The elevator doors on the top floor of Beacon Academy opened with a soft chime, a sound that cut through the tense silence of Ozpin's office. Inside, the room was a storm of contained fury. General Ironwood paced back and forth, his boots making heavy, rhythmic thuds on the floor. He stopped suddenly, slamming a hand against Ozpin's desk.
"They were here!" he said, his voice a low growl of frustration. "Ozpin, they were here! We had them!"
Glynda Goodwitch stood beside the desk, her arms crossed, her expression a mix of weary patience and quiet anger. "We are very much aware of that, thank you, James."
Ironwood turned to her, his jaw set in a hard line. "Fantastic, you're aware. Now, are we going to do something about it, or should we just stay the course and continue to ignore what's right in front of us?" he said, his voice laced with a bitter sarcasm.
Just then, a quiet beeping sound started going off. Ozpin, who had been sitting calmly at his desk, stood up. "Come in," he said simply.
Ironwood and Glynda stared at the elevator doors, their tense silence a heavy weight in the air.
The doors slid open, and Ruby Rose stepped inside. She immediately looked flustered, rubbing the back of her head nervously. "Uh, sorry it took so long," she said, a nervous laugh escaping her. "Someone accidentally hit all the buttons in the elevator on the way up here. It… uh, wasn't me."
The room remained silent. Ruby's smile faded, and she pulled her cloak tighter around herself. "Okay," she said with a sigh. "So that's the tone we're going for. Got it."
Ozpin offered her a small, kind smile. "Thank you for coming, Ruby. How are you feeling?"
"I'm… okay, I guess," she said, her voice a quiet murmur. "I'd feel better if I wasn't always in the middle of trouble, though."
The silence returned, but this time, it was broken by Ironwood. "Ruby," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I feel it's appropriate to let you know that I think what you did last night is exactly what being a Huntress is all about. You recognized a threat, you took action, and you did the very best you could."
Ruby's eyes widened a bit, and a soft blush rose to her cheeks. She rubbed the back of her head again, a little flustered by the uncharacteristic praise. "Um… thank you, sir."
"Now," Ozpin calmly said, taking control of the conversation once more. "The General here has already informed us of the events that transpired last night. But now that you've rested, we were wondering if you had anything to add."
Glynda stepped forward, her expression serious and focused. "Was anyone else with her? Did she look familiar to you at all?"
Ruby thought hard, her brow furrowed in concentration. "I… I don't know. She was wearing a mask. And she never said anything to me, but I know she fought with glass. I don't think that was her Semblance, though. Her clothing lit up whenever she attacked."
Glynda frowned, shaking her head. "Hmm. Doesn't seem familiar."
"Embedding Dust into clothing is an age-old technique," Ironwood stated, a professional grimness in his tone. "It could have been anyone."
Ruby's frown deepened as she connected the dots in her mind. "Wait, you think this girl is connected to Torchwick and the White Fang?" she paused, the weight of a new possibility settling on her. "…And… Dr. Merlot?"
"It's possible," Ozpin said, his voice a calm counterpoint to the tension. "But we still lack the required evidence to link the two together."
Ironwood looked at Ozpin, a silent argument passing between them.
"Actually…" Ruby started, her eyes widening in a sudden, intuitive flash of memory. "I-I think I remember her saying something about a hideout or something. In the southeast—just outside the kingdom."
A subtle, knowing smirk touched Ozpin's lips. "Interesting."
"I thought you said--" Glynda was going to say but was cut off by Ozpin.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Rose. Why don't you go and spend time with your team? You have a big day ahead of you." Ozpin said
Ruby nodded, already feeling the familiar pull of relief.
"Please be discreet about this matter," Ozpin added, his voice a soft, final command.
"Yes, sir," Ruby simply said. She turned, walking back to the elevator, a sense of relief washing over her. The doors closed behind her, leaving the three teachers to look at one another, their expressions now grimly purposeful with the new information she had just given them.
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Ruby's feet felt heavy as she walked back to the dorm. The sterile white hallways of Beacon were a stark contrast to the lively ballroom she had left behind. She let out a long, weary sigh, her hands tucked deep into her pockets as she approached the familiar door. The moment she stepped inside, a sense of quiet relief washed over her, a feeling of being home.
But the relief was short-lived.
Suddenly, her three teammates appeared in front of her. They had been waiting. Weiss stood with her arms crossed, her expression a mix of impatience and concern. Blake was a silent, watchful shadow beside her, her gaze fixed on Ruby's face. Yang was right in front, her hands on her hips, her brow furrowed with worry.
The calm of the room shattered with a single, direct question.
"What happened!?" Yang demanded, her voice a low, fierce murmur.
