The Phases of Remnant
ESKK: Another day another chapter please enjoy it.
-Insert Dot Hack ROOTS OST Silly Go Round by Fiction Junction Yuuka (TV SIZE)-
-Yume kara samete mo-
The song began with the images of Aura with Haseo and Ruby reaching for the Twilight Bracelet. Aura was holding the bracelet in what looked like a forest of fantasy.
-Kono te wo nobasu yo-
The next image showed two hands reaching out towards each other but without any distinguishable markings it was impossible to tell those to whom they belonged. In turn the music picked up to show the title of the story.
"Phases of Remnant."
The next image showed four balls of energy with the images of winter, fall, spring, and summer flying through with the Twilight Bracelet. The song then continued as the image changed once more.
-Onaji tsuyosa de yobi au-
The next image showed Haseo running across the screen but the image of Skeith the Terror of Death behind him taking up the background.
-Kokoro ni nareru no naraba-
The next image showed Atoli walking across the screen with the image of a broken sword and what appeared to be Balmung in the background.
-Nanninbun no kizu demo-
The next image showed Ruby walking down a path with a smile as behind her was the image of the Twilight Bracelet in the hands of the Silver Eyed Kite and Black Rose.
-Boku wa uketomerareru yo-
The following image showed Ozpin as he looked upon a mimic form of Ruby walking off with her own scythe dripping with fresh blood. Accompanying this was an endless void as this figure showed itself to be something beyond human.
-Mou sukoshi datte ki ga surunda-
The next images was a montage of Ruby with team RWBY, Haseo with Team HAKE, and Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora looking at a saddened Atoli as Jaune was found lying in a hospital bed with monitors all over him.
-Kono kabe ga kuzureru Reimei-
The images that showed next was that of the Beacon Clock Tower before four Azure Flames flew by and began to take shape. The shapes taken were Azure Kite, Azure, Balmung, Azure Orca, and finally what appeared to be an Azure form of Summer Rose. It then showed Haseo, Ruby, and their teams preparing for battle against these foes. It then switched with the riff of a guitar and the surge of Dust blowing through.
-Yume kara samete mo mada minai yume no hou made-
Next was shown a montage of images starting with Ovan in a Library reading a book with one hand. Following this was Ozpin as he stood inside the Beacon Tower with his cane in hand. Then showed Haseo and Ruby charging in with weapons drawn for battle. Their foe was the blue and white knock off of Ruby as Ruby attacked first with the image of her teammates showing. Haseo went next as his images showed his own teammates as well.
-Bokura wa hitori de hashiri tsudukeru shika nainda-
The following image showed Pi and Glynda hard at work as well as the images of Sakubo jumping into her mothers' arms before being replaced by Gorre and then back to Sakubo and Glynda. The next images showed Haseo and Ruby charging into battle before they ended up falling through the ground to reveal the forms of AIDA hovering about.
-Korogari mayotte tsukuridasu boku no inryoku ga Itsuka Kimi e-
The next images showed Ruby and Haseo falling into the abyss before tightening their grips on their weapons. What followed was Skeith appearing and the Twilight Bracelet shining to life before Skeith and Ruby proceeded to fire off a Data Drain at the images of AIDA, Salem, and the shadowy force behind the Ruby mimic.
-End OST-
(Start Beacon Academy Air Docks)
The airship had just docked at the cliffside just before Beacon Academy. The doors opened to allow all the passengers off, the first one being 'Vomit Boy', who ran to the nearest trash can and let it all out. Everyone either avoided him or looked with sympathy as they walked from the door to the pathway that led to the Academy.
Ruby, Haseo, and Yang walked through the courtyard and came to a stop in the middle as they couldn't help but look in awe at the massive castle that would serve as their school and home for the next few years.
"The view from Vale's got nothing on this!" Yang said as she saw Beacon with her own eyes.
"Damn I was expecting mansion not a fricking castle." Haseo said seeing the castle towering over them.
Meanwhile Ruby looked around at several of the newly arrived students, she began to gawk and squeal like a fangirl at the vast number of weapons they had. "Sis! That kid's got a collapsible staff! And she's got a fire-sword!" Ruby cried out as she was about to run off, but Yang pulled her back by her hood.
"Easy there, little sister." Yang began as she kept Ruby from running off by herself. "They're just weapons." Yang told her but Haseo coughed a bit since he had weapons for days as Yang likes to put it.
"Just weapons?!" Ruby questioned accusingly as she looked to Yang. "They're an extension of ourselves! They're a part of us! Oooh, they're so cool!" Ruby said as Haseo had to agree with her somewhat since he kind of went overboard with his own weapons.
"Well, why can't you swoon over your own weapon? Aren't you happy with it?" Yang asked as Haseo sighed and facepalmed himself knowing what came next.
Ruby drew Crescent Rose and held it proudly over her shoulder. "Of course, I'm happy with Crescent Rose!" Ruby said while cuddling up to her scythe. "I just like seeing new ones, it's like meeting new people… but better." Ruby said as she looked down slightly, having been reminded of her own social skills, or lack-of-thereof.
