F3: Hello everyone and welcome to chapter 9. Looks like things aren't what the group thought of the girls academy. Wonder what they'll come up with? RWBY is property of Rooster Teeth. Now with that said Let's Dive In.

Volume 4-9 Extra: Shutdown.


Inside the academy Beatrix had finished training the girls as it was starting to get dark out as she began making her walk back to her office to rest when Kari stopped her a moment.

"Pardon my intrusion Miss Browning but when I went to get what you wanted in your office I found something inside your office." Kari replied.

"And what would that be?" Beatrix questioned.

That's when Kari pulled out the black raven feather and show it to her as Beatrix held it in her hand.

"A feather? Is this some kind of joke?" Beatrix replied.

"No Miss Browning. I've been bird watching for several weeks and not once have I seen a raven feather. Because their aren't any ravens here." Kari stated.

"Then why is it here?" Beatrix questioned.

"Ma'am... I have reason to believe their is more to that woman than we know." Kari mentioned.

"I do believe you have a point. I want you to check the security cameras to see if anything you see is out of place." Beatrix ordered.

"Understood." Kari replied as she walked off. Beatrix however only held onto the raven feather wondering where it came from or from who.

An hour later night had fallen and Ruby and company had make camp just near the academy but far enough so that they're out of sight as a fire was burning bright.

Though Neo still couldn't help but the image of her mother out of her head as it bothered her to no end as she clenched her hand around Hush tightly while everyone else ate dinner. Yang however noticed the young girls turmoil as she put a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey... you okay? Something bothering you?" Yang asked.

Neo didn't want to give her a response but she figured that the others should at least know what was bothering her.

She put Hush down and brought out her scroll before typing on it and then pressed send.

All three of there scrolls went off as they checked it and saw that Neo decided to message them instead of using her sign language.

Yang read the message on her scroll that Neo sent them.

"You know that picture in the academy that is my mother?" Neo's message questioned.

"Yeah. Carmel Vanille. What about her?" Yang asked as Neo messaged them again.

"Truth is... even my name isn't real. Neopolitan was a name I gave myself after my parents abandoned me. Not even Rina knows about my real name." Neo message said.

"Real name? What do you mean?" Ruby questioned however Raven had a good idea.

"Something to do with your mother right." Raven added in which Neo nodded.

"The name I was born with... was Trivia Vanille. A name I will never call myself ever again." Neo messaged.

"Vanille? Does that name mean anything?" Yang asked.

"From what I understand their is a house known as the Vanille Estate here in Vale. Though I thought the house was abandoned." Raven replied.

"Oh it was abandoned alright cause my family moved out while leaving me behind!" Neo message expressing her anger.

"They left you behind! What kind of reason would they do that?!" Ruby asked not particully happy about what Neo mention.

"I wish I knew that myself. Was it something I did wrong or did they just simply not like me." Neo messaged with a sad look on her face.

Yang put a comforting hand on the young teens shoulders "Hey even if she's your mom it didn't look like she wasn't a good one if she just up and left you alone. Family isn't only just by blood but someone you can be with more than minutes at a time." Yang said.

Neo looked away a moment but eventually looked right a Yang and gave her a hug for trying to cheer her up.

"Alright let's finish up dinner and turn in for the night." Raven said as everyone did just that as Raven made sure the fire was put out before she herself turned in for the night.

=RWBY=

Meanwhile back at the girls academy Kari was checking over the security cameras per instructions by Beatrix and so far there wasn't much but she then got a point to where that older woman was talking to a young girl that apparently know each other in which the older woman was Raven Branwan.

Then the young girl separated from the older woman and she saw something that she thought her mind was playing tricks on her but she saw the older woman suddenly transform into a black bird to be accurately a raven as the bird took off and out of range of the camera.

"How is that possible?" Kari asked herself completely shocked from what she witnessed.

The door opened behind as Beatrix stood their "Have you found anything useful?" She questioned.

