LOCATION: Beacon Academy - Patient's Room
Amber recounted her harrowing experience to Professor Ozpin. She vividly described her peaceful stroll along the isolated road, which took a dark turn when she encountered what she initially believed to be a lost child. This innocent façade quickly shattered as she was ambushed by three exceptionally skilled youths, forcing her into a fierce battle. Despite her valiant efforts, the sheer number of adversaries overwhelmed her. Amber also shared the chilling moment when a mysterious woman appeared, draining her powers with an uncanny ease. Just when all hope seemed lost, a man intervened, halting the woman's sinister actions. The weight of her tale hung in the air, leaving an unsettling silence in the room as Professor Ozpin processed the gravity of her ordeal.
"Next thing I knew, I woke up in this giant chamber inside a pod. The other half of my power somehow found me, and merged back into my body," Amber said, placing a hand over her heart. "So I'm back to full strength, and uh, yeah."
Ozpin nodded his head in understanding.
"I see," acknowledged Ozpin.
Ozpin leaned back on his chair.
"Do you still remember what these attackers look like?" Ozpin asked.
"Yes," Amber replied.
Ozpin reached down to his side and handed her three sheets of paper, a pen, and crayons. "Can you draw them for me?"
Amber took the pen and sheets of paper out of Ozpin's hands. She began scribbling said pen for each paper individually, putting as much detail on their features. After a few minutes, she handed the papers back to the headmaster once she was finished. Ozpin began going over the illustrations with a critical eye as he pondered her description.
The first page contained sketches of a young woman with medium-brown skin and dark red eyes. Her hair is a light, mint-green with a straight fringe and bangs as well as two long locks on each side in the back. Her attire consisted of an intricate white top and an olive-colored crop top, on the back of which is her emblem. This emblem is in the shape of a cut gem, most likely referring to her name. This was intended to be accompanied by white shorts, decorated with what appears to be a gold coin-plated belt with four gold chains draping around her back from two of the coins and what seems to be a green loincloth. She also wore a gold, three-ring armband on her left arm and a string of gold beads near the same wrist.
The second sketch was more of an accurate rendering of a pale young man. Said young man had gray eyes and hair, partially slicked back while unkempt at the front. He donned a slate gray and black two-tone partial-zip jacket that covered his upper body. He also wears a single-notched belt with what appears to be a sash or bandana draped over it.
Finally, the last sketch depicted a fair-skinned young woman. She had short ashen-black hair that covered her left amber eye and wore a dress with separated sleeves and the attire was held up by straps tied around her neck in a bow. Her heeled shoes are made of a more typical material, rather than glass and her fingernails are a dark red color.
"Hmm… so I assume that this woman is the one that attacked you?" Ozpin concluded, glancing up at Amber. Amber nodded.
"Yeah. I don't know her name, but I do remember her face. Three of their faces," Amber replied.
"I see," acknowledged Ozpin.
Ozpin studied the final sketch in his hands as he felt the weight of the situation. Although he lacked the names of the assailants who had attacked Amber, their likenesses were now etched in his mind. This knowledge empowered him to potentially ambush them, ensuring they wouldn't return to threaten her again. Yet, the reality remained that even if these attackers were dealt with, new threats could emerge, especially if they were sent by her. The danger to her life was far from over, and he needed to remain vigilant.
"I have to admit, a part of me was so close to killing that green haired girl," Amber said, glancing down at her blanket. "But I hesitated at the last second, and that almost caused me my life. I don't know if it was out of weakness, out of mercy, I just…I don't know."
Ozpin stared at Amber with sympathy.
"Don't dwell too much on the past, Amber," Ozpin said. "Your real focus should be the here and now. You've been given something that most people would dream to have: a second chance. Many that died would wish to be in your shoes. So I suggest you take this chance with stride and caution."
Amber absorbed Ozpin's wisdom with a nod. He was correct; dwelling on the past served no purpose. Instead of lamenting over what could have been, she understood that her true essence lay in her present actions and choices. What mattered most was her commitment to the here and now.
"Well, what do you plan to do, Amber?" Ozpin inquired, placing the sketches down by his side. Amber looked up at Ozpin with determination set in her eyes.
"I need to go," Amber declared, hopping out of her bed.
Ozpin stood up as well as he watched Amber walk across her bed toward a table. Retrieving her staff and her scroll.
