Sorry for the late post everyone. Monday was a little too busy for me! Again any helpful feedback would be wonderful. But also feel free to ask questions regarding anything related to the story or characters. I try and include the answer to those in the next chapter. But until next time!
Note: I do not own either RWBY or Fairy Tail. Those are owned by Rooster Teeth and Hiro Mashima ( and FUNimation). Please support the official release.
Note two: Bolded text indicates telepathic dialogue between Mavis and Zeref. Italic text indicates a flashback.
Qrow squinted from the sunlight peaking through the tree leaves. Sure, Team STRQ's status as Ozpin's favorite had its benefits: official first access to meals, and unofficially cover for petty crimes.
Unfortunately, being Oz's star pupils also meant Qrow had to do the headmaster some 'favors', like checking on the security cameras in the Emerald Forest.
They were only installed after his and Raven's initiation, presumably to prevent students from wandering off during their first day in a Grimm-infested forest. Go figure.
"C'mon Qrow," Tai leaped down from a tree. "Let's move to the next one."
"Why do we need to do this?" Qrow groaned.
Tai just sighed. "Ozpin trusted us enough to do this, despite your stunt yesterday at the bar. So let's try and keep that trust?"
"Fine," the Brawen grumbled. "I'll take the next tree."
His friend gave Qrow a good-natured shove. "I'm not carrying you out here like I'm doing with your grades."
Qrow gripped his weapon. "For the last time, the only class that matters is combat."
An Ursa burst out of a nearby bush, roaring angrily. The scythe-wielder, unhinging his weapon dashed towards the monster, dodging right to avoid the bear lunging for him, jaw ready to pierce his body, before decapitating it. "See? What's learning about the Fanus Wars going to help me kill this Ursa?"
Xiao-Long grumbled, deactivating his gauntlets. "This is the problem with you and your sister! You always think the best way to solve a problem is through it!"
"No," Qrow corrected as he sauntered off toward their destination. "I solve problems by going through it. My sister solves problems by running from them."
Tai scoffed. "Not from what I've seen. Raven is a menace to anyone not named Summer."
"Look," Qrow gripped his friend's shoulders. "Can we just focus on checking these goddamn cameras? I did not sign up to get interrogated about my fucked up family."
"Alright, man. Geez."
Unfortunately for them, all of their bickering had attracted unwanted attention. Three Deathstalkers scuttled from the underbrush, hissing.
"See?" The scythe-wielder equipped his weapon, which he had named 'Harbinger'. "This is why we don't discuss Raven without Raven!"
"Why do I feel my brother complaining about me?" Raven leaned her head back.
Summer sweatdropped. "You always complain about him. It's only fair he's going to complain about you."
"What's there to complain about?" Raven smirked, her red eyes glinting. "I'm perfect."
"No, you are not," Summer playfully pushed Raven. "For example, you keep stealing my lunch."
Raven huffed. "Well it's not my fault Ozpin doesn't give us unlimited access to the mess hall."
"Just check the camera, Raven."
"Alright, give me a second." The black-haired girl hopped from one branch to another, rapidly ascending the tree trunk toward the small metal device near the top. Summer couldn't help but flinch each time a branch creaked under Raven's weight.
"Raven! Watch the branches!" Despite their sometimes antagonistic relationship, the silver-eyed girl had grown to care for the red-eyed girl. Even though the two black-haired members of Team STRQ came to Beacon, originally, to learn to eliminate Huntsmen, they'd been willing to share their secrets with Summer. And they'd been willing to change, if only by a bit.
Raven responded by casually bouncing off a branch, causing it to snap and fall, smacking other branches as it descended to the ground, before snapping in half. Deciding that dying of a heart attack wasn't in the cards, Summer scanned the surrounding treeline.
Nothing seemed to be amiss. The tree leaves swayed as they normally did from the breeze, with the occasional bird whistle floating through the air. Sun shined like it normally did, creating a pattern of shadows on the forest floor, as the sunlight bounced off the leaves. But then, she noticed something unusual—a black dot in the otherwise white sky, gradually growing larger. She saw the flap of a dark wing.
"Raven!" Summer pulled out her weapon, engaging in sniper mode. "Nevermore incoming!" She looked into the scope of her rifle, tracking the demon bird as it dived toward Raven. Her finger pushed down on the trigger.
"Summer!" Raven's sudden cry caused the shot to go wide, embedding the bullet into an unsuspecting tree. Swiveling her head around, Summer saw the Ursa just before it pounced onto her.
Ozpin swiped through the different camera feeds, a small smile on his face. Despite the predicament Team STRQ often found themselves in, Beacon's headmaster remained unfazed.
