AN: Wow, this chapter took a long time. I got REALLY busy with all sorts of Masters' projects and then family events and travel. I really just got to be able to write this again in the past couple days.

Something in this chapter may seem like a huge mistake in keeping events straight within this chapter and some of the previous ones.

There's a good reason. You will learn soon – well, 'soon' in terms of chapters. I probably will get completely sidelined by life again unfortunately.

So, let's get to it fast.

To Gamelover41592: I hope this slower chapter is something that is still fun.

To 3bodyjaa: I hope the rest of the story is amazing, too!

Chapter 13: Back Home

Oscar had hoped that Dawn would whine a little about Sora waiting for them in orbit and flying them in personally. Instead, she had quietly stood up and sat in her room for the last segment of their journey home. Oscar only saw a sad look on her face, like she knew everything was going to end soon. He didn't blame her... While he hadn't told Master Nomura everything yet, he did make it clear it was... big. Very big.

If it weren't for Ozpin's itchy trigger finger and the fact it would be way worse for Dawn if they didn't figure this out, he might have been tempted to run and figure it out just the two of them. But that wouldn't be right, not for Master Nomura, not for Professor Branwen, and definitely not for Dawn. And she knew it, too. She hadn't run, even if she might have been able to.

Though, the bigger surprise was that Salem hadn't run... Oscar had all sorts of theories about that, ranging from the comforting – that she'd wasted her one shot at controlling an awake Dawn – to the disturbing – that she wanted everyone to know and keep an eye on her as a distraction. Ozpin made sure on their flight to say it was probably the latter, even if Oscar didn't want to hear it confirmed so bluntly.

When they landed, Dawn finally came out of her room. Her eyes were puffy and her cheeks were red... but Oscar ignored it. He held his hand out to her instead as they stood before the exit ramp and waited. "I'm sorry. About – about flinching."

She gave him a smile and held his hand. "I don't blame you, Oscar," she said. "I'm sorry -"

"It isn't your fault!" he exclaimed, grabbing both of her hands.

And so it was that Sora saw his daughter and his student standing nearly face to face, holding hands. The two turned to him and blinked, seeing Qrow, Donny, and two other figures beside the Keyblade Master. Jaune grabbed Yang's arm as fire rose from her head, pulling her back as he said, "I'm sure this isn't what it looks like, Yang!"

Oscar looked down at his hands and turned beet red. "N-N-No! I I, uh, mean, I – that is, she's very p-p-pr- Uh... Uh..."

Dawn smiled at him. "Ah, shut it, Puppy," she said, slapping his face softly before walking down the ramp.

Oscar cleared his throat as she walked away and took a slow breath. He glanced at Sora and nearly choked on it – the man was nearly as unhappy as his Sister in Law, though he was clearly holding it back due to his worry over the problem Oscar had barely warned him of. "It's okay, Dad. It's just... it..."

"DAWN!" Chalcedon finally exclaimed, finally succumbing to the excited shaking that had wracked him since her arrival, rushing forward and jumping onto her back. She stumbled forward with a yelp then looked over her shoulder at his grinning face. He nuzzled into her shoulder. "I missed you, Sister!"

She smiled and reached back, grabbing him and flipping him over her shoulder so he dangled upside down in front of her. "I missed you too, Squirt," she replied. She took a moment, then righted him and put him down. "... I'll tell you all about the ship in a minute, okay?"

His already wide eyes became almost comically big now.

"What's all this about?" Qrow drawled. Dawn looked over and immediately looked away, ashamed. His eyes were red and his hair even more disheveled and gray than usual, the remaining black matching the dark bags heavy under his eyes. Even worse... he caught her glancing at the flask on his hip and grunted angrily as he covered it with his cape.

"Qrow..." Sora warned, voice low. "I get it, but this isn't helping."

Qrow turned to the Keyblade Master, ready to snap... but it fizzled out as he remembered that Sora really did get it. He thought he'd lost his daughter, and he had lost his wife. "Sorry..."

