Chapter 37: Team RWBY Assemble!
The following day, everyone returned to the Rigorm household and discussed about their training. Everyone grew much stronger than before and felt like they could take on anything. After breakfast and getting ready for the day, everyone set off for the Round Table Arena to show off the results of their training with a little tournament. While they were walking, Roland noticed Scarla and Ella hanging around Ruby and Yang. He smiled at seeing all of them getting along, despite having a rough start. As they came into town, there was some commotion. Some of the knights of the city were rushing towards the gate, giving Roland an uneasy feeling. He flagged down one of the knights and asked, "What's going on?"
"An intruder got past the guards at the gate and entered the city!" the knight replied. "Backup was called for!"
"Lead on!" Roland motioned for everyone else to follow him. The knight led them to the city plaza and to where the commotion was coming from. Several other knights had their weapons drawn and charged at the intruder, only to be knocked back. Roland drew his sword and rushed at the attacker but stopped once he saw who the intruder was. He smelled a familiar scent of liquor and commanded the other knights to stand down. Ruby and Yang then rushed over and said, "Uncle Qrow!" giving him a hug.
"Hey there kids," Qrow replied. "It's good to see you."
"Hey, wait, why were you fighting these guys?" Yang asked.
"They thought I was an enemy and wouldn't let me in. I got real annoyed at that, especially after the names they called me."
"You'll have to explain yourself to my father," Roland chimed in as he walked over to Qrow.
"Hmph. Tell your damn guards to remember who I am after all I did to help," Qrow replied.
"Regardless, you still fought them and hurt some of them, and that will require a word with my father if you wish not to be prosecuted."
"Fine, have it your way."
The others joined in greeting Qrow. "Since you've returned," Ren said. "I take it you've deciphered the data?"
"Yep," Qrow replied. "I'll explain what I found at Roland's house, but before I forget, I didn't come back alone."
"Huh?" Ruby asked. "Who'd you bring with you Uncle Qrow?" Before Qrow answered a familiar, sort of shrill female voice was heard. "Ugh! We could have just waited!" the voice said. "Winter's right about you Qrow! You're nothing but-" The voice stopped as the girl speaking came into view with her familiar white hair, but she was wearing a silver dress. Ruby, Yang and Blake looked surprised to see the final member of their team: Weiss Schnee. "Weiss!" the three of them exclaimed as they rushed to greet their friend.
"Ruby, Blake, Yang!" she exclaimed back and the four of them entered a group hug.
After they separated, Ruby squealed with delight. "Ohmygosh! I missed you so much Weiss!" she said.
"Naturally," Wiess replied, with her usual aristocratic tone. "And I missed you three as well!"
"Aw, how nice," Yang said.
"It's wonderful to see you again Weiss," Blake said.
"Yay! Team RWBY is back together again!" Ruby cheered. Everyone else also came to greet Weiss, even Oscar, who eventually got introduced. Weiss was also astonished to hear about Blake and Sun. "What?! The two of you?" Weiss asked.
Blake blushed and Sun put his arm around her and said, "Yep!"
"Hmph. I STILL don't know about you!" she retorted.
"Not just Blake and Sun," Ren chimed in as he glanced at Nora.
"Wait, you two are- "Weiss replied.
"We're not together-together," Nora replied modestly but then brightened up and grabbed Ren. "We're together-together-TOGETHER!"
Roland and Qrow simply watched the joy unfold for everyone upon seeing Weiss once again. Roland then joined in and approached Weiss. "So, you're Weiss Schnee. I've heard a lot about you from Ruby, Yang, and Blake. Also, who hasn't heard of the famed heiress of the Schnee Dust Company?" Roland then bowed and said, "It's an honor to meet you. I am Roland Rigorm, personal friend of your team."
Weiss was impressed by Roland's dignified introduction. She smiled and said while curtseying, "Roland, the honor is mine. I can already see we'll get along. At least SOMEBODY here has class!"
Everyone groaned at the condescending statement. "Aaaand now I don't miss you anymore," Ruby said.
Weiss then looked sad and said, "Though, you'll have to correct your statement about me, Roland. I'm no longer the heiress of the Schnee Dust Company…"
Everyone looked at her, completely shocked. "WHAT?!" Ruby exclaimed.
"When did this happen?" Blake asked.
"It's…a long story," Weiss replied.
"In that case, why don't we all go somewhere and catch up?" Yang suggested. "We have a lot to tell you too!"
