Welcome back to the very late and delayed Chapter!

Anyways make sure to read the end of the chapter, let's get right into it!

Chapter 5: Killer Surprise

I first noticed how everything felt muted like I was floating in quicksand or a pool of room-temperature water. Then came the confusion from how my own body wouldn't respond.

I stayed in this limbo for a few minutes, incapable of thinking straight as everything slipped from my mind. Then, slowly but surely, I felt my thoughts recollect what had happened.

'I thought the Shadowstalkers got me… but I don't think I lost'

'No' I said to myself. I didn't lose, but I didn't win without paying a hefty cost.

I remember my old family from Earth, teaching me how to fight, how to stand up regardless of the wounds, and fight for something I believed in. Many would call it barbaric and old-fashioned, the way I was raised. Yet, despite that, I idolized and cherished my upbringing.

'I died fighting in my old life, and it nearly happened again' I reflected, feeling the first sensation since waking up… a cold shiver trailing down my spine.

Despite being raised to fight, to survive, and to sacrifice, I was never taught to accept this feeling. I never found solace in it, nor did I grow accustomed to it. The sensation of death breathing down my neck was something no one, regardless of their frequent encounters with it, could ever become accustomed to.

I might have faced death once, but I could never revel in it-ignore it, but by some miracle, I did when fighting the Shadowstalkers.

The sensation of a cold bubbling in my chest when I fought the Grimm, the feeling of my blood dripping onto my weapon, ignited something within me. It made me powerful, numbed my pain, and sharpened my focus on the enemy. Yet, it also stole something from me in return.

'It took my reason', the realization left me cold. 'Could it be from my race?' I thought. Even I am not dumb enough to ignore that I am not fully a Faunus. I was something more and something less, and I believe that my nature made me that irrational monster.

'At the start of the battle I was fine, but what changed?'

I protected Velvet, and I even took a few hits for her. Thinking back to the fight, the moment that changed everything was when I started bleeding after breaking the Grimms' leg.

At that moment, I lost my rationality and became consumed with a singular desire: to grind both of the Grimm into dust. I completely disregarded what my Grandpa had taught me about fighting – to stay calm and collected. And because of that, I left myself open to an attack when saving Velvet.

'If only I stayed calm' I lamented what was most likely a near-fatal attack on my back. I saw the claws of the Shadowstalkers, I remember them vividly, and I can certainly say that they were not short.

I am almost certain that the reason why they weren't fatal was because they got stuck in my ribs and shoulder blades, if it was my chest I would've been disemboweled.

'I messed up big time' I lamely said to myself. Feeling my heart beat rapidly at the thought of how close to death I was brought me back to reality.

'I need to stop lamenting and make sure Velvets is okay' I became determined with that line of thought to finally feel something in my body.

I first focussed on my hearing, my strongest trait, and listened. At first, it felt like I was underwater, but slowly I began to hear a beeping noise. From that consistent beep, I began to focus on other parts of my body, and just like waking up from a long nap the world abruptly became aware to me.

I could feel the pain muted by, what I could piece together, copious amounts of pain blockers. I would be worried that I was paralyzed, but the telltale recognition of the ache across my body proved otherwise.

Moving my toes, ankles, hands, and then finally my eyes I determinedly pushed the pain medication out of my system enough to blink. It was difficult, and I wanted nothing more than to close my eyes, but the worry for Velvet and the grim curiosity of my body's state kept me motivated.

I blinked my eyes once, then twice, and then thrice before I could see the room around me. I was most certainly in a hospital, that I had no doubt, but the design of it was what jumped out at me.

Instead of the bright white walls that would blind a person, I was looking at beige walls and bamboo poles. Plants alongside paintings were dotted about the room, making it look less like a hospital, and more like a vacation getaway. Despite all of this, the room was most definitely cramped.

Looking down at my arms, my left arm was covered in thick bandages, nearly the size of a towel. On my right arm a small clear tube was protruding, giving me a mixture of water, nutrients, and pain medications.

