Ozpin pushed along with the others, yet the ever-encroaching shadows did little to quell his caution. Despite the lack of consciousness from the young Oscar who's body he now shared Ozpin remained faithful that the boy would awaken eventually, he told himself this a good many times over the past several minutes of exploration - mostly as a way to drown out the silence.

"Hey!" The once headmaster man flinched at Yang's yell. "What happened to that experiment bullshit you had going on?! Not gonna try anything?!"

"Calm it down Yang." Pyrrha spoke as the blond huffed.

"Why should I? If they got something in the works then they should SPIT IT OUT ALREADY!" Her screaming wouldn't change matters, but Ozpin still chose not to speak - even though the noise was a sore on the ears.

"I... don't think they can hear you." Jaune offered through a timid voice.

"And even if they could they'd probably mute you anyway." Pyrrha shot in as Yang growled.

Ruby took the time to speak as she slowed a little. "Easy guys, this isn't the time to be fighting." She focused back on the way ahead. "Let's just keep moving for now and save our energy for later okay?"

Yang huffed. "Fine by me. If they turn out to be too cowardly to fight than that's their loss."

With a sigh Ozpin held back his sensibilities. So long as Yang didn't do anything reckless he supposed her complaints were a mild issue at best, and certainly better than a breakdown from the stress. That wasn't to say they were stress-free, far from it in fact as Ozpin could see how the others were losing steam as they trudged along.

Still though, there was just something that felt... off to him. Everything seemed fine enough, and although a little cliché the 'trap' as it were appeared suitable enough: a series of seemingly endless tunnels. The cave system was obviously faked, as Ozpin himself had helped design the schools long ago, and he didn't recall an intricate system of caverns underneath the academy as a design feature. Yet no matter how simple the area appeared there was just something in the atmosphere, something prodding at the back of his subconscious, practically screaming danger.

With no definitive proof he was forced to wait in his dread.

Unfortunately for them it would seem the walk would be endless. After several minutes he could tell the others were starting to lose their patience, and rather embarrassingly he couldn't deny his own level of frustration. For being one of Beacon's illustrious staff he felt as though this particular level of irritation was unacceptable. Yet he could only sigh as he cast a hand in the air to obtain their attention.

"Now students, I know this may appear a little... 'timid' compared to what you're all used to-"

"No shit." He bit back his swelling emotions as the cranky voice slapped his ears. "This was supposed to be awesome. I was excited and everything! Give me my excitement back!"

With a sigh he adjusted his glasses and slowed to a stop. Turning back he looked over the others, and noticed that out of the two children present Gold was the most angry. He took a quick sip from his thermos, and like many a time before the smooth coffee helped to cleanse his thoughts.

"While I cannot guarantee a return of that excitement right away, I can conclude that things will play out much more interestingly than how it has seemed so far."

"Really?" There was no hiding the sass in Gold's tone, and rather than let it upset him more Oobleck thought to himself. In his thoughts a rather cheeky opportunity presented itself.

"Steele!" The girl jumped, nearly slamming into Gold at her side. She composed herself quickly, swaying the grey hair from her eyes.

"Y-yes doctor?"

At least one of you recognise my work. "Take a look at the walls. Notice anything unusual with them?"

Oobleck watched as the shy young lady set her sights on the whole of the cave, her eyes wandering it's ceiling and walls as she took it all in. A sparkle seemed to glisten in her pupils, and as she made her way over towards the leftmost wall he knew she had caught on.

"The cracks and cervices... they're misshapen." Her fingers traced and slipped between a particularly large marking. "They're not naturally formed."

"Good, you were paying attention back in class." Oobleck congratulated her, with a hefty spring of pride slowly filling in himself as he did so.

"So what." Gold waved it off. "It's just another Grimm mark, what's so special about that?"

