Complications

It was night time at Menagerie, and Blake was at a balcony thinking about Ilia and how Corsic and Fennec denied knowing about her being one of Adam's followers. Something that her father wasn't happy about, and neither was Sun.

Also, there were now armed guards around the Belladonna household after Ilia's stunt. But Blake didn't think she would need them, especially when Nox was still with her. Refusing to leave her side, other than when she absolutely needed privacy. But it wasn't like the ninja Blade made his presence known, half the time Blake forgets that he's even there if she doesn't regularly check if he's there. Like she did now when she turned away from the railing she was leaning against to see Nox leaning against the wall. The visible eye darting every which way in search of anything out of the ordinary. Until it fell on Blake's direction.

"You know, you really should get better security." Said a voice from behind Blake. This prompted the feline faunus to turn around to see Ilia crouching on the railing, wearing a new mask.

"Ilia," Blake sounded out right before Nox was trying to get in front of her, Dual Scythes ready to strike. "Nox! Stand down!" Blake commanded. The dark Blade obeyed, staying beside his Driver, ready to strike the intruder down if needed. Then Blake turned her attention back to Ilia, "Why are you here?"

"I just want to talk," Ilia said, while nervously glancing at the Blade that had scratched her face.

Blake noticed this despite the mask and turned to her Blade once again, "Nox, don't attack unless Ilia attacks." The dark Blade answered with a nod, moving slightly behind his Driver still ready to act. With that, Blake was able to give her full attention to Ilia, "How could you take the fall for them, Ilia? Corsic and Fennec blamed you. They denied knowing anything and everything we found on the Scroll. They said how disappointed they were of you for siding with Adam. But we both know they're guilty."

"…You can't prove anything," Ilia said with difficulty

"That Scroll might have not been enough to lock them up. But it's enough to sway the Faunus here, and they will not stand for it when we go public tomorrow," Blake argued back, before adding with a more tender tone, "And neither should you."

Ilia looked down before taking her mask off, revealing a sad look, "Your plan isn't going to work Blake. Please…just leave Menagerie before it's too late."

"Was that a threat?" Nox showed on his scroll, having dismissed one scythe to do that.

"No. It's the truth," Ilia said while glaring at the dark Blade, "Besides, this is something a mindless weapon of Atlas can't understand."

"Ilia." Blake said with a slightly hurt look.

"Watch your tongue, lizard!" Nox showed on his scroll, his pupil narrowing into a cross. "The only reason I have yet to tear you apart is because of my lady's order."

Ilia gave Nox a disgusted look before switching it to a sad when she glanced back at Blake. "Please, Blake," Ilia pleaded.

"You're going to have to make me," Blake replied with a firm look.

"I know," Ilia said, before putting the mask back on and dropping off the railing.

"Are you sure about letting her get away, my lady?" Nox asked on his scroll.

"Yes," Blake replied with a sigh, "I will get through to her."

Nox looked down before showing a new text, "My lady…It may not be my place to ask this, but what if you cannot do that? Just…what if?"

"…All I can hope is that I can," Blake said, leaving the alternative unsaid.

Nox nodded, putting his scroll back into his sash, leaving Blake to wonder if he simply chose not to question further or if he understood how hard it was for Blake to say it.

In Mistral on the same night that Ruby and the others had talked to Lionheart. Mòrag and Rex were comparing notes on what they had learned about this world, although the salvager and his two Blades left out the Maidens and Relics. But they did reveal the possibility that someone named Salem is responsible for the breaches.

"Interesting," Mòrag spoke up, sitting on a couch with Brighid next to her, "So these creatures of Grimm have a master."

"Yes," Pyra spoke up with a frown, "And her existence is a secret because it might cause panic."

"That aligns with what knowledge Lionheart shared about these Grimm," Brighid said with a frown, "But I do wonder…if this Salem can truly control Grimm, then why hasn't she already destroyed the Kingdoms if they outnumber humanity?"

"That's…a good question," Ruby piped up, not having thought of that. Which also showed on everyone else's faces Of course the Remnans and their Blades were curious about this so they were allowed to listen in and fill in any holes or correct what the Alrestians might get wrong.

