Author's note: Sorry I left you all hanging a little bit for a while. I went through a small state of depression and I just needed time off but I wanted to say that I'm still standing. I will be rewriting this story considering it would take too long to do so. And I'd like to say to all the critics who critiqued my beginning work, "mllnr" (imagine the letters are fingers.) But guess I'm not the only one back from the dead.
Now, let's get started.
"The city of Mistral." Qrow said as the group walked through a dark hallway.
Nora was relieved, "Ugh, it's about time. Who's idea was it to walk again?" Nora asked.
Ren answered her, "Well we did face many obstacles: broken airships, destroyed settlements." He listed.
Jaune remembered them all, "Oh and you know, all those people and monsters that tried to MURDER US!" Jaune said urging the last part.
Pyrrah placed a hand on Jaune's shoulder, "We did make it okay, well, not all of us." She said knowing Church was not with them.
Locus lowered his head, "Yeah." was all he managed to get out.
Ren looked back at Nora who gave him a mix between smile and anger, "Hey." He said easing Nora's depression.
Jaune tried reverting the topic, "So how much further to Haven Academy?" He asked.
Qrow responded with a smirk, "Almost there, I'd figured I'd take you kids on the scenic route." He said as he opened the doors of the long dark hallway they were in. A blinding light prevented all from seeing until their eyes would adjust to the view. And boy the view was beautiful, like hope was back in their hearts as they looked around.
Ruby, who remained silent the whole way spoke first, "Wow!...it is...IT IS...AWESOME!" She nearly shouted.
Qrow predicted she'd say that, "That's certainly something." He said plainly.
Ruby looked at everyone holding some type of weapon, "OH MY GOSH, LOOK AT ALL THE WEAPONS!" She eagerly squealed.
Qrow nodded along, "Vendors here will sell you just aabout anything, whether they should or not." He said.
Jaune noticed the landscape, "They really made the most out of these mountains." He pointed out.
Naturally, Qrow went on with his previous knowledge of Haven, "Every inch, but stay away from the lower levels...but the higher up you go, the nicer it gets." He finished.
Nora was also overjoyed, "And we are going up." She said as she pointed upwards.
[Somewhere over Northern Anima]
The Reds, minus Grif, alongside Weiss were all aboard the airship Sarge was able to commandeer. From the pilot who thought Sarge was a high ranking military official, which Sarge was technically speaking. However Sarge wondered how long the trip would continue to last, "How much further, again?" He asked.
The pilot grew used to Sarge in the short time they were flying, "We're in the home stretch now sir, no more stops from here to Mistral. Sorry for the long trip. Keeping us off the radar has been harder than I thought. Lots of air traffic around Northern Anima, sir." He said as he continued to stare out the cockpit window.
Weiss spoke up to make sure Sarge wasn't too rude, "It's fine, I just hope we haven't been a burden." She said in the corner.
The pilot laughed at first, "You and your high ranking officer friend are more than welcome on this ship kid." As he finished his sentence the radio next to him started to catch static, "What the?" He said confused about what was happening.
Simmons stepped forward to make sure it wasn't an electrical problem, "Is everything alright?" He asked.
The pilot looked back, "I dunno, we're still over lake Monceau, we shouldn't be picking up broadcast this far from Mistral. Someone must be close." He implied.
Sarge held onto his two shotguns that dangled from his side, preparing for the worst. But when the radio adjusted itself, it was worse, "MAYDAY MAYDAY! We're a small passenger flight and the hundredth is down, we aren't equipped to deal with this!" The female pilot over the radio shouted.
The pilot the crew had sounded only slightly concerned, "Oh man." He said.
The radio continued it's distress call, "The Grimm here are 400 clicks north of the southern shoreline," more static came on, nearly messing with the transmission, "Get 'em off us! If anyone can hear this, aaach!" She screamed.
The pilot lost the frequency and began to turn, but Weiss didn't know if he was going to help them, "We're going to help them right?" She asked.
The pilot was confused at first, "What? No, I'm trying to avoid them." He said as he went on.
Simmons tried to convince him, "But...they'll die..." was all he could say.
