"Sir, if I may? I feel hiding in the shadows isn't going to accomplish anything at this point. I'd rather we'd get to actually doing something productive. Perhaps something like capturing Torchwick?"

"Patience is a virtue. I've spent this long in hiding, and revealing myself now would only jeopardize everything we've worked for in the last few years."

"I'm not talking about you sir. I want to do something. We were expecting to reveal ourselves anyway. We were expecting a crisis. But we get here to find Roman's plans have somehow been pushed back by teenagers, and you just want to continue to lay low?"

"We need to keep an eye on these girls. Perhaps it was just coincidence, but these three have unknowingly given us our second chance. I won't leave them to the wolves. When the time is right, we're getting them out too."

"Well then. You seem okay making this plan on the fly. Whatever happened to always be prepared? Plus don't you think we have enough problems getting the royals out?"

"You know very well I'm not fond of this impromptu mission anymore then you are. And I wouldn't worry about the royals. I'm sure the old boy has everything under control. I'd only wish he'd keep us posted more often."

"He's doing the best he can! You try having to live in shadows. Lying to your friends for years about who you really are!"

"…You do realize who you're talking to?"

"…"

"I thought so. Just keep an eye on Miss Long. I'll continue to follow the other two. Over and out."

"Hpm. Perhaps he should've continued to play dead. Ah well, it'll be most enjoyable watching Xiao Long massacre those rapscallions."


WWWWWWWW


Yang came to a stop at the main gates of Wonderland Warehouses. She got off her bike, removing her helmet and shaking her hair loose. She noted the gate was wide open. All the cameras were off, and there were no guards in sight.

Yang threw her helmet to the ground. Not even looking to see where it had landed. She walked through the gates calmly. No need to rush.

She could hear two to three guys watching her. They kept their distance at first, but as Yang made her way through they got closer and closer. Eventually walking side by side with her. They were wearing black suits and red glasses.

Seems Blake had recruited some of Junior's men. And while Yang was a bit curious to why the White Fang would be working with Junior's mob, at this moment her only thought was breaking every bone in Blake's body. Twice.

And destroying anything that got in her way from doing that.


Yang soon realized the men where leading her to the right warehouse. Good. Less work for her.

The party stopped in front of one of the bigger warehouses. Probably big enough to hold a good sized airship.

One of the three escorts went over to a door around the side, leaving Yang alone with the other two. She looked around to see the two men keeping a good three feet away and visibly shaking in fear.

"Is your guy going to take long? I'm getting kind of bored here…" Yang complained.

Both guys moved another foot away. Yang glanced on both sides, noticing both of them keeping shaky eyes on her.

A menacing smile grew on Yang's face. "Well if we're going to be waiting awhile, do you two mind helping me with warm ups?"

In a blink, both thugs were gone. Leaving only the sound of the wind and blinking silhouettes in their place.

"Didn't' think so."

Yang started stretching out, loosening up her muscles. After awhile she did push ups, sit ups, and just about every exercise she knew. When she was done, she took a quick breather, using the down time to mess with Ember Celica. Or to be more specific, Ember Celica mark eight.

Ruby had been working on an upgrade for the gauntlets. A much more powerful model, though a tiny bit more bulky. Still light enough to swing around freely though, and Yang thought this was a perfect time to use them. She'd gotten to see the test footage Ruby had left around, so she knew how to operate them fine. She had to go out of her way to retrieve that 'special component', but now it was ready.

Plus, seeing that footage of Ruby listing every part, capabilities, and so on gave more fuel for the fire burning in Yang. Oh yes, she'd put these to very good use.


The sound of the heavy main door sliding up got Yang's attention. She got to her feet, arming the weapons, and made her way inside. Yang's steps echoed in the wide empty space. All was dark, save for the dim light of the setting moon.

She looked all over, keeping her guard up in case Blake decided to make a surprise attack from the shadows. That was all the assassin would need to end her. She kept looking to her sides and glancing behind her. Though only after she'd walked all the way to the center of the warehouse did Yang realize Blake could be up in the rafters or the upper catwalks. So she looked up.

And that's when she saw them. Three pairs of glowing eyes.

Without warning, the door into the warehouse closed. Lights clicked all over, blinding Yang in any direction she faced.

"Well, well, well. Who do we have here boys? A girl that seems to have gotten herself lost in the wrong neck of the woods. What a shame."

Yang jumped when she heard the voice. That couldn't be Blake. It sounded too young. That sound like...like...

