Author's note: I really like to see Sirena and Jaune interact, because they're both motivated by protecting others. In general, the Atlas arc was really fun to write, because it let me put Sirena together with other people a lot.
The day after Ruby and her friends got their licenses, Sirena and Jaune were walking through Mantle, heading to where they would meet the children they would protect, as well as their parents.
"It's alright to be nervous," Sirena said, "After all, this is your first actual mission. No more excuses. This is your responsibility now."
"You're not making it any better," Jaune said and asked, "And how did you know I was nervous?"
"I can sense your unease," Sirena answered, "But you can relax, I will help you out."
"Alright," Jaune said and asked, "Anyway, can I talk to you about what Ruby told us last night?"
"Of course," Sirena answered and asked, "What is it?"
"The whole plan," Jaune answered, "I mean, that sounds like Sophie will be mass producing silver-eyed warriors, like they were some sort of thing."
"It is strange, yes," Sirena said, "However, that is the only way to save Remnant. We will force Salem to divide her attention, thin out her forces, and walk right into our trap. Silver-eyed warriors will increase in numbers and lead mankind into a bright future."
"I guess that makes sense," Jaune said and asked, "Anyway, you didn't come along just to show me the ropes, right?"
"Not quite, no," Sirena answered, "I did my research on the individuals we would encounter on our mission, and learned some interesting things. And since I didn't know who we would encounter, I first needed to research that. So now I know a lot about the people in this city. Take that car thief for example." Jaune followed Sirena's look to a man wearing red shoes, blue jeans and an orange winter jacket.
"That was thirty years ago," the man called over to them, then kept walking.
"I also know a lot of people's secret identities," Sirena said, "Like that hustler over there." She looked at a woman wearing black high-heeled boots, dark blue jeans and a white shirt under a dark blue vest. The woman looked around nervously, then hurried inside.
"How do you know people's secret identities?" Jaune asked.
"Most people knew mine at some point," Sirena answered, "One of my semblances tells me something about others based on what they know about me, and since Talia made my secret identity public a few years ago, I know everyone's secret identity."
"Even the Shadow King?" Jaune asked.
"Yes, even him," Sirena answered, "But in any case, we're here." They arrived at the first house and Sirena exchanged scroll numbers with the child's parents, so that they could contact her, and she could call them when they arrived at the school.
~o~
Weiss, Maria and Marrow were walking through the sewers under Mantle, looking for Grimm. They heard some noise, like Grimm fighting with something, and got ready to defend themselves, when a Sabyr came running around a corner, apparently fleeing from something.
"Stay," Marrow said and stopped the Grimm's head. Its body twisted, its neck snapped and its head popped off. Maria whirled around and swung her weapons just in time to kill a Centinel that came out of the wall next to her. Another couple Sabyr came running around the corner, only to be killed by exploding energy blasts.
"What is that?" Maria asked. A mutated Scavenger came around the corner, with white fur, light blue lines on its armor plating, and a set of curved spikes on each shoulder. Its spear had a wider tip than usual, and had light blue markings near the tip.
"What is that?" Marrow asked. The mutant Grimm aimed its weapon at the group and charged an attack from its spear. A summoned Life-Stealer walked around the corner and screeched at the small Grimm, which stopped its attack and walked off into another tunnel. Marrow took a step back and aimed his weapon at the massive summon, but Weiss created a glyph to protect her summon.
"Where is the man?" Weiss asked the Life-Stealer. She walked up to it and it lowered its head to be on eye level with her.
"Beats me," the summon answered in Ruby's voice, "But I saved him. Sort of. There are two people killing Ironwood's critics, and while I got one of them, the other injured the man, so I had to mutate him. His devotion to Robyn Hill kept him from joining our ranks, so he went off on his own. But if you make me disappear, it will reverse the mutation and he'll bleed out." Weiss groaned.
"Fine," Weiss said, "Just… go and do stuff. Kill Grimm, protect Ironwood's critics, that sort of thing."
"Kill Ironwood and criticize Grimm, got it," the Life-Stealer said in a joking tone, turned invisible and walked off.
