Halo, it's time for the newest chapter. Enjoy the reading.
The northern, snowy mountains in Mistral offered a completely different view, the gray, snow-covered mountainsides provided a pleasant view from the warm, luxury suite train cabins. On the left, a large, gray mountainside covered the entire view, while on the right, a snow-covered, dark pine forest stretched out almost into infinity. The train moved forward smoothly and carelessly, without any obstacles.
- This is what I call a nice suite. – Roman was sitting smoking a cigar in the room of one of the wagons on one of the lower bunk beds. The window had to be opened for ventilation, which brought in strong cold wind and snow but it was necessary to vent the cigar smoke. – The last time I traveled by train from Mistral, I hid in the cargo hold as a stowaway.
- Then it's better if you stay here, in front of my eyes. - Qrow warned, sitting at the bottom of the bunk bed across from him drinking a cocktail.
- Do you really want to sleep in the same room with me? – Roman just took a puff from his cigar. - Maybe you had a crush on me?
- I don't want you near my niece. - Qrow said as he gave him a warning look.
- Which one is your niece? – Roman, as if he wasn't even listening, rubbed his ears.
- Ruby! - Qrow raised his voice. - I don't recommend that you be a bad influence on her!
- Little Red? I think that the regular life threat, the fact that they try to kill her on a weekly basis and her alcoholic uncle already has a bad influence on her. – Roman listed the things, besides which it is a miracle that Ruby remained such a kind and innocent girl. - Tell me something, - Roman blew a puff of smoke out the window. - Are you sure you're not her father?
- Mind your own business! - Qrow just avoided answering sternly. He didn't want to reveal anything to Roman at all.
- I'm just wondering why are you so protective of her? – Roman just threw the smoked butt out the window. – I was lucky enough to go through the files of most of the students at Beacon and the other girl, Blondie is more of a relative to you than Red.
- What do you mean by that? - Qrow didn't like what he was trying to do.
- It's just that Yang is more of your blood relative than Red but you still protect her more.
- Listen pal, - Qrow stood menacingly. – you have nothing to do with how I treat my family! - Ruby is the only one who… - He quickly came to his senses not to uncover anything.
- "The only one who"? – Roman would have been curious about the end of the sentence, before Qrow just returned angrily. - A man isn't that protective, just with someone else's kid. He would rather do this for a relative, a close relative. – As he explained, Roman stood up and started walking up and down. - For his blood niece, his cousin, his sister… - He stopped in front of Qrow, who was sitting angrily, his hands clenched into fists and it took all his strength to hold himself back. – or his daughter.
It was at this point that Qrow couldn't control his temper any longer, stood up, took out Harbinger and stopped his blade inches from Roman's neck.
- If you say one more word about this, - He hissed with a snarl, he would have preferred to kill him right here on the spot. - I'm going to chop off that ugly head of yours!
- Hm, - Roman just smiled, not at all horrified that the massive blade was only separated from taking his life by Qrow holding back. – I can't be that ugly. - He pushed Harbinger aside with two fingers. - I already know the answer. - He took out another cigar and lit it. - Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. - He took a puff and blew it into Qrow's face.
- Are you that kind? - Qrow just blew away the smoke and put Harbinger away.
- It wouldn't give me any benefit. - Roman just shrugged. - I mean, what would I gain by telling everybody? I don't care about family dramas, just that it doesn't affect our task.
Qrow only raised his glass to his mouth, only to notice with annoyance that it was empty.
- I'll get another drink. – He started towards the exit of the room, while Roman was about to follow him. - You! Stay here!
- Can I at least go to the toilet or should I cr*p on the pillow? - Qrow just rolled his eyes and motioned for him to come.
Roman didn't need any more, he got up and left.
- Where are you going? - Qrow didn't understand that Roman wasn't headed for the bathroom. - The bathroom is there.
- I just asked, can I go out? - He just spread his arms out laughing. - Not that I need to.
- You… - Qrow tried to catch him, but Roman had already run and disappeared among the people walking on the train.
