Chapter 4: Ozpin's Origins Part 1
Ozpin and Jaune were soon to arrive at their destination. An old SDC mine had been taken by General Ironwood and his loyalists. That were unable to keep Mantle or even Atlas safe from the infected, who attacked and had taken over both cities.
When they had passed over Mantle on their way to the mine their radio was spammed with messages from below; begging, demanding and threatening the bullhead to land. Needless to say the pair didn't pay these messages any mind as they continued onto their destination.
Jaune sat in the passenger seat next to Ozpin who was operating the controls. The young hunter-in-training was deep in thought about the girls and the fact they had left Qrow behind. They had, intentionally or not, thrown him to the wolves. And now they were another man down as they made their way to their destination.
Snow covered the seemingly abandoned mine as they landed their bullhead. They stepped out and approached the entrance; a massive steel door that serves originally to keep the howling winds, snow and elements from the mine. Now it served as a massive barrier for any attackers attempting to breach the mine.
Ozpin pulled out his scroll and sent a message to Ironwood informing the general that he and Jaune were here. The moment he hit "send" the snowdrifts around the two rumbled to life! Altas soldiers and robots burst from the snow, weapons trained on the two. Before the pair could do anything a voice cried out.
"Don't shoot! It's Headmaster Ozpin and one of his students!" A soldier cried out. To which the rest lowered their weapons.
After that first intense situation the pair were greeted by soldiers who had been able to escape from Atlas and Mantle before the cities fell. One soldier walked up to the pair, he was dressed far different from the rest. No metal plating, just a simple white coat with a green clover pendant pinned to the coat.
"It's an honor to meet you Headmaster Ozpin, my name is Clover. I was the head of one of General Ironwood's special units."
The headmaster greeted the man back along with Jaune. After a few more words were exchanged Clover led the pair to the massive steel door. He pulled out a small key card and pushed it into a specific slot on the keypad. The doors slowly began to open, revealing a massive tunnel that led into the darkness.
Jaune swallowed loudly before he and Ozpin descended into the unfathomable depths of the mine, the massive doors shutting behind him.
Willow Schnee sat within the Atlas Council chamber. With her sat a few other women, including the influential Robyn Hill. After the previous council had collapsed and the military fractured a new government had to be formed. With the previous male counselors having either fled with General Ironwood or were now too distracted with their wives the new counsel was made up of the most influential or powerful women in Atlas and Mantle.
Willow had come to lead this council and the currently disorganized SDC after killing her ex-husband. And with her new role she had new plans to go with it. With her new friend Robyn on the council as well they could push for a new world order; starting with Atlas and Mantle.
Today was the first official meeting of the Council of the Matriarchy of Atlas and Mantle. A long title, but a necessary one.
Willow sat before the council and the debate began. The primary topic was restoring order, dealing with the new uptic in grimm and how to deal with Ironwood's rebels.
The violence the beset Altas and Mantle caused an increased grimm presence that needed to be felt with. Regardless of the new emotions and changes the land was dealing with they couldn't let the dark beasts ruin all their work.
Then there was restoring order, the female public was quite content with the status quo. However the stabbing, cutting, torturing and other such violent maneuvers they would use against their husbands could no longer be tolerated. Their pain was attracting grimm and the council saw violence against the male population as something that wasn't necessary any longer so long as they "behaved."
Personal thoughts also clouded the two women however. Robyn and Willow were without a husband. The man they wanted, the man they needed, was one James Ironwood. They had already talked in private about sharing him. They had a personal stake in his capture and the destruction of his remaining forces. However without an army they had little hope currently of acquiring him and winning.
Unbeknownst to the pair, the council, even Atlas and Mantle; someone was coming who could change the tide greatly towards their favor.
Ozpin and Jaune entered the foreman's office along with Clover. Behind the desk sat General James Ironwood. The cyborg general looked exhausted, however his eyes still held the look of a longtime military man. He stood up before the headmaster and his student and held out his hand.
Both shook it before Ironwood gestures for them to sit down. He nodded towards Clover who quickly vacated the room and shut the door behind them.
"Welcome Ozpin and Mr. Arc. It's unfortunate that we couldn't have met under better circumstances son." Ironwood began to which Jaune affirmed the military leader.
