F3: Hello everyone and welcome back. We left off with the group facing a giant grimm that they managed to defeat and now was heading toward Corquina for much needed rest. RWBY is property of Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. OC characters are owned by me unless listed differently. With that said Let's Roll Out!

Volume 4-16 Blue: Reveal.

It was another hour before the group managed to get to Corquina as Carmine and her group of bandits checked on their vehicles making sure none of them were damaged from the fight. Star got off Carmines motorcycle as she headed over to greet Mars and the others.

"Is everybody okay?" Star asked making sure no one else was hurt from the big fight they had.

"Yeah everyone is fine. No major injuries." Velvet said assuring her that nobody got hurt.

"Though what in the world was that back their. You like summoned ice out of thin air. How did you do that?" Cardin asked quite surprised at what happened.

"Well..." Star started but Carmine came over and answered for her.

"That was the power of a maiden right." Carmine answered which kind of confused most of them.

"A maiden? What are you talking about?" Velvet asked not sure how to make of the situation.

Carmine sighed a bit before she spoke up again "You all have a favorite fairy tale right. When you all were kids." Carmine said.

"I think so. Mom always told me something before I fell to sleep at night." Nebula replied.

"Yeah me too. Though what do you mean Carmine? What about our favorite fairy tales?" Dew asked.

Carmine chuckled at this "Have you all heard about the seasonal maidens? What they all mean?" Carmine asked as she once again got confused looks.

"Never heard of it before. I've heard something called the Four Guardians. Saying they each had mystical abilities that no human being had." Nebula answered which did get Carmines attention.

"Oh. So what's your take on them? These guardians you speak of." Carmine asked.

"Well... stories picture them as protectors against the grimm. Though also as healers for the people. They say that they were given extraordinaire gifts that made them guardians." Nebula replied as Dew nodded in agreement.

"Yeah I was told almost the same." Dew replied.

"Well what if I told you those four guardians are just the same as the four maidens." Carmine replied which surprised them.

"Wait. They could be related as the same thing." Dew replied.

Carmine nodded "Exactly. Though the maidens have powers of the seasons. Summer, winter, fall, and spring. Though each one is rather different than the other." Carmine said before looking toward Star.

"And from what I just witnessed against that Serpantara that Star here is the winter maiden." Carmine said.

"I'm surprised that you figured that out." Star replied.

"Wasn't hard to figure it out." Carmine added though she noticed one of her men came rushing toward her.

"What's the status? Anyone injured?" Carmine asked.

"Luckily no but our vehicles have taken quite a beating during the confrontation. It'll take some time for us to get them up and going again. Though we are currently lacking any tools to do so." The man replied which didn't sit well with Carmine.

"Great that'll take hours to get done." Carmine grunted before turning toward the others.

"Any of you good with machines?" She asked the girls as Nebula raised her hand.

"I can take a look at it and able to get it up and going again. Just have them bring it by my place." Nebula replied.

"Alright. I'll be sure they bring it by." Carmine added.

"You know since we're now back in Corquina I could really use a bath right now. I'm pretty sure we're all a bit smelly after that battle we had." Mars suggested.

"Yeah I would agree. The bath house does sound good right now." Velvet added.

With a unanimous decision the girls plus Cardin decided to head out to the bath house for some much needed relaxation. It didn't take long for them to get to the bath house as the girls changed out of their clothes and wrapped into towels.

Cardin headed toward the other side of the bath house to the men side.

Each of them stepped into the hot bath their towels wrapped secure around them. Star was equally glad that they could finally relax from the long ride.

"Man... this is something that I needed." Carmine said enjoying herself. Even though she had her body wrapped in a towel she did have a rather modest bust size but still a little smaller than Velvets bust size.

"Yeah this is something that we all needed. A chance to relax our muscles from everything that had happened." Velvet added.

"So this is the famous Corquina bath house. I must say it is rather refreshing." Dew said complimenting the place.

"Believe me this place helps a lot. I come here whenever I'm done fixing something. It works wonders." Nebula added.

"Plus I'm going to need it if I'm going to fix up those vehicles." Nebula replied.

