RWBY is owned by VIZ Media and originally created by Monty Oum
Welcome to the catalog: Hello and welcome to a story that has sat canceled on FFN for a long while. I decided to move it here due to the catalog becoming my dumping ground for works I no longer write besides my MHA/Ghost Rider fic which will not find itself on here unless I decide to torture myself and remake the story again and hope I actually finish it. Anyway the story is called The Deputy Headmaster of Beacon Academy and follows the previous deputy before Glynda too up the position. I actually used the story as a school assignment for my English II creative writing and somehow got away with it so it holds some memory value as well.
Chapter One: First Day
It was a nice and breezy morning as the young headmaster of Beacon Academy sipped on his hot cocoa. Ozpin was the youngest headmaster in Beacons history and though he should be honored he'd already been headmaster before.
Ozpin or Ozma has been reincarnated multiple times throughout history, the gods have given him what he now thought of as a curse. Ozpin was destined to clash with his immortal and evil ex wife, but then again most ex's are evil, Salem.
Ozpin was proud of the fact he made it to the position earlier than normal but still believed the position was mostly his to begin with. That may have sounded arrogant but after a while he just let that be his image of the headmaster role.
Ozpin sipped on his cocoa as he read reports on the students, he made it to a specific team that had formed this year, team STRQ. The Branwen twins were a powerful duo, though they did have real attitude problems. Both felt that strength dictated all and anyone weaker then you should be left behind.
Qrow Branwen, the male twin, was a sword and scythe user. Harbinger being a mixture of the two and a shotgun. He seems to be more passive than his sister but will still call out someone as weak. His semblance also seems to be a small karma for these actions as it is literally bad luck.
Raven Branwen, the female twin, was a sword user. Omen is a solid dust sword, with its scabbard able to rotate the blades out. She is far more vocal about her beliefs than her brother, in the Initiation alone having already decimated two students for insulting her hair. Petty. Her semblance is the ability to cut open portals to anyone she has a bond to.
Useful but dangerous if someone gets their hands on her, Ozpin grimaces at the thought and stomps those thoughts out. He takes another sip as he looks at the ST of STRQ.
Taiyang Xiao-Long is a bruiser with a heart of gold. He doesn't have a weapon as he doesn't need one. Tai's semblance allows him to completely harden his aura, the effect makes it look like he's grown yellow and orange scales. He mostly uses his aura on his fists and upper forearm; his punches have shown to be able to completely shatter someone's aura with a single hit.
Ozpin nods at the file, He'll make a powerful Huntsman and it's a good thing he's strong the Branwen's would have eaten him alive otherwise.
Ozpin looks at the final person in team STRQ and smiles fondly. Summer Rose is the leader of team STRQ. Rosebud is a Kopesh sword with a white and red pattern on the hilt. The blade is a shining silver and lined with small crevices of dust she activates with a button on the hilt. Summer is bubbly and social, even going so far as to 'adopt' her entire team.
Ozpin looks at her file for a little longer than the others, Silver eyes…
He snaps himself out of his stupor when the elevator opens, "So Oz, how are our new students?"
A man older than Ozpin saunters in and to his cocoa and coffee mixer. The man is in his mid thirties with slicked back black hair and red streaks, his eyes are covered by a pair of onyx aviator sunglasses and some light stubble on his chin. He's wearing a brown peacock coat with a gray hoodie underneath, with a pair of jeans and black shoes.
"They're definitely filled to the brim with potential." Ozpin says, the man pours some cocoa in a silver flask with a leather covering.
"Are they?" The man walks over Oz now taking notice of the cane with him. The cane shaft has a mahogany finish, the handle is a twist of gold and silver holding a carved garnet gem.
"There are definitely some very good prospects for Huntsman." Ozpin says, taking a sip from his mug.
"Mmm, I think I'll be looking for a replacement for my position these next four years." Ozpin isn't very surprised by this development as he'd been informed he was thinking about retiring some time during the next few years.
"Do you have someone in mind?"
"Nope." Ozpin sighs at the man's answer.
"Sparrow, if you're going to retire you need to have someone in mind for apprenticeships."
"Oh come on, Oz, you and I both know I'll find someone. I just wanna find a first year to pester with the position."
"You mean mold?"
"You heard me." Sparrow smiled as Ozpin sighed.
"I don't understand how you're my closest confidant."
"Eh, you've known me for a long time and I've always been someone who you could count on." Ozpin nodded with a small smile, "Also on the Deputy replacement note, I do believe it'd be better to find someone from the first years."
"Why's that? There are several candidates from the upperclassmen." Sparrow smiled as he brought up his scroll and showed Ozpin a few clips from Initiation.
"All these kids have fought their way into Beacon. The initiation showed this new batch is much stronger than the last, I mean just look at this kid." Sparrow taps a few buttons on his scroll and shows a girl with blonde hair and green hair tear through grimm with the flick of a riding crop, "I'm not saying strength is everything, I simply mean it would be best for the new Deputy Headmaster/Mistress be someone who at the very least can protect a lot of students at once."
Ozpin mulls over the words from his Deputy. He considers these statements and concludes Sparrow has a point, "Alright, but how do you plan on picking them?"
Sparrow's smile grows vicious, "I'll find them in the combat classes."
Ozpin felt awful for the poor first years Deputy Headmaster Sparrow was gonna teach.
Summer was bouncing in her seat waiting for class to start. She had woken her team up at 6:28 and had been assaulted by throwing knives from Raven, she didn't mind. Today was the first true day in Beacon; the last two didn't count as they were mostly adjusting to the dorms.
Today had been a blast for Summer, she didn't understand why the others looked so dead during the other classes Taiyang had nodded off in grimm studies, Raven looked irritable in history, and Qrow looked downright miserable in math. Maybe they were stupid.
She hoped they'd cheer up and when combat class rolled around, her wishes were answered. Team STRQ sat on the bleachers above the small fighting arena. Qrow and Raven looked downright rabid to fight someone and the energy around the two caused several seats around them to be vacated. Taiyang was lounging in his seat with his feet on the empty seat in front of him. Summer was just bouncing up and down with excitement.
"Ohh, I can't wait for this to start!" Summer exclaimed. Taiyang chuckled as the twins nodded in agreement.
"Well we may be disappointed." Taiyang says, the other members of STRQ look at him for an answer, "Well, considering all the other classes were mostly introductory we might just be given an example of what this class does and not actually fight."
The twins' energy disappeared and they suddenly looked like they were back in grimm studies and math. Summer visibly stopped bouncing but still held onto the embers of hope trying to drift from her grasp.
*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*
The arena doors open as the sound of a walking cane is heard. Summers thoughts went to the Headmaster with his cane and briefly wondered if he was teaching this class. She looked to the door that opened and was surprised to see what she could only assume was the Professor.
The Professor walked through the rows of teams and towards the front. He got to the front and stood to look at them, he didn't look like he'd work here though. Summer could only describe him as an older college student in her favorite romance movies.
He stood there scanning over the class, his head went left and right. She couldn't see his eyes as he wore some black shades but she assumed they were judging them.
"Alright, I'm your combat instructor and Deputy Headmaster Sparrow." He introduced himself with a small bow, "Now I know most of you are probably getting tired of the introductions of today." He paused and watched as several heads nodded, "Which is why this class is different." The twins perked up, "Because I'll be introducing combat class by having three spars against me." The twins' energy was back. Taiyang looked pleasantly surprised and Summer was bouncing again.
Professor Sparrow looked up with a grin, "Any volunteers?"
STRQ's hands went up while only a few other teams' hands came up but a little slower. Sparrow looked over the hands raised and eventually his eyes, Summer assumed, landed on her team.
"You two." He pointed at Qrow and Raven, "Names?"
Raven rose and smugly introduced herself, "Raven Branwen, the strongest student here."
