The Phases of Remnant
ESKK:
(Begin)
-Insert Dot Hack ROOTS OST Silly Go Round by Fiction Junction Yuuka (TV SIZE)-
-Yume kara samete mo-
The song began with the images of Aura with Haseo and Ruby reaching for the Twilight Bracelet. Aura was holding the bracelet in what looked like a forest of fantasy.
-Kono te wo nobasu yo-
The next image showed two hands reaching out towards each other but without any distinguishable markings it was impossible to tell those to whom they belonged. In turn the music picked up to show the title of the story.
"Phases of Remnant."
The next image showed four balls of energy with the images of winter, fall, spring, and summer flying through with the Twilight Bracelet. The song then continued as the image changed once more.
-Onaji tsuyosa de yobi au-
The next image showed Haseo running across the screen but the image of Skeith the Terror of Death behind him taking up the background.
-Kokoro ni nareru no naraba-
The next image showed Atoli walking across the screen with the image of a broken sword and what appeared to be Balmung in the background.
-Nanninbun no kizu demo-
The next image showed Ruby walking down a path with a smile as behind her was the image of the Twilight Bracelet in the hands of the Silver Eyed Kite and Black Rose.
-Boku wa uketomerareru yo-
The following image showed Ozpin as he looked upon a mimic form of Ruby walking off with her own scythe dripping with fresh blood. Accompanying this was an endless void as this figure showed itself to be something beyond human.
-Mou sukoshi datte ki ga surunda-
The next images was a montage of Ruby with team RWBY, Haseo with Team HAKE, and Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora looking at a saddened Atoli as Jaune was found lying in a hospital bed with monitors all over him.
-Kono kabe ga kuzureru Reimei-
The images that showed next was that of the Beacon Clock Tower before four Azure Flames flew by and began to take shape. The shapes taken were Azure Kite, Azure, Balmung, Azure Orca, and finally what appeared to be an Azure form of Summer Rose. It then showed Haseo, Ruby, and their teams preparing for battle against these foes. It then switched with the riff of a guitar and the surge of Dust blowing through.
-Yume kara samete mo mada minai yume no hou made-
Next was shown a montage of images starting with Ovan in a Library reading a book with one hand. Following this was Ozpin as he stood inside the Beacon Tower with his cane in hand. Then showed Haseo and Ruby charging in with weapons drawn for battle. Their foe was the blue and white knock off of Ruby as Ruby attacked first with the image of her teammates showing. Haseo went next as his images showed his own teammates as well.
-Bokura wa hitori de hashiri tsudukeru shika nainda-
The following image showed Pi and Glynda hard at work as well as the images of Sakubo jumping into her mothers' arms before being replaced by Gorre and then back to Sakubo and Glynda. The next images showed Haseo and Ruby charging into battle before they ended up falling through the ground to reveal the forms of AIDA hovering about.
-Korogari mayotte tsukuridasu boku no inryoku ga Itsuka Kimi e-
The next images showed Ruby and Haseo falling into the abyss before tightening their grips on their weapons. What followed was Skeith appearing and the Twilight Bracelet shining to life before Skeith and Ruby proceeded to fire off a Data Drain at the images of AIDA, Salem, and the shadowy force behind the Ruby mimic.
-End OST-
(Start Ozpins Office That Morning)
The Headmaster sat quietly at his desk, sipping from his mug as he waited for the meeting to begin. Though he appeared to be alone at the moment, it would not last long as soon Glynda and Pi soon entered the room. "Thank you both for coming so early." Ozpin said to the Teacher and Student Teacher.
"Well considering it involved the Epitaphs I would think it was important." Pi said as she looked to the group.
"Yes." Ozpin said before he pressed a button to activate a hologram projector that showed the images of Skeith, Magus, and AIDA all taken during the Initiation. Pi was surprised by this but kept her control and let Ozpin continue with what he was saying. "I asked you both here because this shows that adding Pi, we currently have 3 of the Epitaphs in Beacon 5 if our assumption of Mr. Schnee and Ms. Arc is accurate." Ozpin said making it clear that gathering the Epitaph Users was important.
"And we also need to consider the strange power Ms. Rose displayed." Glynda said and thus the images began to show Ruby when she was pinned and had used a strange power to free herself and severely weaken the Death Stalkers armor, so it was brittle and weak.
"Yes, a Power that I believed only Epitaph Users could use." Ozpin said recalling how Skeith and Magus used the same power.
"I'm just as lost as you are on this." Pi said as they needed to examine the bracelet and Ms. Rose but discreetly. "Put I know that bracelet is familiar I just can't figure out where." Pi said which meant she had to do some research. But first things first they had to deal with the immediate situation. "But we will need to consider other things, such as informing them of their powers." Pi said knowing that the Epitaph Users and those close to them needed to know their power and how it affects this world into which they were reborn.
"What do you suggest?" Glynda asked and in turn Pi already had an idea on what to do.
"Gather immediate family members and/or teammates and inform them of their statues so we can better coordinate." Pi said which Ozpin was more than willing to do.
"Of course, but we mustn't tell them everything, only the parts involving them." Ozpin said which they were all in agreement in.
