This story may be my own original story, but RWBY, the characters and everything else is owned by Rooster Teeth and created by late Monty Oum(1981-2015). And even though it's almost been 2 years, since your passing. We all still miss you Monty.

RWBY Volume 6, Chapter 6

Define 'Fun'

TRAINING ROOM

Aiden sits on a stool, watching as Velvet picks up her bow, and takes out an arrow. He turns and look at the targets, laid out. Velvet then aims for a target. She turns her head to look at Aiden, releasing the arrow, which flies and hits the target dead center.

Aiden smiles. "Not bad."

"Not bad?" Velvet asked. "You think, you can do better?"

Aiden then picks up a bow and arrow. Taking a deep inhale, aims the bow at a target, closes his eyes, and releases. The arrow splits through Velvet's, hitting the dead center. Velvet's eyes go wide, in awe. Turning, she looks at Aiden, before nodding.

Aiden turns around, to see Jaune and Pyrrha sparring. As he does, his expression turns to slight anger. He picks up and arrow.

Jaune and Pyrrha give and block attacks, until eventually, the struggle to push the other person away. That's when an arrow zips between them, and hits a nearby hanging target. They both turn to look at the smiling Aiden. Jaune then gives his shield to Pyrrha, only handling his sword.

"So...how's your swordsmanship?"

Aiden chuckles. "Why don't you let me show you?"

He gives Velvet his bow, before picking up a sword, but now getting off his stool.

"Really?" Jaune asked. "You're just going to sit there?"

"Yep." Aiden answered. "What are you? Chicken?"

Jaune smirks. He then walk towards Aiden, and swings his sword. Both weapons clash at each other, as Velvet watches and Pyrrha puts the shield down. Aiden, after a few swings, manages to grab Jaune, and holds the blade to his neck. Jaune frees himself, and the two of them have their blades at each other's neck.

"Heh." Jaune said, tapping his blade with Aiden's. "Not bad."

"Say the same, for yourself." Aiden said.

Pyrrha watches as Aiden puts his sword down, and is being offered his bow back. Pyrrha, who is holding a spear, throws it. The spear knocks the bow out of Aiden's hand. He looks at Pyrrha, who smirks.

Aiden the grabs a dagger and throws it. The blade only misses Pyrrha, but close enough to give her a cut, before it hits a target. Pyrrha, surprised, stares at Aiden, who now is giving an angry.

"Whoa, there." Jaune said, getting between the two. "Is there a problem going on?"

Aiden looks at Jaune. "No. No problem at all." He then looks at Pyrrha. "I just don't like her."

"Well, believe it or not...you're going to have to work with her, man." Juane said. "I don't care, if you hate her, because of what she did, in the past. But, that's over. She's a good person."

Aiden then stands from his stool, and looks at Velvet. "I'll be at the library."

He then walks past Jaune, and is about to walk past, Pyrrha.

"Fire never burns out." He whispers

Pyrrha's eyes go wide, knowing that phrase. She turns and looks at the walking Aiden.

"Oh, no." She whispered. "Not him."

ALPHA BASE - HALLWAY

Penny walks down the hallway, looking at her Scroll, when she hears footsteps. She turns around to see Ruby, approaching her.

"Ruby." Penny said. "How are you?"

"Just fine." Ruby said. "Listen. I just wanted to apologize, about what happened, yesterday. When I took your gun from you."

"It's okay, Ruby." Penny said. "It was the heat of the moments. But...what I cannot understand, is how she-"

"Penny! Stop!" Ruby said, raising her hand, before moving close enough to whisper. "No one else can find out about Winter. I don't know, what the effects, will be. But, it could be bad. Especially for Weiss."

Penny looks confused. "I don't understand. You're telling me, that I am to not inform anyone, of what transpired, yesterday?"

"Only the ones, that don't involve Winter. As for her fight against Tyrian...make up something." Ruby said. "Please, Penny. She told me, that she's already in trouble for exposing herself, to us."

Penny sighs, before nodding. "Okay, Ruby. My lips are sealed."

"Thanks, Penny." Ruby said. "Also, I need to speak to Ironwood. Can you inform him? I'll be at the Control Room."

"You got it." Penny said. "And before you leave...can I ask you something?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Well...I am to report to my father, for a maintenance check. And I was wondering, if you and Weiss, would like to go with me?"

"Why me and Weiss?" Ruby asked.

"That's because, Father knows a few things about prosthetic. And to tell you the truth, both yours and Weiss' metal limbs were made of a weaker metal, than Yang's. He can improve the strength, of the prosthetic, but only if you personally visit him."

"...Huh! I did not know that."

