In no way am I connected to Rooster Teeth

The next village was destroyed two days later. Qrow asked his friend Gyro to investigate. It was too far away from Patch for him.

The results were the same. However, there was one oddity. A few little towns and villages in-between had seen something in the sky, but it had left them be and they didn't want to draw its attention. They hadn't gotten a good look though, so it was unknown if they were dealing with a machine or a very odd Grimm.

Whatever it was, it was huge and appeared to be heading north. For some reason, it was attacking some villages and not others. Why?

Qrow wanted a picture of it the most.

However, there had been one murder in Coldhedge that he had been asked personally for. Investigating the body in morgue showed two things. One: they had the wounds from a Grimm. Two: this individual had been found in a back alley and no Grimm perfectly matched the wounds.

Qrow really didn't need this.

His first stop was where the body was found. Claw marks were deep in a wall, but they were too small to belong to a Beowulf. Someone would have also noticed a Beowulf this far into the city and they were well known. The kid from the Vytal Festival that had those gauntlet claws had an alibi and wasn't even on the continent.

Of course it wouldn't be that easy.

Qrow ducked and flipped to the side.

The claw was imbedded in the wall.

Well, finding it was easy. Looks humanish, but I need more light. Could be anything.

Goading it into the light was very easy. It had locked onto Qrow as a target and it wasn't shifting just because it wasn't in the shadows anymore. It instantly leapt up and made another dive bomb.

So. That's a human Grimm.

The picture had been very accurate. The mask over its eyes was identical to the head of a Grimm. It didn't have hands, but claws. Claws that were small enough to cause the slashes on the body and would make very quick work of Qrow's aura if he wasn't careful. The fact it could fly was a little difficult.

Qrow's immediate reaction was pity. There was a human/Faunus in there somewhere. He could barely see it. There was no way Qrow could help him other than putting him out of his misery.

It attacked like a rabid animal. There was no logic behind it. It did have the intelligence to adapt, realising quickly that if Qrow's sword changed angle, then a long range shot was coming. However, it had no idea how to handle being attacked at all. The dodges were clumsy, clearly due to instinct and no practice.

I wonder if he had trained at all when he was free…

In a feint that very nearly took its head off, its right claw swiped hard at a very unnatural angle and crashed into the sword itself. The force had it clattering to the floor.

All caution was thrown into the wind as it dashed forward.

Qrow sidestepped and drove the knife deep into the creature's skull. It didn't move and the red eyes dulled.

Silver Dust. A core weakness of human Grimm.

Qrow studied the knife for a moment before wiping it and sheathing it. The cufflink was with the girls, but Qrow kept the knife. He planned to use it to kill Ginger or Pepper or Cinder. Whichever he came across.

So. A human Grimm. If I can find out who this was, maybe I track down their family and tell them he's not coming home.

Qrow wasn't hopeful about that, but it was the best he could do.

Talaria found humans odd. They often did things for no reason and often their actions were against their survival. The fluffy creature that answered to Zwei agreed.

The Pack had been slow since Mother Fledgling disappeared. Talaria didn't understand why they did not go and bring him back to the Nest, where he was safe. They were sure he was injured now and the Nest was safe. Beta Mother said that they couldn't.

Talaria did know the difference between their words of 'can't', 'shouldn't' and 'won't'. If the Pack couldn't help Mother Fledgling, then Talaria would be very protective of the rest of the Pack.

The territory of 'Beacon' was somewhere the Pack were happy to refer to as a nest. Not their Nest but a nest. Safe for fledglings and hatchlings to play. There were many full grown to watch over them that Beta Mother and Alpha Mother 'trusted'. Talaria recognised two by sight, scent and hearing. They were the Alpha and Beta of Beacon. They would protect her Pack.

Hatchlings could be stupid and do things that could get them killed. They learned as they grew. That was why full grown and powerful watched over them. Talaria did not think that leaving the Beacon nest was a good idea.

