A/N: Still here, still updating.

RWBY updates are a go again, took some time away to think over others and move some plot points around.

I'll say it plain, if this email opt-in business with the Fanfiction site doesn't get resolved soon, I'm probably going to retire. The app helps for some, for others it doesn't. It HURTS to say that; but with this new system, reviews and readers have dropped to an all time low, authors are leaving the site in droves, and it feels like the end of an era.

If you're not already aware of it, ever since the 16th of November, you now have to turn ON your email alerts in account settings-MAKE SURE YOU CLICK SAVE SETTINGS!-else you won't be notified when anyone updates. No alerts, no email, no nothing. Apparently that's a thing we all have to do every ninety days or so, now. Alas, not many are aware of it...which is a problem. As things stand this new "fix" as it were, has cut everyone's viewership/reviewers in half because most folks don't know about it. Authors are leaving/quitting because of this.

Sometimes opting in works. Sometimes it doesn't. Really depends. Hopefully the devs can fix tweak/update this system before everyone leaves.

As ever, the Embers rule still persists. If folks don't like this story? Well...I'll not continue it. I can't bear to write something no one likes. That's no joke. Holidays are here and they keep me horridly busy. So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter! Really, they do! I'm literally working every day now, so I have less and less time to write. Daily updates might...slow down in the interim, but I know that would upset a lot of people.

No questions this time. Only story...

Alright, I think I've kept you long enough. Hopefully this chapter brings a smile to your face.

As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. Not a wit or a one! Really, they're just tributes...

And once more, a reminder. Anna = Adam's Mother. Alesia = Illia's Mother. Sienna and Kali are obvious. Now then, away we go!

Put on your favorite RWBY track and get ready for a brawl.

Now then, lets dance. I promised a proper fight between Naruto and Ozpin, and I aim to deliver.

A bit of shade's thrown at the RWBY novels as well, one in particular. You know the one.

"How on Remnant do people even fight like that-no, nevermind?! I WANT that!"

"No. No, Summer, you do not."

"I swear, they're inhuman...

"Yeah, no kidding!"

~Team STRQ.

An Unseen Monster

'I've blundered."

This realization soon proved something of an...alarming one on Ozpin's part. Not abrupt by any means, but subtle, knowledge gained over many encounters with his opponent. Constant clashes with the belligerent blond before him brought him to the very limits of his body; pushed him to the very threshold of his endurance and then even further beyond just to keep up, until his aura strained and his body ached in places he hadn't even known existed.

And he just. Did not. Stop.

His mind was still whirling when Naruto's fist scythed down at his face with savage strength and sinister speed, swinging with such strength the air around him actually seemed to catch fire for a moment. Golden fire. Ozpin didn't dare block it. He'd made that mistake once already; his right shoulder still ached from that foolish error. Instead he borrowed a page from the blond's book and stepped aside, wisely taking himself out of harm's way entirely as the whiskered warrior careened past. A scalding shockwave blasted his hair back but the old knight squinted against it behind his spectacles and saw his opportunity. There! His back was to him now; he'd left himself wide open...!

He lunged and struck true, landing a debilitating blow...or so he thought, until his cane passed through empty air.

"What...?!"

In his haste to act, Ozpin didn't see the flicker of movement beneath him, nor the rising fist that swept up in its wake, but he certainly felt his aura flex as the air fled from his lungs and his entire body creaked from head to toe. Huh. Pain. He'd almost forgotten what it felt like after all these years. Likewise, he heard every single Faunus watching cheer as his body crumpled over the blond's arm. It was a humbling thing indeed, to be booed in such a manner. Such was the sting of humiliation. He'd not felt that in decades, if not centuries.

Naruto patted his back with his free hand, the other still wedged in his gut. "All that work, for one hit. You must be so proud."

That was the crux of things, wasn't it? Pride. Foolish, abominable pride. He'd come to think of himself as formidable these days, even with his power split among the Maidens.

