Edited as of: (3/20/15)

"…" – Spoken

'Italics' - Thought

(Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY or its characters, they belong to Monty Oum of Roosterteeth Productions, and those characters you see not from the show like the main character are my own OCs for the purpose of the story. Enjoy) - Mojo1586

REMEMBERING

-Blake Belladonna-

"Who's that girl talking with Yang over there?" I asked craning my neck to look over Joel's shoulder frowning. "She keeps looking this way."

"Who?" We spun on the dance floor so that he could see her, "The silver girl with the blue highlights, I can't see her face, she's turned around. It's definitely not someone from Beacon, anyone I know anyway, friend of Yang's maybe?"

"Maybe..." She muttered sounding slightly concerned turning her head around nervously. I lifted her head around, tilting it up to face me.

"Ignore her." I told her grinning, "Let's focus on having a good time." He was right, it was probably just some fan of Weiss' wanting to know more about her team members, maybe a reporter.

'Why was she shooting Joel such mean looks though?' I thought as we continued to dance in a passable waltz, Joel was no dancer and had needed my help at first but he had the hang of it now as we spun and weaved across the floor. "Can we get some food, I think the lines died down."

"Sure" he said guiding us over to the line. After picking up a good plate full we marched over to the table Pyyrha had grabbed near the back of the hall, where everyone was sitting, talking animatedly.

Ruby stood up waving us over. "Blake, Joel! Come on, Weiss will be making her big entrance soon!" We nodded grabbing two of the empty seats next to Yang. "Have you guys tried the food? It's delicious!"

"We just got ours, it smells great though." Joel said digging in, face lighting up. "Blake try it, its tuna." He offered a forkful to me, I smiled and took a bite, trying very hard not to moan longingly. Joel smiled and shoveled the rest on to my plate, "I noticed you missed it so I got some for you."

"You know you two are just adorable." Yang said smugly, interrupting our little moment, "I can get a picture if you want?"

"Not needed." I laughed giving Joel a quick peck. "Anyway I wanted to ask you, who was that girl you were talking to, she kept watching us while we were dancing."

"What girl?" Ruby asked through a mouthful of food, swallowing at a disapproving look from Yang, "What girl?" she asked again after swallowing.

"Said her name was Natalie Cor-something, just a secretary who works for someone I know here, she was interested in Joel." I shot her a quick look which she waved off grinning happily, "Don't worry Blake, I mentioned you two were together, it's all good she got the message."

"What does she look like" Pyyrha asked joining the conversation.

Yang pointed her out to the table, the girl, Natalie, was sitting a few tables away eating quietly while Junior talked away with some businessman. After a few seconds she noticed us staring and waved lazily in our direction. "She doesn't seem that bad." Nora pronounced loudly, standing up on the table.

"Nora!" Ren pulled her back down to her seat before she attracted any more attention.

I stifled my laughter along with everyone else at the table as a man announced the arrival of the Schnee heiress. "Are we sure she isn't royalty, she has a herald." I said looking on as the small man retreated and Weiss appeared at the top of the stairs nodding to each table in turn as she descended to meet her onlookers. "She seems so used to this."

"She has to be with a family like hers" Pyyrha noted looking on sadly as Weiss began shaking hands and accepting compliments on her performance. "The pressure she must've been under..." I leapt from the table noticing the momentary glint of steel mixed in among Weiss' admirers. Weaving through the tables, and in some cases jumping clear over the heads of startled guests as I charged towards the stairs as fast as my legs could carry me.

"Blake! What are you..." Weiss began to say, noticing my charge just as a large man with a goatee wearing a suit and fedora brought out a long, thin knife he'd hidden in his sleeve lunged at the heiresses exposed back. With a loud snarl I propelled myself forward grabbing Weiss and forcing her behind me as the knife shot forward, speeding towards my chest.

