A/N: Patrick is about to make the decision that will change his life. After discovering the truth about his sister, about the world, what will he decide?

Chapter 4: Welcome to Beacon

Many weeks have passed. The Kingdom of Vale is under a cool, sunny Autumn Season. The Season of Fall. Patrick can't help but think of Amber in the Fall. Not so much she enjoys the season but really due to the fact she's the Fall Maiden. Not a very personal connection to be thinking of her.

An Airship is making its way towards Beacon Academy. The airship is transferring new Students to Beacon Academy.

Many of them are pretty excited about it, but not for Patrick. The whole ride there, he's just sitting in silence, arms crossed and looking over the window. Some of the New Transfers are wondering what his deal is. But he's not the only one with a quiet lone side.

Some of the other students take notice of a Fox Faunus, whose appearance is as an Eastern Samurai in a Pink and Purple Kimono with Black and Gold Armor, and Long Black Hair with Fox Ears. During the trip, she often exchanged a look towards Patrick, feeling something about his presence.

One time, Patrick looks in her direction, but she looks away. During that moment, he's been greeted. "Hello." Patrick turns to see a brightly spirited girl. Her Appearance is long brownish-red hair twisted into a ponytail that rests on her left shoulder. She seems a little short, about 5 ft, wearing a white and red shirt and a blue skirt with brown boots.

"What do you want?" Patrick asks.

"I just wanted to say hi. You seem pretty quiet the whole trip here-and lonely." The girl says.

Patrick turns his attention back to the window. "I prefer to be alone."

"Oh...Well..." The Girl offers her hand. "My name is Marlene; Marlene Watts. Uh, what's yours?"

Patrick's quiet at first then decides to speak. But doesn't bother to accept her hand. "Patrick."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Patrick. I hope we'll be on the same team." Marlene says.

Hearing this surprises him. "Hold on, team?"

"You didn't know?" The Fox Faunus says. "At Opening Day, our skills are put to the test and once our training course is complete, you will be assigned with a teammate. Mostly like for the whole time you will be in Beacon." Hearing that shocks Patrick. Clearly, nobody's ever told him that. "The name's Akira Rhysenshi."

"Oh, it's nice to meet you, Akira," Marlene says.

Marlene goes on greeting other people, and Akira just focuses back on her meditation, while Patrick is lost on this thought as he stares at the incoming Beacon Academy.

Flashback

Ozpin, Patrick, and Qrow are all watching the coma Amber as the Airship makes its takeoff from Atlas. "With her Assailant still on the lose, we have no other choice but to keep her safe in a Vault," Qrow says.

"Then we'll keep her in Beacon, that way we'll be able to keep an eye on her," Ozpin says. Patrick is silent the whole time he just stares at his sister. Ozpin turns to Patrick. "It's wonderful that you have decided to join us."

"Let's get one thing straight, 'professor'. I did not sign up to be part of your team." Patrick says. "I am only doing this for Amber's sake. I will not hesitate to leave Beacon and hunt down the Assailant that took her."

"You do that, and you won't live to see her become the next Fall Maiden," Qrow says.

"Like I care about what some drunk Huntsman thinks," Patrick says.

"Careful, kid. I'm a licensed Huntsman." Qrow says.

"Whatever." Patrick turns to Ozpin. "I'll only agree to go to this school of yours, but only if I get to see Amber."

"Very well. However, I should fairly warn you that everything you have learned must be kept a secret. None of the other students know about the Maidens or being on the brink of war." Ozpin says.

Patrick sighs. "Fine. It's not like it's the first secret I've ever kept."

End of Flashback

The Airship arrives at Beacon, and everyone boards off the ship. Patrick is one of the few to be the last ones off. He gets a close look at Beacon Tower from the Courtyard. While he's lost in thought, somebody bumps into Patrick from behind.

"Oh, dear!" Patrick is startled by the voice. He looks to find a girl. She's on her knees, grabbing all the papers and books that have fallen. "I-I'm so sorry." She jumps a little, her throat clears, and speaks in a different tone. "I-I wasn't looking."

Patrick just watches her scramble to pick-up her items. When she stands, he sees her wearing a baseball cap, wearing glasses, and is in a plain gray shirt where the neck covers her right shoulder and exposes the left and in some blue jeans and sneakers.

"You all right?" She asks.

"I'm fine." He says. He gets a close look at the girl. "You-seem kind of familiar. Have we met?"

Hearing that startles her. "Uh...no, no. Not in any way...I-I-I Gotta go." Then she dashes off, leaves Patrick feeling confused at what just happened. But he shrugs it off and then walks around the courtyard.

As Patrick walks around the Courtyard, he thinks about the students around him. First, a quiet Faunus Girl. Then some cheerful student who appears to be some brainiac. Then some panicked girl who acts like she's about to be Patrick's next target, just for bumping into him.

