Heart Attack

Somewhere over the rainbow

I awoke to the sound of a rooster performing a song.

At first, I believed I was still at Jason’s dwelling. Jason does not own roosters. Nor does Damian, despite his peculiar zoo of many animals. The air smelled different—earthy and fresh, yet thick with smoke and hay.

This was not Gotham.

This was not even Earth.

I sat up, relieved to see my travel bag beside me, still filled with my belongings. My clothing remained civilian, which was a small comfort; armor would only raise suspicion among strangers.

I stepped outside and saw endless rolling hills, wooden fences, and mountains piercing a pale sky. A farm, perhaps? I was unsure.

Then I noticed him—a boy, staring at me with great confusion.

"Speak to her," a voice instructed inside my mind.

"What?! No!" the boy protested—out loud.

I straightened. “I can hear you both,” I said calmly.

The boy’s mouth fell open. The voice fell silent.

“Hello,” I continued. “I apologize for intruding. I do not know where I am… nor how I arrived.”

“Uh… this is Mistral,” the boy stammered.

“She does not know what that is,” the voice murmured in my thoughts.

“Then I am… on another planet,” I whispered. My heart twisted. Another exile. Another sky. “Would you permit me to stay with you? I will aid you however I can.”

The boy hesitated, then nodded. “…I’m Oscar. Oscar Pine.”

“And I am Ozpin,” the voice added.

I inclined my head politely. “Koriand’r.”

Not Starfire. That name belonged to the girl I was before the breaking of my heart.

I noticed the boy’s bag and asked softly, “Are you also leaving your home?”

“…Yeah,” he muttered.

“Then perhaps I may accompany you. I wish to learn of this place—and to help in your journey.”

“…More the merrier, I guess.”

We walked along the dirt path together.

“Do not worry about the voices,” I said kindly. “In my world, I have met three others who could do this.”

“Three?!” Oscar blinked.

“A Martian. A half-demon…” My voice faltered. And the boy who betrayed me.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it,” Oscar admitted. “Even leaving home feels… crazy.”

“Sometimes what is best for us feels like madness,” I replied softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. “But you are strong. I will be beside you.”

“…Why?” he asked quietly. “You don’t even know me.”

“Because I trust you,” I said simply. “It is what I choose to do.”

He asked why I left my homeworld.

“My sister despised that I was to inherit the throne,” I explained. “She staged a coup. I fled to save my life.”

“…Wait. You’re royalty?!”

“Not anymore.” I smiled faintly. “The only power I hold now is my own.”

Flying startled him—his yelp almost made me laugh. At the train station, I found my Earth card transformed into local currency, as though this world itself wished for me to survive.

We spoke of heroes and monsters on the ride. I told him of Titans; he told me of Huntsmen. Ozpin listened quietly, an ancient soul in a young vessel.

Night had fallen by the time we arrived.

“Trust me,” Ozpin murmured through Oscar. “We must find Qrow.”

“A bar?” I frowned. “But… we are minors. Is this not forbidden?”

“Improper, yes,” Ozpin admitted. “Necessary, also yes.”

The bar smelled of wood and strong drink. Bottles lined the shelves like trophies.

A man slumped in the corner, red cape torn and eyes sharp even in drunken haze.

“Excuse me, sir,” I greeted politely.

“Pretty sure they don’t allow kids in here,” he muttered.

“Now’s a good time to say something,” the voice teased.

“Shut up, I’m getting there,” Oscar hissed.

I giggled softly. “You two are most amusing.”

Qrow returned the cane to Oscar with a smirk. Silver light flared as it transformed.

“Marvelous,” I whispered, awed.

Soon we stood at the door of a safehouse.

Ruby Rose—eyes bright as moonlight.
Jaune Arc—awkward, kind.
Nora Valkyrie—laughter like thunder.
Lie Ren—silent, steady.

Children. Warriors. Wounded.

When Ozpin surfaced, they stared—shocked by the duality of soul and body. And when he called me princess, I flinched. That title belonged to a life I could never return to.

Their thoughts fluttered around me like birds:

“Two souls? That’s insane.” —Ruby
“She’s glowing… is that her semblance?” —Nora
“Don’t stare. Don’t stare.” —Jaune
“…Dangerous.” —Ren

I wanted silence. I could not find it.

Plans were made: gathering Huntsmen, training. When Qrow hurled the cane toward Ruby’s face, I caught it mid-air without thinking.

“No corporal punishment,” I said firmly. “Mentors must not harm their students.”

The room stilled. Qrow raised a brow. “Fast reflexes, kid.”

“In my world,” I replied evenly, “I was a warrior before I was a hero.”

The night ended with questions unanswered.

“Tomorrow,” Qrow drawled, collapsing into a chair, “training starts.”

I nodded, gaze lifting to the alien stars above.

Somewhere over Remnant, I thought, perhaps I will find home again.