Original upload date: 06/25/2020
Revised upload date: 06/29/2022
I practically redid this entire chapter. Most of it was revisionary, but I felt it was deserving of actual redoing not just editing. Also tried to work on the fact I want this to be Vin's P.o.V in a new world so she'll need to see what everyone is wearing and get information on the world (something I did not do on my first go-around.
Metal like Roses
By ReaderWarrior
I do not own Mistborn or RWBY.
New Beginnings
Later, after Vin had gotten a successful few hours of sleep and the sun had risen, the young Mistborn awaited her next meeting with the man known as Ozpin. She was hoping he would show her around this new… world. Or, at least, this new kingdom within one.
Apart from her breakdown last night, she didn't have much of a reaction to that bit of news. It just felt like the latest in a long line of lashings to beat her soul to death. But Vin wasn't going to go back to what she was years ago. She'd adapt.
She'd even let a random child hug her.
Apparently, Ozpin wasn't foolish enough to leave her unguarded and, when Vin awoke and tried to leave, it was made clear she was to wait here until he or 'the general' allowed it. The men posted outside the door were equipped with some of the strangest armor and gear she had ever seen and (especially without metals) didn't want to push her luck on how lethal they may be.
If you really wanted to leave, you could have left whenever you wanted.
Vin ignored her brother's voice in her mind. Where would she even go? She knew nothing of this new place. If she tried to run she'd most likely just get captured. Or worse.
So she waited. Vin lay in her small cot and stared at the ceiling. Just as she thought about trying to leave (with permission from her escort), the doors opened and a strange, colorful assortment of young women entered and quickly surrounded the young Mistborn.
The shortest girl, who walked in first, was wearing a black long-sleeved blouse with a high collar and red trim on the sleeves, over which was a black waist cincher with red lacing up the front, and a matching skirt with red lining. She also wore a pair of thick black stockings and black boots with red laces, red trims around the top, and red soles. Her outfit is topped by a red hooded cloak fastened to her shoulders by cross-shaped pins. A strange pattern forged from metal was as a large silver buckle on her wide black belt, which was slung around her hips at an angle. Also attached was a small pouch and half a dozen metal spikes.
The strangest thing about her was her silver eyes and black hair with red tips.
Behind her was a pale-skinned young woman with pale blue eyes and long white hair that was pulled back into an off-center ponytail on the right side of her head and pinned with a silver, uniquely-shaped tiara.
She is sporting a thigh-length strapless dress with a faint color gradation from white to pale blue at the hem. A small piece of black lace sat in the front of her neckline and the hem of the dress was scalloped and stitched to resemble snowflakes, with layers of white tulle under the skirt. Over this, she wore a bell-sleeved bolero with the same color gradation as her dress from shoulder to wrist, lined in red and with a ruffled collar
Around her neck was a pendant on a silver chain along with thin, rectangular silver earrings. Her boots are white, wedged-heeled, and higher at the back than the front. They had a small silver decoration across the top of the foot and were lined in red. A thin white sash was tied around her waist with a pouch attached to the back.
Next was someone who looked more familiar to Vin. Her skin was fair and her head was black and wavy. Strangely, her eyes were a light amber. Almost yellow.
On her chest, this woman wore a black, buttoned vest with coattails and a single silver button on the front. Underneath this was a white, sleeveless, high-necked, and cropped undershirt. She also wore white shorts with a zipper on the front of each leg. Beneath them were black low-heeled boots and full stockings with a color gradation of black to purple at her ankles. On her left arm was a black detached sleeve with a silver cuff around her bicep, and black ribbons are wrapped around both forearms. A small, loose, black scarf was wrapped around her neck.
A black ribbon was tied with a large bow on the top of her head. For a second, Vin thought she saw them twitch but figured it had to be imagination.
Last but most imposing was the blonde. While her purple eyes were strange, her mess of hair was… eye-catching to say the least. It was almost completely yellow and the thick locks went all the way down her back (with the exception of a cowlick sticking out at the top).
