AK V DN: Shine From Shadows

by SpiritWolf313

The conclusion between the rivalry of the revolutionary Ninja, the rhythmic Knight, and his beloved hood of young warriors in vengeance.

Hello once again, folks!

By God, what a journey this has been! It honestly should not have taken this long for the story to be concluded, I don't think. But, times continue to change, people change, and if you liked this story, then I do apologize that your author here is not one too efficient. I had to figure out what I really wanted this story to be. Especially in seeing RoosterTeeth's very own journey.

The following is a non-profit fan-based fiction. RWBY is owned by Monty Oum(RIP). Please support the official release.

Victory. To be earned, not given. To be understood, not assumed. And to fight for, as well as uphold, if ever held. When held, if held, it cannot be easily expected, nor assumed, to be a final conclusion. A journey should never be strived to reach one certain point. It should be to strive through every next point. Not for the sake of the goal itself, but for the sake of improvement, breaking through limits, constantly. True victory comes from letting not even your goal be the end of your journey.

"If you really believe it's your Destiny to save the world, you can't let anything stand in your way." -Jaune Arc

Chapter 1: Beacons Of Mistral

(Present, City Of Mistral…)

The Battle of Haven Academy had seemed close to an end. That was, until the school's ruin and rising smoke showed otherwise from up on the city's mountain top.

The Grimm that remain, after causing their own destruction, now hold completely still, paralyzed. Very much like the majority at the higher regions, the ones below leading up to the school make just as little advancement. Like breathing statues, all due to the questionable Light.

Because of such, the conflict continues as those whose lives still remain must endure their Battle within the Kingdom.

(Haven Academy, Cinder's Faction…)

The school's rubble blinds their visions. But its very weight tumbles over their bodies. So with ease, she uses her Maiden strength to toss a few tons of debris from above her. Now coming into the moonlight, Cinder Fall makes her way up and out of the school building's destruction. Trying to properly stand, she only limps over with her bent knees. She then looks down at her exposed hand and notices something from it, and throughout most of her body. It distracts her enough that she barely hears a small cry for her name.

Emerald: "*cough, cough* Ci-- Cin--... Cinder…" Wanting to find out what all had happened and is going on, Cinder strides off to one side of the building's destruction. "Cinder…?!"

Watching Cinder walk off upsets Emerald, as she had not paid her any mind. For matters worse, Emerald was stuck under heavy debris at her waist. It aches, making her worry about getting crushed before getting free. But to her rescue, it gradually lifts up from elsewhere.

By the sound of grunting efforts, Emerald looks over and sees Mercury pushing the debris off of her with one leg. Aside from seeing a particular glow from him, he was covered in dirt and pain like her. With one leg planted on the ground, his other leg pushing the debris had an unsettling sound of mechanical damage. But given enough space, Emerald tries crawling out while feeling more pain throughout her body. Nonetheless, he gives one more good push and shoots the big debris away.

Mercury falls back in exhaustion, and holds his leg in pain and discomfort. Even while mostly prosthetic, the feeling comes from where flesh meets metal. Seeing him in this state, Emerald gets over her aches and steps down to his side.

Emerald: "Merc!" Getting closer to him, Emerald starts to recognize that both her and Mercury were indeed glowing. A yellowish-white aura that not only covers their bodies, but also subsides most of their hurting wounds. It leads Mercury to progressively stand up, leaning on one side. "You moron. You didn't have to push yourself that much."

Mercury: "Ah shut it, will ya? You could've been a vegetable, for all I know." Lifting up his pant leg, Mercury can see slight bends to his prosthetic leg. He puts it down, and cracks a few joints to adjust to most of his relief. "Not sure how we even survived that, but it looks like the White Fang got a little impatient before we could leave." The tone in his voice comes off calm in spite of his face saying otherwise. "I don't know if we're walking out of this so easily."

Emerald: "That's what's got me worried too… T-Thanks, by the way."

Mercury: "Heh heh… I don't plan on losing so easily, either way."

Accepting Emerald's appreciation, Mercury chooses to be subtle and grin with a nod. She returns it with a smirk as she puts a hand to Mercury's shoulder. However, the moment halts as a big collection of rubble behind them gets tossed. Hearing a loud grunt, they look back and run up to another one of their members.

Hazel Reinhardt climbs out of the building's rubble up to his waist. His exhaustion and pain can be seen for a brief moment, before his aura regenerates. It cancels out, however, and it becomes overshadowed by the same surrounding yellowish-white glow on them.

They look past the mysterious glow as Emerald and Mercury go over and help Hazel out of the rubble.

After dusting themselves off, three of the Faction regroups and the aura light fades away.

Emerald: "What was that, just now?"

Hazel: "It's aura… transferred to our bodies." Hazel gives a big exhale as he removes the lightning Dust crystals from his arms. They remain in his hands, however. "I might know one… or a few, with this technique. Whoever it was, doesn't seem like they want us to be fully recovered. But this night's gonna be longer than we had hoped."

The Faction had dusted themselves off the best they could, and make their way to Cinder's side. Hazel takes the lead with Emerald and Mercury achingly following. Before they could see ahead, Hazel sees Cinder on the other side of the hill of rubble. Her heaving chest tells how the more tired and infuriated she looks to him and her subordinates that find her.

(Menagerie Army)

The Menagerie Army, as well as their leaders the Belladonnas, have all gradually and achingly gotten up, trying to recover. Some even get a shock from looking at the immobile Grimm in their frozen state.

Ghira, Khali, and Blake look over and assess their current situation. Such as the Light that shined from up high.

Ghira: "*cough* ...Blake! Khali! Gah! Where did that come from?!"

Khali: "(breathless) ...We're fine, dear… Everyone is fine, I believe."

Khali limps over to her family as she carries one of the Mistral Police Officers from under their shoulder.

They come off as wounded, but still limp beside her.

Blake: "Mom! Dad!"

Khali: "We owe that… to our friend here."

Looking down, Ghira sees Sun unconscious, lying on Blake's lap. As he had recalled, he shielded them and their forces from the explosion with his Semblance moments ago.

Ghira: "Hmph… I'm beginning to see why she keeps him around. But does she have to hold him so close…?"

While it slightly bothers him for Sun to lay on his daughter, he puts it aside.

Khali: "What was that light? That wasn't a flash grenade."

Blake: "It's the same one that shined… At the top of Beacon…! When that light shined, the Grimm stopped attacking for hours… like they are, now! What kind of power was that?" Blake and her parents, while still amongst the Menagerie Army, question the power displayed by their enemy. Their distance from one another keeps her from seeing his eyes to draw any confirmation. "He took off his mask… I haven't seen his face in so long. "Did that light come from him…? Was he there?" Her curiosity follows where his attention holds. Down to the two teams she knows. "Was he hiding something?"

(Meanwhile, Cinder's Faction…)

Cinder and her Faction all look around and find our heroes, paralyzed Grimm, as well as additional bodies they have yet to see tonight, from both afar and right beside them. They include what look to be a Huntsman and a young Huntress, and many Faunus that slowly stand up from the ground. It can also be seen that Raven and Vernal are right at the other side of the school's destruction. Cinder notices how they are both bent down in distress.

Cinder: "(whisper) What is this?! What happened to the school?! Did it-- *grunt* blow up already?

And… why do I feel…?!" Looking over to the Grimm and her enemies, including Vernal and Raven, Cinder finds the glow go away, and herself in a similar position as them in a weighted agony. "Was this the girl… or…?" In that moment, despite her struggle, she starts to realize everyone, including Ruby, has their gaze looking up and over her. She looks around, up to the night's reddish-dark sky, and finds the source of her internal strain. "...You!"

Shakingly, Cinder tightens her fists. Her allies even tense up and look up with disgust.

Emerald: "Him!"

Mercury: "H-HE did this?!"

Hazel: "*sigh* ...It's time."

At the top of Haven Academy's destroyed main building, the residue of the Light subdues. And with their Eyes, they look down where another dominating aura emits. The two forces stare upon each other, giving off a high radiation of aura with two opposing hues of red and blue.

Adam: "This… will be the night that our dreams come true."

The Arc Knight VS The Dark Ninja - Shine From Shadows

Two brothers, from a disbanded past, look amongst each other. Up on the fallen debris of the once was Haven Academy's main building, is Adam Taurus.

With his mask off, he takes in the sight of the entire school, completely destroyed. That, as well as the Grimm he paralyzed, by utilizing the power of his Silver Eyes.

Ruby: "(whisper) His… Eyes!"

Qrow: "So it's true…"

He however has his gaze directly down at his rivaled enemy below. Glaring up at him as well is the Arc son himself, Jaune Arc.

After an accomplished battle with his enemies, Jaune finds him and his allies in yet another predicament. Looking up, he sees the eyes of his tormenting adversary. The one he had been readying himself to face once more. And as much as the same could be said for his tormentor, they only take in each other's presences after over one long awaited year.

With the Light gone in Jaune's sight, he and the rest too feel their eyes adjusting back to the night. But he begins to see blurs, and he hears ringing. They begin to subside as they become flashes of different images in blue and silver streaks. The ringing in his ears then becomes a quiet voice in his head.

Arc: "So now, you know."

Jaune: "All this time… he's been a Silver Eyed Warrior…! Not my first guess, to be honest."

Arc: "Time for the 'one' of us to catch up with him. Here it goes."

Jaune: "Huh? W-What's going on?!"

Arc: "It's okay. We're getting ready to merge, soon. Just let me handle this for now. Keep watch, and I'll let you come in when it's time."

Jaune: "...O-Okay. I trust you… I trust in myself."

At the moment, the 'Jaune Arc' that most witnesses of this night know of is still present. But along with him, with minor consciousness, is the Arc in him beginning to surface. The one of whom experienced a forgotten combative lifestyle, and a brotherhood with Adam.

Arc: "Good. Now this might tickle, but you'll get over it in just a moment."

Jaune: "...Wait, what's gonna tick--? Wait, hold o--!" With this surfacing, Jaune's amnesia had nearly come to an end. He feels a sensation from the beating of his heart pull forward, and the throbbing of his head pull him inward. "Whoooa… Ye-- Heh heh-- ah, that does feel weird. Heh. It… kinda feels like… my whole body is a suit now…"

Arc: "Thank you… for everything… This will only be brief, but you need to get Flourish and Fair.

Understand?"

Jaune: "...Oh… Right, of course."

The Arc within now holds consciousness, leaving Jaune to sleep within. Thus, Crocea Mors is sheathed, to his comrades' curiosity. In an attempt to give a hint of subtlety to such a severe moment, his composure holds to speak to the Arc's once called brother. All with a smile on his face.

Jaune(Arc): "*inhale*... (loud) Hello, Adam…! Nice to see you again."

Nora: "Huh?"

Qrow: "What the…?"

Adam: "B-Br--?! *grunt*... Hmm… (loud) I didn't expect those words coming from you. Are you not bothered, or too disgusted to see me again, after all this time…? That's all he's ever been since my return. Does he remember?"

Jaune: "I'm very scarred, alright. But I've gone through enough healing after you came along."

Adam: "And this gives you joy…? To see me and where I stand?"

Jaune: "Well, I will say, this isn't how I wanted to see you again. Nobody really expects their big brother to become such a tyrant when coming back from their academics here. But, it's still something for the two of us to catch up on. I mean, it's been much longer since we could've had some real time together…"

Almost everybody begins to feel confused, hearing how casual Jaune talks with Adam. Especially while the two put off so much aura.

Oscar: "I have no idea what's going on…"

Nora: "(whisper) What's up with Jaune? He doesn't… sound like himself… Too much like himself?"

Ren: "We've felt this wave of aura come from him before. It's different… More calm, compared to how it has been lately."

Qrow: "I know I told the kid and everybody to stay calm a while ago, but I think we've gone way past that up to this point."

Ruby: "(whisper) Is… Is that what he's trying to do?"

Qrow: "(quiet) Maybe. They're just talking, right now… We just survived the death of another school. The next move would be to put guns and blades up to our necks. Jaune might be keeping us safe from him and his explosive troops, wherever they are… Be ready for anything!"

Beside her barely focused and shaking sister Yang, Ruby looks down at her, in the arms of their Uncle Qrow and her. To their distress, Yang shakes with her eyes half open, and facing the ground. They only hold Yang and her hands tighter.

Yang: "(quiet) Adam…! He's… He took…! He's-- He's gonna…!"

However, most of everyone seem more accepting of Jaune's tone, given how drastic the circumstances are, and are to come.

Jaune: "I guess we both got a little too excited in Vale to reunite. We couldn't help ourselves but to fight instead. *chuckle*...Wasn't that enough? You already helped in destroying our school, Beacon. Why

Haven, your own school?"

Adam: "For a reasonable price that was never paid. It had to be done… Say, I'm beginning to recognize this side of you and how you once were… Wouldn't you agree, Catherine?"

Catherine: "Don't speak to me…! But he has a point. Jauney sounds different than before… Almost like…!"

Weiss: "Jaune… are you feeling alright?"

Adam: "...Schnee…!" The sight and sound of Weiss Schnee gives a small ache to Adam's head. "Gah…!"

Jaune: "(whisper) I'm fine." To Weiss, Jaune reassures. "Just give me a moment."

Weiss: "(whisper) W-What's with you… and… and him? How can they be so casual… Is this a part of one of his plans?"

Jaune: "I'll explain, late--."

Adam: "Are you really the true Arc that calls me 'brother'?!"

Jaune: "...*chuckle*"

Adam: "Your tone is all too familiar. Overconfident, even… Answer truthfully, lest you regret what I'll do next."

Jaune: "Geez! I don't remember him being so tempered back then. It's me, 'brother'! Give or take, anyway… I remember you, like the back of my hand you sometimes break during practice. Those were fun times…"

Adam: "...He remembers…!"

Ren: "Jaune…? He…"

Nora: "He got his memory back?"

Adam: "He… remembers! So, you're not as dense as you were before, I see. Well, isn't this pleasant…!

What, did it take the sight of my Eyes for you to finally wake up?"

Jaune: "Pretty much, yeah."

Adam: "Ha! I'm touched!"

Jaune: "Glad I can amuse… This whole time, you've been a Silver-Eyed Warrior. Once in plain sight, like you are now… but now under a mask of Grimm, while working for the Fang. *sigh* Man, I feel like such an idiot for not seeing it then… You always did feel the need to wear shades, yet not once have you ever told me about THIS power of yours."

Adam: "Power like this requires great layers to conceal. I'm not the only one with this ability, afterall… as you should know."

Jaune: "You're right."

Over to Jaune's side, he notices how Ruby stares up, still in as much of a shock. Adam's exposed face goes further into her thoughts as they cross between the two conversing, and many more thoughts to come.

Ruby: "...He's just like me… Jaune's memories from before… They came back, because… Adam?" Qrow holds Ruby's shoulder before she looks back and pats her sister's head. She looks at Yang's face, as she slowly looks into Ruby's Eyes. "He… has the same powers as mom… and I!"

The distress brings Jaune down internally as he tightens his fist.

Jaune: "If I'd have… known sooner…"

Adam: "Isn't it fitting…? I'd say this was always meant to bring you back… Nonetheless, tampering with this power is one of the many mistakes your father has been making for a long time now. And I'll be sure to correct it myself." Looking over to Jacques(Jacob) Arc, he makes no acknowledgment from Adam's remark. "Your legacy, brought to this world, ends tonight."

Jaune: "Look, I'm not too keen on what all dad's set up and hid from us either, but I would've hoped for us to maybe talk this through before having to settle this. I can already tell from this point, that no happy reunion is happening too soon. Not while I'm sure you've got some serious business on your hands."

Catherine: "Is he for real right now…? I can't even tell anymore."

Jaune: "And I'd like for you to fill me in on what's really been bothering you. Like, why you never came back home… Will you tell me that?"

Adam: "Oh, we'll have time to catch up once we battle. It'd be an awful shame if your reawakening were left to words alone… I'd expect better from you at this point, what with those grudges I'm sure is still bent up in you."

Ren: "This man…"

Adam: "I've still much to leave you with before you pass on. So you will face me, here and now!"

Ren: "He's taken away our school… a place we called home… And…! He'll only keep taking… by force…! "

Nora: "He keeps hurting Jaune… He's OUR brother…! He's already taken so much from us… And our team! Our sister! I WON'T let him get anything else!"

Nora and Ren begin to stride up, but are halted by Jaune's arms held up.

Jaune: "You've put quite the grudge on me and mine, haven't you…!? I… would love to beat you down with my blades themselves…! Stay calm… But, the safety of everybody here is what's more important right now. Everybody else has got their own bone to pick with him, but we all know that facing him now is too dangerous… I'd like for us all to face no further harm, really."

Adam: "...You'd wish it were that easy… But my work has not been to just assert aggression from our differences alone. The strides I've made have given me enough power to rule this Kingdom, and protect my people from the likes of any other Arc, or the clutches of humans like them."

Jaune: "I'll take that as a 'no'. He's pretty determined for his revolution if he thinks that ill of us. On the other hand…"

Adam: "My people can finally love and prosper as they deserve without such degrading influences leading them astray."

Jaune: "The ones you'll protect? You mean the Faunus, right?"

Adam: "And only…"

Jaune: "...What about this?"

From a distance, while Adam and Jaune's argument can be heard by a few from the Menagerie army, Blake for one is confused seeing the encounter between the two.

Blake: "That's Jaune… What is he doing?!"

Ghira: "So… it seems as though your team from school has come, too. And it looks like some of the Arc family is here working with them! I never would've thought we'd see our old friends at such a time.

Thank goodness…"

Blake: "Huh?"

Ghira: "We're not alone in this battle, afterall."

Kali: "Thank Oum…! I hope they haven't forgotten about us for being on the island for so long."

Ghira: "I should hope so as well. By the way, I recall a moment ago how you threatened to kill one of our nephews while up on that aircraft…"

Khali: "Oop! Did I…? I might be more out of touch with the rest of our loved ones in the Kingdoms than I thought. Now you made me feel just awful."

Ghira: "You know how I feel about senseless violence and threats, honey. Even if he is a danger to our daughter and others, maybe even himself, we can't afford to cross that same path as him."

Khali: "Oh dear, you know I didn't really mean that."

Ghira: "Still… That boy is too unstable to be provoked right now."

Khali: "Maybe so. But… you and I both could whoop his behind if we have to. That's if the General and our other nephew miss their chance."

Blake: "Nephew? What? What other neph--?"

Ghira: "...Hmph…! Indeed… No one steps on my baby girl's head! He'll have to confront me if he thinks

I'll let him get away with that."

Blake: "Does Adam know… Jaune? Do my parents… know Jaune…?! Did I…? Who is--? What

General?!"

The thoughts in Blake's head are only left to spiral while Jaune argues with their common enemy.

Jaune: "What do you call THIS, Adam?!"

Adam: "..."

To the people of Menagerie is where Jaune holds his arms out to.

Jaune: "I need to get through to him, first… We don't know where everyone came from, or why they're here. But I know his cause wouldn't have allowed that detonation if they were caught in it." The Menagerie Army takes up most of the ground before the rubble that Adam stands on. He notes the ones on the ground, while those standing come off just as injured from the detonation. The sight of their vulnerability gets to Adam. "Something just doesn't add up. If he fights for the Faunus, then why would he blow us up with them…? I don't think even the Faction knew he'd--… Oh no…!"

Adam: "What do I call thi--?"

To interrupt his thoughts, a sense of rising aura directed to him is felt. A fist full of fire suddenly aims straight to Adam's face. It however meets his hand, holding it along with the offender and her boosting

feet.

Cinder, with her bursting force, drags him and his planted soles down through the school's rubble. He manages to throw her to the side as they stand before one another in the school's back end.

She dashes back up to Adam, only to find that he had disappeared elsewhere.

Meanwhile, our heroes are alerted from the encounter. But not before a loud metallic cling is heard and felt in its ring. This originates from a blade of red instantly right above Weiss' head. The immediate impact caused most of everyone to step back in shock. It appears to have been blocked, but by two swords, and one scythe, as Jaune, Qrow and Ruby all hold against Adam's sword at once.

Adam: "...Revolting!"

Beacons VS Adam VS Cinder's Faction

They push him back, leading Ren and Nora to rush in, in addition.

Qrow: "Everyone, get ready!"

Ruby: "Stay in a group and engage!"

Weiss: "I-I-I didn't even see…"

His immediate strike had stunned Weiss and gave Yang a panic attack. Still, Weiss brings up her sword, until Ruby speaks up.

Ruby: "Yang, Weiss, you two stay back! Watch out for Cinder and her group. They're starting to get back up. Fight them if you have to, but leave HIM to us!"

Weiss: "Why?! We could all just--!"

Yang: "Let's--!" Yang tries keeping her focus and looks over to Weiss. "...Let's just do as she says, Weiss."

She begins to see visions flash before her, until someone's approach brings her to be even more alert.

"Look, one of them's coming!"

They see Cinder blast through Haven Academy's rubble and debris. It creates a hazardous rain of particles that shoot to everyone present. This reaches Jaune's attention that he stops, and dwells his aura to the ground to shield all the innocent.

Jaune: "This was my fault!"

Hazel holds his arm out for Emerald and Mercury to stay as he braces the particles. He then runs off once

it stops.

Hazel: "The two of you stay back, and catch your breath!"

Emerald and Mercury remain as ordered, and watch as he closes in to the fight from afar.

Half of Team JNPR, Ren and Nora, meet Adam's recovering counter block with his sheathed weapon set.