-Joel-

I felt my heart stop beating as I saw the blade stab into Blake's chest, watching her fall as if in slow motion to the ground, a shocked expression on her face. "BLAKE!" I screamed running forward just as a women's terrified scream rang through the crowd as people leapt from their seats. I barely noticed as I tackled my way past a portly man who had been running for the door sending him flying, blood pounding in my ears. She can't be dead, she can't be... Some security guards must've thought I was with him and tried tackling me, and failed painfully as he crashed through a table. I finally managed to catch a glimpse of the would be assassin holding his blade, a clean blade, a look of confused disbelief on his face.

"Joel!" a cry came from my left, spinning I saw Blake leading a confused Weiss towards some of the security officers, unharmed. A wave of relief swept over me as I realized what Blake had done. Her semblance, she'd used a shadow clone to knock Weiss aside and take the hit while she used the distraction to get Weiss to safety. "Joel, he's getting away!" He was indeed, the man had broken off upon noticing his failure, running for a nearby window.

I felt my Aura spark, more powerfully then it had in weeks, snarling as the sudden rush of power filled my head and the world itself came alive. This guy had almost killed Blake, like hell he's getting away from me! I broke into a full on sprint just as he leapt through the window crashing through it out into the street about a story below. In seconds I was out the window too, Aura making the drop almost effortless as I rolled to my feet, looking around frantically as confused onlookers milled around curious at what was happening but keeping their distance. I noticed the man moving quickly through the crowd, attempting to reach an alleyway across the street turning a corner. Giving chase, I followed him down the dark alleyway until a streak of steel came at me from the right side.

"Die human!" He shouted stabbing at me. Human? I didn't have time or mind to think on it as I grabbed his arm, twisting it roughly. I'd meant to make him lose his hold on the weapon but judging by the splintering feeling and his scream of pain I'd broken it instead. Dropping to his knees cradling his mangled arm looking up at me with a look of hatred in his eyes, "Do it" he practically spat at me. Grabbing him by the neck I raised my fist poised to strike a final blow when a small but strong hand grabbed hold of it.

"Joel, he's had enough." Blake's voice said slowly pulling my arm down. I breathed in deep, calming down as I removed my hand from the assassin's throat. "Good" she said soothingly before turning on the man who was now grinning up at us. "What are you smiling about?"

"We'll win eventually." He said laughing through his pain. "Schnee, Vytal, Remnant! We will tear down your power until we take our proper place over you. Glory to the White Fang!" He finished clenching his teeth together, eliciting a small but audible pop.

"NO!" Blake moved forward but it was already too late. The man began spasming wildly, falling forward foam dripping from his mouth. Blake caught him gently, his hat falling off to reveal two small goat horns. I helped her lower him to the ground, his eyes staring sightlessly above. "Why!?" She shouted at him, her eyes full of tears. I dragged her away from the body, hugging her close as she sobbed into my chest. "We shouldn't have to sacrifice ourselves like this, it isn't right, this wasn't what we wanted!"

"We?" Blake stiffened looking up at me, her face pale before sagging her shoulders, "Blake what do you..."

"Later…we'll talk later." She said sadly. I was about to argue but closed my mouth as I noticed footsteps coming down the alley with flashing lights.

"VPD, Officer Burns, what happened here." One man asked looking from us to the body. Was he wearing sunglasses at night?

"I was the one who chased him, she just found me afterwards." I said quickly gesturing for Blake to leave, we would talk but I'm certain she needed time on her own without getting interrogated by the police.

The detectives dealt with the preliminary questioning, including some colorful commentary from one Officer Heyman. "So you're certain he said White Fang?" Heyman asked noting something down in a small pocketbook.

"Like I've already told you earlier, that's what he said." I gestured at the body now covered in a thick white sheet. "Then he must've had something in his mouth because he fell down dead soon after."

"Poison in a false tooth..." Officer Heyman said ticking off another note before looking up at me, "Classic M.O of White Fang assassins, they don't want to give up any information so they do themselves in whenever escape is impossible." He shook his head. "Rough world."

