Back at the vault, Raven is filled with blue energy all around her with red flames coming out of her eyes. She creates a tornado filled with icy shards that hits Team JNPR, severely damaging them so much that they are already on their knees by just one move. Raven then creates a large ice sword from her fingertips and raises it, about to crush JNPR. Pyhrra thinks fast and uses her polarity to dash out of the way, although they would ungracefully roll back to their feet or knees. Nora tries to overpower Raven, but easily gets struck away. Pyrrha tries to speed blitz Raven, in hopes to try to keep her down like she did Cinder. At the very least she has her whole team this time backing her up.
Although Raven is not about to give them a chance as she freezes the whole ground, having all four of them stuck in place. Before they can think of something, she charges her hands and then blasts all four of them with a blinding blue light. When it's done, Team JNPR was completely frozen. Raven would lower her power as the young huntsmen team seems to be done. She sighs in relief, now believing there is nothing left to stop her, she walks back to get her prize. She raises her hand and the golden door opens. Then it reveals what looks like a golden desert, with a glowing blue lantern. Raven smiles, knowing her mission is just about done.
Pyrrha's frozen body would continue to stay unmoved. However, something in her right eye began to glow. Raven walks closer. She couldn't help but slow down so she could observe its brIlliance. She was about to step inside, but then stopped once she heard ice cracking. She turns around with flaming eyes and gritting anger.
Pyrrha's ice begins cracking little by little, until it is completely shattered as her eyes begin to blast off fire. Raven shields her eyes to block the ice, but once she could fully see, Pyrrha was on her knees with her whole team also thawed out. Pyrrha heavily breathed in and out, until she raised her head, revealing her flaming eyes. However, her left eye's fire begins to flicker in and out until it is gone, leaving only the right eye's flame still up.
Raven looks in disbelief. "That's impossible… You're not chosen..."
Jaune would look at his hands, despite being just frozen, he feels warm and wet. Nora would shake herself all over Ren in the background. "What… Pyrrha?"
The red head stood up, breathing normally, glaring at Raven. "We're not gonna back down that easily Raven."
The leader of the bandit is reaching her boiling point as she floats up with blue energy surging through her. "Ozpin made you a freak!"
Nora would scoff with a hammer in hand. "Lady, that hairdo makes you a freak!"
Jaune readies himself, along with everyone. "Pyrrha… Lead the way."
They rush in with guns and cannons firing. Raven backhanded all of their blasts, blowing up the cavern walls and shaking the trees bright leaves. Pyrrha carries her whole team via magnetism as she places them on a falling boulder. Raven angrily flies up to reach them. Pyrrha then focuses her power, then smacks the boulder she stands on, creating four rocks, burns them, then forces them towards the speeding Raven. She easily swipes them away. Pyrrha continues to focus her power, getting more and more used to it. Then a huge wave just hits everyone, although nothing seems to happen. Eventually, a huge swarm of all things metal goes down and into their level. Raven turns around to see the metal swarm, and gasps in shock. They all hit her, as Pyrrha then clenches her hands as hard as she can and sweats hard, exerting everything to heat up each and every metal that's all around Raven, creating a very hot source. Raven would surround herself with a cold barrier to protect herself, but she strains herself as she keeps it up. Nora would smirk as she looks inside herself and turns to her redheaded partner.
"Hit me with everything you got!" Nora confidently exclaimed.
Pyrrha didn't believe she'd ask for it, but she ultimately nods, choosing to trust her. She then holds Nora's hand and surges her with the elements. One of them in particular, lightning. Nora's eyes spark as she is brought upward on top of the metal sphere Pyhrra made.
"NORA SMAAAAAAAAASH!" She roars out as she brings the hammer down to the sphere, as the already red hot metal sphere, completely explodes with lightning. Raven crashes downward back to the platform, with her aura decreased. She gets up, very much sore. Just then, Ren jumps in and attempts to strike her, which she dodges then kicks him. Then Jaune attacks, with Raven dodges, then blocks with her arm guard, then blows him away with a gust of wind. Pyhrra lands along with Nora. While the ginger rushes to tire the Spring Maiden out, Pyhrra would slap the ground again, this time the broken swords, nails, and all kinds of metal pieces found in the city would levitate with lightning enveloping them.
Ren palms Raven's back, then gets struck in the chest by Jaune's shield, and finally, gets smacked in the jaw by Nora's hammer. Reaching her limit, Raven just bursts out all of her energy as she freezes the three members, but their heads are at least unfrozen. They are still defenseless as Raven would growl in anger, but also exhaustion. Just then she felt something big was just behind her. She turns around slowly and sees something she thought she'd never see today. For what she could process, it looks like a giant spartan warrior sparking with electricity, being put together by all the metal Pyrrha could bring up. Speaking of her, she is floating up above it as she readies her sword, as the giant avatar's own sword begins to flame up. And with a gesture, Pyhrra lets down her blade, and so does her avatar. Raven quickly tries to block, and braces herself, as the impact brightens the majestic area. As everything settled, Raven was on her knees. Pyrrha would be standing tall, looking down on the bandit, her right eye burning flames. Raven looks up, slowly breathing in and out. Pyrrha would only glare back until she closed her eyes, the flame gone, and her balance out of her feet as she fell to her knees. She breaths a lot more heavily, exhausting everything she had on that attack. Raven would slowly get back on her feet, hurt but with a little bit more energy than her young opponent.
"Had enough yet?" Pyrrha doesn't reply, only continuing to gasp out for air. "You were good. I'll give you that. But you need to learn when to give up. Consider that my lesson to you." She walks past the tired Ren, Nora, and Jaune. Pyrrha tries to reach out to get Raven, but couldn't do it. Just then, someone lands behind the former Invincible Girl. Everyone would turn around to see someone they'd never expect. Yang Xiao Long, and she looks serious.
Raven would look just as serious. "Yang…"
"Mom…" Yang replies.
Just as she said that, JNPR would be completely wide eyed. "WWWHAT?!" Nora shouts in bafflement.
The rest of Team RWBY also land next to Yang. Ruby recognizes her. Even if she never met Raven much in person, she could tell by her face, her hair, her eyes. "Is that...?"
Yang would walk closer to her biological mother. Raven glares back at her own daughter for a bit, and after some time, she would chuckle. "It's good to see you again Yang."
The blonde would squint a bit. "Feelings not mutual, I'm afraid." Showing her disdain.
Raven would frown a bit. "So, you're with them huh. Still believing what they say to you? You seriously can't think for yourself?"
"Oh, stop pretending you care!" Yang shouted, as everyone awkwardly watched this so-called family reunion.
A hurt Jaune would help Pyrrha up as they listen in. Raven walks up to Yang. "Listen Yang, and this goes for Ruby too: you have no idea what you got yourselves into. You're going to a place where I can't protect you."
"Protect?! You call running away from your own family protection?! I had to fight for myself for a long time, and it's only lately where I got myself a team who wouldn't run away from me. And what have you done? You lie, you cheat, and steal your way and now you're doing terrorism?! I thought you were a deadbeat, but you really surprised me."
Raven would get annoyed by her daughter's defiance. "Seems like everyone failed. Although you saw what I did. Didn't you?" Pointing at the tired Team JNPR.
Yang would then get to the point. "I heard of the whole Maiden business going on from upstairs. What happened to the previous Spring Maiden? They told me you kept her on your mitts."
"What does that matter to you?" Raven apathetically said.
Just then Yang widened her eyes. "I can already tell… From the look on your face." Her hands clench with Ruby noticing Yang's anger beginning to rise, and eventually sadness. "How could you?!"
Raven crosses her arms. "She was scared when we found her! Weak. No matter how much training I put her through, she never learned!" She shouts in frustration. "She wasn't cut out for this world! And with those powers, she would have been hunted for her entire life! What I did was mercy!"
Pyrrha heard her words and can't help but feel her own anger rising. "Is that what you call it? Mercy? You just have little faith in her? Cause she was weak? Was that really a good enough reason to take away her life?!" Jaune was surprised and confused why she was this mad, unaware that he is partly a part of her anger.
