School is now over for everyone. It feels good for the young teens to finally be free from the chamber of boredom as Yang called it a few times before. Team RWBY is heading towards their dorm, trying to relax. It's hard enough to be a student on its own, but doing homework and studying for a test takes many people to their limits. Arriving at their dorm room, they unlock it immediately and scatter around the room, changing from their uniforms into more casual clothes. Judging from their faces, the mood isn't all that good, but that's to be expected when Port bores everyone. A collective groan rings through the group when suddenly Yangs' scroll rings. The young girl is surprised and almost falls over when she sees who texted her.

Blake:" Yang, what is it?"

Yang:" It's Y/n."

Weiss:" So? What does he want?"

Yang:" Hmm, he seems to have sent me a link to one of his music videos. Do you wanna watch it with me?"

Ruby:" I can spend a few minutes for it."

Blake:" It does seem oddly interesting."

Weiss:" Hmpf, alright. Let's see what he presents us today."

Yang smiles and then clicks on the link in the message, starting to display the video.

(Play the video on top)

Y/n:(in video)" 

If I could speak I'd tell you all my fears and deprivations

If I could feel I'd take away your pain

If I could bleed I'd show you all my scars and imperfections

If I could breathe I'd hold you in my veins

You've got me feeling like an animal
Beat down in fear and paralyzed
You've got me feeling like I have no other hand to hold
In this assisted suicide

So say something beautiful
Say what you're keeping inside
This anticipation
I will only let you down
Say something meaningful
Say what you're trying to hide
This anticipation
I will only let you down

If I could breed I'd show you all my infantile obsessions

If I could sleep I'd hold you in my head

If I was strong I'd keep you close and render you defenseless

If I was gone I'd hope you'd take my place

You've got me feeling like an animal
Beat down in fear and paralyzed
You've got me feeling like I have no other hand to hold
In this assisted suicide

So say something beautiful
Say what you're keeping inside
This anticipation
I will only let you down
Say something meaningful
Say what you're trying to hide
This anticipation
I will only let you down

So say something beautiful
Say what you're keeping inside
This anticipation
I will only let you down
Say something meaningful
Say what you're trying to hide
This anticipation
I will only let you down"

The song itself isn't as disturbing as the video. All sorts of weird stuff is going on throughout: clows, creepy dolls, occult gatherings and much more. The message of the song is nclear for them so far until another message pops up on Yangs' scroll. She stares at the notification for a moment before opening the message and reading through it.

Yang:" From Y/n:

Hey there, Yang. I know you're wondering how I got your number or why I sent you stuff like that. It's just...I wanna let you know that you and your team are great people. I know I promised you to be at the Vytal tournament and I will be...just not in the condition you normally see me in...Now don't worry, everything will be fine in time. I just need to clear things out for myself....As to why I sent you this video:

I was never confident enough to believe I could be a great person. I was trying to become a huntsman and yes, I somehow succeeded. But not on a level where Remnant would've loved me to see. People talk about me behind my back and yes, I feel discouraged by it. But then my biggest flaw was revealed: I wasn't wanted around Mistral after all. Every family I asked to stay with shoved me out the moment I tried to convince them I would do good.......

You may wonder why I tell you this. Well...I don't want you or anyone else to grow too attached to me. You wouldn't want to spend your whole life with a disgrace like me...Heh, it's funny how the world turns. People disrespect other people for the sake of control, yet they are the ones who fail to withstand the force of the real rulers. I don't want anyone to frown because of me. That doesn't suit you girls...You guys can walk straight through hell with a smile. No matter what happens, keep moving forward. Only when you find an obstacle in your way, you know that you need to overcome it with the people dear to you. support your team and they will support you.

I don't know when we'll see each other again, because I depart tomorrow morning for a show in Argus. Of course it will be on TV, channel 4 at 8 pm, if you wanna watch...It was nice meeting you so far. Please stay the way you are, because I adore that about you. Just as much as I adore the rest of your friends."

