Ben stumbled back with startled yelped a burning red handprint present on his left cheek, Rook winced slightly as Ben reeled back from yet another blow from the Schnee Heiress, as Weiss drew her hand back to deliver another blow, acting quickly Blake reach out snatching the Heiress arm pulling her back before she could continue striking the shapeshifter any further.

"Weiss that enough!" Blake said holding the white hair girl back. "Hitting him won't get us anywhere. You need to calm down"

Weiss let's out a frustrated growl, lowering her hand Weiss sent a could glare Ben and Rook's way "The two of you have some nerve showing your faces here after everything that's happened" The heiress seethed.

"Weiss." Alex said cutting in before Weiss could lash out again, even Blake seemed hesitant about holding the Heiress back any further, her anger over what happened to her partner still fresh, as well as the relief she felt in knowing Yang was safe once more. "Give them a chance to explain, please."

Weiss eyes focused on her friend before shifting back towards the plumber duo, Weiss took a slow calming breath before replying. "You have five minutes" She said her Icy gaze never once faltering.

"Thank you, miss Schnee" Rook replied

"Dude you couldn't have said something before she hit me." Ben asked rubbing the red handprint on his cheek

Alex gave him a deadpan look "Do you think it would have changed anything?" He doubted it and judging by the look he received from Ben he also agreed.

Rook stepped towards the desk in the center of the empty office where one of the infirmary doctors would normally be, they didn't know how long until they arrived retrieving his plumber's badge from his belt and displaying the same map of the region outside of Vale they'd shown Alex. "For almost a weak now we've been outside the kingdom investigating a number of energy anomalies outside the kingdoms we found using the proto-trucks long range scanner"

"What were you looking for?" Blake asked her anger slowly being replaced by curiosity

"The Psycho rangers leave behind a rather unique energy signature." Rook explained. "We were using the proto-truck to boost our scan radius and find a location with a more significant energy signature."

"We'd already found a few traces around Vale, mostly around the docks and the area where the breach took place." Ben picked up "But what we found with the scanner was much worse"

Blake and Weiss glanced at one another "What do you mean, what could be worse than those monsters?" Weiss spat.

Several small red dots appeared on the map, dotting landscape outside of Vale "The scanner picked up several locations with Level three technology and above there are more like then spread across the continent, one of which you visited when rescuing Miss Xiao Long." Rook then pointed to two of the locations marked on their map "We were investigating these two locations due to their close proximity to some of the settlement outside the kingdom walls"

"What did you find?" Weiss asked.

"Like we told Alex, a bunch of White Fang armed to the teeth with tech from our world, most of what we found matched some of the stuff stolen from the evidence vault." Ben said.

"Hang on, you said "some" What about the rest?" Blake asked nervously.

"All factory new munitions all the crates were marked with the White fangs emblem." Alex said much to Blakes growing horror." Judging by the dust they'd been sitting there for a while, so it's not a relatively new operation."

"So then where are they getting the weapons, and how do we put a stop to it" Weiss asked

"Earth seems like the most likely source" Rook said. "It is doubtful they would have the resources nor the equipment to mass produce them here"

"I thought the gateway the plumbers built, was the only way here?" Blake asked.

"The Psycho Rangers have a null void projector." Alex said "It isn't that much of a stretch they augmented it to let them travel from here to earth, and as for stopping it there's nothing we really can do on our end, Ben and Rook already sent a report along with a list of suspects for magister Tenison, he won't let this go on any longer then it has to."

Blake let out a small sigh of relief, that was something at least. In the rather short time, she'd known Max Tennyson he had already proven himself to be a good man in her eyes, she trusted he would do everything in his power to put a stop to this before the White fang could acquire any more weapons. "We should get this information to General Ironwood or my sister" Weiss spoke up" They need to know about this."

"Already way ahead of you, Weiss" Alex replied. " I asked Adam to pass along my findings at the mine to the general and Headmaster while he was up there, they should already know about the weapons by now."

"Good thinking" Blake said "The sooner headmaster Ozpin and General Ironwood learned about the White Fangs new weapons the sooner they'd be able to prepare in the event they're ever used." Blakes ears wilted as a feeling of dread welled up inside her. God, it was just like the Atlesian Paladin all over again she couldn't begin to imagine the destruction they could cause if used in tandem with one another, the thought alone made her shudder.

"Let hope it never comes to that" Rook said receiving a few nods from those present

"So, what happens now?" Weiss asked turning her gaze back towards Ben and Rook "Are the two of you heading off to deal with those other locations you mentioned."

