I was actually getting used to the cell that I had called my room for the past week.

I was in the middle of a nap when the door in front of me opened to reveal Ozpin, who stood in front of me as the door closed again.

" Well hello Headmaster, fancy seeing you here. The visitors I actually get are normally just your guards dropping my meals."

" Ironwood." Ozpin said calmly, confusing me slightly.

" Pardon ? "

" Ironwood's soldiers, not mine. The Atleasian military is here for a while until the matters are resolved. You being one of them. I'm here because I'm positive that you felt the earthquake earlier yesterday."

" Yeah I did. If you think it was me, sorry to burst your theory but if I had that kinda power I wouldn't be here." I said to Ozpin who smirked at me.

" Quite, but your here of your own accord. We found the source of the disturbance and we believe that this and the human Grimm are somehow connected. You are from Vacuo correct ? "

" Born, and raised, why does...Oh oh my god." The pieces in my head began to click together and I found it extremely funny to the point where I was laughing for a good minute until I was out of breath. " Ok ok I'm done. So you think it was in Vacuo. Well I'll help, been awhile since I was home."

" So are you agreeing to be apart of a group to investigate ? "

" I have feeling that if I don't, you'd probably arrest Emerald and Mercury."

" Partially true."

I sighed in annoyance as I routinely broke my chains and got up. " I may have issues but at least I'm honest about them. You are just as bad. "

" ARE YOU KIDDING ME ?! Why ORION ! Sun is from Vacuo too, why are we stuck with him ?! " Yang protested to Ozpin as Teams RWBY and JNPR boarded the airship alongside Orion.

" Be that as it may this is to guarantee is cooperation in future endeavors. I don't like this anymore than you do but it's required."

Orion ignored Yang's protest as he boarded the airship before the others, took a seat and began polishing Muramasa. The sight of the blade sent Jaune's sense to overdrive but he didn't act on them as Orion placed the blade on his lap.

" You can stay here then, I'd rather not have you in my way."

Yang was the first to look at Orion before growling at him and taking her seat. Everyone actually sat across from him, despite it becoming slightly over-crowded on that side.

" Oh that is cold."

Once they landed in Vale, Orion and the teams from Beacon made their way to the docks and headed to the ship that Ozpin had requested take them to Beacon.

Guards were already posted on this ship and they wasted no time hauling Orion away and locking him up.

" Why'd he agree to help us ? " Jaune asked everyone who mostly shrugged except for Yang who was crossing her arms and looking away.

" I don't trust him as far as I can throw him."

" Maybe so, but we have more important things to focus on." Weiss said as the teams went their separate ways to prepare for Vacuo.

When night-time arrived, everyone was changing into their sleeping wears and Jaune was the first of his team to head to sleep.

It was a peaceful sleep but Jaune had an awkward feeling as he woke up. A quick look around let him know that Pyrrha wasn't there. He silently but quickly switched into his normal gear but left Crocea Mors as he left his teams cabin. After a quick walk, he came across the ships restrooms, and the lights were seeping through the cracks under the door.

From inside, Jaune heard what sounded like weeping, a soft crying. Jaune nervously knocked on the door, " Pyrrha, is that you ? " Jaune asked nervously. All to quickly, the weeping stopped as the sound of locks being undone. The door opened slowly as Pyrrha's head appeared in the cracks.

" Oh Jaune, sorry did you need to use the restroom ? "

" N-No I just came to...Pyrrha were you crying ? " Jaune asked Pyrrha who all to quickly responded.

" NO ! I-I'm fine, really." Pyrrha said, giving a kind and reassuring smile. It would have fooled anyone else without a second thought but Jaune didn't. " Pyrrha, your eyes are red."

Pyrrha looked away before looking at Jaune again. " I-I'm fine..." Pyrrha sounded like she didn't even believe herself.

" Pyrrha, you're my friend. What's wrong ? "

Pyrrha looked away again before opening the door completely and letting Jaune in before closing the door behind them. She motioned for Jaune to take a seat and he did as she stood in front of him.

" Pyrrha what's this about ? "

" I think...I can show you better than I can tell you." Pyrrha said sadly as she took the first strap of her sleeping gown, that was enough form Jaune to clear the distance between them and put the strap back on.

