Arc II: The Knight Life
Chapter 15: Tides of Intrigue
It was the morning of a beautiful day. Birds were singing, flowers were blooming; Beacon Academy was alive and thrived as many students filled its campus in search of food, friends or entertainment. Some were off to the Bullhead docks to take a trip downtown. Others gathered in the cafeteria or outside to simply enjoy the lack of having anything pressing to do before the inter-semester break ended. And through this all, a fresh breeze blew from the east, calming as it was cooling. Just another day in the life of Vale's premier combat academy.
A fact that depressed him as he sat in his office away from it all with an almost unhealthy amount of paperwork and in a teleconference attended by the political leadership of the kingdom.
He sat back as the Council erupted in various shouting matches over what to do about the White Fang and the docks. For all his reincarnations over hundreds of years, politics was one of the few things that still had the ability to evoke a strong, if repressed emotional response from him in the form of extreme frustration, doused often by a healthy dose of warm caffeine. Qrow Branwen, lounging against the wall stifled a snort, while his deputy, sitting on the opposite side of his desk and working on her tablet, raised an eyebrow in concern. He subtly shook his head and instead took another sip.
"This is for the good of our country! For the good of all Valeans! With my support, the might of my family and that of Atlas, we could root out this criminal menace and promise peace to our country right when it needs it the most!"
"What are you thinking, using your own private huntsmen to play politics? Are you planning to force your way through the election after?"
"Police Captain Keeta, wouldn't you like it if your men had better support in the streets against these...scum? These animals?"
"I would like it if you would honour the sacrifice of all our men and women in uniform, as human and faunus bled equally in defence of this city. In defence of our people," Captain Keeta crossed his arms, earning an angry grumble. "And I would not support what is tantamount to a coup of this Council's authority. There is a reason why we placed our faith in the Headmaster of Beacon, and his people delivered that night. There is no better person or institution better suited for the job, and if this comes to a vote, you can count my support for the leader of our nation's huntsmen. Unlike you, he has my respect."
"Why, you -"
"Enough! I grow tired of this," an icy voice cut in, her harsh tone silencing the bickering factions. The stern faced woman let out a loud sigh before fixing a glare that rivaled Glynda's into the camera. "Duke Moltroc Winchester, call a vote if you want but you realize not gonna win, yeah? I don't care if the last King of Vale was your great-great-whatever grandfather, but Ozpin and Beacon's gonna head security for the festival, not you or General Ironwood."
The Winchester patriarch sat down with a scowl, silently fuming.
"But that doesn't mean you're off the hook either, Ozpin. The people are nervous, yeah? They need certainty that the festival will go alright, as well as reassurance that the...Grimm...won't just appear in the middle of the city like that again."
"Vice-President Ashei, I share your concern along with that of the public. The investigation is ongoing, but I can assure you that we are prepared as our duty demands it, especially as we easily dispatched these monsters as if other common Grimm. I am confident in our huntsmen."
Ashei grunted, leaning back in her office chair. "Right. See that you use them well then, yeah? The people and other kingdoms are watching us. That being said, Council President Dotour, I believe that concludes our meeting for today."
"O-oh, yes, of course," the purple haired man agreed, taking a moment to clear his throat. "The Vytal Festival is, um, coming soon, so let's work together so it can all go smoothly."
One by one, the members of Vale's ruling council dropped off the call, with Ozpin curtly nodding at Moltroc Winchester's narrowed eyes before he too closed his terminal screen. With another sigh he rose, mug in hand to stand over the window, gazing upon his campus down below.
"Beautiful day, isn't it, Glynda?"
He heard a hum before she walked over to stand beside him. "It is," she replied, adjusting her glasses. "Headmaster, what news of the council?"
"Even after all these years, it makes you stop and appreciate the little things. The shade under the sun on a warm day, the birds chirping as dawn emerges on the horizon -"
"Ozpin," the deputy interrupted, her tone firm though not without a hint of concern.
"Ah - yes, sorry. Just lost in thought," he lied through the frustration, though she chose not to call him out on it. "The meeting was more...energetic than usual. Long story short, what matters the most is that we remain in control of festival organization."
"Heh. Can't wait to see the look on ol' Jimmy's face when he hears that."
Glynda shot Qrow a look before pressing on. "I see. He will protest this decision."
"Hmm," Ozpin agreed, taking another sip. The coffee had begun to cool, taking some of its relaxing properties away. He didn't know how he'd survive if he ran out in the middle of it. "He will definitely be disappointed, especially as Moltroc Winchester led many other council members in support of that motion. Alas, he lacked enough support and was promptly shut down."
"Hmph. I'd expect nothing less. He was never the same after his wife and Phoenix's death, though I'm glad to see some change in his younger son. Ashei's work?"
"Your old partner is one of the few I can trust in that council," he sighed. "Regardless, James will not take that news well, especially with the security strategies he has in mind."
"His heart is in the right place," she defended lightly, "but yes. Atlesian battleships hovering over Vale might incite anxiety rather than calm it. Have you told him about the incident as well?"
"Only the basics. We're still waiting on the results of the studies conducted on the remains of the monsters, but James did mention that one of the clandestine expeditions he ordered discovered an interesting find. Something old."
At that, Qrow perked up, taking a swig from his flask before plunking himself down with his legs on the table.
"Huh, guess it's more than just Vale, then. More old kingdom stuff?"
