Chapter 2

Kagutsuchi- Novus Orbis Librarium Headquarter- Two Days Before the Joint Tournament

Ten thousand visitors, half of which are the military personals from the four kingdoms. To accommodate this sudden influx of visitors, the NOL had to pull soldiers from other hierarchical cities. Right now, there are five thousands Ars magi soldiers in Kagutsuchi, and ten thousands more stationed outside of the city.

"It's going to be hard to even maintain order, with the sudden arrival of ten thousand foreign soldiers and civilians." Said Captain Hibiki Kohaku as he watched the Remnant's air ships docking.

Hibiki was sent by Kagura, along with the reinforcement from Yabiko, which was a great help in maintaining security.

'Foreigners and soldiers who don't understand our customs will undoubtedly get drunk and cause trouble.'

On top of that, because the people of Remnant refused to hand over their data, NOL has to carefully check all the visitors, including their military.

Hibiki: "Atlas even sent a fleet of airships. I can't believe our military leaders would allow this."

In return, NOL sent its own fleet of airships, and is currently having a standoff with the Atlas military.

'What a pointless, troublesome circus. . Just what is the Lord Marshal Invictus thinking?' Thought Jin.

"And Major Kisaragi," Said Hibiki. "It's almost time-"

"I Know."

Kagutsuchi Airspace- inside of a Vale Airship

"WOW! There's really is a city in the mountain!" Said Ruby standing up and looking out the window, excited.

"Ruby, sit down! You're embarrassing us!" Said Weiss, trying to pull Ruby back down to her seat.

"Just let her have her fun. Get the excitement out of her system, so she won't embarrass us in front of the NOL." Said Blake, reading a book.

Weiss: "That is not how it works!"

Suddenly Ruby levitated off her seat, and everyone turned to her, shocked.

Weiss: "How… "

'Have I awaken to a new power?' Thought Ruby.

And then she slowly floated back to her seat.

"We are about to land, so please fasten your seatbelts." Said Glynda Goodwitch, standing in front of them.

And everyone immediately obeyed.

"Be on your best behavior. The NOL are a militarized organization. They are professional soldiers."

"Like Atlas." Commented Blake, earning her a stare from Weiss.

"No. Atlas is a kingdom. NOL is an organization. We already learned that in class." Said Weiss.

"Just be careful. Don't go anywhere they said not to go, don't provoke them, and don't call the NOL Library, or its people Librarians." Warned Glynda.

Kagutsuchi Airport

Noel was excited, this is the first time in two years she was not only able to see her best friends, but also work with them.

"Calm down, Noel! Although I do understand… it's not everyday that we get to work together, since we're in different branches." Said Makoto Nanaya, in her Intelligence Department black uniform.

"And Tsubaki will be here too! It's been so long!"

Noel's smile suddenly vanished and she looked down, Makoto looked over, and saw Jin walking towards them while looking at Noel with detest.

"Major Kisaragi!" Saluted Noel. Makoto followed suit.

"They're here." Said Jin.

Out of the gate, hundreds of people walked out. Jin walked towards a group of people.

"Glynda Goodwitch?" Asked Jin, to a blonde haired woman.

"Yes. Then you must be Major Kisaragi." Said Glynda.

Jin gave the area a quick scan, other than Glynda, there are two other adults, and eight teenagers. The adult woman on the left has the attitude of a soldier, and the middle-aged man on the right smelled of alcohol.

"So, this is the great "Hero of the Ice Blade". Thought you'd be taller." Said the tall middle age man.

"Hero?" Said a teenage girl with black hair with red highlights.

"Ruby, adults are talking." Said the white-haired girl.

Jin turned his head towards them once and immediately looked back at Glynda.

"I welcome you to the 13th Hierarchical Kagutsuchi." Greeted Jin.

"Ignoring me kid?" Said the middle-aged man.

"Enough." Said a white haired woman. "I'm Winter Schnee, a specialist in the Atlas' army, and your opponent for the demonstration battle. This is Qrow Branwen, he's… actually, What is he?"

