Author's Notes:

The next chapter is out. Hope you all enjoy it. Stay around after the chapter if you want my opinions on Rooster Teeth being dissolved/sold by Warner Brothers.

"Text"

"Speech"

Disclaimer: I do not own Fallout, RWBY, or any associated characters

Remnants of a Courier

Arc 4: Chaos Theory

Chapter 56: Decay

"Hello yourself Professor Ozpin," the bandaged man replied.

Ozpin glanced from the door to Instructor House with a soft smile on his face. It was obvious something had just happened.

When the Headmaster was approaching he had heard a thud come from the other side of the door. And with the way House glanced at something outside his view, something had indeed just happened.

"I came to have a chat before you start your Assistant duties for the first time," the Headmaster continued. "Would you mind taking a walk with me?"

There was a pause as the possible suspect processed his words.

"Yeah, sure, let me get my uniform on and I'll be right now."

"Take your time," Ozpin replied before having the door promptly shut in his face.

Shuffling came from the other side of the door and the Headmaster listened with rapt attention. Normally, he wouldn't care what House was doing in the room, but he could hear two sets of footsteps.

Should he interrupt? A question Ozpin posed to himself as he watched the door. Perhaps, he could catch the rogue element in a compromising situation. Or he could barge into House's room and find nothing, making himself look like a fool and giving House an advantage.

More importantly, with how cautious House had been in removing the hidden cameras and listening devices in his room, Ozpin sincerely doubted that the man would get that sloppy.

When the door opened again, that familiar helmet with the visor covering his face was now adorned on House's head. An interesting design that Ozma couldn't recall seeing anywhere else on Remnant, and he was very old and very traveled.

Ozpin waited patiently for the faculty member to step outside and lock his door; taking note of the now open window in his room. A possible escape for the second person? Was it a rendezvous with possible rogue elements? Or perhaps the rumors about that student were true? He'd have to check the camera feed later to see if any of the cameras were pointed at that window.

"Shall we?" The maybe-Mimic asked as he stepped towards Ozpin.

"Let's."

The two began their journey on the teacher's side of the dorms. It was early enough that most students and teachers were still asleep or just beginning their morning routines. A bit odd in Six's opinion for the Headmaster to visit faculty at that time but he supposed Ozpin could just play it off as being eccentric.

He was curious what the Headmaster could have to talk about? If he found proof of Six's conspiracy, this conversation would be happening from inside a cell.

Still, the early calm of the morning was nice, just a few birds chirping. Birds… They didn't chirp in the Wasteland anymore. Any of the friendlier birds had been burned away by the atomic bombs. It was strange and almost nostalgic, despite having never seen it himself, the ideal version of the Wasteland that Six envisioned was similar to Beacon. How many times had he thought of that dream? How long had he strived for it? Not that it mattered now.

Six glanced out the windows as they walked; the sunlight shining on the two of them and basking both in a comfortable morning warmth.

The Courier hated how these walks made him so melancholic. He couldn't afford that, not when there was still so much to do with so little time. Losing focus now, relaxing for even a second, could get a lot of people hurt. People he didn't intend to get hurt. The talk with Neo hadn't helped either, riling up his nerves before an encounter with the enigmatic Headmaster.

"I take it you've reviewed the material for the courses assigned to you?" Ozpin's question snapped Six out of his thoughts. It felt like he kept getting lost in his own mind lately.

Turning his head back towards the Headmaster, Six replied, "I have. It's nothing outside of my ability to assist with, I assure you."

A chuckle was the eccentric Headmaster's response. "That's not why I ask," the older man began as they neared the archway that led into the courtyard Six was now familiar with. It often felt like he met the Headmaster in this little isolated part of Beacon, never anywhere else.

The trees were finally starting to bloom again as they were coming out of Winter. And still, they maintained a wide array of colors. It wasn't like the forests in the Wilds, it appeared that these trees were handpicked from different parts of the world and utterly different from each other. Pinks, greens, purples, and even blues. Alien colors for plants but beautiful nonetheless.

"I simply wished to know that we did not push too much onto you too quickly. You had little forewarning that this was going to happen. I apologize for that."

Six shrugged at his words, still staring at the abundance of life around them.

"It's fine, I'm used to sudden assignments." Six's answer was half-hearted. He was only partially listening to the man, lost in the beauty around them that no longer existed on Earth.

