Author's Note:

Hello there! I have a new chapter out and ready for publishing. This is a little shorter than other chapter's but not by too much. This will focus a bit more on the perspective of other characters, something I plan to do more of in the future. While Summer is the main protagonist and the main narrator, others should get some love too.

So thanks for waiting, and please enjoy and follow if you like.

Chapter Thirteen: One Penny at a Time…

(Penny's POV)

I woke up from sleep mode, recuperating my energy as my Dust crystal power core absorbed ambient aura. The others were still asleep, needing to rest their organic bodies. I blinked, taking in the images humans couldn't see and interposing them into a visual form. Around my arm I could see dozens, if not hundreds of motes of light surrounding it.

The simple astral beings were in every direction I could see…the walls, the air, the floor, and even on one's person.

Constructs of an aura like substance…or perhaps more accurately, aura's precursor? They seem to manifest with phenomena in the physical world, birthed in flames and rains alike.

Living in a parallel plane that can not usually be accessed with our physical forms. But can be accessed by the soul. Usually through meditation or sleep…or forcibly dragged in during certain times where the barrier grows thin.

My mother had found that the lesser spirits…the plankton of the Spirit ecosystem, reacted with aura to form the crystalline substance known as Dust. Fire and flame aspects become Burn Dust, water and flood aspects become Water Dust…

But…those were only the simplest of their kind…those who survived the culling, grew to become something far more powerful…I could even sense one…two of them in fact.

One was of far greater power…and I could not pinpoint its location. The other was of a simpler nature…and bound to the silver eyed girl.

Purest light…like a piece of a greater whole.

Reality shifted…and I sat still on my bed…coming face to face with the flashlight figure of another greater spirit.

"The machine with a soul." I shifted my communication module from vibrational frequency to radio signals…much faster as well as more discrete.

"Mendicant Bias? Is there something you need?" I asked him, curiously compelling me. The machine like Spirit nodded, and I waited patiently. He was a strange teacher…he had taught me much about the world and it's secrets. He had taken my semblance and aura to levels beyond anything most of my class could manage.

He said there were four tiers of aura …the first being simple summoning and basic use of aura as a barrier, the second tier is control of one's semblance, the third is aura mastery, limited largely to prodigies and fully trained Huntsmen. Most students are taught this from a young age though most don't fully enter this tier until after graduation. This provides a number of passive abilities…an increased strength boost, agility, or stamina beyond what basic aura control already gives you.

This also allows for users to manipulate Dust much more effectively…beyond simple and uncontrolled detonation. They can use their aura to levitate Dust particles and shoot it at will without a weapon.

Most of the first years had some limited dabbling in this level…and once mastered will provide a great boost in their aura reserves.

The fourth tier…was a myth…to most. A level of mastery and power unheard of. Only a few select people are capable of it, and even then it's usually only in a fairly limited manner. My father hypothesized that the "heritable" Schnee semblance known as Glyph is a form of it, created by the family through decades of work and effort. Even then…it was considered the pinnacle of what modern humans could do.

Mendicant Bias called this advanced state…Auramancy…though to others…it would also be known as Magic. He had said that long ago…Auramancy was as easy as breathing…when the spirits and humanity were practically one and the same.

"Child…do not be distracted by your mind. Draw an aspect to your hand. I wish to see how far you have come." I gave a confirmatory grin, clenching my fist while carefully monitoring my teammates vitals.

All nominal.

Flames were conjured without a speck of dust, burning white hot as my aura reacts explosively with a Flame aspect. My partner stirred and I stopped the flow of outside energy…

"Good…your skill is coming along nicely. There are only a few who could hope to match you."

I tilted my head, speculating on who could have such power.

"The Headmaster? My readings picked…up a frightening amount of aura. Easily twenty times stronger than an elite Huntsmen. Possibly far more…hidden beneath…"

"Yes but there are a few others…the Silver eyed girl herself has become an expert in external Auramancy. In some ways…it is more difficult to master…the calculations require a strong scientific background." He grew silent and ponderous and my eyes lit up

"Are there others who could learn this power?"

"A few yes have that potential…and they'll need it."

"The threat to humanity you are preparing me for?" He nodded again…

"Humanity and I have always been closely linked…the Grimm…and others…are a threat to my survival. I have become stronger than ever in these times…I will not go gently into the night."

"I should be waking them…" he understood, the spirit vanishing into thin air.

