A/N. Not even gonna do the whole waiting routine. This has been long overdue. I'm sorry, but life took charge, and well... I won't lie and say that I needed to take an emotional break from writing this story.
This chapter's been on the backburner for a long, long time. And by that, I mean early 2024 long. So long that I forgot what I was going to originally do with it. Had to reread most of the story, even about ten chapters back, to get into the groove.
And so, I decided to make this chapter a kind of a… recap/reset chapter.
After the Police HQ attack, our heroes reconvene to decide their next move, discussing, for the first time totally together, on what they need to do next. And with Blake's deal with Adam, they now have the upper hand on knowing a lot of Cinder and The Boss' plans.
But there are still a lot of loose ends. Indigo is still out there, a new rouge factor and the last of the Arc unit. Another loose end is the secret of Summer and Operation Grimm Eater, and by that, revealing the kind of person Ozpin really is.
Due to the nature of this chapter, there'll be a lot of focus on a lot of characters. Setting the scene, if you will. Sorry if this isn't as Jaune-focused as the others usually are, though of course this is still his story.
As such, for various characters, not just Jaune, this chapter proves to be their turning point.
So, as promised on the schedule, chapter 55.
Let me know what you think, read and review.
Thank you so much, and I do hope you enjoy.
Vale was no stranger to tragedies.
All Kingdoms were, to be fair, but in recent years, people had began to note that the agricultural Kingdom was becoming less and less safe a place to live.
Some would argue that it all began in the Mt. Glenn disaster. How a weakened defense and a poor bureaucracy had caused the expansion city to fall so hard. Some would argue it began when Roman Torchwick began making moves, or when the White Fang began to increase so much in numbers…
But what was clear was that this newest tragedy –the attack on Vale's Police HQ – had immediately sent shockwaves around Vale.
It was almost comparable to the Mt. Glenn disaster, where everyone could remember where they were the day that that fateful expansion project had fallen.
The sheer magnitude of it, the exceedingly high toll on those who were even remotely involved, escaped no one's notice. Both in the past or in the present.
Raiden, Weiss, and Penny were discussing technology in front of RAY when they first heard the news.
Venom had just parted with Ironwood, Winter, Ozpin, and Professor Goodwitch when he first heard the news. He could practically feel their surprise, for he had felt so himself.
Solid Snake was lying in a heap in downtown Vale, having only just managed to move once more after his failed attempt to stop The Boss from giving out an order.
Otacon was rushing to Beacon to warn them – but alas, he was just too slow.
Tai was soothing his younger daughter when he first found out, trying his best not to awaken his beloved rosebud as he felt his stomach drop.
Pyrrha could only watch from the news as they reported the disaster, unable to move just yet – she was on the brink of recovery, if only she could just move…!
Because she knew…
…It was probably much worse for her friends down at ground zero.
Ren liked to think of himself as a simple person.
Sure, others may think of his silence as him thinking ahead a thousand miles a minute. Some may say that his poker face made him practically unreadable, with patience and mindpower unmatched. Some may say that it was unreal how someone so calm and collected like him could withstand Nora's wildness and unpredictability.
He must be impossible to truly figure out, they must have thought, and that only someone who thought a thousand steps ahead could ever negate Nora's unchained hyperactivity.
Well, his Semblance certainly helped with that at least. It helped him stay calm during his partner's rampages and to show him the most logical path to take. It helped him think in battle and expect what he should expect in communications.
But really, when it came down to it Ren's pattern was simple – to revolve his world around the ones he loved.
He lost his home at a young age – the only thing that was left was Nora, and so he vowed to protect her. No matter how old they would ever be, no matter how different she became, and no matter what happened to either of them, he would always protect her.
And when his family extended to Jaune and Pyrrha, he extended this silent philosophy to them as well. They held no relation by blood, but Ren had long figured out that he could choose his own family well enough regardless of it.
Needless to say, however, he had failed spectacularly. Jaune had died and he would be another name on the long list he lost.
But here, he got his second chance. It was hard to pinpoint to pinpoint his emotions, and it seemed that his Semblance couldn't help one bit either. Confused, angry, sad, and everything in between.
But then his leader had offered him his trust by returning his father's long-lost bow to him, and Ren would rather die than give up on him again. He'd take what little trust Jaune could give without breaking himself and swore to help him return to nurture what good he still had left.
So as he stood here, guns trained as his leader stared down his own sister gone mad – his own master as well! – he watched carefully on how he'd react and made sure to do his part accordingly as well.
"What's the matter, Jaune?" Indigo asked.
In a flash, Ren saw Jaune draw HF Murasama and hold it to the side. He kept his guns steadily aimed, bow on his back as Jaune's eyes were trained squarely on his sister's position – but that didn't mean that he forgot about his friends' presences either.
Ren spoke to his leader – he needed to be clearer. "Jaune," Ren spoke loudly, "What's the plan here?"
He saw Jaune's eyes flick over to him briefly, and then to Nora as well; before flitting back to his sister, stone-faced and expressionless.
Ren didn't know what he was thinking, but if he were to hazard a confident and educated guess…
Who was he, in the end?
Jaune knew he had gone through many a thing in his short life. He had ran away from home on a foolish dream. He had sacrificed his life for his family. He had fallen deep into darkness, laughing along with the abyss. And he had, by some miracle, managed to return to the source of his light.
At this very moment – staring at the mirror of what he was, of his sister now being very much like him – was when Jaune realized one, incredibly important thing.
This was as much a turning point for her as it was for him.
Jaune took a step forwards, HF Murasama to the side but still ready. "Where are the others?"
"Oh, they're around I suppose – Probably still fighting somewhere." Indigo shrugged and waved her hand away. "But honestly? I think they were much less effective than what I did here – don't you agree?"
Jaune's eyes went to the waving hand – spotted with ripped off skin, muscles blue and bleeding red as if electrocuted by a thousand volts. And indeed, as he trailed his eyes to the other one still holding her sword, the same marks were visible.
"Your hands…" Jaune trailed off. "You're overexerting your Semblance, sis."
"Huh? Oh, I suppose so." Indigo tilted her head to the side and smirked, "A necessary sacrifice."
"For what?" Jaune asked.
"For victory." Indigo smiled sweetly, "Eternal in nature."
It was Jaune's teammates who spoke next.
"Y-you've killed all these people…" Nora whispered, yet her grenade launcher remained steady. "…You did, didn't you?"
Indigo shrugged and flourished her sword. "Pretty much, yeah."
Ren's eyes went to the sea of corpses beneath their feet. "And you didn't even hold back."
"Why should I? They attacked us, Ren." Indigo said, "They always do."
Ren stayed silent but kept his aim steady. His glance flicked over to Jaune again, to which the swordsman finally gave a silent nod.
In sync, Nora, Ren, and Jaune stepped aside and opened the path for Indigo.
"Tch. Took you long enough." Indigo walked past them; her boots footsteps as loud as thunder in Jaune's ears.
But as she stepped away, she paused when neither of her students nor her brother followed her. She stopped and tilted her head back, eyebrow raised in frustration.
"Well?" Indigo asked with irritation laced in every syllable, "Aren't you going to come with?"
At this, Jaune's eyes gained a confident and determined gaze.
"We're not coming with, sis." He said firmly.
Indigo scowled and turned back to Jaune, marching to him and jabbing her finger on his chest.
"Listen here, little brother." She stressed, "There's still a lot of Fang crawling around and about – and while the attack's gotten thinner we still have to catch the real perpetrator."
Jaune calmly pushed her finger off him. "Like I said." He iterated again to her with the same tone, "We're not going."
Indigo's lips curled upwards, and she chuckled darkly. "Come now. Are we really doing this?"
Jaune stayed silent and stared his sister down.
Indigo sighed, "Look, there are still others that we haven't caught yet – we don't have time to debate about this, so can we just put this all aside until we get to kill the guy who's behind this? More manpower means faster execution."
"You're just looking for a reason to continue, and to drag others down with you."
"A reason that's valid." Indigo stressed. She focused on the red sparking sword of her brother and spoke again, "I mean, isn't this what you're doing too?"
The conversation went deathly silent. Ren and Nora watched their leader with bated breath, for they knew Indigo was right.
Indigo had smirked and taunted like Jaune. Had killed like Jaune. Had enjoyed and revelled in the acts like Jaune.
…So it was to their immense surprise when Jaune sheathed Hf Murasama… and shook his head.