She thought that leaving the neutral area of the large buildings was an even worse idea, especially as Silver Eyed Hatchling was alone except for Talaria. Time would pass when the hatchling called for help and the Pack arrived. She would be much happier if the Nestmates were together.

Talaria growled and snapped so the silly hatchling would understand.

{Should not be alone.}

"Not for long, I promise. I just want to get some sap for Dad's cooking."

Talaria thought about that, but the main part was the hatchling was alone with no full grown and powerful to protect her. Talaria was not as protected in this territory as the one she was born in and the threats were greater. Mother Fledgling had made sure she knew that.

There was also food in the Nest. There was no need to risk the Pack to get more.

{Go back to the Pack.}

"In a minute."

A minute for these Nestmates was not Beta Mother's or Alpha Mother's idea of a minute. Talaria agreed with them and not the Nestmates.

Talaria growled. {Go back to the Pack.}

"You're as bad as Dad. It'll only be minute."

Alpha Mother was right. Alpha Mother was usually right but he was definitely right about this. He was not going to be happy to hear about this.

In humans, both males and females helped raise the hatchlings. These nestmates should be more protected than any 'Vipertooth' hatchling, who only had the female. They had Beta Mother and Alpha Mother. Both were very powerful.

This stupid hatchling wasn't protected save for Talaria and this territory wasn't safe.

Talaria could hear something. It sounded like one of their flying metal. 'Airships' the Gold Haired hatchling said. Talaria looked up, but could not see it. Trees were closer.

"Mercury's feeling a little better," Silver Eyed Hatchling mumbled. "He'll be okay."

{Mother would not want you away from the Pack.} Mother Fledgling looked after his mates and Packmates. He would not want any alone. Especially this hatchling as she was not as cautious as the others.

"…I know."

Talaria had known three of the Nestmates could tell a little about the others. She thought it was good for their protection. They knew that Mother Fledgling was alive, but badly hurt. He had been dying painfully when their rest had been greatly disturbed a few sunsets ago and Talaria was happy he was better.

Beta Mother and Alpha Mother were very worried for him. His Nestmates were very worried for him. Talaria was worried for him.

{Mother is very strong.} Humans used 'strong' for many things. For Talaria, he was strong for all of them.

"Yeah, he is. He'll be okay when I see him again. I know it." Silver Eye Hatchling placed a cover over the carrier for the food. "Well, time to go back."

Good. Hatchling had been out alone for too long. Why had the Nestmates allowed it?

Silver Eyed Hatchling stopped walking. She looked up. "Is there an airship nearby?"

{Go back to the Pack.} Talaria had heard it. She did not think the hatchling should investigate. Threats were everywhere.

Somehow, Talaria was not surprised when the Silver Eyed Hatchling went to investigate. Hatchlings were curious. Talaria clicked again, but she didn't listen.

"Only a look," she spoke quietly. "I promise."

Talaria knew what 'promise' was supposed to mean. So far, only Mother Fledgling had kept to all of them. It was not usually the other nestmates actions that resulted in them not doing what they 'promised'. Alpha Mother and Beta Mother didn't use that word.

Silver Eyed Hatchling was approached the 'airship' carefully. It was on the ground. They were downwind, so Talaria couldn't smell them well. She did not know if they were friend or foe, but the not-Pack were still at the Beacon nest.

These were a threat unless proven otherwise.

That one looked identical to the one that Talaria and Mother Fledgling drove away from Beacon territory that night he didn't return to the Pack. She was a Threat.

Silver Eyed Hatchling vanished. Red petals dropped to the floor.

If she were a hatchling also, Talaria would have flown straight after her. But she was not anymore. She was a Mother, not a hatchling. Those sunsets ago, this one or its nestmate Mother Fledgling had told her about had worked with a pack. Mother Fledgling had known the pack and who was in it. Their pack was good, but Mother Fledgling was better. This one might be with another pack.

Talaria flew up. She stayed close to her hatchling, but her ears and nose focused on others. She could smell others. A pack larger in number than hers. Including one she had smelt before many, many sunsets ago.

