Last of the original chapters. After this, I'll start updating to add shorter original chapters.

Also, since some people needed a refresher, here's the background for the story:

Humans had magic in the past and essentially they started nuking each other till there was almost no one left. Not wanting mankind to die, the Brother Gods took magic away and offered Salem and Ozpin the chance to prove mankind as a whole deserved to have magic returned to them. If the two could prove that people wouldn't just start abusing magic again then they'll give magic back. If not then mankind will have to survive in a world full of Grimm without the benefits magic can bring.

The two agreed to the offer, but after centuries of seeing people fail again and again, Ozpin becomes cynical and believes it won't work. He tries to convince Salem to give up and ask the gods to let them pass on, but she refuses to abandon mankind. In order to prove to Salem that their task is futile, Ozpin gives up his power to four random women and basically lets them do what they will. He chose randomly instead of going after the worst of the worst because he wanted to prove to Salem that, when given vast power, random people will choose to use it selfishly.

More time passes. Salem's still actively trying to influence mankind, though always behind the scenes and without trying to control them. Ozpin spends decades just wandering around bitterly or trying to convince Salem about how this won't work. Salem's hope is renewed when the four Maiden abilities are put into the souls of four upcoming Huntresses. If she can ensure that these four all choose to use their powers selflessly and for the benefit of others then it's proof that more and more people can do this.

Enter Jaune.

Things had not gone well for Blake ever since she'd arrived in Beacon. Not only did she not have Jaune as a partner, but she'd ended up on one of the mose dysfunctional teams in Beacon. Her leader, Yang, was a child whose solution to every problem was punching it, Ruby was practically attached to Jaune and that nervous wreck Nikos, and the less said about her partner, the better.

Blake did not like Weiss, which was a mutual sentiment since Weiss very clearly did not like her either. She hoped, at least, that the Schnee would be professional and understand that fighting solved nothing. They could stomach their distaste for each other until their four years were up, right?

"Why don't you go fuck yourself, you prissy bitch?" Blake sighed as the no-good criminal Schnee sneered down at her.

Evidently not.

Blake sighed once more and proceeded to ignore the Schnee's ranting. She, Jaune and Weiss had gone into town to, in Jaune's words, 'just have some fun'. Blake would've never agreed to spending more time with the criminal than absolutely necessary, but Jaune had insisted on it. And so she (very reluctantly) consented to coming along.

And then for no reason whatsover the Schnee had gone off on her. The heiress rolled her eyes and just let the woman rant and rave about God only knew what. Honestly, best to just let her get it out of her system. Like a child throwing a tantrum, sometimes the best way to handle it was just to let them tire themselves out.

"You know what?! I'll show you!" And then she was off. Blake blinked and watched her retreating back. Show her what? She wasn't paying attention.

"Blake..." Jaune put a hand to his face and sighed.

"What?" she asked, more defensive than she would've liked. She did nothing wrong! "She was the one who went off on a tantrum!"

"Blake, you said she was only attending Beacon because she was planning to steal from it!" Blake blinked. She did? Perhaps. Honestly, whenever she had to converse with Weiss she'd more-or-less gone on autopilot, "And then you said she was probably the reason that Neopolitan was stealing all the Dust from the WF Corp." Well, it as a good guess! Why else would a thief steal more dust than they could feasibly smuggle?

"Well, it was still no reason for her to run off like that."

"Do you even know why she ran off?" Her silence said it all. Jaune sighed once more, "She said that she'll prove you wrong and stop the next robbery before it happens, and that maybe then you'll trust her."

"Then I wish her good luck. Now, where else should we go?"

Jaune just looked at her for a moment before he turned around and walked away without another word. Blake couldn't mute her surprise and she found herself following after him automatically, "Hey, wait! Where are you going?"

"To find Weiss?"

"Why? Let that criminal go off if she wants, she-" Blake stopped and froze at the withering glare Jaune threw her way. She was a trained combatant, had the power of the elements, and she'd successfully outmaneuvered opportunists twice her age. Yet despite all that, seeing the anger and, worse than that, disappointment in his eyes was enough to render her helpless.

