A.N. Surprise! Another chapter that didn't take a century. I'm done with finals just waiting for the results now, so celebratory new chapter for you guys! Enjoy^^


Chapter 9

The world was a blur the world shifting in and out of focus. Ozpin stood tall amongst the blur a somber look on his face, Crocea Mors tied to his hip. His silver armor was scorched and burned, blood splattered all over him. His arm looked the worse barely hanging onto his shoulder the limb was torn to shreds. Ozpin held the arm possibly to keep it attached rather than relieve the pain it caused him.

Behind him another man bearing steel armor about the same age as Ozpin with hair like snow came from the blur.

"Ozpin go find a healer. I can handle it from here." The injured knight ignored the man grunting trying to bear the pain.

"No, we're about to end an entire species. The least I can do is look them in the eye, and explain why this must be." His companion nodded in understanding instead going to assist Ozpin in walking. The world took shape as the two made their way.

Out of the shifting fog a dragon appeared. The great beast was laying on the ground heaving its last breath. As large as a castle the beast could have eaten an elephant whole, and still have room for at least five people in its jaws. The creature was clearly old its black scales were riddled with battle scars.

The beast wheezed upon seeing the two men approach it. Intelligent eyes bore into Ozpin's.

"Why? Why have you done this? I have done nothing to you!" The voice was weak despite its broken tone years of wisdom were woven into the beast's voice. Ozpin grimaced guilt pouring into his soul.

"I'm sorry it has to be this way. It is the only way to insure the safety of everyone." Ozpin let go of his friend limping over to the dragon who snarled, but couldn't sustain it for long due to its weakness.

"There is always an alternative! You have killed my kin! The Grim are just as much our enemy as yours we would have aided you, but instead you kill us! I hope you can live with what you've done human, because they will find a way to bring their 'gods' back. And when they do, you will be alone." With that the dragon took a deep breath then breathed no longer. The last dragon had been killed.

The world shifted again Ozpin was sitting upright in bed the same white haired man standing at his bedside. Both look much better than before, however the previously injured arm Ozpin no longer had. The damage was too great, if he would have kept the limb Ozpin would have perished from infection.

"Are you sure about this Ozpin I know with Glynda missing, and the dragon... things seem bleak, but I could use you here." Ozpin gave his friend a grateful look a broken smile on his face.

"No, Schnee I can't all the dragons are gone, so you don't need me here. I'm going to look for Glynda after I've recovered enough." Schnee gave Ozpin a mournful look clearly doubting the odds of finding Glynda.

"They wouldn't have gone through all that trouble of stopping her execution if they were just going to kill her themselves. She has to be alive." Running a hand through his hair Schnee sighed.

"I'm not doubting she's alive Oz. I'm doubting that you'll find her." This Ozpin chuckled darkly at that.

"Glynda is one of the most powerful mages alive Schnee. I wouldn't be surprised if she's already escaped, and trying to get back to us."

"I hope so Oz…"


Jaune awoke with a start. The thin blanket that had covered him flew to the floor. Looking around he saw that he was where he has been for the past week, his room on Puma. The dream already fragmented in his mind Jaune wondered about what he saw. It was just like when he tried to access the memories in Crocea Mors. Looking to the weapon that was resting against the desk on the far side of the room. Jaune wondered if this was normal. After all he wasn't trying to access the memories of Ozpin, and he hasn't since that one time.

Shaking his head Jaune pushed the thoughts away. The memories Crocea Mors had showed him, though interesting had no meaning to the blonde. Maybe he would ask Pyrrha about it latter. Getting up Jaune groaned as his muscles ached. Blake wasn't kidding when she told them the crew wanted to give him more experience.

Everyday for the past week Jaune had trained with a different members of the crew. All of them giving Jaune either the hardest sparring matches Jaune had ever done, even harder than when his father had tried to train him. Or they gave Jaune lessons on survival. As much as they could being on a boat in the middle of the sea.

Yesterday, unfortunately had been a sparing day. Blake had taken up twin daggers coming at Jaune like a black shadow. Stopping short before actually hurting Jaune, but she still didn't hesitate to knock the blonde to the deck. It wouldn't be as bad, but the snickering from the rest of the crew sometimes reminded Jaune a little too much of the jeers he got from his village when he messed up. At least the crew laughed in good nature. It also helped to know Blake could easily do the same to any of them.