Patrick sighs. "This school must be full of weirdos."

Patrick arrives at the Entrance Ceremony in the school. The room is heavily crowded, not much to Patrick's liking. He decides to stay in the back where it's less crowded. He feels finally alone. But he's wrong.

"Not big on public crowds?" Patrick's startled to find Akira sitting in a chair beside him. "'I prefer to be alone'...That is what you told her, that Marlene character."

"Something wrong with that?" Patrick asks.

Akira just looks ahead, with that mature look still on her. "Not really. I find solitude can be peaceful, but you really shouldn't live a lonely life. Especially for enrolling in a school like Beacon." She holds out her Katana in front. "In the field, there's a difference between fighting alone and fighting with a team. When alone, you can become strong and resourceful. But some limits would be impassable. As a team, you can achieve anything that stands before you. However, if you prefer to be alone when working with a team, you'll find only chaos before you."

Patrick feels lost in Akira's words. He indeed had very few rough jobs when fighting alone, that much is true. If there were people on his side, they could have gone smoothly. Maybe done faster. He prefers to be alone, but now there's the possibility of having to work with a team.

Akira sheathes her weapon, stands then starts walking away. "Think about it." She tells him.

During the whole time of the ceremony, the students just walked and talked, making friends with one another. Patrick just finds himself alone. He's not bothered by it, but hearing Akira's words makes him wander in his thoughts.

Why did he want to be alone? Because he's always been alone? Didn't want to create attachments? Not after losing his family, lasting with Amber suddenly disappearing on him.

In the end, Ozpin and Glynda take the stage. All students remain quiet and turn their attentions to their Headmaster.

Ozpin clears his throat before giving his speech. "I'll keep this brief. You have 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. But I look amongst you and all I see is wasted energy. In need of purpose, direction." Ozpin turns his direction directly at Patrick for the next word. "Guidance." And Patrick notices it to his surprised. "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. I welcome you here to Beacon."

Then Ozpin walks away, and Glynda takes over and announces everyone will gather in the ballroom tonight. But all the other students are too confused to pay much attention to Glynda.

Patrick can't stop taking his eyes off of Ozpin. He felt something...off about that speech. It was like he was a completely different person. Patrick even tries different kinds of visions on him. Finds nothing odd about him.

"What are you really, Ozpin?" Patrick asks himself.

He probably could figure it out if he could see souls.

Nighttime falls. Everyone gathers in the ballroom just as Glynda told them to, only for one massive sleepover. Patrick defiantly finds it unusual. It's like they didn't prepare the dorms for any of the students. He had no other choice but to go with it.

Everyone's in their pajamas, getting into their sleeping bags. Patrick's at his spot. Only instead of preparing to sleep, he working on repairing his Dust Bracers. He finds it a bit frustrating. Qrow really did a number on them.

"What'cha doing there?" Patrick looks up to see Marlene. Her eyes sparkle seeing what he's working on. "Oh. That's a neat device. It looks a lot like the Physician Enhancement Armaments back in Atlas."

"Got a thing with tech, sweetheart?" Patrick says, feeling annoyed.

"Sort of. My father was a Scientist. The most brilliant mind in Atlas. Probably all of Remnant." She looks down in sorrow. "But then he died during a Top-Secret Project."

Patrick sees the sorrow in her eyes thinking about her father. But then sighs as he decides to show mercy. "They're Dust Enhancement Leggings." He explains. "Dust Bracers for short. I use them for a movement boost on my jobs. Running. Walking up walls. Jumping high. I can even walk on water."

"Oh, that's very neat." Marlene grabs one of the bracers and observes them closely. "You look like you have them set for single use. Maybe if you make some adjustments to the wrist command and the mixture of dust you might be able to use two Dusts at once."

"Huh." He looks back at his Leg Bracers. "I never actually thought about it. I had always wanted to use Lightning and Gravity Dust at once."

After their moment of ideas for Patrick's Dust Braces, Marlene returns to her sleeping spot. Patrick decides to hit the restroom to get ready for bed. He starts thinking about Akira's saying. He certainly had some connection with Marlene, he's starting to see her point of view of the limitations of being alone and the achievements of being in a team.

After leaving the restroom, he starts heading back to the Ballroom. On his way, he notices one of the Dorm Rooms is open...and the light's on. Meanwhile, all the others are meant to be closed and dark.

"That's odd." He investigates. He's about to open the door and see what's going on, then he hears a voice.

"I can't believe I have to sleep in the same room with everyone. What if they found out who I am? This will only make my time in Beacon harder."

Patrick finds that voice familiar. But what concerns him most is the last sentence. "Time in Beacon harder?" He opens the door and looks inside. "Who is in here!?"

