Chapter Twelve: You Told Me To
Mistral, the House
Yang had originally intended to retire the room she was splitting with Ruby, but after hearing Raven and Qrow argue about their next course of action, she decided to lie on the couch in the front room instead and see how much it'd bother them to know she was eavesdropping and whether they were still keeping the kids out of the loop. It felt good to lie down and rest after the punishment Mercury inflicted, so Yang was savoring the opportunity to recuperate while occasionally listening in on whatever other plans might've been brewing.
She kept stealing glances over at Raven. She kept opening and closing her right hand, thinking on how she reached out and her mother squeezed her hand when they thought they were facing defeat…
It was a foolish sentiment, but she couldn't help it. When she marched into the bandit camp and demanded Raven's help, Yang honestly never expected to see her again. Yet now, this Raven from another world who'd married her father after Ruby was born and after Summer disappeared had been there for her when it counted most.
It was hard to reconcile her feelings. She'd always hoped there'd be a good reason Raven left her and her father and once they finally met the answer would put all Yang's doubts to rest. Instead the Raven she found didn't know her and instead devoted all her affections for the rest of Yang's family, and quite possibly loved Ruby even more than Yang did… and that was such a jarring difference from her expectation it still didn't quite feel real. Raven had been understandably wary of her, and Yang's first instinct had been suspicion and mistrust…
And then Yang reached out and hugged that woman when she saw disappointment and loneliness, and felt as though she was embracing someone she cared for. And then Raven responded to Yang's need in turn, accepting a strange mechanical hand as readily as one made of flesh and blood and holding her when all seemed lost.
She kept reminding herself this Raven was not her mother and that she'd yet to meet the person who gave birth to her and abandoned her and her father. Yang hadn't met that woman yet, and unless they found some way to return all these people out of place, maybe she never would.
They needed to get Ren back, of course. But Yang couldn't help but wonder what to do with Raven… just as Yang would occasionally steal looks at her, she saw how Raven would steal looks at Ruby whenever she was in her field of vision. Yang often did the same, keeping an eye on her sister or reflecting on the woman she was growing to be.
Yang had been opposed to it at first, the thought of someone stepping in to mother Ruby… but given how fiercely protective (and embarrassingly affectionate) Raven was Yang had to admit she was getting used to having her around, and honestly hoped Ruby was appreciative. It was a complete 180 from where she'd been before, and the longer they spent together the more Yang was entertaining keeping Raven in their lives.
But then what became of the Raven from this Remnant? Her father had talked about her having some admirable qualities, and still occasionally spoke of her with some lingering –if distant- affection. If they were able to help her and get her back from the other side, surely they had to, if only for that little bit of love still left. If Tai could forgive her, surely Yang could (eventually) do the same…
The world could apparently suffer two Jaunes. Couldn't it also bear two Ravens? Her Semblance was what protected Jaune from disappearing as Ren had. Maybe she could shield others from the transition, but not herself.
Yang's eye moved around the room, eventually find Pyrrha standing at the backdoor, talking to Nora outside. The swords strapped to her back looked eerily familiar…
Maybe there were others they could save too. Or maybe Yang could go there herself, if she'd never existed at all on the other side. If Raven's gift brought her to this Remnant, maybe the Raven now on the other side could somehow bring Yang over with their bond and her Semblance. Maybe she could help her real mother return, or persuade her to help bring Ren back.
Yang clenched her fist again as she thought on the fight before. Mercury wasn't exactly a slouch in combat, but he was leagues below Cinder in power; otherwise he'd never bother obeying her orders. And the other Jaune and other Ren had been exceedingly powerful, to the point they could boss Cinder's two flunkies around and fight evenly with Raven and Qrow. If Salem had anyone else comparable to that strength on the other side…
Yang had come to Mistral for her family. And once she was absolutely certain Ruby was safe, another member of that family would need her help… and Yang would need to be strong enough to save her.
Her body still ached, but she'd rested long enough. Pyrrha and Nora were up… and she could think of no better choices to help push her a little further.
