KS: Yeah, I know, I'm back. Couldn't stay away any longer. I've been bitten by my friend, the inspiration bug and I just had to write this. I'm starting to like the direction this is going, but I can't say that I fully like it. I'll just have to keep at what I'm currently doing until I get the results I require. Oh, one more thing. This is going to come to a scene during the first V5 episode, but it will diverge from canon, so... just warning you right now. Enjoy.

The group arrived at Haven Academy without any trouble, where they were greeted by Professor Lionheart. Well, "greeted" wouldn't be the correct the word, to be honest. Ruby knocked on the door leading the headmaster's study, but there was no answer. Feeling impatient, Lilac asked her to step aside and allow him to handle it. And what was his way of handling it, you ask?

He kicked the doors open, sending them flying and making Lionheart faint. Everyone present was shocked into silence, aside from Qrow, who gave the young man an annoyed look.

"Huh... I might have overdone it a bit," Lilac chuckled nervously.

"A bit, he says," Qrow muttered.

Once he regained his bearings from the ordeal, Lionheart properly introduced himself to the group, with Ruby and others doing the same. Lilac just stood the side reading some random books on the shelves. Once they got the formalities out of the way, Qrow got down to business.

"Alright, Leo. You probably know why we're here," he said. "We need the location of the Spring Maiden."

"I am aware," Lionheart replied solemnly. "But I am afraid she has abandoned her duties and is in hiding."

Qrow widened his eyes in shock. "What? You mean to tell us you don't know where she ran off to?"

"I wish I could tell you otherwise, but every patrol sent has come up with negative results," the headmaster said. "I fear that the worst has happened to her."

"Why don't you contact the other kingdoms and see if she's hiding in one of them?" Ruby asked. "I mean, that's one possibility to consider."

"Normally, it would," Qrow replied. "But with Beacon Tower in shambles, communications across the world are at a standstill, making that theory a million to one chance of being true."

Ruby slightly deflated, knowing that her uncle had a point.

"Hey, don't feel bad," Nora said, patting her on the head. "It's a solid theory."

Ren nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's best to think positive in dark times. It helps keep the spirit at ease."

Jaune did not appear at ease in the slightest. There was a question he needed to ask and he wasn't prepared to wait a second longer.

"I've been to ask something about some of your students," he asked lowly, balling his hands into fists.

Lionheart sighed. "I take you're referring to Emerald, Mercury and Cinder?"

Jaune didn't responded, which was enough for the headmaster.

"If you must know, they are not enrolled in this academy. In fact, not one of them was even born in Mistral."

"So, where are they from?" Ruby asked.

"That, I am unsure of," Lionheart answered.

Qrow brought out his flask and took a swig from it before speaking. "Back to the main topic, Leo, I still can't believe you let the Spring Maiden slip out of your grasp."

Lionheart slumped in his chair. "Yes, it was regrettable. But rest assured, we have not stopped our search for her and continue that way until she is found and recovered."

"I hope so," Qrow said. "Without the Maiden, there's no way of getting our hands on the Relic. Just so you haven't forgotten."

"I haven't forgotten, even if I wanted to," Lionheart said.

Qrow sighed. "Then, I guess we're done here."

He gestured to RNJR and Lilac to follow him out. Lilac, however, stayed behind to offer some words to the headmaster.

"Hey, Lionheart... sorry about the doors, man. I'll be sure to foot the bill for them."

Lionheart chuckled. "That would be most appreciated."

Lilac smirked. "Great. See you soon."

And with that, he left, leaving the old man alone.

"What am I doing with my life?" he muttered, lowering his head.

"Well, I think I speak on behalf of everyone present here when I say that was a total bust," Nora said as they walked out of the school grounds.

"At very least, we know the truth about the ones responsible for instigating the fall of Beacon," Ren replied. "Now we just need to know where they are."

