Gathering the Magic

Gathering the Magic is the third episode of RWBY: Grimm Force.
==Plot==
"Team THMZ seems quite willing to cooperate."
Arthur Watts stood in the meeting hall of the Crucible. He had an image on his Scroll open of Team THMZ, the light of which reflected on both his face and the window he was near.
"The Tennyson boy..." A woman said.
Watts turned his attention to the chalk white woman in a pitch black dress sitting at the head of the long table within the hall. Salem.
"You've found that he has a brother, yes?"
"Indeed. Benjamin Tennyson is the leader of Team TRTL... at Beacon Academy. He'll be under Ozpin's watch, I doubt he'll be much use to us. Unfortunate. His matching Semblance with his brother could pose an issue."
"What of Albedo's teammates?"
"Young Morningstar comes from a rather influential family, though he isn't particularly close with any of them. And I haven't found a bloody thing about Khyber Zaroffian. He's lived a very non-digital life, which is proving beneficial for him... And rather annoying for me."
"And what of the girl?"
Watts tapped the image of Hope Spellbinder on his scroll, projecting the image into the air.
"She could prove useful beyond the recruitment of her team. Her uncle, Hex Spellbinder, is a member of staff at Haven Academy. With Leonardo already under our influence, and potentially treating Hope as leverage, getting him to cooperate should be quite simple."
Salem pondered for a moment. She didn't know much about Hex Spellbinder, but the more forces working for her than against her, the easier it would be to reach her goal.
"Go then. Meet with Leonardo in Haven, and see what you can do about convincing Hex Spellbinder to join us."
"It will be done." Watts turned and stepped away, but then stopped walking after a few steps, his brow furrowed.
"Is something the matter, Watts?"
"If I may ask..." Watts' comment prompted Salem to raise an eyebrow, and he turned back to face her. "What have you got the others doing?"
"Why do you ask?"
"If I understand our plans correctly, and do correct me if I'm wrong, our target is Atlas. If that's the case, then why do you have me working in Mistral? Surely it would be more beneficial to have my brains in Atlas, and have someone like Tyrian working to find our recruits."
"All in due time, Arthur. Your skills are not unrecognized, but for the time being, you're more useful to me in Mistral. When I give the command, you will find yourself back in Atlas. You are not the only one in our group with a history in that city, after all."
Watts scoffed. "You've sent Cinder in my stead?"
"Is that anger I sense in your voice?"
Watts stammered a bit, straightening his tie nervously as he cleared his throat. "O-Of course not. Though, I've made it no secret, my disdain for Cinder. The girl's been a bloody pain ever since she was recruited."
"Cinder is exactly what we need. She has fought tooth and claw for power her entire life, something she's never had. Something she's been denied. If anyone's will power is going to prove strong enough to let them be a vessel harboring all four Maiden powers, it will be her."
Watts said nothing. While it was true he hated Cinder, his fear and respect of Salem overshadowed that. That was the only thing keeping him working with her.
"Do you have any more questions?"
"...No. I'll be on my way now."
Watts took his leave, exiting through the large, castle-esque door at the end of the room.
----
It had been a few days since the events at Galvan Prime Laboratories. Ben and Albedo had spent a decent amount of that time still within the lab's medical wing, just to ensure their vitals were in check, and for Azmuth to study them from afar just in case something happened. Nothing did, but he didn't want to miss anything for as long as they were there.
Given their extended stay, a few of the sights in Mistral were overlooked. By the time they were permitted to leave, it was time for the main event in the city: Haven Academy. This was Gwen's more anticipated spot. Albedo was still indifferent, and Ben would have been excited, but something seemed off. When Albedo and Gwen got ahead of them, Max kneeled down to Ben.
"If Albedo was a bit more excited, I'd say you two switched roles." Max tried to joke, but noticed Ben didn't even smirk. "What's wrong?"
"I... The Vytal Festival is so cool, y'know? I love seeing all the students kick butt with their weapons and Semblances! I thought it'd be cool to get one myself one day. But now that I have it..."
"It's not what you were expecting."
Max's innate understanding caught Ben off guard as he turned to his grandfather surprised. Max chuckled.
"That's my Semblance. I had a similar mindset when I was younger. Then I realized the mindset was my Semblance the entire time. Don't underestimate the power of the mind. Anyway, what's got you so unsure about yours?"
Ben gripped his own shoulder a bit. "...It was scary. And it hurt. I don't even know if I want to use it if it's going to be that way."
Max nodded, placing a comforting hand on Ben's back. After thinking for a moment, he spoke up.
