Peach sat on the chair in Jekyll's room, when she, with the aid of Pyrrha Nikos, had carried her partner to his room. The loss against headmaster Ozpin would have been one to see had any of the students heard of it. Rumors of that might spread with some kind of disappointment and frustration of not being able to witness such a thing. She would bet that the Vytal Tournament would absolutely welcome a demonstration between professional huntsmen. She wondered how they would react if they ever saw Hyde come out. It probably wouldn't go well.

Checking the time, it had been a few hours since the duel had ended. There was still daylight but the sun was close enough that it could kiss the horizon. She could have left at any time. Her partner was okay. Certainly injured and with low aura reserves but that would heal enough even without medical attention. Yet, she chose to stick around, holding as steadfast as her weapon's name. She had no questions here, already having known that from after their Mountain Glenn adventure.

She stirred in her seat as she noticed that the eyelids of her partner tightened and faint groaning sounds escaped his mouth. When he finally managed to open them, he didn't rush to get back up. A good choice even if it had been clear to her that it wasn't intended.

Peach helped her friend get back up though she was careful in making sure that he didn't get up too quickly. They settled to a sitting position as Jekyll refused to look any higher than the floor.

"I lost, didn't I?" His voice was weak. His shoulders low. He didn't even adjust the glasses he had put on. "If I wanted to save Amber, I would have to put all of you in danger. Make myself a criminal, hunted by both of you for however long she would have had left."

She didn't reply. She stayed quiet. It wasn't that it Jekyll lost but Hyde along with him, if the two were ever separate at all. Peach had saw that there; those two, if they still were, were perfectly synced that they might as well been just one. Headmaster Ozpin must have been preparing for that duel for the longest time. She wasn't as deaf as to not have heard her name being mentioned and the effect it had on her partner, both of them. Part of her was warmed at the implication of his hesitation to save his Master as he calls Amber. He must have realized it too; his eyes may be facing downward but he certainly wasn't looking at the floor.

It was only when his hands moved that Peach knew that her partner was coming back to here. He was staring at the nails of his fingers, making sure that they were in its proper shape.

Jekyll turned to her. "Could… semblances evolve?"

She raised a singular eyebrow. "What possible path could your semblance evolve into?"

"I think I may have mentioned that I could have turned into a werewolf. I know I am essentially a human by this world's standards but I had thought that it was simply a warp of my manifestation at the time of my being summoned here. Though human, I was still, for the most part, of the Assassin class. It is as though that restriction had been lifted at the cost of being less than a Servant, I think."

"Is this going to be a good thing?"

Jekyll hesitated to answer. "I… don't know. Perhaps it is simply the next step now that I could—even if only for a while—find that balance within myself. Or maybe, it is a reminder that there is always a greater evil that lurks within."

His form became smaller as he lifted his knees up and cradled himself.

Peach had never seen him like this. Not even back then when she had been ignorant of Hyde was he like this. If before when she had been cautious whenever Hyde would seep through the surface, now she felt none of that. There wasn't any danger about him at all. He couldn't even be compared to a harmless civilian that he normally would have had. She checked herself just to be sure. Nope. It wasn't that she had gotten used to him. Her partner doesn't have that to him anymore. He was harmless, terrified, small.

"Could you tell me about this king?" She decided to take a risk. Perhaps a distraction would do him well. "Would he have done any better?"

"I would think so." Though the answer came swift, the weight behind his words was uncertain. "If he had made a choice, I am at least certain that he would have made it work somehow."

"That capable?"

"He is a great swordsman and a much greater king. Had he been here, Amber would have been saved long ago. I… I can't save her. I can't even help her condition and I am—was—a doctor." Jekyll buried his face in his arms. "I can't even catch Cinder or find her allies."

Silence reigned in Jekyll's room. As he wallowed, Peach stayed quiet. She offered no advice nor did she try to cheer her partner up. She wanted to but felt compelled that it wasn't the right choice. What would she even say? Would it even reach him? Instead, she got closer to him. Their shoulders touched as her arm and swan's wing held him in embrace. Her eyebrows were raised for a moment when she felt that the clothes on that part of her shoulder had been wet soon after.

Jekyll's hands were shaking. They were cold. It was a good thing then that she brought with her a box of matches.

"Why do you have that?" he asked.

"In case I get cold," she replied. "Looks like you need it more than I do."

It wasn't the brightest nor the hottest flame. With how small it was, neither of them had any doubts that the fire would do little against such a cold. She wasn't sure what it was that Jekyll saw but she can safely say that she saw her grandmother again in that flame. She always did whenever she stared at such a light long enough, a comfort of those cold nights that she had to endure.

