Sorry for this chapter being late! It was kinda hard trying to get up to 3000 words without a transcript.

Anyways, this is my final chapter before the hiatus! I'll see you all in November/December!

Now, on with the chapter!

I DO NOT OWN RWBY OR ANY OF THE SOURCES THAT I WILL HAVE THE CHARACTERS REACT TO. That being said, all of that is implied since it's fanfiction.

INTERLUDE 1

Watts winced in pain as he nursed his burnt tongue. The coffee was overly hot. Cinder had poured herself a regular hot cup, but had used her semblance to superheat his. What a child, he mentally scoffed.

The coffee had come from the machine in this supposed break room they were in. The only people inside were him and the other servants of Salem, and one of Cinder's two subordinates for some reason - the girl with green hair who follows her like a puppy. That being said, the girl looked horrified in the presence of Salem.

"So…that just happened," Emerald, talking about the viewings they saw. [1]

"Yes, well…I think what we all saw was very interesting," Salem said, with a small smile on her face.

"Some of them were very fun to watch! Especially that airport and pirate ones!" Tyrian said, recalling the viewings where Adam Taurus and Qrow Branwen had killed a lot of people in cold blood. The thought of it made his blood rush.

Cinder rolled her eyes at Tyrian's predictable comments. "I found the first one to be interesting. You were right, mistress. He IS arrogant, and if that showing was accurate in regards to our world, then I believe Ozpin has the same line of thoughts."

Hazel grunted in agreement. His arrogance and lies caused Gretchen's death…when I get my hands on him…

Salem actually laughed lightly before responding. "I would say dear Ozma is more like Jean-Marc - since he has- what did Lemieux say? Oh yes, "vain naivety"."

Cinder was confused. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that Ozma actually believes and values his men. That's what makes his incompetence all the more amusing. He sees the value in life, but not of a single life. He is willing to sacrifice some pawns, but hesitates with others." Salem shook her head slightly as she thought of her ex-husband. "In all honesty, it's not my immortality that's giving me the upper hand, but his inability to adapt, even after all these years." It's why he won't win. [2]

Watts thought of Ironwood and his tendencies. As for James, it's the exact opposite. His ability to adapt and react too quickly will be his downfall.

"Where's Qrow?" Winter asked.

"He went after his sister." Ozpin answered.

"With all due respect, why would you let him, sir? We have to talk about what we just saw!"

"It's fine." Ironwood interrupted the huntress.

"But sir-"

"He has every reason to talk to a family member, Winter. In all honesty, you should go as well."

Winter closed her mouth, and decided to leave the room. When she left, Ironwood let out a sigh and rubbed his forehead in frustration.

"So. Are we gonna talk about this? Or not?" Oobleck asked the people in the room. The only people with him were Ozpin, Ironwood, and Glynda. The place they were in was a quaint little area that looked like a study room.

"I mean…what was that? And what exactly did that woman accuse you of?" Oobleck continued.

As Glynda and Ozpin tried to explain themselves to the Doctor, Ironwood remained silent. He was lamenting on how his decisions were used against him. I thought that by ignoring my emotions and focusing purely on the logical course of action would have kept people safe. Especially after the breach…he grimaced. But it seems that Salem expected that.

He thought back to the viewing of him being an SS Colonel. That look in my eyes…when Landa went from genial to cold. Is that how people view me when I use Mettle? Is that what happens when my semblance activates? He had never given it much thought before. But the idea of his semblance being used in that manner, and it being a disadvantage worried him. I used Mettle to will myself to bring the troops to Vale, despite it being a potentially dangerous choice. And it looks like it backfired.

Ironwood sighed. Perhaps I need to rethink.

Now tuning back into the discussion, Ironwood was shocked to hear what Ozpin said.

"So, are you fine with joining us?"

"Not exactly, but it's not like I have much choice in the matter."

The General spoke up. "Ozpin, what did you do?"

"I've decided to include Bart in our group. And I fear that everybody in the cinema, barring Salem's circle of course, may have to join as well. If not only to contain this information."

The rhythmic sound of the punching bag in front of her being punched continuously permeated the entire room. Or at least, that's what Yang thought. All she was focused on was letting off some steam after what they just saw.

"-ng!"

"-ang!"

The blonde huntress thought she heard something, but decided to disregard it. She was so close to breaking this stupid ba-

Who just grabbed my hand?

"YANG! That's enough!" It was her father.

Oh.

"Um….okay, dad." She might have had anger issues, but she knew better than to shout back after Tai had raised his voice like that. She awkwardly looked towards everybody else in the room - and noticed that it was mostly her fellow peers, and some of their family.

