.
Black Feathered Omen
.
"Uncertain times come with the territory."
.
.
A gruff voice drifted to Yang's ear. Harsh, rough, but caring.
"I won't always be around, kiddo," Qrow said to her.
A phrase that would repeat itself a number of times as she grew up.
It was the night a young, childish Yang found what she thought was a clue to her mother's whereabouts. A night she dragged her little sister off on a wagon, through a forest teeming with Grimm. A night their lives would have been cut violently short, if not for their Uncle who had come to their rescue.
Ruby was already fast asleep in her bed, but Yang was still in the living room receiving an earful from Qrow. A scolding that lasted an hour now, and would only continue once Taiyang returned home.
The firelight crackled softly as the two figures sat on the floor.
"You were lucky I got to you fast enough!" Qrow yelled.
Yang could only sniffle in response.
"What the hell were you thinking?!"
"I was—"
"You and Ruby could have been killed! Do you get that?!"
"I'm sorry!"
Qrow groaned, massaging the bridge of his nose.
The sight of Yang crying made him slow down. He was beginning to feel ashamed of the way he was acting.
A grown man yelling at a little girl, who's practically still in shock.
That's what I'm doing right now.
Yang gave a violent tremble, which prompted Qrow to grab a nearby blanket. He threw it around his niece and pulled her closer to the fireplace for warmth. After a time, her breathing slowed and her nerves settled.
"Alright, I'm listening," Qrow calmed. "What the heck brought you out there?"
"…"
Yang sheepishly pulled out the picture with a note written on the back. From there, Qrow connected the dots.
"Geez, kid. You should've just ask—"
He stopped himself.
She should've asked?
How many times has she asked us about Raven, and we just ignored her?
We're just as much to blame for this.
Qrow took the picture and set it aside.
"Look, I'm not gonna yell at you anymore. But you gotta understand, you can't pull stunts like this. You have to be smart. Know your limits."
"Okay…"
"I'll level with you here, cause Tai and I have more than our share of blame in this. About your mother… she's a sore subject for me and your dad. But that doesn't mean you don't have the right to know."
"…"
"Obviously. How about this? We promise to tell you all about her—when you're older," Qrow emphasized. "No secrets, no lies, just the truth. 'Kay?"
"…Okay."
"Hell, maybe by that time, I'll even help you find her."
"Promise?"
"…Yeah, kid. It's a promise."
Yang snuggled up to him.
"I'm sorry, Qrow," she whispered.
"Yeah. Just promise you won't do anything reckless like this till you're older."
"I promise."
"Or at least, until you have a way to defend yourself."
"Okay."
"And don't breathe a word of this to your dad. Got it?"
"Got it."
"That's the deal, then."
He ruffled Yang's hair. The Reaper Semblance simulated her tiny body being torn apart. Broken bone and torn sinew hovered like ghosts. Qrow wanted to take a drink so badly, but thought he should stay sober until Taiyang was back.
He couldn't stop from worrying what life had in store for his "nieces". Ruby inherited so much from Summer, and Yang was showing familiar shades of Raven. Even without the Reaper Semblance hanging over her head, he could tell that this child's life would be anything short of simple.
Qrow wanted with everything to protect her from it.
"Qrow?" Yang tugged.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for saving me and Ruby…"
He grabbed some tissues off the table and handed it to Yang, who had snot dripping from her nose.
"Anytime, runt," he said fondly.
"Maybe someday, you'll return the favor…"
.
X
.
Yang blinked her eyes open.
As she lied on the floor unmoving, she felt soreness permeate every fiber of her muscles. Almost like strings being pulled taut to the verge of snapping.
"Ugh… Am I dead?" she groaned groggily.
"Yup! Welcome to hell, buddy!"
"Has to be if you're here," Yang snarked at Emerald sitting beside her.
One look at the Tower's mid-crumbling ceiling, and the memories came flooding back. A little ways from her, were the remnants of her Ember Celica. Its damage so severe, she might have to rebuild it from scratch.
A short sigh escaped her.
"So, Neo didn't kill me."
"Nope."
"And only a busted-up arm to show for it. That worked out better than I thought," Yang grunted, as she sat up. "And Ruby?"
She followed Emerald's glance to the others scattered about.
Mercury was giving the air skiff they crash-landed a look over. The members of Team RNJR were conscious and crowding around Qrow. Observing them, was Neo who stood guard over the restrained Diana and Apollo Black. The small girl caught notice of Yang, and quickly turned her head with a pout.
