Assassin cowered in fear, the Poppy aspect especially. There is nowhere else for her to go, subject to the whims of her Master. And her Master was angry.

"My own creation." Fury filled Master's voice. Assassin wanted to run and hide. Presence Concealment could not hide her here. "My very own creation."

Master does not know all. Master does not understand the Throne. Master does not understand. Master only sees what Master wants to see. Master is certain in only what Master believes.

"These Heroic Spirits," Master declared. "They have not only come to this place unwelcomed. Now, they have taken that which should never be theirs. The Silver-Eyed Warriors were my creation, my aid for Remnant's people. And they have stolen it for themselves."

Assassin wanted to speak but nothing could come out. Assassin could only say, "I'm scared, mommy! I'm scared, mommy!" The limitations of the Chill made it so. Assassin could not speak much at all. Master would not listen. Master does not understand.

"There is that one as well," Master continued. "One so like my own and yet… that child's touch is upon his being."

Assassin saw that too. Rider was his class name. The Child connects to Rider. Assassin does not know much either. But Assassin wants to hide from Master's fury. Assassin doesn't want Master's fury.

Master is busy. Master never tells Assassin when he is busy. Master is thinking of something. Master is going through similar motions as Master's other creations, those Relics as they are called. Master is planning things for Assassin to do. Assassin bows her head. She doesn't want Master's fury. Master is scary. Assassin doesn't like it when Master is being scary.

"We have some place to go, Assassin." Master does not sound angry anymore. But Assassin still wants to hide. "Argus is what my rebellious children called it. I shall have you go to Argus while I make our own preparations. Though it has been too long since I had last made them, I suppose it is a moment to reminisce. If these Heroic Spirits truly call themselves heroes. An ambush fitting for your class awaits them."

Soon, Assassin was brought up into the clouds by Master's will. Master brought Assassin towards this Argus place and put her there. Assassin could feel the coldness from Master. It was colder than Assassin.

"Sacrifices must be made," said Master. "But once this accursed trespasser has been dealt with, all will be back as it should be. Remnant shall reset and be mine again. And for this… Voyager to hide himself underneath one of my own children, we shall mete out punishment that is most appropriate. This Earth is not welcome in Remnant."

Assassin did not want to argue. Assassin is terrified of Master, both the Poppy and the Chill. But Master does not know all.

Master does not understand all.

"I'm scared, mommy! I'm scared, mommy!"

/-/

Pyrrha's recovery was the fastest among them. As soon as her reserves were high enough, Rider materialized just to boost her recovery. Aura Amplification included the healing the effects of aura. The cheat part was that it also included the recovery of the reserves themselves.

Once Pyrrha had recovered enough, Rider did the same for everyone else. Qrow didn't need any of that since he was still fresh; his reserves were barely scratched at all.

Chiron had brought them to Leonardo's office. It would take time and the council would still have to deliberate on the next headmaster. Chiron had informed that he had already sent his application and the League, courtesy of Archer's web, would make it surprisingly easy.

Part of Rider was a little aghast at the unlawful method but that was the effect of the Rusted Knight; the heroic archetype of all that is good and lawful here on Remnant.

Rider looked at the sight of his Master. She wasn't satisfied in the slightest. Neither was Rider. Having faced Cinder and Berserker and still not edge out a win was frustrating. For Rider, being at an disadvantage against his most known foe was both an insult to himself as a Heroic Spirit and as Pyrrha's Servant. He had sworn that he would protect Pyrrha.

Chiron checked everyone regardless. Pointless as it may be, Chiron had that teacher's concern to him that made him worried for his students. Qrow was much the same as he checked on Ruby, despite her insistence on being alright. Raven didn't really bother much, not even a word of concern for Vernal. Rider noticed her look though; she wasn't good at showing any concern.

After everything was done, Rider looked down in shame. He may not be a student anymore but he certainly felt like one right now. No one showed any anger nor were they frustrated. They were focused more on themselves and the fact that they were alright. Chiron did not have anything more to say and that honestly hurts Rider more than it should.

There's more to being the hero than charging headfirst into battle, he reminded himself. He knew that. He should have known that, be it as Jaune or as the Rusted Knight. Not only that, they had just met with Assassin. Without a doubt, that Servant must have figured out Rider's peculiarities. That darkening sky earlier wasn't just some freak weather phenomenon.

