9 - ||

Within the dorm for transfer students, a certain team wearing the uniforms of Haven went through a report of today's findings, each one doing their own thing as they did so.

Cinder was sitting on the bed, currently in the process of sewing something in an unreflective black with a single shiny needle but aside from that nothing more could be discovered about its possible function. Mercury was laying on the floor, absently reading the latest X-ray and Vav comic while Emerald was using her scroll, going through a list of possible 'candidates'.

"…and finally, Pyrrha Nikos." Emerald finished, looking up from her scroll to eye Cinder briefly.

"Ah, the invincible girl." Cinder mused, still continuing to sew as she did so.

"She's smart, but I wouldn't say invincible." Mercury drawled, moving his comic out of the way for a moment before returning his attention to it.

"Do tell." Cinder asked, her gaze switching from the fabric on her lap to where Mercury lay on the floor.

"Her semblance is Polarity." Emerald explained. "But you'd never know it just by watching." She added, a smirk on her lips.

Mercury put the comic aside and pushed himself up. "After she made contact with my boots she was able to move them around however she pleased. But she only made slight adjustments."

"Just enough to make it seem like she's untouchable." Emerald added. "She doesn't broadcast her power so she puts her opponent at a disadvantage."

"Hmm, people assume she's fated for victory, when she's really taking her fate into her own hands. Interesting, add her to the list." Cinder

"You should be able to take her no problem." Mercury said to Cinder, referring to her own personal way of fighting.

Cinder smiled demurely, shaking her head at Mercury's suggestion. "It's not about overpowering an enemy." She disagreed, her eyes focusing on something unseen by the others. "It's about taking away what power they have. And we will, in time."

Mercury looked at the list for a moment before frowning. "What about that Jaune kid? You've been having him kept under surveillance for weeks, yet he's not on the list. What makes him so important?" He asked curiously, looking to Cinder for an answer.

"Nothing." Cinder said simply before seeming to rethink her answer. "At least not yet. I've been looking for mister Arc for a very long time now, and if he is who I think he is then he won't be added to the list." She said with a shake of her head. "He will be the list."

Emerald didn't seem quite too happy about that. "Him!? How is one loser who seeming can't even use his aura supposed to replace the entire list?"

"As he is now? He can't." Cinder admitted freely before her eyes seemed to smoulder and glow for a moment. "But he can when he's…awakened…to his full potential. If he possesses it at all in the first place." She mused her needle still working away into the black fabric.

"And if he doesn't?" Emerald asked before recoiling away slightly as Cinder turned her gaze to her, eyes glowing ominously as they did so.

"Then he dies." She said definitively, the distinctive smell of ash and fire slowly leaking into the room as Cinder's spiking aura was bought back under control.

Mercury sighed and threw himself back down again, hands supporting his head as he stared up at the ceiling. "I hate waiting." He complained, frowning at the prospect of more wasted time spent as a student at Beacon.

Cinder smirked at that. "Don't worry Mercury." She began, bringing up her needle as she did so, "We have a fun weekend ahead of us." She finished before focusing on the needle in her hand.

The needle pulsed slightly with an almost invisible light.

By the time I'd returned to the kids' room, freshly baked cookies in hand the kids had already fallen asleep and were in the process of being tucked in by my team, the Old Bastard and a very sleepy looking Ruby who perked up tremendously at the sight of the tray of cookies. As well as…Weiss and Yang?

"What are you two doing here?" I asked quietly, trying not to wake up the kids before my eyes noticed someone missing. "And where's Blake?"

"We heard you were making cookies." Yang whispered back unashamedly, Ruby giving me the peace sign behind her back. "And as for Blake she's…uh…"

"Dealing with women issues." Weiss interjected, nudging Yang slightly as she did so. "You wouldn't understand."

I looked at them for a moment before shrugging.

All right then.

They're lying through their teeth, but I'm assuming they have good reason to do so.

Not touching that with a ten foot pole.

Now time for me to have that conversation with The Old Bastard.

I placed the tray on the nearby table and stepped aside at which point the others descended upon them like a pack of Nevermore, crumbs flying everywhere as Ruby sought to seemingly inhale the cookies rather than eat them, while the others tried to get some cookies of their own before Ruby ate them all, the entire affair taking place in near silence so as to avoid waking the kids.

I stepped back and tapped the Old Bastard on the shoulder, nodding my head towards the corridor.

He grunted quietly, the wheels of his wheelchair spinning without his hands moving an inch and made his way through the door.

I stepped out after him, closing the door quietly behind me as the grizzled old man turned to face me.

"So, what do you want to talk about laddie?" He asked, one hand going up to scratch his white beard as he did so.

As I looked at him I felt as if I was five all over again, standing in front of him with Candidus Mors tightly held in my arms as I asked him to teach me to be a Hunter.

"I need your help." I said bluntly, before continuing on before he could fit in a snide remark about how that was obvious or some other thinly veiled insult. "That girl, Neo, the one with the mirrors. If Cardin and his team hadn't come along when they did…" I said leaving off at the end.

"Aye, it could have turned out much worse than a night in the med bay." He agreed absently before his eyes focused on me once more. "But what do you need my help with specifically?"

I stopped for a moment, trying to put the thought in my head into words.

"I need to be able to fight her…without using my eyes." I started, barrelling forwards as I saw the Old Bastard raise a single bushy eyebrow at me. "Because if I use them against her, then she's only going to turn them against me. I need to be able to see her…without looking at her. If that makes sense."

The Old Bastard scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, alright then Laddie I can think of something." He affirmed his eyes no longer focusing on me but at the task before him. "I'll probably enlist Makkuro and Mashiro to help me out setting up the course." He said idly.

I felt a shiver run up my spine at that.

The twins and the Old Bastard working together,

Oh blast.

"Bring your team with you when I say it's ready, It's a great exercise for all huntsman to learn." He said before he wheeled around and re-entered the room. "Alright brats, get out, I'm going to bed." He said gruffly, the others looking up from where they were by the table and making their way back down to the door to the corridor where I was waiting for them.

Before I even realised I let out a yawn myself, my eyes involuntarily closing for a moment.

Huh, guess I need to hit the sack as well.

"Well, I don't know about you guys but I'm going to bed." I announced matter-of-factly, stretching slightly as I did so.

Pyrrha nodded, letting out a yawn of her own as she did so. "Agreed, that seems like the right idea." She concluded.

Nora murmured something nonsensically, Ren somewhere between supporting her and carrying her as they made our way back to our rooms.

Before I knew it I found myself at the door to Team JNPR's room, team RWBY's being just across the hall.

Tired as I was, while Pyrrha helped Ren take a by now completely out of it Nora into our room I turned to address team RWBY.

Minus the B.

"Well, good night then, see you all in the morning." I yawned, bringing up a hand to cover up my mouth as I did so.

Ruby and Weiss gave their own farewells, making their way towards their beds but Yang hesitated, turning back towards me. "Jaune?" She asked, her tone strangely uncertain compared to her usual confident fare.

Or maybe that's just the sleep messing with my hearing.

Probably the sleep.

"What is it Yang?" I inquired, trying vainly to stave away the sleep by blinking.

Yang stood there for a moment, not answering, her hand going up as if to answer before sighing. "It's nothing, I'll ask again later. Night Jaune." And with that she went into her team room and closed the door behind her.

Huh.

Feel like I may have missed something there.

What do you have to say on the matter brain?

System entering sleep mode in 10…

9…

Message received.

Time for bed.

Saturday rocketed along at a mile an hour, the atmosphere buzzing with excitement as everyone got ready for the dance on Sunday.

Or rather most of the students got ready for the dance on Sunday.

"Order up." I said with a grin, sliding the pancake laden plates onto the tables in front of me, Saturday being pancake day this week due to the fact that my little encounter with Neo had led to me sleeping through breakfast the next day.

Nora had not been happy when she realized it.

I looked over the table and felt my grin fade slightly as I realised that Blake was nowhere to be found.

Again.

"So what's on the agenda for team RWBY today?" I asked, trying to strike up conversation as we all began digging into to the blueberry pancake buffet.

"We're in charge of setting up for the dance tomorrow so we'll be doing that most of the day." Ruby said with a smile as she scarfed down another pancake.

Weiss let out a cough at that and gave an expression I could only describe as 'prim'. If one were to look up a description of noble and ladylike behaviour, you'd probably find a photo of what Weiss looks like right now next to it. "Yes, and it will soon be something truly spectacular!" Weiss said happily, her eyes misting over slightly at the thought. "I've got the perfect doilies in mind."

Yang looked up at that, looking as if Weiss had personally insulted her with that latest addition to the plan. "Doilies?" Yang cried out incredulously. "Uh-uh, there is no way there are going to be doilies of all things at this party."

Weiss narrowed her eyes at the blonde brawler. "We'll see about that." She replied mutinously, Yang all but growling at her in response.

I turned back to Ruby whose smile had become remarkably forced throughout the running argument between her sister and her partner. "It's been so much fun." She said woodenly, unconvincing in the slightest as Weiss and Yang continued to argue about the layout of the dance.

I paused for a moment, a thought striking me suddenly. "Wait wasn't that Velvet's team job? Why is team RWBY now in charge now?" Pyrrha asked, a step ahead of me, asking the question that had just now crossed my mind.

Yang shrugged at that. "Apparently there missions seems like it's going to take a bit longer than originally expected so they won't get back in time for the dance." She explained, stealing the last apple as Weiss went to grab it, biting into it as the Schnee heiress let out an indignant "Hey!"

