RWBY Reloaded Special: Vernal Equinox
(Aurelian's Trophy Room, Vale)
The solid gold statue of Raven Branwen shimmers brilliantly. Water seems to run down the statue occasionally, an unknown person works to make sure the statue of the Spring Maiden is kept shiny. The cleaner rubs back and forth over the ridges of her hair, the frozen crookedness of her downward face. Branwen's weapon is not present, it is stored in another glass case, but without her semblance, it's useless. The cleaner looks at three other empty spots that Aurelian had created. Since Raven's entrapment, he has been keen on keeping the four most powerful huntresses on the planet as his prize. With the maidens in a catatonic state, they cannot lose their power, and the vaults remain sealed. If even the smallest crack would appear in the statue, then Raven would be able to regain consciousness. The statue cleaner looks once more at Raven her hand in her final moments, her hand seems frozen near her stomach, then it hits, them she was protecting a child.
Cleaner: So, the rumors are true, she does carry the child of the Atlas Superman.
The cleaner than turns as they look up onto the glass sunroof as it appeared that a black bird had landed on it. They paid it no mind as they shuffled to clean some more artifacts. Then, they hear the bird cawing, but again pay it no mind, however, the roof soon collapses as a man leaps through and lands on the floor. With grizzly gray hair and a bit of stubble, Qrow Branwen appeared, slinging his weapon over his shoulder. Alarms blare throughout the facility as he rushes towards Raven's statue. He attempts to lift the golden statue, but as it wobbles he risks toppling it over. He then resolves to transform back into a corvid to regain the element of surprise. Mercenaries pour into the room as they search about for the source of the disturbance. Finding nothing but shattered glass, some look towards the roof. The wind from outside begins to stir as Qrow returns, transforming and attacking. He easily fends off the onrushing proto-huntsmen, recognizing them as former students.
Qrow: So, instead of returning to your families in Vale, you're doing the grunt work of a madman?
The mercenaries offer nothing but grunts as replies. Of course, with the total disruption of normal studies, for some permanently due to the fall of beacon, they had to do something to recoup the cost. Qrow knocks two more to the ground.
Qrow: Tell me, how to free her.
He grunts before feeling the air behind him shift slightly, he turns and blocks an incoming mace with his blade.
Cardin: What do we have here? Famed huntsman Qrow Branwen crashing the party?
He didn't seem to pay him any mind as he tugs on the thug's chain. Cardin surprisingly manages to resist being pulled off balance. Cardin knows he's not adept enough to tackle Qrow solo, but for now he'd hold his own.
Qrow: Piss off kid, bring me that scumbag Aurelian.
He then rushes Cardin, quicky punching him in the face. With the former student disoriented, Qrow kicks him in the gut, sending him towards the wall. He cracks his knuckles as he expects more to follow, his eyes dart to the hallway as heavy boots thunder throughout the hallway.
Aurelian: Scumbag am I? Well that's no way to treat an old friend, Qrow.
He growls as he transforms his weapon into a scythe again.
Aurelian: Your sister, dead, your old teammate, dead. Your two nieces, dead. All for what? Ozpin and his foolish forever war against a being who simply cannot be killed.
Enraged, he rushes Aurelian who blocks with his bare hand. Qrow backs up as he ditches his cloak, which soon started to turn gold.
Aurelian: You know just how the affects of my semblance are to be countered. As well as how to undo it, of course that would come with my death.
Aurelian calmy walks towards Qrow, trying to corner the Huntsman. Qrow doesn't seem intimidated as he transforms back into a bird and flies at Aurelian. He knows his best shot is to be so fast that the other can't lay a hand on him. Qrow then scratches the other huntsman, squawking as he did so. Aurelian then proceeds to try and capture the bird. This gives an opening for another to join the fray,
Taiyang: It's a fools errand, Aurelian.
Before he can react to the second opponent, Aurelian is punched into the wall. Tai briefly looks at the statue of Raven, mumbling something about her boyfriend being an idiot. Qrow then transforms and lands next to his old teammate.
Qrow: He did say he searched all over Mistral, to be fair.
Qrow looks over at Raven's statue.
Tai: He's an asshat for not scouring remnant for her!
He raises an eyebrow at this.
Qrow: Why? It's not like she was ever going to go back to you. Trust me bud, I've read up on those, less than reputable huntsman fan forums, the ones where they say you're some sort of irresistible giga-chad?
He mumbles something as he goes over to Aurelian.
Tai: It'll be much easier if you free her than to die.
He laughs at this absurd request. He goes to get up off the ground.
Aurelian: If you don't kill me, she certainly will.
He lunges at Taiyang, trying to turn him to gold as well. Tai swiftly reacts by kicking him in the throat with his boot. Aurelian grabs his throat, sputtering a bit, while he hits the ground.
Qrow: Tai…
The blonde then kicks him in the head and goes for another blow. He's enraged that he's been treated as a joke for far too long. He has to live with the guilt of his two daughter's death every day. He goes to finish off Aurelian, drawing his weapon.
Tai: It has to be this way…
Qrow: Taiyang Xiao long, you're no murderer.
Qrow sounded as if he was about to step in to prevent Tai from actually going through with murder. Suddenly, Aurelian's aura breaks as he collapses onto the ground. The golden statue of Raven starts to come apart, it seemed as if Aurelian had been bluffing. A furious storm starts to erupt as Raven Branwen breaks free. Her eyes brimming with malice and rage, her eyes illuminating with the power of the Spring Maiden. She takes a minute to adjust to her surroundings, her brother and ex were there, and her captor is laying on the ground bleeding.
Raven: How long has it been?
Qrow holds up four fingers as Raven angrily uses her powers to strike Aurelian with lightning. With him dead, her eyes look over at her blade. The glass surrounding the case begins to tremble, and soon shatter as he sword is brought to her. She then makes a portal, using her semblance.
Raven: I'm going home.
Her tone is not one of anger, but one of contempt. She steps though the portal, and without asking, closes it behind her.
(Haven Academy, Reuben's room)
The headmaster is peacefully watching the news as he sees the familiar portal open up, Raven walks out, a bit worse for wear.
Raven: Four months?! I've been gone four months?! How dare you? How dare you let the mother of your child go missing for that long?!
Reuben: I searched the kingdom! I looked everywhere!
He is then met with a slap as she narrows her eyes.
Raven: Obviously you didn't look hard enough!
She goes over to her closet, thankfully, her clothes were still there. She goes over to his, and a few of his uniforms are missing.
Raven: What happened?
He rolls his eyes as she slaps him again.
Raven: I said, what happened when I was gone? Who did you fight?
Reuben: A creation of the staff. I was luckily able to beat him before he got out of control.
Her eyes soften a bit as she huffs. She then starts to get undressed, walking towards the bathroom.
Raven: I missed you…
She says, a bit begrudgingly in a soft, friendlier voice.
Reuben: Can I join you..?
She laughs as she shuts the door and turns on the shower.
(Special End)