In downtown Vale three criminals sit within a warehouse filled with stolen Dust. These criminals were Roman Torchwick, Neopolitan, and Mercury Black. Roman sighs lighting a cigar and setting it to his lips.
"So 'boss', what now?" Mercury asks with a tired look.
"Now, my little sidekick we wait." Roman says with a slight smirk.
"I thought Neo was your sidekick." Mercury states earning a kick to the rib from Neo herself.
"Noooooo, Neo," Roman gestures to the girl. "Is my partner. You," He gestures to Mercury. "Are my sidekick." Roman then looks to Neo who was smiling from ear to ear. Just then they hear the door open as four people walk in all wearing a Grimm mask of some kind marking them as members of The White Fang. Two were simple grunts while the other two were clearly higher ups. One dressed in the standard white which Roman only knew to be a Lieutenant, but the other in black... "Adam Taurus. It's nice of you to drop by." Roman says with a smile.
"As much as I hate working with humans, you've proven yourself to be helpful to our cause Roman." Adam states ignoring Romans comment. "Let's get this meeting over with."
Meanwhile at Beacon Academy Weiss Schnee sits at a desk within the Team RWBY dorm room. Weiss was trying to focus her mind on homework, but thoughts about the things Qrow and Ozpin had told her and her team had her distracted. Sighing in frustration after going over the same question several times with no answer she stands to get a cup of Coffee. Before she gets two feet from the desk she sees Hope snuggled up in the bed shivering. Weiss frowns looking from Hope to the unfinished homework and back again. Weiss nods to herself and walks over finally deciding to get some sleep.
The next morning Team RWBY (with honorary junior member Hope) sat alone at a table in the dining hall. JNPR had sat elsewhere today, and Weiss could feel the stares from the other students, and if the look on Yang and Blake's faces were any indication they had noticed two. Hope was sitting in between Blake and Weiss with Yang sitting on the other side of Weiss. Ruby was next to Blake. Weiss could see that the dining hall had more students from the other Academy's in Vacuo, Atlas, and Mistral. Everyone was anxious as the second semester was starting up soon.
Suddenly Weiss saw four people walking over, all dressed in the Beacon academy uniforms. Two girls and two boys. One girl was a Faunus with brown hair and bunny ears and the other was a human with a short brown hair under a beret and sunglasses. The boys were a shorter blind guy with a darker skin tone and a large Mistralian guy with broad shoulders and a kind smile. This was Team CFVY with Coco Adel, Fox Alistair, Velvet Scarlentina, and Yatsuhashi Daichi.
"Hey guys!" Velvet the Faunus girl greets with her trey in her hands. "Hope you wouldn't mind us sitting by you today. No pun intended."
"Nah it's fine." Ruby says with a wave. With that Team CFVY sat across from Team RWBY.
Coco lowers her glasses while she smirks looking over to Weiss. "Not liking all of the attention?" She asks.
"Not really." Weiss admits. "Once upon a time I might have, but after everything that's happened?"
"Yeah..." Yang agrees. "There's a difference between being 'the bee's knees' and being referred to as the 'Heroes Of Vale'." Yang explains.
Almost as if to reinforce the point they all heard the news start up on one of the holographic televisions in the dining hall. "This is Lisa Lavender reporting. It's been a few weeks now since member of Beacon Academy Team RWBY, Weiss Schnee..." Weiss groans laying her head onto the table. "Rode and controlled a suit of armor into battle with the use of her family's well known inherited semblance." Weiss tunes out the rest as she sits back up.
"I didn't even do all that much!" She claims exasperatedly. "I summoned the Arma Gigas, tried to protect H-Mothra..." She corrected. "And got defeated after landing one hit!"
"You did blind it in one eye though." Yang points out.
"Still, they're overreacting, and over estimating my capabilities." Weiss says slightly calmer.
"It's not necessarily an overestimation." Yatsuhashi argues. "You are a hero. You were brave enough to go out there to fight that monster and even injured it. If you had more training and practice could have done even more." He says. Weiss thinks about that for a moment.
