"Well, this certainly explains why you were late," said Mulberry as he held the newspaper the following morning. The four of them were together this time for breakfast with Peach being a little distance away from them thanks in part to her wings; she preferred to have them stretch out every once in a while for keeping them close is like those commercial transports with tight spaces on ones legs. Their breakfast comprised mostly of pancakes and some scrambled eggs. It was a downgrade for Jekyll but that is just his preferences speaking. It was alright and he preferred to have his pancakes with sugar and lemon rather than the syrup but to each their own.
"I was wondering how you got all the Dust I requested without paying," commented Peach as she put a different kind of syrup on her pancake. She said that it was her own recipe taken from the sap in this Forever Fall place. "I was worried about that, you know?"
"I still feel bad about getting it for free," Jekyll replied. "Reward or not."
"Anyway, you said that there was a huntress-in-training that helped you there?"
He nodded. "I believe her name was Ruby Rose."
Suddenly, Mulberry and Greene's utensils fell on their plates. Greene's coffee mug was inching from her lips but she took no sip. Mulberry's grip on the newspaper had tightened. Their expressions had a marked change that screamed Not again. Jekyll turned to Peach for answers who only shook her head in response.
"It is not mine to tell," she said, shrugging her soldiers. "I never went to any of the Academies like these two. Became a huntress in a similar way as you did."
After a minute of silence, Mulberry said, "Rose." It was almost like a cursing tone. "Ozpin, it's too soon." He was shaking his head. "What are you thinking?"
"Well," said Greene, seemingly in agreement with Mulberry. "That certainly means we know one student who will be arriving in the next school year. Maybe one or two years ahead if my guess is right."
"Miss Rose will be a student here?" Jekyll asked. How did know? How were they so certain? It is as though that this has happened before. Judging from their expressions, it didn't turn out so well. "I am afraid to ask. If it's too much, then I will not prod."
"No," Mulberry said. "No. It's alright. If anything, you should probably be made aware of this since you are part of this circle now."
"You sure about this, Harry?" Greene said.
"I'm willing to respect our headmaster on the concerns of secrets as much as I would disagree," Mulberry replied. "But if Miss Rose were to come to Beacon early as you and I both suspect, then it is only right that our new friend here be put up to speed. Besides, he has already met with one of the team members."
"Team members?" Jekyll asked. His head tilted to the side.
"Qrow Branwen," Mulberry clarified. "He was part of team STRQ, led by Summer Rose."
Summer Rose. That must mean that Ruby is the daughter. That would explain why Qrow had been referred to as an uncle. They must have been like family. Although, with the way the two professors are talking, this team STRQ isn't exactly a perfect team.
It was Greene who began by saying, "STRQ. One of the best, if not the best, team to ever come out of Beacon. Each one being one of the best fighters that any student could have seen. Mulberry and I, along with our team, their underclassmen by one year. You should have seen them during the Vytal Tournament. Easily plowing through their enemies. It gets even the blood of even the most cynical of watchers pumping."
"But the thing that made the team really excel," continued Mulberry. "Was their leader, Summer Rose. An excellent fighter in that regard but also an amazing leader. Thinks best on the spot and really knows how to inspire people. Inspired us as well."
The two shared an expression of nostalgia. Jekyll turned to Peach and saw her sipping into her coffee. That's two for tea and two for coffee, perfectly balanced. She had heard this before, since she doesn't seem that surprised at their retelling.
"What happened?" Jekyll asked. He wasn't sure if he regretted asking or not. One thing was certain: he had a curiosity to know more.
"Same thing that happens to anyone in our job," said Mulberry. "Eventually, teams break apart. A mission goes wrong, natural age, other callings in life or just plain old in-fighting. You wouldn't think that with STRQ though. You'd think that they would have stuck together like glue. It's usually why the Academies have teams formed during their first year; it develops that bond."
"Problem was," entered Greene. "STRQ had been part of Ozpin's Secret Circle. We all were at some point but STRQ had been in the inner circle."
"Inner circle?" Jekyll asked. "There are levels?"
"Yes." Greene nodded. "That much we gathered when we became a part of that circle. There was a certain distance that Ozpin likes to keep and only those he trusted were allowed further in."
Jekyll took that information into account. If there were different levels in this inner circle, then it would be in his best interest to figure out what his place is. Not for himself, but for Amber. He wouldn't be like that knightly king that Amber wanted if he didn't have full knowledge of the enemies that he will face. He still won't be given his presence but it would still be better if he did.
"Whatever it was that they had learned—whether that was immediately after or not is up for debate," Greene continued. "Raven Branwen—Qrow's sister—left the team to go back with her tribe. Put it worse, Summer is presumably dead. It was said that she was sent on a mission given to her by Ozpin and never came back. STRQ had never been the same since then."
