A.N: Finally, a new arc. We've definitely switched gears for this one. Especially since it involves the reappearance of quite a few characters. You'll know what I mean at the end. Enjoy.

Chapter 49: A Day in Ever After Forest

With the tale of Hansel and Glynda becoming the mother and son duo we know today finished, we now return to the present. However, while we have returned to the present day, we have not yet returned to the present time. In order to properly continue this story, we must begin our tale back at Beacon Academy, Sunday morning.

As Team RWBY and Hansel Kobalt began to fly back to Beacon, Pyrrha Nikos found herself waking up early, as per the orders of Glynda Goodwitch and Professor Ozpin. After a quick breakfast, she then promptly reported to Ozpin's office.

"Good morning, Pyrrha." Ozpin said pleasantly. "How are you adjusting to your powers? It feels like we haven't discussed the matter in a while."

"You've given me space, and I do appreciate that, sir." Pyrrha gave him a weak smile.

Ozpin nodded from behind his desk. He took a quick sip of his hot cocoa. "Things have moved quicker than we imagined." He acknowledged. "For that, I'm sorry. I place so much on your shoulders, reveal so many truths about what really happens in the dark shadows of Remnant, and we just now have a chance to meet like this. I had meant to give you some space to allow you to recompose yourself, but not like this."

"Oh, I hold nothing against you, Professor, I promise." Pyrrha smiled weakly. "If anything, I appreciate that you tried to give me some space. I suppose…I just wanted to pretend I was a normal girl for just a bit longer."

Ozpin's expression softened. "For whatever it's worth, I've been around plenty of Maidens…they've managed to live relatively normal lives while concealing the truth."

Pyrrha chuckled bitterly at that. "So you say, but I didn't get to live a normal life even before this business with Maidens, and ancient evils, and whatnot."

Ozpin chuckled bitterly as well. "That's why you chose Beacon, didn't you?" He noted. "Far away from Atlas and Mistral. Far away from celebrity life."

Pyrrha nodded. "I'm sorry, you really never had a chance for a normal life, huh?" Ozpin mused. "Raised by your aunt, one of Mistral's most influential politicians, a prodigy Huntress-in-training, the darling of two kingdoms."

Pyrrha's expression dropped at this. "I'm making this worse, aren't I?" Ozpin sighed.

"You're simply speaking the truth, I have no reason to get mad." Pyrrha promised. "I brought that life on myself when I initially embraced it anyway."

Ozpin's smile became as bitter as his laughter. "I suppose in a way, that's something we have in common." He acknowledged. Before Pyrrha could ask what he meant by that, Ozpin continued to speak. "I suppose that's why, above all, I need to accept responsibility for you, as both your teacher and the one who brought you into the life of a Maiden."

Ozpin leaned forward, resting his face in both of his hands. "But thankfully, today, things are different. I've arranged with you and Glynda to spend the day in Ever After Forest. We're going to see if we can draw out the Fall Maiden powers you received."

Pyrrha's eyes widened at this. "We'll be dressing it up as a training exercise to keep the matter a secret." Ozpin explained. "That's why Glynda will be training you today."

Ozpin's face fell. "I, unfortunately, have a very important meeting. One I'm not looking forward to in the slightest. I just received news that…well, let's just say it's not good news and leave it at that."

"I understand, sir, I won't pry." Pyrrha promised. "However, the fact that I get to have Professor Goodwitch's undivided attention may still be suspicious to others."

"Which is exactly why the other students will be training in Ever After as well." Ozpin explained. "The rest of Team JNPR will be training with Professor Greene. Team CFVY will be training with Professor Peach. And Team CRDL will be training with Professor Mulberry."

"I suppose you've thought everything through as always, sir." Pyrrha acknowledged.

"You give me far too much credit, Ms. Nikos." Ozpin smiled. "You're in good hands with Glynda. Your Semblances are similar. In fact, I'd argue that her Semblance is one of the closest Semblances we have to the magic the Maidens are capable of."

"I don't doubt for a second I'm in good hands, sir." Pyrrha promised. "I just hope that unpleasant meeting of yours ends up…well, more pleasant."

Ozpin smiled sadly. "Much appreciated…but I'm afraid that's not possible, Ms. Nikos." He admitted. "You are dismissed. You should let the rest of Team JNPR know what their day is gonna be like."

Pyrrha nodded and rose to her feet. Bowing to Ozpin and then leaving for the elevator, she soon left Beacon's Headmaster to his own devices. Ozpin took a deep breath and looked at his cocoa. "I suppose there is time before the other Legends are to meet…so I guess that means I've got time to finish my cocoa."

