F3: Hello everyone and welcome back to chapter 5. We left off where Star and company had encounter Fenix and his group as they had just settled down for a nights rest. Wonder what will happen next. RWBY is the property of Rooster Teeth and Monty. I also own the OC characters. With that said Let's Roll Out.

Volume 4-5 Blue: Pressing Forward.

About four hours into the night Star felt someone shake her leg as if to wake her up. She groaned a little bit not wanting to wake up from her sleep but the shaking didn't stop as she gently opened her eyes and noticed that it was Fenix that had woken her.

"I need to speak with you." He whispered not wanting to wake the others.

"What about?" She asked whispering as well.

"It's something private but not here." Fenix said as he walked out of the tent before quickly acompanied by Star as the two seemed to walk a bit outside the camp away from everyone else so that way they wouldn't be interrupted.

"Alright this seems far enough." Fenix said as he stopped and faced the fox faunus.

"Okay... so what's this about? You drag me out of bed in the middle of the night and for what. What is it?" Star questioned.

"Tell me you've known Mars longer than anyone. How is she fairing? She seems to be handling herself rather well." Fenix asked.

This was completely out of left field for Star as Fenix asked about her best friend which felt awkward.

"Well... from what I can tell she's doing rather well. She got herself in Oscuro Academy rather easy and certainly knows her way around her guns and bow." Star answered as best that she could but it seemed to please Fenix.

"Wonderful." He said pleasingly as he sighed in relief.

"Though she's rather intent on finding out Carmine's location and beating her to a bloody pulp." Star quickly and but that seemed to make him laugh heartedly.

"She seems to have her mothers stubborness in her." He said but then realized what he just said as looked at him weirdly.

"Okay... now how do you know about Mars mother? Have you two met before?" Star asked folding her arms.

He knew that he'd been caught and that he can't turn away from it now as he sighed before shaking his head.

"Prehaps it is time that I tell you something. Though this needs to remain just between us and no one else okay." He said.

Now Star was even more confused about what was actually happening that she nodded in agreement not even knowing what was going to happen next.

"A long time ago. Seventeen years in fact. I was but a huntsmen looking for a job when I came across Vacuo. Nothing but desert for miles in either direction but I was determined to cross the vast desert. Everything started out okay which only a few minor grimm and some ocascional game to kill for meat and fur, but once a week had past I had nearly went through my entire supply of food and water and before long I was running on fumes. However that was when things turned from bad to worse." He began.

"I was suddenly surrounded by bandits that seemed to have came from a recent raid of another village. I tried to fight them off but given my current state at that time I was quickly overwhelmed and taken as a prisoner because of my faunus heritage. I was treated like an animal but one individual thought otherwise of me. This was when I met the women I never thought I would. Nia Kaminari. Mars mother." He added which seemed to surprise Star.

"Whoa wait just a minute. Your telling me that Mars mother was a bandit at one time." Star said geniunly shocked by this.

"Not just any bandit. The bandit leader at the time. To some they called her Nia the Wise for her clear and strategic mind in the heat of battle. She'd never lost a bandit and always made sure everyone was accounted for." He said.

"Though someone else was after her title of leader of the bandits. Take a wild guess who?" He questioned knowingly.

"You mean Carmine." Star answered.

"Yes. Carmine would do about anything to win the title of bandit leader and everytime she and Nia would fight over the bandit throne and everytime Carmine would lose and be put in her place alongside anyone else. Though I'm going off track a bit." He replied as trying to recall his story.

"Even though everyone else treated me like an animal it was her that was the only one that didn't and made sure that I was well fed and plenty to drink even despite the protests from the others." He added.

"So she kept you alive during your time as a prisoner to them. That's surprising." Star said.

"Yes indeed it was. Though one day I was strong enough to try and make my escape and with luck I was able to escape the camp unharmed then it came to me that it was rather too easy of an escape." He said.

"Someone planned you to escape?" She asked.

"Indeed and when I got out I noticed Nia waiting at the entrance as if knowing I would escape. I figured out she planned for me to escape but sometimes odd things happen for special reasons." He added.

"And what kind of special reason is their exactly?" She asked.

He smiled gently before turning away "Love my dear child. Love." He said almost warmly.

