JNPR, SCRL, and RWBY all stand next to one another with their respective partners waiting for the Ozpin to get on stage. The group soon found themselves laughing when Penny had surprised Crimson by tackling him in a hug.
Soon Ozpin approaches the stage and stops in front of the mic. He gives it a slight tap getting everyone's attention. "Today we stand together, united. Mistral. Atlas. Vacuo. Vale. The four Kingdoms of Remnant." He was right. It wasn't just the students from Beacon here it was from all academy's, from all four kingdoms.
"On this day," Ozpin starts. "nearly eighty years ago, the largest war in recorded history came to an end. It was a war of ignorance, of greed, and of oppression. A war that was about much more than where borders fell or who traded with whom, but about the very idea of individualism itself." He explains.
"We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self-expression. And as most of you are well aware, that was something many could not stand for. As a result, those who opposed this tyranny began naming their children after one of the core aspects of art itself: color." This had gained Anakin and Rex's full attention. They had wondered about that but never said anything.
"It was their way to demonstrate that not only would they refuse to tolerate this oppression, but neither were the generations to come. And it was a trend that has held to this very day. We encourage individuality, expressionism, and unity through diversity. As I have said, today we stand together, united. But this bond cannot exist without effort. Which is why today, while the rest of the world celebrates peace, Huntsmen and Huntresses will work to uphold it. As first year students, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional Huntsman or Huntress on a mission. Some of you may be taken out of the Kingdom for several days. Others may work within the walls for the rest of the week. But no matter which path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best." With that Ozpin closes with smile seeing the inspired looks across the room.
"This is great." Ruby says. "All we have to do is shadow a Huntsmen working in southeast Vale."
Anakin shares a look with Rex before looking to Ruby. "No." He says. That got everyone in their group's attention.
Blake glares lightly. "What do you mean no?"
"I said no." Anakin states. "Your teams aren't going. Not while Dooku and some other Sith is involved. My team will go." Anakin says. To this Blake's look softens.
"You don't have to go alone." Blake says.
"No, but I don't want to put you or your team near that man. Back in the docks you were lucky I was there. If I wasn't?" Anakin shakes his head. "I can't think about it."
Rex pats his friends shoulder. "It'll be fine. We'll make sure to put a stop to this." He then turns to RWBY, Penny and JNPR. "If you want to help, then stick close to the city that way If something happens you'll be there." The teams and friend just nod.
"Well," Blake starts. "If your looking for a mission you should check search and destroy." She suggests.
"Yes." Pyrrha agrees. "And if we want to stay close to the kingdom we," she gestures to her team, Penny, and RWBY. "Should check Kingdom Defense." The friends agree and head to the mission sign up holograms.
"There." Crimson points out. "Quadrant 5 needs Grimm cleared."
"Well it's in the southeast." Blake smiles.
Anakin smirks and and taps the mission and types in his teams name to sign up. It blinks red however before showing red text saying 'first years are not allowed'.
"Well that's just great." Weiss say sarcastically.
"What do we do now?" Rex asks.
Ruby turns to everyone. "We mail you there." She jokes.
"Well that's one option." Ozpin states from behind the group startling everyone. "Unfortunately, we determined that the concentration of Grimm was too extreme for first-year students. It seems that particular region is rather popular. In fact, I have the sneaking suspicion that one of three teams will find themselves there no matter which jobs you choose."
Everyone shuffles sheepishly. "Whatever makes you say that sir?" Jaune asks nervously.
"I'm still curious as to how SCRL and RWBY found themselves at the docks last semester. I'm interested to know how Anakin really learned about a hideout in the southeast. And I certainly wonder why witnesses report robots and syrup in a dance club some time ago." Ozpin smirks.
"Um..." Anakin starts.
"Well.." Ruby follows.
"You see..." Jaune adds.
"I doubt I'll ever find the exact answers I'm looking for." Ozpin smiles. "So how about this: instead of waiting for twelve of my student and Penny over there to break the rules,why don't we just bend them?" He smirks again. Ozpin pulls out his scroll taps through a few things and next thing they knew the hologram makes a noise before flashing green and displaying 'Team SCRL Mission Successfully Assigned' before there scrolls vibrate from a notification.
Anakin smirks. "We won't let you down sir."
Rex laughs. "Well show them what we're made of!"
"Thank you sir." Lilly thanks.
"Do not thank me for this. Your Teamwork, capabilities, and persistence have carried you far. But you have to understand, the things that await you from beyond the kingdoms walls, Will Not Care. Stay close to your Huntsman at all times, and do exactly as he says. He will be leading you and can have you sent back to Beacon if he finds your skills to be unsatisfactory. Good luck."
