Chapter 11

The flight to Vale was fun for all on board the Bullhead because for the first time in nearly a week everyone was lively. Along the way they had stopped in Mistral to not only refuel but to check on the capital and to let Weiss see the eastern kingdom. The refuel didn't take too long at all and what the Schnee guards told Acadian was right: somehow, someway, the soldiers of Mistral and various Hunters had held off the Grimm threat, even though the army had suffered massive casualties. A makeshift memorial had already been set up and everyone on the two ships paid their respects.

"So what do you think of Mistral Weiss?" Ren asked her.

"Eh."

"Eh?!" Acadian exclaimed, laughter coming from Ruby, Nora and Jaune as they returned to the airship to keep going. Weiss and Acadian traded verbal jabs with each other, something to the delight of RNJR until they landed in Patch 40 feet away from the Xiao Long residence. Ruby raced to the bay door but was stopped by Acadian.

"Whoa, hang on Ruby."

"Why?!"

"Your house is in a wooded area and with everything in the world happening, Grimm might be around."

"So we charge out and take care of them," Weiss said with a shrug but was met with stern eyes from Acadian.

"No. Jaune, help me out," he said while unslinging his assault rifle and pressing the stock against his shoulder, "Open the door a little and then when I say 'now', throw it open, got it?"

"Why not just-"

"I'm not letting you guys go out there when we might get jumped by Grimm. Jaune," Acadian said and Jaune nodded, opening the door slightly and Acadian aimed down the sights on his rifle. He waited a few seconds, his finger staying on the trigger, before relaxing a little and taking a deep breath.

"Now," he said to Jaune, who flung the door open and Acadian jumped out, turning in place, aiming down his sights and looking around, only stopping when he saw Qrow looking at him in confusion and disappointment.

"What?"

"What the hell are you doing kid?" Qrow asked with the two scientists in tow, both carrying a large box between the two of them. The rest of the team had gotten out and were now looking at Acadian, who slung his assault rifle and rubbed the back of his head.

"Well, if you must know-"

"Actually, I don't, come on," Qrow said with a cocky grin to Acadian, who rolled his eyes, lightening the mood of everyone as they strode to the wooden abode, where Qrow knocked on the front door and waited with everyone else. Quickly the door shot open and Qrow couldn't help but grin at the blonde man that looked at him with anger that quickly changed to shock and happiness as a flash of red came forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. Taiyang Xiao Long wore his normal gear: black shoes, dark brown shorts, a tan short sleeve shirt with a red collar, brown leather vest, a metal spaulder on his right shoulder, a brown leather brace on his right hand and arm that didn't cover his tattoo and a red band of cloth wrapped around his left arm. His blue eyes relaxed, he bowed his head so everyone could only see his the top of his blonde hair and could not see the tears he strained to hold back as he kissed the top of his daughter's head.

"Hi dad," she said, burying her face into his chest that couldn't help but bring a smile to the elder Hunter's face.

"Hi Ruby," he whispered, rubbing her back and lifting his head up slightly so she could look up at him and receive a kiss on her forehead from her father. He took a deep breath and looked at everyone else, exuding a lighter mood that changed only slightly when he saw Qrow again.

"Thank you for watching over her Qrow."

"Of course Tai, any good uncle would. It wasn't just me though," Qrow said and moved his head to the right, motioning to Acadian, who stepped forward with his hand out.

"Acadian Zaffre, combat professor at Haven Academy, pleasure sir."

"Taiyang Xiao Long, combat professor at Signal Academy, same to you and thank you," Taiyang responded with his slightly light voice, gripping Acadians hand and shaking it.

"Hey anytime, I'm used to looking over teens. Just another day in the office, you know?"

"Oh I know," Taiyang said, the two sharing a smile as Taiyang looked at Ruby's friends.

"Pleasure to finally meet you all too. Come on, I think there's someone here that's going to love seeing you guys."

Everyone walked in and took in the simplicity of the house: a simple but spacious living room with an inviting fireplace and a large couch, a perfectly sized dining room for three or four people and decor that matched the paint on the walls that invoked warmth throughout the house. While Acadian took in the humble abode Ruby moved by him with her friends on her tail as they walked to a room that Ruby knew very well with a person she desperately wanted to see. She stopped in the doorway and couldn't help but smile at the person lying in bed in the guest room, looking out the window. Everyone behind Ruby looked wide-eyed with smiles and the group waited until Yang turned, who looked in shock at everyone, tears coming to her eyes as she fully turned her body to her friends and her sister.

