Team JSON Volume 2
Chapter 2
Welcome to Beacon
An Atlasian airship lands in the docks in Beacon. Ozpin and Glynda are looking at the arrival from Ozpins office, which is also the tallest tower in Beacon.
"Ironwood certainly loves bringing his work wherever he travels." Glynda says in an irritated voice. "Well… running an academy and a military makes him a busy man. But yes, those are a bit of an eyesore." Ozpin said.
Then something beeps on his desk a blue screen is flashing on the screen says the words, Access Required, "Com in." Ozpin says as he walks toward the elevator. The door opens and a tall man in a white military uniform walks in. His chest is decorated with medals of honor.
"Ozpin!" the man says walking towards the Professor. "Hello general." Ozpin says. "Please drop the formalities." The general says as he clasp Ozpin's hand in his, "It's been too long. And Glynda! It has certainly been too long since we last met." The general says.
"Oh James…" Glynda said sarcastically, "I'll be outside." Then she leaves. "Well she hasn't changed a bit." James Ironwood said.
"So…What in the world has brought you all the way down from Atlas?" Ozpin asked, "Headmasters don't typically travel with their students for the Vytal Festival." He said as he poured Ironwood a cup of coffee.
"Well you know how much I love Vale this time of year. Besides with you hosting this might be a good opportunity for us to catch up." Ironwood said.
"Well, am I not invited." A gruff voice suddenly said. The two headmasters look up to see a figure in a navy blue hood standing on the gear. The person jumps down and lands in a crouch.
"How long have you been up there Evin?" Ironwood asked. "Long enough for me to listen to your little conversation." Evin says as he lowers his hood.
He wears a Navy blue coat with a hood attached to it with black boots and pants. He wears two black fingerless gloves and has a giant sword clamped to his back. He has an army haircut and a full beard and a scar across his face.
"You know, I appreciate quality time between friends James, but why the small fleet?" he asked. "Yes, seeing them has me somewhat concerned." Ozpin said as he poured himself some coffee.
"Well, concern is what brought them here." Ironwood said.
"I understand traveling between kingdoms have become increasingly difficult—"
"Oz… the three of us all know why I brought those men." Ironwood said. Master Evin scoffs, "You are stupid aren't you Ironwood. Bringing these men here won't supply security to the people!"
"But if what you and Qrow said are true—"
"If what Qrow and I said are true then we will act according to Ozpin!" Evin said.
Ozpin sighed, "James, it's the Vytal Festival; a time to celebrate unity and peace. So, I suggest you not scare people by transporting hundreds of soldiers halfway across the continent."
"I am just being cautious."
"As are we Ironwood. Which is why we will continue to train the best huntsmen and huntresses we can. And also why I am training the best warriors I can." Evin said.
"Believe me, I am." Ironwood said grimly. He turns then starts to walk away. Then he stops a few feet away. "But ask yourselves this…" he says and turns to face the two, "Do you honestly believe your children can win a war?"
"I hope they never have to." Ozpin says grimly as he sits in his chair.
Beacon Library
Team RWBY are sitting around a table with a board game laid out in front of them Weiss was looking at her cards with a confused expression, Yang had a confident smile on her face. Blake was staring off into space thinking.
Ruby was sorting through her cards, "Hmmm… Alright." She says then she points at Yang, "Yang Xiao Long, prepare you kingdom for battle!" she says pointing a finger at her older sister.
"Bring it on!" Yang replies pumping her fist.
"I deploy, the Atlesian Air Fleet!" Ruby cries as she jumps up from her chair with her arm holding her card held high. Yang fakes a horrified look, "Looks like I get to fly right over your Ursai and attack your walls directly." Ruby says as she makes airplane noises and a bird with her hands.
Yang fakes another surprised look, "You fiend!" Yang says pointing a finger at Ruby. "And since Atlas is part of Mantle, my repair time only lasts one turn." Ruby says. Yang laughs, "Pretty sneaky sis, but you just activated my trap card!" Yang says holding up a card for Ruby to see.
"Whaaaaaat!" Ruby shrieks.
"Giant Nevermore!" Yang says smashing her fist onto the table causing all the pieces to fall over, "If I roll a seven or higher Fatal Feathers will slice your fleet in two."
