The Wicked Witch

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A few days had passed and the training with Alan had gotten to a fruitful part. Alan now knew everything I knew when I was ten, he even stood toe to toe to Swampfire though the methane trick got him multiple times. Noticing the time I turned back to Ben as Penny and Ciel approached. "What, scared I'll beat you this time?" Alan asked as I shook my head.
"No, I've got a staff meeting to attend. If I could stay and put my money where my mouth is I would." I joked as I looked at Glynda who was overseeing the training.
"We really should be on our way Ben." Glynda spoke up as I nodded.
"See you guys tomorrow?" I asked as Penny nodded.
"See you tomorrow." Penny gleaned as me and Glynda departed the training room and started heading towards Beacon Tower.

"You know, I'm surprised you're taking this tournament so seriously Ben." Glynda spoke as we walked through the empty hallways.
Right now was the middle of a break so most people went home to see their family, it was only the oddballs who had stayed- or those who felt unsafe in their homes. "Why would I not take this seriously? I'm finally part of a team and they're relying on me to try my best." I reminded Glynda.
"Well, because you're technically fighting for Atlas Academy not for Beacon. If the cards come down to it, you might have to fight your friends." Glynda reminded as I nodded.
"I just have to hope that it doesn't come down to it. Besides, they'd be pissed if I held back against them- especially if I was to fight Team RWBY, they would take a full month to forgive me." I grinned as we entered the elevator that started rising up Beacon Tower.
"Changing the subject, how does it feel knowing you're close to going home Ben?" Glynda asked as I looked up to her and smiled.
"I...I'm happy, but I also know I'll have to leave behind the friends I made here...and Velvet too." I said as I looked down, in truth I've been thinking about this a lot over the last week.
"Who do you have waiting for you back home?" Glynda asked.
"I got my cousin Gwen, and my Grandpa Max. My parents are also there too, I miss them so much...but," I started to speak however Glynda interrupted.
"You'll also miss us, right?" she asked as I nodded.
"I guess you have really gotten to know me over the months." I teased as she shook her head.
"And here I was trying to support you...you'll be missed when you do go back though, as sad as it sounds you're like a son to me." Glynda smiled softly to me before we got to the top floor and entered Ozpins office where everyone else had gathered, Professor Ironwood was also here whilst behind Ozpin was two icons on a projector.

We swiftly walked in and stepped to the side as Ironwood spoke up. "I've never known you to be late for a meeting Professor Goodwitch." Ironwood chuckled as Glynda rolled her eyes.
"Please do restrain yourself from looking into my timetable too closely, James." Glynda spat back with Venom as Ironwood looked away sheepishly.
"Sorry, my training went on a bit longer then we intended." I apologised as one of the voices spoke from the projector.
"You must be Ben Tennyson. Professor Ozpin has spoken at length about you and your drive to help people." A deep male voice spoke, however his voice had also a hint of scepticism on.
"Yes I am, And who am I speaking to?" I asked as the man spoke up.
"My name is Professor Lionheart." He spoke as the other voice spoke up, this time a European-like accent spoke.
"My name is Theodore, it is a pleasure." This voice spoke as Ozpin then spoke up.
"Let's get this meeting on track shall we? The Vytal tournament shall start off with 4v4's between two teams from different schools. We shall be deciding which teams fight which using a randomization app we have been keeping protected here in Beacon Tower." Ozpin explained the basics as I listened closely.
"Hold on Ozpin, isn't that where that intruder attacked when Miss Rose interrupted their heist?" Ironwood asked as Ozpin nodded.
"Correct, we have since added several layers of encryption that needs a physical connection to disable." Ozpin guaranteed the safety of the system.
"Are you keeping the physical keys in a safe place Ozpin?" Professor Lionheart asked.
"They have been given to several people in order to safeguard them." Ozpin responded calmly.
"Who-" Before Lionheart could speak I spoke up.
"Probably best not to tell anyone who is keeping the keys safe Ozpin, if the intruder was so keen in stealing the code then its best only you knew." I spoke up, before looking towards the screen.
"I agree with Mr Tennyson on this, it's best we don't know." Professor Goodwitch followed up with agreement of what I was saying.
"Any other questions about the Tournament then, apart from the randomisation sequence?" Professor Ozpin asked.
"There is just one other thing, and it involves Mr Tennyson here. As a Beacon Student, are you sure it's fine for him to join Miss Polendina's team? I am grateful for the assist but wouldn't it be better if he was put on a Beacon team?" Professor Ironwood asked.
"I don't believe so, The Vytal tournament is supposed to reassure the public that everything is fine between the kingdoms and how better to do that then have one from Vale work alongside someone from Atlas?" Ozpin asked with a smile as Ironwood smiled back.
"That's all the questions I have then." Ironwood responded.
"You say that you wish for our kingdoms to be seen as equals but you wont even discuss with us safety details." Professor Lionheart complained as I looked towards the screen again with distaste, something was up with him.
"We have no reason to discuss this Leo, it is safer that no one else knows the locations of the keys." Ozpin responded as he furrowed his brow, losing the smile that had been resting on his face the whole time.
"But what if Salem acts-" Before Lionheart could continue Ozpin hit the floor with his cane and a loud thud sounded in the room.
"Enough Leonard, this conversation is over." Ozpin said as the call was abruptly interrupted and I looked at Ozpin with a concerned face.
"Who is Salem?" I asked as my fellow Teachers and General Ironwood looked towards me, Glynda and Ironwood having serious looks in particular.
"Ben, Glynda, James, I would like you three to hold back...everyone else please leave us be." Ozpin said as his usual jovial face was now left with one that was stressed and the rest of the teachers left the room.
"Good luck Ben." Professor Peach whispered to me as she walked past and alongside Professor Oobleck and Port the elevator descended as I approached Ozpin who was now sitting at his desk.
"Ben Tennyson, you're a being not from our world and so I wished not to involve you in the history or current wars we are fighting on Remnant...however unfortunately, now we must talk about it." Ozpin said softly.
"Ozpin...I might not be from this world but many of my friends are- my girlfriend is of this world so if this is something that could harm them then I want to know if there is anything I can do to help." I responded seriously as I felt a soft dainty hand place itself on my shoulder.
"Ben, you should sit down for this." Glynda said as I sat down on one of the chairs in front of Ozpins desk.
"Oz, if you trust Ben enough to tell him about Salem I trust you...however are you ready for someone else to know about her?" Ironwood asked as Ozpin nodded.
"It's like Ben said, he has formed many bonds in our world of Remnant. It is only fair for him to understand the full picture," Ozpin calmly said as he took a sip from his tea "As for trusting him, Ben has proved himself more then worthy to be trusted...after all, he is a hero." Ozpin softly spoke as I nodded at his comment.
"A hero who wants to help his friends...that includes you Ozpin." I said without hesitation.
"Well then...what do you know about Grimm?"
"I know they're creatures of darkness who love to slaughter mankind, Professor Port also explained in his class that they don't get sustenance from eating us." I explained.
"Well there is a reason they like to slaughter...because the one in control of them wills them to..."

"A wicked witch by the name of Salem."

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