"Your quite good with you hands. Your dad must've taught you quite good with machines." Carmine said. Nebula went quiet for a moment before she nodded.

"Yeah... he did." Nebula replied somberly. Carmine realized quick that she might off stepped on something sensitive.

"My apologies if I brought up any bad memories for you." Carmine apologized.

The violet haired girl simply shook her head "Nah it's okay. I'm over it already." She simply said as the girls continued to soak in the bath house. Though Carmine looked at some of them but more importantly at Velvet with a teasing look as she decide to move behind the rabbit faunus.

"Though I could almost swear that someone here is a model. I mean with a body like yours you could be one. Makes me a bit jealous." She said as she gentle touched Velvets hips which made her squeak from the touch with a slight blush on her face.

"Well toned too. Barely any body fat from what I can tell. You must work out quite a bit." Carmine commented.

"Y-Yes. I have a strict regiment I keep to. Helps me stay in shape for any missions that come up." Velvet replied.

"I see. Though you can't be too hard on your body otherwise your muscles will tense up or you'll get a ripped tendon. That is something that this gorgeous body of yours doesn't need." Carmine replied teasing a little at the end.

"Okay girl you're going to make her nervous about herself." Mars replied as Carmine put her hands up in defense.

"Hey a girl can't appreciate another girls body. A little light teasing won't hurt anyone but alright I'll back off." Carmine said retreating from behind Velvet.

"After this we'll head to my house, have some dinner and then head to bed. We'll need all of our energy for tomorrow that's for sure." Mars replied.

However Star had something else in mind that she wanted to do "Actually you all can go ahead. I was going to go back to the academy here and train a bit more. More importantly with my semblance. I think I've gotten more of a grasp on it but I want to be able to test it more." Star replied.

"Alright. You want us to come along?" Mars asked but Star shook her head.

"Nah I'm good. You all go ahead. I can handle myself. Plus I feel more of my aura returning to me. Last I check it was over half way. So hopefully I'll be able to get it all back." Star replied.

"I'm sure you'll be able to. Just don't over due it with your training okay." Mars said as Star nodded.

"Though I think it's time that we got out. The more we stayed in here we'll end up like dried raisens." Nebula added as they all agreed to get out of the bath house as they all got changed back into their clothes. Cardin was quick to follow as well as he rejoined them. Carmine went back to rejoin her men back at the outskirts of the town.

Nebula decided to head back to her home so that why she can get started on working on the vehicles that were damaged as Dew joined her as well. Star also left the group as she headed toward Oscuro Academy so she could train with her semblance which only left Cardin, Velvet, and Mars.

"Why don't we head back to the house and relax. After what today has brought us I think a nice meal and then rest for tomorrow." Mars replied as the three of them headed toward Mars home once again.

=RWBY=

Meanwhile Star walked down the path toward Oscuro Academy as she began to remember when she first got into the academy as memories of that day came rushing back to her.

[Flashback 4 years ago]

A young Star Azure stood in front of Oscuro Academy with before an excited and nervous look on her face as her tail swayed. Today she was going to start her journey of becoming a huntress though it was much thanks to help of the headmistress of the academy that she was able to attend. She knew that Mrs. Zairel was looking out for her as she felt like a mom than anything.

The young Star took in a breath before letting it out slowly letting a out a triumphant huff as she walked through the front entrance with her weapon Kitsune in tow. She would meet up with other students attending the academy in the auditorium as Tala Zariel stood in front of them.

"Good morning everyone. My name is Tala Zariel the headmistress of this academy. Today begins your step into becoming huntsmen and huntresses. Now as you know this school is a combat school in where we will teach you the fundamentals of battle. More importantly how to protect yourself against the creatures of grimm. However your journey might be cut short if you don't complete this small test. Fail to complete it and you'll be asked to leave the academy and try again next month." Tala said which already got everyone muttering.

"You each will be tasked to kill one grimm of your choosing. However when one person kills a grimm of a certain species you are not allowed to kill that same one. Your intiation will take place in one hour." Tala said.

