Pov: Yang
"How much further, pal?" I asked as we drove down the path.
"This should just about do it." The man said.
I stopped my bike at a clearing.
"You wait here. I'll go up ahead and make sure the coast is clear." He said as he dismounted from the bike and ran into the bushes. I shook my head in annoyance and discarded my sunglasses, sleeve and coat tails before stretching a little. I pulled out the sword and stared at it. I wiped my right hand across the blade when suddenly, someone shot a gun and I blocked the shot with my arm. The shady guy reappeared with several bandits in tow, weapons drawn.
"I can't believe you were dumb enough to let me lead you here."
"Is this everyone?" I asked as I put the sword back on my hip.
"Yes, little lady. This is it. Well, unless you count the whole rest of the camp back that way." He gestured behind him with his thumb. I pointed a finger in the same direction.
"That way?" I asked.
"Yes. That way." The man said, confused.
"Good to know. Thanks." I said.
"Now to pay me back for this tooth, we're going to take your bike, then you're going to give us that sword, then you're going to take your lumps." He said.
I engaged Ember Celica on my left arm.
"Try and take it." I said.
The bandits get cautious and kept their weapons trained on me.
"You got the jump on me last time, sweetheart. But you really ought to think twice about fighting all—" he was cut off when I engaged the gun on my robotic arm. The rest of the bandits gasped.
"Alright… Get her!" The man yelled.
The bandits attacked… but it didn't take long to beat them. After the fight, I felt my left hand shaking once again, but I calmed down before walking back to my motorcycle.
"Who are you? It doesn't even matter. When Raven finds out what you did, you're dead!" He said.
"Possibly. But I doubt it. I am her daughter, after all." I said.
"I'm dead." His eyes widened as he fell to the ground.
Pov change: Ryuki
I jumped up and swung my staff on Satoshi, who grabbed it and threw me towards Tatsumi and Sydney, who jumped off of me to swipe at Tatsumi who grabbed her and swung her up in the air. Satoshi jumped at Sydney and swung his Grimm claws at her but she flipped in the air and kicked him in the chest, knocking him to the ground. Tatsumi swung at me, but I side stepped and shot at Tatsumi, who activated his semblance. Sydney landed and shot at Tatsumi. He charged at her and tackled her before throwing her at me. We hit each other and landed.
"Ha and Tatsumi takes the go-"
Satoshi ran in and delivered a kick to Tatsumi's hip, sending him flying.
"Alright… I think that's enough for now." Qrow said.
We all got up and walked to him.
"Tatsumi, you can't rely on your semblance to save you. Sydney, while you are quick on your feet, you can't let yourself be grabbed. Ryuki, when you swing down with the staff, you offer an opening. Satoshi, you need to know how to conserve your energy since you lack aura for the time being." Qrow said.
We all nodded.
"Alright, go see the others." Qrow said.
We walked to the others and saw Oscar and Ruby training hand to hand combat whilst Jaune, Nora and Ren were looking on.
"Man, Oz wasn't kidding. Oscar's picking up on this stuff fast." Jaune said.
Oscar hit Ruby straight in the face. Ruby recoiled from the blow and looked visibly angry.
"Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry!" Oscar said.
Ruby hit Oscar back and he landed a few feet away on the ground as Jaune and Nora winced.
"Ha! Yes! I did it!" Ruby cheered.
I jumped and clapped.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Oscar asked.
Oscar groaned and got to his feet. He stiffened briefly while his eyes glow in a yellow light, becoming ozpin.
"Not bad, Miss Rose. But Oscar doesn't have the years of training that you do. Or I do." Ozpin said.
We all realized what Ruby is in for. Oscar determinedly approached Ruby.
"Oh, ha, well, maybe we should uh... take a break." Ruby said.
Ozpin attacked Ruby with a few punches aimed at her head, forcing her onto the defensive until he landed a blow to her face which knocked her back several feet. Ozpin closed the gap with a leap and kicked her in the face. Ruby leapt at Ozpin to threw a left cross which Ozpin evaded by ducking and retaliated with a headbutt from below.
"Ouch." Nora said.
I placed my hands on my mouth, worried.
"The next time you want to throw a left cross, remember to push off with the appropriate foot. And as always, do be aware of any openings."
"Gooooot it." Ruby groaned.
I ran up and handed Ruby some water.
"Thanks." Ruby smiled.
Ozpin relinquished his control and Oscar fell to the ground, panting.
"Oh! Hey. Are you okay?" Ruby asked.
"How is this so exhausting?" Oscar asked.
"Your body isn't used to this kind of training, not to mention generating a defensive Aura on your own. It takes intense concentration at first, but in time it will become second nature, allowing you to deflect attacks and gradually heal your wounds. After that, you can begin focusing on your Semblance, whatever that may be." Ren said.
"Semblance?"
"You know! Like your very own superpower! Everybody's got one. It's just a matter of finding it and mastering it. Ruby moves super fast, Electricity makes me stronger, Ren can mask emotions, Ryuki can levitate stuff, Satoshi can grow Grimm arms, Sydney can turn invisible, Tatsumi can form armor, and Jaune... can, uh, um. Hmm." Nora said.
"I can't do anyth—" jaune began.
"Jaune's like you!" Ruby said.
Ruby took Oscar by the hand and leads him over to Jaune.
"He hasn't found his Semblance yet, but we all know he will. And you will, too. We all just have to try and help each other get stronger." Ruby said.
"Cool."