Oobleck was about to retort, yet Steele beat him to it. "It's not a Grimm mark. These cuts are too precise and clean, and not deep enough to be as powerful as a Beowolf or other Grimm with the strength to break stone." Her eyes were locked to the stone as her words betrayed her intrigue. "But they don't look like a miner's tools either. It's like someone got into a fight down here." Her eyes hardened. "But it doesn't make sense. Why would anyone get into a battle this deep underground?"

"Grimm?" Gold tried, only to be shaken off by Steele.

"Grimm don't usually come this far down unless they were subterranean to begin with, and those particular Grimm don't leave marks like this."

"So what you're telling me is that two hunters had a spat down her long ago?"

Oobleck smiled and spoke. "Good to see you're finally catching on. Let this be a lesson: not all hunters see eye to eye, and many are more than willing to duel it out where they believe nobody will find the body." It was a morbid truth, but one he felt was vital for growing hunters to learn. Caution was key in their line of work.

"No, that's not it." Steele drew everyone's attention. "These marks are fresh."

That threw Oobleck for a loop, and he found himself walking towards the girl to have a look for himself. Alarmingly she was correct, and as he observed the damage he startlingly realized that these particular marks were made only hours ago.

His caution was now sky high.

"This may be a problem." Oobleck stood straight again. "Students, we will be cutting this field trip shor-" A pain shot - quite literally - across the back of his head, and instantly he knew their time was up.

With not a moment of tarry Oobleck sprung into action, his thermos already morphed and his finger on the trigger. He swung back and pulled, which let loose a flurry of flame from the nozzle. Whoever was there had found them, and the only thing on his mind was the safety of the students.

"Run for the exit!" He ordered as another shot picked at his lower leg. The pain was surface level at best and nothing compared to a Grimm, but his aura took another dent from the attack.

Gold had chosen the worst time to protest. "You kidding?! We can't leave you!"

"Yes you can! It's very easy you just run away!" Oobleck attempted to move towards their attacker, but the abundance of flame he kept spraying made that more difficult than he would have liked. Fortunately the same obstruction of vision afflicted their assaulter as another shot was rounded off, only it missed by a scant few centimetres.

"C'mon, we're not weak!" Gold continued his protests as he chucked something past and deeper into the cave. Oobleck felt a familiar force nearly knock him off his feet, and knew that Gold had made the unfortunate choice to use his semblance.

The sudden shaking of the cave proved his fears true.

"WE'RE LEAVING!" Oobleck yelled louder than he ever had before.

He stopped the sudden torrent of fire and noticed that the figure before them appeared crushed partially by some crumbled stone; no doubt collapsed by the explosion. The shadows made it impossible to identify their attacker, but that didn't matter as they now had a chance to run.

"Doctor are you-" Steele tried to speak but he was having none of that.

"GO!"

The integrity of the cavern was at heavy risk, and this was aptly shown as more stone began to crumble along the sides of the walls. With no more questioning Steele followed his command, and seeing this Gold looked to follow along as well. Yet a pain crunched across his back and Oobleck realized that luck was indeed not on his side.

"OH FUCK!" Gold's often brash choice of language filled his ears as he found himself pinned below a rather sizable chunk of stone. Nevertheless and despite his previous order both Gold and Steele ran back to him. "Hang on!"

"I told you to go." Oobleck tried to raise his voice, and yet he found the act of passing air itself difficult.

"We can't leave you, just hold on a little!" Steele took hold of his arms, and as she pulled he felt the rock on his back ease some of it's pressure.

"D-damn this thing is heavy!" Gold let out as he lifted the stone. The boy despite his efforts could not fully lift the large chunk of earth, and yet his attempt had not been not in vain as it instead began to roll over.

With a solid yank he felt himself freed from the collapsed chunk of cavern, but unfortunately his aura was completely shattered. There was no doubt a massive bruise on his back at best, and potential fractures at worst, however Oobleck was just thankful he was alive, even if he would have rather the students escaped instead. Regardless of his opinion on their choice the two lifted him by the arms, and with each at his side they moved as quickly as they could to leave the cave.

