"You called, Mr. Taakoizu?" Maurice asked as he slowly opened the door to the Dragon Room and finding his boss checking the information on his computer screen while Ryu sat at the meeting table.
Hotaru did not look away, however, as he began to talk. "Maurice, come here. I have an important job for you".
The faunus' ears were now pointing at Hotaru's direction as he then moved to stand next to Ryu. Once the other man gave him an approving grunt, Maurice then went to stand in front of his boss' desk. "I am here to serve," he said as he bowed.
Hotaru then stopped what he was doing and went to retrieve a folder from his bookcase on the right. "As you know, Sun Wukong was sent to The Pyramid yesterday," he told Maurice.
"Yes sir… I am aware of it…" the mouse faunus said back, clearly holding back his anger.
"During the evening there was an altercation. Someone arrived demanding to see Sun, he turned violent and was properly taken out of the facilities; but we fear he might try to harass other businesses associated with us". As Hotaru finished, he then pulled out a picture of Neptune being taken to the door by two security guards. A well-doctored image of the teen's fight with the Tekunin cyborg. "Do you have any idea of who this person might be?".
Maurice obviously knew who Neptune was, but other things were bothering him about this situation. "Sir… how did this man get to The Pyramid so fast?".
"It's not something you should be concerned with. Now, do you recognize this person or not?".
"But sir, I-".
Maurice tried to explain his concern, but before he could finish the question, Hotaru had already pulled out a small remote control which he then pointed at Maurice. Any questions about the inconsistencies he found were quickly eliminated. "I told you not to worry, now answer my question!".
"Yes sir! He was presented to me by Sun under the name 'Neptune'. He never mentioned his last name".
"Really?" Hotaru asked with interest. "Could you tell me anything else?".
"Yes sir… I believe their relationship is… relationship-ship-ship-shi-shi-Shi-SHIIIIIIIIIIII-!" Maurice said as his voice began to sound more mechanical and got stuck while getting louder. After some adjustments from Hotaru on his remote control, Maurice seemed to have returned to his senses. "IIIIIIIP! … is… romantic!" he said the last part with indignation.
"Interesting…" was all his boss said in return. "Maurice, I want you to find out as much of his personal life at Heaven as you can. I will also schedule an appointment with Dr. Oniro for you after lunch. That would be all".
Slightly confused, but not sure as to why Maurice bowed once again and then left the Dragon Room. On his way, he found the staff of the kitchen chatting among themselves, being closest to Cyan and Pinky, he then decided to chat with them before they were ordered to return to their posts.
"So, Maurice, what does the big-boss want to know?" Cyan asked in a cheerful mood.
Maurice analyzed the situation and deduced that the higher-ups' intentions of finding out Neptune's identity would not be jeopardized if he revealed the reason why the employees were called to the members of his inner circle.
"Apparently, Sun's boyfriend caused a scene last night in The Pyramid and they want to make sure all businesses are aware of him if he tries to cause trouble".
"Boyfriend?" Cyan asked surprised. "You sure? He never mentioned a boyfriend. I know he wanted to hit on someone though, and he doesn't have a 'fuck-buddies' vibe".
"Well, it turns out that is the kind of person he is, Cyan!". Maurice snapped back.
The deer-faunus was shocked for a moment before Pinky spoke on his defense. "Easy, Maurice. We never told Cyan about the other night".
"The other night… oh yeah!" Cyan said while snapping his fingers. "I remember a blue-haired boy!".
"Yeah, that was 'Neptune' his 'partner'!" Maurice said with irritation.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait… did you say 'Partner?'" Cyan asked.
"Yeah… that is how Sun presented him" the mouse faunus answered back now with a little concern.
"And he is also a student from Heaven?".
"Yes…?" Maurice then said not knowing where Cyan was getting to.
"Oh!" Pinky then exclaimed. "I think we got it all wrong, little buddy".
"Wrong? Got what wrong!?" asked a now spooked Maurice.
