AN: I have been looking forward to this for so long.


Taking Control

In Salem's castle, Emerald was in the middle of training. If you can call facing a seemingly endless horde of Grimm training. The green haired girl was already at her limit after hours of this torture, even as she was barely able to slice a Beowolf's throat open. Barely, because her arms could barely muster the strength to swing her weapon. Then she slumped down, sweat practically streaming down her face. Until she was smashed at the opposing wall by something. A Beringel roared, while pounding its chest before preparing to charge Emerald who couldn't find the strength to get back up again.

"Enough!" Salem shouted out and the Beringel stood down. "Didn't you want revenge for Cinder? Did you lie to me?" the witch demanded from the green haired girl who wasn't sure if she should glare at the monstrous woman or tremble in fear. "If this is the best you can do, you might as well give up," Salem then said, which seemed to make Emerald force herself back up. Though the mint haired girl was still panting heavily and her legs were barely able to hold her weight. "We are done for the day," Salem spoke as she turned to walk away, only to face Tyrian who was slouching to her, babbling to himself in fear. "Tyrian? Did you retrieve the girl?" Salem asked with a quirked eyebrow. The fact that the man fell to his knees like he was begging for forgiveness and the state of his tail were not promising.

"No, your grace," Tyrian whimpered from his position as the ashen skinned witch then started to the doorway the faunus came from. "But it wasn't my fault! Those brats…they had a Blade that could change shape! It had a green crystal on its chest! It was like a…cross." Tyrian babbled, trying to explain his failure.

"Green…cross?" Salem sounded out with an intrigued tone before wincing as she clutched the left side of her forehead in pain. An image of a large glowing cross entering her mind with three smaller ones for an instant before disappearing. "…Interesting," Salem muttered as the pain subsided. Then she continued her walk. "Emerald, I suggest you follow," Salem spoke, which made Emerald wobble behind the witch, leaning against the wall for support to stay upright. "As for you, Tyrian…You disappoint me," Salem said with a tone that matched her words.

This caused the stingless scorpion faunus to let out a few sobs before full on bawling. Tears flowing out of his eyes as the Beringel that Salem previously ordered to stand down stared at the man that was oozing negative emotions. Then the monstrous ape-like Grimm started approaching the thing, thinking that its mistress wouldn't mind it being torn apart. The Beringel let out a growl at the defenseless faunus before charging. Except Tyrian got off his kneeling position and deployed his wristblades to attack the Grimm, still crying. Managing to get the thing on its back, Tyrian began striking at the monster's joints first to immobilize it before soon stabbing it everywhere else over and over again. All the while crying his heart out as he brutally murdered the beast. Except the sobbing soon turned into mad cackling as Tyrian still kept stabbing the ape that was probably wishing for death by now.

Emerald turned to look at what that maniac was laughing about, only to have a horrified look at the man laughing like a lunatic as he was killing a Grimm. The poor girl briefly pictured a person in place of that Grimm crying in horror, begging for mercy as Tyrian cackled like a maniac. The mint haired thief quickly shook that thought out of her head before picking up her pace to follow Salem before the witch punished her for lagging behind.


On patch, Yang had entered the large shed where a tarp was covering something. The blonde took the tarp off, revealing Bumblebee. The blonde sighed as she took in the appearance of her robust bike that came with the modifications she purchased with Dragunov's diamonds. The first diamonds he had made.

"I don't remember saying you were ready." Came the voice of Taiyang from the doorway.

"And I hope you weren't planning to leave me behind." Dragunov added in, leaning against the outside wall.

"What, you two gonna stop me?" Yang asked as she turned to them.

"Nah, I think I'm still sore from our last bout," Taiyang replied as he moved his shoulder a bit for emphasis. "I just want a better goodbye than a note," the man added in with a more somber look, "So where are you going?"

"What?" Yang asked with a confused look.

"Despite me telling him not to, I know Qrow has been telling you about your mother's last known location. And we both read the note, we know your sister is heading to Mistral," Taiyang said as he fully entered the shed, "So…where are you going?"

"I personally hope that it's not after your mother," Dragunov spoke up, earning the two's attention, "Because as far as I'm concerned based on what Qrow has told us, only one good thing has come out of her."