Ruby the lifts her leg, which has her metal foot. "If you think, he can make the metal stronger, than that sounds like a good idea. I'll talk to Weiss, about it, after my talk with Ironwood. When are you leaving."

"In a couple hours." Penny answered. "Just give me a call, with your decisions."

"Got it." Ruby said. "I will see you later, Penny."

Ruby turns and walks the opposite way, while Penny walks and stops next to the door to Ironwood's room. As before, she hears talking.

"So...let me get this straight...and I want a clear statement." Ironwood said. "You said, that she allowed herself to be seen, yesterday?"

Penny is surprised, to hear this.

"I am sorry, sir." A woman's voice said. "I absolutely, have no idea, why she did so, in the first place."

"That's not good enough!" Ironwood yells. "Why do we have these rules, if one of you won't even obey them?"

"I assure you, James. This will not happen again. For all we know, only those who saw her, are aware of her, being alive. And chances are...they won't tell a living soul."

"And why is that?" Ironwood asked.

"Well...maybe it's because, telling people that somebody, who's been dead for three years, is alive and walking. That's going to raise questions. They sure don't that. And second...if her sister finds out, as well...given her mental trauma, she could become unstable...possibly."

"How can you be sure?"

"...I don't."

Ironwood sighs. "I will make this very clear. The next time, she decides to be reckless...and let's herself be seen, again...I will not hesitate, to ensure, that she doesn't expose us."

"...Y...yes, sir."

Penny waits a few seconds, before deciding to knock on the door.

UNDERGROUND BASE

Winter sits on a crate, staring at the ground. She sighs, before standing, and walking towards a table. She lowers her head, and looks at the Atlesian uniform, she once worn, when she was alive. Grasping the clothing, her grips get tighter, as she shakes.

That's when the door behind her opens. She sighs and turns around, to see Goodwitch, anger in her expression. She stops only a feet away, from Winter.

"Do you realize, what you had done?" Goodwitch angrily asked.

"I do." Winter said. "But, please under-"

Winter is met, with a slap to her face, by Goodwitch. Winter stays frozen, shaking.

"Breaking our most important rule." Goodwitch said. "You allowed yourself, to be seen by the people, you once fought with. Including Miss Rose."

Winter then turns to Goodwitch. "She would've been killed, if it weren't for me, Glynda. I merely saved her life."

"Exposing yourself, in the process!" Goodwitch exclaims.

"I didn't have a choice!" Winter yells. "I wasn't going to let Ruby die, a slow and painful death! I wasn't going to allow our enemies, that satisfaction! I wasn't going have Weiss' fragile mind, become shattered."

"Really?" Goodwitch said. "...Was your sister, the main reason, why you let yourself be seen?"

Winter turns and rests her hands on the table.

"She is in pain, Glynda." Winter said. "All because of Cinder. All because of Torchwick. The things shes seen. The things, she's heard. I just couldn't let her become broken."

"We have rules, Winter." Goodwitch said.

"Damn, the rules!" Winter said, pounding at the table. She then turns and looks at Goodwitch, tears falling down her face.

"I never asked, to come back, Glynda. I never wanted to be a part of this organization. But, I'm here. And I could care less, about these bullshit rules."

"Breaking these rules, have consequences." Goodwitch said. "And they can be fatal ones, as well. You could get yourself killed."

"I don't care!" Winter exclaims. "I'd rather be dead. But, I'm not. And as long, as I'm alive...from now on, I will make it, my mission, to protect Ruby and Weiss. And those close to them, as well. And I will do so...with or without any help."

"I can't let you do that, Winter." Goodwitch said.

"Try to stop me, then." Winter said.

Goodwitch continues to stare for a short while, before she speaks again.

"If you truly are going to do this...be sure, to keep your mask on, then. But, once I find out, you allowed your face to be seen again...I will have to kill you."

Goodwitch then turns and leaves the room. Winter stands for a few seconds, before turning and looking at her mask.

THE CITADEL - MED BAY

Cinder walks down the hallway of the Med Bay, smiling. She stops next to an open doorway, where she sees Tyrian, sitting on a bed. Watts is grasping Tyrian's tail, the stinger missing. He examines and takes notes.

Cinder walks inside the room, where Tyrian lifts his head, his sadistic expression replaced by anger.

"How are you feeling, Tyrian?"

Tyrian then begins to smile. "Pissed off and ready for round 3."

ALPHA BASE - CONTROL ROOM

Ruby stands in the middle of the control room, where she watches the map of Remnant, and the several red dots appear on it.

She hears the sound of doors opening. Ruby turns to see Crystal and Terra walking inside. She walks towards the two.

"Where were you two, yesterday?" She asked, slight anger in her voice.

"Terra had a mission, outside of Atlas." Crystal answered. "And I was in Vale, overlooking the next Dust shipment, with William."