"Sir, are you sure it's a good idea to let my parents keep an eye on them?" August sat across from him.
Ozpin's gaze remained fixed on the screens as he pondered the question. "From what I've observed," he finally replied, "your parents won't interfere until absolutely necessary. STRQ needs all the experience it can get when dealing with life-threatening situations."
"You could just assign them to me the next time I go to Vacuo."
The headmaster chuckled softly. "Why do you think I haven't done that?"
With a wry smile, the wizard leaned back in his chair, a deadpan look on his face. "They hate my class."
"Don't take that to heart," Beacon's Headmaster tried to pat August's shoulder comfortingly. "They all just have…unique Semblances. It makes them hard to master."
"Don't get me started on that," August rubbed his temples. "Raven's teleportation isn't growing because she's too stubborn to make more bonds outside of her team. Summer struggles with utilizing her flashing abilities without blinding everyone in the room. Tai is still having trouble understanding where to redirect any hits he takes. I don't have to remind you how many times other students have been sent to the infirmary because of them, right?"
"And Qrow?"
"Qrow's bad luck is a nightmare. Something always breaks in my class, usually expensive."
"The budget hasn't seen a massive it from his accidents, so I don't see the problem."
"Sir, you can't just keep letting them get into trouble just because of their talents. It's beginning to wear on many of the teachers here."
"And why do you think I assigned STRQ to check on the cameras in the Emerald Forest? I've known your parents long enough to see that they'll straighten out the team in no time."
Today was a hunting day, Zeref decided. Mavis had already gone out in search of prey, but the weather was just too enticing to not take advantage of.
He'd begun going barefoot, a habit Mavis instilled in him. The Black Wizard silently twirled the pairs of knives in his hands.
"Rahhh!" A defiant howl came from Zeref's right side. Ozpin had told them students would occasionally wander into the Emerald Forest. They were probably fine. After all, the only thing dangerous was the Grimm, and the school was chock-full of minds dedicated to eradicating the Grimm.
Still, Ozpin might not be pleased if Zeref allowed one of the headmaster's pupils to get hurt. He raced toward the source of the scream, his feet cutting into the sharp rocks that littered the forest floor. New wounds appeared on his face and arms, but they healed almost instantly.
As he ran, Zeref retrieved the emergency canister of ice dust he had brought along. Inserting it into the hilt of his blades, the metal began to glow a pale white, with ice crystals forming at their hilts.
When he finally entered the small clearing, the scene unfolding before Zeref confused him. A girl wearing a white cloak, with a corset and skirt under that, was lying dazed on the ground, her weapon at the feet of an Ursa.
A second student, this one wearing light red armor, over a v-neck undershirt, was busy jumping from branch to branch, dodging the Nevermore's attempts to grab her.
Focusing his magic, Zeref vanished and reappeared behind the ursa, stabbing it in the back. It reared back in pain, before being frozen solid.
Yanking out the blade, Zeref turned his attention to the flying bird in the air. The girl had somehow managed to jump onto the back of the demon bird, sword hilt deep in the monster's back. However, the black-haired student was now hanging on for dear life, getting tossed around like a ragdoll.
"You. Find a way to get off the Nevermore." Zeref sheathed his weapons, before closing his eyes. Neither he nor Mavis had released any death magic for a while–a ticking time bomb. A ball of void formed in his hand.
"Who are you? And what are you doing here?" The girl screamed from hundreds of feet in the air.
"Get off!" The black mass in Zeref's hand pulsated erratically. His head pounded. He needed to release it now. The girl finally complied, falling off the bird, before rotating in the air to land on a nearby branch.
The sphere of death shot toward the Nevermore, which squawked in surprise. When the two entities collided, the Nevermore's body warped, merging with the sphere. It soared upward before exploding into a massive dark cloud of energy. Once Zeref confirmed that the blast wouldn't reach them, he turned his attention to the two girls.
The black-haired one had dropped back to the ground and was now trying to help her friend get up.
Zeref exhaled in relief, before walking over to the two. "Is your friend okay?"
Raven stepped in front of her friend. "Who are you?"
"Call me Zeref," the Black Wizard stopped walking. "You are?"
"Raven," The girl glared at him distrustfully. "And you didn't answer my question. Why are you here, in the forest? I haven't seen you at Beacon either."
"I live in the forest," Zeref shifted his focus to the girl Raven was supporting. While she was awake, her eyes seemed dazed. "Your friend needs help."
"What gave that away?" Raven scoffed.
