Three years after Cole's tragic death, the lives of Team RWBY and Team JNPR had taken unexpected turns, leading them away from Beacon Academy.

Ruby had withdrawn from her friends and family, channeling her grief into intense studies and combat training. Her fighting style had evolved to mirror her late father's, with a new weapon similar to Crescent but lacking a gun function. She maintained a cold exterior towards her team and friends outside of missions and school work.

Blake had left Beacon to reconcile with her parents and pursue peaceful reform within the White Fang. This decision had angered Yang, who ended up in jail after an outburst, facing a fifty-thousand-lien bail and uncertain prospects for release.

Weiss was removed from Beacon by her father for "disgracing the Schnee name" and her perceived involvement in a classmate's death. Despite the heartbreak, she remained a close friend to Ruby, cherishing a crystal called "Citrine's Charge" left by Cole and a secret scroll from Ozpin.

Jaune's family had disowned him, and he was no longer at Beacon. With Pyrrha's help, he had crafted his own simple sword and shield, capable of executing dust-based attacks with ease.

Pyrrha, too, was no longer at Beacon. She had lost many of her sponsorships and now had her parents as managers, while also assisting Jaune in finding a combat teacher to improve his hand-to-hand combat skills.

Regrettably, Ciri and Geralt had joined Beacon Academy as teachers. Geralt, the latter, took on the role of teaching medicinal skills, while Ciri assisted him with his job. However, her actual assignment was to substitute in classrooms when needed, and her favorite was Grimm studies. She had become a favorite among Peter's students, thanks to her engaging lessons, often centered around the adventures of Geralt.

Geralt had approached Ozpin with a proposition to remain as teachers but with the condition that they stayed out of his schemes, for the most part. Surprisingly, the students under his tutelage enjoyed their interactions with the Witcher and eagerly participated in his projects. They even fearlessly sampled concoctions, reassured by Geralt's assertion that his body could withstand the harshest of environments and toxins. He never subjected them to the dangerous poisons he'd collected, as Grimm entrails had a tendency to dissipate as soon as the creatures were defeated.

Ren and Nora made earnest efforts to help Ruby, but each attempt was met with her icy glare. Her response cut deep, as she remarked, "you two didn't try last time, why start now?" Her tone was as frigid as a dust crystal and more cutting than any blade in Remnant.

Overall, in the eyes of Beacon's residents, Ruby had transformed into 'the fiery red reaper.' Remnant had come to terms with Cole's death, understanding that it was irreversible. Ruby had lost him long before he snapped, perhaps even a week after he appropriated her prototype bodysuit.

One day, while Ruby conversed with a lifelike hologram resembling Cole on the training floor, Ozpin entered and deactivated it using his scroll. He was accompanied by Glynda and Qrow.

"What's going on? Dad, Professor, I can explain," Ruby exclaimed.

Qrow smirked, gave her a warm hug, and Glynda added, "We know, Ruby. We just came to see if you were planning to visit your sister today."

Ruby scoffed, pushing Qrow away, and secured the droid in its storage case. "I don't see the point. I'm not waiting for her to mature."

Ozpin sighed and said, "She has requested that you visit, and today is her first day of community service. The council acknowledged her good behavior, and I thought it best to have all of you together on a special request mission from the council."

Ruby turned to the trio and could see their unspoken question. She responded firmly, "No, they all contributed to Cole leaving the way he did. They are far from deserving forgiveness, especially her."

Qrow recognized Ruby's emotions and led her away from the others, signaling that he would handle the situation. Gently grabbing her hand, he sat her down in front of him.

"Pedal, I understand what you're feeling," Qrow began. "When your mother died, I was a wreck. I sent you to live with Tai and Yang, drank myself unconscious, and buried myself in work. But do you know what I was really doing while I was gone?"

Tears welled in Ruby's eyes as she listened. She wiped her tears with a rose-embroidered handkerchief.

"You said you were out on missions for Ozpin," she responded softly.

"Well, what would you say if I told you that I went rogue to avenge Summer's death?"

Ruby's voice quivered, and she continued, "I'd ask if you got your revenge. But deep down, I know you probably didn't."

Qrow hugged Ruby, running his fingers through her hair, and with a hint of his usual gruffness, he said, "I did, actually. I lost myself in that burning desire for vengeance, and the rage consumed me. But when they were all dead, I was left feeling so hollow that it wasn't worth it in the end." He gently let her go and wiped her tears away. "After avenging her death, I felt so hollow that I forced myself into teaching so you could defend yourself. Sometimes, Ruby, you remind me so much of her, it's terrifying. But you also have my blood running through your veins, and I couldn't be prouder. Just try to be better and find it in your heart to forgive your family." He paused, tears welling up in his eyes, and added, "I'm not just talking about Yang, either."

Upon hearing Qrow's words, Ruby looked at the scorch marks from Cole's lightning and took a few shaky breaths before standing up. "You want me to let him go, don't you?"

Glynda stepped forward and said, "No, Ruby, he wants you to heal. But before you ask, I'm here to tell you that we want you to find someone, and you need to take JNPR with you."

Ruby holstered her dual scythes on her back and locked them in place with an audible click before looking at Glynda. "No, I'm going alone," she stated firmly, but her resolve wavered as Ozpin's soft steps echoed through the room.