Yang is in disbelief as she lowers her scroll and looks at her teammates. They all share the same expression, but Blake tries her best to calm down Yang. Ruby and Weiss sit down and cover their faces with their hands, processing the words they just heard. Y/n is such a great person in their eyes, yet he shows them how hurt he really is. It doesn't add up though. Why would he tell them all that personal stuff? He can't be serious about it.

Yang:" I need to find him. I need to talk to him about this!"

Weiss:" And where do you think we should start looking?"

Yang:" We could track his scroll and then follow. Then we have him and I can confront him."

Blake:" Maybe we should ask him if he even is at home now."

Yang nods and slowly types in a message, asking Y/n if he's at home at the time. An immediate reply says yes and that he lives in an apartement in west downtown Vale. He even sends the right adress and ends the message with a smiley face. The blonde bombshell sighs in relief and straightens her outfit. The rest of the team get up as well and make their way towards the sent adress.

--------------------------------------------------------

Y/n on the other hand is in the bathroom at the moment, examining the scars he has all over his body. It makes him chuckle from time to time, knowing most of these scars are from street fights or bar fights. The H/c haired man isn't proud of it, but it certainly gives him some stories to tell. Knowing he isn't as weak as he portrayed himself to be gives him a short smile, but that fades sooner as expected when he sees the shape he's in. Bags under his eyes, dry skin, nervous twitching in his hands. He doesn't sleep well, he eats less and his stomach is hurting very much from time to time. Y/n went to a few docs before, but none of them wanted to tell him what was wrong with him. When he got the diagnose printed on paper and read it at home, it kicked him off his feet.

Y/n:" I guess this was well deserved. All the crap I've been through, the stuff I've had in my body. It all came full circle."

Y/n then puts on his shirt again and walks back into the living room when a knock is present at his door. He walks over and expects the mailman to be there, but then a blur of blond hair rushes at him and crushes him on the floor.

Y/n:" Ow, okay. Yeah. I need to...breath though......Yang."

Yang:" You idiot! What are you trying to tell us with these messages?"

Y/n:" Please don't yell like that. I've got enough trouble with my neighbours already. and second: I have to explain a lot to all of you actually....Ow."

Blake:" Are you alright, Y/n?"

Y/n:" As alright as I can be. Take a seat everyone."

The four just look at each other before sitting down on the sofa. They each get a glass of water while Y/n remains standing. He doesn't act the way he used to and that throws the team of Beacon students off. They expect him to be cheery and smiling, making jokes about things, but the pain in his eyes says something different.

Y/n:" So...The first thing I wanna explain is the message of the song I've sent. Like I said, I wasn't confident at all in my early teenage years and I still am not as confident as I should be. I lost loved ones, I hurt former partners of mine and I am a disgrace to my parents. I just wanted someone to tell me that I'm good enough for something...and yet, nobody did. The critics always praise my work, but never me, the person behind it. People tell me they love my music and not me. I've grown to take it as it is while having that foul taste in my mouth."

Blake:" So you're looking for compassion. For someone who loves you for who you are, not for what you do."

Y/n:" You could say so....As to why I was never wanted anywhere: it's because my semblance is pointless in battle. Immitating natural enemies of humanoid creatures or Grimm isn't omething anyone needed around. I traveled as a nomad, making a few Lien every now and then to stay alive....Here I am as a washed up huntsman and a part-time musician."

Ruby:" But you're doing good for others. You're comforting them, helping them to cope with the chaos in their lifes."

Y/n:" Yeah. I do it all while I forget to care for myself. I haven't slept the last few nights, I barely eat and I..."

Yang:" What is it?"

Y/n:" It's easier to just show all of you."

He then grabs a sheet of paper from under the table and gives it to Ruby first. The sheet goes around from one to another and a sorrowful expression grows on their faces. The atmosphere is tense as Y/n is trying to stay calm.

Weiss:" So that means..."

Y/n:" It means I'm slowly, but surely dying. I have a severe case of stomach cancer and no doctor can help me. I asked around town: no help. I asked the whole continent: nothing. And the rest of Remnant: either refusing to help or they can't help as well."

