Chapter 15

Meeting the Families

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

Flashback

"Scroll Communications / Speakers"

Location / Date / Time Change

Beacon Air Docks

Ruby chased after Weiss as the heiress ran for the dock. "Weiss, I don't understand. What's the big deal? Who is 'she'?"

"Winter..." Weiss answered as the two girls stopped.

"Wait, your sister?" Ruby asked asked as both girls looked over at a girl with white hair in a military uniform staring at Knights walking out of her ship.

"Winter!" Weiss shouted. The girl turned around as Weiss and Ruby ran over to her. "Winter, I'm so happy to see you!" She said before remembering her manners. "Oh, your presence honor us."

"Beacon, it sure has been a long time." Winter said as she walked forward. "The air feels... different."

"Well, it is fall, so there's that..." Ruby mumbled before Weiss punched her.

"So, what are you doing here?" Weiss asked.

"That's classified." Her sister answered.

"Oh, well, how long are you staying for?" Weiss asked.

"Classified." She repeated.

"Of course." Weiss nodded.

"Well, this is nice... I think." Ruby mumbled.

"You're going to love it here!" Weiss shouted. "I knew you've traveled a lot, but Beacon is so much more different than Atlas. The government and school are completely separate. Can you believe it!? I'm-"

"I'm well aware of how this kingdom handles its bureaucracy." Winter interrupted. "That is not why I came."

"Right, sorry." Weiss apologized.

"Nor did I come to watch my flesh and blood fail so miserably in battle." Winter added. "But it seems don't I have choice."

"But, we won." Weiss said.

"Yes, barely." Winter said. "I counted at least 3 missed strikes. Even the lizard after you did a much better job."

"You mean Natsu?" Ruby asked.

"Yes, him." Winter nodded. "Leave us." She ordered the robots and they backed away. "So, how have you been?"

"Oh, very well. Than you for asking." Weiss answered. "I'm in the very top of our sparring class. The rest of my studies are going just as well. I'm-" She was cut off when Winter bonked her head.

"Not that, you boob." The older sister scolded. "I didn't ask you about your ranking. I asked how you've been. Have you been eating properly? Do you have any new hobbies? Have you made any friends?"

"Well, there's Ruby." Weiss motioned to her team leader.

Ruby chuckled as she pushed down on the swelled bump on Weiss' head. "Boob..."

"Intersting." Winter turned to Ruby. "So this is the leader you spoke of. How appropriately... Underwhelming."

"Uhh... Thank you?" Ruby wasn't sure whether to be complemented or offended.

"Greetings, Ruby Rose. I thank you for taking an interest in my sister." Winter said.

"Oh, uh. Thank you. The honor is in my... Court." The leader awkwardly answered.

"I have business with the general and your headmaster." Winter said. "But, since I'm early, why don't you take me to your quarters?"

"Really?" Weiss asked.

"Of course." Her sister nodded as the robots behind her started to move with her. "I wish to inspect them and make sure they are up to my personal standards."

"Of course." Weiss said as she walked along side her sister. "Just so your aware, I voted against the bunk beds."

"Bunk beds?" Her sister repeated.

"I'll catch up with you- I mean, I will reconvene with you both, at a later... Juncture." Ruby said, trying to sound sophisticated.

Weiss lead her sister through the court yard as four Knights surrounded them and two walked behind them. A second later, the two stragglers were tore apart as a head rolled towards the group. "Hey!" A drunken man shouted holding the headless robot, making the sisters turn around. "That's right, I'm talking to you, ice queen."

He threw the body to the ground as Winter halted the other Knights aim. "Excuse me!" Weiss marched forward to the man. "Do you have any idea who you're talking to!?"

"Shhh... Not you." The man said pushing Weiss out of the way and stared at Winter. "You..." A crow cawed it flew off the light post. "Saw that god awful ship of yours. Guess your here too."

"I'm standing here, aren't I?" Winter asked.

