Hey guys. I just wanted to add quickly that I'm truely sorry for not posting in such a long time. Real life stuff, I wont bore you. I'm not gonna make any promises to update regularly or anything, but I will try. Alright, wont keep you waiting. Read on.

Chapter Five

"So, how'd it go?" Mercury asked, leaning heavily on the bar, drink in hand.

Saphron shrugged. "Alright, Weiss just wanted to know what my favorite color was. It's pink."

Mercury frowned. "Seriously?"

"No you dumbass." She said with a smirk, taking the stool next to his and planting herself down. "Apparently there's going to be some mission to retrieve someone from someplace. A lot of names and words I didn't really understand."

"Yeah, well you never understand much," Merc said with a snicker, downing the rest of his glass.

She whacked his arm. Lightly, of course. "Yeah yeah, keep talking. That blonde woman Yang is leading it though. She seems…nice."

Merc dropped his smile. "She's nothing but trouble. Don't even know why she's here, we don't need her."

"You just saying that because she kicked your butt?"

He didn't answer, choosing to look away and get the bartenders attention. He ordered another drink, taking a big swig from it immediately. "You don't know what you're talking about, we have history."

Saph paused. "Like…wife, house and a baby type history?"

Merc snorted into his drink. "God no, she's not my type."

She shrugged, leaning her elbows on the bar. She'd had to ask guards where she could find Mr. Black after her meeting, and all of them had directed her to a populated bar close to the Atlas base. It hadn't been hard to find, with a lot of people shouting and cheering drunkenly around it. Inside was even more noisy and cramped, the dim lighting and shortage of chairs leaving most to stand around in groups. She'd had to squeeze her way through, earning more than a few angry glares.

"Well, I'd say have fun." Merc suddenly spoke up, dark eyes looking her way. "But I doubt you will. Missions are usually challenging, and the General doesn't like slackers. Whatever she'd got you doing will probably be draining."

"You're just a ray of sunshine tonight aren't you?" Saph asked with a perked brow. She paused, flicker of a smile touching her lips. "You know, I haven't even gotten to the best part."

Now it was his turn to raise an eyebrow. "Besides all the intense fighting you'll be doing, you mean? What could possibly be more fun than sticking your neck out like that?"

She did her best to put on an evil looking grin, wiggling her eye brows at him.

"You'll be right beside me through all the 'intense' fighting. The General personally asked that you join the mission."

Merc blinked, his expression hard to read. Saph had expected him to go pale or something, at least look shocked. But he just sat there, his eyes staring into her own. Finally, he opened his mouth to say something.

"No."

"Hey, no point saying it to me. I'm just the messenger."

"Why would she-"

"Something about helping you build character. Both her and Yang had a good laugh while discussing it."

Merc narrowed his eyes, before letting out a big sigh and finishing his second drink. "Well, great…"

"Lighten up Merc, at least you get to go with me." Saph snickered, patting him on the back before pushing herself off her stool. "I'll let you wallow, this place is too noisy."

Merc didn't reply as she began pushing her way through the crowds again, simply slumping his head against the bar. She smirked as she pushed her way out into the street. The open space felt a lot better than the cramped bar area, and she took a deep, satisfying breath before stopping on a street corner.

She reached into a pocket inside her coat, pulling out a Scroll. Weiss had given it to her so she could keep in contact with other Atlas personal, as well as use the multitude of apps and features it held. She pushed a small icon, which lit up before the screen dimmed. She looked down at the screen before it lit up again, a hologram of a cheerful looking girl appearing. A name flashed on the bottom of the screen, Penny.

"Salutations Agent Sable!" The girl said, saluting. "How can I help you?"

"Yeah, could you tell Wei- I mean, the General, that Mercury Black is ready for the mission?"

"I will relay that to Miss Schnee's office immediately!" Penny said, nodding. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Could you put me through to Yang Xiao Long?" She asked the girl. "I'm sure she'd like to know all about it."

