The darkness swirled around her like smoke, her head pounding her body aching. Violate eyes blinked open their owner staring up at the stone ceiling above in confusion, where... what happened, where was she. As she tried to move a sudden weight around her neck made her pause. Her breath quickened as she reached up, her fingers running along the metallic edge of a collar.
"What?" She whispered, tugging at the collar as she scrambled back to her feet, Alex and the other Rangers had destroyed the mine this couldn't be re-. That's when she noticed the new addition to her body, or rather the return of something she'd lost, her arm, her arm was back. She ran her hand up her forearm pausing as she reached just below the bicep, tracing a faint scar that ran diagonally across her skin, the same place where Adams sword had taken it from her.
A metallic wine echoed through the tunnel and a blinding light washed over her, Yang stepped back raising her arm in an attempt to shield her eyes from the light as the gate resting at the other end of the tunnel began to rise, she could already hear the chanting from the other side.
'No, No, No, No, No.' She turned on her heels in an attempt to flee further into the void behind her, a stone wall emerged from the ground blocking her path. Yang skidded to a halt "No!" She reeled her fist back and struck the blockade a spiderweb crack spreading across its surface, she yelped, pulling back her hand to exam her bruised knuckles.
The wall let out a deep rumbled and started advancing towards her. Yang gasped and rushed forward pushing back against the wall with all her strength, her heels skidding back in the dirt as the wall pushed her back, tears welled up in her eyes "Not again, please." She begged to anyone or anything that might hear her. The wall rushed forward, crashing into the blond the momentum behind its movements carrying her bodily with it down the dark tunnel.
The wall skidded to a halt at the edge of the gate, Yang screamed as she was sent sailing through the air and into the center of the arena. She scrambled to her feet looking up into the crowd above, their body warped and concealed by shadows, all except one. Psycho yellow stood at her podium, the colored plates on her suit highlighted by an ethereal glow.
Her head tilted to the side, those dark soulless eyes sending a chill up Yang's spine. Psycho yellow gestured to the crowd and the cheers stopped. The psycho rangers head tilted towards down towards Yang "Look at you." she began her voice echoing through the darkness "A sniveling little wretch on the verge of a panic attack."
The crowd around her roared in agreement "I expected more from you, what happened to that fire of yours Xiao Long, did someone finally break the little dragons' spirit, hmmm?" Yang trembled as the creature that haunted her dreams for months following its demise looked down on her from above, alive, and well.
"No... no Y-you're not real!" She called up to the Psycho ranger "Alex he... he killed you!" Yang tried to reassure herself, she knew all this had to be some messed up dream, but that still didn't help the terror welling up in her chest.
Yellow threw her head back, her demonic cackle echoing through the arena "Did you think it would be that easy to be rid of me, to be rid of any of us?"
Psycho yellow leaned forward crossing her arms over her chest as she addressed the girl below her "When I dragged you from Amity coliseum I took a peek inside that head of yours" She said tapping the side of her helmet as emphasis. "And... let's just say a piece of me decided to stick around."
"What?" Yang muttered, what did she mean by stick around?
"It's simple really" Yellow continued "You and I are forever linked Xiao Long, no matter how far you run, no matter where you hide I will always be there, waiting in your shadow." Her tone turned murderous " I chose you, Xiao Long, you were to be mine and mine alone... But now, after what I've seen you become I can't help but feel disappointed, cheated even."
Psycho yellow snapped her fingers and the gate across from her began to creek open "After everything I did, every torment and torture I put you through, your spirit endured, you wouldn't be broken, you wouldn't give in, I admired... No, I respected that about you." The Psycho ranger went on.
Yang's eyes widened in terror, as an all too familiar figure stepped from the dark tunnel his hair the crimson highlights on his suit and mask, surrounded by an ethereal red glow." And yet..." Adam drew wilt from its sheath, the crimson blade shining through the darkness "One little slice and you're down for the count, your will shattered your body left to wither and rot as you cower from the outside world behind your little boyfriend and daddy." Laughter echoed from the crowd of monsters surrounding yellow, Yang grit her teeth her temper flaring even as her body trembled in terror.
"It's a shame really." Yellow began "I 'd hoped to claim your head for myself in one final, glorious, battle. But as you are now, your little more than a wounded pup and there's no glory in such a dishonorable kill... Taurus if you would."
Adam nodded silently, his gaze locked onto Yang, the Blond brawler's heart hammered in her chest, as the White fang leader stepped forward a familiar weight settled around her forearms. Yang looked down at Ember Celica, she didn't question how they'd got there she didn't have time to question anything right now, all that mattered at that moment was survival.
