Oscar Pine was in a rather awkward situation. He wasn't sure which was less awkward, the fact that he was in the presence of team JNPR, a group of huntsmen and huntresses that have been making a few waves in passing from what he had heard from travelers and what he had read from the papers that have started to return to circulation, or the fact that he was now in possession of a huntsman's weapon that had a lot of history behind it according to the voice in his head. Oh, he also had a voice in his head.
The weapon, called Long Memory, was a collapsible cane. Oscar could feel the history behind it with the number of scratches on it. It had been maintained well but the signs of age were still there. The coloring was rather uneven. He could see that some portions of the cane still had a relatively fresh coat of color while other portions had revealed the faded ones.
As for the information and his apparent quest, he had already been informed ahead of time and it was Jeanne d'Arc that was explaining it to the rest of the group.
"There is little left on my end left to add," Ozpin said in his head. It had taken a while but he did eventually had gotten used to the circumstance. "I still believe that Leonardo has his reasons but I cannot deny the number of missing huntsmen. Perhaps it might have been someone under his employ without his realizing."
"I think it is best to assume that Haven Academy is compromised," Jeanne told the rest. "Whether that goes as far as the headmaster himself is up for debate."
"Not one that we'll be having," Jaune replied. Everytime Oscar looks at the man; he can't help but feel like he was in a fairytale. His design just screams Rusted Knight minus the rust. The fact that the design was apparently based on that though made him understand. "Let's get to Haven then. The sooner we get the Relic out of there, the better."
"Actually," Jeanne stopped them. "We'll need to train up Oscar first."
All other four members turned to face him. Oscar shrunk back in his seat. He was a farmhand; he didn't have much in the way of huntsman training. Oscar still didn't have the time to build up his body appropriately though he did set aside some time for that during his travels.
"Jaune?" Jeanne asked.
"Me?" The blonde stepped back in surprise. "You want me to train Oscar?"
"Just the basics," Jeanne replied. "Namely conditioning. Professor Ozpin can handle the combative aspects. In fact, with Ozpin around, you're more of an assistant and sparring partner here." She then turned to Ren. "Ren can handle the aura aspects."
"I can do it," Nora spoke up. "If you don't want to Jaune-jaune."
"Oh heavens no!" Ozpin begged in his head. "Have mercy on Oscar!"
Is it really that bad? Oscar thought as concern started to take over. The headmaster is usually so calm and composed. It was a difficult thing, trying to communicate through without speaking, at first.
"I would be fine, Oscar," Ozpin replied. "But you won't and you will feel everything that we would go through."
"Maybe another time." Jeanne gave a rather awkward smile. "Oscar is building himself from the ground up essentially, and… well… we do have somebody who has some experience in catching up in so short a time."
A shared laugh was had there. Jaune took it in stride though. He knew that he had been behind his peers for the most part but it was also true that he caught up with them in so short a time. Pyrrha herself admitted that if Jaune had trained earlier just like the rest of them did, he might have surpassed them. Jaune wore that compliment with pride.
"Alright," Jaune replied. "I'll do it."
Oscar Pine got off of his chair. Training was to be had. He had wanted something more than the life of a mere farmer and he was about to get it.
/-/
They said that the one of the greatest joys of being a teacher is to see your student pass on what they have learned to the next generation. While Pyrrha Nikos wasn't old enough to consider herself the previous generation, she did teach Jaune many of the things that he is currently passing on to Oscar. With the exception of swordsmanship since Headmaster Ozpin was handling that, she could see what portions of Jaune's training was based on hers. It honestly made her feel proud just seeing it.
Still, that didn't stop her from asking Jeanne who sat next to her, "you know. I could have handled Oscar's training myself."
"I know," Jeanne agreed. "It's just that, out of every one of us here, Jaune is the best person for Oscar right now."
"What do you mean?"
"Same reason as I said before. Oscar needs to get up to speed especially since he is being thrusted into this. That and Jaune could be like a big brother for the boy."
"You're certain of that?"
"I see it." Jeanne nodded. "There isn't much that can be taught since Ozpin takes over anyway as well. There is nothing else that we could do and you've trained Jaune down to the basics. Plus, Jaune could use some training in leading someone other than team JNPR."
"With professor Ozpin, I'm not sure how much that is going to help."
"Professor Ozpin and I made an agreement on that."
The two in question continued to watch Jaune and Oscar. As Jeanne said, Jaune is a bit of an older brother there as he jogged along with Oscar and was far more lenient to Oscar when it came to combat. Oscar's expressions though clued them in if he was listening to Jaune or Ozpin.
/-/
In an ideal setting, they would have stayed longer to fully train Oscar up to at least becoming at least equal to that of the average huntsman-in-training on their first year at Beacon. Sadly, this was not that ideal setting. They had to move soon and make their way to Haven Academy. As such, there was a focus primarily making sure that his body is capable of moving well while Ozpin would have to take over for the muscle memory. It wouldn't do well if Ozpin decided to lift something heavier than what Oscar's body is capable of.
The six of them soon made their way to Haven Academy. Similar to what they had observed before, the number of huntsmen and huntresses were scarce and while they did find evidence of the headmaster telling every other student to go home. The same could not be said about the professionals. The rather small number of requests seemed to indicate that most of them should be out on missions.
Ozpin didn't show it on account on being inside the head of someone else but Oscar could feel a sense of dread that wasn't his own. There was little in the way of faculty and staff members as well.
"Excuse me," said an older voice. "I thought I told every student to go home."
Descending from the upper levels was a faunus. With his massive hair being akin to lion's mane, there was no denying the near majestic appearance of Leonardo Lionheart. It was said that the man had charisma that dwarfs everyone else in all of Mistral. He carried himself with a sense of jovialness with each step and he certainly appears to have this courageous air about him.
However, in Jeanne's experienced eyes, such airs were just that, airs. One glance over to Oscar showed that the voice in his head seemed to have noticed the same. The air of confidence and charisma that exists among the genuine is natural but headmaster Leonardo's was fractured. Broken. There were hints of that as he moved down the stairs but something was clearly bothering him.
"Forgive us, headmaster." It was Jeanne who opted to speak up first. "We are team JNPR, and we have made our way—"
"JNPR!" Leonardo exclaimed. He moved further down the stairs with greater haste. "I have heard of your exploits!" There was a smile that shaped his lips but Jeanne could not feel any genuine happiness from it. "Busy making the entire kingdom of Mistral a better place one settlement at a time from what I hear."
"Y-yes." He had been shaking their hands rather furiously. "We have."
"I mean," Nora stepped in. "It should have been every huntsman and huntress' job to be out there but that has been quite rare nowadays."
Jeanne did not miss the nervous shifting of Leo's eyes. "Well, they should be on their missions. I'm not quite certain as to how they aren't back yet. But who are we to worry, they are professionals after all. How about you? All of you must have been tired from your journey. Come! Come! I may have dismissed all the students but that just means you have all the dormitories for yourself."
The six of them were led to empty dormitories. By the looks of it, this appeared to be the section that had been dedicated for the guests and representatives during times when Mistral would be the hosting kingdom. Given that the rooms were only fit for four people, team JNPR had the split the rooms into two; three for the girls and three for the boys with the remaining bed to allow for more space.
"Pardon me for asking," Leonardo began when the two groups have settled into their rooms. "But you wouldn't happen to be accompanied by an old crow are you?"
Every one shook their heads. "Just us," Ren answered.
"I see." Leonardo nodded. "Uh, excuse me, I have an appointment I need to meet. If there is anything you need, don't be afraid to call." He then left in a hurry. If he had tail, it would be between his legs.
It didn't take long for the boys to join the girls. By the looks on Oscar's face, Ozpin might have had some things to say; the poor child looked like he was about to have a headache.
"Any idea what that was about?" Jaune asked Oscar.
There was a moment of pause as Oscar was still in control. "He might be referring to somebody called Qrow Branwen?"
"Ruby and Yang's uncle?"
Oscar shrugged. He didn't know any better. Either that, or Ozpin is not sharing.
"Well, I'm off for a little tour of the place," Jeanne said. "Jaune, why don't we go together?"
Her brother nodded. They still had that same link between them even though Jeanne pretty much hogs the Maiden powers for herself so as to not strain Jaune with any sudden surges of power. He could already guess what it was she was thinking.
When the blonde pair have made sure that the headmaster of Haven was out of sight, Jaune opened up but kept his tone in a whisper, "the Relic?"
Jeanne nodded. "The same. I can't be sure if I can open it myself but I think that the headmaster might have something to do with that."
"Headmaster Leonardo hasn't mentioned anything about the Spring Maiden, either."
"Probably thinks that we're not too involved with headmaster Ozpin yet."
"Is that a good thing?"
"So long as he doesn't figure out that Ozpin is already with us, then yes."
The two continued to look around. Haven wasn't as empty as it seemed as there were a few cleaners here and there. Technical staff members that are busy keeping the technologies running but they were few in number and far between that it couldn't even be described as a skeleton crew.
They then found themselves back to where they had first met the headmaster of Haven. They found the center of it. There was a circular pad at the top with a statue of a lady holding that pad up. Upon further inspection, the two found a golden necklace of sorts that had one empty spot on it. In any other time, this statue would have been a primary photography spot for visitors. But for the Arc siblings, and with the knowledge that they now possess, they are not so certain of this place.
