[RWBY+A's dorm room: 9:50pm]

Justin/Achilles' POV

"Blake has yet to return." I remarked towards the other members as I laid in my bed in my black wife-beater and sweatpants.

"Probably just taking a walk," Weiss said as she got herself ready for sleep. "As always."

"Eh you're right. Still though, that news report had to have made her hair stand on end. Who would just attack an HQ of the White Fang like that?" I pondered.

"And more importantly, why blow it up? It's like they're making a statement." Yang noted as she combed her hair.

As Ruby got out of the bathroom as Blake slammed the door open with her eyes wide as moons.

"Blake what's got you frazzled?" I shot up alarmed.

She glanced over at me. Then behind herself as if to make sure that no one else was listening. She then shut the door and turned back to us. "Did any of you see the news?" She asked.

"The fact the warehouse the White Fang was using caved in. Yeah what about it?" I asked with my head tilted.

Blake took a shaky breath before speaking "I know it sounds crazy, but it was raided… by one man."

That little announcement made all of us go silent. Either questioning Blakes sanity, or our own.

"I'm sorry did you say one man?" I asked.

Blake nodded. "He wore a mask that covered his eyes and a red trench coat." She then started eyeing me suspiciously "He also had a sword strapped to his side and two guns. Much like you."

Now the others were eyeing me suspiciously.

I placed my hand on my chest "Guys, I've been training with my fiance and my friends all day. There's no way I could be in two places at once." I defended.

"Any alibis?" Blake asked with her arms crossed.

"Yeah… 3. Here let me group call them right now." I said with a tinge of sarcasm.

I then started a group call with my friends.

Hello? Jocelyn answered.

Hey what's going on? Aaron answered.

Hey Achilles. Keoth answered.

"Hey just to confirm with you guys, and you are on speaker by the way, I was with you guys all day right?" I asked them.

Um… yeah…? Keoth and Aaron said in unison.

What's going on? Jocelyn asked.

"Oh nothing much. If you've seen the news recently you'll know why I asked." I told them.

Even YOU aren't capable of smiting a warehouse by yourself. Aaron pointed out.

"Thanks… Talk later guys. Love you dear." I told them.

Later fucker. Aaron said.

Ooo...kay? See you I guess. Keoth said.

Bye-bye! Joce said in her cute voice.

I then hung up "There, now are we clear?"

RWBY gave each other an uneasy glance. As if they were having a silent conversation.

"Alright, that clears you up for now." Yang finally spoke up.

"But we still need to know whoever this masked guy in red is." Weiss said.

"Not to mention he seems to be copying your style." Ruby pointed out.

[Meanwhile in Ozpin's office]

General Ironwood and Ozpin were discussing plans for the VYTAL festival when they heard Ozpin's desk give off a notification.

Ozpin and Ironwood glanced at the door. "Come in!" Ozpin said to the door.

Once they opened, the crimson stranger walked in.

"Oh, good evening Red. We were just discussing-" Ironwood greeted before being cut off.

"About the 'super secret' tests you've been doing Tin Man?" Red interrupted as he got close to Ozpin's desk.

Ozpin looked at Ironwood with confusion "What does he mean by that?" The old man asked.

Red held his hand out and from a glyph a folder appeared. In which he slammed it down onto the desk. "I mean this 'dust' as you call it. Stardust if memory serves."

Ironwood raised a brow "Where did you get this?"

Red shrugged "Apparently it was just on one of your ships Tin Man. And one of YOUR students, old man, has it." He explained as he shoved a finger at Ozpin.

Ironwood's eyes widened. "How? It's purely experimental. How did one of your students acquire any of it?" He asked Ozpin.

Ozpin wasn't sure what to say here. "If I had known, I would have made more precautions."

Red chuckled. "Of course you would have. After all, you have an eye on all of your students at all times right?"

Ozpin leaned back in his chair. "And how do you know he's one of my students?"

"He was with a member of team RWBY and Achilles. I pretty much connected the dots from there." Red answered with his arms crossed.

