Chapter 9: A Perfect Storm

Rain is heard pouring outside. Qrow Branwen opens up a sliding door leading into a small restaurant. A man can be seen sleeping at a table in the corner, while the Ramen Shop Owner stands behind the counter sharpening his kitchen knife on a wood block. Qrow walks up to the owner, who is still paying attention to sharpening his knife.

Ramen Shop Owner: Regular? Or the Special?

Qrow: I'm actually looking for someone, goes by the name Shiro Wan. Ever heard of him? I heard he's a regular around here.

Ramen Shop Owner: Who's asking?

Qrow: Hey, I'm not some cop if that's what you mean. I need Shiro for a gig. We go way back.

Ramen Shop Owner: (nods) Way back, huh? (looking up at Qrow) So, he's a friend of yours.

Qrow: (rubbing his chin) Hm, yeah, I'd say so. He's a pretty alright guy.

Ramen Shop Owner: Well, in that case... (suddenly, his tone turns hostile, pointing his knife threateningly at Qrow) You tell that jerk that he better not show his ugly face in here until he pays me the Lien he owes me!

Qrow: (taken aback) Uh, did I say friend? (nervously chuckles) I, uh- I meant acquaintance.

The owner angrily slams his knife into the counter.

Qrow: (slowly backing away) Really, we're just colleagues! (nervously chuckling again) Anyways, thanks for your time, buddy. I'll just be taking off now.

Qrow exits the restaurant, quickly closing the sliding door. He quickly turns around, leaning against the door. He takes a drink from his flask before pulling out his scroll, which has a list of "CONTACTS" with the following names:

WAN, SHIRO

GRIFFIN, BLANKA

RAINE, BOYD

KREISS, AMETHYST

ALTHAM, IVY

RIVAS, AOI

VACCARO, FARROW

LUNSFORD, HARKIN

Qrow crosses off Shiro's name.

Qrow: (sighs) Great start.

Suddenly, the owner's knife is stabbed through the door cloth, barely missing Qrow's head.

Qrow then walks up to several people asking if they know any of the Huntsmen on his list; first, a pair of two men standing on the rainy street. Next, to a one-eyed, blonde blacksmith selling her wares. Then, he seeks the help of a beat-up man filled with bruises, resting while two other men are currently fighting in a match. After every person he asks, Qrow's expression and body language grows more aggravated, and each time, the number of Huntsmen he crosses off the list increases.

Finally, he walks up to a small house with boarded-up windows. He looks at his Scroll for his two remaining contacts, the first of which had been crossed out.

FIORENZA, SHANI

SHIELDS, HEATHER

Qrow: Heather Shields.

He knocks on the door. A group of small children is seen near the house. After Qrow turns around from looking at them, since there's been no response, he bangs it loudly with the side of his fist. As he's about to bang on the door again, a man opens up the door.

Qrow: Oh, uh, hey there. I'm looking for Heather?

The man just stares back at him.

Qrow: Look, pal, I've had a rough day. Do you know where she is or not?

Small Girl: Daddy? (walking up next to her father) Does he know where Mommy is?

Having realized that Heather was missing in action, or worse, Qrow immediately regrets his mistake.

Qrow: I um... I'm sorry to bother you.

The man and his daughter go back into their house. Qrow walks back out into the rain. He removes his flask from his shirt and considers taking another drink from it, but decides not to.

At the park, he looks up at the Mistral Bounty mission boards, listed as the following:

LUCERO, FLANN - MISSION TYPE: VILLAGE SECURITY
MISSION STATUS: IN PROGRESS 8 WEEKS AGO

DURHAM, AZURA - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: IN PROGRESS 6 WEEKS AGO

COWAN, DOVE - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 1 WEEK AGO

CHOI, LALI - MISSION TYPE: BOUNTY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 7 WEEKS AGO

LIN, FUSCHIA - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND RESCUE
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 6 DAYS AGO

SILVER, STARK - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: IN PROGRESS 1 WEEK AGO

HAWKINS, JAY - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: IN PROGRESS 3 WEEKS AGO