"To where?" Ozpin questioned, arching a brow at her.
Amber rolled her body around to face her.
"I have a friend who I'm very close to. Her name is Liv. One day I found out from an acquaintance I know that she's missing, and no one hasn't seen her since," Amber confessed, taking a step toward Ozpin. "The last place she was sighted was a village somewhere near Mistral. I was heading to an airship that was waiting for me, but before I could reach my destination, that's when they attacked me. Now that I'm all better, I have to continue my search."
Ozpin nodded his head in understanding.
"You understand that if you go back out there, the possibility of the same people who attacked you will come back to reclaim what is theirs?" Ozpin pointed out.
Amber closed her eyes briefly and then reopened them.
"It's a risk I'm willing to take," Amber insisted. Ozpin folded his arms behind his back.
"Then I believe it would be wise that he goes with you," Ozpin remarked, smiling at her.
Amber turned to her left in time to see the door open. Entering through the doorway was a short young man, his round face framed by a short mop of fluffy dark-green hair that curls up at odd angles around his head, casting noticeably dark shadows onto itself. His eyes were large and somewhat circular and his irises were the same shade of green as his hair. He also had a set of four symmetrical freckles in diamond formations, one on each cheek.
The young man donned an unfamiliar dark green suit, adorned with ivory stripes along its periphery and gold outlines. Encasing his hands were substantial gauntlets, while his lower limbs were encased in metallic greaves with blue knee pads. A timeworn yellow scarf encircled his neck.
"Amber, I like you to meet your guardian who'll be accompanying you through your journey," Ozpin introduced the young man who was surprised to see Amber awake.
The young man approached Amber and extended his hand.
"Hi, I'm Midoriya Izuku. It's nice to meet you," the boy named Midoriya Izuku introduced himself, offering a smile.
Amber took his hand gently, shaking it. A small smile graced her lips.
"Amber."
LOCATION: Beacon Academy - Forever Fall Forest
The Forever Fall Forest is a breathtaking landscape. Characterized by its towering cliffs and a dense canopy of vibrant red-leafed trees. This unique vegetation casts a warm, dust-red hue across the entire region, blending seamlessly with the lush grass beneath. Researchers are particularly drawn to the area due to the trees' remarkable ability to produce a rare Red Sap, which holds significant scientific interest. A wide railway track meanders through a low point in the forest, facilitating the passage of a large cargo train that transports goods to and from the region.
Amidst the natural beauty, ancient ruins dot the landscape, reminiscent of those found in the Emerald Forest. Among these relics, one notable temple has been repurposed by Merlot Industries as a storage facility, merging history with modern industry in this enchanting wilderness. The forest was also devoid of any Grimm that once inhabited the area.
That meant they were the only ones here.
The group of students and teacher ventured deeper into the Forever Fall Forest. The vibrant red leaves danced gracefully in the air, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Ruby, with her wide silver eyes sparkling with excitement, couldn't contain her enthusiasm, pointing out the unique shapes of the leaves to her teammates. Each step they took crunched softly underfoot, adding to the enchanting atmosphere. The sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting a warm glow on the forest floor, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of autumn. Professor Goodwitch led them with a steady pace, her voice steady as she shared tales of the forest's mysteries, heightening the students' sense of wonder and adventure. The beauty of the surroundings made them feel alive, igniting a spark of camaraderie among the teams as they shared their awe of the magical landscape.
"Yes students, the Forest of Forever Fall is indeed beautiful," Glynda stated. "But we are not here to sightsee. Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples from the trees deep inside this forest. And I am here to make sure you all do so properly."
Glynda stopped in her tracks. Her abrupt stop caused the students to stop behind her, except for Jaune, who appeared to be carrying all of CRDL's supplies, bumping into Cardin. Jaune looked away with an innocent whisper while Cardin glared at him.
"Each of you is to gather one jar's worth of red sap. Remember children, even though this forest is free of Grimm activity, you can't let your guard down and stay by your teammates. We've also taken the precaution of sending a one-man advance team in to clear any Grimm that might be hiding in the shadows," Glynda explained. Ruby and Yang exchanged knowing glances, having a good idea who this 'advance team' was. "We will rendezvous back here at four o'clock. Have fun."
The students began to split off into their respective groups once Glynda left. All except Jaune as Cardin pulled him in the direction away from his team.
