Holy Shit! I cannot believe how Rooster Teeth ended Volume 8! I have to say, I am a bit impressed with the way the volume ended, but there are still plenty of things about the volume I didn't like along with things I did like, such as Jacques getting killed, but damn it, Rooster Teeth, you pulled on our heart strings yet again. Why can't the characters we love stay alive!?
Onto reviews.
Monster King: Thank you.
54godamora: Your birthday is in May? Well, I'll try to upload as many chapters as I can that month, depending on how my work schedule looks, seeing as I get the lame as night-shifts and can barely get any sleep. I want my morning shifts back!
Darth Cody: Trust me, Team SDOW will have a bigger role in the story. I don't want to reveal anything to big for the coming chapters, but I'll give you this much info; several more S37 fighter planes are going to appear in the story. Now as for Alice, please be patient on that part, ok.
Luffy L Deathwalker: I'll admit, Disney made a big mistake in writing off what was already established in Star Wars before they bought the franchise, such as writing off Galen, his clone, Kota, the Rogue Squadron games, Delta Squad, the Vong and most of all, Fordo. Still, they have done ok with the Mandalorian and the up-and-coming Bad Batch series that airs next month. Still, at least I was right about the associate of Salem that perished in the Volume 8 ending. I plan on doing something a bit different when I reach volume 8, but I just hope this isn't the end of RWBY, especially with the little teaser or hint we got at the end.
Darth Tenibris2: Are you really busting my ass about this? Vader has appeared a few times already incase you've failed to notice. I know what I am doing, this is called build up. Vader will appear soon, I guarantee it, so stop being an asshole. If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything.
42: I've been experimenting with a few ideas in regards to Pyrrha's fate, but its still up in the air at the moment. However, the whole Pyrrha/Jaune shipping idea I like so I might end up sparring her, but as too what that entails, I'll keep that to myself for now.
The Guest 'Galen Marek': I just looked up the clone Glitch you mentioned, but I'm not entirely sure if I'll bring him in or not. I'll give it some thought and you stay safe as well.
Spartan-626: I'd figure I'd try spice things up, so to say.
Alright, lets get on with the new chapter. Disclaimers are the same as before, please enjoy.
Chapter 33: It's a Brawl in the Family
As dusk began to fall onto Beacon's courtyard, Weiss ran up the main avenue towards the docking bays seconds after the transport that brought her and everyone else who was on the coliseum back to solid ground with Ruby, Arthur and Galen right behind her. "Weiss! What is the big deal!? Who is it? Who is she?" Ruby asked, running to catch up with her partner.
"Winter." Weiss answered with a smile as standing in a white long-sleeved coat with a single dark blue clasp around the center of her waist, red jeweled broach on her collar, white pleated sleeveless blouse and dark blue waistcoat, white trousers with dark blue garters alongside a pair of grey thigh boots with black detailing at the knees and black forearm-length gloves while their white-hair was tied in a bun was the oldest of the Schnee children.
"Wait… Your sister?" Ruby questioned.
"Winter!" Wiess shouted through a cupped mouth, running to her older sister who was talking with Artoria while crimson colored Atlas soldiers and AK-200's exited the airship as the elder Schnee turned to see her younger sister run towards her. "Winter! I'm so happy to see you! Oh… Your presence honors us." She exclaimed, curtsying after adopting a more appropriate manner as the older Schnee approached them.
"Beacon… It's been a long time. The air feels… different." Winter stated.
"I mean it is fall, so, eh, it's probably colder." Ruby said in agreement, only to get punched in the shoulder by Weiss, gasping in pain, much to Galen's annoyance. Weiss then asked what brought Winter to Beacon, but as a soldier she claimed it was classified information. "Well… this is nice… I think." Ruby stated, looking pensively around in silence.
"You're going to love it here! I l know you travel a lot, but so much of Beacon is different from Atlas! Vale, too. The government and school are completely separate! Can you believe it!? I-" Weiss said excitedly only to have her older sister interrupt her, already familiar with how Vale handled its bureaucracy, which wasn't the reason she came.
Weiss quickly apologized to her older sister, who added something else. "Nor did I come here to watch my own blood fail so miserably in battle. But it appears that I have no choice." Weiss was immediately puzzled since she and her team won the match, but Winter stated that only a novice would consider her match a victory, adding that she noted three strikes missed. The older Schnee then ordered the AK-200s to leave her, which the machines did as they ordered, allowing Winter to sigh and smile a little more warmly at her sister. "How have you been?" she asked.
"Oh, splendid! Thank you for asking. I'm actually in the very top ranking of our sparring class! And the rest of my studies are going wonderfully, too! I'm-" Weiss began only to be interrupted by a slap to her head from Winter, leaving a massive bump on her forehead.
