The next morning, Taiyang had gotten up early, and was using the time to view the video of the fight released online. He saw his daughters and their friends battling Torchwick, saw how well they fought. It honestly scared him. A few weeks ago they weren't at this level, so what had changed between now and then? He knew Qrow had been training them, some more than others, but even he couldn't have turned them into four huntresses capable of going toe to toe with Torchwick.

He looked at Ruby, saw the gleam in her eyes. She was incredible, leading her friends, staying on top of the situation. He knew why she was doing so well…

"Summer!" He called, racing down the forest trail with leaves crunching beneath his feet.

He had seen the Grimm charge her, sending her deep into the forest. But like an idiot, he focused on himself first, assuming that she'd be back in a few minutes.

Now she was gone, and he had no idea where she was.

A brilliant flash of white broke through the trees to his left. He turned, immediately running towards it. Branches cut red lines across his face, but he didn't slow.

There was a clearing. Soft moonlight reached through the forest, framing Summer with an ethereal glow. She was kneeling, decaying Grimm all around her.

Taiyang crept closer, peering into every dark crevice.

"Stay back!" She leapt up, her voice breaking. She was shaking, her steps wobbly and tentative. For some reason, her eyes were closed.

"Summer, it's me, Taiyang! I'm not going to hurt you!" He reached out a hand.

CRASH!

A Death Stalker smashed through the tree line, darting for the two teenagers. Taiyang armed his weapon, but he knew how much of a chance he had. He braced himself for impact.

An impact that never came. His vision was blinded by white light, leaving stars in his eyes even after it faded. He looked at the Stalker, and saw only dust remaining. He turned around to Summer.

She was standing tall, eyes now open. Her eyes glowed like a spotlight, hurting his own. When he had thought the moonlight was making her glow, he was wrong. She was glowing, literally.

"Summer…?" He whispered.

She looked at him, dread clearly visible on her face.

"It's still me! Right, please believe me I don't know what that is!" She cried, terrified beyond belief.

He brought her close, his voice lower than a whisper.

"It's ok."

Ozpin had later told her, and by extension her team, how. It was magic, real magic. How it enhanced her skills, made her stronger. She was the silver-eyed warrior, destined to be the Grimm's mortal enemy.

When Ruby had been born with the same eyes, they both knew what it meant. Sure enough, almost as soon as she could walk, she was experimenting with weapons, asking stories about their adventures. Even Yang took longer than that to be interested. When she showed up one morning with a giant scythe she had somehow made herself, well, it was time to enroll her in Signal. Hopefully before she blew up the house.

Still, something was off. Ruby's sudden increase of skill at least had a plausible explanation, but the others were just as skilled. Yang's shot's didn't normally blow holes in asphalt, Weiss struggled to make glyphs beyond her basic version, and Blake… was probably doing better than she should, but her style wasn't flashy enough to tell from a video.

There was a brief shot of Ruby nearly parallel to her scythe, and Taiyang nearly dropped the scroll. It wasn't anything special, just her twirling it around before shooting through Weiss's glyphs, but she was taller. Maybe not by much, but she was a few inches taller than she had been before yesterday. Looking closer, he saw that nearly all of the girls were taller or fitter than before.

Something about this didn't fit.

Collapsing the scroll into its smaller form, he dialed Qrow's number. This was more than just some fluke accident or sudden increase in skill. There was something going on here.

The call went to voicemail.

"Hey Qrow, it's Tai. Look, I know you're busy, but something just happened with Ruby, and I think it's related to her eye thing." He pauses.

"Just meet me at the place."

The call ended, and Taiyang started writing a note for the girls.

He would be sad to miss them leaving, but this way he could make sure he didn't embarrass Ruby again.

She'd thank him for that, at least.

Weiss had lived most of her teenage years under the constant threat of some terrorist breaking into her home and trying to hurt her or her family. It was one of the reasons she had protested against the bunk beds so much.

So when she awoke in a strange house, it was very understandable that she nearly skewered the person who had awoken her.

Thankfully, said person was Ruby, so she managed to dodge her inadvertent strike.

"Good morning Weiss!" She was still somehow smiling.

"…Good morning."

Still smiling, Ruby pulled her up. "So, my dad had some kind of mission, so I had an idea! We can get a head start on stopping Cinder; I still remember where the train was, so we can head there first."

She sighed, "Fine. Just give me a minute to prepare myself." Her stomach growled, "And get something to eat." She looked at Ruby, expecting to see her holding back giggles.

She just smiled.

"Ok! I'll go get the others up then! See you in ten!"

She ran out, sending a swarm of rose petals into the air. Weiss fell back onto her… cot?

"It's Blake all over again."

Speaking of the cat faunus, she was well awake long before Ruby smashed through her doorway. She was sitting on the bed, reading. Probably for the best, considering last time she had woke them up she used a whistle.

