Author's Note: Ended up taking that break, obviously. Very much need it, but I am glad to have another chapter ready to go. I hope you enjoy it.

Mistral was as it always was, humid and cloudy. Pyrrha stepped off the Bullhead unfazed by it, she'd been raised in the Kingdom, and had long since adjusted to the weather. Winter however, looked uncomfortable, even though she'd spent some time in Vale it seemed she still preferred the cold of Atlas. What she wasn't used to, however, and undeniably one of the largest differences between her time and now, was the large group of Soldiers that awaited them upon arrival.

Soldiers weren't the same foreign concept to her they had been before this life, as she'd spent a fair bit of her time with Winter's men back in Vale, but these were different. These men and women didn't wear the familiar white and colored uniforms; their clothes far less standardized. Most wore some type of green body armor, but it was clearly an older design and it weighed them down. The weapons they carried were visibly outdated as well, and they gathered around people who were certainly Huntsmen, that fact given away by their exuberant weapons and the unique clothes they wore. Still despite looking vastly different they did have one unifying element, each one had the flag of Mistral stitched onto their clothes somewhere.

Colonel Aurelian didn't greet them as they disembarked, although she could see him near one of the vehicles near the front of a long line of them. She didn't recognize the trucks, which wasn't surprising because of how rarely Mistral imported such things from the other Kingdoms, and these were clearly designed with a certain idea in mind. Each was larger than a standard truck and made of what appeared to be a far sturdier material; the mounted guns on top of them gave away their purpose. It was a stark contrast to how the Atlesian's tried to operate, their focus always being on air power and automated soldiers.

Colonel Aurelian was no longer in the same dress uniform she had seen back in Vale, rather he wore simple green fatigues, complete with a sword attached to his hip. Unlike his men, he had chosen to forgo the body armor, no doubt relying on his Aura for such protection. He was flanked by several others, each looking down at a map displayed on the hood of the truck they surrounded.

Pyrrha and Winter stopped some distance away, waiting for the Colonel to notice them and gesture for them to approach before doing so. He looked far more tired than the last time she had seen him, even if that had only been a day ago, yet despite that he tried for a smile.

"Amber, Specialist Schnee, I'm glad to see you've arrived safely." He turned back towards one of the men beside him. "Captain, get your men loaded up and ready to move out."

One of the men nodded and stepped back, yelling out orders that the various groups quickly moved to follow.

"Sir, where would you like the men I brought with me?" Winter asked.

"Truck four and five will be for your men, you two will be with me in the command vehicle however." He gestured to the truck he had been bent over. "The driver and gunner know not to listen to our conversation, and there is much to discuss."

Winter nodded, relaying the orders to Clover and the few men they had brought from Beacon. The temptation to bring the whole garrison had been there, even if it wasn't very many men, they were tried and tested as Winter had said. In the end they hadn't, solely at the Colonel's request.

"I trust Qrow has already been here?" Winter asked as her men mounted the vehicles.

"Yes, he arrived a few hours before yourselves on foot." It was clear he wished to ask how and why, but refrained due to their time constraint. "He went ahead to watch the Tribe and make sure they don't get too spooked by our presence."

Winter nodded, opening the passenger side front door of the truck and sitting down. The trucks roared to life a moment later, the sound drowning out almost everything around them. The insides weren't much quieter, and the vehicle shook violently as they settled in. Pyrrha unclasped Allos and her sheath from her belt, holding it on her lap so that she could sit down comfortably in the back. The Colonel took the back seat opposite her.

He waited until the convoy was moving before speaking to them again, but he was distracted by the constant checks and orders that had to be given as they prepared to set off. The small town they had set to meet at had felt like an odd place to gather their forces, but as she overheard the conversation being had on the radio, she quickly understood. They had been worried about Branwen Tribe scouts revealing their position before they were ready, the plan was to stay far enough away that they would go unseen. Unfortunately, that meant a several hour journey by road once you accounted for Grimm attacks.

"Corporal Reidson, I believe?" The Colonel sat forward, addressing their driver.

"That's correct, sir." The driver nodded.

"Our guests' and I need to have a chat in privacy." The driver reached for the headset attached to the central radio, slipping his helmet off so he could put it on. They were big things, clearly designed to cancel out some of the noise of the engine, but his helmet still fit back over it. The Colonel nodded and spoke to them. "Between those and the engine he won't be able to make out what we say unless you yell."

