13

I let out a sigh of relief as I stepped off the dust ship and back onto the firm ground of Beacon academy, the kids rushing out of the vehicle in a single chaotic group.

Words cannot express how thankful I am that my anti-nausea tonic lasted this long.

"Well it was certainly an…interesting fight." Pyrrha finally said as she looked back towards me as she commented on team SSSN's match.

Ren nodded his head. "Quite a comeback at the end." He remarked, still engaging in an ongoing game of keep away with Nora, trying to protect the last of his popcorn from her clutches, giving a few pieces to Po as he reached for some.

"They would have been fun to fight!" Nora said happily still reaching for Ren's food even as he palmed her away.

Sage said nothing, only giving a light grunt as he stepped off the bullhead, clearly not pleased with how he had been the first one to be taken out in the match. His stoic demeanour was slightly offset by the fact that several of the kids were using him as an impromptu ride, sitting on his shoulders or swinging from his arms.

Sage didn't care whenever the kids were around. Claimed it was a form of strength training. Some days I didn't blame him.

But hey it could have been much worse.

"You doing okay Scarlet?" I asked hesitantly the red head once more wearing his signature coat as well as pressing an ice pack to his crotch as he hobbled forward.

"Oh do I look like I'm hurt?" Scarlet remarked, musing aloud. "It's almost as if one of my own teammates managed to get me hit in the balls!" He said glaring in Sun's direction.

Sun held up a finger defensively. "Hey for the record I didn't throw them at you. They just got smacked back by my opponent and then they hit you." As he said this he grabbed the leg of a kicking Xatsu as he rolled on the ground with one of his brothers in yet another brawl and placed him to the side.

"Hey come on guys, be cool." Neptune said stepping between them, giving his signature sparkly grin and steeping over the twins attempt at tripping him over as he did so. "We won didn't we?"

"No thanks to you." Sage muttered dryly causing an outburst of snickers to break out among the group.

"Hey I took out the last three of them at once!" Neptune said defensively, looking at the rest of us for some recognition of his efforts.

Scarlet scoffed. "Not before your fear of puddles had you running to the other end of the field."

"I am NOT AFRAID OF WATER!" Neptune denied stubbornly, yet again ignoring all evidence to the contrary.

As the four boys once again started their recurring argument on Neptune's "non-existent" fear of water I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

This is going to take a while.

Okay time for a headcount.

Team SSSN.

Check.

Team JNPR.

Check.

Kids.

Chec…

I quickly turned recounting the little heads running about and swore internally.

Buggar.

One short.

"Has anyone seen Andy?" I asked turning around to face the others.

A sea of shaking heads replied and I fought the urge to say anything I shouldn't in front of the kids.

I felt something pull on one of my sleeves and I looked down to see Ana yanking on it, still bundled up in her big fur jumper, looking straight into my eyes.

I knelt down so I was level with the quiet girl and gave a soft smile. "Did you see where Andy went?" I asked politely.

Ana nodded silently, raising an arm to point further down the path.

I grinned, mussing up Ana's hair with one hand. "That's my girl."

I turned to face the others, going to start talking when Pyrrha raised a hand, an understanding smile on her face. "Don't worry, you run ahead and go get Andy, we'll catch up with you later."

With that I turned and started sprinting off down the path, eyes peeled for Andy's small monkey form.

I spun through a gap between two different groups of people, and my eyes caught sight of the distinctive sign of Andy in his bright orange clothing.

One of the small mercies of the fact Andy always wandered off, his headache inducing clothes were always easy to spot in a crowd.

Andy turned towards the commotion I was causing, one hand still rummaging around his kids size popcorn only to drop it when he caught sight of me, all color draining from his face.

If Andy was smart he would give up the ghost now, surrender and accompany me back to the others.

Andy spun on his heel sprinting in the other direction, barrelling through anyone that got in his path. "You'll never take me alive!" He shrieked as he tried to escape into the crowd.

Sadly Andy is rarely that smart.

I started sprinting after him, my much longer legs allowing me to close the distance quickly. "Run and you'll only die tired!" I roared after him, leaping over a trash can that Andy had collided with in his attempted escape.

Andy looked back, saw me almost upon him and yelped, turning back to face the other way. "Secret technique: Hyper Speed Boost!" Andy yelled, legs pumping twice as fast, his shoes not even touching the ground as he tried to escape me.

Although that had a lot less to do with Andy's supposed 'Hyper Speed Boost' and more due to the fact I had picked him up by his collar before he could try to make another break for it.

I started chuckling darkly, hoisting up the still struggling Andy so he was face to face with me. "Oho, I'm going to make your punishment a thing of legend." I promised with a bright cheerful smile on my face that seemed directly in contrast with what I was saying.