"...Why do you hate her so much?"

"What? I don't hate her."

"Really? You sure act like it." He turned around and crossed his arms. She very much felt like a child being lectured.

And she hated it.

"It's not my fault she's being immature!"

"Blake, literally every time she tries to talk to you, you insult her!" He threw his hands up, "Every single time you make a snide comment asking if she stole something or if assaultedf someone or when she's gonna drop out when she realizes Beacon can't be heisted. Anyone would be frustrated having to deal with that every day. Are you surprised she's so closed off and angry?"

"I..." Did she do that? She'd been doing her best to ignore Weiss entirely and she'd barely even paid attention to the things she said. Regardless, Blake felt compelled to defend herself anyway, "Her family's criminal, Jaune. They'd stolen and cost the WF Corp no end in grief. Am I supposed to forget that over the course of their thefts that they didn't hesitate to kill guards and anyone who got in their way?"

"No. Hate the Schnee mafia all you want, but why Weiss? She hasn't done anything to you. She's been cut off from her family ever since she chose to attend Beacon."

"She...has?" Another possible lie, but she did at times hear her grumbling curses at her family when she thought no one could hear her. If not for Blake's enhanced hearing she would've missed it too.

"Yes, so how do you think it feels having you snipe at her day in and day out." Jaune brought a hand across his face, "Look...I'm not saying you have to be friends or anything, but you're taking your grudge against the Schnees on Weiss because it's convenient. She says she's gonna prove to you that she's trying to do right, but what if you all your insults just made her run back to her family or give up on being a Huntress altogether?"

"I doubt words alone can do that."

"How would you feel if your partner treated you like that every day?"

Honestly? She'd ignore it. She was all too used to people jealous of her position throwing insults; it was the only way they could try to get at her. At times they would be even more base and throw slurs her way, calling her an animal that had dared to rise above her betters. Blake's skin had thickened after years of such treatment, and in some ways she preferred it to the honeyed words that hid a serpent's venom.

But she understood, in some small way, that not everyone could deal with that. Even she hadn't been so immune to barbs and slander when she was younger.

"Look, I'm gonna go find Weiss and see if I can't convince her to come back. You can come with me if you want or just go back to Beacon. Your choice."

"I'm...coming with you." Blake let out a long, frustrated breath. It was always painful to accept fault, especially for a Belladonna, but she'd acted unbecoming. That wasn't to say Weiss was wholly blameless, she did treat her race as a curse during their first meeting, but if she was despise her than it would've been on her flaws, not that of her family.

"Good." Jaune smiled once more, "Let's go."

Weiss hopped up on the nearby rooftop and cursed how she almost stumbled in the high heels of her boots. Fucking things were a (literal) pain in the foot, but she'd forced to put it along with Winter's old dress before she went to Beacon. It was to make a good impression, she told herself. She knew damn well what the Schnee name was and she knew it'd be an uphill battle coming in.

And then she met her. Blake Belladonna, heir to the White Fang Corporation and the person who would have had the biggest grudge against the Schnees. She'd tried to make a good first impression, but then Blake scoffed and said she was nothing better than the rest of her family. She'd still tried to keep a calm head, but seeing the look in her eyes - the sheer contempt like she was looking at garbage - caused her to hurl insults right back.

They became partners after that and things only got worse. Again Weiss had tried to bury the hatchet, but every single time she tried the heiress would make comments about how she didn't belong there; that she was no better than a common criminal.

Weiss' hands balled into shaky fists. She was wrong. Mother would've loved it if she was nothing more than a trained soldier, but father had given her a chance. He'd also been the one to encourage Winter to leave and apply to be a Specialist. Mother had never forgiven him for that. Leaving him behind was one of her few regrets. She wished she was strong enough to fight her mother and that monster Klein.

