Batting away the swing of her scythe I lunged forwards hitting the ground and rolling at the last second to come up behind her, where I swung my staff into the backs of her knees causing her to topple to the floor. She was up again before I could take advantage though. I was completely aware of when we got our audience, I refused to be taken by surprise again like the time with Qrow.
She came at me again and I continued to evade her swings although she did peg me with one of her shots from the end of the scythe which I hadn't been expecting, needless to say it didn't happen again. Finally having had enough I channelled green dust down my staff and then swung it in a sharp arc, causing a huge blast of air to knock Ruby off balance. Next I used red dust firing a small fire ball at her, followed by a wave of crystal like shards. Standing back I watched Ruby panting after having dodged all my attacks. Folding Crescent Rose into its gun form she started firing, springing out of the way I channelled some red and blue dust causing a huge cloud of steam to appear and obscure me from view which I used to full advantage.
Backing up I morphed into my dove form and circle the group so I was behind them, landing I changed back. Using my staff to pole vault over team TNPR and Yang I fired several balls of light from my hand which exploded violently when they touched anything, three touched the ground creating huge craters and the last one brushed Ruby's cloak exploding and sending her flying.
Dropping to my knees I panted, firing the combined dust shot from my hands took much more effort than it ever had to do so from my staff. however my weapon had shattered the first time I tried to use it after coming into my spring maiden powers, hence why i now wielded my wooden staff.
Hauling myself to my feet I walked carefully over to Ruby and her friends who were all fussing over her, "so i get to come right?"
Nodding she said "yes you can tag along.."
"wait what? She just attacked you and your letting her join the group?" Yang seemed to be getting worked up if the slight reddening hue to her eyes was any indication.
"Yang, she didn't just attack me we fought to see if she was strong enough to come with us and not hold us back"
"but still, how can we trust her?"
smiling i cut in "if you want you could try contacting Qrow he would vouch for me"
Ruby brightened up at the mention of her uncle "you saw my uncle Qrow? How is he? He was really sad after the attack, we lost one of our friends and he was really close to her."
Giving an understanding nod I replied "he seemed...angry and drunk, but mostly angry. He was most peeved with me when I beat him, well it was sort of a tie I suppose hard to tell really."
"That sounds like uncle Qrow, where was he when you saw him?"
"North East coast of Vale, that was about four days ago. He was actually the one to tell me you were in Mistral, wouldn't say where in Mistral of course but I just got of the boat here today and then there was Nora's huge explosion so I came to investigate and here I am."
Eyes narrowed Jaune stepped forwards and asked "why were you looking for us?"
"Yeah you said before you came here for answers"
Frowning slightly I said "you are my answers, I was at the fight at beacon academy and I...I'm invested in this war. I need to know the good guys are going to come out on top, that means helping you guys. I have too much to loose to stand by and do nothing"
Seemingly chastened slightly Jaune stepped back slightly and Pyrrha took over "I don't remember seeing you at the fight"
Nodding I said "no you probably wouldn't recognise me, and I think for now it is for the best that you don't. I will tell you when I am ready or if a situation arises where you need to know"
"Wait we knew you?"
Twisting the butt of my staff into the ground slightly I was trying to think of a suitable distraction technique when one was presented to me, four large grim raced into the small factory yard heading straight towards us.
Sagging in relief for the distraction from the uncomfortable question that I didn't want to answer, I launched straight over team JNPR, Ruby and Yang as they briefly discussed tactics and instead pulled the metal rings free from the top of my staff, allowing the wooden staff section to drop to the floor to be collected after the fight. pressing a small button on the side of the grips of the ring caused razor sharp teeth to sprout from the metal ring, covering the whole circumference except the section wrapped in leather that I held.
Slashing in a 'x' shape as I sailed through the air, I landed lightly and I was satisfied to see the heads of two grim separate from their bodies and vanish into black mist. Bounding forwards again I continued to separate grim from their body parts. finally when all four were dead I stepped back and relished the thrum of adrenalin that hummed through my veins.
Stretching I enjoyed the flabbergasted looks on all of their faces as they peered at the two deceptively small bladed silver hoops clutched in my fists, grinning I said "you didn't think I relied on the staff did you? That is mostly for show and for sparing...and nostalgia" the last part was whispered so I doubt anyone heard it. "Anyway where are we heading next oh great and fearless leader?"
Bent over I was collecting my staff and reattaching the hoops as I spoke, although I aimed my question at Ruby as I assumed she would have taken over leadership of both groups. Even while not paying a lot of attention I didn't miss the ribbing Jaune was getting for immediately being overlooked in favour of Ruby as leader. I don't think they meant for it to seem mean but still "hey no need for any of that I just thought Ruby would be leader because she lead the attack against the giant grim at beacon tower, if Jaune is your leader I will refer to him as such in the future"
"No, no its fine. We don't really have a set leader, me and Ruby kind of co-lead."
"Okay fair enough, so where are we going?" This time the question was aimed at both Ruby and Jaune.
"Well we are supposed to be looking for leads on whats left of Cinder's group, the white fang and the maidens" Nora seemed far to happy with this mammoth task.
"So far all we have found is trouble" typical Ren with his oh so joyful pessimistic view of the world.
"The maidens as in from the story of the four maidens?"
"That would be the ones" Yang sounded bored now
Deciding to shake things up a little I said "I know where you can find one of them"
"What? How? Where?"
Smiling I said "you are looking at her"