Chapter 4 – Unforeseen Complications
It wasn't the jostling around in the clearly outdated vehicle that brought Weiss back to consciousness. It was the tapping on her shoulder. She snapped her eyes open to catch the source and saw a man kneeling next to her. His wavy brown hair cropped on one side flopped down into his eyes messily. She didn't really recognize this man and her vision seemed to be betraying her for a moment.
"Hey, kid," he said. It didn't take long for Weiss to trace the voice back to the pilot. He was alright! In that moment, Weiss was pleased. But that emotion was overridden by the throbbing pain in her head. "Whoa, hey, don't make sudden movements. You'll only hurt more."
Weiss slowly made her way up into a sitting position. They were sitting within the cargo area (Weiss just can't escape these cargo containers) of a van. She couldn't judge how fast they were going. Searching her memories, she was able to remember the crash landing and being a short distance into the forest. Maybe they weren't going that fast to maintain respect for the land? She hoped the bandits were that kind to nature.
"That was quite the feat," the pilot remarked. "Taking down a horde of Lancers and their Queen? Sucks that this was what came next." He lifted his hands to show the rope binding them together.
"How long have I been out?" She whispered.
"I'm not sure. I personally woke up not too long before getting you," he sighed. He gave her a once over. "After all of this, I think I'll need a pay bump for my services."
Weiss giggled. "That's not funny."
"Yeah," was all the pilot responded with.
The van kept bumping along the road. There were only the windows on the back of the van that they could see out of, yet those things were tinted to the point that trying wouldn't help. Besides, it would just be the forest.
"I'm sorry to ask, but I do think I should know at least this." Weiss started. The pilot looked at her intently. "I never learned your name; can you tell me what it is?"
The pilot laughed softly. "After all of the death-defying stunts, it's being in a van together that gets the question." He looked into her eyes with the little bit of light they had. "Fenix Atar. Hopefully, that won't wind up on a tombstone."
Weiss scowled. She hated thinking about the possibility of dying, especially since their current fate was awaited wherever this bandit camp is. The thing that nagged at her even more than that was the fact Raven is her kidnapper. Although Weiss wasn't entirely certain that Raven was related to Yang (the similarities could just be coincidental but the odds of that are astronomically low), Weiss was certain that this would not benefit her scenario at all. All she knew that she had to do was make sure neither she or Fenix died. Weiss would be beside herself if the man who was trying to help her escape Atlas winded up dying in the wilderness of Anima.
"What're you thinking so deeply about?" Fenix asked.
"For starters, how to keep us alive," Weiss voiced. Fenix tried to contain his laughter which just earned another scowl from Weiss. "You're trained by the Atlesian military. What suggestions do you have?"
Fenix's amusement never left his face when he started to think about it. "I'm not entirely sure. All I could guess would be our prisoner of war training." He shrugged. "Only this time it's not entirely likely they'll kill us."
"Wonderful," Weiss said with no glee. "And that training would be what exactly?"
"Don't give up information of the state," he stated. "Other things would be like prepare yourself for psychological or physical torture. Come to terms with the strong possibility you could die. Never give up hope that you'll make it out."
The more he listed off, the worse Weiss felt. "Okay! I've heard enough!" It wasn't just the fact that she was now having to consider all of these dreadful scenarios. It was the worse fact that Weiss had to imagine her older sister Winter enduring this kind of training. Thinking of her sister, though, created many different trains of thought.
"You asked," Fenix grumbled.
Weiss didn't have time to respond to the pilot. After such a long ride, the van finally came to a halt. Outside, they heard people discussing softly what to do with them before someone (Raven?) barked an order. The back of the van opened and two bandits stood before them.
"Okay, Schnee," one of the men said. "You and your buddy will need to follow us."
Ghira Belladonna paced around the foyer of the Belladonna estate. He mumbled to himself as he read and repeated the words displayed on the paper in his hands. Despite being the prior leader of the White Fang, public speaking wasn't exactly his strong suit. Blake watched him from the wall. She had a gut feeling Ilia would wind up making an appearance at Ghira's speech.
