Crazy times people, my job got a covid-19 scare and let me tell you, I've never seen people react the way they did. Honestly it was a little scary how fast everyone turned on one individual, luckily nothing too bad happened and everyone's ok.

World darkened once more as black smoke transformed the area around him into a open field with a small settlement in the distance. Jaune noticed two people walk up a hill that lead to his general location, Raven and Nicholas came to a stop a few feet away dressed in their combat gear. The two seemed tense as they waited for something, the sound of growling was heard as a pack of beowolfs left the forest behind to reach the two hunters.

Raven place a hand on the hilt of her sword but Nicolas stopped her from drawing it. The beowolf pack stopped a few feet away before bowing down in front of them "it's only been a week since we last saw each other face to face". Their attention turned to the night sky as Salem floated down to the ground "normally I wouldn't have come if asked". Nicolas bowed his head slightly "I know and I'm grateful you decided to hear us out" Nicholas took a few careful steps forward with Raven.

"We confirmed you story with Ozpin as I'm sure you already know" Salem nodded in confirmation "the last time we met you gave us a deal and kept your side of the bargain. We called you here with the hope of creating a new deal, one that could benefit all parties involved". Salem chuckled "I suspected as much but what could you offer me, your life's are as worthless to me as one of these blades of grass on the floor".

"Your right" Nicolas answered "but what we are capable of isn't, if you agree to peace and promise no harm will come to are families we will no longer help Ozpin fight against you". Salem hummed to herself "and what of the others, will they also stand by while I do as I please"? Nicolas shook his head "unfortunately I cannot make any guarantees on there behalf" Salems eye's narrowed "then why bother me with this pointless meeting"?

It was Raven who spoke up "I can guarantee one more will agree to this deal" Nicolas looked surprised "if you agree, my husband will also keep this promise". Salem was silent, three of Ozpins trusted essentially removed from his service, it was a bargain but she needed more. Her eyes fell on Nicolas "I'll agree to your peace on the condition that you three shall never again stand against me" a breath of relief escaped the two huntsmen.

Salem pointed to Nicolas "be forewarned that if your friends intervene with my plans, you are forbidden to help them". Nicolas tensed "you expect me to turn a blind eye to my comrades" Salem shook her head "no, I expect you to honor are arrangement. If they continue to serve Ozpin then their fates will be one of their own making and should you break are agreement, you and everyone you love will pay the price".

Salem held her hand out to the two hunters "know this, there are no second chances or do overs". Raven knelt in front of Salems hand and gently kissed her knuckle, Salem turned to Nicolas and waited for him to do the same. Nicolas closed his eyes for a brief moment before deciding to follow through with his decision, kneeling down in front of her, he gently kissed Salems hand.

"The deal is made" she said as Nicolas stood back up "you are still hunters which means you can still kill Grimm when you need to. Your free to continue your life's as you see fit but keep my warning at the forefront of your mind". Salem gave her farewell before using her power to fly away, the Grimm stood to there full height and returned to the forest.

Once they were alone in the field, Nicolas let out a heavy sigh "Ray" Raven turned to Nicolas "do you think we did the right thing"? Raven thought about it for a moment "ask me that again when we convince the others to break ties with Ozpin. Thinking about it now brought a frown to his face "I think I'm gonna need a drink" he said as he started to head back to town.

Raven followed after him "same here" a smile spread across her face "first things first though, we gotta go see Saphron". Nicolas rolled his eyes "I swear she's gonna start calling you mom if you keep doting on her like you do". Raven punched his arm "oh like you don't do the same with yang" Nicolas rubbed his arm "gotta keep an eye out for potential daughter-in-law's for when jaune gets older".

Jaune watched his father and Yangs mother until they vanished into Ansel "I never knew are families were so close". Jaune nearly lost his balance as the setting changed once more to the sky above Ansel where Salem remained hovering in the air. Taking a small knife from her pocket she cut a small line in her index finger, the black blood that emerged from her cut began to change shape until it became Grimm no bigger than a hummingbird.

Salem inspected the tiny creature to make sure it was sufficient for the task at hand, when she was satisfied with the results she allowed the Grimm to fly "keep an eye on him" she ordered. The Grimm zipped around for a few seconds before nose diving into Ansel to follow it's master's orders.

Just like before the world was engulfed by darkness before a new location was revealed. Jaune didn't know this place but it wasn't hard to figure out where he was, the photos that decorated the walls were a good indicator. "So this was my home" jaune looked around until a few voices caught his attention, inside the kitchen stood yang and ruby's parents along with his father.