"She's pissed I blackmailed her into not killing Ruby, isn't she?" Yang chuckled.
"Ya think?"
"I'm kinda surprised she didn't just do it while I was out."
"I know, right? That's love, right there," Emerald crossed her arms in genuine surprise. "Some people say it's flowers, or sex, or romantic gestures. But getting a psychopathic murderer not to kill the one she's sworn vengeance against? THAT is true love."
Yang revealed a smile of relief. She wanted to walk over and give Neo a hug, but almost doubled over from the intense pain.
"Gah!" she cried, feeling needles shoot up her body.
Her breath became ragged, as she stared down at her badly damaged arm. The wounds needed disinfecting and stitches. Medical treatment that should have been provided by one of her teammates, but was disregarded for some reason.
"What the hell, Em? Couldn't trouble yourself?"
"Why waste the effort when we got miracle touch over there?"
"Yeah, okay." Yang arched her neck in Team RNJR's direction. "Yo, Jaune! Little help?!"
The boy only returned a loathing scowl.
"What? ...EM!"
"Hm?" Emerald grinned innocently.
"You didn't tell them?!"
"Tell 'em, what?"
"For fu—Help me up!"
"Alright, alright."
Emerald braced Yang's waist and helped her to her feet. Together, they limped their way over to Team RNJR.
On their approach, every one of them, save Ruby, stared with such hate, Yang could feel the heat on her skin. The younger sister chose to pay no mind. Her attention resting solely on Qrow.
"Oh, no…" Yang sighed.
"Pft! What?"
"Stop laughing!"
"Pshhhsttt…! I'm not laughing….! *Ahem* I'm not laughing," Emerald tried to stifle her laugh. Tried, but utterly failing.
"You guys are such…"
"—Oh, is Yang going to tell them now?" Mercury yelled from the other side of the office.
"You told Mercury, but not them?!" Yang exclaimed.
"Slipped my mind, I guess?"
"They draped his cape over him and put a flower on it! Where did they find a flower?!"
"Pfffft—I don't know! Ahahahaha! I jus— I can't hold it in anymore! It's too hilarious!" Emerald wiped tears from her eyes, while launching into an uncontrollable laughing fit.
"You people are the worst…"
"—Okay, I'm here," Mercury jogged up. "Have you done it?"
"HEY!" Jaune yelled. "You think this is funny?!"
"Jaune, calm down," Yang tried.
"Don't talk to me! After what you've done, and joining up with THEM!"
"Jaune, I can explain."
"Explain teaming up with Pyrrha and Penny's murderers?! Explain killing your own uncle?! WHAT'S THERE TO EXPLAIN?! There's not a single thing you can say to—"
"Be cool, Jauney boy," Emerald intervened. "If you gave her a minute, or spared just the teeniest bit of thought to your surroundings, you wouldn't be so rage-y right now."
Jaune growled, struggling not to lose his temper further. But it was Ren, who replied to the offhand comment. His curiosity piqued.
"—What do you mean?" Ren asked.
"I dunno…" Emerald raised her hands, feigning ignorance. "Maybe about, 'why this Tower is still frozen in the air, and not twirling around until it's crap in the wind?'"
"…?"
"There's a storm outside, ninja boy. We were all bouncing around in it, remember? Now, we're not. Why?"
"Because Qrow…"
Ren and Ruby tensed at the thought. Ren laid his palm on the stone floor and Ruby's eyes glinted with silver. They both confirmed what Emerald hinted at.
Qrow's Aura, which he used to freeze the Tower in time, still coursed the structure.
"But…HOW?!" Ruby finally spoke, her voice cracking.
For the first time, since holding Qrow's unbreathing body, she looked at Yang in the face.
The other met her gaze with a bitter smile.
She wasn't the darkened visage Ruby saw when she first arrived. Nothing of the one that dealt Qrow the killing blow. Or the one who fought Team RNJR with such ruthless disposition.
It was her sister.
Different in some ways, worn by experience, but someone she recognized all the same.
"Seriously, Jaune. Heal me up already," Yang said.
Jaune was going to protest, when Ruby grasped his shoulder.
"Ruby?"
"Please. Just do it."
"…If you say so…"
Reluctantly, Jaune activated his Semblance to heal Yang. A difficult thing, he found, since the ability worked proportional to his intent to treat the receiver. But after some extra effort, he was able to close Yang's most severe wounds. Her Aura also replenished somewhat.