" Y-YOU DON'T NEED TO DO THAT ! "

Despite blushing heavily, Pyrrha took Jaune's and placed it over her heart. " Pyrrha..."

" Please...trust me."

She nervously removed the strap and showed Jaune the scar from the bullet wound Orion had caused. She slowly removed it even more to show the rest of her scars. One slash wound across her stomach and another running down her shoulder, all caused when Orion first attacked Beacon.

" Even though the bullet was removed, it still hurts. There's always a dull burning feeling, like they're on fire. Yes.. I was crying, because...I feel like a shadow of myself. It's harder to fight, to use aura, to do anything anymore. I feel helpless "

Pyrrha was now crying, like the dam in her eyes had finally shattered. She was crying into Jaune's shoulder and all he could was hold her close.

It should have been obvious. She had been leaving combat classes earlier, wasn't as active as she normally was, and probably cried herself to sleep every night.

" Pyrrha...I'm so sorry, I didn't know."

Jaune could hold her tightly and let her cry into his shoulder.

Yang who was silently listening clenched her fist, holding back the urge to find and destroy Orion. She silently left and returned to her teams rooms, even more hatred towards Orion was built up.

Orion was the first one of the ship and he took a deep breath he felt the nostalgia of home. " It is good to be back. Well I'm off."

" No you're not ! You were ordered to go with us on our mission and in exchange your friends get to go free." Yang stated bluntly to Orion who gave her a sideways smirk.

He was too focused on the coastal city of Vacuo that they were in. It was surprisingly modern for what most would expect to be in the deserts. Orion had a large smile on his face, a sight that unnerved even the Ren who took a cautious step back.

" Well say what you'd like, but it doesn't matter 'cause I hold up my end a deal. Look you all have no idea how Vacuo works so just follow quietly and pay attention, you all might learn things books can't teach you."

Orion ended with a giant smirk that angered everyone but they were all silent as he lead them around this city and to its edges where they purchased cloaks to cover them from the sun and weather.

When they took note on all the supplies they had, it became obvious that they were prepared for anything that they could think of, but what that was, was very different from the things Orion and people from Vacuo were prepared for. That became obvious as night fell.

Orion and the others had travelled a half a day's walk but still had a lot longer to go so when night came, they decided to set up camp. Though none of them would admit it but they were glad they listened to Orion about getting cloaks for the night. The fabrics retained heat and helped slightly for the very cold nights, but they helped only barely.

Orion sat alone by himself, the others sitting around a fire that was using flame dust. Orion gave them a look and shook his head. He was the only one not wearing a cloak of any kind aside from his regular clothing.

" So who's going to keep watch ? We don't know if Grimm are around and what he is planning. " Weiss said to everyone, giving Orion a side glance.

" I'll do it." Orion said suddenly, loud enough for them to hear him despite being separated a good twenty feet from him.

" We don't trust you." Nora said to Orion who shrugged.

" Not like you have a choice. The princess over there would probably freak out if sand so much as blew in her hair. You'll need me more than I'll need you all."

That was the end of it. Orion had made his point clear and though none of them wanted to admit it, he was more justified in his response than Team RWBY or JNPR's. After a few minutes, the teams set up their respective tents.

Yang gave Orion one last side-glance before entering her team's tent.

Orion looked back at them before sitting comfortably as the night continued. He gave a sly smirk before, laughing under his breath. " Even if I hate them, I can't help but respect them."

As my night-shift continued, I heard one of the tents open as Jaune stepped through. I could see the nervousness on his face, and it was clear there was something on his mind.

" What are you doing up ? Go back to sleep, 'cause if you can't keep up during tomorrow I'm leaving you to die."

" Thanks for the advice. I need you to do something."

I looked at him in confusion before laughing. " I don't have to do anything for you. Like I told Yang and Ozpin, I'm not an ally, I just happen to have similar goals and it's in our best interest to work together."

Jaune took a breath before starting. " It's about Pyrrha..."

" What your girlfriend ? " I asked Jaune who blushed and shook his head all too quickly.

