Megan Branwen

by MakeLemonade

Summary:

Megan Bran is a prodigy trainee of 2 Headmasters, Vytal Tournament Winner, and the best damn Huntress-in-Training Shade had to offer before being transferred to Beacon.

Or, in lore terms, a young bandit trained by none other than the Branwen twins, runs away to Vacuo and ends up taken in by Theodore, and also a key player in the war against Salem as she soon turns into Ozpin's assistant and secret agent. This is all while she begins to understand what it's like to be a teenager in a 5-person team at Beacon Academy in her second year.

Chapter 1: Megan Bran

 

The last thing Megan expected was to meet Roman Torchwick tonight,

 

AGAIN,

 

But stalking Ruby Rose is full of surprises.

 

“Meg,”

 

Megan let out a long sigh, the wand of dust twirling around in her hand as she twirled around, chewing her gum annoyingably loud.

 

“Hand over the dust, kid.” Roman held out his hand, palm open as he waits for the weight of his dust to land in his hand.

 

“Roman, pleasure to see you again.” She smirked, and the chewing was irritating Torchwick majorly. “You look dashing tonight, might I add.”

 

“You’re not a good flirt.”

 

“Never said I was.” You winked. “You’re not that much older, only 19.”

 

“The dust.” He spoke even harsher, now very annoyed.

 

Megan stopped chewing her gum, instead choosing to swallow it as her smirk fell. 

 

“I shouldn’t be the one you’re worried about.”

 

“Then who?” He scoffed.

 

She nodded her head in a direction and in a second, there was the sound of glass crashing.

 

Ruby Rose, had kicked one of Torchwick’s henchman out the window.

 

One single kick.

 

However there’s no need to go into depth about what happened after; Ruby chases Torchwick, Megan follows her, Glynda to the rescue, and then…

 

~~

“How could you be so irresponsible?!” Glynda yelled as she paced back and forth, Ruby sitting in an interrogation room.

 

“Be nice Glyn, she’s a kid.’ Meg chuckled.

 

Glynda just rolled her eyes. “Be glad i’m not sending you home with a slap on the writst.” She almost growled at Ruby, the girl quite literally squeaking at it before Glynda left the room.

 

“My name’s Megan.” She sat across from Ruby, putting down a plate of cookies. “You most likely don’t know me, but-”

 

“Everyone knows you.” Ruby grinned, “You’re Megan Bran, Shade Academy’s Vytal Tournament winner! You’re global.”

 

Meg laughed. “Didn’t think people still talked about that.”

 

“Yeah,” Ruby chuckled, yet she seemed nervous.

 

“Is…is she coming back?”

 

It took Meg all of her willpower not to laugh. “Glynda?”

 

Ruby nodded.

 

“Professor Goodwitch was just…worried for your safety. She just shows it in odd ways.” Meg smiled. “She’ll be back because…we’d like for you to meet someone.”

 

Confusion dawned over her. “Who? And Professor?”

 

“I go to Beacon now.” Meg chuckled. “No longer at Shade. Glynda’s my teacher.”

 

Ruby shuddered. “That must be horrible..but, who do you want me to meet?’

 

As if they were listening, Glynda walked back in with none other than Headmaster Ozpin- The Headmaster of Beacon Academy.

 

“Ruby Rose.” He spoke, the steam in his cup of coffee (hot chocolate actually) flying into the air as he walked in. “You have…”

 

He leaned in closer,

 

“Silver eyes.”

 

“Uh…” She blinked, not knowing what to do.

 

However he ignored her confusion as Megan pulled out her scroll and brought up the footage from the surveillance cameras from tonight; Ruby fighting Torchwick’s henchman.

 

“Where did you learn to do this?” He pointed to her scroll as she held it up, letting Ruby watch.

 

“Signal Academy!” She answered gleefully.

 

“They taught you to use one of the most dangerous weapons?” Megan asked.

 

“Well not them in particular- My uncle, he’s a teacher.’

 

Megan, Ozpin and Glynda all looked at each other.

 

“It’s just that we’ve only seen one other person use a scythe like that.” Glynda spoke, slight annoyance in her voice since she knew exactly who that other person was.

 

“Qrow Branwen?” Ozpin asked.

 

“YEAH!” She almost yelled, happiness now taking her over at the mention of her uncle.

 

“He;s my uncle! He’s a professor at the Academy. Before, I was complete GARBAGE. Then he helped me with my weapon and I was all like Watchow!! Hoowah!!” She proceeded to make karate-type movements along with sound effects.

 

Ozpin chuckled while Glynda rolled her eyes.  “So I’ve noticed. Now, what is an adorable girl- such as yourself- doing at an Academy to train Huntsman and Huntresses?”

 

She seemed to calm down at the question. “I want to be a Huntress.”

 

“You wish to slay monsters?” Megan asked.

 

She nodded, her enthusiasm now coming back and Megan, Glynda and Ozpin mentally prepared for it. “ Yeah! I only have two more years of training left at Signal! And then I'm going to apply to Beacon! You see, my sister's starting there this year, and she's trying to become a Huntress, and I'm trying to become a Huntress because I wanna help people. My parents always taught us to help others, so I thought: Hey, I might as well make a career out of it! I mean the police are alright, but Huntsmen and Huntresses are just so much more romantic and exciting and cool and really, gosh, you know!”

 

The three adults in the room just blinked, not entirely understanding anything she just said given how fast she spoke.

 

Ozpin just shook his head, “Do you know who I am?’

 

She nodded, now calm. “You’re Professor Ozpin. Headmaster of Beacon Academy.”

 

He smiled. “Hello.”

 

“Nice to meet you.” She smiled back.

 

He then pointed at Megan. “Do you know her?”

 

“Megan Bran.” She smiled wide. “Vytal Tournament Winner.”

 

“She’s familiar.” He spoke, looking at Megan who smiled.

 

He turned back to Ruby, “Would you like to come to my school?” He asked.

 

Ruby’s eyes widened, joy overcoming her face.

 

“More than anything.”

 

~~

 

“Oh I can’t believe my little sister is coming to Beacon with me!!” Yang hugged Ruby tight, practically squishing her.

 

Ruby rolled her eyes, looking out the window of the Airship taking them to Beacon. “Please stop.” She groaned.

 

“But I’m so proud of you!!”

 

“It was nothing, Yang.” 

 

“What do you mean nothing?” Yang scoffed. “Everyone’s gonna think you're the bees knees.”

 

“But I don’t wanna be-” Ruby was cut off by laughter and her and Yang turned around to see a group of 4 people and-

 

“That’s the girl from last night!” She gasped.

 

Yang’s eyes widened. “Ruby- that’s MEGAN BRAN!”

 

“I know!” Ruby whisper-yelled back.

 

“You know, Ozpin hand-picked her for the transfer system. Heard she might even be Ozpin’s assistant.”

 

Ruby’s eyes lit up. “That’s so cool! You know, her and Ozpin seemed close. Who’s she with?”

 

However before Ruby’s question could be answered, the news hologram sparked to life.

 

“The robbery was led by none other than nefarious criminal Roman Torchwick, who continues to evade authorities. According to the shop owner, last year's Vytal Tournament Winner Megan Bran had chased after Torchwick, along with a girl who’s name is currently not known. If you have any information on Torchwick’s whereabouts, please contact the Vale Police Department, or Headmaster Ozpin. In other news, this Saturday’s Faunus Civil Rights Protest turned dark when members of the White Fang turned up and disrupted the ceremon-”

 

The hologram was disrupted when ANOTHER hologram took it’s place- Glynda Goodwitch.

 

“That’s a face I’ll never get tired of seeing,” Coco breathed out, staring at the hologram of Goodwitch yet not paying attention.

 

“I see it everyday.” Megan chuckled.

 

“I can’t.” Fox spoke with a deadpan, and Megan and Coco had to hold onto each other for dear life not to laugh at their blind teammate.

 

“Funny.” Yatsuhashi murmured- he was sitting on the floor of the aircraft, meditating.

 

“Is it really meditating if you’re listening in?” Velvet asked.

 

“You tell me.” He sighed out, straightening his back.

 

“That’s the girl who I saved last night,” Megan whispered, pointing to Ruby.

 

“She’s puny.” Coco murmured.

 

“She’s 14.”

 

“This place will eat her up alive.” Yatsu murmured, Fox and Velvet nodding their heads in agreement.

 

“Her weapon is a Scythe.”

 

Yatsu’s eyes were now opened, his mediation clearly done.

 

“Yeah,” Megan whispered with a nod.

 

“You can’t be serious.” Velvet shook her head with a scoff.

 

“I’m more serious than Vacuo’s first ever rainstorm.”

 

The group looked at her in confusion.

 

“Vacuan joke- y’all wouldn’t get it.”

 

“No shit.” Coco whispered. “I hate Vacuo.”

 

“Are you still mad I kicked your Team’s ass?” Megan smirked.

 

In the tournament for the final round, Megan had gone up against Coco, and Megan obviously won.

 

“You wish.” Coco smirked back.

 

As the aircraft started nearing Beacon, Megan took one final look at Ruby,

 

And she instantly knew this was gonna be her worst fucking year ever.

Chapter 2: Welcome to Beacon

“Professor Ozpin?” Megan called as the doors of the elevator opened.

 

Ozpin was sitting in his chair facing his window, watching the airfcrafts fly by and more students pile into the front of the school.

 

He spoke, but didn’t turn. “You wanted to see me?”

 

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

 

“No.” He shook his head. “Not at all.”

 

He paused, taking a moment to turn his chair. 

 

He had a stern look on his face, and his fingers were laced together as his elbows were planted on his table, arms up. He moved one hand to push his glasses up, 

 

“But she’s our only hope.”

 

“You said the same thing about Summer.” Megan whispered.

 

Ozpin frowned. 

 

“We must be patient, Megan. You and I both know this is a long journey, and I need everyone on my side.”

 

“I’m sure everyone will be, Ozpin, but I don’t believe having me stalk Ruby Rose will help us in defeating Salem.”

 

He stood up, taking ahold of his cane as he made his way towards her. “Believe me,”

 

He now stood beside her, “It will.”

 

Walking towards the elevator, Megan followed behind, listening to him speak, “I want to know what her team is up to; I have a feeling Miss Rose will want to have an encounter with Torchwick again.” 

 

Megan was now beside him, waiting for the elevator to open. Letting out a sigh, she spoke, “So, is that my mission the rest of the year?”

 

He shook his head, chuckling as he strode into the elevator once it opened, “Perhap’s a few side missions here and there, but Qrow can handle yours for now.”

 

“Qrow’s been off the grid for 2 months,” Megan deadpanned. 

 

“Yet he is you and I’s most trusted.” 

 

The elevator doors shut.

 

~~

Megan walked into the First Years Orientation, standing at the back as she waited for Ozpin to begin his speech so everyone could calm down. 

 

Despite the fact she was a second year, she’s never been at Beacon before; She may as well be considered a first year at this point.

 

“Megan Bran?” 

 

Megan turned her head to the voice that spoke to see a bright red-head- literally- making her way towards her.

 

Megan smiled, “Pyrrha Nikos?”

 

Pyrrha’s eyes slightly widened, “You know me?”

 

“Four-time consecutive winner of the Mistral Regional Tournament,” Megan said with a chuckle, “I’ve seen you fight. You’re better than me.”

 

“Might be one of the best compliments i ever heard.” Pyrrha grinned. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be celebrating your victory?”

 

Megan laughed, “That victory was months ago. I’m here for Beacon’s transfer year. Feels…odd.”

 

“I know the feeling,” Pyrrha sighed, letting out a little chuckle. “Leaving home was genuinely a surprise…even though I wanted to.”

 

“You and I both. Honestly, I deserved a break from the constant sand and sandstorms…”

 

The two of them broke out into fits of laughter.

 

Suddenly, feedback rang around the room, students groaning at the high-pitched sound as Ozpin tapped onto the microphone. 

 

The ringing went silent along with the students.

 

“I’ll keep this brief.” Ozpin spoke into it, 

 

“You have travelled here today in search of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new skills. And when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people.”

 

He paused,

 

“But I look amongst you and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose, direction.”

 

A few students started to whisper and murmur.

 

“Brutal,” Megan said, under her breath.

 

“You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove to you that knowledge can carry you only so far. It is up to you, to take the first step.”

 

Ozpin walked off, Glynda now stepping up.

 

“You will gather in the ballroom tonight. Tomorrow, your initiation begins. Be ready.”

 

“Sounds rough.” Pyrrha spoke, slightly nervous.

 

“Be glad it’s not worse than Vacuo’s.”

 

Pyrrha lookd at Megan, intrigued.

 

“We’re forced off an aircraft with no parachutes into the dessert and we have to find gold.”

 

Pyrrha’s eyes widened and Megan only laughed as she strode off, ready to see her teammates.

 

~~

 

“Honey I’m home!” Megan yelled, kicking the door open.

 

“Way to make an entrance.” Yatsu let out an annoyed sighed, once again trying to meditate in the middle of the room.

 

“My bad,” Megan chuckled, “So, which is my bed?”

 

“The floor.”

 

Megan deadpanned at Fox’s words, who just snickered.

 

Fox and Yatsuhashi’s bed was a bunk bed that they…somehow formed. Yatsu sat on the bottom while Fox on the top, and then there were 3 singular beds to the side, the one on the end having no bags on it.

 

Megan made her way to the bed, setting down her own luggage and backs that she somehow accidentally left on the aircraft. She thanked the brothers they brought it to Glynda.

 

…and also thanked them that Glynda didn’t burn it.

 

“So, what’s the plan? Don’t exactly know what you guys do…”

 

Fox sighed, sitting up to stare right at Megan, and it felt like he could actually see her with how hard he was staring at her. “Classes don’t start until after the initiation tomorrow, so we just chill. Tonight, however…” He smirked, looking over at Coco.

 

Seriously, how did he know where everyone was.

 

Coco smirked back. “Usually we give the first years a welcome party that they don’t know about. We host it in the ballroom where they sleep- we just have to get there before them.”

 

“Is that why you’re getting ready?” Megan asked, watching as Coco threw clothes out of her closet- how’d she even get it up??- onto her bed.

 

“Might be some cute first years,”

 

“That’s disgusting,” Velvet gagged. “Could never go for someone younger.”

 

“When they’re a girl, it’s better.” Coco winked.

 

“Megan, you might wanna change into something warmer,” Velvet commented, choosing her own clothes for tonight. “It gets cold easily at night,”

 

“It gets cold at night in Vacuo too.”

 

Everyone, including Fox and Yatsu, stared at her with a deadpan expression.

 

“30 degrees is not cold.” Yatsu chuckled.

 

Megan was wearing the most average outfit ever; A pair of black shorts, a tube top that was actually just wrapped up bandages- don’t ask how it was formed into a shirt- and that was it. 

 

There was no place for her weapon; She used her semblance to summon it.

 

Coco threw a light blue sweater at Megan; The sweater almost felt like a shawl- something she was used to back in Vacuo. 

 

“Thanks,” Megan smiled, putting the sweater on. It was very loose, just how she liked it.

 

~~

 

Later that night, the first years were definitely surprised to find a bunch of 2nd, 3rd and 4th years in the ballroom all dressed up for a night out, while the first years pulled up in their pajamas. 

 

Somehow, Megan had gotten split from her group and now she was standing awkwardly in the back, waiting for this to end as she let out probably her 3rd yawn in 10 minutes.

 

That was, until, she noticed someone in the same predicament as her.

 

A first year, she assumed; She was in black pajamas, had a black bow and was sitting in a corner in a book.

 

Megan smiled, thinking that she’d like this girl as she strode over.

 

“What book?” She asked.

 

The girl looked up, slight surprise that someone came over and talked to her, yet she kept her composure. 

 

“A man with two souls.”

 

Funny, Megan almost wanted to say.

 

“My favourite’s The Boy Who Fell From The Sky.”

 

“Really?” The girl asked, a slight smile on her face. “A girl actually came a while ago and told me that was her favourite book. I think her name was-’

 

“Velvet?”

 

The girl blinked.”How’d you know?”

 

“She’s my teammate.”

 

“Thought you went to Shade?” The girl asked.

 

Megan sighed, “So does everyone question why I’m here at this point?”

 

“Well, imagine everyone’s surprise when The Vytal Tournament Winner is for, some reason, in Vale instead of Vacuo. Transfer year?”

 

Megan nodded. “What’s your name?’

 

“Blake. Blake Belladonna.”

 

Belladonna; Megan knew that name instantly.

 

“Familiar name.”

 

Blake’s facade dropped just a bit. 

 

“Megan!” A loud voice called, and she turned around to see Ruby and a blonde making her way over.

 

“Hey Ruby!” Megan grinned. “How’s your first day?”

 

“So bad,” Ruby sighed out.

 

“Aren’t you the girl who exploded?” Blake asked.

 

Megan looked at Ruby confused. “Exploded?’

 

“Yeah…” She nervously giggled, rubbing the back of her head. “I like…inhaled this really mean girl’s dust and I sneezed and then exploded.”

 

“That really mean girl is behind you.” 

 

Ruby let out a screech, jumping into the blonde’s arms.

 

Megan knew that was Yang Xiao Long- Ruby’s half-sister.

 

Listen, Ozpin making Megan stalk Ruby meant she knew absolutely everything.

 

The “mean girl” was Weiss Schnee; She was a stuck-up snob, just like her sister. 

 

“Do I wanna know?” Megan asked, confused at what was happening.

 

“This girl here is an idiot!”

 

“Don’t call my sister an idiot, ice queen!” Yang yelled back at Weiss.

 

Blake just sighed, continuing to read her book as if nothing was happening in front of her.

 

“Woah, seems you got a party, Meg.” Coco strode over with Fox at her side.

“Great, now there’s more people.” Ruby whined.

 

“It’s nothing.” Megan shook her head. “Just an argument.”

 

‘It’s not an argument when she wasted precious dust! Do you know how much time and effort went into making that stuff?!”

“Making it?” Megan scoffed, now getting annoyed. “You stole that dust from Vacuo!”

 

“That wasteland doesn’t deserve it.”

 

“That wasteland is my home.” Megan glared as she took a step towards Weiss, said girl then stepping away from Megan.

 

Weiss eyed Megan up and down before letting out a chuckle. “Looks like you’re from it too.”

 

“What the hell is your problem?” Coco scoffed, now standing beside Megan.

 

“That’s enough.” 

 

At the sound of heels, the members of Team CFVY straightened their backs, somehow hoping Glynda wouldn’t notice them.

 

“I think it’s time this party ends. “Glynda said, pushing her glasses up. 

 

“And for all of you to go to sleep.” She eyed Weiss, before her gaze moved to Coco.

 

“Coco, perhaps get your team to look over the syllabus for your next class.”

 

“Yes Professor.” Coco nodded, clearing her throat.

 

“Let it go.” She whispered to Megan, who let out a sigh along with a nod.

 

She glared at Weiss again, hoping she knew she wasn’t getting off easy this time.

Chapter 3: The Next Step

“I hope a Grimm eats her during her initiation.” Megan grumbled, clutching tightly onto the handles of her shopping bags.

 

“That’s rough.” Fox murmured. 

 

“She didn’t deserve to talk about Vacuo like that.”

 

“Agreed,” Velvet nodded, her bunny ears moving too.

 

They were all out shopping on their last day of freedom before classes officially started; Megan and Velvet’s focus was to shop for more school supplies, since Velvet ran out and Shade doesn’t exactly use binders or textbooks a lot. It’s more based on memory.

 

Shade also had no lockers; They firmly believed you had to carry your weapon at all times. 

 

Coco was focused on getting new clothes and accessories for the year, Yatsu had gotten some skincare and items to help him meditate, and Fox just tagged along since he didn’t wanna stay alone, and Coco had forced him to come. She claimed; “as team leader, I say no one gets left out”.

 

“Meg, can you read out our classes?” Velvet asked, stopping infront of a store for the items she needed, “I need to know how much I need to get.”

 

She nodded, pulling out her scroll to read them out. “At seven-thirty we have breakfast. At eight, we have The Foundation of Dust with Glynda, then at Nine-forty-five we have History with Oobleck. At Eleven-fifteen we have Aura Training with Ozpin-”

 

“Aura training?” Yatsu repeated, “That’s new.”

 

“At least there’s something new from last year,” Coco yawned out- It was probably 11 in the morning now; they’d gotten to the plaza around 10:30. Initiation started at 1 and they wanted to watch the First Years.

 

“-Twelve-thirty we have lunch. One-thirty we have Survival Tactics and Grimm Studies with Port. At Two-fifteen we have Stealth and Security with Mrs. Greene. At Four we have a spare, so no class. At six we have combat training with Glynda until Seven.”

 

“This is gonna be a brutal year,” Fox let out a sigh as he shook his head.

 

Velvet had hummed a “yes” as she grabbed possibly 10 textbooks, 5 binders, 3 pencil cases, 25 dividers-”

 

“Velvet!” Coco scoffed, “Calm down!”

 

“I need everything!” 

 

Megan had just laughed as she grabbed her own items. In full honesty, she didn’t know how to shop for school items. Shade was the first ever school she’d gone to, and she didn’t need a lot. She just decided to follow what Velvet did…but with a lot less stuff.

 

She paid quickly for her stuff while Velvet was still choosing, and Coco was getting impatient.

 

However, she felt a buzz in her pocket and pulled out her scroll;

 

A new message from Ozpin.

 

Come to my office, please.

 

How the hell does she explain to him she’s all the way in the city and needs to take an Aircraft back to Beacon?! She nervously typed a response.

 

I’ll be there in half an hour.

 

Ozpin responded in 5 seconds.

 

Pardon?

 

Gods.

 

M;

Ozpin, I’m all the way in the city.

 

O;

Fly.

 

He was not serious.

 

“Hey guys, I gotta get back to the school.” Megan said, now holding her new bag.

 

“Oh really?” Velvet asked, her face expression changing to a sad one. “Why?”

 

“Assistant duties.” Megan gritted through her teeth.

 

Coco snorted. “Meet us back at the dorm later!”

 

“Will do!” Megan called as she started to walk away.

~~

 

Ozpin had the absolute audacity to look at her bewildered when she showed up in his office, MORE than half an hour later.

 

“I thought I was clear when I meant for you to be quick?” 

 

Megan deadpanned. “You’ve gotta be bullshitti-”

 

“Ahem!” Glynda cleared her throat, pushing herself off the pillar she was leaning against as she walked towards Ozpin. “Do you know what today is?’

 

Megan blinked, “...the Initiation?”

 

“Correct.” Ozpin smiled, and it made Megan smile just a bit.

 

 “I need you to watch it over with me,”

 

Her smile fell immediately.

 

“What? Why?”

 

“If I remember correctly, your mission this year is to watch over Ms. Rose.” Glynda reminded.

 

Megan scoffed. “I should’ve never came here.”

 

“You put yourself into this mess,” Ozpin chuckled.

 

Yeah…

 

~~~

By the time it was almost 1, Ozpin, Glynda and Megan were now at the top of Beacon Cliff; It was overlooking a forest- a dark one at that. In front of the 3 were silver plates on the ground, all embedded with symbols.

 

“So, what’s the plan here?” Megan asked, a bit confused.

 

“You’ll just need to explain everything.” Ozpin answered, “They’ll be launched into a forest; The first person they see is their teammate, and they cannot leave their side. They must make it to the end of the forest to find an ancient ruins and pick a chess piece. After, we’ll determine their teams for the next 4 years.”

 

“That’s…fun…”

 

In the next few minutes, the cliff had more first-year students join in; The first who came were Weiss and Pyrrha. Megan had waved at only one, and glared at the other.

 

Easy to be able to tell who.

 

Ruby and Yang came next, Blake stalking behind them and a few other students then.

 

“Is that all?” Megan asked, as all students started to stand on the silver plates.

 

Glynda nodded.

 

Ozpin cleared his throat, taking one final sip of his “coffee” (it’ll always be hot chocolate, he just loves saying its coffee to seem more, ‘mature’.”

 

“For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest.”

 

Glynda nodded, then clearing her own throat. “Now, I’m sure many of you have heard of the assignment about ‘teams’. Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion; Each of you will be given teammates… today.”

 

A lot of the students started murmuring, and Megan could see the clear nervousness on Ruby’s face as she groaned.

 

“That being said,” Megan spoke loudly, trying to get everyone to quiet down, “the first person you make eye contact with after your landing will be your teammate for the next 4 years,”

 

“What?!” Ruby had whined, shock all over her face. 

 

Megan almost felt bad…but she giggled a bit. “After you’ve partnered up, make your way to the end of the forest.” Her smile had dropped, instead her face now was more serious. “You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path.”

 

Ozpin nodded his head in agreement, “You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene unless deemed necessary. You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. We will regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?”

 

A boy with blonde hair raised his hand nervously.

 

Megan remembered him from the day they got to Beacon; He wad puked on the aircraft.

 

“Yeah, um, sir?’

 

“Good!” Ozpin spoke loudly, trying to convey the hint he didn’t want to answer anything. Megan had to hold back her laugh. “Now, take your positions.”

 

Everyone started to strike a position on the silver plates. Megan noted how their stance was; Ruby’s was proper, her legs were bent just a bit and her back was straight. Yang had gotten her fists out, and Megan realized the gauntlets on her wrists must’ve been her weapon.

 

She loved fighting physically instead of weapons; Kudos to Yang for that, she thought. 

 

A girl with ginger hair had crouched low, and Megan wondered what her weapon was. A boy beside her- black hair, green shirt, white pants- had wielded his weapons. 

 

The blonde boy’s hand was still up.

 

“Sir?’ he called again. “I’ve got a question…So, this landing strategy th-thing, Uh, wh-what is it? You’re like, dropping us off or something?”

 

“No,” Megan shook her head. “You will be falling.”

 

Somehow, the boy didn’t see the plates being launched into the air and a bunch of students flying towards the forest. How does a future Huntsman not notice the most obvious surroundings? 

 

“Do you hand out parachutes?’

 

Ozpin answered this time, also shaking his head. “No, you will be using your own landing strategy.”

 

The ginger-haired girl flew off with a yell of happiness, and Megan wished she could be that positive.

 

Yang had put on a pair of glasses, making Megan snort, and she soon flew into the air with a “Woo-hoooo!”

 

“So, what exactly is a landing strate-GYYY!” The blonde-haired boy started to scream as the stone he was on launched him into the air, him flying around like crazy.

 

Ozpin just took a sip of his hot chocolate, Glynda took a look at her scroll, and Megan could only laugh.

 

She pulled out her own scroll to take a look at the cameras; They were everywhere. Somehow, there was some…in the air?? Maybe it was really tall trees. She switched the camera over to the one she saw Ruby in and she could hear the sound of wind.

 

“Do they have sound?” She asked,

 

Ozpin nodded, now taking a look at her scroll to watch with her.

 

“Cool,” Megan whispered; They didn’t have stuff like this back in Vacuo.

 

Then, Megan noticed a black crow flying on a different camera- towards Ruby. 

 

Megan’s eyes widened. “Is that-”

 

She switched the camera back to Ruby, and she gasped as Ruby hit the bird, screaming “BIRDIE NO!” 

 

Ozpin’s eyes had simply widened, and Glynda just blinked rapidly.

 

“-Qrow….” Megan finished her sentence.

 

It was silent for a minute, before Glynda started to burst out in laughter, and Megan smiled just a bit as she switched to a different camera.

 

The camera that showed the crow was no longer a crow, and instead a swearing Qrow.

 

“That’s too funny.” Megan had to hold back her snorts as Ozpin smiled, shaking his head.

 

After Qrow’s swearing fit, he had turned back into a crow and flew up, still mumbling by the time he turned back when he made it to the cliff.

 

“Qrow Branwen!” Megan grinned, “Welcome back! Everything good?”

 

Qrow scoffed, “Everything good?” He mocked in a childish voice.

 

“I swear sometimes I hate that pipsqueak,”

 

“You can’t hate your own niece,” Megan rolled your eyes, “It’s like how you can’t hate me,”

 

“I do hate you,” He deadpanned.

 

“Hate you more.” She deadpanned back.

 

Ozpin cleared his throat, trying to clear the tension between the two, “Any news?’

 

Qrow shook his head, “Haven’t found the people who attacked fall yet.”

 

Megan frowned, “They’re still out there?”

 

Qrow nodded, “Hiding out somewhere. For sure though, they’re not in Vale anymore. Checked everywhere,”

 

“They are.” Glynda spoke,

 

“What?” He asked

 

“It was a few days ago; A Dust shop got robbed,” Qrow turned his attention to Megan, “Ruby was there- I was only there for my mission. Torchwick robbed it, and he ended up fighting Ruby. They got onto this roof where he tried to escape, and the same person who attacked Fall helped him escape.”

 

Glynda nodded, “Megan and I were able to fight her- we knew what her fighting style was like. She didn’t use a semblance or a weapon…” She trailed off,

 

“She used Fall’s powers.” Megan finished off for her. “I was able to recognize it in an instant. She’s here.”

 

“That bitch,” Qrow spat, reaching into his pocket to get his flask as he took a whole swig of it, “First fall, now my niece,”

 

“What if she’s going after the other maidens?” Megan asked.

 

“The only maiden we should be worried about is Spring,” Glynda said, “We still don’t know where she is,”

 

“We obviously know where Summer is,” Qrow mumbled, rolling his eyes.

 

“Winter is being dealt with by James,” Ozpin finished off, “Right now we should focus on finding someone for the Fall Maiden,”

 

“Any idea?” Qrow asked,

 

“You could still take the offer, Megan,” Ozpin offered, a gentle look on his face.

 

Megan shook her head, “Not again.”

 

Ozpin just sighed, but his gentle look did not wary as he straightened his back and cleared his throat. “Let’s continue to watch over the initiation. Qrow, go freshen up. I’m sure getting hit by your niece isn’t a nice feeling,”

 

Megan snorted.

Chapter 4: Branwen

The initiation had gone by pretty smoothly with no altercations or problems!

 

Well, other than Ruby burning down part of the forest, Ruby getting stuck with the stuck-up ice princess aka Weiss, Ruby and Weiss riding a nevermore, Weiss falling off, Ruby and Pyrrha almost getting killed by the Death Stalker and then basically all of that repeating when they made their way back to the school.

 

In full honesty, Megan was a lot more interested in Blake; The girl had full on flew onto an evermore and ran across it while slicing her katana into it.

 

Megan had asked Ozpin about her, and she was slightly surprised to learn she hadn’t even gone to an academy beforehand, and took the entrance exam solely on her own intelligence.

 

She wasn’t that surprised though- she knew of Blake, more specifically her last name. Belladonna was famous all across Amina, and with Megan’s history, she’s had experience with the White Fang. 

 

However, Megan had no right to expose Blake- not that she was ever planning or thinking about it. She just thought it would be best not to mention Blake’s past, especially now considering she’s part of Team RWBY.

 

OH RIGHT!

Along with Ruby getting stuck with Weiss, after the initiation, Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang formed a team; Team RWBY, pronounced Ruby. Ironic, right?

 

Megan had spoken all night about how bad she felt for the time that they had Weiss, and Team CFVY laughed at it.

 

“You really hate that girl, don’t you?” Coco chuckled, folding her uniform clothes for tomorrow.

 

Megan rolled her eyes, turning over on her bed to face Coco. “Coco, you have to meet her to know how much I hate her.” 

 

“From her family name I can tell I already don’t like her.” Velvet spoke up.

 

Coco looked confused, “What’s her family name.”

 

Yatsuhashi deadpanned. “She’s a Schnee.”

 

Coco scoffed, “Well that changes everything!”

 

“I don’t care much about her family name,” Megan shook her head, “Believe me, I’ve met her sister, and they’re both bitches but at least her sister isn’t entitled.”

 

“You’ve met her sister?” Fox asked, his eyebrows raising in surprise.

 

Megan nodded. “When I was in Atlas-”

 

“You’ve been to Atlas?!” All of them yelled, Yatsuhashi even sitting up and Coco pausing her laundry.

 

“Why is that so shocking?” Megan’s smile was more of a confused smile now, yet she was also intrigued and entertained now.

 

“Well…you.” Velvet referred to your whole outfit. 

 

Megan blinked, looking down. Okay yeah, it was really revealing, and definitely couldn’t fit the cold of Atlas. At least she had the sweater Coco gave her! 

 

“Well, I wasn’t in Vacuo constantly. I mean I’ve been to Mistral-”

 

“MISTRAL?!” All of them screamed.

 

“Well, I constantly moved foster homes since-”

 

“FOSTER?!”

 

“What’s with all the screaming?!” Megan yelled, now a bit irritated.

 

“You’re an orphan?” Yatsuhashi asked, shocked.

 

Megan nodded.

 

“Since when?” Coco asked.

 

Megan blinked, now shocked alongside with them. “Oh, I don’t know, since my parents died?!”

 

“This is such a funny conversation.” Fox snorted.

 

“We’ve got a lot to learn about you.” Velvet sighed.

 

~~~

 

When Megan opened her eyes, it was hardly even light outside. Megan was used to waking up around 6 since Shade classes started at 7, so when she slowly manuevered herself out of her bed and around the room to push the curtains, hardly any light filled their room.

 

“Meg,” Velvet yawned, “I hope you know I can hear everything you do.”

 

Megan winced, she forgot Velvet can hear literally everything with her bunny ears. “Sorry, Velv,”

 

Quickly, as to not bother Velvet anymore, she grabbed her uniform and left, deciding she’d just change in the girls changerooms. Maybe even take a shower too. She debated on it while walking there- she wanted a quick chance to be able to hit the combat grounds and train quickly. 

 

When she got to the change rooms, she decided the shower was off the list and she would tonight. She normally would never train in the uniform, especially because she’s not used to uniform, but if she has combat training with Glynda every evening, then it’s time to get used to it.

 

The training grounds was connected to the change rooms, so she quickly made her way over. It was 6:22, so she had one hour until Breakfast. 

 

While setting up the lights to how dim she wanted it to be, she thought of which semblance she’d use.

 

Right- her Semblance is the ability to copy other semblances, but only if she has ever interacted with their aura or has taken their aura. The only times she can ever fully take an aura, is if she kills them.

 

Her aura is a lot stronger than majority of people.

 

However, she felt using multiple different semblances was overwhelming for people, and it would be great in a fight, but she really did care about her grades and didn’t wanna overwhelm Glynda- even if she did know about it. 

 

She decided she’d use a semblance similar to glass; A few months ago, she was fighting Roman Torchwick- hence how annoyed she was to run into him again a few nights ago- and ended up dealing with this little pink haired girl who’s semblance was related to glass. 

 

They fought, and Megan got a sense of her aura, and practiced the semblance. She could break into glass, allow her to create physical illusions by turning into something different than herself, form glass objects or weaponsn (this was one of her personal favourites) she could also summon her weapon.

 

Along with copying semblances, she started to somewhat copy Velvet’s- just in a different way. Off of her own memory, instead of photographic memory, she could use any weapon she thought of.

 

However, she stuck with her fists and her katana. She’s a great physical fighter, especially since she’s been all around the world, but for Grimm, she does need more than that. The same little girl she fought a few months ago- Neapolitan, was her name, she thinks- she copied her “umbrella” weapon.

 

Megan had to hand it to her, Neo’s weapon was more commonly used to fight Huntsman and Huntresses instead of Grimm, so she knew what she was getting into. Megan thought it was smart.

 

She obviously can’t use that weapon in class though- people would be really confused if her weapon was a “physical” type of weapon.

 

Once the lights were perfect; Bright but not too bright- mostly dim, she put her hand out and tiny particles hovered around her hand, a solid soon forming out of it.

 

A katana- a dust infused one.

 

Don’t ask how she changes the dust. With the multiple semblances she has, she just thinks it’s one of those.

 

Her katana is not her original weapon- nothing is. But she thinks the katana is the most original she has, because she’s been training with this weapon since she was a child.

 

A certain someone had close to the same weapon. The person she’s thinking of has a scabbard, and she has to replace her sword each time to infuse new dust into it. 

 

Megan frowned at the thought of that person.

