A/N: Sorry for missing laast week, I had surgery so I'm only just now getting this out. I wanted to keep quality for this one.

19

The Storm Part I

The call had come late for the group. Headmaster Lionheart said he had urgent news about the huntsmen required for the raid on Raven's camp. Something about the decision going well with the Mistral Council and that they could leave immediately. Though it was getting dark everyone had suited up and there was a strange tension in the air. Yang could feel a tightening in her stomach that wouldn't go away. It made her feel uneasy. She attributed it to the fact that she would probably meet her mother soon.

A quick glance at Weiss, new clothes having been acquired earlier in the day, who was walking quickly with them. The ex-heiress had a worried look on her face as well, something that could be seen on almost everyone except for Neo, who had the same easy confidence as usual. One hand rested on Myternaster as they made their way to the Academy. Yang felt something warm wrap around her hand on the other side and she looked to find Jaune there. His hand enveloped her and gave it a quick squeeze before releasing it.

She ached to reach out and take his hand in hers again and cling to that reassuring presence but she knew she couldn't. They all felt apprehension about facing the bandit tribe and now was not a time to let feelings take control. Ruby was up ahead by their uncle, her short legs having trouble keeping up with the long strides of the tall man. Nora stuck close to Ren and she had an unusually hawkish expression and glanced from side to side occasionally.

Qrow burst through the large ornate double doors of the Haven atrium at a quick pace, his entourage trailing in behind him. Professor Lionheart stood on the second floor balcony, his expression worried.

"Qrow! You're here. And… there's more students than you said." The bearded man's face instantly went on guard and Yang started realizing she didn't like this man. He was behaving oddly.

"Yeah… Kids, amirite? They just keep popping up out of nowhere. Like cockroaches." This earned a rebuff from the ex-heiress. Yang looked around the atrium, it was so different from the one at Beacon. There was extensive wood paneling and carving on the railings, not to mention the gorgeous statue in the center that held up the balcony. As the young woman's eyes trailed around the room, something caught her eye. A black bird sitting on the third floor balcony.

That's odd, they just let animals in?

The raven turned it's red eyes on her and seemed to return her gaze, "Weird bird."

She didn't say it very loud but Qrow heard it and his head snapped around and quickly located what she was staring at. A blur of motion and he drew his weapon and fired the gun attachment, pulverizing the wood the bird was sitting on, sending shards everywhere. The raven flew lazily around the room until it dove to the ground a short distance in front of them.

She wasn't sure when the shift happened but in the blink of an eye a woman was standing there in place of the bird.

Yang's blood froze in her body.

She knew who this was, had seen her in person once before, had seen her in old photos. Raven, Yang's mother, stood in front of her, a cocky smirk on her face as she stared down her brother. The woman didn't even spare a glance for her daughter. Though her eyes did flicker towards a particular ex-heiress.

"It's a little rude to shoot at your sister, dear brother."

Yang saw Ruby's head swivel back and give her a strange look. Her sister knew who the woman was, so did Jaune if the look on his face from right besides her was anything to go by. She could practically hear him gulp.

"Yang your eyes." This brought her out of her thoughts and she looked at Ruby and then she felt it. Bubbling there just beneath the surface. It was a simmering rage, like the embers of a fire, waiting to grow into an inferno at the slightest stimulation. Her eyes glew crimson and for once she didn't repress the feeling. Instead she kept it there, ready and waiting. Everyone had tensed the moment the woman had transformed from a bird. And wasn't that something to see. She'd heard it from Qrow but that didn't prepare you for actually seeing it.

She tuned back into the exchange between her uncle and her mother in time to hear her say, "Well Brother, if you want her come get her."

The blood red blade swung down and a dark pulsating red and black vortex sprung to life, issuing forth a fireball. Qrow deflected it easily with his large blade.

Ruby watched as she came out of the vortex, her hips swaying with her gait. Her stump twinged at the sight of her, a painful pinch that reminded the young woman of exactly what had been taken from her. Crescent Rose was in her arms, deployed, before she could even think about. She hadn't noticed drawing her weapon at all. Her grip tightened around her weapon as she looked upon the woman in a red dress.

