It had been five days since Jaune was sent for his evaluation, and in that time Winter was called up by the prosecution to speak in General James Ironwood's hearing. It was not a pleasant experience. She had figuratively been ripped apart, her own actions used against her and Ironwood. Even when his defence attorney cross examined her, she had not been spared. She knew why. One side was trying to dismantle years of exemplary service, while the other was trying to preserve it. It was a type of war that she had no knowledge of.

In the end she doubted she helped his cause, and with her own hearing arriving shortly, she was unsure if she wouldn't suffer the same treatment. Right now she sat in the gallery watching the final as the defence made its final summations. The trio of Judges showed no emotion, and only nodded their heads as Ironwood's lawyer made his final arguments. With those done it was now a wait and see process. The Judges excused themselves to deliberate.

Winter wanted to go to Ironwood show her support, but her own attorney instructed her not to. She had to distance herself. Her own tribunal would be bad enough without showing solidarity with James. Everyone stood as the trio of judges reentered the room. Sitting only after being bid to sit.

"In light of all the evidence present over the last seven days, we have come to a decision." spoke the primary or lead judge in Ironwood's case. "To allow for a more detailed examination of everything that has been offered. Court will reconvene at noon in three days for our ruling and sentencing. Court adjourned."

/=/

Ruby was uncomfortable sitting in a small room with Doctor Martin. She had been uncomfortable in speaking with Doctor Walters as well. Both assured her that it was only to help her, and there was nothing to be scared of; but she was. Yang knew what had happened because of Weiss telling her in the medical tents. She had never said a word about what she had felt or seen. For some reason she didn't want Jaune to be in trouble for her losing her leg. It wasn't his fault, he was sleepwalking; like some of the villain she had seen in a few of those horror movies Yang and her friends watched during sleep overs.

"You know Ruby nothing you say to me will ever leave this room. This is all just between me, you and Doctor Walters."

"I really don't..."

"We're trying to help Ruby, I hope you understand that. You're not in any trouble." Doctor Martin informed her, in a soft, even, and caring tone.

"It wasn't his fault." she blurted out, only for her eyes to go wide as she slapped her hands to her mouth.

"What wasn't whose fault? Your leg?"

"No." Ruby replied as she removed her hands from covering her mouth.

"Okay, okay. Why not tell me why you don't want to use the leg that was made for you. I mean it must be difficult to always have to use those crutches."

"It doesn't feel right."

"How does it feel?"

"Wrong."

"Wrong how?"

"It's not mine."

"Understandable. How is it not yours though. It was made for you."

"It's cold and hard. Mine are soft and warm. It's not mine."

"I see. How about your sleep. You do look tired. Are you resting all night?" Doctor Martin knew the answer. The reports from the on duty nurses noting all the times Ruby was awake during bed checks. She wasn't sleeping properly, but she also wasn't waking screaming.

"Not really."

"You want to talk about it? You having bad dreams?"

"Sort of?"

"Are they about when you lost your leg?"

"Ah... maybe?"

"Did what happen scare you?"

"It hurt."

"But did it scare you?"

"A little."

"Can you tell me why?"

"He didn't look right, he was sick, it scared me that he was like that; and then the pain." Ruby's eyes again went wide as she finished her rapid fire response. She hadn't wanted to say anything it just burst out of her. Tears formed in her silver eyes, as she felt like she was betraying him.

"It's okay Ruby. It's okay. There is nothing to be upset about. Nothing at all." doctor Martin spoke as he made mental notes on her reactions and words. It was the second time she had mentioned this 'he'.

/=/

Pyrrha and Yang watched from the table they were eating at as Weiss on the other side of the room 'fed' Blake. They had been surprised to run into her after having been assigned their individual rooms. The trio had rushed over to see her, to speak with her, but instead it resulted in her cowering at their rapid approach; holding her doll out before like a shield. One of the nurses came over almost instantly and coddled her, reassuring her that Yang, Pyrrha and Ruby just wanted to be friends. In the end she grew comfortable enough to introduce herself and Blake, before asking if they wanted to have a tea party.