Cyan just chuckled before answering. "Oh Maurice, you are so old fashioned… but nowadays when you talk about 'partners' they mean it just as in the huntsman context". Maurice did not answer, he just looked at Cyan, still confused. "You know, in the academies, huntsmen get divided into teams and in those teams, two people are set as partners until their school life ends; now whatever happens between those two partners I don't know, but I can tell you this 'Neptune' fellow does not fit Sun's criteria".
From all of what Cyan explained only one thing got through Maurice: The meaning of 'Partner'. And if he got that wrong, then he had just sent Sun to The Pyramid to… 'The Pyramid… he will be corrected in The Pyramid' he told himself. 'But… what do they do in-' he began to think about it but then images of saws, blood, drugs, and chemicals began to rush into his mind.
"Maurice!" the voice of Pinky yelled, bringing the mouse faunus out of his flashbacks. "You ok? You seemed to suddenly have a stroke".
"A… stroke?" Maurice asked.
"Yeah" Cyan answered. "You grabbed your head and suddenly your eyes began to twitch. Is everything ok?".
Before he could answer, Mr. Onyx's voice came from behind Pinky. "Mr. Feta, Lord Hotaru says Dr. Oniro is busy in the afternoon, so your checkup needs to be right now".
To everyone else, Maurice just looked confused. In his head, however, a large portion of Maurice's processor was thinking about what happened to him while the other began to slowly work on answering the request. "Yes!" Maurice screamed, making all other employees look at him. After a moment, they went back to their own business and Maurice continued. "I'll go there… now!" he said as he began to walk away completely raising his feet in a ninety-degree angle and not bending the knees.
"…What's up with him?" Mr. Onyx said as soon as Maurice was out of hearing range. The other faunus present shrugged in confusion.
In the meanwhile, up in the Dragon Room, Hotaru and Ryu were looking at his computer which was showing a message of error over Maurice's profile picture.
"Hormones are still our main concern with rodent kind faunus," Hotaru told Ryu. "Fortunately, the Grandmaster has finally found the chemical balance needed to control the remaining amphibian kind. Overall, I think the plan is working". When Hotaru was done, knocks were heard from the other side of the door. "We should only let five more in just to keep up appearances".
"Well… there she is…" Yang whispered to both Jaune and Ruby while all three of them hid behind the doorframe that led towards the cliff of the Emerald Forest, looking at Penny who didn't seem to be aware of them.
"Ok, everyone remembers the rules?" Ruby asked them.
Jaune went first. "Make her tell us what she figured out first".
"Never mention the ninjas at all" Yang then said.
"Or Seido, as a matter of fact".
"Act surprised as to what she tells us".
"And, if possible, play it as just something out of a game or something".
"Good!" Noted Ruby, taking a deep breath, and marching towards Penny with the two blonds following close behind.
After a moment, the redhead finally noticed the three people getting closer. Once they were close enough, her energetic smile returned. "Hello, Ruby… and friends! Ruby and friends!". At first, that just seemed like the usual overenthusiastic girl they knew; but there was something off. "Why aren't you with your teams?" Penny then asked Ruby when she noticed Jaune once again.
"They are busy doing other things, don't worry about them!" Ruby quickly answered.
While the younger girl chattered with her friend, however, Yang and Jaune stood a few feet away and talked to each other in whispers. "Weird" Yang pointed out. "She knows we are the ones who asked for help, why would she want to know about the others?".
Jaune considered that for a moment and then another thought popped into his head. "And why would she want to talk to us here?".
That raised Yang's attention. "What do you mean?".
"We are discussing a computer program yet there are no computers. Besides, the Malachite twin from the other night pointed out that meetings like this happen in public but secluded places. Even… 'they' talked to us in the library".
It might have just been the paranoia, but some of Tomas' deduction skills from last night seemed to have taken over Yang's thoughts for the moment. She then looked around the clearing and noticed the trees and rocks on one side while the cliff was on the other. "You don't think…?".