"Yes m'lady. There is something that I think you want to see." Kari replied as she replayed the footage she saw. Beatrix observed and even though she didn't show it she was rather surprised that Raven suddenly turned into a bird of all things.

"Hm... perhaps that explains the feather you found. That means the Branwen woman was in my office." Beatrix scowled at this.

"Ms. Browning what is our objective?" Kari asked.

Beatrix hummed a moment before she gave a grin remembering what Raven mentioned about that Yang girl being her daughter.

"We go after what hurts that woman the most. Go after that blonde girl. That's her daughter. If I suspect they aren't in their rooms if they've discovered what we do here. Also use Felica as well. She'd serve her purpose." Beatrix stated.

"Very well. Shall we search for them?" Kari questioned.

"And make sure your aren't caught. I have other matters to attend to if you don't mind." Beatrix stated as she left the room before going down to what would be known as a dining room for herself alongside her guest that had arrived.

"My apologies Ms. Vanille I was busy with another matter." Beatrix replied before sitting down across from her.

"Oh it's quite alright. Though you told me that my daughter is here yet I do not see my dear Trivia." Carmel stated.

"Yes. About that. It seems that your daughter is in that hands of a woman by the name of Raven Branwen alongside two others that are with her. More than likely taking your daughter hostage." Beatrix stated as she twisted the facts a little.

"Oh dear. They sound like an unsightly bunch." Carmel stated.

"But fear not. I'm already working on a plan to retrieve your daughter with no issues." Beatrix replied calming the woman.

"Ah... thank you Beatrix. You always come through for me." She said.

"Well for a former student of mine yes. In fact my students are already working on a plan as we speak." Beatrix stated as the two calmly drink their tea.

Meanwhile as they were talking the six girls were in the dormitories more importantly visiting a certain tiger faunus as they proceed to beat up on the girl as two of them held onto her arms and legs that she could get away as Kari punched her across her face.

"Now we'll ask you again. Where are they?" Kari asked firmly as Felica spat out blood from her mouth.

"I... I don't know." Felica wheezed out only to recieve another punch to her gut this time.

"Don't lie to us. The security cameras pictured you with them this morning. So you must know something. Tell me and I might just spare you." Kari replied before motioning to flip her over where her tail was.

Kari brought out a knife before grasping her tail "Now tell me where they are now or I might be prone to remove such a beutiful tail." She said placing the knife at the base of the tail as Felica struggled in their grips.

"Now tell me... where are they?" Kari questioned again.

"I swear I don't know!" Felica shouted but Kari didn't seem to like her answer.

"Then why don't I believe you. Last chance. Where. Are. They." Kari stated firmly as she started to put pressure on the base of tail threatening to cut into it as Felica only looked on a frightened look in her eyes.

Kari started to move the blade across the tail in order to cut it but Felica shouted.

"STOP!" Felica shouted practically begging as Kari stopped.

"They camped out! Somewhere nearby! That's all I know I swear!" Felica replied with tears streaming down her face. Kari with a satisfied grinn on her face removed the blade as the others dropped her on the ground but Felica didn't get up.

"Thank you for your contribution. You just bought yourself another day. Keep doing as your told you stupid pet." Kari said as she gave Felica a swift kick to the stomach before gesturing the others to leave as she followed.

Felica only stayed on the floor as she curled inward on herself holding her knees to her chest and curled her tail in as she cried.

=RWBY=

During the night it was rather peaceful night as Ruby and the others were sound asleep for the next morning but what they didn't noticed was that the very same six girls somehow found where they were and quietly snuck up on them. The six girls saw their targets sleeping but they were mainly aiming for one in particular as they zeroed in on the blonde haired teen.

Kari gestured to one of the girls to be ready as the other girl held up a pipe to her mouth as she waited the command. Kari then gave a silent order and the girl blew into the pipe as a dart flew out of the other end and hit Yang in the back shoulder. Their was a small flinch but the effects of the dart had kicked in completely knocking the girl out cold.

