(Opening Theme: Just Live Performed by Casey Lee Williams)
In a forest just outside a village nearby, three people walked beside one another; one possessed long black hair and wearing a sleeveless tailcoat with a black turtleneck with a pair of white pants and with pink-to-black detached sleeves, while the other had shoulder length orange hair that was curled upward with a pair of pink gloves and a white top with the heart cut out diagonally and pink skirt with a pair of white calf-length boots wearing a pink skirt with a matching two wide belt and wearing a blue-black bomber jacket with pink stripes.
Their names being Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie.
Beside them was another girl that possessed gray pigtails and a single prosthetic leg and the other had a pair of fox ears and a tail.
Their names were Rosario Black and Scout Lapis.
They were all talking about determining a team name.
"Seriously Nora, I'm not trying to offend you or anything but that name just sounds dumb." Rosario said to Nora.
"Look I'm just saying, that there's more members of team JNPR than there is RWBY." Nora said to her, "It just makes sense to go with that one!"
"But junior isn't a color." Ren said.
"Exactly my point!" Rosario said, "I mean at least our team has a color name."
"Nora, we're not trying to say that it's a bad name, but all we're saying is the other team name would make more sense." Scout said.
Nora groaned as she slumped over, "How can I be more clear to you guys!?"
Nora held out her hand and the name JNRR just suddenly appeared, leaving Rosario and Scout stunned at this. "One, two, three." Nora said pointing at the letters before pointing at the last letter being R, "That's more than one."
"But we're helping Ruby with her objective." Ren said holding out his hand that suddenly having the word RNJR appear, pointing at the first letter, "Shouldn't that mean that Ruby is our leader?"
"Okay, how are you doing that?" Rosario asked the two of them.
"Doing what?" Ren and Nora asked at the same time.
"Guys. We need to stay focused."
There attention was drawn over to Jaune who was crouching just in front of a log and beside him was Roman, Melody (Playing on her guitar) with her little fox friend named Frosty who was on her shoulder and a familiar girl holding an umbrella above her head and having an odd eye color of pink and brown.
She had pink and brown hair with a single streak of white, that was in a pair of corkscrew pigtails that was pink and brown and she had on a pair of black gloves. She wore a brown and pink jacket with white collars on the neck of her jacket and wrist collars as well a brown and pink corset with black laces that had also wrapped around her neck, and it had revealed her stomach area.
She had on a pink and brown skirt with black cropped leggings and she had on a pair of ankle high white boots. Around her waist she hand on a black ribbon. She just stood there twirling the umbrella in her hand every now and than.
"Also JNRR sounds way cooler." Jaune had added.
"Seriously?" Rosario and Scout said.
"See?! I told you!" Nora said to them.
"Why are spending your time talking about team names?" Roman asked them.
"Nora did bring it up in conversation." Scout replied.
"So you guys are just arguing over team names for JNPR?" He asked them.
"How else are we supposed to pass the time?" Rosario said.
"How long are we supposed to just stand here and wait?" The girl with pink and brown hair said, "They should be here by now."
"Don't worry Neapolitan." Melody said to the girl named Neapolitan AKA, Neo, "If I know my cousin and our leader, they're not ones to keep us waiting."
Just as Melody said this, they all felt the ground shake, which caused some of them to stumble. "It's here." Jaune said.
From a distance they saw Ruby Rose fly out of the trees leaving behind rose petals in her wake, firing on something. Out from the trees a creature, what appeared to be a rock Grimm, came rushing at Ruby just as she landed in the other trees behind her.
"BAD-LANDING-STRATEGY!" Ruby yelled as she fell onto the large branches. She finally stopped her falling and landed on the branch. The giant rock Grimm swung it's giant arm at her and before it could hit her, she used her semblance to fly out of there with her speed and land in another tree. Just when it was about to attack her again, shots were fired from above.
From the skies, Cristal flew on her Grimm Griffon named Senka while she fired from her dual shotguns swords.
It tried to hit her out of the air but Senka proved to be a fast flyer as he proved to be evasive.
Jaune said to the group, "Let's get that thing off of them!"
Everyone nodded their heads and had started to move. Roman used his cane's grappling hook to get into the trees; Neo took his hand and they both moved into the trees. Rosario with the help of her guns on her feet into the trees and ran up onto a large branch. Ren jumped into the trees onto the branch with the others. Frosty jumped off of Melody's shoulder and she used her semblance to change into a crow, and flew to the branches before changing back again.
"Don't forget me!" Nora yelled.
She armed herself with her Magnid and rocketed up into the skies before landing on a branch, while Jaune stayed on the ground along with Scout and Frosty who was now on Jaune's shoulder.
