Jaune: "I'm with Pyrrha on this one, are we sure we can trust him?"
SLAP
Jaune blinks his eyes in surprise, and lifts a hand to his cheek where a bright red handprint is beginning to form. The group all looks towards him with wide eyes, not expecting what had happened. Willow takes a step back with her hand still raised.
Willow: "I don't know how you did things where you grew up boy, but around here we don't mistrust people who have shown us time and time again that they deserve our trust."
Topaz: "Thank you for defending me Willow, but it's alright. I can understand their hesitation."
Pyrrha: "Jaune, I wasn't saying that we should mistrust Topaz. After everything he's done for all of us it's hard to believe that he has a darker side to himself. I was bringing up that aspect of his semblance to disagree with what Blake said."
Jaune: "Oh… I'm sorry Topaz."
Topaz: *sigh* "Don't worry about it Jaune."
Weiss: "But-"
Topaz: "Weiss, it's fine. Just drop it and we'll move on."
Weiss: "If you say so Topaz. What do we do now?"
Topaz: "Now, we figure out a way to stop Salem."
Blake: "And just how do you plan on doing that, you were there when Jinn told us she can't be beaten."
Topaz: "Yes, I was there when we saw her tell Ozpin she couldn't be beaten by him. And the last I checked, we aren't Ozpin."
Yang: "What about O-"
Topaz: "Oscar isn't Ozpin. He is his own person, just has Ozpin's soul alongside his own."
Oscar suddenly tenses up and then stands straight.
Ozpin: "As nice as your theory is Topaz, I'm afraid you are incorrect. I have been theorizing for centuries on how to beat her, and have yet to think of anything."
Topaz: "What was the closest you've been you think to being capable of beating her?"
Ozpin: "I would have to assume that the closest I've come to beating her, was when silver eyes were a prominent feature amongst those who lived upon Remnant. Then Salem hunted them down until they could be counted on a single hand."
Topaz: "I would have to agree. As you know, Salem spoke to me in the past. She tried to convert me to her side to protect those I love. To me, that's a sign of fear. I may not be able to turn grimm to stone like most who have silver eyes, but she's tried multiple times to take me out since."
Ozpin: "As much as I'd like to agree with you Topaz, I just don't think you are correct. Salem is calculating, she probably used that to make you think you have a chance. I don't think there's a single person capable of taking Salem out."
Topaz: "Who said anything about a single person?"
Ozpin: "What do you mean?"
Topaz: "Look around us Ozpin, we have a lot of people to try this. Ruby has frozen one of the biggest grimm I've ever seen in stone on Beacon Tower, even if it was unintentional. If she can get a hit like that in on Salem, I'm guessing it will do a number on her grimm aspect, allowing the rest of us to take her out."
Ruby: "But what if I can't do it?"
Topaz: "You can Ruby, believe in yourself."
Ruby: "But I can't stay calm enough in a short amount of time. I panic and then it fails."
Topaz: "Who said you had to be quick about it?"
Ruby: "What?"
Ozpin: "What are you implying Topaz?"
Topaz: "Think of Ruby and I as a sword and a shield. While she focuses on unleashing that attack, I will keep Salem's focus on me. The rest of you will work on any minion she may have around at the time."
Ozpin: "That may work, but I still don't know if all of you will be enough."
Topaz: "Add Qrow into the equation. Wait, where is Qrow?"
Everyone looks amongst themselves quietly for a little while before Ruby takes a step towards Topaz.
Ruby: "Qrow was taken into custody."
Topaz: "How did he get caught? I don't think anyone could match him if he truly wanted to escape."
Pyrrha: "He let himself be taken in."
Topaz: "Why would he do that?"
Pyrrha: "Clover was killed, with his sword."
Topaz: "What?!"
Ozpin: "From what we've overheard, Clover, Robyn, and Qrow managed to take Tyrian into custody, and were on their way back to Atlas when General Ironwood issued the arrest on all of them. Clover tried arresting him, and Tyrian used that chaos to crash their transport ship. Robyn was knocked unconscious in the crash, while Tyrian, Clover, and Qrow had a three-way fight. Qrow was disarmed and engaged Clover in hand to hand combat when Tyrian used Qrow's blade to stab Clover through the back."
Topaz: "Brothers above…"
Ruby: "Qrow and Clover grew really close in their time working together, so when Clover died in his arms he shut down."
Topaz: "Do we know where Robyn and Qrow are now?"
Weiss: "They were more than likely taken into Atlas Academies holding facilities so Ironwood could keep an eye on them. Why?"
Topaz: "We are going to need all the help we can get with this coming fight, so I'm going to get them out. Whether Ironwood lets them go willingly, or I break them out."
Yang: "Topaz, you can't just go in there. Everyone in Atlas knows your relation to us, you'll just be arrested yourself. And besides, to almost everyone in Atlas, you're dead."
Topaz: "Well I guess it's time to haunt Atlas then."
Topaz looks towards all his friends before giving them a nod and turning to leave. Taking a step towards the door, he stops as a hand is placed on his shoulder. He turns to see Jaune standing there with his arm outstretched.
Jaune: "We will do what we can from out here. The people of Atlas are in danger with all of the grimm that are attacking, so while you do your best inside, we will help the people out here."
Topaz shakes Jaunes outstretched hand and gives him a smile.
Topaz: "Sounds good to me. Take care of yourselves and each other while I'm out. Oh, and if Neo and Ariel find a way up here from Mantle, you guys don't know what I'm planning, they'll kick my butt."
Everyone bursts into laughter at his comment but then nod. Giving everyone a wave once more, Topaz leaves the Schnee Mansion and makes his way towards Atlas Academy. Weaving through the alleys, Topaz soon finds himself standing a little ways off from the front entrance to the academy. Students and Atlas robots come in and out of the building without a clear pattern or reason. Shaking his head, Topaz takes a deep breath before changing himself to look human. Looking into a puddle to confirm it worked, he then reaches into the puddle and scoops up some of the grime within and smears it on his face and clothes. Walking out of the alley he makes his way towards the entrance where he is stopped by a soldier guarding the entrance.
Soldier: "Where do you think you are going?"
Topaz: "I'm going back into the academy to get cleaned up."
Soldier: "Are you part of the academy, I don't recognize you."
Topaz: "I've been a part of this academy for a while, I can't say I recognize you either."
Soldier: "If you are a part of this academy, where is your uniform. You should know that you can't go anywhere without it."
Topaz: "It was shredded in the fight sir. And then on my way back I was jumped by another grimm and ended up in a puddle."
The soldier narrows his eyes before catching a whiff of Topaz.
Soldier: "Oh my Oum, you smell. Get cleaned up and changed and then report to the General for disciplinary action."
Topaz: "Yes sir."
Topaz salutes the guard and then walks into the building. Rushing into a locker room, Topaz cleans up as quickly as he can before taking someone's uniform that fit. Walking through the halls Topaz avoids all eye contact and eventually finds where the holding cells are. Walking into the entrance room where the guards are, Topaz steps up to the desk.
Soldier: "Can I help you?"
Topaz: "Yes, I'm here to question a…"
Topaz looks at a blank sheet of paper he's holding.
Topaz: "a Qrow Branwen."
Solder: "Under whose orders?"
Topaz: "Under Specialist Schnee's."
Soldier: "Is that right? Well why don't I ask her myself."
Standing and saluting, Topaz turns and sees Winter walking into the room.
…