Ozpin's little Rose
Chapter 9: Ice, Fire, Shadows and Winchesters?!
Weiss stood in front of Qrow holding her Myrtenaster readying for her fight with him. Qrow grabbed his sword and gave Weiss a cocky smirk. "Now Ice Princess doesn't go and explode like Ice Queen did when I first met her. Come to think of it didn't you and Ruby explode when you two first meet?"
At hearing this Weiss's face turned red. "What did you call Winter?!"
"Looks like you get as mad as your sister when I'm around. So are you her clone when it comes to fighting? Or are you, your own Huntress?"
...
Ruby looked shocked at her Uncle. She didn't know that Qrow and her partner's older sister. Had the same encounter as she and Weiss did when they first meet? *Just how much am I like Uncle Qrow?! I thought I was only like him in fighting, and that is because he was the one who taught me how to fight.*
...
At hearing this Weiss gave him a puzzled look; Qrow ignored her and kept on going. "Okay Ice Princess, show me how much of your sister you are, show me what makes you different then her begin!"
And with that Qrow charged at her Weiss used one of her snowflake symbol to help her run to dodge the attack. Then she added in some fire and lightning dust and attack Qrow. But Qrow jumped and then kicked her which she jumped this time. "Okay good, Ice Queen would of just either jumped or block right away. Not use her semblance to run out of the way and then try to hit me with a dust combo. Good to see you being creative with your semblance and dust unlike your sister... I like that. There might still be hope for you yet Ice Princess. Keep it up and I might start to call you by your real name."
At hearing Qrow say that shocked her a little. Because she was always been told that she always needed to be precise in her fights. And only go creative as a last resort. But she couldn't help it she just felt that it was easier to fight with a mix of precise and creativity. But every time she did that her family would get mad at her and yell at her. At one point they gave up on changing her, but would give her looks or make a comment about it now and then. This was the first time she was told that her creativity was a good thing. Weiss didn't know what to think about the matter. *No one has ever told me that they liked my way of fighting better then Winter's. I don't even know how I should take it.*
Weiss looked at Qrow for a moment, he was just standing there and it looked like he was trying to egg her on. This normally would work on both her and Winter. But this time for some reason it didn't bug Weiss all that much. Instead she smirked at him, which actually shocked Qrow. *Okay if you like my creativity so much, then I'll show you how creative I can be with Winter's fighting style.*
This time she took her ice and lightning dust and had it sent to Qrow. Which he dodge only for him having to block Weiss's sword from her charging at him with her speed glyph. *Okay did not see this coming.*
…
As the two kept on fighting Yang kept on cheering for Qrow because she wanted to see Weiss get a lesson in humility. When everyone else just kept on watching in silence trying to come up with a way to beat Qrow. Well almost all, Ruby on the other hand was shocked at what she was seeing. *I don't get it why is Weiss fighting differently than she did during the initiation and yesterday in Port's class? What caused this to happen?*
Qrow was wondering the same thing as Ruby as he kept on fighting Weiss. *Okay what gives? I saw how she fights on initiation day and at that time she fought more like her sister. So what made her change her fighting style all of a sudden?*
As the two fought Qrow kept on trying to come up with an idea as to why Weiss was fighting more freely than before. But soon his eyes widen when he figured it out. *Is it…? Is it because of what I said to her early about how I like her fighting with more creativity and less like Winter?! If I had to guess all of her family members including Winter must have been telling her to fight like her sister. But when I told her that I liked her creative way of fighting. It must have given her the will to let it all out and fight the way she wants to fight!*
At that moment Qrow smirk himself. *Well what do you know this girl has a chance to break free from her father after all?! Now let's see if she has Ice Queen's weak point as well.*
At that moment Qrow made Weiss block his sword with her own then he kicked at her legs. This made her jump only to get punched in the stomach and her ending up rolling on the floor. Until she stopped lying on her back, she was planning to get up until Qrow's sword was in front of her face. "This fight is over Weiss. Good job by the way I originally was going to fight you like I do with Ice Queen. Which by the way if I did, I would have ended this fight some time ago."
Then he put his sword away and offered his hand. Weiss took it and he help her up. "I'm only going to say this to you for now Weiss. It is okay to use fighting styles that your family uses. But at the same time don't just copy them and become a fighting clone of them. Take what you learn from your family, friends, teachers, and even enemies. And make what you take from them your own. You saw that Ruby fights in some ways differently than I do, and I taught her most of everything she knows. I'm only saying this because I saw how you fought during initiation. To tell you the truth I liked the way you fought today then the way you did on initiation day. Keep at it and you'll go far. Now which of your two remaining teammates do you want to see me fight next?"
