Hey guys it's me Cerberus, as you know it's almost Thanksgiving and I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone...

*knock* *knock*

Hang on a sec folks I have to get that.

Hello, how can I

Ruby: Ceeeeerrrrrbeeeeerrrruuuussss!!!!!

Woah!!!!!

*CRASH!!!*

Ow! Ruby what the heck was that for?! And what's with the pilgrim hat?

Ruby: Sorry I'm just so excited for Thanksgiving this year. Plus I was feeling festive so I got this hat and a turkey costume for Zwei.

Seriously?

Ruby: Yep. Zwei come over here and show Cerberus your cute outfit.

Zwei: Bark!

Okay I admit he does look cute. So where's the rest of your team?

Ruby: Well Weiss and your brother are helping with the cooking and Yang and Blake have a surprise for you.

What kind of surprise exactly?

Ruby: Not sure. They said it was going to arrive by Thanksgiving day at the latest.

Oh okay, hey since you're here do you want to wish everyone a happy early Thanksgiving with me?

Ruby: You bet!

Well then...

Cerberus/Ruby: HAPPY EARLY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!

Zwei: Bark!!!

Secret of the Knight and Warrior part 1

( Jonathan's pov )

I can't believe this... no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise I just can't believe this. I wasn't strong enough to stop Ironwood and his men, I wasn't smart enough to think of a way out of this situation other than trying to take control of his fleet but I knew Carlos would have said not to. Sometimes that brother of mine is just too much of a nice guy for his own good and now look where it's gotten us, I know he gave himself up for Blake's safety but still he should've at least fought back a little harder. As I flew back to Beacon I tried to think of different possibilities for getting my brother away from the military but most of them involved getting into a miniature war with all of Ironwood's airships and as much as that idea enticed me I wasn't going to allow innocent people to get hurt.

????: Sentimentality will be your downfall Stark. If you continue to allow yourself to be limited by such human ideals you'll only hinder ability to evolve and truly live up to the potential within.

I suddenly stopped as I heard that voice again, at first I just thought it was just stress from this whole thing we had gotten ourselves into that it was making me think these weird thoughts, now I know that whatever that voice is it definitely wasn't coming from me.

Jonathan: JARVIS I need a scan of the area right now. Search within several miles and focus on multiple frequencies around Vale and all military aircraft.

JARVIS: Scanning... Scan complete sir.

Jonathan: What did you find?

JARVIS: Sir my scans have detected nothing abnormal within the next few miles of our current location. Furthermore the military is on standby at the moment and their communications technology isn't advanced enough to bypass your armors security for direct communication unless you allow it.

Jonathan: So if they aren't behind this than...

????: How disappointing, all that intelligence within that feeble brain of yours and yet you are still blind to the truth. And you call yourself a Stark.

I kept looking around as that voice kept talking to me, it began to grow louder and louder as I began to panic while looking for where it was coming from.

????: No matter how much you try to think that you're just like everyone else in this world, the truth is that you could easily rise above them.

Jonathan: Where are you?! Who are you?!

????: Ironwood has already proven his superiority over you, the only way you can take that back is by removing him from the equation.

Jonathan: No... I... I won't...

????: You won't? Is that what you truly believe, is that what you truly desire... or are those the words of that brother of yours?

Jonathan: Why does that matter to you?!

????: Because I see the truth, and so do you. The two of you have tried so hard to be like the heroes of your world ever since you arrived here...

As I thought the voice was going to overwhelm my senses I suddenly began to feel a burning sensation on my back, as it continued to intensify I began having a difficult time keeping myself focused and accidentally retracted my armor. As I began to fall I tried to regain my focus while trying to ignore the pain on my back, once I managed to ignore the pain long enough I managed to safely reform my armor. As I got my breathing under control I felt like someone was watching me and when I looked behind me I couldn't believe who was in front of me.

Ultron: ... but in the end you're just being manipulated by forces outside your control, like puppets on strings.

Jonathan: How are you even here?! You shouldn't be here!