His magic might not be what it once was, but he had aura and this body was impeccably trained. He'd had an entire lifetime to train; fought off the worst Salem had to offer time and time again. The former owner of this body was regrettably one with him now -as all hosts were, sooner or later- but he liked to think the former "Ozpin" would've been proud of what he'd achieved.

Thus it came as something of a shock for Ozpin, yes, a most unpleasant surprise indeed ,when he found his face buried in the dirt for the umpteenth time in as many minutes. A casual backhand swatted him clear off his feet and sent his body bouncing across the arena like a flung stone across a placid pone; it was only a lifetimes of experience that prevented him from landing out of bounds entirely. Were this a true-blue-duel to the death he could've simply unleashed the energy contained in his cane and annihilated the blond before him, rather than dragging it down into the ground to slow his momentum.

But that hardly seemed sporting here, didn't it? At the end of the day he wasn't here to kill. He was here to fight, possibly even recruit the young man before him...

.

..

...even if it was a losing battle.

Blast but this boy was well trained. He could admit that much. Moreover he didn't recognize his fighting style; in part because there didn't seen to be one; his was a mad blend of moves from others, likely learned over a great many years and likewise, many teachers. He couldn't trust the holes he left in his defenses either-more than once he'd sought one, only to be intercepted outright or worse, take a beating for it as he was now.

"You good?" Naruto planted a fist on his hip as he regarded him. The act smacked of showmanship and the crowd -even Team STRQ- ate it right up. "We can take a breather, if you like."

Raven, ever one for conflict no matter the side, hooted her agreement. "You tired, old man?!"

A rare ember of anger sparked in Ozpin's chest. He pushed himself upright with an effort, no longer hunched over his cane for balance. From there it was a simple matter of reaching up, adjusting his spectacles, sweeping a hand through his hair to push it out his eyes, then straightening once more.

...your concern is touching, miss Branwen, but I'm quite alright." he absolutely loathed the faint tremor in his voice. "We can continue at your leisure."

"Great!" Naruto's smile set off a fresh pang of alarms. "Let's kick things up a notch or two. Give the crowd a show, ya know?"

"What."

Clenched knuckles filled his vision.

Ozpin's cane swept up, bleeding momentum. Naruto stamped a foot down to change direction and parried it, catching the blunt end of his precious tool with clawed fingers before dragging it parallel across his body. An ominous creaking sound rose in the air and with it, Ozpin's spirits sank. Doubtless he meant to break it. Unwilling to accept such an outcome he braved his cherished tool with both hands and wrenched it in the opposite direction to force a clash. Naruto only smiled and once more, Ozpin realized he'd stumbled into a trap.

Naruto's knee rocketed up, leaving him no choice but to meet it with his own or be knocked out the ring entirely. He felt his aura plummet as pain rocketed through the limb. He'd be limping tomorrow.

"Now that's more like it!" The young man grinned down at him, sparks flying as they clashed. "I can actually feel that!"

Ozpin grit his teeth.

...in a moment, all you'll feel is defeat."

"That or disappointment. Lets flip that coin, shall we?" his foe winked, grabbed his cane with the other hand, and-

CLUNK.

Stars burst before Ozpin's vision and his spectacles snapped in half as Naruto's forehead barreled into his. His concentration shattered and with it, his grip on the cane. His body faltered, falling to one knee in the face of such pain. Oh, the pain. By the brother gods, the pain! It felt like he'd run face first into a bullhead! What was his skull made of, pure metal?! Through bleary eyes he watched Naruto pivoted, now grasping the business end of his weapon, brandishing the silver hilt like some sort of metal bat. But why would he...oh.

Oh, dear.

In a single seamless movement the whiskered warrior spun around and decked him with the hilt. A tooth whistled free through the air. Ozpin's face kissed thee ground again, his body with it, and lay still. All around him the world went silent. The cheers stopped. No one moved. They might've stopped breathing for all he knew, such was their shock.

