Hello peoples!

You know, I didn't really intend, when I starts this fic, to have Mountain Glenn go as it did.

I originally meant to have Coal leave his team in the middle of the night, on the day RWBY left of their field trip, and catch up to before/when RWBY entered the train cavern.

I'd planned to calculate how far Mt. Glenn was by comparing someone's known height to the train, finding the train speed using that and how long it was traveling, yada yada yada…

For that matter, Cole was never supposed to go Feral for too long.

I liked that chap - better

Reviews!

I===I

nopeite nopeite nope: I like to know what people think of the chapter; reactions to whatever just happened. Of course, I always welcome constructive criticism. Anyone else reading this response, just saying "**** u" doesn't count… but I'm fine with it if I just did something evil XD

You're safe Nopeite.

DaToskin: Regarding Glynda:

…

*Facepalms* Dust damn it, I did not even think about that…

As for Jaune… not completely, but it's still a big maybe, and if he does come, it'll be later. Much later.

rocketmce: No, aside from complete loss of non-automatic motor functions to the physical body.

nopeite nopeite nope: … again? Also, thanks for the info.

Guest: As in, people will attack whoever's in love w/Cole, they'll go after Cole with a vengeance, or you'll be chasing me with a pitchfork?

Mew Shadowfang: Fangirliness was turned to maximum even though I'm a guy! YAAAAN NNGGG!

Dalan777: Oh… I thought I took care of that in foreverfall, but guess I forgot :P

If Cole had killed the 'Grimm side,' then he would have… had trouble maintaining his physical form, let's say.

Chapter Time!

X=====Chapter 10: Tukson, Touchy-Feely, Extra Team=====X

Ozpin's office.

"You're absolutely sure?"

"Yes!" Ruby exclaimed. "Cole managed to take control!"

Ozpin leaned back in his chair. "Then that confirms what we suspected, and hoped. Salem's grip isn't absolute… it is unfortunate he was subdued again, however."

"Well," Pyrrha said, "Perhaps, if Cole was at Mountain Glenn, he's not answering to Salem, at least not directly."

"Cinder, maybe?"

"Well, that means he's still in or near Vale somewhere," Yang said.

"And," Ozpin added, reaching into a drawer, "We never did have the opportunity to go over the data stolen from the bullhead."

He produced the data stick, as well as a scroll to plug it into.

The screen lit up, and revealed a bunch of technical data regarding systems status, flight conditions and… "Flight history!" Ruby pointed out the needed files.

While it didn't give street addresses, the landing and/or refueling locations of the bullhead were given by coordinates that, with a bit of cross-referencing with a map of Vale, would give away numerous White Fang bases. Unfortunately, it was late, and despite the students' drive, they were ready for a good night's sleep, and Ozpin told them as such.

"Glynda and I will work on deciphering the locations, you all go to bed. It's late, and you do have classes tomorrow. We will have organized trusted strike teams—you included—of course in a few weeks. Until then, rest, and finish your exams."

I===I

With upcoming Finals, they had no more time to think about it. Their Monday was eaten up by Mountain Glenn, so they had no choice but to study extra hard for tomorrow's tests.

Pyrrha stared at her notes, absentmindedly tapping her fingers to an unheard song. She just couldn't focus on studying. Now that she really had time to think about the future that had meant to be, she couldn't focus on something as… simple as her notes.

She glanced down towards where the arrow was supposed to hit, and remembered the death that was supposed to happen mere minutes before.

After a couple seconds, she sighed and closed her notebook.

She wouldn't be able to study right now, and decided to go outside for some cool, evening air.

The sun was setting, and but the glow of the lampposts dotted around campus would keep back the encroaching darkness.

Even so, the setting sun looked wonderful, throwing streaks of fire across the sky…

Fire…

And… she was back to thinking of Cinder.

Pyrrha sighed, hugging herself. Ozpin had extended the same offer to her that he had made before.

To enter the aura-transfer machine and attempt to infuse the Maiden's remaining powers into her.