The pilot did not move his opinion, "Look, if we picked up their transmission I'm sure someone else did too. Besides, this is a cargo ship, she's not much good in a fight! I just wanna finish this job, and get home. Sorry guys, my ship=my rules." He finished the discussion leaving everyone with a sense of regret and guilt on their shoulders.
[Back at Haven Academy with Ruby and her large team]
They had finally made it up the many steps it took for them to reach the top of the mountain. Haven Academy, they finally made it, "Ah, we made it." Ruby said, eager to get the burden off her shoulders.
However Qrow and Locus looked around to see if there was anything suspicious given the fact that the group should have met with Lionheart. Qrow and Locus both looked back and forth and came to the realization no one was near, "Hmph." The two managed.
Through the halls of the school not a single student was moving about, "Hello?" Ruby asked to no reply, "HELLO?" She asked once more, but only received silence.
Nora shrugged her shoulders, "Maybe try louder?" She suggested.
Ren then made a conclusion, "There doesn't seem to be anyone here." He said.
"Well, I guess school isn't really in session right now." Jaune said as they stopped moving for a moment.
"Maybe, you're right." Pyrrah agreed.
Qrow knew something was up for sure, "No, this isn't right, c'mon." He said as he booked it to a door down the hallway.
"Wait for us!" Ruby pleaded as they all started to run.
Locus stacked up on the door as Qrow was about to kick it down, "Get ready! There could be trouble." Locus advised.
Locus and Qrow were aabout to kick down a separate door just in time to see a grey bearded man about to walk through the doors. They came in so suddenly, the man screamed, "AAAH!"He yelled.
"AAAH!" The kids responded.
He fainted only shortly after, Ruby wondered if this was the man they were meant to meet, "Uh...Professor Lionheart...?" She asked.
The presumed Professor responded getting up off the floor, "Qrow! Locus! For crying out loud, you nearly scared me half to death." He said.
Locus responded after tripping from keeping their legs up, "Grrr, us?! Why weren't you waiting for us at the entrance?" He asked.
Lionheart checked his watch then responded, "Uh? Oh right. Apologies, I guess time must of slipped away from me." He said.
Qrow asked in disbelief, "You're joking." He said.
"Where is everybody?" Nora asked.
Lionheart looked to the kids as he nodded his head, "Ah, you must be the students Qrow mentioned." He asked.
"Yes sir, Ruby Rose," Ruby said.
"Jaune Arc." Jaune answered.
"Nora Valkyrie." Nora said.
"Lie Ren." Ren said.
Lionheart welcomed them with a smile, "A pleasure to meet you all. Leonardo Lionheart, at your service. I'm afraid most of my staff is currently away until classes resume b-" He was about to say until Qrow cut him off.
Qrow snapped quick with a question, "What? Leo you can't be serious! Who's guarding the relics?" Qrow asked.
Lionheart became wide eyed at what Qrow mentioned, "Qrow the children!" He urged.
Locus filled in for Qrow, "Already know, we filled them in. What do you mean the staff is away?" Locus asked.
Lionheart grew more worried, "You...filled them in?" He asked.
Nora broke a few moments of silence that came by, "So is this not going at all like anyone though it would?" She asked.
[In Menagerie, at the Belladonna residence]
The group was returning from a court with the high council of Menagerie to determine Corsac and Fennec, unfortunately found a way to weasel out of it. What they didn't realize is they just so happened to piss off the worst people to piss off.
Ghira came barging in his home first, "UNBELIEVABLE!" He shouted as he entered his home.
Sun followed in suit, "TOTAL GARBAGE!" He shouted as well.
Ghira and Sun both pointed to each other as they both agreed, "WE CAN'T LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS!" they both shouted.
Kali tried to avoid laughing as Doc pointed out something, "Well at least you two aren't bickering at each other anymore." He said as Kali let out a few giggles.
The two of them both shared a laugh as Blake came in followed by Grif in his orange sweatshirt with the arms cut off. She got both of their attentions, "Guys, everything is going to be okay." She said.
Later, only a few minutes Blake had went to Grif who was currently resting upstairs outside. A faunus guard watched over the terrace with Grif as Blake came outside, "Good evening miss...Can I get you anything?" She asked.