The man squinted his eyes and focused his vision. "Huh, I guess you are."

"I hope you know you just destroyed Atlas military property." Winter said, making him look to the ground.

"Ohh, I'm sorry..." He sarcastically said. "You know, I mistook them for some sort of, sentient garbage."

"I'm not in the mood for your childish games, Qrow." Winter growled back.

"Wait, you know him?" Weiss asked, walking back to her sister.

"Jeez, you Atlas specialists think your so special, don't you?" The now named drunk asked.

"It's in the title for a reason." Winter answered.

"Well, you know what you really are?" Qrow asked. "A bunch of lousy sell outs. And your boss is the biggest one of ya."

"I'm not sure what you think you're implying, but I have heard enough." Winter said.

"So have I." Qrow nodded. "Like how Ironwood finally turned his back on Ozpin."

"Ozpin?" Weiss mumbled.

"Weiss, it's time for you to go." Winter said, pushing her sister aside.

"What?" The younger sister asked.

"Listen to your big sister, Weiss." Qrow mocked as a crowd gathered around them. "She'll protect you. The same way Atlas is gonna protect us all."

"If you won't hold your tongue, than I will gladly remove it from your mouth!" Winter said, drawing her saber.

"Alright then." Qrow slicked his hair back and stared at the soldier. "Come and take it."

Winter charged forward and stabbed at his face, but he effortlessly dodged the strikes. He bowed and she wind down, only to have her blade catch his. He pressed a button and his blade extended into a long sword before he spun around and pointed it at her. The two blades touched as each tested each other.

"Oh, this is gonna be good." Weiss turned to see Natsu standing beside her.

"You know that guy?" She asked.

"You don't?" He asked back before pointing to the man. "That is Qrow Branwen. One of the greatest Huntsmen of all time. Rumor has it, he can cut through a Goliath with one swing."

Qrow spun in a circle and swung his blade multiple times as Winter summersaulted back until she blocked on. The two traded more swings as Ruby ran up to the mob and made her way to Natsu and Weiss. "What's happening?"

"Some crazy guy by the name of Bo Tarwing just started attacking my sister." Weiss answered.

"That's not his name." Natsu said. "His name is-"

"THAT IS MY UNCLE!" Ruby shouted as she looked at the dueling pair.

"What?" Weiss asked.

"Uncle?" Natsu asked.

"Kick her butt, uncle Qrow!" Ruby shouted.

"Uh, teach him respect, Winter!" Weiss shouted. Mercury walked by and stared at the dueling pair. He backed away and bumped into Aerith, who was just staring at Qrow. Paying no attention, he ran back to the dorms.

The two continued to trade strikes and dodges before Winter slammed her handle into his face, only to be met with a smile. Qrow raised his blade high as Winter created a Glyph benath her. She jumped out of the way as he slammed his sword into the ground, creating a crater.

Winter landed beside a lamp post that was quickly cut down by Qrow. She dodged two more swings before jumping on this blade and flip kicked him, landings on the base of the lamppost. He threw his weapon as she jumped out of the way and landed on a high railing before sprinting away from Qrow's birdshot.

She dug her blade into a pillar before running up as Qrow kept firing at her. A screen of mist covered her, forcing him to return his weapon to its blade form. She jumped at him and pulled out her parrying dagger from her main sword and swung them both. Qrow blocked, but the momentum sent them both crashing into the pavement.

The two traded swings until Winter sent Qrow back, forcing him to dig his sword into the walkway before he held it behind his back. Winter slammed her into the ground as a large Glyph appeared, summoning over a dozen little ice Nevermores. She sent them at Qrow who covered his eyes and tried to hit them. She smirked at the sight before he sent a shock wave at her.

Winter created a Glyph behind her and prepared to launch. Qrow pressed another button on the handle, causing the gears to spin and segments of the blade separated. They started to curve until Qrow smirked and canceled the morph, confusing Winter. He holstered his weapon and waved his finger, egging her on. With a mighty roar, she launched forward sword first. But just before she could touch his jugular...

