Ruby didn't know what was worse, the fact that she had to do a mission with her team that hated her or the fact that the huntsman they were shadowing was Doctor Oobleck. Now it wasn't like Doctor Oobleck was incredibly strict because he wasn't, he was nice and encouraging to his students. The only problem was he very…energetic so to speak. His mouth raced with every sentence he spoke, so it was incredibly hard to understand him and was quite irritating.
Not only that, but similar to Professor Port, Doctor Oobleck did not really give off the huntsman vibe. He really just seemed like a normal history teacher and researcher, but he still had the huntsman license so clearly he could fight. Ruby hadn't even seen the man's weapon and she was a weapon nerd! Well maybe not as passionate as before but still a weapon nerd, nonetheless. She had always wanted to see how her teacher fought and it looked like she was finally going to get the chance.
The WBY were feeling similar to Ruby regarding the whole situation, but for different reasons. Like Ruby they were irritated with Doctor Oobleck's mannerisms and the fact that he spoke a thousand words per minute. But unlike Ruby, to them Doctor Oobleck was by far their least favorite teacher as his lectures were boring and all over the place. Not to mention that he gave out tests that were way tougher than they needed to be, so shadowing him was not their idea of fun.
Still, the WBY knew they had to suck it up and make a good impression on their teach for several reasons. One, they needed to show that they were also talented huntresses not just Ruby, as the three knew that the spotlight would be on her. Weiss wanted to show that she was just as good as her irritating partner if not better. She knew that this behavior was part of the reason the team fell apart, but she didn't care as she was angry at Ruby.
The second reason was that they had to let Doctor Oobleck know that they were serious about becoming huntresses. Much to their embarrassment and shame, Blake and Yang spent their time in Doctor Oobleck's class reading and sleeping respectively. To their defense they didn't feel like it was their fault since his lectures were so boring, but they knew that they were not on his good side. Hopefully they could use this mission to change that.
The biggest thing they had to do on this mission was show that they can work as a team. The WBY were not stupid, they knew that Professor Goodwitch would probably want a report of how they did considering she was on Ruby's side. It really made them angry, they knew that Ruby was Goodwitch's favorite but why couldn't she at least try to hear their reasoning? It didn't matter as the WBY were going to do their best even if they had to put up with their team leader who they had been having problems with.
"So, Professor Oobleck, you will be the Huntsman we are shadowing?" Weiss asked in disbelief.
"Yes and I am afraid those bags won't be necessary girls seeing as though you opted to shadow a huntsman on what is now a reconnaissance mission. I can assure you we will not be establishing a base of operations, rather we will be traversing several miles of hazardous wastelands and making camp at any accessible locations we stumble upon. I packed the essentials myself, plotted the course and assembled the airship. And it's Doctor Oobleck, I didn't earn this PhD for fun!" Oobleck said as he got in Weiss' face and Weiss shrunk.
'Dear God, I already have a headache…' Ruby groaned in her mind as Oobleck started speaking again.
"Come now children, according to my schedule we are already three minutes behind schedule!" Oobleck said as he sped to the airship and Team RWBY groaned, then Ruby's scroll rang.
"Hey Mira." Ruby said as she picked up and walked away from her team who looked annoyed.
The WBY had no doubt that Ruby was talking to that Mira girl about what happened last night and other information about her unit, but they still didn't like it. They didn't like that Ruby was leaving them in the dark and they were a team she was supposed to tell them these things. Weiss was still incredibly angry that Neptune wanted Mira's number so hearing Ruby say her name made her temper flare up. Just then a voice brought the WBY from their thoughts.
"So, Ruby is still being a jerkface? Not surprising." Nora said with a roll of her eyes and the WBY rolled theirs as well.
"Yeah, she wouldn't answer any of the questions we asked her last night, she just brushed us off. I mean the nerve of her! She goes through that whole ordeal and then has the audacity to just walk-through front door as if nothing happened." Weiss said angrily and Ren sighed.
"Weiss, she probably can't tell us anything because General Ironwood told her not to." Ren said simply and Jaune nodded.
"Yeah Ren is right, but I still can't believe that Ruby is a detective and that her team was investigating that group from Haven. I always thought it was weird that we rarely saw them, but I just figured that they were doing their own thing. But for them to be criminals, I am glad Ruby and that other guy were there to stop them. Though it's crazy how academy students can have that kind of responsibility, I doubt I could handle it." Jaune said honestly.
