Chp. 22: Mistral Campaign

Haven Academy, Mistral

Hallway

It was morning in Mistral, and Team JNPR, Ruby, Jacob, Alex, Hayashi, and Qrow walked up the hallway to the headmaster's office. As they continue their way through the hall, they pass by some staff members and students. Qrow looked up at Hayashi who smiled back indicating that the SDF had been protecting the Huntsmen and students from Hazel and Tyrian.

"We made it," Ruby said.

"We gave Professor Lionheart a heads up that we were coming and he didn't meet us at the entrance like he said," Jacob said.

"Probably talking to one of 'you-know-who's' followers in his office," Nora said.

They all reached to a pair of wooden double doors.

"Let's get this over with," Qrow said.

Qrow opens the doors and just behind them, a man stood in place just as he was about to open the doors himself as he then jumped back in fright and briefly fainted.

He is a middle-aged man with a mane of tan/gray hair and a beard. He had a tanned complexion with brown eyebrows and dark brown eyes. He wore a brown greatcoat with a matching mantle, which had cross emblems on each side. He also wore a white dress shirt under his coat, a western necktie and carried a pocket watch. he also wore dark brown slacks and dress shoes. He is also a Faunus and possesses a tufted lion's tail which is the same color as his hair and beard which is hidden under his coat. This is the cowardly headmaster of Haven Academy, Professor Leonardo Lionheart.

"Uh, Professor Lionheart?" Ruby asked.

"Is he dead?" Alex asked.

Lionheart wakes up, gasping sits up putting his hand over his heart.

"Qrow! For crying out loud, you nearly scared me half to death!" he shouted.

"Me? Why weren't you waiting for us at the entrance like you said you would?" Qrow asked.

Lionheart pulled out his pocket watch from his coat and checked it.

"Oh, right. Apologies. I guess time slipped away from me," Lionheart said he puts his pocket watch back in his coat.

Qrow sighed as he shook his head as the Haven headmaster stood up.

"Well that happened," Jacob said.

"Ah, you must be the student Qrow mentioned," Lionheart said.

"Yes, sir. Ruby Rose," Ruby introduced herself.

"Jaune Arc," Jaune said.

"Pyrrha Nikos," Pyrrha said.

"Nora Valkyrie," Nora said, posing with her arms held stiffly out to the sides.

"Lie Ren," Ren said, Putting his arms behind his back.

"S'up, I'm Jacob Gordon," Jacob said.

"A pleasure to meet you all. Leonardo Lionheart, at your service," Lionheart introduced. "And who are these two gentlemen you brought with you?"

"I'm Sergeant Alex Barker, United States Marines," Alex introduced himself.

"I am Major Hayashi Kunio of the Japanese Self Defense Force," Hayashi said.

"I've never heard of those organizations," Lionheart said.

"These two are with the unknown military, or better yet, from two of the five unknown militaries," Qrow said.

Lionheart gave a look of surprise, looking at the two Terran soldiers then back at Qrow.

"Are... are you serious? When did you come in contact with them? And there are five militaries instead of one?" Lionheart asked.

"Just a couple days ago," Qrow exaggerated.

"And yeah, there are five instead of just one," Jacob said.

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you both," Lionheart said.

"May we all come in?" Alex said.

"Of course," Lionheart said.

Everyone walked inside the headmaster's office. The office is shaped as a half-circle, with another, smaller half-circle jutting out to the room's front door. A large desk made of mahogany dominates the space of the autumn-colored office. In the right-hand corner, for a more comfortable setting, are a small table and chairs for guests. Two tall bookshelves flank the front door. Spanning the far wall of the office and above the windows is a single shelf lined with books, boxes and lamps. Ladders are present to provide access to the high shelves. Much of the floor is open, and a large, rectangular green rug leads from the door to the desk. There are many boxes, books and papers scattered about the floor. The ceiling is slanted, declining from the front to the rear of the room. In the center of the ceiling is a chandelier of four lights with square shaped shades.

