Just got me before the dawn so I might be updating later than normally while I read up on some rwby. Just letting you all know.

The sound of Glynda's heels could be heard through the empty hallway as the deputy headmistress march to the central tower where Ozpin resided in. Once inside the elevator she pulled out her scroll pad and looked over the video that had been recording everything in the arena until now. The shining light of jaunes aura mixing with Blake's depleted aura and restoring it gave her something she needed to share with the others.

A small ding signaled Glynda's arrival to Ozpins office. The headmaster was sat behind his desk with a few papers in one hand and his mug in the other. He placed his papers on the table before turning to his deputy headmistress "you seem to be in a hurry Glynda, something troubling you"?

Glynda waisted no time in placing the scroll pad on Ozpins desk in front of him "I found something you should see sir". Her finger tapped on the middle screen to begin the video of jaune restoring Blake's aura with his own. Ozpin remained silent as his eye's took in everything that was transpiring in the video "remarkable" he whispered to himself.

Once the video had finished Ozpin leaned back in his chair deep in thought. Glynda moved forward to collect her scroll pad "OZ if this ability is capable of doing that much for someone with a depleted aura would it also work on one that's damaged"? The question was a good one and quite frankly he didn't have the answer for it since a situation like this has never happened before.

"This new information weighs on a delicate situation, one in which needs to be discussed with Ironwood since he's been gathering information on young mister Arc" he said. Ozpin took a quick sip from his mug before going to work on the console built into his desk. A few key presses later and a communication link was trying to establish itself with the General of Atlas.

The holo screen flickered before General Ironwood's face came into view "Ozpin, this is a surprise". As far a surprises were this one wasn't entirely bad especially when Glynda moved within his view. Ironwood linked his hands and gave her a warm smile "Glynda, always nice to see you doing well".

"It's good to see you too General" she said as business like as usual. Ironwood let out a small sigh before straightening up in his chair "I doubt you called for pleasantries so was there something you needed"? Glynda looked to Ozpin but noticed he wasn't really paying attention so reluctantly she decided to speak for them both.

"It's pertaining to the youngest child of the Arc children, jaune arc"she said. The name alone made James tense "the boys been missing for years and with any luck he's probably Grimm fodder by now". Glynda's eyes widened slightly before she turned and shot a glare in Ozpins direction, luckily for him he had his face hidden by the mug in his hand.

When she realized they weren't going to get far unless they spoke the truth she took a deep breath "we... Umm... Actually have mister Arc here at Beacon". Ironwood smiled happily at the news "oh I see" silence grew between the three of them until Ironwood turned to Ozpin. Any semblance of warmth in the Generals face quickly died when his hands slammed on the table "that boy is one of Atlas's most wanted criminals Oz, what were you thinking"?!

Ozpin swirled his coffee before setting it on the table "I was thinking this boy is the son of Nicolas Arc and much to my surprise as any he's also the key to solving our dilemma with Ambers condition". The news silenced Ironwood's angry ranting "hmm...does this have anything to do with that boys semblance"? Ozpin placed his hands together and rested his chin atop his fingers that were woven together "you know of the young Arc's semblance"?

The General sat back in his chair "not the specifics of it uses but I've witnessed what I'm guessing is only a small portion of it's capabilities". Ozpin was without a doubt interested in what Ironwood had learned but knew it wouldn't be fair for him to be the only one sharing information. Turning to Glynda, Ozpin asked his deputy headmistress to send the video recording to Ironwood.

"We've sent you a video recording of what we captured in the arena, please have a look and tell us what your thoughts are" Ozpin said. Ironwood opened a second screen on his console to watch the video he received. The Generals finger tapped the side of his chin as he realized that what he saw years ago was different from today.

Ironwood opened a third screen that played the video of winter and jaunes fight from several years ago that he secretly recorded. Seeing jaune take one of winter's semblance enhanced charges and get back up after repairing his damaged aura always unnerved him. Now seeing this new way the young fugitive could manipulate his aura to fuel others brought a even more worrying prospect to the table.

"Lien for your thoughts James" Ozpin asked after several minutes of silence while Ironwood stared off into space. The General looked to his old friend once more "I'm thinking about this boys semblance and I think we've only scratched the surface of how dangerous it is if he's working for her". Ozpin raised his mug to his lips and took a sip "care to share with the rest of us James"? Ironwood was reluctant but decided to send the video of winter and jaunes fight to Ozpin.

Opening a secondary screen he looked over the video with Glynda looming over his shoulder. During the match jaune had taken damage and used his own semblance to restore what was lost. Seeing this turn of events had dots connecting in Ozpins mind "the boys a living aura battery charger".

Glynda felt about as surprised as Ozpin while Ironwood nodded in agreement.