"Beacon is too far away for you two to get back there on foot. I can take you there if you'd like." The girl looked like she'd rather puke than accept his help. Then she glanced at her friend.
"Fine," Raven acquiesced. "How is this going to work?"
"Simple," He grabbed onto her shoulder, before summoning a magic circle under their feet. The world dimmed around them, causing Raven to try and jerk out of Zeref's grasp. "Don't let go. Ozpin will have my head."
"Ozpin…?" Raven had multiple questions on her tongue but decided to shelve them for later. Summer needed her right now.
The black curtain that had surrounded her dissipated, revealing that they'd returned to Beacon.
"Raven, Summer!" Her Aura teacher, August, stepped out, a mixture of annoyance and worry on his face.
Raven never liked him. Well, it's more that she was uncomfortable around him. Especially since he'd figured out their reasons for attending Beacon far too quickly for her to trust him.
And, honestly, his class left much to be desired.
When August first walked into the classroom, Raven was less than impressed. He wore a white and purple robe, with dark blue boots and a rope tied around his waist. He had black eyes, something more common among Mistrali natives. He looked…ordinary. Too relaxed. What could he teach her?
"Welcome children," their teacher announced. "Welcome to the hardest class at Beacon." Raven rolled her eyes. Hardest class my ass.
"Hey," her new teammate, Summer Rose, nudged her. "Give it a chance."
"Fine," Raven sighed. If she was to learn how to eliminate Hunters, she'd have to play ball with her teammates. Even if Summer's optimism grated on her nerves.
"You may be wondering, what's the point of a class that solely focuses on the use of Semblance and Aura? Then I have a question for you: what is the point of a weapon? A tool to hurt others, is it not?" That piqued Raven's attention.
"Don't you mean Grimm?" Taiyang, one of her other teammates, chimed in.
"Hunters and Huntresses do more than just kill Grimm. If a Hunter were to say…stray from their path and commit to a life of crime, do you think the police could handle that?"
Next to her, Qrow snickered.
"Shut up," Raven growled. "You'll blow our cover."
"Did you have something to say, Ms. Branwen?" August looked at her sharply.
"Busted," Her brother said under his breath.
"Qrow," Summer pinched him, "don't be like that."
"Ah, nothing," Raven said with a forced smile. "I was just wondering, Professor, what's your Semblance?"
He smiled, as he pulled out a staff from his back. "Excellent question." He swiped the air, creating a portal.
Qrow's eyes widened. "Sis isn't that–"
"Yeah," Raven admitted, taken aback. This was her Semblance. So why did he have it?
August then raised his staff, creating a blinding light that lasted only a moment before vanishing.
"That's my Semblance!" Summer exclaimed.
"As you can see class," August remarked as he dismissed the portal, "I possess the power to replicate other people's Semblances. This brings me back to my initial point. Some of you may think you have your Semblances mastered, or at least that you're satisfied with them. But if there's one thing I want you to take away from today, it's this: you can always improve. Now, each of you will demonstrate your Semblance to the class. If you haven't unlocked your Semblance yet, don't worry; I'm here to help you. Let's begin. Verdant Yasil, please step forward."
Just like that, one by one, each student was called up to demonstrate their abilities. Despite Raven's irritation with August, she had to admit, that his class was making her and her brother's mission very easy.
"Qrow Branwen," The teacher called. Oh, this would be good.
"Uh, sir," Qrow blushed.
"What's the matter, Mr. Branwen?"
"You see sir, my Sembl–" Qrow was interrupted by his weapon firing off, ricocheting off the wall, and straight at the teacher.
August took a step to the right, allowing the bullet to instead crack the blackboard behind him. "You were saying, ?"
"My Semblance causes bad luck," Qrow muttered before sitting back down. He elbowed Raven, who was trying to stifle her laughter. "Shut up."
"Well, that was an excellent demonstration." August gave a soft chuckle. "Now can your sister do the same?"
"Well, professor, I believe you just demonstrated it."
"True, but can you do it?"
Raven smiled. "Brother, could you…?"
"Yeah, got it." Her brother got up from his seat and moved to the back of the classroom. Raven unsheathed her sword and sliced through the air, conjuring a reddish-black portal adorned with orange flashes. She stepped forward, ready to–
"Father," August's words shook Raven out of her memory. Father? What the hell was going on?
"Never mind that right now," Zeref gave Raven a slight push. "Get these two to the infirmary. I have to go find their teammates." Then he paused. "Nevermind. Your mother found them."
"Come with me Raven," August pulled her by the arm, guiding the three of them into a side door of Beacon Tower.