"Schnee!" Winter froze as she turned and looked at Ironwood behind her, with Penny hiding behind him.

"General Ironwood, sir!" She stood at attention.

"What in remnant do you think you're doing?" He asked, walking towards her.

"He's the one who started the altercation, sir." Winter said.

"Hey, that's not true." Qrow added with his hands on his head. "She's the one who attacked me first."

"Is that so?" The general looked at his soldier, who had no response. He looked around at the mob so students from all sorts of schools who watched the fight. "And you." He looked at Qrow, who pointed at himself as the general walked towards him. "What are you doing here?"

"Ya know, I could be asking you the same thing." He said back to the general.

"I-" Ironwood started.

"Now, now, everyone." Both looked over as Ozpin and Glynda walked towards the center. "There is an exhibition match between Team FORG (Forge) and Team GLCR (Glacier) just around the corner at the Coluseum. I can assure you, it has much better seats than here and popcorn."

"Break it up, people." Glynda shouted. "We'll handle this mess."

"Let's go." Ironwood ordered Winter. She followed him as Penny waved at Ruby and the scythed wielder waved back.

"UNCLE QROW!" Ruby shouted as she latched on to his arm, making him look down. "Hi." He lifted his arm and looked her in the eyes. "Oh, it's so good to see you! Did you miss me!? Did you miss me!?"

"Nope." He joked before ruffling her hair.

"Qrow." Ozpin said, making the called man lower his arm, dropping Ruby. "A word, if you would." The headmaster requested as Glynda repaired the damage from the fight.

"I think I'm in trouble." Qrow whispered to his niece.

"You did just tear up our courtyard." She reminded him.

"I did, didn't I?" He chuckled as the two bumped fists. "Catch you later, kid." He walked away after Ozpin.

"And suddenly, your reckless, headfirst nature makes sense." Weiss surmised as she walked towards her leader.

"You're just mad 'cause he whooped butt." Ruby teased.

"That was a draw at best." Weiss responded.

"I think we need a third opinion. Natsu, who do you-" She turned to ask him, only to find air. "Wait, where did Natsu go?" Both girls looked around for the Faunus.

Ozpin's Office

Winter paced back and forth as Ironwood stood in front of the desk. The elevator door opened, showing Natsu by his mother on the left, Ozpin on the right, and a smirking Qrow in the middle.

"What were you thinking?!" Winter asked.

"If you were one of my men, I'd have you shot!" Ironwood added.

"If I was one of your men, I'd have shot myself along time ago." Qrow said as he pulled out his flask.

"Ha!" Natsu chuckled, before he noticed no one else was laughing. "What? That was funny."

"Only you would find that crass humor amusing, Dragneel." Winter said, making Natsu growl at her.

"You trying to say something, Schnee?" He asked as the two butted heads.

"Yes, I am. You have as much brains as he does, lizard." She said back.

"I have a name, ya military sellout!" Natsu shouted.

"Mama's boy!" Winter shouted back.

"Enough!" Glynda shouted as she forced the two apart and turned to her son. "Natsu, I raised you better than this." He dropped his head as she turned to Winter. "And while Qrow's behavior is something I don't condone, your retaliation did not help the situation."

"He was drunk!" Winter said.

"It's Qrow." She reminded the solider. "He's always drunk!" All five tuned to see Qrow gulping down his drink.

"But that's what makes him funny." Natsu said, making Winter stomp on his tail. "Stupid Schnee..."

Ozpin sighed as he sat down in his seat. "Qrow, why are you here?"

"You've been out of contact for weeks." Ironwood said. "Just going dark like that in the field can't be allowed."

"I'm not one of your trained monkeys, Jimmy." Qrow said, putting his flask away.

"General." Winter corrected.

