Ajax's initial excitement for a school filled exclusively with people armed for combat exploded as he took in the massive campus before him. Spires, barracks, archways, training grounds, and soon to be students. It had to be incredible. Best of all, no more putting up with Marrow's ridiculous boasting.

Per orders, he arrived a week early and would have a conversation with the Headmaster. Ozpin, the headmaster of Beacon, was in on the deal as well, and would be using part of the Schnee's commission to fund some event in the second semester.

The doors to the office opened, and Ajax stepped out of the elevator.

"Welcome, Specialist Akva. Please, take a seat. We may be here a while" the old man said.

The Specialist did as he was told. Once seated, Ozpin poured him a cup of coffee. He didn't especially like stuff, but accepted out of politeness.

"According to James, you probably are overqualified to be a student here. However, the deal we agreed upon requires you to join the student body"

He nodded, expecting as much.

"The part I doubt Ironwood told you is my… predicament. To put it simply, you have another task that is much more important than being a bodyguard, and is largely the reason James accepted Jacques's offer to begin with. Even though I have my doubts about trusting this information to someone so young, I don't have much of a choice"

This was news. Anything larger than the daughter of the most influential man on the planet, probably had to do with the strongest woman on it…

"Remember Ajax, this is all confidential information, do you understand?"

Ajax nodded, "I understand, and will not tell anyone"

Ozpin looked satisfied. "With that squared away, tell me, what is your favorite fairy tale?"

He stopped. Fairy tales? "Sir, with all due respect, fairy tales are things I tell my little brother. I would take it much better if you just told it as it is" That came out a wee bit rude. "Unless this is some codeword for some great power, in which case, I apologise"

The old man sighed. "If you wish. We live in an age of gods and monsters. Though the gods themselves have left, they left some of their energy behind. The power from our souls pales in comparison to that of what godly power can do. Because of this, many seek out these powers. Come with me"

They went into the elevator from Ozpin's office. Instead of hitting any particular button, he poked his cane to the light in the ceiling. The elevator began to descend. It did not stop for the ground floor. Another twenty seconds or so later, the doors revealed a massive underground vault. At the far end of it was a large machine, though its purpose was still unknown.

The two walked to it. When they arrived, Ajax saw a girl with a scarred face asleep in the machine. The glass was ice cold.

"She was the carrier of a fraction of godly powers, split among four girls thousands of years ago. This power, called Maidenhood, is passed on to another suitable woman through death. She was attacked and is half dead; Half the power went to the attacker, and the other half is barely keeping Amber here alive"

"And you think the attacker will come to finish the job"

The headmaster nodded. "According to Qrow, my associate, her attackers are young enough to appear as students. We don't know their identities, only that they were last seen during the attack near a fringe town, east of Vale. With the Vytal festival being hosted here this year, it will be the perfect time to infiltrate and steal the rest of the powers. We don't know their full motives yet, only that they are power hungry enough to search for long forgotten, ancient powers. If you suspect someone, report to me and James immediately"

"Understoo-"

Ozpin's scroll began dinging. Looking at it, he sighed.

"Dust store robbery. As the Kingdom's Huntsman institution, we are required to send aid. The Protectors of Humanity deal with everything; no matter how small. I trust you can take care of it"

Ajax nodded, then ran for the elevator.

The scene was an incredible sight. Bodies littered the street, though they appeared to be only knocked out. The dust shop window was blown wide open, casting glass into the street. Windows of the buildings filling the block had the curtains drawn as he looked at them. A girl, cloaked in red, was shooting an enormous scythe to ascend a building. None of it made sense, but then again, none of it had to. It was just another battlefield waiting for Tartaglia's touch.

Jumping after the girl, Ajax saw a red crystal thrown at her from the airship above: Dust. Likely taken from the robbery that seemed to have not gone so well. Quickly, he rushed in to stop the makeshift explosive. He noticed a bullet coming his way from the corner of his eye. Fast as lightning, a water sword deflected it away.

Drawing his trusty bow, Ajax took aim at the man in the airship. Loosing an arrow, it struck just above his head. The sheer force of the impact shook the ship. The man ran to the cockpit, and a woman took his place. This was probably a last ditch effort at escape. He aimed for one of the engines. Right before the arrow hit it, the airship turned sideways slightly, deflecting it. Forcing an 'emergency' landing wasn't a viable strategy then. Come to think of it, bringing the ship down wasn't a great idea either, considering their location. He'd have to disable the target directly.

