Two individuals darted through Beacons courtyard, Ruby stumbled as she attempted to keep up with her partner the heiress seemed somewhat chipper when she saw the aircraft and had come directly to the docks her leader remaining clueless towards the usual stoic girl's actions.
"Weiss, what is the big deal? Who is it? Who is she?" Ruby called out
"Winter" Wiess said as Ruby came to stand alongside her, the red-clad girl looked towards the aircraft as a White-haired woman bearing a striking resemblance to her partner stepped off the ramp flanked by two Atlesian Knights.
"Wait... Your sister" "Ruby said.
"Winter!" Weiss called out her sister to turn towards them just in time to see Weiss and Ruby running towards her "Winter! I'm so happy to see you! Oh" Weis said upon realizing her actions were less than polite. "Your presence honors us" Weiss said with a small curtsy.
"Beacon... It's been a long time. The air feels... different" Winter commented as she looked at her surroundings.
"I mean it is fall, so, eh, it's probably colder." Ruby replied, her words earned the red-clad reaper a swift punch to the shoulder causing her to gasp in pain.
Weiss then turned back to face her sibling " So, what are you doing here?" Weiss asked
"Classified" Winter responded
Weis nodded "Oh, right. Well, how long will you be staying?" She asked.
"Classified" Winter responded her voice more serious than before.
"Weiss gulped "Of course." she said as she nodded and smiled in understanding
An awkward silence followed.
Ruby glanced around in the silence "Well... this is nice... I think?"
"You're going to love it here! I know you've traveled a lot, but so much of Beacon is different to Atlas! The government and the school are completely separate. Can you believe it"
"I'm more than familiar with this kingdom handles it's... bureaucracy. That's not why I came." Winter replied.
Weiss nodded and says "Right, I'm sorry"
"Nor did I come to watch my own blood fail so miserably in battle." Winter said
Weiss seemed puzzled by the statement ", But we won."
"Only a novice would refer to that as a victory, I counted at least three strikes missed" Weiss flinched slightly at her sister's words "Leave us." Winter said the two androids stepping away as winter sighed " How have you been?"
Weiss perked up and replied "Oh, splendid! Thank you for asking. I'm actually in the very top ranking of our combat class! The rest of my studies are going wonderfully too"
Weiss received a slap upside the head leaving a rather large lump "Silence, you boob! I don't recall asking about your ranking, I asked how you've been. Are you eating properly have you taken up any hobbies? Are you making new friends?" Winter cleared out
"Well, their Ruby." Weiss said indicating to her leader.
Ruby giggled "Boop" she said pushing the lump down on Weiss' head.
Winter turned her attention to the red-clad reaper "I see. So, this is the leader you wrote of. How appropriately... underwhelming."
"Uh, thank you" Ruby replied
"Greeting Ruby Rose. I wish to thank you for taking an interest in my sister."
"Oh! uh..."Ruby tried not really sure how to respond until Wiess cut in saving her leader some embarrassment
"Well theirs also Alex"
"Alex?" Winter snapped her head towards her sister and smiled at this revelation "So, you've taken interest in someone dear sister. Tell me who is this young man, have the two of you been on any dates as of late?"
"What!" Weiss said trying to stop the heat rushing to her cheeks "Winter he and I aren't together, he's our mentor. Besides he's already in a relationship with my teammate Blake."
"I see," Winter said, "Hmm a shame."
Having calmed down Weiss looked back up at her sister. "Well, I have business with the general and your headmaster. But seeing as I'm early, why don't you take me to your quarters?" Winter asked her sister.
Weiss smiled and asked "Really."
"Yes, I wish to inspect them and make sure they are up to my personal standards." winter says as she and Weiss go on ahead leaving Ruby behind
"Of course." Weiss responded, "Just so you're aware, the bunk beds only look unstable."
"Bunk...beds?" Winter questioned.
As the sisters continued walking a figure approached them from behind decapitating one of the androids and slicing the other in half before kicking the severed head over to them.