One hour quickly passed and the first years were off to kill a grimm of their kind but Star had to began of which one she killed. She spotted a small Taijutu but someone was already taking care of it. Star then found a boartusk and it was just a small one but it would do. Star lunged at it to try and get it on its back but it reacted and avoid her attack. It then rolled up into a ball, began spinning rapidly and then charged at her.

Taken by surprise it rammed into her knocking her back some as she caught herself. Star readied herself but she an arrow quickly flew by her as it hit the grimm directly in its eye. The fox faunus looked behind her to see a blond haired girl holding a bow and arrow.

"Finally found one. Took a while but finally." The blond girl said which annoyed Star.

"Hey! This one here is mine so back off blondie." Star shouted.

"No way! I've been looking for a grimm like forever and I'm not letting this one get away!" The blond shouted back as her bow suddenly split into swords as she charged at the boartusk. Not wanting to get out done Star charged at it as well. The boartusk looked at this and... let's just say it had a feeling this wouldn't end well for him.

The blond was able to trip it up and get it on its back while Star took the chance to deal a killing blow to the underbelly. However the blond girl was thinking the same thing as she stabbed her swords at the same time Star stabbed her staff into it killing it completely as it evaporated.

"Oh yeah! Kill one for me!" The blond cheered.

"Now hold on I killed it so you go and find another one. That was my kill." Star protested.

"Yeah in your dreams." The blond countered.

"Okay then why don't we let the headmistress decide who killed it." Star said as the two returned to the academy to speak with Tala.

"Whaaaat!?" They both said in unison.

"From the video it would appear you both managed to land a kill blow on the grimm. In this particular case you both have passed and are now part of the school as its students." Tala replied as the two of them looked at each other not sure what to say.

However the blond girl spoke up "Got a name foxy?" She asked.

"Star Azure. And you?" Star asked back.

"Mars Kaminari. Nice to meet yah." Mars smirked as she held out a hand. Star understood the gesture and took it into a handshake not knowing that the two of them would become friends from the very start.

[Flashback End. Present]

Star certainly remembered that day. It wouldn't be long that she and Mars would meet Woody a few months later. Now looking back she was honestly glad that she met them. Though she know had to refocus as she entered the academy with her goal in mind.

She was about to head to Tala's office when she heard footsteps coming ahead of her as she saw Tala walk down from her office as she noticed the fox faunus in front of her .

"Oh Star... welcome back. Is their something that you need?" Tala asked.

"Actually yeah... I would like to use the training room again." Star said with confidence.

"Are you sure? The last time you did you got injured because of your aura was already low." Tala said though that was when she realized something a bit different about Star as she simply chuckled.

"Your aura has almost returned to you yes." Tala said as Star nodded.

"Yeah plus their are a few things I want to let you in on." Star said as the two began walking toward the training area. On the way Star explained all the things that have transpired when she was gone. Tala was quite surprised that something was going on in the capital that had her worried. She also learned that Carmine wasn't as bad as a person that she pictured her to be.

"I see. I guess I've misjudged the poor girl before I got to know her. Though I honestly had a feeling that you creating ice wasn't your semblance but to have the powers of one of the four maidens. Guess the legends are true." Tala replied.

"Yeah I was pretty surprised too. But what really surprised me was the part of me having Schnee blood in me even though I'm a faunus. That was a real shock to me." Star said.

"I would quite say so. Though I think you said you've wanted to train with your semblance." Tala replied as Star nodded in confirmation.

"Very well. You know the drill. I'll be up in the control room while you be in the arena." Tala replied as Star headed to the arena. The door opened letting Star in as she set her gunbreakers off to the side so they wouldn't be in the way.

Star walked to the center of the arena as she took in a breath before letting it out slowly trying to relax.

"Okay Star. Are you ready?" Tala said over the intercom. Star gave a firm nod. With that Tala turned on the training system as it came to life and before her it quickly summons two virtual images of Beowolves as they roared at their target.

Star steeled herself as she closed her eyes and concentrated on her semblance. Her tail swayed a little as it started to split into two tails and before long a third tail started to form as her finger nails started to extend into claws and she could feel her canines started to grow sharper as she remained in control of her anger.