"Potentially," Ozpin replied, deliberately moving a stack of papers away from Qrow's feet. "Ruins on the eastern edge of Lake Tabantha, in the old flood plain now overgrown with the Snowbound Forest. Frozen, and undeniably ancient."
"And what of the place I told you here?" Qrow asked with slightly narrowed eyes and a certain edge to his voice. "I know the team missions are coming, but if it takes both Tyrian Callows and Arthur Watts to bring down the monsters in that cave, it's not for students."
"Which is why that will be off the list," Glynda turned and assured him. "We'll be sending a full huntsman team to explore and clear it before the Festival to ensure we have full manpower when it begins."
"Good," the gruffer huntsman replied, relaxing back and taking another swig before turning back to Ozpin. "But that wasn't all."
An eyebrow rose slightly. "Oh?"
"I was over the Akkala Forest when flying back from Crenel Ridge before Mountain Glenn when I noticed something ," he replied, taking out his scroll and putting it on the table, causing the Headmaster and deputy to examine it closer. "With how thick the forest was, I almost missed it. Check it out."
Ozpin's expression remained almost inscrutable as Glynda slowly thumbed through each of the different photos. After they reached the end, he sat back in silence for several seconds.
"Any particular dangers we should be concerned about?"
"Some Grimm here and there, and I guess the local wildlife. There were a lot of wolves in the area and they weren't afraid to show themselves," he replied before his expression turned darker and walked over to his bag. He came back with an old, rusted sword of archaic design and placed it upon the table.
"It didn't feel right, Oz. I dunno if it was just a really bad case of my Semblance, but the place felt old, like I shouldn't be there. Especially since there were some skeletons armed with weapons like that."
Wordlessly, Ozpin picked it up and ran his hand carefully over it. It was archaic indeed, reminding him of his first life when he would wander the halls as a royal warrior and see antique weaponry proudly displayed in the castle halls, though this sword resembled something older. That and the fact he could sense a very faint magical aura in the blade; not enough to call the weapon itself "magical", but perhaps it came into contact with something magical and rubbed off on it, for lack of better terms. Perhaps it also explained why despite its apparent age, it hadn't completely disintegrated.
And the Crenel Ridge...? Not since his incarnation as the last King of Vale was Crenel Ridge and the forests southeast of Vale stretching across Sanus was the area largely inhabited - and even then, only the occasional coastal fishing village. There was Mountain Glenn on the other side of the Kanalet Mountains, but...well, it did not stand the test of time. Akkala Forest was deep, thick and old. He remembered wistfully the one or two times he deployed on royal expeditions around the area, and how the locals' superstitions of what was seen in the depths caused them to stay away. Stories of goblins, pig demons and other foul beings.
...much like those slain at the docks.
This will do. Reckless, but it will suffice. "I see. Anything else of interest?"
Qrow shrugged. "The walls were decorated with that triangle design looking thing you showed us, and there was another room that had its entrance caved in. Couldn't stay for long because that's when you texted me to come back real quick, so I killed some Grimm and snapped those photos before flying off."
He nodded back, placing the sword down gently. "Right. Thank you, Qrow. I can work with this."
"Just don't do anything stupid," he called back as he stood and walked towards the elevator. For several seconds after he left, however, Glynda sighed and buried her face in her palm.
"You'll do what I think you'll do, right?"
"Don't worry. I have faith in our professional Huntsmen to teach and protect the students over the course of their trip."
Sure, it was more of a grove with ruins than a temple now, but Qrow's findings presented the perfect opportunity - especially if it was decorated in symbolism unheard of by anyone else but him and potentially Salem. This was the chance to finally explore what could be his most promising lead to figuring out what arcane secrets she wanted to unearth. And for the first time in years - nay, centuries, here was found a broken monument testament to the forgotten myths of days past.
And he had just the right team in mind to scout it for him.
With an enigmatic smile he downed the last of his coffee.
()===|=====+
With a barely concealed frown, Pyrrha glanced sideways and worriedly watched her taciturn leader play with the food on his plate. The cafeteria, full of their fellow students was upbeat, abuzz with the latest gossip and excitement for the upcoming second semester. That is, everybody but both of their teams.
They were the one pocket of negativity in the otherwise vibrant mess hall, courtesy of the incident at the docks before the weekend hit. She was grateful at least to Professors Ozpin and Goodwitch for being light on their questioning for the time being, sticking to the protocol of checking for injuries and taking statements. Yet, the incident served only to raise more questions than answer them; Blake's surprise revelation and Weiss' acceptance were welcome to be sure, but now it was replaced by their own collective desire just to figure out what exactly the White Fang was doing - the charge being led by none other than Blake herself, ex-member of the same group they considered their enemy.
And then there were the monsters.
Her attention snapped back to Jaune as he finished his orange juice and gently put the cup down. She couldn't deny the small seed of doubt that was slowly and surely beginning to grow in her heart; since the incident, Jaune had been...moody, to say the least. He wasn't angry but instead held the expression of someone troubled by a very complex math question. A quick glance to Ren found him also looking at Jaune before meeting her own gaze, the message of worry communicated silently between them.
"Jaune...whatever are you hiding?"
"...all I'm saying is that you promised to come to us if something was the matter!" Weiss filled in, seeing Blake guiltily - and tiredly - fold in from the heiress' scolding. "Seriously. You're being much more quiet, antisocial and moody recently."
"Uh, have you met Blake?" Yang asked, snatching another grape that Nora catapulted via spoon.
