Author's note: For Neptune's voice actor, I think about changing it from Kerry Shawcross to Robbie Daymond. Cause he sounds cool in some of the shows. Especially in dubbed anime when voice acting.

And to add the note, Teams STRQ and STRM came together during the Atlesian Rebellion, they became known as the first incarnation of the Huntsmen Alliance.

Huntsmen Alliance Members:

Summer Rose

Taiyang Xiao Long

Raven Branwen

Qrow Branwen

Saturn Vasilias

Tamaku Ayana

Li Ren

Mi Ren

Sai Tarayuki


Oniyuri Part 3

-Menagerie-

"Can't you at least call Ruby? Just to let her know you're okay?" Sun asked. As he thought Blake should give Ruby and Weiss a word of her status. It would be wrong to leave everyone else in the dark.

Blake was hesitant about talking to her friends. Of all the guilt, she felt like she didn't deserve her own friends because of the past she can't get over, not yet at least. Se looked through her scroll to see a list of names and contacts. But wasn't ready.

"Maybe let's not worry about that for now." Blake replied. She puts her scroll back on the table. Sun took this as a sign that she is not ready. But this decided to not push it. And just let her be for now.

"From what we can gather from interrogating one of the assassins. They confirmed that they were affiliated with the Black Vipers and Adam also conspired with them besides the woman he encountered." Mi said after going through every scription of the interrogation.

"Wow, Mi. How did you convince them to tell you?" Blake asked.

"Actually, I didn't. Even if they talk, they wouldn't give away their allies, all they had given us was misinformation. I guess they became loyal to the Black Vipers and betraying their fellow White Fang members." Mi deduced. "So with Chieftain Belladonna's permission, I read their minds to see what their plans are."

Blake and Sun were surprised. To think Mi would read minds, it made things a bit faster. But Mi would only use her semblance for necessary reasons and that was one of them.

"What did you find?" Blake asked.

"I saw them talking to Adam Taurus. First he was meeting with one of the Black Viper forces. One of them has electric-blue hair and a cybernetic eye." Sun felt something familiar when Mi mentions electric-blue hair. Sun cannot help but think of someone he knew.

"In other words, they became acquaintances during the conversation. Two of the White Fang members swore loyalty to the Black Vipers. But there are two others." Mi said.

"Who are the other two?" Blake asked.

"Corsac and Fennec Albain." Mi confirms. This is what they have to face. Two brothers swore fealty to the Black Vipers organization. Blake and Sun were right to suspect them from the start. How many more White Fang members were going to betray Sienna?

"And they planned to overthrow Sienna so that Adam can take the organization by force." Mi said. "And possibly to take over Atlas once this was done."

"I guess when we think about it, it does make sense." The conversation was interrupted when Sun's scroll rang, it was Saturn, Neptune's father. "Mr. Vasilias?" Sun knew Saturn after befriending Neptune. To him, he was like a father figure. Saturn always welcomed Sun as he was seen as part of the family.

Sun picks up the call. "Yo, Mr. V! What's shaking!" Sun was hearing what Saturn was talking about from another place. But the blinked as he found out what he just heard. "What?! No I haven't seen him." Sun was shocked as he keep listening. "Okay, I'll check on him and see."

Sun hangs up and looks to his friends. "Sun, what is it?" Asked Blake.

"It's Neptune. He's missing." Sun replied. Blake was silently astonished. Maybe Sun was well known to be rebelling against the White Fang that Adam must've planned to target their friends. At least that's her theory. But they have to see for themselves.

"I'll let Sienna know about this. And maybe hold the meeting for another time." Blake picked up her scroll, but Mi stops her out of concern of the outcome. "But if we reschedule the meeting, who knows if those assassins come back." Mi concluded.

Blake knew she is right. Rescheduling the meeting would mean that Sienna's life would be at risk and cause a controversy if any chance the assassins complete their goal of eliminating her.

