So sorry for the delay holiday and work has kept me busy. In regards to Lost Stars I'm waiting on my copy of Borderlands to arrive so I can continue plot wise. I have plans. But I feel like my story has gone kinda away from the Borderlands feel, that wacky fun ya know? Speakin of which I am going to go back and update the hapters of both after this goes up. They have had quite a bit of work done. Also HOLY FUCK. This story has half the chapters and has 32 Favorites and 52 Follows Lost Stars has 72 and 85 respectively. Thank you all so much

Titans LS(IL), LS, Z Ar are gathered around a table.

LS(IL): Zavala. Let us train him.

Z: No.

LS: But why not Zavala? He would flourish under Lord Saladin's tutelage.

Z: Ares is learning perfectly fine under me. He needs to remain in the City.

LS(IL): Zavala. Don't be foolish. We both know he has nothing more to learn from you. Allow me to take the boy to train. If he doesn't like it. He can leave.

*the Titan trio begin to argue with LS and LS(IL) against Z*

Ar: *stays silent patiently then clears throat after minutes of arguing* It is rude to talk about me as if I am not here Lord Salaldin, Lord Shaxx, Zavala. I believe I can decide for myself.

*all three look to him*

LS: *clears throat* And what is your input then Young Titan?

Ar: *Looks between Z and LS(IL)*...

He didn't know where he was.

He was bound.

He was weaponless.

He kept his eyes shut, as that was how he was when he rose to the world of consciousness.

"You can stop acting, I know you are not out anymore," a genderless voice came from in front of him. A speaker maybe?

A splash of water soaked him, plastering his hair to his face. He idly blew up, blowing it off his eye.

Red baleful eyes looked to the source of the voice. It was dark. A lone light shone on him. Typical tactics, he grumbled. "Who are you?" He pondered, hoping his Semblance would help him here.

"I should ask you that 'Bran Qrowwen.' Or Qrow Branwen rather as I hear you are called." The voice intoned.

Qrow wanted to laugh, "R-Really, the fucking bartender? Tai always said my drinkin' would come back to bite me."

"Why are you looking for Ares," the voice asked, tone flat.

"Well 'Mars', that is my business."

"As it is mine. Answer or things will get unpleasant if-oh?" The voice seemed to pause as if cut-off. "Answer or these...nieces? Daughters? Will pay in your place." There was a skidding from the dark, and an object his his foot.

It was his scroll displaying a red-haired teen with a black and red blouse and skirt with a cape and a blonde with an outfit revealing much of her generous figure, each having an arm of Qrow wrapped around their shoulders as they smiled at the camera.

"Ruby and Yang was it?"

Qrow scowled, the bartender must have looked at his phone while he was out. "Whaddya want asshat?"

"I have already told you Branwen. Though with your bunch it seems I must repeat myself," This guy had faced Rae's tribe and survived, that boded wonderfully. "Why are you looking for Ares Nike?"

He scoffed, then sighed. He couldn't risk Yang or Ruby for this. "To meet. Talk. I have a proposition for him."

Suddenly there was a shimmer in the darkness. It revealed a massive, heavily armored figure with its arms crossed and two different colored eyes glaring him down. "Then speak Qrow Branwen. And pray I do not find you lacking unlike the last group."

"Last group?" Qrow asked. This genuinely confused him. Was Salem looking for him, trying to win him over? He shook his head. "I work for Ozpin. He wants to meet you."

"The Headmaster of Beacon." He mumbled. His eyes raised to Qrow again. "Why?"

"Hell if I know, he just wants to meet."

"I take it this meeting is to take place at Beacon Academy?"

"Yup."

Ares went silent, communing with Harmonia. 'What do you think?'

'Considering the last two? You should be wary at least. No one here knows about Guardians or the Traveler from what we have seen. Even ancient ruins don't talk of it. Just the Brothers. So we have every one of those tricks as hidden aces. We have nothing to lose,' his partner finished.

Ares nodded to his partner. He walked forward and Qrow tensed. He raised an eyebrow when he felt the bindings around his wrists fell away. He looked to the man with a raised eyebrow. "Tell Ozpin I shall arrive a week from today. I will hear him. No more. No less. No weapons of his shall be present. It shall be me and him alone. These are my terms. If he does not find them agreeable I shall find out and the meeting will not go through. Am I clear Qrow Branwen?"