 

She hasn’t thought of Raven for a while.

 

She shook her head, deciding she didn’t need to think of this right now and started the training course; 5 mechanical robots lifted from in-ground platforms around her; They were copies of Atlesian Soldiers. The eyes lit up red, their target now being Megan as she charged towards her. 

 

Megan turned the katana, sticking it into the ground. She used whoever and whatever’s semblance to turn the dust-infused katana into one of gravity, lifting her up as she pushed herself around, kicking the soldiers one by one and sending them to the ground. 

 

The katana stopped glowing purple- gravity- now neutral as she waited for the soldiers to get up.

 

One got up and stuck their hand out, the literal handgun coming out as it started to shoot bullets.

 

Megan quickly changed the weapon to Neo’s- the umbrella- and dodged each bullet. However, she wanted to get used to turning the katana crazy fast like how she’s seen other Huntsman do it. So, when the soldier took a quick break to reload as the other ones started to do the same, she switched the weapon back.

 

She felt like this was a bad idea, especially with not being entirely used to turning a katana to dodge bullets, but it wouldn’t hurt to try.

 

The soldiers started to shoot again, and Megan actually succeeded at dodging most of them, the swiftness of the katana hitting the bullets and sending them back. However, some got through and hit her.

 

Her aura didn’t flicker once.

 

That’s how strong her aura is, it’s not easy to break. 

 

She trained her aura for years, so if someone was near her- like 10 metres away- she could feel their aura instantly. It was overwhelming back in Vacuo when she’d be around a bunch of people and couldn’t control her aura.

 

She owes her life to Headmaster Theodore and Professor Rumpole.

 

Sensing something behind her, Megan turned around and noticed a soldier running straight at her. She had 2 choices; Physical, or do a flip into the air while throwing up her katana and kicking the handle- very small chance of her actually getting the handle.

 

The second choice, obviously. 

 

She threw her Katana up, using all her might to jump up and flip herself back.

 

Instead, the katana helped the entire other way and she kicked the end of it, sending it flying for it to hit the floor on the other side of the room. Thank god she had shoes on- if it was Vacuo where she was used to fighting in slippers, the katana so would’ve stabbed her foot.

 

The soldier continued running to her, and she prepared herself to physically fight it. However, the sound of a gunshot ran throughout the room and in an instant, the soldier/robot was shot down- it now glitching and twitching before it dimmed, signalling it was shut down forever.

 

Megan turned to see none other than Qrow, his scythe converted into a gun, slight smoke coming out of it.

 

She just scoffed. “I had it handled,”

 

“Did you? He deadpanned, his scythe now back to it’s normal foldure, resting on his back. Reaching into his chest pocket to grab his flask, his eyes stayed on Megan. “Raven teach you to do all that?”

 

He took a swig of his flask, making Megan frown.

 

“Yeah. She taught me a lot. Not like you’d know.”

 

He frowned back.

 

“How long is this gonna go on for, Megan?” He asked, now genuine- his back was actually straight.

 

“What?” She asked, acting oblivious.

 

“Don’t play dumb- I taught you better than that.”

 

“You didn’t teach me shit,” She spat, glaring. “It was all Raven. Even if she was brutal, she taught me how to survive. Where were you?”

 

“Meg-” 

 

“Shut it.” She scoffed, pushing past him and making her way out of the change room.

 

Even if they raised her,

 

Megan will always hate the Branwen Twins.

Chapter 5: Aura Training

“This is such bullshit,” Megan whispered with a scoff, Fox nodding his head in agreement.

 

Team CFVY and Megan  were in History currently, but they had no idea their class was mixed with the First Years class.  

 

Oobleck was speaking at such a fast pace that Megan accepted the fact she was going to fail this class. Especially because they were supposed to write down everything he said.

 

Velvet, of course, heard him so well despite his fast pace that she could write everything down. Megan made a mental notice to copy her notes. 

 

“Now, I have a brilliant idea!” He spat- literally. His saliva was going everywhere other than his coffee cup.

 

The doors to the hall opened and everyone turned to see Port, holding a cage that had something in it; Clearly, since it was thrashing back and forth trying to get out.

 

“What the fuck am I hearing?” Fox asked, “and why do I sense-“

 

“Grimm.” Both of their auras were clearly able to tell a Grimm was in that cage. 

 

“We would like one of you to step up, and fight this monster.” Port laughed loudly, despite the fact he was clearly struggling to bring the thrashing cage down. 

 

Megan just shook her head, raising her hand as she pushed her aura to use her semblance.

 

The cage started to raise, leaving Port who let out a confused noise, along with other students letting out a few surprised gasps. Megan moved her hand, the cage then stopping at the front of the class in front of Oobleck.

 

Port looked around the clsss, noticing Megan’s aura slightly pulsing. He nodded to her with a smile, and she smiled back.

 

Another semblance she had- she honestly couldn’t remember who’s it was- was Telekinesis. She thinks it’s from a woman she fought in Vacuo.

 

Port now stood at the front to the side of Ooblec, “Monsters! Deeeemons... Prowlers of the night! Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names, but I merely refer to them as prey! Ha-ha!”

 

Port stood awkwardly, no one laughing at his joke. Oobleck just shook his head, indicating it wasn’t a good joke. “Uhhhh... And you shall too, upon graduating from this prestigious academy! Now, as I was saying: Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world! Our planet is absolutely teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces! And that's where we come in. Huntsmen! Huntresses…”

 

Megan could notice his not-so-subtle wink towards Yang and she frowned. “You see that?” She whispered to Coco, but she was asleep. 

 

Port continued, “Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves! From what, you ask? Why, the very world !”

 

“AYYY-YEP!”

 

A student from the back of the class had stood up and yelled and Coco’s head shot up, everyone staring at the kid strangely while he just sat down, embarrassed.

 

“Uh, yes. Now, let me tell you a story about a young, handsome, huntsman…Me!”

 

“That’s enough!” Oobleck cut in, and Megan was thankful. “I say it’s time we test one amongst our own, shall we?”

 

“Yes!” Port smiled, but you couldn’t see under the mustache. Hell, you can’t even see anything under that mustache.

 

“In here is a Bourbatusk,” Oobleck pointed to the thrashing cage, “Who would like to step up and how us the true embodients of a Hunt-”

 

“I DO, SIR!” Weiss yelled, and Megan rolled her eyes.

 

Team RWBY was sitting right in front of Team CFVY, and Megan could notice throughout the entire lecture how Ruby was bothering Weiss a lot; Her drawings, trying to annoy Weiss, etc.

 

Weiss was fed up with it, and Megan had to give kudos to Ruby because everyone just loves an Ice queen.

 

“Tell me how it goes,” Fox murmured- already knowing it was Weiss who volunteered.

 

“I hope it mauls her.” She whisper.

 

“Brutal.” Blake snorted, turning to look at Megan.

 

Megan was surprised she was able to hear that, but then she glanced at the bow on the top of Blake’s head. 

 

Megan just chuckled. Yang looked at Blake confused, but she just shook her head, not bothering to tell her.

 

Port nodded, “Step forward, and face your opponent!”

 

Weiss went to the front of her class, her weapon ready at her side.

 

“You got this Weiss!” Ruby yelled.

 

“Gooo, Weiss!” Yang cheered.

 

“Fight well.” Blake just shrugged- she’s not a big cheerer, Megan could tell.

 

“You got this!” Pyrrha yelled, her teammates agreeing with nods and yells of “Yeah!”

 

“Ruby, I’m trying to focus!” Weiss targetted her annoyance onto Ruby, and anyone could visibly see her shrink into her seat as she went quiet.

 

“Brutal,” 

 

Fox’s voice suddenly popped into Megan’s head and she almost jumped, ignoring how said man snorted. “Stop doing that!” She sent back.

 

Fox’s semblance was telepathy- and he LOVED doing it randomly to scare the shit out of his teammates. Fox may look serious, but he is quite literally the spawn of Satan. 

 

He opens up a “channel” with his semblance, meaning Team CFVY and Megan could all communicate within each others heads.

 

“Now I know what you mean,” Coco’s voice now joined, “Weiss is a bitch,”

 

“All Atlesians Are,” Yatsuhashi thought- well, not exactly.

 

Port uses his axe to slash the lock off the cage, jumping back immediately as the boarbatusk charges straight towards Weiss.

 

She immediately rolls to the side to avoid it, and Port laughs. “Weren’t expecting that, were you?”

 

Weiss started to charge towards the monster, her weapon straight forward and ready to stab it. However, her weapon gets stuck between it’s tusks yet she holds on, flying around like crazy as the boar kept thrashing, trying to her away.

 

“New approach…I like it!” Port called, trying to encourage Weiss, but really he knew she wasn’t doing that well at the moment.

 

Megan and Coco were clinging onto each other for dear life, trying so hard not to laugh out loud as they let out wheezes, and Velvet glared at them.

 

“Not nice, you guys!” 

 

“THIS IS TOO FUNNY, VELV!”

 

“Show it who’s boss, Weiss!” Ruby yelled.

 

“I think she’s doing the exact opposite,” Coco added, and everyone in the group was now wheezing- even Velvet, who was trying to stop.

 

Weiss glared at Ruby, but with one thrash her weapon disassociated from the monsters tusks and she went flying.

 

“Go for it’s stomach, Weiss!’ Ruby continued to yell, “It has no armour under-”

 

“STOP TELLING ME WHAT TO DO!” Weiss yelled.

 

“STOP BEING AN ARROGANT BRAT!” Megan yelled, and Port’s jaw dropped to the point you could actually see what was under the mustache.

Weiss was angered even more now as it was coming closer and closer, but Weiss activated her semblance and blocked the roll, leaping up onto the now-black snowflake symbol and turning it blue again so she can drive the blade into the Boarbatusk's stomach. It squeals and falls silent while Weiss gasps in relief.

 

“Well done Miss Schnee!” Oobleck clapped.

 

Port laughed. “Bravo! Bra-vo! It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training! I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings, and... stay vigilant ! Class dismissed!”

 

Weiss said nothing to her team as she grabbed her books, instead pushing past them to leave the class quickly.

 

“Sheesh, what’s with her?” Jaune asked.

 

Jaune was the team leader of team JNPR- Pyrrha’s team! It concluded of Jaune, Nora, Pyrrha and Ren. They were all very opposite from each other, but that’s what made them a great team.

 

Team RWBY looks at each other, the same question in mind, yet Blake is the only one who shrugs. 

 

Ruby was still upset at how Weiss yelled at her like that and Megan made her way towards her, putting an arm around her shoulder. “She’s just mad that you knew how to fight it better than she did.” 

 

Ruby just giggled, all the teams walking out of class together.

 

However just as they all walked out, Weiss was down the hall. 

 

“Weiss” Ruby called, using her semblance to speed towards her.

 

“What?” Weiss scoffed, hands on her hips to show she wasn’t in the mood to talk.

 

Megan had now caught up after having to run down the entire hallway.

 

“What’s wrong with you-?! Why are you being so-”

 

“What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you ? You're supposed to be a leader, and all you've been so far is a nuisance!”

 

Megan’s jaw dropped, completely ready to yell at Weiss to defend Ruby, but it seemed she had it under control.

 

She scoffed, her previous sadness now taken over by anger. “What did I do?”

 

“That's just it - you've done nothing to earn your position! Back in the forest, you acted like a child, and you've only continued to do so!”

 

Ruby took a calmer approach, unlike Weiss. “Weiss, where is this coming from? What happened to all the talk about 'working together'? I thought you believed in acting as a team.”

 

Weiss just shook her head, “Not a team led by you . I've studied and trained. And quite frankly, I deserve better.” She started to walk away, but stops to turn back to Ruby. “Ozpin made a mistake.” 

 

Ruby stood there shocked, and Megan was angry. She almost wanted to yell at Weiss for saying that about Ruby, AND OZPIN! There is no way in hell anyone could ever say that about Ozpin.

 

“Do you think she’s right?” Ruby asked with a sniff, tears starting to brim at her eyes. “Did Ozpin make a-”

 

“Don’t finish that sentence,” Megan cut her off, yet before she could defend Ozpin’s choice, her aura sensed someone familiar.

 

“Now, that wasn’t very nice, was it?” Ruby gasped at Ozpin’s voice and turned to see him walking towards the two.

 

“Professer, what are you doing here?” Ruby asked, wiping her eyes.

 

“I was on my way to my Aura Training class when I overheard all of that. I suppose this is something much bigger I should attend to.” He took a sip of his hot chocolate, his cane tapping on the floor. 

 

Ruby looked down, “Is she right? Did you make a mistake?”

 

Ozpin laughed, “Now, that remains to be seen.”

 

“What do you mean?” Ruby asked.

 

Ozpin smiled. “I mean, it's only been one day. Ruby... I've made more mistakes than any man, woman, and child on this planet. But at this moment, I would not consider your appointment to leader to be one of them.” He leaned in to get a better look at Ruby, “Do you?”

 

Ruby started to think, but Ozpin continued. “Being a team leader isn't just a title you carry into battle, but a badge you wear constantly. If you're not always performing at your absolute best, then what reason do you give others to follow you?”

 

She looked thoughtful at his words, then she started to smile, and Megan knew that Ruby becoming team leader was no mistake- They all knew.

 

“You've been burdened with a daunting responsibility, Ruby. I advise you take some time, to think about how you will uphold it.”

 

Ruby nodded, and Ozpin’s gaze switched to Megan. “Now, if I’m not wrong, I have a class with you right now, correct?”

Megan smiled. “Correct.”

 

The both walked away, Megan taking one look back at Ruby to see the girl walking to her next class with pride and confidence. 

~~

 

Aura training was a rather smaller class with just the second and third years. However, the class consisted within the training room. Megan had an idea that this class wasn’t gonna be boring.

 

“For those who don’t know me, and I’d be rather shocked if you didn’t, I am Headmaster Ozpin, but you may just call me Professor. This class is one of the many new classes we added this year, and it keeps true to it’s name; You will be using up a lot of aura, so I suggest you all eat up plenty before this class in the future.”

 

He cleared his throat, walking around the centre of the room. “Aura is a manifestation of the soul, a life force that runs through every living creature on Remnant, whether they are a meager shopkeep or a renowned knight. The reason for this class is that you don’t need an aura just to remain strong, but you can also use it to fight,”

 

This was gonna be interesting.

 

“You can use your aura to creat shockwaves- it can kill plently of Grimm in a wide range. You can use your aura to heal other people, you can use your aura to activate other auras. There is plenty you can do, hence why this class now exists.”

 

“Who here knew that Grimm are not only attracted to negative emotions, but also your very souls – your Aura.”

 

Only a few people raised their hands.

 

“I’m glad you’re all honest with me, “ He smiled. “It’s a great start, because you’ll all need to be trusting me a lot in this class.” 

 

Velvet raised her hand,

 

“Yes, Miss Scarletina?”

 

“What’s the syllabus?” She asked.

 

He smirked, “there is no syllabus.” 

 

“What?” She asked, confused along with everyone else.

 

“I would prefer that you don’t treat this class as an actual class, but instead think of it as training. I do not lie when I say you will engage your aura plenty in this class, because almost every day, you will be using it against Grimm, and your peers.”

 

“This is why I say you must trust me, because along with using up your aura, it will also deplete to the point it will shatter.” He straightened his back, and pointed his finger at Megan.

 

She looked at him confused, but he just pointed his finger to the spot beside his. Still confused, she stood up and made her way towards Ozpin’s side.

 

“Mr. Alistair,” Ozpin next.

 

“Yes?” Fox asked.

 

“Mr Alistair has a great skill that most of you don’t have; The ability to tell someone’s aura. I have a student at my side, one that you are semi-familiar with. Could you tell me who’s it is?”

 

Fox straightened his back and closed his eyes, letting out stable long breaths while also inhaling for quite a while. No one dared to speak, scared to break his focus.

 

After a minute, he opened his eyes.

 

“Megan.”

 

Megan’s eyes widened, and so did everyone elses.

 

Ozpin smiled. “Correct.”

 

Fox let out a laugh, Coco high-fiving him and Yatsuhashi patting him on the back while Velvet congratulated him.

 

“Could someone tell me why I asked Fox to tell Megan’s aura, but not…hmm…his team leader?”

 

Velvet raised her hand.

 

“Yes?”

 

“He’s familiar with our Auras more than Megan’s.”

 

Ozpin nodded. “Beautiful. The more time you spend around someone, the more you are able to tell their aura- you just don’t know it yet. I would like you all to get together with your teams and come down here for a…fun task.”

 

The task was that one person would be blindfolded in the team, and Ozpin would tell them to identify a certain member. A bunch of people did get it wrong the first few times, including Megan, but Ozpin pressured that it was normal and would take some time to get used to.

 

“Megan; Identify Coco.” Ozpin said, this now being her fifth time- He had switched the people for the previous times and would make them move around after the last round so she wouldn’t have some sort of hint. 

 

“Focus,” He said, now going quiet. 

 

Megan inhaled, engaging her aura. She could tell it was becoming a bit draining, but she ignored it, instead focusing on her teammate’s aura. She could sense multiple, yet one felt right- it felt warm. It was strong, very strong, and Megan was subconsciously walking towards it.

 

When she felt her hand touch a fabric, someone behind her removed the blindfold.

 

Coco was grinning at her once she could finally see. “Hey there,”

 

Megan breathed out a laugh.

 

“Well done, Ms. Bran.” Ozpin smiled, and her team congratulated her. 

 

Ozpin cleared his throat, speaking loudly to the class. “Now, I would like to do one final task including Ms Bran, if you could all take your seats.”

 

Everyone made their way back to the benches, Megan staying down with Ozpin.

 

He spoke loudly to the class while also speaking to her. “There is a total of 20 people in this room, excluding me and Megan. However, I have someone familiar that’ll come in, and Megan will find them by their aura, blindfolded.”

Megan gulped.

 

Everyone was now watching, intrigued, and behind her, Megan could hear the doors to the training room open yet she couldn’t look. She tried her best not to follow their footsteps- she wasn’t a cheat.

 

Ozpin put the blindfold back onto her and stepped away, indicating for her to start.

 

Doing the same procedure, she tried her best to focus. It was hard with so many people in the room that their auras were almost bothering her, but she kept trying.

 

She engaged her aura so much to the point she could feel herself tingling.

 

To her right, behind her, she could feel an aura away from the groups of aura. It was definitely not Coco’s, or Fox’s, or anyone else. This one was new, but not new that she didn’t know who the person was.

 

She made her way towards it, and she almost felt scared. It wasn’t Ruby’s, or Pyrrha’s- so who was it?

 

It was too familiar. 

 

With shaky breaths she made her way closer, and she hesitantly put her shaky hand out, trying to feel something.

 

She felt a shoulder. 

 

It took a few seconds for her to feel hands on the back of her head- she flinched when the light hit her eyes.

 

Once she was adjusted, she met the eyes of the person.

 

Qrow.

 

He was smiling at her, and she smiled back. She didn’t know why, she really didn’t, but she couldn’t stop herself.

 

“Class dismissed.” Ozpin called, and everyone was running out, happy to finally be able to eat lunch.

 

“Good to know you’re still familiar with my aura,” Qrow smiled down at her, before walking towards Ozpin and Megan took a glance back, however she was called by her team, an impatient Coco talking about how she wasn’t gonna stand waiting on an empty stomach all day.

 

With one final look at Qrow, she made her way to her team.

Chapter 6: Cardin

Notes:

I wanted to get a bit more into depth abt megan and qrow...I know it's confusing but I swear slowly her story is revealed

“You’re fucking with me,” 

 

At Coco’s anger, Megan looked up from her food to follow Coco’s gaze; First Years were picking on Velvet and pulling her ears.

 

Team RWBY and JNPR were seated with them, and they all turned to follow Coco’s gaze too.

 

“Cardin,” Yang growled.

 

“He’s been picking on everyone since day 1, including you, Jaune.” Pyrrha frowned. 

 

“Whaaat?” Jaune scoffed, his voice high-pitched. “He’s just messing with me! All jokes! It hasn’t been that long.”

 

“It’s been a month since school started.” Fox murmured.

 

Right, it HAS been a month and Megan was missing Shade Academy. The workload at Beacon was so much compared to Shade, and it was stressing Megan out, especially since she also has the weight of the world on her back.

 

Her classes were going well though, ESPECIALLY Aura Training- Yesterday 

 

Coco stood up, ready to go yell at Cardin to let go of Velvet, but Yatsuhashi put his hand on her shoulder and shoved her back down- him instead getting up.

 

“This should go good,” Nora grinned.

 

Yatsuhashi made his way over to Team CRDL’s table, and as he stood behind them, his shadow almost seemed like it was becoming bigger and bigger while becoming scarier too.

 

Cardin froze, letting go of Velvet’s ears as he slowly turned around and he squeaked once he saw the 7 foot man behind him.

 

“You better get out of here before I-” That was all Yatsuhashi had to say before team CRDL was running out of the cafeteria, and team RWBY and JNPR were laughing their asses off.

 

“Assholes like Cardin don’t deserve to be in this school,” Blake scoffed, and everyone nodded their heads in agreement.

 

“You okay, Velv?” Megan asked once Velvet and Yatsuhashi made their way to the table.

 

She shook her head and put her food down, eating it in silence.

 

Megan frowned.

 

“Just messing with you?” Pyrrha repeated Jaune’s words to him. “He locked you in your transportable locker and sent you flying into the city of Vale.”

 

“Just fun jokes!” Jaune laughed. “I didn’t even land far from the school.”

 

Everyone glared at him.

 

“You can always ask for help, Jaune,” Pyrrha offered, a kind smile on her face.

 

“We’ll break his legs!” Nora yelled, shocking Velvet out of her sad trance.

 

“Cardin is absolutely atrocious. I hope he gets kicked out.”

 

Yang frowned, “It must be hard being a Faunus,”

 

Megan glanced at Blake, who just looked back down at her book.

 

~~

 

Speaking of Faunus, now back in history class, Oobleck was talking- more like running his mouth- about the Faunus War.

 

“ Yes! Yes, prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution- more popularly known as the Faunus War,” Oobleck zoomed up to the front of his class and points to a map, “Humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing Faunus population in Menagerie.” 

 

He pointed to a small island before literally zooming to the side of the room to take a sip of his coffee and in a blink he was back at his desk. His semblance had to be speed, Megan thought. 

 

“Now! While this must feel like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that these are relatively recent events! Why, the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this day! Now, have any among you been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?”

 

Megan looked around to see a few students raising their hands, and Velvet hesitantly did so.

 

Behind her was Jaune, and behind him was Cardin; She glared at him, and he just winked.

 

“Men,” She scoffed.

 

Oobleck shook his head. “Dreadful, simply dreadful! Remember, students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence!” He paused to take another sip of this coffee, “I mean- I mean- I mean just look at what happened to the White Fang! Now, which one of you young scholars can tell me what many theorize to be the turning point in the third year of the War?”

 

Weiss raised her hand, “The Battle at Fort Castle!”

 

He nodded, “Precisely! And , who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces?”

 

Cardin flicked a rolled up paper ball at the back of Jaune’s head and he sputtered, “Hey!”

 

“AH MR ARC!” Excitement crossed over Oobleck as he ran to Jaune, “Nice of you to finally participate. Now, dear boy, what is the answer?”

 

“Uhhhh... The answer... The advantage... that the Faunus... “He looked behind Oobleck to see Pyrrha, who coughs and motions to her lips as she tries to give him the answer. She cups her hand around her eyes and Jaune goes for the most obvious answer.

 

“Uhh... Binoculars!”

 

Pyrrha slapped a hand over her forehead and Megan snorted while the rest of the class started to laugh. Oobleck, in the blink of an eye, was back to the front of the class.

 

“Very funny, Mr. Arc! Cardin! Perhaps you would care to share your thoughts on the subject,”

 

Cardin smirked, “Well, I know it’s easier to train an animal than a soldier,”

 

Oobleck pushed his glasses down, glaring at Cardin. 

 

Pyrrha scoffed, “You’re not the most open-minded of individuals, are you, Cardin?”

 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He glared at her.

 

“It means I have the answer,” She glared back, “Night Vision. Many Faunus are known to have perfect vision in the dark,” 

 

Cardin growled at her- like literally growled.

 

Blake continued on for Pyrrha, “General Lagune was inexperienced, and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched, and the general was captured.” She paused to turn to Cardin, “Perhaps if he'd paid attention in class, he wouldn't have been remembered as such a failure.”

 

Cardin stood up, his fists clenched and ready to fight,

 

“Sit down, Mr Winchester!” Oobleck yelled.

 

Cardin sat down and Oobleck sighed, dragging a hand over his face. “Class dismissed.”

 

~~

 

“He’s so arrogant, rude and- UGH! He has absolutely no respect for anyone, including himself! How can someone be so messed up? He’s 16 turning 17, it’s time to fucking mature.”

 

“Who are we talking about again?” Qrow asked, “And why are you talking to me about it? I thought you hated me?”

 

He suddenly gasped, the most obnoxious smirk on his face. “Aww, do you care about me again?”

 

Megan turned to look at him, glaring. “I don’t. It’s just…everyone’s busy. Including Ozpin, and Glynda.”

 

It was now the evening, and all classes were done. “Jaune and Pyrrha are training together, Ren and Nora went to go see a movie, Team RWBY is talking stuff out after the fight with Weiss.”

 

“What about your team?” Qrow asked.

 

Megan sighed, “Velvet and Yatsuhashi are studying together for a test 2 weeks away, and Coco and Fox went on a walk together. Ozpin was too busy grading and-”

 

“You asked Ozpin to hang out?” He deadpanned. “Hate me that much, do you?”

 

“You were my last resort,” Megan shrugged. “Take it personal,”

 

“Don’t you mean ‘don’t’ take it personal?”

 

She shook her head. “I know what I said.”

 

He scoffed, “What’s this kids name either way?”

 

“Cardin. Cardin Winchester.”

 

Qrow’s eyes lit up, “No way! I know his mom,”

 

He suddenly smirked, his gaze unfocusing a bit as he was thinking about something. “Oh yeah, I know her.”

 

Megan’s jaw dropped. “Qrow, that’s fucking disgusting.”

 

He shrugged, putting his hands behind his head as he leaned back, “I’m just a woman attractor.” 

 

“I won’t be surprised if one day a kid shows up and claim’s you’re his father.”

 

Qrow glared at Megan, “Don’t jinx it. Especially considering my semblance.”

 

Megan just laughed, leaning against the bench they were both sitting on. It was in Beacon’s courtyard, so a few students walked by, some even saying hi to Megan. She’d whisper to Qrow she had no idea who they were and he’d just say “that’s what It’s like being famous,”

 

“Have you…have you talked to Raven?” Megan asked, looking down at her feet.

 

“Few weeks ago, yeah.”

 

“How is she?” Megan asked.

 

“You still care ‘bout her?” Qrow grumbled, taking a swig from his flask.

 

“Well, she raised me. Unlike some people…”

 

Qrow just sighed, “Still not over it?”

 

She looked up from her feet to glare at him, “Obviously not.”

 

“It was years ago-”

 

“And for those same years I was stuck with her.” Megan argued back, “Listen, you may think I’m overreacting, but you of all people should know what it’s like being abandoned.” 

 

Qrow frowned, “...yeah.” 

 

It was silent between the two, Qrow taking a few sips from his flask while Megan just stared at the sunset. It was a beautiful view; The bench was right over the waterfalls, so the sun perfectly reflected over them.

 

Megan broke the silence, “I want to hate you,”

 

He looked at her confused,

 

“But…but I can’t. I feel like if I did hate you, truly did, I wouldn’t be talking to you. But…but you were my everything when I was a kid. So, when you left, it hurt me to the point that, yeah, I wanted to hate you, but I couldn’t. It’s why I was so familiar with your aura a few weeks ago, because I never forgot it. I never forgot how warm it felt to have a brother.”

 

She wanted to cry, she really did, so she got up and left, leaving Qrow alone to think about everything she said. 

 

Walking by when it all happened, was Yang and Blake. Yang looked confused at Megan suddenly walking off- she had no idea what just happened.

 

Blake did, though.

 

Blake heard it all.

Chapter 7: The White Fang

Beacon’s Greatest 

2:07AM

 

Coco

Yo

 

Who the fuck is snoring so loud to the point 

I can hear it.

 

Cuz it damn well aint yatsu

 

Ruby

No I hear it too

 

Weiss

It’s Yang.

 

Megan

Say on the brothers rn.

 

Weiss

On the brothers it’s Yang.

 

Ruby

IT’S IN OUR ROOM?? I thought it was down the hall

 

Velvet

Babe get ur ears checked

 

It’s like triple the sound for me 

 

Megan

I’d say get headphones but i dont think they sell rabbit sized headphones

 

Blake

I genuinely can’t do this anymore.

 

I cannot share a bunk bed with this girl.

 

Megan

YOU GUYS HAVE BUNK BEDS???

 

Pyrrha

How did you guys make it work

 

Blake

It’s so unstable I don’t recommend it

 

Every night i go to sleep with the fear yang is gonna drop on me

 

Fox

That’s too funny

 

Jaune

How r u typing

 

Megan

He uses this like

 

Speech to text thing

 

So if he says smth weird it’s prob cuz it doesn’t hear him correctly

 

Fox

Darn tight

 

Megan

Point proven

 

He neant damn right

 

Coco

I’M NOT JOKING

 

SOMEONE

 

PUT A MUZZLE ON YANG.

 

Blake

She can still snore with a muzzle

 

Fox

Throw her outside then

 

Velvet

I’d prob still be able to hear it

 

Nora

Someone put tape over her mouth

 

Ozpin

Students,

 

Ruby

HELLO??

 

Blake

WTF

 

Coco

What

 

Fox

OSSPIN

 

Megan

THIS SPEECH TO TEXT IS TOOO FUNNY

 

Jaune

UHM

 

Ozpin,

It is 2 in the morning. Respectfully, I need my beauty sleep. My scroll cannot keep buzzing like this.

 

Fox

SINCE WHEN WERE YOU IN HERE

 

Jaune

How does caps work if its speech to text

 

Megan

HE YELLED IT’

 

Coco

Hewoke up yatsuhashi

 

Fox

PLAN MY FUNERAL

 

PLEASE

 

AAAAAAAAAAH

 

Nora

LOL

 

Ruby

THIS IS TOO GOOD

 

Ozpin has shut down the chat for 6 hours

 

“Buzzkill,” Megan muttered, watching Yatsuhashi strangle Fox while Velvet cheered them on and Coco tried to sleep.

 

~~

 

Megan’s eyes were forced open when there was a knock at her door and she groaned. It was the weekend and she just wanted to sleep in.

 

She got up and made her way to the dorm door, stumbling over literally everything as her eyes were still drooping.

 

Opening the door, she was ready to kill herself.

 

Ruby Rose being at her door is never a good sign.

 

“Hey!” She smiled, her voice so cheery that Megan almost wanted to die right there.

 

She snapped herself out of it.

 

“What’s up?” Megan yawned out,

 

“We’re all going to Vale for some shopping, you wanna come with?”

 

Megan was ready to say no, but at the same time, she wasn’t familiar with Vale yet. So…

 

“Sure, I’ll come! Let me just get ready,”

 

~~

 

“So, I thought we were shopping?” Megan asked.

 

Yang sighed, “We were, but Weiss insisted on going to the docks,”

 

Weiss smiled, “We’re going to the docks because the Vacuo and Haven students are arriving today. I simply just want to welcome them to Beacon.”

 

Now standing in front of the docks, Blake deadpans, “She actually just wants to see her competition,”

 

Weiss looked at her shocked, starting to sputter, “Now that- that is simply preposterous!”

 

“Hey, look over there!” they hadn’t even noticed Ruby wandered off until she yelled. She was pointing at a shop down the street and they all walked over.

 

Getting closer, Megan noticed the CAUTION tapes, the broken glass, missing dust. Another robbery.

 

“That’s the second robbery this week,” Megan muttured, pulling out her scroll to take a picture. She had a feeling she knew who was behind this, and she could tell Ruby knew too.

 

“You keep up with the news?” A cop behind the tape asked.

 

Megan chuckled, “At a school so boring, it’s my one entertainment.” 

 

“The only way someone could steal this much dust is for an army,” Another cop said, his friend agreeing,

 

“White Fang could’a been the robbers,” The other shrugged.

 

Weiss scoffed. “The White Fang; A bunch of degenerates.”

 

Oh no.

 

Blake looked at her confused, “The White Fang is simply just misguided,” She turned to the cops, “The White Fang being the robbers makes no sense.”

 

Ruby nodded her head, “Yeah. It was probably Torchwick. Right?” She turned to look at Megan,

 

Megan nodded, “He has been stealing a lot of dust.”

 

Weiss was now starting to get tempered as she looked at Blake, “Those Faunus only know how to lie, cheat and steal.”

 

Megan’s jaw dropped, and Blake was angry now.

 

Yang rubbed a hand on the back of her head, starting to understand the situation, “That’s not…necessarily true.”

Weiss was ready to retaliate, but she was sudden commotion at the docks. “HEY!” Someone yelled, and the girls started running over.

 

Upon closer look, there was a male with blonde hair- he was a Faunus. A monkey faunus, to be exact. He was handing upside down, his tail wrapped around a pole. “Thanks for the ride, fellas.”

 

“He must’ve snuck onto a boat,” Megan chuckled. “Done it a few times- It’s so fun! Especially when you’re on the run,”

 

The group looked at her confused and Megan grimaced. Not exactly the right people to joke about that with. Maybe Qrow, or Ozpin.

 

The boy must’ve been a student; Megan could notice a weapon, and his aura was strong. He had a button up shirt that was unbuttoned completely, showing off his chest, and blue jeans. Megan was thinking he was from Vacuo.

 

“Get down from there!” The cops from the dust shop came by and yelled.

 

The boy shrugged, “If you say so,”

 

He hopped off and started running- He was fast, like, REALLY fast. The cops started chasing after him, and he ran by the group.

 

It was almost slow-mo as he ran by. He was staring right at Megan, and he winked.

 

She just blinked, not knowing how to react.

 

“After him!” Weiss yelled and the group started running. Megan was too tired for this bullshit.

 

When Weiss turned a corner though, she literally ran into a girl- like full on fell onto her.

 

“I am so sorry! Are you alright?” Weiss asked, holding a hand out to the girl.

 

Her eyes were closed and everyone was scared she might’ve gotten a concussion, but then her eyes opened wide and she literally jumped up. “Salutations!”

 

Ruby blinked, “Uhm, hello?”

 

“Are…you alright?” Yang asked. 

“I’m splendid! Thank you for asking,” She smiled.

 

The group looked at each other, confused.

 

“Do you…wanna get up?” Yang asked.

 

She was silent for a few moments, before nodding. “Yes!” She didn’t take Weiss’s hand, instead, she literally lifted herself up by putting all her weight on her hands and jumping up.

 

The group took a step back.

 

“My name is Penny, it’s a pleasure to meet you!”

Ruby smiled. “Hi Penny! I’m Ruby.”

 

“Weiss,”

 

“Blake,”

 

“Are you sure you didn’t hit your head?” Blake smacked the back of Yang’s head. “Oh, I’m Yang!”

 

Penny looked at Megan, slight surprise washing over her when she realized who it was.

 

“Hi Penny,” Megan smiled.

 

“Hi Megan,” She smiled wide.

 

“You two know each other?” Weiss asked.

 

“Somewhat.” Megan nodded. “We met in Atlas.”

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all!”

 

“What are you doing in Vale if you’re from Atlas?” Yang asked.

 

Penny’s eyes lit up at that question,” I’m here to fight in the tournament!”

 

Weiss was surprised. “You’re fighting in the tournament?”

 

“I’m combat ready!”

 

Weiss’ eyes then lit up as she walked towards Penny, grabbing her shoulders, ‘If you’re here for the tournament, does that mean you know that monkey-tailed…rapscallion?”

 

Blake glared.

 

“The who?” Penny asked.

 

Out of nowhere, Weiss pulled out a horribly drawn picture of the boy. “The Filthy faunus from the boat!”