"Maybe" Ben began glancing off to the side look torn by the choice they had to make "We were thinking about sticking around to keep an eye on things once the tournament starts back up, it didn't feel right just running off again, not after anything that's happened."

Surprisingly it was Weiss who spoke first, her anger having long since vanished "Are you sure about staying?" The Heiress asked. "If these weapons are as dangerous as you've said they are, we won't hold it against you if you have to go."

"No." Rook said bowing his head slightly in remorse. "I think Ben and I can both agree that for the time being our place is here, we owe you all that much Yang most of all."

"You don't owe us anything, we...I may have overreacted." Weiss said with some embarrassment, her eyes focusing heavily on the burning red hand mark on Bens' cheek, that certainly must have hurt. "I'm sorry about that."

"Don't be." Ben replied giving Weiss a gentle smile. " If it were Rook or Alex in that bed, I think I probably would have acted the same." Weiss smiled back in response nodding in understanding.

"You know... the two would actually look cute together, Ice queen."

"What!" Both Ben and Weiss shouted in shock the shapeshifter and heiress turning a bright red as their heads snapped towards the source of the voice.

Koan threw his head back laughing as he leaned against the office doorway, all the while Pyrrha attempted to stifle a small fit of giggles watching as Weiss and Ben stared blankly at the two of them before glancing to one another both turning a deeper shade of red.

"N-no way" Ben said rapidly waving his hands in denial.

"I-I would never date him" Weiss shouted indignantly, before quickly following up with "N-no offence"

"Oh my god" Alex muttered shaking his head in amusement he was actually thankful for the sudden levity, however embracing it may have been for his friends. After a few minutes of laughter, Koan cleared his throat turning his attention towards Ben and Rook.

"Ruby and Yang's dad left to grab them some food from the cafeteria." Koan said "He's gonna be a while so if you guys wanna see her now's the time."

"Are you sure." Ben asked looking to Weiss and Blake for confirmation "What about the soldiers."

"We'll come with you if the soldiers see you're with us, they might not ask too many questions, and if there's any trouble we'll vouch for you." Blake said and after the small riot outside involving team CFVY and JNPR she was pretty sure they'd had enough of the student body pestering them for one day.

"Thank you." Rook replied quickly putting on the I.D mask, his form became distorted and was quickly replaced by a young man in his late teens, he had slightly tanned skin and dark blue hair styled into a ponytail going down the back of his head, his most distinctive feature being his catlike red and yellow eyes identifying him as a Faunus.

"I-It's no problem, really." Weiss said after managing to regain some of her composure, the heiress gestured for the two of them to follow as she made her way towards the doorway Ben and Rook quickly following behind alongside Blake and Alex. Koan stretched his arm out stopping Alex from leaving Blake paused outside the office staring back at them questioningly

"Alex?" She asked.

"It's fine" Alex waved off "I'll catch up" Blake stared at them for a moment raising an eyebrow at Koan's strange behavior, her eyes drifting over to Pyrrha who was stood a few feet away, she knew why they were here, but she didn't expect them to suddenly ambush Alex in the hallway, in any case, it wasn't her place to pry. Nodding to Alex she turned and continued on down the hall quickly catching up with the others.

"What are yo-" Alex tried to ask before Koan cut him off.

"We need to talk." He stressed

"About what?" Alex asked

"Not here, can we talk in the office." Koan said.

"Sure" Alex shrugged turning back into the office Koan and Pyrrha followed him inside, the blond shapeshift closed the door behind them locking it behind them, Koan grabbed a nearby chair placing it under the doorknob before turning and making his way over to the window, quickly closing the drapes before walking around the office checking the cabinets, the bottom of the chairs and desk as well as the potted plant in the corner.

"Ok were good" The shapeshifter said

"Ummm" Alex hummed in confusion staring at his best friend as he practically turned the small office upside down, this was weird even by his standards. Alex turned to Pyrrha who was staring at Koan in equal confusion from her seat beside the desk. "Mind telling me what's going on?" he asked hoping Pyrrha would have the answer.

"It's... it's complicated" Pyrrha said her voice lacking any of the warmth nor the jovial attitude she usually radiated, Pyrrha looked down at the floor her left hand reaching across her body gripping her elbow tightly.

His heart fell" Pyrrha" he asked resting a somewhat comforting hand on her shoulder, she reached up resting her hand on his looking up at him as tears threatened to burst forth, he had never seen those emerald orbs looked so lost, so confused.

