Chapter 26

Silence reigned for a long moment. Ruby looked down at Adam from her bunk. He was silent for a moment and shuffled a little awkwardly before finally speaking.

"Because I want to."

Ruby pouted. That wasn't a very good answer! "But why? We won't judge you for it! It can't be any worse than Weiss'!"

"Leave me out of this!" The white-haired girl complained from below Ruby. Adam remained silent. Ruby sighed.

"I don't want to force you Adam, but when I was caught Blake talked to me… she said you had a scar and that you were ashamed of it. I just want you to know you can talk to us, okay? It can't be easy to face her or the White Fang…" Ruby trailed off. She wasn't sure what to say. This always happens! Uhhh… damn it! What do I say!?

As Ruby cried internally Adam sighed. "Thank you, Ruby, but I'll be fine. Maybe one day you can see it but, I don't really see a reason to show it now." He then turned over and tried to sleep, seemingly content to sleep in his gear.

Ruby nodded and fell back on her bed.

I probably should have at least waited until tomorrow…

Cinder Fall was annoyed. The train had come far too early. Of course, she had a backup plan but really, was it too much to ask for competent servants?

Apparently so.

Cinder sighed. She currently stood atop an apartment building, watching the Atlas robots scour the area for any survivors, Grimm, civilian or White Fang. Emerald and Mercury were near, having returned from handing a thoroughly beaten Torchwick over to Atlas. A good spot for her next plan.

Cinder smiled as the rooftop door opened. She turned to face her most recent ally, Blake Belladonna. Leader of Vales White Fang.

"Belladonna. It's good to see you weren't caught."

The girl nodded. "Fall. I would never let myself be caught by them."

"So, why did the train come early?"

"A team from Beacon had found us, so I made a choice." The girl folded her arms as she walked to stand next to Cinder. Most would find it hard to read the girl's expression thanks to her slightly too big mask, but Cinder had no such issue. She found it easy to understand what the young girl was thinking.

"So was it the traitor?" Cinder asked. It didn't matter that she already knew, the girl needed to say it.

"Yes."

"And what happened?"

"I fought him." The girl tried to keep it at that but Cinder just looked at her with a raised brow. The girl relented quickly. "He couldn't keep up with my speed but we didn't get to finish before the train hit."

"So the training has gone well then?" Cinder smiled. "Good. With Roman captured a… mutual friend of ours will need something to occupy her time until the tournament. You can continue with her."

Blake nodded. "I'll take any training I can get. Even if it's from that menace."

Good girl. That will keep Neo out of my hair for a little while at least. Cinder stepped closer to the Faunus. "If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask. We are allies and the worst I can say is no."

Blake thought for a moment before answering. "Can you keep me aware of anything he does? If I am to beat him come the tournament, I'll need to know how he's improved."

Cinder gave her the warmest smile she could muster. "Of course. It wouldn't do for you to lose. Just remember, we shall need your men collecting the Grimm soon. It is only a couple months away after all."

The girl nodded and turned to leave. "Oh and Belladonna." Cinder called out before she reached the door. "When we have the chance I'll send Emerald and Mercury to aid in your training. Be ready for them." Blake nodded once again and left.

Cinder turned to stare out across the vast city they stood within. It was beautiful, there was no reason to deny that. The rooftop was silent for several minutes.

"Ma'am." Emerald spoke up. "Why are you helping her so much?" The green-haired girl seemed ready to take abuse for the question. Silly girl, it was a valid question.

"She is an investment. More so than Taurus ever would have been."

"I'm not sure I follow."

"Adam Taurus would be far less accepting of an alliance. If he had stayed, he would have refused to do more than absolutely necessary. Blake Belladonna, however, is easier to manipulate. She is weaker, both in combat and in self. She has the potential to be strong in both of course." Cinder turned and smiled at Emerald. "But while she remains weak she is malleable. We can make her loyal. And, as long as she is loyal we shall strengthen her. A give and take where we take more than we give."

"I see…" Emerald said with a bow. "Thank you, Ma'am." Cinder felt she didn't really understand. But that was fine, her place was to help.

"It is no issue. Just remember to keep an eye out for Taurus in Beacon. I do not know if he would recognize us, but I will not take the chance. Not when we are so close."

Emerald nodded. Cinder gave her a smile. "Now, let us return to Beacon before questions are raised."

"I still can't believe you let him into your school!" James roared as he paced around Ozpin's office. Ozpin simply waited for his old friend to calm himself. "I mean really! A terrorist! A murderer! Around unsuspecting children! On a team with Weiss Schnee of all people! What were you thinking!?" James slammed his fists down on Ozpin's desk, the glass cracking under his left hand.

