Sorry for being late! I got caught up on the preparations and celebrations! Please forgive me! Having a newborn during new year's eve was stressful when you have some neighbors recreating an airwar from World War 2.
Anyways, happy new year and please enjoy the chapter below!
Ozpin sighed tiredly as the cameras flashed towards their direction.
Facing the media always was a headache no matter how many lifetimes he has lived. No matter what era, there would always be nosy busibodies and gossipy people.
It was part of the reason why despite reaching such high stations in his numerous lives, he has always gravitated to being somewhat of a recluse.
The trait, however, became a double-edged sword because as much as he managed to avoid facing the media for pointless things, the times he could not meant they pounced on him like lions on a wounded prey.
Even now many wondered why he was not seen leading the defense of Vale during a crisis such as what is now known as The Breach.
Ozpin could hardly answer with the truth.
That he stayed in Beacon to guard the Maiden against would-be infiltrators.
Not that any other excuse would be acceptable. Not with the amount of damage this crisis caused.
Regardless, any answer they could come up with was something the media would immediately pounce on and dismantle, thereby casting aspersions and doubt on his leadership of Beacon.
Ozpin could hardly afford to be bogged down by such problems and so, he and Glynda resorted to one thing.
Weaponized distraction.
Pyrrha Nikos. Or more specifically, her relationship with the current darling of Vale, Jaune Arc.
Just her presence was enough to sway the media to one particular topic away from his absence during the crisis.
"What's it like sharing one man between three women?"
He cringed apologetically as another intrusive question was thrown at Ms. Nikos.
The poor child was already blushing furiously and Ozpin couldn't help but butt in in her defense.
"Please, let us not resort to crass questions regarding the personal lives of people who have already done so much for us."
Beacon's auditorium was filled with mutters of approval at that even as Ozpin saw a few snickers around them.
It was already shameful that they had to resort to using their students as shields to avoid a public inquiry, the least they could do was host the inevitable interview in their home turf with the support of Beacon's staff.
As expected however, the attention turned towards him.
"What does Beacon have to say about these kinds of relationships considering that this particular one formed under your own roof? Are these types of relationships accepted and actually prolific? Or do you denounce them and they are actually forbidden?" Lisa Lavender asked with a twinkle in her eyes as Ozpin sighed once again.
He expected her to be the most troublesome of the bunch. Someone willing to risk her life to get the most sensational news was someone willing to cross the line and ask the most scandalizing questions.
To answer Lisa's question was to invite even more questions. To say yes would lead to the question of what kind of institution are they and were there actually more polyamorous relationships forming inside Beacon.
To say no however was to denounce Mr. Arc's relationships with the women and ran the risk of ostracizing them.
Already, Ms. Nikos was looking at him worriedly and he had no doubt that she would be willing to whisk away Mr. Arc and the others to another academy if he actually tried to reprimand them regarding their relationships.
Which, of course would be detrimental to his current plans of asking her to be the next Fall Maiden.
Personally however, Ozpin had nothing to say on their relationship other than that it was an eyebrow-raising situation. Living as long as he had has naturally exposed Ozpin to numerous types of relationships and while this one was surprising, it wasn't actually world-shattering.
Still, as troubling as the question was, at least Lisa wasn't targetting his absence during the crisis. No, those types of questions were for later during his inquiry with Vale's Council.
Ozpin winced at that even as Professor Goodwitch took over for him to answer Lisa's question.
"Beacon has always prided itself in producing world-class Huntsmen. Naturally, we know what kind of pressures they face and it has always been our policy to let them handle stress in the way they want instead of stiffling them thatvis of course as long as they do it in a healthy and safe manner." Glynda said before taking a deep breath and looking at the media sternly. "With that said, this interview is over."
Ozpin raised an eyebrow at that. Now that was a bit heavy-handed, wasn't it?
Everybody was surprised at the sudden end and it wasn't long before the reporters were scrambling to have their questions heard.
"So you are saying this is all stress-relief?!" Lisa followed up, provoking Ms. Nikos to answer back immediately even as the rest of their table stood.
"No! We are more than-"
"Ahem." Glynda however, immediately cut her off, sending Ms. Nikos a cool look before looking back at Lisa Lavender. "Lunch will be served at the cafeteria. Beacon would be happy to host you for the day but this conversation is over."
Ozpin nodded, it was as good as ending as any. They managed to show themselves and the media at least, had their story to bite on. That while not encourage in Beacon, students were free to pursue relationships how they want it as long as it was safe and healthy.
Of course the media wasn't just satisfied with that. The questions only got wilder and wilder as they started to leave.
