Forsworn

HP/VS

XXIV: Welcome back

The teens eyed Oscar with surprise and suspicion, because the kid sounded very much like Ozpin "Ozpin…what the actual fuck have you done? If you've possessed this kid then…"

"I'm sorry. Oscar, is going to become my next vessel." Ozpin stated sadly.

"How! Explain…" Neville growled.

"Remember when we first met that you both commented that I looked older than most and when I brought you into my…group; I explained that I had been fighting Salem for longer than anyone could know, the reason is because I have been made immortal."

Neville's eyes widened "Then what does Oscar have to do with it?"

"When I am killed, I am reborn in a like-minded individual much like my original one. Eventually I will override Oscar, it is part of my curse."

Neville stared "Well…shit. Anyway, is there anyway we can stop this?"

"Unfortunately no. All you can do is slow it down, and that is by having Oscar use as little of my power as possible."

With that Ozpin receded and Oscar's eyes turned back to a forest green. "Neville, please, explain." Seamus asked, the natural magic users were in shock and the younger Hunters were reeling from the information about Oscar and Ozpin, the latter of whom was clutching the hilt of Ozpin's former cane. They were distracted by the sounds of beeping and alarms as Qrow detached himself from the medical machines "Let's go. Find some drinks and I'll explain."

(Harry et al.)

The broken sandskiff wheezed into the harbour of the City of Vacuo. It was there, almost immediately, as Teams CFYV along Sage and Sun disembarked with Rumpole and Harry some the locals took displeasure to him.

Harry's temper was notoriously short. It was a mixture of being used as glorified generator, he had volunteered, but it didn't mean that it was any less draining. "Got a problem, at least have the decency to say it to my face."

Velvet looked at Harry "He gave me a hard time and recently…he tried to grope me, but got Coco."

The words carried "Yeah I did…you should have accepted."

"You tried to grope and potentially rape my woman?" Harry stated.

The Mutterer, a man in his late 30's, heavy set, clad in a vest and leather shorts with knee high leather work builts, with sunkissed skin, short messy black haid and hard brown bloodshot eyes "Yeah."

"And you have a problem with me?"

"Yup, rather me and my boys have. You see you're what these kids age, armed like a Huntsman-in-training, probably from Beacon and thus another unneeded burden in Vacuo Society."

Harry smiled "Then let's get them in attendance. I hope you're wanting a fight, well I want one."

That threw the six men off their game; normally no-one would want to pick a fight. The six of them looked at one another before rushing Harry. It was like watching people slow-mo, the moves were awfully telegraphed. Harry closed the distance with one who looked rather much like an enlarged snapping turtle; with swipe to the ribs, Turtle fell to one side, a sharp reverse heel kick into the shoulder resounded in a crunch before Turtle could fall, Harry grabbed him and hurled into one that he'd quickly call Goliath, a man built very much Rock Besnarl would be proud of but a full head taller.

The next one pulled a switch blade, the glimmering blade raked across Harry's face, not scarring it as his aura partially materialised. Harry's hand took on a darkish tone as Earth dust coalesced. Knife-Wielder screamed as his arm came loose, the earth enhanced arm yanked the man backwards as Harry slammed him into the earth sparking and convulsing.

"That's three enthusiastic wing-men. Who's the second-in-command and Leader?"

The remaining two Minions halted their attack, leaving their leader in the dust. Leader ploughed into Harry, taking him off his feet, and slammed into the ground. Harry grunted as his aura shattered, "Fuck, that hurt." "Not so tough…" The Leader commented before he let out an agonising scream as pulse of red energy slammed into his leg.

Harry rolled to his feet "I've broken your femur, tibia and fibula with ruptures to various tendons and ligaments." With that he got to his feet, staggered over to Velvet. Velvet sighed and took her boyfriend's hand "That better?"

For Rumpole it was a strange sight, she knew that Harry was unpredictable but to see him be so protective and almost like a normal teen unsettled her.

Velvet pulled herself into Harry, she let out a content sigh as she felt his skeletally thin arm, he'd always been thin, this was the worst that she'd seen in a while, wrap around her. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's good that you're home, really fucking good to have you home."

Harry felt the inexplicable weight on his shoulders lift somewhat. He was home and right now, with Velvet in his arms, he was content. "Hey, we've got to get a ride to the Academy."

Harry passed out in the people carrier "He's been pushing himself far too hard, Rumpole. He's easier to handle this way." Yatsuhashi stated.

"As I can clearly see."

Eventually the transport made it to Shade Academy, to say something about it the closest thing that Harry could think of was an identical build to Vale, only in black. Harry looked about, he could see several dozen chokepoints, perfect places to stash Huntsmen should the place come under siege and finally standing at the top of the stairs awaiting the Deputy Headmistress was Team NDGO.