It should also be noted that Ruby, Jaune, Nora and Ren had occupied the remaining couch, while Penny was sitting on an easy chair. Everyone's respective Blades standing behind them. Except Electra who was sitting on Nora's lap, as per her Driver's request.

"…Brighid has a point," Ren also added in with a thoughtful look, "If Salem can control Grimm, then why hasn't she destroyed humanity yet? I mean…couldn't she just have all Grimm converge on a single location?"

That was a scary thought. "Perhaps her power over Grimm has a limit," Otohime suggested, "Maybe distance? The age and power of the Grimm, or perhaps sheer numbers."

"That is an excellent analysis," Kos-Mos piped up.

"Or perhaps her goal is not to simply destroy humanity," Joana added her opinion into the mix, "Regardless of her true motives, she is a threat."

"Then what could it be then?" Jaune muttered. This did make him wonder what goal would require Salem to get the Relics, but they couldn't discuss about it with Mòrag around.

"That we can agree on," Roc contributed to the conversation.

Then Ruby had a question, "Excuse me, Miss…Ardanach, but does the term... Ether Net mean anything to you?"

Mòrag's eyes narrowed at the question, "Where did you hear that?"

"Umm…Me and my team fought a mad scientist who got his hands on blueprints of something like that," Ruby said, feeling a little intimidated by the inquisitive look on the Inquisitor.

"…Where is this 'mad scientist' now," Mòrag asked, worrying about the technology being in the wrong hands.

"He was blown up along with his island," Ruby replied, easily, "I think he got those blueprints from one of the breaches."

This made Mòrag think a little, "Now that I think about it, there was a cold case about several blueprints from a research team about one of the prototype blueprints for an Ether Net disappearing ten years ago."

"To think that a Breach had stolen them," Brighid muttered, "This whole thing almost sounds like an invasion from this world."

"But we're not invaders!" Ruby said, now fearing that she may have accidentally spark a war between two worlds. As did all the other Remnans.

Mòrag chuckled at the girl, "Fear not, those blueprints were for some of the earliest prototypes. Their loss is almost inconsequential. Although, do you know what happened to these blueprints?"

This time it was Roze who decided to answer, "They blew up along with the lab they were in."

"That's a relief," Brighid said, having a small smile.

Before anymore conversation could be made, there was a knock on the door.

"Are you expecting guests?" Brighid asked out of curiosity.

"No, we're not," Jaune replied, looking apprehensively at the door.

"And Qrow wouldn't knock," Ruby added in.

"Shall I open the door, milord?" Joana asked her lord Driver. Jaune responded with an affirmative nod. With that, the knightess moved to the door carefully.

"Is there a reason you are on your guard?" Mòrag asked the Remnans who looked a little tense.

"We've had people after us," Roze replied easily, earning a quirked eyebrow from the Ardainian Driver.

As this happened, Joana carefully opened the door to reveal…a young black-haired boy looking at the knightess Blade with a nervous look. "Umm…hello. Is there a…Ruby Rose in here?" the boy asked nervously.

This prompted the Remnans to stand up, with Electra leaving Nora's lap. "Why?" the orangette in question asked with a highly suspicious look at the boy.

Before the boy could answer, Qrow latched himself on the boy's shoulders. "I found him!" Qrow shouted out, clearly drunk.

"Hey! Hands off of Oscar!" a female voice rang out from somewhere before Qrow was pulled off the boy by a pair of female hands.

"Was that?" Rex sounded out, having briefly seen familiar purple gloves covering the hands that pried the drunk huntsman off of the boy, "Pandoria?!"

At the sound of that a familiar frizzy haired, bespectacled head looked inside to see who called her name. "Rex! Pyra! Mòrag and Brighid!" the electric Blade exclaimed as she barged past Joana into the house.

This made Mòrag's eyes widen before she stood up alongside Rex and Pyra. Brighid also stood up. "If you're here," Brighid sounded, "Does that mean Zeke's here too?"

"Did someone say Zeke?" the man in question asked as he too barged in, striking a pose as he entered.