They had to be quick as they never know if the other three will wake up as they grabbed hold of Yang and dragged her out of the sleeping bag before having her being carried off back to the academy so that their headmistress could begin her plan.

"Ms Browning mission accomplished. We've captured her daughter and returning now." Kari stated over an earpiece as they began their return to the academy.

"Very good. Bring the girl to me. I'm sure they're bound to respond when the morning sun comes up." Beatrix stated more than pleased with the result.

Once they've arrived back at the academy the two that were carrying her placed Yang in a chair before tying her up with the rope they had making sure it was tied tight.

Beatrix arrived with Carmel in tow as said woman looked upon Yang with some distaste.

"So this is that womans daughter? This... childish brute. Such a pathetic sight for a huntress." Carmel commented.

"Don't worry. With her here they'll have to obey what we want if they ever want her back." Beatrix stated.

All we do now is wait." Beatrix added waiting for the moment to spring their trap on the other three to come and rescue Yang which is what she is counting on.

Hours later the sun rose as Ruby was the first one to wake up before everyone else as she stretched her muscles and getting up from her sleeping bag. She let out a satisfied sigh as she felt her back pop as she did her morning stretches. However during her morning stretches she glanced over to Yangs sleeping bag except their was one problem... their was no Yang inside it.

Ruby immediately headed over to the sleeping bag and checked it and she was right their was no Yang inside it. What was worse that her weapon Ember Celica was still beside the bag.

"Raven! Neo! Wake up! We got a problem!" Ruby shouted making the two jump as Raven grabbed hold of Omen like she was about to kill something as Neo jumped to attention with Hush at her side.

"Ruby what's wrong?" Raven asked not exactly liked being woke up by a shout.

"It's Yang! She's missing!" Ruby shouted pointing toward the empty sleeping bag.

"Hold on their Ruby. She might have gone on patrol." Neo signed but Ruby held up the two yellow armbands in her hands.

"Without her weapons." Ruby pointed out.

Now that would bring suspicion to everyone as they all know Yang never leaves unarmed.

"That can't be good. If those are still here than that would mean Yang must've been taken from us while we were all asleep." Raven added.

"But how Yang would've put a fight if someone would've touched her and would alert us." Ruby said with a thoughtful look.

Neo pondered that too but then noticed something under Yangs sleeping bag that stuck out rather quickly. She walked over and grabbed the end of it before showing the others what she had found. It was a small purple dart with a sharp needle at the end that looked like it had already deposited its contents as a small drop came out from the tip.

"A sleep dart. Can knock a grown person out in seconds. They didn't want to take the chance of Yang waking up so they used this first and then carried her off. And I think I know where." Raven said before looking toward the direction of the girls academy.

"The academy? Why?" Ruby asked but Neo had any idea of what Raven was talking about.

"It's a trap. They want to lure us in with Yang being the bait. Then they'll spring it on us once we're inside." Neo signed.

"Then we're going to need a plan to get inside." Ruby replied.

"No." Raven simply said which surprised both of them before she looked at them.

"I need you two to get inside and get Yang out. I'm going in their and face them myself." Raven stated.

"Are you sure that's wise auntie? They'll be expecting you to show up you know." Ruby replied.

"I know but that is why I'll be counting on you two." Raven added but a hand on both their shoulders.

"They picked on the wrong woman. I'll keep them busy while you two get Yang out." Raven replied as she turned in her bird form and flew off toward the academy.

The two of them simply looked at each other not sure what plan they could come up with.

"So... you got a plan cause I'm drawing a blank." Ruby said.

Neo put a finger under her chin as a thought came to her so the two could come up with a plan.

=RWBY=

Meanwhile Beatrix was waiting outside alongside Carmel, the six students that were with her and a tied up Yang as they were waiting for a certain someone to appear.

Just like she thought a raven flew above them before flying around a tree before the actually woman came forth out as Raven stood before them.

"Ah so you arrived. Do you know that it's rude to keep a lady waiting." Beatrix said.

"Sorry but your no lady. Now I'm only going to say this once. Hand over my daughter and no one has to get hurt." Raven stated firmly.