"There's a theory called equivalent exchange. You've got to give in order to gain. All Semblances are powers granted to people at the cost of Aura. Even mine, but to a lesser extent. Without the Aura at all, the Semblance stops working."
"And what if I don't use it?"
"...Well." Max sighed. "I suppose if you gain not using your Semblance... You might lose the chance to overcome it."
Ben attempted to give this some thought, but was interrupted by a voice calling from the entrance to the school.
"Maxwell Tennyson!" Headmaster Lionheart said as he greeted the bunch, walking out of the school's doorway. "It's been too long."
Gwen turned to Max, surprised. "You know Haven's headmaster?"
"Ah, you'd be surprised who I know, Gwen." Max turned back to Lionheart, reciprocating the smile. "Too long, indeed."
Ben gave a confused look. "Why is the headmaster of the school still here, anyway? It's summer vacation."
Lionheart chuckled. "My boy, the staff has some work to do before our summer vacation can begin. Myself more than anyone. But you're in luck. One of our professors is present currently. You've a chance to meet him."
Professor Lionheart led the Tennysons through Haven Academy. The halls were eerily quiet, given the lack of students and most staff already having left for the season. Lionheart opened a door, entering into a dark classroom that only increased the morbid feeling in the air. The lightswitch flipped on, shining light throughout the room.
Strange objects filled the area, creating a sea of clutter across the floor and shelves. Among the group of objects were a black orb with unrecognized characters etched into it, a pair of golden gauntlets with gears on the backs, a sword with a serpentine head on the handle, a golden boomerang-shaped object with a face shaped rune in the center, a grey mask, and several books.
Albedo stepped through the clutter, and stopped only to look back at the black orb. He stared at it for a moment, hearing a faint noise resonating from it.
"...What-" Albedo's question cut off as he looked down to the clutter on the ground, only to jump back. "THERE'S A HAND!"
"What?!" Lionheart rushed over, only to trip on the mess and fall to the floor. Groaning, he looked up and saw the hand, causing him to groan. "Professor Spellbinder!"
Lionheart stood upright, grabbing the hand and pulling out the person beneath the clutter: Hex Spellbinder.
"I thought I told you to keep your workplace tidier than this!"
"Apologies, Headmaster." Hex spoke. "Time slips away from me, and then I don't have the chance to fix it."
"What were you doing on the floor?"
"One of my bookshelves fell on me. I had considered getting back up, but it was surprisingly comfortable. I had almost dozed off before you lot arrived."
Lionheart glanced back at the Tennyson's before turning himself and Hex away, whispering to him. "We have visitors! Do you have any idea how this looks?"
Hex thought for a moment. "It looks like somoene with the mind of a genius too caught up in his work to tidy up."
"Don't get sassy with me!"
Their attention was drawn by Max clearing his throat behind them.
"Ah, yes." Hex turned back to the family. "Forgive me for the mess." Hex reached into the clutter and pulled out a staff with a snake-like skull at the end. Purple energy radiated from the staff and allowed him to remotely move all the clutter back to the shelves in a neat fashion.
"Too caught up, huh?" Lionheart cocked an eyebrow, though Hex ignored the comment as he spoke to the Tennyson's.
"I am Professor Hex Spellbinder, Haven Academy's expert in Aura." His eyes flashed red, and he glanced towards Gwen. "...Fascinating."
"W-What is it?"
"You have a significantly higher amount of Aura than anyone else in the room. It's rare to see something quite like that."
Gwen awkwardly scratched the back of her head. "Um... Thanks?"
"What does that mean, exacty? And how can you tell?" Albedo inquired.
"It is my Semblance, young man. My ability to sense and understand Aura in ways others are incapable to is what made me the professor of the topic. I can also determine one's potential Aura." His attention turned back to Gwen. "You're radiant with potential Aura, young lady. What is your name?"
"Gwen Tennyson, sir."
"It is an honor, Miss Tennyson."
----
Five years after that fateful summer vacation, Gwen found herself returning to Haven Academy when school was out to train with Hex. During this time, she also had become familiar with his niece, Hope.
"Uncle Hex?" Hope called into the workplace as she and Gwen entered.
Hex, who had been floating in the room with the use of Gravity Dust, stepped onto the ground after grabbing his staff.
"What was that about?"
"Meditation. I've found it helps my focus when using my Semblance. Perhaps I should begin teaching you that at some point... Oh, but nevermind. Today is a special day for the both of you."
"Because...?" Hope cocked an eyebrow.