"And are you aware, of what happened?" Ruby asked.

"General Ironwood already informed us, of everything." Terra answered. "Including the dreadnought."

"Did he also inform you of Torchwick's attack on this base? Of Cinder's return?" Ruby asked.

Crystal nods. "Yes."

She then turns around, knowing who was going to enter. And it was Qrow, Ironwood and Penny entering the control room. Ruby, seeing Qrow, turns away and rests her hands on a nearby table.

Terra walks to Qrow.

"How did your mission go?" Qrow said. "Are you okay?"

"Nothing, I couldn't handle." Terra said, smiling. "Just a few bandits."

Qrow, knowing something, sighs. "You can tell me, later on. Just glad, you're alright."

Terra then begins to lean forward, but Qrow pushes her back.

"Not here, please."

Terra smirks. "Why? Are you embarrassed?"

Qrow sighs. "Ruby doesn't know. And given everything happening...I don't think-"

"I'm aware, Qrow."

He and Terra turn to look at Ruby, who had head their conversation.

"Do I need to remind you, about keeping secrets, from me?" She angrily asked.

Crystal looks at Qrow and Terra, with a slight surprise.

"No answer?" Ruby asked. "Fine, then. We don't need you two, anyways. I only wanted to speak to Ironwood and Crystal. So, you two should just leave."

Qrow is about to say something, when Ironwood raises his hand.

"She's right, Qrow." Ironwood said. "Just me and Crystal. You and Miss Mason, should leave, right now."

Terra puts her arm, in front of Qrow.

"Come on, Qrow." She said.

Qrow turns to Terra, then to Ruby. He then grunts and leaves with Terra. Ruby sighs and looks at Crystal, who is staring at her.

"What?"

"What's going on between you and him?" Crystal asked.

"Later." Ruby answered, before looking at Ironwood.

"I was told, you wanted to speak to me, Miss Rose." Ironwood said.

"I did." Ruby said. "Let us talk."

SCHNEE MANSION - TRAINING ROOM

Weiss stands in the middle of the training room, holding Myrtenaster in front of her. Her eyes close, she slowly inhales and exhales, before opening. Twirling around, she plants Myrtenaster to the ground, and a large Glyphs appears. The Glyph begins to spin and the glow gets brighter.

"Hello, sister."

Weiss opens her eyes, and the Glyph quickly dispersal. Sighing, she turns to see Whitley, who is smiling, and his arms crossed.

"What do you want?" Weiss asked, slight annoyance in her voice.

"Oh, nothing." Whitley answered. "I am just merely doing Miss Rose a favor, for her."

"And what favor is that?"

"She wanted me to check up on you." Whitley answered, putting his arms behind his back. "She was fully aware of your training, and wanted me to keep an eye on you. Just in case, given that you passed out, yesterday. I humbly accepted, given that you are my big sister."

"...If I wanted to be looked after, I'd ask someone, I'd trust." Weiss said. "Not you."

"How hurtful, to hear that." Whitley said, keeping his smile. "Care to give me a reason why you don't trust me?"

"...Your attitude." Weiss said. "Never taking things seriously. You intolerance towards some of my friends. Your rudeness, towards them. Do I really need to go on?"

Whitley's smile fades. "No, you shouldn't."

"Good." Weiss said. "Then leave. I need to concentrate. Oh. And if you see Velvet or Sun or Blake...don't engage them, like you did, last time. I don't wish to visit you, in a medical room, again."

"Wouldn't want to go near them, anyways." Whitley said.

Weiss said. "You are really putting all of us, in a predicament here, Whitley. You biased attitude is lowering morale, in this squad of ours. And we can't have that, any longer."

"And what does that mean?"

Weiss then walks towards Whitley, putting a Glyph behind him, to stop him from backing away. She stops, until her face is close to his.

"Either you get along with ALL of us, brother...or you get the hell out of this house." Weiss angrily answered. "And don't think, I'm bluffing. We don't need people, like you here, anymore."

Whitley angrily stare at Weiss, before saying "Fine."

The Glyph disappears, and Whitley leaves the room. Weiss then walks back towards the center of the training room.

LIBRARY

Blake is sitting alone, reading a book. As she does, she hears a door opening. Blake lowers her book and sees Jaune entering.

"Wow." He said. "Only you're here, Blake?"

"Eh. It's nice and quiet." Blake answered. "That Aiden guy was here, a couple minutes ago."

"That's why I even came here." Jaune said. "You know, where he went?"

Blake nods. "I don't. Why?"

Jaune then walks to the table, and sits across from Blake.

"I need to talk to him. He may be a problem."

"A problem?"

