AN: Hey everyone, I have the next chapter here. Thank you for all the support this series has gotten here and on Tv Tropes. This chapter, we get a little check-in with each member of Team RWBY across their different adventures. However, stay tuned to the very end for a certain reveal. It is something I said before that would be a big change from the cannon, but who it introduces is someone I think people will be happy to see. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.
Chapter 19 – Lasting Bonds
Ruby.
Back in Team RAMA's room, the four members reunited. Atalanta glared down the corgi in Ruby's arms, who responded with a lovable smile. "Uh," Ruby spoke to her teammate, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Atalanta responded, but the glare remained, "I just lost my composure for a second."
"That's one way to put it," Medusa commented back, "It almost looked like you suddenly changed classes into a Berserker." Suddenly, the long-haired rider remembered something, turning back to Ruby, "Oh, I have this for you." She said before spawning a black and purple short scythe.
"Wow!" Ruby said as her silver eyes beamed, "You're just giving it to me?" She asked with Medusa nodding with a smile.
"How do you even have something like that?" Anastasia inquired, "I thought your other weapons were a set of spikes and chains."
"It is, but I remembered I used these in a different Class," Medusa said before passing the chain scythe to Ruby. Zwei jumped out her arms before laying in the nearby pillow, "When I was even younger than Ruby, my class was Lancer."
"That does make more sense with a scythe-like weapon," Anastasia commented as Ruby marveled at the blade and chain, "It makes me wonder why you are not a lancer to begin with." She said, but Ruby was still fixated on the weapon, "…You're not paying attention, are you?"
The long-haired rider cleared her throat, "As a Rider, it's better to have multiple Noble Phantasm for every situation." Medusa said to Ruby, who looked up at her, "It may be the same type of weapon as your Crescent Rose, but Harpe offers a different variety of utilities."
"And since it's a scythe," Atalanta added on, "It should be easier for Ruby to pick up than a completely different weapon type."
"Thank you!" Ruby responded with a smile. However, she suddenly had a realization, "But, how come you don't use it in battle?"
"Oh, I stopped using that weapon after I left my sisters' team." Medusa responded, "In becoming a Rider, I also wanted a fresh start."
"I didn't know you had sisters," Anastasia asked, "Where are they?"
"They aren't with us anymore," Medusa said with an aura of gloom in her voice.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Ruby responded in remorse.
"Nononono, they aren't dead!" Medusa clarified, "I meant they aren't heroic spirits like us anymore." She said with a smile, "They decided to become idols instead."
"Idols?" Ruby responded with Medusa nodding, "You mean like the kind Elizabeth wants to be."
"Yes, Euryale and Stheno even wanted me to join their group. They wanted our name to be The Three Gorgon Sisters." She said with Atalanta's eyes widening, remembering was Medusa's Alter had renamed herself to be. However, the lioness faunus had a look of confusion at why the Alter now wanted that as her new name. Medusa continued, "Sadly, I couldn't join their group."
"Let me guess, you wanted to stay a heroic spirit and save the world from Grimm," Ruby said with a smile.
"Well, that was one point." Medusa responded, then looked slighting down, "However, the reason I couldn't join them," She said before slightly pouting, "…I was too tall to be an idol..." An awkward silence fell over the group.
Anastasia sighed before turning to Ruby, "In any case, you can use that to get the attention Charlemagne." She said with the red hooded girl turning to her, "You were rather remarkable in eliminated those Grimm. Given his past, that is something he would also find impressive." The Grand Duchess said with a smile as Ruby blushed, "In tomorrow's combat class with Team COBS, you can challenge him the same way you did with Gray today."
"Oh, I see now." Ruby said with a nod, "So…do I try to win, let him win, go for a tie?"
"Doesn't matter," Anastasia responded as she smiled, "So long as you don't embarrass yourself, Charlemagne will be noticed you practicing saving people as a huntress."
"She's right, Ruby." Atalanta added on, "That's why we're all here."
"And even if you do embarrass yourself." Medusa continued, "He isn't the type to laugh at someone who's trying their best."
"Thanks," Ruby said with a smile, then looked down at her new weapon, "Tomorrow is going to be the best day ever!" She thought to herself as her eyes filled with determination.