"We need to draw it's attention away from Ruby and Cristal!" Ren said to the group.
"That's easier said than done!" Roman yelled to them.
"WE COULD USE SOME BACKUP!" Ruby yelled to them as she flew by them.
"DON'T MEAN TO BREAK UP YOUR CHAT, BUT YOU GUYS COULD JUMP IN ANYTIME!" Cristal yelled flying by them while still on Senka's back.
"Let's move!" Rosario yelled to Melody.
"Got it!" Melody said, before changing her guitar into her arm blade.
Rosario used her weapons on her heels to rocket herself onto the rock Grimm, so that she could land on it's arm, while Melody took flight to the skies after changing into a crow once more. As Rosario landed on it's arm, she ran along it before she kicked at the monster's face causing it to fire bullets, though it didn't seem to do any damage whatsoever. Melody changed back and found herself free falling; as she fell she started to fire onto the rock Grimm like creature, though just like with Rosario's attacks, it didn't seem to do anything. Melody quickly changed back into a crow and flew under its fist before it could hit her, but Rosario ended up falling off when it moved the arm she was on.
Luckily, Senka had flown just under Rosario and she landed just behind Cristal; they took to the skies once more.
Ren than made his move; he jumped from through the trees and, as the Grimm had tried to hit him. Ren jumped and ran along the arm as Rosario had did before, but instead he jumped into the air, before he came falling towards the creature, and using his Stormflower he attacked it head on, though it didn't even phase it.
"We gotta get in closer!" Jaune said to the group.
Ren landed beside Scout and Jaune, "My blades don't hurt him!"
Melody turned back as she was now beside them as well, "Not even bullets do anything!"
"Let's see if it can handle this than!" Roman said, "Neo!"
Neo nodded to him before she jumped from branch to branch. A hidden gun soon came out from Neo's sleeve and she fired at the Grimm to draw it's attention; it came after her, trying to grab her. Roman armed his cane and aimed for the mask. He pulled the trigger and with a whistle it fired a shot. However the Grimm creature was able to block the attack with it's arm and it still wasn't even phased. It went to attack Neo but when it hit her she shattered like glass.
She was now on the ground, with Ren, Scout, Jaune and Frosty.
"Even that didn't work!?" Scout exclaimed.
"How about this!?" Ruby yelled. She reached in her ammo compartment and armed her Crescent Rose with dust bullets which was of lighting. With a leap into the air she fired the weapon and it shot lighting. Though the arm had started to glow red, and slammed on the ground, creating a powerful gust of wind that had sent everyone flying even Cristal, Rosario and Senka were knocked out of the sky. Neo managed to catch Roman, while Nora caught Ren.
Ruby, Cristal, Rosario, Melody, and Scout even Frosty and Senka managed to stick the landing, though Jaune on the other hand hit a rock where his Johnnies were and slid down on the floor landing face first.
"Oh my goodness!" Scout exclaimed, "Are you okay Jaune!?"
"You'll be fine…" Jaune said mimicking, "Your the strategist."
"Yup, he's okay." Roman said, as Neo helped him on the ground.
"That's it!" Nora exclaimed before she started to run.
As she ran she spun her weapon equipping her hammer, and she jumped high into the air. With a single swing she was able to break it's arm. As Nora landed on the ground, black mist took hold of a large boulder and it flew towards her. Ruby jumped in front of her and sliced the boulder in two, the Grimm came at them and tried to hit them but they jumped back.
Jaune got up from the floor and stretched his arms before he heard Cristal yell, "INCOMING!"
They all moved and Jaune realized that small rocks were coming towards them. Jaune jumped in the air dodging the rocks and such. "Hey guys be careful!" Jaune yelled before getting in the face with a rock, falling backwards into a tree nearby; Scout ran to his side to check on him, while Frosty took the opportunity to climb up on his shoulder.
"LOOK!" They heard Melody yell.
Jaune and Scout looked and they saw the Grimm suddenly grow instantly and it was a black claw hand.
"Uh-oh." Jaune said.
"That can't be good." Scout said. The Grimm had grabbed ahold of a tree and it was now it's new arm.
"THAT IS DEFINITELY NOT GOOD!" Scout yelled as she started to run with Jaune.
"HIS ARM IS A TREE! HIS ARM IS A TREE!" Jaune yelled as he ran with Scout.
"Red!" Roman yelled.
"Right!" Ruby said arming her Crescent Rose with another dust bullets which was of fire "You made a big mistake!"