She opened and closed her hand, flexing her forearm muscles to check its condition.
"Nice Semblance. It suits you," Yang complimented.
Jaune ignored it.
"Now, what?" he asked testily.
"Now…" she concentrated. "…I return an old favor."
Yang's irises flickered with an intense shine. Her Semblance revealed the lifeless scars webbing Qrow's form. It was an eerie sight. Devoid of any vitality and matching the corpses she'd seen in the aftermath of Dracul.
She knelt down and positioned her left fist over Qrow's chest. Her arm drew back, and then, she drove it right where she inflicted her last punch.
Yang's Aura channeled through the strike and dispersed light into the pathways. Life flowed from Qrow's heart and spread to the ends of his limbs. A dull warmth returned to his complexion.
The Huntsman suddenly heaved, inhaling a deep gulp of air, as if he'd been holding his breath the entire time.
He coughed erratically.
"Damn it, kid! You scared the hell out of me!"
"More like, I punched the hell out of you."
"Don't even joke about that," Qrow coughed again.
"No way…! How?" Jaune awed.
"That's what I wanna know…! I've never known the Reaper Semblance to do that before."
"Yeaahhh~" Yang flashed a cocky grin. "I'm a bit different."
"Uh huh. You're gonna have to spell it out for…me…" Qrow saw Ruby, whose expression was twisting between relief and crying. "Sorry, kiddo. Did I make ya worry?"
Ruby tackled him and started sobbing uncontrollably. Her wails made even the winds outside sound quiet.
"I thought you were dead! I thought Yang killed you, and…and…*hicc*"
"I know. I know…"
"I'm just *hicc* glad you're—!"
"Okay. Let's give them some space," Yang ushered everyone else away.
While they spread to give Qrow and Ruby their time, Yang and Mercury convened at the air skiff wreckage.
"No way we're all going to fit in this thing," Yang commented.
"Really? Sure looks like it could fit four people and two prisoners."
"Merc…"
"Your sister's team got here pretty well on their own."
"Mercury. We're helping them."
"Oh, you mean, we could write them a sign, and they could hitchhike their way back."
"Merc…!"
"Yeah, fine," Mercury conceded. "So, I gave the engine a look. Even if we made the tight squeeze, the thing's built for speed, not load bearing."
"We've still got the airship we came in," Yang stated. "It's junk now, but we should be able to salvage parts from the engine. Put something together that way?"
"Sounds like an idea."
"Let's get to it, then."
Yang lead the way, and the two entered the section the Dust Reactor was held. A lot of machinery was scattered on the floor and the wall panels were disjointed from the collision. They picked at the remains and set aside components that could prove useful.
"—Hey, Merc?"
"Hm?"
Yang snuck up on him with a sucker punch, followed by a kneeing gutshot. The two-hit combo caused Mercury to hunch over and sit on the ground. He almost threw up, but was able to curb the reflex.
"WHAT THE HELL—Oh… Right. Tried to kill your uncle behind your back."
"Yup!"
"Hey! You plotted with Em, behind me and Neo's backs!"
"Is that… somehow worse?"
"No. No, I guess not."
"Uh huh," Yang crossed her arms.
"…Look, I don't know how much you know—"
"Em told me everything."
"Oh…Okay. You see, my family blackmailed me and—"
"Em told me."
"Yeah, I get it, Yang! Em told you. Just let me, y'know, say the thing?"
"…Go on."
Mercury groaned.
"I'm… sorry. I really mean that. Should've said something," he apologized.
The awkwardness of the words caught in his throat. He wrestled with getting them out, but knew he had to. It was an unfamiliar thing, but it didn't feel wrong.
"It was my fault…" he paused. "Hmph, I can live with a lot of the things I've done, but icing Qrow wouldn't have been one of 'em."
"Really? I thought you hated my uncle. Why would that be harder than anything else?"
"Because he's different."
"Why's that?"
"Come on. You're gonna make me say it?"
"Tried. To. Kill. My…"
"We're friends, Yang!" Mercury shouted in exasperation. "There, I said it. Doesn't matter who the hell he was, it mattered who he was to you. Geez, feels like I'm breaking out in hives!"
"It's called blushing."
"Can't you just hit me again? Let's just get back to you hitting me again."
"Nope. We're good," Yang offered a hand.
"…This a trick?"
"Em also told me how much you wanted to come clean. How you were really going to tell me everything, if she didn't stop you herself."
"..."
More uncertainty. More unfamiliarity.