"Mòrag, Rex, who are these two?" Roze questioned, reaching for his scythe.

"They're Zeke and Pandoria, our more recent companions," Rex said, smiling at finding another one of his companions.

"Hey there, chum! Long time no see!" Zeke greeted Rex with a goofy demeanor.

"Hey!" Qrow shouted out, stumbling into the house. "Don't steal my thunder!" Qrow slurred angrily at the man.

"Me? Steal your thunder?!" Zeke questioned with a mock offended look, "You're talking to Thunderbolt Zeke Von Genbu! I don't steal thunder. I AM the thunder!"

This caused everyone in the room to sweatdrop.

"Princey, we have new people here," Pandoria quickly reminded her Driver of the new people in the room. The said people clearly didn't know what to make of the new strangers before them.

"Umm…Excuse me," Oscar said from the doorway, never having entered the house yet. But then he nervously entered, closing the door with Joana being distracted by the weirdness in front of her.

This caused most people in the room to glance at the boy who most likely knocked on the door. Only to once again be interrupted by Kasandra having come in from the kitchen to check up on the noise. "Qrow!" Kasandra called out loudly with a pout, "Did you get drunk again?"

"Mayyyybe," Qrow slurred, not even registering Kasandra's presence fully. The lucky Blade was now regretting not following her Driver.

"Urgh." Kasandra groaned before stomping towards Qrow, grabbing him by the back of his collar and then dragged him to the kitchen to do who knows what. With the highly inebriated huntsman protesting all the way.

After that little spectacle, Mòrag was the first to comment, "It seems his Blade shares my views on his habits."

"Indeed, lady Mòrag," Brighid added with a scowl at the dragged drunk. "If he was part of the military, disciplinary actions would be taken."

"Yeah, I wish uncle Qrow would stop drinking sometimes," Ruby muttered with a disappointed look. Roze silently agreeing with his Driver.

"Excuse me," Oscar sounded out again, nervously. This time earning all the attention. The boy took a deep breath before speaking. "…My name is Oscar Pine…but you might all know me as…Professor Ozpin."

"…WHAT?!" Shouted everyone who knew about the late headmaster of Beacon.

In Menagerie, it was the day after Ilia and Blake had their talk. Ghira was preparing for his speech about their findings, letting out a sigh at the end of him going through the paper he had written it on one more time.

"Is everything alright?" Kali asked as she placed a supporting hand on her husband's shoulder. Which was a feat considering their height difference.

"It's just…It won't be easy for the people to hear this," Ghira muttered, "But then again, truth rarely is."

"It's going to be alright," said Blake who placed her own hand on her father's other shoulder.

Then Ghira felt a slap on his back. "You got this." Said the culprit named Sun. Before stiffening at the look the large faunus gave him. Which strangely wasn't even a glare.

"Just do your thing," said Nia who was also there. Despite having no real part in this, the jumpsuit wearing Driver was curious about how this would turn out. As were Dagas and Dromarch.

With those words of encouragement, Ghira moved outside to a podium that was set up. Where the press of Menagerie and many of the people were waiting for the word of their Chief.

Blake, Sun and Kali took their position on the right side. With Nox and Wu standing behind their respective Driver. Nia took the left with her Blades. Speaking of which, Dagas glanced at the left side of the crowd and noticed Corsic and Fennec holding their heads down and their eyes closed. The royal Blade gave the two a look of contempt, before glancing at the rest of the audience to see if there was anyone worth noting. Other than the police of Menagerie ensuring that the event would go without incident, nothing stood out to him.

Soon enough Ghira took the stage with the microphone, which made the crowd go silent. So Ghira began his speech, "Thank you all for coming. I would like to address the rumors that have been floating around our island lately. I believe it is important for the people of this region to understand the truth. No matter how you feel about the human race, I think we can all agree that the event that has been officially called the Battle for Beacon was a tragedy that set both of our races back. While the main aggressor is still unknown, we do have official confirmation that Adam Taurus the leader of a powerful splinter group working inside the White Fang was partially responsible for these attacks." At the latter part of the speech, Ghira glanced at the Albain brothers who had their head down and their eyes closed. "His actions not only tarnished the reputation of an organization originally formed to bring peace and equality to all, but to our entire race. With each day that this man remains free, it is becoming increasingly difficult to condemn those that look down upon us."

