Ironwood stands with his hands behind his back as he watches the Atlasien airship touch down at Beacon's helipads. As the ships engines died down, Ironwood starts walking towards the ship. He sees soldiers and Zack exit the ship and with a small smile he walks towards them.

Ironwood: Professor Zack.

Zack looks at Ironwood and stands up straight.

Zack: General.

Ironwood stands in front of him and they exchange a hand shake.

Ironwood: I take it your flight was a safe one.

Zack: Yes sir.

Ironwood and Zack walked side by side along the ship, heading towards the cargo bay where Zack's men had already gathered. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of anticipation as Ironwood glanced at the soldiers, assessing their readiness.

Ironwood: I trust your team is well-prepared for the mission, Professor Zack?

Zack nodded, his expression determined.

Zack: Yes, General. My men are experienced and ready for whatever challenges lie ahead. We've been briefed on the power outages and the fallen objects.

Ironwood's gaze shifted towards the cargo bay, he sees Jenkins passing luggage to his fellow soldiers but lets out a gasp in surprise as you drop in front of him.

Jenkins: Mother- Don't do that!

Jenkins yells while looking at you. You just tilt your head at the shocked soldier.

Zack: As you requested sir, I brought Hybrid with me.

Zack says. Ironwood walks towards the boy which cause Zack to raise a brow and follow his higher ranking official.

You notice their approach and stand up.

Ironwood: Hmm. He's a tall one.

Zack: Right? Ahem...If you don't mind me asking general, but what did you need Hybrid for anyway?

Ironwood walks towards you as you look the general up and down.

Ironwood: Pleasure to meet you, Hybrid. If you don't mind, I'd like you to accompany me to the headmasters office.

He asks. You tilt your head which causes Zack to come next to Ironwood.

Zack: He's a bit slow. He will follow me however. That is, if you don't mind me tagging along?

Ironwood: Of course, Zack. Your presence is welcome.

Zack nods in acknowledgment, ready to follow Ironwood with you in tow. The trio walks together, their footsteps echoing through the corridor as they make their way towards their destination.

As you walk, Zack's curiosity gets the better of him, and he speaks up.

Zack: General, if I may ask, what is the purpose of our visit to the headmaster's office?

Ironwood glances at Zack before answering, his expression serious.

Ironwood: We need to discuss the recent incidents in Vale, particularly the power outages and the fallen objects. Plus, Professor Ozpin really wants to see Hybrid. He has missed him as a student apparently.

That last bit got Zack's attention. How does Ozpin know about Hybrid...

Emerald forest~

The sunlight filters through the dense canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Teams RWBY, DA(f/n)K and JNPR stand at the entrance of the Emerald Forest, their hearts heavy with the weight of recent tensions between Ruby and Yang. Determined to mend their fractured relationship, they have decided to embark on a joint mission to lower the Grimm population in Emerald forest.

Ruby takes a deep breath, steeling herself for the task at hand. She glances at Yang, her older sister, who stands a few feet away, her arms crossed and her gaze distant.

Ruby: Yang, I know we've been through a lot lately, but I believe this mission can help us find our way back to each other. Are you ready?

Ruby says softly gaining a stare from Yang. The blonde uncrosses her arms and proceeds into the forest.

Yang: Yeah, sure.

Ruby's momentary smile fades as she then looks down. Blake and Amy wince at the scene.

The rest of the teams venture deeper into the Emerald Forest, their footsteps crunching on the fallen leaves. The forest seems to come alive around them, with the occasional rustle of branches and distant growls echoing through the trees.

As they walk, Weiss walks up to Ruby, her voice gentle yet firm.

Weiss: Good attempt Ruby. Just keep pressing. She'll come around. Hopefully killing some Grimm will take the stress and anger off her shoulders.

Ruby nods, appreciating Weiss's wisdom. She glances over at Yang, who seems lost in her own thoughts, and a determined spark ignites within her.

Ruby: You're right, Weiss. I won't give up on our sisterhood. We'll take this one step at a time.

The teams continue their trek, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of Grimm. The tension in the air is palpable, but there's also a sense of hope, a shared belief that they can overcome the obstacles that have driven them apart.

As they venture further into the forest, they encounter a pack of Beowolves, their red eyes gleaming with malice.

Amy: Nice! Our first pack of the day.

Krystal comes next to Amy and smashed her left fist into her open right hand.

Krystal: Hell yeah! Let's do this!

However, as Ruby and Yang try to sync their attacks, something seems off. Their timing is slightly off, causing their strikes to miss their mark. Yang's frustration grows with each failed attempt. Her teeth grinding against one another as she calls out to Ruby.

Yang: Ruby, can't you pay attention? We need to sync our attacks! This isn't a game!

Ruby's eyes widen at Yang's outburst, a mix of surprise and hurt crossing her face.

Ruby: I'm sorry, Yang. I'm trying my best, but it's not working.

A beowolf comes close to and unexpected Ruby.

Weiss: Ruby! Look out!

Ruby looks

Yang's frustration boils over, and she takes a step closer to Ruby, her voice filled with anger.

Yang: Trying your best? That's not good enough, Ruby! We can't afford to make mistakes like this! You need to get your act together!

Ruby's shoulders slump, her eyes downcast. She feels the weight of Yang's words, the disappointment and frustration enveloping her.

Weiss steps forward, her voice calm but assertive.

Weiss: Yang, I understand your frustration, but lashing out at Ruby won't solve anything. We're all here to support each other and find a way forward.

Yang takes a deep breath, her anger slowly subsiding. She looks at Ruby, her expression softening.

Yang: Ruby, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lash out at you. It's just... I want us to be the team we used to be...

Ruby looks up, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes.

Ruby: I want that too, Yang.