"Yeah! Let's do that!" Ruby said. Everyone else was in agreement and they all headed to the nearest café to talk. Yang noticed Roland hang back with Qrow, followed by a signal to Oscar to also hang back. "Roland, aren't you coming?" Yang asked.
"You go on ahead Yang," Roland replied. "Spend time with your friend. I have details to discuss with your uncle, and I want Ozpin to be there as well." Roland then turned to Oscar, "Sorry Oscar."
"No, it's alright," Oscar replied. "I'll go."
"Alright then," Yang replied. "See ya later Roland!" She then caught up with everyone else and continued. Roland, Oscar, and Qrow then returned to the Rigorm household where they joined Dak and Lilina in the living room. Scarla and Ella joined Roland on the couch, sitting on either side of him. Dak was initially angry at Qrow's actions at the gate but the two sorted the matter out. Qrow then said, "Now on to business. As you know, I managed to decipher the data we acquired at Haven Academy." Everyone leaned in close to hear what Qrow had to say. "First off," Qrow continued. "Apparently Cinder did indeed attend Haven Academy when she was younger, and displayed prodigious skill. She was so skilled that she graduated in two years, half the time it would normally take. However, while there, Lionheart noticed some troubling things about her. She was very fascinated by the maidens and the relics and sought to learn all there was to know about them. What's even scarier is how she even knew of them in the first place since all of that information was kept on a need-to-know basis. Obviously, she displayed an unhealthy interest in power. Where she met and joined with Salem is unclear and her actions after she graduated were unknown."
"Hmm," Roland replied. "So we at least know she came from Haven. Why didn't Lionheart tell anyone?"
"He might have thought it was too small of a thing to worry about, but I think the fool was too scared to do anything."
"Was that all you uncovered?" Dak asked.
"No there's more," Qrow replied, "and it's even more troubling. I found communications between Lionheart and Watts about surrendering the relic, which is no surprise. I did find a message that basically said he was surrendering the relic in order to save the people of Haven and Mistral. He was too shortsighted to see the long-term picture: he may have saved them now but doomed them later." Qrow paused to get out his flask and took a drink and then put it away. "Anyways, that's not the worst of it. Lionheart at least did something right: by communicating with Watts, he managed to hack into enemy communications and uncover their plan. He planned on passing this information to everyone else to warn them of what's coming, and kept the data heavily encrypted to keep it out of the enemy's reach."
"What's their plan?" Roland asked.
Qrow paused for a moment and said. "First off, Cinder has been training and mastered her new powers, and she's heading back to Beacon to launch a final assault against Vale. She'll begin by reawakening the dragon Ruby froze at the top of Beacon Tower." Everyone was shocked by what they heard. "What?!" Roland asked, still shocked.
"Is that bad big brother?" Ella asked him.
"Yes, Ella, that's very bad," Roland said. He turned to Qrow and asked, "What's the status back at Beacon?"
"The same as it was before," Qrow replied. "It still hasn't been retaken: it's as if the Grimm won't stop coming."
"I was afraid you were going to say that," Roland said. "If Cinder launches an attack from there and releases that dragon, Vale will surely fall. If that happens, Vacuo will be vulnerable from attack since Vale will no longer be a buffer for them. Then, if Vacuo falls, Atlas will be the only kingdom left and they're not doing themselves any favors by remaining isolated from the rest of Remnant. Then, if all four kingdoms fall, the relics will be in Salem's hand, and there will be no safe place left in Remnant."
"Yeah, you hit that on the nose," Qrow said. "I've already shared this with Glynda and she's issued a call for reinforcements, which is why I've come back here. Is Ruby ready?"
"Ozpin says she's also mastered her powers," Oscar chimed in. "I've also gotten stronger too." He lifted up Ozpin's cane and three prongs came out of the end, like a pitchfork. "This is what I'm used to."
"Heh, not bad Oz," Qrow said.
"Everyone else has grown stronger as well," Roland reported. "We're ready for battle as well."
"You can count on us to help as well," Dak chimed in. "I'll rally our knights. It's time we once again do our part to protect the people of Vale."
"Scarla, Ella," Roland said. "Could you two find the others and bring them back here? Qrow will get them up to speed on everything, and we'll all need to make preparations immediately. Qrow, I'll need a map of Beacon so I can form a strategy. Do we know when the enemy will strike?"