"Look I am happy that Ruby was able to put that group away, but it doesn't excuse what she did! She had the nerve to go out with some guy that I or anyone else hasn't even met yet! How could she do something so irresponsible?" Yang asked angrily and Weiss and Blake nodded.
"Uh Yang, isn't that her personal business? " Ren asked and the girls glared at him.
"Oh come on Ren, we know nothing about this guy! And Ruby is only 16, she isn't ready to start dating yet!" Yang told him angrily, but Ren just rolled his eyes.
"We do know some things, like the fact that he is a detective like Ruby and is apparently very skilled, he expressed that aura last night. Also Yang, how old were you when you started dating?" Ren asked and Yang just glared at him, not wanting to answer.
"Ren, I have to ask, after all this why are you still trying to protect Ruby?" Pyrrha asked completely confused and Ren sighed.
"Guys look, I get it ok? Everyone is still reeling from Ruby's comments, and she is clearly still reeling from ours, but we can't act like this. We can't start being hypocrites and try to barge our way into Ruby's personal life when we made it clear we wanted her far away from ours. Look Yang I understand that you want to play the big sister role, but last night proved that Ruby can handle herself. And if you guys really want to get in her good graces, I don't see how irritating her will help." Ren explained but Weiss disagreed.
"Ren, I don't understand why we must be back in her good graces and not the other way around. Yes, we said hurtful things to her but we apologized and she wouldn't forgive us no matter how much we pleaded. Then she said things that were WAY more hurtful and top it all off, she hid two incredible secrets from us! But we are still in the wrong? She should be apologizing to us and stop acting like a brat! Hell, I doubt she can lead us on this mission, thanks to her everything will be a disaster." Weiss said coldly and the other girls nodded.
"No that will be because of you guys, not her." Jaune said quietly and the WBY glared at him.
"Excuse me?" Weiss asked coldly as she and her teammates glared at the blonde boy who looked scared but still spoke.
"Look you guys, I wish things were back to the way they used to be. That Ruby would be the Ruby of old and not this new one, but that is not the case. You know how she used to be nervous and unsure of herself as being the leader? I am afraid those days are gone, just look at last night, she was staring down a group of criminals with the most confident and intimidating look on her face. Not to mention her hand was on her holster the whole time, did you guys see?
She is taking her role in this new unit, whatever that may be, very seriously and clearly she is doing her best to be a huntress. I know that things between all of us and her are not very good right now, but Ruby will suck it up and be a professional when it comes to you guys' mission. But guys, if she is professional and you all spend the mission irritating her on things that are not your business, then it falls on you if it goes south." Jaune said honestly and the WBY widened their eyes at him, surprised at his honest statement.
The WBY wanted to angrily retort at their blonde friend, but they were taking in what he said and realized that he wasn't all wrong. It really all came down to the fact that Team RWBY was going on a mission, and they were supposed to be huntresses. Yes they were angry at Ruby, for the secrets, the attitude, the insults, all of that. But would it really be worth it to focus on all of that during their mission? Surely, they could put it aside for a few days, right?
Yang wasn't so sure that she could, her anger and protectiveness of Ruby was still raging inside of her. Yes, she was still angry about Ruby not forgiving her and for what she said, but hearing that Ruby was dating someone that she hadn't even met was a huge red flag to her. Weiss felt similarly as she was still angry about Ruby calling her a bitch and for keeping secrets. If Weiss was being completely honest, she was also angry at Ruby's words from last night as they were still in her head.
Blake still felt bad about what she and her two teammates did to start this whole problem but felt like it was Ruby's fault for escalating it to a whole new level. All three doubted Ruby's abilities to be professional and to lead them well, but they knew that she would have a better time doing so if they did not pester her. Not to mention they themselves would feel terrible if the mission went wrong and they were the cause of it. Coming to an agreeance, the WBY nodded at each other and looked at Jaune.
"Fine, maybe you have a point Jaune, but don't be surprised if the mission goes south and it's all Ruby's fault. Hell, she probably will spend it doing what she's doing now, talking to her new friends about stupid stuff and ignoring everyone." Weiss said with a roll of her eyes.
"Judging from the look on her face, I'd say whatever she is speaking to someone about is far from stupid." Ren said seriously as everyone looked at Ruby who was on the phone and had a serious look on her face.