It wasn't actually a complete lie that he didn't need to go to the bathroom, he just didn't want Qrow to find out what he was really planning. As soon as he got into one of the train's common toilets, he had the opportunity to look at himself in the mirror.
His beard grew stronger and his orange beard almost covered his face, and his hair grew longer. He took off his jacket, which was full of tears and threw it in the bin before they got to the train station, stealing a whole new set of clothes for himself. A pair of black boots, which came in handy in the snowy region, a pair of thick, black trousers, which protected well against the cold, a pair of black winter gloves, a white shirt, an orange, elegant vest, a gray scarf and a dark red jacket, which reached all the way to his knees. His hair was long enough to tie it into a shorter ponytail, just like when he was a beginner pocket cutter in Mistral.
His hat was still missing and it was the only thing he forgot to steal. Without his hat, he felt as if his outfit was incomplete. As soon as he left the bathroom, he stole the first hat he saw.
A tall top hat, in which he looked quite ridiculous, he immediately put back on the bald gentleman's head, "I wouldn't wear it if I was paid." He went on a hat robbery spree and began to steal headgear from people.
He tried on a baseball cap but it was so far from his style that it looked more out of line than he thought. A cowboy hat was soon put on his head, which only worsened the overall image, then a beret and an explorer's hat, but none of them won his liking.
"None of them are working!", he couldn't have said but the hat he got from Neo somehow fit him perfectly no matter what he wore. "The starving shouldn't be picky," he finally settled on a black trilby hat, which also didn't fit to him.
As soon as he finished his new look, he sought out the others to show them off.
- I hope I'm bothering you! – He entered team RWBY's room while Yang and Blake were talking to each other while Weiss was just reading and Ruby was playing on her Scroll. Roman held out his arms to show the girls his new outfit. - What do you say?
- It's quite good. - Weiss admitted.
- What happened to your white coat? - Yang was interested.
- I thought it would be smarter to disguise myself.
- And what is this ponytail? - Blake found Roman's new ponytail both ridiculous and a little cute.
- This is how I wore it before I met Neo.
- And this hat… - Ruby could barely hold back her laughter. – it doesn't look good!
- Neo stole the old one, I had to get a new one.
- Overall, it's good. - Qrow's voice could be heard behind him, another cocktail in hand.
- Did you find me? - Roman praised Qrow with mock pride. - You can be the most professional Hunter.
- Listen, - Qrow didn't want to make a scene in front of the girls but Roman knew that, that's why he came to them. - I said that...
Suddenly the train shook, the glass fell out of Qrow's hand and Roman had to rely on Melodic Cludgel to keep from falling.
- What was that?! - Yang immediately jumped up.
- What are the odds that it was just a fluke? - Roman joked.
- That's our luck. - Blake replied sarcastically.
- Not yours. - Qrow, knowing his own Semblance, worried that something was wrong with the train, quickly looked out the window. - To arms! – He immediately ran out of the cabin, team RWBY didn't hesitate to follow.
- I'll stay here until then and... - Roman would have already gone back to his cabin to wait for the end of the battle.
- You come too! - Qrow turned back to grab his arm and pull him up onto the roof.
As soon as they climbed out of the emergency ladder, the howling wind hit their faces hard and the snowflakes flew past their faces at lightning speed. Qrow was the first to climb onto the roof, he was followed, despite his protests, by Roman, then team RWBY joined in on the rest of the ladders.
They were worried that the train was attacked by a winged manticore Grimm, and the two amateur Hunters, Dee and Dudley, tried hopelessly to protect the train but it seemed to them that they were not at all used to such an attack. They were clearly only on the train to swindle people out of money, as they thought their Hunter license was enough to intimidate the troublemakers and they could handle some of the smaller, stray Grimm but this swarm came suddenly and it was very big.
Swarm leader Grimm was the first to land on the train but Dee activated his electric mace and charged at the creature but before he could get close, a smaller one charged him in the side, grabbed him by both shoulders and flew away with him.
- DEE! - Dudley shouted after him in horror, since his best friend was thrown by the Grimm into the depths, from where he will surely never come back.