"I wonder why she's like that?" Yang asked in a low tone, trying to keep anyone else from hearing her conversation with Pyrrha.

"I don't know." Pyrrha replied as she pushed her mashed potatoes around with her fork.

Yang took a look at her friend. She had been so strong once, and now she looked like a shadow. Dark circles under highlighted the distant look in her eyes. Yang heard her at night, and she was sure the whole floor did. The heart rending screams of abject terror.

"How are you doing?"

"Okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. How about you?"

"I'm tired of being asked the same questions over and over about my feelings, and my arm; but other than that I'm fine."

"What about Ruby?"

"She's okay. Probably not talking about anything but cookies to those doctors. But I know what happened. I'll never forgive it." she gripped her fork tightly, her hand almost shaking as she jabbed it into a piece of meatloaf.

"He wasn't right. He didn't mean it." Pyrrha offered.

"I don't care." Yang snarled. "He hurt Ruby, that's all that matters."

/=/

It was his second trip to the research lab. The second attempt at helping him not only control his semblance, but also identify it. There hadn't been much success, but it was of course only two days, so what could Jaune expect. Today he was seated in the testing chamber a strange cap on his head with what seemed like a thousand wires running from it to a receptacle in the wall. Outside he could see one of the lab techs, whose name he couldn't remember; looking at a monitor before her. He had been told what this test was about. They wanted to measure his brain activity, and see if that gave them any clues with what he was doing.

Allison, his lawyer arrived a few minutes after he had been hooked up and was currently arguing with the doctor in charge of the project. She looked mad, and he could only imagine what she was saying.

/=/

"What is the meaning of all this Doctor? This looks very close to a unwanted medical procedure! I have half a mind right now to stop this farce!" she snapped.

"It is not an unwanted procedure. Mister Arc..."

"Jaune."

"Jaune... was fully informed as to what we are going to do. He has consented. This is just to record brain data, data that we can possibly use to understand how his semblance works, and determine what it may likely be."

"He reacts on instinct. How to you plan to have that happen without threatening him?"

"We plan to do just that, and before you object any further, he HAS been made aware of that as well."

"You are walking a very thin line Doctor Jekyll. VERY thin."

"Please Miss Richards, calm down. We are not forcing any tests on him, nor are our records being used for anything other than to help understand what is going on with him. In fact we have been instructed to destroy all the data we have compiled once he has gained control and his semblance has been identified. Everything we are recording is stored on non-networked computer."

"Why is that?"

"To make sure none of the data leaves this lab."

"And you say he consented?" Allison asked, slowly gaining control of her temper.

"He has, and you can speak with him yourself about it. We will not start the test until you are satisfied. As per the court order."

"Then I will speak with him."

"This way please. Is the intercom acceptable, or would rather go in a speak to him in person?"

"Intercom will be fine."

Doctor Jekyll lead her over to the side of the chamber. After showing her the intercom system, he walked off to give her and her client some privacy.

"Jaune, tell me the truth. Did you consent to this?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I need to know."

"So you are okay with this experiment?"

"Yes."

"Okay then, I'll let it happen."

Allison stepped back from the intercom and turned to face the doctor and his assistant. With a sigh she nodded, and then moved to stand behind the pair and watch the computer readouts. Allison gave an audible gasp as the far doors of the chamber opened and three Knights rushed forward with what looked like police batons raised to strike.

"Stop it NOW!" she snapped as she moved forward.

"He's safe!" Doctor Jekyll replied, "They're made of rubber and the knights are programmed to not directly hit him."

"This is not accepta..." Allison stopped in mid-sentence.

The knights didn't make it more than five steps before being stopped. One was cut neatly in half, the second hand it's head twisted off, and the third was smashed against the ceiling and then crushed against the floor. Jaune hadn't made a single move, aside from narrowing his eyes. Jaune blinked for several seconds as if coming out a of trance, before turning to look out the observation window. The lab assistant gave him a thumbs up, before returning the task in front of her. Jaune rose from his seat, and removed the strange cap. Moving to the side door he waited for the buzz that signalled that door had been unlocked.

