Glynda hadn't been on a stake out in quite some time. On one hand it was rather nice to be away from her normal duties. As normal as her role was. By day she was the Headmistress of Beacon. Come night she became a lieutenant in a war the world could never know. Both caused her near endless headaches.
The former by the nature of running a place of learning in which the student body was both armed and normally going through puberty. Throw in a semblance and a break up or other trouble tended to cause a large amount of property damage. Which she normally had to handle paying for or help clean up.
The latter due to the need for secrecy. Handling funds to cover Qrow and other agents' operations. Organising transport and other support that they might need. Or helping organise shipments from Atlas for helping treat Amber.
But none of that mattered tonight. Tonight she was a Huntress again. She'd had a few colleagues tell her it took years off to get out in the field again. Right now she believed them.
Sitting outside a late night cafe reading a book wasn't most people's idea of a stake out. But she had her reasons. Firstly this was one of the few places she could get this blend of tea.
Secondly it gave her a good reason to sit side on to the landing pad nearby. Airships did some delivery across Vale. Normally it was priority cargo and or VIP's flying. But the Bullhead on the pad at the moment was neither.
According to the records it was a private transport registered to a shipping company. One that had only sprung up a few years ago and had very good lawyers. That wasn't suspect in of itself. More than a few firms move goods around with discretion.
What was suspect was that it had made quite a few flights around the city over the past few months. Nearly none were booked in advance. Quite a few occasions it had flown below the altitude limit, for which its owners had paid fines.
Then there was the connection to Roman Torchwick. Nearly every time the craft was flying he and his accomplice had been committing some kind of crime. There was enough of a pattern to investigate but not enough to just order it seized.
In the past Ozpin might have been able to lean on the Council to give him leeway. But not now. This latest lot were a confusing mix of demanding, passive and obstructive.
On one hand they wanted Ozpin to give them his total support. If there were rumours of Grimm in the tunnels under Vale they had to send Huntsmen. Everything they ask for had to be done, now.
Yet when they'd asked for funding to pay the bounties for the work there wasn't any money. It was all being used so they'd just have to offer less. Offer less? That would only work if they dropped the assignment from a C grade to D.
D grade Huntsman were hardly worth the name. Most only did low end long term contract guarding transports in safe areas. Others were forever doing small work from place to place with low pay out. At least those ones that didn't end up stepping over the line into the criminal world.
Thus far they'd had nothing come back from the checks. But if that was because there was nothing down there or the ones who looked were incompetent no one could say. Pushing those thoughts out of her head Glynda kept the Bullhead in the corner of her eye.
She'd missed the craft landing but its pilot was still onboard. There was no way to know who was in there so she assumed the worst. A trained Huntsman, likely one with ties to Torchwick and skilled enough to be B grade at the highest.
Watching someone who might be a trained aura user was an art. Too much focus on them and the faint feeling of being watched would tip them off. Hence the book and tea to help keep her focus dialled down.
She froze for a moment as she reached out for her cup. Her scroll was going off. Pulling out the device she found an alert had been sent out to Huntsmen in the area. A dust shop robbery a few streets over. Coincidence?
Keeping her emotions hidden she turned another page of her book. The scroll buzzed again as an update came through. It was Torchwick, the reports said he'd entered with some thugs from the Xiong family.
The echo of gunfire overruled any surveillance. No one had responded to the alert and no other Huntsmen were in the area. Leaving the book and cup she stood and started running. Coming back for the airship and its pilot was better than risking a fight in a shop full of dust.
A few steps along she drew her weapon and activated her semblance. Ahead of her the paving stones came apart before reforming into a set of steps. She took them two at a time.
Reaching the rooftops she returned the path to its prior state. Continuing on to move from building to building along the street. Others might have just run flat out or used their aura to boost their leaps.
Doing things like exaggerated leaps and bounds would only eat into her aura. In the past she'd tried using her semblance to move something whilst she stood on it. Which had worked but proved too tiring to use in battle.
A building roar alerted her to the Bullhead taking off. Running away or to help Torchwick? There was an echoing report of a high power rifle much louder than the other weapons. Had someone responded without alerting the police?
Reaching the street the battle was taking place on Glynda paused to judge what was happening. A figure in red was fighting a few of the gangsters. A large red scythe combined with a rifle in their hands. What was it about scythe wielders that meant they caused so much trouble?
Then something about that combination seemed to jog her memory. A hybrid scythe rifle, red cloak that sounded like- As if on cue the lone fighter burst into a cloud moving and stopping to fire again.
'Of course it would be his niece,' Glynda sighed.