"I've perfected your artifacts." Hex walked to one of the shelves and pulled off two boxes. "It's a well known fact Aura can be projected onto inanimate objects, such as weapons. As such, I sought to take it a step further. Objects with the ability to have Aura infused with them. It took a bit of energy out of me, but I believe it will be worth it for you two to progress."
Hex handed the two girls their boxes. Hope opened hers, finding a necklace inside. The necklace had a grey pendant with a black design on it like an upside down virus molecule. When she put the necklace on, its design glowed magenta, her Aura color.
Within Gwen's box was a set of six pendants, each with their own unique design. Focusing her Semblance she had unlocked during training with Hex, Gwen made an Aura projection to lift the six pendants into the air. Their designs glowed her pink Aura color, with three of them brandishing Dust colors as well.
"This, my pupils, is when the fun truly begins." Hex said with a proud smile.
----
Hex sat in Professor Lionheart's office. For whatever reason, he had been called there by Lionheart himself, and yet, the Faunus headmaster was missing. He was about fifteen minutes late to a meeting he called himself, and time was still ticking. It took another five minutes before the door finally opened.
"Apologies." Lionheart chuckled a bit as he entered the office and approached. "I was caught up in a conversation with a student."
"How professional."
"Speaking of students," Lionheart said as he circled the table and sat opposite Hex. "I imagine your niece is the top of your class?"
"Of course she is, but that's unfair to the other students. I've been teaching her ever since she came into my care after the death of her father. She has an advantage."
"I'm glad you think so." Lionheart smiled.
Hex leaned forward onto Lionheart's desk. "Why did you call me in here, Leonardo? What is it you want?"
"It's... not what I want."
Leonardo glanced to the door. Hex turned about, and was slightly surprised to see someone having entered the room not only unannounced, but with an eerie silence.
"Hello there, Professor Spellbinder. My name is Dr. Arthur Watts." Watts approached and sat in the seat next to Hex. "And I've got the business deal of the century for you."
"You seem rather confident in that claim."
"Oh, trust me. It's an offer you quite literally can't refuse." Watts smirked, causing his mustache to perk up.
==Major Events==
*Salem has Arthur Watts recruit Hex Spellbinder.
*Hex Spellbinder and Hope Spellbinder debut.
*It is shown how Gwen Tennyson and Hope gained their weapons.
==Characters==
===Present Day Characters===
*Hex Spellbinder (debut)
====Present Day Villains====
*Salem
*Arthur Watts
===Flashback Characters===
*Ben Tennyson
*Gwen Tennyson
*Albedo Tennyson
*Max Tennyson
*Hex Spellbinder (debut)
*Leonardo Lionheart
*Hope Spellbinder (debut)
==Trivia==
*The episode's title is a play on Magic: The Gathering.
*Hex's workspace has the following artifacts from the Ben 10 canon:
**The Orb of Pooma Poonkoo
**The Titan Gauntlets
**The Sword of Ek Chuaj
**The Dominus Librium
**The Mask of Ah Puch
**Charmcaster's spellbook
**The Archamada Book of Spells
*This is the first episode to not include an Omnitrix transformation.
*Max's conversation about equivalent exchange was originally going to be a conversation done by Hex. However, it was changed as Hex's attention was meant to be focused on Gwen's.
==Credit Scene==
Salem stood outside her Crucible, peering over a barren wasteland of Grimm and the pools of death they originated from. Light footsteps approached her, and a lanky figure kneeled.
"Your grace." Tyrian Callows craned his neck up towards her. "You wished to see me?" His scorpion tail curled around his own face, a crazed smile admiring the mistress of death.
"Indeed. I'm sending you to Vale. You'll be doing a reconnaissance mission. I need to test the skills of Albedo Tennyson's twin brother, Ben. His team as well, but primarily him."
Tyrian seemed to pout. "By reconnaissance, I don't imagine you'll be letting me do the fighting?"
"No. The less they know about us, the easier it is for us to infiltrate. You'll be watching. Something else will do the fighting."
This seemed to perk Tyrian right back up, his interests piqued. "Something, you say? And what might that be, my queen?"
Salem smiled. 
"This."
She lifted a hand, and a blob of Grimm pool liquid rose into the air. Lanky arms with clawed hands burst from its sides, as well as a single tail from the bottom which was striped black and white. The fluid form shook about, changing from the grotesque moisture to almost a cloak, which was covered in glowing red stripes. The stripes converged on the creature's chest, which glowed red with a yellow center. The Grimm reached its hands to where its face would be, and pulled the fabric-like flesh apart, revealing an upside down skull face with only one eye glowing red and yellow. It let out an ear piercing, raspy screech.