"I don't think your in a position to make demands you brute. Now kindly put your weapon on the ground so that you don't get any ideas." Carmel replied.

However Raven did not as she smirked "Actually I think you should listen to me before you lose one of your students." Raven replied.

"What are you talking about?" Beatrix questioned.

"Sure you may have my daughter but you honestly should've gone for my niece. Cause my niece is heck of a shot when it comes to sniping grimm. So wonder what kind of damage she can do against a regular person." Raven replied.

"Take the bait. Take the bait." Raven internally pleaded.

"You're bluffing. She wouldn't have the guts to shoot one of my students." Beatrix replied.

"Do you want to risk that? All I got to do is make one command and she'll shoot the first person she has her scope on." Raven replied crossing her arms as she smirked.

The six girls looked around trying to find the girl that could possibly shoot them but what they didn't know was that Ruby and Neo already had a plan in motion as Neo suddenly walked in and stood next to Raven. Though there was something strange about Neo for one that one her eyes is silver as Neo winked at her in response.

Carmel seemed to smile at see her not even seeing the difference.

"Ah their's my sweet daughter. My have you grown." Carmel complimented as 'Neo' only rolled her eyes not even buying the sweet tone in her voice.

"Now why don't you come over to momma and we can chat." She said almost like she was condesending Neo.

"Actually how about a simple trade? My daughter for your's and no one has to get hurt or killed today. Sound fair for everyone and don't forget my niece is still watching you all." Raven warned.

Carmel huffed "Very well you damn ruffian." She stated.

Beatrix motioned one of the girls to untie Yang before standing her up and pushed her forward.

"Walk." Kari ordered as Yang just that and then Neo walked forward. Once the two got close enough Yang could tell the difference in her eye color that her right eye was silver and not brown as Yang simply grinned at this.

Once Yang was by her mothers side she passed Yang her armbands as she put them on.

"Now that's better." Yang said glad that her weapons were on her again. Meanwhile 'Neo' stood by her mothers side waiting patiently.

"Now that this is over with get off my property you heathens." Beatrix replied as the six girls were ready to jump in to fight.

"Oh we'll leave... just one more thing before we go. Tell me Beatrix what do you call when one target switches with another that lures the enemy in." Raven replied.

"Why should I bother answering that question." Beatrix stated.

"Nothing it's just that... you've just been had." Raven replied with a smile.

"What are you...!" Carmel started but she then started putting things together as it was suspicion that she gave her daughter up so easily without much of a hassle or a fight. That was when took a look at Neo for herself and noticed something that shouldn't be their. Her one eye was silver and not brown.

"You're not my daughter." Carmel confirmed as Neo gave a wide smirk.

"Nor every will be miss prissy." 'Neo' replied as the illusion around her vanished revealing Ruby instead surprising Carmel.

Almost immediately Ruby activated her semblance just as one of the girls was charging at her and slammed into her knocking her into the other five as rose pedals flew in the air from her semblance.

They barely had to react as Ruby was already next to Raven and Yang with their weapon primed and ready.

Carmel was furious at this "Why you little! How dare you trick us like that! Where is my daughter!" Carmel shouted at the three of them.

"Why don't you ask her herself." Ruby said gesturing to above the wall. She looked and their with all her splendor was Neo with Hush in her hands glaring at Carmel with no remorse in her eyes.

"Ah their is my dear Trivia. So good to see that your-" Carmel didn't get another word out as Neo pointed Hush at the womans feet and fired causing a small explosion where she almost got her feet blown off.

Trivia gasped at this "Now that wasn't very nice dear. Come down from their before you hurt yourself." Carmel ordered but Neo didn't listen.

"Yeah you can cut the bullcrap lady. We know that you abandoned her when she was only seven. Some mother you are." Yang spat out.

"I didn't abandon her I..." Carmel began but again one of them cut her off.

"Simply forgot her. Yeah like we're falling for that. You left her on purpose to fend for herself. What kind of mother does that to their own child?" Ruby shouted not buying anything that Carmel said.

