The Shadow Phantom glided through the skies, its sleek, black frame cutting through the air effortlessly. Onyx's grip on the handlebars was steady, and his amethyst eyes focused on the path ahead. Hemera, nestled securely in the sidecar, waved at the passing landscape with a delighted smile, her silver eyes sparkling as always. The ride was smooth and fast, just the way Onyx liked it, but there was a sense of newness in the air that he couldn't shake off.
This was it. They were heading to Beacon Academy, the place where Onyx had decided to settle down, the place that would offer Hemera the stability she needed. Despite the decision being made, a part of him still felt like he was on the verge of stepping into something unknown, a new chapter.
As the towering spires of Beacon Academy came into view, Hemera bounced in the sidecar, her excitement palpable. "Daddy! Look! Beacon!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder.
Onyx smiled softly and nodded, slowing down as they approached the massive gates of the academy. He could see Ozpin and Glynda Goodwitch waiting for them near the entrance, their figures standing tall and expectant.
When they reached the academy grounds, Onyx parked the Shadow Phantom near the entrance, the thrusters whirring softly as it came to a stop. He stepped off the bike with a fluid motion, helping Hemera out of the sidecar as she eagerly ran toward Ozpin and Glynda.
"Welcome, Onyx, Hemera," Ozpin greeted warmly, his ever-calming presence offering a sense of reassurance. "I trust your journey here was comfortable?"
Onyx gave a small nod, his gaze flickering between Ozpin and Glynda. "It went smoothly. Hemera seemed to enjoy the ride."
Hemera giggled, tugging at Onyx's sleeve. "Daddy, I can't wait to see everything here!"
Glynda smiled softly at the girl. "We're happy to have you both here, Hemera. Beacon is a place of learning and growth. You'll have many new friends soon."
Before Hemera could respond, the sound of footsteps approached, and Professor Port and Professor Oobleck arrived. Port, with his impressive stature and boisterous personality, gave Onyx a welcoming grin.
"Well, well, well! A new face at Beacon! And you must be Hemera! I've heard so much about you!" Port said, his voice as loud and jovial as ever.
Hemera beamed up at him. "Hi, Professor Port!"
As Port went on, his attention shifted to Onyx. "And this must be the infamous Onyx Thorn, our new professor! Quite the reputation precedes you, my boy. A professor at such a young age! Impressive!" His voice was booming but friendly.
Before Onyx could respond, Professor Oobleck, with his chaotic energy and rapid movements, bounced over to him, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. He was a man of few words but countless questions.
"Fascinating! Absolutely fascinating!" Oobleck muttered, seemingly to himself, but loud enough for Onyx to hear. His wide eyes darted over Onyx, noting the unusual traits. "You're a Faunus, I can see that. Wolf ears, a tail, typical of the more... canine Faunus species, yes? But wait! Two traits? This is unprecedented! Absolutely unheard of! Most Faunus only have one trait, but you, Onyx Thorn, have two—two distinct traits! This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for research and study. I'd love to—"
"Professor Oobleck, please!" Glynda interjected with a sigh, but her tone was good-natured. "I'm sure Onyx would appreciate some time to settle in before a barrage of questions."
Onyx couldn't help but give a small, amused smirk at Oobleck's enthusiasm. "I didn't realize my traits would cause such a stir."
Port laughed, clapping a hand on Onyx's shoulder. "You'll get used to it. Oobleck gets like that when he's excited about something. But trust me, the man knows his stuff."
"Absolutely!" Oobleck said, finally calming down but still buzzing with excitement. "I'll save my questions for later... unless, of course, you're willing to indulge me now?"
Onyx shook his head with a smile, his voice calm but firm. "Later, Professor. I think I've had enough excitement for one day."
Oobleck gave a dramatic sigh, but the gleam in his eyes never faded. "Very well. I suppose I'll wait... for now."
Ozpin, who had been watching the exchange with a small, knowing smile, turned back to Onyx. "This is Beacon, Onyx. It's a place where both knowledge and power are honed. We're happy to have you join us."
Onyx looked around at the towering structures of the academy, the energy of the students already palpable in the air. It was a new chapter, but it was also one he felt ready to embrace for Hemera's sake. "I'll do my best."
As the professors began to lead them into the academy, Hemera tugged at Onyx's sleeve again, her face lit up with joy. "I can't wait to start, Daddy! I'm going to make so many friends!"
Onyx smiled down at her, a sense of peace settling over him. "We'll see how it goes, Light. Let's make this place our home."
As Onyx and Hemera were being guided through the campus, the bustling activity of Beacon Academy surrounded them. Students chatted amongst themselves, some walking briskly to their next class, while others lingered in the courtyards. Onyx kept a steady pace, ensuring Hemera stayed close to him, her excitement radiating in every step.
Meanwhile, across the courtyard, the members of Team RWBY and Team JNPR were trying—unsuccessfully—to stop Nora Valkyrie, who had just launched herself into the air for a playful leap. Ruby, trying to keep up, had a big grin on her face as she dashed after her hyperactive friend.
