At a busy train station in Mistral, people go about their business whether they be buying a train ticket, going shopping, eating food, and more. Holographic screens show different locations, amongst them are Argus, Wind Path, Kuchinashi, Shion, and Vale, the latter shown to be crossed out with an "Out of Service" message next to it. Qrow was ready to send a message to Ironwood and inform him of what happened... while leaving out a few details he felt that it was best if the General did not know about.
"It's been two weeks since the attack on Haven. The official report states that the plot to destroy Mistral's CCT Tower was thwarted by Ghira Belladonna and the Faunus militia group from Menagerie. A Huntsman and some students coincidentally visiting the headmaster, along with the returning Huntsmen from Haven and a rogue bandit tribe, were also able to lend some assistance. Unfortunately, those responsible for organizing the attack managed to escape. As I'm sure you can guess, there's a lot more to this report than I'm willing to say in this letter. But for now, what I'm trying to say is that we're on our way to Atlas, James. There's a good chance we'll get there before this letter does, but in case we don't, I need you to know that we're bringing a lot more than bad news with us. See you soon, Qrow" Qrow repeats the what he wrote in the letter in his head to make sure he wrote everything he wanted to say, and then places the letter in a mail box. Suddenly, his niece runs by and bumps into him "Hey, what's with the running?"
"And what's with the standing? It's almost time!" Ruby said as she sees the people chattering in the station lobby. She uses her Semblance to get something and fly through the gate. She then emerges smiling and humming, approaching the benches where her companions, minus Blake, and Julius and his team, are waiting.
"And?" Yang asked with her arms crossed.
Ruby shows them a bag "Ahh!".
Weiss gave her a look "What an absolute waste of time-".
Yang interrupts her with an eager face "What did you get me?".
"You'll have to wait and see!" Ruby said in a singsong tone.
"No fair!" Yang said and after Ruby sticks her tongue, Yang attempts to snatch the bag from her, who recoils.
"Oh, I can't believe we're taking the train to Argus! The beautiful northern coastline... You really think it's too early for beach season?" Nora asked while doing a few dance moves
Ren daydreams about a nice day at the beach before remembering it was not season for it "Unfortunately, but we will be one step closer to Atlas".
Weiss was unamused "Well, I'm glad you're all excited. But I don't think you appreciate the trouble I went through to leave Atlas".
"I know you're worried, Weiss, but trust us. Team RWBY won't leave your side for a second! I promise" Ruby assured, earning a smile from Weiss.
"No one's gotta be worried with us around" A pair of Huntsmen, Dee and Dudley, confront the teams with proud looks on their faces, holding their weapons.
"Aaaand you are?" Nora asked.
"Why Dee and Dudley of course. The Argus Limited's very own Huntsmen. We'll be keeping everyone safe as we pass through Grimm territory" Dee said.
"But for a generous tip, we can make sure your passenger car gets extra special attention should things get dangerous" Dudley winks as Ruby, Weiss, Yang and Nora give unamused looks; Nora has her arms crossed and Weiss rolls her eyes.
They turn to Qrow's voice when they heard him "Yeah, I got a tip for ya. Buzz off" He stands between Ruby and Yang as they make faces, mocking Dee and Dudley "Looks like Mistral's really scraping the bottom of the barrel these days".
Dee looked offended " Hey! You're talking to a-".
Qrow holds up his huntsman license "A professional Huntsman, right. Well, it seems one of you heroes left the staff entrance to the caboose wide open. It'd be a shame to lose your job before it even started".
"I... I didn't do it!" Dudley said
Dee scoffs "Come on, dummy".
The two turn around and start back in shock to face Novus, his arms crossed in a no business kind of attitude.
Dee pointed behind them, "You're with them?"
Novus nodded. The two huntsmen nervously smiled as they quickly walked past him to the caboose. Novus returns to the group.
"I do hope those weren't Beacon huntsmen" Ozpin said in Oscar's head.