"So!" Ruby said loudly, making Jaune and Yang look at the other girl. "You told me you knew what the code was about?".
"Yes! Sure!" She exclaimed loudly, but her body movement was very contained. "I just need to get it from my bag over there!" she then said while pointing at a tree away from them. Penny then ran towards it, but when Ruby tried to follow, the girl quickly turned around. "No, no, no; don't worry, I'll get it".
While Ruby was confused about what just happened, Yang and Jaune went into full panic mode. "Ruby!" Yang said loud enough for her sister to hear. "We have to get out of here now!".
"But what about-?" she tried to ask but was immediately cut off by Jaune.
"Rubes, there are no computers here, she is getting far away from us and we are in a clearing with nowhere to hide!".
Ruby didn't want to believe them, but then she began to look around and noticed everything as well; but just as they were getting ready to run, Atlas military robots emerged from behind the rocks and from the trees while pointing at them with their guns.
"Ok… it's just dumb robots… if we can distract them for long enough, maybe we can call for our lockers!" Yang told the others, but her excitement was immediately cut short when a loud engine sound came from the cliff and a bullhead filled with soldiers pointed its mounted guns towards them.
"Oh boy…" Jaune said as they were all being taken into custody.
Jaune and Ruby walked at the same pace the altesian soldiers were going while their hands were tied behind their backs. Only Yang was screaming at them. "We haven't done anything! You don't know who you are messing with! Oh, trust me guys when we tell a SCHNEE about how you've treated us, you'll be lucky to work as street performers!".
Seemingly tired of Yang's constant threats, one of the soldiers finally answered back. "Really? How so?".
"Because we just so happen to know-" Yang snapped back with a smug tone only to stop immediately when they turned a corner and found themselves in front of Weiss herself. "Weiss! Oh, thank goodness. Could you tell these jerks to-".
"Yang!" Jaune yelled at the other blond.
"What!?" Yang snapped back only for him and Ruby to point downwards with their heads towards Weiss' hands. When she looked down, she was surprised to find they were cuffed as well. "But… how? Isn't your sister-".
"Who do you think arrested her!?" an older female voice said and was soon followed by a cuffed Blake, Ren, and Nora being pushed by what Yang could describe as an older Weiss with a face that showed rage and disappointment towards Weiss. "You all have a lot to answer for!".
"Winter, you don't understand-".
"Enough Weiss! If you know what is good for you, you'll be quiet until asked to talk!" Winter stated as she then took everyone to an interrogation room.
"You can't do this to us!" Blake snapped back as they were all seated. "Just who do think you are!?".
"Specialist Winter Schnee," a new male and even older voice said arriving from the main door. "And it was done to protect Remnant from whatever you were doing!" said General Ironwood once he arrived with the others.
That statement caused confusion. They were students; what could they possibly do that was so bad?
"I'm sorry, but whaaaaat!?" Nora asked.
"Don't play the fool!" he snapped at her. "We know of the inhuman things you do to turn faunus into slaves!".
"Are you listening to yourself? What are you… no… the code…" Yang said figuring out what they were thinking. "No, no, no, no; you have it all wrong! We have nothing to do with it!" she tried to reason.
"General Ironwood, sir!" a new guard carrying Neptune said as he arrived. "We arrived just in time, they already had a monkey faunus drugged with the chemicals you listed and seemed to be ready to process!".
"Process? What!?" Jaune asked with panic as every passing second seemed to turn everything worse for them.
"Cut the idiot act!" Winter then snapped at them. "We don't know why you were so stupid as to give Penny those codes, but be sure we will get to the bottom of things once-".
"JAAAAAMES!" a familiar voice to all students said as metal doors swung open allowing Ozpin and Glynda to arrive. "Behind the glass! Now!".