Six did mentally note that the Headmaster had assigned classes to teachers who would keep an eye on him. Glynda, Oobleck, Port, and a couple others. Five in total. People who were in the know, at least, Six suspected they were.

This also meant a cutback in his security duties. An issue disputed by Huey as they were already low on manpower for patrols. Glynda had responded by moving his schedule around to afternoons and evenings instead of the normal workday.

Six currently had a busy schedule. Five days a week he assisted teachers, assisted students outside class time, and also spent his evenings doing his normal security duties. Overall, he had a sixty hour workweek now. According to Vale labor laws, that was illegal. But Glynda had assured both House and Huey that it would be only until the Festival was over.

Not that it mattered, with the work he began last night, it wouldn't take long until he had his own reverse-engineered Queen's Gambit that he could enter into the CCTV tower. Once that was done, he just needed to get the Voidwalkers in line. Two tasks and he was completely set up. It didn't matter how much they stalled him.

After all, why make his own Kingdom, when he could just take one away from someone else?

There was one other issue that the Courier was keeping an eye on, Leonard Dream and his Dogs of War. They were staying low and keeping an eye on his Voidwalkers. No doubt the custom gear and sudden appearance of Six's soldiers brought intrigue to many interested parties. However, the Councilor was the only one who had acted as of yet.

In fact, the Council member was heading outside the city more and more and keeping outside of any surveillance, even Six's. Whatever was being planned couldn't be good but it would have to be handled after the Festival.

The Courier turned back to the Headmaster to see a contemplative look on the man's face. What was he thinking?

Ozma or Ozpin as he was going by now watched House with curiosity. Every time they had taken one of these walks or had a conversation like this, the young man looked to be thinking. And the way he had spoken about it months ago… Perhaps it was a somber tone then? Longing? No, those weren't the right words. There was sadness in the man's voice but also a level of determination.

Perhaps that was what Ozma had originally sounded like so long ago? Before the years had taken that youthful vibrance from him. A will to change things for the better perhaps?

"Either way," Ozpin continued, taking a step towards the bench he had been using for decades now. "If there's any assistance I can provide in your duties, let me know." And also subsequently keep an eye on the instructor.

Taking a seat, Ozpin watched House take a seat next to him. The response was what the Headmaster expected to hear.

"Thank you for the offer but I believe I'm more than ready."

That was something he had come to understand about the new instructor. Independence was something very important to the man, to the point of sometimes being detrimental. It didn't hurt to reach out for help but at every turn this man shouldered whatever burden he had to face alone. That wasn't healthy.

"Well, remember to ask for help if needed," the tired man advised, doing his best not to step on the instructor's pride.

The instructor's response was quick, almost sharp. "If needed, I will." It was a little too quick, perhaps he was slightly annoyed? His pride hurt at the thought of needing assistance?

The Headmaster put on a more stern expression–which he had been told was quite effective–and reiterated his point for the young man.

"I am serious. My professors and I are all available to help. Never be afraid to lean on another for support."

"Forgive me, but I think that's the issue many at this academy have." House's words caught the Headmaster off guard.

"What do you mean?" Ozpin queried, interested in some of the instructor's inner mental workings. The man had been relatively guarded about his opinions when many of his other professors were more outspoken. Port especially made his opinions and politics well known.

While Port was adamant about his morals and high standards for Huntsman and Huntresses, Oobleck always looked towards history for guidance, and Glynda… Well, Glynda was a rather strict one. But really she just wanted what was best for the students of the next generation, and instilling discipline was her idea of helping them.

James would likely agree. His militaristic attitude, harsh punishments, and stalwart sense of right and wrong… Taking a second glance at the instructor, Ozpin could see it now too. A younger James. A younger Ozma. Left without course correction, it was incredibly dangerous.

House breathed in and turned to the older man. He thought for a few moments, thinking his next words carefully.

"It seems to me… That too many people rely on others to get things done. They think someone else will do it for them. Though I think it's more than that."

An interesting idea, one he was versed in.

"Bystander Syndrome, the phenomenon that the more people there are, the less likely someone is to assist another person when something goes wrong?"

The instructor nodded his head before responding, "That's an apt definition but not the entirety of what I mean. Why do you think that… 'Syndrome' happens?"

