Chapter 19
Mercury Black may be a stone cold killer, but he was also a very good dancer. He and Sun were killing it on the dance floor amidst cheers and loud music, both of them pulling off breakdancing moves that no normal human or Faunus could pull off. Emerald was nearby, watching as well - but looking rather disinterested, which wasn't surprising, but I was kind of surprised that she would stop paying attention to her surroundings.
Yang, Blake, and I were watching together, with Weiss and Neptune hanging around the back. Reese had actually joined in between Mercury and Sun, doing spinning handstands and windmills in her dance dress. Luckily for her and unluckily for all the pervs in the room, she wore biker shorts underneath. Ruby and Nora were squealing excitedly in equal pitch while Ren and Jaune chatted casually by the drinks. I'd last seen Pyrrha going outside for some fresh air. And Liya...
Liya was looking out the window at the moonlight, casually sipping a drink. Sighing, I realized how I'd basically ditched my own partner for dancing with Yang, Reese, and Cinder. The last one made me wince and I just sighed.
"What's wrong?" Yang said, patting my arm. I was about to tell her about Liya when I was interrupted by Sun.
"Hey, Markus! Your turn!" Sun said, panting a lot as he left the dance floor. "Careful, he's good."
I'd originally had the idea proposed as a way to distract Emerald and Mercury from noticing anything out of the ordinary with what I'd suggested to the plan, but with Cinder still here, things had clearly changed. I wasn't sure if things would even be the same for the foreseeable future. Still, if I thwarted the plan of hacking Ironwood's scroll, then that's a plus I'll take for now.
But now it felt kind of off...like I'd had this done for nothing. And to think I'd promised Yang what was basically a Japanese femboy fantasy over this.
But for now...
"I'll be careful," I said to Sun before approaching Mercury on the dance floor. When we began to throw down, the crowds cheered even louder. In the end, I did manage to have some fun, even as the whole dance floor turned freestyle.
The dance ended soon after that. Mercury and I chatted for a bit, mostly about dance moves and how he does acrobatics. Luckily, I managed to avoid any mention of prosthetics. Talking with him was much easier than talking with Cinder, mainly because he was one of the more relatable characters of RWBY. I like to think he and I were straight with each other, especially with the fist bump he offered me when we left.
Yang and I shared a kiss and a hug, as well as getting a little spank from Yang as she went into her room. Sighing, I went into my room to see...
"Liya."
Liya turned, surprised to see me still in my dance attire. Though, she hadn't changed out of her own clothes either, still wearing that face mask of hers. She was standing by her bed, on her scroll. "Yeah?" she asked.
"I owe you a dance," I said vehemently. "I didn't exactly see you having fun earlier today...and I didn't help."
Liya looked down awkwardly. "Well...I did get a few dances, if that's what you mean-" she said.
"I'm your partner. And...I've been a bit too preoccupied with other things myself. I'm sorry I couldn't be a good partner at the dance," I said. "I left you to have fun with Yang."
Liya sighed. "Yeah...yeah that was kind of a dick move on your part," she said, and I couldn't help but wince a little bit.
"I'm making up for it now," I said, and I pulled out my scroll, switching on a song, a slow but catchy song as I stepped forward with my hand out. (AN: the song is "Bust Your Windows" by Jazmine Sullivan). Liya smiled under her mask, and she took my hand with her own. Her hands were soft, despite having spent plenty of time gripping a hardcore weapon for much of our time here in Beacon, as well as her time growing up and training. We stepped in rhythm, feet in sync as we followed each other's movements.
This was unlike Yang and me dancing earlier. Here, there was just the two of us, with nothing but the music for us to hear. Liya and I stared into each other's eyes as we danced, and I felt Liya visibly relax in my arms. While some people may see looking into other people's eyes as romantic or awkward, it was neither for me. Liya and I held each other's gazes in pure comfort, not worrying about feelings or anything like that. Instead, it was just the two of us dancing together like the end of the world was the most inconsequential thing around.
