Dragon Race

"Qrow, I've told you, it's not a matter of desire, it's a matter of capability," Leo said.

"And I've told you, we need to do this!" Qrow answered. The two of them, along with Aurelius and Lin, were meeting in Haven's assembly room. Lin sat at the head of the table as the Empress, with Aurelius sitting at her right, and Leo at her left. Qrow sat next to Leo, while the Imperial Guard surrounded the table.

"Qrow," Aurelius said, "You said yourself that the Relic needs protecting. We need the remaining huntsmen here."

"That doesn't mean anything if Salem gets her hands on the key," Qrow said.

"I don't know what you want us to do," Aurelius said, sitting back and holding up his hand, "Our hands are tied." Qrow growled, as he hung his head. He then glanced at Lin who had spent the whole meeting silent, her eyes on her hands.

"Well, they aren't your huntsmen," he said, before looking at Lin, "Hey, Empress!" That got the young monarch to look up from her hands.

"You would address Her Majesty in such a way?" Rowan said, stepping forward.

"Oh cram it lockjaw," Qrow said, not having the patience to deal with a guy like him. Rowan growled, as he took another step forward, and the rest of the guard did the same. Lin just held up her hand for them to stop. She was looking at Qrow, and actually smiling slightly.

"Yes, Sir Qrow?" she asked.

"Can you send a battalion of huntsmen to deal with this?" he asked. Lin was silent for a time, as she apparently considered it.

"Your Majesty," Leo said, "If we send out our remaining huntsmen, we won't have any more defense in Mistral." Lin looked down at the hands folded in her lap.

"That is true," she said softly.

"And it's bullcrap!" Qrow snapped.

"Watch your tongue, cretin!" Rowan shouted in his own right, snapping his jaw.

"Qrow, please," Leo said, grabbing Qrow's arm, only for him yanked it away.

"It doesn't matter how well defended the city is if Salem can get to the Spring Maiden first!" Qrow said, "Now I know where Raven is, and we can either sit on our hands and do nothing, or we can take the initiative!" Those words sat in the air for a time, as did the tensions.

"Your Majesty, perhaps a break would do everyone some good," Aurelius said, leaning down to the girl.

"Yes," Lin said, happy to get away form this, if only briefly, nodding, "Let's break for an hour or two."

(in the house)

While Qrow and Aurelius were busy shouting at each other, Weiss had taken it upon herself to help Jaune practice some again. Jaune came down to the practice area outside, only to see Weiss standing there without her weapon, her arms folded.

"There you are," she said, as she saw him, "Let's go."

"But… where's your sword?" Jane asked.

"First off, it's a rapier, not a sword," Weiss corrected, holding up a finger, "Second, I was thinking we'd do something different. Ruby's comment at that dinner about racing as dragons got me thinking." Jaune then opened then closed his mouth.

"Seriously?" he asked. She seemed like the last person who'd be interested in something like that.

"I want to stretch my wings a little," Weiss said, "Besides, it's good for us to get some real fresh air." She then promptly turned on her heel, and strolled away. Jaune sighed before following him. Why was she so hard to argue with?

It was a bit of a walk, but they eventually made it to the outskirts of the city. Once they got there, they both assumed their dragon forms.

Ah! Weiss said, opening her wings That feels so much better.

So, where're we going? Jaune asked, flexing his own.

Well, you've been in Mistral a longer than me, so what's your suggestion?

Well, perhaps to reach that mountain Jaune suggested, pointing to one of the mountains. Weiss would've shrugged, but couldn't as a dragon, so she just nodded. Jaune then looked towards the city, and his tongue flicked.

You sure this… Jaune couldn't finish, as Weiss beat her wings, and was suddenly in the air. Jaune just sighed, and smiled slightly, before following Weiss into the air. He tried to catch up, but between Weiss' bigger wings and lighter frame, she was able to keep ahead at him.. The two soared for a time through the mountains and cliffs, giving a good scare to a family that worked a farm on the outskirts of the city. Of course, that didn't mean Jaune was going to give up; Arcs didn't do that. With a hiss, he flapped his wings harder, which allowed him to gain some on Weiss.

The white dragon glanced over her shoulder at the gold dragon, and smiled slightly. He was much better at flying than when she last saw him, and he was slowly gaining on her. But Weiss was never one to settle for second place. She then opened her wings wide, as a pair of glyphs appeared under her wings. With a single beat, she doubled her distance with Jaune.

That's not fair! Jaune shouted, before he groaned, and tried to flap harder, with little success. Eventually, he reached the mountain, and found Weiss perching on the cliff, smiling at him.