Oscar tentatively allowed Ozpin to assume control of his motions, but only because he didn't want to constantly play messenger, relaying Oz's words back and forth. He was much more tense than usual, and Ozpin's words came out a bit slower, a bit more strangled as pitch shifted back and forth between his practiced tone and Oscar's timid voice. "If Salem has pooled her resources with these knights, then it can only be because they've offered her something worth entertaining the alliance."
"When Ruby joined the fight they did mention wanting to capture her too," Qrow replied. "Both Salem and Cinder want her, so it could go either way."
"If this Cinder wanted Ruby, why wasn't she fighting alongside them, then?" Raven asked. "If she's as powerful as you seem to think she is, she'd have made short work of us."
"You know the kids from the other side," Qrow pointed out. "Maybe they thought they could take us themselves… to be fair, they did get pretty close."
"I doubt the Spring Knight cares about personal glory," Raven dryly replied. "If he could've assured victory he'd have brought the advantage with him."
"And these two are the only ones Salem has sent?" Ozpin asked. "Does she have other followers you are aware of?"
"Before your… defection," Raven warily replied, "You told us she had been making alliances, but that all her subordinates were disposable. I wasn't aware of anyone in particular in her confidence other than these knights."
Ozpin was quiet a moment. "That may give us an advantage then. When Oscar and I made our way here, we encountered someone… someone who would take great umbrage at the thought of Salem and myself working together."
"Friend of yours'?" Qrow inquired.
"I had hoped," Ozpin mused. "But if he has come to Anima for the reasons I suspect, he may provide us an opportunity. We could divide Salem from these new allies and pit them against each other."
"Any way we can reach him?" Raven asked.
"That is where we will need Leo's help," Ozpin replied, turning his attention to Qrow. "All these missing Huntsmen… I don't think it's coincidence that so many went missing and that none could be present when Leo organized this 'search party.' I hate to say it, but I think his fear has gotten the better of him."
"He's working for Salem then?" Raven speculated.
"Possibly," Ozpin allowed. "I hope he's not so foolish… but if he is, then we need to find the Spring Maiden quickly. And in the meantime, we need to learn just how many enemies we have lying in wait." Ozpin craned his head around at the collection of students, visitors from other worlds, and former criminals he had to work with. "We by no means hold the advantage, but if we can isolate the threats we face, then perhaps we can divide and conquer, just as Salem always means to."
"Use her tactics against her; I like," Qrow agreed. "But where do we start?"
"We start by telling Leo you survived the trap he… unintentionally led you into," Ozpin replied. "And then we warn him there are traitors in his midst, and listen where he cries for help."
Haven Academy
Lionheart's Scroll buzzed at him with a message from Qrow: a warning that they'd been betrayed, that someone had intercepted his message or the Huntsmen he'd recruited to help had turned traitor and sold them out to Salem. Qrow reported he and his team were lying low, waiting for the dust to settle before they poked their heads out again.
Lionheart had a pretty good idea where Qrow and the Beacon students were staying, but as Salem and her forces had yet to ask he hadn't gone out of his way to volunteer the information. But this latest failure was sure to upset the Queen, and he wasn't at all eager to be subject to her anger. Instead he had to sit in his office and wallow in his guilt at betraying his friends again… and knowing there'd be more betrayal to come.
He'd feel guilty too if these boys fighting for Salem had killed Qrow and the others, but at least that'd be the end of it… at least Leo wouldn't be deceiving his friend again and again; at least the mountain of lies would reach its peak. Instead he'd revealed his hand and somehow felt worse that Qrow failed to notice.
But then, Qrow wasn't foolish. He probably suspected something was wrong, but he didn't yet know for sure Leo had betrayed him. The missing Huntsmen were on his mind instead, and Qrow thought someone else sold them out. He missed the obvious conclusion for something more intricate.
He'd never know if those Huntsmen would've been loyal to their kingdom or their cause. Leo saw to that, and knew that Salem's disciples had dealt with them. He'd robbed his kingdom of its champions to save his own life… and now Qrow was attributing Leo's crimes to the dead.