"Ruby, come on…" Yang playfully pulled down on her hood. "Why don't you go and make some friends of your own?" Ruby said and in turn Haseo sighed to this.
"Yang's right you know." Haseo said while he looked to his younger sister. "You have to be willing to try new things otherwise you're going to be stuck as a kid no matter how much milk you drink." Haseo said before something caught his eye a familiar head of blond and an outfit of green. "Wait what?" Haseo asked looking to the source.
"What is it?" Yang asked and thus Haseo looked to his sisters.
"I'm going to look around I'll meet you guys at the orientation." Haseo said and thus he took his leave of the scene.
"Wait Haseo!" Ruby cried out but he was already gone.
"I'll say it once I'll say it again, he can really be an Emo without trying." Yang said before Ruby sighed.
"Well at least your still here, Yang." Ruby said smiling to Yang.
"Well… actually my friends are here right now! Gotta go catch up! Bye!" Yang declared before she dashed away, trying to blend in with a crowd of first years, literally leaving Ruby in the dust as she spun around in the quick daze.
"Wait! Where are you going!? Are we supposed to go to our dorms!? Where are our dorms?! Do we have dorms!?" Ruby cried out as she was spinning a bit. But even when she stopped spinning, her eyes were swirls, and Yang was already long gone. "...I don't know what I'm doing…" Ruby moaned before she ended up backing into a luggage cart that held an assortment of white suitcases, knocking and spilling them over the ground.
"What are you doing?!" A new voice cried out in fury getting Ruby's attention.
Ruby looked up to see the owner of the luggage, a teenage girl with pale skin, long white hair tied back in a ponytail with a tiara, and a scar down past her eye on the left side of her face. She wore a white and light-blue dress that stretched down to her thighs with a snowflake pattern at the hem, as well as a bell-sleeve bolero of the same color and pattern, and a pair of boots that were also white. She also carried a rapier-like sword at her waist.
"S-Sorry...!" Ruby apologized as she tried to pull herself up.
"Sorry?! Do you have any idea of the damage you could have caused?!" The girl in white exclaimed clearly upset with Ruby.
"Uh…" Ruby tried to hand the girl one of her suitcases, but it was swiftly taken.
"Give me that!" She stated as she opened the suitcase to reveal the bottled contents inside. "This is Dust, mined and purified from the Schnee quarry!" She scolded Ruby but Ruby stood there confused.
"Um…" Ruby wasn't exactly following as she was put on the spot.
"What are you? Braindead?!" The girl in white snapped before she then took out one of the bottles and shook it at Ruby for emphasis. But suddenly a hand grabbed Weiss's and stopped her from continuing.
"Now Weiss my dear sister there is no need to be so... forceful and rude." The voice said and thus Ruby swore to god she was looking at one of the more... steamy books she had discovered a while back.
"Endrance." Weiss greeted her brother who then went to Ruby and made sure she was ok.
"Are you well milady?" Endrance asked as Ruby felt like prince charming had ridden in to carry her off.
"Y-yes." Ruby said blushing the same shade of red as her hood.
"That is good to hear." Endrance said before turning his attention back to Weiss. "Now dear sister... shall we just let bygones be bygones." Endrance said trying to make peace. "No harm was caused after all." Endrance added and thus Weiss huffed.
"Very well." Weiss said and thus she stormed off from the scene with her belongings.
"I do apologize for my sister's behavior." Endrance spoke as he looked to Ruby. "In our lives both of us tend to find ourselves under varying forms of stress and pressure." Endrance said with a wistful smile on his face.
"It's no problem." Ruby said as she swore steam came out of her ears with how Endrance held her hand. Just then Ruby heard a mewing from Endrance and form his shoulder his cat, Mia, appeared. YOU HAVE A KITTY!" Ruby cried out as her heat vanished so she can gush over the adorable feline.
"Yes... Mia is a very friendly little kitty." Endrance said petting Mia who purred at the Schnee's touch. "Oh, where are my manners?" Endrance said scolding himself. "I am Endrance Schnee a pleasure to meet you young one." Endrance said bowing to Ruby with his right arm over his left chest. Meanwhile right hand held on to Ruby's left hand once more causing the blush to return.
"The pleasure is all mine." Ruby said as the feeling of desire returned.
"Might inquire your name milady?" Endrance asked which Ruby nodded.
"Yes, you may." Ruby said with a nod before her mind caught up. "Oh, I'm Ruby Rose!" Ruby announced and thus Endrance smiled.
"A pleasure." Endrance said before he noted the time. "Now I must be off the Orientation will start soon... and I fear my sister may be inclined to lash out again." Endrance said before taking his leave. "Adou milady." Endrance said taking his leave of Ruby.
"Who was that Prince Charming?" Ruby asked in a dazed tone.