Weiss.
In the Atlas airship meeting room, the seven members gathered to discuss the next phase of their operation. Winter took out her scroll as she controlled a holographic map of the area, three dots lit up at the White Fang bases, "All three of the bases are close, but not close enough for a simultaneous raid to happen so easily." She led the discussing, "But, no traceable devices were found that could have allowed us to discover their planning beforehand."
"We don't need any of that." Reines responded, "I noticed the footprints before we entered the base." She before remembering the event, "So, I had Trimmau trace then back to an origin point." She said as the map showed a line leading from one of the bases towards an ocean, "As well as look for similar trails at that point leading towards the other base. Which she not only found, but confirmed they were equidistance form this origin point." The Princess of El-Melloi said before to lines went from the point earn the ocean towards the other two White Fang bases, "That is where Christopher Columbus gave his men their mission. They all left at the same time to make sure the attacks happened all at once."
"I investigated the area; an old port that had been abandoned for years." Sigurd responded, "However, it appeared as if someone had used the docks within twenty-four hours."
Winter then dragged the map to look at the ocean, "We sent out multiple drones to search the area, and luckily, we're able to spot something." She said before the map zoomed in on a specific latitude and longitude. On that point, three massive wooden ships were seen. "Upon locating these vessels, the drone performed an heat scan." She said as an in infrared images of the ships was shown In the lower sections of each ship, a massive combination of body heat was seen, "If I had to make a guess, these are where they are keeping their White Fang prisons."
"Why would they take so many as prisoners?" Musashi asked.
"They're in open waters, not bound by most laws of the kingdoms." Brynhildr responded with remorse in her voice, "They may be planning to sell off the faunus as slaves through black market dealing."
A look of rage filled Musashi's eye before turning to Winter, "We need to stop them before any of that can happen."
"Agreed," Winter responded, "However, as soon as they see the Atlas Airship, the faunus will be used as hostages." She said before crossing her arms, "Which means we need to attack before they realize what has hit them. As well, we need to attack all three ships at the same time."
"Giving them a taste of their own medicine," Reines said with a smirk, then looking over to Adam, "How does that make you feel? You've been rather quiet as of late."
"The White Fang Killer," Adam spoke, "Which ship is he on?" He asked with the whole group looking at him, "That is the one I will attack."
"Hm, I would say the one in the middle is Columbus's vessel" Reines responded with the others looking at her in shock, but she smirked back at the White Fang swordsman, "It's also the one I plan to pay a visit on. Which means you will have to follow my orders." She then looked to the group, "I don't want to risk Trimmau falling in the ocean, so I will need another member so provide backup."
Musashi was about to speak up, but someone else spoke first, "I'll go," Weiss volunteered with her big sister glaring, "Lieutenant General, if we wish to heal relations with humans and the White Fang." The white heiress said with a focused gaze, "A Schnee should be part of the group to save these faunus and put an end to the White Fang Killer."
"Then I should be part of the group attacking the White Fang Killer's ship, not you." Winter responded with a cold glare, "While we don't know who would be on other ships, Columbus will be too strong for you to handle. You would be safer attacking one of the other ships with someone else more experienced."
"It's not my safety that should be your concern," Wiess responded, pointing to herself, "You choose for me to help you on this mission. Let me prove that I can live up to our family name. That I can restore its honor and pride!"
"Weiss!" Winter responded, "I am your superior and I forbid you from-"
"I would like Weiss as my backup. Her points are sound, even if they are from a child's mouth." Reines said while looking at Weiss, then turning back to Winter, "Besides, I would feel uneasy be with a woman that outranks me." The Princess of El-Melloi then smirked at the Atlas Military Specialist, "It could make me want to suddenly withdraw from this whole operation, taking the funding with me." She said with Winter gritting her teeth with rage.
However, Winter sighed before composing herself, "Very well, the three of you will be the team to attack the primary ship." She then looked over to the beloved woman, "Brynhildr and I shall attack the far-right ship."
"Wouldn't it make more sense for my husband and I to attack together?" Brynhildr responded.
