Disclaimer: This is fanfiction. Anything you recognize is not mine. All characters and events in this story are entirely fictional.
-=oOo=-
Hermione came back down to the common room at Harry's insistence. Madam Pomfrey was not letting him out of her domain and he thought one of them should be there. She noted the faculty table was filling up, not just with the cursebreakers but all the faculty. That was surprising.
"Come, take a place," said Albus.
She warily sat between Tonks and Professor Vector.
Rowan stood. "I will have to ask that he be excluded." She pointed to professor Snape.
"Why is that?" asked Albus. Snape was clearly bristling.
"There is some similarity with how Harry was," she replied softly.
"Professor Snape has my full faith."
"It is not a matter what he has or doesn't have. I will not have that taint inside our merge. We can take him up and try to repeat what we did with Harry. I suspect it would be easier, if my impressions are correct, but I do not know that. He could die."
"What is she talking about?" asked Snape. His curiosity overcame his annoyance.
"Harry had a fragment of Voldemort's soul lodged in his scar. It's gone now. He is in the hospital wing recovering from minor core damage as a result. It's a miracle it came out that well," said Albus.
"What?" exclaimed Snape.
"That is why we are here; to finish the Dark Lord. I may delay school opening, if need be, to get this done."
Snape turned back to Rowan. "You can remove it?" He didn't say what it was.
"We can try, though after our first attempt would probably be better," said Rowan.
"Alright." Snape got up and moved to the nearest table.
"What I'm going to lead is I believe what you would call shared legilimency. It isn't that, but thoughts are apt to be shared. If you don't want to be a part, then step away. Honestly I don't know why so many are here as is, but if this Dark Lord frightens you, where you can't think in his progress, please step away now."
None did.
"Alright, let's see if we can find the rest of him. Join hands please." She turned to Severus. "I may ask you questions or to do something, since you can act independently."
"I believe I understand," said Severus.
"Good."
-=oOo=-
Snape used a bit of wand work to engage something close to mage sight as he looked upon the ensemble. Magic and something else was flowing freely as a locus spread out, then quickly shot upwards.
"Seventh Floor. Go. Lower your shielding, not totally, just a little," sent Rowan to Snape
Snape got up and began to climb the stairs. He felt the group with him every step of the way. When he got to the top he went one way, then got to the end.
"Passed it, somehow. Turn around," the group mind sent.
He walked again. About two thirds the way he again heard in his mind, "Passed it again. Something is odd here. A hidden room of some kind."
"Obviously," he said dryly.
"There was a room up here that had chamber pots when I needed it once," thought Albus.
"Dobby?" the part that was Hermione thought.
"Why would you want the ex Malfoy house elf?" asked Snape.
"He might know something, or the elves might," though the part that was Hermione.
"Dobby, come here," said Snape.
Dobby appeared. "You called?" asked Dobby suspiciously.
"Hermione just indicated you may know something about a hidden room here."
"Dobby, can you hear us?" thought Hermione.
"Dobby hears. Dobby not see."
"They are downstairs. That is their mind. Now answer the question."
"Please Dobby," thought Hermione.
"You maybe want the come and go room. Just walk past there three times and think of what you need." He pointed to a tapestry where someone was trying to teach trolls to dance.
Snape focused on a room that would contain part of the Dark Lord's soul and walked past three times. A door appeared.
"This is far too easy," he said.
He warily opened it.
"Stop. Wait for us," the combined mind said.
"Probably for the best, I suppose." He closed the door.
About ten minutes later the rest made their way up to where he was.
"There is absolutely no way this many people are getting near one of those objects. Let's do Gringotts personnel, the headmaster, Filius, and Rowan, I think," said Garnok.
"I will be in a link with the others. We should be able to shield you from any mental attacks, but if it involves magic, we probably cannot help," said Rowan.
"It's better than we normally get. Come on," said Garnok.
-=oOo=-
"How bad is this thing they are facing?" asked Hermione to Snape softly.
"As bad as it gets. It is a miracle Potter lives."
"And you?"
"Will not be discussed."
-=oOo=-
"I can sense it," said Rowan, her voice still distant because of the merge she was a part of.
"Then lead the way, slowly," said Garnok.
She did so, and after several minutes they reached it.
"I must have it," said Bill Weasley. He reached for it. Rowan gestured and kept him from moving. She then touched him and he stopped.
"Thanks."
"You are inside our shields now. Is anyone else affected?" asked Rowan.
"We all are. We are just fighting it better," said Garnok.
Rowan touched each of them.
"That works. Can you sustain it long?"
"It's a lot of people against a lot of pressure. Do what needs done. Take the time you need, but no more. We will hold," said Rowan.
Garnock gestured with his hand and the diadem floated to the ground.
"Can we just destroy it?" asked Rowan.
"If you know how to," said Garnock.
Rowan pulled a phaser from her belt, turned it up to kill and fired. It survived. She brought it up to maximum and fired again. It vaporized.
"I'd pay a lot of money for one of those," said Garnock.
"Sorry, can't do that, but we can certainly keep blowing them up."
"That was a priceless artifact," said Albus sadly.
"Not since before it was tainted," said Garnock.
"I can release the merge and your protection, correct?" asked Rowan.
"You can," said Albus.
Rowan seemed to visibly relax. "That was more tiring than I thought it would be, but I think we should continue and find the rest, or at least till we no longer safely can," said Rowan.
"Agreed," said Albus grimly.
-=oOo=-
They went back to the table and resumed their search. Their group mind went almost directly towards Gringotts.
Garnok and the other two goblins cursed fluently as their combined mind drifted down, then into the oldest vaults, then into the Black vaults, and finally into the Bellatrix Lestrange's vault. The merge broke up.
