Chapter 12: Richard Rolland is Impervious to Bullshit

"Well, that was fun!" Ruby gleefully remarked as she exited the changing room into the hall, now dressed in her trademark black and red dress.

"More like a colossal waste of time..." Blake droned, similarly dressed in her usual attire.

"Don't worry Blake." Yang patted her partner on her shoulder. "We're going home now, buddy."

"Whatever." Blake huffed, storming away to the exit. "We can finally get back to finding Torchwick."

Yang, Ruby and Weiss glanced at each other. They should probably tell her now. "Belladonna, wait." Weiss demanded. Blake turned on her heel and glared at the young heiress. "We... decided to do this, to enter the competition, to relieve you of stress." she admitted. "We wanted you to rest and relax and take a break from our hunt for Torchwick. But you're clearly still pent up! We can't let you go after him like this!"

Blake flinched at the comment, but returned to her stern gaze. "Guys. I appreciate your concern, but... it's useless. I need to find Torchwick, and I don't have time to argue." she responded, then turned on her heel and began to walk away.

Not wanting to let the argument to end, Yang began to chase after her. "Blake wai-"

"Finishing Move!" The four girls stopped as they heard the loud shriek echo through the halls. "Meteor Ja-wait! Oh shit!" The voice was then followed by the scampering of feet then a swishing noise. "Oh, come ON!" the girly voice said.

Team RWBY stood in silence, confused at the commotion, until Yang turned to Blake and broke the silence. "Wanna check it out?" she asked, more pleading for permission than asking for her opinion.

Blake simply rolled her eyes. "Fine then..."

Curiously walking down the hall in search of the commotion, the girls found themselves entering the basketball court they had their game earlier today. But curiously, two of the boys from the other team they played against were still there. Drew, with his hand on his knees panting for breath, and Richard, holding a basketball under one of his arms and looking down on Drew. "Naywing, please cease this foolishness!" Richard ordered.

"Be... best..." Drew grunted between breaths. He then looked up and Richard defiantly and said "Best two out of three!"

Richard immediately threw the ball from the half-way point and scored, the ball swishing through the net with ease. Everyone in the court looked dead faced at the ball slowly bouncing to a stop. "Th... this round goes to ten points!" Drew stuttered, scampering after the ball. "And three pointers don't count anyway!"

"What's... going on?" Ruby asked the question the rest of her team was thinking.

"Oh, you guys are here." The girls heard someone in the stands greet them.

"Don't mind us Arin." Yang greeted back half-heartedly. "Just checking out the goods. Have to say, I'm not that impressed."

"I know you're joking, but trust me, if I could sell these two, I would." Arin groaned.

"Care to explain what exactly's going on here?" Weiss asked as they walked up the stands to sit next to Arin.

"So... I guess it's like this." Arin scratched his head before taking a deep breath. "Richard's kind of a jerk and a control freak, Drew wanted to know what makes him tick, Richy uses a basketball as his weapon for some reason, and no one knows, so Drew figures it has something to do with some 'tragic past' or whatever, Drew entered us into this tournament after we met Richy's old friend Chi, because Drew assumed that Richy actually loved basketball and had to psychologically repress it for the tragic reason or whatever, then Drew assumed that by having Richy play really hard at basketball he'd open back up to his love of basketball and everyone would be happy, but then we ended up winning too easily, and Richy's still a stick in the mud, so Drew is trying to beat him one-on-one to get him to open up. Very desperately too."

"I... see." The girls blinked, trying to process the information. "Why doesn't Richard just open up and get it over with?" Weiss pondered.

"To give Drew an excuse, I'd say that he's stubborn, but it's honestly more likely that there isn't actually a reason. Richard's the way he is because that's who he is, and Drew's been a fool this entire time."

Yang chuckled. "That would actually be kinda funny."

"What about his friend?" Ruby asked. "Doesn't she know anything about what happened? And where is she anyway?"

"All she know's is that Richy went to some military camp when he was young once. Speaking of which, she's down here I think." Arin gazed down at Drew and Richard's rematch to see Chi on the sidelines, head in her hands, emotionally tired from seeing Drew's attempts fail.