It was here, leaning against the wall, that she felt a keen sense of déjà vu. Not too long before Blake ran away from the White Fang, she stood on a rooftop for a business she no longer remembered the name of. By her sat Ilia. They were friends here. Blake could remember their entire conversation. It pained her to.
"Why did you join the White Fang?" Blake asked.
"Why?" Ilia looked with large eyes. The possibilities of any future laid behind them. Blake could see that Ilia's past and futures were not linked together anymore. It didn't take telepathy to figure out that much. "Why did you?"
"Well, I," Blake started. But her thought process was derailed.
"Blake?" Ghira walked over to her. She shook her head a little bit. Her anticipation of this event must have conjured up a daydream. "Are you sure this will be okay?"
Blake smiled. "Of course, dad." He looked at her with concern. "Oh, you meant me?" Ghira smiled in that sort of way only a father could muster. "Yeah, just a little anxious."
Kali stood up from the nearby bench. It appeared to Blake that her mother was getting tired of the anticipation as well. Kali walked over and rested her hand on Ghira's shoulder. His gaze turned to meet her's. An emotion of love and generosity enveloped the room. Somehow this private, non-verbal gesture was enough to ignite that charge.
"Are you ready?" She asked him.
"I suppose," he sighed. He knew that the response from the growing crowd of Faunus outside was more likely to align with outrage. While that was a response he was hoping for, turning it into support was the nasty part of the equation. "I believe in the people of Menagerie. Even if they don't agree to risk their lives, hopefully they'll be willing to hear us out."
Kali turned towards Blake and Blake understood. The two women leaned against Ghira to show their support for him. Blake blinked and for a second thought she imagined Ghira jolting slightly but then she noticed Sun behind him. Apparently, Sun had snuck up during that moment to pat Ghira on the back. Blake stifled a giggle.
"You've got this," Sun said.
Ghira just grunted in response. Despite their differences, Ghira did appreciate this show of support and affection from Blake's friend.
With all that said, the group walked towards the doors and prepared themselves. This was the hard part. Blake was hoping they'd stick the landing. Ghira placed his hands on the wooden doors and firmly pushed them open.
The light hurt Blake's eyes for a second as she adjusted to the bright outdoors. She stiffened as she took in the sight before her. It appeared that nearly half if not most of Menagerie were waiting outside the estate to hear from Blake's father. She saw reports speaking live in their scrolls that turned towards the noise. Slowly but surely, the attention from the crowd began to turn towards the Belladonnas. Blake surveyed the crowd. Not too far from them in the front were Corsac and Fennec Albain. They appeared to be meditating while waiting for the speech to begin. Her first emotion was animosity but she settled into wariness towards the brothers. She wanted to believe in altruism between the Faunus. She wanted to believe they really have nothing to do with the plans found on Ilia's scroll. But part of her also wanted to believe they were more guilty than they were letting on. Her friend deserved better. Her eyes were forcefully torn away from the brothers as she continued to scan the crowd. Not a single sign of Ilia. Although she did notice that the Menagerie police were standing by.
Ghira walked towards the breakaway stage where the pulpit and microphone were set up. He tapped on the mic to check the sound. Blake knew he didn't need to do that. The men who had set up the stage had already run a sound test. She figured that Ghira was just nervous and this was part of a ritual to help him get into the groove. The audience, if they hadn't already, gave their attention to the man.