"Which, I get is kinda your 'thing'," she continued, using air quotes for emphasis," but you've been like this for several days now, which quite frankly is unacceptable. You made a promise to us to let us all know if something is wrong."
"...you're right. I-I'm sorry. I admit I am a little tired, but it's just...how can you guys still be so blasé? The White Fang are still loose in the city with the police nowhere near to stopping them, not to mention working with Roman Torchwick of all people."
Weiss, having raised a finger in anticipation, swallowed her words and slowly sat while the rest quieted down and adopted various troubled looks. Pyrrha noticed Jaune seem to freeze for a split second at their mention.
"All I'm saying is that they're planning something big. Something big's happening and no one is doing anything about it!"
"But Ozpin told us not to worry. Between the police and other huntsmen, I'm sure they can handle it."
"Well I can't! This couldn't be just some simple dust robbery. Didn't you see all the other cargo lying around, and the monsters that came from it? How they came from that purple sludge from the suitcases? You don't know the White Fang like I do, Yang. That wasn't normal - this isn't normal!"
"I cannot say I have your level of experience regarding the White Fang, but we are just as concerned as you are," Ren softly added after a few seconds, back straight and eyes closed. "The elephant in the room was bound to come up eventually. Personally, I think that it takes some time to process things we cannot or do not want to believe, just like Forever Fall. That being said, you make a good point. I wonder what they're up to, and all the possibilities are dangerous."
"At least they were easy to kill," Nora added, the normally energetic girl seeming rather mellow as she flipped another grape into Yang's mouth, a little smirk breaking out as she hit her target. "Renny, how come we were never taught about these guys in class? I didn't sleep through those lessons, did I?"
"That's because they don't exist," Weiss answered, eyes narrowing in concentration. "Because for all we were taught and what we've seen, they couldn't possibly be Grimm. Has anyone ever heard of a blue lizard Grimm before?"
Predictably, they all shook heads in the negative, though Pyrrha noticed Jaune's coming in a little late and looking forced.
"This...this can't be real, right? Weiss, tell me this isn't happening," Yang worriedly laughed as the blonde turned to the heiress. "Please tell me we're not dealing with knockoff movie bad guys here like Count Draculok or something."
"I didn't see any vampires at the docks that night," she retorted, though without any real heat behind it. "But logically speaking...I really don't know what else to say."
"So does that mean...docks...and then that scary horse dude with a sword in the field trip...this isn't just a one time thing, is it?"
At that, everyone's faces began to sink once more, and Pyrrha herself found herself following suit. For several long seconds that felt like minutes, silence reigned amongst their table as the truth began to really sink in. The champion still remembered being carried off the field of the crimson forest, watching as their teachers finished the job and eliminated the monster. And thought it was leagues harder than what they fought at the docks, she cannot forget the way it dissipated in a puff of ominous purple smoke - exactly the same as the others.
She cleared her throat to voice her thoughts. "That 'scary horse dude' also died in a similar fashion. I'm not sure if we're ready when there could be more dangerous ones out there."
"And we may never be ready!" Blake pleaded. "Our enemies aren't just gonna sit around and wait for graduation. They're out there somewhere planning their next move, and yes, none of us know what it is. None of us know what they're doing with this. I...I know I promised not to run off again. And I won't!" she held her hands up, an ear twitching beneath her bow as Weiss leveled a frosty glare at her. Seriously, Weiss was deathly skilled at those.
"But...I can't just sit around. I know we're just students here, but I need to find out what they're planning. Where all this comes from."
"Okay, we're in," Yang supplied, stifling a giggle and weathering a scowl as another grape Nora flung at her bounced off and nailed Weiss in the cheek. "Plus I know Ruby's still in line getting more food but I know she'd agree too. Count us in."
"So that's why - wait, what?"
"We're with ya, Blakey!" Nora replied, with her trademark energy slowly making an epic comeback. "It's our city and school that they're threatening. Plus, you think we're gonna let you get all the action once we bring down the hammer of justice!?"
"Um, no -"
"So count us in," Pyrrha interrupted and earned grins from Nora and Yang, while Ren merely nodded on as she spoke. "We're your friends, and we want to find out more too. We'll help you out. Weiss?"
"We need to form a plan before we commit to action," Weiss conceded, Ren nodding in agreement as well. "We're still students, so we'll need all the help we can get."
A genuine and relieved smile slowly started to break out on Blake's face as the rest started to discuss various plans of attack. "Thank you. Jaune? What do you think?"
They all turned to see him staring blankly to the side, the equivalent of having put on hold with elevator music while his mind wandered off to happier places. She nudged her partner when Blake spoke again, earning a startled look.
"Jaune?"
"Oh, what? Yeah, I'm down," the blonde replied, scratching the back of his neck as he slightly flushed from embarrassment. "Sorry. Just lost in thought. But yeah no, I did hear you, and you're right. We need to figure out what the bo - monsters are and what the White Fang are planning to do."
"See, Blake? Everything's fine," she smiled mischievously, quickly wrapping an arm around her partner's neck to earn an indignant squawk. "Don't worry. When we find them, I'mma make sure they go out with a Yang."
The blonde bombshell was met with a chorus of boos and disapproval for her pun, despite Ren hiding a cough that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle and Yang yelping in surprise as Nora pelted her with an apple. Nevertheless, as the table erupted into shenanigans as the tension dissipated. While the war of food between her team and RWBY began to escalate, she quickly turned back to Jaune before she could forget.
"Hey, Jaune? Is, um, everything okay?"