Mother Fledgling had been very cautious of that one. Beta Mother had been as well. They had been the strongest of the Pack then. They had had a live and let live pack agreement then. But only in that territory, not in this one.

When red flashed around Silver Eyed Hatchling, Talaria dove down, crashing into Threat. Talaria was not protected from this danger and one hit could kill her. She kept moving. She was too swift to hit.

Silver Eyed Hatchling didn't run. She picked up her weapon and attacked. Silly hatchling. This was why she was not yet a fledgling.

She hadn't called for the Pack. Talaria wished she had at least called for Green Haired Fledgling. She could do that anytime without metal 'communicator'. She would be smarter. She would know to flee back to a safe nest.

A crack and a scream.

Talaria snarled and bit down on the female. Her fangs were venomous, but she still had protection. Talaria needed to see a flash of colour before the venom could be used.

Silver Eyed Hatchling was struggling to move. Her leg was bent oddly under the 'joint'. She was trying to crawl away, whimpering slightly.

Talaria landed on her arm and continued to growl at the human responsible. This one didn't have the same scent as the one sunsets ago. This was the nestmate.

The Threat nodded at the female. She walked away, muttering something to a human with an odd face and prey ears and continued into the treeline.

Talaria knew the hatchling couldn't travel far or fast. She chittered gently to reassure her and nudged her back, telling her to move. If she didn't, she would die. The Threat would return.

The odd face and prey ears raised a weapon. Talaria shot forward and sank her teeth into his neck, tasting blood. She hit the perfect target, just where Mother Fledgling had shown her. He couldn't make a sound to alert the others. He was meat a few seconds after he hit the ground.

That scent again.

Talaria spun around and positioned herself to attack. It was difficult to focus on a good point. But there was a flash of red, so this one didn't have protection. It was the one Mother Fledgling and Beta Mother had been cautious of.

She did see Talaria. Fire in the hand. Green Haired Fledgling did that sometimes, but not where humans could see. Only Pack along with Beacon Alpha and Beacon Beta knew.

Fire was deadly.

"You understand Basic."

Talaria didn't listen to the words. She angled her wings, a second away from flight. Distract from the hatchling.

"Do you know the word 'heal'?"

Talaria did know that word. That was what Green Haired Fledgling wanted to do, but she wasn't strong enough yet. Without healing, Silver Eyed Hatchling would struggle to return to the Nest and Pack.

Pack did not 'trust' or 'like' this one.

"Leave me alone," Silver Eyed Hatchling tried to snarl. She was trying to crawl away. Fire started to surround her.

Talaria could fly through it. It was difficult to see or smell. Fire was deadly. She could still hear.

"That was not very well thought out. Did you think that through at all? I would have thought Mercury and Emerald would have taught you better."

Mother Fledgling and Green Haired Fledgling would not be happy about this hatchling's and mate's behaviour. Fire One was right about that.

The wall of flame was high. Talaria took to the sky. Fire One was kneeling next to her, but her hand was on the hatchling's leg. She was trying to move away, but Talaria could hear whimpering.

"Shut up! Don't talk about them!"

"He is alive Ruby. I will even tell you he is sane and I think will remain so for some time to come. I recommend you don't think much on that and forget about him." Fire One stood up and backed away, so Talaria remained still. That leg looked right now. The fire vanished. "Leave and go back home."

The hatchling stood up. The leg was shaky for a Beta Mother second, but she could stand. She could walk. "I'm not leaving without Mercury."

"Mercury isn't here. You know that. You know where he is and he is not able to leave. I will not let you go again. Return home Ruby and stay out of things that are not your concern. Do not be this stupid again."

"Mercury is my concern. Your whole plan is my concern."

Silver Eyed Hatchling was angry. She wasn't going to leave.

Talaria flew down and hovered in front of her. She snarled and pushed her head into her hard. The hatchling stumbled. She glared at Talaria. Talaria bared her teeth and pushed her again. Fire One was very powerful and had a large pack, along with Threat Nestmates. They needed to return to the safety of the Pack.