"Whatever." Qrow shrugged it off as Ironwood walked to the other side of the desk. "You sent me to get information on our enemy, and I'm tellin you, our enemy is here."

"They are?" Natsu asked.

"We know." Ironwood said, ignoring the question.

"We do?" Natsu asked.

"Oh, you know?" Qrow asked angry. "Well it's a good thing I'm out there risking my life to keep everyone but the kid informed!"

"Qrow-" The general started.

"Communication goes two ways, pal." He interrupted before pulling out his Scroll. "See this? It's called a 'Send' button."

"They had reason to assume you had been compromised." Winter said.

"And I've got reason to assume you don't belong here." Qrow said, turning to her. "Seriously, who the hell invited her?"

"Schnee, we'll talk about this incident back on my ship." Ironwood said.

"But sir-" Winter started.

"Winter." He interrupted. "Leave."

"If I have to leave, then so does the lizard." She said, pointing to Natsu.

"Unlike you, I know what's going on." Natsu said before sticking his tongue out.

"Natsu, go to your room." Glynda said.

"But-" He started.

"You just had a fight." She explained. "You need your rest. Just go."

"Ah, typical." Natsu huffed as he and Winter walked to the elevator. "You know, you Schnees are all alike."

"What is that suppose to mean?" Winter asked.

"It means you can't stand the fact that a Faunus might be a little better than you, so you have to hold us down." Natsu explained.

"What gives you the right to say anything about my family?" She asked as they entered the elevator.

"On the first day we met, your sister accused me of stealing!" He shouted as the door closed and the box went down.

"Good kid." Qrow said before turning back to the adults.

"Go on..." Ironwood said.

"This little infiltrator isn't just some random pawn." Qrow explained as he turned around and pulled out his flask. "They're the one responsible for Autumn's condition." He brought the flash to his lips and took a sip.

"What?" Glynda asked.

Qrow wiped his mouth and turned back to the group. "The world can think what it wants, but we're not just teachers or general's, or headmasters. The people in this room, Glynda's son, the leaders of the other two academies, it's our job to keep the world safe from the evils no ones even heard of."

He walked over and stared into Ironwood's face. "It's the reason we work behind closed doors, and why we meet in the shadows. So tell me the truth, James. When you brought your little three ring circus to Vale, did you really think you were being discreet, or did you just not give a damn anymore?"

The two stared at each other until Ironwood pulled out his Scroll. "Discretion wasn't working." He placed the Scroll on the desk and a hologram of his forces appeared as he walked away form the desk. "I'm here because this is what was necessary."

"The only reason your here is because Ozpin wanted you here!" Qrow reminded the general. "He's the one who made you a part of this inner circle, and open your eyes to the real fight in front of us."

"Did Glynda not do the same for her son?" Ironwood asked.

"The difference is, he's not in charge of a military always looking for a problem to treat like a war!" Qrow said.

"The people of Vale needed someone to protect them, someone who would act." Ironwood said. "So when they look to the sky and see my forces, they will feel safe. And our enemies will be reminded of our strength."

"Y-you really believe that they're scared of your little ships?" Qrow chuckled. "I've actually been outside the kingdom's and seen the things she's made. Let me tell you something they are fear..."

"And fear will bring the Grimm." Ozpin stood up. "A guardian is symbol of comfort, but armies are symbols of conflict. There's an energy in the air now, a question in the back of everyone's minds. If this is the size of our defenses, just what are we expecting to fight?"

Ironwood looked flabbergasted as the other adults glared at him. With a heavy sigh, he walked over and picked his Scroll, unaware of the black queen piece on the screen. "So what do you think we should do now?"

"I suggest we find ourselves a guardian." Ozpin said.

With Cinder's Group

"And you're absolutely sure?" Cinder asked as she paced back and forth in front of Mercury.

"Bad hair, used a scythe and smelled like my dad after a bad day." Mercury said. "Not a doubt in my mind, it was him."