"Yeah." Juane answered. "I think, he has some sort of grudge towards Pyrrha. He said something, and her eyes went wide. As if, she knew what he said, meant something. I just wanted to ask him, what's going on."

"Well, you shouldn't directly ask him." Blake said. "That may cause some problems."

"Yeah, you're right." Juane said. "But, I need answers. I just don't want him to be a problem to anyone."

"Understandable." Blake said. "We all need to be cautious, these days. And we need to trust each other, now. Even though some one of don't want to."

The two of them them become silent, for a few seconds, before Jaune speaks again.

"Blake? I have to say this, now. And I know, it ain't easy. But, this...problem you have, with Velvet. It needs to stop, now."

Blake puts her book down and sighs, before lowering her head.

"Believe me, Jaune. I want it, to end too. But Velvet...no matter, what I do or say, she won't accept anything, from me."

"She has to forgive you, one day." Jaune said.

"That's easy for you, to say." Blake said, her hands turning to fists. "You were able to forgive Emerald, for her causing Neo's death. But, Velvet? It's different, Jaune."

"How is it different?"

Blake then stands up, picks up her book, and walks to a bookshelf, where she puts the book into the space, she took it from.

"They were engaged, Jaune."

Jaune's eyes go wide in surprised. "What?"

"...Coco told me. Before Velvet came back. Coco told me a lot of things, in her drunken rants. One of them, being her and Velvet being engaged. She even showed me, the ring she wore."

"...So...is this why Velvet won't forgive you?" Jaune asked.

Blake nods. "Yeah. I caused her fiance to die, that night. I know, Velvet will never forgive me. And...I guess, I'll have to deal with it. Or perhaps...I leave the squad. Go home, or something."

"You can't just leave, Blake." Jaune said, standing up. "You're Ruby's right hand. She's going to need both you and Yang, by her side. Especially now."

Blake then turns around, and looks at Jaune. "Jaune. I'm going to be honest with you. Yang and I...we talked about it. And...we want others to take our positions, instead."

"Why?" Jaune asked, surprised.

"Yang thinks that there are others who could fit the ranks, better than us. And that's why, when the time comes, we're going to step down. We'll still fight. But, we'll be sitting in out replacements' seats, instead. Sun wil take my place, as Ruby's right hand."

"And who would be Ruby's second-in-command?" Jaune asked.

Blake raises her arm, and points at him. Jaune is surprised at this.

"You have better leadership skills, than both Yang and I, combined. And trust me, when I say this. Everyone believes that you deserve the rank."

"...I...I don't know, what to say." Jaune said, sitting down.

"Then don't say anything." Blake said, crossing her arms. "We're not going to step down immediately. We are planning to, after our mission to Vacuo."

"Right. Forgot about that. Protecting the local villages and all that. When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow." Blake answered. "And Ruby said, to bring sunscreen. Tends to get hot, there."

Blake then begins to walk away, before she stops and places her hand on Juane's shoulder.

"Do you mind, keeping all of this, a secret? Just between us and Yang. She'll find out, eventually."

"Of course." Jaune answered. "I won't tell anyone else."

Blake nods. "Thanks."

She then begins to walk away, before Jaune rests his arms on the table.

"What do you think?" He asked, looking across the table, and seeing Neo, sitting on the chair, Blake sat on.

"I think, you would an excellent squad leader." Neo said. "You proved it, to everyone, over the past few years."

"Well, I don't know, Neo." Jaune said. "Ruby's lead this squad, very well."

"...We all know, that she's close to becoming emotionally unstable, Jaune." Neo said. "One of these days, she's just going to say, that she's going to quit. And you need to be ready, to lead."

Jaune lowers his head. "Yeah. Yeah, I know. Let's just hope, it doesn't happen."

When he lifts his head, Neo is gone. And he is left in the library, all alone.

CONTROL ROOM

Ironwood rests his arms on a table, sighing. When he stands straight, he turns and looks at Ruby.

"Miss Rose." He said. "Taking your squad to Vacuo, especially at a time like this, is not a good idea, right now."

"But, we ensured the people there, that we would." Ruby said. "We protect those, who can't protect themselves. That's what Remnant Squad does, General. And we can't just abandoned them."

"I understand, Miss Rose." Ironwood said. "But, given that I need my men to help with the city: treat the wounded. Help rebuild. I cannot spare any soldiers, at this time."

"We won't need them." Ruby said. "Even without your men, we're pretty capable of handling ourselves."

Ironwood sighs. "If you honestly believe you and your squad can do this, without the assistance of my soldiers...then you have your mission. But...you have to bring Qrow and Miss Mason."

"I'll bring Terra." Ruby said, crossing her arms. "But, not Qrow."