He might as well own up to it. "Assassin saw me, looked me straight in the eye."

Chiron showed no reaction. "It was only a matter of time. However, that would mean that anyone close to you would be in danger."

Unsurprising for anyone, Rider's helmet faced the direction of his Master. Pyrrha stayed quiet and did not speak. Anyone who would stick by Rider would be a casualty. By extension, Ren and Nora would be the same. Rider didn't need to guess what those two would do in light of this information. Ruby might come with them anyway but there was the matter with Qrow; he wouldn't want his niece in any more danger than she already is, even if that is only prolonging the inevitable confrontation.

"Does the god of light know of your identity?" Chiron asked.

"I don't think so?" Rider replied. "Assassin at least figured my connection if nothing else."

"Then you are all in danger. Mistral isn't going to be a good place for a battleground against the god of light." Chiron then turned to Raven. "How is Archer doing in Vale?"

"You're asking me?" Raven was a little snarky. "What am I supposed to know? Archer and Watts keep away from everyone else. I only see them near a construction site. Archer and Neo are doing some kind of sign-language lessons."

"Excellent." Chiron said, knowing something that they don't. He must not have told them everything. "That's two kingdoms at least. Though Vale is more of a backup."

Everyone there had looks of confusion. Chiron was nodding to himself in contemplation.

Then, he spoke up again saying, "rest up. Your next destination should be Atlas. I can at least come up with something to vouch for your trip."

"We would have to make a stop in Argus," Rider reasoned. "Easier access I would think."

"You'll be putting yourself at risk against the god of light," Chiron argued. "I saw those clouds go in that direction."

"Then the others can take the Bullhead straight to Atlas." Rider looked towards Pyrrha. She had a worried expression at the mention of Argus.

It wasn't the only reason Rider suggested there. Even if that weren't the case, Argus had another reason for him to go there. He had to make sure that those three were safe.

"But—" Ruby tried to reply.

"Ruby," Rider interjected. "Better that we only lose one Servant than both. Assassin needs to go."

It was his Master that argued back. "Rider, it's the god of light that were dealing with. One of our own creators. As much as I hate to admit it, I can't beat Cinder on aura reserves alone and she had the Maiden powers. A god would have quite a lot more than that, I'm sure."

"I know, Master." At least she was addressing him by his class with ease now.

"We already fought Berserker twice," Pyrrha continued. "And we couldn't so much as push them back, only a stalemate."

"Maybe if you all were strong enough…" Vernal decided to interject.

"Vernal!" Raven chastised.

"As if you're any different, coward!" Vernal exploded. "You ran! When the rest of the tribe stuck around. You who have your own Maiden powers! Why didn't you summon your own Servant, huh?"

"I wasn't chosen, Vernal," Raven retorted. "You think I wouldn't have tried to had I known that early on?"

"Even if you did know," Chiron added. "There's still the matter of being chosen at all."

"How does this Grail thing even decide who gets to become a Master anyway? Everyone here has at least one wish they want granted. What makes these seven so unique?"

Chiron shrugged.

"Oh that's just great!" Raven furrowed her eyebrows. "As if Oz's secrets aren't bad enough and now we have an all-powerful wish granter that nobody even knows how it works? That's just fantastic."

"Not like I would have let you get that wish granted," Qrow added.

"What is that, brother?" Raven replied. "No faith in your dear sister that she would do the good thing?"

"If you wanted to do a good thing, you would have at least told us why you left to our faces. Not just bolt out as soon Yang could crawl."

"Oh really? You would have done the same too had you known about Salem's immortality before all this Grail business."

"Okay." Chiron raised both arms. "We are getting off topic here."

Voices were raised. Arguments thrown. Topics were being brought up and discarded as it kept going. It would have gotten worse were it not for the sudden quaking of the ground.

"Good job, kid," said Lancer.

A squatting Nora Valkyrie replied, "thanks. Always believed one can't save the world without thunder thighs."

"Thank you, Nora," Ruby said. She sighed. "Okay. I think we're all a little frustrated. And we're airing out a lot of… things today. But as a fellow Master, I would like to, at least, put out my own word before anything is decided."

