Phew! I hope everyone's doing fine, because this chapter is a whopper and a half! I had many ideas I wanted to include here, but after some careful planning and lot of consideration, I think I am happy with how this turned out. Here goes!
*Time: After Goodwitch's Class*
As Gwen's consciousness slowly started to rise, she remembered the insults that Cardin hurled towards her, before she accidentally encased him in ice. "I didn't wish to freeze him... I-I never meant to this!" She thought to herself. "And yet all of that reminded me of... my past."
She closed her eyes once again, as she thought back to her early life back at the monastery. She remembered how the tribespeople back at her village had their doubts on her powers. She looked back at how her father sheltered her from almost everything. But then an image surrounded her mind, as she saw a silhouette of a white-haired woman shrouded in a snow-coloured veil - her mother. She could hear her mother's voice ring out to her. "Gwen, my dear. You mustn't be afraid to face the world. Many obstacles you will meet along the way, but I know you are capable of breaking through them." She echoed before she vanished like the wind.
"Mother? Mother?!" Gwen shouted, as the voices inside her grew louder.
"Man, Gwen's no good." A voice called out.
"I know, even as the daughter of the Chieftain and Grand Priestess, she's too weak." Another rang out.
The shadows loomed in on her, until she screamed out as a huge snowstorm overcame her.
*Present Time*
Gwen opened her eyes until she realized she was in the infirmary. "Huh?" She looked around, as she saw Dr. Nahyuta in his office that was right beside the infirmary.
"Gwen!" Nahyuta shouted, as he ran over to her. "Oh, thank the gods you are all right!" He hugged her tightly, as she returned the hug.
"Brother?" Gwen asked. "What happened?"
Her brother released the grip, before he pulled out a report. "You collapsed during a practice match in Professor Goodwitch's class, in which you accidentally froze Mr. Winchester."
Gwen sighed, as she knew the reason. "...All because I am incapable of controlling my powers. No matter what I do, I'm still a weakling..."
"Still that talk this instant, Gwen!" The priestly doctor snapped, startling her. "You will never persevere, as long as this doubt lingers within you!"
"Then what do I do, Nahyuta?!" Gwen yelled out. "Please tell me, do you know the answer to my trouble?"
Nahyuta sighed. "That is for you to figure out. Only you must search for the answer by yourself... as I did long ago."
Gwen perked up. "Do you mean when you decided to travel around Remnant to figure out what you wished to do with your life?"
"Correct. And along my travels, I learned so much beyond my life in our monastery." He nodded. "Now you are treading the same road as me... and mother." Nahyuta then walked to his drawer and pulled out an ancient scroll;, not the phone kind of scroll but an actual paper scroll. "Perhaps this will help?"
The young archer unraveled the paper, as her eyes widened. "Is this...?! You had this on you the entire time?" She gasped, before she rolled it back.
"Indeed. And I know you are capable of solving this moral dilemma of yours." Nahyuta smiled, as he held his sister's hands. "Just know that if you are ever lost, you can rely on myself... and your friends." He looked up and saw the rest of her teammates waiting outside his office.
"Gwen!" Damien exclaimed, as he, Ryu, and Neos dashed towards Gwen and hugged her.
"Oh, thank god you are all right." Ryu sighed happily.
Gwen hugged back. "I'm so sorry I worried you all before... But I'm fine now, really."
"Well that's a relief." Neos shrugged. "Oh yeah, we got you some grub from the cafeteria. It was Ryu's idea by the way."
The flustered samurai stammered. "W-Well, I thought it you help keep your strength up..." He rubbed the back of his head.
Gwen blushed. "Well I really appreciate the sentiment. Thank you all."
Dr. Nahyuta smiled. "Well, dear sister. You certainly have some caring teammates. Perhaps it would do you well to spend some more time with them."
Team DRGN faced the doctor, before Damien clapped his hands together. "Oh yeah, that's right! Gwen, there's some new friends you have to meet."
"Well, all right." Gwen nodded, as they exited his office.
Nahyuta sighed before he looked out the window. "Oh mother in the heavens, please watch over your daughter - guide her well." He prayed.
