Sparks Among the Stars

by Lorithomar

At the fall of Beacon, Ozpin enacts a final, desperate plan. Now, the sparks have been lit and scattered throughout the Blind Eternities. Meanwhile, the former headmaster finds himself on a plane that he thought he would never see again. However, he is not alone, for alongside him is another soul; smaller, but more honest...

6. Chapter 6

A/N: So, an important announcement. I will be putting some of the storylines within this fic of mine to the side for a bit, and focusing on some of the more important ones for the time being. Rest assured, though, that all will be given their times to shine in the literary spotlight. They will not be forgotten, nor ignored. As you can no doubt guess, Ruby and Ozpin's will be front and center, alongside a few others.

In other news, this fic's tv tropes page is now listed under the Fan Works tab for Magic: The Gathering. So cool! Of course, the page itself still needs more love and expansions. Also, I am waiting for a Through The Eternities Tv Tropes Page. C'mon guys, give my friend Unseen Lurker what he rightfully is owed!

Anyway, here is the usual disclaimer: I own nothing save for my OCs, to an extent. If I owned more/ had a say in the canon storylines, then for RWBY, we would get more about the character's backstories and motivations, and not just leave thingsin the dark until it becomes plot relevant, and semblances would be better explained nad not just handwaved. As for MtG… I would demand maps and detailed workings and intricacies of the various cities/ planes that aren't just Ravnica/ Dominaria. Do any of the other planes even have banks? More world-building, please, for Omnath's sake. And, again, some maps would be much appreciated. You are part of the same company that owns D&D. Maps are a thing in that game. I should know, as I play it.

Also, Mirrodin forever, and all New Phyrexians can oxidize and die in the same pit that Yawgmoth's horrid excuse for a soul is currently rotting in.

Anyhoo… on with the story, and remember to read, review, watch, follow, favorite, and enjoy!

Chapter 6: The Journey Begins

Ruby

Ravnica

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-

Ruby groaned, or, at least she thought she did. She couldn't really hear anything at the moment, except for that stupid beeping noise. She felt herself making some sort of sound, and slowly lifted herself up from where she had face-planted on.

-eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-

She could feel the flames, as she unsteadily got to her feet. She thought she had called out to Xanther and Rat, but it came out as an indecipherably muted noise of some sort. Where were they?

She looked around a bit dizzyingly and saw Crescent Rose laying idly by her hand. Absently, she picked it up, the familiar grooves comforting in her hands, as her bearings started to return, bit by bit.

-eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-

Where was… oh, there it was.

Idly laying on the ground was the… the object she and Xanther had been sent to find, and it was just lying there on the ground, pulsating in so many colors and-

-eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-

Since all she could hear was just that beep, it was more through instinct than anything else that Ruby was able to dodge out of the way of the blade. It cut through the space where her head had just been, and she lashed out with Crescent Rose.

-eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-AAAAGGGGGGHHH!

As her ears returned to normal, Ruby was suddenly inundated with the sounds of screams, and blades cutting into flesh with wet thunks, all at once. There was nothing but madness all around her as people were screaming and fleeing, and the heat of the flames from the immolated workshop was spreading. But none of that mattered right now as she zipped out of the way of another cut before retaliating with a jumping kick to the head, which it slid under. As she landed gracefully, she blinked, and looked up to see her assailant and-

And…

"izzshoplsh"

She could not really make out anything about them. Almost as if, there could not be focused on at all, just… a distortion shaped like a person that hurt to look at for too long. She caught brief glimpses of long limbs, smooth, twisting face, strange clothing, and undulating, spasming features and movements and-

She blinked, and the knife was almost in her eye, only for her to dodge and slash out with her scythe. The two weapons collided in a shower of sparks.

Whatever this thing was, it was fast, and it moved with a strange, sinewy grace as if it were a sort of a dancer. Her ears caught barest hints of some strange, gargling, guttural noise, and on that seemed to be coming from it. "Hrgallkingashalaorl." And, the way it was moving…. Like when the television became broken and staticky, making the movie vibrate and pause and rewind and fast-forward, all at once, leaving visible afterimages and then-

It was hard keeping the gleaming, knife-shaped thing from cutting her in two, and everyone was still screaming, and where were Xanther and Rat!?

With a growl of frustration, Ruby activated her semblance and feinted left, and then sped forward around her assailant, up and over. She smashed the flat of Crescent Rose's blade against what she assumed was its head and sent it flying.

She did not watch it tumble to the ground amidst a strange and garbled chorus, and turned to find more of the things. They were either cutting down people trying to flee, or speeding towards the object, hand-shaped distortions reaching out towards it. All the while, it was starting to vibrate and-

Her eyes going wide, Ruby zoomed as quickly as she could, only to have to dodge the knife blow of another of the bizarre assailants. She rolled to her feet beneath the blow and leaped and dove forward to tackle the object. She scooped it up, and then dodged out of the way of another slash, all the while holding Crescent Rose as best, she could in one hand to ward off any blows and-

Ffflahsh.

A blast of glowing magic streaked out and hit her dead in the chest. As her aura crackled from the impact and the air was driven from her lungs, she was sent hurtling and tumbling head over heels. As she struggled to remain to stand, she lost her grip on the object, and it fell clattering and bouncing towards the ground whilst she tumbled on the ground to a stop. She saw one of the… things distortedly walk towards it. With a groan, she hurtled herself towards it.

Something suddenly gripped her by her hair, arresting her mid-hurtle, and yanked her down off her feet, eliciting from her a scream. Then, the grip tightened, and her head was slammed into the ground, again and again, her aura straining and everything was starting to spin and twist, and the things drew closer to the object, all the while killing and fleeing people who got in their way.

Then, there was a burst of heat, and the grip was no longer on her hair and she was free. "Ruby, go!" she heard Xanther scream as more of the creatures distorted and twisted into and out of view and-

With a guttural growl, she lurched and stumbled/ran/ jumped/ activated her semblance to get to the object before the creature did. She reached out almost blindly and- and suddenly Crescent Rose was back in her hand, and she raised her weapon high as she descended and, with another cry Ruby brought it swinging down, just as the thing picked the object up in a long and twisted hand-like distortion.

Crescent Rose cut into its chest area, making it let loose a gargled, hissing, shriek, but there was no time for that as it spasmed and distorted as it seemed to slide itself oof the blade, and Ruby reached towards the object and gripped it tight, and her aura strained and…

Everything was feeling so weird and odd and strange and she needed to get it out of the assailant's hands and back to Nivix like she was supposed to and she tensed and pulled and-

A sudden flare of heat seared into her palm, making her cry out in shock as the object started to vibrate more and more and more violently, even as the assailant tried to tear at her eyes and face and she kept holding on and fending off and even punching back (even if she wasn't very good at that), all the while her eyes suddenly felt really, really odd and they hurt and…the object sent out some sort of massive pulse that sent Ruby and the assailant away from each other… as the object tore in two.

She stumbled and tumbled back one way, and the grabbing assailant went the other way as Ruby's aura shattered and everything suddenly felt very cold and yet she could smell and hear plenty of things and there were people screaming and she heard Xanther yelling out and-

And…

And…

Ruby suddenly felt very odd, as if… as if she had just woken up from a long, dreary, and dazed nap, and everything seemed to snap back into place, and the world stopped spinning, while her thoughts felt a good deal more coherent.

She took in deep breaths of air, and she looked down at the shattered latticework in her hands. It was only weakly pulsating, unlike before. And, in addition, her eyes slightly stung, making her squint and blink rapidly for a moment.

"Extrghisxlgx! Rxhilystrisch Agyrem!"

The gabled sound made her head shoot up. Impaled upon Crescent Rose through its shoulder was the assailant, and its hands were empty. It was flinching and shaking weakly as if it was in pain.

There were footsteps behind her, and, as she turned, a long lash of fire suddenly whipped out, keeping the other strange assailants back from her. A moment later, Xanther ran up beside Ruby, their hands holding tight to the long metal rod they had brought with them from Nivix. Ruby's friend looked pale, and they were panting heavily, while their hair was plastered to their forehead with sweat.

The strange assailants did nothing but seem to study the pair for a long moment, and Ruby got something of a good look at them. They were tall, spindly yet graceful, with long limbs and spines, and in place of faces, there was only what looked like rippling water, like a still pond that had gotten a stone dropped in it. They looked like they should have been standing still, and yet their forms were twitching and moving and spasming all at once

One of them was also holding the other half of the object.

Before Ruby could look any further, and before either she or Xanther could do anything else, the strange assailants each let loose a guttural howl from their bizarre, distorted faces. Only it was less a howl and seemed more like… laughter. These things were laughing. They were laughing and then they… they seemed to fold, to twist in on themselves, compressing and constricting into nothing, before vanishing with a pop.

There was a hissing sound, and Ruby and Xanther turned to watch in shock as the impaled one disappeared as well. Soon, there was not a single trace of any of the attackers, leaving only Crescent Rose impaled on the street.

Meanwhile, the remnants of Workshop Nerrit, and a few of the surrounding blocks and shops and stalls… they were all on fire, though the blaze was starting to die down. Sirens were blaring all around, and people were still scrambling and crying and screaming.

Taking a shaky breath, Ruby got to her feet with Xanther's assistance. Her head hurt, and she felt drained and tired. She then looked behind her… and gasped.

The area she had been facing, when the object had torn in two… it was almost completely devastated, like either a massive explosion had gone off… or a horde of grim and stampede through. Whole parts of buildings were just… gone. Vaporized. There was more fire, and everything felt a little… cold. Three were also many still forms, lying in the street.

Ruby felt ill, and she gripped onto Xanther with her free hand, since the other was still clutching her half of the object. "Wh-what happened?" she asked. "What happened?"

Xanther didn't say anything, and instead, all they could seem to do was shrug helplessly.

A moment later, a loud stomping of multiple armored feet signaled the arrival of a battalion of Boros legionnaires, armed and armored, even though there did not seem to be anything left to fight.

As the screams started to die down, and guildmages began to try and get the fires under control, all Ruby could do was just shake her head.

All they had to do was retrieve an object. That was all.

A simple errand.

As she absently collected Crescent Rose from where it was impaled in the street, Boros medics were beginning to stream in to attend to the wounded, along with any Selesnyan healers who happened to be in the area.

Xanther quietly guided her to an intact bench as Ruby shifted Crescent Rose back into its compact form and slid it into her harness.

She was still tightly clutching her half of the object as they sat. She sat, and kept staring at the madness all around them.

