By the time this comes out, the 10 year anniversary of RWBY has either come or gone. So Happy anniversary RWBY! Celebrate however you see fit (Within reason)

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

Well that was… An entrance. I crushed that poor cabbage guy's cart. I feel bad for him. In addition to the lovely couple, I ruined their engagement.

I don't know how far I ran but I know I'm far away from the park.

I stopped in my tracks for a moment of respite.

… Well that and to regain my stamina. I may have gotten better at maintaining stamina during my time at Beacon, but running for straight hours like that isn't exactly easy. Last time I ran like that I was in Track and Field in Middle School.

"You do realize that made us look suspicious right?" Weiss asked.

I glanced over at her with annoyance as I reminded her "You pushed me out of an aircraft!"

And right as soon as I said that, I got a flashback to that night when I was ejected from the plane. The night I came to Remnant.

I felt my heart was about to pound out of my chest. I could barely catch my breath. I felt as though I might collapse.

I must have not been too subtle about it because Weiss placed her hand on my back.

I knocked it away and took a couple of deep breaths to calm my nerves. "I'm good." A few more deep breaths "I'm good." I repeated.

Weiss tried to console me. "Are you sure? We could rest somewhere-"

"Positive, the longer we linger the easier for those following us to find us." I interrupted. "Let's go."

I could hear her sputtering behind me as I made my way through the crowd.

We wandered the streets. I kept a scan of the crowd in case someone wanted to attack or kidnap us.

I know there's at least 2 factions here, the Spiders, and the White Fang HQ.

There's also that mysterious third faction that has been around lead by some guy named Apostolis, according to what Aaron said when they were attacked.

I'll have to find where the Spiders are so I can get some info on the HQ of the White Fang, hopefully before Sienna gets axed.

For now though, I do feel prying eyes on us, I whispered to Weiss "We need to disappear into the crowd."

Weiss whispered back "Why? Do you think someone is following us?"

I nodded as I led us through a crowd of people heading in the same direction.

Few hours pass and I suddenly remember something. The show never really gave directions as to where this house they were staying at was. Nor did it really give any sort of geographical landmarks that I can easily identify.

So… as much as I hate to admit, especially to my friend Aaron, I'm lost.

I glanced up at the sky next to a tall building hoping for a solution when I saw a pot fall out of a window on the fourth story.

A quick calculation told me where it would land, and a woman was about to walk right into the impact area.

I grabbed her by the arm and yanked her away just in time before the pot made contact with her head.

She looked both at the pot then at me in alarm. "Well um… thank you mister." she said as she was still in a state of shock.

I let go of her and replied "You're welcome, besides a face like yours is too pretty to be ruined."

She scoffed, "Flattery will get you everywhere young man."

I gave my customer service smile, "Of course Miss, say you wouldn't happen to know of a place me and my friend here can stay, well and have an additional 8 on the way."

She nodded "Oh yeah, there's an office not too far from here you can rent out houses for huntsmen, much like you two."

I mean my attire is rather loud so I guess she put two and two together. "Thanks, mind giving me directions?"

She then pointed past me "Go down the block, then to the right, The office will be the 15th building down"

I gave her a polite bow "Thank you once again miss."

She smiled "Don't mention it. Hope you two have a great day!"

I replied "We plan on it!"

Weiss and I and the woman then parted ways.

Weiss broke the silence once we were a good distance away from her "What was that?"

I glanced at her with half a smile "That, dear Weiss, is how I present myself. Mostly whenever I'm doing my customer service routine." I explained with my palms to the sky.

She raised an eyebrow at me "So you put on an act or something?"

I gave a confirming nod "More or less. It's a sort of stage presence. Because in retail, you have to put your absolute best self forward in order to keep customers happy when you're working a cash register or any position."

"So you're equating it to being on stage?" Weiss asked.

I shrugged "Certainly feels like it, especially when you're running a cash register. People tend to notice a bad day quite well."

"But… can't you just act like yourself?"

I couldn't help but laugh "Weiss, no employer wants my true self. Trust me, it's been that way forever."

We eventually arrived at the building as I gestured to Weiss to be quiet. "I'll take the lead." I told her.

I strolled up to the front desk with a smile on my face. I then greeted the clerk behind the counter "Good evening, I'm looking for a place to stay for at least me, my friend, and 8 others."

Weiss glanced at me confused.

The woman behind the counter, who looked about mid to late 30s, gave a disgruntled sigh "Are you here for the Maelstrom Company Orgy?" She said emotionlessly.