"Why do you think its healthy to have relationships with multiple people?!"
"Are there any others we do not know of involved in this particular relationship?!"
"Has the SDC and Menagerie given their blessings?!"
"Is this the start of a diplomatic relationship between-!"
Ozpin sighed as they finally managed to leave. Closing the doors behind them as Pyrrha Nikos groaned loudly into her hands.
"This was a disaster!"
"There, there, Pyr-Pyr. We could always break their legs so they have something else to talk about!"
"Nora, we can't break their legs. It would be illegal." Lie Ren stated, spying at them stoically as Glynda only huffed and Ozpin chuckled when Nora Valkyrie screamed out her rebuttal.
"Only if we get caught!"
Mr. Ren looked them straight in the eyes at that, prompting Glynda to roll her eyes and Ozpin to shake his head fondly.
"Mr. Ren is right, Ms. Valkyrie. Besides, wouldn't you want to do something else than break people's legs?" Ozpin smiled lightly vut Nora Valkyrie only shrugged at his question.
"Eh."
It wasn't even a word, not really, but Ozpin couldn't help but laugh lightly even as he pointed his cane down the hall towards one particular direction.
"I meant wouldn't you want to visit your fearless leader inside the infirmary?"
Gasps flew out at that as both Ms. Nikos and Ms. Valkyrie nodded at him excitedly.
"You may go." Ozpin grinned and it wasn't long before he saw the members of Team JNPR rushing to see their leader.
He hummed as he looked at their figures. Smiles adorned their faces and he couldn't help but think that this was what life should be like.
Putting smiles on others' faces.
His own smile dropped at that because he knew for a fact that it wasn't that simple.
Sacrifices needed to be made.
And with that thought, his eyes focused on Ms. Nikos' red hair just before they rounded a corner.
"Ozpin." Glynda called out, gathering his attention as she looked at her own Scroll. "James wants to see us. He's already in your office."
He raised an eyebrow at that amd he fishes his own Scroll to see his friend's message as well as a notification from his own security system that a person was inside his office.
Being a trusted comrade, James naturally had authorization to enter his office butvseldom was the time he entered without Ozpin already being there.
Whatever reason James could be there now must have been urgent.
He walked across Beacon's grounds, spying a coupme of animated students here and there as they traded battle stories with their friends.
Ozpin nodded, it was good that there was no casualty among his charge as well as the transfer students. No doubt the day would be different if a child actuallybdied under his care.
The public would be upon him clamoring for explanations.
As it was, only the Council was trying to get answers from him now that the public was enamored with Jaune Arc.
Perhaps that was what James wanted to talk about? Being the Council's assigned Chief Security Officer, James naturally would know the Council's concerns before Ozpin would.
Regardless, it was time to find out why his friend was here instead of micromanaging the city's defenses now that he had an excuse to do so.
It didn't take long before he and Glynda reached his elevator and at that plint, it was only a matter of tim before the doors opened and Ozpin saw his friend watching Vale through his office windows.
"James." He called out, walking forward as he immediately went for one of his mugs.
Hands automatically flew into motion even as Glynda's Semblance carried a pot of coffee towards him.
"Ozpin. Glynda." James nodded and by the time he turned around, all three of them were already standing around Ozpin's office table with Glynda's Semblance pouring coffee from the pot into each of their mugs.
They took a moment to assess each other and Ozpin could see tired red-rimmed eyes looking back at him.
It has been hours since they woke up and it was obvious all of them needed rest and yet the work was not done.
Ozpin sighed, taking a sip of his coffee before looking at James.
"What is it, James? What has happened?"
"Other than the city being breached, we have the Council trying to hound us on how the Breach happened. I've managed to stave them off what with them ordering me to stay put above their residences but that is not going to last long, Ozpin." James answered, sipping his own mug before staring at him cooly. "They are wondering where you were and would just love to talk to you about it."
Ozpin groaned even as Glynda only closed her eyes.
Sarcastic remarks from James of all people? The Council must have been really trying, and yet if that was all then James still wouldn't have called him to his own office.
No, something else must have happened.
"What else has happened, James? You wouldn't call us here if it was only about the Council." He said even as James sighed before answering.
"It is not that simple, Ozpin. The Council is looking for someone to blame."
Ozpin raised an eyebrow at that even as Glynda furrowed hers.
"Why? They could blame the White Fang. Everyone knows they were involved in the attack." Glynda asked but James only winced at that.
"They would love to but it is not enough."
Both Ozpin and Glynda's eyes widened as James fished out his Scroll and showed them a video.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Kill them all! Don't let them get through!"