Penny shook her head, ever present smile not breaking. "I'm sorry, but Miss Xiao Long is currently busy. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Saph paused, chewing the side of her lip as she considered. "…Any coffee shops around?"

Penny nodded eagerly. "Certainly! There are several cafés close by, I will direct you to my favorite. I don't know if it tastes good, but the shop certainly looks pretty!"

She smiled as a map popped up on her Scroll, the image of penny minimalizing to a square in the corner of the screen. A bright red line showed the route she should take, weaving thought several streets until coming to a stop close by.

She nodded slowly. "Alright, lead on."

"Alright, just where the heck is everyone?"

Yang tapped a foot impatiently, no one but Weiss for company. They both stood inside one of Atlas's multiple aircraft hangers, beside one of the transport ships. They had meant to meet up in the late afternoon, arriving in Vale after nightfall. That way, their arrival would be masked from whatever might await them. That is, if the rest of the team would show up…

"Have patience." Weiss replied, face down in her scroll. "I've asked Penny to bring them all here. They will arrive shortly."

The mention of penny caused Yang to forget about her current mood, questions from earlier coming back to mind. "Yeah, that reminds me. How exactly is she alive again? Didn't she-"

"Yes, she did." Weiss said, cutting her off. "After I was appointed head of Atlas, I among many others worked very hard to bring her back. Now, she's much more than before. She essentially runs this whole city."

"I noticed," Yang muttered. Her tone caused Weiss to look up in confusion. Yang sighed. "Isn't…it depressing though? She's stuck inside computers and stuff. Like does she even have a body?"

"One could be made pretty easily." Weiss said with a nod. "But she seems happy enough as is. Maybe soon, but for now we need her as she is. I need her as she is."

Yang wasn't convinced, but didn't want to start yet another argument. She huffed, crossing her arms. "I swear if they take any longer…"

"Oh Yang, you gotta relax."

She whirled around. She hadn't heard anyone approach them, but then, the person who had snuck up on them had a tendency to be silent. When he wasn't being an ass.

Sun Wukong gave her a massive grin, stretching his arms wide open and beckoning her closer. "Coooome on. You know you missed me Blondie."

"Don't call me Blondie." Yang said, but cracked a smile anyway and walked over to hug him. Sun had been a good friend back at Beacon, and more importantly, someone who had cared for Blake as much as she had. Maybe more. Yang didn't know how he'd managed to maintain his personality, or even how he'd come to work for Weiss, but he looked virtually identical.

"Whatever you prefer." He chuckled, giving her a pat before disengaging from her. Yang got a better look at him, now that he was right in front of her. Same beachy hair, similar shorts. He wore a much nicer looking jacket than his old shirt. The color matched his weapons, funnily enough. Yang also noticed he still refused to button up his shirt, bare chest on full display.

"Don't you get cold?" Yang asked, flicking her eyes down suggestively.

"No way." Sun shot back, striking a mock pose. "Gotta keep these guns locked and loaded. Can't hide them in a shirt."

Before Yang could come back with a funny insult, Sun looked over her shoulder. "So he's coming too huh?" He said to Weiss.

Yang turned, spotting Mercury walking into the hanger, with Saphron alongside him. She felt anger begin to burn at her, but she squashed it. Weiss had recommended him, as he was a terrific fighter and did well on recon missions. As much as Yang hated him…she was forced to agree. So she would go along with him, for now anyway.

"Yes, so don't be mean Sun," Weiss warned him.

He shrugged, care free smile back. "Hey, I'm not stressing. But I think I'll go grab a seat and wait for you to finish up General."

He strolled off, spring in his step. Yang shook her head, still smiling despite herself. Merc and Saphron stopped beside them, Merc in particular looking confused by her smile. "Something funny I missed?"

"Oh, just stuff," Yang said curtly, his voice sucking any warmth she'd just been feeling. "You've both been debriefed?"

