AN: Phew, this became longer than I thought it would, but I had a lot to add.


No Safe Haven

Ren, Nora, Otohime, Electra and Roc were dashing to Kuroyuri and their friends before the monster that destroyed the village Ren once called home reached them.

"Not again. Not again," Ren panted as they ran as fast as they could, finally reaching the village. And to Ren's relief, their friends were gathered around the plaza that had a tree at the center.

"What're you guys doing here?" Ruby asked, being the first to notice them.

"Did something happen?" Penny asked while tilting her head.

"Everyone! A Grimm is approaching!" Azurda suddenly shouted frantically.

"Just one?" Joana questioned with a skeptical look.

"It's powerful," Azurda added in, just as they started hearing hoof-steps approaching. Which caused Ren to fall to his knees with a look of horror on his face.

"Ren. Ren!" Otohime called out to her Driver in worry, "Ren you must stand up." The beautiful water Blade even moved to shake the black-haired boy's shoulder to get a reaction out of him. Only to receive none.

"What is that thing?" Ruby exclaimed warily. It was definitely a Grimm, but not any kind she had seen. It looked like a monstrous horse with its front feet being two toed feet, while the back feet were normal hooves. There were bone protrusions coming from its skinny sides, giving it a skeletal appearance. It had bone plates with glowing red marks on its sides and partially on its legs. But in the middle of its body was a humanoid torso growing out of the back of the horse. It was thin, had skeletal appearance, but it had bone plate on its chest and shoulders, like an armor. Its arms were unnaturally long and only had two fingers which even now were twitching. Its head was humanlike with bone plates covering it, like a helmet. It had curved horns growing out of its forehead and its mouth had sharp teeth and the inside of its mouth glowed red. From its back, several bone spikes were growing out across its spine. This was a Nuckelavee. One of the more disturbing types of Grimm, not to mention stronger than any typical variety of Grimm.

"It's different," Ren was able to say in horror. But judging by a few weapons that were stuck to several parts of its body, including a few arrows, this Grimm had definitely seen battle.

The monster let out a high-pitched wail before charging at Rex and Pyra. The red-haired Aegis got in front of Rex, bringing out her weapon in preparation to defend her Driver. Except mid-charge the beast stopped and looked at the area Pyra was in, its human head twitching disturbingly.

"Just get him to safety!" Ren shouted, having used his semblance on both Pyra and Rex by touching the ground.

"Right!" Pyra replied before moving to pick up Rex into her arms while the Nuckelavee's attention was drawn by Nora firing grenades on it.

"That thing's element is darkness," Azurda called out as he fluttered after Pyra. Roc also following them to make sure his Driver would be safe.

"Thanks for the tip," Ruby called back, before addressing everyone, "That means Kos-Mos and Joana are our trump cards." Ruby prepared herself for battle alongside Roze. As did everyone else, including Kasandra.

"Let's do this, Kos-Mos," Penny said enthusiastically while preparing her Blade's Ether Cannon.

"Acknowledged, master." Kos-Mos replied in monotone as her visor deployed and her holographic spikes appeared.

"I shall do everything in my power to destroy this monstrosity," Joana declared as she deployed her helmet and took out her Catalyst Scimitar. Jaune only replied with a nod as he prepared Crocea Mors.

"You ready for this, Electra?" Nora asked her Blade with a determined look.

"Yeah!" Electra replied with a bubbly demeanor as she brought out her shieldhammer.

Ren also got up off the ground before drawing out Stormflowers. Honestly, he never thought he could face this monster, but now that it was here standing before him…All they could do was kill this monster that took his home and family from him.

"…So, this is the monster that took your home and parents from you," Otohime spoke as she pointed her Ether Cannon at Nuckelavee. This statement earned a surprised look from Ren, seeing as he never told this to his Blade. "Do not look so surprised," the black-haired water Blade said with a small smile, "The beast mentioned that you and her have no parents to return to. You did not want to come here, and this monster earns a reaction no other Grimm has earned from you."

Ren wasn't sure if he should be angry or amazed at Otohime deducing the source of his behavior. "…So what if it's true?" Ren asked almost challengingly.

"Then it would be most enjoyable if I was allowed to help you destroy this filthy thing," Otohime replied as she was already preparing her cannon for an attack.

"Heads up, everyone!" Ruby shouted out, "It's coming!"

Indeed, the Nuckelavee was now charging at them with Pyra and Roc having moved Rex somewhere safer.

"Take this you meanie!" Electra shouted out as she dashed at the monster before smacking its head with her hammer. It was soon followed by Kasandra who was planning to keep her promise to Qrow. The cursed Blade smacked the beast's side, causing the horse to let out a pained sound, while the humanoid part tried to smack the dark Blade away. Only for Kasandra to shift her weapon into its shield form to block the attack.

"Tech Blaster!" Which left it open for an attack from Penny, earning a loud cry of pain from it.

"Roze, together," Ruby said as she offered her hand to her Blade. The reaper Blade nodded, taking the offered hand before he was swept away with Ruby in her semblance. The two zipped to the monster's torso to try and behead it. But to the reaper duo's shock, the Nuckelavee grabbed the two scythes by their poles before throwing them both away.

"Tech Blaster!" Penny fired her Art again. The monster turned its head to the android Driver just in time to cry in pain at the shots of light Ether.