Sora moved his hand from Qrow's wrist to his shoulder, giving it a squeeze before turning back to his daughter, son, and student. "Qrow is right, though. What is this about? You sounded worried in your message, Oscar."

Oscar shut his eyes. "I, uh..."

"Oscar, you go tell them." Dawn put on a big, fake smile before holding her brother upside down by one leg, shaking him to make him laugh. "I want to say hi to Aunt Yang and Uncle Jauney with this twerp!"

Sora started to respond, but Oscar cut him off. "Okay." Sora cast a question with his eyes, but shrugged and agreed to go along for now. His daughter was uncomfortable with something about this... but he decided not to press the issue.

"Come on, Qrow," Sora said, motioning for his advisor to come with him and Oscar.

"I think just us would be better, Master -"

"Qrow knows everything I know. Now come on," Sora said, turning and walking off without any word for argument. Oscar clenched his fists and nodded, knowing he had to go along with it and hope Sora could keep control of Qrow.

Dawn watched him go, smile slipping as he turned away. She put her brother down and watched him run over to the ship, chattering off about how cool it was. Her aunt and uncle came over to stand on either side of her after a moment, quietly pulling her into a big hug. "We'll find, Dove. I promise, Sunrise," Yang whispered into her hair to try and comfort Dawn.

Dawn shut her eyes and hugged them back, holding on tight, almost desperate. "Yeah," her voice cracked.

Jaune stiffened and pushed out of the hug. He held her shoulders and studied her face, only for realization to slowly dawn on his face. "Something worse happened?"

Dawn looked away. Of course he would pick up on it. "I know that face. I made it all the time when I started traveling, Dawn," Jaune offered. He waited for her to respond. "Holding it in, it won't help. But we can."

She was silent, instead pulling them both into another hug. "I just love you guys, okay," she said, voice cracking again. "I love you so much."

R W B Y

Oscar was quiet as Sora and Qrow stood in front of the war room's floating, three dimensional map of the World. "Well? What's this about, Kid?" Qrow growled after a few moments of silence.

Sora nodded. "He has been patient. What happened, Oscar?" He grew quiet. "Did you find a clue to find Dove?"

"I – n-no," Oscar admitted. He crossed his arms, trying to figure out how to break the news. "But, well, we might have found a way to find a clue. But it isn't – I mean, it's... it's bad news, Master."

"Really? And here I thought you were joking in your message," Qrow remarked, annoyed by the boy's stuttering. "So spit it out!"

Oscar flinched. "Er, I, uh, well, it's... It's Dawn – She, uh..." Oscar descended into further stuttering, barely managing to get single syllables out.

"Oscar." Sora walked up, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Take a breath."

Oscar stopped speaking and did as he was told. His heart began to slow down in his chest. But he still didn't know how to do this... Mr. Pine, if you need assistance I am here. Qrow often requires a... delicate hand.

Oscar flinched. Ozpin had made a promise, and... Oscar looked at the grouchy old Huntsman. A delicate hand looked like a serious understatement, but could he really trust Ozpin to help Dawn? "Kid!"

"Stop!" Oscar shouted, surprising both of his teachers into silence. He look at the both of them and felt his bravery quickly disappearing with the settling of his adrenaline. But now he had an opening, and he owed it to both Sora and Dawn to handle it himself. "First the good news... my Semblance. It's working on me. And – And it's Ozpin."

Qrow stiffened. "Oz? Then let him talk -"

"No. This is – It's my job to... to do this," Oscar replied, stumbling. "And he wouldn't... It's my job."

"To what, Oscar?" Sora asked calmly, cutting off Qrow again.

"My Semblance, Master. It... all those years ago. It activated on Dawn." Sora blinked and began to pale. "Salem's waking up in her."

Sora bolted past his student, shoving the doors open and sprinting away at full speed.

Outside, Dawn was sitting and watching her aunt and uncle climb on top of the Gummi with her little brother, letting him get close to each piece. He loved it, asking a string of babbling questions that none of them knew the answers to – no one present worked in the Schnee Corp. Gummi labs after all. But that didn't stop him from asking. Dawn smiled as he pointed from Jaune's shoulders to have them get to the ground to examine the guns – something that Yang excitedly agreed with over his protests.