The others, Mercury, Emerald, and one she didn't recognize, fanned out of the portal. The silver haired man rubbed his hands together in anticipation. He looked at Yang and winked, Ruby had to resist the urge to try and cut him down.

"Hey blondie, I'm here for an apology for my legs."

"I'll help even it out by trimming up the top." Jaune said, stepping in between the man and Yang. I sneer appeared on the man's face as he considered the other blond in front of him.

"Raven. How long have you been working with them?" Qrow voice was choked with rage.

"Aw Qrow. Are you worried about your sister? Shouldn't you be asking that question to dear Leo over here?"

Qrow's face drew in tight and his eyes grew hard, "Dammit Leo, Why?"

"Because it's the only way to survive Qrow!" The fire in his eyes faded rapidly and he couldn't meet the eyes of the black haired man.

"Fuckin' coward." The vitriol in the comment seemed to slap the headmaster in the face as he flinched when Qrow said it.

A large noise sounded from behind the group and Ruby turned to see a large man in a pale green coat stride in and close the ornate double doors behind him. His lumbering steps echoed in the silent atrium.

"The White Fang have finished their preparations." He grumbled in a deep, sonorous voice as he continued his march into the school, "There will be no escaping for you."

Ruby turned back and saw her with that incessant smile on her face. She stood there looking pleased with herself. Cinder murdered Pyyrha, had Penny killed, and took her arm. The black feeling welled up inside of her, something ugly she hadn't felt so powerfully before. She glared at that mocking smile.

And something snapped.

"How dare you." She felt the words come out of her mouth, "You killed Penny, Pyyrha, and all those innocents!" Ruby felt her chest heaving and her jaw clench, "And all of it with a smile on your face!" The reaper's voice reached a crescendo and before she knew it her feet carried her forwards.

Everything happened in slow motion. Crescent Rose came down and it was blocked by a sword made of molten rock. In the muted distance she could hear people crying her name but that didn't matter. Ruby was a Huntress and she hunted monsters.

There was a monster standing before her.

Looks like the time for talking is over. Jaune surmised as Ruby dashed out to strike at Cinder. He could feel Yang burst into motion beside him as she rushed to support her sister. His hand fell to Crocea Mors and twisted a small section on the hilt as he drew it forth. In the same motion the sheath expanded into a large, two handed sword.

The blond followed close in behind the blonde berzerker but was interrupted by a flash of green and silver. A cocky smirk from the silver haired man had Jaune's blood boiling.

"About that apology." Mercury slammed on fist into another.

"Do you ever shut up Mercury?" The green haired girl rolled her red eyes, "Let's just hurry up and kill them already."

Yang's voice came out in a low growl, "Out of my way."

Jaune brought his sword up into a charging stance. This was the moment of truth. He'd have liked to think he'd learned enough to be able to fight one of them off. But with two of them was he confident he could watch Yang's back?

No. That didn't matter. Jaune's eyes narrowed and he tightened his grip. It was either he did or he didn't, and he wasn't about to lose her. Levelling Crocea Mors he did something none of them would expect. He charged first.

In his mind the tip of his sword pierced through the girl's chest. Reality was much different. She nimbly dodged, letting him pass right by her and delivering several brutal strikes to his open back. A loud crack resounded and he looked back to see fist meeting foot as Mercury challenged Yang. Emerald had already turned to try and team up against the blonde and Jaune wouldn't let her. With a cry he stood up and swung at her back. The green haired girl's eyes widened as she brought her weapons up to block him.

That turned out to be a mistake as his sword powered through her guard, the weight plus his strength making it a formidable force, as the blade gouged into the ground Jaune stepped forward and brought his blade into and upswing. Emerald managed to dodge to the side but just barely. Her eyes narrowed as she reassessed him. A certain satisfaction came over him as he realized he was actually a threat to her now, she couldn't afford to turn her back on him and he had proven it. Now he just needed to win against her.

It proved a lot more difficult than he'd thought, and he'd thought it would be difficult in the first place. She was incredibly flexible, second only to Neo, and her weapon held an advantage and close, mid, and long range over his. The blond had to switch to his sword and shield form rather quickly. Aside from the surprise attack the two-handed formation was too slow to catch a nimble fighter like Emerald head on.