The swarm leader screamed loudly, ordering the smaller ones to attack.
- What's the plan, Ruby?! - Blake asked as the team got into a fighting stance.
- Don't let anyone to die! – She answered and then transformed Crescent Rose into a scythe and was the first to go into battle.
- What do you force me to do...? - Roman just shook his head, then raised Melodic Cludgel and shot a Grimm in the air.
Meanwhile, inside the train, cutting through the terrified passengers, both the LLMM and JNR teams sensed the signs of a battle, and then they saw Oscar, who was anxiously looking out of one of the windows.
- No, everything is fine! - He said to himself, obviously he was talking to Ozpin.
- What's going on?! - Jaune was the first to inquire about the situation but it was enough to look at the terrified passengers and hear the gunshots outside to guess that the train was under attack.
Team RWBY, Qrow and Roman held their own against the Grimm, Ruby dodged a fireball with her scythe before spinning around to cut down another one that got behind her. Weiss summoned runes that shot ice shards. Roman parried the fireballs with Melodic Cludgel, jumped aside from an attacking Grimm, ducked to the side and shot the creature in the head while still lying on the ground, causing it to vaporize, while Dudley ran for cover in terror.
Qrow grappled with two manticores, he stabbed one with Harbinger in the mouth, then as the other was about to attack him in the back, he jumped up, transformed his weapon into a scythe and struck his opponent from above, killing it. Dudley ran past him, jumping over to another wagon, a fireball landing inches behind him, knocking him over but he stayed on his feet. He stopped, put his rifle away and quickly took out his Scroll, which he began to press nervously, before the passenger cabins of the train began to be covered with metal grates and shrouds and a stack of anti-aircraft guns appeared from the roofs, which opened fire on the Grimm in the air, destroying several.
- That's it! - Dudley was glad to see that they had a chance of winning.
- Finally, he did something useful. - Roman was a little relieved to see that the cannons were firing effectively at the Grimm.
Qrow fought with the swarm leader, which he just dodged the blows of the claw and fought with the snake that formed its tail, which he successfully dodged. He attacked again, straight for its head, which he managed to cut three times but the manticore struck it with its right upper leg but Qrow transformed into a crow, so he dodged the blow, soared high above the creature, transformed back into a human, then jumped down on it, He turned Harbinger into a scythe and cut its neck but the Grimm was still alive and had to jump off it, in front of it.
The giant Grimm was hit from behind by shots from one of the cannons that Dudley had turned on. He turned back to the cannons and screeched again, as if ordering his brood to destroy the cannons, which they did, and it flew away.
Roman noticed this and immediately shot one of them as he was about to attack the next tower.
- The towers! - He didn't know how but he did know that the swarm leader retreated because it realized that the towers were a threat to him and ordered its offspring to destroy them. – Protect them! - He ordered everyone.
- What are you talking about?! – Qrow didn't like this plan, meanwhile Oscar, team JNR and LLMM came to join the fight.
- Why does something always have to happen?! - Nora joked.
- Come on, - Lance just waved. - we would have been bored anyway!
- How can I help?! – Oscar quickly ran to Qrow, who started shooting the Grimms angrily.
- You could tell those two idiots, - He glared at Dudley and Roman. – to turn off the guns! Grimms are only attracted to passengers!
- Right now! – Oscar didn't hesitate, he jumped over one of the cannons, which exploded right after and then jumped over to another wagon, a Grimm, if he hadn't somersaulted in time, would have bitten off his head. - Stop! - Finally, he reached Roman and Dudley, who continued to shoot the Grimms. - The cannons must be turn off!
- Are you crazy?! – Roman immediately took it down and fired another shot. - They must be protected!
- That's it, another one! - Dudley was glad he managed to shoot one.
- Stop! - Oscar grabbed Dudley's arm. - We have to lure them from the passengers!
- What does it matter, - Dudley just pushed him back. – when they die!
- He's right, kid! - Roman also stood next to Dudley and grabbed Oscar by the collar. - You'd better tell the others to protect the cannons!