They ran for several minutes, and while they never reached the end of the massive cave system they had been exploring the trio at least got to a point where the rumbling had stopped. While still most likely in danger Oobleck could sigh in relief that they had returned to a more stable part of the underground tunnels.

"We... we good yet?" Gold asked as he tried to catch his breath.

"It looks like it." Steele was equally winded, but through heavy gasps she managed to keep her voice steady.

"Can we..." Gold took another shaky breath. "Can we never do that again?"

Oobleck relaxed slightly as they rested him against the wall. "I'd hoped we'd never see such an even in the first place."

Gold coughed a bit as he stood straight. "I take that as a yes?"

Oobleck nodded as he leaned back. "Yes, children. I'll personally ensure the next class fieldtrips won't be so lively."

"Back to dull." Gold gave a thumbs up. "Dull is good."

"Dull is indeed good, although I must say you've put up quite the racket." Oobleck did not recognise that voice, and once more a sense of wariness gripped him.

Gold and Steele however looked to the voice, and very quickly the trio noticed they were surrounded by what looked to be several Atlas soldiers. This naturally confused the lot of them, but this was especially concerning to Oobleck as he observed them closer. Instantly something was wrong.

Now Atlas soldiers being around caverns and such was nothing new, Oobleck himself had known that the kingdoms often acquired the help of their neighbours for guarding construction sites from Grimm and other unsavory individuals. However these particular men sported an alarming addition to their uniforms, or rather an omission from said uniforms.

The Atlas and Vale symbols of unity were nowhere to be found; this was bad... very very bad.

When two or more kingdoms united and shared their forces for any reason they used symbols to signify their co-operation. The lack of either symbol could only mean that these men before them were working without permission from the kingdom, and that certainly didn't bode well. They were rogues, mercenaries perhaps, and Oobleck knew well the dangers such individuals posed. Depending on who employed these men it could very realistically mean they had unintentionally stumbled into an operation outside of the law.

Oobleck shivered as he realized their lives were potentially on the line, and once more worry tore through his mind.

"And just who are you?" Gold challenged, and the man who spoke only chuckled.

Unlike the others he wore no battle attire, instead sporting a rather sharp looking suit. Said suit was snow white with hints of gold along the stitching, and a dark violet lettering was displayed violently across his heart; a lettering all too known.

S.D.C: the Schnee Dust Company, and considering the cave they were all in was known to be void of Dust meant the men were there for another reason, and Oobleck prayed his worried were wrong.

"A feisty one." The man looked to Oobleck. "Such a high quality piece you've brought us Doctor. On behalf of our mutual benefactor I thank you." He bowed, and terror filled Oobleck's very soul as the eyes of the two twisted to him in shock.

"What..." Gold stumbled the words from his lips as a sense of mania dripped from his tone. "What's he talking about?"

"High... quality?" Steele was equally in shock, if not more as tears glossed her eyes as her disbelief tugged at the corners of her face.

"Of course we never had any doubt you would deliver." The man hummed, and Oobleck was about to shout, yet the piercing gaze from the man stilled him against his will. "I'm certain these two will sell for quite the generous price."

Oobleck tried to move, but he was frozen. His body would not move; his lips remained shut, and against his will twisted upwards into a smile. The man had done something to him, and it was only upon closer inspection that he realized the piercing gaze had not left him.

A semblance!

It was the only explanation he had, and yet he had not time to dwell on the thought as Gold turned to face him; hatred and fury in his eyes.

"YOU BASTARD!" Gold made for him, but was quickly rendered useless as a massive current of electricity jumbled through him. "AGHHHH!"

He dropped to the ground, and Steele ran to him. "Gol-"

She too was refused the chance to do anything as she froze up. The girl dropped to the ground as well, and a woman seemingly paced around the girl. Oobleck could only watch in despair as the man walked over, all the while the others began to surround the two and restrain them.

