Disclaimer: The following is a nonprofit fanfiction of RWBY. RWBY belongs to Monty Oum(RIP) and Rooster Teeth. Any likeness to writings of others is not intentional. To help with improvements: Read and Review!

Warning: May contain feels. But if you're a manly man or a woman with a strong heart but don't want any sad news then go to the next chapter (or wait for it if it's not up yet).

"Is everything all set up?" Neptune asked on his scroll while wearing a lab coat. "This is really big for us."

"Can someone help me add the finishing touches to my costume?" Ren called out to anyone who was free while trying to fix his wig.

Blake was currently sitting in their transport to the comic-con with her book in hand. Next to her, she had the original Ninjas of Love series ready to be signed by her favorite author along with some other literature. Seeing that they weren't moving any time soon, she cracked her version open to continue the story.

Chapter 4: Burn

Nue Village

Tukson was happy with his life. After leaving the Oniwaban, he was able to start an honest life running a simple teahouse where all people of any race was welcome. While putting away some cups left on the tables, the bell signaling a customer had rung. Looking up, he was graced by the sight of a man with grayish hair with a band of men behind him.

"Can I help you fine gentlemen today?" He asked politely with a true smile. It wasn't strange to see people with swords out in this time especially with the Fang running wild.

"We'd like some fine tea and some dumplings if you have any." The leader said while ushering his men to take a seat. "We'd really like to enjoy the fine delicacies of this place while we're here. It's been a tiring travel."

Nodding, the owner of the establishment had called over to the kitchen where a sweet girl with ginger hair and freckles gladly prepared the orders. After minutes went by, she had stepped out for all of the men to see. After exiting back to the kitchen, Tukson gave her a smile that she returned in kind.

"A human." The man commented. "It's nice to see faunus and humans working together now."

"Indeed." Tukson nodded, taking a seat to clean a few cups. "Her name is Penny. Moved here with her father as volunteers of the new world. He fell on hard times so sweet thing asked me for a job to help bring money to the table. I've never regret it once."

"That's a nice tale." He commented while taking a sip. "You're an alright guy to help someone in need. …Think you can help me and my men out?"

"It depends on what you're asking." Feeling a shift in the man's tone, Tukson placed the cup down in case of danger. "But I doubt you'd find anything on a low shop owner like me."

"I think I could find some use for you, Tukson The Bloody Claws." The man said, setting his tea away from him. "I'm Qrow of the Renegades. And I think you have some information on where I can find Adam Taurus. We got word that he'd close by."

"Penny?" He called out to the girl.

"Yes Mr. Tukson?" She answered, walking out once more.

"Take the day off, sweety." He ordered her kindly. "Use the back entrance and say hi to your father for me."

"If you're sure." She nodded hesitantly, eyeing the company once more. Giving him a hug goodbye, she left.

"What do you want to know?" He asked Qrow, still sounding kind.

"Whe-" Before Qrow could talk, the bell had rung once more. Looking to the entrance, Tukson saw his nightmare coming to life.

A red katana in hand with a bone mask over his eyes, Adam Taurus had found him. "Hello …traitor."

Benzaiten – Royal Palace

Two days later

"One more time." Pyrrha gasped as she and Jaune had sparred against one another in the courtyard.

Blake had been weary with the news Sun had brought her. She had never left Ruby's side once since then. Everything from a creak to rustle had put her on high alert as she readied herself for anything. Jaune and Pyrrha had also gotten word and had doubled their training to sharpen their skills. While fighting her, Blake took note that Jaune's stance was similar to how he used his crop. It was elegant, but at the same time forceful.

As the two clashed once more, Pyrrha had taken the advantage to sweep his legs. Instead of falling down, the ex-prince had stood firm as a tree, not fazed by leg sweep and simply toppled his foe to the ground. As the two readied themselves once more, the gates had opened to show Qrow and his men entering.

Running up to greet them, the group took notice that there were fewer numbers than when they had left. Looking behind the leader of the Renegades, they were appalled to see a cart full of corpses wrapped in straw mats being pulled by those who able.

"Qrow?" Jaune called out weakly to his leader. "What happened?"

"The Fang happened Jaune." He answered gruffly while nursing a broken arm. "They found us in a teashop. …We lost good men, and a very kind shop owner."

