"Do you remember the plan?" Said an unknown voice.
"Of course I do. I'm not a kid anymore Arthur." I said.
"Ms. Winters you've always been a handful ever since we brought you into this organization. It wouldn't be the first time I've had to repeat orders to you." He said.
"Well it's not like these instructions are hard to remember. Get in. Blend in. Help overthrow Beacon, and kill Ozpin. And for the thousandth time will you call me Crys damn it. I'm not a fucking kid anymore." I said.
"Your language certainly shows that. However your mannerisms still have... much to be desired." He said.
"What you mean the fact that other than Tyrian I'm the only one who doesn't dress Gothic around here?" I said. I was wearing my blue hoodie, white capris, white gloves, blue glasses and white headphones.
"No child. The fact that you still choose to act like a defiant child instead of an adult." He said.
"Have you ever thought maybe I just like irritating you?" I asked smiling innocently.
"I still don't understand why Salem chooses to keep you around." He said with his arms crossed shaking his head.
"The same reason I keep you around Arthur." A woman said from the entryway. She had a black dress on and light pink hair. "Crys here had her family ripped away because of Ozpin. She want's power and revenge. With our help she will have it."
"How are you so sure she won't just turn on us. Her rebellious attitude should be a clear sign of that." He said.
"She'll know better than to turn on her family. Wont you dear?" The woman asked.
"Of course mistress." I said.
"See nothing to worry about. This attitude of hers will help her blend in at Beacon." She said.
"I don't know why we even need her. Isn't Cinder going to be heading to Beacon with those little underlings of hers anyway?" He asked.
"Yes but her objective is to locate the fall maiden. Crys's objective is to help us take down Ozpin from the inside." She said.
"I won't let you down mistress. Besides after working with Hazel, Arthur and Tyrian I'm pretty sure I can handle any of those wimps dreaming of being huntsman." I said.
"Don't get to confident. Ozpin has powerful allies as well. They will be quick to dispatch of you if they grow too suspicious. Just as he did to your parents." She said.
Just thinking of that day makes my blood boil. I had to make him pay.
"Hazel will take you to Vale where you will board the airship to Beacon. Be sure you have everything ready in ten minutes." She said leaving.
"See she trusts me." I said putting my hands behind my head.
"We'll see." He said also leaving.
I packed what clothes I had and headed for Hazel's chamber. I entered and immediately attempted to tackle him.
"Uncle Hazel!" I said attempting a choke hold on the giant. It wasn't working.
"I still don't understand why you insist on calling me that. Are you ready to go?" He said.
"Well you've been like a father to me since I've been here. Since I already have...had a father. I call you my uncle and yep all ready." I said.
Hazel shook his head with a slight smile. "Alright let's get going."
We started heading towards the door. After we got outside I felt something was off. I had my hand on my weapon ready. A figure ran towards me. I pulled out my weapon and put it into its sniper mode. I grabbed the barrel and swung at the incoming figure. I hit it but it recovered quickly and lunged at me again. I ducked and kicked it in the air with both legs. I fired my sniper to launch myself above it. I shot in the air to send me back down towards the figure and punched it to the ground. It landed on its feet.
"Reflexes are still top's kid." the figure said. He stood arched over a bit. He was a scorpion faunus with black hair in a ponytail and a white sleeveless jacket.
"After having to put up your ass they'd better be." I said.
"Tyrian what are you doing? If you hider us any longer she'll be late." Hazel said
"We've been practically raising her since she was a little girl. I couldn't just not see her off." Tyrian said.
"Why it's not like I'll miss your creepy ass." I said.
"Now that hurts. Were all part of the same family." Tyrian said with a creepy laugh.
"And said family would be better off without you. Now get lost or I'll be late." I said walking away.
After a while Hazel and I arrived in Vale.
"I'm sure I don't need to remind you but you'll have to hold back on your strength. You're entering Beacon as a first year student. You need to act like it." Hazel said.
"Ugh I know, but that's so boring. Especially since I'll be going from you to a bunch of fresh newbies." I said.
"If you don't you'll be singled out. Meaning there is a larger chance of you getting detained by Ozpin." He said. Anger rose in his voice at the mention of his name.
"Uncle Hazel if you don't mind me asking. Why do you hate Ozpin so much? Any time I've asked in the past you've told me to drop it." I said.
