RWBY, JNPR, & HAIL

An: Took a while to get this done (longer than I wanted really), but it's done at least. Please enjoy it!

Chapter 23-The Unforeseen Variables

Schnee Family manor; Atlas; 12:42 A.M.

Whitley rubbed his eyes as he stared at the holo-screen before him. It had been almost three days since the incident at Forever Fall, and the youngest Schnee still had yet to identify the tar-like sludge that created the Creatures of Grimm. He frowned as his algorithms failed yet again to identify anything in the muck. This was the thirtieth time his programs failed to produce results.

Sighing, he closed the programs. Obviously, he wasn't going to be getting much done anymore tonight. His eyesight was already diminishing because of how tired he was. And he was sure he had written at least two different lines of code incorrectly.

Yeah. Probably best to get some sleep and try again in the morning.

He went on to set his computers to rest mode when a notification popped up on screen. He yawned in fatigue and absentmindedly opened the attachment without much thought. However, as he read the contents on screen, his eyes widened in disbelief. He rubbed his eyes vigorously and quickly accessed the CCT.

After a few minutes of searching the screens, Whitley grabbed his scroll and dialed up Harry's number. He didn't have to wait long for Harry to answer, but the Schnee didn't give him time to snap at him. This was super important!

"Harry, I know you were probably sleeping well, but there's something you need to see!" Whitley said quickly.

The next morning

Blake was nervous. It was understandable really. Today was the day Adam and herself would be flying to Atlas to receive pardons for the crimes they committed as part of the White Fang. Of course, she'd be nervous!

Adam, on the other hand, wasn't. She sort of envied him for that.

Meanwhile, Adam was mulling over what Harry had told him the night before. "Be honest with EVERYTHING you've done since the White Fang went rogue," his team leader had said. "The general will look more favorably on that, but know that if try and hide any single tiny detail, teammate or no, I'm not going to save you."

Blunt and rude, but honest in presentation. Adam could respect that at least.

The Faunus pair was making their way to meet Harry at the helipads, where a private airship would take them Atlas for the evening. Despite himself, Adam was a tad bit apprehensive about returning to Atlas. Atlas, and by extension Mantle, didn't hold very many good memories for him. Especially since it was there his face was mutilated.

But for Blake, he'd grit his teeth and bare it. This was nothing but a nuisance to be dealt with.

As they made it to the helipad, Harry stood waiting for them. Adam frowned at his team leader. He looked annoyed. "Trouble?" the bull Faunus asked when they were close. Harry looked back at him.

"Sort of," he said. "Apparently, there was some sort of…mix-up…with the rotation schedule for the Animagus Corp. last night, forcing me to stay awake and redraw up the schedule. Now, the general has reassigned the security detail I had for the trip for another mission, and now they're running late."

"Security detail?" Blake asked.

"Simply a precaution," Harry shrugged. "The general feels it would be best to follow protocol, or at least, make it seem like we are."

"So, we can expect a full arrest?" Adam inquired.

"I suspect the most you'll get in that regard is a pair of handcuffs," the wolf Faunus admitted. "But the general might pull the rug out from under me and do something completely different for all I know at the moment."

"Why has General Ironwood reassigned your original detail?" Adam asked again. Harry shrugged.

"Search's me." Suddenly, they heard an airbus arrive above them. The trio looked up, and Harry sighed. "'Bout bloody time," he mumbled as the air vehicle landed.

The doors opened to reveal a tall, lanky middle-aged man with white hair and mustache. Another man, this one clean shaven and sporting swept back black hair, in Atlas military regalia walked out behind him. These men were Jacques Schnee and James Ironwood, respectively. Harry smirked up at Jacques.

"Hey there, Mr. Schnee, General," he greeted. "And Mr. Schnee, looking awfully evil there," he teased, gesturing to his upper lip. The head of the Schnee Dust Company looked confused for a moment before he touched his mustache and frowned.

