Red Roses, White Scales
The wild, cruel beast is not behind the bars of the cage. He is in front of it.
Axel Munthe
Chapter 17
A True Monster Part 3
While Mikhail was busy thinking about a plan, how to deal with Cardin, he also tried to listen to the history teacher's, Dr. Oobleck, lesson.
Bartholomew Oobleck was a rather a young man, with messy green hair. His attire was disheveled: his white shirt partially tucked into his dark-green pants and its collar raised, showing a slack yellow tie, along with mismatched brown and black shoes. He also had round glasses that appear to be opaque.
But what was more….or rather awkward, was his speed.
'Either he has a speed Semblance or too much coffee.' He took notes and continued to listen…and rolling his eyes because of Jaune who fell asleep.
"Yes! Yes, prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution, more popularly known as the Faunus War," Oobleck zipped several times around and stood before a map of Revenant with markings and lines "Humankind, was quite, quite adamant about centralizing Faunus population in Menagerie." He took a sip from his mug "Now! While this must feel like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that these are relatively recent events!" He zipped before his desk and took another sip "And why is it so important?"
Mikhail raised his hand.
"Yes Mister Rose?"
"Because if we don't learn about our past mistakes, we are damned to repeat them, and in such conflicts, there are no winners, or losers. There is only death and sorrow."
Oobleck smiled "Precisely, Mr. Rose, precisely! If we don't learn from history it will haunt us or we will repeat it. Thank you." The teacher refilled his mug and continued "Why the repercussions of the uprising can be still seen to this day!" He took a sip and zipped around "Now! Have any among you been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?"
Some of the other students hesitated to raise their hands, and Mikhail noticed Velvet cowering herself with her cute bunny ears down. She noticed his stare and looked at him.
Mikhail smiled and nodded, causing Velvet to blush and raise her hand immediately.
Yet he didn't notice the glares he received from the females, especially Blake, Weiss and Yang.
Oobleck sighed "Dreadful, simply dreadful! Remember students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence!" He took a sip "I mean, I mean look what at happened to the White Fang! Can anybody say what he knows about them?"
"There are bunch of mutts and animals that should be euthanized." Cardin crossed his arms.
The rest of the class rolled their eyes and glared at them, Blake and Mikhail did it even harder.
"Mr. Winchester, before you speak, please raise your hand, first. And your answer and behavior is undesirable, please refrain to answer such things, from now on. You will also write a three-page essay about the Faunus Rights and how they were built and are being executed."
Carding growled in annoyance and scowled.
Mikhail smiled 'It seems I found another good teacher.' He raised his hand again and Oobleck called him out.
"Yes, Mr. Rose?"
"He stood up and cleared his throat "After the Faunus Rights Revolution, the White Fang was founded as a symbol of peace and unity between the Faunus and Humans. However, Humankind continued to discriminate the Faunus, prompting the White Fang to become the voice of the Faunus. Initially, they took the classical forms of nonviolent political protest with such tactics as mass rallies and boycotts of organizations that discriminated against Faunus in any way."
Everyone in Team RRWBY and JNPR looked with wide eyes. Mikhail spoke with passion and sincerity. Well he was a passionate young man, but yet also easy-going.
"Yet at the same time, where the White Fang was founded, a radical group formed in Mantle, now Atlas, gained more and more influence and became the 'Vanguard of Humanity'. The Vanguards had one goal, to sabotage every attempt to give the Faunus rights and equality and eradicate the Faunus. Murdering, assassinations, threating and blackmailing were their work. Seeing that the Vanguard became more and more of threat, since many high politicians were members or under their claws, the other kingdoms accepted the Faunus rights as fast as possible and together with the faunus-groups they took them out and executed every member, even the politicians." Since a new war was planned and Mantle was the source of all evil, no one wanted to take another risk. It was maybe too drastic yet also necessary, since another war, would have been catastrophic for Remnant. "Then, approximately six years ago, the White Hood Accident happened, where four humans, with white hoods appeared in a friendly protest and began to shoot Faunus and Humans."