Oobleck suddenly felt the force over him release, and yet as he tried to move his lack of energy made itself known and he tumbled to the ground. With another laugh filled his ears - something these sorts tended to do when self-assured - as Oobleck denied his weary body and managed to get to his feet, yet he couldn't feel nor move his arms, and instead spoke out in fury.

"Why?!" He coughed and grumbled lowly as his voice was dry and frail. The man merely hummed. "What... what reason do you have for this? Have you no workers already available and underpaid?"

"Workers still require compensation." Venom dripped from the man's tone. "But slaves need no such reward. While the kingdom's outlawed that particular line of work it doesn't mean it's truly gone. That which is denied is only beautified in the eyes of others."

"You'll be caught." Oobleck coughed out. "Nobody can hide from consequence, though I suppose that's why you tried to make it seem like I was working with you, so I wouldn't say anything."

"Oh no." The man's smile stretched. "That was merely insurance."

"What?!"

"Should one of them, or even both escape from their future masters the first thing they're most likely to do is go after their seller." The man paced around him, and Oobleck couldn't stop the ever-welling dread in his heart. "However should they believe they were sold out by someone they put their hearts and trust in, well..." The man stopped a hairs length away, his face filled with sadistic satisfaction. "They would instead seek the demise of that person, wouldn't they?" A fist crashed into the man's face, Oobleck's fist to be precise... only there was one issue.

He never moved his arm.

.

.

Damn that hurts!

With the first thing he saw being this strange skeletal Grimm monster Oscar couldn't say he was feeling all too hot. Worst of all he realized his body was moving on it's own. He thought Ozpin may have been in control, but when he tried to talk with him he was ignored; this tipped Oscar off that something was wrong... well, that and the ramblings everyone was speaking.

However he was back in control now, and as he gripped his now stinging arm Oscar got a real good look at the monster.

It looked like any other Grimm, that being dark and sporting bones jaggedly ripping out of the joints, however this one appeared human, only with a few odd changes. The skull was pale white, but missing it's jaw, and a long crimson tongue looked to extend lazily from the upper roof of it's mouth. The spine that attached to it was misplaced and off center, making it seem as though it were sown on haphazardly. Weirdest of all there were two wings in the side of it's head, but their smaller size made it impossible for the creature to lift it's humanoid body, and made Oscar wonder why they were there in the first place.

Regardless of his fear Oscar called out. "That the best you got?!"

His taunts as it seemed did little to affect the Grimm as it just stood there. Stupidly Oscar took that as an opportunity to strike.

Alright, you can do this, just like in the movies. Probably not the best way to look at it, but with how scrawny the neck was and paired with the lack of motion he wanted to take his chances.

Oscar knew he was no athlete, and he most certainly wasn't a hunter, so when he grabbed hold of the skull and pulled he didn't really expect much to happen and was fully ready to be thrown off, with nothing but the hopes he may have broken whatever effect it had on his friends. What Oscar didn't account for however was the presence of aura he had obtained thanks to Ozpin. Aura naturally was an enhancer, and even untrained it would still increase the users strength until they mastered it and got it under control. Oscar knew this, but he didn't expect the strength increase to be enough for him to tear off the creatures head entirely.

He fell back on his rear, and as he looked to the skull he noticed it trying to flap it's wings and fly away. It was fairly successful in it's attempts as it fluttered from his grip, but in the moment of haste Oscar got a hold on it's flailing tongue. With a sense of panic he whipped it around, and the skull quite literally shattered on the stone floor.

A series of groans from the others showed Oscar that the creature's death had done something.

"Oscar?"

The boy had never been so happy as to hear his body-partner's voice.

.

.

"YOU FILTHY FUCK!" Gold had Merlot by the throat, and despite this the man saw fit to laugh.

"I-interesting, you recognise this scene." Rather than speak Gold made his fury known by squeezing tighter.

Gold had indeed recognised the scene, and with it the horrid memories returned. The chains, the beatings, the rape; all of it came flooding back, and worst of all the memories of Steele stabbed at his heart, reminding him of his fury and promise for vengeance.

