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Time To Say Goodbye (Part Two)

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How the time seemed to fly

From our carefree lives

And the solitude and peace we always knew.

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"Ruby, how did you get us approval for this mission?"

"Whatever do you mean, Weiss?"

"I mean, how did the Administration of Huntsmen & Huntresses ever allow a previously inactive team of students to accept this mission?"

In the white tundra, far on the outskirts of the Atlas Kingdom, Team RWBY watched an entire herd of Grimm stampede its way through the snow. Misty frost kicked up in the wake of the rampaging army. The countless glowing eyes within the storm would intimidate most Huntresses.

Then again, Team RWBY were not most Huntresses.

"Uh? If it wasn't at this level, there'd be no challenge to it," Yang smirked cockily.

"It is rather fitting for our skill-level," Blake further reinforced.

"THAT is not what I am talking about!" Weiss scolded them all, making them flinch. "I am well-aware we've grown to be exceptionally capable warriors and Huntresses. What I am asking is how we, a team of students, were approved for what is obviously an S-Class mission!"

""…""

With that question in mind, they turned to their leader.

"I…might have borrowed Yang's fake Huntress ID number to register us for this mission," she smiled innocently.

"RUBY!"

"What?! Come on, Weiss. If we used our old team registry, we would've gotten a quest to eliminate only one of these."

"That's not the point!"

"Kind of feels like the point," she quietly murmured.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing!"

"—Weiss is just afraid she won't be able to keep up," Yang goaded.

"….Excuse me."

"I mean, while the rest of us have been fighting wars, taking on assassins, defeating Maidens, etc. etc. The ice queen was enjoying her precious nap."

"…"

"Most kills gets to order one thing from each member?"

"You're. On.… However, I'd still like to register my disapproval over taking on this mission illegitimat—"

"NO MAIDEN POWERS!" Ruby shouted, as she took an early head start. Jumping over the hill, she darted towards the horde of Grimm.

"No evil Salem magic!" Yang yelled, as she trailed after Ruby.

"No silver-eye abilities allowed either!" Blake dashed ahead.

"I seem to remember you being a bit more reserved," Weiss questioned, as she matched her friend's run.

"I just got better at saying the things I want to say."

"I suppose, we've all grown. By the way, those sisters are pulling a little too far ahead."

"What do you have in mind?"

Weiss flashed Blake a confident look.

"No harm in building up points together before having our own duel?"

"Checkmate?"

"Checkmate."

Weiss activated haste Glyphs below them to enhance their speed. In sequence, Blake threw her teammate her strap.

As soon as she caught it, Blake flung her ahead of the pack. Then, on Weiss' landing, she summoned a knight to pull the other into position.

In the span of a few seconds, Weiss and Blake overtook Yang and Ruby. The siblings caught on to what their trickier teammates were planning. They made quick eye contact, then hit a new gear in their speed.

As the four dashed towards the massive herd of Grimm, some of the creatures on the outer swarm noticed the oncoming threat. Their eyes blazed as a swath diverged from the larger flock, streaming towards them like a parted river.

This particular Grimm species were dubbed, Sleighers. Bearing the closest resemblance to reindeer, these creatures possessed intricately curved horns as their main weapon. Their hooves were not only reinforced with layers of dense bone, but also sharpened spikes. Other than their weapons, the creatures had one more peculiarity.

As the lead Sleigher approached Weiss' summon, it leapt. Its cloven hooves continued to clop as it galloped through the air, careening its neck, readying to gore its target. The fellow Grimm behind did the same.

In response, the armored knight swung its claymore into the flying onslaught of horns. With deceptive dexterity, the herd swerved out of the way of the giant blade. Only a few caught in the attack. Meanwhile, the remaining smashed into the ghostly frame's body, goring it to pieces. Their hooves trampling over what remained.

The herd turned, and galloped towards Blake and Weiss, who initiated evasive maneuvers. Weiss side-stepped the rushing river of Grimm with a graceful pirouette. A shadow clone of Blake's was overrun, while the real faded into safety.

