I realized I can't write all that well with music playing because I get distracted to easily. If it's a good song I know then I'll definitely be singing along instead of writing
Vernal placed her hands on her hips and smiled happily "I would have thought that you'd start balling your eye's out at are -" she was cut off mid sentence as jaune hugged her tightly. "Well I'd say that's a close enough reaction wouldn't you agree vernal" one of the hooded figures commented. Vernal drove her fist into jaunes gut effectively getting him to let her go "could you be anymore emotional" she turned to the hooded figure who spoke out "let's see how you like it cinder".
The hooded figures began to take off their cloaks revealing one jaune recognized and a few he didn't. Cinder flipped a few locks of hair away from her face "jaune, you've grown up quite a bit haven't you"? Jaune tried to talk but only a pained wheeze came forth "I think she broke him" one of the other girls replied. After a few more seconds jaune pulled himself together and stood a little straighter "geez, I don't see you for a few years and the first thing I get is a punch".
He rubbed his side before turning to cinder, much like vernal, she too had changed "don't-" she tried but was unable to fend him off. It was embarrassing but unlike vernal she waited till he let her go, taking a few steps back allowed him to get a better look at them. A cough came from one of the others in the room so Vernal moved over to the remaining three "these two are my subordinates" she motioned to the two behind her.
The first was a man with long black hair with a pink streak running through it "greetings, I am lie ren" he motioned to his side where a girl with red hair that was more orange than anything stood. "This is Nora valkyrie" ren tried to introduce her but the girl moved quickly and zoomed around jaune "so your the one vernal keeps talking about". Nora dashed over to vernals side "he sure is mister muscles" she whispered only for vernal to grab her by her shirt and drag her back to ren.
Cinder chuckled lightly "no need to be so embarrassed vernal" vernal flipped her middle finger at cinder which only brought a smile to her face. Next up was the green haired girl with red eye's "Emerald sustrai" she introduced herself but said no more than that.
"Subordinates huh" jaune looked over the three "I can see that happening with cinder but it's really surprising that you have some as well vernal". Cinders smile grew larger while vernal rushed over and grabbed jaunes collar, hoisting him in the air "what the hell's that supposed to mean, I'm just as capable as she is". Jaune tried to wiggle free but to no avail "I just meant you've always been a loner type" he choked out before vernal dropped him.
"Now we know who's the dominant one in that relationship" Nora whispered to ren, jaune rubbed his neck before turning to cinder "is it me or is vernal a lot more violent"? Cinder shrugged her shoulders "I think it's just you" he didn't know why but he could tell she was lying.
"Despite the rough reunion it's great to see you both again and it's nice to meet some friendly new faces as well. I do have a question though, what brings all of you here in the first place" Cinder and Vernal exchanged glances with each other. "Recruitment" Cinder said "we came in the hopes of recruiting a powerful ally, unfortunately we were unable to convince her to join us".
Vernal nudged jaune "what about you, I doubt you came all this way from vale just to speak to the headmaster"? Jaunes eye's narrowed "how did you know I came from Vale" Vernal looked taken aback but Cinder answered for her "Alec only recently found out about your whereabouts".
"If that was true than why hasn't he tried to establish contact with me"?
"You've come in contact with a few of Ozpins closes allies, it's only natural we haven't tried since it would tip them off to your identity".
He didn't like it but he knew that his master would avoid contact if it kept him alive. "Fine I get it" he pushed a hand through his hair "to answer your earlier question vernal, I came to see the mistral championship with some friends. I also thought since I was already here I could use the seer that lionheart had to make a call to Salem".
Cinder and Vernal remembered why their master didn't want jaune being able to speak to their mistress. Unfortunately there wasn't anyway to prevent that now, not unless they were prepared to fight him, they turned to lionheart and nodded. Lionheart got the message and left to retrieve the seer hidden in a secret passage behind his bookshelf.
The headmaster returned a few minutes later with a Grimm in his possession, letting the creature go allowed it to float in front of everyone. The orb atop it's head swirled and changed until a face appeared that they all knew well "I do believe this is The first time you've contacted me yo-". Salems voice cut off as soon as jaunes image became clear through the seer's orb "jaune"?
"Salem" his voice was gentle and conveyed the emotion he wished to express but couldn't because of the company they were in. Realizing this Salem ordered for everyone except jaune to leave the room, once they were alone together the acting was dropped quickly. The seer spun in place creating a black smoke that took the form of it's master, jaune stepped forward so he stood just in front of her.
The first thing he noticed was the black cracks that lined her face "mother what's happened to you". Salem turned away from him to hide the marks on her face but jaune stopped her "please, tell me what's wrong". Salems eyes softened as she turned to him "much has happened since I lost you several years ago" one of her hands reached up and stroked his cheek.
Jaune leaned into the hand that caressed his face "you have never lost me mother". Salem smiled lovingly at the young man before her, how she loved to hear him address her as such. Jaune placed his hand over the hand on his cheek and pulled it down gently so he held it in his palm "tell me what's happened while I've been away".
Salem nodded at his words "your master has been hard at work gathering ally's to aid us in are fight against Ozpin. I've spent a great deal of time trying to convince him to bring you home but time and time again he's come back without you, saying you'd be in danger if he tried. Jaune nodded along to her words "master wasn't wrong, I've come in contact with a few of Ozpins most trusted agents and I'm sure I'd probably not be here if they knew about are connection".
A grief stricken look came over his face as he stepped back away from her "mother, I've spent a long time on my own and I've learned much". Salem didn't like where this was going but didn't interrupt him "I've learned about my family, my real family and what became of them". The whites of his eye's turned pinkish as he fought back tears that threaten to run free "did you kill them"?
The question was like a knife to the chest, after all this time it's finally come back to this "I did" she answered truthfully knowing there was no use lying. The room fell silent for the longest time before jaune spoke "why" it was a simple question but one that had a complex answer. Salem took a moment to collect her thoughts "Even if I told you why the chance you would believe me is small".
"At least let me decided that" he argued.
Salem held his gaze for a moment "very well but instead of telling you, I think it's best I show you instead". The world around them shifted as darkness engulfed there surroundings, when his vision cleared he found himself in the midst of a battlefield. Harbinger flew past his face just as a younger Qrow slid to a stop at jaunes feet, looking around he noticed most of the others that were present.
Younger versions of yang and ruby's parents were sprawled out across the floor except for two individuals who remained on there feet to face there enemy. Raven Branwen and a man that was unmistakably his father, before them stood Salem, she stood tall and exuded an enormous amount of killing intent. Jaunes hands twitched as instinct honed in combat begged him to defend himself, unfortunately the fear he suppressed for so long came with a vengeance that froze him in place.
"Ozpin sure knows how to change up the line up of his sacrifices but in the end you'll all end up in the same place anyway". Salem took a few steps toward her prey until she was within striking distance of Nicolas's sword "another Arc who's life must be extinguished. Tell me how it feels to be the last of your house" Salem asked "I'm not the last and this isn't over yet" Nicolas spat.
Salem spread her arms out giving him an opening to attack, Nicolas pointed crocea mors at her chest ready to strike only to realize that she had no intention of dodging. Seconds ticked by as he remained froze in place "you have your chance, strike me down if you can" a smile spread across her face as she took another step forward. The blade pressed against her chest where her heart should be but still Nicolas didn't make the attempt to follow through.
"You realize it now don't you, no matter how hard you try or how many he sends after me, none will be able to kill me". Footsteps echoed from behind as Raven circled around her foe, the blade whistled as she thrusted her katana through Salems back and out through her chest. Jaunes knew of Salems immortality but even then his body reacted on instinct, he rushed to her side fully prepared to use his semblance.
Jaune and Nicholas both took a step back as Salem erupted with an uncontrollable laughter that sent chills down there spines. Raven tried to pull her sword free but was unable to, black tentacles shot out of the wound on Salems back and quickly wrapped around Ravens arms and legs. Raven struggled to get free but the hold the tentacles had on her was ironclad "I guess you'll be first" Salem pulled Ravens sword from her back before turning to her assailant.
Suspended in the air with her arms and legs spread apart, Raven for the first time in her life felt truly powerless. One thought filled her mind, yang, she wouldn't be there to watch her grow into a woman and that thought brought more fear than she knew how to handle. The blade spun in Salems hand until it pointed directly at Ravens chest "perhaps I'll return the favor".
"Stop it" Nicolas yelled as he ran between Raven and Salem, his arms spread out as he used himself as a shield. Salem smirked at the pathetic display this man was making "now why would I listen to you"? Nicolas gritted his teeth "please spare their lives and I'll do anything you ask" he pleaded. Salems eyes widened in surprise as did Ravens "Nic, stop, think about you family" Raven yelled frantically, Nicolas turned his head to the side "I am".
The determination that showed in his eye's made Raven freeze "they'll be fine without me because they'll still have there mother but what about yang? Your daughter isn't even a month old, I won't let that child become an orphan just so we can all die here". Nicolas turned his gaze back to Salem "you can do whatever you want with me but please let them go".
This was a first, a chance to have an Arc serve her in exchange for these pawns of Ozpin. It was a nice thought but she knew he'd never be able to truly fight for her, a new idea came to mind, one that could destroy all the support Ozpin built. Salem chuckled darkly "I have a better proposal in mind, in exchange for all your lives you must hear my - no are story". Nicolas and Raven exchanged quick glances with each other before turning back to Salem "talk" he said after a moment of silence.
Salem gently placed Raven back on the ground before retracting her tentacles "listen carefully and know the truth that Ozpin has hidden from you". All was silent as Salem spoke of the time before when both she and Ozpin were both human and in love. Time felt like it slowed to a crawl as Salem spoke of her curse, the gods and the ordeal given to Ozpin formally known as Ozma.
At one point Ravens mouth fell open as they listened to Salem and when her story came to a close there was nothing they could say. "Now the two of you know the truth that Ozpin has hidden which concludes are deal" Salem turned away from the two stunned hunters and walked away. "We were nothing but pawns from the very beginning" Raven said in disbelief before anger took root "that son of a bitch"!
Nicolas pulled himself out of his stupor "Raven, before we go doing anything let's get the others out of here" at his word, Raven moved to collect her brother. Nicolas slung Tai over his shoulder while looping his arm under the unconscious form of summer rose. Once they were on the move Nicolas turned his head to Raven "we don't speak of this until we know for sure that she was telling the truth". Raven looked ready to argue but eventually she agreed "Nic, if by some chance she was telling the truth we'll have to let the others know".
Nicolas nodded in agreement "we can't let them continue without knowing the truth but if what Salem said is true I don't think I'll be helping out anymore". Raven couldn't have agreed more with his decision.
A story of a time before part 1 complete. I feel like Nicolas is becoming the big brother of their circle but who knows that's probably just me.