"This is nice..." Liya said as she cracked her neck and shifted her arms, probably a bit stressed. "I'm sorry for being down lately...I just-"
"Hey, don't apologize," I said softly. "Just...dance."
Liya sighed and we continued to dance. The song was only four or five minutes long, but to us, it felt much longer. And when we finished, the two of us weren't even out of breath. We felt nothing wrong, like nothing was really the matter anymore.
It made me remember what I was truly fighting for in this world. In this universe. A better future.
"That was nice. Really...really, it was," Liya whispered as we stood in front of each other. Picking up my scroll by the desk, I smiled as I switched it off. "Thanks," Liya said.
"Anytime," I said. And that was that. The two of us changed into sleepwear and passed out in our beds. No ceremonious talk, no heartwarming conversations about our partnerships, nothing quite so cheesy. It was a simple silent exchange of friendly understanding.
Falling asleep wasn't so difficult that night.
Like the beginning of episode eight of volume two, Ozpin and Ironwood called me up in the morning. Ruby never fought Cinder, so there was no reason to really interrogate her. But I had an issue to alert them too now.
"More units being moved to the southeast, you say?" General Ironwood said. "I still believe moving forces will work in pincering their movements and cutting them off."
"Yeah. Those Paladins were being moved there," I said. "As well as thousands of new White Fang recruits, and a backstage full of heavy weapons and equipment. Organized as well. They'd be too entrenched. Not only will you lose to a maze of a fortress, as well as all the Grimm nearby, you'd lose surprise."
"And the enemy will slip away once more. Into a position we will be blind to predict," Ozpin said.
"The White Fang have always been Faunus non-combatants trying to fit the role. To think so many of them are in the city, as well as planning something incredibly dangerous in such secret manner...it's very disturbing," Goodwitch said.
"Why didn't you alert us to the knowledge and location of the Paladins earlier? There are dozens lost to these terrorists, and you stayed silent," General Ironwood asked.
"You would've set aside the dance," I said. "You would've focused your resources, your elites and troops on tracking those brand new mechs down, and the CCT would've been exposed. And I know for a fact that the CCT is more valuable than thousands of those robot suits. I know how you were in the previous time around. You're stubborn. Your semblance tends to do that pretty often."
General Ironwood and Professor Goodwitch were both in stunned thoughtful silence respectively, and Ozpin chuckled. "He's got you there," the headmaster said.
General Ironwood sighed and walked back to the desk. "Well, better late than never, I suppose. You said last time your plan was to allow the White Fang to operate unchecked, only taking them at the last minute. Have things changed?"
"Yes. Lots of guns, lots of weapons, and way more members than last time. Now, Roman Torchwick knows we've spied on him. Acting like nothing's wrong will immediately draw suspicion. So set up your airships to spread out over the city, even in the southwest," I began to explain. "Drone escorts, air support, make it look like a massive sweep under the cover story that you're looking for those Paladins. Except it won't be a cover story-"
"Because you'll be finding them," Ironwood explained.
"RWBY will find them. The last time this happened, RWBY happened to 'stumble' on them, forcing them to move up their plans and leave them vulnerable. I say that we go and make that happen again, but send me with them," I said.
"You'd risk your friends for this hunch?" Professor Goodwitch exclaimed. "Why send them when...no."
"Professor-" I said.
"The southeast is not a safe area for first years to work in!" Goodwitch protested.
"Ozpin let them go there!" I said, and Goodwitch turned her angry gaze upon the headmaster, who looked a little bit more nervous now. "OK, Ruby let slip info that made Ozpin let them investigate. But the truth is, this needs to happen again."
"Why put them on the White Fang's list?" Goodwitch said.
"No, they're already in danger. They've crossed Torchwick after the rally. And team RWBY is some of the best Beacon has to offer. I can bolster that, alongside Oobleck," I said.
"Oobleck?" Ozpin asked.
"You sent Oobleck with RWBY to the southeast. And they turned out fine. General Ironwood, all I ask is that you maintain a light presence in the city. Keep your airships close, and you'll be able to respond in time when the city is attacked," I said.
