The Tale Of X-49: A RWBY Story

Chapter Twenty Five - Field Trip

Inside the Beacon amphitheater, the Beacon students were gathered. X-49 stayed close with Team RWBY. Goodwitch soon spoke from the stage.

Glynda: Quiet! Quiet please. Professor Ozpin would like to share a few words before we begin.

As the students begin to quiet down, Ozpin began making his speech.

Ozpin: Today we stand together, united. Mistral. Atlas. Vacuo. Vale. The four Kingdoms of Remnant. On this day, nearly eighty years ago, the largest war in recorded history came to an end. It was a war of ignorance, of greed, and of oppression. A war that was about much more than where borders fell or who traded with whom, but about the very idea of individualism itself. We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self-expression. And as you are well aware, that was something many could not stand for. As a result, those who opposed this tyranny began naming their children after one of the core aspects of art itself: color. It was their way to demonstrate that not only would they refuse to tolerate this oppression, but neither were the generations to come. And it was a trend that is held to this very day. We encourage individuality, expressionism, and unity through diversity. As I have said, today we stand together, united. But this bond cannot exist without effort. Which is why today, while the rest of the world celebrates peace, Huntsmen and Huntresses will work to uphold it. As first year students, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional Huntsman or Huntress on a mission. Some of you may be taken out of the Kingdom for several days. Others may work within the walls for the rest of the week. But no matter which path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best.

As Ozpin steps away, all the students began to leave the amphitheater to get their missions. For Team RWBY, this was their opportunity to continue their investigation on Roman Torchwick and the White Fang.

Ruby: This is perfect! All we have to do is shadow a Huntsman working in the southeast!

Yang: Yeah! We'll follow them around by day and give them the slip by night!

Weiss: Let's check "search and destroy"!

Team RWBY approaches a hologram screen for a mission that would take them southeast.

Ruby: Here we go! Quadrant 5 needs Grimm cleared out!

Blake: Well, it's in the southeast!

Yang: Sounds perfect!

Ruby selects it and types in her team name. However, the screen says that first years are not allowed to take this mission.

Weiss: Wonderful!

Blake: Any other ideas?

Ruby: We mail ourselves there!

X-49 chuckled at Ruby's suggestion.

Ozpin: Well, that's one option.

Ozpin suddenly appears behind Team RWBY. X-49 was the only one who wasn't startled by this.

Ozpin: Unfortunately, we determined that the concentration of Grimm was too extreme for first-year students. It seems that particular region is rather popular. In fact, I have the sneaking suspicion that you four will make your way there no matter which job you choose.

Weiss, Blake, and Yang glare at Ruby, who nervously rubs her head.

Ruby: Whatever makes you say that?

Ozpin: I'm still curious how you all found yourself at the docks last semester. I'm interested to know how you really learned about a hideout in the southeast. And I certainly wonder why witnesses reported seeing robots and rose petals in a dance club some time ago.

Ruby: Um... well...

Ozpin: I doubt I'll ever find the exact answers I'm looking for. So how about this: instead of waiting for you all to break the rules, why don't we just bend them?

Ozpin selects some things on his scroll, and the hologram screen makes a noise. X-49 couldn't help but smile at Ozpin's readiness to bend the rules.

Ruby: We won't let you down. Thank you, professor.

Ozpin: Do not thank me for this. Teamwork and persistence have carried you far. But you must understand, the things that await you beyond the protection of the Kingdom will not care. Stay close to your Huntsman at all times, and do exactly as he says. He will be leading you on this mission, and he can have you sent back to Beacon, if he finds your skills to be unsatisfactory. Good luck.

With that, X-49 joined Team RWBY in their mission to Quadrant 5. As they packed their equipment, X-49 spoke to Ruby.

X-49: Looks like your gamble paid off, Kiddo.

Ruby: I still can't believe that worked. I thought for sure Professor Ozpin wasn't going to let us on this mission.

X-49: Teamwork and persistence can make all the difference.

X-49 chuckles as he ruffles Ruby's hair. Soon enough, they made their way to the airship that would take them to Quadrant 5. During the wait, they ran into Team CFVY who appeared run down.

Blake: Velvet? Are you all right?

Velvet: I'm fine. I had Yatsuhashi to look out for me.

Weiss: Your mission was supposed to end a week ago! What happened?

Velvet: Nothing happened. It was just...there were just so many...

As Velvet said this, the members of Team RWBY became worried. X-49 however remained calm, albeit even more protective.

Velvet: Oh, but don't worry. You first-years are just shadowing Huntsmen, so you should be fine.

Yang: Right.

Velvet: I should go. Be safe, okay?

Ruby: We can do this. We've never backed down before, and we're not going to start now.

X-49: Ruby's right. And besides, you still got this old bucket of bolts watching over you should anything go awry.

Yang: You're not that old, X-49!

Ruby: Besides, it won't only be us out there! We'll be fighting alongside a genuine Huntsman!

Yang: Yeah!

As the members of Team RWBY rallied behind Ruby, they were approached by Doctor Bartholomew Oobleck

Oobleck: Why, hello students! Who's ready to fight for their lives?

In that moment, X-49 and Team RWBY got on the airship with Oobleck. The airship soon took off and began the journey to Quadrant 5. What none of them didn't know was that there was more to this mission than meets the eye.