The sun rises over Atlas Academy while Team RWBY snores in their beds.
"Salutations!" Team RWBY are startled awake by Penny shouting her greeting in the middle of their dorm room "Good morning, Team RWBY!".
"Ugh, Penny. What time is it even?" Yang said while rubbing her eye.
"Time to be Huntresses, of course!" Penny strikes a pose, holding up two fingers by her head and winking. Three of the girls groans while Ruby was excited.
In Team JRHD's room, the team didn't get any less of a rude awakening. Then again, that's what happens when a certain excitable cat faunus gets her hands on an airhorn and blares it right in the middle of the room. The whole team nearly flew out of their beds, and Hector got stuck to the ceiling due to his blades.
"Ah! What the-?!" Julius said, looking around, then saw Katrina and got an unamused look. "Seriously?"
"Hey, you guys are deep sleepers." Katrina replied, "Besides, "It's time to get up. We're needed in the meeting room."
After pulling Hector down from the ceiling, Novus stretched and cracked his back "Welcome to the military, everyone."
Later that day Clover briefs everyone, informing them all that their top priority is the Amity Communications Tower, despite the vulnerabilities this will leave Mantle. As three of them fight off Creature of Grimm, Marrow questions whether Yang and Blake work well together, and they dismiss his concerns by demonstrating their teamwork. Jaune guides primary school students, whose mothers flirt after him.
Four of them strike poses, grinning at him. One of the four winks, while another holds out her hand, gesturing for him. The fifth looks away shyly. Meanwhile, a blonde woman in a red coat has approached Jaune with a large casserole.
Jaune smiled awkwardly "Oh, another casserole. That's too kind".
The blonde woman repeatedly attempts to hand the casserole to the reluctant Jaune before forcibly shoving it into his arms, blushing and striking a pose. Meanwhile, a small blonde child in a red coat looks back at her and then sticks their tongue out in disgust and continues walking.
Across the street, Nora and Katrina watch Jaune "It's totally the haircut".
Katrina nodded in agreement, giggling to herself.
Meanwhile, Novus and Hector stood at the wall on patrol, both holding powerful new Plasma Snipers, courtesy of Dr. Hayden.
"I bet 10 Lien you can't hit the Sabyr all the way back there." Hector challenged.
"You sure you wanna bet that?" Novus said.
Hector shrugged "Just wanna see how good you are with a sniper weapon."
"And how good exactly are you, Hector?"
Hector raises his rifle and aims and another Sabyr in the distance, headshotting it after a few seconds of focus.
Novus nods "Not bad."
"Your turn" Hector said.
Novus looks out and sees the Sabyr Hector had pointed out and focused the scope on the Grimm's head. At first Hector thought he would miss, only to realize Novus was charging the plasma shot and fired, burning a hole right through the Grimm's head.
Novus then looked smugly at Hector "You better pay up."
Hector suddenly regretted having made that challenge.
In an Atlas training arena, Ruby is seen with Autumn as the two practice on her using her silver eyes while Spring and Summer Maiden help Julius use his magic more efficiently. Khione watches from a podium above.
"You're using too much energy at once." Spring advised, demonstrating by conjuring only a small energy ball in her hand "If you start small, you can work your way up. Kind of like running and building up endurance."
Julius nods in understanding as he conjures another glyph according to their directions.
Roman had also gotten the popularity of the crowd after using his grappling cane to help pull a truck out of a small ditch the road.
"Wait, isn't that the Torchwick guy from Vale?" someone in the crowd asked.
"Yeah, wasn't he a criminal?" asked another.
"Don't know, don't care" said a third, "He's doing pretty amazing right now. Definitely not a criminal anymore."
Roman smiled as he heard their conversations; yeah, this definitely beat being a low life thief.
Sometime later in the training room, Flynt blasts down a block wall with his Semblance, while Jaune blocks the blast with his shield and Hard-Light Dust. Neon Katt skates by, with Nora chasing her.
"Never miss a beat, never miss a beat. Excuse me!" Neon turns and pulls her bottom eyelid down, sticking her tongue out and blowing a raspberry at Nora. She then turns and weaves around block pillars, laughing, while Nora smashes through the pillars with Magnhild. The blocks disintegrate when they are damaged "Come on, lightning bolt, aren't you supposed to be fast?"