"What do we do?" Emerald asked from the bed.

"Nothing." The leader said. "We stay the course. They don't have a clue who we are, so we have no reason to worry." She walked over to the desk and picked up her Scroll. "Besides, the rest of the hard work is being taken care of, thanks to our clever little friend. Ah, speaking of which, it appears we have a new access point."

"Somewhere good?" The other girl asked.

"You have no idea." Cinder mumbled. "Go to your rooms, I prepare everything."

"Yes, ma'am." Emerald nodded.

"Got it." Mercury said. The two stood up and left the room as Cinder gained access to the match randomizer.

"Let's give the crowd their money's worth." She mumbled as she paired the matches, including Mercury and Emerald vs Coco and Yatsuhashi.

The Next Day

Amity Coluseum

"The randomization process is complete!" Port shouted as the crowd cheered and the randomizer landed on the first match of the day. "Ladies and Gentlemen, your doubles tournament line up!"

"In our first match of the day, it's Emerald and Mercury of Haven, against Coco and Yatsuhashi of Beacon!" Port declared as the combatants entered the ring and the arena randomizers popped up and began spinning.

"Good luck, you guys!" Velvet shouted as she and Fox sat next to team NVAR. The randomizers stopped at a Savannah, old city, geyser field and forest.

"Hey, love the outfit, kid." Coco said, looking at Emerald.

"I'll try not to get to much blood on it." Emerald said back.

Yatsuhashi stood up and drew his blade from his back. "I can't guarantee you won't leave here without a scratch."

"It won't be my blood." Emerald said, rolling her shoulder.

"Oh, she's feisty. I like her." Coco said.

"Three, two, one, go!" Port counted down and t he match started. Emerald and Mercury walked back into the Savannah grass, and Coco and Yatsuhashi shared a smirk.

"Just like that lion Faunus." Vergil said.

Coco pressed a button and turned her bag into it's gun form, making her hardcore fans cheer. She opened fired and mowed down the tall grass. She stopped firing and looked for the two but found nothing.

"Look out!" Blake shouted as Mercury jumped down from the sky. Yatsuhashi pushed Coco out of the way and blocked the foot stomp before he pushed Mercury back. Coco began firing as Mercury ran and avoided the bullets.

"Wow, he's good." Sun said.

"Hey, where's the girl?" Scarlet asked.

Mercury dodged strikes from Coco and Yatsuhashi before kicking the swordsman in the face. Coco blasted the ground and Mercury jumped into the air. He landed behind coco and forced her gun into Yatsuhashi's gut. She turned it back into her bag and swung it, forcing him back as he fired two shots that both blocked.

Mercery spun in a circle and created a tornado of shots that rained down on the Beacon students. He ran behind them and grabbed their wrists before kicking them repeatedly. A kusarigama flew out of the forest and wrapped around Coco before it pulled her back in.

"Coco!" Yatsuhashi cried out. He turned and was met with a 540 kick to the face from Mercury. The swordsman grabbed the kicker and threw him into the geyser section before jumping up and swinging his sword. Mercury blocked it with his boots and the impact created a shockwave.

The two traded exchanges and swings before Mercury flipped kick him on to the ground, putting Yatsuhashi's head on a geyser pocket just as it erupted. Dazed, he looked up as Mercury charged him with a kick.

Coco was pulled into a tree and then dropped to the ground. She rubbed her face, only to find her sunglasses broken on the ground. "Okay, I take it back... I don't like her." She dodged shots from Emerald as she hid in a tree before Coco turned her handbag into its gun form and fired back, forcing the green haired to run out of the way.

Emerald turned her pistols into sickles and swung from tree to tree before suddenly disappearing. "Damn." She looked around for her opponent.

"Coco!" Yatsuhashi said as he walked up from behind her.

"Careful, she's in the trees." The leader said as buzzer rang out in the arena, catching her attention.