Glynda immediately jumped in. "He's an advisor." She then turned to the teenagers behind her. "This is team RWBY. Ruby, Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long. And Team JNPR, Jaune Arc, Nora Valkyrie, Pyrrha Nikos and Lie Ren. Miss Nikos, Miss Schnee and Miss Xiao Long will be competing in the Joint Tournament."

"Fascinating." Said Jin in a dismissive tone, but he does recognized the name Schnee. "Now if you would follow me, I will take you to my office. My… assistant and Second Lieutenant Nanaya will take care of your students."

As Jin turned he saw Noel just standing there.

"Lieutenant Vermilion, are you pretending to be a tree? Go and take the students to their lodges."

"Y-Yes Major!"

"Useless."

"I-I'm-"

"Hey! Stop treating your sister like that you jerk!" Said Yang.

"Yang! What are you-" Said Weiss.

Jin raised an eyebrow. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"She's right! So you like picking on defenseless girl huh?" Said Qrow as he walked in front of Jin.

Glynda couldn't believe it, she had just told them not to provoke the NOL, and now even Qrow joined in! Of course she understands why they are angry, but picking a fight with a foreign high ranking officer in a foreign land is foolhardy.

"Let's teach him a lesson!" Said Nora.

Jin looked to Glynda. "Control your students… And whoever he is."

Qrow: "How about you say that to my face, "hero.""

Jin: "And waste my breath on a drunk? Huh."

Winter Agreed. She should have just ignored the drunk a week ago, instead she let him provoked her into a fight. But then again, she also didn't like how Jin was treating his subordinates.

Qrow: "Ohhh… the little boy has an attitude. Let me guess, did you become a bully because mommy and daddy neglected you?"

"Stop. This is none of our business." Said Glynda with her hand on his shoulder.

"No! You got it all wrong! The Major isn't my brother!" Noel shook her head.

Yang: "Yeah, I wouldn't want someone like him as a brother too."

"No, I don't think you understand, Major Kisaragi and I really aren't related!"

"I don't have time for this. Lieutenant Nanaya, I'll leave this to you." And Jin walked off. Glynda grabbed Qrow and followed after him. Winter also quickly followed after them.

"God! You guys are a riot! I'm so glad I came here." Said Makoto after Jin is out of the earshot.

"Umm.. First thing first, I'm Second Lieutenant Noel Vermilion. I'm here to guide you to your lodges."

"So… You Really aren't related to that man? But…" Asked Wiess.

Neol: "I mean, we have different last names."

Yang: "So?"

Noel: "So?"

Makoto: "Don't worry, you are not the only one who thought that. It was a common rumor when when we were at the academy."

"And your are?" Asked Wiess.

"Oh! Second Lieutenant Makoto Nanaya, here to assist my besties!" Said Makoto proudly with her hands on Neol's shoulders. And for some reason, the black haired girl is looking at her…

Noel: "Wait… does everyone in the academy really thought that? That me and the Major are…"

Makoto: "I mean come on, you and Jin have the same facial features and even the same shades of green eyes!"

"No we don't…"

Makoto: "You even have a similar scent."

"Scent? I smell?" Said Noel, smelling her arm in a panic.

Makoto: "Oh! Don't worry, Noel, you smell great!"

Wait… doesn't that mean you think Jin smells great too? Thought team RWBY.

"Professional soldiers huh?" Said Blake.

Makoto: "Plus both you and Jin were adopted."

"Wow! Really? Then you guys could be long lost sibling." Said Ruby.

"No… that's not possible."

"A simple DNA test can sort this out." Said Blake.

"So all we need is a DNA sample from that jerk right? I can get it real fast." Said Yang, creaking her fist.

"Wait… Maybe you should calm down…" Said Jaune."

"No! Stop!"

Noel rushed in front of Yang, but accidentally bumped into someone and they both fell to the ground.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" Said Noel immediately and looked down… the person… the orange-haired girl she just bumped into is lying on the ground on her stomach, turning her head… seemingly over ninety degrees, and looking at her with a big smile on her face.

?: "Hello Friends!"

Kagutsuchi Novus Orbis Librarium Headquarter- Jin's office

"Why the change? Why is there only one representative from NOL?" Asked Glnda Goodwitch.