"So what did you want to talk about" Qrow asked as he rummaged through the fridge until he found a bottle of beer to enjoy. Nicolas exchanged glances with Raven before turning his attention to the others "alright, what I'm about to tell you stays between us and doesn't leave this house". Summer looked to Tai and Qrow before agreeing, Nicolas took a deep breath before explaining the events that transpired a couple days ago.

"You did what" summer screamed, her voice reached such a pitch that it could have shattered glass. Nicolas crossed his arms "I did what was best for my family as did Raven" Qrow downed his bottle quickly "so, what does that mean for us"? "You can still do as you please but don't expect us to bale you out if you get in to deep, that was the deal Raven and I agreed to".

Raven turned to Tai "I also agreed that you'd no longer interfere in this as well" Tai was surprised but didn't argue "if it's for Yangs sake then I'm ok with it" he said. Summer wasn't having any of it "I can't believe any of you, Salem is evil, what makes you think she'll keep her promise"? "She let us live, isn't that proof enough" Nicolas said but Summer pressed the issue "she only let us live so we would turn against Ozpin, that doesn't mean anything".

Nicolas and summer continued back and forth, each one arguing the pros and cons of Salem and Ozpin until they both were in each others faces yelling. "Whatever you say doesn't matter, the deals been made" summer seethed with anger "the Nic I knew in Beacon was never a coward like you are"!

The room fell into silence, Nicolas's eyes narrowed "coward" his hand shot up and he grabbed summers white cloak just under her chin. "I've fought for Ozpin longer than any of you and watch my team die for his mission only to find out we never had a chance to begin with. I won't be used like a tool only to be replaced by one of my children, you wanna call me a coward, fine, at least I won't die in a pointless fight pretending to be some wanna be hero".

He pushed summer away "I've sacrificed enough" he said angrily

Summer pulled her hood over her head and stormed out the front door, Qrow followed after but stopped at the door "I'll try and talk to her" he called back before leaving. Nicolas rubbed a hand through his hair and sighed in frustration "that could have gone better" he complained while Raven and Tai nodded.

At this point jaune had become used to the sudden shifts the world took as a new scene took place.

/

Several months later

Raven and Qrow sat in the living room of Nic's home, Raven sat on the floor with a small baby in her arms as a younger Saphron asked questions about said baby. When Nicolas came into the room he carried a juice box that he gave to Saphron to keep her from talking so much. Qrow turned his head to Nicolas "what, I'm not good enough for a juice box" Nicolas chuckled "sorry that was the last one".

Qrow waved his hand dismissing the apology, Nic took a seat before asking "so what brings you by, I doubt it was for juice"? Qrow took on a serious expression "I need you to speak with summer, Nicolas rolled his eye's "what happened now"?

"She's been running herself ragged, she doesn't sleep, she rarely eats and honestly I ain't got a clue on how to deal with her". Qrow shook his head "your her best friend, she'll listen to you if you take the time to seek her out". Nicolas nodded "where is she now" he asked "Ozpin sent her to vacuo to pick up on a lead for the sudden disappearances of two of vacuos Council members" Qrow answered.

Nicolas rubbed the bridge of his nose "alright, I'll talk to her when she comes back, hopefully she won't just give me the cold shoulder as usual nowadays". Qrow pushed himself up to his feet "I can't say I agree with how summer is dealing with your absence but I do understand why she feels the way she does. Salems been are enemy for so long and we've worked together to bring her down since Beacon, finding out a close friend struck a deal with her in exchange for safety must have been pretty shocking".

Nicolas leaned back in his couch, he was right about that, siding with someone who is your enemy would be pretty jarring. Qrow stretched his arms "well I said my peace" he headed for the door but stopped in front of Saphron "keep an eye on your old man kiddo". Saphron grumbled as Qrow ruffled her hair "later Ray" after his farewells, Qrow left.

The world froze as Salem appeared beside jaune "I don't get it, everything seems just fine" jaune turned to face her. "How did we go from this peaceful life to one where everyone in Ansel was killed"?

Salem took a few steps away from jaune until she stood in front of Nicolas's froze form, turning to jaune she held out her hand in front of Nicolas "you can thank your father for that". Jaunes eyes widened in shock "what are you talking about, there's no way he would have done something to his own family". Salem nodded in agreement "your right, he wouldn't but the actions he took an hour later from this moment were what lead us to the fall of the Arc family and the destruction of Ansel".

Part 2 of a time before, complete. Just one more chapter and all will be revealed.