Chapter 3:
By My
Shoulder

"…And by my shoulder protect thee." Those words had echoed in Jaune's ears from the moment Pyrrha had pushed him into the locker at Beacon. Try as he might he couldn't remember how she had started that passage and that terrified him. And thus he had taken to actively forcing that memory to replay in his mind for fear he would forget the sound of her voice, her touch, her smell, or her… He was truly terrified he'd forget. The moment he'd seen her in that steel pod beneath the tower his throat had caught and his chest tightened even greater than when they had when he had watched her faux casket being lowered. Grieve tempered to a blade by guilt had struck him then. He had turned that memory into a mantra at that moment and, even though he hadn't realized it himself, the voice had changed from her to his own. No longer a memory for him, but now a promise by him.

So he basked in ever repeating round of Pyrrha's words, the mantra a cadence to the pace of his feet on the sidewalks. After the battle the students had been moved from the dorms to a hotel a little over a mile into the city. The streets here were largely untouched save for a few scatterings of rubble here and there that had, for the most part, been gathered. The people of Remnant were quick to pick up the pieces. He didn't know how many laps of his chosen path between the Hotel and the Eastern Landing Pad he'd made that night and he didn't care.

His legs and joints ached and his lungs burned yet he paid them no mind; instead simply letting the cooling fall air assault his throat and the mantra grow louder in his ears against the wind. Pyrrha would be angry with his latest adjustments to his training regime that she had built for him but he needed to blow off some steam. With Ren and Nora still grappling with the realizations of the day, and waiting on Jaune to come around, he couldn't have bothered either to spar with him. So running it was. Running as far as his legs would let him. So long as he had that memory he'd not need to slow or divert.

However, something strange was happening. As he tried to recall her voice from the moment she'd pushed her own aura into him, without his notice, the voice he heard slowly began to change. The strides got easier as his legs felt lighter. His mind cleared without the constant sting in his lungs pressing upon his focus. At some point he had stopped remembering Pyrrha as she had been near a year ago and instead envisioned her as she was at that moment; Still and cold in the metal pod beneath Beacon. At some point Pyrrha's voice was no longer the one speaking to him; It had become his own promise spoken to her. the same words echoed in his head as an oath to himself that he would be the shoulder that protects now.

Jaune never looked to at his reflection in the glass windows of the buildings he passed. He never looked into the faces of the few others who were out on the streets. He never noticed the soft glow that had enveloped his body or the well of light that began to emanated from his eyes. He was too absorbed in his own head to even see the bit of rubble that had yet to be swept off the concrete at the next bend. His foot, however, was not too absorbed in thought to miss catching on it. Jaune stumbled forward and whipped his hands out to catch his fall with a sharp yelp. Momentum carried him forward into a roll until he came to rest against the side of the nearest building.

"Ow… that was- ouf- graceful." he commented quietly to himself. He was fortunate that he'd rolled toward the building and not the street but still not so fortunate that he had just rolled forward instead of trying to catch himself as he was trained to. His hands, bloody and speckled with debris, had taken the brunt of the fall. Wincing as he pushed himself up with his forearms to lean against the wall Jaune kicked himself for not paying attention again. Pyrrha would be really pissed if I got hit by a car after all that work she put in to train me. he thought as he rested his elbows on his knees and caught his breath. Looking around he tried to gather his bearings, having lost all notion of his location while running single-mindedly.

He'd somehow managed to fall right at the end of his latest path away from the Hotel as across the street was the open expanse of the Landing Pad, several large Shuttles still in dock. Normally half of these shuttles would have docked at the Beacon side of the cliffs so that Huntsmen and Huntresses in training could take them to the city but with the school abandoned there were almost too many for the dock to handle. A three story turret in the middle of the pavilion was the pilot shack and control center. The bottom story was open to the air with numerous counters where the tickets were sold. a pole with a blinking light on top just in front of the ticket counters bore a white sign with a large red cross; one of the cities numerous public first aid stations. Looking from the pole to his hands Jaune started the arduous task of standing up.

Not wanting to bloody his jeans he was careful to keep his palms away from his knees and instead had to brace his back against the building and shimmy his way up. His legs screamed against the action and he hissed through gritted teeth, suddenly acutely aware of how far he must have pushed himself. So that's why Pyrrha always said to only go for a few miles at most, awesome. It took a few tries to get himself standing but once he'd finally managed to get up and waddle to the post he grimaced and reached into his hoodie to carefully take out his scroll and press it to the box. It beeped having registered his usage of the kit and the boxes door opened with a click and he got to work tending his wounds.

A small bottle of water mixed with sanitizer washed the scrapes and cuts of the bits of stone and glass, with a fair bit of sting to let him know it was working. Ow ow ow ow ow! Finally done rinsing the wounds he wrapped his palms in gauze. He almost shut the box then but feeling the throbbing in his legs he clicked a dispenser for a pain killer and swallowed the pill then closed the kit. He knew his aura would allow him to heel before too long, and the cuts weren't that deep, but he also remembered Ren chastising him about proper care for his many injuries. Looking down at his haphazard job of applying bandage to himself he sighed and stuck his hands in his hoodie to start the long walk back.

He'd barely winced through two steps before his scroll began to vibrate in his pocket. Succumbing to his exhaustion from the day and his exercise he didn't bother checking the ID before answering, "Hello?"