Ozpin pursed his lips for a moment and tapped his cane. He had emphasized calling it a syndrome. Was he unfamiliar with the term after all? What could House be getting at here? It had to be more than the simple question posed. But he'd play along for now.

"Well, I suppose there are two lines of thought. They feel as if they will be judged or put in danger for stepping forward from their peers. Or, the more common reasoning, that because there are so many people, surely someone else will rise to the occasion."

Nodding his head, House replied, "Surely someone else will handle it. Surely, someone else will take care of it for me. I'm not a bad person if I don't do anything. An inherently selfish point of view."

Ozpin… Didn't disagree, but it did feel like House was being rather harsh on them.

The man next to him continued, "And that's the point of this academy, correct? To make students that will say, 'no, I'll take care of it.' To not care about social repercussions, to not put it off on someone else."

The Headmaster crossed one leg over the other and rested his cane across his lap. His response was slow but eventually he did reply, "Among other things."

"I believe that a teacher or instructor should lead by example."

Ah, that was where his point was going. A simple but effective argument, lead by example.

"An admirable trait, but we also teach that others should be relied upon as well. That not all burdens can be shouldered alone."

The instructor was quick to reply this time. "But what happens when you give that burden to someone else? When you share it. You diffuse the responsibility among many people. Some of them may not be able to handle it. Some of them may not be trustworthy. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. But most importantly, you burden someone else."

Another argument that Ozpin had heard before but not for a long time. Not since before the Faunus Rights Revolution, and it hasn't commonly been used since the Great War by what was then Mantle. Not since its military had complete control of the Kingdom. He had heard one too many atrocities justified by culling the 'weakest link.'

"You can't possibly be saying one person should shoulder all the burden, that he can't trust his fellow man at all?" The question was posed as politely as possible, but Ozpin found himself also growing rather invested in the topic. He hadn't expected it to hit so close to him.

"Relying on others corrupts and weakens the intentions of that individual. But still, no that's not what I'm truly getting at," House continued before letting out a frustrated sigh, earning a curious look from Ozpin.

"The academy is a microcosm of Vale, of its society. On a smaller scale, you could compare what happens in Beacon to Vale itself. And you know what I have seen?"

Ozpin raised a brow but nodded his head for the man to continue.

"I have seen others that 'rely' on each other too much. I've seen people make excuses as to why someone else should deal with it. Even amongst those who are supposed to be training to deal with what the average person can't, all I hear is how it should be someone else's problem."

The Headmaster was going to rebuttal that statement but House continued, "Don't get me wrong. That's not every student. But it's enough of them that it's an issue. I'm sure you've noticed it among the first years. How many of them are complacent? Allowing a select few teams to do all the work for them?"

Ozpin knew full well exactly what teams the instructor was referring to as he cut in. "But surely that is out of the norm of their normal responsibilities? To put children in danger is not what we do here."

"Isn't it?" House shot back. "You're training these children to be soldiers. Most of them are fresh out of Signal Academy or some other intermediate combat school. The only thing they know is to fight monsters. What choice do they really have if their parents and their faculty feed them the same lines over and over? 'Only heroes fight the Grimm.' 'If you're a good person, you'll be a Huntsman.' Because that's the ideal? You're teaching them that from the moment they can think."

The instructor's voice changed to a low and gravelly tone. "You are training and indoctrinating child soldiers. They're just legally allowed child soldiers by Vale's society."

A single finger shot out at Ozpin as his supposed faculty member continued, "So I do think you're raising these children in danger. Ruby is fifteen and you shot her into a forest full of Grimm to sink or swim. Oh sure, we were on standby, but what if something happened and we weren't fast enough? "

"But I understand," the man continued, lowering his hand. "Someone has to fight the Grimm or we all lose. It's a sad truth of this world. But let's not sugarcoat it and say we're good people for indoctrinating and training children to fight in a war they don't even understand yet. Indoctrinate 'em in Signal, send 'em off to Beacon to train."

It pained Ozpin to hear it but it was at least partially true. Someone must always fight against the forces of the Dark Brother and Salem. And if they waited for everyone to be of age to start training, they wouldn't have enough people. However, he noticed the slight accent slip in towards the end. A possible Vacuo trait with a slight drawl? More importantly, House had shifted perspectives in the argument to make himself sound correct. A manipulative trait.

