AN: Before we start, I have a very special announcement to make. One of the stories I pitched on my profile has been picked up by Bardockskywalker1991, called the Verdant Star of Remnant. It's a Fire Emblem: Three Houses/RWBY Crossover about female Verdant Wind Byleth and Sothis being isekai'd to Remnant after dying during the Battle of Garreg Mach. It can be found later today on Archive of Our Own, under the username Remnant_Bardock1991, as well as on this site. Go check it out!

Once again, I would like to thank Lord Maximus for the help with this chapter.

Onwards!

Chapter 95

Weiss opened her eyes to see Aqua holding her with a barrier surrounding them as they softly landed on the ground.

"Are you okay?" Aqua asked once they landed and the barrier disappeared.

"Yeah," Weiss said with a nod. "What was that? A Heartless?"

"Yeah, but one I've never seen before." Aqua looked up, narrowing her eyes. "And it's not done with us."

Weiss looked up and watched as the dark cloaked figure that was the Heartless appeared above them. Weiss stepped away from Aqua, gripping her weapon as the Heartless hovered, and then lashed out with its dark clawed hands. Both Huntress and Keyblade Master jumped in opposite directions, the Heartless's claws scraping along the ground. The Heartless let out a demonic roar as it flew after Weiss, who somersaulted back, avoiding a swipe.

She then jumped up and slashed at the Heartless, but her weapon had little effect on it. It swiped at her again, and this time it managed to hit her, knocking her back.

"Fire!" Aqua called out.

The spell managed to hit the Heartless, setting its cloak on fire for a second and causing a pained howl from it. The Heartless spun around and fired a dark flame of its own at Aqua, who conjured a barrier to block it. It then flew at her, swiping at her, which she dodged and then slashed but saw her Keyblade pass through its body.

Immune to physical attacks. Aqua narrowed her eyes and switched tactics, engulfing herself in fire and managing to set the Heartless on fire again. "Weiss, it's immune to physical attacks! We need to hit it with elemental attacks!"

To demonstrate she used a Thunder spell that hit the Heartless and made it stagger. Nodding, Weiss channeled the Dust in her weapon through her Glyphs, using a combo of Fire and Wind Dust to hit the Heartless head-on. There was another pained howl before it then flew at Weiss, swiping at her. Summoning her Glyphs, Weiss dashed out of the way as it swiped at her. The Heartless moved around the battlefield, dodging incoming spells and Dust attacks from Weiss and Aqua, and then attacked with its claws and dark energy orbs.

The Heartless shot at Aqua, who summoned Hercules, who caught its arm. Aqua then delivered several slashes before the Heartless swiped Hercules, shattering his form. Weiss dashed in, using the Time Dilation glyph to shoot forward and stab the Heartless with her sword as she channeled Earth Dust, hitting the monster. The Heartless they fought was abnormally strong and durable as it continued to fight now matter how many times they hit it.

"Fire! Thunder!" Aqua shouted, continuing to hit it with her spells. "Freeze!"

The Heartless continued fighting, more than once hitting either of its opponents. Weiss's Aura was being pushed to the limit and Aqua had to use a Cure spell on both her and Weiss more than once. Its attacks were somewhat predictable, but it was still strong and fast as it moved around the battlefield, sometimes disappearing and then reappearing behind either Weiss or Aqua and slashing them with its claws.

"GAH!" Weiss cried out as she felt the creature's claws cut away at her Aura. The last swipe also caused her ponytail to come undone, her hair falling freely down her back while the tiara that held it in place fell somewhere.

"Deep freeze!" Aqua shouted, hitting the Heartless and freezing it for a mere instant. "Thunder!"

As another lightning bolt hit the Heartless she ducked under a swipe from it and hit it with a Fire spell.

"Weiss?" Aqua quickly cast another Cure over her. "Are you all right?"

"I'm good," Weiss said, but felt her Aura almost broken. "How strong is this?"

Aqua watched as the Heartless hovered for a second before it fired another dark orb at them.

"Strong enough."

They both jumped as it swiped at them again and went on the attack.

"Deep freeze!" Aqua shouted as she and Weiss let loose an ice combo on the Heartless, injuring it even further.

