Chapter 20

"Oh man. Guess I'm visiting the hospital if I ever have time." Out in the wilds, in a rather dangerous part, two people were walking leisurely as they foraged through the forest. The two doing so making an odd sight of an old guy with some kid.

"What are you talking about now human?" The girl calling herself Ana then asked her 'travel companion'. Were it not for his offering of food, she'd have ditched him long ago.

"Just some news I got." Qrow aid as he put away his Scroll. "A person I know popped up, and was apparently attacked by some jerks who tried robbing the school blind, taking away a lot of Dust." Though some kid that wasn't named had stopped them sorta, by blowing them up. Of course it looks like the crooks got away, but with nothing as far as eyewitness can tell. Pretty brave kid.

"Dust huh." Ana said recalling what Qrow told her about it. A magical thing that allowed one to control the elements, or in her case absorb and regain some of her power. "I still think that's a stupid name."

"Eh, not like I named it." So maybe Dust is a little strange with the naming, but hey, if it worked then it worked. Qrow then took a peak at the girl he's been travelling with for a while. He had to admit, despite her age she's good. Very good.

'Her skill with the scythe is practically Huntsmen level.' She was better than Ruby, and her speed is no joke either. He had to wonder, just how did someone younger than Ruby become so strong. What kind of teacher they had. The reason he originally picked her up was to get her to safety, but clearly she was far from defenseless, and didn't seem to want to enter a city.

"Hey kid," Qrow then decided to just ask. "Why are you out here? Don't you got a home or parents to go to?"

"..." And contemplated if she should answer, however she knew that grown-ups, or the more responsible ones, wished to help children. And while she didn't like it, she is a child at the moment. Biologically speaking anyway. Besides, not like it would hurt to answer.

"For the first question I am merely looking for traces if my sisters are here. As for the second, I don't have parents." Not that it mattered or made her feel bad. Her sisters were enough for the raising back then.

"Grimm attack?" She nodded, deciding to let him believe what he will. "So, what was this about your sisters? You said they were here."

"I said they might be around here." No thanks to that idiot. "But now I think it's safe to assume they're alright." Back in Chaldea eating and picking on her older versions.

...She slightly envied that.

"Hehe." Qrow scratched his chin. "Have to admit, its impressive a young child like you is protecting your little sisters."

"Little?" Ana went giving a befuddled look at Qrow. "I don't have little sisters."

"?" Qrow then stared at her. "You just said you were searching for your sisters."

"Yes. My older sisters. While strong, they aren't able to defend themselves properly." Thus why she trained so hard to protect them from any threats that came at them. Animals, monsters, or those of man. She defended them from anything that so much tried to lay harm on them.

"...What?" Now Qrow was really confused. This kid, who isn't any older than Ruby, is protecting older girls. That felt kinda wrong. "Can't they...fight for themselves?" He then asked the obvious. I mean, Yang and other children who trained to be Huntsmen and Huntresses were usually the older ones.

"Of course not." Ana replied in an instant. "They are idols, not fighters. They are the hope and dreams of men such as yourselves. And would have remained that way...were it not for me." The day the people's faith in her was taken. Twisted. The people turning eagerly to hate than love her. All because of the whims of that hag Athena. Only her sisters were still beloved, and even then...

Qrow took a glance noticing her pause. Now that seemed interesting, and from the way her voice sounded a little sad to.

"There a story behind that?" Ana just looked at him, then sighed.

"Let's just say upon my birth...people didn't take me to well compared to my sisters." Her hands grabbed her cloak, with Qrow seeing the stubs which he figured were her faunus traits. "After a woman found us, me especially, she had everyone exile me off to live on an island. My sisters joining me despite the fact they didn't have to. Staying with me even though they were normal compared to me."

Qrow's fist clenched. Of course it would be a bunch of racists that would do this. Just because she was a faunus they made her live on some island. The asses. He met his fair share and felt no guilt when beating some down onto the dirt. On the bright side, it seems that despite having no parents, she at least had these sisters of hers. Still, to force a kid to live on an island. That was pretty messed up, even by his standards.

'And it's no wonder she's wary of me and some people we pass by.' She probably didn't have a good view on humans, and he was more or less right.

Ana of course didn't hate humans, and didn't exactly wish any ill will towards them. However, she still remembered her times back then where they tried kidnapping her sisters. The times they attacked her as the years passed by, believing her a monster that trapped her sisters on the isle. How she attacked them out of both protection and revenge. Aside from the Masters and maybe a few others, Ana would rather not deal with humans if she can.

"So wait," Qrow then realized. "If your sisters are fine, then shouldn't you be with them?"

"...I have other reasons for being here." A lie since she actually didn't know where to go from here. After all, if her sisters are safe, then while it made her happy, it's still a fact she's in some new timeline because of that idiot. "Besides, so long as they're happy and safe, I'll make do here."

Smiling, Qrow put an affectionate pat on her head-

Slap!