The man nodded rubbing his wrists. "I'll just go then," he half-stated half-asked. Ares nodded. A door opened off to the side.

"You shall find your weapon and other items outside. Do not attempt to attack."

Qrow nodded and went towards the door.

Ares watched him the entire way.

The elevator dinged as it arrived at the top floor of Beacon's tower.

Qrow walked out as the door opened. "Qrow? You're back," said the gray-haired, brown eyed man at the window. He wore an unzipped black suit coat over a buttoned green vest and shirt. Around his neck was a green scarf with a small purple cross. Finishing outfit was dark green pants and black dress shoes. He sipped from a white mug bearing an emblem of two crossed axes. In his other hand he rested the palm on the top of a cane.

"Oz. We gotta talk," the Branwen stated.

"Sit then and let us talk." Ozpin turned and sat at his desk as the gears above turned and clicked.

Qrow sat and began his report.

"I...see," Ozpin began. "So he is at least willing to meet. That is good. These conditions...they are acceptable."

Qrow raised an eyebrow, back slouched. "Oz you sure about this? He is gonna have you alone and weaponless. Meanwhile he made no such deal on his end. We don't know shit about his abilities either."

Ozpin steepled his fingers, a look of deep thought on his face. "This man is a wild card. We do not know where his loyalties lie. That is something worth the risk to figure out. Should the worst come to pass, my 'condition' will allow me to continue."

"So you're going through with it?"

Ozpin nodded.

Qrow sighed and took a swig of his flask.

Ares gave a small smile at the antics of the Hunter Vanguard. The door to the Vanguard room opened and the occupants went silent. Ares looked to the doorway.

The smile on his lips faded as his eyes widened, "No..." he whispered nearly inaudibly.

With head was bowed low, fists clenched at his side shaking, there stood the Nighthawk, clutching Ember's tattered cloak.

Zavala looked down, gritting his teeth.

Cayde clenched a fist at his side.

Ikora covered her mouth, brown eyes wide in shock and sadness, "By the Traveler..."

Ares pushed past Zavala and made his way to Cain. He looked down at the cloak, and back to his brother in arms. "Ho...w...wha..."

Cain's blue eyes peered out from under his hood unable to meet Ares' own, his helm removed. They held sorrow. "Ares...I'm so sorry...the Hive...the ritual...I-I couldn't save her..." he choked out.

Ares fell to his knees, the mountain of a man clutching Cain's shoulder for support, a look of pure shock and desolation on his face. His hand reached out shaking and Cain pressed the cloth into the palm. Fingers closed around it and brought it to his chest.

Ares seemed to retreat into himself, clutching the ruined, bloodstained cloak like a lifeline.

Then, he let out a wail of agony that the entire Tower heard.

He was quiet as they set the shroud alight.

He hadn't said anything since he had found out.

Ares had rarely been seen.

No one questioned it.

It was when Cain-1 went to visit after the memorial he finally spoke.

"Ares...I-"

"You don't get to be."

Cain looked puzzled, "C-Come again?"

Ares snapped at him, "You don't get to be sorry! You lived!" The Titan whirled on the Hunter, towering over the man, face set in a fierce snarl, "You promised to protect her! You! Swore! This is your fault Nighthawk! Her blood is on your hands," he finished in a whisper. Without waiting for a response the Awoken man stormed off, Arc Light sparking off his form.

Lord Saladin sighed as he looked about the destroyed grounds. His apprentice had thrown himself into training ever since the death of his bonded. He looked to his Ghost. "The Lookout," was all it said. He nodded in thanks and went to speak to his student.

"Lord Saladin, while I respect you, leave me." Ares said, not even opening his eyes as he meditated.

Saladin smiled softly, he had come far in his sensing. "I have to say no this time Young Wolf. We need to speak."

"There is nothing to speak of."

"On the contrary."

"Allow me to rephrase, I will have nothing to say to you."

