(Dairoku's POV)

Qrow: The City of Mistral...

We finally made it, to Mistral... Currently, me, along with, Athena, Qrow and Team RNNJRR were walking though a dark hallway.

Nora: Ugh! It's about time! Whose idea was it to walk again?

Neo: Yours you dingus!

Nora: Pfft! Naaaahhhh...!

Neo: *rolls eyes* Ugh...

Celeste began to giggle.

Ren: Well, we did face many obstacles. Broken airships, destroyed settlements...

Jaune: Oh and you know, all those people and monsters that tried to MURDER us.

Ruby: Pfft, we were fine! Only one of us almost died and another almost killed someone!

Celeste nodded as Qrow and I looked at both of them while smiling.

Me and Qrow: Hey.

Athena, Celeste and Neo began to giggle while Nora looked at Ren.

Ren: Hey.

She too joined the giggling fit.

Jaune: So, how much farther to Haven Academy?

Athena: If I'm remember correctly, we should be close.

Qrow: Yup but I figured I'd take you kids on the scenic route.

We continued on until we walked up to a big set of wooded doors. We opened them and were immediately greeted by a bright light but it quickly died down to reveal Mistral... Ruby and Celeste immediately ran up to the railing as we all looked at the beautiful kingdom in awe.

Ruby: Wow... This... is... AWESOME!

Celeste began nodding her head in enthusiasm.

Qrow: It's certainly something.

Me: You don't say. Can't remember the last time I saw this view...

Ruby: Oh my gosh, look at all the weapons!!!

Qrow: Vendors here'll sell you just about anything... whether they should or not.

Jaune: They really made the most out of these mountains.

Qrow: Every inch. Stay away from the lower levels. The higher up you go, the nicer it gets.

Nora: And we're going up!

(3rd Person POV)

They had finally arrived in the court yard of Haven Academy... Celeste and Ruby looked around in as awe they walked along with the group.

Ruby: We made it.

Celeste nodded before holding her hand up for Ruby to high-five which she did. Qrow, Dairoku and Athena hung behind the group, seemingly wary...

Dairoku: Something's not right...

Athena: No kidding...

Qrow: Hmm... Yeah... Come on.

They made their way into the main building, only to see it completely vacant of people.

Ruby: Hello? HEELLLOOO???

Nora: Maybe try... louder?

Celeste: -_-

Neo: No, try quieter. -_-

Ren: There doesn't seem to be anyone here.

Jaune: Well, I guess school isn't really in session right now. Maybe that's it.

Qrow: No, this isn't right... Come on.

The nine of them began to rush towards the Headmaster's office. Once at the doors, Qrow pulled out his Harbinger.

Qrow: Get ready. There could be trouble.

Following his lead, everyone took out their weapons in their gun forms (except for Neo and Jaune for obvious reasons) and pointed them at the door while Athena just stared at the door, her hands clenched into fists. Then, Qrow kicked the doors open, revealing...

???: AH!

Ruby, Jaune, Nora and Celeste: AHHHHH!!!

Ren, Dairoku, Neo, Qrow and Athena just stared at him, startled and confused.

Qrow: Woah!

Qrow suddenly lost his balance and fell over while the man fainted...

Dairoku: Uhh... Leonardo Lionheart?

He suddenly stood back up.

Leo: QROW! For crying out loud, you nearly scared me half to death!

Qrow suddenly stood back up and looked at Leo, annoyed.

Qrow: ME!? Why weren't you waiting for us at the entrance?

Leo looked confused before looking at his pocket watch.

Leo: OH, right. My apologies. I guess time slipped away from me.

Qrow: You're joking...

Nora: Where is everybody?

Leo then noticed the students behind Qrow.

Leo: Ah, you must be the students Qrow mentioned.

Ruby: Yes sir! Ruby Rose!

Jaune: Jaune Arc.

Nora: Nora Valkyrie!

Ren: Lie Ren.

Neo: Neopolitan Rein.

Dairoku: Dairoku Rein and she's *pointing to Celeste* Celeste Rein.

Leo then looked startled and took a closer look at Dairoku, Celeste and Neo.

Leo: Y-You're Kai's children!?

The three siblings looked at each other confusingly before turning back to Leo.

Dairoku: Um... Yeah? You know me and Celeste Leo, dad introduced us before. Neo was missing at that time but we found her.

He took another look at the sibling, seemingly in worry and fear before clearing his throat.