Ghira's speech seemed to have an effect, considering how the crowd was now murmuring amongst themselves. Something that Dagas approved of with the smallest of smiles. Nia also had to admit that the Chief knew how to talk.

Ghira raised his hand after a small break to quiet the crowd, which worked. "Recently a spy from this very splinter group set their sights on this very home. My own daughter Blake and her friend alongside their Blades did their very best to apprehend this individual. While they were unsuccessful after being physically assaulted and seriously injured, they were able to successfully obtain the assailant's Scroll." After the last word, Ghira brought out the said Scroll. "With this, we have been able to ascertain that Adam Taurus is planning to overthrow the current leader of the White Fang, Sienna Khan, and take over the reins himself."

As expected, the crowd exploded in concerned murmurs with people talking amongst themselves in worry, disbelief or other forms of unsettled mood.

"His radical actions do not stop there," Ghira continued over the discussions that was going on, "The documents on this Scroll proclaim his next target to be Haven Academy and it's attached CCT tower. Their plan is to strike at the next full moon before the beginning of the fall semester. Roughly two months from today." Ghira chose that moment to pocket the Scroll before continuing, "I have sent my swiftest messenger to the government of Mistral, but I believe we have a greater responsibility. My relationship with the White Fang has been…an interesting one. Years ago, I led the organization in the hopes that I or any Faunus who wished could walk alongside the human race. And while I believe we have made great strides towards this goal, it was made clear that the people both in and out of White Fang wanted faster results. So, I stepped down and Sienna Khan was appointed my successor. It's true that I don't fully condone many of her methods. What I do condone, is what Sienna fights for. The idea that humans and faunus are and should be equal. Adam Taurus does not seem to have that goal in mind. What he has done benefits no one but himself. I think it's time that the Faunus showed that we are equals." This seemed to get an excited reaction out of the crowd.

"He really knows how to work a crowd," Nia thought, unable to help feeling inspired, before she clutched her chest a little. Something that Dromarch noticed.

"Time that we snuff out this splinter group, and restore the White Fang to what it once was," Ghira continued, earning cheers from the crowd. Complete with applause. "To do this I think the answer is clear. We must go to Haven Academy and protect it at all costs!" This made the crowd go silent and murmur amongst itself. All the previous enthusiasm gone. Something that made Sun wonder what just happened, while Wu looked worried. Dagas just raised an inquisitive eyebrow. Even Ghira was surprised at this turn of events. Then he chose to clear his throat. "Before we proceed any further, I would like my daughter to step up and tell her story. Not only as a former member of the White Fang, but also as survivor of Battle for Beacon."

With those words, Blake stepped forward to the mike with Nox dutifully following. The Chief's daughter glanced at her father, still feeling mildly nervous about doing this.

"You can do this," Ghira said supportively.

"Traitors!" Only to be interrupted by a shout from the crowd. This caused the crowd to disperse from the spot enough to reveal Ilia.

"If it isn't Ilia," Wu mouthed, ready to pounce on the girl who injured his idiotic Driver.

"Cowards," Ilia said angrily, "After everything the humans did to us, everything they put us through, you're asking us to help them?!" The crowd around Ilia had horrified looks as they realized that the girl was telling the truth.

"I know that we haven't been treated fairly," Ghira said in a pacifying tone.

"Where was their help when Dust companies treated us like slaves?!" Ilia shouted, "Where was their help when the Kingdoms hunted us Faunus for just being who they are?! Where was my help when my parents were killed in a Dust mine?! WHERE?!" Ilia practically roared the last part.

This made Dagas frown, at this rate the girl might earn the crowd's sympathy and undo what little Ghira had accomplished.

"Young lady, progress takes time and patience." Ghira tried to be reasonable.