After a moment, Team DRGN stood in front of a dorm room on the opposite side of Campus. "So, this must be it." Damien spoke. "Coco told me her team's room is here."
"Yeah, though we would have been here quicker if our leader learned directions." Neos snarkered.
Damien glared, as Ryu knocked on the door. Coco opened the door, as she happily gasped. "Ah, Damien. So glad you and your friends could come." She then noticed Gwen, before she approached her. "You must be Gwen, my name's Coco Adel. It's nice to meet you." She shook her hand. "I hope you're feeling alright..." She asked with a sincere tone.
Gwen smiled, as she waved. "Oh, hello Coco. Yes, I am feeling better, thank you for asking."
"Well, come right in!" Coco motioned, as they entered. After they entered, they saw Velvet as well as two other boys, one dark skinned teen with copper-coloured hair and dilated eyes; and the other teen was a very tall, dark haired young man who was lighter than the previous teen, while his height was on par with Iskandar's.
"Oh, hello folks." Velvet waved, before she approached.
"Hey there, Velvet." Neos finger-waved. "So, who are the other two guys?"
"Well, this giant fellow over here is Yatsuhashi Diachi." Coco patted the big guy's shoulder. "A big man with a equally big heart."
"An honor to meet you." Yatsuhashi bowed, as Damien and Ryu did so in return.
"And this guy here is Fox Alistair." Coco pointed out, as Fox did a "hang-ten" wave gesture. "He may not say much, but he's quite the jokester."
"Hah, noice." Neos smirked.
"And of course, you've already met our residential cutie, Velvet." Coco teased. "But beneath that sweet exterior lies an asskicking Faunus."
"Oh Coco, please stop..." Velvet blushed.
"And together, we form Team CFVY! And as I may have already mentioned, we are actually a second-year team at Beacon Academy." Coco concluded.
Team DRGN was amazed. "Wow, it's so incredible to meet such talented students!" Gwen squealed, before she turned to Damien. "How did you meet them, Damien?"
There was a small silence in the room, before the crimson haired lad decided to recap the incident in the cafeteria. "It's a long story, Gwen..."
After enough passed, Damien finished his explanation to Gwen as well as the rest of Team CWFY; from his confrontation of Team CRDL, to his revelation of his mother's death, including his Faunus heritage. "Goodness... I had no idea how hard it was for you, Damien." She muttered sadly, while she placed a comforting hand on her leader's shoulder.
Damien sighed. "Well, I was a different person back then. You could say I was just a weakling." He spoke up, as the word resonated in Gwen's mind again. "The kids at school were merciless with their bullying, their beatdowns and pranks were never ending." He lifted his bangs up and revealed a thin scar on his eye. "And this scar here is a shining example of the hell I went through!"
Team CFVY as well as his teammates were stunned by the revelation. "Damn assholes..." Coco growled, as she clenched her fist. "Punks like them make me sick to my stomach!"
Damien noticed Coco's sympathy, before he gave a small smile. "Despite all that happened, it did help shape me into the person I am today. I wanted to become a Huntsman to be a lot stronger than I once was, so that I could use my strength to help those who cannot defend themselves. It was thanks to my dad's training that got me here today."
"I see now..." Ryu figured. "So that explains your rage towards Team CRDL, because of how much it reminded you of the past."
Damien nodded. "I know I should have handled that situation a lot better than I should have, but I can't help myself. I refuse to let anyone suffer, whether they would be human or Faunus!"
As everyone listened, a smile crept upon Coco's face. "Wow, he really does seem like a caring individual, always putting everyone else before himself. Still, I'd like to learn a lot more about him..."
Gwen was lost in thought upon hearing Damien's words, as Velvet took notice. "Gwen, is everything okay with you?"
That snapped the archer out of her trance. "Oh, Velvet! Yes, I am fine. I just need to take a bit of a walk, if that is okay with you." She spoke, before she bowed to Team CFVY. "It was really nice meeting you and your team, Coco." She smiled.
"Likewise, Gwen. You take care of yourself, you hear?" Coco waved, as Gwen exited the room.
"What do you suppose that was about?" Yatsuhashi thought.