"Guys? R-ruby?" she said and Ruby sprung forward, wrapping her arms around her sister and held her tightly, the two sharing a tender moment as their friends stepped into the room and took in the bleakness of it.

"Ruby, I-I'm so sorry. I s-should've been-"

"Shhh Yang, it's okay," her little sister said with a smile on her face, petting Yang's long golden locks for only a few moments before Yang pulled back, wiped her eyes and smiled at her friends.

"Hey guys," she said and was immediately met with a rush of four people who couldn't be happier to see their friend, especially after the horrific injury she suffered. Yang was painfully reminded of it with each hug she gave, not being able to fully embrace them as she wanted to.

"Oh man Yang, we have so many stories to tell you."

"That so Rubes?"

"Yeah, Weiss gave her father the middle finger," Nora said with a grin and nudge to Weiss, who couldn't help but smile at the compliment.

"Whoa Ice Queen, didn't think you had it in you."

"Yeah, well, sometimes you have to be extreme to get a message across."

"Oh, you have to meet our new friend," Jaune said, which confused Yang greatly.

"You guys went ahead and replaced me? Come on guys, I know I can't be much of a helping hand-"

"Really Yang? Weiss asked, everyone groaning as Yang couldn't help but have that lovable, cocky grin that everyone missed, especially Ruby. As the group continued to talk, Acadian stood in the living room with Qrow and Taiyang, discussing plans.

"So I get to see my daughter for a few minutes and then she's gone, again?" Taiyang said with a look of annoyance he did not want to hide. He was seated on a reclining leather chair and across from him was Qrow in a smaller, woven wooden chair that Acadian was standing behind.

"Look, Tai-"

"Don't Qrow, because I had to deal with you talking to her in private for some damn reason you never gave, I had to deal with you saying 'oh, she's fine, with a friend' and not give me any damn details and now I get my family back together and you want both of my daughters to leave. Did you expect this talk to go well?" he asked and right as Acadian was about to say something Qrow elbowed him.

"Taiyang, listen to me. Oz always talked about how important their team is, he knew they were special. What we're facing now is out of hand and they have the most experience fighting these guys. We need them."

"Just to pipe in right quick," Acadian began, ignoring a glare from Qrow, "From what I've seen, they are the best team of Hunters available. We need a team like that to get the CTT back online. And to be real for a minute, they need each other right now more than ever," Acadian said, slowing his speech down at the last sentence to add emphasis. Taiyang looked at the young professor and rubbed his temples as Acadian moved over to Taiyang and crouched so he was eye level with him.

"I don't know what it is like to have children leave, have loved ones pass on but I do understand your worry and the trepidation. Thing is... we need them, Remnant needs them, their friends need them and they need each other," he said. Taiyang looked at him, ran a hand through his hair and sighed.

"I hope you two know what you're doing."

"Eh, kinda," Acadian said with a shrug and smile that made Taiyang roll his eyes.

"I see you're rubbing off on this kid Qrow."

"Can't help it," Qrow said with a nudge of his foot to Acadian, who nodded in agreement.

"Just keep them safe, all of them."

"Will do Tai but we're not leaving just yet, I have a surprise for Yang. Come on Acadian," Qrow said, confusing Taiyang as Qrow stood and motioned to the two scientists who had been standing to the side and waiting. Acadian stood with his friend and followed him to the guest room, where stories were being exchanged. Qrow walked in with a smile and walked over to his niece, giving her a hug.

"How you doing Yang?" he asked.

"A lot better Uncle Qrow," she said with a smile.

"I told you didn't I?"

"You came a lot sooner then expected."

"Yeah, well, certain things forced our hand."

"I've heard," she said with a knowing smile to Qrow before leaning over and seeing a stranger in her doorway, who gave her a warm smile and a nod.

"Professor Zaffre I think?" she asked and everyone turned to the Hunter in the doorway, who stepped forward and patted Yang's shoulder.

"Pleasure Ms. Xiao Long," he said before motioning to the scientists now in the doorway, "We can chat later, these fine gentlemen want to help you out."

"Help with what?"

"You'll see," Qrow said.

Two hours went by with relative silence, bits of idle chatter being exchanged between everyone as they waited. Both Qrow and Acadian refused to tell them what was going on with Yang, instead telling them the outline of their plan for when they got to Vale: find Blake, attack the CCT and then protect repair crews until they were finished, no matter how long it took.