"Hey."
The two Schnee's turned towards the scene Winter narrowed her eyes at the Grey-haired man from the bar holding the decapitated android "Yeah, I'm talking to you, Ice Queen." he said throwing away the decapitated android the other raised their weapons ready to fire.
"Halt!" Winter ordered.
"Excuse me, do you have any idea who you're talking to?" Weiss demanded marching up to the man.
"Shhhhhhh, not you," He said shoving Weiss aside taking a few steps forwards. "You."
"Saw that gaudy ship of yours in town. I guess you're here, too" he said
"I'm standing right before you" Winter replied.
The man squinted "So it would seem" He replied
"You realize you just destroyed Atlas military property?" Winter stated as she rested her hand on her sword
He glanced around "Oh, I'm sorry. See, I mistook this for some sort of... sentient garbage."
"I don't have time for your immature games, Qrow" Winter replied slowly beginning to lose her patients.
"Wait, you two know each other?" Weiss asked coming to stand beside her sister.
"Geez you Atlas specialist think you're so special, don't you" Qrow stated
"It's in the title" Winter replied
"Well, you know what you really are? A bunch of sellouts. Just like your boss" Qrow shot back
"I'm not sure what you think your implying, but I've heard enough" Winter snapped back
"Oh, I heard too. I heard ol'Ironwood finally turned his back on Ozpin" Qrow shot back.
Winter narrowed her eye's " If you won't hold your tongue" She hissed " Then I will gladly remove it for you" Winter drew her blade as Qrow smirked
"Alright then. Come take it"
/
A large crowd had gathered in the center of the courtyard, Ruby pushed her way through the crowd stopping beside her partner
"Weiss, what's going on?" Ruby asked looking to the heiress.
"Some crazy guy just started attacking my sister." Weiss said gesturing to the ongoing fight.
"Oh, no who would do such a thaaaaaaaa!" Ruby squealed" That's my uncle!"
"What!" Weiss yelled
"Kick her but uncle Qrow! "Ruby cheered having not heard her partner
"Um," Weiss began unsure before rolling with it "Teach him respect Winter!"
/
Mercury walked through the area checking out the fight only to freeze when he saw the participants "Uh, oh" He muttered turning mercury bumped into one of the students looking up at the stoic face of Oliver Night
'Oliver' looked past Mercury towards the fight before turning his attention back towards Mercury "Inform the others of this development I'll keep an eye on things here" He said taking a step past Mercury the silver-haired boy just watched him as he strode into the crowd
'Dude's creepy, but at least he does his job properly' Mercury mused before running off.
/
Winter and Qrow parried each other's strikes as winter dodged a two-handed strike, smacking Qrow's cheek with the pommel of her sword, Grinning Qrow's left eye glinted. Winter leaped back with the aid of a glyph as Qrow slammed his sword into the ground.
Winter landed near a lamppost which was quickly destroyed by Qrow's sword. Winter leaped above him dodging his sword before landing on the flat side of the blade kicking him in the face, Winter leaped off the blade landing on a railing close by, the gears began to turn as Qrow's weapon shifted into its magnum form firing at winter. The Schnee jumped onto the side of the pillar connected to the concrete archway using her sword to keep herself on vertical surface.
Qrow rushed forward firing his weapon once again at her, dodging Winter scaled up the pillar leaping onto the archway itself, Qrow quickly followed suit on the opposite structure firing off rounds towards the specialist.
Winter disappeared in a cloud of smoke, Qrow narrowed his eye's scanning for the Atlas specialist. Suddenly Winter burst out of the smoke heading straight towards him separating her saber in two. Qrow brings up his sword blocking the attack. The arch was not so lucky collapsing under the force despite this the two continued their attacks towards each other.
Qrow is force back plunging his sword into the concrete to slow to a stop before holding it in a one-handed stance, the audience cheered at the display. Winter stabbed the ground creating a glyph that summons a small flock of white Nevermore's that quickly began flying towards him. Qrow swings his sword at the flock causing them to burst into smoke. He then swings his blade sending an aura arc towards her causing her to jump to the side putting an end to the birds.