She opened her eyes as she stared at her opponents letting out a growl of her own. In the control room Tala only looked on and was quite amazed at what she was looking at. She was witnessing Star's real semblance for the first time.

The Beowolves charged at the fox faunus as they tried to flank her with one of them going left and the other right. Star noticed this but she didn't bother stopping them as she wanted to test the limits of her semblance. As they neared her she put both arms out and to her surprise was able to stop them both in their tracks as she had each hand on their skulls stopping them completely.

"Whoa. Did my semblance enhance my strength?" Star thought as she then let out a grin. Wanting to test it she shoved the grimm away from her and attacked the one on her left and swung her claws at the beast. Her claws impacted its skull and managed to not only shatter the bone mask on it but it also killed it as it dissolved into pixels.

The other grimm didn't like that as it charged at her before leaping into the air trying to pounce at her. Star was late to react as it landed on her but she was still able to stay vertical as she held her ground as the grimm was nicking away at her aura.

Star grabbed the grimm by it's neck and started to tug at it "Get! Off!" Star shouted as she threw the grimm off her as it slammed into the ground hard. Not waiting for it to get back up Star lunged at the grimm and sunk her claws into it's neck and in one motion ripped its head clean off as its body dissolved into pixels along with its head.

What Star didn't know was that a forth tail was starting to grow as her next set of opponents appeared. A pair of ursas were next as they growled at her. Star looked back and noticed them as she was ready for them this time. This time Star didn't wait for them to attack she instead charged at them. Though the ursas were a tougher opponent as they had a tougher skin than her previous opponents.

She tried swiping at them but her claws barely scratched it as the ursas reared up to attack her though she expertly dodged it.

"Talk about slow. No it's not them. It's my reaction time." Star thought as she attacked again but this time using her size to her advantage. When the other ursa tried to swipe at her she jumped up and over the ursa actually able to land on top of the the beast tried to shake her off with all its might but was unsucessful as Star held firm.

The other ursa noticed this at tried to attack her while she was still on the ursa. She waited for the right time before she jumped off as the ursa hit the one she was on causing it stumbled over itself.

Taking advantage of it Star aimed underneath the jaw at the neck as she speared her clawed hand through its neck killing the first ursa. The second ursa got up and roared at her as it swiped its claw at her actually landing a hit on her as she was thrown back. Though she rolled and quickly got back up before running toward the monster again. The beast swiped at her again but she dodged it this time and once she was close she actually aimed for the beasts eyes as she clawed at them. The monster roared in pain as it was now completely blind unable to see it's opponent.

Now blinded Star attacked aimed for its limbs as her claws slashed at it's front paw chopping it off as it lost its balance. She was able to get underneath the beast and was able to lift up the large ursa and with a show of strength tossed the monster aside as it landed on its back exposing its stomach. Using both of her claws Star rushed at the downed monster and stabbed both claws into its stomach killing it instantly as if dissolved into pixels.

Even though she beat it she was starting to get tired and not only that but she felt like her semblance was starting to get out of hand.

"Okay calm down. Calm down. Let's tone it down a peg." Star thought as she took in a breath to calm herself. Apparently Tala noticed this and deactivated the simulation as she came down from the control room. As Star calmed herself her tails were slowly retracting until she only had one tail.

Tala went over to check on her to make sure Star hasn't overexert herself.

"You okay? No injuries." Tala asked.

Star shook her head "No I think I'm good." She said reassuring the headmistress.

"That just now. What you did? Was that your semblance? I never thought it would be so... beastly." Tala replied.

"Yeah it took me a while to realize my real semblance. I had a little help controlling it but I feel like the more tails that I get the more difficult I'll have controlling it. I think four tails is probably my limit right now." Star replied.

Tala nodded at this "That would probably be a safe bet. Though from what you told me that the capital will be attacked. That doesn't sound very pleasing." She added.

"Yeah which is why I wanted to train with my semblance that way I have something of a firm grasp on it and that way it'll become more useful during battle." Star said.

"Well whenever you're ready I can start back up the simulation." Tala replied as Star decided it was good to take a break before she started back up her training again.