"I-I..." She swallowed heavily "I think...I think I need some advice, and you're the only one who might understand why."

"Ok..." Alex said growing more worried by the second, he'd never seen Pyrrha like this. " Pyrrha whatever wrong you can tell me, is it something involving the tournament or your team. "Alex asked he couldn't think of anything that might have made her like this.

"No, no it's nothing like that." Pyrrha quickly amended

"Then what?" Alex asked.

Pyrrha stared at the floor for a good minute before taking a slow calming breath "The day Yang was abducted, the headmaster summoned me to his office, Rubies uncle arrived thee soon after alongside Miss Goodwitch and General Ironwood." Pyrrha said her voice shaking slightly. "They showed me thing... It's hard to explain, but now I've only got until the end of the Vytal festival to make a decision and I have no idea what to do."

Pyrrha slumped in her seat her hands falling between her knees as she stared down at the solid wood floor. "I know it an important decision, but there are risks to it... and... and, I'm so happy with where I am right now." Pyrrha paused. "But if I accept I could lose everything. I don't want to lose my friends or my team, I love them more than life itself, I'm finally happy." She took a deep breath of air, it was more of a gasp then anything." I don't want to not be me anymore."

Alex wanted to speak, he wanted to ask what decision the headmaster wanted her to make. He knew it was serious, but her words gave him very little to go on, he wanted to press, but it was clear she still had far more to say. "I'm not sure what to do now, telling my team would have only caused more problems especially after what happened to Yang." Pyrrha whispered, she looked up at him pleadingly "Koan said out of everyone at Beacon you'd understand better than anyone, that you could help me make the right decision."

"Pyrrha, I don't understand." Alex asked kneeling down in front of the clearly distraught girl. "What do you mean by a decision, what did the headmaster want you to do?"

Pyrrha glanced to Koan, the shapeshifter gave her a gentle smile gesturing for her to continue "I know you haven't been on our world long" Pyrrha began swallowing thickly "But, have you ever heard... Have you ever heard the story of the seasons?

Alex had taken the time to read up on most of remnants history books, recently published novels and other material when he first arrived, it was essential for his cover at beacon especially when the teachers were involved.

If his grades started slipping due to his lack of what may have been common or previously touched upon knowledge he should have learned back in one of the many combat academies he "attended" when he was younger there might have been trouble, and to fairytales weren't exactly at the top of that list was a bit of an understatement.

"No" he replied before asking " Why what does this have to do with anything?"

Pyrrha closed her eyes and took a slow calming breath "The story of the seasons has been around for... I don't even know how long, my mother first told me it when I was just a girl" Pyrrha began recalling the story in as much detail as she could.

"The story goes that long ago, there lived a callous old man, one who refused to leave his home only ever viewing the world through a small window. One day, he was visited by four travelling sisters the first was Winter who understood his reclusive nature and urged him to use that time for meditation and self-reflection. Then came Spring who brought the man fruit flowers and tended to his crops reviving his garden."

Alex nodded along listening intently to the story

"The third Summer, warmed the man's heart, convincing him to come outside and see the world around him and all the beauty it holds. And the final sister Fall, compels the man to look upon all that he had and be thankful.

"In return for the kindness they had shown him, the old man granted the four sisters incredible powers mastery over the elements themselves. the four sisters vowed to share this great gift with the people of remnant until the end of days. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall the Four Maidens."

"So... The Maidens, they're real? "Alex asked receiving a nod in response. "And Ozpin wanted you to become one."

"Y-Yes" Pyrrha answered. "They believe I'm the next in line to receive the powers." Alex sat back against the desk staring down at the hardwood floors.

"Why? And what do you mean "receive their powers" they're what...passed on when the other maidens ready?" Alex asked in clear confusion.

"No" Koan began glancing to Pyrrha with a reassuring look before taking over" The last fall Maiden, Amber was attacked how long ago we don't know Ozpin didn't tell Pyrrha, what we do know that whoever attacked her managed to make off with part of her power."

"What!?" Alex gawked making sure he heard that right, Alex sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. "Your telling me someone out there is running around with the ability to control nature itself? "Alex had to force down his disbelief followed by another sigh" Perfect, another mess I'm probably going to have to clean up" Alex muttered under his breath before turning to address the two of them.

"You said they made off with half of her powers, what about the rest, What about Amber?" Alex asked he might not have known Amber he still needed to know if she'd survived the ordeal.