"Even if it takes a year?" Ren asked Qrow after he and Acadian had gone over everything.

"Trust me it won't, at most it should be a few weeks to a month thanks to the help of Hunters, from you guys to professors."

Before Jaune could ask a question they all turned around to the scientists leaving Yang's room, one of which walked up to Qrow, pulled him to the side and talked to him in a very low voice for a few seconds before they shook hands and the two walked out. Qrow turned to everyone with a knowing smile then looked past them and down the hall at a figure approaching them as the sounds of an engine starting up entered the house.

The figure was Yang, who was wearing her special Hunter outfit and had a devilish grin on her face then rotated her shoulders to draw attention to the new addition: her right forearm was seemingly restored and looked as if it had never been cut from her body.

"Whoa! Yang, how?" Ruby asked with a smile as Yang winked at her and held up her finger. The right forearm began to change: bands of gold-tinted steel came from the underside of her forearm, wrapped around and locked into place, completely covering her forearm. The lines that showed where the steel did not meet were lit neon-yellow and around her wrist popped up a familiar sight: Ember Celica, though much thinner but seemingly backing more of a punch thank to more barrels. Her hand had become a claw that she moved and clinched, the whole display leaving everyone in awe of her, the room being silent until Acadian spoke up.

"Holy hell."

"Right?!" Yang exclaimed and excited conversations began between everyone, including her father and sister questioning her on it. Acadian strode over to Qrow and leaned against the wall before looking at him.

"How the hell did you afford that?"

"No way in hell I can. I saved those two from a Grimm attack years ago and I called in the favor they owed me."

"Looks really good."

"Yeah, it's good to have my real niece back," Qrow said with a smile that Acadian had never seen before: one of love and warmth, a familial love that ran deep. Acadian patted his shoulder and joined a conversation between Weiss and Ren while Qrow observed.

"So, what now?" Yang said as she boarded with her own travel bag an hour after revealing her arm. With Taiyang's blessing they had all gotten their things and boarded, ready to head to Vale.

"Now, Vale and Blake," Acadian said, stopping Yang in her tracks to stare at the professor, who returned the look in utter confusion, "Uhhhhh… Yang?"

"I-I'm sorry, just blanked out," she said, shaking her head then walking over to the other open bay door to look out at the forestry. Acadian turned to Ruby and Weiss, his cocked eyebrow conveying a question but both shrugged their shoulders. He was met with a similar response from Jaune and his team, forcing Acadian to drop it and head to the cockpit, where Qrow was already seated in the co-pilot's chair. As Acadian started the ship off and they took off, with Taiyang seeing them off and waving goodbye, Ruby walked over to her sister, who now leaned on the closed bay door and leaned with her.

"What's wrong Yang?"

"Nothing Ruby."

"Yang-"

"I just… I just don't know what I'm going to say or do when I see Blake."

"What do you mean?"

"She abandoned me… us. She abandoned us instead of sticking around and helping you or I out. I'm just, ugh," she said, shaking her head as Weiss came over.

"I couldn't agree more Yang, but, she is still our teammate and more importantly our friend. Don't forget that," the heiress said, patting Yang's shoulder, the blonde nodding her head. Jaune, Ren and Nora stayed to themselves, chatting about going back to Vale and their schoolmates. Very soon the ship landed near the town center and everyone disembarked at once this time, Acadian having learnt his lesson from Patch, and took in the dilapidated and depressing scene. Scores of buildings abandoned, destroyed, broken glass strewn on the ground, light coming only from the moon and an eerie quietness moved with the group as they made their way to town center, all of which was accompanied with a fog that hung around everything. Their steps echoed off the buildings but were soon replaced with sounds of talking, running, playing and overall something no one expected: happiness. The group got a slice of the living conditions as they came upon a guard post. They first spotted the large, spewing fountain in the middle and saw around it scores of people and street lights that shined brightly on the people. Mixed in with the people were Hunters, whether they be students, professors or graduated Hunters who were looking over weapons or talking. Before they could fully enter however they were stopped by armed soldiers at the guard post.

"Hold! Who are you?" a guard bellowed, aiming his gun at the group. Qrow stepped forward and looked the guard dead in the eye.

"Do you really have to ask that?"

"Yes I do," the guard said and flicked the safety off.

