A/N: All Characters, Settings, and Macaroons are property of Rooster Teeth (Rights may change to Warner Bros.). Original characters, settings, and cookies are owned by me, myself, and I.

[Knights of the Sky]

Act 1 - Episode 4: By the Manual

Quote of the Chapter: "Solitude Vivifies: isolation kills." - Joseph Roux (French priest and poet.)

Eyes.

They were everywhere Gavin stepped. Judging and glaring down at him.

No matter where he went, they followed. Staring and mocking, seeking his every flaw to exploit.

The eyes of enemies seek to tear him down, the eyes of friends seeking to leave him behind. This is why he flies so often.

To help people brings attention, an abundant amount of it. That attention turns to fame, fame turns to expectation, expectations not met leads to disappointment. Yet in the sky he can never see those eyes. In the skies he can perform acts seen as impossible by those on the ground, be it moving just under the speed of sound, or swinging a ton of metal in daredevil maneuvers that leave them breathless.

No eyes to watch him, just the ones who look at 'Green Sky' with neither the expectation of fame or glory.

Just hope.

Gavin flinched at the sudden sound of an alarm, beeping and blaring it's annoying sounds beside him. "Hmrfgh." He grumbled into his pillow, hand flailing outward to slap down on the scroll on his nightstand. Missing a few times, even knocking the scroll closer to him, he gave a faint growl and rose from his mattress and glared down at the pestering device, finally silencing it with the push of a button.

Rising up fully and now sitting on the side of his bed, he looked around his room with a groggy stare. Tucked into the corner of his abode was where he sat, the bed and nightstand pair, and straight across from him was his desk. Atop of the rosewood furniture was the black box he had recovered last night from his bulkhead plugged into a slightly outdated looking desktop computer. He then let out a yawn and stood up, walking towards the computer and taking note of the rest of his room.

Some blueprints of early model bulkheads pinned to his walls like posters, a picture of him and his mother at his second birthday at Beacon, and a small display case within the space between his computer and bed. His stride slowed a bit as he peaked inside the display with a somber look. Inside was a watch, an extremely early model custom 'scroll watch' that shared his black and gold color scheme.

He took note of the slightly cracked edges and small scorch marks on its corners, bringing back rather unsavory memories. He shook away the approaching mental images, heading to the computer and turning its screen back on. "Download ninety-five percent complete. Installation will begin upon completion." He blinked a bit and nodded, before scratching beneath his feathers. "Shower..." He mumbled as he prepared a towel and a change of clothes.

Entering the rest of his residents, he noted the coffee machine wasn't on, which meant his mother was still asleep. He hummed a bit as he stepped through his living room and looked beside the bathroom door to see a wall mounted clock.

"05:07" Gavin let a soft groan as he rubbed his head, realizing he had set the wrong alarm for the wrong shift. Putting it aside, he entered the bathroom and started his routine.

After a twenty minute shower he wiped down the bathroom mirror, revealing his form only covered by his towel. He wasn't some ripped fitness maniac, nor was he some slim and scrawny muscled stick. He felt he was well average, a little toned here and there, but he also had a small bit of weight to those muscles. It was a healthy look in a way, but it changed dependent on the missions.

Especially if he ends up flying twenty-four hour missions.

His eyes then drifted to his left shoulder, narrowing briefly before he focused on the other parts of his routine. Though, once he began to brush his teeth and fluff his feathers, he was drawn to it again. From the top of his shoulder to his elbow rode a burn mark. A fleshy, nasty and oddly smooth blanket of mended skin rolled down the back of his arm with the faint imprint of wood rows and knots with in it.

He let off a small shuttering breath before finishing his time in the bathroom, returning once more into his room for his day-clothes. Once more re-emerging with a new set of dress, he looked down to ensure he looked presentable. A pair of his normal, shiny black combat boots, along with a pair of urban grey cargo pants that had plenty of pockets for snacks and such.