The girl inside jumps and turns scared. She has long blonde hair and is only in a white nightgown. "What the-?" Patrick is shocked. "Wait. You're-"

The girl panics and quickly hides her hair in the hat and puts on the glasses. "Uh, I-It's only me...and nobody else."

Patrick is confused. He sees her as the girl that bumped into him earlier. Then his eyes turn Silver-White, and he sees right through the glasses and the hat. Though it doesn't expose her hair the way it was earlier.

"I knew it." Patrick walks in and removes the hat, exposing her hair. "You're Selena Akimura!"

Selena is shocked, then she hushes him. "Be quiet!"

This whole moment lasts for a while when Selena was begging Patrick to be quiet. But Patrick just finds it pathetic. Then again, he realizes he's talking to a celebrity. Well, Semi-Celebrity really.

"I'm sorry for panicking. I-It's just I don't want people to fan over me." Selena says.

"I guess I don't blame you. You are the daughter of Elizabeth Akimura." Patrick says. "But you really shouldn't panic over me, I don't care so much about Idols. No offense."

Selena sighs. "It's fine. Look, I came to Beacon because back in my home, I've been living in my mother's shadow. Don't get the wrong idea, I love singing and my fans. But I wanted to make friends. Let people see me for me instead of my fame...and my mother."

Patrick's expression softens. "Well, I know a thing or two about being in a parent's shadow."

This surprises Selena. "Really? Were your parents famous?"

Patrick looks down, his hand crushing into a fist. "Something like that..." Then Patrick takes a deep breath.

"Please don't tell anyone. I don't want anyone to know who I really am." Selena says.

"Fine. I won't say anything." Patrick says. Patrick turns away and sighs annoyed. "Why do I keep getting secrets pilled onto me?"

Selena didn't catch what he was saying. "Did you say something?"

Patrick turns back to her. "It's nothing. If I may ask, is your Semblance much like your mothers?"

Selena sighs. "Yeah, my Semblance is Siren."

Patrick crosses his arms. "I see-Personally, I think it's interesting how someone like Elizabeth can charm a ton of Grimm with her singing."

"She was a powerful Huntress become of it, but unlike her, I can only charm one being at a time," Selena says. "By the way. What about you? The way your eyes changed color."

"I'm surprised you've noticed," Patrick says. "Yes, my Semblance is Vision. I have a ton of visions. Heat Vision. Night Vision. X-Ray Vision-" Hearing that part startles Selena and puts her arms across her chests. Patrick growls offendedly. "It's not THAT kind of X-Ray! On clothing, I only see through accessaries and pockets. Nothing more." Patrick calms down after a moment. "Anyways, you get the idea."

Selena blushes nervously. "R-Right. Sorry about that."

"Whatever." Patrick turns away and walks away. He's at the door and stops just before he's about to close. "Listen. I don't want to butt in on your personal feelings, but I think you shouldn't hide who you really are. You should at least trust people to accept you for who you are." Patrick closes the door behind him, not even bother to wait for her to respond. Then sighs thinking bout what he's just said. "Not that I'm one to speak." He says quietly.

Patrick then returns to the Ballroom. It's not well past midnight, and everybody is asleep. Even Patrick's soundlessly asleep, but suddenly awakens when he hears his Scroll Vibrating. He opens his scroll to find a text. From Ozpin.

'Meet us at the School Entrance. Make sure nobody sees you.'

Patrick looks all around. Once he finds everyone asleep, he quietly makes his way out of the room and to his destination. He arrives at the School Entrance where he meets Ozpin and Glydia.

"Ah good, you have arrived," Ozpin says.

"Is she being unloaded?" Patrick asks.

For an answer, Ozpin looks in the direction of the courtyard. There, Ironwood and several Soldier Androids are transporting the Comatose Amber to the school. The soldiers remain outside while Ironwood takes Amber into the school. Ozpin and Glydia escort him and Patrick to the elevator.

"Where are we going?" Patrick asks.

"To the vault. Below the school." Ozpin says. Ozpin uses his Scroll to bypass the security system and it allows him to push The Vault Button.

The elevator takes them to below the school. Patrick finds himself in nothing but a dark, empty hallway. Long by the appearance of it. They take Amber to the end of the hallway, where they hooked the Life Support up.

The whole time, Patrick just watches his sister. Wanting nothing more than for her to be awakened from her stasis. "She will be safe here. As long as nobody knows about the Vault."

"I get it already. I won't say anything." Patrick says.

"Good." Ozpin opens his scroll and transfers some data onto Patrick's scroll. "I have given you access to the Vault. As promised, you will be allowed to visit her. But I would suggest a few limitations on making your presence here."

"Fine," Patrick says. Ozpin and the others make their way to the elevator. Patrick stays behind for a moment to get one last look at his sister. Putting a hand on the glass. "Hang in there, Amber. I'll make things right."