"I dunno, maybe she's still feeling a bit woozy from earlier?" Fox shrugged.
"Maybe, but right now we should just leave her be; let her ponder for a while." Neos figured, as everyone agreed as DRN continued to mingle with Team CFVY throughout the rest of the afternoon.
As the dusky evening sky settled in, many of the students headed back into their dorm for the night, while some stayed outside. Gwen sat under the large tree, as she looked over the scroll her brother gave her; a photo of her mother, the late high priestess, doing a ceremonial dance. "Mother..." She whispered, as she close her eyes. She also reminisced all that she heard from Nahyuta as well as Damien.
However, a voice caught her off-guard. "Who might that woman be?"
Gwen jumped up, and saw Ryu facing her. "R-Ryu?! What are you - how long have you been here!?" She stammered.
"Sorry... I did not see you in our dorm for quite a long period of time, so I got worried." He confessed. "Is something troubling you?"
Gwen shook her head. "It's nothing to worry about. Please, just leave me be..."
Ryu sighed, before he clenched his fist. "...I cannot do that." He replied, much to her astonishment. "I know it is my nature to follow other's orders, but I just can't leave you alone when there is something wrong with you."
"I can assure that I don't need help, just leave me alone!" Gwen shouted.
"NO!" Ryu yelled back, which startled her. "Please, Gwen! If you are having issues, you can tell us; or me..." He sat beside her. "We are more than just teammates, are we not? Allow me just one opportunity to help you..." He asked sincerely.
Gwen sighed deeply, before she confided in him. "Very well... I've been thinking about everything that happened today, ever since Goodwitch's class. You see, no matter what, I've always felt like I'm just... a weakling." She admitted.
"Gwen, that's not-" Ryu was about to assure her, but she stopped him.
"It is true! I've felt that way ever since my early life at my home in the mountains." She stated. "My father is the chief of our tribe, and the woman on this scroll, is my late mother who was also the high priestess. Two very powerful people in our family tribe, so there were high expectations for both me and Nahyuta to live up to."
Ryu nodded, as he inventively listened. "I see. But your power is sufficient, right?"
"Not at first. Nahyuta was able to possess our family's technique easily, but I had difficulty keeping my power under control. Some of the villagers referred to me as weak, calling me a... disappointment to our family's name." A tear rolled down her cheek. "It took me a long time for me to understand the technique, but the torment never subsided in my mind."
"Gwen..." Ryu was at a loss for words. "I had no idea... I am so sorry for making you dig up those memories. But you needn't let those words plague you, for you are no weakling."
Gwen was surprised. "H-how do you figure?"
"Well, think about it. Despite everything that came your way, you never backed down from the path of becoming a Huntress. I have seen your semblance at hand from both the Emerald Forest and in the Professor's class, and it is definitely something remarkable." Ryu explained. "Plus, you even stuck by my side and helped me patch up my relationship with Lee, when even I thought it would seem hopeless. You say that you are 'weak', but I disagree - you are a strong-willed woman!" He stated.
Now Gwen was the one at a loss. "Ryu..."
"You cannot let your anxiety get the better of you, but even so, remember that you do not tread this journey through Beacon alone. We walk together, not just as partners or as part of a team, but as one." He concluded. "Do not be afraid to ask anyone for help."
A few more tears rolled down Gwen's face, before she hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Ryu... Thank you!" She cried into his chest." The samurai was caught off-guard, but he embraced her back. "I know what I shall do!" The two got up, as she faced him with confidence renewed.
"I am glad to hear, Gwen." Ryu smiled.
She was about to walk out, but she stopped, turned and slowly moved closer to his face. To Ryu's shock, he felt her plant a small kiss on his cheek, as Gwen blushed heavily before she dashed away.
The bewildered samurai was red in the face, as he placed his hand onto his cheek. "Heh, this is a first... Never seen you so speechless before." He saw Lee standing by the Beacon entrance.
"Eh, quiet you!" He glared.
*Later that night*
"Man, what's this about?" Neos grumbled as he, Ryu, and Damien walked into the forest. "I was in the middle of a nap!"
