Warning: I do not own RWBY, that belongs to Oum & Rooster Teeth

Bold: other speaking

Bold: other thinking

Hi: normal thinking

Hi: normal speaking

Reviews:

Luine Mercury LWG: We'll see where everything goes, also thanks to support man.


MISTRAL, COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, AIRPORT


"So this is Mistral" Ruby awed at the massive city dotted on the mountain. Hundreds of buildings stacked on each other as giant waterfalls rushed down and trees stretching out of the mountain creating a stunning look.

As they exited the airport Maria scoffed at Ruby's words.

"It is, well before you get to the underside of it. Then it becomes a real shit show" said Maria. "And trust me when I say that."

"Oh um, ok" Ruby said "So where do we go now?"

"Well now we have to get to Lionheart, him and dad are good friends. If anyone can help us it would be him" said Jaune.

"Him, he seems ... well like leaf" the old women muttered.

"Like a leaf?"

"Old saying" Maria waved her hand.

"Ok ... well anyway, all we have to is get Haven and it'll be smoothing sailing from there" the blonde assured them.

"So what we just walk in there or something?" Yang asked.

"Well yeah, I mean come on Yang what could even happen-"


MISTRAL, HAVEN ACADEMY


"What do you mean we can't enter!?" Nora demanded.

"Look lady, I already told you this a dozen times, no one is allowed to enter Haven academy without permission from the council" the front guard replied irritability.

"But WHY?"

"Because it's from the orders all the from the council. Look ever since that giant hoard of grimm nearly destroyed Vale everyone is tensed. And right now the last thing our hunters need is people bothering them while there training. If you have a problem then take it up to the council" the guard explained.

"Well what about us, we're students from Beacon academy. Surely we can enter Haven academy, we have our identification cards right here" said Weiss, showing the guard her huntsmen-in training id.

"Sorry, can't do that. You'll have to bring that up to the council" he said.

"Oh why you litt-" Weiss quickly grabbed Nora before she did something stupid. Seeing that they were not getting anywhere they started to leave the academy.

xxx

"Ah! That big jerk, who does he think he is!" Nora growled. All nine of them were in a tram.

"It doesn't matter Nora. Right now we need to fix this issue, once we get off I say we go and get this issue fixed" said Weiss.

"And how are we suppose to do that. I doubt the Mistral council is going to give us a warm welcome" said Blake.

"Then it's is a good thing I can use my connections with the SDC. I doubt the council would pass the chance to discuss with the companies heir" Weiss said. "In the mean time I'm sure we can stay at the SDC region headquarters here."

...

...

...

"You think what he said was true, about the grimm thing" Ren asked out loud "I mean we did hear a bit about the almost attack on Vale. But was it really that bad?"

"Oh you mean that news, well of course it would. I mean how would you react if you heard a kingdom was nearly consumed by grimm, only for them to disperse for no reason?" said Maria.

The eight of them had no response for the women. They never really cared much about the news, with Salem trying to get them every other bit of news was not important.

"I guess we never really knew, we've been um ... busy, real busy" said Blake.

"Mm, well try to keep up with the news. Stuff like this keeps everyone on edge you know. Now come on, we have a meeting we need" Maria said.

xxx SDC Regional HQ xxx

"The nerve of those people!" Weiss spat, she paced around the luxurious carpet as Blake and Nora watched from the side.

"What were you even expecting Weiss, I doubt the council would have time for your pleas" said Blake, sipping her drink.

"I hoped they would at least entertain our request. But no they just brushed it off before we could even speak. Pushing us back like we were below them, who do they think they are!?"

"The leaders of a kingdom?" said Nora.

"And we're protecting the four most important people in all of remnant. ~sigh~ If they knew what we are protecting then I doubt they would act like this" the heiress grumbled.

"Hey at least we're staying in a nice place instead of in the wild" said Nora "I mean seriously, the SDC is really not holding back the good stuff."

"The benefits of having me as your protector" Weiss explained "Besides, this is not really much. Back in Atlas things are much more grander then they are here."

"I find that hard to believe, I mean dad never showed us anything like this ... well maybe something from an Illusion" Nora replied.