Cole's notes hadn't been terribly helpful on the decision, as the process had been interrupted, so she didn't even know if it would work.

"You can't study either?"

Pyrrha turned to find Ruby, keeping her cloak close to assist her aura in its task of keeping out the cold.

"Yes… I'm just thinking."

Pyrrha moved to a nearby bench and invited Ruby to sit down.

The younger girl did so. "Thinking 'bout what?"

"Ozpin offered to use the machine; the one in the basement."

Ruby understood immediately.

"Oh… you had this same problem—er, will have this—are having this problem?" Ruby waved her arms around in confusion. "Ugh, time travel stuff is so confusing."

Pyrrha grinned slightly.

"I know what you're trying to say," she assured the younger girl.

Her smile faded. "So… do you believe in destiny?"

Ruby nodded. "I like your version of it."

They sat in silence as the Sun finally dipped below the horizon.

"What should I do?" Pyrrha asked. "I accepted last time, but that was a desperate situation, and if we… kill…" 'Such an ugly word.' "Cinder Fall… Amber may wake up, if the powers go back to her. But if we wait too long, Cinder may discover and kill Amber, and with the Maiden's full power… it would be nearly impossible to stop her, seeing as she knows how to use the power, at least to an extent."

"I don't know what to do," Ruby replied with a shrug. "This isn't exactly something that's happened before."

Pyrrha stared off into the distance.

"But know that whatever you choose, team RWBY and the rest of your team will support your decision!"

"Thank you," Pyrrha said with a smile.

After a moment, she made a decision. "We wait."

Pyrrha noticed the distant look that adorned Ruby's face, and realized they hadn't even mentioned what had bothered Ruby enough to get her to come out here.

"What's bothering you?" Pyrrha asked the caped girl sitting next to her.

"Huh?" Ruby returned to the present. "It's… It's nothing, I'm fine."

"You listened to me, and heard out my problem… let me hear yours."

Ruby stayed silent for a moment. "It's Cole… he's still out there, still… feral… but worse than that is knowing that the real Cole is trapped, and there's no easy solution to the problem…" Ruby slumped down slightly. "There might not be a happy ending to this one."

Ruby hung her head, tears beginning to form.

"If I lose Cole… he's looked out for me for six years, and now I know he planned ahead for the next one-and-a-half…"

She got off the bench and lay on the ground, staring up at the slowly-appearing stars.

Her mirth faded. "Yang's pretending to be all 'yeah let's do this' and 'we've got nothing to worry about' but…" Ruby shrugged, putting her hands behind her head. "She's just as worried as I am. He's looked out for her too, and she for him. Plus, this isn't exactly the type of problem that you can punch away."

Pyrrha didn't have any siblings, so she could only imagine how Ruby felt, after losing her brother, and in such a horrible way.

"We'll find a way," Pyrrha said, "We will get Cole back, even if it means fighting Salem herself."

Ruby smiled. "Thanks, Pyrrha."

I===I

Cole, restrained by new bindings, glared at the beowolf in control. At the moment, it was pushing its head into Cinder's absentminded petting.

Cinder just casually petting a creature of Grimm worked wonders for intimidation, and indeed, the White Fang soldiers present—moving around stolen Dust, or crates of weapons—gave her and her 'pet' a wide berth.

"Cinder!"

The beowolf (and by extension, Cole) snapped its head around to locate the source of the voice.

Emerald Sustrai entered through a doorway and quickly approached Cinder, hesitating when she got near the Grimm, which watched her with one careful, red eye.

Cole, inside the mental prison, growled lowly at the sight of Cinder's most loyal, and easily most vital, follower.

"What is it," Cinder asked, not even sparing a glance.

"We were wondering," Emerald said hesitantly, "should we take care of that one deserter that Roman didn't? Mercury and I are getting kind of bored…"

Was it time for Tukson's execution already? He could only hope RWBY and NPR had already gotten him out.

Cinder thought about it, then sighed. "Very well… not only if you make sure to not be seen."

Cole frowned. What happened to 'Don't get your hands dirty while in Vale'?