He sighed, earning a worrisome look from his sisters….
"The leader of the White Fang stepped down and was replaced by a new leadership who didn't share the same belief in nonviolent protest. Under this new leadership, the White Fang adopted its current violent and more aggressive behavior and became a bastardized version which was not better than their Archnemesis, The Vanguards."
Blake winced, since she was a member of the White Fang, while she never killed anyone or helped in such missions, it hurt her to hear such a thing. Even more from Mikhail….'Even though he is right….'
The former dragon opened his eyes and saw, that almost everyone looked with astonishment at him.
"Impressive, Mr. Rose." Oobleck praised.
"Thank you sir." He sat down and noticed the weird looks from his teammates.
"Well, if the huntsman business doesn't bear fruit for you. You should think about a carrier in the politics, maybe you could even find a place in the councils?"
Mikhail tapped his chin, he as a politician? "I think about it, sir."
"Well," He took a sip "You have my vote, young man."
'My too.' Blake nodded.
'Mikhail as a council member….A COOKIE DAY!' Ruby swallowed her saliva….
Yang narrowed her eyes 'How much does Council members earn?' And she thought how her brother could buy her some nice things.
'Well,' Weiss thought about it 'It wouldn't be bad, he may be a little bit goofy but he is a really good leader.'
"So," Oobleck zipped around "Who can tell me, what many theorists believe to be the turning point in the third year of the war?"
Weiss raised her hand.
"Yes, Miss Weiss?"
"The battle of Ford Castle."
"Precisely! And who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's force?"
At the same time, Cardin flicked a triangular folded paper at Jaune, who was still asleep, and was woken up by it.
"Hey! Immediately zipped to him and nearly shouted.
"Mr. Arc. Finally contributing to class! This is excellent! What is the answer?"
Jaune looked distressed and looked around "Uhhhhh…..the answer…" His gaze fell on Pyrrha and Mikhail "The advantage….of the Faunus ….they had over the guy's stuff….ehm….." Pyrrha and Mikhail decided help him.
Both, the red-haired girl and flame-haired boy, made some gestures with their eyes. While Pyrrha looked like someone with binoculars…Mikhail put his hand over his eyes, letting some space to see through. His eye began to glow and he showed his night-vision.
Blake who sat left to them, looked stoic at her leader and comrade.
"Um, they had binoculars!"
….
Almost every student began to laugh and chuckle and Oobleck shook his head, while taking another gulp.
Mikhail and Pyrrha facepalmed, and Blake patted her leaders back, earning a strange look from the red-haired girl.
'Well at least I am doing something.' Blake thought, while smug-smiling at the former champion.
Pyrrha tilted her head 'Is it just me, or are Blake and Mikhail somehow closer…I need to do something, but first Jaune needs help.'
Oobleck zipped back behind his desk "Very funny Mr. Arc. Cardin perhaps you would care to share your thoughts on the subject!?"
Cardin, who put both his legs on the desk, while looking at his nails, shrugged "Well I know that it is a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier."
Hearing another racist answer, caused Oobleck to shake his head, again
Pyrrha who had enough of Cardin's behavior spoke her mind "You are not the most open-minded of individuals, are you Cardin?"
Mikhail snorted "What do you expect; Lagune was his Great-Grandfather." It is known, that the Winchester family's hate for Faunus became stronger due Lagune's capturing.
"What! You both got a problem!?" Carding glared, but cowered back, when Mikhail threw an angry glare at him. It seems that he was still sore about last time.
"No," Pyrrha denied "But I have the answer. It's night vision. Many Faunus are known to have nearly-perfect sight in the dark." She glanced at Mikhail who smiled "With exception to some humans, too." Pyrrha blushed when her best friend winked at her, much to Blake's dissatisfaction.
Blake used her chance to spoke up and showing that she has good knowledge, too.