"Actually, its Heir." Came a new voice getting Ruby's attention. Looking to the source Ruby saw a new girl had arrived. This girl had fair skin with long black hair and amber colored eyes. She wore a black buttoned vest over a white, sleeveless undershirt, along with white shorts, black and dark purple stockings leading to black low-heeled boots, and finally a black bowtie over her head. At the moment she had a notebook out and was finishing in scribbling something down on it. "That's Endurance Schnee heir to the Schnee Dust Company, one of the largest producers of energy propellent in the world." The girl said looking to Ruby and then to Endrance. "You just met his sister Weiss Schnee as well." She added which Ruby nodded.
"Heir fits the bill for Prince Charming." Ruby giggled causing the girl in black to sigh in annoyance.
"Problem is despite being someone for Faunus Rights the same company he is the heir too is also infamous for its controversial labor forces, questionable business partners, and even rumors of corruption." The girl in black said with narrowed eyes causing Ruby to stop.
"Wait what?" Ruby asked when she had heard this.
"Hard to believe someone like him can be born to something like that." the girl in black said as unlike the rest of his family Endrance Schnee was genuine in his attempt to push for better treatment for the Faunus to the point she had even seen him take part in a few Protests and Rally's.
"Jeez he has the whole Prince Charming by day rebel prince by night vibe." Ruby said with a tone showing she was not a blip on his radar. Focusing to the present at hand Ruby turned her attention to the new arrival. So, what's your…" Ruby began but when she turned back to the girl in black, only to see that she was already gone as well. Feeling dejected, Ruby fell on her knees and fell on her back. "Welcome to Beacon." Ruby said with a sigh of defeat when another new arrival showed up.
"Hey." A male voice spoke as Ruby looked up to see the same blonde boy in white armor offering a hand. "I'm Jaune." The boy now known as Jaune introduced himself.
"Ruby." She replied as she accepted his hand and was helped back on her feet. She snickered once she got a good look at his face, however. "Aren't you the guy that threw up on the ship?" Ruby asked as she recalled Jaune vomiting earlier.
(Meanwhile with Haseo)
Haseo arrived at a garden area where the girl he was following had gone too. 'It can't be... was my mind playing tricks on me or something?' Haseo wondered as he went to where he knew Atoli would be. Soon enough he arrived and was shocked at the fact it was not a trick of his mind. "Atoli?" Haseo asked and thus the girl turned to Haseo and then was shocked before smiling.
"Haseo." Atoli said greeting Haseo before he ran over and hugged Atoli.
"Atoli, I can't believe it your here!" Haseo cried out as he didn't think Atoli would have also been reborn here.
"Me neither." Atoli said as she separated from Haseo. "But how did you get here?" Atoli asked trying to figure out how it happened.
"The long way I guess, I died from old age and found myself reborn as an infant... fresh from the womb." Haseo said shuddering from those images or any lack there, of.
"More or less the same." Atoli confirmed as she looked to Haseo. "I was reborn to a large family with a lot of sisters and one brother." Atoli said but then stopped herself for a moment.
"Is something wrong?" Haseo asked noting how Atoli just stopped.
"It's... it's nothing." Atoli said not wanting to talk about her twin brother for the time being.
"Alright." Haseo said with a nod to Atoli seeing that whatever it was that bothered her was personal and none of his business. "Well, I was reborn with a sister and got a half-sister later down the line... and yes we're all here in Beacon." Haseo said which Atoli found it curious.
"Your younger sister is here... she must be gifted." Atoli said happy to hear Haseo has family in this, world.
"Yeah... you can say that." Haseo said recalling Ruby's birthday when she tried to be rebellious over a costume. Or the time Ruby cut off a ponytail when she was barely a year old. "Anyway, did you find out about anyone else?" Haseo asked and Atoli nodded to this.
"I found Endrance, but I wasn't able to make contact with him." Atoli said surprising Haseo when he heard this.
"Wait Endrance is here too?" Haseo asked and thus Atoli nodded to him.
"Yes, he's all over the news for being a Schnee who is Pro Faunus rights." Atoli said which Haseo stopped right there.
"I... don't keep up with the news." Haseo said and thus realized he could have found Endrance already or maybe even the others from The World. Atoli of course giggled to this, but she knew their chances of crossing paths with Endrance in Beacon was inevitable.
"Anyway, Haseo we should probably make our way to the Auditorium for Orientation." Atoli said and thus Haseo nodded to her.
"Alright." Haseo said but then stopped for a moment. "So, I'm called Haseo Branwen here." Haseo said which Atoli understood.
"And I'm called Atoli Arc." Atoli said introducing herself as well before the pair departed.
(Back with Ruby and Jaune)
"Hey, motion sickness is a much more common problem then people let on!" Jaune exclaimed in offense as the two walked in the direction of the Academy.
"Look, I'm sorry. 'Vomit Boy' was the first thing that came to mind." Ruby told him recalling her first interaction with him being vomit.
"Oh yeah?! Well… what if I called you Crash Klutz?!" Jaune asked with an immature tone in his voice.
"Hey, that tumble was not my fault!" Ruby cried out as she looked to Jaune defending herself.
"Well, the name's Jaune Arc! Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue, ladies love it." Jaune said introducing himself with a cocky tone in a failed attempt to sound confident.