"Okay, listen up, all of you," Qrow said gaining everyone's attention. "I think I have a general idea of what you're thinking, and I'm just going to say it. Don't think about it."

"What are you talking about?" Jaune asked bitterly.

Qrow turned to the blond with a inquisitive look. "What, you think I'm an idiot or something? I just know you want a chance to avenge your teammate, but it's not worth the trouble. I doubt Pyrrha would want any of you throwing your lives away for her sake."

Jaune turned away. "You don't know that."

"I do," Qrow replied. "I mean, look at Ruby. She witnessed firsthand what happened to her, but you don't see her plotting any revenge tactics. Isn't that right, Ruby?"

Upon hearing the name of her friend, Ruby fell silent. She didn't utter word when Pyrrha was brought up, and the very mention of revenge made her think.

"Hey, Ruby," Qrow said, noting her grim expression. "Say something, kid. You're scaring us a little."

After a while, Ruby took a deep breath and exhaled.

"To be honest, I would be lying if I said I wouldn't jump at the opportunity to avenge Pyrrha."

Qrow sighed. "I thought as much."

But to his surprise, Ruby wasn't finished. "But I know, deep down, that she would want us to keep moving forward, rather than dwell on what happened." She gave off a small smile. "At least, that's what I think."

Qrow returned the smile with one of his own. "Well, if she was still around, she'd be pretty proud of you right now."

Ruby blushed lightly. Soon, Lilac approached them.

"Okay, people, hear this," he said. "I have an idea on how we can get information on the Spring Maiden's whereabouts."

"Is that true?" Ren asked.

Lilac rubbed his shoulder. "Well, I neglected to mention it earlier, but my boss happens to know a lot of information about anything and anyone."

"You mean, like an information broker?" Nora asked.

Lilac breathed heavily. "Not... exactly. I mean, they do know a lot, but they're no info broker."

"Well, who are they?" Jaune asked.

Lilac began to chuckle nervously. "Well..."

RNJR and Qrow found themselves following Lilac into the more shady parts of Mistral.

"Lilac, I don't believe this for one second," Qrow groaned. "When were you planning on telling us you've been working with the world's oldest crime syndicate?"

"Hey, it's not a crime syndicate," Lilac said defensively. "It's more of a... multiple interest group. You know, the kind that brings in products and items of interests."

"Like narcotics and weapons?" Ren asked.

Lilac sighed. "No. Well, we don't manufacture drugs, but weapons are another story. The group I work for produces Dust."

"What of it?" Jaune asked. "The Schnee Dust Company is the largest Dust manufacturer in the world."

"And the most corrupt," Lilac added. "You've heard the rumblings them, haven't you? Using faunus the main work force due to discriminatory reasons, unsafe environments, shady deals... I can go on at that point, but the bottom line is, the SDC have fallen from grace when it was taken over by some greedy outsider."

"So I've heard," Qrow mused. "But returning to the original topic, why didn't you mention anything about working with this group, Lilac?"

The young put his arms behind his head. "Well, I figured after that disaster in Vale, all the other kingdoms are on high alert and are keeping a close eye on any sususpicious characters. But on that note, there's a likely chance that some White Fang members are in the shadows, plotting their next move. It wouldn't surprise me if Haven was their next target."

As Lilac continued talking, Ruby took the time to look at the new surroundings. She had always heard from Qrow that the lower levels of Mistral was something to be avoided, but looking around, it was not much different from the upper levels. There were plenty of merchants around and they even had a pub. But the people appeared more than a little shady and she felt that the merchandise on sale was beyond illegal.

"Hey, Lilac," Nora said. "This boss of yours... do you think they'll be comfortable with students hanging around?"

Lilac grinned. "Don't worry your pretty little head about it. He has no problem with students around these parts. In fact, believe it or not, I saw a couple of them walking here before the whole Vytal affair."

"You mean to say Haven students actually come down this level?" Ren asked.

Lilac chuckled. "You'd be surprised."