He caught another series of shots on his shield. Jaune didn't have the luxury of taking his eyes off of his opponent to see how she was doing but the sounds of fists clashing assured him that she was still in the fight. The knight had managed to land a few glancing blows but none were punishing and he took a few hits in return. He could feel his breath starting to get ragged and by the looks of it, his opponent was starting to get run down too. All he needed was to capitalize one one mistake she made.

A loud voice shouted through the din of combat, "Enough!"

"I don't want to hurt children."

The large newcomer's voice rumbled out of his throat making Ren and Nora tense up. The man was enormous though he seemed soft spoken.

Nora hefted her hammer and Ren readied Stormflower, "We don't want fight you."

"But we will if you're with her." Nora finished her partner's sentence.

The large man closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "Very well." As if a switch was flipped when he opened his eyes again he was charging at a speed much faster than his great size belied. Nora ducked, weaved, and parried his advancing blows while Ren attempted to strike the man's sides. He simply shrugged them off as he grabbed Magnhild and hefted the ginger, weapon and all, over his shoulder.

She grimaced as she impacted the ground and Ren came up, slicing away at their foe. His blades skittered across the man's aura and did nothing but irritate him. Stormflower barked out a short rapport but the rounds didn't even faze the man.

Nora got back up and stood once more with her partner, staring down the mountain of a man before them. They didn't need to look at each other to tell what they were thinking, they had been together too long for that. As their shoulders touched, no words passed between them, their minds connected like no other. They were of one mind, one soul, and two bodies. When one moved the other would follow. They would be together no matter what happened. Ren could feel his partner tense like a coiled spring. He knew what she was about to do and she knew what he would do in response.

Together, as one, they charged.

This is my fight, Oscar. You haven't had the training for this yet.

Oscar walked up the steps to face the headmaster of Haven Academy. His heart was thumping in his chest as he gave control over to Ozpin. The man, ghost, whatever, was right. Despite what little training he'd done on the way to Haven, he hadn't had the time to even be able to confront a huntsman on his own.

The feeling was still weird, even having done it a dozen times by now. He could still feel his body, he could still hear, smell, and touch, but he felt his limbs move on their own. His hands tense around the handle of the cane, his weapon. At once it felt familiar, welcome, and also strange and new. He'd never seen it before the other day yet it felt like he'd been holding it for so many years.

Those types of things happened a lot. As he looked at the headmaster in front of him he felt a weird sense of nostalgia. The man looked old, older than he should have been. Like Oscar had known the man a long time ago. And, in a way, he had. Or rather Ozpin had and those memories carried over. He didn't have access to those memories but most times he had a feeling as if he could almost recall something, a memory being just out of reach.

"I'm rather disappointed in you, Leonardo. I saw such great potential in you."

"Ozpin." The headmaster's eyes widened and he took a step back, "No. You can't be here!"

"And yet here I am Leonardo. I thought you understood what was at stake. But now, at this critical point, I find that you've betrayed us to Salem." He took another step up the stairs, cane in hand and the headmaster took another step backwards, his back hitting the railing.

"You don't understand! She would have killed me!"

"You are right." Oscar felt his mouth move, "I don't understand."

A panicked look came across the man's face as he raised his hand, a strange gauntlet attached to his wrist. It opened up into a discus like shape, a strange glowing interface coming to life above it. Though Oscar didn't know what it was he knew what it did, as the headmaster touched a node on the surface a ball of fire appeared before his weapon. Spinning the disc on top he touched another node and a ball of rock appeared inside the flames, changing the nature of the attack as he launched it at Oscar.

His hand moved on it's own, both Oscar and Ozpin knowing what was coming and deflecting the attack without much effort. The young boy felt his breathing come under control, his heart rate slow from the thumping it had been. He was surprisingly calm even though he had relinquished control of his own body. He had a feeling that he'd been through far worse situations.