"Good work kid, you can go." Officer Burns said patting me on the back, "at least we have a motive now, if you ever need a career change from being a big time hunter..."

"I'll give you guys a call, thanks." I nodded walking back towards the concert hall yawning, feeling exhausted, I always felt somewhat drained after drawing on my semblance and I already had a long night ahead of me. Blake was standing near the car along with the rest of our friends, even Weiss who appeared rather calm for nearly being killed a short time ago. The drive back to the school was almost painfully awkward and for the most part spent in silence.

"Well it was a good night while it lasted." Yang said in a tired voice as we made our way through the empty dorms.

"Yeah Weiss your concert was amazing." Ruby said hugging the heiress who tried to shrug her off annoyed. Ruby let go, backing off a worried look on her face, "Are you sure you're okay Weiss, I mean someone did try to..."

"I'm used to it." Weiss said in a cold tone making Ruby flinch, Weiss shook her head and gave Ruby hug pulling her in, the rest of us stopped around them. "Sorry Ruby, I'm a little on edge right now" she muttered to the young girl gently, "Thank you for being with me, all of you, I'm glad you got to see me perform, I've never had friend's, good friends, see me sing." She looked around at each of us smiling. "It made me happy."

"We're happy too Weiss, it was a shame about what happened but at least we're all okay." Jaune said giving her a thumbs up before yawning uncontrollably.

"I think it is time for bed everyone." Pyyrha noted leading JNPR back to their room, "Good night everyone."

"I think RWBY should hit the hay too." Yang thought out loud stretching. She looked over at Blake who was standing next to me. "You coming Blake?"

"No, I'm going to stay up with Joel a bit longer, don't wait up."

"Yeah I thought so..." Yang nodded shepherding Weiss and Ruby into the room quickly, "your little trick with Weiss scared us all pretty bad." She waved a quick goodbye before closing the door, leaving me alone in the hall with Blake.

"Come on" I motioned to my room opening the door as she walked inside quickly. I shut the door behind us turning around as she was undoing her bow. "So what's going on Blake? Why..." I felt the words die in my mouth when the bow unraveled to reveal a pair of cat like ears poking up through her hair. "Oh"

She smiled sadly at me sitting on the bed motioning for me to join her. I sat down next to her awkwardly.

"So you're a Faunus?" I asked, staring at the ears in disbelief.

"Yes, I am." She said sadly, "I was also an ex-member of the White Fang" I stiffened looking at her shocked.

"The White Fang, the anti-human terrorist organization you mean, the one that attacked Weiss?"

"It wasn't always like that!" She said defensively, eyes flashing dangerously. "I joined when I was really young. It used to be protests and sit-ins against anti-Faunus laws and discriminatory companies, peaceful protests." She smiled clutching her legs to her chest, eyes almost wistful. "We were making progress, making a real difference, then everything changed when more aggressive leadership took control!"

"Things got more violent, I'm guessing."

"Suddenly it wasn't just protests, it was bombings, attacks, corporate sabotage, assassinations. Me and what friends I'd made were suddenly training and learning how to fight, rather than making signs and learning slogans"

"But you left." I noted looking at her intently, "You obviously didn't agree with things."

She nodded somberly, "After a few years I just got tired of it all, the things we were doing. Before I came to Beacon, me and my partner, my friend, were attacking a Schnee dust shipment." I was surprised at the mention of Weiss' company but stayed silent. "He was going to wipe the train out with everyone still on board, I couldn't let that happen." Her voice cracked, "I split the train we were on and rode into Vale, Ozpin found me and now I'm here trying to undo some of the wrong I've done. So..." She looked at me expectantly.

"What?"

She frowned at me confused, "Aren't you going to yell at me to get out or report me to the police?"

I raised an eyebrow at her, "Really? You think I would..."