Jekyll put down his own mug. The tea had gotten cold now as he had forgotten to drink it as he listened to the retelling. It explained the connection between STRQ and Ruby. Whatever it was that Summer possessed, Ruby must also have it. The question then is why? What is the significance of Ruby that she needs to attend Beacon early? It couldn't possibly be sentimentality. Even if Ruby is turning out to follow in her mother's footsteps, such a reason wasn't a good one to let her come early.
"We suspect that there is something that Summer has," Greene said, shrugging her shoulders. "Whatever that thing is, headmaster Ozpin sees it in Ruby."
No more had been said after that. Jekyll would have wanted to know more but Mulberry and Greene's knowledge could only go so far. Being that they aren't part of this inner circle, Jekyll would need to be a part of that if he ever wishes to know more. His only concern was that of Amber's safety. So long as he had enough to work it to achieve that goal, he would be accepting of not being a part of the inner circle; there is a chance that Ozpin keeps secrets even then. For Amber's sake, Jekyll would have to be in the headmaster's good graces just enough to get that information.
As the four of them went off on their respective ways, Jekyll was left behind to wash the dishes. Mulberry and Greene can be seen going together but Peach was most definitely alone. She had been silent throughout that retelling. Didn't she say that she didn't have a team? Why then had she become a huntress? As professor of Plant Science, did that mean she was an academic before having decided in a change of career?
He followed Professor Peach towards Beacon's laboratory. In particular, he was in the stockroom next to it. There both he and Peach were checking up on the different tools and devices for any damages. The smallest cracks and defections were placed aside and marked accordingly. Those whose damage were significant enough, at least in their eyes, were placed in a separate group labelled "To be Replaced."
She was still surprised that Jekyll was familiar with these things and was now unsure of what else to have him do. Was being a huntsman or huntresses really all about fighting Grimm and criminals that there was little in the way of the academe? Sure Plant Science—he may never let that go—aren't as immediately useful for a huntsman as the Grimm Studies of that Professor Port, but surely there has to be more to being a huntsman than simply fighting.
Opting to look at his surroundings in further detail, Jekyll noticed that in the corner, there was a locker. It had a label on it that said "Steadfast." He had seen these lockers before, usually near Glynda's combat classroom. So this must be Peach's weapon of choice, then? The label must have been the name of the weapon.
"Curious?" she asked. "Steadfast is rather simple. Its design is plainly just a rifle with attached bayonet for the melee. While the other end could be used as a make-shift hammer, it certainly isn't anything fancy. With my not going to the Academies, I chose to keep my weapon of choice simple. Not much in the way of fanciful transformations."
"It is a good weapon," Jekyll complimented. Truth be told, he wasn't sure what counts as a good weapon in Remnant. He was only certain that every other weapon must be better than his own. He shook his head. He shouldn't think about making another. His knife would have to do.
"Speaking of huntsmen things," he then said. "What made you choose to be a huntsman?"
"Is this about Mulberry and Greene?" Peach turned to him, eyebrow raised. "I could ask you the same since you and I become one the same way."
The ball was in Jekyll's court. He couldn't exactly tell her that he was originally meant to be a familiar, could he? That opens more questions than answers and if he remembered, even if he really were a familiar, the fact is that he is human now and that has never happened before apparently.
"I thought about having a change of careers," he said. It might have been a good excuse given his academic background. His delivery of it however, made it a little suspicious. Peach certainly caught that on as her eyebrow was raised even higher.
She let him have his secrets though much to his relief saying, "same as you I guess. Wanted to be a scientist but ended up here. Still, I get to travel to different places and save some lien from having to pay protection." There was a sadness in her voice, Jekyll felt. He had his secrets, she'll have hers.
Jekyll nodded. He didn't want to ask further less he be made to divulge further. In the few years he had just spent on Remnant, he had never even considered his own backstory for this world. He could use that survivor of villages and settlements but it wasn't going to be enough to form an entirely cohesive narrative now was it?
"Can't say much about team STRQ," Peach continued. "I can say that they were significant names among huntsmen but I never really keep up with those things. These plants don't study themselves."
"Is that what Ruby is going to be?"
Peach shrugged. "Most likely, if we're going by what those two had said. I will agree that it might not be a good idea to rely on the young ones so soon especially when there are those of us who are capable of something. That's kind of the point of us older huntsmen and huntresses, especially us teachers."
Returning to his scanning of the room, Jekyll then noticed that there were some books on the side, stacked. Reading the titles, they were what you would expect for the professor, introductory books on biology, plants and the like. They were there as a quick refresher by his assessment with any, more in-depth literature being located elsewhere.
