Sorry for the delay, I injured my left hand and was unable to use it for a while.
Big shout out to the Devil May Cry 5 soundtracks for helping with Yang's fight scenes.

Where's Emerald?

The world around her changed, the smell of smoke hitting her. Weiss ducked under one of Mercury's kicks, spotting Emerald as she fell to her knees, groaning, her aura flickering around her. Weiss leapt aside, Hazel's fist crashing through the floor where she had been. She froze, her eyes widening.

Flames consumed the back half of the hall, the upper walkways collapsed into smoldering splinters. Ruby lay next to the statue of the Brother's Saint, embers wafting past her, her aura flickering.

Pyrrha and Cinder stood amongst the flames, blood drooling down Pyrrha's chin, a large black spear embedded in her stomach. Cinder's expression was hidden by her mask as she pulled the spear free, Pyrrha collapsing. Cinder turned, flicking the spear, blood spraying onto the fires as she strode toward Ruby.

"Weiss!"

She spun around, gasping, ducking beneath one of Hazel's swings, spinning on a heel to dodge the follow up punch. Hazel grunted, Yang leaping onto their back, pounding into the side of her head. Hazel grunted, grabbing a hold of Yang, and hurling her at a pillar.

Yang fired a shot, righting herself, her boots hitting against the pillar, a snarl on her lips, her eyes burning red as a blast shot from her gauntlet, launching her forward. Hazel grunted, Yang's fist slamming into her face, Hazel staggering back as Yang landed, turning, and jabbing her first into Hazel's gut.

"Go! I've got her!" Yang shouted.

Weiss turned, throwing up a line of glyphs in front of her as she ran. She was shot forward, zooming past Cinder, skidding to a stop in front of Ruby. She grit her teeth, the excruciating heat washing over her, Myrtenaster's handle uncomfortable in her hand as she aimed the tip at Cinder. Cinder rolled her eye and held out her hand, an obsidian spear forming.

Cinder lurched forward; Weiss threw up her arm.

Obsidian and steel clanged against metal, a gasp escaping Weiss' lips. Raven stood between them, an annoyed look on her face. Myrtenaster was embedded in her gauntlet, her sword swung behind her back, Cinder's spear pressed against it.

Weiss pulled her sword free as Raven turned, knocking Cinder's spear aside, and grabbing her by the front of her dress, yanking her forward.

"Qrow is dead. We need to get the Relic before this entire place burns down." Cinder scowled at her, yanking Raven's hand away from her dress.

"Ruby is still alive."

"We get the Relic now or I leave with the Vault Key." Raven said. Cinder's scowled deepened, her lip curling. She gripped the spear in her hand before her hand relaxed, the spear dissolving to ash.

"Fine," Cinder growled. Raven lifted her chin, not looking away from Cinder as she yelled Vernal's name. Weiss looked over, watching as Vernal struggle to her feet, and run over to them.

Raven glared at Cinder before walking over to the statue of Djini, pulling out the watch that Lionheart had given her before taking a step back. The statue shifted, sliding down, disappearing into the floor, bits of the walkway that it was holding up crumbling, Weiss hissed as the heat washed over her. Vernal, Raven, and Cinder stepped onto the cool stone lift as it descended.

"Ruby!"

"Pyrrha!"

Weiss turned, Nora and Ren rushing toward her, Ren skidding to the ground, sliding on his knees, and stopping next to Pyrrha as Nora rushed through the flames, going to Ruby. She could hear Yang grunting, and looked over to see dodging attacks from Hazel, Emerald, and Mercury.

"Weiss!" Ren shouted. Weiss shook her head, gripping her sword as she ran over to Pyrrha.

Ruby didn't look hurt, Nora can handle her.

Blood dribbled out of the wound in Pyrrha's stomach, her armor dented and bits of it chipped off. Her body was convulsing, her breathing erratic. Blood smeared half of her face, her hair matted over what was left of her left eye. Ren was pressing down on the wound, frantically patting down his pockets with his spare hand.

Weiss swallowed, moving Ren's hand, and placing her own against Pyrrha's wound. The blood coated her hand as she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, the taste of smoke and ash filling her mouth.

Yang vaulted over Hazel's shoulder, twisting in the air, swinging her leg at Mercury, hearing him grunt as she kicked him aside. She landed, spinning, flames shooting from her stump, her aura arm catching Hazel's fist. She grit her teeth, her foot slipping. Hazel pulled back her other arm; Yang slammed her fist into Hazel's elbow, firing a shot. Hazel grunted, yanking her arm back.