The Heartless retreated and then lunged, swiping at Aqua, who blocked. IT flew past her, grabbing Weiss and slamming her into the ground. Weiss let out a cry as her Aura finally broke, but before it could finish her off, Aqua summoned 626, who shot forward and grabbed Weiss, carrying her away as Aqua let loose with a Thunder blast that injured the Heartless.

"Enough!" Aqua shouted, summoning her Prism Rain that hammered the Heartless one Weiss was out of the way.

The Heartless roared and lunged at her. She blocked a strike aimed at her head, but they flew through several trees that were knocked down as a result before Aqua finally pished the claw away.

"Mickey!" Aqua shouted, summoning her fellow Keyblade Wielder.

Mickey leaped over her and delivered a Deep Freeze to the Heartless that forced it to back off. Aqua then shot forward, her Keyblade engulfed in a bright light as she slashed away at the Heartless, the light burning through the cloaks. The Heartless let out another demonic howl as it flew back, firing more dark orbs that Aqua blocked with her barrier spell. Both Keyblade Master and Summon went on the attack, delivering heavy damage to the phantom-like Heartless.

Perhaps she would call it a Phantom, since it seemed to act like one.

She and Mickey brought their Keyblades together, forming a single blade of light that cut through the Phantom's cloak. There was bright flash of light. The Heartless let out a screech as it staggered back, clutching its "chest" area as a great light broke free and a single heart emerged, floating up and vanishing into the sky. The Phantom then collapsed and literally vanished as if it had never existed.

Aqua sighed, dismissing her summon and Keyblade.

That was… insane. I've never faced a Heartless that powerful before.

The entire battle had been long and exhausting. She rushed over to Weiss to see that she was just barely conscious.

"Hang on, Weiss," Aqua said, casting another Cure on the former heiress and sighing in relief when her wounds were healed. "You can rest up for now. "I'll see if there's anything we can salvage from the wreck that we can use. Maybe there's a settlement nearby we can stay to recuperate."

"I think something can be arranged."

Eyes widening, Aqua spun around to see she and Weiss were surrounded by several bandits. And not just any bandits.

She recognized them.

And she recognized that voice.

"Raven," Aqua uttered in small surprise as the leader of these bandits stepped forward.

"Hello, Aqua. Long time, no see," Raven said with a small smile. "I see you've had quite the adventure today."

Aqua frowned, summoning back her Keyblade. "I don't have time to deal with you right now, Raven. If you want something from the crash, fine. There should still e some leftover Dust in the cargo hold that survived. We won't fight you for that, but in return just let us leave."

"How generous of you. Of course we were planning on checking for that anyway," Raven said, gesturing at her men, who then moved towards the wrecked ship. "As for you two, I'm afraid we can't let you leave just yet. We have a lot to talk about, little sister."

Aqua narrowed her eyes.

"Don't think that fight just now has left me weakened. I'm more than ready to fight my way past you."

"I don't doubt it. And risk your little friend?" Raven gestured to the barely-conscious Weiss. "You would risk her life while fighting us?"

Before Aqua could say anything she heard a gun shot and quickly blocked it. What she wasn't prepared for was the lightning bolt that hit the ground in front of her, kicking up dirt in her eyes.

She had no time to react as a fist shot out and slugged her hard enough to knock her out.

Blake hadn't seen her dad this nervous in a while. She, her mother, Sun, and Tifa could only watch as he paced back and forth, obsessing over the speech he was holding on a piece of paper in his hands.

She supposed she couldn't blame his nerves.

He let out an anxiety-filled sigh, causing her mom to put a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

"Yes," he said. "It won't be easy for the people to hear, but the truth often isn't. I know they'll do the right thing."

Blake got up and gave her father's arm an affectionate snuggle, letting him know that she was with him. They heard a thud on Dad's back, and saw Sun patting him on the back.

"You got this," the young man said reassuringly. The Belladonna family gave him a funny look, prompting him to step back and smile awkwardly. Dad let out one last harsh sigh before stepping outside, walking up to an awaiting podium and a crowd of people outside their house. Blake noticed that the Albain brothers were among those in attendance. The crowd was murmuring excitedly, prompting Dad to raise a hand to quiet them down.