Time to start the day…

"SALUTATIONS!"

I stared intently as Summer Rose took vigorous notes while our teacher spoke about his experiences. At the same time she transcribed those notes in simplified format on a thick black book labeled.

Tales of Grimm: The Dark Bestiary

by Summer Flamel Rose

A fascinating book…and one that would be well received as an academic journal…I turned away, etching the speech into my computerized memory.

The former Valean pilot spoke with nostalgia. "It was an interesting situation…it was only me and my trusty Bullhead versus three dozen Harpies. Horrid things really…they screech out sonic roars that can damage propellers and gun barrels." I could see Summer write out a quick sketch…an accurate depiction visible.

Resembling a demented winged women…the mutant Imps are strong and absurdly fast Grimm…with records showing speeds of over seven hundred miles an hour for many. They've been known to empty out entire warships…necessity creating the need for built in and sound shielded turrets to defend a ship.

Once those turrets activate…Harpies tend to be torn apart. While they are fast and spry, that is in exchange for relative fragility. The average Harpy is not much tougher than an average beowolf…one or two exceptions not included…

"…So I had to ride one of those she-beasts in the air and crash it into…"

My lens focused on Umber's grunts, feeling an odd emotion flashing through my processors, as the same two individuals from before attempted to…

FWOOSH!

"Mister Gray? I would like it if you could keep from spontaneously combusting in class…" Professor Brass rightly chastised Gray for his incident, the student backing off from his harassment.

Umber rubbed her eyes in disbelief…briefly glancing over at me. I gave her a smile and a wave and she blinked owlishly before shaking her head.

I turned away, hoping to record some glimpses of Summer only to…

Wilt under her calculating and cold look…I could see my face reflected back on her clear eyes. For a moment I was nervous…until she…winked, twisting away, listening intently to the lesson.

Aww…I suppose she had noticed…she must have had a sensory Semblance of some kind. And her use of Alchemy would attune her to certain energies.

But…the most important thing I've learned today…

Is that Summer looked so cool and calm…she must be very experienced!

(My POV)

Jesus fuck! That was nerve wracking as fuck! How the heck did I keep my cool back there?!

I noticed Penny doing something that clearly wasn't a semblance or technology…yet I decided not to say a word.

Again…she was only the biggest elephant in the room…the world had changed dramatically in the last six years. More so even including my birth and whatever ripple effects they may have had.

How the hell she was doing what she was doing…I'm not entirely sure. But I've felt that same energy before…it's what fuels my Alchemy. Though she's taken to a far more direct interface than I've managed so far. It's kind of…utterly bullshit…

But…someone had to be teaching her…and it can't be Ozpin or Salem…one I've been keeping tabs on that old wizard, and two Salem is a bitch…

Yeah.

So who? And why? Who would be willing to teach a machine brought to life. Then again if I was them I would totally be willing just to see what would happen.

I would normally internally monologue about what I had learned in Grimm Studies…but instead I thought I would make a change for today.

We had been in class for…around two months now…at this point we were quite used to living in close proximity to one another, barring a noodle incident or three.

One of them had led to me finding Raven's cup size…so that's a "bonus" if you could call it that.

A 42E if anyone was asking…very nice.

Ahem…

"Sums? You okay?" I nodded absently, biting my lip while we sat on a marble seat around a round table. Kind of reminded me of those umbrella tables that my college used to have. But fancier and much…much tougher…

Currently we were study buddies…though by study buddies I really meant he would copy off of my notes so he could figure it out. It helps that I have fantastic notes on Grimm…

Fascinating creatures really…alchemy has little direct effect on them, my suspicions being that they weren't made of a form of matter-energy I was familiar with. But I could still bring them down without rearranging their molecules…

Though they had been the subjects of the occasional experiment…using alchemy to forcibly inject aura in a Grimm. The way the soul energy reduced their integrity was fascinating…and made some some amount of sense. If aura is considered the light of the soul…then aura should cause some decay, a much lesser form of the eye beams of a Silver Eyes.

Which from what little I've found has a link to one's soul. Not as a direct power source…but certainly connected. I've found others things too…mainly by looking at Grimm under a microscope, not many attempts by others to do that. For obvious reasons…

Grimm…substance for lack of a better word, seems to emulate conventional matter and particles much in the same way as aura does.

