[Near The Branwen Bandit Camp]
The sound of a motorcycle could be heard. Yang Xiao Long is riding Bumblebee with Shay D. Mann (Yes that is his name, I'm actually not making this up) through a forest in Anima.
"How much further, pal?" Yang questioned.
Shay signaled to the rider, "This should just about do it."
Yang stopped her bike at a clearing, letting Shay get off and walk, "You wait here. I'll go up ahead and make sure the coast is clear."
Shay dismounts from the bike and runs into the bushes. Yang shakes her head in annoyance, knowing damn well this was a set up and discards her sunglasses, sleeve and coat tails before stretching a little. Suddenly, someone pulls the trigger of a gun and Yang blocks the shot with her arm. Shay reappears with several bandits in tow.
"I can't believe you were dumb enough to let me lead you here." Shay mocked as he lead the bandits present all have their weapons drawn at Yang.
Yang just looked bored, "Is this everyone?"
Shay chuckled for a moment, "Yes, little lady. This is it. Well, unless you count the whole rest of the camp back that way."
He gestures behind him with his thumb. Yang points a finger in the same direction, "That way?"
"Yes. That way." Shay grunted in confusion and looking at his tribe mates first.
"Good to know. Thanks."
"Now to pay me back for this tooth, we're going to take your bike. And you're going to take your lumps." He punched his fist as he says this to sound tougher.
Yang engaged Ember Celica on her left arm. The bandits get cautious and keep their weapons trained on her.
Shay aimed his gun at Yang, "You got the jump on me last time, sweetheart. But you really ought to think twice about fighting all—" He cuts off when Yang engages the gun on her robotic arm. The rest of the bandits gasp, "Alright... Get her!"
The bandits attack, all at once, using a series of dodges and evasive techniques she manages to avoid being struck, shot at or cut up. While delivering several of her own strikes.
As Yang defeats them. After the fight, Yang's left hand is shaking once again, but she calms herself down before walking back to her motorcycle.
Shay coughed as he struggled to get up, "Who are you? It doesn't even matter. When Raven finds out what you did, you're dead!"
"Possibly. But I doubt it. I am her daughter, after all." Yang admitted.
Shay went wide-eyed before falling face first on the ground, "I'm dead."
[Haven]
Grunts and thuds could be heard as Oscar Pine and Ruby Rose are training hand to hand combat against Caboose who's being as gentle as he possibly can. Whilst everyone else is looking on, going back and forth between the fighters.
"Man, Oz wasn't kidding. Oscar's picking up on this stuff fast." Jaune commented.
Caboose kicks Oscar back the swats Ruby straight in her face. Ruby recoils from the blow and looks visibly angry.
"Sorry! Someone put your face there." Caboose apologized as innocent as ever.
Ruby hits Caboose in the chest then follows with multiple jabs as Caboose just remains standing there. He then lands a headbutt knocking her down, making everyone wince.
"Are you okay? Ruby?" After seeing a thumbs up he turns to Oscar who's still recovering from the mighty kick.
Ozpin mentally talked to Oscar, "You forgot to engage your Aura, again."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because this method makes you less likely to forget." Oscar groans and gets to his feet.
"Mind if I give it a shot?" Oscar stiffens briefly while his eyes glow in a yellow light, "Not bad, Mr Caboose. But Oscar doesn't have the years of training that you do. Or I do."
Oscar's body shimmers green as Ozpin engages their Aura. Jaune and Nora realize what Caboose is in for, as Oscar determinedly approaches his opponent.
Caboose nervously chuckled, "Oh, ha well uh maybe I should go easy... y'know because he's sp much smaller."
Ozpin attacks Caboose with a few punches aimed at his head, forcing him onto the defensive until he lands a blow to his face which makes him stumble. Ozpin follows up after Caboose with a leap and a kick to his face. Caboose leaps at Ozpin to throw a flurry of crosses and jabs which Ozpin evades by ducking and dodging, finally he retaliates with a headbutt from below.
"Ouch." Nora commented.
Ozpin then began to teach a now disoriented Caboose, "The next time you want to throw a left cross, remember to push off with the appropriate foot. And as always, do be aware of any openings."