They both fired their weapons and the fire and his flare shot combined; it had hit the the Grimms tree arm. Scout and Jaune stopped in their tracks and saw that it might've done something to it. Only to see that it's arm was now on fire.
"BIG MISTAKE!" Jaune and Scout yelled.
The Grimm swiped it's arm and Scout had gotten in front of Jaune and armed her weapons. She pressed the button and the blade had extended and the blade was made of ice. With a slash she managed to slice the end of the tree so that it wouldn't be able to hit them.
Though they quickly started to run when it tried to hit them again. Jaune ended up tripping and falling and Scout acted fast. She grabbed Jaune's hand and activated her semblance and the tree phased right through them. When the Grimm lifted the tree, Scout's semblance deactivated and started to breath heavily, having exhausted her energy*.
(*Scout maybe able to use her semblance to phase if she's providing for two people, it drains a significant amount of energy and it cuts the usual amount of time the semblance lasts and recovers.)
"Scout!" Jaune exclaimed catching her before she fell to the ground.
The Grimm went to attack them again but Ren used his Storm Flowers blades as boomerangs to slice the mask, making the the Grimm fall over on it's back.
The group joined with Jaune and Cristal went over to Scout, who had just passed out. "Neo, get her somewhere safe." Cristal said.
"You got it." Neo said, going over and picked up Scout, before running into the forest.
"We gotta take out this thing somehow!" Roman said.
Jaune immediately started to think of a plan.
"Ok, how do we go about this?" Jaune said.
"It's body is too thick!" Ren said.
"It doesn't care about it's body!" Jaune said.
"Plus it keeps creating new limbs!" Nora added.
Jaune in turn had added, "But it keeps protecting it's face."
"We can't break it!" Ruby said.
"If you were thinking of a plan now would be a good time to put it into action!" Rosario said, "That thing is starting to get back up!" As the Grimm started to get back up Jaune was quick to put together what they needed to do.
"If we cut off all of its limbs at once and went for the…" Jaune said before his eyes widened in realization; He turned to the group, "Guys! I got it!" He said, "We just hit it harder!"
Everyone just gave Jaune a confused look over in his direction.
"Is that it?" Ren said with a quizzical look.
"I was under the impression we were already doing that." Melody said.
"No I'm being serious." Jaune said, "It keeps trying to defend it's face. If we kill the limbs we'll have a shot to kill the whole thing!"
"That sounds so stupid it might just work." Roman said.
"Alright team!" Ruby said to Nora, Roman and Ren, "Let's do this!"
"Yeah!" Nora said with enthusiasm.
Cristal turned to Melody and Rosario, "Do what you can to help them!"
"Right!" Rosario and Melody said.
They all saw the Grimm get back up on it's feet, Jaune quickly told them where to go.
"Ruby! Left!" Jaune said, as everyone went in their direction, "Ren! Right! Roman focus on the legs! Cristal, Rosario, Melody, same directions! Nora! You ready to try your new upgrade?"
Nora nodded her head before going in a random direction.
"Okay!" Jaune said, "Than I'll-AGH!" Jaune started to run again as the Grimm tried to hit him.
Ruby and Cristal attacked from the right; With Senka's help they were able to fly towards it. Ruby jumped off of Senka and used her semblance to fly towards it. She attacked with her Crescent Rose before she was sent flying back. Cristal equipped her swords and activated the whip mode, and turned on it's dust enhancement. She swung her sword and attacked it's around it's arm; though as she was able to hit it, there was suddenly ice. Despite this it was able to break free and knocked her and Senka out of the air once again. Ren along with Melody attacked from the left, with Melody having equipping her scythe mode. They both charged at it head on, slicing and dicing before getting pushed back by the creature.
As Jaune made himself a target he was being extremely careful as Roman attacked the creature's legs with the use of his Melodic Cudgel; he reloaded his weapon at one point before firing once more. Rosario ran along the ground as well; kicking her legs at the creature so that bullets would fire from her heels, aiming for the same place Roman was hitting.
All while this was happening Nora had activated her semblance and was sending the electricity straight to her hammer.
"READY!" She yelled to the group.
Ruby and her cousin Melody flew high into the air and dove at the creature, swinging there scythes, though they weren't surprised when there wasn't even a scratch. Ruby landed next to Jaune, while Melody landed on the other side.
"USE EVERYTHING YOU GOT!" Jaune shouted.
Ruby nodded and activated her semblance; She flew straight at the Grimm taking Nora with her. As they flew towards the Grimm red petals and pink swirled around like a drill, than Ruby sliced up it's arm before Nora took a swing of her hammer and Nora hit the mask and it's body came apart.
A phantom like creature flew out of the boulder and into the trees.