"Did the brats get someone hurt again?" Doctor Sarga walked out of his office, scroll pad in hand. Then he noticed Summer. "Get her on the bed quickly."
Raven complied, laying Summer down on the nearest bed, making sure she was in a comfortable position.
"How did she get a concussion?" Sarga asked while rummaging through a medicine cabinet.
"An ursa snuck up on her," Raven answered bitterly. "Summer didn't see it because…she was trying to snipe the Nevermore that went after me. If she'd just prioritized herself, instead of me, we wouldn't be here right now. But no, she had to sacrifice herself for me, like an idiot. Why can't she just take care of hers–"
August placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "Raven."
The doctor closed the wooden cabinet, a single pill in hand. "This'll boost her aura levels to speed up the healing process. And for what it's worth, it isn't your fault Raven." He filled a glass of water and dropped the pill into the glass. "Here. Help me prop her up."
Raven wrapped one arm around Summer's body, pulling her close to the headboard, and lifted her upper back with her other hand. "I'm not blaming myself. It's her fault for deciding to risk her life for mine."
"What is happening?" Taiyang stepped into the room, eyes full of worry. Ah, shit. How much did Tai hear?
"Where's Qrow, Tai?" was all that she could ask.
"Got dragged away by Oz to make a report," Tai muttered. "What happened to Summer? Is she going to be okay?"
"Just a simple head injury," Sarga answered. "Nothing her aura won't be able to fix."
The brawler exhaled. "Good. How did the two of you get back?"
"We ran into a man in the woods," Raven still couldn't believe the words coming out of her mouth. "He uh, saved us from an Ursa and Nevermore and brought us back here. What about you, Tai?"
"Qrow and I," He turned away, a faint blush on his cheeks. "May have attracted three Deathstalkers."
"Oh really?" She took a step forward, backing Tai against the wall. "And what caused that?"
"Raven?" Tai looked at her nervously. "You're getting a little too close."
"And what?" She braced an arm against the wall, leaning into his face. She could smell Tai's familiar scent. "You don't like it?"
"No, I mean, yes, but–" he stuttered.
"August," the doctor began. His words caused Raven to quickly move away from her teammate. "Could you escort these two back to their dorms? Summer will be up in a few hours."
"Come along children," August ordered.
Now that the urgency of the situation had subsided, Raven's questions resurfaced. "You called the man, Zeref, your father."
"Indeed I did," August responded.
"The guy with black hair and a white robe?" Tai raised his eyebrows. "He looks a little too young to be your dad, professor. Er, no offense."
August shook his head. "No, that's a reasonable assumption. The circumstances of my family, and more specifically, my birth." He turned to face them, brows furrowed. "But that isn't my story to tell."
"Then, where can we find your parents?" Raven put her hands behind her back.
"Raven," Tai hissed. "That's not something you should be asking our teacher."
"Look who's talking," she smugly retorted. "You just called him old."
"That's–" Tai stopped himself. "Fair actually."
"If you wish to meet my parents, ," August began. "You can find my mother outside of headmaster Ozpin's. I believe she escorted Qrow and Tai back to Beacon, as my father did with you and Summer."
Mavis flipped through the latest edition of Vale's weapon magazine. It was the only good thing to read that Ozpin regularly picked up while in town.
"When are you getting here?" Mavis asked Zeref.
"In a few moments dear," Zeref promised. "Any good ideas in the magazine this month?"
"Well, the multi-changing weapons is a nice idea," Mavis conceded. "But they all involve firearms and…"
"You don't want a gun."
"Well, I already have the bow, and bullets, unless they're dust-infused, aren't effective against Grimm. I just need a melee form for the bow."
"You could add a shield form," Zeref suggested. "Besides, you're the tactician, and our ranged attacker, so having a defensive option would work better."
"Sure. But what about you?"
"I'm too reliant on teleportation magic. I need something that has more reach."
"Hmm," Mavis flipped through, scanning the pages. "We could add an extension to your knives, create a togglable switch to extend the knife into a shortsword."
"A katana and wakizashi, for dual wielding."
"A long sword for attacking, and a shorter one for blocking," Mavis mused. "That could work." Their conversation was interrupted by the ding of an elevator. Mavis jumped slightly, startled by the sound.
Her husband walked out. His clothes were covered in small cuts and tears, with twigs and leaves greatly scattered along his pants.
Mavis looked at him, disappointed. "Did you really have to ruin your clothes again? Now I have to make dinner because you are sowing your own clothes again."
"If you should be blaming anyone, blame Ozpin."