She wore a tan jacket that bares her midriff, with golden brown piping and short, puffy sleeves adorned by black cuffs that feature two gold buttons. Underneath this, she wore a low-cut yellow crop top with another strange symbol on her left breast. She also had a brown belt, covered by a pleated brown piece of material, reaching from hip to hip around the back of her waist, with the same symbol emblazoned on the right-most pleat in gold. Underneath this was a long, white, asymmetrical piece of material reaching to her knee on the right side, as well as a pair of tight black spandex compression shorts that reached her upper thighs. She wore a pair of brown, knee-high boots and orange over-the-knee socks, with the right sock pushed down just below the knee. A purple bandanna was tied around her left knee. An orange infinity scarf and black fingerless gloves completed her outfit.
The first girl, who Vin assumed was the leader, gave a squeal at the sight of Bin and lept over to her. To Vin's shock, she felt the girl wrap her arms around her in a close hug.
What. In. Damnation?
"Thank goodness you're awake!" the girl said after pulling away but still remaining extremely close to Vin's face. "When we found you, we were so confused and all like 'who is this girl' and 'where the heck did she come from'. But then we saw that you were burning up and literally steaming so we brought you back here. Are you okay?"
Vin blinked. I'm sorry. What?
Laughing, the blonde grabbed the brunette by her hood and pulled her back. "Rubes, don't scare her. Not everyone can keep up with how fast your mouth is."
'Rubes' gasped and bowed her head. "I'm sorry!"
"Think for once, you dolt," the girl with incredibly white hair scolded. She smacked her friend upside the head, earning a pout from the girl.
"But Weiss," she whined, "there's just so much we need to know! And we were all really worried about her."
Worried? About me? Someone they have never met before?
Somehow, that was the most incredible thing she'd seen here.
The girl with white hair, Weiss, blushed and scoffed. "I wasn't worried… I just wanted to make sure she didn't die because of us. It would have reflected poorly on our team."
"Suuuuure," the tall, blonde woman laughed. "Ice Queen making sure her GPA was solid as she paced the floor last night asking whether or not it was too early to come down here."
"Do NOT call me that!"
Stepping forward, the last of the four girls, the one with yellow eyes and a bow in her hair, kneeled down at Vin's bedside. "How are you feeling? I know my teammates are a little… extroverted, but they don't mean any harm. None of us do."
Vin studied her smiling face and saw something lurking within her eyes. That similar feeling of pain and loss that goes back to her first memories. A recognition of a cruel world's abuse.
But also the strength to not let it hold her down.
Nodding, Vin mumbled, "thank you. I'm fine."
"She speaks!" the blonde gasped.
Weiss rolled her eyes. "No duh." She then turned to Vin and curtsied. "Weiss Schnee. Please, forgive and pardon our intrusion."
The black-haired girl stood up and bowed slightly. "My name is Blake Belladonna."
Behind Blake, the blonde points at herself and smiles. "And I'm Yang Xiao-Long. I'm the one who carried you here. You're lighter than you look."
"Thank you," Vin whispered again, a flash of redness flushing to her cheeks.
"I'm Ruby Rose, the leader of our team! Yang's actually my sister too, believe it or not." She bounced on her feet and, while no longer in her face, continued to stare at Vin.
Is everyone in this Remnant place going to be as open as these four? Or is this all staged to see how I would react? Nobody could be this trusting, could they?
Before Vin could open her mouth, the doors opened and Ozpin, along with the general from last night, entered.
Ironwood, Vin remembered, frowned at the sight of the group of girls. "I was under the impression that this was going to be a private meeting."
"Yes, I was meaning it to be as well. But I do believe team RWBY should be allowed to meet the young lady they saved." Ozpin introduced each member to the man.
Stepping forward, Ironwood looked down at Ruby. "You are team leader, correct?
Ruby tried to sink into her hood, reminding Vin of how she must have been with her own mistcloak.
Where is it anyway?