"I agree," Sigurd said before looking to the swordswoman, "You should work with Musashi."
"Musashi and I already have a similar fighting style." Winter responded, "It would not make sense for the two of us to be on a team."
"Oh, you're a dual wielder too," Musashi responded, "Neat."
"Then, I shall partner with you." Sigurd said to Winter, "There should not be any problem in that combination."
"No," Winter responded, her gaze slight narrowing, "I don't see a problem with that either." She then looked to the rest of the group, "We will conduct the operation at midnight. That is all the time we have to prepare for this rescue mission." She said before everyone stood up from their seats exiting the room.
The second last to exit was Adam, followed by Weiss. She followed the white fang swordsman until he turned to face her, "What is it?"
"We should discuss possible strategies?" Weiss offered, "For this mission, we'll be fighting alongside one another."
"And you're okay with that," Adam responded, "Teaming up with someone you despise so heavily?"
"Look," Weiss responded with a sigh, "I just want this mission to be a success and for us to save those people."
Walking towards the two was Reines, "As do I," She said with a smirk, gainer their attention, "With it, I need both of you to understand something," She said with her expression changing to a serious one, her eyes narrowing as her mouth showed no form of snark, "I don't want you two holding back against these savages. "
"What?" Weiss responded.
"You know what she means, Schnee." Adam said to Weiss before turning to Reines, "So do I."
"Until I give you the order, you will remain nonlethal." The Princess of El-Melloi responded before focusing on Weiss, "However, our enemy is not going to think of this as 'practice'. They will try to kill you without hesitation, just like a Grimm would." She then smirked, "And just like a Grimm, I expect you to eliminate them."
"You-" Weiss said with hatred in her voice.
However, Adam cut her off, "Understood," He said with a slight bow, "This one time, I will follow your orders." He then focused his gaze on Reines' smirk, "But be prepared to live with the consequences."
"I am fully aware," Reines responded before turning around, "And I'm glad we could finally reach an understanding." She said before walking away.
"Wait!" Weiss called but Reines did not stop. The white heiress gritted her teeth before turning to Adam, who was already walking away as well. She tried to speak but could not come up with the question right away.
Suddenly, Adam stopped as he spoke, "You haven't done it before, have you?" He said while looking back, "Taking a human life."
"Of course not!" Weiss responded, "A huntress does not kill anything except Grimm. If a huntress does kill someone, it only spawns negative emotions unlike any other action." She said before tightening her fist, "I may be cold at times, but I could never ki-"
"Close your heart," Adam cut her off, causing Weiss to look back to him in confusion, "You can kill Grimm, you feel nothing when you shatter their skulls or stab them in the chest. Because of that, it makes no Grimm as a result. They're monsters, nothing more and nothing less." He said before sighing, "But a person is different, they have a real life that will come to an end if your blade pierces a vital organ. You can identify with a person, but not a Grimm. So, close your heart to all emotions. And that way, you will not create negative emotions in the process." He said as Weiss had a look of fear in her eyes, "You will just do what needs to be done."
"I…I." Weiss said before she asked a different question, "…Is that how you do it?"
Adam waited before responding, "…No." He said before tightening his right fist, "How I did it, I never looked at a human as a person worth the life. I could take it, just like how you take the life of a Grimm, without a second thought. Because to me, they are both the same monsters." He then turned to Weiss, "That's at least what I used to say." He said with slight remorse in his voice forming, "And it's what I used to tell Blake." Adam responded, "However, that was something she could never do." He said before turning around, walking away, "You're braver than her, Schnee." The White Fang swordsman said with Weiss gasping in slight confusion at his comment, "She would have run away at this point in the operation."
"Blake isn't a coward!" Weiss retorted, "She would have found a way to save them without killing others in the process."
"Maybe, if there was time to come up with a more complex plan." Adam responded, "And those imprisoned faunus would have suffered for much longer." He then stopped to turn back to Weiss, "Blake could never sacrifice her morals for another person, even if she wanted to believe she could." Adam then turned around and resumed his walk, "Schnee, just get some rest. It is going to be a long night." He said with Weiss not knowing how to respond, only standing in the hallway as she clenched her fists.