"Very well then, until later today we have classes to attend to." Glynda said which Pi agreed with for the time being. Still the first day of classes should prove to be interesting to say the least.
(Team RWBY's room)
It was morning as the young heiress Weiss was waking up after a goodnights rest. As she got up, she stretched and rubbed he sleep out of her eyes as unknown to her Ruby was beside her in uniform with a whistle and she didn't realize it until it was too late which was when Ruby blew the whistle. The shrill sound cause Weiss to yelp and fall in surprise as Ruby smiled. "Good morning team RWBY!" She called out with a smile on her face.
"What in the world is wrong with you?" Weiss asked clearly not liking the wakeup call.
"Now that you're awake we can officially begin our first order of business." Ruby said as Weiss was confused.
"Excuse me?" Weiss asked before Yang and Blake appeared also dressed in uniform.
"Decorating." Yang said with a smile on her face.
"What?" Weiss asked shocked.
"We still have to unpack." Blake said as she lifted up her suitcase before said suitcase popped open spilling its contents all over. "And clean." Blake said as Weiss sighed before Ruby blew the whistle again surprising her to the floor once again.
"Alright Weiss, Blake, Yang, and there fearless leader Ruby have begun there first missions banzai!" Ruby called before Yang and Blake appeared on either side of her.
"Banzai!" They called before they leaned to the side which was then followed by the beginning of decorating the room.
Despite one of the four members was being nothing short of enthusiastic, the settling in part went off without a hitch. Ruby was able to clear out most of the dust bunnies that had occupied the dorm for some time, while Yang and Weiss hanged up some pics on the wall as they put up an Achieve Men poster and a Forever Fall painting, respectively. Blake was in the middle of organizing her book collection which came to a screeching halt just so she could find someplace to put Ninjas of Love that she looked shocked and worried look and quickly went to hide it. Ruby, realizing she was doing a whole lot of nothing, decided to be of some use and open the curtains and it went as well as one would think when Ruby cut the curtains up.
After some time has passed, the team was finally finished with their room (complete with a repaired curtain). There was just one problem as Team RWBY took noticed of the pile of beds taking up space in the center when Weiss spoke up. "This isn't going to work." Weiss said as she saw they didn't have much room here.
"It is a bit cramped in here." Blake said as she saw the room was very cramped in here.
"Maybe we should ditch some of our stuff." Yang suggested as they could due to ditch a few things they don't really need here.
"Or we could ditch the beds…" Ruby's idea definitely turned some heads. "And replace them with BUNKBEDS!" Ruby cheered as she looked to this whole thing.
"Um, that sound incredibly dangerous." Weiss said as she saw that the structural integrity of it needs to be considered.
"And super awesome!" Yang asked pumped up to do that.
"It does seem efficient." Blake said as she tried to keep calm here less, they end up drawing out the beast within Ruby again till they can know for a fact what draws it out from the young Red colored Huntress.
"Well, we should put it to a vote." Weiss said as Ruby smiled.
"Ha, I think we just did." Ruby said as Weiss was now three against one. So henceforth the team got moving on setting up the four beds. When the dust settled, the surprisingly stable bunkbeds were complete. "Objective complete!" Ruby said as she smiled at their work which was four huntresses in training stood beholden to their new structurally unsound bunk beds. "Alright our second order of business… classes." She said that last part with much less enthusiasm as she took out her schedule book. "Now, we have a few classes together today, at nine we've got…" Ruby began but her words were caused Weiss to go wide eyed,
"What?!" Weiss suddenly exclaimed cutting Ruby off. "Did you say nine o'clock!?" She asked and thus Ruby was lost for a second.,
"Um…?" Ruby said not realizing what time it was.
"It's eight fifty-five, you dunce!" The heiress shouted before she ran out of the dorm and into the hallway to get to class, alerting the newly formed Team JNPR that resided in the room across the hall.
"Um… t-t-to class!" Ruby called out as she tried to save some face while she, Yang, and Blake ran out to catch up with Weiss.
"C-Class…?!" Jaune stuttered as he tried to run out as well, only to trip and fall, but Pyrrha quickly pulled him up. "We're gonna be late!" Jaune cried out as he, Nora, Pyrrha, and Ren ran out as fast as they could as well.
(Meanwhile at Class Team HAKE)
Haseo and his teammates were already in class as they had been woken up early by Atoli. Needless to say, it was something of a rude wakeup call, but Atoli meant well. Seeing as they all worked together in the past, they had no problems with this arrangement. Plus, Haseo's leadership in this really shined through during the initiation as was their teamwork so they had a good foundation on working together.
Next to him Endrance was petting Mia who was purring to his touch while laying down on the table. "Endrance be honest with me, do you have to bring that cat everywhere you go?" Kuhn asked as he looked at Mia with a skeptical look over the cat not being AIDA in disguise like last time when they had originally met Endrance in The World.
"She needs me to care for her so yes." Endrance said as Mia wasn't at all bothered over where she was. "And seeing as she has an active Aura, I would dare not leave her to fend for herself." Endrance said as Haseo chuckled to this.
"Funny my sisters did the same thing with our dog." Haseo said recalling what Zwei was able to do with an active Aura. "Yeah, that Corgi is a force of nature now." Haseo said recalling all the things Zwei can do.