Leo: Ah, now I remember. A pleasure seeing you again, Dairoku and Celeste Rein, and a pleasure to finally meet you Neopolitan Rein.

Leo then looked behind Dairoku to see Athena standing there with her arms crossed. His eyes widen in fear as he saw her...

Leo: S-Scarletina...!?

Athena: Wrong. I'm not her Leo. I'm Athena, aka Barbatos. I've just taken the form of her.

His eyes blinked quickly before he sighed and cleared his throat again.

Leo: Ah... A pleasure seeing you again, Athena.

Athena: Likewise.

The tone Athena was using was... rather strange... Usually, she's pretty playful and immature but the tone she used, sounded cold... And what made it stranger was that she was giving a death glare towards the professor of Haven. Dairoku noticed this and was skeptical.

Leo: A pleasure to meet you all; Leonardo Lionheart, at your service. I'm afraid most of my staff is currently away until classes resume, but-

Qrow: What!? Leo, you can't be serious. Who's guarding the relic!?

Leo: Qrow! The children-

Qrow: Already know. I filled them in. What do you mean your staff is away?

Leo: You... filled them in?

Athena: You're dodging the question...

Nora then leaned towards Ruby, Dairoku, Celeste and Neo

Nora: So... is this not going at all like anyone thought it would?

Neo: Seems so.

They decided to continue this conversation in the actual Headmaster's Office.

Leo: I have to say Qrow, this all seems reckless, even for you.

Athena: *arms still crossed and rolled eyes* Says the one leaving the relic unguarded.

Qrow: And it's not checking in with Oz for ages.

Leo: There was nothing to check in about before the Fall of Beacon, but since that day, Mistral has been in chaos! Vale wasn't the only kingdom to suffer that night. Everyone was watching, every house in every kingdom saw that poor girl ripped to pieces...

Ruby looked down in sadness upon the mention of Penny but Dairoku stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her, giving her a comforting smile, which she returned. She just leaned back into him as the two continued to listen to Leo speaking.

Leo: ...They saw monsters crawling over the city, Atlesian Knights attacking citizens... and then nothing. You could feel the dread in the air. With all that negativity, you can imagine what it was like when the Grimm came for us. Mistral's territory is the widest reaching in the world, you know and that makes it infinitely harder to protect. We lost so many great Huntsmen, teachers from this very institution and it's only getting worse.

Ruby: W-What do you mean?

Leo: We may have dealt with the Grimm, but the Mistral Council's still at odds with representatives from Atlas. First it was the Dust Embargo. Now, it's the closing of the borders. I'm not sure what happened to James in Vale but it seems to have only worsened some of his more... unfortunate tendencies. And on top of that, we still don't know where the Spring Maiden is.

Qrow: All the more reason we need the Huntsmen and Huntresses here!

Ruby: Okay! Okay. Things are bad. They're bad, but we can figure this out.

Neo: Why is the Spring Maiden so important?

Leo: I thought you filled them in...?

Qrow: Mostly filled in. Look, there's a lot to cover okay? I quit teaching for a reason.

Athena: Since the four Maidens can manipulate Magic, they're the only one's capable of reaching the relics.

Jaune: What?

Qrow: The relics are each locked inside a specific chamber that can only be opened by a specific Maiden. Winter for the gift of Creation, Summer for Destruction, Fall of Choice and Spring for Knowledge. Spring is the problem.

Ren: What happened to her?

Leo: She was determined at first when she inherited her powers, but the weight of responsibility proved to be too much for the child. She... ran... Abandoned her training, everyone. That was over a decade ago. There's no telling where she could be now.

Dairoku: Well what about Barbatos and Bale?

Athena: Me and my sister's situation is more complicated... We more or less represent Light and Darkness, Life and Destruction.

Leo: Speaking of which, since Athena's here, who is her host?

Neo: Dairoku is.

Leo: Well that's great news! With the host of Barbatos here, we should have no problem-

Dairoku: Yeah about that... Barbatos, the beast itself, has been rejecting me... I'm unable to evolve it and if I try, I grow closer to death, so for now, I've given up on trying to evolve it.

Leo looked at Dairoku, shocked.

Leo: W-What...?

Athena: And to make matters worse, my sister's awake and she found a host.

Dairoku: Lauren Kirumi and she's with Salem...

Celeste's eyes widen in shock at the mention of Lauren who she still thought was dead.

Leo: *sigh* Well, this is quite... troubling...

