"So, what was it that changed your mind?"

Bartholomew Oobleck didn't know what else to start with. It had been so long since Gold and him had the time to speak; usually they were stuck in a duel on behalf of the young man. Gold said nothing at first, apparently set on staring out at the endless ocean. His eyes were razor-focused on the sea, rolling along with every stray wave in the flow of blue. Gold's silence wasn't endless however, as after five or so minutes and just when Oobleck was about to press the boy spoke up.

"You ever wonder what life would be like if chance wasn't so unpredictable?" Oobleck kept silent as Gold leaned on the railing. "Where would we be right now if things had gone differently?"

"The thought has crossed my mind more often than I'd like to admit." Oobleck adjusted his glasses as he allowed himself to gaze upon the waters. "There were times when I wondered if I had made the right decisions, and there were moments when I realized I chose wrong."

Gold's tone seemed to shift, but not in an overly hostile way - although the hate was still present. "You ever try to remedy those choices, or did you just leave them be?"

"I've made attempts, but more often than not it only made the situations worse." The doctor grit his teeth with the next statement. "But even so I kept trying."

"Even when it made little difference?"

"Especially during those times. If I made things worse I'd focus on understanding what went wrong, so that my next attempt wouldn't fail. It wasn't a sure-fire guarantee, but it at least gave better results half of the time. However even with higher chances I was prone to failure." As Oobleck finished he looked over to Gold, and saw how the boy's lips curled low. He faced Oobleck, and as the man looked over him it was clear something was eating Gold up inside.

"Have you... ever lost students, aside from Steele and I?"

Oobleck nodded carefully, his voice wary. "I have. Sometimes to surprise Grimm, and other times to missuses of Dust. I have a logbook stowed away in my house back in Vale. It contains the names of all the students I've lost over the years. It's my way to personally recall all of them; to remind me of all the people I've failed."

"I see..."

Oobleck focused on the boy, and presented a thought of his own. "Why was it you decided not to end my life? You were determined to see my end almost every other time we've met; what changed?"

"You had help back in Haven." Gold let out plainly. "Fighting you then would have just put me behind bars. The others in the Fang might have thought I was too carefree, but I'm not stupid. I know when I'm cornered."

"Nobody would see us now." Oobleck offered. "At the dead of night anything could happen. Aside from the captain I'm the only human aboard. I'm certain there are many who look upon me with distain; I've seen such examples as early as the docks."

"Don't get me wrong." Gold began, his eyes lidded lazily, and yet his tone conflicted with his message. "I fucking hate you. Nothing would bring me more joy than to see you suffer, but killing you would be a waste." A grin crossed his lips. "It's more fun to show you just how much you've failed; let you experience the effects you've had on people. I'm not the only student who you've hurt, and I'm certain you'll recognise some of the faces huddled off at Menagerie. You said you kept a log of all the students you've failed right?"

"Yes." Oobleck was steady in his answer, and Gold leaned away from the railing as he started back, presumably to his room.

"Let's see how many you can number from that book."

.

.

"So wait, let me get this straight..." Yang looked to me, and then Maria who was walking ahead of us, and then back to me. "You of all people managed to not start trouble with someone, and not only that, but she didn't freak out from your appearance?"

"I have ears girl." Maria called from ahead, not bothering to even look back. "If you want to ask me things all you have to do is ask. I don't bite, and my age isn't contagious."

"I'm not trying to speak behind your back miss. I'm just surprised V here didn't immediately cause problems for you." Yang returned, and I watched the blond cringe a bit. "He has a... well... let's just say luck isn't his forte; catch my drift?"

"Oh I understand all that missy, but what it sounds like from here is that you don't quite believe what the young man just told you." Maria chuckled a bit. "Trust me dearie, if he lied about what happened I wouldn't just stand here and let him get away with it. I'm more than ready to bump him on the noggin if he doesn't be a good boy."