Yang ducked, Mercury's boot soaring over her as she turned. Her leg slid out, swiping Mercury's leg out from beneath him, he yelled as he fell to the side.

Splinters shot out of the ground, coating Yang's pants. She looked over; Emerald hung from one of the second-floor rafters, her sickle embedded into the wood, her other sickle in hand, smoke drifting from the barrel. Yang growled, sprinting forward, firing several shots, zipping to the sides as Emerald fired at her. Emerald yanked her sickle free, leaping from it, a chain springing from her second sickle, swinging out toward another rafter.

Yang leapt into the air, firing several shots behind her, grunting as her aura arm disintegrated, several of Emerald's shots grazing her as she swung through the air.

Yang gasped, Emerald disappearing as she tackled her. Yang grunted, hitting the wall. Something grabbed a hold of her leg, she screamed as she was yanked down, slamming into the ground. She coughed, the back of her head hurting as she looked down.

Emerald's sickle was wrapped around her boot. The chain slackened, reeling and slithering back as Emerald strode toward her. Yang's lip twitched as she snarled-

She threw up her arm, a jolt going down her arm as Mercury's boot collided with her gauntlet. She growled, her aura arm forming as she grabbed his leg, yanking him down, slamming her knee into his crotch. He fell on his back, groaning in pain.

Yang got to her feet, breathing heavy, sweat stinging her eyes.

"That all you got?!"

Hazel's fist slammed into the side of her head. A yell ripped from her lips as she flew through the air. Her aura arm disappeared, her aura re-shielding her body as she hit the wall, feeling it crumble and splinter as she broke through it. She hit a desk, sliding over it, and hitting a table. She groaned, and struggled to her feet, gripping the table to steady herself.

Hazel lumbered through the hole, Emerald and Mercury flanking her.

"No," Hazel said.

Yang snarled, and raised her fist, taking a stance. Hazel grabbed one of the desks, Yang's eyes widened as she hurled it at her with a grunt. Yang threw herself to the ground, the table flying over, hitting a table before crashing through the other wall. Yang scrambled against the ground, Emerald firing at her, splinters raining down from the tables and desks.

Yang got up, throwing a hand over her head as a bullet whizzed by, making for the new hole, and leaping through it. She grabbed a chair, her aura arm forming as she hefted it up, hurling it through the hole with a yell.

Emerald gasped, leaping aside, the chair slamming into Mercury, hurling him back. Yang turned, running for the classroom door, ripping it open and starting to run down the hall.

Gotta keep them away from Ruby and the others until Weiss is done.

Emerald appeared before her, her sickles glinting as she swung. Yang threw a punch, narrowing her eyes as Emerald disappeared around her fist.

So that's your semblance.

She spun around, catching a kick from Mercury, blocking another. She backpedaled, her aura arm forming, blocking, and dancing around Mercury's kicks. He spun, his boot hurling at her in a roundhouse kick. She caught his boot, and screamed, her ears ringing as he fired a shot. She dropped his leg, clutching her ear, ringing the only sound in the world as she staggered back.

Mercury's boot slammed into her gut, the wind ripping from her chest as she doubled over. Her aura arm disappeared as she shook her head, her ears still ringing. She looked up, and leapt aside, Mercury's axe kick barley missing her. She growled, and tackled Mercury, slamming him into the wall. She headbutted him, his head hitting the wooden wall. She tossed him aside, looking back, grimacing as Emerald sprinted forward, Hazel lumbering behind.

Yang turned, running down the hall, Emerald firing at her. Yang threw her arm to the side, firing a shot, a door to a classroom bursting apart. She turned and leapt through the door. She swallowed, glancing at Ember Celica. Smoke drifted from its barrel, the chamber empty.

A shadow cast over the light filtering from the hallway, and she looked toward the hole. Hazel was climbing in, ducking her head. Yang grabbed a group of shells from her pocket, tossing them into the air, catching them with Ember Celica. She took her stance, hearing her gauntlet cock as she stared Hazel down.

Hazel charged, throwing a punch. Yang ducked under it, shotgun pellets ripping into Hazel's chest as Yang's hook collided with her. Hazel grunted, stepping to the side. Yang's aura armed formed as she attacked, Hazel, pummeling into her chest, shell casings and embers flying as she fired a blast with each hit.

Hazel caught her flaming fist, grunting in annoyance. Yang growled, her arm disappearing, breaking free, and leapt, spinning, her foot slamming into Hazel's jaw. Hazel staggered back, hitting a table, her aura shimmering around her, blood trickling down her lip.

Think back on all those you love, all those that you wish you could have helped when they were in pain! Think of them and watch as you heal their wounds!