Pyrrha and Winter both spared a glance for the gunner, who was currently standing halfway out of the roof of the vehicle, watching the nearby tree line for any threats that might appear. It would be difficult for him to hear them even if they yelled, and she could just vaguely make out the same kind of cord connected to the driver's headset moving up towards the man.

"What is it you wished to discuss, Sir?" Winter spoke to the colonel, but her eyes didn't linger on him long, as even she watched the area around them.

"In my time we didn't make deals with bandits, we killed them." The Colonel replied simply. "Ozpin was vague on the details of how exactly these powers worked, but he made it clear it couldn't be forced. Is that true?"

"The Maiden's are required to open the Vaults, they can only do so willingly." Pyrrha answered instead, having to raise her voice to be heard.

"He called it magic." Aurelian frowned at that, his displeasure at using such a ridiculous term only overshadowed by the fact it was an accurate description. "Is there no way to take it from them?"

Pyrrha winced. "There is, but none that we know how to replicate." She gestured towards her face and the scars that would always be there. "There has only ever been one known case of someone trying to steal magic so directly and it working."

"You're a Maiden?" Aurelian looked surprised, and only then did Pyrrha think that it might have been important to keep such information secret. Winter looked back to her for a moment but quickly looked away before she could tell what the Specialist was thinking. Swallowing, Pyrrha nodded.

"I was attacked by a group of individuals who sought the Maiden power." Pyrrha pointedly did not mention the full truth, knowing that he would be unlikely to trust her on it without someone like Ozpin or Ironwood to back up her claims. "This is the result of that attack."

"So it failed?"

Pyrrha shook her head. "It would have worked given enough time, the fact I am alive at all is a miracle."

"And thanks to a certain drunken bird." Winter helpfully added.

"Qrow managed to arrive just in time to save my life." Pyrrha confirmed. "But it would have worked if they had been given the time."

"Is it possible for us to use that same method?" Aurelian dared to hope. "If we could take this power back instead of striking a deal-"

"It was some kind of Grimm." Winter answered for her. "We believe it is some kind of parasite bonded to the woman who tried to steal it."

"Something only our enemy could do." The Colonel sighed in frustration. "Wonderful. So how does Ozpin plan to convince Raven bloody Branwen to work with him?"

Pyrrha and Winter both winced, and were Qrow there she knew he would have as well. Unfortunately, with him not being present, that meant one of them had to explain the issue.

"Ozpin and Raven have… history. Complicated history." It was an understatement, and one that left out a host of family drama that painted the worst possible picture of the woman, but it would be enough to work with. "If we mention him at all it'll probably make things worse."

"Great. So what is the plan then?" Aurelian hit his fist up against the side of the cabin. "I didn't bring these for show and tell; my plan is to wipe out that damn tribe and be done with it, but I doubt that accomplishes our goal. So what was your plan."

"General Ironwood is prepared to offer full pardons of all crimes, asylum in Atlas, as well as a sizable payment of lien." Winter said. "If that fails, we are willing to negotiate."

Something they would almost certainly have to do, at least according to Ozpin and Qrow. Apparently, while they were in fact bandits, there was more to them than what met the eye. Lien or wealth alone wouldn't be enough, and Qrow had laughed at the idea of his sister ever accepting a pardon for her crimes. He'd confidently said that even if she did accept it they would just go back to raiding within a few weeks.

"I thought Atlas didn't negotiate with terrorists?" Aurelian didn't sound upset, but he didn't sound pleased either.

"Desperate times, Sir." Winter replied curtly. "We need the Spring Maiden, and General Ironwood is willing to do what it takes to get her. That being said, we do not wish to put Mistral at risk to achieve this."

"I hope you have a good deal then." Aurelian replied. "Because if she won't accept I'm left with little choice. That tribe has been a thorn in Mistrals side for decades, it has to end here. One way or another."

"If we kill the Spring Maiden her power could go anywhere." Pyrrha reminded the Colonel. "Finding them would be next to impossible for quite some time."

"My point stands." Aurelian shook his head. "The choice is Branwen's to make now."

"Well…" Winter sighed. "Let us hope she is reasonable."