"Why wouldn't you!?" she said leaping up to stand in front of me "I'm a criminal who's been lying to you and everyone else about what she really is!"

"You're also a beautiful woman who has helped me every step of the way since she met me."I said getting to my feet, putting my hands on her shoulders, "I don't care if you're a Faunus, honestly it explains a lot, your eyes, your hearing, either way it doesn't matter to me, you don't need to hide this from me, I'm just happy you trust me with this."

"Joel I..." She started speaking but I continued on.

"All I know is that the thought of you getting killed tonight scared the hell out of me, I don't want to lose you. Your past doesn't matter to me, you say you've left that life behind and I believe you. I don't care what you are, I love you Blake." Her face flushed scarlet as I finished surprising myself with that last part. In the few weeks this relationship had been happening we'd alluded to it plenty of times sure, but this was the first time either of us had actually brought out the L word.

"You..." She whispered quietly before embracing me tightly, "I love you too Joel." We kissed lightly before falling back on the bed laughing uncontrollably, it was just so...incredible, this feeling. Laying on the bed breathing heavily, Blake suddenly shot up looking down at her wrinkled dress. "Guess I should head back, though they're probably all asleep by now."

"You can sleep here if you're okay with that, I have some clothes you can wear." I suggested walking over to the closet.

"Okay, sounds good." She said coming up behind me and grabbing one of my larger blue shirts, "What's the Blue Army?' She asked frowning at the logo on the front.

"It's from some show Yang likes." I replied removing the suit jacket and working at the frustrating knot on the tie. "She's been meaning to get me into it but I haven't had time." I turned around to find her standing holding the dress in just the shirt which was just large enough to reach her thighs. Okay keep calm, I gave her admiring look before staring at her ears which I noticed twitched slightly every so often.

Blake noticed blushing slightly, "uh Joel...can you stop looking at them like that."

I snapped back to attention quickly, "Sorry, they're just really cute." I got closer reaching a hand out, "can I?"

"A-Alright, just be gentle with them, their sensitive." She said hesitantly as we sat down again. I gently felt at the ear, it was soft, just like a cat...wait did Blake just purr? It sounded like a purr, or maybe a moan.

"Man that is just adorable." I said laughing lightly.

"S-shut up!" Blake shot back before letting out another short sound, same as the first, "Right there, a little harder." She turned red clapping her hand over her mouth shooting me a look that clearly read "Don't laugh" I'm a decent guy so I didn't, I still kept the amused smirk though.

"So like this?" I increased the pressure slightly, I could hear her through her hand as she tried to stifle herself, twitching uncontrollably. This went on for a few more minutes until she told me to stop, panting slightly, cheeks flushed. I got up and changed out of the rest of my formal clothes, telling myself I'd hang them up later, throwing on a pair of shorts and a sleeveless tank top before rejoining Blake on the bed.

"Joel, did we just turn petting into something vaguely sexual?" She asked contentedly, head leaning comfortably against my shoulder, her cat ears tickling my cheek.

"Vaguely? That was like some straight out of Ninjas of Love level stuff right there." I replied, wincing as she gave a light punch to the side. "Vaguely doesn't even come close."

"Ass" she said heatedly, though I noticed her smiling slightly. "Joel?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you so much, for not being judgmental about it and accepting me for who I am, or at least who I'm trying to be."

"Blake, you don't have to worry about me judging you." I told her hugging her close, "For all I know, I've done way worse. I suppose you want to keep this our little secret though."

"Please don't let the others know, not yet anyway." She said pleadingly

"They won't hear it from me." I reassured her, "But you know they'll find out sooner or later."

"Later, definitely later."

"Hey, just give them a chance, they might surprise you." She smiled giving me a peck on the cheek before we both fell asleep in each other's arms.

(Two Days later)

"Yield Joel!" Yang cried as she wrapped her legs around my neck in a tight stranglehold, constricting my air flow while she held my arm with both hands. "Give up, I promise it'll hurt less!"