"We will go and take care of this one ourselves. I would, however, appreciate Rowan and who she selects help to make sure the vile thing doesn't trick anyone," said Garnok.
Rowan said, "Lyta, I think you would be enough for a short time, which would let the others go help Mr. Snape. Do you agree?"
Lyta nodded.
-=oOo=-
Severus could hardly believe he was in space. Let alone they were going to repeat a trip to another dimension, mostly to not change what happened to Harry. He was in their infirmary. Piper, Celeste, and Phoebe were there, if his mind looked to be in danger. He refused to let the Dark Lord win, in even that small way.
He was totally shocked when blood and gore burst out his arm and vaporized. The doctor, however, was ready, and so were the telepaths as they gently immobilized his arm and allowed the doctor to finish removing the contamination and begin to heal it. Remarkable. He was free. He could not believe he was free.
They reversed course and returned to Hogwarts.
-=oOo=-
The next morning they began again, finding the one at Grimmauld place. Sirius let them in and they made short work of it. They then found one in a very old and very dangerously trapped shack. Garnok was about to request more cursebreakers when Riker asked, "Do you mind if we just destroy the whole thing?"
"With that gun thing?"
"I was thinking a little bigger weapon that than," said Riker dryly.
"We should probably move further back," said Lafiel.
"A lot further back," said Jinto.
Riker touched his com badge. "Sobaash, Samson, do you have the shack in front of me on sensors?"
"We do."
"Can you destroy it totally, once we get to a safe distance? You will need to come down close so we don't freak out half the world," said Riker.
"That is not a problem. Stand by," said Sobaash.
They moved back to a hill almost a mile away, through a combination of teleportation and apparition. They had just taken cover when Riker heard Sobaash say, "We are ready."
"Alright everyone, close your eyes, get down, and look away," said Riker. He wanted for them them to do so then said, "You can fire when ready."
A single energy beam lanced out and vaporized the shack, and ten feet below it, leaving a cratter nearly fifty foot wide and ten feet deep.
"That did it," said Rowan with a smile.
"There is one remaining," said Albus.
"The main one," added Garnok.
"Let's finish this," said Snape.
They quickly traced it to an old mansion. They apparated or teleported to a spot barely in sight of it.
"Three inside. One is the target. It's wrong somehow. A baby, yet not, and dark. The other two have the thing Severus had," said Lyta.
"Probably a homunculus. Someone's baby was killed to keep that abomination alive," said Garnok.
"Can the baby be saved?" asked Rowan.
"No. The only kindness we can do is to finish this."
Albus nodded.
"So, do we need to fight the grand battle, or can I just order that one blown up too?" asked Riker.
"Why not?" asked Albus.
"Agreed," said Severus.
Ten minutes later Voldemort was finally truly dead.
"I can't believe it's over," said Albus softly.
Riker tapped his com badge. "Falcon, thanks for the help. Now, can you fill in the holes?"
"We will handle it," said Sobaash.
"Thanks." They returned to Hogwarts.
-=oOo=-
The Founder joined them at the Hogwarts table this time.
"You know, this won't fix all the problems. A lot of Death Eaters remain," said Severus from the faculty table where they were meeting.
"I'm not sure we should be trying to fix everything for you, or not. The Voldemort thing was clearly one such threat, particularly since we had been charged to keep Harry and Tonks safe, but everything is another matter," said Riker.
"We will deal with them," said Shacklebolt.
"With our minister?" scoffed Tonks.
"I would like to see enough resources left that Tonks remains safe, that is, assuming she is to remain here. If need be, I will provide them," said the Elder.
"I'd like to make sure the other Death Eaters are in jail before I go elsewhere," said Tonks.
"The problem is I'm running at basically the limit of my authority here. I can see the Federation wanting contact with people with such abilities, but not to the point of exposing a world to what is beyond. I've already authorized more than I should, mostly in the name of not seeing anyone die a pointless death, and I need people to keep quiet about it. If you can do that, I'll try to get some help here who can help and guide more than I'm able to," said Riker.
"The Abh could do this, though I'm not sure we have been that good at our dealings with surface worlds," said Lafiel.
"They could help. I was thinking of asking Shion if she could field a group, well her Federation more likely."
"I'm sure everyone here will keep this secret. Most would not believe us anyway," said Albus.
Riker tapped his com badge. "Riker to Falcon."
"Ekuryua here."
"Can you contact Shion's group, and give her the details of this current situation. Please explain how the prime directive is limiting us. Basically see what she thinks about her group offering limited help to make sure this turns out well. I could see meeting people with such abilities having benefits for their Federation as well. Frankly, I could see anyone who wanted to join ours also liking theirs."
"I'll talk to her and see what she says," said Ekuryua.
"Thanks."
"So, what is the difference between you and your allies?" asked Tonks curiously.
"Different paths, but still good people. Some of their tech may be better. I'm not sure it matters that much." Riker shrugged.
"How about we eat?" asked Minerva.
"That sounds like a splendid idea," said Albus.
-=oOo=-
Shion considered the conversation she just had. She had deferred giving an answer, but there was clearly a lot of potential to be had. She turned to Allen. "What do you think?"
"If in doubt, explain to the chain of command and see what they think. Personally, I think they will send a ship to help them manage the situation. It won't be us. They aren't sending a ship this valuable on a mission that might take decades, well unless it is to briefly get it started. It wouldn't even be one ship probably, but different ones over time."
"Go ahead and make the call. Just send them everything and ask for further instructions."
"Will do."
-=oOo=-
The next evening they met again at Hogwarts. Shion, Allen, Momo, and Kosmos walked in with them.
"My government has decided to aid you. It won't be us, I'm afraid, save for the first week or two. We also aren't going to fix everything, but we will help for the sake of those that would be hurt if we did not. We will try to help you manage the situation towards a better government, and some, if we are careful may choose to join one or the other Federation. To that end we planned to negotiate with an international body to make sure the secret of our existence is equally protected," said Shion.
