AN: I apologize for my absence. None of my stories are dead. But with how chaotic my life is atm I can't promise any sort of guaranteed writing schedule. I actually wrote this chapter after waking up at two in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep.

Penmaster Cole

Yah I wanted to do something semi unique for a Remnant/Atlas funeral. This is an AU so I thought I should have fun with world building.(which should definitely be evident in this chapter and even more as the fic goes on.)

Zander22122

Yah I'm planning on doing some time skips. Not the whole way because I want to flesh things out. But I'll probably do one more chapter in the current time. Then skip forward in time a bit. Which is probably when the story will focus much more on Jaunes Pov. And then eventually we'll get to the time in the show.

CoolDude101011

No not stolen. Or at least thats not the current plan. I was going to originally give Jaune a different weapon but after talking it out with someone in my messages I decided to have him keep it in addition to some other weapons. It just hasn't come up in the story yet.

Guest(who talked about the over use of dead family)

Yah I'm using it and yah its common. But I have a whole detailed reason planned out for why his family died.(along with just needing a reason for ironwood to raise him in the first place that is.)

Although very few people have the privilege to know it, James Ironwoods living quarters are a far cry from what one may expect from someone of his position and public disposition. Stern and stoic he may be, but he's far from emotionless and his quarters reflect that. Filled with items pertaining to his careers as soldier and teacher, but also with photos of old friends and mementos from times past. While his own family had been distant and cold, he had in time found a home when he met Vert Arc and eventually his family as he attended combat school. While he was never adopted or officially a member of their family they had treated him as family and helped him become the man he was today.

While not filled with sun beams and laughter like the Arcs home once was, his quarters still reflect the effect they and others had on him. And in no place is this more apparent than his kitchen and dining area. While very few people know it, cooking is a hobby and one could even say passion of James. He had grown up with no knowledge of cooking due to his upbringing. So Verts mother Violet Arc had decided to teach him when she found this out during one of his visits. While at first hesitant and a bit haughty he had quickly found enjoyment in the process and she had encouraged his interest and used it to help get to know him and help him open up to those around him. Some of his or even his fondest memories take place in the Arc family kitchen helping Violet and the other Arcs cook a dinner for the large family and whoever they may have over at the moment.

As a result his kitchen is well stocked with both supplies and various tools and utensils. With an old wooden table and usually the smells of something cooking, it's a place he can relax and be at ease. And as such he's thankful it's where he and Oz are having their conversation given the heavy topics. He knows he has enough bad news on his side to ruin his day and from the look on Oz's face he doesn't expect much better news from him. He looks up from his thoughts upon hearing a rustling from Oz sitting across from him. Surprisingly he sees him taking a long pull from a flask before letting out a sigh of contentment.

He tilts his head curiously. "I know todays been rough but it's still a bit early for day drinking don't you think Oz?"

Ozpin blinked at him owlishly a few times before looking down at the flask and turning back to him with an amused smile. "I can see how you might think that, but it's coffee actually. I had been thinking of a way to more easily carry coffee with me and decided to take a note from Qrows book. He was quite pleased actually, although he's used it as an excuse to try to get me to go drinking with him again. Speaking of, would you mind terribly if we put on a pot for this conversation?"

James laughed fondly at his old friend's eccentricities before standing and returning with a pot of coffee in hand. Shaking his head in exasperation he said "I should have expected as much of the flask, but I did predict your coffee addiction and hat a pot brewing for you. Honestly Oz you and Doctor Oobleck must hold an iron grip on half the market by yourselves. Hasn't Glenda gotten on your case about your habits yet?"

Ozpin flushed a bit at the teasing before taking the pot in hand and responding. "Ah yes, she actually does get on our case for it quite often. While I'll admit I and the good Doctor do get a bit carried away at times we have reigned ourselves in! Honestly its only one percent of the budget now instead of five like originally suggested. So I'm not really sure what she's complaining about." He finished with a huff and a joking smile.

James smiled back before turning serious and asking. "So now that you have your coffee shall we turn to a more serious conversation? While I enjoy our conversations I have several important things to bring up and I'd wager you're the same."

Ozpin nodded in response. "Yes I suppose we should. While I don't have anything needing immediate action, multiple worrying things have come to light over the past weeks and we need to make sure to stay on top of things. How about you go first so I don't waste time telling you anything you may already know from your own sources."

In response James stood and grabbed a bag sitting on the counter before returning. "Well I have a multitude of topics to discuss but I'll start with the most important. It was her Oz, there's solid proof. Despite the clear evidence showing that there was human involvement it was difficult getting clear answers. Whoever did this was good, very good. Our forensics team scoured the whole village as well as a good deal of the woodlands surrounding and were able to find no biological evidence. This is in addition to almost all the cameras being shut down by unknown means and only three eye witness accounts including Jaune. However, outside of the witness accounts we still managed to luckily recover two pieces of evidence."