 

Okay, Blake had to step in. “Why do you keep saying that? Huh?! Stop calling him a rapscallion, stop calling him a degenerate! He’s a person,”

 

Weiss scoffed, letting go of Penny’s shoulders. ‘Oh, i’m sorry. Would you like me to stop referring to the trash can as a trash can, or this lamp post as a lamp post?”

 

“Stop it!” Blake was yelling now,

 

“Stop what? He clearly broke the law. Give him time; he’ll probably end up with the White Fang!”

 

“Weiss, that’s going too far-” Megan started, but got cut off,

 

“You ignorant little BRAT!” Blake yelled, storming off.

 

The two started to argue like crazy, Ruby and Yang looking at each other nervously while Megan just sighed, shaking her head.

 

The argument continued that night; Team RWBY’s dorm room was open and Team CFVY was down the hall. Velvet and Megan listened in to everything.

 

“I don’t understand why this is causing such a problem!”

 

“That is the problem!” Blake proclaimed, 

 

“You realize you’re defending an organization that hates humanity don’t you. The Faunus of the White Fang are pure evil.”

 

“There is no such thing as pure evil! Why do you think they hate humanity so much? It’s because people like Cardin, people like YOU!”

 

“Brutal,” Megan whispered, Velvet nodding her head in agreement.

 

‘People like me?!”

 

“YOU’RE DISCRIMINATORY!”

 

“I’M A VICTIM!”

 

“This is getting good,” Fox whispered.

 

Their room went quiet for a bit, Weiss talking soon after. “You want to know why I hate the white Fang? It’s because they’ve been at war with my family for years,”

 

“Here we go,” Megan rolled her eyes.

 

“It was an actual bloodshed; My grandpa’s company is a major target for the White Fang, And ever since I was a child, I’ve watched family friends disappear. Board members were executed. An entire train cart full of dust stolen. My father would come home furious, making a very difficult childhood.”

 

“Weiss, I-” Ruby started, but Weiss interrupted.

 

“No! You want to know why I hate the White Fang? It’s because they’re a bunch of liars, thieves, and murderers!” 

 

‘WELL MAYBE WE WERE JUST TIRED OF BEING PUSHED AROUND!”

 

The entirety of Team CFVY’S jaws had dropped to the floor.

 

“Oh my god,” Coco whispered.

 

“No way,” Fox murmured.

 

Megan and Velvet looked at each other shrugging; They both always knew Blake was a Faunus. She just hid it.

 

It was silent in the room, and after a few seconds, Blake ran out and down the hall, Ruby calling for her.

 

Megan quickly ran to grab Coco’s sweater, following Blake.

 

Yet on her way, she bumped into someone familiar..

 

~~

Blake stood in front of a stone statue outside of the school. It was one where Huntsman and huntresses were stomping on Grimm.

 

With a tear rolling down her cheek, she reached the back of her bow and pulled it off, showing her cat ears.

 

“Knew you’d look better without the bow,”

 

She gasped and turned around, only to see Megan and the same Faunus from earlier.

Chapter 8: Rooftop Talks

“Did you always know?” 

 

Megan turned her head to look at Blake, “Know what?”

 

“That I was a Faunus.”

 

“Your last name gave it away,”

 

It’s been an hour since Blake’s fight with Team RWBY, and she couldn’t muster up the courage to go back to her dorm. Not yet, at least. Blake had nowhere to go, and Megan wasn’t gonna leave her alone.

 

They were with the same boy from earlier- Megan had learned his name was Sun. Sun Wukong. She was right when she thought he was from Vacuo; He was born and raised there, but instead went to Haven to take a break from the constant heat.

 

They were now laying on a roof of a tall building, Megan in the middle and Sun and Blake at her sides. They both promised her they wouldn’t leave tonight, not after everything that happened. Megan found this kinda peaceful honestly. Everyone was home sleeping, there were no cars honking, no ships flying, just the moon shining onto them as they stared up at the sky.

 

“My last name?” Blake asked. 

 

“Your father used to be the leader.” Megan reminded, but that wasn’t what Blake was confused about.

 

“No- how do you know he was though?”

 

“Sorry to but in-” Sun cleared his throat, “Leader of what?” 

 

“The White Fang,” The two girls spoke at the same time, “You know it?” Blake asked.

 

Sun scoffed, “Of course! I don't think there's a Faunus on the planet who hasn't heard of them. Stupid, holier-than-thou creeps that use force to get whatever they want. Bunch of freaks, if you ask me!”

 

Megan stared at Sun, mouth slightly agape as she could not believe him right now. Was he that stupid?

 

Blake, even though Sun couldn’t see her, deadpanned. “I was part of it,”

 

Sun immediately sat up, “Wait a minute, you were the member of the White Fang?”

 

Blake now sat up, but Megan was still laying. Goddamn she was tired and had no energy.

 

“You could almost say I was born into it. Back then, things were different. In the ashes of war, the White Fang was meant to be a symbol of peace and unity between Humans and the Faunus. Of course, despite being promised equality, the Faunus were subjected to discrimination and hate. Humanity still thought of us as lesser beings. And so, the White Fang rose up as a voice of our people. And I was there. I was at the front of every rally. I took part in every boycott. I actually thought we were making a difference. But I was just a youthful optimist.”

 

She paused, looking down at her lap with a frown, “Then, five years ago, our leader stepped down, and a new one took his place. A new leader, with a new way of thinking.Suddenly, our peaceful protests were being replaced with organized attacks. We were setting fire to shops that refused to serve us, hijacking cargo from companies that used Faunus labor. And the worst part was, it was working. We were being treated like equals. But not out of respect... out of fear.”

 

“So, I left. I decided I no longer wanted to use my skills to aid in their violence, and instead, I would dedicate my life to becoming a Huntress. So here I am: a criminal hiding in plain view, all with the help of a little black bow.” She held up her untied black bow, wiggling it in the air. It felt nice to feel the breeze finally go against her cat ears.

 

“Does the rest of your team know?” Sun asked.

 

Blake shook her head. “No. Not yet, at least.”

 

“What about you?’ Sun asked, looking down at Megan with a smirk. “A girl likes you seems to hold a lot of secret,s”

 

Megan felt very oddly attracted to this man.

 

Megan shrugged, “There’s a lot.”

 

“What about you and Qrow?”

 

Now Megan was sitting up.

 

She looked at Blake with a confused face, “...What do you mean?”

 

She looked away shyly, “I mean…I heard what you said to him, the day you two were on the bench- I was just on a walk I swear I didn’t eavesdrop purposely!”

 

Megan layed back down, thinking back to Qrow. He left for his next mission that same night, and she wanted to feel bad for saying that to him before he left, knowing she won’t see him for months and hell, maybe he might not even come back at all.

 

But she couldn’t find herself to feel bad.

 

She looked at Blake, and she was genuinely considering telling them the truth. She felt like Blake deserved it, especially after admitting her own truth.

 

“Did you know Qrow has a twin?” Megan asked, and before Blake responded, Sun cut in.

 

“Sorry- who’s Qrow?”

 

Megan snorted. “He’s Ruby and Yang’s uncle- Blake’s teammates.” 

 

He just nodded, “Carry on.”

 

“No,” Blake shook her head. 

 

“Well his twin is Yang’s mom. Her name was Raven.”

 

“I thought summer was Yang’s mom?” Blake asked.

 

Megan shook her head, “Summer is Ruby’s mom. They’re half-sisters. Yang is the daughter of Taiyang and Raven, while Ruby’s mom is Summer. Qrow isn’t blood related to Ruby, but he sees her no different as he sees Yang,”

 

“What does Raven have to do with you?” Sun asked.

 

Megan frowned,

 

“She raised me.”

 

~~

 

“Ray, I’m tired,” 7-year-old Megan was close to fainting to the ground, the sword in her hand starting to feel heavy.

 

“You need to train,” Raven crossed her arms over her chest, staring at the wooden dummy that had multiple slashes, but it wasn’t enough. “Again.”

 

“Ray, don’t be so harsh.” 

 

Megan’s eyes lit up the moment she heard the familiar voice and dropped the sword, turning to see Qrow. “Qrow!” She started running towards him, and he kneeled down, picking her up and spinning her in the air.

 

He now held her, her arms around his neck and her little legs around his waist as he rubbed her back.

 

“Where have you been?” Raven asked. “I haven’t seen you in weeks.”

 

He was glaring. “I’ve been taking care of the family you abandoned.” 

 

“I didn’t abandon them.” She scoffed, almost laughing.

 

Qrow said nothing, and Megan didn’t wanna see the interaction happening. They’ve been fighting like this a lot; Qrow would leave for a while, Raven would ask the same question when he came back, and sometimes they’d just argue, while sometimes they just don’t say anything.

 

Qrow put Megan down, patting her on the head. “Pick up that sword and show me what you learned.”

 

Megan was tired, but for Qrow, she’d do it.

 

She loved Qrow; She didn’t know whether to consider him as a dad or brother. She opted with just both sometimes. 

 

Raven was so much more meaner and harsher than Qrow, but Raven always says “It’s to help you live!” Megan just assumes she could die any day and Raven’s teachings will save her!

 

Qrow was the one who always came back with gifts, though. He was the reassuring one out of the two. Even if he didn’t look like it.

 

Megan ran back towards the wooden dummy and picked up the sword she dropped. 

 

“Fighting stance.” Raven called. 

 

“Shoulders back, knees bent, back straight, arms out.” Megan recited, and Qrow looked at Raven Impressed, who just nodded.

 

Megan slashed criss-cross on the dummy’s chest with her sword, and then with all her might, she pushed herself up to form a flip, kicking the wooden dummy in the head so hard to the point it was almost out of the ground.

 

“I want it out of the ground.” Raven yelled, noticing how it was close to being pulled out.

 

Megan let go of the sword, doing the same flip motion, but instead of kicking it in the face, she kicked it right under it, sending the dummy flying out of the ground.

 

Qrow stood motionless, shocked that a 7-year-old was capable of having that much strength.

 

“Good job, kiddo.” Qrow smiled.

 

That was the last time she ever heard him say that. He’d leave and come back a few times, but he never spoke to Megan. He’d say something to Raven then leave.

 

Then he never came back at all.

 

“You’ll learn to hate him,” Raven walked back and forth, the both of them inside a tent.

 

Megan was crying. Raven told her Qrow was never going to come back, and Megan was close to asking if she’d killed him, but she didn’t.

 

“You’ll wanna kill him.”

 

Those words kept repeating in her head. Did she wanna kill Qrow? No.

 

He was gonna come back, right?

 

With each passing day, her hope would build up. She’d sit in the forest, waiting to see a Crow fly by, or his silhouette walking in the distance.

 

The last day she waited for him is when a Grimm awaited for her in the forest, and she sat there, ready for it to attack her. After one slash, there was no one there to save her. There was no Qrow.

 

It was when Raven slashed through the Grimm, it was when she looked down at Megan, ready to yell, but said nothing after she saw the look on her face; That was when Megan realized.

 

Qrow was not coming back.

 

~~

“I hated Qrow.” Megan scoffed, “I hated him for leaving me with Raven. After that encounter with the Grimm, she thought I was weak; Put me through even more training, more scars, and more hatred for Qrow.”

 

Megan did not move once during her story; She stared up at the sky, blinking back any tears that threatened to come out.

 

“I’ve killed.” She sighed out. “So many people. It was the training Raven put me through. Said it would prepare me for when I was ready to kill Qrow. It was almost like she was brainwashing me- brainwashing me to go kill Qrow.”

“I’m…so sorry,” Blake put a hand on her shoulder, “I can’t say I know what that’s like, but I know what it’s like to be betrayed.”

 

“So, did you really wanna kill Qrow?’ Sun asked.

 

Megan nodded. “I was maybe 11 when I left. There was a train not to far from our camp, so I left in the middle of the night, running to catch it. A few trains and a flight later, I landed in Vacuo.” 

 

“So, you weren’t raised there?” Blake asked.

 

Megan smiled. “No. No it’s a lie I tell everyone.”

 

“That’s why you weren’t familiar when I saw you!” Sun laughed, “I know everyone from Vacuo- but when I found out Megan Bran, Vacuo’s finest ,” He winked, “was in Vale, I was like? Who the hell is Megan?”

 

Megan started cackling, to the point she was almost snorting. It wasn’t even that funny, but there was just something about him that made her wanna laugh at everything he said.

 

“I consider Vacuo my home, though.” 

 

“Does your team know?” Blake asked. 

 

“Eventually.”

 

“You…you’re not scared of what they’ll think of you? That your a bandit? That you’ve killed people?”

 

“I really hope you guys don’t think less of me because of that,” Megan nervously laughed, realizing that’s definitely not something she should’ve said. “But, they’re not the right team if they think different of me.”

 

She turned her head to Blake, smiling. “And I personally, even though Ice queen gets on my nerves, think your team is perfect for you.”

 

Blake smiled back. 

 

“I don’t think any different of you.” She reassured, a large smile on her face.

 

“I don’t think any different of you either.” Megan smiled back.

Chapter 9: The Docks

“Blake, I love you, but never make me do this again.” It was now morning, and Megan’s back was in pain. They had slept on the rooftop, and it was not comfortable. Sure, it was nice to look at the sky, but waking up to the bright sun and a sore back is not fun.

 

“Should’ve taken the offer to use me as a pillow,” Sun shrugged, his hands moving behind his head to stretch.

 

“And listen to you complain about your back all day?” Megan scoffed. “Fat chance.”

 

He just snorted.

 

Blake had a small smile on her face. “Apologies. You didn’t have to do that for me,”

 

“And leave you all alone, pfft!” Sun laughed, “Fat chance.

 

Megan smirked. Copying now, huh?

 

They were walking around the city. It was maybe 3 in the afternoon. They had just gotten breakfast at a local cafe, which Megan paid for since Blake forgot her wallet, and Sun just had no money. They promised they’d pay her back but in full honesty, it was okay.

 

Before the cafe, they’d stopped at a shop so Blake could get a new ribbon. She somehow lost hers. She hid in an alley while Megan ran to go buy one. 

 

“It’s Ozpin’s money.” She claimed with a smirk on her face after Blake was consistently apologizing. Ozpin was almost like her dad- she took lien out of his wallet all the time along with his card. He owed her after all. 

 

“So, do you think the White Fang is behind this?” Sun asked, now moving onto the more serious topics.

 

Blake frowned. “I don’t know. The White Fang has no reason to rob a bunch of Dust shops across Vale. The least they could do is leave a sign; show the world it’s them. That’s how they are.”

 

“What do you think?” Sun turned to Megan, genuine curiosity on his face. 

 

Megan shrugged, frowning along with Blake. “I’m not familiar with the Fang. Honestly, we spent more time fighting them. But I can tell they’re not an organization who does stuff for the fun of it. They’d leave a message for sure.”

 

Blake nodded her head in agreement.

 

Sun groaned, his head falling back along with his arms falling to his side. “So, we have no ideas?”

 

“What if someone’s making them do this?”

 

Megan’s suggestion made Blake freeze, causing the two others to stop in their tracks and turn to look at her with confusion. 

 

“…did I trigger something or-“

 

“I think you’re right,” Blake breathed out, “There’s no way the White Fang could do this on their own. Especially because they’re stopping and killing cops too. Fang members aren’t exactly trained fighters, and they don’t kill people for unjust reasons.”

 

“Who would make them rob dust shops, though?” Sun asked. 

 

Blake and Sun both looked lost, no ideas in their head at all.

 

Megan had a bad idea about this. “There’s a lot of bad people out there- Worse than the White Fang. I think they might be behind it.” 

 

“Do you know who?” Blake asked.

 

Megan sighed, “I have an idea. The thing is we’d have to actually prove it’s them to figure out what they’ll hit next and where.”

 

Sun’s eyes lit up as he widened them. “I mean... the only way to prove that they didn't do it, is to go to the place where they would most likely go to if they were to do it, and not find them there! Right?”

 

Megan blinked rapidly, not knowing how to even respond to that. “Huh???”

 

Blake breathed out a laugh, “you’re right!”

 

They looked at Megan, waiting for her to realize. She would repeat his message out loud, and maybe after 15 seconds, her eyes lit up as she let out an “OHHH” and agreed with Sun.

 

“On the ship, I heard there’s supposed to be a huge shipment of dust coming in tonight at the docks.”

 

“How huge?” Blake asked.

 

“Huge.” Sun emphasized as he also stretched out his arms to signify how ‘huge’ it was.

 

Megan smirked, “I think we found our spot.” 

 

~~~~

 

Late into the evening, the sun was starting to set as Megan and Blake were now sat atop a rooftop, watching the docks with a close eye. Sun left to go grab food. Nothing has happened yet, and Megan didn’t know if she should be happy that it wasn’t the White Fang behind this, or worried. 

 

If the White Fang wasn’t, then who was? Salem? Roman Torchwick?

 

Megan had an idea it was Roman, but the White Fang was stuck in her mind.

 

They haven’t been here long, but it felt like hours. They were laying low- literally; They were on their steps, heads resting on their arms as they watched.

 

Megan’s scroll was buzzing nonstop in her pocket, and she just ignored it.

 

Seems like someone couldn’t.

 

“Megan, even if my ribbon is on, I still have amazing hearing.” Blake turned to Megan, the cat ears under her ribbon wiggling. “Who’s messaging you like crazy?”

 

Megan sighed. “Well, when a teammate of your friends team runs away, and you leave with her and haven’t told anyone where you’ve been, you’re bound to be spammed.”

 

Blake’s face went bright red, a small smile on her face as Megan just chuckled.

 

Megan took a quick look back down at the docks, and when she concluded no one came yet, she pulled out her scroll and looked at the messages as she read them out

 

Coco

 

Where the fuck are you

 

Team RWBY is COMPLETELY gone

 

LIKE THEY’VE BEEN OUT SINC EHTIS MORNING

 

Theyre trying to find blake

 

R U WITH HER STILL??

 

Girl

 

OMFG

 

ANSWER

 

ITS BEEN HOURS

 

Dude ozpin just came looking for u

 

HE’S SAYING U USED HIS CARD AT A CAFE??

 

MEG

 

WHERE R U

 

ITS BEEN 7 HOURS NOW

 

Ong girl glynda is gonna send out a missing person report

 

We didnt tell them abt blake but they know damn well ur missing

 

Team rwby didn’t say anything either

 

WELL THEY COULDN’T CUZ THEY’RE NOT EVEN HERE

Ozpin

Why was there a 90 Ⱡ charge on my account

 

Megan

 

I sent that message 3 hours ago, where are you?

 

Megan you’re worrying me.

 

I will call Qrow.

 

Megan.

 

It’s been 7 hours.

 

Answer me.

 

We’ll talk when you’re back home, young lady.

“He’s such a dad,” Megan snorted.

Velvet

 

Hey!!

 

I know you’re still with Blake,

 

We’re kinda worried since we haven’t heard from you, and Ozpin’s looking for you.

 

Stay safe! Hope you and Blake are okay <3

 

Ruby

 

Hey Meg!

 

A lot happened after we all hungout yesterday, and Blake ran off.

 

We’re worried about her, if you know where she is or have any clues, let us know!

 

Qrow

 

Hey kiddo,

 

Ozpin messaged me saying you went missing.

 

I don’t know what ur up too, but stay safe kid.

Taiyang

 

Why is Ozpin calling me asking if you ran off to my place?????

Just as Megan was about to respond to Taiyang, she heard a thud and turned around, only to see Sun holding 3 apples. “I stole them.” Took him a while- he left before the sun had set, and now it was completely dark.

 

He handed one to Megan and Blake, moving beside Megan as he copied their positions, laying on the roof.

 

Blake took a bite while also giving Sun a questioning look. “Do you always break the law without a second thought?”

 

Megan snorted.

 

Sun deadpanned. “Hey, weren’t you in a cult or something,”

 

Megan was so close to cackling, but the wind around them started to blow harsher, and there was a bright light. Looking up, an airship- bullhead, to be exact- was landing down near the docks.

 

“Uh oh,” Megan breathed out.

 

It descended between a bunch of cargo containers, and as the doors opened, a ramp slid down. Walking down was hooded figures, masks on their faces.

 

“Is that them? Sun asked.

 

Blake frowned, “Yes.” One of the figures turned around, and a symbol of a bloody wolf was shown on their back. “It’s them.”

 

“All right, grab the tow cables!” One of the White Fang members yelled.

 

“I think deep down I knew. I just didn't want to be right.” Blake sighed.

 

Suddenly, a new voice was heard, but this one was VERY familiar to Megan, to the point she growled when she heard it.

 

Roman Torchwick was descending from the bullhead ramp. “Hey! What's the holdup!? We're not exactly the most inconspicuous bunch of thieves at the moment, so why don't you animals try to pick up the pace?”

 

Megan was now standing up, and Blake had an angry look on her face.

 

“This isn’t right.” Blake scoffed. “The White Fang would never follow someone like him. Especially a Human.”

 

“Stay here,” Megan glared, before using her semblance to break away into glass, shocking Blake and Sun. She was nowhere to be seen.

 

“Is her semblance glass related?” Sun asked.

 

Blake just shrugged. 

 

Suddenly, the glass pieces broke into even smaller pieces to the point it was dust. The particles picked up and flew towards Roman, just right behind him. The particles then started to form something; Megan.

 

“That’s cool,” Sun whispered, but then Blake was gone, and now he was alarmed.

 

Megan summoned her katana and held it up to Roman’s throat, who groaned at the familiar weapon. “For fucks sake,”

 

“Nobody move!” Blake yelled. 

 

“Another one?!” Roman scoffed, “Y’know Meg, you’re always full of surprises.”

 

“Shut up.” Megan put the katana deeper to his throat, and he grimaced. 

 

The White Fang soldiers had their guns ready, ready to attack.

 

Blake moved her hand up to her ribbon slowly, pulling on it to remove it and showing her cat ears. The ribbon flew away and Megan realized she’d have to buy a new one. 

 

“Brothers of the White Fang, why are you aiding this scum?!” Blake yelled.

 

Roman started laughing. “Oh kid, didn’t you get the memo?” 

 

“What are you talking about?” Blake asked, glaring at Roman.

 

He just smirked, but a groan quickly fell out of his mouth when Megan kicked the back of his knee. “Answer her.” 

 

“You’d really wanna kill me?” He scoffed, looking back at the katana.

 

“We both know i’m capable.” Megan whispered.

 

Roman sighed, deciding to answer Blake. “The White Fang and I are on a joint business.”

 

“Tell us what it is or we’ll put an end to your little operation.” Megan spat.

 

“I wouldn’t say little..”

 

The wind picked up and Megan and Blake looked up in horror to see more bullheads flying in, the light shining brightly onto them. 

 

Megan sensed movement and looked down to see Roman aiming his cane at her, and she quickly broke into glass as he fired it to the ground, causing an explosion.

 

Somewhere far off in the city, Ruby and Penny are able to hear and see the explosion, and Ruby knows just who’s it is. 

 

Roman started to fire more explosives at Blake, but she rolled out of the way, using her semblance to disperse into a shadow.

 

“I thought you were a lone member!” Roman called out, looking around to try and find Megan. “Didn’t expect for you to team up with kids,”

 

Suddenly, a banana peel landed on his head, and he picked it up with a disgusting face as he slowly looked up.

 

Sun was standing atop a container and he jumped onto Roman’s face feet-first, rolling away and quickly standing up into a fighting position. “Leave them alone!”

 

“You are not the brightest banana in the bunch, are you, kid?” Roman chuckled, as more White Fang members started to descend from the bullhead ramps, closing in on Sun.

 

From behind a container, Megan looked at him worried, but he just winked at her. Members of the White Fang started to run towards him, but he was able to dodge their slashes and send them down with just fists and kicks. 

 

He’s a wonderful fighter, Megan thought. Yang would like him.

 

From his pocket, he pulled out a small red stick, but it started to enlargen to the point it was a collapsible red staff and as tall as him. He swung it to hit a White Fang member in the side of their stomach, sending them down on one knee. 

 

Sun stuck his staff to the ground and he swung, kicking the member in it’s face and sending him rolling back, passed out. 

 

Roman aimed his cane at Sun, and Megan quickly intervened holding a new weapon this time. Her umbrella was pulled out and as Roman fired, the umbrella completely kept them safe.

 

Roman recognized the weapon, and now he was angry. 

 

“Recognize this?” Megan smirked. The umbrella was his assistant’s. “He’s mine!” She yelled to Sun, closing the umbrella and swinging at him as he dodged using the cane.

 

Out of the top of the umbrella was a thick and sharp needle. Megan did not plan on killing Roman, not in front of the others at least, but planned and slashing him. 

 

She quickly threw the umbrella into her non-dominant hand, (left), using her right to swing a upper-punch at him, sending him stumbling. She switched the weapon back into her right and used the bottom handle to hit his stomach, causing him to fall to the floor.

 

She didn’t notice him aiming his cane and she was hit with an explosive, sending her flying back and her aura flickering as she hit her head hard against a container, going unconscious.

 

“Megan!” Blake yelled.

 

Sun jumped in, vaulting over Blake as he kicks Roman in the chest and disconnects his staff into two flame-firing shotgun nunchucks. Sun swings each gun at Roman while firing everything but even with the rapid shots and flying bullets, Roman was still able to defend every bullet until Blake slashed at him and knocked him back.

 

Roman noticed a container beind held up by a crane right above Blake and Sun, and just when they noticed his goal, they were going to jump out of the way until a familiar voice was heard.

 

Megan regained her consciousness, and the first voice she heard was a high pitched one.

 

All four fighters looked up at the roof to see Ruby, “Hey!” She yelled.

 

“More of you?!” Roman yelled, now even angrier than before. “Hello, Red!” He scoffed, “Isn’t it passed your bed time?”

 

Megan slowly stood up, wobbling just a bit but she held onto the edge of the container. Looking at the roof she could see Penny, and her heart dropped. “Oh no…”

 

Ruby and Penny were talking, and Megan couldn’t hear, but she could see Ruby telling Penny to stay back. With her attention off of Roman, he aimed his cane and fired at her.

 

“RUBY WATCH OUT!” Megan screamed, and she turned, but it was too late, she was hit and was sent flying back.

 

“RUBY!” Blake screamed.

 

Roman started to cackle, and Penny started to walk towards the edge of the roof.

 

“You’ve made a big mistake,” Megan grinned, looking back at Penny. They both nodded at each other.

 

Her backpack opened up, and came out was several blades hovering over Penny's back. She jumped from the roof with the weapons acting as wings.

 

Three of her blades fly out to knock two White Fang soldiers down. She started to fling the swords at one enemy, impale another to a wall and create a barrier of spinning steel. She leaping over a White Fang member, and with the spinning steel, it formed wheel that knocked multiple Faunus down.

 

“Whoa!” Sun laughed, him and Blake both putting an arm around Megan to help her walk as she was limping. She must’ve fractured her ankle when she hit the container, or maybe the ground. It was a hard hit- especially if it made her aura flicker.

 

Three more bullheads came forward and opened fire, but Penny formed a shield and launches two of her swords into the container of dust behind her, which pulled Penny back with the strings. When her swords swirled around her, they opened their points form a large glowing ball of green light. 

 

With a grin on her face, several bright lasers started to fire at the bullheads and sliced each one in half, causing several of the White Fang members inside to fall to the ground hard. 

 

Ruby jumped down to the join the three, all watching in astonishment. “How is she doing that?” She breathed out, laughing.

 

There were still two swords that were connected to the containers of dust and the strings of the other swords were still on the aircrafts. With all her might, she pulled on the strings and sent the bullheads flying towards the crates, causing an explosion.

 

With everyone watching, Roman was able to jump onto a bullhead that wasn’t affected yet. “These kids keep getting weirder,” He shook his head as he flew away, the doors of the ship closing. 

 

~~

In the next hour, there were police cars swarming the docks and questioning everyone. 

 

Blake had somehow managed to find the ribbon that flew away earlier and it was back around her ears, The five kids were sitting on boxes- that were NOT filled with dust and were just small store boxes- waiting to be able to leave.

 

Then Weiss and Yang came.

 

Ruby jumped off a box and walked to Weiss, “Look Weiss, it's not what you think, she explained the whole thing. See, she doesn't actually have a bow, she has kitty ears and they're actually kind of cute…”

 

Weiss simply just ignored her as she walked past. Blake was now standing, and the two were inches away from each other.

 

Blake let out a shaky sigh.”Weiss, I want you to know that I'm no longer associated with the White Fang. Back when I was with the-”

 

Weiss put a hand up. “Stop. Do you know how many hours we’ve been looking for you?”

 

Blake blinked.

 

“Twelve hours! Twelve hours we have been looking for you, and in those twelve hours, I thought about everything. And I’ve decided..”

 

She paused, and everyone had a worried look on their faces.

 

“I’ve decided that I don’t care.”

 

The worried faces were switched to ones of shock.

 

“You…don’t care?” Blake asked.

 

Weiss nodded. “Mhm. You said you’re not one of them anymore, right?”

 

“Not since I was younger-”

 

Weiss put a hand up again. “Ah-bahp-bahp-bahp! I don't want to hear it. All I want to know is that the next time something this big comes up... you'll come to your teammates. And not some…”

 

She paused, rethinking her word choice as she looked at Sun. “And not someone else.”

 

Blake was now smiling, and so was the rest of the group.

 

Just as Weiss and Blake continued to talk, Megan noticed a car pull up near the docks away from the cop cars.

 

With everyone distracted, Megan and Penny walked towards the car, and the driver seat window opened to show a dark-skinned male, wearing Atlesian Military uniform. 

 

“I’m afraid it’s time for you to go, Penny.” Megan smiled. “You were wonderful today. As much as you’re dad won’t be so happy with you doing this, I’m sure he’ll be somewhat proud.”

 

“Thank you, Megan.” Penny smiled, entering the back seat.

 

“Thank you for watching over for her.” The Atlesian male spoke. He turned to Penny, “You should know better than to run around a foreign city.”

 

“I know.” Penny frowned.

 

He smiled sadly at her. “Your time will come.” He then turned to look back at Megan.

 

“My name’s Marrow- I’m a in-training Ace-Operative. I’ve been tasked to watch Penny.”

 

Megan smiled. “Nice to meet you, Marrow. I’m Megan Bran. Ironwood may have spoken about me maybe. Take care of her.” 

 

“Will do,” He nodded, and the window closed. 

 

Megan walked back, and it was like no one in the group noticed her and Penny left.

 

Blake and Weiss seemed to resolve everything, causing Ruby to break the seriousness in the air. “YEAH! Team RWBY is back together!!” 

 

Weiss pointed a finger at Sun, glaring. “I’m still not quite sure about how I feel about you!”

 

Sun laughed nervously, and Megan walked around to stand beside him. “I can assure you, Ice queen, he’s been a great help.” The two smiled at each other.

 

Ruby was looking around, confused. “Hey, where’s Penny?” 

 

The group now looked around, all confused. “Maybe her dad picked her up?” Megan offered, shrugging.

 

Ruby frowned, but decided it was something she’d focus on later.

 

As the group continued to talk about everything that happened, Megan felt her scroll buzz.

 

She opened it to see a new notification in a group chat between her, Ozpin, Glynda and Ironwood. Professor Lionheart- the Headmaster of Haven- and Professor Theodore- The Headmaster of Shade- were also in it along with Theodore’s assistant, Xanthe. The new message was from Qrow himself, and Megan giggled at the profile picture she had of him; It was him drooling on the ground after he got so drunk one night.

 

Her smile then fell at the message he sent.

QUEEN HAS PAWNS.

Chapter 10: How do you flirt?

“I can’t believe you did something like that,” Ozpin scoffed. He was sitting in his own in-campus suite. It was larger than the dorms. Like, WAY larger. It was like the common rooms. He had his own kitchen, 2 bedrooms that were honestly small, and a pretty good living room.

 

He was seated in the living room, on his couch. His arms were against his knees as he ran his hands through his hair, stressed. “I thought you ran away.”

 

“We all know what happened last time when I ran away,” Megan snorted, making the both of them hot chocolate in his kitchen. Well, more like she was trying too. He wanted to lecture her on how what she did was reckless, but he was so stressed out he wanted to sit on the couch. Megan offered to make hot chocolate, but she actually didn’t know how.

 

“Now James is coming here since Penny was out,” Ozpin sighed, and Megan grimaced.

 

“Do I make it with water or milk?” Megan whispered to herself, all hot chocolate instructions being different on her scroll.

 

“What was that?” Ozpin called.

 

“Nothing!” Megan nervously chuckled. “Continue your uh, lecture!”

 

The last thing Megan thought was that at 2 in the morning, she’d be struggling to make hot chocolate, and asking Ozpin to continue lecturing her.

 

Ozpin scoffed for maybe the 100th time in the last half hour. “That was incredibly reckless of you. I hadn’t heard from you in hours, Team RWBY had gone missing, even your own teammates didn’t know where you were! I messaged Qrow, Tai, everyone!” 

 

There was the sound of an explosion and Ozpin jumped, his heart dropping as he immediately started running to the kitchen.

 

However, the last thing he expected to see was Megan with hot cocoa powder and milk all over her, the microwave opened wide and a burnt spoon in it along with a broken mug.

 

He just blinked, and the two were quiet for a second before Megan started giggling, and Ozpin couldn’t help but smile. “Maybe I should make it instead?”

 

Megan nodded, but before she could walk off to change, Ozpin pulled her into a hug.

 

“You know, this is very unprofessional for the headmaster of Beacon.” Megan snorted.

 

Ozpin said nothing, instead holding her tighter. She smiled, hugging him back just as tight. “I promise it wont happen again. I was just looking out for Blake.”

 

He tilted his head down, smiling in her hair. “Even though you should’ve told me, and you were easily in danger…I’m proud of you.” 

 

“Thank you,” She whispered, and he let her go, moving towards the mess she created as she made her way towards the guest bedroom- Yes, there was a guest bedroom. Megan slept in it a lot, especially when she first arrived in Vale; it even had some of her old items and clothes. 

 

The room was clean, and it wasn’t how Megan usually left the rooms; a complete mess. Her pajamas were on the bed folded, specifically her favourite ones.

 

Just as she was about to grab it, she paused, a funny idea popping up into her head. She pulled out her scroll and wiped off any cocoa powder that was on it, and took a picture of herself with the cocoa powder and milk all over her.

Megan and Sun

M; 

Look at what I managed to do

Png.103

 

S;

 

Oh my brothers

 

LOL 

 

How do u even manage to do something like that

 

It’s literally almost 3 in the morning

 

M;

LOL FUNNY STORY ACTUALLY

 

I don’t know how to make hot chocolate

 

And i didn’t know you couldn’t put metal in a microwave

 

So

 

It exploded all over me

 

S;

This is TOO funny

 

I need to teach you how to make hot chocolate

 

M;

You really should

“Is this weird?” She asked herself. “Is this flirting?”

 

Is sending a picture of yourself with hot cocoa powder all over you considering flirting?

 

Megan was NOT a pro at this stuff. She’s never actually, well, liked someone. There were those little crushes on the little boys back when she was a kid in the bandit camps, but those hardly count. Now she’s 17, turning 18, and she doesn’t know how to flirt, she’s never been on a date, never kissed anyone; She’s a virgin when it comes to everything.

 

There wasn’t really a lot of people she could ask advice for, too. Ruby was far too young, she was the same as Megan. Weiss had mentioned a few times that the reason guys liked her was for her family name, so she was inexperienced. Blake has had a past relationship, she mentioned it on the rooftop, but Megan knew it wasn’t good, especially because Blake didn’t react well to it. Yang…well, Megan took her more as a “play-a-guy” than a “get-played,” typa girl.

 

Coco was a raging lesbian. Yatsuhashi wasn’t interested in anyone. Fox is actually surprisingly good at flirting, but just doesn’t wanna go for anyone, and Velvet is just like Ruby. 

 

Was asking Glynda for advice weird? 

 

“UGH!” Megan groaned.

 

“Megan!” Ozpin called. “Hurry up and clean yourself up, I know you’re not in the bathroom.”

 

She let out a long groan, “OKAY, DAD.” She picked up the pajamas and quickly headed to the bathroom, shoving her current clothes off and gagging at the feeling of hot milk and cocoa powder on her skin.

 

Turning on the sink, she started to splash the warm water on her chest. She really was not in the mood to do a shower right now, but for sure she would later today. 

 

Once everything was washed off, she changed into her pajamas, yet getting into her pants was quite painful; Her ankle was still fractured, and given the fact her aura was a bit low, it was taking some time for it to heal.

 

Walking out of the bathroom and towards the living room, she continued to text Sun.

 

M;

My ankle is still fractured!!!

S;

Seriously??

 

Maybe you should go get it checked out

 

Or have someone amplify your aura

 

M;

I don’t think anyone could do that right now

 

I’ll just have to wait for morning

 

S;

I really hope it gets better

 

M;

Awww u care

 

S;

Of course I care

Megan might’ve had the largest smile she’s ever had on her face in the last 17 years of her living. She couldn’t help but kick her feet a bit.

 

“Why are you smiling so wide?” Ozpin asked, and Megan let out a pleased hum at the smell of hot chocolate. “I know it’s not from the hot chocolate,” He deadpanned.

 

Megan just shrugged, “it’s nothing.”

 

He looked at her confused, but chose to ignore it as he sat down beside her, handing her the cup of hot chocolate. For a few minutes they sat in a comfortable silence, taking short sips of their drinks. 

 

Her scroll buzzed on the table, and Ozpin got a look at it first. “Who’s texting you this early,”

 

“No one!” She quickly grabbed her scroll, swiping away Sun’s new notification- she’d apologize for leaving him on read later! 

 

Ozpin just looked at her confused, and after a few seconds, decided he’d question it later with a shake of his head. “Did you see Qrow’s message?”

 

Megan frowned. “Yeah. I think I know some of her pawns,”

 

Ozpin’s eyes lit up, but more in a paranoid way, “What?”

 

“The White Fang; They’re being led by Torchwick.”

 

“What exactly happened at the docks?” Ozpin asked. “I was gonna start out with Blake, but maybe now is a good time to talk about it.” 

 

Megan sighed, putting her hot chocolate down on the table in front of her. “I’ll start from the beginning. Team RWBY and I went out 2 days ago, and we ran into a Dust shop that was robbed. The cops thought that it was the White Fang, Weiss started to say some rude stuff, and Blake and her got into a huge argument. We ended up bumping into Penny, which scared the living shit out of me-”

 

Ozpin snorted,

 

“She’s still…well, not exactly high-functioning. The way she fights is AMAZING, but I think Pietro has to fix her communication skills; Might bring that up with James when he gets here,” Megan chuckled, trying to lighten the fact that the GENERAL of Atlas was coming to Vale, and he and Ozpin weren’t on great terms. “Going into the night, Weiss and Blake kept fighting. Team CFVY and I heard everything, then Blake revealed she was in the White Fang, she ran away and I followed after her. We ended up running into one of the students coming for the Vytal Festival- Sun. We all stuck together, slept on a rooftop-”

 

“A rooftop?” Ozpin repeated, “I’ve told you multiple times-”

 

“That sleeping in absurd positions or places is bad for your health, yeah yeah. We didn’t exactly have a place to go, and I wasn’t gonna rent a hotel. We went to a cafe, which I used your card at- My bad. We kept walking around and then we got into the more serious conversations on if the White fang was behind the robberies. Sun said he overheard a big shipment coming in the docks, and we decided to stake it out.”

 

Megan frowned. “It was a lot more than we thought. The last thing I expected was to see Torchwick leading the White Fang, then I did something stupid…I kinda jumped down and put my weapon up to his throat-”

 

Ozpin smacked his forehead.

 

“Which led to Blake coming down, it started a whole fight and there were a few explosions which Ruby found familiar after the day she fought Torchwick. I got hit, fractured my ankle-”

 

“Wait what?”

 

“Not important! Sun and Blake helped me because Ruby and Penny came, but Ruby got hit and I was like “oh you’re gonna regret that” to torchwick because well, It was Penny. She did SOOOO MUCH, like someone they didn’t assume she was a robot right there and we all watched in like crazy shock. Torchwick got away, police came, I snuck Penny off to an Ace-Operative-”

 

“Ace-Operative?” Ozpin asked. “They’re here?”

 

“Just one,” Megan quickly reassured; Ozpin didn’t like James’ military personnel in Vale without his intel. “He was sent to watch over Penny, and you did agree that Penny could come if she was watched over.”

 

“I thought we would be watching over her,” He scoffed. “Is it the Ace-Operative you met back in Atlas?”

 

Megan shook her head. “No, that was Clover. This Ace-Op is an In-training one. He’s a Faunus.”

 

Ozpin’s eyes widened in slight surprise. “A Faunus? In the Atlas Military?”

 

Atlas wasn’t exactly known for its kindness towards Faunus. It’s why the whole Blake and Weiss thing started- All Atlesians hate Faunus, and the same saying goes for Mistral. It’s a shame they can’t see they’re truly all equal.

 

“I guess James wants to change Atlas a bit.”  

 

Ozpin rolled his eyes, and sometimes she couldn’t believe this man was the “wise and most trusted headmaster in Remnant” when he acted like a child sometimes. “Not like that’ll change Mantle.”

 

The silence that followd after was no longer comfortable, it was way more awkward. The topic of James isn’t a fun topic, especially during times like these, and Ozpin has trouble dealing with it.

 

The moment Megan finished her hot chocolate, Ozpin took the mug from her hands before she could set it down on the table. He hadn’t even finished his yet he stood up and made his way to the kitchen, “I suggest you get some sleep. We have an important day.”

 

Megan stood up, grumbling.

 

“I wouldn’t consider greeting the General of Atlas an Important day.”

Chapter 11: Detention

In Ozpin’s office, Megan sat atop his desk, watching the bullheads fly by. Glynda, who was behind her, walked up to stand to her side. “James certainly likes to bring his work everywhere he goes.”

 

Ozpin chuckled from his seat at the desk. “Well, running an academy and military makes him a busy man.” He turned to look outside the windows, an eyebrow lifted slightly. “Well, perhaps they are a bit of an eyesore.” He spoke as 3 more bullheads flew by.

 

There was a beep on his scroll and he put his finger down on a button, a robotic female voice then speaking. “ Access Granted,”

 

The doors to the elevator open and came out General James Ironwood, a big grin of his face as he was fixing his tie. “Ozpin!” He laughed, and his happiness almost made everyone in the room smile- except Glynda.

 

Megan had turned from where she was sat on the desk, sitting beside Ozpin and facing Ironwood.

 

“General,” Ozpin nodded, a simple smile on his face. 

 

“No need for formalities.” Ironwood finished fixing his tie. He then turned to look at Glynda, a smirk on his face. “Glynda, a pleasure to see you again. It’s been far too long.”

 

She faked a smile, “James!”

 

Megan almost got scared at how fast that smile dropped, “I’ll wait outside.” With a swift turn, she made her way towards the elevator. 

 

‘She still doesn’t like you,” Megan whispered to James, who chuckled.

 

“Megan, it’s so nice to see you.” He moved closer to wrap his arms around her and she hugged him back gradually. Moving back, he then ruffled her hair, her slapping his arm away.

 

“So, what in the world has brought you all the way down from Atlas?” Ozpin asked, picking up a kettle that he somehow had on him as he poured a cup of tea for Ironwood. 

 

Ozpin did not fill one for himself. He hated tea. However, he poured one for Megan, who thanked him with a smile.

 

Ironwood and Megan clinked their cups, “Well, you know how much I love Vale during this time of year.” He pulled out a canteen from his pocket, pouring it into his cup.

 

Megan blinked. “Do you normally carry sweetener with you?” She asked.

 

He just chuckled, pouring some into hers too. “Always. It was something Elm taught me.”

 

Megan’s eyes lit up. “Did you…bring the Ace-Ops?” She asked, a hopeful glint in her eyes.

 

He frowned, shutting down her hope. “Unfortunately, no. However, I heard you had a run-in with Marrow..”

 

Megan smiled. “Yeah, he’s been watching out for Penny. Seems nice. He’d be a perfect Ace-Op.” 

 

Ironwood just chuckled again, turning his attention back to Ozpin. “Other than loving the season, since you’re hosting the Vytal Festival, I decided this would be a good chance to catch up.”

 

Ozpin smiled. “I can certainly appreciate the quality time between friends.”

 

He then paused, smile dropping.

 

“However, a certain fleet outside my window has me concerned.” As if on que, another bullhead flew by, and Megan hopped off the desk, looking out the window to see how many bullheads there truly were.

 

Ironwood took a sip from his cup, a frown on his face. “Concern is what brought them here.”

 

“I understand travel between kingdoms has become increasingly difficult.”

 

“We both know why I’m here.”

 

There was now a more serious aura around the room, the previous happy surroundings now long gone, as the two men were frowning. Megan didn’t dare look at them, and kept looking out the window.

 

“If what Qrow said is true, then we will handle it tactfully. It is the Vytal festival, a time to celebrate unity and peace…” Ozpin continued, speaking, but it was drowned out when Megan saw something very concerning.

 

Ozpin’s window view could look down onto the cafeteria, so when Megan saw hundreds of students running out of the cafeteria, a bad feeling ran over her. She spun around, walking back to Ozpin’s desk to check something on his scroll

 

Ozpin looked at her confused but then shook his head, continuing his conversation with Ironwood.

 

Said man sighed, “I’m just being cautious.”

 

“As am I.” Ozpin responded, ignoring your constant scrolling on his scroll. “Which is why we will continue to train the Best Huntsman and Huntresses.”

 

Just as he said that, Megan pulled up the security cameras in the cafeteria. It showed above as a hologram, both men in the room watching in confusion, but then utter shock washed over them.

 

There was a literal food fight in the cafeteria between Team RWBY and JNPR; The cafeteria was completely empty, Yang had turkeys around her hands, Ren was using celery sticks as swords, Pyrrha was using bread as her normal spear and Blake was using her Sauasage as…honestly Megan had no idea what she was doing.

 

Jaune was honestly just trying with whatever he could, but he was definitely better at fighting than before…even if it was with food. Nora had gotten a pole out of nowhere and stuck it into a watermelon, using it as her usual hammer.

 

Yang started running to her, and the next thing they knew, Nora had swung her “hammer” so hard that when she hit Yang in the stomach, she went flying out the roof.

 

Everyone’s eyes widened and they all turned to look out the window, Yang flying over. 

 

Ironwood blinked. “ Best Huntsman and Huntresses?” 

 

Ozpin just let out a long sigh. 

 

~~

By the time the three made it down to the cafeteria, the food fight was long done with. Glynda was now in there, her wand out as the tables had started to float themselves back into place, the food cleaning itself up and any broken walls or glass now fixed completely.

 

“Children,” Glynda glared, pushing her glasses further up her nose. “Do not play with your food.”

 

Suddenly, Yang fell through the roof, falling onto a table and breaking it while the group jumped back.

 

Ironwood was astonished. “How long was she-”

 

“Don’t question it.” Megan just sighed, shaking her head.

 

“It’s okay.” Ozpin put a hand on Glynda’s shoulder, trying to calm her down. 

 

She just sighed, shoulders dropping in defeat. “They’re supposed to be the protectors of the world.”

 

They all took another look at the group; They were laughing, huge smiles on their faces; It reminded Megan back when she was in Vacuo. Sure, Theodore had put her under some intense training, but it was never as bad as Raven made it, and he was so kind to her; She was happy in Vacuo.

 

She frowned. They wouldn’t be like that forever. Megan’s already lost it.

 

Ozpin sighed. “They will be. They’re just children, so why not let them play the part?”

 

He waited for an answer, but Glynda said nothing, prompting him to go on. “So why not let them play the part?”

 

“It’s not a title they’ll have forever.” Megan mumbled, and this did not go underheard by Ironwood as he put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

 

Glynda just had a solemn look on her face, yet with one final look at the kids, she rolled her eyes. “Detention for one hour in the library!” She yelled, the kids starting to groan.

 

She turned to Megan, “You’re monitoring.” She spun on her heels, walking away.

 

Megan sputtered. “W-what did i do?!”

 

Ozpin and Ironwood just laughed, following Glynda.

 

As Megan watched them leave, she didn’t notice Sun to the side with a…majorly food covered friend beside him.

 

“Hey Sun,” Megan smiled, feeling nervous. Why was she nervous?!

“Hey,” He smiled, walking towards her. “Came down to the cafeteria to find you and the others, but then…”

 

“The food fight?” She snorted, looking at his friend.

 

“Not funny.” He glared, sighing. “Name’s Neptune.”

 

“Nice to meet ya, Neptune. I’m Megan.”

 

Despite the fact there was food all over him to the point Megan couldn’t see his face, his eeys widened. “You’re the girl Sun was-”

 

Sun slapped his hand over Neptune’s mouth, the other letting out a yelp of pain. Sun let go, looking at his now food-covered hand in disgust. “UH…hahaha! Um, we’ll go clean up and meet you in the library!” He spoke fast, grabbing Neptune’s arm then running out of the cafeteria.

 

Well alright then.

 

With a sigh, Megan turned to look at the group. “Go wash up, then library at 6!

 

