Here we go

We actually have a fresh piece of fanart for this, which I've included as the cover for this week's chapter. It's from Mystery White Flame on DA. If you can't read it due to size, the title says:

"Headmaster Arc" and "Guide your way to success through bullshit."

And the concept is Roman's latest idea for how to solve the money issues Beacon faces, by monetising a self-help book written (or likely ghost-written) from Jaune Arc, most powerful twenty-one-year-old on Remnant.

Cover Art: Mystery White Flame

Chapter 6

Blake paced around Team RWBY's dorm, eyes wide and ears perked up. Her feet wore a familiar pattern into the floor, while Ruby and Yang did their best to ignore her. Even Zwei had his paws over his face. As if they could. At the brief moments where she paused in her pacing, she would speak.

"He's meeting with the White Fang."

"Blake, no."

"After everything they did, the headmaster is going to meet with them. Talk with them."

"Bad Blake. Bad!"

"Doesn't he realise it must be a trap?" Blake demanded, rounding on her teammates. "Doesn't he realise that- oof!"

Yang lowered her arm, pillow justice delivered as Blake staggered back. "I swear to any god listening, Blake, that if you do anything about this, you won't have a chance to get a detention until you're an old maid. I'll ground you myself."

Blake tore the cushion away. "But the-ahh!"

"No." Ruby lowered her own arm. "Just no. I don't think there's a time you've gone after the White Fang where it ended well. At all."

"Mountain Glenn!"

"That was me!" Ruby pointed out. "Or Zwei at best. Mountain Glenn was the only time your White Fang senses didn't go off. Plus, people died. A lot of innocent people."

"I know…" Blake's expression became more serious. "But more would have died if you hadn't found it. I just… It's the White Fang. I know you think I'm obsessed with them-"

"Think?"

"But they've proven by now that they can't be trusted, surely."

"Yeah. Obviously." Yang rolled her eyes. "Which is why I'm sure no one is trusting them. I mean, even assuming the Prof was an idiot – which we know he isn't – do you think Miss Goodwitch or Roman Bloody Torchwick have an inch of trust within them?"

"Using Torchwick as an example isn't making me feel confident, Yang."

"Why? I thought you had a nice date." Yang ducked the pillow's return. "Alright, alright. Point is, they're not going to trust the White Fang, Blake. You can ask the prof yourself in detention, but I bet he has a plan to make them look like fools."

"Yeah!" Ruby agreed. "Probably some super-amazing super-clever plan like he always does."

Despite her fears, Blake found herself relaxing. "I guess he hasn't let us down yet…"

"And even if it looks bad, he's probably playing it up to trick them. Make them underestimate him like he did with that Cinder woman. Then, when they least expect it." Yang clapped her hands together. "Battleship to the face!"

Blake laughed. "I'd pay to see Adam run over with a battleship. Alright, I'll let it be." If nothing else, she could trust that Jaune Arc had a plan. He always did. "I don't think any amount of forged documents could convince him to take us to the meeting anyway. He'll probably have me locked in a cell before he goes."

"On house arrest at least."

Laughing off the mood, and with Ruby and Yang relieved that Blake's wanderlust had been averted for a short time, the three hurried out to breakfast, meeting Team RVNN en route, the four members holding their door open as the three of Team CFVY left, hair wet and with towels in hand.

"Thanks again, you lot." Coco said. "We needed that."

"You're still sharing their shower?" Yang asked, waving a hello to them all. Nora and Pyrrha waved back. "I thought you all got rooms on the new battleship with the rest of the students bunking together."

"We did, but the showers aren't up yet. There are some communal ones, but it's a battleship. Not exactly en-suite living."

"The rooms are an upgrade on bunking, even if they are cold and lifeless to the touch." Yatsuhashi, towering over them but somehow not being intimidating for it – might have had something to do with the fluffy pink towel – inclined his head towards them. "Sadly, connecting water pipes through the hull of a ship does not appear to be a simple task."

"Not that it's a battleship," Fox added.

Ruby giggled and Yang snorted. "Of course. Never said it was."

"Ha. Classic. See you later, kiddos!" Coco waved back. "Vel. Catch us for some training at six. P, you're invited too, so shake that booty."

Pyrrha waited for Coco and Team CFVY to leave before turning to Velvet. "Shake my booty?"