So much guilt… if only he could explain, if only he could be honest with his friend and admit that he'd been weak, and ever since he'd let the monster in his door he'd been unable to cast her back out.
He reached for the Scroll to answer. He came very close to asking Qrow to save him.
Instead, before composing a reply, Lionheart had a few precious seconds to think… and fear won out over friendship, as he set the Scroll aside and stood up from his desk to a chamber near his office, where the monster took up residence, watching over him and counting his every step.
"Your Grace, I've heard some troubling news," Lionheart mumbled, unable to look even at the black surface of the Seer. "It seems Qrow Branwen and the students escaped the trap we set for them…"
The Seer did not answer, floating silently before him.
"They… they might suspect me now," Lionheart quickly added. "We need to find another way, we need to deal with them quickly… i-if your Grace still means to capture them."
The Seer remained silent. Lionheart grew only more terrified the longer he stood before the Queen's vassal and silence lingered between them. "I-if it pleases you, your Grace, I can go to him, I can explain-"
"No."
Salem hadn't deigned to appear reflected on the Seer's skin. She hadn't raised her voice. And Lionheart immediately stopped talking, far more content with silence than the slightest hint of her disapproval.
"You will remain at Haven and leave this to me," Salem instructed. "I will see to it this failure is the last… and so will you."
"Yes, your Grace, of course!" Lionheart frantically agreed. "Thank you, my Queen…"
The Seer fell silent again. Lionheart quickly scampered backwards, returning to his office and out of the creature's range. If anything, he felt far worse after toadying to Salem… just because she hadn't assigned him blame didn't mean she wouldn't punish him for failing if the whim took her.
Though for the moment he was spared her wrath… Salem was in her keep, contemplating, planning… and no doubt someone else would be subject to her displeasure before the night was done.
Elsewhere
Ren had observed a Nevermore visiting the top of Salem's keep shortly after Ozpin contacted them. It took something from within and headed north… and dozens of Grimm wandering the red rocks did the same. More emerging from the black pools headed in the same direction, moving in massive herds.
Ozpin had promised war in Atlas, and Salem showed Ren a recollection of a terrible weapon. If Ozpin had that and Grimm at his back, Ren wasn't sure what his adversaries could hope to muster in response. If only there was some way he could send a warning, but he wasn't sure what communication options he had or what level of technology might've been moved inside this ancient castle…
Salem was still nearby. Ren didn't think she knew every thought running through his brain, but she was probably smart enough to suspect he'd try to thwart her; she simply didn't believe he'd pose any threat to stopping her.
But there was another option. If he could reach her.
"Excuse me," Ren began. "I'm not sure if there's more you wanted to show me, but… so long as Blake is staying here, could I speak to her?"
"Of course, my son," Salem assured him. "Should I bring her to your room?"
"My… room?" Ren repeated, incredulous.
"Ah, you have had a long day," Salem mused, "Yes, I will take you to your chambers and have the High Leader join you. I'm sure you're eager to have a chance to rest."
Ren had no intention of falling asleep in this witch's house if it could be helped. But he was tired, and might succumb eventually… so long as he got a message out to stall whatever Salem was planning. Whatever this world was, Grimm attacking a kingdom was something he'd fight to prevent.
Though that led him to wonder exactly how he'd convince Blake to send a warning. Even the Blake he knew at Beacon –even after she defended a foreign kingdom from her former comrades in the White Fang- had never held much love for Atlas. And the one in this world was hardened by pain and loss, and he'd have to try and convince her to help a kingdom that had persecuted Faunus again and again… and convince her to betray Salem after Salem had given the White Fang a kingdom of their own to rule.
He had to believe there was still a better person in there; a soul still intact behind that bloodied mask. He had to believe that those he already knew capable of being good people in his world could become good people in this one.
It may not make a difference; it may not do anything to help his friends or the other Remnant he hailed from. But Grimm –and Salem- were enemies of humans and Faunus alike in both worlds: of that he could be certain.