"You either bring both of them...or you could forget the mission." Ironwood said. "It's your choice."

Ruby sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. She then looks at Ironwood. "Fine. But, I don't want him, near me."

"Very good." Ironwood said. "You and your squad will be leaving tomorrow at 0600."

Ruby then gives Ironwood a salute. "Thank you, sir." She then turns to look at Wesley, who was listening, the whole time. "You up for it, Wes?"

"Hell yeah." Wesley answered. "I've always wanted to go to Vacuo."

"Good." Ruby said. "The mayor of Solis, is expecting a high ranking official, to accompany us. That will ensure us some trust."

"Excuse me, sir."

Ironwood, Wesley and Ruby turn to see Penny, who approaches the former.

"Forgive me. But, I must make my leave. My maintenance check, sir."

"You may leave." Ironwood said. "But don't take long, Miss Polendina. And please be careful."

"Don't worry, sir." Penny said, turning to Ruby. "I'll be having Ruby and Weiss, escort me to my father's lab."

"We'll keep her safe, General." Ruby said.

Ironwood nods. Ruby and Penny both then walk out of the lab, and walk down the hallway. Ruby takes out her Scroll.

"I'll let Weiss know, we're leaving in a few minutes. We'll pick her up, on the way."

After a few seconds of typing, Ruby puts her Scroll, away.

"So...what's your father like?"

"He's very kind." Penny answers. "Well...to me, of course. There were times, where he would lose his temper towards others. Mostly due to higher officials needing his talents."

"Right." Ruby said. "And you said, he can make our prosthetics stronger."

"Absolutely." Penny answers. "And maybe add an upgrade, to it, if you ask."

Ruby smiles. "Upgrade, huh?"

LAB

Adam is looking through a microscope, looking at the purple liquid, that's on the glass slide. Near him, lies Tyrian's stinger.

"Fascinating." He said.

"What's fascinating?"

Adam turns around, to see Weiss approaching him.

"Had enough training, today?" He asked.

"Yeah, sadly." Weiss said, sitting down. "Guess all that energy used yesterday, is still taking a toll on me."

"You didn't have to do so, Weiss." Adam said.

"But, I did." Weiss said. "And because of that, I showed Torchwick, that I wasn't reduced to being worthless, in the fight. And besides...I missed the fighting. Was one of the reasons, why I wanted to become a Huntress."

Beep

Weiss takes out her Scroll, and looks at the message, sent by Ruby.

"Looks like I have to go." She puts her Scroll away and stands up. "I will return shortly. I am intrigued by the poison, that you're studying. Perhaps, maybe we could used it against our enemies."

"Perhaps." Adam said. "But, until you return...I will get back to my work."

Weiss nods and walks away, while Adam goes back to the microscope examines the poison.

GARAGE

Yang is wiping the sweat off her forehead. She looks at Bumblebee, seeing the scratches that remain on the armor.

Yang sighs. "Goddammit."

She then hears the sound of the garage door opening. Turning her head, Yang sees Jaune entering.

"Hey, Jaune." She said. "What brings you here?"

"I...I was supposed to finish fixing your bike." Jaune answered. "But it looks like, you're already on it."

"Yeah. You don't have to, anymore." Yang said. "I got a little bored. Needed to find something to occupy me, until tonight."

"There's Blake." Jaune said. "You could've spent time with her."

"She wanted to be alone, for a while. Has a lot on her mind, right now."

Jaune then crosses his arms. "Yeah. I noticed, when I was at the library. Her problem with Velvet." He then sighs. "And your plan to leave the squad."

Yang looks surprised, before she sits on a stool. "So, you know, huh?"

"I do. Blake told me, during our conversation. And needless to say...I'm in disbelief, right now."

"Well...don't try to convince us, Jaune. Blake and I already made made our decision final." Yang said. "We will be quitting, after tomorrow's mission. That's that."

"In the middle of all this?" Jaune asked, anger in his voice. "In the middle of this war, we have? You're just going to quit. After everything, we've done? Just like that?"

"Exactly." Yang answered. "Just like that."

"Care to explain, then?"

Yang lowers her head, as she explains.

"The only reason, why I stayed this long, Jaune...is because of my will to fight. Because I know, that as long as I had that, I could keep on fighting. But...I'm starting to lose that will."

"...What do you mean?"

Yang lifts her head, and looks at Jaune. "Ever since that night...when Coco, Violet, and my mom were murdered. My will to fight rose very high. I was very determined to ensure that Torchwick would pay. But...as the months passed by, that will started to declined. You might've seen how sloppy I was in our fight against Tyrian and Cinder."

Jaune lowers his head, staring at the ground.