While everyone but the guards left for the room behind the one-way mirror, Glynda stopped and looked at all the students. "Don't think for a moment you are out of this!" she told them before she entered and slammed the door shut. On the other room, Ozpin and Ironwood were already seated.
"Oz, I trust you, but-" Ironwood began to explain only to be interrupted by Ozpin who raised a finger. He was not sure as to why he did that until he then saw the Branwen twins entering the room. Ironwood was on good terms with Qrow, but as soon as he saw Raven, he prepared his guns and pointed them at the former thief.
Raven did not flinch, however; she seemed amused, actually. "Jimmy! Long time no see. Still the paranoid stick in the mud I see".
Ironwood ignored her comment and just looked at Ozpin. "First I learn that your students own inhuman technology, then that you are telling me that 'a reliable source' is telling you to ignore the firepower that Seido can give us to defeat Salem, only to learn that SHE is back! What is going on OZ!?".
While normally the voice of reason when Ironwood went into this state, Ozpin was now angry at how he had handled the events. "They asked for your student's help to decipher that code, so how would they be able to use it let alone know what it does! Second, Raven has seen and heard what Seido Industries is really looking for, and I suggest-".
"Are you listening to yourself!? A traitor, Oz! A possible end to Salem is halted because of a traitor!?".
After that statement, Qrow felt that his sister was trash-talked enough. "James, back off! I know it's hard to believe but I feel like she is telling the truth. She-".
"What is she doing here!?" Raven asked, showing fear for the first time that day when she saw Yang through the glass.
Qrow seemed concerned about his sister's reaction until he saw both of his nieces. "Oz, what the hell are they doing here!? You never mentioned they were the students!".
"Everyone! Enough!" then yelled Winter, effectively making everyone go silent.
"Can't say I missed her too" Raven then whispered to her brother.
"General Ironwood, sir, I agree with the headmaster; while it is suspicious that the students owned that program, we must also remember our actual targets!".
While Ozpin could not say that Raven's arrival was enough to ruin his week, discovering that the powers of the Spring Maiden were now hers, that Seido Industries was actually a coverup for some sort of alien magical force bent on conquering Remnant, and that they were attacked by forces likely connected to Salem did just that. Still, he wanted nothing but to at least keep her on his radar. Things just kept rolling downhill, however, when soon after the attack on Seido's headquarters he received a surprise call from Ironwood. "James! To what do I owe-".
"Oz, your students better not be doing what I think they are with your consent, or so help me I'll remove you by any means!" the other man threatened.
Clearly not expecting what just happened, Ozpin asked back a question of his own. "James… what are you talking about?".
"One of my… students just informed me of something some of yours seem to be involved with; now answer me what it is!".
"James, I don't have the slightest idea of what you are talking about, and I have far more things to worry about than pointless accusations" Ozpin answered as calmly as he could. "Now what is it that my students seem to be doing that warrants you to act in this way?". Ozpin then made the mistake of taking a sip of coffee at that moment.
"Would drugging, lobotomizing, butchering, and rebuilding faunus as machines be worthy enough!?".
Ozpin coughed for a moment, not expecting that answer. "James, what are you-?".
Shortly after, Ironwood had sent Ozpin three folders. "Try opening something from the first one," the General said, Ozpin tried, but nothing happened. "My student was given those files by one of yours. No normal computer seems able to read them. Now try the second". Ozpin did, and while he had acquired knowledge of programming languages from past lives, the ones on these files were unlike anything he had ever seen. "I know you can't read them. Now try the third". Indeed, the final one did the trick. Ozpin did not get what every line of code was for, but he had a general understanding: measuring the levels of foreign chemicals in the body, reconnecting nerves, replacing brain parts with motherboards, and more; truly, it was a nightmare to read.
Ozpin was speechless. Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought about this. Sure, prosthetics existed, but he had never seen anything so vile. "James, I understand your concern, but I can assure you I have nothing to do with this!".