As Salem led him, still fondly clinging to his arm, Ren speculated on where Raven Branwen would be placed once she was brought to the castle. Salem had yet to show him a great many rooms, and he couldn't help but think so far he'd only seen what Salem wanted him to see.
He had to be careful in searching… and the moment he thought he could look around without drawing Salem's attention, he would act.
A Raven Branwen had somehow crossed over from this Remnant into his, so that was where he'd focus his efforts… after he persuaded a friend to give up everything she'd gained to help people who'd done nothing to deserve her aid.
Mistral, the House
"Still nothing?" Raven asked, impatient.
"Nope," Qrow confirmed, sliding his finger over the surface of his Scroll.
Ozpin tented Oscar's hands and thought. "It's possible he's indisposed or even under attack himself… but I think it's fair to conclude we can no longer rely on the intel Leo provides either way."
"So how do we find the Spring Maiden?" Qrow asked. "Raven –uh, the Raven from here- knew who it was." He turned his attention to the Raven on hand. "How long were you with the bandits here?"
"A few days," Raven answered. "I deliberately avoided them most of the time, but if the tribe is anything like it was before, there's only so many places they could flee to. The same strongholds they used when we were children should still be intact… well, unless I missed a drastic overhaul of policy by the Mistral council."
"Well, we have a few leads on where to search then," Qrow agreed. "But what about those two knights? You said that extra angsty Ren wanted to bring you back to Ozpin so he can reabsorb the magic he gave us…"
"Just as he amassed the relics and the knights," Raven added. "He has been constantly seeking to increase his power, though –as usual- he wasn't very forthcoming with his motives."
"And how powerful were you, Oz?" Qrow asked. "Back in the day?"
Oscar noticed that Oz was hesitating… but not because he meant to deceive. Because he didn't know.
"If he were to reacquire the missing powers, he would be stronger than the combined military of the four kingdoms," Ozpin answered. "And if he reached that point, it'd make little difference how much more powerful he could be."
"We can't let them get Raven," Qrow agreed.
"Well then," Raven began, "We should prioritize dealing with the Spring Knight and his comrade. Once we remove them it'll be far easier to oppose Salem here."
"Or we can secure the Relic of Knowledge from Haven and let these two factions both return to Salem empty-handed," Ozpin suggested. "Either way, we'll need to decide –and prioritize- now. I have no doubt Salem will be on the move and eager to correct this blunder."
"And if we're going after the knights we'll need to hit them with everything and everyone we've got," Qrow added. "Based on how today went…"
"If the knights are as determined as you say to capture Raven they should be our focus," Ozpin decided. "However, if we tell Leo our attention is instead devoted to finding the Spring Maiden, now that we believe ourselves vulnerable…"
"When did you get so devious, Oz?" Qrow wondered.
Raven didn't share his good humor. "The appeal will pass."
Ozpin sighed. "For the moment at least, we have a common enemy, Raven. Surely we can tolerate each other until all the ones we care about are safe."
"And who –exactly- do you care about, Ozpin?" Raven inquired, narrowing her eyes.
"My students, of course," Ozpin quickly replied. "I know you are wary of me, but I'm sure you'd prefer not to be judged by the actions of your counterpart we know. Hopefully you can allow me the same courtesy."
Oscar was tempted to intervene then, and make it clear what Ozpin had done before, just in case Raven and Qrow didn't yet know. Ozpin wasn't planning on telling them… but he didn't think either of them -even the eternally loyal Qrow- were completely unaware of his duplicity.
Oscar could reveal the extent of Ozpin's crimes to them. His allies –or whatever he considered them- deserved to know the true nature of the man they were putting their faith in now. But then, Raven had been prepared to draw her sword on him once already…
It's not so simple, is it? Ozpin inquired.
Oscar reasserted control over his body. Raven eyed him warily, observing the way light shifted about in his eyes. Oscar quickly filled the quiet air: "I'll just get back to training then… for when we're ready to fight these knights."
"Yeah, fine, kid," Qrow agreed. "I'll send the message to Leo and get things started."