Said team leader turned and shrugged, still half interested in how Yang ducked another one of Nora's apples and retaliated with a citrus artillery barrage. "Uh, yeah, I'm all good."
"Right, sorry, it's just that you've been a little tense like Blake ever since the docks. Is there...something bothering you?"
"N-no, I'm fine. Really," he replied distractedly, the last bit hurried as he quickly ducked under stray sausage shrapnel. "It's probably just, you know, the situation sinking in or something."
Pyrrha yelped as a small banana hit and stuck to the side of her head, sending a pout towards an apologetic looking Blake. Sighing, she gingerly peeled it off before turning back to him and shrugging. "Jaune, look. You've listened to me before, and I just want to let you know that if you ever need to get something off your chest...I'm here. Not forcing you or anything! Just, if there's anything else I can help with..."
At that, Jaune deflated, somehow looking simultaneously relieved and even more stressed before smiling weakly.
"I know. It's just that I gotta work some things out myself first. But yeah, even then...it helps to hear that again, so, thanks."
Pyrrha gave a weak smile in return, but before she could reply it quickly morphed into surprise and barely concealed amusement as a flying cheesecake smacked against the side of his face. To his credit, his training seemed to kick in instantly as he snapped back to face the table with a growl. To his undoing, he picked up the first thing his hand found - a lemon cream pie - and instinctively hurled it in the vague direction of his attacker. It was at that moment they both knew he messed up as they turned and found the remnants of the cake slowly plopping off Weiss' face, who, up to that point, tried to maintain neutrality and stay away from any culinary induced engagement.
The quickly gathering rage that drew over the heiress' pie filled expression seemed to knock him out of his stupor as his eyes widened and slowly put his hands up as if surrendering.
"Arc..."
"Oh, uh, hey Weiss!" he nervously laughed, scratching the back of his head and quickly glancing to his team for help and finding them lacking any as his partner covered her mouth in shock, Ren was facepalming and Nora was giving him a thumbs up.
"...when I get over there..."
"I...take it you didn't throw the cheesecake at me...?"
"...I will personally ensure that your line ends with you."
Her furious ice blue eyes seemingly locked on his anxious ocean blue ones, she reached to the table next to them, its inhabitants already beginning to retreat so not to become collateral damage, picked up a dangerous looking swordfish - Myrtefish? - and brandished it straight at him.
"Heheh, um, sorry?"
Weiss Schnee howled and charged.
()===|=====+
Ruby let out a yelp and a squawk as she became one with the floor in order to avoid colliding with the person in front - failing anyway as the orange haired girl tumbled with her. All she wanted to get was more milk from the counter, but that lineup was waaayyy too long. Seriously, they have literally every other drink in the vending machines except that sweet 2% goodness. Why did she have to wait behind people ordering like five star gourmet meals when she could've just grabbed n' go? Mild annoyance coursed through her mind as she shook her head and looked to the side, relieved to find her Udder Satisfaction brand of milk thankfully unharmed as well as a pair of bright, curious green eyes staring at her behind it.
"Wait, what?"
"Sal-u-tations!" the odd looking girl cheerfully greeted. "Um, hello. Sorry for, uh, knocking you down," Ruby abashedly apologized as several people from the tables around them glanced down at them. "Are you okay?"
"I'm wonderful! Thank you for asking~" she replied, flipping back up in a smooth motion. Ruby followed suit, taking precious care to safeguard her dairy before the girl in front of her gave a quick bow.
"My name is Penny. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
"Hi, I'm Ruby!" she responded, feeling a little more at ease. "You, um, aren't hurt, right?"
"I'm in perfect condition, Ruby!"
"Yeah. Good...that's good," she replied, growing slightly more awkward with every second. "Dang social anxiety! Don't act up now!"
"Good to hear!" came out instead as she slightly retreated from Penny. "I've, uh, got to go back to my team now, so...take care, friend!"
She turned and began heading back towards her team, eyes narrowing as she noticed them beginning to throw food at each other in the distance before widening once more as it was replaced by recently familiar green eyes.
"Guh!"
"What did you call me?" Penny asked for Ruby's grounded form as she darted her head back and forth in confusion. "What did you say?"
"I-I, um, don't know what I...um -"
"You called me 'friend'! Am I really your friend?"
Penny's intensely hopeful gaze bore down upon her, all the more cracking her already weathered social confidence - especially as she looked around them and noticed everyone else determinedly looking anywhere but them. Curses.
"Yeah, sure! Why...not?"
"Ahaha! Sensational!" Penny cried, grabbing her hands and essentially launching her up to stand. "This means we can paint our nails, try on clothes and talk about cute boys!"
"What's that about cute boys?" a familiar voice called from behind them. Sun Wukong approached them, forcing Ruby to keep her eyes on his laidback expression rather than travelling...further south. Beside him walked another boy with a chill demeanour though sporting a cropped, light blue crew cut to the monkey faunus' blonde. "
"Oh. Hey, Sun!" she greeted while Penny froze, mouth open. "Yeah, Penny was just talking about -"
"Ruby, are these your friends too!?" the ginger gushed as she rushed to greet the two. "Oooh, this has simply the best day so far! If you're with Friend Ruby then you're my friends too!"
"Man, you're a glowing ball of sunshine, aren't ya?" Sun laughed, giving her a thumbs up. "Name's Sun, team leader of Team SSSN. And this fella here -"
"- is Neptune Vasilias," the other boy responded, giving her an easygoing smile. "Just call me Neptune, though."
