Yang Xiao Long was observing team CRDL and their training. Ever since dad had taken over the training of the two teams, both CRDL and RWBY have been given some hand-to-hand training. Not that she doesn't feel like she is no longer special, if anything, Yang feels motivated to keep going. For one, the two teams only have basic hand strikes down while she was getting knees and kicks aplenty. After the Vytal Tournament, her dad had made sure that she learned not to just charge right into fighting. Even if it were her best trait, not every fight could be solved by punching it harder. Sometimes it was knee to the gut. Okay, she's not quite there yet but she's getting closer.

For her little sister though, Yang couldn't be prouder. Ruby wasn't the best when it came to unarmed combat, often relying on her weapon. She still wasn't the best but she was making use of her smaller stature and speed. Dad himself wasn't much of a speedy fighter but he always said that one should also be familiar with other approaches to a similar fighting style especially if one was to be a teacher or a coach. It was something that Yang herself had to learn as she was more of an assistant here. Russel, for example, lacked raw power but had amazing agility and footwork. He was more of an out-fighter. Cardin was slower and was much closer to a slugger.

As for Yang herself, she was a brawler. While others may say that her approach is brutish and barbaric, it means little when she could simply power through most opponents. Her semblance certainly encourages that approach. Her dad has been insistent that she balance herself out though and not overly rely on her semblance.

Next to punches and kicks, she had also been taught a few grappling techniques. One weakness that had been exploited was when her opponent grabbed her by the arm, leaving her at their mercy and whim. While this could happen to anyone, she herself was helpless against it and had no counter. Her dad has been rather insisted on that ever since.

The missions had been rather slow now. With the Grimm horde still just gathering over the mountains, the only activity left for most of them were to build as many defenses and dig up trenches. All around Vale, building and reinforcing was at a relatively fast pace. The council eventually gave freedom to move since most of the people actually demanded it. Yang shook her head. If it isn't a vote-winner, there is little action to be done. Most of them only cared about having their name put there if it turned out to be a good thing. If it wasn't, they would usually distant themselves from it as much as they could.

Ruby, along with dad and Cardin, separated themselves from the group again. Ruby had told her in secret that it was some magical power training that could apparently eliminate the Grimm. Yang may have been a little hurt for being left out of that being the older sister but since her dad wasn't angry at all that she found out, it seemed to be okay. It only became less okay when the others found out. It wasn't her fault, Ruby ended up spilling it on accident.

"Just don't go telling everyone, sweetie," dad had said, sighing and shaking his head. "We don't know how many ears Salem has in Vale."

Speaking of ears in Vale, Yang had once tried to interrogate Mercury and Emerald, two individuals who had been associated with Cinder Fall. Emerald had been knocked out and Mercury's prosthetics had been replaced with simpler, less dangerous ones. Yang still fumed when she found out that the bastard faked his injury. She nearly went in there to beat them both up when she learned soon after that it was Emerald's semblance that caused her to see things.

Her interrogation went nowhere. The two were, at best, hired help. Paid to do what it was that they were told and were given information on a need-to-know basis. As far as they knew, Cinder was the head honcho and didn't even learn of anything about Salem until after Yang herself spilled the beans. Thankfully, she managed to play it off as some conspiracy theory if the existence of some other shadowy criminal wasn't good enough. Better that they think she was a little crazy than fear for their lives because she's right all along.

On her motorbike, Yang drove all around Vale. Much of the rebuilding process, at least within the inner cities, were mostly finished. She had to drive closer to the borders just to see any more repairs. Even then, most of it was just more armaments and more equipment. Some of the students were also being trained to use it alongside some volunteer civilians that Yang was sure would be the first soldiers that Vale would have. Huntsmen and huntresses were small in number that they would need volunteers among the civilians. They were being trained primarily on handling the equipment at least which meant that they would be away from most of the action, leaving that to the professionals, semi in cases like Yang. They better get their licenses after this.

Wherever she could, Yang would stop what crime that was occurring. She had special privileges of intervening. Times like these also proves ample opportunity for criminal activity. Not all of them were malicious intent. Yang learned that early on. Some were simply people who are in desperate need and had been held up due to others being first. Homes may have been rebuilt but some of them came first obviously. There is also the loss of jobs and while they were being given enough to get by until they could, there were those who obviously weren't smart with it. For Yang herself, she would either help out those that simply had no other choice or to stop those who thought they could get ahead by taking advantage of it.