Yang:" So that's what you mean with you not being in the same condition you're in now when you come back for the Vytal Tournament."

Y/n:" Yes...As much as it hurts, I can't build a meaningful relationship with anyone anymore. The cancer is making it hard for me to do basic things. I can't exercise the way I used to, I have trouble breathing, I can't eat or drink properly. I even get cramps when I just lay down and try to relax...That's why I don't want anyone to grow too close to me. I would just be a burden for anyone to bare..."

Yang is basically crying now, hearing that her favorite musician and one of the nicest people she ever met will leave this world sooner or later. Her team tries to focus on her, knowing how important everything is to her. Y/n on the other hand is balling his fists and tries to bite back the rage he has towards himself. He hates himself for putting himself in that situation, but feels worse when he turns around and sees Yang bawling her eyes out. The big man walks over to her and pulls her into a tight hug, starting to cry as well.

Y/n:" I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, Yang."

Yang:" It's not your fault...I just wish...it...it wasn't happening at this day and age."

Y/n:" I promise you...I will make that show in Argus special....For you and your friends."

Yang:" Does........does Ozpin know? Does he know that you're having an illness like that in you?"

Y/n:" I wanted to tell him this evening...I hope he understands my current predicament. He isn't very known to show much emotion towards anyone."

Blake:" Well...Will you be able to at least fight your opponent at the tournament?"

Y/n:" I can't exactly be sure. I have to observe how the cancer developes."

Ruby:" Can we at least do something to give you a nice farewell before you're heading out tomorrow? Like a tour through Vale? Or maybe dinner?"

Weiss:" The dance is coming up, isn't it? Why don't you accompany us to it? Maybe that will lighten your mood a bit."

Y/n:" I don't have a tuxedo. I never expected anyone to invite me to such a fancy party."

Yang:" Then let's go shopping today. I'm sure we'll find something nice for you...apart from your standard collection."

Y/N:" Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"

Yang:" Well, mostly you're seen wearing black or dark grey and other darker colors. Maybe we should mix it up a little with some fresher colors."

Y/n:" Suddenly I'm very scared of what you have in store for me."

Weiss:" Nonesense. This will be a great experience for all of us. Also you look more professional when you wear a suit."

Y/n:" There is no stopping you girls, right?"

RWBY:" Right!"

And so the four shove him out of the apartement, locking the door and head out to Vale. It certainly changes the mood now, so maybe it won't be as bad as Y/n thought. He has to try and hide that he feels uncomfortable at the moment with four beautiful girls around him, knowing that some people might get the wrong idea about the situation. It's not everyday that fans come up to him and drag him along to Oum-knows-where.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ozpin is looking out the window at the moment, worying about something else. He heard that there may be something big planned for the festival itself while Glynda is trying to decipher this. She may have worked with Ozpin for countless years, but even she doesn't know his deepest secrets. Whatever may come will be a disaster for the world. 

Ozpin:" This is something, these children aren't ready for. Glynda, if we can not expect what we fight, then why do we fight?"

Glynda:" I beg your pardon?"

Ozpin:" An unknown enemy is approaching and we know nothing about them. How can we expect to fight them, if we lack the knowledge of their strength and tactics? I am not asking for a battle plan, I just want you to state your opinion."

Glynda:" As much as I'd like to answer, I can't. I do not know who would dare to infiltrate us, nor why they should."

???:" Maybe you should let the big boys talk and listen, Blondie."

Suddenly a familiar face comes out from the shadows, showing their features. Short black hair, red eyes, grey clothes and a red cape.

Ozpin:" Qrow, when did you get here?"

Qrow:" About ten minutes ago. I saw Miss StuckUp here walking towards the elevator, so i decided to follow and check in with you. So...I've got news for you."

Ozpin:" Please do tell."

So the three begin to discuss further preperations for any upcoming danger. Qrow knows more than he gives away and for a good reason. Many people in this world aren't ready to learn about the things Remnant has in store for them, yet a select few always stray from the path. The same thing can happen the other way around: some find the right path after acquiring the needed knowledge, overthrowing their former masters.