HIATUS

I am sorry about this late announcement, but writer's block and other life event is keeping me from continuing this story.

This chapter is incomplete and merely sets up the next chapter should I ever get around to it. Again, I am sorry to disappoint. I'm just not motivated like I am used to.


Chapter 13:

Team RNBY stands silently in front of Professor Ozpin's desk. Even Nora, who normally can't help but bounce around, is standing still like a statue. The man himself was calmly flickering through his scroll occasionally typing something into it. After finishing his task, Ozpin shifts his eyes to his students and gave them a small smile.

"There's no need to be so tense. None of you are in trouble." He folds his hands together and leans on his desk. "Though I must say. Things have become more complicated with your encounter with a certain… Blond young man and his Grimm."

Nora instantly shoots her hand into the air. "I have so many questions about that! Like how can someone control Grimm like some sort of supervillain?"

"Yeah! Like, what the heck?!" Yang joins in on the startup of the question barrage. "Not only were our minds screwed with so that that none of us can remember that guy's face, but he can open portals out of nowhere and control Grimm to the boot! That's like three semblances!"

"He's working with the White Fang despite being a Human." Quietly sneaking her own questions among her loud-mouth teammates, Blake was riddled with worries about her parent's old friend, Tukson. The man is currently missing and the police are asking for his whereabouts making her even more worried.

Ren remained quiet, letting his more outspoken teammates ask the same question he has on his mind. He knows this is poor leadership behavior, but he can't help but feel that something big is moving behind the scene and figured it's best to let his teammates dig things up to know what they've gotten themselves into.

If only Professor Glynda Goodwitch was here to quell their incessant questioning. However, the stern professor is currently assisting the police in their investigation efforts.

Speaking of the police, they treated Team RNBY well after finding out they were students from Beacon and that they were responding to a terrorist attack. Still, the police had a job to do and the team of huntsman and huntresses in training were interviewed about the attack that took place on the bookstore. They did their best to answer the police questions truthfully, how they were drawn to the crime scene, describing the White Fang soldiers they tried to apprehend… Only then did things got slightly complicated when they tried to recall the blond teenage boy and his Creatures of Grimm that stood in their way.

Then Professor Ozpin showed up with Professor Glynda Goodwitch to talk with the lead investigator and then the police chief.

It was then that Ren felt something in the air shift. The once guarded and stoic air that permeate the police station was slowly replaced with apprehension as Ozpin took aside several important-looking people to another room to discuss something. Not long after did the police let Team RNBY go while Professor Glynda stayed behind.

"Ahem. If I may?" The girls immediately went quiet. Ozpin's small smile shifts to a serious expression. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions. I myself, also share some of your concerns. However, I can confidentially say that our elusive blond suspect is no stranger to us."

"So… Who is he?"

"I'm afraid we do not know much about him. All we know is that he's known as the Everknight and is affiliated with a dangerous organization that's capable of exerting great influence over others." Ozpin stands up from his seat and turns to face the window that overlooked the forests. "And from what I've gathered, he possesses abilities above what a huntsman would consider normal."

Blake recalled a White Fang soldier faintly whispering the words 'ever' and 'knight' in fear. Is it a meaningful title or just another codename?

"Certainly not a knight in shining armor." Nora crosses her arm with a huff. "He's like an evil magic knight from those fantasy stories. Minus the armor. Like a mage! A battlemage!"

Ozpin tilts his head a bit and eyes Nora in the reflection before sinking into his own thoughts for a brief moment. "Regardless of what he calls or sees himself, he is actively working to undermine the safety of all four kingdoms using the Creatures of Grimm for his organization's goals. He poses a global threat that threatens everything and everyone."

That sounds like something out of a spy action movie… Team RNBY thought to themselves.

"If he's such a big threat, why isn't there more awareness? I mean sure, not being able to remember someone's face is a pain and not helpful for the public, but maybe have some secret task force privately investigate…" Yang blinks and realization flickers across her eyes as something made her connect the dots. "Wait, is that why Uncle Qrow was here at Beacon? This 'secret mission' excuses he makes all the time. Is that what he's been doing all this time? And Ruby… She and her team are also in on this, aren't they?"

