74

Chapter 74: Throw away the plan!

Beacon Academy, During the Ambush

"So… it's begun?"

Professor Goodwitch nodded, heels clicking against the marble floor as her fingers skimmed the surface of her scroll. "Yes, sir. Oobleck confirms that fighting has broken out at the ambush point." She paused, her brow furrowing as her tone dipped. "He says the White Fang are invading with Paladins."

Ozpin's lips pulled into a thin line, his cane clicking in rhythm with Goodwitch's steps as the two made their way through the darkened halls of Beacon's guest quarters. "I suppose that answers James's question of missing equipment." He sighed heavily, his expression simultaneously determined and blank. "We'll just have to trust that our plannings weren't for naught."

Goodwitch let out a sigh of her own. "Plannings based on the word of Roman Torchwick."

"Roman Rose-," Ozpin corrected, his lips twitching into the faintest smile. "-has admittedly walked a rather different path than I envisioned when he left these halls behind. But, there is no denying that had he not taken his life down such a… crooked path, we would be significantly worse off in our current predicament."

Goodwitch quirked a brow at the Headmaster. "Assuming all the information he provided is still valid… and true."

Ozpin chuckled softly. "It's true, Glynda. At least, Roman believes it all to be true. Given the circumstances, that is beyond the best we could hope for."

Goodwitch's skepticism didn't lessen as she gave Ozpin an appraising look. "And you trust him so easily because…?"

"His eyes," Ozpin responded easily. "When he realized how... uninformed we truly were-" The Headmaster's brow pinched in frustration as he spoke, before quickly smoothing out as he gave his head a small shake. "There was genuine fear in his eyes. He was counting on us interfering with Cinder Fall's plans. When he realized that we didn't have a clue about them…" His lips quirked a bit. "I believe the phrase 'paradigm shift' would sum up his recent actions."

Goodwitch appeared doubtful. "If you say so, sir. It just seems like his change of heart was rather… sudden."

"...I believe that was due to Misses Rose and Xiao-Long." At her curious look, Ozpin explained. "By his own admission, Roman was willfully complicit with Fall and Taurus' plans, until he accidentally put his nieces' lives in jeopardy. His rather generous change of heart is likely him attempting to atone for endangering them."

Goodwitch's brow rose a bit. "You believe he gave up a decade's worth of underworld dealings… just to protect his nieces, who he barely knew?"

Ozpin walked the next few steps in silence, his gaze dipping down slightly as if in thought. "I believe..." he said slowly, staring down the hallway with a faraway look, "That when one's loved ones are put in danger due to their actions… even they do not know how much they will change… how much change they are capable of… in attempting to rectify the damage they've done."

Before Goodwitch could question him further, the two came to a stop at the end of the hall, right in front of the elevators. Ozpin turned to his second-in-command, his usual placid grin back in place. "To summarize, I do believe we can trust Roman's word… and the next few moments will prove that. Is everyone in position?"

The conversation clearly dropped, Goodwitch's eyes went back to her scroll in an instant, fingers ghosting across the screen. "Yes, sir. The building's evacuation finished five minutes ago. Port and Peach confirm that they are ready, as are their assistants."

"And the student body?"

"Under lockdown. The only exceptions are the third-years taking part in their 'surprise exam'..." Goodwitch gave the Headmaster a reprimanding look to make clear her thoughts on that. "Any students currently off-campus have been contacted and found lodgings for the night."

Ozpin nodded in approval. "Good. Ironwood's men?"

"In position, and I will join them shortly to advise. They have eyes on the targets, who seem none the wiser." Goodwitch typed something on her scroll, before adding. "It's a shame Miss Rose was needed at the ambush. This would have been a good opportunity for some unique situational training."

Ozpin smiled at the thought. "Indeed. We'll have to make a note to add it to her second-year curriculum."

Goodwitch's fingers tapped against her scroll briefly. "...done." She looked up at the Headmaster, her collected facade slipping briefly in a show of concern. "Good luck, sir."

Ozpin gave her a reassuring smile, nodding in acknowledgment. "To you as well, Glynda."

Goodwitch nodded back, before marching away back down the hall. Ozpin watched her go for a moment, before calling for the elevator.

"Let the games begin," he murmured to himself with a smile as he stepped through the door.

"Taurus, I swear to everything, if you do not pick up within the next five minutes, I will march down to that pathetic hovel you call a base and-!"

Emerald tried to focus on cleaning her pistols as Cinder paced around the room, trying to seem as noticeable as possible. She looked across the room to the opposite bed, locking eyes with Mercury briefly as he did the same, the boy using a screwdriver to tighten something on his detached prosthetic leg.