"Oh, so even the pets are ass kickers, good to know." Kuhn said but then Atoli noticed something amiss with the class.
"Haseo... did you see the others on the way here?" Atoli asked as she was getting worried since Jaune was a no show.
"Nah I think they were still asleep when we came here." Haseo said and as if summoned the doors slammed open and from it Team RWBY and JNPR were there. "Oh wait, there they are." Haseo said seeing the others had arrived before he looked at the clock. "And with minutes to spare." Haseo added and thus they all began to take seats awaiting for class to begin.
(Later that day Pi's Combat Class)
Everyone was dressed in their combat uniforms as they stood in a stadium room. Pi stood at the front of it as she had a stern look on her face. "Welcome to Combat Class I'll be your teacher for today's lesson while Ms. Goodwitch handles a few errands." Pi said as Haseo could not help this would be a bad thing. "Now then as you may or may not be aware I'm a Student Teacher which means I'm shadowing Ms. Goodwitch but will still teach classes here and there." Pi explained things and thus got to the rules. "But for days she is not here I have these rules for you." Pi said in a tone that said to listen or suffer.
"First rule if I select you to fight, your going to fight." Pi began making this clear for the group here. "Second rule I decide your opponent and who fights whom." Pi said making it clear she was NOT going to give anyone an easy win if it can be helped. "Third Rule if you have issues and it disturbs the class then you're going to fight it out." Pi said making it clear she will not tolerate disruptions from any prior incidents outside the class. "Fourth Rule if your selected… your going to fight." Pi said and thus the class began. "Now then let's begin with an exhibition match." Pi said and thus everyone got worried about being chosen.
"Now then let's get to the first match." Pi said as she began to select the fighters for the opening match of her class. "The first fight will be… Yang Xiao Long." Pi spoke and Yang in response cheered.
"Alright whose my dance partner?" Yang said getting up ready to fight.
"Me." Pi said much to Yang and her classmates surprise.
"Well… alright then." Yang said her voice cracking a bit. It was like she was both excited and nervous at the same time.
Later the two fighters were in the ring as they both used hand-to-hand combat as their bases. Both had their gauntlets ready as they circled each other. The buzzer sounded soon enough and thus Yang charged at Pi with a fist. Pi managed to deflect it with her arm before Yang went for a gut punch. Pi pushed Yang back and spun out of the range of the attack but Yang for her part fired off her shotgun rounds at Pi.
Pi avoided them easily enough and just when Yang was about to fire at point blank range Pi deflected the shot to go upward. The teacher then elbowed Yang sending her back and use the momentum to grab Yang by her arm and flip her over. Yang acted fast and quickly got back on her feet before charging at Pi to take her down.
Pi dodged and avoided the attacks with ease as Yang swung her fists wildly. Pi was able to predict her movements and in turn summoned the blades on her gauntlets. She then passed by Yang who dodged from a feint punch before they parted ways. Yang smirked for a moment before she noticed a familiar sight… locks of her hair falling down.
Pi smirked which served to anger Yang while her lilac eyes turned crimson red. Roaring in fury and releasing an explosion Yang went after Pi who was ready for it. Pi was able to dodge the attacks she could and block the ones she could as well. She was letting Yang waste her Semblance and just as Yang was about to send a final punch she stopped when Pi sent a powerful punch of her own against Yang. The attack was infused with Aura and thus Yang felt the wind knocked out of her and then was sent flying out of the ring.
Pi performed a cooldown stance as the buzzer went off from the ring out. "Now class what can you tell me on how Yang lost?" Pi asked as Yang was getting back up.
"She failed to gauge the situation." Weiss said raising her hand to this.
"Exactly and due to this the initial parts of the battle allowed for me to gauge her skills and abilities before exploiting her aggression and hair trigger temper to waist her Semblance." Pi said showing a replay of the prior battle. "This left her wide open for attack which I exploited to attain a decisive victory." Pi said as Yang was coughing a bit after having the air knocked out of her. "Ms. Xiao-Long I would highly recommend you work on your combat style and curve your aggression less you lose a limb against a more dangerous foe." Pi said as Yang nodded.
"Yes ma'am." Yang said and thus Pi smiled to all her other students.
"Now then whose next?" Pi asked and thus no one wanted to volunteer against the teacher.
(Later after Pi's Class)
"That was awesome!" Yang said as she nursed a bruise on her stomach. "I hope this never heals." Yang said showing how much of a fan she was of Pi.
"Sis did you hear anything she told you after she kicked your ass?" Haseo asked as he and his teammates walked with RWBY.
"Of course, but I don't see how that's a problem, my anger is more of an asset then a weakness." Yang said as this got Ruby worried for her older sister.
"A fire that burns without control will burn the entire forest in its rage." Endrance said seeing the problem with this. "A warrior that lacks self-control will become a threat to his allies and an asset to his enemies." He added causing Yang to glare at him for that while Ruby's mind quickly got to work.
'Maybe I should start redesigning Yang's weapons.' Ruby thought to herself not wanting to see her sister get seriously hurt.
