Here we go

Beta: College Fool

Cover Art: Kegi Springfield

Chapter 78

As the ramp of her private Bullhead slowly descended, Weiss took a deep breath and recalled her training. The nerves and jitters she felt were buried away, not forgotten but ignored, and she faced the people before her with a confidence she didn't really feel. Beside her, Emerald shuffled awkwardly, something which relieved her a little, reminding her that she wasn't on her own.

The moment the ramp touched down, she was moving. Long, graceful strides that caused her royal blue dress flowing around her legs, hands linked before her stomach, eyes ahead. Though there were many soldiers in attendance, arranged in a statesman's welcome, she kept her eyes firmly on Ironwood's, ignoring even her sister beside him.

When she reached the General, Weiss curtseyed. Not deep enough to show subservience, but a half-curtsey. Polite without giving anything away.

Ironwood nodded back, leaning his head forward just enough to make it clear there was more respect there than normal. "Miss Schnee."

"Please, General, call me Weiss. Miss Schnee makes me feel like my mother."

"Then you may call me James. Or Ironwood. Whichever is easiest for you. Welcome to Atlas. Or at least the city of Atlas. How was the journey?"

"Without incident," Weiss said, falling in beside Ironwood as he moved away. Winter fell in behind and to the right of him, while Emerald did the same behind and on Weiss' left, the two flanking their employers like the loyal bodyguards they were.

Winter must have had questions. If not as to who Emerald was, then how she had reached Atlas and why Weiss trusted her. The fact Winter didn't know when it was she who had brought Emerald here caused Weiss' lips to curl upwards.

"How is your father?" Ironwood asked.

"He is as he always is. Frustrated with Whitley, frustrated at the general state of affairs. Frustrated that there exists in this world lien that has not found its way into his pockets."

Ironwood let out a low, rumbling laugh. It was an unusually pleasant sound. "I'd heard about your brother. Masterfully played, Weiss."

"I'm sure I have no idea what you mean."

"I'm sure." Ironwood held the door to his office open for her, and for Winter and Emerald as they entered. Once all were inside, he led Weiss not to his desk, but to a smaller table with some comfortable seats on either side. It was a friendlier welcome than she'd expected, since each time her father visited she knew he got the desk and nothing more. "Would you care for a drink, Weiss?"

"If it's not too much trouble."

"Not for me, no. Winter will collect it."

"Then I'll have a tea, thank you. With two sugars and some cream."

Winter paused. "Sugar is bad for your health."

Weiss rolled her eyes. "Two sugars and some cream, thank you."

Ironwood nodded to Winter, who had no option but to obey. She nodded once to each of them and retreated, closing the door softly behind her.

"Forgive Winter," Ironwood said. "She's not like that with anyone else."

"I know. I've changed a little since Beacon. Or my tastes have anyway."

"To be expected. I imagine to an older sibling, seeing that can feel threatening, as though someone is being taken away from you. I'm sure she will get over it if she has a chance to spend some time with you. You are staying for a few days, correct?"

"I've booked into a hotel downtown. I'll leave you the address, and Winter."

"Good. Though she may hide it, she's been excited for your visit."

"It's good to see her too," Weiss said. Sadly, the well-wishes would have to wait until after business. Such was the way of the world. "Emerald, there's no need for you to stay for this. Can you do what we spoke about on the Bullhead?"

"Yes, Weiss." Emerald nodded, far less formally than Winter, and slid out the room.

Ironwood raised an eyebrow and asked, "Should I be concerned for my reputation? I hope I've not angered you enough to face the same treatment as your brother."

"Not yet at least," Weiss teased. It might have felt strange to tease a man like Ironwood, but oddly enough he was one of the only person she felt relaxed around. Maybe it was because, like her, he was a huntsman. Maybe it was just his charisma. "Emerald is just going to look for any people who might answer to father."

"You believe you're being monitored?"

"I'd be surprised if I wasn't. Father doesn't trust me entirely. Not yet."

"I'm not sure he has the capacity for trust." Ironwood said. "No offence."

"None taken."

The door opened once more, and Winter returned, pausing for a moment when she noticed Emerald's absence, and then moving in with a tray. She placed it down on the table first, and then set a saucer before each of them, placing the mug atop it. Removing the tray, she backed away with another bow, accepting their quiet thanks.