Oscar spoke out lout to the others: "You know sometimes the burden of saving the world feels overwhelming. But then people like that come along and make me grateful that it's our job and theirs".
Everyone collectively agrees with Oscar as they nod at him together before Qrow spoke "So, you kids ready to go? Bike all loaded up?"
"Yep!" Yang confirmed.
"Just waiting on Blake and Julius. As usual" Weiss said.
At another train area, Julius is seen talking with Neo and Roman. Julius had been able to get his arm out of the cast, and the stump now had bandages wrapped around it to prevent any injury from what was left of the metal prosthetic.
"So, you're moving on ahead of us, huh?" Julius asked Roman, who nodded in response.
"It just so happens that Dr. Hayden and I are on good terms. Seeing as how he's offered me a ride to Atlas, I couldn't say no, and with Anton joining in, I got some good protection. Plus, I might as well let Ironwood know you're coming." he said.
Julius nodded, then turned to Neo "You gonna be okay here?"
Neo nodded and signed Don't worry about me. I'll catch up.
Just then, Anton called out from the train: "Move it or lose it, Torchwick!"
"Well," Roman said, "I should be on my way. I believe you also have a train to catch."
Julius nodded then shook Roman's hand "See you in Atlas."
Roman tipped his hat before entering the train. Julius then turned to Neo "See you around too, I guess?"
Neo smiled and hugged him goodbye before heading out of the train station. Julius then went to go find the others.
"Julius!" called a familiar voice, and Julius turned around to see Katrina speed up to him.
"I'm coming with you!" she announced, her hands heroically on her hips.
Julius raised an eyebrow "And you're coming why?"
"I have family in Atlas. She's a Huntress so she'll probably be willing to help us if need be. You'll need me to come with though if you want her to listen. Plus, Raven said I could come."
Julius thought for a moment, then shrugged, "I guess a little more help wouldn't hurt."
The two then went to join with the rest of the team.
Up in the walkways above the teams, Blake is seen conversing with Ilia and Hector. Ilia is no longer wearing her usual White Fang garb and is in something more casual. Hector remains in his combat gear.
"I still don't feel like I deserve the freedom you and your family granted me" Ilia said, still feeling guilty.
"You do, especially after helping us protect Haven" Hector said.
Blake smiled at her "Plus, you're going to have to get over it, Ilia. Saving Haven had a huge impact on how Faunus are seen in Mistral. Now it's up to you all to take the progress and keep running with it".
"Right. The White Fang may have been a failure, but with your father starting up a new movement, and Sienna backing him, I've got more faith than ever before" Ilia said, and after a moment of silence, she runs up to Blake and gives her a big hug "Thank you, Blake, for everything. I wish you didn't have to go".
The two then part from the hug and Blake speaks "I know, but my team needs me. We're going to track down the people responsible for the attack on Haven and the fall of Beacon".
Ilia giggles "Always trying to save the world".
"More than you realize" Blake agreed.
Hector nodded: "It's getting annoying, really."
Ilia remembered something "Hey, I know your parents already saw you off, but where's-?".
"Sun? Oh, he's right here!" Sun shows up a few feet away from them "What? You didn't think I was gonna miss your big send-off, did you?".
Neptune suddenly pops up from behind him "He definitely overslept and absolutely almost missed this" Sun growls at Neptune before shushing him. Blake laughs. Neptune shoves Sun forward "Hey, Blake. Now would you hurry up? Need I remind you we have our own trip to plan?"
He then noticed Ilia "Oh, I didn't know Ilia was gonna be here. I'll, uh, I'll give you two a moment" He then walks towards Ilia "Hey, almost didn't see you there, 'cause, you know, the camouflage?"
Blake helplessly reaches her hand out to stop Neptune, but fails to. Sun shakes his head "Wrong tree...". Blake said.
"He'll figure it out" Sun said.
"So, you're really going to Vacuo?" Blake asked.