Ruby winced, pulling her hands from her pockets. She rubbed the back of her head, her familiar, nervous laugh bubbling up. "Uh... well, umm... heh..." she stammered, already trying to find a way to downplay the night's events.
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The tension in Ozpin's office was thick enough to cut with a knife. General Ironwood paced back and forth across the polished floor, the rhythmic click of his boots the only sound besides his heavy breathing. He finally stopped, his hands balling into tight fists.
"Well, there we have it," he said, his voice a low growl. "A hideout in the southeast. We send as many troops as we can. Find out exactly what's going on and eradicate any forces that stand in our way."
Glynda, her arms crossed tightly, let out a scoff of exasperation. "Why must your answer to everything involve a triumphant display of military bravado? You treat every situation like it's a contest of measuring d—"
"Glynda!" Ozpin interrupted, his voice a quiet but firm warning.
"Well, he does," Glynda said, her gaze fixed on Ironwood's angry face.
Ozpin let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair. "She's right, James. As much as I too would love to end this situation once and for all, we must remember that this may go beyond Vale, beyond Beacon. And if this truly is part of some master plan for which we know not the final move, we must not be so bold. Nor can we risk the spread of panic."
Ironwood's fists clenched even tighter. "I have served you faithfully for years, Ozpin. But if you mean to tell me that your plan is to really hold the defense and wait—"
"It is not," Ozpin interrupted, his voice dropping to a low, commanding tone. He finally looked at Ironwood, his expression grimly serious. "You're a general, James. So tell me, when you prepare to go to war, which do you send first? The flag-bearer, or the scouts?"
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Ruby stood awkwardly in the middle of the dorm room, feeling the weight of her teammates' concern. She had just told them about the meeting with Ozpin, trying to downplay the severity of the situation.
Weiss walked over to her, her heels making a soft click on the floor. She laid a gentle hand on Ruby's arm, her usual scolding demeanor gone. "That was a risky move, Ruby," she said softly. Then a small, genuine smile touched her lips. "However... I am glad you are okay."
A deep blush crept up Ruby's neck, a hot, flustering sensation that had become all too common around Weiss.
"What Weiss said," Blake added, her voice quiet but firm. "I think you handled it well. You went back for what was right, and that's all that matters."
Ruby nodded, her eyes still on Weiss's hand. "I hope so," she said, her voice small.
Yang came over and put a warm hand on Ruby's shoulder. "I'm sure everything will be alright, Ruby. Oh! I know what will cheer you up."
Ruby looked at her older sister, a flicker of hope in her eyes. "What's that?"
Yang grinned, walking over to her desk and grabbing a large, brown package. "I don't know yet. Dad sent it to us." She held it up, a box from home. "I thought we could open it together."
Ruby's eyebrows shot up. "From... home?" she said.
Yang nodded excitedly. "Mhm. Ready to open it?"
Ruby's hesitant nod was all the permission Yang needed. She tore into the package, pulling out what looked like a black, cylindrical object. The moment it was free of the box, the cylinder began to shake and vibrate, hopping erratically. Then, with a series of pops and whirs, it unfolded, transforming into a small, fluffy dog.
"Zwei!" Yang said, a look of pure delight on her face.
"Aww, he's so cute!" Weiss chimed in, already leaning down to pet him.
"He sent a dog?!" Blake said, her eyes wide as she instinctively moved away. "In the mail?"
Yang looked over to Ruby, who was supposed to be right next to her. She was gone. "Uh, Ruby?" Yang called out.
Weiss looked at the top bunk of her bed, her eyes finding Ruby's terrified face peeking over the side. "Ruby?" she said.
"W-w-what is that?!" Ruby called out with a whine, her voice muffled by the bedframe.
"It's a dog," Yang said, trying to be reassuring. "Don't worry, he's harmless."
Ruby shook her head frantically.
Weiss, kneeling on the floor, was already rubbing Zwei's belly as the dog wagged his tail happily. "Come on, he does look harmless."
"What kind of person just sends a dog in the mail?!" Ruby said, a note of hysteria in her voice.
"Oh, he does stuff like this all the time," Yang said with a shrug.
Blake, in a surprising show of solidarity, had vaulted over the furniture and was now perched on the top bunk with Ruby, her eyes still fixed on the dog. "Your father or your dog?" she said in a dry tone.
Weiss laughed, looking up at the two girls. She met Ruby's gaze, her expression warm and amused. "So cute," she said.
A deep blush spread across Ruby's cheeks as she realized Weiss wasn't looking at Zwei when she said it.
Just then, a voice came from the intercom. "Will all first-year students please report to the amphitheater. This is a final call."
The spell was broken. "Well, as much fun as this is, we can't exactly leave him here while we're gone for a week," Weiss said, standing up.
