How could I be so stupid?

Blake knew the answer; as much as she loathed to admit it. It was simple shock that drew her attention away at the worst possible time. At first she was keen on dealing with the Grimm, believing she could handle the Fang afterwards. What she didn't account for however was the two groups working together.

She couldn't believe her eyes as she watched happen right in front of her. Through a bout of confusion and fear she started to notice that the Grimm actively ignored the White Fang in favor of everyone else. It was at that moment she was struck from behind, and with her aura already low from the crash earlier the blow had been enough to do away the last of her reserves; rendering her defenseless.

And much to her luck she was begot by both Fang and Grimm alike. In those last moments she had only one thought on her mind.

Is this how Weiss felt?

A question that surprisingly hadn't been her last, and one that was immediately replaced as she watched the phenomenon before her unfold. The Grimm towered above her on it's hind legs, letting out a terrifying roar as it faced the group of Fang ahead of it. Before she could properly process what was happening Blake was treated with a new sight as it moved.

It rushed forth, driving it's claws into anything it could, flinging and ripping at the group as they tried to fight back. The Beowolf seemingly ignored any and all damage done as it's jaws crunched down on it's prey. Most of the Fang had probably lost their aura in the crash, resulting in little resistance towards the rabid beast.

As her senses started to return she couldn't help but notice the crimson haze seemingly released from underneath the edges of it's bone plating; a detail that she paid particular attention too.

"Blake!"

The shout came from behind her, and before she could turn to greet it she heard footsteps rush up.

"Blake are you okay!?" Ruby asked with a worried look as she kneeled next to her.

"I'm fine. My aura just broke that's all." She let her breathing calm as the girl seemed to check her for injuries. Ruby however gave a doubtful look.

"You can't fight without any aura. Come on, we'll get you somewhere to rest." Ruby looked past her, and in her curiosity Blake followed the gaze. Instantly her suspicions rose as she looked over Vermillion, who looked to exude the same red haze as the Grimm.

"V, can you take care of the Grimm while I get Blake out?"

"On it. But what about the other one?" He asked as he looked to the very Grimm she had on her mind which continued to tear it's way through the Fang ranks, even going so far as to fight against other normal Grimm.

"I guess... deal with that one last, so long as it keeps from attacking us." Ruby told as the guy nodded and rushed off.

"Come on Blake." Ruby started only to be stopped as Blake wouldn't budge. "What's wrong?"

"Ruby, do you notice anything... off about that Grimm?"

"What do you mean, the weird one?" She asked as Blake nodded.

The two watched it for a moment as it fought against one of the other massive Grimm, looking to shrug off any injuries in it's ruthless battle.

"I mean... yeah. It's fighting other Grimm, that's crazy!" Ruby told as she faced Blake once more.

"I mean something else." Blake clarified as the leader gave a confused look.

"Like what?"

"Look at what's happening around it, do you see the red smoke?" Blake asked as Ruby looked to it again, returning a nod moments later.

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Now look at V. Notice it now?"

Ruby set her eyes on their ally, only to flinch as something in her mind seemed to click. She faced Blake with a confused and tense look.

"They both have that red stuff." The young reaper replied slowly as Blake nodded.

Usually Blake would have brushed something like that off as a sort of anomaly, but with Vermillion sporting the same haze she begun to suspect her 'chance save' had less chance in it than first perceived.

"Wait!" Ruby sent a look her way. "You think he has something to do with it!?"

"Am I wrong?" Blake asked as Ruby stopped, appearing to think on it. Blake sighed as she sent a worried look her leader's way. "Ever since he arrived things have been getting... well, 'weird' is a light way to put it."

Ruby looked conflicted on how to respond. Yet they were startled by a wall of ice shooting up next to them, followed by the angry shouts of a certain heiress.

"Can you two not space out in the middle of the fight please!?"

"She's right, let's get you out of here!" Ruby said, taking her hand as the world looked to fade.

Before she could process it Blake noticed everything come back, as well as their new location. They looked to be on top of one of the buildings, and over to the side just down on the streets they could see the battle taking place in the center square of the city.