Yang growled her crimson eyes locking onto the Bull Faunus Yang thrust her fist forward-firing one shot after another from her gauntlets, he didn't even flinch, the shots passing through him as he grew closer and closer. "Ohhh~" Psycho Yellow hummed in interest "So there is some fight left in you." Yang back-peddled as Adam drew closer.
Nothing was working, he just kept coming. Clenching her eyes shut she thrust her fist forward crying out in anger and desperation, nothing happened. Cracking her eyes open she glanced down at her extended arm, her gauntlet was gone, looking to her right so was the other along with the lower half of her arm. She looked up finding herself face to face with Adam.
"Tend to that spark inside you Xiao Long, let it grow and burn brighter than before." Adam raised his sword its edge shone in the darkness. "...You'll need it the next time we meet." The blade came down on top of her
/
Yang shot up, her wide panicked eyes darting around the room, she was... she was... she was in her bedroom.
A ragged sigh left her 'It's alright' She told herself as she rubbed a trembling hand down her face 'It was just a nightmare, they're not really there, they're not really there.' Throwing her legs over the side of her bed and sat up, gripping the edge of her bed tightly Yang closed her eyes and started taking slow and steady breaths in an attempt to get her ragged breathing under control.
It had been the same nightmare over and over again for almost a week now, every night when she closed her eyes she was forced to live through losing her arm over and over again, except this time she'd been there. For the last three nights it had just been her and Adam back in the ruins of Beacon, this time she'd was back at the mine and Psycho yellow had been waiting to speak to her.
Adam had never said a word in her dreams, he'd just been there, smirked and done the deed then she'd wake up. The logical part of her mind wanted to write it off as just another nightmare, but... it felt too real like she'd actually been talking to her.
"When I dragged you from the arena I took a peek inside that head of yours. And... let's just say a piece of me decided to stick around." Psycho yellows words echoed through her mind.
No... No way, she was just reading into things, she was just a little frazzled that's... that's all. Yang swallowed, her mouth tasted like cardboard, glancing to the empty water bottle on her bedside table she sighed, great, standing up she grabbed the bottle sparing a small glance to the prosthetic limb that sat beside it, yet another emotional rollercoaster she really didn't want to deal with right now, was it too much to ask for a good night's sleep?
Making her way out into the hall water bottle in hand, Yang heads for the bathroom. She paused by the stairs as a jovial laugh echoed from the kitchen. 'That sounds like...' Making her way downstairs the laughter continued to grow. "A-And what ha-happened next." Koan called out, it sounded like he fighting to hold in his laughter. Leaning over the bannister Yang had a clear view into the kitchen, Koan, Professor Oobleck and Professor Port, were all sat around the kitchen table with her dad leaning back against the counter.
"And, and, and then in comes Qrow, wearing a skirt!" Professor Port continued his story " I was just a TA, I-I didn't know what to do, so I just...I just left the room to laugh." The portly man exclaimed; his listeners broke out into fits of laughter while he struggled to hold back his own. Yang hid in the doorway silently listening in on the conversation.
"We told him it was a kilt" Tai cut in, having trouble stifling his own laughter "He'd never worn a uniform before, so he didn't know."
"And he believed you!" Koan erupted in laughter, picturing Ruby and Yang's grizzled uncle in a skirt was just too much.
"That is terrible." Oobleck said in between his laughter "What is wrong with you?!"
"Hey! The girls all said he had nice legs! I did that jerk a favor!" Tai rebutted good-naturedly "Besides, that's not even the best part! See then we- "Port planted his boot on the kitchen table cutting Tai off
"Like what you see!" Port mocked what Koan could only assume were Qrow's words to his 'admirers', causing everyone to break out laughing, however, during all the laughter Port loses his balance, and falls to the floor. A moment of silence passed between the four and then the laughter resumed, Tai-Yang applauded the spectacle, while Koan raised his glass of Root beer to the portly man.
Yang clamped a hand over her mouth in an attempt to stifle her laughter, she failed miserably. The room's occupants were quick to take notice of her, Oobleck immediately stood from his chair, while Port scrambled back to his feet "Oh, Uh Miss Xiao long." Peter stuttered, smoothing out his jacket he gestured to the group "Uh, please, join us."
Yang stepped into the kitchen while Oobleck tried to speak in between his embarrassed laughter "Yes, yes pull up a chair. Please pull up a chair."
"I'm good" Yang replied as she hoisted herself up onto the kitchen counter beside her father, while Port and Oobleck took their seats
Koan leaned back over his chair offering a bottle of Root beer to the blond brawler "Here you go" he said earning a smile from Yang
"Let me get that for you, sweety." Tai said reaching out to take the bottle from Koan, Yang beat him to it.