Getting dressed in his simple pants and a light tan shirt, Jaune got ready for the day. Although sometimes he wore the armor gifted to him it was pretty pointless doing so most days. When he wasn't learning something from the crew Jaune contributed to the ongoings of the ship, just like any other crew member.

Walking out onto the deck Jaune breathed in the fresh air. The lower decks where Jaune's room resided were rather stuffy, and it was always a pleasure to be out in the fresh air.

"Good morning," Blake greeted Jaune only jumping slightly at her appearance. He still had yet to get used to Blake seemingly popping out of nowhere.

"Morning," before Jaune could say anything else an orange was thrown at him. Fumbling to catch the fruit Jaune let out a rather undignified yelp. Getting ahold of the fruit Jaune could see Blake's lips upturned in a smile.

"Really, its not enough that you're making me eat wood. You have to throw fruit at me?" Blake's cat ears twitched as if amused.

"I don't make you eat the deck. You fail to parry and then you feast on it yourself." Huffing Jaune started to peel the orange.

"Is that what we're doing today, cause I think I got my fill yesterday of wood." Jaune deadpanned while Blake smirked.

"Actually I think Pyrrha wanted you for something today." Mumbling a thank goodness Jaune's eyes looked to the sky for the scarlet dragon. Since Pyrrha couldn't possibly fit on the ship without flipping it. The dragon followed close by in the sky. Only drifting away when she had to find food.

Spotting a red figure off in the distance Jaune smiled going over to the railing waving animatedly to her. The figure moved, closing in on the ship, quickly Pyrrha's form taking shape. Relaxing into a glide Pyrrha positioned herself next to the ship careful not to hit the sails with her massive wings.

"Jaune you're awake!" Pyrrha's familiar voice came to Jaune's ears, the dragon looking rather cheerful.

"Hey Pyrrha, see anything interesting last night?" At first Jaune was worried that since Pyrrha would have to be constantly flying the dragon would tire quickly, but Pyrrha assured him she could fly for at least a month none stop as long as she got enough food. Jaune still doubted that was very healthy though.

"Nothing major there were some dolphins you missed." Jaune had still yet to tire of all the new things he was coming across, so Pyrrha made sure to tell him of anything she came across during the night.

"So my scaly friend what can I do for you this fine day." The dragon laughed then extended her head to be closer to the deck.

"Hop on," Not even hesitating Jaune swung his legs over the railing, and jumped onto Pyrrha's head landing on the soft feathers in between her horns. The dragon flapped her wings moving with ease away from the ship, while Jaune got situated on her head.

"I thought you'd like to get away from the ship for a bit." Flying high Pyrrha took them away from the Puma. Nothing but endless ocean in all directions, but simply being above it all with Pyrrha was a nice change.

"Thanks, being on a ship is great and all, but flying with you is ten times better." Leaning against one of Pyrrha's horns Jaune relaxed letting his sore muscles rest. Gliding through the air Pyrrha hummed in agreement.

Looking around Jaune admired the water reflecting the sun's rays. The ship was at least a few miles away already. It was then Jaune saw something odd, something was floating in the water a good distance away from them. It wasn't a fish or a shark Jaune squinted trying to see what it was.

"Pyrrha do you see that?" The dragon turned to look where Jaune was.

"Is that…" Suddenly Pyrrha shot forward like a rocket towards the floating object. Jaune held tightly to Pyrrha's horn about to protest. When he began to make out what was in the water.

It was a person. Hanging limply onto a piece of driftwood there head just barely above water. Pyrrha sped towards the person in one swift motion swooping down, and grabbing them before they could slip into the deep.

"Are they okay?" Jaune leaned over Pyrrha's head looking to where she cradled the person in her talons. It was a girl all Jaune could see though was a mop of orange hair.

They rushed back to the ship the crew looking baffled as Pyrrha handed the girl to Jaune, after he had jumped back onto the ship. The crew crowded around Jaune all asking at once about the girl. Blake easily parted the crowd though, her eyes narrowing in confusion upon spotting the girl in Jaune's arms.

"Jaune, what in the…" Jaune adjusted the girl in his arms moving to take her below deck, not wanting to waste anytime as the girl may be injured.

"We found her out at sea. She was floating on some wood." The blonde spoke really fast, his nerves spiking at the shallow breaths that girl exhaled. They took the girl to a spare room laying her on a fold out cot. The ship's medic went to checking on her, while Blake pulled Jaune aside outside the room.