"Thank you all for assembling here," he addressed them. "I wanted to take time to address some of the rumors that have been circulating around our island. I believe that it is important for the people of this territory to understand the truth. No matter how you feel about the human race, I think we can all agree that the event now known as the Fall of Beacon was a tragedy. A tragedy that will set both man and Faunus-kind back. While the main aggressor is still unknown, we do have official confirmation that Adam Taurus, the leader of a powerful splinter group working inside the White Fang, was partially responsible for these attacks. His actions not only tarnished the reputation of an organization originally created to bring peace and equality to all, but to our entire race. With each day that this man remains unpunished, it becomes increasingly difficult to condemn those that look down upon us."

Her father's words seemed to have a real impact on the crowd, if the mutterings were any indication.

"Recently, a spy from the same splinter group set their sights on this very home," Dad continued. "My own daughter, Blake, and her friends did their very best to apprehend this individual. While they were unsuccessful after being physical assaulted and seriously injured, they were successful in obtaining the assailant's scroll," he said, pulling out Ilia's scroll to prove his point. "With this, we've been able to ascertain that Adam Taurus has plans to overthrow the current leader of the White Fang, Sienna Khan, and take over the reins himself."

The mutterings became more concerned at this.

"His radical plans do not stop there," Dad continued. "The document on this scroll proclaim his next target to be Haven Academy and its attached CCT Tower. Their plan is the strike on the last full moon before the beginning of the Fall semester, roughly two months from today. I have sent my swiftest messenger to the government of Mistral, but I believe we have a greater responsibility. My relationship with the White Fang has been… an interesting one. Years ago, I led the organization to help try and create a world where I, and every Faunus who wished, could walk alongside the human race. And while I believe we made great strides toward this goal, it was made clear to me that the people both in and out of the White Fang wanted faster results. So I stepped down, and Sienna Khan was appointed as my successor. It's true that I do not fully condone many of her methods.

"What I do condone is what Sienna fights for: the idea that the Faunus and humans are, and should be, equal. Adam Taurus does not seem to have that goal in mind. What he has done benefits no one but himself. I think it's time that the Faunus showed the world that we are equals! Time that we snuff out this splinter group, and restore the White Fang to what it once was!"

To Blake's satisfaction, the crowd cheered at this proclamation.

"To do this, I think the answer is clear: We must go to Haven and protect it at all costs!"

And just like that, the cheering stopped, the crowd suddenly becoming much more hesitant.

It was one thing to ask for moral support. It was another thing entirely to ask to actually fight. Blake's father cleared his throat at the suddenly awkward atmosphere.

"Before we proceed any further, I'd like to invite my daughter to come and share her story. Not only as a former member of the White Fang, but also as a survivor of the Fall of Beacon." At his cue, Blake stepped up to the podium, her father looking at her with a reassuring smile. "You can do this."

"TRAITORS!" a familiar voice shouted from the crowd, a chameleon Faunus revealing herself to them.

"Ilia…" Blake said, glaring at her former friend.

"Cowards…" Ilia said. "After everything the humans have done to us, everything they've put us through, you're asking us to help them?!"

"I know we haven't been treated fairly…" Dad said, trying to re-gain control of the situation.

"Where was their help when the Dust companies treated our people like slaves?!" Ilia continued her rant. "Where was their help when Kingdoms hunted Faunus just for being who they are?! Where was my help when my parents were killed in a Dust mine?! WHERE?!"

"Young lady, progress takes patience and cooperation!" Dad argued.

"The Belladonnas are the worst kind of Faunus! They want us to work with the same people that are trying to hold us down! If you truly, truly want to help your people, now is the time to support Adam, not the Belladonnas! He will bring about the future that you deserve. And if you are unwilling to fight, know that the White Fang will do it for you!"

"SHUT UP!" Sun shouted, having snuck through the crowd to get behind her. He tried to tackle her, but she dodged him, running out of the crowd and into town.

"Get her!" one of the guards shouted, several of them moving to give chase.

"Mind if I cut in?"

The crowd fell silent and parted to reveal a man in a dark coat and hood covering his face.

"Who's this guy?" Sun asked, not liking the vibes he was getting from the hooded man. Blake gasped and then glared when she recognized him.

"It's you."

"So pleased to see you again, Blake Belladonna. "Should I bow since you're technically the Princess of the Faunus?" the Hooded Man asked.

"Blake, do you know this man?" Dad asked, taking a step forward.

"He's someone who nearly got my entire team killed," Blake said as she pulled out Gambol Shroud. "What do you want?"

"I was wondering when would be the best time to speak to you, and then I saw you set up this little rally, and I knew it would be my chance," the Hooded Man answered.