"So Blake, guess what we're doing today?" She smiled, but her face was otherwise blank.

"…Going to Beacon?"

She shook her head, "And were going to go and stop Cinder today! You see, I remembered where the train was, so we can just take a transport, go over there, and take it down!" It sounded like a typical Ruby plan, but it was missing the usual gestures or gushing. She just…smiled the whole time.

"All right, I'll just go get ready to go then."

"See you downstairs!" She left the room. Blake put her book away.

She's pulling a me.

Ruby slowly opened Yang's door, peering in through the crack.

"Yang, it's time to get up!" She began to yell, before a shot from Ember Celica crashed into the door.

"Okay! I'll just see you in a few minutes then!"

She ran before Yang decided to aim.

In perhaps one of the strangest flights they had, the two pilots onboard Weiss Schnee's airship were ordered to bring their charge and her friends to Mountain Glenn. Although they had protested, it was a very dangerous location, they weren't stupid enough to say no the Miss Schnee for too long. She spent way too much time practicing with that sword of hers.

So that's how RWBY found themselves approaching the entrance to Torchwick's staging area. They took cover behind some rocks before they entered the area where the train would be.

"Here we go," Ruby whispered. "Three, two…"

They leapt out. Ruby unfolded Crescent Rose into its scythe form, planting it into the ground. Weiss had Myrtenaster out, prepared to launch a hurricane of dust. Blake wielded both parts of Gambol Shroud, the gun portion ready to fire. Yang hit the ground with a thud, her arms up.

A stalactite fell from the ceiling.

The tracks were devoid of a train. There was nothing moving in the city aside from Grimm, and it was very clear that there hadn't been any human habitation here in a long time.

Ruby spent the next twenty minutes cutting up Grimm.

The ride to Beacon was a solemn affair. Ruby disappeared the moment they boarded, and didn't resurface until they arrived at Beacon. Say what you will about her, but it's hard to catch someone long enough to talk to them when they're faster than some cars.

So that's how Ruby found herself sitting on a bench near the edge of the forest, staring out into the woods. She knew she should probably head towards the school, start getting ready for the initiation the next day, but she didn't want to face Pyrrha or anyone else. She failed. She didn't stop Torchwick again, even though she knew that he was going to be there.

A twig snapped behind her. She jumped up, Crescent Rose deployed. But it was Jaune, not some horrible monster. He had pulled out his shield, ready to block her attack.

She fell back down, her face the same colour as her cloak.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you!" She squeaked.

"No no no no, you didn't! I was just, you know, reacting!" He put his hand behind his head, accidentally cutting off some of his hair.

He sighed, "Let's just start over. I'm Jaune Arc. Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue. Ladies love it."

Can't believe I forgot about this. What did I say last time?

Perhaps a few seconds longer than socially appropriate, she managed to speak, "Really? Do they now?"

He quietly laughed, "Well, I hope they will. My mom says they will, but parents aren't the best judges."

She giggled; she had forgotten how funny he was now.

"Wait!" He looked at her, his eyes wide. "You're that girl from the news! The one who took on that Torchwick guy!"

She deflated; of course that's what he would bring up.

"How did you hear about that?"

"It was on the news! It was amazing! I've never seen anyone fight like that before!"

She stopped, her voice turning bitter, "Then you haven't seen many fights before. We sucked; he got away and now..." People are going to die.

"So?" He asked, twisting around to face her.

"So now he can just keep going, keep hurting people. I should've stopped him!" She was yelling by now, her hands clenched into fists. A few bystanders stopped to stare.

"Hey, you've got all year to worry about stuff like that. I'll be lucky if I make through first day…"

She heard his words, but it took her a minute to respond. He was right, of course. She still had plenty of time to save everyone. She started to smile, for real this time.

"Thank you Jaune."

He chuckled, "Don't mention it." He looked around, "I don't suppose you know where we're supposed to go, do you?"

She shook her head at him, "Come on!" She dragged him to the auditorium, him screaming the entire way.

When Ruby had reappeared in the auditorium dragging Jaune, Weiss immediately alerted Yang. She had been nearly frantic worrying about the red-clad huntress, despite the rest of her teams reassurances. They both knew that Ruby just needed some time. They had a setback, but she had clearly bounced back.

Sure enough, when Yang met up with Ruby, the younger sister had enveloped the older in a spine breaking hug.

Shortly after, Ozpin began to speak, welcoming them to Beacon in his bizarrely hostile way.

Their second chance was well underway.

Taiyang's feet squelched as he walked through the muddy soil. Bird calls filled the morning air, providing a constant reminder of who he was meeting. The noon sun speared through the branches of the tree line, crafting bizarre shadows on the forest floor. The warm wind caressed his face.

He arrived at the destination, Summer Roses tombstone. Slowly, he walked over. He knelled down, brushed his lips against his pointer and index, and laid them on her symbol.

He heard footsteps behind him. Faster than the unaided eye could see, he slid on his two gloves before charging. A slurry of dirt and grass was sent flying into the air.

He threw a left jab.

A sword blocked his fist, pain jolting through his arm.

The sword twisted, nearly skewering him.

He jumped over it, landing a kick to the face of his opponent.

He twisted around mid-jump, catching a sword to the back for his trouble.

He flew straight into a tree, before flipping back on to his feet.

The sword wielder crashed into him and the two traded blows faster than Ruby could hope to follow. The crashes and thumps of sword against weighted glove echoed through the forest, sending any sane creature far away.

The sword-wielder slightly overextended his reach, allowing Taiyang to smash his elbow into the ground. Rock and dust erupted from the impact, cloaking both huntsmen in a cloud of filth.

He crouched, prepared for another blow.

A gust of wind blew away the dust and debris, leaving Taiyang sputtering. Standing to his left was Qrow, looking no worse for wear.

"When we snuck into Glinda's dorm room, what did we steal?" He snarled; his sword aimed at him, its blade bent downwards. The sleek black barrels bore straight towards his face.

Taiyang lowered his hands, "Test answers for Port's Grimm anatomy test."

Qrow stared at him for a minute, before chuckling and sheathing his sword.

"You're getting old."

Taiyang crossed his arms, "Say's the guy turning grey."

Qrow glared at him, hand going to his hair.

Taiyang laughed, "You ever going to tell me why you always do this when we meet?"

Qrow started to smile, "Maybe sooner than you think. What was it you needed to talk about?"

Taiyang grew serious, and he pulled out his scroll.

"You've seen the footage from last night?"

A shadow fell on Qrow's face, "Yeah. I have."

"It might not be anything, but look at right here, when she twirls around Crescent Rose? She looks taller, doesn't she?"

Qrow peered into the screen.

"Or it could be the cameras. I just worried about it because of everything else that happened. It's adding up to something off. I thought maybe you'd know?" Taiyang blathered. Honestly he wasn't quite sure why he panicked so much about it.

"No, I think you're on to something. But we have other problems."

Qrow tossed the scroll back.

"That women near the end, the one throwing all the fire? I think I've fought her before."

"Since she's still alive, she either beat you or ran. Which one? Please say the second."

Qrow stared at him, all mirth gone.

"She ran, but she could beat me. Easily. She…" He raised a hand to his face.

"Screw it. You ever heard of the four maidens?"

Taiyang groaned, "You're kidding me, that's real? What's next, dragons?"

Qrow's wince was not encouraging.

They started walking back towards Patch.

"So what's the plan? The kids are obviously in danger, and I'm guessing that this goes way beyond them." Taiyang asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Simple. We talk to the man in charge."

Ozpin stood in his office, overlooking the incoming students. Hundreds of children, newcomers and otherwise, all of them intending to join the world's most dangerous profession.

One group in particular caught his attention. This group had already proven themselves in battle the previous day, but now he saw that they were missing a member. Ruby Rose had run off.

He wasn't worried yet. It was just as likely the crowds that caused her to flee, as it was doubts. Or perhaps she was simply dealing with her failure to apprehend Torchwick. Regardless, he was certain she could handle it.

The sound of his elevator's doors being stripped off their hinges quickly signalled who had joined him. He turned, drinking a large amount of his coffee as he did so.

"Qrow," he paused, startled to see the blond-haired man behind his operative, "And Taiyang."

"I take it you're here about what transpired last night?"

Qrow strutted up to his desk.

"Partly. But we both know it's more than that."

He raised his eyebrows, "Really? You believe it's time?"

Qrow smirked, his eyes glinting the morning sun, "It's already been decided."

Taiyang leaned over Qrow's shoulder, "Would you mind telling me what you're talking about?"

Ozpin ignored him, "Very well, your new mission starts tomorrow." He sat down, rubbing his forehead.

"Are you absolutely sure?"

Qrow's smirk disappeared, his shoulders sagging.

"I am."

"Taiyang." Ozpin opened his scroll, searching through dozens of files.

"Have you ever heard of-"

"The maidens? Yeah, they're real. Qrow kinda told me."

Ozpin glared at Qrow, a glare that reduced most mortal men to ashes.

Qrow merely shrugged and drank from his flask.

"Well then," Ozpin set his scroll on the table, and a brilliant hologram of all of Vale spread out across the room.

"Welcome to our little group."

Taiyang gaped at the image, eyes wider than dinner plates. Before long however, he turned to look at Ozpin.

"So, what does this have to do with Ruby?"