Chapter 14: Mistakes
Disclaimer: I do not in any way or form own Gate: Thus the JSDF Fought There or RWBY. They belong to their respective owners, Takumi Yanai and RoosterTeeth Animations respectively.
A/N: All I will say is that I (mostly) have reasons for what I choose to happen in my story. The auras must be unlocked.
The day is nearly upon us! Tomorrow marks the first day of the eightieth Vytal Festival Tournament, which promised to be unlike any other! In addition to a few exhibition matches between some of the best students from all four kingdoms, the guests from Falmart will also be there. Rumor has it that approval has been given for them to showcase what abilities they have. Stay tuned to see an Apostle in action, and be prepared to witness true magic!
Ozpin felt something strange about the Princess of the Empire. As he looked at Pina and her aide, Bozes, Ozpin couldn't help but feel that something had changed about her. Was it in her posture, more confident than before? Was it in her speech, more self-assured? With a cup of coffee before him and Ironwood standing to his side, the Headmaster of Beacon Academy resolved to find out.
"So, these are our demands," Ironwood began, "First, we want the safe return of the rest of our citizens. Because your knights have been a great help in locating and recovering them thus far, Princess, the council has decided to release all but the most violent of our prisoners in a show of good faith."
"This is no issue. My knights have worked hard. If you release my people back to us, I'm sure the nobles will be more willing to cooperate," Pina agreed.
"Good. Next is the issue of expansion," Ironwood continued, glancing at Ozpin. "The council has given their approval to send troops and supplies through the Gate to begin a permanent expansion. It will be the beginning of a new Kingdom."
Ozpin has expected something bold, but that was much more than a mere kingdom expansion. "The council has what?! This is-"
"The council has decided that a world where magic exists and the Grimm do not is too valuable an asset to ignore," Ironwood interrupted, having expected Ozpin's negative response.
"You want to make a permanent city on Falmart?" Pina cut in to clarify. "What of the buildings that you have already constructed?"
"Yes. A place where our people can live safely. Without the looming threat of Grimm, every day. For now, all we have are military installations and static defenses, but we want to construct civilian buildings, as well as research laboratories, a CCT, and everything else a city needs."
"I'm afraid that the Empire will never agree to this. Not without something to gain in return."
"You tried to invade my world, Pina. This is what I and the council want for compensation," Ironwood insisted.
Pina frowned, "My father will never accept this, and neither will I. You may have defeated our armies, but we will not just surrender like this. If it is a war you want, General, you can prepare for one."
"If that is what you wish, so be it!" Ironwood refused to back down, "We will conquer your world and take the land!"
"Calm down. We will discuss this civilly," Ozpin's soothing voice cut through the tension. The other two backed down, if only slightly, at his words. Instead of preparing to simply resume the war, at least now the two seemed content to simply glare daggers at each other, for now.
"This discussion is getting nowhere," Ozpin spoke. Intentionally, he redirected the conversation to something that he had just figured out. "Let us continue later. Now, Princess, if you don't mind me asking, when did you unlock your aura?"
Ironwood's eyes nearly popped out as he heard the question, and Pina tensed up. She then sighed, knowing that she could not hide such a thing for long, "Yesterday, team RWBY helped us."
"Us?" Ironwood demanded. At the same time, Ozpin chose to ask, "Team RWBY?"
"Indeed. I was curious, so I convinced them - Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang - to try it out. On me, Bozes, Tuka, Rory, and Lelei."
"They- Fools! I am going to court-martial those-" the General thundered, only to be interrupted by Ozpin, speaking calmly but firmly.
"They are not your soldiers, James. They are still young. We should have expected something like this. I will see that they are punished appropriately, but now is not the time."
"This is unforgivable! Defend them all you like, but I am going to make sure that team RWBY never comes close to anyone from Falmart again!"
"You shouldn't punish them so harshly, General. It was I who convinced them to do so," Pina cut in, "Furthermore, they see us as friends. It does not matter that we are from different worlds, or that we once fought. If we are to have peace, this is the attitude that we should encourage in our people."
Another surprise to add to the ever-increasing amount. Judging by Ironwood's lack of a response, he was as shocked. "I will consider your suggestion, Princess," Ozpin said, "Let us now focus instead on the relationship between our two worlds. James?"
"I knew I should have sent Winter to keep an eye on them," Ironwood muttered. Getting back to the task at hand, he said, "It matters not. My demands have not and will not change."
"Then neither will my answer!"
"It appears that this conversation is getting nowhere. Perhaps we should resume at a later date," Ozpin once again played the peacekeeper.
Pina frowned, "Unfortunately, I've already stayed here quite long. I must return to the Empire soon."
