Beta/Creative Assistant: Jefardi

Cover Art: Natzo

Spectrum

Return to Beacon

"What's taking them so long?" Autumn tapped her foot impatiently, green eyes scanning the blue horizon for any sign of the routine transport ship that brought people to and from Beacon.

Blake gave an audible sigh as she glanced up at the orange-haired girl, momentarily putting thoughts of the book she was reading to the back of her mind. On the bench next to her, she heard Rouge give a short giggle and turned just in time to see her roll yellow eyes at the older sister.

Like Blake, she had been immersed in a book borrowed from the library, until Autumn's outburst. She snapped it shut before calling out to her. "It takes time to get here from Kessel. Domremy was even closer than Beacon was… and you remember how long that took, don't you?"

Autumn let out a grunt that Blake supposed meant she took the point. Sometimes it was really hard to tell with the obstinate girl. In the past day Blake had been spending with the two girls, she'd come to learn that Rouge was the far simpler of the two to get along with. All she did was sit there quietly and read. That was something Blake could very much appreciate.

Autumn, however, was constantly restless. She was always up and about. If not trying to dig a hole into their room with all the pacing, then loudly making grunts of her displeasure as she tried and failed to read a book like the two of them.

So it was with great relief that Blake got the message saying the others were on their way back. Actually, if she was being honest, it was also with some concern. Yang almost never sent messages, preferring usually to chat with the actual voice function of the scrolls, and if feasible, a video feed. It was only a minor change in her partner's behavior, but one that Blake couldn't help but feel nervous about.

The message had been pretty brief too. Just enough to let her know that the group was on their way back and that they had rescued Joan. Yang hadn't mentioned anything in the way of casualties, but what if they had lost someone again? It would certainly explain the brevity and unusualness of Yang's message.

Blake just hoped she was wrong.

Odds are she was thinking about it too hard. Regardless, she hadn't pressed the issue over the scroll and decided to patiently wait for their return. "Finally!" Which seemed to have payed off, if Autumn's relieved cry was any indication. Blake and Rouge both rose from the bench, taking a position next to Autumn and waiting for the large, now visible transport ship to dock.

Really, Blake didn't know what she was expecting when the walk rail for the ship clicked into place and the doors slid open with a loud hiss. She supposed maybe because she was so caught up on the ambiguity of Yang's message that she forgot the most basic truth: Jaune and Joan were on that ship.

And anyone that knew the Arcs at all, knew they did not handle their motion sickness well. So in an entirely predictable turn of events, the very first two people out of the ship, racing in a mad dash for the nearest trash can, were the blonde twins.

"I really should've known..." Blake pinched the bridge of her nose, not even willing to look at the two vomiting teens. While she stood in place and waited for any sign of the rest of the team that went out, Rouge and Autumn raced forward.

"Joan!" Their voices overlapped with one another. The older girl only barely got her head out from the trashcan before she was about bowled over by the two younger. She gave a grunt upon impact, but by some miracle managed to stay standing. The blonde wrapped an arm around either girl, a huge grin spreading across her face. She returned the hug they were giving full force, bending down to whisper to them. Even from here, Blake could see the tears well in the corner of her eyes.

Jaune leaned his elbows on the lid of the trashcan, giving a smile of content while watching the same scene Blake was. This was what he was doing it for, to reunite all his sisters and keep them safe. Give them all this happy reunion. Blake could only imagine what it was he felt watching it slowly begin to come together. From the looks of things, though, they still had another four sisters to go. And now there were only fully-trained Huntresses left. No more girls in training.

Blake turned away from the family reunion, looking once again to the door in hopes to find everyone. The crowd of departing passengers was beginning to thin but there was still no sign of a recognizable face. Then to her relief, she witnessed the lumbering head of Yatsuhashi as he had to duck under the frame of the door. Next to him she could just make out the orange outcrop of Cardin's hair. If even he had survived… surely the others…

The last of the crowd stepped out of the way and the others became visible to Blake's amber eyes. She only looked at the others long enough to acknowledge that they were there. It might have been more accurate to say that was all the time she had before the sight of Yang absolutely commanded her attention.

Before she was even aware of it, legs were already in motion as she dashed for her partner. "Yang!" She skid to a stop, just short of outright running into her, grabbing the blonde by the upper arms. The hair was what she noticed from a distance, the long beautiful locks Yang took absolute pride in cut to the length of her shoulders.

