Original concept by Korra
Written by MechaG11

Part One: The World of Remnant Arc
-Chapter 8: A New Way

"How can anyone be safe with her around?!" questioned a huntress in an accusatory tone. "The Regime needs protectors, and most importantly: professionals. It's a wonder that any of you trainees were allowed here." She stands before Team RWBY in a pavilion, surrounded by volunteers visiting for the Regime recruitment center. Her upset caught the attention of more than a few onlookers.

"That is hardly fair." Weiss replies.

Ruby chimes in. "Yeah, and leave my sister alone."

The huntress crosses her arms. "Your sister attacked that boy at the tournament in a fit of anger. The Regime can't afford to let loose cannons like her pose a risk to the other huntsman, let alone the standard personnel. "

Ruby was about to say something, but Yang quietly stops her. She looks Ruby in the eyes reassuringly. "I can defend myself."

The huntress scoffs. "Yes, you've demonstrated that quite well when you shot that boy's leg out."

Yang tenses up, but knew that nothing she could say would dissuade the huntress to believe her side of the story. The assumption of what happened that night had solidified in the minds of anyone who didn't know Yang. She sighed. "I'm not going to make excuses. I came here at the request of General Ironwood himself."

"And that's supposed to mean something?" the Huntress replies. "You expect me to trust you with my life just like that?"

"I would trust her." states Ironwood, walking onto the scene unexpectedly.

"General Ironwood…" the Huntress says, visibly surprised.

Ironwood stands beside Team RWBY. "Miss Xiao Long made a very public mistake. That much is certain. I ask however that you look closer." He gestures to Yang's prosthetic arm. "One dark night chaos struck in Vale, one huntress dared to face death itself. She paid dearly for it, as you can all see. She sacrificed her own flesh, spilt her own blood, just to save a life." While this much attention being drawn to her arm made Yang a bit anxious about her physical condition, she understood the point the General was trying to illustrate.

Ironwood looks to the rest of the crowd. "It's a sacrifice I would gladly make for all of you. Her heroism may not have been publicized, but I hope it's one example that you will all put to mind here." He looks the huntress in the eyes. "I hope my stance has quelled any confusion for my decision. Now, if you will excuse me." He turns to Yang bidding her farewell with a brief "Miss Xiao Long." before walking away.

Team RWBY and the huntress watch Ironwood leave. Yang then turns to the huntress. "I'm not asking for forgiveness. I just…want a chance to do my part." The huntress squints at her, sighs, and then leaves without saying anything. It was a cold and unresolved response, but Yang expected as much. She knew full well she wasn't going to win back any opinions fighting for it here. A moment after the ordeal, she suddenly feels her left hand being held firmly.

The culprit, Blake, stood by Yang's side. "I hope that I can do my part too. I promise I won't mess it up like last time." she says. It was subtle, but Yang managed to spot Blake's ears going down a bit under her bow.

Yang smiles at Blake, "You being here right now, I think it's enough." Blake's ears perk back up and she smiles back at Yang. The Faunus felt reassured after hearing those words. A moment passes, before it starts to become an awkward pause. "I- Um…is it okay if I can I have my hand back now?"

Blake goes wide-eyed realizing what she was doing. "Oh! Uh…yeah! Sorry." she says embarrassed while letting go of Yang's hand.

Ruby butts in. "Yeah Blake, now it's my turn to have my emotional supporting moment with Yang!" She takes her sister's metal hand with both of hers. The girl's joking smile changes to minor shock as she retracts her hands away from Yang's prosthetic. "Ah! That's cold!"

Weiss puts her hand to Blake's shoulder. "Seriously though, I'm glad you're here. I'd hate to think of what would've happened if you were wandering who-knows-where by yourself."

"I can handle myself just fine." Blake noted, wrapping her arms around herself.

"I don't doubt that." Weiss replied. "I'm worried more about your…crazy, ex-boyfriend."

That was an uncomfortable label to give him. While Blake couldn't deny her past with Adam, any positive feelings she may have had of that man were muddled by her traumatic experiences with him. She looks at Yang's arm, and then covers the scar on her stomach at the thought. "I- I wouldn't call him a boyfriend."

Weiss crosses her arms. "After what he did, I don't blame you."

Ruby pounds her fist. "All the more reason to kick his butt together, right?!"

Just then a call goes over the pavilion's speaker system, requesting that all registered Regime Huntsmen report to General Ironwood at once in a specific numbered room within the building.

"Speaking of which…" uttered Weiss. " We might just get our chance sooner than expected."

Blake turns over to Yang, confused by what Weiss meant by that remark. Yang just briefly shrugs in response.

"Oh right, don't worry!" Ruby says. "You guys will both be caught up once we report to the General. C'mon!" She gestures to the three of them and they start towards the room they were called to.

Salem lay in the endless void, blanketed by complete darkness. Her body floated, yet felt firmly rooted in place. On the surface she was cold, yet comfortable while enveloped by the ocean of black around her. Inside it she could hear nothing. It was a sense of…peace she long dreamed of in her millennia of living. Questioning nothing, she chose only to bask in it.