"Oh, you're very funny, Harry," he growled. "Just remember, I do have the ability to dock your pay for such insults."

"Lucky for you, I honestly couldn't care less about that," Harry chuckled. "Good to see you're still in one piece, Mr. Schnee."

"Likewise, kid," he said with a smile. However, he soon adopted his blank business look and asked, "So these are the two you mentioned?"

"Yes, sir."

"And what makes them worthy of amnesty?" Ironwood asked, finally speaking up. The two former criminals stiffened at the hard tone, but they quickly relaxed when Harry spoke without any hesitation.

"They are genuinely repentant of their crimes and have graciously offered to supply us with names of previously unknown White Fang operatives, secret caches and hideouts used by the White Fang, and upcoming recruitment and large-scale operations," Harry explained. "And being in close contact with them for the last month, and with a surprising vote of confidence from Professor Ozpin, I firmly believe they are truthful about breaking away from their previous organization and their desire to make amends for their crimes."

The two Atleasians looked at each other before turning to the teens. "I defer to your judgment for the moment, Harry," Ironwood said. "How about we discuss this on the ship? Jacq wanted my advice and assistance on an excursion, so we'll be making an unplanned stop before heading back to Atlas."

Harry blinked. "Is that why you switched up the security detail?"

James nodded. "Yes. Jacq has an idea to help ease tensions between Atlas and the White Fang, but where he wishes to head has a heavy White Fang presence there. I felt it prudent to have my best team help and keep the operation running smoothly." Harry stiffened at that.

"When you say 'your best,' you don't mean…"

As Harry said that, another man walked down the ramp. He had slicked back brown hair and a green clover lapel on his Atlas uniform. The man smiled genially at the three teens. "Mr. Taurus, Ms. Belladonna. Clover Ebi," he greeted and nodded to Harry. "Potter."

"Ebi," Harry droned dully. To Ironwood, Harry hissed out, "The ACE Ops? Really, General?!"

"Harry," James sighed, already feeling the makings of a headache forming around his temples. "I'm aware of your…past history with the Ace Ops…but I'm afraid for this mission, they are needed, as is your uncanny, and often unused, diplomacy skills," he explained.

"Harry has diplomacy skills?" Blake asked, shocked.

"He's got a knack for talking people down, at least," Clover chuckled. "But you don't have to worry about us, Harry. We're just here on security. We shouldn't interfere with your mission."

"It's not you I'm worried about, Ebi," the Faunus said flatly. "It's the rest of your team with their suicidal Gryffindoric tendencies and their 'the General's word is law' mentality."

"Isn't that a bit hypocritical coming from you, Mr. Gryffindor?" Adam asked teasingly.

Jacques snorted at that while Harry turned to the bull Faunus. "Adam, I've had two years to reign in those habits," he explained. "That's not mentioning I despise the whole 'no attachment' rule they have going."

"Harry, we've discussed this!" Clover groaned into his hand. "It's not a rule! It's more of a…an unspoken agreement."

He glared at this. "Your team has the greatest success rate for missions, yes; but you also have the highest mortality rate! I can't speak for the General, but for me, that's NOT ACCEPTABLE."

"Harry," James said sternly. "Take this ethical conundrum inside the ship! We have a deadline to make." Harry scoffed.

"Fine." He turned back to Blake and Adam. "Let's go guys. We apparently have a long flight ahead of us."

The two nodded and followed the Atleasians onto the ship.

Team RWBY's dorm

Ruby and Weiss sat on Weiss's bed in silence as they observed the fuming and irate Yang ranting in the middle of their room.

"I MEAN, COME ON! WHO MAKES ANYONE PRACTICE DRILLS FOR A SOLID TEN HOURS IN THE MIDDLE OF GRIMM TERRITORY AND FORCES THEM TO WEAR SUCH RIDICULOUS WEIGHTED CLOTHING?! HOW AND WHEN WAS WEIGHTED CLOTHING A THING?!" the blonde raved angrily, pacing back and forth between their beds like a mad dragon. Her eyes were an angry red as fire danced off her hair.

Weiss turned to Ruby and asked, "How long has it been?" Ruby looked at her Scroll and hummed.

"Two hours and thirty minutes," she mumbled tonelessly and dropped her Scroll. "A new record."

"Will her incessant ranting end anytime soon?" the heiress questioned.

"…Probably not." Weiss groaned at that and fell back onto her bed.

"Kill me," she mumbled.

"Only if you do the same for me," Ruby replied. By this time, however, Yang turned to them.

"YOU THINK SHE'S BEING UNREASONABLE, RIGHT?!" she demanded. "THAT'S SHE CROSSING SOME SORT OF LINE, RIGHT?!"

"Yang, I don't get involved with your messes, remember?" Ruby said blankly.

"Xiao Long, you disobeyed a direct order from your superior; this is your punishment, so either take it in silence or go and apologize for your error," Weiss said coldly.

"OH, COME ON!"

JNPR dorm

"Wait! Your sisters actually did that?!" Nora shouted loudly, laughing giddily on her bed. Jaune let out a long-suffering sigh.

"Yes," he said, hanging his head. Nora laughed louder, and even Pyrrha couldn't help but put a hand over her mouth to try and stifle the giggles escaping her. Ren was as stoic as ever, simply shaking his head at the story.

"Jaune, why did you let your sisters torment you so?" he asked curiously. The blonde leader groaned into his hands.

"I had no other choice," he said. "My parents always told me to play nice with them, and every time I tried to tell them they were using me as a dress up doll, they didn't do anything about it."

"Even when your sisters put you in dresses?"

"Mom thought I was exaggerating," Jaune grumbled. "Dad was better, but he couldn't keep a good eye on all my sisters. Thank goodness Saphron was more than willing to rein in my sisters, otherwise I might have been made to wear skirts for the rest of my life!"

"I think you could rock a skirt!" Nora said helpfully.

"No, Nora, I wouldn't. Trust me," he mumbled, making her giggle louder. Pyrrha was about to say something when there was a knock on the door. The four teens looked up at the door in confusion. "Ruby?" Jaune asked.

"Whose Ruby, Jaune? The second girl of your harem?" a snickering voice asked back, making Pyrrha choke on her own spit while Jaune blanched. He rushed to the door and wretched it open to reveal a tall, blonde haired woman in a tight blue blouse and jeans and kind of looked like him. She had a wide smirk on her face as her blue eyes twinkled in delight.

"Saphron?!" Jaune exclaimed.

"Hey there! Baby brother!" she gushed and hugged him tightly. "Oooooh! You've grown a full head taller since I've seen you last!"

"S-Saphron…Can't...breeeaaaatthhheeeee..." Jaune coughed out. The eldest Arc child simply laughed joyfully and dropped her brother, causing him to gasp loudly for breath. He placed his hands on his back and stretched backwards. A series of cracking sounds followed. He groaned. "Thanks, Saphron…" he mumbled.

"Any time, Jaune!" she chirped happily. "Now you gonna let me in? It's kind of loud out here, and I can barely hear you over whoever's yelling."

"Oh, yeah. That. Sorry about them," Jaune said and stood aside for Saphron to walk in. "There…was an incident at Forever Fall a few days ago, and Yang got in some trouble. She's been raving about the injustice of it ever since."

"Obviously a blonde, then!" the Arc woman chuckled.

"How can you tell that?!" Nora asked, impressed with the woman's deduction. Saphron snorted.

"Because I also happen to be a blonde, and we've got some very ferocious tempers!" she said grandly with her hands on her hips, making Nora laugh wildly. Saphron shook her hand in front of her and continued, "But where are my manners?! My name is Saphron Arc! Huntress extraordinaire! And you three cute little kiddies must be my brother's team! Don't tell me…" She grabbed her chin and thought before pointing at Nora. "Nora Valkyrie!"

