Chapter 69: Beacon Academy (3)

Chapter 69: Beacon Academy (3)

~Third POV~

On the next following day before classes began the Dream Hunter finally cleared out any Nightmare Grimm inside the forest as well as take care of the students who were afflicted with them.

Standing there with his suitcase in his hand as Ozpin, Glynda, Team RWBY, and JNPR all stood there outside of the Beacon Academy as they all saw Shion Zaiden off.

Shion seeing the students and co-workers began to talk to the students in front of them explaining his semblance with a smile on his face, "Originally, my Semblance was the power to read people's hearts. Everyone holds light and darkness inside themselves, but neither represents the complete person. The heart is much more complex than that. I was finally able to understand that because of what I learned here at the academy. Once I encountered the Nightmare Grimm, my Semblance grew in unanticipated ways. It developed the power to defeat Grimm that possess people's hearts."

Ruby began to question that part as she asked innocently at Shion's words of experience, "Your semblance grew?"

Shion smiled at this as he replied to Ruby's words as he spoke to her in a calm tone, "Yes. Also, I learned that Nightmares are attracted to individuals who have strong Auras but sensitive personalities. In a way, it is a sign that those people have exceptional talents."

Yang getting this jabs Weiss to her side trying to get her happy at the news jokingly, "You hear that? Aren't you happy?"

Weiss on the other hand was sour at Yang's words as she replied to her frowning at her, "Would you please stop pouring salt on the wounds?"

Returning to Shion's explanation as well as giving the students from firsthand experience about the growth of a semblance, "Eventually, your semblances will develop together with your Auras, illuminating your path forward as Hunters and Huntresses."

Nora glanced at Ren with some questioning but playful eyes at Jack as she talked to Ren, "Our leader might have lots of Semblances but he isn't that strong here though. Right?"

Ren playfully shakes his head as he glances at their leader in deep thinking but replies with a smile on his face as Pyrrha smiles at Jack while he is in deep thought, "Nora. Jack will be fine. Time will show when he finally stands, for now, we simply help our friend out."

Shion glances in his direction at Team RWBY and Team JNPR as he parts off important pieces of positive reinforcement to them, "Team RWBY, Team JNPR, you are both exceptional teams. I look forward to seeing you grow."

Stepping forward to Shion Ruby began to thank him for everything for helping them, "Thank you very much, Professor Shion. We'll do our best to become Huntresses as soon as we can so we can work together with you."

Taking a small bow of his head Shion agreed as he spoke to them in a genuine tone as he spoke to them, "Yes, I have high hopes for you."

Like that the rest of Team RWBY and JNPR both began to hurry up to class soon as Shion talks to Glynda and Ozpin as they interact, "It does look like this will be an interesting year, Professor Ozpin."

The two nodded as Ozpin began to question Shion in genuine curiosity in his tone regarding the Nightmare problems, "Is it safe to assume that there are no longer any Nightmares in the region?"

Shion nodded his head towards Ozpin's question with a serious expression on his face then turns into a smile confirming the mission is done, "Yes. My job here is complete."

Turning away from his students Ozpin turns to Shion wishing him the best of luck in his journey, "I pray that your path will lead you to fortune and happiness, Shion Zaiden."

Shion merely turns around and left a smile left as he began to board the Bullhead to his next hunt.

*BRRRR*

Hearing the loud roars of the engine as Team JNPR finally gave their waves of farewell as they left to hurry in class soon followed by Team RWBY only to be stopped by Ozpin as he spoke to them turning towards them with a serious expression on his face, "Ruby, Blake, I'd like to speak with each of you separately. After that will continue the talk about what Yang and Blake witnessed in the dream."

Listening to Headmaster's words they froze as they tried to talk to Ozpin about Ruby Silver Eyes as soon as possible but were only postponed for the time being when Ozpin finishes up checking the students for Nightmares within them as it wasn't only Team RWBY and Team JNPR that was affected.

Team RWBY looked at each other than towards Headmaster Ozpin as they all nodded their heads each wanting answers about what happened in the fight with the Nightmare.

Like that they began to follow after the Headmaster to his own office…

/////

Elsewhere inside the Atlas Academy research facility are scientists within the area as well as other head researchers investigating the strange new life form that appeared on Atlas ports of new strange star-like creatures.

Inside one of the rooms was a man that he wore a white overcoat, with a gray undercoat, a black sweater, a red necktie, and a white glove on his right hand. His suit pants shared the same color as his overcoat and were tucked into silver boots accented in gray.

His hair was black, with some gray areas, while his eyebrows were solid black. He had a strip of silver metal above his right eyebrow, a neurotransmitter that helped him operate the robotic parts of his body.

This person is General James Ironwood he is the Headmaster of Atlas Academy, as well as the general of the Atlesian Military and a holder of two seats on the Atlesian Council.

Currently, his overseeing the new lifeform discovery as he looks closely at his scientist within the area as he spoke to them, "Status report. What have you discovered about these starfish creatures? They have been reported to be attached to Grimm dragging innocents from those near the ports. Have you discovered anything unusual about it?"

One of the nearby scientists began to report to the General as he spoke about the strange creatures in a cold tone, "None. General sir. Whatever this creature as we can confirm that these starfishes don't have Aura active nor a Semblance to control Grimm… but…"

Listening to his scientist options with a raised eyebrow at this he spoke out to him, "Speak freely soldier. You are free to speculate."

Nodding his head the scientist began to speak what the whole scientific group believes to have happened, "Affirmative sir! It seems to me sir that when encountered by these creatures they release a small amount of mental interference. Possibly innate Telepathy perhaps in theory but we need more testing to be sure."

General Ironwood nodded his head as he began to take a closer look at the Starro offspring as he talked to the scientist near him, "Are you positive that these creatures are detained? Any weaknesses they have?"

Saluting to the General the scientist began to reply to Ironwood in a respectful manner, "Yes sir. From what we gathered these things are no harm since they are disabled without a host. A whole batch of them here all disabled and ready for study. And from our reports… it seems to be that these things are weak to the cold."

Hearing this Ironwood takes a moment to look at the scientist with a glint of curiosity in his eyes as he spoke out, "Weak to the cold huh? Thank Atlas we live in the Solitas Continent so how – "

"SQUEEE!"

"AH!"

*Woosh*

Getting caught off guard the starro offspring soon latched its tendrils on General Ironwood's face as the scientist pales as a few of them try to get Atlas soldiers, "Quick call the Soldiers to deal with – AH!"

"Squeee!!!"

"Squeee….!"

More of the Starro younglings began to fly off from their containers as the scientist were the first victims to become under mind control as the General casually goes over to take off the star from his face.

The star shape visible on his face soon vanished as he activated his aura as it healed him but the neon color lights shined brightly on him but soon fades with tints of it hidden inside his eye as he spoke slowly as if controlled, "All… hail... for… Starro…"

Slowly creeping around the starfish he took off quickly goes on the floor dead already achieving its objective to mind control one of the important figures in this world into the hivemind of their progenitor…