Chapter 17: Last Day at Haven

Naruto milled about absently. He'd talked with Professor Pendragon for nearly four hours the previous day, and had learned precisely nothing. All the Professor knew about the statue was what Lionheart had told him.

Namely, that the statue was built at the direction of the last King of Vale, and no one really knew why or questioned it. Hence the apparent lack of regard from the students, he noted as he watched them. Despite not wishing to do so, the Professors of Haven had expressed a slight protectiveness over their students going to the Vytal Festival. In fact, they'd been trying to get him to watch specific matches so that he'd know exactly what to expect from their students.

It was such an obvious deception that he wasn't sure whether to be insulted or apathetic. But he did, unfortunately, know that he was going to be heading back to Vale with all of these transfer students, so it would pay for him to learn at least a bit about them, if only to find out if any of them had Semblances that could potentially help him in his quest to get home.

Oh, and to report back their abilities to Team PAYN as a thank you gift for helping him get this time off. While they hadn't intended to, their little invitation for Ruby, Ren, Blake and himself had given him the perfect window of opportunity to ask Ozpin if he'd let him go to Haven for the break (for some ungodly reason, Haven didn't have a break at the same time as Vale; it was ridiculous).

As he glanced over the statue, he decided to check it with Obito's Sharingan. With a glance over it he couldn't see any Chakra or energy, which was a bit of a bummer. But he DID see a series of scuff marks on the statue's base.

'Judging by their placement… I'd say someone walked over this, and recently.' he mentally commented.

"Indeed. And it appears their objective was that gold chain belt looping around her waist." Kokuo commented, drawing Naruto's focus to her waist. He could see a gold circle on it, but other than that it was rather plain. He shrugged to himself.

'Could have just been a pervy student.' he thought to Kokuo, who he'd learned was the wisest of the Tailed Beasts. Kokuo hummed in thought, before commenting.

"Or it's the entrance to a secret room. It could be a button." Kokuo thought aloud. Naruto nodded thoughtfully. He hadn't thought of that.

Glancing around, he saw most the students had gone to their classes, and the main foyer was otherwise unoccupied.

'How long was I standing here?...' he thought haphazardly, before shrugging the thought away and stepping up to the statue. Touching his hand against the circle, nothing happened. He frowned, pushing harder against it and grunted with the exertion.

However, he was disappointed to see nothing happened. He then heard a voice behind him.

"W-what are you doing?!" the voice growled. He turned abruptly, and saw a student in Haven's uniform staring at him, aghast (they had pink hair, Naruto noted with amusement).

"Well I'm currently trying to find out if this chain is made of real gold." Naruto blurted the first excuse that came to his mind. The student blinked a few times, confused.

"Really?" he asked, his voice sounding amused. Naruto nodded vigorously as he continued. "Because from here it looks like you're trying to measure her waist." Naruto blanched, looking at the statue in shock.

"Wait! This thing has a waist?!" he cried out in mock shock. The student snorted at that, relaxing.

"Kid, you're not as good an actor as you think you are." the student said.

Naruto frowned. "Well thank you for that."

"Ah, it's no problem. Seriously though, who are you? I haven't seen you before." the student said, hands clasped behind his back in an almost military fashion.

Naruto waved him off. "I'm from Beacon. I'm doing a project here during my break and heading back with your Vytal competitors tomorrow." he explained shortly. The student nodded slowly.

"I think I've seen you around… you're supposed to be coming by our combat class later, right?" he asked. Naruto frowned. Another step of the teachers to give him false intelligence had been inviting him to their combat classes. Honestly he was sick of it; he'd already gone to one because it was expected of him, but he did NOT want to go to another.

"I won't be, I need to finish my project." Naruto said shortly.

The student grinned at him. "Well, if it involves clinging to the waists of attractive statues, I'd like to try out this project you're working on!" he laughed, before sticking his hand out. "Name's Nadir. Pleasure to meet you…" he trailed off. Naruto sighed, grasping his hand firmly.

"Naruto. It's nice to meet you. Say, what do you know about genies?" he asked offhandedly. Might as well ask, even if the student wouldn't know anything.

"Genies? What, like the legends?" Nadir asked, bemused. Naruto nodded seriously, and Nadir paused to consider.

"Well, from what I recall they grant wishes, don't they? And they come from lamps." Naruto nodded. He'd already learned all that. Nadir continued however with some new information.

"I've heard that there are different kinds of genies though, one called an Efreet and another called a Khayal, along with a few others.; but the Kayhal are a noble family in Mistral. The Efreet had a cult following some years ago, although they were apprehended and defeated." he rattled off, Naruto looking at him in shock.

"How do you know all that?!"

Nadir shrugged. "Well, you'll learn quickly enough anyways… I'm the weakest member of my team for combat, but I've studied the noble houses of Mistral extensively, and I've studied the history of Remnant. It's my favourite class." he confided. Naruto nodded slowly. He hadn't paused to consider the noble houses in his research, nor had he done any research into religious practices.

"How long ago was this cult in place?" Naruto asked, curious. Nadir stroked his chin contemplatively.

"Well, I believe it was taken out by our very own Headmaster just over ten years ago."

Naruto frowned darkly. "Are you sure about that?"

"Of course I am." Nadir said, affronted. Naruto quickly placated him, considering the new information.

'Lionheart said he didn't know about the statue in the front hall… it's possible that he didn't consider the Efreet Cult to be related…'

"Really? Naruto, I think he'd remember a cult worshipping genies. Ask this boy what the difference between an Efreet and a Kayhal is." Kurama demanded.

After being posed the question, Nadir considered briefly. "Well, from what I remember they both are genies, but I think the Kayhal family helped establish Haven… it's been a while since I studied this." he said by way of apology, before continuing. "In honour of their help, they designed the Haven uniform. But this isn't entirely related; what I mean to say is that the Kayhal genie is supposedly a genie of shadows." he explained, holding out one hand which became wreathed in shadows. "And the Efreet are genies of fire." he raised the other hand, which glowed yellow with illusory flames. Naruto cocked an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Is that your Semblance?" he asked curiously. Nadir nodded.

"Yes and no. I have the ability to change the colour of my Aura." he said proudly (with a tiny dose of sarcasm). Naruto nodded, trying to find the uses of such an ability.

'I honestly don't see how that could be helpful…' he thought sadly. Nadir shrugged.

"Some people get the power to shoot powerful lightning bolts, others can teleport, and I can make myself glow in the dark different colours." he said sarcastically.

Naruto snorted. "Well, you can only get better. Want some advice? Keep going." before Nadir can interrupt, Naruto rolls over him. "I know that if you just give up because your Semblance isn't a combat one, you'll definitely never be a great fighter. But if you keep trying and never give in, you could someday be amazing." he said, recalling how he'd been the underdog for most of his childhood.

Nadir nodded slowly. "I guess you're right… but I'm so far behind my team already." he said, a hint of depression shining through his facade.

Naruto stretched, his back making sick popping sounds. "Nadir, I'm gonna tell you about a friend of mine. His name's Bushy- I mean Lee, and he was a complete loser when he was young." Naruto started. He told Nadir Lee's story, and how Lee exemplified the peak of physical prowess (of course, he said Lee was unable to use his Aura instead of Chakra, and portrayed the Eight Gates as his Semblance).

Nadir was gaping like a fish at the end of the story. "You mean that he really became one of the strongest Huntsmen in your home village, and he didn't have the defensive powers of Aura?!"

Naruto nodded proudly, and Nadir slumped back onto a bench they'd migrated to. "H-holy shit! And… you think I could be like that someday?" he asked, hope beginning to enter his voice. Naruto put his hand on Nadir's shoulder, and looked at him deeply.

"I know you can. A person is measured by what challenges they overcome in life, and becoming a strong Huntsman despite not having a powerful Semblance? That would be a great challenge to overcome." he said. Nadir was stunned by the conviction in Naruto's voice, and nodded.

"Yeah, you're right!" he said, not quite jumping to his feet, "Even if I don't have an overpowered Semblance, I can make a weapon that can make up for it!" he started pacing, thinking aloud. "I'll need something like… something like Professor Lionheart's weapon… something that can channel large amounts of Dust…"

Naruto grinned. It hadn't taken long to bolster Nadir's fighting spirit. Hopefully he'd be a great fighter for mankind after he left.

"Well, now that you're perked up, maybe you should go and act on these goals!" Naruto suggested. Nadir nodded once.

"Thanks for the help, and the story! If you ever need something, just ask!" he waved at Naruto as he left the foyer, heading towards the left wing. Naruto leaned back on the bench, thinking to himself.

'Maybe I should ask Lionheart about the Efreet?' he pondered, considering the merits of that course of action.

"Hmmmm. Ask him about the cult that he investigated, but don't mention the Efreet. That way he'll think it's simply a childish curiosity, and may be more inclined to help." Gyuki suggested, although uncomfortable with the skulking.

'Good idea. He should be free right now, he doesn't teach any classes.' Naruto rationalized, heading up the stairs above the genie statue.

Naruto knocked on Professor Lionheart's door, and heard the Professor acknowledge him.

"Yes, do come in." he heard the distracted voice beckon him. Opening the door, he saw the Professor cradling his head in his hands at his desk.

"Yes?" he asked, his position showing his vulnerability. Naruto was taken aback, but tried to hide it.

"I had some questions I thought you might be able to answer." Naruto began, and Lionheart's head shot up and looked at him. Once more Naruto was taken aback by the bags beneath his eyes.

"Oh, it's you! How did your research go, young man?" Lionheart asked, some semblance of strength filling his posture.

"It went… poorly. I didn't find much more than I did at Beacon." Naruto said, feigning sadness. Lionheart nodded sympathetically, and frowned.

"Yes, I'm afraid that with the creation of the Global Communications Array, most information is accessible from any terminal in any kingdom." he said quietly, watching Naruto closely.

Naruto nodded in agreement before continuing. "But I did learn something… I heard that about ten years ago you shut down a cult… I think it was called the cult of the… the cult of the Effie?"

Lionheart scowled. "The Cult of Efreet, I believe." he said shortly, twirling his ring around his finger. "I discovered them worshiping what I believe to have been a type of Grimm, and took steps to ensure their removal."

Naruto nodded. "Could you tell me where this was?"

"Why do you wish to know?" Lionheart asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Just curious." Naruto shrugged, "Ozpin never mentioned that you could still take missions as a Headmaster."

Lionheart leaned forward. "Very well, I can tell you this much." he glanced around, before lowering his voice. "The Cult was based in a tower further south; I went there nearly ten years ago to stop them from worshipping the Grimm creature that they obeyed. However, when I arrived I found that they were not worshipping a Grimm as I had thought. Instead they were worshipping a large statue of a man, who held a great mace. After investigating, I discovered that this was supposedly an Efreeti, a Fire Spirit." he whispered, glancing at the wall to his right. "It was there that I found something that would change my life forever…" he trailed off, his eyes losing their vibrant colour.

"And?" Naruto prompted, invested in the story. Lionheart shook his mane, before sighing.

"Well, suffice to say Ozpin knows about what was there." he said shortly. Naruto frowned, clearly unhappy with the abrupt break in conversation.

"What do you mean? What did you find there?" he asked, annoyed.

Lionheart looked at his clenched fist. "I'm afraid that unless Ozpin allows it, I am unable to tell you." he said regretfully. Naruto scowled, leaning back away from the desk.

"So my whole trip was pointless?" he seethed. 'Ozpin knew about this all, and didn't tell me?!' he snarled mentally.

"Well I wouldn't say that." Lionheart said oddly, "I can tell you this much." he appeared to wrestle with himself before continuing, "The Cult of Efreet served another." he delivered breathlessly, his knuckles white as he clenched his fist. Naruto nodded slowly.

'So this cult obeyed someone… someone who wasn't a genie?' he thought to himself, curious and cautious.

"Thank you for your help, Professor." he said respectfully. "If you ever need me to do something, just let me know." he politely offered, aware that a teacher never takes a student up on those kinds of offers-

And Lionheart was asking for something.

Great.

"Actually, I was hoping you could do something for me." Lionheart grumbled, finally relaxing. Naruto now realized just how tense he'd been getting throughout the conversation. "I have a team going for the Vytal Festival that needs some help in Vale… if you could look out for them I would take it as a personal favour." he said, biting the words out.

Naruto sighed. "I'm not sure I'll be in Vale during the festival, Professor, but if I am I can look out for this team. Who are they?" he asked, feeling a bit guilty about lying.

"They're Team…" he paused to recall, "Ah, Team CEMM."

Naruto snorted. "Team Cream? Who came up with that?"

"Oh, one of the other teachers." he dismissed. Naruto shrugged.