"I got it." She said rather pointedly, taking the drink in hand she gripped the neck fo the bottle and easily flicked the cap off with her thumb and into the sink, before taking a long sip from the bottle. Setting her drink down on the counter, Yang turned towards the two Beacon professors "So, what are you doing here?" She asked
"Despite popular belief, teachers do have a life outside the classroom" Oobleck replied
Port leaned back in his chair picking up after his friend "Professor Goodwitch is working around the clock to restore Beacon to its former glory." Yang's smile fell at the mention of the school "But, Mistral wasn't built in a day, and we all need rest from time to time."
"Look, let's not worry about that right now." Tai-yang immediately changed the subject " So anyway, there we were, standing in the auditorium, looking at Qrow, wearing a skirt. The Oz's tells everyone, 'It's time to work on our landing strategies'"
"No, no, no, no" Koan waved his arms widely, his face twisted in disgust "Ugh, please, I don't need that mental image." The group broke out into laughter, Yang winced sharing in Koan's disgust for a moment before joining the others, there were many things she wanted to experience in life, but picturing her uncle going through that in a skirt... yeah no thank you.
"The Branwen twins have always been..." Oobleck hesitated his eyes darting to Yang " Interesting to say the least." He finished before taking a sip of his coffee.
Port snickered in reply "That sure didn't seem to stop young Tai." The jab earned him a disapproving look from the elder dragon
"Hey, come on, man, she right here" Tai points out gesturing towards Yang, the blond brawler looked back at her father eyes narrowed in annoyance.
"Oh, please!" Port argued " She's a mature young woman! If she can handle combat, she can handle a few jabs at her old man!" The portly professor elbowed the air for emphasis. Tai's scowl deepened, earning raised an eyebrow from Port in response, the professor glanced to Koan questioningly the young man shrugged in response, he seemed just as confused as to why his old friend was being so defensive?
"That's not the issue, Pete!" Tai was quick to point out, crossing his arms over his chest he leaned forward "And besides, she's still a teenager!"
"She." Yang finally joined in on the conversation, she'd had enough of them all acting like she wasn't even here. "Is also in the room and can be directly spoken too." Sliding off the counter Yang turned to face her father, resting her hand on her hip she leaned into Tai's face "And I think I've been through enough to be considered an adult at this point."
"Adult or not, you've still got a long way to go before you're ready for the real world." Tai scolded his eldest daughter; he knew she was frustrated but acting out like she was now only helped prove his point. He watched Yang roll her eyes in response, stepping back the blond brawler dropped her arm back to her side groaning in annoyance. And there it was, the sass and general bratty immatureness he'd come to expect from his eldest girl was finally rearing its head.
"Oh my gosh! Does every father figure have the same three condescending phrases." Yang shot back at him
"Yeah, but we only use them when we mean it" Tai pointed out, three rooms other occupants shared a small glance as the father-daughter duo continued to argue, Koan jabbed a thumb towards the two blonds silently asking if they should step in before things got too heated, Professor Port shook his head lightly in response masking the action behind adjusting his collar, while Oobleck took a sip from his mug trying to his best to ignore the growing hostilities, they were both clearly uncomfortable but knew better then to try and intervene.
Taking their advice Koan remained seated but was ready to step in if things started to get... physical "Is that so" Yang growled back at her father, clenching her fist tightly.
"As a matter of fact, it is so!" Tai-yang immediately replied, the elder dragon taking on a condescending tone "If you honestly think you're ready to go out there on your own, ha, well I guess you lost some brain cells along with that arm." Tai-Yang smirked, tapping the side of his head for emphasis.
Yang gasped, the blond brawler taking a step back as the room went deathly quiet, Koan's Jaw dropped, his Root beer bottle clattered to the floor as his wide eyes darting between the two, Oobleck's mirrored Koan's expression as his mug slipped from his grasp, while Port leaned forward staring intently at the Xiao Long duo, it seemed things had finally reached their boiling point if Yang's shaking was any indication.
"You... Jerk!" Yang punched her father in the arm as a large grin spread across her face, the two eventually broke down into fits of laughter, all the while their audience looked to one another for answers.
"Ahem" Port coughed awkwardly "Are we finally addressing the goliath in the room?"
Tai-Yang and Yang shared a glance, before resuming their laughter, after a tense moment Koan, Oobleck and Port began to laugh in relief. "Oh, miss Xiao Lo-... Yang" port began "If you don't mind me asking, why haven't you tried on the arm yet?"