"But if you roll, if you a six or lower, the Nevermore will turn on your own forces!" Ruby says.
"That's just a risk I'm willing to take." Yang says as she gets in Ruby's face.
As yang starts to demolish Ruby at the game, Team JNPR is sitting at another table. Nora is sleeping with a bubble coming out of her nose. Ren is to her left flipping a page of a book onto Nora's head popping the bubble but Nora was still asleep.
Jaune was reading a comic as Pyrrha was reading a textbook. She looks up from her book and takes his comic then slide her textbook over to Jaune. Jaune sighs as she starts to read the comic.
Team JSON were also sitting at the table with Fenris and a friend he introduces the day before, the boy's name was Argus. He wore an olive green jacket with black pants and brown shoes. He wore black fingerless gloves with two gauntlets, one strapped to each arm. He was reading a book. Fenris was reading a comic, Sonya was filing her nails, Nathan was sleeping, and Jason was reading a book. The leader looked up to see Olivia stealing glances at Argus.
He was about to make a funny remark when a figure from the game that Team RWBY is playing hits his head. He picks it up, a Beowolf piece, he looks over to the team and see's Ruby in tears with her head on the table as Yang rearranged the board. He walked over.
"Hey guys this your's?" he says holding up the piece. "Why yes it is thank you for returning it to us." Yang says. "No problem, what you guys playing?" Jason asked. "Remnant the Game." Yang replied.
"Cool so who's turn is it?" Jason asked. "Weiss's" Yang says.
Weiss looks at her card then looks up and says, "I have…absolutely no idea what's going on." Weiss says with a confused look. Jason walks over, "Look its easy! You're playing as Vacuo which means all Vacuo-based cards come with a bonus." Jason offers.
"That sounds dumb." Weiss said. "See…you've got Sandstorm, Desert Scavenger, Oh! Oh! Resourceful Raider! See know you can take Ruby's discarded air fleet…" A depressed Ruby moans, "Noooooo…"
"And put it in your hands." Jason continued. "Okay…?" Weiss said.
"And since Vacuo warriors have an endurance boost against natural hazards you can use sandstorm to disable Yang's ground forces and simultaneously infiltrate her kingdom!" Jason said.
"Just know I will not forget this declaration of war." Yang said in a low voice. "And that means…?" Weiss asked.
"You're just three moves away from conquering Remnant." Ruby cried as tears streamed down her eyes.
Weiss lets out a maniacal laugh, "YES! FEAR THE ALMIGHTY POWER OF MY FORCES! COWER AS THEY PILLAGE YOUR HOMES AND WEEP AS TAKE YOUR CHILDREN FROM YOUR VERY ARM—!"
"Trap card" Yang says.
"Huh?" Weiss asks as she look back to the game. Yang rearranges the board again. "Your armies have been destroyed." Yang says crossing her arms.
"I hate this game of emotions we play!" Weiss says as she starts to cry too. Ruby jumps into her arms "Stay strong Weiss we'll make it through this together!"
"Shut up don't touch me!" Weiss says as she hugs Ruby closer. "Better luck next time Ice Queen." Nathan says, he woke up from his nap thanks to Weiss's creepy speech, and was know standing next to Jason.
"Alright Blake you up!" Yang says. "Huh?" Blake says, she was thinking about something and not paying attention, "Oh ummm… Sorry what am I doing?"
"You're playing as Vale trying to conquer the kingdoms of Remnant." Yang explains. "Right…" Blake says.
"Hey can I play!" Jaune says as he walks over to their table. "Sorry Jaune we already have four players." Ruby said now back in her seat and no longer weeping.
"Besides this game requires a certain tactical cunning that I seriously doubt you possess." Weiss says.
"You attacked your own naval fleet two turns ago." Sonya said as she stood next to Jason and Nathan. Fenris, Olivia, and Argus were all at the table, too.
"Bring it on Ice Queen! I'll have you know that I've been told I'm a natural born leader." Jaune says lifting his head up and putting a hand on his hip.
"By who? Your mother?" Weiss counters. "And Pyrrha!"
"Hello again!"
"Come on let me play your hand for one turn!" Jaune pleads. "I'm not trusting you with the good citizens of Vacuo.!" Weiss says holding her card to her chest.
