Viego, along with his General and Winter Schnee walked out of the forest area victorious. The monster that had caused the death of hundreds had been slain, and to add onto that, one of Salem's Pets had been killed. He called the mist back to him, and in a few seconds, the forest was clear once again.

He turned to see Qrow looking over a fire, sighing in what he assumed was relief.

"So, brother, no congratulations for us?" Viego heard his general ask in a sly tone.

Qrow scoffed. "You'll get one later, right now, I'm glad the forest hasn't been set on fire." A small flare flew out and set a leaf on fire. "Aaaaaaand it's started."

Viego hummed in amusement as he watched Qrow stamp out the leaf with his foot, only for it to light on fire once more. He heard Winter Schnee sigh, and then walk over to the fire and put it out herself with some water dust.

He then looked over to the students. The one named Ren, as well as the orange haired girl were looking into the forest where the monster was slain. The blond haired one put a hand on Ren's shoulder in what Viego assumed to be comfort.

"Did...did you really kill it?" Ren suddenly asked. He looked at Viego. "You...actually killed the Nuckelavee?"

Viego nodded. "The beast has been slain. It will cause no more problems." He looked at Qrow. "That being said, our mutual enemy may have some new tricks."

Qrow made a noise that was a mixture of a snarl and a grunt. "What was it?"

"General Branwen believes it was a magic infused Grimm, as her maiden powers didn't work against it." Viego's fist tightened. "Not only that...but it was immune to my mist."

"But you were able to disintegrate it." Winter pointed out.

Viego shook his head. "My mist possesses, not destroys. That being said...it could be a possibility that I could make it so it directly kills."

"Let's not focus on that right now." Qrow interrupted. "We can also worry about the magic infused Grimm later. Right now, we need to figure out how you two are getting into Mistral."

"That's simple." Raven started. "You all go there, and when you get there, I can teleport my king and myself to you."

Qrow looked dumbfounded, and then proceeded to rub the back of his neck. "Yeah...that...makes sense."

Viego quickly turned his head, as he heard a loud beeping noise. Followed by the sound of propellers.

"Now is the time for us to depart. Quickly, my general." He said, before beginning to walk back into the forest. His general quickly appeared at his side.

The two walked through the forest for a bit, walking in silence and killing Grimm on sight. As they did, Viego questioned how the black mist was working at the current moment. After all, with other Grimm, they had seemed to weigh under its pressure, and become possessed. This Grimm however-

"Are you thinking about what happened?" His general asked, interrupting his train of thought.

"I was...until I was interrupted." He glanced at her.

"I apologize, my King." She said quickly.

King. The word still was off for him. Sure, he called himself The Ruined King, but hearing it come out from some else's mouth that was sincere, was different.

"But then again...It is not truly sincere…"

Viego had almost killed her twice. Once with the stab wounds, the next with the soul. He would not be surprised if this was all a ruse, and that she was only here due to her fear.

"Raven."

His general looked at him, a bit surprised. "Yes, my king?"

"Do you fear me?"

She pursed her lips. "Who wouldn't?"

"Answer the question." Viego said sternly. "Because I know that you didn't truly have to be here. You could have run off. You could have hid and I would have never known. So why are you here?"

Raven mimicked a sigh. "Yes. I do fear you. I fear for my life. I fear making the wrong decision, because I know it could lead to my death, or maybe permanent stasis." She looked at him. "You could control my every action, and I would be powerless. That is why I fear you."

Viego glanced to the side, and took her hand. Her eyes slightly widened. "Raven Branwen, I speak to you not as a King, but as...a friend. I will never harm you. Not now, not anymore. You are one of the first people other than Isolde that I truly trust with my life. You are one of, if not my only friend."

His generals' red eyes seemed to begin to tear up. She laughed, trying to conceal her tears. "It's been a while since anyone has given me the benefit of the doubt. Let alone trust me." She smiled a genuine smile. "And if it counts, I consider you...a friend as well."

Viego let off a small smile. "Thank you, Raven."

The two continued walking through the forest, slaughtering Grimm whenever they were seen.

/ = /

Salem rapped her fingernails against the glasslike substance that made up the table of her meeting room. She peered into the seer, which showed the figures of Raven Branwen and Viego, whom she had been watching for a while now.