I could tell Ironwood didn't like this plan any more than I did. I was asking him to leave civilians at risk, as necessary as it was to keep our enemies within our grasp. "Very well."
"OK. Can I go now? I gotta do some prep work for the missions. And do more research on Mountain Glenn," I said. Headmaster Ozpin dismissed me, and I quickly made my way down the elevator, needing to head to my room.
As I walked into the dorm, I saw team JNPR passing by. "Hey," I said.
"What's up?" Jaune asked as he, Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren stopped walking to chat with me.
"Nothing much. Where are all of you headed?" I asked.
"Team training," Jaune said. "It's been a while since we all went up against each other, so we're gonna compare the fights we'll have today from fights we had a while ago."
"Progress check?" I said. "That's nice."
"Uh huh!" Nora chirped, Ren nodding after her. "I bet I could slam our Fearless Leader ino the wall ten times harder than I did last time!"
Pyrrha and I simply laughed as Jaune paled immensely. "Let's not test that," he said. Nora simply "hmphed" while Ren shook his head at Nora's antics, a smile still on his face. We exchanged a few more words before we split off, me heading to my room to get ready for the upcoming missions.
Or I would have if it weren't for a significant amount of commotion coming out of team RWBY's dorm room. Blinking, I stopped walking and looked to the door. "Hello?" I said.
All the noises stopped, and Yang peeked out. "Oh, hey!" she said. "Umm, what's up?"
"I heard something in there, it sounded like an argument. Is...is everything alright?" I said.
"Oh, pfffft, everything's just fine. Just...this isn't the best time you know?" Yang said, alternating from looking at me and looking behind her in the room. Her hair whipped around every time she turned her head, and it was pretty funny. But she wasn't talking quite loud enough to hide the noises inside from my caracal Faunus ears.
Specifically, the panting of a dog. "Is that a dog?" I said, knowing exactly what was going on. Before Yang could close the door, or before I could move to open the door, the door opened itself as Zwei pushed between Yang and the door to peel itself into the hallway before me.
Zwei. was. Adorable! The little corgi was a fluffy ball of love and slobber, and the way he looked up at me with his head tilted was enough to almost kill me. While Zwei in the show was absolutely adorable - any animal animated for anime was - seeing Zwei in real life was even more so, up to a thousand times adorable.
I actually picked the black and white corgi up and hugged it tightly, letting him lick my face and snuggle against me. Yang and Ruby, who'd come over to stop Zwei, watched in what was probably alien amazement. Why would they be so amazed at me interacting with a dog? It wasn't like the stereotype that cats and dogs hated each other was...real...
...
Goddammit, Blake.
I let Ruby and Yang pull me in before anyone else could enter the hallway and spot the dog that was smuggled into Beacon. Locking the door behind us, Yang turned to face me. "So...you do not hate dogs?" she said.
"No. Why?" I asked.
"And Zwei doesn't wanna tear your throat out or rip your butt into a million pieces looking for a cat tail?" Ruby said.
"I...Blake hates dogs, doesn't she?" I mumbled. Yang snorted and I turned to see Blake hissing from the top of the bed, Ruby's bed specifically. Weiss was looking up at her in a very even mix of amusement and disapproval before turning to me and petting Zwei in my hands, all while making those baby cooing voices that parents think sound endearing to babies or animals.
Babies don't know better. Animals just don't care.
"Blake...you're making us look bad," I said. "Stereotypes, Blake."
"I don't have to explain myself to you!" Blake hissed, eyes wide and shaky with fear and raw hate at the oblivious corgi.
"Where'd he come from anyway?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Oh. Dad said he had work so he mailed Zwei here for us to watch over him for the time being. I know it sounds weird," Yang said. "Trust me, this is normal."
"For your dad or the dog?" Blake asked.
"Both, probably," I said as Zwei hopped into Weiss's arms, licking her face and making her giggle.
"Would all first-year students please report to the amphitheater?" Professor Goodwitch's voice over the intercom asked. "I repeat, would all first-year students please report to the amphitheater? Thank you."
Sighing, I cracked my neck. "Well, guess we're going," I said. "I'm going to my room to get my stuff then, I'll meet you all in the amphitheater."