"She's alive, thought the headmaster doesn't think she'll... live much longer." Pyrrha said her remorse being felt by all those present.

"When a maiden dies there powers are realized and seek out a new host "Alex nodded along listening intently to his friend's words "From what open told Pyrrha the person in a Maiden's last thoughts are the first one on the list to inherit their abilities" Koan explain receiving a lock of shock from Alex, Koan sighed before continuing "I know it's stupid, but that's how it works."

"And If... When" Pyrrha amended though clearly uncomfortable with the grim situation. " She dies they're afraid her powers will seek out their other half and-"

"The person that attacked her." Alex finished

"Yes" Pyrrha nodded

"So how do they plan on doing it?" Alex asked, " Transferring what's left of Ambers powers to you."

Pyrrha looked up at him, a surprised expression on her face. It honestly tore at his heart how she looked betrayed for a second but a moment later it was replaced by the trusting smile that formed on her face. It looked as though she would do whatever he suggested which only added to the current weight on his shoulders

"The general didn't explain everything, " She said " But the technology is from Atlas or at least the machine is. Apparently, its capable of transferring and containing a person's aura, they were planning on transferring Ambers aura to me." Pyrrha explained "But because aura is the soul, there's a chance aspect of her personality... her life could be transferred over to me."

"Wait so they haven't even tested it!?" Alex demanded. Pyrrha winced, after seeing koan's reaction to her story she was expecting something worse, though Alex seemed to be trying to keep his temper in check.

"Not from what I gathered, I don't... Aura...Aura is sacred Alex. I don't think anyone would choose to play around with that, it's a person's soul; their very being Pyrrha said " I don't know if there's life after death, but if someone else were to... devour your aura" Pyrrha cut off there her face twisting into obvious discomfort, though Alex was able to fill in the rest, if someone were to devour another person's aura they would simply cease to exist.

Or, as Pyrrha seemed to worry live on in the body and mind of the other. Would that mean their memories and emotions, a faint echo of someone...someone you had killed? Or something else entirely like a merging of two beings that left the remaining person neither different nor the same but something else entirely and she'd sought him out for advice to help her make a choice and she would have to deal with the consequences of such decision for the rest of her life.

Something that was all too familiar to him.

Alex rubbed his brow, what was he supposed to tell her? If he told Pyrrha to accept the deal he would be pushing right into the crosshairs of the one who attacked Amber in the first place someone who was probably far more experienced with such power, and a professional huntress to boot. But if he told her to say no... well, that opened up a whole new can of worms. No doubt Ozpin had chosen Pyrrha due to her strength and skill as a world-renowned fighter, but if not her then who next, a few familiar faces flashed through Alex's mind a certain blond brawler instantly coming to mind.

Yang was already the second strongest fighter in the school and she was already on her way to recovering from her ordeal. If Ozpin were to play on such an experience it would certainly grant him some leverage over Yang, envisioning that the Psycho Rangers might try abducting anyone else they deemed a threat to their plans was a rather damning and real possibility.

There was no doubt in his mind she would take the deal if it meant protecting the people closest to her, but the same could be said in reverse, she might refuse the deal for that exact same reason, the very large target it would paint on her back as it already had Amber.

The Omni ranger sighed, there were no good options available if Pyrrha said no Ozpin and his co-whatever's might just move onto the next viable candidate available, or Amber would pass before someone willing to accept such a burden could be found and the maidens powers could be lost to Ambers attackers.

After a long moment of silence, Alex spoke "I honestly don't know what to tell you"

"What?" Pyrrha asked

" That there's no real good answer I can give you." Alex began." You already told us how you hated being famous because people treated you for what you were not who you were. It would just be the same thing all over again, you'd be afraid of making friends because of the chance you might think of one of the female ones and pass this burden onto them."

Pyrrha's head fell

"And that isn't right" Alex continued surprising her "You don't want that, and I know you don't. It's obvious you don't want that even now, you sought me out because you had doubts. Because you were concerned about Ozpin's offer from the beginning, that's reason enough to say, no. Say no and that'll be the end of it."

"It, not that easy"

"Bullshit" Alex responded

Pyrrha flinched "What?"

"Bullshit" Alex repeated ensuring that she heard him

"The only one making it harder than it has to be is you!" He shocked her, acting on her current shock Alex pushed on "Your acting like this entire thing is a life or death situation that only you are the only person alive capable of handling it, from what you said Ozpin told you any young woman man would do and that's what fifteen, twenty percent of remnants population. If you say no, then sure, someone else will have to become the Maiden, it's unlikely he would force it on someone against their will. Ozpin gave you a choice, what makes you think he won't give someone else the same."