She couldn't believe that she lost his trust so easily. She believed The Ruined King was a foolish lover who would believe anything if it was his queen. Apparently, he had gotten smarter, and broke away. Not only that, but he had made the mist able to destroy and disintegrate Grimm on the spot.

Salem sighed in frustration and slight anger. Someone so valuable had slipped from her fingers. If she just played the act better, she could have won. Victory was in her grasp.

Now, It left her, as easily as she had gained it. The only real good news was that her chosen vessel for the Maiden powers was fully healed. The bad part?

All the maiden powers were currently with Viego. She NEEDED to get him back somehow.

A knock on the chamber doors interrupted her train of thought. She looked at the door in confusion. "Come in…" She said warily.

The door opened, and Hazel Reinhart stepped into the room.

"Ah, Hazel. What do you have to report?"

Hazel stood taller. "Adam Taurus has seized control of the White Fang. We have more allies in a mass now."

"Ah, good." There was one piece of good news.

"There is something else, ma'am. Something that may surprise you." Hazel nodded at the door.

Salem felt her spine tingle as something walked into the room. A wicked smile was plastered onto a skull head, with three chain like tentacles protruding from the skull. It floated over a flame of the black mist, which was surrounded by black robes, covered with chains and keys. In the figure's claw-like hands, a throwable hook was in one, and what seemed to be a lantern was held in the other.

Salem could swear she heard screaming coming from the lantern.

"You...must be queen Salem...the one I heard so much about." The figure said.

Salem straightened herself. "Yes, I am. And you…"

The figure seemed to smile even more. "I...am no one of importance, but...my name is Thresh."

The figure now named Thresh began walking towards her. "You know...I have also heard you have had some trouble with a very peculiar man."

Salem coughed. "Yes...I have. His name is-"

"Viego...yes...I know him. In fact...I lead him to the blessed waters. The waters of life...the waters where he raised his beloved from the dead, and was killed." He said. He stood right next to her, seemingly peering into her soul. "His wife...stabbed him with his own blade, and caused the Ruination."

Salem raised an eyebrow. "His...own wife killed him?"

Thresh nodded. "You see...she rose from the dead. Confused and scared. The poor woman must've seen the young king as a monster. When she stabbed him, the magic in his blade collided with the magic of the healing waters. Then, the black mist destroyed everything."

"Do you know what kind of Magical abilities his blade had?"

Thresh shrugged. "I don't know, but I will tell you one thing." His face was suddenly inches from hers. "You...made him smarter. I raised him from his deep sleep, to use him to gain what was lost. And now...he is gone!" He shouted.

The screams from the lantern shrieked louder. It came to a point where Salem had to cover her ears.

"Do you like it?" Salem somehow heard Thresh. "All those souls...screaming for help. They are imprisoned there. Being tortured beyond their comprehension. Immortal, and stuck in a cycle of infinite pain." He brought his hook to her neck. "You could join them...or...bring him back. I was told you manipulated him once before. Do it again...or your fate will be inside my lantern. As your colleague will be."

Before Salem could say anything, Thresh threw his hook towards Hazel Reinhart. Hazel screamed with the souls, as he was quickly drawn into Thresh's embrace. Salem looked in shock, as Hazel's aura was pulled out of him. Then, he turned into mist, as the remains flowed into Thresh's lantern, which flared with black mist.

Her eyes widened, as the noise died down. The lantern glowed normally.

Hazel was gone.

"That, if the fate that awaits you, if you do not complete this goal." He started walking out of the room. "Oh, and by the way, I don't recommend attacking me with your magic. It will end terribly for you." With that, Thresh walked out of the room. Leaving Salem a terrified woman.

The glass in the room broke.

/ = /

Viego's head turned quickly towards the south. He swore he felt something. Something familiar.

"My King? Is everything okay?"

Viego hummed. "I do not know...I felt something...something involving the Black Mist, coming from the Grimm lands."

"It could be Salem experimenting with the mist, after all, the mist didn't work as intended against the Nuckelavee."

Viego nodded. That was a big possibility. Even still, it felt...off.

"Are you ready, my King?" Raven asked, as she unsheathed her sword.

Viego nodded once more, and Raven sliced through the air. A portal opened, illuminating the darkness with a red light. The two stepped inside.