"Name." Blake said hollowly, hoping it wasn't who she thought it was. "Did you get a name of the owner?"

"…Tukson." Blake had dropped to her knees as tears filled her eyes. Ruby and Weiss were by here side to comfort her in her grief. Just as Jaune went over to inspect the dead, Qrow had stopped him. "Let the dead rest Jaune. They're in peace now."

Walking over to Blake and the others, Velvet had placed a comforting hand on his shoulder while Pyrrha gave him a hug of comfort.

"Come with me to my quarters later Jaune." The dusty old crow said after ushering the cart to be moved away. "I have something important to ask you."

Nodding his head, Jaune walked over to a crying Blake to help in comforting her. "Did you know the man that died?"

"He was one of the faunus that saved my life." She sobbed. "I'd be dead if it wasn't for him jumping to save my life. He was a gentle man. Always kind and calm even the enemy was a monster."

"Remember him that way." He told her, kneeling in front of her. "It's always best to remember the dead as they were their whole lives."

Sun was by a tree gripping the trunk to the point it splintered in his hands as he shed tears for a fallen friend. Velvet had went to console him in his grief. "Damn you Adam. Damn you."

Afternoon

After reporting to Emperor Ren on his status, Winter had followed Qrow around the whole grounds trying to have a talk with him. Seeing that nothing would come out of it in his time of grief, she had relented to leave him be to spend time with her sister and Ruby.

As Jaune entered his master's quarters, he took note that Qrow wasn't using his sling anymore. "You wanted to see me sir?"

"Yes Jaune." He nodded, offering him a seat. "I wanted you here to ask how are you with the princesses and the emperor? Everything okay?"

"All is well." Jaune answered, not knowing why he was being asked these questions. "Why are asking me this?"

"No reason." Qrow shrugged, leaning in his chair. "I know you well enough to see you care deeply for them all. It's just sad that after today, you'll be gone from here."

"I'll be gone?" He said with raised brows. "You're taking me with you to capture Taurus?"

"…Yes." Qrow nodded glumly. "We're too many men short. I'll need all the people I can get my hands on."

"Then you'll be needing me to come along." Sun barged into the room looking angry. "I may be a Hunter, but if the main objective is to get to Adam; then sign me up."

"This was supposed to be a private conversation kid." Qrow said annoyed to the monkey faunus.

"I'm still going with what I said." The blonde monkey said through gritted teeth. "Tukson was my friend and I'm going after Adam with or without you."

"…Fine." The Renegade leader said lifting his hands. "You'll be with us to get Adam."

Nodding, Sun had made to leave with Jaune in tow but stopped after Qrow had called out to him.

"Take this with you." He said, tossing Jaune something wrapped in a white cloth. "I'd like it better if I was fighting with the Arcadian Prince that overthrew a king than a subordinate that's under me."

Opening the cloth, Jaune saw his old dessert robes and sword all cleaned. "I wont let you down Qrow."

Evening

Jaune and Sun stood at the gates looking to the moon shining on the ocean. Sun was garbed in dark blue clothes from his days in the Oniwaban whilst Jaune was in his dessert robes with his sword strapped to his side.

"I remember you in those." Velvet said, walking up to the two with a sad smile on her face. "You've started filling them our more, but I still see the young man that saved my life and the thousands in misery."

"This is the last time we might see each other." He told her looking down. Sun nodded knowing that if they left to find Adam, they may not come back as they are now. Alive.

"I thought the same thing after you left me." She said with tears leaking out. "And here you are now."

"Hey!" A familiar voice called out to them. It was Ruby with Weiss, Blake, and Pyrrha behind her. "We heard you two would be leaving tomorrow. Weren't you going to say goodbye?"

"Going off on a revenge mission." Blake swatted Sun on the head like old times. "Don't you have a Hunter team waiting for you?"

"I have a lot of people waiting for me." The monkey faunus pouted while rubbing his head. "Unlike you, I actually got married over the years. She's sweet and kind and-"

"I pity her already." Blake joked, trying to get away from the past events of the day. "Why go for revenge then?"

"Because I cant live in a world where Adam terrorizes the people I love." He said resolute. "He will fall. I don't care if it's by me or someone else."