Just three days before leaving Remnant, Novus Orbis Librarium informed them of this sudden changed. And apparently the one who requested the changed was Major Jin Kisaragi, Hero of the Frozen Blade.

Jin said nothing, siting behind a desk, looking at some notes.

Glynda: "And it changed from seven days to five."

It was agreed that Remnant and NOL would both send twelve representatives, which, in the eyes of the majority of people of Remnants, unfair.

"I thought we agreed that NOL was allowed to have twelve representatives?" Said Qrow Branwen.

Yes, twelve. That was what the superiors of the NOL wanted.

Winter: "That was the agreement, your people insisted."

Now it goes from twenty four to sixteen, with NOL only having one competitor, and the four huntsman academies fighting over the last three remaining spots.

"As the overseer, I don't see the problem." Said Jin, without even looking at them.

It make no sense. Why put yourself at a disadvantage?

"If you're worried about my superiors, don't. I have complete authority over this fuss."

Winter: "Fine. Just don't complain when you lose."

I don't give a damn, thought Jin.

Jin: "Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do. And don't you also have some business with captain Faustus? The real reason for this whole charade?"

Winter raised an eyebrow. "You don't know?"

Jin: "You should know this, Specialist. In the military, everything is on a need to know basis."

"Ohhh, did someone leave the brat out of the loop?" Mocked Qrow.

'I'm out of this loop too.' Thought Winter, not happy.

Jin said nothing. Just then a transparent white bird flied in through the open window, landed on Jin's hand, and turned into a piece of paper.

"What… what was that?" Said Qrow, shocked.

"Just a report, and none of your business." Replied Jin.

But when Jin looked down at the paper, his eyes lit up.

"Captain Faustus is waiting for you outside. We are done, leave. Now." Said Jin, ruder than even before, practically ordering them to leave.

"Actually, I want to go over the details for the demonstration with you." Said Winter.

"There's no need, I already read the script, and I'm busy. Now if you'll be so kind as to leave."

What is wrong with him? Thought all three of them. Once the three diplomats left, Jin's face turned into a sadistic smile, looking at the paper.

"I don't have time for this. He is coming here… Soon brother, very soon… Ha ha ha…"

Headquarter Hallway- Outside of Jin's Office

Just like Jin said, two men are waiting for them outside. One is here to take Winter to her lodges, and the other, Captain Faustus, is here to take Glynda and Qrow to the R&D Section. Winter followed them half way because they were heading in the same direction.

"Rude brat. Couldn't wait to throw us out." Said Qrow.

Glynda: "I'm sure he really is busy, with the sudden influx of visitors… and a fleet of foreign airships"

'I sure he is. But that was no way to treat foreign diplomats.' Thought Winter. 'Does he have something against Remnant?'

Glynda: "So, what do you think they are planing?"

Qrow: "Maybe an excuse? They know they can't win, so when they inevitably lose, they can save some face."

Winter: "Or the Major just wants this over faster."

Glynda: "And he's willing to risk losing the Joint Tournament for that?"

Winter: "He already made it clear he doesn't care about the Tournament or us."

Unfortunately he's right. This whole Joint Tournament is just a cover for something far more important. Thought Glynda.

Glynda: "Hard to believe someone so young is a Major. And even if he is some kind of "hero", how could someone so young have so much authority?"

Qrow: "He's born with a silver spoon. I bet that helps, a lot. That brat is too pompous. Someone needs to beat some of that arrogance out of him, teach him how the real world works." He then turned to Winter. "The demonstration match, how about you switch with me."

Winter ignored him. She too wants to test him, to see if he's just another spoiled scion.

As they were walking, a green-haired man with a tall and thin frame and a wicked smile on his face walked past them.

"Captain Hazama." Greeted Captain Faustus.

"Captain Faustus." The green-haired man returned the greeting with a smile.

"He's not wearing a uniform. Who is he?" Asked Qrow.

"He is none of our business." Scolded Glynda.

"It's just… he gives me the creeps." Said Qrow.

Winter agreed.

After Hazama walked past them, and they are some distance away, he turned his head slightly at them.