"And what's that?" Taiyang asked with a suspicious look. Yang was also curious.

To their surprise, Dragunov chuckled at the question, "You should know that better than I do, Taiyang."

"The one good thing," Tai muttered in thought before the answer hit him, causing him to turn towards Yang with a smile, "I guess you're right."

"What?" Yang asked, not getting it herself.

"It's fine if you don't get it," Dragunov said with a shit eating grin, which made her Driver even more suspicious.

"Although…If Raven hadn't dumped me, then Ruby wouldn't exist either," Tai said with a joking tone, which was followed with a melancholic sigh.

Dragunov looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding in agreement, "I guess that makes two good things."

And that was when Yang's eyes widened as she realized what Dragunov meant. And she felt herself blushing ever so slightly. "…Thanks Drag," Yang said, smiling at the fact that Dragunov considered her existence a good thing.

"Just saying how I see it," Dragunov replied with a grin, which he soon dropped to say his next piece, "I did say I would prefer you not going after your mother. But if you choose to do it, I will come with you regardless."

"So again," Taiyang then chimed in, "Where are you going?"

Yang had a determined look as she already had an answer.


In the Schnee manor, it was night, and Weiss and Dahlia just exited Weiss' room. This is the night the former heiress chose to run away from home. Although the past few days were spent reconnecting with her mother. And while the Schnee matriarch wasn't happy about it, she didn't even try to talk her daughter down. Weiss and Dahlia looked to one hallway, before turning to the other one. The two were startled to see Klein standing in front of them. The man shushed them both, before the three walked to their planned exit. Although after some walking, Klein's Scroll vibrated.

With an exasperated look, Klein answered, "Master Whitley…Yes, I will be there shortly." Klein replied to whatever the youngest Schnee said before the call was cut. "Head to the personal library, I will meet you two there," Klein told Weiss and Dahlia before walking away to deal with whatever Whitley wanted.

"We should move," Weiss said to Dahlia who nodded in response.

With that, the two walked towards their destination, soon they would pass Jacques' study. Only they heard the glass breaking. "You need to control yourself!" The icy duo heard from inside the room. It sounded like Ironwood shouting.

"Don't you talk to me about control!" Jacques shot back, earning a worried look from the two as they snuck near the door to listen in, "Do you even hear what you're saying!?"

"I'm basing everything on a report that I got from your daughter." Ironwood argued back.

"A daughter you stole!" That part of Jacques' argument caused Dahlia to roll her eyes, while Weiss looked worried at what was happening.

"We are NOT getting into that."

"Oh, yes. We have more pressing matters to attend to, starting with your apparent lunacy!" Jacques shot back.

"JACQUES!" That shout startled both Weiss and Dahlia, the latter putting her hand on the former's shoulder.

Inside the study, Ironwood was staring down Jacques who was sitting at his desk, "Winter is one of my best. And if she says there's a threat in Mistral, I am not taking that news lightly. Weapons and Dust being amassed. Someone is making a play and I don't trust Leo to be able to stop them."

"You don't trust anyone but yourself," Jacques said, clearly annoyed at the general.

"AND FOR GOOD REASON!" That shout was accompanied by Ironwood punching the table with his prosthetic right arm, causing a dent on the table and startling Weiss and Dahlia further outside. "If Ozpin had just listened to me from the start," the general lamented.

"You need to get a grip," Jacques said in a pacifying tone.

"I am," Ironwood replied, having calmed down," By this time next week, Atlas will officially close its borders. No one in, no one out. Without the council's permission."

Jacques leaned forward with a challenging look, "You mean without your permission." Honestly, the man was surprised why his Blade hadn't spoken up yet. This could be prime material for him to deconstruct. But so far, Jacques' Blade had simply stood by and watched the exchange.

The general had a downright threatening look as he replied in a low tone, "And if that becomes the case. I suggest you stay on my good side." With those words, Ironwood turned to walk out the door.

Outside, Weiss and Dahlia heard footsteps approaching the door, which prompted Weiss to move in front of the door before making a glyph appear on the door handle, keeping it in place.

Inside, Ironwood tried to open the door, but the handle wouldn't budge. "It's locked," Ironwood said, turning to Jacques.