"Of course." He said, making a point to look at Weiss. "Not sure why someone else couldn't do it, but as the General commands."

"Don't forget it," Weiss said curtly. "Jump aboard, I want to have a final word with these two."

Merc didn't need further instruction, walking away without so much as looking back. Yang let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Saphron rolled back and forth on her heels, gazing around at the various machines and staff at work. Yang had forgotten she'd supposedly never seen anything like this.

"Alright, Saphron," Weiss said, getting her attention. "I'm letting you take part because you saved my life back there. But make no mistake, I still don't trust you."

"At least you're honest." She said casually, red eyes on the General. Despite the girls laid back demeanor, the eyes still creeped Yang out.

"You're under Yang's command for this mission. Do not do anything unless Yang tells you too, do you understand."

"…A bit heavy, but yeah I guess."

"Do you understand?" Weiss repeated, more force in her voice. Saphron must have noticed because her attitude changed minutely.

"I won't as much as blink unless she says so." She said, a little more serious. She turned to Yang now, still smirking. "You'll let me blink won't you?"

"No promises," Yang said, chuckling. "Now go jump on the transport, and I'll finish up here."

"Yes boss," Saphron said, waving her hand in a little salute before strolling over to the others.

"You watch her Yang," Weiss said, her tone serious.

Yang scoffed. "She doesn't seem overly dangerous Weiss. She reminds me of…well, me kinda."

"Yang."

Yang dropped her smile. She was very dangerous, of course she knew that. But the girl acted like a kid. Yang wasn't sure who she was or where she had come from, but she didn't seem to understand any of the events happening, let alone people's perceptions of her. In a way, it was kind of unfair.

"I know Weiss, I know. I'll keep an eye on her."

"Yang, I'm not kidding. If you suspect she's going to turn on you, or that she might be working for the enemy, I want you to take her out."

Yang turned to Weiss sharply, shocked. She couldn't believe what her friend had just said, in fact she was certain she'd heard it wrong. "I'm sorry?"

"It's an order," Weiss said. "Whether she's telling the truth or not, she is one of them. Now that could be a huge advantage to us…or not. If not, I want you to take care of it."

Yang shook her head slowly. "But, she's just a kid-"

"Yang. Promise me."

Yang narrowed her eyes. She felt a fire inside her again, only this time Mercury didn't cause it. "I'll see you when the missions done, General."

Weiss's eyes widened at the use of her title, but Yang didn't wait for a reply, she turned and made her way onto the carrier, setting herself down in the only seat left, beside Sun. Weiss walked over, making no eye contact with Yang, and saluted. Both Sun and Merc saluted instantly, with Saphron following suite awkwardly a moment later. Yang didn't return the gesture, just banged on the cockpit door to signal they were ready.

The transports engines roared to life, and within moments they had begun to hover above the ground. Weiss watched them go, a mixture of her rigid posture and worried face showing. Yang locked eyes with her for a second, feeling her anger die down again. Weiss's eyes reminded her of someone who felt they had lost someone dear. Yang imagined that's how she must have looked, a long time ago. She gave Weiss a nod, but the transport moved out of sight before Weiss could return the gesture.

It wasn't long before they were soaring over the open ocean, the kingdom of Atlas becoming smaller and smaller behind them. The ride was surprisingly noise free, as the engines quietened down when they had achieved their cruising speed. The pilot had informed them all they would reach Vale's coast line shortly after nightfall. Which meant for the next few hours, all they could do was talk to pass the time.

"So, Saphron huh?" Sun asked, eyeing the girl curiously. "I'd heard we had a prisoner. Didn't think she'd be so…meek looking."

"Thanks six pack." She said with a laugh. "Nice to know I made a good impression."

"He doesn't mean anything by it," Merc said, throwing his own opinion in. "Just hasn't seen you in action yet."

