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Chapter 45: Blursed Case Scenario

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The airship that transported Adam Branwen along with Emerald and Mercury was a nondescript, normal Atlas vessel. There wasn't a funny airship captain or an unruly dog/Faunus to entertain them, it was just a normal airship. It headed towards the flying city of Atlas and promptly deposited the three of them on the docks. It was quaintly awaiting passengers from Atlas to Mantle.

"We're here. Handsome Jaune awaits you in Atlas Academy.", Adam noted.

"Well, we're one step closer to being killed...", Emerald mused.

"He probably wont, though. I'm pretty sure...", Mercury reassured.

"I'm headed back to Mantle. I hope everything goes well for you up there.", Adam mused sadly.

"We'll be fine. Thank you, Adam.", Em and Merc stated.

Emerald and Mercury both headed off towards Atlas Academy. Despite their previous arrival in chains, nobody seemed to pay much attention to them. The only ones that did, made a mention of their rather sparse attire and that it was getting colder and they should wear more appropriate clothing. The people of Atlas were wary of them for all the wrong reasons. It felt good for once.

"Where do you think 'Handsome' Jaune is?", Mercury mused.

"In the Academy. Nobody recognizes us, let's just head inside.", Emerald added.

The two minions entered into Atlas Academy, the massive Main Hall standing before them in all of its Atlesian glory. A massive staircase rose up to its upper levels and elevators, a frost-colored carpet on the steps. A Mission-Board stood in a half-circle on the bottom-most floor of the hall, several future Huntsmen stood around it and chose missions. Atlas Academy was decorated in silver and white, a frozen throne. A red-haired spartan and a blonde-haired gunslinger embraced for a moment in the hall, most other students avoiding them and their public display of affection.

"Jaune!", Emerald called. Jaune immediately took notice and scowled at them. He pulled out Unforgiven.

Emerald was immediately shot in the head, her brains splattering Mercury and soaking the floor. Mercury attempted a dive-kick but was also shot directly in the groin as his kick descended. He fell in pain and agony. He was almost immediately shot in the head as well, his brainmatter mixing with Emerald's. Both minions died immediately and obviously in the Main Hall, several Atlas students standing back in shock and appall at the sight, others called security.

"Wait... Was that Emerald and Mercury?", Pyrrha asked to no one in particular.

Jaune just sighed and reached out and used his Semblance as Atlesian Knights began to surround him. Maybe killing people in the middle of the main hall was a bad idea? He'd give them a few chances to explain themselves before he shot again. Time was always on his side.

"Jaune!", Emerald called.

"Errr... Yeah?", Jaune replied, half in annoyance.

"Jaune, I'm Emerald and this is Mercury. You remember us right?", Emerald noted.

Jaune just held out Unforgiven and pressed it into Emerald's forehead.

"Okay! You do... Great! Please don't kill me.", Emerald sighed.

"Why not? Nobody would miss you.", Jaune added.

"True! But we're here to join you! Seriously.", Mercury added quickly, as he noticed Emerald in danger.

"You tried to kill us earlier. You work alongside Salem and all of her minions. I could spill your brainmatter across the tapestries in this hall, and nobody would ever question me! Tell me... No, give me one reason why you shouldn't die right now!", Jaune asked.

"We surrender!", Em and Merc exclaimed, both of them bowing and then falling to their knees in submission.

Jaune and Pyrrha just stood in shock for a moment. Pyrrha gave Jaune a sideways glance, Jaune gave her one back as he holstered Unforgiven.

"Okay... Great! So you're joining us? Helping us with our cause?", Jaune mused.

"Yessir! It's better than getting turned inside-out by Salem! What... What can we do for you, Handsome Jaune, the most handsomest Jaune of all Jaune's!?", Mercury butt-kissed.

"Ahah... You praise me. Oh I like that... How do I know that you're not going to turn on me? How do I know that this isn't some kind of trick? You've tried so hard to thwart me in the past...", Jaune mused, he pulled out Unforgiven and twirled it, finally aiming at Emerald's head again.

"It's not! I'm not trying to trick you! You'd probably know it if I was!", Emerald cried.

"If I pull the trigger, right now...", Jaune noted, pulling the hammer back.

"I die horribly... Please... Don't...", Em pleaded.

Jaune Arc hesitated for a moment before bolstering Unforgiven again.

"You're right, you do."

"D-Do you believe us?", Em and Merc pleaded.

"I do, for now. But the moment you change your minds... Well, you won't really have minds to change anymore, will you?", Jaune noted.

Em and Merc sighed in relief. They wouldn't die right now. They just had to be on their best behavior for Jaune Arc. They still weren't sure of his actual Semblance, just his insurmountable amount of Aura.

"Just go find the others. I'm sure they'll be really happy to see you. They're probably in the mess hall right now. I'll tell them you've had a change of mind.", Jaune commanded.

Em and Merc ran off to find the Mess Hall. They'd live for now.

"Jaune, how many times did you kill them?", Pyrrha asked, aware of Jaune's nature.

"Enough times to know that they're not lying.", Jaune responded.

"Hm. I really hope you're right...", Pyrrha mused.

Pyrrha had felt the subtle tug of Jaune's Semblance several times during their exchange with Em and Merc. It seemed like the two minions were genuinely on their side. Only time would tell.

X

Em and Merc's Unfortunate Adventure was coming to a close. All they had to do was meet up with the rest of Jaune's friends and teammates in the Mess Hall. They followed the large glowing signs that pointed them towards the Academy's cafeteria. This was a new start for the two minions. They had always been loyal and subservient to their masters. Salem was odd, Cinder was insane; most likely due to a rather unfortunate head injury earlier in their Adventure. They barely noticed as they rounded the corner and ran into some familiar faces.

"Auugh!", A grey-haired girl exclaimed.

"Oh great, It's you again.", an older and edgier looking man noted.

"!", a silent and shorter man with red and blue hair exclaimed.

"Sup?", a green-haired boy mused, noticing the two minions.

Em and Merc just stood aghast for a moment. It was their alternate-reality doubles. The ones they were constantly mistaken for, for some reason. Sapphire, Gallium and Ember Plummet.

"Sapphire and Gallium!?", Emerald exclaimed.

"Yep, it's us again. How are you two fairing?", Sapphire noted.

"Well...", Mercury trailed off.

"Don't even start. I'm sure it's nothing important. I'm surprised you two are still alive, though. What with the Fall of Beacon and your silly plan at Haven.", Ember Plummet announced.

"Well... We surrendered. We follow Jaune Arc and his... Friends?", Emerald mused.

"Great, good for you. At least we're on the same side now. Stay out of trouble.", Ember mused.

"We will. Uhh... See you around?", Mercury noted.

"Hopefully not. Dark Lord Denvers calls upon us once again. We have some shades to throw.", Ember stated.

The four Alternate-Reality doubles walked off, their master had called on them once again for some reason and it involved 'shades'. Em and Merc had no idea what that was, but the way Ember said it, it was probably important.