"I did it!" Viego immediately heard, followed by someone falling. He looked around to see Qrow Branwen on the ground. Raven sighed right next to him.

Viego then looked around at the students along with Winter Schnee. They all seemed rather calm. Except for one.

"Y-you…" The new child said. "Y-you're the o-one O-" He straightened out. "You're the one who needs to be stopped." A more mature voice said.

Viego's eyes widened as the boy charged with an extendable weapon. He summoned his sword, ready to block, but Raven did it for him. The boy looked surprised as he was pushed back. He landed on his feet, and prepared for another attack.

"That's enough!" Winter Schnee commanded. "Stop the fighting before things get worse."

The boy seemingly growled. "You're siding with him?" He asked.

"I am siding with someone who I trust. Someone who I empathize with. You, Ozpin, are not one of them."

The boy's eyes turned surprised. "So you know." He looked at the students. "What about you four?"

The Rose girl scratched the back of her neck. "Yeah..we uh...we know. And uh...he saved my life as well."

"And killed a Grimm that caused childhood trauma!" The orange haired girl Exclaimed.

The boy then straightened himself out, and sighed. "Well, Mr. Viego. It is true, I am Ozpin. And you have a lot of explaining to do."

"And I am willing to explain however much is necessary." Viego answered, letting his blade fall into mist. He looked at the Rose girl. "I am glad you are well." Before noticing the mist still clung on to her. "Here, let me take that from you." He said.

The Rose girl gasped, as the black mist flowed from her where her heart was. It formed into a ball in Viego's hand. He crushed it, and the mist flowed into his broken heart.

"Excuse me...but why did Ms. Rose have some of the Black Mist inside of her."

Winter coughed, gaining Ozpin's attention. "It's...quite a story. We will tell it in time. For now…We need to get this idiot up." she said, motioning to Qrow. Before anyone could do anything, Winter's scroll rang. She quickly picked it up.

"This is Winter Schnee, who am I speaking to?" After a moment of silence, her eyes widened. "WHAT?!" More silence. "She's in Mistral?!" More silence. "I will be there right away." She said before hanging up the scroll. "Forgive me, but Weiss is in one of the hospitals here in Mistral. I need to make sure she is okay."

She left the room, with the students following her. Leaving Ozpin, Qrow, Raven and Viego.

Before anyone said anything, Viego cleared his throat. "I apologize for the events that transpired at Beacon, Ozpin. I was in a foggy headspace, and I was manipulated by Salem."

Ozpin laughed. "You are not the first to be tricked by her words. And unfortunately, not the last. What did she say?"

"It was more indirect. I was told that Salem was my beloved queen, Isolde. I later found out that I was lied to. I acted...childishly. In return to make up for my mistakes, I have ordered my wraiths to help with the reconstruction of Vale, as well as killing surrounding Grimm."

"Yes, Qrow did mention that before he passed out drunk. I...didn't know if It was true or not. What I do know, is that he did not mention you were coming. Are you truly joining us?"

"In a sort." Viego said. "I am joining you for the present time, though I do not work for you."

Ozpin nodded. "Very well. I do have my eye on you, however."

Viego chuckled. "That is reasonable." He then grew serious. "However, there are some things I need to mention." He took a seat. "Salem seems to have found a way to empower Grimm with Magic."

Ozpin's eyes widened. "What?"

"Indeed. As the orange hair girl mentioned, we fought and killed a Nuckelavee. However, this Nuckelavee was supposedly different from what Raven told me. I assume normal Nuckelavee do not cut themselves from the steed to stay alive?"

"No...they do not."

"And I assume they do not re-grow the entire steed?"

Ozpin sighed. "Definitely not."

Viego hummed. "The next thing I want to mention is something that has two possibilities. Either she made Grimm immune to the controlling powers of my mist, or...I have evolved the mist in my anger to make it disintegrate the Grimm almost instantly."

"That is...definitely worrisome. We shall need to test it. Not now of course, but soon." Ozpin said. "Anything else?"

Viego nodded. "One...I believe some other people from my world have also arrived."

"...excuse me?"

"Two instances. One, I felt the presence of Isolde. And before you claim I am wrong, It felt different from the Maiden powers. Supposedly, like my mist.

"I see...what is the next instance?"