Weiss exhaled, feeling the glyph form beneath her, feeling the energy course through her fingers. She knit her brow, tuning out the sounds of the crackling fires, the scent of the smokey air.

"Weiss-? What are you-?"

She could feel sweat forming, her brow furrowing further, feeling her strength being sapped away, feeling the blood stop flowing from Pyrrha's wound as the flesh knit together. She shuttered, and grit her teeth, groaning.

"I…. got her…" she opened her eyes, looking at Ren. "Go help Yang."

Ren looked down at Pyrrha, at the green glyph glowing beneath them before nodding. He turned, sprinting off, Storm Flower in hand.

Weiss glanced down at Pyrrha; her crimson aura shimmered all across her body, her convulsing slowly ceasing, her breathing beginning to steady. Weiss squeezed her eyes shut, her arms screaming, trembling as she held them over the wound.

I've got you, Pyrrha.

Raven's hand rested on the hilt of her sword. Cinder stood away from her, across from Vernal. The air was chill, the walls around them blue lit stone.

"You're the Spring Maiden?" Cinder asked, looking at Vernal. Raven tightened the grip on her sword as Vernal looked over at Cinder.

"I am." She said. Cinder chuckled.

"You're quite pathetic at being one if you lost to that Schnee girl." Cinder said. Raven shot her a look.

"You could say the same about Amber." Raven said. Cinder looked over at her, a smile creeping onto her face.

"I suppose you could."

Cinder turned away, looking back at the stone walls, her arm hanging by her side. Raven looked over at Vernal. Vernal swallowed, and nodded, clenching, and unclenching her hand.

The stones vanished, a gust of air brushing past her as they entered open air. A vast tree was splayed out before them, its roots and branches slithering throughout the cave. A long stone walkway led to its roots; a large bronze doorway built into a gap between two roots. Red dust crystals glittered throughout the cave, specks of red light between tendrils of tree limbs. Large, glowing, orange fruits hung from the multitude of branches, illuminating the golden yellow leaves.

Their lift slowed to a halt, jolting slightly as it stopped. Cinder turned to them, her eye on Raven as she motioned with her hand.

"After you." She looked over at Vernal, offering a smile. "Need to have the Maiden lead the way, after all."

Vernal hesitated but stepped off the lift. Cinder gave Raven a smile before stepping off. Raven frowned, keeping a grip on her sword as she left the lift.

Yang's fist was raised, a scowl on her face as Hazel wiped her lip, her aura crackling around her. Blood smeared her fingers, and Hazel chuckled.

"Been a long time since I've seen my own blood," she said. She held up a hand, Mercury and Emerald stopping and looking at her. "Leave us. I want to fight her alone." Mercury and Emerald shot each other a look before looking at Yang. Mercury grunted in annoyance before turning and running, Emerald following.

Yang shifted her feet, firming her stance as Hazel slid off her coat. Scars traced up and down her arms, a plethora of Dust crystals lining her belt.

"Tell me your name," she said as she stretched her neck, her eyes closed. Yang narrowed her eyes.

"Yang."

"Yang. I like it." Hazel opened her eyes. "Tell me Yang." She grabbed several crystals from her belt: green, yellow, red, blue. "Do you believe there is a meaning to all of this?"

Yang flinched as Hazel stabbed the green Dust into her arm, her veins turning a sickly shade of green, her aura flickering around her as it recharged. Hazel laughed, the sound mirthless and deep.

"Is this world that you fight for have a purpose?" Hazel stabbed the blue Dust next to the green crystal, her veins turning cyan, a grunt escaping her lips as ice began to encase her hand. "I once thought there was. Until I learned the truth." Red and Yellow were stabbed into her other arm, her veins glowing orange, flames, and electricity crackling around her fist. She lifted her head, a smirk on her lips as she looked at Yang. "This world is meaningless. All of our struggles completely pointless. Your death will mean nothing to this world." Hazel crackled her knuckles, stepping toward Yang.

Yang stepped back, keeping her stance, her fist raised, sweat beading down as Hazel approached.

"-up! Ru-! -ke -p!"

Ruby groaned, her body aching, her head pounding as she opened her eyes. Everything was a blur, tinges of gray and orange surrounding her vision.

"Ruby! Wake up! We need you!"

Ruby shook her head, feeling Nora shaking her, her vision clearing. She groaned, clutching her side as she sat up.

"What happened?" she asked. Nora grasped her shoulder, helping her stand up. She saw Crescent Rose was collapsed and resting on Nora's belt, Nora's grenade launcher slung over her back. She looked over, her breath hitching.