"Thank you all for assembling here," Ghira started. "It brings me no pleasure to be up here today. I believe I must address some troubling rumors that have been brewing in Menagerie." He paused for a moment to make sure the people were listening. "It pains me to confirm that they are all true." Gasps amassed from the crowd. "No matter how you feel about the humans, it's hard to say anything other than the fact that the fall of Beacon was a tragedy. Surely a tragedy that will ruin all progress we worked towards in claiming equality for Faunus and humanity. Nevertheless, there are groups within the White Fang that wish for more than just the singular event. My daughter, Blake, and her friend confronted a member of the White Fang a few nights ago. Ilia Amitola had been spying on our residence and the two chased after her. In the tussle, her friend Sun Wukong was injured. But they managed to retrieve Ilia's scroll which featured articles and messages regarding an operation to overthrow and potentially murder the High Leader, Sienna Khan. This operation would be led by the wanted terrorist, Adam Taurus. The leader of a powerful splinter group in Vale." The gasps transitioned into dissent as the crowd vocalized their disdain. "Despite my own disagreements with Sienna regarding how to operate the movement, this is not what should be done." Clapping roared through the audience. Ghira raised his hand once more to call for quiet. The clapped died down to a murmur. "There is more to be said. This is where the plans get darker." Ghira's voice lowered into a huskier tone. "Within those plans, we've discovered that Adam has created a call for White Fang soldiers to join him in assaulting Haven Academy. It will be akin to the fall of Beacon." The crowd once again voiced displeasure. "Sadly, time is not on our side. These plans detail that he plans to strike not too long before the beginning of the Fall semester at Haven. We'd have only about two months' worth of preparations, but it should be enough. I hope that my message to warn them of impending danger arrives in Mistral swiftly." He looked over towards Blake. They agreed that Mistral is not the most accepting of Faunus, so this kind of revelation might not benefit them. But it's an action that needed to be done. Blake nodded. Ghira decided that now was best to transition to her part of the speech. "My daughter would like to have a few minutes of your time to explain what it was that she saw at Beacon. Blake?" He gestured for her to approach. She wasn't halfway down the stairs when it all got complicated.
"Traitors!" Ilia screamed from the crowd. Blake tried to zero in on her location but the sudden confusion brought on movements from everyone. After a few moments, a circle opened up around Ilia. She was smart and decided not to wear her mask or her fighting clothes. Blending in allowed her to not be detected by the police. "You're working with humans?! With Mistral?! You know the reputation they have with the Faunus! You expect us to help?!" Her eyes burned red with fury. "Everything that they've put us through, they did it with a grin on their face!"
"Ilia! I understand your rage," Ghira started. Ilia didn't allow him to continue.
"Where was their help when the dust companies treated us like slaves? Where was their help when they hunted the Faunus just for being who they are?" She took in her surrounding audience. "All for sport! All for gain!" The tears that brimmed her eyelids did not betray her ranging emotions. "They've taken everything from us! Everything!"
"Ilia, please. I understand how you feel. It took years for me to understand that Sienna's ways did ultimately start us towards progress," Ghira tried to reclaim control. "But the ways of Adam are not what we need!"
"The Belladonnas are the WORST kind of Faunus! They want us to just roll over and lick the boots of our oppressors!" Ilia refused to relent. "Now is the time for action! Adam's cause is righteous and will ignite the change we need." Before she could say more, violence broke out.
Blake was confused as to how it started. It didn't take long for her to become aware of Sun having snuck around the side of the crowd. He gripped his staff in his hands. Ilia managed to enact her aura and engage her weapon before the blow could do any damage. Without missing a beat, the police hurried over to stop the interruption.
"If you aren't willing to fight, the White Fang will do it for you!" Ilia shouted at last.
"Shut up already!" Sun spun the staff, preparing for another attack while Ilia extended hers beyond him for escape.
Before she could fly fully into the surrounding wood, Blake and Ilia locked eyes. For just a moment, Blake could see the rest of the conversation.
"I was always part of the fight; I didn't join it." She muttered to herself.
The echoing memory spoke Ilia's response. "You were lucky, are lucky. You could leave it with your parents if you wanted to. I have no one to return home to."
"I'm sorry, Ilia. I'd like to say I have the words, but I don't."
"You don't even know the half of it. Being a student at an Atlas school because my Faunus trait allowed me to pass for human was pretty fun. While it lasted, at least. That dust mine explosion robbed me of everything. And all those pretty humans laughed. I lost control of my emotions and that was all that needed to happen."
"That's horrible." Blake grinded her teeth in anger.
"It was. But don't worry. I broke their teeth."
Oscar Pine sat in a plush chair. The living room that was mostly dull and empty the day before was now active with the four curious teens.
"Did he age backwards?" Nora asked.
"Are you possessed?" Jaune's voice rose an octave.
"Perhaps reincarnated?" Ren purposed.
"Isn't it weird?!" Ruby gawked.
"It is very weird, yes," Oscar said. His head drooped a little bit.
"Okay, you four. Back off of him. I'm sure you're stressing him out by being so close. Remember, you're not the only ones hit with this new thing." Qrow was sober, finally. The four took a few steps backwards to give Oscar some space.