Andy let out a rather pathetic sounding whimper at that, no doubt flashing back to some of the more memorable punishments the Old Bastard and I had come up with to deal with the young faunus' antics. Then he looked over to the side, his eyes widening as they did so. "What's going on over there?" He asked pointing towards something even as I held him.

I gave the little troublemaker I was still holding in front of me an exceptionally dry look. "Really?" I asked finally, staring at him unimpressed. "Look over there? What's next? Look a distraction?"

That had to be the most pathetic attempt to escape me so far.

The sound of something metal crashing into the ground drew my attention, coming from the direction that Andy had been pointing.

Or maybe something was going on over there.

There was a large crowd starting to gather, watching whatever it was that had caused the commotion.

I moved over to see what the cause was, still maintaining a tight grip on Andy's collar. He wasn't getting out of it that easily.

Standing in the middle of the still increasing crowd stood two different people each of them new to me, both in the middle of a heated argument.

On one side stood a man, the hilt of some kind of weapon poking out from behind his back, standing among the scattered remains of two of Atlas' new androids which he appeared to have taken apart with his bare hands.

I mentally placed him firmly within the 'could probably kick my ass in a fight' category.

He wore a grey long sleeved collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up, long black pants and similarly black shoes. He also wore a necklace of some kind but I couldn't make out of what from where I was standing. He also had a cape, albeit a fairly tattered one that ended just above his knees, partially obscuring his weapon in the process. His hair wasn't just one colour, rather it started as black and seemed to have grey highlights at various points and was trailing over his eyes a bit as well. And speaking of his eyes, they were red. Not as if he'd had a long night before hand, they were literally red.

And from the way he was staggering a bit, I'm guessing he's drunk.

I frowned slightly scratching my head. I know I've never met him but I feel like I might have seen him before…

But where?

In the city somewhere?

No that wasn't it.

Gah, this is going to drive me insane later.

On the other side of this encounter was what I had to say would be Weiss' sister.

Or mother.

Because the first thought that came to mind when I saw her was 'oh look, a bigger Weiss.'

Looks like Weiss has nothing to worry about in the height department as she's set to grow at least another foot taller if this Schnee's any indication.

She was dressed in a manner that was easily comparable to that of Weiss heavily favouring white as well as the red inside the collar but from there the differences started appearing. Unlike Weiss instead of a dress she an expensive looking white overcoat over a very formal looking white and blue outfit, with boots that extended all the way up her legs much like Pyrrha's and although not blatantly armour like my partner's I'd guess they had a least a little protection provided to them.

And she had four more of the Atlesian Knights accompanying her.

"Well, you know what you really are? A bunch of sellouts." The man called out, narrowing his eyes at the elder Schnee as he did so. "Just like your boss."

The woman's eyes narrowed as well in response to that. "I'm not sure what you think you're implying, but I've heard enough." She said firmly one hand clenching as she did so as Weiss continued to look back and forth at the interplay between the two.

"Oh I heard, too." The man agreed his hands held up in seeming surrender. "I heard ol' Ironwood finally turned his back on Ozpin." He finished, dropping his hands and levelling a hard look at the older Schnee.

"Ozpin?" Weiss spoke up, turning towards her relative inquisitorially, clearly having no idea what she was going on about.

I didn't blame her. It wasn't like everyone knew what was going down between those two. The only reason I had any hints towards it was because of the Old Bastard.

The woman in white put a hand on Weiss shoulder, firmly pushing her to the side, her eyes still locked on the man before her as she did so. "Weiss, it's time for you to go." She stated, more a command than anything else.

"What-" Weiss began, clearly wanting to know what was going on before the drunken man called out, interrupting her.

"Listen to big sister, Weiss. She'll protect you." The man said almost mockingly, gesturing broadly as he did so. "Just like Atlas is going to protect all of us, huh?" He asked aloud, staggering backwards as he did so.

Weiss' big sister.

Then that makes her…

Gah it's on the tip of my tongue.

Starts with a W…

Winny?

No wait, blast, it's Winter, that's what Weiss said it was.

"If you won't hold your tongue," Winter warned, her eyes narrowing into a fierce glare as she did, "then I will gladly remove it for you!" With that she drew her sword, pointing it threateningly towards the drunken man.

The man, not appearing scared in the slightest, seemed to smile at this development. "Alright then..." He responded, running a hand through his hair, slicking it back and out of his eyes. "Come take it." He challenged, smirking at her as he did so.

I swear this is killing me, I know I've seen someone act just like that before.

There was silence for a moment, the two fighters simply staring each other down.

Then Winter vanished in a blur of movement, Weiss's dress moving rapidly from the force of the exit.

She appeared before the man and thrust her rapier forward with lighting speed, one of the better strikes I'd ever seen.

The drunk weaved his head out of the way as if it was moving in slow motion, cocky smile still present on his face. Half a dozen more strikes followed, alternating between fierce stabs or lighting fast slashes and he continued to dodge them all with a casual, almost laze grace, going so far as to deliver a mocking bow as he dodged one particularly fierce slash.

She reached back and struck down with a mightily blow to his unprotected back when the blow was blocked by the weapon that had previously been hidden behind the drunk's cape. It looked like…half a sword?

Who the heck fights with half a sword?

The man put a hand on the hilt of his weapon at which point the blade seemingly leaped out of it, the sword's length doubling in an instant.

Woah.

I guess when your weapon's that big you've got to have it folded away unless you want to stab someone by accident.

He moved, Winter's rapier being sent back while the man's greatsword flipped in the air before he caught it casually, bringing it forward as he took up a loose stance.

Winter looked shocked for a moment before her expression firmed up once more as she took up her stance, rigid perfection in comparison to opponent's own lacklustre posture.

The man tapped his weapon against Winter's making a few slight moves as he did so, as if he was testing her responses before he moved, lashing out with a massive backspin slash with his blade, Winter's attempt to block it being knocked aside with ease.

Looks like her opponent's not holding back.

The red eyed man let loose with a flurry of horizontal slashes that forced Winter to retreat backwards, and for all the ferocity in the man's blows not a single one of them could be deemed sloppy in the slightest.

Quite the opposite in fact.

They were damn near perfect.

And still eerily familiar.

Winter back flipped one final time before raising her blade to block the man's strike, her free hand coming up to make her guard even stronger.

With that she stopped retreating and a furious exchange broke out, both sides striking and counter striking as they circled the other, the two fighters blurring from spot to spot between each strike.

Out of the corner of my eye I spotted Ruby make her way through the crowd, coming to a stop next to Weiss as she continued to observe the fight. "What's going on?" She asked her partner loudly, her question audible to me even over the din of blades constantly clashing against each other

"Some crazy guy just started attacking my sister!" Weiss complained loudly, gesturing to the 'crazy guy' in question, as he ducked out of the way of Winter's slash, returning with a fierce uppercut that sent her skidding backwards even with her block.

"Oh no!" Ruby exclaimed loudly in dismay. "Who would do such a th-" Ruby's questioning tone then underwent a complete transformation as she looked at the two battling hunters, her eyes lighting up with recognition. "That is my uncle!" She all but squealed, jumping up and down excitedly as she did so.

Wait.

What?

"What?!" Weiss responded, caught flat footed by her partner's response.

I couldn't blame her.

This was the guy who taught her how to fight?

That…

I paused for a moment thinking back of some of Ruby's more memorable moments on the battlefield.

That explains so much.

"Kick her butt, Uncle Qrow!" The red hooded huntress cheered loudly, showing her support for the fellow cape wearing fighter.

"Uh..." Weiss started, clearly still a bit shell shocked from the sudden turn of events before she turned to shout her own encouragement. "Teach him respect, Winter!"

I fought the urge to facepalm at that moment.

Teach him respect?

Really Weiss?

Honestly that's almost Yang-worthy.

And no, that is not a compliment.

But how the hell do I keep thinking this Qrow fellow is familiar?

I know I've never met him before, but every move he makes is so god damned familiar.

And didn't Ruby say that he was the one to teach her to use a scythe?

How the heck is that a scythe?

It's a bloody horse chopper that's what it is.

I saw Qrow get struck across the face by the hilt of Winter's rapier only to grin in response, raising his blade high in response before bringing it down for a heavy blow.

At that moment a familiar sight appeared beneath Winter's feet, a bright white glyph the likes of which I had only ever seen Weiss use before boosting her leap backwards.

Looks like those two share more than just looks.

The sword came down and the cement all but evaporated as crimson energy exploded out of the ground, the force of the blow sending some spectators scrambling to keep their feet, Qrow looking up to see his opponent looking down on him as she made her retreat.

Qrow vanished from where he was standing and I turned to see him reappear before a clearly shocked Winter, the eldest Schnee hastily ducking as her opponent's powerful slash cut through the light pole she had been next to as if it were made of tin foil.

With that the rapid exchange began anew, Winter throwing in some very acrobatic moves, Attacking Qrow with a leaping strike, and then not only dodging his return blow, but standing on his blade to do so, landing a quick kick to Qrow's face in the process.

I let out a low whistle as I watched her retreat once more leaping into the air to avoid Qrow's weapon as he threw it, leaving it embedded in the base of the decapitated light pole for a moment before he retrieved it.

Winter landed, only to leap into the air once more as very heavy sounding calibre round slammed into the light pole that she had landed upon.

I looked back towards Qrow to see his weapon had undergone a slight change, the blade now pointing down while the hilt and the two barrels that extended from it were pointed towards Winter, who was now clinging to the side of one of the large archways of Beacon academy, using her impaled rapier as an impromptu climbing tool.

Qrow seemed to frown before running forward, taking the path that was perpendicular to the now much higher up winter, harrying his fleeing flow with more rounds fire from his weapon, the rounds each slamming ever closer to their target despite the fact he was firing with one handed and sprinting forward himself.

Finally Qrow leapt forward into the air landing onto the archway on the opposite side as he continued firing at Winter and before I even knew what was happening I was sprinting after them, trying to keep up with the fierce fighting between the two relatives of team RWBY.

Maybe if I saw more of this fight I could finally figure out what's been bugging me about Qrow.

That and this fight is pretty freaking epic, there is no way I'm missing that.

There was a loud crash and a blocking Qrow was nearly driven into the pavement by an attack from Winter, the fast paced exchanges now made even faster by the fact that Winter was now wielding two rapiers instead of one.

When did that happen?

But amazingly Qrow didn't seem particularly bothered by this latest development.

If anything he just stepped up his game, his sword weaving a web of steel and sparks as it moved, changing from hand to hand seemingly at will.

Ruby's uncle was sent skidding backwards after a particularly fierce strike from Winter and he plunged his blade into the ground to act as a brake, slowing him to a stop as the onlookers cheered both fighters on, Qrow taking a ready stance as he looked back at his opponent.

Winter instead of charging like she had been throughout the match remained where she was, a slight smirk present on her face as she flourished one of her rapiers before stabbing it into the ground a comparatively massive glyph expanding out from where it impacted.

I let out a breath at that.

If Weiss is any indicator, what happens next is going to be very showy.

What looked to be blue rose petals sprung up from the ground, floating in the air, soon followed by the flapping wings of glowing white birds, seemingly constructed out of energy.

And hold on a moment…

Are those…

I focused, making out the unmistakable mask of a Grimm upon the face of one of the birds.

Of all of them in fact.

She can summon Nevermore?

How the heck does that work?

Winter looked up from her glyph towards Qrow and as if they had been signalled the shining faux Nevermore charged at Qrow.

The sword wielding fighter put up his guard as this latest attack reached him and for a few moments, I lost sight of him, only the sight of his blade slashing out ground the impromptu avian tornado proof that he was still fighting.

Then, out of nowhere a wave of energy rocketed out of the Grimm tornado, barrelling towards Winter, forcing her to release her Glyph and dodge to the side unless she wanted to be struck by an attack.

And not just any attack.

I knew that attack.

It was Lilith's technique.

How the hell did he know Lilith's technique?

And just like that the lien dropped.

I finally realised what was so familiar about Qrow.

It wasn't Qrow himself.

It was his fighting style.

I knew one just like it.

I realise now that this is what that fighting style probably would have looked like if the Old Bastard wasn't confined to his wheelchair.

The two fighters glared at each other for a moment even as the onlookers continued to cheer them on. Then Winter moved, another glyph appearing behind her as she took a new stance clearly winding up for a big move.

In response Qrow seemed to smirk and with an audible click the gears that I had previously thought to merely be a decorative part of his weapon began to spin, rapidly gaining speed with every revolution. His blade extended, separating as it did so much like a chain sword I had seen one of the upperclassmen using in the tournament. Then it shifted almost ninety degrees, no longer looking like a sword.

In fact, it almost looked like a scythe.

Winter took another stance, readying herself to launch her attack, her glyph rapidly spinning in mid-air behind her, the sound of a winter breeze filling the air as a flash of aura leapt across her blades for a moment.

I turned to see what Qrow's response would be, curious to see what a student of the Old Bastard would do to end a fight like this only to see him smile, collapsing his weapon and sheathing it behind his back much to the disappointed cries of the onlooking crowd.

What on Remnant is he doing?

Winter seemed as confused as the rest of us at this latest turn of events, clearly not having seen it coming.

And then in as I looked over towards Winter I saw what Qrow must have seen before he put away his weapon.

Okay now Jaune think.

If I was the Old Bastard in this situation, what would I do?

The answer came to me without a moment's hesitation.

Qrow bent over slightly as if he was addressing a small child, mocking smirk firmly placed upon his face and casually gesture for Winter to come closer with one finger.

I'd let them dig their own grave, and then watch as they fell in.

Winter all but exploded forward, a trail of light following her as her glyph boosted speed had her cross the distance between her and Qrow in an instant, a fierce battle cry escaping her lips as she reared back to make the finishing blow when…

"SCHNEE!" General Ironwood's voice commanded loudly, Winter halting her movements instantly. I saw movement in the corner of my eye ant turned only to blink in surprise at the sight of Penny standing behind the general waving at me enthusiastically.

As the General continued to give what the Old Bastard would call 'a right proper dressing down' Penny went over to say hello to me only to be stopped by a hand on her shoulder. The girl looked to be about Penny's age, with dark skin and short black hair, wearing a blue beret and a professional looking outfit that seemed to share many characteristics with Ironwood's attire, barring the blue combat skirt and black gloves of course. Also above her blue eyes on the center of her forehead was some kind of marking in gold, the symbol one that was unfamiliar to me.

The girl in the blue beret gave Penny a hard look, her right hand tapping at a watch on her left arm before saying something quietly that I couldn't make out from here. Penny seemed to stop where she was, looking towards me for a moment before dropping her shoulders in defeat, choosing to stay behind the general.

Speaking of which, looks like we're getting to the good part of being caught by an authority figure.

"He started the altercation, sir!" Winter stated, shifting the blame for the situation entirely onto the drunken huntsman's shoulders.

Trying to blame someone else.

But it looked like Qrow wasn't panicking, still the picture of calm as he put his hands behind his head in a casual manner. "That's actually not true. She attacked first." Qrow countered, flicking his head towards the Schnee sibling as he did so.

"Is that right?" Ironwood asked calmly, not looking to be in the mood for any nonsense whatsoever.

Ironwood appeared to have finished with Winter who was looking quite ashamed of herself at the moment. "And you." Ironwood continued, rounding on Qrow.

In response Ruby's uncle put on an innocent expression that was very reminiscent of his nieces' pointing to himself as if he was asking 'who me?'

Ironwood's brow twitched. "What are you doing here?" He asked lowly, narrowing his gaze at him.

Qrow raised a brow at that, seemingly amused by the General's question. "I could be asking you the same thing." He asked pointedly, not disguising his implication in anyway whatsoever.

"I-" Ironwood began, going to defend himself when another familiar voice intervened.

"Now, now, everyone." A calm voice called out drawing everyone's attention towards it. I turned to see Ozpin casually walking towards the group, ever-present coffee cup in one hand, appearing for all the world as if he was simply was in the middle of mid-day stroll around the campus. At his side stood Glynda Goodwitch who was looking decidedly less calm than her colleague, arms firmly crossed and a look on her face that was promising a great deal of pain levelled at the one's responsible for this mess.

Huh.

So that's what it looks like when it's not aimed at me.

Or Nora.

"There is a sanctioned fight happening just around the corner at the Colosseum, that I could assure you has better seats..." Ozpin suggested to the crowd, before seemingly thinking for a moment and a small smile appeared on his lips. "and popcorn." He added, a hint of laughter in his voice as he swirled his coffee around in his mug.

Professor Goodwitch stepped forward, a firm scowl on her face. "Break it up, everyone!" She commanded, addressing the crowd with a wave of her arm before she turned and focused on the three perpetrators of the commotion. "We will take care of this mess." Goodwitch promised, the look in her eye sending a shudder down my spine and leaving me endlessly thankful I hadn't done anything to incite her wrath.

Today at least.

Ironwood straightened his tie with one hand before turning to address Winter. "Let's go." He commanded, his tone brokering no arguing as he made his way towards Beacon, the AK-200's moving in perfect step with him.

Penny followed after him, her beret wearing companion by her side turning back to wave at Ruby and Weiss as she left, as well as myself as she went by.

Well.

That looked important.

But I've got other things to worry about.

Like the impending punishment I'm about to deliver to that mischievous little…

My train of thought derailed as I raised up the back of Andy's jacket, which I had not released in the slightest throughout the fight, only to find it entirely devoid of said rascal.

Part of me was proud of Andy for making use of my distracted state to escape from my clutches due to the clear signs of strategy involved.

The rest of me however?

It was generally more along the lines of

"That son of a…"

"Jaune!" A familiar voice boomed out, drawing my attention once more. "Over here my boy!" Peter's voice called out loudly, easily heard over the hustle and bustle of the dispersing crowd.

Peter resplendent in his regular attire strolled over to me, one arm raised high in greeting. The other was wrapped around the frantically scrabbling form of Andy in a picture perfect choke hold.

"Caught sight of this little larrikin making a run for it and thought you might appreciate his timely return." Peter chortled as he came to a stop in front of me, moustache bouncing away as he did so.

I smiled thankfully, nodding my head in Peter's direction. "Thanks Peter, lost track of him during the fight." I admitted, scratching the back of my head embarrassedly as I did so.