"Then listen Young Wolf," he sighed, "Ares. Listen to a man who has been where you are. Hurt as you have been. It is dark now. This I know. The fire of vengeance and hate stokes the fire in your breast. You think it will make you strong." Saladin approached his student, laying a hand on his shoulder. "That fire will warm you in the winter, but leave you a cold, burnt out husk when the spring comes. Remember that."

Ares said nothing.

Saladin Forge left his student to think on his words.

Ares' eyes opened slowly. He breathed out steadily and ended his meditation. He stood.

The War God regretted how he had treated his friend, he freely would admit that, but why had those memories come through now? Speaking of Cain, he wondered how the old bird was. He had no doubts he escaped Oryx, but he was worried for his friend nonetheless.

A week since his run in with Qrow came and went. He was currently on Beacon's grounds unknown. Night had fallen and simply snuck in. Their security system was very easy to evade.

Then again he had a very amazing sentient machine made of Light that could scan for any cameras or other security measures.

'Thank you for the compliment,' his partner preened over their mental link.

Nodding Ares looked up from his position at the base of Beacon's Tower. 'You're up,' the trespasser stated as he waved a hand out, Harmonia materializing and flying up silently.

Ozpin sat at his desk sipping his favorite mug of coffee. Truly a budget well spent, regardless of what Glynda stated otherwise. He looked at the the time.

It was late and a week had passed.

He couldn't understand what was wrong. He had done everything asked of him. His cane was stowed away outside the room and several floors down, he was alone, Glynda was working in her office late as normal. So the question begged, what had happened?

Ozpin stood and decided a walk to clear his head was in order. He smiled, perhaps his guest was wandering lost on the grounds.

With that amusing thought in his head, the Headmaster of Beacon walked out.

Never once did he think to turn around and see the white, orange-striped Ghost hovering scant feet outside his window.

Huh. Well what an opportunity, Harmonia thought.

'How are things,' Ares asked.

'Perfect. He just left. No weapons in sight. Only life I detected was many floors down. He also has a...penis chair.'

'Penis chair,' he stated dryly.

'Penis chair,' his partner confirmed.

'Why does he have a- Why did you tell me?'

'Thought it would be amusing. It was.'

A mental sigh came over their link. 'Just find a way in and transmat me before he gets back please.'

Harmonia gave the Ghost equivalent of a satisfied smile and did as asked. She found a vent that worked. Using her skills to transmat the screws into one of Ares' pouches and the grate on the ground, she flew in. She found the one to the office of Ozpin easily enough and set the cameras to a loop of the prior five seconds with a wireless signal. She shined her Light through the grate and Ares felt the familiar tug of the transmat field as he appeared in the office. Taking a seat in the one across from the desk, he activated his cloaking tech as Harmonia melded into his Light.

Ozpin returned some time later.

He looked out the floor to ceiling windows that made up one wall of his office and clasped his hands behind his back.

It seemed Ares would not be arriving tonight.

Suddenly he felt a presence he had not felt in a very long time.

Whipping around eyes wide, he saw a massive armored frame in the chair he had set up for his guest. He had no helmet allowing his pale, blue-tinged skin to show and his mismatched eyes to bore into his own.

Ozpin's eyes narrowed. "Ares Nike I take?" At his nod the Headmaster relaxed his features slightly, "then please forgive my reaction. I had thought you were...someone else. I'd offer you a seat but it seems you helped yourself. Would you like anything to drink?"

"No," his deep voice rumbled like a rockslide powerful and unyielding.

Ozpin nodded and sat. "So I see you ran into my associate Qrow."

"Yes."

"Was the secrecy necessary?"

"Yes."

"I assume you wish to know why I wanted to meet?"

"Yes."

Ozpin internally sighed, "Do you plan to say anything else?"

"I do."

Ozpin allowed a small smile to appear, "Good. Well then. As you are aware I am Ozpin and I know who you are. You have been in many legends. You look very youthful for a quadruple century old being," Ares gaze withered any more attempt at slicing the tension in the room. Ozpin coughed lightly, "Yes, moving on. I called you here due to one simple fact. You are an unknown Ares Nike."

"I assume you wish to know me?"

"I wish to know where your loyalties and motives lie at least."