"So what's this all about?" Lionheart asked.

"You've not been checking in with Oz for ages. We were getting concerned about the safety of the Relic," Qrow said.

"Qrow, the children," Lionheart said.

"Already know. The unknown military filled them in," Qrow said.

"They... filled them in?" Lionheart asked as he stood in place as the information sunk in."But how do they know?"

"That is classified," Alex answered

"I've had a lot going on lately," Lionheart said as he sat down behind his desk. "First I had to help deal with all the trauma that my students had from the attack on Beacon, then some of my students and several Huntsmen, including my staff claimed to have been attack by two men but saved by unknown groups of Huntsmen, the Mistral's council is having the Huntsmen try to find what they can on the unknown military, and now I get this. As if losing the Spring Maiden wasn't bad enough."

Qrow turns to Jacob, Alex, and Hayashi. Jacob nods to the veteran Huntsman as he turns back to the Haven headmaster.

" I... know. At least... I have a pretty good idea," Qrow said.

"Are you serious?" Lionheart asked with widened eyes.

"It's not exactly good news," Qrow said.

Professor Lionheart walks around to Qrow from behind his desk.

"What are you talking about? This is incredible news!" he exclaimed, taking Qrow by the shoulders and shaking him. "After all these years! Where?!"

Qrow shoves Professor Lionheart off.

"I did some digging around. Looks like, after Spring ran away, she was picked up by bandits, specifically the Branwen tribe," Qrow exclaimed.

"Raven," Lionheart said in a grim tone.

Qrow pulls out his Scroll, walking over to and placing it on Lionheart's desk. The hologram monitor on the desk displays a map of Remnant. He zooms into the bottom portion of the continent of Anima.

"That's about where they've set up their main camp. It's where they fall back to after raids and scouting missions. Raven's managed to gain a lot of followers since she returned to the tribe, and I'm sure when the Spring Maiden showed up, it only made things easier," Qrow explained.

"Well, Qrow, I've got to hand it to you. With these coordinates, we can mount a retrieval force and head out in a few weeks," Lionheart said.

Lionheart pulls up a hologram keyboard and taps a few keys, while Qrow's Scroll displays the text "COPYING FILES", followed by "DISCONNECTED".

"The retrieval force won't be necessary. The SDF's Huntsmen are planning a raid on the camp in two weeks. It would be sooner but we're currently stretched thin at the moment," Hayashi said as he approached Lionheart's desk.

"And everyone in this room is welcome to attend," Alex said.

"That's good to hear. The sooner the better," Lionheart said as he walked back around behind the desk and sat down. "I will do everything I can to help."

Unbeknownst to Professor Lionheart, Hayashi places a audio bug under his desk

"Sure, I'll be in the city for the time being," Qrow said.

"Major Kunio and I will be in the lower levels of the city and investigate the black markets," Alex said.

"Until they need us, we'll be in your academy's classes," Jacob said.

They all begin to file out of the room. At the rear, Ruby turns around to face Lionheart again.

"It was nice meeting you, Professor," Ruby said.

"Likewise," Lionheart said.

After Ruby departs, Lionheart hangs his head, looking stressed. A holographic W projects up from his desk, followed by the sound of Arthur Watts' voice.

"Oh, Leo. We have got to work on your improvisational skills," he said through the intercom.


White Fang Facility

Meanwhile outside the main White Fang facility, it was sunset and Hazel approaches the facility to meet up with Adam for their meeting with the leader of the White Fang. Unbeknownst to him, Junichi, Britney, and Robert are hiding behind some bushes, following Hazel.

"This has got to be the base," Robert said.

"Should be. There's a lot of hostiles inside from the looks of it," Junichi said.

"Look, there's Adam," Britney pointed.