Once Oscar was out of earshot, Raven leaned close to her brother and whispered: "And what happens if this Ozpin is playing us just like the one I know did?"
"I know you're not the trusting type," Qrow allowed. "But if Oz was going to sell us out to Salem he'd have done so a while ago. He wouldn't have much to offer her where he's at in the new kid's body."
Raven then very pointedly reminded him: "Except Ruby."
Elsewhere
Salem finally released him, leaving him outside a heavy wooden door and promising to return with Blake Belladonna. Ren had patiently tried to explain that he wasn't interested in whatever strange marriage alliance Salem was trying to goad Blake into, but his defiance only seemed to amuse Salem further. Ren considered where he stood now and wondered if he should just wait in the hall… as though the room left to him was some sort of trap he'd yet to trigger.
Ren focused his senses, listening for any indication Salem was spying on him or speaking about him. He could definitely hear voices talking… but given all that Salem had whispered in his ear lately Ren wasn't so sure if they were real at first. That was, until he drew closer to the sounds… many sounds in different pitches and tones, all coming from another door just down the hall from the one Salem had left him before.
Curious, Ren stepped to the wooden frame and reached his head to its iron handle. He wasn't sure if he should simply open it or knock, but he'd definitely heard a voice other than Salem's within. Whoever else was residing in this castle… well, he doubted anyone could refuse Salem's command to stay, and he was equally confident not everyone invited to remain would wish to. Ren reached his hand above the handle and knocked against the wooden surface.
The voices abruptly stopped. Ren listened closely to footsteps drawing nearer, to someone reaching to open the door… and Ren immediately drawing back upon seeing the person on the other side.
"Forgive us, Spring Knight," Cinder Fall requested, both of her amber eyes pointed to the floor. "We didn't mean to disturb you."
Ren just looked on at Cinder –the woman who masterminded the attack on Beacon- timidly apologizing to him. He looked past her into the room, a massive chamber with a massive bed, occupied by two others he recognized: Cinder's ally Emerald and Coco Adel, the leader of the second year Team CFVY. Why was a Beacon student in Salem's castle?
Ren pushed aside his initial shock at seeing Cinder again and stepped past to Coco on the bed. "Are you all right?" he inquired. "What are you doing here?"
Coco looked up at him with her brown eyes, dull and glazed over. "I have been tending to our Master. Do you know if he'll be returning soon, Spring Knight?"
Master? Did she mean-
"I… I don't know," Ren quickly replied. "How long have you been here?"
"Since Master asked me to join him," Coco answered. "We all have."
Ren had not been close with Coco during their time together at Beacon, but he had shared many afternoon tea meetings with her teammate Fox Alistair, and from what he learned secondhand was that Coco was fiercely independent and unfailingly confident. That she would refer to anyone as 'Master'… especially who Ren suspected she was talking about.
"What do you remember about back then?" Ren asked her. "Do you remember Beacon and what happened?"
Coco's dull expression never wavered. "It was all so long ago… Master told me to forget."
"The past is the past," Cinder added, still standing by the door. "It will never change; what does it matter in the here and now?"
Ren wasn't sure what led them to this state, but he had an opportunity to gain more information… and he didn't want to lose it. Whatever they'd been through, whatever compelled them to try and forget, Ren really wished to understand what led him –and led Jaune- to become Salem's minion. "Tell me about Beacon," Ren insisted. "Tell me what you remember."
Coco shook her head. "It's all in the past… Master wants me to forget…"
Ren reached a hand to her shoulder, trying to be gentle and not grip her too firmly. "Jaune wasn't always your master. You wanted to be a Huntress; do you remember?"
Coco only stared at him. Ren quickly changed tactics. "Your teammates- do you remember them? Do you remember Team CFVY?"
"Coffee?" Coco repeated, confused.
Ren frantically tried to remember. "Fox, Velvet, Yatsuhashi… your team. Your friends."
The names seemed to affect her. "Fox… Yatsu…"
Two out of three wasn't bad. Ren didn't push his luck. "What happened to them, Coco? What happened to all our friends?"