"That's right! Seeing you reunited with the rest of Team RWBY really made me realize something, I'm like the worst team leader ever. Me and the boys were cool with a little hiatus, but we gotta make up for lost time. Shade Academy's not dealing with any problems like Haven right now. Plus, that means I can show the guys around my old stomping grounds!" Sun said, clearly excited, "Also, I think it would be nice to tag along with Team DRMS and Velvet since that's where they're going."
"I certainly was nice seeing them again" Hector said, "but it's better being reunited with my own team as well."
"Agreed" Blake replied.
"So," Sun asked Blake, "How's it feel knowing that Julius is still alive?"
"To be honest" Blake replied, "It's a little hard to believe. I still don't understand how he could have survived something like that, even with his fast healing."
"It's a surprise for sure" Hector agreed.
Blake nodded "It's not an unwelcome one though."
Hector nodded "That too."
"Well, we should probably get to our train" Sun said, "You guys should too."
Hector high fived Sun "See you around." He then turned to say goodbye to Ilia before rejoining Blake and heading back to the rest of the team.
Later that day, the train to Argus was on its way. They were traveling in the snowy countryside along a mountain. Inside, passengers walk through the halls. Team RWBY and Julius are in one of the passenger room, while Qrow, Oscar, Hector, and Novus are seen talking in the room next to it. Ruby is seen playing a game on her scroll on the top bunk. Blake and Julius are sitting on another bed, with Blake lovingly nuzzled on his shoulder.
Yang smiles at them from the bed across from them "It's nice seeing you two together again."
Julius chuckled "It certainly feels nice. I missed you guys a lot."
"We did too." Weiss said "You disappeared for so long, I was worried you didn't make it."
"We all were" Blake added, "How is it you can heal so fast? It's definitely not Aura based."
"You're right, it's not" Julius replied, "I don't know the full details; all I do know I was born with it."
"Lucky" Yang said.
"Well, whatever the case" Blake said, "I'm just happy you're back"
"I am too, Blake" Julius said, stroking her head, "I'm happy to be back with all of you guys."
There was a moment of silence before Julius heard a purring noise coming from Blake.
"Blake, are you purring?" he asked.
"Yeah, I thought I heard something" Ruby said.
Before Blake could answer, the train jolts, causing the team to almost fall over. Passengers can be heard screaming in fear.
"What was that?" Weiss asked. Just then Novus bursts in the room, his super shotgun ready.
Julius locked eyes with Novus "Grimm?"
Novus nods, loads his gun and runs out. Julius then stands back up and whips out a revolver "Well, time to go kill things."
The girls nod and they hurry for their weapons before heading outside to fight of the attacking Grimm.
On the outside a group of Manticores are approaching from the back. Dee and Dudley are already up top and prepare to fight the Grimm. A much larger Grimm, a Sphinx, lands on the train and lets out a loud roar. A few train cars down, Team RWBY and Qrow arrive on top of the train with their weapons out. Dee charges his weapon, an electrical spiked club, and charges forward to attack. The Sphinx roars and a Manticore flies by to snatch up Dee.
"Dee!" Dudley watches helplessly while his partner is dragged down to the forest, until Julius teleported behind the Grimm, shot it through the head, then grabbed Dee and teleported back onto the train. The Sphinx roars again and all of the Manticores fly forward to attack.
"What's the plan, Ruby?" Blake asked.
"Don't let anyone here die!" Ruby ordered and with that, Team RWBY, Julius, Hector, Novus, and Qrow charge forward into battle.
The Huntsmen and Huntresses get to work on cutting down Manticores. Dudley runs toward the front of the train and takes his scroll out, activating the train's defense system "Come on, come on".
The train's armor activates, with reinforced plating covering most of the train while metal bars criss-cross on the windows. After that, a series of turrets rise above the train and begin targeting the midair Grimm. A group of Manticores get shot down.
