Professor Shade opens the Birch wood door leading to his Office. The office is quite large about living room sized featuring a well kept desk with a birch wood shelf with two rows of books. He also has a small cactus planted against a small picture frame. Team CFTY sits on the four chairs facing the desk.
"Since you were Ozpin's students i know i can trust you with what i'm about to tell you, well hopefully" Shade said
"Yes of course you can trust us" Velvet said
"Which is why you must promise to not tell a soul that we've spoken about any of this." Said Shade
"We promise" Team CFVY said in unison
"Very well be ready because you may not be able to stomach all of this." Shade said
A long time ago when i was a bit younger i saw a basket outside my doorstep. At first i thought there was a small animal in the basket. But when I looked closer i saw a sleeping baby boy with golden blond hair sucking on a blue pacifier. I was quite shocked as you'd expect. I looked for some sort of note anything that could tell me about this baby. When i couldn't i took him inside cleaned him up, fed him, and clothed him. And since I didn't know his actual name i decided to name him, Springflut. Several days passed and i couldn't find any parents or relatives of said baby anywhere. He had no one or anything else to go to so i decided to raise him as my own.
"That's sad his parents just, abandoned him?" Said Velvet
"Unfortunately it only gets worse from there" Shade said
As he matured i could tell something was "off" about him. I can't really describe it any way else other then "off". He was disgusted at how Vacuo is now versus how it was back then. He believed the other 3 Kingdoms were to blame for all of Vacuo's problems. While there was some valid truth in his claims, the methods he wished to use were horrendous. I tried to tell him violence will only bring more pain to our Kingdom. And of course he didn't listen. Springflut then set out to Mistral to build his army. His charisma and public speech talents amassed many followers. When he arrived back here in Vacuo a good portion of the kingdom's citizens pledged their loyalty to him. They call themselves the "Shadow Saviors."
"Shadow Saviors?" Fox said
"Yes, and they've been active here a lot more lately. I fear what could happen if they assumed control of the school." Shade said
"So he and those Shadow Savior dudes were the ones who kidnapped Professor Apricot and those other girls?" Coco said
"Correct after i figured out what happened to Apricot and NGDO i told everyone that they just went missing. If people were to know the truth their already dwindling trust in the Academy might as well be flushed in the toilet." Shade said
"So let me guess you would like us to save the professor and Team NGDO from your secret child right?" Yatsuhashi said
"Pretty much sums it up yes, but before we go I gotta tell you part 2 of what you need to know" Shade said
"Part two?" Said Fox
"Yup, tell me have you ever heard the tale of the Four Maidens?" Shade said
"The what now?" Coco asked
"Oh yes i have, my father used to tell me stories about them all the time when I was younger. I thought they were just a legend." Velvet said
"Nope my dear they are very, very real. All four are hosts of a vast natural power that has existed on Remnant for thousands of years. They are said to be the physical embodiment of the four seasons. But do you want to hear the most important part?" Said Shade
"We're all ears Professor" Said Fox
They are the keys to four Relics of immense power. All four Relics are locked away in Vaults in each Huntsman Academy like this one. Only one Maiden can open their corresponding vault, like Spring for the Relic of Knowledge, or Summer for the Relic of Destruction. Which that relic is contained here in Shade Academy. And Springflut is after Summer to probably use her to infiltrate the school and steal the Relic.
"But who made the Relics?" Yatsuhashi asked
"It's a lot to explain i know but bear with me." Shade said
They are physical manifestations of the four gifts to humanity created by the Gods of Light and Darkness. Professor Ozpin's predecessor had the Relics hidden in each of the four Huntsman Academies to protect them and to prevent mankind from using them against each other.
"But why didn't Professor Ozpin tell us any of this shit earlier?" Coco said
"Ozpin was a good man but he liked " keeping his cards close to the chest" as he put it. I haven't spoken to him or the other headmasters in over 10 years. So tonight students i will accompany you 4 to their warehouse to rescue Apricot and the students and hopefully...defeat Springflut" Shade said
"So when do you want us ready?" Fox said
"Meet me here at precisely 6:30 pm tonight" Shade said
"Ok professor we'll be ready" Coco said
"Wait a moment what's his semblance?" Asked Velvet
"Oh yes…i forgot his Semblance he can cancel out a person's Aura via touching them with his ring finger. But however the effect only lasts 5 minutes." Shade said
"That's good news for once but that is one powerful Semblance." Yatsuhashi said
"Indeed so make sure his fingers do not touch you. But also be sure to not underestimate him." Said Shade
A few hours later Professor Apricot wakes up in a dimly lit cold empty room. He sees two guards outside the barred door their backs turned to him. His arms are bound via rope to a large Anvil. Apricot tries to free himself only to end up twisting his left arm. He screams in pain as he collapses on his knees.
"Keep it down in there or i'll go in there and shut you up!" Said the Guard on the right.
Mere moments later he notices Springflut talking to the guards outside. They both nod to him before stepping aside. Springflut enters with his right hand behind his back and closes the door with his left. He walks up to Apricot and kneels to him.
"So are you finally ready to tell me the whereabouts of the Summer Maiden?" Asked Springflut
"Go…burn in hell" Apricot said
Springflut's facial expression flares before forcibly calming back down.
"Well that's too bad i really didn't want to bust this out but if i need to so be it." Said Springflut
He stands up and reveals his right hand which is holding a large hunting knife. He brings the knife right to Apricot's right cheek. He could barely register the speed of Springflut's movements.
"The way i see it Professor you have two options here. Either you tell me Summer's whereabouts, or i kill all four of your students." Said Springflut
"if you do anything to them I'll"
Before Apricot can finish speaking Springflut proceeds to slowly cut his cheek. Apricot yells in pain as he feels the blood pour from his wound. Springflut stops when the knife reaches the tip of his chin.
"So want to tell me now? it's your choice Professor" Said Springflut as he wipes off his blood tipped knife with his sleeve.
"Okay! I'll tell you i don't know who it is, but Shade does he knows who she is where she lives everything." Apricot said.
Springflut smirks before suddenly bursting into laughter.
"What's so funny?" Asked Apricot surprised
"It's funny that the moment you face imminent death you betray one of closest friends the one you've known for over 40 years. It's so amusing when one faces death their willing to say or do anything to save their own hide. I shouldn't be surprised since it's coming from a senile dog like you." Said Springflut
Apricot says nothing as Springflut faces the door.
"Guards get in here and treat his wound but make sure it's painful!" Springflut called
"Yes Sir" Said a male guard as they both walk in with First Aid kits. Springflut starts to walk away to the door.
"Springflut!" Apricot called
He stops and turns his head slightly right to Apricot's direction.
"Do you believe in fate?" Apricot said
"Yes" Said Springflut frowning, narrowing his eyes as he leaves.