Vale was rebuilding. The kingdom was preparing and Yang would be there to defend it. She'll make sure of that.

/-/

The main city of Mistral was a startling contrast compared to Vale. For one, Mistral's cities were like a balance of modern city life while preserving the cultural and natural heritage of it all. The roads were paved with stones and the buildings were similar to those of Eastern cultures back on Earth for Jeanne. The airships being similar in design to actual ships should have been the clue really. There was a tall mountain that towered over them all. Man-made water systems made it so that the flowing water was like that of waterfalls which led down to rivers and into the oceans. There was a mist in those waters and rainbows as well whenever light would touch them.

One look downward however shows a different contrast. The bullhead had brought them to the higher levels which were most certainly the more pleasant view. The lower levels were much more akin to the slums as the place wasn't as clean nor as well maintained. Looking at some of the signs, JNPR was at Mistral Above while the lower levels were Mistral Below.

Team JNPR first sought to find a place to stay. It was difficult finding one since Pyrrha Nikos was still a recognizable figure. There were a few ones that recognized the others, usually from those who have migrated into the city in hopes for a better life, but Pyrrha was still the most recognized figure.

Eventually, they did find one place to stay. It was somewhere between the Above and the Below, leaning more into the former. It was far enough away that not many people would go here but also safe enough that they wouldn't have to be worried too much about thieves and criminals.

"We really need to do something about that," Jeanne commented. "Where are the other huntsmen and huntresses around here?"

"You're telling me," Jaune agreed. "I don't think I've seen anyone even remotely resembling a huntsman around here. I thought that they were just called back here or sent home but not one is even walking around."

Even if huntsmen and huntresses were sent home, surely, they would have seen at least one walking about here. It was impossible for every single one of them to have not made residence here in Mistral Above. Something was happening here which made JNPR more suspicious. It was bad enough that Cinder's group had come from Mistral. Just how far was the reach of their enemies here in Mistral?

"You don't think," Nora asked. "That there would be someone in Haven Academy?"

"Even if it was," Jaune replied. "The next would be how many of them? Do we have to face them if we want to get the Relic?"

"Would it even work with me?" Jeanne may be a Maiden by her own right now but even she wasn't certain that she could open the Vault in Haven. From what they know, it is restricted to the respective Maiden. For Haven, that would be Spring. "I don't think we could just brute force it, either."

"Why don't we rest for now?" Pyrrha suggested. "We can start looking for answers after."

To that, everyone agreed. Team JNPR could use a break and one that most certainly deserved to be had on a more comfortable bed. They never realized just how exhausted they were until after they had first lain in it.

When they had awoken, feeling refreshed, they split up to search for answers. Namely, they were looking for other huntsmen and huntresses while disguising themselves as mere travelers. It was a difficult thing to do since most could tell that they were at least trained to fight. Team JNPR simply reasoned that they had traveled across Mistral. Pyrrha in particular had to wear a few disguises and even change her hairstyle just so that there won't be as many people figuring out her identity. It worked for the most part and the excuse of her being a look-alike was working well in her favor; it also helped that Jaune was with her most of the time, he wasn't as recognized and the concept of the Invincible Girl being in some kind of relationship was apparently too crazy for some.

Ren, Nora, and Jeanne gave Pyrrha thumbs up much to Jaune's obliviousness to the situation.

As for Jeanne, she simply moved wherever she felt needed. Finding her place among the farms, the humble farmers there expressed their worries about the lack of huntsmen and huntresses though some have said that they saw a few young ones being sent home. It is the professionals and the veterans that were missing.

Jeanne kept walking and searching for answers. Eventually, she stopped. Someone was following her. She turned to see who it was. It was hard to tell for there were others who were walking past her. There was no malice that she could feel but she most certainly felt a presence. Just to be sure though, Jeanne decided to keep moving.

That led her to a bar. It wasn't the usual establishment that she would find herself in. However, the prospect of getting more information proved itself to be tempting for the Holy Maiden. There appeared to be more rugged and traveled people inside which meant information from places that team JNPR hadn't been from. Maybe she could get a non-alcoholic drink instead. If the person really was following her, then they would most likely step inside as well.

Jeanne waited a few more seconds before stepping inside. The number of people passing by would have made the would-be follower slower in their footsteps. She also wanted to make sure that there really is someone following her. She still hadn't seen any sign of who it could be. No matter how far over their heads did she see who it could be.