It was something of a ritual they had started in the last few weeks. Cinder had been a bit irritable when stuck in one place for too long, and this mission was pushing further than ever before. She'd been managing fine since they'd arrived at Beacon, but recently…

It all started after the complete disaster that was Torchwick's so-called recruitment rally with the White Fang. Between the loss of face with the Faunus, the destruction of one of their Paladin's, combined with Torchwick's apparent complete lack of care regarding either, Cinder was always in a constant state of snapping at the first thing to annoy her. It wasn't too bad if Emerald was honest - she'd experienced much worse in the past - but then things started getting… weird.

Torchwick's communications became erratic and brief, Taurus's even more so. They both gave Cinder the absolute minimum before signing off, then going days without calling back in. Then, as of a week ago, neither had called in. And when Cinder tried to call them… neither responded.

That's when Cinder started going stir crazy.

Without Torchwick and Taurus's communications, Cinder was left effectively blind within the heart of enemy territory. After five days of silence, she'd started to wonder if the two had been caught, or worse… were hiding information, trying to go off with their own agendas.

But, no, that couldn't be it. Taurus had been sounding a bit erratic, but he knew what was at stake… what awaited him should he ruin the plans their shared patron had laid out so carefully. And Torchwick… well, he was just a hired gun. So long as she kept the money flowing, Cinder had little to worry about from the so-called master criminal.

But then… what? Where were they?

As her irritation grew, she started to take out her frustrations on Emerald and Mercury, practically biting their heads off at the slightest provocation. And her definition for 'provocation' had become anything resembling a question. The two teens had been reduced to merely agreeing with whatever Cinder said, sharing tired, exasperated looks behind her back.

Thus, their little ritual. Once the sun went down, the two waited for Cinder to try and make her nightly call to Taurus and Torchwick. While she did, they'd busy themselves with their weapons, armor, and whatever other items they could prepare for battle with at a moment's notice. Eventually, they figured, Taurus or Torchwick would finally call back and explain what the hell was going on. Either that or Cinder would finally reach a breaking point and decide to get answers for herself, consequences be damned. Whichever happened, Emerald and Mercury wanted to be ready to move at a moment's notice.

The fact that it made them both look like they were busy, and thus free from Cinder's scrutiny, was just a bonus.

"Ugh! To hell with this!"

Emerald jumped as Cinder's scroll suddenly whizzed past her head, colliding with the far wall hard enough to leave a dent.

The teens warily looked up from their work. Cinder stood facing away from them, slightly bent over the back of one of the desk chairs, the backrest of which she held in a death grip. Emerald and Mercury shared a glance as they felt a slight but noticeable raised in the room's temperature, both slowly sitting down their tools. Emerald swallowed slightly, gathering her courage as she quietly called out, "C...Cinder?"

Cinder didn't turn around right away, keeping her head bowed as she glared at nothing. Then she let out a harsh breath that bordered on a growl, spinning around and fixing them both with a piercing stare. "Get your weapons. We're heading out."

Instantly, Mercury's face lit up. "Finally!" he muttered under his breath, quickly going about snapping his leg back onto its base.

Emerald started refolding her pistols back into compact mode, eyeing Cinder with concern as the dark woman stomped passed them both, collecting her thrown scroll without a word. "Where to, exactly?" Emerald asked.

"That pathetic little hovel Taurus calls a base," Cinder snapped back, not even trying to hide her irritation. She went over to the rarely-used dresser they all shared, pulling out a few pieces of her jewelry. She had little chance to use it for anything else, given that the three were dressed in their plain clothes thanks to their privacy. "I'm tired of being kept in the dark. I have questions for Taurus, and I expect to get them. One way or the other."

Emerald merely nodded in acceptance, unwilling and unwanting to question Cinder. Though less vocal, she was just as eager as Mercury to get out of the room they'd been trapped in for the last week, no matter the reason.

"Which way do we take out of Beacon?" Mercury asked as he went through the weapons he kept hidden in his coat, making sure they were organized.

"The cliffside path," Cinder answered back as she snapped her golden choker into place. "No one will be using it at this time of night, and there's plenty of places to duck out of sight if-"

Knock, knock, knock.

The three froze, their heads snapping towards the door. This… was new. The whole time they'd been staying at Beacon, they'd only ever had one visitor, the hyperactive professor who showed them to their room in the first place.

Cinder gave her proteges a cautious look, making a subtle signal with her hand. Emerald gave a brief nod, sharing a glance with Mercury as she holstered her pistols. She sat back down on her bed, picking up on of the magazines strewn across the floor and turning to a random page. Mercury flopped back on his bed, putting one of his legs into his lap and retrieving his screwdriver, fiddling with the prosthetic in an attempt to look busy.