"My word." Doctor Jekyll exclaimed as he watched the scan results appear on the screen.

Allison moved slightly to get a better view, as Jaune approached the trio of figures. Allison looked at the screen. There was two images of a human brain one side on, the other top down. Below was what looked like a graph of some type.

"Extraordinary. I've never seen anything like it."

"Like what Doc?" Jaune asked as he was finally close enough to also see the monitor's screen.

"Your results. You not only were reacting on an instinctual level, but both your right and left hemisphere showed exceptional amount of activity."

"What does that mean Doctor?" Allison asked before Jaune could.

"It means not only was he just reacting to a threat, he was also creating and calculating, both by the amounts of activity appear to be an an incredibly high level. I've never seen anything like it before; ever."

"Any idea what my semblance is with all that?"

"It seems to be similar to what we see in a telekinetic semblance, but a much higher level." Doctor Jekyll spoke before he turned from the monitor to regard Jaune. "What did you feel as it was all happening? Did you feel the need to concentrate?"

"I just felt threatened and wanted it to stop."

"But why the viciousness? I've been told you have at times knocked individuals aside."

"I don't know, I just felt like they needed to be stopped completely."

"I see. I fathom your response was more gauged to perceived threat over the actual threat. The knights regardless how we programmed them were deemed a serious or life threatening instance, and you struck back accordingly. Interesting."

"I think that is enough testing for today doctor." Allison spoke up, after listening to everything being said.

"I agree. We have more than enough data to review. There is no need for Jaune to remain here. Thank you for bearing with us Jaune."

"Your welcome?"

/=/

Yang sat idly working with a puzzle as Ruby and Weiss had another tea party, complete with cookies, and juice as tea. Yang still didn't understand when was going on with Weiss, that change was so drastic. Pyrrha was absent gone for her own one on one session. Yang knew hers was coming up soon. Probably shortly before the supper meal. She wasn't overly happy about being in this place, but she had to admit the food was pretty good. Her mind slowly moved from Weiss and Ruby to Jaune. Her fist clenched crumpling the puzzle piece it was holding.

It was a dull, simmering anger she felt, not hate; just anger. She knew she had lashed out upon seeing him. She had at that one instant wanted to smash his face in. Make him feel some pain. But she had been stopped. How she didn't know, but stopped dead in her tracks. Part of her had at that point wanted to tell her father, why. What had happened with Ruby, how Jaune was the cause; but she had held it in. Some how no matter how angry she was with him, she was fearful. She didn't like to think it, but she was; for some reason deep inside she was.

/=/

Pyrrha returned from her session, looking even more tired than when she had left. Yang knew better than to ask what happened. So did Ruby. Wiess was of another mind though.

"You look tired. You want hold Blake?" Weiss spoke as she offered Blake to Pyrrha.

"You sure its okay?" Pyrrha asked as she reached out and took hold of the doll.

"Yes. Blake likes you, and she's a real good listener. I talk to her all the time, tell her secrets." Weiss replied.

"Secrets like what?" asked Ruby.

"Secret stuff."

"Like what?" Ruby asked again, her own somewhat childish curiosity peaked.

"Ruby. That's enough. They're Weiss secrets." Pyrrha interjected.

"If you pinkie swear." Weiss said as she held out her hand her pinkie finger crooked, "Both of you."

Pyrrha sighed and reached forward as did Ruby; hooking their own pinkies with Weiss'. After a little pull and shake Weiss was smiling broadly. Ruby's face was also split with wide grin. Weiss motioned for them all to lean in.

"This is a secret. I've only told Blake." Weiss whispered. "You can't tell anybody."

"We wont. We pinkie swore." Ruby replied.

"We promised." agreed Pyrrha.

"They're about the blonde haired man."

"You mean Jaune?" asked Ruby, who instantly felt bad saying his name as she watched Weiss' reaction.

