Here's chapter 119, everyone.
Winter sat across from Ozpin, sighing to herself as she had to recount a lot that had happened during the previous night, though several parts were left out, those being about her little sister. "You do understand what I'm trying to tell you here, Headmaster? General Ironwood has informed me that these sightings were not to be taken lightly, and with what I've encountered and discovered, I can say he was correct."
Ozpin had his elbows on the desk, with his hands folded in front of his forehead, as he contemplated the many possibilities of what The Hidden were dealing with.
"When you say that they are not to be taken lightly, are you speaking of the Hidden? Or everything surrounding them?" Ozpin asked the Atlas Specialist as he put his hands down.
"At this point, from the one I have spoken with, she herself is not a threat per say. Her hostility with me and my team was only enacted due to the group I mentioned. Being hunted does prove to bring fear and a defensive stance on anyone, especially those with weapons." Winter said in defense of Olivia.
"And this group. You've been informed by this woman that they hunt Hidden individuals due to their heritage. Animals born into this world with the gift of humanity." Ozpin sighed, knowing of what the situation was, and how it was an even more extreme case of how the Faunus of Remnant would be treated.
"Exactly. I'm still unsure of what their reasoning behind hunting Hidden individuals is. It all seems like a fairy tale, if I may express my honest thoughts on the matter." Winter stated.
Ozpin thought of those two words. Fairy Tale. It seemed that many legends on Remnant could be considered a fairy tale to those who had not experienced such events themselves. "You wouldn't be the first to describe something like this as such. But I digress. This matter is, as you said, not to be taken lightly. Innocent people, whether born as animals or not are being targeted."
"General Ironwood doesn't know the full details as of yet, but I can assume with the information I gathered, that he'll have teams scouting the kingdoms for The Relentless." Winter explained.
"If I may intrude. Sending several groups through the kingdoms could entice more problems than it would solve." Ozpin stated, as he noticed Winter's confused expression. "Atlas has always been, a bit secluded, that is besides your father's company." That one was a bit of a touchy subject with Winter, not wishing to associate herself with the company Jacques had changed. "As such, simply sending teams to other kingdoms will bring a sense of distrust among those-."
"I assure you, General Ironwood would not act on a whim. He would be smart, and properly inform the other kingdoms' leaders of his intentions. He brings no hostility." Winter defended.
"Then I trust you to make sure that James does handle this properly. You may not know of this, but years ago he felt that his presence was needed in Vale… I still remember the arguments we'd have, and to this day I can't ignore the scale of his influence, Miss Schnee. Grimm are attracted to negativity, as you know. I don't believe I need to explain any further." Ozpin said with a knowing look.
Winter thought about it for a moment, and there was a possibility that Atlas presence in other kingdoms could bring worry and negative thoughts. Even her own mission had her going to Mistral, even though it was in a more secluded part of the kingdom, if anyone were to question why Atlas presence is suddenly just snooping around, it wouldn't look good.
"The General has gone through documents and keeps those informed of his actions. If a kingdom does not wish to have Atlas presence, we will respect their choice." Winter confidently stated, but Ozpin had that look in his eye that showed he wasn't too sure. "Headmaster, what is it that brings you so much distrust."
"I never said I didn't trust James," Ozpin sighed and placed his scroll down after searching for something specific. He slid the scroll across and Winter looked down at it, as her eyes widened. "Ten years ago, there was a conflict between the kingdoms of Atlas and Vacuo. It was never to be brought to the public eye, but out of practice methods were implemented by James. He believed that the borders of Vacuo should be more 'guarded' in his eyes, and he took it upon himself to send several of his teams to 'discuss' possible expansion."
Winter was shocked by this. "How has this never been spoken of before." When he remained silent, he placed his hands on the table, letting her think for a moment, and it didn't take long. "Wait, were you involved, Headmaster?"
"I've always considered James a close friend and ally, but that day strained many relationships. I made sure that nothing built up further than it was getting, and I regretted not keeping him in check those years ago, so for the sake of the kingdoms, I only ask of you to do what is right." Ozpin pleaded.
"Sir, this is more than just about sending in teams. People are being hunted." Winter reminded.
"Trust me when I say that The Relentless will be top priority, but it must be handled properly. So if General Ironwood insists upon sending several teams through the kingdoms, I will trust in you to also make sure he speaks to everyone needed before acting." Ozpin explained.
Winter knew that it would delay sending out teams, but Ozpin was right. Just sending Atlas soldiers into other kingdoms unannounced, it wouldn't sit right. "While I understand of the issue, I will also try to keep in mind of those people who are being hunted, sir." Her thoughts drifted more to Weiss, as the very real possibility of The Relentless going after her sister was a driving factor in wanting to be rid of the threat.
"You have a right to be concerned." Ozpin replied, but then stood up from his chair. "I apologize for bearing this responsibility onto you, and the threat level of The Relentless will not be ignored. I can speak with those who may be able to help."
"You don't mean Qrow… Right?" Winter knew Qrow was a well known ally to Ozpin, but the thought of the almost always drunk made her grimace.
Ozpin had an amused expression from hearing that. "There are others besides Qrow, but his skills could also be a great help."
"Or he could drink himself into a coma." Winter flatly stated, but sighed in defeat as she too stood up. "I will speak with the General of our meeting, Headmaster, but… About what you said, just because I am an Atlas Specialist, does not mean he will heed my warnings."
"James has always had good intentions, so I don't blame him. If there is any trouble, don't be afraid to contact me." He walked past her and to the door, opening it as he looked back. "As for now, I will begin working on how to handle The Relentless. I know you will do the same."
Winter took a deep breath, not knowing just how far things would get with her one mission of investigating large animal sightings.
"This isn't just an assignment anymore."
"Ugh… I can't sleep." Yang complained as the whole team felt the same way. Somehow staying up all night and taking a short nap just wasn't good for their sleep schedules. Even Zwei was having trouble getting some sleep. "Should we just do something instead of trying to sleep?"
Weiss was trying her hardest to just go to bed, even covering her whole body up with her blanket, but it didn't work, so she threw the covers off and sat up. "Honestly, I agree. Laying here is just starting to annoy me."
Blake wasn't all that bothered, as she was taking the time to read up on some stories she wanted to catch up on. "After a night of what we experienced, maybe you two should just try to relax a bit."
"Uh, that's what we're trying to do. Not really working as you can see." Yang said as she was ready to jump out of bed, and Blake looked to the side, seeing her jumping off and taking a moment to stretch. "Besides, it's not like I wanna train or anything. Maybe just a walk will do us good."
"I'm quite alright with this book." Blake said without looking away from said book.
Weiss watched the two, letting out a small chuckle as she looked over at her partner's bed. "What about you, Ruby? What do you feel like we should do?" After a few moments of not getting an answer, Weiss raised an eyebrow. "Ruby?"
Yang looked over, noticing her sister was sound asleep. "Oh come on! How does she fall asleep so easily?!"
Blake bopped her book against Yang's head, making her yelp as she turned to see Blake raising a finger up to her own lips. "Because she doesn't have loud older sisters yelling, oh wait."
The blonde instantly slapped her hands over her mouth, realizing she could easily wake her sister up with yelling. Weiss on the other hand let out a small smile, happy that her girlfriend was able to sleep, even if she couldn't.
Weiss thought back to the night before, wondering just how much she should talk about with her Mother, Winter, even her team. She didn't want things to drastically change, but there was no ignoring what she'd learned.
With that in mind, Weiss got out of bed and began changing out of her nightwear. "If Ruby wakes up, tell her I'll be outside." She said to the bumbleby pair, who both seemed a bit concerned for the girl, especially after the night before.
"You know we can come with you, Ice Wol… I mean, Weiss." Yang was still fighting herself on not always calling Weiss by that nickname, out of fear of bringing up painful thoughts for the girl.