Through what little breaths he managed Merlot snuck out a few laughs. "D-Dread Weeper's are quite c-curious, no? I w-was lucky to have found... found one out near Vale. A-apt choice for a s-subject, in m-my humble opinion."

Gold dropped the man and stood over him as his words seethed free from his teeth. "You had this all planned, didn't you?"

The doctor coughed, and yet his joy was still present. "I had planned to recreate the cavern I had found it in, as these Grimm specialize in recreating past events with it's victims. It seems undergoing the transformation and fusion with our subject lowered it's power; the boy should have never even gotten a hold of it. Although I must say I never expected you to have been involved in any sort of fashion."

Merlot's voice was taunting, and Gold had to restrain the urge to kill. His rage, his disgust and hate for humanity had been born from that instant, and the constant years of unbreakable servitude drew out an ire he'd never known he had. He and Steele had the same buyer, and while said buyer kept him in the mines Steele was kept in the man's bedroom. Gold would scarcely see Steele, but when he did the look of cold apathy only served to infuriate him more. At one point however the man's wife got tired of her husband always playing with Steele, she said as much as she forced herself on him in response.

Within only one year of service Steele was dead, apparently from starvation; the man fed her only what his loins would produce, and whatever garbage she could find in his dirty room. His wife had fun telling him of all the things her husband had done to Steele, so when the mine was attacked by the White Fang Gold had no qualms with slaughtering each and every human in that place; including the twin sons of the couple who were only twelve years old.

Watching the Beacon students act out the scene to the silence of the Grimm had more than flipped his switch of anger. He'd thought that rage had been mellowed over the years as he'd been able to sympathize with the students of Beacon during it's fall.

But that hate was back, and wilder than ever.

"Calm down Gold." Corsac spoke as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "We need him."

A new voice spoke up. "That's right, so don't go killing him just yet."

Gold knew that tone. "Adam?" He looked ahead and saw the man nod his way. "When did you get here?"

"I'd just arrived some time ago." Adam clarified as he walked over, casting a quick glance to Merlot before scoffing as he set his sights back to Gold. "I've some business to attend to, and unfortunately I seem to have interrupted something. Corsac."

"Yes sir."

"I believe I made it clear we would be leaving the deal off. What was it that put a crack in my orders for you to go against them?"

Corsac bowed as he spoke. "Forgive me sir, but he offered more than what we had initially asked of him. I'm sure you've noticed the tech and changes we've received here in Mistral."

"I have." Adam hummed. "Very well. I suppose some aid is not uncalled for, especially considering recent circumstances. However I ask that you confide in me next time there are changes with events and information like this. Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir." Corsac gave as Adam nodded. Gold noticed as he looked to him.

"As I've said I have business to attend to." Adam looked to the screen. "Whatever it is you have going on here I ask that you keep it away from the central lobby until I say otherwise."

"Right." Gold gave as he saw the man nod. Adam made for the door, and as it clicked shut he cast his gaze to Merlot. The scientist only smirked as he opened his mouth.

"Such an obedient little soldier. Are you proud of your accomplishments as an inferior creature." His grin grew. "You could have easily accepted my offer to become perfect like the other creations."

"Your 'creations' were torn to shreds by a group of kids; perfection my ass." Gold while unable to physically harm the doctor took a small sense of satisfaction at watching the grin slip from Merlot's face.

"I need only to perfect the design, and soon all will see the epitome of evolution."

Gold rolled his eyes and made for the door with Corsac in tow. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Author's note

...

Here it is, got 'cha.

It's been a long time coming, but we finally get to see what the deal was between Oobleck and Gold. Probably not the most extravagant or wild scenario you may have been expecting, but that's how it is sometimes. I got to use the Dread Weeper again so I'm happy at least.

Bet you never expected Oscar to succeed either. Let's just say there are some limits in place for the Grimm, limits I'm sure several of you had fun trying to figure out.

Adam's back, and it seems everyone is in place. Things will be getting hectic soon, so be ready.

Catch you later.