As the monster reeled from the damage, Jaune closed in to strike its hind leg. Unfortunately, the monster responded by horse-kicking behind, sending Jaune skittering across the floor of the ruined plaza.

"Milord!" Joana cried out, before glaring at the Nuckelavee under her helmet, "You wretched beast!" with that shout, the knightess engaged with a swing of her Catalyst Scimitar at the beast's side. Except she hit the armored part which meant that her attack didn't do as much damage as she would have preferred. She also had to move away when the humanoid part tried to swipe at her.

Ren ran to the dead tree so he could jump on it and open fire on the monstrosity. The shots served to earn the monster's attention, but seemingly little else. The monster flung its arms, which actually stretched, at Ren who was forced to abandon his post. Then the monster was pelted by shots from an angry looking Otohime.

"Guys! Move in a circle!" Jaune shouted out, sheathing Crocea Mors, "Joana!"

"Understood, milord," Joana acknowledged before throwing her weapon to her lord. Establishing the affinity link the moment Jaune caught it. Everyone followed the advice, using ranged attacks against the monster. Nora firing grenades, Ren firing Stormflowers, Ruby shooting with Crescent Rose, Roze followed his Driver's example, Penny fired Kos-Mos' ether cannon while Otohime fired her own. Finally, Jaune sent Arclight at the monster which caused it to cry more in pain from the barrage of attacks. Then the monster did something none of them thought possible, it spun its humanoid body in a 360 degree with its arms stretching and smacking everyone across the battlefield. With the exception of Penny and Jaune, who were protected by their Blades deploying their barriers.

As everyone recovered, the Nuckelavee then turned its attention to Jaune, before sending one of its arms against the blonde knight. But everyone's surprised, the limb burst into flames as it sailed at the Arc boy who thankfully brought his shield up to block it. But the force behind the attack still pushed Jaune back significantly. The monster sent its other arm which also burst into flames at Penny who barely avoided the attack.

"Was that…an Art!?" Joana exclaimed in disbelief.

"What?!" Jaune exclaimed in equal disbelief.

"The flames around the target's hands were composed of fire Ether, so it would seem so," Kos-Mos added in, sounding surprised despite her monotone voice.

"But how can a Grimm use Arts?" Penny asked as she fired another shot at the Nuckelavee who moved out of the way.

Otohime's eyes widened at a thought, "Everyone! I found an Ether Font inside the cave it presumably nestled in! Perhaps the monster was changed by it!"

"What's an Ether Font?" Ruby asked as she fired another shot at the Nuckelavee before zipping away from the horse part charging at her.

"An Ether Font is a hole within a Titan's bloodstream," Roze replied as he sliced at a limb that tried to get ahold of him.

"From which Ether flows out into the atmosphere in unusually large quantities," Joana took over while Jaune fired another Arclight at the monster.

"But the only Titan on Remnant is the one that nestled in Beacon, right?" Penny said with a questioning look.

"That is what was assumed." Kos-Mos replied, "But if this discovery is true…then perhaps Remnant and Alrest have more in common than previously thought."

Jaune frowned at this new information, but for now it meant that this thing was much more dangerous than any typical Grimm. "So, all that means is that we need to take this thing down that much faster," Jaune said with a determined look, "Penny, have Kos-Mos do her Special Art!"

"Okay!" Penny replied as she threw her cannon to Kos-Mos. The android Blade immediately dashed to.

"Phase Transition Tech, activated." Kos-Mos informed the use of her skill before preparing her cannon, "R-Blade!" And then she swung her Ether Cannon five times, releasing energy blades with each swing. The Nuckelavee cried out in pain as portions of its boneplates on its torso actually cracked.

"Yeah!" Nora and Electra shouted out in unison at the successful attack.

"Ruby, we shouldn't take chances with this thing," Roze said to his Driver.

"You're right," Ruby said as she offered Crescent Rose, which Roze accepted while handing over his own scythe. "Everyone! Switch to Blade weapons," Ruby called out.

Nora was the only one who groaned a little, because as much as she loves Electra's enormous hammer, it doesn't have a grenade launcher. Still, she gets to clobber that Grimm with a much bigger hammer, so that's always a plus.

"Blossom Burst!" Ren fired the explosive ether shot out of Otohime's cannon. But the Nuckelavee bent its humanoid torso to the side, causing the attack to miss.

"Eyes on us, ugly!" Nora shouted at the monster with a savage grin as she brought Electra's hammer up before jumping, "Nora Smash!" And then she brought it down on the Nuckelavee which decided to counter with a flaming punch at the hammer. Nora had yet to absorb electricity from Electra, but the monster still had to put in effort to try and push the girl back. During which Jaune had moved in to use another Arclight. But the horse part saw the attack coming and dashed out of the way, causing Nora to fall down when the opposing force was removed. Straight into Jaune's Art.

"Ow!" Nora complained, but otherwise didn't seem too hurt. "That was cheap!" Nora shouted angrily at the monster.

Then the still running Nuckelavee swung another flaming swat towards Ruby who was about to fire a Rosy Shot, but had to abandon that plan in favor of dodging the attack. She wasn't planning to have Roze use Thorn Barrier too soon. Speaking of which, the second arm was blocked when the reaper Blade deployed the Blade barrier.