"For what?"

"For this," The Hooded Man said, snapping his fingers, creating a bright flash of light. When the light faded, where her parents once stood instead was a pair of statues, seemingly made of crystal, their faces frozen in shock and terror.

"MOM! DAD!" Blake yelled, horrified at what had seemingly happened to her parents. Sun and several guards charged at the man, only to be knocked back in an instant. Tifa ran past Blake and jumped into the air, trying to attack him, but some unseen force caught her in midair and held her in place, her limbs stretched out.

"Well, hello there, Tifa," the Hooded Man said. "So lovely to see you again. How's that tail working out for you?"

"Why are you here?" Tifa asked.

"This doesn't concern you," he said, tossing the brawler aside with a wave of his hand. Blake spun around and glared at the man, tears welling up in her eyes.

"What have you done to them?!" She demanded.

"Oh, I know that look," the Hooded Man said. "The others looked at me just like that." He snapped his fingers again, and the crystal statues that were once Blake's parents vanished.

"WHY?"! She roared, firing her gun at the man, who just held out his hand and conjured a barrier to block the bullets. "Why would you do that to them?!"

"Oh, relax, they aren't dead yet," the man said. "But unless you want that to change, meet me in the desert outside of town at midnight. Oh, and come alone, Princess."

With that the man vanished, and Blake collapsed to her knees, horrified at what at just occurred.

She wailed, letting her tears flow freely.

She barely registered Sun scoop her up into his arms and carry her inside.

"Did he age backwards?" Nora asked, standing over Oscar, who was sitting on an armchair, the boy doing his best to not break eye contact and look down. The beautiful girl and the rest of the teens that Oscar had just met were gathered around him, trying to make sense of how he could possibly be Professor Ozpin, while Qrow and the blond man sat off to the side.

"He's possessed!" The blond boy, whom Oscar remembered was named "Jaune", exclaimed.

"Or reincarnated," the black-haired boy, Ren, suggested.

"Oh! Isn't it weird?" The cute black-haired girl, Ruby, said.

"It is very weird, yes," Oscar said nervously from his seat.

"Okay, okay," Qrow said from his spot on the couch. "Let's all just take a second and remember that this is very overwhelming for everyone." The teens all backed away from the poor boy, chuckling nervously.

"Thanks," Oscar said to Qrow. The teens took a seat around the room, Oscar catching Nora looking at him with those big, beautiful eyes of hers that he could just get lost in for hours and—

"Oscar," Ozpin's voice said in a scolding tone. "Focus."

"Ah! Sorry," Oscar said, shaking his head to snap out of it. "It's just I've never really met Huntsmen and Huntresses before."

"Well, uh… we've never met a person with two souls!" Ruby said. "So, first times all around."

"Not to break up the whole 'getting -to-know-you' game, but we need to have a talk," Qrow said. "Mind showing us your little parlor trick, kid?" Oscar groaned in annoyance.

He really hated doing this.

"Yeah, okay," he relented. "Just so you know, I'll still be here." The others that weren't Qrow all looked at him in confusion, before Oscar closed his eyes. His body was briefly surrounded by a green glow, before he opened them again.

Well, not really him.

"It is so very good to see you again, students," Ozpin said in Oscar's voice.

"Wait, what just happened?" Jaune asked.

"Professor… Ozpin?" Ren guessed.

"Correct," Ozpin said. "And though I may be the one speaking, Oscar is still present mentally. He's merely handed over the control, so to speak."

"Just don't make us do anything embarrassing," Oscar said from inside his own mind. This was something the boy really hoped he wouldn't have to get used to.

"I'm afraid this all must be very perplexing," Ozpin continued.

"And alarming, and bizarre, and just really kind of hard to believe overall," Nora said, making Ozpin chuckle.

"It's good to see you children still have your sense of humor. I know you've all been through tremendous hardship already. I'm sorry."

"I mean, it's not your fault," Ruby said.

"It's all my fault. I told you once that I made more mistakes than any man, woman, and child on this planet, and I wasn't exaggerating. I'm… cursed. For thousands of years, I've walked the surface of Remnant, living, dying, and reincarnating in the body of a like-minded soul. The Professor Ozpin you all met was not my first form, and clearly wasn't my last. It's… an extraordinarily strenuous process on everyone involved."

"So who…what… are you?' Jaune asked.