When the two were clear, they unleashed a heavy-handed combo on the Grimm's flanks. Weiss' rapier painted red with Dust, as it gouged through five Sleighers at once. Blake repeatedly drew an array of violet slashes into the line.

The pair exploited the Grimm's weakness with a fervor. Although the creatures were sturdy from the front, they lacked the same durability in their sides, mainly the torso region. Also, due to their anatomy, they could not perform sharp turns well, which Blake and Weiss exploited to the fullest.

"—EMBER ROSE!" a command came from behind.

A blur of red and yellow figures dove into the next swath of stampeding horns. Unlike her counterparts, Yang chose to match the Sleighers at their strengths. Her fist plowed into the skull of the first deer, knocking it far back. Her next punch shattered through the horns of another, like so many frail tree branches. The moments where Yang was struck, only served to enhance her abilities. Her most basic, but most reliable form of Semblance bore its teeth.

At the same time, a red cloak slipped underneath the Grimm, fluttering like some haunted apparition. Ruby's scythe hacked many of their legs off, while hitching onto a number of others, and throwing them into a pile. As her cape grew vaster in size, a sudden burst of wind lifted a portion of the stampede into the air.

Yang finished jostling the rest of the Sleighers onto the same point.

Once the Grimm were clumped, simultaneous chimes of new bullets loading into firing chambers rung out. Without a word, the two sisters coordinated their attack to vicious effect.

The pair torqued as far as their bodies allowed. Then, a release of force, which sent them soaring towards their helpless quarry. Yang threw her full-weighted haymaker that caused an explosion that lit the night sky. With the same timing, Ruby brought her scythe across, like a merciless bird of prey.

By the time the siblings landed, there was still a burning crimson gash hanging in the air. And mixed with the falling snow were rose petals singeing at the edges.

"Boom," Yang held up her hand.

"Boom!" Ruby high-fived it.

The two looked at their opposite pair with obvious smugness. But in contrast to their expectations, Weiss and Blake's attentions were drawn elsewhere.

""Hm?""

Ruby and Yang turned to where their teammates focused, and quickly understood why. The remaining horde of Grimm began circling, like ants caught in an endless spiral.

There, at the center of the hurricane of dark mass, was a single Sleigher. Its nose glistening with the scarlet light of Grimm.

"Do Sleighers usually act like this?" Yang asked.

"No," Weiss answered. "This is something different…"

Ruby audibly cocked her sniper rifle.

"Guys, the bet's off for now. We should take this seriously."

"Agreed," Blake affirmed with a peculiar look.

"Yes. We shouldn't get overconfident, Yang," Weiss emphasized.

"Hey. There's overconfidence and there's abundant confidence. Guess, I don't have to worry about you having ring rust, if you have the nerve to lecture us in the middle of battle."

"Hmph."

"On your go, Ruby."

The team leader measured the situation through her scope before handing out orders.

"We'll test it first. Run Bumblebee."

Yang and Blake nodded in recognition, and dove into the swirling Grimm. Blake tossed her strap to her old partner, who wrapped it in her hand. Then, like a fiery ball and chain, Yang was flung into the Grimm's ranks.

To their surprise, the Sleighers swerved completely clear of the point of impact. More unnervingly, they seemed to perform more in synch than they had in the previous stampedes.

Bumblebee continued to test this ability, having Yang land at different sections of the circle. The result being the same every time.

It didn't take long for the team to understand the Sleighers were acting in accordance to a hive mind. The most obvious suspect being the single red-nosed Grimm at the center of it all.

"—Ice Flower."

Ruby took aim with Crescent Rose, while Weiss constructed a number of Glyphs beyond the gun's muzzle. A string of piercing shots banged in even succession. Each bullet empowered and aimed for with maximum precision and destruction.

What was supposed to be a headshot, was blocked by a stream of countless Sleighers. By the command of their leader, they acted as a disposable shield.

Perhaps, reacting to the stimulation from Team RWBY, the Grimm began levitating into the air. The countless gallops echoed over the frosted hills. The collection's rotation started to resemble an asteroid belt of reindeers intertwining.

As the four regrouped, they could only watch the spectacle in disbelief.