Neon skates away into a room-like area. Ren has taken cover behind a block pillar, occasionally leaning out to fire at Ivori, who blocks the bullets with his whip.
"Wow, your boyfriend's actually holding his own!" Neon comes back to where Ren is from the room-like area and leaps over him. As he raises his guns to fire at Ivori, she hits the guns with her nunchaku, using Ice Dust to encase the guns and Ren's hands in ice "Where's all that energy when he's around you?"
She points at Nora while she talks, then skates away. Just as Ivori raises his whip to attack Ren, Nora fires a grenade, which hits him in the torso, knocking him down. Nora then hops onto Manghild and uses it to fly after Neon, growling angrily. The two speed past Oscar and Kobalt and turn the corner.
Oscar attempts to attack Kobalt with his cane. However, Kobalt catches the cane, takes it from him and tosses it away. He then grabs Oscar's head and lifts him up. Oscar kicks him in the chest and flips away. Ironwood, who is watching the spar from an observation room, nods.
Flynt is slammed into a wall by an unknown assailant, and someone flings Kobalt from behind a wall on the other side of the room. Neon skates into the room-like area, laughing. When she comes to a stop, she sees Jaune standing in one of the doorways. She turns and sees Ren standing in another doorway and then Oscar standing in another. She turns to the fourth and final doorway, which has no one standing in her way. She gets ready to skate through, but suddenly she hears someone yelling and turns to look, surprised.
Nora leaps over a wall and slams her hammer down on Neon's face.
Shortly after, Neon talks to JNR and Oscar with a black eye, which soon heals "Wow! That was amazing! You guys have really improved since the Vytal Tournament. And that cute farm boy had a few surprises for us, too".
She winks at Oscar with a cat-like smile, and Oscar blushes with a shy chuckle.
"Well, you really had us on our toes. Thought you had us there for a second, whew!" Jaune said.
"Oh c'mon, it was way more than a second!" Neon said.
"You guys busy? Wanna grab some lunch?" Flynt asked.
"Do we? I could eat a sandwich the size of Kobalt!" Nora grins, and Kobalt takes a small step away from her. Jaune, Nora and Ren's Scrolls buzz. They withdraw their Scrolls to see the words "Incoming Mission" on their screens.
"Ah, man. We'd love to, but um…" Jaune began.
"Duty calls. Maybe some other time?" Ren asked and Nora frowns at the message.
"No worries! The next time you're free, just let us know" Flynt said as he throws up a peace sign.
Jaune awkwardly copies him, earning an amused laugh from Flynt "Yeah, next time".
Team FNKI walk away.
"Hey Ivori, if you're gonna go get froyo, can I have a bite?" Neon asked.
"Aw, come on!" Flynt said.
…
Later, a truck drives along a long, straight road in the middle of the tundra.
"Not that I'm bored, but why can't we just use an airship to take these supplies to Amity?" Ruby asked.
She Penny and, Novus are sitting in the front seat, while an AK-200 drives. Penny was in the middle, while Novus and Ruby were on each side of her. Ruby stares ahead sleepily.
"The components for Amity Tower's construction are far too heavy. All that weight would require precious Dust we should be saving for the launch itself. And the Grimm that will come after" Penny explained.
Ruby begins to come closer to nodding off to sleep "It just makes for long... very long... supply runs".
"At least the tundra is scenic" Penny smiles and looks out the window. In the distance, a pair of penguins watch the truck, squawking.
Ruby was unimpressed "Totally".
Ruby begins falling asleep, soon leaning over to Penny's shoulder "Ruby!" Ruby is startled awake "I just wanted to say how excited I am to be working with you in a professional capacity. As friends!"
Ruby laughs "Me too, Penny".
"Relationships are so interesting and varied!" Penny said.
"Speaking of friends… Have you been able to make any new ones? Since, you know…?" Ruby asked.
"Now that I'm the official protector of Mantle, I don't really have a team anymore. General Ironwood says I don't have time for friends" Penny said, though it sounded she didn't agree with that.
"Oh, uh, how do you feel about that?" Ruby asked.
Penny thinks "I feel like I wish I could do both the things I need to do and the things I want to do. Is that normal?".
"That's about as normal as it gets, Penny" Ruby answered.