"Before you go, here's a pamphlet! Tell your friends!", Gallium stated in glee before walking after her teammates.

The pamphlet was for Auto-Darkening window shades invented by the Lord of Darkness and Warmth, Solomon Denvers. They were on sale, for the low price of three-hundred Lien. Dark Lord Denvers was a businessman; an entrepreneur in blinds. A simple man with a plan and a set of loyal minions. Em and Merc sighed, why couldn't their lives be so simple and easy?

The two minions continued into the Mess Hall where Jaune's team and friends awaited them. They hoped for the best, but ultimately, they were facing off against six other Huntsmen who hated them. A nice Emerald smoothie and a Mercury flavored salsa was their ending. Em and Merc hesitantly walked through the doors.

"Surprise!"

"Huh?", Em and Merc exclaimed simultaneously.

"Hey! It's great to see you! Jaune said- Handsome Jaune said you were joining us! I guess that's a win for me!", Yang exclaimed. Yang was a bit more welcoming to the two hapless minions than the rest of her team; Adam was on their side and she was now used to sudden surprises.

"Uh good?", Mercury noted.

"I'm sorry I broke your legs at the last Vytal Festival! And I'm sorry about the whole toilet thing at Haven!", Yang noted, recalling Em and Merc's Unfortunate Adventure.

"We're sorry we never realized how wrong we were. We're just the lackeys.", Emerald noted.

"Well, it's good you're on our team, then! I knew you were good guys!", Ruby exclaimed.

"Yeah, they're not evil. They're just misunderstood...", Blake sighed.

"Welcome to the team! We like new friends, right Ren!?", Nora exclaimed.

"Yes. Hello Emerald and Mercury.", Ren sighed.

"We're all in this for one reason or another.", Weiss chided.

Team RWBYRN welcomed Emerald and Mercury to their party, it was strange, but no less strange than Adam Taurus suddenly becoming a hero. Qrow and Ozcar were still doing whatever they did, but eventually they'd get to meet the two newest team members of Team Jaune. In the meantime, there was cake and spaghetti with vodka sauce to be enjoyed. Em and Merc got to meet their new teammates.

"Em! Emmmm! You can do illusions, right? Can you make Blake a human?", Ruby exclaimed.

"Well... I guess?", Em noted as she conjured a Human Blake.

"Well hey there, fellas! Fellow humans! I sure do like being a human!", Illusory Human Blake noted.

"Awww that's so cool!", Ruby beamed.

"Ruby, calm down. We all have Semblances and Semblances are unique to each-other.", Weiss sighed.

"What's your Semblance, Mercury?", Ruby asked.

"Uhh... I don't have one?", Mercury sighed.

"Oh, that's bullcrap! Jaune can reverse time itself and it took him like, five or so seasons to figure out how! Maybe you just haven't unlocked it yet!?", Yang exclaimed.

Mercury just stared at Emerald for a moment in realization before turning back to their new 'friends'.

"Haha... Yeah. Maybe...", Mercury stated hesitantly before turning to Emerald.

"Em, if Jaune can reverse time... This explains so much...", Merc mused quietly.

"Merc, just shut up. We're here now and now we're committed. If we try to go back, we're dead. We're so dead, that we won't even exist anymore. There won't even be any bodies to bury if we go back.", Em concluded. Mercury just sighed. The Unfortunate Adventure had just gotten a lot more Unfortunate.

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Far below, down on the streets of Mantle, a strange man walked around. His outfit was an amalgamation of Formal Wear and Casual. He stood in the moonlight in a pinstriped suit with a feathery scarf around his neck. He wore a tall tophat with a small crown atop it. His golden eyes scanned the cityscape as his beloved landed in town, tired from a boring airship ride.

"A full moon tonight. A nice night for a tea party. Hello moon, how full of uncertainty you are tonight...", the man sighed.

Nobody but a select few knew who the man was, but those that did, steered clear of him for one reason or various other reasons. He was strange and didn't fit in this environment. A creature that kissed in cold mirrors; a king of sorrow. Far beyond compare, he was chaos attuned to uncertainty that haunted all with golden eyes, a Vacuoan Nightmare.

"And my queen arrives. How I have missed you. The cold winds blow over this kingdom. Those who feed on carrion... Shall always feast... Forever..."

Red eyes scanned the night sky, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, although the woman could fell the pulse of thousands of Grimm outside of the walls. She felt the thrum of something large in the oceans beyond. A single thought could tear down the walls and bring Atlas itself down to a watery grave. A single thought would rend the world. But that was not the thought on her mind right now. The thought on her mind was only of what her 'date' thought of her attire at the moment.

"A nice casual outfit. Much better to blend into the crowds. A trick, perhaps, but the magician's greatest feat is staying hidden in plain sight. You look fantastic.", the strange man cooed.

"I... It's been a long time since I've done this, Arden...", Salem mused.

"Think of nothing. Not your worldly affairs... Just submit to ignorance for one night. The world you knew no longer exists, but the world I have made for you does. Nobody knows your face here. You are simply another lost soul, perhaps a Faunus, or a promising student. How long has it been? Since you've been outside, amongst us?", Arden mused.

"Far too long... The world is different. They're afraid of the Grimm... Not me... They don't know me anymore, and I don't know the world as it once was. People revel in joy over pointless combat rituals or mindless Grimm slain. I was in Vale earlier, not even the Headmistress knew who I was. Is this how it is for you?"

"It is. A man of no consequence. Those that do, know to stay far away. Even the king upon his frozen throne knows better than to raise alarm, as those who feed on carrion shall sweep over his kingdom and pick it clean to the bone."

"Am... I... Am I free?"

"As free as you want to be, my dear. It has been so long that you have fallen to legend. Fairy-tales of a witch in the woods. Disbelief hides the truth, but nobody would believe you if you told them. The world is perfect for those like us. A 'Mad King' and a 'Witch of the Woods', stories to scare children with. Have you ever thought about offspring?"

"Once... But... I'm not sure now...", Salem sighed.

"Oh, my love. We shall endure. I'm certain that Rhames wouldn't mind a few siblings."

"Rhames? Who's Rhames?"

"My dear son. A son to a mother who despises him. A lover's quarrel. He needs a strong woman in his life, a mother to guide him...", Arden mused.

"A mother who despises her own child!? She will die!", Salem raged for a moment, before calming down, several thousand Grimm outside the walls sniffed the night air and waited for a command before resuming their own business.

"No... He is all that I have left of the one that is lost. The lost one that made me who I am now. A reminder of the past. She must live. Just as Ozpin must also. They are memories, tethers to memories of times long past, but never forgotten. Lessons learned. If you do not learn from your mistakes, you are bound to repeat them until the stars die.", Arden noted.

"Ozpin... Ozma... He's gone. He's been gone a long time, but I've let him control me. I'm free now. I have the world. I have won. And... I will have my children, again...", Salem noted eyeing Arden.