And poor Whitley. So young and already emulating mother because he saw no other way to live. He probably thought she and Winter had abandoned him, and in many ways she had. She needed to be stronger - strong enough that she could ensure the safety of her father and brother. That was why she had to stay in Beacon. There was too much riding on her. Mom, dad, even Penny. Someday she would free them all.

That was why she had to prove her worth to her partner. She had to stay in Beacon and she'd do whatever it took to accomplish that; even if it meant openly turning against her family.

Weiss looked down at her right hand let the icy mist cover her palm. Her mother had given up so much in order to track down that Fria woman in order to take her power...only to realize too late that she could never have inherited it. Imagine her surprise when her daughter had been the one to possess the gift. Mother had been oh so sweet after that, promising her the world so she would use her powers for the benefit of the Schnees.

To hurt innocent people.

Weiss grit her teeth then shook her head. No, she had to do this. For herself, for her family, for Ad-

"There you are."

Weiss jumped in shock and turned around only to see Jaune and Blake not far behind her. The blonde knight looked hesitant while Blake was...she didn't know what to call it. Not disgusted like she often was, but not approving either. Unimplressed, maybe?

"Wh-What are you doing here?" Weiss asked.

"Looking for you, you dolt." Blake sighed and closed her eyes, cat ears twitching. How could someone so annoying have such adorable kitty ears? "Were you honestly going to assault a group of armed goons by yourself."

Weiss' cheeks burned red and she stomped her foot, "I've got just as much training as you do, princess, and I'm just as powerful too." Light blue fire surrounded her eyes and the wind air around them turned cold, "If you're just here to make fun of me, then fuck off. I didn't ask you to come."

"Before you go off on your reckless crusade, there's something I want to say." And then Blake bowed. Weiss almost fell off the roof in her shock, "Jaune has informed that I've been far more unfair to you than I've realized. You are not your family, and unless you prove otherwise I've made a mistake treating you in such a way. I'm sorry, and if possible I'd like to start over."

"Wh-What?" Weiss gasped.

"What she's saying is that she's been a jerk and she's really sorry about that." Jaune patted her head. Anyone else would've gotten sued, but the heiress just blushed slightly at the gesture, "So let's go home."

"B-But wait, my family- their hired goons are still down there." She looked back at the docks where Neopolitan was ordering the white-suited men around, "Look, if you think going by myself is stupid then come with me! With the three of us we can-"

"I don't think that's necessary." Blake smirked.

She was about to ask what that meant when the bright glare of floodlights and loud sirens almost blinded and deafened her. From seemingly out of nowhere, the suited men and master thief found themselves surrounded by over a dozen police officers screaming at them to put their hands up. Those that attempted to run or fight back where immediately incapacitated by a group of sword-wielders led by a familiar black and red figure.

"When we found proof that the Schnees and Neopolitan were going to attack our shipment tonight, I decided to call the police and our own security forces. Adam had been quite eager to lead the charge." Blake laughed under her breath, "I should thank you for this, Weiss. If not for you we would've never realized that this was happening."

"Yeah..." Weiss mumbled, barely paying her partner any mind. She was too busy looking at the scene of Adam Taurus handily defeating Neopolitan.

The Schnee mafia members alongside the master thief were arrested easily after that. Blake was talking with Adam and the rest of the officers while she and Jaune hung back out of sight, "I'm glad you two could make up," he said, "I know Blake can be a jerk sometimes, but she does mean well."

"I get why she hates my family," Weiss said neutrally. Mother was never shy of getting rid of anyone that got in the way of her making a profit. From guards to workers just trying to earn a paycheck, she didn't hesitate.

And Blake had attended every single one of their funerals.

Mother had sneered once that it was an obvious PR stunt, and both guilt and curiosity had bade her to attend a funeral herself. Blake had kept up a stoic front, but she couldn't hide the guilt and anger that burned inside her. She couldn't just let go of Blake treating her like a pariah for all those weeks, but she could at least understand why.

"You coming back to Beacon?"