BACK WITH RUBY:
As her team and team JNPR were talking amongst themselves, Ruby was on the phone with her coworker and friend Mirajane Strauss. Mira was telling Ruby about what followed last night's arrest of the group from Haven, and it made her worried. Ruby figured that they wouldn't get everything out of the group, but she figured they would at least get some information. Sindel, Litchi, and Mira were all so sweet and caring but they could also be terrifying which made them perfect for interrogation.
That fact made it more surprising that they could barely get anything out of the group. This led Ruby to believe that this could be so much bigger than Roman Torchwick and the White Fang, but she didn't want to think about it. For now, she felt that the only way to improve this process was bringing in either Roman Torchwick or whoever the masked faunus was. If they saw the group from Haven in jail cells, one of them would try to make a deal.
"Damn, so nothing huh?" Ruby asked her friend who sighed.
"Not a damn thing and it's so frustrating because we are still where we started. I can't really blame them though, it's not like they are getting out of that prison anytime soon. The only thing we really learned about their plan was that the Vytal Festival was somehow involved, but Cinder soon shut up after she realized she screwed up. Other than that, all we have is speculation and we can only count on finding Torchwick and that faunus guy to progress to investigation." Mira said as she ran a hand through her long hair.
"Yeah, I guess that is all we really can do at this time. Hey Mira, I know you said that Cinder was silent but what about the other two? They seemed pretty freaked out when we arrested them." Ruby said curiously.
"We didn't learn anything about their plan, but we did get their backstories. Apparently, Mercury is the son of Marcus Black, an infamous assassin who went missing a couple of years ago. Mercury told us that Cinder found him after he had killed his father, saying that he was tired of the abuse and took the chance at the power Cinder offered him. Hell, she even gave him new legs as his were injured in the fight, this woman has connections." Mira informed Ruby who widened her eyes.
"Oh my God…that's terrible. What about the other one, Emerald?" Ruby asked and Mira groaned.
"She was by far the most annoying, we found out that she was a thief who robbed jewelry stores without being seen. We think that she might have some sort of mind semblance, no doubt that would come in handy to acts of crime. Cinder found Emerald one day while she was doing a job and promised her that if Emerald joined her, she wouldn't go hungry again. After speaking with her, I can tell you that Emerald fully believes Cinder's words, hell she views her as a mother even though it's obvious Cinder couldn't care less about her." Mira said honestly.
"Those poor souls, they have been through hell but that does not excuse their actions. More importantly, from what you say it sounds like Cinder just found these two off the street. How did she even know who they were? And those two really didn't find it suspicious that a woman just showed up in need of their services? They must really be in denial; we may want to interrogate Mercury more though since it sounds like Emerald is a lost cause." Ruby suggested but Mira just sighed.
"Sorry hun, but I don't think that's going to work. Mercury is the son of a former assassin, so he knows the game, even if we offer him a deal he won't be getting out anytime soon. Not to mention that they might think that Torchwick or that other guy will come and save them, which is highly unlikely." Mira explained and Ruby sighed.
"Yeah you are right, so all we can count on now is somehow finding Torchwick and this White Fang leader. Both of which we have no idea where they are or if they even in the same place. Oh God I feel another headache coming on." Ruby groaned and Mira agreed.
"I feel you sister, wait what do you mean another headache?" Mira asked and Ruby groaned in annoyance.
"My team was all in my business last night, Yang especially since she found out about Seth. They kept demanding that I tell them about our mission and got angry when I told them it was classified. Yang made it seem like me having a boyfriend meant that the world was going to end and she's given me shit about it all day. And apparently, it's my fault that Weiss doesn't have a boyfriend…" Ruby said in annoyance and Mira was rubbing her temples.
Yep, that sounded like Weiss alright, Mira didn't know much about the other two but what Ruby just said about the SDC heiress sounded all too familiar. Back at their prep school, whenever Weiss didn't get what she wanted or something good happened to someone else she always responded negatively. Now Mira knew there was a 99% chance that Weiss never had a boyfriend, anyone with common sense could see that by her personality. Still, that didn't mean that it was Ruby's problem that she was in a relationship and Weiss wasn't.
"I can only imagine how that went down, but just focus on the fact that you and Seth brought down a group of bad guys. If your team wants to be angry about some stupid stuff over being glad about that fact, then let them it's no skin off your back. Just keep being professional, you have a mission with them today right? How long is it for?" Mira asked.
