Wolves of Remnant
Chapter 4
Later that evening, the newly minted Team JNPR had finished moving their belongings into their new dorm, unlike Team RWBY, who had collapsed on their beds approximately thirty seconds after arrival. They had moved their clothes into their dressers, worked out a bathroom schedule (Jaune and Ren agreed, based years of experience, that Pyrrha and Nora would get first dibs on the shower), and had settled on the floor in their pajamas, relaxing before they headed to bed.
"So, what now?" Nora asked, dressed in a grey t-shirt emblazoned with the word 'boop' on it and pink shorts covered in white thunderbolts.
"Well, I think we should get to know each other better." Pyrrha offered as she sat down after closing the curtains. She had let her hair down, and wore a white tank top that said 'Sanctum' on it along with red shorts trimmed with bronze.
"I agree, but wouldn't that be somewhat awkward?" Ren asked, sat cross-legged next to Nora in oriental-looking green, black and pink pajamas.
"Oh, I got an idea!" Jaune said, moving to his dresser.
"No offense, fearless leader," Nora said, holding back giggles, "But it's kinda hard to take you seriously right now considering what you're wearing."
"I told you, this isn't my fault." He said, motioning to his onesie, "I swear to the Gods, Tanya, when I get my hands on you- ah, found it." He came back to his seat, holding a deck of cards.
"You'd best start explaining real quick, Jaune." Nora said with a teasing glare.
"Don't worry, it's not what you think." Jaune assured them, "I call it information poker. It plays the same as regular hold 'em poker, except, instead of cash, the winner gets to ask one person of their choice any question they want, within reason. If the question is too personal, the target can choose not to answer, and the winner must respect that choice. Sound good?"
"Sure! Deal me in!"
"It sounds grand." Pyrrha agreed, while Ren simply nodded.
With practiced ease, Jaune dealt the cards and smiled at the pocket 10s he got.
XX
That same time, Ozpin's office
"Ozpin, may I have a word?" Glynda Goodwitch said, standing in the doorway to Ozpin's tower-top office.
"Of course, Glynda. Come in. Coffee?"
"No, thank you. I plan on being well-rested for classes tomorrow, and your 'special brew' wouldn't exactly help."
Drat. Oh well, next time he would get her for sure. "Very well. How can I help you?"
"I wished to speak to you regarding Mr. Arc."
"What about him?" Ozpin asked as he took a sip from his mug.
"Specifically, the reason you even let him into the school."
Ozpin could already feel the headache coming on and wished he had whatever Qrow kept in that flask of his to add to his coffee. "Explain."
"Ozpin, we both saw his transcripts, and we both know they were too good to be true. They were clearly forged."
Ozpin sighed, put his mug down and steepled his hands. "Glynda, the way I see things, there are two possible scenarios here. On the one hand, his transcripts could be forged. This could mean one of two further things: one, he is one of Her agents, obviously sent to this school as an infiltrator, or two, there is someone out there who is capable of making near perfect replicas of combat school transcripts. Either way, the best approach is to keep him close and learn whatever we can from him."
"And the second scenario?"
"His transcripts are genuine, and his skills are real, in which case, it would be prudent of us to encourage his development and win his loyalty. If his potential has yet to be realized, think of how great an asset he would be against Her."
Glynda looked unconvinced. "It's a dangerous game to play, Ozpin."
"As is life, Glynda. As is life."
XX
"How? How is that even possible?" Jaune cried when Nora revealed her fourth straight royal flush. "This is a brand-new deck! The odds of this happening are astronomical."
"Why do you think I always fold at the river?" Ren said with a small grin. "When Nora wants something, she usually gets it. I'm just lucky we already know everything about each other, thus sparing me some embarrassment."
Jaune glared at him as Nora flipped a coin to choose her next target.
XX
The Fang, Fenris
Great Wolf Logan Grimnar sat at the head of a table, surrounded by his assembled Wolf Lords, or those who remained on-planet at the least. A few had been deployed to reinforce rebellious planets within the Space Wolves domain. As well as the Wolf Lords, the Priesthoods of the Chapter were also represented by Ulrik the Slayer, Njal Stormcaller, and Hrothgar Swordfang.
"Brothers," Logan intoned, "We gather here to discuss a matter close to the heart of our Chapter. Before I begin, I will declare that what is discussed here will remain between those assembled here. No one else can know, especially those outside the Chapter. Is this understood?" The Wolf Lords nodded and muttered their assent, wondering what in the Warp could instill such paranoia into their Old Wolf. "Very well. Brothers, I have had a vision. Three nights hence, I dreamt of a place I have never seen in all my centuries fighting. The details are hazy, but there is one thing I remember clear as day; a poem, of a sort. For it is in passing that we achieve immortality."
"Through this, we become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above all else." Ragnar Blackmane said, wide-eyed.
"Infinite in distance and unbound by death, I release your soul- " Vorek Gnarlfist, the newest of the Wolf Lords, continued.
"And by my shoulder, protect thee." Grimnar finished. "It appears, you were correct, Stormcaller."
"Indeed, my Lord." Njal Stormcaller said, standing before the assembled leaders. "Allow me to clarify, you have all heard these words in recent days?" More nods. Njal sat back down. "There it is, then. My lord, if these words are known by every Wolf Lord in this room, it stands to reason that it could extend to every member of the Chapter."
"Perhaps, even, every Astartes of Space Wolf heritage." Ulrik posited.
"What are you talking about? What is going on?" Bjorn Stormwolf asked impatiently.
"My brothers, we believe something tremendous has happened. After consulting with my Wolf Priests, and Stormcaller's Rune Priests, we believe another Primarch has returned to the galaxy. We believe the Great Wolf has returned."
The Wolf Lords were stunned to silence.
"You see now, why we must keep this matter close." Grimnar said, "This involves our Primarch, our gene-father. No other Imperial organization has a right to meddle in this, not even the Lord Commander Guilliman."
"But if one of his brothers has returned, should he not be informed?" Gnarlfist asked.
"Not until we have confirmation of his location and identity."
"And what of the Wolfspear?" Blackmane added. "High Priest Ulrik suggested that every Astartes of Space Wolf heritage might have experienced this. Primaris Astartes or no, they are our successors as Sons of Russ. This concerns them as well."
"If they wish to involve themselves, that is their prerogative." Grimnar decided, "However, it matters little right now. What does matter is what we shall do next."
"We find our Primarch, obviously!" Stormwolf said, pounding his fist on the table they sat at.
"Obviously, but how to go about it?" Erik Morkai said, "We cannot simply send the entire Chapter out into the galaxy."
"And why not? We have done so for millennia." Bran Redmaw argued.
"In better times, yes. But the galaxy has changed. The Imperium is ruled over by a Primarch who literally wrote the book on how to be an Astartes. Sending all but one company out into the depths of space would appear suspicious."
"Then it is good that we have a plan." Grimnar grinned. "Stormcaller?"
"Shortly after meeting with the Great Wolf, my Rune Priests and I discovered what I can only call a signal within the Warp emanating from beyond the Western Fringes of Imperial Space. After consulting with the Navis Nobilitae, we hypothesize that it is possible that we will find our Father if we follow it."
"I will personally lead this expedition, though it must be kept small if we are to avoid the eyes of the Imperium at large, and most especially the Inquisition. Blackmane, Deathwolf, Morkai, I have chosen you and your companies to join me. Redmaw, you will act as Great Wolf in my stead."
"Yes, my lord." The Wolf Lords replied.
"Prepare yourselves and your companies, Brothers. We leave in one standard weeks' time."