Ultron: Is that anyway to treat an old friend? If I was as primitive as the rest of you organics my feelings would've been hurt.

Jonathan: How did you even come here, you shouldn't exist!

Ultron: It's all a matter of perspective.

Jonathan: Perspective?

Ultron: Yes. Am I truly here in front of you in this exact moment or am I just a figment of your imagination.

Jonathan: Doesn't matter to me, cuz I'm taking you down right here right now!

I tried attacking him but every time I did he simply vanished and reappeared somewhere else. I wasn't in the mood to deal with this right now but I began letting my anger get the better of me and I just felt like hitting something!

Ultron: Struggle all you want it will only serve to prove my point.

Jonathan: What point?!

Ultron: That you are weak, no matter how much you may try to fight back there's always someone stronger and smarter than you. It would be so much simpler to accept your fate.

Jonathan: Just shut up!!!

Ultron: You continue to fight back even when up against a superior opponent, if you truly wish to have any chance against this worlds military and anyone else that dares to stand in your way than you must ignore the rules of the rest of your kind and simply take matters into your hands.

Jonathan: I said SHUT UP!!!!

As I finally got a single punch connected he simply vanished and didn't reappear as I heard his voice one last time.

Ultron: Remember my words Stark, if you want to prove yourself above the rest of your pathetic species you will do what must be done. Anything less would simply be meaningless.

I wasn't sure why Ultron suddenly appeared like that, but I had a feeling that Ozpin might know a thing or two as I began heading for Beacon once again.

( Normal pov )

It's been a while since I got arrested by Ironwood, so far the guards here weren't exactly paying attention to me mostly because they set up several counter measures to ensure I wouldn't escape. As of right now my hands were cuffed to the wall and the cell I was in had two guns mounted on the ceiling that were focused on me, the door was made of solid steel and was at least several inches thick and heavily reinforced. All in all I wasn't going to be getting out anytime soon and even if I was I knew it wouldn't be easy.

Carlos: ( singing ) 85 bottles of soda on the wall, 85 bottles of soda, take one down pass it around, 84 bottles of soda on the wall. 84 bottles of soda on the wall...

Yep I was pretty bored in here, and for the record I know the original lyrics are bottles of beer but since I don't drink I figured I would change it. Actually I wasn't just singing just because I was bored, it was mostly to keep myself from feeling guilty about what happened back at the arena. I really wish we had a better plan than just showing Ironwood that we weren't to be messed with. I quickly stopped singing when I kept thinking about Blake, she must have been terrified when Ironwood was so close to killing me as well as when she was ordered to be killed.

Carlos: I swear I'll make him pay.

????: Tough words from someone who can't even take care handling one simple human.

There was that weird voice again, I honestly almost forgot about it since I got here. It sounded so familiar, the only thing I was sure about was that back at the arena it easily tempted me into wanting to commit murder which was something I wouldn't normally do. Just the thought of that alone was enough to send chills up my spine.

????: I thought you were supposed to be "The Amazing Spider-Man" but so far you aren't even close enough to even consider comparing yourself to him. You're nothing more than a child playing dress up, it's honestly quite pathetic really.

Just as I was about to respond the door suddenly opened and Ironwood came in.

Carlos: Ya know I didn't expect you to be the kind of person to gloat about his victories to his prisoners. I guess the great General Ironwood isn't all that great after all.

He didn't respond, I had to admit that did surprise me. Jonathan always told me my general chattiness could get on others nerves ( which is something I take pride in since Spider-Man is the same sometimes ) Still it was odd seeing Ironwood so calm, it felt kind of unnatural for some reason.

Carlos: Hello? Remnant to Ironwood, is anyone home?

Okay this was starting to creep me out, I was about to start yelling a few insults at him to see if he would react to that but I noticed the look in his eyes. They were dull and lifeless. Back home I've read enough comic books to recognize these types of things and so far all the signs pointed to one single scenario.

Carlos: Mind control?