"Your going to do what exactly?" asked Professor Babbage.
"Likely help track criminals, help prove they are criminals, etc. Obviously not for petty crimes, but for those where there is true danger. We can also help keep the non magical world from finding you. We aren't going to fix your government. We may, however, post unbiased analysis of candidates somewhere, and fund legitimate press type organizations, but the actual choices are yours."
"So, can you help us find something to lock up Lucius Malfoy?" asked the teacher.
"We can try. We aren't going to fabricate anything, but yes, we can certainly try to make sure those that deserve incarceration get it."
"Azkaban is obscene," said Garnok.
"Pardon?" asked Shion.
"They use soul devouring demons to guard the place. That is where their worst criminals go."
"Is this true?" asked Shion.
"It is, unfortunately," said Albus.
"This will need changed. Those imprisoned are not to be tortured, let alone this. This will need changed and soon."
"So, is everyone good here? Honestly having both Shion's group and my own seems overkill," said Riker.
"It is overkill. Athena certain is, as is Falcon. We are stand ins," said Allen.
"We do, however, appreciate that you solved the main problem before contacting us, even if the small problems are likely to take a lot longer," said Shion.
"I'll owe you one," said Riker.
"I suspect we will gain more of the long term benefit from this, but then you have your rules and we have ours."
"We never did get a chance to practice trying to teach Tonks to fly," said Celeste.
"Well, I suppose we can spend another day or so here, unless something comes up," said Riker.
"I'd like to see this as well," said Shion.
"I want to learn the skill," said Lyta Alexander.
"Then it seems we are going to be here for a bit more," said Riker.
"Can we drink our test wine now?" asked Rowan hopefully.
"That we can. We might even make some more, and maybe try some variations."
"Party!" exclaimed Tonks.
"Let me get the bottles beamed down and some more to try to improve," said Riker.
-=oOo=-
Captain Jean-Luc Picard viewed the video someone took of the festivities at Hogwarts. Will had sent it along. He found that he quite wanted to try this new method of improving wine and made a note to get it for his own vineyards, somehow. He would also talk with the Admirals. Some of what Falcon did were violations. He was guilty of them as well, but he thought he could convince them that long term, his actions were the right ones. It did help that they palmed the task off on the other Federation. They would get more gains from this, but they would avoid the problems that continuing interference would bring.
There had been no more attacks for close to three weeks from the Shadows or their allies. He wished he knew if it was finally over, or they were just waiting for them to leave. Part of him would much rather be doing what Riker was, but duty was duty, and he would do his.
-=oOo=-
Falcon's holiday ended just over two days later. They had another possible alert on the system L'Nea developed that no one but her quite knew how worked.
They emerged onto a copy of Earth with out of control global warming led by a six dictators that lied to their people continuously. Their people loved them and thought of them as the salvation of humankind, though two of the other five were the devil incarnate. Exactly who thought what just depended on geography.
"I don't see how we help this mess. I don't like it. I don't like it at all, but look at the history we have dug up. They had so many points to avoid this, and just kept walking away," said Riker.
"What about those that even now want better?" asked Lyta softly.
"Come up with a plan and get it past Starfleet. I'll help you present it. I'm willing to push as much as the next person, but not without a plan."
"This has some similarities with the mess that is the United Mankind. It can be solved, but it has been a huge amount of effort for the Empress and everyone that is helping. There is no one fix. Your basically committing to help as much as required for as long as required, being very careful to try not to make matters worse," said Lafiel soberly.
"There is also the sad matter that the resources required to fix that mess, is resources we can't spend on other problems," said Riker.
"What about just one country? We help just one country. No that won't work. The planet is being destroyed," said Lyta.
"The best I can see is to selectively move people off the planet. Basically, choose who can live or die and move them to a new world. It's a horrible choice, but if you move everyone, presumably you will get the same result. Even then, it is a huge commitment," said L'Nea.
"Can they not be taught?" asked Jinto softly.
"it is not that they are stupid. At some level they have chosen to believe the nonsense. I don't think reason is going to fix a problem that they didn't reason their way into," said Riker.
"I could bring some into a merge, though doing so without them consenting is something I'm loath to do. That is the only way I know to maybe show the truth. Even then it won't be but a drop in the bucket, not unless we do it over and over," said Rowan.
"We could take control of all their communications and make sure they see actual truth. I don't love the idea. I just don't see a better one," said Jadzia.
"So use the fact that we are stronger to win. By all means let's plan, but right now I've seen nothing I'm going to authorize, but feel free to prove me wrong. I honestly hope you do," said Riker.
"The least bad one I can think of, would be to maybe lend Lyta and me a runabout. It's a lot of work, but we could manipulate things. Try to save these people from themselves. It would take years probably, and maybe decades," said L'Nea.
"We will spend some time here planning. See what you can come up with. We may do some things, if it isn't traced back to us. I'm not ready to commit to a long term mission," said Riker.
"Fake a history of some of the key tech they need, maybe with one or two errors someone can find and fix, maybe," added Jadzia.
"Let's start putting ideas into a sim. We have computers for a reason. We can also start gathering detailed info for the simulation," said L'Nea.
"Agreed," said Riker.
-=oOo=-
"How the hell are those rationalist bastards scooping us with all this dirt?" asked the President.
"We don't know."
"They can't win, can they?" he asked warily.
"I don't know. Maybe. The problem with all the gerrymandering, is if the other side does eventually get a large enough margin then most of the results will flip."
"Surely that isn't possible, with all we have done to push results in our favor? Heck, it is almost impossible for many of those that oppose us even vote."