"Wait... isn't that it?" Ruby asked. "He went to military school and became all... military-y. That explains it, right?"

"Well Ruby, there's a simple explanation for that. Drew's an absolute asshole, and only cares about Richard having an interesting story to hear. That's all. Drew is horrible. Like seriously Ruby, please try to avoid him in the future, for your own sake."

"Wasn't there another one of you?" Blake asked. "There was another girl on your team named-" Blake suddenly stopped. Shivers ran down her spine as she felt a sense of dread and terror. Her instincts told her that there was something dangerous right behind her, and she should run far away. Instead, she slowly turned her head to see Nina glaring at her angrilly, holding Moonmoon who was growling and snapping at Blake. "Wh-what are... y-y-you..." Blake stuttered through her fear.

"Moonmoon doesn't like the smell of you." Nina said coldly, pouting and giving the demeanor of an angry child.

"Moonmoon doesn't like the smell of anyone, Nina." Arin responded.

"He likes the smell of me!"

"You absolutely sure about that?"

"Well anyway, it's this girl in particular!" Nina returned to glaring at Blake. "I don't know what it is about her smell, Moonmoon just doesn't her in particular... Well, maybe it's because she's a Fau-"

"Anyway!" Yang prematurely interrupted. "Richard and Drew! What'll happen there I wonder?"

Back on the court, Richard was now sprinting over to a basket, Drew panting and tripping after himself in exhaustion. Richard jumped when he was near the basket and effortlessly tossed it in. "There! I win again, Naywing!" Richard grunted through angered, closed teeth.

Drew collapsed to the ground, barely finding the strength to get to his knees. "Best.. 3 outta 5!"

"NO! I'VE GONE ON WITH YOUR LITTLE CHARADE LONG ENOUGH!"

Richard began storming out of the court. "Fine then..." He heard Drew pant. He turned to see Drew on his legs, still tired and slumped over. "I'll have to use my final trump card on you..." He gazed at Richard with passionate defiance.

'Trump card? what is he talking about?' Richard questioned.

Drew then slumped down and placed his head, hands, and knees on the ground. "Please talk to us about your past."

Everyone remained silent for a few moments. "...I'll be in the changing room." Richard stated before walking out, when Drew lunged forward and grabbed his ankles.

"No! Please! I beg you!" Drew yelled, tears flowing from his eyes.

"NAYWING PLEASE! At least keep your dignity!" Richard yelled back.

"NEVER!"

"He never had dignity to keep anyway!" Arin joked across the court.

"What do you even CARE about it!" Richard shook off Drew's grip. "My history is my own business! It doesn't even effect you! And never will!"

"Like HELL it doesn't!" Drew retorted back. "It effects US the most!"

Richard's eye twitched in annoyance. "HOW DOES IT EVEN EFFECT YOU?!"

And so, Drew snapped. Drew likes to pretend that he's in the right all the time, but even he knows that sometimes he can be a bit stubborn, so he lets some things slide. This time however, he knew he's had a hell of a reason.

Drew stood up, shoved his face into Richard's face, and yelled "THREE HOURS! THREE HOURS, YOU MOTHER FUCKER!" Everyone's eyes widened at Drew's violent outburst. Yang even preemptively covered Ruby's ears to protect her innocent mind from the swear. "LAST MONTH WE GOT THREE HOURS SLEEP THROUGHOUT A WHOLE WEEK! AND WHY? BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT WE SHOULD SPEND OUR TIME CLEANING THE SCHOOL! The teachers stopped us before we even got our dorms done, WHEN THEY SAW US RAPPELLING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE GOD DAMN BUILDING!"

"Hygiene standards throughout everyone's rooms is abysmal! Especially on the outside windows! We had to do something!" Richard defended himself.

"And remember unofficial Grimm Biology lecture you organised for our year, then got mad that no one came?! YOU MADE US SIT THROUGH IT ANYWAY, AND MADE US HELP YOU WRITE COMPLAINTS TO EVERYONE WHO DIDN'T COME! Whic, in case you forgot, was THE WHOLE! DAMN! YEAR!"

