Authors Note:

Ugh, I think we can all agree that tests suck. I was a bit busy, who am I kidding, I was really busy, so this chapter took longer than usual. I apologize for that. I also realized that I promised a reveal of how Regulus' book worked in the previous chapter, but I ended up finding a good stopping point for this chapter, so the grand reveal will be delayed a chapter or two. I so very sorry for that. Welp, the chapter is here. Without further ado, enjoy!

Chapter 4

You're Not From Around Here

Regulus extricated himself from the tree and dropped down to the forest floor. He rolled his shoulders experimentally. It stung a bit, but it was nothing his aura wouldn't take care of. Now to find his destined partner. Oh Monty not like that. Regulus mentally kicked himself, as he set off into the forest with the Beacon Cliffs at his back. But what if… Regulus could almost see it happening. She would be holding off a pack of beowulfs singlehandedly, then he would burst out from the undergrowth to take one out that was about to sneak up on her, then she would take out a beowulf that was about to sneak up on him, then they would lock eyes, and… This time Regulus physically kicked himself, slamming his right foot into his left shin. Focus.

As Regulus ran through the woods, his mind drifted to who he might be partnered up with. There's Jaune, he's… well, Jaune. There's Ruby, she's pretty nice, and based on the video of the dust robbery, she definitely was a skilled fighter. There's Yang, she seems strong, but she's a bit… overbearing. There's Blake, she's not the most social, but she does like books. There's Pyrrha, she's definitely extremely talented. There's Ren, he's pretty calm and quiet. There's also his friend Nora. They'd probably end up being paired up in one way or another. There's Jaden, in their short interaction at the auditorium, he seemed like a pretty chill guy. Speaking of the auditorium, there's that girl with the massive war axe, she definitely strong if a little bit intimidating. Then there's Weiss. Please anyone but Weiss.

Regulus was snapped out of his thought when he spotted a person ahead. The towering figure was wrapped in a worn and tattered red cloth, obscuring their head, and most of the person's body. Who's that? Regulus probably would have remembered the stranger from the auditorium. After all, whoever that person was, they're not exactly the most inconspicuous. Picking up his pace, he ran towards the figure.

The stranger looked up turning towards Regulus as he approached. He sported a massive grey beard.

Regulus skidded to a stop. "You're not a student." Narrowing his eyes in suspicion, he dropped into a fighting stance.

"How perceptive," the stranger responded in a dry raspy voice. His beard twitched slightly, the only indication of a smile from his obscured face.

"Who are you?" This guy was giving Regulus the creeps. He gripped his weapons tighter with his slightly damp palms.

"I believe the real question is, who are you Regulus?" the stranger replied cryptically, sending chills down Regulus' spine.

Regulus placed his finger on the trigger of his silver pistol. "How do you know my name?" He raised the gun to point at the stranger.

The figure tilted his head quizzically. "How threatening. Hmm… let's just say, you're not from around here."

"I'm not," admitted Regulus puzzled. Only his curiosity kept him from straight out shooting the man. "I'm from Patch."

"Oh are you?" The stranger chuckled, the red cloth shaking slightly. "Then how don't you know Ruby and Yang? There's only one village on Patch, and it's a rather close-knit community."

Regulus paused for a second, wracking his brain for any memory of the two sisters. The man spoke the truth; Patch was an extremely close-knit community. Somehow, he drew a blank. "I… don't know."

The mysterious man laughed again, his broad shoulders shaking. "Of course you don't." His body abruptly became eerily still. "Where are you really from?"

Regulus could feel unseen eyes, drilling a hole through him, and into the tree behind. "I… I…" He had no response. As far as his memory told, he was from Patch, but it made no logical sense. Ozpin! Ozpin was sure to be seeing this. He would send help or something. This obviously wasn't part of initiation.

"Neither Ozpin, nor anyone else, except for you can see me." He took a step forward, crushing a branch underfoot. "Now answer the question." He towered over Regulus menacingly.

Regulus felt a bead of sweat slide down his back. "I-I don't know." He was being entirely honest. Regulus took a shaky step backwards.

The stranger was silent for a moment. "Very well," he said, stepping back. "You don't pose too much of a threat to this story right now. I'll be back when you remember." With those parting words, he receded back into the forest, vanishing into thin air.

Regulus took a trembling breath. What the hell was that? He had so many questions. Who was the mysterious man? How did he know so much about me? Who am I? Regulus heard a low growling from behind. Oh no. His anxiety, confusion, and fear had likely attracted grimm.

Spinning around, he brought his right arm in a downwards slash. Regulus braced his left arm against his right and fired his pistol, using the recoil to enhance the swing. He bisected a beowulf that was leaping toward him. Transforming his right sword into a pistol, he quickly fired three shots with each pistol. Six more beowulfs dropped to the ground with a sizeable hole in their foreheads.

A rustling sounded in the bushes behind him. Transforming his weapon, Regulus swung his left weapon in a horizontal arc. In a streak of red, orange and black, a girl shot out of the underbrush. She grabbed Regulus by the wrist, and and pulled, her other hand winding back, fingers extended. Fingers that were reinforced by a set of red streaked metal claws. Her strike stopped just inches short of Regulus' left eye. Regulus breathed a sigh or relief. His aura would have shielded him from the blow, but he didn't like to take any chances. Especially when it came to the matter of his eyes.

Looking down, Regulus looked into the reddish orange eyes of his assailant. He grinned and cleared his throat. "Hello partner," he said dryly. Her eyes widened momentarily in embarrassment, as she quickly released his arm, and stepped back a couple paces. Regulus transformed his weapons back into pistol form, holstering them, and extended his hand. "Regulus."

The claws covering the girl's hands folded back into vambraces that covered her forearms. She shook Regulus' hand. "Ember."

Alrighty, that wraps up chapter 4 of RWBY Ink. Who is the mysterious man? Where is Regulus from? Why does he remember that he's from Patch? I hope you've enjoyed reading the story. If you have anything to say, and I do mean anything at all, please leave a review. I really want to see how people feel about this story, and how I can improve it. Once again, I am so sorry that the reveal for Regulus' book had to be delayed. This is Regulus Sterling, signing out.