The scar she didn't notice until this moment. Before her mouth could even open to let out a gasp, Yang flicked her in the nose, teasing grin adorning her features. "I knew it! You may always be playing all hard to get, but you do care."

Blake was almost shocked speechless. Almost. "You idiot! Of course I care. Are you okay? What hap-" A finger to her lips silenced anything else she could say. The grin on Yang's face slipped, becoming more melancholic and there was an unmistakable shimmer in her lilac eyes.

"For now, I'm fine. Can we… talk about it later? Maybe after we all get some rest? We had one Hell of a trip." Blake felt conflicted. If their positions had been flipped, Yang would not let this go so easily and would push her until she answered. Blake wasn't Yang, though. So with a subtle nod, she agreed to put off their chat for now. Only for now. She would bring it up again tomorrow.

"I can't help but notice that our reception is a little barren." Cardin thunked the tip of his mace against the concrete, a displeased frown marring his face. He scanned the rest of the visible grounds, finding no one else from any of their teams present.

Blake nodded and glanced once more at the Arc siblings who were still conversing amongst themselves. "Coco… is likely visiting Fox's grave again." Yatsuhashi didn't react outwardly at all to this news. If anything, he probably expected it. "Velvet went to try and convince her to come see you back… but as you can see-" She gestured vaguely behind herself.

"It's okay." Yatsuhashi gave a slight bow as he walked past them. "I should also go pay my respects. Let them know some of what happened. I shall meet you all later." They watched him go, before Cardin cleared his throat.

"What about my team?" He pointed to himself, for some reason looking dejected that no one had come to see him.

"I never told them anything. If you wanted them to know you were coming back, you should've sent them a message yourself." Cardin winced at the slight bite in Blake's words. For a second, she almost expected him to shoot some kind of insult back, only for him to heft the mace over his shoulder and stalk off.

The only thing her enhanced hearing caught him mutter was a short "Whatever." When he reacted so passively, it actually made her feel a little bad. Was she the one in the wrong in this situation? It was true, Cardin had been a real asshole in the past, but his jeers and aggressive acts had stopped some time ago. Maybe she should apologize to him?

"C-Cardin!" Blake never got the chance, and it was surprisingly Autumn of everyone that called out to him. The orange-haired girl jogged up to the taller man, who looked as astonished as Blake felt.

"Sup?" Cardin looked down at Autumn, who had stopped just in front of him, twirling one of her twintails and grinding the bottom of a heel against the cement.

"I- uhh… just wanted to uhh…" Autumn's green eyes darted back and forth for several awkward moments before she looked back up at him. "Thank you." Cardin recoiled at the word, a dumbfounded look flashing across his face. "Joan told me what you did for her and my brother… and… thanks. That's all." She turned on her heel, running back to her siblings before Cardin could react. For a second, it looked like he might call back out to her. Instead, he settled into a grin full of pride. As he began walking away again, it was with a much more noticeable hop in his step.

Blake knew for sure now she should apologize to Cardin later. She didn't know exactly what he had done, but somehow he had befriended one of Joan's more difficult sisters. Which was something she hadn't been capable of doing. If that wasn't enough proof that he had changed a little, she didn't know what was. With that in mind, she turned back to face the last person not of her team.

"Is Ren with Nora then?" Pyrrha asked as their eyes met.

Blake's lips formed a knowing smirk. "Something like that." The redhead looked confused. Her eyes shifted off the cat faunus for a moment, glancing behind her. As she did, her face shifted into one of pure disbelief.

"Pyrrha! Joan! Welcome back!" The bubbly, energetic voice of their most hyperactive friend called and Blake slowly turned around to see Ren and a now conscious Nora approaching the group.

"When did she-"

"Last night." Blake couldn't help but wonder if Crocea Mors breaking and Nora waking up had been related. It certainly wouldn't surprise her. Even if it had been a coincidence, it was great that she was up to see the return of their leader.

Having spent the better part of the last two weeks in bed, Nora wasn't exactly in walking shape yet. Even in a wheelchair being pushed by Ren, she didn't look any less energetic, waving both arms wildly.

Out of the corner of Blake's eye she saw Joan begin to wobble forward. Knees shook so bad it looked like she might stumble and fall face first at any second. Pyrrha was by her side in an instant, wrapping an arm around either shoulder to help keep her steady. If Joan noticed this, she didn't say anything. Her blue eyes remained wide and transfixed upon their wheelchair bound teammate.