"Okay, what the hell is going on?" Yang said, at a loss for words.

"I'm not sure," Ruby narrowed. "But I think 'it' is getting stronger—and smarter?"

Suddenly, they heard the sickening gushes of what could only be sharp horns skewering flesh.

"Are… they…"

"They're killing each other?" Weiss spoke with the same doubt in her tone.

At that moment, Yang's eyes picked up on something disturbingly profound.

"We need to scatter! NOW!"

With a violent shift, the asteroid belt of Sleighers broke off from their orbit, and plummeted towards Team RWBY. The deer that were now gored into each other, no longer looked like separate creatures, but a single entity. A centipede made of trampling hooves and writhing horns.

Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang scattered in different directions, but the speed and force of the new threat easily chased them down.

The Grimm trampled them under hooves. It stabbed and slashed in a monstrous swarm of countless flailing limbs. Team RWBY was caught in the creature's chaotic embrace, which scooped them up into the sky. The only thing protecting them were their Auras, which were quickly diminishing under the ongoing onslaught.

If something was not done soon, they would surely perish.

…

Then, with a sound likened to thunder strikes, four points on the reindeer-centipede sparked. Gold feathers exploded from one point. Crimson thorns and vines sprouted from another. A great heap of black mist billowed out. And a collection of five summoned knights cut its master out of the body.

Seeming to lean on the side of caution, the Grimm chose not to pursue when its enemies broke free. There was a benefit to taking its time. An intelligence that exercised patience.

With their Auras flaring, Team RWBY landed into the snow.

"It's evolving!" Blake said to them. "It's just like what Professor Oobleck's research said."

"Looking at it now," Yang spoke, while her irises blazed with a familiar red. "And comparing it with Bisterne… I think it's a newborn Nightmare-class."

"But it's still young," Ruby added. "I don't think it knows how to use its abilities yet. Not completely, anyway."

"So, we have to decide whether to fight it now, or return with reinforcements," Weiss assessed. "Remember, we have to be smart about this. Tackling a Nightmare-class is not something any sane Huntress would do without proper preparation. The information we possess now could prove crucial to its future extermination."

At their teammate's reasoning, the other three thought hard on it.

"That said, it won't be weaker than it is now," Yang debated. "Who knows how much stronger it'll be, if we let it grow."

"My thoughts exactly," Weiss echoed. "It's present risk versus potential risk. Not to mention, it seems to be learning more by the second. That's why it's not attacking."

"Better the devil you know. I say we take it down now."

"I agree."

"Me too," Blake joined.

"Alright, then. That's the vote," Ruby looked to them interchangeably. "Let's hit it with everything we've got. Here's the plan…"

…

As her team dashed to their designated positions, Ruby shut her eyes in concentration. In line with her training, she spaced her breath. She let the boundaries of her mind expand and then solidify.

A Gate.

A Key.

A Sleeping Forest.

The bramble woods came to life before her silver eyes. Her scythe weaved wind and melody in harmony with her will.

An explosion of tendril thorns shot towards the Grimm creature. The spikes stabbed and pricked on other spikes. The sound similar to countless swords clashing permeated the atmosphere.

"Guh…!" Ruby felt needles play across her body. Not only a physical toll, but a mental experiencing of the same harm. Nonetheless, she accomplished her part of the plan.

At the cost of excruciating pain, Ruby's vines imprisoned the Grimm in place.

Next, Blake morphed into her giant cat form, while running up her teammate's construct. Her body latched onto the skittering creature, sinking dark smoke into every crevice of the Sleighers. Blake's Semblance leeched into the Grimm like fast-acting poison. She could feel it corroding them from the inside, causing significantly weak disposition.

Then, it was Yang's turn.

Ember Celica's alloy shifted into its ringed form. At the same time, a flaming halo started to coalesce Yang's head. It grew points and burned brighter as she tapped into the Spring Maiden's inheritance. Its appearance shaping vaguely into a crown forged of radiant energy.

With plumes trailing her mad rush, she threw her favorite straight right with all the force she could muster.

A chain of stars birthed from the point of impact, setting the outer shell of the Grimm aflame.