Ozpin breathes deeply and exhales through his nostrils. "Yes. Your uncle is involved in tracking down the Everknight and his affiliates."

"And my sister?"

"Miss Rose and her team are aware of the situation but are not actively involved. If anything, they're to keep a watchful eye on suspicious activities like any other students." Ozpin turns to face them. "You all may be training to become huntsman and huntresses, but that does not mean I can expose my students to dangerous elements that go beyond their capabilities."

There was a lot more question Yang wished to bring up, like how Ruby got roped into this spy action movie scenario, but Blake brought up her own questions for the headmaster.

"Do you know who this Everknight guy is working for and his objective?" Blake pauses a bit before asking her lingering question. "And how does the White Fang come into play in all of this?"

"A valid question Miss Belladonna. I'm afraid I do not know what our adversaries call themselves and their goals besides using the Grimm for their own gains. As for the White Fang, it's clear that they are being used."

Blake clenched her hands and looks down at the floor. Her teammates took notice of this reaction but didn't comment on it and neither did Ozpin.

"I am guessing we will also be in a similar vein as Team RWN?" Asked Ren.

Ozpin nods. "It is for the best. You are too young and inexperienced to be involved in something so dangerous."

"And here I thought we'll be made secret agents or something and sworn to secrecy." Yang jokes. The girl was slightly disappointed by how bland this outcome was. Perhaps it's for the best.

"Yeah. I was expecting we'll be joining some secret cabal. Oh well." Nora dismisses her disappointment with a shrug. "At least we won't be killed for knowing some shadowy secrets. Right?"

"Of course not." Ozpin answers with slight amusement. "All I ask is that you be mindful when bringing up this incident and it's best not to mention the Everknight. Such a thing will attract some unsavory individuals and we do not wish for others to make a foolish attempt to 'tame' a Grimm."

"Sounds easy enough. Not like anyone would believe us anyway." Already Nora is eager to bounce away to the cafeteria. "Have no fear professor! Secret Agent Nora's lips are sealed. Confidential information one hundred percent!"

"I'll put my trust in you then. If there's nothing else, you are all dismissed."

Ren nods and begins to make his way to the elevator with Blake tailing behind him. Nora on the other hand had already beaten them there and is pressing the button that keeps the elevator door open. Only Yang didn't join them. She remained where she stood and stared at the floor.

"More inquires, Miss Xiao Long?"

"Yeah…"

"Yang?"

"Ah, I still have some things to ask Professor Ozpin." Said Yang. "You guys go on ahead. I'll join you guys soon."

Ren nods, "See you soon."

The elevator door closes, leaving Ozpin and Yang alone in the office. The silver-haired man patiently waited for Yang to ask her questions. Her eyes shift to the side and up around the room as a sign of uncertainty before looking her headmaster in the eyes.

"How was my mom involved in this?" She asks. "Summer and… My birth mom?"

/-/

Cinder sat on her bed while browsing through her scroll. On the floor of their dorm room, Emerald and Mercury were reading through some books they gleaned from the library. The trio had infiltrated Haven Academy with the help of the academy's headmaster Leonardo Lionheart.

Their previous mission dealt with Mistral's criminal elements which unfortunately extended beyond Cinder's projected time, much to her annoyance. The preparation for the Vytal Festival is a week from now hence they're to remain at Haven Academy disguised as students before flying over to Beacon with the rest of the student body.

"When will we be on the move again?" Mercury asks Cinder with a bored expression. "I'm so bored! At least let me do some sparring during combat lessons."

"I will talk with Leonardo about it." Cinder figured that it wouldn't do them any good if their skills get dulled due to their inaction. She is also itching to beat up some hapless student who had it good. "For now, we'll keep a low profile until Leonardo secures the means for us to participate."

Emerald props herself up from the floor. "Um, ma'am. I've been meaning to ask… Do we know who will be our fourth team member once we reached Beacon?"

"Oh yeah. Who are we getting? Will he be part of our team?" The person Mercury is referring to is Jaune, the Everknight. While Mercury hasn't seen Jaune in action, he heard that the Everknight has been taking care of things behind the scene mostly on his own, which sounds impressive. "He should be around our age and would fit in nicely."

