NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Chapter 8 - A Familiar (Crater) Face
Me and Jonny wake up early the next morning, and I am frustrated. Last night there were no grimm at all. I grumble a bit, as we walk out to the pipe. I climb in, and to the grate, opening it, pulling Jonny through, and closing it behind us. I see Jonny use his inventory to change what he is wearing and pose with his sword. a open blue coat, a red shirt, blue jeans, and brown boots. and his gauntlet looks more like a dragon's arm now...
"ooo nice, the DMC4 Nero set. wait...who'd you meet?" "Met some bake shop owner. Really nice guy. His name is Monty Neal, so that's neat." I nod, and we walk to the edge of the city, and I see a few others there already. Nora and Ren, as well as a tall woman in a trenchcoat. I see a tall, lanky blonde boy slowly walk up as well, and I sigh. "all 4 of JNPR..." "I see them." I nod, and slowly look over at a nearby clock, and wait as the clock gets closer to noon. I hear more people walk up, and then after a few hours, I hear a motorbike pull up, and I perk up. I watch as Yang and Ruby arrive, and smile a slight bit, as Ruby is wearing not just her OG red cloak, but also has my brown coat wrapped around her waist, like a belt.
Jonny snickers and cackles, and I elbow him, making him laugh harder. I sigh as the Airship arrives, and we all get on board. I see Yang doing her thing with Ruby, and I walk over to the blonde boy as he grabs his stomach. "Hey. Focus on the horizon, yeah? it helps." I see him grimace, and grab the rim of the window as he focuses intently, before he slowly gets better. "Tha...Thanks...urk...still sick tho. I'm Jaune...just saying...." "I'm Alexandros." I shrug and walk over to Jonny, who's looking out at Vale with a grin on his face.
I smile as Beacon comes into full view, and we land. Jaune rushes past us all and runs to a trashcan, and begins to throw up. Poor bastard.
I walk around for a bit and nearly get run over by a group of people as they run off. I look at the passing horde and then hear a crash. I turn around and see Ruby, flopped over a luggage carrier. I see her get up, and she is accosted by a short girl with white hair, pale skin, and blue eyes with a faint, hair-thin scar over her left eye. Weiss. I run over as Weiss begins to shake a vial of Dust at Ruby. "OI! THE VIAL HAS A LEAK!!" I yell loud enough to make Weiss jump back, just as Ruby sneezes.
Thankfully, unlike canon, Weiss doesn't get blasted...even as the blast deafens me for a moment. "SEE, You dolt! This is why we don't let CHILDR-" I cover her mouth with my gauntleted hand, and offer Ruby my other hand, to help her up from the ground. "You okay, Ruby?" She takes my hand and I pull the (surprisingly heavy) girl up and let go of Weiss. "How dare you?! Do you know who I am?!" I gulp, knowing what is about to happen.
I hear a growl from behind me. "I know exactly who you are, you petty, princess, BITCH!" I whirl around and see Jonny, red-faced and almost frothing mad, as he storms over, a sinister grin on his face. "You are a worthless RAT! You are the heir to a company known for its SLAVERY! You are worthless, and your life is nothing." Jonny then turns and walks off, and I sigh. "And since that is true, Weiss, it simply means you can remake your life as you want to. Don't be your father. Be better than him. I know you can." I smile warmly at her as she fumes.
I walk away, and Ruby follows, as Weiss's servants clean up her luggage and cart it off. I see Weiss touch her face, and flush. I ignore it as we walk away, and I rub Ruby's shoulder. "Are you okay, Ruby?" She nods, and Jaune comes running up. "oh! Alex! Hey! I came running when I heard the explosion."
We walk for hours and make it to the auditorium as Ruby keeps yapping on about her scythe and Jaune about his sword and shield.
I see Ruby run off to Yang, and I watch Weiss approach her as I walk up.
"YOU!" "Eep! it's happening again!" I blink as Ruby hides behind me, of all people, as Weiss looks up at me, and growls a bit. "and YOU. You're lucky we all weren't blown off the side of the cliff!" Yang snorts "You really exploded." "it was an accident!" She walks out from behind me and looks at Weiss. "It really was...eep!" Ruby flinches as Weiss shoves a pamphlet into her face. "The Schnee Dust Company is not responsible for any injuries or damages sustained while operating a Schnee Dust Company product. Although not mandatory, the Schnee Family highly encourages their customers to read and familiarize themselves with this easy-to-follow guide to Dust applications and practices in the field." "Uhhhh..." Ruby looks at her like she just spoke a different language.
"...Ugh. Do you wanna make it up to me?" "Yes!" Ruby perks up. "Read this, and don't ever speak to me again. Ever." Yang clears her throat "Err...Look, uh, it sounds like you two just got off on the wrong foot. Why don't you start over and try to be friends, okay?" "Yeah! Great idea, sis!" Ruby holds out her hand as she clears her throat. "Hello, Weiss! I'm Ruby! Wanna hang out? We can go shopping for school supplies!" Weiss gives a dazzling, but fake smile "Yeah! and we can paint our nails and talk about boys like tall, dark, and antisocial right there." She points at me, making me wonder 'What the fuck, Weiss?' Ruby smiles brightly "Really?!" Weiss frowns immediately but doesn't glare. "no. I was being sarcastic." I roll my eyes and speak up. "Weiss. Be nice, yeah? We all came here to Beacon to start our lives as US, Ourselves, and not...not some elitists or groomed heirs. You can be yourself here. A new thing to you, I know." Weiss glares at me, before sighing. "Fine. I'll try. But ONLY because you BARELY have a point." I hear a horrid screeching from the stage, nearly deafening me as Ozpin FINALLY shows up.
"I'll... keep this brief. You have traveled 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. But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose, direction, and motivation." The students whisper among themselves, mostly about how insulted they feel. "And, somehow, you assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step. To start your journey."
Ozpin leaves, and Glynda steps up to talk. "You will gather in the ballroom tonight; tomorrow, your initiation begins. Be ready. You are dismissed. Good luck."
Yang groans. "He seemed kind of... off, Y'know?" Ruby nods. "It's almost like he wasn't even there." I look over at them. "It's likely because it is the first day of a new semester, and he likely recently saw his beloved students leave his school. That's taxing on any teacher, much more so on a headmaster."
"that makes sense!" Ruby exclaims, and my eyes are drawn to her hands, as she runs them over her new belt, my wrapped-up cloak. She smiles warmly, her eyes gleaming.
oh no.
wait...Deja vu?
End of chapter