Coco sat back on her Scroll, reading a news article about the most recent events in Mistral. What had started as her looking up fashion trends had quickly devolved into searching for anything on the people Pyrrha had been going after. She hadn't had much luck however, and so settled for reading up on Mistral in general.

The person on the machine next to her moved, Coco standing and following; sitting down next to the girl and continuing to read on her Scroll. She didn't miss the faint sigh as she did, but she paid it no mind. A few minutes later she moved once more.

"Are you just going to follow me around?" The girl in question was clearly annoyed by the implication, but she tried to make it sound more like a curious tone than a rude one. It might have worked on most, but Coco had more than enough experience to see through it.

"You said you didn't like to talk while you worked out." It was bullshit, and they both knew that. The girl loved to talk while working out, holding a friendly conversation while her muscles ached was one of her favorite things weirdly enough, Coco never understood that. "Figured I'd wait until you were done."

"Do you want an autograph or something?"

Coco laughed. "No, that's not why I'm here."

Nikos sighed, setting the barbell down and turning to face her fully. "Then why?"

"Amber asked me to help sort out your team." Coco shrugged, not seeing much point in secrecy or trying to be subtle. "I saw that the little heresies is getting along fine and has stopped isolating herself, just didn't expect you to be brooding as well."

"I'm not brooding." Nikos turned back to her weights, trying to hide the pout Coco had definitely already seen. "And I don't see why our team is her problem to deal with."

Coco paused, sparing a glance for the younger girl before quickly looking back to her scroll. She couldn't recall any reason the two should have some kind of animosity, though she also knew that was one way at best. There had been that one… well, she wouldn't call it an argument between them, but Nikos had become pretty protective of her partner when Pyrrha had offered to help. Coco couldn't help but smirk, her friend really could be territorial apparently and it was just as amusing now as it had been then.

"Amber is friends with Ruby and her sister." Coco answered simply, it was an understatement of course, she had been friends with all of them at one point, or… would be? Shaking her head, she dispelled the headache inducing question. "Doesn't like seeing her struggle with the drama."

"And she thinks that's my fault?"

Coco paused. "No, she never said anything like that. Why would you-"

"It's nothing." Nikos winced and went back to her workout. It was meant to serve as a clear ending to the conversation, but when Coco didn't leave she only seemed to get more annoyed.

"Amber helped Weiss get out of her funk, or well, I guess that was Arc technically, but the point is she helped." Coco stashed her Scroll away, having given up on finding anything important. She'd have to stop off at the library to see if she could find anything on the terminals there. "She had to go away on a mission before she got the chance to talk to you though, so she asked me to help smooth things over."

"I appreciate that," The tone of her voice made it clear she really didn't. It was still polite, but the icy undertone to it betrayed her true thoughts. "But there isn't any issue I need her help with."

There was that distinction again, and it was becoming increasingly clear it wasn't Coco that Nikos blamed for her current annoyance, which would have been at least understandable considering Coco had spent the last day trying to corner the girl. It was Amber, oddly enough. "Why do you hate her so much?"

"I don't." Nikos replied quickly, far too quickly.

"Right." Coco rolled her eyes, smirking as she thought how best to coax the girl from her shell. "Because that is completely believable." Nikos glared at her over one shoulder. "Hey, now we're getting somewhere."

"Why do you have to be so difficult?"

"Why do you have to be so standoffish?" Coco shot back. "I get it from mini-Schnee, and I think I know why you do too."

"You don't know anything about me." Nikos turned on her, the polite smile gone now and replaced with the smallest hint of genuine anger.

Coco smirked. "Pyrrha Nikos, world renowned fighter. Champion of the Mistrialian tournaments for the past six years, top picked for every sponsorship deal from here to Atlas."

"So you've read about me." Nikos was unimpressed. "That's all stuff anyone-"

"Offered a stay at Heaven Academy before you were even old enough to join, guaranteed entry without having to take the initiation." Coco recited it like reading from a page, it was all information given to her by Pyrrha. Not all of it being things she was particularly proud of. "You came to Beacon specifically to avoid that kind of favoritism though, you even picked Jaune out among the crowd to be your partner specifically because he didn't know who you were."

Nikos was shocked, but that surprise quickly soured as it was replaced with anger.

"The part I don't get is why you hate Amber so much."

"I don't hate her." Nikos answered defiantly.

