(Author's Note: Heyo all, BleachCadelina here with another update for this story. I don't know when I'll have a decent amount of free time to work on this story in the future, seeing as I just got a job, then with school starting in a month. I'll do my best to update my stories, hopefully. Thanks for reading as usual, and I hope you continue to enjoy the story!

Review Responses:

FeartheGhostKing: I'm not too sure of official ships for Ross just yet, but I always tend to play favorites for Neo. I mean, look at her!

FIREKING217: I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far! I don't have any personal plans as to how long this story will be, but I plan on keeping it going for a good while.

Guest: A bit rude there, buddy? Not exactly "constructive criticism" either. I appreciate all opinions, but saying something like that about something I have fun making for free doesn't help me improve on my habits as a writer. This project isn't even that serious for me, so you might want to tone down the rudeness for a bit.

Anyway, on to the story!)

I was currently in awe of what I was watching. We had been testing Thresh's abilities for quite some time now. His ability to gain some sort of shroud of dark energy and manipulate it was astounding! He pushed and pulled with it, and sometimes even shot it at several dummies, knocking them flat or completely destroying them.

This is cool. Shift nodded beside me. He's like… the Dust user between us, except with not-Dust.

Simply put, Shift, Stoic began. Thresh is using energy from Ross's negative emotions and attack with some sort of extended Aura.

Then knowing you Ross, Shift nudged me with an elbow. That's a LOT of energy.

"Fuck off, Shift." I rolled my eyes as continued to observe Thresh's abilities; he could jump higher and use this dark energy to propel himself off surfaces to dodge and block blows and projectiles. While he wasn't as fast as Shift was, he was much stronger. The only downside was that he got exhausted too easily, and the dark energy would retreat into him. While Thresh was still a small, agile target, it was obvious that he put a lot of effort into controlling it. It was like an overactive Aura of sorts.

"Alright, Thresh, that's it for now." I called out to him. "Let's switch for now." I saw the perspective's nod, and willed myself to change back. Upon regaining the perspective, I saw that I wasn't alone.

"Oh, so that's the Grimm that saved me that night in the CCT?" Ruby approached with a curious smile. "He's a lot smaller than I thought!"

"Thresh isn't a Grimm, but yeah. He's also only got a short fuse for fighting." I said. "I'll be saving him for more serious situations. What's up, Ruby?"

"Well, I was actually wondering what you were doing for the holiday break?" The little reaper asked. I simply tilted my head. "Oh, right! You're not exactly from here."

I never told her and the rest of the teams the truth, I just kept up the alibi of having been from far away and somehow landed in Beacon's backyard. How convenient.

At least we won over Blake! Shift cheered.

I'm quite glad things went down the way they did. Stoic added. We have a lot of training and planning ahead of us.

"Are you gonna stay here to train for the Vytal Festival?" She asked. I shook my head.

"I don't exactly have a team to get me through the first two rounds, do I?" I asked rhetorically.

"You can join my team!" She answered immediately, at which I laughed.

Oh Ruby, what kind of self-insert fanfiction do you think this is? Shift laughed as well. I mentally rolled my eyes at his remark, though.

"Ruby, Goodwitch personally told me my Semblance was unfair to have in the tournament, anyway." I explained. "It'd be 4-on-1, then 2-on-1, then 1-on-4. It's totally broken."

It's also to give us time to watch over the tournament to keep an eye on any unwelcome guests. Stoic said.

Yeah, we still don't have a plan for that. Shift pointed out.

We'll get there when we get there. Stoic answered.

"Aw, sorry to hear that." Ruby pouted, before putting on a determined face. "But I better see you cheering us on when we fight!"

"You say that like I have a choice!" I joked. It had definitely been fun watching both Teams RWBY and JNPR develop in person. "You girls definitely have a fan in me!"

Wow, way to sound like an NPC, Ross. Shift joked. I ignored his remark to hear what Ruby had to say.

"Well, Yang and I are headed home to Patch, and I know both Weiss and Blake will be staying at Beacon to keep up their studies, which does sound pretty lame." The little reaper listed off. "Jaune told me Team JNPR's gonna be training nonstop for Vytal. What about you?"