"This is a theory, but from where the Grimm lands are, I felt a presence of Black mist. Either Salem is experimenting on it, or someone with the utility of the mist was using it. I cannot tell from the current moment."

Ozpin cupped his hands. "Those are...troubling to say the least. I hope we can figure these problems out. For all our sakes. We do not need another force like you roaming Remnant unchecked."

Viego nodded, and looked down at the floor. What had truly been going on anymore?

/ = /

Viego leaned against the wall, watching the students train. He was interested in their fighting techniques, and wondered how they incorporated their semblances towards them.

Two hours before they had started, Winter along with the students brought the young Weiss Schnee back to their "home". After Viego apologized to her-which she wearily accepted-she had gone to sleep.

At least 30 minutes later, Raven Branwen's daughter joined them via Raven's semblance

Viego looked inside the house. Seeing Yang Xiao Long, Ruby Rose, and Qrow and Raven Branwen all speaking to each other. Viego had heard some things on how Raven left Yang and her ex husband at an early age.

He also heard her say that she had no reason to run, and that to prove she was strong, she had to be better, become better.

Viego smiled. It seems as if he was not the only one seeking a redemption of sort. He just wondered, how long would it take for him to truly be redeemed?

He chuckled as Jaune Arc was almost pushed over from the force of a hug from Nora Valkyrie.

"Would you care to point out somethings, My King?" He heard Winter ask.

Viego shook his head. "I do not believe I could be of use in teaching."

"Oh? Why is that?"

"I am...not a good teacher. And...most of my fighting is from pure instinct."

Winter hummed. "Very well." She said, before going back to teaching the students.

"You know, Mr. Viego." He heard from beside him. "You could've become a good teacher at Beacon." He looked to see who he presumed to be Ozpin talking.

"I just said I was not a good teacher." Viego pointed out.

"True, but I could have helped you with that. After all, we all start somewhere."

Viego grumbled. "Maybe...I just do not believe I have the patience to do it."

"While it pains me to say this, I believe you are wrong. You definitely seemed to have grown on your own accord. Even helping others grow themselves." He motioned to Raven, who seemed to be getting a little bit of sympathy. "You have driven good men mad, but you have also driven mad men good."

Viego stared at Raven, then at Ozpin. "It is what Isolde would have wanted me to do, but I need to become a better King for myself. Even if I have no-one to lead."

Ozpin hummed. "Very well. I am going to relinquish the control of Oscar's body back to him. He needs some rest after all. I suggest you get some sleep as well. You do need to explain more, tomorrow. As well as help me fill in some details about Salem's plan."

Viego's eyes widened. "No…"

"Excuse me?"

"I only remembered the mention of Tyrian's attack. He was far too annoying to forget. Everything else...I was not paying attention."

Ozpin sighed. "Try to remember some things, for our sake. Please, Mr. Viego, we need all the help we can get."

Viego nodded, and watched Ozpin walk inside.

He had to remember some things, even if It would take the entire night, and the next day to do so.

For Isolde's sake.


Yes, I have written something. Even though it took me seven tries to do so. Honestly, I'm just glad to get something out. Even if it is a shorter chapter.

Speaking of which, next chapter will be longer, and every cut will be a new day.

Onto story notes:

- Thresh is here, and is now taking Salem's place, much as he did with Viego (still pissed off about Unbound Thresh btw, as well as the ending). You could say that he is the new big baddy of this story now. Pulling the strings.

- Reunion. Most of our "heroes" are together at the current moment. The only ways I could really incorporate Weiss and Yang being there were the fire from the bullhead crash, and the portal, because Raven can sense things.

-Yes, Viego forgetting vital pieces of information from Salem's meeting. But can you blame him? He has his mind set on other things (Isolde), and really, he wouldn't care for what the others were going to do. Tyrian is just an annoying prick, and I'm glad he is dead.

Again, sorry for the shorter chapter. I can't really think with the aftermath of a waisted character, but I will do my best to make this story as best as it can possibly be.

Spoilers: Big fight next chapter.

Now, one thing I will mention is that I have been writing another RWBY/League of Legends crossover. Who will be the main character? I'll give you a hint. He is a man with a purpose.

If that comes out, I will probably update these stories in a formation of one story gets an update, then the other gets an update, then it's back to the first story.

Slot is still open for the beta reader by the way.

May the mist guide you well.

-TheKazooBirb