~~~

 

It’s only been 10 minutea and Megan waa ready to fucking kill herself and so was Pyrrha.

 

The two girls were seated beside each other, Jaune at Megan’s side as they watched Team RWBY play some random board game. Ruby and Yang were the most interested, Weiss was confused and Blake was distracted.

 

“Jaune,” Megan sighed, looking at the comic book in his hands. “You have a test coming up.” She snatched the comic book away and replaced it with a textbook on Grimm Studies.

 

He groaned. “You sound like my sister.” 

 

“Deal with it.”

 

Pyrrha giggled.

 

 “What are they even playing?” Megan asked.

 

Pyrrha, almost shocked, spoke. “You’ve never played Remnant; The Game?”

 

Megan deadpanned. “Why should it be a game when you live in it?”

 

Jaune chuckled. “It’s more like back to when the nations were at war. There’s 4 people for each one; Atlas, Vacuo, Vale and Mistral. You just roll the dice and see whatever card you pull on how to attack the other nations.”

 

“Sounds stupid,” Megan murmured. She looked over at Nora, who was dead asleep and dreaming about pancakes, while Ren was in his own world and studying.

 

She slumped in her seat. There’s no way this was gonna get any boring. 

 

Jaune made his way over to Team RWBY and asked to play, but they said they were full, until Blake decided she’d forfeit and Jaune could take her spot.

 

“What’s up with Blake?” Ren asked.

 

“She’s still thinking about the White Fang,” Megan sighed. “Can’t blame her, it’s only been a day.”

 

“No, Blake you’re staying!” Weiss scoffed, putting her cards down.

 

“Then let him take your spot, Weiss.” Yang snickered.

 

Another scoff. “I’m not trusting you with the citizens of Vacuo.”

 

“Weiss I would never even trust you in Vacuo,” Megan spoke loudly, Weiss turning around to look at her with shock.

 

Jaune laughed. “Oh come on, Ice queen! You’ve trusted me with way more, like how Blake is a F-”

 

In that moment, everyone’s eyes widened to the point even Nora had woken up when Pyrrha jumped out of her seat, the table shaking as she ran to cover Jaune’s mouth. “A fun loving person who we admire and love very much!”

 

Megan snorted. “Good save.”

 

Blake just glared at everyone.

 

“Hey losers!”

 

Megan’s eyes widened at the new voice and looked to the entrance of the library; Sun had now entered the library with Neptune, the both of them with large grins on their face.

 

“Hey Sun!” Ruby called, the rest of the group saying hi as the two came up to Team RWBY’s table.

 

“This is Ruby, Blake, Yang and….Ice Queen.” He pointed to everyone as he called their names, showing Neptune who was who.

 

Weiss made a noise of annoyance and bewilderment. “Why does everyone keep calling me that?!”

 

Sun just ignored her. “I never got a chance to introduce you to my old friend!”

 

Neptune looked down at the current predicament; Team RWBY playing a board game, Pyrrha now reading a comic book and Nora somehow back asleep on Ren’s shoulder. “Aren’t libraries for…reading?”

 

“Thank you!” Ren threw his hands up with a yell, Nora immediately waking up.

 

“Shut up. Don’t be a nerd,” 

 

Neptune rolled his eyes at Sun’s comment.

 

“You’re not wrong,” Megan shrugged. 

 

“Intellectual is the correct term for nerd,” Neptune reminded his teammate, who just dragged a hand down his face.

 

Megan almost laughed, her and Sun looking at each other with grins on their faces.

 

“I’m Neptune,” He introduced himself to Team RWBY and JNPR.

 

“Pyrrha!” She smiled.

 

“Ren,” The man waved, not taking his eyes off his book.

 

SOMEHOW, Nora was asleep again.

 

“That’s Nora,” Jaune sighed, pointing at the asleep girl. “I’m Jaune.”

 

“So, where are you from, Neptune?” Weiss asked, the game now her last focus.

 

“Haven,” He slowly walked towards her until his hand was on her chair, a smirk on his face. “I never caught your name, Snow Angel.”

 

She smiled. “I’m Weiss.”

 

“Oh, come on,” Jaune groaned.

 

“Brutal.” Megan whispered, patting a hand down on Jaune’s shoulders.

 

“I never took you as a board-playing type.” Sun tapped Blake’s shoulders, trying to tease her. However, she just shoved him off, standing up.

 

“Right, well, I think I’m done playing actually. I’ll see you guys later.”

 

“You still have 30 minutes left of detention!” Megan called.

 

“Don’t care!” Blake called back.

 

“If she doesn’t care, then I don’t care,” Megan sighed out, her chair screeching against the floor as she pushed it back, deciding she was DONE watching over detention.

 

Sun took a look at Neptune, who was flirting his ass off with Weiss, and decided he was fine as he ran off to walk with Megan.

 

“So, the guys are out in the city…” Sun started, the two now walking outside along the school grounds. 

 

“That’s fun,” Megan smiled, completely oblivious. “You going with them?”

Sun chuckled. “Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to come back to my dorm?”

 

“Really?” Megan, somehow not catching the hint, laughed. “What for?”

 

“Maybe I can teach you how to make hot chocolate?”

 

Her eyes lit up.

 

She took a look at the time- 6;32PM. Team CFVY decided tonight would be movie night in the dorm, but…

 

“Sure.”

 

But maybe she could miss out on one movie.

Chapter 12: Wanna learn how to make Hot Chocolate?

“Okay, so what do you usually make it with; Milk or water?” 

 

Megan blinked, not exactly knowing the answer.

 

Sun just stared at her, mouth slightly agape. “When you said you didn’t know how to make hot chocolate, I didn’t think you knew absolutely nothing.”

 

“Hey!” Megan hit his shoulder, rolling her eyes. “Be real, when did you learn how to make hot chocolate? ‘Cuz you could hardly find those packs in Vacuo.

 

He gave a small smile, turning around to grab the milk from the fridge. “Learned a few months ago.”

 

Megan snorted, grabbing two hot chocolate pre-made packs to help him.

 

“Knew it.”He just shook his head with a chuckle. “Thanks.”

 

“Why’d you choose Shade?” Sun suddenly blurted out, and Megan gave him a look. He was mixing in the hot chocolate pack into a mug, the first one in the microwave ready to be dranken in about 30 seconds. “You told me how you ended up in Shade, with the whole Qrow or whatever his name is, but why’d you choose to stay at Shade Academy?”

 

Megan frowned. “You think it’s a bad place?’

 

He nodded. “In full honesty, yeah.” He took the mug out the microwave, handing it to her and whispering a “it’s hot” before placing the second one. “Vacuo isn’t a great place.”

 

She placed the mug down on the kitchen counter before hopping onto it, sitting. “You’re not…wrong. Because of Raven and Qrow, Headmaster Theodore took me in and trained me, and well, news going out that a kid from who knows where in Vacuo that Theodore has been hiding wouldn’t be great news. So, he hid me, and once I was old enough to start at Shade I was finally able to go out.”

 

Sun chuckled. “And that only lasted a year.”

 

She smiled. “Yeah- then I transferred here. So, I guess the only reason why I love Vacuo is just the people I knew. But really, everyone’s….”

 

“Bitches?” He offered.

 

She nodded. “Bitches. What about you? Your story?”

 

He now held his own mug and stood to the side of the counter she was sitting on. “Born into a nomadic tribe with my cousin. Had no idea who my parents were, didn’t even know their faces.”

 

She frowned.

 

“Starr- my cousin- had no idea who either. I guess we were both too young to know what happened to them. We were all over Vacuo, always moving, and someone always getting left behind. That’s what I hated; If you were weak, in Vacuo or in a tribe, you wouldn’t survive, and you’d be kicked out in no time.”

 

Megan thought back to her time in Vacuo, and he was right. It’s not a place for the weak, every day it’s a fight to survive there.

 

“I was sick of living somewhere like that, so that’s why I chose Shade.”

 

You took a sip of your hot chocolate, giving him a smile. “Well, I guess we’re both parentless tribe children-”

 

He snorted.

 

“And this hot chocolate is really good. Thank you.”

 

He giggled- it was adorable- into his chocolate. “For you, of course.”

 

She hid her face as she put the mug up to her mouth, trying to ignore his teasing.

 

While also possibly ignoring any texts going to her scroll; She didn’t want anything ruining this moment.

 

~~

 

About an hour later, Megan and Sun were lounging on the couch, while she talked about how much nicer the visiting students dormitories were; They had a kitchen and an entire living room. It was literally like Ozpin’s living quarters within the school.

They had talked every single second within that hour, not wasting a minute to bask in each others presence and get to know each other. Near the end of the hour, the rest of Team SSSN came.

 

Team SSSN consisted of Sun, Scarlet, Sage and Neptune. Ironic, just like RWBY’s team. Megan got to learn more about them when they sat down with both her and Sun, such as their weapons, semblances, where they were born and their liking towards Shade. Neptune had asked Megan if she was really born in Vacuo after she shared some information about Mistral. She was about to say that she wasn’t actually born there, just raised, but Sun had gotten a message.

 

“Hey, sorry to interrupt but Neptune and I have an emergency.” He spoke.

 

Neptune just looked at him confused. “Huh?”

 

“That’s alright.” Megan smiled, standing up and making her way towards the door, Sun following behind her. “Let me know if everything’s alright.” She looked up at him. She knew what it was like having to randomly leave because of emergencies- that was always something with Taiyang, Qrow, Ozpin and Glynda. Sometimes with Ironwood back in Atlas too. “Thank you so much for everything today.”

 

He smiled down at her. “Text me when your at your dorm okay?” 

 

“Will do.”

 

~~

 

Slowly opening the door to her dorm, she was met with the sounds of screams and multiple pillows thrown at her.

 

“WHAT THE HELL?” She yelled, turning on the light to see Velvet and Coco sitting up in their beds, and Yatsu with his sword out aiming right at Megan. Fox was just laying in bed.

 

Velvet and Coco were panting, but seemed to calm down once seeing their teammate. “What do you mean, ‘what the hell’ WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?” Coco yelled back, sitting back down and Yatsu putting his weapon away.

 

“Did you guys watch a horror movie or something?” She asked, ignoring the question.

 

“Yeah.” Fox spoke from his bed, a wide grin on his face. “Called ‘The Silence’. Didn’t really scare me, since I didn’t see anything.” 

 

“Do the blind jokes ever end?” Velvet glared, and Fox giggled, feeling the glare.

 

“No.”

 

“Wait,” Coco’s face came to one of realization. “Fox, did you fucking know it was Megan at the door? Did you lie when you said you didn’t know who was at the door and YOU DIDN’T RECOGNIZE HER AURA?” Her speech came to one of yelling.

 

Megan hummed, now understanding the context.

 

Somehow, Fox’s grin grew even wider. “Ye-”

 

Before he could even finish the word, he screamed at the sudden throws of pillows at him and the entire room broke out into laughter. 

 

Laughing, Megan laid out her pajamas onto her bed, ready to change and get some sleep after today. 

 

“Woah!” Coco suddenly stopped her. “You’re not going to sleep until you tell us where you were. First rule of missing movie night; Always gotta have an excuse.”

 

A grin made it’s way onto her face as she fell back onto her bed, letting out a heartfelt sigh. 

 

“I met a guy.”

 

“WHAT?”

 

‘EXCUSE ME?”

 

“NO WAY!” 

 

This time, the reactions came from Fox, Coco and Velvet. Yatsu seemed interested, but chose to sit on his bed and just sit back and observe.

 

Now everyone was sitting up, curiosity raging across the room. 

 

“Who?!” Coco yelled along Velvet nodding her head rapidly, wanting to know.

 

Megan smiled. “Remember how like, what, two days ago Blake ran away, we met that one guy?”

 

“NO FUCKING WAY!’ Velvet screamed. “SUN?!”

 

“SHHHHH!” Megan yelled. 

 

“So you were with him?” Coco asked.

 

 

“What does he look like again…and who is he?” Fox asked.

 

“Does it matter? You’re blind?”

 

“Just fucking tell me.”

 

“He’s blonde, shirt is always unbuttoned. He’s a Faunus, monkey tail. Leader of Team SSSN. Pretty goofy-”

 

“That doesn’t matter.” Coco cut her off. “What did you guys do?!”

 

“We just hung out in his dorm!”

 

“DETAIL!”

 

She let out a long sigh, ready to tell the story from the beginning. She left out some details on how they met, so she may as well start from there.

 

She talked about the docks, which obviously led to Weiss and Blake’s fight since it was somewhat about him. Running away with Blake, meeting up with Sun when she tried to follow Blake, the rooftop, the fight- all of it! The text messages after the

fight, and then meeting up at his dorm-

 

However, as Megan was explaining, she noticed Velvet was out of focus and her rabbit ears were twitching. “Velv?” She called. 

 

Coco looked over at her teammate, noticing as well. “What’s up?”

 

Yatsu looked at her concerned. “Velvet?”

 

“Shh!” She put a finger up, and no one dared to move or make a peep. Velvet could be scary when she was mad. 

 

After maybe a minute, Velvet stood up, signalling for Coco and Megan to come to the door. She opened it slowly.

 

“Peep out. Not your full head.”

 

Velvet, Coco and Megan peeped just the side of their faces out into the hallway, not making a noise. Yatsu quietly joined too, while Fox waited for someone to give an answer.

 

“What is it?” His voice popped up into their heads.

 

The hallway was empty, there was nothing.

 

“Just wait.” Velvet sent back to them all. “Watch team RWBY’s door. I hear something.”

 

Just a second after, the door to Team RWBY’s dorm swung open, and everyone brought their heads back in just a little bit, trying to hide. 

 

In the next second, Megan’s heart dropped.

 

It was Sun.

 

“Fox, come up to the door- Try to listen in. It’s Sun.”

 

Following behind Sun was Neptune and Blake. The girls must’ve stayed inside.

 

“I’ll meet you back at the dorm.” Sun called out to Neptune, signalling him that he’d stay back for a minute. Neptune just nodded, turning into the next hallway, out of everyones sights.

 

“Thanks Sun!” Yang called from inside the room, and he just nodded at them.

 

The door was closed from someone inside, leaving just Blake and Sun outside.

 

“Sun…I don’t know how to thank you. Truly, you’ve been a great help.” She put her hand on his bicep, giving it a firm squeeze and Megan hoped that was just a nice gesture.

 

“It isn’t.” Coco sent to her, and Megan rolled her eyes, forgetting they could hear her thoughts. 

 

“Always.” He smiled down at her, putting his hand over hers before she lowered it down to her side. “I’ll see you soon.” He winked at her, before turning and leaving.

 

Team CFVY and Megan didn’t dare to move, waiting for Blake to go back in. They didn’t wanna risk Blake hearing them go back, especially with her cat ears. They decided to wait until she was in her dorm. She stood out there for only a few seconds before she opened up the door, going back into her dorm. The sound was drawn out by team RWBY’s laughter, so this gave Team CFVY the chance to quickly hurry into their room. 

 

It was quiet once the door was closed, and Megan just stood shocked.

 

With a sigh, she decided to be honest. “I- I’ve never…been with a guy before, go out on a date or anything. I don’t know how this works. So, what the hell just happened.”

 

“Meg..” Coco sighed. 

 

“We think you got played.”

Chapter 13: Team RWBY + SN?!

Yang; Can you come to the dorm? It’s about Blake.

Yang; And an emergency. You and Neptune need to come.

 

Sun tried to hide his grimace at the message. The last thing he wanted to do was leave Megan, especially on their date- was this even a date? Making hot chocolate in his dorm? This was complicated.

 

“Hey, sorry to interrupt but Neptune and I have an emergency.”

 

He watched the way Megan looked up at him, and he was glad to she understood, and tried to ignore that little sad glint in her eyes. 

 

Neptune just sat there confused. “Huh?” Sun just ignored him as he walked Megan to the door. 

 

~~

 

“What the hell were you on about back there?” Neptune asked once Sun pulled him out of the dorm.

 

“It’s the girls.” Sun sighed out. “Emergency.”

 

Neptune glared. “I’m not that close with them.”

 

“Well you’re my best friend and they asked for you to be there!”

 

Neptune’s eyes lit up. “They want me there? Hell yeah!”

 

 

 

Sun just rolled his eyes, the two of them speeding to team RWBY’s dorm. Sun didn’t wanna hide things from Megan, but if they didn’t message her about it, this meant he had to keep it a secret.

 

Neptune was the first to knock, but he didn’t even have to twice before the door swung open and they were pulled in. 

 

“The hell?” Sun scoffed, almost falling to the ground. “What’s the emerg-”

 

He paused when he saw Blake and fully realized how horrible she looked. Her eyebags were almost as dark as her black hair, her eyes were glossy, her hair looked like it hadn’t been brushed in days and she just looked like she was

going through it.

 

Neptune noticed too. “What’s going on?”

 

“Her.” Weiss answered as she pointed at Blake. 

 

Sun wanted to say “I could tell” but it was not the moment. Instead, he just sighed. “What’s going on?”

 

Blake sat down on her bed, letting out a frustrated grunt. She didn’t wanna talk.

 

Weiss did instead. “Lately, she’s been quiet, antisocial and moody!”

 

Sun and Yang both glanced at each other before speaking. “Uh, have you met Blake?”

 

Weiss just rolled her eyes, continuing to talk, but now directing it more towards Blake. “Which I get is kind of your thing, but you've been doing it more than usual! Which quite frankly, is unacceptable! You made a promise to me, to all

of us, that you would let us know if something was wrong! So, Blake Belladonna, what is wrong!?”

 

Everyone stared in shock as Weiss stood perfectly on a chair that was hanging on the edge of the back legs. It wobbled, and everyone waited for it to fall, but it didn’t somehow. She instead hopped off and put the chair back to where

she got it from.

 

Blake stood up. “I just, I don't understand how everyone can be so calm.”

 

“You’re still thinking about Torchwick?” Ruby asked.

 

Blake frowned. Torchwick, the White Fang, all of it! Something big is happening and no one is doing anything about it!” She yelled out, slightly surprising Sun and Neptune.

 

Sun frowned, and Yang spoke. “Ozpin told us not to worry. Between the police and the Huntsmen, I'm sure they can handle it.”

 

Blake rolled her eyes and let out a scoff, taking a rather angry steps towards Yang. “Well I'm not! They don't know the White Fang like I do!”

 

Weiss just sighed. “Okay, between blowing up nightclubs, stopping thieves, and fighting for freedom, I'm sure the three of you think that you're all ready to go out and apprehend these ne'er-do-wells!”

 

Sun and Ruby blinked. “Uh, who?” Ruby asked, still confused on the last word.

 

Weiss didn’t answer. “But let me once again be the voice of reason. We're students! We're not ready to handle this sort of situation!”

 

Ruby grimaced, “Well…”

 

“We’re not ready!” Weiss forced.

 

“And we may never be ready!” Blake yelled. “Our enemies aren't just going to sit around and wait for graduation day. They're out there, somewhere, planning their next move, and none of us know what it is, but it's coming! Whether

we're ready or not!”

 

The entire room went quiet at her words, realizing her words held truth to them.

 

“Okay.” Ruby sighed out, breaking the silence. A grin then took over her, “Okay, all in favor of becoming the youngest Huntresses to-”

 

Neptune and Sun cleared their throats.

 

Ruby rolled her eyes. “And Huntsmans, I guess, to single-handedly taking down a corrupt organization conspiring against the Kingdom of Vale... say aye.”

 

“Aye.” Neptune said.

 

“YES!” Yang laughed. “I love it when you’re feisty.”

 

“Sure.” Sun sighed, shrugging.

 

Weiss shrugged as well. “I suppose it could be fun.”

 

“None of you said aye.” Ruby muttered. “Neptune’s my best friend now.”

 

“He’s taken.” Sun glared.

 

“Not anymore.” Neptune stood beside Ruby, the both of them sticking their tongues out at Sun who just did the same.

 

Blake smiled. “Alright, we’re in this together.”

 

“Question.” Sun raised his hand. “Why didn’t we call Megan?”

 

The girls glanced at each other nervously, and Yang chose to voice the reason. “Well, we’re going against Ozpin. And…she’s gonna tell him.”

 

“You know that for sure?” Neptune asked.

 

“No.” Weiss sighed. “But we’re not risking it.”

 

“Alright.” Sun nodded, feeling a pit of guilt.

 

“Alright, I’ll hatch a plan!” Ruby spoke happily as she skipped over to the table to grab a pen and notebook. However, she then dropped it and let out a gasp.

 

“I forgot my board game in the library!” She panicked, and in seconds there was a trail of petals as she ran out of the room.

 

Weiss sighed. “We’re doomed.”

 

 

Chapter 14: Coco and her Horrible Timing

Megan had gotten absolutely no texts from Sun, and even if she did, she probably would've ignored them. She didn’t know if she was supposed to do that, given the fact she has absolutely no knowledge on this whatsoever, but she didn’t know how to react.

 

Did he play her? Did he want Blake? God this was so confusing.

 

What made it worse was that same day, Blake and Sun were together the entire evening. The three all turned on their locations for each other in case another runaway incident happened. 

 

“Men are horrible.”Megan whined, her whole aura drooping as she walked around the academy grounds with Glynda at her side.

 

Glynda snorted. “First crush?”

 

“Yeah.” She sighed out. “I think he played me.” 

 

“Let me guess, that Sun boy?”

 

Megan stopped walking, surprise taking over her as Glynda kept walking. At some point, she stopped to turn around with a grin on her face. “Come on, it was obvious. You can hide it from Ozpin, but not from me.”

 

“Sometimes I forget how observant you are.” Megan muttered as she caught up with Glynda. “Does Ozpin know?”

 

“He’d lose his shit on you if he knew.” Both Megan and Glynda giggled at that, the both grinning at each other.

 

They were making their way back to the dormitory. Megan hadn’t planned on walking with Glynda, she was actually originally out with Velvet, but Coco messaged Velvet about something which definitely started an argument within

their dorm that Velvet had to run back. So, now both Glynda and Megan were on their way.

 

Glynda had information for their team. She wouldn’t tell Megan what it was about until they all had privacy within their dorm.

 

“You wanna talk about it? Glynda asked. 

 

Megan just let out a long groan, speeding up her steps as she stared up at the ceiling. “It’s like- Ugh I don’t even know! I mean we haven’t known each other long and it was like, one date! But- OH!”

 

Megan stumbled as she felt herself bump into someone harshly, sending the person she bumped into down to the ground. Glynda went down the hall, trying to hide her laughter.

 

“I’m so sorry!” She gasped out, holding a hand out to the person she bumped into.

 

There were 3 people- one being the girl on the floor, another with light green hair and a boy who cackled at his friend on the floor, his gray hair sweeping over his eyes.

 

“It’s fine.” The girl spoke, taking her hand.

 

However, in that small moment, Megan felt an insane and familiar amount of aura that almost made her stumble back. 

 

The girl now stood, and Megan got a good look at her. Mid-long black hair with one side of it sweeping over her left eye. 