"Probably a mix of both." I lied. I needed to talk to Ironwood and Torchwick as soon as possible. Some ideas to help repel Grimm from Atlas would be nice. Torchwick might not have known much about the total villains' plans, but he must have heard something about it.

A little extra team training for us never hurt. Shift suggested.

"Oh, that's cool, I guess." Ruby tried to sound excited about my choice.

"It's really not, but I don't exactly have anywhere else to go." I said. Before I could think of more excuses, I received a text notification on my Scroll. Taking it out and reading it to myself, I looked back to Ruby, who looked slightly curious. I covered it up by saying, "Goodwitch wants to talk to me about something from class. I'll see you later, Ruby. Have a nice break."

"You too, Ross." With that, she left hurriedly, probably to catch up to Yang.

. . . . .

"You want to what?" Ironwood asked, incredulous.

"You heard me." I said. "We need to remove Roman Torchwick from your airship. And then, I need to talk to him about what he knows about Cinder's plans."

"You're asking me to release a known dangerous criminal from custody." The General said.

"I'm asking to get him off that ship; it's part of the downfall during Vytal." I said. "Torchwick plays a very important part in a small, yet important part of the plan."

"I… Dust damn it." Ironwood sighed. "I honestly have no reason to doubt you."

"So, you'll do as I ask?" I said, feeling a smile rise to my face.

"Yes," He relented. "But his new quarters will be secluded in Beacon and must be under surveillance at all times."

"That's… reasonable." I replied.

Makes sense. Stoic piped in. He is still a notorious thief.

True. Shift said. But we need him if our plan's gonna work

"We'll move him to suitable quarters within Ozpin's permissions." Ironwood informed. "Then we'll let you know when you can talk to him."

"Alright." I relent. "I really appreciate your cooperation with this. I know my side of the story sounds really suspect."

"Like I said, Mr. Ramsey," Ironwood spoke as he parted ways with me. "I have no reason to doubt you after what you proved. Just pull your weight to stop what you claim to know is coming and we'll be just fine."

I sighed before turning around to head back to my own dorm room. The walk back and elevator ride to my floor was quiet, but my mind was racing. Shift and Stoic were also thinking of ideas that would help increase the likelihood of survival of as many people as possible during Vytal.

They'll be meeting before Vytal, at least. Stoic reminded. We can tell what we remember then.

Oh, I really wish we had our phone now! Shift said. We could watch the show and catch up on what happens!

While it wouldn't exactly get reception, Stoic said. I don't think it's that grim of a disadvanta—

"Grimm!" I realized at that moment one of the scenes I hated the most about Volume 3's last episode; the two lone Atlas soldiers fending off against the invading Grimm. "Ironwood needs to place a lot of emphasis on the borders against the Grimm. And to make sure no aircraft are allowed to land if they're not carrying students or Vytal supplies."

Heh, "vytal" supplies, get it? Shift snickered at the accidental pun.

Not now, Shift. I simply nodded and smiled in a minor mental victory that could lead to a great impact against those forces.

"Adam Taurus needs to be taken out of the picture." I said. "He needs to be made more of a priority."

I opened the door to my room to see a not-too-unexpected sight; Neo was reclined on my couch, watching TV tranquilly with a bowl of ice cream in my hand.

Ah, an iconic sight to see of the beloved best-girl of RWBY. Shift admired.

I… don't disagree. Stoic said.

With which statement? Shift asked the serious persona. The sight, the icon-status, or the best-girl?

Yes.

"Well said, Stoic." I muttered as I shrugged off my uniform's suit jacket and draped it over a chair by my kitchen table. I turned to greet the bored woman. "Hello again, Neo." She simply responded with a limp wave, her attention completely on whatever show was on.

She's so cute. I sighed at Shift's inclusion. Don't show weakness, Ross.

"You're just gonna stay here while I talk with Roman?" I asked. She nodded. "Do… you need anything?" After a moment of silent contemplation, she shook her head. Suddenly, another notification rang from my Scroll, this time from Ozpin himself.