"I don't… I don't…" Coco couldn't seem to compose a thought, before falling back on her earlier mantra: "Master told me to forget…"
What had Jaune –or Salem or even Ozpin- done to them? What could render someone as confident and assertive as Coco or as menacing as Cinder into this timid mess?
"Please," Ren requested, "I know it's difficult for you, but please… please tell me anything you can recall."
Coco only continued to mutter about her master's will. But to Ren's surprise, Emerald drew over to him from the other side of the bed, drawing his attention by tapping Ren's free arm.
Emerald looked past Ren to Cinder at the door. Ren followed her line of sight, then shifted his attention back to those red eyes when Emerald refocused them on him. "He took her first… before me. And Coco was before Cinder."
That gave Ren some information at least. "Why? How?"
"The King gave him something," Emerald explained, struggling almost as much as Coco had, though her sentences were noticeably more coherent. "Something that… changed us…"
"What was it?" Ren pressed. "What did he use?"
"We were trying to find it," Emerald explained, looking past Ren at Cinder once again. "Buried under Beacon… in the vault…"
Ren thought on what Jaune told him about what became of Pyrrha. And then what Qrow told him at their campfire after their battle with Tyrian in Oniyuri.
A relic… buried under Beacon. Somehow it had left these three very powerful women into these all-but broken shells?
Ozpin said he was going to Atlas to recover a relic 'stolen' from them. Was it the same thing that left Coco and the others like this?
If Salem were to get her hands on that…
He had to talk to Blake and persuade her to get a warning to Atlas. She'd already begun eroding the defenses of his mind… and if the will of someone like Coco Adel or Cinder Fall could become so broken…
"Are you awake, Raven?"
Raven slowly stirred. She tried to raise an arm to her face, but found herself lacking any range of motion. Her eyes snapped open as she glanced at her right, the thin tendrils of a Seer holding her arm in place. Raven whipped her head around to look at her left and saw a second Seer keeping that arm ensnared. Her feet dangled over several feet of air above pleated stone floor, the two Grimm messengers presenting her to their queen.
"Unfortunately," Raven dryly replied.
"Ozpin grew tired of your constant rebellion," Salem explained.
"I'm sorry to disappoint him," Raven replied. "But then, without me to hold his portal open, your 'knights' remain stuck on the other side, don't they? So you can't be rid of me just yet."
"True, your life does still hold value," Salem conceded. "But I don't want you to make the mistake of thinking you are indispensable… your power is needed to connect to the other Remnant, but your power could easily go to another."
"I'm shaking," Raven mocked. "If Ozpin could've taken it away from me he would have already."
"You are not of this world, and nor is the power you carry within you," Salem acknowledged. "But others have found their way here –or from here to there- without your Semblance, and I am certain Ozpin can find a suitable alternative. While he goes to acquire that missing piece, you have an opportunity to decide… is it worth our time to keep you alive?"
Raven glared at her. "If you didn't need me I'd already be dead."
"Don't be so sure," Salem suggested. "You have value, certainly… but once Ozpin returns with the ability to create anything we require, you will be useless to us."
Salem waved her arm. Raven heard something heavy creak in the darkness at her back: a heavy door swinging open. "But not to her."
Raven heard footsteps. A Faunus girl wearing a bloodied mask moved to stand beside Salem, looking up at her.
"Is this the one, High Leader?" Salem asked. "The one who took Adam Taurus from you?"
"Yes, my Queen," the Faunus confirmed, incandescent with rage, the mask barely containing the fury behind it.
"I don't know what lies you've told this girl, Salem, but-" Raven didn't get a chance to finish, as the Faunus girl leveled a blade towards Raven's throat.
"Not yet," Salem firmly instructed. "Not until you've agreed to my proposal, at least."
The Faunus girl's hand was shaking. The blade was very near slicing Raven's throat. She badly wanted to attack, and would have already were she not in the queen's castle and serving at her pleasure… just like everyone else Salem ever added to her number.
"Consider this a dowry," Salem told her. "If you will join my son, I will give you the revenge you've sought for so long."