"Um, yes sir," she mumbled.
The large man pushed his hand forward and clasped Ruby's shoulder. "Good job. You recognized that someone needed help and brought them to the best, closest medical facility. I have known lesser and yet more experienced huntsmen and huntresses who have left someone in her position to die. I'm sure you will make a great huntress someday after you graduate."
Ruby smiled. "Thank you, sir!"
"And I'm sure you all will as well," Ironwood added, pausing to nod at each of the other members of Ruby's 'team'. "Not many teammates would have enough trust in their skill or leader to handicap themselves in the midst of a large Grimm attack."
The others smiled and offered their own thanks to Ironwood. The man nodded and stepped outside, commenting he wished to call someone.
As he left, Ozpin smiled at the team known as RWBY. "Yes, you all acted bravely and sincerely, much like the huntresses you aspire to be. You will all make fine huntresses. However, I must ask you to please let us take this young woman away so that we may learn more about her."
The two siblings made sighing/groaning sounds but ultimately joined in following Weiss and Blake as they headed to the doors. But before they could leave, Ruby turned around and raised a hand.
"Wait!" she cried. "We told you our names. What's yours?"
Vin opened her mouth to answer but was cut off by Ozpin. "After last night's examination, I am afraid to report that this young woman may have amnesia. After speaking to her last night, we found she has no memories of anything pertaining to our home nor all of Remnant. It's impossible to tell if this was due to her semblance or something else."
A good excuse, though cliché, Vin thought. But if these were her saviors… "Vin. Vin Venture." She gave a small smile at the young girl. "That's my name."
Ruby smiled back at her. "It's nice to meet you, Vin!" She then turned around and exited through the open doors, her teammates giving waving goodbye as well before letting the door shut behind them.
Ozpin sighed after he was positive they weren't able to overhear. "My apologies for the story, but I felt it was the best cover for your naïveté of our world and its intricacies. Give us time and we'll be able to create a better backstory for you."
"It's fine," Vin shrugged.
"Good." Ozpin rubbed the top of his cane. "Now, might I interest you in a tour of our campus? Afterward, we can discuss your arrangements in my office."
Vin tried not to show her excitement as she jumped off her cot and followed the man as he led them out of the medical center and back into the main building. Ironwood, who was waiting outside, pockets something and follows as well.
Why is it so bright? she thought, her eyes squinting as they passed large windows. She couldn't even stand to look out of them. But as they went outside, Vin realized something was wrong. Not only were the plants lush and green, which she noticed last night, but as she looked up…
Lord Ruler, she gasped. It's blue!
Speckled with white clouds, and a large yellow orb impossibly far away, was the most beautiful thing Vin had ever seen. The sheer purity of the open-air felt limitless to her.
Am I dead? I died. That has to be the explanation.
Behind her, Ozpin chuckled at Vin's amazement and closed his eyes as he absorbed the open skies. "A beautiful day, isn't it?"
Vin whirled around. "Is it like this every day? Blue?"
"For the most part, yes," Ironwood responded with a frown. "Why? Did your home not have sunshine or open skies?"
"No," Vin whispered. She spun in large circles, still looking up at the heavens. "With the ashmounds, clouds were always black and the sun was red. As was the sky."
Both Ozpin and Ironwood seem taken aback by her revelation. They then both look up and around at the beauty surrounding them, as if seeing it for the first time.
"It sounds to me like your home was not a very safe place, Ms. Venture," Ozpin sighed after a few moments.
Looking down at her hand, Vin unclenched it and imagined the years of bloodstains she had to clean off of it. The knives she would fit in her palm and the boxings she'd use to Push into her opponents.
"It was hell."
Something within Ironwood's white coat beeped, causing Vin to leap backward and rush around a pillar. The two men blink as Vin disappeared and frowned at the pillar she hid behind.
Ironwood slowly reached into his uniform and pulled out a small rectangular… thing. "There's no need to worry," he explained. "It's just my scroll."