Finally another t-shirt, a long sleeve one this time as he had looked on his scroll to notice the weather start to cool down. He began to maneuver around the living room, avoiding the small leather couch with a coffee table in front of it and a TV beyond that, he made it to the kitchenette. A nice tiled section of their abode that allowed them to cook and prepare simple meals, though they only really used it for special occasions and coffee making.

Setting up the coffee machine, he could hear the faint zombie-like groan of his mother approaching. She shambled in with an almost indescribable expression of exhaustion on her features. He approached her with a gentle smile. the two meeting in front of the living room couch. "News or cartoons?" He hummed as he picked up the TV remote from the table and offering it to her. She gave a blink or two and took the remote from him, switching it to a cartoon station.

"Hrmmh." She let off a small noise as Gavin nodded. "Of course, cinnamon or vanilla?" He moved back into the kitchenette, crouching to level with a minifridge. "Cinnermgh." Glynda groggily replied as he pulled a quart of creamer from the fridge. His mother had settled on the couch, her eyes narrowed at the animated shows playing before her, lips occasionally twitching into a smile at the wacky antics on screen.

Gavin had leaned against the counter, waiting patiently for the machine to finish fill up the pot. Once it had done so, he poured his and his mother's mugs. His mother having hers with a splash of creamer, while he drank his black. Sitting beside her, she was quick to take a sip with a mildly content look on her face. "Thank you dear." She spoke softly as Gavin leaned back on the couch as they enjoyed the start of their morning.

An hour had passed and Glynda was dressed in her usual professional attire, though she had yet to put up her hair. Gavin was busy doing that, having a small courier bag on his back containing maps and a pager attached to it's front strap. Gavin's fingers moved diligently, brushing through the silky blonde hair to then pull it into a loose minstrel twist and securing it with a bobby pin.

"I swear I've never taught you how to do hair like this." She muttered softly as she used her scroll to observe the angles of her hair. "Learned if from a nice barbershop owner near the city sky port. Said something about 'making someone happy' when I pulled it off." He hummed in a sing-song tone as Glynda felt a faint twitch in her eye.

She knew she couldn't keep her son single forever, but she felt as if he was growing up too fast for her to handle. The young women of the new freshmen aren't going to make it any easier. Gavin soon returned to his room to check his computer, only to see a faintly glowing USB stick. It glowed a soft blue hue as he disconnected it from the device, a light smile on his face as he put it into his pocket.

"Gotta go mom! Have to drop by Pa's classroom and get him the recording!" He spoke as he gave rushed out the door, Glynda picking up her riding crop and tablet with a light and reluctant sigh. She loved her son dearly, but to see him grow to be a man so soon made her heart heavy with both pride and worry.

Professor Port is not an easy man to impress. So he says at least. Yet when Gavin first came to Beacon, the boy defied his every expectation. Pulled from a ruin and becoming the son of Miss Goodwitch is no small task to the stout man, but what he did was even beyond him in some aspects. He studied hard, worked hard, even bent and broke some rules to get to where he was!

It's to say he wasn't easily impressed once more, because the boy had made it a habit to show him how impressive he is. Thus Port couldn't help but feel prouder to be considered his 'Pa Pa' as he once called him in his earlier years.

Now the professor's main goal of achievement for him this year: To get a girlfriend!

Port knew the boy was a recluse, only emerging from home, hanger, or studies to talk to people when either forced or when the situation called for it. The boy had nearly every tool imaginable to bring home the missus, from tragic backstory to house management skills. It was just that social ineptitude that got in the way!

Port had to pause his scheming at the sound of the classroom door opening, revealing his nephew. "Hey Pa. Got the recording of that abomination from yesterday." He hummed as he walked down from the door, passing empty rows of seats that had been set for the students. "Ho ho my boy! Splendid work!" He spoke jovially as they exchanged the small USB stick and Gavin gave a nod.

"Even isolated some shots into pictures that I think might be worth your while." He smiled as Port gave a small bark of a laugh. "Diligent as always lad! Perhaps you could help me present it during todays lesson?" Port lightly perked an eyebrow at Gavin as his expression changed from a calm smile to an awkward, crooked grin. "W-What Pa? I-I'm sorry I think i-I'd just-" Port seized the moment and wrapped an arm around his nephew, guiding him to an empty seat besides his desk.