"Everyone should be taking their studies more seriously!"

"So that's what that letter was..." Weiss scratched her chin in thought.

"Yang? What are they talking about?" Ruby looked up to her big sister, still unable to hear.

"I FAIL TO SEE THE POINT OF THIS, NAYWING!" Richard yelled back.

"The POINT is that you keep making us do all this insane shit because of your extreme personality! Because you have some obsession with following the rules!" Drew explained. "If what happened at your military school affected your personality to how it is now, then yeah! It DOES effect us!" Drew panted for a minute, calming down from his rage. He then pointed to Chi. "It's effected her too!"

"Y-Yeah!" Chi suddenly spoke up into the argument. "When you came back from there, you just ignored me! I lost my only friend in the world! I was lonely for so long after it!" Chi explained, choking on her tears. "You big jerk!"

Drew then sat on the ground, folded his legs and folded his arms, and glared up at Richard. "Now, you're gonna explain yourself right here and now, and I'm not moving until you do."

Everyone's eyes turned to Richard, not sure what he'll do next. Richard wasn't even sure. He's always used his own logic to decide the best course of action, but right now he can't think of any way around. He... He thinks Drew's right on this one.

Richard shuddered at that thought. Drew. Being right about something. It just felt wrong...

Still, everyone probably deserve an explanation. Richard knelt down and looked Drew in the eye. "I'm not saying that... I'll change who I am." Richard explained, uncharacteristically calm and serene. "But, I will explain what happened to me." Drew gave a warm smile and patted Richard's shoulder as he began to explain.


It was a warm summer's day in the Roland household. Outside you could see Richard and his good friend Chi playing basketball. From inside, Richard's father George watched over his son with a melancholy smile. Seeing his son have fun and enjoy himself made him happy, but something was still bothering him. His hand subconsciously moved to his knee, which was slightly aching from his old battle scars.

"Looks like he's having fun." The soothing voice of his wife interrupted his train of thought.

Sebastian let out a simple sigh. "I suppose..."

Julia knelt down closer to her husband, a concerned look on her face. "What is it dear?"

"It's just... I'm a bit jealous."

Julia tilted her head in confusion. "Of Richard?"

"Yes... Though I hate to admit it." he said, gazing outside to his child. "I've been in battles, dear. I've been in wars. From a young age I've had to see both Human and Faunus fight to the bloody death. And although some sacrifices I've made were... regrettable..." he said, stealing a quick glance to his knee. "I'm happy that the world is now a more peaceful place, even if it's just by a little bit."

"So? What is the problem with that?"

"You know of the phone calls we've been getting, correct?"

Julia's face drooped slightly. "Was there another one from Richard's school?"

Sebastian nodded sadly. "That's the third one this week. This time he got in a fight with some older children. He's just gotten so rebellious lately. I'm worried-"


"Nope. Nopenopenope. That's bullshit." Drew held his hand out in protest.

"Umm... excuse me?" Richard asked. Being interrupted so rudely while divulging long forgotten past took him aback.

"Y'see Richy, we experience a lot of pretty weird stuff." Drew began calmly explaining. "Teenagers are able to wield weapons bigger than themselves. People are able to conjure up fire and ice with their souls. Arin is supposed drunk all the time, but isn't dead from alcohol poisoning yet. Nina keeps a Grimm, an evil creature of pure darkness, as a pet. And we all just accept that like it's nothing. But you- Richard, the most stuck up guy we know, just couldn't possibly have been a problem kid."

"That... Drew, I'm trying to open up here, I'd appreciate it if you didn't-"

"I mean, it's just impossible! Well I mean, not impossible, but like pretty damn unlikely-"

"On that note, I'll-"

"I mean, can you imagine little tiny Richy going about vandalising stuff? Drawing dicks on his notebooks?"

"ON THAT NOTE! I'll continue with my story!"

Meanwhile, team RWBY were nervously shifting their gaze to Nina. "That's... a Grimm?" Ruby asked, looking at the black furry creature Nina was holding.

