Here we go. The battle of the fives armies approaches (in so far as some of them can be called an army, lol.) The true irony is that Tyrian and Cinder alone probably still count as a more effective army than all of the White Fang. Or at least the trash-tier White Fang which attacked Haven in the show. What the hell? They were useless!

Beta: College Fool

Cover Art: Kegi Springfield

Chapter 80

"It's not that easy," Leonardo explained to Ozpin, hands opened wide. "After Beacon was attacked, panic spread across Mistral and Grimm activity spiked. The roads aren't safe, not even from Mistral to Haven. There have been numerous deaths as a result and our resources are stretched thin. It will take time to gather the supplies you need."

"And nothing can be done to expedite the process? Could we not requisition some of Haven's food?"

"And leave my students to starve? I think not."

Ozpin sighed. His frustration was obvious, but Leonardo kept a straight expression, proving that his acting skills when not being pushed up against a wall by a tentacle were top notch. Jaune flashed the others a quick wink. Yang and Nora managed a straight face, but Ruby had to hide her smile in a sudden burst of coughing.

"If that's how it is, that's how it is," Qrow said. "We need supplies, Oz. We can wait."

"I don't want us to be slowed down."

"Ah, what's the worst that can happen?"

"With your Semblance?"

"It's been quiet lately," Qrow said. "I think it's taking a break."

"Semblance or not, I can't magic the supplies up any quicker," Leo interrupted. "I'm sorry, Ozpin."

"No, no. Your efforts are already enough. Thank you, old friend." With a sigh, Ozpin turned to their team. "It looks like we shall be staying here for a few days longer. I would advise everyone train while they are able. Mr Arc, Miss Xiao-Long, may I ask a minute of your time? Qrow, why don't you help the others with a little sparring."

Qrow took the hint for what it was and led Ruby and Nora away, while Yang shot Jaune a nervous look. He shrugged back. There was no telling what was up with Ozpin, but he was at least ninety per cent sure it wasn't that he'd been found out.

Leonardo said his own farewells, pausing for a second to meet Jaune's eyes before he looked away. He clearly knew who had come last night, but he at least managed not to let it show. Ozpin led Yang and he to a more secluded area, an outside table and chairs in a beautiful garden-like addition to the school. Considering how nice it was, but also how abandoned, it had to be a VIP or visitor-only meeting area.

It didn't look like a place Ozpin would take them to for a fight – and Oscar's body wasn't exactly as threatening as Qrow. When Ozpin sat down and asked a nearby woman to fetch them some drinks, Jaune allowed himself to relax.

Yang wasn't quite able to relax as much, and only managed to wait until after the woman had returned with their drinks to speak. "So, what's the matter?"

"Nothing to worry about, just-" Ozpin cut off.

Jaune stared.

Yang failed to notice the thin, straw-like tendril of black matter that crept out from her wrist and dipped its head into the coffee before her. It started to flex and undulate, and the contents of the cup were quickly drained.

"What?" Yang demanded.

"N-Nothing." Ozpin coughed. "Where was I? Oh yes, we're going to be trapped in Haven for a few days, so I thought it best the three of us had this meeting now."

"What kind of meeting? Parent-teacher conference?"

Jaune choked, and for the first time considered himself lucky to have had Beacon put on hold when it was. A few months later and his parents would have been expected to come in and meet with Miss Goodwitch. That might have been awkward.

"Not quite," Ozpin said with a little chuckle. It didn't quite sound right coming from Oscar's mouth. Too high-pitched. Too childish. "Although this does involve your parents in a way."

The two stiffened, and for very different reasons.

"Raven," Ozpin began.

Yang became defensive. "What of her? She's not my mother."

"I can understand your feelings there, Yang," Ozpin said calmly, using her first name at last. "After what she tried to do to you, I would be surprised if you harboured any familial feelings for her at all." He paused and looked to Jaune. "Do you feel the same way about her?"

Why is he asking me?

Yang kicked him under the table.

"Y-Yeah, of course. No mother tries to kill her own daughter."

"I see." Ozpin sighed. "While regrettable, that is not necessarily a bad thing. It will make life easier at least."

"What's going on here?" Yang finally asked. "You called us here to talk about that woman. Least you can do is be honest with us for once."