'What do you think of our guests, Mr Terumi?' Asked Hazama.

'That man has the ability to affect reality.'

'Uh-oh. That sounds like a problem.'

'No. He can't control it, and it has no effect over me, I who can see all possibilities. It's more of a nuisance than a real problem.'

'If you say so, Mr Terumi.'

NOL Headquarter R&D Section- inner chamber

"Come this way, your packages have already arrived." Said Captain Faustus as he opened the high tech door.

And indeed, inside the room, two capsules, each one big enough to fit a person can be seen. One of the capsule lies Amber, the Fall Maiden.

Captain Faustus: "Please, inspect them."

"Thank you." Said Glynda as she walked towards the capsules.

"Everything looks good." Said Glynda as she checked the screen on the capsules.

Captain Faustus: "As we agreed, the Novus Orbis Librarium will use its technologies to heal the Maiden, and in return, you will hand over all the data about them."

"Yes… As we agreed…" Said Glynda. They had no choice, even Atlas can't heal Amber. The NOL is literally their last hope. It's a win-win situation for the NOL. Even if they can't wake Amber up, just by trying they could gather information on her.

"Thank you for agreeing to this."

"No, thank you. With this, we are one step closer to understanding the mystery of the Azure. And I will make my mark in history!"

"Counting your chickens before they hatch huh?" Said Qrow.

"So this is the famed Maiden."

'What?' thought everyone in the room as they turned towards the voice. There, a middle-aged man, in a purple cape, with a golden mask on his face, is bending forwards, looking at Amber's capsule.

'Why didn't any of us seehim approaching us?' thought Glynda. 'Teleportation? Invisibility?'

"Nice cape, did your mom make that for you? Now mind telling me who you are?" Asked Qrow as he reached for his weapon.

"Colonel Clover!" Said Captain Faustus, surprised.

'Clover?' thought Glynda. 'The Mad Puppeteer, Relius Clover!?'

"Ha, this clown is a colonel?" Laughed Qrow.

"Yes… this is Colonel Relius Clover, head of NOL Engineering Department." Introduced Faustus. He then turned to Relius. "Colonel, what are you doing here?"

"Just curious." Said Relius as he touched the capsule, and the capsule opened!

'What!? How?' Thought Qrow and Glynda. 'It should have required a password, a hand scan and a retinal scan!'

As Relius reached his hand out at the comatose Amber, Qrow rushed to stop him.

"Hey! Stop." Said Qrow as he reached for Relius' hand. But just as Qrow was about to grab him, something metal grabbed Qrow's arm first, and lifted him off the ground by his right arm.

'What the hell?' Said Qrow, surprised, as he turned his attention towards the thing that had grabbed him, and saw… a large feminine mannequin in a purple dress…

Qrow: "What the f-"

'Again?! How? Where did it come from?' thought Glynda as she pulled out her horse whip.

"Let. Go!" Demanded Qrow as he reached for his weapon, but before he could get a secure grip on his sword, the robot began to shake him, and his sword fell to the ground.

'Fuck. My. Luck!' Cursed Qrow.

"Colonel! The Field Marshal Invictus has granted me full authority over all things Remnant! And I'm ordering you to release him!" Commended Faustus.

Relius: "Ignis, drop him."

And the robot opened its hand and Qrow landed on his feet.

"Why you-" Qrow was about to attack Relius, but Glynd held him back.

Relius: "I had seen enough."

'Seen enough?' Thought Glynda.

He then snapped his finger, and the robot Ignis disappeared.

'What? Is that his Semblance? Teleportation?' Thought Glynda.

"I bid you abieu." Said Relius as he bowed, and then turned and left.

"That guy really is a colonel? He sure doesn't act like one." Said Qrow as he picked up his sword.

'During that whole time, that man never once looked directly at us.' Thought Glynda.

"You're right, he's not a soldier, he's a scientist. His military rank is just for convenience, to go over red tapes." Said Faustus, with a disdain in his voice.

'Intel said recently that the Library had split into the Imperator faction and the Invictus faction. Seems like the information is true. And to think that they would show their dissatisfaction in front of us, things must be really bad.' Thought Glynda.

To be continued