"Pulling your own weight and relying on your team is one thing. But shoveling work on another person? Sending children to die for you? Sending children to die when they don't even understand what they're fighting for?"

"They're fighting for Vale," the Headmaster replied as he felt his hand grip his cane tightly.

House actually scoffed at that. "And what do they understand of the interests of Vale? Of a governing body they know nothing about. Are they fighting for the Council, for the corporations that back the Council… For you?"

That last accusation struck a nerve with Ozma. "They fight for everyone in Vale, for themselves."

"Really?" House continued, a mocking tone in his voice before he chuckled. "They're fighting for the people when small towns in the Wilds pay heavily for their services? For the services of a limited number of Huntsman who serve an Academy these settlers have never seen? Who in reality, serve to keep the Council in power."

"No, the Council and their betters decide what is important. They pull strings and take care of the interests of not the people but their and their small elite group's interests."

"That's conjecture," the Headmaster replied, doing his best to remain civil in this discussion. But it was clear that House was passionate about the topic. And blatantly criticizing him and the Council. And while there were no laws against that, someone could take it as a sign of a possible threat to Vale.

But most importantly, it struck a nerve that no others had dared to strike in a long time. Not of James' usual brute tactics or Glynda's nitpicking; but real and actual criticism on a deep and personal level. And the worst part? Ozpin couldn't bring himself to completely disagree.

"Conjecture," the instructor mimicked, rolling the word over on his tongue. "Conjecture…" He repeated, letting a silence descend between the two.

Ozpin waited patiently, and was eventually rewarded as House continued, "Vale is not what it once was after the Great War. The Council is full of greedy, squabbling bureaucrats that have no care for the common man or Faunus."

"It's why I admire the King."

Ozpin was again going to retort when he heard that and stopped. Not many spoke of his past incarnation. When he was forced to make the Kingdoms cooperate.

"He understood the one true counter to this sloth and corruption," the instructor continued, turning away from the Headmaster and staring at the trees once more. "He understood that he had to take action. That he had power and he saw injustice and therefore had to correct it. He had an obligation to his fellow people to always fight against injustice!"

There was a pause as House looked down at his hand. "He understood the corruption that the Kingdoms had been consumed by. Slavery, greed, apathy toward Faunus. And he understood that kingdom of corruption, that decay, has no cure. It has to be eradicated, completely wiped clean, and made to do what is right."

"He unified the Kingdoms, built the towers to show cooperation and communication, he did it himself. Not by forcing his burdens on others, not by having a Council decide for him, but by seizing the moment himself."

A pause in his speech, perhaps House realized he was ranting, perhaps he was collecting himself? A few breaths in and out seemed to calm him somewhat.

Ozpin would have to approach this carefully. He had no idea that the instructor felt this strongly about the subject. How idealistic his view was. Of the King, of him. The irony was not lost on Ozma.

"So you admire him?" Ozpin questioned, both a feeling of pride and sadness filling his tone. It was nice to have someone recognize his previous works and how hard he fought. But also saddening that it led to this mindset.

"I admire his will. That he understood…" The man sitting beside him paused and for a second it felt like all the energy left him.

"Can I tell you of one of the best men I've ever met?"

Ozpin sat quietly for a moment. He could feel it. There was a shift in the flow of the conversation. And he could feel that something was weighing on this young man, something similar to his own duties. That it had been for a long time. And most importantly, he was tired.

"What made him a good man?" The Headmaster questioned.

"A good man, no…" The instructor responded slowly, quietly, just above a whisper. "He had done things that would make the Grimm look kind. But he still tried. Despite everything he had done, he had beliefs he held onto through sheer force of will. I guess… You could call him an idealist."

"He had also been through hardship, and for a time, it broke him. He almost did something disastrous before I stopped him. It would have changed everything there, burned away every problem the people there had."

House turned, and despite the visor hiding his face, Ozma could almost imagine the pained expression. The same one that was thick in his voice.

"He taught me that even one man, even a man surrounded by that corruption. By death, and despair, and suffering… One man surrounded by evil and corrupt systems… That one man should be able to make a difference if he is powerful enough."

"And the King understood that as well. And that is what I admire about him."

House turned away, finally finished with his rant.