"I told Blake, about this. And she thought, it'd be best, if I leave to squad. Not because I'd be a coward. It'd be to ensure, that I don't become a nuisance to you guys. Could get you guys hurt...or killed. And she is leaving with me, because she wants to. I said that she could stay. But, she insisted on staying by my side. And we made the decision, together."

Yang then stands up.

"So, there's your answer. And I would prefer you keep this, to yourself, until after we left. Much appreciated."

Yang then puts on a helmet and sits on Bumblebee.

"You're wrong, Yang." Jaune said, making Yang stop as she starts Bumblebee. "You leaving this squad. It's just...wrong. Especially at a time like this. How do you think Ruby will feel, after you guys leave?"

"...She's an adult, Jaune." Yang said. "She'll have to deal with it."

Jaune turns and looks at Yang. "Maybe. But, then again...she probably won't."

Yang stares at Jaune for a few seconds, before talking. "Like I said...she'll have to deal with it."

Yang then drives and leaves the garage. Jaune turns and sees can with tools in it. He then angrily kicks the can, sending the tools flying and hitting the wall. He then goes to a wall and sits down, staring at the ground.

AIRSHIP

Ruby stares outside the window of the airship, she's in.

"Ruby?"

She turns and looks at Weiss, who is sitting next to her. Across from the two, Penny looks through files, on her Scroll.

"You okay?" Weiss asked.

Ruby nods. "I am. Just...still a little upset, over seeing both Cinder and Tyrian, again."

Weiss lowers her head, turning mad. "Tyrian." She looks at her metal leg. "I lost my leg, because of him. Do you know, how much, I want to make him pay, for this?"

"A lot, obviously." Ruby answered. "But, we both know, you wouldn't be able to. That's why, I will do so, for you. Okay?"

Weiss looks at Ruby, before she nods. "Okay."

Penny turns and walks to a window, and looks through it.

"It seems, we arrived a bit too early." She said. "Excellent."

The airship hovers over a large house, surrounded by grass, and no other building in miles, with Atlas sees from far away. The airship slowly lands onto a concrete landing pad, where an older, bearded man stands nearby.

Penny smiles, upon seeing the man. "It looks like Father had anticipated our early arrival." She turns to Ruby and Weiss. "I can't wait for you guys to meet him."

The back door of the airship opens. Ruby, Weiss and Penny walk out, and they are now outside. Penny turns to the bearded man, and runs to him. She the wraps her arms around him, in a tight hug. The man groans, in response.

"It's so good to see you, Father. I missed you, so much." Penny said.

"I missed you too, sweetheart." The man said. "But, you're kinda crushing."

"Oh! Sorry." Penny said, releasing her hug, allowing the man to take a breather.

Ruby and Weiss walk to the two, and they stop. Penny turns to them.

"Guys. This man, right here, is Alfred Polendina. My creator. But, I always prefer to him as 'Father.'"

"And you two must be Ruby Rose and Weiss Schnee." Alfred said. "Penny's told a lot about you."

"Really?" Weiss said, before turning to Penny. "How much did you tell him?"

"Only the important parts." Penny said. "Nothing too bad. I even left out the...'mature' details, of my stories. Well...I may have slipped a couple details."

Weiss sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. "Try not to do that again, in the future." She then turns to Alfred. "Penny told me, that you would take a look at mine and Ruby's prosthetics?"

"Absolutely." Alfred answered. "I've always found Atlas tech, very fascinating. Especially prosthetics."

"Wonderful." Ruby said. "You can take a look, after Penny's maitenence check. We're willing to wait."

"Excellent." Alfred said. "Please. Follow me."

ATLAS - MARKET

Yang arrives with Bumblebee, near a market, where civilians walk around or buy food. Yang gets off of Bumblebee, and walks into the market. As she strolls around, she takes out her Scroll, and opens up a map. She looks at a blinking red dot, that appears at her location. She begins to look around, trying to find her target. After several seconds, she finds her. Wearing her hooded cloak, and holding an apple. Yang then walks to a stall, and hides behind it. Taking a peek, she looks at Winter, who pays for a basket of apples. When Winter turns around, Yang quickly hides, and waits until Winter walks past her, and exits the market.

Winter walks a short distance, trying to hide her face, from any civilians, before she turns into a dark alleyway. As she does this, she takes out an apple and begins to eat it. But, she hears a click, and quickly stops. Sighing, Winter puts the basket down.

"I suppose you have questions, Miss Xiao Long." Winter said.

Behind her, Yang aims a pistol at Winter, her eyes red.

"I have lots of questions, Winter." Yang answered. "You appearing, right in front of us, have left us with some."

"Well, I could answer some of them." Winter said, turning around and looking at Yang. "But, first. I need you to answer one from me. You do that, and I'll answer your questions."