The two sisters lock eyes and smile at one another. Yang's smile however fades as (F/n) comes into view. She shook her head and kept moving forward.

As the team moves forward, Nora takes notice of Ren falling behind as the black haired teen stared into a tree while staying still. The ginger girl walks up to Ren and nudges him.

Nora: Hey. You coming slowpoke?

Ren bats an eye at her then back at the tree.

Ren: Yeah...sure.

Ren says with a hint of uncertainty as Nora pulls him back with the group. Unaware that the Hunters have become the hunted as a yellow flash of eyes appearing in the tree.

Back at the academy~

As the trio reaches the headmaster's office, Ironwood steps forward first with Zack behind him and you walking behind Zack.

Ozpin: General Ironwood, Professor Zack, and....Hybrid?

You smell the air through your mask, taking less interest in the headmaster of beacon's words and more interest in the office. It had a familiar feel to it.

Goodwitch, who was standing next to Ozpin, steps forward.

Goodwitch: (Y/n)...?

You take notice of the blond woman's approach and look at her. Your tail slightly stands up as you are unaware of the female's intentions.

Goodwitch: Is it really you?

The professor asks. Ozpin watches intently. Whoever this (Y/n) is must have meant a great deal to her in some way. Perhaps a favourite person of hers?

Suddenly, she finds herself on the floor as she had tried to remove your mask which resulted in your tail tripping her up.

Ozpin: Glynda!

Zack quickly rushed between the two of you as he noticed your tails ready to strike.

Zack: No, Hybrid! Stop!

You breathe heavily as you narrow your eyes behind your mask at the female on the ground. Zack looks around before getting an idea and pulling out a bag of jerky.

Zack: Here. Want some jerky?

Your tail slowly fall back to the ground as you walk to Zack. You smell the jerky then take it and remove your mask to eat.

Ozpin and Glynda are surprised that Hybrid is in fact you! At least, they were sure it was.

Ozpin: Zack...

Zack looks at the headmaster.

Ozpin: How is it that one of my students, my presumed dead student specifically, came under your supervision?

Zack raises a brow and faces the headmaster of beacon academy.

Zack: Hybrid is one of your students? Are you sure?

Ozpin pulls out his scroll and starts swiping at the screen until. His eyes widen slightly as if signalling he found what he was looking for and slides the scroll towards Zack who catches it and looks at the device. His eyebrows raise as he double takes between you and the scroll.

On the scroll was a picture of you however your darkened features, such as your eyes that were (E/c) in the picture and your black hair which was (H/c) in the picture as well. He also noted your height which was six foot three (your welcome). While your current height now was eight foot.

Ironwood: Well?

Ironwood speaks up as he looks over Zack's shoulder and at the scroll.

Zack: Besides the eyes, the hair and the height differences. The other facial features are uncanny.

He says as he holds the picture up with you in his peripheral vision. You munch on the jerky, oblivious of the conversation about you happening before you.

Suddenly, you stop and look out at the window. You walk towards it and look out into the distance. As you do this, the lights in the tower flicker causing the professors and general to look around.

Zack: The power outages?

Zack deduces the main cause of the lights going haywire. Ozpin nods to confirm the professor's observation.

Ozpin: Yes. I hope with the help of your soldiers and other Atlas personal, we can resolve this issue.

Zack notices your name not mentioned and presses the professor.

Zack: And Hybrid, correct?

Zack asks wondering to why he excluded you from the names. Ozpin sighs knowing that Zack would get defensive.

Ozpin: Look, Zack. I get that you found...'Hybrid' and have taken an interest in his...'unique' faunas-like heritage. But I can't ignore that he used to be my student and that he has a mother here in Vale who would be desperate to see his face again, alive.

Zack: He may look like your student but I can assure you he isn't! I found him in some sort of aircraft unidentifiable to every kingdom on remnant. I've even double checked for black projects.

Ozpin sees the seriousness in Zack's eyes. Ozpin looks at Glynda, specifically her face to see her take on this. Glynda just gives him a worried look as Ozpin then looks over to the window where you are.

Only to see you gone.

Ozpin: (Y/n)?

The professors and general look around before looking at the elevator to see you enter it as its doors close, the last thing they see is you placing your mask back on.

Zack: Hybrid!

Zack runs to the elevator and bangs on the door and continuously presses the button. It is however too late as the elevator had already begun its descent.

As the elevator made it to the ground floor, you step out of it, taking long strides as you pass several students with your tail dragging along the ground.

Cisco takes notice of you and bumps Jenkins who looks in the same direction.

Cisco: What's he up to without Zack's supervision?

He asks as Jenkins who just shrugs. Suddenly, both their scrolls go off causing the two to pull theirs out.

Message:
From Zack,

All personal, urgent orders! If you see or encounter Hybrid, stop him!  He's gone off on his own!

The two exchange glances before immediately standing and fast walking towards you.

Jenkins: Hey, Hybrid! Wait up!

He says enthusiastically. This however causes you to go on alert as you had noticed their calm demeanour before they looked at their scrolls. You take off at a fast speed causing Jenkins to groan.

Jenkins: Ah shit!

Cisco: Come on!

The two take after you as you come to a cliff face and overlook the emerald green forest. The step soldiers find you and approach you slowly as you turn to them and hand your left heel off the edge.

Jenkins: Hey, Hybrid. No need to do anything stupid okay?

He says as he steps closer. You let out a small growl and fall back.

Cisco: No!

The two run to the edge and look over to see you sliding down the cliff, occasionally slowing yourself down somehow which puzzled the two.

Cisco wastes no time and head back.

Cisco: Come on! We need a ride!

Jenkins looks back and runs after his partner as you finally reach the bottom of the cliff and rush off into the forest with one thing on your mind.

(Y/n): Hive...
_________________________________

Until next time :)