"The Belladonnas are the worst kind of faunus," Ilia then accused, "They would see us work with those who are trying to hold us down! If you truly, truly, want to help your people, then now is the time to support Adam, not the Belladonnas! He will bring forth the future you all deserve! He will-" "SHUT UP, YOU LYING BITCH!" A shout came from further in the crowd before a rock hit the back of Ilia's head, causing her to stagger back at the pain.

"Who threw that?!" Ilia shouted to the crowd which parted, revealing a faunus boy with a single antler. The boy seemed to be around Sun's and Blake's age, maybe a little younger. He had a chestnut hair and was dressed in a robe that many faunus around Menagerie wore. He also had brown eyes which were moist with tears of rage.

"I did," the faunus boy replied, approaching Ilia with a look of hate in his eyes," A future we deserve?! Is that a future where Adam slaughters us all?!"

"You better shut up, or else!" Ilia shot back, reaching for her weapon that was still on her back.

"Or else what?!" the boy shouted, "Will Adam try to execute me again for asking questions?! For asking what the difference between us and the Schnee's is when we slaughtered a village where humans and faunus actually looked happy together?! You're just a murdering psychopath who kills anything that isn't you for your own sick pleasure!" During all these outbursts, several gasps were heard followed by murmurs about what the boy was talking about.

"SHUT UP!" Ilia roared before taking out her weapon and lashing out at the boy, fully intending to kill him.

*Clang*

Only for the bladed whip to be deflected when Dagas, who had moved in front of the boy, had backhanded it with his blue-armored left arm. Then the royal Blade laughed.

"What's so funny, you freak!" Ilia shouted even as she kept lashing at the Blade who just kept moving his arm to block all attacks while laughing like he heard the best joke in the history of jokes.

"Look around you, fool!" Was Dagas' smug reply.

This prompted Ilia to look around her. The Faunus had all stepped back and had looks of fear and disgust on their faces at Ilia lashing out. That was when she realized what she had just done. She lashed out at a Faunus in front of all these people. Some of which had Scrolls out and were recording this. "H-He's a traitor who deserves to die!" Ilia tried to defend herself, not realizing that she was just digging herself a deeper hole.

"Just like anyone who doesn't take pleasure in murdering men, women and children of both races?!" the single antlered deer faunus shot back, "The Belladonnas aren't the worst, you who follow a monster like Adam is!"

Ilia tried to say something, but she didn't know anymore how to respond, other than raising her weapon to try and strike through the Blade that was protecting a traitor.

"That's enough out of you!" shouted Sun who had snuck into the crowd and now tried to pounce on Ilia. Acting fast, Ilia jumped out of the way and ran as fast as she could through the crowd who backed off in fear of being cut down by a psychopath. Ilia also barely ducked under Wu's Trickpole which was in its multisectioned nunchuk form.

As Sun and Wu tried to give chase, Dagas decided to open his mouth. "People of Menagerie, you may not know of me, but my name is Dagas. As many of you can tell I am a Blade, but seeing as my current Driver is one of your kind, I must ask you, was that the kind of hero you want fighting for your future?" Dagas said pointing to the direction Ilia ran with Sun and Wu on her tail. "One that supposedly kills for pleasure?" the royal Blade spoke watching as the crowd erupted into worried murmurs. "It sounds to me like Adam will not stop until he has wiped out the entire human race off the face of this world. And when he runs out of humans to kill, he will turn on his own brethren. Will you let this stand?" At the end of his small speech, Dagas chose to return to the stage where Nia was hiding her face into Dromarch's fur. No doubt wishing the ground would swallow her for her Blade getting involved to this extent. All the while the royal Blade made a point to look at Corsic and Fennec with smug smile of victory. Especially when the two faunus in question were clearly trying to not show anger. Well, "clearly" for Dagas anyway.

Back in Mistral it was some time after Oscar introduced himself to everyone, and by extension Ozpin, to the Alrestians. As expected, team JNPPR and their Blades had a hard time believing it, until Oscar started listing things about stuff that only Ozpin knew, such as bending to rules for team RWBY to get to Mountain Glenn. As for the Alrestians, Rex and Pyra were already deep in this so they were also informed, as well as Zeke and Pandoria. And then there was Mòrag and Brighid. While Ozpin was skeptical about the Special Inquisitor's trustworthiness, the woman swore to only talk to the emperor should he ask her.