Ajax fired an arrow at the woman. She blocked it with her hand, but she didn't notice a sigil being etched into her glove. He willed a spear into its watery form, then threw it like a boomerang at the woman. She tried to stop it, but the sigil reacted violently to the spear, causing a torrential explosion that flung her to the back wall. Struggling weakly up, the woman pointed a finger at Ajax. The ground beneath his feet began to glow.

Not a moment too soon, he jumped backwards, dragging the red girl with him. The roof exploded, sending dust and ashes into the air. The cloud slowly dissipated, revealing an airship long departed.

A foul taste filled Ajax's mouth. Another mission failed. At least the robbery was stopped.

"Woah, you're a huntsman," Ajax turned to face the voice, shaking off his bad mood. It was the scythe girl, "Can I have your autograph? Please? Please!"

"Strictly speaking, I'm not a Huntsman yet. I'm going to Beacon. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time" he responded. It was a lie, but she'd hopefully never know. She looked about the age of a primary academy student and very familiar... For someone that green, she was skillful enough to raise some eyebrows. Of course, she could just be a really short Beacon student.

"Well, whatever. I still want your autograph. I mean, your like loads better than me, and I kinda really wanna remember this fight, so I can remember how you were all like, whoooooo wooosh and threw a spear and hit that lady and made Torchwick run with his tail between his legs and I'm just like woah he's super good and plus you're going to Beacon and my sister's going this year so maybe you'll be like friends and we-" the rest became incomprehensible squealing.

Ajax just raised an eyebrow.

"Okay fine, I'll give you mine too, even though you're like super better than me and all that"

Whatever made her happy… or quiet.

The girl pulled a pad of paper and a pen from somewhere. She signed her name, tore off the paper, then gave the pad and pen to Ajax. Signing as 'Ajax the Great', they swapped papers. The name on it made his heart stop.

'Ruby Rose 3'

He looked at her again. The eyes… silver eyes. And the hair; the cloak. This was Summer's daughter, no doubt about it. Even the handwriting was similar: loopy with long, trailing ends. Summer had left him with a message to give to her daughter should he ever meet her. Same with her step daughter and husband. This was neither the time nor the place for messages, though.

"Well, listen. I'm happy to have a big ego and all, but you are now responsible for dealing with the legal aspects of this. Considering you are at least a huntress in training, or secretly a bloodthirsty assassin, you are to be taken into Beacon for questioning and your testimony. Got it Miss Rose?"

"Yes Mr. Great"

"No, it's just a nickname. My name is Ajax Akva, but just call me Ajax"

They walked in silence to the air docks. Should he even tell her? Part of him wanted to wait until Ruby was a little older to hear the news, but another part of him was very certain Summer would find a way to kill him if he screwed up the only contact with her daughter for the last… however many hundreds of years.

They boarded the Bullhead. Nobody else was on. He could tell her now, and nobody would know. But she'd be seeing Ozpin right after this. If Ozpin found out, there would be far too many questions to answer. His family might be suspects. Not now, not here.

"So, uh, Ajax. What year are you in? 'Cause like, I'll be going to Beacon in two years, and I'm only gonna know like… three people there? My friends are all going to Shade, except the one moving back to Atlas, but I'm going to Beacon like my parents did!"

That's right. Summer did go there. Ajax wondered if the old graduating class photos featured the Huntress. If anything she claimed about herself was true, she'd probably be hiding in the back.

"I'll be a first year student this year. I was asked to come a little early because I'm transferring from Atlas. Some great people there, but also a lot of… we'll say less than reputable individuals"

"You're a first year? Wow. Yang's in for a fight, that's my sister by the way. But, you certainly will be too!"

"I'm certainly hoping for a fight"

"Cool"

…

The silence was deafening and incredibly awkward. Fortunately, the ride came to a smooth conclusion, and they disembarked. Ozpin was waiting for them.

"Well, you certainly caused quite the stir. I'm glad the man has insurance, because otherwise Signal would have to pay this out of pocket. By that, I mean 'borrowing' from Beacon. Sorry, I'm rambling. Welcome to Beacon Academy, you're here because you are to give your testimony. Right this way"

Ozpin spirited Ruby away to a building that Ajax suspected was security. Going back to his own room, an unused team room that his eventual team would stay in, he set down his bow and contemplated how Summer asked him to title the 'sender' of her message.