I blinked at her multiple times out of sheer confusion after being flashbanged by words. I glanced back at Weiss. It seemed she was just as confused as I was. I returned my gaze to the woman behind the counter as I asked "I'm sorry. The fucking what now?"

She gave another disgruntled sigh "Every year the Maelstrom company has orgies to "relieve stress," as they call it. All higher ups with hookers. We've had to soundproof the house due to the amount of noise they make. We have also had to rent out a cleaning service for that house because of them."

Horrifying and understandable. I'm pretty sure those poor janitors have ptsd akin to my own. "Yeah no, we're not here for that. We're here just to see if Mistral might need any help since…" I glanced outside momentarily. "The huntsman seems to be gone. Why is that exactly?"

The lifeless expression lifted from her face momentarily. "Well they were all sent out on an assignment. None have returned yet."

I gave a nod "good to know, anyway the place for us two plus 8 others that will join later?"

She started to type on her computer as she asked "How much later?"

"Let's say throughout the rest of this week and a couple of weeks from now" We're early, which feels like I've got some time to find the White Fang HQ and hopefully save Senna.

She typed on her computer then glanced back at me "So how would you like to pay."

"With a card." I said with a smirk.

She typed something else. "How long will you be staying?"

Given the whole volume was just them sitting at a house… "About a month and a half." That should give me enough time to dismantle the White Fang's attack before it starts. "Oh and can I just do a one time payment, I'd rather just pay for everything at once."

She raised her eyebrow then told me "I'll have to talk to the manager before I say anything, I'll be right back." She then walked down a hallway and out of earshot of us.

"Okay, two things. One: what are you planning?" Weiss asked. "You can't possibly be able to afford an entire month and a half."

"No… But Jacques can." I replied with a small chuckle slipping from my lips as I pulled Jacque's credit card out of my pocket.

Weiss glanced at it and me in shock "When did you-?"

I shrugged "He's not gonna miss a couple thousand right?"

She then came out just as I finished that statement. Hopefully this works on comedy rules and she didn't hear that last part. "He said it's fine. So long as you're able to pay for all of them."

"Oh, my dear friend's father is actually paying for this." I replied with a mildly mischievous smile.

Weiss dropped her arms to her sides with a surprised look on her face.

Hopefully she never gets to question number two.

She raised an eyebrow "Um okay… I will need some sort of confirmation for that."

I nodded and pulled my scroll out and pretended to call with it. "Hello Jacques, hey sorry to bother you. I know you're a busy man, but this clerk needs to confirm that you're paying for our vacation. Uh huh. Alright." I then pretended to put it on speaker "Ok go ahead."

I found out how to download apps on my scroll. It's a complicated process, much more than going to the app store and downloading something. But I found something that allowed me to take Jacques' words and put it through an AI filter so that I could make it look like it's actually from him.

So AI Jacques said Hello?

"Hello Mr. Schnee, I was told by your uh…" She glanced at me.

Soon to be son-in-law AI Jacques corrected.

"Right, that you'd be paying for it. Is that correct?"

It is, what do you take me for? A cheapskate?! That may have been too much in hindsight.

"Right, sorry sir, Hope you have a good day!"

It will be when I can get back to work!

Then again… maybe not.

"Thanks Jacques." I then turned off the program "So… about that payment."

She nodded "Whenever you're ready."

As soon as I paid her we were given our keys, and directions on how to get there. I made sure to note landmarks so I can give directions to Aaron later.

Luckily it was easy enough to find. I think I wasn't followed. But I am not about to jinx myself either, so I'm gonna keep that thought suppressed.

Weiss shut the door behind me as she asked "I still have my next question."

"Which is…?"

I heard her take a few steps forward as she asked, "Why eight? I know that you're expecting Ruby, Yang and Aaron to come along. But that would leave a lot of empty beds."

I shrugged "Just in case, besides JNPR will join us too."

"JNPR?" She asked rather shocked.

I could tell she was mathing in her head despite me not looking directly at her. I was busy going through my things making sure I didn't leave anything at the Schnee manor.

"That still leaves two more spaces." She concluded.

I shrugged, "I have a feeling we're gonna pick up more stragglers."

She scoffed "What, your "psychic powers" told you?"

"I heard those air quotes Weiss." I bickered.

She gave a soft sigh as if she was giving up.

I slung my laptop bag back over my shoulders. I then took a moment to stretch. "I think it's been a long day, we need to rest Weiss." I told her.

