chaptere, from now on will be on a biweekly basis (every two weeks) hope you enjoy!
Chapter Nine: Enemy Of My Enemy
"It's been some time Hazel." Ozpin said plainly.
"Ozpin…" Hazel said through gritted teeth, a glare directed at the reincarnating wizard.
"Hello Hazel. Long time no see." Ozpin replied cordially.
"We are not at that point in our relationship for that to be warranted." Hazel growled.
"Apologies." Ozpin answered curtly.
"So this is your plan now? Using kids?" Hazel asked.
"They are quite skilled." Ozpin answered simply.
"How many people have to die for your two's game? How many lives do you have to ruin?" Hazel asked, putting his hands on Ozpin's desk.
"No one's death was intended. Not even…" Ozpin tried to say something, but was angrily cut off by Hazel.
"You bring her up you parasitic warlock, I will kill you in the most painful way possible!!!" Hazel roared.
"Hazel, getting angry at me isn't going to solve anything. Neither is killing me. As cathartic as it likely would be." Ozpin said, trying to calm the hulking man down.
"You have no idea." Hazel growls at that.
"But I am curious why you, after all of that, are willing to betray Salem now?" Ozpin asked.
"Cause I don't agree with what she is doing now. Before I could put up with it. Ends justifies the means kind of thing. Where I draw the line is murdering an amnesia stricken child." Hazel answered after a quick breath to calm himself down.
"Then I wish you the best of luck with your new found freedom." Ozpin replied.
"Don't get them killed. Like you did her." Hazel growled before leaving the room in a storm.
Ozpin sat there, pondering things. Of all the interactions he could have had with Hazel, that was the last one he thought he would have. It appears the game just got a bit more interesting after all, and more wild cards get shuffled into the deck.
Meanwhile in Team RWBY's Room
Yang was pacing back and forth in the room, seeming very on edge.
"Yang, stop pacing like that. You look like a caged tiger without any catnip." Weiss groaned.
Neo, confussled, looks at Yang, typing, 'What's wrong Yang? Why're you so nervous? We can handle ourselves!' Neo beams innocently.
"Don't you get it, Neo? We're all in serious danger!" Yang replied.
Confused, Neo types, 'i am?!' looking legitimately confused and concerned.
"Yes Neo. You are." Blake said with a sigh.
"I doubt that, that psycho and the big guy are the only ones this 'boss' is going to be sending after you! That means that things are only going to get worse from here! We need to be ready!" Yang replied, pacing in frustration as she tried to figure out what to do.
"Okay everyone, Team meeting!!!" Ruby yelled.
Neo nods happily, typing, 'Ok, so what's the plan?' going under the assumption that she is part of the team.
"We are going to be figuring out our plan, Neo." Weiss said in the most polite way possible.
"Nice change of pace from you Weiss." Blake said with a cheeky smirk.
"Stuff it." Weiss snapped.
"Alright team, what are our options?" Ruby asked.
"Die?" Blake asked pessimistically.
"Anyone with more optimistic options?" Ruby asked.
Neo raises her hand excitedly, like a grade schooler trying to get the teacher's attention.
"Yes Neo?" Ruby asked with an eyebrow raised.
Neo giggles, typing, 'we could run away, and hide? Can't kill me if they can't find me.' Neo offers.
"While I appreciate the sentiment, let's head back to the drawing board…" Ruby answered sweetly.
"How about we hire security?" Weiss asked.
"Or we could talk to dad and Qrow about it. They are professional Huntsmen, even if dad is semi-retired. They might know what to do." Yang offered.
Neo, being helpful, or so she thinks, types, 'Why not both?'
"Cause we don't have the resources for both." Weiss explained.
"What resources? Dad and Qrow would probably do it for free if we could convince them." Yang replied.
"Oh yes. Convince them to protect a wanted criminal. That sounds like what every father wants from their precious dragon princess…" Weiss said before being cut off.
"Watch it, Ice Queen! You and I both know I can kick your butt for that 'dragon princess' comment!" Yang snapped.
"Can you two stop fighting? You are not helping anything." Blake said while pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration.
Yang and Weiss glared at each other for a moment, but reluctantly backed down.
Neo gives them both the deer in the headlights look, completely confused and lost, typing, 'I'm lost, what are we talking about, again?'
"About keeping you safe." Blake answered.
'Ahhh, that makes sense' Neo types, pretending she understands what's going on, but her face betrays just how lost she is.
Blake sighs and simply pats Neo on the head like a lost puppy.
"Okay, so which of those options would likely work best?" Ruby asked.
"I say talking to Dad and Qrow. If we can get them to help us, they'll be a hell of a lot better than any security detail we could hire." Yang replied.
"You seriously underestimate the kind of security money can buy." Weiss said with a slight chuckle.
Neo chuckles adorably, still no idea what's going on.
"I doubt you can afford to hire anything better than the best Huntsmen in Vale." Yang replied.
"You two are circling the wagons again…" Blake groaned.
"Sorry, Blake. But I still say that we should get dad and Qrow involved. If anyone could protect Neo, it's the two of them." Yang said in response.