Ozpin raised an eyebrow and took a long sip from his mug. He savoured the delicious hot chocolate. Ah so good. James growled but slowly started to calm. Only once his fists released their tension did Ozpin speak. "I allowed it because he seemed genuinely interested in atoning for his mistakes."

"Mistakes? This is a man who killed people Oz!"

"And yet here he is, working hard to become a protector of the weak."

"So that makes it ok? It's alright because now he's working hard? You took a massive risk, one that could have easily backfired!"

Ozpin took another sip. "James I understood what I was doing. I knew he could be a danger. The teachers were watching him. He showed signs of anger but nothing that led us to believe he would turn violent."

"And what about letting him fight a boy in the forest! Glynda told me you allowed it!"

"I watched that fight personally. Trust me, James. I was prepared." Ironwood growled and pushed off, walking to the windows and looking out over the city. "James we had this conversation when you arrived."

"Yes, but you didn't tell me everything! An unofficial fight in the woods! Leaving Beacon for a weekend to end up fighting at the docks! Who knows what else he's done! All without you getting involved!"

Ozpin sighed. "James. Adam Taurus is our ally. He is invested in his team and has developed bonds with another team. They help him as much as he helps them. He's taken it upon himself to train another student and he's even helped to curb the more aggressive tendencies of another student-"

"By fighting!"

"By talking. They may have battled but the conversation afterwards was a turning point for both of them. I was surprised when he revealed so much about himself to Mr Winchester. They have both grown from the experience. I understand your concern James, I truly do. If you don't trust him, then, by all means, keep an eye on him. Glynda still is. However, I must ask that you do not interfere with his studies and come to me with anything you find."

James thought for a while, leaving then only sound being the ticking of the clocks and Ozpin sipping his drink, before finally nodding. "Very well Oz. I'll keep an eye but I won't interfere."

"Thank you."

James shook his head. "I don't trust him, but I do trust you." He rubbed his forehead. "It's about time for the meeting with the Council. This whole thing has been a mess."

"I couldn't agree more, old friend."

"...Following what people have begun calling 'The Breach', the Council of Vale has asked the Atlesian military to take over security for the Vytal Festival and the upcoming tournament. This decision was met with mostly positive reception, however, many citizens aren't pleased. They cite that by allowing Atlas to take over security we not only look weak to the other kingdoms, but have inadvertently told those who fought for Vale that their efforts weren't enough."

The TV crackled slightly. The bars' reception was less than ideal. Not that most heard it. They were far too busy getting drunk to listen to Lisa Lavender tell them how the shit was about to hit the fan.

"Calls have also been made to reward the team of Huntsmen who discovered the White Fang plot and attempted to stop it. While they failed to stop the train they did manage to lessen the impact and worked to save as many lives as they could. Without their efforts it is likely casualties would have been far higher. In addition, their efforts allowed Atlas to capture renowned thief, Roman Torchwick. We have been told the team responsible is a trainee team from Beacon, called team Rusty. We here at the Vale News Network would like to personally thank the team for their hard work!"

As Lisa spoke a picture of the team was displayed on the small screen. Most shrugged and didn't care, but one man dropped his glass.

"We will continue to provide information as the situation develops. This is Lisa Lavender of VNN, signing off."

A man in dusty clothes and a red cape slapped a handful of Lien down and stumbled out of the tavern. Bar. Whatever it was. He wasn't sure anymore. He wasn't even sure if that was the drink or the fact he just saw his nieces on a team with a murderer.

Brothers be damned. What the fuck did you do Ozpin? Qrow Branwen complained within his own mind as he stepped into an alley, transformed into a crow and took flight.

Only to crash a minute later with a loud skwark. "Right… no drinking and flying!" Qrow muttered into the mud beneath him. He pulled himself free and decided to sleep off the alcohol first.

He could start flying back to Beacon tomorrow. It'll only take me… a week? Qrow started to grumble to himself. This is what happens when he goes to the edges of the Kingdom. His nieces get teamed up with someone evil.

He almost felt sorry for what he was gonna do to the guy. Almost.

A/N: Here we have the aftermath of the Breach. Sadly Adam isn't ready to answer Ruby about the scar. Have to see where that leads. And finally, we get a full villain POV. I wondered a lot on whether or not to do a Blake POV before but decided to leave it. I felt it would reveal too much beforehand, like her being at the Docks or the Breach. Instead, we have a Cinder POV! Meanwhile, James is pissed but trusts Oz, that definitely won't screw him over at all. Nope. Not at all. And then Qrow is drunk, so nothing unusual.

I hope you enjoyed and I'll see you next time!