"I am the combination of countless men who've spent their lives trying to protect the people of Remnant," Ozpin explained. "With every rebirth, my soul is eventually merged with another and I am changed, but my memories stay with me." Oscar noticed Ruby look a little concerned at that part. "This curse was bestowed upon me by the Gods, because I failed to stop Salem in the past. But we must stop her now."

"And how do we do that?" Ruby asked.

"We start… by ensuring the safety of the Relic of Knowledge."

"Mom, you look so beautiful!"

Aqua could barely recognize herself in the mirror, having almost never worn such a dress before in her life. To Ruby and Yang, their mother (it was amazing how easily they thought of her as their mother) was stunning beyond belief. Her white wedding dress hugged her curves perfectly with her shoulders and back exposed, and hugged her body, at least down to her waist before it started flowing. White sleeves reached up to her forearms with orange flowers at the end.

A white veil fell down her hair and down her bare shoulders. Ruby and Yang were both wearing gowns of their own, with Ruby being the Maid of Honor while Yang was the flower girl. As Aqua stared into her reflection, she felt… numb. As if her body had a mind of its own.

She couldn't believe it.

She was getting married today.

When she was younger she had a few fantasies, but her dream had always been to be a Keyblade Master. Well, she had achieved that for the most part, but she wished her friends, Terra and Ven along with her Master could be here today. She couldn't believe how much her life had changed in the last few years to this point.

She almost wondered if she was dreaming and was still trapped in the Realm of Darkness.

"Mom?" Aqua felt Ruby shake her a bit. "Are you okay?" Aqua looked down at Ruby with a smile.

"Yes, I'm all right. Just… a little nervous."

"It's okay, Mom." Ruby smiled back up at her. "It's your big day so it's understandable."

Ruby and Yang had as much reason to be happy as Aqua. Finally, she would officially become part of their family. Sure, she'd be legally their aunt, but she was still Mom to them.

"Yeah, Mom. No need to space out." Yang smirked as she leaned forward. "If you need help, we'll drag you up to that altar if we have to." Aqua laughed.

"That's okay. I don't think I'm that much of a nervous wreck."

"Good," Yang said as she and Ruby hugged Aqua. "You told us when we were little that family is more than just blood. Well, now you really are our family and we couldn't be happier."

"Yeah," Ruby nodded. "And neither could Uncle Qrow."

Aqua smiled as she held her daughters. "Thank you both. Yes, family is defined by those you care about and I'm beyond glad you accepted me as part of your family. I never thought this would ever happen to me, but I'm grateful to whatever power out there that allowed this. Whether it be the gods or Kingdom Hearts.

They stayed in their hug for a second before it was time. Aqua slowly came out, a slight wind causing her dress to flow around her. The wedding was taking place in the small town on Patch, where the community had gathered to witness their union. Aqua had been around long enough to know most of the people in town, and almost everyone was staggered by how beautiful she looked.

None more so than Qrow.

He was actually dressed in a tux with a tie to go with it that he wanted to tug because he felt like it was strangling him. Tai was his best man and both were waiting.

"Man, this is so stuffy. Why couldn't we do it the way you and Raven did?" Qrow quietly complained to Tai. "Raven sure as hell didn't go through this."

"Well for one, we had the 'blessings' of the tribe, and last time I checked they don't like you much anymore," Tai answered.

"Right," Qrow said, rolling his eyes. "You two just got the wedding license, the blessings and then you just—"

"Oh look there she is!"

Qrow saw Aqua slowly approaching, and for the third or fourth time in his life he was shut up by her beauty. She moved quietly and gracefully, with a blushing yet tranquil smile on her face, holding a pink bouquet in her hands. Qrow was blushing like mad when she finally reached him, beyond stunned as her blue eyes stared up at him from under the veil that he would pull back. He barely heard the priest speak as he and Aqua exchanged vows, and then Ruby happily brought out the rings, which they slipped on.

And then they leaned in to kiss, sealing the bond between their hearts.

"Ladies and Gentleman, I present to you for the first time… Mr. and Mrs. Qrow and Aqua Branwen!" The Priest declared joyfully.

The entire town was lit up with cheers and claps, some whistling as Ruby and Yang hugged Aqua first and then Qrow, while Tai patted Qrow on the back and they both laughed. There was food, music, and celebration all throughout town, even as Qrow picked his wife up in his arms and carried her home. They didn't really have much of a honeymoon planned, but the girls agreed to spend the weekend with Tai to give the new couple their alone time.