"Now! Before it builds itself a new body!" Cristal said to Ruby.
Ruby nodded and flipped her scythe and pulled the trigger firing a shot from her Crescent Rose; Just as the phantom like Grimm creature turned, the bullet had gone clean through it's head and it had vanished into black vapor.
Jaune caught his breath and stood up from the ground, "Whew! Another victory for team CRMS and JNRR!"
Everyone stood their in silence before had broken it by saying, "Okay yeah, Ren, you might be onto something. It's just not sounding great anymore."
"Thank you!" Rosario said.
"You don't understand my vision!" Nora said to Rosario.
Roman face-palmed himself, "Are you serious right now?"
-A Few Moments Later-
Both teams, RNJR and CRMS had headed back into town, while Roman and Neo stayed on the outside with Senka, since they couldn't exactly come strolling into the town, because one Roman and Neo's reputation and with Senka, everyone would just run away with tails between their legs just at the mere sight of him, and that would definitely not end well.
Ruby was currently shaking the town's officials hand as a sign of gratitude.
"We truly can't thank you all enough." The Official said.
"We're just doing our job sir." Ruby said with a smile.
"That Geist had been plaguing us for weeks." The Official said to them, "We were beginning to wonder if we'd have to relocate."
Cristal said to the Official, "We're on our way to Mistral sir. If you want, you and your people can come with us."
The Official chuckled amusingly before saying, "I take it your not from these parts. Anima is a large continent. I'm afraid our people would never survive the long trek to Mistral. It may be safer in the Kingdoms, but we prefer our way of life. I just wish we could pay you more."
"Oh that's not necessary sir." Scout said to the Official.
"Yeah, don't worry about it." Rosario said.
Ren added, "Our previous arrangement is more than sufficient."
Both teams bowed their heads in respect before bidding their farewells to the Official. They had decided to head to the town's blacksmith, to pick up Jaune's new upgrade and than resupply.
-Later-
Both teams arrived at the Blacksmith shop just in time, since the store owner had just finished up Jaune's new upgrade. The Blacksmith placed his new armor on the counter.
"There you go son." The Owner said to Jaune, "It's going to be heavier than what you're used to, but you'll thank me you go up the next set of claws."
"Wow…" Jaune said impressed by the armor, "I don't know what to say."
"Don't gotta say anything!" The Owner said, "Just put it on! I'll go get the rest."
With that the Owner went into the back room of the shop. Frosty had jumped from Melody's shoulder and took a sniff at it as he tilted his head curiously. "Looks like even Frosty is impressed by his work." Melody said to Jaune with a smile.
"So… What are you waiting for?" Nora said, "Try it on."
"Oh!" Jaune said, "Right!"
He removed his old armor, and placed it on the counter next to the new one. Jaune couldn't help but look at it solemnly, "Guess I was gonna grow out of it eventually."
"A sign of progress." Ren said with a smile.
Jaune cracked a smile, "Right, progress."
Jaune turned back to the group, and that's when Ruby and Melody started to laugh at the sight of his hoodie. "Huh? What is it?" Jaune said.
"What is that!?" Ruby said pointing at the symbol on his chest.
On the middle of his hoodie was a cute little rabbit in the middle of his hoodie. "What my hoodie?" Jaune said, "I've always had this hoodie!"
Melody laughed out loud as she said, "Are you serious!? You have that kind of a hoodie!"
"It's got a cute little bunny rabbit!" Ruby said as she continued to laugh.
Jaune said to the two girls laughing, "It's Pumpkin Pete! You know the cereal!"
Melody laughed louder, "Oh my God Jaune! You're killing me here!"
"What did you do!? Send in a box top for a prize!?" Ruby said, holding her stomach.
"Yeah! Fifty!" Jaune said turning away from them. At that point Ruby and Melody laughed hysterically. Ruby fell to the ground kicking her legs while Melody feel to her knees while holding her stomach. "Oh my God I'm crying…" Melody said wiping her eyes.
"I actually think it's kind of cool." Scout commented.
"Of course you do kid." Rosario said patting her head.
"But I'm a teenager." Scout said with a pout.
"Nah, that's technically kid age." Cristal said, "No offense."
The Owner soon came back with his weapon and shield.
"Can't have a Huntsmen without his weapon." The Owner said, "I made all the modifications you asked for." There on the shield that had expanded had a golden outline and at the bottom of it, it had a familiar crown shape.
"That was some fine piece of metal you bought for me." The Owner said, "Accents the white nicely. Where'd you get it from?"
Jaune looked to the crown insignia, and couldn't help but think back to the who had once wore it.