"Silence, you boob! I don't recall asking about your ranking, I'm asking how you've been. Are you eating properly? Have you taken up any hobbies? Are you making new friends?" Winter clarified.
"Well, there's Ruby, Galen and Arthur." Weiss answered, the first of who giggled and pushed the lump back into Weiss's head.
"I see. So, this is the leader you wrote of. How appropriately… underwhelming." She noted.
"Uh… Thank you!" Ruby answered, albeit hesitantly.
"Greetings, Ruby Rose. I wish to thank you for taking an interest in my sister." Winter said in a polite manner. Ruby tried to reply with curtsy and salute, only to nearly lose her balance with the gesture, waving her arms until she could get back up, getting Galen and Arthur to chuckle a bit.
Winter then turned her eyes to Arthur. "I assume you must be Arthur Penwolf?" she asked, gradually walking towards the Knight of Atlas and held out her hand. "I have heard a great deal about your family and your exploits, not only from Artoria but from my studies at Atlas. I consider it an honor to meet you." She added.
Arthur accepted Winters's hand and return the hand shake to Winter. "And I have heard much about you, Ma'am. Much like your younger sister, you are far more worthy of the Schnee name then your bastard of a father." He replied.
"On that, we can agree on." Winter nodded, turning her attention to Galen. "I take it this is the Jedi you spoke of. The one who you volunteered to follow into a full-scale civil war between a false government and those attempting to restore the true government. How very…. Interesting." She noted spying Galen's lightsabers. "Your weapons I assume?"
"Yes." Galen replied.
"Interesting. Perhaps, you might indulge me with a match. I wish to see how skilled you are in combat and perhaps, Artoria might join us." She stated.
"If that happens, it will have to be a special occasion. I accept your offer for a challenge." Galen replied with interest. Winter then told the four that she had business with Ironwood and Ozpin, but since she was early, she asked Weiss to take her to her team's dorm room, saying she wanted to inspect them and make sure they were up to her personal standards, whatever those were. As the two sisters left, Ruby tried to wrap her head around the right word for her to use, getting Galen to chuckle again. "Word of advice, Ruby. Don't try and be someone you're not, just be you." he told his girlfriend.
As the two Schnee's walked towards the courtyard, someone dizzily snuck up behind the AK-200's, promptly decapitating one before its head was kicked towards the group, by none other than a drunken Qrow. "Hey! Yeah, I'm talking to you, Ice Queen!" he said, tossing the decapitated machine aside.
The intact AK-200s raised their rifles, ready to fire at Qrow as Weiss angrily walked towards the man who she thought offended her, but to her surprise the unknown man pushed her out of the way, moving towards her sister. "Sssshhh. Not you. YOU! Saw that gaudy ship of yours in town. I guess you're here too." He said, still drunk.
"I'm standing right before you." Winter reminded.
"So, it would seem." Qrow replied, squinting through his hazy state of mind as a raven that was perched on a nearby lamp post flew off, circling past the group. At the moment that Winter mentioned the knights he trashed, Qrow apologized sarcastically. "Oh, oh I'm sorry. See, I mistook this for some sort of sentient garbage.
"I don't have time for your immature games, Qrow." Winter said with anger, walking over to man much to Weiss's confusion.
"Geez, you Atlas Specialists think you're so special, don't you? Well, you know what you really are? A bunch of sellouts. Just like your boss." Qrow taunted.
"It's in the title and I'm not sure what you think you're implying, but I've heard enough." Winter retorted.
"Oh, I heard, too. I heard that ol' Ironwood finally turned his back on Ozpin." Qrow clarified, again to Weiss's confusion. By now, Winter told her sister to leave, but that didn't stop Qrow from continuing. "Listen to big sister, Weiss. She'll protect you. Just like Atlas is going to protect all of us, huh? Well, your people can't protect everyone from things far more dangerous than the Grimm."
Now, Winter had enough and drew her sword. "If you won't hold your tongue, then I will gladly remove it for you!" she exclaimed, but Qrow wasn't bothered in the slightest and just invited the older Schnee to attack him. Winter charged at Qrow and a fight began with the oldest Schnee making several quick, but futile thrusts at her opponent's head, only for her opponent to swiftly bob away from the blade, teasing her with several faces before drawing his massive scythe and started to trade blows with Winter.
As the fight continued, Ruby, Galen, Arthur and Artoria arrived. "What's going on?!" Ruby asked.
"Some crazy guy just started attacking my sister!" Weiss exclaimed.
Oh no! Who would do such a…?" Ruby began before she caught a glance at Winters opponent. "That is my uncle!" she shouted with excitement.