Sun grinned, wiggling his eye brows. Yang had to admit, the ambiance inside the cabin was nice, even cheerful. The others all joked and poked at each other, but she was honestly happy just sitting there listening. It had been awhile since she'd been a part of something like this. Good memories began to spring to life.

"So like, what can you do?" Sun asked Saphron with a brow perked. "You don't seem to have a weapon on you."

Yang perked up, kind of hoping for an explanation too. She had seen the things the girl could do of course, but she didn't fully understand. Saphron frowned lightly, as if struggling to think of it herself.

"I'm not entirely sure how it works." She said, "But I can make barriers and stuff with my mind."

"Like psychic powers?" Sun joked. "In the comics and the like."

"Actually it's a lot like that." Merc pointed out. He looked across to her. "I've seen her throw stuff without touching it, and shoot balls of energy. Crazy stuff."

"Yeah, but I still don't understand it."

"It sounds like Aura manipulation."

All eyes turned to Yang, who had finally opened her mouth to talk. She looked at each one of them, all with curious eyes. She shrugged, continuing. "I've met a lot of people on my travels. Some of them can manipulate their own Aura, do the things you're describing. I've even met a man who could fly."

"So I can fly?" Saphron asked, a smile growing.

"One way to find out," Sun said with a wink.

"No." Yang said immediately. "From what I can tell you're pretty powerful. Your barrier was like punching solid steel. But you're untrained, undisciplined. Chances are you might hurt someone, or yourself."

There was a pause, before she added. "Also, no throwing team members out of the flying craft."

The cabin went quiet for a while after that. Yang felt bad about ruining the mood, but it needed to be said. She had been disgusted by Weiss's request but she was no fool. The other girl could be dangerous, given the right situation. Yang would make sure to keep an eye on her. She heard a gasp of amazement, and looked back up. She blinked.

Saphron had her hand outstretched, just beyond reach of one of Sun's 'gun-chucks'. No one was holding them up, and they were covered in a familiar red glow. Sun's eyes were wide, clearly impressed. Merc chuckled as she twirled her hand, and the weapon spun with the gesture. Yang felt a heat in her chest, but took a breath to calm herself.

"Drop the chucks."

Saphron looked at her, a hint of defiant annoyance in her eyes. "I'm not doing any harm."

"No, but that might," Yang said. "Those things do have a tendency to fire when they shouldn't."

"Hey-"Sun protested, but Yang ignored him. She locked eyes with Saphron, putting on her best commanding face.

"Drop them. Now."

Saphron looked like she might protest further, but soon lowered her hand, the weapon banging down on the floor. She gave Yang a minor glare. "Whatever you say 'commander.'"

She then sat back in her seat, looking out the window and sulking. The other two also remained quiet, avoiding adding further tension to the room. Yang sighed to herself, slumping back in her seat. "Way to go Yang. Great start to getting the team together."

The rest of the ride carried out in silence.

"This is where I have to drop you off!" The pilot said, fighting to be heard over the engines now loud thrust. They hovered a short distance from the ground, along the very dark coast line of Vale. Ahead, the city could barely be made out, just a mass of black beyond them.

"We can't get in any closer?" Yang shouted back. She didn't exactly like the idea of trekking through a host of unknown terrain.

The pilot shook his head, helmet hiding his eyes. "Negative, we'll risk being discovered. You had better jump, we're being risky even now."

Yang nodded grimly, understanding, but certainly not happy. She returned to the others, who had all risen out of their chairs. "Alright, once we're down we'll set up camp on the beach. Once day breaks, and we can see better, we'll begin our search."

"Makes sense," Sun said, before cracking a grin. "Race ya."

He fell out the open hatch, plummeting toward the ground. He landed, doing a roll as he hit the sand before springing back to his feet. He looked up, waving them down.

Saphron went next. Without a word she stepped out, falling down to earth with much less grace. Just before she hit the ground her legs began to glow, slowing her descent. She landed as if she'd taken a step on level ground.