Ozpin and Glynda watched in horror while screams and cries of agony sounded out from the Scroll as police shot at unarmed Faunus civilians.
"Is this real? Who took the video?" Glynda asked sharply even as James shook his head.
"It's real. Media found the sight when Winter tried to secure it. We don't know who took the video and leaked it but we've ordered a media blackout regarding this matter. We're lucky they have Mr. Arc to focus on."
Lucky, indeed.
Ozpin watched gravely as Faunus started attacking the police and before long, a young man joined them.
No, he did more than join them.
He led them.
At the end of it all, the police were dead as the Faunus cheered.
Ozpin could see how blaming the White Fang would not be enough. Just this video alone would divide opinions among the populace.
He was not blind to the fact that this video could be used for recruitment.
Some, while not many, might even think the White Fang was justified!
Yet something bothered him.
"And so they want to pin things on me? To use me as a scapegoat? This isn't enough, James. At most, they could charge me for negligence." He shook his head but James only sighed at that before fiddling with his Scroll, showing a video of the wreckage the Wgite Famg used to breach Vale.
"Your students, Ms. Belladonna and Ms. Schnee, were recorded exiting the train that hit Vale, Ozpin. That does not help things, Ozpin. The Council is wondering why they were in there in the first place."
This time, it was Glynda who groaned loudly as Ozpin closed his eyes in grief and frustration.
Ms. Belladonna and Ms. Schnee.
They were the only ones to rise from the wreckage. Things did not bode well for Ms. Rose and Ms. Xiao Long but until he had confirmation of what really happened from Ms. Belladonna and Ms. Schnee, he was not going to write them out.
Not only because they were promising students but Ms. Rose was the last Silver-Eyed Warrior he knew. She bore the last remnants of the God of Light's gift to humanity.
To lose that...
Ozpin's eyes hardened as he snapped them open and looked at James.
"Do you at least have some good news for us, James?"
James only smiled wryly at him. "Well, the last components of the Aura Transfer Machine just arrived. We only need to assemble it beside Amber before we can use it."
Ozpin froze before letting out a deep breath. "That is some good news. Right in the nick of time too."
James hummed curiously before furrowing his brows at him for that remark.
Ozpin could only shake his head with a sigh. "I'm afraid we almost lost Amber last night. Her vitals flared briefly before dipping so slow that I was actually afraid she was going to die."
Glynda gasped as Ozpin recounted the events only he was able to witness. If he wasn't there...if Amber died...no one would even know until it was too late.
"I see. It is time then." James nodded gravely even as Glynda looked at them in shock.
"Surely not! Surely we could ask Mr. Arc to use his Semblance again!"
The idea had merit but there was just one problem.
"I'm sorry, Glynda, but you heard Mr. Arc. He could not fully heal her. She is still missing half a soul." Ozpin stated even as James nodded sadly.
"Glynda..it would only be prolonging the inevitable."
"So that is it then. You are just going to give up on her." Glynda scoffed even as Ozpin shook his head.
"We aren't but it has been increasingly apparent that our enemies are on the move. Qrow is still missing. Vale was just attacked. And we still have no idea who Salem's agents are other than that the White Fang is working with them. We must transfer the Fall Maiden's powers now while we still have the time."
Indecision warped Glynda's face but eventually, she herself nodded in resignation.
"I'm sorry, I just thought that with Mr. Arc helping us we had hope of healing Amber."
"As did I, but unless we can find Salem's Maiden, we have no hope of healing Amber." Ozpin said, frowning as he looked down on his now empty mug.
Laying it all out there, they really were on the back foot.
He was down his best agent with Qrow missing.
Some of his future pieces were currently off the board as the whereabouts of Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao Long were still unknown.
And his home was just attacked!
All the while, they had no idea who Salem's agents are other than that they had the White Fang!
They needed an additional piece on their side.
Jaune Arc was shaping up to be a good one as a beacon of hope and future hero for others but he still had a long way to go.
No, they needed someone with more immediate power on their side.
They needed a Maiden.
"I can try interrogating Roman Torchwick but who knows if we'll be able to get information out of him before Salem's agents make their move." James offerred kindly, prompting Glynda to smile fragilely.
"Thank you, James." She said before looking at Ozpin with brittle hope.
Ozpin sighed at that. "I suppose we can try. After all, we still have to talk to Ms. Nikos about this."
"She is the final candidate then?" James asked as Ozpin nodded in confirmation.
"She is. We'll induct her together with Mr. Arc and give her some time to decide."