"Okay... I'm just gonna lie here... " Caboose answered as he stayed on the floor.
Ozpin relinquishes his control and Oscar falls to the ground, panting. Ruby rushes over to Oscar, "Oh! Hey. Are you okay?"
"How is this so exhausting?" Oscar questioned.
Ren began speaking from his position, "Your body isn't used to this kind of training, not to mention generating a defensive Aura on your own. It takes intense concentration at first, but in time it will become second nature, allowing you to deflect attacks and gradually heal your wounds. After that, you can begin focusing on your Semblance, whatever that may be."
"Semblance?" Oscar questioned.
Nora explained with her usual enthusiasm, "You know! Like your very own superpower! Everybody's got one. It's just a matter of finding it and mastering it. Ruby moves super fast, Electricity makes me stronger, Ren can mask emotions, and Jaune... can, uh, um. Hmm."
"I can't do anyth—" Jaune tried to admit.
Ruby interrupted her friend, "Jaune's like you!" Ruby takes Oscar by the hand and leads him over to Jaune.
"I'm still on the floor..." Caboose spoke up.
"He hasn't found his Semblance yet, but we all know he will. And you will, too. We all just have to try and help each other get stronger." Ruby ignored Caboose.
Oscar commented, "Cool."
"A common philosophy is that a warrior's Semblance is a part of who they are. Some say your personality and character can define your Semblance while some claim that it is the other way around. Of course, there are still many who don't see a connection at all." Ren shares his thoughts.
Nora added, "It's hard to know when you know sometimes. Ren's Semblance was unlocked from intense stress."
"And mine kicked in during training one day." Ruby chimed in.
Oscar looked to Tucker with a question, "And what about you?"
"That happened on the day of nunya..." Tucker started.
"What's nunya?"
"Nunya business." Tucker crossed his arms.
"He doesn't like to talk about it." Jaune explained before he started, "I just don't understand what's wrong with me. I train. I meditate."
Oscar's eyes glow momentarily as Ozpin takes control of his body again. "Don't worry, Mr. Arc. Your journey is far from over. And the same might be said for all of you. Unlocking your Semblance isn't the end. It can still grow and evolve. Providing you're willing to put in the work, who knows what could happen."
Ruby smiled as she felt new inspiration, "Then let's get back to it."
"My body... is trying to die..." Caboose groaned in pain.
[Branwen Bandit Camp]
Yang finally entered the camp, escorted by a few bruised bandits who she had roughed up earlier. She noticed more bandits lining up along the path, giving angry glares at her. Vernal steps out of her tent to see what the commotion is about. The two bandits guarding Weiss Schnee are playing cards with each other, before joining the rest of their tribe to see Yang walk in.
Weiss noticed this and once again summons a small Arma Gigas, who begins to get to work on freeing her from her confinement. Yang and her escorts arrive at the camp's main tent. Raven emerges from it with her mask on.
"Mom." Yang addresses her mother in calm tone.
Raven removed her mask smiling at her daughter, "Yang. So, after all this time you finally decided to visit me."
Yang feels her left hand shaking once again, but she uses her robotic hand to calm it down, "You know that I searched for you. I spent years looking for you."
Raven nodded as she looked to her bruised people, "And you've found me. You were patient, determined, and strong enough to make your dream a reality. Well done, Yang. But did you have to be so rough with my men?"
"I didn't want a fight. They started it."
"Well, you certainly finished it."
Silence followed as the most powerful forces started at each other.
"Right. I'm sure this is all very overwhelming. But I must admit that you've proven yourself. So any questions you have I'll be happy to answer. You can stay with us tonight. I'll even have the cooks whip up something for you." Raven broke the silence.
"That's not why I am here." Yang called out as the bandits react to her irreverence.
"What was that?"
"I'm not here for you. Ruby is somewhere in Mistral. She's with Qrow, and she's going to need my help. I just need you to take me to her."
"And why would I do that?"
"Because we're family."
Raven scowls and mutters, "Family. Only coming around when they need something. I have to say, I'm disappointed. After all, you found me, didn't you? Why not take that drive and use it to find your little sister if she means that much to you?"
"Because you're going to save me time. Ruby was heading to Mistral, but there's no guarantee she's made it there. Looking for her in Anima could take ages. But... Dad told me how your Semblance works." Yang gave her Mom a smug look.
Raven cursed under her breath, "Tai..."
"You can bond to certain people. And when you do, you could create a portal that takes you straight to them. You've got one for Dad. One for me. And you've got one for Qrow. He promised me he'd watch out for Ruby before he left. And I trust him. So, make a portal to my uncle and sister, and I'll be on my way."
"You know, it takes real strength to march in here and demand such a favor of me. I've got to say, I'm impressed. It's very noble to want to help out your sister. But if she's with Qrow, then she's already a lost cause." Raven sighed as she turned away from her daughter.
Yang started to question her, "What does that mean?"
"You don't want to get mixed up in all of that, Yang. Ozpin is not the man you think he is. And Qrow is a fool for trusting him. I would know, I trusted him once, too."
"I don't care what you think."
Vernal, holding Myrtenaster, looks on disdainfully, and places her right hand on her hip. Raven raised her arm to calm everyone on her side, "Your choice is your own. All I'm suggesting is that instead of getting wrapped up in something too big for you, for any of us, that maybe you take a moment to wonder if you're already where you belong."
"Save your breath. You can spout off whatever you want, but nothing is going to keep me from my sister."
"Well, aren't you stubborn."
"I get it from my mom."
"Well, if that's how you feel, then it sounds like we're done here. Take her away."
The bandits surround and begin to move in on Yang. Yang sees this, before turning her head back to Raven, "Did you not hear me? I said send me to Qrow, damn it!"
"That's enough! You watch your mouth in front of our leader!" Some Bandit has started to speak as some of the bandits tense up behind him.
"Make me."
The random bandit tried to attack Yang, Yang dodges and punches the Bandit into a tent, revealing Weiss in her cage.
Weiss spots her friend from her cage, "Yang?"
"Weiss?" Yang wonders clearly unaware she was even there.
Everyone else present is surprised that the two girls know each other.
Weiss then spoke to herself after assessing the situation, "Alright, well, subtlety is out."
Weiss turns to her miniature Arma Gigas and makes it grow, destroying the cage in the process. She quickly makes her way towards Yang, with the now giant Arma Gigas following close behind.
"What is that?" Yang asked as she entered a defensive pose.
"Don't worry about it. What are you doing here?"
"Well, that's my mom and she can take us to Ruby." Yang gestured to Ruby.
Raven groaned at the headache she was gonna have, "Ugh."
"Your mom kidnapped me?!" Weiss snapped to Yang
"You kidnapped her?!" Yang snapped at Raven.
Yang, Weiss and Weiss' summon turn and run to fight the bandits, but a lightning bolt appears, supposedly summoned by Vernal, stopping the fight before it starts.
Vernal echoed, "Enough!"
Raven to nodded to Vernal, "Thank you. If you people don't keep it together this place will be crawling with Grimm. Give the girl her weapon back."
Vernal looks surprised at the command, then tosses Myrtenaster to Weiss, "You two. In my tent. Now." Raven demanded.
"Why?" Yang asked.
"If you're really going after your sister, then you need to know the truth."
Raven entered her tent and the bandits go back to their own businesses. Weiss placed her hand on her chest in relief.
"Sorry about--" Yang tried to apologize to Weiss.
Suddenly, Weiss drops Myrtenaster and strongly hugs Yang, "I missed you so much."
"I've missed you, too." Yang puts her hand on the back of Weiss' head and hugs back as her summon disappears. The two girls remain embraced.
[End of Chapter]
Really sorry this one took so damn long I just been busy trying to get my life back on the schedule. A lot has happened in the past year that has really affected me in many ways. Some better some worse. Sorry if it always seems I'm on some spiritual journey, cuz I'm still kind of growing up. But then again I'm still writing fanfiction. And I wouldn't change that one bit.
So until next time, Churchisalive signing off for now.