Chapter 2

"Sorry for the office being a mess, but, much like my apartment, I haven't had visitors in recent weeks."

"How come?" Jaune asked.

"Some students are still stuck in Vale and the Academy's been shut down for a couple of weeks because of the attack," Acadian said with a bit of a grim tone. The five looked at him then at the office, which was illuminated thanks to a switch that Acadian hit immediately after opening the door. The dark green carpet complemented not only the mahogany desk on which a computer rested but the shelving as well, which housed various awards, books and a stand for Solstice, which he put it on. He sat down in the nice leather chair at his desk and invited anyone to sit in the two chairs in front of him.

"Coffee or tea?"

"Tea sounds fantastic," Ren said, taking a seat with Jaune.

"It would if I had asked before I got comfortable," Acadian grumbled, getting a few chuckles.

"I got it Acadian," Qrow said as he got up and walked over to a little table with a kettle already full of water.

"Mighty appreciative of that."

"What do you teach her Professor Zaffre?" Ruby asked as she looked over the books on his shelves.

"Combat. I did a mission here and there for a few years then moved on to teaching so that the next generation could be ready. I have a question for you guys: do you know what happened to Pyrrha Nikos? I never got to teach her but I got to watch her fight and man, she was unbelievable."

Acadian said all of this with a smile that quickly changed as he saw the faces of the four students change quickly, confusing him until it dawned on him.

"Oh don't tell me…"

"That's why we came Acadian, that's what I need you for," Qrow said in a solemn tone after handing Ren a cup of tea. He walked over to Acadian and handed him three manila folders, "Anything you know on those three?"

"And if you knew anything else on a thief named Roman Torchwick, that might help too," Ruby quipped. She was now looking through one of the two windows in the office that overlooked the capital city. Acadian nodded, looked at the pictures in the folders, read over the information and then threw all three on the desk.

"Hate to say it but it seems like I'm no use to you guys. Those three never came through these halls, I know nothing about them."

All five looked at Acadian in shock, who looked around at all of them without blinking, holding his gaze. This continued on for only a few moments until Ruby zoomed over to Acadian, shocking him as she looked down at him.

"Check the computer and all the records you guys have. They have to be in there."

"No they don't Ms. Rose because they won't be in there," Acadian shot back, looking her over, not appreciating the sudden, somewhat threatening tone.

"Guys-"

"They killed our friend! We need to know who they are!" Ruby yelled, cutting off Ren who sighed as she yelled. Acadian stood up, grabbed Ruby's arm and slightly pushed her into the chair, spinning it so that she was facing the computer screen.

"You find them," Acadian said in a deadpanned tone, moving to one of his bookshelves as Jaune moved over to Ruby to help her look for the names in the folders. Qrow moved to Acadian and got close to him so only Acadian could hear him.

"Don't manhandle my niece like tha-"

"Don't come into my office with peace and threaten war," Acadian whispered to Qrow. The two held a look for a few seconds, neither flinching.

"Is this all you needed me for? You could've just called me when you got in the city."

"How? The CCT is still down in Vale idiot."

"Fine, left a message for me here. Don't make me look like the bad guy here Qrow. What else do you need me for? There's no way that's your only lead."

Before the elder Hunter could answer they both looked after hearing sighs of irritation. The four young Hunters were all looking at the computer screen, pouring over the names, looking for any clue, anything that could point them in the right direction.

"Nothing on Cinder, Mercury or Emerald?" Qrow asked. Jaune looked at him then down at the desk, shaking his head.

"Told you," Acadian whispered so only Qrow could hear, "They would've had to have taken my combat class. I may have shit memory for a 24-year-old, but I would've remembered them."

"Thanks for the help Acadian," Qrow said, walking over to the four.

"Why them?" Acadian asked loudly, "What did they do?"

"They caused all the destruction at Vale and Beacon," Ren answered quietly, confusing the professor.

"Last I checked that was Atlas robo-"

"It was these three," Nora said, "Which is why I think Ruby asked for info on… what was his name?"

"Torchwick," she replied sullenly, "I think he was helping them."

"All I know is that he's a thief. So, what made you guys come to me about those three?"

"They said they came from Haven, that's why I thought you would know," Qrow said as Jaune looked over the sparse information in the files. Acadian poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip and looked to Qrow and knew the look that he was getting from him. A look that meant he would be in it for the long haul, that he would be needed as more than just a contact or a lead.

"How about you kids take a night to yourself, hm?" Acadian asked, the four looking at him, "My place is 10 blocks away. We can all crash there and try and figure things out; you guys can enlighten me on everything and then I'll see how I can help, okay?" he said with what he was hoping was a genuine smile.

"Sorry for being rude earlier, I'm not used to kids yelling at me," he said with a chuckle. Thankfully he got genuine smiles and a few chuckles in return from the young Hunters, easing his mind as he finished his tea and they prepared to head out.

The black figure looked around her dim, purple domain then at the moon with her red eyes. Black veins stained her snow-white skin, her body showing calm while her mind started to irritate as she waited patiently until she felt the presence of the three.

"It took you three long enough," she bellowed in a cruel yet smooth tone. A man clad in red and white stepped forward then kneeled.

"Sorry ma'am, such short notice left us a bit unprepared," he said loudly in a light voice as his two companions, a man and a woman, copied his motions.

"Stand," she said and descended the long flight of steps down to them, the three doing as she ordered.

"What is the problem?" the leader asked, putting his arms behind his back.

"Your old teammate is getting involved in a very dangerous game," she said, sliding one of her white fingers across his chest, sending a slight shiver through his body.

"Why?"

"They believe he will help. Before you go after them however, I need you three for something else. There are two in Vale that aided Cinder… bring them to me."

"What do you need them for? We can take care of him and his friends no problem," the female said, earning a glare from the mysterious woman.

"I wish to recruit… do not test me child," she responded, her red eyes burrowing into the mind of the female.

"Yes Ms. Salem, I apologize," she responded, making sure not to let her fear slip into her voice.

"Go," Salem said, sending the three off through a red portal she conjured. They left at once without a word, leaving the Maiden alone in her domain again, a smirk coming across her face.

"What are you trying to set in motion Ozpin?" she asked.

Just wanted to say thank you guys so much for all the favs and follows, I honestly did not expect so many for just the first chapter (and I know some are thinking 'Dude, you only got like 7 of each.' but that's a huge deal to me. Thank you guys for that, you wouldn't believe how much of a confidence boost that is. I know these first two chapters have been short, but I promise that the rest will not be, I really wanted these to just be the setup and yes, they could've been together but I decided 'fuck it, split'em up. Hope you guys enjoyed and I'll see you soon with Chapter 3! Please review and if you like it a lot fav and follow!