Satisfied with their appearance, Cinder went to the door, opening it. "Hello-" She stopped mid-word, instantly putting Emerald and Mercury on edge.

"Hello, my dear."

Emerald and Mercury's heads snapped up in shock. There was no mistaking that voice. Standing in the doorway was Professor Ozpin, smiling at Cinder as if his appearance was completely normal.

Cinder quickly wiped the shock from her face, her mask of 'visiting Haven student' slipping into place. "Headmaster! This is a surprise."

Emerald couldn't help the faint quirk of her lips, which she hid behind her magazine. It was always strange to hear Cinder speak like… well, a normal girl, without the smugness and superiority underlying her words.

Ozpin gave Cinder a kind smile. "My apologies for the sudden intrusion, Miss. Could I come in for a moment?"

Cinder stilled slightly, and Emerald gripped her magazine a little tighter. "Um, may I ask why?" Cinder asked as she drummed her fingers on the doorframe, the picture of nervousness. "Our room is, um… not quite presentable at the moment."

To their dismay, Ozpin merely chuckled lightly. "Miss, I have been a Professor of this school for quite some time. I am aware of the condition most of my student body keeps their dorms in. Whatever mess yours may hold, I assure you I've seen worse." Without another word, Ozpin took a step to enter the room, and Cinder was left with little option but to open the door further for him, lest she risk blowing their cover.

Ozpin looked over the room, nodding politely to Emerald and Mercury as he passed them. Their eyes followed his every movement while trying not to be obvious about it. "I must say, I don't know what you were worried about. I wish my students kept their disorder to such a small scale." He punctuated his statement by tapping his cane against one of Mercury's discarded shirts, nudging it under the nearby dresser.

Cinder had apparently reached the end of her patience, a look of frustration passing over her face when the Headmaster's back was to her. "Not to be rude, but is there a reason you are here, Headmaster?"

Ozpin glanced back at her briefly, before going back to analyzing the room. "Merely making the rounds as I and the faculty check on our guests." He looked over Emerald with a particularly sharp gaze, making her fight not to squirm. He gave Mercury the same look, before turning back to Cinder, looking her up and down. "Were you all going somewhere? Forgive me for saying so, but it's rather late to start a night on the town, isn't it?"

"It's only eight o'clock… sir." Cinder added the title like an afterthought, irritation bleeding through her voice as the man spoke down to her like she was a meer teenager… which was what she'd been aiming for, but still.

Ozpin gave a small nod as he looked out the window, towards the glittering lights of the cityscape. "True, I suppose. My apologies, at my age, anytime past six seems late." He took a deep breath as he looked over the skyline, before facing the three again. "Unfortunately, I'm afraid you'll have to reschedule your plans. I've placed Beacon on lockdown and high alert this evening. No one enters, no one leaves."

Instantly the three tensed, Mercury and Emerald sharing worried looks while Cinder's eyes widened. "For… what reason, sir?" Her voice had noticeably lowered, her mask slipping slightly in her surprise.

Ozpin's calm expression didn't change, but… Emerald could have sworn something had shifted in his eyes. "Well, there's a bit of a situation happening down in Vale proper. Something of a war has broken out between the Atlassian forces in the city and some activist group. I assume you've heard of the White Fang?"

The silence in the room was deafening. Cinder's fingers twitched slightly as she managed to say, her voice perhaps a little too calm, "In passing."

Ozpin gave her an appraising look. "I see," he said, his tone implying… something. The Headmaster then took a deep breath, pressing on. "Well, then you can understand why I might want to ensure the safety of my students… in more ways than one."

Cinder was tensing, making Emerald and Mercury straighten up, the same thought going through their heads. "And why would that bring you here… sir?" Her voice lowered dangerously with her last word, her eyes flashing threateningly.

Ozpin stared her down, not intimidated in the slightest. "To hopefully stop another potential problem before it begins. While Taurus is otherwise occupied, I thought it best to secure any possible loose threads he might be connected with. Two birds with one stone, if you will, Miss. Or, should I say…" Something in the Headmaster's eyes shifted, a look that conflicted with his calm facade. "Maiden?"

Cinder's eyes shot wide. Orange flames enveloped her hands, making Emerald and Mercury leap to action. Emerald drew her army green pistols out from behind her back. Mercury drew a small dagger from within his sleeve, at the same time stomping both feet to induced the tell-tale sound of loading rounds. When the flames around Cinder's hands died down, they revealed a mechanical bow, an arrow already notched as Cinder took aim at Ozpin's chest.

For his part, Ozpin's brow merely raised a bit, his smile looking almost amused. "I'll take that to mean you won't come quietly?"

"You know," Cinder said sharply.

"I know," Ozpin confirmed, his smile not lessening in the slightest.