"They have found ways around it. They are fighting in every avenue possible. Funding is coming from all over. All of it apparently legit. It frankly makes no sense, but they are doing it."
"How do we adapt and overcome?"
"I don't know. We need to figure out where they are getting their intel from. There are recorded conversations they can't possibly have obtained, but they have them, complete with video."
-=oOo=-
"Captain's log. It has been nearly a year of work, and so far our deprogramming efforts seem to be somewhat effective, combined with carefully releasing selective technologies to give them a chance at least of restoring their planet, someday, to normal. We are transitioning to a new team composed of a mixed Federation and Abh crew in a few days. A lot of retired officers are coming back into service to try to do missions like this, and it certainly seems worth doing. I just wish there was a better way. End log."
Q appeared. Riker looked over at him.
"Is there a better way?" asked Riker.
"I assume your not asking for me to make you a Q so you could just snap your fingers?"
"No."
"Children sometimes need guidance, even when they should not be children," said Q absently.
"I guess."
"Are you annoyed that you have to do this work, or are you annoyed that regular humans can't manage to govern themselves?"
"The second mostly. The line between order and chaos is, as always, far too thin."
"Get used to it," said Q.
"Fair enough. Do you think we can make a difference here?"
"Do you really need an answer to that?"
"No. We will make a difference if we don't give up, but there is no guarantee they won't backslide. Heck there is no guarantee the Federation won't. There is no finished. We just have to keep working."
"Pretty much. So, how close have you got to figuring out how to make good wine?" asked Q.
"The one Hermione infused with the energy from her Patronus was best, of those I drank."
"Not surprising. Did you know Picard is scheming to try to get someone, or several someones with the knack at his family vineyards?"
"Anyone with the ability and strength to do it often enough probably has better things to do," said Riker.
"True, but he isn't giving up. He is actually trying to get Renee to learn maybe. That is his brother's son."
"I wish him the best of luck. Hopefully he has the potential."
Q nodded. "You know you should have probably helped their world yourself, rather than palming it off."
"I figured I was pushing our luck prime directive wise, and while Falcon isn't really a Starfleet Vessel, we still need them to support us. I can't just ignore them."
"You were. Picard talked to some people, to keep them from making a fuss. You'd still have been better off if you managed to get the bulk of their loyalty and got them in Starfleet, though your choice works too, so I can't complain."
Riker nodded. "Is this one any better?"
"You ran it all through Starfleet. They grudgingly signed off on it all. Are a lot of them happy? No. Did they see a better option? No."
"I must admit, this odd chat is a much better way to spend the day, than how we met," said Riker.
"I don't know. I had a lot of fun back then." Q vanished.
-=oOo=-
The next day on the bridge Jadzia was busy reviewing the information coming in from all the information taps they had into their systems. It helped that the computer organized most of it. She was reading when one piece of information caught her eye. She glanced over at the Captain who was chatting with Neela about some maintenance task.
"Will, can I get a couple minutes?" she asked.
He turned and said, "Sure."
She pointed at her screen and asked, "What do you think? That seems the opposite of the message we are trying to send."
"Work on a plan to reverse it, though I think, instead of there being a gap in coverage, well, we can use a bit of shore leave, don't you think?"
"The Abh, L'Nea, and Neela?"
"Hair die and maybe Julian has ideas there. We certainly have enough other crew to cover our absence for a few days."
-=oOo=-
"This die had better come out," said Lafiel seriously, even as Jinto smiled in amusement.
"Brown hair looks good on you." Lafiel glared. Jinto added quickly, "Not that it is better than blue of course." Lafiel smiled.
"I have to wear this plastic strip thing, like my nose is injured. Ridiculous," said Neela.
"I cheated and created holographic mask to hide my features. The doctor's ideas were not going to happen," said L'Nea.
"It's better than this thing," added Neela.
"Or this foul liquid in my hair," complained Lafiel.
"I have no such problems," said the Elder who changed into a perfectly ordinary woman with a smirk.
"Come on guys. We have a job to do," said Riker with amusement.
-=oOo=-
The lead reporter looked over and asked, "Are we ready to go live yet?"
"Almost. Look there is the last replacement crew, ready to welcome immigrants to the island."
"I see. They are opening the gates."
"Your live."
"Hello this is Ronny Henderson here at Ellis Island where we mark the end of a proud tradition of welcoming Immigrants into the country. Let's go talk to the people who are doing this noble duty one final time." He walked up to Rowan who had a slightly more ornate uniform. In the background there was a several others getting out instruments.
"Can you tell us what is going on?"
"We thought we would make today special, at least as best as we can. We still hope they will change their mind and fund this place."
"Many would agree with you. There is the new group of immigrants, numbering I think five hundred and seven coming now."
"Are many watching us?" asked Rowan.
"Your live across an entire nation, and a fair amount of the world. It is prime time. I should think so."
"Good." She walked up to a microphone that was setup, while the others began to play, or at least to pretend to. Rowan and company began to sing.
On the first day of January 1892
They opened Ellis Island and they let the people through
And the first to cross the threshold of that isle of hope and tears
Was Annie Moore from Ireland who was all of fifteen years
It was so much more than song. You could feel every word as it touched and pulled at your heart strings, as they sang to the new comers to the country and to the world as well. A dim part of them felt their song in their bones as Rowan and the others did what they reasonably could to draw attention here.
Isle of hope, isle of tears
Isle of freedom, isle of fears
But it's not the isle you've left behind
That isle of hunger, isle of pain
Isle you'll never see again
But the isle of home is always on your mind
The reporter and his staff were riveted, as were people across the country. Lafiel began singing a solo. The camera zoomed in on her, showing her now brown hair, but also showing her elfin ears. The song continued.