Novus nodded in agreement "Agreed. In fact, I feel that same way sometimes. Being where I'm from, I don't always get to do what I want; our war is constant."
"Yeah, I figued" Ruby said, remembering the Night Sentinels from Jyn's vision, "Well, it's a good thing you and Penny met when you did. I guess you both got your wish for a time."
Penny and Novus looked at each other and smiled, holding each other's hands.
"Yeah, I guess we did." Penny said.
Then, Ruby noticed something "Uh, Uncle Qrow".
Qrow and Clover get up and head to the front of the truck "What's going on? Grimm?".
"No. Worse. You two with me. Penny, Novus, stay put and keep an eye on our six. We may need an element of surprise" Clover ordered.
"Affirmative. I will plan for six possible outcomes" Penny said and the others look at her as she smiles confidently.
Novus looked out ahead and saw the woman from the posters he had seen earlier: Robyn Hill.
Robyn and the sheep faunus, Fiona, are standing in the middle of the road in front of a sheet metal barricade built in front of a small canyon
"Alright ladies, time to show them our teeth" Robyn said.
The truck comes to a stop, and Clover, Ruby, and Qrow exit.
"Robyn! Well, if it isn't Mantle's home town hero. Is there a reason you're blocking an official military transport?" Clover asked.
"Clover, I'm so glad you're here. Maybe you can help me understand why this truck that's supposed to be taking construction materials to fix Mantle's outer wall, is on its way to the middle of nowhere? Are you lost?" Robyn asked, though it was clear she knew the answer.
Clover laughs "It's pretty easy to get turned around out here in the tundra, everything looks the same. Thanks for checking up on us though. We'll be on our way now".
Clover starts to walk away and Robyn sighs "I was hoping you'd play it straight with me. What's Ironwood doing with Amity at the old SDC mine?".
Clover stops and turns back to Robyn "Oh, that. Just giving her an annual checkup".
"The next Vytal Festival isn't anytime soon. Only automated drones and a few select Atlas scientists are allowed out here. And Amity's getting invaluable resources we need in Mantle to protect against Grimm. Seems like more than just a check-up" Robyn said.
"You've been scoping it out" Clover said.
"We can't fix the wall without the supplies on these trucks. I think Mantle deserves to know what they're being used for. It doesn't have to be difficult. Just tell me" Robyn walks forward and extends her hand with a smile.
Clover looks at it for a few moments before speaking "I'm going to have to pass on that".
Robyn frowns, then smiles again as she turns her attention to the others "How 'bout you, pipsqueak? Five o' clock shadow? Any of you want to tell me why Mantle's being put at risk for Ironwood's pet project?".
"We're trying to help Mantle. We need-" Ruby began but Clover cuts her of.
"That's enough Robyn. As a potential Councilwoman, you should probably focus on the election instead of harassing Huntsmen. Now, it's time to let us pass" Clover said.
"I think you've misjudged the situation. One way or another, these supplies are going to get where they're supposed to go, Mantle" Robyn declared.
"Then I suggest you do that through the proper legal channels as a Councilwoman. If you get elected" Clover shot back.
Robyn smiles "Now where's the fun in that?".
Clover tenses his hand, and Ruby and Qrow put their hands on their weapons. This woman seemed to have her heart in the right place, but her methods were dangerous.
In the back of the truck, Novus picked up something on the new sensors on his helmet.
"I'm detecting multiple concealed life forms approaching the truck" VEGA said in his helmet.
"You see that?" he asked Penny.
"Yes" Penny replied.
Novus raised his new weapon: a plasma rifle "Let's go."
Suddenly, Penny flies out from the back of the truck and lands on top of it, her swords levitating around her while Novus combat rolls out, pointing his gun at the area behind the truck.
Penny faced Robyn "Robyn Hill. I would like to politely ask that you call off the Huntresses approaching the rear of the truck".
Clover, Qrow and Ruby look back at what appears to be absolutely nothing behind the truck.
Robyn laughs "Alright. Joanna, May!" Two people fade into view behind the truck "The Protector of Mantle, huh?".
Penny looked hesitant before speaking "Let us through, please".
Novus cocked his gun, whipping it around to Robyn "I'm not afraid to use this."
Robyn narrows her eyes at Novus, as if she recognized him, but she said nothing.