Raven would reply to the young huntress' outrage. "You don't know me. You don't know what I've been through. The choices I had to make!"
Nora then steps in. "We don't know you cause you ran away! Instead of being Yang's Mom, you became a criminal!"
Ren and Nora had to live without parents because they were taken from them without a choice, while Raven chose to abandon them. Which rubbed him the wrong way. "You could have done so much more to nurture her. But you only gave a gaping hole in her life. You really think that helped her? Helped your own family?"
Yang speaks up. "Let me tell you, it didn't. It only made me obsessed with finding you, hoping to get answers on why. But it was pointless… What I found wasn't a mother at all..."
Raven looks around to see everyone is looking down on her. Her eyes flare up in anger. "I stared death in the face over and over again and everytime I spat it's face and survived because I'm strong enough to do what others won't!"
"Oh shut up!" Yang shouts out, just about done with her. "You don't know the first thing about strength! You turn your back on people! You run away when things get too hard! You put other people at harm's way instead of yourself! You might be powerful..." Noticing Raven's eyes still in flames, and her scarred body from her previous fight. "... But that doesn't make you strong." This has Pyrrha smiling, admiring Yang's courage.
Raven is now pissed. "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?! STANDING THERE LIKE A SCARED LITTLE GIRL?!"
Yang keeps her cool though. "Yeah… But I'm still standing. I'm not running. And you're going to give me that relic."
"And why would I do that?"
Pyrrha speaks up. "Because you're afraid of Salem. And if you thought Maiden powers put a target on your back? Then imagine what she would do if you had a relic?"
Yang would hear this, and nod to her. "I'll take those odds..."
Raven begins to look in shock. Then regret. "You don't want to do this." Talking directly to her daughter now.
"Nope… But I'm gonna." After spending so many years of finding her, she now said everything she had to say, and is now done with her for good, now that she knows who she really is.
Raven would look at her with more bafflement. Eventually… She tears up, "I'm… Sorry..." Out of shame, she slices a portal to leave.
Yang would sigh. Ruby would walk over her older sister, "Yang? Are you… Okay?"
"Y-Yeah..." Yang would then smile. As she approaches Team JNPR. "Well… Long time no see guys!"
Jaune would reply, "Um… Hey guys… Didn't think you'd show up, but I'm glad you did."
Weiss would smirk, "Didn't really expect… All of that though..."
Yang shakes her hands, "Yeah yeah, let's focus on why we came here."
"I agree." Ren replies. Both teams would then focus on the golden door that was already opened by the departed Raven.
Irad would approach, "Greetings, JNPR… It is good to see you once more." Irad would look around, "Hm… So this is where those relics reside… Is the relic safe?"
Pyrrha nods, "Yes."
"So uh… Who are you again?" Jaune asks him.
Weiss would chime in. "This is Irad. You should know it well for the foreseeable future."
"And Weiss' hubby if you know what I mean." Yang said deviously, which has Weiss pout.
Irad would blush, "Um… I mean… I wouldn't say uh… I mean she's a uh… Good um…" He'd clear his throat as he regained composure, and changed the subject, "I can see about moving it elsewhere on Remnant securely… It may take some time, but with-."
Pyrrha would begin to walk through the golden door much to everyone's fear. "Pyrrha?!" Jaune would panic.
"It's okay." She felt like she had to do this after fighting for her life to protect it. She walks through the strange dimension that holds this relic. It was floating above debris or dirt. She also noticed the colors seem to be very bright, even brightening her and the body looks super satiated. Eventually she grabs the relic slowly, but cautiously. Eventually she walks out of it and everyone would be nervous and excited.
"YEAH!" Nora cheers.
Irad would hold a hand out, "Give it to me… I'll take care of the rest." He states, with a serious expression.
Pyrrha nods to him as she gives it to him. She would feel all kinds of accomplished now that she did her part. Ruby would look happy, until something began to bother her. Weiss notices this. "Something wrong Ruby?" Irad holds it in his hand, as it seemed to have somewhat the same reaction as it did with Pyrhha. His attention would go to Ruby though.
The young leader would look down in sadness. "Yang… I know your mo-Raven… You tried to look for her for a long time… Are you sure you…" She remembers how Yang was her whole life when they were kids. She even brought Ruby with her to search for her, and put both of them in danger. Ruby knows how important this is for her older sister.
Yang looked saddened too. "I'm fine…I'm just…" She begins to lose her cool. As she falls to her knees and starts crying. Ruby begins to tear up and goes down to hug her sister and both siblings embrace each other.
Blake and Weiss look at each other, seeing their friends going through a very personal moment of their lives. So they join in the embrace.
Irad looks solemnly, feeling it would be out of his place if he joined... He'd sigh and curse at himself. He had to work faster... He'd bring every one of them down... If it's the last thing he does. He's been working tirelessly behind the scenes…
Team JNPR would smile to see RWBY comforting each other. Nora would then grab Ren, Jaune, and Pyrrha and hug them too. "I love you guys sooooooooo MUCH!"
"Nora… Bruises..." Jaune lets out while choking.
Just then, they all arrive upstairs and reunite with Oscar and Qrow.
Olmotack would apologetically bow, "I am sorry for the trouble I've caused while I was... Brainwashed… Two of the three assailants we faced escaped… I accept any and all punishments if necessary for my previous crimes..." He'd state.
Qrow sighs. "No harm done. At least not now."
Oscar would smile until he remembered something. "Lionheart!" He rushes upstarts to his office, checking on him.
"Your grace! I can still be of assistance!" The more they move closer, the more they can hear him shout in desperation. "I-If I leave now I can avoid the authorities and come find you! I'll do whatever it takes!" Then they heard noise and him grunting. "Please ma'am! Sir! I'll do anything! I can be useful!" He continues to beg. They reach the door, but Oscar hesitates once he hears some cracking sound. "PLEASE! PLE-" Then they heard stabbing and blood splattering. "... Please..." Then one last stab. The boy was too scared to even touch the knob. Qrow on the other hand kicks the door down to see a floating squid like orb with tendrils. It then flies away in a squeal. Everyone would look down to see a bloody mess that was Leonardo Lionheart.
Everyone was pretty freaked out. The younger ones had to turn away from the gruesome display. Blake being the first to speak up. "What… WAS that?!"
Oscar would then speak in Ozpin's voice. "That… Was Salem..." He looked dead serious.
Olmotack would inspect the room, as the others mulled over the situation. Blake would be spooked along with everyone, But would notice her parents run over downstairs. She would rush down and hug them. "The White Fang is completely defeated."
Blake would frown a bit. "Maybe… But there will always be people who choose to hate." As if the opposition they had to face, including the Nightmare of Salem they just saw seconds ago wasn't evidence enough.
Meanwhile at Evernight Castle, Aiden would be in a seat, gagged, tied, and blinded, as he was being strapped into the glass cylinder to commence the transfer. Nightmaratack smiles devilishly, basking in his victory.
"Soon I shall be whole once more! Finally… This inky abyss I call a body, will finally be whole once more… I knew I could count on you, Roman, my friend! You shall be greatly rewarded very soon!" Roman would gleam with pride, unaware Neo feeling a bit left out. Lately, it seemed he was distancing himself from her… But she was still dedicated to assisting Roman. Maybe it wasn't as it seemed? She didn't know.
"And where is Cinder?" Nightmaratack asked. Roman would sigh,
"Oh, she said something about retrieving what is her's, blah blah blah, train for more power, blah blah… She went out on her own after that."
Nightmaratack seemed deep in thought, "Very well… But inform her that she is to return as soon as possible, and follow the orders of Salem while I am… Away." He'd say.
Salem would then speak, "And what of our deal?" She said, and Nightmaratack would reply,
"Once the tower is complete when I become whole, then I shall proceed on my end of our bargain, and can assure the deaths of all of humanity, along with the other part of the deal… I will not be able to do anything at the moment, as it will take time to break the boy's mind and soul, and inject my own. The process must not be interrupted, by any means. Anyone who does, shall die." He states threateningly, "As of now… I leave things to you, lady Salem, as I will be in comatose for quite some time, depending on how strong the boy's mind is… I do ask one favor. Prepare all your cards. It is bad enough we have that Irad around… But if we have the powers of the Maidens, with that Raven and with Cinder… Then perhaps we can stand more of a chance." He'd continue, "It is important they must not find us now. So it is important they know not of our location, or we have armies right at your doorstep.