"There's something else in the package," Yang said, reaching back in. She shook the box, and a bag of food fell out. "There, that should be enough for a week."
"Well, let's get a move on," Yang said, heading for the door. "Zwei will be here when we get back."
Weiss gave Zwei a final pat as she walked out. Blake bolted out the door, jumping over Yang's desk in a mad dash to get away from the dog.
Ruby was left alone on top of her bed, her eyes fixed on Zwei. For some reason, the "beast" inside her wasn't as chaotic, as restless, as it had been. It felt... calm. With a newfound sense of courage, Ruby carefully climbed off the bed. She walked over to the dog, reaching out a hesitant hand to him. She gently laid her hand on his head.
Zwei licked her hand and nuzzled into her touch, a warm, comforting presence. "You... aren't so bad, huh?" Ruby whispered with a small smile. "Too bad we can't take you with us..."
Her eyes suddenly sparkled, a flash of an idea lighting up her face.
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The vast amphitheater was a sea of nervous energy. Hundreds of first-year students, a diverse and bustling crowd, had gathered, the low roar of their chatter filling the air. Ruby walked behind her team, a soft backpack slung over her shoulder. She found a spot among the rows of other bags and softly set it down, the action a quiet contrast to the excited clamor around her. She then rejoined her team, her hands tucked in her pockets, a small, anxious sigh escaping her lips.
The hum of voices was finally silenced by the calm, authoritative voice of Glynda, who stood at a central podium. "Quiet. Quiet please," she said, her tone cutting through the noise with effortless command. The crowd settled instantly. "Professor Ozpin would like to share a few words before we begin."
Glynda stepped away, and Ozpin took her place at the microphone. He took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the crowd with a knowing, serene expression. "Today we stand together, United. Mistral. Atlas. Vacuo. Vale. The four kingdoms of Remnant." His voice, though not loud, carried a powerful gravitas that held the attention of every student.
"On this day, nearly 80 years ago, the largest war in recorded history came to an end," he began, his voice taking on a more somber tone. "It was a war of ignorance, of greed, and of oppression. A war that was about much more than where borders fell or who traded with whom. It was about the very idea of individualism itself."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self-expression. And as you are all well aware, that was something many could not stand for. As a result, those who opposed this tyranny began naming their children after one of the core aspects of art itself. Color."
His eyes slowly scanned the crowd, a silent, all-seeing gaze. For a single, long moment, his stare landed on Ruby. She felt the weight of it, a silent, profound understanding passing between them, a recognition that his words were meant as much for her as they were for the entire auditorium.
"It was their way to demonstrate that not only would they refuse to tolerate this oppression, but neither would the generations to come. And it was a trend that has held to this very day."
He smiled, a quiet pride in his expression. "We encourage individuality, expressionism, and unity. Through diversity. As I have said, today we stand together, United. But this bond cannot exist without effort. Which is why today, while the rest of the world celebrates peace, Huntsmen and Huntresses will work to uphold it."
He paused, letting the significance of his next words settle over the crowd. "As first-year students, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional Huntsman or Huntress on a mission. Some of you may be taken out of the kingdom for several days. Others may work within the walls for the rest of the week. But no matter which path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best."
Ozpin stepped away from the microphone, and the amphitheater erupted in a thunderous applause.
Ruby's hands were tucked deep in her pockets, but a quiet thrill ran through her. "Well, this is perfect," she said, her voice filled with a newfound sense of purpose. "All we have to do is shadow a Huntsman working in the southeast."
Yang grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yeah! We'll follow them around by day and give them the slip at night." She leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "We can get a head start and be there by morning."
Weiss, however, wasn't interested in the plotting. She simply took Ruby's hand and began to lead her through the bustling hall toward the holographic mission boards. Ruby blinked, surprised by the touch, but she didn't pull away.
She let herself be led, her heart doing a weird little flutter in her chest. She's been… clingy a lot lately since the dance, Ruby thought to herself, a soft blush spreading across her cheeks. She shook her head, forcing her focus back to the task at hand as they came to a stop in front of the glowing holographic displays.
Ruby scanned the boards, her eyes quickly finding what she was looking for. "Here we go. Quadrant 5 needs Grimm cleared out."
Blake walked up beside them, looking at the same board. "Well, it's in the southeast."
"Sounds perfect," Yang said, a wide grin on her face.
Ruby reached out a hand and touched the board, trying to sign them up for the mission. A red lock symbol appeared on the screen, along with the words: Access Denied. First-Year Students Restricted.
"Wonderful," Weiss said with a dry sigh.
"Any other ideas?" Blake said, her shoulders slumping a bit.
Ruby thought for a moment, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "We can mail ourselves there," she said, and a soft, genuine giggle escaped Weiss's lips.