Ares was silent for a moment, then he spoke. "My loyalty is to those close to me and my motives lie in destroying the Grimm that plague Remnant."

Ozpin blinked, that was rather straightforward and easier than expected. Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth he continued, "Then our goals run parallel. I too wish to end the Grimm threat."

"I assumed that due to the fact you run a school that teaches children to fight monsters using elements, soul powers and the sharpest sticks you could find," the mountain of a man remarked.

Ozpin shrugged, "I suppose that would be obvious yes. Let us not beat around the bush Mr. Nike, I want your help."

"Why?"

"That answer should be obvious enough. Have you not heard the stories about yourself? The legends dating back centuries? You are a force to be reckoned with. You slaughter Grimm like ants before a hurricane. You-" a raised palm stopped him.

"Do you think me a fool?"

Ozpin raised an eyebrow, "I beg your pardon?"

"Do you. Think me. A fool Ozpin? Despite my young appearance, I know what game you intend to play. You said it earlier. I am an unknown to you. And we both know there are two sides of a war. You would rather I be known and dealt with now than later when the chance had passed you by. Let us not attempt to pull wool over the others eyes. Its unbecoming of men like us."

Ozpin's eyes hardened and nodded as he began to ready his skills for battle should the need arise. "So be it. Yes. I wanted to see how you act, if you were violent or ill-intended, if you were to go against me and mine and be in the way of future plans. Forgive me, but a new piece no one knows the rules of suddenly appearing on a chess board is something I try to avoid."

"I do not blame you for it. As I stated, I just want to be up front with one another," Ares seemed to become amused as if he had realized something, "For example, you could explain the large power deep beneath Beacon firstly."

Ozpin's breath hitched. He knew about that? His mind was racing when he realized crucial detail.

The axe that had been on Ares' back was now leant against the man's chair.

It seems he was left with no choice then.

"Tell me Mr. Nike...What is your favorite fairy tale?"

"I...see. Thank you for sharing Ozpin. May I have a few minutes alone to think on this information before I give my decision?"

The tall Headmaster nodded and stood. He looked to the window where dawn began to break the pitch sky, "I shall go and fetch some more coffee." With that the man walked out.

'Well that was enlightening,' Ares remarked.

'Indeed,' Harmonia replied, unusually serious, 'and intriguing.'

'You realize the same thing I did about the Brothers?'

'Yes.'

'Good. So partner what do you recommend we do here?'

'I have no doubt if Ozpin thought we were against him, he would try to make our lives as difficult as possible, but joining with him puts us on the radar of Salem and her forces.'

'Forces, which based on what he said, the tailed insane man and the large quiet man were apart of.'

'Why didn't we kill them again?'

'The insane one threw sand in my eyes and shot an explosive Dust-filled barrel swallowing the warehouse we lured them into in flames and I did not want to reveal our ability to resurrect?'

'Ah yes. That,' Harmonia chuckled, 'Your hair caught fire. Quite funny. I digress, I think we should ally with him. For the time at least. It would be nice to not have to move from place to place for a bit.'

'We do that all the time back home.'

'Yes but we had a true 'home' then.'

'...I suppose you are right,' Ares stated. Nothing more was said as they waited for their host.

They did not have to wait long. Ozpin returned with two steaming mugs of coffee.

At Ares' raised eyebrow the man spoke with a small genuine smile, "I figured you would like to try Beacon's best coffee as well."

Ares nodded as he accepted the cup, subtly channeling Light into it to check it for anything harmful. Finding none he took a sip and his eyes widened.

It was heavenly.

Ozpin chuckled then took a sip of his own, "Yes that is the typical reaction." He set his mug down to the side and laced his fingers and peered at his guest from over them, "So have you come to a decision?"

Ares nodded and rested his mug in his lap, hands wrapped around it, making it seem tiny. "I will ally with you," he held up a finger when Ozpin went to speak, "I have one condition. I will do what I feel is necessary. That is what will happen. The condition is you not impede me or question my methods," Ozpin nodded.

"In turn I have a condition of my own on this partnership," Ares nodded for him to continue. It was only fair after all. Whats the worst that could happen?

"I want you to teach here."

...Son of a bitch.