Their attacks only barely touch him with each close but unmet hit.

Adam: "Heh. I see the two of you kept to your training with Arc, haven't you?"

A twirl from Adam leads to an invisible draw to Ren's blade, before he stops and blocks Nora's hammer with Blush. Adam then draws 10 projectile draws to Ren's swinging counters, until he appears behind him with a red draw to his back. But it meets Ren's blocking blade, parrying back at close range, until Adam dashes off. Still, Ren advances back up to him with more of his brought up red slashes, passing them in a twirl jump forward, and a high upward.

To Nora's side, Adam appears, drawing his blade. It meets her defensive upper block, forceful enough to take him up to the air, right as he sees Ren kicking over to him from above, downward. His foot meets Adam's blocking knee, putting him back to the ground on his feet. And immediately, he turns a blocking half sheath to Qrow, approaching with his own straight edged blade of Harbinger.

This leads Adam to vanish in unseen speed and cause a turbulence around his foe that others feel. However, Qrow stands still in the wind, before moving his sword all around the slashes that come through the gusts. They eventually stop as Adam reappears from behind and kicks at Qrow. They only meet his blocking arms before swinging back to hack at Adam.

Each attack is blocked in Wilt and Blush's sheathed state. Three quickdraws in between their sword and sheathed weapons, until Qrow puts his weapon out as a scythe. Each long range swing from him meets Adam's quickdraws, before getting in close to meet his curved edge with Wilt in both hands.

He thrust his palm forward and pushes Qrow, right as Adam is about to meet another scythe going for his head.

Up above, and Bursting to his side, Ruby hacks over to Adam's neck. He responds by leaning his head to dodge, his horns grazing across the blades, and his body flipping forward for a counter. His foot kicks at the bottom of Ruby's boot that pushes her far off. But a red sonic boom from her in the air Bursts her right back to his space.

In that moment, Qrow had swung at Adam, meeting Blush, and Crescent Rose against Wilt. All it does is push his arm and Blush to hold against Wilt's dull end, as Ruby alone shoves his dragging feet with her

Burst.

Her force pushes him away from the Menagerie civilians, until she stops, and her swing separates him over towards another opponent. His main opponent from up in the air.

Jaune's great sword swings down at Adam, ready to meet it. He immediately plants his feet, drawing Blush in reverse, and Wilt to shove his clashing attack away. Jaune nearly loses balance before he turns to meet his gaze once more. He sees that he had sheathed his weapon, about to draw once more.

However, Wilt and Blush only meet against the unsheathed shield of Crocea Mors.

Meanwhile, the forces of Menagerie remain where they are with the battle taking place. Their wounded bodies only emphasize their reluctance. The Belladonnas too watch, but more in observation.

Blake: "We have to help them!"

Ghira: "Hold your ground, Blake. Everyone needs to keep their energy until the right time."

Blake: "(quietly) No! I have to help them!"

Blake tries to get up and run from her position.

Ghira: "Hold on!"

However, she hesitates from her father's warning, as well as someone else right below her.

Sun: "*grunt*"

Her ear then twitches from hearing her comrade's voice.

Blake: "*gasp* Sun?!"

Sun: "*moan*...Blake..." Sun Wukong gradually comes back into consciousness. This elevates the heart rates of both Blake, Khali, and even Ghira that see him wake. "...Please." He takes her hand tight, while only able to look at her in a blur. "Don't go there! You don't… stand a chance… I could feel his aura… All while I was knocked out… I could feel…"

Blake: "...I can't just let them fight without me! If Sun weren't hurt from that detonation, he'd probably have a better chance than all of us… What should I do?!"

Ghira: "He's right. We should all stay out of this battle, hun… I know you want to help your friends, but this is more than what we had prepared for. She did mention how he had gotten stronger… Still…" However, she and everyone feels a spec of reassurance as they feel more than just the immense pressure of Adam's aura. They feel how one of the combatants' power nearly matches against it, while most of the rest have been keeping up in the engagement.

Blake: "Why is this even happening? Yang and I could barely stand up to him before… How can they step up to him like this?"

From afar, Blake can see as Jaune and Adam push off one another. Their blades hit across one another's swing, causing massive yellow and red waves to blow around them. It keeps both of their allies distant from approaching. The waves then become less even as Adam gives multiple quickdraws with greater force. They meet Crocea Mors' shield swings that give a more diverting force from Jaune's extending aura.

They soon end as Adam shoots at Jaune to deflect with his sword at first. He then spins to block with his shield, and gives a spinning sword swing that deflects one bullet across his neck. This slightly pains

Adam, bringing him to sheath Wilt, while Jaune spins again and sheaths Crocea Mors to a great sword.

The two draw and lock once more with a residue of waves blasting behind each of them. They hold against one another, as seen by Cinder from afar. She holds Weiss and Yang by the necks after defeating them, and tosses them to the ground. To interrupt the two main combatants, she blasts a massive fireball down to them. Both Jaune and Adam look to the blast, then each other, and push off for them to both cut down and diminish the impact to mere sparks. However, Cinder instantly lands on the ground aggressively between them. Her gaze furiously looks to Adam, before blasting off to him with an explosion from below her feet, and toward Jaune.

Jaune: "Oh crud--! AGH--!"

The other threat of the night comes to the sights of the Belladonnas and Sun as they now face off against their enemy this time.

Sun: "Egh! Who… the hell is that?! Isn't that… Roman's boss? The Haven poser from Beacon?"

To Jaune's luck, he had shielded himself from the blast with the flames nearly burning past his aura and body. He dusts it off as he runs up and watches the encounter.

Cinder strikes at Adam's deflecting quickdraw. She strikes again, and he dodges to the side, leading to their blades clashing as they jump in zig-zags far up one side of the rubble. They are watched closely by one girl with burning scarlet eyes as they reach the top. Cinder then wields dual glass swords before charging back at Adam. He swiftly deflects them with his sheathed set, while seeing from afar, Emerald closing in on him. Mercury follows her, right as Hazel heads to Jaune.

This brings Adam to jump further back and quickdraw against one of her blades. His back closes in on

Emerald as she stumbles on the rubble from his rear approach and Cinder's other blade swinging across. Adam then takes Emerald from the waist and holds her on his back as they both dodge a fiery projectile toward them.

The fire projectile then carelessly cuts and burns across Mercury.

Mercury: "AGH--! BITCH!"

This pushes him further back, until he spins and shoots forward with his boots. He lands across from Adam, who lets go and kicks Emerald further to the side. They both stand against each other as they and Cinder walk in from behind him, readying their weapons back to attack at once.

Adam: "The three of you look tired… I'd stand down if it were my sake."

Neither of his supposed allies acknowledge him. He only awaits their approach as they walk up to him slowly. A smirk comes to his face as he now closes his eyes. And in just one second, a swing of Cinder's blades goes toward him that he draws away. It leads him behind her, drawing Wilt again, shattering her swung weapons, and cutting across her back that pains a wave past her abdomen.

Emerald then drops down to him with her blades. He can hear the aggression in her frustration as he flips back and dodges her tired swings. She and Cinder are put aside as Adam dashes up to Mercury, raising his weakened foot up for a kick. It meets Adam's air kick before flipping off to the ground. Another kick from Mercury, and Adam pushes it back down with his palm. Blush's buttstock then hits at many of Mercury's blocking knees, until a harder hit pushes past his leg and to his ribs. He then punches down to his lower spine and dismisses what is left of Mercury's aura and standing strength.

He reappears to the side of Emerald, who is in shock of Mercury's fall. With his eyes still closed, he begins to hear Cinder's voice behind him. They end, right as he jabs his sword handle in Emerald's abdomen, in recognition of her Hallucinations. Right after he opens his eyes now, he sees Cinder to his other side, who dashes elsewhere. He hits across her right eye with his rifle, hearing as she had actually appeared behind him this time. As she goes down, he hears Mercury's tired breathing from behind approaching him.

Adam: "Nice try…"

He closes his eyes once again, and gives an elbow to the back of Emerald's head, and through her Hallucinations to put her, the false Mercury, and the rest of the echoing voices down for good.

He takes a brief moment to look at her and her partner, both lying down in pain. However, a fiery glass glove fist from Cinder goes to Adam's face, as he holds his weapon set up with his arm to brace across from it. His complexion briefly glows, as he shatters what had been left of the glass and the absorbed fire. He glows again and sends the back of his fist to Cinder's head and knocks her out.

Right as Qrow then appears, Adam swings at him that he blocks with Harbinger. Nora then dashes up from behind Qrow, and her hammer hits across his sheath five times before he flips out of her attack.

Qrow pursues, causing the two to clash blades and block hard blows as they get near Hazel in his

direction.

His fist stays planted in the side of Jaune's great sword. Hazel pushes him down, causing Jaune to take one hand from the handle to his forearm bracing on the side of the blade. Hazel only presses down more and cratering Jaune into the ground.

Hazel: "Give up that watch, if you don't want you and your friends to get hurt, young man."

Quickly, Jaune moves to the side and pushes Hazel's fist away. It slams into the ground, giving Jaune the opening. He then strikes up at Hazel, cutting from up his leg, cutting his pouch of Dust off, to under his arm and flipping in the air.

As he crashes to the ground, his aura diminishes.

Jaune: "Sorry, but the key stays with me."

He gets back up and shakes off his feeling of pain coming to his senses. However, to Jaune's surprise, he sees as his aura regenerates, and his Semblance continues in blocking out pain. He then ties his pouches back to his waist and begins to take out Dust from them.

Hazel: "...Not for long, will it."

Right as Hazel readys to send an electric fist to Jaune's shield, he freezes after red slashes flash between them. Jaune backs up at a loss, but sees Adam from behind Hazel stepping to the side. His sword is out as he holds his rifle up to Qrow, and his own held out weapon in gun form.

Adam: "Nobody else touches him. He's mine."

Hazel: "He has the key, Taurus! We have to get that key if this mission is ever--."

Adam: "Let ME worry about Arc."

Just then, Yang comes in with a punch to Hazel. A crack of his forearm could be heard, but he then grabs her fist as she goes in to then kick him. It too becomes grabbed, as he lifts her up to throw her. His throw is canceled as her switched grip, and wrapping leg, holds his hand and arm to flip him down instead. The two then roll over to stand back up, and clash blows at each other.

Qrow: "You just kicked your allies' asses. Ya had a change of heart, or somethin'?"

Adam: "On the contrary."

Qrow: "Or maybe they're just pissed that you almost killed them with us. You must be real hellbent on the Arcs if you've gotten this low, aren't you?"

Adam: "I have to see for myself what all he's become, this time. Call it a… confirmation."

Disappearing before Qrow to reappear far behind him, Adam sheaths then draws to Jaune and his shield.

Ruby however drew her scythe up to interrupt such. And across his block with Blush, her scythe pushes Adam back. He maintains his defense with only unsheathing a few inches of his blade against hers.

Adam: "...I'm impressed, Rose. You've gotten much stronger here in Anima."

Ruby: "I'm not the only one…!"

Adam: "Yes, I know. You've been quite the valued addition to Arc's team, and leading your new one… as expected of 'our kind'. A far greater improvement to your old team." This angers Ruby, causing her to repeatedly hack at Adam, who defensively quickdraws her back five times. She goes for one more attack that Adam calmly dodges under. He then trips her, and quickdraws down at her block in midair. "I look forward to seeing the rest of your progress."

However, Ruby persists, causing two deflections with Wilt against her, a shot from Blush, and another quickdraw diverts Ruby's vast reaping pursuit to his evading space. She twirls to the side, and Adam flips back in time to avoid Ren and Nora as they assist in assault.

Nora's hammer hits against Adam's lifted foot, only for his other one to lift and brace in aid of pushing and flipping off. StormFlower had barely cut his neck from a swing when Adam lands, standing up straight, and draws to Ren's blades. Nora helps by shooting a round near Adam in time for Ren to shoot and swing at him again.

In response, Adam slashes back at Ren's blade, then cuts a wave to neutralize Magnhild's shot. As it creates a fog, he then bends back to dodge Nora moving in with a swing, only to meet Ruby's scythe swung straight down to his head from above him.

Adam: "...Not bad."

What happens next is Adam quickly switching his feet to turn from leaned back, to bent over, and jumping away from Ruby's scythe, out of the grenade's smoke. Nora continues and swings her hammer to his back, before Ren spins over to dash forward and dual jab up to his chest. The attacks meet two barely visible red slashes, right as Qrow then appears to meet his deflecting counter draw toward him and Ruby at her Uncle's side.

Before the four of them could continue, they were met with a circular draw, and two wide swings worth five each. This gives Adam the advantage to disappear, with Ruby giving a Bursting chase.

Qrow: "Ruby, hold on!"

Once again, Adam dashes off in Jaune's direction, who too charges at him. He sees as Wilt is unsheathed, briefly dragging on the ground from the tip, until brought up with a swinging red projectile that splits the ground with a crack heading toward him. Jaune responds with his shield slamming into the ground to guard and stop it, but only to swing his sword from behind and against Adam, reappearing with a draw of his blade from behind him.

Jaune removes his shield from the ground, deflecting Adam's sword with its force, guarding aggressive swings and shots from two of his own set of weapons. He stays on the defense as Adam causes Jaune to back up from his hits becoming faster. Jaune insists on matching his moves, before picking up his own pace and getting a glance behind him for an idea.

So with a smooth ducking twirl, Jaune manages to get behind him, and slash to his back. Jaune holds the offense, and keeps his feet moving in a rhythmic maneuver. It helps as he keeps his sword at bay with precise intent, pushing Adam back against every drawing defense he can deflect. He however bears a tight grip to his sword, and a faint red glow from his palm gleams.

In a midair spin for an incoming heavy hit, Jaune brings his sword down to his foe, but is met with a spontaneous red slash from not of Wilt, but unknown. It diverts his swing, helping Adam to get behind and back on offense.

Jaune: "...What the hell was that…?!"

The process continues as such with the two, switching from offense to defense, and so forth. Some of which led Adam to jump and flip off his shield, and another led Jaune to briefly step and twirl off of Wilt.

This continues until Adam becomes met with Oscar from behind, as Jaune anticipated.

His cane meets against Blush's bottom-end parry, and Wilt does as such against Crocea Mors' push. However, more aggressive parries progress to a few shots and a few blunt hits at Oscar. Right as Adam spins to adjust his dual-wield on the double team, Ozpin takes over to cancel out Wilt's harsher impact with more firm hits. Jaune only continues his attacks at the same time, meeting Blush and a few kicks.

The double team gets interrupted as Hazel, engaged with Ruby and Weiss, shoves them aside and tosses an electric Dust crystal toward Jaune and Ozpin. The sound of a gunshot is heard, and an electric combustion produces from the Dust. Because of this, they become stunned from the impact, allowing Adam to give a quick knee to the gut, then face of Ozpin.

Ruby gets back to her feet and hacks at Hazel's chest, putting him off balance, before Bursting off of it, cratering him to the ground. Catching Oscar, then laying him down, she takes over for the Two Souls.

Both Ruby and Jaune oppose Adam and his sheathed set deflecting against them. In one instant, the two synchronize in a team attack by a look to one another. They see as Adam sheaths his sword for a horizontal attack they dodge with one high, and one low. Ruby gives an upside down spin, midair and above, while Jaune does a head spin below. In their motions to leveling, they give one red and gold diagonal slash worth two each. They are met with two dark red defying slashes, missing the head and

legs.

Sheathing his sword, a few inches of his blade right then gets exposed against the scythe. Adam holds against Ruby's strength on her scythe. He takes a moment to look at her teeth are gritting, and her hood is up. He attempts to see closer to her face, before putting the distress aside. He then quickly pulls her in to twirl and throw at Jaune. He catches her, before meeting Adam's sword hurled down at his shield.

While holding her, Jaune pushes Adam off, then spins and tosses Ruby on her feet to get clear from their space.

Adam then sheaths, and draws a long projectile that Jaune slashes away, leaving a small residue that harms Ruby and the rest of our heroes who were approaching.

While the rest barely stand, Qrow dashes off. He shoots at Adam's deflecting sword upon his approach. He evades and dodges Adam's own fires. As Qrow gets closer, he brings his own sword up to soon meet his sword. Jaune quickly follows, before Ruby Bursts to his side.

Getting to him first, Qrow and Adam clash blades, and it gets them to burst off in multiple areas around the debris. Eventually, they meet Ruby and Jaune, approaching from Adam's rear side. With a hard hit against Harbinger, Adam briefly spins to dual deflect their attacks, pushing them further, before meeting back with Qrow's swing upfront. Adam then flips back, and then notices himself surrounded by three.

They all then are brought to a sheathing stop for him.

All three blades wait for the right time to strike, but remain calm. In one movement from Adam however, he puts his sword in the ready to strike with a smirk. The three charge back in, surround him, and attack all at once. With his speed, he meets each sweep of their weapons with his own sword, along with his

rifle.

They all hit at Adam's defense, putting him in fast twirling maneuvers from each of their attempts. Any moment Ruby believes his focus is on her, it is on Jaune as he counters Qrow. Whenever Jaune catches Adam fighting him, he ends up facing Qrow while struggling against Ruby. Such an encounter includes Harbinger grazing across the glowing red bottom of Adam's shoe, Wilt curving off of Crescent Rose to its tip, and Blush giving a thrusting shot against Crocea Mors shield. And so on as neither refuse to let up.

Ruby: "He's…! *grunt* He's even more impossible than Tyrian! I could've sworn I saw a few attacks… before… I could see him do it--!"

Ruby's thoughts are interrupted from this time feeling a sharp pain at her legs that trip her. Qrow gets pushed back, but takes the time to help her back up. Jaune is left to fight him, with Adam's aggression casually pushing him further back, until their swords lock. Jaune's two hands against his one. Their hold against one another, defense against diagust, creates another wave that blows across everyone like wind.

Adam: "I don't suppose what your father truly expects from you was addressed, was it? How else would you explain how he and your sister stay their blades? Not to mention, YOUR own blade in his possession?"

Jaune: "We have… an agreement… on behalf of… my siblinghood, and my friends… whose lives you've ruined! Including… mine!"

Adam: "Hmm… The Arc in you has only become second hand, it seems. You're not my real brother." Jaune pushes more into the lock, evening their power. "You've improved… yet you still don't have the

right initiative."

Jaune: "My allies here are more than willing to fight beside me, as I am with them… But I'm willing for all of us to end this, right now, so that nobody else gets hurt anymore…"

Adam: "Nobody…? What of the vengeance you swore upon me?"

Jaune: "That doesn't matter!" The two begin to ease their tension as the waves soon fade, and Jaune shoves Adam back from their lock. Jaune then puts his weapons to his hip, and Adam does the same with his hands free. "Let me help you, Adam! You're not yourself!"

Adam: "...Maybe not…" However, with his opponents guard down, Adam bends to one knee and swipes the floral drape at his right side back to grab at his belt. "But you can't help me." From under it, something shoots out. "If none of my masters could, then… None of you can."

Bashing Jaune in the face is the bottom end of the now black and red wakizashi, Scatter. It makes Jaune stumble, as Adam dashes up to his space. As he grabs Scatter in a reverse grip, the environment darkens. As it does, he slits Jaune's throat. Followed up, Moonslice comes in full power, as he then stabs his neck, turning the sky red under a full moon.

Adam then takes what he originally grabbed from his drape and plants it over Scatter, still lodged in Jaune's throat. To conclude his assault, the environment restores its color as the now darkened pistol, Bleed, shoots through Jaune's face.

Jaune: "*whisper*..."

The sight was a horrifying bloody mess. Everyone of Jaune's allies winces on Adam's executing attack, causing Jaune to fall back and hit the ground.

Weiss: "*gasp* Oh my…!"

Yang: "No…!"

Adam wipes his pistol and swipes his blade immediately before sheathing to the strap of his left thigh. And from behind, he turns his head slightly to see Weiss jabbing her sword down to him. He immediately turns with Wilt out, and lunges toward her face. She stops in her tracks from the instant sight of his sword, and he looks closer into the frustration in her blue eyes and its scar.

He retracts his blade from meeting her face, vanishing behind her and sheathing his blade. With no harm done to her, her anticipation stands to confusion. That is until he glowingly gives a quick slash down her back.

As Weiss falls and her aura breaks, Adam is instantly met with Yang low and at his side. He glances down to her before she shoots over to his other side, blindsided. Her mechanical fist goes up to his head. Before reaching it, her wrist is grabbed, creating a wave that blows past him, his waving hair, and the cratering force below her.

No effect.

Adam: "More Atlesian nuisances…" Yang begins to freeze. Her knees start to shake, not even having the strength to pull from Adam. However, he twists and pulls her by the arm, over to kick her. In that instant,

Yang wakes up, and disconnects her metal arm, leading the kick's force to drag her across the ground.

"She's gotten better… Her mind, her body… Very unsteady, though."

His thoughts are interrupted upon dodging someone's blade swung at him. He looks over and sees Catherine glowing with her blade fist, and her eyes bloodshot. He is then soon met with the feeling of a great sword pointed at his back. Without looking, he identifies who they are by their immense aura.

Jacob: "...Give her back the arm, son." He then turns to look back at Jacob. He notices his eyes bloodshot and gleaming like that of Catherine's. Without a word, he steps in closer to deliberately press his chest up against the tip of his sword, Utonium. Jacob's arms begin to bend in reluctance of stabbing him, but then hold it still, causing Adam to stop. "Adam, please…"

He now lifts the prosthetic arm, and looks to Yang, slowly getting to her feet with Ruby's aid.