"Wow Yatsu..." Coco smirks. "Quite the talker today." Yatsuhashi blushes slightly in embarrassment to the comment.
"I'm not that quiet." He mumbles. "Fox is the quiet one."
Fox nods with a smile. "I have word limit everyday." He claims causing everyone to look at him in confusion. "I'm almost at my..." He then closes his mouth. Everyone looks between each other for a moment before Coco snaps her fingers in front of him.
"Fox?" She questions. "Your almost at your what?"
"Oh!!!!" Ruby exclaims. "He reached his word limit!" Fox smiles and winks confirming Ruby's words. The table then erupts into laughter.
After a bit it finally dies down a bit and Yang speaks. "I never knew you were into comedy Fox."
Fox shrugs. "Every team needs their comedic relief person." He says.
Yang smiles. "I like the way you think."
Velvet giggles a bit. "Well anyways we came over here because we noticed that you guys seemed uncomfortable with all of the attention. So we figured we'd come over an help."
Coco seemed to roll her eyes under her glasses. "And by help she means put more attention on you by having our team sit with you." Velvet was about to retort before realizing Coco was right.
"What have I done." Velvet whispers in horror only to notice team RWBY giggling.
"You've done nothing wrong Velvet." Blake says reassuringly.
"Yeah!" Ruby agrees. "You were only trying to help."
"There's no hard feelings." Yang smiles.
Weiss nods. "It was a minor accident."
"Accident?" Yang questions.
Weiss blushes in slight embarrassment. "I-I just wanted to say something too." Yang laughs causing Weiss to pout.
Meanwhile in the center of the abandoned expansion of Vale called Mountain Glenn the frozen statue of Battra shakes slightly.
Raven eyes her leg a grimaced look dawning her features. She was currently in a wheelchair wearing a red dress with black accents. On her lap was her weapon Oman. She was back at the Xiao Long house on Patch in the master bedroom. With a sigh she lifts the dress a bit revealing her stump for a right leg looking at it mournfully.
"Your doing it again." Taiyang's voice rang out.
"Doing what Tai?" Raven replies coldly not taking her gaze off of her stump.
"Your staring at it." Taiyang says simply. Raven looked up to see Taiyang Walking over with a tray containing food and tea.
"So?" Raven scowls.
"So..." Taiyang starts slowly. "I figured you'd have put on the leg by now instead of sitting here all gloomy."
Raven turns her head away from him crossing her arms around her chest. Her scowl had turned to barely hidden shame. "I can't. Not yet."
Taiyang sighs. "Look. I understand that you can't simply 'move on' from this, but you should at the vary least try it on." Taiyang reasons. "I mean hell Ozpin risked a lot on kingdom relations to get you that leg. Both Atlas and Mistral wanted you locked up for good. If it weren't for Ironwood and Leo helping Ozpin to keep relations going smooth things could be a lot worse right now."
"I'm one person Tai." Raven says looking back to the man with a scowl. "It's not like I'm a big deal for any of the kingdoms."
"Think what you want Raven." Taiyang says. "But that's not how they see it. The Branwen Tribe killed a lot of people in Mistral from raiding small villages, and you were their leader. In the Mistrali and Atlesian Councils eyes your a terrorist." Taiyang explains. "Ironically enough Vacuo doesn't seem to care much."
"You saying I should have taken the tribe to the desert?" Raven asks raising a brow.
Taiyang shrugs. "With how the people in Vacuo are it's likely that you'd be left alone for the most part. They also have similar views as you."
"Not exactly Tai." Raven says rolling her eyes. "Vacuo believes in moving on from tragedies because they happen so often. It's not the same."
"You forget that they also believe that if you can't keep up with the group your on your own." Taiyang adds.
"Have you ever actually been to Vacuo." Raven asks narrowing her eyes.
Taiyang scoffs. "Of course I've been to Vacuo. You were with us when our team went there for that mission."
