Prologue

Qrow had long accepted that Ozpin was a great leader. Ozpin always seemed to know everything, and always be in control. This judgment was to be trusted, and his advice never went unignored. Ozpin wasn't infallible, but his knowledge and talents had long garnered the respect of some of the strongest hunters in all of Vale. Combined with the many memories and experiences with Ozpin over the years, Qrow had the confidence to support and carry out any mission that the man asked of him.

Unfortunately, no person in the world is impervious to mistakes, and Ozpin's task to Qrow happened to be one of them. What was supposed to be a low-risk scouting task ended up being much more than what Qrow had signed up for. The plan seemed simple at first. Go with Winter, clear out some Grimm, and take a peek inside some caves. It was never meant to be any sort of dangerous expedition. Ozpin had mentioned to Qrow that this was an opportunity to mend his relationship with Winter, after a particular quarrel between the two ended up in a long, awkward stand-off between the two that disrupted the flow of work.

And besides the cold shoulder from her during the excavation, defeating the Grimm was a seamless task for the duo. No argument could deter years of battle experience and camaraderie. Subconsciously or not, the Grimm stood no chance against the teamwork of Qrow and Winter. The cave, however, was a different story entirely.

"I remember we were fighting something, but it was all dark... and then I woke up here." Qrow explained to Ozpin. They were in the private infirmary at Beacon Academy. Qrow sat up in one of the beds, bandaged around his head and right arm. Ozpin sat in a seat next to him, nodding deeply as he was contemplating Qrow's story.

"So things were running smoothly up until entering the cave? And as the result of a battle, you were knocked unconscious with heavy injuries. Winter brings you back, somewhat fairing better than you did, tells the same story, says you hit your head when you couldn't see a rock in front of you, and leaves for Atlas." Ozpin rubbed his temples as he went deep into thought. "Something is being left out.

Qrow frowned. He didn't believe Winter would lie about what had happened when he was knocked out, but Ozpin's thoughts had some merit. It was all too vague of a story, and he didn't want to admit to himself that he could lose to a rock, either. Ultimately, he trusted Winter more than himself.

"I think we should trust her. Maybe I just had a little too much to drink that day." Qrow sighed, shrugging.

Ozpin didn't respond, continuing to idly think in his seat.

In her Room at the Atlas Military Base, Winter Schnee lay silently on her bed in her nightwear. The bright moonlight showed through her window, suggesting it was well into the night. She couldn't sleep, thoughts sporadically flying through her mind. For the hundredth time that day, her eyes ran down the paper in her hands. Clearly printed, though slightly crumbled, was the only spoils she got from her mission with Qrow in the cave.

After several moments, Winter sighed and put the paper away. No matter how many times she read it over, she couldn't understand half the information listed.

Her usual cold and meticulous front had been one replaced by worry and anxiety. She tried to suppress her feelings, but the small thought at the back of her mind wouldn't go away.

'What did I get myself into...'

MONTHLY EXAMINATION REPORT

May 15 XXXX

SUBJECT INFO

Name: Kane

DOB: 03/15/XXXX

Sex M?

Age: 12

Height: 5'2

Weight: 82 lbs

Chamber: A

Room: 002

PHYSICAL RESULTS

BMI 8.2 HR 30 SP 101 DP 59 TMP 98.6 Reaction time (ms) 1

Last Updated 11/15/XXXX

The following occasional behaviors have been noted and should be ignored in future examinations:

Twitching; vocal tics; screaming; shaking; harm to examiner; harm to self; misplaced laughter; irregular dilation of pupils

Any self-harm attempts must be interrupted immediately.

TEST RESULTS

Physical Response Test PASSED

Emotional Response Test PASSED

Physical Control Test FAILED

Emotional Control Test FAILED

MANIA Activation Test PASSED

MANIA Suppression Test N/A

Note

Testing has been interrupted. Reseal the testing chamber to continue.