Then he realized: Roman's capture meant some responsibilities fell to other people. Apparently, that meant Cinder was willing to let Emerald take out a deserter.

Emerald exited the room, likely to go find Mercury.

Cinder returned to overseeing the White Fang's work, also continuing to pet the beowolf. Cole tugged at his restraints—in addition to the cage, there were now mental 'chains' that held him back—but they held strong. The clink of metal[*] drew the mental attention of Coal, but a quick once-over was all that he was afforded.

Cole slumped down, knowing there was nothing he could do… not now, at least.

As for Coal… he could sense the sorrow and fury that the trapped soul was emitting. That delicious sense of negativity, in addition to the ministrations to his head, was making for a great day.

I===I

Tukson looked up as service bell at his desk rang, signaling a new arrival.

Blake immediately noticed the burly man coming out from around a bookshelf, box of books in his arms.

"Ah, hello there," he said, "Welcome to Tukson's Book Trade, home to every book under the sun!"

"Are you Tukson?" Blake asked.

"Why, yes, yes I am. How may I help—"

"How soon are you planning to leave for Vacuo?"

"I'm sorry?"

Quickly checking to make sure the shop was empty Blake said, "The White Fang knows you plan to escape Vale, or they soon will. However soon you plan to leave, you need to get out sooner."

Tukson narrowed his eyes at the huntress-in-training. "And what makes you think I'm leaving? Or am involved with the White Fang?"

The door opened, and Blake turned to see who it was.

Two people walked in, a guy and a girl. One wearing green, the other grey. Or rather, Emerald and Mercury.

'What… what are they doing here? They're not supposed to come for another few days!' Blake, despite her internal panic, managed to maintain a calm facade.

She remembered distinctly, having reviewed Cole's Notes, that Emerald and Mercury attacked Tukson after 'Dust till Dawn' opened.

"How may I…" he hesitated, glancing towards Blake. "How may I help you?"

"Just browsing," Mercury said, riffling through books up front, but keeping a subtle eye on Blake.

"Actually," Emerald began, "I was wondering…"

Blake was internally panicking. Tukson likely didn't have any aura, so he wouldn't be much help in a hunter fight. At the same time, they might be willing to kill him with her here, if Emerald used an illusion to make her see nothing was wrong.

'I need backup. Who's in Vale today, who's in Vale today…'

Yang and Ruby! They came to get some dust, if she was lucky they may have even come to visit Dust till Dawn!

Blake opened her scroll, keeping an eye on Emerald and Mercury, though she wasn't sure how effective her vigilance was, given Emerald's semblance.

"You've reached the number of Yang Xiao Long, official badass…" Yang's voice came out of the speaker, but it just voicemail. "... so, just leave a message after the beep. Beep!" Then the scroll actually beeped.

"You and Ruby. Come to Tukson's Book Trade. Now. Bring your weapons," Blake muttered, too low for Emerald or Mercury, distracted by Tukson, to hear.

Then, the world seemed suddenly quieter.

She realized that all the sound around her had suddenly become more… muted. 'Is this what hearing sounds like to a human?'

She drew Gambol Shroud and flicked it into its pistol mode, firing off two shots towards Emerald and Mercury's respective positions.

Mercury seemingly teleported from his place by the comic books to right behind Emerald, who now glared at Blake with a hint of surprise, her weapon drawn.

Tukson looked ready to attack, claws unsheathed, but he had yet to jump onto his countertop.

"Tukson! Get out now!" Blake shouted, open firing towards the two assassins.

Ducking behind the store's counter, he made his way into the back rooms as Emerald's bullets peppered the wood behind him.

Emerald jumped back from Blake's slash, almost knocking into a bookshelf. Mercury attacked, bringing up a foot to kick Blake in the face.

The clone's head blasted into black particles, and the rest of the body quickly followed.

Blake slashed repeatedly at Mercury, who blocked or dodged her swings. Emerald attacked from the side, and a shadow-clone was suddenly riddled with bullet holes.