"I don't think it's a good idea, Yang -"

"Hey, I was learning how empty Dust guns worked when I was younger than him!"

"These aren't empty!"

"Really? Smart thinking, Jauney," Yang replied earnestly. She turned to her niece. "Sunrise! Can you empty these things?"

Dawn bit her cheek. "Uh..."

She didn't get a chance to answer, because her father burst out of the building, eyes immediately locking onto her. "Dad..." she whispered, flinching at his gaze. He set his brow and shot towards her with his considerable speed, slamming right into her.

All to pull her into a hug. "Dawn... I'm so sorry," he whispered into her ear. His arms around her tightened. "You don't have to go through this alone."

"Daddy? What's going on?" Donnie wondered, Jaune and Yang bringing him close.

"DAMMIT!"

There was a glow as Sora let go of his daughter, turning and grabbing Qrow's wrist as he tried to bring his sword down on Dawn. "Uncle Qrow? What the hell is going on!?" Yang screamed. "What are you trying to do!?"

"Stay outta this, Firecracker!" Qrow slurred. He kicked uselessly out at Sora's side, but Yang's fist slammed into his side with an explosive Fira. He was thrown from Sora's grip, smoke trailing behind him, as he clumsily hit the ground and rolled to his feet. He sprinted forward, swinging his weapon wildly before it was deflected upward by Jaune's Kingdom Key. "Get away!" Qrow slammed his forehead into Jaune's head, but the younger man's much higher Aura reserves simply had it bounce from his face.

"You can't beat me, Qrow. Not anymore," Jaune growled. He got into a ready stance and held his Keyblade out at the ready. "Don't make me do this."

"Don't make us do this," Yang growled, stepping up beside Jaune with fists at the ready.

"Stop..." Dawn muttered, reaching out from behind her father. "Everybody, please -"

"Then I'll just have to get past you!" Qrow snapped, shifting his weapon into scythe form and shooting forward. "Nothing'll keep me from my -"

"Qrow. Enough."

Qrow couldn't help it. He froze in place, the authority of the man who said it too ingrained in him after being his lieutenant for so long. His white knuckled grip on his scythe slackened, and the weapon clanged uselessly against the ground behind him.

The hangar went silent. "Th-that voice..." Jaune whispered. He slowly turned from Qrow to see Oscar standing with his hands clasped in the small of his back. He looked over everyone, a cool and quiet expression making his face look too sharp compared to its usual open and timid nature.

"Qrow, Ms. Nomura has the unfortunate curse of being Mr. Pine's counterpart. While he holds myself and my experience in his Heart... she is instead infected by Salem." Ozpin turned his gaze on Dawn, who flinched at this other person wearing Oscar's face. "Qrow, she is not to blame for the disappearance of your daughter. She is a victim as much as your daughter."

Qrow glared at Ozpin, red eyes filled with simmering rage. "She -"

"Is your family," Ozpin cut in. "Ruby's daughter, and your child's cousin. Would either approve?"

Qrow snarled. "Salem isn't my family!" He lurched forward and everything looked like it was going to explode again.

"What's going on?" Donnie asked as he ran over to Dawn and hugged her tight. "Why did Uncle Qrow go crazy?"

"It'll be okay, Donnie," Dawn whispered, giving him a reassuring smile and a hug before placing him behind her.

Qrow's eye twitched and his grip squeaked against his weapon's handle, nails digging into his palms. Finally, he let out a breath he was holding and the tension in his shoulders melted away. He slumped and fell to a sitting position on the ground. His Red eyes locked onto Dawn's Silver ones, and she could see conflicting hate and pity warring behind them. He finally shut them and turned away. "Tch. That at least this explains how Salem managed to sneak past Ruby's and Sora's sense of the Darkness to kidnap Ruby. And how she took Ruby without a serious fight – just show off Dawn's face and Rubes'd be too stunned to try to fight back. Maybe that's how they got – " Dove, they all knew that was where he was going.