"Hell no!" I gurgled out, Yang might be on me but couldn't lock all my movements due to my height. It took all my strength, abdominal muscles screaming as I lifted myself to my feet, the blonde wobbling on top of me. Screams and cheers came from the assembled students watching the frenzied sparring match.

-Blake Belladonna-

"Choke him out Yang, break his legs!" Nora cried out jumping up and down excitedly. Ruby joining in, screaming encouragement for her sister. "You got this Yang!"

Meanwhile Jaune stood with some of the other guys on my side. "Joel don't give up man, I've got 20 lien riding on you!" He screamed, cheering when Joel steadied himself on his feet. I turned looking at him disapprovingly.

"You bet on a match your friends are fighting in?!" I said in a disapproving tone.

"Uh...yeah" he replied embarrassed rubbing the back of his head. "Some of the older students set it up when they heard about the match, the pots huge. Even that girl Velvet from CFVY is involved considering the one in charge is her team leader, they're still taking bets on the winner."

"Wait Velvet's involved?" I turned and indeed saw the rabbit Faunus running around the arena carrying two hats accepting money from both sides, her leader Coco sat a short ways away counting up odds with huge a smile on her face, a famous fashionista and idol amongst Beacon's. "I can believe she's involved, but Velvet?"

"Yeah, apparently she's got the whole team running with it." I noticed he was right, seeing Yatsuhashi and Fox running around with hats of their own. Being amongst the more accomplished teams at Beacon gave them a lot of respect and probably made stunts like this even more lucrative.

"Still...taking bets on a sparring match." I muttered looking on as Joel fell backwards onto the mat stunning Yang and escaping the hold eliciting a new wave of cheers and boos from the audience. Joel had been friendly with the team since befriending Velvet, spending more than one weekend assisting with Coco's little excursions to Vale if only for Fox and Yatsuhashi's sake.

"I know it's so juvenile." Weiss' stern voice rang out from behind us. "And with a teacher watching no less." Professor Goodwitch was indeed overseeing the match closely, considering the two students fighting it was a necessity. It was a simple spar, no Aura allowed so Joel should be okay, and as long as he was careful with her hair Yang wouldn't freak out.

"Interesting match isn't it? To draw so much attention." A calm voice stated casually to our right, turning we found Professor Ozpin standing nonchalantly off to the side watching the fight intently, cane in one hand, a cup of coffee in the other. "One fights with burning passion, the other with staunch perseverance. It would be interesting to see an all-out fight between these two, don't you agree?" He turned to face us sipping his drink.

"Professor, I don't think there would be much of a gym left standing if you allowed that." I replied nervously.

"Yes, I suppose so...Miss Belladonna, stand with me, I have something to discuss with you."

"Yes professor?" I replied hesitantly nodding goodbye to Jaune and Weiss before moving to stand next to the silver haired man, he didn't look like much but the presence he had was something else, at least according to my instincts anyway.

"You are close to the young man, correct? I nodded keeping my face calm.

"I am, we've been together for a few weeks now." I answered watching the man out of the corner of my eye 'Why would that matter to him' I thought rapidly.

His eyes narrowed as he took another short sip turning to gaze back to the fight, Joel engaging Yang in a fierce fistfight and actually managing to hold his own. "I have information that concerns him, but I'd like your opinion on his state of mind before revealing anything."

"Are you saying you have information on Joel and you're hiding it from him?" I said aghast spinning to face the man angrily.

"Been hiding actually, for a few weeks now." he raised his voice as I opened my mouth to reply, cutting me off. "Things are more complex than you realize, Miss Belladonna, the only reason I'm telling you at all is because you are affected by this as well by being close to him. You'll understand after I tell you the details, but for now I need you to come to my office, I can explain more there."