Here he paused and reached into the bag to pull out a small see through evidence baggy. He slid it across the table to where Ozpin could see it easily. "While my men may not have the knowledge to recognize the symbol on this necklace I can recognize her mark thanks to you."

Ozpin steepled his hands at this, hands clenching before he relaxed with a sigh and looked up at James with tired eyes. "Yes I'm afraid you're right. Were it anyone else I might advise caution for worry of planted evidence. However there's probably only a hundred or so people alive on the entirety of Remnant who would know that mark, if that even. And the entirety of that list is either in her circle or my own. So yes we must assume that she's the one behind the recent set of events. You said there was a second piece of evidence?"

James nodded before reaching into the bag again to pull out a scroll tablet which he opened to pull up a video. "As you may remember I said most of the cameras were shut down, but we still managed to recover a bit of video from one that was caught before it was destroyed." He opened the holographic display of the scroll and a video began to play out over the table.

The video started with some static and glitches but eventually cleared to show a field on the edge of Vytal Village and beyond it the edge of the forest neighboring the village. The video appeared to be from early morning with the sun just barely starting to show and burn off the morning mist. It would be easy to miss at first, but if one were to look closely they would see a multitude of black hooded figures start slipping from the edge of the woods one by one. They moved fluidly and quietly and before long a total of 14 had gathered in the clearing where they appeared to be standing waiting for something. There was no sound but there was suddenly a clear disturbance as the trees on the edge of the forest started to wave wildly buffered by the wind. When suddenly something landed next to the group waiting on the field. Something that could only be described as a dragon. But this was no dragon of myth, instead it was something twisted and corrupted by the forces of Grimm. Covered mostly with pure black scales that seemed to ooze darkness except for a few bone plates on its head and scattered across its body. It was large enough to dwarf giant nevermores and even looked big enough to carry a goliath in its talons if it pleased. And even more worrying was the rider on its back. While not especially large they seemed to give off a primal sense of fear and darkness. Unlike the rest of the group they wore a set of elaborate black and white robes combined with blood red armor. Except for their helmet, it was pure black and appeared to be modeled after the beast they rode while giving nothing away of the person underneath. Unfortunately it was also at this point that the video started going haywire before finally fading to static.

The two sat in silence for what seemed like eternity before Ozpin looked up with a shudder. "This is worse than I thought, far worse. She has not made moves like these in generations and now she's making multiple at once. I don't know if she's simply grown impatient or something has happened to tip her hand. Regardless of the reason we must expect this is only the beginning and prepare accordingly." He paused for a second. "I assume you've controlled who was allowed to see this video?'

James nodded. "Of course. When it was brought to me I had it immediately sealed and had a meeting with those who had already seen it to debrief them and make sure they knew to keep silent. While its not unknown to discover new species of Grimm it is to see one so frightening but especially one working so clearly with humans. If it got out it would cause an unprecedented panic."

Ozpin relaxed a little at this."To be honest this is not the first dragon Grimm that I've seen. And thats one of the reasons why I was so worried about others seeing this. They are a rare species that used to be more common. When they became rare people were happy to forget about them due to the sheer terror and chaos they cause. Believe it or not the one in the video we saw is relatively young and small for a member of their species. You're aware that while sometimes similar to animals the various types of Grimm do not behave in the same way. While they sometimes consume humans they do not need to eat or drink to live. However they do still have group specific behaviors or quirks that can be determined and relied upon to be true. Dragon Grimm are no different in this respect and can be relied upon to have two especially important features. First the larger they get the more they need to hibernate, while not being normal creatures of flesh and blood they are still massive beings and as such require a great deal of energy. Some can sleep for thousands of years at a time before waking again to cause chaos. This can be both beneficial and detrimental to humans. The other noticeable feature of dragon Grimm is that they are uniquely and terrifyingly intelligent. The dragon we saw in that video is as I mentioned relatively young for one of their species, however it is more then likely more intelligent then the longest lived goliath already. To be honest I had thought that the species had either died out or the few remaining had grown so large in the Grimmlands that they would never be seen by humanity again. I can only hope that this is one of only three remaining and we don't have to worry about her sending more than one at us."

James was understandably taken aback at this and they sat in silence for a few minutes again before he spoke. "Thats- thats a lot to take in Oz. It was bad enough to learn that the Grimm had a leader pulling the strings. Bad enough to know that they had humans actively supporting them. But now there's hyper intelligent super Grimm as well? This isn't something we can just cross our fingers and hope for the best to deal with. We're going to have to start making waves to prepare for what might be coming."