"Lad! I must insist you stick around so that the freshmen know who'll be their lifeline!" He boasted as he sat the bird faunus down into the chair. Port then took a step back and saw the ridged and stiff posture of his nephew and sighed. "Lad... I know yesterday was much, but I want to see you conquer this irrational fear of people! I know you can, you just need to work on it." Port slightly knelt down, leveling with the young man. "Do this for me this one time at least?"

Gavin gave an uncomfortable look, but sighed in compliance. "I'll do it Pa, but I wont do this for you or Doc more than two times a week!" He spoke, a small look of determination slipping out as Port grinned beneath his mustache. "Capital lad!" He spoke with energy.

The classroom door soon opened as the sound of students began to filter in. Gavin clenched his fists a bit, working away some of the anxiety as Port prepared his boisterous speech about grimm. As the classroom filled, Gavin noticed something of an empty row of seats closest to the front. He turned to Port, who was drawing a flow chart of grimm evolution patterns. The last, and almost late group, slammed open the door causing Gavin to jump and his feathers to seize upward.

"JUST IN TIME!" The familiar voice of Ruby called out as Port turned to the door. "Ho ho! Right you are, please sit so we may begin!" He called to the out-of-breath girl, the rest of team RWBY just behind her. As they came through, team JNPR filed in close behind as class now seemed to begin.

"Monsters! Evilllll! Prowlers of the Night! Yes the creatures of grimm-"

Gavin felt his eye twitch at the verbal torment from his uncle, looking out to the classroom. He can tell Port had brought his premium material, seeing half of the classroom either asleep or in some form of unspoken agony was impressive to say the least. He looked around to see the collective teams of RWBY and JNPR each having to cope with the stout professor's mouth salad of a speech.

He stared on as he saw Yang roll her eyes at the lesson, Blake was secretly reading another book behind her text book, and Ruby was showing a rather goofy drawing to Weiss. Gavin had to suppress a snicker as Ruby blew a raspberry at Weiss, who glared in response with Yang giggling behind her. Port then cleared his throat at them with a pointed expression.

"In the end that beowolf was no match for my tenacity! However, did any of you pick something odd out of this story?" Port stared around the room, before settling on Gavin. "Lad! Care to help the students out?" He gestured to the faunus who reeled a bit at the sudden shift of attention. "O-Oh! R-Really? Ok o-ok." He rose from his seat as he cleared his throat as well, now having the attention of the classroom.

"Pa- Professor P-Ports story was i-interesting and s-stuff, BUT he d-didn't mention the a-age of the beowolf." Gavin started with a stutter, but he couldn't shake the feeling of the stares borrowing into him. Port gave a jovial laugh as he nodded. "Yes dear lad! The beowolf was an elder and ferocious too!" Port was winding up for another lecture, and Gavin could easily see the students were already loosing interest.

"Y-Yeah, but does e-everyone here know what that means?" He spoke as some students scratched their heads, one Cardin Winchester spoke out. "It means they're decrepit and tell long stories?" He spoke in mockery, and Port felt a pinch in his brow. However, he saw the Gavin's nervous demeanor shift completely.

"No, Mister Winchester." He spoke flatly, a tone that seemed to shock Cardin a bit as Gavin stared at him and the rest of the student body. Subtle disrespect or inside jokes he could handle and even snicker at, but it was an entirely different story to be so blunt in front of him and his beloved uncle. "There are five stages of grimm, seeing as you obviously skipped that class in your combat academy allow me to refresh." He bit back at Cardin, ignoring his indignant bark of insult as he nodded to Port.

Port nodded back, a rare but quiet pride stirred in his chest as he turned to the chalk board and flow chart he drew up. "The stages are simple and easy to understand." The stout professor pointed to the beginning of the chart, a cartoonishly draw beowolf pup taking the image. "The first, and least hazardous, is the Junior class. Newly minted grimm who's experience in life since it's conception is minimal. It only knows to feed and is drawn to the despair and negativity closest to it." Port hummed as Gavin nodded.