"Yeah, this is that whiny kid from earlier, right?" a horse and familiar voice hauntingly asked.

Jaune blinked in confusion, "What the-? How did you get my number?"

"Bit of an obvious answer to that, unless you weren't acting and you really are that dumb." he coughed and cleared his throat, "Anyway, I promised Glynda I'd let you know if Ms. Nikos woke up. so I am. she regained concio…." Jaune didn't hear the rest. he didn't care. Before the man had finished getting the words out of his mouth the teen was already rushing to the shuttle counter and pounding on the door to the upper floors. The ships didn't run this late but there were pilots on duty at all times just in case of emergency. he figured this counted. If he couldn't convince them then he'd just find the nearest locker.

-vv- Vale; Xiao Long Residence -vv-

Ruby was still stunned, "Hello? Ruby? Are you there?" Jaune's voice called from the receiver that had drifted from her face. It was cold in her room, the chilly nights of autumn always hit the forest the hardest, and the darkness was only cut by the light of her scroll so she didn't notice the small wet tracks that tears had built on her face as they welled from her eyes. A chilling tear drop landed on the back of her supporting hand to cut the last vestiges of sleep from her mind.

"Yeah! Yeah, Jaune, I'm here. That's just- just great news." She rubbed her face and sniffed back her tears, "Where are you?"

"I'm on a Shuttle to Beacon, took some convincing but it was an emergency so I managed somehow. Ren and Nora are already on their way too, you need to hurry, we don't know how long she'll be awake for. But it's gotta be a good sign!"

Ruby hopped out of her bed and hit the bedside light while running to her closet, "Yeah, I'll head that way soon! I'll get Uncle Qrow to take me! That's terrific news Jaune!" they spoke for a few more moments before the manic Jaune finally hung up letting Ruby shuffle out of her oversized pajamas and get into a grey thermal sweater shirt and some black running pants with red piping. Rushing into the family room she dove onto the couch shoulder first with a cry, "Uncle Qrow!"

The couch let out a huff as she landed. Qrow was trying to sleep on the furniture as he always did when drunk. His arms flailed as he was assaulted and he nearly swung but he had tempered his combat reflects over years of rough housing with his nieces. "Jeez!" he winced as he sat up and held Ruby aloft at arm's length before dropping her onto the floor beside the couch with a thud, "What's up, Kiddo?" he asked with a yawn, rubbing his glazed and sleepy eyes.

"I need you to take me to Beacon, right away!" she tugged at his collar to get him off the couch, to no avail, "Jaune called and said Pyrrha woke up! Come on, come one, come on!" she insisted, pulling harder on a different limb each time.

Qrow slowly roused himself and stretched before retrieving his things, including his Scythe. Casting an eye to Ruby he noticed she was in unusual attire and unarmed, "Grab your kit, Kiddo, there are still Grimm that have managed to lay low about."

Ruby sped to the closet near the front door in a flash of red and whipped it open. She retrieved her ammo belt and her best, non sentient friend; Crescent Rose. She clicked the belt on and grabbed one of several identical cloaks from a rack by the door before turning to Qrow, "Ready!" she announced.

Qrow, barely past half asleep, smiled at her enthusiasm. He patted her on the head and both stepped to the door. Ruby glanced over her shoulder back into the halls. Yang's door stoop closed in the dark, like a question Ruby had no answer to. She wanted to go wake her sister, to tell her about Pyrrha, perhaps offering her a bit of solace to the turbulent troubles in her mind. But something held her back; a memory. She couldn't shake the memory of Yang's face after she had awoken nor could she stop thinking about how she'd been so adamant about not attending the memorial. All told the once happy and outgoing Yang was broken in a way Ruby didn't know how to fix, and all she could think about was that if she wasn't careful about where she stepped she could end up breaking her beloved sister even further.

The man noticed her internal struggle but decided to say nothing, instead just taking a swig from his flask. True, he knew that they should have told Yang what was going on last night, but as Ruby never broached the subject he'd elected to keep his mouth shut. His family wasn't particularly good at communication so he had no right to complain or judge. Instead he opened his scroll and selected an option that pinged a nearby patrol craft. Huntsmen were able to commandeer the City Police VTOLs to rapidly deploy, and he'd used this system many times to his advantage. More times than not he used the system for unofficial purposes, I.E.; he had a lecture coming his way later but tonight was legitimate. An alert on the screen informed him that a near by craft would be at a rendezvous point in a few minutes not far from the house. He grasp Ruby by the shoulder, "Time's wasting, kiddo, we gotta move before our ride gets here.

Ruby agreed and together they headed out the doorway. She cast one long silver glance at the door in the hall before finally shutting the front door and locking the bolt.

-vv- Vale: Beacon Landing Pad -vv-

The Shuttle's ramp was grinding along, gliding steadily from the top of the hatch to the bottom, at a pace that was far too slow for Jaune. At some point the ramp reached a 45 degree incline and Jaune saw enough room if he ducked. The jump was higher than he'd expected, being that he had launched himself out the back of the shuttle with little regard for the total distance he hadn't even considered that the fall might have been greater than the view from within the vessel had indicated. It was a good fifteen foot fall and would definitely have hurt had his training not paid off for once. He activated his aura and dove into the fall, rolling along the ground and coming up running toward the tower in the distance.