"Thank you," Oscar said.
"Don't mention it." The man sat down on the couch.
For a moment, nobody did much moving. Sensing the uncertainty, Ruby decided to sit down on the smaller couch next to the Oscar. She sat attentively and grinned at the boy. He blushed a little. He didn't interact with others very often, girls even less.
"Whoa," Oscar finally noticed. "You have silver eyes."
Ruby looked away. "Yeah, I get that a lot."
"I just don't know what to say, really," Oscar sighed.
Qrow took a sip from a coffee mug. "Perhaps, you could explain to us anything about your situation? Tell us what you personally know?"
"Oh." Oscar frowned. "Well, I suppose I could." He scratched his head. "I lived on a farm that my aunt owns. I would do some chores here and there, tend to the crops. I don't fully understand how it happened, I just sensed something was different. Then the voice appeared." He pouted slightly as he tried to figure out how to word what he wanted to say. "It's like someone talking right beside you, but nobody's there. I felt compelled to head here, Ozpin helped with directing."
"Ew, that's creepy!" Nora shuddered.
"Thank you, Ms. Valkyrie," Ozpin voiced with a hint of sarcasm. "Oscar, may I have an opportunity to address them myself? There are a few things I'd like to say to Qrow, as well."
"I guess," Oscar said. The teens shared a look with each other. "This is going to be really strange."
"I think we're capable of strange," Ren stated.
"Maybe," Oscar continued. "Oz wants to talk to you all. Just know that I'll still be here watching." He remained slouching. "Okay." Then a glimmer of light quickly enveloped him from his head to his feet. Once it faded, Oscar sat straight up.
"Hello, students. It's wonderful to see you all again safely," Ozpin said.
The teens eyes went wide. The entire change in demeanor and voice threw everyone off.
"Whoa, hold on. What just happened?" Jaune questioned.
"Professor Ozpin?" Ruby tested.
"Correct," Ozpin smiled. "Despite being the one speaking, Oscar is still here with us consciously."
"Just don't do anything weird," Oscar begged.
"Quite the party trick, huh?" Qrow chuckled.
"I just hope you never try that in a contest. Doesn't really seem fair to the others," Nora joked.
Ozpin's smile grew ever warmer. "It brings me nothing but gratitude to know that you haven't changed too much." His eyes turned down. "After everything…" He took a moment to just breathe for a change. It was a sensation he had missed. "I know that you've all surpassed great challenges. The biggest being born from my own folly."
Ruby straightened herself. "Beacon wasn't your fault, professor. It wasn't something you could predict."
Ozpin shook his head. "I disagree. It's all my fault and it was something that had been hovering on the horizon." His eyes narrowed. "I told you once that I'd made more mistakes than any man, woman, or child on this planet. That remains true." He inhaled deeply. "I've had a curse placed on me. Once, it may have been a blessing. A chance to continue life after death. But when it just doesn't end…" Ozpin grimaced. "This is a lot to take in, so I do apologize. But you need to understand that my form you've come to know was not my first. He, like many others, were like-minded souls."
"How? Why?" Jaune stammered.
"I can't say, really. It's been so long. I've lived so many lives," Ozpin said. "No matter how many attempts I've tried to understand this gift turned spite I've yielded no results. All I know is that it's a strong form of magic that can't be undone anymore." He looked to Qrow. "May I have a glass of water?"
"Oh, sure," Qrow got up and walked behind the group towards the kitchen.
"All of this talking will make my throat dry out," Ozpin chuckled. He sighed before continuing, "but none of this is really funny. I don't know why I laugh. A nervous tick, I suppose." Qrow returned and handed Ozpin the glass. "Thank you." He took a sip. "I'd like to say that I know the first of me, but I can't. Every new life ends another, so to speak. My soul that inhabits their body will merge with their soul, creating one soul in one body. None of my memories are gone but the life that continues in that body will never be the same one as birthed." He cringed. "The gods are truly fickle beings."
"Wait, the gods?" Nora cut the jokes. "Hold on, I thought they were just our creators. Why would they do this?"