Meanwhile, Qrow engages the Sphinx, using the scythe form of Harbinger to attack. The Sphinx tries to crush Qrow with its paw, but Qrow manages to transform into his avian form before changing back to land an attack from above. The turrets fire at the Sphinx from behind, causing it let out another loud roar that changed into a cry of pain as Hector lands on its back, his arm blades extended and his semblance activated, and begins to tear into the Grimm. Katrina runs past Qrow and drives her katana across the Sphinx's tail, removing it. Two Manticores fly down, one does a tuck and roll into a turret, destroying it. The other evades turret blasts, but doesn't see Novus aim his rocket launcher and fire, destroying the Grimm in a fiery explosion. The passengers inside the turret's train car scream as it jolts from being destroyed.
Julius headshots a Manticore before yelling at Dudley: "Turn that off! You're only making it worse."
WATCH OUT! Summer suddenly yells in his head, and Julius only has time to see a Manticore tackle him to the ground. It raises a paw to strike and brings it down…but it stops a few inches from Julius's face. The huntsman watches confused as the paw slowly raises before an invisible force snaps the arm, causing the Grimm to cry out in pain and giving Julius enough time to headshot it with his pistol.
Since when could you actually touch things?! Julius though as he stood up.
For a while now, actually Summer replied, I just never had a reason to do it until now.
Oscar's voice was heard through the battle "TUNNEL!".
"MOVE!" Hector yells out as the others get under the cars.
Oscar quickly gets below the train. Dudley does the same, but inadvertently leaves his arm stretched out as it impacts the wall of the tunnel and Dudley yells out in pain. The teams quickly run into the train car as Oscar tends to Dudley, who holds his bruised arm in pain. Qrow enters and approaches Dudley.
"I said, turn those damn things off!" He snapped as he picks up Dudley and shoves him into the wall.
Dudley groans in pain "Those things are keeping us alive!".
"Us, sure, but they're putting the passengers in danger!" Qrow argued
"I'm the one they hired for this job, okay?! I'm in charge here!" Dudley growled.
Qrow did not care one bit "Forgive me if I'm not exactly reassured".
While the two argue, Ruby looks out the window and notices the Manticores enter the tunnel, continuing their pursuit of the train. Novus is standing outside of the back car, holding the Grimm off with the chaingun. She then looks behind her friends at the passengers, a baby can be heard crying as passengers murmur among themselves. Ruby then walks forward to her uncle and Dudley.
Dudley finally breaks free of Qrow's grip "Get off me!".
Qrow glared "Look, if you bozos had been doing your job instead of shaking down passengers, maybe we wouldn't be in this-".
Ruby stops her uncle and walks up to Dudley "Please just shut off the turrets".
"Trust us, we know what we're doing" Jaune said as he activates his Semblance to heal Dudley's arm.
Dudley looks to the students before giving his answer "Fine".
"Ren, could you use your Semblance to mask everyone on this train? With the guns off and emotions hidden, they might lose track of us!" Nora suggested
"Hm, I never attempted to affect this many people" Ren said in an unsure tone.
"Well, you've never had Jaune's help before" Ruby pointed out.
"He could amplify your Aura!" Weiss added
"Yeah, that's an alright plan" Qrow agreed.
"Don't look so worried, Ren. You can totally do this!" Nora reassured her partner.
Oscar's eyes glow as Ozpin takes over "I'm afraid there's one complication... The Grimm are also attracted to Novus and Julius, as well as this " He gestures to the Relic of Knowledge on his hip.
"What's that?" Dudley demanded.
"None of your business. Oz, are you serious?" Qrow asked.
"And when exactly where you planning on telling us that important detail?!" Hector demanded.
"And why are they attracted to you? Katrina asked Julius.
"It doesn't matter right now" Ruby said before and argument could break out "Every second we're on board this train, we're putting everyone else in danger. Get the passengers to the front cars, you'll still mask the emotions and kill the turrets... we just can't come with you. If we cut the back cars with us and the Relic on them, we can deal with the Grimm. You just make sure the rest of the train makes it safely to Argus".
