"…as such, we have the decided that it is best that the security of the Vytal Festival be handed to General Ironwood of Atlas," said the councilman.

Ozpin sat on his chair. His form was stiff and his eyes were closed. He had expected this outcome. When the city had been breached, he just knew that the council of Vale would do something for what they perceive to be a lack of security on his part. Of course, that blame would technically fall on Anne Greene, the professor of Stealth and Security in Beacon but to throw one of his own employees into the fires like that would be a terrible decision as an employer. They probably expect him to chastise her afterwards in private but he won't do that either.

"I understand, councilors." Ozpin bowed his head humbly. "If that is all, I would like to get back to my work."

"You have been rather distracted lately, headmaster," commented one of the councilors. It was a woman from the voice, but the headmaster couldn't really bother to remember who among them was who. "Do not make us consider your position as headmaster, as well."

"Of course," responded he. "And I assure you that it does not impede my duties as headmaster."

The call ended then and there. Ozpin stared at his own reflection on the black screen. The many years having weighed down on him made him look haggard. Although he was fit as a huntsman, the life of one certainly takes its toll eventually. It was a toll that he knew intimately and over many, many years.

"You really have been distracted lately, Ozpin," commented Glynda from behind. "It's about Amber, isn't it?"

"Among other things," said he.

Suddenly, his scroll beeped. The message was from Ironwood that contained:

I'm sorry it had to be this way, old friend.

He sent his reply and with a sigh, he got up from his seat and left the office with Glynda. In the elevator, he pushed the lowermost button that leads to the underground of Beacon Academy. The trip was silent with nothing but the faint sounds of the elevator's movements and the occasional light from the passing windows as their only view.

Then, Glynda said, "James has a suggestion about her." When Ozpin stayed silent, she continued. "He suggests that the next candidate shouldn't travel alone. If our enemies are able to track her down and even best her, it would be best then that the next Maiden wouldn't suffer alone."

"Isn't that why we have considered our candidates?" Ozpin replied. "It is for those reasons we have teams, Glynda."

It was Glynda's turn to sigh. "Knowing James, he probably already went ahead with some kind of research and wishes some kind of safe test before he would push further with whomever he really chose as a candidate. He suggests"

"Oh? And who does James wish we test such a procedure on? It is risky enough as it is."

"He suggests the young d'Arc." Glynda adjusted her glasses as she seemingly tried to recall Ironwood's exact wording. "She is obviously of that of the age of a young woman. She should be the candidate. By being tied to Mr. Arc, she would never have to be alone. Not to mention, they would not expect that the Maiden's powers have gone to a man in some way. She can keep herself hidden that way as well."

Ozpin snickered a bitter snicker. "James would certainly grab the opportunity for some field testing if such were possible. But still, young Jeanne is her own person as well. To bring the two Arcs into this would be to bring only pain and hardship on them."

"We're already bringing it by having Amber in our care, Ozpin."

The headmaster couldn't respond to that. That much is true but where else could they put her? It was a secret that they had kept from the world for years now, a secret that he has kept for many more than that. There can be no doubt that they would choose to attack here. If the recent involvements of the White Fang and Torchwick was of any indication, they are moving closer here. Should the procedure prove to be a success, then Ozpin could rest a little easier. If not, then that would be another mistake that he had made, one that he would carry for a long, long time.

When the elevator had stopped, Ozpin and Glynda moved to another more hidden elevator. The only source of light for this one was the bulb that hung overhead. There wasn't anything more to see for everything was covered in rock and dirt. With a last ding, the two were met with the cold breeze and the covering shadows of the caverns.

Their steps echo as they walked on the floor, reaching deeper into the empty caves. The path was held by pillars that served as a foundation for Beacon Academy, embedded into the rock itself. The line of lights was like that of an airplane's runway, enough only to guide them to where they were headed. At the end of it was two pods, one of them was filled while the other was empty.