Nina simply smiled back. "Yep! And it's fortunate that you aren't gonna tell anybody! Just like how I'm not gonna tell anybody that Blake's a Faunus!"

"Oh... So that's how it is." Yang gulped.

"Trust me, it's even scarier living with her." Arin added in.


Sebastian nodded sadly. "That's the fifth one this week. This time he got in a fight with some older children. He's just gotten so rebellious lately... I'm worried that he'll grow up to be like this in his later life."

"Don't worry my dear. Richard surely won't be like this his whole life. A bit of rebellion is only natural for boys his age." Julia attempted to reassure.

"Still, it feels somewhat... unfair. He gets to play with his friends, messing around and fight with people- and how did I spend my childhood? Learning evacuation protocols, being taught prejudice and hatred towards the Faunus, and living in fear of the next attack. It just... doesn't seem fair." Sebastian finally let his head sink into his hands. "... hah... I sound like a child, don't I? Upset that the other child has it easier than me?"He let out a deep hollow sigh.

He then felt a hand rest on his shoulder. "I don't think so, dear." Sebastian looked up with hopeful eyes. "Honey, it's perfectly fine to feel this way. The Faunus war took a tole on everyone. And perhaps you're right, we've been too easy on Richard."

Sebastian held his wife's supportive hand. "Thank you."

And so, after discussing what to do with their son, the two decided that he needed to learn discipline the only way they knew how. That summer, they sent Richard to military school.


"Alright! Listen up you scum!" The uniformed man yelled. "Do you all know why you're here?" The row of young children tensed up, scared and cautious. "It's because you're all so damn pathetic!" Awkward silence spread over the kids. The only sound in the air was of buses and jeeps transporting new children into the Vale Military Summer Activity Camp (trademark pending) and various shouts and slams of children in obstacle courses, or setting up tents.

"Trouble makers and unwanted kids- that's what the lot of yous are! And you're all here because your damn parents didn't wanna look at yous for a few weeks!" The children winced at that last comment. Sure, they can admit they were a bunch of brats, but they shouldn't be talked to like that! Still, against a large, imposing, and very loud adult, all they could do is remain quiet.

The frightening general paced up and down the row of children. "Fortunately for your parents, I'll be in charge of you for the next few weeks. Unfortunately for you, I'll be in charge of you for the next few weeks!"

"Muhmuh, muh-mumuh muh weeks~"

The short tempered general turned his head as the kids began snickering among themselves. The giggling soon died down, but his anger did not. "Now listen here!" he snarled to the group. "I won't allow any back chat like that again, you hear me you little brats?!" They all went quiet.

"As I was saying." The general returned to his speech. "The next few weeks will be hell for you! You'll be worked to the bone day in and day out! You'll be covered in blood, sweat and tears by the end of all this!"

"Oh look at me~ I like watching little kids sweat~"

Again, the children erupted into laughter much to the general's embarrassment. "Sh-shut up! All of you!" Although most of the noise died down, there were still several snickers and giggles among the crowd. "Who said that? Which one of you little brats said that?!"

"Hahaa... Sorry sir, it was me..." A boy in the group raised his hand, panting from laughing so much.

The short tempered man stomped towards him. He bend down, pushing his face right into the boy's. "What's your name?!"

"Richard sir! But you can call me Richy!"


"..." Drew glared at Richard, silently but still communicating his anger.

"What?"

"You asked him to call you 'Richy'?"

"Yes, so?"

"You hate it when we do it!"

"Yes, I do."

"Oh, come on! What the hell's up with that?!"

"... So as I was saying-"

"Richy, you're a jerk!"

"-AS I WAS SAYING!"


And so, Richard Rolland became somewhat of a foil to our grumpy old general, being a quick-witted trouble maker who jokes about anything he can and acts like a clown. Whenever the general would give the group of children tiring exercises or tasks to perform, Richard would undoubtedly make a fool of either himself or the general, earning a chuckle out of his friends, and get punished for it, grinning to himself all the way. But general Grants was growing tired of their little routine.