"This is the most mindless version of grimm, easy to kill with a well-armed militia or a few huntsman. However, they're rarely alone and often make the bulk of a horde's numbers." He nodded to Port once more, who move to the next stage. "Juvenile grimm. Grimm who've lived long enough to perhaps take a life or do moderate damage to settlements. Perhaps even witness the fall of a few." Port ended with a disdainful tone as Gavin flexed his hand a bit, exercising a bit of anxiety out as he continued.

"Juvenile grimm are tough. Dependent on the type of grimm, they could take on multiple militia groups or military squads. Mainly because they themselves have learned to coordinate with other grimm types." He hummed as a sense of unease began to settle into the classroom at the sight of the Juvenile's symbol: a rather detailed drawing of a normal beowolf. Port moved to the next image, a concerning look on his face as he looked at the visage.

A nevermore head, though it looked far more unnatural, beak serrated and a pair of eyes on each side of it's head. "Adult, the point of where grimm have a higher kill count. They've razed multiple settlements and could be the stage where some of you have found your cause." Port's tone was serious, some of the students had reeled back and looked on with shock and faint shutters.

"Adults will kill you." Gavin didn't even bother continuing his explanation, watching the students look on with horror as Port turned to the next drawing. A beringel's head, tusks jutted out in multiple different directions, it's skull plated face twisted into a permanent state of rage and it's upper row of teeth resembled more of a table saw then it did proper teeth for eating.

"Elders. They've killed hundreds, potentially thousands of innocent people. Perhaps even a few huntsmen who were too arrogant for their own good." Port spoke in a grim tone as Cardin now sunk a bit in his chair.

"Elders are rare, and for good reason. They know if they bring too much attention to themselves in a short span of time, they'll be brought down by properly trained forces or heavy weapons. Team RWBY and JNPR had managed to take down two, but it had drained all of their strength and was done through the aid of the environment around them." Gavin spoke with a faint nod to the mentioned teams, getting a light nod back from them barring their heiress, who just turned her nose up at him.

Finally Port landed on the final one, which confused the students before them. It was just a question mark, drawn simply and was almost disarming to the class. "Ancients. We know nothing about them and should keep it that way!" Port spoke, his tone returning to jovial as Gavin sighed. "Yeah, no major or conclusive evidence of 'ancient grimm' can be proven at this time. Though we put legends and myths in this category as a way to maintain SOME form of official documentation of them." Gavin began to walk back to his seat, only to see the raised hand of the heiress.

"You're telling us there's an entire section of grimm classes dedicated to fairytales?" She spoke with a tone of disbelief as Gavin shrugged. "It's there because if those myths were true-" He leaned forward with a pointed look at the heiress, who was now showing discomfort towards him. "We're all dead. Tales of 'The Earth Dragon' or 'Kraken' depict hopeless fights and struggles. That no matter what, how much firepower, magical circumstance, luck, or good feelings, they will kill you."

The serious tone of the subject soon dissipated as Port quickly broke the tension. "H-HO! Quite unnerving I'm sure to some of you! However, we teach these things to prepare you all to face them down without fear nor worry!" The stout man proclaimed as he walked around the classroom and next to sheet covering something. Beneath the sheet bucked and snarled as Port walked over as Gavin settled back down into his seat.

The professor then ripped back the seat and revealed what was underneath, an adult boarbatusk. "The discussion we've held seems to have discomforted many of you, though the first step to becoming a true huntsmen is conquering that fear to best their opponent! To be honorable, and be dependable! So who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these virtues?"

Weiss' hand shot up immediately as he finished speaking. "I do sir!" She called out, giving a side glare at both Ruby and Gavin. Gavin gave her a confused look as Port gave a thoughtful hum. "Is that so? Well then, please step forward and prove your worth!" Port gestured to her to a place across from the cage.