"Come on buddy, let's go," Cardin said, dragging him in a different direction.
Jaune sadly ended up following him. Much to Pyrrha's displeasure as she caught up with the rest of her team. Team CRDL appeared to be relaxing while Jaune had gathered all the tree sap for them. He carried six jars in total before dropping them on the ground in front of them and falling over.
"Hey, great work, Jauney-boy," Cardin mockingly congratulated him. "Now that wasn't too hard, was it?"
"I think I'm allergic to this stuff," Jaune said, his voice sounding somewhat horse-like.
"Great, great, great." Cardin stood up. "So Jaune, I bet you're asking yourself 'Why did my buddy Cardin ask me to collect six jars of tree sap when there's only five of us?'"
"That has been on my mind, so yeah," Jaune said, picking himself up.
Cardin led his team and Jaune was a bit closer to some of the other students. Perched behind some cover where they saw that the others appeared to be handling themselves well in gathering tree sap, save for Nora who drank a whole jar's worth. Jaune glanced at Cardin with concern.
"Cardin, what's going on?" Jaune asked, a bit nervous about where this development was going.
"Payback." Cardin glared. "That red-haired know-it-all who thinks she's so smart."
"You—You can't be serious?!" Jaune hissed. "You want payback on Pyrrha for something she didn't even do?!"
"I don't recall asking for your opinion!" Cardin stated as he pulled out a box with a W on it.
Several angry buzzing noises rang from inside the box.
"Listen up, boys. Last night, old Jaune here managed to round up an entire box full of Rapier Wasps, and now… we're gonna put 'em to work. According to that one essay he wrote for me, these nasty things love sweets. I'm thinking it's time we teach her a thing or two." He pulled Jaune up and forcibly gave him the jar. "And you're going to do it."
Jaune clutched the jar in his hands. His anger was indeed fuming, but it wasn't just anger toward Cardin. It was anger toward himself. Pyrrha had wanted to do nothing but help him. She treated him with respect and compassion, even after revealing he forged his transcripts, still offering to help. And how did he repay them? He pushed them away and let himself become Cardin's lapdog.
"I know what it's like to feel weak; to be unable to do something. I was weak before I even transferred to U.A, and I was weak for not being strong enough to save Kacchan from the sludge villain. But after accepting All Might's proposal and transferring to U.A High, I couldn't afford to stay weak anymore."
"You may have been weak outside of the academy, but you can't be weak now. Because it's no longer about you anymore, Jaune; you have Ren, Nora, and Pyrrha—a team that needs and depends on you. And if you fail and crumble, then you'll just be bringing them down with you. You have to put your teammates first, and yourself second. You can't call yourself a hero if you turn your back on them, whether it's a civilian, an ally, or a friend. Otherwise, they will pay the price…even with their lives."
"Just think about it, Jaune."
Jaune lowered his head whilst closing his eyes. The weight of Izuku's words echoed in his mind like a relentless drumbeat. Each repetition of those words forged a stronger determination within him, crystallizing his purpose. He was acutely aware of the path he needed to take, and Cardin's demand only served to reinforce his decision. With a newfound intensity in his gaze, Jaune's expression hardened, reflecting the seriousness of his thoughts. He placed the jar down on the earth's floor, the sound resonating in the stillness around him, marking a pivotal moment in his journey. The air was thick with unspoken tension as he prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead, ready to embrace the fight that awaited him.
"No," Jaune said, bawling his hands to fists.
"What did you say?" Cardin asked, arching a brow at him.
Jaune slowly turned around to face him. Narrowing his eyes at him with determination.
"I said: no," Jaune told him, remaining firm.
Cardin's countenance transformed from a glare to a smirk that graced his lips.
"Not very smart, Jauney-boy," Cardin said, shaking his head.
Cardin exchanged glances with his teammates and nodded to them. The rest of CRDL grabbed Jaune and forced him to the ground, proceeding to literally kick Jaune while he was down. After a few minutes, Cardin hoisted Jaune up, the latter's face covered in bruises while the rest of his lackeys surrounded him.
"You think you're funny, Jauney-boy?" Cardin questioned. "You think you're tough?"
"…" Jaune didn't respond and continued to glare at him.
"Ohh, giving me the silent treatment, huh? Well let's see how tough you are when I tell Goodwitch how you cheated your way into this school," Cardin said, smirking smugly. "Then everyone will watch you walk away—with your crappy family legacy, and yourself forever being a sore loser."