It was roughly 6 o'clock when the group of children and pre-teens came dragging their feet into their tent, ready to settle in for the night after a gruelingly long day of exercise and activities. They groaned in pain as their muscles ached, and moaned in pleasure as they lay their bodies down on the welcome beds, even if the actual comfort and quality of their quarters was distorted by their weariness. Friends chatted among each other and performed small rituals to unwind their stressed minds.

Richard was lounging and laugh with his friends he made merry talk, but were eventually interrupted by an unwanted guest. Two officers entered the tent, standing to attention by the entrance. To the confusion and dismay of everyone, the grumpy general entered, holding himself in a proud, reserved posture. "Good evening, everyone." he said.

"Mmmfevv..." a chorus of murmurs responded.

Unfazed, the general scanned the room, zooming his attention in on Richard. "Mr Rolland?"

Richard stiffened as his name was called. "... yes?"

"Come with me at once." he calmly ordered before leaving the tent, followed by his officers.

Richard groaned internally, expecting some speech or punishment for something. "Sorry lads, I'll be back in a bit." he said to his group of friends.

"No worries, man." "Don't get yourself killed!" "Good luck with the 100 reps!" they echoed back.

"Okay, okay!" Richard said, chuckling at his friends.

Just as Richard turned to exit, one more of his friends called out to his attention. "Hey Richy!" he snickered. "A friend of mine snook us in some booze. We'll save one for you!"

Richard laughed nervously. "You guys go easy too. Be, y'know, responsible with that stuff." Was his last words before leaving to see to the general.

There, the general was waiting for him. "Ah, now come with me please." He strutted across the campus, followed by his two officers. Richard dragged his feet behind them, keeping awkwardly quiet. And all this time, Richard still had no idea what the old man wanted with him.

Eventually, all four of them arrived at the helipad. There, a Bullhead's engines began roaring up and blowing strong winds. The two escorting officers stood at attention a safe distance from the machine, and the general continued towards it. "Come along now, Rolland!" he called above the noise of the engine, making Richard scuffle ahead, shielding his face from the gusts.

The two made their way on board, where two pilots were holding the airship steady. Richard and the general strapped in, and the Bullhead started ascending. "Umm..." Richard raised his voice, breaking the silence. "Where are we going? ... sir."

The aged man seemed to ignore Richard, and instead looked out the window. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

Richard would, in any other situation put his annoyance into words, but the general's strange behaviour held back his want to curse. Normally the general would yell orders loudly and answer directly and plainly. But right now, he seemed much more reserved. More... sombre. Richard just went with it and looked out the window. The sun was setting, giving the entire view a light orange hue. Said view was the quickly changing plains of grass, flying past as the Bullhead propelled through the air, with several bushes or trees popping up, and every so often, a wild Grimm or two.


"Wooo~!" Nina cheered from the stand.

"Nina, hush." Arin snapped, eager to hear the rest of the story.


The view wasn't particularly stunning or breathtaking, but it was entrancing nonetheless. It felt warm, and homely, especially to a young boy who has been away from his family for several weeks now.

"Do you love humanity, Rolland?" The general broke the silence between them.

Richard was stunned, both caught off guard by his trance, and the sudden deep question layed out for him. "I'm sorry?"

"Do you love humanity? And I suppose that extends to Faunus kind too."

Richard averted his gaze from the general, trying to create an answer. "I... guess? As much as anyone else I suppose."

"I was the same when I first joined the army. It was just a job to me. It wasn't like I could make a huge difference, so there was no need to take it too seriously, right?"

"Oh, is that what this is about." Richard said, unimpressed. "You're trying to make me relate to you?"

The general smiled and sighed. "No, I doubt you would. You're an unimpressionable young lad. But I don't want you to accept my way of thinking, just to understand it."

Richard raised and eyebrow. "Understand what?"

"We're not that different of people, you and I. I think deep down you do care deeply about people. You joke around and make them laugh, even if it is for your own satisfaction. And I too care about people, but I believe they need something different."

"What, a dictator? You to rule over them?" Richard scoffed, expecting some wild plans for world domination from the man.

"No. Order."

"Sir, we're approaching the area." One of the pilots informed over the intercom.

"Good. Touch us down." The general ordered.

Richard hadn't even realised ghat the scenery outside the vehicle had changed until it set down. He looked outside to see that they were landed on some building, shrouded in fog. "Come here, Richard." said the general, opening the door and stepping out onto the roof.

A confused Richard hurried beside him. "Where are we?" He squinted, hoping to see anything though the impossibly thick fog. He didn't.

"I was here for one of my squad's first assignments. Fighting off Grimm, evacuating people." he trailed off, thinking back to his old memories.

The fog eventually started to blow over, revealing the top of another building to Richard. No, wait... it was a derelict building, torn and crumbled. Then another one appeared. And another, and another. Until the fog almost completely blew over to show a wide city landscape. The image clicked in Richard's memory. "This is..."

"Yes. The is Mount Glenn." The general explained in a sad tone.

Richard gazed down upon the ruined city where people once thrived, now gone... No. Richard knew, all of them were probably dead. "Heh... hehe! I see what you're doing! You're- you're trying to psyche me out! What, you think I don't know people die?!"

The general glared back at him. "Don't you dare take this lightly, Rolland!" His gaze returned back down onto the city. "Me and my squad went in there think it'd be a simple case of shoot some Grimm and tell people "It's going to be okay!". Like hell it was. People were being mauled and eaten alive by the monsters, people were fighting each other for whatever car or route out of the city there was, and destruction and death wherever you looked. I couldn't take it. I almost started crying. It was absolute chaos." Richard gulped at the grotesque description he was given.

"Sh-shut up!" Richard yelled back, visibly shaken. "What are you trying to prove?!"

"Let me finish. Even when we managed to get a lot of people onto the underground train, their panic unearthed many subterranean Grimm, and they were all slaughtered. The rest of my squad were told to evacuate. We couldn't do anything for them." The general explained, tears forming in the side of his eye. "And that's what I realised: the Grim are chaos. They're chaos personified. And that chaos can wipe out a city in a single night."

Richard could say no more against the older man. He was completely distraught by him now.

"So." he said, straightening his posture. "That is it. That is why I choose to be so strict with you. I want to bring order to people who have forgotten it. To save people from becoming animals by nature. Because I don't want this to happen again."

Richard collapsed to his knees, and said nothing.


The two flew home in the Bullhead. and landed safely in the camp. By this time it was dark outside, so the general escorted Richard back to his tent, and left him there. Richard lifelessly walked into his tent, to be met by a few cheers from his friends, who were visibly drinking, and were visibly drunk. "The return of the king!" "Oh, you're alive!" "Have fun, lad?" they cheered to him.

"We saved you a beer!" the closest of the boys held one to him, fully expecting him to join in on the fun.

Instead they were met with the mumbling of "... what are you doing? ..."

"Huh?" One of them cocked their head in confusion.

Richard's gaze became intense as he frown and marched towards them, snatching the can out of his hands. "I SAID what do you think you're DOING?!" he yelled.


"And so, for the rest of his camp, Richard was, well, the Richard you know today. So I'm sure you can all imagine what that was like." Richard summarised his explanation. "Then afterwards, he came home, he and Chi stopped being friends, he started training to become a Hunter, and here he is now."

The almost empty stadium let out a breathe they didn't know they were holding in.

"So, that's why I'm such a stick in the mud," Richard sighed. "I carry that man's ideals. I don't want the world to fall into chaos, so I want everyone to follow order. Because I'm... scared without it." Richard straightened up in his sitting position, returning to his regular stern disposition. "Now are you satisfied? Now do you understand?!"

"Yeah... I understand." Drew replied.

"Good." Richard smiled internally, satisfied with himself. "Now if you don't mind, I'll be-"

"I mean, it's pretty fuckin' stupid, but I understand it." Drew huffed. Everyone's faces went blank. "... what?" Drew shrugged at their reaction.

Richard, trembling- no, fuming with rage, placed a hand on Drew's shoulder. "Would. You. Repeat. That. Please."