Cinder let out a sharp breath through her nose, her eyes darting up and down Ozpin's form. "So, what's all this then? Just wanting to toy with us before fighting us all by yourself?"

Ozpin just gave a small shake of his head. "Not quite. I'm not one for needless fighting. I prefer to take… a different approach, if possible. A less violent one."

Cinder scoffed, rolling her eyes at the man's apparent superiority. Emerald felt a bit of the tension in her shoulders lessen at her flippancy, trusting that her leader was still the one in control. "And what's to stop us from just killing you here and now and leaving?"

Ozpin pretended to think for a moment. "Hmm. Well, for starters I'm very curious to know where you would go. Your options are rather limited."

Cinder gave a small chuckle. "You'd be surprised, old man."

To her annoyance, Ozpin merely rose a single brow at her words. "As would you, my dear. Let's see… well, the airfield's most obvious, but I'm afraid it's been rented out by the Atlassian military for the night to store their supplies. Quite the contingent stationed there." Ozpin felt the corner of his lip quirk upwards when Cinder's eye gave the faintest twinge. "The Emerald Forest? No, no, that wouldn't work. The third years are currently having a nightlong survival exercise at the forest boundary. The Grimm population has grown a tad too large and must be thinned. Perfect chance to simulate a Grimm siege.

"The mountain road? The hiking paths? Hmm, I'm afraid they've been blocked off for the night. Soldiers at every path, something about a breach in security. No one in or out of the campus tonight. If you manage to get a signal out, you could perhaps call for a pickup, but…" Ozpin paused, glancing out the window as a shadow fell over the campus grounds. For a brief moment, Cinder felt her heart leap, thinking that somehow rescue had arrived. Her hopes were dashed when Ozpin turned back to her, his serene smile now having a hint of smugness. "I sincerely doubt they'll have a chance of getting past that."

Cinder swallowed, her irritation at the man's confidence warring with her growing dread. "Mercury," she said sharply, making the boy jump. She looked back at him out of the corner of her eye, refusing to face away from Ozpin.

The gray-haired teen hesitated for just a second, his eyes flicking between Cinder and Ozpin nervously. Keeping his eyes on Ozpin the whole time, Mercury moved to the window farthest away from the Headmaster. He looked out and immediately paled.

"Mercury?" Cinder called, irritated and worried about the boy's reaction. "Mercury, what is it?"

The boy swallowed thickly, slowly backing away from the window, Ozpin forgotten. He didn't speak until he was back at Cinder's side, giving her a wide-eyed look. "One of the Atlassian airships is hovering above the school."

Cinder felt her mouth part, dimly hearing Emerald give a panicked "What!?" Her head snapped back to Ozpin, whose face hadn't changed from that confident smile.

"Despite my initial feelings on the subject, I must admit: it is rather nice having a friend in high places." He took a deep breath, releasing that contented sigh. "Of course, all this is dependent on you getting out of this building. I have my professors stationed on every exit, each one backed with a squadron of Atlassian soldiers. Including the rooftop access."

Cinder could feel her fury rising even as a cold pit formed in her stomach. Her mind raced as she tried to think of something. "How did you know?" she growled, managing a bit more fire as she took a step forward.

Ozpin made no move to get away from her, keeping up that serene smile that just seemed to make her even angrier. "What specifically, my dear?"

Cinder growled again, raising her bow a little higher. "Our escape routes. Our plans. Us!" Mercury and Cinder jumped at her sudden shout, but she was beyond caring. "How did you know!?"

For the first time, Ozpin's smile lessened to something more businesslike, his tone growing more serious. "It's quite simple, Miss Fall. You and your companions are not the only ones with inside information. And frankly, if not for him, there was a distressingly good chance that your plan would have worked."

Cinder made an audible growl, Mercury and Emerald tensing as she advanced on the professor. She kept glaring at Ozpin, though her expression was quickly turning less furious and more desperate. "Who? Who told you all that!?"

Ozpin's lips quirked back into an amused smirk. "He left a message for you. I quote, 'It was fun while it lasted, Cinder, but I've about had my fill of crazy. Best of luck to you… Matchstick."

Cinder's mouth fell open, her eyes blowing wide. "Torchw-!"

Crash!

With all the force of a gunshot, the windows behind Ozpin shattered. The three criminals flinched back, only for two of them to immediately let out startled yelps of pain. Mercury clasped his hand to his neck, yanking away a small metal dart embossed with the Beacon crest, Emerald doing the same with the one poking out of her shoulder.

Emerald squinted at the dart in confusion. "What the-ugh!"

Emerald and Mercury fell to their knees as electricity danced across their skin. The teens gasped in pain, their weapons slipping from their grasp as their fingers twitched uncontrollably.

Cinder's eyes shot wide, taking a startled step back as her followers spasmed on the ground. Her breath hitched as she heard a small click behind her, whirling back around right as she felt a sharp twinge in her neck.

Ozpin stood serenely in front of her, still aiming what looked like a small-caliber pistol at her. Cinder instinctively reached up and yanked out the dart sticking from her neck. She raised her bow back up, the head of the arrow aflame. But before she could move further, her muscles seized as electricity seemed to course through her veins. Her bow tumbled from her grasp, fading away in flames as the lightning dust froze her in place. Through sheer willpower she remained standing, her whole body shuddering through the strain.

Ozpin raised a brow at her stubbornness. "He also advised that this would be the best way to incapacitate you without a fight. It would seem I have no reason to argue with that assessment."

Cinder snarled through the pain, forcing her words out through clenched teeth. "T-Torchwick… betrayed us…?"

Ozpin's smirk lessened slightly, back to his usual smile. "I'm afraid so. Roman has always had a rather skewed view of law and order, but even he has his limits. And this little escapade of yours? Taking over military forces, unleashing Grimm, the fall of a Kingdom capital; death and destruction on a rather massive scale?" He shook his head in bemusement. "Even Roman has standards."

Cinder breathed in rough, ragged breaths, her rage at Torchwick being overwhelmed by the panic at her situation. "What… what is this?"

"A wonderful little concoction Professor Peach prepare just for you three," Ozpin explained, his tone no different than if he were lecturing in front of a class. "A powerful tranquilizer combined with just a pinch of lightning dust. The dust locks your muscles just long enough for the tranquilizer to do its work. Uncomfortable, I'm sure, but quite harmless."

There was a loud thud has Mercury fell flat on his face, his body twitching for a few seconds more before going still. A light groan escaped the boy as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Ozpin quirked a brow at the boy's prone form. "Perhaps a tad too effective, though."

"C...Cinder…?" Emerald rasped fearfully, as her red eyes growing cloudy before she collapsed into a heap beside Mercury, the last thing she saw being Cinder's panicked eyes as she watched her fall.

Ozpin clicked his tongue, looking at the two sadly. "Led so far astray so young." He turned his attention back to Cinder, raising a brow a bit at how she was still standing. "It may take a little longer to affect you than them. I know you are a bit more... Resilient than the average person, hence the need for the extra lightning dust I requested for these rounds." He lifted the pistol a little higher in reference. "Don't worry. It should kick in fairly soon."

Cinder snarled as best she could with her teeth locked as they were. She glared hatefully at Ozpin, disbelief fueling her fury. She tried to reach deep within herself, past her Semblance to the raw power simmering just beneath. She could feel the fire building, a tingling just beneath her skin unrelated to the dart. She stared right into Ozpin's smug, smirking face, picturing the fury she wanted to unleash upon the man, waiting for the rush of power to surge from her that would make her desire reality.

But it never came.

Cinder's eyes shot even wider as the seconds ticked by in electrified agony. She could feel the power burning, raging just under her skin, but it wouldn't unleash. It felt as if her skin had become a barrier, trapping the power within it. A flicker of fear shot through her as she watched Ozpin's grin widen slightly. "H-How?"

Ozpin pushed his pince-nez a little higher up the bridge of his nose, using the same hand with which he held the tranq pistol. "I presume you're asking why you can't use your Maiden powers?" At seeing her eyes nearly pop out of her skull, Ozpin let out a small breath of a laugh. "I am aware of who, or rather, what you are, Miss Fall. At full power, there is admittedly little I could do against you. But with the powers halved as you've made them? I know a trick or two to keep your powers at bay. Not for very long, I admit... But long enough for the tranquilizer to do its job."

Suddenly, the shocks running through her body ceased, and Cinder had control of her body again. But the sheer ache and the pounding of her head the moment she was left under her own power nearly drove her to her knees. She grit her teeth, shaking her head violently as she tried to fight through the grogginess weighing her down.

Ozpin let out a deep sigh as he watched Cinder struggle to stay upright. "It's over, Miss Fall. Frankly, I don't know what you hoped to accomplish with this whole endeavor, but it has failed. The White Fang is finished, your escape routes have been cut off, and you are not in a position to use them. At this point, you're only causing yourself more pain. For your own sake, please stop."

Cinder snarled as she tried to move, ignoring the Headmaster's words. There was a way out, there had to be a way out. To fail at this point, so early… Her retribution would be…

Cinder forced everything she had on her right arm. The raging, burning inferno of pure power just beneath her skin. The fear, anger, the sheer desperation to succeed, to win, to do something to belay the fate that would await her if she failed.

The palm of Cinder's right hand ignited, flame and electricity being torn from within. With a scream of fear, pain, and rage, Cinder forced her arm up.

Ozpin"s eyes widened for a split second, before narrowing dangerously. He lifted his cane at the exact moment Cinder forced her arm up, smacking her arm aside.

BOOM!

Glass and stone exploded out into the open air as Cinder let fly what looked like a flaming lightning bolt right over Ozpin's shoulder. Smoke filled the air as the wall behind Ozpin crumbled, raining debris onto the grounds below. The contents of the room were sent flying, loose paper and clothing blown back from the shockwave of the blast. The sound of the explosion echoed throughout the campus grounds, bouncing from building to building.

Ozpin stared Cinder down, not even flinching as flames sprung up at his heels. He kept his cane pressed firmly against her forearm, contemplating whether or not to shoot her with another dose of tranquilizer before she retaliated again. It quickly became apparent that there was no need: whatever strength Cinder had mustered for her desperate attack had fled. The dark woman could only stare at Ozpin in shock and desperation, her legs shaking as she tried to remain standing. The sleeve of her dress had been shredded, rivulets of dark blood trailing down her arm from a deep gash at the center of her palm, the skin around it seared and burned.

Ozpin took a slow breath, willing his heart too slow at his brush with near death. "I admire your tenacity, Miss Fall," he said lowly, his tone firm. "But I'm afraid you've exhausted your last option. It's over. You cannot win. Not even with powers that are not your-"

Before Ozpin could finish his sentence, Cinder's eyes grew glassy, her legs giving out. The headmaster instinctually surged forward, catching the woman before she hit the ground. His arms went under hers, her head inadvertently falling on his shoulder. Grunting slightly as the woman's weight fell on him, Ozpin tightened his hold on her to keep her from slipping out of his grip…

A jolt shot through Ozpin's body. His breath hitched, his eyes blowing wide.

"...own…" He breathed weakly.

Something… a sensation washed over him. A feeling like unearthly warmth, blazing and wild, that pulsed randomly with chilling cold.

Ozpin's pupils shrank to pinpricks. "...no…"

The feeling was… uncontrolled. Rebellious. Dangerous.

"No… no, please, no…"

And achingly, painfully familiar.

"...no. No, no…" With trembling hands and shaky breaths, Ozpin slowly pushed Cinder away, just enough to look Cinder in the eyes. Ozpin's eyes flicked around the woman's features as if looking for something specific. "...Fall?" he asked, his voice faint, disbelieving.

Cinder just stared back, unable to muster her former anger due to the tranquilizer spreading through her. Her brow pinched in confusion at the change in Ozpin's tone. "Wh...Wha…" She could only manage a few vaguely word-sounding breaths before her eyes rolled back in her head, her body going fully limp.

Ozpin dropped the dart gun, nearly falling as he brought himself and Cinder slowly to the ground. Heavy, choppy breaths escape his mouth as Ozpin stared at Cinder's sleeping face, head shaking slightly in denial. His hand started moving on its own, gently cupping behind Cinder's head before moving to rest back on his shoulder. Ozpin's arms tightened around the woman, closing his eyes as he bowed his head.

For one brief moment, Ozpin let himself forget. He forgot that he was the Headmaster of Beacon, teacher of hundreds of students, defender of a city and kingdom that shared the same name. He forgot that the person he held was a full-grown woman, who had intended to tear down all he'd worked for, to harm all he protected.

For one brief moment, he was just a man, reliving a moment lost lifetimes ago.

"Sir?"

In an instant, the illusion was broken. Ozpin's eyes snapped open, blinking away the faint wetness trying to form at their corners. Goodwitch was staring down at him, confusion-bordering-on-concern etched on her face. Looking past her, he could see two of his Hunters restraining Mercury and Emerald, cuffing the unconscious teens before carefully lifting them off the ground.

Ozpin's face hardened. Ignoring the trembling in his arms, he carefully laid Cinder -manipulator, criminal, likely-murderess Cinder- on the ground in front of him. Collecting his cane from where he dropped it, the Headmaster pushed himself to his feet. "My apologies, Glynda," he said in an echo of his usual tone, his eyes still on Cinder's slumbering form.

Goodwitch gave the Headmaster a peculiar look, glancing briefly between him and Cinder. "Sir… are you alright? Did she say something before passing out?"

Ozpin let out a slow breath through his nose. "Nothing quite so simple," he said quietly to himself. Looking up to meet Goodwitch's eyes, he hesitated before stating, "I was just lost in… an old memory."

Goodwitch blinked at him, her brow rising slightly. "I… see." She looked back down at Cinder, now frowning thoughtfully. "Should we move her to the cell we prepared?"

Ozpin looked back down at Cinder for a moment. "...yes. Have Peach prepare another dose of suppressants for when she wakes up. Try to keep her sedated in the meantime." He continued gazing at Cinder's sleeping form until a pair of Atlassian soldiers maneuvered their way through the door and around him, wheeling a stretcher with them. He watched as they restrained her limbs at the wrists and ankles, before lifting the woman onto the stretcher.

Goodwitch nodded, fingers flying across her scroll as the two men wheeled the sleeping Half-Maiden out of the room, following behind the men who had similarly restrained Mercury and Emerald. Goodwitch watched Ozpin as they left, quirking a brow at how his eyes never left Cinder until they were around the corner. Hoping to draw his attention back to the matter at hand, she continued firmly. "I received a message from Ironwood a few minutes ago. Taurus has been apprehended and the fighting has begun to wind down."

Ozpin blinked at her words before turning around. A small genuine smile was coaxed out of him at the news. "Good. Any word of casualties?"

Goodwitch's fingers paused for just a moment, but it was enough to put Ozpin on edge. Goodwitch resumed her typing as she spoke. "He's sent no word of any deaths yet, but there are injuries in the dozens on both sides, ranging from broken bones to serious burns. None declared life-threatening…" Goodwitch paused, sighing deeply as she typed out a brief message on her scroll. "Save one."

Ozpin felt a great weight land in his stomach, his lips pulling into a fine line. "Who?" he asked, knowing that Goodwitch wouldn't show such a reaction unless the person involved had specific significance in some way.

Goodwitch met his gaze with a guilty grimace. "Weiss Schnee."

Ozpin sucked in a sudden deep breath through his nose. He let it out slowly, his eyes briefly turning upwards to the heavens. "...Damn," he muttered quietly under his breath.

Goodwitch gave a small single nod, agreeing with the sentiment. "She's currently onboard Ironwood's flagship, and she's… being prepped for surgery."

His focus now fully on her, Ozpin asked, "Her injuries?"

Goodwitch huffed lightly under her breath, tapping her scroll until the appropriate information reappeared. "She was stabbed through the chest by Adam Taurus." Ozpin's face reflected the grimace she knew she had on her own. "The blow was unfocused, luckily, and missed her spine and internal organs. But… there's a complication."

Ozpin simply rose a brow, waiting for her to go on.

More tapping as Goodwitch explained. "The blade Taurus used was infused with his Semblance at the time. Miss Schnee's aura has been completely negated around the wound, and it's playing havoc on the organs around it. Specifically her right lung."

Ozpin's brow pinched in thought. "Aura Infection?"

"Possibly, or something similar. The doctors in their medical bay are preparing for the worst."

Ozpin put a hand to his forehead, rubbing his temples to alleviate the migraine he felt coming. "Tell him that they have Beacon's resources and personnel at their disposal, should they need them." He waited a moment for Goodwitch to finish typing before asking, "I trust that you have this current matter in hand?"

Goodwitch looked up from her scroll, a bit surprised at the sudden question. "I… believe so, sir."

Ozpin gave her a respectful nod. "Good. In that case, I think I'll return to my quarters for the night. Should an emergency arise, do not hesitate to call me."

Still confused but a bit more mollified, Goodwitch nodded in return. "Of course, sir," she said, waving towards a soldier waiting patiently to speak with her.

Ozpin flashed her one last serene smile, before turning on his heel to walk out. When he reached the doorway, however, he paused. He slowly turned his head back to look at the still-smoldering hole burned through the concrete and plaster. He turned his head away, closing his eyes and bowing his head in contemplation. He let out of weary sigh, his shoulders lowering "Glynda?"

Goodwitch turned away from her conversation with a soldier to face him, surprised to see him standing in the doorway, facing away from her. "Yes, sir?"

Ozpin hesitated, his eyes firmly on his shoes. "Once he's settled with tonights… events… I want you and James to join me tomorrow morning for a discussion."

Goodwitch frowned at the soft, almost helpless tone Ozpin spoke in. "Regarding… what, if I may ask?"

Ozpin took a steadying breath as he lifted his head, straightening up a bit as his voice gained a firm edge. "The truth."

Goodwitch blinked at the statement, a question forming on her lips, but Ozpin had already walked out of the room. His cane thudded softly against the crimson carpet as he made his way down the hall, following the familiar path of the elevators.

He moved through the campus grounds on autopilot. No one stopped him as he left the guest quarters and started across the courtyard, the Atlassian soldiers and Hunters milling about apparently deciding the Headmaster was in deep thought, not to be disturbed. He paused only twice, once to look back at the smoldering hole blown out of guest quarters' fourth floor, and again when he heard the whine of a Bullhead engine cut through the eerie silence of the grounds. He watched as an Atlassian Bullhead lifted off from the airfield, flying directly to the largest of the airships hanging over the city with its captured cargo.

He encountered no one as he took the winding well-worn path back to his office, the student body still safe within their dorns due to the lockdown. He rode the elevator in silence, stepping into his office as if it was a stranger's room. He stared briefly at his desk, before walking past it to his living quarters.

Once inside, he found himself standing in the middle of his darkened living room, at a loss for what to do next. On a whim he went to the kitchen, going through the motions of making a new pot of coffee. As he waited for the pot to fill he tried to make sense of the jumbled thoughts running through his head, trying to think through the emotions he refused to acknowledge.

He sipped the coffee slowly, trying to take comfort in something familiar. Something normal. Something he could focus on instead of the complete and utter trainwreck he had just set as his destination.

He didn't know what had come over him. Or rather, he didn't want to admit what had come over him when he said those parting words to Goodwitch. He had fleeting thoughts of how he could avoid what he'd set into motion, though common sense shoved those thoughts away.

Shaking his head slowly, he made his way back to the living room, towards one of the many display shelves scattered around the room. Several odd, ancient objects were stored within the glass cases. To anyone else, they would merely look like the product of an old man's hobby, a collection of oddities to gawk at. Nothing more than sculptures. Antiques.

Relics.

Ozpin stared silently at the collection, ignoring how his reflection stared back at him through the glass.

"Damn it." he cursed under his breath, pressing a hand to his head. "Damn it all." He heaved a heavy sigh. "Decades. Centuries. Entire lifetimes passed, and I'm lucky to encounter even one of them, if at all."

He turned away from the relics, his eyes drifting around the room. Eventually, they were drawn to the only source of light: that which was shining through a nearby window. He walked up to it, a great weight settling in his chest as he looked briefly at the glittering lights of Vale's skyline, then up towards Remnant's shattered moon.

"Now, you send me all four within one lifetime. First Summer, then Winter… and now Spring and Fall within weeks of each other. And each one hurting or broken…" He sucked in a harsh breath, his voice gaining an accusatory tone. "Is this your idea of a kindness? Or have you simply reached new heights in cruelty?"

Ozpin stared at the moon intently, as if waiting for, demanding an answer. With a deep breath, he turned away from the window, shaking his head in his foolishness. He didn't have time to waste on forces that would not listen, on answers he would never get. Instead, he walked the length of the room to the numerous bookshelves he kept in the corner, packed tightly with old leather-bound books and ancient scrolls.

His eyes skimmed across the faded titles, some written in languages long-forgotten, before taking one down. He opened it, flipping through brittle yellowed pages before snapping it shut. He pulled down a second, then a third, then several of the scrolls. His arms loaded down, he made his way to the sitting room, laying them all out on the coffee table.

He laid his cane gently across the length of the table beside his cooling coffee, sinking into a red leather armchair. He put his elbows on his knees, leaning over the table as he rested his chin on his overlaid hands. "Where to begin?" he murmured to himself.

After a few moments of indecision, he picked one of them at random, a thin leather-bound book with no title. He flipped it open to a random page, eyes skimming across the contents briefly before stopping in surprise. He flipped back to the very first page of the book, at the words handwritten on the inner cover. Despite everything, he couldn't stop a small half of a laugh from passing his lips at the sight of his own handwriting.

"Well… if I'm going to do this… I suppose the very beginning is the best place."

Betaed by Covert Weapon

A:n: Never said who's plan it was, did I?

Hehe, yeah… y'all have been telling me for a while you don't care if I mess with the lore. Hope that still holds true, cuz we're not just going off the rails this time. We're getting on a whole different train.

Part of the reason this one took so long to get out was me battling on exactly how believable it was for Ozpin to pull all this off and for Cinder to go down so easily. But eventually, I just decided to use Batman rules: give the man a bio on his enemy and a week's worth of prep time, and he could take down anyone short of a god.

Actually, now that I think about it… double identity no one would believe, best friends with a man with incredible power with complete opposite viewpoints (Ironwood), a second hand man (or woman) who handles all the day-to-day stuff (Glynda), access to incredibly expensive futuristic technologies, always keeping secrets, teaching numerous underage children how to fight crime… Ozpin is RWBY's Batman!

I'd say the next chapter shouldn't take too long… but given my track record, I guess that doesn't mean much anymore. The downside of writing two popular stories at once. So let's just settle up for this: no matter how long it takes me to get the next chapter out, be assured that I'm always working on it. This story will finish.

Oh, and don't worry about Cinder and her little entourage. They ain't out of the story, not by a long shot. I gots plans. Crazy plans.

So, next chapter! Act III comes to a close as we check in with the RWBYs… and a new player enters the game.