Coco relented, holding up her hands. "Maybe, but you certainly dislike her. Maybe even more than Weiss, which is odd seeing as how you haven't interacted much."

"She's the one who held a grudge!" Nikos spat. "I tried to be nice, I don't even know what it is that upset her, but she clearly remembers me."

Coco paused, for the first time since the girl had started to show some emotion feeling genuine confusion. "What are you talk-"

"Amber has ignored my every question, she refuses to call me by my name, and clearly thinks so low of me that I can't even help my own partner!" Nikos snapped, and for once Coco allowed it to genuinely force herself back. "I don't hate her, I don't even know her, but when she talks to me… I can feel how much she hates it."

Coco's mouth fell open for a moment, her eyes going wide behind her sunglasses. She regained her composure a moment later, but still took a moment to process what she was hearing. Had Pyrrha done any of that? Not that Coco could remember, and certainly not that she could blame the girl for. It was awkward trying to hold a conversation with yourself in the mirror, she couldn't even begin thinking about what this must have felt like.

It all clicked into place. The thing Nikos was lacking, the reason Coco understood it all and was able to see what it truly was, was context. To her, it was someone trying to speak to themselves in a manner that didn't feel crazy or overly familiar, it was a struggle in knowing what you were supposed to know without ever giving too much away or coming across as too over the top. It was something Pyrrha had struggled with at first with Ruby and Yang, and it was even worse when met with her past self; to said past self, however, it would all look like she was holding back something.

Dishonesty and recognition were perhaps two of Pyrrha's biggest peeves, and low and behold she had managed to nail both perfect in the eyes of her past self. It would have been amusing were she able to explain it all away, sadly, she couldn't. The impossibility of it all aside, it would crush Nikos. Knowing that she had failed and lost everything she would come to love? It would be too cruel.

"She doesn't hate you." Coco whispered, struggling to come up with a convincing lie. "She sees herself in you."

Nikos looked surprised, though Coco didn't once think it was due to her response; rather, it was due to her own outburst. "I-I'm sorry, that was-"

"Don't apologize." Coco said automatically. "You're right to feel the way you do." Nikos looked awkward, standing there with her face red from both embarrassment and the exertion from her workout. "I promise you, Amber doesn't hate you, and she definitely didn't know you before Beacon."

"I think I should go." Nikos turned to walk away.

"Amber came to Beacon for the same reason as you!" Coco said quickly. "She wanted a fresh opportunity to meet people and make friends… Weiss is the same way."

Nikos didn't say anything as she left, and Coco didn't blame her. She'd hoped for better, but it wasn't like that was ever going to go well. She'd try again tomorrow. Pyrrha was predictable like that, and as things stood with her team, she had little else to occupy her time.

The Mistralian wilds were remarkably tame. Given the sheer size of the Kingdom most villages were far apart, small bastions of civilization in the middle of Grimm infested wilderness. That also meant that the roads were surprisingly safe, with no large gatherings of people staying in one area, the Grimm didn't tend to gather in such large groups there. There would still be one or two every now and then, and they would hone in on you if you stayed in one place too long, but traveling through was simple.

The convoy had run into a few on the way to their destination, but it was nothing that the soldiers couldn't handle and the creatures went down with ease. It wasn't until they approached their destination that they were challenged by any real threat.

The Branwen Tribe was both more and less than she expected. They could see the large encampment from quite a distance away and, judging by the fact a large group had gathered at the main entrance even before their arrival, their approach hadn't gone unnoticed. Roughly set around the entire encampment was a tall wall made of trees gathered from the forest they set up in; she could just barely make out the tops of a few large tents stretching over the wall. If what they'd been told about the tribe was true, then they had managed to set it up surprisingly quickly considering they had moved recently.

Those that awaited them were about what she expected, however, rough looking men and women who had spent much of their time away from the city. They were cleaner than the word bandit might have implied, their clothes noticeably not torn and covered in dirt, but the looks they sent them were just short of violent.

The convoy halted a good distance away, Colonel Aurelian giving the order for them not to fan out and encircle the camp as had been the plan for engagement. While there was clearly some confusion over that fact, another man asking for clarification over the radio, the order was followed.