Weiss took a drink and let out a little sigh. Tea at the manor was an awkward and ugly affair, mostly because the over-expensive brands tasted too strong, or just plain unusual. Ironwood's selection was more down to Remnant.

"Let's put aside the posturing and all else," Ironwood said. "I respect you enough to be frank, and I hope you feel the same. What is it you want, Weiss?"

Weiss leaned back and raised a single eyebrow. He wanted the truth, did he? Very well. "I'm here for the CCT. I want to make a call."

"That's it…?"

"Yes."

Ironwood didn't believe her or couldn't. He leaned forward, lips drawn down into a frown. "I doubt your father would send you here, let alone arrange a meeting with me, for you to make an international call. Or at least I'd hope he considers my time to be worth more than that."

"I thought you wanted the honest truth?" Weiss asked. "I'm here for the CCT. Father has his own reasons for me to be here."

He caught the message, nodding once and sitting back. "I see. I'm sure a call can be arranged. You're free to use it how you will, so I don't see-" He paused. "Hm. You don't want your father to learn of it, hence why you sent your Retainer to look for any who might answer to him."

Weiss nodded, and sipped a little more of her tea.

"A private room is easy enough to arrange, but it's getting in without being seen that is the bigger problem."

"Unless I had reason to be there. Such as a meeting with you."

Ironwood nodded. "I'll see what I can do. What is it your father wants from this, then? If we're to keep appearances, I suppose I'll have to consider it."

"I think you know what it is, Ironwood."

"The blockade," he said. The General's lips curled into a sneer, and he shook his head when Weiss nodded. "I expected as much. I've already told him I won't budge on this. Schnee dust was used in the attack on Beacon. His transports were one of the main reasons the White Fang were able to acquire so much firepower."

"I have not put the embargo in place to be cruel," he explained. "Atlas has a responsibility to its ally, and I to my friend, Ozpin, and to Glynda, who has taken over Beacon. While they are weak, they are at risk, and the last thing I will allow is the White Fang to gain yet more resources and launch another attack. Jacques should understand this."

"I'm sure he does," Weiss said politely. "He simply doesn't care."

"That sounds like him." Ironwood growled, but calmed down, content in the knowledge that she wasn't disagreeing with him. "I won't budge on this, I'm afraid. My decision has been made and there is little you can do to change it."

"I still have to try. This is the task father gave me."

"It's an impossible task." It was Winter spoke up, breaking propriety, though Ironwood let her get away with it and remained silent. "He wants to see you fail, Weiss. He wants to put you in your place. This isn't a task you can complete."

"Which is precisely why I must."

"Weiss…"

"This isn't about pride or ego," Weiss said. "This isn't about me trying to satisfy daddy dearest, either. He expects me to fail and to fall in line, but I will not. I'm not like you, Winter," she said. "I can't run away to join the military, and I won't accept being disowned. The SDC used to mean something before he took over, and I don't want to see the name dragged through the mud any longer. If I run away, Whitley will take over, and then history shall continue."

"I did not run away," Winter protested.

She had, but Weiss remained silent. There was no blaming Winter, and it was unfair to say she'd known her decision would end in her disownment, but Winter had grown up with both Jacques and Willow, and the hostile environment of their home. She'd decided to leave and seek shelter elsewhere, leaving both Weiss and Whitley behind in the process.

Had Whitley someone to rely on, before Weiss did the same and fled to Beacon, he might have grown up different. Sadly, he hadn't. They'd all of them made mistakes. But there was no budging here. No second chances. She had to take over the SDC, or it would become a stain upon Remnant, and her family name.

"I cannot make allowances, even for you." Ironwood sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologise just yet. I'm not asking for you to throw your lot in with me. Just… give me a chance to convince you. Give me a chance to find a way through this, around it. An angle that you haven't considered." Weiss bowed her head. "That is all I ask."

Ironwood leaned back. He looked to Winter, who looked back, lost and confused. The General brought a hand up to his chin and hummed. All the while, Weiss sat calmly, or with the visage of calm. Inside, she was wringing her hands together.

