3rd Person POV

Ozpin's voice speaks from the nothingness just as Oscar begins regaining consciousness.

Ozpin: Oscar? Don't panic. We're going to be okay.

Oscar is looking at his feet which are hovering above the ground.

Oscar: Uh, what?

Oscar looks up to see fleshy walls, bone spikes, a bone staircase and a membrane door. Standing in the shadows of the doorway is Salem with a cloud of smoke hovering above her hand.

Salem: My long-lost Ozma, found at last.

The smoke forms shapes of her daughters, all running in a circle and giggling. As Salem turns her head to look at Oscar, the smoke dissapates. Oscars eyes widen, and he looks around and begins struggling. The Hound is seen holding him in the air by his coats collar. Salem walks over to him.

Salem: So small, this new host of yours. It's a wonder my Hound didn't break you. It's been how many years since we saw each other like this, face to face? And nothing to say?

Oscar quickly adopts Ozpin's speaking mannerisms as he responds to her.

Oscar: I'm sorry the reunion isn't living up to your expectations.

Salem suddenly grabs Oscar's face, her own face wrinkling slightly with a furious glare.

Salem: You can pretend, boy, but you're not fully him. Not yet, at least.

She relaxes and let's go of him with a sigh.

Salem: Well perhaps you and I can have a better working relationship. Oscar, was it?

She begins walking around the Hound.

Salem: The Beacon Relic. My forces have been unable to locate the Relic beneath the school. If I know my Ozma, he has used some mens of deception to hide it's lo ation differently than the others.

She stops next to Oscar and smiles at him, scratching the Hound's shoulder.

Salem: I neec to know where it is.

Oscar: I... That's not something I know about.

Salem stops and walks away.

Salem: Of course. He would keep that one guarded as long as possible.

Oscar sighs, and Salem stops at the other end of the room.

Salem: How about something easier, then? The password for the Lamp.

Oscar pauses for a moment, his eyes dart down then back up.

Oscar: The Lamp is out of questions.

Salem turns to face Oscar and smiles, before summoning a black orb of magic in front of her. The orb sends out a rainbow of magic beams, all converging on Oscar's chest, causing him to scream out and writhe in agony. With an intense glare on her face, Salem keeps the torture going for eleven seconds, then lowers her hand with a frown, letting the magic fade. She walks over to Oscar, who is still squirming and gasping with remnants of magic floating from the scorch mark on his chest.

Salem: The lies come out of you so easily.

Oscar turns away, cowering, as Salem gently puts her handto his cheek and gives a sweet smile.

Salem: Like-minded souls indeed.

She turns and walks away, heading back to the door.

Salem: One of you is going to tell me what you know. I don't much care if it's you or Ozma. Either way, I'll finally have the Relic.

Oscar: I won't tell you anything.

Salem turns to face him once again.

Salem: Hm.

The membrane door pulls open to reveal Hazel Rainart.

Oscar: Hazel?

Hazel walks over to Oscar, who weakly lifts his hand toward him.

Oscar: Wait, wait--

Hazel slaps his hand away and punches him, causing the Hound to drop him on the floor.

Hazel: That was for Haven Academy.

Hazel kicks him toward the wall, then cracks his neck.

Hazel: Everything that follows... will be for my sister.

Hazel approaches Oscar, while Salem watches.

A little while later, Salem and her Hound are walking together through the hallway inside Monstra. There is a low rhythmic beating in the distance. As they turn a corner, they encounter Cinder and Neo. Cinder kneels and addresses Salem.

Cinder: Your grace, I--

Cinder notices the Hound.

Cinder: What... is that?

Salem scratches the Hound's chin and then scratches behind it's ear. It apprars to enjoy the scratching.

Salem: An... experiment. So far I'm pleased with the results. *loses cheerful tone* Did you need something, Cinder?

Cinder: *unnerved at first* Yes, I... I want to try and get to the vault and retrieve the Staff of Creation for you.

Salem: We needn't worry. Atlas is divided and they will be so easy to eliminate, and with her help, the world will follow. You will remain here unless I say otherwise, understood?

Cinder: Yes... Without you, I am nothing.

In another part of the Monstra, the Infernocons that attacked Slag and Slash, stand in a very large room. The six Decepticons kneel down and one addresses a unseen figure.

Infernocus: Godess of Creation, we failed to destroy the Dinobots. They are getting stronger.

????: No need for concern, you did as I instructed.

The figure reveals themselves by floating down from the shadows.

Quintessa: Soon I, Quintessa, Prime of Life, will have my staff returned and we will destroy Unicron's body. Once and for all.

The membrane door to the room opens up and Salem walks in with her Hound.

Salem: Prime of Life, Quintessa, how does our side mission fair?

Quintessa: The Cybertronians I sent to retrieve the final two Maidens will return shortly.

Salem: I am told that the Dinobots are proving more of a threat than usual.

Quintessa: They may be strong, but they are nothing compared to the forces we possess. We should make our attack swiftly.

Salem: Agreed. We move at first light.

The rest of the room lights up with the optics of a legion of revived Decepticons, all of whom now serve Quintessa.

Shortly afterwards, Cinder is walking through another hallway, with Neo following with a "Seriously?" gesture.

Cinder: I know what she said, I just wanna check on something. We'll be back before anyone realizes.

Cinder begins descending an incline toward the docking bay. Neo, looking unconvinced, uses her umbrella to float down, putting her hand on her hip as she passes Cinder.

Cinder: I want to see if anything is still going on at Amity Colosseum.

When Neo reaches the wing of the airship she and Cinder arrived on, she tiptoes across it and then drops down to sit on it with one leg crossed over the other.

Cinder: She doesn't know those children like I do. They wouldn't just abandon their misguided attempt to save the world.

Cinder stands on the edge of the dock, then turns to look at Neo, who looks away. Cinder growls in frustration. Suddenly, Emerald's voice is heard, surprising them both.

Emerald: If she doesn't want to go, I'll come.

Neo looks at Emerald with her eyes narrowed, and Emerald walks forward.

Emerald: I've been working on my Semblance. I can help. I won't tell anybody.

There is silence for a moment, as Cinder thinks it over.

Cinder: *frustrated sigh* How much did you overhear?

Cinder walks towards Emerald.

(A/N): This was much needed break from the main characters to set up the bad guys plan. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Have a great day/night and I'll see y'all in the next one. PEACE OUT!!!