Then the monster almost fell over when Ren fired another Blossom Burst to the horse's side. "Joana! Now would be a good time to follow up on Kos-Mos," Otohime suggested from her Driver's side.

The mecha knightess nodded at the suggestion. "Not yet." Jaune however disagreed, "Let's save it for now."

Ren then fired another Blossom Burst, but this time, the monster surprised them when the horse opened its mouth and fired a spinning fireball at the incoming shot. The two attacks collided and burst in an explosion of water and fire, creating burst of steam that covered the Nuckelavee.

No one noticed it, but right before the attacks collided, Kasandra's mask rattled.

"Joana!" Jaune then exclaimed, before throwing her weapon back to her. But before Joana could start her attack, the Nuckelavee's flaming two fingered fist burst out of the steam and punched the mecha-knightess into a building. "No way!" Jaune exclaimed at the monster preventing Joana from attacking.

But that surprise didn't last long because several shots of fire came out of the mist towards Ren.

"Not if I can help it!" Otohime said defiantly, before deploying her own barrier to block the shots. But the strength behind the attacks surprised the water Blade who was now straining to keep it up. Which finally failed when another flaming punch quickly came out, shattering the barrier and finally getting a hit on Ren who cried out in pain despite his Aura. After all, Water and Fire oppose each other and Blades share their elemental weakness with their Drivers.

"Ren!" Nora and Electra cried out in concern.

As Ren was slammed against the wall of a tall building, dropping the Ether Cannon in the process, the steam around Nuckelavee dispersed, revealing the monster once again.

"What!?" Ruby cried out at the sight of the monster, "What's going on?!"

"This hasn't happened before," Jaune added in slight fear.

The Nuckelavee's humanoid head was on fire. Making it look like it had a hair made of raging flames. The spikes on its humanoid torso had grown and were covered with flames. On the horse, it now had a flaming mane and tail. The monster let out an earpiercing shriek which forced everyone to cover their ears. All the while the monster was winding up its arm that hadn't uncurled to keep Ren pinned to a wall.

Nora thankfully noticed this, "Ruby!"

Understanding what Nora wanted, the red reaper gave Roze a look with a silent message. Understanding his Driver, Roze extended Crescent Rose for Nora to jump on. Then with a shot to increase the momentum, Roze flung Nora to intercept the attack with Electra's hammer.

As this was happening, Pyra was watching over Rex alongside Roc and Azurda behind one of the buildings further away. They too heard the earpiercing screech, but they didn't dare to leave Rex's side.

"We should be out there with them," Roc said with the tiniest tones of complaint in his voice.

"I know, but we have to protect Rex," Pyra said, now feeling somewhat weaker. Rex's condition must be slowly affecting her too now.

Then Azurda perked up as he looked to the direction where he sensed the Grimm. "This is…" the small Titan muttered before rising to his tiny wings.

"Azurda, what is it?" Pyra asked in worry.

"You two watch over Rex, I will go and help," Azurda said as he fluttered over the building with his tiny wings and towards the battle.

As Azurda was approaching the battle, Ren recovered enough to see that slightly above him, Nora was hanging from Electra's hammer which the Nuckelavee had pushed a little inside the building with its attack.

The orangette took a moment to look down on her childhood friend before she realized something. "Stop looking!" And then she crossed her legs as she realized the view Ren was accidentally getting.

"Geh!" Ren sounded out as he looked down. And it was at this moment that the Nuckelavee decided to fully grab Nora by the hammer and slam her to the ground multiple times until letting go and sending the hammerer skidding across the floor with her Aura finally failing. "No!" Ren shouted out as he took out Stormflowers to pry the hand off of him with some effort. Once he succeeded, Ren quickly replaced his guns with Otohime's cannon. Re-establishing the affinity link with the recovered Blade.

"Blossom Burst!" And then Ren proceeded to fire at the monster. "Blossom Burst! Blossom Burst! Blossom BURST!" Ren kept using that Art in quick succession as the horse head was barely keeping up by blasting fireballs from its mouth at the shots. Each shot of fire and water canceling each other out upon contact instead of creating a burst of steam this time.

As Ren fired the barrage of the explosive Art, Otohime started to look strained. "Ren, stop! I cannot-!" Was as far as the water Blade got before the affinity link was severed and she collapsed on her knees, panting in exhaustion.

"Blossom Burst!" But this time the Ether Cannon didn't fire, because the dragon head along with the fishes surrounding it retracted into the waterflowers that cover the cannon. The weapon had deactivated. "Dammit!" Ren shouted before discarding the cannon and taking Stormflowers back out and dashed at the monster in mad rage, not even checking what happened to Otohime.

"Ren! Knock it off!" Jaune shouted out, realizing what Ren was doing was practically suicide.

Ren was able to knock both of the Nuckelavee's incoming limbs with Stormflowers, but when he was about to slice the horses' neck the monster lifted itself and kicked him away with the frontlegs. Despite the hit, Ren got up again in mad rage and dashed again. This time, one of the monster's retracting arms grabbed Ren by the ankle and gave him the same treatment as it did for Nora. Causing the black-haired gunner to lose Stormflowers in the process. Ren was even thrown right in front of Nora who saw the mad state Ren was in. Worse yet, his Aura had finally failed.