=RWBY=

As Stars training was happening Mars, Velvet, and Cardin had returned to the blonds home as the three sat down at the kitchen table probably to discuss what to do next.

"Tomorrow we'll be heading to the capital. Hopefully we'll make it in time before the attack happens. Whoever this Trifa person is sounds serious about attack the capital." Mars replied.

"Yeah but from what Melanie found out she is being forced to work with them. My question is who is forcing her and how are they keeping her in line?" Cardin questioned.

"Wish I knew. Probably something we ask once we get their." Velvet replied though their thoughts were broken by the sound of grumbling coming from Mars.

"Ehehe. Guess I haven't had much to eat after a long time." She said sheepishly.

Cardin immediately got up from his seat "Guess I'm cooking tonight. Care to help Vel?" He asked as the rabbit faunus nodded.

"Sure." She replied as she joined Cardin in the kitchen. They two of them gathered some ingredients as they started cooking. Mars decided she should help as she gathered what they needed.

"So what are we making this time?" Mars questioned with curiosity.

"An alferdo stir fry. Though with some extra spice to the sauce. You'll love it." Cardin said as he started mixing the ingredients.

"Hm... now where's the paprika? " Cardin questioned looking for the ingredient.

"It should be in the bottom drawer. I never had the chance to organize things so everything is just scattered." Mars said.

"I'll get it." Velvet said as she went to the bottom drawer and opened it. It didn't take long to find the paprika but she also noticed something else in it as well. It was an envelope and it was addressed from Fenix Neaman to Nia Kaminiari.

"Hm... what's this?" Velvet said as she grabbed the envelope. The envelope had darkened edges showing signs of aging.

Mars noticed this and went to see what she was holding. "Find something?" Mars asked.

"It's an envelope. Supposed to be sent by someone named Fenix." Velvet replied.

"Oh yeah the lion faunus me, Star, and May, ran into. Nice guy but why would mom have a letter from him." Mars replied curiously as she took the envelope and decided to open it.

Inside it is a folded sheet of paper in which Mars unfolded the paper.

"It is a letter. And from Fenix." Velvet said as now Cardin stopped and went over and seeing the letter as he read it over Mars shoulder.

"Dear Nia, I am very happy that we are finally starting a family but I wish that I could be with you at this moment during your time of need. However even though we are far apart the love for each other is stronger than any distance put between us. I make this vow that once everything is done I will come and visit you and our child. I'm not how long it will take but I have never once broke my promise to you. Take care of our cub. Your love for life, Fenix Neaman." Cardin read.

Mars at first didn't know what the letter meant as she stood their simply frozen in place. Velvet also noticed that their was a photo in the envelope.

The photo itself had the picture of a women in her early thirties as it looked like she had just given birth as she was holding an infant wrapped in a pink blanket with bits of blond hair but what was distinctive is a small lions tail that stuck out of the blanket.

Mars looked at the photo and was utterly speechless but also confusing as she stared at the picture.

"So that's Nia Kaminari. But that could only mean that the baby in the picture is you." Cardin said.

"Okay but there is one problem with that. I'm not a faunus. I'm completely human." Mars replied.

However Velvet took another look at the photo again and she saw something that was familiar. It was the small arrowhead necklace that Nia was wearing in the picture to one the one that Mars was wearing right now.

Velvet decided to test something out. "Um Mars it be okay if I took a look at your necklace for a minute?" Velvet asked which made the blond suspicious.

"Is there a reason for this?" She countered.

Velvet nodded "Just something I want to find out. "Velvet replied. Mars didn't know what Velvet meant as she fiddled with her necklace for a minute but she then carefully removed it.

"Okay... now what?" Mars asked still confused as they waited for a moment. However Mars began to feel uncomfortable coming from behind her as she fidgeted in place. Though a minute past as she felt relief.

"Strange. That felt uncomfortable and now relieved. Wonder why?" Mars said as Velvet let out a small chuckle.

"Maybe you want to look behind you." Velvet said. Mars looked behind her and she noticed a long blond colored tail that touches the ground.

The blonds eyes went wide at seeing a tail... her tail. That only means one thing that she is a faunus.