"Show off." Merc scoffed. Yang shrugged, getting ready to jump off herself. Before she could, a hand firmly grabbed her shoulder. She turned sharply, first eyeing his hand, and then flicking up to his own gaze.

"Hold up a sec." He said quietly. "I know I'm the last person to give you advice, and believe me, the feelings mutual. But you're the commander, and-"

"Get to the point."

"She can't remember anything," Merc said, surprisingly soft. "She doesn't understand half of what's happening, but she's a smart girl. She'll figure it out. Until then…go easy on her, yeah?"

Yang was surprised. Mercury, known for being both a hard ass and unsympathetic to others, was asking her to 'go easy'? From the look on his face, he seemed to mean it too. Did Merc care about this more than he was letting on? In fact, Yang realized she didn't know anything about him from ten years onward.

"…I'll see what I can do." She finally said.

"All I'm asking for." He said. He let go of her, preparing to spring out.

Yang chuckled, before diving out of the carrier and catching him by surprise. He followed, right behind as the cold night wind ripped through her hair. The ground grew closer at an alarming rate, the dark not helping her judge distance. She flipped so her boots were downward, hitting the ground with a hard thud. Her hand came down to steady her, sand flying up in a wave.

She heard Sun cry out as sand covered him, but Saphron had waved her hand, stopping any sand from touching her. Sun grumbled something about his hair, running fingers through his hair in an effort to shake off stubborn sand grains.

Merc landed beside her, much lighter. Yang was reminded of his enhanced legs. Merc scoffed. "I was wrong, you're the show-off."

"Don't forget it." She said, standing up. She looked up at the transport began to turn and fly back across the sea. Yang watched it until it became impossible to see, nothing more than another black dot in the sky.

"Right…" She muttered, turning. A quick survey of their surroundings told her that they were too exposed on the beach. The elements, natural hazards as well as Grimm could easily cause harm from any side. They needed to find a more defensive place to rest, and soon.

"Hey, what about there?" Sun said, pointing off in the distance.

Yang peered at where he was looking. Indeed, in the distance stood a small, run-down wooden hut. Probably someone's beach house years ago, it looked like it had been abandoned for some time. The paint had flicked away, and the wooden beams underneath were exposed.

"Better than nothing." She conceded, starting to walk down the shoreline toward their new base.

She heard the others fall in behind her, chatting quietly. She kept her eyes down, watching as the waves rolled close by. She felt the odd urge to take her boots off and let the water touch her bare skin. Both she and Ruby would run away from the tides when they were growing up on Patch, a game they both enjoyed. She felt a pang at the thought of her sister, realizing that she had not only missed her dearly, but had no idea what she would say when they found her. It was oddly terrifying to think about.

"What's that?" Saphron asked, snapping Yang out of her thoughts. She didn't need to ask what, however, because Merc spoke first.

"That…is Beacon."

Yang looked up. Further down the beach in their direction, a sheer cliff face stood. Sitting above, like a monument stood the academy. In the path of the moonlight, they could all easily make out the structures of the school, the buildings. High above all the other buildings, and right in the middle stood Beacon Tower. Once, it had been the office of the Headmaster, Ozpin, as well as a communications tower and a host of other handy things. After the attack however, it became home to a monster. A massive Grimm, shaped in a mockery of a dragon.

A Grimm still there.

Its shape was unmistakable. It clung to the side of the tower like a grotesque gargoyle, horrid and evil. Yang felt a mix of emotions flood her at the sight of it, hand unconsciously clenching.

"It's where some of us went to school," Yang said quietly, attempting to distract herself.

She looked back and saw almost everyone else wore the same expression she knew she must have. Sun, and to her surprise Mercury both looked saddened. Both looked up at the tower as if it was tormenting them. Saphron however, merely looked curious. For a second, Yang felt anger that she wasn't mourning like the rest of them. But Mercs words rung in her head, and she reigned them in.