"Yes," she agreed immediately.
"Excellent," Salem said with a smile, before reaching her hand to press the Faunus girl's blade away. "Then go and tell Lie the good news. And together we'll make arrangements to see this one put to death… for what little remains of humanity to see."
The Faunus girl would clearly prefer to kill Raven right there. But she did as Salem commanded, leaving them.
"So, you were always going to kill me," Raven mused. "Imagine my shock."
"Or I could offer up another Raven in your place," Salem reminded her. "I am simply no longer willing to indulge you. I am willing to honor our agreement… but the longer you insist on this rebellion, the more you stifle our plans. You may well have been home already had you not attempted to escape us.
"So I ask you a final time," Salem decided. "Think carefully, because we will not tolerate further defiance. Allies? Or death?"
Just outside, on the other side of a heavy wooden door, Blake's sensitive ears listened to what the queen hadn't meant for her ears… and thought on just how valuable Salem's word was.
Revenge was before her… but apparently there was more than one Raven Branwen, and Salem intended to offer up another one in the place of the one she had?
The Spring Knight seemed to think he'd known her… known her in a better time and place than this. What had he seen? What did he know?
And why was Salem keeping that from her?
Haven Academy
When Mercury and Emerald came in first, Cinder could tell by their expressions they were bearing bad news. It didn't surprise her things had gone awry… though it had come at a very inconvenient time. Salem already had evidence of their failure to consider, and if they were foolish enough to return to the Queen empty-handed…
Cinder hadn't known what Salem wanted to tell Tyrian when she summoned him to her meeting room, but she'd been grateful not to be present to witness it. She very much doubted Salem had been understanding of Tyrian's failed efforts to capture Ruby. And these two who claimed to come from another world… well, Cinder couldn't imagine Salem would be any more understanding of outsiders.
Emerald only shook her head and moved to stand behind her leader when the knights stormed into the grand hall. The Fall Knight was clearly enraged, even though Cinder could only make out a vague silhouette inside the steady stream of Aura.
"He's gonna make all kinds of excuses," Mercury whispered to Cinder, "But this one's on them."
Cinder faintly nodded. She watched as the Spring Knight stepped in after his brother, far more composed than his ally. While Jaune continued to grumble, Lie stepped forward to address the trio. "We need to tell the Queen what has happened."
"And tell her how you two botched the snatch and grab?" Mercury suggested.
Before Jaune could offer a rebuttal, Lie raised his arm to quell his brother. "The fault is mine, and I will tell the Queen the same. There will be time for her to render her judgment on me, but we need to come up with a new plan to acquire the anomaly."
"One where you don't freak out because your girlfriend showed up?" Mercury asked.
Lie's seemingly eternal calm shattered in an instant. Aura encircled his eyes and Mercury prepared himself for a fight…
Cinder raised her arm before Mercury, gesturing him to back down. With Cinder between him and Lie, Mercury did as she commanded and allowed himself to relax a few hairs. Though Lie continued to glare at him, eventually the Aura vanished from sight and the Spring Knight composed himself. "We have lost the element of surprise," Lie explained. "We will need some other way to draw our targets into the open."
"I was hoping you'd say that," Cinder agreed. "Because as it happens, I have something in mind…"
Before Cinder had a chance to elaborate, however, another joined them in the hall, having followed Cinder back from the White Fang's headquarters…
When Jaune and Lie turned their attention to the newcomer, they were instantly on their guard. The brutish Hazel looked down at the two and grunted: "What are you looking at?"
Jaune narrowed his eyes. "So, the Queen's still got you kicking around, huh?"
Hazel raised an eyebrow. "Do we know each other?"
"Oh, not anymore," Jaune replied.
Lie raised an arm to Jaune's shoulder, reaching right through his burning Aura. "This isn't our world, brother. He can still be of use to us."
"Of use to you?" Hazel repeated. "I don't know what Salem's told you two about me, but I'm not one to be used."
"Oh, I know," Jaune agreed. "You wouldn't play along when Ozpin rolled in and it cost you."