Her eyes on her opponents, Blake payed careful attention to the sounds around her. When the ambient noise around her quieted again, and her opponents began advancing straight towards her, Blake fired a couple rounds to either side of them. Chances were, they were actually trying to flank her.

The illusion wavered, likely due to Emerald's surprise, but held steady.

However, Emerald and Mercury were suddenly nowhere to be seen.

After waiting a second, Blake swung her blade in a circle around herself, hoping to get lucky. Indeed, Gambol caught on something she couldn't see. Her success was rewarded with a blow from behind.

Blake was shoved into a bookshelf, which collapsed to the ground.

Her hearing returned to normal, and she turned to find Emerald and Mercury standing over her, weapons ready.

"Hey!" A red blast flew between Emerald and Mercury, smashing into the bookshelf. In addition to obliterating several books, it was sufficient a distraction to keep Emerald and Mercury away from Blake. Taking advantage of the opening, Blake got up and moved next to Yang. Yet, despite the situation, Blake couldn't help but wince as she saw several likely amazing novels burning by the heat of Yang's blast.

But for whatever reason, Ruby was not here. "Ruby's getting Tukson out. Her weapon isn't the best indoors like this," Yang told her, as if reading her mind.

Blake nodded in understanding. A giant sniper-scythe would just get caught up in everything in a small space, and likely knock down several walls.

Yang and Blake moved together as Emerald and Mercury got up from their cover behind a ruined bookshelf.

"Pinch me if I'm dreaming?" Yang asked.

Blake nodded. "I can tell when I am."

They charged.

I===I

'****, ****, ****!' Tukson slammed the door shut behind him, and a few bullets punched through the wood. He could still hear the sounds of battle behind him.

He grabbed a suitcase—not entirely packed, but enough to get by for a while—and snagged his ticket, before taking the back exit.

He had no idea how the Fang had found out, or who that girl who had come to get him out had been, but, as much as it pained him to leave her alone, he didn't even have his aura unlocked. He wasn't a fighter.

When he opened the back exit, he was greeted with a little girl holding a sniper ready, but aimed at the ground.

"Tukson?" She asked.

"Yes." Tukson cursed at his automatic response.

The girl nodded and expanded the sniper into a scythe. "I'm here to get you out. Which port you leaving from?"

"Uh, Monty Inter-Kingdom."

She nodded. "Let's go."

I===I

Ruby held Crescent Rose in its sniper form, prepared to defend her charge. While Tukson hailed a taxi, Ruby scanned the crowd. Suddenly, something caught her eye. A glint of sunlight, reflecting off something. A quick glance through her scope revealed what it was.

Ruby expanded her scythe and thrust the blade in front of Tukson. He winced at the well-known ping of a bullet on metal. Ruby stood in front of Tukson, blocking bullets.

"Into the alley!"

Tukson grabbed his suitcase and obeyed the order.

Ruby followed, twirling her scythe. To block the sniper.

But she was confused. According to Cole, this was supposed to be an unsanctioned attack. She was just a precaution in case Mercury or Emerald escaped the battle.

Poking her head out, she ignored the bullet that hit her aura the favor of countersniping the White Fang soldier.

His scope shattered from the bullet, and he dropped the rifle in surprise. Unfortunately for him, it fell off the roof, clattering to the ground amongst the pedestrians, already panicked by the crack of a sniper round and the whizzing of Ruby's scythe.

Ruby turned her attention back to Tukson. "We walk then."

I===I

Emerald cursed internally, blocking a horizontal slash, before peppering another shadow clone.

She didn't know how, but this girl in black was able to tell whenever Emerald tried to use her semblance on her.

Mercury was busy trying to deal with the blonde, and considering Bow's tenacity, Emerald wouldn't be able to use her semblance on both of her opponents.

Plus, the unstable footing caused by toppled bookshelves was not doing Mercury any favors.

This was a fight they couldn't win, not here.

Still, it was a good thing they snagged a White Fang sniper to deal with Tukson, if he somehow managed to escape.

"Mercury, we need to go—now!"

