"Oh hell yeah! I am so friggin' stoked!' Yang cheered, slamming her palm on the table she was sitting at with her teammates, "I mean, look at em all! I've never seen the city this packed – and they're all here to see us kick some ass!"

"Yeah!" Ruby fist-pumped, but then mellowed somewhat. "But um… how are we gonna enter? I mean, the tournament only has divisions for singles, pairs, and teams of four…"

"Pfft- that's easy –we'll just go by partners-"

Mina cast a suspiciously serene look Yang's way from across the table, putting an arm around Blake's shoulder and leaning over to rest her head on Blake for emphasis. "Ah, Miss Xiao Long, that is mighty big of you to volunteer for the singles division~"

"Wait, what-ah, dammit…" Yang deflated. Regardless of what the Beacon student registry said, that wasn't a fight that she was going to win. "Guess so…"

"Aww, don't worry sis! You can partner up with Weiss instead!" Ruby tried to cheer her up, much to the aforementioned Heiress's chagrin.

"Hey! Don't I get a say?"

"Well, yeah! Of… of course!" Ruby panicked. "I just meant that-"

Fortunately for her, Ruby's panicky groping for something safe to say was interrupted as Clara came over with a large tray of dishes. "Alrighty then; one crab risotto, two giant strawberry parfaits, an order of grilled tuna over rice, and one very large glass of tomato juice… You sure that's all you wanted Mina?"

"Quite sure, thank you Clara." Mina smiled, accepting the glass.

"OH THANK DUST, CLARA – YOU'RE A LIFESAVER!" Ruby had suddenly sprung from her chair and wrapped her arms around the waitress in question.

"Whoa, whoa! Easy there Ruby! I appreciate the hug, but we kinda have a 'no touching' policy!" Clara at least seemed more amused than offended.

"Sorry…"

As Ruby returned to her seat, attempting to salvage what was left of her dignity, Weiss sighed, turning a sympathetic look Clara's way. "Our fearless leaderreally doesn't mean any harm – she just can't help being a spaz…"

"Nah, it's alright; it's cute." Clara waved Weiss's proxy apology off, prompting the Red-Cloaked Reaper to perk up.

"Really?"

"Not that cute though kid – I'm taken~" Clara winked.

"Wh- But- That's not what I-" But the young team leader's word salad of protest came to nothing as she sat down and quietly blushed. "I'll just… shut up now…"

"I have to say though…" Blake thought aloud, restraining herself from taking a bite while she was talking, "It's… kind of impressive that The Summer Blossom Café managed to get space for an open-air café right outside the stadium."

Indeed, Team RWBY currently sat about an outdoor café table, across the street from the southern entrance to Vale Stadium. The Summer Blossom Café had been just one of dozens of businesses which had rented space on the city's parade grounds – or indeed any vacant space within half a mile – in hopes of getting a share of the tourism that the Vytal Festival brought to Vale. Not everything was quite the same though; in anticipation of the larger volume of business, the prices for virtually everything were substantially lower, and the uniforms that the waitresses wore had also been modified in anticipation of a broader audience; higher necklines and longer skirts, for the most part, which, taken together gave the place a better veneer of respectability than it ordinarily had.

Weiss, however, was not so puzzled as Blake was about the café's prominent presence at the festival grounds. "Really Blake, It's hardly surprising; with the prices they usually charge, they'd be able to afford a prime space for the festival without a problem." She took a spoonful of her risotto, then regarded Clara approvingly. "I'm just glad that they opted for more decent apparel for such a public place of business."

"Yeah, they dolled us up all 'modest' and such." Clara sighed. "Honestly… sucks all the fun right out of it. I guess we can't go distractingall the soldiers though."

"Yeah… there area lot of them marching around, aren't there?" Ruby mused, "It's… kinda weird…"

"It does give the place more a sense of a military review than a tournament," Blake commented with perhaps just the slightest edge of unease, "but if it helps to keep things safe…"

"Yeah, that's what I figured," Clara interjected again and shrugged, "and anyway, mostof em will stop in for a coffee or something in their downtime, so I still got it~"

"Was that ever in doubt?" Mina asked with a wry smirk.

"Well I wouldn't think so,only those new Atlesian hard-asses that've been patrolling the middle of town these last few days don't seem to give anybody the time of day…"

"Really? Cause all the soldiers I've seen seem kinda…" Yang paused to search for a respectfully sensitive word, before giving up and saying what she was thinking, "…thick –unless you're talkin' about the androids… though them stopping in for coffee would be kinda weird…"

"She means the Northern Cross division…" Weiss clarified with a roll of the eyes.

"Huh?"