Weiss looked at Yang and Blake and then she smirked and looked at Qrow. "I say Blake because it looks like Yang really wants to go, but I feel like I want her to have to wait a little longer."
"What?!" Yang called out shocked to hear Weiss say that.
Qrow looked at Weiss shocked about what he just heard Weiss say. *Did I just see and hear a Schnee joking around like a normal person?*
At that moment Qrow couldn't take it anymore he bent over laughing and placed one of his hands on his stomach. "Ha, ha, ha! Okay that does it you're my favorite Schnee. Ha, ha, ha!"
At hearing that Weiss felt embarrassed at what she just did and walked back to her seat. Soon after Qrow stopped laughing and looked at Blake. "Okay Blake you're up, come on down!"
…
Blake walked down to Qrow and the two got ready for their fight. "Alright begin."
The two ran to each other Qrow swung his sword at Blake only for Blake's shadow to take the hit. Which Qrow eyes widen at this. *Oh Great I forgot that she can do that! Okay I'm going to have to be more prepared for that.*
Qrow then blocked Blake sword at that moment. Soon after he kicked her which again her semblance kicked in again. *Oh COME on!*
As the two were fighting some of the students started to think that Blake could beat Qrow. Blake started to shoot at him with her gun part of her Gambol Shroud at him. Qrow just used his sword to block the gunshots and as soon as she was done shooting at him, he began to shoot at her. Blake tried to block all the gunshots. But the first shot was stronger than what she was use to and used her semblance again. But Qrow was hoping for that and went to the spot where he thought she would turn up. Which he was right and gave her a good kick in the chest. This caused Blake to hit the wall. "Okay that is enough for you. Do you need any help?"
Blake got up and looked at him. "No I'm fine I can make it to my own seat."
Qrow nodded his head and watched Blake walking back to her seat. Soon as Blake was back to her seat he smirks at Yang. "Alright Firecracker you're up. Let's see how much you grew since I last fought you."
"Yeah and I'm going to win!"
The blonde's uncle shook his head. "Yang that is what you always say, and then you lose."
"Hey!" Everyone in the class laughed at that.
"Okay for that I'm really going to take you down this time!" Yang smirked at her Uncle.
...
As soon as Yang got on the battle stage the two stood face to face. "Alright let's get this over with. Begin!"
Yang went in for a punch only for Qrow to jump and get behind her only for her to kick him. Qrow blocked the kick and then moved his sword out of the way so he could grab Yang's leg. At that Yang tried to get the upper hand by trying to do an air kick by using her other foot. Only for Qrow to smirk at her and twisted the leg he had in his hands to go the way her other foot was coming from. This made Yang spin and fall to the ground. "And that class is how you stop a kick from hitting you when you have one of their feet."
At that moment Yang had it and activated her semblance then began running towards him. Qrow took some of the hits but he hit Yang even more so then she did him. The two split apart and Yang ran to him again. Qrow just walk to the side and she ran past him, only for Qrow to kick her in the back which made her hit the ground. "Give up yet Yang?"
Yang didn't respond to him she just got up and ran towards him again trying to punch him again. Qrow only shook his head. *Great she went all Raven on me now she is not looking for a way to win she is just going for the kill.*
Qrow just looked at his niece that was running towards him. *Well might as well end this. I'm not in the mood to fight Raven 2.0.*
Qrow side stepped and used his leg to trip her making her fall. "Okay that enough! Look Yang like I said you really need to get that temper in check and look at all your options in a fight. Most times the best way to win isn't the straight approach. Got it?"
Yang only nodded her head and got up. "Okay Yang picks out which Team leader is going up next."
…
Yang looked at each student and thought about who would be the best choice. *Okay who should I go with? Well there's Jaune, no it would look like I was trying to make myself look good. Besides Jaune should get more time to try and figure out how to fight Uncle Qrow. There's Coco she's cool I bet she would give Uncle Qrow a hard time.*
Then she saw Cardin and this made Yang smirk. *Now he is perfect! He has been going on and on about how he is the best fighter in school. He has also been picking on every Faunus in school no matter what grade they are in. I bet Coco would love to see him get creamed for picking on Velvet. Jaune would like to see that as well, since Cardin is picking on him as well. And if I would tell Uncle Qrow about it he wouldn't go easy on him. This is going to be good.*
Yang turned to Qrow. "Hey Uncle Qrow can I whisper who I pick to you?"