No. It can't be! Not her! That bitch Blake must have brainwashed her! There's no other explanation! Yang thought. Her eyes starting to adjust to all the lights.

"Pippi?" Yang called out. "What are you doing here? Where's Blake and my sister!?"

A chorus of laughter rang out. Blake saw all the eyes leap into the air, landing nearby. She could now make out five figures. All standing side by side in front of one cluster of spotlights.

There was a similar looking boy and girl standing by each other on the left. Their eyes didn't glow, so Yang knew right away they were human. Both had brown hair and must be about ten years old. The girl seemed to have a huge scar on her throat while the boy seemed normal. The girl had throwing knives and the boy had some kind of mix between an axe and a hammer.

Pippi was in the middle of the group. Yang could clearly make out her trademark pigtails on the sides of her head. Her cat ears showed clearly, red like her hair. She carried no weapon. Though Yang knew well that this 'nine year old' didn't need one.

Then on the right stood two boys. One tall and about her age who had jet black hair, and his entire bottom half was that of a horse or goat of some kind. Complete with hooves. He carried a huge glaive. Meanwhile the other boy looked about eleven. Light brown hair, monkey tail, and sawed offs.

All of them had one thing in common. They were all wearing white suits.


Yang put up her fists and got into stance.

"Pippi, I don't think you know what you're getting into. And I thought you said you'd stay out of trouble."

Pippi gave an overly evil chuckle. "Oh, I said I wouldn't cause any more trouble. But that doesn't mean I wasn't going to be trouble. After you booked me and said I should do something with my life, it got me thinking. So since then I went off on my own, made some new friends, and got some seriously kick ass training."

Pippi motioned both her hands to her followers. "I'd like you to meet, team Matches

Yang could've sworn she heared the click of a boom box and could hear music ringing out.

"Tommy and Annika!" The boy twin shouted. The girl nodding.

"Nilsson!" The monkey boy screeched.

"Gubben." Hoof boy coolly announced.

"Pippi Long Stocking" Pippi proudly claimed

All the members threw their hands to their sides, took a right step forward, then all raised their left arms to point at Yang. The music was hitting its climax, and all but the twin girl shouted unanimously, "AND WE WILL, BURN YOU!" The music rang out its last note, then died.

Yang could feel a huge sweet drop form. Her eyes big white circles. Though quickly shook her head and refocused.

"You know what? I don't care! Where's Blake and my sister! Tell me now and I may just spare some of you!"

Pippi chuckled again. "Ha! Big talk. Let see if you can back that up Blondie. Tim! Ann! You're up!" Pippi and the two right side boys hopped backwards behind one of the spotlights and vanished into the darkness. Leaving only the twins.


After a few seconds of sizing each other up, the boy twin shouted out confidently,

"Alright lady, give up now and me and my sister will go easy on-"

Annika suddenly cut her brother off by kicking him out of the path of a fireball, barely escaping it herself. Both recovered only to see Yang had leaped into the air and was now coming back down with a fist full of fire, screaming at the top of her lungs.


WWWWWWWW


Weiss gave out a huge yawn as her father continued.

"Great Ozpin, while it is of the greatest honor to have you here, do you really think that's necessary? There is a reason my daughter was never sent to a combat school or thought by a respected warrior. She's not ready!" Weiss's father gave cough after cough when finished.

Ozpin removed his bowler hat, taking a seat at one of the meeting room's many chairs, and took a long pull of his cigar. His eyes shifted from the King, to Weiss, then paused on Sir Arc for some time. Weiss was sitting near one of the corners watching and listening as Ozpin and her father talked on and on about her (she was asked by her father to keep silent). Sir Arc was also in the room, leaning against the wall by Weiss.

Weiss still couldn't believe that he was here. The Ozpin was here in the flesh, saying he wanted to take Weiss to his new academy. To make her a huntress! Most monarchs are never accepted into hunter academies. So with that kind of training, she could be one of the greatest leaders of their time! They may even be able to help her deal with him.

"I think you underestimate your daughter Your Highness. I for one think she's quite ready. I wouldn't make the personal trip if I didn't think so."

Weiss's father had another coughing fit before answering.

"I suppose you have a point. But you must understand my concern. I mean no one has seen you in person for quite some time. In fact it's been thought for the last five years that you were killed by the White Fang."