 

Megan didn’t say anything, instead she felt like she was in a trance. This aura was too familiar, and it was way too strong, but Megan didn’t care about that, no, she cared about who the hell was this girl and why is her aura the same

as Megan’s-

 

“You gonna keep staring?” The boy asked, grinning as he took her out of Megan’s trance. He eyed her up and down and it made her feel queasy. 

 

“Sorry.” She muttered, pushing past them and running up to Glynda.

 

‘What was that?” She asked, smiling as she thought the situation was rather funny. Megan took a look back to see the three were still there, whispering. She decided to wait until they turned the corner.

 

Once they did, she spoke. “Her aura. It’s the same as mine.” 

 

That made Glynda’s grin fade. “What?”

 

“It’s the exact same. I- I don’t know how but-”

 

“You’re overthinking it.”

 

Megan shook her head. “Glyn…It’s the same as hers.” 

 

Glynda let out a shaky breath. “We…We’ll deal with this later. Maybe your aura training class made you overstimulated. But first, I need to talk to your team.”

 

The two walked over to Team CFVY’s dorm in silence and quickly, yet the closer they got to the door, they slowed down as they heard yelling.

 

Megan snorted. She was right when Velvet left for an argument.

 

Megan put the key into the door, hoping Velvet would hear them and stop fighting, but no, she swung the door open and the girls continued to fight.

 

Both you and Glynda just watched.

 

“Coco, your planning is absolutely horrendous!”

 

“It’s a quick mission! We’ll be back in time to plan it!”

 

“WE’LL HAVE 2 DAYS!” Velvet yelled, groaning. 

 

“Pfft, you don’t know how good I am at planning things!”

 

“We need a backup.” Velvet scoffed, reaching over to her scroll. “Team RWBY will plan it if we’re not back.”

 

“Ahem!” Glynda cleared her throat loudly, everyone in the room turning over to look at their professor. 

 

Velvet dropped her scroll, Fox immediately sat up and Coco regained her composure. Yatsu just continued to meditate, but he was listening.

 

Glynda and Megan walked in, closing the door behind them. “Talking about the dance, I presume?”

 

“Yep.” Fox spoke, popping his ‘p’. “They’ve been arguing for fifteen minutes now.”

 

“Sorry, I’m confused.” Megan spoke up. “What dance?”

 

Glynda grimaced. “Right, forgot to tell you. You’re team is in charge of the Spring dance. March 21st.”

 

Megan just blinked. “That dance is like, two weeks away, why are we stressing?” 

 

Glynda let out a long sigh, and so did Velvet. “Your team leader decided to sign you all up for a Search and Rescue mission.”

 

“WHAT?” Megan yelled. “COCO!”

 

“I thought we could do it since your new to the team!” She defended. “You know how teams have invitations, we had one without you so I thought we could do one with you!”

 

“Aw, thanks Coco!” Megan awed.

 

“That’s what im here to talk about.” Glynda spoke. “Megan won’t be going.”

 

“Oh come on!”

 

“I SIGNED US UP FOR NOTHING?” Coco yelled. “Bad timing, Miss Goodwitch. Bad fucking timing.” 

 

“Language.” She glared, and Coco just rolled her eyes.”And it’s fo good reason.”

 

“Which is?” Yatsu spoke up.

 

“The mission Coco signed you all is…a rather difficult one. You must head Lower Cairn, save the survivors from the Grimm, and escort them back here for safety and care. The Grimm level is rather high.”

 

“Nothing we can’t handle.” Fox grinned. 

 

“The reason Megan won’t go is because, well, she is still Ozpin’s assistant at the end of the day, and for safety, Megan will be in charge of a search and rescue mission for you all if you do not make it out within 7 days. Lower Cairn is

far, and there’s hardly any service, so I do hope you’re all prepared.

 

That idea scared Megan. Lower Cairn was never a good place, and she was surprised people still decided to live there. Grimm were constantly attacking, and it wasn’t easy Grimm. Having to save her team realy wasn’t a fun thought.

 

Coco just frowned. “We’ll make it back on time.” She reassured, to both Glynda and Velvet.

 

“Just in case,” Glynda added in, “I’d advise having a backup plan. Maybe Team RWBY or JNPR.”

 

“RWBY.” Everyone said in unison, making Glynda chuckle. 

 

“I’ll talk to you later.” She whispered to Megan as she made her way to the door, murmuring a “have a good day” before she used her semblance to slam the door behind her. 

 

“Always some sort of exit with her.” Coco sighed out, and Megan sat down beside her on the bed. 

 

“Sun message you yet?” Fox asked.

 

Megan shook her head. “No.” She sighed, taking a look outside. It was almost 8pm, the sun had now completely set. It’s been almost 24 hours since Sun talked to her.

 

“I’m sure he’ll say something soon.” Velvet reassured. “If he cared, he’d contact you event-”

 

Velvet was cut off by the loud ping of Megan’s scroll and Coco grabbed it, “Oh my brothers, it’s him!”

 

Everyone was now standing up and Megan felt her heart drop as she grabbed her scroll.

 

 

 

“Oh brothers,” She whispered out, seeing a familiar group chat.

 

6:53PM

 

Ironwood; Penny is missing.

 

Qrow: oml

 

Winter; This isn’t funny Qrow.

 

Qrow: u cant just like idk track her scroll down

 

Ozpin: No.

 

Ironwood: No we’re not controlling. We had a bunch of soldiers follow her today and they lost her.

 

Glynda: uhm

 

Qrow: “we’re not controlling” dawg pls

 

Qrow: she's a teenage girl dude she's gonna run away let her live her life

 

Winter: your not a teenager. Talk normally.

 

Qrow: You’re*

 

Winter; OMFG

 

Qrow: Talk normally, Winter.

 

Ozpin: NOT. THE. TIME.

 

Glynda: i can’t handle this anymore

 

Glynda: where was she last seen?

 

Ironwood: Running away with another student just outside the communications tower. 

 

Ironwood: Student was presumed female. Short hair and a red cloak.

 

Qrow: RED CLOAK

 

Ironwood: Said something about petals trailing as they ran?

 

Glynda: RUBY.

 

Ozpin: Brothers

 

Qrow: OFC ITS FKN HER

 

Megan stopped reading, in full honesty not caring about that conversation. It’s been an hour, they must’ve found her at this point. She moved onto Sun’s message, reading it out loud.

 

Sun: Hey, I know we haven’t talked all day but it’s about RWBY. Might need your help.

 

He then sent an audio message and Megan turned her volume up.

 

“OHMYGODOHMYGOD HOLY SHIT WE’RE BEING CHASED- GIANT ROBOT- HELPPP!!” 

 

The next voice was blake. “CALM DOWN AND JUST RUN!”

 

“He’s with Blake?” Coco glared.

 

“That’s what you got from that?” Velvet glared. “They’re obviously in danger.”

 

Megan read the next message she got, which somehow sent the same time as Sun’s.

 

 

Ozpin; CHECK THE NEWS

 

“Can someone turn on the news?”

 

Yatsu grabbed a remote, turning on their TV. Thankfully, it switched right to the news which showed LIVE recordings of the main highway in Vale; There were multiple cars crashed all over and-

 

“IS THAT NEPTUNE?” Everyone yelled out, seeing a blue haired man jumping over the cars as-

 

“WHAT THE FUCK?!” Megan screamed, seeing a giant robot chasing Neptune and-

 

“YANG!” Coco yelled. 

 

Megan hurriedly grabbed a shaal in Coco’s closet. “Okay, I need to go, anyone wanna come with?”

 

Velvet looked down. Her weapon wasn’t entirely ready yet. 

 

“It’s okay- I’ll go alone.” Megan swung open the door.

 

“Wait!” Coco yelled, and Megan turned. She quickly thew her car keys. “DON’T CRASH IT! AND CALL US IF IT GETS BAD!”

 

.

 

.

 

Okay, first, let’s review what actually got everyone here.

 

2 HOURS AGO

 

“I thought that class would never end.” Blake groaned as she swung the door open to their dorm, ready to change into her clothes to prepare her for the evening.

 

As did everyone else. Blake’s outfit consisted of a cropped white jacket with her emblem on the left side of the shirt. She wore black pants with vertical belts, and of course her black bow. Ruby wore a long-sleeve, light gray shirt along

with an over-the-top pinafore. She wore her red skirt as per usual.

 

Yang’s was similar to her usual one. She wore cream vest worn over a low cut black shirt along with black mini skirt. 

 

Weiss’ was also very similar as it was a white coat with black piping, cuffs and a  pleated full skirt with black lace trim along with white thigh-high boots with black heels.

 

Ruby was excited, hoping off her bunk bed and almost landing on Weiss as she was about to get up.

 

“Glad to see we’re taking this seriously.” Weiss rolled her eyes.

 

“Unlike some of us,” Blake muttered, “Where’s Sun and Neptune. They were supposed to be here by now!”

 

‘Right here!”

 

“AHH!” The girls screamed in unison, looking outside their window to see Sun handing on a tree by his tail.

 

“What the hell?” Yang yelled.

 

Blake just ran a hand down her face. “Where’s neptune?”

 

Sun nodded beside him and the girls all peeped out the window to see Neptune hanging on for dear life as he stood on the very ledge of the walls.

 

“How did you…” Ruby trailed off.

 

Neptune just grinned. “I have my ways…Seriously, though, can I come in? We're like, really high up right now.” He gulped as he took a look down, trying not to imagine how he’d die in seconds if he fell from there.

 

“Alright, here’s the plan.” Ruby spoke once everyone was inside. “Weiss and I will head to the CCT and check the Schnee records for any other Dust robberies or inconsistencies. Seeing as she’s in the family, it shouldn't be a problem.”

 

Blake spoke next, “The White Fang has regular faction meetings to hand out orders and recruit new members. If Sun and I can get in, we can hopefully find out what they're planning.”

 

Then Yang, “Neptune and I will head into Vale. I have an old friend on the shady side of town that typically knows everything going on in Vale. Getting information out of him shouldn't be too hard.” 

 

“Actually, Ruby, why don't you go with Yang? After all, she is your sister.” Weiss suggested, trying to hint to Ruby she really wanted to go with Neptune.

 

Ruby pushed Neptune, who was as stiff as a board, next to Yang. He rocked back and fourth looking nervous and Yang had put her hand on his shoulder to stop him from rocking.

 

“But, Weiss, who would go with you, then?”

 

“Well... I guess Neptune could come with me.” She smiled tightly, eyes widening at Ruby so she’d get the hint.

 

Ruby started laughing. “Hahaha, nah!”

 

“But-but-!” Weiss whined as she was pulled out of the room by the young team leader.

 

~~

 

Later, both Weiss and Ruby made their way towards the CCT Tower. The sun was bound to set soon and Weiss was rambling on the history of Atlas.

 

“Atlas developed the Cross Continental Transmit System to allow the four kingdoms to communicate with one another. It was their gift to the world after the Great War.”

 

Ruby started acting high and mighty as she mocked Weiss. “Oooh, look at me! My name's Weiss! I know facts! I'm rich!”

 

Weiss just rolled her eyes. “Don't be a pest! Besides, the only reason we're here is because you like the tower so much! We could have just as easily made a call from the library!”

 

Ruby grinned. “I know, but it's so coool! Ooh, I'm going to take a picture!” She took her scroll out of her pocket, but given how excited and urgent she was, she accidentally dropped it and it bouncing along the pavement and landed

at-

 

“Penny?!” Ruby gasped as Penny bent down and picked up the scroll.

 

Penny didn’t realize until she handed the scroll, a look of surprise on her face. “Uuuh..”.

 

Ruby was now frantic. “Where have you been? We haven't seen you since that night at the docks!”

 

However, Penny acted as though she did not remember. “ S-Sorry. I think you're confused. Uh... I've got to go!” In seconds, she turned and started to speed walk away.

 

Weiss was even confused. “What was that about?”

 

Ruby just stared at Penny walking away.  I don't know, but I'm going to find out.” She started to follower her and yelled back to Weiss. “You go make your call! I'll meet up with you later!”

 

Weiss just sighed.

 

Ruby ran up to her until she was infront of the red-head. “Penny! Where have you been? It's been weeks!

 

Penny just tried to manouver around her. “There seems to be a... misunderstanding.”

 

Ruby just scoffed and put her hands in front of Penny, making her stand still. “What?! Penny... Is everything okay?”

 

Penny just continued to walk and Ruby had to grab her arm to force her to stop. “Penny, please stop! Look, I don't know what's wrong, but you have to listen to me! Those guys we fought at the docks, we think they're up to something

big, something bad! I need you to tell me what happened to you that night! Please... As a friend.

 

Penny looked down the floor, a sad look on her face as she frowned. She then looked up and looked all around. “It isn't safe to talk here.”

 

Penny now grabbed Ruby’s hand, taking her somewhere else.

 

The two strolled down the street. It took a few minutes for Penny to start talking. “I wish I could help you, Ruby, but I don't know anything about those men.”

 

“Well, what happened to you that night?” Ruby asked. “We were all together, and then you just disappeared! Were you kidnapped?”

 

Penny shook her head, smiling. “Oh, no! Nothing like that!”

 

“Then where did you go?”

 

Penny sighed. “I've never been to another kingdom before. My father asked me not to venture out too far, but... You have to understand, my father loves me very much; he just worries a lot.

 

Ruby grinned. “Believe me, I know the feeling.” Penny grinned back. “But why not let us know you were okay?

 

“I... was asked not to talk to you. Or Weiss. Or Blake. Or Yang. Anybody, really. My only contact could be with Megan, but limited.”

 

This might be the most confused Ruby has ever been- and she thought that back at Signal when she had a test on all the types of Grimm and where they were located. “Was your dad that upset?”

 

Penny looked down. “No, it wasn't my father…”

 

Before she could continue, she and Ruby heard the sound of megaphones announcing something, turning around the corner to look at the platform in the center of a plaza they were currently. There was a holographic image  of

Ironwood in front of six AK-130 Androids, who were standing in front of two large metal storage cases with the spear-and-shield emblem on their doors.

 

The hologram of Ironwood started to speak. “The AK-130 has been a standard security model of Remnant for several years, and they have done a fine job. Wouldn't you agree? Wouldn't you agree?” Everyone watching started to clap.

 

“But... the kingdom of Atlas is a kingdom of innovation, and 'fine'... Well, that's just not good enough, is it? Presenting... the Atlesian Knight-200!”

 

The doors to the cases rolled up, and six new, bulkier, shinier automatons stood there before knocking their past designs to amuse those who were watching.

 

“Smarter, sleeker, and admittedly, a little less scary.” The robots flex and pose as a demonstration, making everyone laugh.

 

“These models will become active later this year, but they won't be alone! Now, the Atlesian Military has always supported the idea of removing men from the dangers of the battlefield. However, there are still many situations that will

undoubtedly require... a human touch.”

 

The last line drew Ruby's attention.

 

Penny started to grow nervous. “Ruby..?”

 

Ironwood continued to speak. “So, our kingdom's greatest minds, in cooperation with the Schnee Dust Company, are proud to introduce... the Atlesian Paladin!”

 

Ironwood's holographic image is replaced with the hologram of a robotic white behemoth, featuring hinged piston legs, large guns for hands, and a rectangular head, standing at least twice as tall as the Knights below it.

 

“Now, we couldn't have them here for you today, but these mechanized battle suits will be seen defending the borders of our kingdom within the year!”

 

Ruby was amazed. “Whoa…”

 

“Ruby?” Penny called again. “Maybe we should go somewhere else.”

 

At the side of the stage, two soldiers saw Penny and started to point her out and call for backup. Penny backed away and then started to run, which snapped Ruby out of her awe.

 

“Penny! Wait! Where are you going?”

 

Ruby turned to look back at the soldiers chasing after Penny and then realized she then followed her in an attempt to catch up down the alleyway Penny ran down.

 

The two ran across the street with the soldiers following them. Ruby was struggling trying to catch up with Penny, but a high stack of crates on a flimsy support was cut down by Ruby’s weapon which caused a wooden avalanche of

boxes to block the path. Since Penny was now close,  Ruby jumped off of the wall of the alley, ricocheting off to grab Penny around the middle.

 

Penny slowed down, but Ruby did not as she used her semblance, the two disappeared in a trail of petals. Ruby was able to get far, but Penny was too heavy and they crashed into the ground with Ruby falling into the road, not noticing

a truck coming., 

 

She stood up and reaized and held her palms out, out of nowhere, Penny pushed Ruby out of the way and held her palms out.

 

In the split second where the two make contact, the ground beneath Penny cracks and crumbles into pieces, and the truck is lifted into the air by the her.. She put it down, and everyone around them stared in shock.

 

Ruby stared with wide-eyes, absolutely shocked, and in full honesty, terrified. “Penny..?”

 

Penny looked around and Ruby's frightened expression and the reactions of the bystanders and then noticed the soldiers catching up. In a panic, she ran away, Ruby following.

 

Penny unfortunately ran into a dead end, her panic becoming more observant.

 

Ruby caught up, panting and out of breath. “Penny! Please! What is going on?! Why are you running? How did you do that?!”

 

“I-I can't! Everything's fine!” She started to hiccup. “ I-I don't want to talk about it!” She hiccuped again.

 

Ruby: Penny, if you can just tell me what's wrong, I can help you!

 

“You wouldn't understand…”

 

Ruby felt defeated, trying to help. “Just let me try.”

 

Penny finally gave in, and walked up to Ruby desperately. “You're my friend, right? You promise you're my friend?!”

 

Ruby smiled, speaking softly. “I promise.”

 

Penny went silent.

 

.

 

“Ruby... I'm not a real girl.”

 

Penny held out her palms and the skin was ripped away, revealing the gray metal underneath. 

 

“Oh.”

Notes:

HEY GUYS! lil explanation

so penny is seen to everyone as a normal human girl except Marrow, Megan, Winter, Ironwood and obviously now Ruby. Soon it'll go into Megan's story in Atlas and how she met the Ace-ops and why Ozpin doesn't know penny is just a robot

Chapter 15: God, stop flirting with Roman!

Ruby just stared down at Penny’s palms, and with her silence and reaction, Penny started to grow nervous. However, Ruby held Penny’s palms and flipped them over. “Penny, you have a heart and a soul. You think just because you've

got nuts and bolts instead of squishy guts makes you any less real than me?”

 

Penny just blinked and leaned in close. “You're... taking this extraordinarily well.

 

Ruby smiled. “ You're not like those things we saw back there.”

 

Penny then wrapped her arms around Ruby and swung her around in the air. “Oh Ruby! You’re the bestest friend anyone could ever ask for!”

 

Ruby let out giggles as she wobbled from the dizziness once Penny put her down. “I can see why your father would want to protect such a delicate flower.”

 

“Oh, he's very sweet! My father's the one that built me! I'm sure you would love him!”

 

Ruby’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Wow, he built you all by himself?”

 

“Well, almost! He had some help from Mr. Ironwood, and some input from Megan.”

 

The mention of Megan confused Ruby. “The General?! Wait... Is that why those soldiers were after you? And Megan, what do you mean?!”

 

Penny giggled. “Those soldiers like to protect me, too! So does Megan!”

 

Ruby scoffed. “They don't think you can protect yourself?”

 

Penny frowned. “They're not sure if I'm ready yet…One day, it will be my job to save the world, but I still have a lot left to learn. That's why my father let me come to the Vytal Festival. I want to see what it's like in the rest of the world,

and test myself in the Tournament.”

 

Ruby’s confusion grew even more. “But, we’re in a time of peace?”

 

“That’s not what Mr. Ironwood and Megan said…”

 

“Wait,” Ruby realized. “Penny…does Megan know that you’re a robot?”

 

Penny nodded. “Her and Ironwood work alongside together.”

 

Suddenly, the sound of soldiers was heard down the alleyway, making both the girls start to panic. In seconds, Penny picked up Ruby and looked for a place to hide her in while Ruby started to fight. 

 

“Penny, wait! What are you doing? You don't have to go with them! I can help you!”

 

Pennylifted a trash lid and placed Ruby in there. “t's okay, Ruby. They're not bad people; I just don't want to get you in trouble. Just promise me you won't tell anyone else my secret. Okay?”

 

Ruby nodded. “I promise.”

 

The lid closed, and Ruby could hear the muffled noises of the soldiers talking to Penny. About a minute later, it went quiet, and Ruby slowly opened the lid to find Penny and the soldiers gone.

 

~~~

 

In the sketchy areas of Vale, Yang and Neptune rode on her motorcycle just outside a club. “Come on, my friends just in here.”

 

Both Neptune and Yang walked up the steps leading into the club. When two bouncers noticed Yang, they immediately ran in, closing the doors.

 

“Friend?” Neptune repeated.

 

Yang just sighed, before she punched the doors mixed in with a bullet, causing a minor explosion. Inside the club, everyone stared and went quiet, as the only thing playing was the messed up record.

 

“Guess who’s back!” She grinned. 

 

The DJ took the needle off the record, and Yang was now facing multiple different guns.

 

Yang’s grin turned into a glare.

 

“Yeah, so define friend for me..” Neptune slowly backed away.

 

“Stop-stop!” Junior, the club owner, got through his workers. “Nobody shoot.” 

 

Everyone backed away.

 

“Blondie! Your here!...Why?”

 

“You stil owe me that drink.” She winked and dragged him to the bar by his tie.

 

~~

 

In another sketchy area of Vale, Sun and Blake were inside an abandoned building which was now turned into one of the White Fang headquarters. The area was completely full with Faunus, and Blake and Sun were given masks along

with everyone else.

 

“I don't get it.” Sun spoke as he pointed at the mask. “If you believe what you're doing is right, why hide who you are?”

 

“The masks are a symbol. Humanity wanted to make monsters out of us, so we chose to don the faces of monsters.”

 

“Grimm masks... That's kind of dark.”

 

Blake frowned. “So was the man who started it.”

 

“Sunshine and rainbows..” Sun whispered to himself.

 

The area went quiet as a White Fang lieutenant went up onto the stage. “Thank you all for coming. For those of you who are joining us for the first time tonight, allow me to introduce a very special comrade of ours! I can assure you, he

is the key to obtaining what we have fought for for so long!”

 

Slowly coming into view from the shadows came Roman Torchwick, and behind him was a young girl, with a rather familiar weapon to both Sun and Blake.

 

“You’ve seen that weapon before, right?” Blake whispered, confused.

 

Sun nodded. “Yeah, Megan’s…”

 

“What’s a human doing here?”  A faunus in the back yelled.

 

“I'm glad you asked, "Deerie"! Now, I'll be the first to admit, humans... are the worst.” He pointed to himself. “Case in point. So, I understand why you would like to see us all locked away, or, better yet, killed!”

 

“But, before the claws come out, I'd like to mention the fact that you and I all have a common enemy: the ones in control, the people pulling the strings, the dirty, rotten humans that run our kingdoms!” The crowds aura changed,

starting to agree with him. “Government, military, even the schools: they're all to blame for your lot in life! And they're all pests that need to be dealt with! Fortunately, I'm the best exterminator around... No offense to any rodents in

the room.”

 

Roman snapped his fingers and a curtain fell behind him revealing the the Atlesian Paladin-290 behind it, the mark of the White Fang painted on its shoulder.

 

Sun stared in awe, “Whoa, that's a big robot…”

 

Blake gasped. “How did he get that?”

 

“As some of you may have heard, this right here...is Atlas' newest defense against all the scary things in the world. And thanks to my "employer", we've managed to snag a few before they, uh, "hit the shelves". Now, many of your

brothers have already moved down to our new operation in the southeast. If you'd rather stay within the city, that's fine... But if you're truly ready to fight for what you believe in, this is the arsenal I can provide you. Any questions?”

 

“We should get out of here.” Blake whispered. 

 

“Will all new recruits, please come forward!” A worker yelled.

 

“What do we do?” Sun whispered as they were being pushed to the front.

 

Blake looked around frantically to find an answer, and unfortunately, her constant movement caught the attention of Roman, who frowned.

 

“He sees us.” Sun just waved at him.

 

Blake then noticed a junction box on the wall. “He can’t see in the dark.”

 

She quickly pulled out her weapon and transformed it into a pistol, shooting the box and everyone yelled as the room went dark, both Sun and Blake running.

 

“DON’T LET THEM GET AWAY!” Roman yelled, running to the Paladin.

 

Blake and Sun jumped out a window, and in seconds, the gigantic paladin began to chase them.

 

The two leaped off cars, flipped from roofs and ran down the street, trying to outrun the mechanic. 

 

So you wouldn't happen to have-” Sun paused to flip over a roof. “oh, I don't know... some form of backup?!”

 

“On it! ”She yelled as she grabbed her scroll and called the group.

 

~~~

 

Back at the Club, Junior slammed down his glass on the bar he was currently behind as Yang interrogated him. “I don't know!”

 

“How can you not know?” She scoffed.

 

Junior groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “I haven't talked to Roman! I haven't even seen him since the night you first came in here. He paid up front, I lent him my men, and none of them ever. Came. Back.”

 

Neptune then rushed to Yang’s side to ask a question. “So where did they go?”

 

Junior paused, just blinking and staring at Neptune. “ What kind of stupid question is that? They never came back!” He looked back at Yang. “Who is this guy?”

 

Yang pushed Neptune. “Don't worry about him; worry about me if I don't find out what I want!

 

Junior groaned again. “I already told you everything! Torchwick hired my boys, and I guess he wasn't happy with them, which is something I can relate to!” He shouted the last part louder, as the men around started to grumble and roll

their eyes. 

 

“God, you’re like the last girl who came here.”

 

That caught Yang’s attention. “Huh?” 

 

“Maybe a few months ago, over the summer. Girl came in, looking for some raggedy-ass man. Almost fought me ‘cuz I couldn’t find him.”

 

Yang was intrigued. “Do you know who?”

 

“Didn’t catch a name. She won the Vytal Festival last year.”

 

“Megan Bran.” Yang quickly said, and Junior’s eyes lit up.

 

“Yeah! Her.”

 

Yang and Neptune glanced at each other.

 

Yang wanted to ask more. Who was Megan looking for? Why this year? But, she had a mission and didn’t have a lot of time, so instead, she just sighed.  “Come on, Neptune.”

 

Neptune followed. “We get everything we need?”

 

“Well, we got everything we can. Hopefully the rest of the team is having better luck.”

 

The two left the club, walking towards Yang’s motorcycle. Once they were sat and their helmets were on, Yang’s scroll started to ring, same with Neptune’s.

 

“It’s Blake.” Yang said, answering.

 

“What’s u-”

 

“HEEEEEEEEEEELP”

 

Sun screamed, shocking Yang and Neptune.

 

“We need back-up!” Blake yelled. 

 

“Big robot! And it's big! Really big!”

 

“Oh i am not missing this!” Ruby yelled before she disconnected from the call.

 

“Be there soon!” Weiss yelled, her disocnnecting as well.

 

Neptune and Yang stayed, still listening. 

 

“That Torchwick guy is in it! But not, like, it didn't eat him; he's, like, controlling it or something!”

 

Neptune was just confused at his best friends words while Yang was shocked. “Where are you guys?”

 

“HURRRRRYYYYYY!”

 

On both the call and in person, they heard Sun scream and turned around to see Blake and Sun running, a gigantic paladin following behind them.

 

“I think that was them.” Neptune muttered.

 

“Yeah, I got that!” Yang said, “BUCKLE UP!” She yelled before she swiftly turned the motorcycle, Neptune screaming as he hung on for dear life.

 

Blake and Sun somehow made it to the highways, jumping down into the busy street and continuing their escape by hopping on cars while the Paladin followed them, causing multiple car crashes and cars being thrown. 

 

Yang and Neptune quickly caught up, coming up next to it as it runs.

 

“We've gotta slow it down!”

 

“Got it!” Neptune nodded and he reached for his gun, but Roman notices the pair on his sensors and crashes into a multitude of cars with the Paladin's strong bulk, sending them flying towards his chasers.

 

Yang then swerved, avoiding all the flying cars while once again, Neptune hung on. Once somewhat safe, Neptune took out his weapon and aimed it as sparks started flying, and fired several bolts of blue electricity at the Paladin.

Neptune flipped the gun and it transformed into a shaft and an energy blade at the end, he then jumped on Yang’s bike and landed on the Paladin.

 

Neptune, hang on!” Sun yelled.

 

Neptune was struggling as he tried, but the mech kept bucking. Closing his eyes, Sun smashed his palms together as his Semblance created two glowing outlines of himself, leaping off and going back over the tops of vehicles to

collide into the Paladin's front. They explode which gave Sun the distraction to hop on along with Neptune.

 

 

Unfortunately, Roman bucked hard enough which sent the boys flying off and off the highway. 

 

“NEPTUNE!” Yang yelled.

 

“SUN!” Blake yelled as well.

 

Weiss reconnected to the call. “Blake! I'm in position!”

 

Weiss was at the end of the highway, holding her weapon as she twirled around and summoned a circle of ice across the pavement that caused the Paladin to slip and crash, flying over the girls standing 

 

Team RWBY falls beside their leader to take up positions. Roman chuckled, moving the robot slowly towards them

 

“Freezer Burn!” Ruby yelled.

 

Ruby and Blake jump away Weiss performed her same ice trick, but backed out of Yang's way when she jumped into the air and hit the ice with a dust bullet, which caused a mist that surrounded Roman. 

 

“Checkmate!”

 

Blake and Weiss go in this time, both going for the feet until Weiss jumped up and stabbed a sensor before leaping off of a white glyph. The Paladin's foot was lifted, intended to crush Blake, but Weiss summoned another glyph under

her teammate to launch her backwards before the stomp. Roman fired off missiles, but Weiss and Blake flip backwards and dodge each one.

 

Weiss was thrown back as an energy blast hit her, yet had enough reaction time to cast a beam of light from her weapon to the ground under Blake, forming a yellow clockwork circle that amplified Blake’s aura. 

 

Using all her might, she started to slash at the paladin with her sword, using her aura to send damage towards it.

 

Ruby now ran in. “Ladybug!”

 

Both Blake and Ruby dashed forward and attacked at the same time, circling each other around the Paladin with each strike until they both launched themselves into the air and come down together on the shoulder, cutting off the left

arm entirely.

 

Yang, in seconds, jumped on the back and started throwing several punches. However, just like with Sun and Neptune, Roman bucked the Paladin and sent Yang to the ground. Holding the Pladin’s last arm up, he started to aim it at

Yang, intending to hit her hard.

 

The girls were too far, and panic set over them as Yang was distraught from the throw to the ground.

 

“YANG!” Blake and Ruby screamed, ready to see her get crushed by the hand.

 

…

 

Yet instead, the hand was met with the sound of loud metal and screeches, which somehow caused fog to fly around along with dust.

 

The girls all covered their eyes, and slowly opened them to see Megan holding out a dust infused katana, holding it against the arm of the Paladin as Yang stared up at her in shock.

 

“Megan?” Yang gasped. 

 

With all her might, Megan swung her katana up, sending the Paladin flying back.

 

“Roman!” Megan grinned. “Pleasre to see you again, handsome.”

 

“You’re too young for me.” Roman reminded, his voice coming out of the Paladin.

 

“I’m 18 soon.” She winked.

 

The girls just stared at each other.

 

“God, you couldn’t just leave us alone?” She scoffed. “Starting to think you’re obsessed with me, Roman.”

 

“In your dreams.” He laughed.

 

Megan turned to look at Ruby. “I can send that thing down, but i need a minute. Think you can do that for me?”

 

Team RWBY looked at each other and Yang stood up, being the one to speak. “We got you.”

 

“How do you suppose we fight this for another minute?” Weiss asked her team leader as Megan ran close to the end of the highway, kneeling down as she started to focus.

 

Within seconds, her auro started to glow.

 

“We just need to slow it down so she can do…whatever she needs to do.” Ruby said. “Iceflower!”

 

Twirling their weapons so they both point at Roman, Weiss created a series of glyphs in front of the scythe's sniper, and a single shot through the created a large icicle upon impact with the Paladin. Ruby continued to shoot as Weiss

freezed the fire, and the ice covered the robot's body. 

 

Blake swung Yang around in a circle, and is hit by Yang’s fist, causing a large impact and large dent to the side of the Paladin.

 

The girls moved out of the way, the Paladin facing Megan as Roman struggled to get out of the ice.

 

The glow surrounding Megan became brighter and brighter, scaring the girls.

 

“What is she doing?” Yang asked.

 

“It’s her aura.” Blake answered. “I don’t know exactly, but it’s strong. She’s summoning it.”

 

Just after a minute, Roman finally broke free and charged towards Megan, who just grinned, still kneeling.

 

Her katana was growing as well, and the girls were growing concerned with how close he was getting.

 

Just steps away, Ruby panicked. “MEGAN!” She screamed.

 

However, Megan swung her katana, and with the amount of aura within it, it sliced straight through the paladin, sending Roman flying out and hitting the ground roughly.

 

He stood up, and so did Megan and she just grinned. He was wiping down his jacket as it was covered in dust and pebbles. “Damn, just got this thing clean!”

 

Yang ran up and shot a bullet at Roman. However, a girl jumped down in front of him, holding out an umbrella which deflected the bullet. The girls looked up to see a bullhead slowly coming down to pick them up.

 

“Neopolitan.” Megan glared, and the pink-brown haired girl just winked at Megan.

 

“Ladies, Ice queen,”

 

“Hey!”

 

“Been a pleasure!” He bowed, and so did Neo.

 

Yang, full of anger, ran up to the two, ready to punch with all her might.

 

Yet when she did, Roman and Neo broke into glass, shocking everyone except Megan. They looked up to see the two had now teleported to the bullhead and were flying away.

 

Blake only stared at the broken glass, wondering how the hell Neo had the same semblance as Megan.

 

“Thank you.” Yang panted, as she walked up to Megan. “For saving me.”

 

Megan glared. “One, what the hell were you all thinking?! And two, where are Sun and Neptune?!”

 

The girls all stared at each other, shocked as they completely forgot about the guys.

 

~~

 

Just nearby, Sun and Neptune were sat at “A Simple Wok Noodle House", munching on their noodles.

 

Megan walked up angrily, Team RWBY trailing behind them. Neptune and Sun’s eyes widened and Sun stood up.

 

“H-hey Meg! What’s up!”

 

“Don’t!” She put a hand up. 

 

“Coco’s van is near. Yang, take your motorcycle with whoever the hell you want, but we are all going back to my dorm together and you will explain to Me and Team CFVY why the fuck you were all fighting ROMAN TORCHWICK IN A

PALADIN AT 8:30PM!” She screamed.

 

Everyone looked down, it was as if a mother was yelling at her children.

 

“I expect you all there at NINE!” She yelled, grabbing Sun’s hand as she dragged him away, Neptune, Weiss and Ruby following quickly as Yang and Blake ran to her motorcycle. 

 

Chapter 16: Goodbye Team CFVY

“Okay, why the hell were you all out there?” Megan asked once she slammed the door to her dorm. Team RWBY, Sun and Neptune were sat on the floor, with the two men sharing a bean bag that Fox had somehow stolen from Team

JNPR’s room.

 

No, they haven’t noticed. Yet.

 

Blake deflected the question, instead looking around the dorm. “Why are all the bags packed?” She asked.

 

Megan also took a look. While she was gone, Team CFVY must’ve started packing for their trip. “Search and Rescue mission.” She answered, “They leave in 2 days.” 

 

“You’re not going with them?” Blake asked. “Why?”

 

Megan glared. “Because Ozpin is forcing me to stay here and rightfully so after you all caused multiple casualties and car crashes in one of the busiest highways and ALSO, oh! EXPLODED IT!” 

 

Everyone took a scooch back at her yell. 

 

“Who’s going first?” Megan sat down on a chair she pulled out from a desk, while the rest of Team CFVY sat on their beds.

 

“You’re just gonna tell Ozpin.” Yang retorted, scoffing.

 

Megan snorted. “I may be his assistant, but my first priority is helping you all.”

 

Her glares turned into one of a soft look. “I’m trying to help you all, not get you suspended, and especially not disqualified from the Vytal Tournament.”