"What was that?" Marrow asked after the summon was gone.
"A Life-Stealer," Weiss answered, "They're one of my more powerful summons, but difficult to control. I summoned this one to protect a man we met on our way to Atlas after you and the others arrested us. And, well, apparently that's what's been causing Ironwood those problems lately."
"But since when can Grimm speak?" Marrow asked.
"Life-Stealers can mimic voices," Weiss answered, "They usually read their victim's minds to find out who they trust the most, then use that voice to lure them into an ambush. But for some reason, mine always sound like Ruby."
"Weiss, do you hear me?" A tiny voice squeaked behind Weiss. She made the Seer hidden in her hair float around her and made it grow to its full size. As the Grimm grew, Weiss saw Whitley's face in its spherical body.
"Whitley, hello," Weiss said and asked, "What do you want?"
"Just checking in on you," Whitley answered and asked, "So, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine," Weiss answered and asked, "So, how are things in Atlas?"
"Don't know," Whitley answered, "General Ironwood suddenly headed to a military outpost, and father has asked me to come along to investigate, and make sure he doesn't do anything illegal."
"I see," Weiss said and asked, "Are you sure you'll be fine?"
"Wait, the General left Atlas?" Marrow asked, "Why don't we know about this?"
"You do now," Weiss answered.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," Whitley answered, "After all, I have multiple powerful summons to back me up."
"Alright," Weiss said, "But let me know if your aura drops too low, or if anyone gets hurt. I can help you out from here."
"Thanks," Whitley said. His face disappeared and was replaced with light blue mist, and Weiss looked around. Maria and Marrow were both looking at her, and while Maria was just happy that she got along so well with her brother, Marrow seemed somewhat disturbed by the Seer.
~o~
Jaune and Sirena were walking through Mantle, with Jaune taking the lead, followed by a group of school children, and Sirena covering the back of the group. When Jaune looked back to make sure that everyone was following and staying in line, he saw Sirena smile like he had never seen her smile before. It was a calm and gentle smile, one that showed she was completely content with what she was doing, and in her element. A little girl slowed down until she walked next to Sirena. The girl had short white hair, orange eyes and wore black shoes and jeans, and a light blue pullover under an orange parka.
"Excuse me," the girl said and asked, "Is it true that you're a mermaid?"
"No, I'm not," Sirena answered with a gentle smile and asked, "Why do you ask?"
"My mommy said you came from under water," the girl answered, "And that's where mermaids live."
"I see," Sirena said, "Well, I know a mermaid. She's really nice, but she looks a bit scary."
"That means noone messes with her," the girl said and asked, "Can you use magic?"
"Cut it out, Cucurbita," a boy further ahead said, "Magic isn't real."
"It is," Cucurbita said, "My aunt saw an angel a few days ago."
"I don't believe you," the boy said.
"But it's true," Cucurbita said, turned to Sirena and said, "Tell him magic is real."
"Many people in my kingdom can use magic," Sirena said.
"Can you use magic?" Cucurbita asked.
"No," Sirena answered, "Members of the royal family are forbidden from learning magic." Hearing this, Cucurbita gasped happily.
"Are you a princess?" Cucurbita asked. Several girls in the group look at Sirena in awe, wanting to know if they were really accompanied by an actual princess.
"No, I'm not," Sirena answered with a chuckle, "I'm the queen. Anyway, everyone, watch where you're going." The girls looked forward again and Jaune stopped the traffic so they could cross the road.
"Can I live in your kingdom?" Cucurbita asked after they safely crossed the road.
"Why would you want that?" Sirena asked.
"Because the other children make fun of me," Cucurbita answered, and Sirena returned to her more serious self.
"Did you tell your teachers or parents?" Sirena asked.
"Yes," Cucurbita answered, "Mommy talked to the other mommies, but it only made things worse, and the teachers don't do anything because the other children don't hit me."
"Would you like if I talked to the teachers?" Sirena asked.
"Yes," Cucurbita answered.
"Alright," Sirena said, "Then I'll talk to them once we get to the school."
