Author's note: And now, Sirena.
Sirena sat on a bench in Alpha Academy, and felt many people's fear, from all over the world. However, after what had what happened in Atlas, she was unsure of what to do. Just as she wanted to get up and go kill some Grimm, she felt something pull on her mind, and without thinking, gave in.
"So that's how it works," Ruby said to herself when Sirena appeared in front of her, in the throne room of her soul core, then looked at Sirena and asked, "Hello. How are you?"
"I'm fine, thanks," Sirena answered, sat down on her throne and said, "Well, to be entirely honest, I do have one issue that I am dealing with at the moment."
"What kind of issue?" Ruby asked, and she could see that Sirena was a bit uncomfortable opening up about the issue.
"Well… it's about my powers," Sirena answered, took a deep breath and sighed, "For some reason, they no longer seem to work."
"Your powers?" Ruby asked, tilting her head, "Which ones?"
"My ability to inspire trust and loyalty in those whose hearts are gripped by fear," Sirena answered, "I can still sense their fear, but when I tried getting someone to trust me, he rejected me, saying he did not feel as though I would be of help. That has never happened to me before." Ruby thought for a second, then realized what the problem was.
"Sorry, I probably should've told you sooner," Ruby said, "But to be honest, I thought you already knew."
"Knew what?" Sirena asked, "Do you know why this happened?"
"Well, yes," Ruby answered and asked, "But first, what issue was it?"
"A man was afraid he would fail an audition for an acting role," Sirena answered.
"Can you show me your acting?" Ruby asked and said, "Pretend you're a normal woman buying groceries."
"Well, alright," Sirena said, cleared her throat and, with a monotone voice and expressionless face, said, "Hello. I wish to purchase one banana, please." She let out a sigh, and Ruby just looked at her incredulously.
"I can see the problem," Ruby said and explained, "Your acting, if I may be so blunt, sucks."
"Well, yes. I never had much interest in it to begin with," Sirena said and asked, "But, what does that have to do with my powers?"
"I noticed it when Harriet broke her legs," Ruby said and explained, "When I tried to cheer her up, it didn't work, despite her experiencing strong sorrow and grief. However, when you and your people showed up, Harriet immediately felt hopeful once she saw Oda."
"Wait, really?" Sirena asked, "But don't you two have the same power to inspire hope in others?"
"We do, yes," Ruby answered, "But there is one difference between her and I that made Harriet react to her, but not to me. And it's related to that little acting exercise we just did."
"I… I'm not sure I follow. Sorry, my mind is all over the place lately," Sirena said and asked, "I know you're trying to get me to realize it myself, but would you mind explaining it to me just this once?"
"Alright, I guess once won't hurt," Ruby said and explained, "Our powers only work on people if we can actually help them. But since you couldn't help that guy, he wasn't affected." Sirena looked at her for a moment, blinking a couple times as she processed the information. Seeing her mentor, or maybe former mentor, so clueless and vulnerable felt a lot more personal, and a bit intimate, than she would have expected.
"I… guess I get it now," Sirena said and asked, "So, how do I know if I can help someone or not?"
"You don't," Ruby answered, "You just have to make an effort, and try doing the best you can."
"I see," Sirena said and asked, "Is this how you've been doing things all this time?"
"Mostly, yes," Ruby answered, "I just got really good at knowing what I can do, and how to do it more efficiently. Also, sometimes my friends help out, too."
"Your friends?" Sirena asked, talking more to herself than asking Ruby, and thought about it for a moment before her eyes lit up for a moment, almost literally.
"Figure something out?" Ruby asked, happy to see her friend regain her spirits.
"As a matter of fact, yes," Sirena answered, "I will continue to ask people if they need help with their problems, and will no longer be discouraged if any reject my help."
"That's good to hear," Ruby said, "Anyway, I better head back, Vale kind of needs me. Well, I do have to wait for my body to wake up again, but once that is done, I'm back in business."