"Fine by me. Could I meet them before heading back to Vale?" he asked.

Lionheart shook his head. "They're on a mission right now. But I'm sure you can watch over them, they'll seek out you." he provided, rubbing his forefinger distractedly. Naruto nodded, bemused.

"Uhh, sure." he guessed, not really sure what he was supposed to do. Lionheart nodded sadly after Naruto agreed.

"Young man, I wish you good fortune in the wars to come." he said somberly, confusing Naruto further.

"Wars? What wars? Remnant's at peace, why would that change?" Naruto asked, confused.

"Just ask Ozpin, and…" Lionheart hesitated, before speaking with conviction, "Trust him. He might be hiding secrets, but he's a good man." he said, sure of himself. Naruto shrugged. While he was annoyed (scratch that, furious) with Ozpin for hiding a potential way for him to get home, he knew Ozpin cared for the students under him, and understood that as a leader, he was bound to do things that were for the good of all, not just a few. If there were things Ozpin wasn't supposed to show him, then he wasn't supposed to show him.

"I will. Thank you, Professor." he said, bowing. Lionheart smiled at him, rising from his seat.

"The airships will be leaving in an hour, I recommend you get on them." he advised sincerely, reaching out his hand to shake Naruto's. Naruto nodded, and clasped his hand firmly.

Naruto's mind was suddenly crowded with profound negativity, and darkness. As Lionheart released his hand after a strong shake, the darkness vanished, almost as though it hadn't been there to begin with.

'Did you feel that?!' he called mentally, shock filling his mental voice. Kurama answered him with a growl.

"Yeah, I did. That… felt like a Genjutsu was nearly cast on us… but different somehow." Kurama hummed, curious.

'But who?! Was it Lionheart?!' Naruto growled at Kurama, who responded in the negative.

"No, it wasn't him… nor was it that presence in the walls… it was something else, something older… something older than me." he snarled, sensing the old power now that he was looking for it. "Enter Sage Mode, brat. Maybe then you'll sense it better… whatever it is, it's still here."

Naruto complied, his eyes turning gold and his mind probed the room. 'I can sense something… it's not Chakra, or Aura… it's something else. But now that I'm looking… I can sense it… it's older than even the Ten Tails was! Just what is this?!' he stuttered, shocked by the ancient power. 'It's not that powerful… it's more insidious… it feels almost like Black Zetsu as well…'

"Naruto, this whole place reeks of evil. Now we have a SECOND entity like Zetsu here?! Whatever's happening here, it's bad. We should leave, now." Shukaku said, his seriousness and lack of insanity conveying just how bad this was. They needed to leave, and regroup and find out what was going on.

'Agreed.' Naruto thought, bowing once more to Lionheart and making his way to the door, closing it quickly behind him.

Naruto cleared the air pads, and made his way to the airships that would take him back to Beacon, along with the other students of Haven. He could see Nadir talking animatedly with one of his presumed teammates.

The whole trip hadn't been a waste; he could send Shadow Clones out to check everything out over at the Efreet Tower, and see if there was anything there. Chances were there wasn't, but he guessed that it would be best to inform Ozpin of the Zetsu-like presence in Haven. While he didn't trust the man anymore, he still was the defender of Beacon, and that meant he should know about something evil lurking in Haven. Maybe there was more going on than a simple battle against Grimm, Naruto mused as he boarded the airship, taking off for Vale.

AN:

Well, this was a shorter chapter than usual, but I do think that it actually went rather nicely. I know that there are going to be complaints about how I did Lionheart. But honestly, I liked him. He seemed like a good person in the show, and I like him. So I've decided to attempt to justify his actions a little more.

Another thing; I'm having a great time writing this, and you're all the best. Even the people who say they don't like my story are awesome.

With that being said (uh oh, here comes the bad part) I've been prompted by other writers and readers to make a page.

So I've done that; if anyone takes a look at it, I'd be stunned and amazed. You'd be like my greatest friend. I think at this point we all know how links work, replace the SLASH with a / and remove the spaces; also cut out the As from the site name. Man, FF is a pain with links. This is the fourth time I've tried to fix it.

www . pAaAtArAeAoAnA . comSLASHsages journey

This is Pad, going away to listen to Rick Astley's "50" album again (seriously, check it out. It's damn fine). And go to cry now that I've finally fixed it!