"No worries, Ms. Co Lada. Tomorrow is the first day of the Vytal Festival Tournament anyway, perhaps you would be interested in attending. Perhaps we can reconvene after that," Ozpin suggested.
"Yes, perhaps after watching my best -. After watching the best of the kingdoms, you may reconsider your decision."
"That sounds acceptable," Pina agreed, deciding that watching her enemies in a close up fight would be beneficial, even if the General was planning on scaring her. Pina refused to be cowed. Then, realizing that Winter had disappeared since RWBY was taking them around, she wondered, "Where is Ms. Winter, anyway?"
"Specialist Schnee has other duties, ones that I now know should have been handed to someone else. RWBY should not have been left to run wild. Unfortunately, it is too late for that. One more day, Pina, then I'm afraid that our discussion must come to an end."
"One more day should be fine. I accept your offer."
"Excellent. Then that will be all for today. If you need anything, just let any of my soldiers know. And stay away from team RWBY," Ironwood concluded.
Glynda Goodwitch, disciplinarian and vice-headmistress of Beacon Academy, was doing a patrol of Amity Colosseum when she came upon a strange sight. Rory was talking to a worker, smiling sweetly. The longer she looked, however, the less sweet and the more sinister the smile on her purple lips seemed to be. The poor man she was facing was also terrified, desperately looking at Glynda for help.
"Ms. Mercury? What are you doing here?" Glynda asked, stepping forward and drawing the Apostle's attention. The relived worker took the opportunity to dart away.
"Ahh, Glynda, was it? I want to join the tournament," Rory said. "But this fool-" she paused to point at the worker, who had by now disappeared, and, finding no one, shrugged, "But your guys won't let me."
"I'm afraid that is not possible, Ms. Mercury. You must be a member of a team studying in one of the four academies to join."
"That's no fun," she complained, then perked up. "How about we battle instead?"
When Rory rushed her, Glynda did not even flinch. In a moment, her riding crop was out, pointed at Rory. It glowed purple, and the Apostle found herself suspended in the air.
Glynda adjusted her spectacles as she spoke, "Control yourself, Ms. Mercury. You are a guest here. Act like one, and not a bloodthirsty beast."
Rory tried wriggling free, but Glynda's telekinesis immobilized her completely. "Like fighting in the arena instead of out here?"
"Not possible, I'm afraid. Even if Ozpin decided to bend the rules, your immortality and lack of an aura would surely be unfair-"
"Ah, but I've unlocked my aura!" Rory happily announced, releasing a surge of power that completely broke Glynda's telekinetic grip and allowed her to fall to the ground. She landed in a crouch, smiling ear to ear.
Glynda's face was a constant change of emotions as she processed the information and drew the conclusions. Her features then settled into a terrifying look that made even the Apostle of the God of Death and Madness step back, the smile wiped from her face.
The arena was empty, so team RWBY had brought Lelei and Tuka there. The young mage wanted to test out her experimental new abilities, which were the result of a long read through Remnant's science. Looking over the familiar place, Lelei nodded, "Yes. This will do."
Glynda Goodwitch, usually manning the controls, had been otherwise busy, so Ruby took it upon herself to operate the room. From her position at the controls of the arena, Ruby spoke, her voice amplified by the speakers, "Alright, everything's up and running nicely. Who wants to go first?"
"I'll do it," Blake replied, jumping into the ring to join Lelei, who was currently checking her staff.
"You sure, Blake? Doc told you to take it easy," Yang asked, concerned.
"I'll be fine," she dismissed the concern, pulling Gambol Shroud from her back. The original blades had been lost in the invasion and never recovered, so Blake had gotten Ruby's help in forging a new one. Blake had made it almost identical to the previous version, with just several small changes, despite her leader's insistence on adding 'more firepower'.
"Ready?" Ruby called out.
"Ready," both Blake and Lelei replied. On the screen, their aura bars appeared, both healthy green.
Without further notice, Ruby turned down the lights and began the battle.
Lelei made the first move, lowering her staff to point at her opponent. A small blast of fire formed and flew quickly at Blake, who immediately dived aside. As the fireball exploded harmlessly in a shower of sparks against the arena's protective force field, Blake charged forward.
Lelei reaimed and fired again at the rapidly closing Blake. This time, she simply slashed with Gambol Shroud, cutting the fireball and causing it to dissipate with a hiss. Keeping her speed, Blake prepared to engage Lelei and melee.
The mage frowned, stepping back and swinging her staff in a large arc that left a glowing trail of light. Six glowing orbs appeared in this trail, each shimmering purple. By now, Blake was ready to strike, so, still retreating, Lelei attacked. All six orbs blasted with magical energy, forming an unavoidable wall of lasers at Blake.
