The troll is back and imitating me and others in the reviews, this time trying to make it look like I'd attack my own reviewers because obviously that's a thing I'd randomly do from a guest account. Ignore the nonsense.

Cover Art: Mystery White Flame

Chapter 65

"We need to talk."

Glynda didn't look surprised to see him at her door. If anything, she looked resigned. "I wondered when you would," she said, opening the door wide and inviting him inside. Her private quarters weren't new to him. He'd had his first time here and not much had changed since then, other than the books strewn over her personal desk. Most were Vale and Beacon related, showing that Glynda had taken her work to bed with her. "To be honest, I'm surprised it took this long."

Jaune let the door close behind him and said, "You could have said something."

"Beacon was always more important than whatever problems you and I have. Or do you not agree?"

"No. I do." That was something they had in common still and had all the way back when things were easier. He liked to think the care she held for her students was part of what drew him in, but in truth he wasn't sure. Glynda had been the first woman to show interest in him like that, and he'd been swept up in his emotions. "You're right. This should have been something we both decided on earlier."

"Things have been awkward for Peter and Bart," she added. "They don't know what to say or how to act around us."

"Really? I hadn't noticed…"

And didn't it feel bad to say that. Sighing, he took a seat at the table in the room and was surprised when Glynda took the seat opposite. Their eyes met over the woodwork as she poured them each a glass of clear water. It felt more like a staff meeting than a relationship talk, and maybe that was for the best. This might have been her way of making it more familiar for them both.

Or maybe she was the same as him, winging it in the hopes that they could sort this out without tears or bloodshed. He accepted the glass with a quiet thanks and took a deep drink. Glynda echoed it, tacitly telling him she wouldn't be the first one speaking when he was the one who had come here.

"I guess we need to talk about us…"

Glynda hummed her agreement. "I suppose we do. Would you like to go first?"

His hands curled around the glass, fingers interlocking as he stared down into the water as though it might have all the answers. His silence didn't go unnoticed and the woman opposite him sighed.

"I shall start then," she said. "It's only fair as I'm the older and theoretically more mature of us both."

Jaune cracked a weak smile. "Theoretically? I think it's a given…"

"Is it? I can't help but feel that as old as I am, hiding away from the issue is more a sign of immaturity than it is in someone your age. And therein lays one of the problems. This age gap between us." Glynda waved her hand between them as if to demonstrate it. "You're seventeen, Jaune."

"Eighteen."

"Eighteen." She rolled her eyes and he had the uncomfortable feeling she was thinking that only children put so much time into counting years, like when his youngest sister would steadfastly argue she was fourteen and a half! "I, on the other hand, am in my mid-thirties."

"It was never a problem before," he whined.

"It was." Glynda's immediate answer set his stomach flipping. "It was always an issue," she confided, "I had to constantly tell myself it wasn't, but it was. I was able to look past it. I was able to ignore it. To a degree. It was always there, however. I'd never felt it so keenly as when your parents arrived and met me." Her own eyes flicked down to the glass in her hands. "I felt so small then. So pathetic."

"I-I'm sorry."

"No." She stopped him with one hand. "No, this is my issue, not yours. There's plenty we can share the blame on, but not this. I made the choice to enter a relationship with you despite the age gap. I assumed, perhaps idealistically, that love would conquer it."

"Didn't it?" he had to ask.

Glynda smiled awkwardly. "It did, to a degree. I won't lie and say things weren't awkward. You looked boyish at times and I felt uncomfortable about it. I always accepted that was my own insecurities, however. You weren't a boy. You were twenty years old and thus a grown man. Some people look younger than they are. I told myself that was the case with you."

Jaune sucked in a sharp breath. "Except I wasn't."

"Except you weren't," she agreed. "You were seventeen. You were…" Glynda grimaced.

"Seventeen is the age of adulthood," he pointed out. "It wasn't illegal."

In Vale, you could drink, marry, and own property at seventeen. It was a necessary age limit because it was also the age at which people graduated from education. Adulthood from a legal standpoint was designed to tie into that. In the same way that Yang, Weiss and everyone else had graduated their pre-schools and been granted the choice to enter into higher education in Beacon, normal students finished their schools and would be entering working life; those that didn't go on to medical schools or university.