"Be back soon, I've got to help the others-" Ruby was stopped by the sounds of gunfire; loud gunfire.

The two shot their gazes up as their eyes zeroed in on the source of the noise. Just above the battlefield was a single gigantic ship, one that Blake recognized from before. It was the same battleship that Atlas had brought for the Vytal Festival, as a boost to security alongside Vale.

The two watched as several smaller aircraft were released from it's side, as well as soldiers making their way down to return fire on the Fang and Grimm alike.

"And so it would seem the cavalry has arrived." The two were startled as they whipped their sights behind them. Dr. Oobleck gave a wave as they let their tension go, instead choosing to voice their questions for the body across his shoulder.

"Is that-"

"Our friend from before? Yes. Will he be questioned later? Of course, but that'll happen once things here calm down." The man spoke as the two chose to ignore any other pressing questions in favor of watching the battle below wrap up.

Suddenly all the noise stopped. With a quick motion the trio focused back on the battlefield in an attempt to discern what had happened. They were greeted with a sight that had them all on edge.

All focused on their troublemaking companion.

.

.

Things finally started to calm down.

With the arrival of the Atlas soldiers it seemed like the fight had reached it's conclusion. Their timing could have been better, but considering the fact they had been tied to Beacon I was willing to let it go. No, instead my focus was drawn elsewhere.

It was just me... and the wolf.

All the other Grimm were dead, and the surviving Fang grunts were downed and ready to be taken into custody. I found myself left with the last solitary Grimm, who instead of attacking me just stood there.

It returned the same gaze I sent, on it's hind legs now expelling wave after wave of smoke. At first I prepared myself for a fight, only to realize that wouldn't happen. Not even the soldiers around me made any moves, choosing instead to keep aim on the creature.

Looking closely I was able to notice a few key differences that separated it from the other Grimm. Barring the red mist oozing from it I noticed that the pulsing marks that usually tore through their armored plating was lifeless. Gone was the bright red of their usual hue, now replaced with the same empty black as it's fur. Even the burning eyes were void of the hate they usually held, instead being dulled to a darker grey.

Yet as I tried to focus I was caught off guard as the creature rushed for me. I brought up my guard to take the strike, only to notice it never came. The Beowolf rushed for me, yet it stopped just past me, holding it's ground and letting out a low growl as it faced ahead.

Realizing I wasn't the target I opted to see what had taken it's attention. Turning back I caught sight of several others, hunters from the look of it, all with their weapons drawn. Their gazes seemed to shift between the Grimm...

And me.

Everything was silent, with nothing but the shuffling of bodies to grace my ears. I watched as they focused on the Grimm, all save for one. A single man had his gun aimed towards me, with his eyes flicking back and forth. I turned fully towards him.

"Stop!" His gun clicked as he focused solely on me, paying no mind to the Grimm at my side.

I never recognized him, and paying closer attention I realized I couldn't recognize any of the hunters that dotted the street. All of them seemed to have me in their sights after that shout, with the Atlas soldiers looking around as they mumbled between themselves.

The Beowolf let out a deeper growl, it's claws extended and it looked ready to pounce. Equally so the hunters readied their weapons, each sending a look of scorn as they took their stances.

"Enough! Everyone put down your weapons!"

The order caught everyone's attention, and all eyes turned to the man who was walking down the street, right towards me and the Grimm, showing not even the slightest hint of fear or worry as he halted a few meters away.

General Ironwood wore a face of stone, yet it seemed to mix with relief as he sent a raised brow to the Grimm. The creature seemed to realize he held no hostile intent and backed down a bit, setting it's gaze back on the other hunters as the general returned his gaze to me.

"Vermillion, do you have anything to do with this?"

"You know that thing!?" Came the shout of one hunter, the same who first yelled at me.

"I do." General Ironwood nodded as his focus remained on me. "He is an ally of Beacon-"

"Beacon has ties with Grimm!?" A woman's voice echoed, causing more murmurs to break out across the crowd. The General rose his hand and the noise trickled off.