There's the beansprout I know. She recognized that feeling about him. It wasn't the danger of Hyde but that civilian safety of Jekyll. "Why don't you get some rest for now. I think I have a few ideas."

"The White Fang?" he guessed.

She nodded. "You probably don't know this but we do have someone who might be helpful to us. Granted, as professors, we probably shouldn't condone such behaviors but I think this time it might be warranted."

Jekyll's smile began to return. "What did I do to have you as a partner?"

"Well, not being a frog is certainly a bonus." She tried to joke. "Or a mole. You're not a mole are you?"

"Last I checked, no." There's a chuckle.

"Get some rest for now. Let's see if we could give our student some extra credit for this."

As Jekyll lied back down and called it a day, putting his faith in her. Peach got up and left his room. Before she closed the door behind her, she took one last glimpse of her partner just as he rested. He wasn't quite back to his old self, she's certain. There was still uncertainty of what could be done about Amber should the deadline be met. The final matches would start soon though Pyrrha wouldn't participate just yet.

Peach stopped at the front of Winter Schnee's room. She wasn't one for rumors and gossips but when the Atlas specialist had essentially asked her partner out on a date, Peach couldn't help but wonder a little if there had been some truth to it. Should she take a chance? Take that risk that Winter might help her in this regard? It certainly would be advantageous to have Atlas' resources in tracking down the White Fang, having fought against them for quite some time now.

She shook her head. Atlas' military was many things; subtlety wasn't one of them. There may be a few undercover agents that the northern kingdom has but their specialty was in brute force. After all, public displays of military might inspire safety among the populace. Safety meant less negativity and that meant less Grimm. Winter Schnee was one among them and her association with the company painted her as a target of the terrorist organization. The Atlas specialist will stay here, if nothing else.

Crossing off that option, Peach considered other things. There was still her own team, MGHT. Though, she wasn't sure if she could convince either Mulberry or Greene of essentially going behind the headmaster's back. Even if she could guarantee success, she was not confident in her persuasion skills.

Looks like miss Belladonna will be getting her extra credit. She mentally noted down that her student will get the highest grade for her class. While she suspects that the cat faunus would do it for free, it didn't hurt to have some sort of incentive. Probably should include her team if they want to though. No. The less people, the easier to move. Peach was certain that team RWBY would stick together. They were a good team, looking out for each other like that but they also weren't the most subtle of individuals. I will draw the line at no homework, if they go anyway. Exemption from some of my exams, maybe.

"Miss Peach?" The voice of Glynda Goodwitch was heard. She was ahead of her and if Peach hadn't been brought out of her thoughts, she would have bumped into the deputy headmistress.

"Glynda," Peach replied. She held herself back. On one hand, she did need some help. On the other, the blonde woman's allegiance was known to her and vice versa. Their goals are still aligned though and there was no reason for her to be cautious around the woman. "I was just making my way back to the stockroom."

"At this hour?" Glynda checked the time. It was nearing the early hours of the evening and there wasn't any class for her to teach. There wasn't any class for anyone to teach. "While I would commend your work ethic, there aren't any classes that need to be held."

"Just had something to get." If their enemies were really strong then she would need to get stronger as well. She made a silent apology for her partner. Their enemies are willing to go as far as they did, perhaps the other side should do the same.

Glynda sighed and looked at her with melancholy. "I'm really sorry about Jekyll."

"He and the headmaster had a duel. Jekyll accepted his loss."

"Is he alright?"

"As good as he could be. Besides, it is not that he won't stop trying." He really hasn't. While balancing his responsibilities here in Beacon, he always kept searching for a lead. Peach was certain that he would have gone out into the city only to be held back considering that Vale is large. Jekyll wouldn't know where to begin; neither did Peach but she knew someone who might.

"For what it's worth, I really am sorry that miss Nikos had to take this burden." She sounded genuine.

"I'm willing to respect that the decision has been made, Glynda," Peach returned. "However, all that has been decided is that the deadline has been established; a deadline that has yet to come."

There was a slight curve on Glynda's lips. "If I may ask, what is it about your assistant that drives you so? I do not think that it is some kind of attraction."

"We're partners. We look out for each other. Jekyll always looked out for me and always tried to keep me safe." Granted, that danger came from himself but details. "It's only right that I do the same."

"An admirable trait." Glynda openly praised. "But it comes with its own dangers as well. Ozpin—"

"Is more than just a man," Peach completed. "I know. I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that my partner is much the same."

Glynda was quiet for a moment. "Fair enough," she then said.