"Just ignore her. She doesn't make sense until her first cup of coffee." Shrugging helplessly, she turned to them all. "Breakfast?"

"Breakfast!" Nora confirmed.

A week had passed since the anti-climactic charity dinner with the Schnee family. Yang only called it that because she'd missed seeing Ironwood deck the Prof, and the Prof hadn't pulled out the ninja moves to kick his ass in return. That had been intentional, obviously, since Jaune could have wasted Ironwood if he really wanted to.

Still, a lot had happened in two weeks, even if it wasn't overly exciting. The repairs had sped up thanks to the Schnee money and the school was starting to look like normal again. It wasn't, obviously. The outside had to be repaired first for structural reasons, so while the school looked okay, it was a shell inside filled with building supplies, scaffolding and people plastering and repairing the walls and floors. But it was a start, and it wasn't hard to see the shape of Beacon returning and feel just a little proud of that fact.

They'd be eating inside before the cold weather hit with any luck, but it was breakfast on the gardens once more for now. Today, however, there was an air of excitement around the student body which left the gardens filled with whispers, but devoid of the loud conversation and laughter normally associated with it.

Ruby shovelled her food down quickly and tried to get up, only to be dragged down by Yang, who ate at a more reasonable pace.

"Yaaang…"

"We'll get there when we get there, sis. It's not even time."

"But I want to get seats near the front!"

"We'll be called up when we're called up. Let the food settle."

She didn't. Ruby fidgeted and wriggled on the spot, and she wasn't alone on that, with Nora having to be held down by both Ren and Pyrrha so as not to speed off. At least Ruby had the excuse of being fifteen.

Or sixteen now, Yang thought. Time sure flies.

There was no point trying to keep Ruby and Nora down once they'd all finished with breakfast, and they hurried up and away with plenty of others doing the same, some still with half-eaten bacon sandwiches clenched between their teeth.

They made their way around the side of the school building, forming a massive throng that eventually gathered where it had all begun, just outside the school building where Yang had first ditched Ruby to try and help her make friends, and where Ruby had befriended the new professor. They gathered on the chipped white tiles, shoulders jostling as they all fought for space before the raised wooden platform that had been set up over where the fountain used to be. On it stood two people you never wanted to see together in a room. At least if you were in said room.

Miss Goodwitch and Torchwick were studiously ignoring one another's existence.

When the clocks chimed nine, Torchwick stepped forward. "Alright brats!" he yelled, earning a glare from Goodwitch but nothing from the student body. They were used to his unconventional style by now. "You that are here today are all the ones who agreed to sign up for our little money-making scheme."

"Work experience," Glynda interrupted.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever." Torchwick again showed that he was either the bravest or the stupidest man ever. Yang would bet on both. "This `work experience scheme` of ours," He made the air quotes with his fingers. "Is a voluntary scheme that'll help bring in some much-needed revenue for the school. Your esteemed, skilled and obviously genius headmaster has okayed it, and we've also got a nebulous okay from the Council of Vale, too, who have said it's our business what we do as long as the insurance is handled."

He paused for effect, letting them mull over how little the Council seemed to care. Yang wasn't too bothered. They were here to learn to fight Grimm after all. The risk of death was always there, and some students had died to the White Fang in the attack. It had only hardened the resolve of those who remained. Torchwick called it voluntary, but she hadn't seen a single person not coming this way.

"This'll be like the missions you've been on before, except no huntsmen to look after you. But, since we don't want any of you adorable munchkins to die – except the Kitty-Kat, that is-"

"Screw you, Torchwick!" Blake yelled.

"You wish, darling. Anyway, since we don't want any of you to die, chances are you'll be sent on missions teamed up with others. Quantity has a quality of its own. I'd give you a speech on how teamwork is essential or something, but I think my silent associate here would like to handle that."

He bowed and made way for Miss Goodwitch, who didn't seem pleased with his speech or what they were being sent to do. Even so, she moved up to take centre stage. "Thank you, Mr Torchwick."

The gratitude sounded incredibly forced.