"Your father showed you illusions?" asked Blake.

"Yeah, when we were younger he would show us images of old days, before magic left this world. When humans could use magic freely they're where massive castles of stone, glass, crystals, and magic. And when the light shined on the buildings, ah, it was beautiful" said Nora.

"And this was common back in the old days?" Weiss's eye sparked with that curiosity look in it.

"Yeah, dad used to show us a lot of the old days. And there were common Weiss, if you were a noble. But those aren't the only amazing things out there. Ah, I wish I can tell of other things out there, like the Crystal Library, thunder mountain, or the great Mountain Kingdoms" said Nora.

"Wait, how does your dad even know of this? I thought this stuff was from days before he was born?" Blake questioned, before Weiss could start.

"I'm ... not really sure, I mean he probably learned of it from his parents" Nora answered.

Blake hummed at the answer. It seemed like another thing Ozpin was hiding, it was rather odd for the man to know anything about the old days. Even with magic they must have been things that have been forgotten or something.

Or maybe they already were?

However before Blake could think anymore Weiss started to question the Magier.

"So can you do it, create illusion like your dad and show use these buildings? And what do you mean by this 'Crystal Library' is that another place of magic?" Weiss questioned "And how realistic are these illusions anyway?"

"Um, well to answer your first question. I mean I can if you really want to; For your second question, the Crystal Libraries were the greatest source of magic in the whole world. It's people were sages and scholars across the lands, if there was something you wished to know then you'll want to go there." Nora explained.

"Must have been a busy place" Blake said, a bit awed with what Nora was saying. The greatest place to learn magic, even she loved to go there.

"Not really, the Crystal Library was built high above any place in the world. Dad himself told me it was a flying city that was even above the highest mountain in the world. Itself was powered by powerful wind spirits that allowed it the travel the skies with ease.

The city itself was made of massive cut shard of magical crystals that protected the people inside, but when the sun shines on it ... it became a shinning beacon to anyone seeing it.

Now mind you there were only two ways to enter the city, one was just flying up there. If your magical strength and drive were that great then you had every right to the Library. The second was waiting for the Library keepers to allow ypu in whenever it came down for food" Nora explained.

...

"Could ... could you show us this" Weiss softly asked. Her eyes were wide with what Nora said. Blake herself nodded in agreement.

The ginger nodded, extending her arms magic appeared around her arms. Blue smoke seeped out of her body, condensing into a small ball in front of her. Slowly this smokey ball became clear, almost parting itself to show the two huntress what was inside.

Both the heiress and faunus nearly gasped.

Before there eyes was a massive giant ... well, city. It was the only word to describe it, massive walls of bluish translucent material encircled the city as a dome of similar material covered it. Within the dome was hundred of spires and brick buildings, all covered with runes as dozens of humans could be seen running around like ants. A few of them were even flying to their destination.

Even Atlas itself was like a poor mans version of this city.

Seconds passed before the girls realized something, the sun was not even up yet. And as hearing there thoughts the first rays of light could be seen in the sky, as the stars started to disappear. As more light bounced off the city they realized what Nora meant.

Like someone had pulled a switched the entire city lit up. The crystals shined so bright you couldn't even see what was inside anymore. It was looked at a small sun with it's blue color as other colors shined with it in tangent. And immediately the illusion shattered.

...

"So, how was it?" Nora asked.

...

...

...

"What kind of crime did we commit to loose something like that" Weiss whispered.

xxx

"Well I'm all in for charging straight to Haven" said Yang.

"Yang I'm not sure that is a good idea. We could get in a lot of trouble" her sister warned.

"Meh, I mean this Lionheart should know us. Or at least Jaune or who his father is, once he knows that I doubt we'll be in any trouble" Yang waved her sisters concerns. The girl frowned at that.

"I think Ruby may be right on this Yang" said Pyrrha "Besides, charging into a huntsmen academy seems like a difficult task. We can into a lot of trouble if we fail."

"Please, with your magic and these guns" Yang flexed her muscles "There's no way one guy can stop us."

"I think there's going to be more the one person guarding the academy Yang" Pyrrha warned.