"Anyway, are you ever scared?" Cucurbita asked.
"Don't be ridiculous," another girl said, "She's huntress. She can't be a coward."
"Actually, I am scared," Sirena said, "All the time, actually. There are people I don't want to lose, and when I'm scared of them being hurt, that's when I know they're important to me. Being scared is normal, and nothing to be ashamed of. It can inspire you to rise above all others, bring out the best in you, and keep you going when you remember that others feel the same. That is where I derive my strength from, actually. I know that others are scared, and so I dedicate my life to keeping those people safe. That is what it means to be a huntress, and a queen. Being scared is different than being a coward. Cowards let their fear control them, while true strength comes from accepting the fear, and doing the right thing regardless." The children and Jaune were amazed by that little speech. They continued walking and arrived at the school shortly after, and Sirena contacted the parents to let them know that their children all arrived safely.
~o~
Ren, Nora and Elm were walking along the wall, keeping an eye out for any Grimm coming from the east. Ren fired a short volley into a small group of Teryx, which didn't notice them thanks to his semblance. He then pressed a button on his scroll and made the bullets turn into a whirlwind of razor-sharp wires.
"Impressive," Elm said, "But I can do something cool, too." She anchored herself to the wall, turned her weapon into its rocket launcher form and aimed at a pack of Sabyr.
"Dibs!" Nora called out and shot three fire-dust canisters into the Grimm, killing them all. Elm lowered her weapon and deactivated her semblance again.
"You can't call dibs on killing Grimm," Elm said.
"Then why did I just do it?" Nora asked.
"Because you don't know the rules," Elm answered.
"Calm down," Ren said, "It doesn't matter who kills the Grimm, or how. All that matters is that they are dead, and the people are not."
"Alright, fine," Elm said, "But the next pack is mine."
"Deal," Nora said. The trio continued their patrol route, with Elm and Nora taking turns killing larger packs of Grimm, while Ren kept to the smaller groups or individual Grimm. He also used his semblance to mask the trio, and any civilians they encountered along the way.
~o~
Sirena entered the principal's office and saw a heavy-built man in his mid forties, with graying hair, who wore a black suit and tie. He sat behind an intricately designed, solid oak wood desk, which had a couple papers on it, as well as a lamp and a microphone for school-wide announcements.
"Hello, principal Aritz," Sirena said, and stopped in front of his desk.
"Hello huntress," principal Aritz said and asked, "What can I help you with?"
"One of your students, Cucurbita Orange, is getting bullied," Sirena answered, "I expect you to understand the severity of this situation."
"That's just kids being kids," principal Aritz said and leaned forward.
"It's attracting Grimm," Sirena said, "Your gross negligence and incompetence is putting these children at risk, and you know it. Grimm are being drawn towards this school, and they get closer every day. Before long, they will break down these doors, and then these children's blood will be on your hands." Principal Aritz smiled confidently, took his right index finger off the intercom button, leaned back and put his feet on his desk.
"Looks like you just gave it the final push," principal Aritz said. Sirena's eyes flared up shortly, and she flung a ball of ice blue energy at him, freezing him solid.
"No, I just needed your help to fix it," Sirena said with a confident smile, "You'll go to jail. Then, you'll join Salem, and then your Backstab semblance will help me destroy her. So, thanks for that." She left the office and walked through the school, where students and teachers panicked. She knew that their fear would soon reach a tipping point.
~o~
Ruby was walking through Atlas Academy, due to having nothing to do for another half hour, when Clover walked up to her. He looked somewhat nervous and uncertain, and stopped in front of Ruby, and they both stepped to the side of the hallway to let others pass.
"Hey Clover," Ruby said and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Hello Ruby. I've been thinking," Clover answered, "I talked it over with the others, and we'd like your team to teach us how to be better at teamwork. So please, teach us what you know." Clover's brooch sparkled a little, and something told Ruby that he just proved himself worthy of his semblance.
"Typical Sirena move," Ruby said to herself.
"What was that?" Clover asked.
