A/N: Winter Vacation is over and now Teams PASM and CPER have to return to their everyday life at Huntsmen Academy. Patrick certainly had quite the adventure rescuing the young Marina. I'd like to think the relationship between Marina and Zovaal could offer some inspiration for those who suffer from family issues. I know it already has. Thank you WhiteRose.
Chapter 30: Return to Beacon
Three days after the New Year has come. Everyone has returned to Beacon Academy. The moment they've returned, Patrick spared no hesitation wanting to visit his sister Amber. He spent most of his day with her, by the time he returned Selena, Marlene, and Akira immediately wondered where he'd disappeared to. Patrick made an excuse that he was with Mashika discussing finding a solution to Marina's situation.
On the very next day, everyone's regular class schedule returns to normal. During the classes, Patrick just feels lost in thought, thinking about Marina. He versions her situation similar to hers. Only her story ends with forgiving her father. As far as what she wants to do that involves him in any way afterward, who knows. A lot has happened and it's too much for Marina to take in.
Mashika takes notice of Patrick's distraction. After class, she asks Patrick to stay and speak with him. "I think I understand what's on your mind. It's Marina, isn't it?"
"So what if I am?" Patrick asks. Mashika doesn't say anything, just stares at him with a concerning look. Patrick gives in defeat. "What are we gonna do about her? We should have finished off those goons when we had the chance."
"You know we couldn't of. We were outnumbered and, you even said so yourself, we had to get her out of there because of the poison. If we had stayed we would have been overpowered and she could have died." Mashika says.
"I get what you are saying, but we could have hunted them down after rescuing her." Patrick says.
"You know as well as I do that won't do any good. Even if I allowed it, they are probably long gone by now, spread throughout Remnant." Patrick doesn't say anything. "Listen, we had a mission and it was to rescue the girl. That was it. You need to focus on the duty of a huntsman and let go of this desire for Vengeance."
"I've already told you before, Mashika: As long as they're out there, as long as he lives, I'll never be free." Patrick stands up and turns. "You may have been their prisoner when I was around for years, but you'll never understand how I feel."
"So then tell me, I can't understand if you can't tell me what the problem is." Mashika says.
"Just leave me alone!" Patrick says. Patrick walks out. Mashika just sits at her desk watching the young student making his leave. Even long after he is gone. She sighs. "Oh Elizabeth, if only his mother was still around."
After classes, the students return to their dorms. While in their dorm, Team PASM is doing their business. Akira sits on her bed meditating, Patrick is sitting on one of the desks going over his class assignments. Marlene and Selena are chatting about the upcoming events, mostly the Academy Prom.
"I was thinking we do a: 'Night Under the Stars' Theme," Marlene says.
"That sounds so Romantic...Except I can't enjoy the fun on the dance floor at all." Selena says.
"Oh? Are you busy on that night?" Marlene says.
"Uh...Not exactly." Selena says. "Going to prom means I, as a girl, am going have to get all dressed up and all that stuff." Hearing that confuses Marlene.
"She means she's putting her hidden identity at risk." Patrick says. Marlene goes 'Oh...' Patrick then whispers to himself. "How can one so smart be so clueless?"
"Well...I-I'm sure we can find some way for you to enjoy prom without risking your identity." Marlene says. Patrick only offered a "Good luck with that." comment. "It feels nice to be back at Beacon."
"I agree." Akira says. "Being here has that presence that keeps our instincts sharpen as we train. Our return after a long vacation feels just like it was during the entrance exams."
Patrick feels alert hearing this. "Oh yeah, I remember the Entrance Exam. The physical tests were really hard for me. I barely passed it just above the failing score. But my writing was exquisite they gave me a bonus score to pass." Marlene says. "What about you guys?"
"Well, I didn't fight as well as the average student, but I was able to make it through with decent scores." Selena says.
"Writing wasn't my forte, but I passed the other tests with perfect scores." Akira says.
"That's our Akira." Marlene says with praise.
Patrick doesn't say anything. He just hopes they don't ask him about his 'Entrance Exams'. But he didn't hope hard enough. "What about you, Patrick?" Patrick is startled hearing that. "How as your entrance exam?"
"Uh..." Patrick doesn't say anything.
"Come on, you can tell us." Selena says.
"Uh...Well, it was okay. I was able to surprise them with some of my skills and Dust Resources." Patrick says.
Hearing that gives the girls confused expressions. "What are you talking about?" Marlene asks. "They don't allow personalize resources other than our weapons. You couldn't have used your Dust Supplies on the entrance exam." Patrick doesn't say anything. He's shocked to hear that. He exposed himself. And the team starts to catch on about it. "You...did take your entrance exam...didn't you?"
With no other choice, Patrick admits defeat and tells them the truth about what happened.
"WHAT!? You didn't have to take the entrance exam!?" Marlene asks.