"It is a bit strange that Dr. Nahyuta called us out here to this specific location." Damien pondered. "But I wonder where Gwen went?"
"I think we will find out shortly..." Ryu figured, as he had an idea.
As the three boys arrived in a forest opening, they were surprised to see Teams RWBY, DMON, BLSS, and even CFVY present. "Fancy meeting you boys here." Yang commented.
"Yang? Izzy? Ruby, Coco?" Damien exclaimed. "Did you all get the same request from the doctor?"
"Sure did." Iskandar nodded. "Question is, for what purpose?"
"Well, perhaps all these decorations should be a clue?" Leonidas pointed to the festive ribbons and lanterns that hung on the tree, as well as a small fireplace in the centre.
After a brief moment, Nahyuta entered from the side of the forest, while he carried a large harp. "Greetings, I am glad you all could make it here. Now, if everybody would stayed seated, we may start."
"We?" Janey asked, as the three boys sat between Team CFVY and Team DMON.
"Perhaps our master of ceremonies would care to fill everyone in?" Nahyuta spoke to the right, as they all heard the sound of something jingling.
"Master of ceremonies?" Ryu thought, before it hit him. "Wait a minute...!"
Everyone was stunned, as Gwen entered the scene as she wore a special dancer's outfit, similar to her mother's picture on the scroll. The outfit consisted of a white top that showed her belly button, a matching miniskirt and open-toed stockings, a long ribbon that connected around her shoulders to both hands, and some bells and jewellery as accessories.
"GWEN?!" Everyone except Nahyuta exclaimed.
"Wow-ee! Looking fabulous, Gwen!" Naomi cheered.
"Whoa..." Weiss was stunned. "I've never seen Gwen like this before..."
Ryu was speechless once more, as he was enamored with her attire. Gwen took notice of Ryu's face, before she focused. "Thank you all for coming." She bowed. "I want everyone to know that I have thinking about the events that happened here today, as well as my time at Beacon Academy so far." She explained, as she took a deep breath. "For the longest time, I always felt that I was nothing more than a weak girl, and that I would never live up to the expectations of my family as well as my friends and teammates..."
The small audience whispered to each other. "Where could she be going with this?" Velvet commented, before Nahyuta shushed them as he sat on a stump.
"However, with the never ending support of my dear brother and from all of you, I have made a decision. A decision to stop living in fear, to be strong not just for everyone's sake, but my own!" She decreed. "To that end, I have something sacred to our family's tribe that I wish to show to my closest friends, with the assistance of Nahyuta." She turned towards her brother and nodded, as he nodded in return.
The priestly doctor started to strum his harp while he give a chant, as Gwen started to perform her mother's dance routine. She started by lifting her arms slowly, as she gracefully moved. She then started to gradually pick up speed as she raised her leg behind her as she did a pirouette, followed by a sauté to the left.
"Wow, look at her go." Blake whispered.
"It's... beautiful." Damien commented.
Ryu continued to watch closely, as he leaned forward with his chin resting on his hands.
"Hmph, if a musical number was to happen, they could have notified me! I would have liked to be a part of it..." Rockwell whispered, as Janey elbowed him in the gut.
"Hush, comrade. I think this is about to head in a brand new direction..." Sergei figured.
As the dance continued, Nahyuta increased the speed of his harp playing, as Gwen picked up the pace with her dance. After she spun in place for a couple of seconds, she started to glow a faint light-blue.
"What's happening?" Ruby questioned. "Why is she glowing like that?!"
Before long, the radiant shine went out, as two light-blue ice clones of Gwen twirled from around her, much to everybody's increasing surprise.
"W-Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!" Everybody that wasn't the two Charlottes exclaimed.
As the dance continued, Gwen and her 'back-up' dancers danced around the fireplace, as Nahyuta continued to strum and chant.
"Man, she is full of surprises..." Francesca commented.
"This is... wow..." Yahsuhashi shook his head in awe.
Ryu was still at a loss. "Gwen... she's... so amazing!" He breathed out, as Lee noticed his cousin's expression, before he shook his head and smirked.
The ceremonial dance concluded, as Gwen and her clones took a bow, before they vanished. The small audience stood up and applauded as they cheered loudly. "Woo! Way to go, Gwen!" Fox clapped.