"It was legal," she allowed, "But not exactly ideal. You were on the cusp of adulthood. I was a grown woman. There are many who would say I took advantage of you."

"You didn't."

"I know that but… I had only just convinced myself it was okay because you were twenty." Her eyes closed, a sigh escaping her. "To then find out you weren't was a shock I wasn't prepared for. And while seventeen might be the age of an adult, it's also the age of a first-year student. You can't ask me to not see the similarities."

He guessed he couldn't. It was hard enough for him – or had been hard enough – to ignore how attractive many of the girls were, but he was their age. It would have been so less acceptable if he were thirty-five.

"It's not just the age difference," she whispered.

"I know. It's the lies."

"Yes…"

"That is something I can and will apologise for." He waited for her to argue but there were none. He was responsible for this and they both knew it. "I could give all the little excuses for why I felt I had to do it, but that wouldn't matter, would it? We're not talking about me entering Beacon. We're talking about me letting you start a relationship with me while I was still lying."

"Yes," she whispered. "We are."

"I'm sorry. In my def- no, it's not a defence. My excuse – even if it doesn't excuse me – is that I fell in love. I acted stupidly. I loved you and I didn't want to risk losing you." He looked carefully and saw the tiniest of smiles. Not enough to make a difference, but enough to tell him she'd returned those feelings and was relieved those weren't a lie. "I was stupid," he said. "And maybe that was part of me being young as well. I was too selfish and kept thinking about what would happen to me if the truth came out instead of asking how you'd feel never finding out. It hurt you, didn't it?"

"It did. I… There were varying ways," she admitted. "It probably doesn't speak well of me, but I remember the humiliation the most. When James had Winter arrest you for being a criminal working with Cinder, there was no one who defended you as staunchly as I did. I negotiated, I argued, I threatened." Shaking her head, she said, "I even told Ozpin I would resign if he didn't get you out. You were innocent. You were a teacher. You studied at the Vacuo School for Gifted Youths."

Jaune flinched.

"You were my boyfriend. I believed every little thing you told me, and I was ready to fight James and Ozpin to prove them. And then…" Her voice cracked. "And then they were all a lie, and I felt so stupid. I was stupid. I trusted you on feelings alone, and even turned on friends I'd known for over ten years."

"I'm sorry…"

"And they were understanding," she hissed. "Ozpin smiled and told me love is something that overpowers everything. James said the same, but I could tell he was disappointed. He was hurt that I refused to trust him even after all we'd been through. And I hated myself for it. I hated myself for throwing away that trust because a boy I liked-" Glynda stressed the word `boy`, "-told me them. What kind of friend was I then? What kind of person was I?" Sighing, she shook her head. "Not the kind of person I wanted to be. Not someone I could be proud of."

He wanted to say he hadn't asked her to do any of that, and that she needn't have, but what was done was done and he wasn't sure he'd have done any different at the time. If she hadn't stuck up for him, she'd have been a bad girlfriend. But by doing so, she'd been a bad friend. That might have been acceptable if it turned out she was in the right and Ironwood had been wrong, but, well, he hadn't.

At the time, he'd been a fraud. At the time, he'd been working with Cinder, if reluctantly.

I thought the lies were bad, but they were only the tip of the iceberg. It's what those lies caused. I thought Ironwood and Glynda were awkward around one another at the Schnee party. I never realised why…

He'd broken up an old and close friendship. He'd driven a wedge between them, pried it open and then told her to pick between him and Ironwood, her feelings, or her friendship. And in that moment, she chose poorly.

She chose him.

"I'm sorry." It didn't feel like enough. "I'm so sorry." It still wasn't enough. What would be? Getting down on all fours and begging? Calling Ironwood to sort this out? Helping them become friends again?

Could they become as close as they had been? Even if she'd been tricked, Ironwood would still remember that Glynda, his old friend, chose someone she'd known less than a year over him. That trust had been broken and even if it could be put back together again, the cracks would exist.

Jaune's face fell into his hands. "I really fucked this up."