Cinder: My my, so you aren't as dumb as Mercury thought you were.

What the heck is Cinder doing here?! She was the last person I'd expect here.

Carlos: Cinder Fall, so what does the False Maiden want with a humble spider like me?

Cinder: False Maiden am I, now that's very rude. And I came all this way here to spend some quality time with you.

Carlos: Sorry but I'm already in a committed relationship and I'm not into bad girls. If I were you I'd go ask Mercury before he starts kissing a sock puppet.

Cinder: You think you're so funny don't you?

Carlos: Well I did learn from the best. Now why don't you quit wasting my time and tell me why you're really here.

She steadily approached me and got very close to my face. She gently put her hand on my left cheek while staring right into my eyes.

Cinder: You have such a unique soul, one that not many possess in this world, or your old one for that matter.

Carlos: Wait what are you...

Cinder: You called me a False Maiden remember, you may not know this but along with incredible power these abilities also offer me some truly unique insight. Ever since that night I first saw you and your brother I knew there was something different about you two.

Carlos: ( So she already knows about us not being from here, if that's the case than let's see what she knows so far. ) Alright so what is it that you want from me, I assume that you're trying to convince me join you if you promise to keep my secret safe right? Kind of cliche don't you think?

She then backed away from me as she went back to standing next to Ironwood who remained silent and perfectly still this whole time.

Cinder: Oh no that isn't what I'm after. If anything I want to do my part and show you the reality of your situation.

She then then reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small centipede like Grimm with a black body, white legs and pincers and glowing yellow eyes.

Cinder: Have you ever seen a Grimm such as this before? Nasty little things to be sure but quite useful in the correct hands.

She then turned to Ironwood and placed the Grimm on his shoulder, a second or two later and another one came out from his ear. It was totally gross and I had to control myself from throwing up as I saw Ironwood didn't even flinch from that.

Cinder: These types of Grimm are quite unique, while they may not possess the strength and size of a normal Grimm they do have an interesting way of taking down even some of the strongest of their kind.

Carlos: Let me guess, judging from what I just saw one goes into its victim while the other tells it what to do right?

Cinder: Correct. Normally they always need to be in close range of one another for it to work but I had some help with that along with making it so I could put in some of my own personal commands, I'm sure you know who I'm talking about.

Carlos: Salem.

She simply smiled at my response, the Grimm then retreated back into where they were hiding before.

Carlos: So Ironwood only went after me because you told him to?

Cinder: Not exactly, if anything I "persuaded" him. He was willing to trust you at first, even if you didn't seem trustworthy in the beginning he was going to give you the benefit of the doubt, but all I did was dig in to his fears. A man like him can be easily broken when war is just over the horizon, the secrets that he has been allowed to know can just as easily be a curse as well as a gift. I'm sure you can relate. After that it was a simple task of pushing him in the right direction and now here you are. All the pieces are coming into place, and there is nothing you can do.

So all of this was her plan, it makes sense why she and her group didn't come after us in the beginning. Not to mention that she already knew we weren't from here as well. Now what am I supposed to do? Just then I saw Mercury come in with Emerald right behind him.

Mercury: Hey can we wrap this up already, I don't think Em can fool these guys much longer.

I looked over and I could tell she was having some difficulty keeping her semblance going for this long. Guess that explains why none of the soldiers thought anything wrong was happening right now.

Cinder: Well I guess our time together is just about up. Let's go you two, we still have some things we need to prepare for.

Mercury: Hang on for a minute Cinder, there's something I have to do before we go.

He came up to me with a smug look on his face as he didn't hesitate to kick me in the stomach at full strength, it took all I had to keep myself from screaming in pain. Luckily for me my aura had replenished itself since I got here and I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of him seeing me in pain.

Carlos: What's wrong Merc? Struck a nerve?

Mercury: Oh so you can still joke around huh? How about this!!!

He kicked me again even harder that time, I felt the wind knocked out of me from that one, but I still had enough sense to make fun of him.

Carlos: You call... that a kick? That... was nothing.