Qrow stayed seated but said, "Qrow Branwen, what she said but better than this bimbo." Raven glared at Qrow and if looks could kill he would have spontaneously combusted. Summer and several students gasped, while Taiynag put his face in his hands.
"Okay strongest duo, go get your weapons, change and come down to the arena." Sparrow stepped on the railing and hopped over, Raven and Qrow went to the locker rooms to get ready.
Raven made it out first and watched as her brother walked out with Harbinger resting on his shoulder. Raven's hand was on Omen's hilt, she was watching their professor/enemy. This would be their first fight with a huntsman, and their first experience with one and eventually learn to kill them.
Qrow stood at her left flank as they watched Sparrow both trying to figure him out. He stood with both hands on the cane in front of him, his weapon Raven and Qrow figured.
"The rules are simple." He began, "If any of our aura is in the red, then you are out. If you are subdued for longer than thirty seconds you are out. If you attack while your aura is in the red or attack an opponent with their aura in the red you are disqualified and will be punished severely."
Raven and Qrow nod as they get into stances. Raven spreads her legs and holds Omen's hilt. Qrow holds Harbinger in front of him with two hands. Sparrow threw his cane up to adjust his grip and held it from below the handle pointed backwards.
They stand there as a countdown slower ticks down, 5..4..3..2..1..GO. Raven speeds forward Qrow not far behind, she pulls her sword out and slashes at nothing. Wait what?
Raven stumbles and rolls back into the wall. Raven looks back and sees Sparrow holding Qrow by his wrist, his weapon on the floor, "I thought you were strong?" Sparrow taunts looking at Qrow, but still taunting them both.
Qrow was baffled. Him and Raven were rushing towards the teacher ready to test their skill. Then Sparrow moved and he was held up by his wrist and his weapon on the floor, "I thought you were strong?" the bastard taunted.
He could see Raven's rageful face, so he assumed the same was for her as well. Qrow kicked off Sparrow's chest and flipped through the air landing next to his sister. Qrow and Raven glared at the professor, "He's much faster than we thought."
"I could tell." Raven grit out, tightly holding Omen, "We need to surprise him."
"How, if he's this fast we couldn't get past his defense." Raven went quiet trying to figure out a plan.
"You know if this were a real fight I'd not let you plan." Professor Sparrow called out, "But considering you're so strong, it's probably best I stay back."
"Qrow, get Harbinger, I'll distract him." Raven grit out, Qrow looked to protest but didn't get a word in as Raven rushed back towards Sparrow. Qrow grumbled some very colorful language as he moved for Harbinger.
Qrow had to go around the arena as Raven and Sparrow fought, or dodged like a boss in Sparrows case. Qrow didn't really care for dodging except it was needed, but Sparrow made it look like an art form with how he fluently dodged his sister's strikes.
Qrow grabbed Harbinger and ran to assist Raven. Qrow slashed at Sparrow's back, and was shocked when he turned on his foot. Omen and Harbinger went past the professor as he stood between them, Qrow got a good view of Sparrow's smirk. He was gonna take the bastard's legs off.
Definitely fast for first years, Sparrows hopped over a swipe for his legs from Qrow's now transformed scythe. Sparrow lands in a crouch as Raven slashes where his torso would've been, These two are definitely strong, but I still need to beat the overconfidence out of them.
Sparrow watched as Raven and Qrow backed off and stood ready to attack. Sparrow decided it was probably best to slow down and give the other students a show, he slowly redistributed his aura back across his body instead of amplifying his legs. His aura visibly shimmered crimson across his body, the twins tensing up for an attack.
He put himself in a defense stance with Melancholy and waited. Nobody moved for a good minute, all three looking at their opponent waiting for them to strike.
Hmm, maybe I should get the ball rolling, Sparrow walked towards the two twirling the cane mockingly, "Come on strong duo, or should I call you weak duo?" Sparrow taunted, he knew it wasn't his best jab but it still seemed to work.
Raven roared and rushed at him, Qrow looked like he just saw his sister grow two heads. She closed the distance between them and slashed for Sparrows head, Sparrow raised his cane and the two weapons clashed.
Raven swung Omen and was blocked by several well placed taps and shoves from Melancholy as they met. The two were a blur of motion and violence, Raven being bruteish and straight to the point with heavy swings and hard blocks. Sparrow was elegant with a hint of mockery hinted in with each hit and block. Raven eventually brought Omen down on Melancholy and the two locked in the clash.
Omen and Melancholy contested the other seeing whose guard would break first. Raven pushed with grit teeth but found it was much more difficult to push against Sparrow who was smiling tauntingly.
Sparrow glanced at the movement in his peripheral and broke through Raven's guard while socking her across the face hard enough to send her back. He brought his cane up and blocked Qrow's attack, he was snarling at him. Alright time to end this.
Sparrow flipped onto Harbinger as Qrow swung it, using it to gain some distance. Sparrow lands swinging his cane up and slams it down hard enough to crack the stone under him. Red energy wisps off Sparrow as the garnet in his cane glows, "Okay, I need to get to the other students if I want to get those three spars done." He said.
Sparrow raises his right hand as the energy focuses in his fingers, misty red strings shot out towards the twins. They tried to cut them but found their weapons and soon their hands and bodies wrapped in the ethereal strings.
Thirty seconds passed filled with growling and rage induced cruising at him but he weathered it all. Once the timer on his scroll beeped he let them go, they fell on each other and groaned, "Well considering you didn't beat me and showed no signs of getting close, I dub thee the bird twins and will now only refer to you as bird girl and bird boy." Sparrow announced, the twins groans got louder. Sparrow chuckled and watched as the skulked off, before turning back to the audience.
"Now, this might have seemed like a beatdown against a severely weaker opponent." He paused to let his words marinate in their heads, "But that is far from the truth, I plan on having a spar against everyone in this class to measure your strength and weaknesses. I will admit these three spars won't be that, as I am also getting you all familiar with the rules, this doesn't mean I won't be filing away your strengths, but are more for your sake then mine." He paused again, and brought his flask filled with cocoa out.
Glynda Goodwitch was very disappointed. The day had started out great. She got most of her notes and filed away most of the rules to the classes. She had entered the combat class ready for the same thing and the reality was not as planned out as she liked.
Glynda had already pegged the professor as an unprofessional oaf. He didn't go by the school's planned system and had already spared against two of the students under his care. She'll admit she understood the idea behind it but then he pulled out the flask and all bets were off, "Excuse me sir!" She exclaimed with her hand raised, he looked at her and nodded for her to continue, "I don't believe alcohol is allowed on school premises."
She smirked as the other students agreed with her and hoped the pressure from students would make him put it away, "Yeah probably." He downed the whole flask in front of the students and her eyes bulged in shock then narrowed. Glynda grit her teeth and did her best to look schooled, "Also thanks for volunteering, Teachers Pet."
Sparrow watched as the blonde choked on her spit in shock. She glared at him, actually glared! He liked this girl already, "Come on you heard me, change and come down."
The girl rose, huffed and walked off. He'd enjoy this, though he also wouldn't underestimate her. He recognized her from the Initiation, her semblance was obviously telekinesis and she mostly focused on it. He waited for her to come through the arena doors and when she did he narrowed his eyes and wondered if he should ask Oz to make the uniforms less tight.
Glynda stood at the ready in her combat uniform, a slight baggy blouse and purple cape that ended with arrows. She wore black leggings and a combat skirt and a belt secured to her waist. Her riding crop was out and ready to dominate her opponent. She hadn't thought of a name yet.
She narrowed her eyes when she saw him looking at her with squinted eyes, Great he's also a pervert. Glynda wouldn't admit it but she really wanted to hurt Professor Sparrow, people would probably say she should give him a chance. No, no she wouldn't.