The hatchling understood. She turned back to Fire One, but Talaria pushed her again. Fire One wasn't attacking them now, but she might if they made her. She would kill them easily.

Silver Eyed Hatchling kept walking. "I will get him back."

Fire One didn't respond. She watched them until they were out of sight before Talaria saw her return to the 'airship'. Threat had not returned. Talaria did not think she would let her prey go, but Fire One was the Alpha. Even over Threat Nestmates.

The Threat Nestmates may go against their Alpha's orders. Fire One had not ordered Threat to release the Silver Eyed Hatchling. Perhaps she would not obey.

Mother Fledgling had said that night the Threat Nestmates were very focused on him and his Nestmates. Especially his mates. He had been very worried.

Pack was not going to 'like' what the errant hatchling had done.

Emerald had met her in Vale City, obviously on her way to where she sensed Ruby was. She hugged Ruby and checked she was okay. Yang was only a few feet behind Emerald; her sister had never been able to beat her Emery in a race.

"Emerald-"

"We're going back home Ruby. Then you can explain to me why Talaria has blood on her jaws. And why your leg was broken only five minutes ago."

"It is a good reason," Ruby mumbled. So Em probably guessed it was Cinder.

"I'm sure."

Yang put her arm around Ruby's shoulders but she didn't say anything. She was angry, disappointed and…terrified.

Of course they're terrified. I should have told them where I was going before I just ran off. It was very heartless of me.

Honestly, Ruby didn't think she would be gone that long. She hadn't thought there would be anything unusual there. When she saw Ginger, she realised that the airship must be going to where they were keeping Mercury and had tried to sneak on board. She had been spotted far too quickly.

No…When we woke up…It was like my soul itself was so cold…What did they do to him?

Ruby could sense that bond now. She still couldn't sense direction. She did for an hour or two a day. When she did, she could sense him doing what she had done in the Vytal Festival to try and get him to talk to them. There was a slight push ('stay away'), but also that nudge. She did the same for him, as did Em. Not the push though, but a pull ('want you home'). Maybe it was a comfort to him.

Ruby hoped so.

Cinder didn't say he was okay. His Gems knew he wasn't and where he was-

Ruby stopped. Yang stopped with her.

"Ruby. We're going home."

Ruby nodded. "I-I need to talk to Uncle Qrow."

"He's going to be in line to yell at you. After Dad."

"I think she knows. About…About us three. I mean…Not just dating but the other thing."

Emerald stopped there and glanced back. She hesitated; torn. With a sigh, she stopped ignoring Ruby and easily joined the hug. Yang and Em shared a look over Ruby's head.

"Let's just get home," Em muttered.

Uncle Qrow appeared just before they reached the dock. He took one look at them and his eyes became hard. His playfulness dropped instantly. "What happened?"

Ruby flinched.

"Home," Emerald responded. "And Ruby's grounded for the foreseeable future."

Ruby very much doubted she would ever not be grounded after today.

"At least," Yang added.

"That bad?" Uncle Qrow asked as he hopped on the boat and started checking things.

"As badly thought out as me after our mom died."

Uncle Qrow immediately spun around. He jumped off the boat and gave them a steady stare before he hugged them. Ruby felt his aura focus on hers and told him she was okay. No doubt the others were doing the same.

"At least grounded," Uncle Qrow agreed. "Come on then. No one's given your dad a heart attack for six days."

The last time was when Em and Ruby woke up screaming. A chill went through Ruby before fading. Em winced next to her, clearly remembering.

Dad didn't yell. He let Ruby tell the story. Yang's eyes flashed between red and purple. Ruby wouldn't be surprised if that anger was aimed at her and not her actions. She was angry at herself. She had been very stupid.

Then it was quiet. Only quiet.

Then…

"Go to bed Ruby."

Ruby didn't argue with her dad. She stood up and walked up to her room. The three were sharing one now. Dad hadn't said anything about her and Em sharing a bed. Maybe he was relieved that all three girls would fit in the same room.

