Amplify (A RWBY Story)

Chapter 27: Bare the Truth Part 1



In Ozpin's office, things were quite heated. During the Dance, someone had infiltrated the Cross Continental Transmit System Tower. Ironwood had arrived at the CCT after the infiltrator had left but Ruby Rose had actually engaged the infiltrator in combat. Unfortunately, the infiltrator managed to escape. This act sparked turmoil between Ironwood, Ozpin and Glynda who knew who was responsible. Well, not the infiltrator, but the person behind the infiltrator. Ironwood was arguing with Glynda regarding whether action should be taken. 

"They were here. Ozpin, they were here!" Ironwood said angrily as he slammed a fist against Ozpin's desk. 

"We're very much aware of that!" Glynda responded. "Thank you, James. 

"Fantastic! You're aware!" Ironwood said, still angry. "Now are we going to do something about it or should we just stay the course and continue to ignore what's right in front of us!?" 

An alert sound plays, signaling that someone has arrived on the elevator. 

"Come in." Ozpin calls out. 

Ruby, Ryder and Kairos step out of the elevator. Ruby was originally going to hit all of the buttons, but Ryder and Kairos stopped her. Ryder and Kairos didn't know why they were called up but went with it. 

"Thank you for coming, Ruby." Ozpin said. "How are you feeling?" 

Ruby, Ryder and Kairos approached Ozpin's desk and stood in front of the three experienced Huntsmen. 

"Okay, I guess. I'd feel better if my bad guy catching record wasn't o for three." Ruby said. 

Everyone just stared at her silently, still a bit irritated from their argument. 

"Okay, so that's the tone we're going for. Got it." Ruby mumbles. 

"Ruby, i feel it's appropriate to let you know that what you did last night is exactly what being a Huntress is all about. You recognized a threat, you took action, and you did the very best you could." Ironwood said, almost congratulating her. 

Ryder heard snippets of what happened last night from Ruby. 

"Thank you, sir." Ruby said. 

"No, the General here has already informed us of the events that... transpired last night. But now that you've rested, we were wondering if you had anything to add." Ozpin explained. 

"Was anyone with her? Did she look familiar to you at all?" Glynda presses. 

"I... I don't know. She was wearing a mask, and she never said anything to me. But i know she fought with glass. I don't think that was her semblance though. Her clothing lit up whenever she attacked." Ruby explained. 

"Save for the glass, that sounds like the woman i fought the night we met Ruby." Glynda reminisced. 

"Embedding Dust into clothing is an age-old technique. It could have been anyone." Ironwood said. 

"Maybe this woman could be in ties with Roman Torchwick and the White Fang." Kairos adds. 

"It's possible. But we still lack the required evidence to link the two together." Ozpin said, responding to Kairos's theory. 

"Actually, I.... I think I remember her saying something about a hideout, or something, in the southeast. Just outside the Kingdom." Ruby said. 

Ryder and Kairos looked at her, then at each other. 

"Interesting." Ozpin comments. 

"I thought you said the intruder never-" Glynda was interrupted. 

"Thank you for your cooperation, Ruby. Why don't you go and spend some time with your team? You have a big day ahead of you." Ozpin suggested. 

"Any time." Ruby said. 

"And miss Rose, please try and be discreet about this matter." Ozpin instructed. 

"Yes sir." Ruby said. 

Ruby turns to leave and walks to the elevator leaving Ryder and Kairos behind. She enters the elevator and the doors close. Once they did, Ryder and Kairos turn their attention to Ozpin. 

"You requested our presence, sir?" Kairos asks. 

"Yes." Ozpin said, standing up from his desk. "it's time you two know the truth." 

"The truth?" Ryder asks. 

"Are you sure Ozpin?" Glynda asks, concerned about Kairos. 

"Glynda, with recent events. I believe we need more allies more than ever. Don't you agree?" Ozpin said. 

Glynda and Ironwood looked at each other before turning their gaze to the confused faces of Ryder and Kairos. The two huntsmen in training look at each other and then back at the Headmaster of Beacon Academy. 

"Tell me, what's your favorite fairy tale?" Ozpin asks. 

"Oz, you know I'm not from Remnant, right?" Kairos asks. 

Ryder looked at him shocked. 

"Wait, you're not from Remnant? Are you from Earth?" Ryder asks in shock. 

"I am." Kairos said. 

"Why didn't you say anything when i revealed it?" Ryder asks. 

"I was under the strictest of orders to not say anything about it." Kairos said, glancing at Glynda briefly. "Besides, it didn't matter and wasn't important." 

Ryder was about to continue asking him questions, but Ironwood stepped in. 

"I knew about Kairos being from another world, but him too?" Ironwood asks. 

"Indeed, he is, James." Ozpin said. 

"Why wasn't I informed?" Ironwood asks. 

"Because I agreed to keep it and another thing a secret for Mr. Falcone." Ozpin said. "But we can discuss this later, right now, there's something more important to discuss." 

Ironwood wanted to keep arguing but decided not to. It would be pointless. Besides, there is something way more important about to be told. It was something that Ryder and Kairos were waiting to hear. 

"Long story short, the Grimm are not without leadership." Ozpin said. "They have a Queen named Salem. She is a being who is focused on the complete eradication of Humanity. To do so, she'll need the Relics." 

"Relics?" Kairos asks. 

"Four Relics total. Each a sort of... gift. Creation, Choice, Destruction and Knowledge." Ironwood explained. 

"And these are just. Lying around?" Ryder asks. 

"Not quite. Each relic is housed in a secure Vault. One for each Huntsmen Academy." Glynda said. 

"Each Huntsmen Academy in reality was built to secure and safe keep the relics. Preventing Salem from reaching them as they would be guarded by Huntsmen 24/7. Each Vault has a Maiden. A Maiden is someone who can wield magic. There's Fall, Spring, Winter and Summer. 1 Maiden for each Relic." Ozpin explains. 

"So can only the Maiden's access the relics?" Ryder asks. 

"Correct. The vaults can only be open by a Maiden, but the Relics can be used by anyone." Ironwood explained. 

"I can see how dangerous that is." Ryder said. 

"Originally, I believed the Maiden's and Salem to be the only others capable of using magic. But it appears it was wrong." Ozpin said. 

Everyone looked at him confused. Even Ironwood and Glynda were confused. 

"What are you talking about, Oz?" Ironwood asks. 

Ozpin looked at Ryder. 

"Ryder, do you recall your encounter with the Grimm Warden in the Forest of Forever Fall?" Ozpin asks. 

"Yeah. It was the second Warden I've encountered. Why?" Ryder asks. 

"Then you could recall how you rapidly accelerated and managed to float in the air." Ozpin said. "Have you ever tried to do it again?" 

Ryder hesitated. 

"I have. But I haven't gotten very far." Ryder said. "Why are you bringing this up?" 

Ironwood's eyes widened as he looked at Ryder. He then looked at Ozpin. 

"Ozpin are you saying...." Ironwood said. 

Ozpin smiles. 

"Ryder Falcone. You can use Magic." Ozpin said. 

Ryder's eyes widen. 

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Author's Note: Had to split this into two parts for story reasons.


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