"Do they?" Ruby asked, getting the sense the last part might be exaggerated.
"T-They will!" Jaune quickly said trying to salvage what he could. "Well… I hope they will." Jaune mumbled a bit before explaining. "I mean, my mom always says that… eh… never mind." He said stopping himself from making the hole any deeper.
After a slight giggle, Ruby tried to find something to strike up further conversation. "So… I got this thing." Ruby said before she displayed Crescent Rose, causing Jaune to balk in shock and surprise.
"Whoa! Is that a scythe?!" He exclaimed shocked at what he saw.
"It's also a customizable, high-impact, sniper rifle." Ruby said with pride in her voice for her baby.
"Uh… what…?" Jaune asked as he didn't quite seem to understand what Ruby said.
"It's also a gun." Ruby said as she cocked the trigger for emphasis.
"Oh…. That's cool." Jaune said with a small smile.
"So, what do you got?" Ruby asked, her eyes trailing to the sword strapped to Jaune's belt.
"Oh! Uh… I got this sword." Jaune said as he pulled out said sword, which wasn't anything transformable, just a regular sword, but Ruby looked impressed regardless. "I got a shield too." The knight added as he pulled out the sword's sheath, which opened to reveal a white shield with the emblem of two golden crescent moons in the center.
"So, what do they do?" Ruby asked, touching the shield, accidentally causing it to snap open and close, which Jaune tried to grab as he lost his grip over it before it fell to the ground, but he quickly picked it up.
"The shield gets smaller." Jaune answered awkwardly to explain it. "It's also a sheath for the sword, makes it easier to carry both." Jaune said which caused Ruby to raise a brow to this.
"That's convenient." Ruby said giving Jaune some praise for that. "I'm kind of a dork when it comes to weapons. Guess I kinda did go a little overboard in designing Crescent Rose." Ruby said gesturing to her own weapon.
"Wait… you made that?" Jaune asked as he looked in surprise and was even in awe.
"Of course. All students at Signal forge their own weapons." Ruby answered but found it odd Jaune asked. "Didn't you make yours?" She asked and thus Jaune had to explain.
"No. Crocea Mors is a hand-me-down." Jaune answered, feeling slightly ashamed when comparing it to Ruby's weapon. "My great-great grandfather Balmung Arc used it to fight in the war." Jaune said as he showed to have a family heirloom here.
"Sounds more like a family heirloom to me." Ruby replied but then noticed Jaune looked upset. "Well, I like it. Not many people have an appreciation for the classics these days."
"Yeah… the classics." Jaune commented as he put his sword away, with Ruby doing the same for her weapon.
"Well, if you ask me Crescent Rose kind of pales when it comes to my brothers' weapons." Ruby began recalling Haseo's arsenal. "My sister jokes that he has weapons for days." Ruby said remembering how Yang can be with her quips and teases.
"Wait you got a brother with an arsenal?" Jaune asked and thus was met with the mental images of said brother as a demon holding every weapon known to man and unknown to man. The images made Jaune shiver in fear a bit before Ruby laughed.
"Don't worry he won't bite... he'll probably chainsaw your limbs off if you turn out to be a bad guy." Ruby said knowing her brother did that to several Grimm in the past.
Jaune gulped in fear over that prospect. "Great." Jaune said fearing angering the older brother.
"So why did you help me out back there?" She asked recalling the events earlier. "In the courtyard?" Ruby asked curious as to why Jaune helped her out.
"Eh, why not?" Jaune began with a shrug. "My mom always says, 'strangers are just friends you haven't met yet'." Jaune answered as he just wanted to be a nice guy.
Ruby understood that much before she noticed something off. Ruby looked around slightly and saw they weren't exactly anywhere near any other students and even appeared to be lost. "Hey, where are we going?" Ruby asked while looking to Jaune and gesturing to the empty part of the school.
"Oh, I don't know." Jaune said unaware of another new arrival. "I was following you." Jaune said and thus the new arrival made himself known.
"Hey, you guys lost or something?" Came the voice and thus they looked and saw a blue haired young man in yellow.
"Uh yeah we're supposed to be in Orientation right now." Ruby said as the young man walked over.
"Same here, luckily I know the way." The young man said taking out a map of the school grounds. "My sister sent me this so I wouldn't get lost." He added and thus the rose and knight looked over the map.
"That's great!" Ruby said and thus the young man nodded.
"Anyway, I'm Kuhn Adel nice to meet you guys." Kuhn said while introducing himself to the two first years.
"Ruby Rose." Ruby said introducing to the friendly student.
"Jaune Arc." Jaune said and thus Kuhn nodded to them.
"Well, we better hurry they'll be starting soon." Kuhn said and thus they got moving to the auditorium.
(Later)
Thankfully later thanks to Kuhn, it didn't take long for Ruby and Jaune to get to the Amphitheater, which was where all the first years were meeting up for orientation. And it didn't look like it started yet, which meant that they weren't late. "Thanks for the help, Kuhn." Ruby said thankful for Kuhn's help.