"Alright," He started, "You know the rules." She did and got ready to end this quickly and show this professor she was his better. Hopefully Headmaster Ozpin would see this teacher be beaten by a student and fire him, then she could eventually get to be Ozpin's apprentice. The dream.
She waited for the timer to hit zero, 5..4..3..2..1..GO. She didn't give the Professor a chance and immediately grabbed him with her semblance, he was held an inch off the ground. She smirked, "Do you remember the rules?" She asked mockingly.
If Professor Sparrow was offended he didn't show it, instead his arm began to emanate red wisps and her eyes widened as a red solid slammed into her gut, breaking her concentration.
"I thought you were gonna dominate me, Teacher's Pet." He said, heat creeped up her neck as she realized she said that out loud. The realization distracted her from seeing him close the distance, the consequence being a cane cracked across her head.
She flew into a wall as her glasses fell off, she picked herself up quickly and aimed the riding crop at him. Purple projectiles formed from the gravity dust from her pouch went towards Sparrow, she enjoyed his eyes slightly widening.
Sparrow side stepped one, redirected another with his red strings, and hit the rest out of the air. He stood there his cane behind his back, he didn't seem winded and he was even smiling. Glynda grit her teeth and sent out ice dust projectiles, he hit one of them and watched as it covered his cane.
He looked at the projectiles and sidestepped the next one, flipped over another and into a roll that caused him to dodge another. He flipped from the momentum of his roll and landed with a dramatized grace. He was mocking her.
The fight went into a routine, Glynda would attack Sparrow with dust projectiles and he would either dodge them or redirect them with his strings, every so often he'd go on the attack and she'd try to get out of the way. Glynda lost track of time as she was so focused on the fight, when she heard the school bell signaling school was over she actually jumped. Damnit.
Sparrow stopped and looked at the large clock in the arena, "Huh, guess we got caught up." Sparrow said. He looked to the audience who also seemed to be staring at them as if they just watched a cliffhanger, "Well, we'll continue this tomorrow and since I wasn't able to get to the last spar I'll just put a pin in my teachings until tomorrow." Sparrow watched as the students filed out and noticed the bird twins glaring at him even as they left. Sparrow looked at the student who actually surprised him.
"You did good." He said, the girl looked at him and looked back to the floor.
"You did this on purpose didn't you?" She asked.
"You'll have to be specific in what you mean."
"The spars. Who you did them with."
"Yes, the twins were obviously overconfident in their capabilities and I plan on beating that out of them after these four years." The girl seemed to grimace at the words, "And I chose you because you thought yourself better than me."
"W-what!? No I did no-!"
"Don't even try, I can feel the superiority coming off you in waves." She blushed, in he thought a mixture of embarrassment and slight anger at being called out, "And I'll admit if it was another teacher they'd have issues with your semblance and those little tricks with dust you can do." She shifted her feet at the praise, "Though you need to work on your combat prowess with your weapon."
She remained silent at that, probably in thought. He walked towards the door leading out of the arena but stopped and turned around,"What's your name kid, can't keep calling you Teacher's Pet." She huffed at the name and looked at him.
"Glynda. Glynda Goodwitch." She said with no small hint of pride. Sparrow smirked and walked out of the arena.
Sparrow walked down the halls and past students moving towards their dorms or wherever, I think I found the perfect replacement.
Ozpin sat in his chair looking over a letter from the new headmaster of Atlas Academy, Captain James Ironwood…
He was so entranced in thought he didn't even notice the elevator dinging and someone walking in. Ozpin also didn't see, said figure moving slowly towards him and raised his hand above the desk.
*SLAM*
"I FOUND HER!" Sparrow yelled, causing Ozpin to instinctively jump from his chair and summersault over the desk, he landed and pointed Long Memory at Sparrow's neck. When he saw Sparrow laughing Ozpin's shoulders slumped and he groaned.
"Damnit Sparrow! I could've sent you out the window!" He pointed Long Memory towards the window to emphasize his point.
"Hey chill, besides that would've been an okay result." At Ozpin's unamused expression he explained, "Well it's not everyday the Deputy Headmaster is sent out the window of the Beacon Tower, the students would get a kick out of it I'm sure."
Ozpin sighed heavily as he leaned on Long Memory, "Well, you sai- screamed out 'you found her' what do you mean." He asked, reschooling his features.
"Oh I found my replacement." He said, leaning his cane on Ozpin's desk. Ozpin was a little skeptical.
"Already?"
"Yup," he said, popping the 'p'.
"In a day?"
"Her name is Glynda Goodwitch and I feel she could keep you in check." Ozpin raised an eyebrow at that.
"And why would I need to be kept in check?"
"Well, you're mischievous streak for one."
"Which does not exist."
"So at the last dance you didn't spike the punch with whiskey in front of me?"
"No," he replied, perhaps a little too quickly.
"Eh, also she already has the makings of a stern teacher. So I believe she could be loyal, maybe enough so for the truth."
Ozpin froze, "But I assume not the full truth?" He asked.
"No," Ozpin sighed in relief, "That's something only you should tell them."
The two lapsed into silence as they stood, Ozpin wouldn't tell others the truth of Salem no one was gonna help the side doomed to fail. Sparrow was different though, he wasn't on either side technically.
He was only the Deputy Headmaster as a favor to Ozpin and because Sparrow was a true friend for Ozpin, "Well the day's over and I'll be sure to read over Miss. Goodwitch's file." Sparrow nodded and walked towards the desk grabbing his cane.
"Well see you tomorrow Oz." Sparrow passed by him towards a window.
"Are you truly leaving that way?" Ozpin asked, already knowing the answer.
Sparrow turned with that signature smirk and fell backwards out the open window. Moments later a sparrow flew off towards Vale. Ozpin rolled his eyes with a small smile at his old friends antics, he turned towards his desk the name Sparrow gave him still tolling in his head, "Glynda Goodwitch, let's see what the future holds for you."
Chapter Two: Dancing Sparrow
Sparrow walked through the halls of Beacon listening to the students gossiping about whatever topics seemed interesting to them, one of the topics was the exchange students that began arriving a few weeks ago. Sparrow inwardly chuckled as he listened to a conversation about the team setting up the dance this year, team STRQ.
He still remembered the faces of the 'Bird Twins' when Oz told them. He wished there was a camera in Oz's office so he could keep the image forever. The other two, Ladies Man (Taiyang Xiao-Long) and Bubbles (Summer Rose) seemed to be delighted at the news and almost immediately dragged the birds off to plan the dance.
That was over a month ago and the dance was to be tonight. Sparrow nearly choked on his hot chocolate when he heard tonight was the dance, he had completely forgotten about it and was thankfully reminded by Gabie as they were in the breakroom yesterday.
Gabie Waterworks, was the nurse of Beacon Academy and just like him, had taken up an apprentice who seemed a bit too into the process. A third-year fox Faunus named Tsune, Sparrow liked her though, he was sure she'd cause dread for the students who were faking being sick. Just like he did for people who skipped combat class, they didn't make that mistake twice.
Sparrow was also planning on keeping Oz in view at all times. Last year's dance had ended with several calls from irate parents having their daughters sent home because they were pregnant and made some bad choices while drunk because of the punch that Oz had spiked.
Oz was never suspected and he got away scot-free, it was Sparrow's self-proclaimed job to curb Oz's mischievous streak. At least for the Dance.
Honestly, he didn't care that Oz did that, immortality made people severely bored and Oz was getting to the point where he needed something to distract himself with. Sparrow probably would have done the same thing but he'd be suspected right away, Oz had the perfect humble and mysterious persona that he barely slipped off around the public. Sparrow knew perfectly well Oz wore that mask every chance he had.
Besides the Oz Apocalypse, he needed to check in on his new-fangled apprentice. A few weeks ago he finally approached Ms. Goodwitch with the apprenticeship, she tried to keep up a stoic and stern facade but he knew she nearly squealed at the opportunity.