"But-"

"You're not willing or prepared, when other might be." Alex continued " Ozpin wants someone willing to be the maiden, someone who can shoulder that burden, not someone who's going to regret it for the rest of their life." Alex knelt down to Pyrrha's level taking her hands into his own " Take it from someone who's been through what you're going through, or you can look me in the eye and tell me you wouldn't regret it, do it."

Pyrrha raised her head staring into Alex eyes " I-I..." She stuttered trying to form the words as tears formed at the edge of her eyes "I... I can't" She looked away.

"Pyrrha." Alex said tilting her chin up slightly, so he could look at her, he gave her a gentle smile " No one wants you to be unhappy Pyrrha and I doubt Ozpin does either, that's why he gave you a choice. So, for once, instead of thinking about what's best for the people around you so how about you stop thinking you're the only one in the world who can do this because trust me, you aren't."

"I.." Pyrrha laughed. It was a desperate, choked and weak laugh, but laughter none the less. Without really thinking about it she moved forward pressing her head into his chest, Alex hesitated for a moment before wrapping his arms around her shoulders returning the hug. "I suppose I've been rather foolish lately."

"You were trying to do what you thought was right, no one can blame you for that." Alex spoke

Pyrrha pressed her face further into his chest, she didn't cry but took some small comfort from his warmth. "Thank you, both of you." Pyrrha said turning her head towards koan who nodded in response a warm smile present on his face.

Pyrrha pulled back from Alex her cheeks heating up slightly from embarrassment "Sorry" Pyrrha said followed by a small chuckle as she reached across rubbing her arm with her left hand. "I shouldn't have... well." She gestured to him uselessly " I'm sure Blake would be rather upset." she chuckled once more.

"About what?" Alex shrugged. " That I helped out a friend, I doubt it."

"I suppose your right." Pyrrha replied before sending a gentle smile Alex and Koan's way. "Thank you, both of you for hearing me out."

"You don't have to thank us, it was no problem " Alex and Koan responded in kind, a small buzzing quickly drew Alex's attention. Retrieving his scroll from his jacket pocket he opened it to find a message from Qrow.

"What is it?" Koan asked

"Nothing really" Alex replied. "It looks like the headmaster just wants to speak with me."

"About what?" Koan asked

"I don't know, probably just something to do with the mission" Alex shrugged quickly removing the chair blocking the door and opening out into the hallway before turning his gaze back towards Pyrrha one last time "Are you going to be alright Pyrrha."

"Yes, I think I'll be fine for the rest of the day." Pyrrha replied a smile beginning to form on her face "Koan and I going to go check up on Yang... and then I think I'm going to have a talk with my team, there are some things I need to clear up" Pyrrha said "Thank you again, both of you."

"Don't mention it" Koan replied Alex nodded to the mistral champion before exiting into the hallway shutting the door behind him, after everything that had happened he had a feeling she'd be alright.

/

Alex sighed leaning back against the elevator wall he stared up at the digital display counting the floors as they passed, he gripped his left wrist rubbing it slightly stopping the jitters spreading up his arm it wasn't the first time he'd been forced to bury his anger behind a calm facade. Even after everything Pyrrha had told him he still could believe it, he still couldn't believe Ozpin could ask someone to throw their life away like that, even if they claimed it to be for the greater good.

Alex shut his eyes taking a few slow breaths, he needed to keep his cool while he was here his personal feelings on the matter didn't matter right now. A few moments later the elevator signaled he'd arrived at the Headmasters office, the two doors sliding open and into the small foyer outside Ozpins office a moment later, the headmaster's voice accompanied by a few others on the other side.

'Well, this is going to be an interesting conversation' Alex thought as he pushed open the two large double doors. The three Hunters, General and Black ranger turned to face the new arrival. The headmaster smiled, and it took all his patients not to snarl "Ah, Alex... this is Alex I am addressing at the moment and not another one of Mr. Parks cohorts in disguise, correct."

"Yes, it's me." Alex responded making his way towards the Headmasters desk, as they passed one another Adam handed Alex back his badge

Ozpin nodded in response " It's good to see you are unharmed after the events of your mission, Qrow and Mr. Park have already informed us about the events that transpired while you were inside the facility, as well as your findings, how is Miss Xiao Long doing at the moment."