"Let's get down to business then." Ironwood began, gesturing for the pair to sit down. Ozpin and Ironwood began to discuss their situation, their resources and possible solutions. As for Jaune he was led out of the room by Clover, whom had entered the room again shortly after Ozpin and Ironwood had begun their talk.
The man went around the mine showing Jaune around and introducing him to the others. The staff consisted of scientists, soldiers and workers; each doing their part to keep the mine functional and defended as well as working towards a cure. While the staff consisted mostly of men there were also quite a few women surprisingly enough. However they all had a gas mask on their person to prevent the spread of YandX.
After showing Jaune to his new barracks, a small bunk in one of the indoor workhouses, Clover came over to the young man.
"Hey now that you're here, how about a little sparring and training. From what I've heard you and Ozpin have been on the run for a while with little time to do much of anything. How about I show you some moves?
"That sounds great. Bear in mind sir I'm not all that good."
Clover chuckled as the pair walked out of the workhouse.
"First of all call me Clover, I'm not your CO; and secondly you can't be THAT bad. I mean after all you got accepted into Beacon."
Jaune chuckled nervously as he followed the man.
Back with Ozpin and Ironwood their discussion had turned toward another threat.
"Is it possible that Salem introduced YandX as a way to dismantle the kingdoms? Cause if so she's done an amazing job."
Ozpin shook his head and expressed that this wouldn't be something Salem would do. It was outside her usual moves of deceit and manipulation. Even when they were still married it was him who led the charge on the battlefield while she pulled the strings just out of sight.
"Well if you're sure… what is the possibility of Salem contracting YandX?"
Ozpin shuttered at the thought, he felt bad for the poor shmuck who was essentially destined for a "miserable" life if Salem had fallen for them.
"It's possible, but I would doubt it in all honesty. Salem hasn't been spotted in millennia and the likelihood of a female finding her fortress is low."
"I pray that you're right Ozpin, on both accounts."
Back with Clover and Jaune the pair had begun to stretch out and do a couple of exercises. Nothing too crazy, but enough to get them warmed up. Clover then pulled out his weapon. A long metallic pole that looked suspiciously like a fishing rod. Jaune had also equipped his sword and shield.
"Alright Jaune show me your basics." Clover ordered him while Jaune got into a stance.
And so for the new hour or so the two went at it. Blocking and striking at each other, just like how Jaune and Pyrrha used to do.
His train of thought locked onto his red headed partner. As a result he lost focus and ended up with a fishhook nearly taking his eye out.
"Gah!" Jaune cried out as he fell backwards and landed flat on his ass. Clover immediately retracted his weapon and rushed over to the fallen boy.
"Jaune are you alright? What happened? You suddenly froze up." Clover asked as he held out his hand to Jaune, to which the boy took and he was hoisted up on his feet.
"I'm sorry Clover I'm just a bit distracted is all."
"With what, your family?"
Jaune was about to respond in the negative when he froze. After being chased across Remnant by Pyrrha and the step-sisters he had completely forgotten about his family! He began to freak as he wrapped his thoughts around this. His sisters, his mother! All affected by YandX!
But then something landed in the pit of his stomach, reassurance. Something told him that his mom, dad and sisters were all right. Something also told him that he was now the uncle to at least a dozen nieces and nephews, as well as the brother of a new sibling or two.
"Y-yeah my family."
Clover placed his hand on Jaune's shoulder before giving him a lopsided smile.
"Despite all that has happened I'm sure your family is alright. Based on what I've seen from YandX victims they almost never kill people. Sure they like to maim and incapacitate their victims but they rarely kill."
"Gee, thanks Clover for making me feel so much better." Jaune grumbled as he got back into position.
By now others had begun to watch the two train, most notably Ozpin and Ironwood. The two had by now finished their meeting and had begun formulating strategies to combat YandX long enough to find a cure.
Back in Atlas Willow and Robyn could be found sitting within Mr. Schnee's old office; now Willow's. Whitley had already been put to bed; despite Willow's brutal murder of her husband she turned around and had begun raising her son like she should have. YandX has turned her from a depressed drunk to a motherly murderer.
