from the tall man, looking down deep in thought "JC?" she asked once more worriedly.
"Ruby!" Yang called for her sister near the stairs connected to the stage "Come on! We are up!"
"Oh! Coming!" Ruby stared at JC one last time, whose facial expression did not show, she can clearly see he was in distress, but why? Was he angry at being named as a leader?
"Ruby!"
"Coming!"
{DXR}
Beacon Academy – Main Tower – Time: 17:32 P.M
Ozpin sighed as he sat on his chair tiredly after finishing with the ceremony not twenty minutes ago, going through close to seventy teams was a bit of a stretch but as headmaster, he had a job to uphold.
And to make sure he doesn't get another lecture from one Glynda Goodwitch.
"Computer, bring me today's footage of the initiation" Ozpin ordered his office's computer "Specifically on the Deathstalker and the Nevermore fight"
Doing as ordered, his computer flared to life. Showing the Headmaster the asked footages of each of the fights earlier that have happened during the initiations thanks to the various cameras he installed before the semester began as both an observation – review, and asses students performances, see them how they handle in stressful situation and working alongside strangers – and a precautions – making sure the students finish the exam without any serious injuries or God forbid, death.
Fixing the window tabs side by side on his desktop screen. Ozpin replayed the Nevermore fight, where Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long fought and defeated the giant raven, who are collectively now known as team RWBY. The young girl managed to lead her team to victory despite the reservation from one of her teammates, but her natural aura managed to attract and gravitate the others to listen to her. Which is more impressive with Weiss Schnee, a girl who was antagonizing Ruby not long ago before the exam and Blake Belladonna, a stranger who decided to trust the young girl despite speaking only briefly. And with her sister being a part of the team will help her grow even further.
The fight was tiring to the four but thanks to their fluid coordination's and Ruby's own leadership, they were able to defeat and destroy the Nevermore. Of course making her the leader was shocking to some, but after seeing the footage at least five times before the ceremony convinced him that making Ruby Rose the leader of her own team was a no-brainer, although unrefined due to inexperienced the young girl has the potential to be something greater through proper training and education, if just by this one outing what else she could do if she honed her skills even further.
And he will make sure of that.
The Deathstalker fight, however…
The scorpion fight felt much less of a spectacle compared to the Nevermore fight and more of a tactical fight. Making the effort to not turn it into a long drawn out fight through pragmatic means. JC Denton, leading his team to victory and the way he achieved wasn't out of place in the Huntsmen world due to it being more of circumstances on using an already ancient bridge ready collapse after a couple of years, but certainly well-deserved praise for thinking out of the box. Team JNPR, as the Headmaster came to call them, managed to turn a tough fight against an opponent with impregnable armor into what quite possibly be the quickest fight against a Deathstalker he has seen so far.
Like Ruby Rose, JC Denton trusted his teammate's abilities and skills in the fight. But unlike Ruby, Denton lacked natural aura from the get-go, while Ruby was presentable, JC was reserved, subdued, but still was able to coordinate with his team through a silent agreement. His teamwork with Pyrrha Nikos, a prodigy and who the Headmaster considers Beacons best fighters, are close to perfect despite just meeting each other. Lie Ren, another one who seems to share many of Denton's traits except for their clothing choices and of course Augmentations, seems to trust Denton well enough along with Nora Valkyrie.
'For two very different individuals, Miss Rose and Mr. Denton share some similarities…' Ozpin played another video, that of JC and Ruby trading ideas before their respective fights against the Grimm with the others listening intently 'This will be an interesting year indeed'
His computer starting beeping, a call from downstairs.
"Yes, Peach?" he answered his receptionist downstairs in the lobby.
[Sorry to disturb you, Sir. But there is a rather tall student here insisting on meeting you] his receptionist said through the monitor, her voice sounding tired from a long day in work [I told them you are not expecting any visitors but they wouldn't budge, saying it's important]
'That didn't take long'
"Send them up, Peach" he ordered, amused at this development "I'll be entertaining a guest"
The receptionist was clearly taken aback by the sudden order but nonetheless complied [Aha... you could have said from the beginning but alright, Sir] the call ended, leading the Headmaster to assumed that the receptionist to do as told.
As he waited for his visitor to arrive on the elevator that connected to the tower and reached all the way to his office, Ozpin turned to a chess board that rested aside on his table, with the pieces he used for the exam standing completely.
'The Knight who fights and The Rook who defends'
The elevator bell sounded as it stopped on his office and soon afterward the door slid open, a tall man in black coat entered.