"Honest? Why, I am always honest with y-" Ozpin winced. "Oscar, not now. I'll cut to the chase," he said hurriedly. "Oscar does not quite understand the necessity of allowing me control sometimes. When you were challenged by your m – by Raven – you said that she exhibited additional powers, including control over the elements, correct?"

"Yeah. It was a little out there, since I thought I knew what her Semblance was from Dad and Uncle Qrow. That definitely wasn't portals."

"No. And I can personally guarantee her Semblance was portals only," Ozpin said. "It seems to me that Raven has become a maiden like Miss Nikos did, most likely the Spring Maiden."

"What makes you say spring?" Jaune asked.

"We'd long believed the Spring Maiden was seeking shelter with Raven's tribe," Ozpin explained. "It doesn't surprise me you were unaware. Raven would keep such knowledge hidden, even to those she professed to trust. It seems, however, that our information was out of date. Raven did not harbour the Spring Maiden; she killed the Spring Maiden."

"And took on her powers," Yang finished. "Is that such a problem, though? You said your job was to protect the maidens. Sure, Raven is a bitch, but at least she's strong. She can look after herself."

"It's not quite that simple. You see, the Maidens are not an end unto themselves, but a means of accessing something else. There is a vault here in Mistral that Salem and her people desire to enter. Within it lays an artefact of some power – to those who know how to use it."

Yang put two and two together. "And the Spring Maiden is the key?"

"One maiden for each, but Mistral houses spring, yes."

"And each maiden opens a different vault?"

"Yes. Any one of the Relics would be devastating in the wrong hands. It was imperative they be locked away, and behind a door no normal man could open. Or any man at all. Unfortunately, Raven is not what we could call an ideal candidate."

"Question!"

Yang and Ozpin turned to look at Jaune, who had a hand in the air like he was in class. Considering Ozpin was a teacher himself, he didn't bat an eyelid in answering. "Yes, Mr Arc?"

"If the Relics are so important and the vaults are to protect them, why would someone make it so that you only need one maiden to open it?"

"I'm not sure I understand the question."

"Well, why not have it so every vault requires all four Maidens? Or maybe have a locking system that doesn't involve keys that our passed along to the last female under the age of thirty the host thinks of when they die. Doesn't exactly seem safe…"

"A-Ah, well…" Ozpin coughed into his fist. "I'm sure that the original creator of the vaults was strapped for time. Dark times and all that."

"Yeah, but safes, vaults and locks are normally meant so that the only one who can enter is the one who locked the item away. What's the point of it if you make the key so that anyone can inherit it?"

"That is… a good question… One I sadly do not have an answer for. The Ancient Mage did it."

"He must have been a complete idiot, then," Yang said.

"Ahem. I'm sure it's not quite that bad, Miss Xiao-Long."

"Even a combination lock would be safer," Jaune said, shaking his head. "Or a combination which uses the maidens if the guy was that married to the idea of magical girls. I mean, I can't really think of a less safe way to hide away an item of incredible, potentially world-ending power than to use magical keys which determine the next owner by an arbitrary age and `thought` rating."

"You could attach it to a piece of equipment and carry it around randomly," Yang joked. "That would be pretty dumb."

Ozpin pulled his cane back against him and scowled. Or he tried to. Oscar's young face made it more of a pout. "Well, there's no point arguing the matter now, is there? This is simply how it is, and I think we all need to trust that the Ancient Mage had something in mind when he planned it this way."

"Yeah," Yang joked. "Sure. So, you're worried Raven will try and take the Relic for herself?"

"The thought did cross my mind, but a bigger concern is Salem's forces finding Raven and taking it from her. Raven will not trust us enough to come with us for her own protection, nor will she open the vault for us and allow us to safeguard the Relic. As such, she is a dangerously weak link in the chain that represents the survival of Remnant."

"Makes sense. So, what do you want us to do about it?"

"We need to sort this mess out," Ozpin said calmly. "I've made overture after overture to her and she refuses to work with me, or Qrow. I have no idea why. Regardless, diplomacy has failed, and with Beacon having been attacked and the Fall Maiden taken, I fear we are out of time. Though it pains me to admit it, I believe we must take what we need from her."

Jaune and Yang exchanged worried looks. "You want us to kill Raven?" he asked.