Vin stepped tentatively out from her hiding spot and glared at the device. "Your… scroll?"
"A scroll is a device that allows us to communicate with other people over long distances," Ozpin explained.
"Like a letter?"
He chuckled. "Very much like so, but more instantaneous."
Vin nodded slowly, not at all understanding.
Realizing she wasn't following, Ozpin pointed his cane to the large spire in the center of the field. "That CCT tower allows easy and direct communication between all four kingdoms."
She walked over to where he was pointing and looked up at the imposing structure. Vin tried not to think about how much Kelsier would have wanted to jump off of it. Sounds like a giant target for attack if it is that important.
As Ozpin explained the device, Ironwood check his scroll. He pressed on it a few times before stroking his chin. "Oz?"
"Yes, James?"
"She's telling the truth."
Vin whirled around, crouched, and glared at Ironwood. Was this a trap? Are there more soldiers hidden around us if he thought I was lying? Realizing his mistake, Ironwood quickly raised his hands in surrender with his scroll still palmed.
Ozpin chuckled at Ironwood. "You didn't believe her already? Don't you think she would have made a more believable story if she was trying to lie?"
"I was just making sure, Oz," Ironwood frowned. "The test reports on the article of clothing we found her with were just sent to me. They were able to distinguish several different soil samples and other particles. All of which have never been recorded in any of the four kingdoms. In fact, the amount of ash we found in the threads indicates an extremely toxic atmosphere that honestly should have killed someone within minutes."
They have my mistcloak, Vin realized. She relaxed slightly and took a small breath. If I fight them, then I won't see it again. I'll play their game for now.
Ozpin smiles at her and started walking to another segment of the school. Only after Ironwood pocketed his scroll device did Vin follow.
As they walked, Ozpin began to explain more of the world known as Remnant. First, the kingdoms. There were four, which was impressive to Vin's experience of just having lived under a single empire for all her life. Each continent had its own kingdom as well as a school for huntsmen and huntresses. Beacon was Vale's and Ozpin was its headmaster. Ironwood, on the other hand, came from a land known as Atlas.
"Your school is named Atlas too?" Vin asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ironwood nodded. "Our curriculum graduates directly into the military. In fact, the school is our headquarters. Unlike the other schools, we believe the licensing of huntsmen also requires them to put themselves under the direct control of the Council's authority."
The Council was even stranger. Instead of a king or emperor, there existed a council of elected officials that would choose the doctrine of legality. They are the ones who passed laws and had to do so with restrictions against potential tyranny. Each kingdom had its own council with no explicit leadership above them all.
Elend would have loved to create this kind of system, Vin thought sadly.
Then there came information on two new kinds of creatures Vin had never heard of. The first was the Grimm, monsters of shadows that were attracted to negative emotions and only wished to destroy mankind and what they have built.
"That is why the academies exist," Ozpin explained. "We train our students to be able to serve and protect those who do not have the skill to protect themselves from any and all Grimm they may encounter. It isn't the most glamourous job, nor the safest, but those who come through our doors are willing to sacrifice themselves in the name of the greater good."
"And what about the other one? You said there were two species I would be least likely to recognize."
Ironwood answered first. "The Faunus. They are people born with animalistic-like traits. Some have extra ears, tails, or even limbs relating to animals found all over Remnant."
Something clicked in Vin's mind. Ah. That's what it was.
"Sadly, they have been treated as lesser people for the last hundred years," Ozpin sighed. "Due to the nature of their people, humans improperly and cruelly treated them like animals. It wasn't until the Great War ended that they were recognized as equals."
Vin frowned. "But they aren't seen as equals by everyone, are they?"
"No," both headmasters answered grimly. "No, they are not."
They all stopped at the base of the campus' center-most building, a large tower with a clock face pointed towards the entrance. To Vin's continual surprise, a set of doors opened and, after entering the smallest room she'd ever seen, she felt the ground rumble before they were launched upwards.