"Alright," Yang said as I walked out the door, leaving a cooing Weiss, hissing Blake, panting Zwei, and giggling Ruby in the room. "See ya!"
A few minutes later, I met Liya upon entering the amphitheater, both of us dressed in full combat outfits. Team JNPR and RWBY arrived a minute after I came, and Ruby indeed still had that backpack smuggling Zwei inside.
"Quiet! Quiet please. Professor Ozpin would like to share a few words before we begin." Goodwitch said loudly over the chatting in the amphitheater.
"Today we stand together, united. Mistral. Atlas. Vacuo. Vale. The four Kingdoms of Remnant. On this day, nearly eighty years ago, the largest war in recorded history came to an end. It was a war of ignorance, of greed, and of oppression. A war that was about much more than where borders fell or who traded with whom, but about the very idea of individualism itself," Ozpin said on stage, looking at every student gathered. "We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self-expression. And as you are well aware, that was something many could not stand for. As a result, those who opposed this tyranny began naming their children after one of the core aspects of art itself: color. It was their way to demonstrate that not only would they refuse to tolerate this oppression, but neither were the generations to come. And it was a trend that is held to this very day."
"Where's he going with this?" Ruby whispered.
"If you just listen, you'll know!" Weiss whispered.
"We encourage individuality, expressionism, and unity through diversity. As I have said, today we stand together, united. But this bond cannot exist without effort. Which is why today, while the rest of the world celebrates peace, Huntsmen and Huntresses will work to uphold it. As first year students, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional Huntsman or Huntress on a mission. Some of you may be taken out of the Kingdom for several days. Others may work within the walls for the rest of the week. But no matter which path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best," Ozpin said. "That is all."
As the students piled out of the theater, the six of us stood together, planning out where we were going to go. JNPR had said goodbye moments later, having had their own plans.
"Think we could try any missions in the southeast?" Blake asked.
"Well, we could see what the missions available let us do," I said. "Do we just pick?"
"I think so," Weiss said. "Any ideas? I personally believe search and destroy is a good choice."
"Sounds great!" Yang said before looking at Liya and me. "Think you could try and piggyback on our mission? We could fight Grimm side by side and it'd be so romantic?"
I chuckled as Ruby and Weiss went to a nearby holographic console to pick their mission. "Well, I don't think teams can team up on this one," I said. "It'd be kinda like cheating. Still, it would be nice."
"Not a first year mission?!" Ruby cried. "Aww, come on!"
"Any other ideas?" Weiss asked, still disheartened but not as outwardly upset as Ruby was.
"We mail ourselves there!" Ruby said, her tone being 100% serious and certain that this wasn't a bad idea whatsoever.
"That's certainly an option, yes," Ozpin said. The six of us turned to see him having approached us. "Unfortunately, we determined that the concentration of Grimm was too extreme for first-year students. It seems that particular region is rather popular. In fact, I have the sneaking suspicion that you six will make your way there no matter which job you choose," he said.
"Heh heh...well why would you say that-" Ruby said before freezing. "Wait, six?"
"I'm still curious how you all found yourself at the docks last semester. I'm interested to know how you really learned about a hideout in the southeast. And I certainly wonder why witnesses reported seeing robots and rose petals in a dance club some time ago," Ozpin continued. RWBY flinched, and Liya and I exchanged looks. "I doubt I'll ever find the exact answers I'm looking for. So how about this: instead of waiting for you all to break the rules, why don't we just bend them?"
Ozpin pulled out his scroll and tapped a few things on the screen. The six of us turned, and saw that not only was the mission approved for us, but Liya and I were also apparently tagging along.
"I...wow," Liya said, a bit surprised at this turn of events. I wasn't.
"Thank you, headmaster. I...no, we won't let you down," Ruby said.
Ozpin smiled warmly before speaking firmly. "Do not thank me for this. Teamwork and persistence have carried you far. But you must understand, the things that await you beyond the protection of the Kingdom will not care. Stay close to your Huntsman at all times, and do exactly as he says. He will be leading you on this mission, and he can have you sent back to Beacon, if he finds your skills to be unsatisfactory. Though, I do hope this won't be the case. Good luck."