At hearing that Qrow was a little worried. He knew that when Yang wanted to whisper something it was 9 times out of 10 never good. It was a habit that she got from his sister. Which he always wondered how she got that when she never even met Raven. But he also knew that if he didn't he would come to regret it. "Okay Firecracker."
He leaned down so she could whisper into his ear. "You see the boy with burnt orange hair, indigo eyes, in the silver Armor that has the bird on it and the Satchel?"
Qrow looks towards Cardin then back at Yang. "Yeah, what about him? Is he your boyfriend or something?"
Yang looked at him as if he killed Zwei. She did a whisper-hiss at him. "No! I can't stand him! Look his name is Cardin Winchester and he is a big jerk!"
Qrow arched an eyebrow at that. "Really, care to elaborate on that?"
"He and his team have been going around the school saying that they are the best fighters in the school. And without anything to back it up."
"Okay? Yang I don't know what you want from me? Because that is just what most boys do at that age."
"Did I also tell you that he and his team have been bullying on every Faunus in the school no matter the grade they are in?"
At hearing that Qrow's eyes widen and soon he had a grimace on his face. He hated bullies with a passion especially when it was a human picking on a Faunus. He maybe didn't want anything to do with the tribe of bandits that he left so long ago. But some of his closest friends in the tribe were Faunus. So Qrow didn't like it when racial discrimination happened around him and Yang knew that. He made it very clear to the girls that if the two ever became racist. He would take their weapons destroy them and won't let them fix or make new ones for a year. Hearing Yang say that he was starting to get where she was getting at. "Go on."
At hearing that Yang smirked because she knew she had him right where she wanted him. "I know you have been holding back on us and only put more effort into it as the fight went on. But if you could, can you not hold back and embarrass him and make him?"
At hearing that Qrow began to smirk himself which as soon as Ruby saw this. Ruby ran to take cover which everyone began to wonder what was wrong with her. Well everyone except for Team CRDL they just thought of it as an opportunity to pick on her later after class. But then everyone else remembered that the two on the fighting platform was her family members. Meaning that she would be able to tell when something bad was about to happen. Which this made everyone a little uneasy, and began to wonder if maybe they should take cover as well. But it was too late Yang began to walk to the rest of the class and Qrow looked towards Cardin. "Winchester! You're up, come down here now!"
Cardin only smirked at this because he thought he was going to beat Qrow so easily. "Sure thing teach."
Cardin walked down as if he owned the place. This made Qrow hate the boy even more and wanted nothing more than to get Cardin set to the nurse's office. Soon Cardin stood in front of Qrow. "So Yang tells me that you think you're some big shot."
Cardin smiles.
"You bet in fact I'm so good that you'll be as easy as pie. I was called the Beast of Signal for a reason"
The rest of Team CRDL began to cheer for Cardin. When the rest of the class was cheering for Qrow. Qrow looked at his students. "Looks like you are not much of a crowd favourite."
But Cardin didn't care, he just smiles again and replies "Now Teach, Haters and..." Cardin continues sending an acknowledging nod at Yang "NAYSAYERS are just your adoring public who haven't seen things your way yet!" he then eagerly runs up to Qrow without him even saying to start the fight. Only for Qrow to hit him hard with the hilt of his sword, Harbinger. Which then made Cardin hit the wall Qrow gave him a very serious look. "I didn't say go kid."
Cardin began to fall to the floor and Qrow was now the one who was smirking. "What the matter kid? Can't play fair to win?"
Cardin got up and looked at Qrow and thought that maybe he could gain advantage if he egg Qrow on. "Yeah sure! Why are you just only using your sword and gun part of your weapon? What the matter needed to baby your little niece with your scythe?!"
…
At hearing that Yang joined Ruby on taking cover, and the rest of the class saw this. This made everyone very worried even the rest of Team CRDL felt a little scared. So everyone joined Yang and Ruby on taking cover. Only showing their head's to see what was going on with their own eyes. Qrow was not happy one bit from Cardin's comment. *No one and I mean no one says that about my little girl. No buddy!*
"Okay brat One the scythe is one of the most deadly weapons in the world."
