Unfolding Fate

Chapter 1, Episode 7: An Evil Presence

The next morning...

Shadow awakes to his alarm going off, but decided that it can deactivate on it's own. He gets up from his bed, then looks at his balcony door. His mask is on the floor, but no noticeable damage is on the door.

Shadow: *sigh* Dang it...I've got that field trip this morning with the other teams. Hopefully I can apologize to Jaune for my actions last night, but I don't know if I will be able to...

Shadow walks to his mask on the ground and picks it up, then looks to the family photo, viewing his scar through the glass of the photo before putting his mask on. He then gets into his normal combat gear, grabbing his dagger before heading out of his dorm.

Later that day...

Team RWBY, JNPR, SHDW, and CRDL are walking through a forest of red leaves, the trees with the red leaves having gray trunks as Glynda guides them through the forest.

Glynda: (to the group) Yes, students, the forest of Forever Fall is indeed beautiful. But we are not here to sight-see. Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples from the trees deep inside this forest, and I'm here to make sure none of you die while doing so.

The group stops, and Jaune, grunting and carrying a large case with six empty glass jars on top, tries to catch up with them and ends up bumping into Cardin. The bully scowls at Jaune, who attempts to feign innocence by whistling tunelessly.

Glynda: (still instructing her group, holding up a full jar of their objective) Each of you is to gather one jar's worth of red sap. However, this forest is full of the creatures of Grimm, so be sure to stay by your teammates. We will rendezvous back here at 4 o'clock. Have fun!

Shadow watches as Jaune is taken away from his team, going with the members of Team CRDL. He slightly frowns as he follows Team JNPR to collect the red sap. Due to Shadow being in a solo team, he has to fill at least 4 jars of red sap to compensate. Shadow plugs his headphones in and starts listening to music, humming to his music while collecting sap. Ren, Nora, and Pyrrha look over to Shadow, knowing what events had happened last night.

Pyrrha: Think we should talk about what happened last night to Shadow?

Ren: I believe it's best If you talk to him about it.

Nora: Yeah! You always bring someone's spirit up!

Pyrrha: If you say so...I'll go talk to him.

Nora: Have fun!

Pyrrha walks up to Shadow, who is distracted with filling his second jar with red sap, as well as having his music playing. Pyrrha taps on Shadow's shoulder, to which he turns to Pyrrha, pulling out his headphones and finishing his second jar.

Shadow: *smiling* Hey Pyrrha! You need something?

Pyrrha: Yeah, I need to talk to you about something...

Shadow: What is it?

Pyrrha: It's about last night...your argument with Jaune...

Shadow's happiness seemingly vanished, now looking at the ground with a sad emotion.

Shadow: *sigh* I would've guess you heard that...

Pyrrha: Look...I'm sorry your family passed...It's heartbreaking to hear that happen to someone...Nora and Ren feel the same way...and Jaune probably feels guilty for bringing it up.

Shadow: *takes off his mask* I'm glad you understand...but I feel like with the friends I have, you, Nora, Ren, Jaune, all of Team RWBY, and Velvet...I think I'm the only one who lost their entire family...