"Well come on, we have our next class soon." Atoli said and thus they started to head to the locker rooms so they can change back into their school uniforms. Besides whatever their next class is should be less stressful then having a class with Pi as their combat instructor.
(Scene Break Ports Class)
"Monster! Demons! Prowlers of the night! Yes, the Creatures of Grimm have many names." Professor Port began to lecture his class, in which Team RWBY attended in full as did JNPR and HAKE. "But I merely refer to them as 'prey'." He said in an attempt at a jest but got no response from his class. If anything, he just barley woke Ruby up from her nap of being bored by his story.
Atoli for her part was taking notes as she had her notebooks and pencil's out highlighting any key points for later references. Kuhn was checking out the ladies in the class while Endrance was smiling at Mia who continued to sleep through the class. Haseo had his head resting on his hand as Port continue to teach the class.
"Uh… and you shall too, upon graduating from this prestigious academy." Port said as he continued with the less. "Now, as I was saying… Vale, as well as the other three Kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world." He began with Atoli being one of the few actively taking Notes. "Our planet is absolutely teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces. And that's where we come in, Huntsmen, Huntresses…" He said but clicked at that last term, causing Yang to roll her eyes in annoyance. "Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves. From what, you ask? Why, the very world!" He announced dramatically to the class.
"Yeah!" Only one student cheered, which received stares from the other students, causing him to sink back into his seat embarrassingly.
"That is what you are training to become." Port continued as he began his opening salvo of lessons for the school year. "But first, a story. A tale of a young, handsome man: me." He said and in turn he began to monologue his own personal story, Weiss glanced to her left to see Ruby apparently writing something on a blank piece of paper. She was somewhat surprised at Ruby apparently taking notes at this otherwise boring story, but even more surprised at Ruby's snickering. It was revealed that Ruby had drawn a funny picture of Professor Port, making him look like a fat stinky man. While Weiss glared slightly at Ruby, Yang and Blake happened to see the picture and snickered along with her. A cough got their attention, focusing back on Port who began to wrap up his story.
"In the end, the Beowolf was no match for my sheer tenacity. And I returned to my village with the beast in captivity and my head held high! Celebrated as a hero!" He said before he bowed, signaling the end of his story. "The moral of this story, a true Huntsmen must be honorable, a true Huntsmen must be dependable, a true Huntsmen must be strategic, well-educated, and wise." Port said as with each word he spoke, Weiss glared harder and harder at Ruby, who didn't even appear to pay attention to the lecture, if anything, she seemed more interested in her childish antics, which seemed to only spur Weiss' inner fury even more.
"So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?" Port asked his students. In response, Weiss immediately and aggressively raised her hand.
"I do, sir!" Weiss announce with her hand raised high.
"Well then, let's find out." Port said as he turned toward the side of the room where a cage containing a Grimm was stationed. "Step forward and face your opponent." Port said gesturing to the cage next to him.
(Later outside the Locker Room)
Weiss had changed into her combat attire as she got ready to head in for her test fight. But as she left, she soon found Endrance waiting outside the locker room, much to her shock. "Endrance what are you doing here?" Weiss asked when she saw Endrance there holding Mia.
"I came to see how you were doing dear sister." Endrance said with his wistful smile still present.
"I'm fine." Weiss said in a haughty tone while looking away from Endrance.
"Are you certain?" Endrance asked as he sat calmly on a bench while rubbing Mia's head which had the cat purring pleasantly.
"Yes, I'm sure." Weiss said as she then began to make her way to the stage.
"A land desiring perfection and superiority shall find envy where grass is most, greener within lands beyond their control." Endrance recited which stopped Weiss from moving. "A Petulant child who desires much shall find envy in things they have not." Endrance said before he stood up.
"Why do you always do stuff like that?" Weiss said knowing her twin brother was something of a poet and could come up with poems to fit any situation and turn it into advice when needed or describe a situation they were in.
"I'm simply to be of aid." Endrance said as he looked to Weiss with a smile. "Just as I always have like when SHE came to us." Endrance said as Weiss knew what Endrance spoke of. The truth was that Haseo was not her first encounter with an Avatar. Four Years prior Endrance had awoken his own Epitaph Macha the Temptress and the Sixth Phase of Morgana.
(Flashback Four Years Prior Atlas)
Weiss and Endrance were thirteen and at the moment were cornered by the White Fang sent to abduct them. Weiss held her brother close fearful of the Faunus Terrorists while Endrance simply stood there seemingly fearless. For Endrance the scene was slightly different as he let go of Weiss and made his way towards the White Fang with a bell toll resonating in his mind. Weiss saw markings appear on her twin brother's body while he made slowly his way towards the White Fang members who also saw this.
What Weiss heard next was Endrance crying out while hugging himself with those markings reaching their apex in glowing pulses. Soon there was a flash of light blinded the group and when it died down the White Fang members were shocked to see Macha towering over them while Weiss saw the beauty of the feline like Avatar. Macha made quick work of the terrorists before Weiss would come to pass out from the scene after witnessing such raw power with her very eyes.
(End Flashback)
"As I had sworn my sword to Haseo I also sworn that my sword would protect you, dear sister." Endrance said smiling wistfully to his younger sister.
"Alright I get it." Weiss said with a sigh of annoyance to her weird twin brother. She then took her leave with Endrance following after her not long after.