"If you'll excuse me," she replied. "While I don't doubt that the thing I'm looking for isn't going anywhere, it wouldn't do to just leave it there either."

Before she could go any further, Glynda called out to her. "Wait."

Neither of them moved from their spot. Peach's back was all that the deputy headmistress could see.

"I need to know something, Peach," she asked. "What is it that makes you go this far? You and Jekyll never exactly went to any of the academies, let alone together as partners."

"Same reason why I'm still a huntress despite everything I went through: I had something to hold onto. Before it was Plant Science being the compromise to my actual dream."

"And now?"

"Now…" Peach paused. She took a deep breath and spoke again answering with "because I now have a partner. The rest of you have or had your partners. I'm keeping the one I got."

Glynda took a moment to take it all in. In the end she nodded. "Should I expect to bring some aid?" The blonde guessed. "To wherever it is you are going?"

Peach thought about for a moment. Then, she answered, "just keep your scroll by your side, Glynda. I doubt that they would simply wait for Amber."

Glynda's presence was no longer felt by her as she resumed her walk.

Despite the lack of students and teachers, the halls of Beacon were full of chatter. As the latest match was being talked about in the news, many of the students were making their own analysis. Others could be heard crying as Peach saw lien being passed among them. She'd just pretend that she didn't see that. Gambling wasn't allowed on campus grounds. The singles matches have yet to start and already people are making their predictions as to who would be the likely winner.

Pyrrha Nikos had been the obvious choice for most of these people. With her experience as a tournament fighter plus her reputation as the Invincible Girl, it was to be expected that many would suspect that she would be the winner. Peach wouldn't be surprised that there would be those who would think that it is her team that held the student back. However, after the most recent revelation, the professor of Plant Science was confident in putting a bet against her. Not that she didn't have any faith in her student but the young Pyrrha wasn't obviously going to give her best given her circumstances. Those brave enough to actually bet against Pyrrha despite their ignorance may just have such courage rewarded if she didn't get her head back in the game on time.

Peach turned around in a corner. Passing by the open windows, the first signs of night had begun to appear. A dark veil was slowly covering the kingdom of Vale yet none of that was had here in Beacon. Right now, the night life, while not as much, could compete with daylight. Students were having their celebrations while others were essentially enjoying themselves with whatever hobbies that they had partook in.

Friends. Partners. Students. Many of them still have their lives ahead of them. Peach wondered how many of them would actually reach that far. If their enemies had won, how many of those in front of her would even reach graduation? Students were exposed to missions during their tenure in the academies and it wouldn't be the first time that someone's life was lost during it.

The voice of Harrold Mulberry was heard from behind, calling out to her. "Peach!" He jogged towards her. "I heard what had happened. Jekyll and Ozpin had a duel?"

"There were rumors, already?" Peach asked. There definitely would have been considering how Jekyll appeared but the identity of his opponent had been a mystery.

"I heard it from Glynda." That explains it, then. "How is he?"

Peach gave the same answer as she did Glynda. She took the extra step of explaining the circumstances since it didn't seem like Harrold knew much about it, either.

Mulberry made sure that no one else was listening as he accompanied her. When he was certain, he said, "so, miss Nikos is the chosen candidate." He waited for her confirming nod. "So our time is running out, then."

"You thinking of helping?"

"Of course, I will. I'm the team leader now. We may not have gone to the same school together nor were we the original team but MGHT is still my responsibility. What kind of team leader would I be if I didn't look after you all?"

"Thank you," Peach said. "I would like to say the same for Greene but she still has to follow Ozpin's orders, doesn't she?"

"She's been keeping an extra eye on Amber." Mulberry made no attempts at denying it. "If you see Jekyll before I do, tell him that he isn't alone. Greene and I lost a team once, we won't lose them again."

"He knows that already." Peach smiled. It was good that there are others as well. It makes things easier for her as well.

"I'll leave you to it, then." He turned around and began to go in the other direction. "If you're going to go out into the city, I suggest you bring Steadfast with you. The White Fang may not be wearing their masks but there have been a few instances where they have been caught."

"What were they bringing with them?"

"Whatever Dust that they were able to salvage from Mountain Glenn. They have also raided a few more others to supplement them. Greene suspects that they are targeted in specific areas. Less so to destroy property and more to instill chaos in the city."

Peach could guess what that would imply. If panic and chaos were to be had in Vale, the Grimm would be drawn in. As to how they would accomplish negativity of such scale, she was uncertain. She didn't recall there being that many Grimm left from Mountain Glenn on account of nearly having lost her eyes. Any more would have come from outside the walls and they wouldn't have had the time to smuggle enough in.