HAWTHORNE, LUCERO - MISSION TYPE: BOUNTY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 4 DAYS AGO

ANDREWS, RORY - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 9 WEEKS AGO

CASTILLO, AURORA - MISSION TYPE: VILLAGE SECURITY
MISSION STATUS: IN PROGRESS 8 WEEKS AGO

HUGHES, DAISY - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND RESCUE
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 4 WEEKS AGO

LEVINE, MAE - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 3 DAYS AGO

FOREST, WYATT - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 5 WEEKS AGO

PAGE, ORION - MISSION TYPE:
MISSION STATUS:

RIVERA, STAR - MISSION TYPE: BOUNTY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 4 DAYS AGO

KRATZ, CYAN - MISSION TYPE: BOUNTY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 8 WEEKS AGO

HYACINTH, ZACH - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 2 DAYS AGO

NASH, INIGO - MISSION TYPE: VILLAGE SECURITY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 5 DAYS AGO

TEALE, CAROLINE - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 10 WEEKS AGO

LI, MIDORI - MISSION TYPE: BOUNTY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 2 DAYS AGO

THURMON, ONYX - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND RESCUE
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 4 WEEKS AGO

VARGA, VIOLA - MISSION TYPE: VILLAGE SECURITY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 2 WEEKS AGO

CARRILLO, NOVA - MISSION TYPE: BOUNTY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 5 WEEKS AGO

HALE, VENUS - MISSION TYPE:
MISSION STATUS:

HUNT, TERRA - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 2 DAYS AGO

ERDOS, MAUVE - MISSION TYPE: BOUNTY
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 5 DAYS AGO

BASHIR, MAZA - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 8 WEEKS AGO

RHODES, CASCADE - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 2 WEEKS AGO

HOPKINS, CLOVER - MISSION TYPE:
MISSION STATUS:

LARSEN, MAPLE - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: ON HOLD 9 WEEKS AGO

YU, LOTUS - MISSION TYPE:
MISSION STATUS:

LYNCH, ASH - MISSION TYPE:
MISSION STATUS:

After looking at the boards, Qrow crosses off the following names on his Scroll:

FORHAN, ROUX

DE SENA, SLATE

CHOI, LALI

He then checks for more names on the mission board one last time:

UMBRA, AYRESS - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND RESCUE
MISSION STATUS: TERMINATED 1 WEEK AGO

GRIFFIN, CARMINA - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND RESCUE
MISSION STATUS: IN PROGRESS 8 WEEKS AGO

WAN, SHIRO - MISSION TYPE: SEARCH AND DESTROY
MISSION STATUS: IN PROGRESS 5 WEEKS AGO

Qrow sighs and takes a seat on a nearby bench, realizing that all of his contacts, let alone many others on the mission board, were nowhere to be found.

After a while, Qrow goes back into the restaurant from earlier. The owner has more wood carvings on his counter now. He notices Qrow walk in.

Ramen Shop Owner: You've got a lot of nerve showing up back here, unless you've brought that idiot with you.

Qrow: How much did Shiro owe you?

Ramen Shop Owner: (noticing Qrow's somber expression) Well, I'd say about... 16,000 Lien.

Qrow then tosses a Lien note, which clatters softly on the surface of the bar.

Ramen Shop Owner: Wait, what? Man, you must be in some serious trouble with him if you're paying me off.

Qrow: His name is clear.

Ramen Shop Owner: (frowning) Yeah. (Qrow starts to leave again, and the owner returns to his carving) That idiot...

Qrow: (Qrow opens the door) Yeah...

As the rain clouds clear up in the sky, Qrow is seen leaning against the stone railing from before.

Qrow: This isn't right. I get one or two of them, but... all of them?

Qrow sighs and hangs his head in disappointment.


it is daytime at the Branwen Tribe camp. Raven Branwen sits alone in her tent sharpening Omen. Suddenly, Vernal enters.

Vernal: Raven, we have a problem.

Raven: What is it?

Vernal: Salem's found us.

Raven's eyes widen briefly.

Raven: Salem... okay.

Vernal: Five of her followers are waiting to speak with you.

Raven: (standing up) Right. We planned for this... Bring me my helmet.

