Seriouslazy- I suspect you are about to love/hate me harder

Tomb456- Yeah…i just snapped my original intention for the story, so Idk what to tell anyone. And thank you so much for your kindness! This has been an incredibly difficult story to write, so I love your support.

Neo happily snuggled into Oscar's arms. It had been so long [a couple of days] she had stayed in a real bed! Wiggling her toes. Oscar buried his face into her bright pink hair, "Yes, you've been very brave camping in the wilderness."

Scowling, she elbowed him in the ribs.

"You deserve my sarcasm." tickling his fingers down her side, "Trying to get me to pick and throw away all of the bugs around our sleeping bag."

Her hands stayed firm around his waist as she buried her face into his neck.

"I know we left before we could get our lab results back." rubbing his face deeper into her bright tresses, "So thank you for respecting my limits."

She huffed. She didn't want boundaries, or clothes for that matter. Neo ached to let her emotional crisis of Oscar's skin feeling so good to be the only thing that mattered.

"It's frustrating, but Neo," his fingers lifted her chin, "I was made for you. Nothing could have changed that."

His words hung between them. Neopolitan sensed the goodbye hidden in his meaning. Closing her eyes and pulling him off balance against her mouth. He agreed to kiss was fine. Her tongue brushed against his lips, and the farm boy's temperature spiked. She wanted him to burn hotter. She wanted her mind to stop racing on the rules of time travel. The impossibility of two Oscars existing. Her back arched as his hand slipped under the edge of her shirt.

Through the wall of their hotel, there were muffled giggles, and Neo bolted upright. Oscar frowned, "Next time, I'll ask for our rooms-" Neo held her hand up, head tilting to its side. She shared an apartment with her twin for years. That was not a noise he made. It was too unrestrained to be Red either.

Then they heard glass shatter. Oscar was immediately on his feet and tossed her parasol. "Can you teleport us there?"

It was a risk to go where her eyes had not laid. So she looked around their room, assuming it would be the same, taking Oscar and blipping them out of their room.

She smiled at the sight of her second favorite assassin for hire. Glancing at Roman and Red, both had their weapons aimed at the brunette.

Unrestrained laughter filled their ears, and her brother pushed himself in front. "Tyrian, get out. I've no need for your services today."

Oscar gripping Thorn, "Callows is here for Ruby."

The youngest of them squeaked, "W-Why?" Crescent Rose held firmly.

Tyrian bowed, "Well because my queen wishes to meet you."

Ruby narrowed her eyes, "You broke through our window! To invite me somewhere!" stomping her foot, "Rude!"

Neo felt her lips twitch into a smirk.

Tyrian, "Why, this Rose has sass."

Oscar's finger hovering over the lever of Thorn, "He wants Rose to go to the land of darkness. To be experimented on."

Tyrian's tail coiled tightly behind him, his voice a growl, "who are you?"

Oscar's finger twitched, "someone who won't let you take Ruby away."

Tyrian's mouth cracked far too wide for a smile, "good."

Ruby, "wait!" Folding her scythe, "Um Mr. Callows, can I ask you something first before you engage in a four on one battle with us?" She looked around her tiny hotel room, "And probably destroy a place of business."

Tyrian pressed his hand to his heart, "I am to be your escort, so of course, I'll answer your questions."

Ruby wrinkled her nose. At no point did she want to be alone with this man, "Would you let all of us come with you to meet Salem?"

Oscar hissed, "that wasn't the plan." Although what else could they do? Maria didn't really have any answers on her history in the original time loop. She didn't even know about the breeding program Ozpin had. And since Ozpin had resumed his spot in Oscar's consciousness, the old wizard had chosen to stay mostly quiet. Oscar, after all, was in a weird position to know more than the ancient wizard.

Roman smirked, "Well, certainly Salem would like to meet the new Ozpin."

Oscar catching the meaning, made it begin to snow in the small room. Tyrian's eyes flickered between the boys, endeavoring to discern who had magic. Finally, his golden eyes rested on the ginger's single silver eye.

Ruby chirping, "And I'm sure she still needs a maiden."

It was enough to make Tyrian cave," It seems I'll be offering my goddess more than she asked for." then cackles loosened from his throat, "besides if my goddess willed it, you could not live."

