Lapis and Cinder stood in the elevator the next morning and winced.
"You okay?" The twin sword wielder asked.
The Faunus nodded. "Yeah. Professor Goodwitch and General Ironwood are arguing in Ozpin's office." She replied as they arrived at the office.
"Come in." Ozpin said and the doors opened.
"You wanted to see us, Professor?" Cinder asked.
"Ah, Cinder and Lapis. Thank you both for coming. How are you two?"
"I'd feel better if my record for catching bad guys wasn't 0 for 3." Cinder joked but only Lapis laughed a little.
"Lapis, Cinder, I wanted you both to know that you two demonstrated what being Huntresses is all about last night. You recognized a threat, took action, and did your best." Ironwood said.
"Thank you, General Ironwood." Lapis said.
"Thanks to the General, we know what transpired last night, but you two got the closest encounter with the attacker. Do either of you have anything to add?" Ozpin asked.
"...It was Pyrrha Nikos, Professor." Lapis revealed.
"We're sure of it."
The teachers looked to them.
"Your evidence, ladies?"
"Her eyes, her hair, her circlet, her weapon, even her Semblance. Mine and Cinder's swords were bending a little before she attacked us." Lapis said.
Cinder looked at Glynda. "She didn't broadcast it the night we met to try and keep her identity concealed but even you knew it was her, Professor."
"The woman they've described in appearance and fighting style certainly matches the technique Miss Nikos demonstrated when she attended Beacon." Glynda said.
"Perhaps Miss Schnee is planning something." Ironwood said.
"Could the SDC be secretly involved in everything the Black Rose and the White Fang have been doing in Vale?" Cinder asked.
"Possibly." Ozpin said. "But we still don't have the evidence to make the connection."
"...Well, I found out that the Black Rose and the White Fang have something going on in the southeast. They may have a hideout there too." Lapis said.
"How did you-?" Glynda started.
"Thank you both for your help in this matter, girls. Go spend some time with your teams." Ozpin cut her off. "You both have a big day ahead of you. And please be discrete about this matter."
The teens nodded then left the office.
In Team CMSN's dorm room were the other members of both Team CMSN and Team SLVR, as well as Alpha.
Lapis and Cinder informed them what happened in Ozpin's office.
"Despite the risk, you two handled it well." Simin smiled softly.
"We hope so, at least." Cinder said.
"But I'm worried. If Pyrrha infiltrated Beacon last night, then the SDC may have a hand in what's been going on in this Kingdom lately." Lapis said.
"I'm sure it'll be fine, guys." Mercury said.
"We should work up a plan to get at least one of our teams to the southeast." Cinder said.
"All first year students report to the amphitheater, please." Glynda's voice came over the intercom.
"Come on, let's go." Cinder and Simin said.
"Come, boy." Lapis said to the crystal wolf.
In the amphitheater, the two teams stood, Alpha beside his Faunus, as Ozpin delivered a speech.
"Today, we stand united. Mistral, Atlas, Vacuo, and Vale. The Four Kingdoms. Nearly 80 years ago today, history's largest war ended. It was of ignorance, greed, and oppression. It was about much more than borders falling or who was trading with whom, but also of individualism itself. Countless reasons were why we fought, one being the destruction of all forms of art and expressing oneself. As many of you know, many could not stand for this. Those who opposed the tyranny began naming their children after color, one of the core aspects of art, as a result to demonstrate that they wouldn't tolerate that oppression, and future generations wouldn't either. That trend is still held to this day. Individuality, expressionism, and unity are encouraged through us to this day through diversity. Like I said, today we stand united, but this bond does not exist without effort. So, while the rest of the world celebrated peace today, Huntsmen and Huntresses will work to uphold that peace. As first years, you will be shadowing a professional on a mission. Some of you may be out of the Kingdom for a few days, others within the walls for the rest of the week. No matter which you chose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and do your very best." Ozpin said.
The crowd cheered and went to the screens to select their missions.
Teams CMSN and SLVR found a Search and Destroy mission in Quadrant 5.
"How about this one?" Cinder asked.
"It is in the southeast." Simin said.
Cinder put in her team's name, but permission was denied. Simin put in his team's name, but had the same result followed by "Mission unavailable to first year students".
"Now what?" Ragora asked.
"We could mail ourselves there."Neo said through her Scroll.
"That sounds like an interesting plan." Ozpin said. "Unfortunately, we have decided the mission was too dangerous for first year students because of much the High concentration of Grimm in the area. Quite a particularly popular region, it seems. And I have my suspicions that you eight may try to make your way there no matter your mission."
"What makes you say that, Professor?" Cinder asked.
"I'm curious about many things you lot have done. How you all were at the docks last semester and how you truly found out about a hideout in the southeast." He smirked softly. "But I doubt I'll find the exact answer. So instead of you lot breaking the rules, let's bend them." He said then gave the mission to Team CMSN.
"You won't be let down by us." Emerald said.
"Thank you, Professor Ozpin." Cinder said.
"Don't. Your teamwork and persistence have gotten you far but the dangers outside the walls of the Kingdom will not care. Stay close to your Huntsman and follow his orders to the letter because he will be leading the mission and can have you sent back if he deems your skills unsatisfactory. Good luck." He told them then walked away.
Lapis looked at Alpha then nodded towards Cinder. He walked to her, and she pet him with a smile.
"Take him with you. You may need his help." Lapis told Cinder, who nodded with a smile.
"We'll find a mission somewhere close by to give you guys a hand if you need one." Simin said then Team SLVR began looking through the missions.
"Oz didn't exactly uplift us." Mercury said.
"But didn't lie, either." Emerald said.
"It'll be tough, but we can do this." Cinder encouraged her teammates.
"Team CFVY's back!" A student said then everyone saw the second year team walking by and the four walked to them.
"Velvet, are you alright?" Neo asked with her Scroll.
The rabbit Faunus turned to them. "Yeah. Yatsu was looking out for me." She said with a small smile as a tall guy walked past them.
"Your mission should've ended a week ago. What happened?" Emerald asked.
"Nothing. There were so many of them is all. But don't worry. All you first years are doing is shadowing Huntsmen and Huntresses, so you'll be fine. Anyway, I'd better go. Be safe." She said then went to catch up with her teammates.
"We've got this, guys. We've been through worse, have never backed down, and won't start today. Besides, we'll have a genuine Huntsman with us." Cinder said but the four students found out the Huntsman was none other than their history teacher, Dr. Bartholemew Oobleck.
That's chapter seventeen
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