Weiss and Blake, as well as Blake's parents, were in a corner - looking at her in equal amounts of awkwardness. Team JNPR were in another corner - with Pyrrha. Now that I think about it, where is Ruby? And Penny as well? Yang thought.

Team CFVY were talking amongst themselves too, with Team SSSN there as well.

Team CRDL were also using the gym machines in the room as well. She had no idea why all of these people followed her to the gym, but oh well.

"Look, Yang. I understand your frustration. But this isn't healthy." Taiyang said, interrupting her thoughts.

Yang ultimately knew that he was right. She sighed. "I know dad…" She let her arm be grabbed by Tai, who proceeded to lead her to a nearby bench.

"You might not know this since you were young, but I did the same thing back when I was in Beacon."

"Really?"

"Yeah! I'd just get so angry at times, and I'd feel the need to punch something. Usually because of Qrow," Tai joked.

Yang chuckled. "Yeah, that makes sense."

"But what ultimately helped me was my team. Qrow and I would make up, and Summer would get us to make up."

"Even…Raven?" Yang pointed out, apprehensive.

"Yeah." Taiyang responded.

Yang looked thoughtful as she looked down."But they left…" She said softly.

"I mean Qrow is her-"

"You know what I mean."

"Yeah. I know." She felt a hand on her shoulder as the side of her body touched her dad's in a hug. "But it's like what Agent Twilight said."

"He said something about working to create a world where children don't have to cry - what does that have to do with me?"

"Well, that's why I became a Huntsman."

Yang's eyes widened.

"Before I had you guys, or my team. I was in a similar rough patch. It was tough back in Vacuo. Because of that, I wanted to make sure that nobody else I was with, felt the same type of loneliness I had. Yes, I've been burnt by people in the past due to this. Yes, I've stumbled and failed in doing what I just said. But…I've learnt from it. And we can learn from what we've watched."

"Right..." Yang replied. The video only showed one part. And now we know who the culprits are. And Penny and Pyrrha now know what will happen! "We can stop them!"

"That's right!" Tai said, with a smile. "That being said, it was pretty obvious…"

Yang sputtered and blushed. "Yeah, well…I didn't think of that at first, okay?"

Tai simply laughed. "It's okay! Sometimes we need a talk to see the simple things. After all…it's like when I woke up this morning. It was-"

"-an eye-opening experience!"

"-an eye-opening experience! Yeah! Exactly! Hehe!" [3]

As father and daughter were laughing, Cardin was continuing to strike away at another punching bag nearby, much to his teammates' worry.

"Dude! Can you stop that for one second, and listen to us?!"

"Honestly, Card! This is getting tiresome."

As Team CRDL were trying to get their leader to stop, it got the attention of a blonde huntsman.

"Man, he's really going at it, huh?" Jaune said, commenting on Cardin's workout.

"Meh, I can hit it harder!" Nora exclaimed. "Like, kapow!"

"True!" Jaune responded with a chuckle. "Anyways, Pyrrha's been gone a while…maybe I should check on her."

"She said she went to Bathroom, so you probably shouldn't go," Ren pointed out.

"Damn…yeah, you're right…" The leader of Team JNPR deflated as he was reminded of the fact. Man…I can't even do anything to help my partner! If only I were like Link…he thought, as he remembered seeing himself be a competent hero.

I'm nowhere near as good as him! I can't even properly think of tactics for the tournament either! And that's the one good trait I have as a huntsman…I'm so useless, I literally contribute nothing to the team… Jaune thought as he spiraled into a mental self-flagellation, and then remembered one of the songs he was singing a few viewings back…less than zero…he let out a mirthless laugh in his mind. Yep. That's exactly what I am.

Hearing Jaune's earlier suggestion regarding Pyrrha, Weiss thought of going to find Ruby. However, she was in a bit of an awkward situation.

"So…this is one of your team members?"

"Yes, sister."

"And she was a…"

"Former White Fang member."

"I see…"

Oh goodness, why did Winter have to come now? Especially with Blake being here with her parents!

Blake was thinking something similar. Why did she come here?! Coming to terms that I'm friends with a Schnee was confusing enough. But another?!

"So…you're telling me they're not as bad as they seem?" Kali said to Blake loud enough for both Weiss and Winter, greeting both Schnee sisters with a saccharine smile.

"Kali!" Ghira exclaimed to his wife. "She didn't mean that."

Both Blake and Weiss wanted to get out of the room.

Why isn't this working?! Pyrrha thought as she continued to splash her face with water from the bathroom. This technique always worked calming her down, back in the past before a big matc-

NO.