Ozpin nodded in agreement. "You're right, unfortunately. I had hoped the time of peace and relative safety we were enjoying could be extended. However it seems we'll have to take a more active approach to try to protect humanity. I know I have been disapproving of some of your actions and tactics combining both the military and hunters. But perhaps it is somewhat necessary. However. Don't let this make you lose sight of what makes us human James. Remember what we told Jaune earlier, it is our ability to love, to communicate, and to work together one day at a time that has allowed humanity to survive. We are much stronger, much further advanced then we were in the past. And humanity survived the Grimm then and they will again now. The fire that burns in our hearts and souls is not just fancy words or empty platitudes but literally what powers our aura. But even more than that it is what powers our hope, and as long as we have hope we will keep moving forward."

James sighed tiredly but let out a smile. "You've always loved your speeches and philosophy Oz. But you're not wrong and I'm aware I often need the reminders you give me. You were always the only one better than Vert at being able to tell when I've slipped into my semblance on accident. I know it's harmful to over use but sometimes with the threats we face it feels like the only way forward. But don't worry Oz, in the memories of those gone and in hope for those still alive I'll move forward with you. One step, one day at a time. Now you mentioned you had your own concerns to bring up as well?"

Ozpin sighed. "Yes, and while its still worrying I would consider it good news rather than bad. I told you I would warn other members of the circle and prominent hunter families when you first told me about the Arc's. I did and it was thankfully just in time. Summer of team STRQ was on a solo mission when she was ambushed by Hazel Reinhart and Tyrian Callows accompanied by a massive swarm of Grimm. Thankfully due to the warning Tai and Qrow were able to reach her in time and they fought the threat off without any major injuries. Several other missions were either canceled or had their security beefed as a result and several other attacks were stopped. What was meant to be a massive strike against multiple top hunters was mitigated at least partially."

James sighed in relief. "I'd agree with you that while its certainly concerning as it gives more evidence to our fears, it is a relief the warning helped people make it out ok. We need all the hunters we can it would seem. I'll have to give Tai and Summer a call at some point and check up on them myself. Maybe while I do I can get some advice on raising kids. Speaking of calls you wouldn't believe how many I've gotten over the past week. You were right in your warning about the media picking up on the story. As soon as they found out about the attack on Vytal Village they tried to milk it for everything they could. And then of course I started getting calls from politicians and the council trying to see what they could get out of it. Like dogs after a scrap of meat the whole lot of them, they all want to get their hands on the Arc legacy. I even got a call from Jacques Schnee himself not so subtly asking if Jaune and Saffron needed someone to take them in. As if I'd allow that, I have enough worries about how he treats his own family let alone someone else. At least he was willing to let the matter drop when I told him no, one of the council families had the audacity to try to demand I give the two over to them. Thankfully the Arc's will was pretty clear on who the children should go to so I was able to shut that conversation down quick."

"Yes I had been afraid of that. While I do my best to give humanity the benefit of the doubt I know by now to expect to be disappointed when it comes to circumstances like these. While I'm glad you were able to work it out on your own, feel free to call me to help if you need it. While I usually refrain from throwing around the power and influence I've accumulated over time I'm willing to use it to help. It seems something I'm going to need in general under current circumstances so being able to help in something like this is no issue. With that said, unless you have something else to talk about I should probably be on my way home. As we've discussed it seems there's a great deal of work to do and I'll need to start on it as soon as I can. That being said, I'm giving Saffron the next two weeks off to let her stay with you and Jaune so you all can get situated and have some more time to grieve." Ozpin said.

"I agree that's a good idea. I think having some time together will be good for the two of them and maybe it will help me learn how to talk with them some more. Thanks for everything Oz, it was a difficult conversation but one we needed to get out of the way."

Ozpin smiled and nodded before heading to the door. Right as he was going to walk out he paused and turned with a knowing smile. "Oh by the way James. Glenda sends her best wishes and wanted to tell me she's always willing to talk or help you out if you just give her a call. She actually tried to talk me into being the one who came instead. I might have listened if I didn't need to be the one here for official reasons."

James blinked with a slightly confused look on his face. "Oh, well that's nice of her! I'm glad to hear she's doing well and still as friendly as usual. I'll have to give her a call at some point and reassure her that I'm ok. She shouldn't be worrying about me with all the trouble of yours she fixes. Honestly she tries to take on too much by herself."

With a smile and a wave Ozpin was on his way again. Happily chuckling to himself that his friend was still as dense as usual when it came to matters of the heart. Poor Glynda was going to have to hit the man over the head with affection one of these days if she ever wanted to get her feelings across. But until then he'd get the entertainment of watching his friends stumble around their feelings.