"Oh, and with that final blow, Yatsuhashi is knocked out." Port said as Coco watched the screen.

"What?!" She turned around only to find 'Yatsuhashi' gone. Her hand started to shake as she backed up. Emerald landed behind her and swung her sickle, sending Coco flying out of the forest next to Yatsuhashi.

"And with an amazing upset, Emerald and Mercury have won this match!" Oobleck said, making all the Beacon supporters boo.

"Coco?.." Velvet whispered in disbelief.

"I'm sure they just got lucky." Natsu said, putting his hand on her shoulder.

Pavilion

"You're leaving?" Weiss asked her sister as she sipped her tea.

"Yes." Winter nodded, putting down her cup. "I was merely required to oversee the transport of additional units to Vale. Our last shipment was lost to an ambush. In fact, I think you had a run in with the cargo. You're lucky those Paladin's were still in the prototype phase. Otherwise, your team might not have fared as well as it did."

"You do know we had help from another team?" Weiss asked.

"Which makes it all the more likely you would have failed on your own." Winter said. Weiss looked down at her hand as Winter grabbed it. "Weiss, you've done... Fine... Out here on your own. You should be proud. I'll be honest, it was quite amusing to see fathers face when you left for Beacon."

"I can't wait to show him what I've learned." The younger sister bragged.

"Oh, and just what have you learned?" Winter asked.

"What do you mean?" Weiss asked back. "My glyphs are getting better and better, and I've even started time dilation."

"And what of your summoning?" Winter asked.

"I- you know I can't..." The younger sister said.

"Preposterous. Every Schnee has the ability to summon." Winter said. "It's been that way for generations."

"Look, I've tried!" Weiss said back. "It's just the one thing I'm having trouble with!"

"We Schnees are unique." Winter spoke. "Unlike most Huntsmen and Huntresses, our Semblance is hereditary. But that doesn't mean it will come easy. Your Semblance is like a muscle." She held her hand out and created a small glyph. "The more you practice, the stronger it will become."

"But if only focus on one aspect of it, if you fail to test the limits of what is possible..." The glyph expanded and Weiss covered her eyes from the light. When she opened them, a snow white Beowolf was behind Winter. "Than you can never really grow."

Team RWBY's Room

"You can't beat me, old man!" Ruby shouted.

"You're all talk, kid." Qrwo said back.

"You can do it, Ruby!" Yang shouted as Qrow beat Ruby in the game. "Ouch..."

"Oh yeah, and don't ever call me old." Qrow said as Yang pushed her sister out of the way.

"My turn." She said.

"Now, where was I?" Qrow mumbled.

"You were telling us about your last mission!" Ruby reminded.

"Oh, yeah..." Qrow nodded. "So I came across a small town in a swamp just west of Mistral. I took one step into that town, and I knew something wasn't right."

"What were you doing there?" Ruby asked.

"I needed information." He answered. "I was tired from battling Grimm along the way, so I started my search at the town's inn. All kinds of scum and low lifes were crawling around the place, and even a few Huntsman who had been hired by some less than reputable people for less than respectable jobs. And that's when it happened."

"What happened?" Yang asked.

"I was beaten by the mere sight of the innkeepers skirt!" He explained, making Yang throw a pillow at him.

"That is just, ugh!" The blonde shouted as the scythe users chuckled.

"Two out of three?" He asked.

Ruby stood up and sat down on Weiss' bed. "So, Uncle Qrow, you get into trouble with Ozpin?"

"Nope, me, Oz and Glynda all go way back." He answered. "We're cool."

"Yeah, for an old guy." Yang chuckled.

"Not funny." He said.

"So, what are you doing here?" Ruby asked. "I thought dad said you were gonna be on another mission for like, ever."

The next match on the game started. "Well, a professional Huntsman like myself, is expected to get results as soon as possible."

"I guess..." Ruby chuckled. "I mean we're pretty much pros too."

"Really?" He asked.