"A few days, and it's with Doctor Oobleck, remember I told you guys about him? He is a nice guy, but he talks so fast it's so hard to understand him and it drives me crazy. Now I am going to have to deal with that and my team getting on my nerves for a few days, lucky me." Ruby said in sadness and Mira felt sympathy for her friend.
"Oh honey, next time me and the girls come down to Vale all of us are DEFINITELY going out. You are clearly in need of some fun." Mira said and Ruby laughed.
"Yeah that would be great, I gotta go Mira I'll text you and the girls soon." Ruby told her.
"Good luck on your mission, remember to give Weiss her chill pills!" Mira said and Ruby laughed as she hung up and walked back to her team.
As she was walking back, Ruby thought about what she and the intelligence unit were going to do next. Maybe she should ask Sindel if she and Akali could go question Emerald as they both could be intimidating when needed. Especially Akali since she didn't really play by the rules anyway. The best course of action would be to somehow find where Torchwick or the White Fang were hiding and capture them.
That was way easier said than done, considering both could be anywhere. And just how exactly were they going to find them? Maybe that scroll that Cinder had still had some information on it, Ruby cursed herself at putting a bullet in it, but it was a drastic situation. Still, maybe Sindel would have to think about expanding the network of people looking for these guys but that would ruin the secrecy. God Ruby was starting to think that this was beginning to be a big problem and her headache was getting worse as she approached her team.
The sight that Ruby got when she got to her team was one, she was growing accustomed to seeing. All of the girls were glaring at her, including Pyrrha and Nora but to her surprise Ren and Jaune were looking at her with kind and calm faces. Considering that Ruby saw Jaune in a dress last night, she figured that he really did take her words to heart. The first time she yelled at him because she was angry but on the roof, it was to say her peace and to let him know the truth. He may not have liked it but the more he understood then the better his life would be.
"Hey what's the hold up? We shouldn't keep Doctor Oobleck waiting." Ruby said as she was checking her nails and her team glared at her.
"You were talking to Mira right? What did she want?" Weiss asked in a demanding tone, but Ruby just rolled her eyes.
"She was just reminding me to give you your chill pills, not like they will help much." Ruby said sarcastically and Weiss growled.
"Why you obnoxious little dolt!" Weiss said in anger and Ruby just raised an eyebrow wondering if she was supposed to feel offended.
"Don't worry Weiss, they were probably talking about makeovers, being obnoxious and thinking they are better than everyone else." Nora snided but Ruby just laughed.
"Nora, why are you trying to beef with me when you know you know better." Ruby said amused and Nora growled but Jaune stepped in.
"Guys stop it, Ruby clearly was talking to her friend about last night as they can because they are detectives. If she can't talk about it with us then she won't, there is no reason to get all in their business so just let it go." Jaune said as he looked at Nora with his leader gaze to which she pouted and turned her head.
"Thank you Jaune, by the way I loved the dress last night. I told you white would go great with your skin." Ruby laughed as she patted Jaune on the shoulder before going to the airship.
"Um, what was that about?" Pyrrha asked and everyone else wanted to know as they were staring at Jaune expectantly who looked nervous.
"I kinda made a bet with Ruby it's no big deal, anyway you guys should probably get going. Our mission does not start until tomorrow, so we have some time to kill." Jaune informed them and he was interrupted by Sun and Neptune.
"Then you can party with us tonight! We're shadowing a crime specialist, all intercity detective stuff, we get junior badges." Neptune said cooly and Jaune marveled in admiration, but a certain heiress had a hateful look on her face.
"Maybe they can teach you how to respect women or get their numbers." Weiss spat with venom has she huffed and went to the airship along with her teammates who were glaring at the blue haired boy.
Everyone was wondering what that was about and when they turned to the guy in question, he just shrugged them off. On the inside though Neptune was very annoyed since he knew what that was about and was angry at a certain redhead. He really thought it was unnecessary that Ruby had told Weiss about what he did because it now made him look bad. What was the big deal? All of Ruby's new Atlas friends were gorgeous and he only asked for two of their numbers.
Neptune really didn't think he did anything wrong and he wondered what Weiss was so mad about. He liked Weiss as he thought she was pretty but the reason why he was hesitant about dating her was because of her attitude. No guy wanted to be with a girl who was so busy nagging and bossing others around, Neptune was no exception and Weiss was either going to have to loosen up or Neptune was giving up. Jaune was secretly happy that Weiss was starting to figure out who Neptune really was.