What was it about that team that made such unruly Huntsmen and Huntresses? If she didn't know better she'd assume Qrow was encouraging such behaviour. At least she seemed to know how to fight.
Though by Glynda's eye she was very dependent on her weapon. Using it not only for offence but mobility as well. The fact she'd chosen a rifle who's recoil was throwing her around was also worrying. Was this another Coco in the making?
Soon the last of the Xiong gang members were down. And the girl made a mistake. She stood there and let Torchwick monologue before firing a shot from his cane point blank.
The round wasn't lethal though. It burst into a thick cloud of smoke that hid the street from view. Glynda was ready to leap down in case Torchwick tried to follow up. But she'd needn't have bothered.
A flicker of movement on another building drew her eye. Roman Torchwick with his hat and jacket clambered into view. So he'd decided to try and be discreet. That made a change.
Glynda started moving along to close the distance. But it seemed Miss Rose had also noticed Torchwick's attempted escape. She flew up using her semblance before landing on the roof with Torchwick.
There was a brief moment she thought the girl might have him cornered. The rising sound of engines closing in caused her to glance aside as she ran. A mere metre or so above the wider main street was the Bullhead flying below building height.
Whoever was flying must have been insane, skilled or both. Before Glynda could reach the building Miss Rose and Torchwick were on top of the Bullhead rose so its door was level. A set of spotlights came on blinding the girl where she stood.
Seizing the moment Torchwick leapt into the open door and turned, throwing something onto the roof. A flash of vivid red warned of the purity of the dust crystal. He raised his cane and fired just as Glynda arrived.
A flash of pinkish purple formed as she cast her semblance. Projecting a container around the blast with an open top. It was loud and risked breaking windows but saved trying to contain all the force.
The smoke cleared and she finally got a good look at Miss Rose. Short black hair that shifted to red, silver eyes. Even if she'd never been told about the girl there was no mistaking the resemblance to Summer.
Turning her attention to the escaping criminals, Glynda aimed at the airship. Forming a few lances of force she launched them after it. The attack struck home to no effect.
So that ship was armoured. That was a problem. Adjusting her aim, she sent her next volley towards the engines.
A small gun turret snapped out of the craft's nose and let out a quick burst of shots. The rounds met her attack mid air, the two attacks cancelling one another out. There was no time for a third attempt as the Bullhead picked up speed and tore away.
Glynda watched it leave stamping down her anger. Hei Xiong had owned an illicitly acquired Bullhead with extra modifications. One that had gone missing after his death.
It seemed Torchwick had taken possession of it. Which helped explain how it kept ahead of the ones they'd tried to follow with. That would need to go in her report. Turning back to Miss Rose she found her girl wide eyed and looking at her with awe.
'Oh! Hi! You're a real Huntress! Can I have your autograph?!' she blurted out.
'No,' Glynda replied sternly.
The girl recoiled back slightly trying to hide herself behind her weapon. Before Glynda could chastise the girl further the sounds of sirens arriving heralded the police. What followed was the usual process for such events.
The Police arrived and started taking statements. Glynda gave her account and then went along patching up the damage from the fight best she could. Miss Rose had left quite a few marks on the road, to say nothing of the bullet holes from the gangsters.
After a few minutes the Police had the rough course of events sorted. Namely that an unlicensed person used an unlicensed weapon in a public place.
Whilst Miss Rose did have a permit for using her weapon on Patch. A necessity due to the Grimm she'd run into on the island. It did not allow her to use it with Vale city. Which meant the Police were required to detain the young girl. Though she seemed more upset they took her weapon off her then at being taken into custody.
Knowing that Ozpin would order it anyway, Glynda insisted on going with her. Only stopping to leave her details with the shopkeeper. They were put in the backseat of a car and driven to the station. With Miss Rose being a minor there was a need to contact Tai. Who was less than enthused with getting a second call about one of his daughters getting into trouble.
'She did WHAT!' Tai shouted down the line.
Glynda sighed, 'It seems she was present during a robbery. The rest of the customers fled but in her own words, "She had her music on" and didn't notice. One of the criminals noticed her and tried to confront her and she well…'
'Decided to act just like her mother would.'
'Yes,' Glynda replied curtly.
Tai covered his microphone mumbling for a moment before speaking again, 'I'm on the way. Oh and Glynda could you do me a favour?'
'I can try. What did you have in mind?'
'Could you introduce Ruby to Professor Goodwitch. The one that used to make Qrow wince when he got caught cheating in class?'
'It would be a pleasure.'
Ruby wiggled in the chair trying to find something to keep her mind busy. They'd taken Crescent Rose off her. Though given they attached a trigger lock and put restrictive bands around it to stop it shifting there was no chance it was going to be used.
But still she'd tried to help and they were treating her like a criminal. Well less like a criminal then the ones she'd seen being loaded into the back of a truck. She also wasn't wearing any handcuffs. So perhaps this was just the bare minimum?
Yeah that was it. A few minutes more and they'd let her out. Dad would probably be waiting with a temper. And Yang. Oh Yang would never let her live this down! Sh-
The door to the interrogation room opened and Glynda Goodwitch entered. Ruby had heard her give her name to the Police. She took one look at the woman's face and instantly knew she was in deep trouble.
Ozpin glanced up as the Bullhead arrived at the Police station. How such things made life easier and far more pleasant. Some old memory of having to get carriage rides down from the Keep to the old jail in ages past made his back ache.
He looked back to his scroll. A progress report from the COG on their "donation" to the school. Did they see it as a gift to buy favour? Or was it just some deep set belief their methods were better?
Regardless, he had a young lady to meet. Closing the scroll down he stood as the Bullhead touched down. He gave a quick thanks to the pilot as the door opened and the ramp dropped down.
At the bottom was an old friend, Glen Stahl, Vale's Police Commissioner. He was one of Ozpin's friends from a prior life. Not that he knew that. But as with many of his prior associates the familiar mannerisms and personality played their part.
'Hello Oz,' Glen said, taking off his cap.
'Good to see you again Glen. Sorry for taking up your landing pad,' Ozpin replied with a nod.
'Bah. Might as well get some use out of it. Not like we have enough airships to be worried about,' Glen replied, 'I'll take you down to the room myself.'
'Please I can't take up your time as well,' Ozpin said, reaching Glen's side.
'Nonsense,' Glen replied waving a dismissive hand, 'I spend enough time behind a desk already. Might as well get some use out of my legs.'
'Very well. But if it's not too much trouble, might I make a request?'
'Of course? What do you need?'
'Do you have any cookies?'
Glen rubbed his chin as they walked into a lift, 'Hmm. I'm sure we have some in the canteen. Planning to give her a bribe to loosen her tongue?'
'Perhaps I just like being seen as the good cop,' Ozpin said.
'Compared to Professor Goodwitch you mean?'
'Glynda is very passionate about helping students follow the right path,' Ozpin said diplomatically. Glen snorted in response.
A few minutes later Ozpin was walking towards the door to the interrogation rooms. Plate of cookies in one hand and a mug of hot coco in the other. He'd never been able to shake the habit.
The sound of a crop slapping a table reached his ears. No doubt Glynda was giving Miss Rose the fullest of her attention. Now it was just about the timing. First impressions were important after all.
He placed the plate on a table by the door and sent a quick message on his scroll. Glynda would have her own scroll on silent. But he knew she'd have his number set to play a sequence of vibrations. Two quick messages later and another sharp crack of the crop he heard Glynda cue him to enter.
'There is someone here who would like to speak with you.'
Ozpin lifted the plate and put it into the crook of his arm before opening the door. Glynda stood to his left. Miss Rose was seated at the table in the middle of the room. He stopped by Glenda's side.
'Silver eyes. Just like your mother,' Ozpin said softly. Getting her to think of her mother was a good option. Lots of positive memories that would make her feel at ease.
'I um…' She replied, tilting her head.
Ozpin looked to his side to see that Glynda had queued up the recording of Miss Roses' fight. The girl had some skill, especially given her age. Was it because of her heritage or the fact he'd encouraged Tai to settle on Patch? Nature or nurture?
'Now where did you learn to do this?' Ozpin asked using a teacher's voice.
'S… Signal Academy,' Miss Rose said, glancing down. So she was embarrassed. Time to play up her confidence.
'They taught you to use one of the most dangerous weapons ever designed?' He asked, adding more of an awed tone.
'Well um. One teacher in particular,' Miss Rose said, looking back up and meeting his eyes. Good thinking about her uncle had given her a boost. He could work with that.
Ozpin leaned down and placed the plate of cookies in front of her. She glanced down at the food then back up. Ozpin gave her a slight nod to affirm she was allowed to have some.
Miss Rose grabbed one and popped it into her mouth, chewing quickly. Then started working her way through the pile. The treat was two fold. She'd clearly used up a great deal of aura and needed to regain some energy. And it helped him seem nicer.
Some small bit of Ozpin's soul twisted at that thought. How many had he met like this? A sea of faces seemed to appear in his mind for a moment. Many of the early ones had the same silver eyes. Nearly all were young, little more than children really.
There were some found alone with no one else. Others had come to him seeking knowledge and instruction. For some it was a matter of their family entrusting them to his care.
