Chapter 6- Apathy and Ozma

Ozpin smiled, glancing over at the small lion faunus that sat him. "It's good to see my little snow cub again. You've really grown since I last saw you." He said when he hear a low woof in front of him and saw a fully grown grimm canine. "And you too Okami. You've grown a lot too." The grimm smiled at this and silently took to the air and flew through the night sky. Snowla let out a happy squeal as she tackled Ozpin to the ground in a hug, as she let out a happy purr. "I missed you so much Tick Tock." The older man chuckled hugging his niece back. "I missed you as well Snowla but must you keeping using that nickname?" The lion faunus broke the hug allowing Ozpin to sit up. "Just because I'm not three anymore doesn't mean I have to stop using it. Besides I like calling you Tick Tock and I know for a fact that you like it too." Ozpin shook his head in amusement, a brief flashback of a three year old lion faunus girl trying to say his name and failing a few times before settling on Tick Tock coming to mind. "So do you wanna explain to me why you chose to step in before Oscar started screaming like a chicken? I thought you were busy hiding." Snowla said. "I didn't wish for his cries to wake the others while the pup was in his...Larger state." Ozpin explained. "Good idea but I could have kept him quite anyway let's get inside. It's getting colder." The lion faunus said getting to her feet and offering a hand to her uncle who gladly accepted, rising to his feet. Together the pair walked back inside the farmhouse though as Snowla quietly shut the door as to not wake anyone up Ozpin was making his way to the study but failed to see the empty alcohol bottle that lay on the floor and slipped on it letting out a yelp of surprise as he his mind briefly forgetting his agility as he rolled into the study and a loud crash resounded followed by groaning.
"What was that…." Qrow asked, tiredly opening his eyes wondering what that crash was that disturbed his sleep. "Nothing Mister Qrow just dropped a few books is all. You can to back to sleep." Snowla lied hoping the huntsman would buy it and go back to bed, thankfully he did and went back to sleep. The lion faunus quickly and quietly made her way into the study to find Ruby was struggling to get Oscar off of her when he suddenly fell hitting his head and was out cold. 'Oscar is definitely gonna feel that in the morning. Real smooth footwork Tick Tock.' Snowla thought as she rushed over to the farmboy to see if he was alright. Luckily he was just knocked out. "Ugh talk about a rude wake up call. Why did Oscar just fall on me like that?" The red huntress asked, confused. "What's all the racket?" Yang asked, joining in. "Sorry, Oscar tripped over one of Qrow's bottles." Snowla explained apologetically. "Oh yeah, watch out for those." Qrow called from the hallway. "You should have said something earlier." The lion faunus said facepalming in annoyance. "Well let's get Oscar under a blanket." Yang said getting up from her spot on the floor and helping get the unconscious teen under a soft blanket. "Night guys." Ruby said, going back to bed. "Night Rubes, night Snowla." Yang said, following her little sister's lead and returning to bed. Snowla doing the same.