"Well... this is most certainly a surprise. But how? If I had a tail in the photo then how come I didn't have it then." Mars said as so many questions ran through her head.

"I think it might have to do with this necklace. Maybe it's one of those artifacts that doctor Oobleck talked about." Velvet replied.

"Yeah that could be it." Cardin added which only confused Mars more.

"Whoa hold on. Artifacts? What are you talking about?" Mars asked completely out of the loop.

"Its something that we studied in our class back at Beacon. Apparently they were created during and before the times of the Great War. Each one having their own unique ability. I think we might have figured this one out." Cardin added.

"Yeah considering it hid her faunus trait for so long." Velvet concluded.

Though Mars took a look at the letter again more importantly at who sent it as she stared at the name Fenix Neaman. She really didn't know what to think as questioned swarmed inside of her head.

"You know... I think I lost my appetite. I'm going to call it a night." Mars replied as she left the two of them and headed upstairs. Velvet and Cardin watched Mars head upstairs as she obviously had a lot on her mind now with this suddenly revelation.

"Is she going to be okay?" Cardin asked as Velvet only shrugged.

"I'm not sure. She just found out that she's really a faunus this whole time. How would you react?" Velvet said.

"Yeah... you got a point their. Let's give her some space." Cardin replied as they went back to fixing the meal they planned.

=RWBY=

Vanessa and the others returned to the capital after some recon but that only made Vanessa worried after what they saw over at the cave. The three had gathered in her office as she tried to discuss the next move.

"Well that was great. There were too many of them for us to sneak past. It's was like they were prepared for us when we got their. Couldn't even get close enough." May replied annoyed at the situation.

Vanessa simply had her hands folded as she was trying to determine what to do next.

"This is quite the dilemma that we face. I'm not sure who tipped them off but now that area will be more secure than we originally thought. They knew which entrances to covers so it would've been impossible to get in." Vanessa said.

Leaning against a wall Melanie was currently thinking about the recent events that had happened.

"Something seems off. The amount of men their at the cave is a little overkill as if they were ready for someone to attack someone had to have alerted them about us. I don't think Trifa could've warned them cause she wants her family safe. Then just who could've alerted them." She thought before she got off the wall as she walked toward the door.

"You going somewhere." Her mother asked.

"Just something I'm contemplating on. Be back soon." Melanie replied as she walked out of the office.

"You think she has something on her mind. Should I go after her?" May asked as Vanessa shook her head.

"She'll be fine. She does better when she's by herself. If she has something on her mind then we should figure stuff out too." Vanessa replied as they were left to their own devices. Though what they didn't know that someone was already spying on the two of them in secret.

Two hours pass and in another room Melanie was going over some documents more importantly at some of the financials for the academy and where they went. Though the only problem is that there are a lot of papers to sort through as she looked through each one of them very carefully. Though she found something that was quite and oddity in one of the pages.

There was an unhealthy amount of lien out of the academies account. More importantly the two hundred thousand lien that was missing in the account which to her seemed rather fishy as she now pondered something.

"Something doesn't feel right about this. Two hundred thousand lien just doesn't up and disappear for the academies personal account. Plus only limited people have access to the account. I know mother wouldn't simply spend that amount. While the council does hire huntsman to handle problems they don't force people out of their homes. Plus they said it had ben vacant for quite some time." Melanie said to herself.

"I would have to bet some White Fang members were disguised as huntsmen to force out the people at the property only for them to take over and then it was paid for with the lien that went missing. So the question is who could've paid the council the lien?" She asked herself as she began to eliminate people from her thoughts before coming to one possible person.

"Theodore... the vice headmaster. Though how could he be involved in this. Could he be part of the White Fang?" She asked herself.

"Honestly I haven't seen much of him lately so that could be possible. I have to warn the others about this." Melanie replied as she grabbed some of the documents so she could show her mother the theory she had and hopefully they can react quick enough before this gets out of hand.

F3: And that's it for this one. The attack is just a day away and it looks like its going to be a close one. Wonder what'll happen next? You're just have to read on. If you like how this is going let me know in the comments and also make to follow for future updates. With that said this is Fireuser3 and I'm out.