Avengers: Age of Remnant

by free man writer

There's always a story to be told. A story of heroism overcoming the most daunting of odds and challenges. A tale we've seen before and one that needs to be told to its end. The beginning of a new tale. A new age. An Age where Remnants paved the way for heroes. Reboot of Avenging Remnant, co-written/created with Jebest4781 and BulletStormX.

7. Gonna be here a while

Back in the game.

Let's get to it.

Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.

Avengers Age Of Remnant Chapter 7: Gonna be here a while

"Mr. Rogers, I have a question for you."

Captain America deadpanned at the billionaire standing in front of him whilst working on his suit.

"See, when you take the square root of a 144 and divide it by patriotism-"

"Tony." Rogers grunted.

"What do you get?"

Steve only hung his head, opting not to respond to his quippy friend who kept on chattering, quipping and commenting on any topic that involves school.

It had only been several days since the reunion of the Avengers on top of the offer Professor Ozpin had given them and they had taken that time to discuss their options.

The idea of them being teachers and instructors to teens was… certainly a choice none had anticipated.

Tony had taken this idea with great gusto, relentlessly joking at the expense of the others, particularly Steve as the idea of Cap being a teacher appeared to greatly amuse him.

The rest of the Avengers were mixed on the idea to say the least.

Not that they were adverse to such a notion, just not entirely just how they would be instructors to super kids from the description given to them about the roles of the four academies.

Sam was half and half on the idea, considering that they needed to focus on getting back home. Yet he couldn't deny an odd but familiar pull about speaking to and helping kids or whoever really. The thought of being a teacher made him think back to his time at the VA in DC.

Pietro displayed confused uncertainty. He genuinely didn't know what he could possibly offer in the form of being a mentor to anyone. The speedster even had the modesty to admit he hasn't even figured himself out entirely. Something his twin teased him for with no end in sight.

Wanda appeared to be far more open to the thought of being a teacher, finding herself wrapped up in the idea of teaching. When asked why, she said it was always something she had wanted to try when she was younger. And Clint apparently rubbed off on her since he had been a pseudo-mentor to her and Pietro since they joined the Avengers.

Clint seemed all for it, not minding teaching some "wet behind the ears" kids on how to not be screw ups. He stated that if he was able to handle five kids at once, he can handle a classroom. The twins squawked in protest when he said that and he responded with "See? Kids.".

But he did recall a program Fury was planning a while back but shelved for numerous reasons. Either due to timing or not having enough "youths" to recruit for a Shield academy to help pave the future of the organization. And senior members of Shields would become instructors for the youngsters as they take on their equivalent to advanced high school curriculums.

Tony was way into the idea, citing his accomplishment with Peter though the rest of the team was quick to point out that Peter had been a hero of his own volition and not an Avenger for that long.

Peter asked what he could teach but Ozpin said he was still too young to be a teacher. Not that the teen minded.

Steve appeared to be the only one who was undecided on the proposition.

As a matter of fact, he hadn't really given any answer when he was asked by the others. The super soldier simply fell silent with a contemplative expression to be seen by all.

In that time, Stark just kept thinking of ways of breaking the facade and usually succeeded as he went through great creative hoops to garner a reaction from Rogers.

"So what's the play here, people?" Clint asked, leaned back in a reclining chair stool with an arrowhead in hand. "We becoming faculty or what?"

"What would we even teach?" Sam inquired, cup of coffee in hand. "We don't have the actual licenses, let alone exactly qualified to be teachers. And no Tony, you don't count."

"I think you're just taking away my advantage so we're all on a level playing field." Tony airily remarked.

"What about getting home?" Pietro spoke up. "Anyone given thought about that?"

"Pretty sure that's the only thing really that's all on our minds." Peter answered, laying in a web hammock with him working on his web shooters.

"How would we even get home?" Wanda looked at the team with conflicted expression. "Ozpin told us how it was basically a fluke that we survived through a Grimm Pool without being corrupted, like he said."

"Wonder what this corruption would look like." Wilson muttered.

"We already have enemies here." Pietro pointed out abruptly. "Salem and her goon squad will be coming after us now."

"Other than their war on this whole world." Clint said in a low, grim voice.

"Ain't she immortal or something from what the wizard said?" Tony inquired, looking over at Steve with the Captain rolling his eyes.

"Tony, you do know that joke is old by now? Even by my standards."

"Well, I just wanted to keep your memory sharp, old-timer." Stark said in a faux gentle tone.

"You don't seem too keen on going home yourself, Tony." Clint noted, eyes squinting slightly at the Iron Avenger.

"I'll have you know, I very much would like to get home." He countered. "I need the cheer and adulation of the world acknowledging their greatest hero after all. Ego's always gotta eat. That and I miss Pepper. She can't do anything without me."

The rest of the Avengers were well aware of their friend's desire and want to return back to Earth. Though he hid it well, there were moments of a glazed, longing look in his eyes in moments of silence whenever the man receded into the recesses of his mind.

He longed to return back to his girlfriends' side, the woman he loved while also reuniting with his two closest friends.

It was easy for Clint to pick up on especially considering he was in the same boat as the billionaire if not more so with his kids also waiting for him back home aside from his wife.

Peter wished to get back to Aunt and the other Avengers also missed home.

But Tony had also shown a bizarre desire to not stay per say, but not leave just quite yet.

This place, Remnant, sparked a fire in the inventor's eyes and he was brewing up a storm of ideas that he could implement on Remnant.

Their technology mixed with the knowledge of what Tony knows made the billionaire practically vibrate at the thought of what he can accomplish here for them.

Frankly, the team wasn't against the idea at all.

Whatever technological advances and innovations Tony could pull off could be used in their fight against the Grimm and expansion into the frontiers of unsettled land across the continents.

And really, Stark couldn't help himself even if he tried.

He just sees that he can do something with his technology and his genius and he just needs to do it.

Call it a lifetime of atonement for what his "genius" had brought about before getting hit with an irony missile right to his chest.

"What would you even make, Tony?" Steve asked and his friend looked at him as though he had grown a second head.

"Satellites, for starters." Iron Man responded, an unspoken "duh" being felt from his tone. "Make sure everything is more connected. That CCT tower? One knockout and global communications are down and gone. Can't have that now, can we?"

"What about those two poor kids you roped in with your "charm"?" Sam questioned with a raised brow.

At the mention of the "two poor kids", Peter instantly shot up from his hammock with an excited gleam in his eyes.

"Viktor and Jayce?" Parker excitedly said. "Do you know what they're trying to invent? Magic! They're trying to harness magic! How cool is that?!"

"...You sure it ain't being confused with something akin to Asgardian tech?"

"Even Asgardians have magic." Tony countered. "Or… both really from what Thor told me once. Science and magic being sorta the same or something like that."

"Scientific magic…" Pietro mused. "Like Full Metal Alchemist?"

"Yeah… or… no… uh…" Peter frowned in thought. "I gotta talk to them about it. The equations they had seemed applicable, it's just the stabilizing agent that they're trying to keep while conducting an experiment. Coupled with the erratic energy and the unknown reactions they might get in making sure to apply the right and consistent amount of power when formulating a proper outline-"

"Oh great, the rambles."

"Let him have his fun." Tony waved off the archer. "Kid's gonna be doin' a lot with that brain of his in the future. Best not to quell it like the school system does."

"There's still Salem we need to factor into all this." Steve spoke up in complete seriousness. "An immortal who can't be killed, who has centuries of power she's undoubtedly been building up. Who is to say she won't be making a move sooner rather than later now that we're here."

"Are you telling me the boy scout Captain America wants to rush into a dangerous situation again?" Tony asked in a mock gasp.

"How is Steve a boy scout?" Pietro abruptly asked. "Pretty sure boy scouts don't participate in wars against genocidal maniacs."

"Or kill people." Wanda tacked on.

"You wanna stay here, Steve?" Sam stated more than asked.

Rogers didn't respond at first with his mind afflicted with turmoil.

"I just… I don't know. I can't help it." Steve admitted. "If I see a situation pointed south, one where I can help, I can't avoid it. Sometimes I wish I could."

"No you don't." Tony knowingly countered.

Rogers 'hmphed' with a small smile, looking down. "You're right, I don't."

The super soldier then turned to Peter who seemed a bit surprised at the Captain's attention.

"What was it you told us, Queens? When we first met you? Why you do what you do?"

A look of understanding dawned upon the young teen hero.

"Great Power-"

"And Great Responsibility." Steve finished for the vigilante. "We have that right? Our abilities and our powers to help the people of this world. Shouldn't we do it?"

"Yeah." Peter instantly declared with a determined expression.

"Oh god, he's got the kid on board." Sam jokingly bemoaned.

"I don't know if they're gonna guilt trip us." Clint remarked.

"I say we do it." Pietro proclaimed, jumping up with his fist raised. "We can definitely show this immortal witch queen that we can take her on and anything she throws at us."

"If this is an attempt to try and impress Amber-"

"I don't need to save the world to do that." Pietro brushed his sister off cockily. "My natural charisma and charm can do that."

"That's what they all say."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Said Tony, sounding hurt.

"You got Pepper out of pity, Stark, we all know that." Clint pointed out.

"Excuse me!" The billionaire squawked.

"Then it's decided." Steve spoke aloud over the bickering. "We're gonna be helping them against Salem while we stay here."

-Scene Cut-

The Avengers had split off to do their "own" thing for all intents and purposes.

Wanda had gone off to the library to see if there were any interesting books she could read while they still remained here.

Pietro dashed off to grab something to eat with Sam having to fly after him to join him.

Clint, Peter and Tony remained in the lab as they were all working on their suits and devices leaving Steve to be by himself.

Feeling a bit loose, the veteran asked Friday if there was a gym nearby that he could use and the AI directed him to one two floors down.

He found the gym to be both plain but also technologically advanced as there were a few stations that seemed to be geared towards those who wish to practice with their abilities.

Testing their strength, speed and such.

There were treadmills, dumbbells and an assortment of other machines used for exercise.

So he got to it.

It was simple for the most part.

Some running, benches, lifting, etc.

"Simple" being that of what Steve was used to by now considering his enhanced anatomy.

If anyone were to see him that were normal, so to speak, they would have bug eyed looks at how much Cap had to work through to accumulate just a light sheen of sweat.

He had soon arrived at the closing part of his workout routine which was how he usually finished whenever he did exercise.

Rogers sighed slightly, lightly nudging the large punching bag with one fist before doing it again with the other.

He then lightly struck it, the force making it wobble slightly.

*Thmp*

*Thmp*

*DDFFFF*

And like that, Steve unleashed a torrent of punches, rapidly striking the punching bag with his taped fists.

Each punch came across as a cannon striking the fabric of the punching bag, the sound echoing all over the walls of the gym.

His breathing became heavier as he continued his onslaught, his strikes becoming far more brutal and efficient with every punch until it began to happen again.

The flashes of his past life.

He kept replaying it over and over again.

Running into battle with the Commandos.

The time he spent with them every single day.

Laughing with Bucky.

Celebrating Dugan's birthday.

Hearing Peggy's final words to him.

Without even realizing it, he punched the bag so hard that rather than making it fly off the metal chain it hung from, he cleanly punched straight through it.

Steve blinked upon seeing his arm through the punching bag and grunted at his lack of self-control.

Sand fell from the hold he had made, littering the ground with his arm being coated in it from the sweat he had worked up on top of it getting underneath his taped hands.

A small flash of annoyance flashed in Steve's eyes at feeling the sand shift about underneath the taping as he freed his arm from the punching bag.

The sand was coarse and rough and had a tendency to get everywhere.

He began getting the tape off when he heard someone clear their throat behind him.

Turning around, he saw the familiar sight of the ever professional Glynda Goodwitch, riding crop in hand and a raised brow conveying a silent question of "what did that punching bag do to warrant such a thrashing?".

"Captain Rogers." Glynda greeted cordially. "I was going to ask if you were alright but…"

"Sorry." He said with a sigh staring down at his hand. "Don't know what came over me. Just… I dunno."

Glynda only hummed, waved her crop around and in an instant, the punching bag and all its contents were sealed back up with no visible damage to be seen.

"There we are." She plainly said. "Like nothing happened."

Steve huffed in an impressed manner. Having an ability like that to fix virtually anything so easily is damnably useful.

"Thank you." He said politely. "What can I do for you Ms. Goodwitch? Do you need something?"

"As chance would have it, yes, I would like to speak with you." Glynda admitted. "I was looking to come meet with you to speak privately but you were not with Misters Stark, Barton and Parker when I was informed of your team being in one of Atlas' labs. In my search for you, I heard your rather aggressive training regimen."

"Sorry about that."

"No need to apologize." She waved off.

He gave her a polite nod. "So, Ms. Goodwitch. You wanted to talk to me about something, yes?"

"Indeed I did." Glynda appeared to have straightened out more if that was possible and stared intently into Captain America's eyes. "I take it that you and your companions have discussed the offer Ozpin had given to you all."

"We have." Steve confirmed. "Quite recently actually. Just before I started my work out here."

"And have you come to a decision?" Goodwitch asked in a completely serious tone.

Her voice made Steve raise a brow slightly, a brief glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

"I take it this is an interview." He stated more than he asked. "Or is it an interrogation?"

This appeared to have a positive effect as the blonde woman's lip twitched upwards.

She smoothed out her skirt that really didn't need to be and pushed her glasses up slightly.

"Interrogation is Ironwoods' domain." She corrected cheekily. "I am in the domain of aggressive examination in making sure those who become instructors meet the standards of Beacon."

Steve couldn't help but laugh at that explanation, seeing Glynda openly smirk now.

"Now then, has your team decided on the offer?" Glynda asked once more.

Cap nodded. "We have. We've decided on taking you and Ozpin up on being teachers and helping you with your fight against Salem."

It was subtle but Steve was able to pick up on her eyes barely widening before they returned to normal.

"I see." Glynda slowly nodded, clearing her throat. "Well Captain Rogers, I hope you understand that you will have to undergo several tests, procedures and exams to make sure that you are adequately prepared in being a teacher at Beacon. Several quick lessons to help you get an understanding of-"

Steve felt his ears ring slightly at how rapidly Goodwitch spoke, listing off an assortment of topics and matters pertaining to being a teacher that Rogers felt was… a bit much.

"Now then." She spoke in a calm manner, not even out of breath. "I have one last thing to ask of you, Captain Rogers."

He silently leaned his head to the side, signifying he was listening.

"Why?"

The veteran blinked at the question, seeing her expression shift into a far more serious demeanor then just a few seconds ago.

"What?"

"Why?" Glynda said once more. "Why choose to fight a battle that is not yours to take? This is not your home, not your world, not your fight. Why do this?"

Steve crossed his arms, tilting his head down in thought.

"Simple really." Rogers remarked. "We have the capacity and ability to help and that's what we're going to do."

Glynda jolted back slightly, a troubled look coming over her. "Are you telling me that's it? That's your answer?"

Cap simply chuckled lightly at her disbelieving response. "Is it that hard to believe?"

"Yes actually." Glynda bluntly admitted. "A number of reasons really to decline such a situation. Are you not at all concerned with returning home and assuring its safety? Do you not have other duties and people you care for back from where you came from?"

"Of course we do." Steve answered straight away. "We all have friends and families that are more than likely worried out of their minds right now for us. Peter's Aunt especially given our initial meeting with her. And we still have to be there to protect our planet."

"Then why accept the burden of additional responsibility such as this one?" She questioned. "Would this not keep you from helping you get home?"

"We're not sure what will get us home." Rogers freely admitted. "Be it the same fluke that got us here or something Tony or someone else may discover. The fact is, for now, we're stuck here. And since we're "superheroes" back where we come from, we can continue doing what we're best at here as well."

This appeared to be a dissatisfactory answer for the teacher as she scowled.

"So that's it then? Boredom? To pass the time?" She said accusingly.

Steve's eyes widened considerably in surprise, shaking his head quickly.

"Wait, wait, no, no that. Nothing like that." He stammered out. "We're doing this because we have to."

Glynda raised an unbelieving brow.

"Look… Ms. Goodwitch," Captain America spoke slowly. "For a while, a lot of people have talked about why people like us do what we do. Sometimes it's for attention, others as a form of redemption and in some instances it's just all they know. I would like to say that it's just the right thing to do but it's not like that."

A fond look came over the good Captain as he huffed out a laugh.

"At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I recently heard a phrase from a young man, far younger than me, that recontextualized everything it means to be a hero. To be an Avenger."

Glynda subconsciously leaned forward as Steve went on.

"For the longest time, the phrase "we do it because it's the right thing to do" is something I've noticed has garnered a lot of criticism and even dismissal." It appeared to cause the Super Soldier to become a bit dejected. "An old fashioned notion for an old fashioned time, some would say."

'Where is he going with this?' Glynda internally questioned yet remained silent as Steve went on.

"But, recently, fairly recently, I met this kid from the same state I came from and he told me something that I now say to you." Steve looked the woman dead in the eye, startling her with the fire they held. "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility. A kid told me that but he understood like few others can. And it's why we're going to do this. Why we will join you in your fight against Salem. We have the power to do so, to make a better change and it is our own responsibility to make it happen. To shove our hands into the dirt so that other people don't have to suffer through such hardships."

Glynda was quite floored and stunned by such a response, feeling the determination and earnestness radiating off the man.

And that line about power and responsibility.

Perhaps she can use that in one of her lessons or make that the Beacon school mantra.

"Where did you hear such a phrase?" She suddenly asked.

"Hmm?"

"That saying you just said." Glynda clarified. "The one of Responsibility. Where did you hear such a saying?"

"Oh that?" Steve chuckled lightly. "Peter told me that the day Tony and I recruited him into the Avengers."

"Peter?" Goodwitch said aloud, clearly surprised at such a source.

"Yeah." Roger confirmed. "A fifteen year old kid told that to a hundred year old man."

"Huh?"

Cap laughed. "Sorry, story for another time. It's complicated and really strange."

"I'll take your word for it." Glynda said, giving Cap a dubious look which fell into a smirk. "Well then, Captain Rogers, welcome to Beacon."

She held out her hand which he accepted straight away and they shook hands.

"Steve." The Avenger corrected her. "Since we're gonna be colleagues."

"Glynda, then." His fellow blond said in turn, a more genuine and friendly smile directed at him which he returned in kind. "I look forward to working with you, Steve."

"Likewise, Glynda."

-Scene Cut-

The Avengers stood before Ozpin, Glynda Goodwitch, James Ironwood and Qrow Branwen.

"So we're doing it like a ceremony then." Tony commented. "Cut hands, shake and officially call one another blood brothers?"

"That's exactly how it works." Oz said in dead seriousness. "Once the blood oath has been recited, we are bound by soul and body and should you stray, your souls shall be lost to the pits of hell."

Peter squawked. "Wait, what?"

Qrow snorted. "No, it's not. Just some humor he attempts to use on unsuspecting kids."

"Can't imagine why." Sam said with an amused roll of his eyes.

"Must you have to spoil my little fun, Qrow?" Oz jokingly asked in an annoyed manner.

"Yeup." Qrow said with a slight belch, getting a disgusted eye roll from Glynda.

Ironwood stepped forward, a dead serious expression for all to see.

"I take it you calling us all here for a meeting means you've made your decision, no?"

"We have." Steve now stood before the Avengers. "On behalf of all of us, we accept your proposition and will join you in Beacon and in your fight against Salem."

It was barely noticeable but several of the Avengers saw how Oz had inhaled sharply, a glimmer in his eyes that would be best described as relief shone through them.

"I thank you." He said softly, yet firm, walking up to Rogers with an offered hand that Cap accepted straight away.

The Beacon headmaster then went over to each Avenger individually to shake their hand, thanking them personally.

After that was all said and done, Peter had tentatively raised his hand.

"Mr. Parker?" Glynda spoke up, making everyone turn to the young teen hero.

"Um… we appreciate having a place to stay and all," Peter earnestly said. "But, Uh, if we're gonna be teachers… what would I teach?"

"Oh, you're not going to be a teacher. You're too young for that."

Hearing this made him more or less let out a sigh of relief.

"No, you're gonna be a student."

"Oh… wait, really?" Peter said in surprise. "Aren't I too young or something? I heard that the starting age is 17."

"We have exceptions here and there." Oz airily stated. "Though there are some students in places like Signal who are taught combat at a young age, how many of those students actually hold experience such as yourself and being a part of individuals like the Avengers?"

All the Parker boy could do was shrug as he didn't have an answer.

"But that won't excuse you for not being prepared for the upcoming school year."

"...Wait… are you telling me I need to go to Summer school?"

"Well…" Oz held up an 'iffy' hand gesture. "Yes and no. Sort of a catch up set of lessons so to speak."

"Aw do I have to?" Peter bemoaned. "Can't I just learn on the fly?"

"If it makes you feel any better, some of your colleagues will also have to attend."

"Yippee." Was the dry response of Sam, Pietro and Clint.

Stark snorted before looking over to the military man in the lineup. "Yo, Jimmy."

Ironwood usually responds to being called this by Branwen but hearing that now from Stark will take some getting used to.

"Yes? May I help you?"

"Got something real special to show ya." Tony excitedly said, holding up his phone that had recently gotten through some assimilated upgrades.

The general felt his scroll vibrate, making him briefly ignore it to focus on the Iron Avenger.

And yet…

"You should take that." Stark remarked, a wide grin in place now.

The Atlesian's eye twitched, figuring out Stark may have hacked his device or at the very least sent a message.

Pulling it from his pocket, he opened up the sent message and saw… something.

By the looks of it, they were plans, schematics for a large device.

It took some time for him to realize what this remotely was.

"This…" James' eyes widened considerably. "This is-"

Looking over some of the plans Tony presented to him made him quiet for a bit.

The idea of such a thing wasn't entirely new in past years. Some of their brilliant minds had sought to solve this issue but nothing had seemed to work.

Yet Stark seemed to show elements in his plans he had never seen before.

"How?" Was all Ironwood asked, Glynda peeking over his shoulder to get a glimpse as to what Tony had just sent the man.

"We have stuff like this back home." Stark waved off, cocky smirk in place. "Trust me, you guys are close to getting what we have. It's just you needed a nudge to get you over the line."

Ironwood was at a momentary loss for words Glynda having now seen just what it was Tony had intended on building and her own eyes widened as she finally understood

Advanced CCT towers… in space?

No, satellites.

"How would you be able to do this?" Ironwood asked, still trying to wrap his mind around what was being presented to him.

"I'm quite the designer and engineer." Tony declared.

"He is."

"Yeah."

"Not lying when he says that."

"Very true."

"He built his armor in a cave."

Well, the rest of the Avengers seemed to be behind Stark's statements so who was he to judge.

"If you do this-"

"You'll be indebted to me forever, all of Atlas will owe you, the world will love you. Yadda, yadda, yadda, yadda." Tony prattled off. "Heard that spiel back home, would like to get started sooner rather than later. I'd like to have my name back up in space, please and thank you. Now I'll be needing to borrow your facilities to begin making the proper equipment to get this project rolling."

Qrow guffawed at Tony's brazen dismissal of Ironwood.

If he wasn't impressed by this guy before, he may as well begin so now.

"Oh man~" Branwen remarked, saluting Remnants Mightiest Heroes now with his flask. "This is gonna be good~~"

Glynda, all the while, found herself rubbing the bridge of her nose.

How in the world did a man like Steve consider himself friends and allies with a man who appeared to be even more insufferable than Qrow.

Ozpin simply smirked behind his mug, a swelling of hope coming over him as his eyes drifted across the seven unique, skilled and powerful individuals who have chosen to ally themselves with him.

Maybe, just maybe, this was what he had been waiting for after all these lifetimes.

This was the turning point that he needed to at last complete the mission he had accepted those many centuries ago.

-Scene Cut-

At the southeast corner of Remnant's map lies the large settlement of Menagerie.

Two-thirds of the small continent consists of desert, forcing the locals to congregate on smaller areas resulting in small and dense settlements. Mostly due to the factor Grimm does reside in a number of locations, primarily in the desert regions. The landmass is considered a safe haven for the Faunus. But more likely than not, the population wanted to be left alone from the rest of Humanity.

The biggest of them all was its capital of Kuo Kuana.

It was a bustling town packed to the brim with residential homes to the expansive markets. The houses come in many different shapes and sizes accommodating the litany of Faunus living here. There were even districts to help work with the differing groups. Boardwalks are connected with wooden rope bridges and are populated by booths selling food and drink. Water areas feature a submerged market area for aquatic Faunus enabling them to converse with the rest of the population.

Running through the very middle of the city was the main street which goes from the port all the way to the Chieftain's house. It was rather big and can be seen just about anywhere in the city in general.

Within a restaurant was a lone woman casually sauteing her latest dish while whistling a jaunty tone.

This woman was, to put it plainly, stunningly gorgeous.

And she made no effort in hiding her beauty.

Fair skin with platinum blond hair, sky blue eyes with rosy lips.

An hourglass figure, wearing tight jeans with golden accents that made patterns upon them, bands around both her triceps, three bracelets on her right wrist and voluptuous assets being held by turquoise blue bra that also had golden accents decorating them.

This woman kept on whistling, not even tilting her head to regard the restaurant entrance that opened up with a single woman with black cat ears walking in.

"You came in just in time, Kali." The blonde woman said cheerfully. "My newest dish is just about ready."

Kali Belladonna, wife to Ghira Belladonna and chieftain of the city, had a bright, sparkling smile with her irises changing into that of stars.

"With the fish?"

"You know it's with the fish."

"Kat, you're a doll." Kali said with an excited gleam in her eyes as she seated herself at the front table where her friend was cooking.

Katina or Kat for short, smiled at Kali and continued cooking, tossing up her dish several times from its pan before setting it down in a little dramatic fashion.

She pulled out two bottles, uncorking their tops and a seemingly dramatic dash, had the sauces from the bottles fall upon her dish.

Kat smiled in satisfaction at the sound of the proper sizzling and mixing of the ingredients.

With a flourish, she smacked the handle of the pan, flinging the contents within out of the cookware and directly into a bowl Kat grabbed from behind her and caught it in one go.

"Viola." The chef proclaimed in a grandiose fashion, presenting the bowl to Belladonna. "Smoked salmon and tuna pan seared for twenty minutes with lemon, pasta, parmesan and pepper. For you, my lovely friend."

"Yay~~~" Kali clapped excitedly, vibrating in her chair as the bowl was placed before her.

She took one whiff of her dish and practically melted right there and then.

"Enjoy." Kat said, leaning her elbow on the counter with her head resting in her palm as she waited for her newest creation to be eaten.

Kali was like a cat ready to pounce when she noticed something. Not something, someone.

Someone who was normally here before her or usually arrived around the same time as her.

"Not waiting for your boy toy?" Kali cheekily asked.

Kat rolled her eyes. "He'll be here soon enough. He knows by now if he doesn't come to me, I'll come to him."

The cat Faunus giggled into her hand before digging into her meal.

She purred in delight when tasting the delicious flavors assaulting her senses. If she were to have a tail, it would be wagging to and from. But all she did in the end was have a pleasant Cheshire smile as she savored each and every bite.

Every single bite was like heaven on Remnant, her practically running and frolicking through a field of indescribable taste that sent her soul on a journey.

She always was naked in these daydreams but that was the intense and bizarre effect Kat's cooking had on her.

And if she wasn't naked, her clothes literally exploded off of her when she reached the crescendo of the flavor.

In her mind.

Not in real life.

…Not yet at least.

Apparently it's already happened to a few dozen people who have eaten Katina's cooking.

It was a rather astonishing sight to behold from what Kali had heard.

"Oh if only Blake were here to eat this with me." Belladonna longingly stated, ears flattening down to reflect her mood.

"Ah don't worry about her Kal." Kat said reassuringly. "She'll be back before you know it and you'll both be here with me and your man again."

Kali gave her friend a grateful smile before ravenously eating her meal again, eliciting a laugh out of the chef from such drastic mood swings.

Midway into the meal, Kali heard the restaurant entrance open. Glancing over slightly, she gave out a small wave as she was more preoccupied with her meal.

"Hiya Doc." Kali said through a stuffed mouth.

"Doc" laughed at the greeting, shaking his head in amusement at the childish sight of the woman who was the wife to the elected leader of Menagerie.

"Kali." Greeted the new arrival before turning to the restaurant owner. "Katina."

"Hello~ handsome." Kat brazenly tugged on the man's shirt and pulled him into a searing kiss that caught him off guard and she pulled away, smirking at the dazed look her boyfriend held.

Kali giggled through her food and the Doc remained in an almost hypnotized state.

"I don't think he's used to such a greeting yet, Kat." Kali quipped heartily.

"I hope not." Kat said with a saucy smirk, licking her lips. "I love doing this to him."

Eventually, the doctor snapped out of his daze, giving a wry look at his girlfriend who only smiled mischievously, gesturing him to sit down.

"You're incorrigible." He remarked, sitting down with a bowl of the same pasta dish Kali was eating.

"And you're irresistible." Kat sensually said, reaching over to trail her finger across his jawline.

Kali groaned a little. "Will you two just take that upstairs? I'm fine with the lovey dovey stuff, but you make it sooo nauseating."

"Oh don't be such a prude." Kat blew a raspberry at her friend. "Like you don't get like that with Ghira. Remember that time with the tuna dish that made you-"

The chieftain's wife shot out of her seat with a red beat face. "KAT! You told me you won't bring it up with others around!"

"In public. This is a private establishment. Fair game, my dear."

Kali practically hissed in response.

The Chef smiled victoriously, reaching over to interlace one of her hands with the one her boyfriend wasn't using to eat with.

"So honey, how's the clinic today?" Kat inquired, rubbing small circles on his hand with her thumb.

"Rather slow." The Doctor said, chewing with one side of his mouth.

"Would prefer it that way."

"Could expect more from those along the borders." The doctor explained slightly. "Through the grapevine, there's a company of Huntsman and Huntresses trying to clear out some nests to help a survey team."

"For what?"

"Potential dust mine."

"That'll be good." Kali sipped some water to wash her pallet. "Gives us more income and exports if this were to happen."

"Oh, Kat, before we go out." The doctor dug into his pocket and retrieved a small string with a sapphire orb attached to it.

Katina gasped in disbelief. "What is that?"

"Your gift."

Her jaw dropped in astonishment. "I thought this was outside your price range."

"Well, when you have had friends like I have, you learn to pull a few strings with some favors here and there to get things you normally can't have to please the people you love." He said in a dorky suave manner.

"Oh~~~~" Katina practically squealed. "Babe~~ you're too sweet."

She jumped over the counter, plopping herself down on the empty seat next to her lover with her back to him and hair moved aside.

"If you would." Kat said, and wordlessly, her lover placed the necklace around her neck and she placed a hand over her new gift before turning around to kiss him lustfully though this time, he reciprocated.

Kali rolled her eyes at the duo's excessive display of affection though really it was Kat's over exuberant nature that countered her boyfriends' more reserved demeanor.

"Wait." Katina coyly eyed him, pulling away from the kiss. "Who's idea was this? Is this from you? Or… the Other Guy?"

"Mine." Her lover assured with a smile. "Though the Other Guy nudged me to do so."

"You two… are so sweet."

-Scene Cut-

"So how would you crank it then?"

"It's a matter of not how but when."

"We need to make sure that when we initiate the experiment, the runes, device and energy output work in tandem with each other. If it doesn't… Well, I don't really know what will happen, we're dealing with something we can't quantify yet."

"That's not really something that bolsters confidence, Jayce."

"Science isn't about confidence."

"I'd say it plays a role in it, at the very least."

"Then Jayce and I are confident that this will work… probably."

"Viktor… seriously?"

"Would you rather we lie to our new friend?"

"Yes! Yes! Always lie!"

The three teens broke into a laugh after that joking proclamation.

Peter hung upside down in front of a chalkboard he was looking over with his two newest friends in Jayce and Viktor.

It was strange as it was natural how these three young men became such fast friends thanks in no small part to Tony Stark literally shoving Peter forward and saying he was a natural genius like the both of them.

The introductions turned into small talk which turned into theories then equations then experiments and then they realized it was morning, they hadn't eaten and had been up all night.

Since then, until the Avengers return to Vale, the three boys had been almost inseparable.

They spent practically every day together, chatting about science, the idea of magic being utilized for everyday people.

The two Atlesians were surprised really with how open and enamored their new friend was with their rather out there and project of unknown end results.

Peter claimed that he was rather open with the impossible, claiming to have seen such things and is excited at the prospect of perhaps contributing to such an endeavor.

Curious to what he meant, the Queens teen was a bit candid with his explanation.

He spoke of the place he hailed from worshiping some kind of Thunder God by the name of Thor and how it turned out that he was real.

When he described the man, Parker told them that he was tall, muscular, blond with blue eyes and wielded a hammer that commanded storms and thunder.

At the mention of the hammer, Jayce was drawn in, citing he had heard a similar story to that.

There was a similar God and story to this one from his hometown that his father spoke of named Þórr.

His nickname was Hammerborn and with his star forged hammer, he could craft wonders just as easily as he was able to destroy. A being meant to be one of balance.

It was extremely interesting for Peter to hear such correlations and similarities between the stories. This only added further credence in perhaps there being a deeper connection between Remnant and Earth then initially theorized by himself, Tony and really, all the Avengers.

There were too many coincidences and similarities between both worlds for there not to be a connection.

There just had to be. Really, it was all about finding said connection or connections as there can always be more than one.

"So how exactly do you think the core implementation will work?" Peter asked, piece of chalk in hand as he expertly wrote another equation while upside down. "Is it a stabilizing agent or do you need to jump start the whole thing?"

"It will have to be a mixture of both." Viktor said. "Once we initiate the climbing stage here and here, that's where the core's next function begins."

"So long as the core's energy output doesn't stress the device, it should be able to counteract any variable branches or unforeseen consequences." Jayce then sighed, leaning his elbow against the board. "Of course when dealing with magic, the unforeseen is what we're trying to bring to light."

"Well the impossible has to start somewhere." Peter remarked, circling a particular fraction. "Think that'll be enough?"

"For a later experiment, maybe." Jayce murmured, tapping his own chalk piece on his chin. "But from what our calculations show, this would be better used for more extreme methods or something larger able to take the energy output otherwise the results may be dangerous."

Viktor was rubbing his own chin in thought, eyes momentarily drifting over to their upside down friend.

"How are you not sick hanging like that?" The crutched student inquired, angling his head slightly sideways.

"What, this?" Peter gestured to his current position, Viktor and Jayce nodding.

"Gotta admit, it does look a bit uncomfortable." Jayce stated, looking up at the web line attached to the ceiling that allowed Peter to hang in this position.

Parker only shrugged. "Kinda find it comfortable actually. Gives a new form of perspective."

Jayce huffed in amusement. "That's a lame joke if ever there was one."

Peter only laughed. "It's not all bad."

As the three teens continued conversing and simply spending time with each other, the other Avengers were currently preparing for their eventual return to Beacon Academy.

Save for one.

"Are you sure you wanna stay behind, Tony?" Steve asked, the two standing on one of the main platforms of Atlas that overlooked the city itself.

"Yeah. I somewhat feel more of my element here."

"A cold, desolate wasteland to fit you most of the time."

"Oh ha, ha, ha." Tony dryly remarked. "This coming from a capsicle, I'm surprised you didn't wanna stay yourself. Another seventy year ice nap does wonders for your pores."

Steve's dry look only got him a triumphant look from the billionaire.

"You can be insufferable, you know that?"

"I try." Tony casually said. "Besides, not gonna have this much freedom until we get back home. God knows the restrictions Pep is gonna place on me once we see them again."

"You really think we'll find a way back?" Rogers asked, looking intently at his friend who balked.

"I'm sorry, who are you and what have you done with the boy scout of endless optimism?" Tony said in mock horror. "You're a clone aren't you? An android? Maybe some kind of mutant alien with shapeshifting abilities?"

Steve only rolled his eyes good naturedly at the yammering of his fellow Avenger, the pair staring out at the city.

"So… you as a teacher, huh?" Stark mused.

Steve shrugged. "Felt like a natural progression for a hundred year old man like me. Pass on what I know to the… what do they call kids? Whippersnappers?"

"Yeesh, you're so bad at being an old man, even your lingo is off."

Steve huffed. "And yet, you being the older man biologically is the bigger man child."

"Man child?" Tony repeated in a false affronted manner. "I'll have you know I'm youthful. Only Pepper can call me a man child."

"In front of your face."

"Exactly, behind my back, you have free reign."

Cap only chortled at the response, shaking his head at his friend's antics.

The super soldier let out a sigh a moment later.

"Still not sure we should be splitting up like this." Rogers murmured. "This Salem and the Grimm she controls. They're all over the planet."

"All the more reason to have our bases covered."

"That's only in two places." Steve reminded him.

"We're the Avengers." Tony countered. "Mightiest Heroes of two worlds now. Nine if we decide to include Thor's escapades."

Steve frowned thoughtfully. "Don't think he would mind really. More for him to brag about."

Stark had a wide grin in place upon hearing that. "Now you're getting it. See, I knew you had a dark side to ya."

"This isn't the dark side Tony." Steve flatly said. "This is just me being pragmatic."

"Taking credit is pragmatic?"

"Of course it is."

Before they were able to continue their war of words, the two men heard a young man crying out in anguish at being pulled away from Atlas.

"No, no, please let me stay! It's heaven for me!"

Tony and Steve glanced over to see Wilson dragging Peter Parker out of the building with a laughing Wanda by their side.

Sam remained unperturbed as he dragged the flailing teen towards the bullhead. "No, Peter, you need to return to Vale with us."

"B-Bu-But I'll be useful here!" Peter cried out, both hands stretched out back towards the academy. "Jayce and Viktor need me!"

"I'm sure they'll be fine on their own." Wanda said with an amused smile, patting the brunette on the head. "You can still call them and message them like any normal teen out there."

"Why is Mr. Stark staying while everyone else is returning to Vale?!" Peter whined out, reaching out to said billionaire as they passed him by. "Mr. Stark please."

"You're on your own, squirt."

"Mr. Stark!" Parker cried out in overexaggerated anguish, the scarlet energy fields of Wanda surrounding him as he was floated into the bullhead.

"NOOOOOOOO~"

"...God help me if there's another person out there as strangely enthusiastic like him." Tony murmured, amused and bemused all at the same time.

Over in Patch…

"ACHOO!"

"Bless you."

"Thanks Yang."

-Scene Cut-

As the Avengers made preparations in Vale and Atlas, organizations around the world made theirs.

Not in response to Earth's Mightiest Heroes, no.

Not at this time.

They had plans in the works far before the arrival of the heroes from another world.

One such organization was one composed exclusively of the secondary humanoid species of Remnant known as the Faunus.

This group, once led by a belief in unity and equality through peace soon became radicalized and transformed into an association that most of the world would describe as terrorists.

The White Fang, as they are called.

Currently, a number of tents were pitched in an undisclosed location within a forest.

Those occupying the camp were only a few dozen but among them were members that were considered some of their best and elite.

In charge of this group was a man in his early twenties, a tall Faunus with a lean build and auburn hair that spikes backward in a windswept way. While most of his hair was red, he had streaks of brown. A noticeable trait of his appearance was the mask he wore, which obscured his entire upper face above his nose.

His clothing was that of an asymmetrical design having black, long-sleeved, double-breasted stylized high-collared blazer with slit sleeves along with red thorn sigils adorned with a white crest that lined up on his left shoulder. The suit jacket had crimson lining atop his red shirt, with red thorn sigils atop a black flap attached to the bottom of the left hem and his wilting rose emblem on the back over an emblazoned white sigil resembling the curved stems and flower of the deadly nightshade plant. His blazer was half-buttoned, exposing a red shirt with a black line running parallel to his collar under it.

His mask was whitish-tan with red, Japanese style, horn-like symbols decorating the front and two slits on each side presumably to allow for vision. He wore long black dress pants, black shoes with red soles and black gloves with red sigils resembling the Greek letter Ω (Omega), the last letter in the Greek alphabet and a black belt with white domino marks on it to finish off his rather intricately designed look.

This man stood in the largest tent of this makeshift base camp with two girls by his side.

One was a woman also in her twenties having an aesthetic of white and blue having white pants that went down to just below her knees, white high heel sandals that had straps past her ankles, a blue dress shirt that had a collar that covered her neck with the chest portion cut out to allow her voluptuous breasts to be easily visible in their white bra topped with a set of white hair, white rabbit ears and blue umbrella.

The other woman was really a girl entering her late teens.

She had black hair that contrasted her pale white complexion, amber eyes with purple eye shadow around them and cat ears that almost blended into her hair.

Her clothing consisted of a black, buttoned vest with coattails and a single silver button on the front. Underneath this is a white, sleeveless, high necked, crop undershirt and white shorts with a zipper on the front of each leg with a YKK logo.

She also wears black low-heeled boots and full stockings with a color gradation of black to purple at her ankles. An emblem of a black flame is visible on the outside of both thighs just below her shorts in white. On her left arm is a black detached sleeve with a silver cuff around her bicep, and black ribbons are wrapped around both forearms. A small, loose, black scarf is wrapped around her neck, and a gray magnetic backpack is strapped to her back, hidden by her hair.

"So Adam," The rabbit Faunus cheerfully said, spinning her umbrella about. "What's the crazy mission for us this time?"

Adam Taurus, leader of this group of Faunus, remained stoic and unreadable despite the casual nature in which he was addressed.

"We have a Schnee cargo train going on this route several days from now." Taurus said, placing an index finger over the outline of a train track going through Vale. "It's supposed to connect to a freighter the day after, which is reportedly going to be heavily guarded. We will need to hit the train before they meet or else the plan ultimately fails."

The black haired teen, whilst her face remained neutral, shifted about from side to side.

"What's the matter, Blakey?" The white haired Faunus innocently asked. "Having second thoughts?"

Blake Belladonna, daughter to Kali and Ghira, glared up at the rabbit woman who only had a wide grin in place.

"Knock it off, Lorina." Adam sharply told her, shifting his head slightly in the woman's direction.

Though she didn't see them, Lorina Dodson otherwise known as the White Rabbit could feel the gaze directed at her from Taurus.

"Alright, lay off Adam." Lorina petulantly said. "I'm just playing around here."

"Well this isn't a matter where you can joke around in." Taurus rebuked. "This is a mission that is very important to our cause."

"One that you're paying me to be a part of, remember?" Dodson dryly reminded him. "Ya gotta lighten up, man. You're taking this shit way too seriously."

"Can you take things seriously for once?" Blake countered, annoyed by the woman's callous and dismissive behavior.

"You guys paid me already, remember? My personality is just a bonus."

"One which I'm having regrets on." Muttered the redhead.

White Rabbit only groaned dramatically. "Alright, alright, fine, just explain to us this next crazy robbery you have planned."

Adam glared lightly behind his mask at the mercenary before returning his attention to the map they had laid out on the table before them.

"There's also a warehouse that's supposedly storing some experimental hardware. If done successfully, we'll be able to get a better edge on future raids."

"Depending on what's found there. Could be failed prototypes for all we know." Lorina muttered. "Happened before with Atlas dumping useless models or keeping them in storage."

"Their trash and "failed" prototypes are what we take in our war against them." Argued Adam. "We can dismantle them and rebuild them to our specifications. Perhaps even improve from their flaws."

Dodson remained unimpressed, seating herself on the table as she looked down at the map.

"Alright bulldozer, so what's the plan then?"

Though it was barely visible, the cheek of Adam twitched lightly, getting Lorina to grin widely as he pulled out a marker and drew several lines and shapes around the warehouse and the railroad.

"We'll be having two teams to take care of these targets." Taurus stated. "The warehouse will be easy enough, stationary location and all. The train on the other hand is gonna require more speed. That's where the two of you will strike."

"What are we even stealing?" Blake asked, a hard edge in her voice.

"Dust for the most part. We have a slight shortage on our hands at the moment." Was the redhead's response. "Anything else is possibly of good value if they are good in quality." He tapped his chin a little as he soon pulled up some files. "From reports, they're cutting back on workers and having mechs replace the majority of the crew. So we'll be able to remotely go all out with little to no repercussions; especially since they'll be programmed to hold back no restraint."

"You know, you could just buy the Dust." Lorina dryly said. "No need to do something this needlessly reckless."

"Must we remind you we are not swimming in Lien like most in the world."

"Yeah but still, it does seem a bit much really." Lorina countered.

"Any dust you can fit in your pockets on this particular job is yours." Adam swiftly countered.

"Sold!"

Blake closed her eyes, clenching her fists in irritation at Lorina's chatter.

"Besides, this is a Schnee Dust Company train." Adam said, tone shifting into that of a venomous inflection. "Anything taken from them is another victory for our people."

"Ah, so they won't even notice this little train robbery." Lorina stated more than asked, checking over her nails.

Blake however, appeared unconvinced. "Um, Adam, are you sure about this? I know the White Fang hasn't stolen any dust from the Schnee Company for a while now but wouldn't they pick up on a trend at the very least?"

"That may be a possibility but what we do always incurs risks."

"What kind of half assed leadership is that shit supposed to be?"

"Would you rather I lie and say everything is gonna turn out splendidly?" Adam rhetorically asked.

"Aw~~ you do care." Lorina cheekily said, reaching out to pat him on the cheek only for him to swat the hand away.

"We have our targets and our objectives." Adam declared. "Prepare what's needed and we move in two days. We will strike then."

The meeting disbursed with the tent's occupants going their separate ways. Adam went to inform a number of others to go more into deeper details on the upcoming missions. Lorina goes off to inform her team on what's to come. As for Blake, she went off on her own.

The cat Faunus walked in between the tents with a clearly conflicted expression plain as day to see.

She passed by many White Fang members who took a moment to nod at her though she ignored them for the most part.

Upon reaching her own personal tent, a familiar voice called out to her from behind.

"Blake."

Belladonna sighed, turning to face the person who was walking up to her.

"Ilia." She greeted her fellow Faunus.

The White Fang member smiled at her as she took off the mask that was akin to that of a chameleon, giving away her species of association.

Ilia's skin tone was of a tan complexion with brown hair and gray eyes, sporting multiple scale-like patches all over her body to reflect her chameleon nature.

She wore a black, gray and dark gray sleeveless stealth suit with short legs that resembles a playsuit with black trim around the legs. The color divide is at the center of her thighs. The stealth suit's zipper is gold, and over it, she wears gray belt straps with gold buckles and a pair of black calf high boots that are folded over and a black glove on her right hand.

Overall, a more stealth oriented set of garments to reflect her natural abilities.

"I heard from Adam that we're set and ready to go." Ilia declared with a confident grin.

"Yeah, he did." Blake mumbled, turning away from her friend.

Ilia frowned in concern. "Is… is everything alright?"

"Just not sure about this anymore."

The chameleon Faunus tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"This." Blake said in a more broad sense as she gestured to the whole camp site. "I thought we were a group meant to fight against Faunus discrimination, not incite terror."

"But we're fighting back against those who have treated us wrongly." Ilia argued back passionately.

"By doing and becoming the things they claimed us to be?" Blake shot back, hanging her head low. "I don't really know what to do."

Her friend appeared hesitant, taking a moment to figure out what to say to lift her spirits.

"Desperate times, Blake." Was what she was able to come up with.

"Is it really that desperate?" The black haired teen questioned. "Attacking convoys, stealing military equipment? That's not desperation, that's us preparing for another war."

Ilia didn't really know how to respond to something like that as that was a sentiment she had shared a number of times before. Much as she did believe in the White Fang, to the extent of getting their hands on military grade equipment was disconcerting.

"We were once an activist group." Blake went on, forlorn at once was. "Now we became this. I wish it could go back the way they were."

"You and several others." Ilia said sympathetically. "Yet changing back will not be that easy. Not now."

"Change was never meant to be easy but I sure as hell didn't want it to be violent." Blake dejectedly sighed. "Let's… let's just get this over with. If there's anyone on board, we leave them alone."

Ilia could only nod in silence as she watched her squad leader and friend go into her tent, mumbling that she was not to be disturbed.

A sad frown was now present on her face, staring at the tent before turning to walk away with her mind a whirl with conflicting emotions and thoughts.

-Scene Cut-

"Ah~ ah~~~ Ah~~ Ah~~~~~"

"Wonderful Weiss, you sound simply divine."

Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, turned her head in the direction of the man who had praised her, giving him a warm and kind smile.

"Thank you Klein." She happily said. "I hope it's up to your expectations."

Klein scoffed, going over to pat Weiss' back with a proud smile in place.

"My dear, you always manage to find a way to exceed them."

She only continued smiling up at him in appreciation before looking back at the mirror she was seated before.

The young girl took a moment to look over her dress, making sure everything was in order.

Her long white hair, held up in an off center high ponytail and her eyes lightly reflected her light blue color from the lights on the mirror.

She wore a thigh-length strapless dress with a faint color gradation from white to pale blue at the hem. A small piece of black lace sits in the front of her neckline and the hem of the dress is scalloped and stitched to resemble snowflakes, with layers of white tulle under the skirt. Over this, she wore a bell-sleeved bolero with the same color gradation as her dress from shoulder to wrist, lined in red and with a ruffled collar. On the back of the bolero is the Schnee Crest.

She also has a small apple pendant on a silver chain and thin, rectangular silver earrings. Her boots are white, wedged heeled, and higher at the back than the front. They have a small silver decoration across the top of the foot and are lined in red. A thin white sash is tied around her waist with a pouch attached to the back.

Standing behind her was her ever loyal and faithful butler Klein Sieben.

He wore his usual suit being a white collared long sleeve shirt, black vest, cyan tie, black trousers, and black shoes that seemingly complimented his brilliant mustache.

Blinking, his eye color shifted into a slight red tint as a more smug visage appeared on his face.

"Are you ready to show all those snobbish bats where the real talent of the Schnee family lies?"

Weiss giggled into her hand at his mood change.

"Don't let Winter hear you say that." She teased. "She would never let you hear the end of it."

Klein blinked and his eyes became lavender and expression was now distraught.

"Heavens no, I would never insult Lady Winter in such a disrespectful manner. How terribly rude of me."

Funny thing about him, his personality changes and is quite noticeable when his eye color becomes something else entirely.

Weiss giggled once more at his eccentric and endearing behavior.

For years now, Klein was someone the young Schnee heiress had found herself relying upon and confiding in as time went on.

Yes, she had her family and she greatly admired her older sister Winter who is part of the special ops of Atlas.

But she hadn't been able to speak with her as much as her sister was a busy woman now.

And… much as she berated herself for it, she felt a growing disconnect from the rest of her family.

She felt a soft hand upon her shoulder, seeing it was Klein giving her a supportive smile beneath his bushy mustache.

"In the upcoming months, you'll finally be attending the Huntsman Academy. Aren't you excited?" He asked, grinning widely.

Weiss returned his smile, reaching up to pat his hand in appreciation. "I am, Klein."

Klein's demeanor changed again, a more derisive tone coming out now. "It'll perhaps help give you a break from all of these performances your father has been putting you through. Brothers know that man needs a bonk on his hard noggin."

"Klein." Weiss chided though there was no bite in her tone.

Her faithful butler only huffed, crossing his arms now and looking away petulantly.

"You know this to be true, milady, I just have the audacity to speak my mind on such matters."

"And survive with no repercussions." Weiss tacked on, patting his cheek now.

"But of course, my dear." Klein's eyes were now yellow and his personality was far more jovial. "I have you to thank for that."

The two paused in their small interaction, hearing the sound of a rumbling applause.

"Soon you shall be showered with adulation, making all those who had come before look meek and worthless in comparison." Klein proclaimed, eyes red and appearing to be on fire.

Weiss smiled at her butler's over exuberance before looking down to hide her downcast expression.

Many performances have somewhat taken a toll on Weiss. She had worked much on her schoolwork while balancing it with her singing lessons and gala events. Yet all that often became overwhelming as time went on, no matter how much she tried managing it.

That'll all change once she attends the next step in her years at the academy.

Sacrifices will have to be made once attending the upcoming stage of becoming a Huntress, which would soon lead her to becoming the next head of the Schnee family once her father steps down or passes on from life.

It would've originally gone to her older sister, Winter, but circumstances made that impossible now.

This would mean no "extracurricular activities", such as her performing in concerts, until further notice.

Looking back up at the mirror, Weiss's eyes landed upon a fresh scar above her left eye, one she had gotten not too long ago.

She had been conducting a training exercise being supervised by a number of officials who worked for her family's Dust company in preparation for what they believed to be her "practice application" into Atlas Academy. In fact, it wasn't one at all, merely a lie to push her further to accomplish a given task as usual.

No, she will not stay here in Atlas under her father's "watchful" eye.

"I have been thinking about this Klein," She spoke softly. "But I don't think I want to go to Atlas academy."

Klein blinked, reverting back to his usual more calm yet chipper demeanor.

"Really? Why not?" He questioned curiously.

"I just… I just need a change of scenery if it makes any sense."

Klein thought about it and gave a nod with what she's implying.

"Blazing your own trail, yes?" He knowingly asked. "Same as your sister but even more so."

As much as Weiss would love to attend Atlas Academy, much like her relatives have done over the years, she felt a change of scenery was needed. She sought to take a page out of Winter's book and do something else with her life.

Weiss smiled at him before frowning. "Yes… If I'm in Atlas, my father will still have sway in my going on. My failures will not reflect me but him. My success will not be because of my own work but because it's "expected" that the heiress of the Schnee Dust Company must be this way."

"You know your father would not take too kindly on the idea of going anywhere else but Atlas."

She snorted, pleased at the thought of angering her father. "I know."

"At least give it more thought on the matter. Especially your options on what other Academies you wish to attend. You do have until two weeks or so before the upcoming school year to submit an application."

"Yes, a few months from now is the deadline." She breathed out. "And… I have one in mind. I'm just unsure of the choice."

"No need to rush this matter, my dear." Klein said kindly. "Like I said, think more on the matter. You don't want to go to a place you'll regret attending."

"I know, I know." Weiss murmured.

Before long, the pair heard a soft knock from her dressing room door.

Klein clapped his hands together, quickly moving to straighten out a loose tuft of her hair.

"It's time milady." He softly said. "Knock 'em dead."

"I plan to." Weiss confidently said, sharing a quick hug with him before she walked out her dressing room and proceeded to go towards the center stage of a large auditorium with every seat having been full.

She looked out at the crowd, taking in the sea of people that… she couldn't quite put a face on.

Or rather, to her, they were faceless for the most part.

Yet, several individuals had caught her eye.

Two were seated in their own personal booth and saw that they shared in her hair color.

Her mother and younger brother, Willow and Whitley respectively.

But just below their booth was another and in it was none other than General Ironwood.

Next to him was her elder sister Winter, smiling down at her and next to them was a man she hadn't recognized.

And of course her father, Jacque, who had an unreadable expression whilst seating with the rest of the family..

But her eyes were back on the new individual seated next to General Ironwood.

He had black hair and an unusually trimmed beard, a black suit and was…

'Is he seriously sleeping right now?' Weiss incredulously thought to herself.

How can anyone sleep in a place like this with this much noise?

Scrunching her face up as she prepared herself, she would make sure to get this man's attention.

The piano began to play from nearby with the orchestra following soon after. Once getting to a certain part of the music, the heiress readied herself for her start.

Weiss exhaled calmly and opened her mouth as the words came flowing out as it followed the symphony of the instruments.

"Mirror, tell me something,

Tell me who's the loneliest of all?

Mirror, tell me something,

Tell me who's the loneliest of all?

Fear of what's inside of me;

Tell me can a heart be turned to stone?

Mirror, mirror, what's behind you?

Save me from the things I see!

I can keep it from the world,

Why won't you let me hide from me?

Mirror, mirror, tell me something,

Who's the loneliest of all?

I'm the loneliest of all."

Soon enough the music started to change as the continuation of the song soon went underway on the performance. The piano score became more prominent before other instruments would follow afterwards which would be more softer than the slightly upbeat half from earlier.

"Who am I to complain?

My life's been spared so much pain

Born with all that I need

My comforts all guaranteed

So what's the problem

What's keeping me

From moving forward

It's hard to see

I should be free now

I should be fine

But the life I fought for

Still isn't mine

Some believe in fairy stories

And the ghosts that they can't see

I know that I could do so much

If I could just believe in me

Mirror mirror

Tell me something

Can I stop my fall?

Years of scorn will leave you cold

'Forget your dreams do what you're told'

When disapproval's all you're shown

The safest place becomes alone

And isolation's

The price you pay

And every friendship

Is pushed away

But bit by bit now

A step each day

I'm slowly starting

To find my way

Some believe in fairy stories

And the ghosts that they can't see

I know that I could do so much

If I could just believe in me

Mirror mirror

I'll tell you something

I think I might change it all"

Upon opening her eyes, Weiss was met with thunderous applause and she couldn't help but slightly smile at the praise.

Some flowers were thrown at the stage and she had caught one subconsciously, holding it up to her chest.

She looked up and saw her mother and sister clapping with pride and approval. Klein managed to even make his way up to their booth and was applauding jovially along with them.

Her brother was doing the same, albeit far more politely and subdued.

Ironwood appeared generally impressed yet her father seemed nonplussed in this regard, clapping almost boredly.

Yet when her attention turned to the strange, trimmed man, she almost jolted where she stood at the intense gaze that he was directing at her.

It wasn't that of approval, disapproval or boredom.

He wasn't looking at her but into her.

She didn't understand what it was about this gaze that startled her but the intensity and analytical nature was off putting.

When she started her song, he appeared to be asleep but now he was staring at her and…

Was that understanding in his eyes?

Where'd that come from?

Coming to her senses that she had been standing stock still for a few seconds, Weiss quickly began bowing and thanking the crowd before hurriedly rushing off stage.

Other performances went on for the evening as Weiss wasn't the only musical act in the event. After all, it would've been an odd waste to have one performer and only sing for several minutes and be the end of it. Weiss didn't have a litany of songs under her belt, unlike many bands and professional artists out there in the world.

In the after party, the Schnee heiress and the other performers were met by a number of individuals.

She walked amongst them all, saying hi to some whilst passing by others.

The girl was undisturbed for the most part until…

"Weiss Schnee, yes?"

The Schnee heiress looked up and blinked in surprise to find the man who had captured her attention standing before her now.

And rather than the bored slumber or sharp seriousness she had seen prior, he appeared more relaxed and laid back.

"Quite the set of pipes you have there." He greeted "politely". "You do birthday parties, yes?"

An interesting compliment she had heard, rather original than from what she heard in the past. She would've been crass in response, given such a thing being said could've been considered rude. Yet she was in a public party and had to be the heiress she is.

"Thank you." She responded cordially. "Mr…?"

"Stark, Tony Stark." The man introduced himself. "Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, at your service."

Weiss rose a brow upon hearing what this Mr. Stark introduced himself as.

Genius? There's quite a lot of them out there these days; even if they were legitimate or self-imposing. Billionaire? She would've known, let alone heard, of there being another billionaire out there in Remnant, but she isn't all that knowledgeable apparently. Playboy? Well… she'll have to be careful if that was the case. Philanthropist? Will be interesting to see what to make out of that.

"Good to make your acquaintance."

"Ah, prim and proper." Tony remarked. "Dime a dozen of that. Tell us how you really feel."

"Mr. Stark." Came a familiar female voice to Weiss. "Please stop aggravating my sister."

"Whose sister? Your sister?" Tony innocently asked. "And aggravating? I'll have you know that my manner of speech is construed as charming and charismatic."

Winter opted to ignore the rambling man, coming up to her sister with a proud smile.

"You sang beautifully tonight, Weiss." Her older sister said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm very glad I managed to see you perform tonight."

Weiss preened at her sister's compliments, glowing with joy. "And I'm glad you were able to attend, given your tight schedule."

"When it comes to family, one should really try to make time for such an occasion." Said Tony.

"No one is quite privileged for such things." Came Winter's response.

"I know, but I'm just making a small point. It makes things more memorable, regardless if things go well or not."

Tony soon said his small farewell and left elsewhere to mingle with the other attendees of the after party.

"Winter?"

"Hmmm?"

"Who was that man back there? Tony Stark, was it?"

"He… is someone who has recently gotten on General Ironwood's radar." Winter candidly explained. "He's an associate, part of another group of rather exceptional individuals that you might be hearing about rather soon when the time comes."

Well that wasn't confusing at all.

"General Ironwood is working with him?"

Winter nodded. "He is an odd man and rather flippant. But… I have seen what he is capable of recently and I am confident when I say that a great change in Remnant is on the horizon."

Weiss found herself being drawn into what she was saying, bewildered and enticed by Winters' words.

What did she mean by that?

What changes?

And again, who was this Tony Stark?

And associates?

Consider Weiss curious now as she was really interested in whatever it is Winter was talking about.

Though…

That would have to be saved for another time.

Winter had just said she was taking her out to eat on her treat and she wasn't going to pass up the chance to spend time with her favorite sibling.

AN

Well then, a bit of time since the last update but here we are, back again for more.

Hope you guys have been on my DeviantArt account to see some great art pieces for future moments to come in this series that are more or less confirmed whilst we withhold so much more that is gonna appear later on down the line.

Thank you to Deoxxd, Aldo Raine, Kmkz-art and Nalindale for a lot of amazing art pieces for this story. Bullet's been really busy getting them together.

So the Avengers continue to further situate themselves in Remnant whilst we introduce more of our ever expanding cast and let me tell ya, it's gonna be a big one but we've got our plans laid out and for the most part, planned.

God, there is just so much we wanna get to and hopefully sooner than later but Volume 1 of RWBY is on the horizon.

Just another chapter or two or three and we'll be on our way.

With that all said and done, thanks again for reading.

Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.