But that didn't mean she had sworn off drinking all together. As of now she was enjoying a nice bottle of wine with Robyn. Both women fantasized being with the powerful general, his strong muscles and rugged beard made them hot to their cores. If only we could have him now they both thought to themselves as they poured another pair of glasses of wine.
But how to acquire him? The pair thought as they gulped down the red liquid. They had no real force that could take on Ironwood. With the grimm just outside their walls they couldn't send anyone out. They were stuck.
Or so it seemed.
They heard a loud knock on the estate's front door. Klein had been "acquired" by the head maid and as such was unable to answer the door. So Willow grumbled before leaving the office to answer the door.
Willow stepped down the stairs and into the main entrance and approached the large doors that led into her home. She unlocked the door and opened it a pinch; just enough to see who was on the other side.
There stood a young woman with ash black hair and amber eyes; one of which was covered by her long hair. A red dress clung to her body tightly, so tightly in fact that she could see the woman's nipples practically piercing through her dress. Showing that she wasn't wearing a bra to cover up her D-cups. In her hands was, strangely enough, a bowling bag.
"Yes?" Willow asked the stranger, to which said stranger looked upon her with maniac glee.
"Hello Willow Schnee, my name is Cinder Fall. I'm here to offer you something I'm SURE you wouldn't turn down. Something about General Ironwood."
Willow's eyes widened before opening the door all the way; thus allowing Cinder to enter with her bag.
"Please, follow me to my office. We can discuss your 'offer' there."
Cinder Fall followed Willow up the stairs and towards her office. When they entered Robyn stood up at the sight of their new companion. Willow quickly gave introductions before sitting down and gesturing towards Cinder.
The ravenette smiled again before slowly opening her bag.
"This isn't exactly MY offer, but instead my mistress's."
The bag fell open to reveal a strange looking grimm! Willow and Robyn quickly jumped up, with Robyn getting into a fighting stance.
"Relax Schnee and Hill, I'm not here to fight, I'm here to help you." The Grimm spoke! This causes both women to jump back in fright at the grimm slowly began to float into the air.
Then the grimm began to shutter and transform! It's dangling tentacles began to form into limbs, it's globe like body began to enlarge and elongate. Forming a torso and head.
After a minute or two the transformation was complete. Before them stood a fairly tall woman, exactly 6 feet, but to describe her just as a "woman" wasn't exactly accurate. Her bone white skin, marked with blackened veins, along crimson eyes; showed the pair that this was something more than Human.
Her long black dresses deceitfully covered her massive hips and huge breasts, her thick pale hair fell down all the way to her plump, heart shaped ass. Finally her symmetrical face was absolutely gorgeous.
Cinder was shocked to say the least. She had never seen Salem like this before. Before now Salem had a very slim figure, she wasn't very keen on showing off her body. But now things had obviously changed, now Salem looked more like a fertility goddess than a wicked witch.
"Oh yes! I haven't expressed this much femininity in so long. It feels amazing." Salem moaned as she felt herself up, shocking her viewers even more.
Suddenly her face morphed into a serious expression, her arms fell to her sides.
"Dear Willow and Robyn, my name is Salem. You may not know me but I do know you, and what you desire. Ironwood is housing a pair of men that we desire as well. So I am willing to make a deal, if Cinder and I accompany you and your huntswoman to Ironwood's location, I will pull all the grimm surrounding Mantle and Atlas away to assist us in the battle. In return we just want our husbands."
Willow and Robyn stood in shock, never in million years did the pair expect something like this.
"And, pray tell, who are these two men you're after? And how can you order these grimm to help us?" Robyn asked cautiously; Salem and Cinder smiled lustfully before Salem answered.
"A young man by the name of Jaune Arc and my dear Ozma. And as for the grimm, well it's simple, I'm part grimm myself. They will listen to me so long as I wish for them to do so. So ladies, do we have a deal?"
Robyn and Willow looked to each other. The reveal of someone like Salem to the greater world could potentially have dire consequences. But she was willing to keep her grimm away from their people do long as they let her help them defeat Ironwood. Such an offer couldn't be ignored.
"We accept." Robyn said.
Salem smiled as she rubbed her thighs together. She moaned in agony, she NEEDED Ozma inside her, she needed her husband. She needed to own him, control him. Her body demanded him and soon, her body's demands would be met.