Then a knock on the door was heard. Mi then turned and opened the door to the library. Two of the Ren Clan warriors arrived. "Lady Mi, we arrived as soon as your mother order us to assist you. We are at your command now." Two of the Ren fighters bowed before Mi. Mi smiled, as assistance finally arrived.

"Right on time. I'm going to need your help for a while. You two will be accompanying me around the region of Kuo Kuana to keep and eye out for Black Viper assassins." Mi ordered. The clansmen bowed to Mi without questions and ready to protect the lady of the household when necessary. "At once, milady."

Mi then turned to Sun and Blake. "I'll inform the high leader about this, and keep and eye on more assassins, you two head to Mistral to search for your friend." Mi suggested.

"Thank, Mi. But be careful. We might not know what will Adam do next." Blake warns. Mi nodded as she orders her clansmen to follow. They left.

And Sun and Blake head for the dock to head their way to Mistral. Since the captain of the ship has owned them, he has already given them his number in case they need any help of getting from one place to another.

Just when they got on the boat, Sun then proceeds to talk to Blake about what he saw the other night. "Can we talk?" Asked Sun. Blake could tell how serious he had gotten since returning to Menagerie. Something was bothering him and the feelings didn't stop.

"Is something bothering you, Sun?" Asked Blake.

"I know this is gonna sound crazy, but I think..." Sun hesitated for a moment, fearing that she wouldn't believe him if he just said it. "I think I saw a ghost. And she is talking to me?" Sun answered.

Blake blinked, she wanted to believe Sun, but wasn't sure if what he saw was true. "W-what...kind of ghost? You sure you weren't dreaming?" Asked Blake, just wanting to be sure.

"You believe me?"

"Not saying I don't. But this could be related to whoever planned to take down Beacon." Blake asked. "I could be wrong, but I think you you have some sort of gift." Blake theorizes. "If you read some of the books or myths. I think you have the bloodline of a spiritualist."

"My aunt says my mom was a spiritualist." Sun reveals. But he never met his mother. "Maybe that's why." Said Blake. "Who was talking to you the other night?"

"I think it was Ruby's Mom." Sun told her. Blake was told about Summer Rose by Yang since their time in Beacon. How much Summer loves her daughters, and how much she is a great huntress. But disappeared and never showed again.

"Summer Rose?" Blake said.

"You knew?"

"Never met her, but Yang told me about her disappearance. I think she came to you for a warning. What is she saying to you?" Asked Blake.

"She said she wanted me to give Ruby a message." Said Sun.

"You think this could be related to the Fall of Beacon also?" Blake asked.

"I don't know. But what Ruby's mom said to me was kinda urgent. Whatever this is, it can't be good. She said to me; "Salem is coming." Sun finished. Blake is confused, she doesn't know who Salem is. But knows whoever she is, she sounded much more dangerous than Cinder.

"Whoever she is, she must've sounded even more dangerous than Cinder. Whatever Ruby's mother must've gone through, that's why she spiritually came back and went to warn you. Since you can see her." Blake concluded.

"Do you know who she is?" Sun asked.

"No, I don't." Blake shook her head.

"We should tell Ruby about this." Sun said.

"Maybe, when we see her again. I am not sure how she is going to react if we do. Ruby's uncle said something about Ozpin hiding some things. I guess it is something only he knew. Even General Ironwood."

"If they knew something. Why hide it from everyone?" Sun asked.

"I bet the enemy was mystery, but a lot stronger than we realized. I guess we will have to ask Qrow first."

"Wait, I bet Professor Lionheart knows something." Sun said. "Since we're heading to Mistral, we can head there and ask him."

"The headmaster of Haven?"

"Yeah, he's cool. Maybe he could give us a little details about it. Even if he can't tell us fully." Sun said.

"Not sure if this is a good idea, but I think I will second that." Blake nods. Approving of the suggestion. Together, the two venture out to Mistral to see if their friend is okay.