He had nothing else on his mind anymore since he'd already contacted the others while able to do nothing else on the ride up to the plateau. Jaune had made sure to tell the pilot there were more on their way. Nora and Ren would likely be at the other pad by the time the shuttle got back, and Ruby said she was coming with her Uncle so, being a full fledged Huntsmen, he'd probably call for a direct shuttle and be there before long as well. "I'll I've got to do is not trip on my way to the stairs!... Again." He commented to himself.

The campus was more apocalyptic at night than it had been that day, bringing memories of the battle fresh to his mind as he entered the main floor of the tower. He was concerned about what he'd do to get the hidden stair to be accessible but the stone was already moved aside as if awaiting his arrival. Retching the steel door that remained open he bolted down the stairs. He took the steps two at a time, sometimes more, and had to sling his body around the platform at the first six doors. When finally he came to the sixth he was winded, a common feat that evening, but never paused as he pulled at the latch. He nearly pulled his shoulder out as the locked door refused to budge. Frustration mounted as Jaune tried to push the door next to no avail. He slammed his fist against the steel several times had enough that he knew they would bruise. His voice reverberated up the shaft as he shouted through the barrier, "Hey! Doctor! It's Jaune! Open up!"

Nothing.

Jaune Pounded and called again but nothing changed. Finally he tried one more time, "Please, Doctor, It's the Mopey Guy! Can you open the do-ooour!" Without warning the door shunted back and slapped Jaune in the face. He stumbled back holding his nose onto the landing.

"Oh! Hey, didn't hear ya out here with all that racket some idiot was making, come on in!" The disheveled scientist exclaimed with too much glee. Jaune groaned as he stood and trounced into the undercroft. At any other moment he might have at least tried to stand up for himself but the moment his eyes caught on the open hatch of the pod at the end of the long hall he stepped forward to break into another run. He made it about two steps before something snagged his hoodie and brought him, once again, to the ground. "Now hold your horses, kid, you're way too wound up!" the doctor advised, "Look, seriously, she's still in a delicate condition, don't go getting overly excited and causing her undue stress."

For the first time, at least when speaking to Jaune, the man's voice was measured and genial. Standing slowly the teen made to advance only to turn around and put out his hand, "Sorry, Doc, you're right. Thanks."

Twitching his mustache and beards side to side the large man sighed and accepted the youth's outstretched hand, "Yeah, kid, you're welcome."

"I'm Jaune Arc, by the way."

"Doctor Polendina." He pulled his hand from Jaune's grasp and motioned for him to move on, "Get going, she's waiting on you."

Jaune didn't need any further provocation as he headed across the expansive hall to the Pod. The doctor, perhaps wanting to give them as much privacy as the massive echoing space allowed, stepped through the door and into the stair well. That was out of sight and out of mind for Jaune. He had a laser focus on the girl laying in the pod before him.

The device had been inclined to more closely resemble a hospital bed. Pyrrha was snoozing softly in the white linen that surrounded her, her red hair ringing her pale head in contrast. Jaune slowed as he got closer from his jog and gingerly approached the device. Until now he hadn't had a clear view of her condition. The tube that circled her face just beneath her nose, the IV bandaged to her arm, and the wraps across her shoulders and legs drove her status home. Her hair was dull compared to its usual sheen and her face sullen, her eyes closed and ringed by dark circles. Her lips that had been so soft and warm that night were now glazed and slightly chapped. Her skin was taught across her face and arms but most startlingly was the lack of color to her. Pyrrha had always been pale however at that moment it would be a contest to who would vanish into the snow faster, Weiss or Pyrrha. She looked like a corpse. He had to grasp the side of the capsule to steady his legs.

Jaune thought he had prepared himself for seeing her on the ride to the academy however all his bravado had fled in the presence on his teammate. He hated that she was hurting so but even now he did not discount her beauty. She was wizen and wasted and still through it all kept her fairness. He was acutely aware of the soft, rhythmic hiss of the breathing device and of the sharp, merciless beep of the vitals monitor. The two sounds stung his ears with the reality of how close to death she had come. He ground his teeth at the thought that he'd taken to long and she was asleep again.

Hours ago when he'd first seen her in the pod he'd done his best to keep his actions in check but his anger had boiled over. Now it was elation that was breaching his emotional levees. His eyes glistened with moisture as he fought back tears, not wanting to look so sappy if she should open her eyes. His hands witched and trembled with desire to take hers, to caress her face, and to share his warmth with her but he hesitated. He may have just stood there looking remorseful until the others had come along had his eyes not fixated on her face.

A band of her fiery bangs had draped down obscuring part of that beautiful face from him. Before he could think to stop it his fingers reached up and brushed the hair behind her ear in a tinder motion. The feel of her velvet skin beneath his fingers brought a genuine smile to his face. As his arm moved from her face he found a startling green shining at him.

Pyrrha was snoozing soundly, barely able to keep her eyes open until the moment that she had felt a hand on her face. She recognized those slightly calloused and gentle fingers. Opening her eyes she found the sight of a slightly smiling Jaune. The EKG beeped faster with the sudden surge in her pulse. Jaune! she thought as her parched mouth tried to speak but no sound came out I thought I'd never see you again! She pleaded for the strength to speak as tiny chills ran down her face on the tracks of her tears. She tried to vocalize again but only managed a horse, "Jus…" before a coughing fit hit. Her body barely shook at the tiny coughs that it was able to muster.