"Ruby, is this what you people call 'cool'?" Penny asked, with the sight of Sun and Neptune giving each other high fives not lost on her. Welp. She'd embarrassed herself enough and didn't know if she had anything left to give.
"Uh, yeah, sure, Penny."
The ginger nodded back, seemingly oblivious. "And about that? Does throwing nutritious consumables at each other constitute 'fun'?"
"Nutri - what? You mean...food?" Ruby asked, eyebrows raised as she followed Penny's pointed finger and began to take in the situation. Or, rather the oncoming mob of students that stampeded towards the exit - the path of least resistance happening to be in the aisle they were standing in.
"Food fight!"
"Exit's over there, run!"
"Quickly, over the hills, and far away!"
She silently prayed they'd return one day as she pushed herself through the crowd, only to stop in shock as she took in the scene in front of her. Her team took cover behind some upturned tables while the other half was piled to create a makeshift fort on the other end, Team JNPR standing triumphantly on it as the victorious conquerors Nora seemed to believe themselves to be.
"Ha, ha, ha! I'm queen of the castle, I'm queen of the castle~!"
"Penny, stay put, you'll be safe here!" Ruby yelled as she dashed over, Sun and Neptune in tow. "Guys, what's going on?"
"We've taken heavy losses!" Yang yelled from behind cover, clutching a complaining and hissing Blake while weathering an oncoming salvo of honey garlic chicken wings. "You've come just in time!"
"That insufferable fool is mine!" Weiss screeched, hurling citrus fruits rapid fire and managing to nail Jaune a couple of times. Ruby gasped as she turned around, death radiating from a cheesecake filled face. It looked...dare she'd say it...cheesy.
"Ack. You've been around Yang too long. Bad Ruby. Bad!"
"Huh. Some team you have, Ruby," Sun quipped as he and Neptune dashed over to Yang and Blake. "Is this how you guys usually spend your free time?"
"It will be now," Ruby growled as her sense of duty and valour began to come back to her. She planted one foot on a table and pointed towards them, raising up her milk carton like a general rallying his men. "Justice will be swift. Justice will be painful! And it will be delicious!"
Her team yelled their war cries and dashed from cover as they charged to meet them head on. JNPR may have started this and won the opening battle, but she'll be darned if they don't finish it. There would be much blood - nay, milk - that would be spilled that afternoon.
()===|=====+
A creeping watermelon barrage shielded his advance as he threw several cans of soda at his advancing frenemies. Pyrrha and Ren followed suit, lobbing more projectiles though Team RWBY and - hey, was that Sun and Neptune? - weaved through with ease, doing little but slow their advance. Yang struck first, punching her way through several watermelons with her turkey gauntlets while Blake followed closely behind.
"Come on, fearless leader! Nora's hungry, and these guys look mighty delicious!"
"Right! Pyrrha, take the lead!" he called out, picking up a baguette and flourishing it dramatically. "Me and Ren'll hold the flanks!"
"On it!"
"Nora."
"Yes, Jauney?" the ginger replied, having dismounted from her tabletop throne to stand beside him.
"Hammer time."
No sooner than when he uttered those words did she dash off into the fray, taking revenge on Yang by sending her the opposite way she sent Ren - up and through the roof with a crash and startled yelp. It was after several long seconds of really taking in the culinary carnage around him that he couldn't help but chuckle. The past several days since the docks were a blend of mellow frustration and stress over what to do with the White Fang and monsters; now he was faced with a way to let loose via gigantic, chaotic and frankly immature but downright fun food fight. It was something he never knew he needed until this very moment.
It became more comical as the hulking, angry form of Cardin Winchester brandishing a ridiculously oversized meat flank and covered in various bits of a meat kabob joined the fight and attacked Team RWBY; predictably, Jaune watched silently as the totally-not-unwelcome help added to the general chaos, howling something about wanting more than a peaceful meal.
"Huh. Can't say I saw that coming. Welp, time to join in on the fun."
Grinning, Jaune picked up a tray and defended through a motley assortment of fruits sent his way. Team CRDL was now falling back that the element of surprise was lost despite their valiant entrance. His team, meanwhile was deadlocked with Ruby, Blake and Yang, recently returned via meteorite express after being knocked into the air by Nora.
Gripping his trusty bread tight, he began to make his way towards the rest, determined to end it and take one home for Team JNPR.
"Arc!"
The voice of the heiress froze him on the spot, Weiss stepping into view while brandishing a nasty look with an even nastier looking swordfish in hand, red splotches along its bill.
He audibly gulped. It was only ketchup...right?
"Oh, uh, hey Weiss! Long time no see!"
"Treasure this moment, Arc, for this is the first and only time I will ever agree with you," Weiss stepped forward, replying with a saccharine smile. "Now stay still. I need to destroy you and I have just the right tool for the job."
"Heh, heh. Um, sorry - ack!" Jaune nervously laughed before yelping as she rushed him and thrusted, sidestepping just in time to prevent death by swordfish. The aggressive smile fully disappeared and was replaced with her trademark irritated scowl, forcing him to wither her assault and be pushed back. She dodged an overhead swing and swept low, Jaune jumping and dodging the prelude to the killing blow. He then bashed outwards with his tray, Weiss taking a step back to absorb the force on her swordfish and then followed up with a standard swing - slice - thrust combo of which each strike was gracefully parried. Taking the initiative, the heiress dashed to his left and suddenly feinted right to catch his guard open, landing a couple of successful strikes before he caught the last.