"Time…before the unpleasant discussion of Klaus Rot's untimely death."

Pyrrha was soon back at Team JNPR's dorm room. She quickly discovered that Jaune, Nora and Ren were already up and about. "Morning, Pyrrha." Jaune said with a pleasant smile.

"Morning Jaune. Morning Ren, Nora." Pyrrha greeted with a smile of her own. The smile quickly faded. "I'll be training with Professor Goodwitch today."

Jaune gave Pyrrha an inquisitive glance. "This have something to do with your new powers?" He asked curiously, having been given the full explanation by Pyrrha herself.

Pyrrha nodded. "And to avoid suspicion, it's going to be dressed up as a training exercise for our entire combat class. You three will train with Professor Greene. Team CFVY and Team CRDL will be training with Professor Peach and Professor Mulberry."

"What are they hoping to accomplish with this training exercise?" Ren asked. "I mean, you haven't been able to tap into the Fall Maiden's powers just yet, right?"

Pyrrha nodded with an exhausted sigh. "That's true, yes. But…I still find myself communicating with the soul of the previous Fall Maiden in dreams. So…I don't know, maybe I'm on the right track?"

Ren sighed. "All of this is way over our heads…I still find myself questioning why Professor Ozpin felt it was necessary to rush the process."

"Ren, there was no guarantee as to how long the previous Maiden was going to last in that…that machine of the general's." Pyrrha reminded him.

"And when you also consider the attack on the Vytal Festival, Professor Ozpin probably felt rushed." Jaune added.

"I realize that, I'm just struggling with the fact Pyrrha has to be the one to shoulder this. You do realize that her having these powers makes her a target of the people who perpetrated the attack, right?" Ren pointed out.

"Ren's right, Jaune." Nora piped up. "Don't you think you're a little too okay with this?"

"Hey, don't get me wrong, I'm not okay with any of this." Jaune shook his head. "But it happened already, so is there really any sense in dwelling on it? I just feel like if we're going to get mad at anyone, we should be getting mad at the people targeting Pyrrha."

Pyrrha blushed at Jaune getting protective. Jaune sighed. "Getting mad at Professor Ozpin isn't going to solve anything, especially when he's trying to make sure that Pyrrha takes to these new powers of hers while juggling everything else he's responsible for."

Ren hummed at Jaune's words of wisdom. "You certainly bring up good points." Ren acknowledged. "I guess I just can't help but wonder if there was another way. And now Pyrrha's been forced into a life even more dangerous than the one she was gonna live in the first place."

"Ren, I know you care, but having been there, having seen the whole thing, I can honestly tell you that sitting around, trying to come up with a better solution was not gonna get us anywhere." Jaune looked solemn at the memories of that horrible night. "The fact we all survived is nothing short of a miracle."

Thinking back, Jaune remembered how Cinder Fall had arrived right after the Maiden powers were transferred to Pyrrha. Then he remembered how he learned shortly after that the guy who stalled her was none other than Hansel Kobalt. And the 'what if' scenarios that played out in his mind made Jaune sick to his stomach.

If Professor Kobalt hadn't been there and she had gotten to where we were just a few moments sooner, she could've powered her way through and taken the rest of the Maiden's powers for herself. Jaune concluded inwardly. Yeah, I hate that Pyrrha has to live this life too…but everything happened so fast. And when I think about what could've happened instead, and the fact we're all here today because none of that actually happened…

"I appreciate that everyone cares, I really do." Pyrrha spoke up, cutting Jaune from his thoughts. "Jaune's right, everything spiraled out of control after the Vytal Festival was attacked, and there was no way we could have come up with a better solution in time. In the end, even if it wasn't the best decision, I can take solace in the fact that I denied a truly wicked woman even more power, which she would have no doubt used for evil."

Pyrrha sighed. "In the end, it happened, and all we can do is just focus on what lies ahead."

Nora chuckled. "That's our Pyrrha, always focused on the bigger picture."

Jaune smiled. "And if we're gonna be training with the teachers as well so as not to arouse any suspicion, we're certainly gonna take advantage of the opportunity. After all, Team JNPR doesn't let any of its members bear burdens alone, right?"

"Big talk from the guy who avoided us because of his own problems." Ren forgot his worries to smile and poke fun at his leader and good friend.

Jaune laughed good naturedly at his own expense. Pyrrha smiled sincerely, more relaxed than before. That's right, Maiden or not I'm still a member of Team JNPR. As long as these three are here, I'll be just fine.

Meanwhile, Ozpin was finishing a quick update for the other headmasters before his other meeting. With everything that happened, he owed it to the three men he entrusted with the other academies to update them about Pyrrha's status. "...so while she hasn't demonstrated any of the Maiden's powers yet, Ms. Nikos is proving to be diligent and willing, and should hopefully show some progress after a day of training with Glynda."