"No, I didn't have to at all." Patrick says. "Ozpin...kind of invited me to Beacon."
Hearing that shocks the girls. Ozpin is a very mysterious man but even they realize there's no way he can just invite strange characters such as him. "But, why did he invite you?"
Patrick is about to speak, but stops himself. He realizes that he doesn't know the answer to that. "Now that you mention it, I have no idea." He thinks back during the conversations between him and Ozpin. Even Ozpin's voice echoes: 'In due time, you will understand everything. But for now, I only want to help you be prepared for the true battle of this world.' Patrick's expression hardens as he thinks about that saying.'Why would he just invite me?'
"Well, no matter. I'm sure the professor has his reasons." Marlene says. "Now...about the songlists..."
While the girls continue chatting about the plans for future events, Patrick decides to go for a walk. His mind kept wandering around thinking about what Professor Ozpin is planning. Everyone else had to take entrance exams but Patrick is the only one who was just invited to come. He tries to think of some reasons for this.
Patrick always thought it was because of his skills as a Mercenary, but that wouldn't be enough especially given even Akira had to take the exams. He then thinks it could be because he's the younger brother of the Fall Maiden Amber, but that alone can't be enough.
Patrick doesn't trust Ozpin, he finds the man too mysterious to figure out.
As he wandered around, Patrick runs into the other students and professors of the school. When he comes across Rin, he asks her about her thoughts on Ozpin. "The Headmaster? I think he's a very interesting man. He certainly has a charming charisma."
That didn't help so much. When Patrick then runs into Clawdia, he asks her. "I think Pur-fessor Ozpin is neat. He's a human and he happily accepts us Faunus to his academy."
Patrick understands there's a cold conflict between humans and Faunus but finds this to be a pointless reason to trust the headmaster. Patrick wanders until he finds Professor Port. Only asking him about Ozpin is something he regrets immediately.
"Professor Ozpin? Well, we have been working together for years. Why I still remember the early days when we were young and energetic. Ozpin was a pretty good fighter but I was strong and very courageous, and handsome to boot. Why all of the Grimm and world criminals would tremble in fear at the very mention of my name. My skills and trusty Gunaxe were able to overpower them with no sweat. I had quite the reputation as the most respected and feared Huntsman in all of Ramnent, I mean, aside from the Legends like the Grimm Reaper and the Dragon Beast of course." Patrick feels like he is dying as it goes on. Even slams his face on the desk moaning in anguish.
After three hours of Port's non-stop storytelling, Patrick finally escapes from it. As he walks he carries the expression like he's dying from exhaustion and boredom. "By the Gods, I never thought I'd endure something nearly as bad as the minimum punishment in the Agency." As Patrick walks, he turns the corner. Little did he know that somebody else was doing the same thing, and they both bump into each other, causing them to fall back and all of the books and papers. Patrick starts to yell at the person once he recovered. "Hey, watch where you're-" Patrick froze a bit after seeing who it is. "Oh, Professor Goodwitch."
Glynda rubs her head then gets a look at the person she bumped into. "Mr. Aki. You should watch where you are going."
"Uh, yes Ma'am." Patrick says.
As Glynda stands, she activates her Semblance. All of the papers and books come out off the ground and fly to the air, then return to her arms in the neatly stacked order as it once was. "Now, if you'll excuse me."
Glynda walks past Patrick. "Uh, wait professor." Glynda stops and turns until she sees him. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about."
Glynda only stands there looking at him with a curious look.
Patrick follows Glynda to her office, where she dropped off all the textbooks and paperwork. Patrick explains to Glynda about his curiosity about Ozpin, he even includes how conflicted he feels that Ozpin invited Patrick into Beacon instead of having to go through the entrance exam.
"I see. Well, you're not the first person who feels that way. As I recall, your sister was pretty much the same way when she first became the Fall Maiden." Glynda says.
Patrick is surprised to hear that. "Amber had her suspicions on Ozpin? I've always known her as the kind of person who is open to other people."
"Well, there's a first for everything in people. It just goes to show that we don't know everything about them." Glynda straights her glasses. "Which just so happens to be what Professor Ozpin is in this case."
"Just what is he hiding, Professor Goodwitch?" Patrick asks.
"I'm afraid that is something I can't tell you." Glynda says.
Patrick groans in irritation. "That Ozpin. This is starting to get on my nerves."
Glynda slams her riding crop on her desk. "That's enough! Watch your tone in my office, young man." Patrick suddenly calms and sits back on his chair. Glynda calmly exhales. "Look, I understand how you feel about all this." Glynda stands walking from her desk to the window, looking out. "I have known Professor Ozpin ever since I was a student here in Beacon. After so many years up to this day, I still find myself wondering the kind of person he is, even after knowing the secrets he's kept from the world."
"Like the Maidens." Patrick says.
