Chapter 20

Yang, Weiss, Keiji and Konjiro were inside Raven's tent as all four of them faced her as Vernal was pouring tea for them all. "You can wait outside. Thank you" Raven told Vernal as she dismissed her and took her cup.

"So what's the 'truth'?" Yang asked, not touching her tea.

"You know it's better when it's hot." Raven said as she took a sip.

"You know, you're really obnoxious." Weiss countered.

Raven rolled her eyes as the girls didn't bother touching their cups while the two men greatly drank theirs. "The truth is that 'truth' is hard to come by. A story of victory for one person is a story of defeat for someone else. By now, your uncle has surely told Ruby and her friends plenty of stories."

"Well, he's never given me a reason to doubt him before." Yang told her mom, arms crossed still.

"That doesn't mean those reasons don't exist." Raven counted. "You know, you and your teammates might as well be the poster children for the Huntsmen academies. Your motives vary, but you all enrolled to make the world a better place. It's adorable."

"It's what Huntsmen and Huntresses do." Yang countered.

"Not all of them." Raven said. "Some people are just in it for money and the fame, but there's even more that are just looking to grow stronger. Your Uncle Qrow and I didn't attend Beacon to become Huntsmen, we attended so we could learn how to kill Huntsmen." Both Yang and Weiss gasped as they looked at each other then at Raven. "Daddy and Uncle Qrow left that part out, hm?"

"To be fair, I'm not that shocked." Keiji smirked. "Bandits come to sign in for their services to get in the ranks."

"Start out low then moved to the ranks." Kojiro continues to sip his tea. "But, bandits get found out one way or another. Greed for power and wealth happens to get their heads lopped off." Giving her a type of glare that even shook Raven.

Raven continued her talk. "A-anyway, besides the Grimm. Huntsman were the only ones capable of ruining our raids and hunting us down. Our tribe needed a counter force." She said as to steady her hand as she poured more tea. "And Qrow and I were the perfect age. The entrance exams were child's play compare to what we'd already been through. We were good. So good, that we caught the attention of Beacon's very own headmaster, Professor Ozpin." She turned around and looked at the map. "Even after we were put on a team, I could tell he was keeping his eye on us. Back then, I thought it was because he knew, but it was team STRQ he was interested in."

"What do you mean by that?" Yang asked.

"Constant attention, extra training missions, turning a blind eye whenever we happen to break the rules and get into more trouble then we should've. Sound familiar?" Raven turn to them as she saw it in their eyes.

"What's your point?" Yang asked as if not giving a damn.

"How much do you know about Professor Ozpin.? About his past?"

"He was... a prodigy." Weiss answered her. "One of the youngest headmasters to be appointed to the school."

"Because that's how he planned it." Raven spat as she sipped her tea. "Because the man you know as Ozpin designed those schools and has followers inside every academy in Remnant that are loyal to him and no one else."

"That doesn't make any sense! How could he have-? No. Why would somebody even do that?" Yang asked.

"Cause old man Ozpin has a great and terrible secret. One that could spread fear across the world. One that he eventually entrusted to our team, and once I knew, there was no going back. I needed to know more, but with every new discovery I made, the more horrifying the world became."

"And what is this secret this Professor Ozpin has." Konjiro asked as he fixed his glasses.

"The creatures of Grimm... have a master named Salem. She can't be stopped, she can't be reasoned with, and she will not rest until humanity and Faunus kind crumbles at her feet."

"What?" Weiss asked in complete shock as Raven finishes her tea.

"What your saying is that those beast have a master that can't be killed? It sounds like this Salem is a goddess or something." Keiji says thinking she is making this up.

"Now you're catching on. So far you've ever done nothing but accepted what others tell you, but you need to question everything." Raven told them. "Otherwise, you will end up just as blind as Qrow and your fool of a father." She directed the last part to Yang as her daughter flipped the table.

"Don't you dare talk about my family like that!" She yelled as her eyes turned red.

"Yang, calm yourself." Konjiro told her as he puts a hand on her shoulder.

"Yang, please." Weiss held her hand to help.

"Listen to your friends, Yang. Your teammates never let you down before." Raven smirked, testing her daughters rage.

"You don't know the first thing about my teammates! About me! You were never there! You left us! Why?" She sounded more sad then angry as her eyes returned back to blue.

"I know more than you realize. Not just about you, and not just what I've told, but things I've seen with my own eyes. I know the Grimm have a leader, I know people who can come back from the dead, I know that magic is real, and I can prove it." Raven told them as Weiss and the two samurai stood up. "You said Tai told you about my Semblance. Well I doubt he ever told you what Oz did to me and my brother." She glanced at them, then walked out the back of the tent.

The four looked at each other in confusion. They stepped outside and saw that she was gone.

"Mom?" Yang called as she looked around.

"Yang, are you okay?" Weiss asked a bit concerned for her teammate.

"I'll be fine once we can get her to take us to Ruby." She answered then looked at them. "You three didn't believe what she said, right?"

"I... of course not. Well, not all of it. It was crazy. We have Dust, semblances... But, I mean, there's no such thing as Magic." Weiss said.

"I agree. In all my years of war, I never seen a human having sorcessy." Kojiro agree.

"Only the gods have that ability. No person posses that power." Keiji added.

All of a sudden, they heard a raven caw and seen it flying around.

"A raven?"

"I've... seen that bird before." They stare at it as it swooped down to them. Then the raven turned into Raven as she landed knelt on one knee. Raven smirk as all four of them looked in shock. "How... did you do that?"

"Well, I could explain it to you..." She said as she drew her sword and cut open a portal. "...or you can ask your uncle."

"So, your willing to let us go free, just like that." Kojiro asked feeling she is up to something.

"I'm giving you a choice." Raven told them. "Stay here, with me, and I'll answer all your questions and more. Or you can go back to Qrow and join Ozpin's impossible war against Salem, and meet the same faith as so many others. But can you really go back to trusting someone that's kept so many from you?"

The three of them looked looked at Yang who looked at her mother with a glare. "All I care about is making sure my sister is safe."

"And I wish to see if Lord Masamune is okay." Konjiro added.

"Very well then." Raven said as she snapped her fingers as the her men pushed Bumblebee and Matsukaze to them. Yang and Weiss got on Bumblebee as Keiji and Konjiro hopped on to Matsukaze, as they approached the portal. "Yang." Raven make them stop for a second. "If you side with your uncle, I may not be so kind next time we meet."

"You weren't kind this time either." She said as they went through the portal. In a burst of light, they were in the city of Haven and in front was Qrow, looking at them.

"Yang?" Qrow stared in disbelief as he saw her niece who got off her bike, and ran to hug him. "It's good to see you Firecracker." Hugging back as he noticed the former Schnee heiress and two men on a horse. "Friends of yours?"

"It will be explained once you take us to Ruby." Yang told him as let go.

"Your over cooking the noodles!" Masamune yelled at Ruby as everyone was making Ramen. Ren was boiling the broth, Nora was cutting up vegetables, Jaune was setting up the table and Ruby was frying the noodles while Masamune order them.

"No I'm not, shut up!" Ruby told them as she swished the noodles around and lowered the flames. "You breaking over me is not helping!"

"I am doing it cause I need to be sure this dish is well made for our guess! If we do not make a proper meal, then we are all going to be in deep trouble!" Masamune stated.

"He is right. A proper meal wins the hearts." Ren agreed with him as he stirred the broth.

"Do you really think, Qrow's gonna bring that many people?" Nora asked as she cut the carrots and ate some.

"Quit eating the food you fool!" Masamune yelled at her.

"I'm back!" Qrow shouted as he closed the door behind him. "Ruby, can you come here!"

"I'm coming!" Ruby said as black smoke puffed. "Okay, Ren can take over." She lowered the flames and grabbed the tea. "So we don't know how many people were coming, so we just cooked all of it." She looked up and dropped the set as it broke on the floor as Yang and Weiss were near the door.