"Understood," Sirena said, "And I will continue to guide the next generation of faunus down the path of righteousness." She returned to the waking world, and found herself covered by something soft and fluffy. She moved a bit, and heard a muffled gasp through the light orange blanket.
"Oh, Professor Blue," Hinata said after lifting her fox tail, and spiraled into an embarrassed panic, "Sorry, I saw you sitting here, and sat down, and then you fell over onto my lap, and I guess my tail just sort of moved on its own." Sirena sat up and stretched.
"It's fine, thanks for keeping me company," Sirena said and stood up, "But now, I have something important to do."
"Can I come along?" Hinata asked excitedly, and all but jumped up from the bench. Sirena gave it some thought.
"Of course," Sirena answered and started to walk away. Hinata jumped off the bench, patted herself down the straighten her clothes, and followed her teacher.
"But, won't it be dangerous?" Hinata asked and said, "I mean, I haven't even decided on my weapon yet, and my semblance isn't suited for combat, either. I'm worried I'd just get in your way."
"This isn't a combat mission," Sirena said, "I am just trying to forge connections with the locals, and not only will this be easier with you by my side, but it is also an important skill you need to learn."
"Oh, I see," Hinata said, "Got it. Lead the way then, Professor." The duo left the school, and Sirena followed the nearest beacon of fear to its source.
"By the way, how is the search for a weapon going?" Sirena asked along the way, so they wouldn't walk in silence.
"Well, I did think of using a fan," Hinata answered, "One of those that have a handle that doesn't open up, so I can store dust in it. But I'd like to discuss it with Professor Bolt first."
"I see," Sirena said, "Yes, a fan does sound quite nice."
"So, where is Professor Bolt?" Hinata asked.
"On an important assignment," Sirena answered, "But he will return in a few days, so do not worry. Now watch, we're there." They arrived at a market place, where Hinata saw a familiar woman.
"Hey, that's Atlanta, Dylan's mom," Hinata said, pointing at the shark faunus woman wearing a simple light blue skirt with a matching tube top, and had fins protruding from her lower arms. Sirena remembered the young shark faunus, who seemed a bit distrustful at first, but quickly warmed up to the teachers.
"She's why we're here, but stay back and just observe," Sirena said and approached the woman, clearing her throat to get her attention.
"Well, if it isn't the new academy's staff," Atlanta said when Sirena approached, crossed her arms and asked, "What do you want?"
"Just walking around, that's all," Sirena answered and asked, "Why, is there a problem?" Atlanta huffed.
"Oh please, what do you know of our problems?" Atlanta asked and said, "Everything was fine until you built that school of yours. Now all this weird stuff is happening, and to make matters worse, our children are training to fight monsters."
"Your children?" Sirena asked, feigning ignorance, "Does that mean your child is one of my students?"
"Dylan Tempest, shark faunus, just like his father and I," Atlanta answered, and raised one hand to point at Sirena, assuming a more aggressive stance, "He had such a bright future ahead of himself, but then you came and put all those ideas in his head. We faunus of Menagerie just want to be left alone, but you just had to bring all this conflict here."
"You know, I have children of my own," Sirena said calmly, immediately taking all the wind out of Atlanta's sails, "Two, in fact. I try my best to keep them safe, and out of danger. However, they're their own people, and the best I can do is be ready to help them in whatever way they may need it. If it were up to me, they would stay at home all day, learn, and take up a safer profession. But they look up to me, and followed in my footsteps."
"Are you implying my own son dislikes me?" Atlanta asked, now much calmer.
"To be honest, I don't know," Sirena answered, "What I do know, however, is that you just stood up to a real huntress, who has a reputation of being a bit… rough with people."
"Well, yes," Atlanta said, hesitantly, "I mean, Dylan may be in danger."