Suddenly, the Grimms stopped attacking and retreated, which surprised everyone and they just looked in amazement at the Grimms that were getting higher and further away.
- Where are they going? Dudley just wondered.
- Maybe they're regrouping? – Roman was surprised that the Grimm attacked in such an organized way, so it couldn't have been figured out that they wanted to plan some kind of strategy.
- TUNNEL! – Oscar screamed at the top of his lungs and everyone turned back, seeing that the train was going towards a mountain, in which there was a tiny hole so that the train could just fit in, everything else that was on top of it would have hit the rock hard.
Everyone, at that moment, jumped between the wagons but Dee's scream of pain indicated that he was too late and fell to the ground with a broken arm.
- Come! – Roman grabbed him by the neck of his dress and he and Oscar dragged him in and while pretending to examine his arm, he stole his Scroll from his vest pocket. - He'll survive but he needs to be taken to the hospital.
- I said, - A terribly angry Qrow, with the students behind him, walked towards Dudley and grabbed both sides of his vest and pushed him against the wall. – turn off those f*ckers!
- Those "fickers" protected us! - Dudley shot back, wailing and hurting his arm.
- We won't turn them off! - Roman stood between Qrow and Dudley. - It wouldn't make any sense!
- They are attracting those monsters to our necks! - Another argument broke out between Qrow and Roman.
- Let me correct you, - Roman just gave Qrow a stern look as if he was about to make a stupid decision. – they have already attracted the monsters to our necks!
- Then...
- They're already here! - Roman continued, interrupting Qrow. - There's nothing we can do!
- Hey, - Qrow noticed something glowing in the pocket of Roman's new coat. - where did you get this?! - He had Dudley's Scroll to control the train's defenses.
- It would be more effective in my hands...
- Shut down the towers, you stupid *sshole! - Qrow immediately reached for Roman's pocket to get the Scroll.
- Don't you dare call me *sshole, - Roman resisted strongly, he didn't let Qrow take the Scroll and a big argument developed between the two men. - you alcoholic f*ck!
- I won't let you, - Qrow tugged on the Scroll, but Roman didn't let go. – to endanger everyone here!
- You'll kill everyone! - Roman pulled it back.
- ENOUGH! – At Ruby's shout, the two men stopped arguing and looked at the girl, who was only worried about the safety of the passengers. - Roman, - She looked at the man pleadingly. - turn off the turrets.
- Don't you understand, Little Red?! - Roman just shook his head. – If we'd protect the cannons until…
- Shut up and do what she says! – Yang shut him up with red, glowing eyes.
- We know what we're doing. - Jaune was confident.
- If you knew, you wouldn't do it! - Roman explained to them as if only he knew what the logical course of action was. Realizing that the entire team was in favor of Qrow's plan, Roman just sighed and shut down the cannons.
- What's the big plan? - Roman tossed the Scroll back to Dudley, whose arm Jaune had healed in the meantime.
- Ren, - Nora had an idea. – could you hide everyone on the train with your Semblance? If the cannons go off and we hide everyone's feelings, maybe we can shake them off.
- I have never been able to hide so many people. - Ren thought.
- You haven't had Jaune with you to support you. - Ruby remembered if Jaune's Semblance, which he could use to amplify other people's auras and Semblances, it could help.
- He could boost your aura! - Weiss also understood the plan.
- Oh, - Roman just shrugged as if he had been left out. - are you able to do that?
- You see? - Qrow just crossed his arms smugly. - Sometimes you could listen to me.
- It just occurred to you too. - Roman was sure Qrow would never have figured that out.
- I'm afraid, - Suddenly, Ozpin took control of Oscar. - there is a problem. This is what drew the Grimms here. – He pointed to the lantern hanging on his side and everyone looked at him in shock.
- And you didn't think this was worth mentioning because...? – Roman just rolled his eyes sarcastically but he purposely didn't finish the sentence, to see if Ozpin finished, but instead, Qrow just stared at him curiously.
- Oz, are you serious?!