Ozpin appeared to be deep in thought. "I'm unsure. The older I get, the hazier my early memories become." He clenched his cup. "All I'm sure of is my mission. I can feel it as my core being."
"Salem." Ruby assumed.
"Hmm. That's part of it," Ozpin agreed. "I just fear that the more I wait, the more I become complacent…the stronger she becomes."
"You said that was part of it," Ren started. "What's the rest?"
"Very astute, Mr. Ren," Ozpin nodded. "That's where things get hazy. All I remember is that Salem is the enemy to humanity and we must stop her."
"But, how do we even start with that?" Ruby brought her eyebrows together in thought.
Ozpin leaned back into the chair. "We can start by making sure the Relic of Knowledge is safe and secured."
Night had fallen over the bandit camp. Weiss and Fenix sat in an impromptu prison (really just an old cage with the floor missing) guarded by two obviously intoxicated bandits. Weiss gave up on trying to maintain dignity hours before and sat in the dirt without complaint. She was getting tired of the waiting. She knew something would have to come next.
"Kid," Fenix whispered. "Got any plans yet?"
"Still working on it," she answered.
The bandits decided that pestering their inmates would be more fun than just sitting around. They approached the cage.
"Well, howdy, Schnee and co." The first one giggled.
"Hope your accommodations are to your standard," the second sneered. The first bandit laughed but it acclimated to a cough. Weiss grimaced.
"You know, messing with the prisoners is close to what Raven told you guys not to do," a voice chimed in. The two bandits stood stiff and backed away from the makeshift cell. Approaching from behind them was a short woman, not too much older than Weiss, with cropped dark hair. "Although, with our new company, I can understand why."
"Sorry, Vernal, we were just bored," the first bandit said.
Vernal approached the prisoners. It didn't take long for Weiss to become aware that Vernal ranked highly in the bandit camp. Weiss tried to stand up but bumped her head against the top of the cell. Fenix tried to urge her back down, but she ignored him.
"My, you are the epitome of Atlesian beauty," Vernal remarked acidly.
"Cut the crap. What do you want?" Weiss went straight for the jugular.
"Ah," Vernal smirked. "You don't beat around the bush. Maybe we'll get along after all."
"As if." Weiss spat to the ground.
"Well, to answer you," Vernal smiled innocently. "To keep ourselves on the downlow, we don't make it our business to traffic people. It's also just a gross practice." Weiss laughed without any humor. "Yes, we're above practices like that. What of it? But anyways, you're a simple ransom deal. We sell you to your daddy in Atlas and I promise you'll be back in your 12,000-throw blanketed bed before you even know it." Vernal sneered.
"Weiss, just sit back down," Fenix begged.
Weiss put on a triumphant expression. Vernal looked quizzically but not surprised. "It won't be that easy for you. I'm off to meet my sister, Winter Schnee, in Mistral. You know about her? One of General Ironwood's highest-ranking officials. I'm sure that she'll start sweeping the area when I don't show and she'll be all upon your little tribe here before long. Then it'll be your problem. Unless you somehow managed to clear up the wreck site."
Vernal laughed in Weiss's face. Weiss looked appalled and Fenix was now confused. "Oh, my gods! Your bluff is pathetic." Vernal managed to say between fits of laughter.
"I'm not bluffing!" Weiss was getting upset. "It won't be long. I swear to you."
"Oh, Ms. Schnee," Vernal faked concern. "I don't think anyone's informed you. General Ironwood called all of his fleets back when he locked up Atlas's border. Including your dear sister." She sneered once again. "No big sister is going to swoop in to save the day, girl."
The words slowly dawned on Weiss. She knew that was true. Why was she so stupid to even say this in the first place? When she overheard Ironwood tell her father that he was going to close the borders, obviously that would mean bringing back important figures. Winter never would've stayed in Mistral.
"Oh, I'm sure that Winter Schnee is worried about you," Vernal said as she walked away. "But you'll see her soon, doll."
Weiss's face burned and the tears welled up. The two bandits backed off entirely but sat nearby to keep an eye on their wards.
"Hey, kid," Fenix comforted. He reached a hand out to her. "Listen, things will turn out okay."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Weiss whispered.