Baker of Cookies and Slayer of Giant Monsters

Supposedly she would know who it was from. He went off to the building Ruby and the Headmaster were in. Entering, he saw it was, in fact, security. The one room with lights on was an interrogation room. He went into the viewing chamber to check on the suspect. Somewhat unsurprisingly, she had a plate of cookies before her. With how fast Ruby was eating cookies, Summer probably earned her title of 'Baker of Cookies' She certainly earned the Slayer title though.

Suddenly, Ozpin said something that made Ruby stop moving. Ajax really wished the sound system for the side room was working, because he wasn't sure what Ruby was hearing here. Something that made the hyperactive girl stop couldn't have been good. Until she started right back up to hyperactivity, this time thanking the man. They both stood up, and began to exit the room. Ajax was waiting for them.

"Ah, Mister Akva. I didn't mean for you to wait for us, though this works out rather well. Ruby here is going to spend the night here at Beacon because the airships have stopped for the night. Your room is the only one already prepared. I hope you don't mind keeping her for a little. Not to mentio-"

"Ajax! I'm going to Beacon with you! This year! Oh this is awesome. We can have a team with me, you, my sister, and Bennett! Oh that's my sister's friend by the way. Then we will be unstoppable!"

"I'm already… you know what, sure. Team… BRAY..? 'Cause it sounds like gray a little" Ajax pondered. How did they come up with so many different team names? Surely, the colors must run out at some point.

"Nah, how 'bout like…. ARBY"

"No, that sounds like a fast food team"

"But fast food is good!"

"I didn't say it wasn't good. I just don't want to spend the rest of my life on a team promoting sandwiches"

"You know what? I bet you were fat," Ruby said. Ajax looked at himself. Him? Fat? "Okay, maybe not. But still, I bet you are one of those health extremists, and you eat like four leaves of lettuce a day"

"I'm not picky on food, and you shouldn't be either"

"You're telling me you like boiled broccoli?"

Ajax cringed. Tonia's teaching was to never boil broccoli, only steam it. Anything else was a sin against humanity.

"I would eat it. May not like it, but I eat what I'm given"

Ozpin interrupted their quips "I have a feeling you'll get along just fine. Here is your dorm room for the night. I've already contacted your father to inform him of what's happening. Let me know if you need anything"

And he left. The two entered the room.

Ruby put her scythe down by the bed opposite of Ajax's. Something caused her to pause. She seemed to have realized then she'd have to spend the night in her combat dress.

"Hold up Ruby, I think I might have something you can use"

He rummaged through his bag. Eventually, he found a set of pajamas Tonia had sent him, but he never wore. The large Mistralian mascot (some bear promoting spicy foods) embroidered on the front coupled with the pink coloration was a very hard pass in Ajax's book.

"Here take this. Bathroom is right there"

Ruby nodded, and went in.

Now the hard part.

Ajax looked over his scroll one more time, making sure he wouldn't leave anything out. Even though it was a very short message, it was utterly important every detail was exact. He quickly changed before Ruby finished. Not a moment too soon.

Deep breaths.

"Hey Ruby, I've got something to tell you"

"Is it that you have a crush on Yang? It seems all of my friends do"

"That's… I'm not sure if that's impressive or frightening. Like how would I have a crush on someone I've never… forget it, you're way off topic."

Ruby sat on her bed. "Then what's up? Talk to me"

"I… met someone. She was very adamant that if I ever met you, which she somehow knew would happen, I should tell you this"

Somehow this made Ruby very nervous. It wasn't too hard to see why.

"Umm… a little weird. Who is it though?"

"She goes by the title of Baker of Cookies and Slayer of Giant Monsters"

Silver eyes shot open. "Bwa? What?! Wait, I, uh, what, how, um, I, I don't know. She's alive?! SHE'S ALIVE!" Ruby rushed the Atlesian boy, giving him a bear hug that almost broke his spine.

Here it is. "Well, sort of. It's complicated, and I was explicitly asked not to tell you about it. Summer wanted to tell you only one thing"

Somehow Ruby knew this wasn't going to be as great as she was hoping. She let go "...what?"

"I'm sorry"

"Is… is that all?"

"Look, she tried to tell you more. She realized she couldn't when the more you know puts you at greater risk"

Ruby looked torn between pulling her hair out, crying herself to sleep, and begging for more answers. She looked exactly like Teucer did after a thorough lecture. Something about it struck home.

"She tried to take on the weight of the world so you'd never have too. It cost her freedom. I won't lie, I barely escaped with my life from where she is right now, she won't"

"But, bu- She's alive right? Why can't we just go see her?"

"Well, for starters you would die. I would too"

"How is she not?"