As this happened, a single black bird watched from the roof of the church before flying away. It landed several miles from the town, before changing into none other than Raven Branwen.

"Hmph… Well, can't say I ever thought the day would come when my brother would find someone… Then again, I said the same thing about myself once…" Raven muttered as she looked over her shoulder. "Welcome to the family, Aqua. I'm sure we'll have a lot to talk about next time we meet… little sister."

With that she vanished into a portal.

Aqua awoke to the sound of a sword being sharpened. She was lying on what felt like a futon and slowly opened her eyes to find herself in a large tent.

"Well, finally awake are we?"

Recognizing that voice, Aqua lifted her head to see Raven sitting nearby, sharpening her sword.

"Raven."

"Don't worry. You're not locked in a cage or bound or anything. Little point to that, as you showed me the last time you visited," Raven said, looking up from her sword.

"Is that so?" Aqua asked, sitting up on the futon. "And what prompts this sudden hospitality?" Raven stopped sharpening her sword and looked at Aqua with a small smile.

"Can't a girl show concern for family?"

"Family?" Aqua repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes. After all, you married my brother and took our last name, Aqua Branwen. That makes us sisters now," Raven said, going back to sharpening her sword.

"So you have been keeping tabs on me. Though you seem a little slow on the uptake. After all, you're no longer considered family by Qrow, Tai, and especially Yang after the stunt you pulled the last time we met," Aqua retorted.

"Hmph. Well, it wasn't like Qrow was one for family in the first place," Raven said, lowering her sword to the ground. "He did turn his back on the tribe that raised him, after all."

"Because he found something better than attacking defenseless villages," Aqua retorted. "Besides, you turned your back on your husband and daughter, so why don't we skip the pleasantries and you tell me why I'm here." Aqua threw the covers off and stood up.

"You know, I'm still curious how exactly you got back on your feet," Raven said. "Obviously Ironwood's handiwork, but after fighting that monster, it's obvious that he didn't use a Spinal Bypass. Especially if he knew about that weapon of yours. So, how'd he do it? Some experimental new procedure?"

"And what if it was?" Aqua questioned.

"No need for hostilities, little sister. After all, I have to admit you impressed me a bit this time." Raven held up a scroll for Aqua to see. "And I thought the price on my tribe was large."

On the screen was an arrest warrant for Aqua with a large reward promised by Jacques.

"Ten Million Lien?"

"To have you brought in alive and preferably unharmed," Raven said with a small smile. "Like I said, I'm impressed. It's not every day Jacques and Ironwood agree on something, but word is you knocked them both down a peg."

"And what? You want to cash in by shipping me back to Atlas and get the reward?" Aqua asked.

"Tempting, but no," Raven said. "If that was all I wanted, you would have woken up wrapped up so tight you wouldn't be able to move a muscle. No, I would rather finish our last conversation, regarding your Keyblade." Raven lowered her scroll. "As for the Schnee with you…"

"Where is she?" Aqua asked, narrowing her eyes.

"She's alive and unharmed if you're worried," Raven said nonchalantly. "Now about our talk…"

"You're not getting anything from me until I see Weiss unharmed for myself," Aqua said harshly.

Rolling her eyes, Raven got up and gestured for Aqua to follow.

Weiss slowly opened her eyes, her head still pounding in pain. Groggily, she took in her surroundings, finding herself locked inside a cage that wasn't tall enough for her to stand up, and her wrists were tied together with rough rope. She slowly sat up, grabbing the attention of two bandits playing cards near her cage.

"Well, well," one of the bandits said, giving her a lascivious look. "Look who's awake."

"Wha… what's going on?" Weiss asked, still not quite fully alert yet. "Where am I?"

"You know…" a new, female, voice said, the owner of the voice emerging from a nearby tent. "I never thought I'd see a Schnee in this camp."

"Vernal?!" one of the bandits asked in alarm, the two of them standing at attention as the woman approached the cage. She had short brown hair, wore clothing that was tattered in places…

And most infuriating of all, she was holding Myrtenaster in her hand.

"What do you want?" Weiss asked, glaring angrily at the girl who dared to steal her weapon.