" N-No ! " He sputtered, " She's not my girlfriend. She's my team-mate and partner. Yeah sure she's smart..pretty...talented and-"

" I'm gonna stop you right there Arc. What did you want ? " I asked Jaune who clenched his fist. I had the distinct thought that this was going to be interesting.

" I need you to heal Pyrrha..."

If I was drinking anything I was spat it out at the question, frankly 'cause I wasn't expecting it. " You NEED me to heal The Invincible Girl ? Heal what, and even if I could, why would I do that ? "

" She's been in pain. I think it was from when you attacked Beacon. I didn't know because I got knocked unconscious. I think your Hellfire did it and I want you to stop them."

I was holding back my laughter so I could hear what Jaune had to say. " What's in it for me ? "

" I'll fight you.."

That broke the barrier. I laughed and laughed for about 45 seconds straight and even ended up wiping tears from my face until I could and think straight.

" We're not even in the same league. You'd be a warm-up before my real warm-up. What do you even mean my hellfire caused it, I don't recall burning her wi...Hold up." I tried to recall what had happened at Beacon a while ago and then I remembered.

" Oh I remember now. When I fought her with Heaven and Earth, I made Heaven's bullets myself and I made them in my hellfire, so I guess it makes sense they had an extra effect. Ok, my fault but I refuse, there's nothing in it for me. The only people I want to fight are Yang, Sun and Ruby. Notice you aren't on the list."

I had my point clear enough but the moment I turned my head, Jaune punched me across my face. It was by no means a weak punch but it proved the gap between us was greater than I thought because I didn't move from my spot.

I turned my attention to Jaune, who's fist was coated in a white aura. " I don't care if I'm on your "list" or not. Pyrrha is in pain because of you, have some honor and heal ! "

I looked at Jaune who was dead serious, as I wiped a piece of blood off my lip. We both knew that I could have killed before he could even react. If though I could have, I didn't. I held Jaune in a sort of respect, not because of his fighting ability but rather because of his attitude, an attitude that was willing to die for someone important to him. If though I didn't want to, I had to give him respect for trying.

Though of course I didn't let that punch go. I got up and delivered a right uppercut to his chin that sent him a foot of the ground and into a heap on the sand.

" Ok, you've convinced me. I've never " healed' anyone in my life but should be fun to try. Now get out of my face and learn to take a punch."

Jaune weakly got up and rubbed his jaw as he gave distorted thanks as he spat a bit of blood into the sand and returned to his team's tent.

I turned my attention back to the shattered moon of Remnant before chuckling slightly. " What a punk."

If I heal Nikos, then I can fight her at her best, or I could kill her now and gain Jaune and Yang's unending hatred...Decisions, decisions.

I unsheathed Muramasa slightly before sheathing it completely. I sighed as the night continued, boring and uneventful.

The sun was out in its full force, as expected of Vacuo's deserts but my attention was focused on the ominous feeling I had.

I put my hand to signal everyone to stop as I put my hand to my ear and listened.

" What's your problem ? " Blake questioned me but I shushed her in response. I quickly realized what was going to happen. It was going to emerge from where Yang was standing and although I rather her be dead, needs must.

I quickly used Muramasa in chain form and wrapped her into the chains before pulling her away from her friends. " MOVE ! "

Despite the looks I got, they all jumped out of the at the last second as giant black bone-armored worm Grimm emerged from the ground. It roared as it tunneled back into the ground and was out of sight. I pushed Yang off, who had landed at me as Muramasa returned to its sword form.

" What was that ?! " Ruby yelled as she aimed her scythe around, scanning the area.

" A Tunneler, a Grimm native to Vacuo. They appear at random times if something shakes the ground, meaning we're getting close. Now that it's found it's prey it's not going to stop until it's dead or it's caught it's food." I told them as flurried Muramasa and listened to the ground.

The sands weren't shaking so that meant that the Tunneler had left or was staying still but I wasn't about to take chances.

" Where'd it go ? " Yang asked as she finally got up, brushing sand of her cloak.

" If I knew it be dead already." I said flatly as I looked down at the ground beneath me. I was a second to late as The Tunneler shot up and sent me flying into the air.

I realized what was going on as it opened it four pronged mouth to reveal a massive maw of razor sharp teeth.

This is gonna suck !