"I can't tell you. Not because I wouldn't, or rather not just because I wouldn't, but also because I don't really know"

"I… I don't know either. I don't know how to feel, I don't know what to think, I don't know why any of this is so important that I CAN'T KNOW HOW OR WHERE OR EVEN WHO MY OWN MOTHER IS!" she sighed, "Somehow, her being dead made her feel closer than alive and gone"

They both sat in silence for a while. Outside, bells tolled of a new hour passing. Three bells. Not that either of them cared that the sun would rise four hours from then. Just continual contemplation. Ruby broke the silence.

"Hey"

"What?"

"Can you tell me about her?"

"What about her?"

"What was she like?"

"Well for one, you have her eyes"

"Is that really the first thing that comes to mind?"

"The second, I just don't think you'd like the first"

"What's the first?"

"She's smokin' hot- ow. Don't throw stuff at me. You asked"

The pillow Ruby threw really didn't hurt, but a faux show never really hurt too much.

"She's married!"

"I know. So is my mom, but I can objectively say she's hot"

"How? That makes no sense. Do you have a complex?"

"No. It's the same way you think your sister's hot"

"Yang's not hot, she's sexy"

"Proving my point here"

"Ughh fine. My mom's hot. Is there anything else you want me to know about her?"

Aside from her, and in turn your, inherited superpower to both vaporize and become Grimm? Sure. "She is an incredible cook. She even taught me. She has a craving for fish, especially Salmon, despite having no idea how to catch them. I had to show her. She also taught me just about all of my swordsmanship, or I guess weaponry in general"

A sword materialized in Ajax's hand. "She never taught me how to use the bow though. I've been struggling through teaching myself"

"Can she use a scythe?"

"Little biased there, dontcha think?"

She seemed to deflate. "I was just curious…"

"No, it's a fair question. She can. Apparently one of her old school friends used one and taught her"

The blade of Ajax's sword curved inward to its sharpened end, and the handle extended. Soon, he was holding a fair sized war-scythe.

"I find very few uses for it though. You probably can through your mecha-shift though, right?"

Crescent Rose unfolded in her maker's hand. "Mhmm. It's also a gun"

"I figured"

The quiet filled the room, this time much more gentle and comfortable. Within a few minutes, light snoring came from Ruby's side of the room. She really is like Summer, isn't she? Aye, but she isn't a master of every weapon. A very valid point from the monster within.

Checking, that little black creature was still there. Actually, if it was Grimm, Ruby might be able help remove it… but then he'd have to explain. There was a price on knowledge, one that can be earned, not purchased. Just asking for a favor in exchange for the truth felt… empty.

Maybe one day, little Rose. Hopefully soon…

The Return of the Ellipses...

I ain't gon' lie chief. This one was a doozer. Without exaggeration, I went through nine drafts. Nine. Nine drastically different conversations, nine drastically different outcomes. The ones I liked either setup Ajax to undermine Ozpin's efforts at secrecy, which he wouldn't; Ruby to be depressed, which feels like an overdone trope because ever fanfiction writer is depressed and needs an outlet; Ruby to be over the top angry and hate Ajax, which I like and was really considering going with because it setup even more conflict. But, I decided on this because it isn't really meant to be a character drama, like what I would end up doing with angry Ruby.

As for why it's so late… trade secret. I meant to get more writing done over spring break, but it didn't happen surprise surprise. Same reason why it's shorter. I tried.

Now, for characters.

There will be returning cast members from both medias. Lots. Canon teams are being torn to shreds. Powers and weapons are going to be a major OoC point. For instance, Bennett would have FOUR semblances: Qrow's, Jaune's, Cinder's (not maiden), and sort of Hazel's. One possibility might be to make his sword similar to Dove Bronzewing's sword, a gun and dust rounds. Fire dust could be used to create the effects of c6, similar to Mark Zhang's OC's weapon Magnum Opus. Or Fischl's ability basically mirroring Qrow and Raven, just lightning and separate identity bird. Or other huge in universe issues, like all allogenes (people with visions) have ranged magic, flight by turning into their element briefly (most evident with catalyst plunge), elemental shields, ect. The idea in the first chapter for the hydro rocks came from the manga in case anyone couldn't guess. And oww. Too much research isn't really making me reconsider this whole project, just making me redesign all of the characters' combat mechanics to fit the RWBY universe better. PM or review if you got any ideas for translated abilities for any character you want to see. Taking off of my workload will only make updates come out sooner.

Don't know when the next chapter will be. It's undergoing initial the work through, and all I'm saying is it won't be like the others.

Take it easy