Summer broke it with a yelp. "Professor?!"

The sound reactivated Ozpin; dragged him back from the brink of unconsciousness.

He dearly wished it hadn't. This so-called

"..."

Naruto could've finished him there. He knew it. They both did. But he didn't follow through; instead he goaded him on, encouraged him, strange as it might sound. A boot nudged his shoulder and rolled him over onto his back. Something landed on his chest. It took him a moment to realize what it was. His own bloody tooth.

"C'mon. Stop holding back. Gimme your best."

Ozpin grit his teeth and fought to right himself once more. Failed, as his body buckled.

His best? This was his best. He had nothing more to give!

At the height of his power this would've been a very different battle; with his magic at its zenith, he would have battered the blond back and given him the fight of his life. But that power was long gone-lost to him, likely never to return. Those magics had a will of their own now and would not return. Never had he regretted making the Maidens more than in this moment.

Once more found himself tempted to blast this smug boy in the face with the energy he'd stored within his cane. Even a small amount. Anything to turn the tide and help him save face before the eyes of the world. Really it wouldn't be much. He could play it off as a hithero undiscovered Semblance, or a trick of his weapon. Just a quick click of the trigger-no! He stamped down such an urge with a scowl. Absolutely not. He'd collected that energy over countless lifetimes. To waste the entirety of here and now would not only be childish, but pointless...

.

..

...and he was beginning to fear even that wouldn't be enough.

"Oh." his foe seemed to realize that a moment later. "You've already hit your limit, haven't you?" Naruto's eyes glowed read and for an awful moment, some great eldritch beast seemed to rise up speak from deep within him. "How incredibly disappointing."

Ozpin's face closed down. "What the devil are you...?"

"Tired, is what I am." the whiskered warrior blew out a breathy sigh. "Buddy, if this is genuinely the best you can do, then I don't have anymore time for you." he flung up a hand in exasperation. "I've got order to keep, I STILL need to track down the rat bastard who thinks its a good idea to go around poisoning children on the island you...you're boring me." The statement was delivered with almost casual indifference. "Either pull out your ace, your trump card, whatever it is your hiding up your sleeve, or just give up. Don't make me knock you out."

...it would come to that, wouldn't it?

Against his better judgement, Ozpin righted himself once more. Through a bruised eye, he considered the sidelines...

"Fight!"

"Oz, c'mon!"

"Get up already!"

"What the hell are you doing, old man?!"

Team STRQ was hollering at him to press on, but his concern didn't lay with them. It was the Faunus that concerned him so and not for the reasons one might think. Nearly the entire island had gathered to watch. Many were recording this with their scrolls. Doubtless news of his defeat would be spread over the whole of Remnant by nightfall. All thanks to their new CCT system, another gift salvaged from the wreck of that Atlas cruiser. Menagerie didn't have a new station, being such a small isolated nation, but he suspected that was about to change.

He could hear them, too. More aptly, those strange young ladies with whom he'd surrounded himself.

"He's doing it. He's actually beating a Headmaster. I didn't think it was possible...

"Of course he is, Kali! Did you expect anything less?!"

"This is foolish. He needs to finish him off...

"What's he waiting for...?"

Ozpin hung his head. So. This was defeat then. It tasted bitter, bitter indeed. But he could accept it. He'd given it his all. Everything he had.

"Very well." he sighed, forcing himself up onto his knees. "I'm no fool. I-

The world froze.

There was no other word for it; one moment Ozpin was preparing to admit defeat with what remained of his dignity; in the next, all the motion and madness of Menagerie ground to a jarring halt. Every single color faded to grey, dragging all semblance of sound with it. He stood in the silence and tapped a foot against the ground. The noise echoed hollowly in the void.

"What is this?"

A voice ripped through his ears and drove him back to his knees. "How far you have fallen."