"Yes." Glynda returns to her desk. "Professor Ozpin has his reasons for being secretive and mysterious. Some of them are pretty much hard to take in, I'm sure it was the same to you learning about what happened to Amber."
Patrick doesn't say anything, just takes in what Glynda is saying. It's true that he was hit hard learning the truth about his sister. The reason for Amber's sudden disappearance. And now learning that she's comatose with half of her powers stolen by the assailant.
"I trust this settles your suspicions?" Glynda asks.
"For now, at least." Patrick says. "I'll see myself out, Professor."
Patrick calls for the elevator, when it arrives and opens he steps in. Glynda watches him until the doors close, then returns her attention to the outside view.
When nighttime falls, Glynda leaves her office and pays a visit to Professor Ozpin in his office. Ozpin is pleased to see Glynda paying him a visit. But he knows the real reason why she's here. "How did things go with Mr. Aki?"
"I was able to buy us some time. There's no doubt his suspicions will overwhelm him." Glynda says. "I must admit, I am concerned with this one. His curiosity is starting to get the best of him. If he learns the truth about Salem."
"I'll be a repeat of Lady Branwen, I realize this." Ozpin says. "But I have no worry. He is the brother of our Fall Maiden, and he won't turn his back on his sister. Not when she needs him the most."
Glynda nods in agreement. "I must admit, I still have doubts about Mr. Aki. Are you sure he wields the power?"
"It's hard to say. He hasn't made any process ever since he came to Beacon. But we must not forget, his mother was one of them." Ozpin turns his chair, staring out the window as he takes a sip from his coffee. "It is only a matter of time before he awakens it."
Meanwhile, Patrick is laying in his bed. The rest of team PASM are soundly asleep, but he's all wide awake. His mind races on everything that's happened, except for the time during Port's bragging speech he tries to forget that suffering of boredom. As his thinks, he remembers a flashback from his past life.
He was all alone with Amber in a room. The young Patrick looks confused and sad. Amber offers him a smile as she pats his hand. "Sometimes it's those who we least expected to be trusted we can rely on."
Then came the conversation with Glynda. "I have known Professor Ozpin ever since I was a student here in Beacon. After so many years up to this day, I still find myself wondering the kind of person he is."
"Even Amber had her doubts about Ozpin yet she still worked for him as his Fall Maiden." Patrick lets out a sigh as he closes his eyes.
As he lays, he hears the sound of a bird cawing. Patrick opens his eyes and rolls them to the window. He finds a blackbird standing on the windowsill. He sits up and stares at the bird. Offering it a serious look as he thinks back. During his first encounter with Qrow and Raven. He saw Qrow transform from bird to himself before breaking his Dust Bracers.
The bird caws before it flies out the window.
Patrick decides to follow the bird. He makes his way across the halls until he leaves the building. Patrick wanders into the courtyard in the dark, his Semblance activating his Night Vision. He looks all around until he finally spots the bird hanging on the branch of one of the trees.
"I was wondering when you would show up." Patrick says to the bird. The bird caws and flips around the tree in circles, until it's close to ground level, and when the bird moves behind the tree out of Patrick's side, Raven steps out from the other side of the tree. "Raven Branwen."
Raven leans against the tree with her arms crossed. "Well, I guess my tribe was telling the truth about you. So you're working with Ozpin now."
"I wouldn't say that. I have my reasons for being by his side, but I don't trust the old man." Patrick says.
"Good. You shouldn't." Raven says.
"So what do you want? Here to pay me back for interfering with your tribe?" Patrick says.
Raven scoffs. "That's all water under the bridge. After all, we couldn't have known we'd run into each other."
"I'm not buying it." Patrick says.
"You're quick." Raven says. "But I am serious about not being here to pay you back for what happened. I'm here to warn you: If you are going to be working with Ozpin, you won't receive any support from me and the tribe."
Patrick crosses his arms. "Are you sure you want to do that?"
"What are you saying?" Raven asks.
"Professor Ozpin told me the truth about the Maidens...And they're extraordinary powers." Patrick offers Raven a serious look. "I'm sure he'll be interested to hear a story I have for him: The 'Natural Desaster's' you told me that happened during that mission 2 years ago." Raven doesn't say anything, she just stares down at him believing that he is only bluffing. "What do you say, Raven? I scratch your back...And you scratch mine?"
"You've got some nerve, Shadow Hunter." Raven closes her eyes as she offers a devious smile. "You're like the son I never had." Patrick feels annoying hearing that. 'I wish people would stop saying that.' "Very well, I'll agree to these terms...for now." Raven takes out her sword and, with her Semblance, slices open a portal. Raven stands before it with her back turns on Patrick. "Just a bit of advice, boy: Think carefully about getting involved with Ozpin. It'll be a choice you'll soon regret making, one you'll never escape from."
Raven walks through the portal, and it vanishes as soon as she does.