"Ohh, yes, yes" Oobleck was quick to chime in. "A piece fo Atlas technology being given out like that is rare indeed, not to mention the effort it took to deliver it here."
"Like your dad said." Koan added gesturing to the elder dragon "They wouldn't have sent it if there weren't people out there who wanted to see you back in action." Koan tried to reassure her.
Yang expression saddened, her gaze turning towards the stump that made up her right arm and she sighed "I'm... scared" She began hesitantly "Everyone keeps talking about me getting back to normal and I appreciate it. But..." Yang raised her right arm staring down at the limb with a blank expression "Is normal now. I guess it's just taking me a while to get used to it."
"Normal" Koan spoke up, drawing the eyes of the room's occupant to him "There's no such thing as normal Yang, we all have our little quirks and tic's that help define us, what happened to your arm doesn't change who you are."
Yang raised an eyebrow in response to the Blond shapeshifters statement "What's that supposed to mean?" She said her voice taking on a slight edge as she narrowed her eyes at Koan, confusion and hurt clear in her gaze. After everything she'd been through, she couldn't believe he was trying to brush it all off like it meant nothing. "Are you trying to say losing my arm doesn't matter, that I should just pretend like nothing ever happened!?" Her eyes flashed red for a brief moment "Don't you get it, I lost a part of me" She growled, gesturing to her stump for emphasis "And it's never coming back!" Out of everyone here, he should have been the one that understood what she was going through.
Tai-Yang took a step back in response to his daughter's outburst 'There goes the good mood, nice going kid' he thought bitterly, another argument, that was just what they needed tonight
"But you shouldn't let that stop you from being who you are." Rising from his chair Koan stepped towards Yang, she glared back up at him her fist trembling "I get that you're afraid, that it feels like no one understands, that you're all alone... believe me, I've been there." Yang's glare faltered, her eyes fading back to violate as she glanced off to the side with a guilty expression. "It's ok to be afraid so long as you don't let yourself give in to fear Yang, never let it stop you from moving forward and becoming the person you want to be."
Koan reached out resting a comforting hand on her shoulder, making the blond look up at him. "And when you're finally ready to pick up the pieces and start getting back out there, I will be there with you."
"Ahem"
"-and so, will your dad" Koan quickly amended earning a small giggle from Yang.
Port and Oobleck shared a small glance, ah to be young again. "Well said ." Port nodded to the young man, before turning his gaze to Yang "Fear is like any emotion, it comes and goes. It's all how you handle it Why even I find myself wrestling with that emotion from time to time."
"Really? You?" Yang asked, stepping away from Koan she leaned back against the kitchen counter, waiting for the portly man to continue.
Koan rose an eyebrow in interest "This coming from the guy who used to go out and capture live Ursa for us to fight in his lectures?" Port nodded in response "Ok this has to be good" Koan said moving to join Yang. All eyes turned to the portly professor; the veteran huntsmen shifted slightly in his seat
The portly professor glanced between his former students staring at him expectantly "Ahhh... Well." Port rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, now... how to go about this.
"He's afraid of mice" Oobleck cut in
Port slammed his fist down on the kitchen table " They bring only disease and famine!" Koan and Yang burst into fits of uncontrollable laughter that only grew as the portly professor continued his tirade, mice, the huntsmen that had boasted time and time again about taking on hordes of Grimm with his bare hands was afraid of a mouse. "And don't even get me started on their tails. So hairless, it's simply unnatural."
Yang leaned back into Koan taking a moment to catch her breath while the two professors continued to argue in the background. Koan smiled down at Yang and slipped his arm around her waist giving her a gentle squeeze. Yang glanced up at the blond shapeshifter, who smiled back at her, he hadn't been lying earlier as soon as she was ready to start getting back into things he'd be right there ready to help her get back into the game, she smiled back at him and leaned into the embrace.
All the while Tai-Yang silently watched the two of them with a furrowed brow.
/
"Goodnight" Yang called down to the others as she made her way upstairs, despite the rough start the last couple of hours had been fun, heck, professor port had even managed to tell a few stories that didn't want to make her fall asleep. A full water bottle in hand Yang pushed open her bedroom door stepping into her room she moved to her bedside setting her water bottle down on her nightstand beside her prosthetic.
She stared down at the cybernetic limb deep in thought. A big part of her wanted to strap on Ember Celica, get back out there and find her sister, but there was still that treacherous little voice in the back of her head whispering doubts into her ear, reminding her of everything she'd lost, of how much she'd suffered. She clenched her eyes shut and turned away from the desk running her hand up what remained of her right arm.