- Why didn't you tell me?! - Yang demanded the answer.
- It's a good question. - Roman added.
- I… - Ozpin felt embarrassed, but before he could say anything, Ruby took over.
- It doesn't matter now! With every second we spend on this train, we put passengers at risk. – She turned to the JNR and LLMM team. - Take the passengers to the front cars and hide everyone. - She looked to the side disappointedly. - Unfortunately, we can't go with you. If we cut off the rear wagons, along with ourselves and the relic, we will attract the Grimm. Until then, make sure the passengers get to Argus safely.
- Ruby… - Lance wasn't sure it was a good idea to leave team RWBY alone.
- This is how we can protect passengers! - Ruby didn't even hesitate.
- Then take care of yourselves. - Lance told him.
- Weiss, - Jaune walked over to the girl who was a bit embarrassed after the boy took her hand. - promise that you will come back.
- I promise. – Weiss also squeezed Jaune's hand but it was so bad for her that she quickly had to let go.
There was no time to waste, the JNR and LLMM team immediately started to evacuate the carriages and the passengers were redirected to the front carriages.
- If you don't listen to me anymore, then I... - Roman had already left with the civilians, hoping to make it the rest of the way safely, when a hand grabbed the neck of his coat.
- Where are you going?! - It was Qrow who really didn't want to let him go. - You're coming with us too!
- That's not why I'm here! - He tried to fight back but Yang pushed him up from the other side, causing him to fall backwards.
- I don't care why you're here! You will help!
- I really hope - Roman stood up angrily. – that I get a fat check in Atlas for this.
There was no turning back, Blake cut off the back wagons and the front of the train was already moving away, team RWBY, Oscar, Qrow and Roman were already on the roof when they came out of the tunnel to face the alpha manticore Grimm but the smaller they followed them through the tunnel. They took off again and targeted the train, where the alpha landed again.
- NOW! - Ruby shouted into her Scroll, signaling the JNR team to hide the passengers' emotions now.
Ren put his hand on the floor of the other car, Jaune on his shoulder and they both used their Semblance. The train went gray and silent as Ren covered the entire train, everyone on it, and Jaune's hand glowed yellow as he powered up his friend.
The train and all its passengers became invisible to the Grimm and giving up the chase, they headed towards the rear of the train, where they sensed the team and the relic.
Oscar watched in the farthest car as the people to safety moved away from them so they didn't have to worry about civilian casualties but a Grimm attacked him from behind but he quickly reacted and counterattacked with his cane. The Grimm fought back and pushed the boy to the ground but an explosion finished the manticore and vaporized it. He realized with relief that it was Roman who helped him up.
The members of team RWBY also continued to fight, Yang grabbed the two horns of one of the Grimm, spun it around and sent it into the air with a straight right. Blake lunged at another, which was about to strike with its stinger but she jumped aside and cut off the tail with Gumbo Shroud. Ruby cut off the limbs of another with Crescent Rose, then jumped on its back and cut off its head, then jumped on another, which it cut off its wing and shot the Grimm in the head as it jumped back but when it hit the ground it dodged a fireball.
After rescuing Oscar, Roman dodged a fireball, hit his attacker in the head with Melodic Cludgel, causing it to stagger back, jump onto its back and in order to shake off its unwanted passenger, spread its wings and took off. As Roman put his weight on the creature, he was able to control it and see the battlefield better from high up and provide fire support with Melodic Cludgel.
He saved Oscar from another monster, wounding it to Yang enough that she could kill it with a single blow and was about to help Qrow finish off the alpha but another manticore eyeing him pushed its partner to the side, so pushing Roman off its back. He didn't panic, he fired Melodic Cludgel's hook, which caught the side of the train and dragged him after the train. Once he got close enough to the train, he scrambled back and calmly noted that Qrow and team RWBY had already taken care of the alpha.
Qrow was pushed back by the alpha snake tail but stabbing Harbinger into the floor slowed his slide but he couldn't dodge the large fireball the creature shot at him and he fell backwards.
