A/N: This is a short one-shot that was not passed by my friend first, but I don't think he would disapprove. This is also one of my theories, though I don't know if its true or not.

-O-

Love Lost

They finally made it. They were in Atlas. The large battleships that surrounded the floating city were wary at first, flagging them as hostile. Fortunately when they explained who they were over the comm systems, the general pushed them through. Now they sat in a holding room while they were being processed.

"How long?" a certain red reaper cried out while slumping in her metal seat, "We've been here forever"

"Its been like ten minutes Ruby! This is Atlas, of course they would make sure we are who we say we are."

"Of course you would say that Weiss, you're probably used to this" an old crow grimaced, "And tin man already let us in. He's doing this to spite me I swear" The rest slumped down, trying to get as comfortable as one can in a small white concrete holding cell.

After several hours an unknown Altlesian grunt came in and brought out Oscar.

"What about the rest of us!?" a now very mad gray reaper shouted at the grunt, "We've been here for hours!"

"Sir, sit down. You are being processed, and as you are processed someone will come and fetch you"

"Don't give me that! Tell Jimmy I'm not having it!"

"Jimmy?"

"General. General Ironwood!"

"Sir, as I said, you are being processed, and as you are processed someone will come and fetch you"

The door shut, leaving the group to groan and sit back down. "Robots all of em, I swear. And would it kill them to give me some booze!?"

"Uncle Qrow..." his smaller red counterpart warned.

"Yea, yea, I know. I chose a bad time to quit drinking."

Oscar was pushed through the halls of the large building they were in until he was ushered into a room and the door was shut behind him. Coming to the room was more white walls, the only thing adorning them seemed to be military awards to various Majors, Coronals, and Generals.

The inside of the room was more decorative. It had various bookshelves on one wall, containing several military doctrine books. The other side had large windows with which you could look out to the military blockade of Atlas, shining in all its glory behind the glass, framed by white Atlas flags. Of course the most pressing thing was the person behind the large desk that had been watching Oscar since was pushed in here.

"So, are you him?" the large man spoke, the shape of the room carrying his voice, amplifying it.

"My name is Oscar Pine….who are you?"

""My name is General Ironwood, though you already know that" The man stood up and crossed his arms behind his back. He stepped in front of the desk, still scrutinizing the young soul with his eyes. "Stop this charade Ozpin, I know it's you"

'You might want me to take this' Oscar heard the familiar voice inside his head. Oscar relinquished control, feeling his eyes flash with color before Ozpin took control.

"Hello General Ironwood" Ozpin said with his voice. "I did not expect to be detained, and I most certainly did not expect to have the pleasure to speak to you this early"

"Caution, in these troubled times, is paramount Ozpin. You know that. But that's besides the point. What are you here for? What do you want?"

"Always straight to the point with you James. Power over diplomacy."

"You don't need diplomacy if the enemy knows they cannot defeat you"

"Am I your enemy now?"

"That depends on what you answer with. Now, you have stalled long enough. What do you want?"

"I wish to obtain the relics, James. I know you hold the relic of creation, just as we have the relic of knowledge"

The general pulled out something from behind the desk, setting it on the table. "I now hold the relic of knowledge. I never expected it to be this small, but you have no bargaining chips with me Ozpin"

"Actually, I do"

To that, the general squinted his eyes, "The relic of choice"

"I see that all this regalia hasn't dulled your mind James"

The general went back to the other side of the large desk, settling back down into his seat. "I had thought, when Beacon fell, that we lost it to the Queen"

"Only I know where it is James….well….that's not necessarily true. I want them protected. Who better then to do that then the great general of Atlas?"

"You try to hard Ozpin. Over the years you have called me many things. A great general has never been one, but I'll bite. What do you want?"

"I need two things James. Sanctuary for those that I came with, and an escort to Vale to retrieve the relic"

"You just got here Ozpin! You stole an Atlesian air ship to do it!"

"And you, as general, can make sure those charges go away, while giving those that deserve it sanctuary"

The general looked down at all the paperwork he had from the embargo, and another stack next to it about the 'hijacked rouge ship' reported. "You ask for too much, I can't give them sanctuary, then let them leave"

"James, going to Vale is something I must do alone anyway. I just want them here"

"You said someone else knows. Who?"

-O-

Glynda Goodwitch sat down, kicking her shoes off. She never thought there would be a day where she wished she only had to do paperwork. Ever since Beacon was taken by the grimm and the repairs of Vale started, it was nonstop semblance work for her. Repair a shop here, kill rouge grimm there, do both at the same time over there. The only relief being Barty and Port, but three huntsman to an entire

city under constant threat does not make it easy.

The city was already calling for help in this crisis. The problem was when an entire hunter school goes down, especially since it was the best in the country, people tend to panic. Panic leads to an increase in grimm activity which call more hunters out to quell them. And the circle goes round…

Right now seemed to be a lull in the grimm, much to some relief. Who knows, I may get a full nights sleep! Staying here though, brought up memories. She hadn't stayed here in years, ever since that terrible night years ago.

