Lord of Gifts in the Forgotten Realm

by Djoklecjan

After his defeat, as the last act of defiance, Sauron strikes a deal with his former Master, and finds himself in the Forsaken World, which is set for a downfall. Will Annatar change Remnant's future for the better? Or Sauron will make it even worse? Or, perhaps, Mairon will change some of his views?

28. Chapter 20: Their ploys intertwined p2

Disclaimer: This is the second part of the chapter I posted today, if you didn't read the first half, I suggest going back chapter, it should be called "Players on the Chessboard"

Konsilio: But if you want to read this one first, who am I to order you what to do!? Let the Chaos arise!

*Sigh, Anyway, back to the Story:

Their Ploys intertwined

Limestone, the Kingdom of Vale.

"Since Arthur is removed out of the equation, is it really necessary to explain my reasoning?" While talking about the governor, Ozpin decided to bolster his defense by moving another pawn.

Black pawn from E7 to E6.

"For sake of our future, potential cooperation, it is essential, or you risk that our relations shall be strained right at the very beginning, something which would upset me. Really greatly."

White bishop from A3 to E8, taking the Black bishop.

Sauron crossed his fingers on the table, carefully eyeing the Headmaster.

"After all, someone as intelligent as you would only keep wasteful only for a valid, long term necessity, not for their own amusement. Unless I got that part about you wrong?"

Black King from E8 to F8, taking the White Bishop, both players trading their figures.

"There was once a very promising man, with great potential." Ozpin spoke up, his face not moving an inch. "But I made a mistake, for I sacrificed someone dear for him, to save one of my more valuable assets."

White Knight from B1 to C3

"And instead of an ally, you gained a bitter foe." Sauron nodded his head.

Black King from E8 to G8, to more secure position.

"Who nearly killed more than once." Ozpin added. "And now, in Beacon, I have again a young, promising man."

White Queen on the move, from D1 to C2.

"And since the former governor is his father, you were afraid that it would create yet another enemy for you deal with." Sauron remarked. "That's why you didn't want to do anything rash."

Black tower from A8 to C8.

"I wanted to wait at least one more year before finally taking action, long enough to make Sky understand the necessity of it. But you forced my hand Annatar."

White tower from A1 to D1.

"I have my plans as well, Headmaster, plans I want to realize sooner than later."

Ozpin now decided to make an attack on his own – a pawn moved from B7 to B5.

"To be fair with you, when the news of Lark's resignation reached my office, I thought you would the one to take up the position, considering your talks about 'improving Vale step by step'. And you would certainly win."

Sauron yet again counterattacked, pawn from E2 to E4

"Why would I do that? I still have things that I can accomplish with my forge, without the constraints put on me."

Black bishop retreated one tile back – F5 to G6, still in position to affect trades, but out of danger itself.

"Wouldn't taking the position of power help you accomplish those goals?" Ozpin asked with genuine curiosity. "Junior is not a certain winner."

White tower from F1 to E1 – to support the potential attack.

"Oh Headmaster, isn't it obvious? If he wins, I can gain a lot, and if he loses, then I lose nothing. Either way, it's a fair game for me."

Black king from G8 to F7.

"I would never expect you to admit the fact that Junior is your pawn that causally." Ozpin remarked.

After brief consideration, Sauron moved the white knight standing on F3 to H4.

"If I wanted a pawn, I would have searched for someone either arrogant, or ambitious, not the mixture of both, for it's hard to control sometimes. By your terms, Headmaster, a word "Professor" would be more accurate." Sauron said with a confident smirk. "But, like I said, I still have a lot I can accomplish while doing what I do best."

Black pawn pressed forward, from D5 to D4, threatening the second white knight.

"Could one of your goals be to join the Academy as a Professor?" Ozpin asked, and Annatar leant closer, his eyes shining.

Whites counterattacked, White knight hopping from H4 to G6, taking the black bishop standing there, and threatening the black tower.

"Perhaps." Sauron said, his eyes trying to pierce Headmaster's defense. "I would have lied if I told you that the idea of being allowed onto the Beacon grounds is not appealing to me."

Black pawn standing on E7 strikes back, avenging the bishop by striking down the white knight standing on G6, but Sauron wasn't bothered by this loss, in fact, he was delighted – Ozpin made a chink in black line of pawns.

"So you are interested." Ozpin said, answering Sauron's stare without flinching. "Which begs up a question: why all this? With your talents, you could approach me all these months ago, and you would certainly not only become a Professor, but get all of the resources you ever needed. Unless something held you back."

White pawn moved from E4 to E5, threatening the black knight.

"Let's entertain this idea." Sauron said. "If I approached you all those months ago, first I would have to prove myself, engage in negotiations, give promises for just ounces of good will – all that would consume my time without a comparable results, because I am aware that you would not give me everything I wanted right from the get go. Also, all these delays would mean that my lessons would be scheduled during the time, which the students of Beacon would normally have spent freely, in their dorms or performing other leisure activities, which would certainly make me an enemy number one. Am I wrong?"

Black knight moved away from danger, jumping from F6 to G4.

"Some of your worries are, unfortunately, well founded."

White knight moved as well, from C3 to E4.

"In short, I would be like a beggar asking for bread, then become subservient to a man I knew nothing about."

Black knight took an exposed pawn, attacking from D7 to E5

"But now, things changed. I presume now you consider that, since you have your business, connections and wealth, you don't have to agree to any of my offers."

White pawn marched forward, from C4 to C5.

"Correction – two things changed, and one you got right – I don't have to take the first of your offers, for I feel that I can bargain for way more."

Black tower moved from H8 to F8, preparing for fight in the center.

"And the second thing, if may I ask?"

White pawn walked up one tile, from H2 to H3, threatening the knight, and with that Ozpin could feel it in the air, that the time of probing attacks is over, and he has to fight now.

"Simple really." Sauron said with a seeming friendliness as he now awaited Headmaster's move. "I learnt something more about You, Wizard of Remnant."

Vale, Commercial District

"What do you mean you still have work?!" Yang looked at her scroll in anger.

"Exactly what I said!" Goose snapped back, all the while Yang could hear a background voices coming from the other end. "Heck, I still have three hours left! Besides, weren't you supposed to be in the Academy?"

"You know what? Nevermind." Yang ended the call and left a frustrated huff, angry more on herself than on Goose – She knew that he was busy at work, and yet tried to bring him in.

She looked at the small bar behind her, before which she parked Bumblebee, left a sigh and raised her scroll once again to dial another number. Hopefully, she will be available.

"This is Mav's mailbox, I am currently occupied, but you can leave the message!" Yang left another angry huff and ended the call before recording signal herself.

Technically, she could call for the second time – their agreed signal for "I'm in trouble – I need help!", and even though it tempted Yang to do so, she didn't want to use her friend's trust like this to just vent.

She scrolled through her contacts, more than few dozen, yet none would come – most were working, others went on a trip, and so on. She stopped upon seeing Tukson's number, but he was probably busy too.

She tried to take a deep breath to calm her nerves, but it had an opposite effect, for it only added fuel to the boiling pot of emotions, and people passing by her noticed that, so most of them deciding to pick up the pace.

Yang could preplan this better, in fact, she tried to set this up few days ago, but Professor's field trip threw this plan down the drain, and after today's practice, she just couldn't hold it any longer.

Encounter with the Smith, Failure against the Fang, new details regarding her mother, and her conflict with the Heiress – if those things came up one by one, in span of a month, she probably would be able to cool off and manage it, but everything fell on her shoulders practically all at once, so she didn't know how to cope with it.

She angrily kicked an empty can of soda, it struck the nearby trash bin, shaking it violently, forcing the family of possums living inside of it to run away, one of the animals raised its paw and hissed at her.

"Screw you too!" Yang shouted and walked into the bar, not aware that a girl with green eyes and red hair was watching her for some time.

The bar interior was arranged in a classic south Mistral's fashion, with tables and chairs made of walnut wood, all the while green and purple grapes curled around the support beams.

"Yang!" Slightly chubby bar owner greeted her from behind a long counter made of cherry wood, wide friendly smile on his face. "Salve Bella Cosa!"

"Hi Mat." Yang said, trying to smile back at him, but Mateo quickly saw through her.

"You alone today? Dove sono i tuoi amici?"

"Yeap, just me." She sat beside the counter. "The usual please."

Mat nodded his head, and soon, a glass of strawberry sunrise with a little umbrella slid into her grasp.

"This one is on me." Matoe said. "And… take your time. As much as you need."

"Thanks Mat." Owner stepped away to carry an order to another table while Yang slowly sipped her favorite drink, but even that felt tasteless, conflicting thoughts and boiled emotions completely ruining it's taste.

And worst of all, she had only one person to blame, and to divert her thoughts from how big of a failure she is and that she should tell Ruby about what she found, but she is too big coward to do so, she redirected her anger against Weiss.

"Who does she thinks she is? Yeah, she is rich, but she didn't work for it, yet acts like she rules the world." She clenched her teeth in anger. "Listen to what I say' SHUT UP."

She was so absorbed with her cursing the Schnee that she didn't hear the door opening once again, and that she now had someone sitting right beside her.

"Are you upset?" New voice asked, and Yang scoffed.

"Isn't it obvious?" Yang shook her head. "Sorry, I was rude."

"No, it's understandable." Yang slowly started to realize that someone she doesn't know is talking to her. "When you are upset, you often say words that you don't mean."

Yang finally turned and looked right into a pair of green irises belonging to a short girl with a curly, short orange hair, wearing white, old-fashioned blouse and short gray pinafore.

"Salutations! My name is Penny Polendina, it's nice to meet you!"

"Yang Xiao Long." Yang extended her hand, and at first Penny looked at it curiously before shaking it. "Aren't you too young for places like this?"

Penny seemed to black out for a moment, the suddenly saluted. "Affirmative, I probably shouldn't be in place like this, but while I was walking around the district also being upset, I saw you being upset and walking inside, so I wanted to know if places like this help people stop being sad."

"… That's a lengthy explanation." Yang chuckled while Penny eyed Strawberry sunrise.

"Does this mixture of strawberry juice, alcohol and few preservatives makes people stop being upset?"

"Not quite."

"Then why are you drinking it?"

"Because it helps calm my nerves."

"May I have some?" Penny asked, and Mateo barged in.

"La raggaza! Sei troppo giovane per bere l'alcol!" He quickly put glass with orange juice before the girl. "Hai succo d'arancia! E molto salutare!" Barkeeper gestured wildly towards the glass.

"Gracie, segniore!" Penny responded with a cheerful voice, and Bartender's smile widened even more, before he walked away to attend other clients.

"You speak southern mistrelian?" Yang asked, a little bit baffled.

"Affirmative, I am fluent in six hundred forms of communication, including cricket." For a moment Yang went silent before bursting out of laughter, much to Penny's consternation.

"I like you already." Blond brawler said after wiping a tear.

"Really? Does that mean you consider me a friend?" Penny asked with a hint of hope with her voice.

"Yeah sure, why not." Yang remarked as she took a sip of Sunrise.

"Wow. I made my first girl friend…"

"Hold your horses Penny!" Yang said while patting Penny's back. "Friend is more than enough for me already, and besides, you are probably the same age as my sis."

"Is your 'sis' a girl?" Penny asked with genuine curiosity, but Yang didn't reply, her smile slowly vanishing. "I see that our conversation didn't stop you being upset."

"For a bit it did." Yang admitted. "How about you? You said you are also upset, so, are you feeling better?"

"…No." Penny said, her smile also leaving her lips.

"Guess back to a starting point." Yang remarked while Penny just stared at her glass. "So, who is going first?"

"What do you mean?" Penny asked.

"I meant who is going to complain first?" Yang tried to clarify, but Penny just tilted her head.

"I don't understand what do you mean."

"Oh you know, when something pisses you off or upsets you for that matter, the best way to deal with it is to complain with someone. It's better than holding it inside." Seeing that Penny is still not quite catching up, Yang scratched her chin, and suddenly, a bright idea came to her mind. "How about we turn it into a game?"

"Game? I love games! I am really good at games!" Penny said with an excited spark in her eyes.

"So, the game goes like this: Each turn, you and I shall share something that pissed us off recently, and after each round, we will slowly raise from little annoyances to what made us come here. Alright?"

Penny blacked out for a moment, then nodded her head. "The idea was accepted!"

"Okay, so, I will start to show how it works." Yang took another quick sip. "So, my favorite comb broke while I was brushing my hair, and it took me few minutes to remove it, while my hair was still a mess."

Penny analyzed this sentence, then opened wide her mouth.

"So that's how you complain!" She said with a tone like someone who just found out a new equation. "Fascinating!"

"Your turn then, what annoyed you?" Penny thought for a moment, then raised her finger.

"Oh oh I know! Some time ago, a driver of Missan model 637 rode too fast into a puddle that formed after rain, and splashed my dress with water!"

"What a jerk." Yang commented. "It was also your favorite dress, wasn't it?" Penny gasped in shock.

"How did you know?!"

"Just a hunch." She chuckled, glad that, after all, she found someone to talk with. "Alright, my turn again sooo, recently, my partner in Beacon…"

As two girls were talking, five men who were following Penny for some time now were sitting right in the corner and overlooked them, whispering to one another.

"That's her?"

"Heat and energy readings are matching the description."

"Wasn't she supposed to twenty six at this point?"

"And have a pink hair?"

"Doesn't matter." Their leader, a tall, bearded man with glasses and brown-white clothes silenced the discussion. "We can't miss an opportunity like this." He raised his tiny communicator.

"Unit Grey seven to the Center, requesting a dispatch of MIT units to my location."

"For what purpose unit Grey?"

"Possible acquisition to finish the FoC project."

"Expected resistance?" Leader looked at his objective, talking to the infamous Xiao Long.

"Possible."

The other end of the call went silent for a moment, and all five men awaited the response.

"Units dispatched. Try to do it quietly though – Doctor does not want an unnecessary attention."

"Copy that."

Stonewall Prison

"Multiple assaults on guards on duty, leading to a riot against the authority, damages against the prisons infrastructure…" Prison Warden listed, each word spewing saliva on Larian's face. "You are really lucky that Vale abolished the death sentence!"

He ranted as Larian just stared at him, unimpressed, with a hint of pride in his smirk, which annoyed Warden even more.

"You mutts just don't know what respect is nowadays!" He brought his face closer, trying to look Larian in the eyes, but faunus quickly raised his head and tried to bite off some of old man's mustache, Warden quickly backed away while two guards tightened their steel grip.

"The audacity…!" He smacked the Faunus's face, hint of red appearing on Larian's forehead. "You really want me to Isolate you for a month huh?! That's what you want!?"

"Why Isolation?" Woman with long black hair and amber eyes approached the Warden, but he only saw Lily, his chief secretary. "There is a way for animals like this to bend a knee…"

"Special Security…" Warden started to brush his mustache, the idea appealing to him. Yeah, yeah, but to who exactly…

One of the guards holding Larian, a woman with short green hair and brown skin focused her stare on the Warden to maintain the illusion, all the while the Woman in blue uniform with red accents stepped right behind him and whispered to his ear.

"Hazel is really lonely nowadays." She said. "He could use another punching bag."

"Rainart… Yeah, Rainart will do." He gestured at two guards holding Larian while woman with amber eyes backed away. "Bring that mutt to the special security! Few days with Reinart will teach it a lesson!"

"Right away 'Sir'!" Guard with short grey hair, wearing a mix of blue and grey saluted with a wide grin and both guards turned on their heels and dragged Larian out of the room.

"And Lily, about what we were talking…" Warden turned around, only to find that Lily is sitting behind her desk. "Um, Lily?"

"Yes?"

"You were standing here, right?" Woman frowned in surprise.

"No?"

"But I could swear…"

"You are probably exhausted sir." Guard with amber eyes and blue uniform stepped in. "This whole riot took a toll on everyone."

"…I suppose so." He said, cursing himself for going senile too early. But that riot, put the tensions between the prisoners while having problems with recruiting new people in place of professionals. "I will be in my office, could you make me a coffee Lily?"

"Of course." Warden went back to his office, closed the door behind himself, went to his desk and sat heavily on his armchair.

Only he knew how close this riot was too cause more damage to the facility, for the prisoners nearly broke through the KZ, and that would put a lot off personnel at risk. Even with all this technology to cut off the costs and counteract the manpower shortages, he knew that another, more successful riot would be devastating.

He needed men. Or more hoplite droids, but Council would never agree to buy more, "they are too expensive" they will say, "We lack budget for that purchase" my ass.

He looked at his scroll once again, and thought about the recent offer. Back then, he refused, but now, when things are becoming too much for him to bare.

He wrote a number and called it, and when it connected, a large Schnee Dust Company Crest appeared on screen.

"Yes?"

"Mister Urgan, I rethought your terms." Warden said.

"Aaand?"

"I agree."

He could basically feel a wide grin coming from that one-eyed bastard.

"Wundarbar."

Meanwhile Larian was dragged on the rocky floor by two guards, proud of himself. – He KO-ed at least three guards before they captured him, in fact, he was sure that he probably could overpower the two guards dragging him, but since they are bringing him right where he wanted to be…

"That's who Roman picked up to be a messenger?" He overheard one of the guards, the one with gray hair, talking to his partner, and Larian frowned. They know? But Roman said…

"What about him?" She asked.

"He doesn't look like the brightest egg in the basket, buuut Hazel is stupid too, so I guess they will match really well!"

"Hazel is not stupid!"

"Yeah right, just like Tyrian, he is completely sane."

"Who the fuck are they talking about? Are they Roman's associates? " Faunus thought, still trying to find some kind of sense in this situation.

"Well, at least his retractable claws are kinda handy." The girl remarked. "He is like a puma."

"What the fuck is a puma?" Second 'guard' asked while Larian wondered why they were now talking about a shoe brand now.

"It's like, a big cat that lives in the mountains."

"You're making this up!" Girl left an annoyed huff.

"If you read more books then maybe you would know about this stuff. Ohh right, you can't even read your own name on that badge."

"Hey, low blow Em! Low blow!"

Suddenly, they stopped dragging Larian and faunus soon found himself staring into the pair of red eyes.

"There is one thing you have to give Hazel, so do what I say now, alright?"

Larian frantically nodded his head, hoping that the red eyes will stop staring right into his skull.

"Good." Girl pulled out something from her pocket. "Open your mouth. And don't swallow."

Beacon Academy

"Prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution-more popularly known as the Faunus War…" With unfathomable speed, Professor Oobleck put a large map on display, showcasing the island of Menagerie, South of Mistral. "-Humankind was quite, quite adamant on centralizing the faunus population in Menagerie…"

Despite the Professor delivering this lesson in a very hyperactive way, most of the students found themselves fighting the growing urge to sleep.

And Jaune was among them.

He tried to counteract it by scribbling in his textbook, but words quickly turned into an unrecognizable gibberish, then he tried to count in his head, which was counterproductive, so now, he just focused on not blinking.

All the while he felt Ren's stare piercing through his side, and felt even worse.

Turns out, Academy's doctor allowed Nora to skip class this time, but Ren wasn't allowed to leave Oobleck's lesson, so now he was here, sitting right beside him while Nora stayed in her dorm, probably playing games.

And all three members of team JNPR sat in this awkward silence, as any attempt of talk between the students would be quickly picked upon by the Professor and quickly shut down. Not to mention they didn't even know what to say to one another.

Ren was probably trying to collect his thoughts, Jaune was afraid that he will accidently say something that would only make things worse, and Pyrrha didn't know how to deescalate the conflict between the two teammates, intending to take it upon herself and act as a mediator after class..

"I really screwed up…" Jaune berated himself.

"I didn't do any wrong! It was her inability to obey!" He argued. "I cannot allow her weakness to drag me down…"

"What am I even thinking!?" Jaune grabbed his forehead and sighed heavily "She must hate me right now…"

Unknowingly, he made a fatal mistake, for his hand seemed to be as comfortable as a cushion…

He tried to keep his eyes open, not realizing that you can drift into the realm of dreams with your eyes wide open. It's hard to master, but with enough training or persuasion, it's a really useful skill, allowing to bypass lectures like this without raising suspicion, just like Everpresent had hoped for.

For weeks, He had a problem he couldn't solve – Arc often dreamt to be a hero that saves the day, a friend that spends time with those he cherish, and these dreams were hard to influence for him, since they were created and based on emotions and traits that He could not, nor cared to understand.

Like bravery, selflessness, kindness…

Much to his bafflement, Arc's favorite dream was not getting cheers from the adorating crowd, but "small" things, like surprising the champion with the concert tickets as he promised the other day, imaging her happy smile…

He couldn't influence Arc in the Realm of Irmo that effectively, for these dreams were too unpredictable, and his attempts only turned them to nightmares from which Arc quickly woke up. But then, it struck him like a thunder – he doesn't need to make up the scenario.

It witnessed acts that humans considered 'heroic'. And he can reuse them, and make them fit.

As Arc's consciousness drifted away from the material world, the Everpresent sung his song once more…

"Now, which one of you young scholars can tell me what many theorize to be the turning point in the third year of the War?" Oobleck asked and noticed a raised hand. "Yes?"

"The battle at Fort Castle!" Weiss answered.

"Correct! Also known as the battle for High Castle, it was a turning point during the Faunus Revolution…" As Oobleck continued his lecture, Weiss returned to her notes, satisfied smile on her face.

"Psst, Weiss." Ruby whispered to her.

"Don't worry, I will share my notes after class." Schnee replied.

"Not that, I wanted to talk about you and Yang." When Weiss heard that, her smile vanished.

"What about her?"

"Why you dislike her so much?" Ruby tried to keep her voice as low as possible, but Professor's briefly glanced at them and both girls quickly pretended like nothing happened, waiting for a moment as Professor continued.

"She didn't gave me much of a reason to like her, did she?" Weiss remarked.

"Bu Yang usually gets along with pretty much everyone." Ruby argued. "And you both behave like you actually hate each other."

"Oh, you want to know why I don't like her? I could write a book what I absolutely can't stand with her, but in short: Yang is boorish brute with no discipline…"

'

"…And don't make me started about Weiss!" Yang snarled while talking to Penny. "She is an arrogant rich snob with no sense of humor…"

'

"…She never listens to what I have to say, and I don't mean 'orders', but also advices, critique, anything!" Weiss continued, and Ruby slightly nodded her head.

"Yeah, Yang don't like to be ordered around, even dad had problems with her attitude."

"But even when we are meant to cooperate, she is just taking the most antagonistic route!"

'

"She just never stop talking on how better she than everyone else, she is always like "mememememe I am the smartest in the room! You must listen to what I have to say!'" Yang mimicked the Heiress way speech. "She seems to love the sound of her own voice!"

"But Weiss Schnee has a really beautiful singing voice!" Penny remarked, and Yang scoffed.

"If she actually sung something good, then she wouldn't be as annoying as she is now."

'

"She never takes things seriously!"

'

"She is always acting like we are under some kind of pressure! Like, For the Brothers sake, relax, take a chill pill Ice Queen!"

'

"Her approach to anything is to fist it until it stops being a problem!" Weiss groaned. "Not everything can be solved by punching!"

'

"Her approach is to always overcomplicate things that can be quickly resolved by a solid punch!"

'

"I mean, how did you manage to live with someone like that?" Weiss questioned. "If I lived with someone like her, I am sure we would try to strangle one another!"

Ruby nervously laughed. "Yeah, Yang is like you said…"

"So you do agree!" Weiss said, almost triumphantly, only for Ruby to drop the most obvious yet effective:

"But Yang is also more than that." Ruby quickly added. "She took care of me when mom passed away and dad had to work, often not returning home for the entire day. Whenever I needed a shoulder to cry on, she was there for me, whenever I had a problem with something, she had my back at all times. It's true that she is often tries to resolve problems by punching them really hard, but that's because she is really direct to everyone – if something annoys her, she tell it right away, no matter what people will think about her for that."

Weiss thought of it for a moment, and she had to admit that, although Yang was often rude and invented for her a whole set of nicknames, she was always straight to the point, what angered her.

Before the Professor's Lee first lesson, Yang told her directly that her treatment of Ruby was unacceptable, then during Goodwitch's class, she told her to not order her around, and other times as well. Such direct behavior was really shunned by Atleasian rich society, but in hindsight, spending time with someone who doesn't shy from telling your flaws right in your face is… certainly a change of what Weiss was used to in Atlas.

"All I'm saying that there is no better sister and friend than Yang." Ruby continued. "She always tries to brighten up the mood, and during battle or crisis, you can be sure she won't let you down…"

'

"Have you ever considered that Weiss Schnee's upbringing might be the cause of your conflict, not she per se?" Penny asked, but Yang first took a sip of the Sunrise.

"You meant what exactly? That she was bitchy from a get go? Sounds like her problem."

Penny thought for a moment, trying to approach this argument like she used to with her friend Annatar, and idea came up to her mind.

"Please, could you try to put yourself in her perspective?"

"What?"

"Please."

With an annoyed groan Yang closed her eyes, trying to 'walk into Weiss's shoes', finding it irritating.

"Now, imagine yourself to be the heir of a biggest fortune in the world."

"Alright." Yang smiled cheekily, seeing herself swimming in money like some duck from a cartoon. If she had that much cash…

"Although you have this fortune, you are also the largest employer in the world." Penny said, confirming this data in her head. "Thousands of people work in your companies, in your household, in mines, in the dust refining-" Penny listed out only apportion of possible jobs in SDC, even though she could do it, it would take a whole day. "And all of their lives depend on your decisions."

Yang turned her head slightly, like she wanted to look at Penny.

"Each mistake may have a tragic consequences for a lot of people who you don't even know, whole economies may collapse and countless people may lose their life's savings - all because you made one wrong choice or poor investment."

Damn. Yang quickly stopped liking this as she felt the pressure falling on her like a boulder.

"You also have a family legacy to uphold – Your grandfather founded the Company, but it once nearly fell due to mismanagement, which had consequences for everyone in the world. You are also taught from childhood etiquette and discipline to, at one point, take full responsibility for the Company, all the while you are not allowed to be 'yourself' at any moment. Also, imagine you don't know if people who you do consider 'friends' are with you only because of money, and will leave you once you don't have a single penny?"

Yang chuckled at Penny's unintended pun, but the ginger had a point – Growing up in such environment can make you fill too big and too small at the same time, not to mention developing serious trust issues.

Did Weiss seriously went through something like this? As Yang thought more of it, she found herself slowly having a new perspective of the Heiress.

"How do you know all of that?" Yang asked as she opened her eyes and looked at Penny with curiosity, and Penny tilted her head to the side.

"It's all publicly available knowledge." She replied, and Yang just had to nod her head. "My point here is that maybe Weiss Schnee is like this because she is afraid of showing her true self? Maybe, talking things out will help you connect?"

Yang thought about this, and maybe? But she wasn't willing to just approach the Heiress and extend the olive branch, it would be like admitting defeat and saying 'yeah, I messed up' for doing nothing wrong…

'

"I am sure that if you just gave Yang a chance, you would become friends in no time!" Ruby commented, and Weiss found herself seriously considering this. However, if she was the one to do so, it would feel like after months of being ridiculed and insulted, she conceded defeat….

"If she does it first, then sure." Separated by miles, to two different persons, Yang and Weiss gave the exact same answer. And both Ruby and Penny sighed heavily upon hearing it.

At the same time, another person in the Oobleck's classroom tried to have a talk.

Ren tapped Jaune's shoulder and slid a sheet of paper before his team leader.

"Just read it, please." Ren whispered, but Jaune seemed wholly occupied with Oobleck's lecture. "And I… wanted to talk about what happened."

Jaune didn't react.

"Look, I am worried about you, you seem like you are not yourself nowadays. You act… differently, like you could explode at any moment with anger, and I know that's not how you behave. So please, just, read what Nora wrote and…"

A ball made of paper bounced of Jaune's head, both Ren's and Pyrrha's stare darted right at Cardin, who at first was laughing, his three teammates not as eager, but quickly his smile turned sour as Jaune didn't react to it as he had hoped.

And since Ren was closer to Jaune, he heard this quiet snore coming out of Jaune's throat.

"Is he… asleep with his eyes open?!" Ren didn't know Jaune was able of that, which, in a way, was a relief – Jaune didn't ignore him, he was just sleeping. That meant…

His eyes ventured lower, and Ren found himself staring at Jaune's pocket.

During the incident with Nora, Ren saw that whole this time, Jaune had his right hand in his pocket, which at first would be easy to dismiss, if not for Jaune's other erratic behaviors, the one with the laundry being the prime example of it. Whatever it is, his friend's recent shift in behavior must be tied to something in there,

At first, he hesitated – it was basically pickpocketing, betraying Jaune's trust, but on the other hand, he had to know what was going on, to keep Nora safe.

"What do you hide in there Jaune?" He thought as he slowly reached…'

'

Another bewolf jumped at the steel clad hero, beast's jaws trying to take a hold of warriors arm, but with a swift twist of his sword, beast was gutted and fell down the mountain of Grimm corpses, but more climbed up in its place.

With a wide strike of a hammer, hero bashed the brains out of four climbing black wolves, then he slashed upward with his yellow sword, splitting the gryphon in two.

One ursai managed to slip unnoticed as the warrior relentlessly massacred it's brethren, with loud roar it leapt at the warrior, it's right paw striking at the head, but steel-helmet protected the warrior's head, but fractured and dented.

With a riposte, Ursai was sent tumbling down, taking few Grimm with it while warrior had to remove his helmet, revealing the face of none other, than Jaune Arc.

By now, he was fully aware that it was a dream, mostly because of the fact that the Grimm bodies didn't disappear after death and over time so many died that he now stood on small hill made of black mass and bones, on which more and more Grimm charged to get him. But also the dream's premise made it unbelievable – all of his friends, other students, even Professors run away while only he volunteered to slow the Grimmtide.

Isn't it obvious? I am expandable to them, even in the real world. He thought as Arc slayed yet another beast, but Arc brushed that thought off – He was weak, but not anymore.

He looked at the dream's replica of the ring he got, feeling the power coursing through him. In this dream, he wasn't the boy who enrolled to Beacon having practically no knowledge of aura, he was a hero, like his father, no, like his grandfather

No, like Graham Arc. He fed Jaune's pride. And soon, I will surpass even him.

Certainly it felt like he was in one of the stories his mom read him before sleep – holding a narrow passage against the endless horde of Grimm, and emerging victorious.

Jaune raised his sword high and stared down at the sea of Grimm. This dream was not only so realistic, but also so he was conscious about it!

He didn't want to waste a dream like that.

"Come on, that's all you got!?" His voice echoed across the valley, and the Grimm shuddered. "You can't offer me a proper challenge!?"

In all earnest, all he wanted was to go wild a bit, kill a Goliath or two, then try to wake up. It's just a dream, so he was more than capable of doing that.

But then, the earth shook.

"So it's a Challenge, Champion of Men?" A mighty voice boomed in response, shaking the mountains, terrifying the Grimm which scattered like flies as the heavy steps became louder and louder.

Jaune covered his face as he felt a wave of heat striking his face, it felt like a volcano erupted nearby, and when he lowered his hand to get a proper look, he gulped.

Some distance before him stood a monster he had never seen before – It was like a great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form, man-shape maybe, yet greater, it's black wings casting long shadows, blocking the sun. It wore an armor made of Black Iron and brass, so thick that a canon shell would bounce off without even leaving a scratch. It's maw was like a furnace, unbearable heat emanating from it.

In its right hand, it held a double-edged, black axe, around which the air itself seemed to be cut in two with each movement, while in its left it held a flaming whip.

In comparison to it, Jaune felt small, and backed away a bit as the creature pointed it's Black Axe at him.

"Then I, the Black Captain, shall heed your call for a worthy battle! And once I break you, I shall drag you before my lord's gaze!" With that said, the flames raised into the sky, illuminating the night, and thanks to it, Jaune was able to see yet another being, sitting on the throne on top of the mountain.

It's armor seemed to be blacker than the moonless night, adorned with spikes and strange runes, but what really drew Jaune's attention was the being's head – It wore a spiked crown, in which it had three caged stars, their lights dimmed. It's eyes stared back at Arc, it's gaze felt like a flame that withers with heat and pierces with a deadly cold.

"It's just a dream." Jaune thought and smiled. "That means I can't lose."

Jaune stepped forward, raised a near perfect replica of Corcea Mors and pointed it at the Black Captain.

"Come on, big guy!" He shouted. "First I defeat you, then your boss!"

"Then come, Champion of Men! Give me a GLORIOUS FIGHT!"

At some point in life, every men fantasize on fighting against the odds, facing on their own the Big Bad and his cronies. And Arc was no different as he jumped off the hill, a battle-cry on his lips, somehow being able to leap across the distance between the two combatants, and Black Captain met him in the air.

All the while Morgoth could barely hold his laughter. Truly, this vessel was so easy to direct, and replicating Hurin's last stand with minor changes was a child's play. He just knew Arc will gladly take the bait, but the boy not only swallowed his illusion, he asked for more.

"Enjoy basking in others glory, Jaune Arc." Morgoth thought with satisfaction as Corcea clashed against the whip, the Shadow of Gothmog locked in a titanic duel with a wannabe hero. "Enjoy being a hero, even if it is just for a moment."

'

Ren managed to slip his hand into the pocket, his fingers slowly searching deeper and deeper, careful to not stir Jaune, pushing aside what felt like two tickets and finally, fingertip nearly came in contact with something that appeared to be a cold and metallic…

'

Morgoth's head jolted to the side like a vulture, his eyes blazing with rage.

"You dare!?"

'

Shadow pounced on Ren, snaked around the boy's arm and engulfed his shade with pure darkness.

Ren tried to back off, but it was too late, his eyes went wide.

His mental strength, thanks to years of rigorous training, discipline and his semblance, was astounding, but he couldn't prepare for a mental attack of such magnitude, not to mention his mind's fortress had a tiny chink in it, through which hatred and anger battered like a battering ram, while the other negative emotions poured through like water through a broken dam.

Suffer me now!

Ren blinked, and much to his shock, he found himself once again in Kuroyuri, his home…

"No, not again" He mumbled as the screeches of the Grimm and screams of the dying mixed, forming a cacophony that hurt his ears many times over.

He heard screams of his mother and father and, like he remembered, the Beast of Gorgan devoured them alive.

Nuckelavee, the Omen of War.

Abomination looking like a fusion of the Twisted Horse, and even more twisted rider. From its body, spears and swords stick out while axes were buried deep in the black mass, a grim reminder of its first appearance – during the bloodiest battle of the Great War.

It's horse head closed its jaws on its victims while it's humanoid side turned towards Ren, his father's arrow sticking out of its left eye, while the right stared at him…

It felt like it emanated heat, it was cold and hot at the same time.

"Too weak to fight." Grimm spoke, much to Ren's horror, for it never spoke in his dream. "Only capable of running. So RUN!"

And Ren didn't had to be encouraged to do so. He had this nightmare many times over, and he basically memorized the way out.

He dodged the flying Nevermores, ducked under the pouncing beowolves, avoided the panicked crowd. The key to get out was Nora, he had to get to her as fast as possible.

Tye pole-'t lare- me, firia!

The bridge, he have to find the… there it is. And he could hear a sniffle coming from under it.

"Nora!" He jumped into the shallow water, and a child version of Nora looked at him. "Hold my hand, quickly!"

With scared, teary eyes, Nora looked at him and lifted her tiny hand…

Ter- hihs hrondo, ni sahll túl,

Suddenly, from the shallow waters chains sprung like snakes, wrapped themselves both around Nora and Ren, and while avoided being dragged right away, the dream version of Nora quickly sunk under water.

"No!" He shouted as he struggled, but more chains burst out, wrapping themselves around his legs and arms.

Ter- ihs tevie, ni sahll ort,

Ren lost his balance and was quickly dragged into the water, which now was deeper and darker than the deepest point in the ocean. He tried to wiggle himself out of the trap, but chains were wrapped too tight, and each attempt costed him precious oxygen.

"It's a dream, I can't drown in a dream!" He tried to reassure himself, but his lungs demanded oxygen regardless off that, his heart pounded and his head ached as he was dragged deeper and deeper,

deeper and deeper,

Until there was no light left, just a cold embrace of darkness.

Ter- mime orme, Remnant indóme fírima!

The chains clanged and Ren's head jolted to the side, and his magenta eyes widened in disbelief of what they saw…

'

Jaune's pinned the fire whip with his hammer, and Black Captain tried to struck him with an axe, but Jaune rolled away in time and the deadly weapon found itself stuck in the ground.

Seizing the opportunity, Jaune jumped forward, aiming the tip of Corcea right at the creature's torso, Black Captain tried to back away, but Jaune was faster.

Corcea Mors buried itself in Balrog's chest, piercing through the armor and reaching the monster's heart.

Black Captain roared and tried to fly into the sky, but his strength rapidly dwindled, and both it and Arc fell back onto the earth, Balrog's fall echoed in the valley like a falling meteor.

After a moment, Jaune pulled out the blade and looked the Monster deep in the eyes.

"You are done, Black Captain." Jaune said, unable to come up with some cheeky hero line on the spot.

To do list: ask Yang for advice on cool one-liners.

Balrog's body twitched, like a bit of strength returned to it, and it looked at Jaune Arc.

"Don't…" No longer a booming voice, but a soft one, like it belonged to a young woman. "Trust…"

"What?" Jaune turned back to the fallen monster, genuinely surprised that it somehow is still alive. It's a dream alright, but that's just ridiculous.

"Shadow… He severs the bonds, strengthens the chains…" Balrog tilted it's head to Arc, to allow him to stare into it's now milky white eyes, while also lifting it's finger, trying to point at the ring. "Don't let him…"

There was something wrong in Jaune's reflection in the monster's eyes, he frowned his brows and tried to get a better look, but the image looked like it was in a muddy water. He could recognize his face, his hair seemed a little bit white instead of blond, his armors was balcker and adorend with some symbols and he had… three spikes emerging from his head?

"…Bind you."

'

Ren found himself at the very center of the boundless dark, right before the figure of pure black, bound by numerous chains, somehow darker than the shadows around it, like some kind of a black hole, yet two things were bright – A pair of flaming, dark eyes…

"There is no life in the Void." Jaune spoke, his smile twisted, contorted into a malicious grin. "Only ME."

'

Ren opened his eyes, and immediately gasped for breath. He was in the same position when that nightmare happened, how long it took? What was that? Why it…

"Ren?" Lie heard and found himself staring right into Jaune's eyes.

Jaune first looked at his teammate, then at Ren's hand in his right pocket, where.

Traitorous snake! The Everpresent Morgoth hissed into Arc's ear. He tried to steal my Ring!

Jaune stood up and backed away like he was burnt, staring at his friend with wide open mouth.

"Why…?" He tried to ask, but words died in is throat, while Ren was completely speechless.

While I was distracted! Betrayer!

Pyrrha noticed the commotion on her right and tried to ask what is going on, but sounds from the outside world were deafened for Jaune Arc.

"How could you?" He mumbled while Ren tried to say something in his defense.

Liar wants to steal my power!

No

He planned this all along!

NO

Schemer! Thief! Thief!

"NO!" Arc yelled on top of his lungs and struck the desk, breaking it in half and sending paper everywhere, and everyone in class looked at him in surprise.

"Mister Arc…!" Oobleck wanted to say, but Jaune disappeared in the shadow before he could finish.

And while Pyrrha was checking on Ren, trying to ask him what happened, she noticed that papers from Jaune's desk started to slowly fall towards the ground, among them was a message that Ren tried to give Jaune at the beginning, written from Nora.

Jaune, I know that what happened during lesson was an accident, don't blame yourself for it. You are my best friend, I know you wouldn't hurt me…

The rest of the message would never be uncovered by the world, because on Pyrrha's eyes, the paper withered in black flame and died, accompanied by a barely audible laughter of a cruel Valar.

Limestone, Vale

Ozpin tried his best to hide his surprise, but the noticeable twitched, Shiver going down his spine was confirmation Sauron looked for.

Black knight from G4 to F2, taking the pawn.

"Wizard of Remnant is a mythological figure, appearing only in stories and fairy tales…"

Sauron response was swift, White knight from E4 to F2, taking the knight.

"Too many stories." Sauron pointed out. "Sometimes called the Sorcerer, the Wandering magician, the Trickster, often a hero with magical capabilities or a wise advisor, but the meaning is all the same."

Ozpin continued, his tower moving from F8 to F2, striking down Sauron's last knight.

"But to compare him to me? What brought you to that conclusion?"

White Queen from C2 to F2, taking the Black tower.

Now, what remains of Ozpin's figures is a single tower, single Queen and a Single knight, while Annatar hold both towers, his Queen and a bishop controlling white lines. That meant, although Sauron has a material advantage, Ozpin is still more than capable of tricky movements with his knight, but in order to win, he had to fight in asymmetrical warfare.

Sauron on his part, had to lure Headmaster into a head-on fight.

Sauron chuckled as Headmaster awaited his answer.

"You see, I am particularly good at linking events and people that, at first glance, are not connected in any way, but when you know what to search for, you start to see the patterns." Sauron spoke relaxed, like he was talking about something obvious. "And once I started to study Remnant's tales and it's history, I noticed that both are, in fact, intertwined."

Black Queen from D8 to F6, in the attempt to trade Queen for Queen, while also potentially plug the gap in the line of pawns.

"It's true that Remnant's stories are our kingdoms cultural heritage, but you can't possibly suggest that they actually happened? After all, if Maidens were real, how comes that nobody knows what happened to them?"

Instead of taking the bait, Sauron reinforced his queen by moving a tower from E1 to F1 behind the white Queen.

"In every story, there is a seed of truth." Sauron remarked. "And, as much as your attempts amuse me, you can't dissuade me now, Headmaster. Not when Remnant's history had already confirmed my theory." He gave Headmaster a wink. "Graham Arc, the Swordmaster, who stopped the Grimmtide that nearly consumed whole Vale four hundred years ago, by killing each and every single one of these beasts through seven days of fighting. Or when three hundred years ago, when the Floating city of Atlas was founded, as a sign of friendship between the Sage and the people of Mantle. Or more recent history – King Callahan somehow being able to decimate Mantle's army with a single slash of his sword, something which historians constantly argue about. And now, you used magic."

Black Queen backed away from F6 to E7

"I overestimated your deduction skills." Ozpin said begrudgingly while Annatar celebrated this victory, but kept his guard. "Yes, I am currently holding this title."

White Queen from F2 to E2, threatening the black knight.

"Well then, I have one question, if you would humor me – This role is not hereditary, in fact, it appeared to me that the individuals bearing this title were chosen at random, and then showed capability of wielding magic, so, how exactly your Order chose the next wizard?"

Black Queen from E7 to C5, taking the isolated pawn and securing the knight.

"As you guessed, my organization monitors Remnant from hiding, guides it's population in the times of crisis, and even stepping in in case of emergencies. We spend our whole lives looking for people willing to support our cause and protect the world from the Grimm, and often among them, previous Wizards found those worthy enough to be a next Guardians. In my case, I was found when I was still a child."

Sauron narrowed his gaze, but he couldn't feel a lie in Ozpin's words, not even carefully woven into truth. Yet he felt that something was amiss, a detail that doesn't add up, but he couldn't pinpoint it just yet.

White tower from F1 to E1, reinforcing the attack.

"I guess that's a… satisfying answer." Sauron remarked, holding 'for now' to himself while he watched how his carefully preplanned trap closes its jaws.

Black knight from E5 to F7, retreating into safety, but Sauron expected this.

"Then, may I ask a question regarding you?" Ozpin asked.

White Queen from E2 to E6, taking the pawn standing there, enlarging the gap and paving way for his towers.

"Right when our discussion is about to end?" Sauron tilted his head, then smile appeared in corner of his mouth. "Why of course, I am really curious what aces you still have."

Black tower from C8 to F8, to cover the Black Knight.

"When you came to Vale, you called yourself "Annatar, the Master of Gifts". Not Giver, Master."

White Queen from E6 to E7, threatening the tower, but a putting herself in danger of being taken out by a Black Queen, but at the cost of her own. Essentially, an offer of trade.

"People also call me the "Dream smith", does it hold the same significance?"

Black Queen from C5 to E7, taking the White Queen down.

"Words seem to have more meaning to you so no, I don't think your first title is like 'the Dream Smith'. I think it's something more." This time, Ozpin leant closer, his eyes trying to see Annatar's tiniest of reactions as he spoke. "Do you retain control over the gifts you make?"

For few moments, there was silence, Annatar's face unmoving while Ozpin patiently awaited his reaction, even the smallest one. His posture bold, beaming with certainty.

Then, Annatar's smile started to raise, chuckle grew in his throat only to erupt into a jovial laughter, he pulled his head back and laughed like he heard the best joke of all times, slightly taking Ozpin aback.

When Sauron slowly stopped laughing, clearly entertained, he picked up his tower standing on E1 and took the Black Queen standing on E7, sealing the game.

"Oh, now I know why you were chosen, Ozpin the Wise." He said. "For I met many who considered themselves 'genius', yet none was wise enough to ask the question you did."

'

Yang finished her drink and put the glass back on the table.

"Ah, now that's a relief!" She said.

"Are you feeling better?" Penny asked.

"Yeah, thanks to you" Yang pat Penny's back. "I really needed this talk. But now, I'm all ears for you."

Penny looked at Yang a little confused.

"Oh c'mon, I know that something bugs you more than some jerk who soaked your dress or your caretaker being cold. You wouldn't go to place like this if that was the case." She briefly glanced at Mateo clearing glasses behind the bar counter. "No offense."

"Non preso."

"So, if you want to say it, you can, I will listen. If you don't want to, it's fine." Yang put her hand on the counter while Penny looked at the half empty glass of the orange juice, contemplating for a moment.

"If I tell you, will you keep being my friend?"

"Of course!" Yang replied, and Penny nodded her head, finally making a decision while bar owner walked away, ignoring the discussion.

"I hurt someone recently-" Penny said, and before Yang could comment something on it, Penny clarified. " – I broke his spine."

"Oh shit." Yang spurred out while Penny continued.

"My father taught me the value of every life, no matter how big or small, and I… ruined one, without too much effort." Guilt was painted on her face. "Now, I can hear that persons scream, and it makes me feel like I am a … my caretaker wanted to call my dad today to tell him that I am…" Penny stopped for a moment. "Not only I don't know what to say to him but I am afraid of how will he react, so I… run."

She didn't know of which reaction she was more afraid of – disappointment and fear, or if her father tells her that it was her function all along? Most of her knew that her father is not that kind of person, but there was always the possibility, unlikely, but there was.

"Alright, time–out." Yang said. "I need some context here." Penny blinked few times.

"Why? I still…"

"Context does matter!" Yang interrupted. "Listen, I know you for less than a day and believe me, you don't sound like someone who walks around and break peoples bones for fun! You either had a valid reason, or it was an accident. So please, tell me from the start."

Penny went silent for a bit before answering. She didn't like returning to this memory, but if she had to.

"I visited my friend's place that day." She finally spoke up. "And while we were talking about his recent guests, White Fang attacked."

"Of course." Yang thought. The White Fang.

"They were taking everything from my friend's home in exchange for them to not hurt anyone, but I couldn't just stand by and watch!" She exclaimed. "I tried to talk, to reason with them, one of them got angry and…"

"So he attacked you and you defended yourself? I mean, hard to blame ya…"

"No." Penny interrupted. "There was another."

She played the encounter in her head once again to not miss a detail, knowing where it is going.

"He was the same age as me, and he clearly didn't agree with what they were doing. When the fight broke out, he panicked and started to swinging a hammer around, screaming for everyone to back away. But then, one of friends of my friend was pushed back right when that person was swinging and I…"

"You broke that guy's back to protect your friend?"

"Friend of a friend, but… yes." Penny nodded her head.

"Well shit." Yang thought. "I can't just say that she had a reason, she already knows that. So maybe I should…"

"Tell me Penny" Yang said. "Would you prefer that your friend… of a friend was dead?"

"What!? No, I…"

"Then." Yang didn't allow her to continue. "Was there a different option? Could you stop it in any other way?"

"Maybe?"

"Really?" Yang questioned. "I know this feeling you have, if there was any, then you almost certainly thought of it by now. Have you found one?"

"I…"

"Yes?"

"No." Penny stated saddened. "I have not. All other possibilities involved death of Nathan or the boy with hammer. This one was the least lethal one."

"Then you have it." Yang said with calming tone, like one she used when Ruby was scared of the storm. "You did your best, there is nothing more to ponder about, you just have to suck it up and live your life."

"But… But I hurt him!"

"Yes. But, unfortunately it is the way the live is." She drunk rest of the drink in one go. "My uncle used to say that 'Life is a bitch, who too often forces you to decide between the bad and the evil." She looked Penny in the eyes. "But the one thing that matters is to do the best we can despite that."

"Because the world is not perfect." Penny muttered. "But we have to make it as close to one by ourselves."

"Couldn't say it better." Yang pat Penny's back. "All that matters now is stop beating yourself over something you can't change."

Penny looked away while Yang stood up.

"How about this? I will treat you to some ice-cream, I know a good place just nearby, then we go back to your dad, deal?"

"Mhm."

"Good, I have to go pee first so wait for me, alright?"

"Okay!" And Yang walked into the bar's bathroom, leaving Penny alone with her thoughts, and the android thought about the conversation.

Of course she still blamed herself for what she did, but, like Yang pointed out, there was no other way to resolve this, that course of action was the only possibility that ensured no one died.

However, continuous simulations of this event led her to logical paradox – If she took no action, Nathan would be dead and she would blame herself for not stopping it,

"Suck it up and live your life" Penny analyzed this through and through, looking for similarities, and she found it.

"If being a weapon is part of your nature, then you should just accept it and move on."

Yet she was afraid that if she do just that, she will then stop caring all together, just like Annatar seemed to.

"If you maintain this 'caring' attitude, it will weigh you down too, make your nights restless, forever held up by your 'supposed mistakes'." But she didn't want to lose this part of her.

"But the one thing that matters is to do the best we can despite that."

She sighed. Being a human is complicated, and she still have much to learn. Wait, that's it!

"Dad sent me here to learn how to be a human, so maybe I should do just that – learn from this experience, as unpleasant at it is?" Just when she started to tackle this problem from a different angle, five men in the corner looked at each other and decided to make a move.

"Maybe the point of 'moving on' lays not in blaming yourself over and over again, and not in stopping caring altogether, but something in between? IS there something in between?" Just when she was about to put this idea to the test, she felt someone's hand on her shoulder.

"We finally found you." The man in white shirt said. "You caused as a lot of trouble girl."

"…Sorry." She said. So Ciel finally found her…

Man nodded to her as his hand slightly shook her, gesturing her to come with them. while one of the group paid for the drinks.

"It's okay kid, but we should get going."

"Can I say bye to Yang?"

"Out of a question."

With sad expression she jumped of the chair, her head lowered while five men were about go for the exit.

"Aspettare!" Mateo blocked their way. "You were sitting here all this time, and only now you told her that you came for her?" He shook his head. "Something is not adding up."

"We just didn't want to interrupt her talk." Leader said, but Mateo frantically shook his head and gestured at him with his right hand.

"Nahnahnah, it's too fishy." Mateo looked at Penny. "Do you know them?" She shook her head.

As stupid as it sounds, Penny didn't know the names of Ciel's field agents, their identities hidden from her to avoid data leaks – less people know who is working for the Atleasian Intelligence, the better.

"Then she is not going anywhere with you!" Mateo crossed his arms on his chest while the group grew visibly annoyed. "Call her father and tell him to pick her up!"

"Listen asshole, her mother is worried for her, so move your ass!" One of the men said, and Penny looked at him utterly confused.

"But… I don't have a mom."

Without hesitation Mateo reached to his belt towards the gun, but one of the men quickly punched him right in the face, and loud crunch could be heard.

"Hold her!" Two men tried to grab Penny but she reacted quicker and jumped out of their reach.

"Who are you? Why are trying to capture me?" She asked from behind the bar counter, tyring to make sense of this situation.

"Nothing personal kid, but orders are orders." Leader of the group took out some sort of device. "So be a good kid and don't make it too difficult…"

One second later he found himself flying headfirst into the wall, and it cracked upon the impact.

Four remaining men turned around, staring in horror as Yang retracted her fist.

"Alright assholes." She said with a playful smirk and taunted them with a hand gesture. "Wanna tango?"

Three men jumped right at her while the forth one run up to the unconscious leader.

Yang ducked under the fist, and with swift uppercut she sent the assailant flying into the roof, piercing through it, second tried to swing from the right but Yang dodged, swoop him out of his feet with her left, then punched him as he was mid-air and the floor cracked.

Third one tried to raise his gun, but a well-aimed bottle of wine thrown by Penny knocked it out of his hands, and Yang didn't keep him waiting as she sent him flying with a spinning kick from the side.

Fourth remaining assailant picked up the device from the floor and quickly pressed it, just in time before his buddy slammed into him, both make a noticeable cracking the wall.

Yang lowered her guard and groaned.

"I sear, If I had a penny for every time some creeps pester my friends, I would have two Pennys, which isn't a lot, but it's weird it happened twice. But one Penny is quite enough" She gave Penny a wink, then walked up to Mateo and gave him a hand.

"You okay Mat?" She asked as she help him stand up.

"Figlio di puttana…" He mumbled as he touched his nose. "I think he broke my nose."

"I think he got a broken jaw in return." Yang looked at the man, whose legs were sticking out from the roof. "At least."

"You hurt them." Penny said, analyzing the situation, and Yang scoffed.

"Of course I did! But these dummies were some small fries." She remarked as she handed the handkerchief to Mateo. "I don't think they will pester you anymore."

"You… won't be bothered by it?"

"They tried to kidnap you! And they hurt my friend! So I won't…" She sighed. "Penny, listen, I like you, but you have to understand that with guys like this, you just can't reason – they only understand strength, and when you don't defend yourself, they will just use it to do some ugly stuff."

Penny looked at them, then recounted the fight with the Fang.

"So, sometimes hurting someone is just… unavoidable?" She asked, little saddened.

"Exactly!"

One of the men raised his head and looked at both girls with absolute bile.

"You foocckin whooore." He gurgled while Penny activated her profanity filter once again. "You fooccked us oop… tuu make meraal point?!"

"That's right dummy!" She pointed her finger at him. "Thanks for being such a great target dummy!"

"And yee creeck paans at urss…" He groaned and leant against the wall.

"What is a paan?" Penny asked and Yang's eyes sparkled.

"I will tell in detail after we buy some ice-cream." She looked at Mat as he picked up his stun gun just in case. "You will hand it from here?"

"Si, I will call the police, you can go."

"Sorry for the damage." She said as Penny walked up to them, but Mat chuckled in response.

"Don't worry Bella donna, my bar is insuranced in case of damages caused by you." Yang laughed.

"For real?" Mistrealian nodded his head. "Someone is going to lose money today." She turned towards the exit. "Well, it's time to-" She wanted to say, but she found a tall man wearing a brown trenchcoat standing in the doorway, brown hat covering newcomer's face.

"Hehheheh, Uohh, yee eree SO fooccked." Barely conscious man said with glee, and Yang groaned.

"You are with these losers?" She pointed her thumb, stranger tilted his head while Penny finished her scan, and if she could, her face would turn pale.

"Yang…" She said, but Yang stretched her neck.

"Alright, then join your buds!" Yang shouted and swung her right fist, wanting to uppercut the stranger, not putting whole of her strength into it.

"Yang wait!"

Stranger grabbed Yang's fist with his left hand, flinched a bit but that was that. Yang looked at him surprised as the stranger leaned back and prepared his right hand…

He struck Yang right in the face with force that sent the blond girl flying, breaking through the wall into the alley behind the bar.

"Yang!" Penny run after her new friend while Mateo fired the stun round into the newcomer, the electric current coursed through it, but it didn't react at all to the electric shock, and before the Mistrealian could vocalize his surprise, stranger struck him in the chest and sent him painfully tumbling on the floor.

"Ouch, damn!" Yang checked if her lower jaw was still in place where it supposed to be as Penny knelt beside her and checked for injuries. "This guy has a paunch, gotta give him that."

"He is not a guy!" Penny clarified, Yang frowned and before she could ask, the backdoor of the bar opened, and the stranger removed his trenchcoat, revealing a robot, but it wasn't the usually slender, human-like Atlesian knight or more bulky, four limbed MTC Hoplite.

It was tall, red robot with a top-heavy chestplate, armored legs and a human-like head with blue eyes, now staring both at her and Penny.

"Oh great, some atleasian robot going rouge?" Yang asked as the droid tried to push through the doorway, being too wide to do so.

"I know everything about atleasian robots and it is not one I know anything about!"

Through the hole in the wall Yang watched as more of these robots – some red caring melee weapons and some white carrying guns – walked into the bar.

"Shit, more of them." She commented and raised her guard up as the first red robot backed off and tried to walk sideways through the doorway. "If they are as strong as this one, then we might be in trouble."

Penny grabbed Yang's arm.

"There is always another way of resolving fights!" She said.

"Which is?"

"RUN!" Penny suddenly pulled Yang and sprinted with such speed that Xiao Long was basically flying like a flag behind Penny.

"Retrieve the Schaeffer in one piece." A command was relayed to the droids. "Dispose of everyone standing your way."

And with commands given, robots started their pursuit.

Limestone, Vale

Black knight from F7 to D6.

"What is your answer then? Do you control the things you make and give away?" Ozpin pressed his question.

White tower from D1 to F1 inviting Ozpin for another exchange.

"I do not retain control once I give something away, but I do have an influence over it. Take a look." Sauron picked up a pencil with silver handle, and handed it Headmaster. "It's my gift to you."

Ozpin took the pencil and examined it, and he didn't feel Annatar's will on it, but there was something, a barely noticeable link, similar to trademarks left by the factory, a sign of who made it and gave it, pointing at Annatar.

"See? I set rules for my gifts like you set rules for magic in this world." Sauron said, his posture relaxed and confident, while Headmaster returned to his stoic, unmoved position. "That's why you are weary of me – I do not abide to your rules."

Black tower from F8 to D8.

"Cautious would be more accurate."

White tower from E7 to C7

"Caution – that's a word I would describe you Headmaster - unwilling to take risks, preferring to play the long game with limited assets."

Black knight from D6 to F5, an attempt of an counterattack.

"And yet you claim you don't use magic?"

White pawn moved from G3 to G4, threatening the knight.

"Why would I use it, when I don't need to?" Sauron asked in turn. "Of all people on Remnant, you should agree that using true magic always brings attention of not always appreciated kind."

Black knight from F5 to E3, in the attempt to threaten the tower.

"One more thing then – the thing you did to this place, and neighboring areas – How did you do it?"

White tower pushed forward, from F1 to F7, to support the attack on the king hiding behind the pawn.

"I'm afraid I am not quite sure what do you mean."

Black tower from D8 to G8, protecting the pawn.

"Ever since I entered Limestone, I can feel your presence." Ozpin said. "like you own this place, and everyone living here feels complicit to listen to your words. It is something I have never seen before."

White bishop moved at long last, jumping from G2 to C6, taking the pawn there.

"Ohh this." Sauron giggled. "How a man makes home 'his'? How do everyone knows that this piece of land, this apartment or this palace belongs to someone?"

Black pawn forward, from H6 to H5.

"Because the owner lives there." Ozpin answered and Annatar nodded in confirmation.

White pawn from G4 to G5.

"Indeed, They live there, they crythere, put furniture, effort, sweat, tears and sometimes blood. They sleep in their house, eat and drink. Whole rooms are full of their smell and memories. You could say that people tend to put parts of themselves into their homes."

Black Knight from E3 to F5.

"So, I can feel your influence all over here because you consider Limestone your home?" Ozpin asked to confirm.

White bishop from C6 to D5.

"I consider Limestone my domain, just like Beacon is yours. I assure you Headmaster, if this game took place in your office, I would be the one feeling surrounded."

Black tower moved from G8 to D8.

"I'm afraid that I'm unable to bind land like you."

White tower followed quickly behind, from F7 to D7.

"Necessary correction, I didn't enslave anyone or anything, I simply made Limestone my home. But, truth to be told, since I am really proficient with this technique, such mistake is justified."

Black tower from D7 to E8.

"Then, hypothetically, if Junior wins, would your area of influence expand as well?"

White tower from C7 to A7.

"I don't want to claim too much too early, for I still have few changes to make in here." He made a wide gesture around himself. "But, if hypothetically, Junior takes control, then I would be able to expand my domain as well."

Black tower from E8 to E2.

"How far can you possibly reach?" Ozpin asked and Sauron's eyes sparked.

White bishop from D5 to E4, cutting of the towers retreat, as well as threatening the black knight.

"There are only two limits. First is land's willingness to recognize me as it's ruler." He said, omitting the fact that technically, willpower can also be a limit, however, his will was without end. "And second, the land can be claimed by someone else. If so, I could not make it my domain, without this individual either submitting to me, or his territory forsaking him."

With heavy heart, Ozpin moved his tower from E2 to E3.

"You say it like land has a soul of its own."

White bishop from E4 to F5, taking the Black knight.

"Whenever you cross borders between Kingdoms, travel to the distant islands or venture into the deepest of caves, you can feel the soft change in air, how the fruits taste differently, how the earth itself seems foreign and how the water flows with a different rhythm, can't you Headmaster? What is it if not the land's soul?"

Black pawn from G6 to F5, taking the White bishop.

"It's not the soul in human sense of the word." Ozpin remarked, and Sauron scoffed in return.

White tower from D7 to G7, taking the pawn and checking the king.

"You and I are both beyond humanity's definition, Headmaster, I see it in your eyes." Sauron's gaze narrowed as Ozpin retreated the Black king from H7 to H8. "You can hear the music of this world." He added as he moved his white pawn from G5 to G6.

To return the favor, Headmaster moved his black tower from E3 to G3, checking the white king.

"We are often too occupied with our lives to hear it." Ozpin remarked

Sauron moved his white king from G1 to F2.

"Pity." Sauron said, then gestured at the board. "Our game comes to an end." Sauron said. "I enjoyed our discussion Headmaster."

In last ditch effort to prolong the game, Ozpin moved his tower from G3 to G6 and took the white pawn standing there.

"We could discuss philosophy a little bit more. I got time." Ozpin offered.

White tower from G7 to G6, taking Ozpin's last piece.

"As much as I appreciate both your offer, and your willingness to fight to the very end, I am a being of my word, for I promised an hour, and look-" He looked at the clock on the wall. "-Exactly one hour passed, even though it felt like a day. I could say that you got what you wanted after all."

Ozpin left a sigh and moved a black pawn from A6 to A5

"Not exactly in a way I envisioned." He said with sour and Sauron shrugged his arms in response.

White tower from G6 to B6.

"Such are my rules – fair, clear and strict." He gave Headmaster a nod full of respect. "But I must say, this round was a lot of fun to me."

Black Pawn from A5 to A4.

"I share the this sentiment." Ozpin said. "I would even say that we both learnt something about each other today."

White tower from B6 to B8.

Checkmate.

"Oh, of that there is no doubt." Victorious Sauron stood up and reached with his right hand. "Thank you for the game, it was such a pleasure."

Headmaster stood up as well and shared the handshake.

"I didn't have that good game in a long time." Ozpin fixed his glasses and shook his head in disappointment." If only I made less mistakes..." When Beacon's Headmaster retracted his hands, Annatar looked at the small piece of paper now in his hands. "If you ever consider my offer regarding the Academy, just use this number, then we shall discuss the terms."

"I will at least think about it." Sauron said as the piece of paper disappeared in his sleeve, and Headmaster picked up his cane, put back the green hood on and turned away, finally breaking the eye contact.

Through this whole game, stares of both Ozpin and Sauron were locked, even though Ozpin felt the heat and Sauron felt an immense pressure to turn his head away, none flinched in this duel of wills.

"I look forward to the continuation of our game, Ozpin." Sauron said as a goodbye, and Headmaster just nodded his head, not saying another word, then walked back into the crowd and disappeared in it like a ghost, the fact which prompted many to make a conspiracy theories that Headmaster wasn't even here to begin with.

Sauron sat back on his armchair and crossed his fingers with great satisfaction.

"This is going to be entertaining."

Authors note

Hello there everybody! I guess it took me quite a while to post this chapter, like, a whole month and few days!

To tell you the truth, it was a busy time for me. Really busy.

You are probably wondering "Dj, why you separated a single chapter in two" – the answer is SCIENCE!

I made a research regarding my story, other, way more popular stories, and reached a conclusion – My chapters are waaay to damn long.

Like, 3000 words on this site is "Short", From 3000 to 10000 – "Medium", and 10000 words - "Long"

Meanwhile me with 25000 words… it's just too long, not everyone has an hour to read one quarter of a small book! And statistics show that.

So, If during the future chapters (Unless there are some special cases) I overshot 10k words mark (like twice), I will split the chapter and post both halves the same day. That being said, I will try adhering to the 10k words rule.

Think of these two posts as a single chapter that is easier for reading. And I will further experiment with this format, while also trying to condense the story a bit.

I think that most of the worldbuilding part is over, at least for now. But I can be wrong.

What else there is too say… Ah yes!

Sorry if the languages I used are used incorrectly. Especially Quenya. Seriously, not having a dictionary on hand is really sad. Especially since there is one, in Tolkien Estates library.

To translate what Morgoth said, it roughly means this:

You can't stop me human!

Through his hatred, I shall rise,

Through his body, I will come,

Through my wrath, Remnant will die!

As for the plot progression – I think I have nearly done all of the necessary preparations for the next arc.

Oh, and lastly – first of my two main goals has been achieved, so hurray!

Now, to your reviews!

In response to Dhestrya:

It's nice to see your review!

In response to Guest 1:

I am glad that you liked my portrayal of the Easterlings! Yeah, it's a shame that we didn't see much more of them, especially in the movies (You can see some charging alongside the orcs during the siege of Minas Thirth, but they are hard to spot)

Honestly, I would love to see them properly represented in the media, just once, they could be shown as a really ambiguous group, not purely evil, fighting on the side of Evil for various reasons.

Take a hint, Rings of Power.

Have a nice week!

Collective response to so-called artists (In reality bots):

Naedine-daki
Mariegrey90
JenniferJhone

And many more PM-ing me constantly

I'm not interested in your art, I won't contact you through discord, twitter, twitch, I won't share my email etc, I hope you won't be able to fish anyone like this, your art is mediocre at best.

To my REAL readers – don't fall for tricks of the Morgoth's thralls, report them (just like I did), and hopefully someone will take care off this. Probably not, but who knows?

In response too RedHood001:

"Celebrimbor is also among the (now) three people who got through to Sauron in one way or another. It's actually quite telling that Eregion's destruction was the thing that cemented the Dark Lord's eventual defeat in terms of the path he took." Its funny that these three people were able to reach Sauron through three different angles – Gothmog by being Sauron's opposite in character, Celebrimbor by sharing the same passion, and Penny through curiosity.

In my interpretation, Eregion was basically what Sauron always originally envisioned for the Middle-Earth – The Kingdom of Smiths, efficient, orderly and beautiful, and it's destruction only showed that, in his delusion, Sauron actually lost his true goal.

Maybe he will understand Celebrimbor's points later in the story? I don't know, but I hope so!

"The way these flashbacks and memories seem to get mixed up with characters and/or elements from RWBY makes me believe Sauron is going through a form of mental breakdown. I don't think he's going into madness in the sense of evil or anything, but more along the lines... He's reaching an understanding of what he's lived through and the emotions he likely suppressed or couldn't feel due to his condition are coming to him all at once. There's a crack in the dam after Penny managed to reach him, the third person to do so now. I wonder if it was intentional for every moment of that happening, it's once in every... Milestone?" Sound observation, even Sauron is suprised by this,

Quote: "he felt like this piece was somehow returned to him."

And I really like you point about the milestones! I put a lot off effort to make flesh this story out.

As for "third time makes a charm"… Hopefully! But don't forget, Sauron has a debt to pay.

"I also love the Dark Mirror aspect you gave to Khamul, who I am familiar with because he's technically the only NAMED Nazgul in Lord of the Rings. […, Developing more of the Easterlings and likely Haradrim would be brilliant because there are aspects regarding them that could appeal to certain readers." – Well thank you! Setting up a villain for our heroes is as important as the heroes themselves! At least, in my opinion.

And believe me, I would love to expand the Easterlings and Haradrim, but I simply don't have an opportunity – they are a whole world way from action. But who knows, maybe certain someone will give me such an opportunity once he shows up?

And yeah, both Easterlings and Haradrim fought for Sauron because A) He promised them fertile lands, B) Traded riches and food with them and C) They considered Sauron their God, a least, most of them.

Heck, Easterlings stabbed Elves in the back during the battle of Unnumbered Tears because Morgoth promised them fertile lands of Beleriand, and when they did their part he betrayed them.

"Ozpin will probably not meet Sauron" – I didn't answer that previously because I knew that both Oz and Sauron will meet sooner than later, and this moment came now.

I hope I got his character right in this chapter, and his conversation with Sauron was interesting.

"That sounds bad but the canon series has proven that Ozpin would make hard decisions even though he would regret them if they turn out badly. […] It's a slippery slope when writing such characters because there's a risk of making them seem just as bad as the villain, at least if the writer's intent is to portray them as the good guy." That's why I am really fascinated by Ozpin and want to try my best in writing him, morally grey character that do what he thinks must be done for the so called 'greater good', fighting basically a losing battle to the last pawn.

"There's nothing wrong with having clear cases of Good and Bad alignments, but even Professor Tolkien's characters have complexities to them." – True, I wholly agree.

"There's a reason Fëanor and his Sons are seen the way they are, or that Túrin Turambar is as complex of a character as he is." – Even Feanor wasn't truly evil, he was blinded by grief, greed and hatred, and that flaws led him to his demise by the hands of Gothmog, his sons weren't absolutely evil as well, really flawed but not evil.

But f*ck Celegrom and Curufin in particular.

Thank you for your review, Have a nice week and take care!

In response to Guest 2

"More. Please more." – And I am happy to provide!

Have a nice week!

In response to Of the Worst 3:

"Her legacy tumbles and spins in her absence, and evil comes of it." – Classic "actions have consequences", But the kicker, (or rather monster) didn't come out yet!

"I sense a rival emerging." – More like 'disgruntled follower', who has an idealized image of her. Just like many in Vale branch of the Fang.

"Excellent Khamul the Easterling, especially with that stinger! He fits so well as a hero of the other side." – Thank you very much! I tried to showcase him as best as I could in this limited time-frame.

'Tu voluntad se hava' sticks out from the texture more than 'xšāyat'iya dahyūnām vispazanānām' to me. I suppose it's because I can recognize that as a Romance phrase but know no Persian. – Honestly, I didn't want to change the title that much, because I was afraid that I will accidentally mess it up, but I get your point.

Memories and monuments being all that remain of lost friends is tremendously sad. I suppose we have a few characters here that can relate, even if Sauron does not yet know them. – Maybe one day he will, but there are more important plots to touch before the grand finale.

"Chess!? Of course it would be found on both worlds! The game must be played." What do you think then? Did I manage to meet your expectations a bit?

Have a nice week! Stay safe and healthy!

In response to Venom snake-117 (Like John-117 I see):

"This was a Sauron story I didn't know I needed, please keep up the good work" Believe me, I will do my best here, it's not easy, but I will try.

Heh, who would have thought this story was born out of spite?

"Just have to say this is threads first story I've read in years that I want to re-read, love it." I am really, really glad of this! Makes me feel even more proud of the work I put into it!

But I have to warn you – this story is going to be a long and rather wild-ride, so better be ready!

Have a nice week!

'

That's all for today from me! I wish you all the best!

Stay tuned!

Dj.