"Oh, that." Ozpin gave a hearty laugh. "Ah yes. I remember when those animals attacked. Killed quite a few of them. Good day that. But as usual, those freaks failed to impress yet again. And while we lost much, I assure you we have recovered from that incident." Instant silence followed his words.

Oookaaayy. Weiss thought. She felt really uncomfortable now. A lot of people died during that little 'incident', and he just shrugs that off? And what was with that animal talk? Perhaps Ozpin was a bit bitter about his attempted assassination, but the White Fang don't represent all Faunus kind.

Goes to show how much people change. Ozpin's academy would take human or Faunus alike. Guess not anymore.

She couldn't help but suddenly be disgusted with his words. His insensitivity and his blatant discrimination...She's not a huge fan of the White Fang, but Weiss would never...and his words with the image of the memorials in Weiss's head...

Weiss looked over to her father. He had a stern look on his face as he shook his head. That's when Weiss noticed the scowl across her face, and the death grip she had on the bottom of her chair. She wasn't known for getting angry often. But this behavior-

Sir Arc gave an uncomfortable cough, getting everyone's attention.

"If I may Your Highness, in my professional opinion, Princess Schnee is far from mentally stable enough to be going off to some faraway place. And considering-"

Weiss got to her feet, all that trapped anger exploding throughout her.

"How dare you!" Weiss shouted, making the knight jump. "You have some nerve, you, you knave! To even dare say something like that!"

"I, um..." Sir Arc tried to salvage the situation.

"Do you know what it's like to be stuck in this damn place for all your life? To be told you have people and a kingdom to safe guard? Then later told you can't because you've been deemed crazy by everyone including your own father?!" Tears were starting to run down Weiss's face. What's going on with her all of a sudden?

"And another thing-" She tried to go on.

"ENOUGH!" The king shouted. Slamming both of his walking canes on the floor. The impact making everyone but Ozpin jump. "Everyone but my daughter out. Now!"

A moment of stillness passed. Sir Arc took a bow and left. Ozpin took his hat, and left as well. Weiss could have sworn she could have sworn he was laughing under his breath.

Weiss's father slowly made his way over to her. He took a chair nearby, and took a seat in front of Weiss. Both royals stared each other down. Finally the king rubbed his forehead with his hand, rubbing away stray tears away as well.

"I'm sorry sweetheart. I didn't mean… I just…"

Weiss shook her head. She got up to hug her dad. He hugged back.

"I'm sorry daddy. I-I didn't mean to yell at him. I'm just so tired, and I was angry. Look I don't really want to go with Ozpin anyway. He doesn't seem to be the man I remember hearing about. And I don't want to leave you here alone." Weiss could feel more stray tears.

The king gently pushed Weiss back to her seat, getting very close. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, then started whispering.

"Listen to me Sweetheart. Remember I had a message? It was from Sir Arc and his team. Something big is going on. You see, there's been a rumor throughout the kingdoms that Vale may be the target for an attack of some kind. I wanted to be prepared in case that was true, so I had soldiers moved out to the new Dust mines. And I even had new weapons ordered for the knights stationed here. New Dust powered ones."

The king paused, letting Weiss take in all this information.

"When I heard about the train robbery earlier this evening, I tried to just blame it on coincidence. I even tried to reason that was the big attack. Then Sir Arc and his team reported back. They spotted White Fang airships coming this way from the East. Possibly more from the North. And, other things, coming from Forever Fall and the mountains."

Weiss stared wide eyed and slacked jaw. It was happening. The treaty would end, and another Faunus war would begin. Only instead of it being her grandfather's war, it would be her father's.

And the doctors told her father he has less than a few weeks left to live.

"Weiss, I've made up my mind. I want you to go with the professor. He can take you far away and keep you safe. He could give you help for the flashes, and give you training you could use for the future." Her father's eyes became watery and pleading. "I'll send team JNPR to stay with you for awhile. They'll stay with you and make sure you're safe."

Her father's eyes became pleading. His sickly eyes began to fill up with more tears as he said,

"Please, just do this for me Weiss… If He has proved anything, it's that I can't protect you. So please… Just do one last thing for your old pop?" A weak smile crossed his face.

Daddy… Please don't make me leave you… I don't want to be alone…Not... With him...

"Father?" Weiss finally summed up the courage.

"Yes?"

"No matter what, please know... I love you…"

The sickly king gave a chuckle, giving his daughter another hug. "I love you too Snowflake. And don't worry, I'll always be with you."

Deep in Weiss's subconscious, a familiar voice rang.

"Run away, you poor child."