"Wh-what!? What's the meaning of this?! Where's Subject Sigma?" Merlot stammered, shaken, watching in horror as Watts walked past him, touching Cole's tube. "I was meaning to ask about this; nothing like the present, as they say."
Merlot trembled in his boots, petrified at the tube's state, unable to speak, let alone breathe properly.
"W-Watts, I didn't-" he stopped when Watts held up his hand, silencing the pudgy man.
Pacing the office for almost twenty minutes, Watts struggled to plan his next moves. All paths seemed to lead to the same undesirable outcome - behind schedule with Salem's prized experiment.
Finally, Watts grabbed the bottle, drained what little remained, growled at the burn in his throat, and pulled out his phone, showing a picture of a man known as the Red Baron. "Does this man mean anything to you and your side project for Salem?"
Merlot, enraged by the images of the Red Baron breaking Sigma out of the tube, hurled the phone across the room and proceeded to trash his own office. "That bastard! How'd he get past my security and steal Sigma?!"
"Doctor, you mean to say that 'the Reaper' is Project Sigma? Does Salem want to create children with... with that?!" Turning to his old friend, Merlot, giving him the 'seriously?' look, said, "Of course she doesn't!" He pushed past him, brought out a recorder, and sighed. "This is why she wants Sigma," before he pushed play.
"This is Doctor Jameson Merlot, and here with me is Lady Salem of the Shadowlands *two seconds of static* Sigma project is still in development, but may I ask why you wish to have Sigma cloned, your Grace? I mean, you have all the power and influence you could ever want. I just-" He was cut off by her sigh and spoke calmly, "I will be honest with you, Doctor. I wish to know what it's like to love someone who shares my ambitious interests, and what better way than to bring me a man who went through hell and still loves even the smallest shards of remnant *static*... and I wish to-"
Static cuts in, ending the recording.*
Both men stood there waiting for the rest, but it didn't come. Merlot put the recording away and sat at his desk, not caring for the repercussions of revealing her secrets would bring.
"I hope that helps you in your search for Sigma," he said, giving Watts a revolver containing a single bullet. "Just make it quick."
As Watts grabbed the gun, he chuckled and said, "I'm not going to kill you, and I doubt Her Majesty would be pleased with me if I did." He still took the gun but removed the bullet, putting it in his pocket. He then fished out a syringe and put it on the desk - murky red and the size of a 20mm sniper round.
"This is my payment for Sigma. Hope you do beautiful things with it, Doctor," he said, walking out of the office calmly, calling Tyrian, but the line went dead after a few rings. "He's still out playing?!" He sighed, annoyed with the man as he found the elevator and took it back the way he came.
Tyrian's mind raced, his heart thumping with psychotic glee as he chased a man through the streets, weaponless but not defenseless. The rush of the chase, the satisfaction of stabbing with his tail, and the euphoria of watching life fade fueled his joy. His murderous tendencies flared as someone stole his queen's hair, mistaking it for gold.
The boy made a mistake, and Tyrian's tail scratched his arm, dropping the stolen bag. Injecting more poison with a stab to the shoulder, Tyrian relished in the slow fading of the boy's reflection in his eyes. Maniacal laughter erupted as he repeatedly stabbed his victim until poison overcame blood.
"Enough, Tyrian," a voice interrupted. Watts beckoned him to follow for rest and food. Tyrian, disappointed but intrigued, followed.
Back at the apartment, Tyrian brooded over pictures of his kills and Reaper's death toll. Anger surged; he cracked his phone. "I've slaughtered scores, and this guy gets more attention!"
"Stop getting worked up, Tyrian; Salem won't be pleased if he dies," Watts warned, offering a bowl of food.
Tyrian grumbled, contemplating Reaper's fame. TV news covered Jacque Schnee's murder and Reaper's deeds. "Are we safe with this monster?" one report questioned.
"I'll go to bed; playtime makes me tired," Tyrian complained, planning mischief, but Watts stopped him.
"Change out of those bloody clothes; we have a busy day tomorrow. I refuse to leave more evidence."
Tyrian smirked. "Will I get to have fun tomorrow?"
"Not a chance."
Vale Central Hospital*
"Three puncture wounds, major blood loss; two transfusions needed..." Ozpin read grimly, regretting not arriving sooner.
"Professor, we found Jaune had broken into Pyrrha's hospital room; the police want to see you about it," Ruby said flatly, the shock of Pyrrha's ordeal evident in her voice. Ozpin wasn't surprised that Jaune had saved Pyrrha and refused to leave her side; it was noble.
"Thank you, Ms. Branwen," he replied, standing to join her down the elevator in silence. Halfway down, he clicked the shutdown button, stopping the ride abruptly. "I need to know what happened."
Ruby's quizzical look was cut off as he continued, "I don't want the same report I read on your failed mission. I want your side of things. You've been far too calm and quiet with this investigation, Ms. Branwen. So I'll ask this differently. Why didn't you report that the Reaper was hunting you and your team sooner?" His voice was controlled and flat, disappointment evident.