"Well it's either get to him or go to Atlas now. I mean we can have Weiss just fly us there" offered Yang "I mean seriously we have no reason to wait here."

"And what about Salem? What if her people are watching for us, if they learned of us flying to Atlas then everything will be for naught" Ren said.

Yang grumbled, Ren was not wrong. They had no idea just how far Salem's influence went, going in the public to Atlas was just putting a neon sign of them. Still, at this rate they never reach there goal. Every second they wait is giving Salem one more second to find them.

"We can't stay here forever, the longer we wait the more time we'll give Salem to find us" Yang argued.

"Well I think both of you are right. I say that it would be wise to see if can get Lionheart attention. If that isn't a possibility we should leave. Let's just give Weiss a few more days. Salem isn't going to find us that quick and not in here" Pyrrha calmed them.

Her guardian grunted but did not say anything. Ren just nodded as always. Pyrrha could sigh.

...

...

"So, what about that Maria lady? You think she's on to us?" Jaune asked aloud.

"Here? Naw there's no way that lady has found out. I mean we've been doing a good job, besides we can always chalk up to our semblance or something" the blonde guardian assured him.

"I guess so, still worried how we'll explain it if she ever learns of the truth" he mumbled "I mean we have no idea how she'll react to magic, we can't afford that now."

"Well until then our biggest issue is lionheart, so let's try to focus on that for now, ok?"

xxx Two Days Later xxx

"I can't believe we're actually doing this" Weiss muttered, her head hanging in shame.

"Oh come on snowflake, brighten up. It'll be your first time" said Maria.

"Committing a crime maybe, oh my sister will be so ashamed what I'm about to" the heiress bemoaned.

"Your sister? Weiss my dad will destroy me once he hears the news" said Nora.

"Well we can deal with that all later once we get in" said Maria. The nine of them soon approached the front guard who scowled the second he saw them.

"Oh come on, what do all want know? I told you guys can't enter" the man growled.

"Hey now no need for that attitude. Besides, we have our paper to enter" said Yang.

"Oh, you do. Well then hand it over" he opened his hand.

"Here, you go" she handed him the paper "By the way, what's that over there?"

"Huh? What do you me-"

THCK

The guard fell down to the ground. You could closely hear the mans groaning as he was out cold.

"Well come on, he's not going to stay there forever" Yang motioned them.

"I hate this so much" Weiss grumbled as they raced over to where the guard was. Looting the guard they found the mans key card. Grabbing it they went over to the door, only to see a number lock on top of needing a card.

Ruby looked over to Nora as she nodded. Putting her hands behind her back she cast a quick spell and tapped Ruby's shoulder. The red head felt her hands suddenly become sticky as she raced over to the wall, when her hand touched the wall she began to climb up with her feet flowing up.

Ren himself soon followed after the girl.

As everyone else was starting to follow them a loud shouting from behind stopped that. Looking back it was more guards, this time it they came running.

"Shit, RUBY/REN FIND LIONHEART" Yang shouted as they turned to face the guards.

"Well, any of you have any good ideas" Blake asked as they readied to fight the incoming guards.

"Send them to the the brothers!" Nora charged straight at them. A maul of pure lighting appearing in her hands.

...

"So she can do that ... anyone want to explain that?" Maria asked aloud. The guards screaming starting to echo.

"No ... No I don't think we will" said Weiss.

xxx

"Well, um, Nora is having fun" said Ruby. She winced when the bones started to break.

"~sigh~ Dammit dad is going to be so mad after hearing this" the dark hair man sighed.

"Yeah, I can see that happening ... but um I think we should probably leave. Those guards don't look exactly friendly" the reaper pointed to the guards approaching them.

Ren nodded as he cast a simple Illusion spell, they saw the guards squinting their eyes as they looked around in panic. Even pulling out stun guns out as they slowly walked to them. He nudge Ruby as they quickly left the guards.

As the noise became quiet they raced through the academy, yet there was little to no noise at all.

"Jeez, where is everybody now? This place looks like a ghost town or something" Ruby muttered.

"Well dad did tell us a good amount of Haven students were staying at beacon, plus with the Grimm issue they could be doing missions" Ren answered them.