Delivering one more kick, Mercury knocked Yang backwards. He bolted to the front door, and burst out. Emerald gave Blake another illusion, and ran for the door.

Dodging a fist from Yang, Emerald burst out the door and took a sharp left.

Mercury had darkened the windows earlier, so Blake and Yang couldn't see where they were when Emerald exited the building.

The huntresses-in-training rushed out the door, looking around wildly for the two perpetrators.

But they were gone.

I===I

The gangway pulled up, and Ruby waved to the faunus in the airship.

He gave her a thankful nod, and turned to find a seat.

They had made it to the skyport without any more incidents. It seemed the White Fang sniper had been the only backup.

Ruby's scroll began to vibrate as the airship pulled away. She fished it out of her pocket and answered the call from Yang.

"They escaped. How's Tukson?" Yang asked.

"He's on the airship, safely headed for Vacuo," Ruby replied, making her way to the Beacon Bullheads.

"I'll meet you guys back at the dining hall."

I===I

"You were what?" Cinder glared at Emerald, who was fearfully bowing her head in shame. Mercury gulped, keeping an eye on the growling beowolf that slowly stalked around him.

"We were defeated," Emerald almost whispered.

Cinder formed a fireball and hurled it at the wall.

The napalm splashed against the wall, heating the metal until it glowed dangerously.

"You mean to tell me that one faunus, without any combat training, managed to defeat both of you?!"

"Actually," Emerald said, "Beacon students. One of them could tell when I used my semblance on her."

Cinder didn't doubt the power and accuracy of Emerald's illusions.

A student that could see through one—or at least tell when she was under influence—would pose a serious threat to Cinder's plans.

"Show me them."

Emerald inserted the images of the two girls in Cinder's mind, letting them show up as illusions that Cinder could inspect and memorize.

Cinder stalked around seemingly empty air, but was actually where the illusionary copies stood.

After about half a minute, Cinder nodded and Emerald released her hold.

"Unfortunately," Cinder said, calmly but with a hint of edge in her voice, "Your screw-up is going to only make things more difficult for us. Go buy some makeup."

Cinder exited the room, Coal following close behind her.

I===I

Ozpin turned as the elevator to his office dinged open.

Qrow stumbled out, raising his flask in greeting.

"Wassup Ozzy?"

"Hello, Qrow."

"So whatcha want me back for? Kinda busy finding the Queen's little pawns."

"I'm afraid two matters of great import have arisen, although they involve her."

Qrow leaned against a column, crossing his arms. "So what's the situation?"

"To begin, a couple teams—led by your nieces—managed to capture Torchwick and gather the locations of several White Fang strongholds."

"Really? Well, kudos to them."

"But it came at a cost."

Qrow lowered his flask, his expression suddenly dead-serious.

"What happened."

"From what Ruby and Cole's teams told me, Roman's right-hand retaliated. Cole'a aura was broken."

Qrow, and Taiyang, had been informed about the possible consequence of Cole's aura breaking.

Without a word, Qrow drew his sword and threw it at the column opposite him. The weapon embedded itself into the stone.

Ozpin watched the silent display of anger. "All is not lost. In a recent encounter, Cole managed to regain control, albeit temporarily."

"Heh. He's a strong kid, I'll give him that," Qrow grunted. "So, I assume we're going to raid the White Fang bases and try to find Cole?"

"Yes. You will be leading team RWBY. A few other trusted huntsmen will be leading other chosen teams. Once you have located and captured or driven away Cole…" Ozpin glared with distaste at the Atlas battleships flying in. "...Atlas can perform cleanup."

Qrow grunted, yanking his sword out of the pillar.

"Sounds like fun. When do we start?"

I===I

"…and so then I'm like, 'You have five seconds to drop the cookie and start running.'"

NPR and RWBY, sitting in the dining hall, laughed at the story of Cole's failed attempt to sneak some of the cookies of legend from Ruby.

"So at this point," Yang continued for Ruby, "I'm standing outside, and then suddenly, Cole just straight-up leaps through the wall. Of course, he uses his semblance. So I ask him what's going on. His response: 'I have unleashed a demon. Run.'"