Outside of her tent, Cinder Fall, Arthur Watts, Emerald Sustrai, Mercury Black, and Tick Silver Crocodile all stand and wait while the bandits surround them, eyeing them carefully. Raven steps out of her tent with her mask on as she addresses her bandits.

Raven: I don't recall inviting so many guests into our home. Either I'm losing my memory, (raising her voice) or you've all lost your spines!

Cinder: Don't be too upset with them, Raven. Your men simply recognized the power of a Maiden when they see it. (her eye glows and trails fire) Which is why we'd like to have a word with you.

Raven: (addressing the bandits) Leave us. Pack your things, then break down camp. We're moving.

The bandits all leave to do so.

Watts: Little late to run and hide. You've been on our master's list for some time, so you must understand that we cannot allow you to slip away.

Raven: I know all about your master, but I don't believe we've met.

Mercury: We're the guys you should be afraid of.

Raven: I doubt anyone should be afraid of you.

Mercury: Oh yeah? Tell that to-

Cinder: Quiet.

Mercury relents.

Raven: That's what I thought.

Cinder: I'm Cinder Fall. This is my associate, Arthur Watts, Tick Crocodile, and my disciples, Emerald and Mercury.

Raven: Two children you've tricked into following you, a disgraced Atlesian scientist, a cannibal Faunus pirate with a metal coat, and a Fall Maiden with a surname so appropriate, she probably picked it herself. Something tells me you've got more than a slight case of egomania, is that about right?

Mercury and Emerald exchange a brief look, while Watts clears his throat.

Watts: Technically, I was also a doctor, but I must say, the rest was spot on.

Cinder: Aren't you perceptive.

Raven: It's what's kept me alive.

Cinder: I'm afraid the only reason you're still alive is because you have something our master wants. Of course, if I'm wrong...

Cinder activates her Maiden power again and holds out a small flame in her right hand, grinning evilly.

Raven: Vernal!

Vernal steps out of Raven's tent and walks up next to her.

Cinder: So, this is the long lost Spring Maiden. Prove it.

Raven and Vernal share a glance with each other, with Raven nodding. Vernal sighs and closes her eyes. She holds her hands out and suddenly, the wind starts to pick up gradually. The blue sky turns to gray as clouds cover it. Leaves blow in the wind. Watts, Mercury and Emerald cover their faces as thunder is heard, while Cinder and Tick both smiles in amazement as she and him watches the Spring Maiden unleash her power. Vernal then lowers her hands and opens her eyes as her powers settle.

Tick: Impressive, mate, quite impressive indeed.

Raven: Vernal has done well under my guidance. I'd take that into consideration before you try anything.

Watts and Mercury brush themselves off as Cinder speaks.

Cinder: Raven, I won't underestimate you, so please don't insult my intelligence. There is a slim chance you and your Maiden could escape today, but if you know our master as well as you claim to, then you know you could never truly escape her. But we come bearing an olive branch.

Tick: (walking up to Raven) The Maidens are merely a means to an end. Salem's true desires are the Relics locked inside the Huntsman Academies. Come with us. Allow Vernal here to unlock the Relic of Knowledge, and all previous acts of defiance against Salem will be forgiven. (whispering up to Raven's face) It's the best deal either of you are going to get.

Tick walks away from them to rejoin his group.

Raven: You talk as if walking straight into Haven will be easy.

Cinder: That's because it will be. Headmaster Lionheart is loyal to Salem. And now, all we need is the key to the vault. (pause) You're not the only one to turn your back against Oz, Raven.

Raven: (gripping the hilt of her sword) I'm not helping Salem, I'm not helping Oz! I don't want a part in any of this!

Cinder: That ship sailed when you chose to harbor a Maiden. But if you come with us to Haven, we'll leave you, your tribe, and your little secret to live out the rest of your lives squabbling in the wilderness. We just... need... the Relic.

Raven: I need time to think this over.

Watts: You don't have time. In two days, Haven Academy will be destroyed by the White Fang. You're going to choose now.

Raven: Backed me into a corner, huh?

Cinder: So, are you with us, or against us?

After a tense moment, Raven removes her grip from her hilt and takes her mask off.