"Achilles…" Weiss beckoned.

I glanced at her, and with the face she's making I wish I hadn't.

She put her right hand on her left arm as she began to speak "I think we really need to talk about… that night."

"Nope." I started to quickly walk away.

Weiss followed me, now more angry "You can't keep running away from this!"

"Weiss, guys like me don't talk about things like this. We suppress the memory until the day we're six feet under or explode in a violent rage." I explained.

"That's absurd!" She yelled. "Not to mention unhealthy!"

"So is this entire situation I'm in, Good night Weiss." I slammed the door on her face.

I heard her grumbling something before walking away.

I know that she has a point. I can't just suppress what happened to us. But at the same time I can't bring myself to face her after that. Hell a couple nights before I opened up how I saw her and RWBY like daughters. Then to turn around and do that under the influence of an aphrodisiac?

That's just… wrong.

…

But I also can't avoid it forever, it'll drive a wedge between our friendship.

I gripped my head trying to scream out to my God… but he never listens… As if he would have on Earth anyway…

I've never been religious on Earth, what changed between there and here on Remnant?

…

I suppose it has something to do with how I got here in the first place. I died and came back to life in a different world, hell different universe.

… I need to lie down, it's been a long flight and an even longer day. And I'm not thinking straight.

{Aaron's perspective}

"According to the map, we're almost there." I told Yang

Yang acknowledged "Thank you Aaron!"

Strangely, I thought we'd encounter Kuroyuri and Ren's home town on our travels, if anything we're early.

I guess it's easier when we have transport.

Then again, Yang doesn't have her angst (Shut it Justin I will not say that. You know how I feel about puns!)

So we passed the time with conversations amongst ourselves. I stayed silent letting everyone else tell their stories that I pretty much already know.

At least, that part made sense. What didn't was when we got into a contest of who can make up the weirdest word.

The only ones I remember were Ruby's who came up with Balafar, and Nora who came up with Farbuckle. So I naturally had to one up them and reference Jay and Silent Bob

"How about Snoogans," I said with the same amount of charm as Jay from Mallrats.

Ruby started to giggle. "Snoogans? How do you come up with that?"

Yang started to laugh too. Which concerned me since she was driving us

I shrugged "Just trying to see if you guys can one up that."

The collective group laughed

"I don't know man, I don't think I can top that." Jaune commented.

Yang calmed down enough to ask us "Hey there's a rest stop up ahead, does anyone need a restroom?"

"Yep." I answered.

A couple of the others also needed to use the restroom as well apparently.

So we pulled off and after a trip to the bathroom I went to stretch.

I heard a voice somewhere behind me say "Hey isn't that the guy in that sex tape?"

I quickly turned around to see a guy with long hair, a flannel wrapped around his waist, and a beanie. I told them "No, that's not me."

A second guy that was slightly portly with a black trenchcoat said "no I think that was definitely you."

"No it wasn't" I said again a little more aggressively.

They looked at each other as if having a silent conversation before coming back to me "So how did it-"

I unfolded my gauntlets and threw a punch and stopped just inches from his face as I repeated "I said: NO. I. AM. NOT."

The man with long hair and a flannel around his waist caved. "Ok ok you're not him."

I folded my weapons up and walked away.

I then heard one of them say "A bit touchy isn't he?"

{Yang's perspective}

I waited by the bike for everyone to do their business and try to contact Achilles and Blake again.

Blake didn't respond to my message.

Achilles replied with an address and told me not to ask how he got the funds.

I was about to ask him exactly that when I saw a man wearing black flying by me.

I glanced at where he landed then where he came from. Aaron was walking towards me with a look of frustration.

I saw a guy with a flannel around his waist behind him in a face in the dirt, butt upright position.

I tilted my head at him and asked "What happened?"

"No passport." Aaron replied.

I raised an eyebrow "But we're not at an airport?"

Aaron shrugged, "No passport."

He's just gonna repeat that isn't he?

"I'll watch your bike if you need to use the restroom." Aaron offered.

"Thanks but I'm good for now." I assured him.

Aaron shrugged "Suit yourself. I need to stretch before the last leg."

I glanced back at my scroll to see if I could ask Achilles how he got his funds.

His response was: Don't worry about it. There might be some problems later but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

I asked Did you steal money?!

Achilles answered Is it really stealing if it's a billionaire's money?

I can't believe this guy YES OMG!

Achilles only replied with a shrug emoji.