"From a friend…" Was all Jaune replied.
The group waited outside for Jaune, wanting to give him privacy to put on the armor. After a few moments he stepped out of the store, who now wore a red scarf around his waist and now most of his armor was outlined with golden, even his armored gauntlets.
He drew his sword and expanded his shield and they were all left impressed by his new look.
The Owner came out and took a look at his work. "He cleans up alright, don't you think?"
"He most certainly does." Ren said
"I still think a grenade launcher would've really bought the look together." Nora said.
"It's not really his style." Cristal said, "I like this look."
"Nothing's gonna stop team RNJR and team CRMS now!" Ruby said with her fist up in the air.
"Team JNRR!" Nora said.
"Still not a color." Ren said.
"We're seriously still on about that?" Rosario said.
"Guys, it doesn't matter what we're called." Jaune said, sheathing his sword after it shrunk back, "As long as we're together."
"You sure you kids won't stick around?" The Owner asked them, "You've done a great deal for this town."
"It is a tempting offer, but I'm afraid we're gonna have to decline." Cristal said.
"We've got another mission we have to take care of." Ruby said placing her hand over where the bracelet was.
"Make it to Haven Academy, no matter what!" Nora added.
"We heard the next village over has a working airship." Ren said.
The owner thought about it, "Hmm, no way to know for sure. Scroll signals have been weak enough even back when Beacon Tower was still up. Haven't heard from Shion village in awhile."
"There's only one way to find out." Scout said.
Both teams bid there farewells and went outside of town to meet up with the others. Roman and Neo were hiding behind the trees and saw them coming along the pathway. Senka came out from hiding and went over to Cristal.
"Hey there friend." Cristal said as Senka nuzzled her cheek; she petted him on the beak, "You miss me already?"
Roman looked over Jaune's new armor, "Nice touch there Arky." Roman said to Jaune.
"Oh well thanks." Jaune said rubbing the back of his head.
"Don't get used to it." Neo said to him with a smile, "That's the only comment you're going to get out of him."
"Time to move onward to Mistral!" Ruby said.
"Where did that enthusiasm come from?" Roman asked.
"I choose not to question it anymore." Neo said.
"She's right though, time to get moving." Cristal said.
Everyone started to walk along down the dirt path and Jaune went over the check list.
"Food?" Jaune said.
"Check!" Nora said.
"Water?"
"Check!
"How about ammo?"
"Locked and loaded! Thank you Schnee Dust Company!"
Ruby couldn't but have a sadden look at the mentioning of the name Schnee. At thought of it, she couldn't help but think about her partner, Weiss. She remembered the days in school at Beacon, and than back the Vytal Festival. She thought just about the fact that she'd may never see her again. It just pained her at the thought.
It wasn't long before she felt Melody pat on the shoulder. "Something wrong Ruby?" Melody asked.
"Huh?" Ruby said before saying with a smile, "Oh yeah! Everything's fine!"
Melody just gave her a really look at that, "Cuz come on. I practically grew up with you and Yang whenever my old man was away on missions, and I know a droopy face when I see one. What's wrong? I'm family, you know you can tell me."
Ruby let out a sigh as she replied, "I was just thinking about my partner. Weiss, the one I told you about through the video chat."
"Oh yeah, the Heiress." Melody said remembering, "Yeah, I remember, you told me really great things about her. She's a really great partner for you."
"Yeah…" Ruby said, "... I just wonder what she's doing right now. If she's thinking about me, Blake, Yang… And…"
"... Destiny?" Melody finished for her.
All Ruby did was nod her head in reply, "... I don't know if Weiss is even looking for her after she went missing but… I'm just… Worried. Not just about Destiny, but about Weiss too. What if she's forgotten about me?"
Melody gave a comforting pat on her shoulder as she said, "Don't worry Ruby. I can tell Destiny meant a lot to you, and that Weiss meant a lot, but one thing I do know for sure, is that having a friend, a partner like Weiss, they never tend to forget."
"How do you know that?" Ruby asked curiously.
"I learned it from my old man." Melody replied, "He was partnered up with your mom, Auntie Summer, rest her soul. Let me tell you… From what he's told me, he's remembered every single thing about her, and he said that someone like Auntie Summer is not one you could easily forget. Hell he talked about her more than my own mom."
Ruby smiled and said, "Thanks Melody, I feel a little better."
"It's what family's for." Melody said with a smile, "And don't worry about Destiny. We'll find her whatever it takes."
"I know we will." Ruby replied.
Soon enough their attention was drawn to Scout, who called out to her partner.
"Uh hey Melody!" Scout called out.