"I would prefer we not," Ozpin said, quickly waving one hand before them. "I wouldn't ask that of you two, not with your connections to her. It would be enough for us to defeat and bring her with us as a prisoner. From there, we could use her to open the vault, take the Relic and then let her go."

"Wait, so the vaults don't even need the maiden to be willing!?"

"Can we leave the criticisms of the vault security until another time?" Ozpin snapped. "Times were dark, and I'd like to see you do better. Or I would, if this wasn't all a hypothetical situation."

Yang rolled her eyes. "We know you're the wizard, Ozpin. It's not exactly subtle…"

"I've no idea what you mean. And we are talking about Raven. I am asking the two of you in private because I need to know if you will be prepared to do what must be done. Will you fight against Raven if it is asked of you? Against your own family?"

"She isn't family," Yang growled. "I'll do whatever I have to, though I don't want to kill her. She's not worth that."

Ozpin nodded. "And you, Mr Arc?"

Wait, Ozpin was asking him too? Was this because he was dating Yang, or just something else? His hesitation cost him, Ozpin leaning in closer, pressing the issue. Yang sent him a meaningful glare, one that said he'd better be prepared to help her.

"Sure," he said. "I think she forfeited parent status after she tried to kill Yang. I'll have no problem."

"I'm glad to hear it," Ozpin said, relaxing at last. "I felt it best to get this out in the air and prevent any problems later, but I'm relieved to see you understand the importance of this action. Now then, if you'll excuse me, Oscar won't stop staring at Miss Xiao-Long's breasts and I'm going to take a break. He needs to go beat one out or whatever it is kids your age do to deal with their rampant hormones."

Oscar's body went slack – and then stiffened a second later, cheeks turning very red as the young boy regained control of his body, if not the situation. He stammered and looked away, shoulders hunched up so hard it hid his face from view.

Yang sighed. "Want me to pretend I didn't hear that?"

"Please…" Oscar whimpered.

/-/

The meeting between them had been a private one, so it was inevitable that the very second it was over, Ruby and Nora were informed in full. Ruby was torn up over the idea of Yang having to fight Raven, but more out of concern for what that might do to Yang than any affection toward the woman who'd abandoned her father and sister.

"I'll be fine, Ruby," Yang said, stroking the younger girl's hair. "I already fought her once. Kind of hard to want to spare her when she was perfectly willing to kill not only me, but Yin too."

Yang's arm flexed and grew a little, they being in private and so safe for Yin to reveal himself. He still couldn't speak, or at least speak human, but he could make gestures and did so here, forming a cartoonish sad-face on Yang's arm.

"Aw, it's okay," Ruby said, not at all squeamish in patting Yin on the face. "Auntie Ruby won't let the bad woman get you."

"Moving on from that, Ozpin wants us to grab the Relic here and keep it on us." Jaune leaned forward meaningfully. "I think I've figured out his plan. He wants us to go and collect each of the Relics."

Ruby, Yang, Nora and even Yin stared at him.

"Um. Yeah. I… I think we all figured that one out."

"Oh…"

"But good job!" Ruby said, a little flimsily.

Yang patted his head as he sulked. "I think what my genius boyfriend is getting at is that now that we know what his plan is, we can start thinking about what we want to do about it. Ozpin wants us to grab the Relic from here, and chances are the others are in Atlas, Vale and Vacuo. I doubt he'd have put one on Menagerie, and I hope to hell he didn't put one in the Grimmlands."

"This is Ozpin," Jaune warned. "I wouldn't put it past him."

"He wants us to go in a circle?" Nora didn't sound pleased. "That'll take a year at least – not to mention any fighting we get caught up in along the way and finding the maidens and getting them to work with us. We'd be saying goodbye to any chance of rescuing Pyrrha. And what does he even want them for?"

"Some kind of weapon," Jaune said, bringing them to silence. He felt the pressure too, the fear. "If he wanted to keep the Relics away from Mom, he could just leave them where they are and deal with the maidens. Protect or move them around. But he wants to collect them, and he said they'd be deadly in the wrong hands."

"But probably useful in the right ones, or at least from his perspective," Yang said. "If anyone knows how to use them, it'll be him."

"And he's use them to kill my mom. And probably me and my sisters, too."

"And me," Yang finished.