"Do you think your friend is up there?" She asked, her red eyes easily seen even in this light. "I mean, if I was researching Grimm, wouldn't that be a good place to look?"

"You're not wrong," Sun added. "But it's also very dangerous. I don't think Ruby is that bold."

"Actually, it's not a bad thought." Merc mused. "Ruby's surprised me before on the lengths she'll go. Especially when she's put her mind to something."

Merc turned to look at Yang. "What do you think?"

Yang took a moment to answer. She begrudgingly admitted that she didn't know Ruby now as well as she'd like. But she knew the Ruby from their childhood. And Merc was right, once that girl set her mind to something…

"We'll do a brief scour of the city tomorrow." She said. "If we don't find anything…Beacon is next. Let's just make sure there's no evidence elsewhere."

"You're the boss," Merc said.

They arrived at the shack, its front door missing. Now that she was closer, she noted that despite its appearance, most of the damage was superficial. The structure was pretty sturdy, and the roof seemed intact. At least it would shield them from the elements.

"Alright." Yang began. "Sun, grab some drift wood from close by, we're making a fire. We'll have to take turns on watch, guess I'll go first."

"I'll set up communication with Atlas, let them know we've arrived in one piece," Merc said, walking up the house steps to move inside.

Yang's eyes fell on Saphron, who was standing there awkwardly. She shrugged at Yang.

"I guess I'll just stand here and be team support?"

"You are pretty motivational." Yang joked, cracking a smirk.

She returned the gesture briefly, before taking a big breath. Yang chuckled. "You know, I'm not really sure what to make of you."

"That makes two of us."

"Being serious for a second," Yang said, pulling as serious a face as she could. "Why would you even want to come here? You know, considering you don't remember much, if anything."

She expected the girl to get insulted, but Saph seemed to really consider it for a short moment.

"I think…I'm hoping that maybe being here, working with you guys, might help stir the old memory soup. Because you're right, I don't remember a thing. I'm not even sure if I was a good guy or a bad one, like you all think I am."

"I didn't say…" Yang began quietly, but Saph held up a hand to shush her. She didn't seem mad, to her credit.

"You don't need too. I know what everyone thinks. That I'm one of those Taken…things. And I don't know if I am or not. But if I can remember…then I could do something about it. Use those memories to help people out and stuff, you know?"

"Aren't…you worried about what you might find?" Yang warned softly. Saphron had to be a Taken, she had to be. And based on what Yang knew of them…it wasn't pretty. If the girl remembered, it might trigger other side effects, and then who knew what could happen.

She thought about it again, finger tapping on her chin. "Hmm…Nah."

"Nah?" Yang asked, a little stunned. "What if you were one of the bad guys? What if you did things you might not like now?"

"Then that's my problem to deal with." Saph said, her usual smirk fading to a hard frown. "If I am one of the monsters you all fight, then I'll deal with it myself. But no matter what I was, or who I was, or whatever, I will not stop being me now. I like me now."

Yang had to admit, she couldn't find words after hearing the girls declaration. She seemed so sure of herself, much like Yang did when she was younger. That kind of assuredness, she had to admit she was a little impressed. Before she could speak, the girls grin returned. She pointed behind her, with her thumb out.

"I'm going to check on Merc, call out if I can help out, boss."

"…Sure." Yang finally said, turning away as Saph walked off.

"Oh and Yang?"

She turned back, those red eyes locking onto her own.

"Sorry about before. And thanks for talking to me like a person. It was kinda nice."

"Don't mention it," Yang said, giving the girl a reassuring smile.

Saph replied in kind briefly, before moving to the house. She sighed, looking out at the ocean again. Her thoughts trailed from home, to her sister, to other unpleasant things. Coming here…had stirred up a lot of things she'd buried over the years. She knew that deep down, no matter how this panned out, she wasn't going to be the same as when she arrived.

She just wasn't sure if that was a good thing, or not.