The lasers tore through their target, which faded as the shadow clone was destroyed. The real Blake appeared from above, leaping down with Gambol Shroud swinging. Lelei tried to bring her staff up to halt the assault, but her opponent was simply too skilled in close combat. Rapid slashes cut at her aura/magic shield, sending Lelei stumbling to the edge of the arena.
Stumbling, Lelei released a wide burst of flame around her to force Blake back. With the temporary respite provided, Lelei created a series of rings around her staff, each larger than the previous.
Blake was quickly on the offensive again, darting side-to-side in preparation to avoid the obvious massive incoming attack. Sometime along the way, she left a clone behind, making it look like a pair of her attacking from both left and right. Lelei, instead of trying to keep up with her opponent, simply unleashed her spell into the middle.
The rapid, sequential explosions caused the entire area to erupt in fire. Both Blakes disintegrated under the flame, and Lelei had only a moment to be shocked before the real Blake slid out from below the roaring inferno, mostly unaffected.
With a few quick blows, the huntress-in-training sent the mage out of the arena.
"Blake wins!" Ruby declared.
Lelei picked herself up. She concluded, "My magic is too slow to match your speed. Unless I can create some quicker spells, there is no way for me to achieve victory in close-range. Combustion seems to be useful for-"
"Analyze later, watch now," Yang said, lightly smacking her on the back before jumping into the ring. "Who's next? I need to flex these guns!"
"I'll go!" Tuka volunteered, jumping into the ring. She then frowned as she experimentally tried to draw on nature's power. The air was around her, but the bulk of the magic was being blocked by the arena walls. "Can we take this outside? It'll help my elf nature magic."
"No need!" Ruby called out enthusiastically. Pressing a few buttons, she activated the retractable roof. The roof slid away smoothly, allowing the sunlight and fresh air to enter freely.
Tuka took a deep breath and felt the comforting embrace of the wilds. She began to draw on the unbound power, causing a light wind to begin to swirl around her, bringing with it several leaves caught in the zephyr. Abovehead, the clouds darkened slightly as she prepared to draw in them. Exhaling, she called out, "Ready!"
"Alright!" Yang shouted, slamming her fists together and creating a spark, "Let's go!" With that, she leaped into the air and fired her shotgun gauntlets back, sending her flying straight at Tuka.
The sky darkened in an instant, and a bolt of lightning shattered the sky. It struck down in a flash, directly hitting the flying Yang. The electricity ran through her body, sending her out of control. Yang ended up tumbling along the ground, and Tuka smiled at her as she went out of the ring.
"Tuka wins! That's the fastest Yang ever lost before," Ruby commented.
Yang groaned as she stood up, shaking her limbs to clear the lingering tingling. "Lucky shot," she huffed, "Rematch."
Glynda Goodwitch took that moment to slam the doors open without even touching them, striding into the room where she had claimed dominion over. As team RWBY and their friends' hearts all froze, the disciplinarian began to shout.
"Team RWBY! Ozpin's office, NOW!"
"Do you know why you are here?"
General Ironwood's tone alone made RWBY tense up. His disapproving gaze and that of Ozpin, sitting at his table, and Glynda, standing beside him, did nothing to lighten the mood.
"No..." Ruby cautiously answered.
"Why did you unlock Pina's aura, Ms. Rose?" Ozpin asked, getting straight to the point.
"Um... They asked us to. Besides, I was curious, you know? It's the first time we've got a chance to properly interact with people from a different world! They're so different from us! I mean, they-"
"They are our enemies!" Ironwood thundered, his outburst stunning the students into silence. "Have you forgotten already? They, their Empire, tried to invade Vale! They killed, burned, and kidnapped. They wanted to destroy us! They still do!"
"I know. I was there," Blake evenly replied, while her team was still frozen. "I was kidnapped and taken into their world. And yet I still want peace. Do you know why?"
"I don't care why! If peace is possible, it will be because they dare not fight us! Now that Pina has her aura, she threatens war! Do you want to see more people slaughtered?" Ironwood shouted.
"Calm down, James, I'm sure-"
"Not this time!" Ironwood interrupted Glynda, an act few others dared to try, "Too much is already at stake. We must make headway into Falmart. We must learn their magic. This may be our best chance at stopping Sal-. Stopping the Grimm once and for all."
With RWBY silently listening to the General, Ozpin asked, "Anything to add, team RWBY?"
The team was silent. General Ironwood had made it clear that there was much more at stake than what they had initially thought. The war was not over, even if Vale was at peace and the Vytal Festival was still going ahead. The Princess was not here to sightsee but to discuss the futures of both worlds. Only an oversight had allowed them to become close to the princess and the others. And apparently, the magic of this new world could end the threat that had plagued Remnant since the beginning of humanity.