"Head-Ozpin, our phones had no service when we crashed; all we could do was lay low until we could find a way to contact someone," Ruby explained, uncomfortable with the situation.
Turning the elevator back on, they rode the rest of the way down, and just before the doors opened, Ozpin said, "You and the others are to stay on Beacon grounds until Reaper is taken care of. For now, just do what you can to help your family and friends. Please don't be too hard on them. And you may not know this, but you need them as much as they need you. Family is more than the water of the womb; remember that."
Ruby nodded, running off to her room where the rest of her friends were staying. "I have a lot to apologize for," she sighed as she turned into a swarm of petals flying into her window. She froze at the sudden chill entering her room.
The AC was on, and Yang was quietly crying on her bed, Ren and Nora were at the table talking over pancakes, and Ciri could be heard sobbing in the shower. Ruby went to her bed, heard Weiss sit at her desk, put on some music, and grabbed a pencil, drawing something as she let the world bleed out.
After a few hours, Ruby had sobbed but reigned it in. She wiped her tears away and slowly made her way over to Weiss, freezing when she saw her nearly finished drawing. It vividly portrayed Cole sleeping next to Weiss on the floor, petting him, and a sleeping Zwei in his arms, with Jaune wrestling with Pyrrha on the floor, brightly smiling. The entire scene depicted everyone in bliss, with an area covered in scribbles from a shaking hand that seemed unreadable.
Leaning in, Ruby noticed Weiss' tears soaking the paper. Weiss had stopped drawing due to how badly she'd been shaking, trying to stop herself from crying any longer but failing. What made her heart break was the title written in jagged calligraphy: "Best Day Ever."
Ruby stayed quiet for once and hugged Weiss in her arms. Soon enough, Yang and the others closed in for a group hug, not caring that Yang and Ciri were in their pajamas, soaking wet.
Nora and Ren, syrup-stained and teary-eyed, sat with Ruby, who burst into tears. "I failed you guys, a sister, a friend, and a leader are supposed to be better than this, but I was none of those things. I hurt and scorned you all, and I-"
Yang interrupted her rant, "Ruby, it's okay. We all messed up. I messed up, you were angry with us, and we lost Pyrrha... but remember what Qrow said at Cole's funeral?"
Ruby shook her head, letting more tears fall, "Sometimes bad things just happen, things like death happen, and we can't stop it from coming." She looked up at Yang, who continued, "We all hurt Cole. You were right to do what you did, but that doesn't mean we made it any better for you. Summer wouldn't fault you for being angry for losing him."
Ren put a hand on her shoulder, "I don't know where we go from here, but I do know that we will be here for you. Family sticks together through hell and back again, right?"
More tears fell from Ruby's eyes as she choked back sobs and hugged him, "You guys, I'm so, so sorry." She trailed off, sobbing her heart out until they all eventually fell asleep on the ground. Yang held Ruby and Weiss, while Ren held Nora in his lap, sleeping.
Ciri gave up on discretion, teleported to her room, designated to her as a teacher, and didn't bother getting dressed or drying off as she went to bed and cried herself to sleep. "I failed as a teacher... I failed you, Geralt."
Everyone cried out their hearts and soon enough decided on a cuddle pile to comfort each other.
Valeian Police Department*
Jaune sat in the interrogation room, cuffed to the chair, silent and unresponsive. On the other side of the glass stood a detective and Ozpin. Both watched Jaune sit there, not making a sound as he shook, hiccupping silently, ignoring the world around him.
"We found him sleeping in Ms. Nikos' hospital room, and when we found out who he was, we had him arrested and had you called," the detective explained, handing Oz a cup of coffee.
"I don't believe he deserves to be arrested for visiting his loved one in her time of need, don't you agree, Detective?" Ozpin asked, strolling towards the door, but the detective stopped him.
"He hasn't spoken since we found him; I doubt you'll have much better luck."
Ozpin simply hummed and left the room to speak to his student. Jaune didn't so much as flinch when Oz walked in, holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a key in the other.
Before he sat down, Oz put a third chair under the doorknob and uncuffed Jaune, speaking softly, "Jaune, I'm going to be blunt and confess something to you."
This got a rise out of him, and he looked into Ozpin's eyes for a moment before spacing out again. "When Glynda was hospitalized in the breach, I abused my power as headmaster to stay by her side until she got better. So, I don't blame you for wanting to be with Pyrrha."
Uttering her name broke something in Jaune, and he erupted in pure rage, lifting Ozpin against the one-way window. "Don't you dare speak her name, you manipulative, conniving, fucking snake,"
he seethed, tears streaming down his face. "You knew full well what we'd have encountered out there, and you let. It. Happen. You, Headmaster Ozpin, knew we were being targeted by the Remnant Reaper, and you didn't so much as send someone with us."