Finally, Ruby swallowed and looked at her friend. "Where's… where's Rat?"

Xanther shrugged. "I… I don't know. After the blast, when I regained my senses, I tried looking for her but… then I saw you getting attack by those… things, and I didn't have any more time to look.

Ruby gripped her friend tight. "No, no, no. We have to find her. We have to find her! She's just a little girl, and we let her come with us. We may have gotten her hurt; we have to find her!"

Xanther gently patted her hand. "And we will, Ruby, we will. But, first; are you okay to be up and about? You took some pretty nasty hits back there from those… things."

Before Ruby could reply, they heard a familiar voice. "Yeah… you really don't look so good, Ruby."

Ruby and Xanther looked up in surprise. There standing before them… was Rat. She was covered in a good few layers of soot, and it seemed like there were a few scrapes on her face, but she otherwise seemed unharmed.

Xanther spoke first. 'You're… you're okay!"

Rat nodded, though she looked a bit upset. "Uh-huh. I'm sorry, but, after everything blew up, I saw you and Ruby fighting those weird things, and everyone was screaming and crying so I hid. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you upset. Please don't be mad at me-"

Ruby swiftly threw her arms around the little girl and embraced her tightly. "It's fine," she whispered. "It's fine. I'm just glad you're okay. I'm just glad you're okay."

Rat clung to her strongly and sniffled a bit. "Okay. Just please don't be upset anymore. I don't like it when my friends get upset."

Ruby gave a tired smile and patted the little girl on the head. "It's okay. I'm not upset. Promise."

They broke the hug, and Rat wiped at her eyes for a moment. Ruby took a deep breath and then stood up. Xanther wiped at their face, as they looked down at the severed object that Ruby was still clutching tightly. "Is that…"

Ruby nodded and held up the weakly pulsating thing. "Yeah… this was what we were supposed to get."

Xanther's face grew a bit paler, and they ran a hand through their hair. "Oh, Mizzet's flames. We've failed. We've failed, we've failed the parun. We failed a simple errand given to us by Mizzet himself. Oh, this isn't good, this isn't good at all, Ruby! This is not good at all!"

"I know," Ruby said, as she raised her free hand to try and calm her friend. "Look, let's just get back to Nivix. We still have half of it, and we can explain everything that happened. But, for now, let's just… take a minute. I just… need a minute."

Rat gave the pair a hug each and then scurried off, muttering that Boruvo was probably concerned about where she was. Soon enough, she vanished into the crowds, and it was just Xanther and Ruby. Ruby did not really feel like moving at the moment, and so the pair just sat on that bench.

"Excuse me," came a rough voice amidst a small rattle of steel, "but I need to ask you two a few questions."

The speaker was a Boros knight; his face was dark, and he had a long scar running through one ear and all across his right cheek, meandering just under his eye, and stopping right at the other side of the bridge of his nose. It looked as if someone had tried to vertically cut his face in half, but had been stopped halfway.

He was dressed in plate armor, chain, leathers, and robes that were colored red and white, and had a shield and sword slung and sheathed across his back, respectively. Various pouches dangled from his belt and a harness that hung under his armor, while his Boros badge was hung and displayed proudly from his shoulder. His helmet and gauntlets were hooked to his belt, and his chainmail-and-leather coif was pulled back, revealing a sweaty shock of gray-and-brown hair cut close, and the fact that his ears were slightly pointed.

There was an odd feeling about him, though Ruby could not discern as to why, and his eyes were colored a slight grayish mixture of red and yellow-white. Despite all that, though… he still seemed rather young.

"Pardon my interrupting your conversation," he said, as he slightly cocked the left side of his head towards them, "But I must inquire as to what exactly it was that you two were doing here at the moment of the explosion?"

"Izzet League business," Xanther replied flippantly, as they stood somewhat protectively in front of Ruby. "Of course, that should be blatantly obvious, even to a meathead like you, Boros."

The legionnaire's eyes narrowed. "Please, can you just answer the question, Izzet? I can do without the hostility."

Xanther simply crossed their arms. "Well, in case you haven't noticed, my friend here has just been through a very trying ordeal, and I would like to take her back home to Nivix so she can recuperate, instead of being hassled by meatheads in too much armor. So, no, I'm not going to answer your question, she's not going to answer your question, and instead, she and I will be on our way, thank you very much."

The knight ground his teeth. "If you continue to act in this recalcitrant manner, then I'm going to have to be forced to treat you as a hostile witness, and take you in under suspicion."

Before Xanther could retort and further, Ruby placed a hand on their shoulder. "It's okay, Xanther. I'll answer his questions. Hi. Sir, my name is Ruby. Ruby Rose. My friend Xanther and I were on a simple assignment for the Guild. That's why we were here. That's all."

He glared at Xanther again, and then pulled out a piece of charcoal and a small notepad from one of the pouches on his belt, and began to write. "I see. And what was the nature of this 'assignment?'"

"Just… normal Izzet stuff."

The officer looked up briefly at the dying flames and all the damage about them. "Clearly. Now, other witnesses say that strange figures were the ones attacking most of those who were fleeing. They also described you two as fighting back, and you in specific. Is this correct?"

Ruby nodded. "I was."

"Can you describe them at all? Any features or symbols that happened to catch your eye?"

She shrugged. "It was all happening so fast, and… at first, it was like I couldn't really make out what they were at all. Then… something changed, and they looked… distorted. Arms and legs were too long, and there were weird smooth silver things in places of faces."

"Masks?"

"Maybe? I-I don't know."

He jotted that down. "Did they say anything?"

Ruby shrugged again. "Maybe? I don't know, it all… it all sounded like gibberish."

"Can you at least sound out some of what they said?" he asked.

Ruby shrugged again. "I don't know… 'expslyrshix' or something. Oh and… I heard something that sounded like… 'Aggearreem,' I think?"

Hie eyebrows rose at that. "Do you mean "Agyrem?"

"Maybe? I don't know, it was all happening so fast. I was fighting at the time, you know?"

He nodded at that as e continued scribbling and jotting. "I think I can relate. Now, is there anything else that you can describe out them? Think, please."

Ruby scratched at her head. "Actually… yeah. The way they moved… it was almost like they were… dancing. Kind of sinewy?"

That caught his attention. "Dancing, you say? And sinewy?"

She nodded.

He stopped his scribbling, and he looked over his shoulder at the bodies, his eyes narrowed for a moment.

He then put away his charcoal and notepad and held out a small slip of paper. "Thank you for your cooperation. My name is on the card there, along with my badge number. If you remember anything else, then head to Sunhome, and ask for either me or someone else-"

Before he could say anything else, there came another commotion. "Behold! Look upon the death-filled folly of the guilds! Behold what vile fruit they have wrought from our flesh and blood, brothers and sisters of Ravnica! Behold and weep with horror and despair!"

It was a ragged-looking human with wide eyes, thinning hair, and a messy rat's nest of a beard plastered on his face. He was dressed in rags that left him stripped to the waist, and his feet were bare and dirty. He gripped a wooden staff in his hand, and all across the man's bare torso were tattoos depicting the various guild symbols, all of which were broken in some way. He was standing on one of the fallen pillars, balancing upon it with the grace of an agile monkey.

"Do you see, children of Ravnica!?" the wild-eyed figure bellowed as he gestured about. "This is but one more example of the butchery of the guilds! Their arguments and their spats, what do they result in, but leaving us defenseless and dead, with our loved ones lying still in our arms!? When they go to war, it is not they who suffer, but us!"

The Boros legionnaire sighed in annoyance. "Not him again. Look, you live in Nivix, right? Just… go home. I have to deal with this. Thank you for answering my questions. Good day"

With that, he and some of the other Boros knights walked over to the ranting figure. "Sir, could you please get down and vacate the area?" he said. "This area is still an active crime scene…"

"Ah, do you see, my fellows?" the raged man declared, gesticulating wildly towards the scarred knight. "Why, 'tis the heavy-handed Boros themselves, come to silence my honest tongue! And indeed, none so more representing of them then good sergeant Vimes himself, he and his deathless parasite! Have you and the rest of your hypocritical angel-toadies come to beat and break my bones and body in the name of 'justice', sergeant? You have no right to enforce your 'justice' upon those who want no part of it, you bullying bastards in plate and chain! There is true injustice all around in our fair city, spreading through it like a plague, and you make no true attempts to curb it. Instead, all you do is enforce it! Damn you, damn you all!"

"Sir, I'm not going to repeat myself. Please get down off the pillar and take your rhetoric elsewhere," sergeant Vimes said, as he held out his empty hands placatingly. "You are making this situation more tense than it needs to be."

"No!" came the bellowed reply. "You will not oppress me, no more than the other lickspittles of the damned ten can, sergeant! Down with the guilds! Damn the paruns and damn their unthinking puppets who piss upon us all!"

As he yelled, he lashed out with his staff, and smashed it against the eye of one of the approaching legionnaires with a wet squelch. The woman's hand shot to her face as she stumbled back, blood leaking between her armored fingers as she screamed in pain. "That does it!" one of the other declared.

Despite the sergeant's call for order and calm, one of the surrounding legionnaires then raised her hand. A beam of red energy shot out from her palm, and it struck the man in the center of his tattooed chest. He tumbled off the pillar and landed in a heap on the ground. As he struggled to his feet, the other Boros swiftly apprehended him. Several grabbed him by the arms as one smashed a wooden club against his back, making him howl in pain while heavy manacles were clamped around his wrists and ankles. "Stay silent, gateless," said a legionnaire. "You're going to cool off in the cells. Don't give us a reason to hurt you any further."

The man did not take his advice, and started struggling with every step as he was dragged away. "I will not stay silent! Rise up, brothers and sisters!" he yelled to the crowd that was watching. "Let the ten tyrants oppress us no more! Down with the Guilds! Down with the-"

The swift rap of a mace upon his head cut off any further screaming as he slipped in forced unconsciousness.

The sergeant proceeded to tear into his legionnaires for that. "Have you all gone mad!? Half the city already considers us to be little more than thugs! Barely less brutal than the Gruul! Are you trying to reinforce that damned image?"

He then pinched the bridge of his nose above his scar. "Razia's wings, we don't have time for this. Transport him back to Sunhome, and have a healer take a look at him. Then… let him sleep it off in a cell."

After that, most of the Boros began to march away, while a few stragglers remained to take further testimonies, heal the wounded… or give the Boros version of last rites.

As she watched the scene play out, Ruby suddenly felt very tired, as she looked down at the severed object in her hands.

The sound of screams filled her head once more, and her hands started to shake.