"Even if she doesn't, the fact she's keeping the Fall Maiden's powers out of the Big One's hands is proof enough." Came the voice of Theodore, Headmaster of Shade Academy.

"B-but, if she doesn't show such power soon, we'd be vulnerable to another attack, right?" Leonardo Lionheart, Headmaster of Haven Academy, pointed out. "Can we even be sure it worked?"

"I know my machine. Cinder Fall would have all the power if it had not worked." James Ironwood replied. "And the fact she is at least seeing Amber in her dreams means it took."

Professor Lionheart grumbled uncomfortably at this. "Why did you have to make the next Maiden a student?" Lionheart moaned. "Don't you think we're making the schools a target?"

"You mean more than they already are? Leo, I hate to break it to ya, but the schools are targets as is." Ozpin could practically hear Theodore frowning at Lionheart's terror.

Theodore then addressed Ozpin. "I'm gonna hop off here, if that's all you've got to report on, Oz. I want to review that video before we meet with the other Legends who will bother showing up."

"You do that, Theo." With that, Theodore hung up.

"Er…I should hang up too…gotta inspect the school, make sure we didn't paint an even bigger target on our backs here." Lionheart laughed nervously.

"Be brave, Leo," Ozpin lightly chided, "it's the only way we're all going to get through this. Salem does not take setbacks lightly."

Lionheart grumbled at this before hanging up. Ironwood sighed. "You really should consider replacing him. For a war to be fought, people need to be all in."

"For a war to be fought, people with different perspectives need to be considered for the sake of moderation." Ozpin countered.

Ironwood sighed. "Well, going against you hasn't gotten me much good so far." He bitterly noted.

"James, in spite of everything, I hope you know I appreciate your counsel and presence here. The fact you, Theo and Leo all have different perspectives on this threat we face is extremely important to me." Ozpin told him.

Ironwood fell silent for a moment. When he spoke up again, it was to change the subject. "Hansel will be arriving back in Beacon, right?" He asked.

"He will, yes." Ozpin nodded.

"I'm…sure you've heard everything that happened in Atlas yesterday. I hope you know that…well, the Kingdom of Atlas owes him a great debt for everything he did to put a stop to the perpetrator." Ironwood told Ozpin. "You should be proud of him, Oz. He did well."

Ozpin smiled. "Well, if you of all people think that, then I suppose I'll have nothing BUT praise for him when he gets back."

"...I suppose I should count my blessings that that is the thing you won't let me live down." Ironwood noted. "Take care, Oz. I've got work to do."

Ironwood then hung up. Ozpin sighed. "'Take care' he says." Ozpin laughed bitterly. "It's been such a long time since one of the Ten Legends actually died in the line of duty. How am I supposed to take care in a situation like this?"

Ozpin's expression darkened. "After all, it wasn't just anyone who killed Klaus. It was them, the Headless Horseman. And that damn clown, who in the world was that? And that technique of his too? In all my lifetimes, I've never seen anything like that before."

There was a reason Ozpin was talking about the death of Klaus Rot like he had been there. What the Headless Horseman and Farben did not realize when they attacked Klaus was that the Winter Hermit had prepared contingencies should the worst happen to him. Using a prototype piece of Atlas technology given to him by Ironwood, Klaus had injected a device into his body that was connected to his Scroll. It was comparable to that of a microchip placed into pets by their owners. Klaus smartly filmed each of his encounters and used the device, along with a bit of customization to his scroll for his biggest contingency, in the event of his death.

Klaus Rot had rigged his scroll to send the video of his final encounter to the remaining nine Legends upon his death, which would be signaled by the chip inside of his body. In his final moments, Klaus had given his fellow Legends a fighting chance by warning them that the Headless Horseman seemed to be actively targeting them now. Also, that a demented clown knew a technique that even the strongest (and oldest, secretly) Huntsman in the entire world knew nothing about.

You've given us valuable information in death, Klaus. I swear to you, we will make good use of it. Ozpin vowed as he called into the first meeting between the remaining Legends in years.

Or rather, as many of the Legends as he could count on showing up.

No sooner had Ozpin called in, did someone else arrive. The name on his monitor did not surprise him. As the longest serving Huntsman in the world right now, 'Saint' Georgios Fos, the Paladin of Vale, was the picture of punctuality.

"Good day, old friend." Came the grizzled voice of Georgios.

"And good day to you as well, Georgios." Ozpin said pleasantly. "I'm truly sorry we couldn't meet again under happier circumstances."

