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Chapter 50: Motivation

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One hour ago..

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The group left the building and into the parking lot. Each family split up and walked to their respective rental vehicles. Due to the crowd the stadium could actually support, the parking lot was actually one giant parking garage where all the vehicles were left in. Along the way to the car, Robin began some small talk with his parents. It had been a long time since he last saw them, and he missed them greatly. In particular, he told them about his sparring matches and other events, purposefully avoiding the topic about the White Fang.

Throughout the year, Robin had kept in touch with both his parents about once a week. Occasionally, he would miss their weekly check up call due to missions since there was obviously no reception in the wild. Thus, Robin's surprise was not unfounded when questioning the birth of this new little brother.

“I can't believe you guys actually kept me in the dark about this for so long.” Robin said in disbelief.

“It's only a harmless joke, honey.” Christina commented. “Actually, it was Blake's father, Ebon, that convinced us to not tell you. He said it be an ideal way to make our genius little boy speechless.”

Since childhood, Robin wasn't ever particularly noisy and misbehaving. Rather, it would be strange for a 16 year old to whine about a scrape on the knee. Of course, this didn't mean he wasn't ever surprised. He was always in awe of the technology and weaponry whenever it was displayed. Hearing his parents mentioning this quality about him, Robin could only shake his head at this unnecessarily drawn out prank.

“How old is Jackson again?” he inquired.

“Three weeks,” Joseph replied as he started the car. Christina strapped in little Jackson in his baby chair and sat next to him in the back while Robin took shotgun.

“His birthday was in June. Speaking of birthdays, yours was a while back but we never got to give you your present yet. We brought it with us so you'll have it for the tournament.”

Normally those things would be sent by mail, but unfortunately, as a faunus you can't trust someone else to deliver your goods for you.

“Thank you! But I'm coming home for the summer holidays anyway. You didn't need to.”

“Oh it's no big deal. So you're enjoying school?”

“Yes, mom. It's working out just fine for me.”

“That's great honey. I'm glad to hear it.”

= … Strange. That sounded weird. =

On the surface, the words seemed natural, yet Christina clearly had her eyebrows scrunched up with worry. In order to hide the fact, she had been looking at Jackson the entire time, but Robin who was hoping to master Disguise noticed this detail in expression by following Raven's advice.

“Mom? Is something wrong?”

Christina looked up in surprise. Upon seeing that she was exposed, her eyes flickered to her husband and back to Robin. He did not miss this detail.

“...What's going on?”

After coming to terms to what she had to say, Christina-- no, his mother-- looked at Robin with a firm look and asked--

“Robin, are you or are you not still in the White Fang?”

Robin's dad listened intently on their conversation with his eyes still on the road. Instantly, the mood became serious. Little Jackson was sleeping soundly all the while.

= Uh oh. =

The fact that Team COBRA joined the White Fang was something already known to their parents. After all, this was when it was still a peaceful protest group. There was no reason to hide that fact. However, ever since the change, none of them ever talked about the activities inside the White Fang in fear of retribution by others or their parents. After all, they were breaking the law.

= I didn't want to tell them about this for as long as possible = Robin thought.

= But now that they're asking me directly. What should I do? Should I tell them the truth? Or maybe hide it? =

Robin began using aura to speed up his mental process. By activating Enhance it felt as if time slowed down as he carefully weighed the pros and cons of each decision. Ultimately, Robin felt it was a wiser choice to tell his parents. Robin cherished his parents way too much to dare lie and betray their trust. He never wanted to do such a thing.

= No I need to tell them since it's come to this. =

“...Yes, I am.” he admitted.

Christina face filled with despair while Joseph looked like this was to be expected.

“Well not anymore you're not! From now on, you're aren't going to involve yourself with them. I don't want you to concern yourself with them anymore. You hear me!”

“What! Mom!”

= I didn't expect them to take this well, but I didn't think this would happen! =

“I'm sorry honey, but I am not going to let you waste your life in a jail cell.”

“I've already been in jail mom!” Robin replied.

“That is not the same and you know it! First of all, you were innocent. Second of all, you were lucky of leave the prison so early. Free of charge I might add. Bless that officer. If it was anyone else, I don't even know what would've happened to you.”

“Mom, you don't need to worry. I won't get caught.” Robin tried to assure her.

“In fact, I'm the one keeping us in line in the first place. I'm always trying to tell the group to keep calm and not do something stupid.”

This was true, but Christina shook her head in disbelief.

“Do you hear your son? Say something Joseph!”

Robin's father did not respond, but merely looked at his wife in the rear-view mirror which immediately silenced her. Joseph turned a corner entering the hotel parking lot.

“Robin,” his father began, “why do you want to stay in the White Fang so much?”

“Because I believe I can make a difference.” he responded immediately.

“Are you sure?”