 

Coco gasped. “I forgot to sign us up for that.”

 

Velvet, Yatsu and Fox now all glared at Coco, who scrambled for her scroll. 

 

Megan just shook her head. “Hey, what are we even doing for that?” 

 

“We’ll figure it out.” Coco muttered, on the online platform to sign them up for the tournament.

 

Megan went back to the current situation at hand. “I’m here trying to help you all, so I want an answer before Ozpin gets here in..” Megan paused to check the time on her scroll. “Thirty minutes.” 

 

Yang was the one to speak for them all. “We were all out clubbing.” 

 

“You made Ruby go to a club?” Yatsu snorted. 

 

“It was an IDless club.” Yang responded. “I know the guy. His names Junior. We ran into someone on the way out, and that same someone was Roman. Down the street was a White Fang headquarters which had the Paladin and…he

chased us.”

 

“You think their telling the truth?” Fox’s voice popped up in the back of Team CFVY’s heads. 

 

“No,” Coco responded.

 

The group watched- except Fox- as Megan’s eyes started to glow as she inspected Yang, and in seconds, she had her answer. “Lying won’t get you anywhere.”

 

Yang stared shocked. “How did you?!”

 

“Semblance.” Megan shrugged.

 

“What is your semblance?” Blake asked.

 

“Just glass related, nothing big-”

 

“Megan,” Velvet persisted. 

 

Velvet then switched to speaking telepathically. “Listen, we’re trying to help them, so there’s no point in keeping secrets. Megan, you have to tell them what your semblance is.”

 

Team CFVY spun their heads to good at Velvet, who’s ears flopped down a bit. “It’s better than nothing.” She sent.

 

“Uhm, do you guys have some sort of shared brain? Did we miss something?” Neptune asked, watching as team cfvy made faces to each other as if they were talking to each other (they were).

 

Megan just sighed. “Okay, if I tell you what my semblance is, you tell me what happened tonight?” 

 

The group looked at each other, coming to a decision with their faces, and in seconds, they all nodded. 

 

“It’s not even a big deal.” She dragged a hand down her face. “It’s the ability to steal semblances and auras. I just have to physically fight them for it.” 

 

“So, the glass…and that girl from tonight…” Blake trailed off, connecting the pieces.

 

“Fought her once.” Megan shrugged. “Or twice. Don’t remember. Her name is Neopolitan, she’s one of Roman’s annoying henchman.”

 

“Whats your flirting deal with him?” Ruby asked, grinning.

 

Sun sun his head around. “Flirting?!”

 

Coco snorted, as the mood switched for the team as they were all holding back their laughs.

 

Megan just shrugged. “Sometimes there’s a little fun in flirting with the enemy. You gotta admit, he’s kinda hot.”

 

“His hair is ugly.” Blake deadpanned.

 

“He’s built.” Megan grinned, and the entire room started to ew out loud, causing everyone to laugh.

 

Sun was still shocked. “You were FLIRTING?! WITH THE MAN WHO TRIED TO KILL US?!”

 

“He’s tried to kill me hundreds of times.” Megan shrugged. “All fun ‘n games. Okay, back to topic! Fifteen minutes.”

 

Yang spoke for the group again. “Okay, last night, I messaged Sun and Neptune to come to our dorm because we were having trouble with Blake.”

 

Fox slowly started connecting the pieces. “Oh my god.” 

 

“That’s why he was at their dorm!” Velvet sent, holding back her gasp. “He went to go help them!”

 

Blake then spoke. “I told them about the White Fang and how I felt that the police wouldn’t be able to do anything. They don’t know the White fang like I do.”

 

Weiss. “I reminded them we weren’t ready, but…”

 

Sun grinned. “Ruby ended up changing our minds.”

 

Neptune and Ruby fist-bumped, happy they were the only ones to say “aye” on that night. 

 

Blake spoke again. “The plan was that Weiss and Ruby would head over to the CCT Towers and contact the Schnee Dust Company to see any large shipments done in the last two weeks.”

 

Megan observed Ruby and saw the way she looked down. Ruby didn’t go with Weiss, she was with Penny, Megan realized; Hence the “missing” Penny conversation earlier.

Sun then took his turn. “Blake and I headed to one of the White Fang headquarters to see what they were up to. They were gathering new recruits and revealed the Paladin that’s supposed to come out for the military next month. We

got caught, hence the whole…highway.”

 

Neptune spoke next. “Yang and I went to the club and met up with Junior. Had a few guns pointed at us…was definitely fun. Found out nothing though; Roman rented out some of his henchmen and they never came back.”

 

“Anything else?” Megan asked, taking in all the info they got. 

 

The group shook their head, and there were no shared looks, already telling Megan that they were telling the truth.

 

“We believe it?” Fox sent

 

“Yes.” Megan sent back and looked around to see her teammates nod in agreement. “Alright,” She sighed, “Thank you for…being honest. I’ll talk to Ozpin, you guys just get some rest.”

 

“What are you gonna tell him?” Weiss asked as the group stood up.

 

“Yang’s lie; You went clubbing, ran into Torchwick and it happened. He’ll believe it if it’s coming from me, and you’re all somewhat dressed for the club. Mostly Yang.”

 

Yang grinned as the group made their way out the door.

 

“Meg,” Ruby came up. “Can I talk to you?” She whispered

 

“I know.” Megan whispered back. “You were with Penny. I will figure it out.” 

 

Ruby smiled softl at her and Megan smiled back. The young girl was quick to run out of the room, following her teammates.

 

All that was left was Sun and Neptune.

 

“We’ll give you two a minute!” A large grin took over Yatsu’s face as he pushed Megan, Sun and Neptune out of the room, slamming the door behind them.

 

Neptune also grinned, skipping away. “See you at the dorm he called out!” 

 

Sun and Megan just watched the blue-haired man SKIP down the hall, and both lost it in laughter when he turned the corner. Once calm, Sun looked down at her with a sad smile. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

 

Now that Megan understood the whole situation and connected the dots from what her team saw last night, she was completely okay. “They’re your friends too. I’d do the same if I was in your spot.” 

 

“Let me know when your free?” He asked shyly.

 

Megan nodded. “Will do.”

 

She didn’t know what overtook her, and what gave her the boost, but she leaned up and pressed her lips to his cheek as he just stood there absolutely dumbfounded.

 

She immediately opened the door and slammed it, and he slowly hovered his hand over the cheek, staring at the door with a large grin. 

 

~~

 

Ozpin was at the dorm in the next 10 minutes, standing as everyone else was sat on the beds. Fox and Yatsu in their own and the girls on Coco’s.

 

“So, what happened tonight?” Ozpin asked them.

 

“They went clubbing.” Fox answered.

 

Ozpin deadpanned. “Really? That’s all?”  He turned to Megan, knowing she’d never lie.

 

However, Megan nodded. “They invited us out, but we were too busy planning the dance and they were getting ready for their mission- See!” She pointed to the packed bags in the corner, and Ozpin stared at them for a few seconds.

 

“So, if they were clubbing, how on earth did they get chased by a Paladin and how Ruby got separated and found Penny just an hour prior?” 

 

“Let me talk.” Megan sent. “Ruby and Weiss lied about something.”

 

“Ruby, Weiss, Sun and Blake decided they’d all walk there instead of driving. Yang took Neptune on her motorcycle since they weren’t keen on walking. Ruby ended up getting separated and Penny found her and they talked. At some point, Penny left and Ruby was maybe at the club for a small time before the group left and at horrible timing, Roman was near. Guess he wanted revenge from the night at the docks so, he chased them in a Paladin.”

 

“Shit, you’re good at lying.” Yatsu sent.

 

“It scares me.” Coco sent.

 

“My worst and best flex.” Megan sent back, holding back her laugh.

 

“Alright, that’s all then. Have a good night.” He turned and walked to the door, his cane slowly hitting the ground with every step. Just as he reached the door, he turned back around. “I wish you luck on your mission, In case I won’t be

able to say it tomorrow.”

 

“Thank you.” Team CFVY saifd in unison, and Ozpin was gone.

 

Megan laid down between Coco and Velvet. “I’m so fucking tired.” 

 

Coco snorted, laying down as well. “You drove all the way to the highway in a matter of five minutes somehow. I wanna know how you did it.”

 

“Yeah,” Velvet muttered. “Meg, you have to take a flight to Vale which takes up that entire five minutes, then you had to find Coco’s car and drive all the way. How the hell did you do that?”

 

Megan just smiled with a shrug. “I have my ways.”

 

She’d reveal that secret one day.

 

Velvet laid down, laughing “Let’s cuddle and sleep.”

 

“Get the fuck out of my bed.” Coco glared.

 

“Team bonding.” Megan grinned as she wrapped her arms around Coco who let out a groan.

 

“I’m claustrophobic!” 

 

“You’re fine.” Velvet rolled her eyes.

 

The guys stayed in their own beds, not wanting to join whatever the hell that was. Yatsuhashi got up to turn off the lights, but a paper was slid under their door.

 

“I heard a paper.” Velvet spoke, not opening her eyes. “Who’s writing something.”

 

“I’m not writing anything.” Yatsu murmured. “Someone wrote to us.”

 

Fox was confused. “Who wrote us a paper?"

 

Yatsuhashi deadpanned. “Give me back my fucking beanbag in the next 24 hours or I will bite off all of your feet while you sleep so you wake up in a pool of your own blood and I won’t be kind with it. Signed, Nora.”

 

Everyone sat up, staring absolutely shocked and bewildered at Nora’s note and Fox just hid in his bed sheets.

 

Yatsu sighed, “This is a problem for tomorrow.” He turned off the light, and the team was ready to sleep after a stressful day.

 

~~

 

The next morning, before classes started, Megan took the liberty of delivering the beanbag back to Team JNPR’s dorm- which was just right beside there’s. 

 

“Thank you,” Ren spoke when he opened the door, and Nora just glared.

 

“I didn’t steal it.” Megan sighed out, struggling to drag the rather large beanbag. “Fox did.”

 

Jaune just looked confused. “How’d he know where it was?”

 

Megan panted after she dropped the beanbag off in the center of the room. “Don’t ask when it comes to Fox. He just has his ways.”“I think the more important question is how did he steal it without any of us noticing..” Pyrrha

murmured on her bed. Ren also started to ponder- the man was a literal ninja, and he didn’t hear.

 

“Sly as a fox.” Megan murmured back, walking over to sit beside Pyrrha.

 

“You ready for your mission?” Nora asked, jumping onto her beanbag and hugging it, happy it was back.

 

“I’m not going.” She sighed out. “They need me here in case I have to perform a search and rescue mission on them.”

 

“I doubt that’ll happen.” Pyrrha reassured. “Are you ready for the dance? Heard your planning it!”

 

“It’s gonna be amazing if Team CFVY is planning it.” Jaune’s voice was muffled as he brushed his teeth. 

 

“That’s another problem.” Megan groaned, sitting up. “Their mission is seven days. And I mean, the dance is in two weeks so it’s fine, but that gives us limited time to set up.”

 

Everyone stared at Megan confused. “Meg. the dance is this weekend?” Pyrrha reminded.

 

She blinked. “What? No. It’s Tuesday, the dance is next Sunday- The 21st!”

 

Ren shook his head. “Megan, today is Tuesday…the 16th…”

 

Megan’s jaw dropped and she screame. “WHAT?! I THOUGHT IT WAS THE 6TH!”

 

Jaune broke out into laughter along with Nora, Ren couldn’t believe what he was hearing and Pyrrha was giggling as well. 

 

“Coco and her horrible timing.” Megan just sighed. “Unless they can be back on Saturday, Team RWBY will definitely have to take over.”

 

~~~

 

Team CFVY and RWBY were all sitting together in the auditorium, with Sun, Neptune and Team JNPR lurking around. All the tables in the rooms were pushed back, and all there was was a descorated poster for the dance.

 

“Okay, so we might not be back on time.” Coco spoke truthfully, “And I’m very…you know, positive in my team, but just to be safe,”

 

“We’re not gonna be back in time.” Velvet deadpanned. “I have no hope we’ll be back in time for the dance.” 

 

Megan pushed her head, “Have some hope.” She muttered.

 

“So you want us to take over for you?” Yang asked, looking around the table to look at the reactions of her teammates. Ruby seemed like she didn’t care, Weiss was absolutely excited and in full honesty Yang was too, and Blake was…

 

“She’s taking a catnap,” Yatsu grinned, giggling at his joke and Nora slapped the back of his head.

 

“So, if Team RWBY is planning it, why are we here?” Neptune asked, referring to him, his best friend and Team JNPR.

 

Megan smirked. “They’re gonna need people to boss around to help out.” 

 

Both Sun and Neptune glared at Team CFVY, who just had grins on their faces. The same went for Weiss and Yang, who looked at each other with large shit-faced smirks.

 

“Get ready for hell,” Yang winked at them.

 

“Ice Queen and Anger Management is never a good duo,” Fox muttered.

 

“Hey!” The two yelled, making him grin.

 

“So, any chance of a fog machine?” Yang asked.

 

Coco glared. “No. I trust Ice Queen more with the planning.”

 

Weiss smiled, feeling pride within herself.

 

Velvet dropped a notepad on the table. “You just need to write a bunch of ideas on here and hand it to Glynda by tonight, and then we can leave in peace.”

 

At the shortened time mention, Yang and Weiss were now starting to argue over what to do. The two had completely different perspectives on what the dance would look like. With the argue, it woke Blake up in an insant

 

Blake glared at the two girls, and just sighed and got up. “I’m not helping with…whatever this is. What is this?”

 

“The dance.” Megan answered. “Your teams planning it.”

 

She scoffed. “Count me out. I’m not going.” 

 

Not listening to her teams yells and argues of “WHY?!” she walked out of the auditorium.

 

Megan and Sun shared a look. 

 

~~

 

Around 5am, Team CFVY and Megan were woken up rather RUDELY by Professor Port. His trumpet skills were not good in the slightest.

 

“You suck,” Coco tiredly murmured, grabbing her everyday clothes in such a slow motion. She does not wake up easily.

 

Yatsuhashi, on the other hand, was fine. He does not take people waking him up lightly, especially when it comes to Fox, but he was fine with getting up this early.

 

Fox stayed in bed.

 

Velvet was still holding her ears, whining about how loud it was while Port was apologizing and laughing.

 

The team made their way outside to the ship, Glynda awaiting them. Despite herself not wanting to be awake at this hour, she had a kind smile on her face. 

 

“Good luck,” She spoke softly, and it creeped Coco out how nice she was being.

 

Glynda, in full honesty, was just worried they wouldn’t make it back in one piece.

 

“See you in exactly 5 days.” Megan glared, hugging her teammates. “Don’t make me perform a search and rescue.”

 

“I think the sight of Yatsu will scare the Grimm away.” Fox snorted, and was immediately pushed to the ground by the large hand of Yatsuhashi.

 

Port offered to take the team to Lower Cairn, and reassured he would be back within the next few hour. Both Glynda and Megan watched as the bullhead rose up into the air, speeding off into the soon to be rising sun.

 

Megan could feel that pit in her stomach twist and turn. 

 

“Don’t,” Glynda said, giving her a look. “Just hope for the best.”

 

“As if you did that,” Megan snorted, the both turning to walk back in the school. “Your little ‘soft’ act does not go by me.” 

 

Just like Fox, Megan was pushed to the ground by the harsh hand of Glynda, who laughed while the other rolled on the ground, laughing as well.

 

Chapter 17: Confrontation and Comformation

Ruby jumped when Weiss’ hands were slammed on the table, holding 2 paper colour references. “Choose a colour,”

 

To Ruby, they were the exact same colour. “Aren’t they just the same?” 

 

Weiss just scoffed. “Why did I  even ask you?” She walked over to another table, where Neptune, Sun and Megan were sitting. She placed the same two papers down. “Choose a colour.”

 

Neptune and Sun just looked at each other. “Is this a trick question?” Sun asked.

 

Weiss scoffed, and was about to leave until Megan answered. “Ghost white.” She pointed to a paper, and Weiss smiled.

 

‘Thank you! At least some people have eyes,” She glared at the two boys before walking away. 

 

Yang walked into the auditorium and glared at Weiss. “Weiss, I thought we agreed no dollies!”

 

“If I dont get dollies, you dont get fog machines!” She argued back.

 

“I thought Coco said no fog machines?” Megan asked.

 

“Coco’s not here.” Yang grinned. 

 

Megan just sighed, not really caring. If Coco wasn’t here, she wasn’t here. And she was not in the mood to argue with Yang.

 

“Have you guys picked out a dress yet?” Yang asked.

 

Weiss and Nora nodded. Megan and Pyrrha didn’t. 

 

“Dress shopping later?” Pyrrha asked.

 

Megan nodded. “You know it."

 

“What’s the point if Blake isn’t going?” Ruby muttered.

 

Yang grinned. “Oh, don’t worry, she’s going.”

 

“You ladies all excited for dress-up?” Sun asked.

 

Ruby scoffed, laughing.  “Pfft... Yeah, right!”

 

Yang shook her head, a large smile on her face.”Laugh all you want. I'll be turning heads tomorrow night!”

 

Weiss turned to the two boys.  "What are you two wearing?”

 

“Uuhhh...this?” Sun gestured to his current outfit; an unbuttoned shirt and jeans.

 

Neptune held a hand in front of Sun’s face, disappointed. “Ignore him for he knows not what he says.”

 

Sun slapped away Neptune’s hand. “Hey, I may have moved to Mistral, but I grew up in Vacuo. It's not exactly a shirt-and-tie kind of place.”

 

Nora, Pyrrha and Megan shared a look. “Yeah, we noticed.” Nora deadpanned.

 

“How’s Blake doing?” Ren asked, switching the topic. 

 

Team RWBY’s expression changed to ones of sadness. “Still…off.” Ruby answered.

 

“When is she never off?” Jaune muttered, and Pyrrha sent a glare. He just threw his hands up, “You’ve gotta admit, she’s been off since this year started- 6 months ago!”

 

“Guys.” Yang called, everyone turning over to look at the blonde, who was smirking. She turned to leave, heading for the doors. “Trust me; Blake will be at the dance tomorrow.”

 

 

~~

 

“Yang, if you’re going to tell me to stop, you may as well save your breath.”

 

“It's not a luxury to stop, Blake. it's a necessity.”

 

“The "necessity" is stopping Torchwick.”

 

“And we're going to.” Yang reassured. “But first you have to sit down and listen to what I have to say.’ Yang patted her hand down on the desk beside her- the two were in an empty classroom after Yang had managed to pull her out of

her focus on finding out Torchwick’s plan.

 

Blake sighed, jumping on the ledge of the desk and letting her legs hang over. “Fine.”

 

Yang started to walk around,  “Ruby and I grew up in Patch, an island off the coast of Vale. Our parents were Huntsmen. Our dad taught at Signal, and our mom took on missions around the kingdom. Her name was Summer Rose, and

she was, like... Super-Mom: Baker of cookies and slayer of giant monsters. And then... one day she left for a mission and never came back.”

 

Blake looked down, a frown on her face. She somewhat knew this story- Megan told her on that night on the rooftop, but hearing it come from Yang herself was more depressing.

 

“It was tough. Ruby was really torn up, but... I think she was still too young to really get what was going on, y'know? And my dad just kind of... shut down. It wasn't long before I learned why. Summer wasn't the first love he lost; she

was the second. The first... was my mom.”

 

Blake’s frown grew deeper. 

 

“He wouldn't tell me everything, but I learned that the two of them had been on a team together with Summer and Qrow, and that she'd left me with him right after I was born. No one had seen her since.”

 

“Why did she leave you?” Blake asked.

 

Yang sighed. “That question... Why? I didn't know an answer, but I was determined to find out. It was all I thought about. I would ask anyone I could about what they knew about her.”

 

She hopped over to the chalkboard, beginning to draw something out. “Then, one day, I found something. What I thought was a clue that could lead me to answers, or maybe even my mother.”

 

“I waited for Dad to leave the house, put Ruby in a wagon, and headed out. I must've walked for hours. I had cuts and bruises, I was totally exhausted, but I wasn't gonna let anything stop me. When we finally got there, I could barely

stand, but I didn't care; I had made it. And then I saw them. Those burning red eyes…”

 

Blake felt her heart drop a little.

 

“There we were: A toddler sleeping in the back of a wagon and a stupid girl too exhausted to even cry for help. We might as well have been served on a silver platter. But, as luck would have it, our uncle showed up just in time.”

 

Yang finished drawing a clockwork eye; Qrow’s emblem.

 

“My stubbornness should've gotten us killed that night.”

 

Blake sighed.”Yang... I'm sorry that happened to you, and I understand what you're trying to tell me, but this is different. I'm not a child, and this isn't just a search for answers! I can't just-

 

Yang’s fists clenched. “I told you: I'm not telling you to stop! I haven't! To this day, I still want to know what happened to my mother and why she left me, but I will never let that search control me. We're going to find the answers we're

looking for, Blake. But if we destroy ourselves in the process, what good are we?”

 

Blake stood up, angry. “You don't understand! I'm the only one who can do this!”

 

Yang scoffed, turning around sharply to reveal her eyes now red of anger. “No, you don't understand! If Roman Torchwick walked through that door, what would you do?”

 

“I'd fight him!”

 

“You'd lose!” She pushed blake.

 

“I can stop him!” Blake pushed back, but Yang didn’t even nudge.

 

Yang scoffed, pushing Blake again. “ You can't even stop me!”

 

Blake knocked into the desk, looking down at the floor, ashamed in herself. Yang walked over, and in seconds, her eys returned to their normal colour as she embraced Blake in a hug.

 

Her voice went soft. “ I'm not asking you to stop. Just please, get some rest.” She let go, looking Blake in the eyes.  “Not just for you, but for the people you care about.”

 

Yang began to walk away, “Blake?” She called.

 

Blake turned around.

 

Yang winked. “And if you feel like coming out tomorrow, I'll save you a dance.”

 

Blake turned around, looking at Qrow’s emblem on the chalkboard. She thought in her head, what if she told Yang about Megan? Would she be upset? Angry.

 

She felt like she owed something to Yang, but not if it meant resetting Yang’s thoughts when it came to her mom.

 

But at the same time…

Chapter 18: Undercover?

“So, who are you going to the dance with?” Pyrrha asked, rummaging through the hung up dresses. 

 

Pyrrha and Megan were both looking for their own dresses, with Ruby tagging along and just watching. Megan was gonna choose a dress for her. 

 

“No one.” Megan scoffed, laughing. “What makes you think someones gonna ask me?”

 

Pyrrha deadpanned. “The whole world was in love with you when you won the tournament. For sure someone must’ve asked you to the dance.”

 

Megan grimaced- Yeah, multiple people had left letters at her dorm asking her to the dance, and as much as she didn’t wanna be rude, she just wasn’t gonna respond to any. 

 

Pyrrha laughed. “By your face, I can tell a lot of people have asked.”

 

“The guy I want to hasn’t though,” Megan sighed out.

 

“Sun?” Ruby asked.

 

Megan nodded, she held out a white dress to Ruby who shook her head, making a disgusted face. “No white dresses then,” Megan moved onto a different colour section.

 

“He’ll ask soon.” Ruby reassured. 

 

Pyrrha nodded in agreement. “Possibly he’s just nervous?”

 

Megan turned around, deadpanning at the two girls. “The dance is tomorrow night.” She turned back around, looking through the dresses when she came over a long red one.

 

“Pyrrha,” She called, the red-head turning to face her. Megan held out the long dress. “I think…this would fit you really well.”

 

Pyrrha looked amazed at the dress, walking over to grab it herself and take a look. “Wow..” She breathed out, feeling the fabric. “It’s perfect.” 

 

Megan looked around it, trying to find a price tag. “300 Lien.”

 

Pyrrha’s eyes widened, handing the dress back to Megan. “That’s far too much, I don’t have that type of-”

 

“Then I’ll pay.” Megan reassured, passing the dress over to Ruby to hold. She laid it over the lap, continuing to play games on her scroll.”

 

Pyrrha shook her head. “No, I couldn’t.”

 

“Well, you’re gonna.” Megan laughed. “Pyrrha, I’m basically rich- I don’t mean it as a brag, but I mean it in a way that this dress is literally perfect for you and you need it.”

 

Pyrrha was gonna try to argue, but she saw the way Megan was determined to fight her on it. Pyrrha just sighed, giving up. “Fine, but I will pay you back.”

 

“I won’t accept it.” Megan winked, and the two girls laughed.

 

“What about you, Pyrrha?’ Ruby asked. “Anyone going with you?”

 

Megan scoffed. “Pyrrha, Ms. Four-time-consecutive winner of the Mistral Regional Tournament, I’m sure you must also have a hundred letters at your dorm asking you to go.”

 

“In the same boat as you.” Pyrrha sighed, now sitting down beside Ruby. “The guy I want won’t ask me.”

 

She frowned. “He’s asking someone else.”

 

“Who’s he asking?” Ruby asked with Megan nodding her head, also intrigued.

 

“Weiss.”

 

Ruby and Megan looked at each other in an instant, connecting the dots.

 

“JAUNE?!” The two yelled, and Pyrrha shushed them loudly.

 

‘SHHHH! Don’t be so loud!” 

 

She looked around, hoping no one heard, but it was late for Beacon students to be out, so most likely there were hardly other students other than them. It was 8pm- Megan had no idea why the girls procrastinated on going out for so long, especially

with the dance tomorrow.

 

Megan found a short red dress with black lace, taking it off the hook and walking over to the two. “I’m sorry Pyrrha. It sucks.” She handed the dress to Ruby, who stared down at it with slight amazement. Megan had really good taste.

 

Pyrrha shrugged. “Life is life. I’m the one who encouraged him to ask her.”

 

“Weiss is asking Neptune.” Ruby suddenly remembered. “She was going to tonight..”

 

Megan sighed. “We’ll see how that goes. Neptune may seem cool, but he’s a nervous wreck and he’ll say something wrong.”

 

Megan picked out her own dress in the matter of minutes; It was similar to Pyrrha’s, but black. The two got up and they made their way over to pay.

 

“800 Lien,” The cashier said, and Megan rummaged through her wallet.

 

Ruby analyzed her wallet; There were multiple different cards, and a crazy amount of lien in cash. 

 

She frowned at it.

 

~~~

 

“Thank you again,” Pyrrha said, the three now back at Beacon as they all walked to their dorms. 

 

Ruby nodded, also thanking Megan.

 

Megan just shook her head. “It’s really nothing. As long as we all have fun tomorrow, with or without dates.” 

 

Pyrrha smiled at that. “Jaune made a bet with me; If I don’t have a date, he’ll wear a dress tomorrow.”

 

Ruby and Megan burst out into laughter. “Better be out of Nora’s closet.” Ruby giggled.

 

The three made their separate ways, all going into their dorms. Megan was about to unlock hers, when she realized it was already open. That concerned her.

 

She opened it slowly, ready for anything. The lights were turned off and she slowly reached for the switch.

 

Only to see Sun standing there holding flowers, a grin on his face. 

 

“Will you go to the dance with me?”

 

~~

 

“Can I talk to you guys about something?’ Ruby asked, putting her dress down on her bed as she sat.

 

Yang and Blake sat up, “What’s up?” Yang asked.

 

“It’s about Megan.”

 

Ruby heard Weiss shift up in her bed. “I have something to say too,” Weiss confessed. “On the day we all went to go investigate..”

 

“Same here.” Yang confessed. 

 

“You first,” Weiss nodded to Yang.

 

Yang let out a breath, thinking back to the conversation her and Neptune had with junior. “That ‘old friend’ I saw that night, he’s kinda known for working with Roman, and he’s good at finding people. I’ve been to him once, about finding someone,”

 

She glanced at Blake who glanced back.

 

“He said he reminded me of someone who came in maybe a few weeks before me. And for context, I probably saw him just a few weeks before the semester started. He said he couldn’t remember her name, but said she was famous for winning the

tournament…”

 

Weiss, at some point, had moved down to sit beside Ruby so they could all face each other. Everyone had slight surprise on their faces. 

 

“I asked if he meant Megan Bran, and he said yeah. He said she was looking for some…”raggedy-ass” man.”

 

Blake gulped.

 

“Ruby,” Weiss called. “That night you met Megan, when did she say she got to Vale after Vacuo?”

 

“Like, just a few days before the semester started.”

 

Yang realized Weiss’ motive as she also started connecting the dots. “The Vytal Tournament ended early in Vacuo. It ended in the summer…” 

 

“The tournament goes on from mid summer to early fall, then school starts late October.” Blake continued on. “That tournament ended, what, like in September? So she had a month in Vacuo.”

 

“Unless she spent that month in Vale.” Yang finished off.

 

“Who was she looking for?” Ruby wondered.

 

Blake was really debating on saying something, but she wanted to wait for more information, so she turned to Weiss. “What about you?”

 

Weiss frowned. “Well, when I went to go see recent dust records…apparently i wasn’t the only one.”

 

~~~

 

Weiss walked through the lobby of the tower and headed straight to the elevator. Once in, an AI voice was projected from a panel. 

 

“Hello. Welcome to the CCT. How may I help you?”

 

“I'd like to go to the communications room, please.”

 

“Absolutely. Could you please place your Scroll on the terminal to verify your identity?” 

 

Weiss took her scroll out of her pocket, finding her ID and holding it up to the panel for it to be scanned. “Thank you, Miss Schnee!”

 

The elevator doors then opened, and Weiss walked up to a table with a holographic projection of a lady. “Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit center. How may I help you?”

 

“I need to make a call to Schnee Company World Headquarters in Atlas.”

 

“Absolutely. If you could head over to Terminal 3, I'll patch you through.”

 

Weiss smiled. “Thank you!”

 

She passed by many students, all at their own monitors. Once reaching her own, she let out a unhappy breath to prepare. The monitor flashd on, showing the face of a short-haired brunette. She was looking down, not realizing who she was talking to. 

 

“Thank you for calling the Atlas- Oh!” She looked up. “Miss Schnee! Good afternoon! Would you like me to patch you through to your father? I think your sister Winter might be here as well.”

 

Weiss quickly shook her head, putting on a pleasant act. “No, thank you! I was actually wondering if you could find some files for me. I've compiled a short list.”

 

Weiss put her scroll down in a slot, transferring all files she needed over. The lady looked at it, and hesitantly spoke. “I see. If you don't mind... what may I ask is this for?”

 

“School project.”

 

“There are some sensitive documents on this list, ma'am.”

 

"Well, then, I'll be sure to treat them with care."

 

The lady was nervous. “Alright, well, the data is being transferred to your Scroll now. Apologies for my attitude, it’s just…you're not the first to ask for these.”

 

Weiss looked confused. “If you don’t mind me asking, who else has asked for these?”

 

“I’m afraid that’s confidential, ma’am.”

 

Weiss chuckled. “I’m the face of the Schnee Dust Company and the future owner. I’m sure this information, due to the fact it’s regarding my company, is fine.”

 

The lady just sighed, still nervous. “Well, it was actually the Vytal Tournament winner. Megan, I believe her name was. I told her this was confidential, but then General Ironwood came and vouched for her. It was maybe about two weeks ago, on March

2nd.”

 

Weiss took a moment to take that information in, and decided this would have to be something she’d talk about with the others. “Alright, thank you.”

 

“Are you sure you wouldn't like me to patch you through to your father before you go?”

 

Weiss lost her smile.”I’m sure.”

 

“Well, then, have a nice day!”

 

~~~

 

“She asked for dust records?” Yang asked.

 

Weiss nodded. “Similar to the ones I got. Everything stolen from shops or the company itself in the last few months.”

 

“What day did she say?” Blake suddenly asked.

 

“The second of March.” 

 

Blake’s eyes slightly widened. “That was two days before we fought Torchwick. If she had these, that meant she knew about all shipments coming in.”

 

Her eyes were now fully wide. “She knew Torchwick would be at the docks that night.”

“This doesn’t make sense.” Ruby shook her head, “But it also does! Ugh, this is so confusing!” 

 

“Rubes, what about you?” Yang asked. “You’re the one who wanted to talk about her first. What’s going on?”

 

Ruby just sighed. “Okay, so on the day we all separated and went out, Weiss and I actually weren’t together. I was with Penny.”

 

“You found her?!” Yang asked.

 

Ruby nodded. “She was being super weird. I was worried, so I followed her and we talked. Apparently, Ironwood and Megan work together.”

 

Weiss just scoffed. “Okay, no I would’ve known if Megan worked with Ironwood. He’s a close family friend!”

 

“But Penny’s also close with the general.” Yang reminded. “I don’t think she’d lie about this.”

 

“Second point, Megan has got a lot of money. She bought Pyrrha and I’s dresses today, along with her own. It was 800 Lien, but when I saw her wallet…woah. She has like thousands of lien in there and multiple cards.” 

 

“Where is she even getting this money from?” Yang asked. “There’s no way Ozpin is paying her to be his assistant.” 

 

Blake suddenly stood up, feeling nauseous. 

 

“Blake?” Weiss called.

 

Blake turned to all of them. “What if she’s getting money from Torchwick?” 

 

“There’s no way,” Ruby shook her head. “She wound’t be.”

 

“She could be, though.” Yang realized.

 

Blake nodded. “What if she’s undercover? What if she’s working for Ozpin, but also for Torchwick?”

 

“What’s her motive, though?” Weiss asked.

 

Blake’s heart dropped. 

 

“Qrow.”

 

Yang and Ruby immediately looked at each other. “Qrow?!” They both yelled in unison.

 

Blake nodded. “She knows Qrow- from when she was younger.” Blake debated in the next few seconds what to say. “She…uh…she knew him, I guess. I don’t know how. Something happened, and she’s had a vendetta against him ever since.”

 

“She told you this?” Ruby asked.

 

Blake nodded. “Qrow could’ve been the man she was looking for. And Ruby, have you ever thought about how Megan was there the exact night Roman robbed the dust shop and also introduced you to Ozpin? Also, her weapon! Well, one of her weapons,

is the same exact one as Roman’s assistant! And she’s trained in it! The dust records shows she knows exactly how much Roman is stealing and when the next shipments will be, and she’s using Ozpin and Ironwood to get all of it! What if that’s why she

won the tournament? She wasn’t even born in Vacuo, she was born in Mistral, and coincidentally she went to Vacuo the year it held the Vytal tournament? She knew how to win, and that’s how she got there.”

 

Blake panted after her sudden outburst of realization, and the whole room was quiet, processing this information.

 

It was Weiss who spoke after a minute of silence. “So…what do we do?”

 

“Nothing.” Yang answered.

 

“What do you mean?” Blake asked.

 

“Listen, as much as I want answers, we’re jumping to conclusions here. I think we should just investigate her a little more, try to find out some background information through CFVY or Qrow. Maybe she’s said some stuff to Sun, but no matter what, this

stays between us.” 

 

Weiss and Ruby nodded their heads in agreement.

 

Blake walked back to the bed, sitting beside Yang, also agreeing. “I guess investigating Roman also means investigating Megan. So, two birds with one stone.”

 

“We have to be civil around her.” Ruby said. “If we act weird, she might be onto us.”

 

“I think someone should warn Sun.” Weiss realized, as the two had gotten closer this past month. “They’re bound to make it official at some point; He should know. Maybe Neptune too. They’re both helping us with this either way.’

 

“How will Sun take it?” Ruby asked.

 

Blake sighed. “I don’t know, but I’ll ask them to meet us here tomorrow morning.”

 

Weiss just groaned, pushing Ruby off her bed and going into it. “I need my beauty sleep. Tomorrow is the dance, we’ll worry about this later. We also have to choose our mission soon, so we need to stress about this later on.”

 

“Agreed.” Yang said, climbing into her top bunk along with Ruby climbing into her own.

 

Eventually, the lights were turned off, and Blake laid in her bed and pondered. Should she have told them about Raven? What if her assumptions are going too far? Megan wouldn’t have opened up if she was working for Roman.

 

But at the same time, Megan is a brilliant liar.

 

Blake just sighed, closing her eyes.