Honestly, just like the instructor, Ozpin needed a moment as well. The man had opened up wounds that the Headmaster had considered long scarred over. But almost as interestingly was the passion behind his words, the conviction. House spoke with energy that seemed to seep into his old bones and made him want to engage.

His little tirade also made it abundantly clear he held no love for the Council. Another strike for him being the Mimic. However, while he held some radical beliefs similar to the White Fang's, there was an inherent difference.

The subsect of the organization in Vale had turned violent, finally fed up with their lot in life and treatment. Turning to violence and lashing out in a fit of almost childish rage, hoping for things to change.

House had a different view. He saw things as corrupt, needing purification and radical change on a fundamental level. And if Ozpin was a betting man, he would put his money on that the instructor could write several essays on what should be changed about Vale and how to change it. The man was simply too guarded to often share those ideas.

The White Fang acted too impulsively with childish ideals of a perfect utopia, and that was the less extreme Faunus. Others believed in a more oppressive reality. While House had extreme views, in his mind he had the people of Vale's best interests at heart, be they human or Faunus. Perhaps in another life Ozpin would have reincarnated as House?

That still didn't dismiss his open disregard for the Council or himself. But, despite logic screaming at Ozpin to attack House and take him into custody here and now, another part of him couldn't. Another, that saw a struggling man doing his best to do what's right against impossible odds. Or in House's words…

"One man surrounded by evil and corrupt systems should be able to make a difference if he is powerful enough."

Those words rang in his head. How could he condemn House without also condemning himself to be a hypocrite? Was it not that exact logic that had driven him during the Great War? Before that even?

If he judged him and rejected House here and now, Ozpin would have to judge himself. And he wasn't sure if he was ready to do that yet.

"And what happened to that man?" Ozpin asked, almost wary of the answer.

With a slow turn, and an voice in unbearable pain, House answered.

"He betrayed me, they all did."

There it was, a pain he had been trying to find in House. One that had been hanging over the entire conversation as soon as they sat down. This young man, this poor young fool, was far too much like himself. It hurt Ozpin to see it.

"My apologies," House began after he had composed himself. "I lost myself there for a moment. I didn't mean to offend you."

Ozpin adopted his trademark grin and soft demeanor as he replied, "Don't worry, I'm quite hard to offend. I wouldn't be Headmaster of Beacon if that wasn't the case."

Again, Ozpin watched House stare at him for a few long–and honestly awkward–moments. The man tended to get into his own head a little too much.

"I should get my materials ready for class," House concluded as he got to his feet. "Thank you for the conversation. It was interesting…"

And with that, the enigmatic man walked back towards the halls of Beacon like nothing had ever happened.

The Headmaster watched the lonesome instructor leave, feeling a sense of deep sorrow, and he couldn't help but mutter...

"What a deeply sad and lost boy."

Author's Notes:

For anyone wondering, Neo's illusions are physical. Meaning cameras will be fooled by her invisibility trick as well.

Also, the dialogue between Ozpin and the Courier was heavily inspired by a video from Darth Porg on Youtube called "Dooku - Lost" and dialogue from (if memory serves) from The Novelization of Revenge of the Sith.

For anyone that doesn't know. Warner Brothers has decided that Rooster Teeth is no longer making money and is shutting down the company. This comes as no surprise to me but I can't say that I'm particularly happy about it.

While we will be getting a final season of Red vs Blue before the company is gone, do not hope for a new season of RWBY before that happens. The new season was never greenlit and work never began though there were ideas and stories being set up for it. I know Warner Brothers plans to sell the IP so it might be possible that another company will continue RWBY in the future. However, this cannot be relied upon. Not only is there no guarantee of a sale or continuation, but even if it is sold, the new owners might take it in a completely different direction. On top of all that, acquisition, putting together a team, and actually making the show again will likely take years. At the minimum, I expect RWBY to be in copyright Hell for the next couple years. At worst, we may never see another season again.

What does that mean for this story? Probably not as much as you'd imagine. This story was always going to diverge from the main canon more thoroughly. As the Courier influences the world, the Remnant of this story will be different from the one of the show.

In other words, I will continue to not break canon too much save for what the Courier breaks. I also have an ending planned for the story even if it is still far off.

I hope you'll stick with me until the end of it.