Adam: "You're better off without this…"

Adam now squeezes his hand on her prosthetic and induces Moonslice into it.

Yang: "No--! No!"

It compresses into his closing hand, until it takes a new form.

Ruby: "A rose…!"

Adam throws the rose of Yang's prosthetic over to Jaune's still body on the ground. Yang watches the process as she shakingly stumbles and begins to lose her footing. Everyone had seen what he did. It makes them even more disgusted.

Jacob: "*sigh*"

Lionheart: "Adam… my pupil… How could he…?!"

Our heroes begin to charge at him with rage, until multiple warning shots hit the ground before their feet. At that moment, Adam had vanished further from them, and closer to the people of Menagerie, shocked in seeing his instant appearance.

He looks to Hazel, and he speaks up to his Scroll.

Hazel: "Ready for evacuation!"

The source of the gunshots come from a blow of harsh wind in their faces, due to a Bullhead descending from the sky. From up above, it approaches and hovers over everyone. It causes them to cover their eyes and adjust to seeing the White Fang piloting it.

Ruby holds her hood down to further shield from the wind and dust. She looks from the many more Bullheads above, the members with their weapons pointed to them, to the Menagerie civilians down at the same ground level as her. She then looks to Adam, who holds his gaze directly at her and her shaded Eyes.

Adam: "...She's been there… during our battles… (hollering) When he wakes up, have him meet me in the Kingdom's lower regions! He'll know where, if his memory is still any good!" From his other side, he then looks to his former partner. "And Blake…!" From the position that Adam and Jaune are in, with one of them standing and the other on the ground, it brings back a memory that he and Blake recall. "The mistakes we've made with our kind tonight can only be solved through our beloved ones, and their stains! This, young one, is my restoration, for you!"

Before Blake can respond, there descends a few White Fang members sliding down a rope from the aircraft. Weiss from the other side takes aim, but is held back by Ruby's hand.

Weiss: "What are you doing?!"

Ruby: "You can't attack them now!"

As they go down the rope, they grab hold of Cinder, Emerald and Mercury from Hazel carrying them. He then grabs one of the ropes to be pulled up and in the aircraft. Adam then does the same with his glare upon our heroes as the Bullhead begins to ascend up and back into the dark clouds of the sky. And behind our heroes, Qrow sees Raven and Vernal as they leave through a Portal.

Weiss: "They're getting away!"

Ruby: "Let them go! We're outnumbered. And if that Bullhead gets destroyed, then it'll crash into

THEM."

Over to the people of Menagerie, Ruby points at. Right as she turns back, the Faction and the White Fang had already been gone.

Weiss: "You let them go! You irresponsi--!"

Ruby: "That's enough! We'll find them, Weiss… and we will stop them. But not here. Not yet…"

Weiss: "Then… we should be chasing them, right?"

Ruby: "...They caught us by surprise, Weiss. They were expecting us this whole time, waiting… and they'll only catch us more off guard again if we follow them so soon."

Weiss: "...She has a point…"

Ruby: "We were only lucky this time. And when we're ready, they'll be just as prepared for us coming to them."

Qrow: "Let's get these people some help and get a plan in order… Everyone, stay sharp, and be ready for anything else."

Yang: "Yeah, b-but… Jaune…"

Qrow: "...And for Oum's sake, someone pick the kid up before the General has a--" From behind the Knight, Catherine works her Semblance and bandages over his bloodied face. Nearly everyone sees and hears Jaune's muffled gibberish under his mummy-like head, and Jacob tightly holding his chest in relief from looking down at him. "...heart attack…"

(Meanwhile, The Faction…)

Three of the Faction members begin to stand back up once more. Hazel watches them before looking over Mistral from up high through the open door. He then steps back as Adam enters the Bullhead to his

ally's distaste.

Mercury: "You son of a--!"

Mercury goes in to punch him, until Adam grabs and twists his arm down. He then pushes him over to Hazel to catch him. Mercury tries going after him again until a Portal appears on the other side of the aircraft. As it breaks space's fabric, it too breaks the tension. Raven steps out of it before Vernal does as

well.

Adam: "Now that everyone's here, we can go over our contingency--."

Cinder: "Adam, you idiot!" Everyone now directs their attention towards Cinder. The same anger she expresses shows in Mercury and Emerald as well. "You knew we were still in the building! Why did you set off the charges?! Who gave you that clear…?! Explain yourself!"

Adam: "..."

Cinder: "...Answer me!"

Hazel: "It's simple… Her Highness expects results as soon as possible, tonight. We had our shot to get the job done ourselves, but… she's called him in to hurry it up. Isn't that right, Taurus?"

Adam: "Precisely."

Emerald: "Salem…?! S-She told you…?"

Vernal: "Your boss… ordered you to blow up the school… even if it meant killing us?"

Adam: "Just in the event, should the mission get interrupted… which it shouldn't have! So YOU, Fall…!" Raising his voice, Cinder steps back. "...need to explain yourself! You knew better than to lure our enemies to our objective, didn't you?!"

Cinder: "I had this under control! Those two, Ruby and that… that boy…! They have to die! They were MY kill! Mine!"

Adam: "No they weren't. They never were."

Cinder: "Oh, you're not going to stop me THIS time--!"

Hazel: "Cinder, that's enough! Whatever grudge you thought of having with the Guardian, is over. It got the best of me, too… Ozpin! I lost control of myself, as soon as I saw him! You had your chance-- WE had our chance, and we failed! Now drop it."

Cinder: "...The what?"

Adam: "...Before your arrivals at the school…"

Cinder: "..."

Adam: "...Your job was to meet with the Headmaster for the key, so that the two of you, Raven and Vernal, could handle the Relic…" Two of the Branwen members look at Adam with a strong hint of disgust. Hazel closes his eyes in shame hearing their strategy prior. Both Mercury and Emerald on the other hand keep their glare at Adam. "But thanks to our Fall Maiden here, our operation has been disrupted. As a result, less than half of us are tired, aching, dumbfounded, and more importantly, low on aura!"

Mercury: "And we have you to thank for that. Don't forget."

Not a word from Adam other than a disgusted look from him, and the pilots listening.

Emerald: "In fact, I think you're lying… I think that you chose to set off those charges so that you can teach us one of your little lessons. Or maybe you just wanna cover up how you also ran into some trouble outside of the school while we weren't looking… What, did you think I wouldn't notice just because you could take us down so quick?"

Adam: "...A fair observation, Sustrai… Now I'll put it to you and Black here like this: The two of you,

Hazel included, were appointed with a task of nothing more than to wait for our signal to attack, but AFTER the detonation. Had our Fall Maiden retrieved the Relic as soon as after the explosion, we wouldn't be having this… 'lesson'. But seeing as you've all wasted your energy picking early fights, choosing to stay FOR the explosion when it hit, I'm left to do your jobs for you while you all recover. THAT is the contingency plan…!" Emerald's glare to Adam goes to the side as he hollers down at her.

Mercury's eye twitches from such, yet he turns to Cinder this time. "...As far as the next phase goes, it remains the same. Our objective WILL be completed, but in my way, as I will now deal with our guests of this Kingdom. And THIS time, you will all be reporting back to our Master… on your failure."

Mercury: "...*gulp*"

Adam: "You've got them from here, Hazel. Check your Scroll on a regular basis and stay in contact. My troops will be keeping a closer eye on you all… Raven, Vernal…" The two look at him as he steps to the edge of the Bullhead. "Come with me."

He jumps forward and out of the aircraft before they follow suit.

Cinder: "All that time in her castle… left with… that freak…! For nothing!" Echoes of a mischievous laugh sound out in Cinder's head, and it begins to agonize in her mind. Her fist shakes as they get tighter and gleam of hot light from her palm with pressure of her aura emitting from her right side. "They're all hiding something from me… and they expect me to just sit back so they can plot without me…?!

AGAINST me?! I didn't do all this work just so that some sad, stuck up, runaway could take my reign…!"

The sight of her frustration catches Hazel's attention. She looks at him with a sneer and steps out of the aircraft this time.

Hazel: "*sigh*... Very well."

The Bullhead flies off to higher skies, with Cinder standing on its roof. She watches as the three that had left it dive down at top speed.

Cinder: "...You'll see. You'll ALL see! By the end of tonight, 'I' will be the one to rule this Kingdom. Not you…!"

While the three renegades look over the region, they recollect on some of the last few moments before departing the Fallen Academy.

(Moments Ago…)

Jaune lays flat to the ground. Adam looks down to see his bloody assault. He sees the blood, but in a mere second, the bleeding stops. Jaune's neck wound was healed, and the bullet had shattered across his recovering forehead, and to the side of his hair.

But from his pained mouth, he speaks.

Jaune(Arc): "(whisper) Heh heh heh… I was kinda hoping you learned something new… Guess I'll have to show you… how it's… done."

Adam: "Hmph. He just never stops… And why would he?"

His thoughts are interrupted as Weiss and Yang rush into him. Both Raven and Vernal had seen the encounter, and get put on edge from Adam's counter against them.

Raven: "(quiet) Yang, don't…!"

(...)

As they descend, a threatening gaze is aimed toward Adam. He beared a smirk that soon fades the closer he and his former tribe members reach ground level.

Adam: "His ascendancy might hold more to his fate than She's thought…"

(17 Years Ago…)

Jacob: "Hey Adam, good morning. Come here for a moment."

Within the House of the Arcs, Jacob Arc had seen Adam, at the age of six, waking up and walking down the hall. He rubs his Eye and walks over to him as requested.

Adam: "Y-Yes, Mr. Arc, sir? I-I mean General?! I mean--! I--!"

Jacob: "Calm down, calm down, son. You can just call me Jacques."

Adam: "J-Jacques…! But, that's the same name as--!"

Jacob: "O-Or Jacob. That's fine, too." This calms Adam down, upon talking with Jacob. "Heh heh. I understand it can be a little strange that you're staying here now, but I can assure you… you're in a safe place. This is your home now."

Adam: "W-Where's my dad?"

Jacob: "He left to go pick up your mother. She's out gathering food for breakfast." Hearing Jacob, the young man sighs out of relief. "I just saw that you were up a little early. Heh heh. The girls don't usually wake up until another hour… which is why I wanted you to meet somebody before they fill up the whole room… Follow me."

Following him in a short walk through the house, Jacob leads Adam to a room. A softly colorful room with a crib in the middle. Jacob walks in and within the crib, he takes out a baby with thin blonde hair and squinted blue eyes. He then picks up Adam to look beside him.

Jacob: "This right here, Adam, is Jaune." Jacob carefully holds his son, and gently hands him to Adam to hold. "He's my first born son. Can you believe that?!"

All Adam does is stare at Jaune in his eyes. He yawns in his arms and it slowly grows a smile on the young boy from seeing the infant.

Moments had passed and the two played with toys in the house's living room on a spread out blanket. The atmosphere seemed to be filled with cheerful young girls adoring their only brother, and Adam next to him. Jacob watches as the two make each other laugh, and six of his daughters giggle while he holds his youngest one, Catherine. To his amusement, he sees that she even reaches out to her brother.

Jacob: "*chuckle* Okay, hun. Play nice." He then sets his youngest daughter down to crawl passed her elder sisters, over to Jaune and Adam in the middle. "*sigh* This is what I wanted… Now… we must

protect it."

(Present…)

Jaune: "What in the…?!"

Arc: "Huh… I barely remember seeing this. Catherine and the girls tell me all about it sometimes. I guess

I can say that I can recall it now."

Jaune: "I feel… woozy… and tired…" As Jaune lays quietly and still on the ground, he feels himself losing energy, and sees everything blurry from outside his mind. He then begins to see a light, and hears a voice. "What is this…?"

??????: "(echo) Jaune… Jaune… Come to me… Come…"

As the voice fades away, Jaune tries putting in more mental strain to wake up. The light is gone, his vision gradually comes to focus, and he feels his energy building back up.

Jaune: "Not… YET!"

(Fall Of Haven…)

Jaune: "...*inhale*!" Just then, Jaune fully wakes up from the previous execution. "~Ah! What another headache.~"

Our heroes begin to close into one of their members that had fallen from the previous battle.

Ruby: "Jaune, you're awake!"

Blake: "Jaune…? He's alive?!"

They are all much closer to the people of Menagerie than before. Some of them see them near as the knight sits up from his position to their surprise.

Jaune: "Where's… Where's Adam?!"

He looks down as he feels a sweep at his chest, and sees a red wilting rose touch the ground. Ruby leans down and picks it up. Her teary Eyes look through Jaune's bandaged head and in his concerned gaze.

But his gaze is interrupted as someone pulls his head toward them.

Nora: "Jaune, look at me! Is that you? Tell me! W-What's my name?!"

Jaune: "Huh? O-Of course it's me, Nora. What are you talking abou--?" Immediately he turns his head away from Nora… "Achoo!"

…To sneeze a bullet out of his head, which shoots out his nose, and through a paralyzed Beowulf's head.

Sun: "...Heh heh heh."

Blake: "*gasp*..."

The harsh sneeze was forceful enough to blow the bandages off his head. Though his neck and head come off as fully healed, he feels even more light-headed that it puts him back in his head for one second.

Jaune: "Ow…! Hey, is everything okay, Arc(Me)?"

Arc: "Yeah. Everything's fine. Woo! That attack from Adam was a doozy! I don't think I'll ever get used to those in the noggin… You should come more into your side's consciousness, just in case."

Jaune: "What's wrong? I remember we got stabbed, and shot… Did we just… die?!"

Arc: "You'll get over it soon. On the other hand, I just gotta fix our brain back up, now that there's a freaking hole in it. Just take over for now. Talk with your team."

Jaune: "Hold on, you can do--…? 'I' can do that now…?"

Arc: "It'll be easier than the first time we (you) did… now that you understand the Semblance more." Jaune: "...Okay. Thanks."

Arc: "No problem. I'll be right here."

Jaune begins to stand back up as his other self is put aside. He now listens intently to his allies before him.

Ren: "What Nora is trying to ask, Jaune, is… do you still remember us?"

Jaune: "Y-Yeah, of course I remember you guys. What, you thought I forgot you all, all of a sudden?"

Ren: "I-It's just that…"

Nora: "You sounded very different than before."

Weiss: "I… still can't believe you're still standing…"

Nora: "It was weird… like you were just someone else a moment ago… I was just thinking, maybe you got your memories back. Did you become the old Jaune? The one that we never really knew?"

Blake: "(quiet) The old Jaune…?"

Jaune: "Guys… I could never forget you all… You're my family."

Catherine: "But that attack! I thought he died, for sure! Otherwise, who knows what more damage that'll do to his head now."

Jaune: "...Oh."

Ren: "We're very happy for you Jaune. The fact that you're still breathing, it's… unreal. Still… we're worried about you. Do you think you'll ever be the same after tonight?"

Nora: "Just moments ago, when you were fighting Cinder, we thought it was over. She snapped his neck, and he just got back up a minute later…! How much of this can you take?"

Jaune: "We knew the risks we'd take to get this far, right? So I'll take as many killing blows as they've got, because it's not over for me yet… Now where is Adam…?! And… everyone else?"

Ruby: "They left. And we don't know where."

Jaune: "What? They just left, like that? Then we need to find them, fast!"

Ruby: "Jaune, just wait a moment. We should--."

Blake: "Jaune?"

Jaune: "...Blake?"

Blake: "H-How are you still--?"

Arc: "It's--."

Jaune: "Blake!"

At that moment, Jaune just runs over to Blake from a few yards, to nearly everyone's abrupt sights.

Ruby: "...--Slow… down… for a minute…"

Lionheart: "...Is he okay?"

Ozpin: "Oh yes, he's used to it."

Oscar: "Is he, really?"

Ozpin: "He's getting used to it."

Oscar: "How do you get used to getting shot in the head?"

Ozpin: "In Mr. Arc's case, recovering enough aura to forge another soul within… much like you and I."

Oscar: "...Oh… H-Hold on, w-what other soul?"

Ozpin: "Young Taurus… He's too far gone… for us to save, anyway… But it seems there's hope, if not for his redemption, but for his self-reflection… from the works of Mr. Arc… One of which we see to be completely unlike him, yet bears a repressed heart with a soul akin to his former brethren, once upon a time. And that repressed soul seems to act in support of one, or perhaps both warriors."

Oscar: "I… I see…"

Everyone watches as Jaune happily greets they're disbanded, now present comrade, Blake.

Ruby: "*gasp* Blake!"

Weiss: "...When did she get here?!"

Ruby remains where she is as she looks from Blake over to Yang. Qrow runs up to her as her attention is toward the ground in a panic attack. However, her jitters begin to subside, right before her Uncle holds her. It pains Ruby to see her sister in a state as she looks down to the rose, with one petal to fall.

Ren: "Allow me."

Ruby looks over to Ren, who offers to hold the rose and the petal. They levitate over the aura wave he seeps from his hand, and become more still from his inducing Semblance.

Their Uncle looks up to Ruby, and she nods.

Ruby: "Nora, bring Jaune over to Yang and Weiss when he's done checking on them."

Nora: "Okay. I'll also fill in Blake, and--. Oh! Sun's here, too."

Ruby: "Really? That's… awesome!"

Ren: "Try to make sure everyone stays calm."

Weiss: "Do you *grunt* trust her with that last part?"

Ren: "Over there, but not right here."

Weiss: "I… guess that's fair."

Weiss looks over to recognize Yang gradually calming down, and she begins to speak.

Yang: "I-Is she… really… here…?"

Weiss: "Yeah, she's here. Jaune's… talking to her, now. Are-- Ow, my back! Are you okay?"

As Team RWBY awaits for their full reunion, Ren continues to observe the flower in his possession.

Ren: "I've just never seen…"

With his producing aura to hold it, the flower stays completely in place without so much as the wind to wave it. Yet it intrigues him.

Qrow: "Something on your mind?"

Ren: "It's so peculiar… His Semblance… It produces… floral elements…"

Qrow: "You mean like Ruby with the petals?"

Ren: "Yes… Or like I seemed to have done at my village… Still, this is a whole rose, almost like hyperactive decomposition… There's got to be something we can--."

Qrow: "Stop what you're thinking. Don't give my niece's hopes up… Sorry kid, but there's no fixing that from what it is now. We'll just have to ask James for another one… if we ever make it out of this alive."

Ren: "There is always hope in keeping the peace… If this is the power that Adam possesses… all while Jaune is only discovering what his can do… They've known each other for so long… And from just feeling what their auras had put off moments ago… I might have… an idea…"

(Meanwhile…)

Jaune: "It's so good to see you!" Blake blushes as Jaune hugs her tight in an unexpected surprise. That, as well as her gasp for air as Nora then lifts them both in her embrace added on. Even Jaune starts to feel the air leaving his lungs. "(breathless) Uh, okay Nora. You can let go…!"

Blake: "Egh! Please…!"

Nora let's go, allowing them to land and breathe.

His hands plant on his knees before catching eye of Sun lying on the ground while in distress.

Jaune: "...Wait a minute, Sun? What happened to him?!"

Blake: "He-- He got caught in the--."

Jaune: "Don't worry. I can heal you."

Sun: "Oh… Hey Jaune. *grunt* It's fine, I'm alright…" Sun barely sits up with his aching body. But then he realizes what he heard. "...Wait, really?"

Blake: "...What are you doing?"

Jaune gets down to one knee, and holds his hands out to Sun. They glow, before they all see Sun's body glow. Eventually, he puts his hands down, and without issue, Sun stands up.

Sun: "...Wow! He wasn't kidding! Dude… Congrats on the Semblance!"

Jaune: "I'm just glad to see you guys are alright. What happened? Were you guys here all along?"

Blake: "When could…? I--."

Sun: "Jaune, how many can you heal?"

Jaune looks from Sun to Blake, while she stares at her people. He notes how they all look as injured as Sun was before.

Jaune: "...Hm… This is more of an enhancement of aura. I've never tried healing someone, or a group of people without their aura's unlocked, but… Let's find out."

He steps up closer to the people of Menagerie, seeing them spread out through a great portion of the mountain they all stay on. In just a moment, Jaune tightens his fists, takes a deep breath, then places his hand to the ground with enthusiasm.

Sun: "It's all you…!"

Jaune closes his eyes. A faint essence of his aura dwells through the ground from under the Faunus. He senses every one of their bodies through their auras, locked deep within, yet present.

Jaune: "I can do this… I hope…?"

Arc: "You 'hope'?"

Jaune: "...No… I WILL!"

The aura that Jaune dwells becomes more apparent with its brighter yellow glow. The people of Menagerie show to feel the sensation as their postures are more fixed than before. Other than their clothes, their whole bodies are removed of any soot, bruise, blood, and damage they had previously felt.

Eventually, Jaune stops his Amplification, and stands up.

Jaune: "*exhale* Not bad."

Arc: "WOO! Now THAT'S Amplification!"

Blake: "They're all better… Everyone's fine, it-- It's a miracle!"

Jaune: "I thought that'd take more out of me… I just woke up, after--"

Nora: "Jaune, quick! Ruby needs you!"

Just then, Nora pulls Jaune's arm, and he nearly hesitates in still pondering Blake and Sun added to the situation. She shoves him back to their own group, which leads him to notice how two of his other allies are in pain from the encounter previously with one of them missing their prosthetic limb.

Jaune: "Wait a minute!" So he runs up to them in added worry. "Hey, hold on a second…! Are you guys alright?! What happ--?!"