One did catch his attention. The reason was that it wasn't about plants. It was a book on the human mind, psyche as it is called. Reading the description at the back, it is likely a self-help book. With Peach's permission, Jekyll opened to the first few pages of the book. Like the real shadow, he began reading in his mind. If man fails to shine the light on his own shadow, it will grow and consume him. A mental journey of bringing man's inner darkness into the light could he become a better—
Jekyll closed the book. Bringing my darkness into the light? It was a luxury reserved only for those who do not share in the tragic circumstance of Henry Jekyll. I could never bring him into the light, he'll commit himself evil and I will perish. It was how it had ended for him in his previous life. Silent though he may be ever since Jekyll had manifested, the huntsman knows that his shadow was akin to an ambush predator, waiting for his moment to strike.
"Not a big fan?" Peach said, expression amused. "Everyone has their inner dark side."
"I know." Jekyll knows more than anyone about their inner dark side. "I'm just not sure if integrating one's shadow into ourselves entirely is a good idea."
"It's all about balance," Peach defended. "But I see your point. Some people have really terrible evils inside them, I'm sure. Part of being human and all."
"Yes," he replied weakly. "Human."
When the day had ended, Jekyll opted to go to Beacon's Vaults before returning to the dorm. Unlike Atlas, he was given a bit more freedom in visiting Amber on the condition that he does so late at night when most, if not all students, have been asleep. The number of the returning students was increasing as the school year was only a few days away. Silent humming of the elevator filled his ears as he reached the lowest level of Beacon Academy.
With green, dim lights as his guide, Jekyll made his journey to Amber's stasis pod. Her readings were still within normal range but it had lowered since the last time he went here. Her sleeping form caused a painful sting in his heart. He is still hopeless in helping her, still not a proper Servant worthy of her. Most importantly, he was not the one that she had intended to bring.
"His majesty would have known what to do," Jekyll said to himself. "He would have been certain of himself. No matter what happens, he never would have lost faith in himself. He would not have given in to his shadow."
Jekyll's hand closed into fist. No. No matter how quiet he had been, he will never win. Jekyll will always be wary of that. He just needs to pick his fights carefully. He'll make sure that it will be those fights too boring that he wouldn't even bother to come out. Jekyll will make sure of that. Jekyll will never let his shadow into the light.
/-/
Just one day before initiation and all the faculty and staff that were huntsmen were called to the Emerald Forest by the headmaster. The first-years were scheduled to arrive today and both Ozpin and Glynda were there to greet them. Meanwhile, Jekyll and the rest of the faculty were given the task of one final check on the Emerald Forest and ensuring that it is safe enough for the first years while also not making it too easy by eliminating all threats.
The professors were all standing on metallic pads that were apparently going to be used to take them there. He was told that it was meant to double as them checking if the devices were working for one final test run. Jekyll could do that; he had been familiar with making test runs before back in Atlas so this one was going to be no different. Although, he had to wonder exactly what that test was supposed to be since the Emerald Forest was apparently down the cliff of where they were near the edge of. He received his answer when one of the other professors next to him, Doctor Oobleck, if he recalled had been launched into the air.
Jekyll fell on his behind. What kind of test-run was this? Was this how these huntsmen Academies test their prospective students? What good was it going to do if not get them killed early? What kind of world is Remnant that this sort of thing would be acceptable? Jekyll's mind had been focused on what had just happened to the professor next to him that he had forgotten the fact that he was next to him. Jekyll was launched next.
/-/
"Ho ho!" declared Port. "It certainly seems our new staff has quite the mouth!"
Professor Thumbelina Peach was to be the last of the staff to be launched. It was fitting since her faunus features were her wings. She can't fly that high but she had always used her wings to glide down. It was one of the few things that she actually appreciated about being a faunus. Her fingers traced the extra limb protruding from her back. She breathed deeply. Peach had made her peace long ago, now is not the time for her to relapse to what she was then.
"I'll get him," Peach said. Watching her new assistant's lips moving at incomprehensible speeds fed to Peach's imaginations. Considering that Jekyll was like her in terms of becoming a huntsman, it was no surprise that he wasn't aware of the Academies' initiation procedures, much less Beacon's. Her wings really were an advantage the first time she experienced this.
"You're a good lass, Peach!" replied Port. He made a motion like he was patting her on the back. He really couldn't just leave his platform but the other reason was that he was also carrying a rather large containment unit. It was probably for his classes again. "That is how partners are made! The concern one has for another is undoubtedly one of the most—"
Port was then launched, much to Peach's relief. The portly professor would have gone on a drivel if he kept going and she wasn't even a student. Many of the other professors here, being huntsmen from the Academies, all shared their wisdom and tidbits for her. She appreciated those, especially since it came with actual kindness and gentleness.
Crouching her knees, Peach readied herself for her inevitable launch. She closed her wings as the sudden force of wind would have pushed her back. She needed as little air resistance until she was at the top of the launch's arc before she could spread her wings.
