F3: Welcome to chapter 10. Star and company are now on their way to Mistral with hope to meet up with everyone. Meanwhile Weiss and her team arrives in Argus and are met with Sienna Khan. RWBY is property of Rooster Teeth. With that said Let's Dive In.

Volume 5-10: A Deadly Encounter.

Salem patiently waited for her subjects to bring her news from their current objectives as Arthur paced until their call while Euryale simply leaned against the pillar of their room well knowing that they had better not have failed their queen.

Arthur checked his scroll and scowled at it turning to Salem before speaking.

"It would appear that one of your suborinates was unsucessful my queen." Arthur stated.

Salem looked at him for a moment as she crossed her fingers in her hands giving a rather paitent look.

"And what says that Mr. Watts?" She questioned.

He approached her and show her his scroll as she read the article that Abigail Pyre was taken into custody after her operation was foiled along with finding a storage of illegal substances and dust.

Salem however hardly flinched at the matter almost like she waved it off.

"She had served her purpose. Even failing to capture the Winter Maiden." Salem replied.

"If I may Salem. Miss Pyre was a bad choice to begin with. She's a petty anti smuggler with no sense of vision or tact. She wasn't useful from the start." Euryale stated.

"Yes... but she was able to provide us information on the idenity of the Winter Maiden. The fox faunus." Salem said.

"My queen do we continue with the plan?" Euryale questioned.

Salem glanced at Euryale as she slightly flinched at her gaze.

"Our plan continues reguardless of the drawbacks." Salem stated before turning away a moment.

Suddenly Watts scroll buzzed as he got a message from Coco.

"Ms. Adel has reported in and it appears she has acquired an alley in the form of Synin Branwen and she also has more information for us. The idenity of the Spring Maiden." Arthur replied.

"Well that's some good news. Who is it?" Euryale asked as Arthur chuckled.

"Her older sister Raven Branwen is the Spring Maiden." Arthur said that gave Salem a small smile.

"Interesting. So you hide your power from me Raven. Guess you'll have to be punished for hiding it from me." Salem said then looked toward Watts.

"Send word to Tyrian. And if the silver eyed girl is with her... capture her and bring her to me." Salem replied as Watts bowed in response.

"You sure that pyschopath won't just kill her?" Euryale asked.

"He won't if he doesn't want to disappoint me." Salem said immediately as she knew just how Tyrian operates and he would never want to disappoint her.

=SPIR=

Meanwhile it had been three days since Ruby and company had left the bandits behind them and were now back on track heading to Mistral as they were now making a pitstop of Higanbana at a tavern they were currently eating at.

"Man this place is the best. Beats eating those rations we have." Yang said with a smile as she chowed down on a steak in front of her.

"Well this place is known for their hospitality so thought it would be nice to unwind before we get back on the road." Raven added as she had her soup.

Neo was all grins as she was eating her hamburger finally getting the taste of some real food as Ruby and Jaune were eating their meals too. However much to everyones surprise Nora has yet to even touch her food almost like she had something on her mind as she kept glancing to the path that leads out of Higanbana.

"Hey Nora you okay? You haven't touched your food yet." Ruby said which snapped Nora to attention.

"Huh? Oh sorry, I guess I was just staring off into space again." Nora quickly said before diving into her meal as everyone else did too. However Raven's mother instincts were coming through and she paid a little more attention to Nora afterwards.

After they paid and ate the group of six left the tavern as they stood outside for a moment.

"I know we just ate but it's best that we resupply our rations. I doubt this place has any ammunition but you never know with some places. Yang, Neo you two are in charge of rations. Jaune and Ruby see if they have anything for ammunition." Raven orderd as the four of them nodded.

"And what about us?" Nora asked.

"We need to have a talk." Raven said which made Nora gulp nervously as the four of them left leaving only the two of them alone.

"Um... you're not going to punch me are you, cause if its something I did then I'm really-" Nora didn't finish as Raven raised a hand to silence her.

"I want to know what's on your mind. Something's bothering you." Raven replied.

Nora tried to put on a stoic face as she spoke "N-No. Nothings bothering me. I-I'm fine and ready to get going." Nora replied with a happy grin but Raven wasn't buying it one bit as she glared at her.

"Don't lie to me Nora." She said firmly which made the girl flinch.

The two didn't speak for a moment but then Nora sighed as the smile from her face vanished completely.