A giant Steel-Push?! Vin thought as she, Ironwood, and Ozpin were elevated higher and higher. The chamber soon slowed down before opening its doors with a soft ' ding ' and Vin was treated with a view better than any she had ever seen.
The room on its own was impressive. Glass floors allowed them to see the gears and interworkings of the giant clock. Near the center of the room was a large desk, Ozpin's, Vin thought.
But the view… From this height, taller than even the spires of Kredik Shaw, Vin could see for miles. Green fields and trees. Specks of color splattered romantically across them, flowers of hues and shades Vin didn't even know names for.
"So what do you think of my school, Ms. Venture?"
Vin blinked, pulling herself away from the window and its addictive view. "What?"
Ozpin smiled and leaned against his desk, his cane resting across it lazily now. "I asked if you liked what you saw."
"It's…" Beautiful. Amazing. Heavenly. Unfair. "It is well constructed though lacks the proper defenses against an invading force. The entire structure of the school seems intentionally focused on defending the students rather than everyone."
Unable to hold back his laughter, Ironwood gave a small chuckle. "I'm surprised that's all she had to say about it, but she is right, Ozpin. If you'd just let Atlas bring in its remaining troops-"
"And risk the people worrying about an invading kingdom?" he asked. Ozpin sighed and sat down in his chair, bringing his hands to his chin. "The Great War was not so long ago for some of us."
Ironwood nodded. "I know, that doesn't mean I won't continue to offer. You know it would be safer for everyone."
Ozpin pivots in his chair to face Vin, signaling the finality of his conversation with Ironwood. "As grateful as I am for the critique of my academies' architecture, we have greater matters to discuss. What should we do with young Ms. Venture?"
Still unsure of how much she could trust these two strangers, Vin stood up straighter and side-eyed the path back to the elevation chamber. If she had her metals, steel in particular, she might have even risked jumping out of the clock's face and window.
"I could always take her back to Atlas," offered Ironwood. "There's always room for everyone in our military."
"True, that is an option, but certainly not the only one. Ms. Venture, what is it you'd like?"
Vin looked back and forth between Ironwood and Ozpin. "And what would another option be? Enrolling at Beacon?"
Ozpin smiled. "Of course. While the Atlas Academy is mighty, I try to raise my students with something more… crucial than conformity."
"And what would that be?"
"Trust. Faith. And dependability."
"All of which are found with Atlas," interjected Ironwood.
Raising an eyebrow, Ozpin swung back towards his friend and ask, "does your military allow freeform thought and creativity? Or are your students instead instructed to be soldiers that follow any command you may give them?"
"They-"
Ozpin held up a hand. "I did not mean to demean you or your school, James. Just to offer more insight to what she can find here."
Though he crossed his arms, Ironwood remained obediently silent. Ozpin turned back to Vin once more and waited for her response.
What do I want? Vin thought on this for a time, pondering what she should do. Kelsier always told her to survive. Now she only had to pick which school to survive at.
Slowly, Vin turned to Ironwood and reached out a hand.
Ironwood smiled and moved to shake it, only to have Vin pull her arm away. He raised an eyebrow, confused.
"I want my cloak returned to me," ordered Vin.
Ironwood paused before giving another chuckle. "Of course, I never meant to keep it for long. Only to study it."
Vin nodded and then walked over to Ozpin's desk. "If you want me to join your school, I'm going to need a few things."
Ozpin raised his eyebrow. "And what, pray tell, might that be?"
So Vin has (kind of) decided to join Beacon. Yay! I know, pretty par for the course. But, I think the next chapter will have Vin getting more comfortable by having her cloak and metals. I'm still thinking of ideas for her weapon(s). Please do not hesitate to offer up your own ideas.
Also, criticism is always accepted. But if you decide to be rude, I will not answer you. Please, if you have any friends who follow both of these fandoms, send them the link to this Fic. I know that sounds like begging (it kinda is), but I really don't know many people myself who have both watched RWBY as well as read Mistborn. So, spread the word!