It's potential is lesser though…likely explaining the gap between the average Grimm and the average Huntsmen. Though they didn't have the same limit of size that physical matter di—

My nose scrunched up as a finger flick struck from above. I growled, trying to swat Tai on the shoulder for his transgression.

"Summer! Please stop getting stuck in your cute trances." I was scandalized. I would not stand for his insult.

"Don't call me cute! Fear me! I am the night. I am ba—mmph." Tai covered my mouth with a raised eyebrow.

"Summer you aren't a bat. You're not even a bat Faunus, so stop." I pouted, licking his hand. He recoiled in disgust and I giggled. Serves him right.

"Buuttt…Tai I can echolocate using my semblance. That makes me like a bat." I crossed my arms over my bust, my eyes widening in tandem. He snorted and I felt disappointment that I had failed. It used to be easy to convince him to do what I said, just a hint of a pout and some watering eyes and he'd be putty in my hands.

Now the only way I could then to do whatever I want would be to seduce him. And that is not happening. I'm good at being cute…not at being a sexy seductress. It'd probably be a cringe-fest that would be good blackmail for other people.

He sternly crosses his arms. "That would make you a dolphin not a bat."

I tapped my chin. "Huh? Or an orca…Orcaman?"

He gently slammed his hands on my shoulders with a desperate look. "Summer noo!"

I posed with a fist up in the air. "Summer yesss!"

Metal clanged against concrete frantically and I ended our little spat. I could see Penny running toward us…

With Raven knocked unconscious in her arms…

I rose up from my sight, a twitch making its way across my face. Penny dashed forward, nearly throwing Raven into my arms before dropping back. She readjusted the women, Penny's lip quivering and anxiety hiding behind her mechanical eyes.

"What happened?" My voice was dull, a sheer all encompassing rage burning.

No one will touch my friends…they're…a-all I have…

I checked her pulse(as well as everything else) with a quick outburst of my semblance.

No aura…her body worn out…but no injuries. But maybe…I activated a circle, flowing a small amount of my own aura into her own body. Her heart rate stabilized and she visibly relaxed…

"I-I we were both in practice combat. Raven friend had wanted to see what I could do more directly…she said that she had improved her Semblance control."

"She exhausted herself…shit…" I cursed, asking Penny to gently place Raven on the seat. I guided Raven's head and neck down to rest against the table. She dropped a bit, and I brushed my fingers to get an even closer inspection.

Ok…everything was fine…her organs are functional, and while she used up her aura. A good sleep and a big lunch should be a good pick me up.

"Is Raven going to be okay?" Taiyang sounded worried and I didn't blame him. I freaked out too. But she was going to be fine…it was a real good thing I had become a veritable expert on the human body. I didn't have a medical license but I might as well have one, with the unique precision of my semblance.

"She's fine…a little cat nap and some food in her belly and she'll be good to go." I brushed her back with a gentle touch, my heartbeat slowing to a normal rate. Taiyang took the other end, keeping an eye out so she wouldn't slip out onto the floor.

Raven was a restless sleeper…and had fallen off of the bed more times than I could count.

32.5 times actually…one time she only fell halfway off sooo.

"Mmmm…stupid Qrow…I'll…mmm…kick…yur ass." Raven muttered in her aura exhaustion induced state. I patted her head, unable to contain my glee at her adorableness. Despite the physical threat against her own brother.

"Hey…you know I think it's pretty cute how you act so aloof sometimes yet… you do stuff like this." I shrugged, admitting that he wasn't wrong. I loved cute things…puppies, kittens, baby alligators…and a sleep talking Raven is adorable.

"Hey…you think she'll wake up soon? I don't exactly want the looks from bridal carrying her to our room." Raven's burning scarlet eyes suddenly looking into mine was the answer to my question.

"W-What are you looking at? Stop it…or I'll punch you…" Raven mumbled a quiet threat and I sighed. She wobbled onto her feet, and I jumped forward offering her a shoulder to lean on when she almost fell flat on her face.

"Please…quit trying to do things by yourself…it's not healthy. Overexerting yourself will have the opposite effect."

She growled. "Not like you don't do the same…" I raised an eyebrow, feeling some strong amusement. Her expression had shifted, and I could tell she realized her supposition had been wrong.

"Nah…Summer is pretty cooperative…she's made some mistakes but…nothing like you." Tai added with a smirk. She scowled and I pushed forward, lightly dragging her along.

"We'll help you get back to your room if you want." I offered her, softening the blow with a kind smile. I checked…takes time to get away from my usually scary lip based expressions…

"Whatever…"

Good…she's learning…

(Penny's POV)

I scanned the raven haired girl with close interest, my sensors picking up wisps of lingering magical energy. They clearly didn't belong to her…just a leftover from close contact with someone else. Likely from many weeks ago if the amount was going correct.

But whoever it was their power certainly dwarfed anything anyone in the entire academy. Not even Professor Ozpin could hope to catch up…though the energy did seem oddly similar…

I stepped out of view, entering a camera's blindspot, as well as manipulating the recordings of several others…

I lashed out…a Light infused fist embedding itself deep into the core of a dark imposing entity. I cocked an eyebrow at the strange creature…resembling a slimy black slug, the beast was not Grimm or animal…

It was almost certainly a spirit of some kind, one of darkness…more specifically one that feeds on stress and rage. Likely attracted to Raven for whatever trouble her bandit tribe had brung her.

In most cases…they are harmless, too weak to do much…but those who are a tier above them are far more dangerous…more so than those even stronger.

Other such Spirits are a patient sort, preferring to remain in their domain, and sustain themselves on natural levels of negativity. They are rarely greedy either…so attempts to stoke conflict are rare.

But the medium tiers are more active and strong enough to actually hurt others…

Which is why…

CRISHH! HISS!

I have to purge this one…gathering some light is easy enough in a location like this…

The beast tried to run but it was cleanly burned away by the corrosive nature of light. It proceeded to dissolve and I walked back to my spot, scanning for any eavesdroppers.

No spy's in sight…

I heard a whisper, freezing at the familiar sound…I listened closely.

"Are you sure? I would not know if they are trustworthy or not…" I waited for an answer.

'They are…' I nodded respectfully.

To them it would seem to be an offer of greater training, an opportunity to grow beyond what they once were. To get them ahead of others in their year.

They would accept.

I hope…

(Raven's POV)

"You want to what?" I asked the odd redhead with a raised eyebrow.

She blinked with a soft smile. "I wish for our teams to participate in training…" the sincerity in her voice was so obvious it almost made me sick.

"Why?" I found that despite that sincerity that I couldn't trust the girl regardless. The strange girl's grin shrunk, but it didn't deter her.

"I have found after a month of more of observation that I wish to be even closer friends. And friends help one another don't they?" Behind me, the rest of team Sauerkraut and Apricot looked at one another with curious looks.

We had chosen to meet up in our room when Penny had called us together for this…reason…

Her partner seemed a little affronted. "But were already doing that! Aren't we?" The blonde puppet master was…rather bouncy as her aggravation took hold.

Penny proceeded to comfort her. "No…no of course! I just mean I want to provide additional help."

"Like what?" I blinked back surprise at how easily the giant of a man known as Cassin snuck up on me. Penny eyes widened and she formed her signature smile.

"Ah! Yes…I wish to teach you some of the advanced aura techniques passed down to me by my teacher…"

Teacher…? Summer especially seemed interested, if her sparkling eyes were any indication…

Too bright.

"I thought that maybe your father or Miss Kitsune would have taught you."

Summer knows Penny's parents? Then how comes she doesn't know anything about an apparent adopted or related child?

Suspicious…

"No they did…until I found my master." Summer leaned in with a pursed lip, inching almost off of the bed. "He's…a rather strange man. But his knowledge of aura is beyond anyone living on this planet. Though he himself is a little out of practice." She sounded very respectful of this teacher of hers.

He must have been very skilled if he got an emotional response that strong out of our…sister team's resident robot.

The Faunus…Umber's bunny ears perked up, some form of hope lighting up in our eyes. She had yet to make progress on what her semblance may be…perhaps she thought her teammate could help.

"That sounds amazing. A wonder that we've never heard of such a person." Penny didn't reply, but she did seem to understand the oddity.

"Indeed…"

I flinched when Summer clapped her hands together. "Welp I don't mind if the rest of my team is okay with it. It'll be like the practice we already do…but even better!" She was bouncing from foot to foot, and I could see the gears turning in her head. I couldn't say no that face, none of us would dare. And Apricot wouldn't say no to Umber.

"Excellent!" Penny vibrated in place. "Then we should start now!" This could give us an edge on our fellow students…and I do relish a challenge.

God…I was so wrong.

"Concentrate friend Raven. Meditation is an important part of this training." I growled but forced myself to calm down.