I'm sorry. I know you're all disappointed in me. I deserve it.

It was still bright out.

Ruby closed the curtains and got changed. She was going to go to sleep and she didn't care when she woke up.

Zwei was on Yang's bed. He barked and hopped over to her. She petted him gently.

Ruby hadn't gotten aboard the airship. There was the chance she would have been spotted while on it as well. It had been stupid and careless but…she really wanted to see him. She wanted him to be home, safe and well. She knew he wasn't either. Staying here and doing nothing…

Ruby had seen an opportunity and tried to take it. It could have ended so much worse.

Things would be better tomorrow.

/

Emerald and Yang didn't stay long after Ruby's dismissal. They retreated to the spare bedroom. They were just as angry at Ruby's actions as they were disappointed. No doubt they would be back with her to sleep though.

Tai sighed and looked at Qrow, who hadn't moved from the kitchen table.

"Not your fault Qrow."

"You seem to say that a lot." He growled. "The one day Tai. The one day I'm not there."

"A human Grimm is a fair reason Qrow. The mistake was me not taking your place."

"When exactly did you gain the ability to turn into a crow?"

Tai guessed that if Qrow hadn't put such vicious testing into that good luck charm, he would be blaming his Semblance. At least he was getting over that insecurity. It didn't change the fact he had a point; the main reason they went to Beacon was for their friends there.

"At least Talaria was there," Tai murmured as he collapsed next to his brother in all but blood. "If she wasn't-" He couldn't finish.

Worse still, Talaria usually wasn't with them.

Qrow nodded. "I'm thinking she's not allowed to go back to Beacon. Maybe not even for next year if she's going to be this…idiotic."

Tai was very doubtful that was the word Qrow wanted to use. It wasn't the one he was thinking of.

Still, school was a topic they had discussed before.

"If Cinder knows about the bond, Tai…and it does sound like she does…Then she probably knows the rest. About Emerald."

Mercury would never tell anyone about the bond willingly. So what else did they know?

"Then why didn't she use Ruby as bait? Emerald was on her way. Instead, she let her go. Why let her go?" It certainly wasn't a complaint, but it didn't fit Cinder at all. Ruby had even got a caution from her not to be so bloody stupid again. Tai rubbed his temples. "I would much rather have them not return to Beacon. It's not that I don't trust Ozpin but…"

"I know what you mean." Qrow's fists were clenched. Then they relaxed as he calmed himself. "The human Grimm was one of those that had been kidnapped in recent months. There's probably going to be a lot more of them. I would feel much better if they were here."

"Wrapped in cotton wool," he agreed wholeheartedly. "But what about their friends?"

The one sticking point.

…

"We all want him home," Tai murmured. "I'll sit down with Ruby tonight and-"

"No," Qrow cut in. "Yang told me she would. She had been even more stupid when she was younger."

That was not something Tai cared to remember. "I'm still of the opinion we stick leashes on them and lock them in the house."

"No argument from me."

…

"…Do you think she was telling the truth? About Mercury being…?"

…

Both jumped when a scroll buzzed. A second went by as both realised it wasn't theirs, but Ruby's. Qrow picked it up and glanced at the message. Tai managed to see it before the screen went black.

Weiss: Everything okay? You didn't say goodbye

The adults shared a glance.

Ruby had been remarkably reckless. Her heart may have been in the right place, but it was almost certainly never going to work. They were all desperate to have him home, but he would be devastated if one of them ended up joining him in captivity. Sharing his pain would only make him feel worse.

Hopefully, Yang could get that through to Ruby.

There was a buzz on Qrow's scroll. He glanced at it. "It's from Oz. He says it's urgent and…"

"And?"

Qrow swallowed. He showed him the image that Ozpin had sent him.

"…No…"

/

Yang wasn't surprised to see Ruby curled up in bed, but not asleep. There were some days that you just wanted to be over.

Most of Yang's anger was gone. When Em's passed fully, she would be up here too. But Yang had asked for an hour with her sister alone first. Em had wished her luck.