The filled pod had the individual that they were most concerned about, Amber the Fall Maiden. She was more of a Half-Maiden now, her powers mostly taken away from her and she now sleeps in the pod. The readings of her vital signs indicate that she was dangerously low; it had been like that ever since she was brought here. With no sign of recovery and the fear that the remaining half would seek to become whole again when she perishes, Ozpin had conjured their plan of transferring the Maiden's powers to someone else.

As he stared at the readings, hoping for some sign of recovery, he traced the lines on his cane. It was almost as old as he was and kept much of his secrets over the years. His mind wandered as the slow and faint sounds of the gears in his cane played a monotonous song. His calloused fingers could feel the scratches on the cane. The small roughness that came from the wear and tear and subsequent repairs on it were practically memorized by now. Long Memory really was an appropriate name given the stories that marked it into what it currently is.

"I'll consider it, Glynda," said Ozpin finally. "Perhaps we should consider the three of them for now."

"You still won't change your mind about the other one?"

"She won't be alone either way. Perhaps by doing it this way, the next Fall Maiden will always have companions."

/-/

Lie Ren was never seen as an emotional person. Don't get it twisted, he feels emotions just as well as any other individual. It is only that he tends to keep those emotions of his hidden beneath his exterior, making him rather difficult to read to anyone not close to him. The subtle changes of his expressions, if one were observant enough, were the determinants of what he was feeling. It was either that or through experience teaching, one would see some similarities between the young boy and other students.

None of that existed here. His smile was at its widest and his eyes shone the brightest. The folder in his hands was like a treasure that had long since been forgotten.

"Are you sure, professor?" he asked. He could not hide his excitement. The joy he feels was leaking out of his voice.

"Of course." Professor Mulberry nodded. "It is a copy of the files I was given. Although you students won't be able to take it now, perhaps after the school year ends you and team JNPR can volunteer as a sort of extra-credit. It is an option for any huntsman-in-training to further their studies."

"Thank you!" Ren said, shaking his hand. "Thank you, professor!"

"Now go," said he. "You and your team have a tournament to prepare for."

As the normally calm and collected Lie Ren practically bounced gaily as he returned to his dorm, Mulberry sat at his chair. His weapon, freshly scrubbed and cleaned, lay at the table next to him. It really was the least thing that he could do for the young boy. As their professor, it was his duty.

"I know you have your plans, headmaster," he whispered. "But your secrets may one day cost you that innocent and more honest soul that you hold so dear."

Enough with his own thoughts, Mulberry stood up and left the faculty workroom. Outside, it was as though the world continued onwards with their day-to-day things. More concerned with the Vytal Festivals, everyone was either training to fight in the tournament or working on some cheer and dance for their friends fighting in the tournament. He could only imagine what those outside of Beacon were doing when it came with the latter.

Talking a walk down the corridor and looking through the windows, the Professor took in the scents of all the foods that were made to advertise the culture of their origin to many tourists. The smokes of grills, stoves and even spit-roasters all rose to the skies. Despite all the fires, there wasn't much in the way of heat. Perhaps it was the light breeze that gave them a cooling feel.

He could not see their faces but he could tell that they were having a great time. The occasional flashes from the cameras. The few that went from stall-to-stall as they sampled what each had to offer. Some of the couples there thinking that they could have a moment all to themselves. All of it was a beautiful sight to Mulberry. As a huntsman, he lives and fights for that. The lack of negativity meant that no Grimm would be attracted and isn't that why many huntsmen and huntresses fight at all?

Mulberry's stomach grumbled at the scent. They really were a plethora of delicious-looking foods there that it seemed wrong to simply stare at them from the other side of the window. Checking his pockets, the professor soon made his way out into the open where he too could enjoy a bite to eat. Right now, life was good.

AN: About the attack on Amber, is there any confirmation on the time that occured before the start of Volume 1? I'm seeing that it supposedly occured 2-3 years before Vol 1.