With that the teams head out to the landing pad to SCRL off.
"That didn't seem very uplifting." Yang states.
"It true though." Rex says. "In here, you make a mistake? You can try again. Out there?"
"You can die from just one." Anakin finishes. Blake shuffles uncomfortably with that statement.
"Hey team SLVR is back!" A student shouts out. The groups look over and shrug not recognizing the team. They all eventually reach the platform with variously surprised faces.
"Hello students!" Professor Oobleck greets. He was wearing a green trench coat and a safari hat over his usual attire. "Who's ready to fight for their lives?" He asks cheerfully.
The group all shake themselves out of their stunned expression. "Doctor Oobleck?" Crimson asks stunned that the man was the Huntsman they were shadowing.
Yes! I'm afraid that you four," he gestures to SCRL. "Won't need any bags while we are out seeing as you've opted to shadow a Huntsman on what is now essentially a reconnaissance mission. I can assure you, we will not be establishing a single base of operations; rather, we will be traversing several miles of hazardous wasteland and making camp in any defendable locations we may stumble upon. I packed all of our essentials myself, plotted our air course, and readied the airship. And..." he leans into Crimson's face. "Thank you, many people forget that getting a PHD isn't something someone dose for fun!" He then quickly backs away. "Come now students; according to my schedule we have ten minutes to spare before the mission begins!" He then zooms off to the Bullhead.
Anakin and his team then turn to their friends. "Looks like we're off." He smiles.
Penny hugs Crimson. "Be safe out there, Crimson my boyfriend." She says happily causing a few laughs mainly because of how she worded it.
"Yeah, you guys take care." Jaune adds.
"Don't be afraid to call for help if you need it." Pyrrha adds as well.
Blake then gives Anakin a peck on the lips. "Make sure to come back, okay?"
"As you wish my lady." Anakin teases. The little banter earned an Ooo from their friends causing the two to roll their eyes. Anakin then begins leading his team away to the Bullhead, but he's stopped momentarily by Blake.
"Anakin?" She asked gaining his smirking attention. "I love you." She blushes.
Anakin get a surprised look but it softens with a chuckle. "Already beat me to the L word huh?" He says. "Love you two." He winks before turning back to his team to continue to the Bullhead.
Yang chuckles behind Blake. "You've never had a boyfriend before have you?"
Blake blushes. "Uh no not officially."
"Well think she's doing better than I ever did." Weiss admits.
Yang snickers. "That's not saying much."
"Hey!" Weiss shouts earning a laugh from their friends.
Once Team SCRL gets on the Bullhead it lifts off. Anakin stands next to Rex and Lilly while Crimson is forced to stand next to Oobleck.
"Sir I have to ask." Lilly says. "Why did you choose to take this mission?"
"An excellent question Miss Volantine!" Oobleck states. "The strength of a Huntsman is always needed on the field, and this mission is no exception!"
"Sorry sir." Crimson apologizes. "Guess we never saw you as much of a fighter."
Oobleck shrugs. "I admit I fancy myself more of an intellectual, but I can assure you, as a Huntsman, I've had my fair share of tussles."
Anakin smirks. "Sometimes knowledge can be much more helpful than strength."
"Precisely Mister Skywalker." Oobleck smiles. "Sometimes being stronger is better, but without the knowledge to use it you won't succeed. Besides, given my expertise in the field of history as well as my dabblings in the archaeological surveys, our dear headmaster saw fit to assign me to this particular... assignment!"
"So you were assigned?" Anakin asks.
"Yes Mister Skywalker."
"What dose history have to do with this?" Lilly asks. Rex raises his brow at his girlfriend's question.
"Why, what a preposterous question, you silly girl! Why, history is the backbone of our very society! And the liver! Probably the kidneys, if I were to wager."
Anakin laughs. "Knowing the History of a battlefield is one thing that can turn the tides."
"Correct again Mister Skywalker!" Oobleck praises. "The southeast quadrant outside of Vale is home to wild forests and deep caves, but it is also the location to one of the kingdom's greatest failures!"
"Mountain Glenn." Crimson nods.
"That's correct." Oobleck nods in agreement. "It was an attempt at expansion for Vale, but was inevitably overrun by Grimm, and fenced off from the rest of the city. Now it stands abandoned as a dark reminder."
"And that makes and excellent place for a hidden base." Rex smirks.
"Precisely." Oobleck smiles.