Chapter 22: It's Brawl in the Family

After the Team SSSN vs. Team NDGO fight, everyone began leaving the stadium for the day. Team RWBY and Team SHDW began to leave their seats, but then a ribbon-adorned craft passed over the colosseum, causing Weiss to stop in her tracks and Ruby to bounce into her, thus causing Skyler to bounce into her.

"Uh, what are you viewing?" Ruby asked.

Weiss was looking up at the craft with a joyous expression, "She's here!"

And Weiss began to speed walk out of the colosseum, Skyler and Ruby following her, curious on who Weiss was talking about.

XXX

Later, Ruby and Skyler followed Weiss to the docking bay, where that strange ship had landed.

"Weiss!" Ruby exclaimed, trying to catch up, "What is the big deal!? Who is it? Who is she!?"

Weiss stopped and smiled, "Winter."

"Winter?" Skyler asked, "Like... the season?"

"Wait," Ruby said, "Your sister?"

"Wait what?!" Skyler said surprised, this being new to him, "You have a sister?"

He looked at the woman who had left the ship. Sure enough, he could make out white hair and a fancy dress. It was pretty easy to tell that this woman was Weiss' sister.

Weiss cupped her mouth and called out, "Winter!!"

The three ran up to the elder Schnee as she noticed them.

"Winter!" Weiss greeted excitedly, "I'm so happy to see you! Oh, um... Your presence honors us."

Weiss ended off with a curtsy. Skyler was beginning to feel a little underdressed for an occasion such as this. Winter looked around and spoke in an elegant voice.

"Beacon..." she stated, "It's been a long time. The air feels... different."

"I mean, it is fall," Ruby said in a quiet voice, "So, eh, it's probably colder..."

Weiss promptly punched Ruby hard in the shoulder before turning back to her sister, "So, what are you doing here?"

"Classified," Winter answered.

"Oh, right," Weiss replied before trying again, "Well, how long are you staying?"

"Classified," Winter repeated.

"Of course."

There was an awkward silence before Ruby spoke, "Well... this is... nice... I think."

"You're going to love it here!" Weiss continuing fangirling, "I know you travel a lot, but so much of Beacon is different from Atlas! Vale, too. The government and school are completely separate! Can you believe it!? I-"

"I'm more than familiar with how this kingdom handles its... bureaucracy," Winter interrupted, "That is not why I came."

"Right! I'm sorry!"

"Nor did I come here to watch my own blood fail so miserably in battle. But it appears that I have no choice in the matter."

"But, we won!"

"Only a novice would refer to that as a victory. I counted at least three strikes missed," Winter gestured to her security, "Leave us."

The AK-200s obeyed, walking two steps backwards into formation.

Winter sighed and smiled a little more warmly at Weiss, "How have you been?"

"Oh, splendid! Thank you for asking. I'm actually in the very top ranking of our sparring class! And the rest of my studies are going wonderfully, too! I'm-"

Suddenly, Winter smacked her sister on the side of the head, leaving a bump, "Silence, you boob! I don't recall asking about your ranking, I'm asking how you've been. Are you eating properly? Have you taken up any hobbies? Are you making new friends?"

"Well, there's Ruby."

Ruby giggled as she pushed the bump back into Weiss' head, "Hehe, boob."

"I see," Winter looked at Ruby with a raised eyebrow, "So this is the leader you spoke of. How appropriately... underwhelming."

"Uh..." Ruby said, not sure what to reply, "Thank you!"

"Greetings Ruby Rose," Winter said, "I wish to thank you for taking an interns in my sister."

"What am I, chopped liver?" Skyler spoke up, feeling left out.

Weiss glared at him, but Winter looked at him, "Of course. I apologize. And you are..."

"Skyler Yin," he said, not sure whether to bow or offer a handshake, "I'm another one of Weiss' friends, as well as leader of Team SHDW."

"Pleasure to meet you," Winter nodded before going back to the situation at hand, "I have business with the General and your Headmaster. But, seeing as I'm early, why don't you take me to your quarters?"

"Really?" Weiss smiled

Winter and Weiss began walking towards the Academy, followed by the androids, "Yes. I wish to inspect them and make sure that they are up to my personal standards."

"Of course," Weiss answered, "Just so you know, the bunk beds only look unstable."

"Bunk... beds?"

Ruby waved goodbye behind them, "I'll catch up- I mean, I will... reconvene with you both... at a later... juncture! ...At a juncture. Yeah."

Skyler just looked at her and couldn't help but grin, "You're lucky you're adorable and can get away with stuff like that."

XXX

Later on, both Skyler and Ruby were brought back to the courtyard by the sounds of fighting. They ran up next to Weiss.

"What's going on?" Ruby asked her.

"Some crazy guy just started attacking my sister!" Weiss exclaimed.

"Oh no! Who would do such a th-" then Ruby saw Winter's opponent, "That is my uncle!!"

"What?!"

"Kick her butt, Uncle Qrow!!!" Ruby yelled loudly.

Weiss huffed and turned back to the battle, "Teach him respect, Winter!!"

Skyler just shrugged, "Oh well. Gotta go with who I know more. GO UNCLE QROW!!!"

Qrow Branwen. Yang's biological uncle, yet strangely not Ruby's. But Ruby was still allowed to call him uncle, despite technically not being a blood relative. But anyway, Qrow was one of Skyler's teachers back in Signal, and since the... incident... Qrow was there to help Skyler cope in his own, drunken way. Qrow even allowed him to call him Uncle every now and then. Skyler really liked Qrow, hence why he was cheering for his victory.

And this fight was nuts. To a noob's eye, it would appear that Qrow had the disadvantage, but Skyler knew better. Qrow wasn't even fighting that seriously. He didn't even have his weapon in scythe mode. Because if he did, Winter would be done for.

Finally, Winter got fed up and activated a glyph behind her and got ready to charge. Then the gears in Qrow's sword began to turn, causing the sword to bend. Skyler grinned. This was it.

But suddenly, Qrow stopped and put away his weapon, much to everyone's confusion. Winter raised an eyebrow. Qrow just smiled and his expression said 'Come at me bro'. Winter growled and flew straight at him, screaming. But she was stopped by a voice.

"SCHNEE!!!"

Winter looked behind her to see General Ironwood standing behind her, with Penny Polendina behind him.

Winter lowered her blades and she addressed Ironwood, "General Ironwood, sir!"

Ironwood approached Winter with Penny by his side, "What in the world do you think you're doing?"

"He started the altercation, sir!"

Qrow put his hands behind his head in a relaxed stance, "That's actually not true. She attacked first."

"Is that right?" Ironwood asked.

Winter searched for words, only to realize Qrow was right. She looked down in shame.

Ironwood then turned to Qrow, "And you."

Qrow pointed to himself in mock confusion as Ironwood said, "What are you doing here?"

"I could be asking you the same thing," Qrow shot back.

"I-"

"Now now everyone," Ozpin's voice rang out as the headmaster and Professor Glynda Goodwitch walked up, "There is a sanctioned fight happening just around the corner at the Colosseum, that I can assure you has better seats... and popcorn."

"Break it up everyone!" Goodwitch ordered, "We will take care of this mess."

"...Let's go," Ironwood said, Winter and the robots following them.

As Ironwood and Winter left, Penny noticed Ruby and quietly waved to her, while Ruby waved back. Ruby then leaped giddily onto Qrow's arm, shaking her legs in delight.

"UNCLE QROW!!!" she latched into his arm, "Hi!"

Qrow raised his arm, Ruby still clinging on as she said, "It's so good to see you! Did you miss me? Did you miss me!?"

Qrow looked at her for a few seconds before smiling, "Nope."

Skyler walked up as Qrow ruffled Ruby's hair, "Long time no see, Qrow."

"Well, what do you know?" Qrow looked at Skyler, Ruby still attached to his arm, "How's it going kid?"

"Qrow!" Ozpin interrupted as Glynda cleaned up some rubble, causing Qrow to lower his arm and Ruby fell off, "A word, please?"

Ruby got up and Qrow whispered, "I think I'm in trouble."

"You did kinda tear up our courtyard," Ruby whispered back.

"And fought a high ranking Atlas military specialist," Skyler added.

"Yeah, I did," Qrow winked and gave both Ruby and Skyler a fist bump before leaving, "Catch ya later, kids."

"And suddenly, you're recklessness makes sense," Weiss commenting, walking up.

"You're just mad because he whupped butt," Ruby elbowed her.

"That was a draw at best!" Weiss retorted.

"No, Qrow won," Skyler smirked.

"Oh shut up!"

XXX

On his way back to his dorm, Skyler couldn't help but ponder. What was Qrow doing here? He wasn't just here for the tournament, that much was obvious. So why was he here?

"Hey Skyler!" a voice called out to him, interrupting his thoughts.

Skyler turned to see Velvet Scarlatina of Team CFVY run up, "Oh, hey Velvet! What's up?"

"Have you seen Coco anywhere?" Velvet asked, "I haven't seen her since we left the stadium after our match."

Skyler grew confused, "No, sorry, I haven't. But I'll let you know if I see her."

"Thank you!"

"No problem Vel," Skyler grabbed the door handle as Velvet walked away.

Skyler opened the door to his dorm, and saw Walker... making out with Coco Adel, leader of Team CFVY. The two stopped when they heard the door and looked at Skyler. There were a few long seconds of awkward silence. Finally, Skyler closed the door, his face bright red.

Jaune walked past him, but stopped when he noticed the weird look on Skyler's face, "Something wrong?"

"...Nope."

XXX

See, this is why you knock. Man, this chapter was longer than I was expecting, but who's complaining? Till next time guys!