I took a deep breath…

"You're sure this is going to work?"

Qrow…you bastard…

"It works…but the method does tend to vary based on personality…though I have heard that lucid dreaming and exercise can help."

"So why don't just I try that? I'm not exactly…a paragon of patience Penny." The redhead seemed pensive, her eyes lighting up.

"Perhaps you are right…you are a more…ah passionate person than me. Something that evokes strong emotions may work better for you"

I'll continue with meditation…it may be difficult. But the brief moments when it works…I feel a comfortable sense of calm.

"I'll try exercise…I'm more a doer than a sitter." The tallest teen in the room stood up, and Taiyang followed behind him. The rest of us remained behind while…Qrow…tried to fall asleep…

Dammit Qrow!

I felt a flicker of aura from my left and my eyebrow twitched at the aura outflow from my partner's body. It wasn't much above her usual level but…it seemed to be growing more…stable?

Summer opened her eyes, and I blinked at the brief flash of white light, lasting less than a second. I felt a grin form…and my heartbeat picked up. Her calm expression shifted, the wide eyed girl grinning back at me.

"Now you're starting to get it." I glanced down marveling at the red flow around my skin, brighter than her own, but…thinner?

"How?" The girl shrugged…and while my brother had not gotten any results, neither had Umber or Jayleen.

"It'll take time…real results likely won't be seen for many months for you." I frowned but took it in stride. I wanted to be strong, and if this was what I had to do I would do it.

"Can you at least show us what your…training has done for you?" Umber's ears were twitching violently, I could feel the frustration roll off in waves.

Penny nodded, and everyone's pupils shrunk to pin pricks under the sudden onslaught of pressure. My heart and lungs felt like they were being constricted…like a mountain was bearing down on me.

It was terrifying…I had only felt like this only twice before.

"Girl…What in god's name has that master of yours been teaching you?!" Jayleen has beads of sweat run down her forehead. Penny relaxed and the pressure faded, like it had never been there.

Summer was seeing the strange girl in a whole new light if her dropped jaw was a sign. "You were holding back, during our spar weren't you?" Her voice was soft, but held a tinge of excitement waiting to leap free.

Penny nodded. "I was. I did not want to hurt you by mistake. Your aura is much larger than the average student but it would not last long against my full power. So I suppressed myself…"

"That is not fair…" I ignored the hot blush rising at Summer's cute pout.

Cute? Why…never mind that.

"I want to fight you again." Penny took a step back at my growl, and Summer had a worried look. "More specifically I want the whole team to fight you."

"I don't like the idea of fighting a monster Raven." I smirked and Qrow growled once he understood what I was telling him.

You're not going to back down from a challenge are you? Little brother?

"Maybe when you're more learned?"

I glared downward, a wild grin appearing on my face. "I can wait."

Penny said nothing but I already knew she had agreed. Her eyes told the rest of the story. It'll take time and effort but I will become stronger. Stronger than anyone on this planet if I have to.

Just a Penny a day…

…

…

Damn it those two are getting to me!

(3rd POV)

A clattering of hot chocolate sounded out through the room as a certain Headmaster nearly cracked his favorite mug. His eyes widened imperceptibly, looking around for the sudden burst of aural energy.

He relaxed once the aura signature became more familiar. One of his oddest and brightest students. Fortunately it was only those with strong knowledge of aura who could pick up the sheer brilliance from this distance. Anyone else would only feel a brief passing gust of wind and nothing more.

He lifted the mug to his lips, taking a slow and steady sip before letting out a satisfied sigh.

"Miss Goodwitch?" From the shadows, a certain blonde haired witch emerged. Her hair was out of place, her eyes wide and fearful. "Are you alright?" He held genuine concern for his student.

"I let my sister befriend a monster." He took another relaxed sip, the young women before him freezing at his audacity. She waved her hands in the air, purple aura crackling. "Are you not concerned. Her strength is beyond most of the first, second, and third year students! Only myself and the two remaining members of my team could put a stop to her!"

He took a deep breath, meeting eyes with her. "There's no need to be concerned. I know that girl and her creator well. They are kind-hearted people. And protective of those few they've come to consider friends or family."

The fourth year student was still unsure. "I'm just…worried, that's all."

"And I don't blame you. But Miss Rose is a wily one…and a promising student. She'll be alright." Goodwitch straightened herself up, flattening the wrinkles in her uniform.