"Well, technically you didn't tell us any of this beforehand..." Ruby began. She trailed off when Ironwood glared at her.
"Do you think-"
"James, please. The girls are right. We did give them free rein, without letting them know exactly what was going on," Ozpin admitted, and Ironwood could not disagree, so he simply glared. "Anything else?"
The team wanted to talk about friendship and bonds of trust, but one look at the General and Glynda convinced them that that line of thought was doomed.
"Nope."
"No."
"Nothing."
"Nah."
Ozpin raised an eyebrow but choose not to comment. Like a judge to a guilty criminal, he spoke in an even voice, "Very well. Some of this may have been our fault, but I still have to punish you. Having discussed this with Ironwood, your punishment will be as follows. One, you are banned from participating in the upcoming Vytal Festival Tournament, but you are allowed to watch. Two, you are hereby banned from any interaction with Pina Co Lada, Bozes Co Palesti, Rory Mercury, Lelei La Lalena, and Tuka Luna Marceau, as well as any other person from Falmart. Permanently, until I or the General say otherwise. Three, after you graduate, you are to serve at least one year of probation before receiving your full Huntsmen licenses, subject to your behavior. Any questions?"
"What?! How is that fair? All we did-"
"All you did was hand our enemies our greatest weapon, Ms. Rose!" Ironwood thundered, "Consider yourselves lucky that you are young and that Ozpin was willing to speak up for you. Consider yourselves lucky that you are not expelled, blacklisted, and court-martialed! Now leave!"
Team RWBY couldn't leave quickly enough.
When it was just the two headmasters left in Ozpin's office, he asked, "Don't you think that was a little harsh?"
"Harsh? If their armies come marching in and matching us in strength, you may want to reconsider. Goodbye, Ozpin," with that, General Ironwood turned to leave.
"Wait," Ozpin called out, "Have your forces been keeping track in the Grimm? Is something strange happening?"
"Funny you should ask. They're the least active I've ever seen. Almost no attacks, and definitely nothing major. Why?" Ironwood asked.
"She planning something." Ozpin's answer was vague and mysterious, yet his old friend understood it perfectly.
With a frown, James said, "Salem?"
"She's been too quiet. With this kind of coverage, there's no way that she's unaware of the Gate. And with her capability of magic, the talk of gods and immortal Apostles running around, Salem is planning something. She will come. We must be ready when she does."
"My forces will make sure that she doesn't come close," the General promised, placing his scroll onto the table. A holographic projection of his fleet, flying over a peaceful Vale, appeared. "When the people look to the sky and see my fleet, they feel safe. And our enemies will feel our strength."
Qrow's low laughter had begun as soon as Ironwood finished. Everyone immediately turned to him.
"When did you even get here?" Ironwood demanded.
"No no no, Jimmy," Qrow said, slurring his words slightly, "Not about me. About you and your incredibly stupid plan. You… you think they're scared of your little ships? When she comes, Jimmy, your ships will be nothing!"
"And what would you do, Qrow? Challenge her to a drinking contest?"
"No, even though I'll win. It's too late for an army. They're here, already in the school. Not just anyone, but those responsible for Autumn's condition."
"What?" Glynda exclaimed.
"No army will stop them, Jimmy."
Frustrated at their apparent lack of understanding for his actions, Ironwood sighed as he walked forward and picked up his scroll from the desk. "So then, what would you suggest we do?"
"The people need a guardian, a symbol of peace and comfort. Not an army. Not a symbol of war and conflict," Glynda said.
"I suggest we find our guardian," Ozpin finished firmly. No one noticed the black queen chess piece that flickered on the screen for just a second.
"So, this Falmart still has magic? Who are they? Where did this come from?" the woman with deathly pale skin and dark black veins muttered, shaking her head, "Too many questions. My spies can find nothing; perhaps not even Ozpin knows."
She looked at her followers and gave a chilling smile. "And those fools wish to display their power in the Amity Colosseum? What could they be planning?"
"Watts!" she commanded, "Is the virus ready?"
"At a word, the Atlesian forces are yours to command," the scientist replied, "My old friend James has been... helpful."
"Good. The Grimm have been lying in wait. When the time comes, I will muster my full might to take the Gate. Inform Cinder of her role. When I strike, she must be ready," she ordered.
Now ignoring the presence of her underlings, Salem turned to look out into the savage Grimmlands. "You think you can keep this new power to yourself, Ozpin? I will show you true power. No more games, Ozpin. No more hiding. This time, you will fall. By my hand."
A/N: The fun is about to begin. Eventually.