"I'm not saying I don't trust you." Yang started, her face appearing to turn a tad sour. Whatever was on her mind clearly wasn't good, which was confirmed as she continued. "But V's been the center of trouble since we first met him. It's been a while, but our last memory of him... it, wasn't all that great. No matter what happens he always gets the short end of the stick, and usually everyone else with him suffers as a result."

Way to put your trust in me Yang. As much as it hurt to hear I couldn't quite deny it. Some how, some way, it always seemed like I was flying by the skin of my teeth. Most victories felt like complete chance, and even those that didn't tended to have a catch to them. For once I would like to see a victory without any strings attached. I silently scoffed at the idea, knowing full well that probably wasn't going to be the case; especially with the memory I'd gained from Pyrrha.

Same as the blade. My eyes drifted to the sword at my hip, and internally I wondered what the queen meant by that. Pale Bloom was a dependable weapon sure, but what made it and my pauldron so special? Had my thoughts lingered a little longer I might have sprung up a few ideas or theories, yet something caught my attention and I found my view shift over to Oscar, who had just let out a rather worried sudden breath.

"No." It was quiet, but I knew everyone else had heard it as we all stopped and faced the boy at the same time. He seemed to look at us with what appeared to be confliction, which was only heightened as he made to speak again. "They should know."

Oscar's louder statement immediately drew Yang's attention, and I watched her narrowed eyes lock on to the boy.

"Oscar, what do we need to know?" The boy was silent, but the constant shifting of his features made it obvious that whatever was going on in his head wasn't fun. Yang doubled down. "Oscar..."

"It is nothing to worry over miss Xiao Long. " The headmaster this time, and Yang's ire only grew. "We're simply having a bit of a disagreement."

"Uh huh." She wasn't convinced. "I don't suppose you'll be willing to elaborate on what we 'should know' would you?"

"As I said, it is just a disagreement. We have more pressing matters to attend to-"

"Bullshit." Yang took a step forward, and I found my palm wrapped around Pale Bloom as sent an accusatory glare. "You never told us about the relic's Grimm attracting effect, and you took advantage of Pyrrha back at Beacon." Yang's eyes shifted violently. "Forcing someone into a choice when you already know the outcome isn't a choice; it's manipulation."

"Miss Xiao Long, I can assure you, the last thing I want is to manipulate you."

"Then why not tell us what you're arguing with Oscar about?" Yang challenged as she crossed her arms, a dark look on her face as the man in a boy's body stilled. Through Oscar he looked to be debating it, before he let loose a stern breath and spoke.

"There are some things you aren't ready to learn. Maturity differs from person to person, and sometimes there are portions of information an individual might not be prepared to handle; both mentally and physically." Yang growled as he finished, appearing not to have anything to counter with. However luck seemed to be on her side as Weiss stepped forth.

"That may be so, and while I agree to an extent there are still caveats involved. If the information, though damning, involves a person's wellbeing, then it is only reasonable to give them the option to hear it." She sent a firm message as she looked down ever so slightly to the headmaster. "Does this involve our safety?"

"No, it does not." The curt response would have been the end of it, and yet for just a moment Oscar broke through with his own thoughts.

"Jinn! Call her from the relic!" Oscar broke through with a cry, and then all Grimm broke loose.

"I KNEW IT!" Yang practically screamed as she stepped up. "WHAT ARE YOU HIDING!?"

"BACK OFF!" I yelled in response, directing my sword between her eyes. She paused, but didn't back down. There was no fear in her eyes, and they continued to stare with a hate now redirected to me. I noticed Qrow look ready to pounce, but Maria of all people stopped him; merely blocking his path with her cane. The man begrudgingly stayed his ground, and it was just Yang and I. We stood silent for a bit before I opened my mouth. "Stay back Yang."

"And let him put us in danger again? Fuck off." Her teeth bared with every forced word, and her gaze ceaselessly pierced me. "I don't know why you're so blind, but do yourself a favor V and open your damn eyes."

"They are open-"

"For Dust's sake stop lying to yourself!" Yang threw her hands up in the air. "Was a train crash not enough for you!?"

"That was a mistake." I said, but Yang only shook her head. I could understand where she was coming from, but she didn't know the headmaster like I did. To them he was simply their teacher, but to me he was his true self...