"The ones in the white trench coats with ballistic instead of energy rifles…" Weiss explained with somewhat stressed patience, "they're Stahlkreuz's main unit. Until recently-" Weiss emphasized "recently" in such a manner that all her teammates would know exactlywhat she was talking about, but wouldn't tip Clara, "-Ironwood had them stationed on the walls…"

"Stalkroyt-"

"Stahlkreuz,Ruby…"

"Whatever! Is she that woman who goes around with Ironwood and never smiles?"

Weiss facepalmed. "Yes Ruby…"

"Anyway…" Clara broke back in, "all I know is none of thosefine, grizzled-looking ladies and gentlemen ever stop to buy anything from anybody. Whole bunch of overdressed killjoys if you ask me… But I really should get going – plenty of other folks about lookin' to spend their money after all; I'll cheer for you in the tournament~!"

"Make sure you watch the singles division too!" Yang called after Clara as she waved and move on to another table, leaving the brawler to slump into her seat, muttering, "Unless we can find a sixth person…"

"You'll do finesis-"

Ruby's sisterly reassurance was interrupted as Yang suddenly slammed a palm on the table, her gaze affixed past any of her teammates. "The hell?"

"Yang, what's the-?" Blake's query fell dead on her lips as she followed Yang's line of sight as the brawler stood.

Passing by outside of the Summer Blossom's lot with a handful of white trench-coat clad Atlesian soldiers was a girl about their age whom the members of Team RWBY all recognized. No amount of standard army issue or tying her hair back could conceal the identity of Nadia Undine, or the fact that someone had given her a sidearm, holstered under her left arm. To anyone who didn't know her, she might almost have looked respectable, even if her gray shirt bereft of the coat worn my her plainly elder counterparts clashed somewhat with her present company, but the sight of her not only free, but armed triggered various less welcoming reactions in the members of RWBY.

"Dearest… tell me that isn't…"

Blake instinctively stood, placing herself between the as yet unaware Nadia and Mina, who stared blindly at the ground, the first insidious fingers of panic making her blood run cold.

"Sis! Wait!" Ruby urged Yang as she violently stood as well, outright knocking her chair over; Ruby wasn't terribly keen on that Undine girl being out and about again either, but she knew how Yang got when her eyes turned red like that… "Yang, she's with those soldiers- there's probably a good,"

But Yang was past caring about whatever the "good reason" Nadia might be loose again was. As far as she was concerned, it wasn't good enough,whatever it was, to let somebody who'd tried to use her to kill her friends and baby sister loose. Yang roughly shouldered her way past several mildly perturbed patrons of the café and one waitress that, under other circumstances, she might have made a pass at, but she was far too pissed to think of anything other than grabbing that Undine chick before she got away and beating her face in,soldiers be damned. Her teammates had gotten up to intervene, but none of them were quite so brash as Yang as they moved through the crowd, and so she reached her quarry well ahead of any moderating influence.

"Hey bitch!" Yang shouted as she caught up and, before either Nadia or her cohorts could react beyond turning to face her, Yang had slugged Undine hard in the jaw, sending her to the ground. The response was instantaneous. Three gun barrels, including one very large bore bolt-action rifle, were leveled at the brawler at once, and a few passersby screamed before falling silent. She could take them – she was sure of it –until she registered their faces. None of them even seemed startled, much less afraid, and when she looked at and bothered to register who was holding the old-fashioned rifle, Yang felt a slight twinge of remorse when she gazed into the steel gray eyes of Colonel Irena Stahlkreuz. "Shit…"

"Yang! Stop it before you get… into… trouble…" Ruby's belated protest petered out as she apprised herself of the situation, quickly followed in her arrival by Weiss and, at a somewhat more reticent pace, Blake and Mina. Ruby's next recourse was to step between her sister and the soldiers and start frantically apologizing, "WearesosorryaboutthisanditwillNEVERhappenagainand-"

Weiss, on the other hand, was more pragmatic, taking to berating her blonde teammate, "Yang! What the hell were you thinking?"

"N-no… No…" Nadia interrupted, silencing all of them as she staggered back to her feet, "I… I deserved that…"

"Damn right you did!" Yang spat with renewed vigor, if only for a moment as she continued to sweat. She'd had guns pointed at her loads of times, that was no big deal – what made the difference this time wasn't the number or size of the weapons, but who was holding them. Not only were these supposed to be the "good guys," but if Stahlkreuz was some kind of Atlas army big-shot who worked with Ironwood, and she was going around personally with Undine… Yang met the Colonel's eyes again and swallowed; the older huntress wasn't looking for an excuse to pull the trigger, but she didn't look like she'd lose much sleep if she did. I could take her… right…?

Finally though, when Yang's anger had bled out and reason had visibly reasserted itself in the way that she took just the slightest step back, the soldiers all lowered their arms. "You are Yang Xiao Long, I assume?" the words came dispassionately from the Colonel's lips.

"Y-yes ma'am…"

"Be grateful that you aren't a soldier, Miss Xiao Long; any of my men would be scrubbing barracks floor to ceiling for six weeks after such an outburst."