He gave a small sigh. "Let's just say like you he took someone important from me."
"I'm sorry." I said.
"Forget it. Just watch your back." He said.
He stopped when we were on the outskirts of the town.
"We'll I guess this is good bye for now." I said.
"Take care of yourself kid. Remember watch your strength and don't draw any unneeded attention to yourself. A few losses here and there will lower any suspicion towards you." He said.
"Yeah... Got it." I said walking towards town. I dropped my stuff and ran back towards him and hugged him. "I'll miss you, but I'll make you proud. We'll make Ozpin pay for what he's done. Tell Cinder and Emerald bye and that I can't wait to see them when they come later. As for Mercury... punch him for me."
Hazel gave a small laugh. "Alright."
I started running towards town. It had been a long time since I was around this many people. At the same time it felt nice to have the freedom again. I never felt trapped at Salem's palace but being out in the open just felt amazing again. I decided to get something to eat since I had some time to spare. Thankfully Watts had set up an account for me when I was younger. Well with a little persuasion from Salem. I stopped at a small food stand and bought some snacks for the ride. On the side of the stand I saw a small child attempting to steal some food from the vendor. The vendor tried to stop him but failed.
"I'll go after him." I said running off in the same direction. I caught up with him in a small alley.
"S-Stay away." The boy said grabbing a rock and throwing it at me.
"Hey calm down I'm not going to hurt you." I said holding my hands up. "Why don't you start by telling me why you were trying to steal from that man."
"Why do you care." He said.
"Because it's not right. Stealing only leads to more trouble." I said.
"I needed to get the food for me and my sister." He said.
"You and your sister? Where is she?" I asked.
"I'm not telling you. You're just gonna have them take her away from me!" He said.
"I promise I won't. What's your name?" I asked.
"Tim." He said.
"Tim what would your parents say if they saw you stealing?" I asked.
"It doesn't matter we don't have parents." He said.
Everything in me was trying to hold back from crying. "What do you mean you don't have parents?"
"They died last year. They were both really sick. Ever since then it's just been me and Ally. I do anything I can to protect and take care of her." He said.
I finally broke. "I lost my parents too. Years ago." I said walking towards him. I knelt down and hugged him. "I know it's hard to lose them but you can't resort to this. Come with me first you're going to apologize to the shop owner. Then I'll buy you and your sister some food."
"What if he calls the police on me. I can't let them take me away from my sister." He said.
"I promise they won't take you away." I said.
We walked back to the shop. Once the store owner saw us he got instantly angry.
"So you caught the little thief. Good I'll call the police." He said pulling out his scroll.
"Hold on. Before you do anything he has something he'd like to say." I said. I knelt down and put my hand on his back.
"I'm really sorry mister. It won't happen again." Tim said.
"You're damn right it won't. The police will take care of you." The shop keeper said.
Tim started to panic and hid behind me. I pulled out my weapon and put it in its pistol mode. "No they won't. I will."
"What the hell are you talking about?" He said.
"This child is under my protection. If anyone messes with him they have to deal with me. He said he was sorry for what he did. Now it's your turn to apologize for yelling at him." I said.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry." He said.
"Good." I said putting my weapon away. I checked the time and saw I only had twenty minutes left. "Shoot hop on my back and hold on tight Tim. I don't have a lot of time. I'll take you to a shop with a more respectful person."
I ran around the city looking for another food store. After a couple minutes I found one. I went in and bought them some food according to what Tim said they liked. Making sure not to get to much junk food. After I paid I dashed off towards Tim and Ally's home. It was an old abandoned building.
"Thank you so much miss. I can't thank you enough." He said hugging me.
"No problem. Just don't go stealing again. I won't always be there to protect you. The next person to catch you may not be as nice about it." I said hugging him back.
"I'd like to introduce you to my sister. So she knows who got the food for us." He said.
I looked at the time and saw I only had five minutes left. "I'd love to Tim, but I really need to get going. I'll try stopping by in a few days." I took off running for the airship. I just barely made it.
I sat in the corner of the airship. Step one completed. I started thinking back to the day Salem found me.
*Flashback*
"Crys you need to hide!" A woman said.
"Why? What's going on mommy?" I asked
"Don't worry about it just go hide." She said.
I ran into the closet in the hallway.
"Stay here Crys. Don't open the door no matter what." She said hugging me. "No matter what happens remember your father and I love you with all our hearts."
