"Welcome to a world where dreams become nightmares" (Danny Murillo)

Welcome to a world where nightmares are conceived from dreams. This world, as with any other, guarantees the realization of dreams—until they become something else. This isn't a Fairy tale. All dreams here eventually go sour, and all you can do is watch and see the world go up in flames. All because of the secrets of one man. One man who could not stomach the face of his own failures. His name was Ozma.

Ozma was born when man yet lived alongside the gods. He was a dunderhead—a fool unaware of his own ignorance—until he wed Salem. She had once been locked within a castle, but Ozma freed her, believing in a fairy-tale ending. Salem, however, had defied the gods, and for that, they punished her with eternal life. When humanity was wiped from existence, the gods abandoned their creation, leaving Ozma with a task: to restore mankind and guide them. He accepted, unaware of the torment that awaited him.

With each reincarnation, Ozma carried the burdens of his past lives, mourning lost loves and wallowing in regret. One of his recent reincarnations, Ozpin, was Beacon Academy's headmaster. In an effort to counter the growing darkness, he formed a chain of faithful agents: Glynda Goodwitch, Leonardo Lionheart, Theodore, James Ironwood, and many whose names had been devoured by time. One of them was Cooper Landrum.

Cooper had also attended Beacon himself but was the lone member who remained suspicious of Ozpin's master plans. He dropped out of Beacon and did his own thing before ending up in the CIA. He advanced through the ranks to be upgraded to a general but wasn't done with Beacon yet. When he learned that the Vytal Festival—a show of peace between the four kingdoms—was being held at Beacon, he noticed. Unknown to all, it would become the final Vytal Festival ever organized.

The crimes had increased and had prompted Atlas to increase measures of security by using airships and androids. However, the more immediate threat was inside: culprits in the guise of transfer student infiltrators. One of these agents had breached the defenses of Atlas and had slipped inside undetected—until Cooper tracked the incursion.

There was a fiery session of Ozpin's office. The glow of a screen cast upon the faces of the people who were present. Ironwood's video conference hung in the corner, his voice biting.

"You left us with no choice! The Vytal Festival can't be broadcasted—if not even conducted—with civilian security at risk. If we do this, we're signing our own death warrant!"

Ozpin just sipped his coffee, his expression unreadable. A knock at the door stopped the fight.

"I'll call you back," Ozpin said quietly. "I have a guest."

The door creaked open. Cooper entered, his usual eagerness piercing the heavy atmosphere in the room.

"Ah, Ozpin, I'm home! And you—well, you haven't aged a day since we last talked." He paused, glancing at the screen. "Vytal Festival, huh? Sounds good. But we need to talk. Security. And civilian safety."

Ozpin's hand on his cup clenched. He hadn't seen Cooper in years, and now he bursts in like no time had passed. What the devil had he been doing all this time?

"You vanished after graduation, and this is the way you return?" Ozpin's voice was even, but there was another tone beneath. "Well, if it's in the name of defending civilians, I'll listen."

Cooper's smile did falter, becoming something more subdued. He rummaged into his coat and slammed down on Ozpin's desk a thick, 12-page report.

"These are James Ironwood's crimes. Read them. If you even bother." He leaned forward. "And let's talk about that little 'secret' you're keeping in the basement. Or the fact that you're going to use one of your students to bring back the Fall Maiden. That's really messed up, don't you think?"

Ozpin breathed in deeply and sipped his coffee for a while before exhaling. "I see your concerns, but what about James?"

Cooper pushed the document in. "Read that. And then tell me whether you still trust him. And maybe—just maybe—call in a cybersecurity company with a little more skill than figuring out how to write 'Hello, World!' with Python."

Ozpin arose from his chair, projecting an unobtrusive sense of authority. "I've discovered no suggestion our IT section has been hacked into. But if you absolutely wish to be secure—then by all means. Just do not interfere with my work."

Cooper grinned, shaking hands with Ozpin. "You'll thank me later—if you live long enough.".

Beacon came crashing down. Not from one devastating blow, but from a thousand quiet cracks. Ozpin's complacency cost him everything. But while the school still fell, someone in the shadows intervened. A girl—Pyrrha Nikos—lay at death's door, but before Cinder could strike one last time, an unseen force pulled her back from the edge. Weeks of physiotherapy later, she stood again. But that was only the beginning.

And now you're asking yourself why I'm telling you all this. Maybe it doesn't matter at all. Maybe this story will never be told.

I don't know where I'll be going. Maybe the afterlife, maybe something worse. Maybe I'll never be able to see my team again. What about my girlfriend? She's going to believe that I died, presumably.

As I fall towards whatever destiny has planned for me, I have a few moments. So let me tell you how I got here.

My name is Nozomu Nguyen. I'm a CIA operative. A few months ago, I was assigned a mission with some close friends—and my girlfriend. The mission? To un-fuck the world of Remnant.

I was born in Australia, but Nashville, Tennessee is where I live. It's great place—unless the tourists and Vanderbilt alumni get in your way. My brother was a CIA operative before me. And then, one morning, my life got turned around.

I was just lounging about in my room, looking forward to a Smash tournament with the guys. A typical day. Until my mum walked in.

Her face told me everything before she said a word.

"Nzoy. I've got bad news. It's about your brother."

I sat up straight. "Is he okay? Did something happen? Did he get arrested? Is he hurt?"

She placed a hand on my shoulder. "I just got off the phone with his director. A few days ago, at an unknown time… he was killed. A criminal discovered he was undercover. They killed him—and his whole team. Their bodies haven't been found."

The words left my breath. I could hardly hear her as she continued.

"The director is here today. He's forming a new team. You were selected. And so were some of your friends."

Its heaviness sank me. I clenched my fists. "What about Xigua? Is she included?"

My mother nodded brusquely. "She is. The director wants you there in an hour."

I swallowed and got up. "I don't know if this will be the last time I ever see you, Mum. But if it is. I love you."

She hugged me tightly. "I'll always love you too."

And with that, my life changed.

I didn't know it then, but that was the beginning of the end.

I picked up my phone and dialed Jonathan's number as my mind drifted.

"Hey, John. You heard the news as well, didn't you?" I spoke, my tone even but tense.

"Yeah, I sure did. Got selected. Don't know who else made it apart from me and the boys, but we'll know soon enough. See you shortly. Adios!" He hung up before I could respond.

I squeezed my phone tighter, taking a deep breath. Whoever killed my brother was on my list. I had never considered myself the violent type, but some sins were too big to ignore. I shook my thoughts and grabbed the keys to my truck, leaving.

By the time I arrived at John's, he was already waiting, leaning against his Shelby Mustang with a smirk. "So, Nzo, are you driving, or do I have to take this beauty?" He gestured to his car.

I chuckled. "Dude, the last time I rode with you, I thought my life was flashing before my eyes. Your girlfriend must have nerves of steel."

John laughed. "Hey, it's not my fault my car has NOS. Well… somewhat."

I shook my head, getting into my truck. "C'mon, we need to go pick up Xingren and Zhenzi. That's if Zhenzi isn't stuck in an Overwatch grind again and plus Why is he still playing it?"

John's eyebrow went up. "You always know."

"The internet," I said, smirking.

By the time we arrived at their house, Xingren was lying on the couch. He sighed as I asked about his brother. "What do you think he's doing?" He stood up and walked to Zhenzi's room, knocking twice. "Hey, Zhenzi, you ready? We gotta go." Nothing. Xingren snorted. "Fine, I'm coming in."

Zhenzi was just finishing up tying his shoes inside. He looked up. "Oh, hey, Nzo. Who else is gonna be there?"

My girlfriend, for sure," I said.

"Other than your girlfriend," he teased.

"We'll find out when we get there."

On the road again, the mood turned serious. "So, what do you guys think this meeting is about?" Zhenzi asked. "We were all ready to have a Smash tournament today, and then out of nowhere, we got selected for… whatever."

Xingren leaned forward. "Maybe it has something to do with the organization your brother was a part of.".

I gripped the wheel a bit tighter. "That's my guess. We might be going on a mission. We'll know soon enough."

Xingren turned to me. "You've been acting strange, dude. This about your brother?"

John chimed in, "Obviously it is. And where is this place at?"

"Brentwood. Outside the city."

By the time we arrived, my future sister-in-law, Zhiogzi, was already there. Although she was usually calm, there was always something off about her—most likely because she had a box on her head. No one knew why. Not even her parents. A mystery I'd long since given up trying to solve.

"There you are," she said, shaking my hand. "Xigua was getting worried. We're waiting for a couple of people, but not for much longer."

Xingren looked around. "Who's here?"

"Besides you and Xigua, Liulian and Baozi were there. The others I recognize, but I don't remember their names."

Liulian walked up with a grin. "About time y'all showed up! I was getting bored." She glanced at John. "Oh, hey, John. I knew you'd get picked for this. I was at the gym when I got the message—didn't even have time to change."

John smiled. "Well, that's a shame. Hey, Zhenzi, you sure you don't want to take a peek inside her dreams?" he teased.

Liulian's face turned red. "I DON'T, JOHN!"

Baozi and Xigua burst out laughing.

"Come on, Liulian," Baozi teased. "You've been acting differently around Zhenzi lately."

"Shut up, Baozi!" Liulian pouted, blushing.

John laughed. "Come on, you know I've been joking about you for years."

She had no time to respond before another voice cut through the air. "Well, this is what I got myself into. Should be fun.".

A tall woman with tiger-like features approached. Xigua nudged me. "Hey, babe, so New face why don't you go say hi?"

She cleared her throat. "I'm Dou Leaf." There were two twins beside her. "And these are the Ox Twins, Xingyun and Binggan. Heard a lot about you guys." She gestured towards me. "Especially you."

I frowned. "You knew my brother?"

Dou nodded. "Yep. Great man. Shame what happened.

Binggan shifted awkwardly. "Uh… hi. Sorry, I'm terrible with new people."

Her sister, Xingyun, leaned on her shoulder. "You'll be fine."

I hadn't had a chance to respond before a deep voice boomed out through the microphone. "Please be seated."

Everyone sat down as General Cooper walked onto the stage. His eyes swept over us, measuring, calculating.

"You have all been selected for a very special mission," he began. "Weeks ago, this organization was viciously assaulted. The attackers? Terrorists guilty of war crimes in another world—a world called Remnant. A world where dreams turn into nightmares."

I clenched my fists. Remnant. My brother's mission had been involved with that world.

The protectors of Remnant failed. Their networks were compromised. Their kingdom, Atlas, was taken by a rogue general—James Ironwood."

John muttered beneath his breath. "That bastard.

General Cooper continued. "Your mission is to take down Ironwood, along with the criminal masterminds operating Remnant: Salem, the so-called immortal witch, and her inner circle—Cinder Fall, Mercury Black, Emerald Sustrai, and others. You have each been chosen for your skillset. Tomorrow at 9:00 AM, we leave. Your tech won't work in Remnant, so you'll be given jailbroken scrolls with open-source capabilities. Read the files carefully."

As I walked forward to accept my scroll, I muttered under my breath, "Cinder… you're on my list."

-
The next day, John and I were deployed to Mistral, where we attacked an Atlas airship. That night, John called me from the hotel. "Hey, amigo, got the ship. Discuss plans when I get back. Adios.

When he arrived, he explained our next move. "We'll pick up Xingren and Zhenzi in Vacuo. Atlas closed its borders, but this ship should get us in. Problem is, air traffic control will pick us up. If we comply, they'll search us. If we don't, the Ace Ops come after us."

I scowled. "Then we fight."

John sighed. "Yeah. Get some rest. Tomorrow's gonna be rough."

The next day, they flew to Vacuo to fetch Xingren and Zhenzi. When they were ready to leave, General Cooper handed over a file to Jonathan, his eyes scanning the airship.

"Damn, I have no idea how you came to get your hands on that thing. Well, that's your fortune. The Ace-Ops led by Clover Ebi are Atlas' top Huntsmen and Huntresses. or at least that's what the government would have you think. In reality, they are only as skilled as Clover's Good Fortune is. It's not right on the face of it, maybe, but you guys know how to keep it in line."

Jonathan flipped through the documents and addressed his team. "Luckboy? He tried to arrest me and my family before we got out of that shithole."

General Cooper continued, "The second man—Arthur Watts. A scientist by background with Atlas, he even worked on Project Penny. Don't hurt Penny. She's harmless. He then faked his own death and became a career criminal. John, you're going to have a lot of fun with this one, apart from Luckboy."

He handed them the final file. "Tyrian Callows. This is the one you need to watch out for most. He's a psychopath and a serial killer. If you get stabbed by his tail, you're dead. You may be all right with anti-venom, but do be sure to strike him in the tail."

Xigua and Baozi hugged their boyfriends, exchanging quick kisses before the four team members boarded the airship to head to Atlas.

"Well, we're here for a while," Jonathan said. "Let's take a walk through Ace-Ops. We know Clover, of course, but there's more. Harriet Bree is the speedster threat—after she warms up, her eyes become yellow. She's simple to trick, though. Then you have the bruiser of the group, Elm. She can use Aura Roots just like Vine. He's the only thing keeping her this powerful—separate her from Vine, and you'll be fine. Then there's new guy Marrow. He has the power of freezing time. To kill time, let's just tell about our pasts until we get there."

Nozomu's group eventually arrived at Atlas. Jonathan surveyed the city, his face furrowing. "Hell. So this is the hellhole I'm familiar with. Looks like it's deteriorated. Still asking myself why I used to think of it as the greatest kingdom."

Zhenzi agreed. "I'm asking myself the same thing."

Outside of their airship, a skyscraper-sized screen showed General Ironwood speaking, his voice laced with strained authority. "We can never express our gratitude enough. Many call these trying times, and while it may be so for the world at large, I can tell you what is certain. The Kingdom of Atlas will stand strong, and it will stand safe. That is my guarantee."

Jonathan mocked. "Blah, blah, blah. 'I will renege on my promise in a few weeks or months.' No wonder he's showing propaganda—he can't get his job straight."

In air traffic control, an employee noticed an unknown airship on the radar. "Sir, we have an unknown airship! I don't know where they originated. I think I should check in on them."

The boss took a megaphone. "Pilot, check in, or we'll kill you right away."

Jonathan read the call and responded, "Sorry, no time to check in."

The boss sighed. "Okay. Get here for inspection."

Xingren noticed a crowd of Grimm. "So they notice us but not this? Well, I guess I've got to shoot them."

He took his rifle and killed one Grimm but saw that there were more. "Shit, there's more!"

A laser beam sliced swiftly through the Grimm. The city alarms howled. Jonathan spotted a building where they could moor the airship. Getting off, the team, he crossed his arms and grinned.

"Welcome to Atlas—where your dreams become nightmares."

Then, the alarms went off again.

Nozomu cursed. "Shit, they found us."

The Ace-Ops were accompanied by a group of Huntsmen and Huntresses. The Huntsman yelled, "Hey, pal! I'm an authorized Huntsman! I just helped save all of you!"
Clover surveyed his squad. "They do have more, but I do not see all of them. Well, send them on their way!"
Marrow pointed towards a building. "I notice a few in there upstairs."

Jonathan smiled at his team. "Well, time to face Clover once more. I'll be right back. Wait for the right moment, then come bursting in and beat their brains out."

Jonathan leaped out of the building and landed flat in front of Clover. Clover threw a pair of cuffs at him, but Jonathan caught them in mid-air.

"Why, hello there, Luckboy. Did you miss me? Well, you probably didn't."

Clover glared. "Jonathan Vázquez! You're under arrest for hacking into the Atlas security system!"

Jonathan silenced him with a hand over his mouth. "For something I didn't commit? You're wondering why I left so many years ago? Because of the likes of you and James. And you brought your little entourage along, too. And you arrest a group of Hunters who have just saved the city? You ask why people hate James? Because he always lies. Because he doesn't keep his promises. You're afraid to fight back for yourselves because you don't want to get on his bad side—but you shouldn't be. He should be in fear of you. Also. I'm not coming alone this time."

Nozomu, Xingren, and Zhenzi came with Jonathan.

(Cue music: "Payback" by Flaw.)

The fight started. Nozomu's chainsaw sword sprang to life, flames dancing as he lunged at Harriet. She zoomed away, her speed blurring her into a humanoid streak, but Nozomu was ready. With a flick of his wrist, he launched a kunai on a chain. "Get over here!" The blade caught on her ankle and dragged her back towards him. She managed to catch herself just in time before his burning blade landed.

Zhenzi battled Elm, their swords clashing in thunderous bursts. Elm attacked with her hammer, but Zhenzi sidestepped and switched his saber to shotgun mode, shooting her back. Vine attempted to hold her up with Aura Roots, but Xingren telekinetically pushed them away, forcing Elm to fight alone.

Marrow activated his semblance, freezing time momentarily. He lined up a perfect strike on Jonathan, but Jonathan's ice semblance reacted, forming a barrier that shattered on impact. "Nice trick, but I've seen it before," Jonathan taunted, his katanas morphing into pistols as he fired.

Clover flanked, his luck shifting with every strike in his direction. Jonathan waited, watching, then struck at the very moment where luck would not be able to salvage him—a feint that drove Clover into a desperate block. "Fortune runs out eventually," Jonathan sneered.

Clover, battling Jonathan's constant assault, unexpectedly swung his hook weapon. Jonathan moved swiftly, deflecting it mid-air and sending it flying back. Clover stumbled.

"John, stop resisting!" Clover bellowed.

Jonathan sneered, his hold on weapons firming. "Resisting? I'm just warming up."

He threw icy ninja stars at Clover. They hit the ground and broke apart in a splash of ice. A voice groaned in their earpieces. "We're getting close, so whatever you're doing, get it over with."

Jonathan, while in the thick of fighting, responded, "Got it!" He glared at Clover. "Well, I suppose I have to tie up loose ends, Luckboy. But first, let me say this—when your luck finally runs out and this kingdom falls, don't expect to come running to me crying. I was always correct."

The airship lands Nozomu yells "All right mates. We going to wrap it up!" Jonathan Looks at Clover once more "Well So long Clover and also tell James I'm back" Johnathan and the rest of his crew get on the airship and shut the door.

The next day, they flew to Vacuo to fetch Xingren and Zhenzi. When they were ready to leave, General Cooper handed over a file to Jonathan, his eyes scanning the airship.

"Damn, I have no idea how you came to get your hands on that thing. Well, that's your fortune. The Ace-Ops led by Clover Ebi are Atlas' top Huntsmen and Huntresses. or at least that's what the government would have you think. In reality, they are only as skilled as Clover's Good Fortune is. It's not right on the face of it, maybe, but you guys know how to keep it in line."

Jonathan flipped through the documents and addressed his team. "Luckboy? He tried to arrest me and my family before we got out of that shithole."

General Cooper continued, "The second man—Arthur Watts. A scientist by background with Atlas, he even worked on Project Penny. Don't hurt Penny. She's harmless. He then faked his own death and became a career criminal. John, you're going to have a lot of fun with this one, apart from Luckboy."

He handed them the final file. "Tyrian Callows. This is the one you need to watch out for most. He's a psychopath and a serial killer. If you get stabbed by his tail, you're dead. You may be all right with anti-venom, but do be sure to strike him in the tail."

Xigua and Baozi hugged their boyfriends, exchanging quick kisses before the four team members boarded the airship to head to Atlas.

"Well, we're here for a while," Jonathan said. "Let's take a walk through Ace-Ops. We know Clover, of course, but there's more. Harriet Bree is the speedster threat—after she warms up, her eyes become yellow. She's simple to trick, though. Then you have the bruiser of the group, Elm. She can use Aura Roots just like Vine. He's the only thing keeping her this powerful—separate her from Vine, and you'll be fine. Then there's new guy Marrow. He has the power of freezing time. To kill time, let's just tell about our pasts until we get there."

Nozomu's group eventually arrived at Atlas. Jonathan surveyed the city, his face furrowing. "Hell. So this is the hellhole I'm familiar with. Looks like it's deteriorated. Still asking myself why I used to think of it as the greatest kingdom."

Zhenzi agreed. "I'm asking myself the same thing."

Outside of their airship, a skyscraper-sized screen showed General Ironwood speaking, his voice laced with strained authority. "We can never express our gratitude enough. Many call these trying times, and while it may be so for the world at large, I can tell you what is certain. The Kingdom of Atlas will stand strong, and it will stand safe. That is my guarantee."

Jonathan mocked. "Blah, blah, blah. 'I will renege on my promise in a few weeks or months.' No wonder he's showing propaganda—he can't get his job straight."

In air traffic control, an employee noticed an unknown airship on the radar. "Sir, we have an unknown airship! I don't know where they originated. I think I should check in on them."

The boss took a megaphone. "Pilot, check in, or we'll kill you right away."

Jonathan read the call and responded, "Sorry, no time to check in."

The boss sighed. "Okay. Get here for inspection."

Xingren noticed a crowd of Grimm. "So they notice us but not this? Well, I guess I've got to shoot them."

He took his rifle and killed one Grimm but saw that there were more. "Shit, there's more!"

A laser beam sliced swiftly through the Grimm. The city alarms howled. Jonathan spotted a building where they could moor the airship. Getting off, the team, he crossed his arms and grinned.

"Welcome to Atlas—where your dreams become nightmares."

Then, the alarms went off again.

Nozomu cursed. "Shit, they found us."

The Ace-Ops were accompanied by a group of Huntsmen and Huntresses. The Huntsman yelled, "Hey, pal! I'm an authorized Huntsman! I just helped save all of you!"
Clover surveyed his squad. "They do have more, but I do not see all of them. Well, send them on their way!"
Marrow pointed towards a building. "I notice a few in there upstairs."

Jonathan smiled at his team. "Well, time to face Clover once more. I'll be right back. Wait for the right moment, then come bursting in and beat their brains out."

Jonathan leaped out of the building and landed flat in front of Clover. Clover threw a pair of cuffs at him, but Jonathan caught them in mid-air.

"Why, hello there, Luckboy. Did you miss me? Well, you probably didn't."

Clover glared. "Jonathan Vázquez! You're under arrest for hacking into the Atlas security system!"

Jonathan silenced him with a hand over his mouth. "For something I didn't commit? You're wondering why I left so many years ago? Because of the likes of you and James. And you brought your little entourage along, too. And you arrest a group of Hunters who have just saved the city? You ask why people hate James? Because he always lies. Because he doesn't keep his promises. You're afraid to fight back for yourselves because you don't want to get on his bad side—but you shouldn't be. He should be in fear of you. Also. I'm not coming alone this time."

Nozomu, Xingren, and Zhenzi came with Jonathan.

(Cue music: "Payback" by Flaw.)

The fight started. Nozomu's chainsaw sword sprang to life, flames dancing as he lunged at Harriet. She zoomed away, her speed blurring her into a humanoid streak, but Nozomu was ready. With a flick of his wrist, he launched a kunai on a chain. "Get over here!" The blade caught on her ankle and dragged her back towards him. She managed to catch herself just in time before his burning blade landed.

Zhenzi battled Elm, their swords clashing in thunderous bursts. Elm attacked with her hammer, but Zhenzi sidestepped and switched his saber to shotgun mode, shooting her back. Vine attempted to hold her up with Aura Roots, but Xingren telekinetically pushed them away, forcing Elm to fight alone.

Marrow activated his semblance, freezing time momentarily. He lined up a perfect strike on Jonathan, but Jonathan's ice semblance reacted, forming a barrier that shattered on impact. "Nice trick, but I've seen it before," Jonathan taunted, his katanas morphing into pistols as he fired.

Clover flanked, his luck shifting with every strike in his direction. Jonathan waited, watching, then struck at the very moment where luck would not be able to salvage him—a feint that drove Clover into a desperate block. "Fortune runs out eventually," Jonathan sneered.

Clover, battling Jonathan's constant assault, unexpectedly swung his hook weapon. Jonathan moved swiftly, deflecting it mid-air and sending it flying back. Clover stumbled.

"John, stop resisting!" Clover bellowed.

Jonathan sneered, his hold on weapons firming. "Resisting? I'm just warming up."

He threw icy ninja stars at Clover. They hit the ground and broke apart in a splash of ice. A voice groaned in their earpieces. "We're getting close, so whatever you're doing, get it over with."

Jonathan, while in the thick of fighting, responded, "Got it!" He glared at Clover. "Well, I suppose I have to tie up loose ends, Luckboy. But first, let me say this—when your luck finally runs out and this kingdom falls, don't expect to come running to me crying. I was always correct."

The airship lands Nozomu yells "All right mates. We going to wrap it up!" Jonathan Looks at Clover once more "Well So long Clover and also tell James I'm back" Johnathan and the rest of his crew get on the airship and shut the door.

(Music fades away.)

Engines of a gleaming airship roar as it descends onto the landing strip, dust and rubble swirling around. The ramp lowers with a metallic hiss, and a man steps out, arms crossed, a wry smile twisting the corner of his mouth. His sharp eyes scan the gathering before him, lingering a bit longer on Nozomu.

"Well, about time," he drawls, his voice taking on a teasing twist. "I wonder what y'all were doin'. Gettin' a cup of coffee, maybe?"

Nozomu breathes fast, shrugging his shoulders as if to rid himself of the tension of their previous encounter. "We had some trouble, Rusty. The Ace-Ops found us. You could've at least warned 'em to lay off."

Rusty laughs, moving further down the ramp. "Yeah, that's not quite the way it happens, buddy."

A young woman standing next to him crosses her arms, shaking her head. "Even if we'd have wanted to, Nozomu, that sort of trickery would've given away immediately that Rusty and I were working undercover. And that," she goes on, raising an eyebrow, "would've made things a whole lot worse."

Rusty nods, gazing at her. "She's right, Wuhuaguo." He turns back to Nozomu, his expression a bit tougher. "That being the case, what do we do next? When we get back, do you have any other missions for us here—aside from, you know, overthrowing the government and saving the world?"

Jonathan, a few steps behind, takes off his gloves from his hands and then advances. His eyes are sharp with determination. "Actually, there is something. There's going to be an election soon, and we all know who's running against Robin." His lips twist into a sneer as he says the name. "Jacques Schnee. The CEO of the Schnee Dust Company. That man has been manipulating strings for decades, and I'm going to pay the Schnee Manor a visit tomorrow."

Silence follows his statement, the weight of his words settling over the group. They all know what that means.

Rusty whistles lowly. "Damn. You're really going for it, huh?"

Jonathan glances at him. "I didn't come all this way to do nothing."

Meanwhile, at Atlas Academy…

The grand halls of Atlas Academy stand soundly vacant this late in the night. Outside the doors, the city glows with its man-made lights, but within the walls of the military stronghold, tension clings heavy in the air like a storm to come.

In his dimly lit office, General James Ironwood sits at his desk, fingers crossed as he waits. His gaze is fixed on the door, his mind whirling through potential scenarios. He's expecting the intruders to be brought in at any moment.

Instead, the door bursts open and Clover rushes in, panting for breath. His usually stoic face is absent, replaced by wide eyes and shallow gasps.

Ironwood raises an eyebrow. "The hell happened to you?"

Clover leans against the doorframe, still gasping for air. At last, he glances up, his face stern. "He's back."

Ironwood's forehead creases. "Who?"

Clover swallows. "Jonathan Vázquez." He gasps another breath before continuing, "He's back… and he's not alone."

Silence reigns in the room. Ironwood unclenches ever so slightly, taking in this revelation. "Jonathan Vázquez," he repeats, sounding flat. "That's not possible. He's been under the radar long enough. It can't—"

"I'm telling you, it's him," Clover interrupts, standing tall. "I tried to take him into custody, but he fought back—and he dismantled my crew." His jaw clenches. "He's still out there, Ironwood. Maybe it's time we raise his bounty again… and his team's."

Ironwood considers this for a long moment, his expression darkening. Then, he nods. "Very well. Increase the bounty." His voice is firm, commanding. "And bring in Team RWBY and their accomplices. We're not taking any chances."

Clover nods and quickly exits, leaving Ironwood alone in his office.

For the first time in a long while, the general allows himself to feel something close to unease.

Jonathan Vázquez… How much of a problem is he going to be?

As I've said I do apologize for the delay if you don't follow me on Twitter when I was finishing up this chapter originally, Google docs decided to delete the entire document. I was able to salvage some of it but not all. But I hope My wonderful readers enjoyed the chapter!