"Beacon is not allied with any Grimm. Vermillion here just so happens to have a semblance that ties into the Grimm."

This response - to seemingly nobody's surprise - did little to quell the worried apprehensive looks of the hunters and civilians that surrounded the scene.

"You expect us to believe that?" Another of the several hunters questioned. "Look at him; he's the spitting image of that thing! Same glow and everything!"

Glow?

I looked down at my body, noticing that I did indeed expel the same red mist as the beast to my side. Immediately I began to question what was going on, and I wondered if the creature was effected by me in some way. I looked up at it, deciding to try something as I raised my hand out to it.

I heard something, but ultimately ignored it as the creature lowered it's head. Stroking the fur along it's neck I decided to try something else.

"Sit." I whispered, watching as it did so, all the while everything seemed to click in the back of my mind. Somehow, and in some way, I had control of it. Looking back on it I began to piece it together.

When it first rushed for Blake and brought out my armor I remember the feeling of all the Grimm, of all their emotions hammering at my mind. And as I reached for her everything began to change, with that emotion seeming to completely disappear. My worry had been replaced with confusion as the Beowolf changed it's target.

That seemed to be the turning point: the moment where let started to expel the mist. I had no idea how, but I must have had an influence on it if my own crimson haze was anything to go by. The way in which I did so was still lost to me, as I didn't recall doing anything.

My armor!

That was also a key point: I had my armor active just before it happened, meaning it may have had a part in what happened. I begun to suspect my Grimm abilities, but that idea was halted as a voice echoed through the air.

"See, look at that! They're talking to each other!"

"I said enough!" The general let a hint of his irritation shine through this time, and the hunter who yelled looked to back down with a snarl. "This battle is over, the White Fang is in custody. Any further attempts at aggression will have severe consequences. Do I make myself clear." The general ordered as everyone slowly lowered their weapons.

The tension remained, but they all looked to obey the command.

"How long do you think you can keep that Grimm on a leash." The woman grumbled as she motioned to me.

"He is not a Grimm. His traits are simply more direct than most." The general said as the woman gave a questioning look.

"He's a Faunus? Impossible, they only have one trait?"

"Most do, but there are cases where some have shown an extra trait. And as you can see he has two very direct traits." The general told as he raised his voice. "Now everybody clear out; Atlas and Beacon will clean up this area. Everything will be dealt with by tomorrow."

With a sigh I watched as they started to leave, all the while the Grimm at my side began to fade away. I didn't know why it chose that moment to die, or if it was even a choice. Was it me? Did it die because of me somehow? However as it faded I saw some of the smoke flow to me, seeping into the skin between the cracks of my armor and bringing with it a sense of warmth.

I saw the looks of the other hunters, the fear and hate in their eyes. They thought I was Grimm.

And they were right.

.

.

"Everybody has seen for themselves that he can control Grimm! Are we supposed to just ignore that!?"

"An interesting point." The woman motioned her microphone over to the second man. "And your thoughts doctor Oobleck?"

"Nobody is ignoring anything. I admit it is quite the shock, but I don't believe it is cause for concern."

"No cause for concern!? It sprouted the same bones as the Grimm themselves, and you imply this is not an issue!? What would happen should it decide to launch an attack!?" the first man questioned as the doctor let out a hum.

"There is no need to worry, he wouldn't do that. It was stated before that he is not Grimm, so please stop referring to him as an 'it'."

"And why not, how are we even sure he didn't lie about being a Faunus? For all we know he might actually be a Grimm. However if he is a Faunus: what does that say about their relation to the Grimm?"

"And just what are you implying?" Oobleck asked as the man let out a growl.

"You know damn well what I mean. If a Faunus can have such a close appearance to the Grimm, does that not imply they are related in some level?" He finished as Oobleck scoffed.

"Ridiculous. To claim such a thing would be the same as saying Faunus are more related to wolves just because one has a similar trait. A senseless accusation at best, and downright malicious at worst."

"And what abo-

At that point Ozpin clicked off the monitor, all the while letting out a sigh.

"At least they're not pressing for more than just an interview." The headmaster remarked as the general let himself fall into the chair behind.