Junichi and Robert look out at the gate and see Adam. His outfit was updated to a form-fitting, double-breasted three-tone black and gray leather tunic jacket with red interior lining and two-layers of flares that hung the entire bottom of his jacket around his thigh, befitting his more militaristic mindset. His rounded collar up to the shoulders of his jacket was black, with the two-tone gray colors at the rest of his jacket, which also included a zipper for his left breast pocket, and two more at the sleeves, which also possessed black cuffs. His dress pants were a matching gray to the tunic and mounted a maroon belt at the right thigh. The back of his tunic retained his red wilting rose emblem with white nightshade stem and flower sigils. Completing this outfit were plain black gloves exposing his wrists, along with twin maroon crisscrossing belts that hung Wilt and Blush on his left, and a black and red-lined drape retaining the red thorn sigil on his right. Finally, he still wore his red-soled black shoes.

Hazel approaches Adam as he motions him to follow. They both walk through the gate as two White Fang soldiers walk in front of the gate standing guard.

"What now?" Robert asked.

Junichi then notices four White Fang soldiers approaching. They are also out of view of the guards at the gate.

"Kids, I got an idea," Junichi said then whispered his plan to them.

The White Fang soldiers were about to pass by until they heard a voice behind the bushes.

"Hey fellas," Junichi called.

The four Faunus soldiers turned their attention to the bushes and approached with their guns ready. Junichi, Britney, and Robert grabbed the goons and pulled them in the bushes.

A couple minutes later, the two White Fang goons at the gate were still standing guard. They then noticed three White Fang soldiers approaching. But they did not realize that the three soldiers are Junichi, Britney, and Robert who took the uniforms from the four White Fang soldiers they ambushed.

"Halt," the first guard ordered.

"Scrolls please," the second guard said.

The three disguised Huntsmen showed off the Scrolls of the White Fang soldiers they looted.

"Okay, go on ahead," the first guard said.

Junichi, Britney, and Robert walked through the gate and entered the building that Adam and Hazel entered in. They three speed walked up the hallway.

"I can't believe that actually worked," Britney said.

"By the way, why do you have so many flash bangs?" Robert asked.

"You know how Faunus have night vision and great hearing?" Junichi asked.

"Yeah," Britney said.

"Due to these abilities, if dealt with a flash grenade, the effects from a flash grenade will have a longer lasting effect on Faunus then humans," Junichi explained.

"Huh, what do you know," Robert said.

The three Terran Huntsmen then came upon two different hallways.

"Will have to split up. I take left. You two take the right," Junichi ordered.

The three then split off as they ran through the halls. Britney and Robert slowed their pace as they saw Hazel standing in front of a pair of double doors.

"Hazel!" Adam called from behind the door. Hazel opens the doors and enters inside.

Britney and Robert race to the doors as they close. They place their ears against the doors to listen inside.

"What is this?!" a voice called out in anger.

"That's got to be Sienna," Robert whispered as Britney nodded.

"Apologies. I don't aim to cause any trouble," Hazel said.

"Hey!" A voice yelled from behind Britney and Robert.

The two turn around to see four White Fang goons approaching them.

"What are you two doing?" one of them asked.

Britney and Robert pull out their weapons in their melee forms and charge at the Faunus soldiers. Britney slashes at one goon then impales the other, as Robert impales one then turns to impale the other. they put their weapons away and each grabbed hold of a rifle they took from a White Fang soldier. They placed their ears against the doors and began to listen once more.

"That's where you're wrong," they heard Adam speak. "We can win a war against the humans, especially against this unknown military. Not only because we have the support of Hazel's master, but because the Faunus are the dominant species of this planet. We're better than humans. We have everything humans have and more. Humans shouldn't just fear the Faunus, they should serve the Faunus."

"I've had enough of this conversation for tonight. Guards, take them away," they heard Sienna order her guards.

There was brief silence before she spoke again.

"I said, take them away!"