A god.

"V." The blond called my attention again. "I don't want to fight, I really don't, but I'm tired of being pulled around like a dog; having my leash yanked everywhere we go. He wants our help, but then he hides everything from us. How the Dust are we supposed to respond!?"

Weiss crossed her arms from behind to match Yang. "She's right V. He's hiding something again, and from how badly Oscar reacted it must be something major." Her expression softened as she approached, only to turn to shock as I turned my blade to her. "V..."

"Stay back Weiss, I mean it." I held my ground and spoke, all the while fighting back the conflictions in my mind. "I don't want to fight either, don't force me to."

"V." It was Ruby this time, and she too made for me. I brandished my weapon at her like I had the others, and yet she was unfazed. Instead of stop she kept on walking, right up to me, and at that point she stopped and laid her hand on mine, and with it lowered my blade.

I tensed my arm, but Ruby ignored it and sent a worried look.

"Please listen to us V, or at least consider what we're trying to say." She was so tantalizingly close, but for some reason I couldn't bring myself to push her away. There was this strange feeling I got as I looked into her eyes, and for some unexplainable reason her face reminded me of something... of someone.

"Sorry Rubes." Yang called out. "You won't get through to him, not when he has his head so far up Ozpin's ass."

"It's not like that." I let out, only for the girl to scoff.

"Yeah right." She returned, and I saw Blake approach from her other side.

"Listen to us V. We don't want it to seem like we despise him. It's just... we feel as though we can't trust him." Her face soften as the words passed through her lips; a startling contrast to all but Ruby. "You might know things about him that makes this seem okay, but it's not. What he's doing isn't right no matter what you believe."

"You, know, nothing!"

It shot out with just a little too much force, but I couldn't quite hold it back. It was frustrating, and worst of all it made sense from their perspectives. They didn't know him like I did. They knew nothing of both 'who' and 'what' they were speaking too, and worst of all they didn't understand his intentions. I had seen him act; I had seen him rule; I had watched all his fret and worry with each piece of terrible news delivered his way. Salem held the rage of the Grimm, and Ozma had held the wisdom of nature. Given every chance imaginable to destroy his enemies to make their combined goals easier, the king had always calmed the queen's heart and suggested a different approach. He turned her hatred towards another direction, and had always spared countless lives even when it tactically wasn't the right move.

And yet the two always came out on top.

I had asked time and time again how they did it, and the only ever response I'd received was that they were divines, and it was their job to do what was best for the world. While they may have only had four direct children, they treated the world itself as their child, both protecting and scolding it when necessary. The queen would dish out punishment, and the king reward.

RWBY, Qrow, and heck even Maria knew nothing of this. I couldn't explain it myself even though I wished so badly to do so. For as terrible as everything seemed the headmaster had not given permission for me to speak of such info, and his reasoning from back at Beacon sat firmly in my mind. Nobody would handle the truth well; this had been an experience I'd seen unfold time and time again over my short few years of service.

People would panic; worry for their lives; feel as if their privacy was erased; blame both Salem and Ozma for their misfortune; try to rebel and steal their power for themselves; the list was endless, and I knew damn well I didn't want a repeat of my first assignment on my hands; back when I was still innocent. The blood of rebels might have been a trophy for many, but to me...

It was an end.

They were just peasants; elders, children, and a few able bodied. The town had been so frightful when offered to merge with Mobius. Knowing that the rulers were diving they rebelled thinking themselves threatened. The king had his preachers sent unarmed to clear up the worry, but after three weeks of silence he sent me to check on them. They were dead, and I learned the hard way why... and dealt with it accordingly.

No matter what I cried everyone fought, and I recalled vividly the faces of the small children thrown around as the mob fought, with several of those kids and even toddlers falling and impaling themselves on the little blades they held. Everyone was made to fight, and the little ones were the first to die; I never got to face a single one down, as the mob itself had unintentionally did their own children in. The sight of one particular little girl's death had shook me, and when I saw her little eye pop as her skull was crushed under heel I fell into a haze.