"We both fucked this up," Glynda said, shocking him with her swearing. "I, with my inability to get over the age issue. You, with your constant secrets. I, with my unwillingness to talk about this sooner. You, with leaving it this long."

He flinched again. It did feel like they'd left it too long, like an opportunity had been missed or lost along the way. He wasn't sure what it was, but Glynda summed it up in seven simple words.

"I don't think we're in love anymore…"

"Glynda, no, I-"

"Let me speak," she requested, fingers on his lips. There were tears in her eyes, though they didn't spill. Jaune was sure there were some in his too. His chest felt unbearably tight. "I still love you," she said. "I still consider you someone special to me. I want you to be happy and I would be crushed if anything happened to you." Her hand took his and he held on for dear life. Glynda's thumb rubbed the back of his hand. "But it's the love I feel for a close friend."

Jaune could hardly breathe. He wasn't sure what he felt – only that it was cold and shaky, and he wasn't sure he could have remained standing if it weren't for the seat beneath him. His eyes fixed on the glass of water but instead roamed to her hand. Glynda's skin was soft and smooth where his own felt hot and clammy. Part of him wanted to let go and wipe his hand on his trousers, but another part never wanted to let go at all.

"Isn't it the same for you?" she asked quietly. "There's been so much time since the attack that we could have spent together. We talked of going on dates, but they never materialised. We spoke of fixing this, but neither of us made the effort. Neither of us," she stressed. "It's not just your fault or mine, Jaune. We both decided this deep inside. And I don't think we're the only ones who have noticed."

"What…?"

"Haven't you noticed Miss Xiao-Long taking it easy on the flirting?" Glynda smiled. "That silly girl. Obnoxious as she can be, she's perceptive enough to know something was happening, and kind enough not to step in and make things worse."

He hadn't noticed, but now that she said it…

"And Neo," she added. "Less kind but no less perceptive, more than willing to take advantage of what she sees as a free opportunity. Or did you think that kiss in Atlas a mistake?"

"I… Glynda, I…"

"No. Don't apologise. I think by then we both knew inside that what we had before had come to an end. You were well within your right to seek comfort elsewhere."

Neo knew-? Everyone did? Peter and Bart had been awkward as she said, so they must have known. Even Ironwood hadn't pressed as he usually did, and Ozpin had ceased his teasing when he came back as Oscar. Neo had been more affectionate too, pushing her way into his bed and making a habit of sitting on his lap or staying close. Claiming him. Marking her territory.

I thought it was all just everyone being serious about what was going on and not wanting to waste time talking about Glynda and I but… that wasn't the case at all, was it? They've been tiptoeing on eggshells this entire time. Afraid to say anything lest they be the ones to set us off.

Put like that, he felt stupid. Immature. Everyone else had been forced to adapt to them, and rather than deal with the situation like adults, they'd let it fester and perpetuate for months on end.

Mom acted like us breaking up was a foregone conclusion. He felt like he would have smiled or laughed if he weren't wound up tight like a spring inside. She knew. Is that a mother's intuition, or was she once in this same spot? Either way, she hadn't offered to listen to him after if things didn't work out. She'd known they wouldn't and had sent him to talk to Glynda anyway. He felt he should be angry at that and yet he wasn't. Maybe it was better this way. Better they talk privately like this than have it aired out in public.

Everyone already knew they'd broken up, it seemed. Everyone but them.

"I'm sorry."

"I am as well," Glynda said. "I'm sorry I didn't push for this sooner or do something or… well, we've both made mistakes. I want to be clear on one thing, Jaune." Her hand squeezed his. "I'm not sorry about us getting together. And I don't regret it." Momentary fear appeared on her face. "Are you…?"

"No." He looked up, smiled, then almost cried at the look on her face. He expected pitying, but Glynda looked torn up and frail, just like him. This wasn't one of those being dumped things. This was mutual, and that hurt. Hurt both of them. "No, I don't regret a thing. I loved you. I was happy."

"That makes me happy to hear. I was happy too. And there are still things I love about you," she affirmed. "Your protectiveness for the students was never a lie. Your determination and your drive to succeed gives me the strength to keep trying as well. Where others would half arse things, you went above and beyond, truly caring about everyone under you."