"Yeah. Read the news sometimes." Yang said. "NVAR and us totally saved Vale while you were gone."

"That's funny, because the way I heard it was that a train crashed into downtown Vale and lead a whole bunch of Grimm into the city, after you almost stopped the train." Qrow said as he won again. "But they don't give medals out for 'almost'."

"Yes, they do. They're called silver." Ruby said.

"Well we still took down Roman Torchwick." Yang said. "He's looked up in a cell on Ironwood's ship and crimes been down ever since. That's a bounty mission in a bag."

"Sure, you're acting like Huntresses, but you're not thinking like one." Qrow said. "Do you really believe that two junior Huntsmen teams can end all crime in a whole kingdom?"

"I mean, I did until you said that..." Ruby mumbled.

"Violence hadn't gone down since Roman got nabbed, it's completely stopped." Qrow said. "No White Fang activity in the city. You cut off one head off a King Taijitu, and now the second head is calling the shots. That what Ironwood can't get through that hunk of metal he calls a head."

"You know the general?" Yang asked.

"Hey, I know everyone to some extent." Qrow said. "Remember, you're talking to one of the members of the coolest team to ever graduate Beacon." He reached into his pocket and pull out an old photo. Yang stared at the girl between Qrow and her father, even after Qrow covered her face with his thumb. "Team STRQ (Stark). That's when I meet your parents. We were pretty well known back in the day.

"Yeah, for crumby fashion sense." Ruby teased.

"Hey, we looked good." He said back. "And I've got a lot of inappropriate stories that can back it up." He looked over at Yang and pulled the photo away. "But, those are for when you're way older."

"Ewww, gross." Ruby shuttered.

"Ehh, I'm to old to be hanging around kids like you." He said as he stood up. "Your gonna cramp my style."

"Wait, there's someone here I want you to meet." Yang said as she sent a message on her Scroll.

"Who is it?" He asked as a knock came from the door.

'Please don't be drunk, please don't be drunk, please don't be drunk.' Natsu thought as stood outside the room. The door opened and he stared at Qrow. "You wanted to meet up, Yang?"

"Come here, Natsu." The blonde said as she stood up next to Natsu. "Uncle Qrow, this is Natsu Dragneel. My boyfriend."

"Really?" He raised an eyebrow before studying Natsu.

"It's a pleasure to met you sir." Natsu said, praying to Oum that Qrow wouldn't spill his parent secret. "Don't worry, we went to the CCT and told her father. He already gave me the talk."

"Good, just make sure you listen to him." The scythe wielder chuckled. "So, are we done here?"

"Not quite." Natsu rubbed the back of his head. He looked over as Yang and Ruby nodded before he walked over and reached out the door and lead Aerith into the room. "This is one of my teammates, Aerith Gainsborough. She has something important to tell you."

"Ummm, do you remember when a group of kids got trapped in a cave by Grimm?" She asked.

"Yeah, one of the worst failures of my career..." Qrow somberly nodded. "Seven kids were trapped, but by the time I got there, only one survived. A helpless little girl, her friends died to keep her safe. Wonder what happened to her?"

"You're looking at her." Yang declared, pointing to Aerith.

"Get out, you!?" He stared at the staff wielder.

"Yes." Aerith nodded.

"Huh, so this is what you're doing with your life now?" He asked. She nodded shyly before he rubbed her head. "Good choice, Youngin'."

"Really?" She asked. "I just wanted to thank you for saving my life."

"Not a problem, it's my job." Qrow said. "Well, I'm gonna go." He walked over to the door before turning around. "Just remember, everyday out there is worth a week in here. You kids are gonna go far. But only if you keep learning, if you never stop moving forward." He turned and walked out the door.

"Well, that went well." Natsu said. "Ya think he likes me?"

"I think so." Yang said. "It's hard to tell with him."

"But that's what makes him cool." Ruby said. "Well, I'm going to get something to eat. You guys wanna join me?"

