City of Vacuo, Kingdom of Vacuo, Days Later

In the end, it had been a coin flip that had decided her fate.

Qrow had won, and so it was Summer Rose that ventured into the city to get supplies. Given that neither of them trusted the cheap motel they were holed up in, the pair decided to have one of them stay behind to keep an eye on things. Whilst Mistral was more infamous for its criminal underworld, Vacuo's own was often full of those that were just as brutal and opportunistic. Outside the main city, it was mostly Bandit Kings and Queens that held sway across the Kingdom. The loss of the Monarchy and the Vacuan Monarchical System of 'Rule By the Worthy' had left Vacuo a nation in name only ever since. Even the city itself was frequently torn apart by infighting, causing the map to be redrawn several times a decade.

Which was why Summer had taken her weapon with her. Thorn might outwardly appear as just a sniper rifle, but the sight of it was often enough to ward would-be attackers away, even here. Regular civilians were one thing, but Huntsmen and Huntresses were an entirely different matter. It was fairly easy to grab what she and Qrow needed from the various stores and head back through the winding, somewhat confusing streets.

"Well now."The figure drawled as he sauntered out of an alley. Beneath his brown cloak, he wore the standard issue combat gear that was the Mistrali Defence Force. His eyes glinted with barely restrained anticipation. "If it isn't The Silver-Eyed Warrior. Fancy meeting you here."

She whirled around, sliding Thorn into her hands and taking aim. It took her a few moments, but soon enough, realisation set in. Her eyes widened, and she broke out into a happy smile. "Ambrose?"

"Summer." He inclined his head in greeting. "A...pleasure to see you again. Truly."

"It is you!" Summer exclaimed brightly, and lowered her rifle. "We've been looking everywhere for you! We honestly thought you were dead...I'm glad that's not the case!"

"My apologies if I had you all worried. I've been travelling.." Ambrose answered, still smiling. "Seeing the world, as it were. Finding myself. Getting into and out of trouble." Something changed in his smile before he continued. "I hear that you have a daughter now? Congratulations."

"Oh! Thank you." Summer smiled. "I am happy to see you so well. You should come back to Beacon with Qrow and I! Ozpin's been-"

"I am afraid I must stop you there, Ms Rose." Ambrose raised a hand with a calm smile. "And correct you on your mistake."

"...Which mistake?" She hadn't made a mistake, had she?

"It's a little thing really, you see….I am the only Ozpin." Ambrose snarled in response, all traces of his smile vanishing in an instant. "That wretched...CREATURE has no right...NO RIGHT to use our name!"

The eruption of anger from the man caused Summer to stumble back, tightening her grip on her weapon. Ambrose looked on, uncaring. Instead, the man took a few calming breaths. "But that problem is easily fixed, I suppose."

"...W-What….what do you mean?"

"I made a friend." Ambrose replied. "And all it cost me was four names."

A horrified look crossed the Huntress' face. "..What have you done?"

"Gloria Viridian, Clementine Laurel, Amber Carpo and Fria Bernadotte, in case you were wondering." Ambrose told her, his lips curling into a faint grin. "I assume those are familiar?"

"...Amber's only a child!"

"..Children die in war." Ambrose shrugged. "Better she die young than Ozma keep her locked away like some caged songbird for the rest of her days. It'd be a kindness, really."

At this, Summer raised Thorn to aim at Ambrose's chest. She knew that he had an aura. She even knew that he had a semblance, and a dangerous one at that. If she needed to take him down...

"I remember the day that all of this started, you know." Ambrose sighed almost wistfully, utterly at ease with the weapon aimed at him. "The day I realised how...pointless it all was. The sixteenth of August, in the Fifty-Eighth year after the Great War. The day I completed my education and training, and gained my medical license. I was so happy. So proud."

"I rushed home. I was eager to share the news that I could finally be of use to my father and Ozma. I might not be able to fight Salem, I never really had the right temperament for that sort of thing, but I could at least keep his soldiers in top condition.."

A chill ran down Summer's spine. She knew what was coming. Ozpin had ensured that at least she knew the whole story about what happened between him and his son before taking on this mission.

"...That was the day my Mother died on a mission for Ozma."

"But did my Father congratulate me for my achievement? Did he offer any condolences or share in my grief?! No! Because that Thing only had praise for a 'remarkable young woman from the frontier'." Ambrose ranted, a half-mad grin on his face. "You! Some seemingly random orphan from the ass end of Vale was more important to Ozma than his own WIFE AND SON! And then my Father gave up! He allowed that odious entity to consume him rather than face the grief that I HAD TO FACE ALONE!"

"Ten years!" He continued. "It has taken me ten years to find out everything. Ten years to find the how and the why. I'll admit, I may have..lost myself somewhat whilst doing so, and keeping It unaware of what I've been up to was a challenge, but I accomplished my mission. I discovered the truth of the world."

He began to close the gap between himself and Summer, and smiled once more. It was not a pleasant smile. "Do you wish for enlightenment, Summer Rose? Do you wish to know that truth?"

"I am afraid it will have to wait, my friend." A new voice spoke. Its owner approached, dressed in a plain white robe, its hood up to hide their face. "We are on a schedule, after all."

"My apologies, Miss Diaemus." Ambrose chuckled, offering the Faunus an over the top bow as she came to a stop at his side. "I know I promised I wouldn't rant..but.."

"It is fine Master Ozpin, fret not." The woman smiled, before she turned to face Summer and flashed her fangs. "You've brought me a rare treat. It has been a long time since I've tasted the blood of a Silver-Eyed Warrior."

"Ah, do enjoy yourself then!"

Tabitha let out a bark of laughter, and pulled a curved blade from within her robes. "Oh, I fully intend to."

Ambrose turned, and made to leave. Summer changed her aim to the newcomer, her gaze narrowing. Ambrose could wait. He was no fighter. But this woman clearly was. She was the more immediate threat. "And who are you?"

"This is Tabitha." Ambrose explained as he began to stroll off. "She is the Right Hand of Salem. And she will be killing you today."