"Wait up, Nora!" Ruby shouted, but before she could react, Nora's energetic jump sent a shockwave through the courtyard.
With a loud "WHAM!" Nora's momentum sent Ruby flying backward, her body sailing through the air.
"Ruby!" Yang screamed, her eyes widening in panic.
Before Ruby could hit the ground, Onyx's instincts kicked in. In a fluid motion, he reached out with one hand, catching her effortlessly in a bridal carry. His eyes—amethyst-colored and sharp—focused on the young girl in his arms as she slowly opened her eyes.
For a moment, Ruby simply stared up at him, her mind racing. The first thing she saw was his strikingly handsome face, young and calm, framed by his raven-colored hair with subtle purple highlights.
"Are you alright?" Onyx asked, his voice soft but filled with an air of quiet authority.
Ruby blinked several times, her heart racing, before managing to respond with a sheepish smile. "Uh… yeah! Thanks for the catch! I'm Ruby, by the way!" Her eyes sparkled as she took in the details of Onyx's appearance. "You're really strong!"
Before Onyx could respond, Hemera tugged on his sleeve, her silver eyes wide with curiosity. "Daddy, who is she?" she asked with an innocent smile.
Ruby's eyes went wide at the sight of Hemera—a young girl with striking silver eyes, wearing an adorable outfit that screamed innocence and wonder. Onyx gave her a soft smile before addressing Ruby.
"I'm Onyx Thorn, and this is my daughter, Hemera. We're new here," Onyx introduced himself in a calm, almost stoic manner.
Before Ruby could respond, Yang—Ruby's older sister—stepped forward, eyes narrowing slightly. "Wait a second, is she your little sister or something?" she asked, her tone inquisitive.
Onyx shook his head gently, still holding Ruby in his arms as he placed her back down on her feet. "No, she's my daughter. Adopted, but my daughter nonetheless."
The air around them seemed to still for a moment. Team RWBY and Team JNPR were all stunned. Blake furrowed her brow, noticing something odd about Onyx's features.
Pyrrha Nikos, her tone filled with gentle curiosity, spoke up first. "Is… Is Hemera your biological daughter?"
Onyx shook his head again, giving a soft smile to Hemera, who now beamed at the attention. "No, she isn't. But I love her like she's my own. I found her when she was just a baby, and we've been together ever since."
The revelation left everyone momentarily speechless. It wasn't every day that someone revealed that they had adopted a child. Hemera, noticing the stunned expressions, giggled and waved her hands playfully, causing the tension to break.
Jaune Arc, always one to fill the awkward silences, gave a hesitant chuckle. "Well, it's great to meet you both! I'm Jaune Arc, from Team JNPR!"
Ren nodded in acknowledgment. "Jaune's right. Nice to meet you."
As everyone exchanged greetings, Pyrrha turned to Onyx, clearly intrigued. "So, are you a new student here at Beacon? I'm sure you'd fit in just fine with your strength."
Before Onyx could answer, however, Ozpin—who had been watching from a distance with a knowing look—spoke up. "Actually, Onyx is a new professor here at Beacon Academy. I've invited him to join our teaching staff, given his skills and experience."
The groups stood frozen in surprise. Ruby, Yang, Blake, and Weiss, along with Team JNPR, all exchanged looks of shock. A professor? At such a young age?
"Well, this is definitely unexpected," Ruby said, her voice filled with awe. "A professor, huh? I can't believe it!"
"I guess we'll have to step up our game around here," Yang added, winking at Onyx in a lighthearted manner.
As the surprise continued to ripple through the students, Blake's sharp eyes narrowed slightly as she watched Onyx. She noticed something about him, something that hadn't been discussed yet—his Faunus traits. His wolf ears and tail were not the usual one-trait marker for a Faunus.
Blake hesitated for a moment before speaking up quietly, mostly to herself. "Two traits… That's rare. Not many Faunus have two traits. Could he be…"
Before she could finish her thought, Ozpin's voice interrupted, bringing the focus back to him. "Indeed, Blake. Onyx is a unique individual. I'm sure you'll all have plenty of opportunities to learn from him in the future."
Onyx nodded slightly, looking at each of the students before him. "I'm looking forward to it."
Hemera, who had been holding onto her father's leg the entire time, suddenly piped up with a bright smile. "I'm excited too! I want to make lots of friends!"
The students shared a glance, a mix of curiosity and excitement in their eyes as they watched the young girl's enthusiasm. Onyx couldn't help but smile down at Hemera, his heart swelling with pride.
"Don't worry, Hemera," Ruby said, her voice soft with a hint of affection. "You'll definitely make a ton of friends here. And, hey, maybe we'll even get to hang out with your dad too!"
Onyx's eyes twinkled slightly as he watched the exchange, before he gave a nod. "I think you'll get along just fine."
The atmosphere lightened, and as the group began to chat excitedly about what was to come, Onyx stood back slightly, observing the new bonds beginning to form around his daughter. This was a new chapter for both of them, and he had a feeling it was going to be one filled with much more than just teaching. It would be a place to grow, not only for Hemera but for him as well.