Disclaimer: RWBY is owned by Rooster Teeth. I only own the Goddess of Empty/Agatha Griseo

Chapter 8

Moving On

As we moved along the snowy path, Maria told us a story. A story about The Grimm Reaper- an infamous Huntress that vanished decades ago. She revealed that she was the Grimm Reaper in this story, and the very reason why she left.

During her travels between jobs, Maria ventured into a canyon sort of space. As she journeyed, a Nevermore appeared. Maria fought the beast with her trusty scythe. The battle raged on. Maria couldn't defeat it with her scythe alone. In the end, she used her silver eyes.

Another silver eyed Huntress? In the same century as another?

Light, how 'rare' did you make them?

The use of her power alerted nearby bandits. They swarmed her. Tired from the Nevermore fight and use of her power, the bandits nearly overpowered her. Maria was able to take down three. The fourth- and leader- dealt a crippling blow.

Blinded, Maria used the gravity dust in her scythe to help kill the leader. The leader lost, but with her dying words she reminded Maria that she still won something. Even a fighter like Maria, the Grimm Reaper, renowned fighter, could be brought low.

"I went into hiding soon after." Maria finished.

The rest of us were amazed but none more so than Qrow.

"I can't believe it. You...You're the Grimm Reaper. You were a legend," He exhaled in shock. Not that I was any better. Ruby, who fought with a scythe, wasn't reacting like I had expected. "And one day you just disappeared."

Oscar was confused. "How does a legend just disappear?"

"By never letting anyone know she's a legend." I explained before turning to Maria. "You were a bit before my time but I've heard some of the older huntsmen talk about you. The stories I've heard were amazing. I'm impressed you never showed your real name or face."

"At first, we thought you were laying low before accepting that you might have been dead." Qrow admitted. "But even I was inspired by the stories about you. I've even based my weapon off of yours. I wanted to be as good as the Grimm Reaper."

"Well I'm nothing but a disappointment so you're well on your way," Maria scoffed.

"How can you even say that?" Blake asked, horrified at how anyone could be so down on themselves.

Maria sighed. "Child, a huntress is supposed to protect others until the bitter end."

I hate how she puts it like that.

"But after I lost my eyes I've only looked after myself. Even after my surgery, I was too afraid to fight. Afraid someone would find me, finish what the others started. You shouldn't aspire to be like me. Especially since some of you are clearly stronger already." She gave a pointed look to Yang at that last line.

Yang's metal fist tensed.

Moving closer to the infamous huntress, I put a hand on her shoulder. "You did what you could. You should be proud of that." I assured her.

Maria gave me a soft smile. "It is...comforting to see that your generation seems up to the task of inheriting this world. I just wish I could have left it in better shape for you."

Much like how I wish I could have helped humanity better before that stupid asteroid came. Before my Brothers forgot my promise and ruined this world. They left me to clean up their mess- as usual.

Ruby then spoke up. "Maybe you could do something now. Teach me to use my powers the way you did."

That's a genius idea. The silver eyed warriors are rare to see. Any chance for a younger to train under an elder was a good choice. Maria, as the Grimm Reaper, was a perfect teacher. She and Ruby had similar weapons too! It could even give Maria some hope for her future.

After all "those who can't, teach!"

Before Maria could give an answer a pair of ringtones could be heard. We all checked our scrolls and I saw that my Uncle Rusty on my caller I.D. On Ruby's scroll was Jaune, though her I.D. read Vomit Boy. I need to ask the story behind that one.

Answering my scroll I heard my Uncle cry out. "Agatha, are you there? The people on the train said you stayed behind to fend off a Grimm attack. I've been checking your scroll ever since. Your Aunt and I have been so worried."

"My scroll?" I asked confused.

At the same time Ruby said "The city?"

We then saw the road up ahead and pointed our scrolls to it watching the signal get better as we did. Yang quickly drove us up the hill and when we got to the top we saw the wall city of Argus in the distance.

Smiling, I went back to my uncle. "Yeah, I'm about a few miles out. I'll meet you at the city gate."

"Oh thank the Siblings! See you soon!" My uncle replied before hanging up.

As Yang drove down the hill Qrow then spoke up. "So I guess this means you'll be leaving us."

"What do you mean?" I asked, tilting my head in confusion.

At this, Ruby turned to me. "We understand that you don't want to be a part of this. We just ask you not to tell anyone else about what you learned the other day."