The young man was momentarily transfixed by those piercing green eyes. Her skin had paled and her hair turned dull but her eyes had lost none of their vibrancy. When she began to cough he realized she must be thirsty and looked about for something to give her. Mercifully there was a glass of water and a straw sitting on a small table beside the bed. Reaching across her he was reminded how slender he was as he didn't stretch in the slightest to reach it. The pod was clearly designed for women, as he doubted his frame could fit within the device. "Hold on, don't try to talk yet." he cautioned as he brought the glass to her face. Leaning in he gently wormed her arm behind her head to help her sit up enough to drink and spun the straw to her lips. "Here, drink slow now."

Pyrrha gratefully accepted and had a few gulps. It was painful to swallow but she did so. After a few sips she nodded in appreciation. For several moments they quietly looked at one another, both torn between speaking and wanting to let that moment last forever; with Jaune cradling her in his arm and leaned in it was almost an embrace. Finally Jaune broke the silence, "You're alive."

"I'm alive." she parroted in a choked voice, "And you're here."

"I'm here."

Pyrrha struggled but finally got her hand to respond, raising her right hand to take his left. Jaune grasp it tightly and held on. "I-I thought that… when I left."

"I'm sorry." Jaune tightened his grip on her hand as he turned from her, unable to look her in the eye. "I should'a- I wasn't-"

"It's alright Jaune. I'm sorry too." Words were near useless to them as Jaune knelt by her bedside without ever releasing her hand and placed a small kiss on her forehead.

"I promise I'm gonna help you get better, Pyrrha," He whispered, "this time, by my shoulder I'll protect you"

"Thank you, Jaune." Pyrrha squeaked out, "What happened at the battle?"

Jaune filled her in, doing the lions share of the talking, while the exhausted Pyrrha listened in. "You did it, Pyrrha, you made the difference." he told her while pulling up a nearby stool, "Your fight kept Cinder there, kept her and her dragon from scattering more Grimm around the city. Then when Ruby hit them with… uh… you know, I don't exactly know what Ruby and you did up there but I know whatever it was it worked. Cinder and her pals were forced to retreat and we were able to hold the city…" He looked away, "But, uh."

"But what?"

For a moment he considered lying to her, glossing over the situation and leaving her only with the good news. However knowing he didn't want to lie to her about anything anymore drove him onward, "The tower can't transmit. We've got short range signals and can pick up transmissions from the other kingdoms but we can't call out… it's, huh, it's been a difficult few weeks." He forced himself to look her in the eyes again, "I've called the others, their on their way. Everybody made it through. Us, Ruby's team… although Yang was injured but she'll be fine. a few of the upperclassmen were hurt too. We lost several fourth year teams entirely, but Goodwitch think's their is still hope that they might make contact."

Pyrrha was surprised to hear that, "Goodwitch?" momentary curiosity for why Ozpin wasn't taking control was replaced by understanding, "So Cinder wasn't lying. She really did get Professor Ozpin?" Jaune nodded. "Jaune, that's- ugh" She broke into a fit of coughs for a moment that made Jaune stand up in alarm. "I-I'm Fi-fine, Jaune, ahem, I'm fine. Just... really tired." she admitted.

"Okay, "He leaned in and helped her get back into a comfortable position, "I'll tell the guys. We aren't going anywhere, you just rest and get better. Okay?" Jaune wasn't sure what took him at that moment but something drove his next move. He leaned in and gave Pyrrha a tender kiss on her forehead an wrapped his arms around her; entangling her in an embrace and holding her close.

She desperately wanted nothing more than to steal this time and stop the world from turning. She didn't want to speak, or tell him her own truth. Radiating his warmth with hers. they stayed like that for quite some time before she finally worked up the nerve to break the silence, "Jaune?" she whispered.

He had a gentle smile on his lips that hadn't left them since he'd held her close, "Hmm?"

"I… uh… I have to tell you something." her voice cracked along with his smile.

-vv- Vale: Beacon Undercroft -vv-

How she managed to keep herself awake for so long actually surprised the doctor; however by the time he returned with Nora and Ren in tow Pyrrha was fast asleep, her fingers still intertwined with Jaune's. "Sorry guys." he addressed his friends, "She fell asleep a few minutes ago." Jaune avoided eye contact, a trait only Ren seemed to pick up on.

"No, it's fine!" Nora assured through large tearful eyes full of glee and disappointment! "But she's okay?"

"She needs her rest so keep it down, you lot." the doctor advised as he adjusted her bed back down into a laying position and checked her monitors. "I wasn't sure she'd wake up at all. I told you she was a fighter. However I'm going to put her on a sedative to help her rest. She may have come around but she needs more sleep to continue her recovery." he advised.

"So, we won't get to see her?" Nora asked hesitantly.

Sighing the doctor blushed, apparently weak to young girls' sad looks, "I'll calculate the dosage so she should wake up tomorrow morning. You can come see her then, all of you."

"He's right. Let's go talk in one of the class rooms." Ren suggested as he wanted to know what had driven Jaune into a corner of his own mind.

As the teens turned to head up the stairs the Doctor huffed, "Qrow, a moment, please." The older huntsman gestured for the kids to continue on their own. Ruby was curious but only so much that she was the last to leave, closing the steel door behind her.