Raven: Agreements like these are built on trust. And forgive me for saying, but I don't trust a single one of you. You're going to need to give me more.

Watts: You are in a poor position to negotiate.

Raven: I want my brother dead.

Her unexpected declaration momentarily stuns the four.

Cinder: Qrow?

Raven: That's right. He knows I have Spring. And if I help you get your Relic, he's going to become a problem. I have enough problems to deal with. Qrow doesn't trust me, but he does trust Ozpin's other lieutenants. If Leo really is loyal to you, then you can order him to invite Qrow into an ambush. He arrives at Haven, we take him down, you get your Relic, and we all leave happy.

Cinder: Now this is a proposition I can get behind.

Watts: Alright ladies, let's pause for a moment. We have one objective - retrieving the Relic of Knowledge. Now Qrow Branwen may be on our list of individuals we would very much like dead, but he's not going to go down without a fight, and he's not going to fight quietly. Our advantage here is just as you said - we walk straight into Haven, no resistance, no one the wiser. A battle with your brother throws that all out the window.

Raven: He's good, but not that good. All of us against him? It'll be over in a heartbeat.

Emerald: But it's not just him. He has the students with him. He has Ruby!

Cinder: He certainly does.

Watts: If we leave that school a bloody mess, we will draw the attention of the authorities! The Kingdom will be on high alert, and the White Fang's attack will be ruined!

Cinder: Then we wait. We wait until the full moon. Leo invites Qrow and his little fighters to Haven the same night Hazel and Adam arrive with the White Fang. As soon as the battle is won, the White Fang demolishes Haven, and any evidence we may have left behind is lost along with the school.

Raven: Then, Salem leaves my people alone. For good.

Cinder: You have yourself a deal.

Cinder holds her hand out to shake with Raven's, but Watts suddenly grabs her wrist.

Watts: Wait. Don't think I don't see what you're after. If this falls to pieces over your grudge or his with two children, I will not be taking the blame.

Cinder: (glaring at him) Then what are you worried about?

Cinder activates her Maiden powers and burns Watts' hand, causing him to remove his grip and hold his hand in pain.

Cinder: Fly back home and tinker with your machines, along with Tinker-toy of your's here. (she holds her hand out again in front of Raven) And tell Salem she'll get what she wants - and more.

Tick hissed, annoyed by that remark, as Raven stands still for a moment, glaring at Cinder's hand in front of her, but then offers her own hand out and shakes it with the Fall Maiden, sealing the deal.


Back in Menagerie, gunfire can be heard from within the Belladonna Family Home, as well as sounds of fighting grunts and efforts. Ghira Belladonna is leaping around the entry hall and uses his claws to hang from one of the pillars, before pouncing on a White Fang soldier and clawing him down. A female White Fang soldier charges at him with a spear, but Ghira grabs it, lifting her off the ground, and tossing her into Fennec Albain. Corsac Albain holds out his weapon, which starts to glow red as Ghira preps to launch the spear at him. A fireball is launched from Corsac's weapon as Ghira throws the spear. The two attacks manage to hit their targets, with Ghira's Aura shimmering from the fireball and Corsac getting pinned to the wall by his hood.

Fennec: Brother!

Fennec gets back up and activates his weapon, which glows white as a wind gust is conjured from it. Ghira brings his arms to his face to block the attack, and his feet drag backwards a couple of feet as a result. A White Fang soldier with an assault rifle is hiding behind a pillar and takes the opportunity in an attempt to attack Ghira. Suddenly, Sun Wukong bursts in from the window behind him and knocks him down. Corsac discards his hood and joins his brother as they prepare to launch a combination attack with their weapons. A stream of wind and fire whirls toward Sun, but he blocks the attack by twirling Ruyi Bang and Jingu Bang. He then calls out to someone.

Sun: Hurry!

Gambol Shroud and Jungle Law is seen being loaded with a new cartridge, getting the attention of Corsac and Fennec. Blake Belladonna, Bloo Grijalee, and Serene Khan jumps down from the terrace above them, Blake dodges a fireball and a wind attack in the process. She does a three-point landing in front of them. The brothers attempt to stab Blake, but she uses her ice Dust-enhanced Semblance to trap their hands and weapons. She, Serene and Bloo, leaps away from them to join her father and Sun.