"Got it one!" Nora cheered, clapping. Saphron turned to Ren and pointed at him.

"Lie Ren, right?" Ren nodded, and the blonde Arc woman turned to the last one and pointed at her.

"And that makes you Pyrrha Nikos! I actually caught your first tourney win," Saphron explained to the younger woman's shock. "My friend Terra was letting me crash at her place for a while, while I was getting started as a Huntress. Pretty decent for your skill set, and keeping your Semblance hidden like you did was certainly what led to your win."

"Y-You know what my Semblance is?" Pyrrha asked in surprise. The Huntress laughed.

"Sweetie, I think every competent Huntsmen knows your Semblance!" Saphron giggled, hand over her mouth. "It's obvious when you actually take the time to stop and observe your fights."

"Not that this isn't nice, Saph," Jaune interrupted. "But where have you been?! Mom and Dad have been worried sick!"

"Huh?" Saphron blinked in confusion before she blushed red. "Ah shoot! I knew I was forgetting something!" She began fumbling for her Scroll while Jaune smirked.

"Well, it's nice to know you're still scatterbrained, Sis!" Jaune chuckled.

"Watch your lip, Mister!" Saphron growled as she dialed up her parents. "Or else I'll tell your redheaded girlfriend every little embarrassing story from your childhood!"

"Ohohohohoh! Can we get those anyway?!" Nora asked excitedly.

"Nora no!"

"Nora yes!"

Meanwhile, Pyrrha blushed at being described as Jaune's 'redheaded girlfriend.' Ren simply shook his head in amusement at the whole situation.

Meanwhile

"I'm glad we can all now sit and discuss this together, Councilmen," Ozpin said cordially.

"As are we, Professor," one Councilman agreed with a nod. "What happened at Forever Fall was quite disastrous, after all."

"What exactly happened, Ozpin?" one Councilwoman asked snippily. Ozpin withheld a sigh and began explaining.

"From what I gathered from Harry Potter, one of my students and the leader of the Animagus Corps. of Atlas, was investigating a mysterious power source when he and second-year student Velvet Scarlatina stumbled upon a cave," he explained.

"Which according to the reports was within the restricted zone known as 'Bone Valley,'" another Councilman, whom the wizened professor knew to be Cardin Winchester's father, sneered. Ozpin did sigh this time.

"I am well aware," Ozpin commented. "And the proper punishments have been issued to them, I assure you."

"So, you say," Winchester drawled. "But I have yet to see any reports concerning their 'punishments.'"

"I would like to remind you that Professor Ozpin does not need to show us those documents, Winchester," another female Councilwoman jeered. Ozpin smiled as he recognized her: one of his former students, Vermillion Blanc. "The students in question are Huntsmen; as such, they fall under Ozpin's direct authority first, and we only review transcripts of any Huntsman or Huntress's punishments in the event of them harming civilians. Since there were no civilians in the vicinity, we cannot demand any reports of that nature from him."

"And even if we did, we cannot legally punish Harry Potter," another Councilman commented. "He falls under the jurisdiction of Atlas and General James Ironwood, being a citizen of Atlas and being a member of the Atlas military."

"Yes, that's true," a third Councilwoman agreed. "But we did not convene here today for the punishments of two soon to be exceptional Huntsmen and Huntresses. We've convened to discuss the Forever Fall incident."

"Yes, my apologies," several Council members said. When they settled down, the first Councilwoman turned to Ozpin and pressed him to continue. He did readily.

"Now then, upon entering the cave, they found themselves within a massive cave system, where they soon encountered an alarming number of Grimm and a Minotaur," Ozpin recited, giving them the cover story for the time being.

"A Minotaur?!" Vermillion said in shock.

"Those are usually only found in Vacuo!" the first Councilman shouted. "Are you telling me there are some here in Vale?! And this close to the city?!"

"It's a possibility," Ozpin said. "But we only have the one confirmed case. Thankfully, Huntress Summer Rose was able to kill the beast."

"Yes, thank goodness for small mercies," Vermillion said with a smile. "Then what happened after that?"

"Starting where Mr. Potter and Ms. Scarlatina found the Minotaur," Ozpin continued, "the two were forced into a corner, and Mr. Potter was forced to create a sort of Dust bomb via his Semblance in order get them out. The explosion, however, caused a chain reaction that caused the entire ceiling of the cave system to collapse on them."

"The collapse caused a massive mile and a half sinkhole, if I recall," the first Councilwoman commented. "And one Lilith Nightingale and Cardin Winchester were caught in the fall, correct?" Ozpin nodded.

"Correct, Councilwoman Greene," Ozpin commented. "And according to the report, the two fell into some something that bolstered their Auras but also increased their rage and aggression. The cause of which is still unknown."

"Then find out, dammit!" Winchester snarled, slamming his fist against his desk. "My son was harmed in this debacle and now he's MIA!"

"As we are aware, Councilman Winchester," Ozpin said. "And we are doing everything in our power to locate him."

"That's not good enough!" Winchester sneered.

"Enough! Councilman," the first Councilman ground out, "we are not here to discuss your missing son. Restrain yourself."

Winchester oriented himself and cleared his throat. "Yes, I apologize. My emotions got the better of me, Councilman Stone," he said, though he sounded slightly insincere.

"Getting back on track," Councilwoman Greene interjected. "What are we to do about this incident? Even now, rumors are spreading about what happened in Forever Fall."

"Indeed, they are," Vermillion said with a frown. "It won't be long before they start demanding what really happened out there."

"And what's more, the collapse is affecting the trains through the area," Stone commented. "Initial investigation shows the cave system is far more extensive than we previously thought. And thanks to Mr. Potter's desperate move, most of the tunnels are now unstable. Trains needing to travel through Forever Fall have now been stalled until we can ascertain the stability of the area."

"And the civilians are growing anxious," Winchester continued. "Reports show the Grimm are starting to encroach closer to Vale's borders."

"I saw those too," Ozpin said. "I can have my third and fourth-year students on Grimm hunting missions for the time being to help dwindle the Grimm population if need be."

"That would be apricated, Professor," Greene said. "Perhaps you can also send some professional Huntsmen and Huntresses to escort some civilian geographers to survey the area to see if the trains can pass by safely?"

"I know just the ones to send," Ozpin said with a smile. "Will you be needing me for anything else?"

"Not at this moment, but we will contact you when you are needed," Stone commented. Ozpin nodded.

"Pleasure talking to you, Councilmen and Councilwomen," Ozpin said and closed the feed. He leaned back in his chair and sighed heavily.

"I hate politics," he groaned.

With Lily, meanwhile

Lily glared at the rock in front of her. "Move," she ordered. It stayed still. She frowned. "Move," she ordered again, more forcibly. Again, it didn't move. She growled. "I told you to move!" The measly pebble continued to defy her.

"I said MOVE!" she snarled. The rock wavered, but it didn't rise. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. Getting angry wouldn't do anything to help her. She had to calm down and keep a clear head.

Ever since…whatever happened to her at Forever Fall, strange things started happening around her. Things like people's hair changing color, to objects flying across the room. It had unnerved her; nothing like this had happened to her before. She hated the feeling of causing such havoc and not knowing how she did it.

Luckily, Harry knew what was wrong her. Accidental magic, he called it. He summarized that…whatever that Grimm goo was, it awoke some latent magical energy inside her, causing her magic to come to the surface. The phenomenon she was causing were because of heightened emotional outbursts. Apparently, young magicals of Earth experienced this constantly before their training.

With this in mind, Lily vowed to gain some control of this power.

Sadly, it wasn't working like she wanted it to.