"What are you talking about," Jacques questioned, before noting that the door was now frosting over. "Blade, open that door," Jacques commanded his Blade, but the blue and white-haired man didn't move from his spot. This made the Schnee patriarch turn to his Blade with a very angry look, "I swear if you start glitching now I will have you replaced!"

"Jacques, who are you talking to?" Ironwood asked with a frustrated look.

"What? My Blade of course, he's standing right there," Jacques said as he motioned to the spot his Blade was standing on, thinking that Ironwood was losing his mind further.

"…Jacques there's no one there," Ironwood said with a confused look himself, "No one but us have been in this room the whole time."

"What!?" Jacques questioned before glaring again at his Blade. Jacques reached out to grab his insolent Blade's lapel, only to stare in shock as his hand phased through the chest. The Blade gave Jacques a mocking look before chuckling sinisterly and then his body glowed blue before shattering into particles that faded out of existence. "What is this!?" Jacques demanded as the reality of the situation was dawning on him.

As Jacques came to his realization, Weiss and Dahlia had reached the library. The ice that Dahlia used to freeze the door should last long enough for them to be gone by the time Ironwood and Jacques get out. But for their increasing worry, Klein hadn't appeared yet.

"Klein," Weiss called out in mild distress, "Klein where are you!?" The white-haired girl was barely able to keep her voice at whisper yell at the increasing worry, which even Dahlia couldn't pacify right now.

Then one of the shelves moved outwards, revealing Klein who had red eyes. "Keep your voice down, I told you I'd be here." the butler's grumpy voice was very much welcome right now as Weiss practically dashed to the man who was more of a father than his actual one. Dropping both Myrtenaster and the one suitcase where she had packed the essentials in the process, before hugging Klein. The butler blinked as his eyes turned brown once again. "Are you sure Mistral is safe?" Klein asked in worry with his normal tone now.

"No, but it's where I will find Winter," Weiss replied as she released the hug.

"I suppose she will be the only family you have left after this," Klein said with a sad look.

"Don't I count?" Asked a voice that entered the library, causing everyone to turn to the source with a start.

"Mother?" Weiss sounded out, at her mother who was walking towards them with a sense of purpose.

Then the woman enveloped her second daughter into a hug, "Weiss, I may have not been there for you when you grew up, but I want you to know, that you are one of the only good things that have come out of my life."

"Mother," Weiss said, getting teary eyed, "Did you…come to stop me?"

"No. I just wanted to say goodbye properly," Willow then said as she kissed the top of her daughter's head. "I understand why you cannot stay here, so go. But know that no matter what your father might say about you, I will always love you." Only then did the woman release the hug.

Weiss' resolve that she had built to leave despite her mother coming around almost crumbled right then and there. But she was able to steel herself enough to show a determined look, "I love you too mother."

Smiling sadly at her daughter's words, Willow turned her eyes to Dahlia. "Dahlia…I enjoyed our talks very much. And while I will miss you too, please keep my daughter safe," Willow said, almost imploring the ice Blade.

"You make it sound as if I didn't plan to do that from the start," Dahlia said with a smile, before wrapping an arm around Weiss' shoulder.

"You should go now," Klein spoke up, despite feeling like he had no right to interfere with this moment.

"I think not." An extra voice came from the very passageway Klein had opened. It was Jacques Blade who looked very pleased at what he was seeing.

"You!" Dahlia exclaimed before summoning her bitball, thinking this Blade had come to stop them.

"Now, now. Put the bitball down," Jacques' Blade said with a calming tone and showing both of his hands, "I didn't come here to fight."

Weiss gave the Blade a pointed look as she stepped forward, "Then why are you here?"

"I come with a proposition," The Blade said with that fake smile of his, "I let you go. And in exchange-" The Blade then dug into his vest pocket and took out a bronze cylindrical object that had a glowing blue crystal coming out of it. It looked like some kind of pen,"-you will use this on me." With those words finished, Jacque's Blade offered the item to Weiss.

"What does it do?" Weiss questioned with a suspicious look.

And then everyone heard a loud crash somewhere far away. "Klein! Klein, get down here this instant!" Everyone heard Jacques shouting in the distance. They had broken through the frozen door.

"Weiss, we need to go," Dahlia said in worry, glaring at the Blade who stood between them and the passageway.