-only for it to be knocked away. Ana glaring at him with Qrow then feeling awkward. Weren't girls supposed to accept that kind of thing. "In any case, thanks for sharing a bit about yourself. I can see you really do like your sisters. They must have been with you all the way."

Ana blushed a bit, however upon hearing those words she recalled something. Something from long ago.

…..

…..

…..

"Get out of here monster!"

"Leave!"

"Neve come back!"

Walking with fear, Medusa kept going as her body was hit with trash and rocks from her former human followers. Tying her best to avoid their awful stares and the malice thrown at her. A part of her trying her best not to cry.

Finally she reached her destination. A small boat which would lead to an island where she was to stay. With slow steps, she entered it and sat, still hearing the screams.

Then, they stopped.

"?"

"Well Medusless, what are you doing. Come now, let us go."

"Indeed. May as well leave the little animals behind."

The boat rocked as an extra weight then entered the boat. Turning, she then saw the. Two young looking girls with hair like hers, flawless skin, and beautiful dresses. The two now relaxing while also having a basket full of fruit with them.

"...S-sisters?" Medusa went.

Whack!

Only to be hit by a rock by a man. Who then noticed two beautiful girls with the alleged beast. "What are you two doing with that monster? Get out!"

"Oh shut up pig." Her eldest sister went as she put the oars in place.

"Go and squeal somewhere else. Can't you see we're busy." Her second oldest sister then raised her hand, and from it a pink energy came out and hit the poor fool. His eyes becoming glazed as he then smiled stupidly before walking away. Sighing, she and the other then both looked at Medusa.

"Well-"

"-get rowing."

"..." Slowly Medusa did as she was told, getting the oars and slowly began rowing. Yet despite being silent, she felt something inside her open up. Her eyes slowly watering and while her head was down, a smile could be seen on her face.

"...Yeah, I do." And murmured looking away. Looks like this was as far as Qrow will get. Oh well. The two continued walking with Qrow thinking maybe he can learn more about this girl later on. Though he did still wonder one thing.

'Just who are these guys that attacked Signal?'

"That was horrible!" With a loud crack and slam, Jason thrust the door open looking furious. Following behind him being his three allies, Hercules, Atalanta, and Medea (Lily). All three covered in soot and dust looking none to happy. "I can't believe you guys fell for some brats trick!"

"What I can't believe is how you're not dirty." Atalanta growled as her nose was becoming sensitive with Medea (Lily) sneezing. How did this guy escape from being covered.

"Hercules makes a good shield." Jason revealed that he hid quickly behind the muscle that is Hercules and escaped harm. However that did little to improve his mood. "Right now though, this isn't about me." He then grabbed a remote and turned on the television. "This is about my reputation!"

"-child of all people stopped incompetent thieves that are seemingly lead by a man known as Jason!" The woman on the news then proceeded to show a picture of Jason with his face choking on food. Jeez, take one bad picture and its there for life. Damn it!

"See!" Jason cried out as once more his reputation to be the ruler of Vale is taking a hit.

The others didn't seem concerned though and instead just staring with Hercules yawning.

"Really!?"

"To be fair, we didn't think some kid could get the drop on us." Medea (Lily) tried excusing their actions. I mean, not like a sword would have done much to them. The boy was so weak, that even Jason could easily handle him and wasn't even trying.

"Yeah, well because of your actions, we lost everything except for Atalanta's stupid pans and this!" Jason then pulled out a bag which held the books he protected. The bag that was okay and could be super useful.

Hercules then sneezed what appeared to be what could be described as a giant snot which hit Jason in the face. "Gah!" He then waved around and threw the bag away.

Crash!

Which then hit and broke the television screen which meant no more tv.

"Well," Medea (Lily) said as she stared at the sparking television. "They do say television is bad for your health."

The television then proceeded to spark and then explode into a small and flamey boom. The books there proceeding to turn to ash. Effectively turning their entire trip into nothing more but a failure with only Atalanta's stuff being the only thing bought and taken.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"I'm just going to start cooking." Atalanta then left with her new cooking utensils while Jason looked ready to explode. His face red with anger and his body shaking. He couldn't believe this!

How was he supposed to rule Vale, if everything didn't go his way. I mean, come on! Surely his luck had to take him somewhere! Grumbling Jason then decided to cool his head and just go outside. Grabbing a wallet full of Lien, he left their place and slammed the door shut.

"So, what are you making Atalanta?" Medea (Lily) called out.

"Hamburgers!"

"Oh goodie." She then faced Hercules. "Wanna go out and eat?"

Hercules nodded.

The two then slowly left making certain Atalanta didn't catch them. They wanted a meal, not diarrhea. The Archer Class Servant to focused to hear the door open and close.

…..

…..

…..

"Man. I can't believe those guys." Meanwhile Jason was waking in a secluded area grumbling on his misfortune. "How are we going to be taken seriously, if nothing goes our way?" The bank heist, the intel gathering, and now this. At this rate their sooner to grow old and die before they accomplish anything. Wait, can they grow old-ah whatever. The point is that he needed to do something to raise the teams infamy.