"And what about your oath?" Yang said.

"...I don't care about my oath." Winter answered. "Honestly, I think it's stupid."

"...Okay." Yang said, putting her gun away. "Ask."

"...Does Weiss know? About me being alive?"

Yang nods. "No. You told Ruby not to. And Ruby told us, the same thing."

Winter sighs in relief. "Good."

"Now, then." Yang said, crossing her arms. "Time to answer mines. First question: How are you alive?"

"...It's...complicated." Winter answered. "I don't know how, because I was never told. So, I'm as confused as you are, on that."

"Fine. Next question. You saved Ruby from Tyrian, yesterday. And you said, you weren't supposed to expose yourself, at all. So, tell me...why?"

Winter sighs and jumps to sit on a nearby dumpster. "I was originally after Cinder Fall. Been following her, for weeks. And just as I had her, in my sight...she attacked you guys. I had no choice, but to wait, until she retreated. But, I saw what she was doing to Ruby. And when that Tyrian guy aimed to kill her, I decided to save Ruby, than capture Cinder."

"And why were you after Cinder?" Yang asked.

Winter lowered her head, and stared at the ground. She can't say, that she's in a group. So, she decides to lie. "I...I captured her. The night, Atlas was attacked. When your mother was killed."

Yang looks surprised. "That was months ago."

"Yeah. Mr. Arc beat her senseless, for killing one of his sisters. Lost an eye. I found her, and I brought her with me. And over the next few weeks, I tried to get questions out from her. But, she wouldn't budge. I had to...do certain things, that I wasn't proud of, in order for her to finally talk."

"But, she eventually escaped." Yang said. "When? And how?"

Winter lifts her head, and looks at Yang. "Last month. And how? Well...Torchwick."

1 MONTH AGO - CELL

Cinder sits, strapped to a chair, bearing cuts and bruised on her face. Winter walks around her, holding a knife with blood on her face.

"What's the point, Schnee?" Cinder growled. "You know, that I won't say anything else."

Winter stops and looks at Cinder, before placing the blade on Cinder's face.

"Are you sure, about that?" Winter asked.

Winter then slides the blade on Cinder's face, making her groan in pain, as a new cut is formed.

"We've been at this, for weeks, Cinder." Winter said. "And you just keep giving me, the silent treatment. We both know, that's only going to get worse for you. So, tell me...what do you know, about a hidden dreadnought?"

Cinder looks at Winter, and just smiles. Winter, furious, then proceeds to plunge the blade through Cinder's hand and through the chair arm. Cinder yells in pain. Winter then grabs Cinder by her neck, under the Aura-deplenishing collar, she's wearing.

"I am expecting you to tell me, Cinder." Winter said, tightening her grip, choking Cinder. "You think, you're going to just going to ignore me, forever? Think again." Winter then tightens her grip more. "You had my sister mentally tortured. My father, physically. And you hurt the woman, Weiss loves. You hurt my family, I hurt you hundred times more."

Winter then releases her grip, allowing Cinder to breathe. Winter then grabs the blade, and pulls it, Cinder yelling in pain, again. Winter then sheathes the blades, and looks at Cinder.

"You're pathetic, Fall." She said. "You may act like, you're tough. But, when you are weak...powerless...you're nothing more than a scared, pathetic person."

Cinder lifts her head, anger in her face. Winter then opens the door, to the cell, and leaves, closing the door. As she walks down the hallway, she starts to hear laughing, and stops. The laughing gets louder, and Winter turns around.

"What's so-"

Winter is interrupted, by a nearby explosion, that blasts her backwards, onto a wall. Dazed, Winter struggles to get up, only to fall back down. She then looks up to see Torchwick, looking surprised, at seeing her. He then plants a device on a door, and it opens. Winter tries to get up again, using her sword as balance, but fails. She then sees Torchwick exiting the cell, with Cinder behind him. They both turn and look at Winter.

"What do we do with her?" Torchwick asked. "I'm pretty sure, you want to enact some revenge, for what she did to you."

Cinder then just angrily stares at Winter, who slowly begins to lose consciousness. She then smiles.

"She isn't worth it." Cinder said.

She then walks through the hole, that was made, in wall. Torchwick follows her, while Winter passes out.

PRESENT DAY

"And that's how Cinder escaped." Winter said. "And I've been pursuing her, ever since. But, after yesterday, my trail's gone cold, again. It's going to take some time, before I find her again."

Winter then jumps off the dumpster, and looks at Yang.

"So, that's why, we've haven't heard or seen Cinder, since that night." Yang said. "You had her, the whole time. And you didn't bother to just give her to us?"