Ruby gasped. "Yang, no! He wouldn't. Uncle Qrow would never let that happen!"

"Uncle Qrow wouldn't have much of a choice if Ozpin had all that power," Yang said. "I'm not saying he's a bad guy, but he wants to kill all the Grimm. A year ago, I'd have said that was a good thing, but like it or not, I'm part Grimm now. Ozpin's not going to let a loose end like that hang around, not when any kids I have might become the next Salem." Yang's eyes spread around the room. "We need to decide what to do. And right now."

Time to choose. Jaune stayed quiet for a long minute, already knowing his answer but wanting to give the others a chance to think, or maybe speak if they wanted to. No one did. Nora was frustrated and had her eyes closed, while Ruby was biting her lip so hard it turned white.

Eventually, the silence was too much, and he spoke, "I'm not doing it. I'm not going to help someone collect a weapon capable of slaughtering my entire family. I just won't. If it comes to it, I'll fight against Ozpin."

"Same," Yang said. "Not the last bit, at least not yet. I'll be frank, if Salem wants to kill all humans, I'll try and put her down, but a genocide isn't the way and I have Yin to think of. Whatever Ozpin and Qrow think, Yin's my son. Raven tried to kill him, and I was prepared to kill her to protect him."

"I don't know," Nora said. "I'll do whatever Ren decides. It's a coward's answer, I know, but Ren and I decide everything together. I can't make a decision now."

"Fair enough," Yang said. "What about you, Rubes?"

"I…" Ruby swallowed. Her entire frame shook. "I want to rescue Pyrrha. She's my partner."

"Even if that means going against Ozpin and Uncle Qrow?"

"Even then," she whispered. "A-And it's not like we're fighting them or anything, is it?"

"No, of course not." Yang looked relieved to have Ruby on board and laughed. "I just mean we'll be going against what they want. They might try and push the issue, and we might have to fight our way away from them if Qrow tries to stop us, but we're not fighting him. Just splitting up. If it feels like you can't do that, leave it to me and Jaune. I'm pretty sure we can take Uncle Qrow on."

"Okay. What about Ozpin?"

"He's in the body of a fourteen-year-old. What's he going to do?"

/-/

This was all a dream, Pyrrha decided.

No, it was a terrible alternate reality she'd been thrown into. A terrible, terrible one. One in which she was stood outside a stone door leading into a chamber that seemed to ooze malice. Salem's furious screams had split the tower for two days now and didn't seem likely to abate anytime soon. Mannie, the giant, deadly Beowolf, spent the day hiding under Pyrrha's bed.

Or he did, until Watts came in, threw a costume at Pyrrha and told her to get changed. It was time for her to possibly save the world.

Which was how she found herself out in the corridor dressed in a frilly, black and white maid costume, feeling that the skirt was several feet too short, not to mention the bodice that plunged down so far it was a miracle her breasts didn't pop out at any moment.

"W-What am I supposed to do? And why am I dressed like this?"

"She won't kill you," the very dangerous criminal with the moustache said. "You're just about the only person who can go in there and not be killed. Other than her children and husband, that is."

"A-And what about them? Why can't Jade or Hazel go in?"

"Just because they can face her wrath, does not mean they wish to."

"And I do!?"

"No, but you're at least technically our prisoner." Watts pushed the door open, placed a tray in her hands and then shoved her inside. "Good luck!"

Son of a…

Pyrrha swallowed as Salem's attention turned on her, eyes blazing so red they might have been mistaken for magma. Pyrrha froze, suddenly aware of in how many different ways she could die right then and there, before the moment passed and Salem looked away with an animalistic growl.

What was it she was supposed to say?

"U-Um. I-I've brought some tea?"

What came from Salem's mouth might have been words but might just as easily have been a string of impossible sounds trapped somewhere between rock grinding on rock and what she imagined the Grim Reaper would speak like.

Well, she'd tried. Time to go hide under the bed with her Beowolf, right?

But no. Watts had already told her what might happen if Salem's fury wasn't handled. It would be taken out on someone, and probably not anyone here. Vale, Mistral, Vacuo or Atlas. Which did Pyrrha most want to condemn to death?

None, obviously. She stepped further into the room.

"It's herbal tea. Watts said it's your favourite."