"Honestly, I think they would survive longer if Jaune was playing." Olivia said.
"Shut up!" Weiss protested.
"Yeah, why not, you trusted me with way more important stuff before! I'm mean you told us all that Blake and Sonya are secretly Fau—" Pyrrha dashes over and clamps her hand over his mouth from spilling the beans and finishes with saying, "Fun-loving person whom we all admire and respect!"
She lets go of Jaune's mouth as he gives a nervous chuckle. Blake looks at him disapprovingly. "Right…that." Jaune said scratching his head, "Ladies enjoy your battle." he says as he bows.
"Sup losers!" Sun says as he dragged Neptune along with him. "Hey Sun!" Fenris said, Jason introduced him and Argus to him yesterday. "Ruby. Yang, Blake, Jason, Sonya, Olivia, Nathan, Ice Queen."
"Why does everybody keep calling me that!?" Weiss complained. "Because it fits Nathan murmured only loud enough for Jason to hear.
"I never got a chance to formally introduce you to my old friend." Sun said as he motioned to Neptune.
"Uh… aren't libraries for reading?" Neptune asked. "Thank you!" Ren said in the background. Nora woke up with a start while shouting, "Pancakes!"
"Shut up don't be a nerd." Sun said to Neptune. "Gehgehgehgeh. Intellectual okay? Thank you." Neptune said he turns toward the group, "I'm Neptune." He said.
"So Neptune where are you from?" Weiss asked. "Haven… " Neptune answers in a soft voice, he walks over to Weiss. "and I don't believe I've caught your name snow angel." He says.
"Um…I'm Weiss." She said
In the background Jaune says, "Are you kidding me!?"
"Pleasure to meet you." Neptune said to Weiss.
"I never took you as the board game playing type!" Sun said to Blake. "Right… well I think I'm done playing actually." Blake says as she puts her card down and stands up. "I'll see you guys later." She says as she walks away.
Sun shrugs, Nora shrugs then says, "Women." Causing everyone to look at her.
Later
Blake is sitting in bed thinking, Brothers of the White Fang why are you aiding this scum; the White Fang and I are going on a joint business together; followed by sounds of battle.
Blake then remembers back to the conversation she had with Ozpin the night after the battle at the docks.
Flashback
Blake is sitting in the chair in the same place where Ozpin interrogated Ruby and Jason. "Well… this has certainly been an eventful evening." Ozpin said walking into the room, Blake looks up at him.
"I'm sure that after a night of thwarting attempted robberies you probably just want to go home and take a nap." Ozpin says, "But… I was hoping that maybe we could have a chance to talk." Ozpin said as he sat down in front of Blake.
"Of course." Blake says
"Wonderful! As you know, in order to enroll at my academy, students must first pass a rigorous entrance exam. Most applicants spend years of preparation training at one of the many combat schools around the world… you are one of the few who did not." Ozpin took a sip of coffee, "and you passed the exam with flying colors."
"I was raised outside the kingdoms. If you can't fight you can't survive." Blake replied.
"Well, you have most certainly survived Blake. I admire you drive. And I am proud to run a school who accepts individuals from all walks of life rich, poor, human…" he takes another sip of coffee, "Faunus."
Blake narrows her eyes at his words, "Why do you do you wear that bow, Blake? Why hide who you are?" Ozpin asks.
"You may be willing to accept the Faunus, Professor Ozpin, but you species is not." She answered.
"True…but we are continuing to take strides to lessen the divide."
"With all due respect… you need to start taking some larger strides… Until then I'd rather avoid any unnecessary attention. I want people to see me for who I am… not what I am." Blake said.
"And what are you?" the Professor asked.
"I… I don't understand what you're asking." Blake says. "How did you know the White Fang would be at the shipyard tonight?" Ozpin asked.
"I didn't I just happened to be at the right place at the right time." Blake said.
"You wouldn't have been the first… but what happened tonight was not an isolated incident. I may by your headmaster, but I am also a huntsmen… and it is my sworn duty to protect this world from forces that conspire against it." he looks Blake directly in the eye. "Blake is there something you are not telling me?"
Blake stares back with her golden eyes, "I'm sure." She says.