"What?" Galen, Weiss and Arthur asked in shock.
"Kick her butt, Uncle Qrow!" Ruby yelled loudly, with Weiss doing the same thing for Winter.
"This isn't going to end well." Artoria muttered.
"Didn't think Qrow could be this…" Galen began before he spotted Mercury walking through the large crowd that had gathered to watch the fight who upon noticing the impromptu duel, ran off for the exchange student dorms. "Excuse me." He said quickly and ran after Mercury. 'What's got him so spooked? I know he's got prosthetic legs and all, but does he know Qrow? How is that? Either way, I'm going to find out.' He thought to himself, leaving the fight behind.
Mercury continued to run towards the exchange student dorms, still trying to figure out of the older Schnee's opponent had figured out who he, Emerald and Cinder really were. Even if he didn't he had to let Cinder know about this development. He was almost within reach of the dorms, when he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. "What the hell? These legs aren't broken, why am I not moving?" he questioned, trying to move.
"What's the rush, Mercury? Thought you love a good fight, so why did you just run off and not stick around to watch the fight?" Galen said, approaching Mercury from behind with his hand extended out, clearly using the force to stop Mercury from going anywhere.
"I… I just had to… use that bathroom really badly… yeah that's it." Mercury stuttered trying to come up with a lie about why he left the fight.
Galen smirked, obviously not believing him in the slightest and decided on a more efficient means on getting his answers. "You will tell me why you ran from the fight." Galen demanded, waving his hand in front of Mercury's face.
"I will tell you why I ran from the fight." Mercury repeated, falling under the influence of Galen's Jedi Mind Trick.
Back in the courtyard, the fight between Winter and Qrow was about to come to a close. Winter propelled herself forwards, screaming in rage and preparing a thrust towards Qrow when a loud commanding voice caused her to stop dead in her tracks, her blades point mere inches away from Qrow's neck. "SCHNEE!"
Turning around and seeing General Ironwood standing behind her with Penny behind him, Winter lowered her blades and addressed the General about what happened. "He started the altercation, sir!" she tried to explain.
"That's actually true. She attacked first." Qrow inputted, putting his hands behind his hands in a relaxed stance as if the fight was nothing, despite the large hole in the courtyard. Winter knew that Qrow was right, even if he provoked her into attacking him, but Ironwood was more concerned about why Qrow was here, but he didn't get an answered as Ozpin and Glynda arrived.
"Now, now, everyone. There is a sanctioned fight happening just around the corner at the colosseum, that I can assure you has better seats… and popcorn." Ozpin reminded, swirling his cocoa, but Glynda was more annoyed at the fight and told all those gathered to return to their rooms.
As Ironwood, Winter and Artoria left, Penny looked back and quietly waved to Ruby who waved back, before leaping giddily onto Qrow's arm, her legs shaking in delight as she latched onto Qrow's outstretched arm. "Uncle Qrow! Hi. It's so good to see you! Did you miss me? Did you miss me!?" she asked.
"Nope." Qrow answered bluntly as he grinned and patted his niece's head. The moment was shattered when Ozpin called for Qrow, no doubt wanting to ask the same question that Ironwood was going to ask him as Glynda used her telekinesis to repair the courtyard. "Catch ya later, kid." He said to his niece, before walking off the join the others.
"And suddenly, your reckless nature makes sense." Weiss observed, walking up beside Ruby with her arms crossed, but Ruby just stated that her uncle kicked butt, despite Weiss claiming it was a draw, something that Arthur agreed with as Galen returned to them. "Where did you go?" Weiss asked.
"Oh, I just thought I saw something." Galen replied.
Later that night, Ironwood, Artoria and Winter waited in Ozpins office as a smirking Qrow, accompanied by Glynda, Ozpin and Plo arrived in the elevator, the two from Atlas being less then pleased at Qrow's behavior. "What were you thinking!?" Winter demanded.
"If you were one of my men, I would have you shot!" Ironwood stated as the man he was talking too pulled out a flask and simply stated that he would shoot himself if he was one of Ironwoods men. Glynda had to agree that Qrow's behavior was one of the reasons the fight started, but she reminded Winter that retaliating like she did didn't help the situation, which Winter countered by saying that Qrow was drunk and Glynda reminding her that Qrow was always drunk.
The other six turned to see Qrow drinking from his flask, his eyes widening when he noticed them staring at him before he held the flask out to his side, looking at it awkwardly before grimacing. Ozpin sighed before taking a seat down behind his desk. "Qrow, why are you here?" he asked.
"You've been out of contact for weeks! You can't just go dark like that in the field!" Ironwood snapped.
"I'm not one of your special operatives, Jimmy!" Qrow retorted.
"General." Winter corrected.
"Whatever. You sent me to get intel on our enemy, and I'm telling you, our enemy is here." Qrow replied, but much to his surprise the others knew. "Oh! Oh, you know! Well, thank goodness I'm out there risking my life to keep you all informed!" he said sarcastically.
"Qrow!" Ironwood said with an exhale before Qrow cut him off.
"Communications a two-way street, pal." He began, pulling out his Scroll. "You see this? That's the send button."
"They had reason to assume you were compromised." Winter stated.
"And I have reason to assume you don't need to be here." he said, angrily pointing to Winter. "Seriously, who invited her?"
"Perhaps you two should consider ending your pointless argument and allow us to return our focus to the matter at hand?" Artoria suggested.
After a moment of silence and without even looking at her. Ironwood ordered Winter back to his ship, where they would discuss the incident at a later date, much to Winter's dismay but did as she was told, giving Qrow a dirty look as she and Artoria exited the office by the elevator, allowing Qrow to continue. "Your little infiltrator isn't just another pawn. They're the one responsible for Autumn's condition." He said, taking a drink from his flask.
"What?" Glynda asked in shock.
"Despite what the worlds thinks, we're not just teachers, or Generals, or Headmasters. The people in this room. The leaders of the other two academies, we're the ones that keep the world safe from the evils no one even knows about! It's why we meet behind closed doors, why we work in the shadows. So, tell me, James, when you brought your army to Vale, did you think you were being discreet, or did you just not give a damn!?" he asked, getting into Ironwood's face.
"Discreet wasn't working." Ironwood stated, placing his Scroll on Ozpins desk as appearing in the center of the room was a hologram of Vale, Beacon Academy, Amity Colosseum and Ironwoods fleet. "I'm here because this is what was necessary." He continued.
"You're here because Ozpin wanted you here! He made you a part of this inner circle and opened your eyes to the real fight that's in front of us!" Qrow snapped, to which Ironwood simply said he was grateful for, much to Qrow's humor.
"The people of Vale needed someone to protect them; someone who would act. When they look up to the sky and see my fleet, they feel safe, and our enemies will feel our strength." Ironwood explained.
Qrow just laughed. "You… You think they're scared of your little ships? I've been out there and I've seen the things she's made, and let me tell you- they are fear." Qrow counted.
"And fear will bring the Grimm." Ozpin began, standing up from his seat. "A guardian is a symbol of comfort. But an army is a symbol of conflict. There's an energy in the air now, a question in the back of everyone's minds. 'If this is the size of our defenses, the what is it we're expecting to fight?'" he added, gesturing to the display.
"You two are correct on both terms." He began, turning to Ironwood. "While an army is the sign of strength, it is also a sign that one is expecting something to happen. In this case, General, you are expecting that your army will be enough to defend the kingdom from any Grimm attack and whatever droid forces may accompany them, but it is also an invitation for your enemies to attack Vale. You are inviting conflict to the kingdom, which is something you wish to avoid." He continued.
He then turned to Qrow. "Qrow is also right. Communication is as he says 'a two-way street'. Failing to communicate with your allies will result in confusion and the leak of information to your enemies. Information that your enemies can use to their advantage. During the Clone War, Darth Sidious leaked information about both Republic and Separatist operations as a way to further prolong the war until it was the right time for him to enact his plan to destroy the Jedi order." he added. "But one thing is clear that you both seem to forget, the droid army is also an unknown factor in all of this and whoever is controlling them is helping 'her'. It can also be assumed that the Empire will be coming to Remnant and in greater numbers. The weapons and armor the White Fang were given is something to be concerned as well, if the Empire is providing them weapons, it means an attack is imminent. We need to prepare ourselves for what is to come."
Ironwood glared at them before he sighed, walked forward towards the table and picked up his Scroll. "So then, what would you suggest we do?" he asked Ozpin.
"I suggest we find our guardian." Ozpin answered.
The following morning, the doubles round of the tournament began with Coco and Yatsuhashi fighting Mercury and Emerald. From her seat, Cinder watched her teammates ready themselves for a fight and clapped menacingly with a devious smile, while everyone else cheered with excitement.
Also watching the fight from a safehouse, Boba Fett checked his equipment, having second thoughts about helping someone like Cinder.
And done. I cut out a few things from the actual episode for this chapter, so I hope you can all forgive me. Anyway, I'll be skipping the fight between Coco, Yatushashi, Emerald and Mercury so I can give you all an idea about what the Bad Batch and other Clone Commando's are up too.
Anyway, until then. Please read and review and I'll see you all next time.