"Nothing," Ruby answered, sensed Grimm approach a school and said, "Anyway, before we begin, there's something I'd need you to do." She pulled out her scroll, located Qrow, grabbed Clover and brought the two of them to Qrow.
"Ruby, Clover, what's the hurry?" Qrow asked.
"Clover needs to borrow your sword real quick," Ruby answered and used Vine's semblance to take Qrow's sword and hand it to Clover. Clover took the weapon, which was a bit too heavy for his liking, and both men were confused by the idea.
~o~
Jaune had his sword and shield ready and was staring down a street in front of the school, waiting for the Grimm. The children were hiding behind the playground equipment, wanting to see what was going to happen, while the teachers tried to get them inside. One Sabyr jumped onto a nearby bus stop and towards a boy hiding behind a Manticore slide. Before the Grimm could hit the child, a stream of fire vaporized the Sabyr. Everyone looked to the school's entrance, where they saw Sirena with her trident extended towards the Grimm. Jaune felt a strange semblance flare up shortly.
"Everyone, stay calm and get inside," Sirena said, "Teachers, lock the doors once everyone is safe." Sirena walked down the steps to the school and through the two rows of children, who calmly went inside. Jaune began fighting the Sabyr, using Sirena's semblance to reflect some of the damage back to them whenever one crashed against his shield. From the other direction, another pack of Sabyr approached, and ran onto the playground. Sirena impaled one Grimm with her trident and activated her semblance. She blocked an attack, killing the Sabyr with poison. She whirled her trident around, mostly letting Grimm run into it and killing them with her poison. She used Sun's semblance to create two clones of herself, which jumped into the trees and used Cinder's weapon in its bow form to fight the Grimm. Sirena jammed her trident into the ground and grabbed it with both hands. She made a front flip into a handstand, killing a Sabyr that tried to hit her from behind. Grimm came running towards her from all sides. Sirena let herself fall sideways without letting go of her weapon, and swung around it with the grace and elegance of a professional dancer, kicking all the Grimm and killing them in one hit each. After her third full rotation around her weapon, Sirena jumped towards a pole with a ball on a string attached to it, taking her weapon with her. Before she landed, she turned her trident into its scepter form and put it away. She grabbed the string and used the ball attached to it as a flail. She killed two Sabyr with it and strangled a third one. She did a backflip onto another Sabyr and kicked the ball away. She put the Sabyr she landed on in a leg log and crushed its neck. The ball hit another Sabyr in the head, leaving it disoriented and cracking its head armor. One of her clones fired an arrow into the Grimm's head and killed it. Jaune kept killing Sabyr with each hit, whether he dealt or took it. Suddenly, he slipped and accidentally sent one of the Grimm flying towards the school with the gravity-dust in his shield.
"No!" Jaune called out and tried hitting the Grimm with an aura wave. He sensed the strange semblance flare up again in Sirena, this time longer, and her clones shot arrows at the Grimm. The arrows collided with his aura wave, neutralizing both attacks. The Grimm crashed through a window, slammed against the lockers and landed in the hallways between the students and the emergency exit.
"Everyone, stand back," one of the teachers said, getting between the Grimm and the students and spreading her arms.
"Miss Aydan, I'm scared," a boy whimpered. The Sabyr growled at the group, but didn't move, as the broken glass cut into its paws.
"This is all Cucurbita's fault," a girl said, "If she wasn't such a crybaby, we'd be fine."
"I'm not a crybaby," Cucurbita said, "One day I'll be a huntress, and protect everyone. Even ugly witches like you." She looked at the Grimm and remembered what Sirena had told her about fear and cowardice.
"Everyone, stay calm," Ms. Aydan said, "We got huntsmen here, we'll be fine."
"I will be a huntress," Cucurbita said, "And I'll start with you." She looked at the Sabyr and ran past her teacher, before she even knew what she was doing.