Cardin laughed and the rest of Team CRDL joined him. However, it died when the latter started laughing too.
"I'm a loser? At least I'm not the one who got grand slammed by a sixteen-year-old kid at the amphitheater," Jaune remarked. "And was so sore about it I'd try to humiliate somebody else who had nothing to do with it. You can say whatever you want, Cardin. But there's only one real loser in the academy, and I'm looking at him right now."
Cardin fumed even more with every word. His face was so flushed with rage that he didn't even bother replying with words before punching Jaune in the face again. But when his fist made contact, something unexpected happened. There was a brief flash of yellow light around Jaune's body as Cardin felt his fist hit something harder than expected, forcing him to drop Jaune. The latter looked more than a little shocked himself. Even all the bruises around Jaune's face appeared to have healed completely.
Was that my Aura? Jaune thought.
Jaune yelped as Russel's boot connected with his side which sent him crashing to the ground. The impact knocked the wind out of him, but he quickly regained his composure, scanning the area for any chance of escape. Dove and Sky loomed over him, their expressions menacing, while Russel stood behind him, blocking any retreat. Cardin, the apparent leader, faced him, a smug grin plastered on his face. In that moment of desperation, an idea sparked in Jaune's mind.
With a surge of adrenaline, he launched his fists outward, connecting squarely with Dove and Sky's groins. Their faces contorted in shock and agony as they doubled over in unison, leaving them momentarily incapacitated. Seizing the opportunity, Jaune rolled to his feet, pivoting to deliver a powerful punch to Russel's vulnerable area. The reaction was instantaneous; Russel's eyes widened in disbelief before he too crumpled to the ground, joining his comrades in their shared misery. Jaune slowly stood tall, determination burning in his eyes as he focused on Cardin, who was now visibly shaken, stepping back in disbelief. Jaune retrieved his sword and shield without breaking eye contact.
Ready for whatever came next.
Fueled by the thrill of defiance against his bullies.
"Wha—What're you doing?!" Cardin demanded, surprised and confused.
Jaune slightly deepened his narrowed eyes.
"This has gone on long enough, Cardin." Jaune pointed his sword at Cardin. "You and I are settling this. Right here. Right now."
Silence fell between the pair. They continue to stare each other down for a minute until Cardin smirks. Cardin reaches for his Executioner mace and brings it down to his side.
"Alright then, If it means kicking your butt one last time before watching you leave the academy. I'll oblige," Cardin said, assuming his fighting stance. Jaune emulated the same action by doing the same.
Cardin began thinking of ways of defeating Jaune. Maybe he'll pummel him so bad it'll make every student at Beacon think twice if crossing him. The jock blinked in bewilderment. He noticed Jaune holding his sword with his left, and his shield with his right. But that looked wrong; it should be the other way around. So why would he…?
Jaune lunged forward fast towards Cardin. Jaune anchored his arm back, and with a grunt, he threw his sword at him. Cardin quickly sidestepped as he watched the blade lodged itself on an overhanging branch. The big jock blinked, then he laughed.
"Hahaha, you miss—" Cardin turned back to face Jaune and yelped in shock when he felt his legs suddenly leave the earth's floor.
Jaune knocked Cardin off his footing by swiping the jock's legs with his shield. Cardin lifted his head in time to see Jaune towering over him, clamping his fist while anchoring his arm back, and swung away with a war cry. Jaune caved his fist into Cardin's nose as the jock's body hit the ground hard with a thud. Birds burst through the canopy and spiraled upward through a clear blue sky as shadowy fragments.
The flock of chirping birds gave way to silence.
Jaune's breath came in ragged gasps, his heart racing as the weight of the moment pressed down on him. He stared at Cardin's still form, the reality of what just happened crashing over him like a tidal wave. Blood streamed from Cardin's broken nose, and the mace lay discarded, a silent witness to the confrontation. Jaune's eyes widened in disbelief as he fought to comprehend the scene before him. Cardin, struggling to regain his composure, pulled away, spitting out a tooth with a grimace that only deepened Jaune's shock.