"Ruby! Why did-" Masamune stopped as he saw why she dropped the tea.

"Yang, I... I'm so sorry! I- I've should've stayed, and I should have talked to you more! I'd- I just..." Ruby was tearing up at this point. "I wasn't sure if you wanted me and Masamune around and-" She was interrupted by yang as she hugged her.

"-I love you." Yang said hugging her tighter as she too had tears in her eyes.

"I love you too." Ruby said back as she buried her face in her sister's shoulder. After a few minutes or so, they seperated and Ruby saw Weiss sniffing away a tear away. "Weiss." She said to the white haired girl came in for a group hug.

"Never thought I would get to see you two again." Masamune said walking to them.

"We didn't forget about you." Yang said as she and Weiss hugged him next. "Thanks for looking after Ruby."

"Idiot! As if I let one of my comrades die!" Masamune yelled as a small blush seeped it way to his face.

"Just shut up and take the hug." Weiss said hugging him tighter. "Oh that reminds us, we have a surprise for you."

"Surprise!? Seeing you two is surprise enou-" Masamune stopped mid sentence as he looked at the two men who stepped in. Masamune lightly pushed the two girls off him as he slowly stepped forward. "K-Konjiro?"

"Lord Masamune." Kojiro walked to him and kneeld as he bowed. "I have returned to serve you my lord."

Masamune was choked up as he greeted him to stand. "It is good to have by my side again, Konjiro."

"I will always serve you, my lord." Konjiro said as he stood.

"Don't forget about me, Masamune." Keiji kneeld. "After all, we still have a lot strong enemies to face."

Masamune smirked as he saw the wildman approach. "Having you here, is like having a thousand man, Keiji."

"I think it's time all of you catch up with one another." Qrow said as he went to his room as Oscar followed.

"He is right, this calls for a feast!" Masamune said as he directed to everyone.

"Yeah!" Ruby said. "So let's start making the best ramen there is!"

"Can I wash up first, my clothes are dirty." Weiss pointed out as she was caked in dirt. With no objections, she went to the bathroom and washed up.

"So, this is Konjiro and Keiji." Ruby looked at them. "It is an... um honor to meet you two." Ruby bowed awkwardly.

"Hey kid, no need to be all stiff, I'm just your regular Vagabond." Keiji laughed and patted her head.

"The pleasure is all mine, ma'am." Konjiro bowed. "I must thank you for looking after my lord in his time of need."

"Oh stop, it was nothing you stupid head." Ruby blushed in embarrassment as she muttered stuff. "Wait isn't there one more person?"

"Wait if you two are here, then that means Magoichi has to be in this world." Masamune stated as he looked around.

"Not sure, I found Kojiro with that girl." Keiji said.

'If those two were with the girls, then that means...' Masamune gave off a deep sigh as he assume where the flirt was. "Let get ready for dinner." He walked back to the kitchen as everyone continued to prepare.

After sometime, the ramen was ready and everyone was eating, chatting and laughing as they shared stories with one another.

"How do you lost your map at a time like that?!" Yang laughed as she was looking at Jaune.

"Believe me, I've asked myself the same thing ever since." He looked at his bowl, disappointed in himself.

"Hey but you made up for it, Mister Muscles! You should've seen this guy take a giant Grimm head on!" Nora said with her mouth full.

"I could not have done it if Ruby and Masamune didn't wear it down."

"Us? Did you see Ren during the fight, he was out of control!" Ruby stated as she points her chopsticks at Ren.

"I... may have lost my temper momentarily." Ren apologized.

"No, no! Out of control as in 'awesome.'" She explained as he realized her meaning.

"Thought you did rush in angry a few time." Masamune told him.

"Coming from the Hothead himself." Ren counted as everyone else laughed.

"I once summoned a Boarbatusk out of control at charity event cause I lost my temper from a lady that was bad mouthing Vale." Weiss said as they all stared at her.

"You did not!" Ruby gasped.

"Yeah, right in the middle of the party." She lowered her head in embarrassment.

"Please tell me you let that lady have it." Yang asked her.

