A/N: Things are happening here in PASM. Patrick was captured, Ozpin is about to make an offering for a Mercenary Criminal, even got his interest by bringing up his Long-Lost Sister. But what until he finds the shocking news of her fate.
Chapter 3: Decisions
Cinder and her two minions, Emerald and Mercury, returned to the Land of Darkness. The new but halved Fallen Maiden was just out in search of the missing other Fall Maiden. So far there hasn't been any luck. And she is just about to make her report to Salem. And much to her surprise, to Rufus too.
"There is still no sight of her." Cinder says. "It seems that our little Huntsman Friend has hidden her very well."
"This doesn't surprise me. Ozpin would do anything to keep the Relic's safe." Salem says. "He must be hiding her somewhere unreachable."
"What about the Academies?" Rufus asks. "He uses them to hide and guard the relics. He could have very well put our target in one of them."
"Since when does your opinion even matter? All you ever care about is women." Cinder says.
"Watch your tongue, slut." Rufus threatens her. "You may work from Salem, but that doesn't safe you from becoming one of my slaves."
"Now now. There is no need for fighting." Salem says. "After all: We are all on the same side." Salem turns to Cinder. "Your desire for power." Then to Rufus. "And you desire pleasure." Salem turns and starts walking away. "And you shall achievement your goals-by achieving mine."
As Salem is walking away, Cinder and Rufus kept their eyes on her, until she's long gone then they exchange glares at each other. Then turn their backs.
The airship makes its return to Atlas. General Ironwood stands at the front steps of the school, with an army of soldiers. As soon as the airship makes its landing, the soldiers have their guns aimed and ready to shoot.
Winter, Qrow, and Ozpin exit the ship, with Patrick among them. The whole time, Ironwood kept his eyes glued onto Patrick. Ozpin may have him under control but he still doesn't trust this Mercenary. Ozpin approaches Ironwood.
"I hope you know what you are doing, Oz," Ironwood says.
Ozpin only nods. Patrick moves Ozpin out of the way to see the General. "General Ironwood. Where is my sister?"
"Your sister?" Ironwood is confused at first, then is surprised and turns to Ozpin. "You told him everything!?"
"Not everything-yet," Ozpin says. This only has Patrick suspicious. Not in a good way. "Ms. Schnee, would you please leave us?"
Winter is stunned to hear that, then she turns to Ironwood. He gives her a serious, commanding look. "Please leave, Schnee."
After a moment of hesitation, Winter salutes then marches off. Ozpin turns to Patrick. "Tell me, Mr. Aki. What is your favorite Fairytale?"
"What kind of a joke is this?" Patrick asks. "And I don't believe in Fairytales."
"I see...Well then, are you aware of the story: The story of the Seasons?" Ozpin asks.
Patrick's well aware of that story. He confesses it was Amber's favorite story. She'd always read it to him ever since they were little. About an old man who refuses to leave his home was visited by four traveling sisters, who each in their own unique ways are kind to him. To repay them for their kindness, The old man gives the four sisters great powers, they now travel all over Remnant, sharing their gifts and spreading kindness with the people of Remnant.
Amber always loved that story. How it shows a little kindness can go a long way. How even though the world may be dark and cruel that there will always be a light to shine within. Patrick finds himself in a bit of remorse thinking about it at that time whenever Amber thought about that story.
"Would you believe me if I told you that story's been around since I was a boy?" Ozpin says.
Hearing this has Patrick suspicious. He can see Ozpin is an old man, but not THAT old. The stories have been around since anyone can remember. The beginning of time as far as they know.
"Well, would you believe me if I told you it was true?" Now Ozpin is looking serious.
"What are you saying, old man?" Patrick asks.
"What if I were to tell you that there are four maidens existing in this world that could wield such tremendous power," Ozpin explains.
Now Patrick is getting angry. "Are you trying to lie to me into saying magic exists? Cause if you are...You are treading dangerous ground!"