No answer. Maybe that was a good thing. Pyrrha kept her eyes focused ahead as she moved in and placed the tray down on a nearby table, taking one mug and pouring it. She held the saucer out to Salem, who took it with a hiss.

"S-So, I've been a prisoner here for a while…"

"Your point?" Salem asked. It was not a question delivered in a kind voice, and Pyrrha flinched.

"Um, well." Oh Gods, what had Watts said to do? Oh yeah. Nothing. He'd just said to calm her down and provided exactly no tips on how to manage that.

Think, Pyrrha. Think. I've been here long enough to know how she works.

"I was thinking that maybe we could talk. Maybe talk about what's made you so upset?" Pyrrha wilted as Salem was reminded of her ire and her eyes began to glow again. The cup in her hand rattled dangerously. "Or we can just spend some time together," Pyrrha said. "You know, bonding. Like mother-"

"What was that?"

Pyrrha froze. Salem's gaze had sharpened but was no longer burning with quite so much intensity. "Eh?"

"What did you just say?" Salem asked again, leaning closer.

What had she-? Oh, the mother-son bonding. Except that she'd not had a chance to finish and Salem was now looking at her with incredible focus and the rage-murder aura had dissipated, though it was still there on the edges, threatening to return.

Pyrrha knew what Salem wanted. Swallowing her pride, and the fear of what Yang would do to her if she found out, Pyrrha managed a shaky smile.

"Mother-daughter bonding," she said.

Salem's eyes lit up.

"B-Because you're Jaune's mom, so that kind of means… maybe… my mom, too. In law…"

Yang was going to kill her.

"My daughter!" Salem cried, lunging forward suddenly. Pyrrha only had the time to close her eyes before a hundred and forty-pounds of technically evil Goddess slash murder-beast crashed into her, wrapping her arms around Pyrrha's shoulders. "Say it again! Say it again!"

Pyrrha cringed.

"M-Mom…"

"Aieeeee!"

"D-Did you want to talk about whatever made you angry, S- Mom," she amended, right as Salem leaned back and gave her a piercing stare.

"You know what, I think we shall!" Salem stood. "WATTS!"

The door opened again. Watts didn't poke his head in – he was smarter than that – but he did call through. "Yes, my Queen?"

"My daughter-in-law and I." Salem paused to savour the word and shiver happily. "We're going to be spending some time together bonding. And I'm going to get a woman's perspective on how to handle this problem of ours. Fetch us some wine. The finest we have."

"And ice-cream, my Queen? I hear it is a staple for these types of meetings."

"Yes. Fetch us all the ice-cream! We're going to be here all night."

Booze, ice-cream and now a night spent in the throne room. Pyrrha wasn't sure why she'd invited herself to a sleepover with the Queen of the Grimm, but somehow, she had. Worse, Salem was now snapping pictures of the two of them together, making Pyrrha poses in a variety of cute, not-so-cute and downright-erotic poses. All for her Nicky-poo, she claimed, though the latter ones would make their way to Jaune, Pyrrha suspected. The thought had her blushing to the roots of her hair, a fact which only made Salem croon even more.

Well, at least with me distracting Salem everyone else will be okay. It's not like she'll be able to plot any terrible attacks on any of the other academies.

"Now, lean forward, wink at the camera and blow a kiss, and make sure to show a little skin for my little boy! Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but I'll tell you now, racy pics get a much better response."

The things she did to save Remnant.

/-/

"We'll be arriving at Haven soon, ma'am," one of the soldiers said, now dressed in SDC uniforms, and looking somewhat irritated about the fact. They were proud soldiers of Atlas, after all, and to be seen dressed like this probably made them feel like mercenaries.

The SDC's private security arm – which acted more like its own military than actual security – didn't have the best reputation among the armed forces of Atlas. That was something Weiss quickly learned on the journey. They were calmer with Winter here, and at least relieved to learn Weiss wasn't anything like Jacques was.

"Thank you," Weiss said, nodding to the man. Once he was gone, she peeked out of the window, watching the rolling forests below. It reminded her of Vale, though the trees were slightly different. It was still very different to Atlas.

"Looking forward to meeting up with your friends again?" Winter asked. She was sat on a seat opposite her.