Ironwood then looked at Ozpin for a long time, and when he seemed sure that the other headmaster was telling the truth, he spoke again. "I trust you Oz".
Ozpin then placed his mug down. "And you are right. We need to get to the bottom of this!".
"Good, I'll be arriving in a few-" General Ironwood tried to explain his plan but was interrupted when his door was busted open.
"General Ironwood, sir, I tried to stop her, but-". The voice of Winter said before being interrupted by a younger female voice that Ozpin was unable to see.
"Can it, snow-flake! General Ironwood, sir, as I tried to tell your SECRETARY…".
"Secre… How dare-!?".
"I believe my team has a good idea of where the new crime syndicate will attack sir!".
"Please, those are mere speculations at best; and I already told you, you are way too young for a mission of that kind! And if you want to remain in this institution, you better address me with respect!".
"You are not a member of faculty or administration, you assist the General on his military duties which are completely independent of his role as headmaster; therefore you have no kind of authority over me and my already approved clearances to speak with the General, so I suggest you take your attitude, put it in a nice can, and shove it up your-!".
"LADIES!" Ironwood yelled at them. they, in turn, looked at him. "I'm in the middle of something important. Blade is right Winter, she was scheduled to speak with me but something came up, and as for you, student, Winter Schnee might not be on your chain of command but she still deserves your respect, and if you ever speak to her that way again be sure there will be consequences! You both got that!?".
Everything went quiet until Ozpin was able to hear a "Yes sir!" at the same time from both women.
"Good! Now leave my office and I'll tell you when to come in Blade. Dismissed!". When the door finally closed, General Ironwood let out a heavy sigh. He then remembered Ozpin was still on the call. "Sorry about that… there are these new students, and even though they are good, their team leader is really looking into a new criminal organization and insists on taking on them herself".
The hostility from the beginning seemed to have passed, and Ozpin decided to keep going with it. "I can relate, actually. Although, my problems don't come from the new students, rather things regarding Salem and… other things. The new students are actually great, very well trained to be just first years though".
"I know what you mean. Carlton, Briggs, Takahashi, and Blade are good students too. Extraordinarily strong as well. Some weird Bootcamp instructor from Vacuo presented them to us. He seemed sketchy at first, but he then showed up with proof of his small school in the desert. Can you believe it?".
Ozpin could, actually. "You don't say… and this man… was he tanned with white hair?".
Ironwood then looked at Ozpin with shock. "Yes… Mr. Anemos fits that description".
"Anemos? Ok… and how did they do on their written tests? Mine could identify some Grimm and they did just fine on their other tests".
With that, Ironwood seemed to be catching on to Ozpin's suspicions. "Mine too… If anything, other teachers told me the thing they needed the most help with was-".
"Orthography?" Ozpin asked. Ironwood then looked with shock at Ozpin, unable to believe the other just read his mind. "They spell words with a 'K' instead of a 'C' don't they?".
"… Where are you getting to Oz?".
"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me… the last thing I need now is to learn that students are part of a new great conspiracy besides what I have to deal with Seido!".
At first, Ironwood was confused, then he remembered the news about the attack. "Right; sorry Oz, forgot about that. Got any new leads?".
"Not for now, although I wouldn't feel too comfortable around them James".
"What are you talking about Oz? They must have shown you their ideas. I was convinced you would be ecstatic to receive their help. I only said no waiting for your official approval! What could possibly make you not trust them?".
Ozpin then let out a sigh. "They know, James".
"… What do you mean by 'They know'?".
"They know about me, the actual me, and I'm sure they are close to knowing about Salem" Ozpin explained.
"Did they tell you this?" Ironwood asked with a hint of concern as Ozpin just nodded. "And they didn't do anything to manipulate you?". Ozpin shook his head. "Then I don't see a reason as to why we shouldn't trust them! With their resources and public image, we can weaken Salem like never before!".