Everyone in the classroom was shocked to hear that again with the exception of Yang. They all started to look at Ruby with both aberration and fear for the girl. Ruby seeing everyone looking at her like that she began to blushed in embarrassment. But Cardin didn't care he ran to Qrow and try to hit him again but Qrow blocked it with his sword. "Second since scythes are the most deadly weapons in the world! I only use mine if I absolutely need it!"
Qrow then kicked Cardin in the gut which made the boy stumble back. "And lastly I taught Ruby everything she knows about how to fight with a scythe! So I know she can handle it, she is one of the best scythe wielders alive! Why do you think Ozpin approved Ruby coming to Beacon a whole two years early?!
Everyone who didn't know Ruby all that well thought that she was just very short for her age. No one knew that Professor Ozpin let her in two years early. Ruby didn't know what to do so she put her hood over her head now. Even Cardin was shocked at hearing that, he didn't know what to do. "So Cardin do you want to know what I think of you?"
Cardin didn't answer the question, but Qrow kept on going. "I think you are nothing more than some little punk kid! Who has no business being here at this school! I see someone who if he is left to become a huntsman, he will only bring dishonour to all huntsman! I see a little boy who is no better than Torchwick!"
At hearing that everyone winced because that had to be a big blow on Cardin's ego. Oh but Qrow didn't stop there he walked up to Cardin grabbed a part of his armor and made the boy look at him in the eye. "And you know what? Thanks to you I'm going to be the hardest to you and the rest of Team CRDL. Until your team either graduate, dropout, transfer schools, or until your team gets their act together!"
He throws him so hard he crashes into a section 3 rows up from they were both standing. Everyone cringes at the sight. However just as he's about to turn around, Cardin gets up, cracks his neck, and smiles.
"That wasn't bad Teach, I haven't been hit that hard in ages! Now that you questioned my honor and declared open season on my team though..." he continues as he reaches into his Satchel, pulling out a pair of simple Brass Knuckles, as he slides them on rocks of various shapes and sizes slide out of his open satchel and begin covering his open hands and his smile turns into a borderline maniacal grin "Party time's over Qrow..." it continues until everything from Cardin's wrists downward except Knuckles are coated in rock. He ends this show of strength by slamming his Rock-coated fists together and exclaiming "now we do things THE WINCHESTER WAY!"
And with that Qrow gets a sense of awful Deja vu, to a Vytal festival a long while back. Too one of the toughest, most agitating, and most annoying opponents he ever faced down in that tournament, sparking a lifetime friendly (and sometimes not so friendly) rivalry that lasted until that man's death. [Flashback: "All-right, that was fun, now we do it my way, the Winchester Way!", as a tall, red haired boy with brown eyes wielding a Bec de Corbin(1)/Lever-action rifle combo exclaims as he stomps his feet, causing the entire arena to shake] All Qrow can think as he pulls up his weapon, shifts it into War Scythe mode, and goes in a defensive position as the fiery haired teen charges towards him and leaps at him, fist raised is... *Dust dammit, I can't believe I'm fighting Jack Winchester's kid!*
He barely side steps the leaping punch from Cardin that leaves a significant indent in the octagon floor. After that Cardin comes at him hard him and fast, forcing Qrow to duck, weave, and dodge and parry every ferocious punch and attempted grab by the tall red haired boy. Cardin feints a grab while Qrow is in the middle of another dodge, leaving him wide open to flick a pebble that was on the tip of his fingernail. Supercharged with Cardin's Semblance, it's going supersonic and smacks Qrow right between the eyes. The experienced Huntsman is sent right off his feet, to the ground with a soft thud in a daze.
"So... Mister Branwen... how's the view down there?" Cardin says cockily as he calls Qrow by the name he specifically asked him not too just to rub it in just a little more. Qrow Chuckles "Been better, oh and Huntsman rule number 1..." he says as pulls out a Flashbang and tosses it right at his surprised face. "The Smart ones never gloat." "Aw cra-" Cardin tries to say before the flashbang detonates directly in his face with a loud BOMF! Blinding and deafening everyone who hadn't trained with flashbangs prior and thus prepared themselves so in other words, 95 percent of the audience. Cardin is still yelling how his ears are ringing when Qrow trips him with his War Scythe, then quickly switches back to shotgun mode, and plants it to the back of his skull, foot planted firmly on his back. "Now, Mister Winchester, you have two options here... 1. you can give up... or 2. You can take Military Grade Fire Dust to the back of the head. And I can tell you from past experience, you'll be knocked out, obviously, but it will also take 6 months minimum to grow your hair back and you'll wake up with a headache so bad you'll wish you were dead" Qrow states with absolute seriousness. Cardin raises his right hand, and taps the mat twice. "Smart" Qrow says with a satisfied smile and lowers Harbinger. "Uh, Looks like got me Professor" Cardin says with a hint of terror in his voice as Qrow takes his foot of his back, and helps him up.