I can't-

Why did I think of th-

Shutting off her thoughts, the Invincible girl sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. She wanted to sink into the floor.

"Pyrrha?" A voice said behind her.

Turning slowly, she was greeted to the faces of Ruby Rose, and-

She stifled a sob. It was Penny.

"Oh, um- hello there!" Pyrrha responded, chuckling nervously.

Ruby gave her friend a sad smile, and spoke. "Look…Pyr-"

However, Pyrrha then lost composure and started to sob.

"Ruby…Penny… I…" she began before she started to cry again, with her eyes welling up. "I'm..I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed.

Ruby forlornly answered back. "Me too. But it wasn't your fault."

"She's right," Penny said. She walked over to Pyrrha and clasped her hands. "Cinder was the one that did this. And we have to make sure they don't do that in the future." [4]

Pyrrha looked at the two other huntresses-in-training in shock. All she could see were determined expressions on their faces.

All of sudden, her tears stopped. "Yeah…you're right." She said, as she got up. "Thanks. I needed that."

"Any time, Pyr!" Ruby said, with a smile.

"What she said, Friend Pyrrha!"

Adam felt uncomfortable, but not angry, at the people he was in a room in. Aside from Ilia, who was staying by his side, purely out of familiarity - there was the duo of crooks he was forced to work with - Roman and Neo, the two hunters with black hair and red eyes - Raven and Qrow, and Mercury.

As he continued to sit on the couch of the apparent living room they were all in, the White Fang leader felt weird at the fact that his hatred was no longer as strong as it was when he first entered this weird place. It's all that stupid video's fault…Adam mentally said in his head. Why did that have to appear? I wouldn't do something like that! I'm not a terrorist! I'm a freedom fighter!

"You okay?" Ilia asked. "You know, you haven't done anything bad like that. So I can help not reach that level in the futur-"

"I get it! And don't worry, I won't become like Makarov…" Adam retorted. "I'm fine."

Mercury heard what the faunus had said though, and laughed. "Quit lying to yourself, Taurus. You're clearly rattled from that shit."

Adam simply sneered at the assassin's response. "And I could easily say the same for you. I saw your expressions during the stuff with the spy. I had no idea a stone-cold killer like you would be jealous of a child."

Mercury immediately got up from his seat and glared at the faunus. Adam returned it back with a single eye.

"You fu-"

"Jeez, you need to give it a rest!" Roman exclaimed.

Both the assassin and the terrorist groaned at Roman's interjection.

"Ugh…What do YOU want, Torchwick?" Adam said.

"I want to give you two a pep talk!"

Mercury scoffed at the thief's audacity.

Roman went up to Mercury and patted the assassin's head before he went and he plopped down on the couch where Mercury was sitting before. Neo followed him.

"Alright, so…" Torchwick began. "You guys were perfectly fine being terrible people before all of this shit, right?"

"..."

"..."

"No response? Tough crowd…" Roman quipped. "Anyways, I'll take that as a yes. So, you guys were fine with what you were. In that case…just keep doing that you're doing! Who cares what the videos show!"

Qrow, immediately hearing what Roman said, looked at Raven. "Ignore what he said. That's terrible advice."

Raven rolled her eyes. "I'm not a child. I know bad advice when I see it."

"Hey! I give great advice! Just look at how far Neo has come with all the advice I've given her!"

Neo preened at the praise Roman gave her.

Raven just blankly stared at the crook. He does realize that she ran away when I encountered her, right? Oh who am I kidding, his advice was probably for her to run away from stronger people…

"Rae…please, just come back and join us again. You saw what Salem's group is planning. And we know her next steps! We can stop her!" Qrow implored the urgency of his request to her.

"...Will you do whatever it takes to stop her?" She asked.

Qrow looked confused. "Of course! Salem wants to kill everybody, and needs to be stopped."

"You're sounding like Lucci right now," Raven said.

Qrow sighed in frustration. "Are you seriously bringing that up right now?" Wanting to calm down, Qrow took a swig of alcohol from his flask. "This is different! It's not like I'm going to kill a bunch of random people to stop her!"

"And how am I supposed to know you won't go that far? You already betrayed me!"

Qrow looked dumbfounded. "You can't be serio- you left our team! If anybody betrayed anyone, it was you!"

"I stayed with the tribe!"

'You left your family! Your daughter!"

"You don't think I wanted to bring her?!" Raven exclaimed, much to her twin's shock.

….What? Qrow thought.

"Well…this just got spicy~!" Roman said.