But was she really ready to lay everything on the line again, to step back onto the path she'd dreamed of walking since she was a little girl? 'It's ok to be afraid so long as you don't let yourself give in to fear Yang, never let it stop you from moving forward and becoming the person you want to be.' Koan's words echoed through the back of her mind, all the while Yang couldn't help but ask herself...How?
Yang was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of her father's laughter, her curiosity getting the better of her Yang stepping back from her desk Yang moved to her bedroom window looking down into the front yard below, catching sight of her dad and Professor Port and Oobleck, backing out of view Yang listened in as the professors said their goodbyes.
"Thank you for having us over Tai." Port said he and Oobleck offering a small bow to the elder dragon.
"Anytime, you're always welcome here." Tai-yang responded
It may be a while before we return" The historian adjusted his glasses "There is still much work to be done at the school"
"I..."Professor port paused, while he didn't want to cause his friend any further stress, his concern for his youngest student wellbeing won out in the end. "I hesitate to ask but... Is there any word from young Miss Rose?"
Tai-Yang's head fell slightly "Not yet." Barring the note his daughter left behind he hadn't heard any word from Ruby, or Qrow. The thought of his youngest daughter making her way across the continent towards Haven- even if she was with her friends -worried him to no ends, there were so many things that could go... could have already gone wrong and he could be none the wiser... It was just like summer all over again.
"Have you thought about going after her?" Oobleck inquired "Trying to bring her home?"
Tai-yang glanced off to the side, he'd thought about it more than once, but..." I've got to... Look after some things" He glanced back towards the house watching as a blond figure slipped out of view from one of the bedroom windows. There was already someone else who needed him here.
Yang stepped back from the window and behind the curtains, leaning back against her bedroom wall she gripped her right arm tightly. So that's why dad hadn't gone after Ruby the day she left, he'd stayed because she'd needed him here." Damn it" Yang turned and dropped down onto her bed, rolling onto her back she stared up at the bedroom ceiling.
What was she still doing here, her little sister was halfway across the globe hot on the trail of the greatest threat Remnant had ever known and here she was cowering in her bedroom. Why couldn't she just bring herself to put on the stupid arm, she was scared that much was obvious, but that shouldn't stop her from doing the right thing, so why was she still sitting here?
Rolling onto her side, her Amethyst orbs roamed over the prosthetic's sleek metallic form... Wait, was there something in its hand? Sitting up Yang pulled the prosthetic into her lap, prying back its robotic fingers she found a small, folded note resting in the palm of her prosthetic arm. Setting the arm aside Yang looked over the note finding her name written in cursive across the back.
She stared at it in both curiosity and concern, she was certain the arm hadn't been holding anything when she'd taken it out of the box. Had her dad or Koan snuck in and put it there when she was out the other day? Flicking on her bedside lamp Yang undertook the challenge of unfolding the message one-handed, after a few moments and a whispered curse here and there she unfolded the letter revealing the message inside.
XXXXX
Dear Yang
First off, it's nice seeing you up and about again after what happened, lord knows it's a weight off my shoulders. The last time we spoke I may have come across a little pushy with your arm, I know this might not seem like the most direct way of saying it,- I figured you'd want some space after our last talk - but I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put you under any more pressure than what you're already dealing with right now, things have been hard enough since Beacon fell without me adding to it.
If you're up to it, I'd like for us to get together, catch up a little and maybe then some, the last few months have been... well let's just say things haven't been great for either of us, and a change of scenery and a friendly face might do both of us some good.
If you're up for it, your dad probably mentioned where I'll be staying while I'm on the island, bring Koan along too there are a couple of things I wanted to talk about after and your both gonna want to hear it.
Lilly
XXXXX
Yang stared down at the note deep in thought, Lilly wanted them to meet up.
If she'd just wanted them to talk it wouldn't have taken much for Lilly to just walk over and knock on the door, though the fact Lilly had gone to all the trouble of doing this meant whatever she wanted to talk about was important, important enough to warrant some level of secrecy if her message was anything to go by.
It had to have something to do with the Psycho rangers or maybe just word on Ruby, in the short time she'd known the yellow ranger she'd come across as the considerate type, still, that didn't help the worry that flashed across Yang's face. Was that why Lilly came to find her, had something happened to her little sister?... No, uncle Qrow had promised her he'd watch over Ruby while she made her way to Mistral, he would die before he let anything happen to either of them.
Still, call her paranoid or whatever, but she couldn't help but think this all seemed a little too convenient.