My brow furrowed slightly at that. An unexpected delay in their mission? Last I checked team CFVY was on a patrol mission and a delay means one of two things. Either they didn't find what they were looking for, in this case in all likelihood Grimm, and are continuing to look for them. The last thing anyone wants is to not only have a colony of Grimm travelling around, but to not know where they are. Or two; that they did find what they're looking for. And that a problem arose when they found it. From what I've learned from the tales of the Old Bastard or Peter concerning missions like that the problem is usually of the "there is a lot more of them then we thought there would be" sort.

Tends to put a bit of a damper on things that does.

"J-Jaune." I heard someone a familiar voice call out and I turned to see Pyrrha facing me, looking strangely indecisive at the moment.

I smiled, directing my attention towards my partner. "What is it Pyrrha?" I asked watching as 'the Invincible Girl' took in a deep breath as in to steady herself.

Pyrrha coughed lightly. "Well, I was just wondering on whether you would be able to…" Pyrrha started before another familiar voice cut her off, an open hand landing heavily on my shoulder.

"Jaune, my boy! I'm afraid I'm going to have to borrow you from your teammates for a while, you've been requested to help out with a matter for the school." The boisterous voice of Peter Port thundered behind me.

I blinked, surprised by the sudden development. "Uh, happy to help?" I ventured questioningly, unsure how to exactly respond to this latest development.

"Marvellous!" Peter praised, before turning to Pyrrha and giving a knowing wink. "Don't worry my dear, I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to see dear Jaune later and ask him whatever you please." He said, his signature moustache shaking about as he said it.

Pyrrha blushed lightly at that. "Thank you sir." She replied politely, before turning her gaze away from me as I went to look at her. Nora patted her on the shoulder reassuringly, saying something under her breath that I couldn't pick up with the causal chatter taking place in the dining hall.

What is all that about?

I found myself focused on other things as Peter lifted me bodily from my seat with the hand he had clapped onto my shoulder previously.

"Come on then Jaune, daylight's a 'wasting." Peter said cheerfully.

Peter rounded hummed along joyfully with the music playing in the elevator, bouncing slightly on his toes in time with the beat.

Then the elevator doors slid open and Peter stepped out of the lift, with me quickly following behind him. I looked around quickly and my eyes were immediately caught by the clear windows on almost every wall in the room. I let out a surprised whistle when I say just how high up we were. With how smooth the lift was I couldn't even tell how many floors we'd climbed.

"Are we at the top of the tower?" I asked, amazed at the stupendous view over not only Beacon but the city of Vale that this height provided, beyond even the sights I had seen from the Sky Tree in the forest surrounding Freshwater.

Peter chuckled at that. "Not quite, my boy." Peter chortled, "But very close to it."

"Glad to see you could make it Jaune." I heard the familiar drawl of Professor Ozpin say to my left and I turned to see a desk dominating the centre of the room, with Professor Ozpin sitting in an overly complex looking chair behind it. I found my eyes drawn to the many gears and cogs clicking and whirring as they constantly turned within the desk itself, the clear glasslike material of the desks exterior allowing anyone to see the complex mechanism built within it.

Was it merely cosmetic, or was there a deeper purpose too it?

Maybe it connect with the many gigantic gears that were turning and spinning overhead, giving me the eerie sensation of standing within a gigantic clock, waiting for the bell to chime.

"Don't look at it too long laddie, you get distracted enough as it is." A unmistakable voice growled at me as I caught sight of the Old Bastard looking over his shoulder idly at me before turning back to face the other person in the room.

The final member was male and old, maybe the same age as the Old Bastard, give or take a few years. He wasn't especially tall, although his distinctive hairstyle gave him a few more inches in height, his white hair looking as if he had taken a shock with some lighting dust. He wore what appeared to be a lab coat, although what colour it was originally was lost beneath the many different stains that painted it a variety of different colours. A hint of a blue shirt was visible through a hole in his coat, where as his pants were black, with a light green stripe running down the side and was wearing brown slip on shoes.

Honestly the guy looked like he couldn't decide which colour he wanted to wear today so he just went with all of them.

This multi-coloured man turned to face me, revealing a face filled with laugh lines and a pair of light green eyes the same colour as the stripe on his pants that instantly had me thinking of Makkuro and Mashiro as I stared at them.

The man started for a moment, obviously not expecting me to be there before he relaxed, a wry smile making its way to his face. "I take it that you're Jaune, aren't you? I've heard so much about you." The man said pleasantly, a kind of unbound joy filling his every action. "Geppeto Polendina at your service." With that he bowed his head slightly.

Heard so much about me?

From who?

The Old Bastard?

Wait, blast he's talking again, pay attention damn it.

"I was hoping to have something of a get together with my old friends. However I've bought my daughter with me and didn't want to have her be bored with a bunch of old farts like us." Geppeto continued, acting completely unashamed as he insulted everyone else there who all seemed to be chuckling as if it was an old joke between them all.

Which it probably was come to think of it.

"I had intended for Miss Rose to accompany her today, but sadly she has other tasks to complete with her team now responsible with preparing the ballroom for the dance." Ozpin added, a faint smile visible as he watched my no doubt puzzled expression

"Thankfully it seems you two have already met." Geppeto finished

I blinked at that.

Already met?

I looked at Geppeto closely.

Do I know anyone that looks like him?

A girl that I know…

That doesn't go to Beacon…

I paled as an idea came to mind.

Oh God, please don't be Neo.

A small form stepped out from behind one of the tall columns interspersed around the room and my internal panic was replaced by surprise instead.

"Penny?" I asked incredulously, staring at the smiling girl as she waved enthusiastically at me.

"Hello friend!" Penny responded cheerfully, "It's a pleasure to see you." She paused for a moment before a look of realisation appeared on her face. "Again." She added before looking satisfied with her addition.

Well, glad to see Penny hasn't changed since the last time I've seen her.

"It would be appreciated if Penny wasn't seen by any of your other classmates Mr. Arc." Ozpin stated, pouring himself a fresh cup of coffee as he did so. "So I would suggest going somewhere that would not be particularly public."

Huh.

Well that makes things a tad more difficult.

Where on earth can I take her then?

And with that an idea lit up in my head.

"Hey Old man, the kids still in their room?" I asked as he wheeled around to face me, a speculative look on his face.

"Now that is an idea laddie." The Old Bastard responded, one hand scratching his beard as he tended to do absentmindedly. "Goodwitch is keeping an eye on them, I'm sure she could use a hand."

Goodwitch is keeping an eye on the kids.

Eternally strict Professor Goodwitch is keeping an eye on the kids who tend to rebel against any new form of authority in a, shall we say, memorable manner.

Oh.

Oh.

"Blast." I swore grabbing Penny by the hand and dragging her towards the door that led back to the elevator. "I've got to get their before someone gets murdered!" I exclaimed, less opening and more shoulder charging the door out of the way.

"The children or Professor Goodwitch?" Penny asked quizzically as the lift door opened up and I pushed her inside it in my haste.

"Yes!"

There was silence between the various elder men until the elevator doors closed at which point the previously shocked doctor broke free of his surprise induced silence.

Geppeto turns to glare at the others. "Was that who I thought it was?"

Ozpin sipped his coffee calmly. "And who did you think he was precisely?"

Geppeto exploded at that. "Her son. He is her son, isn't he?" He said before seeming to realise something else. "He doesn't even know it, doesn't he?"

The man known to his friends as the Old Bastard sighed at that. "Yes. He is her son." He breathed, running a hand through his snow white hair as he did so. "And no, he doesn't know who she is. And we intend to keep it that way, at least for a little while longer."

"I can understand the reasoning behind that, but that doesn't explain the bigger question. What the hell happened to…" at this Geppeto began miming something incomprehensible in the air "…you-know-what?" he said significantly staring at the others.

Peter shook his head. "We don't know. We think she sent him to A…" The Old Bastard coughed loudly to which Peter rolled his eyes but still acquiesced, "to Tob, after whatever it was happened. And we all know there's only one reason she'd leave his side." Peter finished looking sorrowful.

Geppeto Polendina seemed to age fifty years at that. "So it's true. She is dead." He said softly, his eyes closing at that, one hand coming up to grasp the bridge of his nose. "I hadn't heard from her in years but I still hoped…" he sighed, his eyes opening up once more.

He felt a hand grasp his elbow and he turned to see Tob holding onto it, an understanding look in his usually hardened eyes. "Aye, as did we all."

There was silence for a moment before Geppeto straightened up, brushing off Tob's hand with a grateful nod. "So I saw his aura's active. No attacks yet?" Geppeto asked direction the question at Ozpin.

Peter Port started at Geppeto statement. "How did you know?" he asked amazed at how his friend could have realised with nothing more than a look.

Geppeto was certainly one of the most brilliant minds of the entirety of Remnant but he was by no means a huntsman.

At least, not in the traditional sense at least.

Geppeto simply winked at him, symbols appearing across his eyes before he winked again and they were gone.

Ozpin paused at that. "Just the one." Ozpin answered, taking another sip of his coffee before placing it down on his desk. "But I doubt we'll remain this lucky for much longer."

Tob grunted at that. "Then he'll just have to be ready when they find him. They all will."

Peter nodded. "Agreed." He said, his tone serious a dire contrast from his usual trivialities. "But let's get to the focus of today's meeting shall we?"

I skidded around the final corner leading towards the kids' room, Penny easily keeping pace with me as I pulled her along with me.

Please let me make it in time!

I threw the door open to reveal a warzone where the room used to be, explosions of paint left on the walls and floor, half the beds broken into pieces.

I saw a groggy looking Xatsu hanging from the ceiling, his lower body somehow embedded into the ceiling.

Ana was hiding in the corner, using her signature coat as a shield, the only sign she was there were the few fain shudders that betrayed her position.

Tucker was…asleep, snoring like a chainsaw even with the conflict going on around him.

And the rest of them were floating in mid-air in various dishevelled states while an extremely frazzled looking Professor Goodwitch regained her breath, expelling air loudly as she did so. Her normally spotless attire was…

Well let's just say considerably less than spotless.

And ripped in various places.

And her cape appeared to be smouldering in places.

And glittering.

Her hair was a mess, her signature tight bun hairstyle nowhere to be seen as strands of mostly blonde but occasionally green or pink hair draped over her eyes, her glasses askew and only hanging off one ear.

Alas, I was too late.

I let go of Penny's hand and used two fingers to whistle loudly, the floating kids as well as the twitching Goodwitch turning to the source of the sound.

The kids paled and tried to turn and run away only to remember too late that they were floating in mid-air, sending most of them rolling in place, but not shifting from their position. Except for Po, he still kept preforming exaggerated martial arts moves, complete with "Wha-cha!" sound effects while he made the most of his newfound weightlessness. Tucker woke up with a yawn, stretching and scratching his head sleepily before spotting me and lazily waving. Ana lowered her coat, her eyes peeking over the edge before relaxing as she caught sight of me, standing up from her refuge in the corner. Xatsu was roused from his groggy state, spotted me and let out a yelp of surprise before he fell from the ceiling, stopping an inch away from the floor as I caught him by the ankle.

Professor Goodwitch on the other hand looked absolutely mortified. "Mr. Arc! I was just…you see there was…" She hemmed and hawed as she struggled put into words precisely how to explain this situation.

I held up a hand to cut off her explanations. "Trust me, this is not the worst state I've caught the kids in." I assured her before I flicked an eye back to the still spinning forms of the kids. "Mind letting them down?"

Professor Goodwitch answered with something I couldn't quite make out before she bought out her wand, or riding crop, whatever it was, and gave it a flick.

The kids dropped the remaining distance and landed on the floor in a very sorry looking state, a series of groans sounding out from several very dizzy Faunus.

I looked down at the kids with a single eyebrow raised. "You're left alone for less than an hour and you managed to completely demolish the room! And destroy most of the furniture." I exclaimed exasperated trying to make the kids realise the extent of what they had done.

"Some of that was her though." Carolina piped up pointing towards Goodwitch, several of the kids nodding and agreeing with her before falling silent as Goodwitch's glasses began to glint ominously.

My eyes narrowed. "I don't care if some of it was her, I know most of it was you lot, wasn't it?" I growled, waiting for a reply.

In response to that there was nothing but silence and averted eyes, some of the kids shifting awkwardly from one foot on to the other.

Might need to dig the nail a little deeper.

"No one wants to say anything?" I asked lightly. "Anything at all?"

Not a word was spoken by the group in front of me.

"Can you let me down now? I can feel all the blood rushing to my brain." A voice groaned by my foot.

Ah right.

Still holding Xatsu.

I spun him round the right way up before dropping him, the little husky Faunus staggering as if drunk as he made his way back to the rest of the group.

"I know you can do better than this." I groaned, holding my head in my hands.

What was I going to do with them?

I thought that they had stopped with the acts of random destruction.

Of this extent.

And then another problem struck me.

"How do you suppose you lot are going to sleep on broken beds, hmm?" I asked as the kids began to look rather sheepish in response,

At that Professor Goodwitch let out a cough. "I believe I may be of some assistance in that regard."

Without further ado she bought out her riding crop again and moving it like a conductor would move their wand before an orchestra I saw the various pieces pick themselves up and fly around the room, as if the flow of time had suddenly been reversed. The kids oohed in awe as they watched the holes in the floor, the walls and the ceiling suddenly fix themselves, the pieces slotting themselves back into place. The beds twisted through the air, broken frames snapping back into place, sheets tucking themselves into the mattresses before the quilts were draped over the beds moments after they landed on the ground.

I reached out and snagged one of the books that were twirling through the air before it slotted into place in the bookcase with the rest of it's brethren as I beheld the room now looking spotless, the previous appearance seeming to be nothing more than a passing thought.

That was seriously cool.

And damn, I'd completely forgotten about that similar trick she'd pulled in the dining hall after the food fight my team had had with team RWBY.

Good times.

Looks like the kids are still caught up in the moment of Professor Goodwitch's semblance at work

"This is the part where you thank her for fixing your room." I said in a loud stage whisper, snapping the kids out of their stupor.

"Thank you Professor Goodwitch." The kids chorused together, all giving a slight bow in thanks, finally seeming to remember the few etiquette lessons that The Old Bastard and I had been able to drive into them. Mashiro even went up to give her a hug, her twin brother supporting her on his shoulders so they were tall enough to do it.

That's nice of them.

Professor Goodwitch simply nodded in response before turning towards me. "I trust you will be fine with me leaving the children in your capable hands Mr Arc?" Professor Goodwitch asked as she slid the riding crop back into its holster on her leg with a flourish.

I nodded. "Of course Miss Goodwitch." I replied, smiling in gratitude. "My thanks for taking care of them until I arrived."

She was already making her way out before stopping at my side. "It was no problem at all." She assured me before she walked past me to exit the room.

At which point I caught sight of the piece of paper that had been stuck to her cape and labelled "KICK ME".

I choked, caught between either hilarity or horror as I watched her walk away through the closing door.

I should have known Mashiro was up to something.

I just know I am going to get blamed for that when she inevitably finds out.

"All right you rascals, I've got someone new to introduce to you, so pay attention." I called out, cutting short the brawl that was about to happen between the pups.

At this Penny who had been having a look on her face that seemed to be very much the epitome of stunned into silence was bought to the forefront as the kids all turned their attention towards her.

"Everyone, this is my friend Penny, who's also training to be a huntress just like I'm training to be a hunter." I introduced my oddest friend to them all, who seemed to start slightly in shock as I referred to her as my friend. "Penny, I'd like you to meet the kids who I've been living with in the orphanage for most of my life, Kira, Makkuro, Mashiro, Andy, Po, Tucker, Ana, Xatsu, Gatsu, Latsu, Natsu and Carolina." I finished with a huff, my outstretched finger moving to each person named to help identify them for Penny.

Penny smiled broadly and waved. "Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you!" She greeted cheerfully, smiling as the kids gave their own enthusiastic replies back, bombarding her with a whole assortment of questions which Penny seemed to do her best to answer.

Is that how Penny greets everyone?

Seriously, word for word, it was exactly the same.

Suddenly I felt someone tugging on my sleeve and looked down to see Ana tugging on my sleeve, not saying anything aloud per usual, but when I looked into her eyes the message within them was easy to find.

I huffed slightly, looking down with an expression of mock contemplation before I grinned and ruffled her hair with my free hand. "Go grab a spot before the others find out." I whispered to her, Ana letting out a small smile of her own in reply.

I waited until Ana had clambered up onto the newly remade bed, before I coughed loudly, clearing my throat and drawing attention away from Penny and back towards me.

"Okay kids, since I didn't get to tell you one last time I was here, to make it up to you I think I might read you a story if you can all get on bed in time." I suggested innocently.

With that simple suggestion, the kids moved like a hurricane, each one scrambling and shoving as they tried to get the best spot on the bed, never noticing the softly smiling Ana had already taken her place on it before they had even started moving. Within moments they were all on the bed, expectantly waiting for the story to begin.

"I've never listened to a story before." Penny remarked, something between intrigue and wonder present in her voice.

I gestured at the bed. "Well then, you're never too old to start. Take a seat and we'll get started." I said as I opened up the book of fables and began scanning through the index for a good story to read.

Ah.

There's one.

"Since this is Penny's first story today we'll be reading one of my favourite stories of all time, 'A Tale of Two Brothers'. I announced, a chorus of 'yes' and high fives sounding out after what I had said.

I idly noticed that Ana had clambered off the bed and taken Penny by the hand and pulled her to the packed bed, making a spot for Penny to sit by quite literally tossing Makkuro across the bed to collide with his sister.

Ana was most definitely the strong silent type of the group.

Made for quite a surprise for the Old Bastard and me when we saw her uproot a tree when her balloon got stuck in the branches. Nearly choked on my own spit.

Now where was I?

Right, story.

"Long ago in a faraway land, lived two brothers, with both hair and eyes and gold. And although you wouldn't know it on first show, their tale is one of the finest ever told…"

"The terrifying man with the x-shaped scar stepped forward towards the elder brother, the empty suit of armour that was the younger brother reaching out for him, yelling for him to flee from the scarred man's right hand of destruction." I regaled my spellbound audience, the image of an inescapable force descending upon the elder brother taking shape. "But the elder brother would not abandon his sibling, even with his own metal arm now in pieces on the pavement between them. The dreaded tattooed arm began to move, reaching for the helpless alchemist when…" I paused, dragging out the suspense for as long as possible.

"Story time's over laddie." The Old Bastard's voice called out behind me, cutting short my next few words on the fate of the two brothers. "Time for these tykes to head off to bed."

A symphony of disappointment and groans echoed out from almost a dozen mouths, each wanting to hear the next part, not wanting it to end on a cliff hanger.

But unfortunately for them, Tob's word is law in this regard and I pulled the bookmark that was waiting in the back of the tome, to place on the current page before closing it with a definitive thump.

I looked up from the closed book to see Penny's face nearly an inch away from my own and promptly fell out of my chair with a yelp.

A manly yelp.

Very masculine.

"Can't we read a little bit more? It's fascinating!" Penny pleaded, her hands clasped together as if in prayer.

An amused chuckle came from behind me and Geppeto walked forward to Penny before ruffling her hair in the way I often did with the kids myself. "I'm afraid we've got to be on our way as well Penny." He said gently, putting a hand on her shoulder as her face fell. "Maybe next time." He promised, bringing a hint of a smile back to her face.

"Yes father." Penny replied dutifully, still looking slightly disappointed that she had to leave.

Before I'd even realised it I was extending the book towards Penny pressing it into her hands. "I'll let you borrow it. So long as you return it when you're done with it." I clarified as Penny hugged the book tightly to her chest.

"You…You really mean it?" Penny asked, that look of innocent wonderment on her face once more.

I shrugged, a hand going up to scratch the back of my head embarrassedly.

It wasn't that much of a big deal was it?

"Hey what's a borrowed books between friends right?" I joked with a smile, relief flooding through me as Penny smiled in response.

Penny carefully handed the book of fables to her father as if it would shatter with the slightest jolt before she turned back to face me.

Then before I knew it she wrapped her hands around me and started squeezing.

CRACK

By all that is, MY SPINE!

I understand that this is supposed to be a hug.

But the thing is, turns out Penny can make Nora's death hug seem gentle compared to the torture I'm undergoing right now.

"Oh this is just splendid! Thank you so much Jaune, you are a true friend!" Penny spouted, beaming as she smiled away at me.

"No problem." I gasped out with what little air I had left in my lungs.

It occurs to me I should have asked her to let go of me instead.

So I could go on to preform acts like breathing, and thus continue to live.

And as suddenly as it occurred Penny's oxygen depriving hug ended, leaving me struggling to do my best not to drop to my knees and noisily take in oxygen.

I took a look at the time when my vision was no longer blurring from oxygen deprivation and bit back a swear at what I saw.

It was much later than I thought it was, the whole day's pretty much gone!

Time to get back to team JNPR's dorm room, stat.

"I'll see you all later!" I called out already making my way towards the door before I stopped and turned back to face Penny. "I'll see you at the dance." I promised, Penny nodding in response as her father chuckled.

The Old Bastard grunted and made shooing motions with his hands as he directed the kids to get into bed.

Right then.

Let's get going.

After I bid farewell to Penny, I made my way back towards team JNPR's dorm room walking past the empty classrooms, supposedly unoccupied due to it being a Saturday.

Which was the reason my interest was piqued when I heard voices talking from one of the rooms.

I went to open the door but hesitated, instead choosing to lean beside the door as I recognized the voices inside.

"…The necessity is stopping Torchwick." Blake argued resolutely, unwilling to back down what had apparently become a full blown vendetta since they're latest encounter.

Then Yang's voice interceded, speaking calmly, acting as the voice of reason in the argument in a strange turn of events. "And we're going to. But first you have to sit down and listen to what I have to say." She requested, before waiting for her partner's reply.

There was silence for a moment before Blake replied. "Fine." She said shortly.

Well she's doing better than I was at that stage. It took Peter knocking me, quite literally, into next week for me to get to the 'listening to others' stage.

I felt as if I was intruding on this, that I shouldn't be listening, but at the same time I was also aware that by moving away I could also interrupt, so I remained still, trying not to impede what Yang was doing.

"Ruby and I grew up in Patch, an island off the coast of Vale. Our parents were Huntsmen. Our dad taught at Signal, and our mom took on missions around the kingdom. Her name was Summer Rose, and she was, like..." Yang's voice stopped for a moment as if searching for the right words before continuing. "Super-Mom: Baker of cookies and slayer of giant monsters." Yang explained, a clearly happy tone present in her voice."

I found myself smiling before I even realised it. So that's Ruby and Yang's mother? She sounds like a wonderful person, and I bit back a laugh, the reason for Ruby's cookie addiction.

"And then..." Yang started, before stopping, almost as if to gather her strength. "…one day she left for a mission and never came back." She revealed a silence breaking out after that revelation.

I felt the laughter that had been previously bubbling die out. Oh God. I had no idea…

The pain one feels from losing a parent is something that stays with you for a long time. That Ruby could stay so bright and cheerful when something like that had happened to her at such a young age…

I stopped and tsk'ed at myself at that.

Then again, I'm one to talk aren't I?

I bought myself out of my inner recrimination as I heard Yang begin to speak once more.

"It was tough." Yang admitted freely, as she talked about her past. "Ruby was really torn up, but... I think she was still too young to really get what was going on, y'know? And my dad just kind of... shut down. It wasn't long before I learned why. Summer wasn't the first love he lost; she was the second. The first... was my mom."

Wait, what?

But I thought that Summer Rose was…

Yang continued on with her tale. "He wouldn't tell me everything, but I learned that the two of them had been on a team together with Summer and Qrow, and that she'd left me with him right after I was born. No one had seen her since."

Blake asked, her voice curious but at the same time gentle, due to the obvious sensitivity of what was to be addressed. "Why did she leave you?"

I heard Yang sigh in the silence that followed before Yang gave her reply. "That question... Why? I didn't know an answer, but I was determined to find out. It was all I thought about. I would ask anyone I could about what they knew about her.

Yang's tale is beginning to get more familiar than I'd like to admit.

When I was younger the gaping void in my memories concerning my mother and who she was, filled my every though, enflamed my every step, every action I took was directed towards filling that void with who she was.

Which let me tell you, as a ten year old in the middle of nowhere with nothing but a few memories of words and lessons taught by my mother and no idea as to what her name was or even what she looked like?

Not the easiest thing in the world let me tell you.

Can you tell me about my mother? I don't what she looks like, or her name, or any distinguishing features about her other than the fact she loved dancing and me.

Fun times, let me assure you.

"Then, one day, I found something." Yang continued, retelling the story of her past. "What I thought was a clue that could lead me to answers, or maybe even my mother. I waited for Dad to leave the house, put Ruby in a wagon, and headed out. I must've walked for hours. I had cuts and bruises, I was totally exhausted, but I wasn't gonna let anything stop me. When we finally got there, I could barely stand, but I didn't care; I had made it. And then I saw them. Those burning red eyes..."

I felt my heart still for a moment at that. Grimm. Obviously the two lived since they're both here at Beacon today but it's still not a situation you ever want to be in.

"There we were: A toddler sleeping in the back of a wagon and a stupid girl too exhausted to even cry for help." Yang went on, painting a picture of just how bleak the situation was. "We might as well have been served on a silver platter. But, as luck would have it, our uncle showed up just in time."

I let out a sigh of relief despite myself, my heart calming at that latest revelation.

That's good.

Like I said, I know they must have survived their encounter with then Grimm that much was obvious.

But 'survived' and 'unscathed' are two entirely different things.

Thankfully they had someone looking for them.

I'm guessing that would be Ruby's much talked about 'Uncle Qrow', the person who taught Ruby how to use her High Calibre Sniper Scythe.

But this explained a great deal, especially about Yang. I often wondered why Yang was often more a parent than a sister to Ruby, much like I was to the kids at the orphanage.

I just didn't expect the reason to be so similar to mine.

"My stubbornness should've gotten us killed that night." Yang said bluntly, the parallel she was trying to draw blatantly obvious to me, even without being able to see her.

"Yang..." Blake's voice spoke up, quieter than it had been before. "I'm sorry that happened to you, and I understand what you're trying to tell me, but this is different. I'm not a child, and this isn't just a search for answers! I can't just…" The Faunus of team RWBY said, her voice regaining the volume and emotion that had enflamed it before when she was suddenly cut off.

"I told you: I'm not telling you to stop! I haven't!" Yang said firmly, stopping Blake before she could gain any more momentum. "To this day, I still want to know what happened to my mother and why she left me, but I will never let that search control me. We're going to find the answers we're looking for, Blake. But if we destroy ourselves in the process, what good are we?

"You don't understand!" Blake's voice exploded angrily. "I'm the only one who can do this!"

"No, you don't understand!" Yang erupted, the sound of crackling flames reaching my ears, a sure sign that Yang was drawing upon her aura now, perhaps even subconsciously out of frustration. "If Roman Torchwick walked through that door, what would you do?" The blonde brawler asked her partner seriously

"I'd fight him!" Blake's voice answered back instantly.

"You'd lose!" Yang retorted, followed by the sounds of a scuffle breaking out.

"I can stop him!" Blake argued, but the exhaustion in her voice was even more evident than it already was.

"You can't even stop me!" Yang roared back, followed by the sound of someone falling over.

There was a tense silence for a moment, my mind trying to picture what exactly was going on inside that classroom and failing to make sense of it with only the sounds I could hear.

Then suddenly I heard Yang speak again, the frustration and tension gone from her voice, leaving only a calm tone behind. "I'm not asking you to stop." Yang pleaded with her. "Just please, get some rest. Not just for you, but for the people you care about." I heard the sound of footsteps approaching me before they stopped Yang's voice speaking up again. "And if you feel like coming out tomorrow, I'll save you a dance."

With that the footsteps steadily grew closer, I silently panicked as I tried to think of what to do next,

C'mon Jaune, think, think!

You've just stumbled upon a very personal conversation between two of your friends that you were not supposed to be privy too.

The action to take in this situation is…

Uh…

What would the Old Bastard do?

I froze at the answer that came to mind and quickly discarded it.

I want to live, thank you very much brain

What would Peter do?

"Marvellous tale there girls, why it reminds me of one of my own journeys when I was a young and spry lad, journeying the world in search of adventure and glory…"

I don't think that's going to cut it either.

Damn it what do I do?

What do I say?

"What are you doing here?"

I froze.

That question had not been internal.

I looked up to see Yang staring down at me, a bemused expression on her face as she waited for my reply.

Screw it.

Honesty it is.

"I was heading back to the dorm room when I saw one of the doors here ajar and I got curious. When I went to investigate I heard your little conversation with Blake and I didn't want to leave and accidentally interrupt the work you were doing."

"Interrupt? How? You wouldn't be stamping your boots would you?"

I shook my head with a wry grin. "Ah but you forget, I spent the better part of my life raising Faunus children and if there's one thing most of them have, it is a very good sense of hearing." I said mock chidingly.

We both stood there in silence for a moment more before Yang sighed and let out a grin.

"Alright I'll let you off this time." She relented, and I released the air I hadn't even realised I'd been holding in. Then Yang's eyes perked up, as if she had realised something. "But first I need you to do something for me in return."

I nodded earnestly. "Anything." I replied, eager to appease Yang before I caused any further annoyance.

The look she gave me after I said that left a chill running up my spine.

Maybe I shouldn't have said I'd do anything.

I arrived back in the dorm room, closing the door behind me, still slightly shell shocked after what had happened.

That and seeing Weiss ask Neptune out to the dance.

Did not see that one coming let me tell you.

"Jaune!" Pyrrha cried out, moving up from her seat behind the desk where she had been studying to move towards me. "Where were you? You said you were only five minutes away and then you didn't appear at all, we were quite worried." Pyrrha said, somehow both reproaching and concerned in the same sentence.

"I wasn't." Ren immediately rebutted, not drawing his eyes from his scroll as he continued reading, apparently unconcerned in the slightest.

I rolled my eyes at that. "Sorry, just ran into Yang on the way back and she wanted to ask me something." I said, explaining why I had taken so long to get back here.

"Oh?" Pyrrha asked, curiosity audible in her voice. "What did she want from you Jaune?"

"Er…" I started, trying to figure out how to explain what had happened. "She…asked me to be her date to the dance."

I saw Ren raise a brow in surprise at that and Nora let out a shocked "what?" at that.

Pyrrha looked pretty taken aback as well.

"Just as a friend." I added on, pulling my pyjamas out from under my pillow. "Something along the lines of 'Yang Xiao Long never goes unaccompanied to a dance' was how she put it, and I owed her a favour." I said shaking my head before I remembered something. "What was it you wanted to ask me Pyrrha?

"Oh." Pyrrha said suddenly looking very different from the confident huntress I usually saw her as. "I see. I was just going to…uh…" She hesitated, looking very much unsure of herself.

"She was just going to ask you what the time was Jaune-Jaune!" Nora exclaimed, spinning across the room as she did so. "She asked us later when you were gone."

I nodded. "Okay then, glad to have that sorted." I said ticking off that from my mental checklist. "I just can't believe someone asked me to the dance. I mean who in their right mind would ask me?" I said with a chuckle, taking off my uniform as I did so.

Pyrrha's smile became far more strained at that. "Well I believe the saying goes, there's plenty of fish in the sea." She said smiling faintly.

I rolled my eyes at that. "Please, maybe for you. You've probably got a line from here to Mistral of guys trying to ask you out." I responded only half paying attention, focusing primarily pulling on my pyjamas on the right way and not trying to put my head in an arm hole or try to wear my pants as a shirt.

I heard Pyrrha chuckled half-heartedly at that. "You'd be surprised." She said.

I shook my head as I pulled it through the opening in my shirt and laughed. "If you don't get a date to the dance, I'll wear a dress." I jokingly promised, snickering as I did so.

I even have one in my size packed away in my sack.

"Heh."

I opened the door to the ballroom to find where Yang was waiting, apparently having more work to do than simply setting up for the dance, also acting as a greeter as well.

I was dressed in a simple black tuxedo with dull red trimmings that I'd hired from the rental store down in Vale's main strip.

Mostly due to the fact that I'd never needed a suit or a tuxedo before when I was living out in Freshwater and thus had never bought one.

Okay aside form that one incident in Amelia academy, and that wasn't really a suit or tuxedo either but we don't talk about that anymore.

Ever.

On pain of death.

I let out a low whistle as I gazed around the ballroom. They certainly didn't hold back with the decorating, tables with white tablecloths on either side of the hall, leaving the centre clear to serve as a dance floor under several candlelit chandeliers, bunches of blue and pink balloons and white roses, decorating the hall as well as beams of different coloured light. I have no idea how they managed to do all this in one day.

No wonder Ruby couldn't be Penny's guide around Beacon, they would have been working flat-out the whole time.

"Jaune! Over Here!" I heard Yang call and I turned to watch her walk down from one of the stair cases. "Just had to fix up something upstairs." She said before her face took on a coy teasing look. "So what do you think?" She asked, doing a little pirouette as she did so.

Yang was wearing a simple sleeveless white dress that stopped just above her knees, as well as a set of white heels the same colour as her dress. There wasn't much complex about her outfit but there was still something too it, a kind of beauty to the simplicity such as it was.

"You look beautiful." I answered honestly, pulling on my jacket sleeve as I did so, noticing it had folded slightly. "So what do you need help with?"

Yang stood there for a moment, her cheeks reddened slightly before shaking her head, as if to clear it. "Right. I need you to just stand with me here and greet the guests as they walk in and direct them to the coat room."

I raised my brow at that. "Since when did we have a coat room?" I asked scratching my head.

I was pretty sure we didn't have one of those when we were all sleeping here before initiation.

Or at least I didn't see one.

"Since yesterday." Yang replied, pointing towards a curtained off area near the main entrance. "Ruby and Weiss threw something together." She explained, a slight smile as she said it.

I chuckled at that. "Sounds like them." I agreed, taking note of a suspiciously stitched piece of curtain that looked like it had been sliced at an angle and then hastily stitched back together.

Yang laughed as she caught on to what I had seen. "Oh you should have seen Weiss' face!" She laughed before pulling a fairly accurate impression of the scowling Schnee heiress that caused me to let out a laugh of my own.

We stood there in silence for a moment, the laughter subsiding before I mustered my courage and started talking. "I get what you mean." I said looking at Yang.

Yang cocked her heads quizzically at me. "Get what?" She asked, not understanding what I was referring to.

"About trying to find out about your mother." I clarified watching Yang's expression get slightly more guarded at that.

"Oh?" She responded, the question of what I meant by that fairly obvious.

I breathed in deeply before letting out a sigh, thinking of how to say what was on my mind.

"Did you know I can't remember what my mother looks like?" I asked Yang, turning away from the front door to look at her.

Yang looked fairly stunned at my revelation. "No, I didn't. That's horrible." Yang said, taken aback by my question.

I went on, the words refusing to stop. "I have all these memoires of her, can hear my voice clear as a bell inside my head, but I don't know what she looks like. It just kind of…blurs together."

"When I was younger I tried to find out everything I could about her. Which was kind of difficult considering that the only Arc I could find died a hundred years ago without any children to their name, while I only had a voice to put to my mother's not a name or face. So one day I decided I'd go do something spectacularly stupid to try and find out more about her. I tried to find the Imperial Archive." I stated, waiting for the question I knew that would follow.

"Isn't that…" Yang asked before I cut her off, answering the obvious questions.

"Inside the Jade Palace, which by law is never recorded on any map, is known to be on Vacuo, but little else aside from the fact it's guarded by the Empress' Imperial guardsman, who are the kind of people who hunt Goliaths for sport, alone." I said before I paused and added "And only reported existing in rumour and myth."

"What happened?" Yang asked, her tone holding something unidentifiable within it.

"Well after the second day I'd run out of food, was hungry, tired and near exhaustion when Peter caught up with me and dragged me back to the orphanage." I admitted, cutting straight to the end of the tale. "Let's just say I got quite the paddling for my 'blasted stupidity' when I got back." I said with a grin, taking on my impersonation of the Old Bastard at 'blasted stupidity'.

Yang laughed lightly at that. "Sounds like something Tob would say." She said, still grinning at the thought.

"The point is, I get it. I understand what it feels like going through that, trying to find out those answers. So if you ever need any help with that, just say the word." I finished exhaling loudly.

God that felt good to get off my chest.

Yang stared at me for a few moments, not saying a word before she spoke up. "Jaune…" she began, but before she could say anything more she was cut off by the doors swinging open and a procession of students in various different formal outfits began making their way in.

And with that, Yang started greeting the various guests, while I showed them to the coatroom and before I even knew it the room was full of people.

I looked over the crowd behind us, the dance floor already full of people moving elegantly across the floor, while others sat or stood around the dance floor itself, talking and laughing as they enjoyed themselves.

My attention was drawn by the now familiar sound of the main doors opening, and I waited to see if they would need the cloakroom or if it was someone I knew. Sun still hadn't shown up yet, nor had the rest of my team. Or at least I hadn't seen them enter, I could have missed them going past while I was in the cloakroom.

But I knew this person very well.

"Oh, you look beautiful!" Yang exclaimed, clapping her hands and jumping up and down in her heels.

Ruby let out a grunt at that and slowly walked forward on unsteady legs. "Can we have a serious talk about how Weiss fights in these?" Ruby asked, before her latest wobble nearly sent her tumbling. She walked forward towards us, hands outstretched as if to both balance herself and catch herself id she fell.