It was understandably a shocking sight. Even if Nora hadn't been in that chair, her hair was buzzed short. It was actually fortunate Joan was seeing her like this now and not the day after. Whole patches of Nora's hair had been gone completely, leaving only exposed scalp. Short hair had already grown back in place, and no longer was she covered in third degree burns. Saying such things wouldn't make Joan feel better, however.

"Nora…" Joan's voice cracked. She reached her teammate and collapsed to her knees. The sound of the impact alone was enough for Blake to flinch, although she doubted anyone else could hear it. Shakily, Joan's hands reached forward and cuffed the top of Nora's head, running them through the buzzed hair. "Nora." She repeated with a choked sob. "I'm so sorry…"

Nora, in perhaps only a way she could in this situation, just continued to give that same megawatt grin while patting Joan roughly on the shoulders. "This isn't your fault, Joan. It was the three of us that messed up!" Those words probably should've sounded hurt, maybe even desperate, but coming from Nora they just sounded chipper and matter-of-fact.

"Your brother tried to tell us what was up. But did we listen? No-siree we did not and this is what happened." Nora shrugged it off. "The important thing is we all learned our lesson and Pyrrha was able to help him save you this time."

"B-but your hair- your legs-"

"My hair will grow back in no time. And I'll be skipping around again by the end of the week. I give you my Nora guarantee!" She emphasised the statement with an enthusiastic thumbs up.

Ren cleared his throat. "I've already prepared all of the most nutritional of ingredients to assist Nora in getting back to her old self." Nora blanched, all of them only too familiar with Ren's… exotic taste in healthy supplements. And Joan, despite herself, gave a small snort of laughter at their usual interaction.

Their team was going to be okay.

"I feel kind of like we're watching something really personal right now…" Ruby poked her index fingers together, eyes darting between the sky and the happy team reunion in front of them. Unlike Blake, the rest of them were probably only able to make out parts of the conversation they were having.

"I mean, they are having it in a pretty public place." Yang had no such shame and was watching the scene unblinkingly.

"We should give them some privacy. They've earned that much." Weiss gave Yang a light slap on the shoulder.

"Fine…" The brawler drawled before turning to Jaune and his sisters. "Hey Lady Killer! I think we're all going to try and catch up on some sleep." It must have really been a long night if Yang was planning on taking a nap in the middle of the day. At her words, even Weiss and Ruby let out long yawns.

"Sounds great." Jaune nodded in agreement and together, the seven of them set off towards RWBY's room. Blake could admit, she hadn't exactly gotten the best sleep of her life, constantly checking to see if there was a call from someone on her team, so a nap didn't sound too bad. Rouge and Autumn must have felt the same because neither of them offered complaint.

Blake sent one last glance at JNPR as they walked past. Somehow, all four of them had managed to get into a group hug around their wheelchair bound teammate. "You sure you don't want to stay with your twin?" She was honestly surprised Jaune was even willing to separate from her at all, having just saved her.

"I think she needs to spend some time with her team right now. We can always catch up later." Jaune shrugged it off, sending his own glance back towards them.

"From what I hear, the two of you caught up plenty…" Yang wiggled her eyebrows sultry, earning a deep blush from him.

"I-I keep telling you it wasn't like that! Joan and I used to share a bed all the time!" Wait, what was this? They weren't possibly talking about… forbidden love?

"Miss Blake, I think your nose is bleeding." The faunus' hands immediately shot to her upper lip, only to find it dry and lacking any blood. She shot a betrayed look at Rouge, who was grinning shyly.

"...Yang is a bad influence on you." She hissed under her breath. It was a miracle no one else had noticed and instead continued on with their own conversation.

"You forget, I have six older sisters, Miss Blake. Miss Yang is actually quite similar to one of them." Just great… Blake couldn't wait until they saved that one. Just what they needed, two Yang's running around.

"Mister Arc!" No sooner did all of them set foot inside the dormitory than did they hear the stern voice of Glynda Goodwitch. The blonde teacher was ahead of them, strolling forward at a brisk pace.

"So much for sleep…" Yang grumbled under breath. Still, it was odd for the teacher to be all the way out here at the dormitories. Especially if her purpose had been to meet them. Jaune didn't appear to mind as he stepped up to the front of the group.