"We're Huntsmen, Oz, we rarely get to meet for happy reasons." Georgios bitterly noted.

Another Legend quickly called in. "Right on time for a change," said Bethany Bluebell, the Brawling Holy Maiden and Vacuo's Hope.

"Greetings Bethany, I heard about the work you did in healing the injured from that settlement attack. Well done." Praised Georgios.

"I basically just wrapped up the same gig a couple of minutes ago." Bethany admitted. "Grimm attacks seem to be getting more frequent. The people of Vacuo need my Semblance more than ever."

The fourth arrival called in. She clearly sounded impatient, compared to Bethany and Georgios. "Let's not waste any time, I'm currently tracking a big target." Artemis Fengari said, straight to the point. "The only reason I called in is because of the video."

"We appreciate your presence regardless, and your ability to see the bigger picture, Artemis." Ozpin nodded before sighing. "The contents could mean life and death for many in Remnant, even the rest of us."

"I can't argue with that, it's clear we're being targeted. As a Huntress, I refuse to become the hunted." Artemis scoffed.

And then, the fifth arrival called in. "Ah, damn," Theodore cursed, "beaten by Bethany and Georgios? I'm in for an ear-bashing for sure. That's what I get for reviewing the video first."

"Not this time, Theo." Bethany sighed. "Honestly, after hearing about Klaus, I would much rather mourn and pray. But considering the contents of the last video he sent us, I have to be here."

"Let us begin then, truth be told, I think this is all we can expect today." Ozpin admitted.

"Hmph, you mean to tell me Ranks 10, 8, 5 and 3 can't be bothered to attend a meeting such as this?" Georgios sounded irritated at the thought.

"Jin cannot speak without activating his Semblance. Him calling in would be a waste. I will update him myself." Artemis spoke in her fellow Mistralian's defense.

"And Alibaba has never been the most social of guys." Theodore added. "Truth be told, I'd have been surprised if he did show up to this meeting."

"And as for Annie…well, I think she's probably trying to track down Klaus' killers herself." Bethany sighed. "There's always been an unspoken rule that we Legends need to look out for one another if we're part of the same kingdom, because of how important we are to the balance of power."

"I think Annie's taking Klaus' death the hardest right now."

"And Glynda is currently taking some students on an important training exercise. She is my direct subordinate, so I will brief her myself." Ozpin promised. "Now then, let us begin this meeting. I hope you've all had a chance to view the contents of what is basically Klaus' final message to us."

The mood darkened between the five Legends in attendance. "We always knew the Headless Horseman was dangerous, but to think that they'd crush Klaus so easily." Theodore lamented. "It wasn't even close. The gap in power was ridiculous."

"The last time one of the Legends died was to an ancient-class Grimm they sacrificed themselves to kill." Bethany remembered. "That was a few decades ago, right Georgios?"

"Mmm," Georgios affirmed.

"The Horseman surpassed Klaus in everything." Artemis noted. "Power, speed, skill with a weapon; and I'll be frank with you all about the thing that worries me the most. Did anyone pick up on anything that could've been their Semblance?"

An uncomfortable silence fell over the room. "Exactly, either they are very good at hiding their Semblance or they didn't need it against Klaus."

"It could always be a passive Semblance?" Theodore offered.

"It ultimately doesn't change the fact that Klaus was helpless against the Horseman." Georgios got everyone back on track. "That being said, if I may add something that may be rather callous, but necessary to say?"

"Speak." Ozpin told him.

"Based on my impressions of the fight, the Horseman could probably take at least the lower ranked of the Legends." Georgios sighed. "Unfortunately, it may have been inevitable for Klaus to die by their hand."

"That is pretty damn callous." Bethany scoffed. "And self-deprecating too. You're only ranked 7, remember?"

"In my prime, I want to believe I could've bested that monster." Georgios replied. "But I have no delusions of believing that as I am now, I would have any hope of beating them."

"That said, I strongly believe that the Horseman would have a much more difficult fight against the top 5 Legends." Georgios continued. "Anastasia, Theodore and Jin would have given a much tougher, more even fight."

"And based on my impressions, I truly believe that Oz and Bethany could have defeated them."

"Oh…well, your confidence in my abilities are duly noted." Bethany said before sighing. "I mean, yeah, I want to believe that considering I hit the jackpot in Semblances, I could probably take that thing, but Artemis is right. The fact we still know nothing about their Semblance is concerning. For all we know, it's a trump card that could be a hard counter to even me. Maybe even to Ozpin."

"As much as I want to face them and avenge Klaus, I need to know exactly what their abilities are. No medic worth their salt charges into the battlefield without a plan. Hell, nobody should do that."