"What is it?" She asked.
"You or Ruby don't by any chance have the map do you?" Scout asked.
"No, we thought Nora had it." Ruby replied, "Why?"
The group looked at one another, while some of them hissed through their breathing.
"This is a real problem." Rosario said running her hand through her hair.
"Tell me about…" Was all Jaune said as he slumped over as Nora laughed nervously. "This is exactly why we can't have nice things." Roman said as he face palmed himself.
-Sometime Ago-
The rest of Ruby's friends and Roman's partner had met up with her and Roman, only to see that the problem was already taken care of. Of course they were slightly skeptical about the new team calling themselves team CRMS when they first saw them, until Ruby told them that Melody was actually her cousin. When team CRMS had introduced themselves to them, they were all shocked about seeing Cristal.
Just like Ruby, when they saw Cristal's face, they all thought they saw… Her. Their little friend… Destiny.
But there was no way it couldn't be possible. They all knew the story, they all knew she had went missing. But they couldn't help but think of her. She looked like her. But it couldn't be possible… Could it?
They had decided to camp out nearby where the people where the town was, in case any creature of Grimm had decided to come back to finish the job. As they sat around the campfire, they had explained to team CRMS everything; what had happened in Beacon, why they were with a criminal like Roman, and traveling to Mistral in the first place.
And needless to say they were surprised.
"So let me get this straight…" Melody said at one point turning to Roman, "Not only are you guys looking to get answers at the Mistral's Academy Haven… But you're trying to find a little girl named Destiny who went missing… And she's also his daughter who he kept on a strictly need to know bases, since he, her and his partner arrived in Vale?"
"That's pretty much the whole story." Ruby said.
Melody, Scout and Rosario looked at one another, though Cristal on the other hand turned her attention away from the conversation. "That's… Whoa… That's a whole lot to take in." Rosario said just stunned at this point.
"You have no idea." Jaune said, "Trust us. We were shocked the first time we heard that she was his daughter."
Scout turned to Roman, "I'm really sorry that she was taken for you, and I really hope you find her on this journey."
Roman looked over in Scout's direction before taking a puff from his cigar, "Honestly… I'm hoping for the same thing."
"And to think she can talk to Grimm let alone calm one…" Melody said, "I didn't think that was possible." Melody looked in Cristal's direction who had pretty much blocked out the whole conversation and was leaning against Senka while looking up at the sky. "Than again…" Melody said with a shrug.
"You mean she can do the same thing Destiny can?" Nora said.
"Well, she can talk to one sure." Melody replied, "But I don't know about calming a Grimm."
"What about all of you?" Neo asked the three members of team CRMS, "What business do you have in Mistral?"
The three members of CRMS looked to one another before Scout had replied, "We're going the same reasons you are. We're hoping to find answers, and find the whereabouts of Cristal's friend."
"Her friend?" Ruby said, looking over to Cristal.
"Yep." Rosario said, "She said her friend was taken by someone, and she's hoping that she'll be able to find her. Only problem is she can't really say who that person is."
"Can't or won't?" Ren asked.
"From what she said it's both." Rosario replied, "Though she wouldn't tell us why."
"Looks like we're all heading in the same direction than." Jaune said, "I'd say that's pretty convenient."
"No kidding…" Melody said, "Who knew I would bump into my cousin all the way out here."
"I'm just as surprised as you are Melody." Ruby said to her with a smile.
Nora than thought of something, "Hey! Since we're all heading going to Mistral, you should all come with us!"
Rosario, Melody and Scout's jaw dropped simultaneously at that.
"Have us go with you?" Scout asked.
"Not sure sounds like we would be bothersome." Melody said.
"Plus, some of us barely know you, hell we just met an hour ago." Rosario said.
"It would actually be easier in our case, since we're all heading in the same direction anyway." Roman said.
"Yeah!" Ruby agreed, "Plus it wouldn't be bothersome at all! We could all help each other! Plus it would be extremely helpful if we had a great doctor like you Scout!"
Scout blushed out embarrassment while saying, "Well… I'm not THAT great…"
"Says the girl whose town citizens praised her?" Rosario said.
"They just happened to like my work that's all." Scout said.
"So… What do you say?" Ruby said, "You wanna join forces?"
The three members looked over at one another again. "That's ultimately up to Cristal, but-" Melody said before getting cut off by her.
"Why not?" Cristal said, causing Rosario, Melody and Scout to look over in her direction, "Like Roman said it would make things easier and as they say the more the merrier. And it would be wrong to separate two family members who had just been reunited."
"... You're… really serious about this?" Rosario asked with a quizzical look.