"It's... that path over their... are we going to have to cross it?" Nora asked.

"Yes. That's the quickest way to get to Mistral. Why'd you ask?" Raven questioned back.

"Because that way... was my home... Kuroyuri." Nora answered which even surprised Raven.

"Your home." She added as Nora nodded.

"Well.. at least I like to think of it as my home cause to be honest... I don't really have a home." Nora finally said which came to a surprise for Raven.

"You're... an orphan." She simply said as Nora hugged herself.

"My parents... got killed by bandits when I was five... I managed to escape and ran as fast as I could. It was raining that day... and next thing I heard were screams of my parents and I continue to run until I ended up in Kuroyuri." Nora said.

"That must've been rough for a five year old. How'd you survive?" Raven asked.

"I... had to steal just to feed myself. The people their thought I was a nuisance but their was one family that paid me no mind. Rens family." Nora said before she remembered what happened.

"That is until... it came to the village." Nora said with a sour look.

"Grimm?" Raven added.

"Not just any grimm. A Nuckleave. Ren's father tried to fight it but he was killed along with everyone else expect for me and Ren. We thought we were dead after it saw us but I think I remember seeing a white petal." Nora said trying to recall her memories as Raven listened.

"We heard shouting and then a terrible scream and then... footsteps coming toward us. I was too scared to look and then I heard a voice telling us if we were okay." Nora continued.

Raven began putting together the pieces of Noras story and came to a conclusion that she could only think of.

Summer's alive.

"So you're telling me that Kuroyuri's been destroyed yes." Raven replied.

Nora only nodded and nothing more.

"You know we're going to have to cross it. That's the only place that leads directly to Mistral. Are you sure you're going to be up for it?" Raven asked.

Nora took in a breath before letting it out slowly before nodding in response.

"Though Nora... I know this is probably insensitive but... what happened to Ren?" Raven asked which made Nora freeze in place almost making Raven regret ever asking that question.

Then out of rage Nora growled "That bitch Rina killed him! Stabbed him in the abdomen right in front of me. If I ever see that girl again I'll smash her to a bloody pulp!" Nora shouted angrily.

Raven was taken aback by this attitude as she herself had seen Rina herself and she suspected that she had something to do with the thefts but she never suspected Rina of being a killer for that matter.

Ruby and the others would return as Yang and Neo got the rations they needed but Ruby and Jaune little luck with ammunition as the six of them made their way out of Higanbana and marched to Kuroyuri. Unknown to them that they had a stalker following right behind them.

=SPIR=

It was an hour into their hike as they were now walking the path to Kuroyuri as they were all careful about their surroundings. Ruby stuck beside Yang for most of the journy and they surprisingly didn't encounter any grimm along the way which was rather concerning for the moment.

"It should be much further. Just over that hill and we'll be in... what's left of Kuroyuri." Nora replied.

"Cool." Yang said as they kept walking. However they were being watched as Tyrian was about to make his move as he hid away in the bushes as he intensionally stepped on a twig breaking it.

Raven stopped a moment as she looked to her left with a hand on Omen almost expecting something to happened.

"Hold everyone." Raven ordered as everyone stopped moving.

"Something up mom?" Yang questioned.

Raven looked around carefully as she was expecting something to pop out at them and attack them. The others looked around as everyone drew their weapons.

That's when Raven shot to her left seeing where their stalker was coming from.

"Come out and show yourself!" Raven shouted. At first nothing happened but then their was a sound of someone cackling which sent a chill down their spines.

"Well well. Seems I've got myself some fresh meat to cut up." The male voice said as he showed himself to them his scorpion tail raised to attack.

"Who the hell is this guy? Some kinda pyschopath?" Nora asked but ready for a fight.

"Tyrian Callows. The most wanted criminal in all of Remnant. He's a murderer. Slaughtered an entire village in a single night." Raven said.

He only laughed at that "Seems my reputation is well known but I'm afraid I don't have much time to deal with all of you. I'm only interested in one person." Tyrian cackled point each of them out.

"The blondes I find little interest in. Same with hammer girl right their. Short stack their I have a little interest in because of her skills. But... her however interests me very." Tyrian said pointing directly at Ruby.

"Me?" Ruby said.

"Yes me dear rose. I'm here to carry you away. My queen would like to have an audience with you." Tyrian cackled holding his pointer arm at Ruby.