Upon hearing this, Jaune finishes up healing Dudley's arm and walks over to Ruby with a conflicted expression "Only if you'll promise you'll meet us there".
Ruby smiled at him "Promise".
"Katrina and Hector" Julius said, "You two stay with Jaune and his group. Novus will stay with me here."
"Be careful" Hector replied as he and Katrina walked over to join Jaune and the others. Julius then went to join the others on top of the train.
Outside, the turrets are shut off. Blake jumps down and decouples the train, allowing the front half to continue forward. When she looks up, she notices a hooded figure resembling Adam in front of her on the next train car. Blake prepares for a fight, but then realizes that no one is there and it was just her imagination.
"Blake! You OK?" Hector asked from above her.
"I'm fine. Let's go!" Blake said before jumping back up to the top of the train.
Ruby is looking at her scroll, which shows portraits of her teammates and Nora, the latter's signal low compared to the rest. Ruby looks back up and notices the Manticores and Sphinx exiting the tunnel and taking flight once again. The Sphinx lands on the train.
"Now!" Ruby shouted in to her scroll.
Nora gets Ruby's message and gives the okay to Jaune and Ren. The two boys combine their Semblances, with Jaune enhancing Ren's Aura to the point where the entire front half of the train is grayed out by Ren's Semblance. Oscar watches the train as it disappears into the snowstorm, before being attacked by a Manticore. He manages to fend it off temporarily while team RWBY take out several Manticores one by one. Ruby notices Oscar's struggle and takes advantage of Weiss taking one down in order to send it crashing into Oscar's Manticore. Meanwhile, Qrow and Novus, who had come up from the back of the train, are seen struggling against the Sphinx. Ruby notices this and she and her team go to assist him.
Suddenly, a new screeching fills the air as three figures drop down in front of Ruby. As she looks in horror, the figures appear to be skeletons with trace amounts of flesh and wearing some sort of jetpack with missile launchers on the shoulders: Revenants.
Yang notices them too "What the hell are those?!"
The first Revenant fires at Ruby, who uses her Semblance to speed out of the way and get behind the demon, firing a shot into its head and killing it in a burst of blood. The remaining two took to the skies, firing their salvos from above.
"Watch out!" Ruby cried. The others ran around the train avoiding both the Grimm as well as the missiles from the Revenants. Novus was getting angry now; of all the demons he had fought in his life, he found Revenants most annoying. Julius managed to teleport behind one and grab one of its jets, causing to demon to randomly fly around. Julius realized he would need to end this quick or he would lose the train.
Summer he thought, Little help?
I got this Summer replied as an invisible force drove the Revenant back to the train, driving it into the ground and giving Julius enough time to put a bullet in its head.
Tell everyone to take out the jets Summer then said. Julius nodded and turned to those who weren't occupied with the Sphinx "Aim for its jets!"
Ruby nodded and aimed her sniper rifle, scoring a direct hit on one of the jets. The Revenant then careened into the train, where Yang ran up and punched it in the mouth, blowing its head apart. With the Revenants gone, they could finish off the Sphinx. With Qrow still distracting it, Julius teleported up and drove a knife into its neck. As the beast reared its head in pain, Julius called out "Ruby, NOW!" Ruby shot forward, her scythe ready, and soared past the Sphinx's head, using Crescent Rose to decapitate the Grimm on the way past.
Julius jumped off, just in time as the Sphinx's head was sliced off... but at that moment, one last fire ball flew from the now dead Grimm and destroyed the rails. Weiss activates her black Glyphs to hold everyone in place as the train derails and crashes into the snow.
The back half of the Argus Limited is completely derailed, with the train cars crashed in the snow. Qrow, Oscar, and Team RWBY all get back up.
"Is everyone okay?" Qrow asked.
Weiss stood up "I'm fine".
"Yeah" Blake added.
Then, an unfamiliar voice is heard "Still alive!" Everyone looks up and notices an elderly woman, stepping out from the train "That sure was a close one, huh?".