But it didn't feel wrong to him.
"So, we're good, then?" Mercury asked her.
"Yeah," Yang grabbed his hand and pulled him up.
"Spades."
.
X
.
"Tell me we're at the finish line, Oz."
"The synchronization process was stalled, due to Miss Xiao Long's intervention. It has resumed, and fortunately, nears completion."
"Good to know."
"Qrow…There is something I must warn you about."
"And what would that be?"
"You should be wary of your niece's newfound ability."
Qrow thought about it for a moment.
"Yeah, it's something alright. Different from the Reaper Semblance, but just as dangerous."
"That is not what I mean."
While embracing Ruby, Qrow stared at Ozpin's cane next to them.
"Why? What is it?" he asked aloud inadvertently.
"Huh?" Ruby stared.
"Nothing, just nothing."
Qrow picked up the cane and gripped its handle. A short surge of energy prickled at the touch.
"Uncle Qrow?"
"Hmm?"
"Before the fight, we saw something when we used my powers," Ruby explained. "We saw Professor Port and Professor Oobleck. They were talking about the truth behind—"
"—Hey, old guy," Yang approached.
"Don't call me old, runt," Qrow rasped. "And don't you go thinking this mess is settled. I've got a bone to pick with you."
"Thought you might feel that way. But I got some asks first."
Qrow remembered Ozpin's words.
"…Ask away."
The Huntsman could feel Yang's concentrated gaze as she activated her Semblance.
"What are you doing here? And how can you use Professor Ozpin's abilities?"
In her vision, Yang could see green streams of light pulse from Ozpin's cane to her uncle's hand. It acted almost like an extended limb, the way the Aura pumped like connected blood vessels. Rather than just being a weapon, it appeared to be assimilating with Qrow's body.
"Why does that thing look alive?" Yang pointed to the cane. "And why does it look like it's growing into you?"
"It's complicated."
Qrow thought for a moment. The weighing between Ozpin's caution and his trust in Yang hung on the scales. Would he keep it secret? Or would he trust her?
"I followed Ozpin's instructions here." Qrow ultimately leaned on the latter. "This Tower is one of few places in Remnant his power can be passed on. And he wants to pass his legacy to me. That's why I'm here. As dumb as it sounds, I'm here to synchronize with Ozpin's soul, if you can believe that."
Yang's brow instantly narrowed. The misgivings she had were clear to see. It made Qrow second-guess telling her the truth.
"The Wizard wants to 'synchronize' with you?" Yang's tone darkened with skepticism.
"Wizard? Where did you hear that? Did Raven tell you?"
"Never mind what mom told me. From what I can see, that thing looks like it wants to take over your body."
"It's part of the process."
"The process for you to become the next Wizard? I don't think that's such a good idea."
"You don't understand, Yang. I don't know what Raven's told you, but contrary to what she believes, the world needs Ozpin."
"—Uncle Qrow," Ruby got both their attentions. "I… don't think we should trust Professor Ozpin either."
"Ruby?"
"At least, not yet. We can wait a little bit, right? We don't have to let the process finish right now. I think we should make sure of some things first."
"Look, the both of you," Qrow tried to explain. "I appreciate the concern, but I have to do this."
"—Even if it costs you your life?" Yang asked.
"Yes," he replied with conviction. "Even if I have to become a new host for Oz, it takes what it takes. I don't expect you to understand that."
"No, I understand just fine." Yang's left Ember Celica shifted from its standby mode to its gauntlet form. "It's my fault I didn't notice earlier. This time, I'll destroy it before I wake you up again."
"You're running empty with only one arm. What have I told you about being smart and knowing your limits?" Qrow warned.
"You're looking a little dull on the edge yourself, old guy. Besides, I've got them to pick up the slack."
Emerald, Mercury, and Neo had been keeping tabs on the conversation. As they spoke, the trio readied to fight again, however mentally and physically exhausted they were.
"—Yang," Ruby called her attention. "Ozpin said the synchronization process continues as long as he's in the room."
"Ruby!" Qrow yelled, but she continued anyway.
"If you take him out of the Tower, everything should be fine!"
Yang nodded.
As the figures began to encircle him, Qrow made one last plea.
"You don't understand what's at stake! Don't you see?! This is just what Salem wants!"
"—'Wants', yes. But the cause? No, the Wizard brought that on himself…" a dark voice echoed from the void.
Then, a familiar-looking portal ripped open the middle of the office. And out from it, stepped two swordsmen.
"Hello, little brother."