"Don't mention it." Kuhn said happy to have helped out a friend like Ruby. "Now then you can handle things from here, I'm going to find a spot." Kuhn said and thus he headed over to find a spot for himself to sit.
"Alright see you later, Kuhn." Ruby said happy to meet such a nice guy.
"Ruby! Over here!" Yang was heard nearby as she was calling Ruby to her. "I saved you a spot!" Yang said and thus Ruby spotted Yang waving to her.
With Yang in sight Ruby also began to take her leave. "Oh, I gotta go. I'll see you after the ceremony." Ruby said before running to meet up with her sister older sister.
"Hey, wait…!" Jaune called but Ruby was already gone in a red flash. "Ugh, great. Where am I supposed to find another nice quirky girl to talk to?" As he walked away, he happened to past by a girl with long red hair tied back in a ponytail, green eyes, wearing armor like that of an Amazon, Pyrrha Nikos.
"Jeez for a minute I thought I got us lost, Atoli." Haseo was heard and thus Jaune looked and saw his sister with a silver haired young man in black and a massive sword on his back with dagger/guns on his side.
"Don't mention it, Haseo." Atoli said just thankful to be reunited with her friend.
"Atoli?" Jaune asked and thus Atoli looked seeing her twin brother here.
"Jaune..." Atoli said trailing off a bit. "I didn't expect you to be at Beacon." Atoli said and thus Jaune smiled.
"Yeah... I uh I wanted it to be a surprise you know." Jaune said as Haseo saw how his voice wavered a bit.
"I... I see." Atoli said before sighing. "Um Haseo do you mind if we part ways... I'd like to spend some time with my brother." Atoli said which Haseo nodded.
"Sure." Haseo said and thus he saw Yang and Ruby.
"Haseo!" Ruby called out and thus Haseo smiled. "We saved you a spot!" Ruby called out before Haseo began to make his way over to Ruby and Yang while Jaune was wide eyed.
"That's the brother!?" Jaune asked as he saw the sword had chainsaw blades on it.
"Jaune." Atoli began which got Jaune's attention. "I'm proud of you." Atoli said smiling which Jaune nervously smiled back. "I always knew you had potential." Atoli said happy to see that Jaune proved everyone wrong about his short comings.
"Yeah... its thanks to you Atoli that I'm here now." Jaune said before the siblings went to find their own spot. Though as they walked Atoli suspected that something was wrong with this scene.
(Over with the Xia-Long/Branwen/Rose Siblings)
"So, what did I miss?" Haseo asked as he arrived on the scene with his twin sister and younger sister.
"Well first Yang ditched me, then I tripped over some crabby girls' luggage…" Ruby began to recount the events earlier, unaware of said 'crabby girl' being right behind her. "…and then she yelled at me before her brother showed up to help me where it all got better, and I swear he had some kind of attraction Semblance and." Ruby spoke as Weiss gagged upon hearing this before focusing.
"You!" Weiss yelled at her, making her presence known so she wouldn't have to hear Ruby swooning over Endrance.
"Oh gods, it's happening again!" Ruby jumped into her sister's arms, much to Yang's shock. "It was an accident! It was an accident!" Ruby tried to say to Weiss, who simply showed her pamphlet that read 'Dust for Dummies and other Inadequate Individuals'. "What's this?" Ruby asked confused by the pamphlet.
"I found out that some of my Dust vials weren't securely sealed." Weiss spoke with a calm yet annoyed tone. "If you had so much as sneezed, we would have been blown sky high." Weiss said which Haseo began to glare at Weiss.
"Ok princess and that's our problem why?" Haseo asked getting annoyed with Weiss.
"The Schnee Dust Company is not responsible of any injuries or damages sustained while operating a Schnee Dust Company product. Although not mandatory, the Schnee Family highly encourages our customers to read and familiarize themselves with this easy-to-follow guide to this application and practice in the field." Weiss said in a tone like that of a typical businesswoman, unaware that most of it completely went over Ruby's head.
"Um…" Ruby moaned trying to make sense of what Weiss just said.
"You really wanna start making things up to me?" Weiss questioned with a stern glare.
"Absolutely?" Ruby replied, sounding unsure, however.
"Read this, and don't ever speak to me again." Weiss told her, giving her the pamphlet.
Yang winced and decided to step in, rubbing the back of her head. But before Yang could speak up a new voice cut in. "Ah there you are sister." Endrance was heard and thus Ruby looked.
"And there's Prince Charming." Ruby said causing Weiss to sigh.
"Endrance what are you doing here now?" Weiss said as she loved her brother, but he had a bad habit of showing up when not needed.
"Trying to help you make friends it would seem." Endrance said winking over to Haseo. "Pardon my dear sisters' antics... she is not all versed in socializing with people outside the higher tastes of society." Endrance said as Yang began to blush as well. ""It's an adjustment phase I fear." He added causing Weiss to glare at her brother.
"Endrance please will you mind you own business." Weiss asked with a pout, but Endrance would not be deterred.