"Can it wait until after the match?" I asked turning back to look at Joel as he was being once again in a chokehold, this time having his face shoved in Yang's ample chest as he struggled to get free, cat calls came from all sides from jealous students. "Yang!" The blonde smirked in my direction before being tripped by one of Joel's legs causing both of them to fall to the ground once again.

"I would prefer to deal with this as soon as possible."

"Alright." I nodded following the man as we strode from the gym.

-Joel-

I reeled as a fist caught me in the stomach, lurching backwards to avoid another blow, barely dodging. I was breathing heavily at this point, bruised and bleeding, thoroughly afraid of Yang's boobs at this point, the girls almost killed me that time, I'd gotten lucky. Thankfully, Yang was in the same boat, she'd been favoring her right leg since the second fall.

"Joel, this has been one of the best fights of my life, I'm almost sorry I have to end it here." Yang said assuming a forward stance fists raised. I laughed doing the same.

"Same here Yang, bring it!" I barely remember what happened afterwards, fists, legs, teeth at some point and then blackness. I woke up on my side, lying on the soft mat, gym uniform in tatters with Yatsuhashi and Velvet standing above me, the large man helping me to my feet, lifting me as if I were light as a feather.

"Ah…I lost, didn't I?" I groaned sighing struggling to my feet painfully. Velvet shook her head, a wide smile on her face.

"No, you lovable bastard" A voice called out as Coco walked up to me, clapping me on the back hard, almost sending me back to the ground again, Velvet bouncing happily on the balls of her feet. "You tied. Fainted at the same time, Goodwitch ruled it to close to tell"

"Tied?" I looked around, seeing Yang being helped to her feet by Ruby and Weiss, shooting me a tired smile which I returned. "Okay, but why are you so happy about it." I asked, muscles protesting under my own weight as I fist bumped Fox, guiding his fist towards mine helpfully.

"Well you see, the match got a lot of popularity so we started a little betting pool." she smiled slyly, adjusting her sunglasses as people around us shot dirty looks. "The bets were about even but I made it clear I was aiming for a tie, no one else thought it was possible so I was alone in the bracket, well except for Ozpin anyway. After the fight ended we split the pot in half between us." she held up a bag filled with Lien, "Still enough to make us the wealthiest students on campus, well except for Miss Schnee here anyway."

"Nice! What are you guys gonna do with the money?"

"Lots of important business, my closet has been rather empty as of late so that's priority, then I was thinking of funding Velvet's new weapon." She nodded to the Faunus curtly, who nodded back, an embarrassed expression on her face.

"Sounds good, maybe get me and Yang something would ya?"

"It'll be a consideration."

"Thanks…Anyway, anyone know where Blake is?" I looked around, not catching sight of her.

"Miss Blake is with Professor Ozpin, he wanted to speak with her personally." Velvet told me. "She seemed concerned about something but no one knows what it was about,"

Probably something to do with the White Fang Assassin, he would know about that I suppose. "Thanks for the heads up." I waved goodbye and headed into the deserted locker room, still a bit wobbly from the fight. "Never facing Yang again." I muttered leaning against my locker, taking a deep breath as I brought my Aura to life, feeling the pain melt away. "Stay calm, draw just enough to deal with the worst and release..." I sighed calmly letting it go, I had to admit I was getting better at keeping myself in check, especially after a big fight like this, I didn't lose control once.

"A loud beeping tone from inside my locker broke my concentration, I opened it to find my scroll buzzing. "Who could be sending me a message this early, I thought wearily as I keyed in the password and checked my messages. The alert was short and to the point, but reading it almost made me drop the scroll in surprise.

-Sender: UNKNOWN

Meet me by the big statue standing in front of Beacon, the one with the Beowolf and the babe with the axe. Come alone and bring your weapons with you. - N

N, the one who wrote that note I'd found in my pocket the night I'd woken up. The person who essentially gave me a name, was here. I thought about running to find Blake or someone else at least but thought better of it. The note had said come alone, they might get scared off if I bring friends. Plus this order to bring Chance and Fortune along made me hesitant over possibly risking someone else.