"Fuck kind of question is that?" Weiss smiled up at him wryly, "Of course I am."

"I'm glad."

Blake finished talking after that and Jaune went to join her, leaving her alone.

It didn't last long.

"Ms. Schnee." Adam looked down at her.

"Mr. Taurus." She looked up at him.

The two of them walked out of sight of everyone and, once she was sure they were alone, she grabbed him by the collar of his black suit and tugged him down into a burning kiss. Adam immediately reciprocated and deepened the gesture, pushing her against the nearby wall roughly; just how she liked it.

The two of them kept kissing for a minute before the need for air forced them apart, a bridge of saliva linking them together before Weiss licked her lips, "Fuck yes," Weiss whispered, looking up at her boyfriend through half-lidded eyes, "Gods, I missed you so fucking much."

If anyone saw them now they would've been scandalized. The (estranged) daughter of the Schnees and the White Fang Corporation's top agent. It was a Romeo and Juliet for the modern age. It was the deepest, darkest secret that they both knew they could never reveal. Even Blake's tentative offer peace would've been shattered if she found out the two had been seeing each other for a year now.

"So did I." His hands trailed down to her waist and he tugged her close, "I ached every day I couldn't see you."

"You sappy bastard." She grinned, though it quickly faltered, "I can't stay long. I gotta-"

"I know." He smiled down comfortingly, "Good luck in Beacon. I'll see you soon."

"Yeah, you better."

Jaune cricked his neck as he walked back to team RWBY's dorm. Today had been a busy day. He'd spent most of the day training Yang and spending time with Ruby. Right now the two sisters were down in Vale doing some shopping, with Ruby in particular giggling that she had a surprise for him. Blake and Weiss, on the other hand, were making an effort to be better partners and were currently in the cafeteria having dinner.

Which left him alone. He was just fine with that. He had no idea what to think when Headmistress Salem told him all about magic and Maidens and the Brother Gods, but he'd readily agreed to the role with little hesitation. Her goal was a noble one, and he shared her belief that team RWBY had the capability of doing great things. For how different they were, they truly did have the potential to be heroes.

He opened to the door to the room and stopped at the sight of the unfamiliar figure inside, "I was wondering when you'd arrive." The figure said, back turned towards him as he stared out the window to the night sky.

"Who are you?" Jaune unsheathed Crocea Mors and pointed the sword at him.

The man turned around. He was older than him by at least a decade with tan skin, dark brown hair and brown eyes. The suit he wore was ornate and gray with a teal undershirt and inner lining. Despite being an intruder he carried himself with an easy confidence and Jaune eyed the dark cane he held with his left hand. It wasn't to help him keep balance. It was a weapon.

"Calm down. If I wished to attack you then I wouldn't waste time with words."

"I'll ask again: who are you?"

"I've had many names, but you may recognize this one: Ozma." Jaune's eyes widened and his mouth parted, but no words, "I suppose Salem's told you all about me." He smiled bitterly, "I know who you are. Jaune Arc, if I'm not mistaken?"

"...What do you want?"

"What I want is something you can't give me, but if you're asking for my purpose here..." He sat at a nearby chair and gestured to the nearby one across from him, "Salem has filled your head with false hope and misguided idealism on the Maidens." He leaned forward as Jaune sat, "What has to she told you? That if mankind stands hand in hand then magic will return and it will be the beginning of the golden age?"

"Stop talking in riddles. What do you want?"

"I am here, Jaune Arc, to talk. And I believe you will be interested in what I have to say."

Right. Unlike before, I can actually deal with that whole cliffhanger. We'll see how Jaune ends up. Maybe Ozpin's looking for a blonder meatsuit...

Question:

1. Alright, so what segment would you wanna see first? I have a bunch of segments in mind, as mentioned in the first chapter's AN, so suggest what you'd like to see or come up with your own. Winter and Qrow visit? Ruby and Cinder trying to find the latter's soulmate? Adam and Weiss sneaking around to try and go on a date?