"So, you're asking me to trust some shivering old fart?" Asked a newly sobered up Qrow who had a coffee in his hand, while Kasandra was watching him like a hawk.

This comment earned the veteran huntsman a glare from both Mòrag and Brighid. "The emperor is 13 years old," Brighid said, tempted to burn this insolent man.

"WHAT?!" Was the universal reaction from the Remnans.

"And very mature for his age, might I add," Mòrag replied, taking some pleasure at the dumbfounded looks on the Remnan's faces.

"Mistral has a history of child emperors," Penny pointed out, being the exception among the surprised ones.

During this, Electra had gotten into Oscar's face. "Uhh…can I help you?" Oscar asked the wide-eyed child-like Blade.

"Did you age backwards?" Electra asked.

"What?" Oscar sounded out.

"Are you possessed?" Joana asked, bringing out her Catalyst Scimitar in case the answer was yes.

"Perhaps, reincarnation?" Otohime suggested.

"This is weird," Roze said with a weirded-out look.

The Blades speaking up about Oscar/Ozpin seemed to make everyone momentarily forget about the business of a child ruling an empire. Which prompted them to surround Oscar.

Although the Alrestians were hanging back, trying to wrap their head around this.

"You understanding any of this, Rex?" Zeke whispered to Rex.

"…Not really," Rex admitted, not really understanding what's going on.

Pyra also seemed to have nothing but question marks about this whole thing. Roc remained passive, although he personally just thought that the kid was crazy.

"Alright, everyone," Qrow piped up, "I think we should all remember that this is weird for all of us."

At that comment, Each of the Remnan Drivers grabbed their Blades and moved further from Oscar to give him some more space.

"Thanks," Oscar thanked, still nervous about all of this. Especially when Ozpin revealed that Zeke along with his friends and Blades are not of Remnant.

"Hey kid, why don't you show us your little parlor trick?" Qrow then suggested.

Oscar let out a sigh at hearing this, before addressing everyone, "Just so you know, I'm still here." Everyone gave the boy a confused look as he lowered his head before suddenly jerking it back up. "It's good to see you again, students," Oscar said, but his demeanor was different. Gone was the timid boy who moments ago looked nervous about everything, replaced by what felt like someone who had confidence and wisdom.

"Professor Ozpin," Ren was the first to speak, sounding like he was asking.

"Yes," Ozpin replied with Oscar's voice, "Oscar is still with us, but he has handed me the control, so to speak."

"Are you expecting us to believe that we are speaking to a different person?" Brighid asked with a skeptical look.

At that point Ozpin turned his gaze to the Jewel of Mor Ardain, "I understand that something like this might not be possible in Alrest, but I can assure you that I am Professor Ozpin. Headmast- Or maybe it would be more correct to say, former Headmaster of Beacon Academy."

"Now I've seen everything," was the first comment Zeke let out.

"Cannot compute, cannot compute," Kos-Mos repeated while Penny tried to get her android Blade to get a grip on reality again.

"Let's say I believe you, and I stress the word if," Mòrag spoke up, "Why reveal yourselves to us? We are outsiders to this after all."

"That's a good question," Ozpin said with a small smile, "Ever since I learned about the existence of Alrest through the appearance of Blades, I have been curious about what kind of world it might be to have something like them."

"And what would you wish to know?" Brighid questioned with a skeptical look.

"Simple things really," Ozpin shrugged, "What are the people like? What kinds of natural wonders you have? And…what kind of god is the Architect?" At the last part, Ozpin looked a little down.

"Umm…Professor?" Ruby then sounded out.

"Yes, Miss Rose?" Ozpin asked.

"Well…how did you end up like this?" Ruby asked carefully.

Ozpin let out a sigh at hearing this, "I suppose that would be the first question you might have…Thousands of years ago, I was cursed by the gods, because I couldn't stop Salem." Ozpin looked down with some sadness. "But she must be stopped now."