Ozpin did not want to have this conversation right now. He knew Ironwood would jump over to the first chance he got to fight Salem head-on, but he knew he had to tell the other headmasters about the threat that was Seido Industries. "I did not want to do this right now, but James, please listen to me carefully, I have reliable sources that tell me that Seido Industries are far from what they show".
General Ironwood did not hide his indignation about having been kept in the dark. "For how long?".
"A few days" Ozpin admitted.
"And who could have possibly given you this vital information that you won't question it?".
Ozpin was trying to find the right words to explain, but destiny played cards against him as both Glynda and Raven entered the room.
"Yo! Oz! would you please tell your assistant that a beach house is not out of our deal? … Hey! You there?". While at first Raven was confused as to why Ozpin suddenly went stiff; she then noticed he was having a video call with one of her former sworn enemies. "Oh… great… hello, James…".
"I will need more proof other than Raven's word that it is actually Seido who are behind that robot making process". Ironwood said from his side of the table while crossing his arms.
Qrow then decided to intervene. "And why would you need more than that? Why do you trust that Penny girl more than Raven?".
"Because Qrow, Penny did not run away one day leaving everything behind, breaking our trust, and actively trying to undermine our actions against Salem! And I can also check her activities, and when she says three of those children over there gave her those codes, I am more than sure that she is telling the truth".
The mention of that name scared all the members of Beacon present who checked that the teens had not heard that name. Glynda then turned and frowned at Raven; the latter who understood what the other wanted her to do.
Raven sighed and then placed her hands on the table. "Fiiiiine. James, Winter, I am sorry for what I did; but I swear that everything I am saying about Seido is true!".
Ironwood was still not buying her tale and was ready to keep digging through what he saw as a lie until they were all distracted by a tapping on the window. Everyone turned their heads and saw Ruby knocking the glass. "Professors? Are you there?"
Glynda then moved to turn on the intercom. "Yes, Miss Rose? Is something the matter?".
"Is everything ok with the lights?" she then asked while pointing at the single lightbulb in the room that was flickering.
Confused everyone then looked at the lights in their room and noticed the same reaction. The lights then flickered faster until both lightbulbs went out and a muffled explosion was heard from somewhere outside. Seconds later, Ozpin received a distress call from Professor Oobleck. "Headmaster, third floor in the classroom building! It's an emergency".
The ninjas left the bathroom with high hopes after a long time. The information Yang and the others managed to get was excellent and would give them and the other eight kombatants a clearer idea of what Orderrealm and the Tekunin were doing in Remnant once the files were fully decoded and read.
"I have to admit: Cyrax is a most reliable ally," Hanzo told Kuai Liang and Tomas.
"He has always been an honorable warrior; my only regret is that he refuses to rejoin the Lin Kuei…" said Kuai Liang.
Although Ermac had no close relationship with the yellow cyborg, he expressed his feeling none the less. "At least he holds no grudge against you; his talents are at least not wasted on the Special Forces. Was he always so good with computers?".
"My guess is that he had to go through some of Sektor's tech maintenances. A CPU for a brain also makes things easier" then answered Smoke saying the last part with some distaste.
They stopped their conversation when they finally reached a common hall that had students going back and forth. They would have remained quiet until they reached their first classroom, but a conversation topic from different groups caught their attention.
"Do you really think the CRDL guys tried to kill Cardin?" they heard someone say.
"The teachers didn't try to stop the cops; I think that is proof enough!" Another said.
"And all because of bad grades? I mean, you guys would not do that to me, right?" a third one asked.
It didn't take them much to figure out then that the other members of team CRDL were wrongfully arrested for what happened to Cardin.
Tomas then looked at his team. "We are not going to do anything, right?".
"The sooner we bring down Orderrealm's forces, the better it will be for everyone; even the kids of CRDL" answered Kuai Liang.
They would have let that subject die had they not then heard another conversation about a completely different topic.
"I am telling you; General Ironwood is not here in good terms!" a girl told her teammates.
"How can you be so sure!?" another asked.