Team RWBY and Doctor Oobleck were aboard the airship and were heading to their destination of Sector 5 quadrant. Yang asked why Doctor Oobleck was going on this mission since he didn't seem like much of a fighter, but he ensured that while he was an intellectual at heart, he was still a huntsman and had seen more than a few tussles. However, it was thanks to his intellect and historical expertise that Ozpin assigned him to this mission.
The Sector 5 Quadrant was home to one of the biggest disasters in history, Mountain Glenn and to Ozpin that sounded like the perfect place for a hideout. Doctor Oobleck couldn't agree more and took the chance to do some reconnaissance. Meanwhile as the ship was approaching its location, Ruby took the time to remind her unit that she was on a mission, so she may be out of contact. Still, she wanted them to call her if there was an emergency or they found a lead, to which they agreed. She would still secretly try to text Seth though.
As the ship finally got to its destination, Team RWBY as well as Doctor Oobleck jumped out ready for a fight but they found none. The place looked like a barren wasteland, nothing but tumbleweeds rolling through the streets. Ruby new that it was just a matter of time though before grimm started showing up, she could feel them in the distance. It was at this time that Doctor Oobleck coughed as a sign of wanting everyone's attention, so they gave it to him.
"Girls at this very moment you are huntresses not students, which means you must listen to every word I say understood? On that note, Ruby! I thought I told you to leave your bags at school." Oobleck said and the WBY glared at their team leader who looked unphased.
"Yes Doctor, my apologies but I have something that I think will help us with our mission." Ruby said as she opened her backpack and out came Zwei who barked in happiness.
"You brought Zwei?!" Yang yelled in disbelief as her teammates looked just as bewildered, but Oobleck got in Ruby's face.
"We are here to investigate an abandoned urban jungle teeming with death and hostility, and you brought a dog?!" Oobleck asked in complete disbelief and what sounded like anger.
"Yes, I believe having Zwei around will help us out in the long run." Ruby said with a serious look on her face.
'Please take the bait, please take the bait…' Ruby thought frantically in her mind as she really only took Zwei so that he wouldn't chew on her new boots.
Meanwhile the WBY were standing in the corner watching the whole thing with smirks on their faces. After they themselves had been humiliated time after time they were going to enjoy Ruby getting a good scolding. They especially wanted this to happen to Ruby as they were sick of her sarcasm and of the words that she spat; it was time something bad happened to her. Of course, this didn't happen as the unexpected took place much to the WBY's annoyance.
"GENIUS!" Oobleck said as he grabbed Zwei and Ruby let out a silent sigh of relief.
'Thank you God!' Ruby said in her mind as she let out a silent sigh of relief.
"Canines are well known for their sense of smell and sound, making them essential for a hunt such as ours! Well done, Ruby, it's no wonder you were offered a detective position in General Ironwood's new unit, congratulations for that by the way!" Oobleck said in his fast tone but with pride.
"Thank you, Doctor Oobleck, your praise honors me." Ruby said with a smile as she bowed.
The WBY however were looking at Ruby with not pride but extreme annoyance. They were really getting sick of how Ruby seemed to be in the right in practically every situation. It was bad enough that Goodwitch seemed to take her side in their problem with Ruby, but Oobleck was praising for something stupid like this? It was incredibly irritating, and Weiss especially was getting tired of Ruby receiving all the praise but didn't let it show. It was then that Blake decided to get on with it.
"What are your orders doctor?" Blake asked with a bit of irritation in her tone.
"Ah straight to the chase, I like it! As you have been informed the southeast area has been marked as a recent hotspot for grimm activity. There are many possibilities for this behavior, one of which being grimm." Oobleck explained but the WBY looked confused.
"Um what?" Yang asked confused before jumping at sound of a loud bang coming from her sister's gun.
"Grimm." Ruby said bluntly not even looking behind her as the rest of her team and Oobleck looked to where her gun was pointing and found a grimm disintegrating.
'How did she-?!' The WBY wondered while looking at her team leader in amazement.
"Quite the aim you have Miss Rose! Still, I do not believe you should have done that! The better plan would have been to track it so we could fine the rest of the pack!" Oobleck chastised but Ruby shook her head.
"There is no need professor, the pack has been here the whole time watching us, they are over there." Ruby pointed and the others looked in that direction and saw that she was right.