Chapter 19: Of Dances and Betrayals

March 2nd,

“I’m assigning you on a new mission,” Ozpin spoke, his back turned to Megan as she faced his window, staring out and watching as students walked, ran and played across campus.  

 

“What is it?” Megan asked, ready for anything that didn’t relate to babysitting.

 

“I want you to find out everything on Torchwick; His plans, the next dust shipments, everything.” He spun his chair around, and placed his scroll down on his table, and in seconds, above it showed a hologram of Ironwood, and at first, Megan thought it

was actually him.

 

Ozpin clicked play on the video.

 

“I give Megan Bran full access to all information considered confidential and/or classified.”

 

The hologram went away as Ozpin held out his scroll, waiting for Megan to walk up and grab it, which she eventually did. She grabbed it, confused. “Why do I need this video?”

 

“You’ll head over to the CCT Tower today.” He answered. “Call the Schnee Dust Company, get files on every dust shipment from the last few months and the next three months. If they ask, put in this video and there'll be no questions.”

 

Megan just nodded slowly, taking in this information cautiously. “Alright…You want me to…go to the shipments, then?”

 

“Sort of.” He grimaced, and that was never a good sign.

 

“I want you to bring Team RWBY to them.”

 

Megan deadpanned. “You’re so fucking with me. You actually got me excited about this mission.”

 

Ozpin just chuckled. “Believe me, Megan, you will have all the action you need. Whenever the next shipment is, I want you to at least take Blake. The police have suspicions that the recent dust robberies are connected to the White Fang. She needs to see

this.”

 

“And the others?”

 

A smile just crept onto his face. “When one runs, the rest follow. Make sure this is done today, and take them to the next shipment.”

 

“Why them, Oz?” Megan asked. “Blake, I understand, but the rest..?”

 

His smile quickly turned into a frown, and that too was never once a good sign to Megan. “If these girls join us in our war, we must get them ready for the part. This has to have some sort of connection, so it’s best we start it out here.”

 

Megan frowned, her thoughts moving back to Team STRQ. Feeling guilty, she nodded nonetheless, agreeing to this mission..

 

“And then,” Ozpin spoke again and Megan groaned, and he just chuckled. “With all your information, I want you to find out where their hideout may be. It’s not in Vale, so it must be in the abandoned cities just outside.”

 

“You want me to stalk it out?”

 

“I want you to send Team RWBY on it for their first mission.”

 

Megan was now glaring. 

 

He just shrugged. “Just preparing them.”

 

Megan let out a long, tired sigh. “Okay, I’ll head out today and see what I can do.” 

 

“I expect that scroll back this afternoon, I have a meeting!” He called as she walked away, just ignoring him as she stepped into the elevator. 

 

~~

 

March 21st,

 

“So…you’re saying Megan is a spy?” Neptune asked, taking in the information Team RWBY just dropped on the two best friends.

 

Sun sat in silence, arms crossed over his chest as he looked down at his feet. 

 

The girls nodded. “Yeah.” Weiss spoke. “It’s definitely a theory. Our best one at that.”

 

“Do you have any proof?” Sun asked.

 

Blake shook her head. “Not physical, no.”

 

“So then she isn’t a s-”

 

“Sun,” Yang insisted. “The signs are all there. She knew everything before we did, including the dust shipments. She has probably over 100,000 Lien in her wallet, excluding whatever is in her bank account. Someone’s paying her, and it has to be Roman.”

 

Sun continued to sit in silence, thinking that what if it was true? Did he really fall for her like some sort of trap? Was it some sort of prank?

 

“Sun,” Blake called, gently. “She both told us that one story, it would make sense for her to go after Qrow using Ozpin.”

 

Yang really wanted to fucking know this story, but now was not the time.

 

“So, what are we gonna do?” Neptune asked.

 

“Nothing.” Ruby shrugged. She too, was not having good thoughts about this, just like Sun. She trusted Megan majorly- Hell, she trusted her with her life. The first night she met Megan the girl had literally saved her life. “For now, at least. We just wanna

investigate before we tell Ozpin.”

 

“How are we supposed to investigate?” Sun asked. “We can’t stalk her and she definitely won’t reveal anything to us.”

 

“We’re thinking we, a team-” Blake referred to her and the girls. “Find Roman’s hideout on our first mission. We think it’s somewhere outside the city of Vale, most likely abandoned and full of Grimm. We have limited choices, so we need to choose

smart.”

 

Sun just sighed, nodding. “Is that all?”

 

“Sun,” Yang called again, “I…I think you should be careful around her.”

 

“Yeah,” Weiss agreed. “I know some stuff has been going on between you two, none of us are oblivious, but you need to be careful.”

 

Sun stood up, just nodding. “I will. Thanks.” He looked at Neptune who quickly stood up, the two making their way out, not even saying goodbye- Only Neptune.

 

~~

 

 

At 7:30, Megan was completely ready for the dance. She waited in her dorm, ready to hear that knock at 8 which signified that Sun was here, and it was all real- She was going to her first ever dance with Sun.

 

At 7:50, her nerves were about to make her explode out of her dress, which was feeling tighter and tighter at every minute.

 

At exactly 8, she felt like she was about to explode and die in a hole. Sun would be here at any moment,

 

At 8:02, she figured he might just be running late.

 

At 8:10, she thought that he was just the type of guy to go in late to events.

 

At 8:20, she started to grow a bit worried. She could hear the music and students laughing just outside her window. She stared out of it, watching the colourful lights bounce around ballroom.

 

At 8:30, the worriness grew into more of a feeling of puking.

 

She decided to take matters into her own hands and head on down to the dance. Maybe he forgot he was supposed to get her at 8?

 

She made it down at 8:40, and thankfully, bumped right into team JNPR the moment she arrived.

 

“YOU LOOK AMAZING!” Nora screamed, eyes widening once they laid on Megan.

 

“You look great,” Jaune smiled, and Ren agreed with a nod of his head.

 

“THANK YOU!” Megan screamed back, her attempt at being louder than the blasting music. Yang got a relly good…and loud, DJ.

 

“The decorations are splendid!” Pyrrha smiled. “Team CFVY did a great job choosing the theme!”

 

“Wish they were here to see it!” Megan just laughed, trying to stop a frown from forming on her face.

 

“Have you seen Sun?!” She asked.

 

Ren nodded, turning to point to a corner of a room where Sun was standing with Neptune and Blake.

 

“Thanks!” Megan yelled, “See you both later!”

 

The group waved as she hurried on over to her date for the night. The corner of the room he was in was somehow, yet thankfully, a bit quiter since there weren’t many speakers nere.

 

“Sun!” Megan yelled, a large smile on her face. “You look great!”

 

Sun immediately frowned. “What are you doing here?”

 

Megan just blinked, confused. “Uh, it’s a dance we planned to go to together? Why wouldn’t I be here?”

 

Blake and Neptune shared a look, the two slowly started to walk backwards, not wanting to be in between whatever was about to happen.

 

Sun just scoffed. “I don’t want to go with you anymore.”

 

Megan started to feel that crippling feeling in her chest, one she was all too familiar with. “Wh-what do you mean?” She nervously laughed.

 

“I don’t wan’t to be here with you. I don’t even wan’t to be seen with you! I-I don’t even wan’t you!” His last words were filled with anger, which caused tears to brim at the corner of her eyes. 

 

“Sun, what are you saying?”

 

“You’re just a liar and a cheat.” Sun glared. “Just go, I don’t wanna see you.”

 

“Sun, what is-”

 

“GO!” He yelled, making Megan flinch.

 

In an instant, tears started to stream down her face as she ran, finding her way to the stairs to get to the privacy of the balcony. She stumbled running up the stairs, praying no one was focusing on her.

 

Well, a certain red head was.

 

“Megan!” Pyrrha called, chasing after the girl who started to sob loudly once she made it to the balcony.

 

“H-he said he di-din’t want me!” She cried, facing Pyrrha. “He DITCHED ME!” She yelled. “HE’S A FUCKING LIAR!”

 

Pyrrha just stood there shocked, and just let it happen when she felt Megan hug her tight, crying onto her shoulder. Pyrrha, didn’t know what to do- She’s had her friends be rejected by crushes when they were younger, but it was never this bad.

 

Pyrrha just hugged her, rubbing her back soothingly. “I-I’m so sorry, Meg.” 

 

“I don’t get why he’d do this.” Megan whimpered into her friends shoulder, the tears starting to calm down.

 

“Men are dicks. I’d know.”  Jaune said, the two turning immediately to find him now standing at the balcony-

 

In a dress.

 

Megan’s tears immediately stopped. “Jaune, what the fuck?”

Pyrrha too, stared shocked.
 

He just chuckled. “I..made a deal.” He smiled at Pyrrha, who still remained shocked.

 

This, in full honesty, brought a little smile to Megan’s face. Talk about good timing.

 

“We…saw what happened.” Jaune frowned. “I’m really sorry, Megan. I don’t get why he’d do that.” 

 

Megan sniffed, wiping away her tears. “He- he called me a liar and-and a cheat! I’m none of those!”

 

“He’s a man.” Pyrrha scoffed. “He’s the definition of a liar and a cheat. Maybe you should freshen up, Meg. We can ditch this dance.”

 

Megan shook her head. “No, this is your first Beacon dance I won’t let what happened ruin it.”

 

“It’s your first Beacon dance too.” Pyrrha reminded, a gentle smile on her face. “But, it’s your choice in the end.”

 

“Pyrrha and I will head down. I’m sure once everyone sees me you can sneak away without anyone noticing you.”

 

Megan just snorted, imagining how everyone will react once they see Jaune in a dress. It was a pink one at that, one that showed off his legs and arms completely. He must’ve stolen it from Nora. 

 

“Text us if you need us.” Pyrrha said as she took Jaune’s hand, the both making their way to the stairs to re-enter the party.

 

In seconds, the room was filled with laughter, indicacting that the group had now seen Jaune and his lovely dress. Megan quickly made her way down right after them, running into the crowd and hiding her face so no one would see her smudged

mascara. 

 

She let out a breath once she made her way out, walking away from the party and back to the dorms. 

 

However, 

 

Life was never good for Megan.

 

“Meg-”

 

“AHH!” Megan screamed, immediately grabbing the person who touched her shoulder and flipping them over her back, sending them straight onto the floor.

 

Megan was heavily breathing staring down at whoever grabbed her,

 

Only to start panicking when she saw Glynda glaring up at her.

 

“Oh my god,” Megan gasped, “I’m so sorry!” She held a hand out for her, but she didn’t take it, choosing to get up on her own.

 

Glynda, ready to yell, noticed the smudged mascara on her face. “Hey, what happened?”

 

Megan was gonna start crying again.

 

Glynda analyzed her wobbly lips and tears brimming, and had a feeling. “The boy you told me about?”

 

Megan just nodded, quickly wiping away a tear that fell. 

 

Glynda frowned. “I would…try something, but I’m afraid I’ll have to worsen your night.”

 

“What is it?”

 

Her frown grew deeper.

 

“Megan…”

 

.

 

.

“We got an emergency message from team CFVY. You need to leave for your search and rescue mission. Tonight.”

Chapter 20: Goodbye Megan

“What’s going on?” Yang asked as her and the rest of the students made their way out of the hall. It was nearly 10 now, the dance was over, and the group walked over to where Ruby was sitting, with a nearby Ironwood speaking to a few soldiers. 

 

Just up ahead was a bullhead, with Ozpin, Glynda and Port just below it, speaking to each other quickly and concerningly.

 

Students stopped and stared, but were ushered away by soldiers. They walked by murmuring about the bullhead, Ozpin, Ironwood, Ruby and someone even said “something’s always going on with that team,” 

 

Weiss scoffed at that. 

 

Ruby turned over to look at her team. She seemed tired, as if she had just fought someone. “Rubes?” Yang called, now worried at the state her sister was in.

 

“We got attacked. Well, the tower did.”

 

“The tower?” Blake repeated, before looking over at the CCT tower. With her incredible eyesight and ability to see in the dark, she could see soldiers surrounding it.

 

“I didn’t know who it was.” Ruby sighed. “She had a mask on, and at first I thought she ran away from the party but she attacked me the moment I got there. She hacked into the tower, but Ironwood says he has it under control.”

 

“What did she look like? How’d she fight?” Blake asked.

 

“And what time was it at?” Sun asked, him and Blake looking at each other as they shared an idea.

 

“A little after 9.” Ruby answered, giving a confused look at both. “She had dark hair- that’s all I could really tell. She fought with nothing. Just glass; Her semblance, I assumed. Then she disappeared out of nowhere. Oh! Her eyes did glow, which is why I

couldn’t really tell her natural eye colour.”

 

“That’s 15 minutes after Megan left.” Sun realized, him and Blake sharing another look. “And who fights with glass?” 

 

Everyone’s eyes widened. 

 

“The night at the docks,” Sun said, “she disappeared into glass, and she has dark hair!”

 

“This was different.” Ruby defended. “This glass…I don’t know how to explain it, but it was like, I don’t know, fire? Like it was dust-infused.”

 

“We still haven’t seen her full ‘glass ability’ yet.” Yang reminded, “The only ones here who have actually seen it is, well, Sun and Blake. Maybe she used it during the tournament?’

 

“We could rewatch it tonight. See if she did.” Weiss answered.

 

“Or maybe it’s time to tell Ozpin.” Neptune interjected, and in full honesty, almost everyone forgot he was there.

 

“Why should we?” Blake asked.

 

“Our plan at the end is to tell Ozpin either way.” Neptune shrugged. “And think about it- if this mask hacking lady is actually Megan, then we may be at greater risk. Hacking the CCT tower right under the supervision of soldiers is insane- there were soldiers

right?” He turned to Ruby.

 

She nodded. “When I got there, they were all passed out on the ground. She got them hard.”

 

“See? Ironwood and Ozpin probably have no idea she’s a traitor, so they won’t think it was her. The longer they don’t know, the more acts Megan will take and before we know it, her plan or whatever she’s doing will be done. She got here, what, like 7

months ago? That’s 7 months she’s been lying. Ozpin needs to know now.”

 

The group looked at each other, taking in Neptune’s words as they slowly started to agree. Ruby, in full honesty, didn’t agree. Megan was heartbroken tonight after what happened- there’s no way she went back to the school, changed, beat up soldiers and

hacked the CCT within 15 minutes. Plus, this girls fighting style was different.

 

But one vote against five wouldn’t work, and Neptune did make a good point, if she was actually the traitor. 

 

The group started to make their way over to Ozpin; The bullhead was far, at the very edge of the school, so he was distant. They just hoped they’d make it before his conversation with Port and Glynda ended.

 

However, they were stopped by Ironwood.

 

“Miss Schnee.” He addressed Weiss first with a smile before addressing the rest. “Students, where are you all heading?”

 

“We need to speak to Ozpin.” Weiss answered.

 

He frowned. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. He has urgent matters currently regarding Megan-”

 

“It’s about Megan!” Yang insisted. 

 

Ironwood’s face changed to one of worry. “What? Is she okay? Is she not prepared to go or?”

 

The group looked at each other. “Prepared to go where?” Sun asked.

 

“Lower Cairn.”

 

Ironwood looked ahead as the group turned to face the voice. Pyrrha was walking towards them with Nora and Ren at her side. “She’s heading to Lower Cairn.”

 

“Isn’t that like, 2 hours from the city?” Yang asked.

 

“2 hours and a half” Ren corrected.

 

“The point is, it’s abandoned.” Ruby reminded. “You guys haven’t been in Vale like me and Yang. Lower Cairn is this small little town far from the city that’s basically abandoned, there’s too many Grimm.”

 

“So why’s she heading there?” Blake asked. 

 

“That was Team CFVY’s mission.” Nora answered, and she wasn’t her usual cheery-self. She was worried.

 

“Search and rescue.” Blake realized, and the group turned to look back at Ironwood. “CFVY called for search and rescue?”

 

Ironwood nodded. “About an hour ago. Megan needs to leave now in case…”

 

“In case what?” Ruby asked.

 

“In case she doesn’t reach them in time.” Ren answered, him and his two teammates now standing with the group. “They’d only call if one of them was in need of critical help.”

 

Just in the distance, Megan was rushing over to the bullhead with Jaune at her side. He was holding 2 bags, both with the first aid symbols on them. Oobleck was with them too, holding another which was assumed to be food and water, in case Team CFVY

had ran out.

 

The group watched how Megan reacted to everything; She was rushing, obviously scared and worried for her team. Port took the bags and threw them into the ship, walking up the extended staircase to get the bullhead ready. 

 

Megan bid her goodbyes to Ozpin, Glynda and Oobleck. She gave Jaune a hug, thanking him for helping. Ruby, in full honesty, hoped she’d look over at the group to say goodbye, but after what Sun pulled tonight, there was no way she’d bid her goodbyes

to them. 

 

“We were with her when she was packing everything.” Pyrrha spoke, watching Megan run into the bullhead and the staircase descend back into the ship, the door closing. “She was so scared; Fumbling everything around. You can tell she really cares about

that team.”

 

The group watched as the Bullhead flew into the air, and Ironwood walked over to Ozpin and the rest of the teachers while the group stayed back. 

 

Ruby frowned. “Not even a traitor cares that much about her team.”

Nora looked at her confused. “Traitor?” 

 

Ruby looked at her team, Neptune and Sun. “Maybe you guys can think she’s a traitor, but I’m out. And Sun,” He looked at her at the call of his name,

 

“I hope you’re ashamed of what you did tonight.”

 

Yang stared at her sister as she walked away, back to the school. She’s never been so…Yang didn’t know what it was. But Ruby has never been so serious.

 

Jaune walked over. “Hey guys, what’s up?”

 

“Nothing.” Pyrrha sighed out, giving a weird look to the others. “Let’s just go sleep.” 

 

Team JNPR followed Ruby into the school, leaving WBY, Sun and Neptune out.

 

“No offense, but…” Weiss sighed. “She may be our leader, but I still think we should investigate this.”

 

Yang frowned. Ruby was her sister and leader, but Yang trusted the facts on this one. “Agreed. I say we ditch the plan on telling Ozpin and investigate this more. We’ll go to Ozpin after our mission.”

 

“Go to me about what?”

 

The group screamed at the sudden voice and turned to find Ozpin behind them with Ironwood and Glynda, Oobleck was long gone. Ozpin just chuckled. “Apologies, I didn’t mean to startle you. I was just about to say that it was late, and you all do have a

school meeting tomorrow regarding said mission, but now I’m intrigued.”

 

“Is it just me or is that teacher glaring at me.” Sun whispered to Blake, and they both looked at a glaring Glynda.

 

“Why don’t you all come with me into my office.” He smiled at them, but it was a forceful smile. He was NOT asking them.

 

The group gave each other an awkward look before following Ozpin into the school.

Chapter 21: Megan? A Traitor?

Megan was sat at the back of the bullhead on the floor, laying carefully on one of the first-aid bags that Oobleck and Jaune had helped her pack. She was sleepy, but her and Port would be arriving at Lower Cairn soon. 

 

He had explained to her just exactly what happened; Team CFVY’s mission wasn’t looking successful, as they hadn’t been able to find any survivors from the Grimm attack. Assumingly, one or more members were hurt and were in need of first aid

and it seemed Team CFVY was running low on supplies.

 

The problem was, Lower Cairn was on the mountains which is a gigantic landmass, and Megan and Port had no idea where they were exactly; CFVY didn’t specify, and even if they did, it was one, giant, rocky land with no landmarks to describe where

they were. So, it was up to Megan to find them.

 

Port wouldn’t stay. He would take the Bullhead back and be back within the next few hours or day. It seemed stupid, but a 2 and a half hour flight wasted a lot of gas and the two were in such a rush that no one thought to bring a tank of gas. So, he’d

bring it back to Vale, let it rest and be back. It would give Megan enough time to find her team, attend to them, and if they were lucky- finish their mission.

 

It was almost midnight, meaning they had an hour left to get to Lower Cairn. They would’ve gotten there faster, but this bullhead is an old one; It’s not a new and improved Atlesian one, and speaking of Atlas, with Ironwood and his troops around, no

ship is speeding in the air with the risk of being shot down. 

 

The service on her scroll was basically nothing at this point, and Megan still hadn’t responded to any of her messages as she checked her scroll. It was more basic ones, just a few people messaging her Good luck. News spread around fast.

 

Ruby messaged her good luck too, but she hadn’t opened it. She didn’t know what the hell happened tonight, but she was still upset. Maybe the others didn’t know, but they all watched how Sun humiliated her, and they watched her leave crying. 

 

What sucked more is that Megan still had a mission at the end of the day; Stay at Ruby Rose’s side always. 

 

Port had made a turn, she felt, and that gave her a little boost in service, which ended up resulting in more messages showing up from hours prior. She scrolled through; More good lucks from random people on her socials.

 

Then, a message from Pyrrha and Nora an hour before caught her attention.

 

P; I overheard RWBY, Sun and Neptune. Apparently they think someone in the school is a traitor?! At least that’s what I assumed. Jaune, Nora and I are trying to figure out who. Ren thinks it’s a waste of time but I really wanna know who!!! 

 

N; Plus, what do you think they mean by traitor?? Like someone commiting treason? OMG, OR A SPY!?

 

“A traitor?” She whispered to herself, then snorted. “No way someone’s a traitor and I haven’t caught it yet.”