"She's awake, she was asking about the two of you as well." Alex responded, followed by a small sigh of relief from Qrow "There was a small army of students from Beacon and a few of the other academies waiting to see her as well."

"So, we've been told" The headmaster chuckled in response, he could already imagine the scene it would have caused for James men." It is often the darkest of times that bring people together the most."

"It's not as uncommon as you might think." Adam said leaning back against one of the stone pillars with a sigh. "But we aren't here for small talk, now that the rookies here we can get down to business. Preferable how the Psycho Rangers have been hiding among your students, and if any more have been compromised."

"I had my men run background checks on Miss Maze as well as her team, we recovered records concerning both details of their birth as well as their academics, the most recent records show both Miss Maze and her team took part in a scouting mission into the Grimm lands four weeks before their arrival for the Vytal festival, it could be considered a milk run for most huntsmen even the second year and above students...Though now we believe they encountered something 'else' during their mission"

Alex's fist tightened "You're implying the Psycho Rangers killed them and impersonated them in order to sneak into Beacon?"

"Yes" Ozpin finished.

"Do their families know?" Adam asked.

"We've already made arrangements to contact their next of kin" Ironwood replied. "Though after recent events... they may already be aware." A moment of silence passed among the group, four more lives taken by the Psycho Rangers, by those monsters.

"Fuck me" Alex sighed

"Ahem" Glynda grunted raising a slender eyebrow towards Alex.

"Sorry" he responded earning a small chuckle from Qrow, Alex sighed before continuing. "So, what's our next move?"

"For the moment nothing" Ozpin responded

"What?" Adam and Alex replied in shock

"You can't be serious?" Alex said

"I'm afraid so" Ozpin replied, " The kingdom and much of remnant as a whole are still recovering after the events that transpired in the Coliseum, the people are afraid" The Headmaster explained " The council have already received numerous reports of increased Grimm activity outside Vales walls as well as many of the neighboring settlements. The situation at the moment is a delicate one, we cannot risk any further action until the Public have been calmed and the Grimm surrounding the kingdom have dispersed."

"With all due respect, we might not have that long." Adam spoke up" The Psycho Rangers won't just sit by and do nothing, not after what happened to Psycho yellow, there's going to be backlash."

"I'm with the kid and Adam on this one Oz" Qrow spoke up, nodding towards both Adam and Alex

"As am I." Glynda said, surprising both Alex and Qrow.

"Oz, I get where you're coming from" Qrow began "But after everything that's gone down we shouldn't be wasting time, we need to deal with this before they have a chance to push back against Vale."

"I understand your concerns old friend, but for the moment our hands are tied. After Miss Xiao Long rescue and the destruction of the SDC facility the council has ruled to hold any military action until the Vytal festival has passed."

"Wait, the festivals still going on?" Adam asked

"Correct, the council believes it to be a show of strength in such trying times." The General said annoyance present in his tone." They've refused to sanction any more military or Huntsmen related operations within Vales borders until the Vytal festival has passed and the event involving Miss Xiao longs kidnapping have faded from the minds of the people, so for the moment, our hands are tied. Though I've had my men placed on high alert as a precaution"

"Well, that's something at least." Alex growled under his breath, the act did not go unnoticed by those present.

He understood the council's decision, even if he didn't like it, he understood why they had to do it. After what happened to Yang the people didn't know who to trust, and the Paranoia that more Psycho rangers might walk among them would have only worsened the situation for Vale with the Grimm tightening the noose around the kingdom.

The vital festival picking back up would be an easy way for the traumatic events of the past week to fade from the people's minds, the kingdom couldn't afford another incident like the breach and was taking precautions to prevent it.

"I understand your frustration, Alex. Truly I do" Ozpin said as he rounded his desk standing before the young man before him, the headmaster's tone was softer than usual, more sympathetic... Where was that sympathy for Pyrrha, couldn't he see what he was doing to her? " You as well as your comrades have greater reason than most to see that such monsters as these, are brought to justice. But for now, I ask you be patient, the gavel will fall in time, but we must be certain we can protect our own first, before seeking to end this for good."

Alex sighed glancing off to the side.

"I understand it has been a stressful time, for you and for all of us." Ozpin said placing a hand on Alex's shoulder, and it took a lot for him not to just slap the hand away "I would suggest you try to get some rest."

"...Fine." Alex said stepping back from the headmaster "If anything comes up don't hesitate to contact me." Turning away Alex made his way back towards the exit Adam moving to follow.

"And that's my cue to leave, I need to report back to the other about this." Adam said nodding to the headmaster and General." Thank you for your time."