Still holding himself at the ready in case Qrow switched up, Jaune took a moment to glance at Dawn with a quiet worry in his eyes. He'd gotten over it in the past decades, but sometimes a fear was just too built in to fully defeat. He asked, "But then, why doesn't she always just take over?"

"I have a hyptothesis in this regard," Ozpin explained. "Her Heart and Soul had been shattered countless times throughout the centuries. By the tme we arrived on Remnant, her Heart was already nothing but a sliver of what it had once been. Without her full strength, Miss Nomura's Heart is likely too strong to overcome when she is awake."

"But then... what about on Treasure Planet?" Dawn asked quietly. "I was awake and she... 'took over.'"

"I doubt that will be an issue again. Now that you know what is happening, it is unlikely she can overcome your will through a surprise assault." Ozpin replied coolly. "If that is what she did."

"And what else would she have done?" Sora asked, fists clenched as he slowly rose to his full height.

"It is possible she has used the Keyblade to set... contingincies," Ozpin offered after a moment of silence. "If this is the case, then she is likely to take over when close enough to something she deems to be necessary for whatever her plans may be."

"That sounds... worse," Yang supplied.

Qrow nodded and his chin hit his chest. "Well then, I guess there's nothing to it." He slowly pushed up, wavering left and right as he struggled to find his balance. "I'll call for a Stasis pod until we can get it all sorted -."

The entire academy went still when a single pulse of energy rippled through the ground and air. Qrow's words caught in his throat, and the entire group turned slowly towards Sora. "No."

Ozpin frowned. "Sora, this seems to be the best move. She would not be in danger, but -"

"No." Sora crossed his arms. "No one is going to imprison my daughter for something she didn't do." He shut his eyes and let out a pained sigh. "I will think this over. For now, I understand what you are saying, Qrow. Jaune and Yang – keep an eye on Dawn's room. If you feel Salem, restrain her. Qrow – I need you to talk to Winter and Penny. We need her father's research on the Heart and Soul; see if they can get whatever machine Atlas used to block Penny from controlling herself, and we'll test it with Oscar's Semblance. And if she has it, get it tonight."

Sora turned to his children. "Now... you look hungry, Dawn. How long has it been since you had a good home cooked fish, huh?"

R W B Y

Dawn didn't blame Jaune and Yang for the space they were giving her. Jaune may have been trying to joke and talk with her, but his eyes were too focused, body too tense and ready to move into an attack at the right provocation. Yang had an even harder time hiding it; she was smiling, but her eyes were blood red. And of course, both of them had placed themselves at just the right range – longer than her reach with the Keyblade, but short enough for the taller pair to hit her if necessary.

Dawn fell back on her bed and covered her eyes. "And I thought this place was a prison before..." she muttered under her breath.

"What'd you say, Sunrise?" Yang asked. Dawn half expected a hug like her aunt would have given her when she was crying as a little kid. But no such hug came.

"Just wondering if Keyblade Kombat got an update," Dawn lied. She pulled out her Scroll and rolled onto her side to keep her back to them. She scrolled through the news, not really paying attention to what she saw. Still, it gave her a way to ignore her aunt and uncle for a while.

It went on like that for a few minutes before someone began knocking insistently on her door. It slid open and Yang let out a semi-surprised cough. "Uh, Oz...scar. Sorry, thought he'd be the one -" Dawn turned and sat up to see her friend standing with his fists balled at his side as he stared at Yang. Dawn was suddenly struck by a stray thought – he was taller than the blonde now, even if only by a few inches.

"Can I talk to Dawn?" Oscar asked. "Please."

Yang glanced at Jaune, who cast a look at both Oscar and Dawn, though it seemed to fixate on Dawn. After a moment of studying her, his face softened. "Alone?" Jaune asked. Before Oscar could respond he had stood up. "Yang and I'll be right outside if you two need us."