As many can attest there are few things creepier than a school building after dark. It feels alien and empty with a healthy dash of quiet noises that while ever present were near taken notice of during the hustle of the day. Imagine how creepy a familiar building like that must feel after a war has struck. Beacon sent a chill up their spines like a haunted house at a carnival. Taking the familiar corridors around to one of the annex buildings, stepping past holes in the walls and piles of rubble, the group arrived at Professor Port's class room. Ruby tried the handle for the door only to find it would to turn. However a high pitched creaking sound that echoed through out the hall clued her in to step back. Her touch had destabilized the door and after a moment of resistance it tilted back and fell inward with a loud bang.

When the team had picked theirs jaws off the floor, next to the door, they stepped into the classroom. The desks were torn apart, clear paths of damage detailed a fight that covered the room; the front table was broken a third of the way down, bullet holes peppered the black board, and every tier higher into the stadium seating had less seats than the last. Gathering around the front row, where Ruby and Nora took a seat and the men simply formed a ring in front, they took a moment to take stock. "This has been a lot to take in." Ruby admitted grasping her head.

"That's putting it mildly." Nora agreed, putting her head down.

Jaune placed a hand on Ren's shoulder, "Sorry you guys didn't get here before she fell asleep again." Ren and Nora gave him reassuring smiles but they did little to assuage his guilt.

"Its okay, we're just happy she's awake." Ruby asserted, "So, uh. how did she look? Did she talk to you?"

"She, well, she spoke and uh… other stuff," he paused, searching for the right words, remembering the moments they had shared, and trying to stifle the blush that came to his cheeks, "Well she's, Ahem!" he pointedly cleared his throat at the two giggling girls; Clearly his blush had not gone unnoticed as he had hoped.

He wished he could let that jovial moment linger but knew time wasn't on their side and moved past it, "Yeah, anyway, it's not all good news." he felt the slight amusement drain from the air, "She's weak, which is a phrase I didn't ever think I'd use for Pyrrha, but even with waking up she isn't recovering. The doctor says her regaining consciousness means that the machine should be working but he told- uh... H-her vitals haven't changed near as much as they should have… So, even now we-uh." he sighed, "Look, I don't know! I just, I don't think- arg why is this so hard to say!"

Ruby raised a surprised brow, "Uh, Jaune, are you okay?"

"No, I'm not, but that doesn't matter right now." he took a deep breath and held it for several seconds to steady himself before continuing, "Pyrrha, she," he swallowed hard, "she can't feel her legs."

Everyone straightened out, sitting or standing taller and uncrossing their arms, "Wait, you mean? Did the doctor say if she was- you know." Nora questioned shyly.

"Yeah." Jaune confirmed, "All the signs point to nerve damage from the battle. He told me even if she recovers she'll probably never walk again." he took a second, "Pyrrha's been paralyzed."

Ren was normally unreadable, keeping his emotions in check, however as if Jaune saying the words actually finalized the truth to him his facade of control fell slightly, "That can't… Pyrrha is the strongest of us all, there is no way that…" taking a tighter grip in his hands and on his emotions he stopped, "What else?"

"As I said, her vitals aren't improving either. Dr. Polendina told me that she shouldn't have woken up at all yet. There was a spike just over two hours ago, just before she regained consciousness, but it wasn't something he said he could explain."

Ruby thought back to Yang and what she'd told her the day she had awoken, "Sometimes things happen… good and bad." she actually smiled without much effort, "We've been having so many bad things happen lately I'd say we were owed a miracle or two."

"Yeah… we should take what we can get." Jaune was looking at his palm, the one that had held Pyrrha's hand for so long. Still, if her vitals don't improve she'll… he grasp his fist tightly closed around the resolve he had summoned from that terrifying thought, "Guys, I know it's stupid and dangerous. But… I'm still going after Cinder."

Ren, Nora, and Ruby all looked between each other, faces wrinkled in confusion. Finally Nora turned to Jaune with a blunt response, "Uh, duh."

"Wha-?"

"Of course we're still going. What, that was even a question?"

Jaune went slack-jawed, "Um, I'll repeat; Wha?"

"Just because Pyrrha woke up doesn't change what Cinder did," Ren added, "And like Goodwitch said, 'even if we let it go she'd just come back and finish the job.' That woman is like a weed and we need to take her out by the root, otherwise she'll continue to be a problem."

"Exactly," Ruby jumped in, "We've got to stop her!" she thought back to how she felt holding Penny in her arms, "Pyrrha, Yang… Penny… They aren't the only people she hurt." Standing she leaned over the banister desk and put her hand out in a fist. Nora quickly grinned and did the same, placing her fist next to Ruby's. Ren huffed and put his fist forward next. Finally all eyes turned to Jaune.

"Right. Thanks guys." He stepped forward and added his fist to the circle. Their resolve was sealed.

-vv- Vale: Undercroft -vv-

"So, doc, what's up? Qrow inquired as the door to the stairs closed.

"Too many things to count," the grumpy scientist grumbled as he fidgeted into his pockets, "But let's start with this." after a moment he withdrew a familiar object to Qrow, indeed to all of Beacon; It was a black and silver cane handle, a large clock face medallion at the center and a glass pommel braced in silver and covering inner gear workings. The Headmaster's Cane. Ozpin's weapon was as much a symbol of the man as his coffee mug and school were. "We need him, sooner rather than later. And finding him is your job." the man handed the cane over to Qrow, who reservedly took it. "I don't suppose he ever mentioned any thing? A clue, perhaps?"