"Yes you shall. We are free. A couple of no consequence. Creatures that kiss in cold mirrors. A King and Queen of the Unknown. But first, let's have a nice dinner. There's a very nice place in Atlas. I heard it used to be the VIP lounge of the late Jacques Schnee...", Arden mused.

"Yes... I'd like that. I love that, Arden..."

A strong arm wrapped around supple white shoulders as the strangest couple walked the streets of Mantle. Nobody knew what was going on right now, but something was in the air. A cold wind blew over the kingdom of Atlas.

XXXXX

Far above in Atlas, Ozcar Pin know something was up. Something should've happened right now. The night was silent as the wind blew steadily over the parapets of Atlas Academy. He nearly jumped out of his skin as Pennyopolis announced an incoming call.

"Professor Ozpin! General Ironwood is hailing you from Beacon Academy! Do you wish to answer?", Pennyopolis announced cheerfully.

"Y-Yes!"

A holo-screen illuminated and displayed General Ironwood. Glynda Goodwitch stood next to him.

"Oz. Glynda knows. I have told her of your regeneration. I have also heard startling reports from Atlas...", Ironwood noted.

"Oh... Oh good. Hello, again Glynda. I'm a bit younger than expected, but it will suffice for personal calls. The reports... Yes. Jacques Schnee was murdered at his announcement ball. Willow Schnee has taken control of the Dust Company... It really isn't as bad as you'd think. Winter is saddened, but Weiss... Doesn't seem to care...", Oz explained.

"Ozpin. If you're going to make appearances, you'll have to have a cover story. You're my son. Adopted. Jacques Schnee had a lot of enemies, do we have a suspect?", Glynda mused.

"Not yet, but signs point to Robyn Hill and one of her colleagues, May Marigold. The Council Election is coming up soon, you may want to return to Atlas, General.", Ozpin noted.

"I am on my way. I have some things to do here in Vale, but when I am done, I will return post-haste. I cannot imagine that the populace is calm during this."

"Well... They're not rioting in the streets. It's uncertainty. The air reeks of it. The winds blow over your Kingdom.", Ozpin mused.

Ironwood looked shocked for a moment but calmed suddenly.

"I will return as soon as possible. Keep your guard up. The Mad King is in the kingdom.", Ironwood noted before ending the call. Ozpin sat in silence.

"The Mad King?", Ozpin thought for a moment of a newer fairy tale, a King of Madness who lived in the deserts of Vacuo. A king of a violet crown. A violent crown. Arden Greyblood.

"Hm. Not good. What could he possibly want from all of this?", Ozzy Ozpin mused to nobody in particular.

"Sir, I have seen the Mad King in Mantle. It appears that he is going on a date.", Pennyopolis noted.

"I truly do not wish to know what the Mad King's sexual interests are right now. If you have any important information as to what his motives are, then you are free to inform me!", Ozpin scolded the AI.

"Professor Ozpin, what does the being known as Salem look like?", Pennyopolis asked.

"She has white skin and red eyes. Pale white hair. She'd stick out like a sore thumb in Atlas.", Ozpin noted.

"Professor, then I have important information. 'Salem' was seen exiting the ballroom shortly after Jacques Schnee was murdered. 'Salem' was also seen with the Mad King a few hours ago. 'Salem' was also seen downstairs in the Huntsmen's Pub crying to her mother about the loss of her father, Jacques Schnee. Shall I make note of beings matching 'Salem's' appearance? There are over fifteen-thousand, seven-hundred and eighty two beings matching that description!", Pennyopolis asked.

Ozpin thought for a very long time. Salem wouldn't kill random civilians and she probably didn't have a clue who Jacques Schnee was. If she did, then her plan didn't work and the hated politician's death was widely celebrated instead of mourned. Salem probably wasn't in the Huntsmen's Pub either, that was Winter, and her eyes were red from crying. The Mad King? What would he possibly want with Salem? What would Salem possibly want from the Mad King?

"Penny, show me the security footage of the woman with the Mad King.", Ozpin commanded.

Penny brought up the footage, a woman with white hair and white skin with eyes of burning embers held hands with the Mad King. The two of them walked down the streets of Mantle, taking in the sights and sounds. The woman looked happy and carefree, like a massive weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She smiled and laughed. She wore an outfit designed from younger people with a pink stripe down her t-shirt and ripped black jeans. Her face was older though, like an older person in younger person's clothing. She twirled with her date in the streets as a makeshift band played tunes. The two of them kissed intimately before continuing into the night. Arm in arm, the two continued towards the airship docks. Arden Greyblood seemed to pinpoint the security camera and gave a smirking glance to the the unit before he continued down the road with his lover.

"Penny! Is there audio!?", Ozpin exclaimed.

"No. Audio listening is forbidden"

"Penny! Focus on the woman's face for a moment!"

Penny focused on the woman's face for a moment. Ozpin studied her face, her emotions. He knew them. He'd seen them before. He'd seen the same looks and same faces when he'd been with Salem. When he'd been her entire world. He knew who this woman was. It was Salem. She was here. In Atlas. He panicked.

"Sound the alarms! Warn everyone! Salem is here! She's in Atlas!", Ozpin panicked.

"Professor Ozpin, you do not have the Security Clearance to initiate the Alarms. Please calm down."

"If I can't sound the alarms, then I will use my voice!", Ozpin screamed as he ran out of the office towards the mess hall where Team RWBYJNPR ate. He barely had time to notice as he ran into Qrow face-first.

"Hey... Wuzzup, buddy?", Qrow slurred, he was drunk as usual.

"Salem is here! She's in Atlas!"

"Oh... *urrrp* That's bad right?"

"Qrow... Just do your thing. Get the Ace Ops to the cafeteria!"

"Got it, boss..."

Ozcar Pin rounded the corner and headed down the stairs. He ran as fast as his prepubescent legs could carry him. It was good to be young, unlimited energy. He headed downstairs towards the cafeteria and burst through the doors to a strange sight.

Emerald and Mercury were there, which was a surprise, but they were being hazed into being the new members of Team JNPR. Emerald conjured phantasmal versions of Jaune and Pyrrha in various states of undress towards Ren, who cringed and ran away. Mercury Arm/Leg wrestled with Yang's prosthetic. Nora was trying to fit as much spaghetti in her mouth as possible versus Ruby who was trying the same and losing. Blake read from a new book, "The Man Who Lost His Mind Completely and Tried to Convince His Friends He Wasn't Mental". Weiss danced on the table, having had too much 'Vodka Sauce'. Jaune and Pyrrha ignored their teammates and ate together in silence.

"Auugh! Salem is here! She's in Atlas!", Ozpin screamed.

Nobody seemed to take notice of the screaming child. It was pathetic.

"She's here! Everyone! Listen to me! I am Professor Ozpin!"

"And I'm Leonardo Lionheart!", a Lion Faunus exclaimed, taking up a lunch tray as a shield.