This man is gonna get me killed. I swear to the brothers.

{Jocelyn's perspective}

Salem called a meeting between me and Cinder and her group.

She briefed us on the location of the Lamp of Knowledge. Which I already knew but I had to pretend like I didn't.

She then told us about Lionheart and what Watts relayed to us.

…Which is why I must have both you and Cinder meet with Watts. She ordered.

I gave a nod.

Cinder disagreed. "Ma'am, with all due respect, I could get this done much quicker with just me, Emerald and Mercury."

Salem gave a slight scowl.

I crossed my arms in a "really" sort of way. "You know what they say, Cinder; the more the merrier."

She glared at me "Need I remind you; your ex-fiance is still alive due to your carelessness?"

I retorted "Need I remind you you're still a-"

ENOUGH! Salem barked. I understand both of you aren't on the best of terms. So think of this like… how would Ozma put it? Team building exercise?

I nodded, "Yeah he would say it like that."

Salem gave a smile. Good, now prepare to leave. I shall have Hazel out with you soon. I just need him to find out where Ozma's next incarnation is.

Hazel nodded "I'll head to Mistral after Rose, Cinder and Watts. He's bound to show either there or on the way there."

"Try going by train, he's probably on one of them." I suggested.

Hazel gave a noise that sounded like a "yeah."

Salem tilted her head And what makes you so sure?

I looked around the table before turning to Cinder "Cinder, can you get those two out of here. What I'm about to say mustn't leave this room."

Emerald glared at me "Why can't we be here? Whatever it is, we can handle it."

I raised an eyebrow.

Cinder waved at her insubordinate subordinate and told her "Wait for me out in the hall."

Emerald begrudgingly complied. Mercury uncrossed his arms and followed.

Once the doors closed I then told them "As I'm sure you're all aware I'm not from Remnant. What I didn't tell you is I died to get here… literally." Justin would be proud of that pun.

Cinder raised an eyebrow "So how are you… here?"

I shrugged "I was hoping to find the answer here. But so far, nothing. But before I died I watched a show called RWBY. Which is what you're all in."

I could tell based on Cinder's reaction, or lack thereof, she was processing what I just said.

Hazel just glanced at me and asked "So this show… did they reveal the name of the man Ozpin now possesses?"

I shook my head "They kept his name a secret for a while though I do believe it was… Oscar?"

"Hm…" Hazel didn't add much after that.

Salem looked pleased. So… Ozma reincarnates yet again… She then smiled at me. I knew there was a use for you yet. She then ordered Everyone leave. Rose and I must speak in private.

Hazel and Cinder got up, bowed, then left through the doors that Emerald and Mercury exited moments prior.

I sat myself close to Salem. She then asked me Do we acquire the Relic of Knowledge from Haven Academy?

I shook my head. "In the timeline I watched, Cinder let her desire for revenge get to her and she altered the plans to fight at Haven."

Salem turned from me and clasped her hands together in thought. I see… She then turned back to me. See to it that does not happen in this "timeline." Do not fail me Rose.

I stood up and bowed "I don't plan to"

I exited the throne room to join the others in preparation for Mistral.

I wonder if Justin's already there.

{Weiss' perspective}

That was a rough night. I kept hearing gunshots and other things throughout the night. I think there was also a drug deal going on behind the house and I swear I heard Achilles yell "By the brothers. HE'S WEARING A WIRE!" And after that, what sounded like machine gun fire.

I'm pretty sure whoever that was is dead now.

I decided to see if Achilles was making breakfast only to be met with a note on the counter that read:

Weiss,

Had to run some errands.

We need some food in this house.

Also gonna go pay the Spiders a visit.

- Breakfast is right there. There's some basic condiments in the fridge.

Then his signature that looks like he erased his initial one to write another. In very horribly done cursive. I swear this boy needs to take some lessons on how to write better.

I then looked in the direction the not pointed to see toast with a note next to it

P.S. I don't know how to make anything else other than cereal and this. _

Somebody's gotta take away emoticons from him…

…

Wait a minute did he say he was going to see the Spiders?

…

Oh no…

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

Hopefully Weiss can read my note. Figured I'd keep communications to a minimum since I can't help but feel as though someone has been following me for a while ever since I stepped foot into this kingdom.

Though the views here are beautiful. Might come here for a honeymoon… when that company isn't having an orgy preferably.

I eventually found my way to the lower levels of Mistral. The crime underbelly. I need to watch my surroundings here. I don't want them stealing the money that I technically stole from Jacques.

It was only a couple hundred thousand Lein, I'm sure he won't miss it.

Now all I have to do is find a purple eastern style building. How hard would that be? I asked myself hours ago. Turns out people aren't willing to give directions to them. But I did notice some black widow marks on certain buildings. So I figured I'm close.

And sure enough, following the trail led me to the den of the Spiders.

Now I gotta put on another act.

I drew a cross from my head to my torso then across my shoulders before heading in.

Sure enough, the place is the same as in that one episode. There's a bar to my left and couches to my right. And right in the middle is the Little Miss Muffet reference herself, Miss Malachite.

Her two henchmen were on either side of her. She glanced at me with intrigue. "Well, come into my parlor young man."

"Said the spider to the fly." I retorted as I slowly approached her.

She raised an eyebrow "Are you referring to yourself as the fly?"

I shrugged "Perhaps, or perhaps I know how you operate."

She gave a smile "Well I feel honored, someone did their homework before stepping in here."

Her two henchmen circled around to stand behind me as she leaned forward "Now… What is it you want? Information?"

I nodded "The location of the White Fang headquarters."

She raised an eyebrow "And why would you, a human, want to know where that is?"

I raised my robotic hand towards her "I have… a score to settle with one of their members."

She flicked her fancy cigarette into an ashtray "Revenge is it? You hardly seem the type."

I shrugged "I don't keep many enemies, aside from ones who do me wrong."

I heard the distinct sound of two hammers clicking behind me.

"Was that a threat young man?" Miss Malachite asked.

I shook my head "that'd be foolish, threatening a queen in her own dominion."

She gave a half hearted chuckle "Flattery will get you nowhere with me. Why, we haven't even discussed payment yet."

I gave my own half-hearted chuckle "Of course, nothing is free after all." I then set a bag down in front of her.

She glanced up at me "Your life savings?"

I shrugged, "Not my money."

She seemed to have taken a moment to think before waving for her goons to back off since I heard them de-cocking their guns.

She then gestured to the seat in front of her "Why don't you have a seat young man. You look tired."

I shook my head. "I prefer standing."

She shrugged, "Suit yourself tough guy." She then put her cigarette in the ashtray. "Now then, it'll take me about a week to bring you this information." She explained.

I then asked "If I were to sweeten the pot, would it go by faster?"

She narrowed her eyes at me "How exactly do you think this works?"

I shrugged "I assumed it was because of the lack of Lien."

She glanced at her goons in a sort of manor that read to me "Is this guy for real?" she then turned back to me "you see, the Spiders aren't going to speed up progress because you 'sweetened the pot.' Information takes time, and effort. Do you want information? You have to be patient. Are we clear, tough guy?"

Begrudgingly I answered "Transparently."

She gave a smile "good, now come back in a week's time, I'll be sure to have results for you."

I nodded and just as I headed for the door she then said "I'd watch your back if I were you… Especially around these parts."

I turned towards her. Not really sure what to do. So I simply shrugged and headed out the door.

I was thinking on how to find my way out when I looked up to the sky to see a familiar sight of Weiss' summoned Queen Lancer. Though I think that Nevermore would have been better.

She descended and as she hit the ground her summon disappeared.

I waved a finger at her and said "Perfect timing. We're starting to work like a team."

She crossed her arms at me "You could have warned me you were planning on going here instead of leaving a note."

I shrugged "Figured I'd keep communications to a minimum. Never know who's listening or reading our texts."

She glared at me "Still! You could have gotten hurt, or kidnapped, or worse!"

I shrugged, "Nothing I can't handle."

"Can you not downplay danger for ONCE?!" she yelled which got everyone's attention.

Glancing around this doesn't seem to put me in a good light.

So I'll cave. "Fine, I'll bring someone next time."

She crossed her arms.

I rolled my eyes. "And I won't just leave a note."

"Good. Now let's head away from here. We still have some shopping to do." She said as she turned around.

There's a first… "Grocery shopping?"

"Yes you dunce, what other shopping is there?" She asked.

"... Well…"

She mounted onto her Queen Wasp summon as she said "Rhetorical question."

I shrugged, "Ask stupid questions, get stupid answers."

She rolled her eyes at me "Just get on four eyes." She said as she extended a hand to help me up.

I grabbed it and hoisted myself up. Though I didn't quite feel comfortable wrapping my hands around her waist, so I used my grappling hook as an impromptu seatbelt/lasso as we took to the air.