Yang swallowed. "Yes ma'am… only…" Yang's gaze returned to Nadia. "But with all due respect ma'am… what is this psycho doing loose – and armed?"

"Nadia Undine is a probationary cadet of the 108th infantry division," the Huntress answered curtly, returning her rifle to its position where it had been slung on her shoulder. "Were past circumstances different, I'd have you on charges of battery,"

"She-A cadet?" Blake demanded incredulously, positioning herself once more in front of Mina, raising an arm as if to offer extra protection, "why?"

"That…" It was Weiss who spoke though, drawing everyone's gaze, not the least surprised among them Nadia's, but the blonde faunus's expression resolved itself into determination quickly, and she didn't let the Heiress finish.

"I've done… a lot of wrong in my life…" she began, hastily at first so as to preempt Weiss's potentially compromising admission, but slowing to consider her words more carefully as soon as the Heiress had fallen quiet and the danger had passed. She took a knee and unclasped the holster of her gun and set it on the ground at Yang's feet. "And I've decided that I want to make as much of it right as I can…" The on-looking tourists and people of Vale exchanged anxious whispers, but none of them mattered here and now, where it was just Nadia Undine on her knees before the only victims of her past crimes whose names she could remember. The two Atlas regulars observing the scene seemed ill-at-ease with Nadia's surrendering her weapon to a belligerent stranger, but Stahlkreuz held up a hand for them not to intervene as Nadia continued. "If you don't think I should have that chance…" She sighed. "Neither do I – but before you pick up that gun and give me what I've earned… could you just let me say my piece? I've had some things I've needed to say to all of you and I figure now's as good a time as any, before I come up with some excuse to run away…"

Yang was silent, and Blake faltered just so. Mina breathed heavily, fighting to restrain her anxiety, but said nothing. Ruby could only watch, dumbstruck, and Weiss… Weiss suppressed a sad half-smile.

"What the hell is this?" Yang stepped back, shaking her head uncertainly, "Get back on your feet so I can beat you down… I'm not gonna…"

"Your name was Yang, right?" Nadia asked, "what I did to you was… worse than wrong… forcing you to attack your friends and sister…" Nadia looked to Ruby, "and the same to you Red – I'm sorry, I… I never did catch your name…" She shook her head. "Belladonna, Schnee… I… misjudged you – one way or another I let my envy and resentment control me and… I owe you an apology and…" Her eyes momentarily shifted to Weiss specifically. "…I owe you a lot more than I could ever repay…" A deep breath. "And… Mina Carfax…"

Mina tensed. "I do not want your apology Undine… I want you to leave me be…"

Nadia winced, and looked to the ground. "That's fine… you've got every right to throw this back in my face but… If that's the case, I'm going to have to be selfish one more time, because I need this off my chest…" Mina was quiet, and so, after a pause, Nadia continued, "I used to worship you…to put you on a pedestal but…" She chuckled bitterly. "I was so blind to the fact that I was trying to imprison you on it…I wanted you to be the backbone, the courage, the self-respect that I never had… and I could only substitute that fantasy as long as I never got to know you…" She hesitated, "Belladonna… If your teammate isn't going to do it… pick up my gun and help Mina… you know…"

Blake's head was swimming. Was she serious?Here and now, to just giveMinaher gun…? Yet as though of her body's own volition, Blake bent down, picked up the sidearm as Yang stepped away, unbelieving, and placed the weapon into Mina's hand, standing behind her to help Mina aim the weapon squarely at Nadia, but Mina's fingers were alone near the trigger guard. This is wrong…Blake screamed inside her head, and she could feel Mina's heart hammering beside her own as she stood close behind her, I… she deserves it…Blake tried to rationalize, It's not fair that she can be so serene about it though – not after what she's done to Mina – to us – but…

Nadia looked up – not meeting Blake's eyes, but Mina's – her emerald eyes dry, but contrite and ready for what judgment might befall her, and heedless of the quiet panic rising in the spectating festivalgoers, the whole bustle having fallen utterly silent. Yet no one acted, seeing the three Atlas soldiers watching the display, seemingly unmoved. "I don't want to sound like a martyr, because I don't deserve that much, but I've… I've long since forfeited my life by all the hell I've put you through… So if you want it…"

Blake's hands fell from Mina's and took her into a gentle hug from behind, looking away as Mina's fingers trembled. A year ago, all else being equal, Mina would have pulled the trigger without a second thought, but now… She wasn't ready to forgive – hell, Blake couldn't convince herself to either – but with Ruby wide-eyed, Yang stepping back, shaking her head with her anger drained away, Weiss's gaze cast to the ground, Mina couldn't do it. "I…"

"Mina…" Blake whispered, "it's okay… You don't have to…"

"But I do not want to forgive her."

"You don't have to do that either."

"But…"

"I've got you. We're together." Blake pursed her lips a moment as she resolved herself to her conclusion. "Whether she receives punishment or does penance, we've still got each other, no matter what she did… Isn't that all that matters?"

"Mina…" It was Weiss who spoke now, her gaze shifting between Mina and Nadia. "A long time ago you told me to judge you – not for who you are, but for what you've done…So… judge her… For this –for giving you her gun and getting down on her knees… Maybe it doesn't erase everything – or even anything– she did, and maybe you don't need to forgive her, but maybe… just maybe you don't have to hate her either…"

Mina hesitated a moment longer, but then her fingers closed around the grip of the weapon below the trigger-guard and her trembling stopped.

Silently, Colonel Stahlkreuz stepped between them and relieved Mina of the sidearm, just the faintest nod of approval given as she took it, though whether it was meant for Mina, Weiss, or Nadia, Blake couldn't tell. "On your feet soldier," the Colonel said to Undine, returning her weapon, grip-first, "we've rounds to make."

"Yes ma'am…" Nadia nodded, restoring the holster to her shoulder and taking the sidearm, before casting Mina one final, apologetic look. "Thank you… For what it's worth, I promise not to waste it again…"

Mina looked away. "Leave me be…"

Nadia nodded solemnly and, without a further word, she fell back into step with the soldiers, proceeding to take her leave. Team RWBY was left standing alone amidst a hushed crowd – shaken, but standing.

"Well dammit," Yang muttered, "and I was soready to be pissed too…"

"Did… she just…?" Ruby gaped as Nadia disappeared into the crowd behind Stahlkreuz.

"Yeah…" Weiss nodded, turning a concerned, if gently proud gaze to Blake and Mina. "Are… you two okay?"

Blake pulled Mina back into a hug, which Mina reciprocated readily, nodding in answer to Weiss's question as she drew a shaky breath. "I… I will be…"

Blake embraced her all the tighter. "We will be…"

A few hours later, while standing guard by one of the entrances to the stadium and helping to ensure traffic inside to watch the preliminaries remained calm and orderly, Nadia Undine felt strangely… right. She was making her first, humble step toward a life she could be proud of, and she'd finally said her piece. It was weird, really, like she was finally free –though from what exactly she wasn't sure that she could put her finger on – but that was ultimately of little consequence. The thought that she had something to live for now, instead of in spite of,was… new.

I might even be able to apply to Beacon – or…She fought to stifle a furtive little blush. Maybe the Colonel will just take me to Atlas and make an actual soldier out of me.

She'd put her life in someone else's hands – someone who had every right and reason to hate her guts – yet still she lived. It was almost surreal, and she felt light. She'd been ready to die, if it came to that, but now that it hadn't… I think maybe I'm-

"Excuse me officer…"

Nadia snapped back to attention, turning to face the person who'd addressed her, and her blood froze. The first thing she noticed were the Haven Academy uniforms worn by the three, followed in short order by the knowing eyes of the witch."I'm afraid my teammates and I seem to have lost our way… Tell me; is this the entrance for section-B of the stadium's seating? We bought our tickets in advance you see, but we aren't from around here."

Nadia's heart beat in her chest like a drum. She glanced across the way to eye the actual Atlesian soldier – one of Ironwood's regulars – attending the entrance, but he seemed none the wiser. "Y-yes."

"Ah, excellent…" The witch named Cinder Fall gave a meaningful half-smile. "I must say, you do seem a little youngto be a soldier…"

"I'm a cadet," Nadia corrected anxiously, feeling herself start to sweat as Mercury Black and Emerald Sustrai regarded her with looks of smug contempt, "I'm apprenticing under one of the officers…"

"Oh, well that is impressive," Cinder Fall drawled in a manner at once casual and suggestive, "certainly a position which affords unique… opportunities."

"Ma'am…" Nadia swallowed, slipping in the pretense that she was speaking to a student. "If you don't hurry inside, you'll miss the first matches…"

"Ah yes. We simply couldn't have that…" Cinder Fall's unnerving smile broadened just so. "Timing is everything after all, and it would be a shame to miss an opportunity like this…" She patted Nadia on the shoulder patronizingly. "Your service to the people of Remnant does you credit cadet;it's the loyalty of people like you that keep things running smoothly."

Author's Note: Well then, we've cleared the air just in time to cast another pall over the otherwise auspicious events of the Vytal Festival … I thought it would be nice to give Nadia the chance to apologize before we kick things in to higher gear next chapter with the start of the tournament, so if action's your thing, next chapter will be when it starts. Anyway, as always, feedback is appreciated – I always like to hear what you think.

Also, once again a Huge Thank-You to KillamriX88, not only for edits, but also for catching the way this lost a whole bunch of spaces when I first posted it; much obliged.