Chapter 2 Reunions
The sound of trees snapping drew their attention to the forest at the edge of the fields.
Huge white pincers pushed tall trees aside as if they were twigs, revealing the largest Deathstalker Oobleck had ever seen in his career.
" No Glynda, not a Goliath after all. But, I fear this will be just as difficult!"
Seeing the smaller black bodies that loped into the cleared area, his apprehension deepened, despite the sound of weapons being drawn behind him.
The ringing of his scroll momentarily drew his attention away from the situation. Glynda moved up next to him as he absentmindedly drew the device from his belt.
" Hello?"
" Bartholomew! My bright-hearted friend! Could you use some assistance?"
Glynda closed her eyes as she recognized that voice. Why did he always have to be so dramatic?
" Edda? Yes! Yes, we could use your help!"
" Then I shall be..."
Goodwitch , frustrated by the man's infernal love of his own voice, interrupted the conversation by tightly gripping Oobleck's wrist. " Just get it over with, you nitwit!" she hissed into the mouthpiece.
The humble " Yes, Dear!" from the speaker made her do something she hadn't done in many years.
Ruby was shocked. The sight of a furiously blushing Goodwitch almost made her drop Crescent Rose.
The doctor freed his wrist with difficulty, the rush of returning circulation making his fingers tingle.
" Where are you?"
" Above.."
The two instructors craned their necks, finally spotting a Bullhead hovering high above them. A dark shape dropped from its side door.
" ..and incoming!"
Whirling towards the students, Glynda shouted " Duck!" before crouching and crossing her arms before her face.
Everyone, except Jaune, copied her pose without question.
Fascinated, he watched the dark shape fall until it collided with the Giant Deathstalker. The sharp report as it impacted roused him, but it was too late.
A cloud of dust carried by the explosive wind rushed across the field, bowling over Beowolves and the luckless boy. Pyrrha was crouched behind her shield, easily deflecting the shockwave, when she saw her partner go rolling past.
' Oh Jaune! Not again!'
They rose up when the wind had passed, looking across the field as the dust settled.
A tall, heavyset man was standing on the crushed remains, a shield on one arm, a large Dust Hammer held loosely in the other hand. Long graying blonde hair blew about his face, obscuring, then revealing the black embroidered eyepatch the covered a missing right eye. Raising the hammer, he pointed it at the recovering Beowolves.
" Am I supposed to do everything?"
His shouted question stirred them into action.
Utilizing her speed, Ruby downed three of the beasts before the rest of them arrived. After that, it was a very short battle.
They gathered near the remains of the giant arthropod.
The tall man hung the hammer on his belt before reaching towards the blonde instructor. Gripping her by the waist, he raised her off the ground and planted a kiss on her cheek.
" I've missed you girl!"
Weiss had to turn away to hide the smile. The sight of her favorite teacher being held like a child was too much! She forced herself to be calm as she turned back, just in time to see the response to his actions.
The indignant Goodwitch hit the broad shoulder as hard as she could with the riding crop.
" Put me down you big oaf!"
When her feet touched the ground, she relented. She hadn't seen him for several years and , she admitted to herself, she had worried about him.
Reaching up, she gently touched the material of the familiar eyepatch, running her finger over the embroidered red rose over a yellow flame until it was smooth again.
" I've missed you too, you meathead!" she whispered.
Oobleck's hand seemed to disappear as they shook, engulfed by the larger hand of his old friend. He smiled at the others greeting.
" Well met, my bright-hearted friend!"
Too many years had passed since he'd heard that nickname.
" Under the circumstances, I'm more than glad to see you Edda!"
His hand released once more, he paused to adjust the glasses that had been shaken down his nose from the enthusiastic greeting.
" What brings you back?"
The larger man sobered a bit.
" Ozpin asked me to come."
" Ah!"
" Ah!, indeed! He hasn't told me the reason yet, but you know he only had to ask."
Knowing what his friend had given up to answer that summons, the doctor was impressed at the strength of the bond between the headmaster and this Huntsman.
Waving a hand towards the younger members of the group, Edda asked " And who would these brave.."
Familiar violet eyes under a mass of blonde hair made him stop mid-sentence.
" Uncle Edda!"
Yang thrust her arms backwards, triggering both gauntlets. The blasts rocketed her into the bigger man, momentum wrapping her arms around him.
He closed his arms around her and squeezed mightily. " Yang! My dear Fireheart!" Head bent downward, he kissed the top of her head before releasing his grip to hold the girl at arm's length.
" Look at you! Taller and prettier than ever!"
Ruby moved up next to her sister, staring up at the barely remembered face. Yang flipped a hand towards her.
" You remember Ruby, don't you?"
The redhead almost laughed at his astonished face looking down at her, until large hands gripped her waist and tossed her high into the air.
" Little Ruby!?"
Weiss nearly fainted at the sight of the black clad arms windmilling helplessly as her partner fell back into the waiting arms.
Back on her feet again, Ruby crossed her arms and glared at her ' Uncle'. " Now I remember you!" she accused. " But I remember you being bigger!"
Leaning forward until noses almost touched, he replied softly " I remember you in diapers!"
A gentle kiss on her forehead wiped away the anger. Standing on tiptoes, she kissed his cheek.
" And I remember the cookies you used to bring me."
" Ahem! Much as I hate to break up this family reunion.."
Glynda was tempted to smile at the wince on his face.
'So! That tone still works on him!'
" We really should be getting back to the school to make our report."
Jaune caught up with Yang on the walk back through the village.
" So...that's your uncle?"
She smiled fondly at the back of the large man. " He's not really our uncle. He's been a friend of our family for so long , he just seems like one." Taking a moment to brush long hair back over her shoulder, she continued. " I've known him my whole life. Uncle Qrow used to tell us stories about him, all the adventures he's had."
Reaching out a long arm, she snatched her younger sister into a headlock. " He's one of the reasons that Ruby, here, wanted to become a Huntress!"
" Yaanngg!"
Letting go of the squirming redhead, she looked into her silver eyes.
" Actually, I think that goes for both of us." she admitted.
Blake nudged her partner in the ribs. " What's with the names? Fireheart? Bright Heart?"
Yang smiled broadly at the girl. " He gives those to everybody. When I was little, he said that they describe what he sees inside you."
Jaune scratched his head, clearly confused. " So..he's an uncle that's not an uncle, and he can see inside you?"
" Something like that."
" What's he doing here, then?"
Yang's brow furrowed. " Uncle Qrow said that he's searching for something. Maybe he's found it?"