"No don't say his name!" Weiss hissed, her eyes wide with child like concern.

"Why?" asked Pyrrha.

"If you say it three times he'll come for you. He looks nice, almost cute, but he's scary. His eyes get cold, and he makes bad things happen."

"Did he make bad things happen to you?" asked Pyrrha still speaking in a whisper.

"Yes." Weiss replied her eyes moving to look at the table, "He splashed me. It was warm and wet, smelled funny. It scared me. I sometimes still feel it on my face."

Ruby and Pyrrha could only imagine what Weiss was describing. All of their thoughts caused them both to shiver in revulsion and disgust. Weiss's eyes shot up from the table and bore into them. For a minute they thought they were looking into the eyes of the Weiss they remembered; a moment later they soften looking at them with child like softness.

"Its a secret. So no telling."

"We promised." Pyrrha reassured her. "We promised."

/=/

Ozpin was at his wits end. Everything he had tried to put into motion was falling apart. From the last time he was able to speak with Ironwood; he was informed things were not going well. Ozpin could only imagine what James was facing. He hoped there would be extenuating circumstances; that James' attorney could find some loop hole. He had doubts though. If it was as bad as James was hinting at, Ozpin would lose a valuable ally.

Ozpin wanted to blame Jaune. To put all these problems firmly upon the young man's shoulders. But he couldn't. It wasn't Jaune's fault that his semblance was so destructive. It wasn't Jaune's fault how Ozpin and ironwood treated him. It had been all for the better good, for the protection of others; but it was blowing up in their collective faces. In one fell swoop Jaune's semblance had not only removed Ironwood and Winter from positions that could assist him with his eons old battle; but it also had removed the Fall Maiden from his grasp as well as his ace, Ruby's silver eyes.

Ozpin was frustrated at his own actions, and inaction. He should have moved against Jaune sooner, once he understood how dangerous he was. He should have prevented his removal from Vale by Atlas. He should have enforced the very statues he had helped shape and create. He had made far too many mistakes, and they were costing him so much more than he could afford to lose.

Hopefully it wouldn't get much worse. Maybe he could find a way to salvage it all.

"If she doesn't make a move now, maybe I can recover." he spoke to hear his own voice as he sat alone in his cluttered makeshift office.

/=/

Jaune was in the interview room with Doctor Watson. It was a relatively small but comforting place. It held a couple of well padded arm chairs, each with a single end table. Just enough space to hold a tablet and glass of water. Jaune sat with his arms in his lap, almost a mirror image of how the doctor was sitting.

"So how are things Jaune? How goes the training?"

"It's going, not much progress."

"Well it has only been a couple visits."

"I know, just was hoping."

"It's good to hope." responded Doctor Watson, "How are other things? You sleeping okay?"

"I've had better, but it's okay. I don't feel really tired, even with the..."

"The Images?"

"Yeah."

"Can you tell me what you see? How they make you feel?"

"I see faces. A lot of faces. Some I know, most I don't."

"And how does seeing them make you feel?"

"Depressed, sad, sorry."

"Why?"

"Cause I know I did something to them. That I hurt them."

"You did hurt them, you know that right?"

"I do."

"But you still feel that way, sorry I mean. Can you tell me why?"

"I didn't mean to do what I did. It just happened, I couldn't stop it."

"Did you remember what you did want; when it happened?"

"I wanted out. Wanted it all to stop. Wanted to go home."

"Home, I take it you'd feel safe there. Accepted perhaps."

"I guess."

"I think a lot of people would like to be home when something terrible was happening to them. It's a normal response. Home for most is a safe, trusting environment. Do you have a lot of family at home?"

"Mom, Dad, six of my sisters. The oldest is married and in Argus."

"You want to see them again, right?"

"Yes, yes I do."

"That's good. A real good thing. I want you to hold on to that feeling. No matter what happens, hold on to that feeling."

"Am I a monster?"

"Why would you ask that?"