"I'm Glynda Goodwitch! I'm a magical fairy girl!", another student exclaimed, brandishing a breadstick like a wand.

"Beep. Boop. Bop. I am General Ironwood. Obey me.", another Atlas student mocked as he moved robotically.

Nobody was listening. Ozpin was making it worse.

"There's a real danger here! People will die! Salem is in the Kingdom!"

"I'm queen of the castle!", Nora exclaimed. She began to throw handfuls of spaghetti at the various other students.

"Food fight!", Yang exclaimed before grabbing some roast-turkeys to use as gauntlets.

"Here we go again...", Jaune mused.

"Let's go!", Pyrrha exclaimed, both conjuring her Maiden powers and Semblance and began to grab onto anything made of metal. Lunch trays and soda cans began to spiral into the shape of a massive whale, mouth wide open and ready to swallow.

Mercury kicked a few soda cans back at the various Atlas students, exploding them on impact and soaking the students with sugary drink. Emerald conjured the image of two soda-can and lunch-tray whales into the sky, giving Pyrrha an advantage as Team RWBY ran for cover. Nora slammed an 'Electro' Energy drink and grabbed a nearby trash can and slammed it into 'Leonardo Lionheart'. Ren grabbed a plate of cake and smashed it into Weiss' face. Ruby Rose burst into rose-petals and flew over Jaune's head in a sneak attack, only to be forcibly fed a garlic breadstick. She gagged as the garlicky cylinder was shoved down her throat. Yang punched and kicked furiously mirroring Mercury as 'Glynda Goodwitch' and 'General Ironwood' assaulted them with foodstuffs. Yang flipped a lunch table onto its side for cover and began to throw hamburger buns, Mercury grabbed two condiment bottles and squeezed their contents at the two attackers, drenching them in ketchup and salad cream.

"Die!", PyrrAmber raged as the soda-can-lunch-tray whale slammed into everyone in the cafeteria. Lunch trays and soda cans pasted everyone except her and Jaune to the floor. A very sticky and vaguely grape-flavored mess lingered in the 'mess' hall for entirely too long. The losing student's got up and began to laugh. This was fun. This was probably the last time they'd ever get to be kids again, but it was fun. Nobody tried to stop them until the Ace Operatives burst through the cafeteria doors, weapons in hand, ready for anything. The Ace Ops just facepalmed so hard their ancestors suddenly got an intense feeling of disdain.

"Ozzy! I brought the battalion!", Qrow slurred before falling unconscious and face planting into the tiles. The Ace Ops facepalmed again before beginning to survey the situation.

Ozcar Pin, Ozzy Ozpin, and Oscar Pine were all laid out on the ground unconscious, having been pasted to the ground by an assault of soda and lunch trays. He really failed to see the mouth of the beast before it swallowed him whole. In his mind, Ozpin and Oscar separated.

"You're old and foolish. Let go!", Oscar complained.

"I have my reasons. Salem is dangerous!", Ozma noted.

"She's happy. You betrayed her! You took everything she loved from her and made a new prison for her! Just let go!", Oscar noted.

"I gave her freedom! I gave her children! She didn't want me, she wanted no one!", Ozma raged.

"She wanted to be loved! You never gave her that, ever, old man! You just showed her how great the world could be and would be, but never made it her world!", Oscar raged.

"It wasn't my fault! I got sick, I died!", Ozpin chided.

"But you came back anyways... The Gods made you do it. You never tried to help her, you only ever cared about your mission. Your Reason. You played pretend with her! Time changes people, Ozpin. I've seen that. But you still can't!", Oscar argued.

"I did what I thought was best at the time!", Ozpin reiterated.

"You imprisoned her again. Not with a tower or prison bars, but inside her own emotions! Someone else has freed her again. Just leave them alone!", Oscar pleaded.

"Salem never had freedom, she was always going to be the girl trapped in a tower. A rat in a cage. I knew she was dangerous from the start. Why else would she have been imprisoned in a tower? Why else would I have done what I did?", Ozpin argued.

"She has freedom now! How long has it been, old man? She's moved on and found another. Let her be happy!", Oscar chided.

"She's happy now. But what about later? What happens when Arden betrays her? She'll destroy the world again! I have my mission. I must do as I must!", Ozma exclaimed.

"It's Arden's problem then! She's forgotten about you, old man. Let her go...", Oscar pleaded.

"You want me to just let go? Let go of all of my rage? Never. But I'll let you have the reigns for now. Just try and outdo me. When you fail, I'll be here. Ready to unfuck what you've fucked up!", Ozma raged. "Watch the world end, kid. This is your fault."

"I can and I will... I know you. I know you better than you do. Just watch me, old man!", Oscar Pine raged back.

XXXXX

In Atlas, in a very upscale restaurant, two strange people enjoyed dinner. The night had been one of remembrance and times of yore. Times that had led the two of them to the same path. A different path, but a similar one.

"I loved her. I did. It's a pain I cannot forget. My Semblance... The one I was given from birth. It's unique...", Arden mused.

"What is it?", Salem- err... Sally Fields asked, inquisitively.

"I was once heralded as a priest, a healer. My Semblance can heal others. I can heal the worst ailments, even fatal ones. But, I take some of the damage upon myself; upon my Aura. There was a time when I used my Semblance to the greatest extent, but it wasn't enough. I was powerless. I would die with her, hand in hand forever. But then someone else, someone told me of the story of the Maidens. She told me of their workings. She told me she could save my Lost One. I trusted her. And she did what she told me she would do, but it wasn't the same. A voice in the dark and a light in the haze speaking though the mist to me. She is and is not my Lost One. My lost one speaks through her voice, but is no longer there. The faint light of candle in a pouring rain.", Arden mused.

"If you could've asked the Gods for her back, would've you?", Salem Fields asked.

"There are no gods that could've brought my Lost One back to me. I know that now. I spent years trying to figure out how and if I could. But, now I know... I will create the world I desire. I was hated and usurped. I was cast out of my own kingdom. But now... That kingdom is mine. The world cares not of me. I am free to do as I please.", Arden mused.

"As have I... I've noticed it now. The world doesn't care about me. They don't see me. Only a select few know my name. They care more for the Grimm than what I used to be to them. I'm free, just like you. To do as I please."

"We are alike. You and I. Once revered, then feared. Now nothing more than a legend. Why not just be of no consequence?"

"I... I agree. Let's be noble savages like the rest of them!", Sally noted triumphantly. The Grimm would resume being mindless and Salem and Arden would get to live happily ever after. Ozma could go and screw himself impotently for all of eternity.

"Have you ever used your Semblance on me?", Salem asked.

"No. Never. I do not know what it would do to one such as you.", Arden noted.

"Then try it...We have all the time in the world to find out."