"I always knew this boy was dangerous especially with the level of skills he possessed at his age but this is more than even I imagined" James said. Ironwood gave Ozpin a stern look "Ozpin you cannot let someone who serves her run around your school freely which is why I'm requesting that you have him watched around the clock by some of your most trusted huntsmen".

Ozpins answer was a simple one worded answer "no". Ironwood's reaction was about what Glynda expected but for what it was worth she agreed with Ozpin. The General shot to his feet and slammed his hands "OZ I know you want to believe in that boys lineage but the fact that he serves Salem makes him a enemy of all the things we are trying to accomplish. We can't afford to have a spy so close to the spring maiden and we definitely can't trust him not to try something when she's already in a weakened state".

Ironwood sat back in his chair and took a deep breath "I've trusted you many times over the years and I'm not asking but begging you to trust me". Truthfully Glynda wanted to trust Ozpin but even she couldn't help but see where Ironwood was coming from. Sure Ozpins way of thinking were beyond her understanding and he never pointed her in the wrong direction but this time felt different and Ironwood's concerns were valid.

Ozpin shook his head "I'm sorry James but putting young mister Arc under constant surveillance will only cause him to turn against us like he did to you if I'm not mistaken. If we are to truly change him for the better and remove him from Salems service, trust is a necessity as well as reason".

Ironwood's hands clenched together in anger "reason? What reason would compel Arc to turn against the immortal monster who raised him"?

"Love" Ozpin said matter of factly.

Both Ironwood and Glynda nearly face palmed themselves. "You have got to be kidding me? Please tell me that's not really the plan you've been working on without my knowledge"? Ozpin smiled "it is and I've been working on it for a while, although I'd rather we not tell Raven and Tai about it if you don't mind".

Glynda's eye's widened "yang xiao long and jaune arc, that's why you had me make them partners didn't you"? Ozpin nodded to her question "Love takes on many forms like friendship or boyfriends and girlfriends but a bond between partners can be just as strong. Through out the years I've used my connections to introduce young mister Arc to various people whom I believed would have a positive effect in changing his way of thinking".

Ozpin took a sip from his mug "I figured if anyone could change the boy it would be summers and tai's families. Ravens connection with Nicolas and the fact that jaunes very own sister was a part of their family was a nice start in creating a bond he wouldn't want severed by anyone especially Salem. Going on from there it was only a matter of piling as many people as I could until he couldn't think of turning on them".

There was a certain satisfaction in Ozpins voice that couldn't be missed by anyone present. In a way it felt like manipulation but when dealing with Salems minions there was no low you couldn't go in trying to destroy them or cause them to switch sides. Ironwood continued to listen as Ozpin explained how he got Coco adel and Velvet involved with jaune cause he knew of Coco's ability to befriend most people by choice or force and how velvet would just follow her lead.

Ozpin leaned back in his chair with a small smile "after all that he's gained here I'm sure he'd be willing to help us if it meant preserving the peaceful life he's built for himself". Glynda looked over to James and was relieved to see the man nodding.

"I wish you had told me sooner old friend but I understand your decision and hope for all our sakes it works" Ironwood said. The General still looked a little worried but he hid it well "if there's nothing else I have work to do, Ironwood signing off" there was a click and the General vanished. Ozpin let out a tiny sigh before finishing off his coffee "something tells me that could have gone better".

Glynda couldn't have agreed more.

/

Atlas

Ironwood shut down the connection and covered his face with the palm of his hand. "Sir what was all that about and who's Salem" asked the white haired specialist who was silently waiting for Ironwood to finish. The General pushed himself to his feet and walked to the window to think. After a few minutes Ironwood turned back to winter "I suppose having someone I could actually trust wouldn't be so bad".

Winter stood a little taller, proud of the fact that General Ironwood trusted her as much as he did. Ironwood took a deep breath before explaining all that he knew about Salem, the maidens and even the relics. Once he was finished with his tale he moved around his desk to stand before winter with his arms behind his back "normally I would have asked for Ozpins permission to have you join us but not anymore".

James place a hand on winter's shoulder, pulling her out of the shocked state his tale put her in "now it's time we do things a little bit different". Winter nodded obediently "what should we do General"? Ironwood smiled at her "we'll let Ozpin try it his way for now but we will prepare for when Arc shows his true colors and the plan falls apart so we aren't caught off guard. Then I'll do what I should have done from the beginning and lock the Arc boy away for good".

Winter hesitated at first but still managed to ask "and what if Ozpin succeeds"?Ironwood strolled away before linking his hands behind his back "I doubt he can but if he does I'll still keep a eye on him just in case".

Ozpin you manipulating little scoundrel. Oh well hoped you all enjoyed this chapter. Oh and Ironwood's back.