"My uncle works as a janitor in Atlas Academy. He says the General left the kingdom spewing orders like crazy. He has worked there long enough to know Ironwood does that when he is beyond pissed".
"Yeah, how else would you explain his sudden appearance in here?" a male student asked. "I also saw him and some Altesian soldiers grab people from some first-year teams; RWBY and JNPR I think…".
That conversation did manage to worry all the ninjas. "You don't think…?" Tomas said.
"That Ironwood might know something about what the kids know?" Hanzo completed his question.
"Let's hope not" Kuai Liang then told them. "That would be the worst thing that could happen-".
"Shhh!" Ermac then shushed everyone. Before anyone could ask what was wrong with him, Ermac pointed towards the window.
They were at first confused but then noticed the clear sky became cloudy in a matter of seconds. Then, the few lights that were turned on began to flicker faster with each passing second until everything turned white and a loud thunder boomed through the halls. Worse of all, was that a fraction of a second later they saw an explosion coming from a neighboring building.
After the explosion, students began to wonder about what had just happened. The ninjas, however, just looked at the building with eyes wide open. "By the Elder Gods, no!". Kuai Liang said out loud knowing his voice was not heard because of those from all the other people present.
Without wasting any more time, all four ninjas then ran towards the explosion site, fearing that they knew the source.
The wall and floor in that section of the hall were covered in soot. The windows broke apart and fell on the ground almost like fine dust. Thankfully, none of the students present when the lightbulb exploded were hurt; their clothes might have a small burnt mark here and there, but no permanent damage overall. All of that, however, paled when one considered that a man with long white hair, tattered clothes, and open wounds, laid on the floor facedown, seemingly unconscious. All students present made a circle around the stranger and only stepped aside when professors Oobleck, Port, and Peach arrived. Oobleck wasted no time calling the headmaster while Peach and Port went on the turn the man over.
In a matter of seconds, the man was now lying in a pool of his own blood. Once he was face up, everyone was now able to see more cuts and wounds; one of which was a deep cut under his belly that allowed them to see his exposed organs. More surprising, however, was that the man was still breathing, had a pulse, and seemed to be mumbling about something.
It took Ozpin, Ironwood, and their respective groups a couple of minutes to arrive and see Peach and Oobleck doing crowd control while Port was doing the best he could to stop the bleeding from the stranger.
"Bartholomew, what is going on!?" Ozpin asked.
"I don't know how to explain it, Headmaster; but the explosion happened and then that man appeared".
Ozpin looked at the almost dead man for a moment before talking with Oobleck once again. "Medics?".
"On their way here as we speak".
"Headmaster! Come here!" Port then said, calling Ozpin's attention. "He seems to be asking for help!".
Ozpin wasted no time and kneeled next to Port and the stranger. After a moment, Ozpin could make out that the words 'Help' and 'Beacon' were coming from the man in an endless loop. "You are at Beacon Academy. I am Professor Ozpin, who are-?".
Before Ozpin could finish his question, the man then grabbed Ozpin by his scarf and pulled it, helping him raise his torso and then look at Ozpin directly with his pure white eyes. "He has returned! … To reclaim his army… and impose his dominance! The prophecy… must not… be… fulfilled…!".
Ozpin's enforcers were ready to strike the man down but were stopped by Ozpin's hand gesture. "Who? Who has returned?".
"The… the Dragon King…" the man managed to say before coughing and then vomiting blood before falling unconscious.
"Tell the medics to hurry up and clear the students from here!" Ozpin ordered everyone; and just as Glynda was doing that, she noticed the suspicious students in question; and while everyone was horrified by what just happened, the boys seemed worried about something else. They looked at the man as if they were seeing a close relative dying.
They did not move until they noticed Glynda's cold stare towards them. It was then that they concluded that this was the worst-case scenario: Their mentor was wounded and dying, he is in stranger's hands, they have no allies close enough and now their cover might just have been blown.