"Of course I am." Cristal said to her.
Melody smiled and laughed, "I'm down for it. Ruby and I have got a whole lot of catching up to do anyway."
"You got that right!" Ruby said.
"Aw… What the hell?" Rosario said ultimately shrugging, "What could go wrong with this?"
"We hope we can get along with you all." Ren said.
"We're hoping the same thing." Scout said with a smile.
"HOORAY! NEW FRIENDS!" Nora yelled, surprising everyone, "LET'S BREAK SOMEONE'S LEGS!"
"Uhhh… What?" Rosario said just confused by what Nora had yelled.
Jaune let out a sigh, "You'll get used to it."
Melody took out her guitar while Frosty made himself comfortable on the bed of grass, "What do you say we listen to some tunes before we all hit the hay?"
"You know some songs?" Ren asked.
"There a lot of songs I know." Melody said adjusting her guitar, "I memorized a lot at the top of my head. Though their days where I just decide to write songs just for the hell of it, which happens rarely so often."
"Roman?" Cristal said, "Can I have a word with you privately?"
Roman nodded and he got up from the floor, following Cristal away from the group. Ruby couldn't help but find that suspicious as she watched them disappear into the trees nearby.
-Present; Somewhere in Remnant-
Salem sat in the middle of a pool of black slime, though at the center of it, Destiny laid in a canopy bed under red sheets just sound asleep, breathing softly and barely stirring from her slumber even when she sat at her bedside. The room they were both in was not small yet not even large, and there was just a single large window that showed the land of red and forests of dust crystals, with a significant amount of Grimm just roaming throughout the land.
It took her time to prepare this room for the child, time that was well spent. Anyone, anyone from the outside wouldn't even get near her if they tried. The pool of black slime wasn't there just for show. Salem had spent so long looking for someone like the girl before her, and she couldn't let anyone take her, nor could she let them kill her.
She was too valuable, to important to let her die, and she would be damned if she had to start from scratch.
A knock had echoed throughout the room, and Salem turned slightly to see that it was the leader of team SADE (Shade).
Sinn.
"Mistress." She said, bowing slightly, "We have gathered them as you instructed. They're waiting for you."
She replied with a hollow voice, "Thank you Sinn."
Salem stood and walked on the path that was provided to get through the pool of black slime; as she soon as she had gotten to the other side, the path had seemed to have disappeared. As she exited the room, the two types of Grimm, the tiger and deer stood just outside. Salem nodded to Sinn and she in turn nodded back, before Salem proceeded down the hall.
She turned to the other three members, Azure, Diamond and Elise had been standing nearby. "Azure." Sinn said to her, "Lock it up."
Azure nodded her head and with a snap of her fingers, a snake, a black head of a King Taijitu had emerged from her back and wrapped around her arm. She opened her hand and the second head of the Taijitu coughed up a small black key. Azure took the key and approached the door closing it shut, using the key; With a click it was locked.
She held the key in the palm and the second head of the Taijitu took hold of the key with it's tongue, and it had swallowed it whole before going back into her back.
Team SADE had soon followed behind Salem.
In a large windowed room, four people sat in the middle of the room sat around a crystal like table filled with seven chairs, one of them was sitting in a strange way; they looked as though they were expecting someone. Mercury Black, and Emerald Sustrai stood by a window looking onto the land of red, seeing Creatures of Grimm emerging from it the slime. Emerald had a look of horror on her face while Mercury looked as though he was disgusted by the sight of it.
Someone had snapped their fingers, and just from that, Mercury and Emerald went to the person's side.
This person was revealed to be Cinder, the Fall Maiden. Her hair was cut short and she wore a long red dress with a single sleeve covering her entire arm. Her face however told a different story; Her face had a scar in the form of an X just over the bridge of her nose and an eyepatch had covered her left eye.
Emerald and Mercury stood by her side, but Emerald pushed Mercury since he was standing in her way.
A man that sat across from Cinder, by the name of Watts had said as he fixed his tie, "Yes, please keep your… posse in check."
Mercury glared over at Watts, and when he was about to go at him Emerald stopped him. All Cinder did was look over in their direction, but strangely said nothing.
"You hear that?" Watts said to his comrades, "Silence. I have half the mind to thank the little girl that bested you."
A man that had just sat one seat away from Cinder that sat strangely in his seat, named Tyrian had said to her, "If I were you I'd hunt her down" He snickered, "Find her and well… She took your eye didn't she?"
All Cinder could was stare as Tyrian let out a loud and unsettling cackle. Cinder had tried to say something but her voice came out raspy and was hard to hear her words. She turned over to Emerald, who had leaned in to listen what she had whispered.