"You know, Link, training against someone as blindingly fast as you has never been so useful than now."
Weiss seemed to reluctantly agree. "Hmph. You're faring better than I expected."
He couldn't help but grin at that, and felt as if Link simply wilted inside, painting a mental picture of him slowly sitting down and burying his face in his hands as he came to realize that all the training and lessons he imparted was all for this one deliciously bemusing moment.
...the asininity of this situation is profound, his mentor sighed. All these lives and it still manages to surprise me. Well, Jaune, you started this so you might as well win it.
He nodded back and began to push harder. "Um...sorry? Or should I say thanks?"
"That wasn't...gah," she growled, eyes widening as she was slowly pushed back, courtesy of his superior strength. Weiss stepped back and allowed him to follow through, stumbling forward and open to a vicious swing that sent him tumbling into several overturned vending machines. Gritting his teeth, Jaune looked up and rolled to the side just in time as Weiss careened into the space he just left, the swordfish impaled through one of the poor dispensers and forcing it to eject en masse its carbonated contents. He tanked another slice with his tray before yelping as she elegantly spun and landed a strike on his shield arm, the tray clattering to the ground. There was no time to pick it up as she dashed against him once more, fish locked on bread in a battle of wills and culinary fury.
"Damn. She's going all out and her offence is strong," Jaune grimaced as she glared ice straight into his soul. "There's gotta be a way to take advantage of that...well, there's one way, but I'll actually die at the end of that. More dead than I already am, anyway."
Weiss had the edge on skill and speed, but he had strength to boot, a frankly absurd amount of Aura as well as the sheer stubbornness born from months of Huntsman training as well as years of online gaming.
...he'd throw in the Triforce too, but that kinda felt like cheating. He had the slightest feeling that Link would disapprove using the literal power of the Gods to win a food fight. Mighty tempting, though.
Swallowing his pride, he stared right back at her and forced a cocky smirk on his face.
"Not bad, Snow Angel."
Weiss froze, her already frustrated glare somehow reaching even icier levels of anger. "...what did you just say?"
"What, Snow Angel? A pretty name for a pretty snowflake," Jaune grinned, beads of sweat rolling down his neck in fear. "Just remember, you're just the kind of person we want in Team Jaune, my darling winter beauty."
"RARGH!" was Weiss' reply, howling in fury as she increased the intensity of her attacks several times over. He began falling back under a snowstorm of slices and cuts, barely managing to parry and dodge some of her strikes. But the fact that he could even match her faster speed and precise aim meant exactly what he hoped for - provocation nulled her concentration. That and the many, many rounds of training he had under Link, who was no doubt one of the fastest but also the most skilled fighter he'd faced to date, meant that he now had a semblance of a fighting chance.
With that realization he began to step up his own offence, allowing his already bruised Aura to take some of the hits he wasn't fast enough to dodge and push through, dealing single, powerful hits that slowly whittled her down. Strike, parry, riposte, dodge became their deadly dance; both battered and tired, he prepared to meet her charge once more -
And sidestepped as she stabbed forward with a cry, using the momentum to roll behind her and deliver a punishing blow behind her, sending her stumbling forward and breaking his breadsword in two.
"Oh shit."
Weiss noticed immediately, smirking and chuckling as he felt the last of his bravado dissipate. "Oh no, what a nightmare," she cackled, though the effect was diminished somewhat by her panting and heavy breathing. "I'm afraid I'll have to decline your offer, Arc. I like my current team, thank you very much."
Leveling Myrtefish at his neck once more, she spawned a glyph behind her and launched forward with a cry -
And the tip of the swordfish stopped precisely right before his neck as an infinitely more terrifying voice echoed through the cafeteria.
"Enough!"
Glynda Goodwitch called out from the front beside the Headmaster, all simultaneously freezing out of fear. Each of their heads slowly turned to see the frustrated deputy wave her crop, using her conveniently telekinetic Semblance to repair the roughed up hall. Some of them took cover as tables, chairs and various dining implements flew around and rearranged themselves, and in a few short seconds, the place looked mostly perfect, save for several students with school uniforms covered in all manners of the day's lunch menu.
"Children, please...do not play with your food."
After several seconds of anxious silence, Ozpin stepped up from behind and visibly calmed Glynda Goodwitch down, something that apparently gave the all clear to Yang as she whispered something in her sister's ear and earned a loud chuckle. One by one they all began to relax with the silence replaced by laughter and joking once more; he himself sighed as the sudden tension dissipated, turning back to Weiss who gingerly placed her weapon of war onto one of the tables.
"I'm sorry."
Weiss turned to face him as she began to walk away, Jaune quickly jogging the distance to catch up.
"Excuse me?"
"About earlier, the whole cake-in-the-face kind of thing. I kinda just reacted without thinking."
For several seconds, anxiety began to grow as she silently scrutinized him until she sighed, shoulders relaxing as the tension left her.
"Very well. I will accept your apology. Just remember to actually aim next time so I don't get caught in the crossfire. That and the fact that I bested you means that you learned your lesson."
"Yeah exac - wait, what? You won?"
She nodded back, seemingly glad at his apparent acceptance.
"Yeah, but...did you...?" Jaune cautiously shrugged as she turned to regard him with narrowed eyes. "I mean, I did get some pretty solid hits, after all."
She turned to the side and muttered under her breath, though he was definitely sure he heard "large", "Aura" and surprisingly "Snow Angel" somewhere in the mix.