Fine, you win! Jaune relented, as he landed.

Then I officially retain bragging rights over your team Weiss declared, as she lay down, wrapping her long tail around her body. Jaune sighed, as he stretched his neck.

You know Ruby's not going to accept that, he said as he settled down. As he did, Weiss looked him over; his dragon form looked different too, more powerful. Jaune noticed her looking at him.

What? he asked.

Oh! Nothing Weiss answered, as she looked away quickly.

(back at the house)

After the meeting started, Ruby would pass the time by working on Crescent Rose. As she picked at the gears, she chewed on her lip; her baby was being a tad more stubborn to open up, and if even the tiniest gear squeaked a little, it deserved the utmost attention.

"Ruby?" The reaper looked up, to see a familiar girl in gold and jade appearing in the door, backed by five Faunus in armor. Ruby immediately stood up straight.

"Your Majes…"

"Don't!" Lin suddenly said, holding up her hand, "You can still call me Lina." Ruby looked at her somewhat strange.

"Or Lin, that's fine too," Lin then added, before taking a step forward, "So, watcha you doing?"

"Oh, uh… just working on my scythe," Ruby answered, gesturing to her weapon.

"Oooh," Lin said, stepping closer, "This is cool." While she knew better than to touch, she bent down close.

"What's it's name?"

"Crescent Rose," Ruby said, running her hand down the hilt, as she did, her brow furrowed, "I'm… I'm sorry about how I acted the other day."

"It's okay," Lin said, looking at the ground.

"I was actually just surprised," Ruby admitted, "I'm… sorry if I sounded rude."

"No really, it's okay, I'm used to it," Lin answered, as she looked at her hands, before sighing, "It's actually worse since I became Empress. When I was a princess, at least people saw me as a person. Now, since I became Empress, it's like I'm not even human anymore, more some unearthly demigod. People always avoid me, like if they get to close they'll spontaneously combust." She smiled at the guards.

"At least you guys stay close," she said.

"Of course, Ma'am," Roy said, with a nod.

"So they follow you everywhere?" Ruby asked, glancing at the guard.

"They do," Lin said, "They've been with me since I was a little kid." They glanced at the guard, who were all standing in a circle in the room, at parade rest, facing straight ahead.

"Can they even talk?" Ruby asked, leaning in slightly.

"We can," Cornell, the one with the crest, said, though he didn't look at Ruby. Lin then sighed.

"I sometimes feel kind of bad," she said, "Faunus still aren't treated very well here in Mistral, and they still guard my every move. I want to make change, but…"

"It is of no issue, Your Majesty," Rowan said, "We are all still honored to serve you, right?" There were affirmations around the room. That was when Rowan's scroll buzzed, and had to answer it.

"Well, I wish we could hangout again," Lin then said, "Maybe get some more mochi…."

"Well, why don't we?" Ruby asked.

"What?"

"You're the Empress, you make the decisions," Ruby said, "If you want to get some mochi, who's stopping you?" Lin blinked at that, before she seemed to think.

"Well, now that you mention it…"

"Your Majesty, I apologize, the Chancellor is requesting your presence back in the meeting room," Rowan suddenly said, as he hung up his scroll. Lin took a breath, as she smiled at Ruby.

"Wish me luck," she said.

"Good luck, Your…," Ruby stopped, "Lin." That made Lin's smile broaden, as she left.

(in the mountains)

During all of this, Jaune and Weiss were sitting on the cliff, enjoying the sunset, still as dragons. As they were doing so, a thought came to Weiss' mind.

Jaune.

Yeah?

Where are you from? Jaune looked at Weiss in surprise, who was now looking at him. That was a weird question to ask, which Weiss seemed to realize, as her tail flicked.

Well, I'm from Atlas, Nora, Ren, and Pyrrha are all from Mistral,Yang and Ruby are from Vale, and Blake once told me she was from Menagerie, Weiss explained, But I don't think I ever figured out where you were from.

Oh? Well, I'm from Vale too, actually, Jaune answered A small town, not far from the capital actually, called Reflection. He then looked towards the sun.

It was on the ocean, and the sunsets were always the best, he said It's what I miss the most about it, actually. Weiss looked at him for a time, then back at the sunset.

Most of the time, you can barely see the sunset in Atlas, Weiss said, The smoke from the mines and refineries blots it out half the time. Jaune looked at Weiss this time, as he took a breath, exhaling some flames as he did so, not at all sure what to say.

It's okay, Weiss said There's nothing really to add there.

Well, Jaune said, looking back to the sunset At least these sunsets are really pretty to look at.

That they are, Jaune, that they are.

(in the meeting room)

"We're going in circles," Leo said, leaning into his hand, "It just can't happen."

"I'm sick of hearing that," Qrow said.

"And frankly, I'm getting sick of telling you!" Leo countered.

"Qrow, at this point, you're asking for the impossible," Aurelius said.

"I swear…," Qrow began.

"Enough." It was as if someone had pressed "mute", as all eyes were suddenly straight on Lin.

"Chancellor, please arrange for a team of huntsmen to begin a search the Branwen Tribe," the Empress then said.

"I'm sorry Professor Lionhearted, but I am exercising my authority as the Empress of Mistral," Lin said, "See to it that it happens." Aurelius stared at the young monarch for a while, until he bowed at the waist.

"Your will, Your Majesty," he then said, before he gestured to Rowan, "Contact Creme, and tell her to assemble her team."

"Yes, Lord Chancellor."

"Damn," Qrow muttered as he stared at the 33rd Empress. He'd seen that tone from someone before: the previous Emperor.

(at the house)

Oz had been the only person who decided not to attend the thing at the Academy with the Empress or Chancellor, and Oscar didn't oppose it, saying that he wouldn't have been able to contribute much at this point.

"So, was the last Emperor your friend?" Oscar asked, as he practiced with the cane.

"Not exactly the word I'd use, but he was an ally, yes" Oz answered, "Part of the reason he would always encourage the new settlements. He thought that if they could build faster than Salem could burn, we would be able gain an edge on her. But alas, destruction is always easier than creation.

"How true." Oscar froze as he heard the voice. He looked over his shoulder to see Shade walking towards him, arms folded behind his back.

"Uh…," Oscar said, not sure how to address him, that was when Oz took over, "What is it?"

"I am merely curious as to your progress," Shade said, "It has been a long time since I lost saw you. I am surprised you are not at the assembly."

"There were more people in that room than just Qrow and Leonardo," Oz said, leaning on his cane, "I imagine you'd know better than most about what experience can teach."

"Perhaps," Shade answered, as he summoned a chair to sit in, "That woman always has had a rather…. far reaching grip." At that, Oz involuntarily flinched, and it was then that he decided to ask the question he had been mulling for some time now.

"Oscar, the god and I need to have a private conversation," Oz interrupted, "I'm sorry, but I have to do this."

"Ozpin, what're you…." With that, Oscar was silenced, as Oz locked him away. He would be fine, it would be as if he were asleep.

"How long are you going to hide what happened to them?" That made Shade looked straight at Oz.

"Come again?" Shade said, his eyebrow raised at the wizard's tone.

"What you did…," Oz said, taking a step forward, "And now you're walking amongst them like nothing happened?" Shade was silent, before he stood up, and shifted into his divine form.

"The reasons why I do what I do have never been the concern of anyone but myself," Darkness said, as he towered over Oz, "You will not concern yourself over such a thing."

"The well being of those children is very much my concern," Oz countered.

"And I have been very diligent in that regard."

"You've never cared about mortals."

"Again, none of this is your concern." Oz stared at Darkness for a time, before he took his breath.

"You can't interfere," he said, "That much I know, but you can't hide what happened forever. It will come out sooner or later." With that, he walked past Darkness, who didn't glance after him.

"Anastasia survived." It was like a million volts of electricity suddenly coursed through Oz's body, as his eyes widened, and he shakily turned around.

"Wha…." But the god had already vanished, leaving Oz alone and absolutely at a loss.

Note: Some more scenes for Jaune and Weiss doing some bonding, albeit as dragons instead of humans. Again, I want to give her a fair shot as well in this proverbial battle. Some have suggested I do what's so eloquently called "War of the Roses", which apparently refers to Jaune being paired with Ruby and Weiss. First off, I'm rather surprised there's actually a term for that (those I suppose I shouldn't be), but the issue is that that kind of pairing in a story is very hard to pull off well. I'm not sure if I have the ability (or really the desire) to do so.

Otherwise, most of this chapter was dedicated to Lin. They're going to take action, but what comes of it remains to be seen.

Be sure to review. Please?

I'm going to say now, I've officially redesigned Jaune's look; he's now based on the dragon Vilentretenmerth from the Netflix Witcher series, albeit with four legs and two wings, a white gold frill around his head, and being somewhat larger. I thought that look, while more bestial, was also more imposing than his initial design. I went back to the chapter where they first transformed and edited it as well.

Completely unimportant, but I hereby petition to dub the Penny x Weiss ship, "Dancing Clown". Think about it a little…