Dawn watched them go, eyes flickering to Oscar as soon as the door shut behind Jaune. She blinked once, slow, and sidled back along her bed until her back was against the wall. She glared at him, taking it all in – the way he stood was just a little too tall, the expression a little too forced. "I don't like you wearing my friend like a costume, you know."

Ozpin blinked in reply and let his attempts at hiding his identity fall. He made Oscar's eyes fall to half lidded and moved his hands to the small of his back. "You are surprisingly observant. I was able to mislead Mr. Arc and Ms. Xiao – Mrs. Arc."

"They know Oscar, but I'm the one whose always watching him." She blushed. "Out for him, I mean! Anyways, you can't trick me into thinking you're him."

Ozpin just raised one of Oscar's eyebrows. "Indeed?" He shook his head and moved forward. "Regardless, I did not come here to impersonate the boy. I came to..."

"You can just say interrogate, Old Man," Dawn grumbled.

Ozpin narrowed his eyes at her tone, but didn't say anything. Finally: "What do you remember of her time controlling you? It could be anything – half remembered dreams, feelings of deja vu, or vivid imaginings even."

Dawn glared at him, but her face softened as she took in that it was still Oscar's face even if it wasn't his expression and personality. She took a deep breath and looked away, deep in thought. He began to grow annoyed with the wait, but she broke it just before he could. "There was this... underground room. It's big, with a large table. There's other people there – I don't know who." She shut her eyes. "And these tubes. Mom's in one, and some of the others – they're filled, too."

"So she does have more than one Princess in hand... Dammit," Ozpin snarled. He moved his hands in front of him and made a move like he was trying to slam something into the ground. He grew more annoyed by the lack of a 'thud.' "How many? If we have an idea of how much more time we have -"

"I only remember my mom, Oz."

Ozpin froze and he stared at her, gears ticking. "Ah, yes... you hate that nickname, don't you?"

"It's stupid."

"..." He thought for a moment. "He holds that memory very close to his Heart. It defines him, that fountain. Almost as much as that village in the forest."

Dawn flinched and bit her cheek. "It's important to me, too," she whispered. She shook her head after a moment. "Dad always said you died happy."

Ozpin let out a dry, disappointed laugh. He said, "Imagine coming back to life to learn your life's work was undone. That your curse is now destroying everyone yet again." He raised one open hand in front of him, staring at the glove covering it. After a moment, he slowly balled it into a fist, tightening it until the glove squeaked against itself."I got soft... I will not let it happen again."

Dawn stared back at him. "And I won't let you hurt Oscar. Ever."

"You think I would hurt him?" Ozpin hissed. "I am-"

"I don't like you." Dawn wrinkled her nose, like she smelled something disgusting. "I don't know how dad talks so good about you when you'd use Oscar like this." She sneered. "You're no better than Salem was if you use him like this."

"He holds me here with his Semblance. I was invited to be here."

Dawn turned from Ozpin. "Get out. Before you ruin seeing Oscar's face, Oz."

R W B Y

It was just after three in the morning when the Portal of Light quietly shot into being within the closet, offering just enough space for its creator to calmly step out and get a hanging jacket to her face. She let out an annoyed huff and shoved it to the side before opening the door and stepping into the bedroom proper. The Keyblade in her right hand, a weapon of deep black and red, formed from a simple, straight body covered in dense, crisscrossing chains of black held tight. The chains and body melted slowly into a white, angling back at a diagonal to form the teeth, almost perfectly overlapping white and black circles hidden with the angle and looped into the tight chains. The guard of the weapon only existed over the front half of the weapon, a sharp semi circle with the jagged cuts of a weapon made from Obsidian. Connected to the hilt by what appeared to be a braid of white hair was a blue, cat like eye overlapping another venn diagram made from a black and white pair of circles.

She moved towards the edge of the bed to stare down at its occupant. Dawn, so close now. Salem's shadow clenched one gloved fist out of frustration before opening it and carefully pushing a strand of red-black hair from the girl's sleeping face.

But before her hand could even touch the girl, her eye shot open and she smiled. "Dove."