"You're not even close to my level, but I was wrong. You got mountains of potential kid. Here's a Tip though, get a long-medium distance weapon. Even a Handgun, Revolver or Shotgun is better than nothing Mr. Winchester. Your Semblance is powerful, but its best saved for big threats, you get my meaning?" Qrow says to the fiery young man. He smiles "Yeah I get it, I might just take your advice Professor". Just then the bell rings, indicating the end of class. "Now SCRAM! All of you! It's not like I've come to enjoy your company!" he yells with a goofy grin on his face.
It's then he's come to realize just how bad the wound on his forehead is. Dripping down his face onto his shirt. His right eye twitches before he screams "FUCK YOU JACK! DAMN YOU ALICE! AND ESPECIALLY YOU... D-DAMN YOU CARDIN! I HATE WINCHESTERS!" he screams feebly to the ceiling before stomping off to the Medical office to get stitched up.
...
Glynda finds Qrow at the Nurse's office a half hour later just finishing up the stitching. She has hands on her hips, a disappointed frown on her face. "Qrow..."
"Look, if it's about Cardin Winchester, he kind of had it coming" Qrow says. "Maybe so, but did you have to be so extreme?" she asks with a sigh. "I also wanted to gauge what the kid was capable of and- OW!" Qrow groans in pain. "Sorry" is Dr. Peach's reply. "So, what did you learn from this? I hope it was worth it" Glynda says. "Oh Glyds it was, I finally got him to reveal his semblance! He's a Geopath!" Qrow says with a satisfied smile. "That makes a certain kind of sense. Jack created Sonic Vibrations, and Alice was a Gold-Level (2) Telekinetic like me. Put the two together and you get-" Qrow snaps his fingers together "Exactly Glynds". "Odd that isn't in Mr. Winchesters' files from Signal, he must not have used it much".
"Done" Peach, a Peach-haired, green eyed woman with tanned skin about two inches shorter than Qrow in a Doctor's coat and black blouse replies "Always a pleasure to treat and serve when needed, now be on your way please, never know when the next patient might show up" she says with a warm smile.
With friendly waves, they walk out of her office and walk to Qrow's office, where they continue their Conversation. "I also discovered something else about him" Qrow says in a quiet voice. "Oh, it must be important if you're speaking so quietly Qrow".
Qrow twiddles his thumbs and sighs "I-I suspect Cardin Winchester is a Bellator (3)" Glynda raises her brow. "Now THAT is a loaded accusation Qrow, you'd better have something substantial to back it up" she says with arms crossed. "Call it intuition from one Bellator to another. After my niece Yang became one, I started looking into the greater condition itself you know? And suddenly, so much of my life, Raven's life- it made sense" Qrow says with eyes wide. Glynda is listening intently.
"Cardin Winchester displays all the traits of a Bellator, Hair trigger temperament, heightened aggression and blood-lust, and if this report from the incident with Velvet Scarlatina is to be believed, intense sadism and difficulty reasoning". He then pulls out his Signal Records. "For a guy who proudly proclaims himself the "Beast of Signal" you think his record would be miles long. But there's practically nothing. A few incidents. A few suspensions. Not near what there should be. It's like someone is protecting him. Who? And Why?" Qrow questions.
"While that is indeed it is all very compelling, it's too circumstantial too stick. Still, I'll keep a close eye on Mister Winchester from now on. If you'll give me those files, I will also present your case to Ozpin" Glynda says. Qrow does so with a relieved smile. "Thanks Glynda, you are really doing me a solid here" "Please Qrow, I'm only doing my due diligence, when it comes too important matters like this, you have never had a reason to lie"
"Speaking of Important matters Qrow..." Glynda begins. "Yeah?" "I would like to ask you about Ruby"
…At hearing that confused him. "Okay what did she do?"
"It's not the matter of what she has or hasn't done. More along the lines as I want to know somethings about her but Ozpin keeps telling me to ask James. So I thought that since you are her uncle you can answer my questions."