"I will admit, Sienna, you were right about my popularity. My followers in Vale already see me as the true High Leader. And many here in Mistral feel the same," Adam said.

"That's our que," Britney said.

Britney and Robert bursted through the main doors with their rifles pointed. They see Adam and Hazel as well as a woman sitting on her throne with two guards on each side of her. She is a Bengal tiger-based Faunus with amber eyes, dark complexion and wild black, chin-length hair with an asymmetrical bob style. Her Faunus trait manifested as an extra pair of ears, and her body was adorned with numerous tattoos resembling tiger stripes. She wore four golden earrings on three of her ears, one each on her Human ears, and two on her left Faunus ear as well as a small jewel on her forehead. She was seen wearing a form-fitting dark gray sleeveless top with white trim, the top has a large diamond cut out of the back exposing most of her back accompanied by a smaller diamond-shaped cutout just above her breasts. A long gray skirt with white accents that shaped inwards towards her calves allowing for them to partially reveal them and her over the knee black stockings with golden trim alongside two long splits on the side which revealed a pair of black shorts. Over the dress, she wore a back-revealing long red cape that was clasped by golden accessories at the top of her small diamond cutout, as well as a gray waist cincher with red trim that had a black golden buckled belt over it, which fastened a gray pouch on her right hip. Aside from that, she wore a pair of light gray wedge sandals that had red laces which were tied to her calves, as well as a black elbow-length fingerless glove on her right hand. She also wore a red rope with a golden bell on her left side wrapped around her waist with a matching rope wrapped around her right wrist. On her left wrist, she has a small gray vambrace. This was the high leader of the White Fang, Sienna Khan.

"What are you doing?" Hazel asked.

"What's right for the Faunus. From this day forward, I will be the one to lead the White Fang," Adam said.

Four more soldiers reveal themselves with their weapons drawn, two on each side of the room, as Sienna's guards point their weapons at her. Sienna quickly judges the situation, though taken by surprise. Her eyes narrow darkly. Just before anything else could happen, Britney and Roberts quickly shot the White Fang soldiers on each side of the room. Everyone else in the throne room was caught off guard by this.

"What is this?!" Adam shouted.

Britney and Robert dropped their rifles and pulled off their hoods and masks, revealing their faces. Adam quickly then recognizes the two.

"Hello there," Britney said with a smile.

"You humans again?!" Adam shouted.

"What is the meaning of this?! Sienna asked.

"Long story short, Adam plans to overthrow you, so we come to rescue you," Robert answered.

"When were you planning on telling me about that?" Hazel turned to Adam.

"This is my business, not yours," Adam said.

"It's our business now, and I don't appreciate you withholding things like this," Hazel said.

"Your master was concerned with Sienna's willingness to cooperate. Soon she won't have to," Adam said.

"You're gonna have to deal with me first," Britney said.

"That can be arranged," Adam said, getting into a stance.

Britney readies Geminos and gets into a stance. The two then began to charge at each other. Adam swung Wilt at Britney, but she quickly bends her back backwards, narrowly avoiding the attack. Adam gave an overhead strike as Britney was quick to block as her back was still bent. Shebend straight back up and spins back to face Adam as she slashes at him, but her attacks are blocked. As the clash continues, Robert runs up to Sienna, but Hazel steps in front of him.

"I do not wish to fight you," Hazel said.

"Neither do I. But it will lead to that if you don't stand aside," Robert said, readying Sweet Kisser.

"Very well," Hazel said, cracking his neck and knuckles.

Hazel walks forward to Robert as he stands his ground. Robert charges forward to Hazel. He plants his spear on the ground in front of Hazel and lifts himself in the air and over Hazel with his spear in hand. Hazel grabs Robert by his left foot and tosses him away. He lands on his feet and rushes at the muscular giant. Robert implants his spear in Hazel's stomach as he looks down at him, showing no reaction. Robert thought Hazel must be using his semblance, Numbing Agent. Hazel pulls Sweet kisser out and lifts it over his head as Robert was carried off the floor as he held on to his weapon. Hazel looks at Robert with a raised eyebrow

"Well fuck," Robert said.