Isabella didn't look up from her book as she droned out, "It's not working, Lily."

"Shut up! It'll work!"

"Lily, you've been at this for hours," Isabella said. "Take a break, and try again in the morning."

"I can't!" Lily protested. "I've got to master this! Just yesterday I almost knocked Nora out with a flying tree branch!"

"And Harry said you can't force it to happen," Isabella countered. "Just wait for him to return, and you can soon get to controlling this power."

"I can't wait!" Lily growled. "Who knows what might happen to others if I can't get control of this power!"

"We're doomed," Isabella drawled and returned to reading her book.

"Now, you stubborn piece of rock," Lily grumbled, turning her attention back to the rock. "Move!"

The rock shook. The redheaded huntress-in-training narrowed her eyes at it as it continued to shake uncontrollably. Suddenly, the rock, slowly, rose from the ground before her. Glee coursed through Lily's body. "I'm doing it!" she whispered. Isabella looked up from her book and stared in surprise.

"Well, I'll be," she murmured.

"Now, then," Lily said quietly. "Up." The rock wavered in mid-air, but nevertheless it rose steadily in the air, to Lily's delight.

"Miss Nightingale, Miss Vulpes, may I ask what is going-"

Glynda's voice broke Lily's concentration, making the girl look to her, but it also caused the rock to fly straight at Glynda's forehead, hitting the teacher clean in the forehead and knocking her clean to the floor. Lily and Isabella looked at the scene in horror.

"Ohmygosh!IthinkIjustkilledProfessorGoodwitch!" Lily cried hysterically.

"I told you this was a bad idea!" Isabella shouted, equally horrified.

Meanwhile, with Blake

She wasn't sure it this was the scariest argument she had ever witnessed, or the funniest.

The group had been flying for hours, and the very second the ship took off, Harry became engaged in a fierce battle of morals and ethics with the Ace Ops, literally the best Huntsmen team in all of Atlas. All the members had their opinions on the matter, but the loudest seemed to be a woman named Harriet Bree.

There was a joke in there somewhere, and it wasn't lost on Blake.

She looked over to her seatmate for the trip: Jacques Schnee. It was…weird, sitting beside the man who once made life hell for Faunus. But at the same time, it was amazing to see such a monster turn into such a well-respected man amongst the Faunus race now. It was surreal in the oddest way.

And that was not mentioning he was the father of her friend and teammate Weiss. Oh, and the legal guardian of Harry. She was still trying to wrap her head around this whole crazy ordeal. She looked back to her book, not sure what to say to the man.

Adam, however, had something to say. "Does this happen often?" he asked, pointing at the two Harrys arguing but not taking his eyes off them. Jacques and James sighed in unison.

"All the time," James answered wearily.

"I can't count the times they've done this at one of my parties," Jacques groaned. "I lose a lot of investors this way."

Blake made a noise of agreement. "Huntsmen and Huntresses rarely get into a quiet argument," she mumbled.

"Amen," James grumbled, hating the truth of that statement.

"Alright! That's enough out of both of you!" Clover snapped, jumping up to glare at Potter and Bree. "You both have good and bad points on the subject, but we should be getting close to our destination, so save the discussion for later and get your heads in the game!"

"Y-Yes sir!" Harriet said after a moment of hesitance.

"Tch. Whatever," Harry grumbled and turned away from Harriet.

"That reminds me: where are we going, exactly?" Blake asked after everyone settled down.

"Menagerie," Jacques answered. "I wish to speak to the mayor of the island to discuss allowing him to supervise any mining done there."

"Jacques is hoping by allowing the Faunus to take care of every mining operation on the island, it will help further promote his new equality campaign," James added on.

"That's good, at least!" Marrow Amin, the 'new guy' of the Ace Ops said brightly. Blake, however, stiffened.

"Blake?" Harry asked in concern. Adam took note of Harry's change in tone and turned to Blake and immediately understood.