 

~~~

 

 

“You think Megan is a traitor?”

 

Ozpin, Glynda and Ironwood stared at WBY, Sun and Neptune with shock, yet they were ready to laugh. Ironwood let out a chuckle. The students were all seated on chairs- don’t ask where Ozpin got them all. 

 

“We don’t think, we know.” Yang insisted. “The signs are all there!”

 

“What signs, Miss Xiao Long?” Glynda asked, deadpanning. “That she’s a student working for Ozpin?”

 

“That she’s a student working for Torchwick and is gonna take over Vale!”

 

Ironwood had to hold back his laughter. “No one is taking over Vale with my army here.”

 

“General, no offense,” Weiss spoke, “But they’re working right under your nose.”

 

Glyndra groaned. “It’s almost midnight; I have 4 students missing, and one who you are currently accusing of committing treason is on her way to find those students and we have no way of contacting her so please, either give me proof, or get out.”

 

The kids all gave each other a look, even Ironwood and Ozpin did; They had never seen Glynda so angry. Well, she was running on 2 cups of coffee and 4 hours of sleep. Mission season for the students was not a joke, and her having to deal with the

Roman bullshit lately was not helping.

 

“Lay it out for us.” Ozpin gave them all a smile; One that screamed he would hear them out but also wouldn’t listen. 

 

Yang started first. “The night we uh, ran into Roman and Megan came to save us,” She paused, trying to remember the lie Megan told Ozpin about that night. “We were at a club! It was in the shady side of town, and the guy who owned it worked with

Roman; He knew Megan! He was familiar with her!”

 

“How else would someone working with Roman know Megan? Because she’s working with Roman!” Neptune added on.

 

Ozpin just nodded, Ironwood was amused and Glynda was in her own world.

 

Weiss spoke next. “I was visiting the CCT Tower to…get some info on Dust and it’s shipments lately-!”

 

“Why would you need that?” Ironwood asked. “Your father has that under control.”

 

Weiss struggled for an excuse. “Uh, uhm…oh! Well, I’m the heiress so, I deserve to know about our shipments and supplies!”

 

Ironwood deadpanned.

 

“Anyway!” She scoffed, “Apparently I wasn’t the only one; Megan did too!”

 

“I gave her permission for that.” Ironwood claimed, “She works for me aswell for Ozpin,”

 

“But what if she’s not giving that information to just you!” Yang fought, “She could give it to Roman; How else would he know where all the shipments have been lately?!”

 

Blake spoke next. “Apparently, she’s got a lot of money, according to Ruby.”

 

Glynda groaned. “She’s in on this too?! The child?!” She pulled out her scroll, doing Brothers knows what on it as she swiped in annoyance.

 

Ironwood laughed, and Ozpin smiled, “Go on, Miss Belladonna.”

 

“Who else has an insane amount of STOLEN money? ROMAN! I doubt you’re paying her, Professor. I barely see her work for you other than staying by your side during some meetings!”

 

“She’s been performing a mission for me since before you all even got here.” Ozpin’s face turned into one of seriousness. “A mission regarding one, and possibly, all of you.” He turned to look at Sun and Neptune. “Boys, perhaps it’s time you head

back to your dorms. I must speak to team RWBY.”

 

“Ruby isn’t even here though?” Yang looked at him confused.

 

They all heard a ding behind them and turned to find the elevator opening, and came out a tired Ruby in her pjs. She slowed down at the sight in front of her. “Uh, I thought this was about what happened tonight?”

 

“Why are you here?” Weiss asked. 

 

She pointed to Glynda and Ironwood. “Professor Goodwitch said Ironwood needed to speak to me here…”

 

“And you chose to wear that?” Weiss deadpanned.

 

“Give me a break!” She whined. “I just fought an evil lady hacking into the tower! I deserve my comfiness!”

 

Sun and Neptune stood up, and Sun gave Blake a look. “Update me.”

 

“Go.” Ironwood and glynda spoke in unison, trying to get the boys to hurry out of here, and they did, running to the elevator.

 

Ruby took Neptune’s spot. They were now all sitting in their team order. “So, what’s this all about?”

 

“Are you aware of your teammates suspicions of Megan?” Ozpin asked, getting straight into it.

 

Ruby turned to her friends, glaring. “I told you I didn’t wanna be in on this! Why did you tell him?!”

 

“We would’ve figured it out eitherway.” Ironwood shrugged, the two teachers beside him nodding. “Team effort; If one of you is in on it, for sure the rest of you are.”

 

“Will you at least look into her for us?” Yang asked, now annoyed. “Also, include tonight; The lady that hacked into the CCT fought with GLASS! Megan’s SEMBLANCE!”

 

“Megan’s semblance is MANY things.” Glynda defended, “It’s just a coincidence this lady fought with glass.”

 

“PLUS!” Ruby piped up, holding a finger up. “The glass was like, elemental! And the fighting style was completely different.”

 

“Doesn’t mean the other points we made make this any less worrying.” Blake fought, looking at Ruby then her headmaster.

 

Ozpin held a hand up, stopping anyone from opening their mouths and speaking. “Has Megan ever…described herself? To any of you?”

 

The team looked at Blake.

 

“In what way?” She asked.

 

“Her life.”

 

Blake looked down, trying to remember. In seconds, once she thought of the night on the roof, she looked up. “She grew up a bandit.”

 

“With who?” He leaned back in his chair, an eyebrow up as he waited for her answer.

 

She hesitated, looking at Yang.

 

“...Yang’s mom. Qrow wasn’t there a lot.”

 

Yang’s eyes widened as she spun her head to look at Blake. “What? Wait, huh?!” She looked back at Ozpin. “Megan knows my mom?”

 

“Your mom made her the person she is today.” Glynda spoke. “Full of attitude, feisty, a pain in my a-”

 

“Glynda.” Both the Headmasters spoke and she shrugged.

 

“It’s true.”

 

Ruby spoke. “So, she knows Qrow too?”

 

“She knew the entirety of Team STRQ.” 

 

“Team STRQ?” Weiss repeated. “Who?”

 

“Our parents’ team.” Ruby answered. “My mom, dad, uncle and Yang’s mom.” 

 

“What do they have to do with Megan?” Yang asked, now even more annoyed and honestly, angry. “And what does this have to do with her being a traitor??

 

“Because why would she betray the people who have built her, and fit her for this society.” Ozpin leaned in, eyes squinted in slight anger. “You do not know Megan like we do, and I am in no place to explain her story to you; You may ask her yourself,

when she gets back.”

 

“If she’s even willing to talk to you.” Glynda murmured before Ironwood hit her in the back and she glared at him.

 

Ozpin leaned back. “Miss Belladonna, if you’d be willing to continue,”

 

She was hesitant, but nodded eitherway. “She left when she was maybe 10 or 11. Hopped on a train she could find, snuck onto anything and ended up in Vacuo. I don’t know anything after that.”

 

“In Vacuo, Headmaster Theodore took her in.” Ironwood spoke, “Which then led her here after her tournament. How she got in that, is her choice to tell you. The reason why we’re telingl you this, is because she has been trained and taken in by every

Headmaster, Professor, and Team STRQ. There is no way, she would betray us, and the children of that team; RWBY.” 

 

The entire room was quiet. The only sound that could be heard was the clockworks within his office, and Glynda tapping her foot, which was starting to annoy Blake.

 

Ozpin broke the silence, looking at Ruby. “I told you once I have made more mistakes than any man and woman in this world.”

 

Ruby nodded.

 

“Having Megan here, was not one of them.”

 

She took in her words, and slowly, started to nod her head again. She stood up, “Thank you, Professors, and General Ironwood.” 

 

“Wait, that’s it?” Yang asked.

 

Blake nodded, standing up. “The rest of the story, we can ask her for when she’s back.” 

 

Weiss stood up next, and in the next few seconds, Yang stood up hesitantly. 

 

“Good night.” Ozpin called as the girls walked towards the elevator, and they all wished the teachers good night in the same manner.

 

Once the doors closed, Ozpin, Glynda and Ironwood let out a long sigh-mixed-groan as Ozpin could now finally slouch in his chair and the two others could sit. “This was so complicating.”

 

“It was your idea to have her come here.” Glynda shrugged, a smirk on her face. “Maybe it was a mistake.”

 

Ironwood snorted. 

 

Ozpin glanced at the time. “They should’ve arrived by now.”

 

Glynda looked down sadly. “Do you think she made it in time?”

 

“If that team has ever listened to me in class,” Ozpin chuckled. “They know to use their aura. I’m sure they’ll make it.”

 

Glynda found some comfort in that. 

 

“I’ll stay up,” Ironwood spoke. “And wait for Port to arrive. We all need our sleep tonight, and it just so happens I took a long nap before the dance. I also need to find out about…whoever was in that tower.”

 

Ozpin started giggling to himself. “I still can’t believe they thought that was Megan.” 

 

Glynda’s eyes suddenly sparked. “I…I think Megan can find out who it is.”

 

The two men looked at her in confusion. “Huh?”

 

“The night Team RWBY ‘ran’ into Roman, I was with Megan. She ran into a girl; Dark hair, amber eyes, I remembered. She had a Haven uniform on. Megan said her aura was familiar…just like her’s.”

 

Ozpin and Ironwood gave each other a look full of shock. “And your telling us this now?!”

 

“I thought because she was just doing too much aura training, she was overthinking it! I didn’t think it would be too much of an issue.”

 

“And a Haven student?” Ironwood scoffed. “Lionheart would’ve known before they got here.” 

 

“I still think it’s something we should investigate.” Glynda suggested. “Maybe we need Qrow.”

 

“Qrow’s been off the grid for months.” Ironwood rolled his eyes. “Not our fault he refuses to answer any of us.”

 

“He’ll be back soon. No way he’s missing his nieces first ever Vytal Tournament.”

 

“Good point.” Glynda slouched in her chair, ready to sleep. “I just still think we should investigate.”

 

“She’ll take a break from her mission on Ruby.” Ozpin decided. “I have a feeling once Megan finds out about this, she won’t be speaking to that team for a while. During that time she can investigate the Haven student. If...If Megan is right, then, we have a whole other issue on our hands."

 

Chapter 22: Lower Cairn

Notes:

hi im back

When Port had dropped Megan off in Lower Carin, he wished her the best of luck and told her he’d be back soon, and she realized she was absolutely fucked.

 

It was completely empty, the only nearby sounds were whistles of wind and distant roars Grimm. Too far for them to sense her aura but she’d have to explore the entire mountain to find her team, so she didn’t get her hopes up for not having to face the Grimm.

 

“Fuck,” She breathed out, kneeling down to link together all the duffel bags full of food and first-aid supplies. She debated on using one of her semblances to just levitate the bags, but she’d be using up lots of aura and she’d be here for hours. 

 

She thought about what she’d do- there were 3 things. 1. Mask her aura with a semblance that would still take up her aura. 2. Use her aura to track the others or 3. Use her semblance to levitate the bags, which would ALSO take up aura.

 

She knew she had lots of aura- it took lots for it to deplete, but using it within hours would not do her well, and if she faced Grimm it would be even worse. 

 

And she was cold too- she was already using her aura to keep her warm.

 

With a sigh, she threw the bags over her shoulder, deciding she needed some type of exercise for her arms and back either way. Using her aura to track the others would not be hard, given the fact the Grimm were too far away for her to sense them and Ozpin’s class had trained her well to focus on them.

 

She tried to focus on Coco’s or Fox’s- they used their semblances the most, meaning their aura was the most trackable.

 

With a long groan, she pulled out a compass– because this woman genuinely could not tell her N, W, S or E- and began to walk South to the village. 

 

The more she walked, she realized how…eerie it was. She couldn’t understand how people lived here- were they too scared to move on and move to the city?Or were they just not capable of being able to leave at all?  Lower Cairn was a little town everyone considered abandoned with how much Grimm was around the area, and moving anywhere outside triggered the darkness. 

 

She wondered what set it off. The more she looked around, the more she saw just nothing. There were no dead bodies, no dead grimm, no blood and and no signs of life. This was too weird.

 

Megan checked her scroll, trying to see if she was close enough to track Coco’s scroll. Nothing.

 

~~

 

“Well, I’m lost.” Fox sent

 

Coco threw her hands up, letting out a groan of frustration. “Great, just fucking great.” She sat down on a rock, leaned forward and ran her fingers through her hair as she tried to think of a plan or anything. “I don’t- I can’t.”

 

“Coco.” Yatsu called, and she turned to look at him, catching a glimpse of Velvet’s bloody wound right at her hip. Velvet looked at her with a sad smile before Yatsu continued to speak. “Help is on the way, you need to get rest. Once Megan or Port is here, we either go home or keep trying.”

 

Coco felt dread- the same dread she felt when her team came upon the village. It was gone completely, all buildings were gone as well and Grimm were everywhere. Usually when villages were attacked, there’d be some sight of buildings- but it was all gone to specs of dust. 

 

The weirder thing was there were no people left behind. She didn’t know if they all escaped or they were all dead.

 

The sounds of Velvet’s groans made it worse. Port had sent an emergency call just hours ago, scolding Coco for not calling in since it’s been over a week, where she complained it’s not easy to talk when surrounded by grimm. Ironically, just right during the call they were attacked by Beringels, one of them piercing Velvet and that was when they finally decided to tell Port they needed help.

 

Throughout the week they all had gotten their own wounds, not as big as Velvet’s however, and now their first aid was completely used up, and Velvet’s old bandages had blood seeping through them, and Yatsuhashi was prepared to rip off any fabrics of his own to stop it. 

 

They had gone towards the mountains after finding the village, and Fox claimed he felt a signal, yet here they were- where the signal was the strongest, but there was no one, and it was messing with Fox to the point his head began to ache.

 

“I don’t get it. They should be right here.” Fox sent, sitting down beside Coco. He was too tired to speak, choosing the easiest method. 

 

“I guess you slightly oversold your ability to track the survivors,” Coco murmured.

 

He shrugged. “I know someone’s out there, but the signal’s weak. I think the mountain passes are causing interference, like the buildings back in Vale. Either that, or …” 

 

“What?” Velvet asked, a slight rasp in her voice.

 

Fox frowned. “There aren’t enough survivors to get a good fix on them,” 

 

“The longer it takes to locate them, the fewer there’ll be,” Coco stood up, beginning to pace back and forth. 

 

“We should’ve been back by now.” Velvet breathed out, standing up- reassuring Yatsu with a hand she was fine- and going over to Coco to put a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down. 

 

Fox abruptly stood up, making Coco stop her pacing and for everyone to freeze. He put a hand out, signalling for them to be quiet. The rest looked up into the sparse trees Fox was facing and the rocky terrain rising on either side of the narrow passage they were in. There was no place even a single person could hide, let alone a large group of people.

 

“ Did you find something?” Cooc sent. 

 

Suddenly, a Creep rounded the corner and rushed for Velvet. It was so unexpected she screeched as she stepped back, stumbled over a rock, and went tumbling down, barely rolling out of the way of its attack. 

 

“VELVET!” Coco yelled.

 

She scrambled up into a crouch as the monster turned to face her. There was no time for her to summon her weapon. It barreled toward her, faster than she had expected, faster than it should be possible for something like that to move. 

 

“I hate these things!” Yatsuhashi shouted as he jumped down to her side, his sword smashing into it, with enough force to not only kill it but to also make the ground shake and fracture the bedrock in an eight-foot radius around it. 

 

The blast sent  Velvet tumbling back as a flying piece of stone- or maybe even skull- smacked her in the forehead. She lay on her back, winded and dazed

 

“Velvet!” Yatsuhashi dropped his sword with a heavy clang and rushed to her side.

 

 “I’m okay!” she panted, but began to groan at the wound in her hip. 

 

 “I’m sorry,” he grimaced. “I’m just …” He frowned. “This is starting to get to me.”

 

Yatsuhashi put his sword back into its holder and carefully picked her up bridal-style, going back up towards Coco, who looked like she wanted to cry and was desperately holding it back. 

 

Velvet put a hand on his cheek. “It’s all right.” None of them had had much of a chance to rest, let alone sleep. The constant attaks of Grimm was getting to her, too- hell, all of them. 

 

“It’s not all right. You got hurt,” he breathed out.

 

 “I’m more annoyed that you took my kill. Again,” she giggled.

 

“I wanted to help.” 

 

“I know.”

 

Suddenly, there was a gasp from Coco and they looked back at her to see. She was looking down at her scroll, eyes wide to the point they could see go above the glasses. In seconds, she began to call someone.

 

“Is someone here?” Fox had to speak for this one, relief pursuing him.

 

“I have one bar for Megan!” The scroll continued to ring, but it grew staticy, and it immediately hung up, making everyone’s mood just die down again.

 

“Damnit!’ She yelled, kicking a rock and Fox immediately put a hand on her back, guiding her to sit down. 

 

Suddenly, Velvet’s eyes lit up. “If Megan is here, she must be using her and our aura to find us!”

 

Yatsu just grumbled. “Yeah, but this is a giant landmass, it’ll be too hard to track our auras.”

 

“Unless we use Coco’s semblance.”

 

Coco looked up at Velvet, mouth agape with surprise. “Holy shit.” 

 

“ Explain.” Fox sent.

 

“If we infuse my aura with the dust in my bullets, it’ll create a shockwave of aura that can reach Megan and she can track us down.”

 

Yatsu frowned, “But that can deplete your aura completely- you’re already low.”

 

Coco looked at Velvet, smiling. “If it gets us out of here and gives Velvet the help she needs, it’s worth it.”

 

Velvet smiled. 

 

Coco picked up her purse, taking out dust-infused ammo and immediately switching the setting for her machine gun to come out. She put the ammo in and focused, all of Ozpin’s training repeating in her head. She slowed her breathing, focused on her feelings and her aura- what it’s pulse feels like, and it’s glow.

Yatsuhashi and Velvet watched while Fox felt, no longer powering his semblance as to not get overwhelmed. They watched and felt her aura glow around her, the machine gun’s dust beginning to absorb it. She began to turn, facing the edge of the mountain and towards the terrains.

 

She set it off, almost tumbling back with so much force in iit as she began to shoot across, continuing to push her aura out as the dust infused it, sending shockwaves and little bullets of aura all across. 

 

It took at least 20 seconds, before she fell to the ground, her aura flickering as they checked their levels. She was in deep red- almost gone.

 

Yatsuhashi knelt at her side, holding her as she panted, beginning to grow sleepy. 

 

“Good job, Coco.”

 

“Thank you.” Velvet kneeled at her side and Fox joined, giving her comfort as she regained her energy.

 

~~

 

“By the brothers…” Megan breathed out as she finally came across the village. It’s been almost an hour, and she was growing sore, but her aura stayed strong. She hadn’t come across too many Grimm, thankfully.

 

But the village was completely gone. Out of all the abandoned villages Megan came across in her life, either on missions or the villages she’d cause the abandonment of, normally houses were left over, or some type of building.

 

But there was nothing.

 

Maybe just a few brick walls were left, with some wooden planks. There was one fence that kept swinging back and forth, and there were no signs of life. There was blood, lots of it that had dried and began to blend into the stone, but all the bodies were gone.

 

She sighed sadly, turning away from the village. She couldn’t look at this any longer, because she knew there were no survivors left. Facing the mountains, she knew that was the only place they could’ve gone to.

 

She began her trek, but yelped when she immediately felt shockwaves of aura, to the point it amplified hers and sent her tumbling back. She heard distant gunshots coming from the mountain, and in seconds began running, choosing to levitate the bags so they couldn’t hold her back.

 

It must’ve been Coco- if she used that much aura to amplify the shots, they must’ve been surrounded by Grimm…or maybe she did it on purpose? To help Megan?

 

Megan hoped it was the latter, even if it was a stupid but smart idea for Coco- it would’ve depleted her aura completely but at least gave Megan enough to track them down.

 

She wished she had a flying semblance, choosing to combine two and used a speed semblance to run faster- did she know whos’ semblance it was? Absolutely not, but she didn’t care about that right now.

 

She ran for so long, all the way up the mountain and not caring how much her feet began to hurt and how her ankles felt like they were on fire- hell, her shoes were about to burn with how fast she was going. She used all her might to track their aura, not caring how much it would deplete her own.

 

At the sight of the terrain and trees surrounding her, she slowed down and entered a rocky passageway, absolute relief filling her to see her team- her family- huddled together. 

 

“GUYS!” She screamed, full of raw love and they all jumped, relief filling them all and they had no time to even get up before Megan practically jumped onto them, all of them quickly wrapping their arms around her.

 

Megan gasped when she saw Velvet’s hip. “By the brothers, Velvet!’

 

“It’s okay!” She reassured, and she opened the first aid bag while Fox immediately snatched the food bag. She  handed a new roll of bandages to Yatsuhashi while she got rid of her current bandages, wincing at the wound. It wasn’t too bad, but she’d definitely need a lot of rest when they got back. 

 

While Yatsu put a new roll of bandages, Megan scooched over to Coco, handing her a nice cold waterbottle. Feeling her aura, she smiled sadly after feeling how low it was. “You’re a great leader Coco.”

 

“And you’ll be an even better teammate if you call Port and get us the fuck outta here.”

 

She chuckled, reaching into her bag to find the call machine to contact Port. Just as it started ringing, Fox put a hand out and everyone froze. 

 

“Listen,” He sent.

 

“What is it?” Coco sent back. 

Fox started walking down the mountain path, so soft to the point his footsteps didn’t even make a sound. Velvet’s rabbit ears twitched and rotated, listening in. “I heard it, too,” she sent, before joining Fox. “Follow us.”  

 

As they went deeper into the passage, they all began to hear it- faint voices, calling for help. Megan didn’t know if she should be excited that they found survivors, or full of dread because of where they were.

 

They were led to a narrow crevice in the side of the mountain. “Hello?” Velvet called inside.

 

It was quiet for a moment, before multiple voices were accompanied by cheering and sobbing. 

 

“One at a time,” Megan called out. “We can’t hear you.” 

 

“Thank the Brothers that you found us,” a man’s voice called. “We’re trapped underground. Part of the tunnel caved in just a while ago!”

 

Coco and Yatsuhashi grimaced. 

 

“Are you from Lower Cairn?” Coco asked. 

 

“Yes! The Grimm attacked, destroyed the village. It was so fast.”

 

 “How many are with you?” Velvet asked. 

 

There was no answer.

 

 “Hello?” Megan called.

 

“There’s only six of us.” More sobbing came.

 

“Only six.” Coco and Megan repeated as Coco slumped to the ground beside the crack in the mountain.

 

 “Over two hundred people lived in Lower Cairn,” Megan murmured.

 

 “My gods,” Fox sent.

 

 “Maybe there are more survivors …” Yatsu looked away down the mountain path, but he wasn’t feeling too optimistic.. It was enough of a miracle that they had found them, but it made it even more important to save them.

 

 “Are you hurt?” Velvet asked.

“My wife sprained her ankle, and my son needs his medicine,” the man called. “And we’re very hungry and thirsty.”

 

 “We’re coming to you,” Megan called. “We’ll get you out.”

 

She removed her camera and started to lower herself through the opening and Cocoimmediately put a hand on her shoulder to stop her.  “Hold on. What are you doing?” 

 

“We can’t waste any more time,” Velvet pressured.  “This is what we came here for.” 

 

Coco shook her head. “Velvet. You’re hurt,” she said softly.

 

“I’m fine.” Velvet briefly closed her eyes as a wave of nausea and dizziness washed over her. “I can squeeze through this opening.” 

 

“I can make it wider.” Yatsuhashi reached for his sword.

 

 “You’re more likely to finish the job and bring the tunnel down the rest of the way,” Coco put out a hand to stop him.

 

“I’m just as small as you, Velvet. Shorter if you don’t count the ears. Maybe a little thinner, too.” 

 

“Hey,” Velvet glared. 

 

“Besides, the team will need you and Fox’s hearing to find another entrance and locate me and the survivors. I’ll go.”

 

“No,” Megan stepped up, grabbing Velvet’s hand and pulling her up. “Coco, you’re claustrophobic, there’s no way you can go and Velvet, we’ll need your hearing. Let me, I don’t have any baggage on me and you’re all worn out and tired.”

 

The team shared a look, but Megan insisted. “Not trying to be egotistical, but I think I have lots of more experience in this. It happens a lot in Vacuo.”

 

Fox nodded, agreeing.

 

She began to lower herself, sucking in her stomach and holding her breath. She held head up right above before she completely dropped. “Wish me luck!”

 

She slid down a steep slope, sending rocks and pebbles falling with her, and dropped down, much farther than she had expected. She looked up, grimacing at the light almost ten feet above her head.  There was no way to get back up there.

 

She let out a shaky sigh, grabbing her scroll and turning the flashlight on before she began to walk. 

 

“You okay?” Fox sent.

 

“Yeah,” She replied . “I’m going deeper in. Throw down the food bag.”

 

The light above disappeared before the bag came down, and she grabbed it as she began to walk farther away from her team, hoping the 6 survivors weren’t too far as her scroll signaled low battery. The flashlight always made it drain fast, and she didn’t bring any supplies down with her to give light.

 

It was cool and wet down there, and dust drifted down from the ceiling with the occasional pebble dropping and clattering against stone. She tried to ignore the nasty feeling of water in her shoes and socks.

 

 “Over here!” A man’s voice called. 

 

“That was a one-way trip,” She sent to them all. “I’ll have to find the survivors and another exit.” 

 

“We’ll look from outside, and make a new opening if we have to,” Fox sent. 

 

Megan continued to move down the passage, splashing through shallow pools and water dripped on her face and she gagged, but it gave her an idea; Water must have carved these caves out over centuries, which meant there must be another opening in the other direction, which let water flow in during heavy rains. Maybe it even opened onto the river. 

 

The Lower Cairn survivors were in a hollowed-out dead end. “I’m Megan” she spoke softly.. “I’m from Beacon Academy. ” 

 

“Oh, you’re a student?” the man asked. “We thought you were a Huntress.” 

 

“I’m a Huntress in training- Headmaster Ozpin’s assistant.” She said, trying to sound more serious.  “My team and I are the best at Beacon. 

 

“Thank you for coming.” He introduced himself as Linus Gray, and the other survivors: his wife, Rhea; his son, Leander; and his three daughters, Phoebe, Helen, and Clio. One family was all that was left of Lower Cairn.

 

One of the daughters whispered to her dad. “We’re in good hands, dad. She’s the girl who won the Vytal Tournament.” 

 

Megan just giggled. She handed them food and water from the canteen, giving them a bit to consume. “We need to go.”  

 

She led them through the passage, trying to find any way out. It was more pressuring with a whole family depending on her. 

 

“We found a way in and we’re on our way toward you,” Fox sent.

 

She let out a sigh of relief, but then her scroll died, leaving no light. “Fuck.” She breathed out. “Just- just follow the sound of my feet.”

 

She continued to walk, finding it a bit weird she still hasn’t met up with any of her teammates. 

 

“How are you doing?” Fox asked.

 

“Fine. Lost our light, but there seems to be only one way to go. Shouldn’t we be meeting up soon?”  

 

“Can you try making some noise so we know how far you are ?” Yatsuhashi sent. 

 

She then saw a soft orange light ahead. “Oh, never mind, I see your light,”  

 

Megan and the family began to hurry up towards the light as the path opened up into a larger cavern. 

 

“Light? We don’t have a light,” Fox said. “ Yatsu’s following Velvet, and I’m using my Semblance.”

 

Her heart dropped.

 

 “Go back!” she whispered urgently to the family. But it was too late. The light above their heads, like a golden lantern, was joined by two glowing red slits in the darkness. “A Death Stalker!” She shouted.

 

 Rhea screamed and her children began crying. “We hear you, ” Fox said. “Did you say ‘Death Stalker’?”

 

 “Yes! Hurry!” The orange light moved farther away, then it zipped towards Megan.

 

She immediately jumped away, but was then pushed into the cavern wall and looked around. 

 

Linus grunted and cursed. The Grimm scorpion’s tail had pierced his leg, pinning him to the ground. Rhea grabbed his arm and pulled as the Death Stalker advanced, claws clacking.

 

“Damnit!’  A rock slab fell a foot in front of her as she jumped back. She summoned her katana, whirling around to try and find the Grimm. Something flickered in her peripheral and she swung, whacking its claw away from her, but she lost it again. 

 

“We’re here.” Fox sent. 

 

“Are you okay?” Yatsuhashi asked. 

 

Megan didn’t respond and flinched as a flashlight illuminated the space- No, not a flashlight, but Velvet and a hard-light weapon, a copy of Yatsuhashi’s sword.

 

The cavern was wider than it had seemed, but there wasn’t a lot of room to maneuver. Fox hacked at the Death Stalker’s legs with his weapons, doing little more than distracting it while Megan ran to help him, slashing her Katana. Yatsuhashi pulled the stinger out of Linus’s leg, and the man crawled away with his wife’s help. 

 

Velvet slashed at the Death Stalker’s tail with her glowing sword. It scraped against the Grimm’s hard exoskeleton, again doing little damage, but getting it to turn toward her. Fox, Megan and Velvet traded off blows, keeping the Death Stalker moving back and forth between them.

 

 “When I fire, run!” Coco suddenly yelled and you spun, trying to see where she was.

 

 “Hold on-” Yatsuhashi tried to yell.

 

She fired, drowning out whatever he was going to say. She didn’t hold back, and the Death Stalker crumbled under her explosive rounds. Unfortunately, so did the tunnel. 

 

“Run!” she screamed again, unable to hear her own voice over the falling stone and the ringing in her ears. 

 

“Careful, it’s slippery up ahead,” Fox yelled. 

 

Megan ran and slipped up a muddy slope, the stone of the cave giving way to soft earth, bathed in moonlight. She came out on the bank of a stream, just above the rushing water. Velvet was just ahead of her, knee-deep in the middle of the stream with Linus and his family. 

 

“Fuck,” Megan muttered, taking in her surroundings as they were surrounded by Ursai. 

 

Velvet brought up a pair of hard-light daggers. “Why’d you pick those, Velvet?” Coco called out.

 

An Ursai snapped at Velvet and she smacked it in the side of the head with one dagger, knocking it back. It shook its head, lunged for her again, and she threw the second dagger into its open mouth. The glowing blade protruded from the back of its head. The red faded from its eyes and it went down. Velvet turned and tilted her head at Coco, eyebrows raised and Megan wanted to laugh- but now was not the time. 

 

An Ursa lunged at Megan and she quickly stuck the Katana into the ground, using all her might to hold herself up and swing, kicking the Ursa harshly in its face and sending it flying back, giving Velvet a chance to throw the dagger into its eye.

 

Fox sped ahead of Yatsuhashi and Coco and took down an Ursa with a series of jabs and slashes from his arm blades. Yatsuhashi skewered the one beside it and tossed it away from its pack.

 

 The refugees ran through the opening in the ring of Grimm. “What are you doing?” Coco hollered. 

 

She laid down covering fire as three Ursai pursued the family. Linus fell, and Rhea and Leander went back for him. She yelled something at the children and they ran on. 

 

Coco picked one of the Grimm off, then another. But then her gun clicked. She needed to reload. “No!” she shouted as the third Ursa grabbed Linus in its teeth.

 

 The man howled, and then he went silent. Rhea collapsed to her knees, screaming, and for the first time, Megan had a huge feeling they might not make it out.

 

The Ursa turned to Rhea, but a glowing hard-light dagger caught it in the back. It spun and faced Velvet as the blade vanished. She fiddled with her camera for a moment and pulled out Sky Lark’s weapon while Megan quickly ran to her, slicing through the Ursas head.

 

The kids passed Coco as she reloaded and joined Velvet in firing on the Ursa. They huddled behind them, silent and wide-eyed, until their mother joined them.

 

“Get away from here!!” Coco shouted. 

 

More Grimm were descending into the valley, boxing in on Megan,  CFVY and the family they were trying to protect. “We can handle them,” Coco reassured, because she had to. 

 

Suddenly, the ground rumbled behind them and they turned. 

 

Megan looked up, and up…and up, and genuinely believed she was about to die. On the other side of the stream, Velvet froze. 

 

“That sounds bad,” Fox sent. 

 

“It’s very bad. A Goliath,” Yatsuhashi yelled out loud. The shadowy Goliath lumbered up the bank of the river, looming over them all. Megan’s breath hitched, trying to think of anything to defeat the Goliath.

 

One of the Goliath’s tusks was broken, and they now knew that this is what killed Lower Cairn, and it was here to finish off the rest.

 

The family screamed and ran back into the cave. “NO!” Megan shouted.

 

The Goliath ran towards the scream and Coco fired at it, trying to push it back.

 

But it was too late.

 

It slid down the slope, crushing the cave, including the family inside. Velvet dropped to her knees, and Megan was shaking.

 

The Goliath then turned to face them, and Megan’s eyes began to glow, summoning up all the aura she had to use a specific power. However, shots were fired, and it wasn’t from Coco.

 

A Bullhead flew towards them, firing at the Goliath, causing it to stumble back. The door opened as the pathway ascended, Port standing right at the doors. “GET IN!” He shouted.

 

“We have to go!” Coco yelled to her group, and Velvet struggled to stand.

 

Megan ran towards her, helping her up and holding her up. She had more wounds now. “W-we have to fight!” Velvet struggled, but Megan kept going.

 

“We need to go!” She insisted, now realizing the tears streaming down her cheeks. 

 

“We can still save them!”

 

“THEY’RE GONE!” Megan screamed, raw, and it would’ve shocked everyone if they weren’t running. 

 

“I can’t feel them.” Fox sent, and Megan couldn’t either. Despite the voice being in their heads, Megan could hear how upset Fox was.

 

The bullhead ran out of artillery and Megan handed off Velvet to Fox, who held her as she sobbed and they ran to the bullhead.

 

The Goliath started running and Megan turned, her eyes glowing once again as a glowing orb of pink- her aura colour- formed in her hands and she threw it to the Goliath, making it stumble back, but it wasn’t enough as she began to form another one.

 

“GO! I’LL HOLD IT BACK!”

 

“Don’t be stupid!” Fox sent.

 

Megan pushed another orb, feeling her aura start to deplete and she was panting. Yatsuhashi took this as his chance to pick up Megan, throwing her over his shoulder and running, throwing her into the bullhead and Port immediately flew. 

 

Velvet was sobbing, more blood pouring out of her wound with new cuts through the fabric of her clothes.

 

Megan was sobbing too, but her teammates mattered more as she grabbed the first aid kit and immediately attended to her, wiping her tears furiously. 

 

Fox sat quietly in the corner, his knees up to his chest and his face between them, already basking in the failure. Yatsuhashi was beside him, laying on his back with his eyes open, just staring right up. 

 

Coco looked back at Lower Cairn as the doors begin to close. But this- the gigantic landmass now destroyed and full of Grimm wasn’t Lower Cairn.

 

It was nothing.

Chapter 23: Comfort and Need

Notes:

bahahhahaa been a while....

Everyone had fallen asleep on the way back to Beacon, but Megan just couldn’t. She sat at the front beside Port, not wanting to bother her teammates in the back as she stared out. It was morning now, and they were close.

 

He turned to look at her. “You did the best you could.”

 

You didn’t look back at him, instead choosing to look down at your thumbs fumbling with each other. “...At first, it was just me who went down to talk to the family. We wouldn’t let Velvet go down because of her injuries and I didn’t want to trigger Coco’s phobia, so I went down. This little girl told her dad that they were in good hands because the Vytal Tournament winner was here. What…what if that gave them so much hope-? that they had some type of professional or whatever to save them. They died thinking I could do it.” 

 

Port just sighed. “Megan, there is a difference between being good at fighting people, and being good at fighting Grimm. You won the Vytal Tournament against someone else because you were passionate. That should not be an image you try to live up to when fighting Grimm.”

 

She slouched back into the seat, the cushion absorbing her as she took his words in.

 

“People who don’t fight don’t know the difference, and you were raised being trained on how to kill huntsmen for years, not Grimm. So, if anyone even tries to think you can save the day because of what you won, don’t let that guide you. I know you’re good at defeating Grimm, and even the strongest Huntsman can’t defeat a Goliath, but you still tried- because you’re smart. You’re a fighter to the end. We all fail and make mistakes, and we learn from them…” 

 

He paused to let out a chuckle. “And the day you defeat a Goliath, I hope you think back on this and give me some damn credit.” 

 

She turned to him, sadly smiling and chuckling. “And what if I were to win the tournament again?”

 

“Well, you can choose to let that build your ego and bask in knowing your amazing ability to fight others, or you can let that strengthen you to be better than that; To be a true Huntress who defeats evil, not people.” 

 

She looked back to the sky, chuckling. “It makes me almost not wanna win.”

 

“At least try- imagine Theodore-”

“Oh god,” She groaned and they both laughed. “He’ll kill me if he sees any type of weakness.”

 

They then heard sounds of shuffling in the back and she turned to see Coco waking up. Megan forced a smile- “Rise and shine sleepin’ beauty.”

 

Coco just chuckled groggily, slowly sitting up before waking up Fox. 

 

“We almost there yet?” She asked once everyone was beginning to wake up.

 

“Yep.” You looked back to the front, seeing the tall towers of Beacon come into view faintly. “Pretty close.”

 

“I just really hope we can return quietly- It’s morning so not everyone will be out, right?”

 

Port winced. “Well, uh, maybe not today.”

 

The whole group was standing at the front now as the school became clearer in view. It seemed the whole school was at the cliffside. Yatsu looked at Port, “What’s going on?”

 

“Vytal festival assignments.”

 

“Fuck!” Coco groaned, and Port would’ve scolded her but it was an appropriate reaction. 

 

The bullhead landed and everyone mentally braced themselves as Megan stood up to join her team in front of the doors. 

 

Coco sighed. “Well, here we go. Let’s put on a good face.”

 

 “Maybe no one will notice us because there’s too much going on,” Yatsuhashi shrugged

 

Fox started counting, wearily: “Three, two, one-” 

 

“Hey, Team CFVY and Megan is back!” a student called out. 

 

Velvet and Megan’s shoulders slumped, as Megan groaned. “Fuckin bullshit.”

 

All eyes turned to them and several students rushed over to see them up close. 

 

“It’s showtime,” Fox sent.

 

He led the way as the team crossed the courtyard, heads held high but trying to convey that they really didn’t want anyone to talk to them right now. That was what was so difficult about having a national fighter and being an Iconic team at Beacon; everyone wanted to give a heroic welcome

 

Coco kept pace with Fox, but Velvet fell behind, and Megan and Yatsuhashi slowed down so they could keep an eye on her. Megan frowned; Velvet seemed to be taking in everything the hardest. She was the soul of the team, so much so that she almost literally wore her heart on her sleeve. Coco, Fox, Megan and Yatsuhashi all kept big parts of themselves protected and hidden away- especially Megan with her past- but Velvet put it all on display 

 

Team RWBY watched CFVY + M from the sidelines with the same admiration as the rest of the school, but slightly less awe. Yatsuhashi was relieved when he saw Team RWBY hurry up to Velvet and Megan forced a smile- still not wanting to talk to them. 

 

Megan just sighed, choosing to walk away- Velvet needed some time, and she could spend it with RWBY or on her own. She knew for a fact that this team would have a long conversation tonight.

 

As she made her way up the stairs towards the dorms, her scroll pinged and she groaned, knowing who it was already.

 

Ozpin

 

I’d like to thank you for your successful mission in hunting down possible hideouts for the Fang and Torchwick.

 

RWBY will be heading out to the southeast later today.

 

Speaking about missions, I want to talk to you about yours. How did it go? Come to my office soon.

Megan just rolled your eyes- mission this, mission that- brothers it was getting so annoying! She knew it was her job, but it was seriously frustrating, because at the end of the day all the missions she performs for Ozpin are just RWBY related. Not end of the world related or magic related- only for that team.

 

She researched for a full 2 weeks on possible hideouts where she went out on her own to even confirm. 

 

(“And then,” Ozpin spoke again and Megan groaned, and he just chuckled. “With all your information, I want you to find out where their hideout may be. It’s not in Vale, so it must be in the abandoned cities just outside.”

“You want me to stalk it out?”

“I want you to send Team RWBY on it for their first mission.”

Megan was now glaring. )

Her final suspicions were the southeast, so naturally RWBY would head there for their Vytal assignment.  

 

She also would NOT be going to his office- he was probably angry at her for failing the mission- she could tell in his messages, and she almost understood why (he actually doesn’t know what happened she’s just constantly overthinking). She has been trained by the best headmasters Remnant has to offer; Theodore, Ironwood, Ozpin and all of their right-hands. As much as she hates to admit it, even Raven trained her insanely good.

 

Sure, Port was right- she’d been trained a lot more in terms of fighting others instead of Grimm, but with her abilities she could’ve at least done some good damage back at Lower Cairn, but she just couldn’t. 

 

So, in conclusion, Ozpin was disappointed. 

 

With a sigh, she made her way to the gardens, knowing that if Ozpin was disappointed, there was another person out there who was 100x more, and maybe it would be better to call them first before Ozpin delivers the bad news. 

 

She couldn’t make this call in her dorm, so she chose the gardens- no one would be there at these times, first years were excited for their missions and some were partying before they were to be sent off. Same thing would happen at Shade- or so she’d heard. She wasn’t really allowed out with the other students until the tournament started.

 

Once confirming the garden was empty, she sat on a secluded bench and scrolled on her scroll to find a contact.

 

When it began to ring, she braced herself.

 

The call answered in static, and a bunch of sounds of something moving around and she watched a tall, tan-skinned man move his scroll around, his checkered vest being the main image as he moved the scroll closer to his face. She heard it being set down and took in the view of the office behind him.

 

She squinted- he must’ve recently cut his hair, the sides are shaved off with hair remaining at the top. His goatee remained. 

 

“Who is it?” There was a female voice somewhere in the background and you smiled.

 

Once the call was no longer staticy, Theodore finally took in who was calling him. “Our star girl!”

 

Another deep-tanned individual came into the frame, her ankle-length hair was put back into a braid, swinging around. Her eyes lit up. “Oh! Megan!”

 

“Hi Xanthe.”

The woman leaned her elbow on Theodore’s chair, grinning wide. “You look exhausted. Don’t tell me Ozpin’s running you into the ground already.”

 

Megan huffed out a tired laugh, rubbing at her temple. “Not Ozpin this time. It’s… a mission. Lower Cairn.”

 

Theodore’s brow furrowed. “Lower Cairn?”

Megan shifted on the bench, her stomach knotting tighter. “CFVY went out first. Velvet got hurt, so they called me in for support; search and rescue.” Her voice wavered, and she forced herself to keep going. “We found survivors up in the mountains. A family. They were terrified, but alive. I thought…we thought…we had them safe.”

 

Xanthe’s grin faded instantly, her braid sliding forward over her shoulder. “Megan…”

 

She shook her head, nails digging into her palms. “Then the Grimm came. A full swarm. Beowolves, Ursai, a Goliath behind them. It was like the whole forest emptied onto that ridge.” 

 

Her throat tightened, words breaking apart. “I-I tried, Theo. I fought until I couldn’t breathe, but there were too many. The people…the family, we couldn’t hold the line. We lost them all.”

 

Her voice cracked on the last word, and she bowed her head, hot tears spilling down her cheeks. “I promised them they’d be safe because I was there. They believed me. And then…then I watched them die.”

 

Static filled the call for a moment before Theodore leaned closer, his face carved with a rare, raw seriousness.

 

“Megan,” he said firmly, “look at me.”

Her teary eyes flicked up at the screen, shaky, unfocused.

 

“You did everything you could. Do you hear me? Everything. You went in when no one else could, you pulled Velvet out, you found the survivors, don’t twist this into something it isn’t.” His tone softened but held steady, an anchor against her storm. “Lower Cairn wasn’t your failure. It was a tragedy, and there’s a difference.”

 

Her lip trembled as she tried to steady her breathing. “But I-”

 

“No.” Theodore cut her off gently, shaking his head. “I’ve watched you fight for years, Megan. You don’t stop, you don’t freeze, and you don’t run from people who need you. You’re allowed to hurt over this. You’re supposed to. That doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human.”

 

Her tears spilled faster, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the edge of her seat. “They still died. I should’ve-”

 

“You should’ve what? Died with them?” Theodore chuckled, “Don’t you ever think your worth is measured by how many you couldn’t save. Because if you keep carrying the dead on your back, you’ll break long before you ever get to save the living.”

 

Megan squeezed her eyes shut, a sob breaking loose.

 

Theodore let the silence stretch, steady and patient, before adding quietly, “I can’t lose you, Megan. Ozpin can’t. Ironwood can’t. You’re not just some piece on the board, you’re family. You hear me?”

 

Her shoulders shook, but she nodded.

 

“Good,” he murmured, the tension in his features easing just slightly. “So you cry, you scream, you throw something if you need to, but when you walk into Ozpin’s office, you tell him the truth, not the story you’re making up in your head about him blaming you. Because that man? He’s not going to shame you. He’s going to worry.”

 

For the first time since the mission, Megan felt her chest loosen, if only by an inch.

 

Megan wiped at her cheeks, sniffing, trying to compose herself. Theodore leaned back, watching her with an amused glint in his eye.

 

Then her scroll buzzed. She glanced down and froze.

 

Ozpin

 

Where are you? Please let’s talk.

 

She groaned, dropping her head into her hands. “Oh my- Theodore… did you text him?”

 

Theodore’s deep chuckle rumbled through the call. “The moment I saw a tear, I immediately texted Ozpin. Consider it preventative damage control.”

 

Megan blinked at him, incredulous. “You, you can’t just…ugh!”

 

He leaned closer to the screen, smirking. “Relax. You’ve survived Grimm, impossible missions, and me yelling at you for years. I think a worried Ozpin is going to be a cakewalk.”

 

Megan groaned again.

 

Theodore just shook his head, still grinning. “Go on, answer him before he texts a hundred more times. Or go see him before he sends everyone looking for you.”

 

~~~

 

Megan’s stomach knotted as she stepped into the elevator, her hands trembling slightly. Each ding of the floor rising felt like a countdown, each second a prelude to disappointment. She rehearsed every apology in her head but nothing seemed good. Lower Cairn had been a disaster, and no rehearsed words could erase the memory of those people lost.

 

The elevator doors slid open, and she looked down at her feet, bracing herself. She expected stern lines, a disapproving glance, or perhaps the calm, measured lecture that only Ozpin could deliver.

 

He was standing there, arms slightly open. Before she could even lift her head, before her rehearsed apologies could form, he stepped forward and pulled her into a hug.

 

“Megan,” he murmured, his voice deep and steady, vibrating with a warmth that grounded her in a way nothing else had. “I was so worried. I have been watching for so long, waiting for you to return safely.”

 

Her eyes widened. “You… you were watching?” she asked, her voice small, incredulous.

 

Ozpin nodded gently, holding her a fraction tighter. “Yes. I wanted to make sure you returned unharmed. Port informed me of everything once you all arrived;. I’ve also spoken with Velvet myself. She is safe, thanks to you. She’s in the infirmary.”

 

Megan’s throat tightened, a lump forming as tears pricked at her eyes. “But… I failed,” she whispered, shaking slightly. “I couldn’t save them. I couldn’t…”

 

He raised a hand, tilting her chin gently so she would meet his eyes. His gaze was unwavering, serene, yet sharp enough to cut through her spiraling guilt. “Megan, look at me.”

 

Her eyes, glassy with unshed tears, met his, and he let her feel the weight of his calm, deliberate presence; the kind of presence that could steady armies and anchor lives. “You did everything within your power. You went in when no one else could. You acted decisively, courageously, and with foresight. The outcome was tragic, yes, but that does not reflect your capability, nor your value as a Huntress.”

 

She blinked rapidly, swallowing hard against the lump in her throat. “But they trusted me… and I couldn’t…”

 

Ozpin exhaled, his hand still resting lightly on her shoulder. “Megan, we do not always have control over the consequences of our actions. Life, and the Grimm, and the tragedies that befall Remnant, they do not yield to even the best-prepared Huntsman. You are not responsible for every misfortune, nor are you measured solely by what you could not prevent.”

 

He stepped back slightly, giving her space but keeping his presence close, as if to silently remind her that she was not alone. His gaze softened, the stern authority giving way to quiet paternal care. “You went to Lower Cairn, you faced danger that would have terrified even the most experienced Huntsmen, and you returned alive. That is not failure. That is fortitude. That is courage.”

 

Megan exhaled shakily, her tears finally spilling as the weight of her guilt and fear collided with the steady reassurance in his voice. She buried her face briefly in his chest, letting the hug ground her.

 

Ozpin’s arms tightened around her, “I know it was difficult,” he continued, “and it is natural to feel guilt and sorrow for those who were lost. That is human, Megan. But do not let it blind you to what you did accomplish. You saved what you could. You fought when it was dangerous. You protected lives that would have been lost without you. That is the meaning of a Huntress.”

 

She sniffled, her voice muffled as she whispered, “I just… I didn’t want you to be disappointed. I didn’t want to let you down.”

 

“You could never disappoint me, Megan. You are more than the sum of the victories or the tragedies you witness. You are more than my assistant, more than most.”

 

Her breath shook as she tried to steady herself. The hug lingered, long enough for her to feel the weight of her own survival and the care of someone who had truly seen her.

 

She finally pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze, her lips trembling. “You… really aren’t angry?”

 

Ozpin’s lips curved into the faintest, warmest smile. “Angry? No. Concerned, yes. Proud? More than you realize. I worried for you, Megan. Because you matter to me. Because you are capable, and because I know what it means to face impossible odds, and to return despite them.”

 

Megan let out a shaky laugh, a small, fragile sound. “I… I didn’t expect this.”

 

Ozpin chuckled softly, the sound rich and calm, echoing the patience of a man who had weathered far more than she could imagine. “No one expects kindness in the face of fear, Megan. But you deserve it. And I promise, no matter what happens, I will always recognize the courage it takes to keep walking forward.”

 

~~~

 

By the time Megan returned to her room, the weight of the morning was still heavy in her chest, but somehow lighter than it had been in the gardens. Velvet was in the infirmary and Yatsuhashi went to accompany her, leaving just Coco, and Fox.

 

Coco had already moved her and your bed together to fit more people. Fox was lying across the mattress, his arm tucked casually behind his head and the other around Coco as she was resting her own head on his shoulder.

 

Megan’s shoulders slumped as she looked at them, the tight tension in her body slowly unraveling. 

 

She climbed onto the bed, careful not to disturb them too much, and nestled herself against Fox’s other side as she lay her head on his chest. 

 

The three of them lay like that, in silence, each breathing in sync with the other. Megan closed her eyes, letting the quiet wrap around her like a blanket.

 

It was the first time in a while that she felt the tight knot in her chest ease. For now, that was enough. They didn’t need words. They didn’t need explanations. Just the quiet, the trust, and the comfort of each other.

 

And for Megan, that was everything.