"I'd be dead without you," he returned. "Beacon would have collapsed without your brain keeping it in check. You were always so hard working when Ozpin was headmaster and… and I guess that hasn't changed when I became it. You helped me so much when I first joined. I'd have never been able to make it as far as I did without your guidance."

"The workload got lighter," she said. "You always did your share. Still do. Same can't be said for old Ozpin, or our idiot colleagues." They shared a laugh. It was incredibly forced. "I guess this is it," she said. "I don't want to leave Beacon. Do you want me to?"

"What? No!"

"Can you continue working with me?"

"Of course!" His other hand came to wrap around hers, locking her to the table. "Glynda, I… I'm hurt, obviously-" As was she. "-but I don't want you to leave. Beacon needs you. I need you. Not as a lover but… but as a friend. As a guide."

Her smile was beautiful. "I'm glad. I didn't want to leave. I guess I'll be here until we deal with Salem."

"And beyond," he stressed. "We're not losing here."

"Is that Jaune Arc, master of lies, talking…?"

"No." He squeezed her hand. "It's Jaune Arc, master of not giving up. No more lies. I need you – and even if I didn't, I would still want you around. You're special to me."

"As you are to me," she said, hand stroking his cheek. "But if I may, could you go…?"

"Go?" he asked, hurt.

"For tonight," she whispered. "Things will be back to normal in the morning but I…" Her hand waved toward her face helplessly. "I'd like some time to myself to get things out. You know how it is."

"Ah. Yeah. I think I could do with the same."

They hugged once again at the door, Jaune initiating it but Glynda quickly wrapping her arms around him. They locked together like frightened children, rocking left and right in silence, holding onto one another for dear life. It might not have been the maturity either of them were going for, but it was all they could find.

Neo was nowhere to be seen when he returned to his room, but there was a large bowl of ice-cream with a spoon stuck in it awaiting him on his table. He sank down and dug into it, grateful that no one was there to see him cry.

/-/

"Glynda informed us all of the recent development." It was the very first words to pass Ozpin's lips the next morning. "I'd like to extend my condolences, but also my admiration for the way you both handled it."

Morning had come with the same surety it always did, telling him in no uncertain way that no matter what happened to him, time would go on. He wouldn't say he was over it – who could say that so soon? – but when he'd passed Glynda in the corridor, they'd shared the briefest of smiles and quiet "good mornings" and he dared to hope things wouldn't be that hard on them.

And again, everyone knew. It was galling to see how people got out his way, whispered words of encouragement or otherwise showed that they'd known all along that he and Glynda were on rocky ground. Funny how having that pointed out made all their interactions with him so painfully obvious.

"Better than you and Salem did at any rate."

"Come now. Have some mercy on me, Mr Arc." Ozpin chuckled. "I'm glad to see it hasn't dampened your spirits or ruined an otherwise wonderful partnership. All too many become enemies the likes of Salem and I when a relationship falters."

"Yeah." His mom had said the same. "I'm glad we avoided that."

"As am I," Glynda said, entering the room and the conversation. "And Ozpin, I wasn't aware you took to gossiping about the love lives of others. Shall I share the time you experienced a curious period several centuries ago…?"

Ozpin, or Oscar really, blanched. "How did you-?"

"Five years ago. Our celebration over besting Atlas. You had quite a lot to drink and became rather verbose." Glynda sent an amused smile Jaune's way. "To hear him say it, it was quite the torrid relationship."

"Glynda!" Ozpin barked, mortified. "Please!"

"Let's spare him this once," Jaune laughed. Him and Glynda's eyes met and they both smiled. It was as much relief as anything - relief that they could still face one another without their emotions muddying things. If it had been worse, one of them really would have had to leave Beacon. This is what mom meant. Being mature about it. Either way, if they could joke together, he held hope they could do much more. "Or maybe we're sparing Oscar having to imagine his head parasite getting it on with someone."

"True." Glynda chuckled airily. "There are worse fates than death. Apparently, being in a relationship to Ozpin is one of them."

"Really now," Ozpin huffed. "I come to comfort you both and find you aligned so close against me? Have I become a scapegoat?" Despite his words, he wore a smile, understanding that presenting a united front helped them. "Regardless, I'm glad to see you both well and while I hate to rush you…"

"Salem," Jaune said. "Yes. We need to put things aside to deal with her."