Arden grasped Salem's hand, he conjured his Semblance and let her Magic flow into his Aura. Salem could've been a god in her own right. He let a little of his own Aura flow into her body. Was this marriage? It certainly felt like it. He felt a heat creep into his mind and stay there. Salem winced and let the Mad King into her Kingdom. After a few moments, they let go. Nothing seemed to change.

"I'm afraid I am of no use to you...", Arden sighed.

"No... You are... One of your eyes has turned red, like mine...", Salem sighed, taking notice of the Mad King's face.

"And one of yours is golden, like mine. I feel... godlike.", Arden mused.

"And I feel... Human..."

"We are those that feed on carrion. We have fed for far too long. We have a fortnight to rebuild the world. Let us start tonight!", Arden stated.

"I thought you'd never ask...", Salem sighed before glomping onto the Mad King. The world would be a stranger place after tonight. Perhaps a better place.

XXXXX

Back down in Mantle, in a familiar pub that was once a blacksmith's forge, Team MRJJ and ATAK did what they still did best and started the night drinking and ordering large platters of Mantle's finest. Their table was littered with barbecued meats and baked dishes. They didn't seem to notice Robyn Hill and her Happy Huntresses at the table across the room. Robyn Hill seemed preoccupied with something else for some reason.

"So... May, connect the dots here for me. I'm still not understanding...", Robyn queried.

"According to the intel I was able to procure, Alabaster Blanche, the White Death, as she's known elsewhere, murdered Jacques Schnee at his own party a few nights ago allowing Willow Schnee to usurp control over the Schnee Dust Company. Although horrible, it has actually benefited the people. I'm not sure where her allegiances lie, however.", May noted.

"Okay... A political assassin. A vigilante perhaps? What about the others?", Robyn mused.

"Jonk Amarillo, the huge guy with the morning-star... He killed a known adversary of General Ironwood in an attempt to capture him. Doctor Arthur Watts, a criminal known for cyber crimes and illegal plastic surgery. Jonk is from Vale and is the son of a construction worker allied with the Contructor's Legion. I just can't really imagine that brute just building houses and things...", May continued.

"He seems harmless enough...", Robyn noted.

"Javelin Green, a Faunus from Menagerie. I think he's a pigeon. He has a brother in the Ivory Fang named George. His family grows grapes in the few fertile areas of Menagerie and makes wine and other beverages. His own strain of grapes is used in the popular soda called 'People Like Grapes'.", May added.

"Nothing special about him...", Robyn sighed.

"Minstrel Jonas, a vagrant from Vacuo. He's got anger issues and constantly argues with his teammates. I don't know a lot about him, honestly. He's friends with our main subject, Rhames.", May continued.

"Tell me about Rhames...", Robyn hinted.

"Rhames... The other big dude in the Legionnaire's armor and kilt. Dark bronze hair and furious red eyes. He's the bastard son of Raven Branwen, another known vagabond. His father is none other than the 'Mad King' himself, Arden Greyblood. He's been working alongside Adam Taurus for some reason, and the two teams from Beacon. So far, it doesn't seem like he's as insane as his father.", May added.

"Arden Greyblood? He has a son?", Robyn noted, recognizing the name of the 'Mad King'.

"Apparently. Raven has a lot of children as well, Adam Taurus apparently being one of them and another known as Yang Xiao-Long. Rhames has been involved in this for far longer than expected, and thusly the Mad King has had his hand in this as well for reasons we still don't know. I'm not sure we want to get involved in this if the Mad King has reasons to be here. He was spotted a few streets over in some kind of ridiculous pinstriped suit.", May mused.

"What about Ironwood?", Robyn asked.

"General Ironwood is away. He's dealing with the Vytal Festival and some issues in Vale. Professor Ozpin, presumed dead, has also returned. The General is encouraging public gatherings and celebrations, rather than imposing Martial Law like we'd originally suspected. The Amity Arena Conspiracy; what we assumed was a plot to use the Arena as some kind of low-orbit satellite to broadcast his propaganda, turned out to be a surprise-reveal of a festival in Atlas. Something called 'Grifball' is to be held for the first time in the Amity Arena. All I know is that the sport involves gladiatorial combat, hammers, bombs and excitement. The General certainly knows how to hide a surprise like that.", May concluded.

"Grifball?", Robyn asked.

"It's a game. Based on ball games in Vale. You have to get your ball into your opponent's goal. You get to defend your goal in any way possible, Semblances, Weapons, anything. There are nine rounds, three minutes each. One goal gets you one point. Defense is horrific. Whoever has the 'ball' turns orange and a giant target is painted on their back. The ball is actually a bomb and can injure your own teammates. It's carnage in a ring. Amity Arena is perfect for the setting and there are multiple maps to play on. It actually looks like fun, maybe we should compete!", Fiona noted.

"Maybe later... All this hiding and conspiracy theories for a new sport? What is Ironwood thinking? Has he gone mad?", Robyn asked to nobody in particular.

"He's worried. He knows the people are on edge. The Fall of Beacon caused a lot of panic. He needs something to take away that panic and put everyone's minds on something else. If this goes well, then the only thoughts on people's minds will be who the next champion Grifball will be.", Joanna noted.

"Hm. Noted. Maybe the General isn't going mad after all. He really does care about us...", Robyn mused. Team MRJJ pulled their attention for a moment.

Jonk Amarillo was holding a strength testing contest with the rest of the bar patrons. If you could lift his morning-star, he'd buy you a round of drinks. The line went around the bar. More silliness and odd behavior. May Marigold just sighed and Robyn nursed her drink. Tonight was a special night.

XXXXX

Back up in Atlas Academy, Team JNPR and RWBY cleaned up and headed into the briefing room. Ozpin had been acting oddly since their food fight and wasn't responding to the name Ozpin anymore. Ruby sighed, was this going to be another "'Handsome' Ozzie" situation on their hands? The Ace Ops were keeping the former Headmaster company while the rest of the teams arrived. Ironwood was currently on his way back as well, but it would still be several days before the Ironman himself returned.

"Guys... Did Ozpin go crazy?", Ruby mused.

"Who knows? I think everything has been weighing heavily on him for a while.", Blake mused.

Team RWBY was first to enter, Ozpin was being held in a straight-jacket and was currently chained to the chair. He struggled helplessly. Team JNPR entered second, Jaune bursting out into maniacal laughter upon the sight of Ozpin tied to the chair.

"Oh lemme guess, he stole the pudding-pops from another child!?", Jaune mocked.

"Mr. Arc, please calm down. Ozpin seems to have entered a fugue state. He is calling himself Oscar Pine.", Clover noted.

"Oh... That's too bad. I thought it was Time-Out Tuesday with Ozzy Ozpin!", Jaune goaded.

"Oscar Pine? That's the name of Ozpin's... Host.", Ruby mused, having remembered Oscar Pine emerging shortly after the train had crashed outside of Argus.

"So, he's not crazy?", Marrow added.

"No... Ozpin isn't in the captain's chair right now...", Blake noted. "I wonder why.".