I gave out a nervous chuckle. "So...funny story. I was actually wanting to find you guys back at Mistral after what happened with Haven Academy."

"What?" Everyone cried out.

"I'm not stupid. I knew there was a connection between the Fall of Beacon and the attack on Haven. And I had a good suspicion that either Atlas or Shade were next. Like Maria said, our job is to protect people. But that extends beyond the Grimm. I couldn't let whoever attacked the academies hurt anyone else. I want to go with you guys to Atlas. I want to help."

Everyone around me looked either surprised or impressed.

Finally Ruby nodded and said "Then welcome to the group, Agatha. There's some more things we'll need to fill you in on now that you're with us. But it can wait until we reunite with the others."

I nodded but added. "Might have to be a bit longer. My reason for coming to Argus is to deliver a present to my Aunt in the hospital. And I want to let my parents know what I'm doing. My Uncle would be able to get a message out."

"Just don't tell them everything," Oscar warned me. "Say you found the people who helped protect Haven and are joining them to help Atlas. It's best if you leave everything else out."

I gave a laugh and a shrug. "I doubt they'll believe me anyway."

We finally made it to the city where Yang stored her bike in a garage. I scoured the city trying to find Uncle Rusty when I heard a familiar voice call out "Cute! Boy! OZ!" Turning I saw Nora tackle Oscar into a hug. Jaune and Ren were right behind her.

"Agatha," I heard another familiar voice call out behind me. Turning around I saw Uncle Rusty rush over to me.

"Uncle Rusty!" I called out giving him a hug. He hugged me back a little tighter than usual. I must have really worried him.

"I'm so glad you're safe," he whispered.

I tightened my own hug around him. "Sorry for scaring you," I mumbled.

I then turned back to Ruby and asked for her scroll number, promising to call when I finished my visit at the hospital. My uncle and I got into his truck and we drove to the hospital, catching up on things since we last spoke to each other.

In what seemed like no time, we arrived at my aunt's room. She was hooked up to a couple of monitors which were checking her vitals. And she was already a little pale. Her face lit up when I entered the room.

"Agatha, darling, did you get tanner out in the desert?" She asked me.

I giggled. "Maybe a little. I tried not to stay in the sun too much." I then gave her the book from my mother.

"Thank you, dear. Would you like to stay for lunch? There are some volunteers here that like to feed visiting families," Aunt Violet offered.

Just then my stomach growled. That's right. I haven't eaten since last night. "Food sounds really good," I said with a sheepish smile.

"Well you two catch up," Uncle Rusty told us as he made to leave. "I've got to go get the guest room finished up for you Agatha. How long are you planning on staying anyway?"

"Not long," I answered. "Actually, can you get a message out to my parents? I won't be going back to Mistral."

Both Uncle Rusty and Aunt Violet looked at me confused. I explained to them how I met up with team RWBY and the others and how they helped out Haven and were going to Atlas to try and help them out and that I want to join them. Uncle Rusty nodded and went to send the message.

Then he left, Aunt Violet placed one of her hands on mine. "You always get involved in the strangest things don't you?"

Oh, you have no idea.

After I ate, Uncle Rusty came back telling me that the message was sent and that my parents want me to be careful up there. I told them that I will and with a final goodbye hug, I left the hospital.

The first thing I saw was that it was already getting dark. Didn't even notice the time passed. The second thing I saw as I pulled out my scroll to call Ruby was Oscar walking past me. He didn't see me. His hands were in his pockets and he just looked straight down. He seemed depressed.

I put my scroll back in my pocket and ran over to him. "Hey Oscar!" I called out.

Oscar heard me and turned around surprised.

"Everything okay? You seemed down," I asked.

Oscar looked down for a moment. As if trying to figure out where to start. Eventually he said "Ruby told Jaune, Ren, and Nora what we've learned from Jinn."

I put a hand on my hip. "Let me guess. They didn't take it too well either?" Oscar shook his head. Frowning, I looked around and spotted a cafe nearby. "You want a drink? It's freezing out here," I offer.

"Oh um, thanks," Oscar mumbled and we went inside, coming back out with some hot drinks a few minutes later. We walked in silence for a few minutes before finding a bench to sit on.

Oscar took another sip of his drink before finally breaking the silence. "Thank you for, well just being with me I guess."

I shrugged. "That's just what I like to do. Be there for people."

"Is that why you're sticking around?" Oscar asked. At my confused look, he continued. "Ruby and the others are motivated by the loss of Beacon. I got dragged into all this when Ozpin just showed up in my head one day, but you? You've got no connection to all this. And you heard Jinn, Salem can't be killed. So why are you helping me?"

You mean besides the fact that I'm Light and Dark's older sister and that means I feel the need to clean up their mess. That they did Ozma and Salem and the whole world dirty and I have a duty to correct their mistakes.

I waved a hand at the scene around me. "Take a look around. Tell me what is everyone doing?"

Oscar looked around. "They're doing a lot of things," he said.

"True. But there is one thing that they are all doing at the same time." Oscar kept looking but I went ahead and told him "They're smiling."

Oscar looked back at me, a curious look on his face as he waited for me to go on.

"They are smiling because they are enjoying their life right now. That despite what happened at Beacon, and what went on with Haven, they are still moving forward with their lives. And I want to protect that more than anything. Because to me there's nothing more beautiful than a person's smile." I explained.

When I saw Oscar, his smile was gentle and warm. A kind of hope filled smile- which I guess was in rare form when finding out you're part of an ancient curse from my Brothers.

"See? You're smiling right now. Must mean I'm doing my job right."

Oscar looked away from me and tried to hide his blush by finishing his drink. "I want all those things too," he told me. "But with this-" He looked at his hand and I knew he was thinking about his eventually merging with Ozma. "What would be the point of it all if I can't be me while I do it. And if we can't kill Salem, then what's the point in all of this."

*Bonk*

Oscar rubbed his head from where I lightly hit him. Going back to my drink I said, "That's where your problem is. You and Ozma."

"What do you mean?" Oscar asked.

I sighed. "You know I like to think that humans are more stubborn than this. When faced with a supposed impossible solution, you push past your limits in order to overcome the odds. Not just roll over and give up. Not just you, Ozma seems to have given up once he learned he couldn't destroy Salem. Simply played defense trying to avoid the inevitable."

Oscar just looked at his drink but didn't say anything so I continued. "But a shield won't last forever. Salem's become a sword so we need to be one too. Strike her down just as hard as she tries to strike us down."

"But if we do that she'll just keep coming back," Oscar argued.

I put a hand on his shoulder. "Then so will we," I countered. "I can't imagine what it must feel like for Ozma, having fought this battle for so long. But if she hasn't given up on her goals then neither should he. He won't be alone. I know Ruby still has his back. And he's got mine too. Do you think, when the time comes, that he can have yours as well?"

Oscar's eyes shined with a fresh determination. "You're right. I don't know how much longer I'm going to be me. But I do know that I want to do everything I can with whatever time I have left."

Finishing my drink I went up to throw away the cup. "Well if you're going to do this, then you are going to need to look the part." Oscar looked at me confused as I grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to the nearest clothing store. No one is going to take him seriously in that farm boy look.

After a couple of hours we finally found something that works for him. A new white collared shirt with black trousers and red boots colored orange at the toes. New gloves that are open at the palms and criss cross around the wrists. Over this was an olive coat with red shoulder pads and a matching belt.

Oscar then guided me to a house that belongs to one of Jaune's sisters who is letting them stay there. When we got there we found Qrow passed out on the stairs. I raised an eyebrow and gave a look to Oscar who face palmed. "Did I forget to mention that the military base here won't take us to Atlas," he muttered.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. "To be fair, we had other things on our minds. Come on, let's get him inside."

I went to help him up and this time he didn't resist me. Qrow did look around in confusion.

"Why am I on the stairs?" He groaned. That was a very good question. Why was he on the stairs and not inside? You know, where it's warm.

Oscar opened the door and took a look around. "It looks like no one's home," he said.

I helped Qrow on his feet and into the house. "Wonder where everyone is," I said.

Oscar just shrugged at me. I took Qrow over to the couch.

"Just leave me be, Agatha. I don't deserve to be here. Just let me rot," Qrow kept saying under his breath. I didn't know what to say to that at first. I knew of his reputation but I don't know him personally. Was he like this all along? Is this because of his semblance? Or does he feel so useless now with what we had learned from Jinn?

I sat him on the sofa and he lied down about to pass out again. As I layed a blanket I had found over him I thought about Ruby and Yang and told him "You know I can think of two certain huntresses who would disagree with you."

Qrow just scoffed. "I let them down. They nearly got themselves killed and I didn't do anything. I'm supposed to look out for them."

He started to fall asleep and I brushed the bangs out of his eyes. "They pulled you out of the fire," I reminded him. "That means you are worth something to them."

Qrow didn't respond as he passed out from too much alcohol. I sighed. What dumbass decided to water down freaking poison, add flavor to it and have everyone drink it anyway? Honestly it's one of the stupider inventions humans had ever come up with, alongside the alarm clock.

Stupid things are too freaking loud.

"Hey," Oscar called to me. I turned towards him. "I'm gonna make something to eat for when everyone gets back. Mind helping me?"

I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly. Living on the road meant not much practice for home cooking.

"I'm not really a cook but I can give it a try," I said, walking with him to the kitchen. We were able to put together a rather good looking casserole and some chocolate pudding for dessert when Oscar spotted everyone from the window.

He ran to the front door to greet everyone and I heard everyone scream as well as a crash I think. I ran over to find the other kids all on top of him in what I assume was some kind of group hug. Or rather a group dog pile. Remembering Qrow in the next room I pressed a finger to my lips.

"Shh. You guys, Qrow's asleep on the couch." I whispered to them.

Everyone quickly got off of Oscar. They started talking with hushed voices, asking if he was alright and complimenting his new outfit. A woman I didn't recognize held an adorable little boy, she smelled the casserole that was still in the oven.

"Oh yeah, Agatha and I decided that you guys would appreciate a hot meal after...spending all day looking for me apparently," He said trailing off at the end.

I heard the timer go off and I excused myself to get dinner out while the two women, who introduced themselves as Jaune's sister Saphron and her wife Terra, helped me out. After I took the food out, we got the table set. We went back to the others to see that Qrow was awake and heading up the stairs.

I reached out to him as Ruby asked "Where are you going now?"

"I don't want to get in the way of your celebration," Qrow waved her off.

"You've been gone all day! Just sit with us," Ruby argued.

Qrow sighed. "Look, Ruby, I'm glad you kids worked out...whatever that was. But the fact is, we're not a single step closer to Atlas." That was a good point. We did need to come up with some sort of plan. But that didn't mean Qrow had to be so grumpy about it.

Jaune then spoke up. "Actually, I think I have an idea. But... it's sort of a 'no-going-back kind of idea."

"Why do I not like the sound of that," I groaned. I mean I do like it when humans are stubborn. But then they get desperate and that's usually a recipe for disaster. Still, I have heard about that Cordovin woman from Uncle Rusty so it looks like we don't have much choice in the matter.

Ruby wants to hear it as well so Jaune said, "With Cordo on watch only Atlas airships have the clearance to leave for Solitas. So... we... steal an Atlas airship," He trailed off at the end.

My eyes went wide. As did the others. Well, all the others save for the cute little baby that was now in Maria's arms. That baby just giggled at Jaune.

"That's not just breaking the law. That's much worse," Weiss stated.

"Incredibly dangerous for starters," I said.

"How would we even get onto the airfield?" Yang asked.

"That part I haven't quite figured out yet," Jaune admitted. He tried to continue but was interrupted by Qrow.

"Okay, stop. Just... stop! Look, if this thing goes south, it's not something we can just fight our way out of. This is the Atlas Military we're talking about." He then gave a sigh. "For your sake, just drop this."

Yeah, like I'm going to give up that easily. The humans aren't the only ones who are stubborn.

Before I could voice out my thoughts however Ruby then spoke up. "I want to hear him out."

"Ruby..." Qrow tried but his niece wasn't having it this time.

"I want to hear him out! I know you're trying to protect us, that you're afraid we can't do it, but right now, I don't really care what you think!" Ruby argued.

Damn girl! I place a hand over my mouth to try and cover up any laughter at Qrow's dumbfounded face because Ruby was on a roll right now.

"Just because you don't have an idea doesn't mean we're out of options. Oz hasn't been here to tell us what to do, but we still managed this far anyway. We've been in bad situations before, and we didn't need an adult to save us or tell us what to do. We just did it our way! And I say we do it our way. And if you and Agatha think you can keep up with us 'kids'..." She then turned to me. "We'd be lucky to have the both of you."

Oh ho! Little Ruby's ready for the big kids table is she. I didn't see why she felt the need to drop me into this but alright. I'll take the challenge.

I turned to Qrow. "I don't know about you, Strawhead, but I ain't taking that lying down."

Maria gave a laugh. "Looks like you didn't give her enough credit either."

Qrow just looked at his niece's determined expression before noting something. "Wait...Strawhead?"

"Yeah, you know, cause your head seems full of straw right now," I told him.

Qrow just glared at me while the others laughed.