Harry dragged himself out of the vehicle, he drove his sword into the floor to steady himself "I'm not going to start a thing, I can barely fight my way out of a paper bag right now."

Members of NDGO eyed the former Vale group with suspicion "Do you see that new guy? He looks kind of familiar." Gwen murmured.

"I think you're seeing double, he definitely looks like he's been through the ringer…where'd they find him? Looks like he picked a fight with a Blind Worm." Octavia retorted, with a hint of pity in her voice.

"You can't feel sorry for him…" Dew exclaimed.

"I can if I want to Dew! We've not fought a Blind Worm, if he has and survived looking like he gave the worm indigestion then he deserves some sympathy and slack." Octavia snapped back.

Nebula stepped between Octavia, Dew and Gwen…granted they'd all grown up together and with luck they'd all been placed on the same team. She agreed that veterans of Vale needed to be tested, or bullied, but fighting a Blind Worm was no mean feat. "Settle down, we're representatives of Vacuo and Shade, we'll leave them be for now. Gwen, he does look familiar, worse for wear definitely but once he's had sleep, shower and food, we'll find out. Dew, don't start anything you can't finish. Octavia, calm down."

NDGO waited for the group to enter; they'd been sent by the Headmaster to greet Rumpole as soon as she'd landed. "Deputy Headmistress…"

"I know, I have just caught up. Go, you still have homework to do I believe."

NDGO nodded and swiftly departed, Harry leant against the refreshingly stone cold wall. His hand reached into one of his tattered pockets and pulled out a battered wrapper "Huh, even after all this time." With trembling hands, he opened the wrapper and tipped the trail-tack food bar that more resembled crumbs and tipped it down his throat.

Harry swallowed it "Now, where do we have to go…to get transferred."

Rumpole snorted "Come with me." Harry looked at Velvet, who looked like she really wanted to come with him. "Harry…"

"I'll be okay. Lot's of things are going to be discussed…" Velvet nodded reluctantly, before turning to her team 'I'm remaining here until he comes back'.

Rumpole sighed, she wasn't about to put up with this any longer than she needed "Potter, will she spill the beans?"

"No. I can ensure that Velvet does not." Velvet blushed, but also narrowed her eyes at Harry's statement.

With Velvet as a crutch, the trio ascended the lift! The view was amazing, Harry looked out over the vast amount of desert and the ramshackle yet orderly looking City of Vacuo. "No, Harry, I'm not saying I don't want to live with you but I don't particularly wish to live in Vacuo."

"Because the sand is coarse, and rough, and it gets everywhere. And it's also irritating?"

"Don't go on a baby-killing rampage or fight anyone who declares they have the high ground." Velvet retorted. She knew those films very well, thank you very much. She rested herself against him.

"Do we have to do this?"

"Yes…Velvet soon, so very soon my job will be done. But for now…" As he spoke the door opened revealing a circular room with feet on the desk was The Headmaster.

"AH! Xanthe, I trust your investigation heralded fruit?"

"Yes, Theodore. The Crown were indeed at fault, however, there have been complications."

Theodore cocked his head "How so?"

Rumpole turned to Harry "Him."

"Him, has a name Rumplestiltskin…I'd encourage you to use it before I decide to take offence and deviate from my mission."

Theodore looked at the heterochromatic teen "You're Hadrian Branwen! Welcome back. Now I need to know what the mission is."

Harry eyed some unused pieces of paper and picked up a pen scribbled something down. "This.".

Theodore's eyes widened, his eyebrows rose. But as they did so a smile formed on his face "Well, the big one wouldn't expect this playbook. Are you sure this won't cause a negative impact on my students? This includes the wonderful Miss. Scarlatina."

"Depends on how disciplined they are. Because this could go either very well or very badly, so between you and me, let me prepare the solutions for my work."

Theodore nodded "You don't seem surprised about the big one."

"We've had the pleasure of meeting. She's not going to move against me if I don't move against her. I have more important things to worry about than a millennia or more family argument."

Theodore's jaw dropped "This…entire thing…is a family argument?"

"More or less, but, their might well be some justified disagreements between Oz and Salem but Ozpin is suffering from a case of I'mdisembodieditus at the moment so until he reappears, I figured I can take a little sabbatical."

"I need to know more." Theodore sounded very much like a teen.

"And we can discuss conspiracy theories over beers and curries once I'm free of my obligations…"

Theodore nodded "Mr. Branwen, I'm going to put you with Team CFVY, you'll be attached to Miss Scarlatina throughout your stay."