Finally, he spoke, "I suppose I could entertain a proposal, and you are here for a few days yet. It would be rude not to meet with you. But keep in mind that my hands are tied in some regards. All I can offer you is the opportunity to convince me. Nothing more."

"Thank you, Ironwood," Weiss said, letting out a relieved sigh.

"It's late and you must be tired from the journey." Ironwood stood, and then offered a hand to her, which Weiss accepted. "I'm sure you want to get to your hotel. Why not let Winter help you with your bags?"

Winter managed to somehow look professional, surprised and hopeful at the same moment. "Sir?"

"I'm mostly done for the day, Winter. Have the rest of the evening off. Spend some time with your sister."

"Thank you, sir."

/-/

Emerald knew she was being followed.

The guy wasn't even very subtle about it, trailing after her while always maintaining about twenty feet or so between them. He stopped when she stopped, sped up when she did, and checked his scroll every time she turned around. Honestly, Mercury was subtler than this. Emerald turned at that moment, engaging a street vendor in conversation while she purchased a local newspaper. It had Whitley's shocked face on the front, which was a winner, but the main reason she did so was so she could inspect her pursuer from the corner of one eye.

He was a fairly regular looking guy in an Atlas military uniform, though lacking the helmet and with no obvious weapon. Someone off-duty. He had brown hair, blue eyes and the faint hint of stubble. Emerald committed his face to memory so she could show it to Weiss later. Her Semblance was useful for things like that.

A shame it wouldn't be here. If she used it to lose him, he might notice something went wrong and ask why – and that could mean the news got back to the SDC. Her Semblance was to remain their little secret; such were Weiss' orders.

The old-fashioned way it was, then. Emerald paid for her newspaper, popped the change into a charity tin and turned away, tucking the paper under one arm and walking calmly down the street. She kept her eyes open and scanned the crowds, until she saw a uniform up ahead and smiled viciously. It was a woman in uniform, a white and black one with a diagonal stripe running from her left shoulder to her right hip, over her heart. On it lay a badge, proudly emblazoned. She looked middle-aged and stern, the kind of police officer who didn't take any shit.

Focusing on her, Emerald pushed out her Semblance and let it take effect. Nothing obvious, nothing that would get her or Weiss in trouble. Instead she planted an auditory hallucination in the woman's mind, as if the officer overheard two people speaking from the crowd.

"Look at that creep. He's just following that green-haired girl."

"Do you think he's going to do something to her?"

"I hope not. Poor thing."

The officer's head perked up immediately. She looked left and right, first for the voice and then, when that failed, for the subject. Emerald knew what police looked for after all her time escaping them, and she started to act nervously, looking around like she was afraid of something.

Trained and experienced, the officer noticed instantly, and quickly put two and two together, looking back from Emerald to identify the threat. The woman's eyes narrowed, and her hand fell to her side, not to weapon but a communications device.

Emerald made a show of pausing and looking around.

The stalker paused too, and quickly looked down to his scroll when her eyes passed over him. He wasn't as subtle as he thought he was and when she looked away, she felt his eyes on her again. If that wasn't proof enough of his intent, she wasn't sure what was. Emerald started to move again, as did he.

So, too, did the police officer, speaking rapidly into her headset. She strode through the crowd and passed close enough to Emerald, and for a moment their eyes met. Emerald's were wide with feigned panic. The woman nodded back and quickly closed in behind her. Emerald heard a startled cry a moment later, followed by a scuffle.

"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to come with me for a moment."

"No, wait. I have somewhere to be!"

"I'm sure you do, sir. You'll have somewhere else to be if you resist, however."

Emerald continued at the same, sedate pace, acting for all the world like she hadn't heard what was going on behind her. She could feel the pursuer's eyes on her as she turned the corner and vanished. So. Damn. Satisfying.

Holding a hand out, Emerald hailed a taxi the second she was out of sight. "To the CCT," she said to the man, handing over more than enough lien. "And keep the change."

"Sure thing, boss."

/-/

Ruby nearly screamed when her scroll started buzzing.

They were out in the middle of nowhere, and there was no one who should have been calling, let alone able. You'd have needed to boost the signal off a CCT to reach her, but her scroll continued to ring, and everyone was giving her strange looks.