"No, but the whole mess has everybody on edge now."

"The news was bound to break anyway." Ozpin stated as the general massaged his head.

"Yes, but having the boy manifest control over Grimm certainly didn't help matters."

"True, this is... a surprising development to say the least."

And added on to the rumors it didn't help in the slightest. The student body had already spread word of their mysterious new member some time ago. While most had been willing to accept his appearance as just a coincidence, the display down in Vale had put everybody on edge.

"So much for keeping him out of the spotlight." Ironwood raised his head. "How do you suppose we handle this? Keeping him protected is easy enough with Qrow and the others, but changing public opinion will be a much larger hassle."

Ozpin crossed his fingers as he leaned on the desk; allowing his thoughts to flow in hopes he may find the perfect angle. People were now aware of Vermillion's abilities, and so far they didn't look to take it all that well. The headmaster knew exactly how destructive knowledge could be if not conveyed properly. He knew he needed to present the boy in a non-threatening manner to quell the people's fears.

But how to do it?

That was what alluded him most: how could he save, or even bolster the knight's image? The public needed to be able to look at him without fear, to see him as a light in the darkness, much like the students and hunters as a whole. Yet hunters were well known and respected, they had been symbols of heroism for years. What chance did Vermillion have against that?

And worst of all Ozpin knew that the boy meant well. For all his flaws and demeanor the dark knight had always desired to protect people, to be a hero; just like in the stories, much like a certain student of his. In a way it brought a smile to his face.

But that smile was wiped clean as he remembered the turning point; the very instance that he stopped seeing the individual people, and lumped them all together as just 'people'.

Angela.

His adopted daughter, one who was taken too soon. One who's death marked the beginning of Vermillion's change.

It had been such a surprise when a servant of the Rose clan brought her to them, begging them to care for her. When Salem heard the girl's plight she welcomed her with open arms; perhaps feeling a sense of connection with the child. Salem had been all alone once before, locked away in her tower until he arrived to save her, and he felt that may have been the driving point in her decision.

Angela had been the only one to form a deeper, more personal connection with the boy, one that caused him to value her input more than most. She'd been a positive aspect in his life, and once snuffed out brought with it a terrible consequence.

Upon his return from the vengeful mission Salem granted him, one she only revealed several days later, he was... different. Gone was the relaxed air of comfort he once held, instead replaced with something Ozpin himself could only describe as 'wicked'.

The boy still held his desire to protect, but he seemed unable to see past others as 'people'. He seemed unable to relate with them beyond the fact that they were innocent. He acted more violent in his missions, and was much more willing to sacrifice others if it meant protecting the larger whole. Maybe he felt something, but if he did he had yet to show it. Ozpin had started to worry he might give up on humanity altogether.

Then he disappeared, only to return centuries later with the same drive and loyalty as ever. But something was different this time, and as much as Ozpin hated to get his hopes up even he could see it.

From the way the knight talked, to the way he acted, Ozpin was able to see him slowly bond with others. Even if he was disliked or hated he seemed to be able to see the other students as more than just students; team RWBY in particular. While he didn't know what had happened prior to Vermillion's arrival one thing was clear.

He saw them beyond the whole.

The boy had treated them as unique individuals rather than just another part of the lot. And even if only by the tiniest margin, Ozpin decided to bank his hope on it. He decided then and there, the moment he saw them fight together down in Vale, that he would pin his faith on the girls to lift his fallen knight from the abyss.

"There is some good news however." Ironwood's words broke the headmaster from his thoughts.

"Oh? And what is it?" He asked as the general smirked.

"We've caught Torchwick."

Author's note

...

We did it, the breach is done with!

Not as exciting as many would have hoped I know, but I got to throw a few things into motion now. Along with the students of Beacon V also gets to experience the scorn of Vale as a whole.

Along with that we have Blake catching on to things earlier than everyone else; bookworm strikes again!

We also have Oz looking back on the past, and even finding something to pin his hopes on for once.

Anyway, that's all this time so let me know what you think.

See you later.