"Agreed." Glynda sat and the others took their own seats. "I've already spoken with the Council and they have accepted our evidence of the Grimm mustering. Fall's recording proved invaluable there."

"You edited out Salem?"

"And Tyrian and Hazel. There was no evidence of human interaction with the Grimm. Fortunately, they believed my explanation that the resultant negativity caused by the refugees we took over from Atlas caused the Grimm to muster."

"Isn't that unfair to them?"

"A little," she admitted, "But they are safely home in Atlas so there won't be any reprisal or prejudice from our populace. Plus, James has agreed to come with all force the moment Salem is sighted again."

Both he and Ozpin heaved sighs of relief. That was fantastic news, especially when Ironwood had the biggest military on Remnant at his call. "There won't be any push from Atlas' Council on that?"

"Not after we risked our lives to defend Atlas. Our alliance has never been stronger, and as the reigning hero of the day, James is beloved by his people. It would be political suicide to so much as suggest Ironwood is wrong to defend us. Even questioning him at all is bound to upset a lot of people. Atlas' citizens also feel some favour is owed to ours for looking after them in their hour of need. I'm sure they'd be happy to return it."

"Evacuate our people to Atlas?" Jaune asked.

"It's not what I meant to imply there, but the idea… Ozpin?"

"It has merit," Ozpin said. "While a battle between ourselves and Salem would be finalistic – the people would surely die if we lost anyway – removing them from the city would allow us to fight more freely."

"It could be done with precedence now," Glynda said. "We did it for Atlas. It can be done the other way around without trouble."

"Done with Raven," Ozpin pointed out, drumming his fingers on the table. "I'm not sure Qrow could convince her to do this a second time, especially now that she is essentially filthy rich. Then again," he said carefully, "Raven and her tribe would also perish if Salem won. She was willing to step in even in a minor role at Atlas. If we explain to her the risks, and if we can make her listen, she might be willing to help us again."

"Might?"

"The world works differently for her. Appealing to her sense of justice will yield nothing, but presenting a logical argument as to why it is in her best interests to help us – if I am not involved, and if helping us doesn't force her to interact with me – may break through to her. Raven is, if nothing else, terrified of a world in which Salem wins."

"Send Qrow again?"

"Perhaps. Qrow would have the easiest time finding her, but he is known to be loyal to me. We will have to see. It might be possible to invite her here, in which case she could speak to you directly."

"Gee. Thanks. I really want to talk to that psycho…"

"It is what it is. Raven will not deal with me. Onto other matters," Ozpin said, smiling strangely. "I was thinking about the rather unique opportunity Mr Arc has afforded us and came up with a plan to take advantage of it. The only problem is, it's a very Jaune plan."

"A Jaune plan? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Presumably that it's reckless, insane and only likely to work because of how unflinchingly brazen it is to the point that the enemy would never accept it being a feasible option in the first place."

Ozpin pointed at Glynda. "Exactly."

Jaune frowned. "Rude, but not incorrect. Alright. What's the idea?"

"Well, the opportunity you've bought us is that Salem can no longer bring the Relic of Destruction to Vale when she attacks. It's too much of a risk that we might bring the other Relics to the defence, so she will need to leave it behind…"

"Oh hell." Jaune gripped his forehead. "I can already see how this one works."

"It's rather obvious really. Obvious, but terribly, terribly, dangerous. The kind of scheme only a mad man would think possible. Certainly not something Salem would ever attribute to someone as cautious as I."

"And that makes it a good plan all of a sudden?"

"It makes it a plan that might just work. If we can send a person, or a team, to infiltrate Salem's stronghold and retrieve the Relic of Destruction, we could then use it against her horde."

"Now you want to use it?"

"Desperate times call for desperate measures. Your display with Salem taught me that." Ozpin leaned forward. "For centuries, I have been cautious. I have been reactionary. I have allowed her the first move and then taken steps to mitigate the damage she can do. Looking back, that was a terrible mistake. As you said, those who are winning play not to lose. I fought this war as though I was the sure winner and spent my time trying to hold onto everything, whereas I should have been fighting as the underdog. I should have been more willing to take risks. Not with people's lives," he said, "But in the action I have taken against her."