At hearing that Qrow thought about it. *Knowing Ozpin anything evolving Summer is a topic he doesn't like to talk about. Dammit I guess I'll have to do it for him.*
Qrow nodded. "Sure I don't mind." He looks around then says "But can we do it where no one can hear? If you're going to ask what I think you'll ask... Well that part of Ruby is a touchy subject."
Glynda nodded her head. "Of course follow me to my office."
And with that the two start to walk to Glynda's office.
Back to Qrow and Glynda in her office.
Glynda offered Qrow some tea which shockingly he took. "Okay out with it where do you want me to start at?"
"Well…Let's start with the fact that when Ozpin first met Ruby he gave her cookies. Normally he wouldn't do that with children that are at the age requirement to go to Beacon. But since Miss Rose is two years younger than the age requirement I can see why he might do things differently. But the type of cookies is what got me wondering."
"Let me guess they were chocolate chip and we both know that Oz hates chocolate chip cookies."
"That is correct and the fact he was more focused on Ruby than anyone else during the initiation. What is going on, why is Ozpin so different when it involves Miss Rose?"
Qrow side at that. "Okay let me start with some questions of my own. What do you know about Salem? Mainly her feelings towards the wizard or even the four maidens, finding love and having a family?"
Glynda gave Qrow a look. "She hates it for some reason and kills anyone that the wizard and maidens date."
"Okay who had your job as headmistress before you?"
Glynda was puzzled by this. "Professor Lunar Rose, Summer's mother."
"Who was Lunar's husband?"
"I don't know her husband name."
Qrow gave her a look. "Yes you do, you've been working with him from day one and he worked with Lunar as well."
This made Glynda baffled. "Wait! Are you saying that Ozpin was married to Lunar?!"
"Yep."
"But how, and when?!"
At that moment Qrow added some alcohol from his flask into his tea, and took a sip. "Okay to help you understand I'll have to start from the beginning. Do you know what Oz's life was like before he became the headmaster, even before the Great War?"
"No I don't."
"I'm not surprised about that, not many people know about it. Well you see Oz's father was the royal advisor to the second to last King of Vale. So he and the Last King of Vale who back then was a Prince were the best of friends. They grew up together along with Lunar and her twin sister Solar Rose. At some point Ozpin became the new wizard but rejected it and hid the fact from everyone. He thought he was going insane but didn't want anyone to know about it. At some point the wizard before Oz gave up and stop talking to him in his mind."
Qrow took a moment to drink some of his tea so Glynda could take in all that he said so far. "Anyways a year after Oz's predecessor as wizard gave up. Both the Prince and Oz married the Rose twin's on the same day might I add. Solar married the Prince and Oz married Lunar and became brother in laws."
Glynda spit out her tea. "Wait! Ozpin is royalty by marriage?!"
Qrow only smirked at her, suppressing a laugh. "Yeah I had the same reaction when I found out that Summer's Uncle was the last King of Vale. Now where was I? Oh yes Then a year after that the Prince became the King and Ozpin would help him in any way he could. Then a few years later the Great War happened. At some point in the war Ozpin accidentally used some of the wizard's power. The king saw this but didn't bring up the topic since they were in a War. But Salem felt it and began to look for Ozpin. By the time the War ended Oz began going to each of the schools helping in making each one of them. By the time all the schools except for Beacon was made. Lunar gave birth to their only child Summer. Summer took on the name Rose because of her family tradition. Which is that any child that has silver eyes they get Rose as their last name. And at that point Salem found them and tried to kill them. It turns out there some sort of legend that if the wizard or one of the four maidens ever have a child. Said child will be very powerful maybe to the point of even killing her."
At hearing that Glynda was shocked even more so than before. "Powerful enough to kill Salem?!"
At that moment Qrow's smirk grew. "Yep. So think about this if you found the next wizard and that wizard had a child who maybe one day could kill you. And said child has the eyes of the Silver Eyed Warrior. How do you think Salem took it?"
"Not all that well I would think."
"You can say that again so Lunar was using her Silver Eye powers and Ozpin actually using his wizard powers. Both trying to keep Summer safe from Salem. When all of a sudden the Last King of Vale and Solar coming in and saved them. The Last King makes Ozpin the Headmaster and Lunar Headmistress of Beacon. He does this in order to keep them safe as well as Summer. Then Summer becomes a student herself and part of my team. We end up falling in love got married and had Ruby."