"Cucurbita, wait!" Ms. Aydan called out, trying to stop her. Cucurbita grabbed a trash can lid and held it in her right hand like a shield. She grabbed a full backpack with her left hand and stopped in front of the Grimm. Her aura activated and orange energy manifested around the trash can lid, making it look like Jaune's shield. The Sabyr jumped at her. She blocked the blow and turned on the glass. The backpack hit the Grimm in the shoulder. The Sabyr slammed against the wall and got back up. The Grimm jumped at Cucurbita again and she pulled the backpack up. She hit the Grimm in the head from below, forcing it upwards. She spun on the broken glass and hit the Grimm in the hip, turning it on its side. After another turn, she slammed the backpack into the Grimm's face, driving its head into its torso and sending it flying. It evaporated completely before it could come to a stop.
"I'm not a crybaby," Cucurbita said as she walked back to the others. She suddenly felt pretty weak, and Miss Aydan had to catch her. She had two older students take care of her and went to open the doors again, as Jaune and Sirena came walking up to the building after killing all the Grimm outside.
"How dare you put our students in this kind of danger?" Ms. Aydan asked, "You are supposed to be a professional, aren't you?" She got up in Jaune's face, while her colleagues got the kids back into their classrooms.
"I take full responsibility for what happened," Sirena said, "It's his first mission as an official huntsman, and as the more experienced huntress, I should have been more careful. The first day on the new job is always a bit harder than the rest, even for us. I'm sure you understand."
"I- yes, of course," Ms. Aydan said, all her fear being washed away. Just as things started to calm down again, everyone heard police sirens in the distance, and Jaune froze up.
"Don't worry, you're safe," Sirena said jokingly.
"Then what do they want?" Ms. Aydan asked.
"The principal," Sirena answered, "I'll go tell him." She walked away, thawed the principal and arrested him, then handed him over to the police for putting the children in danger by not doing anything about the bullying.
"And what now?" Ms. Aydan asked.
"Now it's up to you to not repeat his mistakes," Jaune answered. Sirena went to comfort the children, and talked to Cucurbita in private a little to talk about what had happened earlier.
~o~
Some time after the Grimm attack on the school, Cucurbita found herself on the playground, though it seemed oddly quiet. She heard no wind, the city of Mantle was completely silent, and the entire scene seemed unnaturally eerie.
"Hello there," Sirena said, walking onto the playground, and asked, "Ready for training?"
"What training?" Cucurbita asked, "And what is happening here?"
"It's a dream," Sirena answered, "Also, I can teach you to use your semblance more effectively."
"My semblance?" Cucurbita asked.
"Yes, your semblance," Sirena answered and asked, "You want to become a huntress, right?"
"Yes," Cucurbita answered.
"Then you need to know how to use your semblance," Sirena said, "But, to be honest, I have another idea how you can help people. It's much better, too."
"Really?" Cucurbita asked excitedly, "What is it?"
"Everything at its time," Sirena answered and asked, "How much do you know about history?"
"We had a king once," Cucurbita answered, "But he did some bad stuff, and now we have a council instead."
"Good enough," Sirena said, "After losing the war, the last king of Atlas wrote what is called the constitution. Basically the rules for everyone, even the council. New laws have to be in line with the constitution, which is why freedom of expression can't be suppressed any more."
"That's boring," Cucurbita said, "I want to help people, not learn stuff. I go to school for that already."
"What if I told you that the royal family still had power?" Sirena asked.
"They don't," Cucurbita answered and said, "The council replaced the king."
"In the other kingdoms, yes," Sirena said, "But the king of Atlas wrote the constitution so that the full council, all five members, have the same authority as the king or queen."
"Wait, if this is a dream, whose dream is it?" Cucurbita asked, "Are you real?"
"It is your dream, but I am real," Sirena answered, "I used one of the semblances I copied to bond with you today, so that I could protect you in case you can't protect yourself."
"I didn't know you could copy semblances," Cucurbita said, "That's so cool."
"It is not a well-known technique," Sirena said, "But yes, it is very cool."
"But, why did you bond with me?" Cucurbita asked.
"Because I want to reestablish monarchy," Sirena answered, "And for that, I need a member of the royal bloodline."
"Do you need my help with that?" Cucurbita asked excitedly, smiling widely and happily jumping up and down.