"Needless to say, teamwork is integral on these missions. Without huntsmen backup, you will be in dangerous situations with no one to bail you out. Think twice before every move you take and only take action if a consensus is reached. You may not agree with your teammates, and you may not like them, but while you are students here, you are allies. If I hear of any problems, I will come down hard on all responsible." She leaned forward. "Your lives are in the balance. Do not take undue risks and you will all come back safe. If the situation turns ugly, retreat. You do not get any marks, compliments or praise for a pointless last stand. Survival is your ultimate goal here. The task set comes second to that."

With only three of us, we're going to be a little weaker than usual, Yang thought with a grimace and a look toward Ruby. Need to make sure she doesn't get it in her head to play the hero and want to kill all the Grimm. Blake should help, assuming there are no White Fang in her vision.

If there were, then all bets were off.

"It should also go without saying that while you are on your missions, you are representing Beacon Academy." So don't do anything stupid, her glare seemed to say. "In addition, while huntsmen cannot be sent out with each of you, we do have some on standby, ready to respond should any of you face immediate problems. Contact information will be included on your mission details, but please only make use of it in extreme situations. If danger can be avoided, avoid it. Those huntsmen are needed to respond to students in unavoidable risk." Nodding, Miss Goodwitch stepped back. "Remember your training and stick together. You will all do Beacon proud. Good luck, students."

The crowd applauded. Yang, Ruby and Blake clapped too.

"Double standards, I swear," Roman grumbled loudly. "Right, yeah, we're all proud of you. Whoop-de-doo. Come up when we call out your team names to pick up your job tasks. We handle the money so you don't have to – and so you don't spend it." He read off his scroll. "First up is Teams CFVY and Team MRTL."

Teams were called up while the rest of them were forced to wait impatiently. Most of the time it was two teams, but sometimes three were called up, leaving the crowd to whisper excitedly about how their job must be harder or more important in some way. There was an atmosphere of tension, but also anticipation. This would be the first action they'd seen since the attack and people's blood was racing. Hers especially.

"I hope we get to go with you guys," Ruby whispered to Pyrrha.

"I'd enjoy that." Pyrrha shot back. "But I wonder if they will pair first year teams with older ones to impose a little more discipline. We'd naturally default to their leadership."

"Or they might just give first year teams the easier ones," Velvet said. "In which case advanced leadership wouldn't be required."

In most cases, Ren would have bid them to be quiet, but even he looked interested. They all were.

"Team RWBY-"

Yang perked up, as did Blake. Ruby hopped on the spot excitedly.

"And Team CRDL."

Eh. Not as bad as it could have been. While she was a little bummed it wasn't Team RVNN, if there was another team she'd have been cool with, it was CRDL. They met when they each made their way to the stage, Cardin looked bummed.

"He's upset it's not RVNN," Dove cat-called.

"Oooh." Yang grinned. "Wanted to share body hear in a tent with a certain bunny girl?"

Cardin's face turned bright red. "NO!"

"Dude, give it up. Everyone knows you two are dating."

"We're not dating!"

"I saw you and Velvet holding hands yesterday," Ruby piped up.

"She was helping me up! We were training!"

"Training for a staring contest?" Ruby asked innocently. "You were staring into one another's eyes with both hands held. Then you started to lean towards-" Ruby was cut off by Cardin's hand over her mouth. "Mrbl."

"W-We should go get our mission from Torchwick, yeah!?"

"Sure." Yang grinned and let it go.

For now.

There would be time aplenty for teasing on the trip. A quick fist-bump with Russel told her she wouldn't be alone on that front. Funny to think how they'd once despised CRDL as idiot man-child racists, and now they were here. Adversity had a way of bringing people together.

"Oh, my favourite students," Torchwick said in a flat tone. "I was going to send you on a mission into the middle of a volcano, but we were all out of volcanos. Damn shame." He held a letter out. "Here."

It was held out a good foot over Ruby's head. When she jumped for it, he pulled it up.

"Torchwick!" Miss Goodwitch hissed. "Be mature!"

The thief rolled his eyes and let it drop on Ruby's pouting face.

"Have fun, kiddos. And try to keep Kitty-Kat from causing any scenes or getting in trouble. I'd be just all torn up inside if she got hurt. Especially since we've apparently stared dating." Torchwick was referring to the rumour mill, which had predictably gotten hold of the news images and videos from the charity dinner, some of which included Torchwick and Blake together.

One of which had been Torchwick feeding Blake, and Blake eating off his fork.