Summoning runes, Weiss sped between herself and the creature and distracted it until Ruby and Roman opened fire on it from a distance.
- We have to force it to the ground! – Ruby immediately noticed that the alpha wanted to fly away again.
- I'm on it! - Blake knew what to do. - Yang!
After smashing another small Grimm, the blonde girl ran towards her teammates, more specifically towards the alpha, to offer support.
- I'm watching your back! - Roman shot another Grimm. Ruby and he exchanged a look and understood without words that they had to trust each other.
Yang jumped onto another wagon and was already at the alpha and slipped under it, then appeared behind him. Blake tossed the other end of Gumbo Shroud over it, which Yang pushed back under the Grimm with a blow, so that the ribbon was completely wrapped around it and went towards Yang again but this time she stabbed the blade into the floor with a punch and they pulled the ribbon down with Blake, preventing the Grimm from flying away again. While the Grimm let out a loud roar, it didn't notice Weiss appear in front of it, floating on a rune, summoning two others, which the snake and monster head looked at curiously but the next moment its wings froze and immediately shattered into pieces after Qrow shot with Harbinger and Ruby with Crescent Rose at.
- Anytime! – Roman executed the last little manticorn.
Finally, Ruby and Qrow prepared for the final blow, readying their weapons but in the process the alpha began to shoot a huge fireball from its mouth but before it could fire, Ruby and Qrow launched the final blow, spinning in the air, swinging their scythes in a single, shared split the alpha's body was in two with a blow.
Before the monster could evaporate for good, it fired the fireball with the last of its strength but it could no longer aim, so it flew into the air and hit the rail, which was damaged. Before they hit, Weiss quickly summoned a black gravity rune under each of them that kept them atop the train but the train still derailed and crashed hard into the snowy wasteland, scattering debris, remaining luggage, and team members everywhere.
- Everybody is OK?! - Qrow was immediately worried about the others.
- Holler if you're dead! - Roman jokingly dusted himself off.
- I'm fine. - Weiss stood up.
- We too! - Yang helped Ruby up.
- I'm alive too! - An unknown but all the more excited, old woman's voice was heard from one of the wagons.
She was a short, dark-skinned, gray-haired old woman, her long hair tied in a string down her back, and she wore a dark blue coat, cloak, and white fur coat. She covered her eyes with a gray vision machine with blue lenses that looked like a high-tech machine. She limped out of the wrecked train with a dark blue death's head stick and a grin on his face.
- It was pretty tight though.
- I'm sorry, - Roman was the first to speak after the others just looked at the aunt in silent babble. - but who the f*ck are you? Didn't the passengers transfer to the other car?
- I was a little behind. – The old lady kept on stumbling as if she were taking part in some big adventure. - But wow, it was totally worth it!
- Let's collect what we can, - Qrow ordered as he began to gather up the scattered Dust crystals and vials.
- That's great! - Yang just angrily tried to pull her motorcycle out of the snow. - This is just great! - She pulled another one. - We're stuck here! - One more. - We lost two-thirds of the team! - She pulled it a third time. - And we didn't win anything… just a helpless old woman! - Finally, she pulled the bike out of the snow, but she fell to the ground.
- My name, - The old lady introduced herself indignantly. - is Maria Calavera and I'm not that helpless! I'm just a little hard of hearing! And I'm blind without my glasses! – She nudged her vision device a little, which made a spark. - What needs to be fixed urgently... - She nudged it again, the blue lens expanded for a moment but quickly closed. After another poke, it opened a crack. - Okay, I'm not arguing about that.
- You should know, - Roman, even if he started collecting, was very angry with Qrow. – that you owe me 30,000 Liens for my new coat! - He pointed to the tear on his jacket.
- Come on, - Qrow just shrugged. - you stole it anyway.
- The question of details. - Roman just waved.
- And you, - Qrow tried to calm the girls down. - calm down! Losing our minds now will only attract more Grimm here!
- What does that matter?! - Blake snapped. - Looks like we've been attracting the Grimm ever since we left Haven!