"As much as I would enjoy Jaune's company," Jealously ripples through Emerald's eyes, though Cinder took no notice of it. "He has better things to do. Make no mistake, he will be joining us in some capacity in Vale."

"Then it's just the three of us?" Emerald didn't mind that. If only she could remove Mercury out of the picture. Heck, she'll be fine replacing him with Jaune since the guy has a better personality.

"Roman's little henchwoman will be acting as our fourth member."

"You mean the ice cream colored shortstack?"

"Yes."

"Nice."

Emerald rolls her eyes. "Pervert."

"Don't be jealous."

"What are you implying?!"

Cinder tunes out her underlings' bickering and resumes reading the news article about a White Fang terrorist attack on a bookstore. It was thwarted by a team of students from Beacon and resulted in no causalities. However, the perpetrators managed to escape and the authorities are asking the citizen to remain calm and vigilant while the police continue their investigation.

She narrows her eyes in displeasure. This sort of blatant destructive act brings unwanted attention though she's sure Jaune managed to do some damage control.

Watch yourself, Taurus. You may be a useful pawn in controlling the White Fang, but I will make you suffer if you're to jeopardize my plans. Cinder dismisses the news article in favor of watching a video on the CCT out of boredom. Now, what is there to watch? Those comedy clips of stupid people getting hurt sound entertaining…

/-/

"General Ironwood, sir!" Specialist Clover greets his superior and hands him a stack of paper. "This just arrived from the forensic team."

Ironwood receives the documents and scans through a few pages. "Nothing conclusive?"

"Nothing conclusive." Clover nods somberly.

Atlas Military had finished conducting a military operation on the abandoned SDC mine where the Ace-Ops encountered the Everknight. Much to Ironwood's disappointment, the majority of the Dust was stolen leaving only a horde of Grimm for them to deal with. To rub salt to injury, Jacque Schnee, owner of the SDC, has accused Atlas Military of stealing all the Dust from SDC property and Ironwood couldn't point the blame to the Grimm for stealing it. Not without looking like a crazy person.

"… Damn it." He drops the stack of paper onto his desk and pinches his forehead. "First Jacque accuses us of stealing Dust from an SDC mine he neglected, then caused a civil unrest in Mantle; our forensic team can't find any remotely useful, and now the Everknight is in Vale doing who knows what before the Vytal Festival!"

Clover listens intently while standing at attention. He knows the general is under a lot of pressure and worries about his health. "Sir, I understand that there's much you need to do, but I strongly recommend taking a brief break from this. A few minutes at most."

"No. I cannot afford that." Ironwood immediately shot down the idea. "We cannot afford that. We're going against the clock. The Everknight is planning something and it's only a matter of time before he goes through with it. I cannot afford to rest." Ironwood slumps in his seat and lets out a sigh. "Who knows what he's doing right now."

/-/

"Ahhh! This can't be happening!"

Jaune drops his controller onto his couch and clutches his head in horror as his fighting character gets KO'ed by Pythia who picked Soaring Ninja.

"PLAYER 2! SOARING NINJA! WINS!"

"I was this close to beating you!" He curls up into a ball and lets out a long groan. "Now I know how it feels to be trapped in an endless cycle of pain. Endless chain combo… The helplessness… The frustration of button-mashing in a desperate attempt to break free! Why must we suffer?!"

The Grimm Seer lets out a happy clicking sound. Its tentacles squiggled and pokes Jaune on the back in mockery of the boy's defeat. Pythia relishes the negative emotions that sprouted from his crushing defeat. A worthy victory celebration for a Grimm.

Yesterday's eventful day was long forgotten. For the most part. Forced to lay low while the police are on high alert, Jaune had been relegated to watching TV shows, working out, and playing online games. That and challenging Pythia to a series of fighting and MOBA games and losing for the most part much to the boy's chagrin. It wasn't fair that a Grimm was able to best him in a game that he's played for years before. He can only chalk it up to Pythia playing video games whenever it idles, from night to morning, accumulating vast experience.

"One more time! I have a week to win against you!"