As they all talked, Weiss had caught the cart of corpses still on the side under a tree. Nudging Jaune, Weiss had pointed to the cart wondering why it was still there.

"The Emperor will give a speech tomorrow to honor their death before they're cremated." He answered her. Nodding her head, Weiss's next words had stopped the trained warriors in their chatter.

"It's strange." She murmured. "Not to be disrespectful, but usually there'd be a foul smell coming off the corpses, right?"

True to her words, none of them could smell any decay or mortis. Even in the night, flies would be buzzing by the corpses by now. Looking over to the cart, the faunus had trained their heightened hearing and were shocked to find sounds of heartbeats.

"Everyone back inside." Just as they were running to the palace, the cart burst with life as Fang members got off one another to put on their masks with weapons ready. Weiss had turned around to see Adam amongst them fixing his bearings.

Taking her whistle out, Blake had whistled for the royal guards of an attack. The whole palace was overrun with chaos as a fight ensued. As the group entered an empty room, Sun had grabbed Jaune by his shirt and thrust him into a wall.

"You!" He growled, ready to hit him. "You brought them here!"

"I swear!" The Arcadian yelled, trying to get free. "I had nothing to do with this."

"Liar!" Just as Sun was about to hit him, Ruby had jumped on him and causing him to lose grip on Jaune. "Princess? Why?"

"Jaune isn't like that." She said with tears. "He's noble and kind. He;s my friend."

"Thank you princess." Jaune bowed on his knees. "I swear on any honor I have that I didn't know of any of this. I don't know how or why this is happening."

"We need to get out of the palace." Pyrrha said, unsheathing her blade. "If we can make it to my ship, we can have more security than we have here."

"Why so eager to leave?" Qrow said, jumping out of a secret passage. "The party is just getting started."

"How could you." Jaune glared at him with a look of betrayal. "I thought we were fighting for equality!"

"So are the Fang Jaune." He said, swiping his hair back. "They're not much of the nicest bunch to humans, but when they're desperate; they pay better than a king."

Flashback

A red katana in hand with a bone mask over his eyes, Adam Taurus had found him. "Hello …traitor."

"Adam Taurus." Qrow called out to him. "I've been waiting for you."

Tukson had taken his hidden katana he kept hidden beneath his counter. Trembling in fear, he felt comfort knowing he had back up.

SHLCK!

In a state of shock, the last feeling the nice shop owner felt was a sharp stab in his back as Qrow ran his sword straight through him.

"Sorry about that." He muttered, wiping his blade. "You wanted to talk business with me, and I end up killing someone in front of you."

"No need for apologies." He said gruffly. "I was going to kill him myself anyways."

"What's going on Qrow?" One of the Renegades asked, looking between the two leaders.

"This is a business opportunity boys." He said to them. "A group that's fighting for equality needs our help and are paying us a VERY hefty fee. From the look of thing, some of you don't want in. I'm okay with that. If you want to leave, raise your glass in the air in a sign of farewell."

As a majority raised their arms hesitantly, Qrow was quick to cut the limbs off and leaving them on the floor screaming in pain. Gesturing to the Fang leader, Adam had his men cut them off.

"A drink to a new partnership." Qrow offered a glass Tukson had cleaned with tea in it.

Timeskip

In Qrows Quarters

"I'll be gone?" Jaune said with raised brows. "You're taking me with you to capture Taurus?"

"…Yes." Qrow acted glumly while preparing the poison dagger he held in his hand. "We're too many men short. I'll need all the people I can get my hands on."

Sun had barged in, ruining Qrow's chance to murder the ex-prince.

End Flashback

"So the man that killed Tukson was you?" Blke growled with tears in her eyes. "You monster!"

Sun and Blake had lunged at Qrow with intent to kill. The room was soon overrun with other Fang members running in after hearing battle. As they saw the princesses, Jaune and Pyrrha had cut them down and pulled the princesses out of the room.

Seeing that Ruby was nowhere to be seen, Blake gave one final glare to the murderer before throwing a smoke ball on the ground to run after them while dragging Sun.

"Let me go!" He shouted, fighting her the whole way. "He needs to pay!"

SLAP!