"Oh that wasn't much of a fight." A voice drawled behind me, nearly having me leap out of my skin at its sudden appearance. I spun to find myself staring at straight at Qrow standing casually behind me. With Ruby hanging off his arm as if she were a leech. "That was me just stretching my legs."

I took in a breath and fought the urge to recoil away gagging as the stench hit me.

Okay, no doubt about it, this man has to be drunk.

That or has some kind of alcohol fuelled Semblance from the way he smells of it.

Peter shook his head exasperatedly at the hunter's antic before smiling. "Good to see you Qrow." Peter greeted, handing Andy off to me as he did so.

Qrow grinned, waving a greeting to the professor with a casual wave of his arm, Ruby flailing about in the air as he did so. "Hey there Peter, looking fine. Did you lose weight?" The red eyed man asked, laughter in his eyes.

"Qrow!" We all stopped and turned to face Professor Ozpin, Ruby letting out an "off" as she slid off her uncle's arm. "A word if you please." The headmaster requested calmly while behind him Professor Goodwitch reformed the massive hole in the pavement that Qrow had created during the fight before moving on to address the next thing that had been damaged in the brawl between Qrow and Winter.

I saw Qrow wince minutely at that before he leant down to talk to his neice discreetly. "I think I'm in trouble." He said honestly, drawing a snort of laughter from Peter and a disbelieving look from me.

Really?

Now why would you ever think that Qrow?

"You did kinda tear up our courtyard." Ruby reminded him, still the very picture of youthful naivety she always was.

I sighed despondently.

Never change Ruby.

"Yeah, I did." Qrow admitted before giving her a sly wink raising up a clenched fist for her to fistbump which she did with a grin. "Catch ya later, kid."

And with that Qrow walked off after Ozpin, falling in step with the headmaster as the two adults made their way back to the Academy proper.

I felt Peter's hand clap me heavily on the shoulder. "Time for me to be making my way back as well Jaune, my boy." He gave me a wink before he started making his way back towards the coliseum. "Best of luck in the tournament!"

I waved a goodbye to Peter with my free hand as Weiss made her way up to Ruby, her arms crossed and a look on her face that my keen sense of observation informed me that was not very pleased with the actions of Ruby's uncle. "And suddenly, your recklessness makes sense." Weiss said snidely as she watched the hunters make their way down the main path.

If anything Ruby's smile got even wider as she nudged Weiss. "You're just mad because he whooped butt." She said matter-of-factly with such surety that I had to bite back a snort of laughter at the look that appeared on Weiss' face in response.

"That was a draw, at best!" The Schnee heiress argued with her partner, throwing out her arms in disgruntlement.

Sorry Weiss.

I'm with Ruby on this one.

While Winter was giving it her all throughout that fight I don't think I saw Qrow get anywhere near serious until the end of the fight, after he'd used Lilith's technique to stop Winter from doing her best impersonation of a Talbert Itchcock film.

He'd been half-assing it the entire fight and was still damn near overpowering her. That and the way he'd held his weapon when he was firing it at Winter. Just like how the Old Bastard fired his weapon.

If he's half as good a shot as Tob is then the only reason he didn't hit her was because he wasn't intending to in the first place.

Hell the entire fight was just one big spectacle, really. Loud, destructive, honestly there was no way that it wouldn't be noticed.

I paused at that, my brow furrowing.

Unless…that was the point.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

Before an utterly genius idea popped into my head.

"Ruby, Weiss." I said drawing the two away from their ongoing heated discussion over just who it was that was the victor in the fight between their two relatives. "Is team RWBY busy right now?"

Ruby blinked, looking at me oddly. "Noooo." She said drawing out her answer as she did so as if it would somehow provide the reasoning behind my question.

"Well I thought you might be up for joining the rest of us for a little celebratory fun at the arcade." I said with a smile, my plan taking form within my head. "Might even get in a few games of twelve on twelve laser tag."

Ruby's response was an inarticulate squeal of joy, jumping up into the air in excitement. "I'll call Yang and Blake!" She said bringing up her scroll and dialling away.

Her partner's response on the other hand was far more subdued, giving me an especially withering look as she did so. "Some of us have doubles rounds to prepare for Mr Arc." She said formally before turning away with a huff and walking back towards the dorms.

"That's a shame." I remarked to myself aloud, watching Weiss walk away out of the corner of my eye. "Neptune was going to be there."

Weiss froze mid-step.

I grinned.

Gotcha.

"W-Well I suppose a little bit of relaxation is a necessary part of training as well." Weiss stammered, throwing out a reason for her change of heart.

I have Ruby a sly wink before nodding resolutely towards Weiss. "Oh I'm very sure about that."