"I am. Assuming Ruby followed my instructions and remained at Haven. If she did not…" Well, the less said about what Weiss would do, the better. Ruby wasn't normally bad at doing what she was told, but Jaune was a terrible, terrible influence on her.

The comics said it well enough.

"I suppose this is your victory, then," Winter said. "You've outsmarted father and found your way back to your team. Whitley's reputation is damaged, so your position as heiress is secure for at least a few months. Half a year, perhaps."

It would be enough, Weiss hoped. This assignment was a long-term one anyway, and she'd be expected to stay in Mistral until the supply line was up and running. Father wouldn't notice if she slipped away with her team, so long as she ensured he received regular reports from someone in Haven. Hopefully, that wouldn't be too hard to arrange.

"In a way, you've done what I could not," Winter continued. "I won my freedom, but at the expense of my name and birth right. I was happy to accept that, but I knew you never would be. I'm impressed, Weiss. Impressed and proud."

Weiss inclined her head. "Thank you."

A colder response than Winter was used to. She frowned at it, but Weiss ignored her for once. Perhaps it was unfair, but sometimes, especially now with what she'd had to do, Weiss wondered if Winter hadn't taken the easy way out. She'd been kicked out of the family at fifteen or sixteen, leaving Weiss with an uncaring father and an alcohol-abusing mother, along with their little brother. Neither of them had been strong enough to resist their father's influence, but Winter could have protected them. Could have helped them.

But she didn't. She valued her freedom more.

Weiss would never blame Winter for that, but she wouldn't fully forgive her, either. In the end it didn't really matter. The past was through and life moved on. Better to ignore the regrets and focus instead on better times.

"How long will you be staying with your troops? Will you have time to have dinner with my team? I know I introduced you once before, but time was always short."

Winter's frown lessened and was soon replaced with a tiny smile. "I'll make time. There's no reason the investigation should begin on the first day. I'd rather give everyone time to settle down and acclimatise to their surroundings. It will also give you a day with your friends before we have to start thinking about any work. And there will be work," Winter explained with a sigh. "Even if you intend to run off with your team, you'll still need to set the pieces of what father wants, or he'll disown you the moment you return."

"I know."

It was hard to know how much time she had to work with without discussing with her team, but either way, she'd not bust her back getting into this position just to sacrifice it all to Whitley once more. The SDC would get their alternative supply route to Vale, and once Pyrrha was rescued and everything was back in order, she'd return to Atlas and be officially recognised as the heiress.

From there, she would request a few years off to continue her huntress education, and her father – grateful for the work she'd done and finally convinced she would be a good heir – would practically be forced to grant her leave.

He'd be pleased to do so, in fact, since it would make it clear she didn't intend to force him out of the company anytime soon. His only problem with her leaving the first time was that she'd been ambiguous on whether she would ever return to take over the company or not. Ambiguous, because she'd just not been sure.

Jacques Schnee did not deal in uncertainties. He wanted an heir, or heiress, and one that would be focused on the SDC name and business.

"We're coming in for our descent," the pilot called over the speaker systems. "Bravo One and Two will stay in the air and circle until our landing is secure. VIP to return to her seat and remain buckled in."

The view outside the window lurched as they came down, and Weiss caught a flash of colour, the distinctive architecture of Mistral, its tall, layered towers and wide, circular buildings. It was very different to Atlas, likely meant for warmer weather.

Those idiots better be waiting for me, she thought randomly.

If they made her come and find them after she'd just had the most stressful time in Atlas ever conceived, she would have them beg for forgiveness on hands and knees.

The aircraft touched down. Weiss stood, Winter beside her, Emerald on the other side and a little behind, covering her back like a bodyguard might. By this point, Weiss trusted her to be all that and more. She'd earned her position.

The ramp slowly descended.

They were waiting for her, of course. Weiss felt her heart skip a beat, but she forced her expression to remain neutral, only stepping forward once one of the soldiers waved for her to do so. Her pace was measured, her eyes fixed straight ahead. Headmaster Leonardo Lionheart met her halfway, and though she wanted to brush past him and to her team, she paused as expected.

"Headmaster Lionheart, thank you for agreeing to house myself and my associates. I personally assure you we will be of no burden to you, and that we shall source our own accommodation within the week."