Salem would be silent, and would say, "I heard word… Adam has been imprisoned, and the hold on Olmotack has been broken." She says. Nightmare would be silent for a moment, before he says,
"I can see what I can do while I am in comatose… But be prepared for the worst." He finishes, as he takes his shirt off and climbs into his side of the machine to be strapped in.
Salem would smirk in amusement. "I have nothing to fear for these mortals. But I will make sure they won't have any chance of victory. As such as humans after all." She has been alive for millennia to know how fragile the human heart can really be, and have full confidence in their plans.
Nightmaratack would hold out a finger, "Do not bask in victory just yet. Only when all our foes are at our feet, is when we may bathe in our triumph. Think ahead, and watch closely. These hero's can come with many surprises, especially with the cards they have now. And my sources say, Irad is unifying the peoples…" He'd be silent for a moment, then would smile, "But what the heck… You yourself have proven your worth, as I've seen. My faith is within you, lady Salem. Let us take the next step towards our end goal." And with that, before his last free hand was strapped, a servant would bring a glass of wine for them, per Nightmaratack's request, and he, Roman, and Salem toasted, "To the fall of this world!" And they would drink, before the preparations were finished, and Nightmare would be put under. All remained quiet, as they stared at Nightmaratack's pod, as it fogged up, along with Aiden's. Salem knew she was on her own now.
As much as she underestimates her enemies, she knows Ozpin personally, and he wouldn't go down without a fight. So she will rely on her minions more than ever. As she sits in her own throne and looks at her window, seeing the many Grimm crawl out of her many black puddles. Roman would notice her just sitting without acknowledging him. She always did freak him out. "Right so… I'll take my leave..." As he does. Salem continues to stare off of her own domain, seeing her many 'children' go off to the larger world, Salem knew without Nightmaratack, there would be a lack of dark grimm, but to her it didn't matter… Although she'd use them wisely from here on. She was at least thankful Nightmaratack set up a playing field to work with.
Meanwhile, Team RWBY and JNPR, along with Ozpin, Olmotack, and Qrow would have a talk about what they should do now since they have one relic.
Irad would follow suit, "As of now, we have armored vehicles transporting the relic to a secure location on Remnant. From there, it will be placed in a secure vault with high end security, with many locks. They may have no chance by then." Irad assured.
Ozpin would speak up. "Salem is no doubt gonna find the other relic. In Atlas." This gets everyone's attention, especially Weiss.
"Then we must act fast. I can attempt to set a defense perimeter around Atlas, and we can extract the relic. The defense could ensure that if they have the same idea, we can buy time... Just one small issue." Weiss would turn to Irad, as he'd sigh, rubbing his eyes, "The people of Atlas have been giving me and my men issues... As it seems they don't want my men around in Atlas. We've received many complaints from the people, and even though we've shown progress... Well... It doesn't seem to matter to them. It's mostly them disagreeing with the militarized stations we have implemented within the city, and I guess the fear of my military they think they pose, with my high occupation, despite me making it clear we are peaceful... Some even tried to tie me to Nightmaratack somehow, which is insane really… But I've been looking into ways to ease their worries, that I'm not here to enslave or something, but nothing seems to work. The only solution I see is to pull out, but then it would leave them wide open. My hands are tied, you could say." Irad would say, looking down in defeat.
Ruby would step in. "I'm sure we can try to make sure things are fine. Right?"
Ozpin continues. "We won't make progress unless we try to do something. At the very least, we can protect the relic."
Irad would continue to look down in defeat, pinching his nose, as he'd sigh, "I'm... Sorry." He'd state, and Ruby would tilt her head,
"Why are you sorry?"
He'd shake his head in reply, "I'll... I'll help defend when the time comes... I don't know, I'll think of something." He rubs his eyes, and then hears beeping from his watch, "I gotta take this... Mr. Ozpin, an honor to meet you, sir. I hoped I would have met you in the flesh... But I suppose the good Lord had other plans... I'll take my leave now." He says respectfully, leaving everyone. Weiss would look at Irad's direction with concern.
She would follow him, leaving everyone worried for him. She continues to try and catch up with him. "Irad?"
He'd turn around to face her, he had gotten a distance from the door that led down to the chamber, and he greeted Weiss with a forced smile, but it would fade soon after, revealing a more tired face. Weiss would grab his left hand.
"I'm... I just feel like I'm only getting in the way. Everyone is so frantic out there... And I'm trying to help... Keep the peace... But it seems it's harder in this realm to do that than I thought. So many deaths... Perhaps I could have prevented those deaths... Maybe even prevented Aiden from..." He'd say with a sad undertone. It was then Weiss would take notice of Irad's face more clearly. He'd hid it well from everyone, even her at first, but now Weiss could see the bags under his eyes, and could pinpoint some of his sluggish movements. He seemed to stand tall in battle, but she could tell that if he had a fight like how he did with Cinder, he would struggle.
She grabs him by the shoulder. "Irad. Stop acting foolish, this instance." He blinks in confusion. "I can see you put yourself under so much pressure and responsibility, but you forget that I'm also with you to bear the weight. You invited me to your home, remember? You can't expect to do most of the work in this alliance of ours." She said bluntly towards him.
He is silent for a moment, before continuing, "But... I don't want to put the burden on you or anyone else... You all already have enough on your plate... YOU, already have enough on your plate. I want to protect you..."
She'd tsk, "Don't give me that. I'm no damsel that needs protecting. I'm not about to stand idle and watch you destroy yourself, Irad. You and I, we've known each other for quite some time now. I can handle it... Don't you trust me?" She said, looking up into his eyes.
He'd look deep into her determined, beautiful pearly blue eyes, which he got lost in for a moment. Soon he'd sigh, admitting defeat, "Damn it..." He runs a hand through his hair, chuckling, his eyelids slightly growing more heavy, as his lack of sleep was catching up, "Alright... Fine... I understand." He states. Sometimes, he hated how Weiss had that small pull on him, but he wouldn't want to change it any day. He'd smile genuinely at Weiss, happy he'd known her, having been blessed to ever gotten to meet her. She'd smile back glad to see him smiling again. They were away from prying eyes at that time, and Weiss could feel her heart flutter, and was grateful the others couldn't see her face as of now. Unexpectedly though, Irad would cup her cheek with his hand delicately, as if afraid he'd break her if he wasn't careful, and he'd use his thumb to gently caress her face. His hands felt warm and gentle to Weiss, and she would begin blushing, as he got closer, his voice gentle and full of love, "Always there... To knock some sense… Into me... Aren't you...? My little... Snowflake..." He'd says, his fatigue overtaking him, meeting her lips for a brief moment with his, before slumping against her, fast asleep as the fatigue of being up and about for so long without rest kicks in. She held him there, blushing red like a tomato. She could tell he was asleep, and couldn't believe he did that... She felt her lips, remembering his; it was soft, and it felt so right... Did that mean he admitted he…?
She looked at his sleeping form she was carrying, and sighed with a smile. Weiss felt all kinds of joy being around him, it's something she can't describe. All she can do is accept it, "Of course… My strong white knight."
Emerald and Mercury were in their designated motel room, and Emerald was packing,
"What are you doing?" Mercury would ask,
"Going far away from here… " She said.
"And where will you go?" Mercury would say, amused she seemed to be running off.
"Anywhere but here… Guh, I don't know, everything just seems… It's too much!" Emerald would exclaim, dropping a piece of clothing. Mercury would think, as she was correct. They've both seen the horrors that the demon guy seemed to be making… He always felt uneasy about him, especially his interactions with Cinder. If they stayed like this… He would see his partner's logic, then started to pack himself.
"And what are YOU doing?" Emerald asks this time.
"I'm coming with you. I want to make sure you don't get yourself killed, after all." He says with a small grin. Emerald would be stunned for the moment, blushing a bit, but would just nod,
"F-fine… Just, try not to slow me down." She says, as they continue to pack… From there on they would make their escape, avoiding both Salem's people, and Irad's people combined. They would stay in hiding, but Emerald didn't mind that.
Two weeks later…
"It's been two weeks since the Attack on Haven. The official report states that the plot to destroy Mistrals CCT tower was thwarted by Ghira Belladonna and the Faunus Militia group from Menagerie, along with Irad's army. Including a Huntsman and some students. Unfortunately, Headmaster Leonardo Lionhart gave his life trying to protect his school as the ones responsible for the attack escaped. The White Fang and its leader Adam Taurus were not so lucky. As I'm sure you can guess, there's a lot more to this report than I'm willing to say in this letter. But for now, what I'm trying to say is that we're on our way to Atlas, James. There's a chance we'll get there before this letter does. But in case we don't, I need you to know that we're bringing a lot more than bad news with us. See you soon. Qrow." The huntsman holds his letter as he puts it in the email machine for it to be delivered. Just then Ruby bumps into him, "What's with all the running?"
"What's with all the standing? Come on, it's almost time!" Ruby excitedly said as she dashed through the train station.
Yang and the others would be waiting in said train station until Ruby would dash in, looking very happy and excited, "And?" Yang said in impatience.
Ruby then reveals a bag from the gift shop. Weiss would be disappointed, "What a waste of ti-"
"What did you get me?!" Yang said with excitement.
"You'll have to wait and seeeee." Ruby sang.
"No fair!" Yang says, with Ruby sticking her tongue at her older sister.
Nora then jumps in, showing her own enthusiasm. "Oh! I can't believe we're taking the train to Argus!"
"Unfortunately..." Ren lets out his own unenthusiasm, Nora would want to go to the beach than focus on the mission. "But, we will be one step closer to Atlas."
Weiss would be thinking about something else though, "Weiss?"
The Snow Angel would be snapped out of her trance, "Oh… Ruby."
Little Red could tell what was on her partner's head, "You miss him?"
Weiss sighs, "I just… He's been beating himself up about being unable to convince Atlas, and Aiden... And… Well we tried to talk to them about it through the phone but..." She begins to groan in frustration. "Maybe I should have stayed with him..."
Ruby then held Weiss's hand. "I'm sure we can help in our own way. After all, Team RWBY is on his side too. We can handle anything if we put our mind to it!" This has the heiress smiling in optimism.
Qrow then walks in. "So are all of you ready to go? Bike all loaded up?"
"Yep!" Yang nods.
"Just waiting on Blake, as usual." Weiss lets out.
Meanwhile, Blake would be alone in the shadows in the station, needing time to reflect. She looks at a photo of her fallen friend Ilia. She knew her for a long time during her time in the White Fang. She wished she could have helped her before it was too late. All she can do is make sure what happened to her and her family never happens to anyone else ever again. As she wipes her tearful eyes and puts the photo back in one of her pockets.
Her mind would then wander to Aiden, her friend-no... Her lover, who was kidnapped by those monsters... That demon... Blake would clench her fist, she'd do anything to ensure he would come back.
After some time, Team RWBY would hang around the train. "Okay guys! It's time for some official team exercise! Now, who wants to play some video games?"
"Sure, if you want me to kick your butt again." Yang replies. "Let me grab my stuff." She would struggle a bit on getting her bags.
Blake continues to look at the window and the snowy landscape. "Blake? Are you doing okay?" The faunus then snaps out of her own gaze and turns to see Weiss.
Blake would turn away. "I'm fine..."
"Are you sure?" Weiss knew what was going on. Blake was hiding things yet again. "Listen, we're here for you. That much is obvious."
The cat faunus would sigh. "I just..." She looks down in sadness.
Yang would get her bags. "Hey. We all know how hurt you are. We'll make them pay somehow." She said in a serious tone. She doesn't take seeing her friend crying lightly.
"Yang..." Blake could feel Yang's conviction.
Olmotack would spook each of them, "Hey guys." They'd jump from their skin, and quickly look behind to see Olmotack, donned in a fancy suit, with his Halberd seemingly in a briefcase he is holding, "How've you all been?"
Ruby waves. "Hey Olmo! We've been great! How have you been?" Knowing about what he's been through.
He scratches the back of his head, "Been fine. Ozpin, through uh... Some convincing... Told me I should join you guys." He says, putting his free hand on his hip.
Ruby cheers. "That's great!"
Yang gives him a thumbs up. "The more the merrier!"
He'd nod, "Alright!" Olmotack would notice Weiss using a watch that had a holographic screen. It seemed like she was typing something on it, and soon she would giggle, which seemed to be from a text message, "Oh wow," Olmotack began, pointing to the heiress' watch Irad had given her on her first visit to his realm, "I've never seen one of those before. Did they upgrade from the Scrolls?" He asked.
Yang would walk up to her, "Showing off some of your tech huh?"
Weiss would smirk, "Jealous?" She said while Ruby is in awe of it.
"That is so cool Weiss!" Ruby continues to gush.
Olmotack would ask, "What even is it?"
Weiss would bask in the attention, clearing her throat, "It's called the Advanced Watch Communications Device, or AWCD for short. It's more advanced than scrolls, and carries many features and apps, with it also being neurolinked to the wearer so that only the wearer can access the watch and see any information on its screen. To you, it's a blank screen since I didn't give you access for you to see my screen, but to me, I can see whatever I want to... Irad gave me one as a gift while I was in his world."
"Nifty." Yang shows how impressed she was with her tone. Blake would still be silent, still unable to shake her feelings.
Olmotack would take notice of Blake, and would sigh to himself.
"Hey, what's the commotion about?" Qrow walks in.
"Hey Uncle Qrow! Weiss has something cool to show!" Ruby exclaimed.
"I bet."
Just then they hear a rumbling that leaves everyone off balance. Qrow then noticed everyone in the train panicking. "What was that?" Yang asked.
"Exactly what it sounds like..." Weiss stood up and shut off the watch.
Blake snarls, itching for a fight. "Just my luck..."
The grown up of the group checks out to see what made the rumbling. "Not yours… Grab your weapons!" As everyone does so and checks the roof of the train.
Olmotack follows suit, having taken out his halberd and at the ready.
Qrow would be the first one to check as he finds Grimm flying. Griffons in particular. "What's the plan Ruby?" Yang asks.
Ruby transforms her Crescent Rose into Scythe Mode. "Don't let anyone die." She said with determination.
Ruby starts off with Weiss using her Glyphs for fast movement, Blake shooting the flying enemies, and Yang backing her up. Eventually Blake uses her ribbon to swing Yang upward for her to punch one out of the sky. More of the Grimm seems to be aiming for her in particular, which has Ruby and Weiss on their toes. "Stop them!" Ruby speed blitzes one that was about to attack Blake from behind.
Olmotack would slice at one of them, cutting one in half, before spinning his halberd in his hands, and throwing it. It would spin around like a boomerang, and would be coated in ice dust. It would cut into a few of the grimm, and would leave behind ice, making it harder for them to fly. Olmotack's halberd would circle back to Olmotack's hands, and he'd continue his team effort with RWBY.
The largest of the Griffin Grimm would roar out and fly towards Blake. She turns out to be off guard about the size of it. Yang would slide in to punch it towards the jaw, having it stumble. Just then Weiss would use two glyphs to freeze its wings and then shatter it. It begins to charge up a giant fireball.
Ruby knows this is beginning to become more dangerous. "Guys!" She would ready her scythe, while Qrow swoops up and readies himself he dives down spinning around, and then Ruby jumps up and does the same, as both of them slice it completely in half, as it shoots the fire ball upward and into the snowy hill, causing an avalanche. Weiss acts fast and uses her glyph to block it, but it's beginning to weigh too much for her.
Olmotack would load another vial of dust and would aim at the avalanche where Weiss stopped it, and would pull the trigger, blasting a big beam of ice that created a wall to block the avalanche. It would all evaporate as everyone would sigh in relief. Nora then busts in. "It's always something!" She said in anger, only to see the fight was already done. "What did we miss?"
Later on, they continue their train cruise. Ruby would sit down and sigh in relaxation. "Phew! For a second there I thought we would be derailed..."
Weiss sighs as well. "That would be very annoying..."
"Good thing I was able to act fast..." Olmotack says. "Although... Maybe we should warn someone. That wall may collapse and damage the rails."
Ruby would reply. "My plan B would have been having the people move to the front and cut the back so we can handle it. Thank goodness it's not too many of them."
Oscar would hear something from his mind, then he would switch to Ozpin. "If we had the relic with us here, they would have brought a bigger squad. I'm unsure why they attacked us… Unless..." Then everyone turns their heads towards Blake.
"Seriously guys?" She dryly said.
Olmotack would speak up, "Isn't the White Fang mind controlled though? I'd assume they'd only attack when necessary."
This would have Blake in a less than optimistic mood. Ozpin would explain. "The relic takes Salem's top priority, it seems. We should come to Argus as soon as possible."
Yang shrugs. "On the plus side, it should be smooth sailing at this point. Or… Smooth training at this point." She giggles, thinking she was clever. The rest didn't think so.
"God damn it Tai..." Qrow cursed under his breath as he took a drink from his martini cocktail.
It was silent, until Olmotack spoke, "Wouldn't it be smooth RAILING, at this point?" Olmotack corrected.
"Okay, that's a little bit more clever." Blake admitted.
"Hey! We're doing some training later on, and we're on a train and..."
"Yang, you're not even trying anymore!" Ruby accuses.
The train continues on its course…
Eventually they finally reach Argus. And it did live up to the hype with its pretty coastline. "WE MADE IT!" Nora shows her unhinged excitement.
Ren sighs. "We're not here for sightseeing."
Yang looks towards downtown. "This place looks bigger than I thought it would be."
"It's actually the largest non-capital city of Remnant." Ren explains.
"No way!" Ruby said in excitement.
Olmotack would be walking close with Oscar/Ozpin, looking around the scenery.
Pyrrha would be a part of the conversion. "Indeed. Mantle and Atlas had a complicated history, but they managed to make things work smoothly through trading and protection."
"Well… Until recently." Nora mentions, reminding everyone of Ironwood pulling back the troops.
"Hmph. Spineless move, if you ask me…" Suddenly everyone heard a voice they didn't recognize and freak out. "What? Is something on me?" Then comes an elder lady that is shorter than everyone else. Barely could reach anyone's belts.
Nora points to her, "Where did she come from?! Who's the lady?!"
Pyrrha then recalls something, "Wasn't she on the train?"
The old lady walks around them in her cane. Also noticeable is her robotic eyes that are bright sky blue. "Why yes, I was minding my business but then I heard you mention relics this, relics that, and I felt like you must be a part of some journey or wild goose chase. And I'm not some lady, I am Maria Calavera!" She said with pride.
The red haired huntress can't help but think to herself. "Is she a former huntress?"
Everyone would wonder if they should have her with them. As they roam around the city, she doesn't stop following. Seeing how harmless she is, they would just allow her to follow. Yang would look around. "As great as this place is, we gotta stay somewhere if we're staying."
Jaune would think of something, "Uh..."
"What is it Jaune?" Pyrrha asks.
"I might have an idea but… Uuuuh..."
"Spit it out, man!" Nora suddenly shouts.
Jaune would finally let it out. "I heard two of my sisters are now living here."
After some silence, Pyrrha would oddly enough be the one who gushes on it as she holds his hand with stars in her eyes. "Why didn't you say so! Let's meet her!" As she drags him.
"Wait wait wait!" Jaune was pretty nervous about this.
Time passed as the team would wait outside. Jaune breathed in and then out. "I warned you guys..."
He presses the button that rings the door and they wait, with Jaune's mood not getting any better. Pyrrha on the other hand is pretty optimistic. Finally, someone answers the door and reveals a blonde young lady. She was shocked to see who's in front of her. "Jaune?!"
"Hey Saphron." Jaune said with a smile.
Saphron then hugs Jaune tight, "OH little bro! I missed you!"
"Ugh! Saphron… Please! Friends… Watching!" He chokes.
"Oh they don't mind!" She lets him go. "You must be his friends!"
They all stood aloof at seeing one of Jaune's sisters after all this time.
Pyrrha would clear her throat. "Forgive us for intruding on you, but Jaune told us a lot about you and it is an honor to finally meet you."
"Oh my. Are you Pyrrha Nikos? Your that girl in Pumpkin Pete Cereal! Seen your face too often it feels weird seeing you in person!" Saphron laughed.
Jaune feels all kinds of embarrassed. "Please stop..."
"Often? How much...?" Pyrrha would nervously ask.
"Just about 50 boxes if I recall."
"Saphron!" Pyrrha blushed while Jaune would be super embarrassed.
"I mean how else did he get that Pumpkin Pete jacket underneath that armor?" The older sister revealed as she went back in. "Come in!"
Ruby overheard. "Wait… What?" She begins to snicker along with Nora.
"Can we not right now?" Jaune seethes.
"You have what underneath your armor? I have to know!" Ruby begged.
"Not right now Ruby!" He shouts as everyone comes inside.
"I have to know!" Ruby shouts back as the door closes.
Olmotack walks in with Oscar, Olmotack setting aside his briefcase. Olmotack would see pictures around the house, and would curiously gaze. He sees Saphron, along with a man. He sees the matching rings, and he'd deduce they are husband and wife. The man looked to be tall and muscular… Hm… Guess Juane got most of his traits from his mom, Olmotack deduces.
"I can't believe we're meeting your sister! I have so many questions!" Ruby said.
"Would you knock it off Ruby?" Jaune said.
"What? I love hearing stories of my baby brother." She taunts as she pinches his cheek.
This annoys the blonde huntsman. "I am NOT a baby!" He declares. "THAT is a baby." He points to something on the couch, which got everyone's attention. It was a baby playing with his plane. He then notices everyone and pouts. This gets Yang, Nora, and Weiss gushing towards the would be amused by the scene, and would think the baby was so adorable.
Pyrrha would find this very humorous, "So Saphron, your the only Arc who lives here?"
"Yep. Moved the second I could." The red head notices a picture of the seven sisters and one brother in the middle holding a sign saying 'help'. "Jaune and I are the only two living away from home. Guess he wanted to be just like his big sis."
"I… Uh..." Jaune stutters, unable to find the words.
"Aw. You can't deny it." Saphron continues to tease her young brother while he growls in annoyance.
Ren dryly speaks like usual. "So, where's your husband?"
"Oh, him? You know… Things are getting busier than usual with the town's relay tower and the radio in there have been on the fritz lately." Saphron walks towards the kitchen. "Say, you all want sandwiches?"
Ruby, Nora, and Yang pop up. "YES!"
Olmotack raises a brow, but would remain silent, as the others hurried off. Juane would grumble, as Olmotack would step up, "Yknow… I wish I had a sibling that would mess with me… I never had that luxury, as my family..." He'd stop himself, then continue, "Well, as… Much as you think it's annoying… Be grateful you at least have one blood relative who is still around." He'd state, patting Juane's shoulder, as he'd begin to walk off for the sandwiches.
He wouldn't expect this all of the sudden. "Um… No problem. Thanks." He felt like it was the best reply he could give. He did care for Saphron a lot as she protected him for years. "You really have no family though?"
Olmotack would stop, and was silent for a moment, before saying, "No… Blood-related, I don't… Sometimes... Terrible people can take everything you knew away in a split second... Your home... Your family..." He raises his head, "But it's what you do after, is what matters. Truthfully, a lesson from the Lord for others to value what you have... Otherwise... You'll be alone forever, and all will truly be lost." He says, before continuing to walk. Jaune would think about it. This is way heavier than he thought it would be. He can't imagine how much it would hurt if he lost any of his sisters, or his teammates. He would keep everything said to him in mind as he goes back to the others. He always was the best help when it comes to sandwiches.
"You're awfully hospitable for the lot of us, Miss." Qrow exclaimed.
Saphron would start talking with Qrow, "After everything you guys have done, why wouldn't I help a Huntsman? Although I didn't think you'd have this many students helping you. You sure that's legal?"
He doesn't seem that interested in replying, until Ruby elbows him to do so. "Oh! Well, of course. Think of it as an extensive training mission. Trust me, I was a professor." He lied. "Even went to the same academy as them. And let me tell ya, they were a lot better than us back then." Ruby then notices Jaune, Nora, and Ren bringing in the sandwiches. "Well, not better than me specifically, but a lot of stude-"
"Shut up, there's food!" Ruby interrupts as her excitement reaches her peak for the very well made looking sandwiches.
Ruby begins scarfing as many as she could hold while Blake takes her time, along with Weiss. Everyone else begins to enjoy themselves in their own way. "So, what do you plan to do tomorrow guys?" Saphron asks curiously.
Ruby just finished her first sandwich, "We're on our way to Atlas. We'll probably start off with the military base."
The blonde host would frown a bit. "Yeah… Good luck with that."
Yang would try to stay positive. "Come on, it can't be that bad."
Immediately, later on, Yang would find herself with some trouble she didn't expect. "Come on! You didn't hear us out!"
"Our orders are clear! The Mistral-Atlas border is closed!" The stiff guards in white said.
"Please!"
"Have a good day!" The other one said.
"But-!"
"A GOOD DAY!" Both guards said.
Qrow speaks up. "Hey, if you don't wanna believe that I'm friends with Ironwood-"
"'GENERAL' IRONWOOD!" Both guards correct him.
"... Yeah. 'General' Ironwood. Then fine. We have Weiss Schnee with us and we're here to get her home as soon as possible." Weiss looks down, not very comfortable with the attention.
The guards look at each other. Then back at the group. "APPROACH!" Weiss wonders what they mean by that, looks at Blake, which she merely shrugs. She would just slowly approach the twin guards. They look at her in a few seconds. "VERY WELL!"
"You may speak with our commanding officer!" One of them said.
"We will fetch her at once!" They turn around and march their way back.
As everyone stood there a bit weirded out by these two individuals' odd behavior, Maria hums to herself. "Hm..."
Oscar would ask. "What's wrong?"
"Well I… May know this commanding officer."
"That's good isn't it?" Ruby asks. "If she's your friend then she'd be more willing to help us."
"I wouldn't exactly call us… Friends." The old lady seems a bit nervous.
"Acquaintances?" Weiss guesses.
"Not quite."
"Colleague?" Blake guesses.
"Warmer."
"Enemies...?" Yang asks with hesitation.
"That's the one!" Maria confirms.
"Wait what?!" Oscar said in disbelief.
"Oh yes I come over here once every ten years to get my eyes checked up at Atlas. You bring side cashews on ONE flight and suddenly you're placed on the additional screening list for life!" The old lady ranted at the end.
Qrow couldn't believe this. "You've gotta be kidding me!"
"Now-now, let's not give up hope yet." Maria assures everyone. "Maybe she's dead." Now everyone is less assured.
Olmotack would think to himself, "Why exactly are they so against you? What did you even do?"
"I told you. A simple cashew! You aren't prepared for what you're about to witness." She shakes her head. Olmotack didn't understand what was so wrong with a cashew…
Just then the guards are back with the gate opened. "Presenting!"
"Special Operative...!"
"CAROLINE CORDOVIN!" After some silence, everyone thought she wasn't here. Only to look down to see her just as short as Maria, as she looks proud and prideful. Olmotack just stares confused.
She marches over to Maria and they eye each other. "Witch." She said with spite.
"She-Devil." Maria spits back.
Ruby would get in the way of their intense glares. "So, Miss uh… Cordovin? My name is Ruby Rose, and I was wondering if you can hear us out and-"
"You civilians are clearly incapable of comprehending the importance of our mission here in Argus! So allow me to say this slowly with smaller words." She then points to her base, and tower. "This base. This tower." Then raises her arms up. "The very safety of Argus are all gifts from the glorious kingdom of Atlas! And it is my duty to uphold them as only I have the wit and tenacity for such a task."
"Such wit!" Guard 1 said.
"Such tenacity!" Guard 2 said.
Maria decides to ruin Caroline's moment on the high horse. "Or maybe Atlas just wanted to get you as far away as possible." Which annoyed the Special Operative.
"Ugh! You're just like all of those Argus Ingrates! This city wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for our Elysuim Ancestors! And what do we get in return? The entire world is ready to put a knife through our throats!" She said dramatically.
Ruby implores. "Please. We know your team had nothing to do with the Attack of Beacon. We were there."
Weiss walks in. "No one is happy about the Atlas borders or embargo. But I know General Ironwood is just worried. It's why we need to talk to-"
"The General is no coward!" Cordovin said offended. "Atlas is strong! If all the kingdoms plans to make us our enemies then so be it! Atlas will prevail!"
"ATLAS WILL PREVAIL!" The guards repeat.
"Do you guys seriously have to do that?" Yang is losing patience.
Olmo steps in. "Listen, my friend Irad has been asking to talk to General Ironwood. If you just allow us to talk, we won't bother you. We even have Weiss Schnee with us who is willing to go back home."
Caroline smiles at the sight of the young Heiress. "Ah, I can see that. If Ms. Schnee truly comes to her senses and wishes to return to her family, then the Atlas military will escort her home. But the Kingdom will not be responsible for her friends of… Questionable character..." Directly glaring at Blake, which has her look ashamed.
Weiss steps in with a very mad look. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"We're done here." The elder operative said with a smug tone as she closed the gate in front of their faces.
Nora was clearly mad. "Oh yeah?! Well your face… Looks like a big dumb boot!"
"Way to show her Nora..." Jaune sarcastically said.
Weiss would look down in shame, feeling like she could help if she went there alone like she said. But despite that being true, she does not want to leave her friends, nor Irad, knowing her father is waiting for her. "I don't..."
"Weiss." Ruby interrupts. "We're not leaving your side for a second. We'll find a way to Atlas, together." She places her hand on her friend's shoulder. The snow angel would nod in acknowledgement and a smile. She is lucky to have a friend like Ruby. And knowing Irad is depending on them, she is even more determined to make this work.
Ruby would see her uncle walk off. "So what do we do now?"
Qrow however would walk off. "Do whatever you like, I need a drink. Felt like forever since I had one..."
Ruby tries to follow her, "Uncle Qrow, I think we need to figure out a plan together."
"I know more than anyone how stubborn Atlas can get."
Olmo would take a step forward, "We've got to think of something. We won't accomplish anything like this."
Qrow thinks about it. Then sighs. "It takes more than just going guns ablazing to win a fight. It takes patience, and… And… Ugh I'm too sober for this..." He begins to walk off.
Olmotack begins to grow enraged, "We need all hands on deck, all the help we can get in a time of need, and you want to get wasted? You think drinking is just gonna magically fix this!? You think it will magically bring a solution?! The only thing it will do is turn you into a fool! Throught our journey here, all I see from you is alcohol!" This would make Ruby speak,
"Olmota-"
"No Ruby, he's just a coward, turning to alcohol to try to forget his sorrows, running away from every issue that comes his way. It's people like him that is the reason why things are shitty. I'd know because I've seen them myself! Admit that you are a coward!" Olmotack says, getting in Qrow's way, and in his face.
Qrow glares back in anger. "Listen you shit, don't pretend you know me!"
"Oh, I think I know you pretty well, actually." Olmotack stated.
Ruby would get in both their ways. "Guys! Please stop!"
Olmotack glares at him, "You are a disgrace of an uncle to Ruby." He says, storming off on his own.
"Olmo!" Ruby shouted in anger, but he continued his walk, as Qrow walked. "Qrow!"
After their silence, Nora would speak up. "What's their problem?"
Blake would follow him quickly, "Olmo! Olmo!" She tries to catch up to him.
Soon the two would be a ways from the others, leaving Ruby to sigh in defeat.
Olmotack and Blake would walk for awhile, Blake silently walking beside him, until she asked,
"Why did you…?" To this, Olmotack would sigh,
"I'm… Worried for Aiden. We should be doing everything in our power to save him from… From that demon. And for Qrow to run and drink it all away…" He clenches his teeth, "I ran away once… I was being hunted by Nightmaratack by those robots, and dark grimm. Instead of facing it with Ozpin, I ran away. I thought that by leaving I wouldn't be endangering anyone… But I ended up causing even more chaos by being abducted when I went out alone, and Ozpin…" He says, tears coming to his eyes, "Aiden and I… I consider him like a brother. I promised to keep him safe on that ship… Back when both our worlds were destroyed. And now… I feel like I've failed him. Ozpin, he was a father to me. He raised me like his own when he found me…" He states in a melancholic tone, "Now he's gone…"
Blake would put her hand on his shoulder. "You haven't lost them. We're still here."
"It's like she said. I'm still here. So to speak." Oscar walks in, but now Ozpin is the one in control.
Blake jumped from the sudden presence of Oscar's form, but would relax. Olmotack would sigh,
"But, it isn't the same, sir! I..." He was at the brink of breaking down, "What if I fail again? Who else has to die from my foolish acts? If I-"
Ozpin interrupts, "Dwelling on the past won't fix anything, Olmotack. You can't blame yourself for everything either. Everything has a purpose for happening, even my physical form's destruction. The only thing you need to do is follow what I've been teaching you all these years, and keep moving. As a hunter, the only time you fail is if you give up... And you never were one to give up while I was raising you."
Olmotack thought for a long moment, letting Ozpin's words sink in. He sighs, knowing full and well he was right. He'd then hug Oscar's body,
"Thank you... Father." He says, meaning it towards Ozpin.
They break the hug as Blake brings back the topic in hand. "So what do we do now?"
Ozpin would nod to him. "Well, knowing how stubborn they can be..."
Blake would notice the silence. "Uuuuum..."
"Well we can think of something before Qrow sober, I'm sure." Oscar said in a joking tone.
Olmotack nods in agreement.
Meanwhile back at the apartment, on the patio, Ruby would try to call Qrow, but no answer.
"Ugh… Come on!"
"You know I joined you guys to avoid the screaming." Ruby turns to see Maria sitting alone.
"Oh, sorry..." Ruby calms down.
Irad would chime in, "Ah, Ruby!" Irad states, walking up. She could see that he was holding flowers. "Hey, how have you been doing?" He asks.
"Whoa! Irad?! Where have you been?!" Ruby shouts in surprise.
"What did I just say?" Maria sighs.
"I've been away on other duties… And to get some sleep, as per Weiss' orders." Irad eyes Maria, "You must be Maria..." He says respectfully.
"Oh, it seems my reputation perceives me." She replies.
Ruby then gets confused. "Wait, you know her?"
"I've said before I've watched your world. I'm aware of her... In fact, I scheduled a meeting with her." Irad said, taking a seat.
Ruby shrugs. "What for?"
"It's... Private." He states.
Ruby is still confused. But just then Weiss walks in. "Hey Ruby, everyone was wondering where you've be-IRAD?!" She almost tripped seeing him.
Irad smiles and blushes, giving Weiss the flowers. They were white roses, "For you, Weiss. How've you been doing?"
"Um… I-I-I've been fine. Just… Uh..." Weiss would stutter. Ruby would giggle at Weiss completely fumbling her words. "Shut up!" Weiss shouts out Ruby in embarrassment.
He smiled at her sweetly, and her heart stopped in that moment, and she became an even more jumbled mess from her feelings. Irad just chuckles, and Maria would just spectate.
Ruby would twiddle her thumbs. "So… How have you been Irad? I bet you were thinking about Weiss since we started going to Argus."
Irad would blush, "I mean… I wasn't thinking about her all the time. I knew she could handle herself, and I trust her. I was occupied with trying to prepare things in advance, and trying to handle Atlas… Although, Ironwood seems determined on his stance on not having my aid."
Weiss crosses her arms. "I can confirm that he isn't the only one. Some old boot has been getting in our way to advance and we've been trying to figure out how to go through."
He thinks, "Hmm..."
"Any idea as of yet?" Ruby asks.
Weiss would be silent for a bit. "It's a working process."
Ruby would look a little down. "I just wish they see that we're only trying to help…"
Irad sighs, "I'm doing the best I can on my side of the playing field… Hmm… Maybe I can set some soldier stations a ways from Atlas? I'm not sure. We'll figure something out…" He'd say. "If only there was a way…" He quietly states to himself.
Ruby could see both Irad and Weiss unable to search for an answer. This motivates her to make her decision. "Or maybe we can just go there ourselves."
Weiss turns to her in confusion. "I'm sure you know that the soldiers won't allow us."
"Well, how about we sneak around them then?"
Irad would think, "I do have some cloaking devices on some ships…"
Weiss would be more confused. "Wait, we're really doing this?!"
Irad would think more, "But then again… If we were caught…"
Ruby interrupts. "It won't come to that. We have you and I have a plan."
He raises a brow, "I'm listening."
Meanwhile, Jaune would walk with Pyrrha down the sidewalk of Argus. "I don't know Pyrrha, I feel like I'm not doing as much as I could."
"Don't say that Jaune. No one is perfect."
"Heh… That's funny coming from you." Jaune laughs.
Pyrrha laughs as well. "Oh stop. Heh heh..." She then stopped to see the city again. "I could tell these people are from Mantle. It does feel like home."
"Barring all the snow." Jaune slips in.
"I suppose you're right." The redhead said with a smile.
Jaune would then turn to Pyrrha. "Hey uh… Pyrrha?"
"Hm?"
The blonde hesitates a bit. "Saphron told me… About something. She told me what I want to do after this whole Salem problem is solved. She asked if I should stay in Mistral. You live there so..."
"Oh yes! You should!" Pyrrha flips out, but then composes herself. "I mean… If you want."
Jaune hums in thought. "Yeah, sounds good. After everything that happened, we all deserve a break."
Pyrrha giggles as she kisses him on the cheek. "We all do." As they decide to sit together on a bench. Pyrrha remembered how she could have been taken away from him and everyone. She admitted her feelings and all the painful memories of hurting Jaune, dismantling Penny, her destiny to bare the mantle of a Maiden dashed away, she still wonders how she is still fighting. In the end it all comes down to the man she loves. He gives her strength.
Jaune would also reflect, thinking on how far they went since the Attack on Beacon. He hopes that he will help lead everyone. He could have lost Pyrrha back then, and he wants to avoid that moment again when Pyrrha puts Jaune aside to fight Cinder alone.
Just then, they hear a familiar voice. "Pyrrha?"
The red head flinched. She would turn around to see another red haired woman in glasses and winter clothes, "Mom?" She would rush in to hug her.
The lady would rub Pyrrha's head as the young huntress begins to sob, "It's okay."
"I'm… I'm sorry… I never..." Pyrrha couldn't talk properly.
"I know. I understand." Her tone was very soft and gentle.
Jaune was in a loss for words. He didn't think this would happen and feels out of place. "Jaune..." Pyrrha would invite Jaune in.
During this, Oscar watches them sitting together and feels plenty of guilt over it, but he doesn't understand why. "Ozpin?"
"We should return to the others… Leave them be for now..." He said in a quiet tone. Oscar understands, although Ozpin has been trying to hide many things from him, he feels this is personal.
Blake would find him. "Oscar?"
"Something wrong?" Olmo asked.
"It's nothing." They were originally going to get everyone in a meeting, but Ozpin felt like Pyrrha and Jaune deserve a little alone time.
Meanwhile, Yang would find something that has her crossing her arms and look in disapproval. "Why am I not surprised?" Turns out she is looking at a sleeping Qrow by the stairs. "Kinda proving his point, huh?" She helps him up.
Just then, Ren and Nora walk in. "So… You found Qrow?" Ren asked.
"Yep." Yang continues to carry the sleeping Qrow. "Where's Jaune and Pyrrha?"
Nora answers. "Oh you know, hanging around. You know. Nudge nudge, wink wink."
Yang chuckled a bit. "Not that I'm complaining, but shouldn't we think of a plan or something?"
Ren would look awkward knowing Jaune and Pyrrha sort of need a break. "Well it can't be too bad. We have to rest our minds a bit."
Nora giggles. "Who needs that? Just drink coffee if you want to get in the game!"
"You don't drink coffee, nor should you." Ren warns her.
Yang would stand there with a nervous smile, as she is not used to both Ren and Nora's shenanigans. "So uh… Gonna help me and my uncle here?" Time passes and they come back to Saphron's home. "We're back."
Ruby would walk in a little embarrassed seeing Qrow's condition, but just focuses on her sister and friends. "Well that's one worry out of the way. What about the others?"
Yang explains. "Jaune and Pyrrha are doing their own thing. I wouldn't worry about it."
"I see...I've been talking to Irad and we been formulating a pl-"
"Wait, Irad is here?!" Yang said in surprise.
"Oh yeah, forgot to mention that." Ruby said to herself.
Yang would be impressed with the timing. "Well damn. What could he be doing? Oh, let me guess..."
"No it's not just because of Weiss! He… Wanted to talk to Maria for some reason..." This has Yang curious.
Irad and Maria sit idly, silent for a moment, before Irad clears his throat, "I assume you are aware the Dark Grimm situation is becoming worse." He finally exclaims.
"Well, it is not a good feeling. That's for sure." She replies.
He nods, and he sighs, "I've been hoping to avoid this, in hopes to spare Ruby… But I came here to discuss… The Silver Eyes Ruby possesses… I can't always be there, and after some thinking… I need all the help I can to rid the world of this ever growing darkness. I know who you are, and what you know of these eyes… But I morley came here to ask for your assistance in training her, and have her hone this ability."
She would hum in thought. "I don't just teach anyone. You have to be sure if she is ready for this."
He sighs, "There isn't much time... What about all the battles she has fought? She seems to have proven herself from what I've seen. Strong, resilient, radiating, a good leader, a true and valiant warrior. The sorrows that have wrought upon her has only made her resolve more absolute, and she seems strong willed to stop the demon and Salem. I feel at this point... She needs to know. Because if she doesn't learn now, she and her friends could be doomed." He continues, "The demon grows stronger by the day. It's only a matter of time before he becomes whole again... I know the legend of Nightmaratack, because my power comes from that legend. And from what I know, if Nightmaratack succeeds, then Ruby and I are the only hope. And if I do perish... Ruby would be the only one left as a final hope of this realm."
She then sighs. "Alright, if you're gonna be over dramatic about it, then bring the girl here."
He nods, as he rises. Soon he would find Ruby
Ruby would be brought in by Irad. "Um… You wanted to see me?"
Irad would gesture at her to take a seat, and she would be beside Irad, facing Maria, and she would sigh.
"So… What do you want to talk about?" Ruby asks nervously.
"Well… I heard you've been tired of not knowing about things. So… How about we start off by discussing those eyes of yours?" Maria said with a smile.
Ruby would be surprised by this. "Oh! Uh… Wait… You mean..."
"Silver eyes?" Maria finishes her sentence.
Ruby was more confused. "How do you even know? Aren't your eyes..."
"Trust me, I can sense this kind of thing. I would know." Maria gives her the clues of what she is talking about.
Ruby gasps. "You… Had Silver Eyes? Like me?" Irad would look at the both of them, and he would sigh, as they would continue.
Maria smirks. "We don't have time for any of my old tales. But yes. I had Silver Eyes, and I was indeed what you would call a Huntress back in my day. Those times are long gone though..." There was some silence as she reminisced. She then goes back to the topic in hand.
Ruby would be excited enough to stand up. "Um! Yes! I am humbled."
Maria would be annoyed by her childish behavior. "And sit back down for pete's sake!" Which Ruby does so. "Let's start with what you do know, tell me."
Ruby thinks about it. "Uh… Silver Eyed people are supposed to be legendary warriors. Or something..."
Maria was unimpressed. "That's it? Oh boy..."
Irad would begin, "The silver eye's power is somewhat similar to mine. The similarity being that it is based on holy magic, as my powers are, and can grant many abilities, which I can let Maria explain." He says as he gestures to Maria.
The elder explains. "Well then… I had my father to teach me. And even he didn't have all the answers. And what he told me made sense, given what I've seen."
"Was he a Huntsman too?" Ruby asked nervously.
Maria would smile more, seeing this girl showing interest in her life. "It wasn't really an official title in his day. I only knew him as an old soldier. And an excellent teacher. I never attended these fancy academies of yours, but I scored higher on the licensed exam than any other huntsmen or huntress that day."
Ruby chuckled, "He must have been proud…
"He would have scolded me for showing off." Ruby smiled, imagining how close Maria and her father must have been. "He never was able to find much information about our abilities. Just legends of warriors whose eyes shone like mirrors. Reflecting the light of the world into darkness. He found so little in fact that it made him cautious. How can such powerful bloodlines be so rare? Unless something out there is actively trying to destroy them."
"I suppose it could be Salem and Nightmaratack..." Irad said. Ruby would look away with a serious look on her face. Maria would continue. "I tried to keep my powers a secret. But it wasn't enough." She looks down, in deep thought. Then continues again. "I owe my life to my training, and my semblance. At the end of the day, they are still your most powerful tools."
Ruby asks, "What is your semblance?"
Maria would smirk. She wished she had a way to show off her abilities, like say outside. But Irad had to make this private in this work.
"Pre-flexes." She laughed a little. "Silly name I came up with. Hard to explain, but I can sense everything better than most and react to attacks almost before they happen. And with my training and my secret ability to turn Grimm into stone. Or blind them. Or vaporize them. And that's how you become the Grimm Reaper."
Ruby heard of those legends before and is now very excited. "Oh! How do I laser beam monsters with my eyeballs!"
Only for Maria to hit Ruby in the head with her cane. "First, stop thinking like that!"
"It takes practice, discipline, and patience. That's how I was able to master my own abilities, anyways, but I assume that's how you master the silver eyes?" Irad asks Maria.
"There aren't many other options. At best, you'd most likely whip it out of the heat of the moment. Now think, what is it that you want, Ruby Rose?" Maria asks.
Ruby feels this is an important part of this question. "I want to save people."
"It is the desire to perceive life that fuels you. And make no mistake, it is light." Maria explains.
Irad nods, "I can say for certain, that is what it is. But do beware, the temptations of the darkness are great, and if you turn towards that darkness, your power which is bonded to you will become corrupted, and you can hurt others. It is best to use your powers responsibly."
Ruby would nod to both of them. "Thanks. So when does the training start?"
"A little eager aren't we?" Maria points out.
"I leave the training to you, Maria… Although, Ruby, I would like to test your skills, afterwards, just to be sure you are truly ready." Irad would say.
Ruby would stand up, ready. "Okay! I'm ready for anything you can throw Irad!"
He nods and stands, "Then when the time comes…" He summons his cane-sword and holds it out in front, popping it up, saying seriously "I will not hold back." Before making his cane fade away into blue fire particles.
She was impressed and a little intimidated. But she keeps her strong front to show she is ready for it.
"Now then… Now that we have those matters settled… What of the others?" Irad says.
Ruby would put her hands on her back and look away. "Well… They seem busy at the moment. But once they all come back here, I might have an idea on what to do. With how desperate things are, I feel we shouldn't wait any longer." Irad nods in acknowledgement. Ruby would hear the door open and would guess that everyone was now here. "Oh! That must be everyone!" She and Irad go through the door.
"Ruby."
Once she heard Maria say her name, the girl stopped on her tracks and went back, "Yeah?"
"One more thing you need to know in case you need to. The light will only work in the presence of Grimm, or other dark beings. So the only practice you're gonna get is trial by fire. Irad's training could only work so much. At the moment, you could focus on creating a state of mind you can tap into when you need it. Don't think of your light as a means to destroying evil, but as a way to protect the people of Remnant."
Ruby thinks about this. then nods. She hasn't mastered this power, so the best she can do in case of an emergency is to just be in 'that state of mind' Maria mentioned. Whatever it is, there has to be a strong need to protect the people.
"Ruby!" The girl turns to see her older sister waving at her, along with the rest of her friends waiting for her.