"General Lagune was inexperienced and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched, and the General was captured." Blake looked at Cardin "Perhaps if he'd paid attention in knowledge and wisdom, instead being arrogant, your great-grandfather wouldn't be remembered as one of the greatest failure and as a sign of bêtise, in the history of Remnant.
Carding became angrier and stood up, while hammering his fist on the desk. Mikhail growled, causing him to take a step back, but Oobleck stopped him.
"Mr. Winchester that's enough, please take your seat. I warned you, now your essay will be six-page long."
Again the Winchester grunted in anger….
Jaune amused of the critics directed to Cardin, snickered.
Oobleck zipped to Jaune "You and Mr. Arc can both see me after class for additional readings.
"Ohh…" Jaune slumped down and whimpered.
XXX
"Your brother has some knowledge." Blake pointed, what she and the others heard and saw from Mikhail
Yang shrugged "Mike was always interested in history and politics, since he was little." Such a dry subject, as that wasn't really Yang's métier. While she knew, that it was important to have at least some information about it, she never held too much of it. As long as there was peace and right now no conflict that could endanger others or her family and friends, she was at least happy.
"Indeed. Your brother is a good fighter; he has an incredible singing voice and good looks." Everybody looked at Weiss "What? I mean your brother would have a good chance in the entertainment industry." If Mikhail would ever change his mind, Weiss would move some gears to help him, since she was also working as a songstress.
"Yeah." Ruby and Yang nodded.
"By the way," Blake noticed "Where is your brother?"
XXX
The moment, when Oobleck's class ended, Mikhail stormed out and followed the rabbit Faunus.
"Velvet!" Mikhail called out, running towards the girl.
"Wha!" The shy Faunus shrieked and turned around and went red, when Mikhail was really close to her.
"Sorry," He took a step back, his body became stronger through his evolved Semblance and he hadn't still mastered his stronger physical strength. He ran with an immense speed and stopped, but slide a bit.
Mikhail noticed something. Velvet was really cute, not as cute as Ruby, which adorableness is almost divine, but not bad.
"You look really cute, now that I have better look on you, without having Goodwitch on my back."
The poor girl blushed furiously at the forwardness that Mikhail showed.
Team RRWBY's leader also noticed in the second look, yes Mikhail always look at girls in the face, first.
Velvet's chest was modest and her legs were slender and toned.
"I-Is there something?" She asked shyly.
"Ehm," He was taken out of his thoughts "No. I just wanted to ask if you are alright." He sometimes exchanged messages with Velvet and spoke with her, to know if someone or Cardin picked on her again.
"D-don't worry I am fine."
Mikhail nodded "Okay, but you can talk with me if there are some problems."
The shy girl nodded.
"Well, well, well." Both Faunus and Pseudo-Faunus turned around and saw another female, accompanied by two males "What do we have here Velvet? Never thought that you like younger men?"
Velvet blushed again and panicked "Coco! It's not like that!"
Mikhail looked at the young woman called Coco.
Coco Adel was a teenage girl with fair skin, short dark-brown hair, and dark-brown eyes. She had wavy locks on one side of her face, dyed with a gradient that starts in dark brown and transitions to caramel.
She wore the full Beacon-Uniform together with some accessories, such as a bracelet with black roses as decoration; these are also accompanied by necklaces. She also wore a beret of a darker brown and a pair of black, wire-rimmed aviator sunglasses.
"Coco Adel." Mikhail tilted his head and smiled.
Coco lowered her sunglasses and smirked "You know me?"
"Sophomore, leader of Team CFVY (Coffee), best team in the second year of Beacon and also known for her style and clothes.
"Mmh," She pushed her glasses back and walked towards Mikhail.
She circled around him and suddenly…
"Whoa!" Mikhail twitched when she suddenly pinched his butt.
"Coco!?" Velvet scolded her leader.
"Relax Cupcake, you found a nice piece of man here." She eyed Mikhail again "Wanna share him with me?"
"COCO!?"