Blake shook her head, "Just a little time with my friend if it's alright." She said.
The female guard faunus nodded, "Sure thing, just call if you need me." She said as she left.
When Grif was sure she was gone he spoke up, "Y'know you might wanna mask your scent better than the same perfume masked over Dust." He said to no one.
At first Blake was confused, until a voice came up from behind her, "You sure have a nose." A black shadow appeared, similar to the one that Ilia had. Blake was about to leave until her friend reached out to her, "Please, I just need to talk." She requested.
"How could you take the fall for them, Ilia?" Blake asked.
Ilia was about to respond, "Blake..."
Blake had cut her off to continue her speech, "Corsac and Fennec blamed you. We confronted them tonight and they deny knowing anything and everything we found on your scroll, it talked about how disappointed they were to hear that you sided with Adam. But YOU and I both know they're guilty." She said feeling proud to stand up for her beliefs.
Ilia tried to talk her down, "You can't prove anything." She said.
Blake refused to back down, "That scroll might not have been enough to lock them up, but it's enough to sway the faunus here. When we go public tomorrow, they're not gonna stand for any of it. And neither should you..." Blake said, hoping to get her friend back.
Her friend did not budge however, "Your plan isn't gonna work Blake. Please, just leave Menagerie before it's too late." She pleaded.
"You're going to have to make me." Blake said, standing her ground.
Ilia became saddened because she knew what this meant, "I know." She said as she left the night. Her best friend was left in the brink of tears. The only thing for comfort was placing her head on a chunky friend's belly.
[Back at Haven Academy]
Lionheart continued the conversation, "I have to say Qrow, this all seems very wreck less even for you." He said.
Qrow responded with some hostility, "No! Wreck less is leaving one of the relics completely unguarded! It's not checking in with Oz for ages!" He began arguing.
Lionheart replied, "There was nothing to check in about before the Fall of Beacon. But since that day, Mistral has been in chaos! Vale wasn't the only kingdom to suffer that night. Everyone was watching, every house, in every kingdom watched as that boy reveal his secret, saw monsters crawling over the city, Atlesian Knights attacking citizens, and then nothing. You could feel the dread in the air. With all that negativity, you could imagine what it was like when the Grimm came for us. Mistral's controlled territory is the widest reaching in the world, y'know, and that makes it infinitely harder to protect. We lost so many great huntsmen, teachers from this very institution, and it's only gotten worse." He finished.
Ruby wondered, "W-What do you mean?" She asked.
Lionheart looked our his window, "We may have dealt with the Grimm, but the Mistral council's still at odds with the representatives from Atlas. First, it was the Dust embargo. Now it's the closing of borders. I'm not sure what happened to James in Vale, but it seems to have only worsen some of his more...unfortunate tendencies. And on top of everything, we still don't know where the Spring Maiden is." Leonardo Lionheart sighed.
Locus made his remark, "All the more reason we need the huntsmen and huntresses here."
Ruby stepped in before things got worse, "Okay! Okay! Things are bad. They're bad. But we can figure this out. Why is the Spring Maiden so important?" She asked.
"I thought you filled them in." Lionheart questioned.
"Mostly filled in." Qrow explained. "Look there's a lot to cover, okay. I quit teaching for a reason."
Lionheart sighed as he sat back in his chair, "The Four Maidens each have the power to perform feats of Magic, they are the only ones capable of reaching the Relics." He said.
"What?" Jaune asked.
Locus looked towards Jaune as he drank from his water flask, "The relics are each locked inside a chamber that can only be opened by a specific Maiden. Winter for the gift of creation, Summer for destruction, Fall for choice, and Spring for knowledge. Spring is the problem." Locus looked down as he finished his sip.
"What happened to her?" Ren asked.
A silence fell before Lionheart spoke, "She was determined at first when she inherited her powers, but the weight of the responsibility prove to be too much for the child. She...ran. Abandoned her training, everyone. That was over a decade ago. There's no telling where she could be now." He finished.
Qrow spoke up after a small amount of silence, "I know. At least, I have a pretty good idea." He said.