Ruby isn't as bone-headed as me…But this isn't going to be an easy talk.

"I am sorry Yang."

"I know."

Yang cuddled up to Ruby. Ruby was happy to take it, but she was still curled into herself. She knew she had Screwed Up. Big Time.

"Do you remember when I went looking for my mom?"

"Not really. I just remember Uncle Qrow saving us and Dad being furious." She winced then, realising that that anger was now on her.

"They were angry because they were terrified for us." For good reason. Uncle Qrow had only been a few seconds away from their deaths. "But when I was old enough to really understand, I was afraid more for you than for me."

"Me…"

"It was one thing nearly getting myself killed Ruby. But you…I've never forgiven myself for that. I never will."

Ruby bit her lip. "I'm sorry Yang. I didn't think. Emery always want me to think as well as act."

Yang and Dad had known Ruby would get a scolding from Emery that day when she chased Torchwick out of the Dust shop and just watched the fight between Professor Goodwitch and Cinder. That was part of the reason they tried to keep her in a good mood.

Yang thought how to make this sound less blunt. Then again, maybe the shock would get through to her.

"Ruby. I know you want to help Mercury. But I don't think he would like it if you got hurt trying to help him."

"But…He's really bad Yang. I know it."

This was the main difference between the Gems and the rest of the family. It wasn't always at the front of their minds. They had a few minutes a day where they could just, as cruel as it sounded, forget. They forget that anything was wrong for a few minutes.

Ruby and Emerald couldn't. They could sense him. Not as well as they wanted to, but they couldn't forget. Never. They didn't just logically know he was in a bad way, they could sense he was in a bad way. Every single second. As bad as it was for Yang…She couldn't image what it was like for them.

Thank everything they can't sense details. They're probably regretting the problems during the tournament too. Desperate.

"Ruby, do you remember after Mountain Glenn? How Mercury responded to Emerald being…?"

Ruby's fingers curled around the quilt. "I remember," she mumbled.

"I know he would be happy that you want to help him because you love him Ruby. But he wouldn't be happy that you were hurt doing it. Especially if he was the reason."

"…It wouldn't be his fault."

"No, it wouldn't. It wouldn't feel that way to him." It would have been Grimm that killed Ruby, but Yang would have felt very responsible. After all, she had brought Ruby there. "He would be heartbroken."

Ruby pulled more into herself.

Yang gently tugged her closer. "Ruby, I know it's difficult. But-Don't do that to him. Don't put him in that position. He'll get through this and would be much better if he knew we were all safe."

"I-I know…It's just…"

"It's not fair," Yang murmured. "We all want Mercury home Ruby. He will come home. Just…Let's not make things worse for him. We don't talk about it Ruby, but…" Yang hated this. "He can take pain. He doesn't take us getting hurt well."

Ruby hadn't planned for anything like that. She had meant to sneak aboard, get him out and not fight at all. It had never entered her mind she would be hurt. That was the problem.

Only when Ginger actually started fighting her did Ruby come back to reality. Ginger had won easily and had obviously meant to take her too.

As much as she hated Cinder for everything she had done and was doing, Yang was very grateful for her healing Ruby and letting her go.

Yang remembered a sparring session where it was Ruby and Emerald against Mercury and Yang. He had missed Ruby's aura shattering because he was occupied with Em's illusions and had come near to actually hurting her. Only Yang's call had stopped an accident and he had obviously felt extremely guilty over it, making sure Ruby wasn't angry at him (he would have stayed away if she was) and tried to make it up to her.

Yang remembered pushing her Semblance beyond the brink, resulting in extreme exhaustion. It hadn't been Dad or Uncle Qrow who found her first, but Mercury. They didn't even know each other well back then; it had been a few days after Yang had thrown him out of the house after finding out his past. He hadn't said anything at the time, just picked her up and carried her home. He made a point to avoid her the next day; made sure they wouldn't have a stupid argument and just let her rest. Em and Merc had baked white chocolate chip cookies for everyone and Ruby had later told her it had been Merc's idea.