Glynda stopped directly in front of him, adjusting her glasses as she looked down at them all. "I received word from Lily this morning. She says you all were exemplary in helping her bring the situation in Kessel under control. You did a fine job." Whoa, this was the most praise Blake or probably any of them had ever heard come from Goodwitch's mouth. "I also hear you managed to save Joan. You must be relieved to have another sister back."

Jaune scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I kind of wish I had been able to save more this time… but maybe that's asking for too much?"

Goodwitch nodded. "Be pleased with the progress you made. Lily is pitching last night's events as a success to the media. The fact is, an attack by your sisters still happened, but she together with you, proved that the situation is controllable. You may have just instilled some confidence in the people which is necessary to buy you more time." Jaune beamed at her words.

"This is great and all-" Yang stepped forward and interjected herself into the conversation. "-but did you wait here just to tell us all that?" Only she would have the audacity to talk to Goodwitch that way.

Thankfully, it didn't look like that upset her at all. She merely adjusted her glasses again, regarding Yang for a silent second. "No it is not. Forgive me, you must all be tired after last night. The actual reason I am here is because I was showing a couple guests to the room they will be using for their stay." Guests? It was rare for Beacon to get guests that would be using the student dormitories. That hadn't happened since the Vytal Tournament last year.

"In fact-" Goodwitch continued. "One of them came here specifically to meet with you, Mister Arc." All eyes turned to Jaune.

"Me?" He pointed at himself incredulously. Clearly he was just as astounded as the rest of them to have a visitor. Blake had been under the impression he didn't exactly know many people. "Who would come to see me?"

"Jaune!" His question was answered not by Glynda, but by a new voice down the hallway. As the deputy-headmistress stepped aside, a vaguely familiar face was revealed. One that was sprinting right at them.

The name was on the tip of her tongue, but Blake just couldn't quite recall it. She was that girl who she had fought against last year in the Vytal Tournament. Her appearance hadn't changed much, still wearing that purple hoodie with the hood pulled up and mint-green hair poking out. Behind her, not moving quite as fast, was the leader of her team.

Blake was so caught up trying to place a name to her face that she had actually forgotten this girl had called for Jaune until she tackled right into him, wrapping the blonde in what looked like a bone-crushing hug. "You asshole!" She yelled as she held onto him for dear life. "I thought you died!"

"R-Reese…" That was her name! It only clicked after Jaune said it.

"What's going on here?" Yang looked at Jaune and the girl he was hugging, then at everyone else present, and then back to them, as if trying to verify she was seeing things right. A sentiment Blake shared at the moment.

"Her name is Reese Chloris." Surprisingly, it was Rouge who started to fill them in. And Autumn who finished with a bitter bite to her voice.

"Big brother's ex-girlfriend."

Chapter End

I'm going to try something a little different this time around for the omake. A few months ago, I wrote an omake about the sisters' very first mission together. Well, it ended up becoming 6k+ words on me, way too long for a single omake. Plus, with volume three in full swing, I decided to let it sit. With the volume finished now, I've come back to the idea, but have split it into five parts and also made some changes based on things that happened in the Volume. So I hope you enjoy this.

Omake 31

First Mission (Part I)

Autumn closed her eyes and focused.

Light, sounds, the smell of dust, the feel of the hard bedrock beneath her feet, the bitter aftertaste in her mouth; everything vanished as she focused every ounce of concentration into her Semblance.

In a world of pure black, small lights began to appear. At first it was just her sisters. They were all moving into position, slowing creeping through the Dust mines located beneath the streets of Kessel.

Then more lights began flickering. All of the terrified citizens who they had managed to explain the situation to came next. Then she could see faunus militia, hundreds of them. And one small orange flicker: Roman Torchwick. The man they were here to apprehend… and if necessary, kill. Autumn had never personally killed someone. Her weapon was usually used for providing support or taking out supplies.

A small static flickered in her ear as the headset placed inside buzzed to life. "Autumn, what's the status?" The eldest Arc asked, voice tense and impatient. Violet was the leader, but Autumn's role was pivotal as she could monitor all signs of activity and report.

"They don't seem to know we're here yet. I'm still locating all of them, but there appears to be the deepest concentration by Joan and Rouge. Judging by the wavelength of their Aura… I would say they're eating. Probably a mess hall?"