It was adorable.

And hilarious.

I bit down on my cheek to muffle my laughter while Yang let out a few giggles of her own as Ruby continued wobbling, caught between trying to glare at us and not falling over.

"You do look great Ruby." I said agreeing with Yang, supressing my snickers as I did so. "Very cute."

Ruby blushed slightly, Yang giving off another "Aw." At that before lifting her head and striding…okay, wobbling, her way towards the punch bowl.

"So," Yang's voice drew my attention back a teasing grin on her face. "You think my sister looks great, huh?" She inquired, seemingly innocent in her inquiry.

However due to the fact that it was Yang who said that, I know better.

"Honestly? It's a surprise to see her in something besides that cape of hers. Only other time I've seen her take it off is when she's in her pyjamas." I remarked, thinking back at the many times Ruby's cape had somehow been incorporated into her outfit.

She even wore the thing over her Beacon Academy uniform.

Yang laughed at that. "True enough." She agreed, shaking her head slightly in exasperation. "You have no idea what dad and I went through to get her to agree to take it off the first time. She wore it 24 hours a day for two weeks straight. The thing stank like nothing else." She said, shivering slightly as she remembered the smell.

I raised a brow at that. When Ruby gets an idea in her head she can be just as stubborn as Peter when she wants to be. "How'd you manage to get her to take it off?"

Yang stared back and grinned cheekily. "Oh you've already made use of it yourself, you should know of its powers over my sister." Yang informed me, clearly waiting for me to make the realisation.

Okay then let's think.

What do I know can convince Ruby to do anything…?

Oh you've got to be kidding me.

Yang laughed as she saw the look of disbelief that had clearly made it onto my face. "That's the look." She crowed, still giggling away. "They all have the same face when they realise."

I bought a hand to my brow and sighed exasperatedly. "Chocolate chip cookies?" I half asked, the other half already given up any hope on the answer differing.

"And we have a winner!" Yang proclaimed, throwing her hands up into the air. "First place to Jaune Arc!"

"Hey if first place is going to anyone, I've got to be before Jaune." A familiar cocky voice cried out in from the entrance.

I turned to see Sun walk in with…well now there is a surprise, Blake as his partner. Looks like they made up. That's nice.

Then I took in Sun's outfit, and my hand slapped against my forehead. That was not.

"Really?" I asked, looking at the now sheepish Sun. "A black shirt and a tie? That's the only change from your regular outfit?" I asked.

"Hey! I pull it off thank you very much.

"Neptune was right, you are beyond all hope." I sighed, shaking my head. I took in the outfit and noted at least one small victory. "At least the shirt is closed."

A fierce glint came into Sun's eyes, his hands already moving in a familiar action which I immediately sought to extinguish with the next statement. "That was not an invitation." I growled, narrowing my eyes at him.

Sun raised his hands in surrender still laughing. "Just checking Jaune." He smirked before extending his arm for Blake to hold. "Shall we?" Sun asked with a posh accent that sounded remarkably like Peter.

Blake went to join him at least until Yang suddenly blurred between them. "Not yet monkey boy, someone owes me a dance first." Yang said with a grin before she pulled Blake onto the dance floor with her.

Sun stood their blinking for a moment before a laugh of my own escaped from my mouth as I made my way to his side and watched the two dance. "So what that was a whole two minutes before your date was dancing with someone else?" I asked rhetorically before digging my elbow into his side. "Technically a new record." I noted with a smirk before Sun turned to look at me, rolling his eyes and a smirk of his own on his face.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up." Sun replied, shaking his head as he did so before he looked out at the crowd and frowned slightly. "Hey where's the Old Bastard?"

I stared at Sun at that. "Him? At a public event? Willingly?" I said at a deadpan, Sun wincing slightly as I continued to stare at him. "Did you forget the last time we dragged him to something like that?"

Sun flinched at that, as did I. "The Circus." We both intoned before shuddering in unison.

"I was never able to look at a clown the same again." Sun said, a look of distant horror in his eyes.

It was not a good time.

And then that assassin attacked us.

Granted the Old Bastard was actually happy about that.

"Finally something that isn't boring."

Something along those lines.

Sun clapped me on the shoulders and gave me a grin, dragging me away from my memories. "Well buddy, time for me to take the stage." He said with his signature cocky tone.

I snorted at that, and waved him forward as I turned back to the main doors, waiting to see who was next to arrive.

Nope.

Still nobody.

Guess everyone's already here.

Or came in from one of the side entrances.

I felt a fist punch my shoulder lightly and I turned to see Yang retaking her place in front of the lectern. "You do realise I expect a dance of my own, don't you vomit boy?" Yang asked me cheekily.

A grin of my own tugged at my lips at that. "Why mittens, it would be my honour." I said mock-solemnly before my grin broke through again and we both let out a laugh.

Our conversation was cut short by the sound of the main doors opening once more.

Late arrival I guess.

"You guys are just in time." Yang proclaimed as…Mercury and Emerald made their way into the ballroom, Emerald in a dark green dress, while Mercury was in a tuxedo edged in a dark yellow, almost like gold.

Emerald immediately noticed me standing next to Yang and her eyes narrowed minutely, her mouth twitching downwards for a moment.

Mercury on the other hand looked as unbothered as he always seemed, his ever-present smirk plastered across his face. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." He assured Yang before making his way past us, Emerald in tow.

I watched them for a few moments longer before they were lost within the crowd of dancing students, when an idea struck me.

"Yang," I said aloud, bowing slightly as Yang turned towards me, extending an open hand towards her. "May I have this dance?" I asked, the hint of a smile tugging at my lips.

Yang giggled, and took my hand, preforming a small curtesy as she did so, extending the little play of ours as she did so.

As we walked towards the dance floor Yang raised a brow questioningly as she started to speak. "Are you sure you're ready for this? From what I hear about your DDR skills you seem to have to left feet." She said slyly, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

In response to this I simply smiled and spun Yang around so we were face to face, bought my hand behind her back and began moving alongside the sound of the violins playing, spinning smoothly from one step to the next.

As Yang looked at me with astonished eyes I found a small chuckle escape my lips without my consent. "I'll have you know that I am an excellent dancer." I informed Yang primly as we moved around the dance floor, Yang letting out a laugh of her own as we spun by Cardin who was moving to take a seat by one of the tables, a glass of punch in hand. "Better break out your wallet because you just got served!" I added with a grin.

"And where might I ask did you learn to do this? Tob doesn't seem quite the waltzing type." Yang asked me, drawing a snort from me as I pictured the Old Bastard at one of these events.

Honestly by now he would have found Peter and they would have gotten well and truly plastered with whatever alcohol they had on hand. Which Peter already seemed to be, I noted with a wry grin as I caught sight of a merrily chuckling Peter seemingly unable to stand in front of Doctor Oobleck.

At least there's someone sober to keep an eye on him that isn't me.

Once was enough.

And I did it a lot more than once.

"Believe it or not my mother taught me." I admitted as Yang blinked in surprise at my answer. "From what few memoires I have of her, I know that she loved dancing and I used to dance with her just like this." I went on, raising a hand as I spun Yang briefly before continuing on with the dance.

There was silence between us for a moment, nothing but the sounds of the music playing, the other people dancing around with us as well as the variety of conversations that were taking place throughout the room.

I noticed Yang's brow furrow for a moment before she looked at me quizzically. "Hold on," Yang said, clearly thinking through what I had just said. "You had to have had more lessons than that. Who taught you?"

I laughed sheepishly at that, "That is a story for another time." I assured her, my cheeks flushing as I thought about those particular encounters.

Bad enough that Sun and his team knew of them.

There was no way that the others were to know of this.

Ever.

Yang's eyes positively gleamed at that. "Well now I'm interested." She said back with a look in her eyes that left me feeling like an unattended cookie in front of the kids.

Or Ruby.

Luckily for me with that the song ended and the various dancers stopped and applauded the band. Or did you call it an orchestra? Even if it's just one instrument?

No idea.

"You get lucky this time." Yang said with a smirk, striding away confidently in her heels before she turned back and looking at me. "Thanks for the dance Jaune."

And with that she was gone, vanishing into the crowd.

I felt the air whoosh out of me as I breathed out.

When did I start holding my breath?

I can't even remember to be honest.

But my parched throat is making it fairly obvious that I'm thirsty.

I moved over to the drinks table, pouring myself a glass of water and taking a large gulp from it.

Ah.

That hits the spot.

As I turned I immediately noticed Ruby standing by the table as well, looking very much out of her depth as she watched the crowd dance and converse in the hall.

Very much like myself when Sun dragged me into my first 'dance'.

Only not at a club.

And they only have punch and water here as opposed to…whatever it was that Scarlet was usually seen drinking.

Where are him and Sage anyway? Haven't seen them around yet.

I walked over to where Ruby stood, taking another sip from my drink as I did so. "Ah the classic 'hiding at the punch bowl technique' an oft forgotten classic." I noted, taking a place by Ruby's side as I looked out into the dancing crowd.

"Yep." Ruby replied, loudly popping the p as she did so, looking entirely unconcerned at being called out on her staying by the punch.

I smiled at that.

She's much more mature that I was at that age.

"To the socially awkward." I toasted, moving my glass slightly towards hers.

Ruby let out a giggle and clinked our glasses together.

"Not going to dance?" I asked Ruby, gesturing out at the crowd. "The rest of your team all seem to be."