Everyone remains tense for a moment, ready for a fight. Finally, Robyn sighs, and Fiona opens the gate on the barricade. Penny comes down from the truck, and she, Ruby, Qrow, Novus, and Clover start walking to enter the truck.
Clover stops and looks back "Robyn. Good luck at the election".
"That was a close one" Qrow said.
"You're telling me" Clover agreed.
Penny looked over at Novus, who had a grim expression on his face "Is something wrong?"
"I don't know" he replied. Every fiber of his body said he's known Robyn before, but he couldn't remember. HE needed to speak with Dr. Hayden later about this.
Robyn's Happy Huntresses gather around her as she watches the truck drive away.
"What now?" Fiona asked.
"I want to know why Amity Colosseum is suddenly so important. Whatever it takes" Robyn said.
"I also noticed you looked at that armored guy funny" May said, "What was that about?"
Robyn was silent for a few moments before saying "Nothing. He just looked familiar; I can't quite pin it though. It's nothing you need bother yourself with"
That was a lie; Robyn actually had a very good idea of the one under the helmet…and she never realized she would see a Night Sentinel, especially him, again so soon, and it filled her with a twinge of hope.
…
Meanwhile, after the supply run, Novus approached Hayden, who was working in his lab.
"Yes?" Hayden asked.
"Who is she?" Novus demanded.
"Who?"
"Robyn Hill. We ran into her during a supply run to Amity. I see her one time, and I keep getting the feeling I've seen her before."
Hayden nodded "Well, you should. You know her."
"I do?"
However, though of the answer before Hayden gave it, and it shocked him to his core "Of course, Novus. She's your mother."
…
Outside one of the training rooms, Ruby and Julius were resting after training with the Maidens. Turns out, Ruby had also wanted to learn how to fight like the Night Sentinels, and the Maidens were only too happy to oblige, roping Julius in as well. Afterwards, the two Rose siblings were covered in sweat and exhausted; turns out that Night Sentinel fighting styles were faster and more aggressive than either of them had anticipated. As the two rested, Autumn and Summer came out to greet them.
"Well" Autumn asked, "How're you feeling."
Ruby replied between breaths "You…guys…are…CRAZY!"
Summer chuckled, "Well, we have to be. Our enemies don't go easy on us, so why should we go easy on them?"
"She's right, you know" said another voice, and the others looked to see Anton approaching.
"Wasn't expecting to see the Maiden's themselves here" he continued, "It's truly an honor."
"It's good to see you too" Autumn replied.
Julius spoke up "Okay, so I know you're the "original" Summer Maiden, but is Summer your real name? Sorry, it's just my mom's name is Summer so I'm gonna get super confused."
Summer smirked; she seemed to know that there was a different reason he had asked "Well, if you must know, my real name is actually Sandra. Spring and Autumn's names are their true names; Khione and I use the season names as nicknames. Sort of go along with the whole Maiden thing."
I think she suspect of me Summer said in Julius's head, You see the way she looked at you?
Deal with it Julius replied.
Ruby looked confused "But I thought you four are the Maidens?"
"We are, but…"
Khione and Spring suddenly burst into the room.
"Guys!" Spring shouted, holding a scroll, "You need to see this!"
She showed the others the screen just in time for them to see Jacques stepping up to a podium in front of the Schnee manor, looking like he was about to make an announcement.
"If I'm elected Councilman, I've made it no secret I will be opposing General Ironwood and his senseless embargo that is crippling all of Atlas. It is my belief that these measures are not only reckless, but criminal. With no shipments allowed to enter or leave the kingdom, I know many are suffering. And my family has been weathering the same storm as many of you. Effective immediately, I am forced to shut down all nonessential SDC operations. If elected to office, I will make the changes necessary to fix what Ironwood has broken. I hope you ask yourself before the vote, can you trust anyone else to stop Ironwood? Will Robyn Hill be able to get your jobs back?" Jacques asked.
Julius, Ruby, Anton, and the Maidens all watched in shock at what they were hearing.
"That prick…" Khione gasped.
Jacques has just provided the spark that's going to set the kingdom on fire.
There you have it; the identity of Novus's mother. Also, I gave the Summer Maiden a new name because I realized there was going to be a bit of confusion between her and Summer Rose. Anyways, let me know what you think so far!