"Longing?" whispers a voice. "What is this thing that permeates your slumbering mind?"

"A comfort unknown to me." Salem whispers back. "I have not felt a stillness so absolute. A peace to deafen all on the outside. Is this…?"

"Death?" whispered the voice. "This is the thing that you desire?"

Salem spoke gently. "Once, so long ago…" She barely opens her eyes, recalling the days where she once strove to wrest herself from the fate that the gods cursed her with. Her eyes rest once more. "I fear its embrace was forever lost to me. Now, I only dream of it."

"Such lamentation in your breath…to be denied of that right is…inadmissible." it whispered in response.

Salem continues. "For now…I've no choice but to resign to my fate." She then stares into the void. "There is little else to do."

"Such certainty, but…perhaps it must first find you…" replied the voice. Its whispers fade away.

Salem turns to face the voice. The blackness retreats in an instant as her vision is cast into surroundings of colors and light. She eyes only her bed chambers, and no stranger to be found. A dream…it was only a dream she thought. It was not an uncommon occurrence for her to drift into thoughts she had dwelled on in long past. Tonight was no different from then. Still, her mind wandered. The state she found herself in, despite being the mere conjured up fantasy of a dream, was one she quite fancied. Being cast into such a vivid experience served only to remind her of the allure she once felt several millennia ago. Perhaps one day she will discover the secret to unlocking her final peace. One day…

Atlesian soldiers stand guard, posted outside of a meeting room. A couple dozen Huntsmen, including Team RWBY, occupy the room in wait. All currently registered huntsmen appeared for Ironwood's summons. After a few minutes, the General enters the room. He is escorted by several Atlesian infantrymen who stand guard at the door, as well as specialist Winter Schnee. The door shuts behind them after they enter.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice." Ironwood greeted to the rest of the Huntsmen. "Such a summons was necessary after what has recently come to light. I'm sure some of you are not exactly accustomed to how the Atlesian style of doing things. You should know, what you're about to be shown is information of the utmost secrecy." He pans his gaze, looking to all the huntsmen present. "Word of this must not leave this room." Various members of the small crowd look at each other, others nod in understanding.

Walking towards a round table in the middle of the room, Ironwood allows the table to scan his scroll. Tapping into the scroll's files, the table produces several holographic images. The main hologram is a photo of Haven Academy, along with what appears to be detailed plans providing routes of entry and specific points of interest.

Ironwood points to the graphics. "One of my teams managed to recover this information from a White Fang hideout after intercepting their operations in Vale. The White Fang's operations have been quiet as of late. At first we weren't quite sure of their aim, considering the strange movements we have been tracking. That was until we recovered communications between a Lieutenant and their new leader." He presses a button, prompting holographic photos of several White Fang members to appear over the table.

Across the room, Blake questioned what she had just heard. The White Fang's new leader? Who could it have been? Last she recalled Sienna Khan was the current high leader. Her heart sank as she spotted the holo-photo of Adam hovering above the other White Fang images. The information listed confirms her fears. How could this have happened? She questioned to herself. Sienna took part in missions on the front lines, sure, but Blake couldn't help but wonder if Sienna's removal was Adam's doing. Did he want power that much?

Just then, Blake caught something out of the corner of her eye. She looks down to her right, seeing Yang's left arm shaking. Looking at Yang's face, her expression carried a hint of unease. Her breathing seemed off as well. Did seeing Adam's face cause this reaction in her? In that moment, Blake acts almost on instinct. She quietly takes Yang's hand. The blonde is surprised for a second, and looks at Blake. She is met by a mixed look of concern and confusion. Blake mouths the words "breathe" to her friend. Yang listened, and steadied herself as by slowly regulating her breaths. Blake hadn't seen Yang have that sort of reaction before, causing her some worry. She can only assume that what she did helped, considering Yang's grip around her grew a bit firm in that moment. Eventually she eased up.

While that moment was going on, Ironwood continued his explanation of events. "We have ascertained that their previous leadership, Sienna Khan, has now been replaced by Adam Taurus. Based on our records and firsthand accounts, he is dangerous. We're lead to believe he is possibly more of a radical than Sienna herself. Under Taurus' command the White Fang has been moving large numbers of troops and dust supplies stolen months ago from Vale are being relocated near Haven Academy."

"A terrorist attack?" asks a huntsman.

"Precisely." Ironwood answered. "We believe they aim to cause enough damage to cease all functions in the school."

A huntress spoke up, asking "Then why keep this information a secret? Shouldn't we inform Headmaster Lionheart of the attack?"

Ironwood's tone becomes somber. "Unfortunately, the communications we recovered brought some disturbing information to light. We have reason to believe that Headmaster Lionheart himself may be involved with the attack."

Gasps and muttering can be heard throughout the room as the huntsmen exchange glances.