She really wanted to go home, more than anything at that moment.

She wanted to… but then she remembered that she couldn't.

She just felt so very tired. "Let's just get back to Nivix, Xanther," she whispered. "Let's just go."

It was a long walk back, and neither of them said a word.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Weiss

Dominaria

As Weiss leaned back and stretched out in the tub, she came to a momentous and important decision; she wanted to live in this bath. No, not just live in it; she was going to conquer it, and rule the newly-christened 'Weisslandia' as its benevolent monarch.

She had missed hot water, or, at least, hot water that was not the result of getting zapped by Neptune's weapon. She also missed feeling clean, and had been half-afraid that a good deal of the mud had become permanently encrusted into her skin… and that some manner of bug had taken up permanent residence in her hair. Thankfully, she had been proven wrong.

Once they had been introduced to the captain of the Nunieve, Weiss and Neptune had been escorted below decks. First, of course, they had paid a visit to the ship's doctor, who checked them all over, separately, for any infected scrapes or, chillingly, parasitic bugs and such. Thankfully, there had been none of the latter, and any cracked fingernails and cuts and scrapes were swiftly removed and treated with… some strange glowing light that had emanated from the doctor's hands.

There would still be scars, though.

Afterward, she and Neptune had been escorted to two separate rooms and told that, when they were clean and dressed, they would be joining the captain for a meal. Of course, the moment that Weiss had seen the glorious treasure that was the tub, she had developed nothing short of tunnel vision, and had all but dived in once divesting herself of the ragged remnants of her clothes.

She reckoned that she had scrubbed herself so thoroughly, from head to toe, that some of her skin might have sloughed off. In all honesty, though, she felt it a small price to pay. It would not surprise her if she had mud-related nightmares for some time… among nightmares about everything else she and Neptune had endured in that horrid place.

Of course, she checked, and no, her skin was intact.

As she dunked her head in the tub and then resurfaced, Weiss looked down at her hands, red from the heated water and from the scrubbing. She took note of the new callouses and tiny scars that now dotted her digits and palms and the backs of her hands.

It was strange but… Weiss had never considered dirty hands a completely terrible thing. It was necessary to clean them, yes, but… there was always something that she found to be oddly honest about dirty and worn hands. To her, they were proof that you did not consider yourself completely above everyone else, and that you were willing to do what was needed, that you had the drive to put in the work. They proved that you were human and that you weren't simply a porcelain statue that could walk and talk and eat and sleep.

Of course, that man's hands were always clean, at least in appearance. Clean, manicured, absent of any callouses. He even had his nails varnished daily, and wore gloves when eating. He had made her and Winter and Whitley wear them as well.

He also had liked his children to be clean, when they were younger; not a speck of mud, or a single hair out of place. Clean enough to almost squeak when they walked, and a bath after every time they left the house.

Always sit up straight, and don't speak unless spoken to, and even then, only speak if what you have to say can further the family's interests. Be seen, and not heard. And how dare you, if you should be so horrid as to develop acne, pimples, freckles, or if your teeth had even a slight yellow tinge to them. All those treatments and scrubs and bleachings… everyone and everything had to look perfect for the cameras and the public, after all. It was important that they showed the masses what a proper family looked like.

A part of Weiss wondered if the only reason his abuse had never turned physical since bruise-concealing makeup did not translate to the cameras very well. Picture-perfect. To be a Schnee was to be perfection itself, the man would say, else you were no better than the filth that mucked about in the streets of Mantle.

Of course, he wasn't a Schnee, so it made Weiss wonder what exactly that made him, if not filth as well. She also knew that he had bleached and dyed his mustache and hair.

That enforced perfection was why she had elected to keep the scar, gained during his attempt to keep her from leaving Atlas. It was why she never minded it, whenever she got her hands would get dirty, whether it came from practicing with her sword until her hands were cracked and bleeding and calloused, or just from helping Klein in the kitchen as he taught her to cook and clean. It was also why she rarely wore gloves, except when it was cold. She had already been separated from the world enough as a child. No more.

Letting those thoughts drift away, Weiss lathered herself up with more of the strange-scented soap that had been provided for her, and she felt content as she rinsed. She didn't mind getting dirty, but only an idiot would disdain to get clean.

She wanted to stay in this bath, and never leave. But, then, she realized that, if she didn't leave, she would wrinkle up like a prune. Plus, the water would eventually get cold.

Her growling stomach was also making a good case as to her needing to vacate the tub as well.

So, with that, Weiss rose from the bathtub, and reached for the towel hanging from a ring, and dried herself off, from head to toe. She looked around the room, and saw her new clothes, folded neatly on the bed next to the table.

Before she dressed, she took a moment to look her bare self over in the room's full-length mirror. Her skin, once flawless and smooth, now seemed a little rougher over her bones, and she looked a bit leaner than she had been back at Beacon. In addition, she could make out a few new scars, mostly on her arms, though there were a few on her legs as well.

She was already different, and it had only been a week on this… new world. Was that really all it took to change? A week?

Lask's leering face flashed before her, and she shook it away with closed eyes.

She then turned her attention to her new clothes.

The dress was a simple garment, one that covered her from neck to ankle, and it was colored blue and white and red and was a thing of buttons and leather and silk and a few buckles. Accompanying it was a pair of trousers that reached her knees, and a pair of knee-high boots that looked both comfortable and fashionable.

Everything fit like a glove, and she took a moment to admire her now clothed self in the mirror. There was a brush there, which she put to some good use. There was also a simple leather hair-tie, and so she pulled back her now clean hair in a simple ponytail that ran down her back.

She took one last look at herself and then nodded. It was fine.

She opened the door to her room and found Neptune waiting outside. For once, he wasn't wearing his customary goggles on his forehead or his gloves, and his hair was brushed back. His undercut looked like it was growing out, and, like her, his face seemed a little thinner, and his form a bit leaner, while a few little scarred-over cuts dotted his hands and face. Still, he did fill out the uniform provided for him well enough; a blue shirt, red pants, and a white waistcoat. Also, to her surprise, his hair was not entirely blue. Instead, it seemed to have several streaks of silver running through it.

He gave her a smile, not as tired as before, but still a little worn. "Hey. You look… you look great," he said.

"And you look presentable," she said with a small grin. "Though, it is a little odd, seeing you without those goggles of yours."

He chuckled at that and scratched the back of his head. "Well, one of the lenses was shattered, plus, they were really dirty. I just… just wanted to feel totally clean, after… all of that."

Weiss's smile lessened at that. "I can understand that."

They were silent for a moment, and then Neptune gave a shrug. "Yeah. But man, I could have just slept in that tub all night, ya know?"

"I think I do," Weiss replied. "I was starting to wonder if we would ever feel hot water and soap again. But, I'm mainly just glad to not be caked in over nine layers of mud."

"You only had nine?"

They shared a laugh at that, and then she gestured to his hair. "You dyed your hair?"

He looked a bit embarrassed at that. "Just over the streaks. I always thought that they were sort of weird, to be honest. But, after a week in… that swamp, and the hot bath, the dye sort of washed out. Maybe once we get to… wherever it is we're going, I can find some more…"

Weiss shook her head. "Personally, I like them. The lack of dye makes you look more... distinguished. More honest. And, I think they are quite distinctive."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a cleared throat, making them slightly jump in surprise as they turned.

It was Ellei, who was still dressed the same as earlier. The cat-woman looked the pair over with a keen eye, and then smiled as she gestured for them to follow. "My apologies for interrupting this flirty little banter of yours, but the captain's waiting for you," she said. "This way."

Weiss immediately felt her cheeks flush. 'Excuse me? We were not flirting… we're just having a nice and friendly conversation. That's all."

"Y-yeah," Neptune stammered. "What she said."

The cat-woman chuckled. "Sure, whatever you think. Anyway, as I said… this way."

She led them down the hall, past other crew members, all of whom gave them polite nods, or ignored them entirely. As they walked, the ship rocked gently with the unseen waves from outside the ship, making the vessel creak and whatnot. Weiss looked to Neptune with a bit of concern. "Hey. Are you alright? I know you don't have the best relationship with water…"

He waved off her concern. "Actually, I feel fine. Besides, I've never actually ever gotten seasick on a boat."

Weiss raised an eyebrow at that. "Really?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Who'd have thought a guy with hydrophobia would not be blessed with that little problem?"

Before they could say anymore, Ellei bid them halt. Weiss saw that they were standing in front of a good-sized pair of solid, wooden doors, complete with a brass knocker on both, as well as iron paneling and copper handles.

Ellei opened the door and ushered them inside.

It was a large and spacious room, one fit for an admiral, and filled with a globe, a bookshelf, a desk littered with papers and maps, and a simple-looking hammock that hung in the corner. Weiss idly noted that all the furniture was bolted to the floor.

Inside stood the captain, as well as a large table, set with three chairs, plates and silverware and…

Weiss's stomach started to growl and rumble. There was a grand assortment of food on the table.

It was a wonderful-looking spread put out on the table; a suckling pig, with crispy skin and an apple stuffed in its mouth; baked chicken crusted with herbs; loaves of bread that seemed fresh out of the oven; vegetables of all sorts, cooked and simmered in savory sauces. And then there were the desserts!

Weiss wanted to literally jump onto the table and start eating everything in sight. Only the manners ingrained into her as a child kept her from indulging in such an act. It would not have been dignified, after all.

With the manners instilled in her since childhood, Weiss pulled out the chair closest to her, and took a seat primly, while Neptune sat next to her. The captain watched them sit, and then he sat across from them and piled high his own plate. Everything smelled so good. Weiss slowly doled out her chosen portions onto her plate, trying her best not to take too much. It wasn't proper, after all.

She took up her fork and knife, and cut a sliver of pork, which she then put into her mouth and… Weiss honestly wanted to cry. It tasted heavenly, especially compared to swamp -lizard. Everything… was just so good.

She looked out of the corner of her eye and could see that Neptune looked about ready to start convulsing as he took a bite of his own meal.

The captain looked them over as they slowly ate, then sighed and gestured to the food. "There's no need to be shy. Nor is there any reason to think that you have to practice good manners here right now. You are both no doubt starving. After spending over a week in Urborg, I would be as ravenous as a starving dragon. Manners be damned, just eat your fills. As fast and as slow as you want. Take as much as you want. Use your fingers too. I won't judge you."

Weiss blinked and looked down at the fork and knife held in her hands, proper and prim.

She then recalled the few little lizard things and scant sips of water she and Neptune had had to scavenge in that swamp.