"During my imprisonment we slowly started forming a bond with one another and before long after I was free we... well I rather not talk about in front of immature ears." He said.

"Eventually Nia became pregnant and she decided to leave the bandits all together to start a family of her own but I however couldn't be in the picture." He said regrettably.

"How come? What about your wife?" She asked.

"When your being chased by bandits half your life sacrifices are needed to keep the ones you love safe. We of course still kept track of one another by sending each other letters to hope that one day we can finally be together again but that wasn't meant to be. Twelve years past and the letters stopped coming which made me deeply concerned." He explained and Twila sucks in a breath knowing where this was going.

"A week would past and still nothing so I decided to investigate it myself until I found out that she had died from supposedly a grimm attack but I knew that wasn't the case." He added knowingly.

"So you think someone killed her." Star replied almost having a feeling who.

"Not just anybody. I believe it was Carmine that did this to her. She had always wanted to run the bandits her own way." Fenix replied.

"So with... your wife out of the way Carmine would have a clear path to take over." Star added.

"Yes. Which is why she needs to be taken care of." Fenix added.

"Well apparently Mars wants to handle Carmine as well so you can bet that we can handle her but if I keep your secret I have only one condition." Star said wanting to get her point across.

"And what condition is that my dear?" He questioned.

"After everything is settled and Carmine behind bars you need to take Mars to the side and talk to her about everything you just told me." Star replied.

Fenix took a moment to think about what Star said before he nodded in agreement "Very well. After all of this is done I will talk with Mars and tell her everything." Fenix said.

"Good. Now I'm going to head back to sleep before the morning comes." Star said letting out a big yawn.

"Of course. You enjoy your sleep." He said as they both headed back to camp.

=RWBY=

Hours past as the morning light shined bright on the camp as everyone got up and moving as the three girls went out of their tent to see what kind of activities the camp is up to as Fenix approached the girls.

"Ah I see your all bright eyes and bushy tailed I see." Fenix said as Mars nodded as she stretched out her limbs.

"Yeah. Everybody slept pretty good last night. I think we all needed that." She added.

"We're preparing some breakfast for all of you then you can be on your way to the capital." Fenix replied

"And what about the message that you had?" May questioned.

He dug into his pocket before pulling out a piece of paper and handing it to Star.

"This is a message that needs to be given to the councilmen there with the supposed location of where Carmine is hiding." Fenix replied.

Star took the piece of paper and stuffed it into her pocket.

"Now let's get some breakfast in you all before you head out." He said as he gestured the group over to the cauldron that already had a three plates for them ready.

"You girls eat up. Afterward come see me at the entrance. I have a little surprise for you." Fenix added as he left the girls be to their breakfast.

As the girls ate Star took a small glance over at Mars and pondered what she should do especially after finding out what Fenix had told her.

"So after this we head out to the capital and give this message to the council their. Hopefully they'll listen to us." Star said.

"Hey if it concerns a criminal like her then I'm sure they'll listen." Mars said with a smirk.

"Or turn us away because of other important work to do." May added as she chewed on her breakfast.

"Hey its worth a try anyway." Star said as the three finished their meal.

Gathering their supplies they headed to the entrance to met up with Fenix as he stood their alongside two very large four legged animal with a hump on its back.

"Um... what are those?" Mars questioned looking at them weirdly.

"What it's not like you never seen a camel before." Fenix said holding onto the reins of them.

"And what are we suppose to do with them?" Star asked as well.

"You ride them of course. They can help take you the rest of the way to the capital." Fenix added.

May looked at them rather weirdly before giving a response "They don't look rather fast. How are they suppose to get us to the capital." May remarked.

"True while they aren't the fast creature but they are the smartest. Plus unlike horses they can travel longer distances without the need of water for long periods of time." He added.

"I suppose that is a plus. We do need to get their and walking will take much longer." Star said.

"Good. Two of you will have to ride on one and the other will have to be by themselves on the last one." He replied as the three tried to decided on who was riding with who but Mars came up with a desicion.

"Me and May will take one of the camals and Star can take the last one." Mars said.

"Great now then let's get you girls on the road." He said before making a clicking sound with his tounge which made the camel lower themselves to their knees making it easy for them to get on.