"Didn't your mother ever teach you to watch your mouth?" Hazel asked.

"Shouldn't you get over your grudge on Professor Ozpin for your sister's death?" Robert asked.

Hazel growled and swung Robert around, forcing him to lose his grip on his spear and slammed into a pillar. Hazel threw Sweet Kisser at its owner. Robert quickly tilted his head as his spear narrowly missed his head.

"Perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned his sister," Robert thought as he grabbed his spear.

Hazel charges at Robert as he readies himself. As everyone was distracted, Junichi walked through the entrance to the throne room. He snuck past the duels between the two Terran Huntsmen in training and Adam and Hazel. He approaches Sienna as her once loyal guards point their spears at their former leader.

"Would you boys step aside, please?" Junichi asked, the guards.

The guards point their spears at Junichi.

"Guess we got to do this the hard way," he sighed.

The guards charge at Junichi as he unsheathes his sword and his sheath transforms into a handgun. Junichi impales the first guard while simultaneously shoots at the second. He then slashes at the third guard's chest then fires a bullet in his forehead. The last guard tries to impale him, but Junichi parries the attack away and fires three rounds in his stomach. He puts his weapons away as he approaches Sienna.

"Time we get you out of here, Miss Khan," Junichi said.

"Who the heck are you?" Sienna asked, still trying to process what's going on.

"I'm with the unknown military and these kids are with me and you are coming with us," Junichi answered.

"And why should I?" Sienna asked.

Junichi quickly pulls out a small handgun and fires a dart at Sienna and hits her right shoulder. She looks down at the dart and looks back at Junichi.

"You have got... to... be..." Sienna was unable to finish her sentence as she then fell asleep.

Junichi walks up to an unconscious Sienna, picks her up and puts her over his shoulder. He runs to the entrance and turns to call Britney and Robert.

"Kids, come on!"

Britney and Robert start running to Junichi as Adam and Hazel follow them. Junichi draws a flash grenade, pulls the pin and throws it at Adam and Hazel. The grenade detonates and the two get blinded and deafened by its effects. Junichi, Britney, and Robert all ran down the hall as the Japanese Huntsmen carried Sienna away. Hazel recovered from the flash grenade and looked on as the three Earthling Huntsmen were getting away with Sienna, while Adam was still trying to recover.

Junichi, Britney, and Robert ran down the hall and as they did, they all heard the sound of gunfire outside. When they stepped outside, they all saw three Komatsu LAVs and several SDF soldiers in the middle of a firefight with the White Fang. Britney and Robert followed Junichi to one of the LAVs and as they both got inside, they pulled Sienna inside as Junichi pushed her in. He turns to his soldiers.

"Move out! Let's go!" he yelled.

The soldiers all ran inside the LAVs and the LAVs started to drive through the gate and out of the base.

"Good job, kids. Mission accomplished," Junichi said.

"So what do we do with her?" Robert asked, pointing at Sienna.

"Will let Ghira Belladonna decide her fate," Junichi answered.


Haven Academy

Headmaster's Office

Meanwhile back at Haven Academy, Professor Lionheart sits in his office with his head in his hands. The door opened and walking in came Doctor Watts.

"Are we ready?" he asked.

Lionheart lifts his head to look at Watts as he closes the door behind him and steps into the room. A brief exchange of looks is made as Lionheart turns his head away from Watts who smirks in response. Lionheart stood from his seat and walked to the right side of his office as Watts walked up to his side. Lionheart pulls a book from the bookshelf and the wall next to it opens up, revealing a curved hallway. The two walked down the hall and at the end of the curved hallway is a circular room containing a Seer Grimm.

"After you," Watts said, then pushes Lionheart closer to the Seer.