(Back at Ports Class)
Weiss stood at the stage as she faced the caged Grimm while she made a combat stance, pointing Myrtenaster at the cage. "Go Weiss!" Yang cheered backing up her teammate and new friend.
"You can do it, Weiss." Atoli said with a smile to Weiss.
"Fight well!" Blake called while she waved a small flag that had RWBY written on it.
"Kick some ass, snowflake!" Kuhn said while Endrance smiled to his sister silently cheering for his twin sister.
"Yeah! Represent Team RWBY!" Ruby cried out as she also cheered Weiss on.
"Ruby, I'm trying to focus!" Weiss scolded her leader, causing her to sink into her seat.
"Oh… Um, sorry…" Ruby said which caused a glare from Haseo and a sad sigh from Endrance.
"Alright, let the match, begin!" Port called out as he used his own weapon to cut open the cage, setting loose the Boarbatusk Grimm inside. The Grimm immediately charged at Weiss, who swiftly rolled out of the way to slice at its side, but the Boarbatusk's armored hide protected it. In response the creature rounded to face Weiss once more.
"Ha, ha. Wasn't expecting that, were you?" Port said to the heiress as he saw how this was going.
"Hang in there, Weiss!" Ruby cheered trying to keep Weiss' spirits up.
Weiss used a Glyph to shoot herself forward at the Boarbatusk as it charged at her, but it swung its tusks, catching Myrtenaster and tried to swing Weiss away as she lost her footing. But she quickly regained it as she tried to pry her weapon free with the Boarbatusk struggling against her.
"Bold in your approach, I like it!" Port observed as he saw Weiss already made a mistake considering how she was fighting.
"Come on Weiss, show it whose boss!" Ruby called out as she continued to cheer, but this distracted Weiss, causing her to lose her grip on her sword. Using the chance, the Boarbatusk threw away the weapon with its tusks before knocking Weiss back with its primary weapons.
"Oh-ho. Now what will you do without your weapon?" Port asked as Weiss tried to think of a way to win this.
Weiss gasped as the Boarbatusk charged at her, but she dodged and rolled out of the way just in time as the Grimm slammed into the wall behind her before she made a break to retrieve Myrtenaster.
"Weiss! Go for its belly!" Ruby told her as she saw where the weakness was. "There's no armor underneath…" Ruby said and thus Ruby had enough of Ruby's antics.
"Stop telling me what to do!" Weiss yelled, causing Ruby to lower herself. The Boarbatusk roared before rolling into a ball and spun toward Weiss at high speed, but she conjured a Glyph to break its advance, knocking it on its back. She leapt into the air where a second black Glyph was conjured to propel herself at the downed Grimm, impaling it through its underbelly, killing it.
"Bravo! Bravo!" Port called out with a nod as Weiss took a moment to catch her breath. "It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training." Port said before the bell rung signaling the end of the class. "I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings and stay vigilante. Class dismissed." Port said and with that the class ended and the students began to leave. As everyone gathered their belongings Ruby couldn't help but look with concern and worry, at her teammate and at herself.
(Later outside the classroom)
"Weiss!" Ruby called out as she caught up to her in the hallways.
"What?!" The heiress snapped as she glared at Ruby.
"What's wrong with you?! Why are you being…?!" Ruby began but was unable to finish when Weiss cut her off.
"What's wrong with me?!" Weiss questioned with a snap in her tone and a glare directed at Ruby. "What's wrong with you?!" Weiss asked as she was clearly upset with Ruby for some reason here. "You're supposed to be a leader! And all you've been so far, is a nuisance!" Weiss accused which got Ruby confused.
"What did I do?!" Ruby asked unaware of any wrong doings on her part.
"That's just it! You've done nothing to earn your position!" Weiss told the younger girl as she glared at her. "Back in the forest you acted like a child and only continued to do so." Weiss ranted as she was upset about something with the team.
"Weiss where is all of this coming from?" Ruby asked with a voice of concern. "What happened to all the talk about working together? I thought you believed in acting as a team." Ruby said her tone showing she was trying to understand why Weiss was so upset.
"Not a team lead by you." Weiss said calming down a bit as at the very least she can give Ruby the respect of a calmer tone since Ruby had yet to raiser her voice like Weiss did. "I studied, and trained, and quite frankly, I deserve better." She said before she turned around with her arms crossed. "Ozpin made a mistake." Weiss said before she began to walk away.
Ruby stood there for a moment before she turned around ready to walk off only to bump into Haseo. "Trouble in paradise?" Haseo asked causing Ruby to jump in shock to his arrival.
"Haseo what are you doing here?" Ruby asked surprised to see her older half-brother and fellow Scythe user here.
"Come on we need to talk." Haseo said gesturing for Ruby to follow him.
(Meanwhile over with Weiss)
s Weiss made her way outside onto a balcony to get some fresh air, she happened to stumble upon the professor of her previous class. "Professor Port." Weiss called out as she made her way over to the overweight man.
"Ah, Miss Schnee." Port greeted as the professor turned to greet her. "And to what do I owe this fine pleasure?" He asked wondering what brought Weiss here.
"I-I enjoyed your lecture." Weiss began hoping someone could see her plight with the leadership of team RWBY.
"Of course, you did, child. You have the blood of a true Huntress in you." Port said giving the girl proper praise.
"You really think so?" Weiss asked with a hopeful smile.
"Most surely." Port confirmed, but he also noticed a far away and uncertain look in her eyes. "Something is troubling you." Port hummed noting that Weiss was not overtly speaking.
"Yes, sir." Weiss said confirming his observation with a small nod.
"Dear girl, confess to me your strife." He said encouraging her to share her concerns.
"Well, I think I should have been the leader of Team RWBY." Weiss said outright instead of beating around the bush any longer.
Port had listened to what she had to say, and had a response set immediately. "That's preposterous." He said which surprised Weiss to no end.
"Excuse me?!" Weiss questioned shocked that Port did not agree with her.
"I've believed in Professor Ozpin for many years, and the man's never once led me astray." Port said showing he had faith in the Headmaster.
"So, you would just blindly accept his decision, even after seeing how exceptional I am?" Weiss questioned once again trying to find the logic in this.
"With all due respect, your exceptional skill on the battlefield is matched only by your poor attitude." Port criticized making note that as a person Weiss would not be a good leader.
"How dare you!" Weiss exclaimed clearly upset by this but had proved Ports point.
"My point exactly." Port said with a stern tone to the girl. "I see a girl before me who has spent her entire life getting exactly what she wanted." Port said as he saw Endrance standing a bit behind waiting to jump in while tending to Mia.
"That's not even remotely true." Weiss said, briefly looking away as a small flash of emotional pain filled her eyes. She noticed Port raising one of his eyebrows slightly at her. "Well… not entirely true." Weiss said and thus Port decided to give her to pearls of wisdom.
"So, the outcome did not fall in your favor." Port began as he knew the girl needed to hear this. "Do you really believe that acting in such a manner would cause those in power to reconsider their decision?" He asked as he knew Endrance was more than willing to follow Haseo on Team HAKE and also knew the girl would do well to follow such an example. "So instead of fretting about what you don't have, savor what you do." He said knowing Weiss needed to hear this. Hone your skills, perfect every technique, and be not the best leader but the best person you can be. Try to keep an open mind about the rest of your teammates, you may find there's more to them than meets the eye." He said causing Weiss to stand there in shock for a moment before seeing the wisdom of his words.
As she thought about all this, a small smile formed on her face. "Thank you, sir." Weiss said and thus Port began to take his leave while Endrance began his own approach.
As Weiss stood there, she soon heard another set of footstep's approach before sighing to this. "You knew this would happen, didn't you?" Weiss asked with a sigh.
"I had my own suspicions." Endrance said as he went to comfort his sister. "You were so used to getting your way that you were unable to accept things when they don't." Endrance said while standing close to Weiss.
"How do you do it?" Weiss asked with concern. "How do you manage to just let it slide?" Weiss asked as she was honestly curious. Endrance seemed to be the exact opposite of what their father tried to mold and still came out on top against him. A lot of his business-oriented decisions and suggestions had put him on many of the members of the Board of Directors good graces so he could not be cut off from his path as Heir. The fact her father and Endrance were at odds most of the time made things difficult. His stance of the Faunus was the pinnacle of what put him at odds even after what the White Fang had done.
"I simply keep an open eye and look at the bigger picture." Endrance said as he too took his leave of the Schnee Heiress.
(Meanwhile over with Ruby and Haseo)
At the same time Weiss was having her discussion Haseo and Ruby were having one of their own. Haseo had had led Ruby to a rooftop where the two could speak in a more private setting without any eavesdroppers. Ruby had told Sonic what had happened in her class, and he listened to every word.
"Well Weiss was a bit rude wouldn't you say?" Haseo asked as he stood there with his arms crossed.
"Was she right though?" Ruby asked her self-doubt coming to fore. "Did Ozpin make a mistake in making me the leader?" She asked further hoping Haseo could give her some words of wisdom on this.
"You tell me." Haseo said walking a bit to her with his hands behind his back in a relaxed manner. "You've only been the leader for literally one day, and you haven't even done any real missions yet." Haseo said assuring Ruby that she had nothing to worry about and Weiss was just throwing a temper tantrum.
"But what if I make a mistake on a mission?" Ruby began to say while making her concerns and self-doubt known. "What if something happens and I…?" Ruby asked before Haseo cut in and stopped her.
"Then you'll deal with it like a leader." Haseo said with a calm tone using his own experiences with all the incidents back in The World leading up to the Third Network Crisis. "You're the leader of a team and that's a big responsibility, something you gotta take seriously." Haseo said as he spoke from one leader to another.
Ruby smiled at her brother's way of helping her. "Thanks, Haseo... that really helps." Ruby said and thus Haseo stood up ready to go.
But just then the door opened and from it Glynda walked out onto the roof. "Ah Mr. Branwen, Ms. Rose good I found you." Glynda said as she looked to the pair.
"Oh hey, Ms. Goodwitch." Haseo greeted to the woman.
"Did you need something?" Ruby asked curious as to why Glynda was looking for them.