"Neptune! You in here?!" Sun called in concern, no response. It was silence.

Later when they arrived at Neptune's former home in his parents' house, it was empty. It was normally furnished, with a small coffee table used to have some tea time on the floor.

A table in the dining room that only has eight seats. Sun is aware that Neptune has 5 older siblings. "I guess Neptune has a big family." Said Blake.

As they went to the living room, there was a memorial board of Pluto Vasilias. The first and oldest son who lost his life. With a jar of his ashes placed next to the photograph.

And there's another photograph where it has Neptune as a baby held in a young Pluto's arms, and next to them are his three sisters, Juno, Vesta and Ceres, and second oldest brother, Jupiter.

Sun always wanted siblings. But never got the chance since his parents passed away. Star, his cousin, is the closest thing he has to a sister. He was fine with it. But of all the things he missed with his parents.

He could've have any of it. But fate never let him have any of it. But he is close to the Vasilias Family, as Saturn and Lydia are like parental figures to them. While Neptune and his sister Ceres are like sibling figures.

"I think he left home." Blake said. Then she went upstairs to find any clues, or notes to have an idea to where Neptune could've been. Any chance Sun is absent, Neptune might run into trouble. Or worse, the White Fang must've know about their friends right about now amd might use them against him and Blake. Sun know that Neptune could've gone to Argus to mourn in Pluto's grave. He felt bad for not going with him. He's a brother to him.

"Neptune!" Sun called again. No reply. It got him worried. Neptune wouldn't disappearsd without telling Sun. The changes in the area began to feel eerie. Like it was a ghost house.

Blake saw something that caught her attention when she sees what's in Saturn's collection. A yearbook in Haven Academy. With a red circle marked around him and his friends. "Sun, take a look at this!" Blake said.

Sun went upstairs, and sees the yearbook with her. There was a young Saturn. His appearance as a teenager was similar to Neptune. "Wow, no wonder how he got the looks." Then next to Saturn is his team, Li Ren, Mai Ren, and Tamaku Ayana. The. comes Qrow Branwen. "Oh, hey, that's Qrow, Ruby and Yang's uncle. Can he get any cooler?" Sun said. Excited to see some parts of the past. Since he wasn't interested in history at first. But maybe it can give some information about his family.

But then another face caught his attention. It was the same young woman with silver eyes. White cape. Sun shook his head, it was no illusion as he thought. It was Ruby's mother. "Blake, look!" He points his finger at the photo.

Blake also turned to the photo. She sees the resemblance, between the woman and Ruby. "Can she be... ?" Blake paused.

"Ruby's mom. She knows Neptune's dad." Sun said. Blake sees that Summer's face was circled red. And the words above Summer was "missing." Then sees the face of Li Ren. "That guy looks like Ren. Must be his dad."

"Any chance Mr. Vasilias knows about it?" Sun asked. Blake shrugged, but she continued the search. Blake searches another draw and sees a journal. Sun was against this and tries to dissuade her from reading it. "Whoa, I dont think it's a good idea. You can't read any journal that isn't yours." Sun protested.

"We might find something, Sun. I don't like this either. But it must have some clue related to the events regarding the missing huntsmen." Blake then opens the entry of the journal. On the first page lies a list of context. One of the context was the name that Blake stopped in her tracks.

15. Summer Rose...

Blake turns to the page and reads it as she seeks answers.

June 14, XXXX

My good friend Summer Rose had been reported missing after she had taken a mission no one else knew about. Due to the knowledge of Salem becoming personal, the circle of trust was coming to question.

It was also reportedly clear that she wasn't alone. Another huntress came with her because of her knowledge about Salem. A sorceress who was said to be a myth. No one knows who the other huntress was, but she disappeared to as it was said she is the last one to survive tbe mission without Summer.