Sparrow had already taken her out on a few missions that had shown to increase her already impressive control of her semblance and she even modified her riding crop, name still being debated, to hold dust in the handle that she uses in tandem with her semblance. Though she still has a pouch strapped to her leg filled with dust, it was hidden by her skirt in case she ran out of dust in her riding crop,
He was honestly surprised by how much he enjoyed teaching the girl, something about the way she just absorbs the material just made him proud. Was this what dads felt like? If so, he didn't hate it.
On another note were the new Headmasters at Shade and Atlas Academy, he hadn't heard from Oz about the replacements yet and even though he wasn't a true member of his inner circle, more of an honorary member, he was still in the know about the war.
He idly wondered what kinda people would be the replacements, Atlas was sorta obvious a military commander of some kind. Vacuo was more of a wildcard, Vacuo was a place that believed if you could survive there you were welcome. The same thing for hatred, they hated each other equally so Faunus racism is almost nonexistent there. Who knew hatred could bring people together?
Sparrow rounded a corner and finally found Glynda Goodwitch, "Ahhh, my apprentice."
Qrow cursed the world for his rotten luck. He and Raven had attempted to evade Summer, who was trying to get them to go suit/dress shopping and they desperately wanted to get away. Then Summer cheated and used Taiyang to get them to go, so that's how he found himself being carried on Taiyang's shoulder through Vale's streets.
"This is unnecessary," Raven growled, being in the same situation only on the other shoulder, "we can walk."
"Yeah you can," Summer retorted, "I just don't trust you not to walk in the opposite direction."
Raven growled and attempted to elbow Taiyang's head, she was stopped by his semblance armoring his head, "Nice try, Rae." Taiyang said, Raven still continued her assault even in the face of failure.
"You will let me down or I will CASTRATE YOU, TAI!"
"Tai, don't let her down no matter what she says." Summer said.
"I won't, Summer."
"Gods," Qrow finally said, "you two act like our mom and dad."
"Hush dear," Summer said in a joking tone, "mommy and daddy are speaking."
Taiyang just chuckled while Raven growled and increased her resistance. Qrow couldn't help the smile that formed. He still hated that he would be wearing a suit, but slowly accepted his fate. Raven still fought fate as useless as it was.
Raven kicked and elbowed. She would not wear those damn wrappings and be forced to look proper, why couldn't Summer just let her wear her combat outfit? It was perfectly fine.
The only obstacle was Tai and his muscular arms. She wiggled but he just strengthened his grip, "I will be let go!" she yelled, scaring a woman at the suddenness of it.
Summer slowed her walk and got right next to her, "Why are you fighting this so hard? Qrow seems to be fine with it." she pointed towards her brother who was just laying limp over Tai's shoulder.
"He's a weak willed fool, I am not as weak willed and will not wear a dress!" Summer frowned at her, ignoring the 'hey' from Qrow.
"You will be wearing a dress and all that entails," Summer started, "you will wear heels, you will tie up your hair," she ignored the agonizing noise Raven made, "and you will LIKE IT!"
Raven held on to the embers of resistance, even as they were ripped from her hands by the fiend, Summer Rose.
Ozpin finished up some paperwork from a few days ago, even as he did this he thought of a way to mess with the students. Last year he'd poured some hardcore liquor in the bowl of punch and ended up losing several huntresses in the process. Not his finest moment.
This year he'd decided to let the students start the chaos, team STRQ was already chaotic as it was and he was sure something would happen. His thoughts were interrupted by a silver sparrow flying through an open window, Sparrow shifted back mid-air and fell to the floor laughing like a maniac.
"What'd you do?" Ozpin asked, he was already used to this behavior.
"HAHA..I..*Snrk* a-accidentally let slip th-haaa…that Ms. G-goodwitch may ha-hehe-have a BDSM kink..*Snrk* HAHAHA!" Sparrow said, writhing on the ground.
"That doesn't seem very funny."
"It's not just that," Sparrow said, finally getting a grip on his laughter, "she froze when I said that, the way she turned towards me, I swear I heard her neck creak, she just stared at me for a moment. Before I'm sent through a wall and into Peter's class."
Ozpin let the edge of his lips curl up.
"Peter didn't even react at first, he continued the story he was telling and seemed to ignore me slamming into his desk. He finally turned, when he noticed a student pointing behind him, he just waved and asked why I'd visited..*Snrk*...I turned my head towards the hole and pointed, he looked at the hole and saw Goodwitch look through it with a rather sheepish expression and he just looked at me and said, 'Ahh, those kinds of trouble.'I had no idea what the hell he meant until I saw Goodwitch's face burn bright red and accidentally let off a pulse of her semblance."
Ozpin was smiling at the tale.
"I'm sent flying again! This time I flew through the window and fell two stories. I turned into a bird before I hit the ground and flew off, now I'm here." he finished.
Ozpin chuckled at the story, Sparrow always found himself being in situations where something strange happened or something that was always funny.
"I can assume no one saw you shift into a sparrow," Ozpin asked.
"No, they're probably confused about where I went but I can always say I limped to the nurse's office," Ozpin nodded his head, "also I'm not letting you do a damn thing at the dance this year."
Ozpin's good mood left him and he suddenly wanted to talk about something else, "Besides that we do have something to do while the Dance is in motion." Sparrow raised a brow from under his shades and Ozpin pressed a few buttons on his desk.
A hologram appeared in the center of the office showing a man in an Atlas military uniform, "Meet the newest Headmaster of Atlas Academy, Captain James Ironwood."
Sparrow looked at the hologram and turned while pointing at the picture, "Why's his last name contradicting materials?"
Raven sat on her bed in the team STRQ dorm room. She was glaring at the only other person in the room, Summer Rose, half naked and putting on a white dress with red spider web designs on her chest.
"It's not that bad, Rae." She said, pulling the dress above her chest.
"This godsdamn mummy suit is awful," she growled, Summer had forced her to take a dress so she settled on a black dress with crimson red lining, the only thing good about the dress was the fact it came with boots. That was a lie, she tossed the heels when Summer wasn't looking and grabbed ankle-high leather boots.
"Well you'll wow the guys, that's for sure." Summer said with a smile, Raven didn't look amused and messed with her boots straps.
"Well maybe I don't want a guy, think about that?"
"Oh, what, you like girls Rae?"
Raven looked at her, "No, not.. not really."
"Oh, well at least try to have fun tonight okay, I know you lived out in the Frontier and prefer more" she paused, trying to find a word, "un-city-like things but just try, okay?
Raven looked out the window and sighed, "Fine."
"Good, now you'll also be the greeter for everyone entering the party."
Raven slammed her head into her hands, she hoped Qrow was suffering as well.
Qrow was trying to tie the tie to his suit and was very close to tearing the thing to pieces, "Why are these things so difficult!" he growled.
Tai laughed as he watched Qrow suffer, he really wanted to punch the blonde, maybe kick his teeth in. Qrow attempted to tie it once again and failed again, he brought the tie to his eye level and glared at it, Tai laughed a little harder, "Gods, Qrow, you look like it killed your kid." he wiped away a tear.
Qrow glared and was about to retort when he saw Tai's tie, tied perfectly, "How'd you do that?"
Tai raised an eyebrow, "What?"
"The damn tie, Tai."
"Oh that's easy," he hopped off the desk and approached Qrow, "First you straighten it," he grabbed Qrow's tie and flipped his collar, "snake it around your neck then…" he wrapped the tie around Qrows neck, "fat over thin, fat around again, fat into the keyhole, right down the drain. There. Done. Easy." Tai finished with jazz hands.
Qrow pats his tie and found it was actually tied perfectly, "What the hell…how.." his brain seemed to need a reboot.
*Smack*
Qrow's head snapped left as Tai whacked him to get him working, "We don't have time to question my awesome tie skills, let's get moving." he moved towards the door and Qrow slowly followed.