"Right, because the Horseman's just gonna show us their Semblance if we ask nicely." Theodore sarcastically noted. "I get what you're saying, Beth, but we can't just sit back and twiddle our thumbs now that the Horseman has actually killed a registered S-Class Huntsman."

"I mean, yeah, we all believe that Ashley Hollow would've become one if she hadn't run into them, but it was never made official." Ozpin's expression hardened at the mention of Ashley Hollow.

Theodore sensed he had probably overstepped with that statement. "Er…sorry, Oz. I know that's still a very sore topic for ya."

"It's fine, Theo." Ozpin brushed the matter off. The others could tell that it was not fine. Not in the slightest.

"Instead, we should focus our efforts in understanding abilities we have come to learn about." Ozpin got the conversation back on track with the second part of the video that had everyone worried.

Theodore groaned. "'Spirit Overdrive', right? That's what that clown from Hell called it? I'll admit that I like the name at least."

"I've never seen anything like that in my life." Georgios noted. "Whatever it was, it wasn't just a Semblance."

"He acted like it was the true application of one's soul." Artemis noted. "The absolute peak of what a human soul could conjure for battle."

"Based on what we saw, that strange construct appeared from that clown's body. No, more specifically, it formed from his Aura." Bethany added.

"Indeed," Ozpin cut in, "as we all know there are several applications of Aura. First, the basics: there are basic defenses, buffs in physical strength and speed, precognition, and even healing."

"Then we have more advanced applications. There is Channeling, where Aura-users can channel their Aura into their weapons, increasing their power. There is also Projection, which is where Aura-users can project their Aura onto others through physical contact, to give their attacks further power. Others can even fire off their Aura from their bodies, like a fireball in an RPG. We call this Emission. In fact, advanced Aura-users can combine Channeling and Emission. There is also Intimidation, where the sheer force and magnitude of one's soul can intimidate another into submission."

"And finally, there is the most advanced application of Aura that is currently known, that is only available to people with massive reserves of Aura are capable of accomplishing. We know this application as Release. It is an advanced form of Projection that allows us to forgo physical contact and simply extend the reach of our Aura further outwards. It increases our defense exponentially and even widens the range of our own Aura-based attacks."

Ozpin narrowed his eyes. "But this Spirit Overdrive is something completely different. In the case of that clown, it felt like some sort of unholy combination of all the techniques I just mentioned. To varying degrees, mind you, but my point still stands."

"We need to acknowledge the most important point though, the fact that evil men know an extremely powerful technique capable of even killing S-Class fighters such as ourselves is very disturbing." Ozpin told his comrades. "We must uncover the secrets behind this technique and maybe even find out how to use it ourselves."

"That might be difficult, Oz; what with our own responsibilities to the schools and to hunting down ancient-class Grimm." Theodore pointed out.

"Indeed, it is vexing. We cannot ignore our duty to the people, but we also cannot ignore the fact we are being targeted by people capable of killing us." Ozpin noted.

Artemis quickly spoke up with what everyone quickly discovered was a solution. "When hunting prey, first you track. You gather information."

"Do you have a suggestion, Artemis?" Ozpin inquired.

"Word will soon get out about Klaus' fate." Artemis noted. "That means, other Huntsman will know as well. Like a hunting dog, we'll use them to pick up the proverbial scent. Have the bureaus create information-gathering jobs on mysterious, unknown applications of Aura."

"If we're going to do something like that, we need to make the parameters very clear." Theodore said incredulously. "Otherwise, any moron could make up information and get paid for a job well-done."

"There's also the fact we're risking people far too weak to survive if they run afoul of that clown, or the Horseman." Bethany added.

"Forgive me if this sounds callous, but that may be a risk we need to take." Artemis replied.

"Ah, the great Huntress of the Moon is as callous as always. Same old Artemis." Bethany scowled.

"Same old Bethany, still running herself ragged trying to do the impossible: save everyone she comes across." Artemis countered.

"Enough!" Ozpin snapped. "Klaus' dead and you two are choosing to argue now?"

"R-right, sorry Oz." Bethany sighed.

"I forgot myself, my apologies." Artemis added.

"Perhaps instead of trying to gather information that may be impossible to find, we could instead focus on trying to learn this technique ourselves?" Georgios offered. "S-Class warriors such as ourselves should be capable of that much."

"Learning by video ain't as good an idea as you think though." Theodore sighed.

"Georgios is right though, perhaps this is a message from the gods we should not be stagnant, even at our current level of strength." Ozpin nodded. "If you all can find the free time to train yourself and unlock the secrets of this Spirit Overdrive based on what we currently know, that is certainly a good start."