Weiss appreciated her way of looking out for her, but she shook her head. "Yang, stop trying to avoid calling me that, and don't worry. I'm just going for a walk. I'll be fine, I promise."
Yang didn't look completely convinced, and the feelings she had for Weiss, while moved on from, still made her look out for the white haired girl more than most people. "A-Alright, but hey, don't forget we're here too. We don't want you dealing with this stuff alone." Blake nodded in agreement, not needing to say anything, as Weiss smiled and nodded back.
With nothing else to say, Weiss left the dorm and went outside, taking in the morning breeze, as she looked up at the clouds. "I wonder if she's ever looked at the same clouds as I have…" Weiss said of her birth mother. "To think… She could be out there…"
The thought brought a lot of different feelings to the girl. Pain, anger, joy, curiosity, resolve. She couldn't justify hating someone she's never even seen or heard of till recently. The only actions that she knows her birth mother had done was keep her safe.
"If I ever see her… Will it even matter?"
Weiss hated the questions, but she refused to ignore them anymore. Sadly for her, it wasn't about ignoring them that would be the reason behind not thinking of those feelings. It was the presence of a certain annoying boy.
"Hey, Schnee!" The voice was all too familiar and Weiss groaned as she turned around, seeing Cardin Winchester walking over with his mace, which made her realize he wasn't about to have just a chit-chat with her.
"What do you want, Cardin…" Weiss questioned, keeping her guard up as the boy smirked and stopped several feet in front of her.
"You think I forgot about the first day your little bodyguard team humiliated me? Oh, and would ya look at that, they don't seem to be around." Cardin said as he moved his mace up and down.
Weiss rolled her eyes. "If you're trying to be intimidating, you are utterly failing." She took a step back, not having her weapon on her, but keeping her semblance at the ready. "If you think that attacking me out here, right near Beacon is a smart idea, I can't imagine seeing how poor your grades are."
Cardin stomped a foot forward. "I expect to hear those words from a high and mighty Schnee bitch." Saying that made Weiss angry, as not only was he insulting her, he was insulting her family name, even if she wasn't born a Schnee. "You think you're better than me? Better than them?"
With that, Weiss gasped lightly and looked behind her, seeing Cardin's team walking up behind her, so she clenched her fists. "Not only are you trying to catch me without my weapon, but you're also sicking your little boy band on me… Pathetic."
The other three boys on the team looked pissed with that comment, having surrounded her at that point, but Cardin held his hand up to keep them from attacking her. "Funny, the Schnee bitch calling us pathetic. Y'know, I think I'll stick to callin ya that. Schnee Bitch, seeing as you turn into some mutt in the first place." He began to laugh, with his team joining in.
Hearing that made Weiss' heart skip a beat.
"I don't need a mutt like you telling me what I can and can't do!"
That was what Whitley said to her all those months ago, and the pain of it was brought back, as she took a step back, making Cardin smirk. "Look at that, a scared little mutt. Can't rely on your bodyguards now, huh?"
He motioned for the others to move in and attack her, but the moment they took one step towards her, the flash of light shined on her body, as the only word kept playing back and forth in her head.
"Mutt, Mutt, Mutt, Mutt…."
The four members of Team CRDL covered their eyes, almost being blinded by it as they groaned and took steps back.
As the light faded, the white wolf that was Weiss was on all fours over her clothes. The one word in her mind faded, and a new word was brought upon it.
"Hunt."
It's been awhile, I know. Was a combination of waiting till the volume ended, playing Kingdom Hearts 3 and overall just needing to take breaks more often as I am not always pumped up to write a chapter out. Other than that, this is the beginning of the next arc. Hope you all like it.
To JJ- Winter took the blame mostly for her sister, and with how things will continue, her inclusion in this will be even greater. As for Raven, she herself needs to decide what is 'right' and what she believes to do. Hopefully you'll enjoy what's to come from her choices.
I hoped you all enjoyed chapter 119. Remember, reviews are welcomed, but not required. See you all in chapter 120.