To be fair, they were currently being ambushed by a load of Grimm. And then Ruby saw just who the caller ID was from and such concerns ceased to matter.

"Sorry, I've got to take this."

"NOW!?" Yang cried. "Right now!?"

"Yep."

Ruby turned away, ignoring Yang's muffled curses as she cut across the clearing to cover Ruby, her Grimm arm currently in the shape of a giant cleaver. Uncle Qrow and Ozpin seemed particularly anxious around that, though Jaune was frankly unconcerned and Nora found it adorable ever since the arm revealed it could not only hear her, but also play rock, paper, scissors with her.

"Hey Weiss," Ruby cheered, pressing the accept button. She stepped past an Ursa trying to run her through. It had six smaller Beowolves attached to its body, trying to bring it down. One fell across its eyes and the Ursa tripped over a log with a yelp, trying to get it off. "What's up?"

"This isn't Weiss," the voice replied.

Ruby's eyes narrowed. "How do you have Weiss' scroll? What have you done with her!?"

"I've set her up in a hotel and delivered her breakfast. As for how I have her scroll, she gave it to me. I work for her."

"Oh, um, oops?" Ruby giggled. "My bad." She did sound awfully familiar, though it was hard to place the voice given the distance.

"No problem. Look, Weiss wanted to get in touch but she's being watched. I've got another scroll here, and I'm going to call Weiss' hotel. You'll be able to talk to her, but it will be through a scroll speaking into another scroll, patched through the CCT. Signal isn't going to be great."

Ruby couldn't bring herself to care about that, since Weiss was okay and was about to talk with them after what felt like weeks. She nodded quickly, and when she remembered the person couldn't see her, said, "Okay. I'm ready."

There were some beeps across the line, followed by a ringing tone as the other scroll called Weiss. Ruby waited anxiously, fighting her smile as Uncle Qrow leapt over her head, stabbing a Beowolf that tried to sneak up on her. He pulled a face at her afterwards, arms held out as if to ask what the hell she was doing.

Ruby shushed him and pointed to her scroll.

Seriously. Rude.

"Ruby. Is that you?"

"Weiss!" Much like the other girl warned, Weiss' voice was a little fragmented and jittery, but she recognised it easily. "Weiss, you're okay! Your father took you away and we didn't even get a chance to talk and-"

"Yes, yes, I know. I was there, you doofus. How are things? Are you all safe?"

Ruby looked around, watching as Jaune fought back an Ursa twice his side and Nora struggled with three Beowolves, all of which were trying to snap at her throat. A big, black tentacle (hmmm…) came out of Yang's arm and swatted one aside. On the other side of the battlefield, Oscar was running away from a much smaller Beowolf and shouting at Ozpin to stop backseat driving and do something to help.

Ruby nodded. "Yeah, we're fine. Oh, and Yang's back."

"She is? How is she? Losing an arm can't be easy…"

"Eh, she got it back."

"… What…? No. Never mind… I'm glad to hear you're all okay. I'm currently trapped in Atlas, but I've managed to convince my father to let me out of the manor, which is why it took me so long to reach the CCT. Where are you currently?"

"Mistral. We're on our way to Haven."

"Why?"

"Pyrrha is still alive," Ruby reported, and she heard the shocked and relieved gasp from Weiss. "We're going to go rescue her, but we need a Bullhead for that. And we need to meet up with Blake and the others. They're in Menagerie."

"What on Remnant are they doing there!?"

"Ren was kidnapped by the White Fang. It's… It's complicated."

"It sounds like it." Weiss sighed. "Haven, you say? Haven Academy?"

"Yeah. Ozpin wants us to go there, too."

"Ruby. Ozpin is dead."

"It's another one of those `it's complicated` things."

"I'm beginning to think my life is just that. My partner, Ruby. Is Jaune okay? I can't even begin to imagine what nonsense he's gotten involved in without me there to pick up his slack."

Ruby looked to Jaune, who was currently being used as a club by an Ursa. Jaune's body slammed into and through a tree, and the Ursa tossed him into another. There was an explosion of bark as Jaune's body sheared through it, but he came coughing out of the wreckage and dove back into the fray.

"Yeah, he's okay. Um… Do you know about…?"