Raven got in front of Ruby as to protect her "You're going to have to get through me first."

Tyrian gave an unimpressed look but it quickly vanished as it replaced with a look of a crazy man.

"That can be arranged." He cackled as his weapons engaged as he charged at Raven. She quickly met with him half way as their weapons clashed. Nora was next to attack as she swung her hammer at him but he saw it coming and kicked her in the gut knocking her back . He rapidly attacked Raven trying to get through her defenses but her defenses were holding only just barely.

Neo and Yang decided to flank him in order to throw him off as Yang threw a punch firing a shot from her gauntlets. He separated from his fight with her and quickly ducked the punch and caught Neos weapon and threw her away while also smacked Yang with his tail. Jaune lunged at Tyrian as he swiped at him with his sword but it proved to be fruitless as he couldn't even land a blow on the scorpion faunus.

Ruby used her semblance to get behind Tyrian to slash at him with Thorn Gear but like all the others he blocked it almost effortlessly and kicked her away.

"Get back!" Raven shouted at Ruby as she charged at Tyrian again with Yang firing from a distance along with Nora blasting away with her grenades. He effortlessly dodged each swipe and blocked the shots from Yang while also blocking Ravens attack.

"Why do you bother fighting this pointless battle? You know my queen always gets what she wants in the end!" Tyrian cackled. Neo took the chance to kick at him but he grabbed her leg and threw her away at Jaune taking a good chunk of their aura as well.

"C'mon at least make it fun for me!" Tyrian shouted almost like he was enjoying himself.

Raven roared as she charged at him again this time her sword an electric yellow color before stabbing it into the ground sending an electrical charge at him as it did connect stopping him for a time allowing Nora to swing her hammer at him knocking him away as he landed into a nearby boulder bringing up dust.

"Damn this guy just keeps coming." Nora said breathing heavily.

"Yeah I don't think he's going to give up that easy." Yang added breathing just as heavy.

"Get ready. Here he comes again." Jaune said readying his shield with Neo standing nearby.

"What does he want with me anyway?" Ruby asked.

"It's not him that wants you. It's Salem." Raven replied. They heard a growl from where he landed as he seemed now really angry.

"You... are not allowed to say my queens name!" Tyrian shouted and at almost incredible speed almost like a blur he was suddenly in front of Raven with his stinger poised to strike as Raven was caught off guard just by how fast he was.

"MOM!" Yang shouted as she doved for her and shoved her out of the way just as his stinger came down and cut into Yangs right thigh as it broke through her aura. Taking advantage Ruby slashed at his tail cutting it just below the stinger as purple liquid came out from the tail as he shouted in pain stepping back from the group.

Raven went to her daughter to check on her to make sure she was okay as the others stepped in front of them forming a shield between him and Ruby.

"It's okay... she'll forgive you. Your mistress will forgive you." Tyrian said almost sounding scared that he had failed as he ran off away from the group.

"Yang. Are you okay?" Raven questioned a worried tone in her voice.

Yang nodded as she got up but she stumbled a little from the pain of her right thigh.

"Y-Yeah. I'm good. Just going to be sore for a while." Yang said with an assuring smile though Raven wasn't convinced.

"You sure. That was a pretty bad hit." Jaune added.

"Oh don't you start worrying about me too Jauny. I'm okay." Yang replied though Neo gave her a look of concern too.

Knowing that her daughter was going to be stubborn the group continued to push on but stay at an even pace so that Yang could keep up with them.

Their three hour walk turned into a five hour instead with the sun was almost about to set as they were slowly but surely getting toward their destination as Raven monitoring Yang seeing that she could keep up with Neo behind her for support.

"You doing okay back their Yang?" Ruby called back. Yang was breathing rather heavily and she didn't know why placing a hand on her head.

"Yeah... I just... need... to..." Yang said as her body swayed before she collasped.

"YANG!" Raven called out and was immediately right at her side kneeling down with Ruby swiftly behind her.

"Oh no. Did she wear herself out? What's going on?" Ruby said worried about her sister as the others gathered around her.

Raven examined the wound where she was hit and noticed a deep purple color as she grunted annoyingly.

"Damnit. She's been poisoned." Raven deduced.

"It must've been that Tyrian guy. His stinger must of been laced with poison." Jaune added.

"What do we do?" Nora asked as Raven was trying to think. They were already too far away from Higanbana and Kuroyuri's destoryed... or maybe not.

"Ruby this is going to be a long shot but... I need you to get to Kuroyuri." Raven replied which surprised her.

"Raven. I told you that Kuroyuri's been destroyed. There's nothing left of it." Nora replied.

"We have to take a chance. Ruby's the fastest out of all of us. Then Ruby can message me when she's their and I'll use my semblance to open a portal to where she is." Raven replied.

"And if their's nothing." Ruby replied.

Raven said nothing as she didn't even want to think about what could happen to Yang.

"It's a risk." Raven replied.

Ruby nodded as she was ready to take off before taking one last look of Yang hopefully it wasn't for the last time. She shook the thought and she took off in a flurry of petals.

"While she does that. Jaune, Neo grab some of that bamboo over their and I'll grab and blanket to use and make a stretcher if we'll have to carry her." Raven ordered as Janue and Neo did as they were told as Nora watched them as she looked to where Ruby left hopefully they weren't too late.

=SPIR=

Kuroyuri was a buzz of people and activity as they were making some last minute fixes to the town and it would be finished. Nyx most importantly was overseeing the town after the events with the Red Hand she was glad to have things back on track. Though she still couldn't help but wonder about the others if they were okay.

"Are you okay Nyx?" Norman asked engulfing her in a hug.

"Yeah. I'm fine dad. How's the progress?" She asked.

"We should be complete within the hour. Just some last minute touch ups." Norman replied.

"That's good to hear." Nyx replied. However someone came running toward them in a hurry.

"Norman! We have something approaching the village very fast!" One of their men said.

"How many? Is it grimm?" Norman asked.

"It's only one. I don't think it's grimm though. It's something red and fast." The man replied.

Then in Nyx's vision a red rose petal flew in front of her and disappeared just as quick. Suddenly a red blur came zooming in before crashing in front of them coming to a stop. They saw that it was a young girl with a red cloak as she was breathing rather heavily.

"Hey. Easy their hun. You okay?" Nyx asked checking on the girl.

"Sis... poisoned... needs... help..." The young girl replied trying catch her breath.

"Your sister's poisoned. Where is she?" Nyx asked. However the young girl reached into her pocket and opened her scroll as she sent a message before she passed out.

"She must've used up too much of her semblance." Norman said but Nyx looked at her a moment almost like she was seeing someone that was rather familiar.

"She looks just like Summer. Are they related?" Nyx thought and then suddenly a red, black portal opened up behind the girl as five more people came through as one of them was on an improvised stretcher.

"I'm sorry about intruding so suddenly but... it's my daughter." The older woman said looking toward the blonde in the stretcher as she groaned.

"This way. We'll be happy to help." Nyx replied as the blonde boy picked up the young girl as they followed Nyx.

Everything was cold and Yang didn't like being cold but that's what she felt like right now. Then she felt her body slowly heat up again as she could feel herself waking up her eyes opening. She groaned getting herself into a sitting position which she regretted immediately as she felt the room spin grabbing her head.

"I would take it easy if I were you." A womans voice said. Yang turned her head and noticed someone standing at the door.

"Names Nyx by the way. You must be Yang right." Nyx introduced herself.

"Yeah. How long have I been out?" Yang asked.

"It's almost morning. Took quite a bit to get that posion out of you. Any longer and you'd be dead." Nyx replied.

Yang paled a little as she lifted the blanket up and noticed their was a scar on her right thigh.

"What about the others?" Yang asked.

"Their fine. Though little red over their exhausted herself using her semblance. Passed out right in front of me." Nyx said gesturing to her right. Yang turned her head and noticed Ruby was sound asleep snoring peacefully.

"I'd take it easy for the time being. You're going to be a little woozy for an hour so I get some rest. I'll come back and check up on you later." Nyx said before she left.

Yang looked down at herself and she took in what Nyx told her. She remembered diving in front of that Tyrian guy taking the hit instead of her mom. Though doing so she almost died from the posion. She had to be much more careful whenever they encounter that person again. Yang layed back down on the bed and went back to sleep.

Hours later the sun rose in Kuroyuri and everyone but Ruby was awake as Nyx invited Raven and her group to join them for breakfast. However not everyone seemed to be their as Nora wasn't with them.

"I take it you all had a good nights rest." Nyx replied.

"Yeah we did. I have to thank you for saving Yang." Raven thanked.

"You're welcome. Though I have to ask. How exactly did you get poisoned like that?" Nyx questioned.

"It was from this guy name Tyrian. He's a scorpion faunus and very dangerous. He attacked us and I don't know but he was wanting Ruby for some reason." Jaune said.

"Ruby?" Nyx said before a thought came to her head almost like she heard that name before.

"Her last name wouldn't happen to be Rose?" She questioned which kinda surprised them all.

"Yes. Is their a reason for that?" Yang asked.

"Well... this is just me spitballing a thought in my head. She wouldn't happen to have a mother named Summer." Nyx replied which made Raven almost jump out of her chair.

"Yes. Wait have you seen her." Raven said.

"Yeah I've seen her. It was almost two weeks ago along with Blake, Senka, and Iona." Nyx replied.

Raven sat their at the table almost motionless she heard what she couldn't believe. She was alive and still kicking from the sounds of it.

"Nyx... you have no idea how great it is to hear that. I've been searching all over Remnant trying to find her but with no luck. Feels like that took ten years off my life. Ruby will be glad to hear it." Raven said.

"We we're glad that you heard it from us. Though where's your other friend?" Norman asked.

"She said something about revisiting the past." Jaune answered which made their hosts stare at each other for a moment.

"This town was her home for a long time before a grimm came a destroyed it." He added.

"Wonder how she's taking it?" Yang said.

"Let's leave her be. She probably wants to alone for a minute." Raven replied as they ate their breakfast.

Meanwhile Nora felt like she was living a dream but at the same time it wasn't a dream. Last time she saw Kuroyuri was when it was being destroyed by the Nuckaleave and killing everyone insight including Rens parents but looking at everything now... it was like no grimm came through at all. Every detail was almost well replicated down to the stream that came through the village to the houses that were built along the strip of road but her sights set on one building in particular.

It was Ren and his parents home perfectly rebuilt down to the last detail. She walked up to the staircase that lead into the home placing a hand on the well freshed wood that even though it wasn't like how it was before she felt like it was still Rens home.

"Well bless the brothers bear. Is that Nora I see standing their." A older girl no older than twenty stood above the footsteps of the staircase staring at Nora. It was someone Nora recognized from the old Kuroyuri. She has dark blue hair with a silver stripe going down the left side of her face with violet colored eyes. She was wearing a black sleeveless shirt with cut blue skinny jeans and tennis shoes. She wears a belt on her jeans that has an axe strapped to it.

And Nora knew exactly how to respond "No need to bless me. All you need is to slap a knee." Nora rhymed back.

The older girl got closer to her before speaking again "I thought our friendship was at an end. It's been quite a while old friend." She said back.

"Though time took us away. I truly never lost my way." Nora rhymed back. The girl went down and embraced Nora.

"Man it's been a while Nora." The girl said.

"Same to you Birna. I thought you died when the grimm attacked." Nora replied.

"You think I'd go down that easily. We managed to escape before the grimm could get us. We came back a year later to help with getting this place back together but when I came back you weren't here. What happened?" Birna asked.

"Well... it kinda involves me and Ren escaping, being found by a huntress and raised till we were old enough to get into Beacon Academy." Nora said which surprised her friend.

"You got into Beacon! Damn girl. A certified huntress." Birna commented.

"Actually I'm still in training when Beacon fell." Nora corrected.

"Yeah but still a huntress none the less. You grew up quite fast on me." Birna said.

"Same to you. Honestly I just wish Ren was here to see all of this." Nora replied looking out toward the town.

Birna looked at Nora for a moment almost like she was trying to read her emotions and then put a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sure he would've love to see his town again. Now he's with his family." Birna said.

"Yeah... you're right." Nora added with a sadden look on her face.

"C'mon how about something to eat. It's on me." Birna said as the two of the head inside the house for a meal.

Nora right now she was just happy to feel home again. It's a shame that she would have to eventually leave again and head to Haven Academy.

F3: And that's chapter 10. The group arrives in Kuroyuri unexpected after an attack from Tyrian. Raven gets confirmation that Summer is indeed alive. Wonder what will happen next for them. Make sure to leave behind a comment and also please don't forget to follow and/or favorite this story. With that said this is Fireuser3 and I'm Out.