"I suppose. I'll have to take my leave then. I have to get to class." Ozpin watched the women walk away, disappearing as the elevator door closed behind her.

He took a third sip, his eyes drinking in the sight of his immaculate office. His eyes saw what others couldn't.

His grip tightened on his cane, left out of sight of the blonde telekinetic. The wizard's vision focused on a small chip containing hours of video…his fingers played with the usb like drive, his eyes suddenly appearing older and more tired than humanly possible.

"An unexpected development…but one that could prove to bring much good to the world." He replied to thin air, his eyes flashing with energy. Ozpin crushed the chip in his hands, his powerful aura protecting him from the splinters of silicon and metal. He stood up from the chair, his cane resounding deeply against the floor of his office.

The headmaster eyed the various files he had compiled of his various students. Eight particular subjects were looked at with more closeness.

"So…How will I make use of this? The game has changed, and I can't afford to act like I always have. So I'll have to adapt…" a phone call interrupted his musing, and he swiftly picked up expecting an emergency.

"Yes?"

"Headmaster…it seems the statue has been thrown into the forest…for the… How many times now? Fifteenth?"

He sighed. "The fiftieth actually." He could feel the women on the other line wince.

"So is there anyway we ca—."

"I'll have to wring out some funds from the Council's grubby fingers but I'll manage." He hung up as the staff member thanked him and he sagged into his vaguely phallic chair.

(My POV)

"Where am I?" I drifted in this interesting little void. This time I didn't have a little tv to watch stuff with. Whether or not that meant that it was over who knows…but then that means I can lucid dream for…some amount of time? Hard to say…

I imagined the existence of gravity and a floor and I quit floating, landing on my feet.

"Interesting…maybe I should try to imagine a bunch of hot, sexy la—nahhh!" I shook my head at the idea. There was something else far more interesting that I could do.

My arms morphed into wings and with a running leap I was suddenly in the air. The blackness melted away, only to be replaced by a Cretaceous landscape.

All around me I could see the massive shadows of long gone pterosaurs, the plane sized beasts letting out hearty bellows and hisses. Below me, a vast landscape of forest and cold plains was visible. There roaming herds if hornee giants made their way across, occasionally harassed by a sharp toothed short armed predator.

"YES! LUCID DREAMING FOR THE WIN! I—AKHH!" I screamed out in shock when I crashed against a very solid object.

My body felt a sudden chill, my hairs standing up.

This…I remember this…

Two bony hands gripped onto my frightened shoulders, and I looked into the multicolored eyes of…

"D-Death?" The entity nodded silently, and I found myself dropping into a plush chair.

"How are you?"

I rapped my fingers against the chair. "G-Good. I'm not dead again right?" He shook his head.

Thank god…

I remembered his question. "And I've been doing…well enough. As you can see." I gestured to myself with am almost proud stance. "I've grown up…again. I've made a life for myself here, and I hope to change things if I'm able."

He nodded and I shuddered at the rattling of bones. "Good, good…I wanted to be sure."

…

"Why are you here?" He wasn't startled in the least by my question and I didn't expect him to be.

"A quick checkup. It's interesting how such a small difference changes so much."

I deadpanned.

"Small is not the word I would use…there's a shitload of differences! Whatever 'canon' there was. It got shot in the damn head and the body set on fire!"

"Interesting choice of words…" for a moment I entertained the idea of smacking him. But I decided he wasn't worth the trouble…

"So is there anything you want to tell me?"

"Nope…well there is one thing."

Shit…please don't tell me I'm getting sent on some crazy quest out here.

His grip on my shoulders tightened, and I gave him an uneasy smile. He smiled back at me.

"Do what you wish…"

I don't understand…what he's saying.

"Woah!" The reaper of death spun me around with an excited gleam in his glowing eyes. The dream shifted back and forth between various infinite landscapes.

"It's simple really. A part of you is unsure, of whether or not you should really change the future. You have taken small steps but…we both know you can do more."

I suppose…but a lot has changed because of me…

Out of a mere ill thought whim…

I frowned at the sudden incoming thought, biting my lip in anxiety. More…huh? It wasn't like everything wasn't sent off kilter anyway…so why didn't I?

The image of a certain witch came to mind…

"You will be alright…"

Hmm…maybe.

"Can I wake up now?" He smiled again and I screamed as I started falling. Endlessly dropping last closing curtain of infinite silky cloth, as dark as the darkest void.

