A/N: Okay, the people who chose to review asked for a part 2, and here it is. It was difficult to write, honestly, and I did my best to make sure it didn't show. Sorry it took so long, got distracted by starting on a Yugioh Zexal fanfic, which should be published soon. Enjoy, and tell me what you think.

Rescue by the Ones You Trust

…

Oscar.

Oscar didn't know what day it was. The time seemed to blur into one continuous moment, minutes feeling like hours and days feeling like months. It didn't help that he didn't have a clock to look at and it seemed like it was always night here.

Oscar, stay with me.

Every moment was full of pain. Everything seemed to hurt, his arms and legs, his throat (from all the yelling both himself and Oz did), even his hair hurt right then. That Salem was just that skilled, it would seem.

She had been relentless since that first day (or night? The kid still couldn't tell), doing everything she thought of to get Oz to spill. Not just the locations of the other relics, but the people he had rewarded magic to and any other things that may be a threat to her forces.

The first night, she made them fight, sending Grimm after Grimm into their cell until they were just too weak and tired to fight. Then, when the beasts had finished having their fun with him, it had been these weird… inventions that spat electricity, hot water, and basically anything that could maim and hurt.

While Ozpin took over whenever Salem showed and took the full force of the torture she subjected them to, he couldn't stop the inevitable switch between the two souls. Then Oscar would feel every bruise, every bleeding cut, every broken bone (there were three so far). And he would fall asleep to the constant ache and Ozpin's barrage of apologies.

His mind felt disoriented, his thoughts escaping him no matter how hard he tried to think. His brain was still capable of processing things, he just didn't have the energy to concentrate. He was too focused on trying to keep breathing and not falling under permanently to really do anything else.

It was hard to keep his eyes open. They were glassy and Oscar had to fight to keep them from drooping.

Sometimes he would hallucinate. Instead of Salem, the person at his cell would be his aunt, looking down at him with severe disappointment in her eyes. He had left her out of the blue and without a goodbye. Only a note saying he had to do this. She took her under her roof, she had deserved more than that. But it wasn't like he had had a choice at the time.

At times he saw Hazel instead of Salem. The man would stare at him as he huddled shivering in the corner, eyes looking down at him with clear pity in his eyes. Unless Oz took over. Then a vicious sneer would be on his face and he would grumble clearly, "You deserve this, Ozpin. You deserve this and more. For everyone you've ever gotten injured and killed." And then he would turn his back on them and leave them to their suffering.

One thing Oscar noticed was that Salem took her time with her distribution of pain. Before she even started the questioning, she would make them hurt. More than a full day of training could ever induce. Then, when it felt like they couldn't take it anymore, the interrogation would begin. And it would get worse.

Once in a while, Oscar would debate just putting an end to it all. That the suffering was too much to handle, that it just wasn't work surviving for. Then Ozpin would step in, bombarding his mind with happy moments and reminder of their friends. Qrow Branwen, the other students and their time at the inn they were staying in. Those little but significant moments with Ruby Rose that motivated him to become what he must. And then Oscar would find the strength to hang on for another day, another week (or his perception of such time, since he didn't have a clock).

So far the only time Oscar had heard Oz speak was when he was talking to him. Otherwise he was also eerily quiet. No matter what she did, he never screamed or yelled. He only clenched his fist and bared it. And always made sure to talk him through the pain.

Oscar, wake up. Please.

Oscar groaned as he slowly opened his eyes. He was laying face down on the floor, his head turned to face the bars of his cell. Everything hurt, even his ears. He felt so tired, even though he just woke up.

Oscar, are you still functioning? Speak to me, please.

"O-Ozpin? Is that you?" He asked, unable to move despite the pain in his neck. His voice was barely a whisper, probably low enough that no one but the man in his head would hear him.

Yes. Don't move, I'll take over momentarily and activate your aura to alleviate the worse of the injuries.

"Sure." He said dazedly, too weak to make any sort of argument he could do things himself. He felt Oz take over and soon felt their aura engage and wash over them. He felt the pain lessen and a feeling of relief wash over him as the cuts healed and the other wounds lessened. After control was back the farm boy sat up, groaning as he rubbed his head and attempted to think around the less-painful-but-still-pounding headache. "Are you okay? That last attack on you seemed brutal. And I think the injuries we suffered speak for themselves."

Oz was quiet for a few moments. I am… still optimal. Believe me, Salem isn't putting me through anything I haven't handled before. My concern is solely on your continued well-being and survival.

Oscar was silent for a moment, staring out the window as he hesitantly spoke up about what he had been thinking about for a while. "We… we're not getting out of this, are we?"

There was another delay in answering for that inquiry too. No, I don't think so. Salem is being very careful right now and I don't think she'll allow any vulnerability in her fortress to allow for us to escape.

The boy was silent, not really surprised with the answer, but still feeling much despair over it. Is this the end for him? Oz would come back in someone else, but he, Oscar, would die in this dark, depressing cell being tortured.

Don't lose hope, Oscar. Even if we can't escape ourselves, there's still Qrow and the other students.

"Wait, what? How would they even be able to find us?" Oscar asked.

You know Qrow's ability. He is one of my most effective and trusted spies for Salem activity. I have no doubt that eventually, he will find us and get us out of here. All I need is for you to keep fighting to live. Please.

The farm kid could feel the faith Oz had in the shaggy huntsman and couldn't help but wonder what had garnered such friendship and trust between the two. What exactly happened to make Qrow a loyal lieutenant and Raven turn her back on her duties?

It's complicated. All I can say is that Qrow is very much like you and me. He puts the protection of the people before himself. Some people, like Raven, however… choose to ensure their survival above all others.

Oscar sighed as he thought about how Qrow had willingly put his life on the line to keep him safe when he was fighting Hazel. The man had allowed himself to get hurt numerous times without a second thought, while his sister had sided with the enemy and runoff to who knows where. And he found that he believed in Ozpin's words. If anyone would rescue them, it would be Qrow.

The man in his head waited for him to finish his train of thought before he spoke again. You should get some rest now, Oscar, while you have a moment from Salem's presence. I will make sure you're okay until Qrow comes for us.

Oscar nodded, laying back down and facing away from the bars. "Can you tell me about one of your other reincarnations? A happy one."

Of course, Oscar. And he spun a tale about childhood friends and magnificent adventures until the boy finally fell into the arms of Morpheus.

…

It was another ten torture sessions before Qrow came from them. Ozpin realized it before he did.

After Salem had left them again, looking mildly displeased, he had rolled over to look out the window again. In some weird way, the constant sight of gloom and horror was comforting after having to deal with something new and agonizing for however long he had been trapped in his cell.

Anyway, he had turned to see a black bird at his window. His vision was a little blurry at the time so at first he had thought it was another small Grimm Salem had sent to the prison. When he was finally able to see it properly, he couldn't comprehend what it was doing here. Beside the humans here (and whatever Salem was), there were no other living creatures who would dare enter whatever dark corner of the universe they were in.

It was staring at him with an intensity that he didn't understand, like it knew what he was being put through.

Oscar was unable to contain his gasp as he felt the powerful surge of recognition and relief coming from Ozpin. Qrow.

The boy looked up, almost afraid he was dreaming or hallucinating again. "Qrow?"

The bird gave a cry before it hopped through the window. Then suddenly the man was there beside him, looking more serious then Oscar had ever seen him. "Well, you look like you've seen better days, Oz. You okay, kid?"

Oscar did his best to nod from his position on the floor, still attempting to catch his breath. The black-haired huntsman stroked his hair with a gentleness Oscar had never felt from the man before. "Don't worry, kid. We'll get you out."

The boy swallowed as he shrugged to speak, "Oz… wants to… know if… you're all… okay."

Qrow shook his head, a small smile on his face. "Of course he does. And we're fine, Oz. Relic secured and everyone safe and sound. Don't worry, our team's in position so we can get you out without anyone else being hurt or taken. The Arc kid will fix you two up, okay?"

"Yeah… okay." Was the answer he gave as he struggled to stay awake. He felt a slight tap on his face and his eyes fluttered opening to see Qrow's concerned face. "Hey, stay with me, kid. Don't go down for the count just yet, alright? I'll be back soon." Then he was flying out the window with great speed.

Meanwhile, the boy was turning back to face the bars, absently waiting for the rescue and remain conscious. He could fell Ozpin in his mind, trying to help him stay alert, but it was difficult. After weeks or months of using their aura to heal the damages inflicted on them, they just didn't have enough. Neither did Oz have the strength to take over for Oscar seeing as he hadn't rested since the day they fought Hazel.

Soon, they could hear a commotion outside, the sound of multiple guns and weapons being wielded and the growls and shouts of the humans and Grimm. Not long after that, he could see with blurred vision a blonde man in a suit of armor and a red and black-haired girl with red all over. Ruby Rose and Jaune Arc.

"Oscar!" He heard her call, swiping her scythe through the bars with ease and rushing inside to kneel beside him, lifting his head to the top of his knees. Oscar could see the worry on her face.

He sensed more than heard Jaune come beside him too, putting down his weapon as he examined him. "He's not looking good. I would start to fortify his aura now, but it would be better if we were somewhere safe and I could concentrate." They shared a nod before getting to their feet, Jaune placing him on his shoulders to give him a piggyback ride.

The farm kid did his best to remain awake while resting against Jaune's back. He could see bodies of dead Grimm scattered all over the place, unconscious underlings. Eventually, they meant up with the other members of the group, which were huddled near a hidden corner and waiting for them.

"Everyone ready? Now let's get out of here before the crazy lady and her pawns find us." Next thing he knew, they were crashing through the windows. Without knowing why, Oscar found his eyes subconsciously drift up to see Salem. As though the atmosphere had slowed down and the world just became her and him, he watched her for what felt like forever. He watched as a slow cruel smirk appeared on her face. A smile that clearly said, "This isn't over, Ozpin. Not by a long shot." And then everything went black and Oscar knew no more.

…

"Is he going to be okay?" Qrow turned to face his niece, who hadn't taken her eyes off the kid since Jaune had finished healing (or helping to heal) him. It had been about a full day since they had gotten the poor boy out of Salem's realm, and he had been more than a little worse for wear by the time they had gotten to a safe and secure location.

His breath had been low and struggled, and in the light, you could see every scar, cut and contusion Salem had inflicted on him. And it had only been about a month and a half since the kid was taken from Haven.

With Jaune's semblance, he had been looking a lot better before the hour was finished, but he still continued to rest despite his improved help. Qrow slightly suspected the emotional trauma was affecting him just as badly as the physical wounds.

He could see the anxiety and care on Ruby's face as he watched over Oscar. Qrow had had a hunch that something was up between the two. From the first moment they seemed to bond over their "first time meeting…" thing, they had little moments and talks that meant more than even they appeared to know. Since the moment he was taken, the girl had been demanding they find him, training and pushing herself to be prepared to infiltrate the domain of the enemy and rescue the kid.

Qrow wasn't sure if this thing between them was something they were aware of or if it would develop into something more, but he could clearly see how much the two cared about the other. Ruby hung out with the kid more than she did with Oz.

He sighed before he replied gravely, "I don't know, kiddo. I just don't know." He took a moment to look back at the barely teenage they had laid on the bed of their new place, seeing as the old one had probably been compromised by Leo.

He watched as his niece reached out to take one of the hands that were lying beside her on the bed in two of hers. Qrow couldn't help another sigh as he wiped his hand down his face. He wasn't nearly drunk enough to figure out how that relationship was supposed to work. "Look, kiddo, we got him back. That's the first step to him healing. All we can do now is let him process and recover and be there for him as much as we can when he wakes up. We still got a job to do, alright?"

Ruby nodded, sadness almost too mature for someone her age appearing on her face. "Yeah, I know. I guess I just… I wasn't sure what condition we'd find him, but I had hope that Professor Ozpin would make sure he was okay. I know that's not fair, I'm just sad he's like this."

The shaggy huntsman huffed, taking a drink of his flask. "Trust me, sweetheart. Oz is probably kicking himself right now from not doing that exact thing. I won't tell you the kid's condition could have been worse if Oz hadn't been looking out for him, but I will tell you that the only reason he was sane enough to still listen to me and recognize us was because his mind was still intact. The kid will get better, and then he and Ozpin will lead us to save the people of Remnant. That, I can guarantee."

Ruby turned to smile at her black-haired uncle, "Thanks uncle Qrow. You always know what to say."

…

Deep into the center of Oscar's mind, where no one else could even hope to see, he blankly sat cross-legged in the center of the shattered mess that acted as the remains of his mind. It was just as mangled as his physical state had been, although it included corners that had been corrupted by dark thoughts.

Sitting beside him, arm wrapped around him to lean the boy against his shoulder, was Ozpin. He stared down at the boy with deep regret and determination on his face. He wouldn't let Salem win this one. It would take some time of course to heal, but his new form would get better. He wouldn't let another young mind be ruined because of her.

Hugging the boy close to his chest, the man whispered surely, "Don't worry, Oscar. I'll fulfill my promise and you will be in top condition again. I promise."

…

In case you were wondering, the last bit was to answer why he may be unconscious for some time. He needs to heal mentally from all he's been through and Oz is going to help him do that. So here it is, part 2. Hope you enjoyed the Rosegarden moment at the end and the whole Qrow as his parent thing. Yes, I made the torture vague in a few parts because I said I wanted it to mostly be about the rescue, but hopefully you got the gist of what Oscar and Ozpin was put through.

Please don't ask for a part 3, I really wanted to just stop here as I would be sure what it would be about. Still got other stories I need to focus on and write out. But please, review and tell me what you think. Have a wonderful day.