.
X
.
Time slowed to a crawl, when Raven and Adam entered the scene.
The air grew thick with hostilities. Everyone in the office shared thoughts that raced a thousand miles a second. A thin line kept the peace, but it would snap hinging on the next words spoken.
Team RNJR was at a complete loss, never having met either one personally. They could only switch their attentions between Raven, Qrow, and Yang.
And then, the decision was made for them.
"Look alive, idiots!" Emerald hollered, as she, Neo, and Mercury tossed the members of Team RNJR their respective weapons.
"Who are they?!" Jaune yelled back.
"Our employer."
"Then, aren't they on your side?"
"Depends if she's here to fire us, or not."
As the whole room turned on them, Raven and Adam merely rested their hands on their swords, readying to draw.
"—Yang," Raven turned to her daughter.
"Mom," Yang replied. "Sorry, I didn't call back. I was busy."
"I can see that…But I remember telling you how important it was to be ready for my call."
"Yeah. That was my bad."
"We can't change the past. I need you to work with me now."
"And with Adam? Yeah, no thanks."
"Yang, I need you to drop this petty grudge already. The same goes for the rest of Team ENMY." She addressed Emerald, Neo, and Mercury. "Cinder's life is on the line, or have you forgotten?"
Emerald gave an inadvertent twitch. Her guard weakened—but only briefly. In any other situation, she would have given in to Raven's words. But now, things were different. She was different.
Emerald had trust, however difficult and inconvenient it was to maintain at that moment.
Why did Yang and I have to have our bonding moment?
"What's the play, Yang?" she spoke from the side of her mouth. "You've got a better read on your mom than anybody. She still have our best interests at heart?"
"Not sure. Something's off," Yang answered.
"Well, hurry up and decide! I don't like where this is heading. If she's here to take out your Uncle, why don't we let her? It's what we were about to do two seconds ago."
"I know, but this isn't right. Something's…"
And then, Yang spotted it. Her vision tapped into the right amount of focus.
She didn't exactly understand what it was, but it flagged all her senses.
Through her Semblance, she saw bloody twine reach from Raven's sword into her body. An image not so dissimilar from Qrow and Ozpin's cane. The only major difference being, the heart-beating katana seemed to have taken full hold of its host.
Crap.
Yang cursed herself.
How many times did she notice the foreboding nature of Raven's blade? Only now, did she understand the sinister vibes surrounding it. It was dormant the last time, but in this moment, it exuded its own Aura—which likely meant, it possessed its own soul.
"Salem presented me with the sword I use now."
Raven's past words echoed Yang's memory.
Did mom know this was going to happen? Is that why she told me to be ready?!
She couldn't help, but think if she answered her mother's call, instead of joining her team, present events would have unfolded differently.
This is the worst.
Even if we were at full-power, we couldn't take her. And there's also Adam.
What do we do?
Em, Merc, and Neo can still survive this.
I can't abandon Qrow, but they can.
If I—
One glance at her team, and the train of thought dissipated.
As if reading Yang's mind, her three teammates met her with a firm stare that said all she needed to know. They would not abandon her. They wouldn't let her take the fall for them either. She was one of their own, and there was no turning back from that.
"This…might be the end," she muttered in resignation.
"Well," Emerald shrugged. "Shit."
"Think I can make one last request?"
"You might as well," Mercury joined.
"Can you guys buy me an opening on Adam? I really wanna take that bastard down before I go."
Neo frowned, not entirely having forgiven her yet, but then, gave Yang a smiling wink.
"(Fine…)"
"Sorry, guys."
"—Yang," Raven worded sternly. "Stand down. We're not enemies."
"Actually, our team name says differently."
"This isn't a joke."
"I'm not joking," Yang cocked her gauntlet. "We're not going to let you kill Qrow."
"But you're willing to kill your own mother?"
"I won't kill you either."
"How ridiculous."
"Hey, I told you I don't like ultimatums. Especially when both deals sound like crap."
"…Fine," Raven answered. "Have it your way."
She drew her blade and sliced open a new portal. Without giving him a chance to react, she kicked Adam into it. Raven wouldn't be able to avoid killing him otherwise.
The woman turned to the others with death in her eyes. She then, cut her thumb along the edge of her sword, feeding it her blood. The being residing within the blade took the tribute and blazed with unfathomable power.
It was nothing like any of them had witnessed before, even Qrow. It was a strength that rivaled the Maidens. A force Ozpin's Magic could only possibly match.