Ruby shivered, "Could you just go get your own room. We'll leave in the morning."

The following day, Ruby had not expected the airship that Tyrian flew in to have enough room for all of them. She made it clear that none of ONRR could walk about the cabin alone. Ruby bit her lip, trying to reign in her terror that she might have gambled all their lives foolishly. Salem didn't need Oz, and the Fall maiden was only valuable if she was controlled. Not that Tyrian knew if Neo was the Fall maiden or if Oscar was Oz. If the Scorpion struck at them, Ruby wasn't sure if they would all live after subduing them.

Ruby carefully nibbled her lunch, watching Tyrian, "Mr. Callows, why did you break into my room? Couldn't you have waited until we were outside traveling?"

Tyrian at least had the decency to be embarrassed and the uncontrolled soft laughter filled the room, "I thought you'd be asleep, easy to pick up and run. I didn't realize 12-year-olds were sexually active."

"I'm 15!"

Roman raising brow, "Red, you're 16." Ruby covered her face. She completely missed her birthday.

Tyrian waved his hands, "It seemed like bad form to fight my former employers if I didn't have to." Then, he sniggered, "Never know when you need a job."

Roman, "Breaking into a girl's room is worse."

Tyrian giggled insistently, and Ruby lightly rested her hand on his forearm, kindly as though speaking to a wounded animal, "Its sounds like you weren't allowed to fail."

Picking at his tail, "She may be forgiving, but one does not let down a goddess."

Ruby felt Roman watch them with hawk eyes, finger on the trigger of Melodic Cudgel, waiting for Tyrian to make one suspicious move. Letting her tender heart shine through, "That must be hard to have such a demanding leader." Then, taking a slow breath, "I hope she sees your loyalty and is grateful."

She squirmed a little as that laughter erupting from the Faunus held no amusement and was empty. Her chest ached, feeling through to his anguish, tears welling in her eyes for him.

Roman smirked, supposing she was manipulating Tyrian. Pushing that out of her mind, it wouldn't work if Tyrian felt her intent. Her chin gestured to the door. Her boyfriend muttered excuses tucking his cane under his arm and walking out. She knew he was right outside, vigilant.

Rubbing her thumb along his forearm and smiling sadly, "Mr. Callows, you're in pain. Would you like to talk about it?"

Silence hung heavily, and his gold eyes glittered at her, his face loomed close, and his stinger wound around her shoulder. "You heroes, soooo easy. You always play your part and offer a caring hand to a bleeding heart."

Ruby let out an eep, sufficiently spooked. Collapsing into rose petals, flying out the door. In a collision with Neo, the girls tumble down the narrow hall of an airship in a flash of pink burning rose petals.

Oscar chuckled and watched the door. Fortunately, Tyrian didn't see who the maiden was. Helping them up, "Stupid Rubbles."

Ruby screeched, "He's soooo creepy."

"You had to try. I get it. Give it a few years. You'd get through to him." Oscar tilted his head. "Well enough to give you that shot to use your eyes on Salem." a heaviness weighed in his voice, "To end his goddesses suffering."

Roman, "Her life ending set all the pools to dust."

Oscar opened his mouth and bit his tongue. They were on this path now, and blaming each other would not stop them from reaching the Land of Darkness.

Neo twirled her parasol.

Roman, "Even if we fought him, who knows what damage we'd do to the plane."

Ruby, "Crashing and burning isn't on my to-do list."

Tyrian poking his head out, "But flying with a mad man was?"

Xxx

Yang steps off the boat into Menagerie, a bag thrown over her shoulder. She wasn't exactly sure where to start, so she stopped by a street vendor. "Hey."

The man gestured to his wares, holding some up with his hands and tails.

"Oh yeah, nice watches," Yang fidgeted awkwardly, "I'm looking for the Belladonna house…residence?"

The man dropped his goods, and the glass on a pocket watch cracked, "You just missed them."

"Oh they are on a trip? I have some news about their dau-"

"We know Blake's back…with Adam. She's u-

A woman with long brown hair and large freckles approached, "Liam, let me handle this." Then, her smile unnaturally sly, "It's one of those things best shown."