I tried to lean up, even an inch only to feel a searing pain burn across my back. "Mhmph!" I whimpered before blinking the tears from my eyes. 'Yup, long sharp claws for sure!'

Giving up trying to move I looked around the room and saw an empty chair next to my bed, and a table full of flowers. There were numerous flowers, even a few Spider Lillys, but what slowly dragged my attention from the Spider Lillys was the bloodied police baton with a light blue colored envelope on top.

This envelope was something I would normally ignore, but there was one thing that no one could overlook plastered on it, and that was the Atlas Academy official insignia on it.

"Wh-what?" I stammered out from my bone-dry throat. 'No, I can deal with this letter later' I pushed my surprise about the letter to a later date and instead looked for a call button to summon a nurse, but it seemed my surprise had done the job for me. Abruptly, my door swung open, and a lizard Faunus of some sort marched in, dressed in a nurse's gown.

"Great, you're awake!" The nurse exclaimed before swiftly walking over towards me. "Alright, I know this will be difficult for you, but a strong girl like you can do it, right?" The nurse waited for me to nod before pulling out a clipboard.

Once her clipboard was out she went through numerous tests, asking me to follow her finger, to recall what happened, and she even gave me a pain questionnaire similar to the McGill one on Earth.

After I finished those tests, alongside others, she finally put away her clipboard and gave me a pitying look. "Alright sweety, I will let your parents know that you are awake. Don't worry I will be back with them momentarily" and with those words, she walked out of the room with a quickened pace.

With effort, I tracked her steps through my hearing until they faded, muffled by the cacophony of numerous voices, the beeping of machines, and the moans and groans of others in pain. It took about four minutes before the hurried pace of four people reached my ears. I nearly chuckled at the image of my ears as a massive satellite dish atop my head, adjusting to capture the most sound possible.

"Akari!" The first to enter was my mom, Megan Scarlatina. Instead of her normally pristine straight brown hair and glasses, she came in with disheveled brown hair and droopy rabbit ears, clad in what looked like an oversized sweater and sweats.

Then my father, Will Scarlatina, stumbled into the room. Despite having his normal appearance of combed slick brown hair and formal attire, I noticed he was not in his best state either, as his buttons were misordered on his white collared shirt.

Finally, the one person I worried about most was Velvet, who already had tears falling down her face as she ran towards me. 'She looks awful' I thought to myself as I saw her red eyes and tear streaks down her face.

Velvet crashed into me like a heat-seeking missile, which I might add caused me to release a painful gasp before she began to hiccup into my hospital gown.

"Ak-akari! I-I'm showry!" Velvet cried into my chest as I slowly began to rub circles on her back. "Shhh shhh, Velvet I'm fine! And I promise you it wasn't your fault Velv, don't say that" I hugged Velvet closer to me as despite my best attempts, her crying didn't stop.

While all of this was happening I just barely heard the tapping of shoes walking into the room. My ears twitched ever so slightly before I glanced up and saw my parents dividing their attention from Velvet and me to the person who walked into the room.

The first thing I noticed was the uniform on the woman-no… very feminine man. The uniform was none other than one of a high-ranking officer from the Atlas military. He was tall and had long platinum-blonde hair that went down past his shoulders. He had black-rimmed glasses and a very ambiguous face that could trick one into thinking that he was a girl.

The second thing that set me off from the man was the metal cylinder that he moved from his back to the floor before stepping away. The man gave me a small smile before nodding at my dad slowly walking up to my bed and grabbing the clipboard the nurse just finished with. He then proceeded to back up into the corner of the room while reading it.

"Akari, I want to scold you for what you did. But before that, there is someone who wants to talk to you about your brave actions." My dad straightened his posture and stared at me seriously.

My mom while this was happening though glared like no tomorrow at my dad. "You! She just woke up and we haven't spoken to our baby girl yet! I told you to tell him to wait!" My mom whisper-yelled at my dad before quickly walking over to me and leaning down on my bed.

"Akari dear, how do you feel? I was so-so-so worried about you when Velvet and a man from the hospital came running over!" She began to softly cry as well before she shook her head and glared at Dad.