The next morning…

Everyone slept soundly as the last if the fire burned down to ashy wood as sunlight gently filtered through the window curtains as the house softly creaked. Qrow leaned back in his chair in the hallway limply holding onto an empty glass bottle when it clattered to the floor startling Ruby awake as she looked around for a moment before going to the curtains and opening them up wide much to Weiss's annoyance as she muttered about closing the window in her sleep, the huntress clad in red walked out of the study to find the source of the clatter was an empty bottle as her uncle lay asleep, using a nearby dresser to prop up his lanky legs. Picking up the bottle Ruby attempted to wake her uncle but he wasn't having it as he told his niece to leave him be. Ruby explained how they all overslept and needed to get moving but the tired huntsman gently pushed her away tiredly. Glaring daggers at the drunk Ruby looked at the bottle before throwing it against the wall causing it to shatter loudly waking her uncle. A few minutes later everyone was awake but still feeling rather tired, Oscar feeling a slight throbbing pain in his forehead as though he face planted into a ground. Hard. Heading outside he alongside Blake and Snowla all sat down on the porch watching Weiss and Yang attach the hitch to the back of Yang's bike. "Can we please just go back to bed? My head is killing me." Oscar said tiredly. "If were all so tired maybe we should make breakfast?" Blake suggested. "You wanna make it?" The farmhand asked. The black cat faunus shook her head. "Not really." "I can make us something quick if you two keep an eye out for Okami." Snowla offered, rubbing her eye as she tried to wake up. "Deal." Oscar and Blake said with a sigh as the lion eared faunus got up from the porch and walked back into the farmhouse whilst Qrow and Ruby pushed out a large flatbed near the motorcycle. "You guys got the bike ready?" Ruby asked with a tired smile. Yang simply gestured to her bike. "Well it's done now so let's get this thing hooked up and-" Qrow began as he set his foot atop one of the wheels only for it to pop and deflate. He growled in frustration, clenching his hands into fists. "You people are just beacons for bad luck aren't you?" Maria asked walking outside and onto the porch cane in hand. Qrow sighed as he looked over the damages before walking away from the tire and took a seat in a small mound of snow crossing his arms like a pouty child. "I'm starting to think the universe just doesn't want us to go to atlas." YAng said slumping down beside the stone well. "It's just a flat tire I'm sure there's a spare." Ruby sighed wearily. "It's not just that it's everything. Storms, crashes. Monsters I'm just so tired." The blonde brawler said. "Me too it feels like were always having to fight in order to get by." Blake chimed in. "Yeah but that's what we all signed up for." Ruby countered. "We signed up to try and save the world not just delay the inevitable." Oscar said. "Last night I couldn't stop thinking… Why are we even going to Atlas?" Weiss asked looking to the team leader. Everyone was silent as they thought of various reasons, looking around at one another. "Weiss we have to." Ruby explained firmly. "But why? Ozpin hid the relics behind giant doors under enormous schools. But how long would it take for salem to find a lamp in the middle of nowhere?" Yang asked. "But… the grimm might-" Ruby began only for her sister to continue. "Yeah they'd find it eventually sure but bury it or just throw it down the well. It'd take years and it might not even happen in our lifetime but we could be done with it now." Yag said. Ruby unhooked the relic from her hip and held it in her hand debating on what her older sister was saying. Could it really be that easy? The rest of Ruby's team got behind Yang agreeing with the blonde. The leader slowly made her way to the well and held the relic out a little towards the old well when she heard the sound of barking and growling coming from the forest. Everyone looked in the direction of the noise and saw Okami bounding over. "Found Okami." Oscar sighed running a hand across his face trying to wake up. The small wolf continued to bark and growl as though trying to warn the humans and cat faunus about something. Snowla having heard her pup's barking walked outside to find him running around the well growling aggressively. "Oh this is not good." The lion faunus said, knowing exactly why the pup was barking like a mad dog. "Hey Snowla what's up with Okami? Can you call him off?" Yang asked, feeling a headache coming on from all the noise the wolf was making. But Snowla did nothing as she stood on the porch watching the pup continue to bark and growl, baring his ivory fangs. When suddenly several grimm hands slowly began clawing their way out of the well making Ruby jump back in surprise and drop the relic causing the lamp to disappear into the well's darkness, her silver eyes wide. Okami growled at this, having seen enough as he barking fiercely his coat bristling upwards whilst it shifted from its warm brown and replaced it with pitch black save for its paws that became as white as the snow, the pup closed its eyes and reopened them but they were no longer brown but rather purple and pupiless like normal grimm, bone plates began to taking shape lining its back and forelegs like armor and over the canine's eyes and snout. Okami quickly grew in size until he stood around the height of the farmhouse itself, a set of feathery wings unfurled from the beast's sides. Unleashing a loud roar from its large maw the grimm hands quickly retreated as though they sensed a powerful presence. Okami felt rather satisfied at this letting out a soft snort when his gaze turned to the others seeing their shocked expressions save for Snowla who was facepalming and Maria who just simply looked back at the canine as though she knew it from her younger days at a wandering huntress. "Did I do something wrong?" The grimm spoke, confusion lacing its voice as the large winged canine tilted its head to the side. Ruby was the first to snap out of her shocked stupor realizing that she had dropped the relic down the well, apologizing to her sister and teammates. Yang comforted her little sister claiming that it was alright and that they should leave but the red huntress was having none of it claiming they couldn't just leave without the relic and had to get it back. Qrow joined in claiming all they had to do was fix up the trailer and instructed Oscar to find a spare whilst Ruby continued to go on her rant saying how she was not going anywhere without the lamp. Blake sighed offering to go down with Ruby before Weiss chimed in on how they would all go together. "Fine you four go get the lamp, Oscar fix the stupid tire." Qrow said as he made his way back into the farm house. "And where are you going?" Maria asked. "Where do you think?" The huntsman countered showing off his silver flask and going inside. Maria took a seat beside Oscar whilst Snowla went over to the large grimm.