I shut the door and sat down and covered my head. 'What's going on? Why did mom tell me to hide in here.' I heard loud bangs coming from the outside. I heard people screaming. 'Mom? Dad? Please be okay' I was crying heavily. Everything was quiet. I still hid for a while until I heard a voice.
"Hello?" A voice said.
I didn't recognize the voice so I stayed hidden. The door to the closet opened. I was too scared to move. My eyes were sealed shut with tears still streaming down.
"Calm down child I am not here to hurt you." The voice said.
I slowly opened my eyes to see a pale woman with black and red eyes. She had light pink hair and wore a black dress. And was holding her hand out towards me.
"W-where's my mommy?" I asked.
"I'm so sorry child. They are no longer with us." She said.
"Where did they go? I want my mommy." I said.
"I'm afraid they passed away child." She said.
"What does that mean? Who are you?" I asked
"My name is Salem. I'm sorry, but your mommy and daddy are dead." She said.
I began crying louder. She wrapped her arms around me.
"What's your name little one?" She asked.
"C-Crys." I said.
"It's alright Crys I'll take care of you from now on." She said. She stood up and picked me up into her arms. When we went outside I saw my parents laying on the ground dead. "Crys how old are you?"
"Five. Why?" I asked.
"I was just curious little one." She said taking me back to her castle.
*End of Flashback*
A few years later Salem would tell me what happened to my parents. She told me that Hunters came to kill them cause they knew secrets against Ozpin. She told me how Ozpin was a horrible man that wanted to rule Remnant and would destroy anyone in his way. She said she would train me to get revenge on the people who killed my parents and end Ozpin. Twelve long years of training. Today was the first step to taking him down.
"Hello loner in the corner!" A girl with Orange hair said.
"Oh. Hi. I must have spaced out I didn't see you there." I said.
"Nora you can't just walk up and scare people like that." A guy with black hair and green outfit said.
'Holy shit he's hot.' I thought before snapping myself back to reality. "No problem. If she hadn't I probably would've passed out." I said rubbing the back of my neck. I stood up and introduced myself. "I'm Crys Winters."
"Lie Ren" The guy said bowing.
"Nora Valkyrie!" The orange haired girl said.
"So are you two dating or siblings or something?" I asked.
"N-no nothing like that." Nora said nervously flailing her arms.
"Certain events caused us to be the only ones there for each other from a young age." Ren said
A voice echoed out greeting us. It looked like it was coming from a hologram of a woman. She looked to be a teacher at the school. She worked for Ozpin so I decided to tune her out.
'Okay Mental Note for later Nora clearly likes Ren, but that doesn't mean I don't have a chance. Maybe I can convince him to work with Salem instead. Wait certain events? Were their parents killed as well?' I thought.
Shortly after the hologram disappeared we had arrived at Beacon Academy.
"I guess we'll be seeing you later." Ren said
"Oh yeah. Who knows maybe we'll end up on the same team." I said.
"Never know! Come on Ren!" Nora said pulling Ren and running out of the airship.
I stepped out of the airship and started walking towards the school. I heard an explosion a little ways away and decided to investigate it. When I arrived I saw five people huddled up talking. I questioned whether this was where the sound came from until I saw the small crater and black spot on the ground. A girl in black with a bow on her head was the first to walk away. Followed by a guy and girl that looked really similar twins maybe? The girl with a red and black dress left with a guy with blond hair and a small amount of armor. Leaving the Girl in the white dress alone. I walked over to see if everything was okay.
"Excuse me. Are you okay?" I asked.
"Of course. Not that it's any of your business." She said.
"Alright I just wanted to make sure. It kinda seemed like you were being targeted there." I said.
"They just got on my nerves is all. I'm. Fine." She said anger slowly growing in her voice.
"Alright I'm sorry if I upset you." I said about to walk away.
She sighed. "No it's my fault I shouldn't have snapped at you when you did nothing wrong and only wanted to help. I'm Weiss Schnee." She said. I turned back to see her holding out her hand. I accepted it.
"Crys Winters." I said. We walked to the Amphitheater together. I decided to hide off in the corner again. Ozpin came out on stage.
"I'll keep this brief..." He began.