In her little bag, she carried all her past and history
And her dreams for the future in the land of liberty
And courage is the passport when your old world disappears
But there's no future in the past when you're fifteen years
Everyone resumed singing. The cameraman panned to a little girl in the group of migrants at seemingly an opportune time. She carried a threadbare bag. She wasn't fifteen. She was perhaps no more than ten. The camera panned showing all, of all ages and genders as Rowan and the others continued to sing, as the world continued to feel it all.
Isle of hope, isle of tears
Isle of freedom, isle of fears
But it's not the isle you've left behind
That isle of hunger, isle of pain
Isle you'll never see again
But the isle of home is always on your mind
When they closed down Ellis Island in two thousand twenty five
One hundred and seventy three million people had come there for sanctuary
And in springtime when I came here and I stepped onto its piers
I thought of how it must have been when you're fifteen years
This time the camera panned to a young red headed girl, clinging to her mother that could have been the one in the song.
Isle of hope, isle of tears
Isle of freedom, isle of fears
But it's not the isle you've left behind
That isle of hunger, isle of pain
Isle you'll never see again
But the isle of home is always on your mind
Isle of hope, isle of tears
Isle of freedom, isle of fears
But it's not the isle you've left behind
That isle of hunger, isle of pain
Isle you'll never see again
But the isle of home is always on your mind
The isle of home is always on your mind
They finished welcoming them, each shaking each of their hands and bidding them welcome. The next day when the original crew came to continue the now funded job and to talk to those that where here the day before, no trace of them remained.
-=oOo=-
"So did anyone notice we weren't really playing the instruments?" asked Riker later on the ship.
"I had to keep the camera from going that way a couple times, but nothing notable," said Phoebe.
"What about how heavily we were broadcasting emotions? We were definitely on the line there, if not exceeding it a few times," said Rowan.
"They have no way to connect that to something beyond being caught up in emotions. It will be fine, at least as long as we don't repeat it," said L'Nea.
Rowan nodded.
-=oOo=-
Picard loaded the holodeck program that Riker had sent. The rest of his bridge crew was also there. He also had a bottle of wine that Celeste helped make. He poured a glass for everyone before playing the recording. The song was of course in their historical database. They had not made it nearly as many years before they closed Ellis Island, so perhaps there was more hope for that world than he had originally thought. They watched the recording silently. It couldn't convey the moment. The emotions were missing, but it was precious still.
-=oOo=-
Q appeared on Falcon after they left that world. He was holding a cup of coffee.
"Anyone want to go save a life? And by anyone I mean either Phoebe, Celeste, Piper, probably. Anyone else would probably die. They may die too." He drank a sip of his coffee.
"Why not me?" asked Rowan.
"I can't give you all the fun missions. To be fair, I won't stop you from finding whomever I take, if I take. I also won't help you. There is very serious risk involved."
"I'll do it," said Piper.
She vanished.
"I really would have preferred if we went as a team," said Rowan.
"I know, but now and then everyone needs to spread their wings. She is strong enough for this. I wouldn't send your children to a death they couldn't avoid," said Q.
"You know I will always stand in their place for danger," said Rowan.
"Yes, I do, but they need to grown on their own. Don't worry. I'm sure you'll find her in time." Q vanished.
"Find her. The Klingon mission will wait," said Riker.
"There is a possible way. I have been working on it to find my own people," said L'Nea.
"Now seems as good a time as any," said Riker.
"Agreed."
-=oOo=-
Piper suddenly found herself in a very unusual store. The name of it was, "From Dust Till Dawn." It seemed to sell some kind of colored dust and equally colorful crystals, presumably with some value she did not understand. Suddenly there was what appeared to be a robbery. She slipped back a bit to observe but prepared to act.
One of the robbers approached a girl listening to music, who was blissfully unaware of the robbery and threatened her. Before she could act the girl blasted the robber, with a surprisingly adaptable weapon she was carrying and was chasing them out through the window she knocked them through, glass and all. Piper blinked, and then quickly followed them out, flying to the roof to follow the young woman who was still fighting the apparent leader.
He threw a crystal at her, then aimed at it with a cane of all things, which fired a bullet. She yanked the red head to the side with her power, making sure she landed safe, while covering herself. She then held the man in kinetic force to prevent him from boarding the odd craft that shot up into the air. A dark haired woman in the flying craft came out and shot fire at her from her hands. She teleported to the other then teleported both of them to the ground, even as a beautiful blond woman in white with a black cape launched some kind of full scale magical energy something assault on the craft.
She focused on the craft ripping the man from it who had just boarded it, before suspending him in air. The craft flew off.
"Can you maintain that?" asked the red haired young woman, or perhaps older girl.
"Not forever. I also can't port us back and maintain it. Why don't you go support that other person," said Piper.
The woman in white blasted the mob boss until he was unconscious. Piper lowered him to the ground and then flew into the air landing on the roof. The very fast red haired young woman beat her there. She exclaimed, "A huntress. Can I have your autograph? I'm Ruby."
The woman in white said, "I'm pleased to meet you Ruby," before turning to Piper.
"My name is Piper. I do not know a great deal of what is going on. I was hesitant on doing more than trying to detain one until I did," said Piper.
"I'm Glenda Goodwitch. Your actions were likely correct. The other was very dangerous. Thank you for helping with your odd semblance. Thank you also for saving this girl. I saw your action, but was too far away at the time."
Piper blinked. "What's a semblance?"
"How could you not know that?" asked Glenda in confusion.
"Would you believe I got randomly tossed to your world by a near omnipotent being who basically asked, 'Does anyone want to go save a life?'"
"I wouldn't automatically assume you are lying, not after seeing that."
The man started to wake. Glenda blasted him again.
"Isn't that um dangerous? I mean, you could kill him."