Despite her fervent denials, Blake's fate had been sealed. Any aggro she levelled at Torchwick was quickly seen as Blake's way of showing affection or embarrassment at her illicit affair being discovered. Such news would have normally sunk a teacher's career but a) this was Roman Torchwick and b) the teachers were the only ones other than them who knew it was fake.

More annoying for Yang was the sudden influx of girls asking if she was now on the market now that Blake had found someone else.

"Where are we headed?" Cardin asked, leaning over Ruby's shoulder. Everyone else did the same. "Long as it's not Misenwood. I've heard tales of that shithole."

Ruby tore the letter open. "Anti-Grimm patrol," she read aloud. "Due to the increased negativity across all Kingdoms, but specifically Vale, after the recent attack on Beacon, Grimm sightings have increased in border towns, villages and outposts. Teams will be dispatched for two objectives."

"Objective 1) Ascertain truth of increased Grimm in area."

"Objective 2) If Grimm presence increased, cull Grimm with focus on minimising risk to civilians."

"Objective 3) Offer advice, if necessary, on defence and or fortifications."

"Hey." Sky grinned. "That sounds like fun! Does it say where we're going?"

"Not Patch. Not Patch. Not Patch." Yang repeated, hands clasped together. "Not Patch. Not Patch. Not Patch."

Ruby groaned.

That was enough for Yang, who fell to her knees and wept to the heavens.

"It's Patch," Cardin confirmed. "Your Dad lives there, right? Think we can bunk at your place?"

The embarrassment, the humiliation, the Dad-jokes. It was all going to happen and there was nothing they could do about it. Arghhhhhhh! Yang fell to her hands and knees and slammed a fist into the floor as if she'd just been told she had all the terminal illnesses. All of them at once.

"Hello?" Cardin waved a hand before Ruby's pale face. "Hello…?"

"But why?" Ruby whispered hoarsely. "But… But why?"

"Get them to the Bullheads," Blake suggested. "They'll wake up en route. I'll go fetch…" she paused, grimaced and then turned back to them, holding out her scroll. "One of you needs to fetch the dog. Preferably by squeezing it into a thin tube."

CRDL looked confused, and a little nervous.

"Trust me, the monster won't die from it."

/-/

Pyrrha exchanged confused glances with her team as everyone but them was called up, eventually leaving it so that they were the very last people stood there. While statistics said someone had to be last, it felt odd that it be them. And who were they to be teamed up with?"

"Team RVNN," Torchwick announced.

No one else was called up.

The four of them hurried over after a second to process that, quickly ascending the ramp towards the two teachers, one of which was looking down at his scroll. He held out a sealed envelope which Ren took.

"You're the last for today," Torchwick said.

Ren drew out the letter and held it out for all of them to see. They read in silence, but Ren quickly summarised it. The details weren't entirely necessary; only the conclusion.

"The Emerald Forest…"

Pyrrha's heart sank.

"Lucky you," Torchwick said. "You'll not have to sleep in tents at the very least. It's also why you don't get another team to help you. Consider it a sign of trust in your abilities." He put his scroll away. "Have fun with it, kids."

He made to leave but Pyrrha stopped him with a hand on his arm.

"Come on, now. I know my voice has a hypnotic effect on women, but I have places to be."

"This mission," Pyrrha said, ignoring him. "Why did we get the one so close to Beacon? Why even give this at all? The teachers could clear out the Emerald Forest in a few afternoons if they wanted to, but we keep the Grimm there because the students cull them in training."

Roman shrugged. "What can I say? We've been attacked. More Grimm here than ever before and someone has to deal with them. Could be us, but then what would you brats learn?"

He wasn't wrong, but something bothered her.

"Vale is a large population centre," Ren said uneasily. "I suppose it makes sense. Logically. And since we can resupply and get help from Beacon, we wouldn't need a support team. Someone has to clear Vale out."

Had they drawn the short straw? It was possible, but… she wasn't convinced.

"Is this because I've got the maiden's powers?"

"I'm pretty sure you were told not to go shouting that out everywhere," Torchwick said.

"My team knows. Is it, though? Is this the school's way of keeping me safe? I don't want it. I signed up here to become a huntress and to help people, not to be kept safe on a pedestal."