Glynda smiled at him gratefully at that but Ozpin only hummed at her lightly.
Already, thoughts of how to convince Ms. Nikos to take the mantle of Maidenhood were rushing through his mind. He is taken out of his thoughts however when James coughed loudly.
Galvanized by Glynda's thankful smile at him, the General brings forth another matter to delay them.
"In the meantime, Ozpin will have to speak with the Council."
Ozpin audibly groaned at that.
Damn it! He almost forgot!
"You'll have to explain yourself to them, old friend." James chuckled humorously at his reaction as the mood started to lighten.
"We still don't actually know what exactly happened other than Barth's accounts." Glynda shook her head softly at that even as Ozpin tsked loudly.
James however, only smiled proudly at her. "Not to worry, Glynda. I've already sent Winter to speak with her sister. I'm sure she'll have a report ready of what happened from her sister."
Instead of looking gratefully at James however, Glynda only looked at him in horror.
"You sent Winter to her sister?!"
James immediately frowned even as Ozpin tilted his head in confusion at that.
Seeing their expressions, Glynda could only screech at them in shock.
"The same sister in a relationship with Jaune Arc?!"
Ozpin and James' eyes slowly started to widen at that.
Weiss Schnee was probably with Jaune Arc right now.
And James just sent her sister towards them.
Her sister who was a Specialist and strict with the rules and her sister.
That sister was going to see Jaune Arc.
Fuck.
""Ah.""
"Ah, indeed." Glynda stated with dead eyes.
Crap! Darn! Gosh darn monkey feathers!
Weiss Schnee was not prone to cursing but this was one of the few times she would make an exception.
Because the fact of the matter was that she was exposed. Her back was against the wall. And her boyfriend was about to die.
"You're dead, Arc! You are so dead!"
Weiss held on for dear life as she did her best to stop her sister. Her hands circled around her sister's back as she used her own body as a shield.
"What are you doing, Jaune?! She is not joking! Run!" She screamed desperately, looking back at Jaune who looked around frantically before waving at his legs still under the covers on the bed.
"Let go, Weiss! I need to avenge your honor!"
"My honor does not need avenging!" She screamed out before looking at Blake who finally looked panicked. "Blake, help me!"
"What do you want me to do?! Knock your sister out?!"
"Try it and you are dead!" Winter barked out ferociously to Weiss' growing embarrassment.
Its not that she didn't understand Winter's protectiveness but she would have really appreciated it when Neptune left her hanging!
Not when she wanted to kill Weiss' boyfriend and friend!
"Winter, noooo." She groaned out embarrassedly, closing her eyes as she hugged her sister tighter.
"Winter, yessss! I'll gut you like a pig, Jaune Arc!" Winter snarled and gosh darn it she has never heard her sister so animated before!
Weiss' eyes snapped open in horror however when she felt her back hit the bed even as Jaune started to screech.
It was then did Blake finally decided to make herself useful. She ran from the other side of Jaune's bed and grabbed Winter from behind.
"You're next on my list, Belladonna!" Winter hissed, pushing through even with Weiss clinging onto her with her full bodyweight.
"She's got me! Oh Gods she has me!" Jaune screamed in horror when Winter finally managed to grip his foot under the covers.
"I have you now, Arc! Prepare to die!"
SLAM!
The doors to the infirmary suddenly slammed open and in came a welcome voice
"You will do no such thing!"
"""Pyrrha!"""
Jaune, Weiss, and Blake all screamed out at the same time even as Winter growled.
No words were needed as Pyrrha leapt to join the fray like an avenging angel.
Winter was not to be defeated easily however.
Bodies hit the floor as she and Blake found themselves thrown to the ground as her sister suddenly decided to put in the effort to get them off of her before facing Pyrrha.
Weiss watched as white and red clashed over Jaune's legs. They pushed, pulled, and grappled against each other like rival beasts.
Shrill screams and snarls came out between them while her boyfriend flayed wildly, screaming for his life as he tried to push two ladies off of him.
"Watch the balls! Do not elbow the balls!"
Weiss winced as she heard Jaune while dusting herself off. She looked on helplessly as Blake helped her to her feet.
As much as they wanted to interfere, they could only watch as both Pyrrha Nikos and Winter Schnee showed off their own sets of skills.
As much as it grated her pride as a Schnee, she could admit that Pyrrha was the best in combat in their year.
She had no doubts that she could even take on some of the older and more experienced people in Beacon.
And yet...Winter Schnee was not just some older and more experienced people.
The Youngest Specialist ever so far, Winter Schnee was impressive on her own. She certainly didn't get where she was by just being pretty and using her family name.
Weiss watched as her sister slapped Pyrrha's hands over her head before snaking forward to try and put Pyrrha in a headlock.
Not to be dettered, Pyrrha used her own momentum and size to push forward, forcing Winter over Jaune's legs as the two grappled against each other.
Things only got more chaotic when Nora suddenly shouted and egged them on.
"Go get her, Pyr! Grab her tits and twist it!"
"Nora!" Weiss only shrieked in horror as her head snapped towards the ginger near the door.
"What? This is the most entertaining thing I have ever seen!" Nora replied with a grin even as Ren laid a hand on her shoulder
"I don't think Jaune appreciates us egging them on." Ren said with a pale face as what started as an exquisite display of skills suddenly devolved into hair pulling and screaming.
"Help! Somebody help me!" Jaune screamed, looking at Weiss and Blake desperately as Winter rolled Pyrrha over to Jaune's crotch.
They looked at each other and winced, she knew how painful it was to have her hair pulled. To interfere now could hurt both Winter and Pyrrha.
Luckily, she didn't need to because out of nowhere, the two warriors suddenly froze as a purple light covered them.
"What is going on here?!" Glynda Goodwitch panted heavily near the door as she stretched her hand out towards their direction.
Weiss breathed a sigh of relief. She has never been so happy to see the strict disciplinarian than she was now!
Yet Winter was relentless, she blurts out the most embarrassing thing Weiss has ever heard.
"That man ravaged my sister!"
With one hand pointed towards Jaune, Winter just killed Weiss' dignity.
Silence dominated the room as even Jaune looked shocked while pointing a finger to himself.
A keening noise started however and it took Weiss some time to realize it was coming from her as she slowly started to cover her face in mortification.
"I-I didn't!" Jaune immediately denied but Winter shouted over him immediately.
"Lies! Weiss told me herself that you slept with Nikos and Belladonna at the same time! You expect me to believe you wouldn't touch my sister's beautiful body if you had the chance?!"
Choked gasps echoed around the room as Weiss shouted in complete mortification. "WINTER!"
Almost everyone there knew about Jaune's relationships but to have it shouted out by her own sister was just plain embarrassing!
In front of Professor Goodwitch no less!
Weiss shook her head vehemently at that even as blood rushed to her face. "He didn't ravage me!"
Winter snapped towards her with wide eyes at that. "He didn't?"
Weiss could only blush as she squirmed shyly. "At least...not yet."
Jaune...ravaging her. The thought made her blood boil as a heated breath left her mouth. She could hardly look at Jaune right now because of the embarrassment but even then, a quick glance told her he had a dopey grin on his face.
Her lips curled slowly into a smile before a sound reminded her that theybwwre not the only ones there.
Nora squealed excitedly and Weiss could only groan loudly even as Winter withered.
"My sister...ravaged..."
"Winter! Snap out of it!" Weiss screamed embarrassedly as she heard Professor Goodwitch sigh tiredly.
"Good heavens, is that all?"
Weiss blushed even as her sister suddenly snapped towards Glynda Goodwitch, completely forgetting Pyrrha Nikos and letting her go over Jaune's bed.
"Is that all? Is that all?! That's all you have to say?! What kind of hedonistic institution are you running here?!"
Professor Goodwitch winced at Winter's words but before she could even reply, Winter was already shouting over her.
"I should have you flagged! Investigated! Sued!"
Weiss joined Professor Goodwitch in wincing as Winter stomped heavily at the end of each word.
"I will bring the whole might of the SDC over you!"
"Winter!" Weiss gasped with wide eyes.
The SDC! Her father!
That thought alone scrambled Weiss' head so hard that only one word echoed in her mind.
No!
Unbalanced as she was, she could muster no defence as Winter suddenly whirled towards her.
"And you! Weiss, I'm taking you home! This is not up for debate!"
Shouts of complaints immediately sounded out from her friends but Winter's icy blue eyes were pinned on Jaune.
"Jaune Arc, if you even think about laying a hand on my sister, I will break your fingers. Nay, I will break every single bone in your body. I will make you suffer. I will-"
"-DO NO SUCH THING!"
The voice thundered across the room with such authority that Weiss watched as her sister suddenly straightened.
"Sir!" Winter crisply saluted before the words registered in her mind and horror was painted on her face.
General Ironwood marched into the room with steady steps side by side with Headmaster Ozpin.
"Stand down, Winter."
"But sir-"
"That is an order, Specialist." General Ironwood stopped in front of Winter and Weiss held her breath as her sister bit her lip in frustration.