May and Mars took the first camal with May riding behind Mars as she took the reigns from Fenix. Star did the same thing as she got on her cammel with realitive ease. He made the sound again as the cammels rose up to their full height almost effortlessly carrying the girls.

"Now then the capital is northwest of here. Also if you happen to come across a very large boulder in the sand I highly suggest you stay away from it. Surrounding it is quick sand which is if you get stuck you will never get out." He warned.

"Alright we'll be careful." Star said taking his advice into account.

"When you get their look for a women that goes by Vanessa Tora. She'll normally be at the capital building." Fenix replied. The last name did sound familiar to Star but didn't want to dwell on it too long.

Star kicked her heel on the camel causing it give out a small sound before moving forward. Mars did the same thing and the camel moved forward following after Star.

"Stay safe out their and watch out for each other!" He called out as Star gave a wave back almost confirming what he said as he watched them ride off.

"Be careful... my daughter." He said softly as he headed back inside the camp.

=RWBY=

A full two hours into the ride and the camp now completely out of sight as the hot air blew on them causing some sand to kick up into their faces but with little effect on them. Star actually put the goggles she had on her head over her eyes she that way she can avoid having sand getting into them. Though they were surprised of how much progress they were making even on the camels they were riding.

In the distance they could see what looked like mountains of some kind which means they were getting close to the capital than expected. Even though they were making progress it didn't help that the sun was starting to get higher into the sky and soon it would reach its peak.

"How you girls holding up back their?" Star called back making sure the others were okay.

May had just taken a swig of her water before handing it off to Mars who gladly took a drink of it but not too much so that way they could save what they had left.

"We're doing good. Hopefully not much further and we'll be at the capital." Mars replied.

"From the looks of it. It'll be about another two hours before we fully reach the capital." May added which only made Mars groan.

"Great. Another two hours in the sun. Just our luck." She groaned.

Star could only chuckled at this as she continued to look ahead. However something caught her eye just ahead of them. From a distance it looked a small grey dot right in the sand.

"Hm... hey you girls see this?" Star asked as she leaned back on the reins making the camel stop which in turn made Mars to stop as well right next to her.

"Hey why'd we stop?" She asked the fox faunus.

Star then pointed directly in front of her "Look." She replied pointing at the small grey dot in the distance.

Mars put a hand above her brow in order to see it better but only shook her head.

"More than likely a mirage. You know that those happen here in the desert right." Mars reminded.

However that's not what Star thought as she flicked the reins making the camel move again but this time closer to that dot.

"I don't know but something about it just feels rather off. I'm going to take a closer look." Star said curiously. Mars only facepalmed at this and couldn't help that your her friend had such a curiousity for weird things.

"We don't even know what it is. What if its that large boulder that Fenix warned us about?" Mars said.

"If it is then I'll just not get too close to it." Star said back as she rode forward.

Mars wanted to pull her teeth out but instead shook her head as she and May trudged forward making her friend doesn't do anything stupid. As they got closer the small grey dot began to get bigger and actually taking shape. When they were close enough they noticed that it was that giant boulder that Fenix warned them about.

"Yep I had a feeling that what this was. Don't want to get to close because of the quicksand that's around it." May warned.

Star looked carefully at the boulder but noticed something shining on top of it but not sure what it was.

"Hey theirs something on top of it." Star said before getting off the camel.

"Um... Star I don't think that's a good idea." May warned not exactly comfortable with the situation.

But Star ignored the protest and proceed forward though to make sure that they're isn't anything ahead of her she grab a small rock that was in the sand and gently tossed it in front of her as it landed in the sand. At first nothing happened but then the rock suddenly began to sink into the sand and with in seconds it disappeared from their view.

"Yep he wasn't kidding with the quicksand. Just gotta figure out how to get up on top of that thing." Star said trying to come up with a plan.

"Or how about we just ignore it and keep going." Mars suggested but her plea went on deaf ears as Star got an idea. She brought out her gunbreakers and set them into their gun mode, then she switched dust crystals to a green one before charging up her weapons. She then pointed her gunbreakers down at the ground as a green aura began surrounding her weapons.