"And this is your redemption? Sending Qrow into the seat of her power?"

"Who said anything about Qrow?"

"Well, no one, but it's always Qrow. He's your gopher." Jaune offered a mental apology to his friend, but it was true. "Raven needs convincing. Send Qrow. Salem needs scouting. Send Qrow. Exceedingly dangerous mission with few chances of survival? Qrow."

"To be fair, Qrow can turn into a bird. It is a useful ability…" Ozpin sighed. "But yes, I see your point. Luckily, at least for Qrow, I don't think he would have any luck infiltrating her tower. Crows aren't exactly common in that place and even should he find his way inside, he'd be hopelessly lost."

"That place? I thought it was universally accepted we don't know where her base is. Oh wait," he feigned shock. "Is it the island shaped like a freaking dragon!?" He turned to Glynda with eyes wide. "How could we have ever known!?"

"Har Har." Ozpin opined. "Hilarious. I was only saying it's not accepted where she is, not that she wasn't there. And as I said, Qrow would not be of much use there other than as a convenient portal option should we convince Raven to assist us. No, I have someone else in mind, someone who does know the interior layout of Salem's lair, where to find it and how to gain access."

It took him a few seconds to figure out who that was but only one to say, "Ozpin, no."

"Exactly. No one would ever expect it."

"Ozpin, no…"

"Ozpin, yes," he countered. "All the yes."

"Ozpin." Jaune said the name softly, as one might to someone you thought was losing their mind due to old age. "You can't send Cinder, the single most power-hungry entity on the entire planet, to sneak into Salem's lair and steal the Relic of Destruction, a very powerful item with destructive properties."

"I can't. You can."

"Power hungry." He held up one hand. "Powerful magical artifact." He held up another, weighing them like a set of scales. "Are you seeing the connection?"

"I am. Cinder will be drawn to it like a moth to the flame."

"Okay, yes," Jaune admitted, "But she'll also be drawn to using it like a moth with a flamethrower."

"A moth with a flamethrower aimed at the backs of our enemies."

"-is still a moth with a flamethrower!" Jaune yelled. "I don't want it anywhere near my house!"

"Keep in mind whomever we send will also be risking their life," Glynda said.

"I know." Ozpin grinned. "That's just a side benefit."

"As much as I hate Cinder Fall," Glynda began, "And I do hate her. I want to take her pretty, smug, know-it-all face and grind it into a fine powder, then sneak it into that stash Torchwick thinks no one knows about so he can snort it, choke on her ashes and die-"

Jaune coughed. "Ahem?"

Glynda had the decency to blush. "A-As much as I may not like her much, I can't help but agree sending her off to her doom is a bad idea, especially when she has the power of the Winter Maiden at her disposal. I'd much rather send her to her death against the Grimm."

"Then we'll have to send her with someone," Ozpin said. "Someone who can keep her in check and control her."

Jaune winced and pointed to himself.

"No. While that would be the obvious choice, if Salem comes here and doesn't see you, you can rest assured she'll realise something is wrong, remember you threatened to unite all four Relics, and sprint back home as fast as her legs can take her. No, you need to be present and accounted for, if only so she feels safe that the Gods won't descend."

"I still say this is a crazy idea – and that's coming from me. Are you sure you haven't been sneaking into Roman's rooms to help yourself to his stash? Do we need to have words about you doing drugs in a fourteen-year old's body?"

"No. I am perfectly aware of the implications of this, and the risks. It is a plan so reckless no one would expect it, least of all Salem. I have learned from the master here."

Jaune wasn't sure he could take that as a compliment.

"Who are the unlucky people sent with her then? Neo could do it safely."

"No. You showed Roman and Neo as your trusted accomplices. You even gave the `Relics` to Neo when you confronted her. Salem will be anxious if she finds them missing."

"That's running down the list of acceptable victims. I mean volunteers."

"Why, Mr Arc, we have a whole school full of capable combatants."

"Is this how Mountain Glenn happened? Scouts? They're students, Ozpin."