"Yes, Professor Ozpin wishes to speak with Team HAKE as well as you, Ms. Schnee, and Ms. Xiao-Long." Glynda said and thus Haseo nodded to this.
"Alright." Haseo said and thus they followed the Professor to meet with Ozpin.
(Later)
Day was turning into night when they arrived back at the Beacon Cliffs. When they got there, they found not only the members of Team HAKE but also the members of Team RWBY and Team JNPR with Pi Nikos herself there as well. There was also one other person there a young woman with a handbag and a barrette on her head with sunglasses over her eyes.
"Coco?! What are you doing here Sis?!" Kuhn asked shocked to see his older sister here.
"I was asked to come here." Coco said with a smirk on her face. "Professor Ozpin said it involved you so I gotta ask what you did this time?" Coco asked knowing how much a flirt Kuhn can be and how it can at times bite him in the ass.
"Nothing I didn't do anything." Kuhn said getting defensive about this.
"Um Kuhn mind introducing us?" Atoli asked as she saw Coco standing there with a smirk.
"Oh, sorry I didn't realize you had friends here." Coco joked before approaching the team. "I'm Coco Adel Kuhn big sister." Coco said and thus Haseo nodded.
"Haseo... this is my twin sister Yang and our younger sister Ruby." Haseo introduced before Atoli added in.
"I'm Atoli Arc and that boy over there is my twin brother Jaune Arc." Atoli said gesturing to Jaune who shyly waved to the girl.
"Weiss and Endrance Schnee." Endrance said gesturing to Weiss and himself in their introduction.
"Good to see that you are all taking initiative in introductions." Ozpins aid as he got their attention. "But now that your all here, we may begin." Ozpin said as he spoke to them.
"What's up teach?" Kuhn asked before Ozpin cleared his throat.
"Certain things have come to my attention that needs to be discussed." Ozpin said and thus he gestured to Pi. "Seeing as Pi is our on-sight expert of the subject I shall give the reigns to her." Ozpin said and thus all eyes fell to her.
"Thank you." Pi began before directing her attention to the students. "Now... how many of you know the story of the Epitaph of Twilight?" Pi asked causing Ruby, Pyrrha, Yang, Haseo, and Weiss to raise their hands to this question.
"It's the epic story that tells of the King of Light and Queen of Darkness as they seek out the Twilight Dragon in order to combat the Waves of Darkness." Pyrrha said and thus Pi nodded to this.
"Good then that cuts time out for this." Pi said and thus she began to get to the big parts. "Now an old saying states how fairytales are told with a sliver of truth in them, the Epitaph of Twilight is one such story." Pi said which got everyone's attention. "While I do not have the full story, I do know that the Eight Phases told in the second verse of the Epitaph are very much real." Pi said which got everyone's attention. "After all you've all seen at least two of the phases." Pi said which got everyone's attention.
"Wait that thing Haseo and Kuhn transformed into." Yang said raising her hand to this. "Those were two of the Phases?" Yang asked and thus Pi nodded.
"Yes, Skeith the Terror of Death the First Phase of Morgana, Magus the Propagator the Third Phase of Morgana." Pi said as she kept attention on her. "I've been doing research about it for some time now and I believe that we have at most five of the eight phases." Pi said which caused the group to all look at each other.
"The Phases are Skeith, Innis, Magus, Fidchell, Gorre, Macha, Tarvos, and Corbenik in that exact order from first to eighth." Pi instructed as Pyrrha raised her hand.
"How can you be certain that five of them are here?" Pyrrha asked as Pi sighed.
"We know that at least three of them counting myself." Pi said which surprised Pyrrha.
"Wait sister you have an Avatar?" Pyrrha asked and thus Pi nodded to this.
"Yes... Tarvos the Avenger and the Seventh Phase of Morgana." Pi explained as she then took a step back. Everyone got confused when suddenly a familiar series of marks began to appear and glow across Pi's body and hair. She then leaned back before anyone could stop her and fell over.
"Wait?!" Jaune cried out but instead a massive form rose from the ledge revealing itself to be Tarvos towering over them. When they all saw this, they got worried only for Tarvos to come down to the ground and vanish leaving Pi in her place.
"Wow." Pyrrha gasped when she saw her sister make her point.
"Yes, I discovered my connection to Tarvos purely by chance during my travels." Pi said while adjusting her glasses a bit.
"With that in mind thanks to Pi's notes we suspect that Atoli and Mr. Schnee have two of the other Phases Innis the Mirage of Deceit and Macha the Seductress." Ozpin said gesturing to Atoli and Endrance respectfully.
"Yes, I recall how SHE appeared in Weiss's, and I shared time of need." Endrance said revealing he had awoken Macha four years ago. "Macha my Avatar." Endrance recalled as Pi then showed images of Macha to Endrance and Weiss.
"Did she look like this?" Pi asked playing the role which Weiss and Endrance both confirmed.
"Yes, that's her exactly." Weiss said and thus this meant they had four active Avatars here.
"Pardon me." Atoli called as she raised her hand. "But how do you know I even possess Innis?" Atoli asked as she knew she had Innis but knew they could not let people know they were actually reincarnated into this world.