Her descent was the slowest and most graceful of all of Beacon's staff. While everyone else had their own method of landing which often meant the use of aura, Peach could do so without having to sacrifice even a tiny bit. It also gave her a view of the area as she descended. From her point of view, she could already see Grimm emerging from the forests. Predictably, their numbers were higher than what would be demanded from the students. With Steadfast, she aimed and shot a few Grimm as she descended.
That's odd, Peach thought. She couldn't verbalize as that would risk getting some bug in her mouth. They're all moving to the same location. Specifically, they were all headed towards the area which Jekyll most likely had landed. I mean he was panicking, that negativity of his must be drawing the Grimm. But on this scale? How bad is he?
When her feet touched the ground, it was with dainty little steps as she was still being moved by the momentum of the launch. She managed to avoid the trees and branches that would have otherwise snagged her wings and feathers. Even if it didn't hurt, it would have been a hassle getting those leaves and branches off of her wings.
Peach caught sight of Mulberry and Oobleck making their way further inward of the forest. They would occasionally deal with Grimm heading their way but mostly focused on that. Headmaster Ozpin must have assigned them to put the Relics then? Dr. Oobleck had been carrying a suitcase.
Port meanwhile, was lugging his cage as he shook his head for each passing Grimm. Clearly, he was looking for that perfect one to use for his class. He followed the Grimm as they were headed towards where Jekyll would most likely be, probably seeing opportunity of finding his ideal Grimm among the many that are gathering there.
Some Grimm were killed because they posed a threat that students are not expected to deal with. The others were because they were attacking the professors. Either way, the main purpose was that the numbers were quelled down to a manageable level and if there were Grimm that would prove too much, they would still step in. Of course, that would affect a student's chances of getting into Beacon but that is the point of initiation.
I wonder if everyone—no, not the time. What is with her today? The moment that Henry Jekyll had come to Beacon, she had this feeling about him. Maybe it was the fact that he, like her, hadn't gone to the Academies and still became a huntsman? Did she see a little of herself in the man? He was also an academic that she was uncertain how to act around him during their little time in the stockroom. Peach had grown used to having to teach others about the different tools and their functions for her classes. To have someone already be knowledgeable in these things, giving her freer time, felt unnatural. Like a stone being thrown in a still and calm lake, Jekyll's presence had caused a disturbance in the day-to-day life of Thumbelina Peach. She is unsure of what to make of it.
With another shot, a Beowolf fell down lifeless. Peach then began to reload the next dust round. It was the trade-off that she had made when the weapon was designed. Each shot was powerful in their own right but came at a cost of being fire one at a time. For all intents and purposes, Peach preferred to stay away from combat as much as possible, choosing to maintain her distance and killing Grimm before they even reach her.
Peach then flew to one of the nearby branches. It was thick enough that it could hold her weight without breaking. As more Grimm started to appear, still drawn to Jekyll apparently, it would be more trouble if she stayed on the ground. There weren't many who could climb and any avian Grimm were absent at the moment, allowing her to thin their numbers without any opposition.
Following them from above, Peach flew from tree to tree, sniping each Grimm as they come by. With the rate that their falling, she was worried if they eliminated too much. It was only when their numbers were still large enough that she could find any sort of confirmation that the initiation would not be made too easy.
Peach continued to fire as the pinging of Steadfast mingled with the growls and howls of the Grimm, coming together like the worst song that had ever been composed. The amount of shots that she had been firing has reached the point where she could feel her bag of ammunition get lighter. She still had a lot, that much is certain but it is also proof of the number of Grimm that she had slain this day.
Port could be heard in the distance as the Grimm horde started to thin out significantly. He was wrangling a Boarbatusk with his bare hands as the porky Grimm was being put inside the cage. With great force, the cage had been closed as Port dusted himself clean on a job well-done. There were no Grimm in his immediate area which allowed him to breathe.
She descended on the ground and asked him where Jekyll was.
"Why, he should still be further that way," he replied. "Our new staff certainly has a lot of vigor to him to be able to handle so many Grimm coming his way. I may need to step up my game less I fall behind."
"Nobody is taking your place, Port," she replied. Truthfully, she hoped that no one ever does. Think of the students. "I'm sure that Jekyll is doing fine. Probably the nervousness of it all since he never went to the Academies."
Henry Jekyll was only human. What could he possibly do with Grimm that many?
AN: I once mentioned that I thought about a team of OCs meant to parallel JNPR in the same way STRQ does to RWBY. I'm bringing it back here minus the JNPR parallel with these other professors that are apparently part of Beacon Academy: Harold Mulberry, Ann Greene and Thumbelina Peach. With Henry Jekyll, we now have the fourth member. I already have the team name in mind thanks to a RWBY team name generator (it's gone now as of this chapter which is kind of sad. I really liked that one over the others, you get to put the name of the characters and it generates the list of possible team names)