She found herself a table and was given a menu of drinks. Appropriately, she opted to go for non-alcoholics. She was also being careful in her choice. She did manage to catch sight of a few people looking her way.

A few more seconds had passed before the doors had opened again. So, someone must have been following her. What surprised her though was that the person who entered the establishment was a minor. Clearly shorter that Jeanne would have missed earlier since she was expecting someone taller.

It was a boy with black hair and tanned skin. He had freckles on his cheeks. His manner of walking was unconfident and uncertain. From the physique, he was someone exposed to physical labor, a farmhand judging from the scent as he approached her. His outfit was dirty and had patches of cloth sewn over them. He came over to her table.

His eyes then went back as he said, "alright!" There was frustration in his tone. Who was he talking to? "I was supposed to ask you, you wouldn't happen to have my cane with you, Miss d'Arc?" He was uncertain in his tone.

At the question, however, Jeanne's widened in realization. She offered the boy a seat which he nervously took. "Afraid it's not with me at the moment but Professor Goodwitch did say that there is a chance we might see each other again, Professor."

"What?" replied the boy. "Oh, I-I see. Right, yeah, that's okay."

He then went stiff. His head fell and rose again. The air around him suddenly changed. There was a confidence in his movement. His mannerisms changed as well into one that Jeanne and any student of Beacon really would have recognized as their former headmaster, Ozpin.

"It really is good to see you again, Miss d'Arc," said Ozpin in the boy's voice. "A strange place to stay I would say. I may not be your professor anymore but I would still caution against visiting this sort of establishment frequently."

"It's only a one-time thing," she replied. "Besides, I was being followed."

"Apologies. This is Mr. Oscar Pine, by the way. He is a farmhand and it has taken a while before the young boy eventually left home." His expression turned sad as he sighed. "Still another life." He shook his head.

Jeanne's drink arrived and she made sure to order another for Oscar or rather Ozpin. Still no on the alcohol. The old man may be in control but the body was still that of a minor, younger than Ruby Rose from what she could see. Ozpin appeared rather depressed by the thought of this new life it would seem. JNPR may have been informed a long time ago about their headmaster's condition but how long had he been doing this for? With the threat of Salem apparently, how long had this conflict had gone on?

The two went out as soon as they were done. Jeanne had some lien left to spare and left behind a tip. The trip back to their place of residence was one filled with catching up and information sharing. Ozpin, on his end, had also been investigating the missing huntsmen and huntresses in Mistral. However, his guess was just as good as everyone else's on team JNPR. He had suspicions but he didn't want to believe that yet.

"While it wouldn't be the first time," Ozpin said. "I do not wish to believe that Leo himself had been compromised."

"And if he was?" Jeanne asked.

He sighed. "Then, we will do what we must. Perhaps we may still find the Spring Maiden. We shall speak more later."

Ozpin paused. The air about him changed. The boy known as Oscar Pine was back. He looked confused on what is going around him. Poor boy, he must be feeling overwhelmed from being trusted with such a responsibility.

The bill was paid and the two left the bar. Oscar was understandably silent.

"So," Jeanne began in an attempt to break the ice. "You've been training to be a huntsman?"

"Actually," his voice was meek, uncertain and lacking in confidence. "I've been a farmhand for the most part. I... I've never even held a weapon."

An idea came to Jeanne. "Well, Oscar, how do you feel about being brought up to speed? I know someone who can help you there. He's a lot like you in that regard."

"Really?"

Jeanne nodded. "He's definitely capable now but he wasn't always like that, I'm sure professor Ozpin can handle the combat parts while he can help you on the conditioning."

Oscar's eyes lighted up. "I'll do it! I know I'm probably in over my head but with an actual voice in my head, that's probably the least of my concerns."

There's that too. "He also can help you adjust with that too."

Oscar turned around, the same kind when Jaune and her were first starting out. "What's so funny?"

"You'll see," Jeanne assured Oscar. "You'll see."

When they had returned to team JNPR's place of staying, it was Pyrrha was there first. "Jeanne?" she asked. "Who's this?"

"Pyrrha! Great news!" Jeanne replied. "We finished one of our missions!" She gestured Oscar. "We found Professor Ozpin! Was the cane with Nora or Ren?"

Oscar Pine waved at her awkwardly. Yeah. That sounds about right.

AN: How awkward would it have been in canon if Qrow didn't have the cane? Like it had been left behind with Glynda at Vale or something?