"Ozpin is a liar!", Oscar Pine screamed.

"Yeah, tell us something we don't already know, kiddo.", Jaune argued.

"He's attached to Salem! He's almost obsessed with her!", Oscar added.

"A lover's quarrel. We're aware of that too.", Nora added.

"Ozpin... He's... I know his plans!", Oscar gasped.

"And we do too.", Jaune noted.

"I... I... No... You can't take it back! You can't-", Oscar seemed to have a fight with himself before falling unconscious for a moment and perking back up.

"Sorry about that... The boy thought he knew what was going on. I hope he didn't sway your opinions of me in my absence.", Ozcar Pin, now back in control noted.

"Not really. We still don't really like you and we trust you about as far as we could throw you.", Pyrrha noted.

"Ah... I see... Well, I haven't been very trustworthy have I? That will change in time. I'm sure you heard my warning, correct?", Ozpin noted.

"Warning?", Team RWBY said in unison.

"Yes. Salem has arrived in Atlas. She is escorted by the Mad King, Arden Greyblood himself. We must call the alarms and engage emergency protocols!", Ozpin stated.

"Why? Why would Rhames' dad want to hang out with Salem?", Yang postured, the gears turning in her head.

"I have proof! Penny, bring up the security footage of Salem!", Ozpin commanded.

Pennyopolis hesitated for an uncomfortably long time before displaying the security footage. Penny had been adding censor bars to the footage in case anyone was squeamish. It was video footage that neither the Ace Ops or Team RWBYJNPR were expecting.

Arden Greyblood sat ass-naked on a bed alongside Salem, who was also ass-naked. They were both either attempting to wrestle each-other or fornicate. Arden ended up on the bottom, with Salem riding him like a raging bull. There wasn't any audio, thankfully. The security camera zoomed in on Salem's face and paused there, forever freezing the Queen of the Grimm's face into eternal ecstasy. Ozpin fumbled around in embarrassment.

"My eyes!", Ruby screamed before running towards the door and slamming into the doorway instead.

Yang felt several different emotions settling on rage for a moment before the horror sunk in and she realized that she'd soon be related to Salem if Arden had children with her. Then that realization was backed up by sheer horror. Then her stomach turned upside down and followed Ruby out the doorway in disgust followed by the rest of Yang's body.

Nora and Ren just stared in shock and mild interest. Jaune and Pyrrha just giggled at the sight. Ozpin had caught someone in coitus.

"Uhh... Well... That's not what I was expecting them to be doing right now... But...", Ozpin stammered. He was really hoping that they were discussing evil plans instead of planned parenthood.

"That's Salem!?", Weiss exclaimed.

"Err... Yes...", Ozpin noted.

"You have some issues, don't you Ozzy?", Weiss noted as she went to find her teammates.

"She's dangerous! She's the Queen of the Grimm!", Ozpin shouted. Weiss kept walking.

The Ace Ops just shuffled away silently and awkwardly. This was entirely too awkward and not part of their mission. Stop Salem in any way possible. It certainly seemed that she'd now been taken care of properly.

"Jaune Arc! You and Pyrrha must know that this is just temporary! She will destroy the world as we know it!", Ozpin raged.

"Maybe yours, Ozzie. I think your ex-girlfriend just found a new boyfriend. Maybe you should move on.", Handsome Jaune noted.

Ozpin unfroze the Security Footage, Salem was now in a different position still being 'attacked' by the Mad King.

"I cannot believe this has just happened. Take over for me, Oscar.", Ozpin noted.

"Auuugh! My Eyes!", Oscar Pine screamed as Ozpin let him take the wheel again. Oscar Pine promptly crashed Airship Ozpin into the ground as he passed out.

"Shall I terminate the security footage?", Pennyopolis asked.

"Off... Just turn it off...", Clover gasped, averting his eyes.

X

Outside the briefing room, Team RWBY and JNPR had regained their sanity from seeing something they had never wished to see ever. It seemed like their mission had just gotten a lot easier.

"Well, that was horrifying.", Yang noted.

"Ozpin still has to show that same footage to General Ironwood. I don't think the General is going to like that very much.", Blake added.

"Well who would!? That's just disgusting! It's like the time I caught my mom and dad... Never-mind.", Weiss noted.

"Didn't your mom and Arden have a thing for a while?", Pyrrha asked.

"They did, but I think that's over now. Raven never really liked Arden that much...", Yang mused.

"But... Now Arden is with Salem... What if they have kids?", Pyrrha noted.

"Don't even start... Please!", Yang exclaimed.

"Does this change our plan?", Ren noted.

"Nope! It just got easier! We don't have to deal with Salem, we can just merrily go ahead and grab the Relics and secure them! Then we can all go our separate ways or something. I dunno!", Handsome Jaune announced.

"I was half expecting to see her riding a Grimm Whale into Atlas with a band of flying monkeys!", Nora exclaimed.

"I'm sure that's what she call's Arden's... thing.", Weiss scoffed.

"Flying monkeys?", Nora added.

"A Grimm Whale.", Weiss sighed.

"Oh! Ewww...", Nora mused.

Several loud trumpets heralded the arrival of General Ironwood and his personal Airship. Now the General would get his chance at being incredibly disgusted.

X

Farther up inside of Atlas Academy, General Ironwood sat in his office. Ozpin had been brought up to him in a straight-jacket. The smaller man was unlatched from his prison and allowed to roam. Winter Schnee just looked incredibly disgusted for some reason as she dropped the man-child off.

"Ozpin. I received your message. You claim that Salem has found us and is Atlas. Do you have proof?", Ironwood asked coldly.

"I do! Here, look at the screenshots from the security footage!", Ozpin announced.

Pennyopolis displayed several images of Salem's face. Most of them were extreme close-ups and showed a face full of intense emotion for some reason.

"Ozpin, what in the hell is this!? She looks like she's having sex!", Ironwood lashed.

"She is, General Ironwood. Would you like to see the video?", Pennyopolis asked.

General Ironwood gave Ozpin a sideways glance. "No. Do not show me that. Ever."

"Are you absolutely sure that this is Salem!?", Ironwood asked.

"I am...", Ozpin responded.

Ozpin brought up a few drawings of Salem's usual demeanor with comparisons drawn to the horrible photos. Her face did match all known records...

"Well, it looks like Salem has been taken care of. Any other reasons to be concerned?", Ironwood noted.

"She's having sex with the Mad King.", Ozpin noted.

Ironwood sighed. It just couldn't be that easy, now could it? He could've had Pennyopolis trace the footage to a location, and then that location would've been secured. It would've been so simple to just catch Salem and jettison her and her partner into low-orbit. But no, of course not, she had to be fucking Arden Greyblood as well.

"Great. Awesome. Penny, just keep eyes on Greyblood and Salem. Preferably not when they're in the bedroom, though. I might need a set of mechanical eyes if I see another couple I know having sex!", Ironwood cursed.