Glynda walked down the hall with a slight pep in her step. She didn't really show it but she was excited about the Dance, she wasn't going to dance, it was just a nice event and she enjoyed them. She also wanted to forget the incident with Professor Sparrow earlier and dove head first into the escape, but that's beside the point.
Glynda walked into the ballroom and was greeted by music and a rather surprising sight, Raven Branwen greeting. She walked towards Raven, "Raven?" the girl turned towards her with a blank expression, "Why are you.." she trailed off pointing at the podium in front of her.
"Summer," Raven said with so much venom in her voice that Glynda believed it could kill someone.
Glynda nodded and accepted that as an answer. She knew how Summer Rose could very easily take control of her team, at the beginning Glynda had thought she was a bubbly idiot but Summer had very quickly shown her prowess as a leader.
The second week here had shown Summer's prowess as a fighter too, when Raven had challenged her for team leader, Glynda didn't know all the details but apparently Raven and Summer had a fight over ideals.
The 'fight' resulted in a fight between the two members of STRQ and was a private spar watched by 'TQ' of STRQ, her, and Professor Sparrow. The fight had lasted nearly thirty minutes, neither had let up, pulling out as many tricks as needed.
Summer eventually pulled her semblance out and basically one-shotted Raven at the end. The semblance was a shock to Glynda when she saw a very powerful buildup type apparently, Summer could use her exhaustion as power.
Summer's semblance basically took her exhaustion as the signal she was slowly dying or something, Summer didn't explain it very well, aura built up in her hands until it was so much she needed to let it loose. Rosebud was that outlet and she released the aura in a slashing arc that was followed by white Roses.
She did that very thing to Raven and was rewarded by launching her into a wall and shattering her aura by accident. The fight was called off and Summer was the winner, since then Raven obeyed Summer with almost no issues.
"So, anything happen yet?" Glynda asked, somewhat unsure what to say.
"No," Raven said, "a few dumbasses flirting with me but I stonewalled them. Would've crushed them but Summer's watching from the balcony." she pointed back with her thumb towards the balconies, and sure enough Summer was watching the entrance.
Glynda just stared at Summer who waved with a gigawatt smile before going back to watching Raven. Glynda felt she should just leave and turned to leave, "Yo, Bird Girl!" a voice both recognized sounded behind her.
Professor Sparrow walked up and stood next to Raven, who was doing her best not to look at him, "So how'd you get roped into being the greeter for the dance?" she pointed towards the balconies and Sparrow followed her finger. He waved at Summer who waved back and continued watching Raven.
"Sucks, team leaders am I right?" Raven huffed in agreement, "I can understand that Oz may present this mysterious and all-knowing Headmaster but believe me when I say he's practically my team leader with his position."
Glynda listened intently to Professor Sparrow's words, if she planned on usurping his position when he retired she needed to understand the Headmaster
"I mean the wise Headmaster act is the perfect alibi when his mischievous side strikes-"
Glynda seriously doubted that, Raven seemed to be listening a little more than before.
"-I mean those huntresses last year were the result of him spiking the punch bowl with hard liquor-"
Glynda sputtered and Raven was staring at him, jaw gaping.
"-he's also the one who thought up the launch pads for Initiation, he says there for landing strategies and he's not wrong, but that was just an excuse so he could torture the student-" he was cut off by a cane being slammed on his foot.
"I do believe the poison you are putting in these young girls' minds is very wrong, Sparrow," Ozpin said casually as if he didn't just smash his Deputy's toe.
Sparrow shrugged the blow off, his aura flashing in the area he was hit, "And he hurts his faculty members, so be careful Ms. Goodwitch, when you begin to work here your at risk of abu-." he was cut off again by the Headmaster slamming the hilt of his cane into his stomach hard enough to send Sparrow back.
Sparrow laughed it off as Ozpin suggested they leave, Glynda and Raven could only stare as the two professors walked off toward the dance.
"Really, Sparrow," Ozpin sighed, "were you trying to make the students wary of my every move?"
"Possibly, just because I refuse to let you do anything during the dance doesn't mean I can't." Ozpin simply sighed again and looked over the party.
Ozpin watched as several students congregate around the dance floor, he also silently chuckles at the Shade students stumbling on the floor. He turns his head towards the punch bowl to find Mr. Branwen slurping down the fruit punch alone, ahh social awkwardness how he loved to find enjoyment in teen suffering.
Ozpin's thoughts are interrupted by a student coming towards them, or more specifically Sparrow, "Professor Sparrow!" she called, Sparrow turned and smiled.
"Ahh, Murder Nurse, how's it going?" the fox Faunus rammed her elbow into his stomach, "Hehe what is it, abuse Sparrow night?" he asked no one in particular.
"I don't murder them," Tsune said, Ozpin recognized her as Gabie's apprentice, "I just make them feel more pain than necessary." she corrected.
"And what about Ms. Winchester?"
"She deserved the lightning dust treatment I gave her, I don't take shit from racists."
"Yeah, I'm sure the gene pool will thank you for your actions."
"If I may interject," Ozpin said, cutting into the conversation, "what did you do to Ms. Winchester? I wasn't aware of any injuries."
Tsune looked at Ozpin and said, "In combat class, Sparrow chose her and me to fight. I beat her, went to the locker room, switched out the fire dust in Medicine Stick for lightning dust, and rammed it into her crotch until she was a twitching mess on the floor." Tsune smiled with far too much sweetness, her tail noticeably increased the speed it swayed at.
Ozpin slowly turned to look at Sparrow who wiped an imaginary tear, "Babies first revenge plot, they grow up so fast." he sniffed.
Tsune pouted, "Excuse me, I'm twenty years old and am in a very complicated field."
"Exactly, you're only twenty, still a kid to us." Sparrow gestures towards himself and Ozpin.
"I'm gonna make sure you're in pain if you ever find yourself in my office." Sparrow barked out a laugh and ruffled the girl's hair, she growled at him but didn't try to stop him. The fact her tail was slightly wagging told Ozpin she enjoyed it.
"Anyway," she pushed the hand away, "I came to ask Professor Sparrow to dance." She looked at Sparrow and so did Ozpin.
"Um, why?" Sparrow asked, a little confused.
"What? Is it wrong to ask a soon-to-be co-worker to dance with them?"
"No one wanted to dance with you did they?"
"Shut up! It was mutual," she huffed and folded her arms, but glanced back at Sparrow, "so?"
Sparrow brought a hand to his chin and hummed in thought, he looked back at Ozpin and narrowed his eyes. Ozpin deadpanned at him already knowing what he was thinking, he shook his head and then motioned towards Tsune who was still waiting.
Sparrow looked towards Tsune, "Alright!" he threw his cane up and Ozpin caught it, "Lead the way, ma'am." Tsune fist pumped, grabbed his arm, and dragged him away.
Ozpin watched as his colleague was dragged by the soon-to-be nurse towards the dance floor, he looked at the new cane in his hand, Melancholy, if he remembered right. He collapsed Long Memory and clipped it in his coat pocket, he leaned on Melancholy ready to watch the chaos he was sure would occur.
Qrow hated this dance. He stood near the punch bowl alone, just watching as the dance progressed. Currently, he was watching Professor Sparrow and a third year, he'd forgotten her name, dance. He would admit they were good, aside from the few times the girl stepped on the Professor's toes, though he thought that was on purpose as Qrow saw the Professor say something, and those toe-stepping moments would happen.
His eyes wandered and landed on Tai, who was talking to several women and a few Faunus girls, gods he was a lucky bastard. Qrow grumbled to himself and continued sipping the punch, he was slowly wishing it was spiked. His eyes wandered back to Sparrow and the girl and found them slow dancing as the music slowed down, he didn't notice the figure slowly walking towards him.
"Hey, Qrow." Summer chirped, accidentally scaring him and making him nearly drop his glass.