At hearing this Glynda once again spit out her tea. "Wait, what?! I thought Taiyang was Ruby's father?!"
"I'm getting to that, now where was I... oh yes. "About a year after Ruby was born Salem killed Lunar. And as the years passed Ozpin and Ruby became really close."
Glynda smiled at hearing that. She knew that if she ever had kids of her own and then grandchildren she would want to be close to them as well. Qrow kept on going. "But then Salem finally killed Summer when Ruby was 10 after that things... well they got complicated."
Glynda didn't like were this was going. "You see Salem was getting suspicious of Summer and me. And started to think that Ozpin maybe had a grandchild. So to keep her safe Ozpin stop seeing Ruby altogether. We convinced Tai to take in Ruby and have her think that he was her father. I stayed away for a while until Ruby started to believe that Tai really was her dad. Then I visited whenever I could as the cool uncle. The only time I visited before Yang and Ruby forgot that I was Ruby's real dad was when Yang almost got her and Ruby killed. Whilst looking for Raven. Thankfully it worked Salem believed that Ruby was the King and Solar's granddaughter and not Oz and Lunar's."
Glynda looked at Qrow sympathetically. "If I had to guess. The chocolate chip cookies he gave Ruby on the night you met her. Were the same brand of chocolate chip cookies he use to give her all the time."
"Really, he would buy them for her and still gets them even though he knows he isn't going to see her anytime soon?"
"Yeah, well we know that Ozpin hates eating chocolate chip cookies. Not even the Roses special chocolate chip cookies he never really liked. Gives him Heartburn you know. Oh sure he ate them for Summer when she was growing up. But when Ruby was little he would bring different types of sweets. Just so that he didn't have to eat chocolate chip cookies. Well one day he brought Ruby a box of chocolate truffles. Ruby liked them so much that she asked Ozpin if he knew what they would taste like in cookies. She gave him such a cute face that it made him look for any type of cookies that had truffles in them. Then one day he found them but here's the catch. They were truffle stuffed chocolate chip cookies."
"No?!"
"Yes! Ozpin almost didn't get them but then he thought about how sad she would be if he didn't so he got them. When he gave them to her she was so happy that she wanted to share them with him."
Glynda smiled at him. "Oh really now?"
"Oh yeah and then Summer reminded her that the last time he visit before he got the cookies he gave her, her very first tea set. Which gave Ruby the idea of having a tea party with him. Ozpin thought that it would be all pretend no real drinks or food. So he told her that he would love to partake in her tea party. But then he found out that Summer put milk in the tea pot and put a plate of the very cookies he just got her."
Glynda smirked at that. "You don't say?"
"Oh yeah you should've seen the look on his face priceless! In fact I have a photo of it somewhere. So Ruby pours him a cup and gives him a cookie. He doesn't want to make her upset so he eats the cookie. But here is the real kicker the two of them were having so much fun that Ozpin ate half of the cookies on the plate. Which was an all-time record for him since Summer could only ever get him to eat one chocolate chip cookie in a day. But here is Ruby getting him to eat half a plate of them without even trying. We were all so shocked at that moment but then we took as many pitchers as we could to have proof that that happened."
Glynda took that all in. *I got to see those pitchers when I get the chance.*
"But the pictures didn't even matter anymore. After that day Ozpin would get those cookies and the two would have a tea party every time, even on holidays. Ozpin is using them as a coping mechanism for what happened to Summer and Lunar. As well as having to stay away from Ruby for so long. It's why I drink so much to help take away some of the pain. Oz just copes in a cookie way."
Glynda now felt real guilty about asking Qrow about this as well as trying to get Ozpin to tell her what was going on. *I should've just asked James about this.*
Qrow knew what she was thinking. "Look its fine, not even Jimmy knows about Ozpin's past with the Last King. He only knows about the fact that Ruby is his granddaughter. In fact don't tell him about it I don't think Oz wants anyone to know about that. I only know because I met the old King and Solar on my wedding day with Summer. Boy was I shocked to find that out."
Glynda only nodded her head at that and Qrow looked at her. "Well is there anything else you like to know?"
Glynda only shook her head, and Qrow got up. "Alright then I need to go talk to Oz about something so I'll be on my way. By the way don't tell anyone about this no one other than Jimmy knows that Ruby is Oz's granddaughter. The rest of our little secret council group only knows that Oz has a grandchild and that is it. They don't know who it is or where Ruby is at. They are not meant to find out until Ruby is told everything and joins the group herself."