"You mean The Flaming Crab Mission ." Raven asks.
"Yeah that's the one." Taiyang nods in agreement.
"Tai that mission happened nearly 20 years ago." Raven then thinks for a moment. "Wait no even longer than that. We were still in training at that time."
"Okay fine whatever!" Taiyang shouts in defeat. "We're getting off topic anyway." He says. "The leg. At least give it a try. Who knows you may actually like the thing."
Raven sighs before looking to a dresser where a box containing said leg sat. "Fine."
In the Beacon Academy amphitheater the students all await as Ozpin approaches the mic. Beside him were General Ironwood and Qrow Branwen on his right, and Professor Glynda Goodwitchon his left. "First of all I believe I should apologize to you all. None of you could have ever anticipated such a threat to attack Vale. Many lives were lost, and many homes were destroyed. Thankfully the Kingdom was able to be saved from complete destruction." Ozpin says kindly. "However we mustn't forget those who lost their lives to this tragedy. While we carry on with our own lives we as Huntsman and Huntresses must continue our efforts and train as best as we can so when another tragedy like this were to happen again we will be ready." Ozpin then steps back walking away leaving the mic to Ironwood who walks up.
"Thank you Ozpin." Ironwood starts. "Now I'm sure you're all wondering about the Biannual Vytal Festival. Well let me put your minds at ease. The vital Festival will still be held. However after recent events the councils of the four kingdoms have concluded that it will not be held in Vale this year. That responsibility has been given to Atlas, and those of you who are sent here to participate in the event will be given transportation and expenses will be paid for by Atlas. As for the Beacon students your headmaster and the staff have already selected those of you who have the best grades to be sent though it is still your choice to participate if you desire. Thank you"
Later in the Team RWBY dorm the girls all pack suitcases filled with clothes, books, Hope's toys, and a few other necessities. "Well." Yang starts. "At least we'll get to see what it's like in another Kingdom." Yang says.
"Even if it is Atlas." Blake mutters in annoyance.
Hope had heard her and perked up at that."Atlas is home Right momma?" Hope asks innocently.
Weiss giggles. "I suppose in a way. It's where I was born after all. Even you were born there, but Beacon has been more of a true home to me." Weiss answers. "That's how I see it at least."
"We'll said." Yang compliments.
Just then Ruby exits the bathroom dragging a tote filled with conditioner, soap, and other hair products. "Do we really need this much hair stuff?!" Ruby complains.
"YES!" Weiss, Yang, and Blake shout at the same time.
Ruby sighs and collapses on the ground in exhaustion. "This thing weighs more than Crescent Rose." She whines.
"Your out of your dam mind." Roman says. Behind him Neo and Mercury nod in agreement to their boss. "I don't care if this Salem woman you work for is the queen of the Grimm or not. The fact is that it is suicidal for us in particular to travel to Atlas. Our faces..." He hears someone clear there throat, and he sighs in response. "Okayyy. My face is well know throughout all four kingdoms now. I'll be arrested the second I step foot off the ship."
The man Roman was talking to was a larger muscular man in a green Mistrali outfit with a darker skin tone. His name was Hazel. "Your worries are understandable Roman, but you are needed there. Adam and the White Fang have agreed to this but we need you as well." Hazel explains. Behind him Adam nod in agreement with Hazel. "We will supply you with what you need for the task, and unlike last time it's a one time job. From there you can do whatever you want wherever you want." Roman sighs before looking over to Neo and Mercury. They both had worried expressions.
Jet and Pietro sit in the living room of the Polendina household watching The Pumpkin Pete cartoon. Pietro had found out rather quickly that the little android girl loved cartoons, and most especially had taken an interest in Pumpkin Pete.
"Grandpa Pietro?" Jet asks earning the man's attention.
"What is it sweet pea?" Pietro questions in curiosity.
"Do you think I can make cartoons one day?" Jet asks innocently.