In that instant, Qrow cracked his cane on the marble floor and enveloped everyone in verdant-green light.
Following that, Raven's katana drew a wide slash that dyed everything in its ink.
The Tower and the airship mangled in it, was split through. A great red gash tore up the storm and sky itself. Such thunderous force obliterated everything within its reach, without exception.
Drawn like a cross-shaped scar, the crimson blight hung in the air, like a wound inflicted on the world. It even dyed the landscape in its own colored hue.
What remained of the ruin were handfuls of bits and pieces. Raven's dreaded technique practically wiped the Tower from existence.
She landed on the ground with ease, staring up at where the building once was. There, she beheld her handiwork for a minute. Her pensive state interrupted when a mass of shadows erupted behind her.
Adam and Blake passed through.
"What happened?" Adam asked.
"I destroyed the Tower, as per orders," Raven responded.
"And your brother? The others?"
"Who knows. We can investigate later."
"I'm asking if you killed them," he demanded.
"I'm not sure. I can't control this sword too well, yet."
"Salem will be informed of this."
"She likely already knows, pup. But don't let that stop you from wagging your tail for her," Raven said, with a condescending tone. "Blake. How are your wounds?"
"I'm ready," Blake answered. "Who are you both talking about? Raven…?"
"We can leave the discussion for later. For now, we have the task ahead of us. Are you ready, Adam? Or did you need time to consult your owner first?"
The young man snarled, but argued no further. Whatever fate befell the ones in the Tower, the answer could wait. Right now, it was crucial that their dynamics were aligned—else they could not hope to survive what was coming next.
…
The various mountains along the Windpath fissured and broke apart like hatching eggs. Countless fleeting wings of black flew from its gaps. Some large, some small, but all in vast flocks.
They took to the air and circled the swirling tornados. Each of them cawed in a cacophony of bird calls. And from the soaring swarm, a single figure swooped down to meet those who freed it.
It was a Grimm unlike any other. Human at its base; arms, legs, torso, and head, but its stature was twice an average adult's. It had a pair of grand feathered wings sprouting its back. A long, jet-ink blade wielded in its hand. Scaled white bone crusted its skin in the fashion of samurai armor.
But what was perhaps, most worthy of note was the Grimm's mask. An eternally fierce expression, carved with intense eyebrows. Its protruding nose was long like a beak. It had a beard that bristled, adding to its wrathful features. Despite its unassuming size compared to larger species, the being exuded an intimidating presence that only a handful could rival.
This was Kurama, a Nightmare-Class Grimm. The only one of its kind to utilize intricate sword techniques.
Ancient records state the tengu-like creature displayed an unmatchable combat prowess. And as was true with the other members of its classification, possessed a unique, disaster-level threat, equivalent to a natural catastrophe.
Although Raven was sent to deal with the Wizard, her main goals were in actuality, to destroy the Tower, set the Grimm free, and defeat Kurama.
The katana at her side burned with desire. It hungered for challenge, desiring to test mettle against mettle.
Once again, Raven swiped her finger across its edge and paid her tribute. The sword oozed with power as it drank the blood heartily. A mad glow dancing along its sheen.
She chuckled at the words commanded of her.
"I seek the name of the strongest.
And in defeating you, I will prove my worthiness of the title."
.
X
.
Teams ENMY, RNJR, and Qrow tumbled through the violent vacuum, before being dumped on a hardwood floor.
The Huntsman collapsed after expending the last of his Aura in the transfer. Everyone else piled on top of each other, groaning from the induced nausea.
"What…the…" Taiyang could only murmur at the sight of nine people suddenly appearing in his living room. His focus centering on three individuals in particular. "Qrow? What's going on? How did you all get here? Yang, Ruby, are you two—?"
""We're fine, dad,"" his daughters answered simultaneously.
"It's a long story, Tai," Qrow replied. "Sorry about the mess. This was the safest place I could think of before Raven almost wiped us out."
"Raven?"
"…"
"I don't get it, Qrow. What happened?"
"Dad…" Yang spoke lamentingly.
"The Witch has mom."
.
.
.
.
NOTES
-The Tower of Tamonten is a reference to a deity of teaching, Tamonten. The figure is often depicted as holding a small pagoda in one hand.
-Kurama is a reference to Mount Kurama, in Kyoto, Japan. The area is home to many legends and tales of the Tengu. I would explain what Tengu are, but the stuff I can write about them could fill pages. Better to look them up on your own, if you're interested.