"Yes, actually," Sirena answered with a chuckle, "Here, you can find them with this." She handed Cucurbita an object wrapped in white paper. Cucurbita unwrapped the objects and gasped when she saw her own face in a hand mirror.
"You mean I'm a princess?" Cucurbita asked with wide-eyed wonder.
"Yes," Sirena answered, "Your father was a descendant of the last king, who sent his son to Vacuo for protection. An anti-royalty group is lurking in the shadows, who manipulated the king to do the things he did, in order to destroy the monarchy. That is why I bonded with you, and why I will protect and train you in your dreams, so you can defend yourself."
"I had no idea," Cucurbita said, "I can't wait to tell everyone in school next week."
"Sorry, but this has to be a secret," Sirena said, "The training, your royal bloodline, all of it."
"What? Why?" Cucurbita asked.
"Because it's too dangerous," Sirena answered, "If the wrong people know that you know of your heritage, they will try to hurt you or the people you love. You can become a huntress, but you shouldn't tell anyone that I am training you. With the training the two of us go through, you will be much better than the rest, earning a reputation and gaining a following for yourself. And then you can get into politics, and once you're on the council, you can reveal the truth to the kingdom. By then you will have enough followers, and combat experience, to defend yourself against attackers."
"And then I can help everyone?" Cucurbita asked.
"Of course," Sirena answered, "As queen, you will have full control over the kingdom."
"But Ms. Aydan said that's bad," Cucurbita said.
"A monarchy is only as good as the monarch," Sirena explained, "Or, in other words, if you are a caring and compassionate queen, this kingdom will prosper."
"And until then?" Cucurbita asked.
"Until then, you're the crown princess," Sirena answered, "That means you're technically higher in the hierarchy than foreign dignitaries."
"What?" Cucurbita asked, tilting her head.
"Rulers of other kingdoms have to do what you say," Sirena answered.
"Like you?" Cucurbita asked.
"Yes, like me," Sirena answered.
"Cool," Cucurbita said.
"Cool indeed," Sirena said.
"Now, can you teach me to fight?" Cucurbita asked, paused, then said, "No, wait. As crown princess of Atlas, I order you to teach me to fight." Sirena chuckled a little and smiled at her.
"Of course, Your Highness," Sirena said, picked up a stick and said, "First lesson, your semblance as a whole."
"Yeah, what does it do?" Cucurbita asked.
"It makes stuff into what you see it as," Sirena answered, "For example, when you used the trash can lid as a shield, your semblance made it work like one. Here, try imagining this stick as a sword." She handed the stick to Cucurbita, who looked at it for a bit and focused on it, trying to coat it in orange energy.
"I can't," Cucurbita said after a short moment, letting her arms hang in disappointment.
"It's fine," Sirena said, "Just remember what you felt when you first used it."
"I wanted to protect people," Cucurbita said, "And I needed a shield."
"Now imagine a sword," Sirena said, "A ruler's mighty blade that cuts through the darkness and destroys your people's enemies." They trained for about an hour, then took a break, and continued training afterwards. When it was time for Cucurbita to wake up, Sirena promised to return the following night and keep training her.
Author's note: Clover proved himself worthy by accepting a silver-eyed warrior as superior to him, and all his allies got access to his semblance. During the short time period where he held Qrow's sword, about half a dozen people all over Remnant actually unlocked their semblances, due to the immense good luck.
Sirena is really in her element, at least socially, when she gets to protect people or deal with children. She also mainly went on this mission for Cucurbita. Some might say her emotionally manipulating a 5 year old to help her destroy democracy is a bad idea, but remember, Ironwood has to protect his people to the best of his abilities. So, if anything Sirena does threatens the people, he'll have to tell her not to do it.
Principal Aritz actually has a powerful passive semblance, which he doesn't even know about. Backstab increases the damage he can do to people based on how much they trust him, and it protects him from the collateral damages. Of course it doesn't work on people who know about it, especially if they have mastered the art of using other people's plans against them. But once Salem sees him as a valuable asset, he will undoubtedly turn on her, and get away unscathed. He can't kill her, but he can ruin her plans.