Her stomach growled loudly again. As it did, an image of that man floated up in her mind, looking down at her with disdain.

She then looked at the captain, and there was nothing but kindness in his eyes. He was a stranger to her… and already he had acted more fatherly to her in the past few minutes than the man who was supposed to do so had in seventeen years.

Well… as long as he was offering…

With that, Weiss promptly shoved aside any manners and table etiquette straight to the back of her mind… and, as Ruby would have said, proceeded to chow down, all the while heaping more on her plate in between every mouthful. She even picked up a chicken leg and bit off whole pieces of it without even using her fork. Neptune did the same with a large leg from the roast pig.

Weiss could actually feel tears in the corner of her eyes. It had only been a week… but she felt as if this had been her first real meal after years.

The captain smiled and tucked into his own meal with gusto.

As the night progressed, and the ship sailed onwards, Weiss ate until she felt fit to burst. To her slight embarrassment, she even let loose a slight belch at one interval. Neptune did as well, which did nothing to lessen the embarrassment. But the captain just kept smiling, as he watched them eat with a fatherly expression on his mustached face.

As they made their way to the dessert, their host lit up a fresh cigar. Thankfully, he had opened a window before doing so, filling the room with the scent and sounds of the ocean. "Now then," the captain said, as he puffed on his cigar and leaned back in his chair, "I do believe that some proper introductions are in order. As I am the host, I shall go first. Greetings. My good name is Bo Levar, and, as you have no doubt ascertained, I am the captain of this lovely vessel. In addition, I am a planeswalker. So, now that you know me, may I enquire as to your names? Full names, please, and include your plane of origin."

Weiss paused in the chewing of her bite from a bright red apple and looked up at him in confusion as she swallowed her bite. "Excuse me but... What do you mean by 'planeswalker'?"

He looked a bit embarrassed at her question. "Ah, my apologies. A planeswalker, children, is someone with the ability to traverse the multiverse at will. That is the long and short of it. In much simpler terms, you have the ability to teleport from one plane of existence to another, at will."

That really caught Weiss's attention. "Wh-what? How… we can't do anything like that. I think we would know if we could."

"Yeah," Neptune added. "That all sounds… kind of out there."

"Regardless of what you believe, the fact of the matter is that you can," captain Levar stated. "But I can see how you would think otherwise, seeing as this was without a doubt your first time experiencing it. You must have sparked very recently. As such, I can only apologize that you were unfortunate enough to have ended up in Urborg when your sparks ignitions sent your hurtling through the Blind Eternities. Still, it is frightfully obvious that neither of you two is from this plane. I can discern these things, you see."

He idly stroked his mustache as he leaned forward. "Now, here is what I have discerned; the pair of you seem originated from the same plane, which is… unusual, to say the least. Still, I can tell that this is so by the accents you have, the colors of your hair, and the design and make of your weapons and clothes. In addition, there is the fact that you both keep unconsciously glancing out the window towards the moon, almost as if it were something that you've never really seen before. Now, is your moon different, where you are from?"

Weiss looked at Neptune, who could only shrug helplessly. Then, the former heiress sighed. "… It's broken."

Bo Levar raised an eyebrow at that. "Is that so? I have to say, I don't think I've ever seen something like that before. Interesting. Ah, but pardon me for having rambled on as I did. I do believe that you were about to introduce yourselves?"

Weiss took a look sip of water, swallowed, and then cleared her throat. "Yes… my name is Weiss Schnee."

"Neptune. Neptune Vasilias," Neptune said.

"A delight to know your names," the captain said with a kindly smile around his cigar. "Now, I know that this is all very strange, and perhaps even a bit frightening to you. I can relate, as I have been in your proverbial shoes. And believe you me, it was no mean picnic for myself, either. Where is that you two come from?"

Weiss shrugged. "… Remnant. We know it as Remnant."

He stroked his chin. "Hmmm. Cannot say that I've heard of it, but, then again, the multiverse is a large and near-endless expanse. Still, now that introductions have been made and received, I do have one last question; what is the last thing you remember happening to you, on your home plane, before you 'walked to Urborg. What happened?"

Weiss swallowed, as the sounds of screams and gunfire echoed in her head. "Our home… it was being attacked. Burned to the ground by monsters and killers," she said.

"We were fighting back and… people were dying," Neptune whispered, as he let loose a shaky breath. "There was so much screaming."

"And then…" Weiss felt her hands starting to shake, "I heard my friend screaming in agony and pain. There was then this blast of silver, the sound of a bell, all these flashing colors, and then… then we woke in that swamp and..."

The rest of her team flashed in Weiss's mind, alongside everyone else at Beacon, and her sister. Were… were they still alive?

The captain said nothing for a long moment and instead doused his cigar into a small glass ashtray. "And then you survived a week in a place not far removed from hell, all of which has led to you being gently interrogated by a stranger on a strange ship, currently heading towards an unknown destination. I understand. Believe me, I can relate most strongly to your situation."

He leaned forward in his chair. "You have both no doubt suffered a tremendous loss, a loss of home, of family and friends, at least as far as you know. And now you are here, in a strange and unfamiliar place that has no doubt shattered your views on reality, and you have no idea what to do next. In the face of that, I think there is only one course of action for me to take."

Weiss felt a little unsure of where this was going. She and Neptune watched a bit tensely as the captain then stood up, walked around the table towards them, and then he nodded. Weiss prepared for the unkindness that was sure to follow. It always did, didn't- "I am going to help you two and to the fullest extent of all my cabilities."

…

…

Weiss… had not been fully expecting that. "You… you are?" she asked.

"Of course," he replied. "Would you expect me to do anything else?"

"But… you don't know us," Neptune said.

"Indeed," Weiss said, as a little bit of paranoid seeped into her mind. "Why would you want to help two people you've never met? Do you want something in return?"

Everyone wants something from someone else, the man's voice whispered.

The captain looked a bit incredulous at that last statement and crossed his arms. "What could either of you have that I would ever want?" he replied. "I'm going to help you two because it is the right thing to do," Bo Levar replied simply. "I am not about to let two newly sparked, slightly traumatized teenaged planeswalkers muddle their way through this strange and unforeseen direction their lives have taken them into."

He shook his head at that. "Indeed, I shall not. If I did, then I would be practically consigning you to your deaths. The multiverse, even to one such as myself, is a vast and dangerous place and can be nothing less fatal to those who are unprepared, though I think you are already somewhat aware of that. I know the dangers of being thrust into it without warning all too well, believe me. It is not an experience that I would wish on someone that I reviled with all my being.

"So, If I have a chance to help those who can travel the endless corridors of the multiverse, to help them grow strong and capable and great… then dash it all if I am not going to take that chance and run with it. I can do no less."

Weiss looked up at this man. The last time she had seen such utter selflessness… it had been when she had first, and truly, became partners with a certain silver-eyed girl. It may have been her imagination… but she felt something damp at the corner of her eyes. Though, maybe it was all just a culmination of the past week and everything she had just learned, compounded with this display of selflessness. "Thank you," she said, quietly, as she wiped at her eyes. Neptune put a (clean) hand on her shoulder in solidarity.

"As I said; I can do nothing less," Captain Levar said, as he gave the two a kindly grin.

He then stroked his chin. "Now, it is rather late, so, here is what we shall do; you two should get some much-needed, and much-deserved rest. Then, come the morrow, we shall begin your education into being planeswalkers. Does that sound acceptable?"

Weiss thought it did, and it didn't seem like Neptune had any disagreement with it either. "Yes," Weiss then said. "It does."

The captain clapped his hands together and smiled. "Most excellent. Tomorrow, we shall begin. But, for now, be sure to get plenty of rest. As I said; you have earned it, to say the least. And, on that note…."

He extended his hand in welcome. "I bid you both a much better welcome to this plane than you received in the swamps of Urborg. Welcome to Dominaria."

Weiss and Neptune each shook his hand. It was calloused and gentle.

He escorted them back to their rooms and left them by the doors to their cabins after bidding them each a good night's rest.

Weiss and Neptune watched him go, a small cloud of cigar smoke trailing after him as he departed. Neptune then turned to Weiss and offered her a small grin. "Well… see you tomorrow," he said.

"You as well," she replied.

There was a nightdress on the bed, and Weiss practically sank into the mattress with a sigh of relief once she washed up and changed.

Then, she was practically dead to the world, and she never felt better.

Xxxxxxxx

Blake

Ixalan

Blake and Sun followed the mass of sailors as they all made their way out of the jungle and down to the forest, where a small encampment awaited. Hearty greetings were given and received, and Blake saw their ship, anchored far off the shore.

Then, several of the crew began to assemble driftwood and stones into large pyres. They created several, on top of which was placed an intact body of a dead pirate. It seemed like a well-practiced ritual, to Blake's eyes.

As the crew worked, she looked about and saw that there was no avenue of escape. She and Sun would not be going anywhere with any safe amount of discretion.

Once the pyres were finished, the sun began to slowly dip across the sky, and the large captain strode forward to stand between two of the pyres. On his right lay the body of a woman with a bald head, and a massive gash in her throat. Her hands were folded over a pair of axes. On the captain's right rested the body of a man, hardly more than a teenager, though. His long hair was bound up in a braid, and there was a large wound through the left side of his chest. Set in his hands was a large, two-handed sword.

Everyone watched as the captain eyed the assembled crew. He was stripped to his waist, revealing a torso that held more muscle and bulk than Blake had ever seen on a person before. Every inch was covered in either intricate tattoos or gruesome-seeming scars, from neck to fingertip to waist, and even seemed to go past that. Some of the tattoos were heavily detailed pictures, while others, to Blake's eyes, appeared to be a list of names. These were centered over his heart in an expanding spiral pattern.

He then spoke. "We have made great progress, these last few days," he said. "We have plunged deeper into the heart of the Sun Empire, tweaked the gills of the River Heralds, and once again spat in the eyes of the accursed blood drinkers. We have struck many blows against those who wish us ill, taken great prizes, and ever draw closer to our ultimate prize. For all of that, for every drop of enemy blood that you have spilled, and for every bit of loot that we have pried from their miserable hands and holds, then you should be nothing less than the proudest bunch of salty dogs that ever have prowled the Stormwreck Sea!"

At that, the crew all gave a hearty and wild cheer, while Blake and Sun simply watched. Then, after a moment of cheering, the captain held up his hands, and the crew all fell silent. "But, at the same time, we cannot forget those of us who have fallen these last several days and years, fallen in battle against our foes," he said in a somber, rumbling tone, as he approached the still bodies.