"Right now Akari, there's someone important who wants to talk to you. If you are not feeling good, or need anything just say something and Mom will deal with it, okay?" She softly said before stroking my hair.

'What the hell is going on?' I gave her a confused look before glancing back at the man in the corner who was standing opposite my dad. Some thoughts came to mind but honestly, I was tired. I had a gut feeling I knew who wanted to talk to me, but I had no idea why and simply didn't have the energy to think about it.

Looking back at my mom who waited patiently for my response, I hugged Velvet a little closer before giving her a nod. With my affirmation, the man in the corner took two purposeful steps to the cylinder on the ground before pressing the center of it.

It was set on the ground like a can that was left forgotten, but that all changed as soon as the top of it was pushed down. I watched in fascination as the sides of the cylinder started to fold outwards like a blossoming flower until the center of the cylinder was shown to the outside world. The center of the cylinder held a tall rectangular, cyan-blue prism, which glowed softly in the room.

It lit up in a blink of an eye with a bright blue light, that momentarily surprised me before it shot upwards and the figure of a man I KNEW appeared. He was young and looked far less worn out than RWBY had portrayed him, but no less intimidating.

The figure was none other than General James Ironwood, and although he was missing his grizzled look and facial hair, he stood tall and imposing in the room. The hologram of Ironwood looked towards its left at my father before nodding at him, and then slowly looking back towards me.

I would say that I was surprised, that my mind was firing off question after question at why HE wanted to speak to me, but it wasn't. I knew why, I always knew my dad was somehow close with Ironwood as over the few short years of my life I have been able to listen in on them speaking together.

"Ah, Will. This is Akari correct? She has grown from the pictures you showed me last." Ironwood leaned forward slightly, or his hologram did, as he looked at my form from top to bottom. I knew that I looked bad from the slight grimace on his face.

I looked closely at his visage, and despite not being here in person, I could see in his eyes the gleam of worry and respect.

"Yes James, this is Akari. Akari, this is my good friend James, and he wanted to check up on you after he heard you were hurt." My father stepped forward towards me, looking upset at my obvious injuries.

"What your father says is true Akari, how are you feeling? Your father loves you very much, he immediately called me and as soon as I heard that you got hurt I had to make sure you were fine." Ironwood said slowly as a small frown marred his face.

'This… This is weird.' That was all I could really think of at the moment. Ironwood, one of the most important people in the world, was worried for me. I'd never even met him before, and yet he was talking to me like an uncle or distant relative.

"Umm, I feel okayish? I can't really feel much right now, but I think that's due to this" I lightly said before pointing towards the IV drip that was connected to my arm.

Ironwood blinked once, then twice, and looked at me with surprise on his face before he lightly chuckled. "Hah- yes, I can see how that would influence how you feel" Ironwood sighed before looking at the floor.

"And you Velvet? How are you feeling? I know seeing your little sister get hurt like this must have really had you worried" He leaned forward towards Velvet with a parental look on his face. The kind of look you would see when a parent patches up a scrape.

Velvet, who was done crying leaned up from my chest, causing a little bit of pain on my end, and looked at General Ironwood in confusion.

"I… Uhm, I'm good Mr. Ironwood. I-I am just worried about Kari" Velvet stuttered a bit before looking back at me.

"Please, both of you, just call me James. I am glad to see you are powering through this Velvet, you are really strong aren't you?" Ironwood said before looking back at me.

"Now then, Akari, I know this sounds strange, especially coming from someone you have never met before, but I am glad you are feeling better" Ironwood grimaced before staring right into my eyes.

"It is my fault we've never met before, but your father and I, besides being good friends, are co-workers." Ironwood smiled "We both work for the Kingdom of Atlas and often talk when we have free time. I've heard much about you and your sister from him" He smiled and chuckled a bit to himself.

Dad wore a small smile and an embarrassed look on his face as he looked at Ironwood.