"So you just found this girl floating at sea?" The faunus questioned a thoughtful look on her face.

"Ya, we were just flying when I saw her drifting by. Where else would we have found her? I don't know if you've noticed Blake, but...we're kind of in the middle of the ocean." Jaune said a joking tone to his voice, as if it was some big secret that they were out at sea. Blake sighed rubbing her temples.

"We're hundreds of miles from the nearest land mass, and this route isn't common for the average ship." The dark haired faunus explained, Jaune only gave her a confused look not understanding her train of thought.

"People drifting at sea either got caught in a current swimming near the main land, or they somehow got separated from their boat." Blake elaborated trying to show Jaune she was trying to figure out what happened to the girl.

"Can't we just ask her when she wakes up?"

Before Blake could answer shouts were heard from inside the room. The next thing Jaune knew the door was flung open, and both of them were jumping out of the way. The ship doctor was thrown against the wall busting the door open. He lay there on the opposite wall, as the orange hair girl stepped out of the room she just broke out of.

"REN!" Jaune noted how frantic the girl looked eyes wide, head snapping back and forth looking for something that wasn't there. Blake drew her daggers taking a defensive stance.

"Stand down." The faunus commanded cooly, obviously not pleased her crew member was injured by the girl. Turning her gaze to Blake the girl stared blankly at Blake. Her eyes snapped to Jaune allowing the blonde to get a good look at her. She had leather armor with a short thick fur cloak that only fell down to her midsection. Jaune took an unconscious step back upon spotting a hammer tied to her belt, and cursed himself for not even checking her over before bringing her aboard. The hammer looked strange, it was definitely built for battle with a heavy looking head with ornamental weaving designs made into the metal.

Though what worried the blonde was a rather large gash located on the girl's forehead. The sea had no doubt washed away any blood that came from the wound, but now the horrid liquid was seeping from the wound.

Blake's eyes were narrowed no doubt seeing the weapon the girl had. Nobody moved for a minute. Then the next thing Jaune knew was his face being slammed into the hard wooden wall.

"REN!" The girl was racing past Jaune, Blake chasing after her. The blonde rubbed his head trying to will the dizziness away. Getting back up Jaune ran to catch up to the two.

Getting up to the deck Jaune could see the crew had the girl surrounded. She was still looking around frantically, not paying a single mind to the crew. Blake took a step forward amber eyes never leaving the girl.

"Calm down, we found you at sea. We don't want to hurt you, stand down." Blake's voice was calm, but her tense stance daggers ready told Jaune she was ready to jump the girl if needed. She still paid Blake no head though looking up at the sky searching.

"Ren! Where are you?" Jaune slowly joined the group surrounding her, though he had no weapon.

"What's going on?" Pyrrha's voice entered his head. Glancing up Jaune saw a flash of red hiding among the clouds. The dragon was so far up in the sky that even if someone did see her. They would think she was just a bird. The blonde was surprised he could still hear Pyrrha's voice from so far away, but there were more important matters now.

Pyrrha circled above Jaune looked at the girl then back at Pyrrha. Then as if Pyrrha heard his thoughts the dragon came swooping down. This got the girl attention.

"Ren?" The scarlet dragon came down like a hawk flying in to catch their prey. With a great flap of her wings Pyrrha gazed down at the girl, smoke flowing out of her mouth.

"You're not Ren." The girl frowned causing the crew to all adopt confused looks. Jaune looked at Blake before taking a cautious step towards the girl.

"Ummm hey there, who is Ren?" The name was vaguely familiar Jaune wondered where he heard it before. The girl's head snapped towards Jaune.

"He's my best friend! I have to find him!" The crew shared confused looks. Jaune frowned at least he got her to respond.

"Well, what does he look like maybe we've seen him?" The blonde offered, taking another step towards the girl. She pointed to Pyrrha.

"He's about as big as her, except thinner like a snake. OH! And he's green but not like a grass green, more like a moss or forest green." It clicked, Juane remembered where he heard the name Ren before. He looked to Pyrrha her emerald eyes were wide. Ren was one of the only other dragons alive, and this girl knew him.


A.N. Guess who! You guys probably saw this one coming, cause come on I can't put Ren in the story without Nora that'd be criminal! I admit Nora is kind of hard to write so let's hope I do her justice in the coming chapters. Until then see you next chapter reviews are loved as always^^