"Are you serious?" Lionheart asked.
"It's not exactly good news." Locus added.
"What are you talking about?" Lionheart started, "This is incredible news! After all these years? Where?!" He asked.
Qrow pushed off his embrace, "I did some digging around. Looks like after Spring ran away, she was picked up by bandits. Specifically, the Brawnwen tribe." He said.
"Raven." Lionheart finished.
There was a gasp in the room followed by Jaune questioning what he just heard, "Yang's mom?" He asked.
"That's right." Locus nodded as he walked near Lionheart's desk to set down his scroll. A map of the Mistral region came up on the screen, "That's about where they set up their main camp." He said as an enhanced image of the map came into view, "It's where they fall back to after raids and scouting missions. Raven's managed to gain a lot of followers since she returned to the tribe. And I'm sure when the Spring Maiden showed up it only made things easier." He said.
Lionheart came next to Qrow and Locus as he processed all he heard, "Well, Qrow, Locus, I've got to hand it to you both. With these coordinates, we can mount a retrieval force and head out in a few weeks." He said.
Qrow looked at Lionheart, "A few weeks?" He asked.
Lionheart typed some buttons on a holographic keyboard, "That's right." He said as he walked back to his desk.
"Leo, maybe you didn't hear us." Qrow said, "My sister has the Spring Maiden and we know where she is. We need to go as soon as possible!" He shouted as he threw Leonardo's books off the desk and onto the floor.
Lionheart grew furious, "And perhaps you didn't hear me. This kingdom is in shambles. As soon as possible does not mean tomorrow, it means as soon as I can convince the rest of the council that I need huntsmen more than they do. Unfortunately, bandit tribes aren't very high on their list of 'priorities' when the threat of war is just on the horizon." He said.
Locus stood up straight, "Then screw the council, we can do it ourselves. You, me and Qrow are trained huntsmen, and these kids aren't exactly pushovers."
"Yeah!" Nora shouted getting ready for a war.
Ren stood up as the reasonable person, "Perhaps there's a more peaceful way to approach this." He said.
Locus continued the plan, "We need to get Spring as far away from here as possible, but Raven isn't going to give up her most prized possession without a fight." He said.
"Unfortunately, you, Qrow and Raven are all evenly matched, and I'm not the fighter I used to be. No offense, but these students and I can't take an entire bandit tribe and a Maiden that's no doubt had years to hone her skills. We need to be positive we can apprehend Spring, because if we fail, Raven and her tribe will scatter and we'll be lost. We get ONE shot at this. And it needs to be perfect." He said.
Locus sighed in defeat as Qrow took his turn, "You know Oz wouldn't be happy with any of this if he were here." He said.
"Perhaps you're right." Lionheart agreed, "But he's not and I'm doing the very best I can."
"There has to be something we can do?" Ruby requested.
"What about Cinder?" Jaune asked. "She came with Emerald and Mercury from Haven. Do you have anything on them?"
"We pulled their files after the Fall of Beacon. Nothing but lies and forgeries." Lionheart said, making Jaune ball his fists up.
Qrow started to leave with the group, "Well, I can't say this has been a warm reunion, Leo."
"I'm sorry." Lionheart apolapologized, "I know you've all traveled a long way. But I will do everything I can to help."
"Sure," Qrow said, "We'll stay in the city for the time being. Local comms are still up. Keep in touch. C'mon kids." He said as they all began moving out the door.
As they were all exiting the room Ruby was the last as she said one last thing to Lionheart, "It was nice meeting you, Professor." She said as she looked back.
"Likewise." Lionheart said as he nodded his head.
As soon as the door shut behind her, Lionheart held his head in shame as he was alone. A new voice entered the room, "Oh Leo, We have got to work on your improvisational skills." The voice said.
[Outside Professor Lionheart's Office]
The group had begun to walk away, until Nora asked a question on everyone's mind, "So, what do we do now?" She asked.
Qrow and Locus sighed as they both saw one last option, "You four head back to the house, I need a drink." He said as they both walked to the nearest bar.