"Torchwick has been moved at your discretion, please let me know when you'd like to speak with him."

-Ozpin

PS: I hope you know what you're doing with this one, Mister Ramsey.

Glad to know he has some faith in us. Shift commented. I tapped 'Reply' under the message and typed back:

If it's alright with you, I'd like to speak to him later this evening, without a guard inside.

I sighed, seeing as my position was one still suspect to those who knew of my real story. Checking the time, I noticed there was still ample time in the day for meeting with Torchwick (5 PM). I pocketed my Scroll and turned once more to our guest before leaving.

"Alright Neo, I'm gonna head out to talk to Roman." As I turned to leave, I felt a small pressure at my back; a swift stab notified me that it was most likely Neo's umbrella. I attempted to defuse this situation by saying, "Look, I'm not doing this because I wanted to arrest him, I'm doing this because we need you and Roman on our side to save Remnant." Taking a deep breath that I hoped she didn't notice, I turned to face the short, multi-colored assassin. I didn't need a typed-out message to be able to read what her face was threatening.

If we somehow mess this up and get her and Roman in more trouble… Shift spelled out.

There will be hell to pay. Stoic finished.

"Neo," Again, my use of her name without her or Roman having told me caught her slightly off guard, her eyes flinched, but her stance held. "I promise you, I didn't have you and Roman stopped for personal gain. I need you both to make sure Remnant is saved and in the end, you'll be hailed as heroes. You won't have to steal or kill in order to survive after that. I promise, Roman will not be imprisoned for long."

My words didn't seem to sink in at first, but she eventually lowered her weapon before returning to my couch; I made sure not to watch her legs as she walked back, willing my own to turn my body around and leave the room.

. . . . .

"You know what you're doing, I assume." Ozpin asked me as we stood outside a set of double doors. He had guided me to what seemed like the part of Beacon that was mainly offices for faculty and visitors. The only difference with this domicile was that there were two guard standing on opposite sides of the door, with two more standing opposite of them against the opposite wall.

"Yes." I said. "Torchwick isn't clued into the entire plan, but he was aware that his recent plans fueled Cinder and Salem's plans for Vale and Beacon. Anything he can tell us will be helpful."

"But…" Ozpin took the word out of my mouth.

"I need his trust first." I said. "I need to make sure he's telling me everything he knows, and truthfully." With that, Ironwood exited the room in front of us.

"He's all yours." The General stated. "Are you sure you don't want any security in there with you?"

"Positive." I said. With that, I walked past him and entered. There was a flash of light and then I was suddenly in a room alone, standing across Roman Torchwick himself, sitting at a metal table in the middle of the room.

This isn't an office… Shift noted.

It's an interrogation room.

"Never knew they had rooms like this." I added aloud, which caught the redhead's attention. He scoffed lightly.

"Get enough detentions and you'll see this room more often than a teacher's office." Torchwick said. "That, and some shady smuggling stuff I used to get into here."

So, he confirms the fanon idea of having attended Beacon.

"That's… interesting." I had no honest idea of how to respond to that.

"But let's get back to you, kid." Roman said, talking to me as if he was the one asking questions here. "You know things, right?"

"Some things, yeah." I confirmed.

"And you say you know how I die and and other stuff you shouldn't." He said. "Prove it."

"How?" I said. "You already complied with my request by agreeing to be arrested and talking with me about the plans your employers lay out."

"Tell me things about me, or things about what I've done." The well-dressed criminal requested. I had to think for a moment.

"I don't have many specifics on you and Neo, to be honest." I said. "You aren't very well-explored from our perspective."

"Perspective?" Torchwick repeated, then suddenly remembered something. "Right, the good ol' General Ironwood told me you're from some world of 'observers,' and that's why you seem to know things." With that last statement, a memorable quote from Volume 2 entered my mind.

"You'll know what you need when you need to know it." My use of my enemy's quote caused Roman's eyes to narrow a bit. "That's what Cinder told you, when you asked what exactly all that stolen Dust was for, right? Right after you learned Emerald Sustrai and Mercury Black had to do your job of dispatching a loose end in Tukson?" A tense silence followed.