"Ozpin did say that everyone had their own ways of disguising the path to the vaults," Jaune commented. "Only problem now is getting there."
Jeanne's eyes glowed the lights of the Holy Maiden. "We'll need the key before we find out if I can."
"We might have to go to his office for that," Jaune replied.
"If we can even find it there."
"Right, let's just go back with the others. We've toured the place long enough." To hide their actual intentions, Jaune brought out his scroll and the two took pictures with the statue. It really was a nice-looking statue that the thought of taking pictures here wouldn't be too weird.
/-/
Leonardo Lionheart was pacing back and forth. No wonder he hasn't heard any word about Qrow. That huntsman wasn't even in the same continent! Leonardo may not have any reason to suspect team JNPR but they were still Beacon students. It didn't help that his cover has been under suspicion by Glynda Goodwitch and James Ironwood. Cinder's allies had been captured and interrogated and such put his school under suspicion.
They are still willing to give him a chance since they believe that it is someone under his employ but the headmaster of Haven Academy is uncertain how long that would last.
All hairs on his body stood. Slowly, he turned to see the familiar form of the Seer Grimm enter his office. He scrambled to his knees as he bowed in reverence, hiding the sweat that had formed on his forehead.
"Leonardo," Salem spoke from the Seer. "I hope you have reason for this sudden audience."
"I do, your majesty," Leonardo responded. He was doing what he can to maintain an air of confidence. "It appears that Beacon students have come to Haven. Team JNPR, the group that had the individual you are looking for."
Leonardo had heard of team JNPR before but it wasn't because of their actions. He heard rumors of a team going from settlement to settlement and helping rebuild and even aiding the people there to defend themselves now that huntsmen and huntresses are scarce in Mistral. If he had been ignorant of the truth, he would have been proud of them. He would have called them true heroes and praised them for their actions.
But such was not the case. He knew just how futile their actions would be and the hell that they had just put those people through. There is no winning this war and Leonardo knows this. There is no chance for them to overcome the black tide of Salem. It was simply impossible.
"JNPR," she mused. "JNPR… ah, I was wondering why Tyrian was taking so long. So. they have made it to Haven, have they?"
"What would have me do?"
"Host them, take care of them. They are already aware of Ozpin's plans so it should be alright that you continue to play as such. Our bandit friend should be making her way there the long way round."
Leonardo bowed lower in affirmation. "As you wish, my queen." When the Seer had left, he could only wipe the sweat of his forehead and pant. He hadn't realized that his breathing had been forced.
He stood up and looked around the office. There were still some missions that he could have them do. However, unlike the others, JNPR must not be sent to their deaths which meant that he wouldn't inform his allies. Not like the other missions had been legitimate in the first place.
"For my kingdom," Leonardo said to himself. "I must protect my kingdom. Yes, I can protect it. I just made a deal, that's all. I made a deal that ensured Mistral's protection. It will be fine. It's not my fault, if Ozpin had told me before, none of this would have happened."
Part of his heart fell. Team JNPR, for all they're being a target, were still children. He shook his head. They had been inducted into Ozpin's circle however and as such put themselves in harms way. Leonardo may feel pity for them but such things would come second if it meant protecting himself. Oh, and his kingdom, of course. Definitely his kingdom.
Leonardo shook his head. "No. I... I'll at least give them something..." he sighed. "Forgive me."
/-/
Outside the office of the headmaster of Haven Academy. Oscar Pine was silently putting distance between himself and the door. While the two blondes had their investigations, both he and Ozpin had their own. It had been agreed upon by everyone that they would investigate on their own merits but leave at different times mainly to avoid suspicions.
"Leo," said Ozpin in his voice. "What happened to you?"
Oscar heard it as well. While the voices were soft and he had to press his ears against the doors, the small gaps provided a less muffled sound that made the conversation easier to hear. He could feel the feeling of hurt and pain coming from Ozpin. Was he a close friend?
"One of the bravest men I have ever known, Oscar," replied Ozpin, reading his thoughts. "He had always believed in the best of people and was even quite the leader himself. I would even go so far as to say he would have been a great king with how well he was when it came to people."
"But he's been compromised," Oscar replied.
"That he has, and by the sounds of it, so too did the Spring Maiden."
Oscar Pine turned around a corner. He had to hurry since he heard the sound of the doors opening followed by faint footsteps. He could only hope that he was stealthy enough that his own footsteps went unheard. He needed to go and inform team JNPR of his discovery.
AN: Without a certain old bird, another bird will be taking the long way route.