Blake: Dad! Where's mom?

Ghira: I'm not sure, I got ambushed right away.

Blake: Once we take down Corsac and Fennec-

Ghira: No, you and Serene go now.

Blake and Serene: But-

Ghira: You keep assuring me your friend isn't a complete waste of space! Let's see him prove it.

Sun: We got this, Blake. I've wanted to sock these creeps since the day we met!

Bloo than has Jungle Law transform in Axe form.

Bloo: Not If I get to hit one of them first.

Corsac uses the fire Dust in his weapon to begin melting Blake's ice clone.

Ghira: You'll have to get in line. Blake, Serene, go!

Blake and Serene does so and leaves the room. Corsac and Fennec free themselves, and prepare to fight.

Sun: I won't let you down, sir!

Ghira: Shut up.

Sun: You got it!

Bloo: Yes sir!

The three of them proceed forward.


Back at the Branwen Tribe camp, Raven sits on her bed leaning her forehead to her hand. She hears someone enter her tent.

Raven: (without looking up) Yes, Vernal?

Vernal: I followed them as you asked.

Raven: Did they spot you?

Vernal: (scoffs) Of course not. They at the Faunus's ship, the Final Hour, two klicks west of here, looks like they're staying there for the night.

Raven: Thank you, Vernal. (looking up) Anything else?

Vernal: Do you... actually believe they'll let us go once they have the Relic?

Raven: Of course not. They'll never leave us alone. Once our purpose has come and gone, we'll be discarded. Salem only uses people until they are no longer useful. If we want to have any chance of defending ourselves against her, then we need this Relic. (she stands up from her bed.) If Qrow and those brats want to follow Ozpin, then let them. When the chaos reaches its peak, we'll grab the Relic and make our escape.

Vernal: And the fact that your daughter will be a part of all that?

Raven: Doesn't matter. I warned her. She made her choice. (she approaches the exit of her tent) This path won't be easy for us either, but we must do what's right for the tribe.

Vernal: I know. I'll do whatever it takes.

Raven: Good.

Raven exits the tent. Vernal walks out to see where she has gone and notices a cawing black bird and the sound of Raven's portal activating. The scene transitions to the exterior of the Mistral Home. The sound of Raven's portal is heard closing as her bird form flies in. Qrow is seen drinking from his flask while sitting on a bed, and he hears the sound of Raven cawing, seeing her through the window. Oscar Pine walks up to his doorway.

Oscar: Hey, Qrow?

Qrow turns his attention to him.

Oscar: Oz needs to talk to you.

Qrow stands up and follows Oscar out of the room, looking over his shoulder at the window.


Back at the Belladonna home, Blake and Serene bursts into the forked hallway. They hears the sounds of fighting to their right and proceeds down the left hallway. The scene transitions to show Ilia Amitola crouched on a balcony railing in a large room. She is donning her Grimm mask and hears the muffled sounds of fighting going on around the building. She then hears the door open and sees someone walk in on the floor below her. Blake and Serene takes a defensive stance as they notices Blake's former friend standing up on the railing above them. The three reach for their weapons, with Blake gripping Gambol Shroud first. Serene drawing out Orthrus Whip. Ilia proceeds to grab Lightning Lash's hilt. The three glare at each other... While behind one of the pillars of the room, Ivory "Banesaw" Tusk, was armed with Pantomime Misfit, in chainsaw form.


End of Chapter 9


Author Notes

RWBY, its owned by Rooster Teeth.

Major thanks to the Transcripts and Battle Pages written on RWBY Wiki

I'd love to make a bonus Chapter based of "Onsen Onsen Onsen!" from Fixing RWBY, of the heroines and Heroes relaxing at a hot spring resort, during this chapter. Also Sorry for not adding Tick to the battle in Haven. But I am planning to make him the main antagonist in Vol 6.

Also, I think having some extra OCs in canon events would still make it a AU, but get what you mean, I'd just had some trouble working some extra things into these chapter, I kinda was planning to keep this mostly Canon anyway.

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