As they continued walking, Jaune didn't watch where he was going and bumped into someone.

"Oh, sorry, I was-"

He stopped short when he saw the person. He was certain it was a girl, judging by how her face was structured. He red hair was visible at the front, but the rest of it was covered by a black cloak. Also, on the girl's face were red tattoos of unknown origin and her green eyes were surrounded by black sclera.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

Jaune couldn't believe what he was seeing. He wanted to believe it was her, he really did. But alas, the differences in this girl and the one he had grown to appreciate were clear as day.

"P-Pyr-"

"Hey, dumbass!" a sharp voice yelled.

Jaune was snapped out of reverie when someone shouted at him. He looked down to see a girl glaring up at him. She had pale skin, short black hair and aquamarine eyes. She wore a black short kimono with a fox emblem on the back.

"Y-Yeah?" he asked nervously.

"Didn't anyone tell you to watch where you were going?" she snapped.

For some reason, the girl intimidated Jaune. "L-Look, it was in accident. I was only distracted for a- AGH!"

Once again, Jaune was cut off, but this time, by a sharp pain in between his legs. The girl delievered a power kick to his privates, sending him to the ground, holding his groin as he groaned in agony.

"Next time, don't be so distracted!" the girl spat as she grabbed the other girl's arm, dragging her away. "Let's go."

As they walked away, the girl in the cloaked looked back at Jaune for a brief moment, then continued to be led away by the smaller girl. The others quickly reached Jaune and saw him rolling around while gripping his groin.

"Wow, that girl did a number on your nuts there," Lilac chuckled. "Judging by how powerful her kick was, I wouldn't be surprised if it made you sterile."

As he laughed, the rest of RNJR and Qrow looked at him distainfully.

"Low kicks are no laughing matter to a man," the older huntsman sighed.

It took navigating, but the group made it to the deepest part of the Mistral underground. Standing in their way was a stone door with a strange circle painted on it.

"And here were are," Lilac announced. "The main hideout for the Ars Goetia."

"Lilac, you better know what you are doing," Qrow warned. "If these kids get into any trouble with your people-"

"There is not going to be any trouble," Lilac said reassuringly. "The boss would never harm any minors, especially if they were academy students."

Qrow narrowed his eyes. "For your sake, you better be right."

Lilac walked to the door and places his hands on the circle. Nothing happens for a few seconds, but soon the circle began to glow purple, causing the stone door to decend into the ground.

"Alright," he said. "Right this way."

The group followed him through the door, but Jaune limped his way through, due to his earlier injury.

Past the door was a wide room with statues around each and every corner. In the middle lies a fountain sculpted in the shape of a Beowolf.

"Wow," Ruby said in awe. "This feels a lot like a mansion, but underground."

Lilac chuckled. "That's probably the angle the boss was getting at. They did always have a flare for the gaudy."

Qrow looked at the architecture in disgust. "Gaudy is one word for it. This stuff makes Atlas easy to look at."

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't refer my household to that wretched excuse for a kingdom."

Everyone turned around to see a see a young woman walk up to them. She had long brown hair, gray eyes and fair skin. She wore a black suit and pants with matching shoes, a red tie and round glasses.

"Lilac, you didn't tell me you would be bringing visitors," the woman stated neutrally, adjusting her glasses.

"Well, I would have called ahead of time, but... things happen," Lilac said. "Oh, I almost forgot to introduce you. This is Team RNJR and the scruffy guy next to them is Qrow... what's your last name?"

"Branwen," he said, narrowing his eyes at being called scruffy.

"A pleasure to meet you," the woman replied. "My name is Schokolade Astaroth. I serve as one of the supervisors for the activities done by the Ars Goetia."

"Alright, can I just say something here?" Nora said, bringing all attention to her. "What exactly does this Arms Goat Tea or whatever do anyway?"

"Well, if the original name is hard to pronounce, they're also known as the 72 Pillars," Lilac explained. "And if even that is too much for you, just take out the numbers."