"His little secret? Yes. Emerald told me."

"Oh Good." She wouldn't have to explain that, at least.

"And speaking of tentacles, I also know your little secret, Ruby, and we're going to have words about stealing your team leader's card to buy Mistralian smut. Despite what you might think, I do read my bank statements!"

"Eep!"

Weiss sighed. "Just keep going to Haven. I'm going to meet you there. I just need to find a way to manage that. Whatever happens, don't leave without me. You can always use the CCT there to call me if you need to."

"Okay. What are you going to be doing in the meantime?"

"Patricide," Weiss said casually.

"Oh, cool. I like that."

"You have no idea what that is. Do you?"

"Sure I do."

"Right…" Weiss didn't believe her. "I'll see you soon, Ruby."

"See you soon, Weiss."

The call ended, and Ruby put the scroll away, right as Uncle Qrow finally killed the Beowolf chasing Oscar, bringing the melee to a close. Yang was glowering at her, covered in Grimm blood and rapidly dissolving bits.

"Who was that?" Uncle Qrow asked.

"Weiss! She's okay." Ruby heard a weak cheer from Jaune, who was flat on his back, Nora dabbing at a lump on his head. "She says she'll meet us in Haven and that we have to wait for her."

"You told her about us?" Ozpin asked, and she could tell he'd taken control because of the way Oscar looked at her, with a mix of disappointment and stern disapproval. "Miss Rose, our mission is one that requires the highest level of secrecy. We have no idea who Miss Schnee is with, or who might have overheard her."

"We're a bunch of huntsmen and huntresses trekking through Mistral, Oz. Where else would we go?" Qrow came to her rescue with a smile. "Give her a break. She's worried about her friend and just found out she's okay."

Ruby smiled at her uncle.

"Even so, we cannot promise to wait for Miss Schnee. We have places to be and our time is too important to waste. If she is there, we will discuss the matter with her, but if she is not, we will have to keep moving."

Ruby looked to Qrow for more help, but her uncle shrugged and picked up his discarded pack. The others followed suit, all silent. Ruby grumbled and did the same. Ozpin didn't want to wait for Weiss. Ozpin didn't intend to give them a choice in the matter. Maybe he had reason to be in such a rush, but he still hadn't told them what that reason was, only that they needed to get to Haven and fast. Maybe he'd tell them when they got there, but she was starting to feel he might not. That he might just tell them the next step with no explanation, and so on and so on, always telling them what to do, but never why.

It was annoying, but there wasn't much point arguing about it now. They were only a day or two out from Haven.

As Ruby passed by Yang, her sister gave her a meaningful nod toward Ozpin and nodded once. Ruby nodded back, in full agreement. Jaune and Nora echoed it, the four of them forming their own little cadre, Ozpin ahead of them, Qrow behind, but both obviously not a part of their circle. How could they be, when they were still keeping secrets? Keeping them in the dark? Once they reached Haven, something was going to have to give.

Ruby hoped it would be Ozpin.

"What's Weiss up to anyway?" Jaune asked.

"Something about patties. I think she's holding a barbecue."

"Oh, that's nice."

"Yeah…"

/-/

"We need to be careful here," Blake warned her team as they approached the new compound. It teemed with guards, all proudly displaying their White Fang uniforms and masks. Several approached them, weapons drawn. "Sienna and her faction might have been calm, but these are the worst of the White Fang. They're dangerous, violent, and they're bound to be incredibly suspicious. There's no telling what they'll do. Sneaking in is going to require an incredible amount of subtlety and-"

Sun strode forward and threw both hands into the air. "Down with humans!" he screamed.

Blake's mouth fell open. What was that idiot—

"Ha! A brother in arms!" The apparent leader holstered his weapon and met Sun halfway, linking hands. "New recruits, I take it. That kind of energy will do you well here, son."

What the-?

"I've always wanted to smash some humans," Sun said. "I came all the way from Vacuo, you know. Asked myself what I had to do to get at those filthy bastards and thought I should come to the real home of the White Fang and make a stand."

"All the way from Vacuo? You've got spirit." The faunus eyed the rest of them, eyes narrowing when he saw Blake, but then growing wide upon seeing Ilia. "Ilia Amitola!? I'd heard you were dead. You were involved in the attack on Beacon!"