In the smoldering ruin of its defenses, the glowing, red-nosed Sleigher made its appearance once more.

The hum of multiple Glyphs whirred with life.

To Weiss' call, seven knights of varying weapons and armor heeded. They rose from floating platforms. Each positioned at the key corner of an octagonal formation.

On her motion, the eight including Weiss, skewered the lead Sleigher from all angles. A cold accuracy executed with the intent of destroying the Grimm's vitals. The timing and speed of the attack left nothing to chance.

The Sleigher released an unearthly bellow, as the knights twisted their weapons to ensure the killing blow.

Its main body cracked and collapsed. Only smoke and ash remaining.

As soon as Weiss hit groundside, she immediately started hyperventilating. Her heart and lungs heaved with severe exhaustion. She was sure she tapped into her emergency Aura reserves to pull off the attack.

Weiss didn't share it with anyone, but using her Semblance to such a degree was something she only practiced in private—and for countless hours. Considering the strain it took on her body and spirit, it was impossible to perform the feat repeatedly.

While trying to stabilize her breath, she felt a warm palm press against her back. The erratic flux of her Aura calmed, and much of the pain was alleviated.

"Holy crap, Weiss. You're a beast," Yang laughed.

As Weiss turned to her comrades full of smiles, she couldn't help but note that none of them were as exhausted as she was. The sight left a slight bruise on her ego and a bitter taste. Still, she did her best to keep composure.

"Hmph. You should take care, Yang."

"I admit, you would be scary to fight. Hehe."

"Looks like I'll win our next match rather handily, then."

Yang revealed a devious smirk.

"Not even on your best day,

or my worst."

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X

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By the time Team RWBY returned to the significantly quieter streets of Atlas, it was already close to midnight. The time clearly indicated by the enormous clocktower standing along the city's main thoroughfare.

Yang stretched her back with an exaggerated groan.

"Good meal, good fight, great company—what more could a girl ask for?"

"We kicked total butt!" Ruby cheered.

"Hey, so who won the contest?"

"…You did. But it shouldn't count!"

"Sweet." Yang rubbed her hands. "Don't worry, I won't come up with anything too bad."

"Ugh…! You always come up with the worst stuff."

As Ruby dreaded Yang's future command, she also beamed at those beside her with pride. Even if it was some frivolous chance they met again, she cherished the time with her old team. Their members belonged elsewhere, but for this single moment, they were each other's again.

"I wish this would never end," Ruby said solemnly.

"I think so, too," Blake joined. "I mean… we can…"

She stopped herself at meeting Weiss and Yang's stare. Deep down, she knew what this was. They all did.

It didn't warrant saying out loud, either out of want or need. There was no changing tomorrow for them, like there was no changing each other.

Still, it didn't stop them from wishing it so.

"Please…" Blake uttered, with a voice like broken glass. "Please. Just come with me? It's not just the Kingdoms. You saw it yourselves, the Grimm are getting stronger. Mistral has found a way to control them. I—…Please."

The girl's feelings were only answered with silence from the others.

"Well, I could swing that, since it would get me closer to Salem," Yang chuckled lightly. "But I think she'd probably suspect me,"

"This isn't a joke, Yang. I… I don't want to fight you!"

Her former partner gave her a disappointed look.

"But I will if I have to," Blake straightened. "I won't run this time. I won't lose."

"That's better."

"I'm still begging you not to do this. You're on the wrong side, Yang. Can't you see that? Emerald, Mercury, even Neo are one thing, but Cinder? She—!"

"—You're wasting your time, Blake."

To her surprise, it was Ruby who answered.

"What? Ruby, she's your sister!"

"That's why. That's why I know…" the little red hood met her sibling's eyes. "She knows she's on the wrong side. It's funny," she gave a teary chuckle. "I never understood you better, now that we're so far apart."

"…"

"I love you, Yang. But I guess the next time we meet, we'll be enemies…! *Hic*" Ruby choked. Her shoulders scrunched and her expression distorted with sorrow.

In contrast, her older sister's expression never changed.

"I love you too, Ruby. But this is it for us."