Meanwhile Team RWBY made their way through the well the only source of light coming from their scrolls but they weren't having much luck in locating the old relic si they shut their scrolls off believing it would be easier to find by the relic's glow. After a few minutes Ruby spotted the familiar blue glow of the lantern up ahead and round the corner. Picking up her pace she found the lamp and picked it up, calling for the others shouting how she found it. But her joy did not last long as the sound of multiple voices whispering filled her ears causing the huntress to look up and see a type of grimm she had never seen before. It looked like a group of grimm in a herd, they were the most humanoid she'd ever seen, there long lanky bodies twisted and bent over or slouched, their ribs were visible and their bone masks looked like real human skulls, a glowing light emitting from there open mouths, long arms with thin fingers began to reach out toward the frightened teenager as she screamed her voice echoing. Above ground Snowla was busy returning Okami back to his puppy disguise by playing her flute knowing well she'd have a lot of explaining to do when everyone heard Ruby screaming, quickly playing the last set of notes the dragon wolf grimm was back to normal and the duo quickly leapt down into the well, Okami landing on all fours only whilst his master landed beside him as they quickly ran towards the sound of the scream, the pup taking the lead as he ran at the new grimm. He barked loudly to get their attention. Ruby quickly drew out Crescent Rose and fired off a few bullets, getting the grimm's attention away from Okami and onto them as the leader of the grimm pack let out an ear piercing screech, causing everyone to feel drained. "What is this?" Yang asked, trying to raise herself upright. "My weapon feels heavy." Blake chimed in as she struggled to lift her weapon.

"Run! Now!" A new voice called, the girls all turned to see Maria quickly hobbling over towards them with her skull cane before leading the way. Everyone glanced back at the new grimm before following the old woman as they ran for the well only to find a second group of new grimm waiting for them. Ruby looked around for another another way out and saw a large hole on the side of the stone walls. "This way. Hurry." She said guiding the others, as they ran past more and more grimm until they found a staircase leading upstairs as third pack of grimm advanced nearby, this pack larger than the rest as they all screech in unison causing everyone to fall to the ground. Maria tried to make her way up the steps but due to the new grimm's screeching and strange aura they were emitting she fell short but she did find an exit.
"No…." Snowla said as she struggled to get to her feet, stumbling a few times but managed to do so after the third attempt as she stared the grimm down. 'I have to try otherwise...'

Flashback…

A ten year old Frego Raion smiled confidently as he stood in his backyard, showing off his misty lions as he placed a hand to his chest and roared causing a pair of male lions forming in front of him. They growl softly before making their way over to Frego, purring and nuzzling the lion eared boy.