"Well, whoever it is waiting for me is here, time to get answers." I said firmly, quickly changing out of the tattered gym clothes into my usual combat gear, holstering the heavy pistol at my leg and placing Fortune in its sheath on my back, test drawing it.

I moved quickly through the halls from there, drawing stares from nervous students when they noticed my weapons. It wasn't the most strictly enforced rule at Beacon, but students still weren't really supposed to be running around with weapons close at hand. I ignored them focusing instead on what lay ahead. Answers to my questions, or maybe something worse? No, if N was drawing me into a trap why would they have me bring weapons? Plus attacking a student in sight of Beacon's walls would be foolhardy at best.

I exited the main building and made my way carefully through the gardens, circumventing the large pond. As I walked down the path leading to the large statue I noticed a familiar girl lounging in one of the benches wearing a black t-shirt with a silvery design on the chest along a blue plaid miniskirt, torn black leggings and boots. From what I could make out, she was gazing sadly at a small photograph a satchel slung over her shoulder. "N?" I called out making her glance over at me, if I remembered right Yang had said her name was Natalie, I'd seen her at the Weiss' concert but that was it.

"Ambrose..." she said standing up and walking towards me, eyes narrowing.

"Ambrose? Who's…?" I had time to say before she delivered a quick punch to my already sore stomach, right in the solar plexus, knocking the air from my lungs and putting me on my knees groaning.

"You...Complete…Bastard!" she punctuated each word with a sharp kick. Some of the other students nearby were shooting us strange glances but didn't interfere, hell some of the couples were laughing. She stopped suddenly, breathing heavily stepping back and letting me get to my feet, well my knees to be more precise, my legs felt like jello. "I can understand not calling me, if you want to start a new life fine by me, become some big shot huntsman, I don't care!" she growled grabbing my weapons, fighting off my weak attempts to stop her. "But ignoring me at that party, leaving me with your shit without letting me at least know...That is NOT OKAY!" she finished brandishing my weapons carelessly.

"Alright first...Oww!" I massaged my freshly bruised torso finally managing to catch my breath, the girl wasn't that strong but she knew where to hit. "Second, I have no idea what you're talking about, any of it." I managed to stand on my own, wincing at the throbbing pain in my midriff, "And third, give me those back before you hurt yourself."

"Don't even try pulling that amnesia bull on me Joel!" she said angrily prodding me painfully in the chest with Chance's barrel, eyes flashing behind her glasses. "And give these back?! I let you borrow these in the first place, so I can take them back when I damn well please thank you very much!" she placed the large handgun in her bag carefully before examining Fortune. "Someone reinforced the design, did good work too…" she made a small screwing motion along the handle causing the outer alloy to come off, revealing a complex series of gears alongside two tiny compacted blades, "whoever it was is probably the only reason it's lasted this long." she replaced the casing with a small click sighing.

"How did you…" I stuttered looking at the handle curiously, I'd never managed to make it do that before.

"I was the one who made it, why wouldn't I know how to handle it?" she said looking back at me, "How about you, I told you this wasn't meant to last, the shift mechanism's too complex for the frame to handle, It wouldn't take extended use." she held the weapon in front of my face, "Definitely not something you go off fighting Grimm with half-cocked."

"Listen I'm sorry okay, but I'm serious, I have no idea what you're talking about." I explained making a grab for the weapon but she sidestepped out of reach.