"Your Grace, are... you there?" Lionheart asked.

The red smoke-like substance contained in the head of the Seer Grimm shifts to form an image of Salem and Cinder at their location in the Land of Darkness.

"Hello, Leonardo. Do you have something to report?" Salem asked.

"Of course, ma'am. I would not waste your time, if not," Lionheart answered.

"I'm still just so fascinated by this creature. Cinder dear, are we coming through?" Watts said as he taps the Seer. "Can you see us clearly? Well, as clearly as you can."

"Shut... up," Cinder said with annoyance.

"Oh goody, you've recovered," Watts said in a sarcastic tone.

"Your report. What is it?" Salem asked.

"I've... I've found the Spring Maiden," Lionheart said.

"Is that so? Well done." Salem said with a smile. "Arthur, had I known how useful you'd be in expediting this process, I would've sent you long, long ago."

"As much as I'd love to take credit, ma'am, I can't say that either of us are to thank for this development. I guess you could say, a little birdie told us," Watts said.

"Explain," Salem said.

"You see, ma'am, Qrow Branwen arrived at Haven Academy earlier today. He believes Spring has taken residence with his sister's tribe," Lionheart explained. "And that is not all. He's brought two men with him, claiming to be part of the unknown military. And also they said that their military is actually five different militaries."

"Interesting," Salem said.

"Is... the girl... and the boy... with them?" Cinder asked.

"Yes, Miss Rose and Mister Gordon were in attendance," Watts answered.

"And you know of the tribe's location?" Salem asked.

"Yes ma'am! But you have to hurry! Qrow is already at odds with my-" Lionheart was unable to finish as Salem makes a face of annoyed concentration and in response one of the Seer Grimm's tentacles shoots out to wrap around Lionheart's throat, choking him.

"Leonardo, do you remember the first time we met?" Salem asked as Lionheart dropped to his knees. "I remember. I remember your fear. But, since that day, you've been extraordinarily brave. I won't forget all that you've done for me. Do not forget everything that I can do to you."

The Seer Grimm slowly brings the point of another tentacle close to the face of Lionheart before drawing it back. Within the orb of the Seer Grimm, Salem makes a gesture, and the tentacle simultaneously releases him from the chokehold. Lionheart coughs and gasps for breath.

"Cinder, you and your team will meet with Doctor Watts, and together, convince Raven Branwen that the survival of her people depends on her cooperation," Salem said. "Once you have Spring under control, escort her to the Relic and contact Hazel. The White Fang was promised the destruction of Haven, and they'll have it once we have what we need."

"Understood," Watts said, right as he was about to walk away.

"Not you, Arthur. You'll be meeting up with a little guest I've brought. He might be quite useful to us," Salem said.

"Guest?" Watts asked.

A man walks into view in the Seer's head next to Salem. He is an elderly man with disheveled gray hair, a matching mustache and beard and prominent eyebrows. His left eye is robotic and glows red and around it are noticeable claw marks, likely from his Grimm experiments. His right arm is also robotic and is dark and metallic and has red inner circuits. He wears a light gray jacket with a high collar and a red shirt underneath. On each sleeve of the jacket is a dark gray hexagon shape. This is the scientist responsible for Mountain Glenn's destruction, Doctor Merlot.

"Wait, is that... " Watts gets cut off as Merlot cuts him off.

"Yes, I'm Dr. Merlot, founder of Merlot Industries, where we're building a better tomorrow... today!" he said.

"He has encountered the unknown militaries up close and has some important information that may help us deal with our new enemies," Salem said. "Which is why you'll be helping him with his research and investigations on them and report to me when you find something."

"It will be done," Watts said with a slight bow.

"Good," Salem said.

The image of Salem disappears from the Seer Grimm to show the connection has ended.

"I cannot believe it. I'll be working with the founder of Merlot Industries himself. This is quite eventful," Watts said.