"You see, I've come to know much about both you and your sister Velvet, and when he told me what happened I made sure one of Atlas's best doctors was there to fix you up"

My mind stopped for a second and rebooted before looking back at the man in the corner of the room. Looking closely at his uniform I noticed a small broch on his chest, the Caduceus, representing his profession as a doctor. Maybe him reading my medical chart should've set me off, but give me some slack for the situation.

"Akari…" Ironwood sighed before smiling at me with what looks like an ounce of respect "You did something very brave to protect your sister from the Grimm. And while reckless, you did something that few else, especially at your age would." Ironwood turned around to the man in the corner of the room before nodding.

"That is why besides making sure that you are alright, I wanted to commemorate you for your actions" He let out a long sigh before all of his features hardened.

"It was my actions that led your family to be in Menagerie, and even though I wish I could claim responsibility for not stopping the Grimm that attacked you, I can't. But what I can claim responsibility for is having it happen in the first place, so for my mistake, I hope you forgive me." Ironwood bowed to me before returning his posture ramrod straight.

"As my apology, I am giving you two things. One is this" With his words, the man from the corner of the room slowly walked up to my bed before laying the blue envelope on my lap.

I slowly moved my functioning arm and lifted the envelope to examine it. It was… fancy looking, that much I could tell already from the wax seal on it. But looking closer I could see small silver vine patterns tracing the edges of the envelope.

"In that envelope are my contact details, alongside a letter from myself that you can read with your parents later. Feel free to call me whenever you need anything" Ironwood smiled lightly before putting his hands behind his back, holding his wrist.

"And besides that, your second gift will be a full-ride scholarship to any school of your choice. Be it an art academy, a normal school, or even a huntsmen academy, I will sponsor you fully." Ironwood shook his head as his expression hardened.

"You might be young, but from what your dad has told me about you, and from what I've seen myself, I see a lot of potential in you Akari. Your generation will lead the world one day, and I find it imperative to foster their growth." Ironwood finished before looking at my father and mother.

The room was quiet, and all eyes were on me as I tried to process everything Ironwood told me. 'So… any school?' I immediately began to process my options.

A full sponsorship from General Ironwood is a big deal, and even though he, nor my parents have told me how much power he holds, I know that a promise like that is no minor gift.

'I'm young, shoot I am 5 years old! How does he expect me to know over half of what he said?!' I angrily grumbled to myself before looking back at Ironwood.

His hologram was fiddling with something on his wrist, and I knew he didn't expect an answer, especially from a 5-year-old, but I already picked my choice.

I knew from that fight alone-no… far before that. From the moment I was born even, was that I had to do everything I possibly could to live. If this is the same RWBY that I watched all of those years ago, that means I was in danger.

Velvet, Mom, Dad, and even the everyday people I've met on the streets are in danger from the approaching storm. I knew what I had to do, maybe it was the price for my new lease on life, but regardless of what it was, I was going to readily accept it.

"Umm, James sir?" I nervously muttered to him causing him to look up at smile at me. 'He thinks I am a kid' I thought to myself as I studied his features, his posture, even the look in his eyes. It was that of a parent, or guardian who was worried for my wellbeing.

"Yes?"

I took a deep breath, not thinking twice about my answer. "I want to go to Sanctum Academy!" I quickly shouted out causing both of my parents to turn towards me in pure shock.

"Wha! Akari! Where did you even hear about Sanctum? You do know it's a Huntsman Academy?!" My mother turned to scold me.

"Baby, do you have any idea how dangerous being a Huntsman is? No… you are too young… Will! Did you tell my baby about this?!" She glared at my Dad who was still looking at me in shock.

He sputtered out, practically choking out a response. "Wha-NO! I don't know how she heard about Sanctum?!" He stepped back in shock before looking at me. "Akari did you hear about Huntsman from the TV or something?"

"Uhmmm, you mean those superheroes that me and Kari read about?" Velvet tilted her head cutely, having one ear droop down as she scrunched up her eyebrows.

"Wha-Velvet! What books are you and Akari reading?! When we get home you better show-" My mother's ire towards Velvet was suddenly stopped in its tracks.