Turning over towards the wall, she closed her eyes, pushing back the memories that floated just below them. It didn't matter that she was still in her normal clothes, or that the old chair wasn't as comfortable as it used to be.Your here, missing something.

Well there goes trying to sleep. She turned and looked over at the large golden box on her nightstand. It was the only thing that kept her going. Painful memories once squashed dredged up again and again until it consumed her mind. It was never easy...

"You were always there. I wish you were now. I feel like I've lost you twice" She pushed out one of her arms, like she was reaching for it. But you could never grasp it. Pain, regret, and love. While the past could be pleasant, why was it that the memories that were the strongest were always so….negative. She felt her consciousness ebb, a numbing sensation as she fell asleep.

'Rap' 'Rap' 'Rap'

Trained hunter instincts woke Glynda up to the new noise even though she still felt tired. It had only been a couple of hours since she had fallen asleep, and it was now dark outside. While this house was still inside Vale, the recent jobs had proven to her that grimm could find you anywhere.

She grabbed her riding crop, the conduit for her strength and power. While it wasn't as strong as a sword or as versatile as a mecha-shift, she never needed it to be. With her semblance it would be foolish to not use it in combat. It was incredibly useful.

'Rap' 'Rap' 'Sigh'

It was at the door. Maybe it wasn't such an emergency, but it still could be. Looters were all to common in a city in peril. As a huntress seeing those sights were common, and often not even noticed since if a huntsman is there, usually the town has bigger problems.

She approached the door, riding crop pointed at it, noticing it was still locked. She reached out to unlock it, when the lock turned itself, the handle doing so shortly after. On the other side was a boy. He looked young but strong, with a sun-touched face. He had a large throw coat, similar to a trench coat, on and was staring at her.

"Who are you? How did you open the door to my house?"

"Well, my name is Oscar Pine. And I was told you kept an old key in the first house brick…."

She was confused at the words. She was the only one that used this old house. She was the only one that should know where the key was. Its not like she told people where it was, or trusted people enough to set foot in this house. This was her space filled with her memories. None intruded on her land. This young man though, something was familiar, even though she's never met him before.

Glynda noticed that he was holding a cane. A very specific cane.

-O-

Ever since talking to Ironwood, Ozpin had been quiet. Oscar could feel that he was still present, under the surface, but for some reason was quiet even when asked questions. The flight had been nice considering it was an Atlas ship going into Valian airspace. Still it was with worry that Oscar arrived in Vale. It was only then that Ozpin spoke up, giving directions to the place in question.

It was an old house, needing some remodeling on the outside and it seemed to be missing some shingles on the roof. Either way, for Oscar it was not the most natural idea to walk up to an old house, at night, in a city he's never been in.

"You sure this is the place Ozpin?"

'I'm sure, still looks the same too'

The lights seemed to be on in the house, but that did not give it any better of a sight. Instead it almost looked like an eerie glow, as if the house itself was watching as he approached. "Well, this house is….lovely"

'Oscar, I know your scared but it's not the house you should worry about, but who's inside'

"You're not helping my nerves Oz!"

'but it is oh so fun'

'Great, that's all I need' he thought while finally getting the nerve to walk up to the door 'a voice in my head laughing at my plight'

Oscar knocked on the door. Nothing happened.

'What are you doing, I doubt someone is here. Just use the key in the brick like I told you'

Knocking again before sighing Oscar had had enough. "Fine but if we get caught breaking into this place, you are getting us out". He grabbed the loose front brick out of the wall and took the key out of the empty end.

'Very well'

He turned the key and opened the door, expecting to see a corridor into the house. Instead he came face to face with a tall woman holding a riding crop towards him.

"Who are you? How did you open the door to my house?" she asked.

"Well, my name is Oscar Pine, he said with some hesitation, "And I was told you kept an old key in the first house brick…."

It looked like she was studying him. He felt her eyes on him, and he fell under her gaze.

'Abort, Earth to Oscar, Abort!'

'She's beautiful' Oscar thought.

'OSCAR!'

Something flashed in the woman's eyes. Oscar suddenly felt weightless as he flew into the bricks next to the door. Everything hurt, and he seemed to be being squeezed before everything went black.

-O-

Glynda kept the boy, who she knew was not a boy, in the air, seeing the boys eyes flash before he looked at her in pain. Glynda used her powers to close the door. She walked into the main room, where she slept not minutes before, the boy floating in behind her. "Why are you here Ozpin!"

"Oh Glynda, its nice to see you again. Why don't you let me down and we could talk?"

"How DARE you show yourself to me again! You knew what would happen if you did!"

Ozpin felt squeezing around Oscar's body getting tighter. "You can't kill me"

"Oh really?" She moved her hand and the squeezing kept intensifying,"goodbye Ozpin"

"Let me rephrase. You kill me, Oscar dies too"

That stopped her, and the squeezing, but she did not let him down. "Glynda, we both know you cannot kill a child, even if you know what he will become in time"

She ground her teeth before flipping her crop down. Ozpin felt a sudden release, and then the floor as he fell head first into the carpet.