"I...suppose you fared better than I expected, but it doesn't matter," she conceded instead. "I had my sword to your throat, and it is only the arrival of Professor Goodwitch that spared you from my wrath."
"Well, it's not like anyone would actually want to face her down," Jaune replied, both of them shuddering in agreement at the thought of her catching them in trouble. Even Weiss, ice queen as she was, would quail under the almighty force of order that was Glynda Goodwitch; she was the main disciplinarian of the school and fit the job like she was born for the role. Jaune couldn't help but ironically find it amusing as she was also one of the main student counselors, all welcome to an office open 24/7.
That being said, he managed to hold his own against one of the better fighters in his year. She was fast and struck with deadly accuracy, but having trained under an opponent that outclassed them both by a long shot as well as his quick thinking gave him extra leverage needed to close the gap. As they joined up with the rest of their friends in heading out the cafeteria, he couldn't help but feel a certain sense of pride at the fact his skills were progressing at quite a healthy rate. From barely being able to hold his own against most common Grimm to almost besting the one and only Weiss Schnee in a (food) fight, it was almost unbelievable, and most importantly - fun. No Grimm or monster would take that away from him, and he could only get better from here.
"And yeah. Kinda hard to argue that. You were pretty fast."
Weiss turned to the side and tried to stifle something with a suspicious sounding cough from the blonde. "Thank you. I have been trained by the finest of teachers to augment my own education here at Beacon."
"Guess it shows," Jaune laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Like, seriously. I thought the Lizalfos at the docks was fast, and, well, it's not like anyone can beat Ruby, but -"
"What are you talking about?"
He turned to face her as they both walked out of the cafeteria and into the courtyard, finding Weiss staring back with a quizzical expression. "What's a Lizalfos?"
Jaune was about to tell her about the dangers of those sly and quick witted reptilian creatures before his eyes widened and swallowed his words. A cold feeling of dread washed over him, and in his head he swore he could almost feel Link rousing with anger.
"U-um, what are you talking about?"
"I asked you first," Weiss replied, looking miffed. "Lizalfos...docks?"
"You're supposed to have the mind for strategy as team leader or something. Think, Jaune, think!"
"Right, um, well I was daydreaming about some comics I read earlier," he replied with a tone that tried to mask his nervousness. "And then it kinda got mixed up in my thoughts and -"
"Okay, okay, never mind. I don't need to know," Weiss dismissed as she picked up the pace to regroup with her team, looking relatively unconvinced but desiring more to waive a subject she considered immature away.
"Heh, yeah...thanks," Jaune nervously laughed before his smile disappeared completely. Just like that, what would've turned into the highlight of the day had done the sharpest about-turn and brought his mood down. Thankfully, Weiss didn't press any further as he effectively deflected it, but who's to say that maybe Ruby, or Yang even his own team wouldn't be curious enough to press him further if he let something slip again? The thoughts that were momentarily repressed from his mind came back full force, wordlessly rejoining his team with the picture of a landscape that wasn't Beacon, but of industry and fire as they fought off terrorists and monsters alike.
It was the morning of a beautiful day in Beacon for him to walk with his friends back to their dorms, lost in thought and all the more oblivious to Pyrrha's worried frown at precisely what he hoped to avoid mentioning.
()===|=====+
People Like Grapes was one of the many companies that offered to sponsor her, but she couldn't find it in herself to care as she picked up the can of soda from the vending machine and let the sweet, sugary taste drive away some of her exhaustion. Walking back towards the hallway their dorms were in, she turned the corner and had her vision suddenly filled with black hair and pink eyes.
"O-oh, goodness, you startled me," Pyrrha gasped as Ren stepped back to avoid colliding into her. "Is everything alright?"
"Nora."
Of course. Jaune was fairly noisy in his sleep sometimes, but if he was Yang's motorbike then their bubbly berserker was a Bullhead.
"Yeah, fair enough," she agreed, chuckling slightly at the forlorn look in his eyes. "What are you up to, then?"
"I was thinking that if I walked around enough, I would grow tired enough to fall unconscious when I return," he replied, leaning his back on the wall opposite her and slinking down to sit. She followed suit and took another sip as he tilted his head with a curious expression. "But I could ask you the same thing myself."
"Ah, I, um, also couldn't fall asleep," she replied, head falling and staring at the ground. "I just have a lot on my mind."
He nodded back, content to let her continue as soon as she was comfortable to do so.
"Ren...do you remember any of the ancient Grimm Professor Oobleck taught about in history class?"
"Do you mean if I remember anything Oobleck taught at all?" he sighed, eliciting a quiet chuckle from the redhead. "Well, you have some of the rarer ones like Wyverns, Drakes, Leviathans and Megoliaths. Most of the Grimm in ancient times are the ones still seen today."
"Right. So...no Lizalfos, then?"
Ren narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "Is this going where I think it is...?"
She nodded. "That's what he called the lizard looking monsters back at the docks."
The black haired boy sat up as focus and clarity replaced his exhaustion. "I see. He has been acting unusual since the docks."
"Yes. I know we all decided with RWBY to figure out more of what Torchwick and the White Fang are doing, but I feel like his behaviour has been...off, for lack of better terms. He's been spacing out in class more often and almost lost that spar yesterday because he wasn't paying attention. I want to ask him what's wrong, but...hah," she sighed, sinking further into the floor and letting her head fall.
"Don't worry, I know what you mean. Long story short, I am also starting to suspect Jaune may be hiding something. Have you noticed the way he sometimes seems to talk to himself?"