"A common philosophy is that a warrior's Semblance is a part of who they are. Some say your personality and character can define your Semblance while some claim that it is the other way around. Of course, there are still many who don't see a connection at all."
"It's hard to know when you know sometimes. Ren's Semblance was unlocked from intense stress."
"And mine kicked in during training one day."
'I learned it when someone attacked me.' I said.
"Mine… is personal." Satoshi said.
Sydney looked away.
"My formed during training as well." Tatsumi said.
"And what about you?" He asked Nora.
"Oh. Struck by lightning. Didn't die. Craaaazy Thursday." Nora said.
"I just don't understand what's wrong with me. I train. I meditate." Jaune said.
Oscar's eyes glowed momentarily as Ozpin took control of his body again.
"Don't worry, Mr. Arc. Your journey is far from over. And the same might be said for all of you. Unlocking your Semblance isn't the end. It can still grow and evolve. Providing you're willing to put in the work, who knows what could happen."
"Then let's get back to it." Ruby said.
Pov change: Yang
I finally entered the camp, escorted by a few bruised bandits who I roughed up earlier. I noticed more bandits lining up along the path, giving angry glares at me. A girl stepped out of the tent to see what the commotion is about. My escorts and I arrived at the camp's main tent. Mom then emerged from it with her mask on.
"Mom." I said.
She took off her mask and stared at me.
"Yang. So, after all this time you finally decided to visit me." She said.
I felt my left hand shaking once again, but used my robotic hand to calm it down.
"You know that I searched for you. I spent years looking for you."
"And you've found me. You were patient, determined, and strong enough to make your dream a reality. Well done, Yang. But did you have to be so rough with my men?" Raven asked.
"I didn't want a fight. They started it." I said.
"Well, you certainly finished it." Mom said.
Silence.
"Right. I'm sure this is all very overwhelming. But I must admit that you've proven yourself. So any questions you have I'll be happy to answer. You can stay with us tonight. I'll even have the cooks whip up something for you."
"That's not why I am here." I said.
"What was that?" Mom asked.
"I'm not here for you. Ruby is somewhere in Mistral. She's with Qrow, and she's going to need my help. I just need you to take me to her."
"And why would I do that?" Mom asked.
"Because we're family." I said.
"Family. Only coming around when they need something. I have to say, I'm disappointed. After all, you found me, didn't you? Why not take that drive and use it to find your little sister if she means that much to you?"
"Because you're going to save me time. Ruby was heading to Mistral, but there's no guarantee she's made it there. Looking for her in Anima could take ages. But… Dad told me how your Semblance works."
"Tai…"
"You can bond to certain people. And when you do, you could create a portal that takes you straight to them. You've got one for Dad. One for me. And you've got one for Qrow. He promised me he'd watch out for Ruby before he left. And I trust him. So, make a portal to my uncle and sister, and I'll be on my way."
"You know, it takes real strength to march in here and demand such a favor of me. I've got to say, I'm impressed. It's very noble to want to help out your sister. But if she's with Qrow, then she's already a lost cause."
"What does that mean?"
"You don't want to get mixed up in all of that, Yang. Ozpin is not the man you think he is. And Qrow is a fool for trusting him. I would know, I trusted him once, too."
"I don't care what you think." I said.
"Your choice is your own. All I'm suggesting is that instead of getting wrapped up in something too big for you, for any of us, that maybe you take a moment to wonder if you're already where you belong."
"Save your breath. You can spout off whatever you want, but nothing is going to keep me from my sister." Mom said.
She looked at me and seemed to notice something.
"Where'd you get the sword from?" She asked.
I looked at it before placing my hand on it.
"It's a gift." I said.
"I can tell the difference between a gift and a memento." Raven said. "Who's was it?"
"Someone I cared about." I said.
"Well, aren't you stubborn." Mom said.
"I get it from my mom." I said.
"Well, if that's how you feel, then it sounds like we're done here. Take her away." Mom said.
The bandits surrounded and began to move in on me. I saw this, before turning my head back to mom.
"Did you not hear me? I said send me to Qrow, damn it!" I said.
"That's enough! You watch your mouth in front of our leader!" A bandit said.
"Make me." I said.
A bandit tried to attack me, but I punched him into a tent, revealing Weiss in a cage.
"Yang?" Weiss asked.
"Weiss?" I replied.
Suddenly a giant white figure grew so big, it destroyed the cage. Weiss quickly made her way towards me, with the now giant figure following close behind.
"What is that?" I asked.
"Don't worry about it. What are you doing here?" Weiss asked.
"Well, that's my mom and she can take us to Ruby." I said.
"Your mom kidnapped me?!" Weiss asked.
"You kidnapped her?!" I asked.
We almost fought again when a lightning bolt hit the ground.
"Enough!" The girl yelled.
"Thank you." Mom said to the girl. "If you people don't keep it together this place will be crawling with Grimm." She said to us. "Give the girl her weapon back."
The looked surprised at the command, but tossed the rapier to Weiss.
"You two. In my tent. Now." Mom said.
"Why?" I asked.
"If you're really going after your sister, then you need to know the truth." Mom said.
Mom entered her tent and the bandits went back to their own businesses. Weiss placed her hand on her chest in relief.
"Sorry about-" I began
Weiss dropped her rapier and strongly hugged Yang.
"I missed you so much." Weiss said.
"I've missed you, too." I said.
She looked at my hip.
"You kept his sword…" Weiss said.
I looked at the sword and sighed.
"It helps…" I said.
"I miss him too." Weiss said.
"Hey are you two coming?" The girl asked.
We walked over and into the tent to hear what mom has to say.