"Not gonna lie, that was pretty damn good!" Lee admitted.
"So, that dance was a part of your semblance?" Iskandar asked, as Gwen nodded. "That was impressive!"
Gwen giggled, as she gracefully bowed. "Thank you all so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it." She turned towards Ryu. "What about you, Ryu? What did you think of it?"
The samurai was red like a beet, as he fumbled. "You... it was... beautiful! Er, this is to say, the dance was beautiful! B-But so were you!" He stammered, as his arms trembled around him.
"Whoa, Ryu! I've never seen you so flustered before." Damien watched his teammate.
"Oh, I think the reason for that should be fairly obvious." Lee folded his arms towards his older cousin.
Everyone else was confused by his words. "Wait... Do you mean?!" Naomi whispered something into Lee's ear, as he nodded.
Ryu swiftly pulled Lee away, before he started sweating like crazy. "Lee! I beg of you, do not say it! Especially around her older brother!"
"Oh come now, Ryu." Nahyuta chuckled. "There are no secrets between siblings."
Ryu gasped. "W-Wait... you already know?!"
"Know what?! WE WANNA KNOW TOO!" Ruby flailed her arms uncontrollably.
Ryu was shaking, before Lee sighed, as pointed towards Gwen and him. "These two shared a kiss!"
Everyone screamed in shock, as some of the girls squealed. "EEEE! That's wonderful!" Yang cheered.
"Yeah! Way to go, you two!" Coco complimented.
Now Gwen was red too. "Wait, you saw?!"
"It's true. I walked outside when I noticed you laying a kiss on his cheek." Lee smiled.
"When Gwen called me to arrange everything, she told me everything that happened between you." Doctor Nahyuta explained. "She also told me about the speech you gave her to raise her morale."
"Oh, I-I see..." Ryu nodded, still nervous as the priest approached him.
"Be at peace, Ryu. Gwen told me a lot about her feelings towards you, about what she truly thinks of you." He leaned closer into his ear and whispered. "You have my blessing..."
Ryu's eyes widened. "Blessing? Y-you mean...?!"
Gwen slowly walked towards Ryu, and blushed heavily. "Ever since day one, you've been on my mind. I... I've always liked you, Ryu. A lot." She trembled, as she started to tear up. "You've given me the courage to take this step to show off the true potential of my family's semblance. I would have never done this dance if it wasn't for your words. Thank you...!" She buried her face into his shoulder, as she hugged tightly.
Ryu smiled, as he wrapped his arms around her. "No Gwen, I should thank you too. Your ceremony gave me the courage to face my feelings towards you. The truth is, I feel the exact same way towards you. After all, you were always by my side since we met at Beacon."
Gwen pulled her head back. "Y-you mean...?"
The samurai gave a sincere smile and nodded. "I do, Gwen..."
They closed their eyes, as the two of them shared a tender kiss, as all of their friends cheered. Even Nahyuta smiled deeply, as he thought to himself. "Oh mother in the heavens; I pray you see how far your daughter has come... I also hope you are as proud of her as I am."
"Man, talk about a happy ending!" Neos spoke up. "Congrats to the two of you... Now let's all hit the hay!" He pointed, as they all headed inside.
Before Gwen and Ryu followed behind, Nahyuta tugged Ryu's sleeve. "Oh, one more thing, Mr. Yahto..." He spoke, as he gave a glare. "Break my sister's heart, and I shall personally see to it that you receive eternal damnation, in the name of the Gods of Remnant!" He warned, as Ryu gulped.
"Brother!" Gwen shouted, as her cheeks puffed up.
Nahyuta looked away bashfully. "Just wanted to look out for you... that is all." He coughed into his sleeve, as the newly formed couple headed inside with the doctor walking behind them.
And there it is, the first OC couple of my story! Just like in the original story, Ryu and Gwen are a couple, but this time, the circumstances are different, with a lot more build-up than needed. Like I said before, I had so many ideas I wanted to fit here, but I didn't want to overload this chapter - therefore, I will save it for the next chapter. Adios!