"Of course," Ozpin responded as the doors closed behind them, after a few moments of silence Qrow turned to address Ozpin as the headmaster retook his seat.

"We should tell 'em, Oz." Qrow said

"Qrow" The general began "You know we can't take that risk." Ironwood responded

"Funny I remember having the exact same conversation when we were thinking about letting you in on the big secret Jimmy." Qrow shot back, earning a sigh from Glynda though she didn't deny the statement.

"They've already proven themselves trustworthy, James" Glynda stated. "This isn't even their world, their home and yet they fight to protect its people as if they were their own, as we do, surely it would be beneficial to us all if they were brought into the fold."

"Very true Glynda." Ozpin said taking a long sip from his coffee "Though at the moment our concerns must be focused elsewhere, Amber's condition has begun to worsen...she may have less than a few weeks at most" The grim statement ushered the room into silence

"If so, we should have miss Nikos prepared for the procedure." Ironwood said

"She still hasn't agreed to bear such a burden James, we cannot force her." Glynda said, scowling at the General.

"Look at the bigger picture!" Ironwood yelled "We have to do this now while we have time, or we risk the Maiden powers falling into 'her' hands."

"We are all well aware James!" Ozpin shot back "But if we force the matter upon an unwilling subject, then we are no better than her. The finals will conclude this Monday and per our agreement with Miss Nikos we will have our answer, I have faith she will make the right decision."

The General sighed "Fine... For all our sakes I hope your right about this Ozpin"

"As am I old friend"

/

Alex sat back in his chair after finishing up his report to Magister Tennyson before sending it off to Ben and Rook, glancing up at the clock he sighed noting the time, he'd been sitting here for little over two hours, usually this kind of work would take him around fifteen minutes tops, but his mind had been elsewhere.

He still couldn't believe what Pyrrha had told him, let alone Ozpin had been the one responsible for all the turmoil she had been subjected to, he had considered telling Adam in the elevator when he asked about what him had so tense, it would have been so easy to reveal what Pyrrha had told him What Ozpin had done. But out of respect for Pyrrha, he chose not to or risk bringing unwanted attention to the red-haired girl.

"Are you ok?" Circuit asked

"I'm fine!" Alex snapped He wasn't, when he'd first arrived here he'd been forced to trust the headmaster out of necessity but over his time spent at Beacon, he'd come to trust the headmaster on a similar level as he did magister Tennyson.

"Ok..." Circuit replied he didn't sound like he believed him, nor did he.

Alex knelt down to Circuits level " Sorry little guy I've just been under a lot of stress lately I didn't mean to snap at you like that."

A knock on his door drew the Omni rangers attention, it was already late in the afternoon Ruby and the others were still with Yang in the infirmary the visiting hours didn't end for another hour and he was certain after everything that happened they'd be spending as much time with their teammates as they could. Alex turned his gaze to circuit tilting his head towards the bathroom, the small robot owl took off flapping his stubby wings and disappearing into the bathroom.

Moving to the door he twisted the handle pulling it open expecting to find some random student, or perhaps even Qrow.

"Blake?" he said surprised by the Faunus girl's presence. "I thought you would be with Yang?" he said opening the door wider, so she could come in.

"They were wondering where you were" Blake shrugged stepping through the doorway. "Koan said you'd gone to see the headmaster but when you didn't come back I thought I'd check here."

Alex sighed "Sorry I've been a little swamped after the mission, things were a little crazy out there." He said taking leaning back against the wall "You can come out circuit" said robotic owl emerged from the bathroom a few seconds later floating over to his perch on Alex's desk

"Hey, little guy" Blake greeted petting the robotic blue owls head.

"Hi, Blake." Circuit responded flapping his stubby wings in greeting, earning a small chuckle from the cat Faunus before turning her attention towards Alex.

"Anyway, is what Yang said true?" Blake said taking her seat across from him on the bed " Is Psycho yellow…"

"Yeah" Alex responded there was little that needed to be said on that subject.

Blake's brow furrowed slightly "Are you ok? Yang said you were acting a little weird afterwards."

"I'm fine, really." Alex said offering her a comforting smile, one that Blake returned in kind, his smile faltered and faded a moment later. " There just a lot on my plate at the moment, after everything that happened on the mission and with the Vytal festival starting up again, I'm just worried I might have brought the Psycho's wrath down on Vale."