"Not even a day to accommodate yourself in the new position and already visiting my office," said the Headmaster "I take it patience isn't your strong suit… Mr. Denton"
JC Denton stood a couple of feet away from his desk, staring down on the Headmaster "It really depends on the situation if I need to be patient or not" He cited before crossing his arms "And we both know as to why I am here, Ozpin" Denton clipped, showing more anger beneath his usual cold exterior.
"Oh?"
"We had a deal. I agreed to join your academy with the promise of being a solo student and not getting put into teams. And not only you ignored that request, you went and made me the goddamn leader of one" JC walked closer until he was a foot away from his desk, his blue eyes glowed behind his shades, which would scare any common man except the Headmaster's expression remained unchanged "I don't like getting played with"
The Headmaster simply let out a small chuckle to the man, unaffected at how close the augmented man has come to his desk.
"You find this funny?" JC accused.
"Actually yes, and I meant no offence" Ozpin answered honestly as he rested his elbows on the desk, fingers interlocked together "I was simply following academy protocol, after all, weren't you the one who said you wish no spotlight over you" The Headmaster reminded the augmented man "You speak of 'getting played' yet look at yourself, you weren't exactly honest on your part"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Your augmentations for one" Ozpin motioned his arm "You failed to tell us that you were also a mechanical augment on top your nano-augmentations"
JC narrowed his eyes, which glowed for a second.
"Don't get me wrong, Mr. Denton. I am actually very pleased with the fact you haven't disclosed anything on your augmentations, it explains a lot on your character" Ozpin cited, not meaning to make it sound like he backed off their deal because of something simple as this "Although I can't say Professor Goodwitch shares with me, she was quiet… unpleased"
"That's an understatement"
After the team assembly, Glynda Goodwitch quickly hunted him down with a stern look on her face. Scolding him for a good thirty or so minutes about academy etiquettes and that each student must go through a checkup with the staff –Herself- on their weapons and whatever they use in combat. Which he, of course, did not do so upon entry in academy grounds.
And it has been the first time in a long time someone with authority dressing him down for disciplinary actions.
Oddly refreshing.
"And? I don't see the deceive part here"
"Oh that was just me pointing out something" Ozpin widen his smile "You have failed to tell us that you lack any kind of Aura"
"…!"
For the third time today, JC Denton was taken aback. "How did you-"
"Your cheek, it has yet to be healed completely" Ozpin pointed out at the small line across his cheek, which caused the augmented man to unconsciously put a hand on it, "I think someone as knowledgeable as you know the basics of how Aura heals all wounds, especially minor ones"
Denton knew what the man meant. His augmentations possess the ability to repair and heal any damage he receives in a fight, but at a slower rate compared to Aura. And the larger and extensive the damage he receives, the more time it takes for him to be healed completely.
In other words, the scar on his cheek would be healed by the morning, but the injury he got on his legs is very extensive and add the fact he went overboard on his augs, so he'll be limping for the next couple of days.
'Days like this make me wonder if I should have got my legs mechanical augmented too…'
Ozpin leaned closer, hands interlocked closely to his face as he stared at the augmented man behind his glasses.
"So tell me, Mr. Denton… No, we are speaking privately so we don't need to hide anything here, don't we Agent Denton?"
JC Denton narrowed his eyes once more, this is the first time the Headmaster addressed him with his title.
"Our agreement with your unit is that I have full control over anytime you are on campus, and I have explained things through with your superiors as to how difficult it is to make you a single student, without a team no less, would bring a lot of spotlight over you" he explained as he stood from his seat ". After all, being classified as an ogre brings a lot of unwanted attention as it is"
It took a couple of seconds before Denton nodded in agreement, albeit hesitantly. He went through a lot of trouble when he first arrives on Vale because he was basically classified as a walking weapon, and on a place like Vale, where augmentations aren't as prevalent as Atlas or even Mistral, it sure brings a lot of eyeballs at you.
"I see your point" he sighed, he realized that being a team fewer huntsmen in the academy would draw a lot of attention, making people wonder what made him special to not be in one.
"There is one thing I value the most in my academy, Agent" Ozpin began as he sat up from his chair, staring straight on the augmented man's sunglasses "And that is securing a future for my students, teaching them the importance of teamwork and forging bonds that last a lifetime to all future huntsmen and huntresses, especially ones as lost as you" The Headmaster cited, giving the student an understanding look.
"…."
JC said nothing for a moment, before letting out a tired sigh.
"Alright…" JC said in understanding, not in the mood to argue "I get it, you wanted to protect my cover"
"That, and something else you'll see eventually"
"Aren't you being cryptic…" JC murmured "But that doesn't explain the fact you made me the leader of a team"
"I could have chosen Nora Valkyrie as a leader if you seemed against the idea," Ozpin said sarcastically "But I have my reasons"
"And that is?"