"Very well thank you for your time Miss Belladonna." Ozpin said as he got up to leave. Just before he exited the room he turned back to face Blake, "If you every need to talk to me…" he pauses a moment to look at Blake's face, "Don't hesitate to ask." Then he turns and leaves.
Back to the present
The door to the room opens, he team along with Team JSON step in, Jason's team has decided to visit their room and hang around a bit before curfew.
"Uhg we should have never let him play!" Yang complained as she walked into the room. "You're just mad cause the new guy beat you!" Ruby said with a laugh, "See if you would have just attacked when I told you this wouldn't have happened."
"I never knew you guys had bunk bed." Nathan says. "Are you sure those things are stable?" Olivia asked.
"Of course their stable." Ruby answered.
Blake stood up and walked towards the door, "Stop!" Weiss says pointing a finger at her. Blake stops in her tracks her hand inches away from the door knob, "lately you've been quiet, anti-social, and moody."
"Uh… have you met Blake?" Sonya asked. "Which I get is kinda your 'thing'" Weiss said making air bunnies as she said things, "But you've been doing it more than usual, which quite frankly is unacceptable."
"She's not wrong." Jason said, "You have been pretty quiet lately and every time we ask you something it takes you a few seconds to react."
"You made a promise to me, to all of us that you would tell us if anything was wrong. So Blake Belladonna. What! Is! Wrong!?." Weiss said, she managed to balance herself on a chair as she pointed at Blake.
Everyone stared at her talent, she quickly moved the chair to the side then dashed back to the center of the room to look at Blake. Everyone else look at her with expressions of worry. Blake took a sigh then began, "I just… I don't understand how everyone can be so calm."
"You still thinking about the White Fang and Torchwick?" Jason asked. "Torchwick, the White Fang all of it. Something big is happening and no one is doing anything about it!" Blake yelled.
"Ozpin told us not to worry. Between the police and the Huntsmen I'm sure they can handle it." Yang said.
"Plus Ozpin also said he had some special friends helping out too." Jason added.
"Well I'm not." Blake yelled, "They don't know the White Fang like I do." Blake said.
Everyone in the room looked at each other, Weiss speaks up, "Okay, between blowing up thieves, fighting cops, stopping thieves, and fighting for freedom, I'm sure the seven of you all feel ready to go out and apprehend these ne'er-do-wellers…"
"Uh…who?" Ruby asks
"But let me again be the voice of reason." Weiss continues.
"When have you ever been the voice of reason?" Sonya asked.
"We're students we're not ready to handle this sort of situation." Weiss continued.
"Actually I think—" Jason began.
"We're not ready!" interjected.
"And we may never be ready! Our enemies aren't just going to sit around and wait for graduation day!" Blake said, "They're out there somewhere, planning their next move and none of us know what it is, but it's coming whether we're ready or not."
"Okay," Ruby said, "All in favor of becoming the youngest huntsmen and huntresses to single-handedly bring down a corrupt organization conspiring against the kingdom of Vale…say aye." She said frantically.
"Yes!" Yang said fist pumping, "I love it when you're feisty!"
"Well, I suppose it could be fun." Weiss answered.
"What about you guys?" Blake said turning to Team JSON.
Jason looked to his team, they all turned to look at him, he looked at each of his teammates individually, into their eyes. He smiled as he saw the same answer in all of their expressions though different reasons backed their decisions.
He turned back to Blake, "We're in."
"None of you said aye." Ruby said sadly while looking down. "Alright then… we're in this together." Blake said with a smile.
"Let's hatch a plan!" Ruby said. "Yeah!" Yang said.
Then ruby gasped, "I left my board game in the library."
"We're doomed." Weiss said.
"Ruby wait." Jason calls.
"I'll be right back." Ruby says and dashes out of the room. They hear a thud as they peak outside they see a green haired girl helping Ruby up.
Jason came over, "Sorry about that, my friend is little clumsy."
"It's alright we were just looking for our dorms." The green haired girl said.
"Oh, its in the building on the other side." Jason said pointing.
"Thanks, who know's maybe we'll see you two around." The black haird one said ans walked off with the other two behind them.
As they left Jason narrowed his eyes, he felt something strange around them, it made him want to pull out his knife. Something about them felt…dark.