Yang remembered coming down in the middle of a night for the drink and seeing Merc and Dad at the table, talking about STRQ's old days. He had never asked about Summer or Raven, even though he must have been curious. After a house full of girls, Dad had probably liked a son.

Uncle Qrow had always been afraid his Semblance would hurt his family, so he stayed away from them. Mercury had given his family back to him. He had given the girls back their uncle. Uncle Qrow spent most of his time home now, unless he was called away for a good reason directly connected to Salem.

Ruby was crying into Yang's chest. Yang placed a kiss on her head and hugged her close.

"It'll be okay Ruby. We need to look after each other. That's the best thing we can do for him."

Emerald wasn't angry anymore when she entered. She was just relieved Ruby was okay.

[We're not leaving her alone again,] Emerald noted to Yang after Ruby had fallen asleep.

[Nope,] Yang agreed instantly. [Nor you.]

Emerald thought about it. [I can live with that. You're not leaving yourself out are you?]

[Hey, we're in this together.]

Glynda could tell the instant Qrow stepped into the office that he was very tense. This wasn't going to go well.

With General Ironwood physically here, Professor Ozpin had wanted Glynda there in case the conversation turned too ugly. They had had a bad argument during the tournament and they hadn't spoken at all since. James had left the day after the finals.

"It's not his." Qrow was quick to state that.

"Yes and no," Ozpin gently corrected. "Our current theory is that it is Mercury's aura, but he wasn't the one who created it."

They had identified the creature that was most likely responsible for the destruction of the villages. Much about it was still unknown, but it had flown into Atlas airspace and a fight had occurred, so they had some data.

It was a familiar silver colour, but it was the wrong Grimm dragon. This one had hind claws rather than front, was much bulkier and had a jaw that elongated past the head. It was the one that slept in the mountain.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"The aura machine," James stated. His voice was a little more unsure than it had been. "The one that was stolen eleven years ago. I'm not sure if it is possible, but it is only a theory. If they removed the aura from Mr Black, but didn't use a person as a destination…Perhaps an aura animal was created instead."

Qrow was quiet for a moment, clearly thinking over what it meant. This was a very strong reason why they took Mercury alive. He was one of the biggest threats to them, but if they could make his power work for them, it removed a dangerous enemy and gained a powerful asset.

"Wouldn't a machine that was over a decade old have quite a few kinks if it worked at all?" Qrow scowled. "Especially for something like…this?"

"It is a theory," James repeated. "It was a prototype even when it was stolen, so we had to start from scratch from the research notes." Glynda would have much preferred if he hadn't continued with this kind of research, but it wasn't her place to say. "I will see what I can find, but I don't think it will be much. The only other theory is that Mr Black did this willingly-"

"No."

"Exactly," Ozpin agreed. Qrow looked like he was ready to attack James. Glynda was very grateful they were having this chat with Qrow and not Taiyang. "Mercury is the only one known in history to have a Grimm aura animal. It is too much for coincidence. It is thought that the change of Grimm dragon is a result of his aura being forced out of him and not him creating it."

Qrow relaxed his muscles with difficulty, clearly thinking. "Maybe it was the trauma of its creation that made it aggressive."

That was the main problem they had. Why had it attacked some villages and not others? Mercury's own distaste and his previous encounters with James did somewhat explain why it attacked the Atlas fleet, but it didn't explain the damage it did to the closest cities. Mercury always focused on the guilty and, ironically enough, tended to protect the innocent from the fallout even if he didn't like them. He was a part of the STRQ family.

"What colour were the eyes?"

"The same as the rest of it," James answered, now sounding very sure of himself. "Also, while it adapted to battle, it wasn't planning ahead much, if at all. It showed the tactical awareness Mr Black has, but was not good at cognitive thinking."

"There is another fact Qrow," Ozpin started. "This suggests they will want to keep Mercury alive, but it is possible they will do it again. It took a lot of firepower to destroy this and none other than Atlas have it."