Jaune's mind raced with confusion and regret in that instant. He had aimed to defend himself, to stand up against his tormentor, but this was beyond what he had envisioned. The force behind his punch had been unexpected, and the sight of Cardin's contorted face made his stomach churn. Jaune never imagined he possessed such power, and the realization left him feeling uneasy. He had crossed a line, and the crookedness of Cardin's nose served as a stark reminder of the consequences of his actions.
Jaune knew he had to learn restraint if he truly aspired to be a hero. This encounter was a harsh lesson in the responsibility that came with strength. Jaune resolved to train harder, not just to defend himself but to temper his abilities, ensuring that he could protect others without causing unnecessary harm. The path to becoming a true hero was fraught with challenges, and this moment would linger in his mind as a turning point in his journey.
I guess emulating some of Arachno-Man's moves in those comic books did pay off after all, Jaune thought.
"Holy crap… Jaune…" Cardin sounded genuinely impressed, staring up at Jaune with wide eyes. Even his teammates couldn't comprehend what they just saw.
Jaune helped Cardin up to his feet and grasped his hand tightly. The latter's smile faded as the former looked him straight into the eye.
"Don't ever mess with my team—my friends—ever again," Jaune warned him, his tone laced with firmness and finality. "Got it?"
The pair stared at each other in silence. The former stared in defiance while the latter was both shocked and in disbelief. It was as if the puny boy that Cardin had been picking on just disappeared.
Now what stood before him was a different person.
"Woohoo, go Jaune!"
Jaune and Cardin snapped their heads toward the source. They blinked in surprise when they found Team RWBY and the rest of Team JNPR watching them not too far away. Ruby clapped her hands with a bright smile, a proud grin gracing Yang and Nora's lips, and Pyrrha smiling warmly at him. Weiss and Blake were genuinely surprised after watching Jaune's battle. Nonetheless, they smiled at Jaune along with Ren.
"Uh, how long were you guys standing there?" Jaune asked, looking between Team RWBY and his Team.
"Long enough to watch you kick his sorry butt," Yang replied, placing her hands on her hips.
Somewhere in the far-off forest, a lone bipedal silhouette cloaked in black stood watching the Beacon students, silent in their observance.
Their narrow blue eyes gazed ahead at the group conversing before retreating into the wilderness.
LOCATION: Mistral - Lil' Miss Malachite's Bar
Life teemed inside Lil' Miss Malachite's Bar. Many individuals ranging from male to female sat around the table with a beer or bourbon in front of them, and they shared stories of their day's adventures. Some were friends who had known each other in school, others were colleagues at work, some were people on vacation, and others were strangers to whom all knew the story by heart. Others were upstairs at the second floor where they enjoyed some peace and quiet, sitting alone or with a woman they're dating. The bartender was busy serving drinks to those customers who wanted one more than the last few that he served.
Qrow Branwen sat on his bar table alone. Leaning back whilst gulping down a glass of whiskey, tasting the smooth richness as it slid over his tongue, his eyes were closed as if he were resting. He pulled said glass from his lips, allowing his breath to escape through pursed lips for a moment until he placed his glass on the table. Qrow blinked when he felt his right pocket vibrate, and he reached into it to pull out his scroll.
"What is it now?" He mumbled as he brought up his message screen.
Qrow's eyes instantly grew large. Displaying on the message screen was a photo taken from Ruby as she was sitting in a pancake house restaurant with her team, along with Team JNPR, and some odd kid with green curly hair. But that wasn't what made the middle aged man left in shock.
Amber, the Fall Maiden, was sitting beside Ruby and Yang. Everyone smiled with their hands raised forming a peace sign.
A shocking revelation was revealed to him.
The Fall Maiden still lives.
Updated: 6/23/24
A/N: Well, there you have it young readers. Hope you all enjoyed today's eighteenth chapter. Izuku and Amber have finally met, and will soon begin their journey in the search for her missing friend. Also, to answer one question that some of you have from the last chapter revolving Jaune and Cardin; despite the speech of humility Izuku had given him, it wasn't fully enough to give Jaune a boost of confidence to actually stand up for himself, and as a result he cowered in fear when Cardin learned about his fake transcripts. Had Cardin not shown up at that point or wasn't even there to listen to their conversation, then maybe Jaune's confidence would have slowly grown.
I also wanted to take the chance in this chapter that since there's no Grimm in the Forever Fall Forest, Jaune would stand up against Team CRDL instead. And boy has he done just that. With all of that said, I'll be taking my leave.
See you all in the next chapter, young readers!