For a moment Jaune's mind flashed towards all the things that had happened recently.
Giving his friends his trust.
Fighting Kiryu, his sins and their weight shown completely in front of his friends.
Being hugged by Pyrrha as he cried, the memories of the two people who had ever trained him reminding him of the weight of his mistakes.
And somehow, through all of that…
Beginning to feel once more.
And this time, he won't let that feeling go – because this time, he had people waiting for him.
"No." Jaune had said sternly, his voice slightly choking before gaining a confident edge, "…Not anymore."
Indigo took a step back in shock –in that brief moment, Jaune could see just a glint of clarity come back through the newfound cloud of ecstasy…
Before she tsked and turned around, marching away with anger in every step and rage barely contained. Soon her back faded from view, as did her footsteps to the ear.
Jaune sighed and turned around. "Come on, guys. It's clear the battle's all done, at least from here on out." He waved for them to follow. "Let's try and save as many people as possible… hopefully Dad and the others are okay…"
Ren and Nora followed in their leader's footsteps, still in shock after what happened.
Unsurprisingly, it was Nora who spoke first. Her voice was shaky, her expression one of anguish and grief.
"I- I never thought she'd cross the line that hard… and the look in her eyes…" Nora shivered. "She seemed so different then when she trained us…"
Jaune stayed silent and marched on. Nora pressed him again.
"A-and you let her go…" She asked her leader.
"Why?"
If it was one thing Nora held dear it was her upbeat personality.
It was a cornerstone of who she was. When others felt down, she'd be the one to cheer them up. When others began to doubt themselves, she'd be the one to be in their corner.
She was no stranger to the way Ren always kept quiet – others would say he was unbearably patient towards her antics, but she'd like to think otherwise. The moment she fell silent he'll be the first to ask if she was okay. So she kept her upbeat personality on all-year-round, because she didn't need anyone she loved worrying about her.
So naturally her job ramped up when one of said love ones died and left a gaping hole in their hearts. Hers was just as big, shaped like a dorky well-meaning leader that died a death too soon – and yet she had no choice but cover that hole so the others' would heal.
So naturally, when the leader she failed to protect came back broken almost beyond repair, she took it upon herself to fix this mistake. This was her second chance, and she'd be damned if she failed at the only thing she was good at.
She promised to stick by his side until he could find himself once more – everything for those she loved, for those she considered family.
But then things had spiralled out of control so fast, and now, the woman who had trained her and her Team was plunging into the darkness… all the while Jaune seemed to have a sudden change.
She had to understand this all – and so she asked her Fearless Leader.
"You let her go…" Nora asked her leader. 'Why?' She wanted to ask, 'What brought this on?'
Jaune turned to her as the three walked side-by-side. His neutral and ice-calm expression, adopted as soon as he saw his sister, melted just a bit.
"Because nothing can stop her, at least not now." Jaune stated simply.
"N-nothing?" Nora whispered.
"Well, not nothing as in the physical sense." Jaune clarified, "Just…"
Jaune cast his eyes back forwards. "Personal experience, Nora."
And at once, she understood.
Jaune clarified further, hand resting on his sword's hilt. "I can stop her, maybe. I'm still a bit tired after the fight with Kiryu… but so is she, from fighting all these Fangs."
"But if I did stop her here, then will she ever change her mind?" Jaune rhetorized. "She'll just see me as an obstacle. That'll make things even worse."
Step, step, step, the three walked deeper into the police station, still looking for any injured but engrossed in their conversation as well.
"Big sis needs to cool off her head a little bit." Jaune said, "Get some fresh air. Think about what she wants to do next. Until then, she can't be talked reason to."
"You're making this sound like a child's tantrum." Ren spoke up suddenly, "Do you think she's going to snap back that easy?"
"Oh hell no." Jaune denied, "But right now… she's on her high. Nothing can bring her back down to earth, at least without killing her mental at the spot."
Right after that Nora saw her leader's eyes turn hazy. She saw him become lost in memory, far, far away from here.
His next words were spoken in a much lower and careful tone. Nora saw his mechanical arm flinch right before he spoke. "When she falls… I want to make sure her spirit doesn't break like I did. I need to make sure she lands on the right side."
But he wasn't done. "And what about you, Ren? Or you, Nora?" He shot the two of them concerned looks. "If I let loose and fight her now then I'd be irresponsible to the two of you."
"…You said when she falls." Nora said after a moment's pause. "Then that means you're going to fight her."
"She's only like this because I set the example." Jaune said. "And now…"
A long silence stretched on, even as they continued their walk. Nora could see her leader's chest grow slightly heavier, the words hard to come out of his mouth.
But he said it nonetheless.
"This is my responsibility. Her, you, JNPR. All of it." Jaune said, "Even Kiryu coming here to take me down."
His voice grew with newfound steel.
And compared to his cocky confidence? This one somehow sounded more…
Noble.
"I can't fail now, I can't. Being with you all again… making sure this whole Salem is handled properly… making sure none of my friends and family end up like me…"
"And-." Jaune's voice cut off. He remembered the entire fiasco which had been happening. Adam. Kiryu. The conflicts of beliefs within his team. And now his sister choosing to fall in the deep end he dived into as well.
Nora could see the moment he realized it – that there was only one way to it.
Perhaps he reached this conclusion because they kept at his side still. An Arc always kept their word, he had said, so wasn't honouring the consequences also part of the deal?
It was a glimpse of the old Jaune that Nora knew. For that, she was happy. Now she just needed to bring out the rest of her Fearless Leader out.
"And taking responsibility for what I've been." Jaune said. "Not going back on what I've done."
They continued the rest of their walk in silence. Wading their way through corpses and persisting forth, and in that time Jaune didn't make any further comment. No smart remarks and no sly jabs.
And when they reached the tail-end of their journey…
Jaune came to a stop at the end of trail of dead bodies.
And down on the floor, he could see the rest of his family not just defeated, but also on the verge of death.
The blood of his father, Tanner Arc, and of his sisters Jasmine and Cyan Arc, were still spilling to the floor, mixing together. Their weapons lay broken and discarded, his father's shield riddled with bullet holes.
Jaune kept his silence. Like he had thought before, he couldn't fail.
So he kept his silence and focused on the task at hand. Pushed any and all doubts, feelings, and lingering regrets he had deep within. He took a knee and held his father's hand in his own. Gently, he shifted his grip and stood up, carrying his father in his arms.
Wordlessly his teammates followed his example. And with his family in their arms, they put a hand and their trust on his shoulder.
Jaune let out a breath. By the next, he had already teleported them to Beacon's Infirmary and had admitted his family to emergency care as quickly as possible.
And as for Indigo…
…It turned out that he wasn't special. That even she, the Strongest Huntress he knew growing up, could fall. That at the right conditions, at the right time… anyone could be broken.
And what truly, trulymattered was how one could reassemble the broken pieces.
And from there, a newfound realization – a newfound understanding of himself, began to grow.
A few hours earlier – A Conversation Between a Spartan and a Dragon…
Pyrrha could only sigh to herself as she laid bedridden once more. Well, not really per se – but after the whole incident with Kiryu, her leader had insisted on her finishing her recovery in peace.
She gazed out the window, still with in her hospital gown and resting her head on her chin. The news seemed pretty bad when she had first heard it – she could only hope that everything would turn out alright…
A stir from the neighbouring bed on her left, and Pyrrha's eyes flickered to the other patient conveniently stationed near her. Kiryu, who was wrapped in bandages and plugged with IVs, met Pyrrha's eyes before and looking away with a neutral expression. It was clear to her that he didn't want to talk about his loss and near death – the only reason he didn't die was because of Jaune's hesitation.
She wagered he might've felt better if he did die, but she didn't know him enough to get a concrete guess. And so, she resolved to just look back through the window once more, hoping for any sign to come.
Seconds turned to minutes, and minutes approached hours. The sun moved from its peak as blue sky gained tints of orange. But even still, time seemed to go slower now for her, as if taunting her inability to help. It was irritating, and she needed something to take her mind off the edge.
Pyrrha cast another glance to her Scroll, but without any pings in from her teammates nor any sign of interest from outside, Pyrrha eventually found herself extremely bored.
Yet another shift from her neighbouring bed, and Pyrrha's mind started to make its own connections to find something to kill this utter boredom.
She cast another quick glance to Kiryu – the man was staring blankly at the ceiling, and if one didn't see the slight rise in his chest people would assume he was dead.