“...Yes.”

“ok then. Tell me. What have you accomplished?” he asked..

“What?”

“Tell me what you have accomplished.”

“We've stopped the deal between the Schnee Dust Company and Mr. Ugol. If we hadn't, many people would've lost their jobs and--”

“That was at the sacrifice of 10 people who died because of an accident. That was not your efforts, and this was before your change.” Joseph retorted mercilessly.

“Give a different example.” he demanded.

“Shops that usually forbid any faunus from entering now accept both faunus and human customers.”

“They serve you out of fear, not respect. That means nothing.”

Those words stung harder than any other. It was like saying all those efforts they've put forth so far was for naught. Robin was getting more and more annoyed the longer this conversation went on.

“..They've made an announcement about the mall accepting huge amount of employees. Both faunus and humans were allowed to apply.”

“Only 4 were accepted, leaving over 80 percent of the workers human. This is no different from before.”

One after another, Joseph shot down every event Robin tried to pull out in his defense. His frustration reached a peak, and Robin couldn't take it anymore.

= Alright. Enough of this farce. =

“Dad. What is going on here?”

“What is going on? Robin, I'll tell you what's going on. Your mother and I believe you have nothing left to gain from associating yourself with the White Fang. It's high time for you to leave.”

“Dad, I'm not leaving the White Fang.”

“You're gonna do something you're gonna regret, Robin.”

“NO, Dad, I'm not. I already told you guys. I've been keeping myself in check constantly this entire time. We haven't done something we'll regret and we're not gonna.”

“You've already broken the law.” Christina barged in.

“It's only damaging some property. Nothing permanent has been damaged.”

“Yet” Christina corrected. “Who knows how long you can keep this up. Besides, it doesn't change the fact you've already broken the law.”

“Mom. Seriously, now. The humans have done the exact same thing to us and gotten away with it. We're just doing the same thing and you have definitely approved of it before.”

During Robin's early years, his belongings were indeed sabotaged from time to time when they were in the kingdom for the festival. There were times where him and his male friends sometimes confronted the bullies and administered revenge on behalf of all the kids of the village. Although young at the time, Robin definitely noticed the looks of approval by the adults.

“You actually saw us?” Christina looked shocked and inwardly slapped herself. No doubt both of his parents would take special care not to repeat the same mistake with Jackson.

“Son, that isn't the point and you know it.” Joseph intervened after noticing his wife was contemplating something irrelevant.

“Dad, you two have always been supportive of me before. In the first place, it was you guys who sent me to live here anyway. Why are you guys suddenly working against me?”

They have long ago parked the car. Now they were just having the argument in the parking lot. Thankfully, they had their windows rolled up so nobody would hear them unless they were really close. Christina took Jackson out of the car in order for him to continue his sleep. She had a hunch things were gonna get heated up.

“Son, I don't think you understand the position we are in. You probably don't even realize the position YOU are in? Robin you are level 63! Look at me! I'm your father, yet I'm level 80! In about another 5 years you are going to surpass me. From a young age, you were gifted with a smart mind and a strong body. If that wasn't enough, you have inherited one of the most versatile classes in the world! You are a Mercenary son!

Since we never wanted you to be arrogant we wanted you to learn on your own without telling you, but I'll tell you now. Not only does Mercenary give us the ability to master weapons faster son, but it also leave no restriction on skills either! I'm sure you realized it by now right? Ever wonder why after someone uses a skill, you suddenly can use it too? Or maybe why reading a book you're so fond of causes a window to pop up? The only reason you can't learn it is if it pertains to a person's semblance. Otherwise the sky is the limit.

We sent you to the kingdom because in the kingdom you'll meet so many different individuals than in our tiny little village. You'll be able to grow, meet new people, and achieve the dream of becoming the strongest that you're so set on! We've always been supportive of you, son! That hasn't and it won't ever change! But what has changed is the White Fang.”

“The White Fang is a protest group Dad.”

“They're a terrorist group.” he retorted.

His father's speech moved Robin to his very core. They were willing to send him off to this congested discriminated kingdom for the sake of his future. All because he said he wanted to be strong. He was moved, but there was something left for him to say.

“Dad, I do want to become the strongest. But I don't think you understand why. Why am I focused to being the best? Because if I'm the strongest, who dares to try to pick on me? Discriminate against me? Hate me? If I am the strongest, who dares to take advantage of the people I care about? Who would dare to mock the hobbies that I love?”

This was the first time he ever laid out his heart, his feelings, his pride. Robin cherished his current life more than anything right now. Never did he want to go back to how he was in the past. Weak, feeble, a laughingstock.

“If I am strong, I can protect everything I care about. One of those things is my pride. If I stay in the White Fang, I can fight back against this cruel system. This disgusting system that kicks us down because of race, that makes our lives harder than it has to be. I want to change things, Dad. And I think I can do it here.”