Weiss did so, grabbing her rapier and stepping to the opposite side of the room closest to Gavin. From their seats, her teammates cheered her on. "Go Weiss! Represent team RWBY!" Ruby cheered, causing Weiss to snap at her. "Ruby I'm trying to concentrate!" Ruby sunk a bit in her chair while Gavin frowned at that. "Sheesh, here I thought I didn't do well with encouragement." He muttered to himself, but loud enough for the heiress to hear.

"Can I please just concentrate on this?" She growled to him as Gavin sighed. He knew she was holding back on him now that she knew he was Beacon staff, but that snobby attitude made him was to snark at her. "You have my permission Miss Schnee." He spoke sarcastically as she let out a frustrated sigh.

As she took her stance, Port drew his weapon in preparation to strike the lock. "Good. Now let the match-" He struck down and snapped off the cage's padlock and stepped back. "BEGIN!" The minute the cage door swung open, the boarbatusk charged forward without a second delay. Weiss dodged, giving a strike across the beasts armored faceplate as she gracefully leapt to safety. Gavin had to admit seeing the girl move was pretty, but decided to shake away any awkward thoughts and focus on the match.

"Ho ho! Weren't expecting that where you?" Port commented as Weiss fell back into her ready stance. Ruby cheered her on, Weiss taking her attention away from the grimm to retort, Gavin coulnd't help but shout out a warning. "Watch out!" He barked as the beast charged again. Weiss refocused and tried a trust on it's faceplate again to kill its momentum. It had done the job, but the tip of her blade glanced off and got caught within the tusk handles of the boarbatusk.

"Come on Weiss show it who's boss!" Ruby cheered again, Weiss turning her attention away again to attempt to scold, only to then be disarmed and thrown back on the other side of the room. "Ho ho! What will you do now disarmed?" Port commented as Weiss refocused, diving out of another charge from the grimm and scrambling to regain her rapier. "Weiss! Go for the belly! There's no armor there!" Ruby shouted, Weiss finally snapping at the girl.

"Stop telling me what to do you dunce!" She shouted, Ruby falling back in her seat with a sad look on her face. The boarbatusk felt encouraged at the negative emotion on display, jumping into a roll and building momentum. It launched itself across the room, dead set on taking the heiress out, only to slam into a glyph. Gavin blinked at the sight, now being up close to see what was essentially magic to him. A spinning symbol of the girl's heritage made of what he could only raw aura.

Weiss took the opportunity she had, now seeing the grimm on its back and stunned by the strike. Jumping off of another glyph from behind and launched forth, plunging her weapon into the beast. "Ha ha! Bravo young lass! We truly are in the presence of a huntress-in-training!" Port swung his fist with enthusiasm, but Gavin couldn't help but focus a bit on Weiss. She glared at Ruby briefly, then back at him before turning away at the sound of Port's dismissal.

As the classroom began to empty, Gavin watched Ruby chase after her and he couldn't help but sigh. "Seems like a handful this year already eh lad?" Port commented, only to turn and see Gavin walking in pursuit to give the heiress a piece of his mind. "Oh dear."

Gavin marched after her, a faint twitch in his brow as he felt a whole lot of complaints about to spill out. However, he pondered a bit on whether or not it was even worth his time. He stopped his march through the hall for a minute, before turning to a balcony area. He walked there while rubbing his temples, not paying attention to the space around him.

"Ugh, what do you want with me?" He heard a snobby tone beside him. He looked over to see the heiress, arms crossed and expecting a reply. He looked on in silence as her patience began to grow thin. "Well?" She hissed as Gavin narrowed his eyes. "Oum almighty what is your problem?" He hissed, causing the heiress to reel back. "Wha- You came to me!" She shouted as he rolled his eyes in response. "If I'd known you where here I'd avoid this place."

She gave a huff, about to turn away before Gavin came to a thought. "Wait, while your here, can you humor a question?" He spoke out, Weiss stopping to glare but ultimately sighed in compliance. "Fine." She crossed her arms once more and tapped her heel as Gavin held back more snarky comments. "What's the deal between you and your leader?" He inquired as the heiress spoke through gritted teeth. "She's NOT my leader."