With each attack he deflected he took another step towards the headmaster until he finally reached him, his cane snapped out and prevented the headmaster from attacking again. Oscar felt that he was weak, far weaker than someone who was charged with protecting something so important should be. The man looked panicked, terrified, and so out of his wits that he could barely stand. The young man almost felt sorry for him.

"Enough!" The voice cut through, feminine and commanding. Oscar's head snapped to the side and he felt his blood chill at the sight of what he saw.

Ruby slashed and spun and never let up against Cinder. Ever blow was blocked and she did so in return at the woman's counter attacks. She felt herself pushing her semblance to it's fullest, twisting and turning out of the way of the flaming blades the woman wielded. It had been at most several minutes but she was already panting and the woman looked naught a hair out of place.

She remembered what Qrow had said to her just the other day, a flaw in her fighting style. Her scythe was meant for monsters, and though a monster was in front of her she needed something else to deal with one wearing human skin.

Bringing Crescent Rose close to her body she jumped and fired downwards at the same time. The force propelled her upwards where she went into a slashing spin down at the woman. Of course Cinder danced just out of reach but Ruby wasn't done yet. Her boots hit the haft and she reached her hand down and grasped Rose Thorn in her hand. Thumbing the switch the blade started leaping out of the compact weapon as she drew it forth.

The blade cut a silver flash out and across at Cinder's neck. Her eyes focused on the new weapon and with a grimace she tried to pull her face away but not before it scratched across her face. A black mask was revealed as her blade scored across it, cutting off some of her bangs. Her right hand came up and covered the mask. Her cocky veneer cracked and rage blossomed over her face.

"How dare you!" She screeched. Her hand came away from her face and a blast of fire roared towards the young reaper. She crossed her arms in front of her as the flames washed over her and blew her down off her scythe. Quickly she patted down the embers singing her clothes as she felt the monster come close. Her palm was pointed down and an orange glow proceeded another gout of flame that Ruby rolled away from.

The red cloaked girl came up in a crouch, blade held at the ready before her facing the wrathful face of Cinder.

"You've interfered for that last time, girl! I'm going to incinerate you like your red headed friend." Cinder's amber eye was narrowed at the subject of her eyes even as silver eyes narrowed in return.

"You're nothing but a monster Cinder, and I'm going to end you before you can hurt anyone else!"

Ruby lowered her stance and brought Rose Thorn to her hip. Before she could activate her semblance she heard a voice ring out over the sounds in the atrium.

"Enough!" Both Ruby and Cinder's heads snapped in the direction of the voice.

Ruby felt her heart drop as she saw Weiss, her partner, in the hands of the enemy. The person who had shouted was none other than Raven, her blood red blade held to the ex-heiress' throat. A red line of blood slide down the girl's pale neck, she must not have any aura left. Her clothes had cuts and singes in them from whoever had been her opponent.

Qrow was stood glaring at the young woman with short hair that had come through with the other enemies, her cocky smirk directed at the older hunstman even though she favored her shoulder.

"Leo! Open the vault!" With a start the headmaster rushed to do as the bandit said. When Oscar made to move she tightened her grip and glared at him. He froze at that. Everyone else had stopped what they were doing and only laboured breathing could be heard in the silence that befell the atrium.

The headmaster fumbled with some small golden thing, a pocketwatch it looked like, and placed in on the statue. A rumble and the statue started receding down into the floor, it slowed to a near stop when the large plate it held above it came even with the ground. Raven dragged the heiress over to the platform and the short haired woman stood on it.

"The next time I see you, I'll kill you." With those parting words Cinder went to join the other woman on the plate, nodding briefly to the mountain of a man who had been fighting Ren and Nora.

Raven lowered her head and whispered to the white haired girl before planting a knee in her back, driving her to the ground and stepping onto the platform. The speed of it as it went down grew the further it went until the three women descended out of sight, a final mocking smile from Cinder and a look of nothing from the bandit leader. A sudden flash of yellow movement and Yang started sprinting towards the elevator.

Just as she reached the opening, ice erupted from the ground, covering the entrance. Yang slammed a fist into it and whirled at the source.

"Weiss, what the fuck!"

The ex-heiress stood, Myternaster in hand with it's tip pointed in the ground, "I'm sorry Yang. But this is for the best."