"So, they're known to most as the Pillars?" Ren asked. "Not a very intimidating name for a crime syndicate."

Astaroth narrowed her eyes towards him. "I appreciate it if you did not refer our organization as such. It's quite disgraceful."

"Yeah, yeah, not important," Qrow interrupted. "Now, Lilac told us that you, for some unknown reason that you probably won't give us no matter how press, have information on the Spring Maiden's whereabouts."

Astaroth nodded. "We do, but that information does not come without a cost."

Qrow sighed miserably. "Of course not. What do you want?"

Astaroth reached into her suit pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed to him. Qrow unfolded it and saw a picture of a disk-shaped artifact.

"So... you want us to get this thing for you?" he asked.

"That thing happens to be a very powerful object," Astaroth said. "It allowed the user to reveal secrets long hidden, cast away by the Aurum Empire."

"Aurum Empire? What's that?" Ruby asked, clearly interested.

Astaroth waved them off. "That's enough questions. Now, off with you all. Once you retrieve this artifact, we'll discuss location of the Spring Maiden."

"Yeah, about that," Nora said. "We don't even know where to find this artifact of yours. How do you expect us to find it?"

Astaroth lightly gasped and covered her mouth. "Oh my goodness, how could I be so careless?" She quickly took her scroll out and opened it, showing the group the area around the kingdom, but brought their focus on a specific area marked with a red circle. "That's where you need to find the artifact."

"That's more like it," Ren said. "Any additional information before he head out?"

"Just one," Astaroth said. "Try to mind the Grimm in that area. They become unconventional around there."

"What does that mean?" Jaune groaned, barely recovering from his injury.

"It means practice the most utmost caution while approaching them," Astaroth answered. "Now, off with you."

The group prepared to leave but, Qrow stopped them.

"Hold on a minute," he said, turning to Astaroth. "Forgive me if I come across as skeptical, but how can we be certain that you'll tell us what we need to know once we bring this thing to you?"

"I assure you that the object you have been ordered to retrieve is very valuable," Astaroth said. "It just may be valuable enough to allow me to divulge information on your precious Maiden. Now, good day."

Feel like that was all the information he would get out of her, Qrow made his way to the exit and motioned RNJR to follow him. Lilac stayed behind and looked at Astaroth with concern.

"You know, sometimes I wonder why you bother with sending off huntsman do to your dirty work," he said.

Astaroth shrugged. "What can I say, Lilac? I have too much on my plate to go out there and play around in the dirt."

"Well, you playing around in the dirt was the reason why we've gotten so much Lien on hand," Lilac retorted. "And now, you just delegate your job onto some rookie hunters."

Astaroth pushed up her glasses and sighed in frustration. "Lilac... just go."

He let out a dismissive grunt and made his way out.

"What a stubborn man," Astaroth mused. "I can't believe I ever had an interest in him."

"So, if we get this thing, that lady will tell us everything about where the Spring Maiden is?" Ruby asked.

"I hope so," Jaune said with worry. "I'd hate to go on a wild goose chase and end up with nothing."

"I say just get this over with and find the thing," Ren suggested. "Best we move now while the sun is still up."

"Then let's not wait any longer!" Nora cheered. "Onward ho!"

As Team RNJR set off, Qrow and Lilac trailed behind them.

"This piece of junk better be worth the trouble, kid," Qrow said.

Lilac sighed. "Trust me, it will be worth it."

KS: Okay, naming a crime group after a collection of demons was something I never thought of doing, but I did it anyway. Also, that girl Jaune ran into seems kind of familiar. Makes you wonder what her deal is, or why that other girl next to her appears to be rather possessive of her. But back to the main point, if the group wants to know about the whereabouts of the Spring Maiden, they'll need to recover an artifact. Let's see if this really is worth the trouble. Be sure to fave, follow and review, though.