Thinking back Qrow slowly shook his head, "Nah, this wasn't at all part of his plans." the Doctor gave a weary sigh and began scratching the back of his neck. "How did you guys find him, when it happened last time?"

"Well, we didn't. He found us, really. Matter of fact I think that's typically how it went." He gestured for them to take a seat at a table and chairs that had been brought down and set to the right of the room. Polendina offered Qrow some coffee from a thermos to which the latter politely declined. "You've got to understand, usually it was expected when it finally happened;" he poured himself a cup and took a deep gulp of the steaming liquid, "Oliver, for example, went out fighting one of the Queen's Knights… I suppose Ozpin did the same. But for Oliver he went searching for the battle. He had a fortress to return to and once he awoke as Ozpin he found his way here and took up his post shortly after. But now… well."

"Now our enemy has the initiative." Qrow completed the man's thought as he opened his flask and took a gulp of his own, "So he can't really return here again. And we can bet that She is going to be busy now too, trying to capitalize on the short period of time before Oz gets back on his feet."

The doctor looked sourly at his cup, "If he gets back on his feet."

Qrow stopped mid drink and slowly sat up, placing his flask heartily onto the table, "What's that supposed to mean, Doc?" the Doctor stayed quiet, "Are you telling me he-"

"I'm not saying anything definite!" he shot back forcefully, "However…. Qrow, this is unprecedented. Never has the Wizard been felled by one of the Maidens. We're in uncharted territory." he explained, "We don't know anything about the base powers that govern these things. They defy all science and reason, which causes me no small headache!" pausing for a moment he let it sink in and took another swig of his coffee, "I'm not certain of anything and that uncertainty is why I'm telling you to get out there and try to find him. In the past he's come looking for us but that doesn't mean he'll be able too this time. If you're out there looking for him, and he is out there looking for you then it'll take half as long for you to find each other."

Qrow leaned forward and hung his head low, "You know, those kids up there are probably planning to go after that witch right now. You expect me to leave them to do that alone?"

Polendina waited for Qrow to see he was serious before answering with a resounding, "Yes." a stalemate of stares grew into an uncomfortable moment of quiet.

"Look, even if I did go out to find the next Oz we'll just pass by one another and never meet, you should keep this here for him to call for whenever he finally shows up." Qrow placed the cane on the table, slid it toward the doctor, and sat back with his arms crossed.

Polendina didn't speak until he'd finished his coffee, "Qrow, you weren't listening. He's not coming back here." he reiterated, "Cinder got the power of fall, but Fall's power doesn't access the reliquary here at Beacon. This fortress fell, Qrow, so he's not going to come here. He's going to head to where he can do the most good." he reached across and slid the cane back to Qrow. "You are who he chose for this job, Branwen, don't cop out now."

Qrow sat in quiet contemplation. When he finally chuckled slightly before picking up the cane and hooking it into his belt Polendina felt no small amount of relief, "Jeez, guess I owe you again, huh?"

"For motivating you, we'll call it even." he looked over his shoulder at Pyrrha's pod. "After all, you got me off my ass."

"Yeah… thanks again for what you've done for her." Qrow thought back to the night of the battle. He had discovered Pyrrha and Ruby atop the tower with James. Seeing how Pyrrha was clearly far more injured he'd told James to grab Ruby and take her down the tower while he brought Pyrrha to the basement. He'd found the Doctor there, inspecting the machine. He still couldn't believe his luck, "I don't know what we would have done if you weren't down here."

"Well, I was hoping the machine would be intact enough to help my Penny. But it wasn't. Still, I'm glad it could be of some use."

"I know it isn't easy for you. That's why I want to thank you, seriously, Doc. You didn't have to-"

The doctor cut him off with a waive of his hand, "Yeah I did." he stood, "Look, Qrow, I've been fighting these bastards a long, long time now. I've see them do terrible things. The moment I saw what Ms. Nikos did to my Penny I knew something was up."

Qrow stood as well, "You still watched her do it."

"It took you lot a few minutes to put 2 and 2 together with how your own niece had acted and then Ms. Nikos. I don't mean to brag but how long do you think it took a genius like me to figure it out?" He capped the thermos, fought back a coughing fit, and started walking back to the machine, "Appreciation and condolences aren't what I want out of you, Qrow, action is. Now get going. I need to tend to Ms. Nikos." Qrow didn't saw anything else and left the man to his thoughts.

As Dr. Polendina measured out the sedative and gently fed the needle into the IV from Pyrrha's arm he inwardly slapped himself again. The night Qrow had brought Pyrrha to him, bloody and wounded, he ashamedly hesitated. He almost didn't treat her, seeing only the girl who had killed his Penny. However back then he had literally slapped himself. He had hesitated the moment before putting that same IV in on the night of the battle and had instantly regretted it knowing how Penny would have been the one to hit him for such a thought. "It's hard to keep moving, as this next generation is just discovering," he inwardly mused, "but not near as hard as standing still."

-vv- Vale: Beacon Classroom 2-A -vv-

"Now that's some resolve." Qrow commented to the teens as they made their pact. He'd snuck up to the door and watched the proceeding from the hall. "So you're really going after her then?" he inquired.