"I'll do it," Weiss then said, earning shocked looks from everyone.

"Weiss, you can't-" "There's no time," Weiss interrupted her mother before grabbing the offered item from her father's Blade before looking the Blade dead in the eyes, "But I must know your name first. If you truly are against my father, I want you to say the name he denies from you."

Jacques' Blade looked surprised, before letting out a small chuckle, "Very well. I suppose I should introduce myself." With those words, Jacques Blade ran his hand over his hair which slid back, although a few strands remained in front of his forehead. Then the Blade fixed a calculating look with a small sinister smile, "My name is Aizen." As the Blade revealed his name he stood much straighter and with an air that commanded respect. Unlike his father's presence that promises "I could end you with a single call." Aizen's presence promised to do it himself.

Weiss still nodded at what she considered the Blade defying her father. "How do I use this?" the former heiress asked.

"Just press the glowing tip upon my Core Crystal," Aizen replied as he pointed at his crescent shaped Crystal that acted as a cravat pin.

With those instructions, Weiss pressed the glowing tip of the item upon Aizen's Crystal. And to the white-haired girl's shock, she felt a drain in her Aura. Almost like when she awakened Dahlia, although less potent.

"Weiss," Dahlia sounded out in worry, just before the glowing tip of the item disappeared, leaving the cylinder behind.

"I'm okay," Weiss said, even as Aizen smirked, before actually chuckling at what happened.

"It worked. It actually worked," the Blade said with a downright gleeful look, "Now, I believe we should leave before your father realizes to look here." With those words, Aizen moved to pick up Weiss' previously dropped suitcase and Myrtenaster.

"What did you do?" Willow demanded from her husband's Blade.

"What do you mean we?" Dahlia also asked as she moved to Weiss' side. The Schnee Driver looking a little tired.

"Just what I said," Aizen replied as he now had Myrtenaster and the suitcase, "I'm coming with you."

"Not in darnation, you're not," Klein shot back with his eyes turning red again, "Besides, won't master Schnee grow suspicious of his Blade going missing?"

Aizen let out a sigh, "There is no time to argue, but I will give you the short explanation. What miss Schnee pressed against my Core Crystal is called an Overdrive Protocol. It transfers a Blade from one Driver to another, although the Blade it's used on must be willing to be transferred."

This earned widened eyes out of the three humans and Dahlia. "So, you're saying," Willow spoke, finding herself unable to finish that sentence.

"Miss Schnee is my Driver now," Aizen said with a small smirk, "I am finally free of Jacques. What about you?" At the question, the formerly Jacques' Blade gave a meaningful look to Willow. Causing the woman to clench her hands into fists.

"That's enough," Weiss said angrily at Aizen, "If we want to get out, we have to leave now."

"Agreed," Aizen said, already moving to the passageway.

"Weiss, are you sure he can be trusted?" Willow asked her daughter, not trusting what was once her husband's Blade.

Weiss gave her mother a determined look, "No, but he is willing to leave with us, so I will give him the benefit of a doubt."

"And if he does step out of line, I will do something about him," Dahlia added in, glaring at Aizen who stopped to wait.

Willow let out a sigh, "Please be careful you two."

"We will," Weiss said, and with those words, Weiss and Dahlia entered the passageway alongside Aizen.

Once Klein closed the secret door, he gave a worried look to Willow, "Are you sure miss Schnee will be alright?"

"No, but I trust Dahlia to do everything in her power to protect her," Willow responded, still feeling anger at Aizen's question directed at her. She recognized it for what it was, a manipulation to make her go against Jacques. However, it wasn't like she hadn't been thinking about it already. "Klein, I'm going to need your help with some things," Willow then said with anger directed at the man who wormed his way into her heart and broke it like it was nothing.

"And what do you wish to do?" Klein asked in worry, despite a part of him feeling eager.

"…Schnee is my family name, not Jacques'. And the only one's worthy of carrying it on are my daughters." the formerly beaten woman said with determination.

"What about young master Whitley?" Klein asked, more out of curiosity than worry.

"We will see," Willow said, part of her hating her son for being like his father. But another part of her hoped that it wasn't too late to make Whitley different from that bastard he called father.


In Menagerie, Sun had begun to stir from his slumber. He wasn't wearing his shirt right now and his pierced left shoulder was bandaged, with a dried bloodstain showing on it.

"Morning, idiot," Wu said from his perch on the couch's back recliner.

"Morning, jackass," Sun greeted back with a chuckle. Then the monkey Driver's attention fell to Blake who was sitting on the easy chair with a downcast look.

"This is why," Blake said sadly, "This is why I left Sun. I left because I'm done seeing my friends get hurt."

"Blake-" "Shut up!" Blake interrupted Sun as she got up, "You think I like being alone? That I don't want to be with my friends? I think about them every day, Ruby, Weiss…Yang." At the last one Blake sniffled. "I love them like I never thought I could love anyone…I hope they hate me for leaving them."

"You don't mean that," Sun said as he moved to get up to a sitting position.

"Yes, I do!" Blake shouted back, making Sun flinch, while Wu was very tempted to whack Blake on the head with all the strength of a Blade. "Everyone thinks they can help me but they can't," Blake said as she moved to sit on the couch's opposite end. For the brief moment her back was turned, Wu moved his right hand along with his mouth like babbling. Earning a quick smack to his leg from an annoyed looking Sun. But the action made Sun wince as it was done with the injured limb. Though it seemed like Blake didn't notice this, "No…No more. They're better off without me…Especially Nox. I made my choice and I have to deal with the consequences on my own." At the mention of her Blade, Blake looked even more saddened. After all, he was hurt because she ordered him to stop.

"Yeah, I heard him," Sun commented, while idly noting that the ninja Blade wasn't in the room. "You might think you're selfless, but you're really not." At those words, Blake turned to Sun. "Yeah, that chameleon friend of yours got both me and Nox pretty good, but I'd do it all again if it meant protecting you. And he would probably do the same," Sun said as he moved into sitting position.

"That's not the same," Blake said, "Nox was hurt because I told him to stop. I'm the reason he was-" Shut it," Sun said simply, earning a blanched look from Blake. "You get to make your own choices sure. But you don't get to make ours. He was the one who decided to listen to you and stop," Sun said, earning a nod of approval from Wu. "Besides, when your friends fight for you, it's because we want to," Sun explained with a firm look, "So stop pushing us out. It hurts more than anything the bad guys could do to us." After those words, both faunus looked down at the floor. "Buuut, if it makes you feel better," Sun then piped up again, "The next time I go against lizard girl, it won't be for you." Those words earned a questioning look from Blake. "I just wanna get even," Sun then said as he pointed a thumb at himself. Only to wince as he once again made the mistake of doing it with the arm that had an injured shoulder.

Still, this caused Blake to giggle a little, "My hero."

"Well look at-" Wu's words were interrupted by the door to the room collapsing inwards with a feminine yelp.

"Oh dear! Would you look at that, he's awake," Kali said quickly as she got back up, "Thank goodness!"

"Kali, please," Ghira said from slightly behind his wife who had eavesdropped on the conversation.

Something Blake figured out easily. "Mom!" And she wasn't happy about it.

"Hey, Mrs. B," Sun said with a wave.

"Urgh," Wu groaned at his moment being interrupted.

"What are you doing mom?" Blake asked with an angry look.

"Well, sweetheart your father needed to speak with the two of you," Kali replied, completely ignoring her annoyed daughter's expression.

"Huh?"

Then Wu perked up, "Is it about the Scroll I snatched from the lizard?"

"Yes," Ghira replied with a hard look.

"Whuh? When did you do that?" Sun asked from his Blade.

"During the fight, duh," Wu said like that explained everything.

"But…your hands didn't even go anywhere near her pockets," Sun protested with a glare, "Actually, I'm still wondering how you stole that underwear from that girl at Beacon."

"You what!?" Ghira and Kali shouted out in unison, causing Wu to drag his palm across his face. All the while Kali moved a step further while Ghira was now glaring at the monkey Blade with more intensity than with Sun.

"Urgh…fine, I guess it's time to finally explain," Wu said, before jumping off his perch to the floor, "One of my skills is called Kleptomania," Wu began explaining, "Occasionally when I attack an enemy, I can snatch an item from them. Sometimes valuable, sometimes not so valuable. Unfortunately, occasionally…it activates when so much as a single strand of fur on my body brushes against someone."