"No, his aura should protect him from death at this level."
"And aura is?" asked Piper in confusion.
"Very curious. Tell me, when was the last time you cut yourself?"
"A week ago. There was a sharp corner on something in the engineering bay of Falcon. It was minor."
Ruby replied in wonder, "You mean no one has unlocked your aura? What you did must have been extremely dangerous without aura."
"Facing Roman Torchwick is not safe regardless, though I don't think we have seen Piper's limits yet. For now I will assume you are telling the truth. At the very least your aid of Ruby deserves aid in return. I am curious, if you do not call what you do a semblance, then what is it?"
"Oh, I'm a double telepath and telekinetic. I have a decent empathy both projective and receptive, though I ordinary try to avoid being too nosy. There are rules against such things, and it is just rude."
"You can read minds? Truly? What am I thinking?"
"Are you sure? I do not intrude without need."
"Yes."
"Your thinking that someone called Osmond is going to be very interested in me."
"That's so cool," said Ruby.
"Don't mention it to anyone." She blasted Roman again to make sure he was in no shape to remember. A few minutes later the police arrived, took their statements, and hauled him off.
-=oOo=-
Osmond and Glenda brought Piper to his office in what she now knew was Beacon Academy. Ruby was also coming here, but they brought her directly.
"Tell me Piper, are you willing to do more than just save Ruby?" asked Osmond.
"I'm not going to volunteer for suicide missions, at least without a hell of a good reason, but yes, I'll help a good cause."
"You would not do me or anyone any good dead. Would you consent to Glenda seeing if she can release your aura?"
"And that has what consequence?"
"Should just make you a lot harder to kill. Waiting to release it can make the final aura stronger, but given the attention you are likely to draw, you need this. This is assuming it works with you. Oddly, I think it will," said Osmond.
Piper turned to Glenda.
"Will you consent to a light mental merge so I know you mean no harm? You will honestly be in a disadvantage since you don't have any training. I may learn something unintended though I will keep your secrets unless they endanger someone."
Glenda turned to Osmond who nodded.
"Very well."
Piper laid her right hand gently on Glenda's cheek for a moment.
"Can you hear me?" sent Piper.
"I can," replied Glenda.
"Not with your voice," sent Piper.
"Like this then?" thought Glenda.
"Yes."
"Shall we begin?"
"Please."
"Close your eyes and concentrate Piper."
She did.
"For it is in passing that we achieve immortality. Through this we become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above all, infinite in distance and unbound by death. I release your soul, and by my shoulder protect thee."
Piper felt warmth spread through her and realized this was the aura that was mentioned, except it was Glenda's, and then suddenly it was her own. She smiled and then let the link fade. She then stepped back, bowed, and then said, "Thank you."
"It is my honor. I could feel that as if it was the time when mine was first activated. You have a remarkable gift."
"A lot of training too," she said absently, then looked around, before focusing back on Osmond. "Would you mind if I make what appears a frivolous request?"
"Not at all," he replied.
"Do you have a decent bottle of red wine, well any wine actually. I've been working on perfecting an obscure skill, and I think Glenda just helped a bit."
"Now you have me curious. Give me a few minutes. I will be back." Osmond walked out.
"What are you planning?"
"You'll see. Hopefully it works. It may be petty, but I will so make my sister's jealous if I perfect this first."
"You sound like Osmond with his coffee," said Glenda.
"Its the small things some days," said Piper.
"Quite right," said Osmond as he came back in with a trio of glasses and a dusty bottle of wine. He handed the bottle to Piper and then said, "I do hope you do not ruin it. That is good wine."
"Me too."
She took one of the seats and focused on not just her power but a blending of her power and this new power which was also hers. She was not even sure they were different. Different faces of the same perhaps. She spent several minutes getting a feel for the changes and then used what was, and was not similar to sharing energy with another. Her hands and the bottle glowed with warm light for a several minutes. The wine glowed from within and then faded seemingly back to normal.
"That is the most impressive thing I've seen in years. Can you open it?" asked Osmond.
Piper focused and the cork slowly popped out. She carefully poured for the headmaster, then herself, before glancing at Glenda who nodded. She poured the third glass.
They each picked up their glasses. The headmaster toasted, "To a better future." They clinked their glasses together and took a sip, then a deeper one.
"That is remarkable. Whoever taught you that?" asked Osmond.
"Glenda may remember how I said a near omnipotent being brought me, well there is more than one. That one did it because we did something that amused them. Don't misunderstand. We appreciate being on good terms, and they don't play games, at least anymore. Had I not volunteered, I would not be here."
"And would not have had the opportunity to have your aura unlocked. Yes, you have good friends indeed," said Osmond.
"That we do. So what do you have need of of me?"
"How would you like to be a student here? There is a day before the others arrive, but I'll schedule some extra time with the professors. You may be able to find students that can teach you as well."
"For what purpose?" asked Piper.
"Partly to keep the new hunters alive. Also one of the people likely to form a team was found to have faked his records, and was regretfully denied. That leaves us an imbalance. I do hate tampering with fate, and you can ignore me, but there is a very exceptional fighter named Pyrrha Nichos. You have similar builds. She is a far better fighter than you, and she has a semblance that is similar to yours. I won't give the details. It isn't nearly as strong, but I think you two could pair very well, particularly with your telepathy."
"Your assuming Pyrrha could keep enemies off Piper if she needed to act at a distance?" asked Glenda.
"Precisely, but I also assume that with their combined skills they both could act at distances, or up close, or whatever is needed."
"Well I'll talk to her," said Piper with a bit of curiosity.
"Fair enough. Did you want the rest of the bottle?"
"No. I only drink small amounts or with meals. To be honest I'm basically forbidden drinking more than a little. Too strong, and too great a chance I'd read someone far too deeply if I let my discipline fall, or worse, hurt them," said Piper.