Soon following the Beowulf that Ruby shot, there was a group of them prowling from the shadows. Oobleck was impressed because Ruby had seen them before he had, he just saw the one Beowulf that Ruby shot. He noticed there was some changes with the girl in terms of her appearance but clearly her skills had changed drastically in the last couple months. Meanwhile the WBY were amazed with what Ruby did and Weiss voiced their opinions.
"Ruby, how in the world did you know they were there?" Weiss asked curiously and everyone else wanted to know as well.
"I have improved my vision and can see from far away clearly; it helps a lot when you spend a lot of time in the shooting range." Ruby answered simply and the WBY widened their eyes before looking down, remembering why Ruby spent most of her time in the shooting range.
"Oh ok…anyway what's the plan now?" Yang asked as she saw the group of grimm coming towards them.
"We are huntresses, shouldn't it be obvious? Awaiting your order, Doctor Oobleck." Ruby said seriously as she put Crescent Rose in sniper form.
"Ah yes, show me what you are capable of!" Oobleck commanded and team RWBY went into action.
The task at hand was simple for Team RWBY, considering there were facing the least dangerous and intimidating of the grimm. Yang punched the crap out of one of them while Blake easily cut three of them in half. Weiss with the help of her glyphs was able to take on a group of the grimm, cutting them in half thanks to her speed. Ruby had not moved an inch as she was easily head shotting any grimm that came her way. There was one left that was racing towards her, and she used her semblance to slice it to pieces with her scythe.
"That takes care of that, what's next?" Ruby asked Doctor Oobleck.
"It's too early to celebrate, for I am certain that this is the first bout of many. And on that note, shall we continue?" Oobleck suggested and they did just that.
About 30 minutes had gone by and Team RWBY killed so many grimm that they lost count while Oobleck just surveyed the area. Ruby wasn't complaining, the mission was search and destroy and that is what they were doing. Oobleck would be the one searching, and Team RWBY would be the ones destroying the grimm, easy. Though the rest of Team RWBY didn't see it that way though and just felt like they were doing all the work and Oobleck was doing nothing.
"Excellent work girls! Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any criminal activity in this sector. Oh well, moving on!" Oobleck said as he started to walk away but Yang made her opinion known.
"Hey Doc, you know I was actually looking forward to seeing a pro-hunstman in action. Like fighting or at least helping us fight?" Yang said with irritation and Ruby immediately rubbed her temples in frustration.
'Dammit Yang, do not be disrespectful, especially since you guys were the ones who wanted this mission.' Ruby thought annoyed as Oobleck responded.
"Ah but I am in action! Scouring these ruins of this city for any signs of irregularity! Not every mission will be daring or filled with heroism girls, sometimes it is just a heightened form of extermination. Remember, that you all signed up for this, I do hope that you understand that." Oobleck said sternly as Yang looked annoyed especially as Ruby gave her a look that said, 'really?' with that glare of hers.
"Well yeah…of course!" Yang said trying to regain her composure as she missed the narrowing of Oobleck's eyes.
As team RWBY battled more grimm, Oobleck had a question that he wanted answers from the girls. That question being why they chose this line of work in the first place? He first asked Yang and her honest answer was that she was a thrill seeker, she wanted travel the world and get involved in as many crazy adventures as she could. She said that helping people was just a bonus for her, and Oobleck wasn't really impressed with her answer.
Then he asked Weiss who he was the most curious about, considering her family had all the money in the world and she didn't need to do this. Weiss told him that as a Schnee she had a legacy of honor to uphold and that once she found out she was capable of fighting, there was no other question of what she had to do with her life, it was her duty. Oobleck found her answer interesting, it sounded noble, but he wondered if there was more to it than that…
Finally, he asked Blake who he always thought carried herself with a sense of purpose. Blake explained how there was too much wrong in the world to just stand still and do nothing. She told him that someone had to stop all of the inequality and corruption that Remnant held. Once Oobleck asked her how though, the cat faunus had turned silent. Oobleck made a note of that, and he came to a conclusion on the theory he had about the WBY.