"Ahmh!" Ironwood coughed loudly into the room silencing everyone.

"Ah, well then… Let us all calm down. Akari, you do know that you don't have to make a decision right now right? Why don't you take some time and-"

"I know what I want sir!" I cut him off, causing him to look at me in pure surprise. "I know what Sanctum is, and I want to be strong enough so my family won't get hurt by the Grimm again!"

Despite the slight pain I was in, the lack of energy, and pure shock at seeing Ironwood, I knew what I wanted.

Ironwood was surprised-no shocked at my decree based on the look he was showing. He was in disbelief, but from his eyes, I could tell he understood and respected the conviction on my face before he slowly schooled his features. The room was quiet as he raised his hand to his chin, a pressure slowly filling the air.

Ironwood hummed in thought before glancing up at me. Looking past my battered appearance, covered in bandages and surrounded by my loved ones, and instead at my eyes before giving a small nod to himself.

"Alright. Akari, you might be young, but you are one of the most mature children I've ever seen" Ironwood looked to the side before squaring his shoulders.

"I will sponsor you into Sanctum if that is what you truly want, but I want you to deeply think about it. Rest, recover, and spend time with your family. You have years to think about this, so please, don't feel rushed." Ironwood tugged on the collar of his shirt before looking at Will, hoping he would say something.

"Akari, you are far too young to be deciding this. How about this, I will show you what a Huntsman is and teach you more about it so you can make your choice later. How about that?" My dad stepped forward, looking at me with a small smile on his face.

Nodding at him I smiled and looked back towards Ironwood.

"Alright, well now that we have that in order, Will I was planning to do something else for your family, but with Akari's choice I think I have a better idea." Ironwood smiled lightly as both my Mom and Dad turned to him in confusion.

"I want you to finish the current project here, of course after Akari is better, and then instead of having you come back to Atlas, I will be moving you to Argus to continue the hardlight wall installations" Ironwood pulled up a tablet before typing in something.

"By the time you are finished here if Akari still wishes to go to Sanctum, I will be providing you and your family a place to stay in Argus"

"Wha-James? That would be great!" My father smiled before turning to my Mom. "Meg, that means you won't have to stay in Atlas! I can commute from Argus to Atlas for work while you stay with the girls"

A small smile slowly formed on her face as she gave a relieved sigh before looking back at Velvet and me. "Let's talk about this later Will, but it does sound like a good deal. I've always hated Atlas for the cold and… other reasons"

"Great, it looks like all plans are in order then" Ironwood smiled and put both of his hands behind his back. "Well then, Akari, how about you and Will give me a call when you are out of the hospital? I will leave Herma here to make sure you get back to 100%" Ironwood motioned towards the man who was quiet the entire time, resting in the corner.

"Herma here is one of my most trusted doctors and was the one who has fixed me up the most whenever I got into trouble," Ironwood said before Herma stepped forward.

"My apologies for not introducing myself earlier little Akari and Velvet, I'm Herma Quickfoot, your official doctor until you are all better!" He softly said, giving Velvet and me a kind smile.

'Herma? Isn't that the name for Hermes or something?' I thought confusedly before giving a bright smile to him, after all, he was the one to treat me.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Herma! Thank you for saving Kari." Velvet hugged me while smiling at Herma.

"Please, it was nothing, it is my job after all to make sure people get better" He lightly said before stepping back towards Ironwood's hologram.

"Well then" Ironwood moved his left hand towards his face and looked down towards his wrist, checking the time. "I sadly must be going now, I have another meeting to get to. It was a pleasure to meet your family Will, and I hope next time we all talk it will be under better circumstances."

"Herma, I will be sending you details on what to do once Akari here is better." Ironwood looked at Herma before glancing back towards me who was surrounded by my family.

"The future looks bright with people like you in it Akari. We will keep in touch. Will, Meg… Velvet." Ironwood nodded to both of my parents and even Velvet a little awkwardly before abruptly hanging up.

As soon as he did the glowing cylinder in the center of the cramped hospital room slowly began to move and close in on itself, hiding the glowing prism which once projected James Ironwood in the room.