"I'll ask one more time Ozpin" she said lowering her voice, even though the spite was still present in her voice, "why are you here?"

"Can't I just want to talk to my colleague?"

"No, you don't" she deadpanned, "and that was before you attempted to break in without telling me. No, you want something from here. What is it?"

Ozpin picked up his cane, and began to look around the room, completely ignoring her question. "It's been so long since I was last here. You haven't done anything with the front I see. It still looks terrible" He walked over and rubbed his hand across the hand of the old armchair, looking at Glynda who seemed to understand, pain in her eyes. "How have you been my fairy?"

Glynda felt the pain welling up in her. It threatened to overtake her, throwing her emotions into turmoil before one rose above all the rest. Anger. "You have no right to call me that name! Monster! Take what you want and get out!" She raised her crop back up pointing it at him. "or this time I really will kill you"

Ozpin sighed, "I wish you would see reason" He felt the power of the relic from a golden box on a nightstand on the other wall. "I have no choice of how it works. I have no say". He walked over to the box and put his hand on its top. Looking over at Glynda she looked concerned, and flinched when he opened the box. "But you are right, I am here to pick something up"

Inside the box was several papers and photos, going back years. Under some of them was a small black box that he grabbed. It had dust on it, and even though the seal on the front of the box was broken, Ozpin could tell it was only opened a couple of times. Almost in confirmation, he struggled to open the box, as the hinge on the back of the box was rusted.

When the box was open, it sat there in all its glory. "Glynda, I'm not sure what to say. You never opened it?" He looked at her almost with hurt eyes.

Glynda was looking down, the hand that was holding her riding crop also holding her other arm, clearly sad and uncomfortable. "That was not yours and you know it!"

"It was mine. I helped him draw up the nerve. I helped him through the difficult times trying to provide for you. And when he finally got down on his knee and you accepted, I celebrated with him."

"You were with him that long? Why didn't he tell me?"

"It is harder to tell someone, especially since at that time he didn't know what was happening. I never told him"

He knew she was boiling over with rage at that comment. "Either way, this is what I came for"

Glynda looked worried, and outraged. "Ozpin, you will not take that! It is the last thing I have from him! The last thing he gave me before he was gone! There is not choice here Ozpin, you will not have that!"

"No choice is it? You're right about one thing" He reached into the box, grabbing the ring that was on prominent display inside. Pulling it out Glynda's anger rose. Ozpin poured his aura into the ring. Glynda looked along in shock as the ring grew in size until it was the size of a circuit that a princess would wear. "You never had a choice"

"Thats-"

"The relic of choice. Ironic isn't it? I knew you would keep it when I gave it to you. I never expected that you wouldn't know by this point though. I thought you found out years ago"

Glynda had gone pale. She fell to her knees. "I was next to you for years. I-I was used"

"No, you were a valuable asset, and I was happy to have you"

"but he-he-"

"He did pick out a ring, but from where I was and how scared he was it was easy to switch the ring he bought with what was needed. He found out later, of course, but I took him before he could tell you" He took his aura back from the relic, making the relic go back to its ring size. He pocketed the ring before turning around and walking out of the room, then the house.

Once he was out of the house he felt Oscar stir. 'What happened to me?'

Ozpin gave Oscar back control of his body, sinking into his consciousness. 'You tripped and hit your head against the wall. Don't worry I took care of it and got the relic'

"Well, that's interesting. Where is it?"

'It's in your pocket in its travel size'

Oscar pulled it out to look it over. It looked like a ring when it was this small. He remembered the beautiful woman that had answered the door. "Ozpin you didn't say anything to her that I will regret in the future right?"

'Who?'

"The woman that opened the door"

'That was Glynda, and no I didn't say anything to her that would affect you, though I doubt we'll see her again'

That was a sad thought for Oscar. Something about her pulled on his heart, and he didn't know why. He swore that he had seen her before, felt these feelings for her before at some point. As soon as he tried to grasp the memory though, it disappeared.

"Glynda humm. I hope we do" With a smile he continued walking toward the landing pad that had the Atlas ship waiting for him.

He now had someone else to fight for…

-O-

Glynda was on her knees for a long time. She didn't know when but at some point she stumbled over to the box, pulling out the top paper, a letter, that still held her heart after all this time.

Dear Glynda,

I have been doing well, thank you for asking, but there have been some interesting developments since I last talked to you. It won't be much longer though. By the time you get this I should be only a day or so out. I can't wait to see you again! I have something important to ask you, and a gift to give. Just know until I see you again, you will always be my beautiful fairy.

XOXO,

Ozmodius Pinnacle

Glynda Broke

Glynda Cried

-O-

A/N So that was a thing, please don't kill me. There will be a very small omake tacked on as a second chapter when I get around to writing it, but it will be more funny, not depressing.

Yah know, to lighten the mood.