The Shadow took a step backwards. "Salem."

Salem sat up and stretched, popping her neck before she paused and looked over at the Shadow. "I hope you will excuse this... er... mask. I'm trying to keep Sora from sensing that I'm present. A fight would be a complication I don't want to deal with right now. Not with..." Salem paused. "Regardless, I'm going to be indisposed for a while now. The plan should not be adversely affected. Speaking of which, how are things going in Redgrave? You are not planning on just 'winging it,' right?"

"I have a plan," Dove retorted coolly.

"Then share," Salem suggested dryly.

Dove held back a scoff as she looked at her cousin's face. "I... plan on waiting until the group reaches Urizen. Her protectors will be too distracted with their battle, leaving the Princess vulnerable."

Salem snorted. "Urizen? Hmph. Well, our ally Virgil's self absorbed nature aside, it is a good plan. Trying to fight everyone there to get to her would be stupid, and you Dove are far from stupid."

The young woman clenched her fist. "You disagree?" Salem asked. The Witch clasped her hands in her lap. "You aren't helping me because you're stupid. You're helping me because it is the only way to protect Dawn. It's commendable, if anything."

"A witch telling me that isn't exactly comforting," Dove shot back.

Salem flinched and looked away. "Yes, well... if you are heading to Redgrave, it is likely that Sora will send someone there next as well. The Keyblade gives him... annoying instincts. " She returned her gaze to Dove, face stony. "And, you should know, the boy – Ozpin is inhabiting his Heart. Taking over and using him."

"You sound disgusted. How hypocritical coming from you."

Salem ignored this jab. "There will come a time when Ozpin will attack me, regardless of what Oscar has had him promise." She laid back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling with a frown. "When that time comes, do not hurt him. Simply help me to escape and leave the boy unharmed."

Dove blinked in surprise. Was that a consideration to keep Dawn under control, or Dawn's Heart shining through into Salem? Either way... "I... Of course."

"Good." Salem shut Dawn's eyes and weaved her hand above her, casting a light sleep spell on herself. "Thanks... Dove..."

Dove glared down at the witch, eyes softening as she realized she was looking at her cousin again. "And what if I'm not there?" Dove whispered. She sighed and turned around. She would just have to keep an eye out.

R W B Y

"You okay?" Oscar wondered as he sat beside Dawn in the War Room, awaiting Sora and his decision while Yang and Jaune kept an eye on them from the distance.

Dawn let out a yawn. "Yeah, just trouble sleeping," she replied as she stretched.

"I bet," Oscar replied. Dawn started and looked down, finding a hand resting atop hers. It squeezed a bit and she felt her heart skip before calming. "I'll figure this out so you can sleep again"

Dawn chuckled and looked away. "Making big promises, Oscar." She squeezed his hand back.

"W-w-well, I mean... I-It's not just me h-helping," he replied, the pressure sending blood rushing to his cheeks. He choked on spit as she turned and smiled at him. After a moment of it though, it seemed to calm him. Iron supporting his Heart. "I mean – I will do it. I won't break my promise."

"Careful, that almost sounded – never mind," Dawn muttered, blushing now too. She just sat quietly, holding his hand.

The door creaked open after a while, Sora walking through with Neptunia and Qrow in tow and a box held in both hands. "I've made my decision," he said as he stopped at the central table, shifting the box over and placing it down. He half-sat against the table and looked out at everyone. "But first: are you okay, Dawn?"

She looked at the ground. "I'm... here."

Sora nodded. "Penny was able to get us a miniaturized model late last night. We just need to make sure that it works." His gaze turned to Oscar.

"What? But I -" Oscar hated this idea. Using his Semblance on someone? That's how they got into this situation in the first place! But... He glanced at Dawn, then back at Sora. "O-okay."

"You don't have to – I mean..." Dawn interjected as he stood up, letting go of her hand.

"Hey, I p-promised, r-right?" Oscar supplied, offering her a grin. He took a breath and turned away, walking up to Sora. "H-how do I help?"