[At the Bar]
The two badasses stayed in their stools as they questioned in their heads what to do. Until a small voice came up from behind them, "Excuse me?" It said.
They both turned around to see who asked for them, but turned to see a brown haired, tanned kid. Qrow responded with an irritated tone, "You know, I don't think they allow kids in here, pipsqueak." He said as Locus turned to see the kid.
The kids paused before speaking, "Shut up, I'm getting there." He said to himself causing Locus and Qrow to look surprised, "Um...I'm supposed to tell you...I'd like my cane back?" He said as he questioned himself.
Qrow and Locus looked at each other before sharing a nod together, and standing up to face the kid. Qrow held the cane, "Hm." He said as he looked at the cane, "It's good to see you again, Oz." Qrow said as he tossed the cane to the young kid Oz used as a host.
[Somewhere in Mistral in a Just-Rite gas station]
The bartender was cleaning a glass as he had an awkward stare at the person who ordered the drink. Finally he spoke, "Aren't you a little young to be drinking?" He asked.
The person at the counter who was revealed to be Yang lowered her sunglasses, "A water, it's hot out." She explained.
"Ohhh," He realized, "Sure." He said as he ducked under the counter.
"Ha-a--are telling me YOU'RE too young to drink?" A shady, blonde, dirty man asked as he sat a waways away from at the counter, "You look like a regular huntress, and a beauty at that." He said not knowing someone else was getting chips in there.
"I'm good. Thanks, pal." Yang said hoping he would back off.
"Seriously, not too bulky, not too lean...You're..." He was saying until Yang stopped him.
"Just right. Yep. Like I said, I'm good." She said, practically insisting him to stop.
The pervert was still slobbering over her, "And your hair..." He said as he was reaching for her blonde hair, until his hand stopped mid air. Not by another hand, but by a strange mystical sea foam blue colored aura. He was left confused as he couldn't pull away or push forward, "What the hell? Why can't I move?" He asked as his hand suddenly slapped himself.
As he fell off his chair someone came from the darkness, "Dude, trust me, me kicking you out is better than getting your ass kicked by her." Said Tucker as he finally showed up from the shadows. With a flick of his hand the pervert ricocheted off the floor and ceiling like a pinball in an arcade until he flew out the door.
Yang turned around to Tucker, "You know I had that, right?" She asked.
Tucker shrugged, "I do, but your hands are too precious to touch that douche." He said as he kissed her robot hand.
She rolled her eyes, "You cheesy goof." She said.
Tucker nodded, "I know, but you love it." He said as he grinned.
The bartender came out from cover as he had Yang's water, "This one's on the house, he's been driving me crazy." He said as Yang reached for the water bottle, but started to shake mid way as she neared the bottle. She grabbed onto her hand just to calm her down as she was finally able to grab the bottle, "So, what brings you 'round these parts?" He asked before Yang put up a finger in the air as she was still drinking.
When she finally finished her sip she spoke, "Thanks. And I'm uh...looking for someone." She said.
The bartender laughed shortly, "Not many people come out here. Too far from the kingdoms. Only person worth notin' 'round here is...Eh well Ra-" He started.
"Raven Brawnwen." Yang answered. "Thanks again."
"N-Now, Now missy," He tried to warn, "You don't wanna go messin' with bandits. They're a world of trouble!" He said.
"So I hear." Yang said as they both walked away. Outside the asshole Tucker launched out of the bar was rubbing his jaw from the crashes he took. Tucker got onto his bike while Yang got onto 'Bumblebee' her favorite thing next to the idiot who rode next to her. They both reved up their engines as Yang had her sunglasses, Tucker had his motorcycle goggles.
"Hey, girlie." The asshole from earlier said.
"Seriously? This isn't over?" She asked in annoyance.
He grunted before speaking, "I heard you're...looking for someone." He said as he smiled showing he lost one tooth from the hits.
[At the house in Mistral]
The rest of the team were sitting around, bored out of their skulls as they had nothing left to do sit and wait. That was until multiple knocks were heard from the front door. The four huntsmen sitting there: Jaune, Pyrrah, Nora, and Ren were all staring at each other wondering what to do. Jaune slowly approached the door as he tensed up, expecting something bad to happen. As he slowly opened the door he didn't expect to see a kid, no older than 16 standing there. The kid looked at everyone in the room before Jaune asked, "Can I...help you?" He asked.