Qrow was quiet for a moment. "…Anything else?"

James glanced at Glynda, but Qrow's change in behaviour and sudden lack of interest in violence was something she couldn't explain. He had been very high strung when he showed up and Glynda wondered if that had something to do with Ruby vanishing without saying goodbye to her friends. If she was gone too, they would have heard about it by now.

"Not for the moment," James answered. He had come straight here after the battle.

"Then I'll let you know a likely time when we have another one on the loose." With those words, he disappeared into the lift.

It took a moment for James to realise what Qrow had said. He had had a long day. "Did he just say what I thought he did?"

"He did." Ozpin was quiet for a moment. He knew many of Qrow's secrets that Glynda didn't. "I don't know what he means, but I have a guess. If I am right, then it is a family matter and not my place to say."

James looked torn between demanding elaboration and caution for getting that family even angrier at him. After a few seconds, he settled for a compromise. "Is it a reliable method?"

"I would not say it was accurate, but it is reliable. I think we will have a brief respite as we found no evidence of a tracker or any way for them to measure the condition of the aura animal. That might buy us a few days. However, I think a replacement will appear soon enough."

"At least we're only dealing with one at a time," Glynda sighed. Only one aura animal could be created by an Aura Wielder at any time.

"Indeed." James rubbed his temples. "We are working on a weapon that can break through LiaGuard's shield. I'll make that the top priority. The previous works will be enough to destroy them, but it is going to be difficult to transport them. Especially as a good section of the weapons depot needs rebuilding, along with many civilian homes."

"Don't tell Qrow it wasn't the top priority," Glynda warned. She understood that James had to look after his own and had his own problems. Their main concern was Mercury himself due to personal worry, not the damage they could use him for.

"I didn't plan to. Did I tell you that Tai took me to task for questioning him?" That definitely wouldn't have gone well. "It's not that I abandoned him, but there was an attack near the Dust mines two weeks ago. My resources are needed elsewhere."

"I understand that. They do too. While Qrow has been in this fight for a long time, his kids never had been until Emerald and Mercury came along. It's more difficult for him."

"The main reason I haven't settled down," James agreed. "I wouldn't want my family knowing anything I know. I'll check in on the weapons and you focus on the information we have gained and not yet used. We keep each other in the loop. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Ozpin nodded.

The General left. Glynda hoped he was going to get some rest.

"There's one main piece we need to decide about," Glynda pointed out.

Professor Ozpin sighed. "That the team claimed to come from Haven for a very good reason. We especially need to have a better idea as Haven is hosting the next tournament. This one may have officially gone smoothly, but that does not guarantee the next one will."

Officially.

They had lost one of their students that night. That student had been Mercury.

Glynda focused on the present. "Have you consulted Professor Lionheart?"

"I spoke with him last week, but I didn't comment on the topic. I merely asked about Team Rainbow and didn't go any further."

"Why not? Surely he would know his students the best."

"I must say that James' paranoia has rubbed off on me a little. Leo told me that all of his second years were accounted for before he sent the paperwork. It seems odd in hindsight. I would prefer a different way to check Haven, but I don't want to offend him if it was an honest mistake."

"Are you sure that's not paranoia from the magical world?" They had had spies everywhere, but especially in high places. Lucius Malfoy and Igor Karkaroff had been Death Eaters and one was running the government unofficially while the other one was running a school.

Professor Ozpin smiled. "Also possible. However, blind trust was a problem there and I don't wish to make the same mistake. I trust Leo. I need a way to prove he's trustworthy."

The problem was that they were an official team, not an add-on.

"It's as simple as confirming if they were there all that time and we can ask some of the students that. I would have thought someone from Haven would notice if there was a team representing them that they had never seen before."

"Maybe."

Beacon started up again in less than a month.

Glynda had a lot of work to do. She just hoped she had her hands full just as much this year as she did last year, save for the Vytal Festival. She was happy they didn't have to deal with that this year.