Ruby muffled a giggle, even as I heard the sounds of the others finally catching up with us.

"Who wants shots?" Sun's voice called out loudly, brandishing a bottle of something that he better not have pilfered out of the Old Bastard's stash.

"I'm going to shoot you in a minute!" Neptune roared, rifle at the ready, clearly still a bit peeved at the whole 'afraid of water' thing.

I turned to tell them the new plan, grin still on my face.

This was going to be fun!

The moment the doors to the lift shut, taking Winter with them, the wheelchair clad form of Tob seemed to appear out of nowhere, rolling forward from where he had seemingly impossibly, been hiding in plain sight.

"Well if it isn't the little birdy, all big and strong." Tob said dryly, looking over Qrow as he did so. "How are you laddie?"

The drunken huntsman shrugged his shoulders. "Eh. I've been worse." "It's good to see you old man. It's been too long."

"Not long enough clearly. You smell like you've downed half a bar." The Old Bastard remarked dryly, making a show of examining the hunter's dishevelled state.

"I wouldn't say half. A solid third though, smashed that out." Qrow said with a wry grin looking down at the Old Bastard. "What have you been doing with yourself for the past few years old man?"

"Bah, just taking care of the kids at Lillith's orphanage, relishing my 'retirement'." He said with a roll of his eyes, raising his hands to air quote retirement as he did so. "Even got a new laddie to whip into shape."

Qrow chuckled at that. "I kind of figured. Saw him fight during the tournament with his team. Not half bad."

Tob raised a hand, wavering it back and forth noncommittedly. "He's a work in progress."

Ironwood coughed drawing the two out of their impromptu little reunion. "You were saying?" The general asked, waiting for Qrow to deliver this new piece of intel.

Qrow's face turned serious once more, turning to face the entire room instead if just Tob. "Your little infiltrator isn't just another pawn." He said seriously, bringing out his flash as he did so, turning away from the group to face in the other direction. "They're the one responsible for Autumn's condition." He revealed before he took another heavy swig from his flask, gulping the concoction within down.

"What?" Goodwitch breathed, astonished by what the huntsman had said.

Tob made a contemplative sound of his own, his free hand coming up to scratch his chin, looking to be deep in thought.

Qrow stopped sculling his drink and turned back around to face the others, talking once more.

"Despite what the world thinks, we're not just teachers, or generals, or headmasters, or…" Qrow hesitated for a moment. "Orphanage masters?" he said asked, Tob grunting in agreement before the hunter shrugged his shoulders and continued on stepping closer to the others as he did so. "The people in this room, the leaders of the other two academies, we're the ones that keep the world safe from the evils no one even knows about!" Qrow stopped in front of Ironwood, practically nose to nose with the General of Atlas Military and Hunter Academy. "It's why we meet behind closed doors, why we work in the shadows. So you tell me, James, when you brought your army to Vale, did you think you were being discreet, or did you just not give a damn!?" He accused loudly, red eyes boring a hole into the silent hunter before him.

Ironwood stared Qrow down for a moment not saying a word before sighing. "Discreet wasn't working." The general stated simply, reaching into his coat, retrieving his scroll and placing it on Ozpin's desk.

After a moment the center of the room projected a scaled hologram of the area, the city of Vale, Beacon Academy, Amity Coliseum even Ironwood's fleet of airships darting around the sky like little holographic insects, Ironwood walking over to the hologram and gesturing towards it.

"I'm here because this is what was necessary." Ironwood said firmly, confident with his answer.

Tob snorted at that, rolling his eyes at Ironwood's naiveté.

"You're here because Ozpin wanted you here!" Qrow spat at him, pointing at the headmaster as he referenced him, furious at the James' gall. "He made you a part of this inner circle and opened your eyes to the real fight that's in front of us!"

Ironwood nodded towards Beacon's headmaster. "And I am grateful." He said honestly, not hiding behind any lies or deceitful words.

Qrow scoffed in a very Tob-like manner. "Oh, well, you've got a real funny way of showing it." He rebutted sardonically, making his disdain abundantly clear in the process.

Tob watched the interplay between the two of them with half-interest, his mind occupied with more dire dilemmas.

Glynda looked between the two of the arguing men, one part of her wanting to defend the man she still had feelings for while the other was furious for how he'd all but stabbed Ozpin in the back through his actions.

And Ozpin remained quiet throughout it all, observing them all watchfully, taking the occasional sip from his mug as he did so.

"The people of Vale needed someone to protect them; someone who would act." Ironwood stated firmly, stepping forward as he did so. "When they look to the sky and see my fleet, they feel safe, and our enemies will feel our strength."

Qrow started laughing at the General's latest declaration as if he'd just made the funniest joke in the world. "You... You think they're scared of your little ships?" He forced out the laughter vanishing from his face as he did so, his look deadly serious. "I've been out there and I've seen the things she's made, and let me tell you," Qrow promised putting his hand over his heart. "they are fear."

"And fear will bring the Grimm." Ozpin said, finally breaking his silence and standing up from his chair to join the conversation. "A guardian is a symbol of comfort. But an army is a symbol of conflict. There's an energy in the air now, a question in the back of everyone's minds..." He raised an arm, gesturing to Ironwood's fleet of ships floating over Vale. "If this is the size of our defences, then what is it we're expecting to fight?"

Ironwood glared at his companions for a moment before sighing, recognizing a lost cause when he saw one. He walked forward to Ozpin's desk, removing his scroll from it, the hologram vanishing as he did so. "So them," Ironwood began, turning to address the headmaster of Beacon Academy. "What would you suggest we do?" he asked, clearly interested in hearing Ozpin's so far non-existent plan to deal with the matter at hand.

"I suggest we find our guardian." Ozpin responded calmly.

The General growled at that. "We already have one." He stated throwing his arm towards where Tob sat in his chair. "If they knew he was here they'd run screaming back to whatever hole they crawled out of."

Tob stopped swirling the ice around in his tumbler soundlessly and stared up at the still gesturing form of Ironwood.

Qrow took note of the expression on the Old Bastard's face and wisely took a step backwards away from him.

This was not going to end well.

"I know you've had your difficulties with the council but you shouldn't let one failed mission prevent you from preforming your duty." Ironwood continued, now seemingly lecturing the wheelchair bound man before him even as the rest of the room frantically tried to signal him to stop.

"You shoul…" Ironwood's words cut off as he dropped to his knees, grasping at his throat as if something was choking him, uselessly clawing for air.

Qrow winced, looking down at the gasping general. "Shit Jimmy, I thought he was dead for a few years and even I know not to say that." He muttered, eyes flicking over to the silent man in the wheelchair, whose eyes were blazing with barely restrained fury

Glynda turned shocked, looking towards Tob when Ozpin raised a hand and shook his head, telling her to stay back.

James had dug his own grave this time. And while he may have been more forgiving, his chair bound friend?

Not so much.

Tob wheeled himself forward silently, coming to a stop before the asphyxiating Ironwood, staring deep into his eyes.

"My 'duty' is it?" He said softly, the words carrying nonetheless in the silence of the room. "Let me tell you a little something about that duty you're talking about. The last time I listened to the council they left me to die." The Old Bastard continued on, the grip on his armrests tightening as he did so. "Because of them, I lost my wife, my son, even my god damn legs and you have the gall to say I have a duty to do more!" Tob finished, roaring as he did so Ironwood rose into the air, still grasping at his throat even as his feet dangled above the ground.

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO SAY THAT?" Tob exploded, his rage filling the room with its intensity, the floor cratering, the windows shattering in response to his outburst. "I've been fighting this war before you took your first misbegotten breath on this damn planet, boy, and the rate things are going I'll still be fighting once your fool ass is dead and gone."

A hand came down to rest on Tob's shoulder and the old man whirled, his expression vicious as he went to vent his emotions on this latest volunteer only to find Ozpin, having moved from behind his desk to by Tob's side in an instant. "I think that's enough, old friend." Ozpin said quietly, not breaking eye contact for even a moment.

Tob stared back at him, teeth bared angrily like a ravenous Grimm before he stopped, all the emotion seeming to just fade out of him. Ironwood dropped to the ground, whatever was holding him releasing him, coughing and hacking as he fought to get air down his aching throat.

Tob, looking far older than Ozpin had seen him for a long time, gave a long quiet sigh before turning his chair around without a word, rolling into the lift that opened at his approach before vanishing from sight as the door closed.

Ozpin sighed, one hand going up to grasp the bridge of his nose as Glynda helped fix his office with a wave of her weapon, the shattered fragments seeming to flow back in time as they returned to their pristine unbroken forms once more.

"I didn't think…" Ironwood finally managed to say before coughing again to try and clear his throat, "It would make him that angry."

"That wasn't you. Well not all you." Qrow said, eying the General as he made his way up to his feet once more. "Bringing her up here though? That would have done it."

Ironwood turned, whirling to face Qrow going to say something before he hesitated, the words dying in his mouth as he realised just who it was the drunken man was referring to.

"He still hasn't come to terms with it?" he asked quietly, turning towards Ozpin, Goodwitch looking away out the window, blinking away tears.

Ozpin sighed again. "She was the love of his life." He said simply, thinking back to when he had arrived in the aftermath to find him there, clutching her lifeless form, screaming to the heavens.

"Could you?"