"And with Salem knocking on our door, they'll be safer than we are. The only risk would be Cinder herself. Even if Salem were to leave Tyrian or Hazel to defend the Relic, Cinder could defeat them with the power of the Winter Maiden."

"And if she takes the Relic for herself?"

"Let her," Ozpin said calmly. "The team won't challenge her. In fact, you should order them to bow down and offer to support her."

"What…?"

"It'll confuse Cinder."

"It's confusing me."

"Good. That's a sign it's working." There was a pause as Jaune tried to wrap his head around that. Ozpin continued. "Imagine her reaction to that. If she believes she is betraying you, only to have the team admit they knew this would happen, it will only reinforce her paranoia that her every action has been predicted."

"In this case, it has," Jaune pointed out.

"Exactly. Cinder will panic and be faced with two choices. Either she joins Salem once more – unlikely given her betrayal and the killing of Watts – or she acts against Salem to preserve her own life."

"Using the Relic on Salem's army," Jaune realised. "That's… I mean, it's relying on a lot of things coming together."

"Do any of them sound unlikely?"

Not with Cinder. As much as he wasn't the master mind she thought he was, she was more predictable than she realised. Especially where power was involved. Cinder would jump at this chance and might take the Relic for herself but also might not. Either way, she'd almost have to use it on Salem. If she didn't, Salem would be gunning for her the very second Beacon was dealt with.

"We might have to deal with a powerful Cinder after this."

"It's been done once before and let's be honest, she's less a threat than Salem."

"True." Jaune sighed. "I guess I'll find another battleship to throw at her."

"Are we in agreement then?"

"Not agreement. Resigned acceptance."

"Same thing."

"It really isn't, Ozpin. And meanwhile, what will we be doing?"

"Fighting here to keep Salem's attention focused on us."

It sounded like Cinder's party would have the easier time. Just a few Grimm, a trek across some rough terrain and a search through a spooky tower. Practically a holiday compared to them.

"Who's the lucky team?" he asked.

"I'll give you two guesses – and one of them isn't Team RVNN."

No prizes for the winner of that one.

Yes, alas, Glynda x Jaune has fallen. It's a shame because I did like them together, but I always sort of intended for it not to work out. Some people may say – and have told me, in no uncertain terms – that it's all been a waste! That if Glynda and Jaune aren't to get together, all those scenes of them having fun and all those happy moments were a waste of the readers' time.

I disagree. Just because something doesn't work out doesn't mean it's a waste of time. I personally hate how the RWBY show has gone and I've made my disappointment clear on it, mostly in relation to the Relics, Salem and magic plot and how it's been implemented with Ozpin taking over protagonist role and Team RWBY being so sidelined. I was also furious about how Game of Thrones Season 8 ended in such a pathetic manner. That doesn't mean I regret or consider the earlier seasons of either to be a waste. I'm disappointed they didn't maintain the quality I wanted of them (subjective as that may be) but I won't ignore the fact that Seasons 1-7 of GoT and Seasons 1-3 of RWBY were series I genuinely had a lot of fun watching. That they didn't hold up to my expectations doesn't mean I retroactively didn't enjoy them. I clearly did.

It's the same here. Jaune x Glynda was a way for Jaune to grow up and mature and experience love and loss. It was a relationship based and supported by his lies, and just like he had to come clean about his lies and accept that he's not the teacher he made himself out to be, he had to come clean to himself about this as well. They loved one another and still do love one another, but no longer in the same ways they did. There were narrative reasons for it to either go one of two ways - Jaune reveals his secret to her early and grows from there and they work together, or Jaune keeps his secret and loses his relationship. Either way, they both come out changed in their own ways. Scarred, yes, but also stronger for it. And good friends.

Glynda and Jaune the teacher had chemistry. Glynda and Jaune the morally grey fraud now working openly for the good guys lacked that chemistry. Things like that happen all the time in real life. Could it have ended differently for them? Absolutely, but that's life. A different word here, a different path taken there, and they might still be together.

Either way, I totally understand if anyone is disappointed because they liked Glynda and Jaune together. That's fair and I do expect some push back on the decision either way.

Next Chapter: 2nd July

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur