House, Training RoomJaune hit the wall of the training room with a loud thud, the impact rattling his entire body."Ugh—!" he groaned, blinking through the slight haze of pain. As soon as he opened his eyes, his breath hitched—an incoming spear was flying straight for him.Fwoosh!Jaune reacted on instinct, rolling to the side just in time as the spear narrowly missed, embedding itself into the wall where he'd been moments ago. Quickly getting to his feet, he leaped backward to create some much-needed distance between himself and his opponent.Pyrrha stood a few paces away, a confident grin on her face."You're improving, Jaune!" she praised, her voice bright despite the intensity of the sparring session. She pulled her spear back to her hand using a quick flick of her Semblance, the weapon zipping through the air before she caught it with practiced ease.Jaune tightened his grip on his sword and shield, steadying his breathing. "Not improving enough," he muttered, but there was a hint of determination in his eyes.Without warning, Pyrrha dashed forward, her speed a blur as she closed the gap between them. Jaune steadied himself, preparing a mid-swing to intercept her charge.As Pyrrha reached him, she raised her shield to block his attack. The force of their collision sent a sharp clang reverberating through the room. Pyrrha shifted her stance, using the momentum of her shield block to thrust her spear forward.Pang!Jaune brought up his own shield just in time, parrying the strike. The sound of metal on metal echoed through the training room, a testament to how much harder Jaune had been working to hold his own against his teammate.Pyrrha didn't relent. She spun on her heel, pivoting to deliver a low sweep aimed at Jaune's legs. He jumped to avoid it, countering with a downward slash aimed at her exposed side. Pyrrha sidestepped with ease, twirling her spear in a smooth arc to knock his blade away."You're thinking on your feet more!" she remarked as she pressed her advantage, launching a flurry of calculated strikes that forced Jaune to retreat, his shield raised to absorb the blows."Trying to, at least!" Jaune grunted, the strain in his voice evident as he held his ground against her relentless assault.With a sudden burst of determination, he dropped low and lunged forward, attempting to unbalance her with a shield bash. Pyrrha, anticipating the move, jumped back gracefully, landing lightly on her feet.Jaune took the opportunity to regain his footing, panting but smiling. "You're not making this easy.""Of course not!" Pyrrha replied with a playful laugh, twirling her spear. "If I did, how else would you grow stronger?"Jaune smirked, a flicker of confidence in his expression. He raised his sword again, ready for another round."Alright, then," Jaune said, determination burning in his eyes. "Bring it on!""That's more like it!" Pyrrha replied, her grin widening. Without hesitation, she dashed toward him again, her speed almost blurring.In one fluid motion, she hurled her shield at Jaune. He raised his own shield just in time, the impact sending a reverberating clang through the air as her shield ricocheted upward.Before Jaune could react, Pyrrha leapt gracefully into the air, her athleticism on full display as she reached the shield mid-arc. With a precise kick, she sent it hurtling back toward him.Jaune was ready this time—or so he thought. Bracing himself, he positioned his shield to block the oncoming projectile. But instead of hitting him directly, the shield whizzed past, narrowly missing his shoulder.'She missed?' Jaune's mind raced as he blinked in confusion.Before he could piece it together, Pyrrha extended her hand, her Semblance activating with a faint magnetic hum. The shield reversed direction mid-air, flying back toward him at high speed."Crap!" Jaune realized her ploy just in time. Spinning around, he intercepted the shield with his sword, deflecting it to the ground with another resounding clang."Impressive!" Pyrrha called out, her voice filled with genuine encouragement. "But I'm not done yet!"She landed gracefully and immediately dashed forward, her spear at the ready.Jaune gritted his teeth, shifting his stance as he met her charge head-on. The gap closed quickly, and he swung his sword sharply, aiming to catch her off guard.Pyrrha weaved effortlessly, her movements fluid as water. Ducking under his swing, she pivoted and swept her leg low, hooking it behind his knee."Whoa—!" Jaune's balance faltered, and he tumbled backward.But before he could hit the ground, Pyrrha reached out, grabbing his arm firmly. She steadied him with surprising ease, her strength belying her graceful frame."Careful," Pyrrha said with a teasing smile, pulling him upright. "You're getting better, but you still have to watch your footing."Jaune blinked, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Y-Yeah, thanks. I'll keep that in mind," he muttered, regaining his stance.Pyrrha chuckled, "How about we take a break for a bit, shall we?"Jaune looked at her as he smiled, "Heh, okay."Jaune and Pyrrha sat just outside the training room, the soft glow of the broken moon casting silver light over the backyard. They rested on the wooden platform, towels draped over their shoulders as they sipped water and let the cool evening breeze wash over them.The stars above shimmered like scattered gemstones, their light dancing in Pyrrha's emerald eyes. Jaune, glancing at her, found himself captivated by how serene she looked under the celestial canopy.A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the distant chirping of crickets. It was Pyrrha who spoke first, her voice quiet but carrying a warmth that reached Jaune's heart."You know," she said softly, her gaze fixed upward, "it's crazy how far we've come. Sometimes it feels like it's been a lifetime since Beacon."Jaune turned his head to look at her, his eyes lingering on her face. The moonlight illuminated her features perfectly, the soft glow outlining the curve of her cheek and the warmth in her smile. For a moment, he forgot to breathe."Y-yeah," Jaune managed, his voice quieter than he intended. He turned his gaze back to the stars, afraid that if he stared too long, she might notice. "Thanks to you, I've come a long way. I'm not the same guy I was back at Beacon... not the wimpy kid who couldn't even hold his sword right."Pyrrha chuckled, a sound that felt like music to him. She glanced at him, her eyes sparkling. "Hey, we all have our strengths and weaknesses. You may have been inexperienced back then, but you had heart, Jaune. That's something you've never lost."He scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin on his face. "Still, I couldn't have done it without you. You pushed me to be better. And now... now I actually feel like I can stand beside you, not just hide behind you."Pyrrha's smile softened, her heart swelling with pride—and something else she couldn't quite name. "You've always been someone I could count on, Jaune. Even when you didn't believe in yourself, I knew you had it in you. That's why... when Ozpin made you leader of Team JNPR, it felt right. You've always had what it takes to lead."Jaune felt a warmth spread through his chest at her words, a feeling so overwhelming he had to look away for a moment. He glanced at the stars again, trying to steady his heartbeat.Pyrrha shifted slightly, leaning her arms back against the wooden floor. The motion brought her just a little closer to Jaune, though she said nothing about it."I don't know what I did to deserve someone like you on my team," Jaune said, his voice barely above a whisper. He hesitated before turning to face her again, his blue eyes locking with her green ones. "You've done so much for me, Pyrrha. I don't think I can ever repay you."She smiled gently, her cheeks tinged with the faintest blush. "You don't have to repay me, Jaune. Helping you... being here with you... that's more than enough for me."The flutter in Jaune's chest grew stronger, and before he could stop himself, his hand inched just a little closer to hers. Pyrrha noticed but didn't pull away. Instead, she let her fingers brush lightly against his, a subtle, silent acknowledgment.The world seemed to pause around them, the weight of their unspoken feelings filling the space between their hands. Neither of them said a word, but the connection was undeniable, a quiet promise that they were in this together—always.Jaune swallowed hard, his voice barely audible as he spoke. "Pyrrha, I—"Before he could finish, she squeezed his fingers lightly, offering him a reassuring smile that made his words catch in his throat."I know, Jaune," she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of understanding. "I know."The moment stretched on, the stars above bearing silent witness to the quiet intimacy between them.Pyrrha sat closer to Jaune as she let her head fell on his shoulder. In that instant, nothing else mattered—only them, the broken moonlight, and the unspoken feelings they both shared.Elsewhere, HouseRinko, Selene, and Oscar approached the entrance of the rented house, the faint light from the windows illuminating the warm interior."We're here," Rinko said, glancing back at Oscar with a reassuring smile. "Also, there are more people inside. They'll be happy to meet you."Oscar nodded, his nervousness evident in the way he clutched the strap of his bag.Selene stood to the side, observing the two before Rinko reached for the doorknob and pushed it open.As they stepped inside, Nora's excited voice broke the casual chatter. "Oh—! They're back!" she called, immediately drawing everyone's attention to the doorway.The group was gathered in the living room, a board game spread out between them on the table. Weiss, who had been mid-turn, glanced up and grinned. "How was the trip?" she asked, her tone teasing."It went well, obviously," Rinko replied, rolling his eyes holding a bag of groceries, already anticipating the commentary to come.Yang leaned back in the sofa, her sharp gaze quickly catching the unfamiliar figure standing slightly behind Selene and Rinko. "Seems like you brought someone with you tonight," she said, pointing at Oscar with a smirk.Oscar stiffened under everyone's attention, his grip tightening on his bag.Rinko, noticing the boy's tension, stepped slightly to the side and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Everyone," he began, his tone deliberate and measured, "this is Oscar Pines. And... uh... you may find this hard to believe, but—" he paused for emphasis, glancing at the group, "he's Ozpin. I found Ozpin."The room fell into stunned silence."What?!" Nora blurted, her confusion cutting through the quiet like a thunderclap."Rinko," Ruby said, her voice tinged with disbelief, "what are you even talking about? How could he be Ozpin? We all saw him... we know what happened."The weight of her words hung heavy in the air. They had all seen the broadcast, witnessed Ozpin's sacrifice during the Fall of Beacon, fighting the Wyvern to protect everyone. To hear that he was somehow alive—and in the form of a young boy—was almost too much to process.The others turned to Selene, their eyes silently pleading for clarification. She held up her hands, shaking her head. "Don't look at me. I'm just as in the dark as you guys are."Oscar swallowed hard, shifting uncomfortably under the weight of everyone's stares. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. The moment felt suffocating."Relax," Rinko said gently, giving Oscar's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. He looked back at the group, his expression a mix of seriousness and calm authority. "I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. Ozpin's spirit didn't disappear after the Fall of Beacon—it's been reincarnated. And now, he's... sharing a body with Oscar here."Oscar glanced up at Rinko, silently grateful for breaking the awkward silence.Qrow heard Ozpin's name being mentioned as he rushed over to the living room to see a young man. "Sharing a body?" Weiss finally spoke, skepticism sharpening her tone. "You're telling us that Ozpin's consciousness somehow transferred into this boy?"Before Rinko could respond, Qrow entered the room.Qrow stood frozen, his usually casual demeanor replaced by something unreadable. "Qrow, I found him. Ozpin." Rinko said, folding his arms and his tone lighter now as he folded his arms across his chest.Qrow's wide eyes were locked on Oscar, his face betraying a mix of shock, disbelief, and a flicker of hope. "Oz...?" Qrow murmured, his voice low and rough, as if he didn't dare believe his own ears. "Is that... really you?"Oscar looked at Qrow, blinking in confusion. He felt a pull toward this man, even though he didn't recognize him. But before he could second-guess himself, a name slipped from his lips, guided by a presence in his mind. "Qrow..."The sound of his name hit Qrow like a freight train. His breath caught, and he took a shaky step forward.Weiss, Yang, Ruby, Nora, and Selene exchanged confused glances, while Rinko stood back, watching the exchange unfold with quiet satisfaction.Oscar instinctively walked toward Qrow, his eyes searching the older man's face for something he couldn't quite name.As they stood face-to-face, Oscar tilted his head slightly. "Can I have my cane back?" he asked softly but firmly, his voice carrying an unmistakable weight.Qrow's eyes widened, his suspicions cemented by the simple, familiar request. His lips twitched into a faint, bittersweet smile. Without a word, he reached to his side, pulling out a compact handle clipped to his belt.The room fell silent as Qrow extended the handle toward Oscar, his hand trembling slightly. "Here," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "It's yours, after all."Oscar took the cane, gripping it tightly. He nodded, his features briefly flickering with an expression that wasn't entirely his own—a glimmer of Ozpin's presence shining through.'Tell him, 'Thank you, old friend.'' Ozpin's voice echoed in Oscar's mind, gentle yet insistent."T-thank you, old friend," Oscar said, his tone subtly shifting, carrying a weight that sent chills down Qrow's spine.Qrow let out a shaky laugh, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to mask the emotions bubbling to the surface. "Yeah, well... you better not lose it again, Oz," he muttered, his voice rough but warm.The moment lingered, heavy and poignant, pressing against everyone in the room. The confused expressions slowly gave way to understanding as the gravity of the situation began to sink in. Ruby's wide-eyed stare softened, Weiss's skepticism melted into quiet acceptance, and even Yang's casual smirk faltered as her brow furrowed in thought."I guess... it really is you," Qrow finally said, his voice barely above a whisper."Wait... What is going on?!" Nora finally broke the silence, her voice still tinged with confusion.