Everybody got quiet with Raven feeling a little bit of shame. The rest were simply waiting for Ruby to speak.

Ruby took a moment. She hadn't expected that she would actually be listened to like an adult, being used to being treated like a child.

She took back her initiative and made her choice. "We're going to Argus."

Rider raised his arms. "Ruby, it's dangerous."

"Yeah and?" Ruby retorted. "Ja—Rider, we're huntsmen and huntresses. We're used to danger."

"But this? It's much worse."

"I know. But we would be fighting this Salem person without this Grail War and she's immortal. Did we fight the brother gods where you come from, Rider?"

Rider stayed quiet.

"We're going to be facing them sooner or later anyway. Better it be sooner when most of us are still here than later when some of us won't—" she paused. She gulped. "When some of us won't see each other again."

Out of everyone there, it was Rider that felt most out of place. Everyone else was staring at him, knowing his true identity.

For Rider himself, he wanted to argue against it. It was still dangerous for them all to go with him. With Pyrrha at least, he was certain that he could look out for her. That confrontation with Berserker and his reveal to the brother gods weighed on his mind. Argus, even disregarding those close to him, would be full of innocent people. Neither Rider nor Lancer would be able to keep the fighting away from them.

"Let's just rest for now," suggested Chiron. "There are empty dorms here in Haven that you could use. Qrow, Raven, you two stay here. We have much to discuss things moving forward." Chiron made sure to look towards Ruby. "You will all need legitimacy if you wish to go to Atlas through there."

"We could make a stop at Brunswick Farms," suggested Rider. His voice toned down. "There are Grimm there and I was thinking we could at least clear those out. Apathy is what their called. People pass by there when travelling on foot."

They might as well do a little bit of good on the way.

The group took their separate ways. Ruby had stuck around with Ren and Nora but Pyrrha and Rider stayed behind.

"You two go on ahead," Pyrrha assured her teammates. When Ren and Nora gave them some space, she spoke up again asking, "why does it have to be you, Jaune?"

"Master," Rider replied. "I thought we agreed that—"

Pyrrha shook her head. "I'm not asking why does it have to be Rider nor am I asking why does it have to be the Rusted Knight; I'm asking why does it have to be Jaune?"

Seconds past before Rider replied, "because Jaune is the Rusted Knight, Master."

"Does it have to be Jaune? You said it and teacher Chiron revealed that you're not just Jaune anymore. And no, Rusted Knight doesn't count either. Since the me of your time died does that mean that with the you here, I would be—"

"No!" Rider halted her there. "Master—Pyrrha, don't take that burden. If we ever end up in the Ever After, I'll do it myself. I've done it before."

"Why? You don't think I could handle it?"

"Nobody should handle it at all. Those years in isolation. That crippling isolation. Frankly, if it wasn't for the Jabberwalker, I could have been a Berserker myself."

Rider shook his head.

"I know you could handle it, Pyrrha. Anyone would be able to do it better than I could. But that doesn't mean that you should."

"How sure are you that I could?"

"Because it's you, Master. Me? I could barely become a fairy tale hero, let alone a real one."

Chiron entered the room. He had heard the conversation. "You being a Heroic Spirit says otherwise."

"We're not exactly actual heroes, Chiron," Rider replied. "We only made our mark because we did something worth marking about."

"And what is yours exactly, Rider?" Chiron sat by Pyrrha's side. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do you know just how many people looked up to the Rusted Knight? Just how many became huntsmen and huntresses, all because they have, at one point, dreamed of being you?"

"Except that wasn't me," Rider retorted. "That's how Lewis wrote the Rusted Knight."

"Perhaps." Chiron shrugged. "And yet, much of Jaune still stayed with you."

"Teacher Chiron?" Pyrrha asked. "What do you mean?"

"Heroic Spirits are formed by their legends. Some have unique circumstances, sure, but much of themselves are formed by how the public remembers them to be."

"So?" Rider asked. "What does that have to do with me?"

"If Jaune and the Rusted Knight are far too different from each other, you wouldn't even have those memories of yours. Jaune Arc would be lost to history while the Rusted Knight would have lived on. Faceless and without an identity beyond the Rusted Knight."

Rider would have responded but Chiron kept going.

"Yet, here you are. Having memories of a different Remnant, mixed in with a little prince as well as the Rusted Knight, correct? Even having tales that Lewis would never have made a connection towards."

Chiron stood up and approached Rider.

"Lewis didn't just write himself out so that Alyx would be remembered fondly. He made sure that the Rusted Knight is as close to Jaune Arc as he could. He may not have known that this would happen but he saw more in you than you ever could in a mirror."

Chiron placed a finger on Rider's metallic breastplate. Rider had to take a step back with the amount of weight being put there.

"The Throne didn't just recognize the Rusted Knight; it recognized that the Rusted Knight is Jaune Arc, transcending any and all timelines. Even with Voyager's influence on your being, it is Jaune that is still the main component."

Rider stayed quiet, saying nothing. Chiron took it as a chance to keep going.

"There is more to being a hero than taking all the burdens and keeping them to yourself, Rider."

Rider did not miss his Master's reaction to that. It must have been just as much for her as it was for Rider.

"You may be a Heroic Spirit but you are a Servant, one with a Master. You know what that means?"

"It means that I have to listen to my Master's orders?"

"Not quite. It means that you are not alone. You are never alone. Do not and don't ever act as though you could take it all on your own. Remnant's greatest hero or otherwise."

Chiron then turned around to address Pyrrha.

"And Pyrrha," he said. "The same applies to you. You have a Servant, yes. But so does your opponent and they have greater reserves to deal with it. Your semblance allows you to best most of your peers. But I also emphasized to you that it would only be among your peers. Cinder and her group are obviously not among your peers. One is a Maiden, the other an assassin-for-hire, and the last is a street rat accustomed to the silent evils of civilization."

"Understood, teacher," Pyrrha's voice was weak. "I'll keep that in mind."

Chiron's expression turned lighter. "It is good then, that you two are still safe. If Ruby sticks with the decision of going to Argus, perhaps there is still a chance."

"A chance, teacher?" Pyrrha asked.

This time, Chiron's voice was kinder, gentler. "Pyrrha, did your time in Beacon make you forget your own mother?"

"No!" Pyrrha's voice squeaked. Her arms flailed in denial. Some metallic pieces moved with others already falling. "I wouldn't forget mother!"

"Good." Chiron nodded, picking up the fallen pieces. Some non-metallic items were in the way and were tragically broken. "Thetis would have been devastated if her own daughter forgot about her. Now go get some rest. I still have a few lessons to impart on Rider here."

Pyrrha followed. But before she left, she looked back towards Rider worriedly. Rider gave her what assurances that he could. He was wearing his helmet again, expecting a fight.

"We're not sparring today, Rider," Chiron said. "I have different lesson plans for you."

The two manifested Heroic Spirits stood there until all non-Servants had left. Even then, they stood awake with Chiron simply sitting on the chair. They had waited and it took a while for Rider to realize that they were waiting for Lancer.

"They're asleep," Lancer said. "Not the best sleep they'll be getting, and it'll be what they're getting for the time being."

"That will be fine. For now, we will be discussing our own plans as Heroic Spirits. With the god of light already knowing of Voyager and Rider's connection to him, we will be facing an uphill battle. Even worse, you were identified as a Silver-Eyed Warrior, Lancer."

Lancer sighed. "Not sure how I feel about the big man upstairs, not going to lie. Feel like a kid again, a naughty one that broke the family vase."

"What can we expect?" Rider felt like asking.

"We don't expect that god of light will be respecting the Grail War's winner," said Chiron. "Even if anyone else would have won, that god will attempt to take the Grail anyway. That's assuming that he won't be breaking his own promise."

"Promise?" both Rider and Lancer said. They looked to one another for answers.

"Both brother gods swore that they wouldn't return to Remnant, correct? That was under the assumption that Remnant's humanity would one day call them back. It's been many generations now, you two. And with Voyager's presence, are they really necessary anymore?"

The two nodded along.

"Assassin still needs to go, though," Rider commented. "With or without Assassin, we should at least take out one Servant eventually."

Not like Assassin would be aiding them at all. How would they even break Assassin's contract from her Master? Following that, Rider would have to work with Salem's side and while he has no major problems in working with Berserker, he would rather keep away from Berserker's Master. Perhaps they could fight on separate fronts. Still working together in a sense, but that had no worry of any backstabbing. There would be eventually but Rider wouldn't let Pyrrha be the one getting backstabbed. If they were fortunate, Cinder's side might perish before that confrontation.

"What about you?" Lancer asked Chiron. "What will you be doing?"

"My duties are to Mistral," Chiron answered. "With Leo gone, Mistral is need of some kind of leader to keep things in order. The only other one with enough influence would be miss Malachite, the one we had met back in Below, Lancer."

"A criminal, huh? Well at least with you, it would be better. Lawful at least."

"More than that. We'll need as much capable huntsmen as we could muster. As much as Watts played a part in Vale's downfall, it is one of those reasons that Archer and he are there now: to make up the loss that they are partly responsible."

"Never figured Watts to be anyone heroic," Rider commented. "Or apologetic."

"He isn't." Chiron shook his head. "He has his own stakes in this Grail War and intends to snatch victory. Having a common enemy just means prolonged chances of survival."

Something that they themselves have been doing already.

"Does that include Salem?" Rider asked.

"That depends, Rider," asked Chiron. "How would Salem react to the brother gods returning."

"It had been her entire goal," Rider replied. "Bring the Relics together, brother gods return and deem humanity unworthy and wipe us all out, hoping she gets included."

"But with the Grail?" Lancer noted. "That goes out the window."

"Doubt it," Rider said. "Probably her main goal now, sure. But if she loses? She's still targeting the Relics anyway."

Rider was confident in that knowledge. The Salem of his time had prioritized her own death above everyone else. In that singular goal, she cared little for anyone that had come in her way. The only reason that she herself was never actively engaging in the pursuit of that goal was that Ozpin knew her habits with all those years and had the numbers to his advantage. Salem got her own recruits because she needed those whom Ozpin couldn't always predict.

Salem hadn't cared for whoever had got in her way and focused only on her overdue death. Ozpin, then Oscar, kept cleaning up the mess whenever Salem got the advantage.

I wonder is Oscar is safe in this one? Rider wondered. With Ozpin still alive, Oscar Pine probably would still be on that farm of his. Rider shook his head. Now is not the time to think of those things. Chiron would look after much of Mistral and that included Oscar, wherever he was.

"Either way," Rider spoke out loud. "We will have to deal with each other sooner or later. Better that we thin out Salem's Grimm alongside dealing with god of light. I could—"

"Rider." Chiron already guessed what he was about to suggest. Rider had just had that lesson, too.

"We could deal with them together," Rider amended.

Lancer nodded in agreement. "Good. Leave some for the rest of us, yeah?" If she had been concerned at all, she was good at hiding it. Rider couldn't tell with Lancer.

The three continued to talk and discuss their plans. It might have been better to include their Masters in this but they needed their rest. Rider and Lancer could always relay that information and conclusions to them once they awoke.

Lancer had been the first to leave them with Chiron soon making his way back to wherever he was staying, leaving Rider there, alone.

Bearing his other, more princely, outfit, Rider buried his face into his hands. An undignified sight unfitting for the Rusted Knight.

I can't be the real hero, he thought. I can't be the fairy tale hero. I can't even be a proper Servant! Rider couldn't just put them in danger. He was the Rusted Knight! But the Rusted Knight was also Jaune Arc. Jaune Arc is the Rusted Knight, and Rider knew just how in over his head Jaune Arc could be. And I came close to making Pyrrha pay the price for it… again.

He still remembered his time. That time when his Pyrrha shoved him into a locker. His weakness, inability and inexperience that always held him back. Even after his travels and his time in the Ever After, he still hadn't been sure if he was of any help.

Even now. How much help am I really doing?

Rider tried to find a mirror. It took a while but he did find something reflective enough. It was faint but he could make out his own features. Everything really was Jaune Arc. There was the long hair that tied to a warrior's wolf tail but he had no beard. There were strands of silver there, a sign of aging. He wasn't sure about his facial features there but there was a royal glow to it.

"Where are you, Voyager?" Rider asked. He looked on his overall outfit. "What is it about you that clung to me?"

Try as he might, Rider never did get an answer at all. Not even a feeling that would give some kind of clue. Jaune Arc the Rusted Knight. Voyager the Little Prince. The only one who remotely has any sort of answer would have been Lewis.