"And what about returning to your people?" asked Glenda.
"They will find me, in time. Perhaps they can help some when they do."
"Months, years? Do you have any idea?" asked Osmond.
"No, though Q isn't cruel. He wouldn't make it impossible."
"Is there anything else you need, other than the obvious? The school will make sure you have identification, reasonable amounts of money and such," said Glenda.
"In an emergency I might need access to a large power reactor and someone to watch my back."
"Why?" asked Osmond curiously.
"I can boost my telekinesis with it substantially."
"Would one built below your eventual room suffice?"
"I doubt it would be big enough unless you have a lot of space down there. I can do something with it, but more is better."
"We will start with that then," said Osmond.
"Thanks. There are some details to optimize them, but we will start with what you have."
"Can you see to the rest Glenda?"
"Yes, but I want a second glass when I return."
"Of course," said Osmond with a smile.
-=oOo=-
Piper walked the road back towards the craft that had brought most of the other students when she saw Ruby and a white haired girl. It seemed the two had gotten into a tumble.
"Do you have any idea of the damage you could have caused? Gimme that. This is dust mined and purified from the Schnee quarry. Fire water lightning energy. Are you even listening to me? Is any of this sinking in? What do you have to say for yourself?" The white haired girl kept shaking a bottle as she lectured and berated Ruby.
The dust exploded just as Piper was debating what to do. Both of them seemed okay. Another black haired young woman identified the white haired one as Weiss Schnee before leaving herself. She walked over and offered Ruby a hand.
"Oh its you."
"Making friends your first day huh?" said Piper.
Ruby threw up her hands. "She was so annoying."
"I think you might be good friends," added PIper with amusement.
"No way."
"Come on, let's get inside."
A little later she saw who Weiss identify Pyrrha Nichos. Piper walked up to the rather beautiful red head and said, "Hello, I'm PIper."
"It is good to meet you Piper," said Pyrrha.
"Can we talk some time? I am fairly new to all this, but I was told that our abilities might make a good team."
Pyrrha looked at her curiously. "What abilities are those may I ask?"
"The person who told me said we had similar semblances. It's complicated."
Pyrrha frowned. "I wasn't aware my semblance was known."
"I don't actually know it. I know someone said it was similar to my own."
"And yours is?" asked Pyrrha curiously.
Piper mentally flexed and didn't quite lift Pyrrha, but did certainly caught her attention.
"You are quite interesting. Why no weapon?"
Weiss and Ruby looked on their conversation. Weiss white hair and white outfit combined with Ruby's red hair and red outfit made her mentally tag them as White and Red, before she rejected such simple tags. She instead responded, "I don't have training in weapons like these, and trying to learn something new prior to this initiation was said to be a bad idea. I'm good with what I have, but the person who said that suggested you might be able to teach me some."
"Perhaps," said Pyrrha uncertainly.
"All students report to beacon cliff immediately."
"It seems we will have to talk later," added Pyrrha.
"So it would seem. Please do not think me pushy. Your choice is of course your own."
"Dang write it is. She is going to pick me," said Weiss with certainly.
-=oOo=-
They stood on catapults as the headmaster finished his speech. "The first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path or you will die. You will be monitored but our instructors will not intervene. You will choose one relic and return to the top of the cliff. Are there any questions?"
PIper looked over at Pyrrha, caught her eye, and sent softly, "Do you mind if I make sure we land together? Osmond was the one that asked. He was the one who wanted me here? I apologize for the mental contact without a clear request. You may say no to further."
Pyrrha nodded and then gave her a small smile.
Piper turned back to the headmaster who responded to someone's question that she missed with, "You will choose your own landing strategy."
She grimaced as the catapult propelled her into the air, but quickly reasserted control of her own trajectory and moved over to Pyrrha's path, holding out a hand.
"You are very interesting," said Pyrrha as they continued to fly.
PIper frowned as she turned to towards the ground. "There are a lot of dangerous things out here that would like to kill us."
"That is normal. We will be fine," said Pyrrha.
-=oOo=-
Back on the cliff Glenda said, "It is hardly random, when you gave her her partner."
"It will be fine. For now she likely needs the aid, though I suspect that will not last."
"What about the one that didn't make it?"
"He has potential as well. I made sure he got enrolled properly in Signal academy," said Osmond.
"Well at least that saves him an early death here. I worry for Piper you know."
"She will be fine. She may not be a trained huntress, but she is certainly trained."
"You noticed that as well."
Osmond nodded.
-=oOo=-
They landed near a cave.
"There is something in there. Something big," said Piper.
A monstrous black crab ten times the size of a man shot out. Piper focused, freezing it, even as Pyrrha began to stab it with her spear. PIper focused harder and slowly began to crush it, before Pyrrha finished it off with what had to be her semblance enhanced her throw by a ridiculous amount.
"I hope we don't face much bigger. That was not easy to hold," said Piper.
"Your semblance is not the same as mine. Mine is the manipulation of magnetic things," said Pyrrha softly.
"Still, it is quite useful. Think we should hurry to get to these relics?"
"Yes, let's go."
As they entered the clearing with what they presumed was the relics Weiss went from holding onto some kind of over sized demonic bird to falling.
Pyrrha thought, "Help?"
"Going to," she instantly stepped back. Shortly before Weiss was going to hit the ground she suddenly decelerated and stood, landing hard sure, but not dangerously hard, particularly for someone with aura. Weiss looked around in wonder. The giant bird Weiss had fallen from ad returned to attack.
Pyrrha waited till it was closer then shot a semblance powered shot of her spear. Piper flared her well briefly into visibility and the spear went super sonic, exploding and dissolving the creature of Grimm on impact, but also destroying her spear.