Both twins glared at him, and moved out of the room to continue their talk.

"I wanted to raise her, to bring her up in the tribe," Raven continued, "it's just-...it's just…"

"What?"

"..."

Qrow got over his shock and realized. "You were afraid."

Raven scowl. "No. I'm never afraid."

Qrow just gave a flat look in response. "There's no shame in being scared, sis. You don't think I'm scared too? You know my semblance! And yet I'm still willing to fight, and to be there for my nieces!"

He put a hand on her shoulder. "And you can still be there too.

Raven could see it in his eyes. Despite everything, he still wanted her as a sister. "Come back. Please."

And despite all of that, she still felt too fearful to go back. It made her sick.

Whistling to himself as he used a sweep to clean the cinema, Chrono thought of what he could show the audience next. What SHOULD I choose? A more light-hearted one? I did just show them something traumatic…

There were still so many potential universes to explore. After all, the possibilities are endless!

Then, it came to him. Of course! Alternative timelines! Perhaps I can show them other versions of themselves, acted on by other people - or the same actors and actresses, but with different scripts! [5]

As Chrono finished cleaning and put away his sweep, he continued to ponder this line of thought. Although, should I show them one such universe immediately after this? Hmm….

However, the host was interrupted as people began to come back to the cinema. Around a half hour had passed after all. Or so it seemed.

As people began to retake their seats, Chrono noticed the changed expressions of some of the audience members. Pyrrha looks like she was crying. And Yang looks less angry. Adam, Raven and Ironwood look more conflicted than ever. And Penny and Ruby seem to be looking better. Interesting…

I think I know what to show them now.

Chrono went back to the front of the audience, ready to show them another universe.

And that's it for the interlude! I had so many variations of scenes to do, which room a group of characters should have entered, and which chapters people should have talked or thought about. I eventually came up with this. Hopefully it's good!

[1] - I like the MCU movies as much as the next guy, but all of those memes on social media about the Marvel one-liners are hilarious - like "so that just happened" or "he's behind me, isn't he?". It's even funnier since a lot of those types of lines aren't even said. That being said, the fact that those quotes sound like they could be in a Marvel film is kinda concerning IMO. Marvel needs to up their quip game - those are fine for cartoons, but not for shows and movies.

[2] - I like to think that the flaws of Ozma/Ozpin is why Jinn said in Volume 6 - "You can't" (in regards to how Ozma could beat Salem). I don't think it's a way of saying she's unbeatable, but rather - Oz himself can't beat her. And in that way, it ends up becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy - since by hearing that, Ozpin proceeds to do actions that make victory impossible.

[3] - It was a bit of a hamfisted pun, but hey - pretty much each pun in the series is just as bad lol.

[4] - If it sounds familiar, that's because it's basically dialogue from Volume 3, Episode 10 (Battle of Beacon). I felt that Ruby would basically say the same thing to Pyrrha. She would be understanding that it's not Pyrrha's fault.

[5] - It's just Chrono's way of saying that I'm doing fanfics/AUs in future chapters.

AND NOW TO ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS/SUGGESTIONS FROM REVIEWS:

some guy who like to read: I did read your suggestion! That being said, I'm sorry to state that I won't cover that, since I haven't seen it.

Carre: You had a lot of interesting suggestions! I had no idea that Dishonored's protagonist (I'm assuming) Corvo had a name similar to Qrow and Raven. I might check that out. Total War cinematics is a great suggestion! I might do a trailer that has a good theme and story behind it. As for the Vampire Hunter movie about Abraham Lincoln though, I won't do Robyn Hill as Lincoln, unfortunately.

the Composcreator: Glad you like my fic! As for your suggestions, I will be doing a Gintama chapter! But, it's a crossover transcript made by a person who offered it to me. Hopefully it's still fine by you.

24danibell: John Wick is a good suggestion. Jaune kinda makes sense (since Jaune sounds like John), but I'd probably do Qrow instead.

Imperial Romance: The opening of the Last of Us, with the intro part (the part with the news reports) could be a very good viewing. I might do that! A Pokemon Battle sounds interesting too, I just don't know if N and Ghetsis are good enough battles. As for Death Battle - I'll probably avoid it unless it covers a character from RWBY - so I'd probably only do Blake vs Mikasa, Yang vs Tifa (although that's debunked now lol), and Weiss vs Mitsuru.

Golbez4 : Don't worry! I'll do an episode again later!

netapel, Steppe14: Thanks! I do feel better now!

See you guys next time!

NEXT CHAPTER: N/A - will decide after my break is done. COME BACK IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER!