Team RAVN jumped into the NEWT courses with a vengeance. They wanted to prove that they were just as good as the Unspeakables thought they would be. While Angel Star did have the greatest drive to prove herself, her other team mates, including Nova Heart, raced through the courses. Both Unspeakable Volker and Unspeakable Bakker told Professor Ozpin and Goodwitch again and again that they had never seen such a fast tracked class before.
In normal classes, like at Hogwarts, theory had taken place as the standard. Everything was paced on how much the students understood of the theory, before they were even allowed to preform the magic behind it. With the fast-track method, there were several ways to understand the matter of the subject, and normally a whole year could be cut down in half
Vixen had come up with a simpler way. Intend, focus and command. The Unspeakables agreed with Vixen and applied that in the new training method they were working on.
The newer way, that they had been developing, was called the hyper-track. This method relied on the students to absorb the given information at an astounding pace. This forced the student to wear an item that was charmed to increase their ability of absorbing information. Luckily, the four students had that already covered, and with a little tweaking of their headbands, Ray, Angel, Vixen and Nova were blowing through the courses.
What was also important about the new method was the way it was taught. No longer did boring lectures and speeches keep the four students from falling behind. Now, facts were given and discussed between the five of them, as there was always an Unspeakable present during their time.
They were also encouraged to think for themselves, instead of following the teachers word. Critical thinking became a favorite part of the 'study group' as Angel had called it.
What was probably the most amazing was that the Unspeakables wanted to let the four students to let their magic flow. Not only would it strengthen their already powerful magical cores, but it would very slowly aid the Fall Maiden, who was still in a coma.
For the magic to flow, they needed to learn spell creation and spell modification. Spells were normally invented in magically poor environments, but the Unspeakables thought that with so much magic flowing around, that the spells might be amplified by the additional magic.
Ray had found two new ways to use a Patronus charm, The first one was to pass the Patronus through a human body, to slightly increase said humans mood. While not as effective as a cheering charm, it did seemed promising. The other use of the Patronus charm was used to great effect on Grimm in the Emerald Forest. It seemed that a Patronus, as long as the caster in focus, can chase the creatures of Grimm away.
Unfortunately, their time got cut short, with the Atlesian exchange students arriving at Beacon Academy. Three massive command ships of the Atlesian military hovered near the docks of Beacon Academy, with several drop-ships flying their patrols. If you didn't know better, you would say that Beacon Academy was under attack by the Atlesian military.
At the moment, Ray stood with headmaster Ozpin and deputy headmistress and combat professor Glynda Goodwitch in the headmasters office, looking out over the sight of the Atlesian ships hovering at the docks of Beacon.
"Ironwood certainly loves to bring his work with him, wherever he travels." Said Goodwitch, causing Ray to snort in amusement.
"At least, he could have been somewhat more discreet. I know that Atlesian huntresses and huntsmen lose that small but useful skill when they enter the military. But this takes the cake." Ray said as he looked at a drop-ship passing the tower they were standing in.
"Well, he's a general and a headmaster, and he's quite a busy man, but yes. Those are a bit of an eyesore." Ozpin responded, as he looked at the ships hovering in front of his school.
"A bit?" Ray asked amused. "The general thinks he's so important that he needs three command ships to carry around his ego. Let alone the drop-ships with their new troops."
A signal on the desk of Ozpin lid, signaling that someone was requesting entrance.
"Come in." Ozpin said as the door opened and a well build man in a white suit, with a grey undercoat and a red tie. His hair was black, but started to go grey on the outside.
"Ozpin. It's been to long." The General said as he walked into Ozpin's office.
"Hello, General." Ozpin said, standing in almost military parade rest.
"Please, drop the formalities." the General said as he and Ozpin came closer. "It's been to long." Ironwood said as he shook hands.
"And Glynda." Ironwood said as he looked at the deputy headmistress of Beacon Academy. "It's been certainly to long since we've met."
"Oh, James." Glynda said , waving her hand in a dismissive way. "I'll be outside." She said to Ozpin as she moved towards the elevator.
"Well, she hasn't changed." Ironwood commented.
"Neither have you." said Ray as he stood with his back to the General, looking over the large Atlesian fleet outside.
"Who's this?" Ironwood asked, as he spotted Ray for the first time. His stance changed as Ray turned around, going from friendly, to cautious.
"This is the team leader of our new additions in our small brotherhood." Said Ozpin, as he placed a hand on Ray's shoulder. "His name is Ray Star, and he and his team have and will be invaluable for us."
James Ironwood looked at Ray, and Ray looked back at the General.
"So, what in the world has brought you all the way down from Atlas?" Ozpin asked as he filled a coffee mug with said beverage before he handed it over to Ironwood. "Headmasters normally don't travel with their students for the Vytal festival."
Ray saw what Ozpin was trying to do. Defusing the tension between Ironwood and Star. While on the same side, Ironwood was more a person who would rush in and grab the glory for his people, while Ray waited for the right moment to strike. Ray was also the type that would wait for the enemy to make a move, to cross them at the most important turn. There was a second reason why Ray didn't fully trust Ironwood.
Penny.
Ray's theory was that Penny was a prototype infiltration droid, that mimicked Human and Faunus behavior, causing her to fit right in in the normal population. However, having little to no evidence, beside the fact that he knew that Penny was a machine, Ray could do nothing but waiting, hoping that someone would slip up.
"Well, you know how much I enjoy Vale this time of year." Said Ironwood as Ray turned back to look outside. While it may not have been snowing, there were some indications that the temperature had dropped. Some students choose to wear more clothing then last season. But then again, it was hardly any hard change, as Ray had found it easier to adapt to the seasons.
"Besides, with you hosting, I thought this might be a nice time to 'catch up'." Ironwood said as he accepted the mug of coffee from Ozpin. Looking in the window, Ray could see that Ironwood pulled a flask out of his jacket and poured a little of it's content into the mug.
Ray ignored the rest of the conversation, focusing mostly on the airships that were now hovering between Vale and Beacon.
"But ask yourself this." Ironwood's voice penetrated Ray's thoughts. "Do you really think your children can win a war?"
"And why would there be a war, unless you plan to start one." Ray asked, just as Ironwood was about to step inside the elevator.
Ironwood looked back, at the young student who had challenged him. Something about this student radiated confidence.
"What are we for you, Ironwood?" Ray asked. "Are we future huntresses and huntsmen, ready to make our mark on the world, or are we just bags of meat, ready to be slaughtered so 'The Great General Ironwood of Atlas' can save us all? Sweeping our sacrifices under a rug, so you can claim a victory?"
Ray moved from the window behind Ozpin's desk, to stand before the General.
"Do you believe in peace? Or is peace, according to you, nothing more than an illusion, as fragile as a glass kingdom?" Ray asked.
Before Ironwood could answer, Ozpin came between them. "Ray, James. We are all on the same side here. We are here to protect the people. While we do have different opinions about it, our goal is clear."
"Fine. I need to get to my team. We're screening the students who are coming from Haven, Vacuo and Atlas." Ray said as he took the elevator down.
"Why are you allowing him to be so disrespectful? Don't you know how dangerous it is for a student to know about the work we do?" Ironwood asked as he looked Ozpin in the eyes.
Ozpin smiled. "I know, and Ray knows that to. In fact, Ray knows that better than anyone. Let me tell you this, James. Don't worry about Ray. Yes, he can be quite a handful at times, but he will never betray us, like others have done in the past."
Ray Star spotted his team, Angel, Vixen and Nova looking through faces that passed the computer screens where they where sitting at. Beacon Academy was connected, via the CCT, to the other academies. They were looking at students who's scroll connected to the main server of Beacon, and connected them through with the list of students who were granted permission to enter the Vytal festival.
"Anything?" Ray asked as he looked over Vixen's shoulder.
"Nada. There's so far nothing. Then again, Atlas is keeping everything hidden, so we only have Shade and Haven to scan now."
Ray nodded and sat down next to Nova. "How's it going?" he asked.
"There's thirty two teams left we need to scan. I'm working on Haven now, and I hope that we have a match soon." She said as she looked at Ray. "Do you really think that she'll be here?"
Ray looked at Nova and sensed that both Angel and Vixen were listening in. "Yeah. She'll be here. We've got a big enough target that she can't resist."
Nova smiled and was about to kiss Ray lightly on the lips, when her computer made a 'ping' sound. Looking at the screen, she saw that they had spotted their targets.
"Pull up that file and sent it to our scrolls." Said Ray as he looked at the black haired girl with bright glowing eyes on the computer.
"Ray, she's moving towards the Beacon dorms. She must try to make contact with Ruby." Said Angel as she was tracking the scrolls that transited their position.
"I'm going in." Ray said as he stood up. "What?" Angel asked.
Ray smiled. "I'm going to tell them that their dorm in a few hallways away, then I'm going to guide them there. After all," Ray said as he moved away. "What kind of gentleman would I be, if I don't escort some poor lost students to their dorm?"
Before anyone could respond, Ray had made his way out of their small office. "Damn him." Angel said as she started to look for video feet of the black haired girl with bright shining eyes.
"Hello Cinder, we finally meet." Angel said as she found footage of Cinder and two other students, wearing Haven Academy uniforms.
Ray made his way to the dorms of the Beacon Academy students. Knowing what Cinder Fall looked like, Ray smiled as he turned the corner and came face to face with one of Cinder's little helpers. Emerald Sustrai, mint green hair, red eyes and dark skinned, the girl had a pleasant smile on her face.
"Hello." Ray said as he bowed from the waist. "I don't believe we've been introduced." Ray said with his most charming smile. It did seem to work, as Emerald's cheeks showed a small blush appearing on her face. Taking her arm gently, Ray kissed between the knuckles of Emerald, while he used his wandless and wordless magic to place a tracking and listening charm on Emerald's hand. One that was impossible to detect, unless you knew what to look for.
Ray was pushed aside and fell on the ground. Shaking his head, Ray looked up at the young man who had punched him aside. Silvery grey hair, grey eyes that seemed to burn fire at him, and a snarl on his mouth. Wearing the boy's uniform of Haven Academy, Ray came face to face with Mercury Black.
"Excuse me, why was that necessary?"Ray asked as he slowly stood up, keeping his distance from Mercury. It did seem that Emerald had enjoyed the small affection that Ray gave her, as she glared at Mercury. The boy was about to respond, but a hand on his shoulders stilled his movement. The hand gently pushed him away, revealing that behind Mercury a young woman was standing, wearing a Haven Academy uniform. Black hair and bright glowing eyes were her most distinctive features. While she did look really nice with her smile, Ray was certain that Cinder Fall, the girl in front of him was his most dangerous opponent ever.
"Sorry for that." Cinder said with a sweet tone in her voice. Ray nodded in thanks. "Yeah. Sorry about that. Anyway. I got word that some students from Haven were kinda lost, so I was sent to make sure that you get to your dorm in time, before curfew. You wouldn't want a bad first impression, now would we?" Ray asked as he motioned them to follow him. Emerald and Mercury looked at each other before lifting their shoulders and following Cinder, who had started to follow Ray to their dorm.
The quartet made their way to the hallway where the dorms for Haven students were.
"Third door on the right is yours. Can't miss." said Ray. "I've got an app if you want a map of Beacon, that way you can find your dorm, if you ever get lost." Mercury and Emerald seemed to look at Cinder for guidance. Cinder nodded to Emerald who placed her scroll against Ray's extended scroll. A few seconds waiting and Emerald was now the proud owner of the app that displayed Beacon Academy. Ray nodded politely and waved goodbye to the trio of students. Turning a corner, Ray pulled his ear-piece from his pocket and listened to the trio of criminals that were walking into the dorm.
"What an idiot." Ray heard Mercury's voice in his ear-piece. Ray smiled, as he had placed both a listening charm on Emerald's skin, and with the app he had installed a virus that hacked every scroll within a certain radius. 'Thank you Angel for making that.' Ray thought as he made his way to his own dorm. As he entered the dorm, Ray placed his ear-piece on the table next to an enchanted piece of paper.
Suddenly words started to appear on it, as the words spoken in the criminals room were written down on paper.
Smiling, Ray made his way to his bed, where he could see Nova, Angel and Vixen waiting for him.
"Did we get in?" Ray asked.
Angel nodded. "We got in. Tonight, the virus will copy everything they have and transfer that copy to our own little scroll." She said as she held up a typical black sided scroll.
"Good. We'll use that information to predict their moves, we work with that. Is Professor Ozpin notified of our little infiltrators?"
Nova nodded. "Yes, he's aware and told us that as long as we harm no other students, he's giving us Carte Blanche to do what needs to be done."
Ray nodded. "Understood. Let's get to bed. In a few weeks, team RWBY will go with Sun and Neptune to the White Fang meeting. We need the jeep to be ready. I want a piece of that suits weapons on it."
With that said, Ray wished everyone a good night and climbed in his bed. Within minutes he fell asleep, but not before he threw a few locking spells at the door, as well as an aversion spell for anyone who wanted to do them harm.
Angel smiled as she looked done last time at the enchanted paper. It was a quite nifty design. Not only did it told you who spoke, by writing the name who spoke in front of the text, it also duplicated the text onto a new piece of paper, that was automatically sent towards the headmasters private room.
Angel's eyes almost popped out of her head, as she saw the word 'council' appearing. Taking a few deep breaths, Angel returned to her bed. She would discuss this tomorrow with her team and Ozpin.
Sorry for all the waiting.
Between wanting to finish my other Harry Potter story, and having so many idea's floating around in my head, I kind of lost the drive to write and update stories.
I've still got a lot of idea's floating around in here (my head) but I'll try to update either Vale's Finest or Going all the way.
Hope you enjoy this chapter, and remember. Follow, Favorite and review.