"Why don't we call them, and if it's not feasible for them or they are not up to it, we go with Weiss's idea?" Blake asked.
The blonde brawler and the white-hairted heiress looked at each other at this. Seeing no other alternatives, they shrugged and nodded.
Neo giggles, typing, 'So, are they coming over to play or something?'
"No Neo. You will get sent to mine and Yang's Dad's place. He will make sure you're well cared for and safe. Zwei will come with you too." Ruby said with a smile.
Neo pouts, typing, 'But I'll be lonely without my besties…'
"Would you rather be safe or not be lonely? You can't be both." Yang replied.
Neo pouts, typing, 'Can't you come with me? I mean, winter break is just around the corner…'
"Don't worry Neo, we will come and visit. But know that wherever you are, you are always our friend, and that we are always with you in your heart." Ruby said, putting a comforting hand on her little friend's shoulder.
Neo nods sadly, not liking this plan, but accepting it reluctantly.
"Ruby, you call Qrow. I'll call dad." Yang told her little sis.
"Okay!" Ruby said as she began to call her uncle.
Soon, the call was answered and a familiar voice rang out. "Hey, kiddo. What's up?" Qrow's slightly drunk voice replied.
"Uncle Qrow, are you drinking?" Ruby asked, concerned.
"Rubes, I'm always drinking." Qrow replied playfully, but semi-seriously.
"Bad influences on your nieces aside, I have a favor to ask you." Ruby said.
"What is it? Do you need some help with something?" Qrow asked in response.
"Yes. We have a friend that we need kept safe, who happens to have a questionable past. She will be staying at Dad's. We want you to be added security." Ruby explained.
"Sure thing." Qrow simply replied.
"Really? You're the best Uncle Qrow!" Ruby squealed happily.
Meanwhile, Yang was busy calling up Taiyang.
"Yang? Is everything okay?" Tai asked.
"Hi, dad. Yeah, everything's fine. We just… kind of need your help with a little emergency." Yang vaguely replied.
"Did you have another run-in at a bar?" Tai asked.
Yang sighed at that. "No, dad. That's not it."
"That's a relief for once." Tai sighed.
"Well… we kind of need you to keep a friend of ours safe for a while. One with a… slightly questionable past. She's made some mistakes in the past, but she's a good person now. I swear." Yang told her father.
"Yang, I need you to be upfront with me. What is going on?" Tai said sternly.
"Come on, dad! She's just a kid!" Yang replied.
"Yang, if you don't start making sense right now, I'm cutting off your allowance." Tai ordered.
Yang sighed at this. "Okay, fine dad. A friend of mine is in a lot of danger and needs someone to protect her. She has a criminal history, but she's trying to be a better person now. And now the people she used to work for are trying to kill her."
"I don't know, Yang… with the school year in swing…" Tai began.
"Come on, dad. Please? After all, you were the one who always told me and Ruby that it's always good to help people in need." Yang pleadingly replied.
"Alright, I'll do my best. As long as she won't be in too much trouble." Tai sighed.
"The only thing in danger is the family cookie jar when it comes to her." Yang responded.
"Alright, I'll start making the arrangements. You get her packed. I'll pick her up in a week." Tai explained.
"We don't have a week, dad. Is there any way we can speed things along?" Yang told him.
"Okay, okay. I'll get there in two days, but that's as fast as I can go." Tai said, somewhat frustrated.
Yang smiled at that. "Thanks, dad. You're the best."
"Your welcome, honey. Bye." Tai answered before hanging up.
A few days later, as Neo is climbing into Tai's car, an unseen smile is cracked as the man watches the security footage. Doctor Watts motions Salem over, and with cocky tone, he simply says, "It appears our lost sheep is still alive… shall we send Tyrian, my queen?"
"That would be wise. At least I still have two people that remain loyal to me." Salem answered, tapping the armrest of her throne antsy.
"Yes, most unfortunate, but no matter, we will achieve your plan without the brute." Watts says, a hint of condescension in his tone.
"I do indeed hope you're right." Salem agreed in a similar tone as Tyrian rushed in.
"To what do I owe the honor, my queen?" He asked eagerly.
"You failed to capture the girls. This is your chance to redeem yourself. Kill the mute. Watts will give you the coordinates when they come in." Salem said.
"Of course my queen. I shall not repeat such a sin." Tyrian said, head bowed.
"I should hope not." Salem answered.
Meanwhile at beacon
Emerald waited in line at the cafeteria to get her food. As the minutes dragged on, in this moment of laxness she began to think about the sudden changes in her life. She started as a thief, was taken in by a terrorist organization, got tortured by the atlas government, and now was a student at Beacon. Though of all of those, she found her current situation the most… calming. She got regular meals, a warm bed, hot showers, and even made some friends. Nothing she ever really got before.
"Hey Emerald! Over here!" Coco yelled, waving her arm.
"I'll be right over once I get my food!" Emerald yelled back, waving as well.
"Well don't take too long! Velvet is missing you!" Coco answered
"Don't yell!" Velvet said embarrassed
Emerald chuckled as she finally started to get her food served up. Maybe, just maybe, things were finally starting to look up for her.