"Sister dear I think you and Ms. Rose simply got off on the wrong foot." Endrance said hoping to make the two into friends. "Why not sweep the earlier interaction away and start fresh." Endrance said which Yang agreed.
"My thoughts exactly." Yang said and thus Ruby smiled to this two against one.
"Yeah, great idea you two." Ruby said as she decided to give it a try and offered her hand to Weiss. "Hello Weiss, I'm Ruby. Wanna hang out? We can go shopping for school supplies." Ruby said introducing herself.
"Yeah! And we can paint our nails, try on clothes, and talk about cute boys like tall blonde and scraggly over there!" She said sarcastically, pointing toward Jaune, getting his attention from his conversation with Atoli.
"Wow? Really?" Ruby said excitedly, oblivious to Wiess' sarcasm as she scowled at her. Haseo saw it and then face palmed himself.
"No." Weiss said with a flat tone which Endrance sighed.
"Sister please you should at least try to make friends." Endrance said to his twin sister.
"I feel your pain bro." Yang said understanding what Endrance was trying to do for his own sister.
But just then the sound of a throat being cleared got everyone to quiet down. All the students' attention was drawn to the stage as Professor Ozpin stepped forward with Glynda right behind him and a familiar young woman in pink with her.
'Pi?!' Haseo, Atoli, Endrance, and Kuhn all mentally gasped at her arrival.
Ozpin meanwhile stepped up towards the microphone and spoke into the device. "I'll keep this brief." Ozpin began and thus orientation began. "You have all traveled here today in search of knowledge. To hone your craft and acquire new skills, and when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people." He spoke listing off the reasons why the students all came to learn. "But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose, direction." He said which brought everyone down a bit but not by much. "You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you, to take the first step." Ozpin said before he then stepped aside and allowed Glynda to step forward and speak to the students.
"Now before we begin, I'd like to announce that Pi Nikos will be joining the Beacon Staff this year as a teacher." Glynda said gesturing to Pi which Yang gasped.
"Pi Nikos as in Avenging Fist Pi!?" Yang asked hearing of her idol.
"A fan I assume." Endrance asked as he smiled over to Yang.
"You have no idea." Yang said as she had been trying to learn Pi's famous finishing move but could never mimic it for some reason.
Glynda despite the interruptions continued to speak to the students. "You will gather in the ballroom, tonight." She announced which meant they all needed their rest for tonight. "Tomorrow, your initiation begins. Be ready. You're dismissed." She said and thus as the professors walked away, most of the students, including Ruby, Yang, and even Weiss were a little caught off guard with the speech. They'd expected something more… inspirational.
"He seemed kinda… off." Yang commented as she stood there.
"It's almost like he wasn't even there." Ruby agreed to this.
"I'm a natural blonde, ya know." Jaune said, flittering with Weiss, who simply pressed her fingers against her forehead in annoyance.
"Hey wait." Ruby said noticing someone was missing. "Where's Haseo and Endrance?" Ruby asked noting her brother and Weiss brother were missing.
(Meanwhile with Pi)
Pi was walking down the halls as the holder of the Epitaph Tarvos the Avenger when she stopped for a moment. Looking she saw Haseo and Endrance standing there. "Should have seen this coming." Pi said showing she still remembered the old life.
"Pi... explain." Haseo said as he looked to the group.
"I assume my arrival here was the same as yours I died and was then reborn from birth." Pi said noticing the age difference. "Though I suspect I was among the first reborn." Pi added and thus it was clear to the why seeing she was the oldest here.
"You can say that again." Kuhn was heard and thus Haseo and Endrance saw him.
"Kuhn!" Haseo said and thus Kuhn joined the group.
"Hey Haseo." Kuhn greeted with a smile on his face.
"It seems most of the Epitaph Users are here, that was Atoli I saw in the crowd, correct?" Pi asked as she looked to Haseo.
"Yeah." Haseo said with a nod. "So, any ideas why we even have our Epitaphs assuming you have yours?" Haseo asked as they needed some answers to all of this.
"I'm not entirely sure as of yet." Pi admitted as she took a bit to think this odd mystery over. "But from my research we aren't the first ones that had the Epitaphs in this world, and yes I have Tarvos awakened." Pi said which meant Haseo and Atoli most likely didn't have their Epitaphs awakened even if they knew they still had said avatars.
"So other people int his world had the Epitaphs." Kuhn said crossing his arms deep in thought.
"Yes, one of them was noted to have Skeith and from what I understood he did not use it for any heroic deeds." Pi said as she had learned of one Sora Branwen a serial killer who used Skeith for his own jollies. Haseo did not need to know that however since it did not concern him here. "Not just that, but there is also evidence of Aura appearing in this world as well." Pi added which added more layers to this mystery.
"So, what does this mean for us?" Kuhn asked making himself known again. "Do we have the reform the G.U. in this world?" Kuhn asked with a playful smirk adoring his face.