The doors to Ozpin's office opened, revealing Qrow and the headmaster staring at them. "What was that about blaming me?"
"Nothing," he gave a straight look. "Can we go now Oz?"
"Soon," the former wizard promised. "I have a few things I'd like to talk to you about. But first, Qrow?"
The huntsman in training put one hand in his pocket and another on the back of his head. "Thanks for bailing us out Mavis."
"No need to thank me," she replied with a polite smile. "You're a good fighter, Qrow. Just, don't be so reckless next time."
"Yes mam," he gave a self-deprecating grin. "See ya, then Oz." He disappeared down the elevator shaft.
Ozpin breathed a sigh of relief. "Finally. Come in you two. I'm sorry you had to wait so long."
"Wait… you were expecting it to take this long," Zeref accused.
"You try directing two teenage boys to fight three Deathstalkers." Mavis quipped.
"Point taken."
Mavis pulled up a mahogany chair to Oz's desk, and Zeref did the same.
The headmaster pulled out a Scroll pad and pen. "So, what did the two of you think about Team STRQ?"
"If you wanted us to help train STRQ," Zeref sighed. "Just ask us."
Mavis decided to provide a more direct response. "They definitely have the talent and skill to become great Huntsmen, but they have a few flaws."
"I meant them, personally."
"From what I've seen from Raven," Zeref answered. "She's a little arrogant, especially in battle. And she has problems opening up or trusting others."
"Qrow's more of the same really. Only that he lets his temper get the better of him sometimes, and lacks any emotional awareness."
"I didn't get to see much of Summer," Zeref admitted. "From what August has told me, and Raven too, she reminds me of my…little brother. Reckless, prioritizes her friends above all else, and always has a positive attitude."
Oz balanced the pen on a finger. "And their moral character?"
"What are you trying to rope them into?" Zeref peered into Oz's shaded glasses.
"I think you know what I'm involving them in," Ozpin replied.
Zeref's eyes began to glow red. "I think you need to clarify that."
"Spriggan, dear," she chided, "Oz wants to bring them into his circle of trust. He wants to know if we think they can be trusted with that."
"When they're older," Zeref stood. "You will wait until they have graduated."
Ozpin gave him a hard glance. "It would be imperative for them to be inducted earlier, so they are more prepared for–"
"Cut the bullshit Ozpin," Zeref curled his hands into a fist. "I will not watch another leader throw children at their problems."
Mavis looked at her hands, and suddenly, they were covered with blood. She blinked and found herself in a dusty field, littered with bodies. Her heart pounded as she ran toward a familiar face—Wendy, her eyes closed, her dark blue hair matted with dust and dried blood. Tears streamed down Mavis's face as she realized her friend had a stab wound through her stomach.
Tears streaming down her face, Mavis looked around. Romeo, Asuka–Biscka and Alzack's daughter–dead.
Then she blinked again, and all the pain in her head hit her at once. It hurt so much, with black spots dancing in her vision.
"Get away, Oz!" She managed to say. At the same time, Zeref tackled Mavis, before darkness enveloped them.
Mavis could only hope Zeref was in a clear enough state of mind. Or else they might end up somewhere, unexpected.
August could feel a magical energy spike at Beacon Tower. Having returned the students to their dorms, August hoped for a little time with his parents before they left, but seemed that opportunity would have to wait.
Cloaking himself in an invisibility illusion, a trick he'd learned from his mother, August channeled wind under his feet, launching himself up onto the balcony that sat right behind Ozpin's office. When he landed, August was surprised to see the headmaster sitting against the wall, sweat dripping down his face.
"Sir!" August rushed over to help him up. "What happened?"
"I'm alright August," Ozpin gently stepped away, albeit weakly. "I'm more worried about your parents."
"What happened?" August didn't like where this was heading.
"Their curse," he chuckled weakly. "I may have…pushed your parent's buttons a little too much."
August glared at his boss. "What happened after?"
"They teleported out," Oz shrugged. "I don't blame them if that's what you're thinking. I guess…I was just a little forward with Team STRQ. I'll go check up on them tomorrow. Give them my apologies."
That gave August a very, very bad idea.
"Why don't we bring team STRQ with you?"
"I'm sorry?"
"If you want Zeref and Mavis to trust you with this, bring the students. Show them that STRQ is ready for this."
Oz closed his eyes. "Inform them that we leave next week, after morning classes. I will see you later to discuss logistics."
"Yes, Ozpin." August turned to leave.
"Oh, and August?"
"Yes?"
"If I die from this, you will become Beacon's next headmaster. So, for your best interest, try your best to make sure your parents don't kill me."