"So, when you said that it was an accident," Sun trailed off.

"My tail brushed against her hand as I walked past, and suddenly I have a red article of clothing in my hand," Wu finishes with a sigh.

"…Well that explains a lot," Sun said as he covered his upper face with his hand. Even though he still can't figure out how that works. It did explain all those times Wu had snatched items from seemingly out of nowhere.

"So, anything of note on that Scroll?" Wu then asked, in an attempt to change the subject.

As much as Ghira and Kali had new questions about the monkey Blade, they decided to get to the more pressing matters. "Yes, as a matter of fact," Ghira said as he stepped inside and moved to the small table before depositing the Scroll in question on it. "Adam Taurus is planning to overthrow Sienna and stage a full-scale assault on Haven Academy. It will be the Fall of Beacon all over again," Ghira explained.

"Not if we destroy the White Fang first," Sun said with a determined look.

"…No," Blake said, earning surprised looks, "We're not going to destroy the White Fang. We're going to take it back." Blake's ears folded as she said the last part with a determined look.

"Is this a bad time?" asked a new voice, which prompted everyone to turn back towards the busted doorway to see Nia standing there.

"Nia, is there something you need?" Kali asked kindly.

"Well…yes, but not from you," Nia said as she entered the room and approached Blake with an annoyed look, "You."

"Uhh…what," Blake asked unsurely. Instead of answering, Nia grabbed Blake's hand before dragging her off and out the door. "Hey! Where are you taking me?" Blake protested as she was being dragged by the shorter feline faunus despite the black-haired girl's protests.

"…What was that about?" Sun asked Ghira, who sighed.

"It's…probably about Blake's Blade," Ghira replied, earning a confused look from Sun.

Blake just couldn't understand why Nia was dragging her off, or even how the shorter girl was able to be this strong.

"I apologize for my lady, but she is... unnerved by your Blade," Dromarch, who was walking alongside the two, apologized for Nia.

"What's wrong with Nox?" Blake asked as she was dragged to a hallway.

"That is what's wrong," Nia said as she pointed to a corner some ways away where a patch of darkness was nested in.

"Not this again," Blake groaned at the familiar sight.

"So, this is normal with him?" Nia questioned as she finally let go of Blake.

"No, just…when he's depressed," Blake said, noting how the top of the dark patch moved, most likely Nox's attention shifting to them.

"Well go and make him happy then," Nia said, while motioning Blake to go.

"What? But…I can't," Blake said, flashes of Nox trying to kill Ilia and presumably wanting to eat her entered her mind.

"Why not? you're his Driver, aren't you?" Nia said with a small glare as her ears twitched.

"Well yeah but…he was hurt because of me," Blake said with a depressed look.

"Us Blades recover from any injury inflicted on our bodies," Dromarch explained before glancing at the dark patch, "Surely he is no different."

"But that doesn't mean he can't feel pain," Blake said, unable to comprehend that another Blade would say something like that.

Dromarch and Nia let out a chuckle together. "So, you understand that much," Nia said with a smile, "Good, now go in and apologize then."

"But-" "No buts!" Nia interrupted with a firm glare, "That guy started resting on the corner of the hallway that leads to the room Dromarch and I sleep in, and I'll be bloody darned if I have to get used to walking past that every day."

"…Shut up!" Blake practically screamed at Nia who flinched in surprise, "You think I like seeing him in that state!? It's my fault he's even like that in the first place, how can I even start making it better!?"

Nia opened her mouth to argue. "My lady!" Dromarch shouted out getting in front of Nia and deploying a Blade barrier just in time to block an attack from Nox's Scythes. The darkness had subsided and revealed his form with his eye having shifted to a cross.

"What the heck!?" Nia shouted out, taking the Twin Rings that were dangling at her side and the affinity link instantly formed.

"Nox, stop!" Blake cried out, and the dark Blade instantly backed off to Blake's side. The feline having taken few steps back from the Alrestian Driver and Blade. "Why did you attack them?" Blake all but demanded, Nia and Dromarch not letting their guard down.

Nox dismissed one Scythe and brought out his scroll for Blake to see, "They were harrassing you."