"Not sure yet, but from what I've heard, only a few days from now." Qrow replied, handing Roland a chip containing a map of Beacon.
"Then it's even more important that we move quickly," Roland said. "If you need me, I'll be in my room." Roland then got up and headed upstairs to form a strategy.
"I think on that note, we should get going," Qrow said. Dak, and his daughters then left the house to run their errands and Lilina began to gather supplies for everyone for the upcoming journey.
After about an hour, everyone returned and Qrow explained everything he learned, which shocked everyone. "What?! No way!" Yang exclaimed.
"This is…unreal," Blake said.
"And you kept this from me the entire time?!" Weiss snapped at Qrow.
"No, not Vale," Ruby said. "Not our home…"
"We have to do something!" Jaune protested.
"Calm down," Qrow instructed. "Dak is already gathering the forces here and Glynda is calling for reinforcements. Roland is also coming up with a plan as we speak. What I need everyone else to do is get ready for the journey back to Vale and to be ready for battle. Understood?"
Everyone complied and set off to make preparations. Yang went upstairs with Scarla and Ella to check on Roland. While everyone else left, Jaune went out to the gazebo and sat down to think. Weiss saw him and followed him outside. "Hey Jaune," Weiss said. "Mind if I join you?"
"Oh, hey Weiss," Jaune replied. "Please, sit." Weiss sat down beside Jaune and took a look at him. She noticed something different about him: he looked like he had more power behind his eyes and carried himself like a true warrior. Also, she could see that he still carried the pain of losing Pyrrha around with him. "So, Weiss," Jaune said. "Why are you even sitting with me? You never did this before."
"Well, my father took me back home immediately after what happened at Beacon, so I couldn't say anything to anyone," Weiss replied. "I also never got to tell you how sorry I was about Pyrrha."
"Thanks Weiss. I'm doing…better."
"Furthermore, you seem different than before. It's like you have more power behind your eyes, like you're a true huntsman now."
"Well, I'm not sure about that, but I do have Roland to thank for my growth. He trained me and helped me get stronger."
"Everyone talks about him. He seems to be quite the huntsman."
"More than you know: he not just skilled in battle be he's a kind and loyal friend and the best tactician I've ever seen. Overall, he's a true leader, and someone I wish to be like someday."
"I see you're quite attached to him too."
"He's like the brother I never had and he's suffered the same pain I have."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Ask him and he'll tell you. It's better if he tells the story."
"He's mysterious as well as being a warrior and tactician. I'll have to get to the bottom of this. I must know who he is!"
"You could try asking Yang. She and Roland have been together about a couple of months now."
Weiss was surprised upon hearing that. "What?! She didn't say anything to me about that!"
"I guess she got wrapped up with seeing you again and with everything else that's been going on. It must've slipped her mind."
"Now how does that work out?! The two of them seem to be polar opposites!"
"Actually, they have a bit in common, and despite being opposites, they do make a good couple."
"Hmph! I'm going to have a chat with Yang later!"
Jaune chucked at Weiss' reaction and the two sat in silence for a while. Then Jaune asked, "So how are you doing? I mean, you did lose your inheritance."
Weiss looked down and said, "I'll…I'll be fine. My inheritance means nothing if all of Remnant falls to these ne'er-do-wells. Besides, I have friends who need me, so all of this business with my family can wait. It's still hard to process though."
"I understand. Not only that, but now we have the biggest battle of our lives ahead of us. To be honest, I'm scared, but knowing that I don't have to face this alone soothes me. Besides, I can't sit around and do nothing while our enemies threaten to take away all that I love! That already happened to me once, and I won't let it happen again!"
Weiss paused and looked at Jaune. He wasn't the same goofball as he was back at Beacon. Everything that he went through truly shaped him into a mature warrior and young man. She began to admire his growth and the man he had now become. "Then, I'll do what I can to help as well!" she confidently said to him. "Come on! We have preparations to make!"
"Yeah!" The two of them stood up and went into town to gather supplies. Roland, Yang, Scarla, and Ella watched Jaune and Weiss from Roland's bedroom window. Roland looked at Yang and said, "Hmm, they look cute together. What do you think?"
"You took the words right out of my mouth," she replied. "He did have a crush on her back at Beacon, before Pyrrha."
"Is that so? I wonder how this will turn out." Scarla and Ella giggled as they watched Jaune and Weiss leave together. Roland then reactivated the virtual map of Beacon and resumed forming a strategy.