He stood between two, and put a large hand over each of the corpse's faces, and sighed. "As ever, the passing of a family member is a thing that should never be taken lightly. It is a heavy thing, horrid and unwieldy. If I had my way, then all of you would be invulnerable and undying, so that I never had to bury another family member. But, alas, that can never be, no matter what the Legion of Dusk may espouse in their ramblings. Death is an inevitability, and each time one of us dies, whether in battle or accident? It is like a dagger into our hearts, another sword stabbed through our chests. Each death is another light snuffed out by our enemies, and thus more dead children of Torrezon who will never have the chance to walk upon its shores, stride through its forests, and climb its mountains without fear of death from the thrice-damned legion."

He closed his eyes, and all the crew bowed their heads in mourning. The grief in the air was a palpable thing, and it made even Blake and Sun bow their heads for a moment. She even could hear a few people openly weeping, wiping at eyes and clutching one another for comfort.

"But that, my friends… that is why we fight, why we must continue to fight," the massive figure then said. "It was why our ancestors took to the seas, instead of falling under the yokes of those who stole our homeland from us. Yes, they fled in defeat, but it was to only fight another day, to hold on to the dream! The dream, it is why we fight and prowl the seas, and it is why the fires of defiance will ever beat in our chests!" he declared, as he slammed his fists against his own chest to punctuate those last words. "Though the rest of our brethren in the Brazen Coalition are content to fight and die and fuck for plunder and ephemeral glory and fun, we are different! Unlike them, we all fight for something greater, something grander. It is why we sail onwards… and it is why they died," he said, as he gestured to the pyres and the bodies that lay upon them. "They fought, bled, and died, knowing that they did so for the homeland.

"They knew the price of our dream, the dream that one day, we may achieve our complete liberation! The dream that one day, we will be able to stand upon the shores, under the forests and atop the mountains of Torrezon, so that we may bask in the splendor of our ancestral lands! They died so that, one day, we may return home! And thus, they, and their sacrifices… they are why we must ever sail onwards, why we will always spit in the face of fate and inevitability and tyranny! They are why we laugh at the storm, and why we ride upon the waves without fear!"

He then gestured to the bodies, as he looked to his crew. "So, remember them, my brothers and sisters! Remember the names and faces of those who have fallen," he bellowed. "Remember Ayluk, Ratha, Jorreg, Eyick, Jesper, and all the others who have fallen these last few days. Remember them, just as we remember all those who have fallen in the days and years past, in pursuit of the dream! Remember them with every vampire and dinosaur and merfolk that you slaughter in their names! Remember them as we seek the Immortal Sun, the key to our desires! REMEMBER THEM, MY FAMILY, FOR TORREZON!"

That roused the crew, and they all began to scream and chant. "TORREZON! TORREZON! TORREZON! TORREZON!"

The captain then raised his hands again for silence. Two balls of red energy alit in his hands, and he cast them upon the pyres. Soon, heat and smoke filled the sky, and the bodies were reduced to ash, and the fires quickly guttered out.

While handfuls of the ashes were collected into small little vials, the captain cleared his throat and then gave one of his grins. "But this is not only a time for somber mourning," he said. "It is also a time for celebration, for new beginnings. We do not just mourn the passing of family, but we also celebrate their lives as well. We celebrate our plunder and glory, and, most importantly, we celebrate our two newest family members!"

Blake and Sun were surreptitiously pushed forward towards him. As they turned to face the crowd, the captain put a large hand on each of their shoulders. It did not escape Blake's notice that he could have easily encircled their necks and most of their shoulders with those hands. Nor did it escape her mind of the fact that, without aura, he could probably have snapped their necks as easily as one would crush an egg.

"They fought alongside us at the day's battle," the captain said. "They fought hard and well against our foes, dinosaur-fuckers, blood-suckers, and river bastards alike! And now, they have decided to join our family! Speak your names, you two, and be welcomed to our ranks!"

His hands were still on their shoulders. Not tight, but…

Blake swallowed and then spoke, doing her best to keep her face schooled from any trepidation. "My name is Blake Belladonna," she said, raising her voice.

Sun put on a smile and gestured to himself. "Sun Wukong!"

The captain grinned, and then slapped them both heartily on the back. Were it not for their training and auras, Blake was reasonably sure that the blows would have sent her and Sun practically flying away. "Proud and good names, the pair of you! Well then, welcome to the crew of Captain Zagreus Pyre! And welcome to the family of Torrezon's Memory!"

That elicited more cheers, including the captain. "Now, let's pack up and head to the ship! Then, as we sail to high and Dry, we will truly celebrate!"

Following that proclamation, the beachhead exploded into a flurry of activity, as fires were doused, loot was packed away, and the docked boats were pushed away from shore. Soon, they were all headed towards the ship. Sun and Blake were put at the front dinghy with Captain Pyre.

The Torrezon's Memory turned out to be a massive wooden galleon, like something out of an old history book. It was painted red and blue, which seemed to match the color scheme of many of the pirates around them when Blake thought about it. It had four large masts, and a plethora of multicolored sails and portholes for cannons, and a large abundance of ropes and pulleys, visible even from a distance. It seemed less a boat and more a massive, floating fortress. As they approached, pullies, hooks, and long rope ladders were all lowered to greet their arrival.

The moment everyone was aboard, the anchor was weighed, and then the celebrations began. There was much laughter, food, and freely-flowing alcohol as the ship began to gently move. It was hard to believe that these people had been in all-out combat just a few hours ago.

But, then again, Blake wasn't one to judge now, was she?

They ate and drank for a bit, though the two did little of the latter. Luckily, there was fresh water being passed around as well, so that helped. Eventually, the two found a quiet spot on one of the upper decks, away from the bulk of the celebration. The sky above them were full of gleaming little stars.

"So… I guess we're pirates now, huh?" Sun said.

Blake leaned on her arms against the railing, as she gazed out at the night sky. "Looks like it."

There was nothing but the sounds of the ship and the celebrations for a long while. Then Sun looked at Blake. "You okay?" he asked.

She returned his gaze. "Honestly? I'm not really sure. I spent so long, running away from murderers and killers, trying to leave the deeds of my past behind me. Then, not only are we transported to some bizarre new world full of giant lizard things, creatures that suck blood, and whatever else there are that lives here, but now we're stuck among more of those same kinds of people like the ones that I tried to leave behind; killers and thieves."

"The same… what you mean like the White Fang? C'mon, you really think that these guys are anything like those asshats… back home?"

Blake gave him a slight glare for a moment, which made her adopt a sheepish look. "Right, sorry. Slipped my mind that you used to be a part of those asshats…"

Blake then sighed. "I know, it's fine. And yeah, maybe I'm just seeing resemblances where there are none, but… Sun, a few hours ago, they were slaughtering people in combat, screaming and killing and… even laughing. Now, they're just… partying. Partying and laughing as if nothing happened. They lost friends, and… they're celebrating. It's just… it just brings up too many memories, of when things really started going bad, and not just when I left the Fang, but also... last week.

"And more than that... Sun, what about back home? When we... left, people were being slaughtered, and Beacon was burning. And what about everyone we left behind? Who I left behind!? Our friends, our families. They could be dead. Hell, they could think that we're dead! Adam could have killed them all, and it would all be my fault!"

She clenched her fists tight. "All of that...and we're stuck here, on a ship, a pirate ship. And it's full of people who are partying and feasting after they were just in kill-or-be-killed combat, after they just killed people, and who just buried their friends and family. And speaking of home... what if there's no way for us to get back home? What if we're stuck here?"

She let loose a shuddering breath, and she could feel tears stinging at the corners of her eyes as she cradled her head in her hands.

She felt Sun put a gentle and warm hand on her shoulder. She wanted to brush it off... but another part of her didn't.

"I hear you," he said. "You're not the only thinking this though."

Everything went quiet for a moment as they just stood there, against the railing as the ship gently sailed.

Then, Sun spoke again. "It's kind of funny, but man... Scarlet would really feel at home here, I think."

Blake looked up from her hands. "Really?" She asked.

He nodded. "Yeah. His whole thing? He's big into the old stories about pirates and swashbuckling, swinging from ropes and dueling on sinking ships and whatnot. He even liked to brag that he 'came from a long line of buccaneers' or something. Based his whole look around it."

Blake... could honestly see that, and it made her smile a bit. "Of course, I doubt Neptune would feel happy here."

"Hell no! He would have probably tied himself to the mainmast already, or hugging himself below the deck!" Sun laughed.

Blake could not help but laugh as well, as the image planted itself into her head. It was kind of funny to think about. "What about Sage?"

"Eh, the big lug would probably just shrug and then go about his day. Guy's the definition of 'unflappable' you know?"

Sun let loose a sigh. "Look, I know things are not great right now, and that that was just the understatement of the century. But, that's not to say things won't get better right? And who's to say that everyone back home is dead? We don't know, but there's no reason to get so flustered about it that it's all we can think about. I learned a long time ago that, sometimes... there are things you can't think too hard on. All you can do is just take it as it comes, you know?"

Sun then shrugged. "And yeah, maybe these people are weird, and maybe it is kind of freaky that they're celebrating while a bunch of their buddies are dead. But you heard what the captain guy said on the beach; this is their way of remembering them. Everyone copes in their own way, I guess. Plus, he did say that they're fighting for some homeland they were driven out of a long while back. That makes them different, I guess. Plus, there is the fact that none of the humans here seem to be assholes like a lot of the ones back home. I mean, I see bird people, those little monkey guys, and more of the same big people like that captain. It all seems good. Still, who're we to judge, right? I mean, we're not from here. Maybe they would think some of the stuff… back home would be odd as well, y'know?"

Blake looked at him oddly for a moment. "That was… rather profound of you, Sun."

"Eh, comes from growing up in Vacuo, I guess. You kinda learn that there's a whole bunch of more important things to do than stand around and judge people on how they act… at least to some extent, anyway."

Blake found that she couldn't really argue with that, so she didn't, and the two looked back out towards the shimmering ocean as it reflected the night sky.

"It's really a pretty sight, huh?" Sun asked as he glanced at her briefly.

"It is," Blake agreed. "Not the sort of thing you'd see in Vacuo, I suppose?"

"Not really. Too much water. Though, now that I think about it; replace the water with miles and miles of grimm-infested sand, and wow! It's like we're there already! Like we never left. Freaking uncanny."

That made her laugh for a moment. Then conversation dropped out for a moment, while a comfortable silence took its place, and the two faunus stood together and stargazed.

"So… what do we do now?" Sun asked as a cool breeze ruffled their hair.