Good, Pyrrha figured he must be bored too – and she had to find something to make her life useful.
So, she tried to break the ice, her gaze away from him but her voice focused. "Nice weather we're having, huh?"
Silence greeted her. She expected it, so she pushed forward.
"I get why you're here. I really do." Pyrrha said. "We've all got things we want to get – things we dream about, right? And I guess your dream right now is bringing Jaune to face his consequences."
More silence. That was fine.
"But I want to know – what have you heard about him?"
"…"
"He's been gone for a long time." Pyrrha sighed regretfully. "I didn't even know he was alive a week ago. We all thought he was dead, and still…"
Pyrrha shook her head.
"Sometimes, it's hard to reconcile the image with the man." Pyrrha said, "Back when I first met him he hadn't even trained for a day before." She weakly chuckled, "He was so hopeless…"
Silence stretched again. Pyrrha hoped that this was enough for Kiryu to respond. She wated with bated breath as seconds almost ticked to a minute…
But Kiryu eventually did respond.
"I'm not here for him specifically." He said in his gruff voice.
"Huh?" Pyrrha turned her wide eyes to him, all notion of subtlety gone.
"A lot of us want payback for what he did, don't get me wrong, but…" Kiryu shifted in his bed and answered her gaze, "That's not why I decided to come back."
"Come back…?" Pyrrha echoed.
Kiryu turned to the roof again. "Guess how old I am." he said to her.
"Umm… 32?"
"Heh. A bit off. 26, actually." Kiryu chuckled weakly, "Guess I really do look old for my age, don't I…"
Pyrrha saw Kiryu shake his head and then sitting up on his bed. She could see the various bandages covering his body – and while she knew Aura would expedite his healing process, she couldn't help but wince at the sheer damage Jaune had done to him.
Kiryu sighed, and his shoulders seemed heavier than ever. "I heard you're a tournament fighter. Is that true?"
"Yes." Pyrrha nodded.
"Then you understand that we all have our peaks, right? I like to think that I've reached mine a long time ago." Kiryu looked away. He whispered under his breath, words Pyrrha couldn't hear. 'Not like being at the top was all that good anyway…'
"Really? But you're still in your 20s…" Pyrrha trailed off. "I've met a lot of people, champions, that stretch on to their 30s. Early 40s even."
"It's not just physical strength." Kiryu stressed. He looked back to Pyrrha and tapped his chest. "It's about what's in here."
Pyrrha understood. "Their mental strength…"
"Exactly." Kiryu nodded, "Having a reason and the hunger for a fight is as much a strength as your trained muscles are."
"And I'm assuming you've lost all that?" Pyrrha interpreted. Kiryu clicked his teeth and looked away.
"Let me get one thing straight – Jaune's done some horrible things and I want to bring him to face the consequences." Kiryu said, "But I always knew it didn't have to be me. There will always be other people, they just offered me a deal I couldn't refuse."
"…"
"As soon as all of this is done, I'm going to retire. For good this time." Kiryu stressed. "Maybe that's why I lost to him. Maybe that's why I didn't stand a chance…"
"Retire…" Pyrrha echoed.
Kiryu looked to her again. "What's your motivation, then? Why are you sticking beside him, even when you know what he is?"
Pyrrha took a minute to respond. She gathered her words… "Because I believe in him."
She took Kiryu's silence as her cue to continue. "All my life, people never saw me as who I was. They always saw a girl that never lost, as a champion that was untouchable – they tried to get close for monetary gain, for reputation, and everything in between."
"Jaune never thought about that. He always treated me fairly, and even when he found out, he never changed." Pyrrha looked to Kiryu. "So I believed in him back then, helped him get train for his dream. And I'll keep on believing him even now, because I'm not going to turn back on someone that close that easily."
"Do you get it?" Pyrrha asked Kiryu, "When someone changes for the worse and you weren't there to help them snap out of it because of something out of your control?"
Pyrrha expected a scoff, or a strong rebuttal. She didn't expect a long silence to stretch on, Kiryu shuffling away and averting her gaze.
She could barely hear what he said next, but she still heard it regardless.
"Yeah…" Kiryu said, "I suppose I do."
Pyrrha felt emboldened. If even he could get it… she shook her head and pushed on. "I'm not saying that he deserves to get away with it all… but no matter what happens I'll always believe in him like what he saw in me."
"…" Silence greeted her declaration. Kiryu fully turned away from her then, closing his eyes and resting his body. But Pyrrha could still see that he was far from sleeping – if anything he seemed to be even more restless than before.
Pyrrha relented and looked back to the scenery, slowly shifting past the evening. At least, she hoped their conversation bore some fruit somewhat.
Now, she could only hope that Jaune was okay… and get enough fistful rest to bring him back once all of this was over.
Arcs don't go back on their word – and she won't either.
Present.
The Police HQ attack had caused a hard reset.
It had caused the city of Vale to just short of total pandemonium – for without its local law enforcement, what was a Kingdom to do?
More than that, it was also a show of pure strength – if the enemy could break in there and take out Adam Taurus like it was nothing, then what did it mean for anywhere else in the Kingdom?
The tolls they took continued to be broadcast across the Kingdom. The Arc Unit now down to one woman. Hundreds of law enforcers, civilians, and emergency services having died in the attack, and even more injured and down for the count.
And to say that Beacon's infirmary was overloaded with patients was a massive an understatement. Being a place that specialized in combat-related injuries, Beacon had been chosen as the first stop for the worst of victims – those that were on the brink of death from their battles. However, the attack on the police station was so sudden, so massive, that the infirmary had been overwhelmed within the first hour.
Even now, patients were still coming in; and it had now been five hours after the final gunshot had been made.
It wasn't just Beacon's; multiple other health instances had come in to lend their hands, and yet they too were overwhelmed. Coupled with the relative inexperience of city hospitals regarding injuries caused by the Grimm, that meant that more and more people were dying as they laid there on the operating bed.
And compared to all of that, Blake liked to think that she got off easy – especially when she considered how much closer to death she was at that time.
All of Vale's greatest defenders were gathered in one room now, sealed off for privacy deep within Beacon and sitting around a round table with tension the air.
First was the U.C Agent Expedition Team, consisted of Solid Snake, Otacon, Bladewolf, and Kiryu Kazuma. Next was the 'Haven Team', consisting of Tai and Beryl and Qrow, Venom Snake, Jaune Arc, and Raiden; and, connected closely to them was JNPR – Nora Valkyrie, Lie Ren, and Pyrrha Nikos.
Jus beside them was where Blake and RWBY sat – Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, and Yang Xiao-Long, also accompanied by Sun Wukong and Neptune Vasillas. And beside RWBY was Ozpin and his inner circle, including Professor Goodwitch, General Ironwood, and Winter Schnee.
The meeting itself had been called and organized by Venom – for, in his oft-repeated words, they had no chance if they presented a split front against the enemy.
And as such, that was what he made his opening statement.
"The enemy has struck us hard today, struck us where we didn't expect." Venom began, "But all is not yet lost. We still have a chance to recover, and to put this crisis down once and for all."
Venom turned to his lone eye to Blake, and as such as did all other pairs. "Miss Belladonna. I understand that you were the last to see Adam Taurus before he escaped?"
"Y-Yes. I was interviewing him when-!" She stuttered, but a calming hand on her shoulder from Ruby encouraged her to continue, "-When The Boss broke in to the room and took him right under my nose."
"Hm." Venom nodded. "And who was the one who asked you to interview him?"
"Indigo Arc, sir." Blake answered, "But I'm sure it was under the request of the Arc family."
"And, as I understand it, you managed to make a deal of some sorts with Taurus, correct?" Venom pressed.
"Yes, sir."
"And that deal is…?"
Blake took a deep breath. She steeled herself, remembered the conditions, and opened her mouth.
"He gave me a lot of information on the enemy plans…" Blake began, "But only under the condition that the White Fang are guaranteed safety."
A roar and a loud bang echoed across the room. Ironwood had slammed his hand on the table in outrage and had then aimed an accusatory finger at Blake.
"You're just a sympathizer!" The general accused Blake, "With your history, why should we believe anything you say?!"
"Now now, General, Miss Belladonna has been fighting against them for over three years now." Ozpin raised a hand to stop Ironwood, "She has turned over a new leaf."
"You're just saying that because she's your student." Ironwood growled, "Sure you're not acting all defensive again, Oz?"
Ozpin narrowed his eyes. "You know that's not how it is."
"Then why-!"
Their argument was roughly interrupted when Tai cut them both off.
"They have Haven's guarantee." Tai firmly stated, "Justice will still be served. However, we'll do our best to get them out if that's what they wish in trade."
Blake sighed in relief even as the entire room roared.
Because she had walked through the police headquarters herself, at the end of the assault, and she had seen the aftermaths of her former brothers and sisters-in-arms.
Their deaths were brutal. Countless of them slain as if they were worse than the ant that skittered on the dirt, their bodies cut in half and their limbs miles off from their original bodies. She had seen the terror-filled eyes that marked their final moments, their mouths dripping red as they had died choking on their own blood.
It was a sight she was sure she'd see until her dying days.
And so, with at least one side willing to back her up – and she won't hope for more when it was a miracle that she had gotten one this easy – Blake pulled out a beeping tracker out of her pocket and put it in the middle of the round table.
"This is a tracker that is currently planted on Adam's side." Blake explained, "It's still active, and with any luck, he'll lead us right to the enemy hideout."
Pyrrha opened her hand, and with Polarity, dragged the tracker over to her and her Team. Jaune gingerly took it from her hands and gave it a once-over.
With a tap of a button, a holographic map shot out of the tracker and showed the exact coordinates of Adam's position.
"Convenient." Jaune hummed, "Anything else?"
"Adam told me there's one, crucial reason why they managed to escape the night of the docks incident." Blake said after a pause, "He told me that the CCT's been infected with a virus. He says they're going to spread fear by sabotaging the Vytal Festival!"
That gave all in the room ample reason to stay silent.
And then, only after a lengthy pause, did Venom nod at her – a motion for her to continue.
"He told me everything he knew. Cinder's planning to take down Vale using the Grimm. They're going to control the Vytal Festival, sabotage it and cause mass panic, and then use that panic to draw the Grimm. With everyone busy dealing with the Grimm… We'll all be easy pickings."
"And when did they get this virus into the CCT, Miss Belladonna?" Ozpin asked calmly.
"The dance." Blake answered immediately. "The dance before the festival."
"So that dance attack wasn't nothing after all…" Ironwood muttered.
"Then we have everything at the table now." Venom sighed in relief – hopefully, with this session he had insisted so, there would be no more unknowns from the enemy. "Next, we need to devise a way to counterattack."
"Though, Miss Belladonna." Venom shot her a look – not of anger, but a simple advisory one – "Next time, try to make the deals more manageable on our terms, okay?"
Blake flinched – clearly, she didn't agree – but she gave a slight nod regardless.
And when the discussions continued to another topic, Blake felt a huge weight being lifted off of her shoulders and sighed in content. She didn't even notice the moment she began leaning on Yang, the moment she began to lose energy even to simply just sit.
For she had done her part, had brokered the best she could for justice and also for the family she made here in Beacon. And as Yang ran a hand through her hair soothingly, Blake could finally let herself relax and hope that, with any luck, all she cared about would be safe soon.
The only thing Jaune Arc could think of when he had heard Blake's deal was that this was a bit of a setback.
Oh don't get him wrong. He had no particular love for the White Fang. They were a pretty big reason of why he was who he was currently.
But right now, in this moment?
The need to protect those close to him was far more powerful.
Jaune heard Ironwood speak next, approaching the CCT virus matter cautiously.
"We need to scan the CCT first. Deep, possibly around 48 hours." Ironwood said. "The Knights will be out of commission, though, and so will most of our technology…"
"That means that Raiden and Penny will most likely be out of commission." Jaune said. All eyes turned to him as he shot Raiden a look, "You're one of the strongest fighters here. If the virus had somehow gone into you…"
Raiden flinched. "Yeah, I don't like the idea too, man."
"We've got no other choice – let's be thankful we caught it this quick." Otacon interrupted them both. "I can make a program to help. Might be able to cut the time by half…"
"I'll leave that to you." Solid Snake gave his best friend a reassuring pat, before he turned to Venom. "While we're handling that, I think it'd be best if we mobilize Vale's Kingdom Guard. Remnant's version of a country's military, yeah? Covering the robotpower with some good old soldier manpower might just be enough."
"That means involving the Council in this, Mister Snake." Ozpin cautioned him, "And I'd rather not the squabbles of politicians interrupt our battle against Salem. Besides, the Kingdom Guard are rather small in number…"
"Both good points." Venom conceded. "So then, a compromise…?"
"I've got an idea." Solid smirked, "We make the U.C public knowledge. Announce it A.S.A.P and then use that as the alibi to use the Kingdom Guard. Should work as a good morale booster too."
"…Risky." Ozpin muttered, but he still rubbed his chin in thought, "But it might work. Very well, I approve."
"Then the next thing we gotta talk about is how to deal with our end of the deal." Jaune said as he put the tracker back to the middle of the table, the holographic map now showing the location of Adam Taurus clear to everyone.
Like he had said – he had no particular love for the guy.
But he was an Arc – it wasn't his place to break his word, even if another person had given it, was it?
The map showed Adam's position clear. They were at a bunker of sorts at a small, barely noticeable island off of Vale's waters.
"Coastal…" Venom muttered. "Might need more naval power if we want to make a move."
"I'm not risking another assault that way." Tai mumbled, "Way too many casualties back against the RAY."
"Then what about aerial?" Nora chirped up, "Just bomb the place to hell and back?"
"We've got Adam, Nora." Ren reminded.
"So?"
Ren let out a long-suffering sigh.
"And not to mention Summer." Tai added. His eyes shot to Ruby for a brief second – sharing a quick understanding that Yang didn't miss – before he turned back and faced the others. "Besides, we need a cleaner brush to sweep this kind of thing."
"Which means insertion." Ozpin concluded. "A small but efficient strike team to get things done."
Hums of agreement were muttered all around.
Jaune scrutinized the hologram. It didn't seem to be moving, and as such, he wondered, "Seems they've settled down… do we move in now, or…?"
"Best not to provoke them until we're ready." Raiden advised. "Try to keep the stalemate until we've got the upper hand."
"Then we're sure they won't attack again?" Jaune shot back, "I'd rather not deal with surprises anymore…"
"We've still got other things to take care of, though." Raiden sighed. "How to hold up our end of the deal, and… your-!"
"My sister. Yeah." Jaune nodded grimly. The entire room knew the implications and what had happened.
Jaune mulled over the facts.
Indigo had gone rouge – not that that was necessarily a bad thing, but with the current state of things, with the deal… she wouldn't see reason and would only make things worse.
More than that, she was at her tipping point. A moment in time in her personal journey that was so close to where he once was. She had done this all to save the ones she loved, because she was tired of the constant pressure breathing down her back…
…And yet, of the Arcs, only him and her were now left still combat ready. Her personal murder of her morals, done gladly or not, had not given her results yet – Jaune knew she must be out there, wondering should she plunge herself deeper into the darkness…
…If she learned that they made a deal against the very enemy she so very hated with every ounce of her heart…
Indigo never did care about anyone other than her family. To her, that was the Kingdom she as a Huntress needed to protect.
Ah, but he was the same too, wasn't he? He had long ceased to care about what others thought, had long since thrown away his hesitation and killed as his heart desired.
But now…
Jaune shot a glance to JNPR.
…More than the trust that they had promised each other to give…
JNPR smiled at him.
…More than that, Jaune wasn't dumb enough anymore to recognize that he was beginning to feel.
…Now, things were different.
"JNPR and I will take care of Indigo." Jaune said firmly. He felt warmth in his heart when they barely hid their excitement – not at fighting their mentor, their master, but at Jaune's wholehearted acknowledgement of their solidarity.
And this, Jaune knew, was as much for Indigo as much as it was for him.
Unlike the others in the room, Tai wasn't blind to the little show of sparks that Jaune shared with his Team.
He was trying to be more perceptive of what was happening around him. For instance, he noticed the way that Ruby was leaning on him slightly, their eyes meeting and communicating a silent agreement to bring up what they had discovered regarding Summer in this meeting once the other matters were over.
He didn't miss the way Weiss' eyes kept flicking to her sister, both nervous and yet very much sure to protect each other should something go wrong.
He didn't miss the way that, in the midst of comforting Blake, Yang was shooting nervous glances with Headmaster Ozpin, her eyebrows furrowed, and her forehead creased deep.
'That's right,' Tai thought, 'Headmaster Ozpin called to meet her, didn't he?' He recalled. But then, Yang hadn't had the chance to talk to him about it, because from what Tai knew, the very moment she had finished the meeting was the very moment that Venom had called in this round table meeting.
Tai knew his daughter well – knew when she was burying something to think about it later, knew when she was masking her uncertainty in either a mask of calm or a shout of bravado, knew when she was being overprotective of what she had left.
But then, what had he and Ozpin talked about…?
Wordlessly, Tai scooted closer to his first daughter and offered her his hand. She took it quick, rubbing her fingers over his knuckles and her hands melting into her father's touch.
"Whatever it is, it's gonna be okay, Yang." Tai whispered. "I'm here for you now, for both of you."
Yang's eyes went to him, and he gave him a silent smile and an appreciative nod.
That was when Tai knew something was wrong.
He'd have to talk to her later, once this was all over. But all about this…
Tai shot Ruby a silent look.
'I think we should cancel on talking about Summer now.'
'Dad… if we do, then we'll never get to the truth. Didn't you say Ozpin was too cagey for his own good?'
'But your sister…'
'Yang is… but… if we cancel…!'
From their silent communication Tai knew that all he did was made his other daughter worried.
Tai held back a sigh and rubbed Ruby's head slightly, at the same time giving Yang one last reassuring squeeze.
And then he pushed on.
"Regarding the White Fang." Tai addressed the entire room, "Haven is willing to extract them only if they're willing in turn to face trial." Tai stressed. And then he turned to Blake, "They need to want to change – or at least acknowledge their guilt, Blake. You can't make me work on nothing."
Blake gave a silent nod. That was only fair… and was probably the best she was going to get.
"Then Team RWBY will be with me." Tai shot his daughters a smile, which Ruby returned eagerly… but Yang nervously? Tai focused back to the others, "We'll handle getting the Fang someplace safe. Hopefully, doing this will thin out the enemy forces too… hitting two birds with one stone…"
Tai saw Ozpin gave a short nod. Tai psyched himself up. 'Okay now, Tai. Watch him, wait for the right moment… the truth needs you.'
Ozpin shot a sweeping a look at everyone in the room. "Then the last thing we need to decide on would be the strike team members. Does anyone have any suggestions?"
"Penny and I will be out – CCT scans, we might've been infected too." Raiden said first.
Next, JNPR was out, as stated before, as well as Tai and RWBY. That left a member or two that the U.C could spare, as well as Venom Snake and perhaps Winter Schnee.
They weren't ideal, Ozpin thought. And he voiced them as such.
"Then I'll guess we'll have to wait until each of our business is done." Solid muttered. "'Sides, weren't we planning on keeping the stalemate anyway?"
"I would still like to have a team ready in case things go south, and we are unable to reconvene." Ozpin stressed. "In that case… who would be willing?"
"… I'll go." Kiryu voiced first. "Rather not get stuck in the hospital too long anyway."
"I will as well." Venom nodded.
"Winter will be ready." Ironwood assured, to which Winter nodded along as well.
"I will." The Specialist assured.
"Then you three will be our contingency." Ozpin relented. He sighed as he began to stand up – this wasn't exactly how he had wished things to be, but it was far from ideal. "Very well. Then in that case, I believe this meeting is over. We shall-!"
But before Ozpin could finish, Tai had shared one quick look with his youngest daughter.
And, shakily, Ruby had given her father a nod.
'Now or never, then.' Tai thought with a breath. He shot his two daughters one more glance before he dared himself to finally speak.
"Hold on." Tai interrupted Ozpin. "There's something I want to bring to attention first."
Ozpin paused mid-raise. "And what would that be, Headmaster Xiao-Long?"
"It's this." Taking a deep breath, Tai pulled out a folder and laid its title out for all to see.
Operation Grimm Eater
Huntress-in-Action: Summer Rose (KIA)
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Result: Success.
Tai watched closely as the color drained from Ozpin's face. All the while, his own heart was rapidly beating in his ears.
This was it, there was no coming back. Ozpin would have to reveal what happened to Summer all those years ago… or risk everyone present questioning him even more.
Right here, right now, him and his daughters will finally obtain a reason to why they had to lose such an important member of their family. The real reason.
All the while, Yang kept her eyes zeroed in on the file and on Ozpin.
'Mom- mission- dead- W-what…?"
Her mind was running a mile a minute. Not just from this revelation, but also from what Ozpin had requested of her as well.
Ozpin wanted her to become the Fall Maiden. Ozpin wanted her to seize that power to protect the one he loves…
And yet, Mom had died fighting Ozpin's war. Mom had died under Ozpin's orders.
She shot a panicked glance to Dad, and then to Ruby too. They didn't know yet – they didn't know that with a single okay from her that Ozpin would immediately turn her to the Fall Maiden. Didn't know that she was considering on taking up Ozpin's offer, heavily.
And how the most recent tragedy had pushed her closer to just taking the jump.
And that here, looking at Ruby's and Dad's gazes to Ozpin, was when she knew she had to make her decision quick.
Yang was, by nature, not a suspicious person. She always liked to see the best in people, from Weiss' earlier bitchiness to Blake's shady past in the White Fang. She always looked to the positive said and wanted to bring the best of that in her friends,
But right now, seeing that mission dossier and seeing how close Ruby was hugging Tai for comfort, was when she began to suspect.
What was the real reason Ruby was entered two years early? Why was Ozpin so lenient to RWBY whenever they had their vigilante escapades? Why, why, why?
Earlier, she was seriously considering on taking up Ozpin's offer. Especially when she had heard of the scare that was the Police HQ attack. When she had seen how terrified Blake was when coming back. How Jaune's entire family was very much on the brink of death…
Her mother-hen instincts had insisted that she needed to be stronger – that she needed to protect those closest to her. From Ruby to RWBY to everyone else.
But now?
Yang's eyes sharpened.
Ruby and Dad didn't know about her deal yet. Didn't know just how close she was… while, she knew, that if they had the time, they would've approached her about this dossier and questioning Ozpin and get her ready too.
They were doing this for her as much as it was for themselves, for their family, and for Summer's memory too. They were doing this because of the pain they had suffered together, for the connection they shared…
For a love born under an innocent summer haze, for a life filled with care and affection built and lived together at a quaint Patch cottage.
But that was it, wasn't it?
They had no time.
So then, Yang thought, perhaps it was for the best that she was caught in surprise here, and that her family didn't know about the pending Maiden deal.
Because right here now, when she was about to hear what had happened to her beloved Mom.
So she'd hear this out…
…And then, she'd make her judgment from it.
Meanwhile, the others voiced everything from gasps of surprise to shouts of indignation.
Tai kept his eye laser-locked on Ozpin. "This is the very mission you sent Summer into. The mission where you knew she'd die. And out of respect for everyone here… and for her memory… I want to make sure that something like this isn't happening again."
Silence reigned on. The entire round table focused their attention on Ozpin.
Even Professor Goodwitch casted a look of doubt at Ozpin. "Ozpin… what is the meaning of this…?"
Ironwood growled. "If we're all just pawns to you…"
A tap on the table, and all looked to the source – Venom had pierced his Grimm finger through the table, the sound enough to take the attention from the Beacon Headmaster.
However, what the Phantom said did little to help Ozpin. "Like it has been demonstrated today; the best way is to come clean. So… what is this, Ozpin?"
Ozpin sighed.
Heavily.
With a slump he sat back at his seat and ran a hand through his hair. After several moments of silent contemplation, he finally began to explain the reason of the mission.
Doing this… it would undo the very reason the mission was undertaken. It would undo Summer's sacrifice, and it would undo the years of careful moving and planning that he had done for the years that came after.
But as Ozpin cast another look around the table, at the looks of questioning and sometimes nothing short of betrayal, he knew that he had no other way out.
So he began to explain. With a heavy heart, with a reluctant voice, and with an acquiescing tone.
Ruby and Yang leaned in, eager to listen to the very reason they had no Mom for so long.
"Let me begin by presenting the situation at the time." Ozpin said. He stood up, with his hands behind his back, and pulled out a dossier which he tossed gently to the middle of the round table.
Yet the words were clear.
Mt. Glenn Expansion Project
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Approved, by The Council of Vale
"I'm sure most of you remember, but for the new and uninformed among us – Mountain Glenn was Vale's first attempt at proper expansion beyond its walls." Ozpin explained, "It was fully backed; it received the best of infrastructure, the best of automated defences, and people that truly believed in the city's purpose: to show that Humanity could finally make progress against the Grimm."
"After years of red tape, the program finally set off around twenty years ago, and the initial years of building and settling was going well."
"That was, until around fifteen years ago – a series of events, of spiralling conditions, had sent Mountain Glenn into a downfall… And it was Summer's heroic sacrifice that saved us from Vale falling too."
"If that's so, then how come this is the first we're hearing of it?" Qrow had asked – "I mean, everyone knows Mt. Glenn failed. Everyone knows it was overrun, but I thought the common consensus was that the Grimm just kept attacking until it was just too much. None of this… conspiracy stuff like what you're framing Oz."
"And certainly not the fact that it would've spread to Vale." Professor Goodwitch added, peering through her glasses. "You've never told any of us – any of us – about this."
"That," Ozpin began, "is because if you did, then this mission would have all been for nothing."
Before anyone could speak, Ozpin quickly explained.
"Operation Grimm Eater was a mission that was hastily put-together," Ozpin began, "At that time, there were rumors going around that an assassin was cutting out many of our intelligence networks."
Ozpin turned to Qrow, "This was before you had established your own network and began field operations."
And then he turned to Glynda too, "This was also before you were working for me full-time. As were you, Ironwood. As such, I was the only one who knew the full extent of the damages… me and Leo."
Tai tsk'd. "And you never wondered why the coward was never offed?"
"It didn't occur to me." Ozpin admitted with a sigh. "I had thought…"
He shook his head. "Regardless. At this time, Salem had suddenly moved and began eliminating a lot of our closest allies. Huntsmen or Civilian, it didn't matter. The more powerful they were, the more probable it was that they would turn up dead the next day. Especially if they had power over the people."
"I could still remember those times quite well." Ozpin breathed out, "And, remember… you all had just only recently joined." Ozpin motioned a hand to the members of STRQ present, and then to Glynda and Ironwood as well, "You had only taken missions for me for… about two, four years, I believe?"
"Try five." Qrow growled. "But I guess that wasn't long enough, was it Oz?"
"Yes… yes, five years. And… in relative terms… no, not long enough, Qrow." Ozpin sighed, "If I had informed you of this, STRQ would have no doubt been hit morally. Especially with your sister having left the Team in her own fear of Salem."
Qrow bit the inside of his cheek – he looked as if he wanted to spit out another retort, but a hand from Tai was enough to stop him. Though, the blond didn't look too pleased about it either.
Seeing the brief interaction, Ozpin decided to continue. "With the sheer speed our allies were dropping at, we had to take drastic measures."
"And worst of all, most of our allies that fell were from Mt. Glenn. Its local leaders, their defence engineers, and everyone in between."
"More than that… a sea of Grimm was detected by our furthermost intelligence, marching down the forest and quickly heading towards Mt. Glenn. That was intel which, the moment it was reported to us, would also be immediately followed by the reporter in charge being eliminated the next day."
"Our numbers, our experienced numbers, were being drained faster than I could replace with Team STRQ. This war against Salem requires the long game… and yet, at that time, we had to take drastic measures."
"Numbers?" Ironwood echoed. "I thought we were the only ones in the know about Salem, Oz."
"And why do you think that is?" Ozpin asked back. "Surely you must realize that before you, there must have been someone else that fought with me. But as you can defer now, everyone else is already dead."
That brought the room into silence.
And with that silence, Ozpin dropped his pin.
"That is the true purpose of Operation Grimm Eater – to save Vale with as best we could. To do as much with as little as possible. A gamble to save all of us. And because if people ever found out how elaborate this was, how close we were to losing a Kingdom… then the Negativity would be enough to finish us all, scheme or not."
Pause.
However, it didn't last long.
For Qrow, what Ozpin just said apparently wasn't the right thing. Again, the drunkard Qrow grit his teeth, "And that meant sending Summer alone?"
Ozpin sighed. "What little intel we had regarding the assassin strongly pointed to the fact that he or she was a Grimm hybrid." Ozpin explained, "And with the sea of Grimm also approaching, that was why we sent in Summer – sent in her and her Silver Eyes."
"…You said the first thing when you met me…" Ruby meekly said.
All eyes turned to the youngest in the room – the spirit of innocence amidst the grim atmosphere. But even she was nervous.
"Headmaster, what do our eyes have to do with all this?" Ruby asked, "Do they- can they do something special…?"
Silence.
And Ozpin met Ruby's eyes with nothing short of… guilt? Coldness? Calculating?
Tai noticed the look – but it was Yang who spoke first.
"Headmaster…" Yang warned.
Ozpin closed his eyes, unable – or perhaps unwilling –to further fight the Xiao-Long-Rose family.
"The Silver Eyes…" Ozpin said slowly, "If they are properly activated, they can petrify Grimm by a mere flash of light."
BAM!
Qrow slammed his hand on the table, his eyes and filled with downright rage at Ozpin.
"THEN WHY THE FUCK DID YOU SEND HER OFF ALONE?!" Qrow yelled. "If- If Sum could have done that then we'd have had a better chance of beating this assassin if we did it together! Never mind that sea of Grimm shit you just said!"
"Qrow-!"
"No!" Qrow shot back. Ozpin flinched at the way Qrow's eyes seemed to be inhumanly wide, the way his bloodshot pupils seemed so small in contrast. "I'm not accepting this- I can't accept that the reason Summer died was because- because…!"
"Because you didn't want further losses." Tai finished for his brother-in-law when he couldn't.
Venom raised a hand. "Hold on – a Grimm assassin… this was how many years ago again…?"
"Around fifteen." Ozpin said.
"Hm… then judging from what I could remember, judging from Salem's own movements during that time…" Venom rubbed his chin. "You said the people assassinated were mostly politicians, correct? Your intel team, people in relative power?"
"…Correct."
"Then my best guess would be that the assassin was The Boss herself." Venom concluded. "I… My Grimm self was simply too wild to be dispatched to something that clandestine. And besides… I can't seem to remember anything around that point…"
Qrow slammed another hand on the table. His eyes were glued to Ozpin as he growled, "I don't give a shit about some Boss. My problem is why you didn't tell any of us?! We could've backed her up!"
"If you backed her up then you would've died as well." Ozpin said in response.
"YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT!" Qrow yelled.
Ozpin narrowed his eyes. "Qrow. I know."
Qrow bristled. "You know what, fuck this. How, then? How do you know, oh almighty Ozpin? Can you read people's minds? Can you see into the future? Can you read the threads of destiny?!"
"I…"
"I can't believe I have to say this - we swore our allegiance to you, Oz, but we're not yours to throw away!" Qrow yelled. "I get saving Vale, but what I don't get is how aloof you are with all this!"
Ozpin closed his eyes.
No… they would never understand.
"You must see the bigger picture, Qrow. The Greater Good." Ozpin insisted.
That got Tai into action.
"And what does that mean?" Tai shouted, "The Greater Good? She didn't even get a memorial in her name."
"…"
Silence. It took a long, long time for everyone to process the fact.
The undeniable truth that, elegant or not, the greatest Huntress of the previous had died being used.
It also revealed to them that Salem had been planning this a long, long time. That they had a lot to make up for, and just because they had the upper hand now didn't mean it was going to be all smooth sailing. At least, not yet.
And as everyone mulled it over their heads…
…Moreover, the fact that Summer was also still out there…
"She played you like a fiddle, Ozpin." Venom eventually spoke up.
Ozpin looked to him, eyebrow raised.
And so, Venom explained. "The Silver Eyes… they are essential to the creation of a Grimm Hybrid. Think about it. Me. The Boss. Summer. All of us have Silver Eyes. She even took one of Summer's out and put it in me."
"Your point being…?" Ozpin couldn't understand. He had did what was necessary – what could he have possibly missed…?
"She played you like a fiddle, Oz." Venom said again, "She knew you'd send Summer after The Boss, and by then Salem already had me in statis. And since I don't have any memories dating back further than fifteen years… then my best guess is that Salem needed another set of Eyes to turn me into another Hybrid. And so… she lured what she wanted out."
Ozpin sighed as his shoulders sagged.
At that point, he understood his mistake.
He had moved wrong. He had made a mistake with his chess piece, and it was causing him the war against Salem.
And that had resulted the proliferation of the Grimm Hybrids.
Next, he had to plan more carefully. He had to be more considerate of the facts, to get even the slightest in this thousands of years war with Salem…
"Evidently." He muttered. But then…
Tai narrowed his eyes. Why did Ozpin sound more like had regretted that he made the wrong choice, rather than regret the fact that one of his own had died?
He wasn't looking for Ozpin to break down crying – what he was looking for was just for him to admit that he had been wrong, not in strategic movement, but in sending out a person to die!
Did he not feel for them?
Slowly but surely, his sanity was beginning to slip.
He shakily held the hands of his daughters.
They were here. They were training- no, were practically full-blown Huntresses now, fighting the very same war that Summer had died in.
And here, he had just gained the answer to her death. That she had sacrificed herself to save thousands, perhaps even millions…
…and yet, it had backfired.
He now began to feel how big this war was. He began to understand what 'the enemy of Humanity since the beginning of time' meant. Just how long had Salem and her Grimm been around?
That thought sent shivers down his spine. What would become of Ruby and Yang then? Would they die just like Summer had? Would they be used as well? Could they even win?
He couldn't help but worry, couldn't help but feel. It was these emotions that he clung tight to, for if he didn't fear the death of his daughters, then what kind of father would he be?
Again… why did Ozpin seem more concerned that he had made a bad move more than the fact that Summer, that Summer, had died?
The woman he had loved, the woman he still loved. The woman he had spent the happiest time of his life with, the woman he had poured all his heart to, Ruby and Yang's mother who had given them all the love and care they could have ever needed?
Tai scoffed at his former Headmaster. His opinion of him had just hit an all-time low.
"So that's it, then? She's just another pawn to you?"
Ozpin looked up and saw Tai's angry eyes. He shook his head. "Regardless. While Mt. Glenn was not prevented… what Summer did was enough to stop the assassinations, and her secrecy is the very reason Vale's strength had been kept up for so long-!"
"Bullshit!" Tai roared. He stood up, and his whole body began to shake. "You just can't admit that you were WRONG!"
"…"
"She died for you… you sent her to suffer because you can't have the rest of us dying with her, right?!" Tai yelled.
It was a wild accusation, Tai knew. He knew that Summer was always the best of us, that there was always that part of his mind that felt that he had only slowed her down.
There was that part of his mind that held her so highly – that if someone could hold back a sea of Grimm it would've been her.
Ozpin looked at him calmly, then. Had looked at him with those calculating eyes that had once seemed so smart… Tai now realized were so chillingly cold.
"Had you went too," Ozpin said to him, "Had STRQ went too, then who would've been left to raise Ruby and Yang?"
And that had caused Tai to see red.
Because that sentence made him realize one thing.
"You knew she'd die for you." Tai said, anger simmering beneath the surface. "You knew she'd get the job done, she'd stop whoever this assassin was, even if it meant her dying… you knew she'd never say no, because you know how much she loved us."
And from the slight way Ozpin seemed to nod, Tai felt his anger break.
Tai roared and moved, going for Ozpin's throat.
It was only by the miracle of his daughters' quick movements that he was kept where he was.
"Mr. Xiao-Long-!" Ozpin tried, but Tai shut him down.
"No! You'll listen to what I have to say!" Tai yelled, "You know I would've gone with her. You know Qrow would've too! But you just can't stand the thought that if we failed, then it'd mean- that it'd mean what? That you had to wait another few years until a new set of students can meet your expectations?!"
"Tai-!"
"SHUT UP!" Tai yelled back, "We were a Team, Oz. We were a TEAM! That meant STICKING TOGETHER! But instead you told Summer behind closed doors, you told her the power of the Silver Eyes without telling the rest of us!
I can't help but think on every conversation she had with me – with us – before she sacrificed herself! Truth or happiness, she said – she chose us to be happy but you stepped on the promise - And those – and those conditions, the ones you agreed to – you brought my daughters into this anyway!"
Tai's voice began to grow louder and louder. Ruby quickly grabbed her father's hand and began to hold him back. "Dad, dad…!"
And when Ozpin only stayed silent, that only made Tai even angrier.
"You knew Summer could have done it alone, but you didn't care that she'd die doing it! You cared that if we died too, then Ruby and Yang would never be in your grasp! You never intended on keeping your end of the promise! That'd be too much loss in your chessboard, wouldn't it? THAT'S ALL YOU CARED ABOUT, RIGHT?!"
The room fell silent. All looked to Ozpin for an answer.
And when his eyes closed, all knew it to be true.
"YOU MOTHERFUCKER!" Tai yelled. He made to leap across the table, but Ruby and Yang quickly held their father back. "You don't care- you don't care about us, do you?! You only care about WINNING! Then I'll show you winning! I'll show you we don't need you!"
"Dad, stop!" Yang pleaded. "We need to focus- we can get Mom back-!"
"But we won't get that time back! Her Dad yelled furiously. "Let me go- I've got a bone to pick with this damn-!"
Ruby hugged her dad, and with her Semblance, dragged both her father and her sister out of the room. With a swish of rose petals they were gone, leaving a deafening silence that no one was willing to disrupt.
It took a long time for someone to break the tension. From where Ozpin looked, it was clear that his explanation – his admission – had left a bad taste in everyone's mouth.
Even Professor Goodwitch looked disgusted at what Ozpin had admitted.
But more than that, it was people like Raiden and Solid Snake who looked the most offended. Ozpin didn't know why…
But for people like them – people who had unknowingly been used and, unlike Venom Snake, rebelled to find their own destiny and retake their own lives – to see a manipulator like that in front of them was an insult to their very beliefs.
Raiden shot Ozpin a look, and if he wasn't secretly an immortal then Ozpin was sure he would've died then and there.
"We're not your pawns, Ozpin." He growled low, The Ripper leaking out, "We're not things to be used by governments or nations or Kingdoms – and certainly not you."
The meeting had adjourned soon after. After that crashout, no one really wanted to say anything else.
No one had anything to say – Raiden's message was loud and clear for everyone to agree to.
Venom had only barely managed to keep everyone focused on their tasks: JNPR with Indigo. Solid Snake and the rest of the Agent Expedition Team to handle the U.C announcement, to be supported by Ozpin and Glynda, no matter what disagreements they had; the faster they can finish this then the faster they could finish that as well.
Raiden and Penny to go with Ironwood for some deep scans regarding that CCT virus. The sooner they can get rid of it and get their forces of nature back, the better it'd be for them all.
And lastly, for Blake, Weiss, Sun, and Neptune to remind Tai, Ruby, and Yang that they needed to take care of the White Fang. Once they were back and had calmed down, of course.
Ruby's gentle touch had helped to calm her father down greatly. Had helped to bring him back down to Remnant, had helped him focus on what he needed to do.
After all, he had promised to her, didn't he? That he wouldn't try anything crazy anymore – that he would always come back for her.
They agreed together to confront Ozpin, and Ruby held her father close as he shook in her hug. Held him close as he tried not to break, held him close as he cried on the shoulders of the only thing he still had to remind him of the person he had loved with all his heart.
But through all of this…
Even with Blake and Sun's Faunus hearings, with the extra manpower Weiss and Neptune provided…
…No one could find where Yang had run off to as Ruby had comforted her crumbling father.
And Ruby couldn't help but whimper to her father's arms. For the last expression Ruby could remember seeing on Yang's face wasn't anything she had ever seen on her before.
No, it was unbelievably cold.
An expression of cold determination that Ruby had never seen on her sister before.
?
Raven pocketed her Scroll, having read the brief point notes on the round table meeting – of course she wasn't invited – and looked at the only other woman in this room she had quickly commandeered.
"So, you finally know it all..." Raven muttered.
She stared down the woman in front of her – her blood, and yet their bond was as meaningful as shit.
That woman across her scowled. "You were the one who last saw Mom. The one who teleported her to Mt. Glenn without anyone noticing."
"Yes, I was." Raven nodded, "So I suppose Ozpin has told you everything?"
"Yeah. I pried the total, unredacted and declassified file from his hands." Yang growled.
"And now, do you see why I left him?"
"That's not what I'm here for." Yang crossed her arms. "I don't need your bullshit excuses, Raven."
Raven raised an eyebrow and tilted her head. "Then what are you here for?"
In response, Yang took a deep breath.
"…You were the last one to see Mom." Yang began, "I need to know from someone else than Ozpin." Yang spat the word with no small venom, "why she took the mission."
"And why do you need to know? Because you think she left you like I did?"
"Because I need to know why the greatest Mom in the whole world did what she did." Yang insisted.
Raven paused. She looked at Yang up and down… and smirked.
"You. A Maiden…" Raven trailed off. "Did Ozpin make the offer to you?"
Yang grew a tick in her forehead. "Stop dicking around." She bit out. "I don't have much time here. I'd rather have someone useful to talk to other than you, but as it stands…"
"Hm. That much is obvious." Raven said. "And I suppose that you know I am a Maiden as well?"
"Kind of. But you're not much of one anymore, right?" Yang stated. She didn't take enjoyment in her mutilation, far from it, but what was there for her to really say?
She didn't want it to happen, and when she first saw it she did almost cry – but after getting the full context, everything she could have felt was almost all overtaken by apathy.
At this, Raven sighed. She closed her eyes as she recalled her memory to that fateful night…
The night she last saw her partner…
That memory was painful, and as such Raven had buried it deep. Because on that very night, she had seen her partner selflessly sacrifice her life for something other than her personal gain.
And deep down, she knew it showed her just how much of a coward she was.
And recalling it now, it just irked her so much that she was the one who was still somewhat alive, while someone as pure as Summer was the one who got the short end of the stick.
"When I teleported Summer over…" Raven said slowly, "the last thing she ever asked for me was to take care of you." Raven breathed out.
Yang's breath hitched.
"It's the only reason I saved you that one time – when you were fighting Neo on that train." Raven explained. "Because Summer… she deserved so much more than what she got. And I'm not cruel enough to sully her memory like that."
"Mom…" Yang trailed off. For even when she had 'died'… it turned out that her ghost had still protected her.
"Now do you see?" Raven stepped closer to Yang. "Now do you understand who Ozpin is? He doesn't feel – he uses."
Apparently, Yang didn't like the implication – that she and Raven were the same.
"And so that's why you left like a coward instead of standing and fighting." Yang challenged her.
"Call it whatever you want." Raven said. But her next words were spoken with much more firmness – no room for argument. "I don't care. But…"
Raven stepped forwards, and her Maiden powers burned ever so slightly through her eye. She jabbed a finger into Yang's heart. "I did it because Ozpin. Plays. His pawns."
"Get your hands off me." Yang brushed her mother away, but her intrigue did grow with every syllable. "You've got no room to talk."
"Don't I?" Raven challenged.
Yang paused.
"I see what you're planning to do. Ozpin has offered you the position of the Fall Maiden. And just like Summer, he pulled on your strings, your love for your family, to goad you into doing what he wants."
Yang bristled. "So what if he wants to make me the Maiden. It'll still be my power in the end."
"Yes, but you need to get through him first." Raven referred to Ozpin. "And you know he'll look at you no different then how he looked at Summer. Meaning you'll die in his war just like all of us."
Yang shook. That was true.
Her breath began to shorten. In the back of her mind, she recognized one thing – at least she got to choose.
Because what about Ruby and her Silver Eyes?
Unlike Yang, she'd been marked since birth. Ozpin was pulling on her love for her sister so that she'd take the Maiden power. If that didn't happen, he'd only look for someone else.
And whether she took the power or not, in the end Ozpin would have his eyes on Ruby all the same.
"Why… why are you telling me all this?" Yang asked above a whisper. "You- you left me! You didn't give two shits before! Don't tell me…"
Yang shook her head and her eyes turned red once more – though they held fear instead of anger as her mind ran wild with one possibility: "Don't tell me you want me to be with you?!"
Raven scoffed. "Oh please." She rolled her eyes, "That ship sailed a long time ago… don't you agree?"
"I-Agh…" Yang's eyes turned lilac once more and she struggled to form a response. Instead, she fell back to a simple phrase: "For fucks sake…"
It was here that Raven saw her daughter at a crossroads.
The same crossroads she saw all those years ago – and back then, she chose to run. And look at where that got her? A useless trainer without the strength she had sought out for all her life.
But here, she saw Yang was clearly more a fighter than she ever was. She could see the way her eyebrows furrowed, the way her fists clenched… and knew she wasn't thinking of how to run, but how to fight back.
In that way, they were different.
Raven let out a breath and spoke, raising her voice gently to catch Yang's attention.
"Summer… she loved you as if you were her own daughter." Raven said softly but firmly. "Whatever you do, know this: she would be very proud of the woman you've become, Yang."
Yang took a step back in surprise. "R-Raven…"
"You're your own woman now – I know I don't have a place in your life and I'm fine with that." At this, Raven turned solemn. Her hands clicked, mechanical limbs whirrs serving as white noise in the otherwise silent room.
Even as silent as they were, Yang's eyes turned to them still. She recognized the models – the bare-minimum made for amputees, nothing like the top-of-the-line model Jaune got from unknown lands or even Atlas' Knights. She remembered the fact that it was Qrow who vetoed his sister back, and now she knew why he chose these limbs. Because fighting in them was practically impossible, and without biological limbs, can a Maiden even use her powers?
"But Summer was my friend too. She was my partner." When she heard Raven's words, Yang thought she must be dreaming; or did her voice really did crack?
Raven pushed through with a loud exhale. "She was, is my partner – and unlike Qrow, she didn't get to choose. I will not leave her again when there's still a chance she could be saved."
"Y-you…" Yang struggled to find the words. And
With a heavy sigh, Raven looked to her daughter's eyes again.
And when Yang stared back, she was surprised to see none of the cockiness that she had come to know and expect from her deadbeat of an egg donor.
"Summer loved you with all her heart." Raven said. "She did what her heart told her to do. The thought of leaving you behind hurt her so much that she turned to her deadbeat partner for help… and the love for you moved her so much that she was willing to die just so you could have a brighter future."
Yang laughed – but at the same time, she chocked back on her tears.
A brighter future… and yet here she was now, a Huntress when her mother wanted her to be off on a more peaceful life.
"And Ozpin betrayed their promise like it was nothing…" Yang muttered.
Raven spoke again. "I won't tell you what you do – and besides, it's not what you want anyway. But Summer's way of thinking was always charmingly simple – to put the ones she loved at the top of her priority list."
"Priority list…?"
"What is the thing you consider the most?" Raven said. "Find that… and act on what your heart sings to you."
"And yours told you to run away?"
"Mine…" Raven sighed.
With a grimace, she lifted her hand, stretching outwards moving clearly to give Yang a pat on her shoulder.
Yang flinched.
Raven pulled back, a melancholic smile on her face. With a shake of her head, smile still in place, she walked past her daughter and went for the door.
Frozen in place as Raven walked away, the sound of the door opening was louder than any words Yang might've heard. But before the door could shut, Yang quickly turned around and yelled, "Wait!"
Raven, back to her daughter and already one step out the door, paused. Though she didn't turn back either, it was clear she was listening.
"You said that I needed to decide my priorities, then follow what I feel on that…" Yang trailed off and then continued. "Is that also why you left me and Dad?"
Yang watched intently as Raven paused, her eyes burning to her back. And when Raven turned around, that melancholic smile still there, did she finally get the answer she had been looking for all her life.
"Well, it's the reason Summer's your mother, and not me." Raven said, and Yang didn't find any malice in those words. "And if it means anything…"
Raven trailed off, and Yang noticed the clicking of her limbs once more. Weak, helpless.
"I chose wrong." Raven admitted, and Yang was sure this time – Raven's voice did crack. "You're a better woman than I will ever be."
Raven walked away and shut the door behind her.
As did Yang shut the door to that chapter of her life.
Now, like Raven said, all she needed to do was to figure out her priorities.
'Follow my heart, she said.' Yang thought.
Her heart went to her family – to Mom, Dad, and Ruby. And outside of that, the rest of RWBY.
Yang clenched her fists. She knew what she needed to do then.
She would bend destiny itself and take freedom for her family.
No longer would Ruby be hounded for her eyes. No longer would Dad have to face the phantom of his failure time and time again because someone outside their family had manipulated their love for each other.
No longer would her family be bound by a Headmaster's schemes.
She'd take all the power she could get, even if it was from Ozpin himself; she'd become the Fall Maiden, she'd become the strongest version of her there could be.
And then, she'd use that very same power to break the shackles that bound Ruby and Dad to this cycle of endless war. This, Yang Xiao-Long swore.
She would take back her life from the evil wizard in the commanding tower.
In that way, she'd save her family.
And if that meant she needed to die as she took Ozpin down with her, then so be it.
That's it for today – next week, Jaune confronts his mirror and finds his resolve.
Read and review. Thanks so, so much for still reading, and see you until then.