The Colonel was the first to step out of the vehicle, Pyrrha and Winter quickly doing the same. When some of the Soldiers began to move he ordered them to stay and approached the bandits. The looks from the Soldiers and Huntsmen they had brought could only be called disappointed, and some looked at the man with looks of anger mixed with confusion.

"I've come to speak with Raven Branwen."

"Who?" The man who spoke smirked at them, looking at one of the others standing next to him before shrugging. "Name doesn't sound familiar, maybe you're lost old man."

The Colonel drew his sword, sticking the point in the ground and driving the man who had answered to silence. Pyrrha and Winter both gripped the hilt of their own weapons. "If she is not here then, see no need for diplomacy. My men came here to end the threat you pose, I will gladly carry out that order."

The bandit's smirk fell away, replaced with a glare as he spit at the ground. "I don't think you know who we are ol-"

A far older man stepped through the gate, driving the younger bandit to silence. He slapped him on the back of the head as he finally closed the distance. "They're expected dipshit, speak for the boss again and she'll take your tongue." The man turned to face them. "Raven's here, and she heard you wanted to talk."

Pyrrha spared a glance for Winter. They'd expected to have the element of surprise, and while a large convoy would have been noticed as they approached, the way the man said it made it sound like something more. Could it have been Qrow? Maybe warning his sister not to start anything without at least speaking with them first? While that might have explained it, she doubted he would have done so without letting them know.

No matter what it was, she didn't doubt the Colonel heard it; if the way his shoulders tensed were any indication, but he said nothing in response. Mistral had never been the most secure of places, and the underworld had significant influence over those in power, the possibility of a spy was concerning.

"She's invited you inside to speak with her." He raised his voice. "Under the protection of Raven, no harm will come to you and yours while you do!" The group around him shifted, hands falling from their weapons as they all seemed to cower back. Only then did she realize the words weren't for the Soldiers behind them, rather the bandits themselves.

"And we're supposed to trust that?" Winter scoffed. "I'd sooner trust a Beowulf."

"Trust or not, this is the best you're gonna get." The older man shook his head. "If you genuinely wish to speak, you'll enter. If not, we can end this now."

"Give me a moment to speak with my men." Aurelian sheathed his sword and turned his back, moving towards the convoy with Winter and Pyrrha moving closely behind.

"Is that wise sir?" Winter kept her voice quiet. "We don't know how many there are, surely this is an attempt to isolate us."

"You would think, but no." Aurelian answered. "The Tribe has a reputation of honoring such deals, if only so that they can make them when possible. They like to ransom prisoners, it's hard to do that when everyone is too scared to negotiate."

"So we trust them?" Winter asked.

"What? Brothers no." The Colonel shook his head. "But we can trust them to work in their best interest. If we don't report back soon, my men will attack. They know that, bandits or not, my men plus yours and the Huntsmen provided by Beacon, they don't stand a chance. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to explain this to my men."

"Sir, you can't tell the-"

"I know, Specialist, I know." He held up a hand. "But if I don't tell them something they will think I've been bought, our military can't survive such a scandal right now. We are the hope of Mistral, we're supposed to be above the petty corruption of back home."

He stepped away, approaching the lead vehicle and taking the radio there to speak with the entire convoy. His reasoning made sense, and it helped explain the Soldier's reactions, they thought he had been about to betray their trust. The fact he saw the need to explain it, and planned to do so, spoke well of him. He didn't demand they follow without explanation, rather he gave them everything he safely could and asked them to. To which each did without fail.

With that done, they turned back towards the tribe, and the Maiden that they somehow had to convince Raven Branwen to let go of.

Author's Note: New Chapter is new and with it a host of new things. The Soldiers of Mistral, the Bandits of Branwen, and even a little bit of Pyrrha and Coco thrown in. Hopefully it all fits nicely and nothing comes across as overly exposition heavy or forced.

I've had a few interesting theories thrown my way as of late in regards to this story. Nothing I will confirm nor deny, but it is always interesting to see what people think, hence the reason I always shell out for reviews at the bottom of my notes.

In good news, we've finally cracked 100k views. Something I am immensely proud of. I just wanna take a moment to give a shout out to my editors and a very heartfelt thanks to all of you for reading and helping keep this story going. I promise that it wouldn't have gotten to where it is without all of you reading and showing back up each week to read. Thanks for coming!

Be sure to let me know what you think in the reviews.

Sincerely, SE