Qrow: Luckily, I have a pretty good idea where the Spring Maiden is.

Leo looked at Qrow, shocked.

Leo: Are you serious?

Qrow: It's not exactly good news.

Leo: What are you talking about? This is incredible news! After all these years! Where!?

Qrow: I did some digging around. Looks like after Spring ran away, she was picked up by bandits. Specifically...

Dairoku: Raven...

Qrow: Mhm.

Ruby gasped lightly.

Jaune: Yang's mom?

Qrow: That's right.

Qrow pulled out his scroll and put it on the table as a map projected from it.

Qrow: That's about where they've set up their main camp. It's where they fall back after raids and scouting missions. Raven's managed to gain a lot of followers since she returned to the tribe, and I'm sure when the Spring Maiden showed up, it only made things easier.

Leo: Well Qrow, I've got to hand it to you. With these coordinates, we can mount a retrieval force and head out in a few weeks.

Qrow: A few weeks!?

Leo: That's right.

Qrow: Leo, maybe you didn't hear me. MY sister has the Spring Maiden and I KNOW where she is. We NEED to go as soon as possible!

He knocked some books off the desk, slightly angering Leo.

Leo: And perhaps YOU didn't hear ME. The kingdom is in shambles. As soon as possible does not mean tomorrow. It means, as soon as I can convince the council that I need Huntsmen more than they do. Unfortunately, bandit tribes aren't very high on their list of priorities when the threat of war is just on the horizon.

Qrow: Then damn the council. We'll do it ourselves. You and I are trained Huntsmen and these kids aren't exactly pushovers. And add to the fact that we have Athena with us and Dairoku's gotten comfortable of using Barbatos in its current incomplete state.

Nora: Yeah!

Ren: Perhaps there's a more peaceful way to approach this?

Dairoku: Knowing Raven, that'll be YEETED out of the window.

Qrow: Exactly. We need to get the Spring Maiden as far away from here as possible. And just as Dairoku said, Raven isn't going to give up her most prized possession without a fight.

Leo: Unfortunately, you and your sister are evenly matched. And I'm not the fighter I used to be. No offense, but these students and I can't take on an entire bandit tribe and as for Dairoku, even though he possesses Barbatos, it's incomplete state won't be enough to take on a Maiden that's no doubt had years to hone her skills.

Dairoku looked away, nervously.

Dairoku: Yeah... I learned that the hard way...

Leo: We need to be positive we can apprehend Spring, because if we fail, Raven and her tribe will scatter, and we'll be lost. We get one shot at this, and it NEEDS to be perfect.

Qrow stared at him before sighing.

Qrow: You know, Oz wouldn't be happy with any of this if he were here.

Leo: Perhaps you're right, but he's not. I'm doing the very best I can.

Ruby: There has to be something we can do.

Neo: What about Cinder, Emerald and Mercury?

Jaune: Yeah, they claimed they were from Haven. Do you have anything on them?

Leo: We pulled their files after the Fall of Beacon. Nothing but lies and forgeries.

Jaune and Dairoku looked down with serious expressions.

Qrow: Well, I can't say this had been a warm reunion Leo.

Leo: I'm sorry. I know you've all traveled a long way, but I will do everything I can to help.

Qrow: Sure. We'll stay in the city for the time being. Local comms are still up, keep in touch. Come on guys.

They all began to leave but Ruby stopped to face Leo.

Ruby: It was nice meeting you Professor.

Leo: Likewise.

As she left the room with everyone, a man's voice was heard.

???:: Oh Leo. We have got to work on your improvisational skills.

The group was walking through the hallway of Haven academy, with Qrow and Athena leading the way.

Nora: So, what do we do now?

Qrow: You guys head back to the house, I need a drink.

He began to walk off as everyone looked at him in concern.

Athena: I'll go with him, to make sure he doesn't fall over and die, or something.

..................

It was nighttime as Qrow and Athena sat in a bar, the former drinking. During this time, Athena had told Qrow about the deal Dairoku made with Lauren.

Qrow: He made that deal with your sister's host, huh?

Athena: Yup. But with Barbatos rejecting him and becoming more aggressive, it's going to be... very difficult to say the least... He has a really high risk of actually dying and we both know what that would do to his dear future spouse.

Qrow: Yeah... If she finds out, things aren't going to look good for the two of them, more specifically featherless chicken... *takes a drink but realizes something* Wait... did you say Future Spouse?