"Straight to the point," Vernal said. "I like it. We don't normally deal in trafficking people. Not really worth our time. But, once we realized we had a Schnee, that changed."

"You're going to ransom me back to my father, is that it?" Weiss asked, the glare never leaving her face.

"It's a shame you're a Schnee. You'd probably do pretty well around here."

"As a thief and murderer?" Weiss asked in disgust. "Oh please, I'm trying to actually do something useful with my life."

Now it was Vernal's turn to glare at Weiss.

"Just keep quiet and cooperate and you'll be back in your mansion before you know it," she said. "Don't make things complicated."

Weiss took a quick look around, realizing that she actually couldn't see Aqua anywhere.

Vernal had said that they didn't normally traffic people, but Weiss was the exception.

Weiss's eyes widened.

Did they-?!

"Weiss."

Weiss perked up when she saw Aqua approaching, following a woman that looked shockingly like Yang, but with black hair and red eyes.

"Aqua," she said in relief.

"Are you alright?" Aqua asked, glaring at the guards near the cage.

"I'm fine." Weiss cast a look at the black-haired woman. "Is she-?"

"This is Raven. My husband's sister," Aqua explained. "Though it's only in the biological sense."

"There, perfectly unharmed," Raven said. "Wouldn't be good if we harmed Jacques's perfect little princess. He would obviously want her back safe and sound before giving the generous party the reward promised."

"How thoughtful of you," Aqua retorted sarcastically.

"Yes, it is," Raven said, her tone indicating that she really did think she was being generous. She gestured back to her tent. "Now, if you'll follow me."

"Qrow," Aqua said and a glyph appeared, creating a crystal copy of her husband.

The bandits were on guard while Raven looked over her shoulder with an annoyed face. The copy walked over to the cage and seemingly stood guard.

"And what is this?" one of the guards asked.

"Someone else to guard your precious meal ticket. Given the hospitality I was given last time I was here, it shouldn't be surprising that I don't trust you to treat her any better. Please, feel free to see if it can fight as good as the real one," Aqua said, looking at Weiss. "Hopefully he'll be good company while I speak with… my dear sister-in-law."

"I'll be fine, Aqua," Weiss said as Aqua and Raven walked away, before the former heiress sent a victorious smirk to Vernal.

If Weiss would be alone, she would have been in trouble. But with Aqua here, too…

They'd be free in no time.

Blake slammed Tifa into the wall, holding her by the suspenders holding up her skirt.

"WHERE ARE THEY?!" Blake screamed at her fellow Faunus. "WAT DID HE DO TO THEM?!"

"Blake, stop!" Sun yelled, trying to get Blake off of Tifa, but she shoved him aside.

"What did he do to my parents?!" Blake yelled again, getting right in Tifa's face. "Answer me!"

"I don't know!" Tifa said, raising her arms defensively.

"Bullshit!" Blake said. "He knew you! He addressed you by name!"

"I've met him before, but that doesn't mean I'm friends with him!" Tifa yelled back. "You've met him before, too!"

"Well, how do you know him?" Sun asked.

"He's the one who brought me here," Tifa said. "That's it."

"Brought you here?" Sun asked. "What, to Menagerie?"

"Yes!" Tifa said. "He somehow knew that I was looking for Cloud, and the next thing I knew, I woke up on the beach here! That's all I know, I swear!"

Blake glared at her for a few more seconds before finally letting her go. Blake absentmindedly walked over to the couch before slumping down and putting her face in her hands.

"What the hell am I gonna do?" Blake asked to herself.

"Well, it's easy," Sun said. "He said to meet him in the desert tonight. We just go there and kick the crap out of him."

"No, Sun," Blake said. "There's no 'we'." Sun and Tifa looked surprised at this. "He told me to come alone, and I'm not risking my parents' lives over this."

"But—"

"No buts, Sun!" Blake interrupted. "This is too important for your stupid heroics! What if you tag along and he finds out I disobeyed him?! He'll kill my parents!"

"Well, can you fight him on your own?" Tifa asked.

In all honesty, Blake knew she probably stood no chance against him in a fight, but…

"What other choice do I have?"

AN: I always enjoy getting to write lovey scenes with Aqua and Qrow. I know it's a pairing I pretty much created, but I love them together so much!

So, we've got trouble brewing for at least three of out girls. How will they get out of it? Find out next time!

As always, thank you very much for reading, and I'll see you all next time!