Blake.
At the Vale Hospital, Blake sat in an infirmary bed. Her forehead was wrapped in a bandage as she wore a medical gown. On a small tray, she typed on a laptop that had a flash drive plugged into the side. Sitting to her right was the Malachite twins, "You should hold off on that until your fully recovered." Melanie said to the black cat faunus, "Even if you found something, it's not like you can rush into battle in your condition."
"The Doctor said you should be in bed for at least a week," Miltia pointed out, "Even with aura, you should take his advice."
"I'll be fine," Blake responded to them both while her eyes remained focused on her laptop, "Junior gathered a lot of information of The White Fang Killer's attack patterns. Including some witness reports that never made it to the public."
"Like what?" Melanie asked.
"Well, one person said they saw a man with red hair entering the town the night before a nearby White Fang base was massacred," Blake responded, "The next day, the man was never seen again."
"That's it?" Miltia responded, "What's so special about this guy having red hair?"
As Blake focused on the laptop, the image of Adam came to her mind. She shut her eyes in frustration and shook her head, "It's a long story," She then opened her eyes as she looked to the twins, "Look, I don't need you two as bodyguards. I'm fine on my own."
"We already got paid for the job," The white twin responded with the red twin nodded, "It would ruin our reputation if we left while everything was unfinished."
"I see," Blake said with a slight giggle, her heading going to the image as a prideful girl in white. "If you don't mind me asking, why aren't you two huntresses in training?" The black cat faunus asked, "Both of you are skilled fighters, but you're just hired goons? You could help more people if you-"
Miltia interrupted, "I'll stop you right there," She said with Blake having a look of confusion, "A huntress' life is not the life for us."
Melanie nodded, "We don't like the attention that position brings," She said before crossing her arms, "As well as the ego some gain in that role."
"But you would be saving countless lives?" Blake noted, "Don't you feel bound to help people?"
"No," Both twins said at the same time, but the white twin continued solo, "Do you?"
"Of course!" Blake responded in confidence.
"Why?" The red twin asked.
This time, Blake was not so quick to answer. She hesitated at the question before catching her breath, looking slightly down, "I…I just don't want to see people suffering." She then looked back to the twins, "Is that wrong?"
"No," Miltia responded, a slight smile forming, "It's a nice reason to want to help people." She said with Blake smiling back. The black cat faunas then looked to Melanie, who tossed her a palm-sized bread roll.
"If that's your goal, then you need your strength." The white twin said as Blake caught the bread roll, "If you do wind up dead under our protection, it will make us look bad."
"Heh, thank you, Wei-" Blake said before she realized her error, "Sorry."
"It's fine," Melanie said with a smirk, "I don't mind being compared to an heiress."
Yang.
Sisigou led the group into a basement clinic, knocking on the door three times, "Just a moment," A male voice was heard from the other side of the door. After a few seconds, the door opened with a man in a black surgery gown was seen. The gown had a golden lining, the glowed has an almost digital teal aesthetic. His silver hair was tied in a ponytail, along with a medical cap to keep out stray hairs. His lower face was covered with a black mask, but his voice was still clear, "Hello, old friend."
"Asclepius," Sisigou said with a grin, "It's been a while."
"Wait, Asclepius!?" Kintoki asked, "The old head of Medicine at Chaldea?"
"The very same," Asclepius responded, noticing the golden rider's arm in a sling, "Come in, I'll treat you immediately."
"Uh, we're here to ask you some question," Yang interject.
"Ask away," Asclepius responded as he pulled Kintoki into the clinic, "And I can answer while I operate."
"H-hey!" Kintoki said as the dark surgeon laid him on a medical table, "I don't think you're under my insur-AHHH!" he said as his left arm was removed from the sling, Asclepius examining the wound.
"Ah, I see now." Asclepius spoke to the other, "If I had to guess, you're looking for the woman who came to me for a quick treatment. One who wielded a sword containing multiple dust blades."
"Y-yes!" Yang responded in shock, "So, you treated her already?"
"Of course, it was about six hours ago that left with a clean bill of health," Asclepius responded as he reached for a green bottle of liquid, pouring it on Kintoki's arm. The Golden Rider was about to scream, but the dark surgeon placed a wooden block in his mouth, "She was quite determined to get back into fighting shape."