He'd done as best he could. Guiding and training them before sending them out to complete his mission. To act as the protectors and guardians of the world.
But the world was harsh and uncaring. Each group grew smaller and smaller as the years took their toll. Till only a few would be left.
They would become the teachers for the next generation. Over and over the cycle had repeated. Each time he found it harder to remember the ones he'd sworn to honour the memory of. Worse still it seemed… easier to send the next ones along the same path.
Was he just an old man stuck in his ways? Who could tell? What other path was there? If he failed or just gave up the world would be lost. Salem would have her victory to spite the gods and this world. His world would be destroyed.
If that happened… What would it all have been for? The war had gone on so long. So many lives lost without even knowing how their fate kept the world from annihilation. His only option was to keep down the path.
Sighing he refocused and returned his mind to the present. Though the last face wrenched his heart once more. Summer Rose in her white cloak smiling brightly.
'It's just that I've only seen one other scythe-wielder of that skill before. A dusty, old crow…' Ozpin said fondly.
'Mh mh um cle,' Miss Rose tried to speak. Stopping when she remembered the half chewed food in her mouth.
A few hurried motions of her jaw got the size down to where she could swallow the remainder. Pausing to wipe her mouth on her hand to clear the crumbs. She coughed into her hand.
'Uh sorry. That's my Uncle Qrow! He's a teacher at Signal. I was complete garbage before he took me under his wing. And now, I'm all like— Hooowaaah! Witchaaaa,' Miss Rose explained. With mock martial arts for emphasis.
'So I've noticed,' Ozpin replied, sitting down opposite her.
She clearly had a lot of enthusiasm. Her school reports had said as much. Time to see just how committed she already was.
'And what is an adorable girl such as yourself doing at a school designed to train warriors?' Ozpin asked, leaning forward.
'Well... I want to be a Huntress,' Miss Rose replied.
A good start but quite vague. He'd need to be sure… It was the least he could do.
'You want to slay monsters?' Ozpin asked, tilting his head.
'Yeah! I only have two more years of training left at Signal! And then I'm going to apply to Beacon!' Miss Rose replied. Her prior shyness fell away as she spoke faster and faster.
'You see, my sister's starting there this year, and she's trying to become a Huntress, and I'm trying to become a Huntress 'cause I wanna help people. My parents always taught us to help others, so I thought, Hey, I might as well make a career out of it!' She paused to let out a light giggle before continuing.
'I mean the police are alright, but Huntsmen and Huntresses are just so much more romantic and exciting and cool and really, gosh, you know!'
There was a moment of quiet as the girl glanced between Ozpin and Glynda. Clearly she was thinking after speaking. Showing her age would be a good way to describe it.
He could send her home. A quick word with Glen would have her released and all this brushed aside. She would finish her final two years at Signal and attend Beacon in good time.
But there was no time. Amber was injured, Qrow assigned to tracking down the Swarm and now James had been wounded. All of it was too much at once.
Ozpin needed to speed things up. To get another team ready for the battles to come. Such a team would need a leader. A spark to keep them going in their darkest hours. Perhaps a smaller, more honest soul.
'Do you know who I am?' Ozpin asked.
'You're Professor Ozpin. You're the headmaster at Beacon,' Miss Rose replied.
Ozpin nodded his head in greeting, 'Hello.'
'Nice to meet you.'
With a proper introduction done he made the offer. She might still refuse. Might leave the path laid out ahead of her.
'How would you like to attend my school two years early?'
'More than anything,' Miss Rose replied.
He'd known she'd agree. He knew it from the moment he'd seen how much like her mother she was. Had he really given her a choice?
Within minutes he had reunited Miss Rose with her family. Miss Xiao Long was hugging her younger sister and seemed ecstatic at the news. Taiyang broke away after a moment to speak with Ozpin privately.
'Thanks for getting her out of trouble,' Taiyang said.
'It took a little work. Some backdating of her application but nothing you need worry about,' Ozpin said, trying not to meet the man's eyes.
'And I'm grateful for it. But… Does she really have to attend?'
'She's gifted, Taiyang. She reminds me of you and team STRQ,' Ozpin replied. The suggestion she'd enjoy her time at Beacon like her parents should mollify him.
'She's still just a child though,' Taiyang said somewhat sad.
'All birds leave the nest eventually,' Ozpin said with emphasis. Just remind him it was going to happen anyway.
'Yeah. Yeah I know. I just never thought they'd leave together,' Taiyang replied in a resigned tone.
If only you knew how sorry I am Tai, Ozpin thought to himself. Taking both of them just like I did with Summer and Raven. He'd done this before… So many times… Would it ever be enough?