"Anything else?" He asked after a few more moments of silent contemplation within both of us.

"It must have been so infuriating to see your white coat get all dirty when you got punched out of that Atlesian Paladin prototype you stole." I said. "Especially infuriating to be stopped by a bunch of first-years, as well."

"Ok, so you know a good amount of things only known by people who've worked with me." Torchwick said. "And yet, you've only been here less than a couple months, right?"

"That's about right." I affirmed.

"You think your pre-determined 'facts' are enough to save Remnant from what their plans are?" He asked, tilting his head and wearing a skeptical smirk. "From what I could gather, it's some pretty dangerous stuff, kid."

"Knowledge is power." I answered simply.

"But is it strong enough?" He countered.

"How deep into the entire operation were you, Roman?" I asked, wanting to get to the point of our meeting.

"Not as deep as I'd like." He harrumphed. "Cinder only delegated me to Dust heists, using borrowed help."

"Junior's men and the White Fang." I guessed. He nodded.

"Not the most capable kind of company I'd like to have, but the plans didn't exactly have me in charge of that anywhere." Torchwick said.

"And what was there for you to gain?" I asked. "What was the profit in aiding in a bid to destroy and take over all of Remnant?"

"Whoa, whoa, kid." Roman waved his arms out to stop me from continuing. "I know nothing about that stuff. I wasn't included in the world domination thing you and the other bigs keep talking about."

"Then what was the profit?" I asked. Torchwick took a moment to think before responding. "What's the point of joining up with this trio out of nowhere?"

"We were on a side that we felt couldn't lose." He answered. "And it took all that I can to work for them to make sure I could keep living the way I wanted. To get by how I wanted."

"Cheat, steal, and survive?" I asked, remembering his last words in Volume 3 before being eaten by a Griffon.

"That's how I do it, kid." He looked at me with a smirk, though the rest of his countenance was quite serious. "That stuff you said about me dying by being swallowed by a Griffon, is that correct?"

"Part of the plan was for you to get arrested and on Ironwood's ship." It took a while, but Torchwick nodded. "Then, Neo would sneak on in disguise, take out the crew and free you so you could take out the other Atlas ships watching over the Vytal Festival. Then, all hell breaks loose as Grimm and White Fang swarm Beacon and the festival grounds and attack everything. Despite being on their side, Roman, you end up being one of the unfortunate casualties."

"That's… a rather shitty way to die." He concluded.

"Indeed it is." I said, which both Shift and Stoic agreed it was a tragic and completely unexpected.

"Then what do you want from me, kid?" The criminal asked. "You already know my level of involvement with this whole 'evil master plan,' what do you expect to get from me?"

"Names, locations." I listed. "Specifically, a way to get to and take down Adam Taurus."

"It's gonna take a lot more physical convincing to get him to stand aside." Torchwick countered. "From what I've heard, he doesn't have much of a choice."

He's right. Stoic said. Remember, Cinder managed to recruit Taurus and the White Fang after threatening them with her newly found Half-Maiden powers.

"Just give me the information I need, and you still get to play a pivotal part in saving not only your own hides, but Remnant as well." I bargained. "You and Neo will be seen as accessories to the defense, rather than the attack, of Vale." Another bout of silence.

"How is she, by the way?" Roman asked in a calm tone. "Neo. Is she alright?"

"She's chilling in the living room of my dorm, like you said." I assured.

"Good." He said. "I'll help you and tell you what you need to know as best I can, just promise me something."

What? "What is it?" I asked. Money? More power and immunity post-defense of Vale?

"Keep her safe, no matter what." Roman requested. "Or you'll have hell to pay from me."

Wow, talk about a two-front attack from either side of the duo. Shift said. Scary either way, but understandable.

"Deal." I reached a hand out for the criminal to shake, and he reciprocated; his palm was cold, and I didn't even notice he wasn't even wearing handcuffs. "Welcome to the good side, Roman Torchwick."

"Don't push your luck, kid." He rolled his green eyes. "I'm not doing this for your happiness."

"Right." I sighed. "Now, tell me what you know about Adam Taurus."