"Kid, everyone is going to be safe on the jobs we picked. They're all pretty damn easy." Torchwick managed to sound bored about it all, but he was a confirmed conman. He could have been lying and they'd never know. "I'll admit that it was always gonna be a first-year team who got this role, but other than that? Pure luck. You can call it bad luck if you want, but I'd be pretty happy in your spot."

"Yes, but…" She deflated. "It's just the Emerald Forest…"

"It's Grimm. You think we're sending your friends after White Fang or something? With Blake Belladonna on the team? Don't make me laugh. Everyone is being sent to fight roaming Grimm or help rebuild areas protected by them. Doesn't really matter if you fight Grimm a hundred miles away or within a mile. It's the same job. Only thing that changes is the scenery." He laughed and walked by, though not without poking her in the side of the head with one finger. "Don't be so paranoid. You're reminding me of the cat already."

The four of them watched the teacher go, waving back over one shoulder as he drew out a cigar and puffed on it, casting a cloud of smoke into the air. The flamboyant man was gone a second later, back into the main school building.

Pyrrha sucked in a breath and let it go.

"He has a point," Ren admitted. "We'd be fighting Grimm wherever we go. This could just be luck."

"Luck that we're being kept close to Beacon? When I'm the maiden? Or half of one? If this isn't their way of trying to keep me safe from Cinder, I don't know what is." Pyrrha felt a hole open up in her stomach. "I – I'm sorry, guys. I'm holding us back."

"Don't say that." Velvet bumped her side. "It's suspicious, but Ren is right. We can't prove anything yet. This might just have been bad luck. Even if it would make more sense to keep Team RWBY here since they're three members." Velvet sounded like she didn't really believe it. "Maybe the headmaster just got tired of Yang trying to flirt with him."

"Maybe…"

"Cheer up." Nora wrapped an arm around her shoulder and smooshed their cheeks together. "There's a wild forest out there filled with Grimm and paparazzi corpses. Plus, we can sneak off into Vale for dinner halfway through."

Against her better judgment, Pyrrha found herself cheering up just a little. She'd believe it for now, if only because it was the one time. "You're right. I'm sounding as paranoid as Blake."

"That's the spirit!"

/-/

"How did it go?" Jaune asked.

"Well for the most part," Glynda replied. "Port and Oobleck are waiting on standby for if any teams need it, and we have a few others willing to chip in. As loathe as I am to admit it, this initiative won't be a bad one. The students will get valuable experience of operating in the field."

"And we get the money!" Roman cheered.

"I was trying to ignore that aspect."

"Why? It's the best bit."

"You-"

"Glynda, Roman." Jaune held a hand out to stop them, wishing not for the first time that he could live in a universe where he didn't have to bring the two together. "Let's not fight. Having the students out will let the repairmen focus on the interior of the school, all of Vale gets safer, our reputation improves, and our finances are protected. I think we've done well, so let's not argue."

"Hm." Glynda accepted it reluctantly.

"How did Team RVNN take it?" Jaune asked.

"They cottoned on instantly. I managed to deflect, I think, but that girl has a sharp head on her shoulder. The bunny has sharp eyes and the kid is quiet, but I can see his mind working. Between them and my little cigar smuggler, I think I like that team."

"Heavens help them," Glynda muttered. "I'll keep an eye on them from a distance."

"Thanks. I'm not sure Cinder would attack, especially not this close to Beacon, but it doesn't hurt to be careful. Roman, what are the odds we could pull this again without them complaining?"

"Unlikely. They had `sulking` written all over them."

"They'll just have to accept it," Glynda said. "We risk too much if we allow Miss Nikos' power to fall into the hands of the enemy. While I understand it might not be ideal, sacrifices must be made for the betterment of all. It's not like we're asking for their firstborn children or throwing their lives away. Staying safe and comfortable in Beacon is not a lot to ask."

"It probably sounds it to them," Jaune said. He couldn't really draw many parallels, but considering how accomplished the team was, he could imagine why they might be upset at the perceived lack of faith.

It wasn't, though. Telling a team they weren't strong enough to fight the combined forces of their enemies was hardly criticism. But, of course, they wouldn't accept that.

"We'll have to play it by ear. Maybe we can find another easy job nearby and wing a way for someone trustworthy to go with them."

"You?" Glynda offered.

"Someone trustworthy and actually capable of defending them."

"Ah. Of course."

"Where did you send Team RWBY?" he asked.