"I wouldn't say that last part if I were you kid," Qrow says. "You're skilled, but Oz here is the real deal when it comes to fighting." He takes out his bottle and drinks before continuing. "He's not lying, either. What he says is true."
"There is no magic in this world! We can only perform magic with either Dust or Semblance." Patrick says.
"That's only a public story, kid. There is magic in this world. You saw it yourself-Or did you already forget?" Qrow says.
Patrick is about to protest...then stays silent as he suddenly remembers. The fight between them and Winter. Qrow was a little blackbird, and in the blink of an eye, he turned human. Patrick almost thought that could have been his Semblance, but such a thing has never existed for it to even make sense.
Patrick has no other choice but to go along with it. "All right...Let's just say for a mere moment that I believe all this. There really is magic and these...maidens upon this world. What does all of this have to do with Amber?"
Ozpin smiles and leads the way into the academy. The whole time, Patrick is skeptical as Ozpin explains everything.
"As you realize, the Maidens are powerful fights that wield magic, real magic. Each one representing the four seasons: Autumn. Winter. Spring and Summer." Ozpin pushes a button on the elevator and the door opens. "The Maidens have existed for thousands of years. But, much like in nature, the seasons change." The elevator closes, and Ironwood sets the elevator to descend. All the way to the level called 'The Infirmary'. "When a Maiden dies, her power leaves her body and seeks out a new host."
Patrick begins to catch on to what's happening. "And Amber...she was chosen to be one of these...Maidens?"
"Yep. She became the Fall Maiden." Qrow says. "Though the rules are how their chosen are rather stupid and convoluted." Hearing this has Ironwood mad. "Hey, don't get mad at me cause I'm right."
"What is he talking about?" Patrick asks Ironwood.
The Elevator doors open, and everyone starts walking down the hallway.
"In the beginning, the only thing that was certain for the Maiden's power was that the powers were specifically passed onto young women. We never understood it well, but as time passed, it was discovered that the selection process was much more...intimate." Ironwood explains.
"Meaning when a Maiden dies, the one who was in her final thoughts is the first candidate to become the next maiden. Unless that final thought is some kind of dude or an old hag. Then the power goes to someone random and our jobs get a lot harder."
Patrick says nothing. Just looks pretty skeptical. "I understand you have a lot of questions about all this," Ozpin says.
"I'll admit, it's a lot to take in and hard to believe. But I do have one question:" Patrick looks pretty serious. "Why are you telling me all of this?"
Everyone stops at a pair of double doors at the end of the hallway. "Because the Fall Maiden was attacked, and for the first time in history: Some of her powers were stolen."
The doors were open. It's nothing but a small, single room, with a Life Support Container. And Patrick is shocked to see the being that's inside of it.
"AMBER!" He rushed right in. Qrow and Ironwood attempted to stop him, but Ozpin halted them. Patrick puts his hands on the glass, looking at his lifeless, injured sister. "Amber! Amber!" Amber doesn't awaken. She's still in her coma.
"Don't bother. She's in a deep coma." Qrow says.
Patrick turns to them all, in hostile. "What are you doing to her?!"
"All we're doing is trying to keep her alive," Qrow says.
"For the time being," Ironwood says. "We're using state-of-the-art Atlas Technology to keep her stable. But there is a lot about this situation that is...unprecedented."
"Indeed," Ozpin says in agreement. "Under normal circumstances, if-when she passes." The saying of 'if when' only provokes Patrick. "Her powers could transfer to the next host. But this is a delicate situation."
"As we have said: Part of her fall Maiden Powers were stolen. Because this happened for the first time, we have no idea what'll happen with her powers. In our worst-case scenario, we believe it's mostly like it'll rejoin with its other half."
Patrick turns his attention back to Amber, thinking of who it is that will go after her: "Her Assailant."
"Yes." Ozpin turns to Patrick. "And that would not bode well. Not just for any of us or anyone, but all of Remnant."