From what Ozpin said about her was that she is neither Grimm, nor human. But rather both. She has been a danger to us all for centuries. It didn't matter if you have an army. She can turn humanity against each other by all means.

Our children will never be safe if she is still around.

Long ago, my father, Uranus Vasilias, the leader of the Vasilias Tribe, and founder of the Black Vipers Organization, swore allegiance to Salem in exchange to let Atlas be destroyed.

My friends and I stepped in to stop the rebellion from happening. Or the people might die.

I had been undercover as one of my father's war soldiers to foil his plans. While my best friend, Li Ren, lead my team to lower ground in order to plan a sneaky ambush.

"What?!" Sun was in shock to hear this. To learn that one of Neptune's ancestors was the founder of the Black Vipers. Does Neptune even know about this? Or did his father left him in the dark for a long time? Was that the reason why Jupiter became a criminal before his "death?" Or maybe this can relate to Pluto's death.

"It can't be." Blake was wide-eyed reading this.

"Why would Ozpin hid this from us? From... everyone?" Sun asked, he fell back as he sat down, trying to process this.

Blake is just as shock as he was. Salem is an enemy no one else can defeat. Another mystery that is left unresolved. Do any of their families know about it? Is Salem a myth to the public.

"I just remembered something. Many of the village elders told us stories about Salem. How she has eyes everywhere. How she hunts and kills. Worse of all, she can spread the influences of evil, like an emotional plague of some kind. I thought she was a myth. But what the other adults knew otherwise." Blake said.

Blake also found something in the context that caught her attention.

12. Marcus Black...

Seeing the surname – Black – got Blake into thinking. This could relate to Mercury's reason for the crimes he committed and turns the page to read the journal.

September 18, XXXX

5 Months after my youngest son, Neptune, was born, I was hired for an investigation for a series of deaths of huntsmen. One of the victims were a huntsman and a huntress, who are twin brother and sister, laying dead at the cold cave.

It was too much to bare. Seeing families losing their loved one. It worries me that the killer might come after my family. As the numbers increased, I grew terrified.

Call me paranoid, but I couldn't keep my eyes off the surroundings. My worst fears came true one night. My wife and I woke up to my young son's cry. When I came to check up on him, there was a man, cradling my son and hopped off the window.

Fearing the worst, I chased after him. Hoping I could retieve Neptune off the killer's hands. Turns out, he was after me from the start. Being part of the Vaslias Tribe. He was hunting down every last of my family members that rebelled the tribe. As it turns out, he was hired by my father to eliminate me for ruining his plans to take over Atlas.

He threatened to have my infant son fall into the sea. And I could see in his eyes that he enjoys covering everyone in blood, and never cared about the lives of children. But before he could drop Neptune into the ocean, I threw my spear to injure his leg to keep him from escaping. This got him distracted. I managed to snatch Neptune away from the assassin. Things could've been worse if I hadn't acted quickly.

After the incident, I found out that the killer's name is Marcus Black, wanted in every kingdom for a series of murders. He was sentenced to life in prison in Atlas Maximum Security Prison. For some reason, my children were the intended target. I don't know why my own father would be afraid of him, but perhaps there was a prediction that one day, the children of huntsmen will come together to face greater threats. Which is what I feared the most that they will never have normals lives because of Salem herself.

Later on, because of the injury, Marcus can not move much. All he can do was limp. After he escaped. I knew my children's safety came first. But thankfully, he was caught. But I knew he would come back for revenge. I will have to be ready one day to stop him. For all I know, my family will be targeted for the rest of our lives.

This journal can have more leads about Mercury. Even if he is a sociopath, Blake hope to get a better understanding for how things turned out.

Sun then went to Neptune's room, to see if he is just there. But to his shock, he found a note on his bed. Sun walks towards it and picked it up.

Sun, if you're reading this, chances are, I am not home. I'm heading to Atlas to see someone. If I don't come back in a few weeks, it means something bad happened to me. Tell my parents I am sorry, and I love them.