Drew caught on immediately, shoving Richard's hand off his shoulder. "Oh, shut up! Don't go pretending you're all higher than us because some old fart scared you."

"That's not the point!" Richard yelled, turning red as a tomato. "The point is that I'm like this because I don't want the Grimm to take advantage of us in any way! If I don't, then who will?!"

Drew's face stretched, his mouth making an exaggerated gasp. "Oh! Oh my God, is that it?! I'm so sorry!" he said, his voice dropping in sarcasm. "I never- I repeat- never would have thought that a Huntsman in training, would care about people and want to stop Grimm!"

Richard, perhaps not understanding Drew's train of thought, or perhaps just not comprehending sarcasm, furrowed his brow in confusion. "What... what are you talking about?!"

Drew crossed his arms and huffed. "Richy, you aren't special. Yeah, wanting to keep the world safe is noble, but that's what everyone wants! That's literally the reason everyone here's at Beacon! Sure, a good few people have like dead parents and want revenge on someone or whatever, but most of us actually wanna do the whole "save the world" thing!"

"I... oh." Richard said, the realisation coming over him and calming him down. "Perhaps I... have been wrong in my way of thinking."

Drew scratched his head methodically. Something about the course of this conversation bugged him. "Well, I guess I wouldn't say that..." He began speaking his mind.

Arin, who had been observing the emotionally charged scene, tensed up, perhaps fearing what Drew was about to do. "No Drew, wAIT-" He stood up and uselessly reached out to the two of them.

"You just keep doin' you, Richy!" Drew proudly patted his friend on the back.

"God-DAMN it!" Arin fell back lifelessly, his cry not reaching Drew, and his hope of Richard becoming actually normal disappearing.

Richard stared at Drew in confusion, unsure his leader suddenly back-peddled his argument. "What do you mean?"

Drew rested his hand on Richard's shoulder. "I mean, like, y'know when I said everyone wants be heroic like you? Well, there's nothing wrong with the way you do it! You're just pretty extreme the way you do it!"

"I see..." said Richard, getting strangely comforted by Drew's pep-talk. "So, I should just continue the way I've always been?"

"Ha! Not exactly." Drew poked Richard's chest assertively. "You're doing "you", right? But that doesn't mean everyone else should do "you", they should do "themselves". Like, don't be forcing your methods and stuff onto them, y'know?"

Richard's changed from one of innocent confusion to joy and determination. "Yes... Yes, I think I do know!"

Nina, from the sidelines, punched the air enthusiastically, yelling out. "Yeah, he does knows!"

"We were so clooose..." Arin wepted quietly, smacking his hand on the ground. "I could have had one fucking normal team mate..."

"You... You okay there, buddy?" Yang asked, slightly distraught.

Teary eyed and sniffling, Arin managed to raise his head up from the ground. "Yeah... for now, I guess..."

"So, is that it?" Chi said, visibly and audibly disheartened.

"It seems so." Weiss said.

"If it's any consolation, you don't have to live with him for the next 4 years." Arin droned.

Ruby leaned over and patted Chi on the shoulder, vainly attempting to console the poor girl. "H-hey, don't worry about it! May... maybe he'll..."

"No, actually..." She gazed down on her childhood friend, who was rambling and laughing with a jolly smile on his face. "I... I think I'm okay with it." Chi gave a weak, but definite smile.

Arin, particularly confused out of everyone who heard, raised an eyebrow. "You sure? You seemed pretty hung up about it before."

"I did, but... I dunno. I guess this is just how Richy is now, a die hard bout being a Huntsmen," she said with a shrug. "I'll be able to get over it. And... I'm happy I got to see smile again."

Arin visibly shivered. "That was cheesy."

Chi chuckled. "Yeah, it is! But you guys are cheesier though!"

"Huh?" Arin asked in a deadpan tone.

"He was definitely more grumpy earlier. You all made him open up and let off some steam he was building up. Drew practically made a cheesy friendship speech!"

Arin's eyes moved across the ceiling in thought. "I... yeah, you're right." He then shuddered. "Oh god, that mean Drew was right about something for once..."