Then with a press of the trigger she was launched into the air with a burst of wind below her leading her directly to the top of the boulder in which she landed safely on. Once she was on top of it she noticed what it was that was shining in the sun. It was a small black box with a simple string to hang off of. In the center of it a emerald gemstone surrounded by gold trimmings.

Star picked up the object and noticed that it can be opened and so she opened it in which it revealed an eight star pointer with the directions of north, south, east, and west on them with the letter 'N' highlighted in red.

"A... compass." Star replied as she then jumped off the boulder landing safely in front of her camel.

"Well what did you find?" May asked before Star showing them.

"It's... some kind of compass." Star answered as May and Mars took a better look at it.

"Odd... why would a compass be all the way out here?" Mars asked.

"Don't know but we better get a move on. We still got some distance to go." Star said as she put the compass around her neck to keep it safe as they decided to press onward toward the capital.

=RWBY=

Another two hours later they were now nearing the capital as they were now outside the entrance to the large city. The city itself was realitively large considering the buildings are built brick by brick. People were bussling around not even knowing that they were their. Then theirs the huge wall that is surrounding the city itself that is easily forty feet high and three feet thick.

"C'mon let's find a place to leave to the camels and let's check this place out." Star said. A few moments later they found a stable to leave the camels so they can come back for them.

"Okay let's find this Vanessa person and give her the message about finding Carmine." May said as they decided to wonder the streets of the city to start looking for the person of interest.

However that began to proof of little help cause everytime they tried to ask someone they were simply ignored or been given a scowl by the people that they've asked.

"Okay this isn't working. Everybody seems to be ignoring us." She said.

"Well what do you expect. None of us had actually traveled outside of Conquina. They aren't really kind to outsiders." Mars replied. Though they noticed that May wasn't with them.

"Um... where's May? Wasn't she with us." Star questioned actually worried now for the girl.

"Yeah that's not good. We should probably go look..." Mars began but a finger tapped on her shoulder which made her shriek and jump into Star who caught her.

"You're being loud." May replied nonchalauntly.

"Where did you go? We thought someone might have snatched you up or something." Star said before dropping Mars.

"Oh I know where Vanessa is." May replied.

The two of them blinked at her for a moment before Mars spoke "And just how did you manage that." Mars said.

"Simple I asked where she was and they pointed me in the direction of where she is." May replied.

"Odd. That's exactly what we did and only got angry scowls from people." Star added.

May chuckled a little "That's because your not from the capital. Vacuoans aren't exactly too pleased about strangers coming into the city. Surprised you two didn't get mugged yet." May added which sent a shiver up their spines.

"You two just stick with me and they won't even bother you." May said as she gestured them to follow her.

As they followed her they noticed many things about the capital that there were several establishments but it seemed that the main street was used as a food market for the people.

"This here is the market. People by all sorts of things here. Mostly just your basic foods and such. Even sometimes they have some of the best meats all over Vacuo." May said almost as if giving them a small tour of the capital.

However something caught Star's eye that seemed rather unique. It was a single story building that had a black rooftop that seemed rather large for the establishment. Their are dark tan round pillars underneath and around the building that seem to keep the roof up. Theirs a large wooden door that is has circular handles on both sides of the door. Hanging from under the roof are some kind of symbols plastered on wooden plates.

"And what is that place?" Star asked with wonder.

"Oh that. That's Sanzangs Dojo. It's a dojo that helps you train your physcial abilites. And before you ask yes its a tough dojo." May replied.

"Right now this is downtown so there are a lot of shops and restaurants as well. And a few nightclubs to keep the locals busy." She added.

As they ventured through downtown May continued to explain to them about the amount of stuff that is their. A restaurant that is called the Bug Burger which according to May serves all kinds of meals for both humans and faunus alike. Then is explained the large wall circling the city that is called the Weeping Wall. According to May it gathers water from below and people of Vacuo sell it for a price. She went to explain some of the nightclubs but said to avoid them cause of some of the acts that happen their.

They continued walking for another ten minutes before they arrived at a very large building that is very familiar to May. It is a giant building with a wide entrance that almost seems pryamid shaped but it layered. On the sides are giant pillars with banners flying with a picture of three golden swords.

"Is this... Shade Academy." Star replied completely shocked of the sheer size of the academy.

"Yep this is it. The academy I go to and hope to graduate from." May said with a smirk.