Ruby looked at me oddly at that. "What do you mean?"

I bought up mu fingers counting through them. "Well Blake's dancing with Sun, Your sister danced with me, Weiss with Neptune." I said looking to Ruby who shook her head at me. "What'd I miss?" I asked taking another sip of my water.

"Weiss came to the dance alone." Ruby clarified simply.

I choked and coughed as the water went down the wrong way, rubbing a sleeve across my mouth as I did so. "What?" I exclaimed shocked.

I'd just seen Weiss ask Neptune to the dance yesterday. So that means…he turned her down?

Wha?

Ruby indicated with her eyes and I turned to see Weiss alone, trying to coax some a wilting white rose back into position with its brethren but being unable to do so, looking clearly upset when she was unable to do so.

"Yeah she said she had too much to focus on to worry about boys." Ruby added shrugging her shoulders as I watched on, still slightly in shock.

Weiss being visibly anything other than annoyed was generally a big deal, so Neptune's rejection must be effecting her more than I first thought.

But then again maybe he had something on, like an assignment he had to finish or a job or…

The sound of familiar laughter shattered these

possibilities as I turned to see Neptune with Blake and Sun in the middle of telling some story, all laughing loudly and having a good time.

Or he's just an idiot.

I pursed my lips, and extended my glass towards Ruby. "Could you hold this for a moment?" I half growled, more command then question. "I need to have a talk with Neptune."

Ruby silently took my glass as I stormed forward, doing everything I could not to stomp on the floor as I approached, moving through the crowd of students in formal attire, weaving to and fro before I came to a stop as a familiar face caught my eye.

"Pyrrha?" I asked, turning towards where I had seen her only to see Pyrrha in a full length crimson dress the same shade as her hair slowly making her way up the stairs.

Where on Remnant was she headed?

Raincheck.

You get lucky this time Neptune.

And with that I swiftly made my way after my partner.

I walked out through the doors that led out onto the balcony and felt my breath catch slightly as I did so.

From a distance Pyrrha had looked good in her deep red dress and signature bronze circlet.

But as I watched her now as she stare out into the night I had to say I was wrong before.

Pyrrha looked stunning.

I stood there for a moment longer before I remembered why I was here.

C'mon man snap out of it, ask her why she's here.

I swallowed loudly.

No.

Speak.

Not swallow.

"Hey Pyrrha." I started, only to fall into silence again as Pyrrha turned towards me.

"Hello Jaune." She greeted, staring back at me as I stood awkwardly in the doorway.

God since when did talking to Pyrrha get so difficult?

"Are you alright? I was worried when I didn't see you show up earlier." I asked concerned, slowly walking forward, my eyes looking to see if there were any obvious reasons as to her not showing up then.

"Arrived late, I'm afraid." Pyrrha responded, seemingly unconcerned as she turned back to look out off the balcony, my eyes catching the hint of lips turned downward as she faced away from me.

Pyrrha.

Late?

To anything?

Damn it man you've been silent too long say something else!

Say it's a beautiful night.

"You look beautiful." I said honestly before I realised exactly what it was I had said, my hand nearly clapping over my mouth as I forced it to stay down.

That was not what I told you to say, you traitorous mouth you!

Pyrrha's hand rose to cover her mouth slightly at that before she bought it back down again. "Thank you." She responded, not reacting any further than that.

Think Jaune, think! What do you say next?

How about you ask who she came with

That seems like a good idea

"So…" I started, dragging out the so as my mind frantically struggled to find something to say.

"Where's your date for tonight? Anyone I know? I asked, trying to start some kind of conversation.

Pyrrha sighed and slowly turned towards me, looking almost sad as she looked at me. "There is no date." She said simply.

I blinked.

Okay then.

I blinked again.

And then the realization hit me.

"Wait, what?" I said in shock and disbelief. I must have misheard that because there is absolutely no way that…

Pyrrha shook her head, looking crestfallen. "Nobody asked me." She admitted freely, still honest to a fault even now.

"But that's…" I struggled to put into words just how wrong it was that no one had asked Pyrrha to the dance. I mean come on, what were they thinking? "…ridiculous! You're one of the most beautiful girls I've ever met! How could nobody ask you?" I asked dumbfounded.

Wait what did I just say?

Blast.

Maybe she didn't notice.

Pyrrha turned away from me, facing the cityscape from the balcony once more. Then she started speaking again, still looking away.

"I've been blessed with incredible talents and opportunities. I'm constantly surrounded by love and praise, but when you're placed on a pedestal like that for so long, you become separated from the people that put you there in the first place." Pyrrha turned back to look at me and in her eyes I saw something, a combination of frustration and despair at her situation. "Everyone assumes I'm too good for them. That I'm on a level they simply can't attain. It's become impossible to form any sort of meaningful relationship with people. That's what I like about you. When we met, you didn't even know my name. You treated me just like anyone else. And thanks to you, I've made friendships that will last a lifetime. I guess, you're the kind of guy I wish I was here with. Someone who just saw me for me."

I stood their stunned into silence by Pyrrha's words as I watched her walk away.

I had no idea…

Damn it man, say something!

Anything!

"Pyr-" I stammered, trying to force the words out, but it was too late. She was already gone.

And then Neptune showed up, looking as if he'd been trying to escape something himself.

Really?

Now he shows up?

"Hey Jaune." He greeted cheerfully, smiling that in that ridiculously 'cool' way that he'd been practicing every day I'd known him.

I sighed, pushing Pyrrha out of my mind as I turned to address Neptune. Solve the problem in front of me, then run after Pyrrha. "Hey Neptune." I said shortly, trying to find a way to put the question subtly.

Neptune started speaking again, walking towards me as he did so. "This party's pretty lame, huh? I mean, ballroom dancing." He said gesturing his head back towards the party before letting out a 'pfft' to express his opinion regarding that.

I felt an eyebrow twitch at that.

What's wrong with ballroom?

No, calm Jaune, stay calm.

Remember subtlety is the key here.

I looked back out over the balcony in an attempt to focus myself and stop from just pouncing on Neptune for his blasphemous words.

Inner peace.

Inner peace.

"Cute girls, though, huh?" I heard Neptune speak up again and I swear I could hear the smirk he was no doubt wearing.

Screw inner peace.

I spun back to face Neptune, rounding on him. "You're kidding me right?" I growled out at him.

Neptune raised his palms to waist levels, looking clueless as to the reason for my frustration. "Huh?" He let out confused.

"Why the heck do you hit on girls, if you don't even man up at the end of it?" I exploded, my expression no doubt thunderous.

"Whoa!" Neptune called out throwing his palms up as if to surrender or ward off an attack. "Where's this coming from?"

"Why did you turn her down Neptune?" I asked bluntly, cutting to the heart of the matter. "I saw her ask you to the dance so why did you say no?"

Neptune hesitated. "Wait, w-who?"

Seriously, how can anybody be so bloody…?

Argh!

"The Jade Empress obviously, Weiss you moron!" I roared at him, smacking him over the head as he did so as I tended to do anytime he or Sun had made yet another of their boneheaded mistakes.

A hand went up to scratch the back of his head as Neptune's gaze seemed to bounce around the balcony as he struggled to give me an answer "I, uh... it, uh... it just didn't work out, you know?" He finally put, as if that somehow explained everything.

"It just didn't work out?" I repeated incredulous. "What in the world could possibly keep you from saying ye-"

"I can't dance!" Neptune rushed out turning away from me and looking shamefully at the ground as said so.

I blinked slowly.

Wait what?

"Beg your pardon?" I asked, seeing if the answer would change if it was spoken at a speed that wouldn't be called a blur.

"I can't dance, man!" He repeated, turning even further away from me as he did so.

Oh you've got to be kidding me.

"How in the world can you manage to look so cool and not know how to dance?" I asked, utterly dumbfounded at his words.

"Thank you. I try really, really hard." Neptune admitted only to flinch back as I growled at him.

"Not. The. Point." I growled out before forcing myself to calm down again as I tried to sum up the situation. "So let me get this straight. You would rather break a girl's heart and go to a dance alone than just admit to everyone that you can't move in rhythm to music?" I asked, arching a brow at this ridiculous situation.

"That about sums it up, yeah." Neptune replied, looking away from me awkwardly as he did so.

I turned back to the balcony and sighed, holding my face in my hands. "Well, I certainly feel a lot better about myself." I muttered under my breath before trying to find a way to solve this latest dilemma.

"Please don't tell anybody." Neptune pleaded behind me. "I just wanted…" he trailed off, seemingly unable to find the words to express himself.

Screw it.

Unsubtle it is.

I turned back to face Neptune, looking him straight in the eyes. "Do you like her?" I asked simply, waiting for an answer.

"Yeah." Neptune answered instantly before adding on more as if he thought that wasn't enough of an answer. "I mean I don't know her too well yet, but she seems pretty cool."

"Then just go down there and talk to her." I told him shaking my head as I did so. "Don't try to be cool, or throw out those stupid one liners. She obviously likes you too, so just be yourself."

Neptune didn't look to sure with my advice. "Yeah, but then-"

I clipped him over the head lightly again cutting him off before he got too far into overthinking it again.

"Hey! You don't have to look cool all the time." I said exasperated as Neptune rubbed his head where I'd hit him. "Stop making it more complicated than it is, and just be yourself, alright?" I asked him, beseeching him to listen with my eyes.

Neptune stopped and seemed to think over my advice before he spoke up again "Yeah, okay." He agreed, causing me to let out an inner sigh of relief.