Ozpin gripped the side of his head. He knew this voice...!

But why now?! After all this time!

"When I sent you back all those eons, your purpose was to bring peace and order, not diminish yourself and be belittled like this." though it lacked a face to frown, the God of Light's's voice conveyed his disappointment all the same. "You have failed in this once again. I have seen enough."

Heat flooded his body. He balked at it, not quite comprehending. "What is this?"

"A gift. There will not be another. I restore you. Reunify you."

"But the Maidens-

"Will remain. They are of your magic, and thus your mistake, one you must rectify. Do not spread yourself so thin again."

Humbled by such a restoration, he could only bow his head. "You have my thanks-

"Do not thank me. I give you fifty years."

His blood ran cold. "...what?"

"Fifty years, Ozma." Likewise, any trace of warmth had utterly fled from the deity's voice now. It was unknowable. Implacable. Unstoppable. "You were given countless lifetimes to write your wrongs and failed. Now I give you half a century. Use your full might to face this fool, lose or win, I care not. But know this. If order is not restored, if my Brother and I are not summoned by the given time, we shall deem Remnant a failure and return...to destroy it."

Horror dawned. "No, wait-

Time unwound anew.

Ozpin blinked, finding himself back on his knees.

And yet everything had changed. He could feel it, strength simmering just under the surface. He felt decades younger. Stronger. Faster. And yet all this came at a horrid price. Fifty years. Five decades to bring the world together, best Salem, and summon the gods once more. Failure didn't merely mean his death, but the deaths of thousands. Millions. Perhaps billions. There was no time to waste.

He would stat here.

...would like to continue."

Naruto sighed. "Have it your own way."

A lazy kick swept his way. He could see it this time, if only just.

Ozpin spun with the blow pivoted, and snapped a kick into his ribs. Naruto trapped it against his body with an arm and swung, launching him towards the ring's edge. Ozpin slammed his cane down, digging it against the sand, superheating it to glass. From there he stomped down, flinging sharpened shards his way.

The blond blocked his face with an amused tut, hiding a smile behind one arm. This time for certain!

His cane flicked in at his eyes while he did, seeking to strike while he was blind.

Naruto caught it with a smile. "Do you know the definition of insanity?"

The sudden inquiry caught Ozpin flatfooted. "Pardon?"

"Its just, I've been thinking." the blond blocked a strike with his knee, ducked another, swept in and traded blows with him. Ozpin's fist smashed into his chest, sending a coat of ice crawling across his flesh. Undettered, his adversary He laughed and punched back twice as hard, breaking three ribs. "Insanity is doing the exact..." his hand closed around his face as he staggered, slammed him into the ground and dragged him across the length of the ring, sending aura sparking. "Same damn thing." he smashed him down once, twice, thrice. "Over and over again." Clawed fingers bit into him and heled him down. Expecting things to change..."

Ozpin retaliated with a blast of fire to his face.

Naruto grinned through it and tossed him away, bleeding flame.

"You think this time will be different." he scoffed. "This time I can win. You can't. Me? I've been dealing with a different kind of madness. Ever since I landed here, everyone's been looking up to me. Expecting me to help them. Save them. So what if Atlas hates me? They started this. Mistral? I'm sorry about their mountains, but I didn't kill anyone. You're trying to face me head on, and we've both seen what that can do. What's Vacuo gonna do?" he mocked. "Mind control me?"

Ozpin's cane tapped down. Earthen rocks rose from the ring, slamming into him, confining him within a coffin of stone.

Naruto burst through it and grabbed him by the collar. "Enough."

Ozpin balked. "Errors have been made."

"Yes. They have." Blue eyes blazed red. "And they were yours. Now...