"It wasn't a request, Ruby. They're your protectors, just as we are your teachers," Ozpin said, handing her Cole's old phone. "Yang and Weiss are coming with you on this mission. For Yang, it'll be her community service and a way to ensure her good behavior. For Weiss, it's our way of keeping a dust crystal specialist near your team when you find any."

Ruby took in the sight of her changed JNPR teammates as they entered the room. Jaune had a sword at his waist and a simple mech-shift kite shield on his left arm. Nora wore an outfit similar to a duster coat and a hat, her hammer fixed to her back, and a grenade belt across her chest. Pyrrha had more armor over her chest, thigh boots with plating, and a helmet. Ren wore a Mistralian Shinobi uniform, carrying a duffle bag the size of a tree trunk.

As Ruby felt a whirlwind of emotions, despair, anger, and longing surged within her. She tried to maintain her composure but couldn't help trembling. Ren's semblance washed over her, calming her. He stepped back, his voice shaking as he spoke, "Ruby, you're going to need us, all of us. I just hope we can work together to make things right."

Ruby's response was stern, her fists clenched so hard that her skin turned white. "I don't need any of you. This is just another mission, and you're all just strangers to me. Why are they here again?" she asked, her voice laced with frustration and confusion.

Ciri handed Ruby a file with a sad look, a stark departure from her usual demeanor. Ruby felt uneasy about it, sensing that something was different this time.

Ruby's curiosity turned to shock as she examined the gruesome pictures of a Faunus woman, severely mutilated and tortured. The message on the back of the photograph sent a shiver down her spine. She dropped the file, trembling, and choked out, "What is thi—"

Before she could finish her question, her gaze locked onto the images of the tortured woman, and a wave of horror washed over her. The photographs depicted a Faunus woman with a missing cat ear, burn marks, a large hole in her stomach, a twisted and mangled left arm, and missing legs from the knees down. The most disturbing detail was the body being held in place by a broken black blade, the hilt buried in her shoulders, and large railroad spikes through her forearms. Thankfully, the woman's face was obscured by her blood-stained hair.

The note behind the picture sent R"by's heart pounding. Written in what appeared to be blood, it contained a chilling poem:

Ash to ashes, dust to dust*

You left her to die*

Now prepare to say goodbye*

I'm here to make you cry*

Ruby's hands let go of the file, and she stumbled back, falling into Qrow's arms, shaken to her core. Trembling, she managed to stammer, "Wh-who was th-that in the picture?"

Qrow picked her up, his voice grave as he said, "That woman was your old teammate, Blake Belladonna."

Ciri retrieved the fallen file and revealed hologram pictures of others tied to Cole's suffering. The list was extensive, including Jacques Schnee, Jaune Arc, Pyrrha Nikos, Weiss Schnee, Yang Xiao Long, Blake Belladonna, Sienna Khan, and even Professor Ozpin. The revelation left everyone in shock.

Ciri continued, "We don't know how many more are on this man's list, but we do know who is on it, but…"

Ruby stood up shakily, her voice anxious as she urged her to continue. When a woman rose from Glynda's shadow, a sense of unease filled the room. The mysterious woman, Rayla, matched Cole's description with raven black hair, green and blue eyes, and scars on her face. She confirmed her identity as Cole's long-lost sister, leaving everyone bewildered.

Rayla accepted a weathered picture from Ruby, revealing a snapshot of young Rayla holding a baby Cole, both smiling brightly in their mother's arms. It was a glimpse into a happier time, framed by a field of flowers and Faunus playing.

Rayla's tears welled up as she held the picture to her heart. She confirmed its authenticity and explained the tragic history of her family, including her father's abuse and the loss of Cole's team to bandits. Ruby handed Rayla the picture and inquired, "Where did you get that picture?" Rayla placed it carefully in her pocket and answered, "My father gave it to me and Weiss. Along with everything he owned in his will, he specifically mentioned us and told us to divide it among ourselves."

Rayla's anger flared, and she approached Jaune and the others with a fierce determination. Using her shadow powers, she grabbed them by their torsos, forcing their attention. Her voice was commanding as she declared, "If you pathetic excuses for hunters know what's good for you, you'll listen to Ruby and do as you're told!" Her words were met with frantic "yes ma'am"s and nodding.

She released them from her grip and, in a surprising turn, slapped each one of them, reserving an extra hard smack for Jaune. Her stern words followed, "That's for causing so much trouble for my brother!"

Calming down, she turned to Weiss, her expression softening. Rayla hugged Weiss tightly, her words filled with gratitude, "Thank you for trying to love him while he knew you." As she released Weiss, she watched her suppress tears, a genuine smile on her face, though a few tears did escape Weiss's eyes. Rayla then turned to Glynda, shaking her hand and acknowledging her role as a pseudo mother to Cole.

Rayla revealed a silver chain with a gold ring, adorned with a snowflake made of moonstone and black wire. Weiss accepted the necklace, her eyes filling with tears. She tightly hugged Rayla, overwhelmed with guilt and sadness, and the two women shared a deep emotional connection despite being strangers.

Glynda commented on the love between Cole and Weiss, recognizing its depth.

After a few minutes, they stood up, and Weiss put the necklace around her neck. She turned to Professor Ciri, inquiring about her connection to Cole. Ciri's response was unexpected and straightforward, questioning Weiss's accusatory attitude. She departed with a promise to accompany the group to ensure their safety, leaving them stunned and confused.

The group had to process the sudden presence of this enigmatic professor and the complex emotions that the reunion with Rayla had stirred within them.