However a voice behind her spoke up "Well well look who decided to show back up." A female voice that was familiar to them but May seemed to gulp nervously as she turned around and noticed who it was. It was Octavia Ember with her arms crossed shooting them a glare.

"You. I thought Nebula said that you returned home to Kenyte." Star said actually surprised to see her at the academy.

Octavia only snarked at that "I thought about it but decided to return to Shade Academy to continue my academics. Nothing is going to stop me from becoming a huntress." Octavia replied.

"What about Nebula? Doesn't she lead your team?" Star questioned but Octavia only chuckled at this.

"Nebula. Some leader she's been. It was because of her that we've lost Gwen in the first place." Octavia snarked.

"If Gwen stayed with us instead of trying to be some pathetic hero then she would still be alive today but no it was her stupidity that got her killed." She added which really didn't sit well with since she was last person to see her last.

"Maybe she wasn't trying to be some hero. Everything was chaotic and more than likely she was trying to get other people out so they could evacuate. She died a huntress death. So saying something like that about your own teammate is a disgrace." Star replied.

That seemed to hit a nerve at the dagger weilding girl "Disgrace. Disgrace! You want to talk about disgrace then what about the amount of students that we get from Beacon that we have to accept. All because you guys couldn't protect your stupid school. That's a disgrace!" Octavia shouted back.

Star growled at the girl as her tail started to act up almost as if wanting to rip the girls throat out but Mars put a hand on her shoulder to try and calm her down.

"What is all the shouting about?" A female voice rang out as she was coming up from behind Octavia as the girl immediately froze in her place as she turned to face the female voice.

"H-Headmistress Tora." She said nervously as the older tiger faunus stared at the girl.

"Ms. Ember may I ask why are you not in class. Your class began five minutes ago." Vanessa replied.

"S-Sorry ma'am I've got distracted. I'll head their immediately." Octavia replied as she walked off to her class.

Star got a look at the women before noticing some tiger stripes on her arm and a black tail.

"Are you Vanessa Tora?" Star questioned the women who seemed to only nodded.

"Yes I am. Then you must be Star Azure. Tala spoke very highly of you." Vanessa said as Star rubbed the back of her head nervously before remembering why they've came their in the first place.

"Um... you think we can talk somewhere private?" Star questioned as Vanessa nodded.

"Very well please come this way. You'll first need guest passes since your three aren't students here." She said as she gestured them to follow her inside the academy.

After obtaining guest passes Vanessa led them through the academy but as they did they noticed that their were more students than the academy could handle.

"You've got quite the number of students here. Is that normal?" May questioned quite surprised about the capasity of her former school.

"Yes. We've recently had an influx of students lately. Most of them coming straight from Beacon Academy." Vanessa stated.

"It becoming rather difficult to keep all these students in line especially since most of the Shade students want to cause fights with the Beacon students. Its almost turned into a literal nightmare here. Its not easy being a headmistress to keep track of them." She added.

Almost immediately a male student came crashing through the crowd and landed pretty hard as the person that threw him came directly at him. Though it was someone very familiar to Star. It was Cardin Winchester but he wasn't in his armor but instead of he was wearing a white sleeveless muscle shirt and blue jeans with a brown belt. He's also wearing black fingerless gloves.

He grabbed the guy by his shirt and brought him close to his face "Pick on her again and I'll make sure you won't walk again!" Cardin shouted at the guy but the male student only growled at him.

Vanessa simply shook her head "Not again." She muttered before walking over to them.

"Mr. Winchester! If you have two have a problem then you two will settle it in the pits!" Vanessa shouted as Cardin simply tossed the male student back down.

"Sorry ma'am. He was bullying a classmate." He explained.

Vanessa only shook her head gently "Maybe so Mr. Winchester but I will not tolerate any brawling outside the pits. Understood." Vanessa stated firmly.

Cardin simply nodded "Understood ma'am." Cardin said as he also noticed who was standing behind her.

"Wait a minute. Star!" Cardin replied actually surprised to see her from Beacon.

"Cardin... this is a surprise. What are you doing here at Shade?" She asked.

"Um... look I would like to talk but I've got to go to class. Maybe later we can." Cardin said as he walked toward his class.