"Who? You saw someone else?", Oscar Pine asked.

"I saw Doctor Polendina and someone else. Penny! You need to know about people's privacy! We're going to have a talk about the birds and the beets!", Ironwood exclaimed.

"You mean the birds and the bees, right?", Ozpin noted.

"That's what I said! Leave, Ozpin. I need some time to wash this out of my mind. Take Winter down to the labs, it's time.", Ironwood commanded.

Ozpin just left James Ironwood to his own devices. A loud and horrible retching from within the office as he left foretold what Ironwood had just begun to do. He went and found Winter Schnee standing a few feet outside of the doorway tapping her foot. She'd seen the Security Footage as well and strongly disliked Little Boy Ozzy right now. The mood was icy; a bit more than normal.

"Ozpin...", Winter noted as Ozcar Pin rounded the corner.

"Winter. General Ironwood has instructed me to take you to the labs. It is time.", Ozcar noted.

"Yes, I already know that Ozpin. The Aura Transfer machine is back up and running, we salvaged what we could from the Fall of Beacon and now it is ready.", Winter added.

"Oh, right. Then I suppose the current Winter Maiden is..."

"She's comatose, but in stable condition. I'm ready for this. I took care of the Winter Maiden when her age began to slow her down. Let's go get this over with...", Winter mused as she took Ozpin's hand and led him down the hallway towards the Super Secret Elevator.

Winter and Ozpin walked down the hallway to a large and rather decorative elevator, such much for a secret entrance... WInter slid her badge down the card reader on the exterior of the door and pulled Ozcar inside. She pressed a sequence of buttons before selecting the bottommost floor. The elevator began to move silently into the bowels of Atlas Academy. A jaunty tune played in the speakers at the top of the elevator car.

"Hm. Odd. I would've picked the Atlesian National Anthem... This is a nautical tune from Menagerie.", Oz noted.

"Blame Penny.", Winter noted.

"And you're sure you've decided on this?", Oz asked.

"I am. Even if it's as stupid as being a Winter Maiden named Winter. It is my destiny.", Winter noted.

The rest of the elevator trip was in silence. Winter didn't want to talk to Ozpin and Ozpin had the feeling that Winter didn't want to talk to him right now. The old man in a young man's body just shuffled awkwardly. Deep inside Ozpin's mind, Oscar Pine struggled to regain control and failed again.

As the elevator doors opened, Ozpin had been expecting the same scene from Beacon Academy, a dark room with the foreboding Aura Transfer Machine in the center. Instead, a rather clean hospital-like room was in front of them. The Aura Transfer Machine was running quietly in the corner with the Winter Maiden sealed inside one of the tubes. A robotic doctor stood off to the side and motioned to Winter. The elder Schnee just nodded and took her place in the machine as the robot began to operate dials and switches. This wasn't the first time Ozpin had seen this, and hopefully it would be the last.

Inside the pod, it was a slightly difference situation.

"WInter! You've come to me at last... I suppose this is the last time we'll get to speak individually.", The Maiden whispered.

"Yes. I suppose it is. Time to go...", Winter mused.

Winter felt a heat creep into her mind as the Winter Maiden's Aura and powers were transferred to her. It wasn't entirely as painful as she'd imagined, but it was awkward.

"My oh my. You are a young one! I feel as young as you are! Look at those hips! Have you considered children yet? I have a few suggestions for you, if you want. Wow, how do we even fit into these outfits with those-"

"Shut up."

"Oh, sorry. You can hear me right? I have so much energy again! It's nice to be alive in one way or another. Oh, right... The Maiden Lesson. Well, it'll just come to you. That's all I can say. Hey, when you get out of this pod, we should get some tea and crumpets. I miss having taste-buds that work! Ooh and those caramel creams, too!"

"I can hear you. I don't think anyone else can."

"Well that's fantastic news! I have so many things I wanted to say to some people! Maybe you can be my voice! Now... That black haired man, Kr-Qr- Crow? I think that was his name. Now he's the kind of man you need to find!"

The Winter Maiden who now lived inside Winter Schnee never stopped talking. Winter idly wondered if Pyrrha was having the same problem with her Maiden side never shutting up and just talking about nonsense all day. Winter Schnee was officially trapped in a closet with her unofficial grandma for all of the rest of time. The pod opened on its own and let Winter out, Ozpin seemed a little curious.

"Did it work?", Oz asked.

"Yep. It worked. Let's go back to Ironwood.", Winter coerced. She wanted to leave. Now.

"Are you okay?", Ozpin asked, Winter was fidgeting oddly.

"Fine! Totally fine. No, he's not my son! Do we even look alike!? Not Qrow! He's not the father! Just shut up!", Winter rambled.

"Winter, are you having an argument with the Winter Maiden?", Ozpin asked.

"Maybe! I don't know! No... I mean Yes, Ozpin! This is difficult. Let's go find Irondaddy... No, don't call him 'Irondaddy!'... General Ironwood!", Winter seemed to be having an existential crisis.

"Maybe we should also find Pyrrha Nikos...", Ozpin noted.

"No! Pyrrha is alive. She survived. I know, yes she's also a Maiden. I guess? I don't know if it works like that... Yes, Ozpin. Let's also find Pyrrha Nikos and her Fall Maiden.", Winter awkwardly stated.

For the entire elevator ride back up the main floors of Atlas Academy, Winter Schnee just stood in the corner and argued with herself. There were side-effects of using an Aura Transfer Machine, but this was probably the worst-case-scenario; two strong-willed women stuck in one body with neither of them in full control.

X

Back in Ironwood's office, the General had finished cleansing his mind of the sight of yet another unwanted security video. Yes, Salem was in his Kingdom and that was equally as bad. But, the Mad King was currently keeping her occupied. Yes, the Mad King himself was another problem, but Salem was still the larger threat. The two of them caused Ironwood's dwindling sanity to spiral downwards for a few moments. Was this the end of Atlas? They were surrounded by Grimm out in the Tundras, the mines, and the skies. Salem could rip his kingdom from the air in a heartbeat. Arden didn't seem to want that and came and went as he pleased, never really doing much of anything except being weird. Maybe Salem and Arden were just going to run away together and be weird elsewhere? Maybe Vacuo? Or Vale? Or anywhere other than Atlas? But that was an equally bad thought, as the Queen of the Grimm in any other place meant certain death for everyone there. Should he call the banners and raise the alarms? Or start off the First Annual Grifball Festival and Tournament? He hoped that Winter would be back soon and the transfer was a complete success.

Almost on cue, Winter and Ozpin walked through his front door. Ozpin seemed tired for some reason and Winter was dragging Pyrrha Nikos along with her. Winter also seemed to be rambling to herself like a madwoman.

"No, no really. Is it always like this? You can tell me, I'm a nice person! I like you!", Winter pleaded.

"Well, not really. Amber doesn't talk much. The two of us have sorta... merged. I feel her emotions sometimes, it's mostly anger and rage against the ones who injured her to begin with.", Pyrrha noted.