Nora spoke first, "You bet your ass we are."

"Nora, language." Ren chastised half heartedly.

Jaune stepped toward Qrow, trying to keep his shoulders square and his voice even, "We can't just let them get away with this. We're Huntsmen, after all!" he was tall and confident until he deflated suddenly, "Right?"

While the youths all agreed Ruby kept a weather eye on Qrow, "Uncle Qrow? You're being awfully quiet… you're not going to try to stop us?"

Shrugging the old man just threw his hands up in a noncommittal gesture, "Why? You kids aren't stupid… well, most of you," he cast a glance at Jaune who huffed at him, "You know the risk. I'm sure you've thought this through." he stood away from the desk he'd been leaning on and beg pacing before them, "I'm sure you've all already considered that she's no ordinary opponent, she killed Ozpin for crying out loud." Nora twitched, "And I'm certain you've already thought about how you have no real idea where she went, other than 'West'. Right?" a glance at Ren made the stoic teen look away, "Plus you've all taken note of how none of you have ever been on a journey like this before and have literally no idea what you're doing. Yeah?" a look shot to Ruby and Jaune respectively made them both hang their heads.

"Look, kids. I don't think this is a good idea, you're not ready and you're not gonna succeed on your own. That said," he clapped his hands together to bring all their eyes back to him, "I know you little twerps would just go anyway. You're friend is in danger and you've lost comrades. So, rather than let you kids go off on you're own with no support why don't you come back to the house so Tai and I can plan our your journey."

Elated at his offer of help the team grinned and stood to cheer their resolve. Ruby gave Jaune a pat on the back before turning to her uncle again, "You think dad will really help?"

"Well," Qrow scratched the back of his head in thought, "Tai can be a bit hard to handle but once we explain the situation to him I don't see how he can say, 'No.'"

-vv- Vale: Xiao Long Residence -vv-

"No!"

"Huh, guess that's how." Qrow shrugged.

"How can you approve of this, so called, plan!?" Tai Yang roared at his teammate who shrunk back against a wall in the living room. Jaune, Rona, Ren, and Ruby all sat huddled on a single couch, awaiting punishment. Zwei had found a cozy spot on Ruby's lap and was watching the happenings with a twitching tail. Yang, however, was in the off set recliner, looking at her lap. "They! Are! Kids!" Tai continued his assault on Qrow, captivating team JNPR. Ruby, however, wasn't paying any attention. Her eyes were solely focused on Yang, whom they had told everything too when they'd arrived. Her face had been hidden by her bangs ever since. She had smiled when they told her Pyrrha was alive and dropped out of the conversation shortly there after. Ruby could just barely make out the tracks of tears that had dripped from her sister's downturned face into her palm that was resting in the center of her lap.

"Look, Tai, these guys have made up their minds; and, may I add, if that was one of our team members you'd do the same thing." He pushed Tai away from him lightly and stepped away from the wall, "Hell, we have done the same thing." Tai threw his hands up in frustration and stormed back to the chair opposite the couch. He near jumped into the chair and sat arms crossed staring the teenagers down but not saying anything.

Ruby barely registered their movements, however, as her own thoughts came to a boil and spilled out of her mouth in a strained voice, "Yang. Please, say something."

Looking up gingerly Yang tossed her hair back and sniffed hard to clear her red nose, "What do you want me to say?" she asked indignantly, "I'm thrilled Pyrrha is alive. Really, its the best news I've heard all month!" she genuinely smile for that but her eyes started to turn a darker purple as she looked to Ruby, "But," Ruby as afraid of this, "Why didn't you tell me last night, Ruby? What possible reason could you have for letting me think one of our friends was dead?"

Silence near deafened everyone in the room.

Ruby took some time before she could respond, "Yang. I, I don't know it just… I'm sorry…"

Yang stood up violently, "You know I'm really getting tired of hearing that excuse! 'I'm sorry' this, 'I'm sorry' that! Blake was sorry too but that won't bring my arm back or change how she ran away!" Her eyes flared red as she yelled but died back down when she had finished shouting. Her face and body fell as she dropped back into the chair. "If you're going to be sorry for something then don't do it in the first place." she mumbled.

"Wow…" Qrow huffed as he stepped past Tai, "You know, Yang, usually I have trouble believing you are my niece."

"Qrow." Tai hissed but when the black haired man shot him a glance the Blonde straightened his back and went silent.

Yang didn't miss that little exchange and glared at her uncle, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means, Blondie, normally I don't see a lick of Raven in you… well, physically sure, but you've never been like my sister." he sifted his foot back, as if bracing to strike a blow, "See you're mom wasn't' the dependable or understanding type but you? Well, you must have been trying awfully hard to break that streak."

"Now, hang on Qrow," Tai jumped in, "you both have taken this way too far."

Yang didn't look either in the eye as she whipped around the chair and darted back down the hallway toward her room. Tai immediately hit Qrow across the back of the head, thwap, and made to follow. "Wait, dad!" Ruby shot up, throwing Zwei to the ground with little ceremony; for which the annoyed corgi gave a small growl of displeasure before seeking out the now vacant chair as his new perch. Ruby stepped up and blocked his path to the back of the house, "Let me talk to her." pulling her arms close as if to shield herself she added meekly, "Please."