- Oh, - Yang realized. – and I forgot that! - She looked sternly at Oscar. - What about not lying anymore?
- Don't think that, - Roman now stood next to the two girls. – you should have said this? I mean... - He laughed. – aren't you the honest headmaster who should set a good example? – The girls felt that Roman was just mocking but what he said was completely justified.
- Yes. – Oscar looked up, clearly talking to Ozpin. - It's time for an explanation. - His eyes flashed yellow, signifying that Ozpin had taken over.
- I didn't lie to you. - He nailed it.
- Well, - Weiss joined the others who didn't trust Ozpin at the moment. - you clearly didn't tell everything about the relic.
- Please, - Ozpin tried to calm the mood. - there is no time to...
- Enough! - It was Yang who glared at the headmaster. - We want to know why you didn't tell us everything? – Everyone joined Yang and looked at him demanding an answer.
- True, - Ozpin spoke after a long silence. – that the Grimm are attracted to the relic. This is an undeniable fact. Something that comes from their nature… I really don't know why. Regardless, I was worried that revealing this would only stir up worry and negativity that was unnecessary. That seemed like the safer option.
- You know, - Weiss felt something very familiar about having someone else decide what to do with her. - I'm getting really tired of someone else telling me what's good for me.
- Is that why you lied to everyone about Professor Leonhearth?! - Yang reminded him, since at Ozpin's request, Qrow told the media that he died as a hero, protecting the academy and his students.
- Yes, if you ask! – Ozpin looked angry for the first time, he felt the hatred and contempt they felt for Leo and it made him angry. - I feel, - He started pacing up and down. - Mistral's kingdom deserves better than the truth! And I think Leonardo deserves to be remembered as he lived most of his life and not for the unfortunate mistakes he made in the last year of his life!
- "MISTAKES"?! - Yang could hardly believe that Ozpin, after what Leo did, was still protecting him.
- Professor Leonheart's betrayal was a terrible crime, which he committed against the entire people of Remnant and I will not argue about that! - He wanted to clarify that. - But that one sin of his cannot overshadow the many good things he did before! Not everyone has the luxury of penance! You may remember Leonheart that way but you'll never get the chance to meet the man he was before Salem found him.
- Look, - Yang wanted to clarify another thing. – we're in this together! You can trust us! We won't turn against you… - Ozpin, unnaturally loud and indignant, choked Yang.
- YOU THINK LEO WAS THE FIRST WHO BETRAYED ME?! - There was a shocked silence and nothing could be heard except the howling of the wind and the falling of the snow. - That he didn't say those words to me, the same as you? I'm sorry but you have to understand that behind my behavior there are serious experiences and I'm not saying that I have reason to think that you will turn against me, only I have reason to keep certain things in secret. The secrets I keep back are just... - As he groped his right thigh, he realized with horror that he had lost something very important. He looked around nervously, but couldn't find it. - Where is the relic?
- Here. – Ruby spoke, sad and disappointed, holding the lantern. - You could have dropped it during the accident.
- Please, - Ozpin held out his hand, worried and terrified. - give it here. – Ruby didn't move, now she realized that the person who taught her so much and whom she thought was her mentor, actually didn't believe in them.
- So, - Ruby concluded. – when you said that you believed in humanity… did you just say it because of the others?
- I… - Ozpin sighed, remembering what he had said earlier. - that's not what I wanted to refer. Ms. Rose, the relic is a very powerful tool and I feel it is my responsibility to carry it.
- But… - Ruby didn't understand why he wanted the relic so much. - you said it couldn't do anything anymore.
- It doesn't matter, - Blake reminded her. – who's carrying it?
- Isn't that obvious? - Roman smiled slyly as everyone looked at him. - Because he's still hiding something. - Their eyes widened. - I have a feeling, - He looked at the lantern in Ruby's hand. – that it does more than just light up. - As much as they didn't like Roman, what he said made sense and they glared at Ozpin.
- You have to understand that… - He started to walk towards Ruby, but suddenly stopped and twitched strangely.
- Oz? - Qrow looked at him worriedly.