"Monty! Summer, are you trying to kill me?" Qrow said, Summer giggled and waved away the words.
"No, I'm just checking on the only member of my team that isn't having fun."
"Aren't you supposed to be watching, Raven?"
"Eh, she's been fine. I think it's okay to let her out of my sight." Qrow raised a brow before pointing towards the entrance. Summer's eyes followed and her smile suddenly became strained.
Raven was still at the podium but was now close to strangling a guy who was flirting with her. No, wait, scratch that she was strangling the guy. Qrow did his brotherly duty and poured some of the punch out for the poor bastard now in Raven's clutches, Summer looked at him as if he grew a second head, "What are you doing!" she screeched.
"Lettin' the guy know he'll be remembered," he said.
"Why aren't you trying to help him!?"
"If he can't defend himself then he deserves the humiliation."
"Ugh, just when I think that mindset is gone, one of you pulls this." Qrow looked at her.
"Well that's how we were raised and you should've accepted it, Raven, and I listen to you now because you beat her in a fight and I follow her because I've been beaten more than I've won against her." Summer looked at him and then shock invaded her features.
"Oh, no," she whispered, "I've only solidified your views, I beat Raven and now she listens and you are far less irritating than before."
"Hey! I'll have you know Professor Sparrow also has our respect, even if I think he's a cocky bastard, I'd still follow whatever he asks me to do."
Summer turned to look at the Professor and saw he was still dancing with that Faunus girl, "He is pretty interesting isn't he?" she asked, switching gears from Raven.
"Yeah, honestly I thought all teachers would be stuck up, like that girl over there," he pointed towards a blonde girl moving towards Raven, "I think her name was, Godswitch?"
"Glynda Goodwitch." Summer affirmed.
"Yeah, she's basically what I thought most teachers would be like."
Summer looked towards Glynda and watched as she tore into Raven with a stern expression, Raven backed off slightly as she knew perfectly what her semblance could do and Qrow was sure she didn't want to be tossed out the window.
"Yeah well, Professor Sparrow definitely beats her in intimidation factor." Qrow looked at Summer questioningly.
"What do you mean, the guy ain't scary." Summer looked at him like he was insane.
"What do you mean he isn't scary, he tore us all apart in his spars!" Qrow did wince at the reminder, "My semblance was backhanded, literally I may add, right back at me!" Qrow remembered that day, Summer had to go to the nurse's office for a severe bruise on her midsection, "He stopped a punch from Tai with his cane, and then punched him hard enough to shatter his scales!" Qrow remembered Raven and Summer having to lug Tai off out of the arena because of that, "His second spar with Glynda showed their first spar was nothing more than him testing her limits as she was stopped when he blitzed her and took her down with a choke hold!" Ohhh he remembered that one, Sparrow had shocked him with that move, "And the less I say about you and Raven the better."
Qrow stayed quiet, thinking about what Summer just said and he came to the realization that, yes Professor Sparrow is, in fact, more intimidating than Glynda. The realization made him glance toward the Professor, still dancing with that girl.
Sparrow would gladly admit the night was going well. Currently, he was standing on the balconies overlooking the dance floor, Tsune had something come up and had to leave. He sipped the cocoa mix from his flask and got some questioning looks from the foreign exchange students and honestly he couldn't wait for the first combat class they'd be in. He was gonna leave a very long-lasting impression on these students, he chuckled darkly.
Tonight had been nice, he kept Oz from causing chaos, and no one started a fight-well Goodwitch stopped one that was close to happening. It was an alright night, he just hoped Ladies Man's disappearance doesn't mean anything. The kid left towards an outside balcony earlier that night and hasn't been seen since.
Sparrow probably wouldn't care as much if it weren't for the fact that last year several students had left through that hall and almost every girl in that group had left Beacon with a passenger to arrive in nine months, so he decided it was probably best to make sure nothing was happening. Sparrow would strangle the blonde if he got someone pregnant.
Sparrow walked through the hall and as he got closer to the balcony, he noticed a few things had been put up near the door, one of those things being a stanchion rope divider he was sure was meant to be used for the entrance. He got closer and he could hear muffled noises coming from the balcony, he sighed, "How the hell do kids keep thinking the balcony is a good private place for sex? I mean come on."
He thought about the options he had, A) he could probably tell Oz and get him to break the two up, B) he could just let it happen as he was sure he had heard Xiao-Long's teammates talk about something about this occurring before, C) he could just open the door and scold them for it.
What to choose? Sparrow thought as the groans got a little louder, "Fuck it." he said before kicking the door open.
Two yells echoed through Sparrow's ears as he got a look at the two students, Taiyang Xiao-Long was accounted for but his partner..not so much, "Tsune?" Sparrow asked, genuinely surprised at who was with Xiao-Long.
She chuckled as she used her now discarded dress to cover her modesty, "Haha hey Professor." she said rather calmly for someone just caught in the act.
"Really, Tsune this," he gestures towards an embarrassed Xiao-Long, "was the thing that came up."
Tsune didn't even look slightly sheepish, "What? It was important, the first should always be important."
"*Sigh* Okay one, didn't need to know that, two, do that in a locked bedroom or an alleyway, three, your first shouldn't be with a guy who's probably lost his to a dare."
Sparrow ignored Xiao-Long's indigent squawk, "At the very least tell me you wore protection."
"I'm training to be a nurse Professor, I'm not an idiot." She huffed. Sparrow continued looking at her.
"So.."
"Yes."
"Good, now you should probably get to your dorms, Dance's over for you two." Sparrow turned and walked back into the building, he turned and grabbed the handles to shut the door, "Also Xiao-Long," the student looked at him, his face still flushed, "good job." he gave a thumbs up and dodged a plant thrown at him before shutting the door.
Sparrow chuckled as he walked away. Tonight was definitely interesting.
Chapter Three: Nightmare in Emerald Forest
Sparrow sprinted through the thick woods of the deeper parts of the Emerald Forest, a frown on his face as his feet pounded the wet ground. Sparrow had recently been made aware of a rather startling incident that had occurred a few hours ago and he wasn't gonna take it lying down.
Sparrow had been in the midst of drinking a nice steamy glass of hot cocoa when team STRQ showed up at his office frantic and panicking as they reported a team going missing. Sparrow had stood from his desk, his cocoa already forgotten as he grabbed Melancholy before following the team to the student dorms. The sight that greeted the STRQ and Sparrow made his blood turn to ice.
Team RAGE's dorm room was wrecked and blood stains had splotched the room. The beds were overturned and looked as if something had slashed them, claw marks were apparent on the floor and walls. The most eye-catching detail, to Sparrow at least, was the black vein-like markings on the broken window.
Sparrow made sure to tell STRQ to alert the Headmaster, they had protested saying they could help but Sparrow shut that down with a rather harsh decline. STRQ seemed surprised by the outburst but he didn't have time to apologize and just reiterated they need to get the Headmaster before he leaped out the window and ran towards the cliff face overlooking the Emerald Forest.
He made it to the cliffs in only a few minutes and made to scan the edge for the same vein-like markings, he went down the edge of the cliff looking for the veins, and eventually, he found them along with torn clothing and a pair of broken glasses. Taking no more evidence he leaped off the cliff and into the forest, landing in a crouch and making the earth around him leap up.
So that was how he found himself sprinting through the woods in the direction those veins had pointed. Sparrow recognized those marks, he knew Oz would as well when he saw them. He needed to get to RAGE quickly or they would all be killed, he knew it was already too late for at least one of them but he could still save the others.
Sparrow bounded out of the treeline and into a small clearing and his blood went even colder. Four tall trees seemed to line the small clearing, four tall trees held the bodies of team RAGE strung up by tendrils and two of the bodies drew no breath as they were torn in half.
The team leader Reverie Heartgrave's intestine hung from the torso with no bottom to contain them, crimson lined the tree as it flowed down and onto the blackened grass. Her legs were nowhere to be seen and Sparrow hoped it was painless, though he knew it wasn't.
Sparrow looked at the other body. Gretchen Rainart's front was cut from her jaw to her stomach, Sparrow could see the mandible split in half as blood spewed from his mouth like a waterfall. Another dead student and he knew it would be a matter of time till IT came back to kill the other two.
Sparrow couldn't take the other two students down without putting them in more danger from this thing so he decided to leave them for the time being and wait for the Grimm that did this. He wouldn't have to wait very long.
A chime filled Sparrow's ears, a chime he recognized. Sparrow turned towards the woods which seemed to darken as if the very light was being taken away. Soon a silhouette revealed itself and Sparrow saw it. The shadow with piercing red eyes that glowed with a cruelty and malice most Grimm don't have. This was no normal Grimm, this was an Echo.
Echoes were very rare and Sparrow was thankful for that. These things could infiltrate most places and take people away, they are usually found hanging from a tree with their bodies mutilated. The Echoes are also different in that unlike most of the other Grimm they feed off fear and terror, so as to feed off it as much as possible they began torturing the victim.
Sparrow doesn't feel this often but these things earned his hatred. Unlike the Grimm that are mostly just mindless and do the things they do because that's all they can do, creatures of Darkness made for that purpose and mindless of it. This thing however knows exactly what it's doing and enjoys every bit.
It wasn't inappropriate to call this thing a monster. Sparrow glared at the Echo as it slowly hovered closer, it was attempting to make him scared, that was the reason for the chime or echo as this thing was named after. The chime the Echo produced was akin to a piece of music that made your spine tingle only it intensified and eventually made you freeze.
Sparrow wasn't affected that much because of his history with these things, he'd killed several already, and only the first two's chimes ever had an effect but soon after he had grown an immunity to it. Sparrow brought up his cane and pointed it at the Echo, the Echo stopped advancing towards him and just stared. It was probably seeing how the chime didn't work.
Sparrow kept himself ready, these things were always adapting and capable of different things. One had been capable of replicating an Apathy another one had been capable of invisibility and had gotten a good hit off with its claws, so who knew what this one could do?
"Come on," Sparrow whispered, "Ignore them and come for the true threat." As if obeying his request the shadow's mouth split open into a twisted smile as it lunged at the Professor. Sparrow intercepted its claws with Melancholy, it pushed its face closer to Sparrow's as it snapped its jaw at him. Sparrow huffed and pushed back with enough force to send it back into the air.
The Echo landed on a tree before jumping to another and another and another, gaining speed. Sparrow was able to keep track of it even at the speed it was going, thankfully it wasn't using the trees the last two members of RAGE were suspended from.
It continued its mad hop until it was just a black blur that could barely be registered by the normal eye. It bounced off one last tree right at Sparrow, whose back was turned towards the Echo.
Sparrow spun on his heel and unleashed the red strings from his fingertips straight at the Echo. The first pierced the shadow's chest, the second wrapped around its throat, and the other three pierced through its claw pointing at Sparrow.
The Echo's chime got far more erratic in Sparrow's ears a sign it was in pain. Good, this thing deserved that pain. Sparrow tugged his hand violently back and brought the Echo towards him, he cut the strings off, placed a hand on his cane's handle, and twisted.
Melancholy to the normal eye was a walking cane made with a lavish owner in mind. The truth was it was a Huntsman weapon, a very nice one but one that was far behind the times. Nowadays the weapons of choice were melee weapons that could shift into a gun or another melee weapon.
Mechashift weapons were a very new thing for Huntsman barely being two decades old but the amount of technically awesome weapons that came from it was revolutionary Team STRQ's Qrow Branwen's weapon Harbinger was an apt example, a large straight sword with a segmented blade capable of turning into a scythe, with a double barrel shotgun built into the handle. Of course, a lot of people prefer the older weapons just with modern amenities.
Raven Branwen and Summer Rose were two apt examples of this ideal, Rosebud was a khopesh sword with a dust lining in the blade, nothing really special but it got the job done. Omen is an Odachi based with several interchangeable dust blades stored in the large sheath.
Sparrow's weapon was of a more obscure type of weapon. A cane. Melancholy is a blunt force weapon meant to combat Grimm and Humans alike, the cane is reinforced by his Aura and made from a tree found deep in Forever Fall, the bark being on par with Atlassian steel.
What a lot of people don't know about Melancholy is that it has a rather mean bite, one that is stored within the shaft of the cane. Sparrow pulled the handle up from the shaft of Melancholy and pulled with it a long spike made from the garnet embedded in the handle. The garnet was far longer than most people knew and it was sharpened to a very deadly point.
Sparrow held Melancholy at his side as he thrust forward towards the Echo with Agony in hand. Agony was a blade bathed in suffering, be it Sparrow's or another, the blade is drenched in a force that had left the world when the Brother Gods left. The energy had aged like wine as it had gotten more potent over the years.
This also caused pulses of suffering for other living creatures when it was let free, Sparrow didn't use it often only to make sure something felt the agony it gave to others and more. It was also rather nice at making it very difficult for a certain Witch to regenerate quickly.
The blade pierced through the Echo's chest the black blood that would've coated the blade evaporating as if the blade were scalding hot and a scream erupted from the Grimms mouth. Sparrow could feel his body shake under the scream that left the Echoes maw, Sparrow could also hear the whimpering of the two remaining members of team RAGE.
The Echo's eyes followed the whimper and its pained smile somehow took an even more sadistic edge. Sparrow's eyes widened and he attempted to push Agony deeper into the Grimm's chest but unfortunately, he couldn't stop the black tendrils around the only male of the team to constrict around his throat.
Evan Ablurn choked as the tendril got tighter and tighter until his face turned blue and the tendril turned violently to the left, snapping the young man's neck. Amethyst Alburn screamed in horror at the sound of her brother's neck snapping.
Sparrow heard the noise and noted the smile of satisfaction the Echo had. Sparrow's already freezing blood went to arctic frost as his face turned to that devoid of anything. Empty. Sparrow twisted Agony deeper into the Echo the Grimm finally beginning to truly scream in agony again.
The red eyes of an evil creature close to death met the blank stare of the black nothing of Sparrow's Onyx Aviators as it began flaking at the legs. The Grimm's ashes floated to the ground, the only thing left being the Echo's head and shoulders. Sparrow went to quicken its death and lifted his foot. Before curb-stomping the head and forcing the corpse to completely dust. Sparrow flicked Agony to the side ridding the dust that had flaked the spike and brought it back into Melancholy with a click and twist.
Sparrow disregarded the dead Echo and moved towards the last member of RAGE, the poor girl was shaking on the ground, the bindings having dissipated with the Grimm. Sparrow crouched down to her level and saw as she flinched at his approach, usually, he'd say something comforting to the girl. There was nothing he could say, Evan Alburn didn't die in battle or sacrifice himself he was killed by a creature whose sole purpose was to destroy.
Sparrow mentally cursed himself for not getting there sooner.
Ozpin walked through the hall towards the Infirmary. When he heard about what had happened to team RAGE, his blood had boiled but when he heard who had saved them his blood cooled and a pit formed in his stomach. He had no idea how Sparrow would react to this and he would admit a small piece of him was worried he'd be blamed by the Deputy.
Ozpin reached the door to the infirmary and knocked. He waited a moment and heard a muffled 'come in' he opened the door and saw Mrs. Waterworks sitting in a swivel chair looking over her terminal. Mrs. Waterworks was an elderly bull Faunus, her ebony horns straight back framing her cobalt blue hair. She wore a thick leather medical robe that reached her feet and a large blue sash around her waist.
