The Hapless Student - Short

A RWBY Fan Fiction

By Starlight Wanderer

It was an easy job, and the pay was more than enough to pay his tuition into Beacon Academy. Rusty Chambers had the privilege of being accepted into the prestigious school, but not the Lien. Working farms in the southern reaches of Vale didn't pay the greatest, and so he had turned to a summer job in the city.

"The music is all pre-programmed," his boss explained between sips of his drink and less than subtle glances at the women who walked by. "Just stay up in the booth and play the part."

"Yes sir, Mr. Xiong," Rusty nodded.

"And keep that stupid costume on, nobody needs to see that face of yours."

The rude comment didn't even phase him; Rusty had heard it too many times to care. The large black birthmark on his face surprised most people, but their reactions no longer surprised him. Even with a clean shave and freshly cut hair with highlights, the stain upon his face was all they would ever see. At least the giant bear head he was being provided could allow him some privacy through the night.

It was almost too good to be true, but Rusty knew better than to ask questions. Rumors of Junior Xiong's shady operation weren't exactly hard to come by, but he couldn't pass up the pay. All he had to do was keep his head down and he would surely be fine.

After donning the oversized costume, Rusty proceeded into the club's backstage area and up a small staircase to the DJ booth. From his perch he could see the entire club: a stark white dance floor dominated the center of the room surrounded by four large glass pillars. Light rigging was hung up just above eyeline with fixtures centered on the excitement below, while the depths of the club were shrouded in darkness and prying eyes. Several walkways seemed to hover above the darkness, illuminated only by their fluorescent railings.

The DJ equipment looked expensive, and Rusty sighed knowing he wouldn't be able to actually use it. The mixer console was made up of three high end Yohamma X700 Pro models flanked by two digital Monark turntables. Underneath the equipment cabinet was a fully automatic Atlesian assault rifle. Mr. Xiong had told Rusty it was for "emergencies only" but military grade weaponry was overkill. It was also most likely illegal.

The pounding of the club's subwoofers became background noise as the night went on. Rusty did his best to seem involved with the console in front of him as the music played, but the heat of the club was intensified by his costume.

Down on the dance floor below the denizens of Vale's nightlife were inebriated and indulgent. Most probably didn't care about the true dealings of Junior Xiong, schemes likely happening in the same room as they danced.

Out of the corner of his eye, what little he could actually see through the mask, Rusty noticed some commotion going on at the bar. A group of Xiong's thugs working security had gathered, their attention trained on a young blonde girl who seemed to be giving Mr. Xiong some trouble.

Probably tried to hit on her girlfriend, Rusty thought. Security will sort her out.

He threw his hands into the air, jumping in time to the kick drum. The audience followed suit, their attention staying far away from the commotion. Before the song had ended the large mob of goons was escorting the girl out of the club.

And then she hit him.

Somehow this punk girl sent Junior Xiong hurling into a glass pillar, demolishing it and inciting a mass panic. There was nothing Rusty could do now to keep their attention; the crowd was bolting for the exits as chaos began to break loose.

Rusty watched as the blonde began to systematically demolish Junior Xiong's entire security entourage one by one. She was aided by a pair of bright yellow gauntlets that seemed to explode on every punch, but her hand to hand combat was Huntress level.

He began to panic. Was this some sort of sting? It was only his first night; he couldn't get caught up in this. That's when he remembered the rifle under his console. He had fired plenty of weapons in his training, but an Atlesian military spec gun was next level. Still, he stood no chance against the monster throwing exploding hooks and jabs.

Taking aim down the rifle's sights, he pulled the trigger. Immediately the rifle shot upwards, the recoil nearly throwing it out of Rusty's hands. He held his finger on the trigger, spraying bullets while sweeping the barrel across the desolate dance floor.

He had caught her attention, and he had missed every shot.

With inhuman speed the girl dashed towards him. Rusty tried to keep the rifle under control, but even a hail of lead would not stop this mad woman. She used her exploding gauntlets to launch herself up and over his console, delivering a swift kick to his face.

Rusty stumbled into the back of the DJ booth, but could not react in time. A shotgun elbow left him gasping for breath as the woman grabbed him, costume and all, and slammed his head into the equipment rack.

Every inch of Rusty's body was sore; a high pitch whine filled his ears as he came to. He had somehow made it onto the dance floor, surrounded by the equally bruised members of Junior Xiong's security. Even the twin Malachite girls, Junior's favorite bouncers, sat at one of the remaining tables nursing their injuries. Mr. Xiong had told him specifically how skilled they were in combat, and the blonde had apparently laid them both out as well. Junior was drowning himself in his own stock of booze, likely not in the mood for conversation so long as his club lied in ruin.

"Who was that girl?" Rusty wondered aloud, hoping one of the security goons might know and care to answer him.

"Dunno," one responded, adjusting his broken glasses, "but she's got a death wish comin' in here and messing with Junior."

Rusty had to hold back his snickering. Whoever that woman was, she clearly had nothing to fear from Junior Xiong. The only one with a death wish was him if he continued to stay here. Leaving the costume on the shattered dance floor, Rusty quietly made his exit from the club.

He would need to find a way to make Lien somewhere else, preferably a place where he wouldn't get his ass kicked on his first day.

Rusty Chamber's journey continues in The Other Student.