"I was. I survived. Adam did not."

"Praise be unto Him," the faunus said, making an odd motion over his heart.

They'd made Adam into a religion? Blake almost threw up then and there and made a note to aim it in the guy's eyes if she did. Gods, as if she'd needed any more reason to try and take these people down.

"If you're with Ilia, you're trustworthy. Come with me, I'll introduce you to the ones in charge." The leader turned away, and Blake noticed a pair of bat wings held in tight against his back. He led them through the compound, past faunus who looked up with either awe, suspicion or just pure anger. More than a few stared at Ren, but none tried anything.

"He's Yuma," Ilia whispered to Blake. "He reports directly to the Albain brothers. They were two of Adam's biggest supporters."

Blake nodded. She didn't recognise nor remember him, but it was possible he'd stayed in Menagerie and worked for Adam behind the scenes.

Yuma brought them to a wide, open area with a raised stage toward the back. "If you'll wait here, I'll go and find someone to fill you in. I'm sure we'll find a use for you. Right now, we need all the hands we can get."

"They're planning an attack," Ren said, the moment Yuma was gone. "I've seen crates of dust and weaponry."

"I know. Once we find out what and where, we can tell Sienna and get this over with."

They were interrupted by the arrival of two figures walking side by side. They were both similar in skin colour, a deep brown, but in height one was taller. The family resemblance was obvious, but curiously, they didn't share the same faunus traits. One had tall ears poking from his red hood, the other a bushy tail that hung behind him. Dressed in flowing black and white robes, with red hoods, they looked more like religious figures than soldiers.

Oh hell, they really had gone and made Adam's philosophy a religion. Fire. Fire was the only way to solve this.

"Greetings, children," they said in unison. The shorter one then spoke while the other remained silent. "I am Fennec, and this is Corsac, my brother. We are the prophets that speak in the name of our departed hero, the beloved Adam Taurus."

Blake's stomach almost expelled dinner into his face.

Ilia saw and stepped forward, taking over. "Greetings Fennec and Corsac. I hope you remember me."

"Ilia Amitola," Corsac said kindly. "As though we could forget. We had thought you lost."

"I nearly was. The attack… It didn't end well. A whole load of us were captured, but Blake and Sun were able to get me out in one piece. I brought them back here, hoping to join up with the White Fang again, only to hear it's split in two."

"A poor state of affairs," Corsac said. "It pains us to admit that it's true, but your own eyes have witnessed it. Sienna, she who we once followed, has strayed from the path, going so far as to condemn Adam's glorious sacrifice."

"The nerve," Ren said sarcastically.

"I know, dear brother. It pains us to hear it. Sadly, our words have fallen on deaf ears, as have the words of those among her faction, those who wish to throw away that which He achieved, and to bow down to the humans once more."

"Damn humans," Ren added in a bored tone.

"Indeed, brother. That is why we could not stand to let it be so. Though it pains us, it is better to tear free the bandage and let the wound bleed. From there, we shall grow and create a new White Fang, and, in time, a new legacy for all faunuskind."

"We want to be a part of that," Ilia said.

"Do you now? Your drive is not in question, my dear, but the others with you." Fennec looked to Sun. "What of you, my child? What brings you here."

"Humans drove me out of Vacuo," Sun said. "Kept blaming me for every little thing that went wrong, and the orphanage I lived in kicked me out before I was even ten. I've hated humans ever since. Ran with a faunus gang for a while, but it got shut down. Lethally."

Blake kept her eyes on Fennec and Corsac. She had no idea if Sun was telling the truth or not, but he sold it well. She might have believed him if not for how relaxed he was around his human teammates, and even Ren.

"Disgraceful," Corsac said. His eyes flicked to Ren. "And you?"

"I do not see faunus traits on this one, brother," Fennec said. "Would you care to explain that, young man?"

Blake tensed.

Ren sighed. "They were cut off."

Corsac, Fennec, and even Yuma, who had stayed nearby, recoiled.

"I don't like to talk about it."

"U-Understandable," Fennec stammered. "My goodness. That is…" He trailed off. "W-Well, moving on. What about you, Miss Belladonna? Your parents aren't exactly believers in the cause."