"We need to protect Ruby and Weiss." Blake yelled at him, calming him down. "I saw them heading to the throne room."

In the throne room

Ren was combating the enemy with his men while Winter hid behind her guards. They were quickly diminished by the sheer numbers, but had taken a majority down with them. Hoisting another arrow, Ren shot a Fang member between the eyes, ending him for good. Just as he was about to ready another arrow, his sister along with her friends had entered.

"Your Highness!" Jaune shouted, cutting the men in their way.

"How did this happen Jaune?" The emperor asked, shooting another arrow while his guards battled on.

"It was Qrow." He said solemnly. "He betrayed us all."

"And you?" The bat faunus said, taking out a dagger.

"I follow no Renegade anymore on this day." He said with steel in his eyes. "What I do now will be proof of my words."

As Jaune and Pyrrha protected the royals, Blake and Sun had entered the throne room via secret passage while killing whoever was an enemy.

"Is Qrow dead?" Jaune asked the two. As they shook their heads, Jaune looked down in anger. "I'll hold him and the rest off. You two take the royals with Pyrrha and Velvet to the docks."

"That wont be necessary, Arcadian scum." The doors to the throne room were blasted open as Adam entered with Qrow beside him. Fire was set to the halls and it had spread into the room. "This is a treat indeed. Killing the royals of the Dust Empire completely along with our countries emperor and princess. And as a bonus: The ex-prince of Arcadia along with two traitors. For a human Qrow, you are quite the snake."

"The prince is mine to kill." Qrow smiled, his face looking more sinister in the flames. "It seems only fair I end my own as you end yours."

"Very well." And with that, the two swordsmen dashed forward to meet in combat with Jaune, Blake, and Sun.

"Pyrrha!" Jaune said in between swings, noting how quickly the flames were getting bigger. "Take them and go! Quickly!"

Nodding, Pyrrha and Velvet had taken the princesses and Winter through a secret passage Ruby knew about. Ren had stayed behind to end things once and for all. Taking out his father's old sword, Ren had charged in to aid his people in fighting Adam.

"Brave of you your highness." The terrorist mocked him as they clashed. "But I'm the better fighter here!"

"You talk too much." Ren growled, spinning to avoid a slice and returning one of his own that had caught Adam on the arm.

"So it's like that, is it?" Growling at getting hurt, Adam had pushed through Blake and Sun and made a wild swing that Ren had blocked with all his force.

Recovering, the two former Oniwaban had flanked the red swordsman and cut him on the legs, lowering his chances of winning.

With Jaune

"No words prince?" Qrow taunted while clashing blades with him as debris fell around them. "You must be that serious to end me. But you forget: I taught you everything you know!"

Kicking Jaune's front leg, Qrow swung his blade to cleave hhim in half, but was shocked to see Jaune recover quickly and dodge the swing. "I've learnt more than you know."

Taking in the offensive, Jaune had fought as dirty as he could from aiming at places Qrow had never thought of blocking, to throwing burning debris to push the man back. As the two continued fighting, Qrow took notice of his business partner losing as well.

"Dodge this then!" Changing postion, the Renegade leader threw his blade to Jaune.

Dodging quickly, he kicked his former master into a pillar but was confused to see a smirk saying he won. Turning back, he saw in slow motion as the blade had stabbed right through the emperor.

"NO!" The three shouted, running towards him. Qrow took the opportunity to grab Adam and flee.

"You're going to be okay." Jaune told the downed king, applying pressure to the wound after they had taken the sword out. Ren shook his head weakly, knowing it was his time. "Stay with me now. Ruby needs you. Your people need you!"

"R-run." Ren coughed out weakly, turning to Blake. "Protect my sister. …She is now …empress."

As Blake nodded, Sun and Jaune had picked up Ren's body to carry outside.

Palace courtyard

As the three exited, they saw the palace before them crumble and fall as it was engulfed in flames. The royal guards that had survived had seen the dead emperor and wept at their heavy loss.

There was no sign of Adam or Qrow as they had left with the remaining Fang members that had survived. Pyrrha's soldiers were combing through the whole city along with a group of Hunters as they scoured the area for signs of any Fang in hiding. They were able to capture a few, but the members had quickly killed themselves rather than be captured.

Ruby had wept for her brother's death as they laid him to rest. A memorial was set in his honor along with the royal soldiers that fell along side him. Through the whole of Benzaiten, a raincloud had covered the town as if the heaven's itself were weeping with the town's peole.

A week later

Benzaiten harbor

"Are you all set?" Weiss asked her fellow princess as they finishe packing their clothes.

Sun had offered lodging with his wife since the palace was destroyed. Her name was Coco, and she was human. The two had met as Hunters in training and had fallen in love. While some saw it as disgusting and wrong, she and the others were happy for him. Ruby had wished there were more people like Jaune, Sun, Coco, and Velvet. They never saw a race or traits. All they saw were people. People with life, hopes, and dreams.

'I wish people could see through their eyes.' Ruby shed a tear. 'Eyes like my brother's.'

"I'm ready." Ruby nodded, holding her bags.

After the burial, Winter had offered to take Ruby in to learn under the Dust Empire until she was of proper age to lead her country as their Empress. Blake, Jaune, and Velvet had decided to follow her as her new guards. Sun and Coco couldn't leave since they were Hunters and were needed in Benzaiten.

Walking to S.S Shikimashi, Ruby saw her friends waiting for.

Jaune had garbed himself in his Arcadian robes. His past clothing was his attest to being a Renegade. Now that he was neither, he was now her new personal royal guard along with Blake.

Velvet had offered to be her new servant willingly. Ruby had quickly turned her down. Seeing the bunny faunus looking sad, she had instead told her that she needed a friend to stay with her when Blake was busy. Velvet had offered to help teach her the same education Jaune had helped her to learn. Well, minus the spicy things.

As she boarded the ship with her friends, they were all stopped as Private Cardin Winchester stood before them, blocking their path. Instead of the usual look of arrogance, he held a face of sadness and empathy.

"Welcome aboard your highness. I am truly sorry for your loss and my past actions. …The Fang… has taken many things from all of us. Friends and family." He said while bowing.

"I forgive you." She said sadly, bowing in return. "We have all been hurt dearly."

Nodding at their actions, Pyrrha had shouted for all her men to set their course for home in the Dust Empire.

"Will you be okay Ruby?" Blake asked her highness.

"I will be, Blake." She said, wiping her eyes. "I'll return home. And I'll return a worthy ruler."

"And we'll be with you the whole way." Jaune said next to her.

"You wont be getting rid of us so easily." Velvet joked.

"Thank you all." She sniffled, grabbing them all in a hug. "I've always dreamt of going on an adventure. But I didn't think it would start like this."

As they sailed to the Dust Empire, they were unaware of a scheme happening in secret area.

"We were unprepared." Adam growled while his men fixed his legs. "Careless."

"That young subordinate of mine had a few tricks up his sleeve." Qrow coughed while one of his men tended to his wounds. "It looks like we need to up the ante on how we do things."

"No." The bull faunus stated, wincing as he was given more stitches. "We wait for the little princess's return. If I couldn't convince her brother, maybe I can convince her. I have men scattered across the globes gathering intel."

"And if she doesn't?" He asked.

"…I am getting up in the years." He mused with a smirk. "An heir would be beneficial. Especially of they are with royal blood."

As the two shared a laugh, they grew unaware of the men below them looking to them in fear and disdain.


"We're all set!" Sun called out to them as they entered their transport.

"Sweety, your scarf isn't on right." Coco pulled him over to her to fix his clothes. She missed the bird he gave Neptune as he imitated a whip.

"Everything okay Blake?" Ren asked the cat faunus.

"Everything is fine your highness." Blake mentally kicked herself for her mistake. She had learnt not to do the same with her team, but she forgot about the others.

"Oh haha. Real mature Blake." Ren rolled his eyes as he took the crown off. "The crown and veil is part of the costume, and the guy I'm cosplaying as is a monk."

END

AN: Le gasp! Emperor Ren died? This early in the chapters? Be honest guys. Did anyone ever think that NoL Qrow would be a bad guy? Or that death would come this soon? If you're looking for smuttiness in every chapter, then you're in the wrong fic. I plan to have this grow, not a wake up one morning and wanna bang kind of thing. Expect adventure, traveling, maybe a bit more action, feels, and maybe some trolling along the way.