"I take it you understand as to why the chess pieces were used for the exam" The Headmaster motioned at the chess board resting at the side.
JC nodded "You use it to make it easier for you to place people into groups"
"Correct, it's a randomized process to not show any favoritism or support to where the students were placed together" Ozpin explained "That is a simple process to follow through, but the hardest one is to find the appropriate leader for the team to follow and listen. As you see I don't choose leaders base on what little paper tells me, you can be the president of something for all I care but on the field, that's a different story, that's where I find a person's true potential and how they act in times of distress"
There's an old saying among the huntsmen and huntresses: You find your true friends in the battlefield.
No truer words spoken at the actions he saw today.
Ozpin pressed on the hologram keyboard to bring up the two videos he ordered earlier. And a video showing his and Ruby planning before the fight, with their respective teammates listening intently "This is what I mean, Mr. Denton. You and Miss Rose have both shown exceptional leadership despite being the first time for you to lead" he said knowingly, as the report he received about JC Denton that he never once lead his own team, preferring to work alone except with a few partners on occasions "I aim to help you and everyone in my academy to grow not just as a defender of Remnant, but as a person"
He watched the Deathstalker fight, leading his team into victory thanks to their teamwork and everyone actually listening to proper planning.
'Actually managed to beat Greenhorn on something…'
"For a guy who just told everyone they are a waste of energy, you are way too cheerful in helping them" JC cited, remembering yesterday's meeting at the hall. A sigh escaped the tall man, finally understanding what the Headmaster was doing "Alright, You made your point. You were following protocol along with helping me keep my cover a secret"
Plus being a teamless student will set off all the wrong attention.
"I have Mr. Denton, but you still seem unconvinced"
"Let's just say I have my reasons… personal reasons" Denton said cryptically. Ozpin remembered that in JC's file, his background before coming to Vale, and even before continuing on his work back at Atlas a year ago were all… blank. Nothing is written on his previous work, while Glynda was suspicious on such a clear doctorate of his work, Ozpin respected that Denton was looking for a fresh start.
"Then all I can say is try to give it a chance, no harm in getting to know new faces after all"
"Easier said than done…"
"You'll be surprised. Compared to the others, I am not as worried about you finding your footing here in Beacon, Mr. Denton. You might even enjoy it here more than most places"
"At least the sun isn't blocked out, so that's a plus," said the tall man, his voice going back to its dry tone. Ozpin chuckled lightly before taking a seat, seeing the augmented man will try to give the notion of teaming up with others a chance made him happy.
Turning and walking toward the office elevator, JC pressed the button to call the lift up, which was much slower than the ones he was used to. Remembering something important he had to discuss with the Headmaster, Denton turned his head to the man.
"About… my other duties… I might be called soon"
"Don't worry, Agent Denton" Ozpin assured the augmented man "We have set up a landing area for your pilot whenever you are called, hope you don't stay up late, Mr. Denton. Professor Goodwitch doesn't take absences kindly"
"Neither is walking around in heavy weapons…" Denton cited as the elevator reached the office, doors opened wide for the augmented man to use.
As he was about to enter the elevator, Ozpin still had one last thing to say "And before I forget. I would like to be the first to welcome you and your task force in our humble city, Agent. The streets have never been safer thanks to your effort" despite his thanks, JC could clearly feel the sarcasm behind it and even displeasure.
"I don't think my superiors would appreciate sarcasm, Headmaster"
"I have made them aware of my opinion on this deal, Agent" Ozpin leaned against his chair "But do give my regards to the Captain"
Entering the elevator and pressed the key, Agent JC Denton turned back to the Headmaster as he gave him a nod "Well do" the doors closed, leaving the headmaster seating in silence once again.
Standing from his seat, the Headmaster walked back to the window vista, the academy's bright lights made look more beautiful at night. Looking down on the walkway he saw JC Denton walking out the tower and into the dormitories, it seems he has a lot of work to do if wants to accommodate in Beacon.
"Despite his cold exterior, he acts just as you did… Paul" said the Headmaster to himself "Denton's...keeping secrets from others seems to be their forte. Even when it comes to their partners…"
The Headmaster looked up, the broken moon beautiful as ever lighten the academy in this cold night.
'The Knight and the Rook have found their place in the board, but will he be ready when light and darkness clash?'
Nearby, on top of the Headmaster's desk. The chess board was assembled with all the pieces in its place, with the king and the queen facing each other. Beneath the chess board, a magazine of the latest news on Atlas recent technological advancement, with VersaLife taking the lead in recent development in finding a cure for the plague.