"Perhaps, but I've also discovered a few other things." Pi said to which Haseo paid rapt attention to the pinkette. "The Epitaphs seem to follow a different set of rules then what we are used to which makes sense from a certain perspective." Pi said which got Haseo's attention on the new teacher. "Unlike with our old world where the Epitaphs are linked to specific PCs in this world the Epitaphs look for certain traits in their user and has made narrowing them down easier for me." Pi said as it was one of the ways on how she found most of them.
"So still no signs of Sakubo, Yata, or Ovan?" Haseo asked with concern for those three in particular.
"All I know is that Ovan is working for Ozpin so if anyone knows where he is, then it would have to be the Headmaster." Pi said before moving on to the other two. "I haven't found any clues on Sakubo, but I've managed to narrow down Master Yata's location to somewhere over in Sanctus." Pi said as they still had no idea where those three were.
"Well, the sooner we find them, the sooner we can get the gang back together." Kuhn said which Endrance nodded in agreement to this assumption.
"Of course." Pi said with a small laughed just before she recalled her earlier task. "Well as much as I'd like to continue to catch up, I don't have time." Pi said and got ready to leave. I'll see you all later and tell Atoli I said hi." Pi said as she was hard at work trying to find the others. With herself here there were a total of Five Epitaph Users in Beacon right now.
(Scene Break later that night)
The evening rolled in as all the First Years had gathered in the Ballroom with their sleeping bags and were already getting ready to sleep through the night, or simply reading or writing before doing so. Ruby appeared be writing something as Yang laid down next to her. "It's like a big slumber party!" Yang called out as she jumped down next to Ruby.
"I don't think Dad would approve of all the boys, though." Ruby commented noticing all of the boys.
"I know I do." Yang said, checking out several of the guys that had their shirts off, with Kuhn being amongst them. But then she cringed as she saw Jaune in his Pumpkin Pete onesie and nearly gagged when she saw Haseo walk to his spot wearing pajama pants and a white t-shirt to bed. "Wait where's the resident Prince Charming?" Yang said looking for Endrance and soon found him in a robe and carrying his pet cat Mia in his arms. "Much better." Yang said taking more ogling time before redirecting her attention to Ruby. "What's that?" She asked her sister, seeing her write wondering what she was writing.
"A letter to the gang back at Signal." Ruby replied with a calm tone. "I promised to tell them all about Beacon and how things are going." Ruby said causing Yang to smile.
"Awe that's so cute!" Yang gushed, only for Ruby to irritatingly throw her pillow at her older sister's face.
"Shut up!" Ruby snapped glaring at Yang. "I didn't get to take my friends with me to school! It's weird not knowing anyone here." Ruby said dejectedly at being alone.
"What about Jaune? He's… nice." Yang told her. "There you go, plus one friend! That's a hundred percent increase!"
"Pretty sure Weiss counts as a negative friend." Ruby said as she laid back on her sleeping bag. "Back to zero."
"There's no such thing as negative friends. You just made one friend and one enemy." Yang replied, only for Ruby to throw her corgi pillow at her face again. "And if we're going by that logic, you got Kuhn and Endrance that's a 200% increase." Yang said recalling those two.
"Feels more like their Haseo's friends first." Ruby said noticing that Haseo, Kuhn, and Endrance were hanging out together.
"Bros before hoes." Yang said seeing that was the case here. But then Yang sighed before speaking a bit more seriously. "Look, it's only been one day. Trust me, you've got friends all around you. You just haven't met them yet." Yang said assuring Ruby that things will get better.
Ruby's attention was caught by a candle that was lit up, the one who lit it was the same black-haired girl with a bowtie from before, sitting against a wall and reading a book. "That girl…" Ruby said remembering the girl from earlier.
"You know her?" Yang asked as she noticed who Ruby was looking at.
"Not really." Ruby answered. "She saw what happened this morning but left before I could say anything."
"Well, now's your chance." Yang immediately got up and pulled Ruby up with her by the arm.
"Wait! What are you doing?!" Ruby questioned as she was dragged against her will by her older sister who made their way towards the black-haired girl, turning her attention from her book to the two sisters.
"Hello." Yang greeted as she approached the girl dragging the unwilling Ruby. "I believe you two may know each other." Yang said as she reintroduced Ruby to her.
"Aren't you… that girl who got jelly legs around Endrance?" The girl in black asked with a slightly skeptical tone.
"Uh, yeah. My name's Ruby." Ruby introduced herself as she offered her hand to shake. But what Ruby got was that the girl just seemed to be more interested in her book. "But… you can just call me 'Klutz…' actually you can just call me Ruby." She said with a wince trying to start a conversation.
"Okay…" The girl said showing she was not interested in socializing right now.
"What are you doing?" Yang whispered to Ruby trying to help her out.
"I don't know, help me!" Ruby whispered back as she had no way to know how to proceed.
With Ruby falling short on the social interaction, it was now it was Yang's turn. "So, what's your name?" Yang asked as she looked to the silent girl.
"Blake." The girl now known as Blake answered with a sigh.
"Well Blake, I'm Yang. Ruby's older sister. I like your bow." Yang said as it was now becoming awkward for them.
"Thanks." Blake was now starting to get a little annoyed.