Even the normally-stoic Ren was chuckling.

"And so then, the wall behind him just explodes. Splinters flying everywhere. Cole just runs off at a full sprint, a twirling scythe of death on his heels."

Nora fell backwards off her chair in her mirth.

Then she noticed someone. "Oh hi there, new person!"

Ruby and Yang, who had been sitting next to Nora, turned to find their uncle leaning against the wall, grinning at the memory of the incident.

"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby leapt out of her seat, wrapping herself around her uncle. "You're here!"

"Hey, kiddo," Qrow responded, ruffling Ruby's hair.

"Whatcha doing here at Beacon?" Yang asked.

"Remember those base locations you stole off of Roman's bullhead? Ozzy's gathered a fewof trusted hunters to hall you guys in taking out the hideouts. Apparently there's a couple more teams joining too."

"Oh. Cool. You're in charge of us then?"

"Yep. I'm going with you kiddies, Tai—gets here tomorrow, by the way—is taking NPR."

"Which other teams will be joining us?" Blake asked.

"Eh, CVFY, if they wanna help out[**]. So, whaddya say, kid?" Qrow asked, looking pointedly past the teams directly in front of him.

The two teams turned to find Velvet, sitting on the table across from them, halted mid-chew, staring at them guilty.

Yang whistled. "Wow, Velvet, I never took you as an eavesdropper."

Velvet's face reddened with embarrassment. "I'm sorry!... You mentioned Cole, and I'd been wondering where he's been. Most people won't say it out loud, but…" Velvet got up and moved to their table, bringing her tray with her. "Honestly? They're relieved the Grimm is gone."

Qrow grunted. "Sounds 'bout right. You can't really expect people to love someone who looks like the very enemy of all of humanity… and the Faunus.[***] Lucky the kid's naturally an introvert."

"So, Velvet," Blake said, "Do you think your team will be willing to help?"

Velvet nodded. "I'll have to run it by Coco, but we probably will."

I===I===I

[*] Cole's mind interprets the mental prison as such. Just a visualization(/audioazation?) to make sense of things.

[**] Why do I make it harder on myself by involving more characters…

[***] Humanity and Faunus-ity?

I===I

Here ya go, another chapter!

Remember the data that CNPR and RWBY stole from Roman's bullhead at the docks? Here it is! Qrow inbound!

Also, how did I do with the Pyrrha/Ruby (Not doing Cereal & Milk pairing! They just seemed the ones who'd be the most troubled.) 'touchy-feely' scene?

Ye.

100% Honesty tho: I'm flying blind. Mostly.

I have a few (Read: one major, one minor {so far}) 'Fixed Points' that are guaranteed to happen, and I will work the story to reach them somehow.

For example, one 'fixed point' is when Cole will '[redacted]' to [redacted], which will make him go [redacted] the [redacted] against [redacted] and [redacted] an [redacted] which will [redacted] the [redacted] to [redacted] for him.

Oh, spoilers.

Other than that, I'm making it up as I go.

Welp, here's a little extra bit I really wanted to put in.

I===I===I

Extra (non-canon): You Suck at Hiding Evil Plans!

"Thanks," Cinder said. "Maybe we'll see each other around."

"Yeah… maybe…" Ruby watched as Cinder and her lackeys continued down the hall. "Oh, and by the way, that Grimm dragon you've got hidden away in the mountain isn't exactly a secret. People are taking bets on how much Dust it'll need to die! You suck at hiding evil plans!"

"Grimm dragon… what, you think I have a creature of Grimm as a pet? That's ridiculous," Cinder called back over her shoulder. Secretly, her face was morphing into a horrified expression.

"Sure, and you didn't try to steal the Fall maiden's powers either."

Cinder spun around, fireballs in each hand, but Ruby had already zipped off, leaving a few rose petals in her wake.

Cinder extinguished the flames as she and her team stared in horror at the now-empty hallway. "How…"

Cinder had planned too long, and far too carefully for something like this to just… happen.

A shame it wasn't canon.