"Urgh! No, they weren't!" Blake shouted at her Blade who instantly cowered at his Driver's anger. "Why do you always react to everything by killing!?"

"But I was not trying to kill them." Nox showed on his scroll with a distressed look.

All the while Nia and Dromarch stared at the exchange with bewildered looks. As Blake kept shouting at Nox about always replying with bloodlust, Nia's ears flattened against her scalp at both the sight and the increasing volume. "BOTH OF YOU SHUT IT!" Nia finally snapped at the two who flinched. The Gormotti girl put her rings away, severing the affinity link before massaging the bridge of her nose. "Okay, what exactly is the problem with him?" Nia then asked already feeling like she was going to regret this.

Blake was about to shout back before a more rational part of her told her that this girl was probably more experienced as a Driver, so maybe she could help. "…Nox is…well bloodthirsty, always wanting to kill anything that threatens me," Blake said, earning a hurt look from Nox.

"Isn't that what he's supposed to do?" Nia asked with a quirked eyebrow, "I mean don't you want to take down your enemies in a fight?"

"But it's not just in a fight! He wants to kill anything that so much as looks at me the wrong way and nothing can stop him," Blake argued back, "Besides, killing seems to be his first option all the time!"

"But he stopped fighting the moment you told him to," Dromarch pointed out, causing Blake to open her mouth only to close it as she realized that the white tiger was right. Nox did stop the moment she told him to.

"And you," Nia then said addressing Nox, "Are you just going to take that?"

"It is not my place to question my lady's words of me." Nox showed on his scroll with a cross glare directed at Nia.

"Urgh, you're both idiots," the Gormotti Driver groaned, feeling like tearing her hair out, "The relationship between a Blade and a Driver is a two-way street. The way I see it, this isn't even a one-way street. He screws up and you don't even tell him what he screws up! You feel guilty about him being hurt and yet he doesn't seem to care. What kind of relationship do you two have!?" During the whole speech Blake felt like snapping again and Nox seemed to do the same. "Urgh! Forget it, I'm not taking any more part in this bloody farce!" Nia then shouted before moving past them and into her room. Leaving Nox and Blake to stare after the cranky Gormotti.

"Please forgive my lady," Dromarch said, dipping his head in a bow, "But I do agree with her that the bond between you two seems to be…non-existent. If you wish to be a proper Driver, I suggest you give what my lady said some thought." With those words, Dromarch moved to follow Nia, leaving Nox and Blake behind.

"…Nox," Blake started awkwardly, "I'm sorry for getting you hurt last night."

Nox's eye widened before he revealed his scroll, "My lady, you should not concern yourself with-"

"Yes, I should!" Blake shot back, not bothering to read the rest. Then she took a deep breath before talking again, "It hurts me to see my friends hurt. I don't want people I care about to get hurt because of me and my past…that includes you." At the last part, Blake looked her Blade straight in the eye.

Nox's eye widened at Blake's words and the resolve within her eyes. "I am not worthy of being considered someone you care about. But if seeing me in pain hurts you then…I shall do my best to avoid injury. But the greatest pain I can feel is not what is inflicted on my body. It is failing you that hurts me more than anything an enemy could do to me."

After reading through the text, Blake smiled at her Blade. Finally understanding why Nox would go so far for her. Still, "I appreciate you wanting to do your best, but please…don't kill unless you absolutely must. Can you do that for me?"

The dark Blade looked hesitant before rolling out his answer, "It will not be easy, but for your sake I shall do my best to seek an alternative way."

"That's all I ask," Blake said before letting out a sigh, "Why didn't I do this before?" the feline just couldn't help asking that inside her head. She thought talking about this with Nox would be far more difficult than this. After all, it took a lot of her patience back when she first awakened him, unlike now. She would have to thank Nia later. Although this wouldn't be the last time she would talk about this with him, not by a long shot.


AN: And here we go. Weiss has run away from home and to add insult to injury, she has taken her father's Blade. And to those of you who made the guess, yes, this Aizen is based off of Aizen Sousuke from Bleach. Except he's not as OP as we will see later. Emerald is being trained now so she could avenge Cinder. And Blake and Nox are making progress thanks to the reality check from everyone's favorite Gormotti.