Weiss: "(sarcasm) Yeah, hi! Wish you'd have seen us too--. Ah!" As he gets close to the two, Weiss looks up past Jaune, and down where he was with Blake. "...Great job with that, and I'm glad you didn't die… yet. Next time, try being a little more observant…"

Jaune: "Sorry-- I'm so sorry! Hold on. I got you guys covered…" Jaune gets to one knee again, this time healing both Weiss and… "Yang?"

Yang: "...!"

She gives no response. She only focuses on her breathing, once more.

Jaune: "Where's…? Where's her--?"

Qrow: "She'll be fine… She's collecting herself, now… Ya just couldn't stay home this time, could you,

Firecracker? It's alright, Yang."

While Jaune treats Weiss and Yang, Nora smiles and skips back over to Blake and Sun.

Nora: "Oh my gosh, this is great! I mean, everything's not great, but you guys are here--! THAT'S great!

How long have you been here?!"

Sun: "We've been here for quite a while. Where have you guys been?"

Nora: "We were in the school. The people that attacked Beacon are here, too. We tried saving the school from them… but…"

Sun: "...So are we. Were you inside the..." In a moment of what he remembers, he follows Nora's gaze, and slowly looks back to see Haven Academy in its ruin. "...building… before it… blew up…?"

From within the group, Lionheart sees Sun from afar, slumping down to a knee in distress. Blake at his side then holds over his shoulders in comfort, for he has lost his attended school in an attempt to save it.

All Lionheart can do is look away in shame.

Lionheart: "This is my fault…"

They remain where they are, until Ghira appears right behind Sun.

Ghira: "Young man… Look at me!" He slowly looks up to his more assuring face. "...You've not failed your school. Many have survived right here tonight because of your courageous initiative. You carry the true embodiment of being a Huntsman."

Sun nods to him with only a small smile to hold. He then looks back, past the other group, and glances over to his Headmaster near them.

Jaune reaches halfway through his healing process for Weiss and Yang. He then notices how the three returning comrades had not followed, as Nora watches over Blake, who holds Sun mourning the Fall of Haven. He can be seen wiping tears, yet smiles back at Blake, before hugging him. She is unable to smile herself, in trying to comfort him, however.

This too reaches Yang's sight as she can see two of her friends in a saddened state.

Jaune: "I'm sorry, Sun… We did all that we could." Jaune looks from Yang's watery eyes, to Ren on her other side. The wilting rose from before catches his eye, seeing it occupy his hold. "What is that, Ren? A flower?"

Ren: "It's… well--."

Yang: "It's my arm." Jaune now looks to Yang in shock. "It… WAS my prosthetic arm… But now, it's gone… Just forget it."

Jaune: "I-I don't understand. Her arm turned into a flower…? Did you do that, Ren?"

Weiss: "What? No! It was Adam? Why would he do that to Yang?"

Jaune: "I don't know! I'm just… trying to figure out what happened after I was out."

Ren: "This was 'his' doing. My Semblance can mimic the lotus, the emblem that I bear, in which it conceals its senses from outer turmoil. I cannot, however, condense matters into one flower such as what we see here." He starts to flex his fingers around the flower and even caresses around its space.

"Still, ever since our encounter with the Grimm of my village, I've been working to harness and comprehend my power's new ability with the petals. And I can feel there are senses dwelling within this here rose, all the same."

Jaune: "...Senses…"

Ren: "Yes. Plant life too carries aura. I'm simply holding this one by its aura with my own. During their withering state, they mainly pass it on to other surrounding lifeforms. But although this was done to her mechanical arm, it bears a less withering light. Very much… akin to ours. Perhaps even more." Yang: "...Huh?"

Jaune: "Interesting…" Jaune then finishes healing Yang and Weiss and sets his arms down. "You guys

alright?"

Weiss: "I'm fine."

Yang: "I'm…" Yang starts adjusting her comfort by stretching her shoulders and cracking her joints. "I-- I'll be okay."

Putting the matter to rest for now, Jaune stands up and looks back over to Blake and Sun. One of them comes to the group for catching up, while the other goes over to the questionable Headmaster of the newly Fallen Academy.

It gives an urgent reminder to Jaune, that he quickly reaches in his pouch.

Jaune: "(whisper) Wait a minute…!" He takes out the key to the Vault in relief. "The watch!"

Yang: "Hmm." After feeling her aura Amplified and healing her abdomen, Yang begins to scratch at her left shoulder. Not long after, she begins to feel soft and subtle pines and needles in her nerves near her amputation. "(quiet) This feels… kinda tingly now."

Qrow: "Yang…?"

Yang: "N-Nevermind me, I just… Thought of something. How the key… is still, ya know… 'under his

watch'... *snicker*"

Qrow: "*sigh*"

Weiss: "Good to see you're smiling again."

Qrow: "Well, you're right. He guarded it with his life, and afterlife. Whaddya know…"

Jaune: "It doesn't feel like they tried to take it out of my pouch at all. Why would they just… run off, if I still have what they need?"

Ren: "He may be looking to challenge you on other terms. That might buy us enough time until we can secure that key. But it won't be long until they reach the door to the Vault under this destruction." Qrow: "They need a Spring Maiden in order to get the Relic. And they have her. They'll need this in order to get to the Vault that holds it. And we have THAT."

Jaune: "*sigh*... You're right." Jaune looks over to Lionheart. "It's best that he knows now then later.

Hold on to that flower, Ren. I'll get back to you guys in a moment."

Jaune then looks to Blake, and sees how her team looks to her as she closes in on them. Her eyes start to gleam as she gets closer to her team leader, Ruby, slowly walking up and meeting her halfway.

Ruby: "Hey, Blake… Welcome back." She nods her head and nervously rubs her shoulder. "How long have you been here?"

Blake: "Weiss. R-Ruby… I had no idea you'd all… I-I didn't mean to--!"

Weiss: "It's okay. We're not mad."

Ruby: "We're together, now." Weiss stands up with no pain left in her posture. Both her and Ruby close in on Blake, and place their hands to her shoulders. "We'll get through this."

Hearing the calming words of her sisterhood, Blake finds a certain weight on her chest lifted up. Even the rest of their allies as far as she sees feel wholesome with her presence. The only exception being Yang in her silence.

Blake: "...Thank you, guys."

Before Jaune tries to reassess his group and the situation, Sun attempts to do the same as he walks off toward Lionheart.

Sun: "What am I gonna tell the boys?" He notices his Headmaster, Leonardo Lionheart, within the group. All while internally horrified by what has happened to their school, he tries to maintain an optimistic attitude. "*exhale* Hey, Headmaster Lionheart!"

Lionheart: "Mr.. Wukong…"

Sun: "You okay…? You here to fight, too?"

Lionheart: "Mr. Wukong, why on Remnant have you come here, now? It's not safe. This has become a battleground now."

Sun: "I know, I know…! I'm here to stop the White Fang, and what they're doing. Figured our school could use some extra hands to help out. Of course, I'm…" The both look over and see the academy's destruction. "I can see we're too late for that. *nervous laugh* But we rallied as many as we could from

Menagerie to help protect the school… or, at least what's left of the Kingdom, now."

Lionheart: "My word… This is not good…!"

Sun: "If they get their way, it'll be an ugly look for the Faunus, and a lot of people will die. I can't stand to let that happen. Neither can their Chieftain." Hearing Sun puts Lionheart in a moment of anxiety. "So, you leading this whole operation? You must've been dealing with them too, from the looks of it."

Lionheart: "Sun, I…"

Lionheart can not bring himself to explain the situation to Sun so casually. From his betrayal, to what all is at stake. But someone else walks up a few feet from behind him to the corrupted Headmaster's

attention.

Jaune: "Hey, Sun."

Sun: "Oh, Jaune! You okay?"

Jaune: "A lot of us pretty much got cooked today, so you could say we went through a grinder. But yeah,

I'm alright. *chuckle*… I'm sorry about your school…"

Sun: "...Don't sweat it. We all tried saving it, like at Beacon. But, guess we're all meant to sail this boat together until we get better at it, through and through… We can still get them back for what they did. And hopefully we can start to rebuild this place by the end of tonight. So I ain't through fighting, just

yet."

Jaune: "Hmph. I couldn't agree, more. No questioning why he chose you to be a leader." Jaune now looks over to Lionheart. "Professor, do you have a safe, or a place where we can hold this?"

The key in Jaune's hand catches Sun's curiosity.

Sun: "...What are you doing with his lucky watch?"

Jaune: "He hasn't told you yet?"

Lionheart: "Um…"

Jaune: "Professor…" Jaune now looks to the Headmaster more urgently. "Is there somewhere we can keep this key…? Somewhere far enough from Haven?"

Lionheart: "I'm… I'm not sure, now. I can't bother to keep it to myself, anymore… Perhaps the Council, assuming they're in the safe house by now… much further from this wreckage."

Jaune: "Hm…"

Lionheart: "And with no more Huntsmen left, there's no telling how long they'll be protected, along with the citizens."

Sun: "...No Hunstmen… LEFT'?!"

Lionheart: "...They're all gone…" This only brings Sun into further concern and questioning. "The Council will only be guarded by the city's police force… But they don't have the right tactics against this threat.

That was 'Her' intent… We are all that's left. As far as I'm concerned, the safest place for the key would be under your protection, Mr. Arc."

Sun: "What?! Hey, Jaune fill me in, man. What are you guys talking about? You're saying Mistral's

Huntsmen are--...?!""

Jaune: "...He can explain it better than I can."

At that, Jaune looks to Lionheart with a knowing look, and walks off. Sun then looks to Lionheart for an explanation.

Lionheart: "*sigh* I think you should rest your mind for a while, Mr. Wukong. You're going to need the energy for what ~all~ you will hear, and what all will be coming your way."

This gives a certain tone that Sun picks up on, but does not sit well with. His positive energy reduces, seeing his Headmaster looking as ashamed as he does. But he makes a meditative posture with his hands and upper body that gestures to Sun in doing the same.

Sun: "...Okay, Professor."

Now listening to his Headmaster, Sun bears an unsettling face the more Leonardo Lionheart speaks.

As Jaune regroups with the others, he disperses from the mentor and his student, and approaches Blake.

Blake: "Is he okay?"

Jaune: "I hope so. Did they tell you about Leonardo?"

Blake: "Yeah. Ruby said he's been working under that woman, Cinder. She and Roman are the ones who've been giving orders to the White Fang in Vale… with Adam's allowance… He… was my partner… back when I was in the organization. All this time, they were working for some kind of… 'Grimm Witch'... named Salem, who acts as the Creature's leader. And the Headmaster here in Mistral has been giving them information ever since, and before."

Jaune: "...Yeah. Pretty much. I never expected that from him, 'til tonight… He was Pyrrha's mentor, too… but before she came to Beacon."

Blake: "I know. Weiss told me… I'm sorry, Jaune."

Jaune: "...It's alright… He seems to be turning back to our side… for now… I know it's a lot to take in…"

Blake: "It is…" The two keep their eyes on Sun as he continues to listen to his Headmaster. "...He's put in so much effort to help me and my cause… and I couldn't even save him and his school with it…" The sound of Blake's tone brings Jaune to look back over to her. "I--… I needed to save this school… Sun has done so much for me, and… after seeing how the White Fang made our school Fall, I--...! I feel like all I do is bring trouble for everyone… everywhere I go…"

Her cat ears slouch in a depressive state.

Jaune: "...Blake, you shouldn't blame yourself for this. None of us could've known what all was gonna happen tonight… And I know things seem bad now, but there's still a chance to make things right." They both see as Sun nods to Lionheart that he walks off, remaining in a meditative posture. His eyes remain closed and he walks in closer to the group. "...He hasn't given up on his school… and it looks like you haven't stopped fighting just yet either. So I say we give him the help he needs, while we've got our forces here all at once."

Blake: "Jaune… He seems so… different… than the last time I remember. They all do, but him, especially… Then again, he and I didn't really talk to each other much… Did we…? You seem pretty calm about all of this… In fact, how exactly are you not dead after getting stabbed and shot earlier?!"

Jaune: "Oh. Y-You saw that…? *nervous laugh* Yeah, that was a mess… I've got tons of aura to spare, I guess. Or it's probably my Semblance… to Amplify aura. I couldn't understand it at first, but I unlocked it back at Forever Fall during our field trip. I might just be adapting to it now. Usually after the more I escape death. Go figure…"

Nora: "Oh, is that the secret to strengthening aura?! I should've known!" Magnhild lifts up with Nora pointing it in her mouth. "I think I'll give it a tr--!"

Thankfully, Ren moves her shot away from her mouth. Her grenade however still shoots out, and goes off in between a collection of paralyzed Grimm further away.

Ren: "Nora…!"

Nora: "Oh, I was just playing! There's no way a shot like that could've done me in."

Ren: "Mm-hmm…"

Jaune: "*chuckle*"

Blake: "And… then there's Ozpin… I don't know if some of what Nora said was from a dream she had… or maybe I'm dreaming right now… but earlier, she said he was alive."

Jaune: "...That is true."

Oscar looks over to Blake as he hears her mention the soul's name within him.

Oscar: "*nervous laugh*"

He then takes over for Blake to see, and for the younger soul to stand by.

Ozpin: "Indeed, I am."

Blake sees their transition and is shakened from such as he steps closer.

Blake: "...You're the man with two souls, like in the book. Aren't you?"

Ozpin: "Yes I am. Still, credit is due to Ms. Berpdioloo for maintaining my discretion, should you ever meet such a famed author. *chuckle* Couldn't have published that story without her."

Blake: "...And you were the one who appointed the Headmaster of this school to Lionheart… And

General Ironwood at Atlas…"

Ozpin nods to reassure the information she speaks of.

Ozpin: "...And every other Academy under the sun…"

Blake: "Now I can see why you haven't made longer strides when you were in office… You were already making global strides, and you had to keep secrets of an enemy this whole time."

Ozpin: "That seems to be the likely reason, yes. I wish I could've told you all this sooner. But I needed your minds to be more repressed from the world's hardships before you all could make the decision to take them on… I hope you understand."

Blake: "...I do, now…"

Jaune: "You taking all of this alright?"

Blake: "Well, I'll say this: Any time Nora speaks up at a dinner table, I'll be sure to put my book down and listen for a change."

Nora: "WOO!"

Blake: "*chuckle* ...I am still having a hard time believing all that's happened, but nothing really seems impossible anymore, I guess. The world is in more danger than I had imagined…"

Jaune: "It's insane, I know. But tonight's a night where everyone has a few scores to settle. And from the looks of moments ago, it seems that the ones from Beacon weren't too happy with that detonation earlier. They've shown just how unorganized they can be. To me, that's hope for gaining the upper hand… So if you and your army will fight with us, then we had better get ready to march soon."

Blake takes a moment to further process, but gives a look from Jaune, to Ruby, and to Sun. She looks back to Jaune and nods her head, acknowledging her reuniting alliance.

Qrow: "If you're with us, then there's more that you should hear, Belladonna. We could use some intel on the way if you've got it. As for everyone else, we're sticking to the plan we went over prior on how to handle these guys. But we need another one for securing the Vault, and the Relic."

Jaune: "...Okay. Any ideas?" With Jaune, and now Ruby looking to Qrow, he looks over to Jacob stepping forward with Ghira and Khali following. "...Dad?"

Jacob: "...To secure the Vault, we should start with securing this mountain top, along with the rest of the Kingdom. I believe that's what all of our concerns involve. Then we can focus on finding the enemies. But seeing as how you're one of the leaders of this charge son, I should leave that up to you and your comrades."

Jaune: "Actually dad, my team and I are under Huntsman supervision. This kind of planning is beyond my field of expertise."

Qrow: "That shouldn't make you any less of the position you were assigned. You kids are hardly students in training now."

Qrow holds Ruby's back as he gestures for her to close in to Jaune and Jacob. Ren helps Yang to her feet, Sun steps up next to his fellow leaders, and everyone else does as well.

Even Ghira and Khali walk in as the people of Menagerie circle around the group from afar.

Ghira: "It's quite the honor for us to reunite, General."

Catherine: "Uncle Ghira! Auntie Khali!"

Just then, Catherine runs up to hug Khali, and she embraces her back.

Khali: "*chuckle* Hello, my golden kitty!"

Jacob: "It sure is, isn't it?"

Jaune: "Uncle…?"

Blake: "Auntie…? Golden kitty?!"

Jacob: "I honestly thought you'd be done with this line of work."

Ghira: "If it were more than a year ago, I'd say I would've been. Yet here we are again because of the lad…" Everyone listens in on the small conversation. "He's become far more lethal than we've been led to believe till now. He sent assassins after my family and I, and he nearly killed all of us here with his explosives. But we know what he's got planned for this Kingdom with the school now gone. According to his plans, he aimed to eradicate every Huntsmen that's left in it."

Weiss: "Who? Y-You guys mean Adam?"

Ghira: "Blake's teammate… The Schnee Heiress …I'm afraid so… It feels like just yesterday, I've been trying to help him let go of his past and find better ways to help our cause… But now, he's out destroying the Huntsmen Academies." As Jacob listens to Ghira, he sees him tightening his fists in frustration, and placing a hand to his shoulder. "He seemed onboard with our ideas during his time training with you, and his father. And of course, little Jaune here."

Jaune: "'Little Jaune'...? Wait, so… So you know about Adam and I?"

Blake: "...You and Adam?"

Ghira: "Indeed. You two were quite inseparable from him when you were little."

Both Jaune and Blake look at each other, shocked to hear as such.

Khali: "*chuckle* The two of you probably don't remember. You both were so young and we only came to visit a few times before moving to our island."

Their heart rates increase, and by looking at each other, they nearly lose their footing as a memory faintly flashes in both of their minds.

(12 Years Ago…)

Two young kids, a boy and a girl, run through the trees of a park. It is the daytime, and they run away from a pursuer behind them.

The boy is in a short sleeved hoodie that shadows his eyes, and he holds the girl's hand as they run in exhausting hope of her safety. The girl wears a dark blue bow over her head, a handkerchief around her neck, and a pair of overall shorts over a ragged shirt. However, the pursuer in their preteen years giving chase tackles them both to the ground. They slip out of their hold with the boy pulling the girl up to her

feet.

They stand up, staring at the bully. The two back away only to find a wide tree behind them, leaving them cornered. The girl shakes in fear while the boy stands his ground with his fists up.

(...)

Jaune: "Her… Her eyes… They're different."

Blake: "It… can't be…"

Arc: "She's grown so much…"

Ghira: "*sigh* (quiet) Ironic how they would not be where they are today, were it not for him… Were we wrong for this, Jacques? To bring our children into this life, and to help raise them the way we did?"

Jacob: "...What's done is done, now. So long as these threats in Remnant are present, there will always be danger. But Adam and his associates won't stop at just two Kingdoms and their schools. If we don't stop him this time tonight, he'll be making more trouble until he reaches the next continent. Most likely, up North."

Weiss: "Atlas…!"

Ghira: "Precisely."

Jacob: "And THAT Jacques had better hope that his own sword is sharpened at this time."

Ghira: "So then I take it you're here under orders to bring Adam in?"

Jacob: "Actually, I'm only here just to give a little help."

Ghira: "Really now…?"

Jacob: "Don't worry. Some authority officials brought me up to speed with your alliance to the Kingdom on the way up here. They're sweeping all throughout the lower regions as we speak, until they can reach up here. Other than that, you all are running the show here, it seems."

Jaune: "Huh? You mean you're not here to fight?"

Jacob: "No. Not this time officially, son."

Jaune: "But… why not? You actually could've wiped those guys out in a second, if I remember correctly."

Ruby: "You mean, you're not going to help us?"

Jacob: "All in good time, and I'll explain myself. I would, however, be glad to give you all a read on what your sister and I observed on our way up here, if you'd like. That way, it'll reduce the amount of ground you all ought to cover looking for your target."

Jaune: "O-Oh… By all means. But we'll discuss why you're really here later. Right, Catherine?"

Catherine: "Yes. You do owe them an explanation, daddy."

Jacob: "As promised…"

Jaune: "Okay… What can you tell us?"

Jacob now turns his attention more towards everyone and speaks to them clearly.

Jacob: "The City of Mistral is at a periodic take over of Grimm. Your sister and I have taken out the majority of them on our way up the trail, but there seems to be more that continue to arrive from outside the city border. By now, most of them ought to be frozen by the Light's radius as wide as earlier."

Jaune: "...It does seem more quiet…"

Blake: "I can hear a lot of them down the mountain… The Breach alarm is still going off… There's some Grimm still out there, but it's calmed down since we first arrived up here… But I can't hear any people down there… Does that mean…?!"

Jacob: "Not to fret. The Council knows tonight's issue is going to be a long one by now. There was quite a line of buses that passed on our way here. One of the Kingdom's officers had given me the clearance to expedite the evacuation. They were on their way to cover the second horde of Grimm down at the city's

entrance."

Catherine: "That was until we already handled it."

Jaune: "You mean by yourselves?"

Catherine: "Yup!"

Jacob: "We saw the last bus heading east, so we shouldn't worry much about the civilians in this case. They should all be in the Kingdom's emergency shelter by now. Hopefully until dawn at the latest. We have most of the officers there to thank for that, while some have stayed behind."

Catherine: "We asked if they wanted a lift up to the school while taking some monsters out, but they just spread out and went their own way instead."

Lionheart: "I see. And if more Grimm are invading the city, then the Council would've sent word out to mobilize Huntsmen from other Kingdoms by now."