"Pathetic." Watts said, "Why did you even-"
Watts's sentence was soon cut short when they heard a latch open from the other side; the room suddenly grew into an eerie silence. The doors opened and they quickly stood. Sinn, Azure, Diamond and Elise entered, and in pairs they stood on opposite ends of the entrance, before they bowed.
Salem stepped into the room leaving a slight trail of black vapor in her wake. She walked alongside the table with the sound of soft footsteps; she reached to the purple crystals just at the other end of the room, stopping in her tracks.
"Watts." She said, making him flinch slightly; she turned to them, eyeing Watts in particular with her orange eyes glowing slightly, "Do you find such malignance necessary?"
She gestured them all to sit, and they all did, except for Watts. Azure and Diamond shut the double doors, before they all went to where Salem had taken a seat which what looked like a crystal throne.
"Apologies ma'am." Watts said calmly, "I'm not particular fond of failure."
He took a seat and team SADE now stood beside Salem; Sinn and Azure stood on her right side while Diamond and Elise stood on her left.
"Than I see no reason for your cruelty towards young Cinder." Salem said, "She's become our Fall Maiden, found the child Destiny, destroyed Beacon Tower, and most importantly… Killed dear Ozpin. So I'm curious, to what failure are you referring?"
They all sat there in silence before Watts had spoken again, "Well… The girl with the Silver Eyes."
"Yes." A man named Hazel said, who sat a seat away from Watts said, "We've dealt with her kind before. How is it a novice was able to best one of us?"
"My thoughts exactly." Watts said, "Even with her new power, it should have been effortless."
"It is because of the Maiden's powers." Salem said, "Make no mistake Cinder. You, Destiny, and the Rogue hold the key to our victory. But your newfound strength brings with it a crippling weakness. Which is why you will remain by my side as we continue your treatment."
Cinder turned away looking unhappy to hear that and Emerald couldn't help but give a sympathetic look over in her direction.
"Dr. Watts." Salem said turning to him, "You, Sinn and Azure are to take Cinder's place and meet with our informant in Mistral."
"Very good." Watts said.
"Tyrian." Salem said to him, "I want you to continue to hunt for the Spring Maiden."
Tyrian let out an unsettling chuckle, "Gladly."
"And Hazel." Salem said, "I'm sending you, Diamond and Elise to the leader of the White Fang. Adam Tarrus has arranged the meeting. The boy continues to prove loyal. Ensure that Sienna Khan feels the same."
"As you wish." Hazel said.
Team SADE looked to one another, giving an unsure look to one another, recalling what had happened sometime ago where Destiny had tried to escape because of the help of a certain someone. Elise than spoke up, "Mistress, please forgive me for speaking out of turn, but… What of Cristal? She's still out there looking for the little one, and she had almost escaped because of her. Shouldn't we be…"
All Salem did was lift her hand and Elise had stopped talking. Cinder gestured for Emerald; she didn't notice at first till she looked in her direction. She leaned and Cinder spoke to her; After a moment Emerald straightened up.
"Speak child." Salem said to Emerald.
"She wants to know…" Emerald said hesitantly, "... What about the girl?"
"What about her?" Watts said, "Seems to me like this is Cinder's problem not ours."
Cinder slammed her fist on the table as she glared over at him; Watts couldn't help but smirk. Azure was about to arm herself in case there was going to be some kind of fight.
"That's enough." Salem said to Watts and Cinder.
"Azure, calm yourself." Sinn said to her calmly, "No need to start a fight."
"... Apologies." Azure said standing straight.
Salem turned her attention back to a certain someone, "Tyrian?"
"Yes, my lady?" Tyrian said.
"Spring can wait." Salem said, "I want you to take Diamond and Elise, find Cristal, and the girl that did this to Cinder…"
Tyrian giggled excitedly and clapped at the sound of going after the girl with silver eyes.
"... And bring them to me." Salem finished.
Tyrian froze and couldn't help but groan with disappointment. He pouted only for a second, before looking back to Salem and shrugging.
"Great…" Diamond whispered to her partner, "We get paired up with the crazy one."
"You're gonna have to live with it." Elise said to her.
Salem said to everyone, "Because of your efforts, Beacon has fallen…. And Haven, will be next…"
Everyone rose from their seats, and Tyrian snickered over at Cinder getting her attention.
"Eye for an eye…" Tyrian said pointing to his left eye.
He started to give an unsettling laughter, as Cinder gritted her teeth. His laughter echoed throughout the entire room and halls.
(Ending Theme: Soul Eater Ending 2-Style Performed by Nishino Kana)