"Of course not! Even if I wanted to." Weiss said now thinking about it.

"It was close." Konjiro said sipping his noodles.

"No way I don't believe it." Nora folded her arms. All of a sudden a white Boarbatusk appeared next to her and snorted as she jumped and landed on her back.

Konjiro looked at his lord and saw that he was carrying a new saber. "Lord Masamune, I have to ask, but is that a new saber?"

"So you noticed." Masamune smirked as he took it out of his sheath. "Made it after the Fall of Beacon, the metal and equipment here make it stronger and faster to make then back home."

"Well it sure looks fancy." Keiji said while eating a fried egg. "But it got nothing on my Ogre Horns." He said pulling out his heavy pike.

"That thing is huge!" Nora shouted as she stared at the pike. "How heavy is it?"

"Try to lift-" Keiji was stopped short as Nora lifted the thing with ease as she swings it with no problem as he vagabond mumbled curses.

"My Firebird Shield does pale to your weapon my lord." Konjiro said as he showed his weapon.

"Oh wow." Ruby's eyes sparkled as she ran to him. "This is so awesome! It got a sheath for the sword and a gun hostel!" She inspected the weapon as it was still on the Samurai's arm. "Is that a hidden laser on it as well?" Konjiro nodded as she was practically hugging it.

"Speaking of weapons, this is my new arm that Ironwood mailed me." Yang got up and showed it off as they all gasped. "It's no replacement for the real thing, but I'll be sure to make good use of it."

"That's amazing."

"Incidible."

Ruby ran to her sister and grabbed onto it. "And it's just as strong?" She examined the robotic arm.

"Hm, sure is." Yang smirk. Then they heard a thud as everyone looked to see Nora putting her arm on the table to challenge her to an arm wrestle match. Yang walked right to her as they started. Ren and Jaune were cheering for Nora while Ruby, Masamune and Keiji cheered on Yang. Weiss and Kojiro stood on the side.

"It definitely feels like the original, I'll give you that!" Nora grinned as she was gripping tight.

"Yep. But, it does have some new features!" Yang trying to pin her.

"Oh yeah!?" Nora smirked then she was launched to the wall holding on to the arm.

"So... who won?" Keiji asked.

Nora screamed as she tossed Yangs severed arm back to her as the blonde laughed as she caught it.

"Uh... can't believe we ate all of it." Jaune coughed picked up all the bowls. "I think I'm gonna be sick."

"Easy there, Vomit Boy, I believe in you." Yang told him.

"Ohh, where doing old nickname throwbacks now. wonderful." Jaune said walking away.

"Vomit Boy?" Masamune asked.

"It's a long story." Ruby told him while Weiss laughed.

"I meant, the Ice Queen seems to like it." Nora pointed out which made Both Ruby amd Masamune laugh loudly.

"I so did not miss you people." Weiss says playfully.

"Oh my gosh, she really does likes it!" Nora gasped playfully. "What went and warmed your heart while you were gone."

"Hey! You make it sound like I used to be terrible." Weiss said.

"No, just difficult to live with." Masamune told her.

"Says the Hothead from another world." Weiss counted.

"At least I cooled off." He countered back as she sticks her tounge out at him.

"It's been a long time." Ren starts to speak. "We've all grown in our own ways. Think back to when we were all in Beacon, would you say you ever did anything foolish or embarrassing? Or do you think you were perfect."

"Oh gosh." Weiss bared her hand in her face.

"I may have been a little too gung-ho from time to time." Yang said sheepishly.

"Hee, you? I tried to 1v1 a Nevermore on the second day of school." Ruby sighed as she looked back on her faults.

"Yeah, well... don't even get me started." Jaune leaned on the wall.

"Yeah, you all were a bit or more self-centered fools. Including me." Masamune said. "I was so busy looking for a way back home that I sometimes don't focus on the team sometimes."

"Yeah and you were very strict on the training. In a good way." Yang nudged him. "Yet your anger did get the best of you."

"Coming from the blonde with a temper tantrum." He countered.

"Well, That embarrassment, that desire to go back and tell yourself not to be so stupid, that just proves you're not the same person you used to be. You're Smarter, or kinder, or stronger, or faster, your not down growing yet. None of us are."

"I agree." Konjiro agrees with him.

"Yeah, turns out Ren gets really deep when he feels like talking." Ruby said as everyone else agreed and laughed.

"Hold on! I thought I was pretty great in school!" Nora stood up and felt proud.

"Even at the dance? When you spilled punch all over yourself in front of-"

"YES ESPECIALLY THE DANCE, THANK YOU, YANG!" Nora screamed as she played something loud on her scroll."

"How can seven kids and two adults makes so much noise eating dinner!" Qrow yelled as he came in with Oscar, who was now controlled by Ozpin.

"I think it's about that time." Masamune said as he got up. "Let's go to the living room."

"On what my lord?" Konjiro asked.

"Just... come to the living room." Masamune walked to the room and took their seats as Ozpin told the four new travelers about the Four Maidens, the Relics and the Thunder Dragon and Salem.

"So, the Maidens. Magic. Salem. The Thunder Dragon. It's all true?" Weiss asked as Yang gave Ozpin a death glare.

"Yep." Qrow answered them.

"Miss Xiao Long, is this more or less what your mother told you?" Ozpin asked looking at the blond, trying to ease the tension.

"More or less." Konjiro answered for them.

"You forgot something." Yang told him. "You forgot to tell what you did to my mother and Qrow." She sounded serious as everyone looked at Ozpin.

"What did you do?" Masamune asked looking directly at the possessed boy.

"Oh, great." Qrow rolled his eyes.

"That's not a secret I thought she would give up so easily." Ozpin looked at Yang. "Your mother must trust you a great deal." But with Masamune and Yang giving him glares did nothing to help but sigh. "My ability to reincarnate, though a curse, isn't without a few key benefits. Much like the Maidens, I too possess a certain... 'magical' power." He got up and walked around. "Using the power, I was able to give the Branwen twins the ability to 'see' more, to move freely and unburdened by their natural bodies. I... Well...give them the ability to turn into birds." He gave a chuckle. "Rather ridiculous sounding out loud, isn't it?" 'Wait, what!?' Oscar thought in his head.

Ren, Nora, Jaune, Masamune and Ruby looked at him and Qrow. "Uncle?" Ruby asked as to see it was true.

"You turned them into... birds?" Ren asked

"Alright, now your just messing with us." Nora said half heartedly

"What else is new?" Jaune crossed his arms, not believing it.

"He's telling the truth." Weiss told them. "We saw it. Yang's mom... changed, right in front of us."

Ozpin and Qrow now looked uncomfortable.

"Why would you do something like that?" Yang asked. "I mean, what is wrong with you?"

"Yang, that's enough. We made a choose. We wanted this." Qrow told her as she laid back on her couch.

"May I?" Ozpin asked the older man as he gave a nod of approval and paced before her. "Granting this power to them was no trivial task, and I can assure you it was not done frivolously. I required assistance in gathering information on Salem's plans, as well as searching for Maidens when their hosts became unclear."

"Ok, so have you done this with others? Like General Ironwood? Or Professor Goodwitch?" Ruby asked.

"Can you still?" Masamune leaned forward.

"As Helpful as that might be, unfortunately it's not-"

"Turn me into a dragon." Masamune demanded.

"What?" Ozpin looked at him as to repeat himself.

"I said turn me into a dragon!" Masamune yelled this time. "If you can turn Qrow and Raven into birds, then I want you to turn me into a dragon!"

"No. I will not." Ozpin said he saw the samurai grit his teeth and looked as if he was going to jump him. "Or should I say, I can't. My powers are dwelling. The powers I gave to Qrow and Raven are all things considered, rather miniscule. You see, centuries ago, I sacrificed a great deal of magic to four young women, who I hoped my gift for good. They were the First Maidens."