The three girls he asked had goals that were not really thought out well, considering they all lacked direction. When it came to Yang, it was not a bad thing to want to go see the rest of the world but being a huntress was a serious job and slacking off was not an option. Weiss' goal was admirable, but Oobleck truly wondered if it was her goal alone and not her family's. Finally, there was Blake who was lost in her goal considering she no idea to achieve it. It seems that those three would need time to figure out what they really want. Of course, Oobleck skipped a girl, but that was on purpose as he already knew her answer…
Meanwhile, Ruby was killing any grimm that dare came in the way of her group. Now Ruby loved killing grimm as much as the next huntress, but she was starting to feel a bit bored. Her mind went to her boyfriend and her friends as she thought about how were doing. She wondered if Jago was closer to asking out Akali, the girls could tell they liked each other. Suddenly Ruby's attention was gained by Zwei wanting a treat and Oobleck looking at her.
"Ah Doctor Oobleck, are we all ready to keep going?" Ruby asked but Oobleck shook his head.
"No, I believe that will have to do for today, it's going to be dark soon. You three, set up camp in that building and please do make sure that there are none of those creatures. Your leader and I are going to scan the perimeter, come Ruby!" Oobleck ordered and Ruby nodded telling Zwei to go to Yang.
The WBY did as they were told but one could tell by the looks on their faces that they still felt bad from their individual conversations with Doctor Oobleck. Ruby and Doctor Oobleck went to the perimeter of the area they were investigating, and Ruby's eyes widened with amazement at what she saw. It was a pack of grimm that were huge, and they seemed to be marching somewhere. It was especially interesting considering she had never seen grimm like that.
"What is that? It looks so cool…" Ruby said in amazement.
"That my dear girl is a grimm." Oobleck said simply as Ruby was glad, she was wearing her sunglasses so Oobleck couldn't see her eyes rolling.
"Well, don't think anything I have on me is going to kill it that easily and I would rather avoid that thing rampaging our camp. Still, what if it does attack us? That would be a hell of a fight…" Ruby said as she was analyzing the situation, but Oobleck placed a calming hand on her shoulder.
"Do not worry, those Goliaths are not concerned with us. Ruby not every grimm is mindless, the ones you see before you are so powerful and stronger than any you have ever fought. They no doubt have lived for hundreds of years, and in that time of killing humans and attacking our borders they have done one very important thing, they have learned. They have learned that when they attack our borders, they are likely to die, and what we lack in strength we make up for in will and killing one human will only bring more." Oobleck said seriously and Ruby nodded in understanding.
"OK good to know, I am guessing they are so close to the city to wait for the best moment to strike?" Ruby asked and Oobleck nodded.
"That is correct." Oobleck acknowledged as he and Ruby started walking away.
"Doctor Oobleck, now that we have a moment there is something that I wanted to ask you." Ruby said and Oobleck turned around.
"Wondering why I have been interrogating your teammates all day?" Oobleck asked and Ruby shook her head.
"Not exactly, I was wondering why you wanted to become a huntsman? I mean you are so smart and clearly your mind could be used anywhere and everywhere. Why take a job that requires you to fight?" Ruby could not help but ask.
"As I look around this wasteland of a sector, I cannot help but see lives that could have been saved. As a teacher I am able to take knowledge, the most powerful weapon of all, and place it into every student that passes in my classroom. This wasteland provides an opportunity to learn and therefore become stronger. I am a huntsman Ruby, because there is nothing else I would rather be." Oobleck said honestly and Ruby smiled.
It was the same for her, she didn't do what she did for the money or the status, there were other jobs that could get her that. The main goal that Ruby had was protecting and helping people, that's why she did her best to improve her skills and get as strong as she was. She was sure that Sindel chose her and the others for the intelligence unit on that fact alone, it was a characteristic they all shared. They would do their best for the people and failure was not an option.
Doctor Oobleck and Ruby returned to the camp that the WBY had made and called it a day. Ruby said that she would take the first watch, so she went on a perch after eating with her sniper rifle ready. Yang asked Ruby before she left if Oobleck had asked her why she wanted to be a huntress. She said that he didn't and the WBY went to bed with confusion and sadness on their faces, looking forward to tomorrow, not knowing the chaos that would be coming…
Author Notes:
Damn…it's been a while huh? I apologize for that, but my life has been so crazy that writing is not really a priority right now. I started doing these fanfics in 2020 because we were in quarantine and I had all the time in the world, but that has changed. Still, I want to try to finish this one, but I am not sure about Izuku Aizawa. Anyway, I apologize again for being so late, but I hope you enjoy this chapter, it's not action heavy because the next one is pretty much ALL action. Take care, hope everyone is doing all right and prayers to the victims of the shooting in Texas.