"It goes great with your… pajamas?" Yang tried as she was running out of ideas here.
"Right…" Blade said not interested in this conversation.
Both sisters looked toward each other with winces, picking up on Blake's lack of interest on a conversation. "So… nice night, don't ya think?" Yang said still trying to socialize for her sister
"Yes, it's lovely. Almost as lovely as this book. That I will continue to read. As soon as you leave." Blake said with finality as she wanted to finish reading her book.
"Yeah… this girl's a lost cause." Yang muttered to her sister and was about ready to leave.
But then Ruby surprise Yang when she spoke up. "What's it about?" Ruby asked Blake, getting her attention. "Your book. Does it have a name?" Ruby asked curious about the book.
"Well… it's about a man with two souls." Blake answered finding something she did like to talk about. "Each fighting for control over his body." Blake said while holding the book.
"Oh yeah, that's… real lovely." Yang said but she wasn't much of a bookworm, but her sister was a different story.
"I love books." Ruby said as she stepped up, having found some common ground with Blake. "My mom used to read me stories every night when I was little. Stories of heroes, monsters, they're one of the reasons I wanted to become a Huntress." Ruby said as she recalled one book in particular from so long ago.
"Oh, why is that? Hopping you'll live happily ever after?" Blake asked with a smile on her face.
"Well, I'm hoping we all will." Ruby answered with simple honesty. "As a kid, I wanted to be just like those heroes in the books, someone who fought for what was right, and who protected people that couldn't protect themselves." Ruby said as she wanted to be a hero for those who need one.
"That's very ambitious for a child." Blake said with a smile. But alas her smile faded, however. "Unfortunately, the real world isn't the same as a fairy tale." Blake said but Ruby's smile didn't fade.
"Well, that's why we're here. To make it better." Ruby said with confidence in her voice.
"Oooh, I'm so proud of my baby sister!" Yang pulled Ruby into a hug, much to her annoyance.
"Gah, cut it out!" She struggled in Yang's grip, resulting in a comic dust cloud of punches and kicks, something that caused Blake to chuckle slightly.
"Well, Ruby, Yang, it's a pleasure to meet…" Blake began but then a new voice cut in.
"What is going on over here?!" Weiss snapped as she marched over in irritation. "Don't you realize we're trying to sleep!?" Weiss demanded as she was also trying to sleep.
"Oh, not you, again!" Weiss exclaimed to Ruby as Yang did the same to Weiss.
But realizing Weiss had a point Ruby tried to shush both of them. "Guys, she's right. People are trying to sleep." Ruby said with a wince as Blake simply rolled her eyes and put her book away.
"Oh, now you're on my side?" Weiss asked as she glared at Ruby.
"I was always on your side!" Ruby argue trying to make peace here.
"Yeah, what's your problem with my sister?!" Yang exclaimed to Weiss. "She's only trying to be nice!" Yang said as she was trying to protect her sister.
"She's a hazard to my health!" Weiss argued as Blake blew out the candles while the three girls argued.
Meanwhile Haseo sighed and passed ear plugs to his friends. "You might need this, those three will be at it for a bit." Haseo said as Kuhn smiled a bit.
"And here I thought girls only argued over me." Kuhn said causing Haseo rolled his eyes.
"Just be careful your princesses here will be inclined to kick your ass." Haseo said causing Kuhn to smirk to this.
"And I say... worth it." Kuhn said as he proceeded to lay down.
"Good to have you guys back." Haseo said as he almost forgotten what they were like.
"Good to be back... Haseo." Endrance said his loyalty and devotion to Haseo never truly leaving him.
"Haseo?" Atoli was heard and thus the guys lifted up to see Atoli in her own pajama's standing before the guys.
"Atoli." Haseo greeted when he saw the support fighter.
"Hey Atoli." Kuhn greeted as he got back up.
"Your all here…" Atoli trailed off as she held back her tears at seeing the guys. "I'm happy truly I'm…" She trailed off and thus Haseo got up and proceeded to hug the holder of Innis.
"It's ok we're all here for you." Haseo said as he then had Atoli join them. "And we have a lot to catch up on." Haseo said which Atoli nodded in agreement to her friend.
"Right." Atoli said and thus she sat down with the guys before they all began to trade stories of what they had been up to. But unaware to any of them something dark was on the move.
(In the Emerald Forest)
"Ah Remnant good to be back." Came a sadistic female voice sitting atop some ruins. The girl was dressed almost identical to Ruby save for the color scheme. The Black was replaced with white; the red was replaced with blue, and the silver of her eyes was replaced with topaz gold. She had her hands stretched forward as black dots moved around them much to her amusement.
"Well then bearer of the Twilight Bracelet I'm waiting... let's see what this iteration of you can do." The girl said with a sinister grin wanting with anticipation to see what her new yet beloved nemesis will do.
(TBC)
ESKK: Another chapter has been finished and edited so I hope you all enjoyed it, will leave a review for the new chapter I published, and will join us for Chapter 3 of this story. So, until we next meet again I will say, ja-ne.