Catherine: "...I wouldn't be too sure of that. At first, we figured it should've been a whole warzone with hundreds of us, top to bottom like you said. But…"

Jacob: "Before entering the Academy, we first needed to meet with the Council. There's been a noticeable absence of Huntsmen and Huntresses here in Mistral. No answer to any missions, nor passport clearances, nothing. This was brought to my attention by the Chief himself."

Ghira: "The Chief of Police? You mean…?"

Jacob: "Yes. Chief TotoMaru. He asked that we look into their offices for any clues of their whereabouts. What we find is an early departure of every member from the building. As you would know, another large gathering of Grimm were right around the corner, coming to attack that office. As it turns out, the homes near the bridge seemed to have been their main fixation, along with other settlements here in the higher region."

Qrow: "Just outside the tunnels."

Ruby: "The scenic route?"

Qrow: "Yeah… Which means, there goes our house right off the cliff."

Nora: "I still brought my toothbrush!"

Qrow: "Lucky you…"

Catherine: "We took down the last of that third horde at their building and some other houses. If there's a fourth, then they're probably frozen by now… until a fifth comes around."

Jaune: "Good grief, you guys weren't kidding when you said 'periodic'!"

Catherine: "I know! I'm excited, too!"

Jaune: "Not what I… I mean, I wouldn't say--."

Catherine: "A town full of monsters… It's like… It's like…!"

Yang: "It's like an… 'all-you-can-BEAT-buffet'?!"

Catherine: "Yeah, exactly! Fight some monsters, and ask questions later! That was the idea, but, well, that's still the idea, but…"

Jacob: "I have footage of them leaving… looong before the Breach, if you'd like to take a look." Jacob passes a small video file to Oscar's reach and places it in his Scroll. He plays the video for our heroes to see. They all notice the time being around the morning of the current day, and then watch as the councilmen leave in a hurry. "It's pretty suspicious, even for a time of crisis like this."

Lionheart: "Hm…"

Oscar: "Yes… 'TIME of crisis'..."

Ozpin: "Indeed…"

Qrow: "No, this isn't right…"

Oscar: "This was before any of this had happened… Did they know?"

Qrow: "Leonardo…"

Lionheart: "*sigh* …You see, General Arc, I can actually answer to the Huntsmen and Huntresses and their disappearance… that, and… much more. You see--."

Jacob: "Then you'll report what you know to the Council, and we can do what need be done then."

Lionheart: "But I--."

Qrow: "You heard him, Leo. Report 'everything' you know. The kid and I will bear witness to it all."

Lionheart: "V-Very well… I have not spoken with any of them since yesterday, honestly. All they told me was they'll meet me tomorrow… This is quite strange, even for me."

Oscar: "This still begs the question… Why did they leave before the attack? Something must've scared them… to the point they thought the Kingdom would crumble like it did at Beacon and Vale…"

Qrow: "And how it is, now. This wouldn't be the first time Mistral's faced catastrophes. You said the

Grimm attacked here the same time as they did at Beacon, right Leo?"

Lionheart: "They have. And they were still within the city, issuing orders of defense. Despite my work with Her Gra--. No…! Salem… I took part in those orders… I helped as many as I could… I… could only help as many as I could…"

Qrow: "...And you're gonna help us now. There have been raids here in this continent that would make you think the whole world was on fire. I've seen, and I've defused some of 'em up close… But the Council would never just leave the office before an attack. They couldn't have… unless they DID know we were about to be attacked."

Jacob: "If you have time, Mr. Branwen, I would highly recommend that you and the Headmaster question what you all just saw from this footage. Get as much information as they'll tell and see if they'renot in on any of it."

Qrow: "Dirt on the Council…? Sounds good to me. I just knew this day would come… *chuckle*"

Ozpin: "Oh Qrow… *chuckle*"

Jacob: "Other than to keep that in mind, the people of the city are considered to be mostly secure. Now, there's the issue of the Faction."

Ren: "We last saw them heading west. How far into the Kingdom would you say our enemies have chosen to hide?"

Jacob: "It's hard to say. Grimm and criminal activities are about a regular minute throughout the continent and beyond the city. They go hand in hand. But we've only had to stop to deal with a few threats throughout the villages. Wherever they are, they'll be immobile for the time being."

Jaune: "...How can you tell?"

Jacob: "By Adam's technique when he countered them… And I'd say, for a few hours, some of them will be on standby. It seems that he didn't want any of them to interrupt his assault on you. Didn't you notice?"

Jaune: "Hard to say. When I wasn't fighting him myself, I was trying to avoid getting burnt to a crisp by Cinder."

Sun: "They must've been super pissed that he blew them all up."

Ruby: "How did they even survive the explosion? Jaune, didn't you knock them out cold?"

Jaune: "Uh…"

(Meanwhile, Mistral Crosspoint…)

Further out into the Kingdom, Adam, Raven and Vernal run and jump through the woods, leading away from Mistral's Central City. Occasionally, the Grimm on the outskirts meet their paths, and get cut down in an instant. Eventually, they stop and begin to stroll down a gloomy trail.

Vernal: "Just where are you taking us, Taurus?"

Adam: "Her Grace asks that I bring you two here."

Vernal: "You mean… Salem?!"

Adam: "And if you still care for the tribe, I suggest you and your master cooperate."

Vernal: "How dare you?! You know, you've got a lot of nerve talking to us like that! How about you show some respect for our tribe leader here?! Someone who took you in after being left with nothing! This is our master you're talking about!"

Adam: "YOUR master… Just your master, or have you forgotten that I no longer serve humans…? After years of already giving you all everything that you have now… You've much to learn even with all your loyalty to your brethren."

As they continue along their path, they follow Adam and eventually find themselves hiking up a mountain.

Raven: "...I could say the same for you… You've made a terrible decision working for Her… Taurus, I understand why you left us. But to join Salem and serve her cause is a greater loss than anything I've ever done to you. You should've stayed with your organization, alone. Separate from Her. Better yet, you could even come back to the tribe. The Branwen Tribe was your home, Adam… Forget the past. We can still make amends. With our rule and our forces, side by side, we could govern all of Mistral. Everyone could live freely on this continent."

Adam: "Oh, they will… Believe me, they will… But it's too late for such an allegiance, now… For all I know, you'll just be looking for an opportunity to execute me in my sleep… if I ever chose to, that is…"

Raven: "...If my tribe wasn't on the line, I might not have been so generous to you as I just was. But if you prefer, I could cut you down now, and see how quick your head falls off!"

Adam: "There it is… Then you'll need a stronger blade than your Omen, there." Then suddenly, the sound of a drawn sword catches Adam's ear.

Vernal: "Ma'am…?"

He turns back to see Raven dashing to him with her sword drawn out toward his neck. He responds by drawing his own sword, deflecting it, and punching her in the abdomen further back with Blush in hand. She dashes up again, and he disappears from her sight. She then looks up to see him slightly higher up the mountain, and then appears with a trail of feathers behind her and draws at him once more.

The two engage in vast disappearing clashes, leaving Vernal behind for her to soon run and follow. She hears as their blades hit against each other and feels as the mountain slightly quakes from their commotion. Eventually, she finds a cave that echoes their conflict with Raven sounding out in aggression. Vernal begins to step into the cave, until electric bolts are seen and slightly felt from dodging. She only peaks inside from the edge out of concern for her tribe leader.

Raven: "I should've just cut your arms off myself when I had the chance! Just to ease my patience… of all MY wasted years… putting up with YOU!"

With his sword out, Raven dashes back up to Adam and swings in defense. However, she cuts past him and disarms Wilt and Blush from his grasp. She then takes advantage of the moment to sheath Omen, and produces one quickdraw worth 100 slashes to him from behind. This pains Adam, bringing him to one knee. This brings Raven to take her sword out for the opportunity to jump up and stab down at him.

However, Adam briefly glows.

He immediately turns to her, and shoots Scatter from within Bleed. His wakizashi remains in his sheath, and only a few inches of its blade is exposed as her odachi locks into it. The cave endures the last of their scuffle's aftermath as the impact creates a wave that produces a wide crack on its walls and top side. Her two hands press hard onto her sword handle with Adam's one hand to his sheath. He then slowly stands up, and with his thumb, sheaths his blade back, creating a force that pushes both Omen and Raven back.

Adam: "...Are you done?"

Her blade remains out in her hand, and she breathes heavily with gritted teeth as she stares at Adam. However, she sees Vernal behind him in fear of entering the grounds that the two stand on. She then scoffs and swipes her sword to the side and sheaths it away.

Raven: "...For now." As the two settle down, Vernal starts to walk in the cave and beside Raven with her weapons cautiously pointed at Adam. He gives her no response, keeping his focus toward his former mentor. "Now, where are we…?"

Vernal: "Was this where you intended to take us?"

Adam: "I want you both to take a good look at this cave." Both Branwen members look around the cave and gradually begin to pick up on its more ominous display. "I want you to see the memories that are left from the creature that once inhabited atop this mountain." They see as flags, penetrative weapons, and black carnage splatters lie all across the cave, and they begin to pick up on its odor, but with a more stinging dry feeling from it. "For years, this monster has wandered throughout all of Anima, and brought nothing but misery and devastation in its path. And for all the influence that any gang holds within the Kingdom, not one has sought to take it down… for we all know who once pampered such a creature… up until a few days after the underground's latest record of your last raid in Shion."

Adam now walks off to one side of the cave near a pile of weapons. Among them, he picks up a black handleless blade, a gravity Dust blade, covered in darker stains. This gives a slight sense of anticipation for Raven as her hand goes to her handle.

Adam: "It was not until a few kids and an intoxicated Huntsman came from Beacon did this monster, among other notorious beasts, meet its end." In an instant, Adam had flung the blade straight to the side of Raven's head. Unlike Vernal, she did not flinch. She however draws her handle this time, and swiftly locks it to the blade's bottom end in midair. "We've allowed these monsters to take blame in the masses of our reign long enough. We've allowed Salem to rule our hearts in fear of what is practically nothingness. I believe the creature itself should speak for the positions that you and I once stood in, and what we must now uphold."

Raven: "...What are you saying?"

Adam: "Just as you've addressed, all those years ago. What this Kingdom needs… is to be guarded from these self-righteous heroes. While it has always been my organization's job to divert the Grimm from certain areas of Faunus inhabitants, it's been much harder with the Branwen Tribe, Mistral's most wanted syndicate, raiding without a care in their steps, until colliding near and on our turfs. Had you only given me the respect of heeding my warnings… I might've stayed with the tribe, and it might've remained one over Sienna. You and I… have no further allegiances with one another as we once did. I would hope to never see a Portal of yours, so long as I live… However… there's still the position of stabilizing Anima's function that we both hold. And seeing as how this Grimm in particular is now out of the question, our paths have widened, just as they've become dire. There is the matter of Her Grace losing one of her prized spawns. But fear not… You will no longer have to worry about Salem engulfing you in her abyss, because I've taken that place instead."

Raven: "...And you expect to benefit your cause by becoming her new spawn? Her new… 'Grimm', if you

will?"

Adam: "My cause has only been made possible by the works of what you've once taught us. Her and I."

This brings Raven to look back at Vernal, and she notices her lower one of her weapons pointed at him. "But you've corrupted those ideals with your own greed and dissatisfaction." Vernal's other weapon remains held up, yet lower with more reluctance. "I am your Beast, no more. I now live as the right beast, for the reasons that are needed. And you… will go forth as Nevermore, of your own making, and command every other scum of this land… who have ever claimed their rule on it."

Raven: "You… How do you expect me to take on such a task? All of Anima already knows to fear my family, and I, especially. Why would I bother trying to act as their head leader…? Assuming they wouldn't fight back for such a position, just to be cut down by us."

Adam: "...Because this is a meeting prior to the one we'll have, after tonight ends… I suggest you clean that blade of yours, now. She's waiting…"

Looking down at the cave's center ground, Adam awaits for something to rise. Raven questionably looks before something begins to shake the dirt. As advised begins to clean her reclaimed Dust blade with a clean and particularly moist cloth. Black smoke steams from it in time as Adam's sticks out his hand. Another sight of a black smoke arrives, and a hole appears from the ground. There rises a Grimm Seer, and it morphs an image from within, showing the face of Salem.

Salem: "Ahh… My Champion." Looking into the Seer, Raven nearly trembles, but holds her composure.

All Adam does is nod. "Have you anything to report? (serious) Good news, I'd expect…"

Adam says not a word. He nods and takes Wilt and Blush from the ground. He points Blush to the cave's ceiling to shoot a hole in it with falling rocks. The Seer slowly begins rotating and levitating through, and up to the sky. Salem sees everything, from the still but gloomy west to east path of Anima, down to the Kingdom's capital infested with the Creatures of Grimm, and up to the fiery destruction of Haven Academy. She can see from afar the presence of Grimm below the city, leading up to the smoke clouds of the Fallen school above. And along with it, everyone who survived the destruction while in a dirtier mess.

Salem: "*loud chuckle*"

Throughout all of Mistral, and with our Heroes, a loud booming voice comes from the sky and sounds out as far as the continent's border edge. The Beacons of Haven, the Kingdom's very center, all feel chills in their souls, hearing her calm and pleased voice seep through the devastation they and all its citizens stand in and near. The atmospheric sound of it all weakens nearly everybody's knees.

The Seer itself turns over for Salem to look down to our heroes from afar. In the center, while barely visible to them, she sees Jacob Arc give an expressionless stare up and at her with Catherine at his side. But up front, she sees Jaune, following his father's gaze looking at her through the Seer with disgust and anger. And at his side, Ruby has a tight grip on her weapon. To all that notice, they only see a glowing red light in the sky from where her voice came from. So Ruby brings her rifle up to look through the scope and stares at her as well.

None of whom bother Salem entirely, but she catches a glimpse at Lionheart, questioning his position with the other side. She only notes a hint of assertion in his own cowardly glare.

The unease that our heroes feel begins to rest however as the Seer, far out and above another location, lowers back down.

It now remains a few inches off the ground before Adam and Raven.

Salem: "Well done. Well done indeed, Adam. You've successfully followed through with your mission. We are that much closer to victory, thanks to you… And what of the Relic?"

Hearing Salem mention the Relic, Raven's heart rate starts to increase. She internally begins to panic and tightens her grip to her sword handle. Adam however speaks up, but internally feeling anxious to respond, himself.

Adam: "...The Relic has yet to be obtained. As we anticipated, there was indeed an interruption, regarding the Arc bloodline, before us."

Salem: "I see… What a shame." Just then, Adam was beginning to feel fear and disappointment arise.

That is until Salem speaks again. "As promised, you will be rewarded for completing your initial task." His anxiety was however minimized.

Adam: "Thank you… your Grace."

Salem: "I know it must have been hard for you, to attack your own people that defy us. But I want you to know that your sacrifices will not be in vain."

Adam: "My own people…"

Salem: "They can all be saved… It depends on you… and only you."

Adam: "I didn't protect them… It was them… That boy…! If not the few, then the rest might suffer…"

Shame remains within him, as he recalls whom all had kept the citizens of Menagerie safe during his presence with them.

Salem: "It will arrive in just a moment. Considering the situation, you will use this gift to complete your next objective, and finish what you all had come here for, Adam…" Adam simply nods his head to her order. The Seer turns for Salem to face Raven. "...Branwens…" Vernal takes two steps back, while Raven takes one. "Remember… Do not be afraid, my children… Do not fail me any further… and I shall guide

you."

From under the Seer, a black hole then appears. It begins to sink with her eyes staring at Raven, before looking back to Adam with a smirk. Right as it leaves their sights, the hole gets bigger with a red light around it. The ground rumbles slightly in the one spot, as the hole produces what was to rise. What Salem had promised Adam for so long.

From the hole, there rises a black body-sized case with red outlines, and Salem's Grimm emblem on top.

Looking at it, Adam smiles with bliss and a hint of glee.

Adam: "Perfect… At last."

(Meanwhile, Our Heroes…)

One of the Grimm twitches near Ruby. She begins to notice more still, but subtle movements from the rest of the creatures that nearly alarms everyone else.

Before any panic can break, Ruby instantly decapitates one before it disintegrates.

Khali: "What on Remnant…?!"

Sun: "What the heck was that?!"

Ozpin: "Salem…"

Ruby: "!"

Blake: "That voice came all the way from the west… That's where they went!"

Jaune: "Looks like they're prepared for us, already! Do you know how far out that was, Blake?"

Blake: "Uh… I can't tell for sure… Maybe, 150 miles from here…?"

Khali: "It's more like… 125 miles. Good estimate, sweetheart."

Ghira: "Are you sure, dear?"

Khali: "I'm sure. Our ears haven't failed us yet."

Catherine: "Leave it up to Auntie Khali!"

Khali: "*chuckle*"

Blake: "That's a long way from the city. If he's out that way, then I have to find him… and bring Ilia back!" Ruby: "Will you join us then, Blake? He's the whole reason why we're all here in Haven… He was the one, wasn't he? The one who was once dear to you?"

Blake: "...Yes. He was my partner until he went down some dark path. I-I don't think it would be right if I had you all stop your mission to save Ilia. She's my responsi--."

Weiss: "Ugh! Come ooon… If we weren't gonna do this as a team, then there shouldn't be any reason why we just so happen to be here. This is what we signed up for, remember? We've got your back on this if you've got ours."

Ruby: "See? Even Weiss wants you back."

Weiss: "What do you mean, 'Even me'?"

Ruby: "*chuckle* Oh nothing… Just saying that it's nice to see you have a little more faith in the Faunus'

fate."

Weiss: "*pout*."

Sun: "So, we know how far they are, but if we're gonna be more precise, how exactly are we gonna find this son of a bitch?"

Even while still meditating, Sun speaks up, which brings Ruby to question their next move.

Ruby: "Hm… We did what we could for the school, but now it's our job to keep both it, and the city, under protection while we have the chance. Its citizens are safe, but there might still be some out there in the Kingdom that need us to save them. Some of us should stay here, while the rest of us go after them."

Qrow: "There's no telling what else might happen out here, either. Can the police here handle all these

Grimm coming in, General?"

Jacob: "They should. With nearly everyone gone, there won't be much negativity to go around if you all tackle a horde or two."

Ruby: "We can lure and fight any Grimm on our way, until we reach the border." Hearing of a plan coming in order, Ghira adds to it.

Ghira: "Sergeant…!"

Among the people of Menagerie, there walks up one of the Mistral police officers.

Mistral Sergeant: "Yes, Mr. Belladonna."

Ghira: "Have you and your troops exterminate these monsters before they have any chance at waking up."

Sun: "And have some of the people take them out, too. They could use the warm up."

Mistral Sergeant: "Roger." They turn to the other officers, and begin to exterminate the Grimm, as they freeze back up from their small jitters. The rest of the citizens follow their lead, such as Mata with a mace. "We'll have to do this at a steady pace. No telling what might set them off next if we're not

careful."

Jaune: "Hm… (quiet) Blake brought a whole island to the school. These guys are about as good at fighting as I was in my first years at Beacon." Mata partners up with Nora, and they bash the heads of a

King Taiju at once. "...Maybe even better. I just might know how to go about this."

While Jaune thinks, Ruby notes the look in his eyes, upon seeing the people of Menagerie clear the Grimm from atop the mountain.

Ruby: "I've seen that face before…!"

Qrow: "Well, let's hear it, 'team-leading-strategist'..."

Jaune: "...Mr. Bell-- Er, Uncle Ghira."

Ghira: "Yes, Jaune?"

Jaune: "That might take some getting used to… While the rest of us make our way to the enemy, we'll need the city of Mistral to be guarded. Would you and your army be willing to watch over it for us while we're gone?"

Ghira: "I'd be glad to, but I don't suppose you can fill us in what more needs safe keeping here."

Ozpin: "What we're protecting is a Vault. In it is a door that only one of our enemies can open. But if they obtain the Relic inside, then the world will be in danger. I trust that you can be confidential with information, and never share this with anyone. Only those you trust, in hopes to not cause a panic, right Mr. Chieftain?"

Ghira: "That all depends… This Relic… is this another reason for the White Fang's attack toward the Academies?"

Ozpin: "We're uncertain of how the White Fang intends to benefit from their actions of tonight… but Mr. Taurus will not leave this Kingdom until he can deliver that Relic to a far more vile being whom he

serves."

Ghira: "...I understand. Speaking of which, Sergeant, have you updated your captain since the explosion?"

Mistral Sergeant: "Yes, Mr. Belladonna. They're working fast, combing as many grounds as we speak and staying watch, just as you've all said. But so far, no casualties since our arrival. And no signs of the White Fang, either. One of our captains at the station has relocated with his squad further downhill, since the detonation. They've kept our chief's focus long enough on the city's evacuation, but they'll have to send more officers from outside of our group up this way after they've dealt with the Grimm."

Ghira: "Then our time may be more limited up on this mountain… Excellent."

Ruby: "Huh? Are you saying you all are just a group of officers working with Blake?"

Mistral Sergeant: "Yes, we are, young lady."

Weiss: "So does that mean… not all of Mistral's police force knows you're here?"

Blake: "They don't, no… We had to take a route that was more secluded and further from the main trail, so we weren't seen by the White Fang… or…"

Ghira: "...The rest of the city's police officers and Huntsmen. We figured something was off, seeing as

how no Huntsmen were around, and… now we know why…"

Blake: "Not all of the police in Mistral would've agreed to accept our help in defending the school."

Khali: "We tried a more… delicate approach without causing a whole rise from anyone."

Blake: "So, you know, they and the Huntsmen didn't shoot us all down… But we were given passage from the ones that you see now, while the rest just kinda stayed more in the town's forefront."

Jacob: "Hm… Completely unaware, and not to cause a panic before one can start. Yes… I can understand that."

Sun: "The same could be said for about half the people in Kuo Koana. There are still some on the island who think the White Fang will do them more good than any harm."

Ghira: "And so, we are left with what you see here. We came as prepared as we could be for the threats that would ensue. But there was no sight of any Grimm near our position. We figured it was the organization's invasion in progress. Tactical as they are, they often fight the Grimm that even they bring in themselves during their conquest. Or perhaps the threats may have been already neutralized by you and your daughter at the time, General."

Blake: "We figured we'd at least see someone along the path we took, even if it was to avoid any contact.

But no sights of any law enforcements or Hunstmen on our way here."

Ghira: "Aside from the disasters that took place, our plan is still in motion."

Jacob: "Good work, all of you." The Mistral Police force within the Fallen Academy then salute the

General, and he returns it."

Ghira: "Jaune… Sun…" The two face Ghira as he speaks to them. "All I ask is that my daughter and her team watch over one another. Bring her back to me, and her people, in one piece."

Sun: "You got it."

Jaune: "We won't let you down… I'll bring them all home."

Blake: "But what about you, and mom? Will you both be alright without us?"

Ghira: "I could probably use some action, after so long. But if the Vytal Festival tells me anything, it's that you all are much stronger when united, as we will become once more tonight. Our family is continuing its growth, after many years of our strife, my child. And these are the ways of how we've done it. So you need each other more than you'll need us now, to do what I've failed to Blake… and fight beside your comrades."

Blake: "Dad…"

Ghira: "You're mother and I will be fine. Don't you worry. She'll be my battle buddy."

Khali: "*giggle* He won't hurt anyone too bad, hun. And neither will anyone hurt him. Not while I'm here."

Blake: "Thanks, dad… Mom. Thank you."

Ghira nods his head to his daughter, and looks to his forces at work.

Ghira: "Sergeant…! You may begin securing the city below. My people can handle the Grimm and whatever threat may come up our way. Use whatever tactics necessary to ensure everyone is safe."

Sergeant: "Yes sir!"

Khali: "Sweetheart… You know what this means, don't you?"

Ghira: "I do… I can't help but allow them to defend in their way of knowing how. Things are far more at a hazard than they were after our days of protest. The rest of us will continue securing what remains of the Academy… our way."

Jacob: "So it looks like you're coming with us after all, Blake. Your parents and their army can handle things from here. They'll secure Haven while we search for our enemies." Jacob now looks over to the Menagerie forces, and their leader. "Right, Ghira?"

Ghira: "Yes, General."

Jaune: "We shouldn't stay in the city for too long. Whatever Grimm we see, we'll take them out on the way. But once we're outside the gate, we're out! The rest will be up to Uncle Ghira's troops and the police, while the rest of us make our way to the main threats out there. Now I know it's going to be a long trip like when we all first got here--."

Jacob turns his sword once on the ground. What it had done was push more debris aside, and expose his 7-ton truck from under.

Jacob: "...Then let us do as such by going mobile. It's a long way down, and a longer one across, afterall.

So I'm sure you'd all appreciate having the energy to be ready for this war."

Everybody turns to the vehicle, and almost automatically agrees.

Jaune: "Oh…"

Arc: "The Arc mobile! She's in good shape!"

Jaune: "That's a relief… Everyone, board the truck! And Catty…!"

Catherine: "Huh?"

Turning around, Jaune faces his sister, and smiles.

Jaune: "...It's time."

Catherine: "*gasp* Is it, really?!"

Jaune: "Yup. No better reason than now. It's time to go heavy metal!"

Catherine: "Oooo! You used to always say that! Hehehehehe! Big-Little brother is back!" By hearing Catherine's comments, Ren and Nora all of a sudden grow concerned. "Okay! I just need a few moments to find and get it. Wait right there."

At that, Catherine dashes off to the debris. Both Jaune and their father happily look at her as she goes.

She digs through it and eventually pulls out the bag she had been carrying.

Jacob: "Oh, and before I forget… I've got my communication service up. It's a little lower grade than the local comms, so it's a bit fuzzy. But it should clear once we reach the lower regions. We'll be untraceable to anyone else. Here everyone. Take these. This will keep us all in contact and up to date on one another."

Jaune takes the ear pieces and passes them to everyone. They all then stick the communicators in their ear and each hold a finger to it to speak up.

Jaune: "Testing: Can everyone hear me?"

Ruby: "Yup."

Weiss: "Check."

Blake: "I hear you."

Yang: "Yah-huh."

Nora: "Mm-hmm."

Ren: "Clear."

Sun: "I hear ya."

Qrow: "Loud and clear."

Oscar: "I'm good."

Lionheart: "Yes."

Ghira: "We're good."

Khali: "I can hear you, Little-Jaune."

Jacob: "All is well."

Jaune: "...Good."

Catherine: "Found it! Got it right here! Also, yeah, I can hear you guys fine, Jauney…" In Catherine's grasp, she carries the gym bag she previously had. Her one-sided posture shows her to have a certain amount of weight that makes it come off as heavy. "I had to leave it behind so I could get Professor

Lionheart and I out of the rubble. But here it is."

Jaune: "Good job, Catherine."

Catherine: "Once daddy and I arrived in Anima, that was the first thing we got before driving to Shion.

The Blacksmith was sweet, and he said he was honored to put in designs of both Arc and Nikos." Jaune: "Catherine… Thank you both! I-I don't know what to--…!"

Catherine: "You should show this to Professor Lionheart. He'd love to see it."

Jaune: "Yeah, I shoul--...!" Catherine closes into Jaune, seeing the grateful look on his face. "Oh." However, she notes how it shifts in concern, along with his tone. "C-Catherine… I probably should've told you and dad sooner but… we still have to make sure to keep an eye on the Professor."

Catherine: "...Who, P-Professor Lionheart…?"

Jaune: "He might be on our side now, but he's been working with our enemies for a while. When we first arrived at Haven, he didn't even recognize that we were Pyrrha's teammates… until tonight. He only knows as far as Beacon's Fall, so there might be more that our enemies have kept from him to cause his turn on us… Still too much at stake to call him an ally without question… So just stay on guard."

Catherine: "O-Oh… Wow…" Jaune simply nods his head to confirm his warning to her. "...*sigh* No telling who we can trust anymore, huh?"

Jaune: "...I do trust him… My partner trusted him for who he was…" Jaune then pats his pouch where he keeps the watch secure. "His true colors showed in the middle of the battle here… We'll give him another chance to prove himself."

Hearing the two siblings, despite himself still being close, Leonardo Lionheart feels that his guilt rises.

Lionheart: "*sigh*"

Showing up to Sun, who too hears Jaune, Oscar walks over to his side with his cane in hand, planted on the ground. The mind within however speaks up.

Ozpin: "Try to relax, Mr. Wukong. There might be hope for Professor Lionheart's redemption, yet."

Sun stays silent and nods. He keeps to his meditation with his eyes closed and steps in the vehicle with Blake following behind. She meets Ruby already at the door.

Ruby: "Step on up, Blake. You can fill us in on yours and Sun's journey on the way."

Blake: "It's kind of a long story… But… I guess I'm not going anywhere… except back with you guys,

again."

The thought of the team's reunion gives a sense of ease to the sisterhood that the two feel. Weiss from behind can even feel her heart pump from the exchange.

Weiss: "It's good to have you back with us." Blake simply nods her head, and is about to step inside.

"Right, Yang?"

Yang had not heard their conversation, but ends up bumping past Blake who steps in before her. This saddens Blake, causing her ears to drop, and her team to slightly gloom.

Jaune: "This is gonna be a long trip… and not just because of how far in the woods we're going." Blake steps in the truck, and Ruby pats her shoulder before she finds a seat.

Catherine: "Geez, did her hangover last THAT long?!"

Jaune: "That's not funny, sis."

Catherine: "Hmph! She doesn't get to treat our cousin like that. I don't care if they are teammates."

Jaune: "It's a little complicated. Things are still tense with Ruby's team since the Fall."

Catherine: "Tsk. 'Complicated'... All you guys gotta do is rough up Adam and his crew, blow off some steam, and talk your differences out when it's done. There, and done!"

Jaune: "Again, more complicated than that, sis. This isn't like you and the girl's battle royales to settle your differences. And besides, you're just now remembering that she's your cousin, like I did."

Catherine: "What?! N-No I'm not--! I-I always knew!"

Jaune: "..."

Catherine: "...!"

Jaune: "...You forgot too--."

Catherine: "(embarrassed) That's no excuse…! We just haven't seen her since we were kids! I forget some people when I was little."

Jaune: "Yeah…"

Catherine: "Jaune…" He now looks to his sister with more concern. "...I know that you have to protect your team… your friends, and… Pyrrha's honor… but… does this mean you still plan on taking him on yourself again?"

Jaune: "*sigh*... That is the idea… Still, it'll take more than just a one-on-one fight to resolve our beef. With each other, AND with him… I'll admit, it was a risk to bring Yang out, but Ruby will keep her in check… Everyone else here is ready to back each other up as it is. That includes Blake, whether Yang realizes it or not."

Catherine: "How are you so sure?"

Jaune: "Because she's a big sister… like you." Catherine now bears a more lightened up expression then looks down at the bag. "She cares even when things go wrong… Right now, her mind is troubled. All of them are, including me." He then looks down at the bag. "But this sure would help me to try and end

their battle first."

Catherine: "Hmm…" Catherine begins to unzip the bag and looks into it. "It has been a while since we've had this much gear, hasn't it…? I'll give it another shot! Let's start off with the helm--."

Jacob: "Catherine, you'll stay here with Mr. And Mrs. Belladonna. Qrow and Headmaster Lionheart are going to make their way to the Council, and I'm going to accompany Jaune and his friends through the outer Kingdom. But we need at least one licensed Huntress to keep tabs over the Vault."

Catherine: "Aww, but I wanted to--!"

Jacob: "Catherine…" Jacob places his hand on Catherine's shoulder to calm her down. "Let them be.

Your brother's a man, now. We've held his hand long enough."

Childishly, Catherine pouts. However, Khali, upon hearing the conversation from afar, then appears before Catherine and hugs her tight to help her feel better.

Khali: "You'll protect your dear Auntie and Uncle, won't you hun?"

Catherine: "Yes, Auntie Khali… I'll protect everyone here!"

Khali: "Now that's the little warrior I remember."

Catherine lifts the bag up and allows Jaune to take it for himself. Right by her side, Nora shows up with a hug. Ren also appears and gives them more of a group hug, followed by Jaune with just the four of them.

Nora: "I'm glad you could make it."

Catherine: "You guys take care of each other, okay?"

Nora: "You too. We have to hang out when this is over."

Catherine: "Yes. We do, yes."

Ren: "Time can only tell if we'll return with our lives intact. Nonetheless, the aim is to succeed in one piece."

Jaune leaves his team with his sister, and walks off to the truck. He carries the heavy bag over his shoulders and places it inside the truck.

Nora: "So Catty… you never mentioned that you and Jauney were cousins with Blake."

Catherine: "...You guys never mentioned that you knew Blake… And… from the looks of her earlier, she didn't even seem to remember us either."

Ren: "True, but seeing as how she was once mentored by Adam, it's safe to say that at some point, she too would be close to you and your brothers."

Catherine: "I mean, we weren't really THAT close to the Belladonnas. They were more like Daddy's business partners that we grew to love and accept in the family… But, I guess that might've been helpful to mention back at home, wouldn't it?"

Khali: "You're just fine, darling. Sadly, it was part of our intentions that you all might not meet with us again. And yes, with you kids being so much younger, our family did fear of forgetting one another. That is often how some families go their separate ways."

Weiss: "So, your Blake's mother… And you were once an Aunt to Jaune, and…?"

Nora: "Catherine."

Weiss: "Right, Catherine."

Khali: "Yes, Ms. Schnee. And I am still their Aunt. In fact, I'm still hoping to remind my daughter of her family extensions myself, which we will do in time. You see, Ghira, Jacques(Arc), and Adam's father, Yamato Taurus, both take to discretion and seclusion quite firmly. Ghira and Yamato both put this in practice towards the White Fang organization, and in running our island. But his father is currently doing time in the prisons of Atlas… as far as I've heard… We Faunus often take to the shadows for our own protection, everywhere we are. And the General's been quite courteous towards our cause… until they figured it was best that everyone stayed safe and separate at the time…"

Weiss: "So… how did you go from one family to a collection of others, and then just become strangers to each other?"

Khali: "We will have time for catching up after you've all returned. Right now, you kids have a battle ahead of you, so don't let me interfere."

Ren: "Quite. Just one more thing, Ms. Bell--."

Khali: "Please, please… Call me Auntie."

Ren: "...Aunt… Khali… Earlier, you said that voice came from 120 miles, right?"

Khali: "125, yes."

Ren: "Hmm… Then I may have an idea where that is."

Khali: "You do?"

Nora: "We've traveled through villages about that far. He's starting to suspect they've given away their position there."

Ren: "Which is a bit agitating… to think there's another trap with more lives at risk from them being that far… Thank you for your help."

Nora: "See you later, new Auntie! Bye, Catty!"

Khali and Catherine happily wave to Ren, Nora and Weiss, who now enter the truck, pondering on their quest ahead.

Nora: "...So then Ren, where do you think Adam and his gang headed off to?"

Ren: "...Somewhere that I'm hoping to be wrong about."

Weiss: "Y-You don't think…?!"

Ren: "No… He wouldn't leave the Kingdom just yet, I don't believe… But I can't help but feel just as disgusted at where he might be instead."

Weiss: "Hmm… Three families… Two of them, Faunus, one of humans… Jaune… Blake, and this… Adam Taurus…?" Across the truck from inside, Weiss looks to one of her teammates in thought. "I can get Jaune, but… how could Blake not have known this whole time…?"

From outside, Ruby keeps watch of her team in the truck. However, she looks over and sees Qrow stepping further from it, as he grabs and shoves Lionheart by the shoulder.

Qrow: "You're with us, Leo. Even if you're 'not', I'd like to keep a close eye on you."

Ruby: "Wait!" This brings her to run up to him in concern. "Uncle Qrow… you're not coming with us?"

Qrow: "We're turning Lionheart in Ruby. He's still a traitor."

Ruby: "But… He's on our side now!"

Qrow: "Only as far as we can tell. He's worked with our greatest enemy. We can't take too many risks… But only after he's helped… if his words hold true… There's still the matter of whatever's going on with the Council. I'd like to get an explanation with what all he's been up to with them. And judging by the

General's report, the Grimm seem more focused on their houses and offices higher up the mountains.

So… if Leo can prove himself by helping us fight them off until we get to the safe house below… then

MAYBE… I'll go a little easier on him."

Ruby remains concerned. She looks from her Uncle with his caution to Lionheart in sympathy.

Lionheart: "Qrow is right, Ms. Rose. I must earn your trust before you can think of me as your ally. I've deceived everyone once… I could deceive again as far as anyone knows."

Ruby: "...I understand, Professor… I won't forget what you have done to make up for your mistakes… You know what you did was a mistake…" He nods his head, accepting his actions. "But you trusted my bestfriend with our lives… like I did to get here… So I KNOW you're not going to deceive us. You had better not. Until you can prove yourself, that's enough for me." Her Uncle nods in admiration with a small smirk.

Qrow: "Give my regards to one of his students in there. Tell him no hard feelings… and I'll make sure his

Headmaster 'in question' doesn't get hurt."

She then nods to his words.

Ruby: "...Be safe out there, Uncle Qrow."

Qrow: "Oh, I will… Protect your sister. Or… 'sisters', I should say… See ya soon."

Qrow hugs his honorary niece before their departure. Both he and Lionheart walk on, passing by Oscar who approaches her.

Oscar: "Good luck, Ruby."

Ruby: "You too. To the… the two of you. *giggle*"

Oscar: "*chuckle*"

Ozpin now takes over and reaches a hand out to her. She gives a firm handshake to her Headmaster from within who looks to her.

Ozpin: "*sigh* Truly, I do not deserve students like you, Young Ruby… Your mother would surely be proud."

Ruby: "...Thank you… Professor Ozpin."

They both release their hold, and then depart from one another. Ruby faces Jaune, awaiting her approach. The two look over the Fallen Academy to confirm their comrades' presence for transport, as well as the ones keeping its post. They all wave to our heroes and the two leaders wave back on their behalf. Jaune then takes Ruby's hand to enter first, and allows himself to be the last one in.

Jacob now walks to the truck, and enters the driver's seat. He turns the engine on, and it vibrates with dust blowing off. His foot then slams the accelerator, right as he puts it in drive, and speeds off down the hill's road with the remaining debris on it sweeping off.

Qrow stays where he is as he watches the truck leaving the school in its destruction.

Catherine: "Professor Lionheart…" The assigned Huntress, Catherine Arc, affirms herself with the misguided Headmaster, though questionably, in pondering each other's authority. "...Is he still a professor…? I've never done this before. He's at the same level of the person who got me my license… And that person's a kid now! But Lionheart, he's a criminal now… right? How do I act? Do I holler at him? Will he holler at me?!"

Lionheart: "Yes, how can I help you young lady?"

Catherine: "*clears throat* As Huntress of Haven and its Relic's protection, I-I d-demand that you… show me the way to that Vault in question… f-for-- for its protection!"

Lionheart: "Very well." He walks up to the school's debris as told, past the Menagerie army still killing the few Grimm that now remain. "It is right in the center of this destruction before us. It won't take much to uncover with enough power. Shall I clear it for you to inspect?"

Catherine: "Y-Yes, but no tricks… And when you're done, you… you'll cover it right back up!"

Qrow: "And make it harder to open than it was before, so it'll give these Maidens a hard time."

Catherine: "Yeah! And I-- I suggest you hurry… p-please?"

Lionheart simply looks at her confusingly, uncertain of her nervous demeanor being authoritative, that he looks to Qrow. He just nods for him to do as said.

Ozpin: "You heard her, Leo."

And so, Lionheart uses his shield to create a small cyclone that clears the area, and exposes the chain statue from before. While the wind creates an opening to the statue, the falling debris particles get caught in and away from everyone else. A few of the Grimm begin to move from feeling the elements, until Lionheart uses it to force the debris down onto the creatures.

A path to the Vault statue is now open as far as everyone present can see.

Lionheart: "...Here you are, Ms. Arc."

Catherine: "Great…! Thank you… Now, uh… Return to your post with Mr. Branwen at once! And m-m-march!"

Lionheart: "...Very well."

Qrow smirks and chuckles in amusement and approval before looking back to see the vehicle from afar. His nieces and classmates in arms are now barely visible to his eye view as they all descend further down the mountainous capital.

Ozpin: "Qrow…"

He then nods and looks back over to his leader.

Qrow: "...Let's do it."

Qrow begins to slide down the mountain with his feet planted. Lionheart watches before looking at Ozpin.

Oscar: "W-We're not gonna jump too, are we?" Both considerable Headmasters nod their heads, and jump down the mountain with their hands respectfully behind their backs. "AAAAAGH!"

Ozpin: "Calm yourself, Oscar. This will only be a brief moment before we land."

They eventually catch up to Qrow, and they both look up to see flocks of Nevermore and Griffin approaching the city.

Qrow: "They're coming in hot!"

Ozpin: "Then if you would Qrow, you should scare them away."

Qrow: "*chuckle* With pleasure!"

One Nevermore swoops down to Qrow with its beak wide open. Qrow jumps straight through its mouth, leaving slashes from the inside reaching out, and then cleanly coming out of its pieces with his sword in one hand, and his nose held by the other. He hand-lands on the flat ground and is met with a line of Griffin. He continues on by running, and clicking his sword on the ready.

The Griffins then start to charge at him, mostly on foot, and a few to the air. Upon their approach, Harbinger extends to scythe form as its wielder vastly maneuvers through them in multiple swings. They all split to smoke, before Qrow's scythe clicks back to sword form, and slices another Griffin that had pounced at him.

A few of the Griffin in the air survived. They fly back down toward Qrow, followed by more Nevermore. However, most of which had been kicked and whacked by Ozpin with his cane. As he lands beside Qrow, the rest are finished off by a burst of lightning within gusts of wind. Lionheart then lands at Qrow's other side as he disengages his shield's Dusts.

The three senior Huntsmen press on and eventually pass what had been left of the Council building. The area is now infested. With a greater horde of Grimm enroute from the lower region, they begin to fill up the upper mountain to below the Academy top.

Lionheart: "My word…!"

Qrow: "*chuckle* It's like Beacon all over again."

Ozpin: "Hmph. Reminiscing on your school days, Qrow?"

Qrow: "You know it. Other than the girls back then, this was the best part of it!"

Lionheart: "How vulgar…"

Ozpin: "Loving the enthusiasm. This might even be good practice for you, Oscar."

Oscar: "Pr--Practice?! Wh--?!" Just then an Ursa mounts over him. At the last minute, Ozpin switches places with him. "...WHAT?!"

He defends himself by muzzling it with his Cane. However, Ozpin regains control. He manages to slip out, wrap his legs around its neck, and twist its neck with his Cane under such a firm hold.

Ozpin: "In any case, let us get to work. The sooner we're done here, the sooner we can report to the

Councilmen themselves… and then question them on their early disappearance from the Capital." (Meanwhile…)

As the 7-ton speeds down the mountain, it rams and destroys every Grimm, both paralyzed and unparalyzed, in their path. On top of its roof is Ruby, Weiss and Yang, slaying every Grimm, from pounces into pieces, and away from their space.

Three Beowulfs jump in and are vastly beheaded, along with five Creeps becoming split. And one Deathstalker sticks to the front, forcing them to step back at the rear side, while blinding the windshield with its tail.

Jacob: "Um, Ruby sweetheart…" Ruby calmly stares at the Grimm as it strikes its stinger down to her turning back, spinning her scythe up and cutting it off. Before the stinger falls, she kicks a Bursting foot at its dull end, and the sharp end stabs through its head. As the Deathstalker curls up in its demise, it rolls off past Ruby as she and her team continue to kill more Grimm. "Thank you!"

More Grimm begin to crawl onto the truck as they all go downward. A pair of Creeps meet Weiss' swing of her blades and immediately fall dead on the track they go along. On Yang's end, she holds her own with just one arm along with her kicks. They come off strong enough to defeat the majority with one hit through each of them.

One great sized Creep in particular pounces and nearly grabs her with its claws. However, she punch-shoots through its abdomen and twirls midair to kick its head off. It had led a group of more

Creeps in its follow, which leads Weiss to create many Glyphs above and around the truck.

With each Glyph, she jumps from each one and slashes past the Grimm that jumps towards them, leading Ruby and Yang to follow along. Every Creep and Beowulf to their approach end up slashed, bashed, cut, and ran over as their remains are flinged and even tossed forward to the truck's unrestrained force forward.

As Yang jumps past Ruby from one Glyph to another, up above comes Griffons soaring down towards our heroes. She then lands on one Glyph, and shoots the platform to vastly approach them instead.

She stops and jumps past a few, and kicks one's neck in a crack. One is held by the head that she snaps with her arm, before the few that she passes get shot down, and grabs one by the wing. She tears it off, cuts one in half with it, and punches one in a combustion shot.

One more Griffon swoops behind her with its beak open that Yang lands one foot and arm on to hold open. Before one attempt out of its chomping grasp, it gets cut upward by Ruby with Crescent Rose.

This allows Yang to disregard the beak, and hold above the scythe's tip. This gives the two sisters the signal to team attack the approaching airborne creatures. Ruby spins Crescent Rose, along with Yang and herself, in a rapid ratchet force with surrounding petals. It hacks and Burns every Grimm with Yang's added Semblance that flares in a ring of fire from her heels.

It eventually stops as Ruby flings Yang in a fiery twirl. The Grimm before her meets Ember Celica in a blazing fist, leaving the rest in a burning wave. Yang soon lands on the truck, producing a wave above it that kills the remaining Grimm surrounding Weiss. She then opens her eyes, going from red to lilac.

While gliding in the air, Ruby looks forward and sees a greater clump of Grimm in their path ahead. She then lands to the rear of the truck's roof and takes a knee.

Ruby: "Blake, switch off!"

Her scythe is held out and she prepares herself as Rose Petals and a winded force circles her. In one Burst, she dashes and travels ahead of the group at a greater speed to tear through the Grimm before Jacob's driving approach.

Upon this, the truck accelerates even more, given the reduced mass they run through. This leads Weiss to put forth gravity Dust Glyphs to the roof for hers, Yang, and now Blake's better stability.

Now coming in from the side, Beowulfs jump on top of the truck. The three assume their combat, but with a change in utilizing Weiss' surrounding Glyphs still present.

From them, Weiss Summons arms of the Giant Armor and their sword. They immediately begin to cut at every approaching and faced Grimm. Not one cut comes to harm, or interrupt Yang, punching through a Grimm and shooting another behind it, Weiss, swinging her blade that cuts one and shoots icicles at a line of others, nor Blake as she dashes past five with one swing worth five that decapitates them. They continue their fighting, nonetheless as the Summonings remain in sync with them.

However, a few Alpha Beowulfs arrive and attack the arms. They come off strong enough to destroy all but one of the Summonings, before they kill all but one of the Grimm. The Alpha approaches the last arm, meeting a swing of its blade that the Grimm dodges. Another swing that the Grimm deflects with its claws, and it bites the Summoned shoulder, leading to its disappearance.

However, as the arm of the Giant Armor withers, its sword is yet to go as well. This brings Yang to think quickly, and dash up before the sword could hit the floor. With its withering, she catches it by the fading handle and beheads the Grimm.

Now with just its blade about to disappear, her grip is loose, yet her fist remains. She punches its bottom end and straight through the Beowulf's chest.

With more Grimm closing in on the chase, the truck approaches a split path with one going straight downhill, and the other going diagonally to the right.

Jacob: "Hold on, everyone. We're taking this around the mountain."

The 7-ton begins to drift toward the right side before beginning to drive regularly. The truck now circles down the hill, leaving a slight pull toward the edge for the fighter on top of the roof. The truck runs over even more paralyzed Grimm down the road. However, the path itself does not cease from the Grimm's pursuit from behind and above them, as well as the mountain's edge that they descend upon.

Sun: "It feels like we're over the cliff now."

Ren: "That's precisely it."

Sun: "Hm. I think I know where we are. We're going down the way that Blake and I took going up." Jaune: "And the Grimm are coming up from it… fast!"

Nora: "Speaking of which, now it's our turn!"

More Beowulfs and Creeps can be seen below and gaining on our heroes as they travel. In addition, more flying Grimm, such as Griffins and Nevermores follow them as well. This brings Nora to shoot a good mass of the creatures with her explosive rounds, and Ren riddling just as much with each shot. They even alternate between sides, seeing how the Grimm come in from above on the right side, below on the left side, and over the mountain from above Weiss, Blake and Yang with their fires.

Sun: "Will they be alright up there near this edge?"

Ren: "Yes. Most assured. They'll give us the signal, should they need one of us to take over."

Sun: "...I was actually referring to those two, specifically."

Nora: "Huh? Who?"

(Topside…)

Weiss: "Here, Yang." As they see the Grimm approaching, Weiss hands Yang a chain of Dust shells for her gauntlet. They come in fire, electricity, wind, rocks, water, and gravity. "Use them wisely."

Yang: "Yeah, got it."

Weiss: "Blake, here. You'll need some too."

To their interruption, a Boarbatusk appears above Blake, only to get split in two with a crossing slash of her blades.

Blake: "I'll be alright this time. Thanks Weiss."

Weiss: "Suit yourself."

She nods her head at Blake, and they press on with their approaching threats.

With the wind Dust in Ember Celica, Yang shoots above them, toward the stampeding Boarbatusks up the mountain's edge to the right. They are all blown off the mountain, and are sooned fired by her gauntlet's one-handed jab-shots. Most perish from the shots, some are cut to pieces from the wind's impact, while the rest plummet far down the mountain's base, along with the falling rocks heading their way.

Yang: "Uh-oh!"

(Inside…)

Ren: "Uh, Jaune…!"

Immediately, everyone inside sees as rocks and boulders roll down and head to them.

Jaune: "GEEZ!"

He then quickly runs to one side of the truck and uses both hands to produce an aura wave, through the truck, and around the truck, to deflect the mountain particles elsewhere.

Sun: "Yang… This is exactly what I was worried about."

Jaune: "*sigh* Yeah… So were we."

(Topside…)

They instead reach a few more Grimm at their level, and slow down the approach from the cliff's lower edge. To their safety, Weiss simply stares at Yang in disapproval and shaming her.

Yang: "Tsk. Whatever."

As one side of their moving perimeter is clear for the moment, the other is handled by Weiss, who shoots hard-light beams to a few winged Grimm. After being given the space, she Summons a swarm of Lancers to fight before her and the Grimm's approach. Not too long after, the one's from below begin to latch onto the truck.

Blake: "Yang, Bumblebee!"

Blake tosses Yang Gambol Shroud in its kusarigama form for their team attack. Only after punching and kicking a few of the Grimm on the roof, she sees the flinged weapon approaching her at the last minute. Her reflexes help her to catch it, yet it stuns Yang. Her hand begins to shake as she holds it, before looking at Blake and aggressively throwing it into the roof below them.

Its blade stakes into the roof…

(Inside…)

…And right over Sun's head.

It shocks everyone inside. Nora stops her shooting, worrying for her comrades and the Grimm outside.

Sun however gives no reaction, given his meditative state, yet still holds concern because of such.

(Topside…)

With her hold to her weapon's extension, Blake freely falls to approach the mountain's bottom edge. However, with its altered hold to her expectation, she slightly stumbles as she wall-runs on the mountain's lower level. One pink explosion from Nora above gives Blake an opening to cut at the rest of the Grimm at their blind side.

One collection of Grimm after another, and Blake Shadow Clone dashes forward to the next. She continues this to stride and pick up speed until she ends up removing a whole row of Grimm ahead of the truck at a pendulum. At one end ahead, she jumps high up until her kusarigama retracts and pulls her back to the truck's roof.

Blake tries to retrieve her weapon, until she sees Yang only now grabbing its end from being staked in the roof.

Blake: "Yang, why weren't you--?" Yang then shoots a gravity Dust round to jump off the truck herself, and far ahead at the bottom edge as well. "Wait! Yang, I'm not read--!"

She hears not of her warning, yet Blake holds tight to the strap of her weapon. Her feet briefly drag, even with the gravity conducted in the roof prior.

As Yang approaches more Grimm to come, she readies the electricity in her gauntlet and takes out many

Grimm in her own wall run. They go out in masses as her protruding electric charges reach out to other Grimm in her surroundings. The momentum of her gravity force remains as she jumps forward and up above the track before the truck.

On its end, Blake can feel her weapon's strap slipping from her hold on Yang.

In her run, Yang finds two Ursa Majors on the track ahead creating a blockade. The one behind the other comes with a herd of other Ursas in their path. She punch-shoots the first in the head with ice that freezes it, and shoots the other with a rock round. It produces a large tall boulder that impales the Major from inside out, while also protruding sharp rocks to pierce the other Ursa.

With the truck's approach, it shatters through the Ursa Major of ice, and approaches the rocks with the Grimm disintegrating. However, as it approaches Yang running past the rocks, her gravity Dust shots momentum reaches its limit. So she jumps to land on the roof, and the truck stumbles over the rocks on the ground. This causes Blake to lose her strength in her legs, along with the gravity Dust in the roof, after being stunted from Ember Celica's previous gravity pull.

And so, Yang barely lands on the truck, brushing past her and bumping her left side by accident. Luckily, Weiss had caught Yang's hand just in time, barely holding on herself.

Weiss: "I told you… to use those wisel--!"

However, as the truck now drifts to catch its ground, Blake had fallen off of the roof to both Weiss and Yang's shock. Blake then throws her weapon into the truck, but it does not stick. Yang instinctively reaches for Gambol Shroud, but could not be caught by her right side.

As Blake falls, and Nevermores start to invade on Yang, Weiss and the swerving 7-ton, shines of light spontaneously produce.

Blake finds herself caught by one's hold. She looks up and sees a chain of Via Sun's extended to her rescue. More than just three, but roughly ten produce from the truck, all the way down to her below the

cliff.

(Inside…)

Sun remains in his trance, while his Semblance's clones hold one another by the tail with their own staffs held out.

Sun: "Come on… I can't hold this forever. Hurry!"

(Cliffside…)

Blake: "...R-Right!"

The Via Suns take this opportunity to wall run and approach the remaining Grimm that notice them.

Blake does the same, now with two weapons in hand and the chain of support.

She slashes at them, briefly throws her kusarigama, before it retracts and she is back to dual-wielding. The Via Sun that stabilizes her stays behind her, back to back, with its tail keeping her secure while the other before it holds it just as stable as the others. The rest of the chain continue in fighting the Grimm, not even so much as slowing down.

Blake, after cutting down a few more Grimm, gradually climbs up the chain of clones, now balanced to just stand on their shoulders. This allows the bottom chain to pick up speed and continue to bash at the Grimm as well. While they work in sync, Blake gains the momentum to Shadow Clone forward at a Nevermore in the air to their disruption. It goes down with a mere slit at its throat, and a cut at another's wing, before she Shadow Clones back to the Via Sun chain.

The Shadow Clone she left behind had caused one of the Nevermore to charge at it, only to bash its head to the mountain for nothing but to avalanche rocks down on it.

However, one Nevermore had shot its feather blades at a few of the Via Suns, right before Blake could climb to one more above. It takes out one, leading two others to go down. Eventually, the rest of the Via Sun clones start to fade. So then, they quickly act with Blake.

Seven Via Sun Clones remain, and choose to briefly jump from their wall run. The one in the truck holds tight to the window, nearly causing Sun to strain in his meditative focus. Still, this gives them the momentum to fling high above and behind the truck. They then let go and free fall with Blake, as they begin to become invaded by more Nevermore. Blake and the rest of them ready their weapons.

From below, Weiss and Yang climb back to the top of the roof and see Blake from afar. Weiss then leads her remaining Summoned Lancers to aid her and the Via Suns.

As the Nevermores swoop in to Blake, the Via Suns bash at each of them, taking out one. Blake swings her swords at them in maneuvering twirls and flips. One gets shot in the eye, and she then whips her kusarigama out to one before going back to its sword form. That one is stung by multiple Lancers until it disintegrates, and they press on to more Nevermores, still approaching in midair.

Eventually, as Blake kills two of the Grimm with her swords, she sees the Grimm flying in fast. She then flings Gambol Shroud, put back in kusarigama mode, to give multiple slashes and shots to each one of them. They swing around each Lancer and Via Sun, giving them the clearance to finish off each Nevermore.

With their free fall, one Via Sun grabs hold of Blake, and tosses her to another one. She then jumps from one Summoned Lancer to another, until coming to the truck for the last Via Sun to catch her. It withers, along with the other Clones and Lancers as they see the truck finally reaching the base level ground.

Blake takes one look at Yang in disappointment. She gives a look back in shame, but turns away in stubborn pride. However, they all notice another blockade of Grimm running toward them.

Yang: "Hey Weiss, make one of the Boarbatusks, right here."

Weiss: "I don't think this'll be enough to take down all of--."

Yang: "Just do it. You wanted me to be smarter with these, right? Well I saw Doctor Oobleck do this with my dog that one time."

Weiss does as such, not sure what it is that Yang has planned. Both she and Blake see Yang remove the fire Dust shell given to her before. She then puts the round into the Summoned Boarbatusk's mouth, and then curls it into its spinning attack form. Yang then lifts the balled-up Boarbatusk by the tusk, gradually dashes forward, and bowls it toward the Grimm ahead.

Weiss is dumbstruck, while Nora from inside is intrigued…

Nora: "*happy gasp*!"

Blake then aims and shoots it, right on time to strike and blow the Grimm away. The 7-ton passes them in their demise, now coming more into the city itself.

Before jumping inside the truck, Weiss looks to Blake in encouragement to keep fighting. Yang however had already turned away before going in the truck herself.

Nora: "(singing) Our turn!"

Nora now steps outside the window, alongside Ren, and climbs up to the roof.

Nora: "Watch this, Blake! I'm gonna show you how I broke a Geist made of boulders into pieces!"

Blake: "...Sure."

Yang: "...Heh. Boulder Geist…"

Ruby: "Haha! I knew it--...!"

For yards across the city, our heroes in the truck can nearly see more Grimm in its streets the closer they approach. While many of them range across the destruction before them, they see a clearance along with trails of Rose Petals. Only a minimal amount of the Creatures remain, along with bodily lacerations and severed limbs to their further immobility.

Jaune: "Man… These Grimm really got torn up."

Nora: "Good riddance, gooood warm up!"

Yang: "That's what we're here to do, right?"

Jaune: "Ruby, nice work out here! This was you, right?" No response, and Weiss and Yang look to Jaune.

"...Ruby?"

Ruby: "Hang on, Jaune. I'll--. I'll get back to you later."

They now become slightly anxious. Yang can even feel her hand shake.

Yang: "What was that?"

Jaune: "I don't know."

Weiss: "Gah! I knew she shouldn't have gone out on her own. This is what she does, all the time! I swear!"

Jaune: "Look, I'm sure she's fine--."

Yang: "Yeah, how do you know?!"

Jaune: "I-- I don't, but--."

Jacob: "...Huh…? Oh really." Jacob speaks to his communicator up to his ear to Jaune, Weiss and Yang's curiosity. "Uh-oh."

Weiss: "What's wrong?"

Jacob: "I just got news from Ruby up ahead. She's with an officer. There's a whole pile of Grimm where they're at on one of the local satellites."

Yang: "See?!"

Nora: "Son of a BISCUIT!"

Jaune: "I-I-It's no problem. Ruby and the officer will be alright. Sh-She's already gotten ahead of us. I mean, l-look at these Grimm! She can take care of them."

Jacob: "Right. I just need to hurry and give her some backup."

Jaune: "Yeah! We can do that! Just bring us up to the satellite and we'll meet her there."

Jacob: "Don't worry, I'll handle it. Here, take the wheel."

Jaune: "...Huh--?"

No warning, and Jacob steps out of the moving 7-ton, and runs off ahead to our heroes' shock.

(Topside...)

Blake: "...Was that Uncle--?!"

(Inside…)

Jaune: "Wh-- What the fff--?!" This brings Jaune to jump forward and take the wheel. It swerves, causing the others to as well. "Oh, real funny, dad!"

Jacob: "Love ya, son! Don't crash too hard, and have fun!"

(Topside…)

Nora: "Bye, General--!" With the truck in less control, Blake nearly trips, until Nora joyfully takes her hand with Magnhild hooked on the roof's edge. To their luck, Jaune continues running into Grimm, but with the vehicle coming closer to losing control. It swerves again, with Nora still holding Blake, twirling and putting her hammer to the other side. "Mm, that's a good stretch."

Ren on the other hand chooses to dash off to the side, and jump from building to building. He proceeds to kill any Grimm that approaches his comrades.

Blake: "W-W-Why… would he do… that?!"

(Inside…)

Ren: "Jaune, is everything okay in there?"

Jaune: "*groan* Just… peachy! Whatever you guys do, hang on! Keep… fighting!"

Ren: "...Roger that?"

Weiss: "Gah! Why is it that your family seems to want us dead?!"

Jaune: "Weiss, I've asked that question ever since I first stepped in this truck with them! By that time, I barely knew how much sugar was in our cereal, how dangerous my sisters were… or how to tie my own shoes so I could run from them!"

Weiss: "Did you learn how to tie your shoes before, or AFTER you got your license…?! You have a

license, right?" Jaune: "...!" Arc: "I'm gonna tell her…"

Jaune: "No you're not! I-I think it's safe to say that my dad has as much ambition for peop--. No. He's confident in--. H-He's a maniac, alright! But he knows we'll survive!"

Weiss: "I don't think YOU'RE even sure we'll survive!"

Jaune: "Look, I know pops can be reckless, but I'm not dead yet because of it. So ya just learn how to live with it… Literally!"

Catherine: "He's right, you know."

Weiss: "Huh?"

Yang: "Whoa. Who's that?"

Jaune: "Catherine?"

Catherine: "I heard the whole thing. Dad's communication has got some good reception. Maybe not for long once you guys leave the city. But don't worry, little bro. It's just another one of dad's tests. I'll be sure to tell mom about it when this is done."

Jacob: "Oh come on, sweety. Don't you remember when you and the girls snuck out with the truck, and little Jaune had to run out and learn how to drive you all back?"

Catherine: "Yeah, because we're his sisters. You're supposed to be the responsible parent. We can play with him and make him worry about us and stuff."

Jaune: "Hey!"

Yang: "Ha HA!"

Jacob: "Yeah, so you get it."

Catherine: "That's not the point I'm trying to make, daddy!"

Ruby: "Yeah, that is pretty messed up, Mr. Arc… AND you too, Catherine!"

Catherine: "*raspberry*!"

Jacob: "What, really? Ms. Schnee, back me up here. You have a big sister too. I'm sure you know what it's

like."

Weiss: "Sir, do not compare my siblings to you and your daughters, please! I have two, with their heads still on their shoulders! Usually… YOU have six--!"

Jaune, Ruby, Nora, Ren, Catherine and Jacob: "Seven."

Weiss: "...My point, exactly… SEVEN daughters, a son, and a psycho son who I'm sure have tried to pull each other's heads off! And just moments ago, one of them almost succeeded!"

Jacob: "...Welp, guess I'm a dead man when I get home, then. *laugh* Don't worry, son. You'll be fine.

Hang on, Ms. Rose, I'm almost there."

Ruby: "Take your time… I've got a PINCH waiting for you…!"

Jacob: "Oh boy…"

Jaune: "*inhale*...!"

Catherine: "You'll be alright, Jaune. Just try to relax, like you're on vacation…"

Arc: "Ah yes, vacation. The same night when they first took the Arc-Mobile. Good times…"

Jaune: "Yeah, the first…! *exhale* Just like vacation… JUST like vacation…!"

(Topside…)

One Ursa appears to be running fast toward the truck, only to be crushed, along with more Grimm in their way as they meet their own demise. Whether they were already attacked or destroying more buildings, paralyzed or approaching, they now meet the impact of the truck's clumsy grasp of control.

More Ursa appear from one corner of a destroyed building and give chase, catching up. Nora and Blake see as such, and Blake gets pulled to twirl in towards Nora…

Nora: "You ready?!"

Blake: "...To…?"

Nora: "To DANCE!"

…And spin out towards the Ursa.

Blake immediately kills one with one swing, but unsure of her return to the truck driving off, and the other Ursa pouncing toward her. This is until Ren appears before her, stabbing Storm Flower into their temples behind him, then turns to grab Blake and dashes back to the truck. They land hard on the truck, helping to push it out of its unbalanced drift, and swerve forward.

Blake: "...Whoa… You just… You-- Ren, that was incredi--."

Ren: "Balance." Nora then smiles from behind him. The truck then slightly swerves, before Nora shoots a grenade to a pile of Grimm, and it forces the truck out of its harsh swerve. It then gradually stumbles to a slightly more still control. "That's all there-- *grunt*… --is to this."

(Inside…)

Yang: "Hey, get that one on the left!"

Jaune: "W-What?! Yang, I'm not gonna--." Just when he denied Yang of running over a Beowulf, an explosion sets off from the opposite side of it. "Oh shi--!"

And thus he runs over a Beowulf, then two Beowulfs, and a whole line of more Beowulfs that Yang shoots from out the window to finish off.

Yang: "HaHAAA!"

(Topside…)

The truck begins to drift until it stays on just one side of its wheels. This brings Ren and Blake to flip over and stabilize their footing on both the roof and side of the truck while they shoot at the Grimm.

Nora however holds the corner of the truck between the roof and the side where her feet are firmly planted. She joins in with Ren and Blake in shooting the Grimm past the burning buildings. A group of Grimm have yet to notice them, allowing Ren to boomerang one of his weapons to them. However, more appear, now barely holding on to the truck, leading him to wield his dagger in his empty hand.

Nora: "Hey Jaune…!"

Jaune: "Status report! Is everyone okay?!"

Nora: "Yeahwereperfect--. Here, get this one up ahead! And step on it! We got more monsters to kill with so little time!"

Ren: "You're enjoying this too much, Nora. For whatever reason the General has of leaving the wheel to

Jaune so abruptly, I'd like that our driver kept this at a steady pace as much as--."

The Grimm to Nora's attention just then gets its paw stomped on by the truck, bumping and balancing them back to all of its wheels. It roars from the crushing wheel, and for Nora to shoot a round in its mouth. It chomps down, and the grenade blows up. It, as well as the other Grimm running near it, then

perishes.

Nora: "Boo-Yah!"

(Inside…)

Weiss: "I don't think you need to run into every Grimm, Jaune! Clearly you're out of practice!"

Jaune: "Does it look like I got a choice?! If you'd only look at the mirrors, you'll see we're still being chased! And they've been hogging up the whole trail here, ever since!" Upon their bickering, the truck is headed towards a building.

Weiss: "Watch where you're going!"

Jaune: "Right--! Right, I got it--!" They crash through an open building, which happens to be a food market. "...I didn't get it…"

Weiss: "(whimpering) This is a nightmare…!"

(Topside…)

The truck ends up being coated with many of its fruits, vegetables, and prepared foods. Blake and Ren wipe the mess from themselves in disgust as they hang on and take cover from the rear. Nora however keeps herself on the roof, sitting with a mouth full of their dishes, and bags instantly in her arms.

Nora: "*gulp* *burp* Boy, that hit the spot!" A tomato, followed by a slice of steak, splats onto her face as they continue on. She simply wipes her face clean, and eats what had been left of the mess. Right afterwards, the truck passes one station full of meat, and she grabs a hugful to her near satisfaction. "I'm saving these for later!"

She leans over to place the bags inside the truck before standing back up.

Blake: "...Okay, am I crazy, or did she just shop out of this market during all of this chaos?"

Ren: "No, Blake… No, you're not crazy."

Nora: "If you guys want a bite, there should be more on the windshield."

Ren: "I'll pass, thank--."

Blake: "Wait, you said the windshield?!"

(Inside…)

Jaune: "I can't see!"

Weiss: "Why did you drive through this?!"

Sun: "When will you two stop screaming?"

Weiss: "Turn on the windshield wipers! Hurry!"

Jaune: "I-I can't find them!"

Weiss: "What do you mean you can't find--?! *groan* Sit back!" Weiss then shoves Jaune more into the window in discomfort. "It's obviously… Well, I… I remember it being--. No. It-- It should be… Where did Klein say it was?"

Yang: "You don't know either, do you?"

Weiss: "Why don't you take the wheel, then?! Y-You know how to drive, don't you?!"

Yang now pays her little mind as she is seen munching on a piece of mutton and looking through the bag Nora had brought.

Yang: "I'm on my lunch break, ask me later… (mutter) Did she even get any duck sauce…?"

Weiss: "Yang!"

Yang: "*groan* Fine…"

Jaune rolls his window down for the sake of space and to see out the window. He gains relief to see his path, only to find a pie splat on his face.

Jaune: "Oh boy…" Right as Yang reaches up near the steering wheel, she turns the windshield wipers on, clearing their vision. Weiss proceeds to clean his face with a handkerchief as he keeps his hands on the wheel, still driving in a straight path. "...Thank you."

Weiss: "Don't mention it."

They now leave the other side of the market and press on.

Yang: "Ya know, why don't you just let him drive, Weiss? I didn't see you take the wheel."

Weiss: "That's because I never learned to drive. Why don't you come up here and coach him? Or is riding a motorcycle all you can do?"

Yang: "And ruin this trip? Pfft. This whole ride has been a blast!"

(Topside…)

Their path comes off clear for a while. The truck begins to enter another section of the city where turmoil remains just as much, yet with less fire. This time, they find themselves closing in on buildings with a more narrow road. Blake: "Ugh…"

Ren: "...Are you okay?"

Blake: "Yeah… I don't know how you do it. Being patient with all of this insanity. I mean, I know Nora has like a ton of energy, but I don't think I can even keep up with her, either."

Ren: "You did just fine. Not a matter of keeping up, but keeping it together." At nearly the last minute, two Beowulfs pounce toward Ren and Blake. One is blown up before them by a grenade launcher to Blake's shock, while the other's neck is met by StormFlower boomeranging back to Ren's catch. "You're free to head inside. We can cover it from here."

Blake: "*sigh* Thanks."

(Inside…)

As Blake enters the truck, she meets the rest of her comrades at the window. Other than Sun, they all periodically shoot at the Grimm from afar. However, a Geist from out of nowhere fades into the truck, flying over him until he just shoots it with his eyes still closed.

Blake: "...*chuckle*"

This causes her to laugh, and Sun to smirk, before taking a deep breath. She then assembles a position and aims out the window herself.

Jaune: "Alright. I think I'm getting the hang of this, now. Ruby, how are things on yours and dad's end?"

Ruby: "We're fine. Your dad left to cover for a few officers on the other side of the mountain. He hooked me up to one of their networks, and I got some distress calls I need to take care of."

Jaune: "Distress…? Looks like you were right, then. The city wasn't fully evacuated."

Ruby: "I already did a clean sweep around the upper mountain. Noone was up there, but there's quite a few down here."

Jacob: "Not to worry. The more elevated regions were mostly inhabited by Huntsmen and Councilmen. They've already been clear of the area… tragically and questionably, if I might remind you all… Just be on the lookout for more as you make your way to the city's exit. By then, you should all have enough time to be linked back up."

Jaune: "...Okay then. We should be closing in on it real soo--."

And then suddenly, an Ursa Major changes in from the side that Blake's gun could not shoot in time.

Blake: "Everyone, take cover--!"

The Ursa Major rams into the side of the 7-ton, and stunts its balance once more.

(Topside…)

Nora: "Wuh-oh!"

This causes the truck to harshly whip towards the left, and it leads Nora to crash through the window of a building that was before them. And from what Nora can see as she's hurled through the air, it is a whole room of Mistralian designer clothing.

As she passes them, her speed and focus allows her to be in slow motion, and grab a few garments and accessories. She even briefly holds them up to her body for a look as she passes a mirror. However, amongst the many clothes, something really catches her eye.

(Meanwhile…)

Ren: "Stop the truck!"

Jaune hears Ren scream from outside and through the communicator, and slams on the breaks, now in front of the building. Jaune immediately jumps out of the truck with Ren stepping down from its roof and running up to the building.

Jaune: "What?! What happened?! W-Where's Nora?"

Ren: "She crashed through the clothes shop when we turned. I'm going back to see if--!"

Before Ren could even take another step, to his, Jaune's, and everyone from the window's surprise, Nora runs out of the shop with a kimono dress on and with bags on her arms.

Nora: "Why are you stopping?! Go! GO!"

She passes Ren, and he can almost swear that she has on perfume and make up that colors his cheeks in a pink blush. As she throws her bags in the truck, past a now dumbstruck Jaune, she then climbs on top of the roof, even with the restraint to her skirt.

Blake: "...I think I'm starting to lose my mind for good this time."

Jaune: "Nora, are you alright?! I'm sorry, I couldn't--!"

Nora: "No time for that! We gotta go, now! Ren, come on."

Ren wakes from his brief dazed moment and runs up on top of the truck.

Jaune: "Okay, okay. I just didn't expect--." From the clothes store, a stampede of Grimm bust out of its windows and walls until the whole building collapses. "Going-- Going--! GOING!"

Now Jaune runs into the driver's seat, not bothering to close the door, but drives off for it to close on its own. Nora proceeds to bomb the monsters on their tail, then flips back into the truck. Ren shoots a few that remain, and flips inside as well.

Nora: "So Ren, what do you think?"

Ren: "I…" Words hardly come to Ren's immediate thoughts as Nora is presented to him in a… "Beautiful…" dress. "...I… think you've been taking advantage of warfare to commit theft at unattended shops."

Nora: "Oh relax. I got something for everybody while I was in there."

Blake: "Everyone…?" Upon hearing Nora, Blake begins to smell more of the bag of food from earlier. "Is that tuna--? Wai-- Hold on, what am I thinking?!"

Sun: "...Everyone…?"

Nora: "I got a kimono for Ruby, I got one for Weiss, one for Blake, Yang, Catherine… I even got one for you, Jaune and Sun!"

Sun: "...I'm good, nevermind."

Nora: "Those were the best stop-and-go's I've ever gone to! You should try it, Ren!"

Ren: "Perhaps another time when we're not--."

Nora: "Oh look! There's a weapon's shop. That's perfect!"

Blake: "I don't think we have time for that, Nor--." Upon their next drifting turn, the truck goes right, and

Ren uses its whipping momentum to propel through the window, and into the shop's broken window.

"...Why…?"

Upon entering the store, Ren comes across only a few rare weapons of the store's display. One of which includes a pair of sai with installed triggers. They lie next to an awaiting Ursa, which Ren quickly grabs before it bites down near his fingers.

One swing of the blade, and the Grimm's neck is slit. More Ursa arrive that are quickly stabbed and split in his run through. One Ursa Major arises, and he pulls the trigger on it. It shoots a laser stream that burns through the Grimm's abdomen, along with any other monster directly behind it.

Ren: "Some of the locals must have taken up arms before everyone evacuated. That might explain the lack there is in this store."

The two sai however burnout, leaving Ren to throw them through the eyes of two Ursa that survived. This leads him to grab a staff with electrified tips. The Grimm that charge at him this time are a group of Beringel. They each meet his swing as he runs through, and sends a surge of electric charges to them.

One Beringel grabs the tip and takes the electrocution. That is until Ren presses a switch on it, unsheathing a lightning shaped blade. It cuts the Grimm's hand as it is now a guan dao. He continues his stride by beheading the Grimm with it, followed by the next, and the more to come. The last one in front of him is one more that he stabs in the abdomen, and lifts up in electrocution.

Before he disengages it, Ren tosses the Beringel at the rest of the Grimm behind him, running up. This gives him enough time to use another switch, loosening the blade into an extending chain. With it, Ren whips it to split it at their abdomen.

Now from the ground, there emerges a Deathstalker. It lunges its stinger down at Ren that he dodges. He retracts the chained blade to his hold, and with the Grimm pulling its stinger back, he swings the chain around his elbow to strike the blade forward for a chain blade electric strike. However, right as the blade hits and plants into the bottom of its tail, the chain wears out and unlinks.

He is only left with it as a bo staff, until the Deathstalker grabs it with its armored claws. Though its tail barely functions, it hurls Ren toward itself as he keeps hold of his weapon. However, he turns from the bo, and wraps his leg around the stinger to stand and grind off the tail. He then continues his run to the store's front door. The Grimm gives chase, leading Ren about to draw his own weapons in not seeing much left.

Ren: "We really are in the lower levels of Mistral. These weapons are incredibly unstable. I feel sorry for whoever had no other choice but to use these, should they fall apart."

However, near the front door, there lies what Ren now focuses on getting ahold of; Twin blade ninjatos. One in blue, one in green, he grabs them by their sheaths. And right outside of the door, he sees the truck pulling up from afar. But claws of the Deathstalker from behind clamp over to him.

He responds by turning back to the Deathstalker, and jumping over the claws. They had already broken the door open in missing Ren, who avoids the lunging stinger and steps from its back to the impaled lightning blade from before with two feet, and pressing it further through the tail in a burst out the door and far out the building.

In that moment in midair, Ren unsheaths the two weapons in his hand with a flick of his thumbs. He then swings the swords to fling the sheaths further down the end of the building. Halfway from the weapon shop and the truck, Ren looks upon the Grimm intruded armory with two of its weapons in hand. An aqua-colored blade with a wind Dust sharp edge, and a green blade with an ice Dust sharp edge.

Ren now throws the ninjatos toward the shop and the remaining Grimm before and within it. The swords themselves produce a gust of sharp icy wind. It passes through the Deathstalker, throwing it through the air in pieces. As it enters the shop in a straight force, it produces more slicing winds toward any Grimm that remain. It shows as such from the windows and doors bursting with Grimm smoke, turbulence and cold slash projectiles from inside and out.

It all ends at the moment the dual swords sheath into their respectable sheaths on the other side of the shop.

On Ren's end, he steps back into the truck, and it drives off with everyone else.

Jaune: "Awesome job, bro!"

Blake: "Whoa… I'm impressed!"

Nora: "Me TOO…! Hey, how come you didn't keep the weapons? Those were SWEET!"

Ren: "The weapons there were unstable. No telling if they might've broken down later on like the rest that had. Still, I felt that someone did put their heart and soul into making those two swords. The least I could've done was to protect the domain where they came from, and return them."

Nora: "...Nah, you should've brought them with you. We still got all night to battle."

Ren: "Perhaps… But that seems to be the last of the Grimm on our tail."

Jaune: "*sigh* Thank Oum… Now let's go pick up Ruby."

(Meanwhile, City Of Mistral Border…)

A group of less than 50 civilians are seen entering police aircrafts in poor condition. Right as the last person goes in, a Burst of Rose Petals enters the scene. It shows Ruby, running up and carrying a child.

She passes them off to an officer who brings the child in for care.

Police Officer #1: "Thank you, Ms. Rose. We'll take it from here and get these folks some medical attention. You and your comrades continue fighting the good fight."

Police Officer #2: "You must be tired from your search. Do you need a ride at all? We'd be willing to take you anywhere with one of our other rides."

Ruby: "No thanks. I'm sure that's everyone here in the city this time. My ride should be here any minute."

Police Officer #2: "Very well. Be saf--."

They get cut off as Ruby aerial cartwheels to the side and lands on the oncoming truck that brushes past them.

Ruby: "You too!"

She then swoops in the truck to join her traveling comrades.

Nora: "Where all did you go?"

Ruby: "(panting) …Believe it or not… I ended up circumnavigating the whooole mountain… to make sure everyone was out of the city… so we could go all out with the Grimm."

Ren: "Very admirable. And you managed to check every structure here?"

Ruby: "...Actually, yeah." She looks down at her hand in feeling something within her. "Ever since that Light up at the school, I… I don't know, it's like I could see, and maybe hear more around me. Everywhere I went, my Eye-sight felt blurry, but everything was outlined all at once. I could sense that someone was in danger, and where they were."

Weiss: "Huh… Kinda strange, don't you think? You sure you're not just tired after pushing yourself?"

Ruby: "Maybe. But then I figured who it is we're up against. Someone who's got the same powers as me, while keeping their face covered. I think Adam's senses might be sharper than we think."

Blake: "They are…"

Nora: "Still, you must be exhausted from all that zooming around."

Ruby: "Actually, not really. When Jaune shielded us with his aura… it felt like a real boost in my power! It gave me enough time to sweep every bit of the city. Something I thought I'd never get the chance to do.

In fact, I even took a quick detour up the mountain just to be thorough."

Jaune: "Seriously? My aura did all of that for you?"

Nora: "Hm… Now that you mention it, I can still feel your healy aura in the truck, Jaune… Oh yeah, he shielded us from the rocks moments ago."

Ruby: "Well that's a relief. Was there an avalanche?"

Yang: "A-Actually, that one was my fault… I'm… sorry you guys. Really…"

Jaune: "Don't sweat it, Yanger-Bomb. If I hadn't been forced to do that, we probably wouldn't have been able to brush all those monsters and explosives off earlier."

Ruby: "Explosives?! W-What all DID I miss?!"

Jaune: "Nothing too important. I'll tell you about it later. We've got time for more action down the road ahead."

The 7-ton now officially leaves the City of Mistral. Our heroes now drive off to its more western regions. Some of whom have journeyed through, now returning to, as one of them takes one last look of the capital and how it is left as they all depart.

Ruby: "...Goodbye for now, City Of Mistral… And Haven… Please forgive me…"

Jacob: "Good job everyone. That was quite a wave of Grimm. Our forces now have a good moment of rest for approximately the rest of the night. Anything more should be less of what we've already seen.

Otherwise, your sister will have no problem hunting down whatever else might reach the school."

Catherine: "I'm ready for an--*static* --ythin--!"

Jaune: "Aaand she's disconnected…"

Jacob: "Don't worry. I'll be in touch with her, and let her know you said thanks. I made it so that you and your friend's network is more encrypted. You'll be closing in more on the enemy. Don't wanna risk their

interference."

Blake: "Lucky us…"

Jaune: "Now the real work begins."

Ruby: "Before we go any further General, I need to know… can we trust you?"

Jacob: "...Yes you can, Ms. Rose."

Ruby: "You promise…?"

Jacob: "I promise."

Ruby now looks to Jaune, and he looks to her and gives a knowing nod… right before running over a Boarbatusk and putting his eyes back on the road.

Jaune: "Shi--!"

Ruby: "...Okay, we're all ears, then."

Weiss: "Well aren't you easy to convince…"

Ruby: "So what else can you tell us, sir?"

Jacob: "This is all that I have for you kids. As for your friend… if she's held by the White Fang, it won't be easy to get her back. Same goes for apprehending our enemy." Hearing the General in regards to Ilia brings Blake to more sorrow. "I'm sorry you have to hear this from your Uncle after so long, Blake. But it depends on you to find her. There's no guarantee she's still in Anima, but I'll be doing what I can to help with any trace of her."

Blake: "Ilia… My parents trusted her to the Albains long ago, and look at where it's gotten her."

Sun: "I never trusted those guys from the start… We'll get her back, Blake… I promise."

Blake: "Thank you, Sun. But I lost my friend to them already… And I will not lose her, or any of you for good this time."

Jaune: "You won't, cousin." In hearing Jaune, Blake's ears perk up, and she looks to him. "Huh. That tasted a little odd coming out my mouth… We should look for any trace of your ally as we make our way forward. Wherever that voice came from while we were up at the school could be right above us. Same goes for the White Fang. They could be anywhere out this way…" The ominous thought of their enemies potentially being closer begins to bring an unease to Yang as she glances out the window. "So we'll need to travel down the way we came to this Kingdom, until one of us can get a sense of either her, or their forces. Then, we engage…"

Arc: "And I think I got an idea of who has such a keen sense…!"

This brings Jaune to look at Ruby as she looks throughout the window.

Jaune: "If we don't find her before Adam, we ask him ourselves!"

Blake: "Jaune, you're talking about searching through nearly every village posted in almost all of Anima, and taking on possibly its most dangerous man lurking about."

Jaune: "Why not…? We've done this before. This time, with a ride! Plus, the police can't fight any of these guys out here head-on. There's no more Huntsmen here in Anima… The CCT's are still shot, so there's no back-up on our way. I say we do it…! Just enough until we find Ilia… and Adam, along with his allies. We'll take on all of them if we have to."

Blake: "Wha--?!"

Sun: "Yeah, come on Blake! Remember? You said we'd take this group back, right…? I say it's worth a shot. This could be your chance."

Blake: "Y-You guys would really do that?"

Ruby: "Of course."

Weiss: "This was the goal, remember? Ever since we started our second semester at Beacon. We're here to fight for one another."

Yang: "If it means I can get back at this dickhead, then yeah. I'll take them all on… one handed!"

Nora: "...Then it's settled then, right?"

Jaune: "Right!"

Ruby: "...Let's do this… Taurus!"

(Meanwhile, Unknown…)

Somewhere in Anima, another humvee drives through the dark woods of the continent. Within the truck are two White Fang members with two prisoners handcuffed in the backseat. That being one unconscious Faunus with a bandaged arm, and Ilia, who looks at the Lieutenant in disgust.

White Fang Member: "(radio) Come in, Lieutenant."

Lieutenant: "Send it."

White Fang Member: "Our Gate Watch has been apprehended. I repeat: Gatewatch has been apprehended."

Lieutenant: "...Copy. Fall back and return to your post."

White Fang Member: "Yes sir."

The transmission ends, and after hearing the report, Ilia's eyes lighten up more out of hope.

Lieutenant: "By the Mistral Police, no doubt… with the Belladonnas' charge… They know most of our tactics… Took 'em long enough."