"Copy that, I think we can hear them now." Joan's voice echoed in her ear next. "Should we engage?"

"Not yet." Violet cut in immediately. "We still don't know what kind of artillery they have. This place is way too large to be just some run of the mill Dust excavation or White Fang boot camp. They're hiding something."

"Not very well." Ciel let out a loud whistle and Autumn's head twitched to the side as she almost ripped the ear-piece off. "They've got a whole battalion of Paladins here. I'd say they're stocking up for another invasion. You know, since we screwed up their last one so badly." She hadn't been there the last time the White Fang had pulled something, but she had heard the stories.

Violet had accompanied Joan and her team to Mount Glenn on a simple reconnaissance mission. Apparently the tip had come from some team called RWBY that Joan knew. Regardless, Ozpin had pulled some strings and rigged the mission so Violet could be there as the experienced Huntress leading Joan's team.

What they ended up finding and preventing was the first potential invasion into Vale city. Roman Torchwick was apprehended before he was able to start a train that would have blown a hole right into downtown Vale and let who knew how many Grimm in.

It would've been great if that was the end of it. Things only got more complicated, however, and when all crime in Vale and White Fang activity stopped completely, Violet became paranoid. With Ciel and Amethyst's help, they uncovered the White Fang's second attempt to attack during the finals of the Vytal Tournament.

What none of them had counted on was that mysterious woman who appeared to be the one really pulling the strings. The invasion that time happened because of that unexpected variable. Even so, the losses were brought to a minimum as their older sisters somehow managed to calm the public and reduce what could've been an otherwise massive Grimm incursion.

In the chaos, Roman had managed to slip out of custody, though. And with him, their only lead to that mystery woman. Violet had been assigned as the one to hunt him down and recapture him. A mission she was taking very personally. Which brought them all the way out here to Vale's furthest successful colony, all seven of the Arc sisters now.

"It would be bad if they got into those Paladins." She could picture Violet rubbing her chin as she contemplated their options. "If Joan and Rouge cut off their troops in the mess hall would there not be enough to operate them?"

"I don't think it would make much difference." Autumn could tell that there would be no feasible way to keep everyone from getting into at least a fair number of paladins. "The greatest concentration is in the mess hall, but I would say it's only about one hundred of them at most. There's at least another odd two or three hundred wandering the other parts of the facility. And at least a two dozen are already in the room with the paladins."

"Ah, just leave those chumps to me." Ciel certainly sounded relaxed anyways. Especially since she was by herself in a room full of Paladins.

"Have you located Torchwick yet?" Violet didn't appear to argue with her which meant she must have had some confidence in her abilities then.

"I did." Autumn nodded, despite the fact that Violet couldn't see her. "He's located in what I would guess is the lowest level of the facility. There's only one way to him, judging by the map layout." Which also meant he only had one way out.

"Got it. I'm heading there now."

"He's got quite a bit of security, and they don't seem like pushovers judging by their Aura reserves." Autumn didn't really doubt her eldest sister, but you could never be too cautious.

"Nothing my illusions cannot handle." Olivia spoke for the first time. "Although that teleporter worries me. Have you noticed any sign of her yet?"

That was the most distressing part of this whole thing. That teleporter was their biggest threat but she had yet to make so much as a speck on Autumn's radar. She was the reason Roman had escaped Violet twice more already. "Not yet. But I'll keep looking." Fortunately, her Aura was the most noticeable and if Autumn got even the slightest glimpse of it she would be able to trace her, no matter where she went.

"Alright. We're in position." Violet and Olivia were now practically right on top of Torchwick's Aura signal. "Everyone clear on their roles?"

"Yes ma'am!" All six of the other sisters corresponded together.

"Good. We begin on your signal, Autumn."

She sucked in a deep breath and opened her green eyes. She had been crouched on the ground and as she stood up, the chains of Luteus Oblido jingle behind her. She looked down at the gauntlets encompassing her hands.

Orange lightning sparked to life around the edges and she felt the chains lift as energy surged through them. It was now or never.

Streaks of lightning fired from the links in the chains and rocketed into the sky. As they reached the peak of their ascent they bent and curved back towards the ground. They struck the earth and burrowed through it without resistance, heading towards the Paladins.

Even from high above ground she could feel the explosions as her lightning made quick work of so many of the stolen mechs.

Their plan had officially begun and the battle was on.