Summary/Disclaimer: Time for another chapter of A Lingering Ember. Enjoy the 900- word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum, and Rooster Teeth do.

(Vale, Beacon)

"Ok, ok, you can stop tugging me, I'm following you… Neo, please stop pulling my arm, I'm coming." Desmond said, he followed Neo who stopped tugging and started skipping down the path.

Desmond continued to look around the school, he didn't see any Grimm, presumably, they were killed by Huntsmen so people could start trying to repair it.

He still saw bodies of Huntsmen and Huntresses and White Fang soldiers which he slowly stepped over; he poked a White Fang soldier with his cane.

"I haven't been here in a few weeks or so… So, what are we here for, sweet tooth?" Desmond asked, curious as to why Neo had the idea to bring him to the school.

"Headmaster," Neo said, Desmond blinked and then looked up at the Grimm Dragon who still was unmoving before he used his free hand to pull his hat down and adjust it.

"The Professor of Oz? You haven't heard? He was dead, Glynda took over for him after that, and she locked herself inside the school for now…" Desmond said before Neo pointed to her mouth and Desmond shrugged and pointed at the school.

"Go, I'll meet you at the door… This place brings back some bad memories considering what happened here… This place is bad news…" Desmond said, Neo nodded and skipped away, Desmond sighed and smiled before following his partner into the school.

Neo was at the door, Desmond looked at the courtyard before he pushed open the door slowly.

Neo looked around and Desmond followed her, Melodic Cudgel making small clicking noises whenever the cane touched the floor. Desmond might not have needed it to walk, but it did help him feel better… Or maybe it was because he had a one-woman army with him helping him.

"Hello? We're here to talk to the woman in charge… Is anyone here, or this place still under reservations?" Desmond asked, trying to make light of the fact they were probably trespassing at this point.

Desmond pointed his cane at a noise while Neo prepared for another fight, a smirk on her face.

"Beacon Academy is closed for now… What are either of you doing here?" They heard before they looked to see Glynda Goodwitch, her arms crossed. Desmond could see clear bags under her eyes which meant she wasn't sleeping well.

Desmond rested his cane on the ground and then looked at her with a smile while Neo leaned on Desmond. Desmond looked at Neo who smirked at him before turning back to Glynda.

"I'm sorry, my friend here wanted to meet you and dragged us here… So, I had brought her to Beacon… I'm Desmond Morris, this is Neo…" Desmond said, Neo elbowed him in the ribs, and he grunted before he looked at her with a smirk before he turned back to Glynda.

"Well, this school is closed to the public for now… Besides, it isn't safe for anyone to be here, Huntsmen and Huntresses aside… You have to leave soon." Glynda said before she turned around and Desmond sighed.

"How many people died when that giant lizard has been here without rent? I lost my parents and my entire team here and my parents… I'd gladly help you kill that thing if it means it's gone… I lost of people here, and I grew up in Vale… It pains me to see the entire town suffering like this." Desmond said, Neo blinked in amusement before Glynda turned back to them.

"Many, everyone thinks Atlas did this… And I know they didn't… General Ironwood didn't need to tell me that… And we haven't found a way to get rid of the Dragon, it's been frozen to the top of the CCT tower and repairs can't start until it's dead." Glynda said, Desmond, shook his head, and sighed.

"Well, I hope you kill it and get it out… Vale has suffered enough… I don't like seeing the town I grew up in looking like a ball of fire burned down the entire town." Desmond said before he walked to the door.

"Do you know where Cinder went?" Neo asked, Desmond, turned back to her while Glynda raised an eyebrow before Neo continued.

"Or where that ship that was hijacked crashed?" Neo asked, Glynda was silent while Desmond paused at the door.

Why did that name sound familiar? Why? He hadn't heard it once before in his life and the name felt… So, alien… Yet he knew who it was.

"I don't… And how do you know who that it?" Glynda asked, Desmond, looked at Neo and motioned for her to come with him.

Neo said nothing, she slowly turned back to the door before following Desmond out the door.

Glynda watched the duo leave. There was something familiar about his cane.

"Was that Torchwick's cane?" Glynda asked before she turned and walked away.

Author Note

Phew, another chapter is done! Yes, I know it was short, the next chapter will be longer. I also want to point out Desmond does know about Cinder a bit. I will show you next time. The next chapter will be on Sunday or so and will show Desmond and Neo talking and show Desmond and Neo heading towards Mistral. Until then, Ligating Wolf out!