Athena's eyes slightly widen when she realized she said that, so she began rubbing the back of her neck as she giggled nervously.

Athena: Ehehehe... Um... Maaayyybbbee...

Before Qrow could continue any further...

???: Excuse me.

The two turned to see a boy, wearing farm-like clothing.

Qrow: You know, I don't think they allow kids in here, pipsqueak.

Boy: Shut up, I'm getting there...

Athena and Qrow looked at each other before looking back at the boy.

Boy: Umm... I'm supposed to tell you... I'd like my cane back.

They continued staring before, Qrow began nodding and grabbed Ozpin's cane from his waist.

Qrow: It's good to see you again Oz.

He chucked the cane at the boy, who caught it. Athena's eyes then widen in excitement as sparkles appeared her eyes.

Athena: OZZY!!!

She suddenly lunged forward and pulled the boy into a bear hug, stuffing his face in between her breasts and slowly suffocating him.

Qrow: Hehehe, oh boy...

...........................

Ruby and Dairoku were sitting on a bed, the former reading a comic while leaning against the latter, who was looking at the strangely shaped object inside his open weapon case, the thing that's supposedly his mother's. Then he turned to Ruby and just smiled at her. She seemed to have taken notice and looked up to him.

Ruby: Huh? What's up?

Dairoku: *smirks* Besides the ceiling, nothing.

Ruby: *rolls eyes and giggles* Shut up dummy. *puts comic down* What?

Dairoku: Well, it's just hard to believe. Days ago, we were fighting for our lives, you guys against a Nuckelavee of all things and me against Lauren and Bale. But tonight, we're just hanging out like normal. Reminds me of our Beacon days.

Ruby: *giggles* Yeah... Beacon...

She looked down, saddened.

Ruby: I miss the others...

Dairoku: Yeah... Me too... I can easily consider both of our teams, family. There's not a single day that passes I don't think about them... *puts an arm around her shoulder* But, I know for a fact that we'll see them, even Yang.

Ruby: How would you know...?

Dairoku: Well, sure, when I left Yang, she still wasn't in the best condition, but she was slowly getting better. Besides, we both know her well, she's too strong to stay depressed forever.

She smiled at him.

Ruby: Yeah, she is. Just like you.

Dairoku: Oh please praise me more Roselyn!

They both giggled before smiling at each other affectionately.

Dairoku: You know, we haven't really had enough time alone, especially during the journey here. So...

He smiled before leaning in for a kiss but Ruby leaned back, avoiding it.

Dairoku: What's wrong Roselyn?

Ruby: N-Nothing! It's just... *sigh* I love you a lot but... I don't think I'm ready for that yet.

Dairoku raised an eyebrow.

Dairoku: Ready for what exactly? Not the first time we've made out.

Ruby's eyes widen in realization.

Ruby: E-Eh!? O-Oh! That's what you meant...!

Ruby hid her face in embarrassment as Dairoku continued to ponder until...

Dairoku: Wait... *realizes* WOAH! I wasn't talking about 'THAT'! I wouldn't have until I was certain you were ready!

Ruby: S-Sorry! It's just... I saw Blake's book and I... was getting thoughts of it lately!

Dairoku: Wait... What was the name of the book again?

Ruby: N-Ninjas of Love...?

Dairoku sighed in annoyance.

Dairoku: Oh for cocks sake! I'm going to seriously burn all of Blake's books.

Ruby: W-Wait! *frantically waves arms* D-Don't pin all the blame on her! It was my fault for snooping in the first place. And... when I was alone, especially when you were still in your coma, I did some... stuff...

Dairoku's eyes widen as his face turned bright red.

Dairoku: W-Wait! You don't mean you... p-pleased... yourself...!

Ruby: I WAS CONTROLLED BY THE EVIL FORCES OF FILTH OKAY!?!?

An awkward silence overtook the room as the two stared at each other, both their faces as red as a rose before they burst out in laughter.

Ruby: I-I'm sorry! I'm a filthy girl!

Dairoku: Nah, its normal Ruby, especially for teens our age. But, I promise you, I'll wait patiently until you are certain that you're ready.

Ruby smiled at him.

Ruby: Did I ever tell you that I loved you?

Dairoku: *smirk* Multiple times.

Ruby: *giggles while blushing* So... about, making out...?

Dairoku: *chuckles* Yeah...

