RWBY: Legacies

Who?

"Russel Thrush, Cardin Winchester, Dove Bronzewing, Sky lark, you retrieved the black bishop pieces. From this day on you will be known as team CRDL ("Cardinal"), led by... Cardin Winchester," Ozpin declares. The room erupts into applause, Cardin smiling smugly at his new position. They walk off stage and Jaune, Pyrrha, Nora and Ren step up in their place.

There is always a buzz in the main hall with these ceremonies, something about welcoming new members into the fold captures the imagination, or at least that's how Ozpin tells it. Warm orange sunlight flows in from the skylight above, shining onto every student, be they in the seats around the room or crowded on the main floor.

Theodore smiles from within the crowd, wincing slightly as his newly set shoulder reminds him he wasn't careful enough. His aura will heal the damage relatively quickly, but it won't take away the dull pain that lingers while it does. Ruby notices him grunt slightly and gives him a concerned look.

"I'm fine," he assures her; remembering how she'd looked away when his mother had set his shoulder with her semblance – an incredible pain he doesn't want to feel again.

"Jaune Arc, Lie Ren, Pyrrha Nikos, Nora Valkyrie, you retrieved the white rook pieces. From this day forward you will work together as team JNPR ("Juniper"), led by... Jaune Arc." Again, the room fills with applause as Ozpin finishes, Jaune looking dumbfounded at his selection as leader. Nora hugs Ren and Pyrrha smiles in satisfaction at Jaune. "Congratulations young man." Ozpin smirks in satisfaction at the surprise on Jaune's face. His surprise turns to embarrassment when Pyrrha punches him in the shoulder too hard and knocks him to the ground.

'Way to go Jaune, you earned it.' Theodore catches Jaune's eye as he walks off stage and gives him a reassuring nod and a smirk as he applauds awkwardly. He notices how nervous Ruby looks, fidgeting with the hem of her dress, her eyes darting around the crowd as she walks up on stage. Theodore catches her eye, seeing how nervous she is, he gestures for her to take a deep breath. Surtur puffs out a small plume of smoke as if to emphasise the message. Ruby takes Theodore's advice and immediately looks more relaxed as she lines up next to her sister.

"Blake Belladonna, Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee and Yang Xiao-long, you retrieved the white knight pieces. From this day forward you will work together as team RWBY ("Ruby"), led by... Ruby Rose." Ozpin smiles as Ruby's eyes pop; she takes a small step back in disbelief. Yang quickly wraps her sister in a bear hug, saying over and over how proud of her she is. Blake allows a small smile to grace her lips. Weiss remains stoic, but Theodore can sense her annoyance.

The applause quickly turns to murmur as Theodore himself makes his way up to the stage, passing team RWBY as he does so and pausing for a moment. "Well done Ruby, you're going to be great." She smiles happily at his words, watching him continue up onto the stage where he stops just in front of Ozpin. The murmuring dies away, an uncertain silence falling upon the room. Surtur stands to attention on Theodore's shoulder, puffing his chest out slightly.

"Theodore Goodwitch, you did not retrieve a temple relic, nor did you find a partner in the forest. These alone are grounds for denial of entry into Beacon academy." Everyone starts whispering again as Ozpin pauses, all wondering if Theodore will really be thrown out. Teams RWBY, JNPR and CFVY ("Coffee") are all wide-eyed in horror. "However," Ozpin continues "I'm told you brought back something else; something of far greater value." Ozpin cocks an eyebrow and Theodore grasps the mysterious pocket watch from his breast pocket and offers it to Ozpin.

The headmaster inspects the watch for a few seconds, he opens it and gazes with interest at the intricate movement and the second hand ticking away before locking eyes with Theodore. "A very impressive discovery Mr Goodwitch. I advise you to take good care of your prize." He smiles and passes the watch back to Theodore. Theodore's friends breathe a sigh of relief. "After all, I doubt Gustave let you take it without a fight." Theodore smiles while Surtur glares at the memory; the other students look at each other confused.