Glynda looked shocked at Qrow. "Wait she is joining us at some point?!"
"That's right the council before you joined thought that it would be best if Ruby was in our little group. So she would know who Salem is and know what she was up against. But she will only join when Oz and I think it is time."
"Why does only James know about Ruby and not the rest of the group?"
Qrow gave a dark look at her. "Because Ozpin and I believe the secret council has a mole among us."
At hearing this shocked Glynda. "A mole!"
"We never found out who it was but we did find enough evidence to prove that there is one among us. Back then at least, the mole could have left some time ago. Some of them have retired and had been replaced. So it was decided that no council members would know who Ruby was until she was ready. Jimmy only knows because he knew Ruby before Summer died. In fact he was the one who helped Oz and I hid all documents that link Ruby, Summer and Lunar to Oz. But we really couldn't hide all the documents that show Ruby as my daughter."
"I see."
"Look I'm only telling you this because I work with you more than the others and I know you wouldn't ever be a mole. So I also know that you wouldn't go to Salem and tell her. Well I better be going to Ozpin now see ya." And with that Qrow walked out of the room leaving Glynda to think about what she was just been told.
"Godsdamn" she says in a thoughtful, heavy tone.
Finally, a Chapter I could put my fingerprint on! I hope you enjoyed. Sorry this took so long. Being Epileptic is a real pain in my ass. Now to the notes.
1. The Bec De Corbin or Beak of the Crow translated from French, or as it's known here, Atlesian, is a nasty Medieval-Renaissance period weapon. A Polearm with a hammer of varying size on one end, a curved spike on the other (the Bec or "crow's beak") and finally a long spear tip at the end.
2. Huntsman Power Levels are classified in this story by precious metals. Bronze Level= Lowest Tier, Usually amateur or student level before they learn more advanced Techniques. Some with very low Aura levels end up stuck here. A current Bronze level would be Jaune Arc. Iron Level: For people with high potential, have learned some advanced combat skill. Most Beacon Students are at least Iron and above. Cardin Winchester and the rest of his team are Iron level. Steel Level: Most Beacon Graduates, or ANY Academy Graduate are usually at this level of power. Refined Combat Skill and Honed Aura and semblances. Examples include all of team CFVY, Pyrrha Nikos, Roman Torchwick (Revoked) and Penny Polendina. Gold Level: Gold level is reserved for experienced huntsmen and huntresses who have honed their combat ability and Semblances to a fine point. They are near the top of their field. Current Gold Levels include Glynda Goodwitch, All Ace Ops personnel, Peter Port, Bart Oobleck, Winter Schnee, Willow Schnee, Ghira Beladonna, Kali Beladonna, Sierra Khan, Alice Winchester (Deceased) and Jacques Schnee. Platinum Level: The highest level a Huntsman can usually achieve. Requires complete mastery of Aura and Semblance and a complete mastery of combat, martial arts, marksmanship, etc. Usually reserved for Maidens and people picked to be headmasters, as Platinum level is required for Academy headmaster. The only known Platinum Level Huntsman are as follows: Ozpin, Leo Lionheart, Selene Nightshade (Headmaster of Shade Academy), James Ironwood, Qrow Branwen, Taiyang Xiao Long, Raven Branwen (Revoked) and Jack Winchester (Deceased) Silver Level (Classified): Is only given to Silver eyed Warriors. And is thus kept from the public record. Only Silver Level is capable of destroying the most powerful Grimm, and perhaps, the witch queen herself.
3. Bellators, or Warriors in Latin or as it known in Remnant, Old Mistrali, are a small subsect of Aura users amongst the population who had their Aura "forcefully" opened. In essence triggering the Fight or flight instinct so hard that their Aura activates. It most commonly happens during grimm attacks in isolated villages these days to young children. It's so traumatic that 1 in 10 of prospective Bellators die from their Auras instantly overclocking and frying their brain. All for a mere 10 percent Aura reserve boost compared to the Average Aura user. It also causes long term mental problems, effecting temperament and reasoning, and even causing psychosis and memory loss in rare cases later in life. Both Atlas and Mistral were infamous for their use of Bellators as elite shock troops in the great War. In fact, some of their most brutal and sadistic War criminals were Bellators, forever staining their reputation.
