Ron’s Journey Through Remnant

Ron and Gaster entered the massive hall, packed with hundreds of students, all waiting for the speech to begin. The air was filled with a buzz of excitement and curiosity as the new students mingled, forming the first connections of their Beacon journey.

[Ron]: (looking around) Strange, I told them to meet us here.

[Gaster]: (raising an eyebrow) Did you actually guide them here, or did you just leave them in Ozpin's office?

Ron paused, realizing he might have overlooked something important.

Ron glanced around the bustling hall, scanning the sea of students for any sign of their new teammates.

[Ron]: I... may have left them in Ozpin's office, assuming they'd find their way here.

Gaster sighed, shaking his head slightly as he adjusted his coat.

[Gaster]: I should have known. We'd better find them before the speech starts, or Ozpin will have more than just a speech to deliver.

[Ron]: We won't need to do that. Look.

Ron pointed toward the entrance, where Ruby had just walked in, accompanied by a young man and two others who matched the descriptions of the new team members Ron had mentioned.

Gaster relaxed slightly, relieved to see they had all made it in time.

[Ron]: Let's go say hello. And I guess it's time for some introductions.

Ron and Gaster made their way over to the group. Ruby looked up and smiled when she saw Gaster.

[Ruby]: Gaster! I didn't expect to see you here.

[Gaster]: (smiling back) Likewise, Ruby. Seems like fate has a sense of humor.

[Ron]: (grinning) Hello, everyone. And Ruby, it's a pleasant surprise to see you with our two friends. Maple, Adrian, sorry for leaving you behind earlier. This is Gaster, the guy I told you about.

[Pictures]

Maple and Adrian both looked at Ron, their expressions a mix of annoyance and relief.

[Adrian]: (raising an eyebrow) You left us in that suspicious man's office, Ron. We had to sit through his ominous monologue.

[Maple]: (folding her arms) We almost thought you abandoned us for good. Not the best start.

Ron chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head.

[Ron]: Yeah, sorry about that. Things got a bit... hectic. But hey, you made it here, and that's what matters. Gaster, meet Maple and Adrian, two very unique individuals who I think will fit in perfectly with us.

[Gaster]: (nodding) It's good to finally meet you both. I've heard a lot about you.

[Adrian]: (taking a sip of his coffee) Hope it was all good.

Gaster Looked at the coffee that Adrian hand and then looked at Ron who understood and gave Gaster a can of coffee that he immediately opened and drank

[Gaster]: (sighing contentedly) Good thing it's hot.

Adrian chuckled at the sight.

[Adrian]: (grinning) Looks like I'm not the only one who needs a caffeine fix.

[Ron]: (smiling) You two are going to get along just fine. Well, Ruby, see you next time.

Ron and the rest of the team found a spot in the crowded hall, ready for Ozpin's speech. As they settled in, Gaster's attention drifted to Ruby and her sister, who were standing nearby. The dynamic between the two sisters intrigued him, reminding him of the close bond between his sons, Sans and Papyrus.

Gaster: (smiling) You know, you two remind me of some people I used to know.

Ruby: (curious) Really? Who?

Gaster: (chuckling) A couple of brothers who were always getting into one thing or another. They were... quite the pair.

As they continued talking, Gaster couldn't help but take notes, documenting the nuances of their conversation and personalities. It was his way of understanding this new world better. Nearby, Maple was contentedly eating ramen, her pet flying turtle hovering lazily beside her, occasionally nipping at stray noodles. Adrian sipped his coffee, his eyes flicking over to Weiss and Gaster as they exchanged sharp remarks.

[Weiss]: (with a haughty tone) You really think you can lecture me on Dust handling, especially after what happened earlier?

[Gaster]: (smirking) Just trying to prevent another explosion, Weiss. And maybe keep that temper in check while you're at it.

[Yang]: (teasingly) Ruby, you know how to pick up guys better than me. Give me some tips later.

[Ruby]: (flustered) That's not—

Suddenly, the hall fell silent as Ozpin approached the microphone. The playful banter and lingering tension dissipated instantly, everyone's attention now focused on the headmaster. Ozpin's presence commanded respect, and as he began to speak, the weight of his words filled the room.

Ozpin's speech was brief, almost devoid of emotion, leaving the room in a contemplative silence as he stepped away from the microphone. Miss Glynda followed with a few more words before the gathering was dismissed, the tone of the event feeling more somber than inspirational.

[Ron]: (muttering) Weird. It's like…

[Gaster]: (nodding) Like he's hollowed, as if he's done this so many times that it's all become numb to him.

Their conversation was interrupted by Maple, who spoke up with her usual cheerful demeanor, completely unaware of the weighty discussion.

[Maple]: Ron, can I have more ramen?

[Gaster]: (grinning) I'd like some as well. Are you sure this isn't just a fancy version of spaghetti?

[Adrian]: (chiming in) Make mine with fish.

Before Ron could respond, Ruby and Yang joined in, their curiosity piqued by the aroma.

[Ruby]: (eagerly) I'll have some too!

[Yang]: (playfully) Make mine extra spicy!

Ron, realizing he'd become the unofficial ramen supplier, chuckled as he handed out bowls to each of them, turning the moment into an impromptu ramen feast amidst the aftermath of Ozpin's unsettling speech.

As the evening wore on, the moon reached its zenith in the sky. The group, now settled and comfortable, began to relax after the day's events.

[Ron]: So, since we're here, I should let you know, Gaster. You don't need to worry about unlocking their Auras. Ozpin already took care of that for them. Also, like us, both Maple and Adrian are deceased in their own worlds.

[Gaster]: (nodding) Thanks for the heads-up. And yes, I noticed your habit of sleeping in your armor and jacket. It might be more comfortable if you lowered your hood and removed the mask occasionally. Also, I appreciate you giving Jaune proper sleepwear. But why did you unlock his Aura?

[Ron]: Well, Johan was in a bit of a rough spot, and it seemed like the right thing to do. Plus, unlocking his Aura could be useful for his adjustment here. I figured it was better to get him sorted out as soon as possible. Also, we might need some friends and allies later to help us out in a pinch.

Ron glanced at Maple and Adrian. Maple was peacefully asleep, hugging her turtle, while Adrian was deep in conversation with a girl with black hair, sipping his coffee. Gaster watched them, a faint smile on his face.

[Gaster]: (smiling) Looks like we'll need to take good care of them then. We're all in this together.

As the moon continued its journey across the sky, the group settled into a quiet rest. Gaster spent some time talking with Ruby and her sister, finding common ground and sharing a few stories before he finally drifted off to sleep. Weiss, after a brief exchange of words, found her own place to rest, while Ron had managed to attach himself to the ceiling, his armor and jacket serving as an unconventional but effective sleeping arrangement. Adrian, never far from his coffee, slept with the can clutched tightly in his hand, its contents seemingly endless.

The night was calm, with only the occasional rustle of leaves and the soft hum of distant activity to break the silence. However, beneath the peaceful exterior, something unusual was happening. From Ron's body, a red and black shadowy figure began to emerge. These figures appeared to be made from Aura, their forms swirling and shifting as they moved.

The black figure, dark and formless, wrapped itself around Ron in a protective embrace, almost as if it was ensuring his safety during his rest. The red figure, vibrant and flickering, darted away from Ron and headed towards the forest with an urgency that belied its spectral nature.

[Chapter end]