And with that, we left the amphitheater to prepare for our mission. "Well, he wasn't exactly being very supportive," Ruby mumbled.
"He was being practical. Sugarcoating the facts helps no one. At least we know what to do," Weiss said. "Truth is always rough. Be thankful this wasn't so harsh."
"You're coming with us! This is super awesome!" Yang gushed continuously as she walked alongside me and Liya. "We're gonna kick so much Grimm butt!"
"We fought together before, remember?" I said.
"Against a killer robot driven by a lame-o," Yang said. "Come on, get pumped up! Besides, if you don't, I may just keep reminding you of a promise you have yet to uphold~"
"Oh! Is it being a cat boy maid for the day?" Ruby asked. Weiss, Blake, and Liya stared at me in shock, and my face went bright red. "Yeah, he even said he'd call Yang master all day long."
"Ruby, shut up!" Yang hissed. I don't know why she said that, she basically confirmed everything Ruby said to be true. Liya's face was also bright red under her mask. Blake was gaping in horror and Weiss looked...jealous?
"Ummm...I can explain?" I said.
"Hey, team CFVY is back!" a random student called.
Thank the gods, a distraction!
We ended up running over to a nearby landing pad, where Coco, Velvet, Fox, and Yatsuhashi were leaving a Bullhead.
"Velvet!" I called. "Everything OK?"
"Yeah, are you hurt?" Blake asked.
"Y-yes. I'm fine...I had Yatsuhashi looking out for me," Velvet said. The timid bunny girl smiled at us, before sighing. "I mean, we're back safe, right?"
"Your mission was supposed to end a week ago! We were all worried sick!" Weiss cried. "You missed the dance!"
"More importantly, you're safe!" I said, speaking up right after Weiss did. "What happened?"
"Nothing happened. It was just...well, there were just so many..." Velvet looked down in thought before she looked up and noticed us, clearly concerned for her. With that, she smiled reassuringly at us. "Oh, but don't worry. The first-years are just shadowing Huntsmen, so you should be fine, safer than we were."
"We weren't worried about the mission," Blake said.
Velvet's smile turned a little somber. "I know," she said before she turned and rejoined the rest of her team. The six of us exchanged nervous and worried expressions before Ruby spoke up.
"Guys, don't worry! Velvet said she's fine, and she has her whole team to support her! Teams protect their own, am I right?" Ruby said.
"Yeah. Yeah, you are!" Yang said. "Rubes is right, we shouldn't be panicking over stuff like this, we should be focusing on what's ahead of us, right now!"
"And we aren't alone! The six of us are more powerful than four, and we'll be shadowing a professional huntsman! Don't you think we'll be strong enough with one on our side?" Ruby said, trying to be optimistic for us.
"Yeah," Blake said as she looked over at Ruby. "We won't have any trouble on this mission." Her tone of voice suggested otherwise, and I couldn't exactly blame her. We saw lots of ammunition and heavy weapons, as well as massive mechanized suits that took eight of us to collectively take down, and that was only one mech suit.
"Lighten up, Blake! I'm not saying to think we'll cruise through the whole thing, but it'll definitely be something we won't struggle too much with! Even if it is a non-first year mission that the headmaster lets us do," Yang said. She fell into thought moments later before she spoke up once again. "Hey, you think the headmaster knows what he's doing?"
"Maybe not him. But I know what I'm doing," I thought to myself before clearing his throat. "I'm sure he knows what he's doing. He's headmaster after all. Plus, we should get going now. Bet our huntsman is waiting for us."
And he was. Oobleck was indeed dressed up in his huntsman gear complete with hat and backpack. Seeing him in real life like this made me think he was some sort of archaeologist or explorer, something like in the Indiana Jones movies. "Why, hello ladies and gentleman! Who's ready to fight for their lives?" he said in an excited voice.
Oh ho ho, Professor Bartholomew Oobleck, never ever change.