Patrick only silently stares at Amber. Once he summons the strength to speak, he turns back to Ozpin. "And you want me to hunt this Assailant? Don't you?"
"Close," Ozpin says. "What I am offering for you is an enrollment to Beacon Academy."
"Excuse me?" Patrick asks.
"We are not doubting your skills in combat, kid. But you're raw, inexperienced." Qrow says. "What we are facing ain't nothing like what you have faced. Not just Grimm or Criminal Syndicates. But something...more."
Patrick is suspicious. "In due time, you will understand everything. But for now, I only want to help you be prepared for the true battle of this world." Ozpin explains. "We won't force you into this. But at least give it some time to think about it all."
"And what I decided not to do this?" Patrick asks.
Ironwood's about to speak, but Ozpin does the speaking instead. "That is a choice only you can make." Ozpin turns and starts walking, but stops and looks over his shoulder. "But I can ensure you: What you are being given, is a tremendous opportunity."
Ozpin continues walking away.
Hours passed on. Patrick is able to freely roam on Atlas Grounds, but only under Ironwood's supervision. The whole time he's in Atlas, Patrick's done nothing but felt lost in this thought.
The last time he saw Amber, she disappeared on him. No note or warning that she was going to leave him. He actually thought she could have abandoned him, one for under a reason he'd feared it would be. But at the same time, he knew Amber. She wouldn't do something.
If she had left him, she would have done it for a good reason.
Being the Fall Maiden. Working with the Secrecy. There had to be no other explanation that Ozpin is telling the truth.
Patrick finds himself sitting on the footsteps of Atlas Academy. He's still trying to think about what to do with the decision he has been given.
"Still thinking?" Qrow approaches from behind and sits next to Patrick.
"I just-feel so confused," Patrick says.
"Yeah, first time hearing it's pretty crazy," Qrow says. "Nobody would blame you for feeling confused or shocked."
Patrick looks at Qrow. "What I don't understand is why keep this a secret? If the Maidens are so important, why doesn't the world know?"
"I'm afraid it's not that simple kid," Qrow says. "First off, all of this use to be common knowledge. But when it was, it only brought nothing but chaos. Even those hungry for power hunted them with the hope of inheriting their strength. And I'm sure you can imagine as well, the ones that succeeded in doing so aren't exactly the kind of people you'd want to have unimaginable power."
Patrick stays silent. He takes in those final words. Power-hungry people with such power. He certainly knows there is one who shouldn't have that kind of power. Even though a certain person he's thinking of isn't even a female.
"Look kid, I've had the same questions when I first learn of all this. I'm sure others like Ironwood did too. But old Oz always put his foot down. 'We can't cause a panic! We'll have another Great War happening.' ...Hmph. Can't even tell yea how many times he told me that."
Patrick looks at Qrow. "And what about Amber? How did she handle all of this?"
"Hmm. Well, she was confused. And partly scared. But she kept pressing on. She always thought she could do good with her strength. Just like the First Maidens." Patrick turns away, still lost in thought. Qrow sighs as he knows he's not getting through to him. "Listen, I may not have known her as much as you have. But I think you know what she would want you to do." Qrow stands up then starts heading back into the building. "While Oz did want to keep her existence secret. She wanted to keep it a secret from you. Wanted to protect you. Now you have the chance to do what she was meant to be: Save Humanity. Now ask yourself this: What would she have done if she were in your place?"
Then Qrow says. Patrick thinks deeply about Qrow's words. What would Amber have done if Patrick were to be the Fallen Maiden? If he had been attacked. And she learned the truth...and was given the opportunity to help.
The day has passed. Ozpin and Qrow are loading up the Life Support that contains Amber onto the airship. With the ship loaded and ready for take-off, Ozpin and Qrow get on board. Just before they entered, they look back to see Patrick is approaching before them.
"Well?" Ozpin turns to face Patrick. "Have you made your decision?"