Taking a glance away from it I looked at my family. Velvet was smiling and looking in slight fascination at the closing cylinder.

My parents, Meg and Will, both looked a little relieved as they stood next to each other. 'Hm I guess the news of not having to go back to Atlas was a big deal for them' I thought to myself before glancing at Herma.

Herma, dressed in his Atlas uniform slowly approached the cylinder before picking it up and strapping it to his side again. Afterward, he approached my bed and held up the clipboard he grabbed earlier in his hands.

"Alright, well now that the General is done with his part, I must do mine," Herma said before taking on a serious look and reading the clipboard.

"I hate to kill the mood, but as the whole family is here I think it is best to address Akari's injuries," He said before pulling out a pen from the clipboard and clicking it open.

"Now, besides being a miracle that she is healing as fast as she is, especially without aura, I expect a full recovery in around… hmmm about 3 months?" He tilted his head slightly. "Yes, normally it would be 5, but with her, to put it frankly, ridiculous healing, she should be all better in 3 months, and safe to leave in about 2 to 3 weeks"

'Wha! 3 months!?' I looked at him in shock before regaining my focus. "Wait! 2 to 3 weeks?!" I yelled as the truth of the matter hit me in full force.

"Hm? Yes, 2 to 3 weeks. Oh! I forgot, ha silly me!" He bumped his head before walking over to the corner and unfolding a wheelchair. "You will be stuck in this for the first month!" He patted it twice, ignoring the devastation in my eyes.

"Ah, and you will need someone to help you to the bathroom" Herma finished before nodding to himself, crossing out a list on the clipboard.

'No! There is no way I am having someone help me to the bathroom!' I glared at him before looking at both of my parents and sister who were nodding seriously at him.

"Now then… how about we go over her injuries?" He held up his clipboard, causing both my parents to look at it in apt attention.

'This is going to be a long day…' I ignored Velvet who sat up from her position and thought of how much my life will suck for the next few months.

Herma slowly began to list off various injuries that I experienced, mentioning broken bones, cut arteries, and…. I slowly tuned him out.

"Oh… just look at this! My baby girl must be in so much pain!" my mother began to sob while listening to him.

'Yep… a long day indeed' I looked around the room before a large smile made its way onto my face. 'At least I get to spend it with my family' I continued to smile and look around the room at the sight of a caring family. 'Nothing like Earth…' I slowly thought while rubbing Ironwood's envelope between two of my fingers.

Authors Notes:

Hey everyone, first I wanted to say Hi as it's been awhile. I wanted to thank the author of Unexpected Incarnate, an amazing RWBY fic on this site, for motivating me to get back to writing this chapter! To be honest with many many things from real life like college, having no free time, and loosing motivation to write I just honestly forgot about this fic. That isn't to say I don't still have a plan for it though!

Really I have been just extremely busy doing a double major, and moved back to reading fictions over writing them, but I want to try to continue writing one or two of them at least. With the state of RWBY right now I really want to at least provide something, regardless of how mediocre it is, to the community.

Besides that, I hope you enjoyed this 5k worded chapter! I don't think there's any spelling mistakes, but if there is feel free to point them out to me. I plan on updating this story as much as I can, but it will most likely only be once a month until the Summer.

Sorry for the weird format if any of you noticed! That is due to the fact I wrote it in google docs with double space on, idk it looks fine to me but it might be weird for others.

Last thing before I go, I wanted to emphasize that Ironwood does not agree with what Akari did. In RWBY, even in his own theme song, he made it very clear that he does not support child soldiers. I hope I made it obvious in my writing, that he respected her from the standpoint of a soldier. He respects what Akari did, regardless of her age, from a standpoint of someone who would've done the same exact thing. That is why he treated Akari less like a child than he did to Velvet as well.

Anyways hope you enjoyed the cliffhanger with the envelope, and was slightly surprised with Akari's choice. Don't forget, Herma will show up some more as well! I still plan on following cannon while changing the difficulty as well, so expect some drama with the family in the future. Have a good one!