"You broke your spear," said Ruby softly.
"I've remade it several times. One more won't matter. Let's go," said Pyrrha.
Piper Troi, Lie Ren, Pyrrha Nichos, Nora Valkyrie. I spoke with Piper when she at arrived the academy and have chosen to not use your initials to come up with a team name, but instead one she mentioned, mostly because I couldn't think of one. The four of you will work together as Team Falcon led be Piper Troi.
"Me," exclaimed PIper in surprise.
"You clearly have the most experience, if not in leadership directly, then in situations with good examples. I am curious why you didn't let the others show more of their skills," said Ospin.
"This is not a game. That was life or death. I get that we have to face them someday and doing it in a controlled situation is appropriate. Still, it doesn't matter. The first duty is to your people. At the end of the day, you do what you have to do to bring them safely home at night."
Ospin nodded, then turned back to the others.
"Blake Beladonna, Ruby Rose , Weiss Schnee, Yang Xiao-Long. The four of you will work together as Team RWBY led be Ruby Rose.
-=oOo=-
Piper looked at the single large room allotted their team.
"Why one room? This is a big campus," said Piper.
"I think they wish to foster teamwork," said Ren.
"Still, this seems a poor way to use what space we have," said Piper.
"I think I heard the others are doing bunk beds," said Pyrrha.
"We would need to build a shelf to hold the top beds. I don't think they are designed to go together as they are."
"Or just buy bunk beds. I can afford it easily enough, and I'd rather spend time practicing," said Pyrrha.
"I have a budget of 100,000 lien a month. I don't really know the currency well, but surely I can help," said Piper.
"We can chip in as well," said Ren.
"I just asked Ms. Goodwich. She said not to worry about it. She will have them swapped out. As long as we are good with used, then it will be handled," said Piper.
Nora peered up at her. "That's handy. Does it work with us?"
"Of course, if you permit it at least."
"We should make sure we team up with another team as well. The more people we can contact in an emergency, the better we off we should be. Also if your the only one that can do that, you not being killed has to be prioritized," said Ren.
"I intend to try to teach what I can," said Piper.
"Speaking of teaching. PIper requires a weapon, and I have to remake mine," said Pyrrha.
"I was thinking of a compound bow maybe with arrows with dust infused in them. Would that work?" asked Piper.
"Most people have a weapon that can both do distance and up close. Seeing your ability seems to do both. Well you may want something else as well, but learning one weapon is what I'd start with," said Ren.
"Agreed. One weapon learned well is worth a lot more than one that changes," said Pyrrha.
"Out of curiosity, can you accelerate bullets as well?" asked Ren.
"Not easily. They are already moving so fast that it is very difficult."
Ren nodded and then asked, "Can you float a person?"
"Yes, but doing it in combat requires a lot of focus so as not to harm them," said Piper.
"We plan to have enough of a mental link that you will be able to direct the flight, if indirectly," said Pyrrha.
"That could be very useful."
"I can also teleport people. That takes a bit more energy, but the focus is only momentarily. We could have skipped the final kill of the monster, but then the monster would still be alive."
"Can you teleport the monsters?" asked Nora.
"Probably, but where would I teleport them to that would not release them?"
"A volcano!" cheered Nora.
"The ocean might be easier. Far enough away and most will die," said Ren.
"Is using an arrow easier than teleporting a bomb under a monster?" asked Pyrrha.
"Generally yes. These monsters move very quickly. I can adjust the target as we go with the arrows, or at least I think I can."
"I might do something similar. In fact we might have a common set of arrows. You don't object to metal arrows do you?" asked Pyrrha.
"Nope. They probably need some strength to be effective anyway."
"We should talk to Weiss. She may be able to get us some better quality arrows and such. We may have to pay, but her company is the source for dust," said Pyrrha
"What about your weapon? It blew up. That needs made better somehow," said Norra.
"Are you familiar with a material called tritanium?" asked Piper.
"It doesn't sound familiar," said Ren.
"Wait." She touched her com badge. "This is tritanium, well the outer shell. That is the strongest material I know of that would work for a weapon. If we can get this analyzed, preferably without destroying it, as I need it, we might be able to find more."
"What is it?" asked Pyrrha.
"It is a communicator. It won't work. My people are no where near, but one day it might."
"Will you leave then?" asked Nora.
"I'm not leaving you guys in danger. We will just get more help, or at least I hope we will."
"Let's go talk to the headmistress. She may be able to get things moving, or at least tell us who to talk with," said Pyrrha.
-=oOo=-
Glenda brought the communicator to the headmaster and laid it on his desk. Team Falcon followed her in.
"What do you have there? Piper's decoration."
"It's a communicator. The important thing for her is it is made of one of the strongest alloys known to her people. She was hoping we could analyze it and get more made, so they could use it for weapons. I used a very small yet very sharp knife made of the strongest material we posses. It could not shave it."
"We need to get this in the hands of James Ironwood. Atlas may have the technology to analyze it." He turned to Piper. "Could you maybe find someone's sister and go to them, bringing this?"
"If they agree and if I know generally where they are. It's a very big world."
"Glenda, please ask Weiss to come. She can bring her whole team if she wants. I have a feeling this may be vitally important. We should not delay a moment," said Ozpin.
"Agreed." She turned around and left.
"Your planning more than just our weapons then," said Piper.
"Of course. This could be a major advance in how we fight this struggle."
Piper nodded.
"Would you mind if we investigate the rest of this? This must have a marvel at miniaturization to do what it does."
"Officially I can't say yes to that. Unofficially, your probably wasting your time. Those are designed to be hard to reverse engineer. You will probably break it, and I may need it, particularly if I was ever too incapacitated for alternative means."
"Very well, I'll tell him only to try to duplicate the metal."