Yang sighed, in any case, she couldn't just ignore this, and she wouldn't get any answers sitting around here all day. Setting the note down on her nightstand, Yang's eyes shifted to her prosthetic. Even if Koan was going with her she wasn't about to make herself a liability by walking into what might be a hostile situation half-cocked. If it turned out to be nothing she'd spend tomorrow catching up with an old friend, but if she was right about her suspicions she'd need the edge in the fight to come.
/
"Come on guys" Ruby glanced down at her map once again, before turning her gaze back towards the path ahead, if she was reading it right then they were just a stone throws away from the next town over "If we pick up the pace we can hit the next town before sunset." She added and going by the marking on the map it was a big one.
"What's it called?" Pyrrha asked, the red-haired spartan leaned over her leader's shoulder, peering down at the map she gave their route a once over, they'd had a few hiccups in the past and while ruby had been quick to pick up on and correct them, it didn't hurt to be certain they were on the right track.
Ruby squinted "Hee...Gan...Bay...Na" she sounded out.
"Higanbana" Ren clarified "It's a well-protected village with a popular inn." The green-clad ninja explained
"You know what that means" Ruby replied "Hot meals, warm baths, actual beds and- "
"No camping in the rain" Nora added cheerfully. The landscape that made up much of Anima was breathtaking, the tropical storms the region was famous for on the other hand, less so.
"That sounds divine" Pyrrha sighed, earning a small bout of laughter from her teammates "While we've certainly had our fair share of trouble along the way, it seems things are finally starting to look up, though I must admit." Pyrrha stroked her chin in thought "I expected we'd encounter more Grimm on our journey."
"As did I" Ren agreed.
"Hey" Nora piped up "I guess our lucks finally turning around huh." The red-haired bomber smirked and thrust her fist into the air "To Higanbana"
"To Higanbana" Ren and Pyrrha cheered
"To Higanban..." Ruby stumbled over the village name "Banna!" She finally cried
High above the students overlooking the forest, a single Beowolf sat crouched over the edge of the cliff face eyeing the group of huntsmen in training hungrily, a low growl slipped past its lips as it prepared to leap down and engage the four. Before it had the chance to enact its ambush Harbingers blade pierced through its chest, Qrow sighed and pulled his sword free from the Grimm its body flopping lifelessly to the side and disintegrating into ash, resting Harbinger on his shoulder Qrow turned his gaze back up towards his nieces retreating form.
"Luck they said." His new partner muttered, looking back over his shoulder at the robed figure pulling a familiar black and gold axe from the disintegrating form of the packs alpha, he rolled his eyes.
"What, you tired already? I thought you guys were supposed to protect the world from worse." Qrow shot back good-naturedly
"We do" Adam replied, releasing his hold on his Power Axe the weapon vanished into black particles "But I doubt they-" He gestured to the fallen Grimm around them "-have anything to do with luck, good or bad." Qrow hummed in response, barring a few Ursa along the way this was the sixth pack that had tried to get the drop on those kids today, it was a little unnatural, even by the Grimm's standards.
The Queen knew about Ruby now, more importantly, she knew Ruby was capable of using her eyes, to what extent was up in the air right now. Maybe this was her way of confirming it, throwing a few groups of Grimm at the one thing that could be considered their natural predator, while she waited to see the results from the shadows.
Thankfully, what happened on top of Beacon Tower seemed to be a one-time thing, unfortunately, that's all it'd take for a target to be painted on his nieces back. Qrow was pulled from his thoughts by the caw of a small bird, a raven perched on the branch of a nearby tree, for a moment its beady red eyes locked with his own, a silent message shared between the two before the creature spread its wings and took flight.
/
True to their leader's words the members of team RVNN arrived at the large perimeter wall surrounding the village of Higanbana only a few hours after dusk, just as the dark clouds that had followed them for most of their time on the road finally let loose, sending the four teens and a few unlucky few villages caught out in the storm scrambling back to their homes or one of the many taverns and inns that dotted the village.
Qrow chuckled as he watched his nice and the other brats race past the tavern window and into the inn across the street. He still had trouble believing those kids had managed to make it this far on their own especially after almost getting lost along the way. Then again it was their own fault for letting Ruby use the map, his youngest niece may be a prodigy on the battlefield but an expert navigator, not so much, luckily the Nikos girl had been there to keep her on track when she needed it.
A glass was set down in front of him, Qrow blinked in surprise glancing down at the drink before turning his gaze to the one of taverns waitress's "Oh I didn't-" he tried to explain to her before she cut him off.
"From the woman upstairs" She gestured to the upper balcony overlooking the first floor. "Red eyes. said you wouldn't mind bottom shelf." His eyes narrowed at the description, glancing back over his shoulder Qrow followed her gaze to one of the more secluded spots on the upper level, if it really was her he doubted she'd come all this way just to buy him a drink and on the cheap as well.
Qrow scowled but managed to keep his cool "Thanks." he replied evenly
The waitress leaned in, "But" She batted her eyes at the huntsmen. "I went ahead and gave you top. Lucky you." She said, giving Qrow one last wink before moving back towards the bar her hips swaying as she went, Qrow smirked and watched her go, maybe tonight wouldn't be as bad as he thought. His good mood ended as he turned back towards the tavern window, finding Ruby and the other nowhere in sight.
"Yeah" He sighed to himself, lucky him, well with Adam still out checking the surrounding forest and the kids apparently turning in for the evening, he might as well see what 'she' wanted. He had a few ideas behind why she'd show up now of all times and none of them involved a certain blond recovering back on Patch. Standing, Qrow grabbed his drink before making his way across the tavern and up the stairs to the upper walkway.
And there she was, in all her bitchy glory.
Raven sat alone at one of the empty tables, he nevermore themed helmet sat on top the table while her sword was left resting against the wall behind her. "Hello Brother" Raven greeted in an even tone, the two stared at each other in silence before Qrow finally gave his reply.
"Raven" he greeted, moving to the table Qrow grabs the chair to her left and pulls it across from his sister. Glancing down at the table Qrow gave his sister a hard look, Raven blinked then followed his gaze down towards her helmet, she scoffed a second later before moving the Grimm themed apparel aside.
"So" Qrow began taking his place across from Raven " What do you want?"
"First." Raven glanced down to the tavern below, her eyes scanning over the tenants before moving back to him "...Is your new 'Friend' around?" she inquired after a brief pause.
"Scouting the Forrest" Qrow replied
"Does he know?" she asked, it didn't take a genius to know the 'What' behind that question.
"Not yet." He'd fill Adam in, in time, the situation right now was... delicate to say the least and any drama would only distract them from the task at hand. However, once they'd reached Haven and the kids were safe he'd spill the beans weather Ozpin wanted him to or not, the guy deserved to know. "And you still didn't answer my question.
His sister shrugged in response "A girl can't just catch up with her family?" Raven replied innocently, Qrow narrowed his eyes in response.
"She can, but you're not" He replied swirling his drink "How about we get on with it" Taking a sip of his drink Qrow's expression brightened slightly, smirking the black reaper raises his glass to the bandit Queen. "Unless you plan on keeping these coming'." A tense moment of silence settled over the Branwen twins, for a moment neither spoke, each waiting for the other to make the first move.
Growing impatient Raven decided to skip the formalities "Does she have it?"
Qrow didn't answer right away and began running his finger along the edge of his glass.
"Did you know Yang lost her arm?" he finally asked
"That's not-" She tried to say
"Rhetorical Question. I know you know." Qrow cut her off, for all her talk of loyalty and family over the years, she always seemed to 'forget' about the one she left behind on Patch "It's just obnoxious that you bring up family, then carry on like your own daughter doesn't exist."
"I saved her, her and the boy!" Raven argued. While the boy may have possessed some strength, even in one of his other forms the Psycho ranger and Torchwick's underling still outnumbered him, if she hadn't been there neither of them would have left that train car alive.
Qrow scoffed "So you just showing up after the kid did all the heavy lifting, counted as saving them? Wow, real mom of the year material, sis." As Qrow reached for his drink, Raven lashed out seizing her brother by the arm, the two locking eyes.
"I told you Beacon would fall, and it did." She began her grip tightening with each word "I told you Ozpin would fail, and he has. Now you tell me. Does. Salem. Have it?"
As far as he was aware, no. Despite the efforts of her underlings, Salem was no closer to getting her hands on the Relic of Choice then they were, hell he didn't even know what the old wizard had done with it, the vault below Beacon was empty and Ozpin hadn't made him privy to its new hiding place and he hadn't thought to ask, not that he'd tell Raven in any case besides... "I thought you weren't interested in all of that." Qrow replied knowingly
Raven pulled her arm back and snarled before settling back down in her seat "I just want to know what we're up against." She snapped back "Especially now that some new pieces have been added to the board."
Qrow took a sip from his drink "So that's why you were at the mine." Raven stilled in response to his words.
"What?" She demanded confusion clear in her eyes "How could you..." Raven clenched her fist, she'd refrained from using one of her portals to reach vale and steered clear of Yang and Qrow during her expedition into the mine, she'd taken every precaution she could to avoid Ozpin catching wind of her arrival, unless... her lips settled into a thing line as realization dawned on her "I see, well that boy was just full of surprises now wasn't he."