"Aren't they cool sis?" He asked, turning to the small patio to find his six year old little sister, Snowla watching in amazement. "Uh huh! They look so cool!" Snowla cheered, running over to have a closer look at the majestic big cats. "You'll get to do this someday!" Frego said with a toothy grin but it didn't last long as he saw the six year frowning, her lion ears pinned down. "What's wrong Snowie?"
"I don't think I'll ever do it… I've tried to get them to appear but they never do..." Frego smiled, hugging his baby sister. "You'll be able to get them to appear sis. It just takes time believe me I tried to summon my lions at your age too."
"Okay…"

"You'll be able to do it one day. Just believe in yourself and let out your roar…." Frego said, gently ruffling his sister's head.

Flashback End.

Frego's words echoed in the pint sized lion faunus's ears as she growled, as the grimm screeched causing her to fall to her hands and knee as she felt her will start to diminish, thinking back to what her brother told her, Snowla grit her teeth curving her back like a standing lion letting out a loud, desperate, roar. Gray mist began to swirl about quickly taking the shape of three gray lionesses in front of Snowla, and charged the grimm with there claws extended. Snowla crawled over to Maria to try and get her up the stairs. But a few of the grimm that were at the back of the pack let out another shriek as Blake could no longer go on as she laid on her side, her golden eyes glazed over.

"Blake! BLAKE!" Ruby called. Suddenly a blinding light emitted from the huntress's eyes bathing the grimm in the light making them wail in pain and stumble backwards as everyone quickly go the their feet. Yang ran to the door and punched at it. But it wouldn't budge as the grimm slowly but surely rose back to their full height ready for round two as every single one of them screeched in unison causing the huntresses, Maria and Snowla to fall to the ground for the third time. Maria looked at Ruby, before crawling over to her asking her what color were her eyes. Ruby told the old woman that her eyes were silver causing Maria to gasp before she started asking the young huntress about her family and friends making Ruby confused as she tried to lift her head. Only for Maria to cover the girl's ears explain how she didn't need to worry about them and think about her family, friends and the people who loved her and to focus on the that single thought. Ruby focused, and another, stronger blast blasted from her eyes. Killing the grimm as everyone watched as the black dust of the grimm blew away on the wind before Yang ran up the last few steps and punched the door open and ran up and out with the others following after the brawler. Ruby quickly grabbed her uncle who was resting at a small bar table and ushered him out much to his annoyance as he protested claiming how he wasn't done when he saw Weiss grabbing some bottles and tossed them at the cellar door once everyone was out. Lighting them on fire. He asked why the snow queen would waste good alcohol when his pale red eyes saw the burning grimm making there way out of the cellar.
"Now we can leave." She said, everyone nodding and climbing into the trailer. The house was now ablaze as Yang took off, leaving the flaming farmhouse. Once they were far enough away Maria began explain what happened to the Brunswick Farm, telling how Bartleby had wanted to stop having to use huntsmen for protection to cut costs since money was beginning to get low and thought of a way to fix that with the grimm now known as the Apathy. She recounted how the farmer managed to grab two of the Apathy away from there pack in order to use them to keep his large family calm at all times and how the grimm drained the family's will to go on and how they had fallen asleep but never woke before tossing the book away. Silence penetrated everyone as they proceeded this new information, the only sound coming from Yang's motorcycle when Weiss spoke up. "I'm sorry...about what I said about giving up." Suddenly ang stopped letting out a sigh. "Me too. We can't quit until the lamp is safe." "It's not your fault… it was because of those...things." Blake chimed in. "I should have known. The signs were all there. But I had never seen an entire pack before or an entire settlement withered away like that. I suppose my mind isn't what it used to be." Maria said shaking her head. "Miss Calevari? How do you know so much about the grimm? And in the tunnels you know exactly what to say to me to make my eyes do that." Ruby asked. Maria smiled at this. "Isn't it obvious? I had silver eyes."

A/N: I am so sorry everyone for making you wait another ten days for this chapter. :( Things have been a bit tough on me, dealing with Work, School and Family. I'm happy you all have stuck around and have been patient with me. Im truly grateful to all of you for sticking with me and this story. Anyway once things settle down I'll make a schedule for when chapters will be posted. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and have a good day/afternoon/ Night. Bye! Also tell me what u all think of the new story cover!