Roman grinned. "Playing favourites?"

"More like damage control."

Jaune tried not to flush. A good teacher didn't have favourites, but he would admit to caring more about Team RWBY and RVNN than the average student. Privately admit, that was. As a headmaster, he was supposed to be better than that.

Of course, Roman knew. "Sure. Whatever you say. I sent them to Patch."

"You sent them to their home?" Jaune blinked. "That was surprisingly nice of you. I half expected you to pick out a horrible one for them."

"You think it was nice?"

He blinked. "Isn't it?"

"Torchwick sent Miss Rose and Xiao-Long on a mission where they are all but guaranteed to meet with their father. While in the company of a team of young men." Glynda paused. "And you think that is… nice of him?"

"Sure. Wouldn't it be convenient?"

Glynda sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

Roman grinned.

"That's me. Regular nice guy here."

He had a feeling he was missing something, especially with the cat-that-caught-the-canary look Roman was wearing. And Glynda's obvious sympathy for Team RWBY. He couldn't think what, though. Taiyang, though under a different name at the time, had been a fairly good guy. He'd also been focused on the job in Misenwood and only ran off because Ruby and Yang had been hurt in the fallout from Mountain Glenn.

Team RWBY would be fine. All the teams would be, hopefully.

"We'll try and have the classrooms done by the time they get back. At least that'll stop us having to teach them in the-"

Bzzzt – Bzzzt – Bzzzt

Jaune looked at his scroll, which was vibrating its way towards the edge of the desk in a desperate bid to commit suicide. He saved it before it could topple over and looked at the screen. It was not someone from his message list, but it was announced.

CCT – Mistral.

Ozpin!

Waving his hand for Roman and Glynda to be quiet, he answered the call. "Hello?"

"H-Hello." The voice sounded uncertain. Young. "Is this Mr Arc?"

"It is, yes. Is that… Oswald, right?"

"Oscar… Oscar Pine."

"That was my second guess." He wrote it down on a notepad so he wouldn't forget the very forgettable name. "Did a certain someone ask you to call me, Oscar? Are you in any danger?"

"I have an old man in my head telling me to let go and trust him."

Jaune paused.

"Any other danger, I mean."

"Very cute, Mr Arc." The voice had changed. Not the voice itself, but the way it was spoken, as if the fourteen-year-old boy it came from had suddenly gained the confidence of an adult. It was so noticeable that there was no question or doubt.

"Ozpin."

"Of course. I see you've been busy, Mr Arc. I've read the news reports."

"The ones about me repairing Beacon, doing all your work for you and keeping this place in one piece?"

"The one about you being punched by James, and sassing Atlas."

"Of course. Because why else would you be calling? To thank me? To tell me I'm doing a good job?"

"Would you like a pat on the head?"

Jaune held the scroll away and counted slowly to ten, all the while Roman sniggered. When he was done, he went back, acting for all the world like nothing was wrong. "So, did you just call to criticise or was there something you needed?"

"I was intending to offer some advice."

"Really?" Actual advice? Real advice? "W-Well, maybe I misjudged. Sorry. It's been a tough week."

"I shall let it go. Believe me, I understand the workload."

"Like hell you do," Glynda muttered. "I did your workload!"

"So, advice?" Jaune asked, leaning away from her.

"Yes. My advice is thus; make peace with Atlas. Beacon and Vale need to remain united with Atlas."

Jaune winced. "And how exactly do you suggest I do that?"

"I'm sure you can figure it out, Mr Arc. You're a resourceful fellow."

"Wait, wait, wait. You can't just say `make friends with Atlas` like it's the easiest thing in the world and then not give me any help on how! That's not advice. That's like telling someone to lose weight or just `get healthy` if they've been sick."

"Really now," Ozpin managed to convey the sound of his eyes rolling through the scroll. "You're the headmaster of Beacon Academy now. It's your job to come up with the solutions. I'm can no longer hold your hand through life."

"You've never held my hand!" Jaune shrieked. "You are literally the reason most of my problems exist!"

"Am I? I must have missed that."

"You took me on as a teacher instead of letting me be a student!"

"And who was it who lied in the first place? Or accepted the position?"

"Urk."

"Oh, that's right. It was you. Regardless, I've given my advice and it's up to you to follow through on it. If you do not, then Salem will surely find a way to make use of it. She is vicious, Mr Arc. Believe me, I should know. You cannot afford to be wasting your time antagonising James, or to be wasting HIS time forcing him to respond to you."

"I… well…" Jaune grimaced. "But he's been such a dick!"

"Do I really need to point out how `dick` or not, he is still your ally?"

"No…"

"Good. Onto more important business, I wanted to ask what the ETA is on Qrow rendezvousing with me in Mistral. There is work to be done and I require both him and Team RWBY here in due time."

Jaune sat a little taller and made a shushing motion to the others in the room. "For your… what was it again? Qrow didn't say what you needed them for."

"With good reason. The less that know, the better. You just focus on Beacon, Mr Arc. Allow me to deal with matters of more importance." Ozpin paused. "So, I shall ask again. Did Qrow provide you an expected date?"

"Yeah." Jaune checked his documents. "It wasn't easy for him, you realise. We thought it might look suspicious if they just left without warning, so we've been crafting an excuse for them."

"A wise precaution. They are on their way, then?"

"Yep." Jaune grinned and looked to Glynda, who nodded and held up one finger, mouthing an answer. "They'll be there in one week. I know it's not ideal, but if we had them take a Bullhead, then anyone who is anyone would see them coming."

"Understandable. A week will be a delay, but a small one to pay for the added security. I suppose they have been told to meet with me at Haven Academy?"

"That's right. One week from now." Jaune circled a date and held it up to Glynda, who took it and left the room, ready to book their flights to Haven on the appointed date. "Team RWBY will be there and will meet with you. I'm sure Qrow will call you himself when he gets close enough to find a signal."

"Good."

"You willing to tell us what you want the girls for?"

"It is best you focus on your own issues, Mr Arc. Leave this to me."

The call ended a moment later.

"Mysterious little bastard, huh?"

"That's Ozpin for you."

To this day, Jaune still wasn't sure if Ozpin had ever figured out the truth about him, or if he wasn't just claiming it now to look smart. That was Ozpin to a tee. You just couldn't tell if he was an idiot or a genius.

Wait, was that how the world saw him?

No…

Surely not…

Am I… Am I the new Ozpin…?

"It's arranged," Glynda said, coming back in. "We'll be heading over in a week. All the students should be back by then, so we shall have to make a decision on who to leave in charge. Not an easy prospect since both you and I would be going, and I will die before I let Torchwick run this school."

"Port or Oobleck, though?"

Glynda thought hard.

"Or Tsune…?"

A bead of sweat ran down her forehead. "We have some intelligent students…"

Jaune raised an eyebrow.

"No. Of course not. We shall have to leave it to Oobleck and Port between them, though I dread to imagine what the school will look like when we return. It should only take us two or three days to meet with and kidnap – sorry, recover - Ozpin, then meet the White Fang."

"And then I'll be free of this job," Jaune cheered.

"Ozpin was correct about one thing, though."

Jaune leaned back as if she'd drawn out a knife. "Glynda, no…"

"You need to bury the hatchet with James, Jaune. This feud of yours serves us no purpose and helps our enemies. It's also dreadfully immature."

"He hit me first," Jaune whined.

"Immature of both of you." She rolled her eyes. "I think it's time you opened communications with him."

He swallowed. "You want me to call him?"

"Goodness no. Let's not put you in a situation where you can shout at one another. I'm suggesting you write him some official mail. One not baiting him over the loss of his battleship, or what happened at the charity dinner." Her eyes lit up. "In fact, perhaps you could start by apologising for what you said and saying that you do not fault him for reacting as he did."

"But he punched me. Right in the face!"

"Jaune, you are a huntsman. Or pretending to be one."

"With a robot fist!"

"JAUNE!" Glynda slapped her crop down into her free hand. "I spent years managing Ozpin and forcing him to do things he didn't want to. Do not make me start with you, or I will show you the myriad ways I can use this instrument."

Jaune winced.

Torchwick whistled. "Kinky."

With a flick of her crop, Torchwick swallowed and choked on his cigar. He fell back, hacking it up onto the floor and rubbing his throat. All the while, Glynda's eyes focused on Jaune, promising his punishment would be worse if he did not at least try.

It felt like he was being scolded by his mother, except that Glynda wasn't and considering what the two of them had done together, that comparison wasn't helping much. "No buts," she said. "No excuses. You are a grown man and the headmaster of this Academy. It is time to start acting like it."

"B-But I'm a fraud…"

Glynda grinned. "I did say `acting`, did I not? Pen. Paper. NOW!"

As Jaune scurried for paper in his drawers, he heard a `whip-crack` sound from Roman, right before the thief was bowled off his feet and sent rolling out of the room by some invisible force. He had all the implements he needed on the desk before she could get angry, but he still shivered when she walked behind him, slapping her crop into her palm with every step.

With a frightened whimper, his pen came to the paper.

Dear Ironwood...

Despite the mentions of Haven, it's going to be a couple of chapters before they head there. Just want to make that clear as it had to be mentioned, but I didn't want to lead people on. While a week can pass in the space of a chapter or time-skip, this one won't.

I'm also hoping to avoid the problems some people had with Misenwood in the first fic by splitting the POV's between several factions. That way, you won't just be reading about a mission in some far-flung place, etc.

We'll see how that goes.

Omake:

"You're sending us to Patch!? You can't!"

"I – uf – can…" Roman kicked his leg out, trying to dislodge the red-hooded girl attached to it. "Get off me!" With his other hand, he wrestled with his scroll, which the brat's sister was trying to steal so they could pick a different mission. "Oi! A little help here," he yelled to those watching.

Blake smiled, enjoying his distress. "No."

Son of a…

"Off!" With a flex of his muscles and a clever bit of footwork, he managed to trip Yang over Ruby and send them both tumbling to the floor. He dusted himself down. "Right. Now that the unpleasantness is over, mind telling me why exactly you thought it a good idea to tackle me?"

"Desperation?" Yang moaned.

Roman shrugged. "Eh. Better than you thinking it might work, I guess."

"I don't see what the issue is," Blake said, rolling her eyes. "So Patch is where you live. What's the problem? We can all stay at your place and use it as a central HQ. It's the convenient choice, and the two of you know the area and can be our guides."

"Yeah! And Dad can embarrass the life out of us," Yang groaned. "Stories of us when we were younger, baby pictures around the house, that stupid school photo where my hair was in pigtails."

Russel perked up. "You wore pigtails?"

"Not if you want to survive the night, I didn't." Yang raised a fist.

"Calm." Blake dragged Yang back. "Really, you're both being dramatic. Which I suppose is normal for you two, but still. A little embarrassment is hardly a big deal."

Yang grimaced and glowered back, "You saying you'd be cool with it if you were in our spot?"

"Of course."

"Well…" Roman flicked through his scroll. "We did have a request for aid from Menagerie."

All the colour fled from Blake's face. Her ears fell flat.

"From someone named… Kali…"

Her mouth opened. A strangled gasp slipped out.

"I can change your mission to that if you-"

"NO! PATCH IS FINE. I LIKE PATCH!" Blake clotheslined Yang before she could open her mouth, stunning her and also picking her up at the same time. With her other hand, she hauled Ruby up and over her shoulder, gripping her team leader's rump as Ruby wailed about being able to walk on her own. "Come on, CRDL," Blake said hysterically. "Time's a wasting. Many Grimm. Many stories. Bullhead won't wait forever. Go, go, go!"

Roman watched the girl run, Ruby bobbing over her shoulder and Yang's ass skipping along the floor.

"Guess I have a way with words. Next team is…"

/-/

Far away in a dark bedroom, dark yellow eyes opened, glowing with evil intensity.

A soft, rumbling purr echoed from the dark.

"Soon Blake," Kali whispered. "Soon it shall be our turn to enter the story. Huhuhuhuhu~"

A bedside lamp flicked on, revealing a female faunus posed dramatically atop the bed, while a much larger one with a sleepy expression lay under the covers, one muscular arm extended to the lamp he'd just turned on. "It's three in the morning," he mumbled. "What are you doing?"

Kali froze.

"Nothing."

Ghira sighed. "Are you making portentous comments in the dark again?"

A bead of sweat ran down Kali's face. "No…?"

Yes.

Yes, you are. More a foreshadowing omake than anything, since we all knew best milf was going to make an appearance at one point or another. Although, it's gotten hard to see her as a cat faunus since I went and named my border collie puppy Kali.

Next Chapter: 18th April

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur