Chapter 22

It had been a long time, since he felt this powerful.

"My bodyyyy!' Ozpin hadn't been expecting this young child, the Summer Maiden, to be capable of forcing her mana into him. A dangerous technique back before magic was wiped out. As not only was it possible to overload a body of the mana, something the girl intentionally did, but also the user who did this could die themselves. Having put to much mana in a target and exhaust their bodies.

However, this child did it, and putting almost all her mana into him. He could feel his elderly body slowly bursting with power. Yes, to the average person and even a trained Huntsmen this would mean death to them.

To the average person that is.

"Gaaaahhhhh!' It hurt, there's no denying that. However, he wasn't going to die. Back before the Maidens, Ozpin held tremendous magic, equaling Salem's own magic. However, he gave more than half his power to four girls, not even having a quarter of it left and only capable of using the most simple of spells. It didn't help that the power he gave never returned to him, having decided to just wander. Something he probably shouldn't have done.

Regardless, for many years he had only his tiny magic pool left in him. It was always near empty, and every year while only a tiny bit, it dwindles slowly. That was now changing however.

Because of the girls move, instead of overloading him like its original intention, instead what she did was the equivalent of filling a near empty tank of gas of a car back to full. That's right, her own magic was actually filling back his old reserve of mana, wait, no. It was actually going above it.

Not by a lot of course, however he estimated he was stronger by at least a decent amount back in his prime. The mana now becoming his own, and also explaining why his body was burning from the inside. This body wasn't used to the amount of mana he now has. Still, while painful he could endure. After all, one doesn't live for eons and not get used to certain pain.

With determination and his own expertise in using magic, Ozpin did his best to control the raging mana in him, suppressing it so it didn't burn out his body. It took a bit of time as he wasn't exactly...used to controlling this amount of mana like before, but he eventually got a hold over it. While his body ached, it was no longer under risk at blowing up into a rather messy ...mess more or less.

The old wizard stumbling a bit as his head ached, his joints saying to rest, his muscles feeling like they ran a marathon. Sweat coming from his body, his own eyes having lost a bit of focus. Still, he persevered, and stood tall.

Tall...with power.

'Uh,' He thought. 'What...what was I doing again?' He then looked up where his eyes then caught a hold of two figures. Ah, that's right. The intruders. While he didn't know if they truly worked for Salem, or were just some strange anomaly, considering their crime record he couldn't just let them go. He'll detain them and see if they do know Salem, and if not ask what their goals are.

'And if I can cause them a little pain, then why not.' A bit petty, but that mana overload hurt a lot. In any case, he then used his power, a green aura surrounding him as with his aura good as new and now his magic back in his prime. Even stronger than the Maidens themselves.

He then floated in the air, lifted his hand, ready to strike.

'Are you fucking me!' Meanwhile, on the other side of the spectrum, Jason was freaking out.

Because of Medea (Lily's) blunder, they were now facing an even stronger opponent. One with greater magic, magic that can harm their origins. Not exactly a good thing as it can kill them. Heck, even if he and Medea (Lily) were at full power, much as he hated to say this but they stood no match against the guy. So that only left him one thing to do.

Zap!

"Gah!" Running away.

Ozpin launched a bolt of green energy which nearly hit Jason and Medea (Lily). Quickly he scooped the young Caster and began running at full speed. Forget the Dust, he just wanted to live.

"No you don't." Ozpin of course wouldn't allow such cowardliness and instead used his regained magic to launch numerous bolts of green energy at him.

"Ah crap!" No way he could dodge those. Hell have to face them head on. Jason rudely dropped Medea (Lily) on the hard floor who whined where he then pulled out his sword. "Hya!" He then hit one of the magic energy bolts in hoping of knocking it away.

Bam!

Only to explode on contact and send him flying into the nearest pole. Ozpin actually looking surprised at the rather dumb move, and even the young Caster looked at him with judgmental eyes.

"Jason!" She then called out. "This isn't a tv show where you can knock away energy like that. Of course it would explode."

"I know now!" He groaned as he got back up standing and wiping his upper chest. "But now," He then pulled out his sword. "I'm readyyyy-!" He then saw his own sword, the thing he carried with him, the very object he sucked at using, missing the front part of the blade. Now busted up. "..." He then checked the area where he exploded at and saw the pointy part of the sword there.

Well...that was unexpected.

"Hah!" Ozpin took advantage of this and fell right in front of Jason who hadn't noticed. While he could use magic again, Ozpin didn't bother. Instead he used his cane, and gave a merciless wack here, there, and everywhere on Jason's body. From the chest to the abdomen, the sides, the knees, shins, forearms, and of course the face.