You've been a brother to me, and I appreciate you looking out for me. But I have to do some things on my own. Thanks for being my friend.

–Neptune.

Blake came inside the room to see Sun reading the note, frozen as his hand shaken with the note on his grip. Blake knew what that meant.

"We have to see Lionheart." Blake reminded him. Sun nods, hoping his best friend is okay.

Unbeknownst to the two after exiting the house, Neptune and Weiss were behind them. But failed to notice them nearby as they journeyed around the city to ask for Winter's whereabouts.

"Have you seen this individual around?" Asked Weiss (with Neptune next to her), who is showing a picture of Winter on her scroll to a civilian.

"No, haven't seen her. Sorry." He said and left.


-Mistral Hospital-

"My sisters were not talking to me. My father is risking our future. And my brother is still as futile as always." Jupiter was secretly visiting his mother, Lydia, currently in a coma on a bed. It pained him to see her paler face, baggy eyes. Sneaking into a hospital, disguised as a nurse wearing a safety face mask to cover the bottom-half of his face.

"How it hurt me to see you like this, Mom. No thanks to the Schnees." He then touched his mother's cheek, having humanity left for the love he has for his mother. "But don't worry. If I can't get the relics. I will make sure you can rest when I am done with the Schnee Clan. They will be no more."

"I wouldn't wish that if I were you, Brother." Jupiter recognized that voice. It was Juno, his eldest, triplet sister born 7 years after Pluto. She wears silver kunoichi armor with a white skirt around her waist. And a glaive crafted with decorative feathers near the blade.

"What are you doing here? You haven't came to visit in years." Jupiter snarled. And it's not just Winter Schnee he hates the most. But also his elder sister for being spoiled by their father, but also competing every member of the family to be "the best."

"What? Isn't that obvious yet? I'm just here to visit Mommy dearest after the pain you caused her." Juno scowled at Jupiter, but remained quiet to keep their mother resting.

"Argh, this again? We've been over this, Juno. Dad can't say anything to from getting what I want. Everything I have done, I've done it for us, for mom, everyone who..."

"Stop talking this nonsense, we knew the Schnees are just an excuse for you to become a criminal and broke this family. Now I know why everyone calls you "Jupiter thr Black Sheep." Dad may be the most forgiving, but I am not." Juno huffed.

"Shut up." Jupiter talks back.

"Make me." Juno smirked. Like she has something for a comeback. "Unless you want me to let Daddy know of what you've been doing for years. Murdering people, raiding in a heist on Dust Company trains, leaving corpses of mercenaries."

"Dad was already onto me. And since when do you care? You spoiled Daddy's girl."

"Spoiled, yes. But unlike you, I'm not the villain here. You decided to become one the day you robbed a dust store. Poor Daddy and Mommy have to suffer because of you. And you abandoned them when they needed you."

"And you left Neptune behind when he needed you." Jupiter points out.

"Face it, brother. Everytime I look at Little Neptune, all I see is you. And looking back, I realized that scum like you have no place in this world." Taunted Juno, smirking like she had won a trophy to be recon with. Jupiter clenched his fist like he lost something. "And as for those poor innocent children who lost their parents because of you. I can imagine what could've happened of they grow up, bent for vendetta."

"No one's innocent, Juno. Not you, not me, not even Ozpin, Qrow and every huntsmen." Jupiter scoffed. "They knew all along that there is not beating her. They lied to us. But still, why fight Salem, if you can join her?"

"Well then. I will let you be for now. But next time we meet, we will be enemies. Starting today, you're no longer my brother, and you're dead to me." Juno whispered the Jupiter's ear, leaving him stunned and amgry at her words. He had always believed Juno hated him. But did not think she would take this personally. But not before turning back for one last say. "By the way, the tribe has already voted me as the next heir of the Vasilias. The great leader himself vouches for me in my favor. Since you failed to kill a Schnee."