He'd made a terrible mistake. He realized that now. In his arrogance, he'd thought himself...not invincible, he wasn't, but strong. Even in his weakened state he could fight just about anyone short of Salem to a standstill and emerge victorious. And even his former wife wasn't so much strong as she was unstoppable. Take away her immortality and control of Grimm, and what did you have? A powerful mage. Dangerous to be sure, yet at his peak, he was certain he could handle her. With his strength restored he'd become arrogant, if only for a moment.

But this? It had never once occurred to him that there might be someone stronger than him.

...CLENCH YOUR TEETH!"

Ozpin didn't. He laughed instead.

Because you see, in that moment, he understood.

Someone like this would laugh in Salem's face if she ever came knocking. Maybe not now, maybe not tomorrow, maybe not even next year, but soon. Fifty years? That was a generous amount of time. Let them have their differences, their misunderstandings. A force like this...with a warrior capable of besting him even in his prime...maybe, just maybe, there was hope.

In that instant, Ozpin surrendered. His body went limp, wearing a chagrined smile. "Well done."

Clenched knuckles barreled into his nose.

And the world went black.

A/N: Aaaand now we have a deadline.

Fifty years. Maybe less. Who can tell what's to come...?

You'll just have to read and see where this goes; I promise you won't be disappointed~!

As ever, the Embers rule still persists. If folks don't like this story? Well...it will remain, but I'll not continue it. I can't bear to write something no one likes. That's no joke. So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter! Really, they do! I'm literally working every day now, so I have less and less time to write. Updates might...speed up in the interim, but I know that would upset a lot of people.

So, in the Immortal words of Atlas...

...review, would you kindly?

And of course, enjoy the previews! Rough though they are...

Previews are mostly the same, don't want to spoil anything coming up.

(Previews)

She smoothed out her gown and patted an empty space on the bed beside her. "Here. Rest a little."

Naruto eyed her warily. "I don't think that's a good idea right now, Kali."

"Relax. I don't bite...hard."

He leaned back.

"Joking! I was only joking There's something I wanted to ask you."

"Ask, then.

She did.

"You want me to train you?!"

Kali clasped her hands. "Pleeeaaase? I'll be your best student!"

"Oi." he creaked an eye open. "What're you doing?""

She climbed atop him, the bed creaking beneath their shared weight. Her forehead touched his. "Something I should've done a long time ago...

He sniffed once. "You're drunk."

She hiccuped. "M'not!"

A dagger flicked his way in the dark. He caught it between two fingers.

Blue eyes slid to his right. He heard the crack of a sniper rifle.

The piercing round flattened against the back of his head.

Naruto blew out a short, sharp, angry breath.

...right, then. You asked for this."

"Didn't ask, don't need it, go f**k yourself!"

Anna Taurus grinned, or what passed for a grin with her. Really it was a small, taciturn smile. "We have an accord, then?"

The setting sun caught her hair and set it afire. Naruto felt his throat close. "Against my better judgement...

He reached out and hooked his hand in hers.

"Dear boy, did you truly think it would be so easy? This world is against you; it will always be against you...and so you must fight to claim what is yours."

"Someone thrust a microphone in his face. "Are you planning another Faunus war?"

"Why're ya calling me a lord-and what?! No!' he batted the arm "When did I say that?!

It was implied. You've made a fool of Altas and Vale, destroyed a mountain in Mistral. Will the kingdom of Vacuo be next?"

Bloody journalists. He hated them.

"We have a visitor.

"I swear if that's Ozpin...

"No," Sienna shook her head, setting her hair swaying. "Its a woman." he didn't miss her pensive expression. "She's been detained down by the docks. Real strange one at that. She didn't resist. If anything she seemed almost...amused when we pulled her off that boat. Like she was humoring us.

The exact antithesis of Ozpin's entry. Why did that leave him feeling oddly concerned?

Naruto found himself tilting his head. "Did she say anything?"

"That she wanted to meet you. Nothing more."

What have we learned, son?"

...only the strongest will survive?"

Five taught fingers came crashing down between Adam's horns in a stern chop!

"Wrong!

R&R~!