"I wanted her to suffer first, Yang." Winter said. "What she did to Weiss and my father. The damage, Weiss now has...I was so fucking furious. I wanted to hurt Cinder for that."

"You could've let me done that." Yang said. "I would've hurt her worst, for what she did to my dad. For what she did, to hurt Ruby. To Jaune. And to so many others."

"Well, it's too late, now." Winter said. "She's out there, again. Plotting. And I am going to stop her."

She then walks to the basket and picks it up.

"Let us help." Yang said.

Winter turns and looks at Yang.

"It's not that simple, Yang. I prefer to work alone, these days. And it's going to stay that way."

Winter then begins to walks away, down the alleyway, before she stops.

"I would also prefer, that you keep our little conversation to yourself, Yang. The less people, who know about this, the better."

"...And what if do go tell someone?" Yang angrily asked.

Winter turns and looks at Yang. "Then I will kill you. And anyone else, you've told."

She then puts her hood on, and jumps onto a fire escape and begins running up the stairs. Yang watches as she climbs. She then sighs, and walks out of the alleyway.

ALFRED'S LAB

Penny sits on a table, her arm extended out. A portion is opened up, to show her mechanical parts. Alfred is scanning the the exposed opening with his Scroll, and looks at the result. Ruby and Weiss sit nearby.

"I was expecting this whole maintenance check, to be longer, that an hour." Weiss said. "But, it's only been 20 minutes, and he's almost done."

"He's fast." Ruby said. "Gotta give him that."

Weiss then turns and looks at Ruby. "Penny said, not only can he make our prostetics stronger, but he can add an upgrade, as well. Are you thinking of something?"

"I am." Ruby answered. "Going to need something, for tomorrow."

"...Right." Weiss said. "You're leaving, for Vacuo tomorrow.

Ruby looks at Weiss, and smiles. "You're going to miss me, while I'm gone?"

"Of course, I will." Weiss said.

"I'll only be gone for a couple days." Ruby said. "I'm sure, you can handle that time, without me."

"Maybe." Weiss said. "But, you've never been this far, from me. You're literally going to the other side of the world. And plus...Vacuo is mainly a desert Kingdom."

"So, what?" Ruby said. "The desert heat, won't be a concern to me. Only protecting the villages there, will. You don't have to worry, Weiss. We'll be there, for a couple days, we do our jobs, and we'll head back after."

"Just...be careful. Okay?" Weiss said.

Ruby leans forward and gives Weiss a peck on the cheek. "I will. I promise."

"Alright. All done."

Ruby and Weiss turn and sees Penny moving around her arm, which is no longer twitching.

"I am impressed." Alfred said. "It seems that despite you not visiting for 6 months, you've well-maintained yourself, almost perfectly. The only problem was a few broken circuits on your arm. But, other than that, you are good to go."

"Thank you, Father." Penny said, standing up. She then turns to Ruby. "Ready for Father to check out your prosthetic?"

Ruby stands up. "Absolutely."

THE CITADEL

Torchwick, Cinder, Tyrian, Watts and Hazel are sitting around the table, at the Citadel.

"It seems that, according our informant in Atlas, Rose and most of her squad have changed locations, for tomorrow." Watts said. "Instead of heading to Mistral, they are planning to travel to Vacuo, instead."

"The desert Kingdom?" Torchwick asked. "Why would she want to go there?"

"Solis." Hazel said. "The mayor of that village requested her help, for quite some time."

"Exactly." Watts said. "So, then...my advice is to get to Vacuo first, before Rose does. We reside in one of our nearby strongholds. And we wait, for them to arrive."

"And when the time comes..." Cinder said, before turning to Tyrain, who chuckles evilly, and drags his thumb across his neck. "Yes. That. But...we could have some fun, before killing them all."

"Define 'fun', Cinder." Torchwick said. "What is it, you have in mind?"

Cinder just smiles evilly. "I'd say we capture a couple of their own. Hurt them in many ways. Break their spirits. The Schnee girl, had tried to use psychological methods to break me. But, she failed. I'd say we do the same, with whoever we take."

END OF CHAPTER 6

OCs in this chapter:

Aiden Inferno - Created by Alexis12345

Adam Salfire - Created by (Name not known at this time)

Hey, guys. I apologize if it took long for Chapter 6 to be published. I was going through some serious writer's block. Again! Hopefully, that'll go down, soon. I do hoped you enjoy this new chapter. And I know, I said things would get darker after chapter 6. But, now it's probably going to happen near the end of Chapter 7, now. But hold on to your hats, fellas. You'll just have to see.

The next Chapter will be titled "Solis."

Solis - Latin for 'Sun'

P.S. Did you guys enjoy the RWBY Volume 4 Finale? Comment your answers, ONLY if you have seen it.