"Ba-babababa!" Jason could only say as he was wacked all over. Bruises already forming due to Ozpin reinforcing his cane with aura. Ozpin then gave a might spin of his cane and had the blunt end hit the one part no man deserved to be hit in. Ozpin being a bit petty there.

"Gaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!" Jason's eyes popped wide, his mouth dropping, his hands covering his most injured part between the legs. Thinking on it, his outfit didn't offer much protection against such attacks.

Medea (Lily) covered her mouth and seeing Jason being hit down there. She then ran off to Jason with Ozpin letting her pass by, seeing her as no threat. Though that didn't mean he didn't have his guard up.

"Jason." Jason's young ally called out to him, kneeling down to the downed hero. "Are you okay?"

"N-no!" Jason said as it was clearly the most obvious thing in the world. Had he been a full fledged Servant, that cane would have done nothing. Now though, he just wished he had ice.

"Here." Medea (Lily) then lifted her arms with the magic she had left in her. Her dainty hands getting rather close. "Let me heal them."

Jason kept his precious part covered up. Sure healing would be nice...but he got the feeling he'd regret it if he let Medea (Lily) touch that part. Plus, he didn't like the way that asshole of a headmaster was looking at him with a dirty gaze. As if he were garbage with some disbelief. He wasn't the one that asked Medea (Lily) this!

"You are defeated." Ozpin then said to the two. "Either you will come in peace so we may talk, or things will get more ugly."

"Never!" Medea (Lily) said to him. "The Argonauts never give up! Right Jason-sama?"

"I'll give you the address to our hangout. Oh, and get me some ice and maybe some food. Haven't eaten in awhile." Jason did his best to ignore Medea (Lily's) rather shocked look of betrayal. Ironic since she's the future 'Witch of Betrayal'.

"Jason." She said in shock.

"Wow." Ozpin then said also looking surprised. "...You...Wow…"

"Hey, you beat us. So I don't see the point in holding secrets." Jason tried justifying himself, and he wasn't exactly wrong. After all, what was the point of resisting further when neither he nor Medea (Lily) could fight back. If anything trying to fight back or at tough is a fool's errand. Still, for him to give in so easily.

Coward.

"I'm sure the other two will understand."

"You really are garbage you idiot!" Atalanta shouted with her foot kicking a bag stuffed with something inside.

"Mph!" A something that moved.

""▄▄▅▅▂▂▃▃!" Hercules stomped on a piece of garbage. Or as he also called him, Jason.

"Owowowowowowowo!" The blonde fool called Jason, struggled horribly as his two 'friends' kicked the garbage bag he had been stuffed in. Courtesy of Hercules upon learning what Jason did.

"..." Glynda looked over the scene unsure what to even say about this. She raised her crop ready to intervene, but Ozpin held her back seeing no trouble at all. Though frankly even he was surprised by what this man's allies were doing to him. He then gazed down at the one called Medea (Lily). "So, how long will this last?"

"For a while." Medea (Lily) smiled at him.

Pew! Pew! Pew!

While also shooting some painful spells at the bag Jason was stuffed in, setting it on fire.

"Ahhhh!"

To explain, soon after Jason's instant surrender, as agreed on he gave up the location of the other two. Some police were sent along with Medea (Lily) who told them about the situation. Explaining how Jason more or less wimped out and surrendered to Ozpin. How he faced the headmaster and lost embarrassingly and squealed.

Had it not been for the many police with their guns, the fact Medea (Lily) was technically held hostage, and that they caught them while the two had been sleeping they would have ran off. Sadly they couldn't and realized their position and lack of weapons which didn't help matters. As such, they had no choice but to follow them or be darted, thrown in jail, and the keys thrown away once more.

Following them in their pajamas. Which consisted of Hercules wearing giant stretched up blue boxers and Atalanta wearing a slightly see-through green nightgown. Both forced to go to Beacon Academy in these outfits feeling the chilly cold, and being stared at. Atalanta the most.

When they met Jason, instantly they gave him another mother of beatings without mercy. Thankfully Medea (Lily) did her best in healing him in between the punches and kicks. All with a smile to.

"P-please-!" Jason ripped open the bag with his face turned to a purple mess like before. "I give in."

Atalanta and Hercules still looked mad, however they are getting a bit tired of beating him up. Atalanta spit on him and Hercules just gave him on final kick to the ribs getting a good crack.

"Uh ...Ow.." Medea (Lily) went back to work healing him while the two huffed and just went facing Ozpin and Glynda. Atalanta giving a glare that equaled Glynda's own to her students.

"So, I assume you want something from us again?" Like Jason, the huntress also got vibes from Ozpin that indicated he had ulterior motives. She didn't think it was the type that was evil, however she'd still rather not get involved. She knew she should have shot an arrow in Jason's head. Otherwise she wouldn't be stuck in this situation.

"Well, for the most part yes." Ozpin said as he sat back down on his chair. To think all of them were back in his office like the day they all first met. Excluding the fact that it's night and two of them were in their pajamas, another was a mess with the final healing, and him even more powerful than before. Life truly is strange.

"But for now," Ozpin sipped his coffee once again. "I just want to know one thing. Why exactly are you four causing trouble in Vale. Because ever since the breakout, you four have been causing quite the rampage."

"Oh, that." Atalanta said dismissively. "That was just our deadbeat leader here trying to get the resources he needs." Atalanta then sat down on a chair while also doing her best to adjust the nightgown. She didn't want this old man seeing her undergarments, not to mention its more humiliating with Hercules, Jason, and Medea (Lily) here as well.

"Resources?" Glynda gazed at the still healing Jason. "For what may we ask? Because while we know you have done things yourself Ms. Atalanta, you allies Hercules and Jason have done even more damage." Many city workers cried at the damage they had to fix.

"To rule the city!" Medea (Lily) pitched in.

"?"

"?"

Both Glynda and Ozpin looked confused.

Both Atalanta and Hercules averted their gaze, the former having slightly red cheeks.

"What?" Ozpin asked again, if he heard right. Medea (Lily) was all too happy to explain again.

"To rule the city. Because Jason-sama wanted to make the people bow down to him." She says to them with no hint of deceit. "Ah! All the crimes he did was wonderful. He did all of it so he'd get another chance to make a kingdom his. How beloved."

Ignoring the delusions of this child who clearly has an unhealthy attachment to this man, both Ozpin and Glynda could hardly believe what she said. To rule a city? That just seemed so childish, and frankly stupid. For a moment Ozpin wondered if the child was just lying.

"..." Though judging from Ms. Atalanta's look, that did indeed seem to be the case. Her expression was that of regret, or put in other words, 'Why did I join this idiot in the first place'. Ozpin sighed realizing the sad truth that this situation is. He wasn't even sure what to think.

"Moving on," He then said wanting to get past this...whatever this is. "Now, once again you have all been caught. This time with what I may say are even worse crimes than before." From vandal to robbery to loads of property damage and the occasional mugging. If anything their criminal activity got worse. "Still, depending on what you decide that can possibly be swept under the rug."

"And-uh-let me guess." Finally feeling better, at least enough to stand with Medea (Lily) holding him up. Staring at Ozpin with a stink eye. "You'll 'help' by making us work with your school." Not a question, but a good damn guess.

"More or less." One that hit the mark.

"What is up with you?" Jason asked seriously. "You don't know us, you have no clue where we come from, yet you just want to 'help' us for no reason other than for, what, extra muscle." Jason narrowed his eyes. "Let me take a guess, something big is going on and you need some extra help, right."

Ozpin gave a small smile. "Clearly you're a man who doesn't bother with the pleasantries. Very well then, I'll get straight to the point." Ozpin put down his mug. "Yes, there is indeed something big going down in Vale. Someone is here that wishes to cause mayhem."

"Thought as much." Jason scoffed. "I got some allies that told me suspicious activity was happening in the underworld."

The Hassan have been working with Torchwick, and through him and other people they told Jason of the many unnatural things happening down there. How Torchwick has been made to steal more Dust than what was needed. The White Fang being forced into dealings that didn't involve the benefit of the faunus. Numerous criminals forced to work together. Certain crime families having been taken down with a common cause being fire. Basically put, something is screwing with the underworld of Vale which wasn't a good thing.

"Indeed." Ozpin confirmed also knowing of this. "I already have a good guess of who it is. And while I have my own help, I don't mind the help of others." These four have already proven themselves as much in terms of strength and ability. They were all practically Huntsmen level strength and above.

He's seen the reports of their activity with the exception of the child. Jason, while clearly horrible in a fight, was a rather good planner and strategist. Hercules being stronger than any person Ozpin has seen, and Atalanta, while few sightings, the reports state she never missed her target with her bow and arrow. All of them powerful in their own way.

"Help huh." Jason sneered. So now they're back to where it all began. Of course things were different naturally. Unlike before he knew he and the others were wary of that woman who could lift them up and restrain them, however, now with the exception of him and Medea (Lily), the other two had absorbed plenty of Dust. Sure they didn't have weapons, but his good buddy Hercules didn't need them. As for Atalanta, while she was best with a bow, she's lived long enough in the wild to fight without one.

'Meaning we could probably escape here. There's just one problem.' There's another reason Jason felt confident against Glynda. After they escaped and got their base, he went to Junior for any information on her. Learning her ability Telekinesis which is some kind of 'Semblance' powered by 'Aura'-he'll study those concepts later-and her skill with it.

She's good, but now that he knew her power he felt they could take her on more easily. He's not saying they might not lose, but their chances of losing is a lot lower. No, the real problem is Ozpin. 'After all, we don't know shit about magic usage in this world.'

It was already a surprise that this old guy could use magic. Even worse when his mana reserves increased further, and using it to send those energy bolts. This meant that whatever Medea (Lily) did, gave him more options to use his power. He hated to say it, but he couldn't risk him and the team fighting this guy.

Magic-real magic which Ozpin possessed-is something that can harm them, their very spirit origins. Servants normally didn't have to worry about this in present day since the power of magic is pretty much gone with Magecraft serving as a substitute. One that while not bad, is poor against a fight with Servants excluding certain exceptions. So against a guy that can harm them, no way he was risking it. Last thing they needed was to attack then get blasted by enough magic that could kill them.

Well, except for Hercules who is a lot more tougher with the possibility of God Hand still working. Then he'd avenger their deaths. 'Not that I have any plans on dying anytime soon.'

"So," Ozpin said again. "What will you decide."

Again everyone looked at Jasn, pretty much choosing him as the guy to give the answer. His team also giving the 'Don't mess up' look while they were at it. They were still upset with his last decision, though he doubted they'll accept if he joined Beacon, not that he had any intentions of doing so. Still, he had to answer.

"Alright Ozpin." Jason stood up. "I have my answer."

Ozpin looked normal, but beneath his desk where his hands were they glowed with magic just in case Jason planned anything. He can tell that aside from him and the Summer Maiden, the other two were still powerful.

"And I say-" Suddenly the lights turned off, engulfing everyone in darkness. "Screw you!"

Ozpin attacked!

Glynda raised her crop in the dark.

Medea (Lily) laughed.

Atalanta cursed.

Hercules roared.

Jason simply chuckled like a villain.

The lights then turned on, revealing a burn mark from Ozpin's attack. Glynda having already raised numerous chairs to send flying just in case. The glass windows of the tower broken.

Ozpin simply walked towards it and looked down. There he saw movement from far below, all leaving into the forest. It seemed Jason had made a plan this time around, one he didn't expect at all.

"Sir." Glynda walked up to him. "Shall we give chase?"

"No Glynda." Ozpin told her. "If anything, trying to chase them will be pointless now. Not to mention I get the feeling they have hidden allies around. Otherwise how else could they have escaped like this?"

Glynda didn't look to agree entirely, but she conceded. As Ozpin said, there is no way they could chase them now. Still, with this final act they will be even more wanted.

"Which reminds me Ozpin." She then looked at his hand which were glowing. "Is that what I believe it is?"

"Yes Glynda, it is." Magic. He'll have to explain this to her later. Why, even he was still having trouble believing he had this much power again. In fact…"Glynda," He turned and headed toward the door. "Call Ironwood and tell him that I may have a way to awaken Amber."

Glynda looked surprised for a moment, but then nodded. "Understood sir."

Ozpin looked at his hands as they sparked. While Vale still had problems with those like Torchwick, the White Fang, and so on, things won't be easy to solve. Still, at least he has the answer to one mystery involving his four guests. 'They certainly aren't working for Salem.'

Even she isn't desperate enough to hire people like...Jason.

Oh no, she'd never have someone like that man be in her group.

As for these Argonauts-strange that even in acronym it didn't match their names-sure they were a problem that he may have to deal with, but for now things were alright. He just hoped the days ahead would be like that. He can only pray for that.

"..." Inside a hotel room, Cinder gazed at the television. Watching another report on this fool called Jason.

"Ma'am." Her ally Emerald came in. "Is there a problem?"

"Yes Emerald, there is." Cinder said calmly, turning off the TV. She faced emerald who stood near the door while she sat on the bed. "Get me a meeting with Roman, I need to speak with him."

"Sure." Emerald took out her scroll, ready to make the call. "Though what is it about?"

"Let's just say I want him to deal with the nuisance that has been causing trouble." Rouge factors were a dangerous thing. This fool Jason while a complete idiot that is below her is becoming one. Having gotten word he's trying to steal Dust and harassing the locals to where police officers are becoming more prevalent. That was making things more difficult in having her pawns move around.

That cannot be allowed any longer.

Her hand revealing a flame which she then quenched.

Seems someone wised up, but also got the attention of a fiery killer. And Ozpin back in his prime, wow. Until Next Time.