RWBY: Different Soul

The Chase

As the train finally arrived in Mistral, Oscar groggily stirred from his slumber, rubbing his eyes before realizing their destination. With a sense of purpose, he gathered his belongings and disembarked, stepping onto the platform and gazing up at the grandeur of the Mistralian cityscape.

Upon witnessing the towering palace that adorned the converging mountain peaks, Oscar marveled at the architectural beauty of the East Asian-inspired structure. His eyes roamed over the layers of Mistral, each tier of the city revealing a tapestry of diversity, from the humble abodes of the lower levels to the opulent estates perched atop the highest tiers.

After wandering aimlessly through the bustling streets of Mistral, Oscar found himself amidst a vibrant marketplace, uncertainty clouding his thoughts. "So where are we going anyway?" he questioned, seeking guidance amidst the labyrinthine cityscape.

'To find where Qrow and team RNJR are,' I replied, my voice tinged with uncertainty. 'But the situation is complicated. I'm not Ozpin, and I'm not sure how Qrow will react to someone else assuming a leadership role, especially with Ozpin gone and another reincarnate taking his place. I think ill just lie that I'm Ozpin.'

Oscar mulled over my words, grappling with the weight of our predicament. "Are you sure? Why not just be upfront with them about what happened?" he proposed, his brow furrowed in contemplation.

'It's not that simple,' I explained, my tone somber. 'We don't know why Ozpin is gone, and I fear that revealing our presence without knowing what happened could cause them to mistrust us. Qrow, especially, may see us as a threat, suspecting we had a hand in Ozpin's death. We must be careful and prove ourselves.'

With a heavy sigh, I grappled with the uncertainty of our circumstances, knowing that our path forward would be fraught with challenges and uncertainties. Yet, bolstered by Oscar's determination and my own resolve, we remained steadfast.

As Oscar and I continued our search for Qrow and team RNJR, the hours stretched into what felt like an eternity, with no sign of our allies in sight. Frustration gnawed at our resolve, but Oscar found solace in a cozy spot atop a nearby rooftop, observing the ebb and flow of life below.

"So, I can fight without learning how to fight?" Oscar questioned, his uncertainty palpable as he sought clarification on the skills bestowed upon him by the system.

'Yes, but also no,' I affirmed, my voice laced with assurance. 'Basically, you and I share muscle memory, so you kinda know how to fight because I used to train martial arts.'

Oscar absorbed the details. "Cool, Can we go fight some Grimm?" he exclaimed, eager to put his fiery prowess to the test.

I chuckled at his enthusiasm, though I tempered it with a note of caution. 'Not yet. Let's focus on finding Qrow and RNJR first. Once we've found them, you'll have plenty of opportunities to unleash your newfound power against enemies. But there's one more thing you need to do—start working out.'

"Why? I'm strong enough as it is," Oscar retorted, his initial enthusiasm waning as the reality of physical exertion sank in, and then flexing his muscles earned by farm labor.

'Yes, you are strong. But nowhere near where I want you to be, and especially you have to be in tip-top physical condition for your future battles,' I explained patiently. 'So from now on, it's sweat and soreness until you collapse.'

With a mixture of reluctance and determination, Oscar accepted the new regimen, understanding that true strength requires blood, sweat, and tears.

As Oscar admired the bustling cityscape of Mistral from the rooftop, a sudden cry for help shattered the silence of the moment. Our attention snapped downward to the scene unfolding below—a frantic individual desperately pleading for aid as a shadowy figure clad in black darted through the crowded streets, a peculiar mask obscuring their features.