Ozpin looked down at the schematics in front of him as Red explained. "Just a couple from his weapon was enough to bring down that warehouse, along with my clothing but that's beside the point. Nevermind the fact it was able to burn me."

"And why should that concern you?" Ironwood asked.

"Because normally I can't be burnt by anything. I'm fairly heat resistant. So whatever heat that 'dust' is giving off, it's powerful. And you let someone get a hold of it?" Red went on, taking a step towards Ironwood with every sentence.

Ironwood didn't flinch. "We would have known if he had snuck into one of our Atlesian bases." He started.

"Or maybe he's smarter than you think. The way he moved, would have killed me had it not been for either my curse or my dragonic skin ability." Red pointed out. "Warriors throughout history can make good guesses as to what their opponent is intending. He was striking to kill."

"Enough!" Ozpin shouted as the two gave him a look. "Red, I appreciate this information. But I need you to go back out there and tell me if there are any signs of trouble. Understood?"

Red nodded and exited the elevator. But before he went through the elevator doors, he stopped and turned his head.

"You know, running in the shadows won't save you forever old man. There will come a time she'll need to come into the light. And so will you."

He then exited leaving a dumbfounded Ozpin and a livid Ironwood to ponder at his words.

[RWBY+A's dorm room]

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

Well… This is a new feeling. My team is now giving me suspicious looks. As if I had a split personality.

Technically you do.Said the annoying voice inside my head.

Not. Now. Shut up. I demanded to it.

I gave a sigh "Look, I don't know what I can do to prove I didn't smite a warehouse and cave it in like that-"

Blake then cut me off.

"Noir did, actually."

Is that the name he gave himself? I didn't expect that if I'll be honest. "Noir did? With what?"

She shrugged "Some sort of dust I've never seen. It acted like hard light dust but in a different color. It gave off some strange heat."

Stardust. He used that in front of her? "Then I presume whoever it was is now ashes."

She shook her head at me.

In shock I replied. "Wait he's still alive?"

"As Noir explained: It was similar to 50 dust bombs going off in his face." Blake explained. "And it only blew his clothing away. Which then reformed."

That could mean two things. A guy with a Homelander complex, or… no there's no way. He's not even ready enough to be a piece of media.

… But that description… It sounds like him.

"And you're sure that's what he looked like?" I asked.

Blake rolled her eyes "Yes, as if I didn't get through explaining it the first time."

"Are you alright Achilles?" Ruby asked out of concern. "You look pale."

I nodded "Ye-yeah. Just need some fresh air." I then turned to the door and went out for a walk. I need some fresh air to calm myself and think logically.

Once I was out of sight I texted Jocelyn: Meet me in the courtyard. There's something I need to talk about.

[Courtyard]

Well she met me here. In her pajamas, a simple tank-top and Pink pants. so I'm going to assume she was about to go to sleep.

"What's going on? Your text made it sound urgent." Jocelyn greeted.

I sighed and rubbed my forehead. "This… will be difficult to explain…"

She tilted her head. "Try me."

After a moment of hesitation I took out my scroll and showed her the clip the news reported on. "One guy took out the entire White Fang operation in Vale. Louis collapsed the building on top of the guy and he was still standing."

Jocelyn raised an eyebrow at me. I knew that would be her reaction. "And what does that mean?"

I put my scroll away and answered. "The guy was wearing a crimson mask, trenchcoat of the same color and uses a sword and two guns."

"So…" Jocelyn started as she crossed her arms. "An imposter?"

I shook my head. "It might be him… The character I created and told you about?"

She didn't know what to say. "So… you think that's him?"

"I… I don't know." I answered. "I'll need some confirmation from Louis, or Noir as he is calling himself, when I see him next."

She looked around as if she felt someone was watching us before returning her gaze to me. "Are you sure we should be talking about this here? Someone might overhear." She whispered.

I shrugged. "I don't know. It was the first place I could think of where no one goes after a certain time."

"Justin…" Jocelyn said as she put her hands on my cheeks. "You're getting yourself worked up again. You need to relax and take deep breaths."

I took a shaky deep breath. And took a long drawn out sigh out. "It's hard to keep a level head. Especially if it is indeed my original character, I did make it so I could nerf him in certain universes. But I don't know if that's the case for Remnant."

She then pulled my head into her chest, which may have been difficult for her considering I'm at least an inch taller than her. "We'll talk more in the morning. You need to sleep this anxiety off. Ok?"

"I'll try dear…" I answered defeatedly.

"Come." She said as she grabbed my hand. "I'll walk you back."

"Ain't it supposed to be the other way around?" I asked.

She shook her head "You have always said you're all about that 'true gender equality'."

I couldn't help but chuckle "Very well then my dear."

She then walked me to my dorm.

But not before we heard something screaming in the distance. She and I looked around in confusion as it got louder and louder until eventually we saw what was flying at us.

We both dodged whatever it was and it landed full force into the grass behind us.

We both looked at whatever it was that flew in between us. It was hard to make out but it appeared to be some sort of animal. To be honest we thought it was dead.

But somehow it got up and stood on its hind legs while mumbling to itself.

It then turned around and saw me. "GODDAMNIT WHY CAN I NEVER GET AWAY FROM YOU!" it yelled.

Jocelyn and I exchanged confused looks.

"Am I drunk or high?" Jocelyn asked.

"If you are, so am I." I pointed out.

"Oh is this the 'fiance' you were lying to me about you virgin." The animal sassed.

Yep. That confirms it. "Nope, ain't dealing with this today."

I then walked behind it and before it could react I stamped on its tail sending it flying once again as it screamed. "AND GO BACK TO WHATEVER WORLD YOU CAME FROM." I yelled.

Jocelyn looked at me even more confused than before. "What was that?"

I sighed. "That… was a talking ferret. Presumably from another story that Aaron told me he was planning on writing. Which means some sort of multiverse collapse is happening."

"You're half right." Said a voice that sounded similar to my own.

Jocelyn looked behind me in alarm which made me turn to meet the gaze of whoever was behind me. And yet somehow in the shadows his face was hidden from me.

"Who are you?" I asked.

He shrugged "Just a guy trying to make a living."

I held my arm behind me out of protection for Jocelyn. "Were you the one who attacked that warehouse?"

He didn't answer. Instead he asked me a question "Do you remember what happened when you died?"

That raised a lot of red flags. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He sighed and took a step towards us. "Your souls didn't go to the afterlife like they should have. Which raised an alarm for my wife and a friend of mine. So tell me, do you remember anything before you died?"

I backed up slowly with Jocelyn behind me as he continued to approach. I doubt I have enough time to grab my scroll and summon my locker before this guy attacks me. If he is who I think he is.

He raised his hand and snapped his fingers. A wall of flames erupted around us.

"Don't avoid my question. I know something happened between when your soul left your body and coming here. Now answer." He demanded as he pushed his blade up with his thumb. "I will not ask a third time."

Looks like I don't exactly have any other option. I have to tell him what I know. "I don't know what you want to hear from me man. All I remember was there was some sort of engine failure, which resulted in the plan tearing itself to pieces all Final Destination style, which resulted in me waking up here on Remnant."

He stood still for a moment before the flames around us died down. "I see… I apologize for what I have done."

I glared at him. "You expect me to forgive you after threatening to turn us into well done steak?" I asked.

He shook his head.

"Then why would you do that?"

He shrugged at that question. He then turned to leave. "I will be watching. A storm is approaching. I suggest you prepare for that. After all… It was your friend's doing that made it happen." He then took out something from his coat and threw it on the ground resulting in smoke emanating from it.

And after that, he was gone.

Jocelyn grabbed my arm and we fled from the courtyard and were soon nearby the dormitory.

We stayed silent as we walked through the halls. And as we approached the corridor where we had to part ways. She asked "You're going to have to ask Louis about that guy right?"

I nodded. "Of course. Maybe even Ozpin."

She raised an eyebrow at me "Ozpin? Even though he may not be trustworthy?"

"Look. If anyone should know about him, it's Ozpin." I told her. "And besides, there's not a whole lot of people we can trust at this school."

She nodded. "I guess that makes sense…"

I sighed. "Whatever that storm he mentioned is, it's probably Salem." I guessed.

"And she'll probably try to come for me." Jocelyn finished.

I nodded somberly. "Which might mean you have to tell him you're the new fall maiden."

She gently grabbed my hand and said. "We'll talk more on this tomorrow. Right now, we both need some sleep. It's been a long day."

"Agreed." I said with a nod as she kissed my cheek.

"Good night Achilles." She said with a sweet smile as she departed.

"Good night Rose." I replied as I watched her walk down the corridor until she was out of sight.

I then walked back to where my team was. Along the way, I kept thinking about the way his silhouette looked. There's no doubt about it, it's him. And I've never written him in Remnant before. I'm not sure how he'll be nerfed to fit into the world here.

As I approached my team's dorm. I practiced a couple of faces that I hoped wouldn't let them get tipped off that I was thinking about something. But I'm sure they're asleep anyway. I know I would be at this hour.

But just to make sure. I made two gentle knocks on the door.

No response. I guess they are asleep. I better get some shut-eye myself. Here's hoping my team doesn't have too many questions.

And as if God pointed the middle finger at me. The first thing that happened when I opened the door I was point blank with Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang were right at the door.

"Where were you?" Ruby asked.

"Walking and talking to my fiance." I answered as I tried to squeeze past them.

"Are you sure?" Weiss asked.

I glared at her "What are you accusing me of this time?!"

Blake then walked forward and spoke "With you unable to unlock your semblance, we theorize that whatever this guy is might be you sleep walking or something."

I tilted my head to the side and gave them a look of sheer annoyance. "Ok, one; I don't think semblances can do that. And second; even if that was the case, I wouldn't have attacked you and Noir and survived whatever dust he showed off. Now if you'll excuse me. I need sleep." I then flopped onto my bed and pulled the covers over my head.

I'm sure they're just paranoid about him. They're right to be suspicious of me, since I based his personality on my own with a few tweaks for drama. Other than that, I'm not sure what his goal here is. Salem is immortal, I doubt even the blade I wrote for him to have that has the ability to fight Gods with will be enough.

…

I'll need to speak with him directly and see if he can confirm whether or not it is him. Otherwise my team will non-stop pestering me.

I then heard the door shut. Did they go out into the hallway or something?

Meh not my problem. Probably girl talk anyway.

[Meanwhile outside of RWBY+A's dorm]

"Do you guys get the feeling he isn't telling us everything?" Weiss asked quietly.

Ruby shrugged "He's usually really open until we bring up his town."

"After that." Blake noted. "He seems to just dodge the question."

Yang looked around the group and asked "So are you saying he might be lying to us?"

Blake shrugged "Probably is. Trouble is, he might not tell us."

"So… are you saying we should stalk him tomorrow?" Ruby asked.

"That's… not a bad idea. He isn't entirely aware of his surroundings." Weiss said with a nod.

"You would know," Yang said with a grin forming on her face "you spend a lot of time with him."

"Shut up…" Weiss said defeatedly.

Blake looked towards the group and pointed out "I'm best with stealth. You should all leave it to me if we're actually going through with this."

Yang crossed her arms towards Blake. "As much as I'd hate to admit it, you're right Blake."

"So…" Weiss spoke up "What should the rest of us do?"

"Maybe look through some of his things. There has to be something he's been writing in. Like that 'laptop' he seems to keep a close eye on." Ruby thought out loud.

Weiss' look pretty much told the group what a bad idea that was.

Yang sighed. "Well let's sleep on it at least. Either way we'll get our answers."

They went back into their dorm room to seeing their friend Achilles out cold. Which they all gave a nod towards each other and went to prepare for bed.