"I was already smuggling you out," Fenix answered. "Telling you that Winter was returning would not have changed your mind." She began to sob silently. "I'm sorry, Weiss. I really am."
"This is perfect!" Nora bounced. "We were stuck at a dead end and then little cute boy Ozpin swooped in! Now we can just go tell Professor Lionheart about this entire ordeal and that should be everything we need to set things straight."
"What did you call me?" Ozpin cocked his head to the side.
"Unfortunately, I'm not sure that's the best idea at the moment," Qrow rejected the idea.
Ozpin narrowed his eyes. "Why?"
"Things were…off when we met with Leo," Qrow said. "And that's putting it very mildly. I think that secrecy and holding our cards to our chest might benefit us in the long run." He sighed. "I hate to accuse him, but I don't think we can quite trust Leo at the moment."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the other Headmasters were supposed to report to you, Professor," Ren assessed.
"That's correct; however, Leonardo was becoming a bit more secluded prior to Beacon's fall. This update only furthers Qrow's assumption that trust should be sparingly. If what Qrow's saying is an accurate assessment, then Leonardo is acting irrationally and going against detailed orders. Perhaps it might be the best course of action to feign inaction," Ozpin replied.
"Well, why? He's wanting what's best for us," Jaune said. "I do agree that we should give this some time, but I don't see why waiting is the best choice."
"Yeah, and I don't really want to spend all of my time in Mistral stuck in this house," Ruby complained. "I know we're on this bigger than life mission but I've never traveled."
"Ms. Rose does have a point, Qrow," Ozpin assented. Ruby responded with a thumbs up. "I would like to have time to speak with Qrow in privacy soon. I'd like to make sure that we've had proper deliberation before informing you all of major choices." He smiled mischievously. "But I don't mind sparring with all of you in order to maintain proper shape! If you all decide it to be best, perhaps training would be our other option should you tire of Mistral."
"But Oscar's never had any training before," Ren inserted.
Ozpin demonstrated his ability by gripping his cane and began performing gymnastics. The teens were captivated but Qrow was more concerned that Ozpin was just showing off. He finally twisted in the air and stood on the chair he was previously sitting in, twirling his cane.
"I feel this should suffice!" Ozpin grinned. "Oscar's body will grow to have the same physical abilities that I had. It'll be like muscle memory. Training will be difficult, but we'll get through it." He thought for a second. "I suppose it might be time to allow him control again." The glimmer returned and Ozpin was gone.
Oscar looked around himself. The cane twirling stopped but it was either he risk dropping the cane or losing his balance. He watched the cane clatter to the ground and cringed at himself standing on the chair in his boots.
"I can't catch a break," he mumbled. The teens laughed with him in response.
A sudden knock on the door halted all conversation. Qrow walked over and opened it.
"Can I help you?" He asked the person outside.
"Delivery from Professor Lionheart," she said. "Said to bring it straight to you."
"Thank you," Qrow said, taking the envelope. He shut the door softly and walked back to the group. They waited on bated breath as Qrow opened it up to find four tickets and a letter. "Hm. 'Qrow, I'm sending the students some tickets to a wonderful theatre production in one of the upper levels of Mistral. I suppose while they're in the city they should embrace the culture and enrich themselves. Since they are students, treat this as a learning opportunity. Holly Green is starring in the current musical. She's one of Mistral's new up-and-coming actors. Her family are good friends of mine and they'd love to see support from those who were in the Vytal Festival. Please, keep in touch, Leo.'" Qrow looked at the four teenagers. "You guys feel up for some showtunes?"
Weiss and Fenix decided it was best to start taking shifts sleeping. If something changed, they'd both have to be aware immediately and ready to run if need be. While Fenix snoozed, Weiss decided to try focusing her summoning. She can make the knight come to her but can she control his size? Since Vernal had taken Myrtenaster captive, Weiss was going to have to rely on her innate abilities. Hopefully, that would suffice.
"I call out to my fallen foes, I call for your aide," she whispered.
A small summoning circle appeared in her hands and it was just enough to bring forth a puny knight. He readied himself for her command.
"Try cutting at the bars." She ordered.
The small knight began sawing against one of the bars in the back of the cell. Weiss finally started to feel hopeful for a change.