"It's NOT!" Blake cried. "I'm going to bring you to your senses! I don't care what it takes! I don't care how many times I have to fight you—I know the Yang we saw here today is still in there. That wasn't the last of you!"

Yang only snickered softly.

"Good luck, then."

…

…

The three turned to Weiss, who remained silent through the whole ordeal. She stared up at the giant clock that read fifteen seconds away from midnight.

She peeled her attention away from the building to Yang. A genuine smile formed on the girl's lips, as she walked to the other—and embraced her.

"I love you, Yang," Weiss whispered.

"I love you too, Weiss," Yang whispered back.

The clock's toll for midnight resonated up and down the streets.

"This is the happiest I've ever been in my life."

"Same here."

One bell, two bells, three…

"I'm sorry we can't be friends anymore."

"I'm sorry, too."

Eight bells, Nine bells, Ten…

"I can't forgive what you did to Winter."

"I know you can't."

…

Eleven, Twelve…

…

"…I'll kill you."

"…I'll be ready."

…

Weiss' hushed words lingered in Yang's ear. Even so close, the girl could barely hear it.

When they parted from their embrace, Weiss was no longer wearing the same smile she had before. Instead, it was a fake one. Cold and unfeeling. Her "cheerful" eyes were empty of any emotion.

For a brief instant, Yang's bravado cracked—if only briefly.

…

"Goodbye, Yang."

"Goodbye, Weiss."

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X

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The moment Team RWBY disbanded, Weiss made for Cerberus Tower with all haste.

Down and down she descended, to the lowest chamber of the lowest Tower.

There, she found Kori Schnee hooked up to a certain machine matching one stationed at Beacon Academy. Alongside the stasis pod, were Ironwood, Professor Polendina, and Hades.

"You've decided, then?" the former general asked.

"Yes," Weiss answered with cold conviction. "I will become the shield Atlas needs—"

"I will inherit the Winter Maiden."

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X

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"I'm back," Yang announced, as she passed through the doorway of an old mansion formerly belonging to the Mantle Monarchy.

Upon entering the living room, she found her allies were awake and gathered. Each sitting on their own dilapidated, but fancy furniture—along with a guest.

"Hey, old man. Been a while," she greeted.

"How many times have I told you not to call me old?"

"Wasn't talking to you, Qrow."

Qrow grunted.

"Oz says, hi."

Yang looked closely at her Uncle, scrutinizing him hard.

"You know, don't you?" Her tone accusing. "You've known for a while now."

"What are you on about?"

"About Ruby… And our mom."

…

Suddenly, Qrow's facial features laxed, like he was entering a state of pure daydream. When the life in his eyes returned, his voice possessed a different cadence.

"You are referring to the Summer Maiden's Inheritance."

"Yeah," Yang scowled deeply. "That."

"Yes."

"Does Qrow know?"

"…"

"Tell him. You tell him everything, or there's no deal," Yang said shortly, before making her way upstairs.

"—Yang," Emerald stopped her. "I know what your old team means to you…but tell me you haven't gone that soft on us."

Without warning, Yang tossed Emerald her scroll.

"Footage of their moves," she said, while clips of her former teammates' techniques played out on its screen. "Alright if we hold off on the debrief? I don't wanna see anybody for a while."

"You got it, Yang. Take all the time you need."

Neo gave her partner an offering look for quiet company, but Yang only shook her head—as if to say, she appreciated it, but she needed time alone.

Neo made note to check on her in a couple of hours.

The door creaked open, and as soon as Yang entered the bedroom, she collapsed onto the messy bed. Her body curled into a ball. Hushed weeps escaped her throat, as tears drew down on the bedsheets. She wished she could turn smaller, curl up tinier until she disappeared.

The anguish she felt was so devastating, it felt like her heart was being ripped open.

It would only be two hours later, when she would openly cry in Neo's arms. Another hour after that, when Emerald would hallucinate a comfortable dream for her to drift off to. For what little good it would do.

Because the next day, the truth would still be there.

Tonight, was Team RWBY's last mission together.

And now, they were disbanded…

Forever this time.