The Nuckelavee scratched the ground with one of its front legs before charging at the Flower Power duo. And Ren looked about ready to dash at it again despite having no weapons. Only for Nora to quickly tackle her friend under a building. Causing the monster to change direction to the building. Nora was holding onto Ren, intent on shielding him by herself if she had to. But when it felt like the monster was taking too long, Nora got off of Ren and the two checked what the holdup was. The holdup turned out to be Electra and Jaune who had come in front of the monster, blocking its front legs with their respective weapons.

"Leave, Ren and Nora ALONE!" Electra cried out before managing to push the monstrosity's leg off and slamming her hammer against the horse head. This forced the monster to back off, while Jaune took Crocea Mors by the handle, retracting the shield. Then a portion of the sheath jutted higher across the blade, making it a bastard sword. Of course, the sharpened sheath was locked in place now. Then Jaune also attacked the front with now increased striking power.

Ren was about to move in, but his hand was grabbed by Nora, preventing him from doing that. "Nora, let go," Ren said, still glaring at the monster that had its attention drawn elsewhere when Kasandra was able to smack its head with her own hammer. But Nora wouldn't let up. "Nora! We have to help them before they get-" *Slap!*

Ren was interrupted by Nora slapping him across the face with her free hand. "No." Nora said firmly, although she wasn't yet looking Ren in the eye. "I'm not going to let you kill yourself, "the normally bubbly orangette said firmly. "After everything we've been through, I won't let it end," Nora then lifted her head, showing Ren her tears that were threatening to spill out, "Not like this."

The sight of this caused Ren to blink, seeing that same dirty orphan he comforted when no one else would for an instant. With those words, Ren took a deep breath and took out a green knife with a curved Blade.

"Radiant Crusade!" Rang out in the battlefield, which was soon followed by particles of light washing over them and the cries of pain from the Nuckelavee. Joana had gotten back into the field and continued from where she left off. Ren and Nora could feel their depleted Auras being restored by Joana's power. Looking back to the battlefield, Ren and Nora saw that the Nuckelavee had taken damage but had no intention of staying down.

"Blade Combo: Gamma Ray!" Which was followed by rays of light blasting from around the Nuckelavee causing it to roar in what sounded more like anger than pain.

"Why didn't it go down?!" Jaune shouted out, "Wasn't that thing weak to light?!"

"It's element has changed to fire!" shouted Azurda who was now able to reach them, "That means it's now weak to water!"

At that information, everyone's eyes fell on the only water Blade they had, Otohime. The said water Blade was still on her knees and looking to Ren and Nora with a sad look in her eyes. Ren came out from beneath the building alongside Nora before moving to his Blade. "Otohime…I'm sorry," Ren apologized as he offered his hand for her, now remembering one of the first lessons they learned about Arts. A Blade has a limit to how much power they can supply to perform them, and Ren had pushed Otohime beyond hers.

"It is fine," Otohime said as she took the offered hand and lifted herself back up, before summoning her Cannon back to her. "If I am what it takes to destroy this monstrosity, then I shall do all I can."

"Thank you," Ren thanked just as he accepted the cannon, which reactivated along with the affinity link. But that wasn't all, the water Blade and her Driver were also surrounded by a golden glow. Their affinity had reached maximum.

"Let's go, Otohime!" Ren called out before taking aim.

"Yes." was the simple reply, though the water Blade also glanced at Nora who gave her a nod. Which was responded with something Otohime has never shown to Nora, a grateful smile.

"If I might suggest," Azurda called out, having moved to Ruby's hood similar to how he rides in Rex's helmet, "If Miss Otohime can use a level 3, you would be able to complete that Blade combo Kos-Mos and Joana started."

This information earned surprised looks out of everyone. "So, you're saying," Ruby spoke up, "We can take this thing down in one go with water."

Ren glanced at his Blade, "Can you do that?" Though he was a little concerned about his Blade not having enough energy to do that considering his stunt.

"Yes, now that I can draw Ether much more effectively," the water Blade replied with an eager smile.

"Ren, " Ruby then said, "Jaune and I can take care of its arms." Roze nodded alongside his Driver.

"I'll take care of the horse," Nora said before giving Electra a grin, "You wanna help me?"

"Yeah!" Electra replied, handing her hammer over to her Driver.

"What will I do?" Penny asked eagerly.

Jaune looked at the monster that seemed to be considering its next move now that they were all together, "If anything happens, you and Kasandra will need to draw its attention away."

Penny, Kasandra and Kos-Mos all nodded in acknowledgment.

"Everyone! Move!" Roze shouted out, causing everyone to look at the Nuckelavee. Just in time to see a large gout of flame being fired from the horse's mouth. Everyone got out of the way of the blast of fire that incinerated the building that they were all in front of moments before.

"Okay, I'm not sure even Electra or Kasandra can block that," Roze commented in worry. As defensive Blades their barriers are stronger than everyone else's.

"Talos would be so good against that," Ruby also muttered, remembering what Pyrrha's Blade did to that huge fire from Cinder. "But he's not here." That last thought almost made Ruby lose focus.

"Hey, ugly!" Penny shouted out before firing another Tech Blaster. The Nuckelavee responded to the homing shots by sending its flaming arm at the android Driver. "Now, friend Jaune!" Penny shouted out as she and Kos-Mos moved out of the arms way.