Just then, Ozpin appeared beside them, seemingly out of thin air. His presence was so quiet and sudden that it made them all jump. "Well, that's one option," he said, a knowing smile on his face. "Unfortunately, we determined that the concentration of Grimm was too extreme for first-year students. It seems that particular region is rather... popular. In fact, I have the sneaking suspicion that the four of you will make your way there no matter which job you choose."
Ruby pulled her hands from her pockets, a nervous laugh escaping her lips as she rubbed the back of her head. "Whatever makes you say that?" she said, her eyes shifting from her teammates to Ozpin's calm, all-knowing stare.
"Ozpin's expression was calm, but his words landed with the weight of a professional investigator. He looked directly at Ruby, his eyes holding a familiar, knowing glint. "I'm still curious as to how you all found yourselves at the docks last semester," he began, his voice a low, even tone. "I'm interested to know how you really learned about a hideout in the southeast. And I certainly wonder why witnesses reported seeing robots and red/black mist in a dance club some time ago."
Ruby's cheeks flushed a deep red. She looked away, her gaze dropping to her feet as she nervously picked at the hem of her cloak. "Umm... uh... well..." she stammered, completely unable to form a coherent response.
A small smile touched Ozpin's lips, a gesture of quiet amusement. "I doubt I'll ever find the exact answers I'm looking for," he said, the words heavy with subtext. He let the silent admission hang in the air for a moment before proposing his solution. "So, how about this. Instead of waiting for you all to break the rules, why don't we just bend them?"
He reached for the tablet in his hand. With a few quick taps, the mission board at their side instantly changed. The red lock symbol vanished, and the mission to Quadrant 5 was now available to Team RWBY. Ruby looked at the screen, a wave of relief washing over her. She took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Ozpin's with a renewed sense of purpose.
"We won't let you down," Ruby said, her voice full of a quiet, sincere resolve.
Ozpin's expression remained calm, but his words landed with a newfound gravity. "Teamwork and persistence have carried you far," he said, his voice a low, serious hum. "But you must understand that the things that await you beyond the protection of the kingdom will not care. They will not care for your teamwork, nor will they care for your persistence. They only care about your strength and your will to survive. The world outside these walls is not as forgiving as I am."
He took a slow step back from the team, his gaze fixed on them. "Stay close to your Huntsman at all times and do exactly as he says. He will be leading you on this mission, and he can have you sent back to Beacon if he finds your skills to be unsatisfactory."
With that final, sobering warning, Ozpin turned and walked away, his footsteps silent on the polished floor, leaving the four girls standing alone.
The easy confidence and playful bravado that had filled the air moments ago evaporated in an instant. Team RWBY looked at each other, the unspoken truth of Ozpin's words reflected in their eyes. The mission was no longer a fun adventure or a way to get ahead. It was a test. And failure was a very real possibility. They had won their first battle in the city, but the real war was just beginning.
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Team RWBY walked out of the amphitheater, their conversation a private bubble in the midst of the bustling crowd of students. Their earlier unease had given way to a quiet, determined resolve.
"I know what he said was the truth," Ruby said, her voice soft but steady. "And it's going to be tough. We're on our own, and the things out there… they won't care about our training." She looked at her teammates, her gaze unwavering. "But I know we can do it. We've never backed down before, and we're not going to start now."
Weiss smiled, a soft, encouraging look on her face. She reached over and took Ruby's hand, her touch gentle but firm. "That we will," she said, her voice filled with a quiet confidence.
After a moment of walking and getting distracted by another team, Team RWBY finally arrived at the airfield. Bullheads were scattered across the tarmac, their rotors already whirring to life as students hurried to their designated crafts.
Ruby felt a familiar, primal shift inside her. The beast within stirred, a low, restless hum in her gut, a signal that she was on the verge of a hunt. "Hmm..." she said, her hand clenching into a fist.
Weiss, still holding her hand, looked at her partner. "What's wrong?"
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing," Ruby said quickly, shaking her head. "I just... I maybe should have gone to the Emerald Forest before the mission... so I could feed. I guess I got distracted."
A gentle smile touched Weiss's lips. "Well, you'll have to find time to feed on this mission. There are Grimm out there, so I'm sure you'll find the time."
Ruby smiled back at her, a wave of relief washing over her. She gave Weiss's hand a small squeeze.
Just then, as they waited for their Huntsman to arrive, a familiar voice rang out, fast and frenetic. "Why hello, girls! Who's ready to fight for their lives!"
The four girls looked at each other, their faces a mix of surprise and nervousness. The hyper-caffeinated form of Professor Oobleck stood before them, a wide, enthusiastic grin on his face. Their leader had arrived.