"I offered to be the guinea pig," Neptunia piped up, reaching over to the table to open the box. She pulled out a small necklace with a pendant shaped like a green and copper gear. Seeing Oscar's face turning green, she put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, this is going to work, Oscar."

"I-if you say so," he replied as she placed the necklace around her neck.

"'Sides, what're the odds two people here have evil witches hidin' in their hearts," Qrow growled sarcastically from the side. Sora shot him a glare, but the man shrugged it off.

"Don't listen to him," Neptunia offered. "I'm ready when you are."

Oscar looked down at his hand, the glove on it a mental barrier between his ability and reality. Qrow's words echoed in his mind, even if Neptunia had told him to ignore them. What if... what if this just caused more problems? Sora didn't seem worried, but should he be? Should they all be?

It didn't matter. He had to help Dawn.

Oscar took his glove off and placed his hand on Neptunia's shoulder, channeling his Aura to activate his Semblance. A glow began to shine around the pair of them, and Oscar knew it had activated. If this device didn't help Neptunia, then they would know soon. "Neptunia?" Sora asked cautiously. "Or Aqua?"

"... You think my Heart used to be Master Aqua's?" Neptunia asked, surprised at the idea.

Sora let out a relieved chuckle. "I know who all three of you inherited your Hearts from. It's really obvious," he admitted. He glanced at Qrow. "Is that good enough for you?"

"No. But I think that's a private conversation," the older man replied coolly.

Sora shook his head and held his hand out to Neptunia, who returned the pendant. "Penny worked hard on this for you. As long as you wear it, no other Soul will be able to control you. But it's only temporary. Salem's strong so I know that eventually she'll figure it out. That means that you need find your mother and Dove, you and Oscar, as soon as possible. And then we'll save her, with Qrow, Jaune, and Yang. When we get her back, we can figure it all out. As a family."

Qrow narrowed his eyes at the last sentence, clearly meant as a jab at him, but let it go.

"You're letting us adventure still!?" Oscar asked, eyes wide with excitement.

"Really?" Dawn asked, more surprised than excited. "Us? But – Dad, what if it goes wrong? I..."

"I thought you'd be happier. You've been wanting to go on an adventure for years," Sora asked. He frowned. "Dawn..."

"It's all just... going a lot faster than I thought it would," Dawn admitted. She sighed. "But you're right. This is what I wanted." She stood up and walked over to her father. "I won't back down now."

"That's a good attitude, Dawn." Sora carefully placed the pendant around her neck then bent down in front of her. He ruffled her hair and she growled in annoyance, batting the hand away. "Me and your mom are proud of you."

Dawn smiled, still a little sad. "I... thanks, Dad." She cleared her throat. "Then, I guess I better get ready to go and find mom." She gave Oscar a thankful smile, then turned and hurried out of the room. Oscar watched her go and kept staring at the door as everyone else slowly left, Qrow demanding a conversation with Sora later, Neptunia heading out to teach Magic to the students, and Jaune and Yang heading out to buy supplies for their return to their adventurous missions.

"You're scared for her, too."

Oscar flinched in surprise, not realizing that Sora had stayed behind with him. The Keyblade Master was staring at the same door, a melancholy frown on his face. "I believe in her, though. My friend, Riku, dealt with the same thing a long time ago. Someone that could take his body over at any moment... He got through it, and so will she."

Oscar put his hand on his chin, barely noticing he still didn't have his glove on. "It felt like there was something more to it," he muttered, thinking over his friend's behavior. She was so... sad. He shut his eyes. "Whatever it is, I'll protect her from it. No matter what."

Sora raised an eyebrow at his student. "Hm... Dawn said I don't need to be worried, but do I?"

"Huh?" Oscar asked, turning up to Sora.

"Oscar, remember you're still a kid. Both of you are, even with ancient wizards and witches in your heads. Especially with those ones in your heads," Sora simply said. "I trust you, Oscar. Don't betray that."

"Huh?" Oscar asked before turning bright red. "I – I – Master Sora!"