"Relax Vel, I joked." Somehow, Mikhail didn't believe her "Well at least we know why my little bunny is chipper in the last time. I never knew you had it in you Vel, found yourself a real hunk."
"I-it is not like that!" Poor Velvet, she looked like someone who would pass out immediately.
"Well, first things. As you know me, I am Coco Adel, yes leader of Team CFVY." She pointed to the taller male "That handsome beefcake there is Yatsuhashi Daichi."
"A pleasure." Yatsuhashi bowed slightly.
He was a tall and athletic-looking young man with shaved-short black hair and tanned skin.
'Holy…he is like Decadus….' Mikhail thought.
"And that nice piece of ass,"
"Coco!" Again Velvet shrieked.
"Is Fox Alistair."
He nodded and Mikhail did it as well.
It seems that Fox wasn't a man of many words, and he respected that.
Fox was a teenage boy with dark skin and dark, messy copper hair that had a long fringe and a cowlick. His eyes appeared to be pure white, giving off the appearance that he was blind.
"Nice to meet you all. I am Mikhail Rose, leader of Team RRWBY."
"Well certainly." She nudged him on the side "By the way, Velvet talks about you, a lot."
"P-please stop."
"Nope." Coco pinched the Faunus' cheek "You were so adorable, every time you received a message from him."
"Ugh…" Velvet's face was now scarlet and she was on the verge of crying.
"Well," Mikhail shrugged "Velvet is alright, she is a nice girl."
The rabbit Faunus raised her head and Coco noticed that "By the way thanks."
"For what?"
"For helping her, there aren't many people who would risk a conflict like that."
"Oh, right never mind." He shrugged "The problem is, she is a Faunus and if she would defend herself, it would have been used against her. Probably that she agrees with the White Fang or worse, a member of them….so as a human there is no real backlash for me…..and I also don't care about my reputation as the new Champion.
Coco smirked even more "Strong, kind, handsome and humble and also having a rock-hard ass, Vel you lucky girl." She winked
"Please stop we are just….." Velvet tried to her face, but her eyes were red as roses and her long ears dropped.
"Up, up, up." She waggled her forefinger "Why don't you ask him out?"
"What?"
Mikhail raised a brow….'Velvet is not bad…maybe I should think about it…'
"Come on, and if you start to sleep with him, can I join…umpfh!?" The leader of Team CFVY was silenced by a hand of Fox, who sighed softly and shook his head.
"I think we should go." Yatsuhashi pointed out and bowed towards Mikhail "If you have questions or need help, you can ask us. And let me thank you too, for helping our friend."
Mikhail bowed as well "Thanks, I would like to train with you guys."
The tall male smiled slightly "Me, too. Let's go."
"Umgphf!?" Fox dragged the muffled Coco, who still waved her arms around, and could at least gave a wink to Mikhail, who waved at them back. The two males and dragged female turned around and went to the next class.
Velvet who was still standing before Mikhail, smiled "S-see you." Then she followed her team.
When the Rabbit-Faunus was gone as well, Mikhail could only chuckle "What a woman, phew. But that butt, though." He shook his hand and turned around; only to see his team behind him….and somehow….they looked not pleased, well Yang, Blake and Weiss
"Hi!" Ruby tackled him and jumped on his back "Who were those guys?"
"Second years."
"Oh!"
"So Mike?" Yang tapped her foot on the ground "Who was that?"
"Coco Adel."
"Is that your type?" Blake raised a brow.
"Ehm? Excuse me?" He noticed that Weiss was scowling very hard at…him.
"Humfph!" She huffed, turned around and walked away.
"Eh, did I do something wrong?"
Yang's eye twitched and Blake sighed.
Both twins looked at each other and shrugged….only to be dragged by their sister.
And another chapter.
Honestly writing this, was a bit challenging, but also fun.
If you guys have questions, pm me.
If somebody wants to help me to make this story more known, by making it, into a 'Reading Story' pm me.
Khan