"Qrow?!" they heard a woman scream and everyone looked to a woman with a black cape, thin ovular glasses, blonde hair in a bun, a white long-sleeved shirt that showed some of her chest that tightened near the wrist, a black business skirt and matching boots.

"Glynda?"

"Professor Goodwytch!" Ruby yelled at the woman who strode over to the guards with a furious expression that made the guards shake in their boots.

"What are you idiots doing?!"

"M-Ma'am, these strangers-"

"They're not strangers they are professors and students! Let them in now!"

The two soldiers stepped to the side as quick as they could with a salute, allowing the group to pass into the courtyard that was the new home of Vale.

"It's really good to see you Glynda," Qrow said with a smile to the Huntress who returned it with a smile that was relived, stressed and angry all in one.

"It's good to see you too. Still have his cane?"

"Of course."

"Good," she said before looking at the assembled students and smiled at them, "It is very good to see you all again," she said. Ruby rushed forward and hugged Glynda, who looked very awkward with the fifteen-year-old around her but accepted it and other hugs before turning to the new face.

"And you are…?" she asked, becoming irritated very quickly because he was staring dead ahead and ignoring her.

"Acadian?" Qrow asked, stepping over to the young man and placing a hand on his shoulder that was aggressively shrugged off, "Hey, the hell Acadian?"

Qrow stood behind Acadian and realized who Acadian was staring at but right as he was about to grab him to hold him in place Acadian took off, his hand on the hilt of his blade, the voices of his friends trailing behind him as he pushed past people. His eyes never left the figure of the man that had screwed him over, that had ruined his social life and a very personal and romantic relationship. That man wore the same clothes he had years ago: white petticoat that covered a blue vest, red tie, white gloves and white pants that covered his grey boots. The only addition was the grey at his temples, something Acadian noticed as his target turned and looked wide-eyed at the Hunter while reaching for his gun. At this point Acadian had fully drawn his sword and threw in a blue Dust crystal into the circular part of his blade.

"IRONWOOD!" Acadian exclaimed, holding his blade up and leapt into the air, his eyes like daggers at the general of the Atlas army. Ironwood had drawn his pistol but was holding it sideways to block the incoming attack. Acadian swung and was surprised when his blade met another blade, stopping his momentum and allowing him to plant his feet on hard pavement. When he looked at the owner of the second blade all of the pent-up rage he had held in himself over the years washed away, his features softened and he ever so slightly lowered his blade.

The owner of the other blade had hair as white as snow in a bun with a large bang covering her right, light-blue eye. Her pale skin complimented her clothing, which was a unique white trench coat with long sleeves that were slit at the shoulders down to her elbow along with a collar that was connected with a unique pin. It covered a white shirt that was worn under a blue vest, both of which were tight that drew some attention to her chest. The coat was connected by one golden button at her midsection and flared out to show her white slacks and her metal grey boots that came to the middle of her thighs and had three inch heels. Behind her legs was a light, white flowing under cloth much like the purple one Yang was wearing and her black-gloved hand relaxed when she looked into his light-green eyes.

"Winter?" he said quietly, trying to move slightly closer to her but was met with a solid kick to his chest, sending him two feet back and stumbling him, his rage coming back as Winter Schnee readied herself for combat.

"Acadian the deserter."

Literally me on Friday:

Oh man, the new season of RWBY looks great!... oh there's a time skip? Knew it! Oh and new outfit-oh fuck, damn it, God damn it... fuck! Just fuck!

Anyways, so, new season does look great, can't wait for October 22nd. I will also say that I'm gonna switch Ruby and Weiss to the new outfits in chapter 15, but I will switch to Blake's next chapter... fucking RoosterTeeth, damn it... anyway, the story I believe is progressing nicely and I really like how it is unfolding. Man, Chapter 14 is a quite a bit, I love it! I've also decided that if and when I finish I will try and push the chapters out quickly, for example like 2 or 3 a week if I can. I'm gonna have more time to write so here's to that. Anyway, next week is getting Blake back and a huge fight that, legit, I've wanted to write since I wrote the first word of this whole story. Can't wait for you guys to read it. I appreciate the support as always and apparently y'all are digging the story (holy crap, 255 views in one day?! That's a record for me! As is over 2,000 for the first 10 chapters!) I love you guys for the support, I really do, you guys legit keep me writing. As always, if you really like it, fav, follow and/or review! See you guys next week!