Blake gave him a half-shrug. "Not outwardly."

Both Fennec and Corsac suddenly looked a whole lot more interested. "Oh…? Do you mean to tell me their leaning is different in private?"

"Dad's seen what going peaceful achieves. He's also seen how much Adam managed to achieve." And been rightfully disgusted, she failed to mention.

"I am glad. I must admit that when I met with them two days past, they did not seem all that amicable to our cause. In fact, your father was quite rude."

"Very rude," Fennec agreed. "We had thought he might be more inclined to Sienna's way of thinking."

"Not likely. Sienna took the White Fang from him, and then proceeded to do nothing with it. He hates her guts."

"Then why not support us?" Corsac asked.

"Menagerie is in a difficult spot at the moment, especially with Adam's recent att- heroic assault on Beacon." It was hard not to sneer. "The Chieftain can't be seen to support one side or the other, not without bringing down the combined might of Atlas and Vale on the people of Menagerie."

Both Fennec and Corsac shared pleased smiles. "I see. That does make a lot of sense, especially given that some of the public aren't sure which side to support. It wouldn't do to cause riots on the streets."

"Indeed," Corsac agreed. "Does that mean the Belladonnas support us in secret?"

"I really couldn't say," Blake said. "But I'm here. That should tell you something."

"Wonderful. Truly wonderful. Tell me, in your honest opinion, were Sienna to… step back from leadership and grant it to us, do you believe your father would support our ideals?"

"I think he'd do so, at least on a small scale. He can't really say that on the world stage, though."

"Of course not. Atlas would invade immediately. Simply making some decisions in our favour would be more than enough." Fennec spread his arms wide. "It would be our pleasure to welcome the four of you to the fold. To the Church of Adam."

"Blessed be," Yuma intoned.

When none of them replied, Fennec and Corsac made a gesture.

"O-Oh. Blessed be," Sun said.

"Blessed be," Ilia and Ren added.

"Blessed be," Blake gritted out.

Fire. Dust. Every explosive she could get her hand on. She half-hoped they'd made a statue of him so she could take pleasure in rendering it down to concrete dust.

Ilia, seeing that Blake was lost in a rage-induced fantasy, stepping forward once more. "So, what's the plan for dealing with Sienna's lot?"

"Sienna wants to convince the world that Adam's crusade was a rogue action undertaken by a splinter group. We shall beat her to it and show the world that it was not. Even better, we shall succeed where Adam was so cruelly foiled. This will send a clear message as to what direction the White Fang will be taking. Sienna will have no option but to surrender."

Public perception. It was a powerful tool. If Sienna really did want to rebrand the White Fang, she'd have to make sure the public – including the public of every other kingdom – knew in what way she was doing it. But if the other kingdoms were united against the White Fang, that would be impossible. Sienna would be forced out by necessity.

It would also be a win for the White Fang, or the Church of Adam, because it would not only unite the faunus here, but it would do so without any faunus on faunus fighting. It wouldn't dig into their reserves or send the wrong message.

At least, not the wrong message from their point of view.

"And how," Blake asked, "Are we going to send this message?"

"We will take inspiration from our saviour and emulate His actions. The attack on Beacon, although foiled by the Grimm, still showed the world that we are a force to be reckoned with. We shall repeat it, not on Beacon, but on Mistral, on Haven Academy."

Ren coughed and caught Blake's eye. The message was silent but understood. Haven was where Jaune and the others were going, which meant they might run into them. Convenient. If a little awkward. Nora would probably have words when she realised they'd all joined the White Fang to rescue Ren. There would be much sighing and shaking of heads, Blake felt.

Things were going to be interesting at any rate.

/-/

"Tyrian."

"Yes, my most beloved, intelligent and beautiful Queen?"

"Tyrian, I already told you there is no punishment in store for you," Salem sighed. "You can leave off the grovelling."

"My most merciful Queen."

Salem sighed again. "Tyrian, where is the girl?"

Tyrian blinked. "The redhead…?"

"No, the other human girl we kidnapped."

"There's another?"