"You don't simply forget someone for ten whole years." Ruby added.

This angered Carmel as she finally broke "Fine! You know why we decided to abandon her. She was never going to be perfect. When I gave birth to her I had dreams that she would become something great that I could be proud of but instead she became a complete imperfection. I have tried to be a great parent but when your constantly hounded by other elites about their daughters freakish eyes it starts becoming a problem." Carmel began as they took everything in.

"So I found a large estate out in Mistral. Myself and my husband both moved to their without having to worry about that stain of imperfection of a daughter. She could die for all I care." Carmal admitted which hit Neo to her core as her anger was starting to boil.

"And you know what's even better. We have a new daughter at home just waiting for me. So it matters very little if I come home with Trivia or not." Carmel said venom running down her mouth with every word.

Neo came down from the wall and joined Ruby's side her weapon still pointed at her.

"You sicken me. A parents job is to nuture our kids and help them grow into whatever they want to become not put them on a path that you force on them. We are to help them get up when they fall and heal them when they get. Correct them on their mistakes and encourage them when they do something right. There's no such thing as a perfect child. Try as hard as you might but there will still be imperfections. What gives you the right to decide how they should live? Even this school is a prison for their dreams to come and die." Raven replied.

"That's the point of this school. Each and everyone of these students are to become the finest in society and the most dangerous to those that dare stand in their way. Take these girls for example. They are the best from the families that came here to carry on the tradition. Lowlifes like you would never understand our vision in this world." Beatrix replied.

"All I see in front of me are girls that were robbed of their opportunities to be what they want to be. There dreams are just put aside for what their families want but not what their children want." Raven spat as her words seem to connect with the six girls in front of them as they started thinking amongst themselves.

"Dreams? Ha! There dreams mean very little to me when all they can do what they are told!" Beatrix replied with a smirk.

"You're wrong!" A female voice shouted as they looked to their left and notice Felica standing their confidencen on her face.

"Our dreams give us inspiration to look forward to. Something to keep us going and to never give up on that dream. But they can't do that if their trapped here in this school. Sure not everyone wants to be here and some are even wanting to stay... but those that want to leave have the right the follow their own dream. Isn't that right Kari!" Felica shouted at the girl who only winced.

"Quiet you worm! Especially you need to learn some manners of how you speak to someone who is high class than you." Carmel ordered.

"Oh blow it out your ears you old hag!" Felica fired back before going back to Kari again.

"What was it that you wanted to do Kari? You know what I mean don't you?" Felica questioned as Kari only gritted her teeth in frustration.

"Yeah... I know." Kari admitted.

"You were wanting to attend the same academy as your twin brother right but he got we he wanted while you got put in here for your reckless behavior by your parents. Look where that's got you." Felica replied.

"Enough! This talk is starting to bore us." Beatrix stepped in before they could continue.

"Now I order you girls to eliminate them!" Beatrix ordered.

However none of the six girls moved an inch as Raven and the group were anticipating them to attack. Kari was the first to speak as she head her head down.

"No." She simply stated which caught Beatrix off guard.

"What did you say?" Beatrix questioned an angry scowl on her face.

"All this time at this school... all it's taught me is how a lady should act in high society... what if I don't want to be a lady. But a huntress instead." Kari stated.

"What? That is completely ridiculous. That is a dangerous way of talking young lady. Your life is much safer with my school." Beatrix said trying to convince her otherwise.

"What if I don't want to be safe? I wanted the thrill, the excitement, to stare death in the face and spit at it. All those letters my brother sends me... makes me regret ever being forced to come here. So no Beatrix I'm not going to do what you want me to do anymore." Kari said as she walked away as she stood beside Felica.

The other five girls looked at each other before making their descision as they too walked over and stood by Felica.

"My my look at how the tables turn." Raven replied with a knowing smirk.

"This changes nothing! You hear me! Nothing! Even without them I can still handle you all by myself. I should be able to handle a simple huntress like you. I'll make your death swift." Beatrix stated as she brought her weapons which were twin long bladed sais.

"You'll have to go through us first." Yang said as her, Ruby and Neo were ready to join in the fight but Raven put an arm in front of them to stop them.

"Simple huntress? You must be joking. I'm anything but simple. Tell me have you ever heard of Team STRQ?" Raven questioned.

"Should I?" Beatrix asked back but Carmel actually recongized the name.

"They were the famous huntsman team to ever graduate out of Beacon Academy." Carmel said.

"Were? More like we still are. Cause your looking at one of the members of that team." Raven replied.

"Allow me to reintroduce myself. Raven Xiao-Long Branwen. Member of Team STRQ. Not so pleasure to meet you." Raven said as she readied her blade.

"Big deal your still just nothing compared to me." Beatrix stated however Carmel had other ideas.

"Ms Browning I recommend that you reconsider your threat." Carmel said.

"Why?" Beatrix questioned.

"There have been stories I've heard about that team. They defeated a large ancient grimm while still in their youths and even defeated other skilled huntsman and huntresses." Carmel replied.

"Oh that. Should've seen us what we did to two Alpha Taijutus then you'd be thinking twice about pointing those things at me." Raven said though Yang and Ruby looked at each other almost confusingly.

Now Beatrix was starting to sweat bullets from her head Raven red eyes glared into hers unrelenting and unflinching like she was begging her to do something.

Beatrix was trying to put on a straight face but she eventually relented as she let out a growl of frustration.

"Fine! Just get out of my sight!" Beatrix shouted before turning to Felica and the other girls.

"And you seven. Get out of my school. Pack your things and leave." She growled as the seven girls cheered in response as Raven smiled at this.

=RWBY=

After leaving the school grounds the large group was making their way toward the docks as Raven was speaking with Kari.

"So what now? Your parents will no be happy that you left the academy." Raven said.

"Oh they'll get over it. Besides I never really liked that place anyhow. I think everyone is going to go back home with our families. Three of us come from Atlas while everyone else is from Mistral so we should be okay." Kari stated.

"Though how are you going to get in contact with anyone?" Raven questioned.

"I have connections on the military base in Argus. They should be able to provide us all a lift to where we need to go. What about all of you? Aren't you heading somewhere?" She asked back.

"Mistral actually. Were going to make our way to Haven Academy." Raven answered.

"I could give you girls a lift their if you like." Kari suggested.

"Thanks for the offer but this is something that you might not want to get involved in. Trust me on that." Raven stated.

"Hey mom! Everything is loaded up! Hurry up or it'll leave without us!" Yang called out.

"Coming!" Raven called back.

"Well stay safe out their." Kari said.

"To you as well." Raven said back as she walked toward the dock and got onto the ferry as it began to depart as the seven girls were waving to them.

"Any idea what's going to happen to the academy?" Ruby asked.

"More than likely it'll still be open but I don't think she's going to get any of the ones that stay do anything that'll turn them into criminals when they graduate." Neo signed.

Yang had a curious look on her face as she stared at her mom for a minute which caught her attention.

"What? Do I have someting on my face?" She asked.

"Did you guys really take down an anicent grimm?" Yang asked.

"That. Oh no that was a rumor started by Qrow. Thought could use that to take advantage without causing any bloodshed." Raven said.

"So bascially... you were bluffing the whole damn time!" Neo signed.

"Pretty much." Raven said simply.

A long pause stood between the four of them as Ruby suddenly started bursting into laughter followed by Yang and then Raven while Neo silently laughed at this as the ferry began taking them to their next destination well knowing what other adventures lay ahead for them as a bullhead came flying over them heading the same direction as they were.


F3: At last. It is done. Now I know this was a rather short story with not that many chapters but that was kinda the whole point the entire time as now Ruby and company are on their way to Mistral. The next story is bound to be longer that I'm sure. With that please don't forget to comment and also to follow and/or favorite this story. With that said this is Firesuer3 and I'll see you all next time.