He thought of something. It was worth a shot. "Alyx?" There was nothing. Not even Alyx would respond, if she was there at all.

Sighing, Rider walked around Haven Academy, taking in the sights of the quiet night life of Mistral. When he was out in the open, Rider looked upwards. Maybe there was an answer there in the sky. He couldn't find any constellations that he could recognize, not from Earth anyway. There were a few which were definitely from Remnant but Rider was never much of a stargazer. He couldn't remember their names even if he wanted to. The Grail didn't give him any knowledge of that either; it was irrelevant to the Grail War.

"Nope," Rider said to himself. "Still nothing." All he felt was a chilling coldness that made him shiver. Rider especially felt it when watching the clouds cover Remnant's broken moon. "Clouds. Cold clouds."

He couldn't see it. But he could feel it. That long, cold, and dangerous voyage across an almost empty space. It wasn't a dense region but it had its dangers. There was no sound in space but Rider could vaguely imagine a whisking comet or dwarf stars. The only certainty was that there was the icy feeling that Rider's body could still feel.

Rider then stood up. "That far? Beyond the Oort Cloud? You made it that far?"

/-/

Berserker's Master was still furious at the failure. At least, for once, she didn't direct that anger at Berserker. Instead, stones melted from the heat of her flame. Green-hair used her illusions on Master as demanded.

"That girl!" Master seethed. "Keeping him away from me. Keeping that which should have been mine!"

Almost none of Berserker's kin were nearby. Berserker felt an approach of one but it wasn't among those that it had called upon. Floating towards them was one of the Grimm that served that womanly thing that was like its brethren. Berserker had nothing to say nor to think of these relatives.

Master nearly failed to notice the approach of the Grimm. The green-haired one had to stop and tell her about it, only then did Master compose herself and bowed. Her two possessions did the same as well. Berserker did not and had its back towards it, watching should the other Servants ever come back. Master valued her privacy.

"Cinder," said the womanly thing. "How goes Mistral?"

Master hesitated to answer. "It is going… poorly, milady."

"Leonardo's abandonment already reached you, has it?"

"Leo has betrayed us?"

"Has been found out, more like, dear Cinder. One of my Grimm found him… having a walk."

There was no need to think too hard on what had happened to this Leonardo when one of Berserker's brethren had found him. It growled softly at the mention of its brethren being under her rule. Berserker found that woman to be unnatural. She had bathed in the essence of its brethren but stank of its opposite.

"I see," Master replied. "Should we continue our pursuit then of the Relic and the Spring Maiden?"

"Actually," that woman replied. "I was thinking of having you all come back. We have a new ally you see? And some new information that is of importance to us. It would seem that Archer and Watts aren't entirely honest either."

"They care only for themselves, mistress," Master said.

"All of us do, dear Cinder. We wouldn't be chosen Masters otherwise."

Berserker felt the Grimm approach it.

"And Berserker?" that woman continued. Berserker only gave the barest of acknowledgement. "There's an… old friend who would like to meet you."

Berserker had no eyebrows. If it did, Berserker would have had one raised. Then, Berserker heard their voice.

"Jabby old buddy! You wouldn't happen to know if Jaune is here too, do you? We have so much to catch up on!"

Berserker could be forgiven for ripping apart its own brethren, could it?

/-/

When everyone else had slept, Pyrrha stared at the Command Spells at the back of her hand. Twice now they had faced Cinder and Berserker and twice now they weren't able to edge out a win. Competitive fire burned fiercely within her; it clashed with her fear.

Rider is Jaune Arc. Rider is the Rusted Knight. Teacher Chiron had said it so. Pyrrha bit her finger.

I don't want to lose you again. I won't lose you again.

AN: This right here is why I've chosen to keep Remnant and Earth as two separate worlds. After a quick google search, leading me to NASA website, I found that the Voyager 1 space probe will take "about 300 years to reach the inner edge of the Oort Cloud and possibly 30,000 years to fly beyond it." Just add how many more years and we got Remnant, lmao.

I think I mentioned before how I liked the idea of RWBY's events taking place in the future but not Remnant being a future version of Earth. Voyager is pretty much the whole reason for my going in that direction.