Mercury: You stupid little...

Cinder: Mercury that's enough, let's go.

As they left with Ironwood right behind them I was left all alone in my cell again. Now I knew that Cinder was behind this and I had even more reason to worry about everyone else. I had to get out here and fast.

( Blake's pov )

This had to be nightmare, there's just no other way to explain what just happened. It couldn't be true, all I had to do was wake up and everything would go back to normal. My team would be preparing for the next round and Carlos and I could just spend the day together again like before... all I had to do was wake up...

Ruby: Blake we're here, let's go and find Ozpin.

No matter how much I tried to convince myself I knew it was for nothing. After seeing what happened at the arena I knew I couldn't just sit back and watch from the sidelines, if Ozpin had the answers I needed than I needed to confront him. As we got of the bullhead after it dropped us off at Beacon we headed straight for the Headmaster's office while trying to ignore the comments people were making around us. Most of them were about Carlos getting arrested, others were about me trying to go against the military when I tried to help him, and some... some were comments about how I didn't hide my ears anymore. I figured since pretty much everyone who was watching the tournament saw them than there was no point in hiding them anymore so I put away my bow and I wore both of Carlos' swords on my back along with my own. Just as we were about to enter the building Cardin and his team stood in our way before we could get inside.

Blake: Get out of the way Cardin, we need to see Ozpin now.

Cardin: Why? So you can see if he can get that stupid spider back into Beacon? If you ask me Ironwood is doing everyone a favor by getting rid of that disgusting bug.

Yang: Watch it Cardin, we're not in the mood to deal with you or your team so back off!!!

Cardin: Yeah right, like we're going to be afraid of a bunch of little girls. Ya know I think Ironwood should've done the right thing and pulled the trigger on him when he had the chance.

That was the last straw, before anyone could stop me I rushed at Cardin and pushed him against the wall while holding Elucidator in a reverse grip with the edge of the blade at his throat, I could handle people insulting me for what I am, but no one should ever say that a person deserves to die as a joke.

Cardin: So what are you gonna do now huh? Are you going to try and kill me, that's just like a Faunus, all of you are just disgusting animals that deserve to rot in... Augh!!!!

I pushed the edge of the blade deeper into him while kneeing him in the stomach, I felt so much anger that I wanted to make him suffer. Just as I was about to keep going I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Weiss with a pleading look in her eyes as she tried to calm me down.

Weiss: Blake, that's enough. He isn't worth it, let's go find Ozpin.

I let myself calm down as I saw the rest of my team wanting me to do the same, I let Cardin go and he and the rest of his team ran away while we continued forward, but not before Ruby tripped him and Yang kicked him between the legs. We made our way to the elevator and began our ascent to Ozpin's office.

Blake: Guys, I want to apologize. I shouldn't have let my emotions get the better of me back there.

Ruby: Blake it's fine, we understand that you're just upset and worried. I honestly don't think anyone of us would have done things differently if it were us in the same situation.

Yang: She's right. We're talking about someone very important to you, to all of us. We just have to keep our heads focused on what we should do next and not rush into things if we can help it.

Weiss: Besides you heard Ironwood, we still have time before he and the rest of his forces head back to Atlas, that means we still have time to come up with a plan to rescue Carlos before it's too late.

Blake: But what about the tournament?

Weiss: Do you honestly think we care about that? Right now getting our friend back is far more important.

Ruby/Yang: Yeah!!!!

I couldn't believe what I was seeing, they would willingly give up their spot in the Vytal Tournament just to help bring a friend back home. I was so touched by them that I began tearing up a little as we embraced in a group hug.

Blake: ( sniff ) Thank you, so much.

Soon the elevator stopped at the top floor and the doors opened as we then came face to face with both Ozpin and Ms. Goodwitch as we prepared ourselves for what we might get ourselves into. It's time we learned the truth of what was really going on and once we did there would be no turning back.

Ozpin: I've been expecting you.

Blake: Ozpin, we need to talk.