The soft clicking of gears turning echoed through the office as a grey-haired man watched the elevator make its way up while sipping on some coffee. General Ironwood had brought his fleet with him again against Ozpins wishes. Ozpin had told the General that each time his fleet had appeared something had gone wrong and the citizens were starting to see it as an ill omen. Sometimes he wondered if his plans were even needed or did they cause more harm. He had hoped coming to Beacon early would help Miss Rose have happy memories she could use to unlock the power of her eyes, however, something seemed to be weighing her down preventing that from happening. Perhaps it was the loss of Mr. Arc, the boy was both a regret and a mystery even to him. His transcripts were obviously fake but he knew Jaune Arc held great potential and even greater power. Though He did fear whatever that power was it felt alien and dark, his train of thought was interrupted when the elevator rang and the doors opened.

"Ah, James it's a pleasure to see you today." Ozpin stood up from his chair.

"Ozpin I'm so happy you could fit me into your schedule." James Ironwood smiled.

"Thankfully nothing has gone wrong this year so planning has been rather easy." Ozpin handed a mug to his fellow headmaster.

"Hopefully nothing happens I'd rather not have my guests view us as inept." Ironwood started pouring his flask into the mug.

"Ah yes, your guest. What exactly can you tell me about them?" Ozpin opened a scroll looking at some files including the floating fortress known as a Salt Pile.

"Well, I know two things that might interest you. He is the prince of a country known as Erabonia and he's bringing a guide who's been to the kingdoms but he wouldn't say who." Ironwood took a sip from his mug.

"So they've known about us for longer. I wonder why they never tried to make contact?" Ozipn couldn't remember such a county and that was slightly frightening.

"From the few talks I've had with their representative it's because of the Grimm. They don't have them though they do have creatures they have dubbed monsters more often than not these creatures are little more than pests." That information made Ozpin start choking on his coffee.

"That's..."

"Amazing? I agree, it means there's a chance for our people after all." Ironwood was ecstatic as he spoke as if some weight had finally been lifted.

[

Jaune stood on the deck of the Courageous II watching as a familiar site finally comes into view. He never thought he'd see the Tower of Beacon again. Though he'd never go back and change the past. Those days thought him valuable lessons and he passed those lessons on to his own class. The air felt off it wasn't exactly cleaner but it didn't have the same feel as Leeves. The one thing he was excited about was being the first member of the imperial fishing club to cast a line off the docks of Vale.

"I thought I'd find you up here." A jovial voice said. Jaune looked over and saw Crow walking up to him.

"You know I'm surprised you convinced Olivert to let you come along," Jaune smirked. "so what are your plans?"

"Eh you know, maybe making a few bets on this tournament thing, running tests on the Tryfing, and who knows maybe I'll find a nice girl like you did." Crow peered at the tower. "Still You and Towa huh? I had money on you and Alisa hooking up."

"Well, I guess you won. We did at least for a few months it just didn't work out." Jaune stretched his arms. "So why are you actually up here? I'm certain it's not about my love life."

"I can never get anything past you can I?" Crow's smile faded. "They've started the liberation."

"Is something wrong?" Jaune would curse himself if something happened while he was going down memory lane.

"No. In fact from the reports I'm getting they've almost won." Crow scowled. "Something isn't right here. It's far too easy you'd think Rufus's old men would put up more of a resistance."

"That's... You're right even Rufus couldn't get them to stand down a few months ago." Jaune frowned. "We should be prepared for something to go wrong. Have you told the prince yet?"

"Yeah, he suggested I warn you. From the sounds of it, the whole world is more interested in this place at the moment than they are with Crossbell."

"So it's likely that organization will be involved somehow?" Jaune cursed under his breath. Of course, nothing went right when it came to this place.

"It could be but there's also something else." Crow pulled a letter from his pocket.

Jaune Schwarzer or should I use your alise Jaune Arc there is much you need to know however I will keep this brief. You are walking into the eye of the storm over there in the four kingdoms, keep your head about you, and most importantly know this even though the world is changing old and new foes await to stop you while others may assist.

Till we meet, C

"Is this some kind of joke Crow?" Jaune eyed his friend and rival.

"Man, I wish it was I've been too busy to go about playing terrorist again." Crow threw his hands up in defense.

"Old foe's? I don't think we have to worry about Claire or Lechter those two are being watched 24/7, Rufus is in prison, and we are on good terms with Zephyr." Jaune started racking his brain. "Could be the organization but what do they mean we are walking into the eye of the storm and how do they know where we are?" The Courageous came to a stop and he noticed they had landed on Beacon's largest dock. He winced as he got a sudden headache but as soon as it started it had ended.

[

"So she's fled to those measly islands?" A masked man asked.

"Indeed we tried to stop that group but they slipped through the trap." A soldier bowed in fear.

"Now, now there's no need to be afraid I'm not a monster come stand you did your best. It seems like she's gotten some crafty protectors." The man in the mask looked through a window. "It seems like I'll get to visit some old friends in the future."

"I wonder how my old team will react..."

[

The students at Beacon all watched as a strange airship landed. It was about a third of the size of the average Atlesian warship and it was bright crimson compared to Atlas's White and grey. A door on its side opened and twenty or so students all dressed similarly in blue military school uniforms walked out followed by a handful of adults ranging from instructors to maintenance personnel.

"What's going on?" Ruby asked Jane as her team finally got to the crowd.

"I'm not entirely sure, this large airship just landed and..." Jane trailed off noticing a certain blonde swordsman. 'Jaune? Why is he here?'

"Jane?" Ruby asked while trying to see what caught her attention. A blonde man maybe two years older than her wearing a long white overcoat with belt-like attachments on the shoulders and holding a long curved blade on his waist was talking to what kind of looked like military students maybe from Atlas. "Now that's a katana!"

"Tachi. It's not a Katana it's a Tachi." Jane corrected her.

"But they look the same?" Ruby asked.

"While you are somewhat right as they share a similar appearance a Tachi is generally longer and more curved than a katana." Blake clarified.

"I'm honestly surprised you didn't know that sis." Yang tussled Rubys' hair.

"Well, Blake did say they look alike." Ruby pointed out.

"If I had to guess those in white are professors while those in the blue are students, however, I've not seen that type of uniform." Weiss pointed out.

Ruby kept her eyes on the blonde man as he seemed to be explaining something to the other professors. Something was telling her she knew who he was but she couldn't get a good view of his face. Yang had to grab her once when she nearly fell over trying to get a better angle, she didn't say anything but did give Ruby a sly smirk. Eventually, the man did turn to face the crowd and while there was a collective gasp from the fourth-year students, Ruby felt as if an old wound was suddenly ripped open and healed at the same time.

"Jaune./Fearless Leader!/J-Jaune." Ren, Nora, and Ruby spoke together.