Pyrrha nodded before dread started to creep into heart. "Wait. Are you saying that -"
"I don't know if he's mentally ill," Ren quickly raised his hands to calm her down. "And I'm not saying he is, only that one possibility is that the monsters at Forever Fall and the docks may have triggered something in him."
"That still doesn't explain the monsters themselves, though."
"It doesn't," he agreed, "and frankly, none of us or RWBY have anything for it either. It's a possibility, but perhaps one of the more unlikelier options. Still, I have a feeling that there's something connecting Jaune to them. You said he called them 'Lizalfos', correct?"
"Yes. He mentioned it again today."
Ren nodded and leaned his head against the wall. "Right. I'll admit, I too am as curious as you are, but there's something going on that he is clearly not comfortable talking about, and...I'm worried."
"Yeah. It's just so...annoying, you know? I want to know what's going on, but we all have our own secrets too. It's weighing him down, and as his partner it's also partly my responsibility to help him out. I don't want a repeat of last time too."
Ren hummed in agreement, remembering the awkwardness but most importantly the genuineness of their talk soon after the nightmare that was their field trip. It truly was a sad irony that here in front of him sat who people called the Invincible Girl, and despite all her victories and accolades have found her greatest challenge in the form of the one who first saw her for who she was, facing an enemy she knew almost nothing about.
It was at that moment that she looked up, with her troubled look burning with some of the fire that held her love for her friends. "But then again, we made a promise to each other back then to be there for each other. We are a team, and...I don't know what's on his mind but I want to help. No, I will help," she stated, Ren following suit as she stood back up.
"I trust him, and...I'd like to think he trusts me as well," she continued, the slightest bit of red dusting her cheeks. "Jaune was there when I needed to get things off my chest...all I have to do is listen, right?"
Ren nodded. "Yes. Just be there for him. For now, though, let's get some sleep. This won't solve itself in one night, but we will get to the bottom of this. It's like you said - we promised as a team to stick by each other, and Nora and I won't leave it a promise unfulfilled."
Pyrrha smiled back, determination returning to her veins. "Thanks, Ren. It really means a lot. Go on ahead, I just have to throw this can out."
Parting ways, she walked over to a nearby trashcan before returning to her room, quietly opening the door so as to not wake Nora and Jaune up. Considering how loud they were snoring it almost seemed useless anyway, but out of habit she made sure to close it just as gently anyway as she could hear the quiet shuffling of Ren sliding back into bed. Making her way back, she almost threw herself into her own were it not for something that nearly slipped through the periphery of her vision.
Pyrrha stared for several seconds at Jaune, surprise mixing with confusion before seeming to realize exactly what it looked like she was doing. Tearing her gaze off of him, she flopped back into her own bed and let the silence wash away her embarrassment. As seconds turned into minutes, however, worry began to take over in full force once more, and all of a sudden even more questions began flooding her mind.
"Just how many secrets do you have, Jaune? I'm starting to feel like a poor partner for barely knowing my own at all."
She silently huffed and forced out the dismal thoughts in the deepest corner of her mind, turning the other way to sleep on her side. Instead, she figured that perhaps tomorrow she'd ask when he got that odd looking tattoo on the back of his left hand, which presumably due to dust infusions glowed just a little faintly in the somber darkness of their room.
/AN\
Heyo! Sorry for the delay, all. It was on track to be uploaded just before midnight last night, but slowly and surely I started to lose focus due to my migraine and nausea. To be honest it probably came from the weather as it began to warm up and humidify with some passing rainstorms, but regardless I felt that it should be held off and be edited when I'm feeling better for the sake of my own health. Hopefully the nice temperatures and decent weather continues when work returns next week. Thank you all for your patience.
In any case welcome back to A Descendant of Legends! Lots of things going on from various perspectives, and as ancient secrets continue to be unearthed - un-Remnanted? - so too do the stakes for Jaune to figure out a way to reveal the truth. One thing I decided to keep no matter what though was the delicious fun that was the canon food fight, as frankly that was one of my favourite moments from the show, at least with the earlier volumes, and that it'd be a nice break from what would otherwise be a more dramatic chapter despite the implications at the fight's end. Likewise, it's up to his team to see how they can all move forward together in the face of unknown adversaries.
Again, thank you all for your patience and for sticking around thus far! To my fellow Canadians, I know this isn't the best start to summer but I hope you enjoy the Victoria Day long weekend!
Cheers all, and hope to see you at Chapter 16!
Dragon lord Syed 101: And there is even more of the villains and monsters to come. Thanks and hope to see you next time!
Spartastic 4: Lmaoo seems like Jaune is Snake and Link is Col Campbell confirmed XD And yes, gotta be thankful for the things you can't take for granted. In any case, I look forward to see if you guessed it right when I finally do the reveal for her - now you've got me thinking of when I get to write more of how the characters will interact with each other especially as the world they know around them begins to change. Look what you've done, heheh. In any case cheers, stay safe and hope to see you next chapter!
Anonymous: Thanks! I really appreciate it. Hope to see you next time!
Fyr RedNight: Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully I'll see you next chapter!
MeraHunt: Haha thanks! I want to hit that perfect balance where people can clearly picture the most important parts of battle scenes while leaving enough to visualize how the rest would play out in their own headcanon. Hope to see you next time~!
Eisouu: *It was at that moment, he knew, he fucked up.*
The Legend of Zelda and RWBY are the respective properties of Nintendo and Rooster Teeth.