Pietro thinks for a moment before shrugging. "I don't see why not. If that's what you want to do then that's what you want to do." Pietro explains. "I certainly won't stop you." Jets eyes light up in excitement and Pietro chuckles. She seemed to be getting ready to say something however she stopped as she looked to the window her bright blue eyes glowing. "What is it sweet pea?"
"Mother's coming home!" She shouts in glee before pausing. "And the Queen is coming here!"
"Queen?"
Back at Beacon team RWBY waves to JNPR who were going on a separate transport. "Bye!" Hope shouts to them as they walk off.
"Well ," Yang starts. "Times a Wasting." With Yangs words the team enters the Transport. Inside Weiss immediately recognizes Velvet among the crowd.
"Hey Velvet!" Weiss calls out gaining the Faunus girls attention.
"Weiss!" Velvet calls out back waving and walking over. "How's Hope?"
"I'm good." Hope answers gaining giggles from the group.
"That's great to here Hope." Velvet says. "You staying out of trouble?"
"Most of the time." Hope answers. That causes Yang to burst out laughing while Weiss laughed into her hand. The others simply giggled/chuckled.
"At least she's honest Weiss." Yang comments.
Weiss rolls her eyes with a smile. "I suppose that's true." Weiss says. She then brought her attention back to Velvet. "So how are you Velvet? I heard your team was supposed to go on a mission."
"I'm fine." Velvet answers. "And yeah we were supposed to, but after the attack the mission was given to a group of fourth years. Coco is furious about it."
"I can imagine." Yang states.
"Well at least you get to participate in the Vytal Festival Tournament." Ruby says.
Velvets snorts. "Yeah, it's the only reason Coco hasn't popped a blood vessel."
"That would be rather unfortunate." A familiar voice states startling the group all save for Hope who giggles at the reaction. They all turn to see Penny.
"Ah Penny!" Ruby shouts. "When did you get here?"
"I've been here for a few moments now." Penny says with a smile. "It's a pleasure to see you all again."
Velvet discreetly leans in to Weiss. "Who is she?" She whispers.
"We met her in Vale." Weiss explains. "She helped us take Yangs mom to the hospital." Velvet nods accepting the information.
Ozpin sits at his desk in Beacon Tower drinking a cup of hot chocolate. In front of him were Qrow Branwen, General James Ironwood, Professor Glynda Goodwitch, And The Fall Maiden Amber. On his desk Sayó And Mei stand patiently. Simply observing.
"They will be safe." Ironwood declares. "I have made a recommendation to one of my top students to make friends with them, and I have my Ace Ops following the transports with orders to prioritize Hope, and Miss Rose's safety."
"Thank you James." Ozpin says honestly before taking a sip from his mug. "Qrow, What about Raven?"
"She's coming around." Qrow says with a shrug. "Honestly haven't seen her this cooperative before, and I'm certain I know why."
"Oh?" Ironwood questions with clear doubts. "And what Pretell might that be?"
"Her daughter." Qrow says like it was obvious. "Pretty sure actually meeting her has changed Raven a bit, and thats not even mentioning what hall to the Tribe." Ironwood huffs and crosses his arms, but says nothing further. "So Oz?" Qrow asks. "What's the plan for security of my sister and Amber?"
"Amber now that she's healed will be sent with you to Atlas Qrow." Ozpin says. "Tai has already agreed to protect Raven and she herself will act as a emergency escape for herself and Tai or you and Amber if necessary. For now that's the move. No full Mission yet. Not until we understand what the next move could be." Qrow nods and Amber sighs.
Glynda places a comforting hand on the Maidens shoulder. "I know it isn't Ideal, but your safety is a top priority much like Hope and Miss Rose. Please understand."
Amber sighs again. "I understand fine. I'm just not to thrilled to be guarded by someone who's always drunk." As she said that the room could hear someone chugging a drink. Everyone looked over to Qrow who was drinking from a flask as they spoke. Noticing the the eyes on him he stops and pulls the flask from his lips only to look at it in slight shame. "See?" Amber adds.
Glynda facepalms at the sight. "We're doomed." She says.