There were no survivors when I was done, and my reward was nothing but regret. Death may have brought them peace, but even I had seen that those children were too young to die.

"I'm sorry... but this is the only way, please forgive me." Ruby spoke, much to my confusion.

There it is again... that feeling. The confusion turned to tension as she burst apart into a flurry of rose petals. Her semblance allowed her to maneuver quickly, and I found myself ready to strike the moment she became whole again. I pressed back against Oscar, who stood firmly with his stature befitting the god in his soul. However she was gone a moment later, with something in her hands.

It was the relic.

"Jinn." She spoke before I could even react, and for a second their was silence.

Said silence didn't last as a blue smoke seeped from the same colored glass, and as the smoke enveloped all I heard a mighty breath of relief fill the air. It was a womanly voice, and as the fog faded we all got to lay eyes on the figure above. The woman was a bright blue, and glowed a similar shade as she leaned down to us. A smile filled her features and I saw how the gold jewelry did nothing to cover her more delicate parts. However she lacked the defining buds upon her breasts; it was nothing but flesh.

Shamefully my eyes were able to confirm she also lacked the lower necessity for bearing children. This woman in sense appeared more akin to a doll, perfectly sculped, but limited to the craftsman's personal dignity. Ruby was shocked, but also the first to recover.

"Are... are you Jinn?"

"I am." She smiled. "It's nice to see you again."

"Again?" Ruby questioned, only for Jinn to shake her head.

"I apologise, but I can't quite elaborate." Her look turned playful. "Unless of course you wish to use up one of the two wishes."

Of all people Yang was the one to react this time. "Hold up, two wishes?"

"Two wishes. Sorry little one, but one wish has already been expended over the course of this century." Jinn responded calmly, until her eyes settled on me. Her face shifted to thought as she rushed forward and stopped to observe me. It was weird, and for some reason I couldn't scrap how strange she made me feel.

It was different than Ruby.

"So you are here, right now in this day and age." Her eyes were filled with thought, and then the smile came... a dastardly twisted smile. "And it seems you've been having an effect, for better or worse."

"What do you mean?" I asked, only to slap myself mentally as I recalled the two wishes.

"Two wishes." Jinn repeated, only for her fingers to cross as her chin lay atop. "But I suppose I can offer a favor, just for you."

"A favor..." I narrowed my eyes as a thought crossed my mind. "Why?"

"Being what you are I suppose it makes you special. You'll come to know soon enough, as your path has already been decided on the day you were born." She smirked. "Once your path is complete, I'd dare say even the relics will be useless against you~."

"Explain." I ordered, only for her to wag a single finger disapprovingly.

"Now now, I just said you'd learn anyway. Don't go wasting your only favor now."

I bit my tongue, and seeing as she sounded sincere on her statement I thought back to her previous observation. I looked her in the eyes for any signs of trickery, but at best I saw playful excitement. Looking around everyone else was frozen, and silently watched as we conversed. I set my focus back to her.

"Fine then." I crossed my arms. "You said 'for better or worse'. So assuming this 'effect' has already made itself clear I want to know it."

"I can..." Jinn spoke. "But you can only pick one, and I will only provide a single truth. Now choose: better, or worse?"

I grit my teeth. "Worse."

"Very well." Before me appeared a blue mist, one that quickly changed to show a figure.

Pyrrha? Wait... She had my ring, the one Mr. Quartz gave me. Oddly enough I never noticed it at first, and considering she returned my pauldron and not the ring I'd say it was a safe bet she forgot she even had it on. My curiosity was peaked, and I stood in thought. I didn't know why Jinn saw fit to show Pyrrha to me, but then the ghostly lady opened her mouth.

"That's quite the state you've put her in." She giggled and appeared to slither around behind me. "It saved her life; gave her power; but at a massive cost." I held my tongue as her hands slipped over my body, the very flesh exciting my own and sending a chill through my blood. "The girl is lost in memories not her own; in a past that has already seen it's end. Even now she struggles to recall the truth of here and now, as her mind erases current memory to make way for old."