Blake shrugged. "Adapt. Survive. Just… make do, I guess."

"Sounds like the best we can hope for right now," Sun agreed.

He then tore his gaze away from the stars and towards her, and held up an open hand. "But hey, just want you to know; whatever happens, I've got your back. You're not alone anymore, for what it's worth. You got me, come hell or high water. Ya feel me?"

That made her smile, and she reached up to clasp Sun's hand. "Yeah. Hell or high water," she said.

They held hands as they stared into the other's eyes for a long moment, and then released suddenly. Blake could feel her cheeks flushed, and Sun chuckled nervously and scratched at the back of his head.

"Right, yeah, well… what should we do now?" Blake asked, trying to diffuse the sudden awkwardness.

Sun grinned, and hefted up the two wooden flagons; one with his hand, and the other with his tail. "Well, there is still a party going on,' he said, as he handed her the flagon he had been holding. "what say we just have a fun time, yeah?"

Blake took the flagon with a grin. "I think I can deal with that."

"Hell yeah!" Sun exclaimed as he raised his own up. "To Blake and Sun; the best, most kickass pair of faunus buccaneers on wherever the hell it is we are!"

"To Blake and Sun; surviving whatever life throws at us," Blake replied with a grin.

They clinked their flagons and then drank deep. After, they headed back into the celebration.

Xxxxxxxx

Taiyang

Zendikar

Tai looked down at the address scribbled on the scrap of paper in his hand. He then looked up at the building.

Sea Gate was unlike any city that Tai had ever seen before. It was larger and more vibrant than most cities that he had seen (with the exception of Atlas), and though many here carried a hardened edge to them, there seemed to be a remarkable lack of tension in the air, to a small extent. He reasoned that it came with the lack of monsters being attracted by negativity and fear. It was odd… but not unwelcome, in all honesty.

Of course, that had not really been chief on his mind at the time.

When he and Yang had arrived at the city, he had immediately set about finding them a place to rest. They had been kindly directed to a large halfway house in the western quadrant of the city that also served as a soup kitchen, run by a kindly merfolk couple (not faunus, but merfolk, like something out of a fairy tale, though Tai had been surprised that these merfolk could walk on two legs). There were some beds to spare, and the food served had been simple yet filling, and even surprisingly good.

But decent food and somewhat soft beds had not helped to distract Tai from the problems that had been laid down before him and Yang. And those were some very heady problems indeed.

To wit; they were in a strange city, in some strange world, and they had just about nothing. Nothing at all, save for the clothes on their backs, and whatever that Tai had managed to pilfer and carry from the monsters who had attacked his little girl… which amounted to very little. Just some ropes, pouches, a couple of weird-looking gold coins, and a few hook-like weapons.

And he doubted all of it together could afford him and Yang a house, let alone a room at an inn.

With such worry plaguing his mind, it was no wonder that he had not slept well that night… really, he didn't sleep much at all. A part of him wondered if Ozpin was to blame for the current predicament. He probably was.

Oh well. No use ruminating about it now, he had supposed.

When he had finally drifted off, his dreams had not made things any better, though.

…Silver eyes, full of sorrow…

… Ravens, and giants ones that were fluttering in a murder so thick that their wings all but blocked out the sky…

… Countless voices, all whispering and shouting and crying and laughing and pleading to him, all at once, and he just wanted it to stop…

While Yang had still been sleeping, Tai had risen early, and started to wander Sea gate, both to get a sense of its geography… and to ask around for viable sources of income.

A part of him had held some hope that he could find work as a combat instructor, but, alas, no such luck there, since there didn't seem to be any combat schools here at all. Then again, he supposed that was to be expected. Not like he had any credentials or a good resume at hand.

As the sun began to peek from behind the horizon, Tai had felt himself growing desperate. At one point, he had even begun to consider trying to see if there were any… 'gray-area fighting rings here. It wouldn't have been the first time he had participated in such a thing. Frustration at life's limitations and an ability to punch really, really hard tended to open such avenues to any angsty teen for a bit, especially if you didn't mind getting bruised and beaten on an almost nightly basis.

Decent money, though.

Then, as he had continued to search, a helpful kor (which were apparently what the grey-skinned people were called) had given him the addresses for five companies, or 'expeditionary houses,' as they were also known. "You look like you can take care of yourself in a fight," they had said as they handed him a scrap of paper. "They're always on the lookout for strong fighters and workers."

He had looked at the five names and had asked which had the better chance of a larger payout. The kor had shrugged and then tapped one name in particular. "It all varies, human, and all depends on luck and chance. But this is the closest. Try it, and see what you might find."

So, now, here he was, standing in front of this building. The 'expeditionary house,' as it was called.

It was not like there were any other options though. So, with that thought in mind, Tai steeled himself and walked through the front doors. He soon found himself standing in front of a desk filled and stacked with paper and parchments. Sat behind it was a diminutive-looking woman. Her iron-grey hair was bound in a tight bun behind her head, and a pair of spectacles (they had glasses, here?) sat perched primly upon the bridge of her nose. At the moment, she was currently busy, scribbling furiously on a sheet of parchment with a quill. She seemed to have not noticed his arrival.

After a long and awkward moment of awkwardly waiting whilst awkwardly shuffling his feet, Tai then awkwardly cleared his throat.

To her credit, the woman did not jump or make any noise of surprise. Instead, she merely paused in her writing, and slowly looked up at him with a disinterested expression on her face.

"Can I help you with something?" the woman asked, as she peered at him from over her spectacles.

"Uh, yeah… I would like to offer my services," Tai said. "To this, uh, expeditionary house."

"Your services?" she repeated, as a hint of incredulity crept in her dry voice.

"Yeah. My services."

"I see. And what do these services of yours entail, exactly? What is that you can do?"

Tai swallowed, feeling like he was back at Beacon, being appraised/ critiqued by stern teachers. He still had nightmares about professor Magenta, sometimes. Damn his uncaring gaze. Also, why did she simplify her question like he was an idiot? "Well… I can fight. I'm… really strong. And I'm… dependable?"

"You're unsure if you're dependable?"

"What, no."

"So, you're saying that you are not dependable then?"

"No! I just… I am dependable."

"Mmhm. Well, it seems that's all been cleared up, thank Emeria. Now… can you climb?"

The question caught him off guard. "Excuse me?"

"Can. You. Climb?" she repeated, this time a bit slower. "Can you hook a rope to a far-away target, such as a small, protruding butte, with as few tosses as possible? If necessary, can you scale the sheer face of a cliff face free-handed?"

What kind of questions were these? Still, he did remember his mom taking him hiking when he had been little, and he could climb with the best of them, he liked to think. "Uh, yeah… I can."

She nodded, but in a way that sounded as if she didn't believe him. "Hm. Alright. Then in addition to that, can you adequately live off the land, even if what's available to you is sparse and lean?"

Now that was a better question… sort of. "Yeah, I can do all that."

For pity's sake, he had built his own cabin and farm in the woods, after all, and with his own two hands! Plus, all the missions throughout Anima and Sanus. Even Anima. And Anima was freaking cold. He knew what it was like to eat once a day by a campfire. Of course, it did help that he had always been a bit outdoorsy.

Thank you, mom, dad… and counselor David.

The woman nodded at his answers again. "I see. And just how much experience would you say that you have in these things?"

He blinked. "Uh… in what now?"

She looked at him as if he were an idiot. "Fighting. Surviving. Being 'strong' and 'dependable,' as you so eloquently put it earlier. How much experience?"

Ah. Tai straightened up. "Yes. Right. That. Well, I have about 30 years of experience. I am also an able and licensed huntsman."

Gah, why did he say that!? How would she even know what that meant? Idiot, idiot, idiot!

She raised an eyebrow at his last statement, but said nothing, and merely seemed to scrutinize him like he was a thing pressed between two sheets of glass under a microscope. The moments ticked by, and he was wondering if it would not be best just to leave while he still had some shred of dignity when she spoke again. "Hm. I see. Well, I think I know all that I need to."

She then reached down and pulled up a few sheaves of rolled-up parchment, and began to scribble some things on them, before taking out a jar of ink and a large stamp. "Ordinarily, I would turn you out on your ear without a second thought and go about my day, but… you do seem solid to some extent, so I will offer you a chance."

As she spoke, she began stamping rapidly across the documents. Thud, thud, thud. "Someone is looking for seasoned explorers and survivors for an expedition that they're putting together, and they are not being stingy on the price, or on who they hire, as long as they are 'experienced.' And, since you claim to be such… Well, best to hit the ground running, yes?"

Yeah… she really seemed to enjoy mocking him.

She stamped and scribbled a few more times. Then, she handed out the papers and parchments towards Tai, all but holding them in front of him just like how someone would dangle a treat in front of a starving dog; just out of reach, and you weren't really, or comfortably, sure if their kindness would win out over their cruelty.

Still, it was kind of weird. He could tell that she was mocking him, he knew that she was mocking him, and he felt that she knew that he knew and yet… Tai could also discern that she was being sincere.

Somehow, that didn't really help at all.

But it was not like he really had any other decent options, did he?

With that in mind, he reached out and took hold of the parchments. "Thanks," he said, as he began to look them over.

"Don't thank me," she stated. "I don't like that. Anyway, the details are all there on those parchments. Strange though; the person who's funding this? They're paying in advance. Lucky for you I guess, as you seem like you could use some gold in your pockets."

Well, she was right about that.

Then, she stood up and extended her hand. "Now, just so that you don't think me to be wholly heartless, I will extend you this; well to this most esteemed Akoum Expeditionary house. And good luck on your future endeavors"

As he shook her hand and then left, it suddenly occurred to Tai that she had never once asked him his name.

He was not sure if that was good or bad. But it was too late to think about now.

His first stop was at the Sea Gate bank, or counting-house, as it was called here. The pouch of coins he received was quite heavy. Afterward, he bought a few items, made some other purchases, and then headed back to the halfway house to get Yang.

The sun was already high in the sky as he returned, its rays hitting him in the eyes for a moment.

Xxxxxxxxx

Yang

Dad woke her up with a gentle hand on her shoulder, just like when she and Ruby had been little.

Back then, Yang had always wanted to sleep in more. Now… she was grateful for it.

She had not slept well at all. Just more nightmares. More ravens and red claws.

"C'mon, Yang," dad said. "Time to get up."

As she rose and stretched, she saw a heavy-looking pouch tied to his waist.

The merfolk couple running the halfway house gave them each a simple breakfast and then waved them goodbye with kindly smiles. Yang didn't miss how their eyes looked at her stump with pity.

Dad led her as they walked through the city, and yammered on about everything he had learned about it earlier, including what it was called. Sea Gate. It was unlike any city Yang had ever seen, and… it was quiet. No hum of electricity or cars or trains, no constant honking or beeping. The air also smelled cleaner. There was still the thrum and noise of people, of course, and it still stank though, but she guessed that was how it was with any city, to some extent.

She still stumbled a bit as they walked, her body still acclimating to its new internal balance. The pitying looks she got did not escape her notice… especially the ones from dad.

… weak…

He showed her the market streets, pointed out what the other races that were about here were called, and told her the names of the streets as well. "So, the continent we're on is called Tazeem, and it's one of Seven. Meanwhile, the whole land itself is called Zendikar. Pretty neat, huh?"

"Yeah. Weird names, though. Hey, what's with all the floating things in the sky?" she asked, as she pointed to one that was hovering in the distance.

"The hedrons? No one's really sure. Also, it turns out there are giant creatures living in the oceans, and apparently there is something called the Roil that makes the ground and land do weird things and maybe kill you, but hey… At least there's no grimm, right?"

Yang could honestly say that she found that to be some of the best news she had heard since coming here. Which… probably wasn't all that great, considering.

They ate lunch at one of the market stalls, some dish that consisted of grilled squid and fish, along with roots and bread and vegetables, all steamed and smoked in a heavy broth. The owner, a thin man with pointy ears (an elf, apparently) gave them each a very generous portion, which was great because Yang was really starving. At least, Yang thought that it was squid and fish. She wasn't really sure, and neither was dad. Still, it was all really tasty, so there was that.

They spent the whole rest of the day looking around and buying groceries and other things, all the while dad jabbered on about everything else that he had learned. But, then again, dad had always been excited to learn new things.

He let her carry very little, though, which stung.

As the late afternoon sun began to sink and the streetlights were being lit, they took a left down a street, and then dad had them stop in front of a small, two-story building. It was carved from wood and white stone, like most everything else here, and it had a chimney.

"Uh… why are we here?" she asked.

He gestured to the building. "This is our house," he said. "It's where we'll be staying… for the time being."

She… had not been expecting that. "You got a house," she said.

How? They had barely even been here a day.

He nodded. "Yep. Turns out that real estate is kind of cheap around here, kind of. Something to do with a 'high turnover rate,' as the seller put it, but whatever. C'mon, I'll show you around inside."

Unlike their house back… back home, the inside was kind of empty. Though, there was a large hearth, a simple table with some chairs, and what looked like a kitchen. A flight of stairs led to the second floor.

Yep… definitely not like back home.

"So… what passes for a bathroom is down the hall, and the hearth pretty much warms up the whole house. Beds are upstairs, and they also came with the place, believe it or not, and there's a cellar downstairs that can keep food cool, which is weird, but neat. I managed to fill the pantry a bit, so we should probably go about having some dinner and then we can get some rest. Sound good?"

"Dad," Yang interjected. "This is all neat and whatnot, but… how did you afford all this?"

A guilty look slapped itself on her dad's face, and he sat down at the table with a sigh. "That's… kinda what I need to talk to you about," he said.

"What do you mean? What's wrong?"

He took another deep breath and looked away for a moment. "I've been putting this off all day, and that's on me, but, I… kind of have to go away for a while."

"…What? What the hell are you talking about?"

He scratched at the back of his head. "Yeah, listen, you know those expeditionary houses that I told you about? So… earlier today, when you were still asleep, I went to one of the houses, and… I got hired for a job, and it was one that paid in advance, which was great, I guess. That's how I was able to get all… this. It's some sort of expedition to some ruins or something. Look, I know it's not ideal, but I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise. Meanwhile, there's plenty of money left from the advance I was given, I have a map of the city laid out for you, and you know how to cook so-"

"Wait, wait, just stop… you're just leaving me here!?" Yang exclaimed; her remaining hand clenched into a fist.

He held up his hands. "Yang, I don't have a choice. It's a job, and I have to carry it out. I can't just take the money and not show up. That's not how it works."

"Then take me with you," she said. "I can pull my weight. When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow. I ship out at dawn," he said.

Then, he shook his head. "But no, I can't bring you with me. It's too dangerous for you to come along."

"Bullshit! You know I'm strong! I can handle myself fine! Just like at Mountain Glen and Beacon and on Patch!"

"That was all back home, Yang! Things are different here. It's different, and you were able to do all that because-" he suddenly cut himself off, as if ashamed of what he had been about to say.

"When what, dad?" she said, her eyes narrowed. "Because it was when I had two arms when I wasn't a fucking cripple. Is that what you were going to say!?"

"Don't say that, you know that's not what I was getting at. It's just that you're in no condition to go traipsing through the wilderness. You still aren't used to getting your balance with only one arm, and you need weeks, if not months, of retraining, and those are weeks and months that we don't currently have right now. For crying out loud, do you know how many times that I had to steady you when you were walking today? In addition, this place, it's not like back home! From what I've heard, it makes Vacuo seem almost like a freaking park. Floating landmasses, giant worms, and creatures! Not to mention whatever monsters are lurking in the oceans! Hell, the Roil itself sounds like the stuff of nightmares!"

"So that's why you need all the help you can get. I can adapt! I can train on the road!"

"We're not having this discussion," he said. "I'm not about to let you throw yourself into harm's way just to prove you can still pull your weight as a fighter! If you try and come with me then…"

He clenched his hands, as if unwilling to say what he had been about to verbalize anyway.

But Yang knew what the next words out of his mouth were going to be. It was clear, in his eyes.

Yang's hand was shaking. "Go on dad," she said in a low tone. "Say it. Say that all I'll do is just slow you down. That is what you were going to say, right? Oh, poor little Yang. She's just so weak, so defenseless, right? Just a fucking cripple, worth nothing but fucking pity!"
"Stop putting words in my mouth, young lady," he said sternly. "That's not what this is at all. I'm just trying to look at the bigger picture here. I'm trying to keep you safe until you've fully recuperated."

"Then stay!" she yelled, tears threatening to stream down her cheeks. "Don't go. If you want me to get better then stay!"

"Yang, do you think I want to do this? We don't exactly have many options. We have no bank accounts, no savings, and no friends or family that we can rely on here. Plus, there's no combat school here, so I can't teach. Even if there were, it's not like I have any concrete credentials, so that still goes out the window anyway. This is why I have to go. From what I've heard, these expeditions have a good chance of turning out a decent profit. So, I do this, and it can earn us some money, some income. Then, when I get back, we can draw out a plan to-"

With an angry yell, Yang rose and smashed the chair to splinters with a single bunch. It made her father shoot to his feet. "Yang!"

She glared at him. "You know what? Do what you want. I don't give a shit. I mean, I should be used to it by now… having parents give up and leave me. No wonder you two used to get along so well."

"Yang! C'mon, that's not fair. You know that's not what this is at all. I'm not like Raven! Yang!"

She ignored him and stomped upstairs. She took the first room on the left and slammed the door behind her. The inside had a simple closet and a bed. She sat down upon it and balled her fist as tears began to fall.

A moment later, she heard a knocking on her door. "Yang? Please, can we just talk about this?"

She wasn't in the mood. "Fuck off!" she screamed. "Just fuck off!"

The knocking stopped, and she heard him sigh. "Look… I'll just make some dinner, okay. We'll… we'll talk about this later. Just… trust me, okay. This is all I can do."

She then heard him walk away.

Yang waited until the footsteps faded, and then she fell sideways onto the mattress, curled up, and began to cry.

… weak. Weak. Weak…

Xxxxxxxxx

Tai

Yang didn't come down from her room for the rest of the evening. So, Tai left a bowl of soup by her door. After that, he left to buy the supplies that he had been told to get.

Ropes. Hooks, a good pair of boots. Sturdy leathers. Flint. A sleeping roll, and a few changes of clothes.

When he got back, the bowl was empty, left outside the door.

When he rose early before dawn, Yang was not up to bid him goodbye.

… Maybe that was for the best. He needed to do this. She would understand. She would.

With that in mind, he packed up and headed to the port, and to the specific dock. There was the ship, the Blade of Iona. A small group was waiting at the docks, as workers loaded the boat with supplies. A pale figure with bony growths sticking out of her shoulders and elbows (a vampire) looked up as he approached. "Can I help you with something?"

He handed her the identification documents that he had received from the woman at the expeditionary house. "Yeah. I got hired to be a part of this expedition. Paperwork is all there."

She looked them over for a moment and then nodded. "Alright. What's your name?"

"Tai," he said. "Taiyang Xiao-Long."

She raised a painted brow at his name but said nothing of it. "Very well. Welcome aboard. Ready to go?"

He turned back to Sea Gate, towards the area where the house was situated, and sighed. "Yeah," he said with a sigh. "Ready to ship out."

Xxxxxxxxx

Ruby

Ravnica

When they returned to Nivix, Xanther and Ruby headed straight to their rooms. When Ruby returned to the one that she shared with professor Ozpin, it was only then that she realized that she was still holding on to the object. When she set it on the table, she saw that the latticework had left a red indentation in her hand. Then, she took a long bath. After that, most of which consisted of her sitting quietly in the tub, she went to sleep.

Her dreams were filled with screams, fire, and the face of the dying vedalken. Needless to say, she did not sleep well… or long.

She stayed in the apartment for most of the morning, idly walking or pacing about, absently scribbling ideas onto parchment, or just lying on the floor. She didn't really feel like going out, partly because she felt afraid that everyone would mock her for failing a simple assignment. Anyway, professor Ozpin had not been by the apartment for the past couple of days, so she had free reign.

As she sat at the workbench and idly finished implementing a few new upgrades for Crescent Rose, she found herself turning her silver gaze towards one of the apartment's bookshelves. After she had finished with her weapon, she decided to stretch her legs. With that decision in mind, Ruby got up, walked over to the bookshelf, and started to idly peruse the titles before her silver eyes came to rest on one title in particular. A Compendium of Theorists, Theorems, Effects, and Equations for all things Arcane and Aetheric.

Listlessly, she took it down and began to idly leaf through its pages. After this, she decided that she would eat something and then lie-

Wait a moment. Wait just a freaking minute.

Blinking, she turned back several pages, coming to a stop on a particular group of them. She started rapidly scanning the pages with narrowed eyes, even holding the book closer to her face at one point. All the while a hundred upon a thousand thoughts began racing through her head. Thoughts, ideas, imaginings.

She then looked up towards the object where it was still lying upon the table, weakly glowing and pulsating. Her eyes darted back and forth between the pages and the object. Then, an idea sprung into her head, and she slammed the book shut.

After a semblance-assisted dash through Nivix (followed by a few people cursing at her, which wasn't nice), she came to a skidding stop in front of Xanther's door, book still in hand.

Then, just as she was about to open the door, it opened, revealing Xanther, who was… holding a book in their hands as well.

The two blinked at each other for a moment and then, almost as if of one mind, spoke. "Rosewater's Theorem of Continued Connectivity!" they both exclaimed.

They blinked at each other again.

"Could it?" Ruby began.

"Maybe," Xanther replied.

That was all Ruby needed. "C'mon!"

Saying that she grabbed Xanther by their wrist, and then nothing but rose petals until they were back at Ruby and Professor Ozpin's apartment door.

Ruby hurriedly ushered her slightly nauseous friend inside and closed the door behind her. As Xanther took a moment to gather themselves (and not make a mess on the floor), Ruby bustled over and held up the object.

Xanther looked unsure for a moment. "Shouldn't we just turn it in though?" he asked.

Ruby shook her head. "Not yet. Besides, it was asked that we bring it here. Technically, we've only brought half of it back. So, as proud members of the Izzet league, we can do no less but retrieve the other portion of the guild's missing property, right?"

Xanther mulled it over for a moment and then shrugged. "Seems like kind of a reach… but… you might have a point."

"Of course, I do!" she declared. "Now, let's do this."

"Right. You ready?"

"Sure thing. You can lead the spell if you want."

"Very well."

Professor Ozpin had been teaching Ruby how to access the mana of Ravnica for spells. While it was exciting, and Professor Ozpin even said that she picked up on it rather quickly, Ruby still didn't feel entirely comfortable doing so. As such, she was more than happy to defer to Xanther's experience in these matters.

She and Xanther studied the page with the requisite spell, and then turned their attentions to the object, and held out their hands over it. The pair closed their eyes, and reached in deep, to a place past what was physical, and began to pull. When Ruby pulled at this indescribable thing, what she grabbed manifested themselves behind Ruby's eyes as little flickers of blue and red, logical and passionate.

Before them, the mana began to coalesce into the spell, bending its way to search and find. To reconnect. It sought out the remaining threads. Searching. Searching. Searching…

There.

Ruby opened her eyes, only to see the object gently glowing and floating in the air, all the while shooting off small little thread-thin bursts of light in one direction.

She and Xanther shared a grin. "Looks like it works," Xanther said.

"Yeah," Ruby agreed. "But… it's not really much of a heading to go though, is it?"

Xanther shrugged. "Maybe, but I do have a thought on that."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. You said that one of those things that attacked us garbled out the word 'Agyrem.'"

"Yeah, so?"

Xanther gave her a look. "If you remembered your history, Ruby, then you would know that Agyrem is the Ghost Quarter."

Ruby blinked blankly, which made Xanther groan. "The place where souls used to go? The area of Ravnica where there used to be a lot of ghosts, but now there isn't? How do you not know this?"

Ruby blinked again and swallowed. "Sorry, but uh… history was never really my strong suit, you know?"

Also, did they say ghosts!?

Xanther gave her a flat stare. "Obviously. But, it's still a clue as to where we can head to first. Thankfully, as its residents all practically vanished over 50 years ago, we should be fine… unless we encounter those… things again. Still, what do you want to do?"

Ruby stroked her chin, and then understood, and nodded. "Yeah. Well, seeing as how we still have a mission to carry out, let's go there. Let's go there and see if we can find any clues."

"Really? I mean, it was just a suggestion."

"I know, but think about it like this; technically, we still haven't completed the task we were given. We didn't bring back the object… only half of it. Thus, as good and loyal members of the Izzet League, we really should do our best to finish this task, right? Perhaps by, say, getting the other half."

Xanther crossed their arms as they seemed to mull it over for a moment. Then, they chuckled half-heartedly. "Mizzet's breath, but you're crazy. Still, seems like our best bet for now. But Agryem is a good distance away, even by airship. This sort of thing is going to require packing and supplies for a long journey. Also, you do know that if we mess this up, and the parun finds out about this, which he always does we are toast, right?"

Ruby responded by lightly punching her friend in the shoulder. "Eh, we'll wing it."

Plus, all of this? It made Ruby think of the huntsman mission back home, and the thought made her clench her fist with determination. "So, with that all settled let's get what we need, and then head out! Meet you at the guildgate exit in two hours. I just need to finish some upgrades to Crescent Rose and then pack."

"You got it. Meet you there."

Three hours later, Ruby had her pack all set, along with her mizzium apparatus and Crescent Rose slung through its carrying harness. Most importantly, she had her red cloak, and several changes of clothes. As she closed the door to the apartment behind her, she heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

It was a viashino. More specifically, it was Zyrbx'bryz, professor Ozpin's new assistant.

The reptilian figure looked at Ruby through his goggle with big, unblinking eyes, and then held out a taloned hand that held two small stones. "The magelord bid me give you thessssse, Ruby Rossssssse," he said. "And thisssss asss well."

He held out his other hand, upon which rested a slightly crinkled note.

He deposited both into her hands, bowed, and then promptly left.

The stones had the symbol of the Izzet league carved into them, and they were softly glowing with a slight warmth. She then looked at the note.

Ruby.

I apologize that I have not been able to spend much time broadening your horizons in regards to what we are, but my duties within this guild have to take priority for the time being. Meanwhile, knowing your propensity for finding yourself in situations larger than what you were expecting, I have gifted you these two stones for your safety. Should you ever need my help, all you need do is squeeze one of them tightly, and flood it with as much mana as possible. Do this, and I will be at your side as quickly as I can.

Try not to do anything foolish.

And if not, then at least try to stay safe, my student.

Professor Ozpin.

The note made her smile a bit, and also made her glad that she had left a note of her own in the apartment. Still, she was a huntress and member of the Izzet League. She could take care of herself.

She shook her head to chase away the screams and then headed out to the guildgate exit, where Xanther stood waiting, along with all they needed buckled and ready to go.

With a nod from Xanther Ruby reached into her pack and withdrew the object, letting it float in her hand as it set off more pulses. "Shall we get going?" Ruby asked.

"Do let's," Xanther replied.

Right, on to Agyrem-

"Hey, guys," came a familiar voice. "Where you off to?"

Ruby and Xanther all but jumped as they whirled around to see… Rat, idly standing right behind them.

"Rat! Wh-what are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you," she replied. "So… can I come with you guys?" she asked.

That snapped Ruby and Xanther back to reality. "No, no, no!" Xanther exclaimed. "You are not coming with us. This is a potentially dangerous mission we're on, and not to mention a secret one. It's no place for a child!"

"Aw, c'mon! And why can't I go with you?" Rat asked as she crossed her arms. "You let me come last time."

"Yeah… and things blew up. You almost got hurt, or worse," Ruby said. "We can be sure that we'll be able to keep you safe."

"So? I'm a big girl, and mommy told me that people get hurt all the time. You just have to get back up afterward," Rat stated. "And besides, I can take care of myself. Mommy and Boruvo taught me how to, and I've been all over the city, and I even packed a bag. See?"

The little girl gestured down and Ruby saw a small, child-sized pack by her feet.

Rat then opened her eyes wide. "Pleeeeeease, let me come along? I can be super helpful. Plus, you're my friends, after all, and aren't friends supposed to stick together?"

Oh no, she was unleashing the puppy eyes again. Resist, resist, resist, resist-

"Plus, even if you didn't let me come along, it's not like you could stop me from coming anyway. The only reason you saw me now was that I spoke up. Also, if you don't let me come, I'll just tell mommy about the Izzet people with the shiny object that makes things blow up going on a secret mission to find the other half," Rat said with a little smirk.

…

…

…

"Are you… exhorting us!?" Ruby exclaimed, as her hands shot to her face.

Rat shrugged. "I don't know what that word means, but I guess? So… can I come?"

Ruby exchanged a look with Xanther and then sighed, dragging a palm down her face. Outwitted by a little girl who wasn't even 10. Wow.

Attempting to sew up what remained of her pride, Ruby put her hands on her hips, and stared down at Rat. "Okay, fine. But on one condition; the moment things get dangerous; you go and hide. No arguments. If me or Xanther tell you to run, then you start running. Got it?"

Rat nodded enthusiastically and then glomped Ruby and Xanther. For a little girl, she sure was strong. She then broke the hug, and picked up her pack. "YAY! So, where are we going? Is it far? I don't mind, because I can walk for a loooong time, and walking is really fun but not as fun as running or jumping or swimming I guess, though I once went flying which was fun too but walking is still fun cause it helps get you to where you need to go. So, where are we going again?"

"Agyrem," Xanther replied.

"The ghost place? Wow, that sounds fun. Glad I'm coming with you. You ever seen a ghost before? I have a bunch of times, especially around the Orzhov people. They're kind of creepy and floaty and see-through and stuff and covered in chains. One of the Orzhov people had a lot of coins, but Boruvo always told me not to take Orzhov gold unless... something, something, so I didn't. Anyway, but once, I saw a ghost near mommy's camp and it looked really beaten up and it had half its face missing with guts hanging out, and it liked to scream a lot, which made my ears hurt a bit, but then I got all better, and then it floated away, and..."

As the trio began to walk, and Rat kept rambling, Ruby inhaled a deep lungful of air. Despite everything that had happened in the past day, she could not help the smile that was currently spreading across her face. On a quest, with two friends at her side. It made things feel a little bit more like back home.

As they headed on their way, the trio passed by a small group of raggedly dressed children about Rat's age, who seemed to be playing some sort of hopscotch game. The game was accompanied by a strange rhyme.

Raven-bird, Raven-man, flying in the sky.

Raven-man, Raven-bird, watching you die.

Raven-bird, Raven-man, see it take flight.

Raven-man, Raven-bird, keep out of its sight.

For some reason, the rhyme sent shivers down Ruby's spine.

She then shook her head. No time to think about that right now. They had a quest to complete!

Full of grit and determination, the three travelers headed continued on their way…

Xxxxxxxxx

A/N: I was originally planning on having Ozpin appear in this chapter, but decided to save him for a more dynamic scene. Also, I would have Ozpin's card title would be thus; Opzin, Izmagnus Magelord. No idea what the abilities would be, but he would have access to all colors.

Anyhoo, hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and that you are all looking forward to what happens next... and that the rhyme sent some shivers down your spine.