"Ozpin?" Hazel repeated. Cinder raised her remaining eyebrow at the change in his tone; it was the first time she could ever recall hearing him raising his voice.
"This one's a liability," Jaune explained to the others. "Is he part of your plan, Cinder?"
Cinder had certainly considered bringing Hazel's power into her scheme, but… "No."
"Good," Jaune nodded, cracking his knuckles from somewhere within his fiery sheen of Aura. "Then we won't be needing him."
"Don't do it, Jaune," Lie warned. "The Queen will not be pleased to know you've done this without her permission."
"She'll accept it when we bring her the relic and the silver-eyed warrior," Jaune argued. "Dumb as Rainart is, he knows how this goes… and Salem will make do without."
Hazel eyed the boy warily. "I'm not sure what you think is going to happen here, but I didn't come to fight you, boy."
"Life is full of surprises," Jaune replied. "And the sooner she's rid of you, the better off Salem will be…"
Lie sighed and stepped back. "I can see there's no point in trying to persuade you to work with him…"
"Nope," Jaune confirmed.
Hazel pounded his right fist into his left palm. "Don't do this. This won't end well for you."
"Oh, I've done this before: I know exactly how it turns out," Jaune replied. "And if the Queen has any reason to doubt our abilities… well, after I'm finished with you I think her confidence will be restored."
Hazel narrowed his eyes. Jaune's anger and frustration turned to a cocky grin. "So what do ya say, big guy? Still not here to fight?"
"Guess not," Hazel admitted.
"Salem told you to kill us if we failed, didn't she?" Jaune asked.
"She told me you might get out of line," Hazel answered. "I can see she was right to think so."
"Oh, don't worry," Jaune assured you. "It won't be your problem much longer."
Hazel grunted. "You're right."
The Fall Knight unsheathed his sword and rushed towards him, clashing blade against fist.
Elsewhere
Ozpin could see the snowy shore ahead. It'd be a few hours before all of Salem's Grimm were in place, but it didn't seem they'd raised the kingdom's early warning systems. Scouts would find their landing site before everything was in place, but Atlas –even with all their discipline and efficiency- wouldn't be able to scramble an effective response to meet the horde coming to meet them.
Great beasts emerged from the sea and climbed onto the shore. Nevermores at the head of the fleet dropped Beowolves and Ursa to gather together. Goliaths already wandering the continent moved into place to join the gathering army.
Ozpin looked down at the blade in his hand. He had so little of the gods' power left… he'd have to measure it carefully and strike true. He couldn't be reckless, but displays of power would be needed to demoralize Atlas and stifle their resistance.
If his predictions were correct, however… he had more than enough to complete his mission. After all, both Ironwood and Salem would be expecting him to go one place, and not another.
The Grimm wouldn't know any better. Now he just needed his old friend James to do what came naturally… because he was about to seize victory from the jaws of defeat, and he didn't even know it.
Mistral
Pyrrha stepped back inside, leaving Yang and Nora to continue their sparring. She was looking forward to a shower and some rest after the day's excitement, but on her way down the hall, she spotted a green-eyed boy with prominent freckles waiting to meet her.
Pyrrha knew there was another person staying in the house… one she hadn't yet been introduced to. She couldn't help but be wary, but she tried not to be bothered by this boy just because no one had taken the time to introduce them. "Hello," she greeted.
His eyes flashed brightly. Pyrrha was immediately on her guard, drawing the green sword to her hand.
"I mean you no harm, Miss Nikos," the boy assured her. "I only wanted to ask about the world you come from."
Pyrrha continued to eye him carefully, not relaxing her grip on her sword.
"Specifically, I wanted to know how you learned to master your Semblance," the boy continued. "Because I'm wondering why someone so strong, so intelligent, and so caring… would feel the need to be keeping secrets."
Oscar was apprehensive. Yet he let Ozpin play his hand.
"Who are you?" Pyrrha asked him.
"I think you know already," Ozpin replied. "So tell me… why did you decide to leave your world for this one?"
Pyrrha lowered her sword. "Because you told me to."