Ruby and Weiss made gestures expressing their relief/drowsiness from the situation, while Yang stretched her arms down her back while declaring "Yep! Looks like this was all solved by relying on your friends! Wouldn't you say so, Blake?" She gave a knowing glance to her partner.

Blake, who had been running the whole even over in her head, stirred back to reality. "Wh.. whatever. Let's head back already." She stood up and started to walk down the row of seats.

Yang's face turned to a saddened frown, only for her back to be patted by her younger sister. "Don't worry. We'll get through to her eventually!"

Yang sighed and stood up. "Yeah, you're right... Arin, we'll see you later then?" Arin gave an indistinguishable grunt in response. "Cool!" She and her remaining teammates followed Blake.

"I think I should get going too." Chi added. "My dad's probably waiting." Arin gave an indistinguishable grunt in response. "O... okay." She left.

And so, Arin was left in his seat, leaning forward and resting his chin on his arms which were on the chair in front of him, looking down on Drew, Richard, and Nina rambling about some "Cool new technique" or something. Arin narrowed his gaze at them in concern. "Wasn't Nina up here with us like a few minutes ago?" he grumbled. He then lowered his head, burying his face into his crossed arms. "I want more normal friends..."


AN: So... This came out late. And uhh, a lot's happened since.

Volume 3 finished and hooo boy, it's been a doozy... But probably the biggest RWBY related news was the passing of Monty Oum. He brought this show to us, and saying that he was a huge creative inspiration to all of us is an understatement. And to be honest, I feel almost guilty for putting off this new chapter for so long; not only for bringing up Monty's death after all this time, but as an insult to Monty's entire work ethic. He always wanted to be working on something all the time, and I feel like I've been putting this off for no good reason. So, with that in mind, I'd like to have a little talk about the future of Team DARN.

First of all, I suppose I technically have been making DARN-related content. Over the time I haven't uploaded, I've made a tumblr account, and I've had a lot of fun talking about my ocs on there, and even (poorly) drawing them! I wont give my account name out for two reasons though. First is because, well, I hate tumblr. It's awful. I mean, it's just reeeeally hate-filled and spiteful. I won't get political over it, but let's just say it's got a few good things (like, reeeeally good things sometimes) but it's filled with way more bad people than good. Let's just move on...

And secondly is, simply put, there's a bunch of spoilers on there. I've talked about future villains and friends that team DARN meet in the future. Even the unveiling of a Drew's Semblance, and Nina's proper backstory is on there (I think... I have a shitty memory). So for those of you who follow the story and not my blog, I want to unveil a few things more. Or rather... a few last things.

Please forgive me for rambling here a bit, but I must say something. Team DARN has kind of changed for me. Originally, they were a bunch of misfits who weren't good at anything, they couldn't accomplish anything, and all they had was their own little quirks. No tragic backstories, just personalities without reason. No super fancy weapons of fighting styles, just funny looking weapons and a poor win-loss record. They were meant to be funny, satirical, and most of all, not serious. And... I just wrote a chapter about a young child having crippling anxiety and a sense of responsibility to the whole world, and so that anxiety has shaped his entire person. Can you see where I'm going with this?

Team DARN has become more focused on drama and action than I originally intended, and has become less and less of a comedy. And that isn't a bad thing! I really like the way they are now, in fact I prefer it! And I still try to make everything funny with witty dialogue and slapstick. It's just... I feel like I'm a dog chasing two balls here. I'm trying to be funny, while trying to make tear-jerking scenes happen, and probably failing at both. So, it is with a heavy heart that I announce that in the next arc, The Misadventures of Team DARN will come to an end. But fret not! I'm gonna pull out ALL the stops! These losers are gonna go out with a bang! And I finally get to do something I've wanted to do with this story from day one!

Next time on team DARN: Our protagonists are introduced to their rival team. They shall fight their polar opposite! Popular! Respected! And very good looking (most of them...(they think...))! Introducing, Team XTRM (pronounced as extreme (because I don't care about the colour rule))!