"Miss Belladonna?" Clover asked as well. The Faunus finally returned to reality and noticed everyone was staring at her. She shook her head.

"I-It's nothing," she said finally. "It's just…Menagerie was where I was born…"

Before anyone could say anything else, the pilot called out, "General. We've reached Menagerie, sir."

"Oh, thank God," James mumbled. He stood up and walked to the pilots. "Set us down on the nearest helipad," he instructed. "Have we already been hailed?"

"Yes, sir. The mayor is expecting us."

"Very good." With that, James returned and began explaining to everyone how they would continue on once they exited the airship. Blake only half heard it though. She was too busy locked in her own mind, reminiscing about all the happy memories she had with her parents here on Menagerie. She tightly shut her eyes. She didn't need to dwell on the past here. This was just a stop before they made it to Atlas and retrieved her pardon.

No pressure.

"…Glad you could make it, Mr. Schnee," a very familiar booming voice called out, breaking Blake of her reprieve. "It has been some time since last we spoke."

"Indeed, it has, Mr. Belladonna," Jacques said, making Blake's eyes nearly pop out of their sockets. "Two years I believe it's been."

"Wait a second, Belladonna?" Harry asked incredulously, looking to Adam in suspicion. Adam's eyes were wide behind his mask.

"That's…This can't be right…" Adam mumbled aloud.

"Hm? Adam? Adam Taurus? Young lad whose father perished in that mining accident years ago?" the familiar voice asked in bemusement. The owner of the voice moved closer and spoke again: "My word. It is you! I thought you died in that accident too! It's good to see…" The bear of a man trailed off when caught sight of Blake. His eyes widened in shock as Blake froze in place.

All of a sudden, everyone in the immediate vicinity felt a massive headache streak through their heads as a sound of thunder erupted from within their minds. Many of the civilians fell to their knees in agony while the Huntsmen stumbled. Harry reeled back, as if struck by a blow from Yang.

For a brief second, everything was silent, until Blake let out a hesitant, "D-Dad…?"

Ghira's shock became even more pronounced as he looked back at her and mumbled out, "Blake…?"

Blake's body began to shake. "T-This is…I-Is that really you, Dad?" she asked. "Y-You're alive…?" That caused a shade of confusion to color Ghira's face.

"Am I alive…Blake, YOU'RE the one I should be asking that too!" he stammered out. "Your mother and I thought we lost you in that cave in!"

"What?!" Blake couldn't comprehend that. She could remember her parents getting caught in that cave in, not her. Her father was the one who pushed her out of the way!

Before either could get any more confused, Harry stepped in. "Oookay, this has gotten beyond awkward and perplexing," he said. "Let's…take this somewhere private. A discussion like this is NOT something we want publicized."

James was quick to agree. "Commander Potter has a point," he called out. "Mr. Belladonna? Perhaps we can convene this at your place?"

"Huh? Oh, oh! Yes! Of course! This way!" He motioned for them to follow him, his eyes lingering on Blake, who was quick to walk up to his side. The group began walking towards the village, but Adam lingered behind just enough to catch Harry bringing up the rear.

"What the hell just happened here?" he demanded quietly. "One minute, everything's normal. Then the next, I'm suddenly seeing Blake's dead father in front of my face, ALIVE, and something like a Grimm clawing inside of my brain!"

"Mind magic," the wolf Faunus growled lowly. "What you felt was the effect of a mind magic spell breaking. If I had to guess, a sort of wide spread mind spell."

"Is that bad?"

"In this case? It's certainly not good."

"But…what caused it? And why did it break when…when Blake and her father caught sight of one another?"

"That…is an excellent question," Harry growled again, turning to stare out at the horizon. "What, indeed?"

An: Hehehe…that last part is my attempt to write myself out of the hole I made for myself back when I thought Blake's parents were dead back in chapter 10. I will be expanding on it next chapter. Until then, see you then!