"Wow you are really committed to this story." Natalie growled obviously getting annoyed, "If you want to forget what happened, good for you. Aegis, Bastion, I'm glad that you managed to put it behind you but I for one am not going to pretend the people we lost didn't exist, that SHE didn't exist!" She brought out the picture she had been staring at earlier. It was of three people, one was definitely a younger Natalie, her hair shorter, at her chin, not at her shoulders like it was now, with a smile on her face. I was in it too, I was lacking the prominent white streaks in my hair but it was definitely me and hanging off me with Natalie was…

"Who is this?!" I grabbed the picture, all pain and fatigue forgotten as I stared at the face of the girl who had been haunting my dreams since I woke up, a lightly tanned girl with green eyes and dark brown hair hanging well past her shoulders. We were standing in some sort of park by a large fountain. "Answer me!" I grabbed the girl by the shoulders, shocking her, before I lurched back grabbing my head as a sudden, searing pain split my skull.

"What? It's Rachael, how can you? S-she was your..." she stared at the collapsible staff in her hand, a thin silvery glow enveloping the weapon. She gazed back at me, a look of horror dawning on her face, "Shit! You were serious!? You really don't…", she ran over to me trying to hold me still but I was thrashing around to much. "Joel…Joel! Just calm down!"

"Who is…ah!" I groaned as I fell to my knees, image after image playing in my head, each one more vivid than the last. A city in flames, monsters breaking through a door, her face covered in blood, eyes blank. "No, No, No!" I shook my head covering my eyes trembling, fingers digging into my skull.

Natalie knelt down next to me, looking around frantically, "Damn it." She wrapped her arms around me tenderly whispering in a soothing tone, "Joel it'll be okay, just...just let it play out."

-Blake Belladonna-

"Is that…" I whispered looking down at a small photograph attached the front of the file Ozpin had placed on the desk in front of me.

"Yes, Joel Ambrose" the headmaster stated, tapping the desk with a free hand. "Former student at the Aegis Combat Academy in the city of Bastion. Are you familiar with it?"

"Bastion, yes I know of it." I answered flipping through the pages frowning, "I was once assigned as part of a White Fang smuggling cell operating there."

"Indeed, it was once one of the largest cities located in the frontier to the North, deep in Grimm territory. I take it you are also familiar with what occurred there three years ago?" The headmaster responded clicking a button on his scroll, activating a large screen on the side of his office revealing a large map of remnant along with a News recording.

"Yeah, doesn't everyone? A natural disaster wiped out the city killing thousands with barely any survivors, then the Grimm poured in. It was all anyone talked about for months." I remembered the event well, whatever had happened had occurred only a few days after I'd left the city when the cell was raided, only Mountain Glen had gotten more attention and that was just because of its proximity to Vale.

"Yes, that was the story released to the public, that a seismic event devastated the city, crippling its defenses…" Ozpin pressed another button bringing up stilled images of the destruction, "the truth is however was quite different." He turned to look at me, a serious look on his face, "Miss Belladonna, you must understand that what I am about to tell you is highly confidential, do you understand?" I nodded my head turning to the screen gazing closely at some of the stills. Something was off, if there had been some kind of seismic event then there should be more signs of damage but most of the buildings in the picture were intact, and then there were the blood smears present on some of the walls and in the streets.

"You notice it as well?" Ozpin noted from behind me, voice grim. "The truth Miss Belladonna, is that the destruction of Bastion was in fact due to a large scale Grimm attack, allowed in part by an act of terrorism perpetrated by one particular group."

I shuddered looking again at the carnage displayed on the screen, "What…What group could control the Grimm to that extent?" I asked the silver haired man. "What group would want too?"

"Control isn't the best term when describing the situation that came about, but the overall effect was the same." He paused placing his cup on the desk sighing heavily, "The ones who caused this tragedy were the White Fang."

I spun around to look at the man, blood turning to ice at his words. "No…"

"And Mr. Ambrose and his fellow students were right in the middle of It." the professor finished, face darkening. "You're certain you wish to hear it? It isn't a pleasant..."

"Professor, just tell me." I demand taking the seat directly across from the man, my mind racing. It couldn't be true, the White Fang was certainly extreme but wiping out an entire city using monsters!? "I need to know, please."

-END