"It is no problem, Miss Schnee. Welcome to Mistral, and to Haven." The man's smile was genial. "I personally hope your initiative bears fruit. It would be a boon for Mistral to have an additional route of dust, and Haven could benefit from it passing right by our door, too."

"I'll do my best to have it operational as soon as possible." Weiss saw a chance to escape and took it. "In the meantime, have you met my sister, Winter? She oversees my guard and can handle all administrative duties. Isn't that right, Winter?"

"It – What?"

"Excellent," Leonardo said, turning to Winter, much to the older girl's shock. "Well, shall we reconvene in private and discuss business?"

"Y-Yes, of course." Winter shot Weiss an indignant frown but was far too polite to reject the headmaster.

Behind her, Emerald laughed into her hand.

Yes, it was cruel perhaps, but she just couldn't handle being dragged off for an hour or two of meetings when her teammates were standing awkwardly on the side-lines. Weiss strode towards them, forcing herself not to break into a run the entire time.

Evidently, Yang lost whatever grip she had on Ruby, because the younger girl met her halfway, striking Weiss with the force of a missile.

"Weiss!"

"Ruby, you dolt. Don't run into me like that!" Despite the words, Weiss didn't let Ruby escape. A fact she was fairly sure no one noticed. Her eyes sought her partner's over Ruby's head and she raised a dangerous eyebrow. "Well? Are you going to sit there staring, or are you going to come and greet your returned leader?"

Startled into action, Jaune sprinted forward. Hm, good. She still had it.

"It's good to see you Weiss!"

"Hm, you too." She allowed a tiny smile to surface. Very tiny. She'd missed this. "Even better to see you've somehow managed to stay in one piece in my absence. I'm genuinely impressed."

"What? Did you expect to arrive to the siege of Haven?"

"Something like that," Weiss muttered.

Jaune managed to somehow look happy and indignant at the same time. "I'm not that bad."

"No, you're worse. Frankly, I consider it a miracle you're all in one piece in the first place." Her eyes trailed over to Yang and Nora, but also two others beside her. "I imagine I have Mr Branwen to thank for keeping you in line."

The other stepped forward, spreading his arms. "It is good to see you again, Miss Schnee."

Weiss stared.

"Jaune! What on Remnant were you thinking!?" She broke free from Ruby and stalked toward her partner, jabbing a finger into his chest. "You are by no means qualified to look after a child. I wouldn't entrust you with the life of a bottlefly!" She rounded on the small child and knelt, placing both hands on his shoulders and offering her best attempt at a friendly smile. "Did the blonde man take you away from your family? Don't worry, you can tell me."

"Um, Weiss," Jaune tried.

"Hush, Jaune. You should consider yourself lucky he's still alive. Considering he had you, Ruby and Nora of all people to look after him, I'm surprised he's not been driven insane."

"Ahem," the small child said, eyes flat, one hand held before his mouth. "Miss Schnee, this is not necessary. It is I, Ozpin. Headmaster of Beacon."

Weiss stared a little longer, before she stood with a sigh and gave Jaune the flattest look she could manage.

"You've already driven him insane? That has to be a record."

"It really is Ozpin," Qrow Branwen said, stepping forward with his own grin. "We'll tell you more about it later, but for now you'll just have to take it on faith."

"Hm. I'll believe that when I see proof."

Ozpin – or whomever the child was – managed to look exasperated and offended at the same time.

"Well, now that I am back, I think it's only fair I take over as team leader. Any objections?"

"Please take over," Yang said. "It's like herding cats. Guess we'll have to fill you in on what's going on, huh?"

"I'd appreciate that." Both the story and the chance to be alone with them. There was a lot she wanted to talk to Jaune about. Things of the `Son of the Grimm Queen` variety. From the suspicious looks Yang and Nora were sending Emerald, there would have to be explanations on that end, too. Nothing that could be spoken of in front of all these hangers-on, not to mention Qrow and the little child they'd somehow adopted.

"We'll discuss our next steps once we've had a chance to relax," Weiss said. "I guess for now I should just be thankful that you haven't somehow started a war in my absence."

"I'm not that bad," Jaune complained again.

"Give it time."

As if summoned by her words, a loud BANG suddenly split the air, echoing angrily. Weiss flinched, and then turned with the others to stare up at one of her Bullheads, still circling the area, which now sported a dark plume of smoke from its side and was descending at an unhealthy rate.