"On it!" Jaune shouted back as he raised the Catalyst Scimitar high in the air to stab it through the retracting arm and into the ground, nailing it in place. The Nuckelavee cried out at the treatment before the horse fired another series of fireballs at the blonde knight.

"Lady Kos-Mos!" Joana shouted out.

"Acknowledged." the android Blade's reply was followed by the two forming a barrier with their combined power.

Nuckelavee's flaming head twitched as it chose to wind up its other arm to try and pry itself loose. "Not on my watch!" shouted Kasandra who once again was able to smack the monstrous Grimm on the back. Which was rewarded by her getting kicked by the back legs. The self-proclaimed lucky Blade skittered a few ways away as the Nuckelavee chose to lash out with the free arm for good measure. But the black haired, red eyed girl was quickly on her feet and deployed her hammer's shield form in slight angle. "Now, Ruby!" Kasandra shouted out as the flaming two-fingered fist was deflected slightly past her. Ruby jumped on Crescent Rose which Roze used with another shot to increase the strength behind the swing to fling Ruby at the arm.

"Thorn Hammer!" and then she slammed the red blade of Roze's scythe into the arm and by extension, the ground. Now its arms were pinned down and it was struggling to get free.

"Nora!" Ren shouted out. The orangette hammerer took this as her cue to jump off a building she had climbed on with Electra latched onto her back. The electric Driver and Blade both had savage grins as the latter was charging the former with electricity.

The Nuckelavee's horsehead looked at the approaching girl before deciding to fire another large gout of flame at the hammerer.

Everyone was about to shout out in concern for their crazy friend, but were instead surprised when the blast was blocked by a Blade barrier. Courtesy of Electra, the little Blade was giving all she had to protect her Driver. "Nice one, Electra," Nora said as they were making their descent on the Grimm that was still firing, hoping to break through the barrier.

"Mach Breaker!" Only to get a blast of high-speed Ether Cannon blast from Penny who wanted to do something to protect one of her friends. The horse cried out, forcing it to stop firing.

"Nora SMASH!" Which also allowed Electra to drop the barrier and allow Nora to smash the horse head which actually created a crater with the destruction of the head.

As Nora moved away from the monster, Ren handed over Otohime's cannon. "Do it," Ren said simply.

"Are you certain?" Otohime asked, "You must have waited for this for so long."

"It's fine…so long as it's you," Ren said with a sad smile, earning a nod from his Blade. With that Otohime's tendrils rose into a wide arc over her head before she let go of her weapon and it actually floated in front of her.

"Begone, foul beast. Imperial Tide!" With that, the Cannon fired a large beam of water at the monster that could do nothing but stare at its approaching doom. Then its body was washed by the blast which seemed to end all too soon. The flames on its back and head were now out, but it was still alive. "Blade Combo: Ruinous Weather." Otohime announced and with that, the water gathered above the enhanced Grimm before falling upon it with a glow of light inside them. It looked like purifying rain falling upon the monster that was crying in pain as loudly as it could forcing everyone to cover their ears. "That should be enough," Otohime said almost haughtily as everyone recovered from the screams. Ruby and Jaune still holding onto the arms that were still struggling weakly.

"It's still alive," Ren said in disbelief. The Nuckelavee was indeed still alive, but the bone plates of its humanoid torso and head had large holes now. The said holes leaking black smoke like deep wounds. The flames that covered the head and back still extinguished and it was missing a horn.

"My apologies Ren," Otohime said with a small smile, "But I had to hold back the power as much as I could to keep it at the edge of the sweet embrace of death." the almost poetic way Otohime put that was a little unnerving.

"…Why?" Ren asked, feeling a little betrayed.

"Why? Why else," Otohime sounded as if she was answering a rather obvious question. "So that you yourself can put it out of its misery."

Ren looked surprised at his Blade holding back on her last attack so he could be the one to finish it off. "…Thank you." Ren said with a small tear leaving his eye as he moved towards the barely alive Nuckelavee, drawing the knife that his father gifted to him out of his boot sandal.

"Guys, its head isn't flaming anymore, does this mean its element changed again," Ruby asked the obvious about the extinguished flames that once crowned the monster's head and back.

"No, it's element is still fire," Azurda replied from Ruby's hood, "But it's very weak now, so maybe that's it."

"Makes sense to me," Roze said as he didn't take his eyes off of the monster that screamed into Ren's face. The black-haired boy having reached the monster at this point.

The boy surprisingly didn't even flinch this time. "For my mother." Ren thought as he used the knife to slice the Grimm's weakened right arm, earning a cry of pain from it. "For my father." Then he cut off the left one. "For all those you have slain." Then he stabbed into one of the holes on its torso armor. Ren then took a moment to clear his mind with his eyes closed. "For myself," Ren then said aloud before cutting off the monster's head, finally finishing it off. With that done, the Nuckelavee's body was disintegrating at rapid rate. With the deed done, Ren was able to sigh in relief and actually dropped the knife. The boy didn't get to gather his bearings for long before Nora tackled him with a hug to the ground. Ren soon returning it.

Unbeknownst to the two, Otohime looked like she was about to yell at them, or maybe just Nora, but seemed to have an internal struggle. "…Nora, that was dangerous. What if you had injured him with your increased strength," Otohime asked, clearly struggling to keep her voice level.