Ruby remembered something Ozpin had once told her. He claimed to have made more mistakes than any man woman or child on Remnant. If he has existed for thousands of years, then he might have not been exaggerating.

"…If this Salem really is the cause of these breaches, she might be a threat to Alrest too," Mòrag spoke up in clear annoyance, "As if Malos wasn't enough."

"Wait what?!" Zeke and Pandoria sounded out, not yet having heard about this part about breaches being caused by someone.

"Who is Malos?" Ozpin asked, thinking he was someone of note.

"That's a long story," Rex replied, while giving a questioning look to Pyra. The red-haired Aegis had an apprehensive look, but eventually gave a firm nod.

"It seems we have a lot to talk about," Ozpin said, thinking that things were about to get a lot more complicated.

Somewhere in Anima, Weiss was regaining consciousness. The first thing she registered was her hands having limited movement. Then she opened her eyes and saw that her wrists were tied together. The next thing the former heiress realized was that she was in a crude metal cage in a camp of some kind. Then Weiss' gaze turned towards the same two men who were sitting on crates, one of them emptying an alcohol bottle.

"Look who's awake," one of the bandits said with a laugh, while smacking his partner who hacked on his drink because of it.

"What's going on? Where am I?" Weiss questioned as she looked around to see anything else.

"You know," a voice said from one of the tents, before Vernal walked through it, carrying Myrtenaster, "I never thought I would see a Schnee in our camp."

"Vernal," the first bandit said before quickly stood up at attention. As did the other one who hid the alcohol.

Vernal walked to Weiss' cage with a smug look. The former heiress responded by openly glaring at the bandit before standing up. "What do you want?" the white-haired girl demanded.

"Straight to the point," Vernal said in amusement, "I like it." Vernal then began to explain the situation, "We don't normally deal with trafficking people. Not worth our time. But when we realized we had a Schnee, plans changed." Vernal then pointed Myrtenaster at Weiss.

She didn't need to think long on what the plan was, "You're going to ransom me back to my father. Is that it?"

Vernal smiled at the response, "You know, it's a shame you're a Schnee. You would do pretty well around here."

"I would NEVER, sink to your level," Weiss replied defiantly, making sure to put emphasis on "never".

Vernal didn't look like she liked the answer," Just keep quiet and cooperate, and you'll be back in your mansion in no time." Then the second in command turned away from Weiss, "Don't make this complicated."

"What's going to make this complicated is when my sister hears that I didn't make it to Mistral," Weiss said, causing Vernal to stop after a few steps. "You know my sister, don't you? Winter Schnee? Special Operative of Atlas? She's here in Mistral now, and it won't take her long to find me. And you." Weiss said, putting emphasis on the last two words with a small smile. A smile which was wiped when the two bandits started laughing. "What's so funny?" Weiss all but demanded.

Vernal turned back to face Weiss with a laugh, "You're clearly out of the loop here. Your sister isn't in Mistral anymore." This news made Weiss' heart drop. "Atlas closed their borders and recalled all their troops," the short haired bandit said as she came face to face with Weiss. "No one is coming to rescue you."

Weiss almost felt helpless before remembering something. Dahlia and Aizen. While Weiss still wasn't entirely sure about Aizen, she knew that Dahlia would stop at nothing to save her. She just had to wait for that.

"By the way," Vernal then said smugly, "If you get a little peckish, you can eat the talking potato in the cage." With those words, Vernal turned and walked away with a laugh.

"Huh?" Weiss sounded out in confusion.

"Tora not a potato!" Was the shout that came from behind Weiss who actually jumped in fright. Which in turn made the bandits laugh again.

AN: There we go. Corsic's and Fennec's plans were derailed Ilia lashing out at a Faunus boy for speaking against the White Fang. Anyone remember him?

Then Ozpin chose to reveal himself to all Alrestians, including Mòrag. We shall see in time if this will bite him in the ass.

Finally, Weiss is with Tora. Yes, our loveable Nopon engineer has found himself in a cage in the Branwen tribe. Which might also beg you the question, is Poppi there too? You be the judge until next time.