Yang felt the fine hairs on her neck rise, relieved she had the foresight to wear long sleeves and gloves on her hands. It was hotter there than Yang ever expected. Still, she had never heard of Menagerie before Cardin's racist diatribe as part of his 'report' in Port's class.

"I'm Yang."

"Ilia."

Yang found herself led to the back of the most prominent house and a line of urns. Blinking away her eyes turning red, "What happened?"

Ilia shrugged, "They died, and then a week later, Adam and Blake were in town." He held her up as though she was in shock. The cat wasn't surprised, more like pained and quiet." Ilia chuckled, "When he left for Vale he swore he'd get her, and he did. The bastard domesticated a kitten."

Yang fell to her knees, her mechanical fingers clutching her chest bruising herself. Her eyes wandered over the urns covered in flowers and melting candles.

"Adam did this?"

The Faunus amused, "Blake might have helped. Ever since they were kids, Adam could say jump, and Blake wouldn't even ask how high."

Yang forced her brain to not follow that track. She didn't know this person or how trustworthy she was. "I think I need to find an inn." Answers could wait. She needed to help her teammate.

The citizens seemed freaked that anyone would ask about Adam. Which was legit, in Yang's opinion. Still, it sounded like the citizens thought Blake and Adam were a couple, and mysteriously, her parents died right before anyone noticed Blake had returned. Yang would bet her new arm that Adam just kept them out of sight for a bit after he murdered her parents. Still, the idea that Blake would stay on the outskirts of a town struck Yang as odd. So the blonde found some small bushes and trees to hide in and watch the house.

Blake would come out and drink a mug of tea, looking tired but unharmed. Adam would hover, giving Blake a look that made Yang feel sick. Blake accepted soft affection from him and occasionally pushed his hair back. The strain in her muscles was evident. Especially when Adam brushed his thumb over her lip. How did Blake manage to keep herself still and show blatant revulsion? What had Adam done to her? Clearly, Blake could run, but what did he have over her?

Yang stayed perched in the distance, waiting for an opportunity to for Blake to be alone. It took a few more days, and Yang grimaced at the idea of what Adam forced Blake through when they were alone in that house for hours. Finally, Adam, on a bike, rode off towards the city. The blonde couldn't knock on the door fast enough.

Blake opened the door and her mouth parted. "Wha-"

Yang pushed her inside and blinked at how typical the house was, "what the fuck Blake."

"Yang, leave please before Adam comes home. He's just taking a look at hunts we could take."

Yang stormed through the house, trying to catch sight of gambol shroud, "What the fuck? This isn't some domestic bliss shit. He killed Weiss."

Blake squeezed her eyes shut, "And he took me back home."

"Did he kill your parents?"

"It doesn't matter." Then, trembling, "I provoked him."

"Provoking a guy looks like he calls you a bitch. Not him murdering your entire household." Yang grabbed her friend's arm and started dragging her outside.

Blake's eyes bugged out, digging her heels into the ground, "No! I made Adam like this. He is my responsibility!"

"He's a grown-ass man, not some sociopathic puppy. So we leave, get our heads on straight and kill him."

"No!"

Yang whirled around, it was Blake's voice, but it wasn't Blake who shrieked. Instead, the purple shadow had a knife where her fingers should have been.

The knife should not have been through Yang's chest.

The brawler's metal fist broke the clone, blood began to pump through the open wound.

Blake wrapped her arms around her friend, "I'm so sorry."

Yang running a red hand over soft black ears, "You didn't do this. Your clones are operating off your blind fear. You have to get away from Adam."

"Adam's my responsibility, I made him like this"

Blood pooled across the floor until Yang's arm fell limp. And Blake held her tight to her chest. Shaking and hearing the chorus from her clones.

"You are poison. You make everyone suffer."

They spoke her deepest truths.

Blake found the trigger on Yang's prosthetics.

Speaking from her own throat, "everyone would be better if I'm dead."

She feared what Adam would do, but she couldn't play her part anymore. Pressing the gun to her temple. Lowering her Aura, If she had been braver earlier, maybe she could have saved her loved ones.

Feeling confident she finally was doing right.

BANG