'Yeah yeah whatever. Let's see Nora and Ren could probably be persuaded to join us. Especially if I can make him mine. Having the Schnee's on our side would be a good idea as well. Then we wouldn't have to have use the White Fang anymore.' I thought. When Ozpin the same woman from the hologram walked up and told us where we would be staying for the night.
On the way to the ballroom a guy with orange spiky hair ran into me and knocked be over. I looked up and saw him laughing as he walked away.
"He will so pay." I said.
I saw where Ren and Nora had set up and decided to set up with them.
"Hey. Fancy seeing you guys here." I said.
Nora stood up and got in my face. "Or perhaps maybe you're stalking us."
"Damn you caught me." I said smiling.
"Ha I knew it!" She yelled.
"Good to see you again Crys." Ren said.
"Same to the both of you." I said.
"How is that good? She just admitted that she's staking us?" Nora asked.
"Nora. She was joking." He said.
"Oh. I knew that." Nora said smiling.
I head yelling from behind us. I turned and saw Weiss getting into it with those same people again. This time there was another girl with them with long blond hair. I decided to ignore it for now and ask Weiss about it later. Ren suggested we all get some sleep since it's gonna be a long day tomorrow.
The Next Day.
I got up and got ready in the locker room with everyone else. I saw Weiss walking out already pissed at something. I was starting to question if anger was just a default emotion for her. We walked out and I we were directed to stand on small platforms by the same teacher from yesterday. Ozpin told us about how the teams were going to work. That the first person I found in the forest would become my partner.
One by one we were launched into the forest. I pulled out my pistol and loaded gravity rounds into it. After I was launched I switched my pistol to a battle axe. As I got close to the ground I swung by axe towards the ground. The shock wave gave me a nice and soft landing. I put my weapon away and started walking around the forest. I walked into a small clearing with three beowolves. They charged towards me. I put my hands up causing a blinding light to shine out from them. The grimm ran off shortly after.
"What the hell was that?" A voice from behind me said.
I turned to see the same orange haired guy that pushed me down yesterday.
"Great my partner is an inconsiderate jerk. This should be fun." I said walking away.
"What the hell does that mean?" He asked walking behind me.
"Well you heard Ozpin the first person you see is your partner. You're the jackass that pushed me down yesterday and walked away laughing." I said.
"I thought you looked familiar. Look I'm sorry. Honestly I didn't even see you. I was laughing with a couple of friends I thought one of them bumped into me." He said.
"Sure. We'll see. I guess since were partners now it would probably be a good idea to learn each other's names. I'm Crys Winters." I said.
"Blaze Zayn." He said holding out his hand. I shook it.
'I'll trust him for now. Maybe he actually is sorry. Time will tell' I thought. Shortly after we arrived at the temple. I saw the guy and three girls that Weiss said got on her nerves. Well can't hurt to get the other side of the story.
"Looks like a real party here." Blaze said.
"Sure the more the merrier. I'm Yang." The Blond haired girl said.
"Blake." Said the girl with the bow.
"I'm Alicia and this is my brother Falcon." The girl with Platinum blond hair said pointing to the guy dressed in blue.
"I'm Blaze and my quiet partner here is Crys." Blaze said.
I was about to say something when we all heard a girl screaming.
"Did you guys here that?" Yang asked.
"Sounds like someone needs help." Falcon said.
Another scream came from another direction but only me and Blake seemed to notice.
"Um guys" I said pointing towards the girl heading towards us. She was intercepted by another person flying through the air crashing into a tree.
"Did you're sister just fall from the sky?" Blake asked.
Before she had time to answer an Ursa burst out of the tree line failing around. A small pinkish light came from behind it and it fell to the ground revealing Nora on it. Ren soon followed behind looking exhausted. Nora quickly dashed over towards us and started staring at one of the pieces. She grabbed the gold rook and placed it on her head.
"I'm queen of the castle! I'm queen of the castle!" She sang while dancing around a bit.
"Nora!" Ren shouted.
"Coming Ren." Nora said letting the piece fall off her head. Skipping off towards Ren before noticing me.
"Did that girl just ride in on an Ursa?" Blake asked.
Before anyone could say anything a loud growl came from the forest followed by a Deathstalker chasing a girl with red hair. Shortly after the girl dressed in red and black jumped out of the trees landing next to us.
"Ruby." Yang said.
"Yang." Ruby said attempting to hug Yang.