{END}
Entry: Augmentations in the Military:
Years following the creation of Augmentations, the military began developing ways to convert augmentations for weapon use to combat the growing threat of the Grimm.
Thanks to the brilliant mind of David Sarif of Seraph Tech, his company began the first series of weapons contract to help Atlas Military in developing various augmentations with the promise in what Sarif says to be 'The Golden Age' of Remnant. By using Atlas and even Schnee Industries support on funding his projects, variously enhanced augmentations have been created for the military for not only Atlas but even for the Lancers of Mistral.
Weaponized augmentations that have developed and perfected throughout the years has ranged from combat and defense type augs to stealth and espionage as the growing threat of terrorism and other criminal activity in Remnant. It even reaches to a point where augmented soldiers have been called as the future defenders and view Huntsmen as an old concept.
{EXTRA}
Author Note:
It took awhile but here it is, the closing chapter of the initiat arc. It took close to a year for me to get pass this one because I was still trying to find my writing style (And still looking).
Hope you liked the flashback and the final revelation about JC (I had to think for way as to how to reasonably put a cyberpunk like character in a setting like RWBY, THE answer? Ghost in the Shell)
All in all, glad I am done with this arc and we move on to some real story.
Constructive criticism is always welcomed and appreciated.
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{CROWN}
UNKNOWN – TIME: 00:00:
"Everything is set?"
"Almost, we just need to finish the transaction then we're all set…"
"And you take his word that he will comply?"
"I've made necessary arrangements should anything go south. Don't worry, it won't be traced back to us…"
"Good…oh and before I forget, your appointment with Councilwoman should be finalized within the week, so dress sharp when you visit her"
"Noted…I take it she was pleased with my conditions?..."
"Of course, especially after the events on Perses, your 'ZERO' program could prove to be a game changer…along the fact that she didn't have any other choice on the matter"
"Infected?..."
"Oh yes, that made things much easier in negotiating our terms"
"You are not worried on the plague coming over?"
"I have made arrangements in case the worse comes in our borders, hope it didn't hamper things on your end"
"Plague has made things…difficult to work at Minstrel, we barely are getting any info through our usual channels so we had to improvise"
"Hmm… we need to think smartly going forward, I suspect one of them is putting things together if we are not careful"
"Noted. We've managed to intercept one of the 'carriers' in Vale. You could have warned me they were dangerous, I've lost far too many people in taking her down"
"I did say they hold a large amount of power, preparing a fight against someone with that amount of power will equal of that of a raging hurricane"
"That's a thought..."
"I take it you haven't been able to extract the carrier's essence"
"No. After grounding her someone interfered the aftermath of the fight. Only one of my men survived that mission"
"Hmm...You have my sympathies"
"No you don't and it doesn't matter, those men know what they've signed up for, even if the mission was a failure"
"Do we know who interfered?"
"As of now we do not know but I have my suspicions"
"I take it the survivor was too traumatized to share that information"
"Incoherent, he can barely make any actual words and if we are lucky he speaks nonsense. I'll report if I've learned anything new"
"Fair enough. Shame we weren't been able to extract one of the carriers, having one of them would be beneficial for some of our projects"
"We halt the search?"
"No, we simply look for the others, surely in this vast world one would sprout out from somewhere"
"Understood. We have other problems"
"Of course there is…"
"The anti-terrorist task force Atlas created. Formed on the orders from General Ironwood after the attacks on the Titan"
"I am sure he is patting himself on the back for forming a group of misfit soldiers into working something meaningful, but I fail to see the problem in this"
"They recently have some fresh blood in their ranks, you might like to have a look at them"
"Hmm...yes, a group with this amount of leeway has caused some concern recently"
"I have someone in place though. I am more concern with the Physician, he moved back to Vale, I would suggest monitoring him"
"And why would we do that? The old fool hasn't bothered us since his departure, I doubt he would be of any threat. The O-types are far more advanced than his team ever could, and their ethical flexibility allowed us to progress in several areas they refuse to even consider"
"Anything else?"
"Four knows of our little projects, especially on Helios, I have a feeling we have to help her going forward"
"The Saint project?"
"Among other things, I am mostly disappointed with their performance on the primary units, they need more...adjustments"
"We can help them with our Dust supply, but the recent heists in our Vale operation has made it difficult somewhat"
"I take it you can adjust?"
"I can…"
"Excellent! We have endured you and I my friend, everyone involved has done their work exquisitely. But soon there will be order, a new age will illuminate the entire world and we will be there to guide those who follow us"
{CROWN}