"I know." Blake replied. She was pretty sure they all knew in one way or another it was a possibility and an inevitable one at that. When Yang had been taken the first thing the headmaster and General had done was organize a mission to rescue her, they had retaliated not only destroying their base but also taking one of their lives in the process. This was war, even if the council were trying to hide it as a way to maintain order, no matter how you looked at it " Things are going to get worse before they get better"

"There's no doubt about that." Alex replied taking a seat beside her on the bed "Adam and the others are going to be monitoring things around the kingdom, but it's the people inside the kingdom's walls that I'm worried about."

"You think they had help?" Blake surmised

"The Psycho Rangers have been here for a few months at the most, it's not enough time for them to pull all this off, sneaking into the tournament is one thing. "Alex explained. "But the breach, as well as their alliance with the white fang and Torchwick is another thing entirely, they had to have help to have done so much in such a short time."

Blake nodded along with his words, and despite how hard the idea was to accept it, to believe someone would be so willing to make a deal with what might have well been the devil himself, it was true. Someone had willingly sold out the academies, the kingdom, hell the whole planet to those monsters "I'm already working on a list of suspects, Torchwick and the White Fang seems to be the most likely..."

"But you think it might be someone else." Blake surmised

"Bingo." Alex responded earning Blakes full attention "Do you remember what Coco told everyone after the doubles rounds, she said she'd been seeing and hearing things that weren't even there, like when she called out to Yatsuhashi when he was fighting mercury" Blake hummed agreement." Later that night she and Velvet showed up at my dorm, Coco said Psycho Red appeared in front of her, just before Emerald got the drop on her."

"You think she had something to do with it, her semblance maybe?" Blake asked

"Exactly what I was thinking, usually that wouldn't raise any red flags but the fact it was Psycho red in particular doesn't add up" Alex explained "Emerald was there at the dance when Psycho gold attacked, but how could she have known about Psycho Red." Holding his plumber's badge out before them the holographic screen displaying one of the reports taken involving the events from the breach.

"Right here." Alex said pointing to one of the lower paragraphs, Blake's amber eyes skimmed over the lines of text, he'd highlighted. "The Military reports from the Breach state she and mercury apprehended Torchwick at least five blocks away from where we were attacked, nowhere near where we were when things went down and any footage involving our fight was scrapped by Circuit."

"Then how did she know about him?" Blake asked beginning to connect the dots.

"She couldn't have, Circuits thorough he went through most of the online media sights and scrubbed anything to do with the Psycho rangers off the network." Alex said any evidence concerning the existence of others like gold was all but non-existent until recently. By all "official" accounts that fight we had with Psycho red didn't exist, no else but your team, JNPR and CFVY, Koan and I were present for it, none of it adds up."

Blake hummed in response to Alex words "If they are involved, we can't just confront them about it we don't exactly have much in terms of evidence besides what Coco told us and the reports from the breach."

"I know" Alex replied "Right now Yang's out of commission for the festival and I doubt any of you are going to leave her until she's back on her feet?" He asked earning a nod in response from Blake. "Good. The only problem we have left is Mercury and his team he's still participating in the tournament and so's Pyrrha, she needs to know they might be a threat."

"Once things have settled down I'll talk to her." Blake said a calculated look in her eyes" If your right about them they'll be keeping a close eye on you after what happened at Mine."

"Good call, once you're done with that stick close to your team I have a feeling this isn't over yet." Neither did she, despite what others might like to believe situations like this never seemed to have a happy ending, Blake took a step forward pulling Alex into a small hug that he immediately returned, they stayed like that for a few moments more, holding one another in a gentle embrace before finally separating from one another.

"Stay safe" She said pulling open the door

"You too." Alex replied the door shut Alex turned towards the Blue robotic owl perched on his desk " You know what to do little guy, bring up everything we have on team Carmine." Alex said taking a seat beside Circuit, setting his plumbers badge out before him the holographic screen coming to life a moment later.

"Already on it" He chirped the red LED's on his forehead flashing twice, a stream of data alongside team Carmines transcripts appearing on the screen a moment later.

'Let's see what we've got.'

Well, things have certainly started to kick off here and it'll only get worse with whats to come. Lines are being drawn, suspicions are high and the trust between our hero and those around him have been pushed to the brink as we get closer and closer to the end, things are about to get crazy for our group of young heroes and I'm pulling out the big guns.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter of Psycho Remnant and I apologise for the large gap in between chapters recently, I took a short break from writing over the summer but things should start going back to normal starting September, leave a review, favourite and follow if you feel like it and I will see you all on the flipside.