Everything was being consumed by flames, smoke choking the air. A wall on the other side of the hall was broken, a gaping hole in it. Weiss was hunched over Pyrrha, a green glyph glowing beneath them, the flames and smoke encircling them.

"Weiss!" Ruby broke out of Nora's hand, running over to her teammate, cool and sterile smelling air hitting her as she entered the glyph. "Is Pyrrha okay?! What happened?!" Weiss didn't look up at her, her hands pressed against a hole in Pyrrha's armor.

"Can't… talk… she'll be…. okay." Weiss turned her head slightly, grimacing before opening one eye a crack. Her grimace turned to a brief smile. "Don't… scare me like that… you dolt."

Ruby smiled back. Weiss' smile fell, the grimace returning as her head slumped. Ruby turned, Nora coming up behind her.

"Watch over Weiss. Make sure her and Pyrrha get out of this fire okay."

"Roger," Nora said. Ruby looked over at the hole.

"Ren and Yang? Mercury and the others?"

"Down that way." Nora said. Ruby frowned. Crescent Rose appeared in front of her, and she looked aside. Nora was holding out her weapon, a cheeky smirk on her face. "Go kick their asses. I won't let anything happen to these two."

Ruby managed a laugh, grasping the warm grip of her weapon as she took it from Nora. She took a breath, savoring the cool air before sprinting out, embers and cinders splashing against her face as she ran for the hole.

The ground lit up beneath Raven, blue light arcing down the stone walkway, spiderwebbing toward the Door, and running up the tree's roots. Letters in Old Mistralian began to fill the air, blue phantoms, flickering and fading from existence as the lights coursed their way throughout the tree. The great tree shuddered, the golden yellow leaves beginning to fall, dancing in the air. A leaf fell towards her, and Raven pulled her hand free of her sword, letting the leaf land. It was so gentle, softer than a newborns hair. The color the same as…

She looked up, frowning as Cinder laughed, a throaty, croaking sound.

"Enjoying yourself, Valravn?" she asked. Raven tossed the leaf back into the air, following after Cinder and Vernal.

The air grew sweeter the closer they drew; Raven wrinkled her nose at the sickly-sweet scent from the fruits. Vernal came to a halt, looking over the great bronze door.

"So how does this work?"

"The door will open to the touch of the Spring Maiden. And only, to her touch." Cinder said. Vernal nodded, turning back to the door. She hesitated, glancing back at Raven. "Go on, girl, claim what is yours. As the Spring Maiden, this is your destiny, isn't it?" Cinder said.

Raven shot a glance at Cinder, resting her hand on her swords hilt as Vernal nodded, turning back to the Door.

"You know, Valravn," Cinder said. "I find it odd that you specifically requested that Ruby and Qrow be here. That you wouldn't agree to help me unless I managed to get them here."

"They showed up."

"And with a lot more people. Curious, isn't it?" Cinder said. Raven shrugged.

"It's not my fault that Ruby's friends thought it suspicious to come alone to Haven."

"Odd that they would think that, and to know to bring weapons." Cinder turned, facing her. "Or that Lionheart would leave before the fight began. Or that Ruby and Qrow didn't go into the room I was waiting for them in. Doesn't that strike you as odd, Valravn?" Cinder said. Raven frowned, glancing over at Vernal. She stood before the door, her hand hovering over it. "Isn't it strange, Valravn, that you told me how much you hate Ruby and wanted her dead, but wouldn't let me skewer her?"

"It would be a waste of time with all her friends around." Cinder laughed at that, Raven's skin crawling at the harsh, disgusting sound.

"You are too much, Valravn."

"Don't call me that."

"Oh?" Cinder smiled coyly. "Would Spring Maiden work better?"

Raven's eyes widened, her hand a blur as she drew her swor-

Numbing, freezing cold slammed into her chest, arcing across her body, her limbs unable to move, her scream muffled as the ice encased her.

Vernal spun around, her body stiffening. Blood drooled from her lips, her hand going to her stomach, at the obsidian dagger embedded in her. Cinder smirked, saying something, the voices muffled by the ice. Vernal collapsed, convulsing on the ground, gripping the dagger as her blood pooled around her.

Raven screamed, flames spewing from her eyes, the ice melting as a cyclone of red and black flames launching into the air, wind, and fire swirling around her. She swung her sword, the flames and winds dying. Cinder stood staring at her, smirking.

Raven raised her blade, feeling the Maiden fires spewing from her eyes as Cinder took her own stance, flames burning around her eyes.

Recorded by Arizal is really good so far, like that RT is branching out their animated shows again now that genLock is gone. Highly recommend checking it out, the pilot episodes are less than five minutes each.