"So, she's already gone," Yang said in depression.
"Did she give you any clues to her location," Gilgamesh inquired, "Like who or what she was looking for?"
Sisigou then looked at Asclepius, "I know you have the whole 'doctor-patient confidentiality', but the girl behind you is that woman's daughter." He said with the dark surgeon looking back at the blond outlaw.
"Ah, I see the resemblance." Asclepius said with Yang slightly glaring, her eyes turning red, "In that case, she did give me some information regarding her target." He said with Yang slightly gasping, "It does presume you know of the story of the four Maidens of the Seasons." He said with Kintoki screams muffled by the block.
"That fairy tale? Yeah, I head of it." Yang responded, "It's just made-up story to teach kids about the seasons."
"Considering the world we live in. I wouldn't count any fairy tale as made up." Sisigou responded to Yang, who shrugged with reluctance. He then turned back to Asclepius, who was now rebandaging Kintoki, "What does it have to do with Raven?"
"She mentioned the power of one of the Maidens would be enough to go back to her tribe as the rightful leader," Asclepius responded.
"How does she plan to gain their power?" Gilgamesh asked.
Suddenly, Yang remembered, "She's gonna kill one." She said before gaining a look of anger in her red eyes, "That's how she is going to steal the power." the blond outlaw looked back to Asclepius, "Which one is she going after?"
"Hmm, she mentioned learning the one she that was the Fall Maiden had already died within the last year. So, she followed a very old rumor about the Spring Maiden. As well, she seen desperate to follow any lead." Asclepius said with Kintoki screaming again, his body convulsing, "Calm down, I'm almost done." The dark surgeon responded.
Sisigou sighed as he looked to Yang, "Hate to say, but this might be a dead-end for us." He said with Yang and Gilgamesh looking to him in confusion, "Raven was one thing, but the Maidens' identities have been hidden for decades. Nobody knows who inherited the powers last of each season, outside of maybe a few people in the world. Even with rumors, I don't like our odds of finding one."
"But Raven found out," Gilgamesh noted, "And if she is in this area, she must assume it is a resident of Apocrypha." He said as Kintoki moved his right hand near the block, but Asclepius slapped the hand away, "However, if her assumption is wrong, she will have killed a woman under false pretenses."
"We can't let that happen either," Yang responded, "There's no telling how many people she will kill for this power, we need to stop her." She said before seeing Kintoki flail in the bed, "Is he okay?"
"Yes, he's fine now," Asclepius said as he finished healing Kintoki's arm, taking out the wooden block.
"Everyone!" Kintoki said after finally being able to breathe, "I know who the Spring Maiden is!"
"What!?" Sisigou responded.
"You do?" Gilgamesh added on.
"Well, you need to tell us," Yang insisted, "We need to protect her from Raven!"
"…That's the thing…Yang," Kintoki responded as he scratched the back of his head, "Your mom…is hunting my mom."
"…. Huh?" the group responded in unison.
The Spring Maiden.
At the top of a small cliff, the white clouds turned black as crackly of thunder was heard. At the edge of the ridge stood a woman with long and gleaming violet hair. She wore a silver latex bodysuit, stance showing her curvy body and voluptuous features. She was armored with thin gauntlets and knee-high grieves. The sheaved katana behind her back had a two-ball charm at the handle. The sheath itself was decorated with a striped tiger pelt. She was also armed with a quiver, one that was loaded with six long arrows. As she remained unflinching as the lightning striking near her body, a warming smile appeared on her face.
AN: There you go, a little check-in on Team RWBY across their journeys. Ruby has a new toy to play around with as we get a little more context on Medusa's family. Weiss' group is preparing to raid on The White Fang Killer's ships. Blake is going through the intel Junior has, getting another hint. And Yang learns who Raven is going after now. As I said, I am changing the cannon from Raven being the Spring Maiden to finding the Spring Maiden. And who is the Spring Maiden? None other than the lovely Mama Raikou. She will be showing up in the next chapter over a video call before we get to see some actions. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.