A former Haven student speaks up. "That can't be. Professor Lionheart would never do that!"

"I don't want to believe it either." Ironwood replied. "But based on what these communications indicate, we can only assume for the moment that this is true. This is why we will be moving to intercept the White Fang in secret. I will be questioning Lionheart myself when this is all over."

Winter steps forward. "This will be our first official mission as the Regime's hunstmen corps. Our numbers should be sufficient for this task."

Ironwood chimes in. "But as we go in, expect to not receive assistance from Haven. We may be fighting the White Fang alone."

"And if our worst fears are confirmed, we may face off against Haven as well." added Winter.

A huntsman shakes his head. "Will our teams be enough to handle a skirmish against the combined numbers of the White Fang and Haven?"

"Our forces will be assisted by the heroes." Ironwood answered. "With their help we can assure certain victory against almost any odds." Expressions change across the room. Much of the uncertainty among the Hunstmen was dispelled now knowing they'd be backed by such powerful allies.

Winter starts to explain the rest of the details. "The attack will take place within four days. We will be moving out in two, and take off by airship during the night disguised as a cargo ship. Once there we will deploy two teams to key positions to intercept the enemy forces. Our aim is to stop the attack, and capture their leader alive. We will force any additional resistance into surrender if they do not comply."

Blake was scared of the thought. While most White Fang members would see to reason, she worried about what Adam might do in the event that he was cornered. Would he retaliate? Perhaps make his escape while others stayed behind to cover for him. She couldn't be certain. In the end, he needed to be apprehended. That idea was at least satisfactory for her, and guaranteed to stop any further violence down the line if successful.

"Any questions?" asks Ironwood. The room was silent. "Very good. See to it that you are prepared by the next two days, and remember: This is all confidential. No one can know of this."

"Yes sir!"answered a majority of the Huntsmen.

"Dismissed." Ironwood says. He removes his scroll, deactivating the hologram over the table. The doors open, allowing everyone to leave. Among the many Hunstmen exiting the room, unknown to Team RWBY, was Jaune.

Walking alongside the huntsmen exiting the briefing room, Jaune spots Nora some distance away. The redhead frantically scans the pavilion before spotting Jaune. The Huntsman-in-training was not looking forward to this eventual confrontation.

"There he is." Nora exclaims before pacing over. Following behind her only seconds after was Ren.

Jaune rubs the back of his neck nervously. "Uh, hey guys."

"So it's true…" Nora says disappointedly. "You're not coming back with us to Beacon?"

Jaune sighed. "No…I'm sorry that I can't join you guys."

"Can't?" Nora questions. "Nothing's keeping you here. We need you as our leader at the academy!"

"Headmaster Goodwitch will just have to figure something out." Jaune replies. "I just…feel like maybe I can do more here. You know?"

Ren spoke up. "I'll respect your decision of course, but are you sure this is really what you need right now?"

"Have you checked your scrolls?" asks Jaune. Ren wasn't expecting the question, but realized that he hadn't gone through his messages in a while. Nora, making the same realization, checks her scroll shortly after Ren does. Upon viewing their inboxes, they spot a particular message addressed from the Nikos family possessing details regarding Pyrrha's funeral. The two of them look up to Jaune after seeing this.

Before Jaune could say anything else, he was interrupted by a greeting from Team RWBY. Ruby had spotted them, and the group made their way over to JNR. "Hey guys, what's going on?" asks Ruby in a chipper tone. Knowing the gravity of what was about to be explained, Ren awkwardly clears his throat.

Jaune explains the situation. "This might be a bit of an unhappy reminder, but Pyrrha's family recently contacted me about her funeral. They wanted to invite Team JNPR and any other friends she might have had from Beacon. I told them it might take time to get everyone together, so they'll be scheduling it to take place a month from now to give us time."

Weiss rubs her chin. "With the timing as it is, we'll have to clear this with the General when we can. I'll definitely make sure to be prepared when the time comes."

"Ruby," Yang says, grabbing her younger sister's attention. "Let's make sure to get you something to wear for the occasion." Ruby nods. She was a bit glum about it, but she understood what had to be done about the situation.

Ruby adds "The five of us will be working missions with the Regime as always, but we'll try to convene as soon as possible. We'll see you soon, okay?" Ren and Nora acknowledge her and nod.

Jaune puts his hands on both Nora and Ren's shoulders. "Don't worry. I'm sure that the General will understand when we ask him about it. Right now I'm…I just don't think I'm ready yet. I need more time. I hope that makes sense now."

"I understand." Ren says with a nod.

Yang chimed in. "He'll have us helping him out. We'll be back from our new jobs in no time!"

Jaune smiles, and then says "We'll all meet back here in Vale, and then we'll all pay our respects to Pyrrha." He places his hand forward in front of everyone, waiting for them to join. "Together." he says.

Nora was first to place her hand in, followed by Ren, and then Team RWBY.

"Together." the rest exclaimed.

End of Chapter 8