"Mmhm." Qrow hummed in response before taking another drink "Kid had some interesting tech, the kind that would even give the egg heads up in Atlas a run for their money." The Black Reaper mused staring down at his drink with a sad smile. "It's how we found Yang" His eyes flicked up to his sister "And you." Raven narrowed her eyes as Qrow leaned forward in his seat "Which means you saw what was there, you saw what they're capable of... and you know who they've decided to shack up with. And the only way we're going to beat them is by working together, all of us."
"And what do you mean by us?" Raven narrowed her eyes at Qrow, the smallest hint of hurt in her tone "As I recall, you're the one who turned his back on the ones who raised us."
Qrow sighed, he didn't know why he was surprised, it was only a matter of time until she brought up those bastards "They were killers and thieves."
"They were your family" Raven shot back, the tribe had been the ones to raise them, clothed them, fed them, taught them how to fight, how to be strong, how to survive.
He rolled his eyes "You have a very skewed perception of that word"
Raven shot to her feet, her inner furry hidden behind a calm mask. "I lead our people now." Raven pressed her fist to her chest "And as leader, I will do everything in my power to ensure our survival."
"I saw. The people of Shion saw too." Along with Ruby and her friends.
"The weak die, the strong live. Those are the rules" Raven replied evenly. Once upon a time his sister might have had a point, the world outside the walls of the kingdoms was as unforgiving as it comes with some small or newly established villages being wiped off the map overnight, but that was before they both knew the truth.
Qrow glowered "Well, you've certainly got someone strong on your side... I saw the damage" That was when the 'weak' as his sister liked to put it, didn't have to worry about one of the four most powerful women in the world coming along with a tribe of cutthroats intent on pillaging their homes and killing their families.
Raven turned away and crossed her arms over her chest, a thoughtful look passing over her. "We couldn't have known the Grimm would set in as quickly as they did." Admittedly their last raid had gone somewhat poorly, the payout had been... less then what she'd expected and was only worsened by how quickly the Grimm had closed in on Shion, she'd ordered her people back the second they arrived, but she still lost a few of her men to some of the elder Grimm in the ensuing chaos.
"I wasn't talking about the Grimm." Raven looked up her eyes widening slightly, did he know, had he been there to witnessed their attack on Shion...had he seen her. For a second Raven's eyes shot down to her sword, her fist tightened, if it became necessary Omen was well within arm's reach and would take only a few scant seconds to draw and bring to bear. "And I'm not talking about you either."
Or perhaps she was just being paranoid, although given the 'status' she'd inherited over the last decade one could hardly blame her, in any case he still hadn't answered her questions. Raven turned back to face her brother "If you don't know where the Relic is, then we have nothing left to talk about." As she reached for her mask Qrow grabbed the top of it.
"I don't know where the Spring Maiden is, either, but if you do, I need you to tell me." Her brother pressed.
Raven narrowed her eyes, well that at least confirmed her secret was safe, but it also seemed Ozpins little helper was trying to stick his nose where it didn't belong, as per usual. "And why would I do that." Raven pulled her mask out from beneath her brother's grip, she wasn't about to serve herself up on a silver platter, nor was she about to go back and join Ozpins lost cause, not after all she'd done to leave the first time.
"Because without her, we're all going to die." He replied
Raven scoffed "And which we are you referring to." Strapping on her mask Raven turned away from Qrow, retrieving Omen from its resting place she drew her crimson Odatchi and slashed at the air, a dark angry red void was torn into existence, the dark black and red void pulsed and fluctuated bathing the entire upper level of the tavern in crimson red light.
Qrow watched in silence as his sister step into one of her portals and vanish. A glass crashed to the oak floor scattering shards of glass across its surface, Qrow shifted in his seat, looking back over his shoulder his eyes landed on the trembling form of the taverns waitress, her wide Amber eyes locked on where raven once stood, her gaze slowly turned towards him a questioning and terrified look in her eyes.
Qrow gestured to his glass in response "Make this one a double."
A/N: Hey all, it's been a while, probably would have had this finished out near the end of November but I just started uni and have subsequently been working my ass off to get a comfortable grasp on the material and complete assignments that were released around the end of last month. Then we've had the Christmas holidays and all that, the bump in COVID-19 restrictions over the last few weeks defiantly put a damper on things. Still, I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and was able to enjoy it with their family whether it was in person or online.
I hope everyone enjoys this new chapter of Psycho remnant, as per usual feel free to leave a review favorite and follow if you're up to it and I will see you all in the next one.
Happy new year everybody.