"I heard things, when is was..."

"Confined?"

"Yeah."

"Where some of those things you heard; people calling you a monster?"

"Yeah."

"Do you think you're a monster, Jaune? Honestly, do you?"

"I don't know."

/=/

Watts sat in front of his screens, reading up on whatever data his little creations had gleaned. He had a dark and almost orgasmic smile on his face as he found the transcripts from Ironwood's tribunal. Finally he thought, James will get punished for his arrogance. Punished for thinking he was better than me. Watts took a look down at his scroll. There was still no response, and he was starting to feel as though his attempt to recruit; was going to end in failure.

Looking back up at his monitor and the multiple open windows, he thought about other ways he could seed some chaos, distract people from what he truly planned to do. He still believed Jaune would make an excellent pawn with the right motivation. A perfect example to his Lady of his own genius. He was sure by now his absence had been noticed, and by extension that her wishes had not been fulfilled.

Returning his attention to his scroll, he picked it up and sent another text. This one a little longer than his first attempt, giving the person or persons on the receiving end that there was room to negotiate. Putting his scroll back on his desk, he returned to his monitors and started the process of waiting again. To properly execute his plan with regards to Jaune he would need someone outside Lady Salem's direct influence. He'd need someone who could travel freely.

It was then another idea struck him. One that could help, or at least give both Vale and Atlas bloody noses. How would the general public take to a possible mass murder being carted off without trial? The grin that had faded returned. Yes it wasn't much of a strike against either kingdom, but it would stir up trouble and emotions. It would make people question those that were meant to protect them. Leaning forward his keys hovered over his keyboard as he planned what to say, what to include and whom to send it to.

"This should at least be entertaining while I wait other things to come into play." Watts chuckled to himself as he began to compose his message.

/=/

It had been seven days, and after Tai had a chance to see his girls, he found himself once again seated in Doctor Walters' office.

"As I'm sure you are aware, the seven day assessment process is complete."

"So what is going on with my girls?"

"Many things I'm afraid." Doctor Walters replied.

"What do you mean?"

"Well first off, both Ruby and Yang show signs of a mid level of PTSD. What they went through prior to the loss of their respective limbs is really bothering them. Secondly both are showing symptoms of Phantom Limb Syndrome."

"Phantom Limb Syndrome. Is that like the phantom pain I was warned to watch for?"

"Phantom Pain is a part of it. The reason both girls refuse to use their individual prosthetic; is because both still feel the missing limb, and using the replacements feels wrong, and makes them acknowledge the loss of said limb. Ruby is showing more signs of it than Yang, but they both have it."

"Anything else?"

"Ruby is feeling the need to protect someone. Possibly the person who caused her injury."

"Why would she?"

"I'm not certain, but it may lie with her PTSD, and she feels as though admitting what he did would break some type of bond the pair share."

"Are you saying a friend did that to her?"

"Possibly, or at least someone she trusts. Yang however is a different story."

"And that is?"

"She has a severe anger problem."

"Tell me something I don't know. I saw how she reacted to that man."

"It is more severe than that. When she loses her temper all rational thought seems to disappear. She focuses on only one thing and that is to attack."

"Has she..."

"No. She has not. But in the process of her assessment we did see the signs, and had an admission from her."

"Admission?"

"It was a side comment. Something about looking for her mother, and having to, how did she say it? Ah yes, she had to 'put people in their place'. Do you know of an incident that she maybe referring to?"

"Not off the top of my head, but I can look into if you would like."

"That would be helpful." Doctor Walters admitted, "What was or is the relationship both girls have with their mother?"

"Ruby's mother, Summer; died when she was just about three years old."

"I see. What about Yang?"

"Yang knew Summer, she was about five when she passed, but her biological mother abandoned her when she was a baby."

"So the girls had different mothers?

"Biological yes, but Summer will always be Yang's mom."

"I understand."

"What does this have to do with what is going on with my girls?"

"A fair bit I'm afraid."

"How so?"