"Sure." Yang nodded. "What about you, lover boy?"

"Nah, just finished a workout, I'm gonna go shower." Natsu said.

"I'll join you guys." Aerith said and the group left the room, Natsu heading to his teams room, while the girls headed for the cafeteria. Natsu turned the corner and found Qrow waiting in front of his teams room.

"I had a feeling you wanted to talk." Natsu said as Qrow opened the door. The two walked in and Qrow closed the door behind him.

"Listen carefully, Goodwitch." Qrow said, walking over to the Faunus. "If this is some kinda sick game you're playing with her, break it off right now. I'm not gonna have you break her heart like my sister did."

"I'm not like that!" Natsu shouted. "I would never hurt Yang. I really care for her. Not to mention I a lot of respect and fear for you, Qrow."

"Well, glad that's settled, scales." Qrow chuckled as he walked back to the door. "Good luck in the tournament, Natsu." He walked out the door and walked into Glynda. "You've raised a good kid, Glynda. Keep it up."

Pavilion

Weiss pointed her sword at the ground as a summoning seal spun. "Excellent form." Winter said. "Now, think to your fallen foes. The ones who forced you to push yourself past who you were, and become who you are now." The glyph started to flicker. "Think of them and they will come to your side."

The glyph spun fast and flickered more until it shrank. "I can't!" Weiss huffed as the glyph faded completely.

Winter smacked her sister in the back of the head. "Stop doubting yourself!"

"I'm trying!" Weiss shouted as she turned around.

"If this is what you call trying, then you have little hope of winning the tournament, let alone succeeding as a Huntress. The lizard has a better chance than you." Her sister scolded. "Why don't you just move back home? I'm sure father will give you a nice job as a receptionist."

"I don't need his charity." Weiss said.

"Ah, but you do need his money, don't you?" Winter asked leaning in.

"How did you know about that?" Weiss asked her older sister.

"Lucky guess." She said. "I might have been in a similar situation when I joined the military. So, what did you do this time?"

"That's just it, I'm not sure..." Weiss said as he sister walked around her. "Yesterday, I want to pay for lunch, but my card was declined."

"How embarrassing." Winter sarcastically said.

"I know!" Weiss shouted, as Winter shook her head. "Well it was. Why would he just cut me off like that?"

"Maybe so you would stop avoiding him and call home." Winter said. Weiss turned with a scowl and created the summoning glyph. "Emotions can give you strength, but you can't lose yourself to them." She turned her sister to her and the glyph faded.

"It sounds like you face two choices. You can either call him, beg for his money, and explain to him why you chose Beacon over Atlas. Or, you could continue to explore Remnant. Discover more about the world and maybe yourself." Weiss looked down as Winter put her hands on her sisters shoulders. "It's time for me to go." The two sisters hugged each other before separating.

"It was good to see you, Winter." Weiss said.

"Until next time, sister." Winter said. The two turned and walked away, unaware of the small ice sword on the ground.

Night

Beacon Courtyard

Weiss waved at her sisters airship as it flew over the academy. Her Scroll vibrated and she pulled it out to e it was her father. She was about to answer it but instead, she shut her Scroll off and turned away.

Don't bother worrying about GLCR. An exhibition match is just a match for show, no consequences to a tournament or story. It's Team FORG who will be in the doubles rounds. Their name calls to mind coal, hot metals and cold steel, and comes from the the fact that all members forge their own weapons. The F uses a claymore, and the G uses a broadsword. The other two will be reveald in the next chapter.

I tired to make Natsu and Winters relationship like a sibling rivalry and Natsu and Qrow's like a father and son. Oh, by the way, the Schnee's ain't the only ones with a hereditary Semblance in this story. Yes, yes, we all knew it was Qrow who saved Aerith. Sorry if it wasn't that good of an interaction.

Digemsmack is m.i.a. so this chapter was beta read by Natsu is Awesome.