"Let's talk in my office." Vanessa replied as she lead them to her office.

=RWBY=

After using an elevator to get to her office which was on the top floor of the academy it was a rather big office but it mostly contained relics and weapons from the Great War along with a simple desk for her. However their is another man standing by her desk waiting for her.

He is a tall man in his early forties with dark black hair along with a checkered vest that shows off his wiry frame thin but with sharp lines of muscles. He wears an ankle length, grey blue cape which is clasped onto his shoulders with a silver chain, a silver belt with a round buckle, matching boots, and bright white slacks with deep side pockets. He also wears red gloves which are decorated in dust crystals.

"Thank you Theodore for watching the office for me." Vanessa thanked.

"Of course ma'am. Though I expected you a lot sooner. Did you get caught up with something?" He asked.

"Just a few students getting a bit rowdy. Though it would seem that these three have something they want to talk about." She added.

Star nodded at this "Yes we do and this might have to deal with a certain someone." Star began as she pulled the message out that Fenix gave her handing it to Vanessa.

Vanessas opened the piece of paper but for it to not be a message but a map of some kind drawn by Fenix. It showed a small black dot labeled Corquina and black to the upper left of it is label Capital. Then another black dot that was far in the lower right was labeled Gossan and next to it had a drawning of a small tower with an 'X' right on it.

"Um... what is all of this?" Vanessa questioned trying to figure out the supposed map.

That was when Theodore got a good look at it as he chuckled "Well Ms. Tora it would seem that right their could be a possible point of where to look. Gossan from the looks of it." He replied.

"And the giant 'X' must mean that might be a good point to start looking." Vanessa said although she did rather sigh at the end.

"If we even have the time." She added placing a hand on her head.

"How come?" Mars questioned.

"Well for one it'll take us a while to gather huntsmen to go searching their plus even then we're stretch pretty thin as it is with what Carmine has done." Vanessa continued.

"Our water wells have been dried for about three months now and we have mainly been relying on the Weeping Wall for the water supply but without fresh water we can't grow all of the plants that we have or provide proper nurishment for the people here." Vanessa replied.

"We've sent any available huntsmen and huntress out their to discover the problem but none of them has come back. Even Vanessas own daughter went out their to check on the problem. She has even yet to return." Theodore replied.

"Which was only two days ago. I'd go myself but because of my responsibility here as the headmistress and council women my hands are tied." She said.

That was when May got an idea "What if we were to go and check it out? See what the problem is." May suggested.

Vanessa was a little thrown off by this idea trying to give it much thought "Are you sure? You never know what could be up their if you do?" She questioned.

"I'm sure we can handle ourselves." Mars said confidently as she placed her hands behind her head with a smug smile.

"We'll find out the problem and maybe with a little luck find Melanie as well while we're at it." Star said.

Vanessa looked at the three as they showed how confident that they were in their own abilities as she gave then a simply smirk.

"Very well. Just be careful and don't push yourselfs too hard." Vanessa said giving them a friendly warning.

"The huntsmen headed toward up that mountain range. Make sure you steer clear of the elevation point. That's where the air up their starts getting thin." Theodore warned.

"Okay we'll make sure to avoid that. Probably best though we should prepare just incase things get a bit dicey." Star said.

"If you want to get an early start I suggest a hotel here in the capital. I'll let them know that you're coming over." Vanessa replied.

The fox nodded her head "Thanks. I'm pretty sure May knows where it is so we'll head straight their." Star said as the three decided it was time to exit the room. However as they left Theodore noticed what was around Stars neck as the three were out of sight.

"Ms. Tora did you notice what was around her neck?" He questioned as Vanessa only nodded.

"Yes I noticed. The Travelers Compass. An artifact from the days of old. Though I don't think she knows what it is yet." Vanessa said.

"But I'm sure she'll figure it out. From what Tala mentioned she a rather smart girl. If anyone can figure out what it can do it'll be her." Vanessa said as they know the fullest abilities of what the compass can really do as they could only do now was wait and hope for the best.

F3: And that ends chapter 5. Seems that Star and company are on another mission and a possible location for Carmine to be at. If you readers like how this is going so far let me know in the comments and to keep up with updates don't forget to follow. With that said this is Fireuser3 and I'm out.