"Yeah, I can see that" said Ruby "Well let's-Woah"

The reaper spun to the side as a student walked in front of them, nearly crashing into Ren.

"Hey, what's the big deal!?" the student demanded.

"Sorry, oh uh hey you know where Lionheart is?"

"The headmaster? He's in the big building as always, why-" a loud explosion rang as a nearby building's door blew to pieces. The rest were running with a trail of guards and huntsmen after them.

"RUN RUBY RUN" Blake yelled out, smashing the students face in the process. Both Ruby and Ren barely had time to say anything before they were grabbed now also running from growing size of people after them.

"So where is the headmaster?" asked Nora.

"Biggest building, that one I think" she pointed to the largest building she could see "If we can just get in there we can-"

Whatever else Ruby was about to say was silenced when a massive wall of ice rose up. Yang and Jaune's faces hit the ice wall as everyone else barely stopped in them.

"Alright, no where else for you to run!" Shouted one of the professors. Around them the rest of the school started to surround. Team RWBY raised their weapon as they the first teacher moved closer-

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF DUST IS HAPPENING!?" Marching out from the crowd was a middle-aged man with a mane of tan/gray hair and a beard. He had a tanned complexion with brown eyebrows and dark brown eyes.

He wore a brown greatcoat with a matching mantle, which had cross emblems on each side. He also wore a white dress shirt under his coat and a western necktie. The man also wore dark brown slacks and dress shoes.

"I come back from a council meeting to see this! Some group breaking in and all of your making a mob. And who is- Ren!? Is that you and your siblings?" the man gasped.

"Um, hello Headmaster Lionheart" Ren waved.

"What, how ... Never mind. All of you stop gawking, they're guest of mine and will be treated as such. And will one of you get rid of this ice wall, now!" Lionheart ordered.

"I'm so sorry about all of this, I had no idea that you would all be here. Please walk with me, I can not tell how sorry I am for this misunderstanding" Lionheart apologized.

xxx

The opened to the man personal office. It was ... messy, dozens of papers and memorabilia decorated the room.

"I'm sorry about the room, it's been rather ... hectic in these last few days" the man explained "With the council demanding so many meetings I barely had any free time for myself."

"We heard about the grimm issue, is it really that bad?" Ruby asked.

"To be frank, it's complicated. When we heard about what nearly happened to Vale the mistral council had started to panic, we had begun to deploy our tropes. Well before Ozpin was able to help quell the issue. There has been a minor uptake in grimm but nothing we can't handle."

"Oh, that's good at least" she said back.

"Still, what are all of you doing here? Apologies for not knowing you girls, but you four are Ozpin's kids; Your a long away from home" said Lionheart.

"Yeah we know. It's ... complicated, really complicated" Said Nora.

"Well worry not, your safe here now. Though if I may ask, who are these friends of yours" he pointed to team RWBY and Maria.

"They're friends, real good friends" said Pyrrha "Our dad asked them to take care of us."

"Take care of you? Are you all alright, did something happen?" the man worried.

"Like I said, it's complicated. But that isn't the problem Sir. Um, is it possible we could ask you a favor?" Pyrrha asked.

"A favor? Why?"

"We need to get to Atlas, and fast" said Ruby "Ozpin said we need to take them there."

"And why is that, I mean the situation in Vale has calmed down. Would it not be better to get you all to Vale, back to your father?" lionheart questioned.

"But the headmaster told us we needed to go to Atlas first and foremost" Blake argued.

"No doubt with the grimm threat uncertain. I understand why he would send you all to Atlas but the situation is much more safer now" the man countered "I'm sorry but I'm afraid I can not do that. I must implore you all to reconsider heading back to Vale."

"We can't go back there, not with what happened. And especially not with her knowing" Weiss pleaded.

"Her?"

"You know, her, that lady. The big cheese, the final boss, big mama. Come on, Ozpin had to tell you it by now" said Yang.

"What- Please, will you all speak plainly what you are trying to say. Right now none of you are making any se-"

"Salem, we're trying to run from Salem" said Ruby.

...

"Oh ... I see" lionheart's took an ashen looked as his whole body tightened up.