Gavin pinched the bridge of his nose in retort. "Ozpin was pretty clear-" "He made a mistake." Gavin was cut off by the heiress, a huff leaving her after her comment. Gavin gave a small chuckle. "Seriously? Ozpin making a mistake? Beyond the school budget, I don't think he ever has with his selection." Gavin hummed as Weiss stared back. He place his hands between the spikes of the balcony rails before speaking again. "Care to humor one more question for me?"

Weiss tapped her heel, eyes briefly lost in though before she frowned at him to ask. "I can tell you wanted to be leader at the classroom and the ceremony. Why?" He hummed as Weiss puffed her chest out a bit with pride. "I'm the heiress of the Schnee Dust Company. I've trained all my life to lead in both company practice and huntress practice! I'll be far more capable then she'll ever be!" She spoke arrogantly, before she heard Gavin's bark of laughter.

"Seriously? You want to be a leader when you're already slotted to be one in the future?" He hummed as Weiss gave a hiss. "That is different-" "It isn't." Weiss was cut off by the faunus as he turned around and leaned against the rail. "Why the heck would you be made leader when you already know everything about leading? Sounds like Ozpin is trying to get you to learn to be a follower." He hummed as Weiss stopped a bit. "Explain." She demanded as Gavin gave a shrug.

"I've know the headmaster for a good chunk of my life. He wants the best huntsmen and huntresses to leave this school and be able to work together on larger missions that would benefit the kingdoms." Gavin scratched his chin as he pushed off the rail and walked towards her. "Why would only a few of them be made leaders of specific teams? Because they NEED those skills to reach their fullest potential here." He hummed as looked down at her, Weiss now feeling a bit awkward with the height difference.

"He put her as leader, and you're her partner. He probably thought that she could gain those skills with your help, seeing as you already have them and all." Gavin then stretched as he made his way to the hallway entrance. "Oh well, guess I'll tell him you're just not cut out for-" "Stop." Gavin did so at her voice. He looked back and saw a more down trodden heiress as she looked down and grabbed the hem of her skirt. "I understand now. I'm... supposed to be there for her." Her voice was softer. Soft in a way that disturbed Gavin.

"Then you understand that this isn't a place that can be swayed by your titles? That instead of forcing this idea you should be focused on alone into being made the best huntress possible, you should be the best huntress YOU can be. To your self and to your team." He spoke out, Weiss looked up at him in surprise as he walked off. "I'll post-pone that report to Ozpin! Become a better follower, and be the reason Ruby becomes the best leader and friend you've ever had!" He shouted behind him as he disappeared back into Beacon's halls, leaving Weiss alone once more in thought.

Gavin walked through the halls, a faint hum emitting from him as he wandered he way back to his abode. "My boy! I believe it's high time I've caught up!" Port called out from behind him as Gavin turned to meet him. "Hey Pa, finished pushing out the homework?" He spoke as the stout man chuckled. "Of course! Though I believe we should've changed it to trophy hunting rather than grimm classification." Port spoke with a disappointed tone towards the end.

Gavin just nodded while Port returned with a teasing tone. "Also saw you were chasing after young huntresses already young man!" He slapped Gavin's back, causing him to groan as pink brightened his face. "I-It wasn't like that! She was being a jerk to Ruby so I-" He was cut off by a small gasp from the man who held back proud tears. "A-Already learning their names and putting his in their hears! You'll be a father by there senior-" "NOPE!" Gavin quickly cut off the professor's monologue while covering his ears.

He soon took off down the hall in a race walk towards the hanger lift. "They grow up so fast." Port spoke in a proud tone as he watched his nephew disappear around the corner.

A/N Section:

Chapter Completion date - 4/28/2024

Editing Status - Bulk complete, further passes will continue on the prior chapters along with this one.

Next Chapter Status - 100% Chapter Completed and released