For a brief moment…I saw it…the light within my soul…

Calling out for me.

I leapt up, letting out a hoarse breath. I spit out a strand of my own hair, my nose scrunching up in grossed out shock.

My bangs had been knocked out of place and with a frustrated sigh I brushed them back. The sun was only just starting to come up and the team was still asleep, so I was all alone now.

I haven't spoken with the manifestation of Death in over seventeen years…and that doesn't bode well for me or those around me. But he said I would be fine…whether that means I come out of this psychologically well is another story.

I lightly scratched the back of my neck, satisfying an annoying itch for a moment.

I should start getting ready.

"Suppose I should…not like I'm going back to sleep any time soon…" I quietly made my way to my drawer, containing both my clean uniform and a set of underclothes. My usual pair of men's underwear paired with an unnecessarily lacy bra courtesy of Jayleen.

Said I should at least pretend I'm a woman…like that is going to happen. I'll dress how I want. If I want to wear pants, imma wear pants, if I want to wear a pretty dress I'll wear a dress.

Wonder how a dress would fit on my old body?

…

I don't think I remember what I used to look like anymore…it's been a long time since then. But I suppose I did look cuter now…that's a real treat

That a pimple?

No…just a smudge on the mirror…

Should close the door behind me…don't want to suffer from the same mistake Raven did.

Tai, that lucky bastard…

Anyway…lock check. Uniform check. Shampoo and a bar of soap?

Check.

I looked in the mirror, posing with both arms on my hips. My chest bounced with the movement and I grinned.

"As sexy and hot as ever? Check." I snapped my fingers, winking at my lovely reflection.

There were times when I was in really high spirits, feeling good about myself. Today was clearly that day…I'd probably be humming Earth songs under my breath while skipping…

Okay…while I strip what exactly are my future plans? Right…I think we're going out to hunt some Grimm as an assignment, get to work a little more as a group and stuff. Out in the Forever Fall forest…that would be a few weeks from now, I believe.

Should go fine. What could go wrong?

…

…

What have I done?

Now we're all going to d—

(3rd POV)

In a distant place of endless Fall, Murthy's law came into full motion. In a section of the ancient forest, older than humanity itself. Fire had come to the land…hundreds of trees reduced to ash and dust, leaving nothing but dead soil and rotting masses of insects.

Sitting on top of this mass of disgust and fading life was an enormous mountain of a creature. Easily three hundred and fifty meters from tail tip to its wide rodent like maw. The beast oozed a disgusting green slime…slowly rotting and choking the forest life around it with the growing pool of green fluid. Slowly it's pupiless red eyes opened, long spine like lashes, many meters long fluttering down. Antenna twitched, flicking from side to side as it's rat and fish like head rumbled.

It started to awaken, rocking back and forth as a song sounded out though the forest, sending every being in the forest with any common sense running. If more had remained they would hear the nonsense poem, the Grimm Aberration the only one willing and able to enjoy it.

"Twas brillig and the slithy toves. Did gyre and gimble in the wave; All mimsy were the borogoves, and the mome raths outgrabe…" the beast swayed back and forth, knocking over the still trees and crushing the fleeing maggots.

"Beware the Jabberwock…" the creature's neck stretched to its full length. The snake like body, writhing in seeming agony to others. But within what was considered it's mind was a dance of triumph. Strength growing in bounds and leaps. Size and mass growing, its skin shredding in a horrifying mockery of molting. A symbol was burned into its chest, the last trace of the mad Merlot shimmering with green light.

"The jaws that bite," it swallowed a lesser nevermore, the beast of Grimm reduced to black paste with a single bite. "The claws that catch." Long hairy taloned fingers, like the legs of a tarantula lashed out. Crushing an Ursa with a mere addition of pressure. "Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The Frumious Bandersnatch!" The voice singing became elevated, shaking the air with a mad glee.

"He took his vorpal sword in hand. Long time the manxome foe he fought. So rested he by the Tumtum tree. And stood awhile in thought." For a moment the leviathan stood stock still, a pensive expression on its inhuman excuse for a face. It's thin, scaly legs wobbled on theropod like feet, claws the length of entire buses logging trees down. It's leathery bat like wings flapped, gusts of wind blowing with each movement of the appendages.

"And in an uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame. Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, and burbled as it came."

The Jabberwocky indeed did burble….

Author's Note:

Surprise...?