Ozpin took the chance to look at the beds of the infirmary and saw Ms. Auburn laying on the farthest bed next to the wall, with the very Deputy he was thinking about sitting next to her, "How is Ms. Auburn?" he finally asked.
Mrs. Waterworks looks over at Amythyst, "Devastated, honestly, I'm surprised the poor girl hasn't woken up screaming yet. An event like that, her brother being killed in front of her eyes like that, she'll be traumatized and will need a therapist." She sighed and took off her glasses to wipe her eyes, "Honestly, Ozpin I don't think she'll continue trying to be a huntress, and if she does she'll throw her life away by cutting off everything around her and becoming like those older and more jaded Huntsman in the Frontier."
"And how is he?"
"Quiet."
That one word told Ozpin all he needed to know, "I know you're watching Ms. Auburn, but I'm gonna need you to step out for a moment."
Mrs. Waterworks looked back at Sparrow and nodded, "I'll make sure Tsune doesn't come in." with that Gabie left the room to the remaining three occupants.
Ozpin turned towards Sparrow and the unconscious student, he gazed at the straps holding Ms. Auburn down. A precaution in case she woke up screaming to keep her from hurting herself or others, some Semblance would flare when a person was in a traumatic state and it was best to keep them down.
Ozpin stepped next to Sparrow and watched his hands they were emanating a serene silver glow, a far cry from the usual red, "Sparrow," Ozpin began softly, "you shouldn't be doing that in here, especially when Gabi was in the room."
Sparrow glanced at him but otherwise ignored him, causing Ozpin to sigh. Ozpin wouldn't make him stop as he wasn't hurting Ms. Auburn, quite the opposite, it was simply the fact that what he was using wasn't what he used publicly as his Semblance.
"She wouldn't stop crying," Ozpin looked at Sparrow who had finally spoken, "I tried to help the normal ways and after Gabie gave her the sedative she began crying in her sleep, slightly convulsing from a nightmare."
Sparrow looked at Ozpin, "I couldn't let her suffer like that Oz, not like that."
Ozpin gazed at Ms. Auburn's face, a slight smile adorned a face flushed from hours of crying and screaming, "What are you showing her?"
"Every happy memory she had with her brother, it's the absolute least I could do. I won't let her be marred with vengeance against the Grimm like so many others." Ozpin stared into space as several events played through his mind.
A young woman screamed in rage as she slashed through a horde until she was caught by an Ursa Major's claws and mauled by the other Ursa.
A bitter old man shot at a Beowolf with a sawed-off before being shoulder checked by a Berginal into a tree and ceased moving forever.
Ozpin felt his age sag him down a little as the mask of the composed and kind Headmaster slipped slightly showing a glimpse of the ancient wizard marred in tragedy and death. He slowly slipped the metaphorical mask back on and looked at Sparrow again, "I will ask you to stop doing that when I leave, Gabie can't know and we can't let the current Fall Maiden sense your magic."
Ozpin walked out of the room and could only hope Sparrow listened to him.
Chapter Four: A Lonely Bench
It was a late afternoon in Beacon. The autumn leaves flew in the wind before coming to a gentle rest on the ground before they were disturbed by a foot stepping through the small pile-up. A white cloak glided down the path through the park lit by dust lanterns.
The cloak eventually came to a stop near a lonely bench. The woman sat on the bench before folding her legs to her chest and putting her face into her knees. The woman shook as sobs escaped her mouth.
Summer Rose hadn't had a very good day. It started out well with a plan to try to woo her crush, Taiyang Xiao-Long. She had planned to ask him to a dance happening in Vale proper, of course, she had already bought two tickets for the dance.
The problems started when she and her team had gone to lunch when she noticed many of the huntresses in training looking at Tai with longing gaze. Now she wasn't unaware of Tai's reputation of being a skirt chaser, of course, he was rather charming so that had made sense. Of course, they were never serious and usually lasted a few days.
Summer had watched them stare at him in slight jealousy, she was going to be the first long-term relationship with Tai. Of course, that didn't happen as she had stupidly forgotten about her competitor, Raven Branwen.
Raven was confident and brash, she was also someone who was interested in Tai.
After classes Summer had bolted out and sprinted through the halls to find Taiyang and ask him to the dance. She turned a corner and froze at the sight in front of her, Taiyang being asked out by Raven. Her heart had shattered when the words set in.
She watched as Tai agreed with that same goofy smile and Raven nodded before they set a time and place before leaving. Summer couldn't take it and ran from the building into the academy gardens.
"Ms. Rose?" a voice inquired.
Summer jolted up in surprise, her head snapped over to the voice she recognized. Summer looked at Sparrow who stood under one of the lanterns the warm light casting an orange light over the middle-aged man.
"Oh, uh, Professor Sparrow." Summer said wiping her eyes, hoping she hadn't been caught crying, "What are you doing here?"
"I was worried," Sparrow said, walking right next to the bench, "I saw you running from the southern building into the garden." he got to the bench and gestured to eth empty side, "May I?"
"Go ahead," Summer moved over slightly to let the professor sit down. He rested his hands over his cane as he looked over at her.
"What is troubling you?"
"It's stupid," Summer said, trying to deflect the conversation.
"It's not stupid to you if your crying over it," Sparrow responded.
Crud, he did see her crying. Summer brought her hands together playing with her thumbs as he wondered if she should even bring it up.
"I," she hesitated, "I wanted to ask Tai out."
"Mr. Xiao-Long?"
"Yeah," she chuckled, "I planned a whole thing. I wanted to take him to a dance in Vale that's happening later tonight, it was supposed to be a night neither of us would forget as I would ask him to take me out."
"I'm assuming something happened then."
"Yeah," she sighed, wiping another tear with her cloak, "Raven got to him first and he said yes."
"Hmm, that's unfortunate."
"Yeah," she took the tickets out of her blazer, "well these were a complete waste of lien."
"You're not going?"
"What would be the point," Summer lamented, "I wanted to go with someone."
"What about Mr. Branwen?"
"Qrow's busy with something," Summer placed a finger to her chin as she looked up, "He seemed rather excited about whatever it was."
Sparrow hummed in a thinking manner. He stared hard at his cane for a while, honestly, Summer thought he'd spaced out. Sparrow snapped out of whatever trance he was in and pulled out his scroll before dialing someone.
The scroll hummed before it connected and Ozpin appeared on the screen, "Yes, Sparrow, is there something you need?"
"Yeah," Sparrow said, "I need you to not call me for the rest of the night as I won't be picking up, so have fun with the paperwork."
"Wait wha-" Ozpin was cut off by Sparrow ending the call. He scrolled to the power options and pressed his finger to the complete shutdown mode. Sparrow held the button for a moment before the screen blacked out and the scroll collapsed into its off mode.
"What was that about?" Summer asked as Sparrow stood up placing his scroll into his inner coat pocket.
"Oh just clearing my schedule for the night." He waved his hand dismissively.
"Why?"
"Simple, those tickets were expensive correct?"
"Yes?" Summer winced slightly remembering the cost of these tickets. It nearly drained her savings getting these.
"Well, then you shouldn't waste them." Sparrow said as Summer tilted her head in confusion, "I'll gladly go with you."
Summer blushed bright red, "Wait are you asking me out!?"
"Oh hell no," Summer felt like ice water just got dumped on her at the way he said that, "You are far too young for me, your only twenty. No, I'm suggesting I go as a friend so you don't feel as if you bought those tickets for no reason."
"So, you consider us friends?"
"Sure," Sparrow admitted with a grin, "You and your team have been some of the most entertaining people I've known and I've come to know things about you that have made me truly happy to have gotten to meet all of you."
Summer stared at Sparrow in shock. He considered them friends, Some of the most entertaining people I've ever known. Summer smiled and stood up smoothing out her skirt.
"So, will you have me?" Sparrow asked.
Summer giggled, "Sure, I'd rather not go alone anyway."
What do you all think?