"My point still stands, Ozpin. We need information." Artemis reminded him.

"Then I'm sure we all have people we can trust to gather that information and return alive." Ozpin replied before adding, "I know I have a man for that."

"You're talking about Qrow, right?" Bethany noted. "I mean, he's probably the best person to replace Klaus as a Legend. So, he would certainly fit the bill."

"If I offered a Qrow a title like that, he would turn it down without hesitation." Ozpin replied.

Partly because we agreed he shouldn't take the role. Because of his unique Semblance, Qrow is extremely difficult to classify as a fighter. On some days, he could defeat an S-Class. However, on other days, a B-Class could take him. He makes up for that with nearly peerless physical strength. It's how he's managed to at least take the title of A-Class.

But, the real reason he hasn't taken such a title is if Qrow did become S-Class, is because I need him operating in the field, in secret, tracking Salem's activities. If he became an S-Class, he would be forced to worry about ancient-class Grimm. I need my spy, selfish as it may sound.

"Yeah, figured as much. There are other really good A-Class Huntsmen out there, but none of them have really reached the point where they could be ready to jump up a rank. The only one who's growing to the point where he might have potential is your apprentice. And he's only a B-Class fighter." Bethany pointed out.

Ozpin hummed at this, knowing she was referring to Hansel. "It's not like it's the end of the world if the 10 Legends are referred to as the 9 Legends for a little while." Theodore noted.

"I'm just saying a show of solidarity and a desire to move forward might help the people." Bethany defended.

"Let's not talk about replacing Klaus just yet and simply focus on discovering the secrets of this Spirit Overdrive our enemies have." Ozpin concluded. "Please, contact me whenever you discover useful information."

"And what about the Horseman? What if they come knocking?" Theodore asked.

"Fight only if you're certain you can win." Ozpin said firmly. "Otherwise, look for an escape strategy. They caught us off guard before. We can't let that happen again."

"I don't personally enjoy retreating." Georgios bitterly admitted.

"We are the true balance of power for Remnant, we have no choice." Artemis sagely pointed out. "Grimm attacks are growing in number, that means we will likely see more ancient-class Grimm acting out soon. If we die, who will slay those Grimm."

If we die, who will be left to deter Salem? Ozpin added inwardly.

"If there is nothing else to say, Ozpin, I'd like to return to my hunt." Artemis requested.

"Yes, I think we've said enough today," Ozpin agreed, "you are all dismissed. Be on your guard, all of you. Bethany, Theo, contact Alibaba. Artemis, you do the same with Jin. I will update Anastasia and Glynda personally"

One by one, the other Legends left. Ozpin sank into his chair. "Georgios and Bethany are right about one thing, it has been years since a Legend has died in the line of duty." He mused before his expression darkened. "And the one responsible for this death was…them."

The memories flooded Ozpin. Her smiles of reassurance as she left with her team for a mission the last time. The tragic news of their deaths. And to top it all off, the Headless Horseman claimed credit for the whole thing.

You were the best of us…our best hope against Salem. I was foolish not to push my predecessor harder to not send you on so many missions. Just another regret piled onto the many.

We pushed her back, actually set her back when she tried to push against us. It was the first time in so long a fight against her could be considered a decisive victory on our end. Even so…

I can't help but wonder where we would be if you were still here fighting with us, Ashley.

Hours passed, the day in Ever After Forest dragged on for Pyrrha's class. While Pyrrha herself trained with Glynda, the other members of Team JNPR trained with Ann Greene, the school's resident stealth and security instructor. Due to Jaune being more of a defensive fighter and Ren being attuned to stealth, Ann was the perfect choice.

Ann Greene was a very lithe woman with bright red hair, brown eyes, and a gold and green dress that shimmered in the sunlight. However, her lithe frame betrayed the fact that while her skills were more in stealth and security, she could hold her own in a fight quite well. Of course, you would never know that if you looked at her utterly ridiculous weapon.

Ann's weapon of choice was a giant paintbrush that she used in concert with one of the most unique Semblances anyone had ever seen. However, said paintbrush also doubled as a retractable staff and had designed with Harold Mulberry what appeared to be paint cartridges like the ones printers used to be placed into a slot like Dust crystals. The paint was for…reasons.

"Alright, break for a minute!" She ordered.

Jaune, Ren and Nora were all panting from the sparring, almost immediately dropping to their knees. Ann could not help but nod, impressed that they still stayed standing. She had been running them quite hard all day, with the match against her being the toughest of them all. I'll give him this, Hansel is certainly whipping these kids into better shape. She acknowledged.

"Individually, I'd say you three have improved quite a bit since you came here." Ann admitted.

"Even me?" Jaune was surprised.

"Yes, Mr. Arc, even you." Ann nodded. "That being said, I was still able to exploit quite a few individual weaknesses. Your teamwork is good, but it felt incomplete today."

"It's probably because Pyrrha's training with Professor Goodwitch." Ren admitted.

"She is pretty much the lynchpin of a lot of Jaune's strategies." Nora added.

"Understandable, but that doesn't mean you should neglect yourselves individually." Ann reminded them all. "A trio of well-rounded Huntsman with great individual skills that work well together can beat a superior opponent."

The remaining three JNPR members all looked at each other. Ann folded her arms. "That said, in spite of your more 'incomplete' teamwork compared to how you usually perform when you're whole, I'll admit you're pretty good at improvising new plans on the fly. Mr. Arc, you were doing very well in coming up with counters for my variety of 'colors' on the fly."

"But again, individually, it's clear you three rely too much on Ms. Nikos. Mr. Ren, never forget that your Semblance is only useful in hiding from Grimm. Ms. Valkyrie, you can't hope to brute force your way through opponents who can put up superior defenses. And Mr. Arc, smart as you are, your skill set gives you great potential to be a tank in battle, and not just a strategist. You need to continue honing your combat abilities and not just rely on your teammates to execute your battle plans."

Ann clapped her hands together. "Now, catch your breath and let's get going again, while we still have just a bit more daylight."

Meanwhile, Team CFVY was training with Professor Thumbelina Peach. As one of the longest serving faculty members of Beacon, Thumbelina was perfect in teaching upperclassmen. Hence the reason she was chosen to train with Team CFVY for the day. Her powerful Semblance also allowed her to effectively spar with all four highly skilled students, much to the chagrin of Coco Adel, who was currently tangled in roots and vines.

"Okay, that's quite enough for now." Thumbelina told them, clapping her hands together. An older woman who still maintained a decent amount of charm in her early 50s, she wore a long dress that was the color of her namesake; peach pink. Her bright pink hair was styled big and curly, almost like cotton candy. A beauty mark rested on her right cheek while she pierced the upperclassmen with bright green eyes.

"Fox, Yatsuhashi, get me out of here!" Coco exclaimed while Velvet had to resist giggling at her leader and good friend's predicament.

Thumbelina cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. "Impressive work, for the most part. Especially you, Ms. Scarlatina, you are fighting with a lot more purpose and confidence."

"Her crush telling her she had tons of potential certainly helped." Coco forgot her frustration at being tangled up to tease Velvet, much to the rabbit Faunus' embarrassment.

Thumbelina shrugged. "Whatever works I suppose." She replied.

When Professor Ozpin brought him back to teach, I thought he had lost it…but if someone like Ms. Scarlatina is improving in confidence, I'm not so sure if I can still consider it a bad decision. She admitted.

"I encourage you all to grow your Semblances from here. Your teamwork and individual strength are impressive for your age." Thumbelina acknowledged. "However, most of your Semblances are support-based. So I want you all to consider how your Semblance can improve and grow, like a muscle. And maybe it will evolve into something greater."

"Teach says the same." Coco admitted.

"Teach?" Thumbelina raised an eyebrow.

"Professor Kobalt." Yatsuhashi clarified.

Teach, huh? I guess he's actually connecting with the students…somehow. Thumbelina mused.

"Rest up for a bit. I'd like to try you all for one more round before we call it a day." Thumbelina ordered.

Meanwhile, Team CRDL was training with Professor Harold Mulberry. Because Team CRDL was filled with brawlers, Harold was considered the ideal teacher, because his Semblance discouraged frontal assaults. Also, neither Thumbelina nor Ann wanted to deal with the 4-boy team of incredibly strong, borderline intolerable personalities.

All four members of Team CRDL were currently on the ground, shivering and trying to catch their breath. Harold sighed as he rolled up his weapon: a rope dart (albeit, made of far stronger material than a regular rope) that was fused with Gravity Dust to make the rope lighter and more maneuverable. "It seems you four still haven't figured it out. Pure brute force won't work against me, so come up with something else."

"Brute force works for Professor Kobalt." Cardin Winchester complained.

"Professor Kobalt," Harold was admittedly uncomfortable using Hansel's official title, as it still seemed unbelievable to him, "is also clever with brute force. I don't mind you lads focusing on what you're best at, but if you're going to fight enemies like myself, you need to know how to cleverly use your talents."

Harold's expression turned more gentle. "Now take a break, warm up a little, and we'll go one more time. We should have time for one more match before we have to return to Beacon."

Team CRDL watched as the skinny, short, purple-haired man in a black trench coat walked away to take a seat elsewhere. They all looked at each other and realized that they might have to do something different to impress Harold at this rate. Especially when one considered that word would likely reach Hansel about their performance.

Finally, elsewhere, Pyrrha Nikos could only stare in surprise at the many objects that had fallen around her, having finished up a sparring match with Glynda Goodwitch. All around her, pieces of tree, rocks, it was as though nature itself had tried to attack her. None of it was metal, so Pyrrha had been unable to use her own Semblance to defend herself. However, she was able to block most of it with her own physical prowess.

Glynda hummed at the sight. "Well, I'll grant you this, your combat specs have improved considerably. It seems your fusion with Amber's soul has improved your Aura reserves."

Pyrrha nodded, catching her breath. "It's such an odd sensation." She admitted. "Everything feels almost…lighter…easier…like I can do more for longer. And yet, it feels like my body hasn't caught up yet."

"Hansel was right to try and focus on your physical prowess and your Semblance at first so that you could handle the changes in your body." Glynda noted with pride. "Your body still needs to catch up, just a bit, but I'd say as you are now, you could probably handle the Fall Maiden's powers in short bursts."

"And yet I can't seem to draw it out." Pyrrha lamented.

Glynda shook her head. "Don't let it get to you. Any new power takes time to learn and master. And the fact you only have half doesn't help either."

"That woman seemed to be using it just fine." Pyrrha pointed out.

Glynda sighed. "That she did. She likely practiced with the half she stole after ambushing Amber. And perhaps with her personality traits, she can draw it out more easily."

"What does personality have to do with it?" Pyrrha asked.

"Quite a bit, actually. Cinder Fall strikes me as a very domineering person, so it makes sense that a power that's just raw, destructive magic is perfect for someone like her." Glynda noted.

"But I don't want to be domineering." Pyrrha replied.

"I never said you had to be." Glynda shook her head. "Instead, think of another feeling or emotion that gives you strength, and perhaps that will resonate with the Fall Maiden's powers. What do you think gives your Semblance power?"

Pyrrha blushed at this. "Well, honestly, I don't know." She replied. "It always came easy."

"Semblances tend to reflect our personality traits. Do you want to know what I think?" Glynda inquired.

"Certainly."

"I think your Semblance is a reflection that you want to draw others close to you." Glynda explained before adding bluntly. "However, because of your status, when they hesitate, you get scared and push them away first. Or perhaps you push them away because of your own insecurities."

"That's…" Pyrrha trailed off.

"I don't mean to be blunt." Glynda promised. "You should take some time to better understand yourself, Ms. Nikos. Perhaps that is the missing piece you've been looking for in tapping into Fall's powers."

Before Pyrrha could ponder the matter further, Glynda tensed up. Before Pyrrha could ask what was wrong, she was suddenly lifted into the air and flung away from Glynda. She could see a crystalized spear fly through the spot she had been. Her eyes widened, if Glynda had not reacted and saved her, she would have been killed.

Glynda's expression turned dark and furious. "You," she hissed in rage.

Pyrrha gasped as a familiar face strode out from the trees. She had not even sensed her, and yet Glynda had. It was just a difference in power between her and one of the 10 Legends. Raven black hair, piercing eyes with fire dancing around one of them, and a red dress.

"You just don't want to make things simple, do you?" Cinder Fall asked in irritation. "Fall's powers must be made whole."

"Not by you." Glynda growled.

"Hmm…a pity Hansel and Ruby aren't here," Cinder lamented as she looked around, "then again, they are unfortunately not today's targets."

Suddenly, several Beowolves appeared from the trees. Pyrrha gasped. Where did those come from? She wondered.

Cinder smiled wickedly. "And I had brought so many friends to get reacquainted with them specifically."

Speaking of friends, Team CRDL could only stare in horror at the sudden appearance of a hulking interloper. He stood over the immobile form of Harold Mulberry, having ambushed the professor and driven his head into the ground in a single swift movement. Hazel eyes, dark brown hair, a dark complexion, and eight feet of pure muscle. Hazel Rainart looked up at the frightened Team CRDL.

"It seems you were all in the midst of training." He noted. "Forgive my rudeness, but I'm going to have to cut in."

The attack on Ever After Forest for Pyrrha Nikos had begun…

A.N: Yeah, we're just kicking right into it. No need for buildup this time, folks. Enjoy the next several chapters of Hazel being an unstoppable juggernaut and Cinder being competent.

If you enjoyed this and are curious about any original works, check out my book, Age of Heroes: The Hero and the Disciple, on Amazon Kindle, the first of many in a series of fantasy books that serve as my love letter to anime.

See you all next time. The Ever After Forest Arc has begun.