— — — —Rinko and Selene, having retreated to the kitchen to unload groceries, shared a knowing glance as they overheard the escalating commotion in the living room. Meanwhile, Oscar sat on the sofa, looking small and out of place under the group's curious stares."What happened to you?" Yang asked, her voice breaking the quiet first."Did he... age backward or something?" Nora chimed in, her tone dripping with disbelief."You're so different now," Weiss added, her critical gaze sweeping over the boy."Oh! Isn't it weird?!" Ruby exclaimed, bouncing slightly in her seat, her enthusiasm cutting through the tension.Oscar flinched under the barrage of comments, his grip tightening around his tea. His gaze dropped to the floor, overwhelmed by the sudden attention. "It is weird to me, yes..." he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. He bowed his head slightly, a mix of shyness and discomfort evident in his posture."Guys, relax," Qrow said, his voice firm but not unkind. He raised a hand, silencing the group. "Let's all take a moment to remember this is overwhelming for everyone. Not just us—him, too."The group fell silent, exchanging apologetic glances. Ruby shifted uncomfortably, a sheepish smile on her face. Nora rubbed the back of her neck, while Weiss gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment."Sorry, Oscar," Ruby said softly, her voice carrying genuine remorse. "We didn't mean to overwhelm you."Oscar looked up, his shoulders relaxing slightly at her words. "It's okay," he replied, offering a small, shy smile. "I'm just... still getting used to all of this myself."Ruby nodded, relieved, before snapping her fingers as a thought struck her. "Oh—I'll go get Pyrrha and Jaune!" she exclaimed, already moving toward the door."I'll come with you," Yang volunteered, pushing herself off the sofa. The two sisters exchanged a look before heading toward the training room, leaving the others in the living room.Weiss, Nora, Qrow, and Oscar remained seated in a thoughtful silence, the weight of the revelation still settling. Soon after, Rinko, Selene, and Ren emerged from the kitchen, joining the group in the living room.Rinko sank onto the sofa, stretching slightly as he settled in. Ren quietly took a seat beside him, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to Nora's lingering curiosity. Selene, the Schnee Maid, leaned casually against the back of the couch, her hands rests on her lap as she observed the group."So... he's Ozpin?" Ren asked, his voice neutral but his gaze sharp as he looked at Rinko for confirmation."Yep," Rinko replied with a firm nod, his tone leaving no room for doubt.Training RoomRuby burst through the doors, her usual boundless energy carrying her into the room. "Guys! We have big news! We—" Her words caught in her throat as her wide eyes took in the scene before her.Pyrrha and Jaune were sitting close just at the opposite side of the room, lips pressed together in a tender kiss. The world seemed to slow for a moment as Ruby blinked rapidly, her brain scrambling to process what she was seeing.Behind her, Yang stepped into the room and immediately stopped, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Well, well, well," she teased, leaning casually against the doorframe. "What do we have here? Is this what you guys train?"Her whistle cut through the still air, causing Pyrrha and Jaune to break apart in a flurry of startled movements."R-Ruby? Yang?!" Jaune stammered, his face turning a deep shade of crimson as he scrambled to to his feet. He nearly tripped over his own feet in the process.Pyrrha, on the other hand, managed to keep her composure better—though her cheeks were tinged with a rosy hue. "We... uh..." she started, her voice faltering as she glanced at Jaune, then back at the intruders. She slowly stood up besides Jaune.Ruby's mouth opened and closed a few times before she found her voice. Her cheeks flushed red, "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt!" she blurted, waving her hands frantically as if to dispel the awkwardness."Interrupt?" Yang chimed in, her grin widening. "Nah, I think we came in at just the right moment."Pyrrha let out a soft, embarrassed laugh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's okay, Ruby," she said gently. "It's not what it... well, okay, maybe it is what it looks like."Jaune looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole. "C-Can we all just pretend you didn't see that?" he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.Yang chuckled, stepping forward and patting Jaune on the shoulder. "Relax, Casanova. It's about time, honestly. We were starting to wonder when you'd make a move."Ruby finally regained her composure and beamed at them. "Wait—you guys are together now?" she asked, her excitement quickly overtaking any lingering awkwardness.Pyrrha glanced at Jaune, her expression softening as she gave a small nod. "Yes... we are," she said, her voice filled with quiet happiness."Finally!" Yang exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air dramatically. "Took you two long enough."Ruby giggled, her earlier embarrassment completely forgotten. "I'm really happy for you guys! But, uh, we actually came here to tell you something important."Jaune perked up, grateful for the change in subject. "What's up?" he asked, eager to shift the focus away from his and Pyrrha's romantic moment.Ruby glanced at Yang, who smirked knowingly, then turned back to Jaune and Pyrrha. "We, uh... might have just met Ozpin. And he's in a kid's body now!"Both Jaune and Pyrrha stared at her, their surprise evident. "Wait—what?" Pyrrha asked, her brows furrowing in confusion."It's a long story," Yang said with a chuckle, "but you're gonna want to meet this 'kid.' Let's head back to the living room."Jaune and Pyrrha exchanged a glance before nodding, following Ruby and Yang out of the training room, the earlier tension replaced by curiosity.Back to the Living RoomRen's expression remained unreadable, but he gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. Meanwhile, Nora leaned forward, studying Oscar intently."So, does this mean you've got, like, two people in your head?" she asked, her brow furrowing in curiosity.Oscar hesitated, glancing briefly at Qrow, who gave him a reassuring nod. "Kind of," he admitted. "It's like... he's always there. Guiding me, talking to me. But it's still... me."Weiss folded her arms, her skeptical expression softening as she listened. "That sounds... complicated," she remarked, though her tone lacked its usual sharpness."It is," Oscar admitted, his voice quiet but honest.Selene, standing just behind Weiss, tilted her head slightly. "And you're okay with that?" she asked, her tone curious rather than accusatory.Oscar met her gaze and nodded. "I think so," he said. "Ozpin's... helped me understand a lot. About myself, about what's happening. It's not easy, but... I want to do my part."Rinko, watching the exchange unfold, couldn't suppress the small, approving smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth. "That's a brave mindset," he remarked, his voice warm and genuine. "You've got more strength in you than you realize."Oscar's cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment, and he quickly ducked his head, a small but genuine smile forming on his face as he processed Rinko's words.Before the moment could linger, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway. Ruby, Yang, Pyrrha, and Jaune entered the living room, their eyes immediately falling on the group."O-Ozpin?" Jaune stammered, his confusion written across his face.Oscar awkwardly waved his hand, trying to ease the tension. "Uh—hi..."Pyrrha, eyes narrowing in disbelief, glanced between Oscar and Qrow. "That's Ozpin?" she asked, still trying to piece everything together.Qrow, as calm as ever, nodded, his arms crossed. "Yeah, that's him. Take a seat, kids. This is gonna take a while."Everyone began to settle down, with the exception of Selene, who remained standing at the back. Oscar's gaze wandered for a moment and landed on Ruby. Her bright smile met his, making his face heat up a little. He quickly turned away, feeling a little embarrassed."Ah—sorry," Oscar murmured, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's just... I've never really met Huntsmen and Huntresses before."Ruby chuckled, her usual energy returning. "Well—uh, we've never met someone with multiple souls, so... First time's all around!" Her infectious grin helped ease the tension in the room.Oscar couldn't help but smile back at her, feeling a little more at ease with the warm welcome.Suddenly, Oscar's expression shifted, his face growing slightly more serious. In his mind, Ozpin's voice echoed, steady and calm. Oscar, could you let me take over for a moment?Oscar nodded imperceptibly, feeling the familiar weight of Ozpin's presence in his mind. He turned to the group, his demeanor shifting from shy and reserved to one of calm authority, as if he had suddenly aged years in an instant."Everyone," Oscar's voice carried the gravity of Ozpin's presence, no longer the unsure boy they had met earlier. "Ozpin wishes to speak with you."The room fell silent, everyone looking at each other with raised eyebrows. Before anyone could respond, Oscar's body seemed to move with a new sense of purpose, as if he were being guided by an invisible hand. His posture straightened, his eyes hardening, and for a brief moment, his features appeared older, wiser—like the man they had only heard of in stories.Oscar's gaze no longer focused on the group; instead, it was as if Ozpin himself were looking through his eyes. It was unmistakable.The change in him was immediate, as if the transformation had been waiting to happen, and now that it had, there was no turning back. Ozpin had returned—no longer in the body of an older man, but in this young boy's form. His quiet, steady presence filled the room, commanding attention."Hgnn..." Ozpin's voice, coming from Oscar's lips, was calm and measured. "It is very good to see you again, students."[End]