Eventually however, Winter nodded stiffly before stepping back with a tight face.
Weiss finally let out the breath inside of her chest and she felt relief fill her.
General Ironwood sighed, looking at Winter for a moment before turning towards Jaune.
"Mr. Arc, I owe you an apology."
Everyone blinked at that.
The General of Atlas, argueably the most powerful man alive with the biggest army, was apologizing to Jaune Arc.
What?
"What?" Jaune muttered Weiss' thoughts out loud as they all gawked at General Ironwood who only continued.
"Your involvement with the White Fang during previous incidents made me view you in a suspicious light.
Before Weiss knew it, she and Blake were immediately moving towards Jaune's bedside together with Pyrrha in a show of solidarity.
General Ironwood blinked at them before shaking his head.
"I actually thought you were a spy." He admitted making everyone tense before they all turned to each other in confusion.
Jaune was under suspicion? Of being a spy?! For the White Fang?!
What?! The thought sounded ludicrous!
If anything, she expected they would be more suspicious of Blake considering she was a former member and all!
She looked at her teammate only to see her looking at her in wonder as well.
They were probably think exact same thing! In fact, they all were judging by Team JNPR's confused faces.
Team JNPR. A painful pang assaulted Weiss' heart at that. They were a full team while she and Blake were-
She shook her head and bit her lip. That was for later, for now, she had to focus on the present as General Ironwood continued.
"I am glad to say that I have never been more glad to be wrong in my entire life."
"I-uhm-thanks, I guess?" Jaune mutterred questioningly, overwhelmed at the General's words.
A smile broke out of General Ironwood's face at that as Headmaster Ozpin nodded agreeably beside him.
"Well said, James. Mr. Arc, you have shown your mettle and loyalty to Vale today. Luring the Grimm to yourself to give the city some time to get back on its feet was no small feat and for that, you deserve to be praised."
"Oh, uhm. Thanks again, I guess. I was just doing what I can." Jaune blushed at the praise as he rubbed the back of his head embarrassedly.
"Humble too, I see." Headmaster Ozpin chuckled fondly at that before a sad smile formed on his face. "Regretably however, your actions have gathered you attention that I fear you are not prepared for."
Weiss blushed as the Headmaster's eyes flicked towards her, Blake, and Pyrrha. Even Jaune wasn't so dense as to miss the meaning of that.
He winced as he looked at the Headmaster worriedly. "They weren't supposed to see that. No one was supposed to see that."
"Regardless, it has been seen, recorded, broadcasted across Vale, and now the world. I wouldn't put it past the media to show it again and again." Headmaster Ozpin replied sadly as every single one of them winced.
If that was true then...her father must have seen it by now.
Fear filled Weiss' heart as she dreaded checking her Scroll. Luckily, in the chaos of all things, her Scroll lost its battery. She would have to recharge it first before messages or calls could come in but that was for later.
"What do we do now?" She gulped, her eyes flicking to Winter who only bit her teeth in frustration.
Gods, her sister. If her reaction was already like that before then what would the rest of their family be like?
She is taken out of her thoughts however when Blake holds her hand and gives her a comforting squeeze.
She gasped lightly, turning back to Headmaster Ozpin who was now staring at them.
"Now.? Now you rest. I would speak with Mr. Arc and Ms. Nikos in my office while Professor Goodwitch stays here to speak with you."
Professor Goodwitch jolted at that even as General Ironwood stared at Headmaster Ozpin. Eventually however, they all nodded together as they stared at them.
Weiss jolted as she felt Blake stiffen worriedly. "Why separate us? Shouldn't we speak together? This concerns all of us after all."
"She's right. We're all involved with each other. I'd like to speak together." Jaune nodded in support, making Weiss and the others blush at his words.
Involved together.
A happy sound formed in her throat at those words.
She saw Winter grit her teeth as General Ironwood let out an amazed breath and shook his head.
"Even seeing it firsthand, I can still scarcely believe it."
"Well, believe it. This is happening. We are happening." Jaune replied, a blush overtaking his face as he realized how embarrassing his own words were.
Headmaster Ozpin laughed at that. "It is and we will all talk together. Like it or not, Beacon is involved by virtue of all of this forming under our roof. In a sense, we are responsible for all of you but the fact of the matter is right now, the attention of the public is mainly on you, Mr. Arc."
"What? Why?" Jaune blinked in wonder as Weiss slapped her forehead embarrassedly.
Does he really not know why?
Headmaster Ozpin smiled teasingly at Jaune for that. "You mean you being one man surrounded by three beautiful women is not enough to garner attention?"
Jaune blushed furiously at that he stammered while looking at her, Blake, and Pyrrha.
Pyrrha giggled, pinching Jaune's cheeks as he embarrassedly looked away.
"S-Sorry, I think I'm still a little out of it."
"Then maybe you may not know this but you are now being hailed as a hero of Vale." Headmaster Ozpin nodded indulgently, making Jaune gawk before shaking his head.
"S-Seriously?"
"Seriously. You see now, why we want to speak with you? We would like to orient you on how to act appropriately as a public person of interest. Ms. Nikos would be joining us to help coach you." Headmaster Ozpin answered and Weiss was already raising her hand.
"I-I would like to help too. I have just as much experience as Pyrrha if not more in facing the media and the public as a celebrity." She volunteered shyly.
She was involved now and she would rather like to teach Jaune how to act to make him palatable to her family and the SDC. It was the only thing she could do nownto reconcile her duties as a Schnee and her desires as a woman.
Jaune nodded his thanks even as Headmaster Ozpin smiled at her.
"And you will, child. It is just that you and Ms. Belladonna still have to explain what happened. We still don't have a full picture and we would appreciate your help. Professor Goodwitch here will take your report as the rest of us will leave you some privacy to do it." Headmaster Ozpin said kindly.
Too kindly.
It took Weiss a moment to understand and she gasped as she registered Headmaster Ozpin's smile turn sad.
Ruby and Yang.
They want to know what happened to them.
She bit her lip as she nodded, her hand clenching Blake's even as she felt Jaune slide his into her other hand.
"Help me up, Weiss? Blake?" Jaune asked and Weiss nodded silently as she and Blake helped pull him to his feet.
He stumbled into them and they both took the action for what it really was.
An excuse to hug.
Jaune was bigger than her but he was not so big as to totally encompass her and Blake together. Still, he pulled them tighter into him and Weiss let herself be pulled into his side.
The three of them hugged and Weiss saw Pyrrha looked at them in understanding from the other side of the bed.
There was no jealousy in her eyes. Only grief and sadness as she saw Weiss' pain.
Ruby and Yang.
They were gone.
A sob choked itself on her throat before someone cleared theirs.
Weiss snapped her eyes to the source and it was perhaps the first time in her life that she glared at Winter with anger in her heart.
Winter reeled back but Weiss only shook her head, burying herself into Jaune's shoulders for a moment before pulling back.
Her eyes were wet as she cleared her throat and she saw Jaune smile at her in understanding.
He turned towards Headmaster Ozpin before nodding at them as he stepped forward. "I'm ready."
"Come then. Mr. Ren, Ms. Valkyrie, please look Professor Port and Doctor Oobleck and recover Zwei from them. They should be in the cafeteria entertaining the media. I believe Ms. Schnee and Ms. Belladonna will appreciate his comfort." Headmaster Ozpin nodded before turning towards the rest of Team JNPR.
Weiss gasped as Blake's eyes widened beside hers.
Zwei! He was here!
And...Ruby and Yang were not.
This time, she could not stop the tears from forming in her eyes and a sob from leaving her mouth.
Before she knew it, a white streak was already rushing to her and shoving past Jaune.
It was Winter.
And she was hugging her.
Weiss closed her eyes tightly, heedless as the rest vacated the room.
Despite their recent disagreement, she appreciated her sister and her hands automatically circled around Winter's back tightly.
Before long, Professor Goodwitch cleared her throat awkwardly.
"I...I'm sorry for loss but we need to know what really happened. Doctor Oobleck told us he sent you ahead to stop the train that hit Vale. Perhaps you could start from there?"
Weiss cleared her throat and opened her eyes before pulling away from Winter.
"Weiss-"
"It's okay. I'm okay." She raised a hand, silencing her sister as she wiped the tears away before sitting on Jaune's bed next to Blake.
Winter stood awkwardly before sighing and sitting across from them on another bed as Professor Goodwitch brought a chair with her Semblance to sit between them.
She and Blake looked at each other before nodding together.
"Well, we did go ahead to try and stop the train. We did reach the Engine Room but...we met resistance there..." Blake started, her cat ears drooping as she trailed off.
"They were Adam Taurus, Roman Torchwick, Neopolitan, and a Faunus named LT." Weiss nodded, picking off the slack as she felt Blake waver.
Blake only smiled shakily at her before squeezing her hand in thanks.
Professor Goodwitch and Winter frowned. They could vividly picture the situation.
A first year team of Huntresses-in-training against hardened criminals? It was ugly.
"What happened then?" Professor Goodwitch asked softly as Weiss tried to remember.
It was funny. Logically speaking, it only happened less 12 hours ago but for the life of her, it felt like a lifetime.
All the relief, happiness, grief, and sadness she experienced just washed away as tired numbness suffused her body at the thought. She slumped forward as she recreated the scene.
"Well, we fought but...we were losing and...and Yang accidentally broke the controls." She said hesitantly before Blake bulldozed on just as Professor Goodwitch blinked in surprise.
"We tried to fight back, of course. Fight as a team instead of one-on-ones but..." Blake trailed off, looking at Weiss worriedly who only nodded back at her.
"But Roman Torchwick said something that set Ruby and Yang off."
"What did he say?" Professor Goodwitch asked with a frown on her face. This time, it was Blake who answered.
"That Qrow Branwen, Ruby and Yang's uncle, was dead."
Gasps sounded out from the two women in front of them.
"Damn it!" Winter cursed as Professor Goodwitch shook her head sadly.
"Oh no, not Qrow."
Weiss cleared her throat at that, gathering their attention once again before continuing the conversation.
"After that, Neopolitan changed her face into Qrow Branwen and that's when...Ruby and Yang lost their cool."
Both Winter and Professor Goodwitch shook their heads at that and it was at this time did Weiss look at Blake hesitantly.
They both knew what happened next. This part was the hardest especially for Blake and Weiss was just about to continue on when Blake shook her head.
"I-It's okay, Weiss. I'm the one who should say this."
The two women looked at them curiously even as Weiss nodded slowly.
Blake however only closed her eyes and nodded resolutely. She gritted her teeth before letting out a deep breath.
"After Ruby and Yang charged forward...we tried to back them up but... Adam sliced Yang's neck."
Weiss didn't hear the reactions. All she could hear was a muffled scream as Yang slowly fell down clutching her neck. It could have been her, Ruby, Blake, or even all of them but at that moment, she was back at the train.
She was aware Blake was continuing detachedly and Weiss couldn't help but think that she was probably reliving it herself from her point of view.
They are jolted out of their thoughts however when Professor Goodwitch snapped a hand upward. "Wait."
Blake paused and Weiss looked at her Professor curiously but she only narrowed her eyes as she pointed at Blake. "Say that again one more time."
"I said...a red portal suddenly appeared and a woman came out of it."
"Raven." Professor Goodwitch whispered with wide eyes as everyone suddenly turned towards her.
"Who is Raven?" Weiss asked as she saw her sister try out the name on her lips.
"Raven...Raven...the name sounds familiar." Winter crossed her arms with a frown even as Professor Goodwitch smiled.
"You should. She's Qrow's sister. Yang's mother."
Winter's eyes widened at that as she put a hand over her mouth while both Weiss and Blake gasped at the same time even as Professor Goodwitch turned towards them with a twinkle on her eyes.
"I assume she fought and did something to Yang?"
Weiss nodded hesitantly. "She fought with fire on her sword and...and I think she put her hand on fire and laid it over Yang's throat?"
In the chaos of all that has happened, she wasn't sure now what she actually saw but luckily for her, she wasn't the only one there.
"That's right. I saw." Blake nodded surely, making Professor Goodwitch chuckle.
"Raven always used Dust on her blades and what you told me almost matches completely with what I know of her fighting style. Her setting her hand on fire is new though but perhaps desparation makes us do strange things." Professor Goodwitch smiled fondly before shaking her head and turning towards them with a grin on her face. "Girls, I have good news for you. It is most likely that whatever happened next, Raven Branwen took both Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao Long with her."
Tears dripped from Weiss' eyes once more but this time they were from relief.
"They're alright, then?"
"While we do not know Ms. Xiao Long's exact condition, what we can infer is that they are both most likely not dead...hopefully." Professor Goodwitch answered, muttering the last part more quietly but both Weiss and Blake still heard it.
She didn't care though. They weren't dead. They weren't dead! While they did not where they were right now, at least they were alive.
Finally, Weiss felt like everything was going to be alright.
Ruby Rose opened her eyes slowly as a dark figure hovered over her.
Red eyes smiled down relievedly at her as a welcome voice entered her ears.
"Hey, you. You're finally awake."
"Uncle...Qrow." Ruby Rose smiled back weakly.
WOOHOO! RUBY'S BACK!
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P.S. Jaune's Pineapple Jam Part 1 will end with Chapter 80! Two more weeks people and a lot could happen in two chapters. Mainly, setting things up for Part 2. :)