"I don't understand." Her chin rests between neck and shoulder, and I feel her breathing on my cheek.

"She recalled never being told of magic before coming here, yes?" I nodded. "Yet she had discovered it clearly back at Beacon."

"She never understood what the headmaster implied." I countered, only for Jinn to laugh.

"Oh but she did. However the memories of days lost has clouded her current recollection. The Beacon 'she' remembers is not the one of now, of this era."

"What do you mean 'this era', I don't understand!" I was getting frustrated, and Jinn's lips pecked my cheek. I froze as she whispered into my ear.

"She survived Beacon this time, her memories recalled are from the era where she did not." Before I could question again Jinn flew back above, and I heard Yang yell out.

"That was it!? You show him a blue fog and kiss him!?" Yang let out a tiny smirk. "Sorry to disappoint babe, but as smoking as you are..." Yang gave a click of the tongue. "You seem to be lacking the bits men love to play with. I'll give your relationship a month at most." Nobody laughed, and I could even see the others cringe a little, however the small break of humor forced a realization on me.

They never heard any of it. Despite Jinn's explanation, her 'favor' as she called it, the others appeared not to have caught even a word. Only I knew what she said, and what that meant for Pyrrha. I stewed over the information, trying to make sense of it. Memories of a different era, a time at Beacon she didn't survive, from the way it was presented it sounded a lot like she was implying this wasn't the first time Beacon had fell. Such a thing was impossible-

The memories! Pyrrha had spoke of seeing a life that wasn't hers, and of a world where things had gone wrong. Perhaps she wasn't stuck on stress after all. If everything lined up the way I was beginning to think it had then it would make some sense of what Jinn had just told. I could only know one thing for sure however...

Pyrrha was losing her true memories.

Jinn said she recalled the events of Beacon wrong, telling that Pyrrha already learned of, and understood, the knowledge of magic from the headmaster, and that she was remembering the wrong 'era'. I recalled how I was lost now in the future, and yet Jinn's words implied that the fall of Beacon wasn't its first; that there were other times where it fell. This led me to wonder if my apparent trip through time was the only one, or was I simply the current one and there had been others before me. Despite how senseless it all sounded, and how I should have been more worried for Pyrrha, I found a selfish thought clouding my mind.

How was this my doing?

"Oh child." Jinn began, taking me from my worries and into the world once more. "I said I would give him the favor, not you."

"And just what makes him so special?" Yang kept her tough stance, but that didn't look to bother Jinn; I'd dare say she was enjoying it actually.

"Is that one of your two questions?" Jinn tested, and rather than answer Yang grumbled to herself. As the mood soured worse Ruby opened her mouth, and Jinn received her answer.

"Jinn, we need to know..." The girl steeled herself, and right as she asked Oscar's body shot forwards in a panic, but not fast enough to halt the words which rang aloud.

Yang smirked; Weiss steadied herself; Blake eased her breathing; and Qrow focused on every word. As for Ruby... her face remained determined to see it through.

"What is Ozpin hiding from us?"

Jinn merely laughed as the blue clouds swallowed everyone up, and the world itself vanished.

Author's note

...

Bam, back again!

This chapter is shorter than the past few I know, but I felt like this would be a good place to call it. Bet several of you didn't expect this of all things. Poor V, just when he has done something good... it shows it's drawback. We saw instances of Pyrrha's memory mess back when the fought Tyrian, and bit by bit Pyrrha's talked about how it effected her.

And she doesn't even know her old memories are being lost.

Some of you might have suspected something was up when Pyrrha had that chat with Oz, and good on you if you remembered that detail from what... 50 or so chapters ago.

Anyway, many of you were probably excited for Jinn, and even now she seems to be bending 'certain rules', or so it seems. I won't elaborate but keep an eye on the relics, you might begin to dig up secrets as they show up.

Calling it here now, so feel free to review, or just wait for the next chapter.

Things getting wacky now.

See you soon.

Edit: Fixed an inconsistency, how I didn't notice was beyond me.