"Exactly," Sirena said, "You stood up to me the way you did, because you wanted to protect him. And I believe that that rubbed off on your son, and motivated him to fight against all the evils in the world. So, I can promise you, not as a huntress, but as a mother, that I will do all I can to ensure your son is prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead of him."
"I… don't know what to say," Atlanta said and let her hands drop, assuming a relaxed pose, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Sirena said with a gentle smile, and walked back to Hinata, who had watched the whole exchange from a distance.
"Professor, you were amazing," Hinata said excitedly, and followed Sirena away from the small crowd, "I was sure this would end in a fight."
"Thanks, but that was quite easy for me," Sirena said, "But yes, situations like this usually result in a fight. However, I am more than capable of disarming this kind of situations. If I want to."
"If you want to?" Hinata asked.
"Yes," Sirena answered, "Solving things without violence is nice, but sometimes, you need to show that you can handle a fight as well. It increases the chance that people agree to a peaceful solution further down the line. Convince an enemy that they can't win a fight, and they'll do whatever you want."
"I see," Hinata said and asked, "So, I should first focus on creating an image of invincibility?"
"If that is what you want, sure," Sirena answered, "But there are numerous ways to be a huntress, so you don't have to follow anyone's example. Just be your own person, and stay true to yourself."
"Got it," Hinata said and asked, "Can I still follow someone's example, thought?"
"Of course, it's just not a necessity," Sirena answered and asked, "Did you have anyone in mind already?"
"Sort of, yes," Hinata answered, "I'm just a bit worried that it will come off as weird. After all, he's not the kind of character people usually think of when they think about role models."
"I'm sure it's fine," Sirena said, "To be honest, the main reason I can sing so well is because I look up to sirens, and wanted to help my people with my song, just like they do. I know they are not real, but they are important to my people."
"You're pulling my leg," Hinata said, and Sirena raised her hands to show that she wasn't touching her at all, prompting Hinata to chuckle a little.
"I can assure you, I am not," Sirena said and asked, "So, who is it?"
"Special agent Specter from the second Warzone game," Hinata answered, before starting to ramble on about him, "He's not actually a character in the game, but whenever the player is about to lose a battle they're supposed to win, he shows up and helps them, either by bringing new ammunition, taking out enemies, or something like that. It really upset players, since it took away their agency by providing them with a fail-safe to make sure they can't lose. Because of this feedback, the developers released a patch that added the option to disable the feature. In later installments, he only helps once every three battles, making it way more balanced. But I want to be like the initial version, before the patch. Just show up, solve everything, and leave."
"I see," Sirena said, a bit surprised that the fox faunus went on like this, then composed herself, "To be honest, I'm headed off to Vale now, which has a museum dedicated to heroes of the Great War. I'm sure I can find something there."
"Wait, really?" Hinata asked, "The museum, I mean. Do they really have something about him? Why?"
"They do, yes," Sirena answered, "Or, at least I think they do. After all, those games pride themselves on historical accuracy, if I'm not mistaken."
"Yes, they do," Hinata said, then got a bit droopy, "I really wish I could go there, too."
"One day, I'm sure you will," Sirena said, "But first, the city needs to be rebuilt, and you need to finish your education." As they walked, they talked more about the game, with Sirena memorizing everything so she could compare it to the official story, and maybe figure out the real story from there. They eventually got back to the school and parted ways. Sirena headed to the basement, where a door opened to an under water tunnel that was connected to the ocean.
~o~
Taiyang flung five small energy orbs from his fingertips, killing several Beowolves with his piercing projectiles. The rest of the pack charged him, and he engaged them in close combat, effortlessly taking them all out. An Alpha Beowolf jumped off a nearby pharmacy and rose to its hind legs before hitting him with its right claw. He blocked the blow with his left arm, but barely felt the attack.
"Regina's semblance sure is something else," Taiyang thought and kicked the Grimm in the groin, intending to disrupt its balance to follow up with more punches. However, his foot went clean through the enemy's lower body, splitting it in half up to the chest. He hit it with a double palm thrust and used an aura shockwave to send it flying through several walls down the road.