He threw Ozpin onto the table, his eyes shining with anger. "Cinder started this out in the open with the breach, Cole went rogue, Ironwood let that bastard leave imprisonment, Mr. and Ms. Rivia betrayed you and your Inner Circle, Reaper killed my best friend and took not only my girlfriend but also my unborn baby to make me suffer for mistakes I made against someone else. And now, I'm in this room because I refused to leave her side?! You all have no idea how hard I'm taking this!"
Allowing his rage to simmer, Jaune watched Ozpin rise to his feet and straighten his outfit. "I believed you and the others would be able to handle him with Rayla when she joined in, but I overestimated you all. But I understand you're in pain, and using me as your emotional thrashing bag helps. I get it. I know how painful it is to lose people. And now Pyrrha is gone; let me make it right."
Jaune lashed out, jumping over the table and punching Ozpin in the cheek. But quickly, he found himself against the wall, face first, with his arm behind him and Ozpin pinning him.
"I will forgive you for trying if you just calm down and think this through," Ozpin said, pushing him to stand on his toes. "I've made more mistakes than you could possibly imagine, but remember who you're in here with. You're not the first to go through hardships, so just calm your senses and take a breath."
Just as Ozpin released Jaune, the door burst open, revealing four cops pointing tasers at the duo. "FREEZE, PUT EM UP NOW!" the detective snapped.
"Stand down, officers; he's my student and therefore my responsibility. I'll pay the fine and replace the chairs and table. Now, let us out," Ozpin said, standing protectively in front of Jaune.
Taking his word, they awkwardly left the room with Jaune by the arm and walked him right out the front door, glaring at them as if to warn them if they did anything stupid.
Feeling ashamed for what he did and worse realizing that Ozpin bailed him out of jail, Jaune found himself in Ozpin's car, driven by Glynda to the hospital. Jumping to a conclusion that Ozpin was to blame was a foolish choice, making things worse and helping no one in the long run.
Both men made it outside to a rain-soaked parking lot when Glynda stopped the car in the front and approached Jaune after getting out. She opened his door, helped him out, and hugged him gently, walking him inside to Pyrrha's room. "Jaune, please don't take actions like that against your headmaster again. You aren't the only one suffering," she said, standing with him at the door. He wiped his eyes and walked in towards Pyrrha's bed, lying down with her, not uttering a word, and began to cry into her shoulder. 'Love is so easily taken from those trying to survive in this world,' she thought, walking out towards Ozpin's car, joining him back to Beacon Tower.
"I love you, Pyrrha Nikos," Jaune whispered, kissing her lips softly before going to sleep.
"How many more students have to get hurt-to die, for us to act, Oz!?" Qrow's younger words echoed in his head as he started the car, driving back to Beacon.
Ozpin's grip tightened around his steering wheel, feeling frustrated and guilty for everything that he had done. He realized there was some truth to everyone's words when they had yelled at him.
"Looks like I need to make things right," he said, parking his car and tossing the keys to Glynda, ignoring her calls to clear his head.
Soon after Glynda drove off, a dark figure slammed into the road of the freeway from above, quickly shooting a bright red bolt that struck the car's hood, killing the engine and setting it aflame. As the car flipped upside-down, the figure stepped aside, watching it spin and slide to a stop a few meters away. Thankfully, Glynda was unharmed but a little shaken from the crash.
Amidst the unfolding chaos, the echo of conflict reverberated through the air. Her eyes locked onto the boots of her assailant, a figure she had once trusted. With a calculated explosion, she obliterated the door and agilely evaded a deadly bolt that seared the asphalt.
In a heartbeat, she realized her semblance had ensnared Ozpin, his struggles apparent. Panic and confusion gripped her as she pleaded, "Glynda... what's happening to you? It's me, Ozpin! Release me, please!" His voice strained against an unseen force restricting him.
Glynda, her resolve hardening, approached him with a determined stride. "If you're truly Ozpin, prove it! Tell me something only he would know!" The grip of her semblance tightened, demanding an undeniable revelation.
As Ozpin gasped for breath, memories spilled out in desperate fragments. "For your 28th birthday, I gifted you a deathstalker's stinger. You got angry, threw me out the window, and when your parents met me, they called the cops. I denied knowing you." His words hung in the air, a fragile tether between truth and deception.
But before Glynda could process this revelation, a malevolent force sent her hurtling into a nearby truck. The impact echoed with an ominous crack, silencing any chance of a scream. Darkness enveloped her senses as she succumbed to unconsciousness, the intensity of the moment lingering in the air.
"Glynda, no!" Oz cried out, running towards the figure and jumping to kick the mystery man. But as soon as he got close, Oz was shot in the chest so hard it knocked him off the bridge. As soon as he went over the ledge, a bright red bolt struck him in the chest and burned a hole straight through.
Whatever happened after, Ozpin couldn't remember nor did he have time to. All he'd seen was a flash of red, and everything went black.
"Both targets are taken care of; moving in to confirm the kill," the armored figure said. "Unfortunately, the woman escaped."