- Hurry! - It was Oscar but he made serious efforts. - He's trying to…stop me! - He looked at Ruby.
- From what? - Yang didn't understand.
- Hides the dirt. – Roman was absolutely sure of his work. Ozpin is hiding something he really doesn't want to they know.
- Yes! - Oscar agreed, then collapsed. - Her name is... - He could barely raise his head but he was still looking at Ruby. - Jinn! Say her name to summon her!
- Her name? – Ruby looked at the lantern and began to spin it in her hand and nervously noted that everyone was looking at her. - Jinn?
As soon as she said this, the snow stopped but it didn't let up, it was as if time had stopped and there was complete silence.
- What the…
The lantern began to rotate and float, then began to emit a strange blue smoke and float further and further away. As soon as it got far enough, it stopped but it was still in the air and the blue smoke that completely engulfed it grew bigger and bigger, covering the lantern and a huge female figure formed from it, which solidified and a giant woman with light blue skin appeared, on her naked body were only golden chains and broken shackles. She had long pointed ears and dark blue hair that reached down to her bare waist.
The woman was floating in the air, stretching gracefully, as if she had woken up from a long sleep.
- Amazing! - She spoke but everyone from the team stared with wide eyes at the practically completely naked, floating giant woman and they couldn't spit or swallow. - Tell me, - She turned her dark blue eyes on Ruby. – what kind of knowledge are you looking for? – Since no one had spoken yet, she felt it was time to introduce herself. - My name is Jinn, created by the God of Light to help mankind in its quest for knowledge. It is in my power to answer 3 questions every 100 years. You're in luck because I can still…
- That's enough! - Ozpin quickly interrupted.
- Two questions at this age. – Jinn didn't care about Ozpin's intervention, she finished, which made Ozpin lower his head in shame but everyone looked at him in shock, as it became clear that Ozpin lied to their faces and Roman was the one who told the truth. - Good to see you again, old man. - She smiled at Ozpin like an old acquaintance.
- Ruby… - Ozpin begged. - please, don't.
- As it turned out, - Roman leaned on Melodic Cludgel with a smug smile. – who they think is perfect, is actually the biggest *sshole.
- Hey… - Qrow ignored Roman's comment and moved closer to the girls but Weiss, Blake and Yang, at that moment, reached for their weapons, prepared to use violence even against Qrow. Realizing how much her team was protecting Ruby and he couldn't do anything about it and stepped back. - Do what you must, kid.
- If I were in your place, - Roman just stood next to Qrow but he wasn't worried at all that the three girls were pointing their weapons directly at him and Qrow, he just looked at Ruby and smiled evilly. – I'd do it.
- Jinn, - Ruby didn't care if what she was doing was right or wrong, she didn't care if Roman approved of it, she didn't care if her uncle was against it, she wanted to know the truth. – what is Ozpin hiding from us?
- NOOOOO! - Ozpin stood up at that moment, running between Qrow and Roman to take the lantern from Ruby but the next moment they found themselves in a great whiteness, alone.
After realizing that Ozpin was gone, Ruby found herself alone in the great whiteness along with the others.
- What... - She was terrified, there was no one anywhere, just him and the whiteness. - Weiss? Yang?!
- Blake?! - Yang saw no one in the great, endless whiteness.
- Ruby?! – Weiss was also worried about where she might be, since she was left alone. - Ruby?
- Yang?! - Blake looked for her friends too, to no avail.
- Girls?! - Qrow was worried about his nieces.
- Little Red?! – Even for Roman, what happened was inexplicable.
- Once upon a time, - Jinn's voice was heard, but she was nowhere to be seen but soil began to grow on the ground, grass grew and a whole clearing appeared, at the end of which a huge castle was formed. - there was a remote, lonely castle that had a very tall tower, - Suddenly the location changed and they found themselves in a bedroom. – in which a lonely girl lived. – A make-up table appeared, with a mirror above it, in front of which a girl was combing her long, light-blond hair, which she wore in a bun at the back but she turned and opened her sad, blue eyes. - Her name was Salem.
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