Oh, I get it. She thinks she is better than I am. Two can play that war.

Jupiter's arms also have similar markings as Neptune glowed. And so did Juno's. One of their family members must have had their semblance evolved. And they have an idea of who it might be. And they parted ways on bitter terms. True to her word, Juno walks out. Not eying on her younger brother ever again, unless it was on the battlefield.

Then Jupiter searched through his black scroll for an update and was notified of a message of a contact, Ilia. He sees a picture of Weiss and Neptune roaming around Mistral. "Perfect. Winter Schnee. I am coming for you. I will take everything and everyone that is precious to you. Starting with your sister." He smirked, vowing revenge.

Jupiter then clicks on Ilia's number. And calls her. "Get me Weiss Schnee. We need her alive."

"What about the guy with her?"

"Leave him behind. I might have a word wirh him afterwards." Jupiter replied.

"This has better be worth it. For all I know, she is an ally to Blake Belladonna."

"You'll get your revenge after we capture both sisters. Do what you need to do." He ordered.

"I don't take orders from you, human."

"No, but you follow through as if they were Taurus' orders."

"Fine."

Jupiter hung up and left the room.


-Atlas-

"Not possible?! How come you refused to search for my daughter after she stowed away with that boy?!" Jacques shouted after slamming the table on Ironwood's desk. Ironwood was asked to search for Weiss after she was reported to have ran away.

"Let me be clear that your daughter is at a legal age to leave on her own accord. And it is her right to leave." Ironwood said firmly. Winter requested to the General not to let her father try to bring her back by force if she wishes to leave the place. And Ironwood decided to respect the request not to give away her whereabouts, since he figured where she might've went without knowing.

"We have been friends for years! You're the General, and it should be your job to–!" He was stopped when he heard the sound of a woman.

"Where is my brother?! What have you done to him?!" Jacques turned around to see a woman in her late 20s, sky blue hair and midnight eyes, just like Neptune. And Jacques was flabbergasted to see the resemblance of someone he knew. And she hatefully glared at Jacques.

"Dr. Vasilias. Is something the matter?" Ironwood calmly asked.

"Another one?! What is the meaning of this, James?! Why is that... wretch doing here in the Academy?! People like her should be rotting in the streets like rats!" Jacques insulted Ceres. But Ceres isn't afraid of anyone like Jacques.

"Excuse me?!" Ceres shouted back.

"This is one of our medical unit members in the Military. Dr. Ceres Vasilias. She is the best in the field to help heal my men. Including your daughter." Ironwood then turned to Ceres.

"Dr. Vasilias. Calm down and explain to me." Ironwood tried to process the situation as he asked Ceres. Ironwood sees the tears of anger in her eyes. Ceres then held back her fist.

"I heard the news that my brother was boarded on the same ship that was meant to bring him back to Mistral. But instead, it blew up! And now he is gone! He is afraid of the water and can't swim! He can't! You knew about this and you didn't care! You planned this! You! First Pluto and now Neptune! Who else do you want to kill?!" Ceres shouted at Jacques as she wanted to kill him for "murdering" her brothers.

"You think I would plan this stupidity of an attack?!" Jacques denied any of those allegations. But Ceres was sure he had planned something considered that he has no remorse at all.

"Admit it, Gelé! You sent men to kill my family!" Ceres demanded Jacques to answer. "I felt sorry for your children if they ever learn–!" Ceres addresses Jacques by his real surname and not the Schnee name, since he only married into the family. Cause that's only known to the public.

"That's enough, Ceres. Rest assured your brother is alive and well. A crew member who survived the ship bombing confirmed your brother is alive and headed back to Mistral with Miss Weiss Schnee. He is safe. However, I need you to stand down. And collect your thoughts. I will handle this from here. We'll talk about this later. I'll get to the bottom of whoever started the bombing to begin with."

Ceres breathes heavily, relief ran in her heart that her brother is safe. She never thought the former heiress had helped Neptune get away from here, but it still brought her joy to hear him safe and sound. "Thank you, General. And I apologize for the outburst, sir. I got too emotional." Ceres replied. She is too relieved to fight with Jacques, after all, she only hates him for the misery he caused her family. Ironwood nodded and lets her go.

"How can you allow that blue-haired filth in your military after the Atlesian Rebellion happened?" Jacques asked.

"Despite the past of their ancestors, sometimes we all have to see passed that. But as for you, I promised Winter to not lend you a hand if any of your children decided to leave. And if you tried anything, I will have no choice but to press charges against you." Ironwood gave him a warning.

"You have no idea what I am capable of." Jacques also tried to counter. But Ironwood shows no reaction other than just glaring.

"On that I am aware." Ironwood replied. He lets him go for now. But the next time, things will get nasty between "friends." Jacques left as he took one last glare at the general. As for Ironwood, he would have to keep an eye on his former friend, since the revelations.


-Oniyuri-

Blades colliding, a lot of clanging with the mysterious warrior's sai and Tyrian's wrist blades crashing to each other like the lightning striking twice in a sense of thunder. The warrior shifts back and performs a kick on Tyrian's face and backflips from his swinging tail meant to poison her.

Team RNJRSS stood in awe and shock. They don't know who she is, but one thing is for sure, she is on their side.

"I don't know who she is. But she's helping us." Nora said.

"Neither do I, but she does have the honor in stepping in. But we should help her." Ren said to her.

Nora twirled her hammer in a readying stance. But the warrior objected this in fear Tyrian might strike the former Beacon students. "No, this is my fight. And neither of you children should be involved!"

"We're not bloody kids, lady! We can fight too!" Scarlet retorted. Taking out his pistol again and shooting at the scorpion faunus.

"I must say, only this when you came into the open, Tigress." Tyrian recognized the eyes, but not the face. It's a good thing he does not know her real name. Tigress swift her sai upward and kept going while also ducking from his blades.

Tyrian swings his tail, until he uses his blades again with a down cut. And swept her feet under. Only for Tigress to use her hands and flipped back to recover. And then threw Shuriken at Tyrian, who blocks with a tail.

Both were in a stance far apart from each other. Tigress gets ready for another match. As Tyrian walks around in circles, trying to predict each other's every move. Training as an assassin for Salem, Tigress knew when to use an offense and defense. When against, Tyrian, offense is needed.

"What is it that you want with this girl?!" Tigress demands as she raised her wrist above her head to block Tyrian's swipe upon her. One slash of her sai, the first strike, cones with a flicker on Tyrian's aura.

But the assassin faunus makes a swip of his blade and depletes part of Tigress' aura. Tyrian then swings his tail again, as Tigress didges it and and spun her sai in midair and thrust downward. Only for Tyrian to counter.

"Because of Cinder's recklessesness... " Tyrian charged at her again. Tigress spins to a handstand pisition and kicks him by the face. Tyrian flips back to recover. "I have to take care of her... As requested." Tyrian chuckled.

"I knew it." Tigress scoffed. Then, he turned to the teenagers before her. "All of you step back." Tigress spins her sai and gets into a fighting stance. "This is my fight." She said.

Jaune didn't listen, desperate to protect his friends. Tyrian was about to make a hit before Tigress was about to turn around. Until Jaune uses his shield , blocks it, and swings his blade.

Tyrian then clashes his wristblade against the sword. For some reason, his mind was just as lost as ever. "I think we're going to get along." He checkled. Which makes Jaune recoiled but keeps fighting.

Not in a million years would he lose another friend, another loved one. He can't let that happen again. But at the same time, he reminded himself that he could not lose his mind over his anger at those who would do harm.

Not again, I can't let that happen again.

"Whatever he says, Jaune. Don't listen to him. He'll try to get into your head." Ruby told Jaune.

"Oh, I'm aware of that." Jaune replied.

Ruby joins to make sure no harm comes to her team. Spinning down her scythe. Blocking his blades once Tyrian performs the upper-slashes to counter again. Throwing Ruby off, but she recovered using her semblance to turn into a mist of rose pedals and flies towards the rooftop of one of the destroyed houses and landed there.

Ruby then shifts her Crescent Rose into a sniper gun and fires at Tyrian. But he blocks the dust bullets. And was fast enough tondodged them.

Sage took this opportunity to make a sneak attack behind Tyrian. But then with one downward slash, Tyrian can sense this, and blocks it as well.

Then Sage uses shuriken he stashed in his pockets and threw them at Tyrian. After taking lessons from his father. He learned to aim and miss, until it bounces at the right target.

Tyrian then striked the shuriken with his blades. "You missed."

"I wasn't aiming for ya." Sage replied as the shuriken bounced off a broken wall, and then cuts a branch off the tree to drop on Tyrian.

Ren then fires his arrows to overwhelm Tyrian. By firing multiple of them, Tyrian was too busy fneding off. Then Ruby fires her sniper once more. But missed. Jaune then makes an upper slash. Countering Tyrian's slashes with a low cut.

Jaune pushes forward until he blows him tonthe floor. Ruby was next to make a move behind him. Tyrian jumps away from her. Ruby rushes towards him to make him shift backwards.

Tyrian counters by shielding himself with his wristblades. While also swinging back at her. Ruby makes an upside down spiral. And speeds around to confuse him.

Until Tigress slashes behind him to finally deplete his aura. Tyrian wasn't fast enough to get away, and Sai kicked him away.

Ruby and Tigress looked at each other. Them the mysterious huntress looks at Sage. They both have the same eyes. The feeling of familiarity blocked the worries and senses they both could've used. Then Tyrian was about to strike Sage.

Just as he was about to get hit by the poisonous tail. "No!" Tigress zips towards him and pushed him out of the way. But at the cost of her own life. "Ugh!"

Tyrian laughs as he hunched over and smiles at their despaired faces. But not for long as Ruby slashes his tail. "Argh!" He cried in pain. Drops of purple poison dripping from his tail.

He then glared at the group. He ran off despite the pain. This come to show that this isn't over yet. And it's far from over.

Sage held onto the woman who saved his life. Shoji runs towards the mysterious huntress and licks her face, knowing she can be trusted.

"Ma'am, hold on." Sage tries to inspirit the woman to hold on to her life.

"She saved us, why?" Nora asked, concerned for Tigress. Tigress then looks at Ruby.

"Ruby." The woman said her name. Ruby gasped to hear her say her name. She didn't remembered anyone who knew her. Maybe she knew her somehow.

"How... did you know my name? Who are you?" Ruby asked as she held her hand.

There was silence for a few minutes. The wind dances through the air. Jaune wasn't sure what to make of it. But feeling uneasy, she felt like the woman was the source of Ruby being targeted by Tyrian. For some reason, he can't trust her.

"What's your favorite fairy tale?" Asked the musterious huntress.


Author's note: Sorry for the long wait. Just as Sai did. She gave Summer her word to look after Ruby. And she found her in Oniyuri, under the guise of Tigress.

Meanwhile, Blake found some clues in Neptune's former home by reading his father's journal, and the whereabouts about Mercury after discoveing that Marcus Black (his father) is an assassin.

Neptune's life was threatened when he was an infant. Saturn knew there was more to the story after writing his journal. There is also the mention of Summer Rose going missing in one of his pages.

Juno Vasilias, Jupiter and Neptune's elder sister was no better. As she believes to be the perfect daughter. Like Whitley, she felt like a shadow to her own brothers. Believing to be the golden child. Which is one of the dlfew results of their family breaking apart.

Have a Merry Christmas to you fellow readers.