At first the kid hesitated to ask, "Uh...Yeah, is there a...Ruby Rose here?" He asked.
Nora as well as everyone else tensed up, "Why?" Nora asked in an intimidating voice.
The kid stood there nervously, "Well..." He began.
"Weeeee found him! *pfft* ha ha ha ha ha!" Qrow and Locus said as they both came in from the opposite sides of the door and put their hands on his shoulders. Both were drunk, surprisingly for Locus to be drunk considering he can tolerate being poisoned.
"Well, I think her uncle could use some help?" He said as Qrow stumbled inside the living room followed by Locus.
Qrow was able to stumble into the room as he flopped on the couch as Locus fell against a wall, "We found him." Said a drunken Qrow.
"What is going on out there?" Shouted Ruby from the other room, "Can't a girl read her comics in peace??" She shouted. She then saw the familiar sight of Qrow becoming drunk in the, "Qrow, did you get drunk again?" She asked knowing the answer.
"Maybe?" He said as he questioned himself.
"Oh." The kid said from the door, "You...have silver eyes." He said.
Ruby looked at Nora and Ren for an answer, but got nothing, "Who...are you?" She asked.
"Uh," The kid stuttered, "Well, My name is Oscar Pine."
"Wait for it." Qrow said as he laughed.
"But you probably know me as...Professor Ozpin?" He said as he looked at all of them.
"He he he, We did it!" Qrow and Locus laughed in sync as they both fell to the floor.
[Somewhere near a White Fang camp]
Two grunts were on patrol as they walked next to each other having a conversation. The left one started, "Dude all I'm saying is, who the fuck needs to patrol the middle of the woods?" He asked.
"I know right, I mean it's pointless, nobody comes out here." The right one said.
"Tell me about it." The left one laughed.
Suddenly the right one bumped into, something dark and large. He looked up to see fur on its face, "Hey, idiot the registration isn't here. It's at the secret spot, so go get your mask." He said as the tall man looked at the machete the left one had and turned towards him.
The left one put his finger on his chest, "Yeah, you...weren't...invit-" He stopped as the large figure grabbed his head and spun it around, breaking his neck.
The right one looked at him as he grabbed his machine gun and fired multiple bullets at his chest, "Dieeeee!" He shouted as he emptied his clip into his chest. When he stopped firing the figure had the machete in hand and held his free hand under his gut where the bullets were. The figure grabbed his the grunt's left leg then bashed him into the floor,dragging his body letting his arm come off. He lifted him over his shoulder again as smashed him to the floor again this time his other arm came off as well. He then lifted him up once more as he smashed him to the floor letting his free leg and his head come off. He tossed the body down as he moved over to the Lieutenant White Fang.
The Lieutenant grew impatient as he stomped through the woods with an axe he used to chop wood. He started calling them out, "You two better not be fucking around like last time!" He said as he pushed leaves and branches out of his way to make room for him. He came across the corpses as he looked at the body parts to wonder who'd do this. Suddenly a bolt of lighting struck as the murderer was behind him with a machete. He quickly spun around as he came face to face with him and his raised machete blade. He struck once, cutting deeply into the Lieutenant's shoulder, another strike cut through ribs and his spine. And the final strike sliced him in two as he fell to the floor letting guts and blood spill out.
Just before the killer walked away, he examined the Lieutenant's mask to find it was different from others. He picked it up to see it covered his whole face, the eye holes were made to be rounded out. He placed it on his face as he strapped the machete to his leg and the axe to the back.
Who is he? Whoever he is, he's clearly pissed.
End. for now.
Author's note: Like I said I will be doing a few rewrites and changes. One of the biggest changes you'll see in Chapter 1 so far is Church is now a White Tiger faunus. That will hopefully better, I will go back and extend other chapters as well but don't you worry. Anyway tell me what you all thought about this chapter in the comment section below and I will see you all in the next one.P.S. I will be staying on the writing promise I made where I will switch between stories.