They immediately locked lips with one another as they engaged in a deep, passionate kiss. They briefly broke apart before Ruby suddenly pushed down onto the bed and straddled him, slightly catching him off guard. Before he could say anything, she pushed her lips against his, slightly aggressively engaging in another kiss. Their tongues intertwined with one another as their saliva mixed with one another, the only sounded being the soft moans from Ruby. They separated in need for air, a string of saliva connecting them and they looked into each other's eyes with love and a slight bit of lust, both faces a deep shade of crimson and them panting heavily.

Ruby: I love you, a lot Dairoku.

Dairoku: I love you more, Ruby.

And with that, they immediately pushed their lips against one another again, getting into a really heated and intimate make out session. They roughly fought for dominance as they ruffled up each other's hair and Ruby continued to moan softly into the kiss. Unfortunately or fortunately for them, their hot moment was interrupted by...

Qrow: *from living room* I FOUND HIM!!! PFFFTT *snorts* HAHAHAHAHAH!!!

Neo: What the fuck!? How much drinks did you have Qrow!?

Qrow: Pfft, I don't know...~ Like~ 25 or something...?~

Athena: Oh it was WAY more than 25. And also, LANGUAGE!!!

Neo: OWWWW!!! *whimpers*

Annoyingly, the two lovers reluctantly separated and put their, 'alone time' on hold...

Ruby: Oh come ON!!! I was enjoying that!!!

Dairoku: You're not the only one... *sigh* come on, let's check it out.

.....................

Jaune, Nora, Celeste, Neo and Ren all sat within the living room in silence before a knock was heard on the front door. Looking at each other warily, Jaune got up and slowly made his way towards the door before, opening it to reveal, the same boy from earlier... Jaune looked back to his friends, only to see them with the same the same perplexed expression he had.

Jaune: Can I... help you?

Boy: Um... Yeah... Is there a Ruby Rose here?

Ren, Nora, Celeste and Neo suddenly got up in defense.

Nora: Why?

Boy: Well...

Suddenly...

Qrow: I FOUND HIM!!! PFFFTT *snorts* HAHAHAHAHAH!!!

Qrow snorted before stumbling into the house as Athena slowly walked into the house, eying the drunken bird

Boy: I think her uncle could use some help...

Qrow then stumbled over and fell on to the couch,

Qrow: Woah... Ugh... Oof... *pants heavily* I found him~.

Neo: What the fuck!? How much drinks did you have Qrow!?

Qrow: Pfft, I don't know...~ Like~ 25 or something...?~

Athena: Oh it was WAY more than 25. And also, LANGUAGE!!!

Athena suddenly zipped up to Neo and karate chopped her head.

Neo: OWWWW!!! *whimpers*

Then... from the other room...

Ruby: WHAT IS GOING ON OUT THERE!?

Ruby stormed into the living room with Dairoku closely behind, the former still slightly red from their... 'alone time'

Ruby: Can't a girl and her boyfriend read their comics in PEACE!?

Qrow: Hehehe... Oh suuurrreee you were JUST reading comics... ALONE...~ with featherless chicken~

Ruby's face immediately lit up red.

Dairoku: *sigh* So, you got drunk again bird brain...

Qrow: Maaayyybbbee......~

Boy: Oh... You have silver eyes...

Ruby and Dairoku stared at him, before at each other. Then Ruby looked at Nora, Neo, Ren and Celeste who displayed similar confusion.

Dairoku: Why does that line ring a bell...?

Ruby: Who... are you?

Qrow: Heh Heh... Hehehe...

Boy: Well... my name is Oscar Pine...

Qrow: Wait for it...

Oscar: But you probably know me as... Professor Ozpin...

The group gasped and looked at Oscar, shocked and confused as hell.

Dairoku: W-What...?

Qrow: Heh... Heh Heh... Heh... I DID IT!!!!

Athena: Oh would you just SHUT UP!?

Qrow: OOF!

Athena proceeded to knock Qrow's head, causing him to fall off the couch and fall unconscious and everyone looked at them, startled.

Dairoku: So... what just happened...?

MYTHICAL ROSE VOLUME 5

https://youtu.be/Okp2H9w8dDI

VOLUME 5 IS HERE!!! God I absolutely loved writing this chapter. But doesn't mean I'm gonna love writing the volume. I'll just say, some... heart breaks happen... and I'm not looking forward to writing them... Anyways I hope you guys will enjoy Mythical Rose Volume 5!!!