Tai gave it a moment's consideration before sighing loudly and hanging his head in defeat. Ruby turned without a word to head down the corridor as her Father took a seat again to speak with the others. "Fine, now walk me through your plan. If you an even call it that."

Their voices faded to Ruby as she again approached that barrier to her sisters room. It had been a long time since such borders had kept them separate; from bunk beds in the dorms room to their childhood Ruby couldn't remember a span of time that her sister had closed off her room so much. steeling her nerve she didn't knock before barreling through the door, "Yang! We have to talk." she announced with her eyes shut tight, not wanting to see her sister's furious face or what would be thrown at her. When no response but a tiny sniffle came she slowly cracked one eye. The sight shocked her other enough to demand both eyes open.

Yang was curled on her bed in a fetal position, crying softly into her arm. It was a distant memory but the last time Ruby had seen her sister like this was shortly after their mom had passed. Clutching her hands close to her chest she slowly approached, calling her sister's name softly. Yang didn't respond until tentatively Ruby placed her hands on her sister's shoulders. "Ruby… I… I'm sorry I-"

Ruby pulled her sister close into a hug and said nothing. They were sisters; words were unnecessary.

-vvvvv-

"I can't believe you want to let them do this!" Tai argued, head in his hands, "It's a suicide mission! We can't let them-"

Qrow rolled his eyes, "Oh for the millionth time we aren't letting them do anything, Tai." the blonde man stopped being dramatic, "Tai, when Summer and I were stuck behind enemy lines for two weeks Ozpin and Glynda literally locking you in the dorms didn't stop you and Raven from coming to our aid."

"Raven's Semblance made that a bit easier to manage, these kids would have to be out there on their own searching for one of the most dangerous people on the planet. She killed Ozpin!"

Qrow put his hands on his hips, 'Really? You think that matters to them? They aren't stupid, they know what they are risking. They aren't stupid, tai, but you sure are." He took out his flask and took a swig. "We can't stop these kids, okay? Get that through your blonde skull, they will do this with or without our help and as guardians one of those isn't even an option."

Tai held his ground for a few seconds but finally let out an exasperated gasp and sat back, crossing his arms, "Fine. You kids will need supplies and direction. Wish we could get you a ship but that's not really in the cards with the city on lock down and all."

"That's fine, Mr. Xiao Long, we'll find more clues if we head out on foot." Ren reasoned, "Besides, Nora and I roughed it from Mistral to Vale before. going backwards shouldn't prove much of a problem."

"Yeah!" Nora chimed in, "It was a crazy adventure! We got surrounded a dozen times but made it out by the skin of our teeth!"

"We stayed ahead of the Grimm, Nora likes to embellish." Ren explained

Jumping up Nora flexed, "Oh, and I got struck by lightning on the way!"

"That one, however, is true." he added to a slack jawed audience. Zwei made a mumble and tilted his head toward the two.

"Huh…" Qrow mused before everyone's attention turned to the hall. Ruby and Yang gingerly walked the long corridor together to rejoin the others. "You kids doing bet-ugh?!" Qrow fell backward as a pillow slammed into his face thrown by Yang.

"Yeah, we're doing fine…" She casually commented before looking to the others, "How about you guys?"

"We were just about to talk strategy. So;" Jaune cleared his throat and drew out his scroll to write on, "We'll need a map, to be sure. Also camp supplies. Water and food for five for , what do you think Ren? Three weeks?" He began a back and forth with his comrades.

"Uh, guys…." Ruby interjected. "There's only going to be four of us."

Tai looked to Yang who was again rubbing the nub of her right arm, "As I am now, I'd just get in the way. I have to get back into fighting shape." she reasoned, "If you're willing to help me, Dad?" she asked shyly.

Tai crossed the distance to her in a heartbeat and held her close, "Of course, anything for my Sunbeam." he whispered in her ear. Yang protested his being mushy in front of her friends but he wasn't willing to let go for a moment. When they finally broke apart he moved on to Ruby, "You sure about this sweetie?"

"Yeah, dad. we have to do this."

"You're not to actually engage her, you know that right. Go to Have n and find out what you can, then report back here. I can't leave," he looked to the others, "The council is going to need some hand holding from us veteran Huntsmen right now." he explained. Tai served as a representative for Signal on the Council of Vale, meaning he couldn't just up a leave and as Qrow had explained convincing Ruby to stay was not going to work.

Ruby raised her hand slightly, "What about Uncle Qrow?"

Having picked himself off the floor Qrow spoke for himself, "You kids can handle a journey to Haven. Can't cha?" he reached behind him and placed a hand on the cane's hilt, "Besides, I've got some things to look into on my end. I'll head to Mistral as soon as I'm done. Might even beat you lot there." glancing to Tai he gave his old teammate an unspoken glance that the other father returned, both catching the others meaning. "But you're journey will be dangerous. Sure you're up for it Kiddo?"

A quick glance between themselves showed none had lost the resolve they had forged in the classroom hours ago, "Count on it."

-Author's Notes: Sorry this took so long to post. The next chapters may be shorter as 9k is a bit chewy for a single chapter. I hope you are enjoying this story! I know I'm enjoying your reviews, faves, and follows so if you liked it come join us for more! I'm not planning to write over Christmas as it is one of the few times I can see my family so the next chapter will either be short or have to wait until the new year. Have a great 2018, everyone!

Oh, and as all ways, Read and Enjoy!