"There maybe some abandonment issues with both girls. Yang's temper may rise from feeling that one mother was taken from her, and that the other didn't seem to want her. Ruby's fear may arise from the loss of her mother. Even at a young age a child knows and feels things."

"Fear of?"

"A fear of breaking trust with someone. A child in most cases has bond of trust with their parents. It is absolute trust that they will be there for him or her. Trust that they will protect them. When Summer did not return that trust was broken, for both girls. Hence the abandonment issues. But I feel in Ruby's case break trust is almost akin to dying. Hence her reluctance to speak about whom hurt her."

"That is messed up. So I failed."

"It is not messed up, and you did not fail. I am more than positive you did your best for your girls, and I know this because for one by how you have looked while we have been talking. Concern has never left your face; and two you brought them to a place that can help them. You did not fail."

"But it feels..."

"It may feel like it Mister Xiao Long, but it is not true. Believe me. It's not true."

/=/

Helen Nikos found herself in an office with a man she had yet to officially meet, a one Doctor Martin. She noticed his office was slightly more cluttered than that of Doctor Walters as she took the offered seat.

"Missus Nikos. I'm Doctor Martin. I am the other doctor you've entrusted with your daughter's care and treatment. As you're already aware this meeting is to discuss Pyrrha's seven day assessment. Now before we can continue, this assessment gives us a very good idea as to what is bothering our clients, but it is not the end all. We will continue to monitor as we start treatment and will adjust our methods accordingly if something else become apparent. Do you have any questions before we proceed?"

"No Doctor. I just want to know what is happening with Pyrrha."

"Very well." Doctor Martin shuffled some papers about before continuing. "Pyrrha is suffering from a severe form of PTSD, which is the cause of her night terrors. While we have not been currently able to get her to open up to the cause, we have some assumptions."

"Like?"

"That something happened during the fighting at Beacon, that she herself did something, had something done, or witnessed something horrific."

"She would never."

"It was a battle Missus Nikos, things happen on a battlefield." Doctor Martin raised his hand to let Helen know he wished to continue. "However from our observations of her reaction to her, for the lack of a better term, nightmare we believe she witnessed something horrific."

"So what is going to be done?"

"Firstly we are going to take her off of the sleep medication she brought with her, and exchange it with something more potent."

"How potent?"

"It will put her into an almost coma like state, this however if only for the short term. It is to give her body and mind a chance to rest. We feel that no more than a week will be needed, after which she be taken off all medication entirely."

"Will that fix her problem?"

"No, but the coma state will allow us time to consider options. After she is off the medication she will begin to have the nightmares again. We are hoping that the week of uninterrupted rest may make her more open to discuss what is going on. We are also considering the use of hypnosis."

"Hypnosis?"

"Yes. We would put her into a dream like sleep, and walk her through her nightmares. Assure her that she is safe, and help her confront the images that are waking her. This will also be coupled with our normal routine of group and one on one sessions."

"Is there anything else?"

"Yes, I should point out we are very fortunate you brought Pyrrha here when you did."

"Why?"

"I would estimate that if she suffered anymore than she already has, she would have had a psychotic break, during which she could harm herself or others."

"So can you help her? Can you bring back my baby?"

"We can help her, but we can't remove what she has experienced. That will always be with her, however we can give her the tools to control it, and give Pyrrha her life back. And before you start blaming yourself about her condition, I need you to remember this is not your fault. You did nothing wrong, you did your best; and now its our turn to do our best for you and your daughter."

"It still feels..."

"I understand, but that is not the case, and if you need to talk we are here for you as well."

/==/

So a slightly shorter chapter then my previous ones, and a quick one. I write to deal with stress and I've had a lot of it today, hence this probably mess of a chapter. If it's too much of a mess let me know and I'll rework it. Like I said this was done today, because I needed something to deal with what has been happening around me.

With that said. Thank you for all the suggestions. They are appreciated. Jaune's semblance is becoming more clear to me, and hopefully I can make it clear over the next few chapters.

As always I hope you enjoy.