"No, Tyrian. There is not." A third sigh. Really, she was getting too old for this. And she wasn't even in her teens yet. Teens-thousands, that was. "Pyrrha Nikos. The prisoner I specifically asked you to keep an eye on lest she hurt herself trying to escape. Where is she?"

"I asked the twins to look after her, my Queen."

Jade and Hazel? Well, she'd be okay. Maybe. Uninjured, anyway, if not quite mentally unscarred. It was good enough. Salem hummed her acceptance and linked both hands before her, eyes narrowed as she thought on the latest news brought to her ears.

Jaune was in danger, though he realised it not. She loved him, and she loved his adventurous spirit, for it reminded her so much of Nicky-poo, especially in the bedroom.

Salem coughed suddenly and brought her mind back to the present. R-Regardless, Jaune didn't realise the danger he was in. His stubbornness, adorable in its own way, was not quite so endearing when he was risking his very life.

"We must protect my son."

"My Queen, I don't believe Ozpin yet knows of the truth."

"Ozpin?" Salem blinked. "Not from Ozpin, you fool. My son is with a threat far greater."

"He is…? Ah, the silver-eyed-"

"Forget silver eyes," Salem snapped, slamming a fist down on her table. "My son is in the company of a confirmed child molester!"

Tyrian choked. "M-My Queen…"

"A child molester who has struck already, tainting my dear, sweet Sapphire."

"M-My Queen," Tyrian stammered. "Lady Sapphire is twenty-five…"

"So!?" Salem glared at her underling. "Is she not my daughter? Is she not my child!?"

"She is…"

"And did he not molest her?"

"He did, my Queen."

"Then he is a child molester!"

Tyrian paused for a second and brought a finger to tap at his chin. "I cannot fault that reasoning."

"I will have the bastard's head. Both of them! And worse, he continues to linger around my innocent son like… like some kind of lingerer!" Salem swooned and brought a hand over her eyes. "Oh, where is my Nicky? He would know what to do. He could find this man and shove his sword so far up the bastard's asshole he'd speak in steel."

Tyrian winced at the imagery. His Queen was in a bad mood, and that was understandable, but it could also be dangerous for any around her. The dread lady's tantrums had become something legendary, and even though they were nothing compared to when she went into labour – Watts still trembled whenever it was brought up – Tyrian didn't want to be anywhere near another one.

Perhaps a distraction would help.

"On brighter news, my Queen, I have a message from Coral."

"My sweetling?" Salem perked up just a little, fingers peeking apart as she looked through them. "Is she well…?"

"Better than well, it would seem. She says that she has found a man she has taken an interest in. She says that they hit it off rather well, and that it would have gone all the way had they not been interrupted. Despite that, she intends to chase him down and claim what is hers." Tyrian finished reading the missive and wiped a tear from his eye.

They grew up so fast. Ten years ago, she'd been riding her uncle's his tail kicking him in the back of the head, singing off-key songs at the top of her voice. And now she was going to hunt down her man and ride him until his pelvis shattered.

Atta girl…

"She's even included a picture of… him…" Tyrian swallowed. "Uh-oh…"

"Oh? Let me see it!"

Tyrian handed the picture over. He then turned away and sprinted out of the throne room.

/-/

"Where are you going?" Cinder demanded. She stood in front of Tyrian's Bullhead with her hands on her hips.

"Mistral," he replied.

"Why?"

The entire tower trembled as a furious roar shook the foundations. Black and red light pierced out from the window that adjoined the throne room. It was followed by the most terrifying voice ever, screaming their names.

"To hunt some maidens," Tyrian said, sweating profusely. "Definitely not to hide from my wonderful Goddess."

"Same," Cinder said, climbing in beside him. Her face was pale. "To Mistral."

Tyrian hit the throttle and pulled up and away, even as Salem screamed again, loud enough to startle the Nevermore off the roof and send them fleeing in every direction. Maybe if he found and killed Coral's new boyfriend before Salem got a hold of him, she'd be a little more forgiving.

Watts could deal with this.

No, Weiss isn't literally going to commit patricide. She just meant it as a little quip for Ruby's sake. So, the paths begin to link together once more. Meanwhile, Qrow's Semblance continues to wrap the rope around his neck.

Also, poor Watts…

Next Chapter: 16th August

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur