Chapter Text
Days passed before Salem's fury cooled enough for clear thought. But Ozpin's unnervingly fast reincarnation forced her hand. Now Hazel, Watts, Tyrion, and Neo sat around her stone council table.
- Are you quite certain, my lady? - Watts ventured. - Yes, Ozpin could talk some sense into General Ironwood, but an assault on Atlas still seems… premature.
-It's our best window to deal a finishing blow. - Salem replied, unshaken. - Sometimes, Arthur, you have to gamble.
- We must obey our all-powerful queen! - Tyrion squealed, clapping like a delighted child.
- Atlas' days are numbered, my lady. - Hazel rumbled.
- You're staying here, Hazel. - Salem said, turning to him.
- But—
- You get unpredictable when Ozpin's around. This op is delicate; the smallest misstep will be fatal. Arthur, Tyrion, and Neopolitan can seed the kind of chaos that makes a kingdom devour itself.
- Your task is to inform young Jax Asturias that our timetable changes, and Shade's attack is postponed.
- As you wish. - Hazel bowed.
Salem faced the other three.
- Speed is everything. Succeed and… - Her eyes slid to Watts, then to Neo. - you'll each have what your hearts crave: revenge… and freedom.
- You mean…? - Watts' face warmed with the thought.
- You'll watch Atlas's pampered elite, who reduced you to nothing, meet the same fate. You'll break their pride and see them lose everything they prize to their own arrogance.
- Yes… - Watts stroked his mustache, smiling. - That I would enjoy.
- And you, Neopolitan, - Salem said to the girl. - you'll get another chance to cut Roman out of your life for good. Then you'll be free. - She rose. - Now go.
The three men and Neo stood and left. Hazel boarded a different craft headed for Vacuo.
- Where are you off to, Tyrion? - Watts asked when the faunus veered down a separate corridor.
- Just to say goodbye to Cinder's whelps. - Tyrion sang, grin twitching.
- Should we intervene? - Watts asked Neo, uneasy. Neo flicked open her Scroll and typed, then flashed it:
"Real question: do we even care what happens to them?"
- Not especially. - Watts shrugged. - But the lady said we're on the clock.
Neo tapped again:
"Bet you Emerald or Mercury snaps first. Mercury's tough, but Emerald's smarter. My lien's on her."
- With Cinder gone, their loyalty's… negotiable. - Watts chuckled.
"You think that's why Salem didn't send them with us?" - Neo typed.
- Perhaps. I seldom know what rattles around that witch's skull. So long as we obey, we get what we want.
Neo paused, then:
"Tyrion's taking his time with the kids."
- Given your, ah, altitude, I'm not sure you get to call anyone 'kids.' - Watts quipped. Neo's eyes narrowed; one brow crept up. He relented. - Point taken. I'll go before he kills one.
By the time they arrived, Watts' fears weren't far off: Tyrion stood over Mercury, the gleaming tip of his mechanical stinger hovering inches from the boy's throat.
- Tyrion! - Watts barked. The scorpion-tailed faunus glanced back, eyes briefly flicking to Neo.
- We really should be going. - Watts added.
- Do whatever makes you happy, children. - Tyrion cooed, easing back, tail swaying. Hands clasped behind him, he drifted out with a giggle.
Watts spun up a Mistrali skimmer for their hop to Atlas.
- Won't this be… conspicuous? - Tyrion purred. - Flying to Atlas in a Mistral crate?
- It would be, - Watts said smoothly, then looked to Neo. - if not for Neopolitan.
Neo stepped forward. Her Semblance rippled over her like a veil: white-and-black ankle boots, fitted white pants, a cropped white top beneath a chocolate off-shoulder coat with pink lining; a gray scarf; white gloves, and Roman's iconic bowler with a red plume perched atop, because of course.
She touched the hull. Pink-and-white shards of illusion raced across the fuselage; in seconds, a sleek white-and-blue Atlas military transport stood where the drab Mistrali tub had been.
- Delightful. - Tyrion breathed. - That little trick will please our mistress to no end, my little lady.
Neo exhaled, a crisp finger-snap: done.
- You can hold the disguise for an extended run? - Watts asked. Neo nodded. - Excellent. I've already acquired the access codes. Those pompous apes are absurdly predictable.
They boarded and lifted into the clouds, bearing Salem's chaos toward Atlas.
Oscar had been missing for hours. Cold wind knifed through Argus as the teams fanned out: RWBY with Roman, LLMM with Maria, JNR with Saphron.
- Oscar! - Jaune's shout bounced off stone and snow.
- This city's huge. - Ren said. - He could be anywhere.
- It's my fault. - Jaune muttered, scanning alleys, guilt chewing him raw. - I pushed too hard.
- What actually happened? - Saphron asked gently. She knew Jaune couldn't share much, but she tried to understand. - About the mission?
- Uh… - Nora grimaced. - Let's call it… complicated.
- Got it. Classified. - Saphron nodded. - Did he do something wrong?
- No. - Jaune said, trying to be honest without being revealing. - We… learned something about the mission that made things harder.
- If it were easy, it probably wouldn't matter as much. - Saphron said with a hopeful smile. She didn't grasp how literally the world's fate sat on her kid brother's shoulders.
- We're just… not sure what comes next. - Ren summed up.
- You could stay in Mistral. - Saphron offered. - Get your licenses at Haven, come back to Argus. You could do a lot of good here. I know your mission's important, but surely you're not the only ones who can do it? It's not like… - She laughed. - the world depends on you, right?
Jaune stared at the snow.
"Actually, yeah. The world depends on us to get the Lamp to Atlas."
- It's… not that simple.
- I see. - Saphron sighed. - I have to grab Adrian from daycare. I'll ping Terra; we'll see you at home. Good luck. - She hugged him and left.
- There's a café. - Nora pointed. - How about some hot drinks?
- You two go. - Jaune murmured. - I'll… stay. - He sank onto a bench, head bowed.
- Sure you don't want anything? - Nora asked. He shook his head.
- We'll be right back. - Ren promised, and the two slipped away.
Left alone, Jaune wilted. He'd lashed out at Oscar for the sins of a ghost, Ozpin, and now Oscar was gone. Snow muffled the city. A reddish-brown leaf skittered across the street on a stray gust. Odd, this far north in winter. It seemed to beckon.
Jaune found himself rising to follow.
It led him into a park, right to the monument. His heart stopped.
Pyrrha Nikos towered five meters above him, marble shield raised, spear across her back, bearing the world with quiet grace, and looking, impossibly, right at him.
At the base, an inscription:
"In memory of Pyrrha Nikos — Only one of the many students who fell heroically in the Fall of Beacon."
Tears pricked. "You should be here.", he thought, memories flooding, her faith in him when he had none in himself.
- It's beautiful, isn't it? - A soft voice said.
He turned. A woman stood there, older than Pyrrha would have been, but cut from the same cloth: red hair, green eyes, familiar lines. Glasses. A small bouquet of red flowers in her hands.
- Yes. - He said. - Why are you here?
- She studied here, at Sanctum. - The woman smiled. - Everyone panicked when she chose Beacon over Haven. No one wanted her to go… but she knew what she wanted. - She hugged the flowers, then looked at him. - I'm glad she had such wonderful people around her.
- She should be here. - Jaune whispered.
- She is. - The woman said, eyes on the statue. - She believed it was her responsibility to try. I don't think she regretted the choice, because for a true Huntress, giving up isn't an option. And she always wanted to be a Huntress.
- Pyrrha… - Jaune realized, at last, there was nothing he could have done. She saved him, launched him away, so he could live. - She never got to graduate, but she was a Huntress.
The woman's eyes shone. She wiped them quickly.
- Thank you.
Jaune blinked, and she was gone. The flowers remained at the statue's feet.
"Was she really here… or did I imagine it?"
- Jaune? - Another voice asked.
He turned.
- Weiss?
Snow drifted through Weiss's pale hair. Concern softened her ice-blue eyes.
- Where are the others?
- Ruby and the team went back. - Weiss said. - I ducked in for hot chocolate and saw you. What are you... oh. - She saw the statue. Her breath caught. - I'm sorry.
- I never understood what she saw in me. - Jaune said. - I was clumsy, hopeless. An idiot pretending to be a hero. And still… she stood by me.
- Jaune… - Weiss's voice was gentle, threaded with her own guilt. - I'm sorry for how I treated you at Beacon. If it means anything, I was an arrogant, condescending brat back then.
- And the worst part… - Jaune shook his head. - She supported me, even through my stupid flirting, while I didn't see how incredible she was.
- We've all grown. - Weiss said, stepping beside him.
- I don't know what she saw... - He said, fighting tears. - But I'm going to become the man she believed I could be.
Weiss looked at him, a single tear slipping free. She wiped it away, half hiding behind a gloved hand as she tucked a strand of hair back. He was still blaming himself. She took his hand, smaller than his, but steady, and he let her.
- I'm grateful you're with us, not… gone. - Weiss said. - I'll always be thankful Pyrrha saved you. I'll never forget the friend we all loved, and I'll honor the hero she became.
His heartbeat surged. Pyrrha's memory gave him enough courage to squeeze Weiss' hand, and she didn't pull away.
- Thank you. - He said, turning fully to her. He still held her hand; with the other he drew her closer, resting it on her shoulder. Her face flushed; he lost himself in her eyes. He leaned in, breath mingling, eyes closing—
Weiss met him halfway.
She wrapped her arms around him. He brushed her cheek with his fingertips and held her like he never wanted to let go. When they finally parted, the world felt quieter.
- YES! - Nora exploded, popping up from behind a bench, dragging a sheepish-but-smiling Ren with two steaming cups. - TOLD YOU THEY'D GET TOGETHER!
- So… is it official? - Ren asked, offering Jaune a cup.
- Uh… - Jaune scratched his neck, at a loss.
- Definitely! - Nora declared, pressing the other cup into Weiss' hands. - That spark's been there for ages!
- Maybe… - Weiss managed, wearing a nervous little smile. - Possibly…
- Together… - Jaune tried to help. - …ish…
- …we are? - Weiss finished, turtling her neck.
- This is WONDERFUL! - Nora scooped both of them into a bone-crushing hug. - Right, Ren?
- Incredible. - Ren said, unusually bright. - We should head back.
- Can't wait to tell everyone! - Nora bounced like a kid.
Hand in hand, red-faced but happy, Jaune and Weiss followed.
- This is going to be super awkward. - Weiss murmured.
- Trust me, - Jaune sighed. - I've been in a lot of awkward. None quite like this.
- Always a joy watching a pro at work. - Roman deadpanned, staring at Qrow sprawled on the front steps, snoring.
- I've never seen him this bad. - Yang fretted.
- Up we go. - Ruby and Yang hauled Qrow upright. He blinked blearily.
- Why'm I outside?
- Probably because no one was home, uncle Qrow! - Ruby snapped. - We were out looking for Oscar!
- Who's Oscar?
- Our friend, the one with Ozpin in his head. - Ruby said, fraying.
- And who's Ozpin?
- Okay… - Yang rolled her eyes. - Not funny.
The rest trickled back, first JNR, then LLMM with Maria, then Saphron and Terra.
- This looks great for the neighbors. - Terra muttered, clocking curtains twitching up and down the block.
They can only guess what I'm doing with a dead drunk Huntsman right in front of their house, but Saphron just elbowed her to show some understanding
- Big news! - Nora yelled the instant they crossed the threshold.
- Ready… - Jaune inhaled. He and Weiss squeezed hands and stepped inside.
- JAUNE AND WEISS ARE A THING! - Nora bellowed so loud even Qrow groaned.
- Oh my god!
- No way!
- Finally!
- Was it romantic?! - A dozen voices crashed over them. RWBY, LLMM, and JNR swarmed; Jaune and Weiss smiled helplessly, clinging to each other like lifelines—
The front door swung again.
Oscar stood there.
- I was wondering when you'd get back.
- OSCAR! - The house erupted. RWBY (minus Weiss), JNR (minus Jaune), and LLMM stampeded up the stairs and smothered him in hugs.
- Bless Oscar for the save. - Weiss exhaled.
- I still owe someone an apology. - Jaune said, gently releasing Weiss' hand. He pushed through to Oscar, who'd just wriggled free.
- Something cooking? - Terra asked, spotting the oven light.
- Oh, - Oscar flushed. - yeah, I thought you might want hot dish, since you spent all day… looking for me.
- This was my fault. - Jaune said, solemn. - Oscar, I'm sorry for what I said. I was angry and… had no right—
- It's okay. - Oscar lifted a hand. - I've been just as scared as you. - A shadow flitted through his eyes, the vision Jinn had shown them. - I don't know how long I'll still be… me. But I've had time to think. I want to help you with everything I've got, for as long as I have.
- Good. - Jaune smiled, lighter by a mountain. - This team isn't the same without you.
A sharp beep cut in.
- The casserole! - Oscar yelped, moving, only for Saphron to step in.
- We'll handle it, Chef. - Terra handed Adrian into Roman's arms and with her wife hustled to rescue dinner. Oscar watched, wide-eyed and grateful.
- Glad you're okay. - Ruby said, stepping to him. Hope sparked in Oscar's gaze.
- And don't do that again. - Lance added, relieved.
- And where do you think you're going? - Ruby snapped as Qrow began crawling upstairs.
- Don't want to crash your big celebration. - Qrow muttered. - Go on, enjoy…
- You've been gone all day. Stay.
- Look, Ruby, - Qrow sighed, deflated. - I'm glad you… fixed whatever this is, and I'm happy for the Kid and the Ice Queen. But we're no closer to Atlas.
- Actually, - Jaune said, stepping forward. - I might have an idea.
Qrow folded his arms and his look said: Impress me.
- As long as Cordo's in charge of the border, - Jaune began. - only Atlas aircraft can cross. So… we steal one.
Silence. Then Adrian giggled in Roman's arms.
- I agree with the baby. - Roman said, waggling a finger at the infant. - Terrible plan.
- Also illegal. - Weiss added, love-blinded but still Weiss.
- And how do we even reach the airfield? - Yang frowned.
- That's… - Jaune wilted. - The part I haven't figured out. But—
- Okay, stop! - Qrow raised a hand. - Just... don't. When this goes south, and it will, we can't punch our way out. This is the Atlas military.
- For your own good, - he finished, grim. - forget it.
- I'm with Qrow. - Roman said. - Bad plan.
- You got something better? - Ruby shot back at Roman.
- As a matter of fact, - Roman said, offended. - I do.
- Since when? - Qrow narrowed his eyes.
- Since Cordo slammed the gate in our faces. - Roman folded his arms. Every gaze swung to him.
- Why didn't you say so earlier? - Yang barked.
- Because you keep shutting me down! - Roman snapped. - Every time I open my mouth, you stuff a boot in it. You wanna hear it now?
Everyone, except Qrow, looked a bit ashamed. They'd judged Roman by his record and stopped listening.
- Absolutely not! - Qrow exploded. - We're not staking this on a criminal's plan! - The old feud flared; both men squared up—
- I want to hear him. - Ruby cut through, the only one willing to stand up to her uncle, for Roman.
- Ruby, I don't... - Qrow bristled. He didn't want her anywhere near Roman's schemes.
- I want to hear him! - Ruby said, unmoved. - You want to protect us! You're scared we'll blow it! I get it! But right now, I don't care what you think. - Qrow reeled, hurt that she'd side with the man he loathed.
- Just because you don't have a plan doesn't mean we're out of options. Honestly? Since Roman joined us, he's only helped, which I can't say about Oz… or you lately. You and Oz made bad calls that got people hurt. Roman tried to warn us. In hindsight, we should've listened to him. - She turned to Roman; for once, the crew's path hung on him.
- So now... - Ruby finished. - we listen to him.
- Huh... - Roman rubbed the back of his neck. - First compliment I've ever gotten from a Huntress.
- So? - Ruby said. - What's the plan?
- Well, - Roman grinned, spreading his hands. - as you heard, Cordo's willing to let the Ice Queen through… - He glanced at Weiss.
- We're not sending Weiss through alone! - Jaune said at once.
- We promised we wouldn't leave her. - Ruby nodded.
- Who said anything about alone? - Roman lifted his palms. - She takes her exotic little pet along. - He thumbed at Qrow.
- Me?! - Qrow recoiled.
- You turn into a bird. We pop you in a cage. Weiss 'brings' you as an exotic pet. They let you two pass.
- I mean… - Weiss said, unexpectedly steady, Qrow wasn't her dream chaperone, but she could work with it. - That… could work.
- If Qrow's with you, are you okay to go? - Ruby asked.
- Yes. Alone? No. With him? I can do it.
- And then? - Qrow pressed. - They'll cart us to the Schnee manor. Her father won't just let us stroll off.
- No, - Roman said smoothly. - you bail en route. Ask to use the restroom, classic, and slip your escort.
- Then everyone hunts us! - Qrow warned.
- Exactly! - Roman nodded. - Let them catch you. In the cells, an officer will question you. Qrow gives his name, says Weiss Schnee is with him, and he's carrying an urgent message for General Ironwood. Since the general is his 'personal friend', so you claim, someone will come. You get face time, explain the situation, and Ironwood tells Cordo to stand down. Then they escort the rest of us straight in. Done.
The room traded looks. It… actually tracked.
- That's… a pretty good plan. - Ruby admitted.
- I had a plan too! - Jaune protested. - Unnecessarily overcomplicated, with lots of fighting and random civilians in danger, whom we then heroically save so everyone calls us heroes! - Arms crossed, lips jutted: sulk mode.
- Yeah… - Ruby said gently. - Let's not.
- Agreed. - Blake said. - That would've been reckless.
- As I've said, - Maria chimed in. - our work is to protect people, not endanger them so we can shine.
- What were you thinking? - Ren asked, baffled.
- Aren't you supposed to be the smart one? - Nora piled on.
- FINE! - Jaune threw up his hands. - I'm sorry, okay? It was just an idea!
- Lucky for us, - Lance said. - Roman had a viable one.
- Think how much damage we'd have caused with his. - Mike winced.
- So, - Roman rubbed his palms. - we're doing it my way?
- Absolutely. - Ruby said, firm. - Uncle Qrow, be a cute, adorable, exotic little bird until you're across.
Qrow hated the thought of perching in a cage, in Roman's plan, but if it got the Relic to Ironwood…
- Fine… but I want a luxury cage. And premium honey bird feed. That's my favorite.
- We'll make it happen.
- And corn too!