One without dumb kids getting in the way.

'Heck, how'd a kid even get there just at that moment?' Oddly enough, Jason wasn't the only one who had to deal with meddlesome kids, but that's another story. Right now he's racking his brain to think of something. Something that'll paint the news on him a better way.

He just needed something big. Showy. Something that'll prove to the people of this strange timeline that he's no joke at all.

"-due to the inflated prices of Dust, the SDC has decided to send Beacon more." Jason then heard the news on the radio that some homeless people are listening to that he just passed by. Interested, he kept to the shadows and got closer.

"Atlas has already sent cargo that will be heading to Vale City. In moments the people will now have Dust which will lower their prices."

"More Dust huh." Rubbing his chin, Jason had an idea. If he could just figure out where this Dust is, then maybe he can take it. Some for him, a bunch fo Hercules, and none for the girls, with the rest used for black market trading. Heck, the people will then be forced to obey him if they wanted their little Dust. The power to control the elements and junk.

The only problem he had now was where to find it.

"While the main cargo will arrive a week from now, an early shipment will be arriving and heading towards Beacon Academy." Thank you newsman. Who knew the local media can be so useful. With a sinister smirk Jason crept away chuckling darkly.

"...That weirdo in the shadows gone now?" A homeless man then asked his partner who checked.

"Yep." The two then proceeded to cook their meals with their pet rat who had a strange arrow on it.

"Ozpin. I checked the report and they say Jaune will be fine." At Beacon Academy the Headmaster and his partner Glynda are both sitting down and writing a few reports. Glynda having come in and telling Ozpin the news of their student. "They say Jaune's aura did a great job in blocking most of the damage, though fell short eventually.

Mm, yes. Aura can handle an explosion of certain levels, and young Arc had quite the impressive amount of aura. Why, he had more than some fully grown Huntsmen. Shame that even with that mass storage against an explosion which would kill regular people it still wounded up harming him.

The aura may have protected him physically mostly, however small particles of Dust have seem to have ended up entering Jaune's own system. This happened from time to time with explosives implementing Dust, or even when mining Dust. Similar to how smoking can cause damage to a person on the inside, with Dust you also got negative effects and sadly aura really only helped with the outside of the body, not the inside.

Still, thanks to the arrival of ambulances, they quickly stabilized Jaune and were slowly removing the Dust particles he inhaled. In time he'll be back on his feet and ready to go back to Beacon.

Or at least, if it weren't for one thing.

"His parents will arrive in a few days, and wish to speak with you." Glynda said reading a message. "They wish to know why you allowed Jaune in when he's never had proper training."

Looks like Jaune's parents saw the news with them now coming, and from the message Glynda shared with him they aren't happy. Maybe allowing a child who didn't have aura or training hadn't been such a good idea. To be fair, he did think Jaune had some training, as the Arc family is known to have fine warriors in their lineage.

Once again he has made a mistake. Hopefully the police won't be involved in this situation anymore than they are now.

"I'll deal with them when the time comes." Ozpin told her as he tapped on his computer keyboard finishing his report. "For now, what can you tell me on his team."

"Very upset. Ms Nikos especially." Ah, young love. Or dependency? While Ozpin himself has fallen in love quickly, he felt that Ms. Nikos's attraction to Arc was a bit to fast. Whatever the case, he can understand why the team would be upset. After all, their leader has been harmed.

Beep.

Speak of the devil, Ozpin tapped a button and the screen then changed showing someone coming near Beacon even though its night time now. There he saw the very same person that had been part of the event that injured both his student, and his former student Taiyang.

Frowning, Ozpin stood up.

"Glynda, I'll be out for a bit. Make certain none of the students go outside for the time being." The Huntress nodded as Ozpin left. Time to show this upstarter why he shouldn't mess with his students.

And long last, a real battle. Or will it? Either way, lets see if Jason is good enough to face someone who's had an even longer amount of time fighting with his own magic.

"It's time." Adam sighed as he got up, behind him Asterios. He faced his loyal companion, the Lieutenant. "I'll be off to Atlas to aid those humans in taking those special toys the arrogant people of the military so enjoy using."

"I understand sir. I wish you luck." His friend said giving a salute. Adam smiled as he walked past him, Asterios following.

"You sure you wish to come?" Adam asked his new companion. "You realize I'll be taking the fight with humans. And there will be fighting."

"I...Protect...Friends…" So naive, simple, and idealistic. He...didn't hate that.

"Very well. While I won't force you to fight, remember to defend yourself if it comes down to it." The greater bull faunus nodded. Raising his deadly weapons. A aura surrounding him, as Adam had unlocked it earlier. He had to admit, Asterios is truly impressive as it took all of Adam's aura to unlock it, with Asterios having a lot more than even his Lieutenant who had the most originally. Truly a shame his mental set isn't suited for fighting.

"I...Will…" Asterios then began walking alongside Adam as the two entered a Bullhead.

Atlas, better be ready.

For they are coming.