"Just go talk to her. I guarantee it'll make her night." I promised him, before a smirk made its way to my face. "Even if it's from a blue haired dork who eats poison ivy." I ribbed, chuckling slightly as I remembered the first time the two of us met.

Neptune snorted at that before rolling his eyes. "Gee thanks for that Jaune. See if I get you the latest X-ray and Vav with that attitude, you 'blonde fool'." He replied, mock offended but betrayed by the wide grin on his face, holding out his fist for me to bump.

"That's the blonde fool to you, laddie." I responded parodying the Old Bastard's voice, both of us cracking up with laughter as we bumped fists.

I waved goodbye to Neptune and he walked away, leaving me alone on the balcony once more.

I breathed in deeply and sighed, readying myself.

If Neptune can do it, so can you.

Let's go get dressed.

I opened the door to our dorm room and pulled my rucksack from under my bed, opening the top up wide as I rummaged through it.

Nope.

Nope.

Hey I was looking for that!

Nope.

Bingo!

I pulled out the target of my search, unfolding it as I did so as I examined it.

It'll be a bit smaller on me now, been a while since I last wore it after all.

But that's a good thing, make it easier not to mistake me for something else.

As long as I don't wear the wig, there is no chance that anyone will be able to make the association.

I hope.

I sighed before I put on the brightest smile I could muster.

Here we go.

I stopped at the top of the stairs, scanning the crowd for Pyrrha's distinctive appearance.

"Come on, please still be here." I half whispered, scanning the crowd before my eyes lit up.

There!

I half ran down the stairs, nearly tripping in these blasted shiny black shoes before managing to save myself at the last moment by grabbing the bannister by my side, pulling myself up and forward at the same time.

A few scattered laughs were breaking out now, some of the attendees of the dance having noticed my attire.

I weaved my way through the crowd trying to make my way to Pyrrha before she got any further.

Almost…there.

And then I felt something clip into my right ankle, sending it colliding into my left one as I tried to bring it forward.

Uh-oh.

With a yelp I fell forward, bumping into a few people as I did so, landing on my face with a loud thump and a groan as the people around me erupted in laughter.

Oh this can't get any worse.

SPLASH

I looked up at the cup as it landed on me, apparently having soared through the air when I knocked it from someone's hand, drenching my hair and landing all over my chest as well.

I stand corrected.

Thank you world, for proving me wrong once more.

"Jaune?" I heard Pyrrha's voice inquire, and I looked up to see Pyrrha gazing down at me, trying to hide her smile behind her hand.

I smiled ruefully as I pushed myself up, flattening out the ruffles in my dress as I did so, readjusting the sash on my side, fully aware of just how ridiculous I must look right now. "A promise is a promise." I half sighed, gesturing for her to get on with it.

At that Pyrrha lost the battle holding back her laughter first with a few giggles and then full on laughter as she took on my punch stained form, wearing the white dress that had been packed away in my bag that was now clinging rather tightly to my chest making it a bit hard to breath.

I swear it wasn't this hard to wear back then.

"Jaune!" She finally gasped, still giggling as she did so. "You didn't have to." She laughed, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

I shook my head like a dog, sending some of the punch still clinging to my hair flying as I did so. "Hey if there's one thing I live by, it's that a man's word is his bond. And I gave you my word Pyrrha." I reminded her as I strained the last of the punch out of my hair. "Now are you just going to stand there and laugh at me," I suggested before I held out my hand for her to take, smiling as I did so. "Or do you want to dance?"

Pyrrha smiled and placed her hand in my own. "I would love to dance." She answered happily. With her acceptance I used her hand to pull her in towards me, Pyrrha letting out an "Oh!" in surprise before I spun away with her to the centre of the dance floor.

I heard Nora squeal something loudly in the background before she zoomed onto the dance floor with us, pulling Ren along with her.

As we stepped onto the dance floor I let out a grin as I noticed the song starting to play. I know this song!

And more importantly, I know the dance that goes with it.

And with that we danced, me looking out of the corner of my eye at Pyrrha as I did so, laughing as I saw her surprised expression as I matched her move for move as we followed the steps of this little dance. I smiled even further as I caught sight of Ren and Nora preforming the dance alongside us, the whole team moving in unison as the students watching cheered us on.

I laughed as I spun Pyrrha around for one twirl as the song continued, the crowd cheering and clapping as they did so.

"I had no idea you were a dancer!" Pyrrha exclaimed, her cheeks flushed from our surprisingly intense dancing.

I shrugged with a grin, taking Pyrrha by the hand and spinning her into a dip before pulling her up again. "Hey DDR and dancing are two separate things in my eyes." I said with a laugh twirling Pyrrha away from me and then following after her.

Other people were joining us on the dance floor now, Blake and Sun laughing as they danced along with the beat, Sun looking at me with a knowing look in his eyes.

I'll have to remember to pre-emptively stop him before he gets any ideas about talking about how I have this dress in the first place.

Penny was on the dance floor as well, with one of her bodyguards and was pulling off a very good rendition of the robot, her armoured partner, preforming the same robotic movements as well.

Other students I didn't know began dancing as well, and I returned my attention to Pyrrha and smiled shaking my head.

Just focus on the dance and have fun.

Everything else can wait until later.

Pyrrha and I made our way off the dance floor several songs later, Pyrrha looking happier than I'd seen her in a long while. I pulled out a seat for Pyrrha to sit down on, Pyrrha letting out a giggle as I theatrically bowed for her as she took her seat before pushing her seat in.

I went to go sit down myself before I noticed how dry my mouth was, as well as a slight sheen of sweat on my skin from the dance. "I don't know about you, but I need a drink. Want me to grab one for you while I'm there?" I asked.

Pyrrha smiled. "That would be grand." She replied, letting out a giggle as she spotted Ren and Nora pulling off some disco finger points on the dance floor.

I made my way over to the table with the punch bowl, weaving in between the various other dancing students, giving an acknowledging nod to Sun as he danced with Blake, finally squeezing past two students I didn't know to make it to the refreshments table.

"Sup Jaune." I heard a familiar voice call and I saw Cardin approach the table as well, an empty glass in hand. "Smooth moves out there." He said with a smirk making a show of eying my outfit. "Nice dress."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up." I groaned, pouring the punch into two glasses as I did so. "How's the punch Cardin?"

Cardin filled his own glass and gulped down a mouthful of the fruity concoction, making a face as he did so. "Ergh. It's so bad, yet I can't stop drinking it." He mourned, eyeing the remaining punch is his cup with a half-hearted glare.

I laughed at that. "I'll catch up with you in a bit Cardin." I chuckled, grasping the glasses with both hands, taking care not to spill any of the punch within them.

Then I started making my way back, once again weaving through the thriving crowd, spinning around a giggling girl from Vacuo, biting back a snort at Neptune's 'enthusiastic' attempts at dancing, my eyes moving over the happy, dancing crowd before I stopped, my body freezing mid-step involuntarily.

What?

Why can't I move?

Then through the crowd of swirling bodies I saw it, only for a brief moment but clear to my eyes. A small black tattoo on the centre of someone's uncovered back.

I SEE YOU, JAUNE ARC.

The two glasses dropped from my hands with a loud crash, the crowd spinning at the sudden noise but I dropped to my knees, one hand clutching at my eye as if I had suddenly been stabbed while the scar on my back became a sea of agony, every centimetre a new torment upon my flesh.

The words burned through me like acid, the crowd of the ball fading away to an impenetrable darkness. Then shapes began to form, blurred lines and curves giving the impression of a room, any remarkable features lost in the blazing fire that roared around it. But throughout it all one thing remained. A symbol made up of two separate curving lines.

The Empty Heart.

In the back stood something, something I could not make out, that seemed to blur out of focus when I attempted to look straight at it, shifting in size from as small as Ruby to impossible heights. Standing before it was another figure, of unremarkable height but clearly female, even only as a glowing white outline. But even as utterly inhuman as the form was, I knew who the person within it was.

"Mother?" I breathed out in shock, my hand reaching forward to touch her. My hand fell short when it pressed onto otherwise invisible to the eye glass, my hand feeling the heat of the flames even with the barrier separating us.

Mother and the dark figure seemed to be talking, the dark figure's words causing the flames to roar and flare with every unnatural syllable, the glass shaking with every incomprehensible word.

Then there was silence, with the white form of my mother gesturing slightly as she did so, weapons in hand.

It was then I noticed something else, something other than the impossible confrontation taking place before my eyes.

My hand.

It was tiny.

Like that of a small child.

Wait…

Is this…

From that day?

Then suddenly I heard words, words I could understand through the garbled conversation.

YOU CANNOT STOP ME, GIRL. HE DIES TONIGHT.

I shivered as the words filled my ears, the sheer volume of emotion in the voice beyond anything I had ever encountered. What is rage or loathing or despising but a pale imitation of the endless hate in that voice.

Then the white glowing figure of my mother turned and suddenly I saw them, two bright blue eyes, the same blue of my own. They were full of tears but at the same time were harder than any steel could hope to match. Then although I could make out no mouth or even a face upon her, she spoke.

"Live well, my son." She said softly, the sound somehow still carrying through the glass barrier.

Then she threw one of the weapons in her hand, a glowing white sword piercing the wall next to me.

NO!

The dark figure howled in anguish and outrage leaping forward towards me. But the white figure that was my mother dived forward to meet it, her remaining sword a twisting lance of gleaming white.

Then I was falling, falling through the blackness, all light gone once more as I felt the vision come apart at the seams.

And then there was only darkness.