"It's fine," Ren said simply, not letting go of Nora, "Nora knows when to not use her semblance fueled strength."

"…Sometimes I wonder," Otohime muttered under her breath as she took a look at the crater the girl had made with her last attack.

As this was happening, Ruby and Roze were seen running off behind Azurda who had come out of her hood. Everyone realized that the small Titan must be fluttering back to where Rex, Pyra and Roc are.

As the three reached behind a building, they noticed Pyra was visibly relaxed at the sight of them, but Roc still had his weapons ready.

"Is it over?" Roc asked, not dropping his guard just yet.

"Yes, the monster is dead," Ruby said with a small smile, which Pyra returned.

The red-haired Aegis kneeled before Rex who had been propped into a sitting position, "It's going to be alright, Rex. The monster is gone."

"We still have no way to cure him," Mythra pointed out in Pyra's head.

Just then, Penny ran to them with a happy look, "Friends! Kasandra said Qrow is approaching."

"Already?" Roc said with a head tilt, "That was fast." Then they started hearing some kind of beeping noise.

"Master," said Kos-Mos who had opted to walk after Penny instead of running, "Mistralian airships are approaching."

As soon as that was said, Pyra moved to pick Rex up. Only to find herself too weak to do that now.

"Let me," Roc said as he dismissed his Dual Scythes and lifted Rex himself. With that, the gang moved back to the plaza where they saw Nora and Electra jumping and waving their arms to get the attention of two approaching Mistral airships. It didn't take long before one of the ships landed and Qrow jumping off of it along with one of the crewmembers.

"Qrow!" Kasandra exclaimed happily as she practically pounced on her Driver who was barely able to stay upright after the dark hammer Blade latched herself onto his torso.

"Nice to see you too," Qrow groaned, despite finding himself smiling and patting Kasandra's head.

"How did you find help so quickly?" Ruby couldn't help asking.

"I ran into these two ships patrolling the area and got their attention," the veteran huntsman replied simply.

"Where is the patient?" the crewmember who had followed Qrow off the ship.

"Right here," Roc spoke up as he approached with Rex in his arms.

The crewmember took one look at the ailing boy before nodding, "Get him on the ship. We will get you to Mistral as fast as we possibly can."

With those words everyone boarded the ship, though Azurda had hidden himself into Rex's helmet which Pyra had opted to carry.

As the airship flew towards Mistral, Ren and Nora were sitting at the opening of the airship with Otohime between the two. Nora looked mildly depressed about something as she looked away from the two. Electra was kicking her feet idly over the edge before giving Nora a concerned look. A look that was shared by Ren, until he noticed Otohime looking between him and Nora. The beautiful water Blade let out a resigned sigh before getting up and moving away for a moment. This action made Ren give his Blade a questioning look.

Otohime simply nodded with a small smile before moving behind Electra and tapped her head. "Electra, would you like to see if there is anything of interest in this ship," Otohime asked the electric Blade.

"Really? Can I go, Nora?" Electra asked her Driver eagerly.

"Go ahead," Nora replied with a small smile. Then she giggled a little at the sight of Electra practically bouncing up and already running off to another part of the ship. Only for Nora's eyes to fall on Otohime who gave her a stern look.

"Do not make me regret this," Otohime spoke before speed walking after the energetic electric Blade.

"Huh?" Nora sounded out before stiffening at a sensation she wasn't expecting. Looking to the source, Ren had placed his hand over hers. Looking up from her hand an up to Ren's face, the orangette saw her friend smiling tenderly at her. This prompted Nora to scoot closer and rest her head on Ren's shoulder. The black-haired boy resting his own on top of Nora's in return.

Inside the ship Otohime kept wondering if she made the right choice. On one hand Nora had always seemed so out of control with everything she does. On the other hand, she was the one who managed to stop Ren from killing himself against that monster. "Did she change her view of my Driver? Or was she always like this and I simply was unaware?" Otohime couldn't help wondering. "But if she hurts him in any capacity, I will not hesitate." the water Blade thought firmly, despite part of her worrying if it would make Ren cry.

"Do you think Ren and Nora will get married now?" Electra asked innocently, causing Otohime to flinch.

"Excuse me?"

Electra looked into Otohime's confused blue eyes with her adorable bronze ones, "Nora always said that she liked Ren, but was afraid to ruin their friendship, so she never tried to get together-together."

"…Did she truly tell you all of this?" Otohime asked in disbelief. Why would Nora confide these thoughts with a child?

"No, I just overheard her thinking aloud sometimes," Electra replied with a big smile.

"…I am already beginning to have regrets," Otohime let out as she covered her eyes with a hand. Still, she was now more curious about the history Ren and Nora have before her and Electra. But for now, she would let them have a moment to themselves…As difficult as that may be for her.

It didn't take long for the airships to reach Mistral.

Inside temporary lodgings that were provided until their ID's were double checked, Pyra was sitting in one room next to a bed where Rex was sleeping peacefully. The Aegis' Driver was granted medical treatment from the local doctors and was now stable enough that they didn't even need to keep him in a hospital. Roc was looking out the window, partly wondering where the rest of Rex's companions might be, especially his fellow Blade Wulfric. Having fought alongside the bestial Blade, Roc knew that he was very strong and wasn't worried about him too much. Still there was a tiny part of him nagging at the corner of his mind wondering if something had happened.

Pyra was simply relieved that Rex would be alright and just needed rest. Still, now that they were in Mistral, she wasn't sure what to do if their friends weren't here. She knew first hand that Mòrag and Brighid are strong, as well as Zeke and Pandoria. Nia, Dromarch and Dagas were no slouches either. But the ones she was worried about most are Tora and Poppi. Tora has proven to be a capable Driver, but he was…socially awkward and might easily get in trouble with people. Poppi was responsible, but sometimes a bit naive and childish about things. Which of course fit the artificial Blade's appearance very well.

In another room, Jaune was sitting on the floor, leaning against the foot of his bed while looking at Crocea Mors and its upgrades. Specifically, the metal she got out of Pyrrha's equipment, with the exception of Akouo. These thoughts drifted towards how he would want to make Pyrrha's killer suffer for what they did. Joana, who was next to her Driver, noticed this and understood the feeling. After all, she still missed Talos.

The golem Blade was nice to talk to when it came to things about combat. Of course, his opinion of her lord Driver wasn't well received, but otherwise the knightess found herself missing their talks about training regimes for Jaune and occasionally about Pyrrha. More specifically about Joana's belief that she was the only one worthy of her lord. Joana let out a small chuckle as she remembered Talos looking at her like she was insane when she told him this.

"What is it?" Jaune asked, getting dragged out of his thoughts.

"Just a memory of Master Talos, milord," Joana replied simply, "My apologies for disturbing you."

"No, it's fine," Jaune said with a small smile at his Blade going through happy memories. Which soon turned into a frown when he thought of all the times Pyrrha had tried to ask him out and he just thought she took pity on him. If only he had realized sooner. At that moment, the door opened allowing entry to Ren, Nora and their Blades. Ren noticed Crocea Mors and put his knife next to it before he took a seat next to the foot of the bed, while Nora took a seat next to Jaune. Electra and Otohime mirrored their Drivers' actions with Joana. The three remaining members of JNPR wished that Pyrrha was here, but they all knew that she wouldn't want them to mourn her forever. She would want them to keep moving forward.

In another room, Ruby was writing a letter to Yang while Roze was taking a look at Crescent Rose for Ruby. Something that the red reaper would be yelling at anyone else of doing, but Roze was the only one she trusted to take care of her baby.

Roze paused in looking over the detached barrel as he heard a sniffle from Ruby. "Ruby? Are you okay?" the reaper Blade asked in concern.

"Yeah…just…I wish my team was here," Ruby said as she paused in writing her letter.

"I miss them too," Roze replied. And he meant it. It's not like things aren't good without them, but it just isn't the same without Ruby's friends and their Blades. Even Dragunov, who the reaper Blade wasn't sure if they were like friends or brothers. For all the knowledge he had gained after his change, Roze was still ignorant about the differences between different kinds of relationships and their finer details.

"…Do you think Pyrrha hated me?" Ruby then asked, earning a surprised look from Roze.

"Ruby," Roze sounded out, getting up from his work before moving towards his Driver, "Why would you say that?"

"…I was right there," Ruby said thinking back on the night they defeated Cinder, "I was able to save Penny, but…why couldn't I save Pyrrha?" At this point, Ruby had tears in her eyes.

"Ruby, we can't always-" "I WAS RIGHT THERE!" Ruby screamed, looking at her Blade angrily. "I should have helped Pyrrha! I should have protected her! I should have taken the hit instead of-" "RUBY!" Roze shouted, causing the silver eyed Driver to flinch at the volume in her Blade's voice. "Do you think Pyrrha would've wanted that?" Roze asked with an angry look, "Do you really think that she would be happy that you died instead of her?"

"But…she would be alive," Ruby then argued weakly.

"Let's say that had happened," Roze said, lowering his volume before grasping Ruby's shoulders, "Wouldn't it be Yang, Weiss and Blake who would be sad about you being gone?"

"I know that," Ruby said as she looked Roze straight in the eye, "But I should've done some-" "Ruby," Roze said with a sad look in his empty eyes, "Out of the two of us, I'm the one with the Keen Eye and I didn't see Cinder's attack coming. What chance do you think you had?"

At this point, Ruby just sobbed and hugged Roze. "There was nothing you could have done any more than I could have," Roze said simply as he hugged back, "And…I'm sure that if it was you who died instead, then Pyrrha would be the one having these exact same worries."

"…Do you think Jaune and the others hate me," Ruby then asked, burying her face into Roze's coat. Right into one of the silver embroideries that had the lights moving along it even now.

"If they did, do you think they would be here with you?" Roze asked as he patted Ruby's head, "Better yet, would they have named you the leader if they did?"

Ruby took her face out of Roze's coat before wiping her tears, "…I guess not, sorry."

"Don't be," Roze said back with a smile, "…Were you holding this in all this time?"

"…Yeah," Ruby admitted, still not letting go, "…I…I saw Jaune training a few nights using a recording of Pyrrha as a reference. I…If I had done something, maybe she could be here teaching him herself."

"Ruby, I don't think Jaune blames you," Roze then said, "And if you don't believe me, then just ask him."

"…Maybe." Ruby said with an unreadable expression before hugging her Blade more.

Outside the door of Ruby's room, Qrow was eavesdropping. Well, more like he planned to check up on her and then happened upon their conversation.

"Will Ruby be alright?" Penny asked in concern, she had arrived here too not long afterwards.

"It sounds to me like she will be," Qrow said with a wistful look. It seemed that Ruby was in more capable hands than he ever thought possible.


In the southern part of a port town in Anima. Yang and Dragunov had gotten off the boat that brought them here along with Bumblebee. Yang was now wearing a tan jacket with orange lining and gold edging. The jacket was unzipped halfway to show her orange crop top that was underneath. The coat had darker brown short sleeves, a thick collar that completely circled around her neck and long coat tails with gold trimming. She also wore black fitted pants and knee-high brown boots with gold caps on the toes and across her ankle. The boots also had zippers at the front. She also wore black fingerless gloves with brown cuffs that reached halfway through her forearm. And of course, over the said cuffs are Ember Celica in bracelet form.

Right now, Yang was on Bumblebee, ready to burn the rubber, but she had one question for Dragunov. One that she wasn't sure if he would answer. "Drag…all those months, what were you doing in the woods?"

Dragunov, who was sitting behind his Driver gave a blanched look, "You're asking me that now? Don't you think you had more than one opportunity to ask that before during our trip?"

Yang turned towards her Blade before lowering her aviator glasses and glared at him, showing that this was serious.

"Fine…It's not like it matters now," Dragunov sighed, "Before he vanished with Blake, Nox told me that there's a chance that the White Fang might come after you and anyone associated with Blake."

"What? Why?" Yang asked, not yet comprehending it.

"According to Nox, that Adam guy threatened to hunt Blake and everyone she loves to the ends of Remnant," Dragunov explained, "Which was why I went outside daily to patrol, making sure that no one that wasn't part of your household that I didn't know of was anywhere nearby."

"…Why didn't you tell me this before?" Yang asked with a glare.

"Because I wasn't sure if you could take that information as you were back then," the fire Blade said before grinning, "But now you can."

"Thanks," Yang said almost sarcastically before revving up the engine and the two sped off.

"For the record, I'm still not happy about your plan," Dragunov shouted over the wind.

"Too bad for you," Yang replied with a grin, which then turned grim for an instant before returning to her base expression.


On an Atlas airdock, a pilot who was about to leave for Anima was counting the lien he was offered. "I can take you three as close as the border, but if anyone catches you, you're on your own," The pilot told Weiss, Dahlia and Aizen who were standing by.

"It's quite alright," Aizen replied with a friendly smile, "And if anyone asks, you don't know how we got on."

The pilot chuckled, while Weiss gave Aizen a frown. His logic was reasonable to the pilot, but that didn't mean she was happy about it. Still, she was happy that they got a ride to Mistral relatively easily. Dahlia still didn't trust Aizen, but openly scowling at him wouldn't accomplish anything. So the ice Blade kept her grievances to herself.


In Menagerie, Blake was going through some old stuff and found White Fang's old symbol. A white Wolf inside a white circle. Which was down the line switched to an angry red wolf with three red claw marks. The cat faunus glanced above the blue cloth it was painted on and saw Sun shrugging at her. This caused Blake to smile. Although Nox had an unreadable expression in his eye. He wanted to tell Sun not to act so familiar, but he had lost that right the moment the monkey did his job for him. Also, Blake had forbidden him from trying to get Sun in trouble with her father. An order he reluctantly obeyed.

In another part of the Belladonna residence, Nia was laying on her bed still tired from both berating Blake and Nox and wondering if she was alone again. Only to turn around at a familiar pressure against her back. Dromarch had nuzzled against her for a moment. The Gormotti Driver smiled at the reminder that she wasn't alone.


In a train to Mistral, Oscar was looking at a poster that advertised Haven Academy. "Become A Hero" was the slogan.

"Soo…you want to be a hero huh," Zeke asked teasingly.

"Shut up, I'm not in the mood," Oscar grumbled, earning a chuckle inside his head.

"There's nothing wrong with having big dreams," Pandoria said encouragingly, "Just don't do anything stupid like my prince here."

"Pandy!"

And now Oscar was laughing, before he felt an unfamiliar weight on his right foot. Bending down a little to see it, the farmboy saw a small green turtle. Although it had an unusually long webbed tail. "Where did you come from little guy?" Oscar wondered aloud as he picked up the turtle.

Zeke, who was sitting at the two seats on the right side of the train as opposed to Oscar glanced at the boy's direction before patting around his coat to confirm if he was seeing right. "Turters!" Zeke cried out before jumping out of his seat and grabbing the turtle. "Bad boy, how did you run away again?" Zeke scolded the turtle.

"Run away?" Oscar sounded in disbelief.

"Again?" Ozpin added in inside Oscar's head. The headmaster was honestly wondering if bringing these two along was a smart move.


AN: There we go. Team JNPPR had to face a super powered Nuckelavee which had changed due to its nesting area having an Ether Font near it. But that wasn't enough to save it from its fate. Otohime has given Nora a chance at the very least, and Rex is fine again.

Everyone has their plans around the world. But where are the rest of the Alrest crew? And will the team ever find out who killed Pyrrha?