"Oh. I guess it's just me then! Thank you, Fria. You can shut up now. I know. No, I'm not asking if his ironwood is in his pants! Just... Please... Be quiet...", Winter argued.

"You should really try to work with the Maiden instead of fighting her. I listened to Amber and we just sorta became one.", Pyrrha added.

"It's not that easy! Fria was a lot older than me! She's got interests in things I don't!", Winter struggled.

"Like General Ironwood?", Pyrrha noted.

"Exactly!", Winter cursed.

"Winter? Is everything alright?", Ironwood asked after watching the debacle unfold in his office.

"Yes. General Ironwood, I apologize for my behavior. The transfer was a success. However, Fria the Winter Maiden, who now lives inside my brain, would like to have rough sex with you.", Winter explained as stoically as she could.

"Well... That's not an option. I suggest you get some rest and try to activate your new powers. Ozpin, stay here for a moment. Pyrrha, you may also go back to whatever it was you were doing previously.", Ironwood concluded.

Pyrrha just shrugged and left the office. Things were getting really weird as of late. She watched as Winter Schnee just walked back towards her own private dorm; she was still rambling like a madwoman.

Pyrrha just hit the elevator button down to her Team's dorm level and headed downwards. She walked through the mostly quiet halls towards where both RWBY and JNPR were staying. Jaune was out in the hallway expecting her.

"Hey, pumpkin. How'd it go?", Jaune asked.

"Guess."

"Winter is the Winter Maiden? Because that makes sense, right?", Jaune noted.

"Yep. And she's gone completely insane. Won't stop talking to herself.", Pyrrha added.

"Ah... I guess it's that weird Maiden connection, right? Where your souls become fused? I guess Strong Soul plus Strong Maiden equals gibbering lunatic?", Jaune mused.

"You got it. How is Ruby taking the news of Salem in the kingdom?", Pyrrha asked.

"About as well as the others. An immortal Witch Queen is in Atlas and is not trying to kill us all. Weird, right? All because another immortal Mad King is in Atlas and trying to keep us alive, for what reason, I have no idea. Maybe it's Yang, Adam and Rhames?", Handsome Jaune noted.

"What about Yang?"

"She's trying to figure out the postage on dogs for some reason. Honestly, I think they've all gone wobbly-fruitloops at this point.", Jaune noted.

"What about your plan with the Relics?", Pyrrha asked, Pyrrha was full of questions tonight.

"It's already in motion. Ironwood's been away and hasn't noticed the several dozen of so Moonshots from Helios. I've sent some of my best robots out to assist finding them. Ran into some problems in Vacuo with some idiot named Roland and a bunch of bandits, but other than that it's going great!", Handsome Jaune explained.

"I thought we already had the Relic from Vacuo, Destruction? What's out there of importance?", Pyrrha asked again.

"We already do. But they don't know that we have it. My father stole the Relic right from under their noses and put a fake one in its place. Best we also secure that fake one too, just to cover our bases.", Handsome Jaune noted. "Vale is going to be tricky... I'm already running into issues out there."

X

Far across the ocean in Vale, a bunch of oddly T-shaped robots had taken over the central square. They had declared themselves Hyperion Loader-bots and were here to secure the area. Glynda Goodwitch was not having any of this right now, and had sent her best students to go and figure out what exactly the reason for all of this was. It was going absolutely nowhere.

X

"It's probably nothing, though. I'm more worried about Roland and his little group of bandits in Vacuo, to be honest. The guy's ex-Atlas military and gathered a bunch of idiots to fight with him. Supposedly one of them is a Maiden, but I have my doubts. There can only be four Maidens in the world and I already know of three.", Handsome Jaune mused.

Jaune walked back into the dorm, Pyrrha followed him inside. Inside their dorm, Ren and Nora were tuning into the newest sport to hit the Amity Arena, Grifball. Professor Port and Doctor Oobleck were announcers once again and began to kick off the sporting event.

"Oh hoh! Another Tournament for another weekend! Atlas is stepping up their game!", Port roared.

"Ah yes. A barbaric ball game from the frozen tundras themselves. Two teams and two goals! One ball that is also a bomb that explodes when you score a point! Nine rounds! Anything goes! Tournament rules apply! Players are out if their Aura depletes too much and another player is called from the benches! Two teams of four! Let the match begin!", Oobleck spat.

"And we have some returning stars to the Amity Arena! Team BRNZ of Vacuo versus Team FNKI of Atlas! Who will be the champion of Grifball!", Port roared as he pressed the button to start the match.

The resulting carnage on the TV screen caused most of Team JNPR to wince as Flynt Coal blew himself up with the first goal. Kobalt made some attempt at defense, only to be knocked out by Nolan. Neon Katt skated around her enemies with the ball/bomb only to be punted into her own goal by May Zedong with an impact hammer. Nine rounds of this madness seemed to be a little too long. Auras were dropping and auxiliary teammates were swapped in.

"This is a game?", Pyrrha asked.

"Yep. Atlas really knows how to put on a show.", Nora mused.

"Shh! You're missing the fight!", Ren shushed.

Pyrrha and Jaune just watched the carnage in idle curiosity. Ironwood had made the correct decision as it seemed. Put the people's mind at ease. Nothing bad was happening. It was all just normal Atlas life. He'd even lifted the embargo on Dust and Trade Supplies and allowed certified Corporations to trade with the Kingdoms outside. Everyone loved General Ironwood. He was their savior. Everyone also loved Grifball. Forget about the Vytal Festival, the Grifball Tournament would be their new choice in entertainment.

X

Far down below, in Haephestus' Pub, Team MRJJ cheered as Neon Katt was put out of her misery by Roy Stallion. Vacuo was winning. As a team from Vacuo, MRJJ supported their fellow Huntsmen.

"It's awesome! Bombs! Explosions! Carnage! Warfare!", Rhames cheered.

"Who are you betting on?", Minstrel asked.

"Team BRNZ of course! We missed the deadline to compete ourselves, so they're my first choice!", Rhames shouted.

The Grifball match drew the attention of everyone in the small pub. Nobody knew what was really going on. Nobody cared about anything else. Ignorance was bliss. There were rumors of Witches and Mad Kings and whatnot, but the threats proposed didn't affect daily life. THey ratcheted it up to the media wanting to cause a stir as usual. Even Jacques Schnee's death had lead to the reformation of the Labor Laws, WIllow Schnee was essentially throwing Dust away, and everyone felt at ease for once. Just as it was supposed to be.

Nobody would see the mouth of the beast as it swallowed them whole. Nobody would see the mind of a king upon a frozen throne rust away. And nobody would feel the cold winds as they continued to blow over the Kingdom of Atlas. It was the perfect night for those that fed on carrion.

XXXXX

Chapter End. Things will get worse. I guarantee it. A little bit of fun before the excrement hits the rotors, as they say in villages of Mantle...