Remnant's Tactician

Chapter 41: Waves Of Emotions

"I'm sorry. But you've left us with no choice." Ironwood stated.

It had been an hour since the incident. My team and I were in our dorm room with Atlas' headmaster. We were lucky that he was able to lessen Yang's apprehension to a simple house arrest. But even then, that won't clear her name since that fight was watched by people in every Kingdom.

"But he attacked me!" Yang protested.

"Video footage and millions of viewers say otherwise." Ironwood retorted.

"But Yang would never do that!" Weiss spoke.

"Yeah!" Ruby agreed.

"General Ironwood, please. There must be a reason why she did that." I said, hearing him sigh.

"You all seem like good students." He said, turning around. "And the staff here at Beacon are fully aware that you would never lash out the way you did. Under normal circumstances. But I believe, and hope this to be, is nothing more than the result of stress and adrenaline. When you're out on the battlefield, your judgement can be clouded in an instant. Sometimes you see things that simply aren't even there. Even after the fight has passed."

The way he put it sounds like he has experienced it himself. Then again, he is a general, headmaster of Atlas Academy and a holder of two seats in Atlas' council. No doubt that Ironwood has gone far to the point of seeing things himself with so much responsibility in his care.

"But I wasn't-" Yang got out.

"That's enough!" Ironwood spoke angrily before calming himself. "The sad truth is… whether it was an accident, or an assault, it doesn't matter. The world saw you attack an innocent student. They've already drawn their own conclusions. And it's my job to inform you that… you're disqualified."

"... General Ironwood, what if I-"

"Use your Semblance, Robin?" He interrupted. "Ozpin told me how it works. But tell me this, can it allow others to see what you can?"

"I… I never tried that." I got out. 

"Even so, a memory won't be enough to change the minds of the masses. If there's nothing else to speak of, then I'll be taking my leave."

Ironwood exited our dorm room, leaving us to take in the information we got. I turned to Yang, who watched Ironwood leave before facing us.

"You guys believe me… right?" Yang asked.

"Duh!" Ruby got out.

"Of course we do, Yang." I answered.

"You're hotheaded, but not ruthless." Weiss stated.

"...Blake?" Yang turned to her.

Blake sat by quietly, looking at Yang before looking down. Her silence was enough to indicate what she was thinking.

"I want to believe you." She spoke.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Weiss said angrily.

"Blake?" Yang got out, tearing up.

"How can you say something like that?! Yang would never lie to us!"

"...I had someone very dear to me change. It wasn't in an instant, it was gradual..." Blake spoke. "Little choices that began to pile up. He told me not to worry. At first, they were accidents, then it was self defense. Before long, I even began to think he was right. This is all just… very… familiar."

"Yang's not like him, Blake." I said, knowing who she's mentioning. "What he has done compared to Yang is drastic. She wouldn't even want to cause harm like he does."