"Nora!" Nora said interrupting the hug.
"Did she just run all the way here with a Deathstalker on her tail?" Blake asked.
"I can't take it anymore! Could everyone just chill out for two seconds before something crazy happens again?" Yang yelled. Her eyes turning from lilac to red. We were all fairly quiet for a few seconds while Ren finally joined us.
"Um Yang?" Ruby said pointing up.
We all looked up to see Weiss hanging on the talon of a nevermore.
"Seriously what the fuck? The six of us walked here why the hell does everyone else think they need such a grand entrance?" I yelled.
"She speaks?" Yang said.
I heard Ren mention something about someone falling. I looked up and saw Weiss had fallen off of the Nevermore. I quickly pulled out my axe and ran towards where she was falling towards. I jumped and slammed the ground with my axe. The impact launched me into the air towards her. I grabbed her midair and landed the same way I did when I first arrived in the forest. I heard a small thud behind me. I looked to see the blond haired guy ruby was talking to yesterday had landed face first on the ground.
"Thanks for helping me again. Too bad I didn't get you as my partner." Weiss said.
"Hey no problem it's what friends do." I said.
Blaze had followed me and helped the blond haired guy up.
We reconvened with the group shortly after and The red haired girl was flung in front of us.
"Great the gang's all here now we can die together." Yang said.
"Not if I can help it." Ruby said before charging off towards the Deathstalker.
Shortly after Ruby charged off Yang ran off to help her.
"So anyone wanna explain why we're all just standing here watching everything while they go fight two giant grimm by themselves?" I asked. No one said anything. Instead we decided to finish introducing each other.
Just as Ruby was about to get impaled by the Deathstalker Weiss rushed out to help her. Freezing it's stinger in place.
We regrouped with them shortly after. We all decided that the best solution for now would be to just escape. I ran over and grabbed the black rook piece while Ruby and Jaune grabbed theirs. Everyone started running back towards the cliffs but the nevermore cut us off. The Deathstalker came from behind us shortly after. We ran for a small bridge attacking the Deathstalker attempting to slow it down. Blaze ended up falling on the way. By the time he got up the Deathstalker had hit him off the edge of the cliff. None of us were fast enough to save him.
We agreed that we had to kill these things otherwise we going to end up like him. Luckily something had temporarily distracted the nevermore so we were able to focus on the Deathstalker. Ruby and I stayed back while the others ran to hold it down. Weiss froze one of its claws down while Blake, Yang, Jaune and Pyrrha worked on holding its tail down. Falcon had made a giant scythe appear out of nowhere. Him and Ren worked on the other claw while Alicia and Nora slammed their weapons down on its face. With it down I handed Ruby a cartridge of gravity dust and switched to my sniper. We fired for directly at its eyes finishing it off.
"Did anyone see where the nevermore went?" I asked.
"It flew off in another direction. It looked like it was fixated on something else." Blake said.
"We should take advantage of that and leave before it comes back." Ren said. We all agreed.
A few hours later we were gathered in the Amphitheater again.
"Russel Thrush, Cardin Winchester, Dove Bronzewing, Sky Lark. The four of you retrieved the black bishop pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as team CRNL. Lead by Cardin Winchester. Jaune Arc. Lie Ren, Pyrrha Nikos, Nora Valkyrie. The four of you retrieved the white rook pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as team JNPR lead by Jaune Arc."
"Huh. L-lead by?" Jaune said puzzled.
"Congratulations young man." Ozpin said.
Pyrrha gave him a light punch on the shoulder causing him to fall over.
'This is a joke right?' I thought.
"Next Blake Belladonna, Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, and Yang Xiao Long. The four of you retrieved the white knight pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as team RWBY lead by Ruby Rose."
Yang hugged her sister and congratulated her.
"And finally Alicia Bliss Falcon Bliss and Crys Winters. The three of you retrieved the black rook pieces. Unfortunately Crys's partner Blaze passed away in battle. Henceforth the three of you shall work together in a group of three as team ABC. Lead by Falcon Bliss." Ozpin said.
'If it wasn't because of my partner's death I'm pretty sure everybody in here would be laughing.' I thought.
"There will be a funeral for Mr. Zayn later today in the courtyard. Attendance will not be mandatory. However as fellow huntsman and huntresses, I encourage honoring your fallen comrade." Ozpin said before walking off stage.