At the sight of Atlas' paladins, she then thought of something but before she could inform Mulberry, he had already left. Shaking her head, she took out her scroll and messaged Greene directly instead. As much as the professor of Stealth and Security prides herself in those subject areas, she was still human. Greene had a better chance of convincing Atlas of a possible threat than Peach ever could.

I should probably expect that there would be others as well. Cinder Fall had helpers of her own; it wouldn't be unreasonable to assume that their enemies would have their own allies as well. But who? There is obviously the White Fang and whoever was leading them but there had to be more to it than that. There was Roman and whoever that midget that had ambushed Peach and Jekyll but those two had been absent since then.

No time for that. She shook her head. Whatever happens, she'll just have to make use of what she had. Checking her wings, they were as fine as they could be. This rare trait among faunus hasn't failed her yet. Having the capacity to fly really was convenient.

Taking a turn in another corner, the stockroom would be around here. Predictably, there aren't that many students around here. Being that these were mostly classrooms, they wouldn't have reason to be here even for after-school activities; all of that was being held in other places, mainly out in open spaces.

Before she had opened the door, she had panicked for a moment. Sighing in relief, it was a good thing that her habits involved always carrying with her the key to the room. Opening the room and opening the lights, she found that it was as she had left it though some have begun to gather dust. It must have seeped into the gaps of the doors and windows. It wasn't too dirty, so it was fine.

The first thing she did was to take out those notes that Jekyll had prepared. It was located among the files in the filing cabinet. A small thing at one corner of the room, mainly used for research papers and documents that Peach had gathered over the years. There were a few books there as well. The folder that contained those notes was unassuming and without label. A deliberate choice since giving it any sort of label would make it suspicious to anyone looking through to them. She'll have to consider giving it a false name since it was the only blank folder and in hindsight, that was probably more suspicious given the pattern with the other folders.

Opening it, she nodded as nothing seemed to be out of place. All of the notes and even Jekyll's warnings were there. Prettily handwritten and with clear and concise details, if she wanted to, she could make the formula herself; it even included the Merlot variety that had a note next to it that said UNTESTED: LAST RESORT.

Satisfied, Peach placed the folder on the table and closed the drawer now behind her. Her eyes honed in and focused on the safe. Normally meant for important samples, it now contained the two elixirs that Jekyll had made as a demonstration. Would they have expired? Could they still be used? Peach wasn't certain of any of those things. None of Jekyll's notes had said anything about storage. Would it still work by now or would its effects change? She wouldn't get any answers unless she took it herself.

Her hands were closed to a fist and were shaking. She had yet to move her feet from her spot. The hands only loosened to take the cloth of her white coat and wiped the sweat that had begun to form around on her face.

"Time to be as Steadfast and your weapon, Peach." She psyched herself up and took that first step.

Entering the combination to the safe, Peach slowly opened the doors as she expected to find the two elixirs inside.

Had Peach been holding something when she had opened the doors of her safe, it would have fallen on the floor. If it had been fragile, it would have left behind a mess that she would have ignored given what she was now looking at. Namely, nothing. There was nothing inside the safe. The two elixirs that should have been there was absent.

"Where are they?" she demanded as if expecting an answer. To be certain, she placed her hands in the safe, tapping on all sides just to see if her eyes were playing tricks on her. No. The safe was certainly empty. "Jekyll couldn't have gotten it out." She would have noticed it if she did. Not only that, only she and he had known of the elixir's existence. As far as the others know, her partner's strange abilities were the result of his semblance.

Peach began to pace around the room. While she could always recreate the formula thanks to the notes that Jekyll had made, it doesn't change the fact that two of those elixirs, one of them untested, was now in someone else's hands. It hadn't been used yet, otherwise they would have known of it by now.

"Unless it didn't work for them." She shook her head. That formula splits the soul of the individual. "Soul…" she repeated. She tried to recall any moment when her stockroom had been left open.

Huh. She remembered. Must not have close it properly.

Her eyes trailed to the window. The window that had been opened back when the students were off on their missions. Back when Beacon would have been vulnerable and without many huntsmen and huntresses around to protect it.

"They took the formula." Peach concluded. Her head kept shaking in disbelief. "What have they done?"

She had felt this before and yet somehow, there was an unnatural dread behind it. She already knew just how far her partner could be when he was Hyde. How much further could their enemies go when they do not possess such restraints?

AN: Was planning on using "Swanling" sticking on the self-imposed rule of using HC Andersen as the main influence on Peach. But word of the day for me is "Cygnet."