Both Joseph and Christina were moved to tears. His mother silently listened outside using Enhance, but she didn't dare to interrupt. His father turn back around and silently brooded in his seat. After what seemed like a century he turned back around and faced Robin.

“...Do you really believe you can be the strongest?”

“Yes!” Robin replied with resolution.

“That you can protect your ideals!”

“YES!!” With each question, his reply got stronger.

“And you'll protect everyone you care about?!” Joseph's voice yelled.

“YES!!!”

“EVEN BLAKE?!”

“YEEESS!!”

=..Wait what?=

“Ok then.” Joseph smiled wryly.

“You can stay in the White Fang.”

=...WHAT!=

“Huh?!”

“You're a smart boy Robin. I believe you won't do something stupid. Your mother and I was just worried you were being foolish and letting your emotions control you. But after seeing your resolve, I've decided forcing you to leave isn't necessary.”

=..Dad you might say that's ok, but Mom's glare isn't sending the same message. =

Christina was glaring through the window at her husband. “What the fuck” was plastered all over her face. Joseph obviously ignored such a face and made his own return to a serious expression.

“However, this is on one condition. If in any case, and I don't care what it is, the White Fang ever crosses the line you know they should not be crossing, then I want you to pull out immediately. You and your friends. Do you understand me?”

“Yes Sir!”

“Good.”

Joseph nodded approvingly and tossed Robin a duffel bag.

“This has your change of clothes. Go wash yourself up. You smell. We'll join you later.”

He pushed a button in the front which caused the back door to automatically open and eject Robin out of the car. Of all the things, his parents actually rented one of the jokes cars apparently just for this moment. The force was so strong it sent Robin tumbling head over heels and into the aisle.

= Oof. Ack. Stop..It.. =

Eventually Robin hit something and caused his body to stop rolling. Robin was slightly disoriented but gathered his wits quickly thanks to his training.

= My family is full of jokers...This might actually be Conner's influence on them over the years.. =

“You ok there?” a voice called out.

“Oh my god. I'm so sorry!”

It was then that Robin realized that what stopped him was a person and not a thing. He quickly stood up to apologize to the individual, only to be even more shocked when he realized the person who had stopped him.

“No worries,” Ozpin said, “Just because I keep a cane with me doesn't mean I'm fragile. It'll take a lot more than that to knock me down.”

Ozpin chuckled as Robin stood dumbfounded and examined the legend in front of him. This was the man who started it all, and the same man who gave that emotional speech at the stadium earlier. However, what shocked Robin the most was his appearance. Ozpin, in his black suit and dark green pants, looked incredibly young!

= Wasn't this man supposed to have lived 80 years ago? How come he looks thirty?! Hmm? What's that thing on his green scarf? A.. cross? =

Ozpin smiled the youth in front of him.

“May I have the pleasure of knowing your name young one?”

“Ah- My name is Robin S. Wolfheart. Mr. Ozpin.”

“Please, call me Professor... S.?”

“S stands for Silver Professor.”

“Ah yes, the color that shines brightest in the moonlight. How fitting. If you don't mind, Robin, I'm going to have to apologize.”

“What for, Professor?”

“It seems I have by coincidence overheard some of your speech earlier. I must say, it was rather shocking to me.”

Robin's face flushed with embarrassment.

= Talk about bad first impressions. =

“Oh no need to feel embarrassed. I was impressed actually. Becoming the strongest huh? That sure does bring back memories. Honestly, the answer to many of our problems today lies in the simple things that we've long forgotten.”

Ozpin looked into the distance, presumably reminiscing about some past. Robin was no fool. Even if Ozpin overheard his conversation with his parents, there was no need to bring it up. Especially not for someone he had never met. Since Robin doubted Ozpin really wanted to embarrass him, Robin assumed Ozpin wanted to say something else, and he was right.

“..After listening to your speech I wanted to correct something. Take it how you will. It can serve as a warning, a correction, a teaching, or just the ramblings of an old man...But even the strongest man won't be able to protect everything. Not even if he had all the time in the world.”

Ozpin then immediately started to walk towards the hotel. His message apparently finished.

“It was nice meeting you Robin. I hope to see more of you in the tournament later.”

“It was nice meeting you too, Professor Ozpin.”

= Even the strongest man can't protect everything?..But then what does that mean about my goal? Has everything I've worked for all for nothing?.. =

Ozpin's words lingered in Robin's mind. It was only thanks to his father honking the horn that Robin remembered the original goal of getting inside the hotel.

= ..Whatever. Thinking too hard about this won't solve anything. =

Thus, Robin made his way into the hotel where he went from one dangerous situation to another. From his parents conversation to the thing that is called.. hot springs. All the while, he casually forgot about Joseph mentioning Blake in their conversation.