"My bad," Taiyang said, as if the owners of the shops he just accidentally destroyed could hear him. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and let out an exhausted sigh, then looked at the cloak Regina had given him and the others. It shimmered in an almost otherworldly silver-white color, and despite looking fairly durable, he couldn't feel its weight on his shoulders at all. A Bomber Deer came around the corner, so Taiyang got ready to continue fighting. When the Grimm reared back its head and prepared a barrage, Ren shot the hooks from his weapon into its head and pulled himself towards the Grimm, kicking it in its shoulder blades and forcing it to shoot the barrage upwards.
"Need some help?" Ren asked and jumped next to Taiyang, "I'm waiting for Blake to arrive. She's a bout out of it, so I had to be careful on my way here." The orbs from Spectral Healing recharged his aura a bit, and both men prepared for the fight.
"Got it," Taiyang said, coated his fists in orbs of leafy green energy and engaged the Grimm. Ren switched to Spectral Assault and opened fire, dealing significant damage with the combination of Tranquility and Ambush. Taiyang landed several good hits on the Bomber Deer, but the Grimm tried to hit him with its antlers. He caught the antlers, and Ren stopped shooting to avoid hitting Taiyang.
"Hold it," Ren called out and burst into rose petals, dashing from one wall to the other. He stopped above the Grimm and shot Stormflower's hooks into the ground on either side of the Bomber Deer. The cables pulled him down and he kicked the Grimm in the back of the head with an aura shockwave, breaking off its antlers and shattering both its front legs, forcing it to the ground.
"Thanks," Taiyang said and coated his left foot in a sphere of leafy green energy. Ren jumped back from the Grimm, and Taiyang killed it with a single kick to the head. A small green seed appeared and fazed into the ground, before a little sprout rose from it.
"You're welcome," Taiyang said, "Now let's keep this up until Blake gets here."
"Of course," Ren said and fired his special disk down the road, making that spot on the side of the travel agency attract Grimm, "That being said, I would like a plant-dust crystal or two myself."
"Here you go," Taiyang said and handed Ren a green dust crystal, "I only have two left, so this will have to do."
"Thank you," Ren said and put the crystal in his back pocket. Suddenly, he got a message on his scroll.
"Hey, do you know where Blake is?" Yang wrote, "She's not answering."
"We had an issue," Ren responded, "She isn't hurt, but she used her predator sense on that roaring sound, and it shook her up so much that she can't walk. I made a Combat Drone protect me and had her sit on it before heading back."
"Where is she now?" Yang wrote.
"We were at Remy's," Ren responded, "But there is no need to worry, I set up crystal-dust Landmines along the way, so enemies can't get close anyway."
"Alright, thanks," Yang wrote, "I'll check on her real fast." Before Ren could send his reply, the duo heard a dragon's roar, and saw Yang fly away from the train station. Ren put his scroll away, drew his second weapon again, and he and Taiyang waited for the next Grimm to show up. Within five minutes, a pack of Beowolves walked around the corner, and both men engaged them. With each Grimm Taiyang killed, another seed was created, and when he disengaged to catch his breath, Ren stepped in. He shot his weapon's hooks past the pack, funneling most of them towards himself.
"And now," Ren said and activated Retaliation, augmented with plant-dust, coating himself and his weapons in a leafy green aura that periodically created clouds of spores. With the damage boost from Ambush and the first Power Root, his spore clouds killed the Grimm in one hit each, creating even more sprouts, much to Taiyang's amazement.
Author's note: Originally, the plan was for the child's mother to keep her son from attending the academy altogether, until Sirena talked to her. But I like this version better.
Hinata knows what kind of huntress she wants to be.
At first, Blake was supposed to help Taiyang, but then I remembered that she was out of commission for a while.