"We're simply following traits that the Epitaphs would find most desirable in a host see the Avatars are particular about hosts and not everyone can use one let alone awaken it. It is quite possible to go your entire lives without ever being made aware of your power." Pi said which meant that they could be wrong about Atoli.
"Why tell us this?" Coco asked with concern.
"Simply put we felt it best that immediate family should be made aware first as well as witnesses who saw it... in case any surprises came up." Pi said which made sense to this.
"Hey, I have a question..." Haseo said as he raised his hand. "Have you managed to narrow down the other users?" Haseo asked as he wanted answers about this.
"We know of one who is currently active but he's outside of Vale and tends to remain in radio silence." Ozpin said knowing how reclusive Ovan tended to be. "We also believe we narrowed down another over in Atlas, but we can't be certain of this." He added as this made Haseo think of Ovan and Yata.
"The last one is difficult to pin down." Pi said as she got to the tough one. "Gorre the Machinator they are very difficult to locate because they are basically two Avatars in one." Pi said as Haseo recalled how Gore can switch combat styles between Saku and Bo. "What I can say about it is that Gorre will most likely bond with someone who has Multiple Personality Disorder." Pi said which made Glynda freeze up and drop her scroll.
"Ms. Goodwitch is everything ok?" Pi asked as even Ozpin was concerned.
"Yes... I think." Glynda said as she picked up her scroll and fixed herself. "I think I might know who Gorre's host might be." Glynda said which got everyone to look to her. "My daughter, Sakubo." Glynda said as Yang was surprise by this.
"Wait Professor Goodwitch bangs?" Coco asked only to be elbowed by Kuhn.
After glaring at Coco for a moment Glynda continued what she was saying. "Anyway, my daughter has this mental disorder and due to it I've had to home school her." Glynda said before getting to the major part. "The personalities are split between Saku and Bo and while they are aware of each other I can confirm that it's a bond between equals." Glynda said as this might narrow down where they can find Gorre.
"If Sakubo has Gorre then we should bring her in for testing." Pi said but then recalled the students. "We can discuss this later, but for now this meeting was mainly to forewarn and prepare you all." Pi said and thus they understood.
"We appreciate this, thank you." Atoli said and thus they were all dismissed as this left Pi, Glynda, and Ozpin alone for the time being. If Glynda's assumption was correct, then they needed to ensure Sakubo would be well protected. In the case of Ozpin and Glynda they needed to protect Sakubo just as much if not more so than the Maidens.
(Scene Break Team RWBY's dorm)
Night had already fallen as Weiss entered her team's dorm. She had stayed behind a bit to talk to Endrance and after confirming he was ok; she came back to her room. When Weiss arrived, she noticed Yang and Blake sleeping on the right bunk with the later the top and former on the bottom. Weiss saw a sheet draped over the top bunk of the left bed where Ruby most likely was, with a soft light emanating from it. Lifting the drape, Weiss wasn't surprised to see Ruby asleep, but she was surprised to find her asleep with a pencil in her hand and papers and textbooks scattered around her, as well as an empty coffee mug. Had she been studying this late at night?
Weiss gently nudged Ruby awake, who was startled by the heiress sudden appearance. "W-Weiss! I… I was studying, and then I fell asleep and I…" The younger girl spoke trying to explain herself but was stopped when Weiss covered her mouth with her hand.
"How do you take your coffee?" Weiss asked, removing her hand from Ruby's mouth.
Ruby looked somewhat confused at the question. "Uh… I… I don't…" Ruby stuttered as she was confused over the situation.
"Answer the question." Weiss insisted which got Ruby to reboot her brain.
"Cream and five sugars!" Ruby quickly said, making sure to stay quiet enough to not wake up Yang and Blake.
"Don't move." Weiss told her before grabbing the coffee cup and going to a nearby coffee maker to quickly prep a new cup with Ruby's specifications. Once she was done Weiss returned to Ruby and handed it to the silver-eyed girl. "Here." Weiss said while handing the coffee to Ruby who took it.
"Um, thanks Weiss…" Ruby said, in a mixture of appreciation and confusion.
Weiss paused for a moment taking a look at the scene before getting what she needed to say out. "Ruby, I think you have what it takes to be a good leader." Weiss said as Ruby began to smile. "Just know that I am going to be the best teammate you can ever have." Weiss said which put a big smile on Ruby's face. "Good luck studying." Weiss said before vanishing down to the bottom bunk. "That's wrong by the way." Weiss said pointing to the answer Ruby wrote upon returning before going back down.
Ruby saw this and was about to fix it when Weiss spoke again. "Hey Ruby." Weiss spoke which got the younger girls attention. "I always wanted bunkbeds for me and Endrance as a kid." She said before closing the door so she can change into her sleep wear. Ruby then turned back to her studies with a happy grin. Maybe things would work out between them after all.
(TBC)
ESKK: Another chapter has been completed I hope you all enjoyed it and will join us next time for the next chapter. A word of warning we're entering the Jaundice/Forever Falls arc and a small, heads up this is NOT for Jaune fans. If you are a serious Jaune fan like the kind who will send death threats to people who bad mouth him then I suggest you stop reading here and leave the fic. Now then be sure to leave a review before leaving and as I always say to all you readers, ja-ne.