Growling winter summons another glyph behind her as Qrow's sword began to transform, Suddenly the ground in front of them exploded throwing the two back, winter shook her head attempting to rise as she reached for her sword a foot stepped on her hand she looked up only to find herself staring down the barrel of one of two twin pistols.
Alex kept one of his Delta blasters on Winter while the other focused on Qrow "Ok, the two of you are way out of line" Alex said as Ironwood approached alongside a group of androids and Penny not that far behind. Winter shot up to her feet, sheathing her blade as she stood at attention before the general.
"What in the world do you think you're doing!" He demanded.
"He started the altercation, Sir!" Winter quickly replied
Qrow leaned back with his hands behind his head "That's actually not true, she attacked first" Qrow pointed out.
"I can testify to that" Alex said
Ironwood narrowed his eye's as winter started to get nervous" Is that right? "Ironwood asked. Winter attempted to find the right words but realized Qrow was right and looked down in shame.
"And you," Ironwood said looking to Qrow who simply pointed at himself in a mocking manner. "What are you doing here?"
"I could be asking you the same thing?" Qrow said mockingly
"Now, now everyone..."
Everyone turns to see Ozpin and Glynda arriving at the scene "There is a sanctioned fight happening just around the corner at the Colosseum, that I can assure you has better seats. And popcorn"
"Break it up, everyone. We will take care of this mess" Glynda said as she turned her gaze towards Ironwood.
As Ironwood Winter and Penny take their leave, Penny looks back to Ruby waving goodbye, Ruby returns the gesture.
" Uncle Qrow! "Ruby cried leaping onto Qrow's arm and says "Hi."
Ah, it's so good to see you! did you miss me? did you miss me?!"
Qrow raises his arm while Ruby hangs from it shaking her legs in joy "It's so good to see you did you miss me? did you miss me?!" She cried.
"Nope!" He replied jokingly ruffling the young reapers hair.
"Qrow." Ozpin called out "A word please."
"Heh" Qrow muttered setting Ruby down "I think I'm in trouble. Catch you later kid." Qrow said giving Ruby a fist bump.
"Ruby your uncles insane." Alex said
"I have to agree." Weiss said.
"Heh, you two are just mad he kicked butt." Ruby said with a triumphant smirk
/
Winter paced back and forth as she and General Ironwood waited for the others to arrive. The elevator opened reviling Ozpin, Glynda, and Qrow within "What were you thinking!" Winter snapped.
"If you were one of my men I'd have you shot." Ironwood followed up
"If I were one of your men I'd shoot myself" Qrow replied pulling out his flask.
"Be thankful Mr. Fissure stepped in before things could escalate any further" Ozpin said.
"While I wouldn't condone his behavior, retaliating like you did certainly didn't help the situation." Glynda stated turning her gaze to Winter.
"He was drunk!" Winter argued
"He's always drunk!" Glynda shot back as all eyes turned to the man who was busy with the content of his flask.
"Agh, Qrow why are you here?" Ozpin began.
"You've been out of contact for weeks, you can't just go dark in the field like that." Ironwood picked up.
"I'm not one of your special operatives Jimmy" Qrow began
"General" Winter cut in
"Whatever. You sent me to get intel on our enemy and I'm telling you, our enemy is here" Qrow said.
"We know" Ironwood said leaning up against Ozpins desk
"Oh, oh you know!" Qrow growled, " Well, thank goodness I'm out there risking my life to keep you all informed!" He said with some sarcasm.
"Qrow-" Ironwood tried.
"Communications a two-way street, pal. You see this" Qrow said indicating to his own personal scroll "That's the send button."
"They had reason to assume you'd been compromised" Winter stated
"And I have reason to assume you don't need to be here. " Qrow pointed out "Seriously, who invited her?"