The other spun immediately and jinked to the side, dodging a missile that rushed past, exploding into the trees on the far side of Haven. In the distance, dark shapes were approaching.

Before Weiss could so much as curse, gunfire split the air.

"Damn it, Jaune!"

"This isn't my fault!"

"It's always your bloody fault," Weiss snarled, ducking for cover as gunfire from the Bullheads raked the landing strip. Weiss snatched up the little child and carried him with her, ignoring his overly-calm requests to be put down. She tucked him under one arm and ran. "I've been back in charge for two minutes and I'm already regretting it. What. Did. You. Do!?"

"I did nothing!"

As if summoned by his words, the howls of Grimm in the distance split the air.

Jaune swallowed.

"I didn't do that, either."

Weiss cursed up a storm.

/-/

"Well, technically we rescued Ren and we're on our way back to Haven," Sun said. "That's, like, mission success, right?"

"Sun…" Blake warned.

It wasn't his fault she was so angry. It wasn't anyone's fault. Except Adam's, of course. It was all his fault. Deep breaths. Deep, calming, breaths. The attack on Haven had finally begun. The trap was sprung. Now, all they needed to do was find the Albain brothers, kill them, and let Sienna swoop in to save the day.

The Church of Adam would be crushed.

Blake kept telling herself that.

It was the only way to remain sane.

"By Adam's grace, that was a good shot."

"Adam guides my hand, brother."

"As he does my own," the first gunner laughed. "Long may Adam aid us."

"Ha ha! I could not agree more. Praise be unto Adam."

"Praise be!"

A large faunus suddenly stood at the front of the Bullhead, bringing the mass to silence, apart from the staccato blasts of the guns on the ship firing towards Haven. The man was a grizzled faunus with only one dog ear, the other having been torn free. He wore a long, red coat with Adam's rose symbol on the front. Around his neck was a golden chain with a stylised bull's face and horns.

Oh God, there's iconography now. By Adam's-

Blake froze in abject horror.

No, no, no, no.

"The battle will soon begin, brothers and sisters. Today, we make our stand, as Adam did not so long ago. May your faith in Adam be your shield. May Adam's will guide you. Spare not the human, nor the non-believing faunus. Carry Adam's will as your torch. In Adam's light we trust!"

"In Adam's light," the entirety of the Bullhead chanted.

"Suffer not the human to live! Purge the heretic!"

"Adam wills it!"

The chants went on. Not ten words were strung together without Adam's name somehow being among it. Someone pulled out a ratty black book and started to sing. Her twitching increased tenfold when a few others started to pick up on the verse and chorus. Hymns. Adam had hymns. Bad hymns, but hymns nonetheless.

"Kill. Kill. Kill." Blake seethed, rocking back and forth in her seat. "Kill. Kill. Kill."

"Ha ha! That's the spirit, sister," a nearby faunus said, clapping her shoulder. "Together, we will show them the will of Adam." The brave, or more likely insane faunus, took Blake's shoulders in hand and pushed his face close to hers, smiling. "In you, I see true belief. Adam smiles on you, sister."

It took the combined efforts of Sun and Ren to hold her back. It hardly helped that those who saw her simply thought her overly eager to get started in Adam's name, and cheered her piety towards the one true lord.

"The rabies was meant to be a joke," Sun hissed.

"By Adam's name, she's eager to get started!"

Blake frothed at the mouth.

Poor Blake.

Poor Pyrrha, who is doing her best for Remnant but forgetting one thing. Salem… kind of doesn't care about Remnant right now. As she said before, `every time I try to invade, you humans go and destroy yourselves before I can`. Looks like THAT trend is continuing.

Ozpin really wishes he looked a little older, too. Trapped under Weiss' arm being hauled to safety, deadpan expression on his face. "I need a cup of coffee…"

Omake:

Blake struggled to catch her breath, eyes clenched shut against the insanity around her.

"Blake. Blaaaake."

That voice. It was familiar. Her eyes snapped open.

A tiny figure popped into view on her shoulder. He was about two inches tall, slightly ethereal, and floating on some kind of ghostly tail.

Adam.

"I'm haunting you."

"Arghhhhhhhhh!"

Next Chapter: 30th August

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