"Salem, who in the blazes is Salem?" Maria asked aloud.

"I'm sorry ma'am but that is classified info. I'll need you to leave this room for the moment, this has become a huntsmen issue" the man ordered. Maria looked ready to object but seeing the tensed atmosphere she relented, leaving the room.

...

...

...

"~sigh~ What did you all do to get Salem's attention" the man leaned back, looking more older then before.

"We don't know, all we know is that she's already sent three of her people after us. One of which was some guy names Tyrian-" said Ruby.

"Tyrian! Oh by the brother she has that monster under her thumb!? You are all very lucky to get out of their alive, that man has killed dozens of hunters stronger then any of you and is a ruthless psychopath" he explained.

"But yes, I can see why Ozpin would want you in Atlas. Ironwood would be better at protection you-"

"Wait, your saying general Ironwood know as well?" Weiss asked.

"Indeed, he and I are part a of secret group. Created by Ozpin to oppose Salem and stop her plans whatever they are" said lionheart "Your father has worked long and hard to oppose Salem."

...

"Dad ... was stopping Salem?" Jaune said "He knows about her as well?"

"Indeed, however, while I would like to discuss more I think it would be better if he himself explained it to you. Still, maybe it would be better if you called him. He's been very worried about you four a while."

The four siblings mentally wince a bit. They could feel through their bond the worry and fear their dad had, but with everything that has happened they've been barely able to reply. Perhaps talking to their dad would be a better option.

"I guess that isn't a bad option, maybe we can stay here a bit" said Pyrrha "I mean are you girls good too?"

"Hey, if we're safe away from Salem and I can use a shower I'm game" said Yang. The rest of the girls agreed after some time.

"Excellent, I'll call your father right away!" Lionheart beamed.


VALE, BEACON ACADEMY, OZPIN'S OFFICE


"Lionheart, it's been sometime since you called" Ozpin greeted. It was rather odd to see the Haven headmaster call him at this hour. But since he used the secure line this was important.

"Ozpin, I have some very good news for you" said the faunus.

"Oh, and what would that be?" he asked, about to take a sip.

"I found your children" Ozpin's lips stop inches away.

"My children ... they are with you, are they okay?" he demanded to know. "Has anything happened to them?"

"No of course not, they are fine from what I've seen. Though a little scared from Salem's minions after them they are perfectly fine. I was hoping for you to get them before Salem minions find out" he said.

"Where are my children" he demanded. Before Lionheart could answer someone pulled him away. And Nora appearing in the call.

...

"Hey dad, it's um been a while" she said softly.

"Yes, it has been" through his bond he reached out for his daughters soul. That moment his body shivered as Nora's magic intertwined with his. At that second the emotions she had kept were open to him.

Like a soothing balm the calmness and happiness coming off him eased Nora. His other children following after as there souls bonded. Was not for Salem feeling the children through his bond he would have savored the moment.

"Is there anyone else in the room, I want to speak to you and only you four" he asked.

...

Foot steps shuffled out of the room. Once they heard the door shut the rest of his children appeared on the screen.

"I guess you all have questions, but are you all right?" he asked firstly.

"We're find dad, but we need to talk about her. About Salem" said Nora.

"Yes we do. But first, how did you ever find out about her?" the immortal asked.

"A huntresses names Raven" Ozpin closed his eyes at that. Raven, out of every person who could reveal Salem it had to be her. Raven was always an difficult, variable, to deal with and this had not made it any easier. Still, there are worse people that could tell them the truth.

"I see, well then-"

"And we ... met her" Pyrrha added.

Ozpin body froze "What, where and when did this happen!?"

"A few days ago, when we were in a abandoned town she ... she possessed a grimm and talked to us" she explained "She nearly took us dad, I felt her magic almost taking me over."

Never before had Ozpin wished he was there to hug his daughter ... and never before had he wished he could strangle Salem with his own bare hands. How dare that women threatened his children, to take them away from him.

But as much anger was directed at his ex-wife there was equal fear. Fear that his own children could have been taken and he would have never known. That she would go as far as to possess a grimm showed her desperation. And on top of that she tried to overwhelm their magic too.

"Did she do anything else do to you?" They shook they're heads.

...

...

...

"Why, why didn't you tell us about Salem. And how ... how she's our mother" Nora demanded "Why dad, we did you keep it a secret from us, from me!?"

...

"Were, were you ever going to tell us about Salem?" she whispered.

...

"No, if things had not gone the way it had I would have never told you about your mother" said Ozpin, ignoring the shocked feelings from them.

"Before you get angry at me I want you to ask yourself, how does a father explain this? How does a father tell their children that their mother is the leader of the greatest threat to mankind?

How does father tell his sons/daughter of their mother's countless murders, killings, complete genocides of countless civilizations.

How can a father explain the horrible actions their mother committed, the sheer magnitude of her crimes. The scares she has inflicted on humanity as a whole.

Tell me my children, how can your father explain the monstrous actions of their mother. How can any parent gather the strength to tell the truth?" asked Ozpin.

None of his children could answer him.

...

"Does, does Salem even love us father?" Jaune asked.

"Jaune?"

"When we fought Salem, or well before that. We fought one of her people and for a split second I felt her magic as it pierced my spell; I ... I felt, safe, happiness, and warmth coming from her magic. And when we saw her again I felt the same thing" the blonde explained.

"I just don't understand dad, Salem should be a monster someone who is cold and uncaring. Yet ... that was not what I felt, why?" Jaune asked.

"Perhaps there is still good in her son. Still, this is all surprising news for me and something that I will take into consideration" the man mused.

"Jaune, you know Salem has lived for hundreds if not more years. Maybe she has learned to hide her intention with her magic or give false impressions, we can't trust what that monster is doing" Pyrrha warned her brother.

"That too is a possible option" Ozpin agreed.

"But, there is one more thing I want to ask to you father" Pyrrha began "How, how could you love Salem? How can Salem even be our mother, she's hundreds of years old; How can you even love a women like that?"

Pyrrha felt confused. With what they knew of Salem it should not be possible for the women to be their mother, maybe a distant ancestor. How could their father even fathom the idea of loving that women?

If not then how where they all related to her? How much did their dad even knew about this, and why would dad hide her presence from the world and ... and, so much more.

She could not fathom his fathers reasoning.

...

"That, is a long story Pyrrha. One that I'm not comfortable about discussing over the call. Now before you argue, it is not that I do not wish to; But that this is a long story is a very long story. It would better if I came and explain it myself" said Ozpin.

Pyrrha frowned at her fathers answers and wanted to object. But seeing his tired look hesitated and conceded, for now at least.

"For now I want you all to rest my children. I will meet with you all in the morning and I promise that everything will be explained, of our past, present, and future. No more secrets" Ozpin promised.

xxx Later at Night xxx

Lionheart looked over the last of the records for the day as he was about to finish up. Ozpin's children and their 'guardians' were all in bed. He himself were preparing for Ozpin's arrival the next day.

Not only was he bringing Qrow but as well as the ace squad plus Winter Schnee herself. It was clear the man was not taking any chance with Salem.

"You certainly aren't holding back are you Oz? Thou I'm not a father I can see why your doing what your doing ... I'm sorry for what has to happen next. I ... I know what comes next will forever destroyed whatever friendship we had.

"You know I never really want this post, to become the headmaster of Haven. It was role your tricked me into. And after that you chained me to this role thanks to the knowledge of Salem" Lionheart muttered bitterly. Only to become guilty again.

Please understand that I had no choice in this matter, not that it matter if she succeeds. I'm sorry Ozpin, please forgive me" Putting away the paper Lionheart pulled out his scroll. Dialing in a number he waited a few moments.

...

"Lady Salem, your children are here in Haven"


So yeah Lionheart selling out to Salem who would have known. Again, sorry for responding for some time but thanks to COVID-19 it's been makign my class err... interesting. Save to say that I have a lot of stuff to due and limited time for writing plus Stellaris.

But enough about that, things are starting to get more intresting for our group. Sorry but No omakes for this chapter either. However I promise that there will be some next chapter.

P.S Reviews are nice to have and if you like the chapter leave one or a like/follow