After a moment of silence Ironwood spoke " Schnee, we'll discuss this incident back on my ship"
"But sir," Winter said in some surprise.
"Winter " ironwood interrupted "leave" he said.
With no other choice Winter salutes, him "Yes sir" Winter turns on her heels heading back towards the elevator receiving a wink from Qrow and giving him a dirty look in return as she enters the elevator.
"Go on." Ironwood said to Qrow
"Your little infiltrator isn't just another pawn They're the ones responsible for Autumn's condition." Qrow explained.
"What" Glynda exclaimed
"Despite what the world thinks" Qrow began "Were not just teachers, or Generals, or headmasters. The people in this room, the leaders of the other two academies. were the ones that keep the world safe from the evils no one even knows about!" Qrow says as he turns to face ironwood "That's why we meet behind closed doors, why we work in the shadows. So, you tell me, James, when you brought your army to Vale, did you think you were being discreet, or di9d you just not give a damn!?" Qrow said glaring at the General.
Ironwood simply stared at Qrow as he set his scroll down on Ozpins desk. "We were attacked twice, both a psychopath and an enemy we have never encountered, one of the two I now have imprisoned, the rest remained scattered to the winds." Ironwood says as a hologram of Beacon, Amity Coliseum, and his fleet of airships" Discreet was no longer working. I'm here..." Ironwood gestured to the holograms once again"... Because this was necessary."
Qrow points at Ironwood in an accusing manner "Your here because Ozpin wanted you here! He and you a part of this inner circle and opened your eyes to the real fight that's in front of us!" Qrow pointed out
"And I am grateful. " Ironwood said
Qrow shakes his head "Oh, Well, you've got a real funny way of showing it. "
"The people of Vale need someone to protect them; someone who would act "Ironwood explains as he continues speaking "When they look to the sky's and see my fleet, they feel safe, and our enemies will feel our strength." Ironwood said looking at his hologram.
Qrow burst out laughing, causing Ozpin Glynda and Ironwood to stare at him "You... you think they're scared of your little ships?" Qrow asked in a mocking manner " I've been out there, and I've seen the things she's made, and let me tell you, they are fear! Oz" Qrow said turning his attention to the headmaster "We all saw what that thing did to your students along with my nieces when they tried to fight just one of them, the media was all over that talking about it being a new type of Grimm, people are scared Ozpin and that was just because one of them showed up. Imagine what'' happen when the rest show up unannounced" Qrow said.
"And that fear will bring the Grimm," Ozpin "A guardian is a symbol of comfort, but an army is a symbol of conflict. Theirs an energy in the air now, a question in the back of everyone's minds..." Ozpin points out gesturing to the holograms " If this is the size of our defense's what is it we're expecting to fight."
Ironwood glares at them for a moment before sighing, walking forward he picks up his scroll unaware of the queen piece that flashed on the display the holograms behind him vanishing. "So, what do you suggest we do" He asks.
"I suggest we find our guardian" Ozpin replies
/
"Are you sure?" Cinder asked Mercury as she paced back and forth.
"Bad hair, used a scythe and smelled like my dad after a long day. It was him. " Mercury said
"What do we do?" Emerald asked from her position on the bed worry present in her voice.
Cinder stopped pacing and turned to face the two "Nothing, we stay the course" she said "They have no idea who we are, so we have no reason to worry. Besides the last of the heavy lifting is being taken care of thanks to our clever little friend."
Cinder began typing away on her scrolls, a small smile made it 'sway onto her face "Ahh, speaking of which, it appears we have a new access point."
"Any ware good?" Emerald asked.
"You could say that. Go to your rooms I'll prepare everything for tomorrow." Cinder ordered tapping away on her scroll
"Yes ma'am" Emerald responded.
"Got it," Mercury said
The two quickly made their way out of the room "Let's give the crowd a good fight." she says to herself staring down at the images of Emerald and mercury alongside Beacons own Coco Adel and Yatsuhashi Daichi.
(To be continued)