"You!? You were the wizard in the story this whole time!?" Masamune shouted as he shot out of his chair in anger. "What else are you not telling us, how long are you going to keep-"

"Lord Masamune!" Konjiro spoke out as the young warrior looked at his right eye. "If I recall, you had to hold some information to not let your enemies know of your plan of conquest."

Masamune looked at him as his nostrils flared and slowly sat back down, still eyeing him.

"It was not my intention to lie to any of you. There are just some matters I prefer to... " He paused as to think of the right wording. "'play close to the chest.' I believe that how you phrased it?" Ozpin looked at Qrow as he nodded. Ozpin continued to explain as he faced Yang. "Everyone has a choice. The Branwen chose to accept their powers and the responsibility that came with them. And later, one of them chose to abandon her duties, in favor of her self-interest. Now, all of you have a choice. If anyone wishes to leave, now is the time. There is no shame or disgrace in abstaining, only in retreat." Everyone was looking among each other as to who would get up and leave through the door. However, they all stayed put. "Very well, then." Ozpin spoke but Yang stood up and faced the former headmaster.

"If Ruby sticks around, then I will too. If there's one thing I know about her, it's that she somehow always knows the right thing to do." She looks at her sister then faced Ozpin. "But, if we're going to help, if we're going to keep risking our lives, no more lies. No more half-truths."

"I agree, if we're to keep up this fighting, I want to know everything." Masamune still giving that glare.

"Understood." Oz told them as Yang sat back down as there was a short silence afterwards.

"So... what now?" Jaune spoke. "I mean, what can we do?"

"Mm, that is a difficult question. One that I believe is best answered tomorrow." Ozpin told them.

"What do you mean?" Jaune asked.

"The road ahead is undoubtedly filled with hardships and Peril. However, it's been far too long since you all been together. Please, take tonight, enjoy this moment." Ozpin put his hand on Yangs shoulder as she gave a warm smile, until he reverted back to Oscar as the farm boy gasped and stepped backwards as Yang and Weiss giggled.

"Ooooooh." As all eyes were on Nora. "Raven!? Qrow!? They're birds! Cracked it!"

"Yeah... you sure did." Keiji laid back in his chair stretching. "It is getting late, better find our beds and all get some shut eye."

"We will plan out our strategy tomorrow." Kojiro push up his glasses.

"Are we having sleeping arrangements?" Weiss asked.

"I'm fine with the couch." Keiji layed there.

"Anywhere is fine with me." Yang said.

"Not taking my room." Masamune folded his arms.

"You might have to, since there is no extra rooms." Ruby advised. "I'm bucked with Unbcle Qrow and Jaunes team is full while Oscar has a single bed.. And your room can fit two more people."

"Fine." Masamune sighed. "Two more can stay in my room."

"Me and Weiss will buck with our favorite cyclops!" Yang shouted.

"Hey! Don't I have a say in this?" Weiss spoke up.

"Don't worry Weiss, we can switch arrangements next time." Ruby encouraged her, thought it did nothing.

"Don't I have a say in this either?" Masamune gasped.

"It would be for the best my lord." Konjiro patting his shoulder.

"Kojiro if you say what I think you are then-"

"Come on you two. We got a long day tomorrow." Yang grabbed Masamune and Weiss and dragged them to the room.

"Think they will be okay?" Qrow asked. "Who am I kidding, sure they will. Well night."

The rest went to bed and prepared for what is yet to come in the next few days.

After Weiss, Yang Kojiro and Keji went through the portal, Shady and two other members of the Branwin Tribe guarded the gate, as four new faces approached.

"Hey ugly!" Mercury called out.

"Is Raven Brawin home?" Emerald asked with a smug look.

"You know I had a really bad week. So I might as well take it all out on-" Shady didn't even finished his sentence as he saw the flames coming from Cinder's eye.

"If you don't want to cooperate with us, then we will make you." Cinder said in a cold manner.

"Wait wait." Shady backed down. "I had enough of getting my ass kicked around, she is this way." He ordered the gates open and lead them.

"That's more like it." Cinder followed with her comrades beside her. 'And now, the Spring maidens power will be mine.'